Keep It Simple - Less is More

“When everything else is stripped away – the essential is revealed.” BKS Iyengar.

Lynard skynard probably didn’t have yogic principles in mind when they wrote the lyrics to “Simple Man,” but if you listen closely you will learn one of the most important lessons yoga has to offer. 

The lyrics have always been intriguing, but now that I’m a mother the connection is even stronger. Shinedown covers it. Here’s my favorite rendition. Thank you Patrick Foley. 

In this materialistic world, it’s easy to desire more than you need. Some people fuel that hunger with overspending, others with alcohol, drugs or perhaps overeating. It’s this insatiable appetite that causes suffering. In the Yoga Sutra, Patanjali outlines 10 principles – The yamas and the niyamas. The yamas are moral restraints, similar to the 10 commandments. The niyamas are a set of observances. One of the yamas is Aparigraha or living without excess. In other words, having a desire for what is necessary and keeping only what you need. Yoga teaches the importance of minimizing the desire for external things and finding deeper meaning and happiness from within. Like the song says, “All you need is within your soul.” Aparigraha is also about finding the beauty in the blessings that surround you right now! 

When you desire something, it consumes your every thought creating negative energy – sending your system out of whack. Holding on to something that doesn’t suit you has the same effect. For example, last year, I was slaving away at a job that had little to offer me as far as happiness or upward mobility. Even though I took on several responsibilities that were NOT in my job description, the powers that be refused to change my title or offer me reasonable compensation. Things were so bad – that on my commute into work, I would actually pray that I would hit a deer so I wouldn’t have to feel that nauseating feeling of climbing the six flights of stairs just to sit behind my god forsaken cubicle. My boss did not make the situation any easier; finding any reason to put me down and the 2 hour commute was killing me. By the time I got home every night – I wanted to collapse on the couch with a glass of wine and a bucket of mashed potatoes. Clearly I wasn’t in the running for a mother of the year award.  I was gaining weight and I was mildly depressed. I knew something needed to be done. I frantically began my job search. 

Fast forward. I’m back into the business I love. The news. Yes, I make a lot less money. Yes, I have to work on the weekend. But I’m a lot happier. And the best part is that I get to spend more quality time with my beautiful son. My husband and I have had to make several concessions. We eat out less. I rarely buy new clothes. But all this penny pinching – to me - is worth it. 

Aparigraha is not about taking a vow of poverty. In fact, if you give up too many things in the beginning – you’re setting yourself up for failure. 

So, give it a try. Start small. Live simple. Namaste! XO