Ishvara Pranidhana

This last of the niyamas is usually translated as "surrender to God," or more generally, surrender to divinity. It's an important distinction to make that yoga isn't usually a religion, per se, but rather a practice and philosophy, so in this sense while this niyama might be similar at first glance to, say, the Muslim principle of surrender, rather it is a principle that could just as well be developed by an athiest.

In that sense, one doesn't have to believe in some specific credo or deity, but can work with the concept of their Self as a unique being, and that being divine in a more secular sense. It helps in that regard that this niyama points to the more general yogic concept of universal connection, and surrendering to that. To be perfectly honest, ishvara pranidhana is one niyama that's been very challenging for me to develop. For example, I think the easiest way into understanding it is through that idea of personal divinity and universal connection, in turn - it's just, I've had trouble trusting, for lack of a better word. It helps to remember that this niyama is also tied into the important concept of not being attached to the outcomes of one's desires and actions, but it also doesn't help that that's also one of the trickiest concepts.

When I was younger, I felt I had a faith that I think was something similar to this, that I could rely on, almost. But...now, I think I'm working to regain that, somehow. From that memory, and from the texts, I believe this is one of the most important niyamas to develop - the trick is, putting it into action. Which is where this interesting quote by Goethe comes into play, in my mind, but again - there's that issue of trust and surrender.

An introduction to basic yoga philosophy

Sweet Solitude - on loneliness