Yama, Aparigraha (Not Hoarding)

Aparigraha is not hoarding or collecting. It refers to taking only that which sustains us or is presently required. It is having faith that God will provide for us and not feeling the need to amass possessions out of fear of not having enough. It is paring down and simplifying our lives.

Aparigraha is akin to asteya (not stealing) in that we do not look at our lives from the vantage point of lack, but rather from a place of knowing that we have enough. It also parallels asteya in that we do not obtain things by unrighteous acts such as deceit or cheating.

In particular, aparigraha refers to not hoarding or collecting objects or food. In terms of food, aparigraha calls for us to eat only that which is essential for healthy survival and has been acquired by just means. By eating only what we need, i.e. pure foods, our bodies are not burdened by having to process unnatural, unhealthy substances and we are able to enjoy good health. If we diligently follow the path of aparigraha, we no longer require a pantry, a second refrigerator in the garage or to go on a diet.

Imagine if we acquired and stored fewer objects. Would we need an attic or a storage unit? When we hoard materials we have to work for them. We dust and polish them. We find boxes and places to store them when we no longer want to look at the objects, but still cling to ownership. We expend so much energy worrying that we may loose our stuff and protecting it, that the stuff we think we own ends up owning us. We become enslaved to it.

The practice of aparigraha requires introspection to discover what we really need, then taking that and no more. Looking at an object or food, asking if there is real benefit from owning or ingesting it, and letting go of that which does not answer the question with ‘yes’, is embracing Aparigraha.

Aparigraha sthairye janma kathamta sambodhah. (Upon a foundation of non-possessiveness, there arises the full understanding of the wherefore of birth.)

-Patanjali Yoga Sutras ii:39

Namaste.