What Can the Yoga Sūtras Teach Us About Social Media?

Like other historical figures, Patañjali is somewhat enigmatic. However, his recording of ancient teachings drawn from oral traditions and existing texts and practices, The Yoga Sūtras, is one of yoga philosophy's most foundational and influential texts. 

The Yoga Sūtras might be considered an OG self-help book, only with fewer anecdotes and more Sanskrit. Throughout four chapters, Patañjali describes the breadth of yoga philosophy, including the Eight Limbs of Yoga, capturing the path to liberation and spiritual awakening. The first of the two limbs, the Yamas, the moral code for dealing with others, and Niyamas, the internal compass for dealing with yourself, are a 2,000-year-old emotional intelligence manual of being a “decent” human. 

The Yamas and Niyamas are essential, not optional, and their timely advice can allow us to navigate the political dumpster fires of social media without burning ourselves out or turning into an online troll. Let us begin with the Yamas, providing a moral pre-flight checklist before you hit "Send."

Ahiṃsā (Non-Violence)

Ahiṃsā is the principle of causing no harm in thought, word, or deed. It underscores compassion, empathy, and respect for others. 

• Use respectful language: Just because you disagree doesn’t mean you must destroy. Avoid personal attacks, threats, or demeaning language. Challenge ideas, not identities.
• Practice active listening: Make a genuine effort to understand an opposing view before responding.
• Emphasize shared humanity: Ditch the "us versus them" framing by seeking common ground and shared values. Recognize the humanity in “the other.”

Satya (Truthfulness)

Satya refers to honesty and integrity—not just refraining from lying but aiming for civil, constructive, transparent, and sincere dialogue where the goal is clarification rather than winning at any cost. It is a commitment to speaking what is true, not what feels emotionally satisfying or gets your attention.

• Verify information: Read before you click, fact-check claims before you share. Don’t retweet simply because it fits your narrative.
• Acknowledge biases: Be open about your biases or the limitations of your knowledge.
• Speak from facts, not just emotions: While passion is natural, being right isn’t the same as being righteous.

Asteya (Non-Stealing)

Asteya ensures you engage ethically and fairly, honoring the exchange rather than exploiting it. 

• Respect others’ time and attention: Avoid monopolizing debates or intentionally derailing conversations.
• Don’t misrepresent others’ positions (intellectual honesty): Misquoting or taking statements out of context “steals” truth from the conversation.

Brahmacharya (Energy Moderation)

The modern interpretation of brahmacharya refers to the wise use of our physical, mental, and emotional energy: less Darth, more Yoda. 

• Moderate emotional intensity: Heated arguments lead to oversimplifications or insults.
• Choose battles wisely: Not every provocation deserves a reaction. Choose the hills you wish to “die on.” Engage where you can build—not just burn
• Practice self-care: Sustained engagement in social media is mentally draining. Step away and recharge. Consider a “digital sabbath.”

Aparigraha (Non-Possessiveness)

Aparigraha commonly expresses letting go of excessive attachment to material or ideological possessions, letting go of your “takes” and ideological tribe.

• Release the need to “win”: Focus on mutual understanding and clarity over scoring points.
• Be open to evolving views: When not rigidly attached to your positions, you can integrate new information and adjust your perspective, allowing you to grow, shift, and evolve.
• Encourage open dialogue: Don’t cling to a belief out of pride; be willing to learn from the other side.

While the Yamas offer ethical guidance for engaging with others, the Niyamas shift the focus inward. They help us maintain clarity, discipline, and self-awareness in a digital world designed to distract and provoke. While the Yamas remind us how to treat others, the Niyamas turn the gaze inward—toward the kind of person we become when no one’s watching (or liking, or sharing).

Saucha (Purity/Cleanliness)

Saucha encourages purity in body, mind, and environment, aiming for clarity and cleanliness in all aspects of life. In conversation, it elevates the dialogue, ensuring it remains clear, focused, and untainted by harmful or confusing elements.

• Clarity of Intention:  “What is my true purpose here? Am I seeking mutual understanding or simply trying to ‘win’?”
• Information Hygiene: Be diligent about verifying facts and avoiding misinformation. Sharing inaccurate data or rumors pollutes conversation.
• Mental Cleanliness: Keep your thoughts free from hostility or prejudice. 

Santosha (Contentment)

Santosha involves cultivating balance to achieve contentment—a sense of satisfaction and gratitude in the present moment. You can be deeply committed to justice without letting frustration or disappointment leaving you perpetually enraged. Balancing may include:

• Letting Go of Outcomes: Santosha reminds you that your well-being is not solely based on achieving a particular result or “convincing” the other side. Progress is often slow and imperfect.
• Healthy Detachment: Accept that differences of opinion may remain. There is no need to force alignment.
• Finding Common Values: Small points of agreement can foster a sense of contentment, even if big issues are unresolved.

Tapas (Discipline/Austerity)

Tapas describes the transformation that comes from persistence and self-control, willingly facing challenges for growth.

