The art of non-grasping: Aparigraha July Challenge
- Jun 30
- 4 min read
Welcome to July Yogis,
Many of us well versed in Yoga Philosophy would be aware of the ‘five restraints’ that ironically allow us to become more free. In other words, in a paradoxical fashion, there are ‘restraints of freedom’ - certain no’s that gives us more yes’es known as the yamas.
These yamas were outlined by a revered sage known as Patanjali Muni in his Yoga Sutras. They are restraints that tell us what not to do in order to get to do what is genuinely more fulfilling.
There are five yamas and Aparigraha is the final of these ‘restraints of freedom’. It is commonly translated as non-hoarding but is better understood when we fully break down the term:
A - non, without
Pari - all around, surrounding, on all sides
Graha - to grasp, to clutch, to hold, to seize
“The practice of aparigraha reminds us that our true wealth is not in the abundance of our possessions, but in the scarcity of our wants."
Thus, aparigrapha means to ‘not clutch’ at the things around us. We can see that aparigraha is much deeper than refraining from hoarding. Aparigraha means we let go of the desperation to seek outward, to be content in accepting the things that naturally fall into our laps, so we don’t become over anxious or lose energy trying to grasp things that aren’t meant to be ours (otherwise, they wouldn’t require so much unnatural effort to acquire). It’s much more than decluttering a closet - aparigraha is a state of mind.
When we practice aparigraha, we can derive true value out of our lives - we now grab, accept, fully appreciate only what is useful and then let go of anything the moment it isn’t. It goes beyond our spring cleaning. It includes being free of ideas, roles, jobs, routines, relationships, and even our hopes for the weather. We stop worrying if "they will like me" or if the job interview was good enough. We stop hoarding and over-taking out of a fear of "not enough" or FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) and instead, begin to trust.
We trust that when we act as our true, confident selves, what is meant for us will come, and what isn’t will naturally leave.
Because funnily enough... the things we own have a sneaky way of owning us back. (We all know the saying - “I don’t own the house, the house owns me”). The things we posses consume our mental space (fretting over how to buy it, maintain it, protect it etc), our energy, and certainly our physical surroundings.
This is why great monks and yogis historically chose to roam from village to village with nothing but a begging pot and a happy heart. They recognised the open secret - owning nothing but the body you came in means you own your own peace of mind. And freedom of time combined with a peaceful mind is as good as owning everything.
Some Modern Examples
Of course, we don't have to become roaming monks to practice aparigraha. It shows up in small, incredibly practical daily choices. Here’s a few broad but more applicable ones for the modern, suburban person:
Try 'old school' methods: For example, eating with our hands (still very common in many countries), visiting the library, or accessing audiobooks or e-books instead of buying physical books, and mending clothes instead of constantly purchasing fast fashion. Let's delve into an example - Swapping tissues for handkerchiefs, or toilet paper for a bidet.
Here, there is less clutter, less money spent, and no more panic-buying at the store. On a grander scale, an entire paper industry can be removed, and there is less waste for humans and the earth to process.
Simplify your skincare: A day or two makeup free (It’s surprising how often we waste energy thinking “is my mascara smudged?”) or opting for natural cosmetics (like ghee for moisturizer or chickpea flour face scrubs) means less endless bottles of complex serums, less fretting over the latest beauty product, fewer chemical exposure risks as well as doctor trips down the line, and quick natural disposal - into the soil for Mother Nature to do her thing.
Re-use tea towels instead of gift wrap, bread baskets, drawer liners, salad spinners, silicone pot holders, spoon rests or oven mitts: Tea towels are incredible! This reduces your mental clutter, storage space and cleaning needs dramatically. You need only one storage section and to clean, simply throw the towels into the wash with the rest of your laundry as opposed to scrubbing in crevices of your pot holders, salad spinners and so on.
When aparigraha is truly practiced, life returns to a normal, peaceful, and joyous speed. We gently stop energy leakage. We spend time on what truly matters and return to being fully present in our bodies and minds.
Put It Into Practice This Week
Let's bring aparigraha into our daily lives. Here's a short practice below to help you create more space for a fulfilling and gentle life, from a simple ‘not do’ (yama). This week, can you:
not a 100% big YES for you
draining you more than inspiring you
of better use to someone else
keeping you ‘stuck’ in the past
Tips: The closet is too easy, you can do better than that! Let's expand, try think in the areas of:
Kitchen gadgets (Do I need a portable smoothie maker? Do I want to commit to life so busy I can’t make a smoothie and drink it peacefully before hand?)
Your cosmetics/toiletries (Do I really need 5 bottles of perfume amongst all the other clutter?)
Apps (you will be surprised! And no, you truly don't need Facebook or games on your phone, these are clear energy drainers)
Playlists
Online accounts
Subscriptions
Relationships that no longer serve you (Perhaps let go of that person you feel drains you or are interacting with only to be polite, this is much more honest for both yourself and them).
Happy de-cluttering, letting go and re-using yogis.
Let's practice aparigraha - making life simple one authentic release at a time.
To calmer minds, spaces and souls,
Crystal
