Vairagya: Softening Views for Deeper Understanding

In yoga philosophy, vairagya is the practice of softening our held viewpoints. Our mind is a powerful tool for predicting the cause of whatever experience we find ourselves in, or witness in others. It saves us the effort of examining all the evidence and energy presented to our senses and helps us make quick decisions. However, these shortcuts can also obscure the process of understanding, leading to stagnancy and divisiveness in our relationship with ourselves and others. Vairagya helps us to learn, grow, and make peace with the circumstances of our lives.

The practices of yoga are designed inherently to open to vairagya. First, we can assume that the mind presents us with a version of the truth that doesn’t quite match reality as it is, to a greater or lesser degree. It’s our best guess, and it’s a good try. Furthermore, we know that examining alternate truths takes more energy. Start by establishing a calm foundation: take a few deep breaths. Next, let your attention follow the sensations you feel in this moment instead of the commentary in your head. If you get stuck on a certain feeling (or thought), guide your attention somewhere else (there is a microcosm of potential experiences within). By intervening before a held viewpoint casts its judgment, we can begin to appreciate what makes each situation unique. Give yourself time to be ambivalent and curious, and risk another point of view.

One of the gifts of this practice is that it helps quieten our assumptions about how someone or something should be. This leaves space for learning how things are, and why. We are all living our lives based on the conditions of the past. The better we can understand this, the more chance we have to loosen our grip on fear and anger. It makes space for inner and outer peace.