Dharma shield - A mesh of virtuous cycles

One of the sources of respect for our parents is their ability to subsist in far greater frugality, being able to save more than we can despite earning much less. This is not achieved in a day; more likely, it is the outcome of a lifetime of learning from mistakes and small improvements. How can we make such virtuous cycles an integral part of our life?

The Dharmacakra, "Wheel of Dharma"

Continuous improvement can be achieved through the effortless mastery of virtuous cycles. A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. Start your journey to perfection by starting with small, nearly imperceptible virtuous cycles. Cycles within cycles build your daily practice into something more.

If you are mindful, you can forge together a mesh of virtuous cycles that span the eight limbs of Ashtanga that begins in your daily practice but reaches out to all aspects of life. Perfecting one aspect of your daily asana practice is such a virtuous cycle that can form a sequence of steps to start your journey to enlightenment. This notion is key to avoiding the honey trap of practicing yoga purely as an exercise and allowing it to become a transformative activity that reaches into all facets of life.

Virtuous cycles that span the eight limbs of Ashtanga yoga and perhaps beyond to other aspects of life can become a resilient mesh. Make this mesh, and it will become like a brilliant armor that will protect against adversity when your purpose or focus wavers.

, you may grow mindful that your life has grown somewhat over-cluttered with material possessions. You may then start with a virtuous cycle embodying the precept of Aparigraha, or temperance may guide you to part with some of your possessions. Effortless mastery is taking the step that is easiest to make into a habit. Later as you feel the benefits, you may find that a larger gesture has now become an effortless next step and proceed to recycle. Next, you might join a local group and donate your excess to others. Eventually, you may expand your perception and have the sensitivity to address the source and challenges further by practicing building impulse control by taking a short imperceptible time before you acquire or consume. This may grow into a time-out and even a test of abstinence. Eventually, you may increase both perception and control and enjoy some of the benefits of uncluttered living and perhaps even frugality? You may have also forged connections with others when you learned to share resources with others.