The fifth Yama, Aparigraha.......

Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,

This week in class we are considering the fifth Yama, Aparigraha.

Love does not insist on its own way;

            it is not irritable or resentful;

                        it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right.

- I Corinthians

In My Fair Lady, Rex Harrison sings in exasperation: "Why can't a woman be more like a man? . . . Why can't a woman be like me?"

It did not surprise me to learn that this was a very popular song. In every emotional relationship, even if we don't put it into words, each of us has a rigid set of expectations which requires the other person to act and think in a particular way. Interestingly enough, it is not that person's way; it is our own.

When he or she acts differently, we get surprised and feel irritated or disappointed. If we could see behind the scenes, in the mind, this sort of encounter would make a good comedy. Here I am, relating not to you but to my idea of you, and I get irritated because you insist on acting your own way instead!

It is really no more than stimulus and response. If you behave the way I expect, I'll be kind. If you behave otherwise, I'll act otherwise too: rude, or irritated, or disappointed, or depressed, depending on my personality, but always something in reaction to you. It means, simply, that none of us has much freedom; our behavior is dependent on what other people say and do. To live without self-centered expectations is the secret of freedom in personal relationships.

Words to Live By: Inspiration for Every Day – Eknath Easwaran

The homework is to look at your relationships with a new perspective - a perspective that includes an awareness of when you are being self-centered.  Observe if you can catch yourself when you want things to go your own way and watch what happens.  The fifth Yama can be applied here: Aparigraha which means in part freedom from rigidity of thought, training our minds not to feel the loss or lack of anything and/or greedlessness. 

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