APARIGRAHA
Non-possession
Wrapping up the first half of our Yamas & Niyamas series with our last Yama: aparigraha. The philosophy behind this virtue is that no one or anything possess anything. It’s the true practice of non-attachment.
The literal translation of this word comes to “non-grasping”, meaning we are not focusing on material gain, only taking what we truly need. It’s a form of self-restraint (our underlying theme for Yamas) that avoids the greed of coveting physical possession used to hurt or destroy others. Without realizing it, our possessions can start to possess us.
Naturally, this code encourages a minimalistic lifestyle. Understanding the mindset of abundance, that we already have everything we need, and learning to only take what is necessary- not overindulging.
“The practice of aparigraha requires that we look at the way we use things to reinforce our sense of identity. The executive ego loves to believe in its own power and uses such things as right clothes, car, house, job or image to maintain this illusion. Although the practice of not grasping may first begin as consciously withdrawing our hand from reaching for external things, eventually the need to reach outward at all diminishes until there is a recognition that which is essential to us is already at hand.” — Yoga Mind, Body and Spirit by Donna Farhi
Benefits of practicing Aparigraha:
Gain self-reliance
Cultivates an appreciation for life and the little things
Experience a better sense of impermanence
Access to higher knowledge- becoming free of the material world
This Yama is pretty straightforward, and as you work through the Yamas arranged in order, the practice of aparigraha becomes easy and clear. When we lose the attachment to all the worldly things, we can focus on our true Self.
In yoga, our mat practice can show if we are strictly attached to achieving success. By pushing yourself into a specific pose or only worrying about how it looks can take you out of the present moment. Start to divert your energy only to how your yoga practice feels, thinking only of what your body needs. When we practice this action, we can take it up off of our mat and bring aparigraha into our daily lives and the world around us.
On Aparigraha:
“Acknowledging abundance, we recognize the blessings in everything and gain insights into the purpose for our worldly existence.” — The Secret Power of Yoga by Nischala Joy Devi
Mahatma Gandhi said: Words like aparigraha (non-possession) and samabhava (equability) gripped me. How to cultivate and preserve that equability was the question.
“Patanjali tells us that if we practice aparigraha, we will begin to understand not only where we have come from but where we are going and how our karmas have contributed to where we are now.” — Sharon Gannon
From Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: “Non-accumulating simple means confidence in one’s own abilities. It is knowledge of one’s Self.”
