8 Limbs of Yoga - Aparigraha

What is Aparigraha (non-grasping) not? It is when you want to have all of the answers before action. It's when you sit silent but have something to say; because you want to maintain the image of appropriate/in control or whatever the mask is you cling to not cause waves socially. It is when you hold back because it might be expensive, it might not be the right time, it might be frivolous, so you choose to cling to the known, the comfortable, and the secure. It is when the unexpected happens and you grasp for control to feel safe. It is when you make an impulsive purchase to fill a hole.

What is aparigraha? I'll start with a recent quote from Padma on a teaching from the Bavagad Gita. She said "We are being invited to step more fully into them (our lives), but differently, with hands open instead of clenched around the result." The open and unclenched hands are not grasping are not possessing. Her request is to allow, to release and it requires us to step into a space of trust and courage. It requires us to open ourselves to the unknown.

Then we can step into living fully, vividly, and are able to thrive not just survive. But stepping into this fullness includes opening to pain. Opening to vulnerability and showing up a way you may not want to in front of others. You may speak or act and appear foolish. You will be willing to step into places where you feel uncomfortable and not in control. You move forward without having the right words or actions. When you speak up other people may react in ways that make you feel uncomfortable. As you take tiny steps into the unknown, you will gain more trust in yourself and become more clear of how you want to be. The world will begin to change, becuase of you.

How does this happen? First start with beginners mind, be more curious to the unknown potential, than clinging to the known the comfortable. Questions you may ask yourself: "What if I? Why not try? How do I want to show up? How can I do this differently? Who do I want to be in this moment?"

Taking a step forward in to the unknown can be scary. You have the tools you need from yoga class. You just need to remember the staging you've been taught. First, What is that one small step to you can make to move toward who you would like to become? As you make that step become aware of chages in your breath. You may realize you are holding it. You can choose to name your breath. Fear can make you feel ungrounded. You may need to build from the ground up. Become aware of your feet one the ground and sense the Earth supporting you. Then, you say to yourself: "I am, alright, right now." Now you are back to a space of allowing.

Asana Alchemist of Rasa Yoga
Rachel Jarreau