Recently I have gained a new understanding of the word purity and what it actually means. I thought I would briefly share with you what I am learning in the hope that perhaps it might also get you thinking about this topic as well. Think about how it might apply in a new way to your own life and how you choose to live.
I came across a book a few weeks ago called Yoga Masters: The Living Wisdom Series by Mark Forstater and Jo Manuel. Last week I was reading in this book about Patanjali's Yoga Sutras (which any yogi will be quite familiar with at some time or another due to the incredible teachings of Patanjali's eight-limbed approach to yoga - called Ashtanga.) The system is very similar to the Biblical teachings of the Ten Commandments and essential life lessons such as the Golden Rule and other aspects of ethical living.
One of Patanjali's eight-limbs is the idea of "Purity". This falls under the Niyama category of personal observation where one is to be reflecting on one's life and seeing how you can live in-line with this principle.
So, what does it mean to live a "Pure" life? What does it mean to seek "Purity"?
The first thought that always came to mind for me was related to modesty and celibacy and all things related to personal behavior such as being truthful and humble and innocent in word and deed. These were my previous ideas of the concept of purity. So when I would hear that we should seek to live a pure life that is what came to mind for me.
Recently this idea has radically evolved. Now I am gaining a very different understanding of what it means to live pure. This new and unusual perspective has allowed me to understand purity on a whole new level that actually reaches to every part of our life and includes all aspects of our daily living.....in terms of our health, our environment, our homes......
Looking at our health - Are we eating purely? Are we giving our bodies the whole foods that it needs to be sustained healthily? Are we eating free of pesticides and preservatives and all the additives that seem to be causing such harm within the body?...or...Are we taking into our bodies things that we know will cause us long term damage?
The Environment - Are we living sustainably and in ways that promote the healing of our planet? What are our thoughts/actions around trash removal and wastes? What part do we play in our daily lives that allows us to live purely in this world?
Our Homes - Are we living in a home that is pure and free from clutter and needless excess of things?...or...Do we fill our homes out of desire and the need for others to accept us as being wealthy or having great style etc? What is our intention when decorating and setting up a home? Is our intention pure, or are we seeking outside approval?
I love this quote from the book,
"If we want a healthy world, we need to start by cultivating a healthy mind and body, stable, harmonious, balanced and pure."
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