SENSE OF OWNERSHIP BINDS YOU (APARIGRAHA)

APARIGAHA is the concept of Non-Possessiveness, Non Greed and Non-Attachment. It is one of the codes of ethical behavior. The word comes from the Sanskrit a a Prefix meaning “Non” Pari meaning “On all sides” and graha meaning “To Take “ “To Grab “ or “ To Seize “. Therefore aparigraha translates as not taking more than one needs”.

Aparigraha is the concept in which possessions should include only what is necessary at a particular stage in one’s life . It is a form of Self – restraint. Possessiveness is delusion. It does not mean having a collection of things; it is the feeling of being the owner of those thing. The ‘number of things’ therefore does not determine an individual’s possessiveness; it is the attitude he harbours toward those thing. The way he relates to them that determines his possessiveness.

Our sense of ownership is not restricted to things alone. We display feeling of ownership even toward people. A husband tries to own his wife; a father his son and a teacher, his student. Possessiveness is just another dimension of violence because no one can own another without exercising violence by talking away his independence.

Perhaps because man has no authority over himself, he tries to make up for that ‘lack of command’ by ruling others. We wish to become independent by making others dependent on us. But we do not realise that dependence is on both sides; both parties get tied.

We become slaves to the one’s we try to possess; we get bound to them because our sense of ownership is dependent on them. If the ones we claim to own leave us, with them goes our ownership too. If our ownership is dependent on others, then how can we be called their owner?

We collect things so that they can serve us but instead, we end up serving them. Does the treasure chest look after us or do we look after it? Objects are not to be blamed. We become their slaves of our own accord. It is our perception, our thought and beliefs that brings about this slavery. How can things make anyone their slave? They are not even aware that humans believe they own them. If you are filled with desire for things, you experience bondage. With no desire, you are free.

One who has no longing to make anyone slave and does not wish to own anything or anyone – he alone his real owner in this world. He alone whose ownership is not dependent on others is truly possessive and is truly happy, peaceful, settled and secure. This is the essence of ‘aparigraha’ or non- possessiveness.

We accumulate things and relationship to fill the emptiness we feel inside. Since the inner deficiency could not be filled by the presence of external objects, then can giving them up fill the space? The problem is that first you wish to fill the inner chasm by collecting external things and having attained them, when you are realize that they cannot fill the inner void, you relinquish them. However what cannot be filled with the addition of things will not be filled by subtracting them either. Non- possessiveness does not mean giving up outer things.it means attaining inner completeness by realizing the self, abiding in the self. Then the emptiness within is filled and frenzy to collect outer objects ceases. Having experiences inner absoluteness, the desire to either hoard of things or to give them up vanishes. Outer association drop, on their own.

When the self is realized, inner wealth is attained. The alone, does one understand how vain the efforts of collections or re announcing outer things is. Once inner completeness is attained, the hold over external things is automatically given up. Realizing that it is futile to hold on anything, one becomes non possessiveness in the midst of all.

The meaning of non- possessiveness is not to have the sense of ownership. It means transformation in one’s relationship to other. When the sense of ownership wanes, it result in non- possessiveness.

TREAT OTHERS THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED REMEMBER !!!! THE SOUL IS ON A JOURNEY