When Less is More – Aparigraha

The Yoga Sutras written by Patanjali is one of the most influential spiritual writings of Yoga. The core of Patanjali’s Sutras is an Eight Limb path. The first limb Yamas have to do with training thought, actions and speech in relation to the external world and with relationships with people. The Yamas are broken down into 5 characteristics; non-harming, non stealing, truthfulness, remembering the higher reality and non-possessiveness/attachment to objects.

The 5th characteristic, aparigraha, attachment to objects, leads to a desire to possess these objects, as more objects are obtained the seeker finds he is not fulfilled.

When I began blogging, writing about my kids was not the intention. But being a Work at Home Mom, observing life through their eyes is what I do and Yoga philosophy becomes crystal clear.

In Pennsylvania there is one convenience store/gas station that is a mega business. We live in a small town and it is the busiest store everyday of the week. People go there daily for coffee, hoagies, snacks, slushies, you name it. A second store is being built within a 2 mile radius. My nine year old son is very disturbed by this new store. He laments daily on how ‘sad it is because it will run a smaller gas station out of business’ and ‘how we don’t need another because we already have one’ He recognizes the concept of ‘need vs. want’ which is the core of aparigraha. He understands the importance of looking at life from the vantage point of having enough rather then lack, a concept so crystal clear to a 9 year old.

There is so much to be learned from children and the path to simplifying my life continues. I will continue to feel gratitude for the abundance in my life and not the lack.