Greetings Sadhakas,
This week in class
we are considering the fifth Yama - Aparigraha.
Got no checkbooks,
got no banks,
Still I'd like to
express my thanks;
I've got the sun
in the morning and the moon at night.
- Irving Berlin
Even people with
money, power, prestige, and everything they have been seeking in their careers
can have emotional problems. No amount of money and prestige can prevent profound
dissatisfaction and boredom, as well as psychosomatic disorders and drug
addiction for millions of people. To me, this is proof that money and power are
not our need, that the human being cannot be satisfied by them.
It is natural to
feel that a little status or recognition would not be unwelcome in addition to
earning a good livelihood, yet all the world's great religions teach us that
getting something out of life, whether it is money or recognition or power or
prestige, is not our real need. Giving to life is our real need.
Words to Live By:
Inspiration for Every Day – Eknath Easwaran
The homework is
to review the fifth Yama - Aparigraha. BKS Iyengar writes that, “Parigraha
means hoarding or collecting. To be free
from hoarding is Aparigraha. By the
observance of Aparigraha, the yogini makes her life as simple as possible and
trains her mind not to feel the loss or lack of anything. Aparigraha means not only non-possession and
non-acceptance of gifts, but also freedom from rigidity of thought.” Consider Mr. Iyengar’s deeper understanding
of Aparigraha as it relates to our thoughts. How could letting go of rigid
thoughts and opinions lead you to seek the real source of happiness? How would discovering the “real” source of
happiness help us contribute more to the lives of others?
Blessings,
paul cheek
Rushing Water Yoga
360.834.5994
www.rushingwateryoga.com
Serving Yoga to Camas, Washougal, and Vancouver Washington
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