In our traditional way of Living, I’ve read that we should follow 10 Niyamas or practices. One of them is Remorse, ie., Hri. This supposed to mean that we should allow ourselves the expression of remorse, being modest and showing shame for misdeeds. We need to seek out and correct faults and bad habits. We should not boast and shun pride and pretension. Last week we have seen this. Now its the trun the second Niyama: 2.Santosha, Contentment:Nurture contentment, seeking joy and serenity in life. Be happy, smile and uplift others. A beggar is a king if he is contented with what he has, while a king is like a beggar if he still desires more riches to add to his treasure troves and vaults by imposing more taxes on the poor. Contentment is independence from external conditions. In other words, happiness or comfort will not be found in external circumstances (others’ action, that donut or slice of cake, your child’s accomplishments, that bonus or raise you just know is coming), because those conditions are always subject to change. Due to ever-changing conditions it is impossible to be truly happy in an external situation. Ever hear about how about the carrot vs. stick? How about that offering intrinsic incentives or benefits over purely extrinsic incentives leads to stronger and more steadfast motivation from the subject? We cultivate contentment not as the result, but as a means to finding acceptance in life’s happenings. It’s what the farmer who works 16 hours a day during harvest has and you don’t; it’s why someone who’s dying can exert pure joy rather than despair. In yoga the acceptance that there is a purpose for everything (belief in karma) is one means of gaining perspective on the purpose and importance of contentment. Santosha is about simply being happy with what we have rather than being unhappy about what we don’t have. When we do not live in santosha we struggle against the present moment, we struggle against the entire cosmos and the most natural expression of things/ people/ events in the world. Keep in mind that contentment doesn’t imply acquiescence or passivity. Santosha implies acceptance without resignation. Keep in mind, however, that contentment doesn’t imply acquiescence or passivity. Yogis are committed in thought, word, and deed to supporting evolutionary change that enhances the well-being of all sentient creatures on this planet. Santosha implies acceptance without resignation. As an alternative to seeking happiness or comfort in external circumstances whose conditions are subject to changing learn to control the mind, as the mind is the internal thermostat so to speak. If you can learn to elevate the mind so that you can perceive the world with reduced conflict happiness will already be waiting on your doorstep. Swami Sivanada’s advice is helpful when trying to grasp santosha: “Adapt, adjust, accommodate.” The third niyama, Tapas, helps address more on how exactly we do this. Lets review this later.
Posted on: Fri, 21 Mar 2014 05:33:18 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015