“Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose. Attachment leads to jealousy. The shadow of greed, that is.”â£
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Not the words from Buddha or Osho. In fact, these wise words came from a little green Jedi Master from a galaxy far, far away……
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As I’m rewatching the entire Star Wars series (in case anyone is wondering, it takes about 25 hours)- I’m fascinated by the parallels between the Jedi (who are like the yogis of the galaxy) and the Force, in which yoga calls “prana.” Initiates are trained from a young age in the way of the Jedi- just like how traditional yogis follow a set of “ethics” outlined in the ‘yamas + niyamas’ that also include discipline, responsibility, non-violence, and non-attachment.â£
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From the yoga sutras, the third cause of our suffering is attachment. Our attachment to things, people, and certain outcomes is the source of our misery. When we don’t get what we want, it causes us to suffer. Attachment arises from desire and greed. Desire is a state of mind that is dissatisfied with the present and seeks something other than what is in the moment.â£
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My attachment shows up in my practice as a burning desire to achieve perfection. When we create an attachment to the outcome, we forget what it means to truly live in our process. Master Yoga reminds us that we must practice detachment to be free. The roadmap to success is not focusing on the destination but upon the actions that pave the way. This means showing up to the process and trusting the journey.â£
What are some of the attachments (material, personal, or thoughts) you might be carrying?â£
What feels ‘heavy,’ rather than expansive? Notice that nothing is permanent. Use this recognition to fuel your pursuit of something eternal instead. â£
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Letting go is not the same as giving up; it sets you free. How would it feel to let go of these attachments?â£
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Let go and let God,â£
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