Hidden Beauty: The Aghori Mindset

Embracing the nature of change

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Image of an Aghori Baba by Natalia from Adobe Stock

Hidden Beauty

“In the face of decay and destruction, the Aghori finds beauty and divine order.” - Unknown

In a world obsessed with perfection, we often find ourselves ensnared by an unyielding pursuit of flawlessness. We’re afraid of wrinkles, mortified by bodily functions, and captivated by ideals that dictate our worth—perfect abs, sculpted lips, flawless hair, and chiseled cheeks.

The beauty and bio-hacking industry thrives on our desire to avoid aging, promising eternal youth at any cost. We seem determined to outsmart death, yet in this frantic race, we miss the deeper truths of existence.

True beauty lies not in the mirror, but within.

It’s found in our ability to feel the rhythm of our own heart and soul. This internal beauty is often overshadowed by the relentless noise of societal expectations, leading us to make superficial choices and living a linear 2D definition of success.

A few weeks ago, I wrote a poem about ripening through life. Shifting the perspective of aging and getting old, to celebrating as you be rich with experience and wisdom.

In recent times I’ve been fascinated by the way the Aghori live.

The Aghori, a group often misunderstood, originated in India within the rich tapestry of Tantric practices. Tantra is a method of worship within Hinduism that is said to be fit for the age we currently live in where distraction and illusion is at its peak. Aghora, derived from "Ghora" (meaning terrible) and "Aghora" (meaning beyond terrible), reflects a unique understanding of existence.

They embrace what we typically avoid—the decay, the grotesque, the taboo—recognizing that beauty exists in all things, even in death, decay, and despair. This practice of seeing beauty where others see filth challenges our very definition of attractiveness and worth. Instead of feeling disgust, they embrace and find beauty in all of life’s forms.

They embrace the forbidden and feared—death, decay, and impurity—to transcend duality and reach a state of non-judgment and ultimate unity. Aghori practitioners aim to dissolve the boundaries between "pure" and "impure," viewing all experiences and materials as sacred.

I am by no means an expert, but I like sharing the truths that arise in me as I learn about them in life.

Aghori often live and practice their rituals in cremation grounds. Meditating on dead bodies, eating food from a skull, and wearing only clothes found amongst the bodies, are some of the things they embrace as normal.

While I don’t feel drawn to live on a cremation ground, I am intrigued by the idea of turning my own heart into a cremation ground. Burning away all that is impure within me. Beliefs, conditions, perceptions, and ideas that do not serve the wholeness of who I am—that hinder me from experiencing the beautiful lightness of my eternal being.

I’m curious about what stops me from fully enjoying the present moment.

As we navigate life, we often divide our experiences into binaries: good or bad, beautiful or ugly. This duality breeds suffering, keeping us shackled to our insecurities and fears. The Aghori teach us that these divisions are illusions. To understand beauty in one thing is to understand it in another; it merely takes different forms. This interconnectedness invites us to reconsider our perspective, urging us to seek beauty in the hidden, the unseen, and the unacknowledged.

Instead of fearing death, we can learn to embrace its inevitability. Acknowledging that death is an integral part of life allows us to live more fully in the present. We can honor the cycles of life by reflecting on our mortality, fostering a deeper appreciation for each moment we experience. Each day, we can choose to engage with our surroundings, nurture relationships that matter, and celebrate the beauty in the mundane.

Do we need to abandon our lives to meditate among the dead?

No.

We can choose to embrace this mindset in our everyday lives. We can shift our perspectives, seeing the world with fresh eyes, appreciating the intricate beauty woven through every experience—joy or sorrow, life or death.

Here’s some daily practices to help you embrace hidden beauty:

• Awareness: Take a few minutes each day to observe your surroundings without judgment. Notice beauty in simple, overlooked things, like the sound of the wind or the texture of a leaf.

• Appreciate Imperfections: Rather than focusing on flaws, whether in yourself or others, see them as part of a unique journey. Wrinkles, scars, and even mistakes can tell powerful stories.

• Connect Authentically: Engage deeply with those around you. Compassion and kindness are the most radiant forms of beauty.

• Reflect on Mortality: Reflect on life’s impermanence, not with fear, but with gratitude. This awareness can enrich every moment, making life more meaningful.

• Find Beauty in the Mundane: From washing dishes to commuting, shift your mindset to appreciate the beauty in routine activities, seeing them as part of life's intricate rhythm.

• Let Go of Comparisons: Avoid comparing yourself to others or societal ideals. Instead, focus on nurturing your personal growth, valuing the person you are becoming.

• Seek Out the Unseen: Make it a habit to find beauty in places you usually overlook—whether it’s in nature, a stranger’s smile, or an old, worn object.

If you’d like to learn more here’s a podcast I found fascinating:

Love,

V

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