This guest post was written by Valerie Holland, a yoga teacher in Toronto.
This column is to familiarize people with yoga philosophy translated into everyday language that can be applied to daily life.
Today’s topic: Non-attachment, or ‘vairagya’.
These days, in terms of the home, we hear a lot about de-cluttering, organizing, and minimizing. How does yogic thought look at this issue?
Yoga advises that we should be satisfied with less material objects: to practice non-attachment or ‘vairagya’. This doesn’t mean that you don’t need to have some possessions. It means that you should be detached from them, that they mean less to you. It is the constant craving for possessions that feeds the ego, which can never be satisfied.
To illustrate, if you have 20 t-shirts, you should narrow it down to 10, or even 15 to start. Why? Why do you need 20 t-shirts? Do you wear all of them? If you had less, you wouldn’t need to wash, dry, fold and organize them. Think of the time and space you could save. Now, the question arises: how do you dispose of them in a sattvic (pure, respectful) way? My suggestion is to lay all your t-shirts out and pick your favorite one. Keep it! Choose your next 5 favorites, and put them away. Now you have 6 t-shirts that you love, that fit you and that you feel good in and 14 t-shirts left on the bed. Some you like, some you know are not that great. Why are you keeping them? You are not responsible for those objects. You don’t need to take care of them anymore. Liberate yourself from them. Give some of them away to Goodwill or one of the many other charities, such as a group home for teenagers, or abused women’s shelter.
What have you accomplished? Besides giving yourself more space (so chi can circulate) you have lessened your dependence on material objects that only serve to boost your ego. Happiness is never achieved through consumerism; it lies within. You have given generously to others who need it more and have begun to open the heart (Anahata) chakra.
Think of the heart chakra as a many petalled lotus. When you give generously to others, without thought of reward, the petals begin to open and eventually all the petals open and the lotus turns upward. To have an open heart is key to happiness. While we are on this topic, how is your heart chakra? Close your eyes and focus on your heart. You know where it is. Take a deep breath. Think of a time when you were happy and carefree. (Notice that you will not visualize yourself surrounded by material goods such as cars, jewelry or furniture you will most likely be outside, on a beach, or in a garden.) Exhale. Charity is the perfect way to open your heart.
It’s okay to enjoy material objects, but remain detached from them. Do not place too much importance on them. Do not depend on them for your happiness or self-worth. Happiness is inside of you. Think of other ways to spend money instead of shopping. Like paying off debt or even saving. Anybody maxed-out? Does the thought of owning your own home one day even seem possible? Do not despair. Take control. Exercise non-attachment. Stop buying and start letting go of your dependence on material objects. If you find you need some more t-shirts, there are some great ones at Goodwill!
Guest Author Bio:
Yogi Kamala has been teaching yoga at the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre at 77 Harbord St. in Toronto for ten years. She also does private lessons and teaches in schools and chiropractic centres. She is a yoga Acharya, which means Master of Yoga. Her studies include Vedanta, Raja yoga, meditation and chanting. She also dances and performs in community theatre.
Namaste.