Gratitude and Giving in the Yogic Tradition

The yoga sutras, the pearls of wisdom gifted to us thousands of years ago by someone called Patanjali, comprised of 4 books with short wisdom phrases, with what I think, is our purpose as humans on this planet. If we wanted to just study two sutras this giving season perhaps it could be 2:37 and 2:39.

My teacher, Nischala Joy Devi, describes 2:39 like this: "Acknowledging abundance (aparigraha), we recognize the blessings in everything and gain insights into the purpose for our worldly existence." And then, she says 2:37. "Abiding in generosity and honesty (astheya), material and spiritual prosperity is bestowed".

If you were to take a look at the space you are in reading this blog, what you are using to read this message, maybe start to notice your furniture, your vehicle, your refrigerator with food in it, the heat in your home, the clothes you are wearing and closet filled with more, etc.....clearly I could go on and on. Look at all these lovely things in our life that we may often take for granted (I haven't even mentioned the loved ones in your life, but include them too!) Can we look at these as blessings and hold great gratitude for this beautiful abundance that we have? Once we recognize our own abundance through the eyes of the heart, I know it is then that we can begin to show greater generosity to those in need. Maybe you are able to show generosity through financial donation to your favorite causes, maybe you have time to volunteer or maybe just a smile and 'thank you' to every checkout clerk is how you will acknowledge your abundance and thankfulness this season.

Here is a practice for you to try on aparigraha and astheya:

Hold your hand on your heart and repeat out loud to yourself three times. "Acknowledging my abundance, I recognize the blessings in everything and gain insight into the purpose of my existence". Now open your eyes and look around at the abundance in your life (5 minutes) and then say, "For this, I am grateful". I would suggest doing this daily. Just a few minutes a day to acknowledge your abundance and conclude with gratitude.

When we practice this acknowledgement of what we have been blessed with accompanied with gratitude, we may notice that some of what we have (material 'things') are no longer of great importance in our life, no longer precious. May the practices and teachings of yoga encourage your heart to open just a little bit more, especially to those in need.