October at LRY: VAIRAGYA

The sister to last month's theme Abhyasa, or discipline, is Vairagya, dispassion. Like two wings of a bird, we need both discipline and dispassion to stay afloat on the spiritual path. When we are disciplined in our actions and aligned with right intention, it becomes easier to release attachment to the outcome of these actions, to let go of stressing about what we did or didn't do or how we could have done it differently.

We can trust that we put forth right effort and accept what happens without getting caught in the web of self-doubt. Not needing to avoid pain or seek pleasure, we learn to simply be with experience as it arises. This leads to freedom. 

The next time you notice yourself caught in the mind's messiness, ask "was I aligned in right action?" and if so, "Can I have the strength to be with what is happening with dispassion?". If not, "How might I act differently next time?". Good or bad feelings are not necessarily connected to right or wrong, but simply part of being a human being. Allow for all of it and let go. We are here to catch you.

with love,

emily and lry