Aparigraha is the last of the five yamas of Patanjali’s Eight Limbs of Yoga, and to me, the most challenging. It can be translated to mean ‘non-greed’, ‘non-possessiveness’, and ‘non-attachment’. It’s exactly the opposite of what I see so often all around me. There’s greed for money, greed for power, greed for fame, status, prestige, greed for pleasure, greed for happiness – even greed for any and all knowledge that never truly serves self nor others – really doesn’t matter how many masters you flash and how many credentials you flaunt – respecting the hard work while recognizing some of the greatest teachers had no certifications, doctorates and masters as after all, it’s the brains and money that buys – hope there’s the heart of kindness that propels one to work harder. Questioning greed for just more and more even when there’s more than enough for a lifetime and then some. There’s a fear of scarcity, inadequacy… insecurity all around. Oftentimes, We play the game of compensating for what we see is lacking, hoarding and latching on more tightly: Motto; motto so goes the mantra.
It is a disappointment when a business that claims to help a youth is actually more interested in churning out billable hours for the sake of profiting holy dollars, feeding into the fears of many unsure parents, dangling as carrots those things that one associates with “success.” Where is the integrity to really help so that a young person can come into his own at his own terms, not by some value system dictated to him?
Luckily, I spent the whole morning Sunday with those truly caring about young adults “Coming of Age”. What this teacher said about our mission was truly caring – yes, in the end, it’s all about relationships. First, there has to be a healthy relationship with oneself; that foundation. At the very core is that relationship we establish with the Self; then relationships with those outside of us; family, friends, teachers, and with the world as the spheres enlarges. At the heart is that willingness to be vulnerable and humble to forge a healthy relationship. That’s the teaching and hey, it’s free of charge.
Sadly, once gripped by greed, it has no boundaries – the greedy does not know when it’s enough. When greed takes over where the ego reigns – dollar signs reign over the divine and the sacred signs. It’s regretful. Then finer cars you drive; the bigger house you own; the fancier clothes you wear becomes the Higher Power to that lost soul. Blinded by the glitters of jewels to be adorned, never looking inward for the brighter jewel within. There’s the unconscious compensating for the dark cloak that hides the true radiance – and that’s within. Living ignorant of the sparkles and brilliance far brighter than any diamond that lies within all that darkness. Trapped and enslaved to that notion of ego which only defined a person by amount of ownership and possessions, insatiable and forever attached to things that never gives you the ultimate contentment nor fulfillment. For the greedy, the spark … that lightness of being is not within his grasp. It’s an unfathomable notion as he equates those possessions, not as a burden or a baggage but … an identity. It’s a pity to go through life so fearful.
Adopting Aparigraha takes courage – so much courage … we muster through practice of …
Aparigraha. Petit:) Aparigraha at a time … what are we afraid of? Work in progress with Q&A’s for me as well – it’s always a process, coming into one’s own at one’s own terms.
& that can lead to a life of …
And what do we need to boost our immunity? Our self-healing power? Maybe I found the answer in the congruence of all the teachings thus far I’ve had the fortune to come across…and of course, there’s always more to translate and learn.
“People where you live,” the little prince said, “grow five thousand roses in one garden…
yet they don’t find what they’re looking for…”
“They don’t find it,” I answered.
“And yet what they’re looking for could be found
in a single rose, or a little water…”
“Of course,” I answered.
And the little prince added,“But eyes are blind. You have to look with the heart.”
― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince
