The Australian blog thisisyoga.com.au very nicely describes one of my favourite yoga philosophies about self-restraint: aparigraha. Broken down, you get “a” translating to the prefix “non-”, “pari” meaning “on all sides,” and “graha” meaning “to take, seize, or grab.” Therefore, altogether, it translates to acts of non-attachment, non-greed; not taking more than one needs, and this can be applied to all aspects of life.
Looking at food and nutrition, we all know what too much of anything can do to the body. The practice of aparigraha with respect to our food involves other aspects of yoga philosophy as well: mindfulness and ahimsa (non-harming). When we eat mindfully, i.e. not in front of a movie with an endless bowl of chips or popcorn in our laps, we can notice when we have had enough, which results in not taking more than we need (aparigraha) and therefore not harming our bodies with excess (ahimsa).
We can extend the practice of non-attachment and non-greed to other parts of our lives. Think about clothes, shoes, jewelry, home décor, etc. Here in the west, we live in a culture dominated by capitalism and that can trickle down into our everyday self practices. Surrounding ourselves with more than we need can temporarily make us feel better on the surface, but deep down, that energy of attachment to things is more about the dopamine hit we get and can result in unhealthy behaviours like shopping addiction or overeating.
This week, pay attention to how you feed yourself. What is the motivation? Is it even hunger? I know that one of my weaknesses is reaching for food as entertainment. Do I really need it, and if not, can I practice non-greed? The same can be said for shopping, whether it’s for clothing, food, or trinkets. The next time you’re about to purchase something, pause for a moment and ask yourself why.
I grew up with food scarcity and I must remind myself that I do not need to fill my fridge and cupboards to the brim with food. I may be soothing an underlying issue, but if I can stop, reflect, and check in with my reality and motivations, then I can act more mindfully. In western culture we often echo this practice of aparigraha with “less is more,” un-cluttered spaces, or intermittent fasting, to name a few.
Until next time, keep it real!