Ahimsa - Create as much positive good as you can for others. Simple things, like telling people you love and appreciate them, work wonders. Particularly those who help you on a regular basis. A sincere and genuine thank you to these friends (gardeners, mail handlers, recycling folk, newspaper deliverers) can have powerfully positive effects.
Satya - Being truthful AND appreciative.
Angst can come from wanting to receive other people’s kindness and gifts, though feeling obligated or not always feeling in alignment with what’s being offered. In this instance, enter the power of the word ‘and.’ ‘And’ is a word that connects two thoughts, which though they may seem to be in conflict, ultimately are in harmony. Such as: ‘thank you for the offer of the chocolate muffin, and no thank you.’ ‘I appreciate your kindness and generosity, and I choose to not eat twenty more processed, sugar-ridden cookies and cake.’ ‘Thank you for the invitation to stay longer past 5:30pm, and I’m going home now.’ The point is, though, that we can keep true to our values while still expressing appreciation. For most of us, the spirit of togetherness has more to do with being with the people we care about than what we give/receive or what we consume.
Asteya - Non-stealing or giving more.
While we readily agree on the adage of ‘it’s better to give than receive,’ we can take this to the next level by giving more upon receiving. We can all give more to those who gift us by offering in returning an enthusiastic and heart-felt ‘thanks’ – remembering to thank for the intention, the generosity and caring in the giving, more so than the actual item itself.
Bramacharya - Moving toward God.
The literal meaning of this oft confused word has to do with moving toward God. Or, if other words work better for you, moving toward nature or the divine. It can be easy to see in yoga classes that many become swept up in the commercialism and consumerism. Simply by taking a moment on a regular basis to step back and ask the question of how the yoga experience and the rituals we create can move us closer to our pure nature, we immediately find a bigger perspective and breathe into simple answers.
Aparigraha - How can we share more of what we have.
Every person I’ve met who has dedicated some of their energy, whether it be their time, work or money, to the upliftment of others, has raved about the rewards they received from doing so. Regardless of ‘how much’ we have, sharing with others will make us richer.
Some of these tips are general, and require some of your own imagination and initiative to implement. You can start creating generosity and the optimal relationship experience for yourself and your loved ones by simply asking the question ‘how.’ How can I show my family friends my love and appreciation? How can I reach those in need around me? How do we make this relationship the best one yet?
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