I really enjoyed this week’s lesson on attachment (klesha) and the process of letting go. It helped me reflect on how I often attach to future expectations—like losing weight, finding a new job, or being in a relationship—as conditions for happiness. These ideals keep me from embracing who I am right now. The reminder to detach from rigid timelines and release expectations of both ourselves and others felt especially powerful. Letting go of assumptions, judgments, and biases can bring us closer to peace and help us imagine more compassionate communities.
I appreciated learning about the tools that support this process—like deepening self-awareness through yoga, mindfulness, journaling, and trusting our intuition. I'm also interested in learning more about the seven chakras and how they relate to healing.
It’s incredibly sad and heartbreaking to hear about others’ Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), but I believe it’s essential to acknowledge them, especially when teaching yoga in prisons. ACEs often play a major role in why someone ends up incarcerated, and integrating that understanding into our teaching can make yoga a more supportive, trauma-informed practice.
Long before understanding the depths and philosophy of yoga, I met someone at a local studio (who is now a very close friend) who told me about Aparigraha, and how the movement of yoga isn't to achieve the posture of the day, but to find the bliss of non-attachment to the performance of it all. He said that finding the edge, being mindful enough to hear it, and being dedicated enough to stay and listen was the golden nugget. I didn't experience that level of non-attachment in my body until 4 years later and it was the first time, ever, that I experienced that in my body. I literally felt reborn while holding a seated forward fold (who would've thought!). I was changed in ways I can't really describe, but this lecture and module studies remind me of that memory and inspire me to help others find that golden nugget for themselves. Or at the very least, create a space where attachment isn't a commodity. Whether it takes 4 years, a week, or 50 years, non-attachment is freedom. It can be scary, painful, and full of uncertainty, but freedom, nonetheless.
@steviem this is great. I've been meditating on this for a week. I imagined that if I wanted world peace in Gaza, I was attached to 'world peace'. If I wanted rain for the garden I was attached to 'rain'. My neighbour is noisy and I've had a long, loud week, and need peace and quiet for a bit... oh hello! Attachment to peace and quiet. I found a Rupert Spira quote,
'Enlightenment could be defined as the absence of resistance to what is, the total intimacy to whatever is taking place, without any desire to reject or replace it'.
Now, I've been practicing this and it brings instant contentment. It also brings, unexpectedly, gratitude! Who knew??
Thank you Stevie for bringing this up and inspiring my mind - hello Yoga, and Aparigraha 🤩