Building Heat (tapas)
Here we are in the long, cold month of February. This is traditionally a time after the holidays, after the feasting and gatherings and celebrations. In many traditions this is a time of fasting and self-reflection (like Lent or Ramadan). Even New Year's resolutions include the intention for cutting back or giving up something. In the yoga tradition there is this concept of tapas. It is one of niyamas described in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita.
Tapas is often translated as discipline or austerity. Tapaḥ = is a derivative of tapas and tapa. As a verb, it means to heat, glow, purify. Think of a crucible, where the heat of the fire transforms the material within. In philosophical and spiritual literature, tapas refers to the practices and disciplines leading to acquiring radiance of body and clarity of mind.
The practice of discipline brings heat that changes us. It may be felt in the form of discomfort (like the effort of building muscle in exercise), irritation (like withdrawal from cutting back on coffee or sugar), grumpiness (the mood attached to consciously avoiding something that used to bring us pleasure), resistance (the knee-jerk reaction to the idea of change), and potentially transformation. Sometimes yogis give up something that’s not “bad” for them, like apples. The action is to remind them each time they have the urge for apples, to strengthen their mind and resolve, to choose a particular action on purpose.
I’m guessing that you’re saying “Great! Sign me up for that!!” ;)
The practice of tapas can be applied in different aspects of our being:
In the body – eating “clean”, avoiding toxic substances, or pausing before eating (aka shoveling food in) to be mindful of where the food comes from and how it will nourish the body.
In speech – speaking the truth, avoiding gossip/judgmental language, or speaking less.
In the mind – practicing compassion (tenderness/non-judgment) in our thoughts toward ourselves and others.
“Tapas is any practice that pushes the mind against its own limits; the key ingredient of tapas is endurance…Tapas begins with temporarily or permanently denying ourselves a particular desire…Instead of instant gratification, we choose postponement. Then, gradually, postponement can be stepped up to become complete renunciation. This kind of challenge to our habit patterns causes a certain degree of frustration in us. We begin to “stew in our own juices,” and this generates psychic energy that can be used to power the process of self-transformation…Genuine tapas makes us shine like the sun. Then we can be a source of warmth, comfort, and strength for others.”
What resonates for you right now? What comes to mind as something you feel interested/urged to build discipline around? Why would the practice be valuable for you (it’s all for you)?
The invitation of tapas is to build heat in a sattvic way. Think Goldie Locks, not too much/too little, finding the discipline that is just right. This means practicing disciplines that best serve what you need right now. Building discipline can be saving time for regular, movement like yoga, self-care/massage, or challenging old habits that no longer serve you/coaching.