A new year brings reflection on the past and contemplation of the future. Patanjali claims in the sutra II. 39 (see side bar) that we can gain knowledge of past and future lives by practicing aparigraha.

“Aparigraha”, literally means non-grasping, and is one of the 5 moral precepts that comprise the first limb of Yoga called Yama. Many sutra books refer to the practice as non-greed or non-hoarding of material possessions. It is easy to fathom the wisdom of this precept when we conjure images of a stingy miser or an avaricious desperado stockpiling gold. In today’s world, the golden parachutes of CEO’s of failing corporations epitomize not only greed but also the illusion of separateness (Maya) between Wall St. and Main St.  Selfishness and short-sightedness are implicit in this type of grasping. If actions do not change, the future is gimly predictable. 

But, we can also “grasp” the reality of a situation, we can grasp the truth that leads to necessary change. Our future is not predestined by outside forces, but by the actions we take based on the beliefs that we live by. Dr. Joseph Murphy (the Power of your Subconscious Mind) defines belief as, “the thoughts we habitually dwell on and ACCEPT as TRUE.” Hoarding and greed underlie a belief in lack that will manifest in worry, fear, and potentially in loss and failure. Being unselfish and charitable come from a BELIEF that there is enough, that the more that is given, the more is received. It manifests in a mentally relaxed view of a generous world.

There is a wonderful Hasidic fable of heaven and hell. The scene is exactly the same in both cases; a room with steaming pots filled with aromatic broth and stew.  In one room the occupants are emaciated, starving, and desparate. The spoons are too long for them to hold and reach their own mouths. In the other room, the occupants are laughing, vitally healthy, and celebrating life. They are feeding each other.  

Pranams,
Lynne