Greed

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On the 1st Day of Christmas, I piled my plate too high.

“In yoga we consciously minimise our needs… We minimise our needs so that we can minimise our attachments and maximise contentment.”

BKY Iyengar pg 91 Light On Life.

It is counterintuitive, no?

We think if we have more we will be more content, right?

Like if I have that extra serving of food I’ll be more satisfied.

Wrong!

The less we have the more contented we will be, and in today’s teaching you will get to experience this first hand.

Firstly, Merry Christmas and happy holidays.

Whether you’re celebrating Christmas or not, todays practice is for everyone and for every day. But if you have a feast of food awaiting you, today’s practice will be particularly good for you to observe.

Today’s practice is in APARIGRAHA - Non-Greediness

Are you already thinking ‘I’m not greedy?’

“The ways in which our greed is destructive in our world are easy to see. The ways in which our greed is destructive in our lives is more difficult”

BKS Iyengar, pg 91-92 Light On Life.

First, we have to observe where in our lives we might be greedy and Christmas day lunch is a good place to start.

When you serve yourself from the Christmas feast today, or the shared family meal here are a few things to consider and perhaps catch yourself on.

OBSERVATION

Do you…

  • Pile your plate high?

  • Fear you will miss out?

  • Take the biggest serve?

Our greed extends well beyond how big a serve we take at mealtime.

We can be greedy for possessions, attention, or someone’s affection … and the list goes on.

Take some time to reflect on how you might be greedy for things in life. Be 100% honest with yourself. It might be a bit embarrassing, but it is only you who has to know.

I’ll share mine with you. Actually, I am aware of it because I see my son doing it and our children can be mirrors. I love cake and I am guilty of looking for the largest piece on the plate:(

PRACTICE

Can you identify where your greed comes from?

What are you afraid of not having enough of?

Is this a true fear, do you really not have enough of it?

Can you in-fact see that tendency towards greed for ……………………………… is not necessary?

Please comment below if you want to share how this practice has inspired you. Or simply read the comments of others to be further inspired.

If you want to get on the mat with me and practice, I’m offering a 30 Day Trial of my Home Yoga Practice Membership for $1. Sign up now! This offer is only available for the 12 Days of Christmas.