In yoga philosophy, the practice of aparigraha, translated as non-grasping, guides us toward openness. It reminds us that clinging creates tension, while releasing creates freedom.
Grasping shows up in subtle and not-so-subtle ways:
Holding tightly to how we believe things should be.
Clinging to possessions, roles, or identities for a sense of security.
Gripping old stories about ourselves or others that no longer serve us.
Wanting to hold on to pleasurable experiences, or resist those that feel uncomfortable.
The more we hold on, the more constricted we become. The more we release, the more space we create for breath, flow, and possibility. Aparigraha is not about giving up; it is about letting go of what keeps us closed off, so we can live more fully.
“Try to accept the changing seasons of your soul, even if you don’t understand them.” – Rainer Maria Rilke
When we practice non-grasping, openness becomes natural. We discover that life can surprise us in beautiful ways when we are not busy clinging to what we think should happen. Instead of approaching life with a closed fist, we begin to meet it with open hands and an open heart.
Reflections for Your Practice
As you move into your practice or your day, you might think about the following:
What might soften or open in me today, if I let myself release resistance?
Where am I gripping too tightly—to an outcome, a story, or an identity—and how might I loosen my hold?
How could I practice meeting life with more open hands and less clenched fists?
What freedom might I discover if I trusted in the natural unfolding of things?
How does openness feel in my body, in my breath, in my relationships?
Openness is not something we master once and for all. It is a lifelong practice, a willingness to soften again and again. Each breath offers us another opportunity to release, receive, and open wider to life.
A Breath Practice for Openness
Find a comfortable seat or lie down, allowing your body to rest.
Begin by noticing your breath. Without trying to change it, simply observe the natural rise and fall.
On your inhale, imagine you are opening—receiving fresh energy, space, and possibility.
On your exhale, imagine you are releasing—softening tension, expectations, or anything you may be holding onto.
Continue for 5–10 rounds, letting each inhale be an invitation, and each exhale a gentle letting go.
If it helps, silently repeat:
Inhale: “I open.”
Exhale: “I release.”
Rest for a few moments in stillness, noticing the spaciousness that emerges when we practice openness through the breath.
