Basking in Fullness

It's early August, and the tomatoes are beginning to ripen on the vine. Juicy, thick, flavorful, fat tomatoes. For breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Salsa, gazpacho, bruschetta, pico de gallo, marinara--you name it, we are eating it this month.

These are times of plenty for those of us who cultivate. We have so much that we must give it away. We could not possibly eat all that we are blessed with, yet sometimes we humans find it difficult to give, especially when we are constantly reminded of the recession and job losses all around. We think we should hold on to all that hard earned fruit, money, stuff, whatever. We tell ourselves we are planning for the future. But, abundance exists, and only exists, in the here and now.

Aparigraha is Sanskrit for the yogic principle often translated as non-grasping, non-hoarding, unselfishness. The lesson of aparigraha applies to many aspects of our lives including the way we eat and drink. The tendency to binge eat and/or drink stems from a false belief about ourselves that we are lacking something, that we don't have everything we need, that we must look out for ourselves--because no one else will.

When we realize that something bigger than us is holding us, supporting us, we begin to trust that everything will be taken care of. We know that the One who turns the Earth for us also takes care of our plans.

So, how do we open ourselves to abundance and fulfillment? Gratitude. Wherever you are right now, recognize that abundance exists in your life. Give thanks for at least one thing wherever you are. Delight in a delicious meal, gaze at a picture of someone you love (or who loves you), stare at a flower, bask under the full moon. Then ask yourself, What is not perfect about this moment? Listen for the answer: Nothing.