More, more, more! The more the better! What causes us to desire and want more? One thing is fear of uncertainty. Whether uncertain if your plans are going to work out, if a loved one will be okay, or what will happen during challenging times, it can be hard to find peace when trying to control the things that are uncertain. We tend to use the material world as a way to feel safer, even though, inevitably, that too will change. How can we lighten the load of the mind in uncertain times?

In times of uncertainty, the mind and body can quickly go into a fear-based reaction that activates the fight, flight, freeze/fold response. In order to feel better, it’s easy to look to the external world for help with this – shopping, eating, drinking, gaming, numbing out, escaping, overdoing, holding onto things ‘just in case’…the list goes on.

One of the ethical principles of Raja Yoga (Patanjali Yoga Sutras) addresses the energy of clinging and holding that happens with a fear-based state. Aparigraha, or Non-possession, asks us to take time to reflect and examine where possession is ruling our lives, keeping us stuck in fear. It challenges us to face the fear so that we can work on letting go and move into a more living, expansive state that allows us to meet life with more ease and grace. It helps us to lighten the load in uncertain times.

THE QUICK FIX MENTALITY

Many times, people contact me wanting a ‘quick-fix’ tool. “What Yoga pose can I do for anxiety?” “What breath technique will help me stop worrying?” “What can I do to let go of my anger?” They want a tool to use in the moment and then let it go to live life as usual without effort, commitment, or discipline.

If you have an oil leak in your car, are you going to just keep adding oil to keep it going or are you going to take it to a mechanic to find out the real issue and fix it for good? Ignore it or deal with it?

The practice of aparigraha, non-possession, is not a quick-fix. It is a process of self-awareness, discernment and detachment or letting go. Most of us are in the habit of trying a new tool or technique for a bit – some weeks or months – and then we stop. Suffering starts to happen and we search for a new tool or technique, trying that until we stop again. Over and over and over.

GARDENING

How would you plant a garden?

Do you plant a garden and then leave for months expecting to come back to an amazing bounty?

No. When a garden is planted, that is the beginning. A gardener will tend to it almost every day – watering, weeding, pruning, weeding, feeding, weeding, etc.  Did I mention weeding? Weeding is an important part of practicing new tools and techniques. When the mind starts to make excuses, those are the weeds popping up. It’s our job to notice the weeds, pluck them out and focus on what nourishes us. Continue the practice. Otherwise the weeds take over and we don’t get anywhere.

The problem is not that you need more tools or techniques. 

The problem is that you don’t use the tools and techniques you already have in your possession.

If someone is truly living aparigraha, non-possession, then they will see the abundance they have in their life and use it. The opposite of this is lack. Feeling lack leads to wanting and desiring more, not realizing you already have what you are desiring. 

Can you imagine what life would be like if you were fully confident and clear on your actual needs, only bringing in what would serve a true need instead of filling a hole of desire and lack?

SPRING CLEANING!

It’s spring, so it’s time for spring cleaning! 

My challenge to you this week is to go to your closet or drawers or a shelf. 

• What have you used this past year? Put that in a pile.
• What have you not used, looked at, or thought about in the past year? Put that in a pile.
• What emotions and thoughts are coming up looking at the piles?
• Put the items you’ve used back in the closet, drawers or on the shelf.
• Put the other pile in a box or bag.

Maybe you get rid of the box or bag right now. Maybe you put it somewhere and schedule it on your calendar a month from now to deal with the box or bag. When that date comes up, if you haven’t thought of or used items from the bag or box, get rid of it. Don’t look at it, just take it to a thrift store and let it go.

If this brings up fear and anxiety, start smaller. Maybe it’s all the self-help books you have on your shelf that are half read, have been read once years ago, or never read. Keep the ones that you keep going back to and have actually implemented practice from them.

LIGHTEN THE LOAD

Start that process of letting go of physically possessing somewhere in your life. Notice how this the affects the mind and your energy level after you let go of something.

You don’t need more! Use what you already have.

This is how you will start finding peace of mind. Simplify and lighten the load.

Namaste.