Sometimes I bump into a concept made poisonous by the events of history. Here’s one, renunciation. Ouch! It almost hurts to hear the word as the mind conjures up images of suffering and loss. Transcendence on the other hand brings to mind fluffy images of floating upwards. Perhaps the later can shed light on the former as I take a stab at applying transcendence to renunciation in search of morsel of insight to feed the seeking heart.

I recently caught a showing of the film Naked in Ashes which documents the life of one nagi yogi (nagi babba). Nagi babbas are yogis who spend their entire life naked. They are said to be holders of original knowledge about nature and the true nature of man, knowledge they obtain from the experience that their unusual lifestyle provides. I spoke with others who had watched the same film. Many thought it to be about mad men crazy to renounce the comforts of life for a life of difficulty.

Why renounce anything at all? Our modern consumer culture provides many clear examples of how renunciation can revivify the human soul. Conveniences have made it possible for us to forget the most basic things, how to take care of ourselves. It has been easy to let others do the work. Pharmaceutical companies have our permission to determine what heals. Food and nutrition are in the hands of manufacturers and chemical companies and big biz seems to magically supply as much cheap crap as we can cram in our homes but always at the expense of others. Evolution occurs in all facets of life. Sadly our health and the health of the planet is no longer profitable to anyone.

Dependancy gives power to those who wish to have it. Renunciation can bring power back to the individual. In the quest for knowledge of health comes the reward of discovery. Search for knowledge and you will likely find vibrant communities of people creating beautiful things: healthy food, genuine remedies and even healers. Give up consumerism and you might discover how talented you are. Do you yet know what you can do and make? No one can tell a person what they should renounce, each knows for themselves. Let life be your teacher. When you look at the Nagi Baba, or any ‘fool’ be sure and pause before you deem them so. Consider the treasure they may hold. A (wo)man has the right to give up what is offered to him/her for sake of what they value.

True renunciation is voluntary. It is not the result of law, religion, family or an outside force. After all the value of things is unique to each individual, and so what one gives up must be a personal choice. Otherwise something meaningless is likely to be given up and gyp us of the reward of renunciation. Never should we give up what is vital and cause damage to our lives or what might give power to others who seek it. The way of the yogi is to renounce all things, admire all things and let all things go because to rise above what you value the most is to learn real value.

The renaissance in America might be led by beautiful losers, those who give up in order to obtain true wealth. I leave you to ponder this idea and consider the transcendent nature of renunciation while examining your own life and what you have yet to gain.

“He who wants anything becomes smaller than the thing he wants;
he who gives away anything is greater than the thing he gives up.”
- Hazrat Inayat Khan