“A mind without dispassion keeps wandering for happiness in the world.” — Sadguru Whispers
Weekly Focus: Vairagya (detachment)
Vairagya translates as “to be uncolored.” In other words, vairagya is the act of being and living in the world, but not allowing ourselves to become fixated on the temporary holdings of the world.
Vairagya is one of the basic priniciples of yoga, the idea of detachment or dispassion. Vairagya asks us to release our fixation and attachment to the material world, knowing that nothing here is permanent. All things in this life are temporary, just as is the changing of the season. By allowing ourselves the moment to experience, and then to let go, we do not linger in harmful thoughts or activities; we stay present where we are.
Let’s not confuse detachment with ignoring our experience — it is still important to acknowledge and recognize the narrative we are living, as well as the identities and narratives of our neighbors. It is the lingering or clinging to what was or what might be that can get us stuck in a loop. To nurture the mind we practice letting go of all things that are no longer serving us. Like the leaves shedding from the trees, we drop our fears, our ego, our pride, and the need to have more.
Where do you find yourself fixating in life?
Here are two practices to help you shed and let go:
- Clean out your house — we often think of Spring cleaning, but Fall is an excellent time to shed away the excess of the year before tucking in for Winter. Go through your house and take a tip from Marie Kondo — look at what you own and ask you if it truly brings you joy. If not, thank the item, and consider a good place for it to go. There are many local organizations constantly taking donations for houseless folks, such as Because of Adam.
- Clean out your mind — cut scraps of paper just big enough to write a small note on. On each small square, write down a thought or moment you are holding on to, that is more damaging than it is helpful. Consider the following: negative comments you make to yourself about you or others; a moment in time that binds you towards guilt or shame; a regret that serves no purpose. Fold each square of paper up and take note of how much you are shedding. Now for the exciting part — light those thoughts on fire! Perhaps start a small fire in the yard or burn a candle, whatever your preference. Burn each note one at a time, acknowledge the note, and let it go.
Passive Pose of the Week: Sucirandhrasana (Eye of the Needle Pose)
It is said that we hold a lot in our hips — be it tension or stale emotion. Hip openers have the ability to help us to find a release physically and sometimes emotionally.
- Come to lie on your back with both feet on the floor, knees bent.
- Cross your left ankle over your right knee, as if you were sitting in a chair.
- Interlace your hands behind your right thigh and gently pull the legs closer to your belly.
- Hold for several breaths, perhaps rocking gently side to side.
- Switch sides and repeat.
If you are looking for an extra special way to take this pose, come near the wall as you set up. Lay down with both feet firmly planted on the wall in front of you, then cross your able over the knee. You can push your foot gently towards the wall for extra leverage. To add on further, straighten the bottom leg up the wall for a bit of a legs-up-the-wall / figure four hybrid!
Active Pose of the Week: Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half Lord of the Fishes Pose)
There are a few legends to go along with this pose, read this one HERE. for a little more insight as to how it gets it’s name! Ardha Matsyendrasana serves as a reminder to release attachment, to overcome pain and suffering, and to come to a place of balance.
- Come to a seat on the floor with your legs extended in front of you.
- Bend your right knee and bring the sole of the foot to the inside of your left thigh, letting the knee fall open to the side. This setup is much like janusirsasana.
- Now, bend the left knee, pick up your foot and cross it over the right leg. Your left foot will land just outside of the right thigh, and the knee will remain lifted towards the ceiling.
- Hug your left knee with the right arm and begin to twist your torso to your left.
- Allow your left hand to come behind you as a support. Take several breaths here before moving to your second side.
This twist should come from your mid/upper back in the thoracic spine. Often times, with the effort to find more twist, we begin to strain our neck around to see further. This is OK, but it is not increasing the twist in the thoracic region, where we seek that big juicy release. Rather than seeking the twist by turning your head, think about moving the shoulders. If you twist to your left, imagine pulling your left shoulder back and moving your right shoulder forward. Allow the breath to help. Inhale lift the spine, and exhale move the shoulders.
Join us in class this week to connect to practice vairagya! See the fulll schedule HERE.