Aparigraha is the concept of non-possessiveness, being both a Jain concept and a part of the Raja Yoga or Ashtanga Yoga traditions. The term usually means to limit possessions to what is necessary or important, which changes with the time period, though sadhus would not have any possessions. [Wikipedia]
Last week was moderation/celibacy, and this week feels much the same. Well, much the same except I have to do my holiday shopping. Trying to be non-posessive and limiting what I buy is an interesting exercise this time of year. Althought I do not shop much, and I have been much less inclined to purchase things in the past two years, this year I had intended to do some serious shopping.
So now I'm seriously shopping with thought, and thinking about what is actually important. We all are told that Christmas is not about the gifts, or what you get. Perhaps this is the year to start applying that philosophy.
What is necessary and important?
In this life I need to have some posessions. Car to get to work, clothes to wear, but do I need all that I have? More importantly do I need more of what I already have?
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Brahmacharya ~ Non excess (12/6-12/12)
The word brahmacharya is also understood broadly in yoga as "sexual continence," which can be understood as being applicable as appropriate in different contexts (e.g., faith in marriage, celibacy for spiritual aspirants etc...In yoga, the term brahmacharya tends to take on a connotation of disciplining the use of and preserving sexual energy.
Brahmacharya is also observed to contain one's sensual desires for food and taste, as well as materialism. Most brahmacharis prescribe to avoiding the consumption of meat, spices and cooked foods, which are said to cultivate the taste buds and pleasure senses of the mind. Wikipedia]
Basically: Moderation.
I'm just going to come right out and say that the whole idea of purity/celibacy is not going to happen. That is something that was not a part of my belief set when I was a Christian, nor is it something that I wish to do now as an Atheist.
This last week I focused on being moderate in my consuption of food and in my consumption of consumer goods with the holidays being right here. Being conscious of my food intake was a little challenging since there are so many tasty things that I want to eat (and overeat) this time of year.
In hindsight I should have applied this principal of "conserving energy" and "moderation" to my personal and professional life. With so much going on, I managed to have meetings and other sorts of engagements nearly every night of the week. Excessive? Yes. Necessary? Questionable.
That's a lesson that can be applied to everything this time of year though. In the past I would sit through multiple thanksgiving and christmas dinners in order to see all the family and friends. Now I just leave town and see who I want to see as opposed to eating and eating and eating while not enjoying any of it.
Does moderation bring enjoyment? That I am not sure. I say that as I've eating an entire box of cookies by myself. However, I think moderation can bring balance and that balance is the starting point for having a constistant enjoyment of everything that is happening around you. No matter how crazy it seems.
Brahmacharya is also observed to contain one's sensual desires for food and taste, as well as materialism. Most brahmacharis prescribe to avoiding the consumption of meat, spices and cooked foods, which are said to cultivate the taste buds and pleasure senses of the mind. Wikipedia]
Basically: Moderation.
I'm just going to come right out and say that the whole idea of purity/celibacy is not going to happen. That is something that was not a part of my belief set when I was a Christian, nor is it something that I wish to do now as an Atheist.
This last week I focused on being moderate in my consuption of food and in my consumption of consumer goods with the holidays being right here. Being conscious of my food intake was a little challenging since there are so many tasty things that I want to eat (and overeat) this time of year.
In hindsight I should have applied this principal of "conserving energy" and "moderation" to my personal and professional life. With so much going on, I managed to have meetings and other sorts of engagements nearly every night of the week. Excessive? Yes. Necessary? Questionable.
That's a lesson that can be applied to everything this time of year though. In the past I would sit through multiple thanksgiving and christmas dinners in order to see all the family and friends. Now I just leave town and see who I want to see as opposed to eating and eating and eating while not enjoying any of it.
Does moderation bring enjoyment? That I am not sure. I say that as I've eating an entire box of cookies by myself. However, I think moderation can bring balance and that balance is the starting point for having a constistant enjoyment of everything that is happening around you. No matter how crazy it seems.
Homework, Round Whatever.
I'm not nearly as behind on all of this as I was. Basically all I have left to do is the giant list of assorted home practices that I have to get through in a few weeks. Hopefully I can knock it all out before the next "core" class in January.
I also have to start teaching soon, and assisting.
This journey feels like it's never ending, to be honest. I'm supposed to have completed everything by February twenty-something, but it looks like I'll still be making up classes after my poor time management skills. Maybe I'll bring my yoga mat with me while I'm out in vegas for the holiday to get some of this done. Maybe.
I need to find the desire to be dedicated to something again.
I also have to start teaching soon, and assisting.
This journey feels like it's never ending, to be honest. I'm supposed to have completed everything by February twenty-something, but it looks like I'll still be making up classes after my poor time management skills. Maybe I'll bring my yoga mat with me while I'm out in vegas for the holiday to get some of this done. Maybe.
I need to find the desire to be dedicated to something again.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Yamas Update/Homework Update
I'm on week four of the Yama/Niyama homework which means that I've finished:
Ahimsa ~ Nonviolence
Satya ~ Truthfulness
Asteya ~ Nonstealing/nongreed
and am now working on: Brahmacharya ~ Non excess
I made the mistake of trying to practice ahimsa over Thanksgiving week. Unwise in that decision I did my best to be conscious of the meat I was eating and everything I was doing. Truthfulness passed by mostly unnoticed, and Asteya which is non-stealing but also non-greed in some ways was a little harder with the holiday season.
In not yama news, I finished some of my homework. I now have a stack of home practice to do as well as 28 hours of class time and 18 hours of assisting. So I will basically be living at the yoga studio trying to wrap things up in the next few months.
Bleck
Ahimsa ~ Nonviolence
Satya ~ Truthfulness
Asteya ~ Nonstealing/nongreed
and am now working on: Brahmacharya ~ Non excess
I made the mistake of trying to practice ahimsa over Thanksgiving week. Unwise in that decision I did my best to be conscious of the meat I was eating and everything I was doing. Truthfulness passed by mostly unnoticed, and Asteya which is non-stealing but also non-greed in some ways was a little harder with the holiday season.
In not yama news, I finished some of my homework. I now have a stack of home practice to do as well as 28 hours of class time and 18 hours of assisting. So I will basically be living at the yoga studio trying to wrap things up in the next few months.
Bleck
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