• Commitment to Productive Engagement: Respond mindfully—not reactively. It takes discipline not to resort to insults or flippant dismissals during a heated debate.
• Using Tension Constructively: Stay open when it’s easier to shut down. Instead of avoiding discomfort, allow the friction of opposing views to sharpen your understanding.
• Consistency in Conduct: Even if the other side becomes antagonistic, maintain a respectful tone and approach. This is a genuine test of your tapas.

Svādhyāya (Self-Study/Introspection)

Svādhyāya involves studying one’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to gain deeper self-knowledge on how your identity informs your beliefs. Self-awareness makes you less prone to recycling the noise of your insecurities or unchecked assumptions onto others. 

• Examine Your Biases: Recognize how your personal history, news sources, or social circles shape your views. Acknowledge blind spots before entering the conversation.
• Reflect on Emotional Triggers: Notice when particular topics or phrases trigger strong reactions. Doing so helps you respond more thoughtfully than impulsively.
• Continuous Learning: If you realize you lack clarity on specific political issues, commit to researching them with an open mind.

Īśvara Praṇidhāna (Surrender to a Higher Principle)

Īśvara Praṇidhāna describes surrendering the ego and dedicating one’s efforts to a higher power or ultimate reality. You are neither the center of the universe nor the Internet.

• Letting Go of Egoic Control: Recognize you can’t single-handedly force agreement or change others’ convictions. Offer your best efforts, but remain open to outcomes beyond your personal will. Trust that small actions matter.
• Humility and Reverence: Treat discussions as part of a larger collective growth process. Even if you passionately believe in your stance, humbly acknowledge that new truths or perspectives may emerge.
• Serving the Greater Good: Ground your political engagement in the desire to serve society’s higher welfare rather than seeking self-centered validation or power. Surrender to truth, not tribalism.

Putting It All into Practice

The Internet doesn’t come with a moral compass. However, the Yamas and Niyamas can help you engage with social media without losing your mind (or humanity). So, how do we bring ancient principles into the chaos of the comment section? Here are ten yogic guidelines for navigating the digital world with sanity and soul.

1. Practice Ahiṃsā (Non-Violence): Pause Before You Post

Respond with clarity, not harm. Ahiṃsā reminds us that disagreement doesn’t require destruction. Challenge ideas, not identities. Before posting, ask: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?

2. Honor Satya (Truthfulness): Fact-Check Yourself Before Others

Truthfulness is more than not lying—it’s about speaking with integrity. Share verified truths, not viral takes. Seek clarity, not applause. Honesty online includes acknowledging nuance and resisting emotional bait.

3. Respect Asteya (Non-Stealing): Don’t Hijack the Thread

Respect the time, attention, and intellectual contributions of others. Don’t misrepresent opposing views to score rhetorical points. Asteya means engaging in dialogue without dominating or distorting it

4. Practice Brahmacharya (Moderation of Energy): Protect Your Peace

Your attention is finite. Don’t waste it on every hot take or comment war. Brahmacharya teaches restraint: choose your battles with intention and give your energy to conversations that build, not burn.

5. Embrace Aparigraha (Non-Possessiveness): Hold Your Opinions Lightly

You don’t have to win the Internet. Aparigraha encourages letting go of rigid ideological attachments. Stay curious. Be willing to evolve. Growth is yogic—even online.

6. Utilize Saucha (Clarity/Purity): Clean Your Feed, Clean Your Mind

Your digital environment matters. Saucha invites you to declutter—not just your surroundings but your thoughts and sources. Follow those who inform, not inflame. Don’t confuse drama with depth.

7. Cultivate Santosha (Contentment): Stay Grounded, Not Grasping

You can care deeply without becoming overwhelmed. Santosha reminds you that contentment doesn’t mean apathy—it means letting go of obsessive control over outcomes. You can fight for justice without becoming consumed by rage.  

8. Channel Tapas (Discipline): Stay Engaged, Not Enraged

Tapas is the fire of commitment—the willingness to show up with integrity even when it’s hard. Resist the urge to clap back. Sit with discomfort. Respond slowly. Kindness in chaos is its own kind of power.

9. Practice Svādhyāya (Self-Study): Know Your Triggers

Curiosity begins at home. Svādhyāya asks us to examine why we react. What are you defending? What assumptions are you carrying? Emotional self-awareness leads to more thoughtful public conversation.

10. Surrender with Īśvara Praṇidhāna: You Are Not the Algorithm 

You won’t fix the world in one thread—and you’re not supposed to. Surrender the need for control and trust that showing up with humility and sincerity matters. Your role is to serve truth, not your ego.

In a world optimized for outrage, performance, and instant validation, the Yoga Sūtras offer something radically countercultural: discipline, compassion, and presence. These practices don’t mean disengaging—they mean engaging with intention. Show up not just to be right but to understand. That subtle shift from reacting to reflecting may be the most revolutionary scroll of all.

Source: The Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali