Contentment

 Over the past couple of days in teacher training we have been discussing yogic philosophy; concentrating on the 8 Limbs of Classical Yoga that are part of the Yoga Sutras written by Patanjali. In discussing these 8 Limbs of  Classical Yoga, our instructor has asked us to concentrate on one or two specific parts that speak to our soul and make it or them a part of our daily walk.


Although there were many that spoke to me; I have decided to concentrate on Santosha or contentment. According to Patanjali's Yoga Sutras; through contentment, supreme joy is gained. He says many of us confuse the difference between contentment and satisfaction, going on to define contentment as being just as we are without going to outside things for our happiness.


This statement hit me right between the eyes. So many times I've found myself thinking my life would be better if I did this, had that, lived there, etc, etc. Instead of focusing on the here and now and what is so wonderful about my life, my eyes were always looking ahead to the next thing - very rarely taking joy in what was right in front of me at THAT TIME.


That being said for the next 27 days (and beyond, hopefully), I will practice being content in my daily walk, recognizing that being content does not nullify the desire to improve; contentment simply expresses that "I am okay today."