Had some deep thoughts about cleanliness while dry mopping the floor. It’s important to me to regularly dry mop the floors, because A) I’m pretty sure I’m allergic to the dog, and B) As a yogi, my face and all it's orifices are often directly touching said floor.
I’ve developed an annoying habit around my frequent floor cleaning. Without much conscious thought, I dry mop the whole house, and then leave the pile of dog fluff, human hair, bug carcasses, and dust in the kitchen. I leave the dirty mop propped up against the kitchen counter for good measure. And it may remain there until the next time I dry mop, standing silent sentry over this curious habit as I putter around it..
I want the floor clean, so I clean it. But I don’t complete the task, because scooping the pile and beating the mop out are less satisfying and attractive tasks. So I leave it in the kitchen, which creates a low-grade, almost unnoticeable response of annoyance, aversion, and self-judgement. That little mess leaves a stain on my domestic experience.
In the ancient Yoga Sutras, Patanjali teaches Saucha, the Sanskrit concept of purity, clarity, and cleanliness.
A clean, organized, uncluttered home creates a different experience than an unkempt, unsanitary, hoarded home. While we may not always follow the inspiration to clean, reduce, and organize, the inspiration is there. Wisdom encourages us to live the best possible experience. The havoc of a pigsty reflects dis-ease of the inhabitants.
Cleanliness, purity, and clarity of our hearts, minds, and bodies are vital to a healthy, happy life experience. Do we feel organized, connected, courageous, ethical, valuable, kind, and self-possessed in our most private, intimate inside universe? Are we clean, pure, and clear on the inside?
More importantly, how are we unclean, impure, and confused? How do we sabotage our best interests? Too often, when we are upset or struggling, we look outside ourselves to cast blame or find salvation. But we must attend to the inside conditions which create negative self-talk, feed negative habits, and even cause our custom-made crises. Examining the obstacles is how we “clean house” inside. Too often, we are afraid to look at our messiness. But the light of observation sanitizes.
Yoga is a guide for how to conduct ourselves. Wisdom knows we want the most satisfying, healthy, easy, and interesting life experiences. Yoga promotes self-control, self-awareness, and self-realization of our full human potential. The practice of cleanliness supports us in our efforts.
When we conduct ourselves with impurity, we become disgruntled, annoyed, and grouchy. Cleanliness (and the willingness to explore the dirt) is a blessing we grant ourselves.
Off I go explore a pile of dirt in my kitchen now.
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