Monday, March 23, 2009

Renunciation Beyond Control

Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,

This week in class we are considering the topic “Renunciation Beyond Control.”

It is necessary that we renounce everything. Yet the nature of this renunciation has usually been misunderstood and its sense of freedom lost. Renunciation does not mean giving up something, like giving up material things in order to gain something spiritual. Renunciation means not taking things up in the first place, not trying to manipulate things or force our preconceptions on life. What we must give up is our personal will to control life. To do this we must be open, receptive, and responsive to things as they are. We must be in harmony with the movement of life that clings to nothing. Renunciation is not an intended action of giving something up, but the freeing of the mind from ulterior motives. There is nothing we have to give up other than our own anxiety to control things.

- David Frawley

The reflection from the reading is to recognize what is getting in your way on your path towards renunciation. Consider how renunciation can lead to freedom and what freedom really means. Finally ask yourself what your experience has to teach you about your attempts to control things.

Blessings,

paul cheek
Rushing Water Yoga
417 NE Birch St., Camas, WA 98607
360.834.5994

www.rushingwateryoga.com
info@rushingwateryoga.com

Serving Yoga to Camas, Washougal, and Vancouver Washington since 2003

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