that we must not indulge or push ourselves too far. The way that I practice Bramacharya in my life is by pledging to be celibate until I am married. Finally, the fifth yama is Aparigraha, whose translation from Sanskrit is non-possessiveness. The essence of this yama is not to accumulate that which you don’t really need. In our society we cherish our possessions dearly whether they are physical, people, or ideas. The key is to have full control over your possessions and not allow them to control you through the greed or possessiveness they may create. Furthermore, with the same happiness that we enjoy physical, mental, or spiritual possessions, we should be able to give them away. For, we must realize that change is inevitable. And when change enters our life, we must learn to accept it and embrace it. The yama of Aparigraha greatly helped me when my father lost his job. Because this society is so materialistic, to work towards non-attachment to things, people, or situations is extremely difficult. When my father lost his job, our family lost many of the comforts that we once took for granted due to a reduced income. Money became a very large issue and with it came many limitations on wants and desires that were so accessible before my father had lost his job. Furthermore, the loss of his job brought about immense shame for my father. Yet, rather than become embarrassed over my father losing his job and sad due to the fact that I could no longer have as many material possessions, I came to accept the different lifestyle. By letting go and accepting, room was made for new experiences, joys, understandings, and lessons. For instance, I now appreciate things that I took for granted in the past and realize the lack of necessity for materialistic objects and desires and I feel that as a result, I have become a more appreciative human being as a whole. ...
