Everywhere we look, we see the results of living in excess. In a society that glorifies more and more, it becomes challenging to listen to the voice of intuition urging us towards moderation and balance. This Yama, Brahmacharya, can be particularly difficult to work on, and some may even question its importance. Let’s take the example of eating too much – when we overindulge, we feel sluggish and uncomfortable, lacking the motivation to do anything else, except maybe watching television. The same can be said for overdrinking, oversleeping, overworking, and overexerting in any aspect of life – it drains our vital life force, our prana.
Embracing Aparigraha: How Letting Go Can Transform Your Life
October 26, 2023Aparigraha, the final among the five Yamas, is a fundamental principle in the realm of yoga philosophy, encompassing the concepts of non-grasping, non-hoarding, and non-greed. While I may humorously reference my proficiency in adhering to this Yama by virtue of my frequent decluttering and willingness to part with possessions, the reality is that each of us grapples with certain possessions and attachments that prove challenging to relinquish. An examination of our personal attachments can lead to profound self-discovery, uncovering hidden resistances to the act of letting go. (more…)