Appreciation & Abundance: The Benefits of Aparigraha for Eating Disorder Recovery
“When we embrace aparigraha, we become like the fledgling bird. We were not born to stay clinging to a branch. We were born to soar…” -Helen Avery
Aparigraha, often translated as non-grasping or non-attachment, is the last of the five yamas (restraints) described in the Yoga Sutra and guides us to cultivate an attitude of gratitude and abundance. For eating disorder recovery, aparigraha is an invitation to recognize patterns in our lives that keep up in a cycle of believing we are not good enough and instead focus on an attitude of abundance.
Aparigraha teaches us that in order to truly appreciate each moment, we must declutter the obstacles we cling to. What is often blocking us from connecting with appreciation is our focus on what we don't have, what we believe we lack, and the material things we cling to. Holding on tightly to limiting beliefs, old stories, other's opinions, our bodies, eating disorder rules, relationships, and material objects clutter our minds and distort our perceptions of reality. We focus on lack; we believe we are not good enough, and this negativity drains our energy.
When we focus on appreciation, we embrace possibilities for healing and see our worlds through the lens of abundance.
One of my favorite poets, Mary Oliver, wrote a beautiful poem called Storage that reminds me of aparigraha and inspires us to let go of physical, mental, and emotional “stuff.” It goes like this:
Storage
By Mary Oliver
When I moved from one house to another
there were many things I had no room for.
What does one do? I rented a storage
space. And filled it. Years passed.
Occasionally I went there and looked in,
but nothing happened, not a single
twinge of the heart.
As I grew older the things I cared
about grew fewer, but were more
important. So one day I undid the lock
and called the trash man. He took
everything.
I felt like the little donkey when
his burden is finally lifted. Things!
Burn them, burn them! Make a beautiful
fire! More room in your heart for love,
for the trees! For the birds who own
nothing– the reason they can fly.
Reflect on Aprarigraha in Your Recovery
Letting go of the past, old beliefs, and old patterns is a challenge, although taking things one day at a time definitely makes life feel more manageable. Begin here by reflecting on the following questions.
What do you need to stop carrying around today?
What can you let go of that will set you free?
What does being appreciative in your recovery mean to you?
What are the red flags that let you know when you are clinging to the eating disorder or other things that are barriers to appreciation?
How has focusing on appreciation or gratitude helped you heal?
{Read how guest blogger Heather Jacoby practices aparigraha in her eating disorder recovery.}
Guided Meditations on Appreciation and Abundance
When you have a few minutes of quiet and a willingness to check in with yourself, join me for two meditations on the theme of aparigrapha.
I’d love to hear how you focus on appreciation in your recovery. Please feel free to share in the comments. And if you are looking for support on your recovery journey, please don’t hesitate to reach out.