How to be successfully content
"Love what you do, do what you love and embrace all aspects of life"
"Santosha"
(is the second of the Niyamas of Patanjali's Eight Limbs of Yoga - it roughly translates as contentment)
Contentment is not about overlooking pain or difficulty - it’s about opening ourselves up to the 'here and now' and embracing the present.
Contentment runs deep. It's more than a moment in time - it's a way of being. A place where we can find 'rest' - in both heart and mind. A sense that all is well.
Finding contentment in my life has brought with it a total acceptance - with my life, where and who I am, what I am doing, what I have, who I am with,
WHO I AM
Accepting who you are will give way to tremendous change. Loving everything about yourself and reminding yourself that you are perfect just as you are will lead to an overall sense of contentment. Stop with self-criticism. Be that better person, helping others and working without your previous insecurities.
Contentment in this sense opens up to what is actually present in any given moment:
the pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral, releasing the need to strive for perfection, goals, and stability that simply don't exist.
A Mindfulness Practice to Cultivate Contentment
Daily downtime
Steady your mind and attention for a few moments. Find a posture that represents a sense of dignity and wakefulness.
Use your downtime well - meditate, listen to music, do some light exercise, read - anything that relaxes you and allows you to check out. Recharging this way will help you to become more receptive to new ideas and inspiration.
Write a list of everything you’re grateful for right now
Take note of any bodily sensations, feelings, and thoughts, allowing them to be as they are, with the breath as the anchor for your attention. Read it often. Gratitude is powerful, and taking stock of everything you have right now can help ease the pressure in stressful times.
Bring into practice
Bring into practice the questions “what do I need at this moment to be happy?” and “what is lacking from this moment?”
As best you can, stay very close to this moment. If you notice your mind wandering into judging or wider questions about your life, escort it back to this moment, back to “what do I need at this moment to be happy?”; “what is lacking from this moment?”
Explore within yourself what it is to rest at this moment with ease, to rest in the small space between the ending of the out‐breath and the beginning of the next breath, to rest in the quietude between sounds, to rest in the body.
Celebrate small successes every day
The biggest achievements are often a result of multiple small ones. By learning to appreciate the little things, you open yourself up to a world of joy.
Remember that in the end, there is nothing you have to do
It’s your life. Just breathe. Steady for a few moments on your breath, anchoring your attention.
It’s good to be motivated, but sometimes just taking the pressure off is the most effective way to accomplish a big goal.
It’s a lesson that took me a long time to learn: just because you’re happy with where you’re at doesn’t mean you don’t want to be inspired or aim higher. Being at peace at the moment will only help you attract more success into your life.
Peace isn’t some distant goal to work toward. It’s something that can be cultivated on a daily basis to help you achieve your goals in a healthy way.
Active contentment is growth. It’s a state of mind that allows for ambition as well as peace. I challenge you to be actively content with your life.
Keep taking time to develop inner peace and strength through breathwork and pranayama.
May all be blessed with peace, love and wisdom.
Namaste!
29 January 2021
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