Aparigraha 6S to deal with 6S – non-possessiveness

Yama, the first limb of Ashtanga’s eight limbs of Yoga is dealing with the disappearance of all suppressions. The fifth Yama is called Aparigraha and means non-possessiveness.

When you are aware that nothing can be possessed, your whole energy moves inwards towards you. A person that is truly established in Aparigraha has his energy arising the hidden knowledge.

But what does non-possessiveness mean for the individual? Someone who is possessive towards others or things develops strong feelings towards it. Feelings and results related can be jealousy, addiction, strong dependency etc. If you are clinched up in these feelings your energy can not work for anything else.

For our daily life this also means that practicing non-possessiveness our energy will not be wasted on harmful feelings (jealousy etc.) but can help us to move on and become centred in ourselves. This will help us to accept the current state.

So how to live an Aparigraha way today? – Here are 6S to incorporate in your daily life to master the 6S of Aparigraha, non-possessiveness:

  • Sort out

Go through your possessions and give away everything that you don’t need. This will not only reveal space but also energy. Moreover giving away things of the past helps you to live more in the present.

  • Say “I forgive”

Close your open wounds by forgiving others. Free yourself from any past resentments or hurtful memories by forgiving everyone and let go of painful memories of the past.

  • Spend time in nature

Nature is our best teacher when it comes to teaching the inevitability of change! There is no sense and also no power that can keep a flower blooming forever or a tree to stop from growing. Nature can teach us to accept and appreciate change and take it to embrace the presence and stop clinching on to the past.

  • Share

Instead of holding on to possessions of any kind, share them. Share your time, money, knowledge and feel how it will help you to even expand your capacity to let go.

  • Self-care

Nurture yourself to feel independent and strong. The more you feel in line with yourself the less you will feel the need to hold on to others to feel centred and save.

  • Surrender on the mat

What does non-possessiveness mean for your yoga practice? Let go! Don’t hold your breath – let it flow, let your head fall back in ustrasana, relax your glutes in setu bandha sarvangasana. Instead of tensing up in challenging moments allow your body and mind to let go and let your energy and breath work for you to feel deeper and so reach a deeper experience in your practice.

Practice Aparigraha and become the open hands and empty mind to be filled and enlightened.

BG