There's a concept in yoga--actually, there are many concepts in yoga, all of which seem to have at least three components. Yoga has eight limbs; each limb has multple what--branches? Then there are five classes of chitta vritti which create pleasure and pain. Chitta vritti isn't one of the eight limbs; I'm not sure what it is. And five causes of chitta vritti create pain. Yes, the both have five, but they're different. I got this from attempting to read the intro in BKS Iyengar's Light on Yoga. It may be the most confusing 35 pages I've ever read. He has a newer edition of the book with a new introduction, but i bought the original because it was cheaper. So I don't know if it's any less confusing.
Anyway, one of the five causes of chitta vritti creating pain is avidya, which is "expressed and experienced in four different ways..." (of couse) (according to TKV Desikachar in his book, The Heart of Yoga). One of the four forms of avidya is raga, or "the desire to have something whether we need it or not." Or maybe I was thinking about the first limb of yoga--yama (ethical disciplines, according to Iyengar). Looks like yama has five something, a couple of which have to do with non-stealing/non-coveting. As in, "...if he [the yogi] gathers things he does not really need, he is a thief." (Iyengar, p. 34.) And "...one should not hoard or collect things one does not require immediately."
Simplify; take only what you need. I don't see anything about envy, but I'm sure it's embedded in these. These concepts resonate with me and I aspire to them. Until I read the Wall Street Journal, and I catch a glimpse of how rich people live. I think of myself as well off--certainly compared to the people i encounter through my volunteer work, and compared with a lot of people in this country. But I don't know any rich people, and I probably would have no idea how differently they live--if it weren't for the WSJ.
I read it because we get it--my husband's subscription, not mine. It's much less business-y than it used to be, but with that comes a lot more articles about haute couture, wine, shoes, handbags--did I mention haute couture? Take the WSJ Magazine that came with yesterday's paper. The Oct/Nov magazine. In it is an article about shearling coats. They look nice--then I see that the prices range from $995 (looks like a sweatshirt) to $6,990. And "there's no smarter way to put your best foot forward than in a leather oxford" ranging in price from a cheapo $$375 (company aptly named "Rag and Bone" to the John Lobb $1,290. But it was really the "How to Buy" section that filled me with revision and secret envy. How to buy...rare wines, vintage cars, estate jewelry, helicopters, HELICOPTERS???, the safest facelift, investment handbags--like the Kelly, as in Grace Kelly. Who is/was Jane Birkin, anyway--seems like her biggest claim to fame is having a bag named after her.
Who are these people? Reminds me of Stephen Colbert's segment "Colbert Platinum". For members only; if you're not a member, leave the room now. But of course I stay, and enjoy hearing very rich people made fun of. One part revulsion, two parts envy? I'd like to be able to say I can afford to buy a helicopter, I just choose not to...Not so sue about the facelift, or the handbags.
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