Yoga and Shopping: Enemies or BFFs?

Man, it’s hard to tell sometimes. Do we want the Ice Silver necklace from Lemon Park’s The Rocks collection because it’s simply the accessory of our dreams? Is it because PR maven Samantha Geer keeps wearing their pieces to mega media events?

Or is it because we’re just plain feeling, well, ‘covetous‘?

Not a word that would normally noodle into our everyday conversation, covetous is one of those loaded terms, heavily weighted with religious nuts associations and lifestyle demands that seem to leave little left for living. It shows up in yogic philosophy, too, tagged onto the last of the yamas, or best-life behavioural tips, recorded by philosophy powerhouse Patanjali.

Aparigraha can be understood as not getting a bunch of stuff just because we want it.

Pros: It’s a useful checkpoint. Do I need this or do I just want it? Is it really going to be something I appreciate and use, or will it just get dumped into the pile of other necklaces I never wear?
Cons: Taken to the extreme, it’s a good way to paint all purchases in a bad light, and make a lot of good people feel bad about themselves.

Bottom Line: If it were me, I’d buy the necklace. :)

Philosophy: Aparigraha

November 4, 2008