THE TANTRIC YAMAS & NIYAMAS: HRI

Hri means allowing yourself the expression of remorse, being modest, and showing shame for misdeeds. It gives you permission to recognise your mistakes, confess, and make amends. Sincerely apologise to those hurt by your words or deeds. Encourages you to resolve all disagreements before sleep. Seek out, correct your faults and bad habits. Welcome feedback as a means to bettering yourself. Do not boast, shun pride and pretension.

Conscience is the soul's impulse rushing through a mind that has been impregnated with knowledge of sin and its consequences. When we understand karma, reincarnation, samsara and dharma, Hri or remorse becomes real. It is a corrective mechanism put into action by an intelligent force to help us get back on the path of evolution. 

A simple way to show remorse is to apologise; to say with sincerity: "I am sorry."

When apologising, explain to the person you hurt or wronged how you have realised that there was a better way, and ask for his or her forgiveness. It doesn’t matter if the other person is too proud or arrogant to forgive. You have done your part and can go on your way.

Hri is the process by which we identify and purify our past mistakes. It's an important part of spiritual evolution, because it helps us move forward towards mukti (liberation).

Hri is an important practice to master. The better we are at it, the faster our spiritual progress.

Join in practice this week as we create the space inside for Hri to become available for us.