Greetings Sadhakas,
This week in class
we are considering the fifth Yama Aparigraha - non-covetousness or
greedlessness.
My life is an indivisible whole, and all my attitudes run into one
another; and they all have their rise in my insatiable love for mankind.
-Mahatma Gandhi
We should be able
to make all sorts of graceful concessions on things that do not matter in life
and yet stand unshakable on essentials.
To do this, we have
to be detached from our opinions. I'm not recommending that we be wishy-washy,
or lack strength in our convictions, but that we cultivate the forbearance not to
force our opinions on others. When we have strength of conviction we will not
get rattled when people question or contradict us. Mahatma Gandhi, for example,
was not in favor of tea or coffee, but he would make a cup of tea for his wife
each morning just the way she liked it. This is bending gracefully on
nonessentials.
When it came to
essentials, however, Gandhi was unshakable. His dedication to nonviolence was
so absolute that he would abruptly call off a successful nationwide program of noncooperation
with the British if he heard any reports of violence committed by his
countrymen, even those who did not acknowledge him as their leader.
Words to Live By:
Inspiration for Every Day – Eknath Easwaran
The homework is
to consider the fifth Yama, Aparigraha - non-covetousness or
greedlessness. Write down some of your
opinions that you identify with. Apply
the practice of Aparigraha and pick one or two opinions and work to detach
yourself from these opinions. Also consider what it means to be “unshakeable on
essentials” and how your Yoga practices can help you understand what your “essentials”
are and how these practices support your in remaining “unshakable”.
Blessings,
paul cheek
Rushing Water Yoga
417 NE Birch St., Camas, WA 98607
360.834.5994
www.rushingwateryoga.com
Serving Yoga to Camas, Washougal, and Vancouver Washington since 2003
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