Svadhyaya

Self-study. Fourth niyama of Ashtanga Yoga.

It has two dimensions:

• Study of sacred texts — Scriptures, teachings of masters
• Study of oneself — Observation of one’s own patterns, reactions, conditioning

Svadhyaya is the bridge between external knowledge and internal wisdom. Reading is not enough; one must verify the teachings in one’s own experience.

Sri Vinoba Bhave: “Svadhyaya is the study of a subject that is the foundation of all others, upon which all others rest, without itself resting on any.”