Contemplating contentment

-
Saucha (contentment) is the next of the Yamas/Niyamas, the restraints and observances of The Eightfold Path, that I have chosen for my most recent inquiry practice. This is just one of the many assignments we have been asked to do in order to better prepare us for our India immersion experience.  For four weeks we are to practice any Yama or Niyama, picking a new one each week and then writing a reflection of the experience.  If you have been following, you know that I began the inquiry with Aparigraha (non-attachment) and then moved on to Tapas (discipline).  Let's just say that they were indeed inquiries and leave it at that.  If you are a glutton for punishment OR don't have a clue what I'm referring to, you can find this info in my archived posts.  I am content either way, I think.

Contemplate "to consider thoroughly; think fully or deeply about: to contemplate a difficult problem,"  Contentment " peace of mind; mental or emotional satisfaction" (n) or mentally or emotionally satisfied with things as they are assenting to or willing to accept circumstances, a proposed course of action, etc" (adj).  Dictionary.com

I must admit that when I first considered contentment for my next inquiry, I had no idea it would become so wonderfully complicated. But, that is half the fun of the journey for me.  At first consideration, I thought to myself  "Contentment is good Pamela. It is close enough to gratitude and you try to maintain an attitude of gratitude regularly. Pretty straightforward. You will just have a focused period of time to be grateful and recognize that all that you have in life is enough. That is contentment, right?" Then I read the word satisfied and it screwed me all up. Don't get me wrong.  I am so grateful for everything that I have.  I am blessed beyond words.  But am I satisfied?  Does satisfied mean settling?  And, if I settle, does that mean complacency?  And if that means complacency, does that mean I am no longer growing?  And if I am no longer growing, does that mean I'm not a warrior? And if I'm not a warrior, does that mean that I am false advertising my Blog title?  You see now (or not) what I mean about being wonderfully complicated.  In fact, there is so much to contemplate that I can't continue writing.......

Therefore, I shall take a break and contemplate what color paint to use for my kitchen.  I already have a few ideas but if I just pick the one that I'm content with.....you get the picture.

Oh, this one will be fun to write about.  In the meantime, I hope that you are satisfied with my teaser and will contemplate contentment, until we meet again. 






 





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Bhakti Bliss--lessons off the mat.

-
Image
I just returned home from Kripalu after spending five glorious days there, including ringing in the New Year "yogi style."  Having spent the last two New Year's Eve in similar environments, I must admit that I can't imagine doing it any other way.  To my surprise, well not really because I often miss the fine print, I had signed up for a four day program, not just a celebration on New Year's Eve.  From Thursday-Sunday I attended "Bhakti Bliss."  For those of you unfamiliar with Bhakti or Bhakti Yoga, it loosely means spiritual devotion or love for God and is often practiced via Kirtan or chants.  Whether participating in the traditional call and response chants or being part of the drum circle, dancing in the aisles or listening to stories told to music, I was completely absorbed in the experience......but not from the start. As my last one-sentence post indicated, I have been going through some holiday transitions. When I landed at Kripalu on that T...
Read more

Satya- truth

-
When considering what my fourth and final inquiry would be, I must admit that I wanted to return to a few I had already practiced.....and practice some more.  However, our assignment was to pick a new one each week and since I am the student, not the teacher, I shall be an obedient one or at least try.  I will continue to informally address Santosha/contentment and have much to say about my discoveries so stay tuned.  In the meantime I shall explore Satya, or commitment to the truth.  I have attached the link once again if you wish to gain a better understanding of the Yamas/Niyamas as related to the Eightfold Path.  On the surface, this was the last one I thought I would choose for an inquiry as I consider myself to be a pretty open and honest person, straightforward and truthful and not one for gossip or caddy talk.  When I looked a bit deeper at the definition given in the readings, I did find the area of Satya in which I struggle and thus, that will ...
Read more

Self knowledge vs Shelf knowledge

-
I first heard this expression when attending S.E.E.D (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) training a few years ago.  S.E.E.D   is an amazing program that truly has the ability to bring curricular change, understanding and compassion to any educational institution that chooses to accept its mission. Feel free to check it out.  Anyhow, they were referring to the parts of ourselves that we bring to any group or any discussion; we have our book knowledge and we have our lived experience.  Both are equally valuable and you are encouraged not to check any parts of yourself at the door...very Burkian, if I do say so myself.  I have been thinking about this a lot the past few days as I begin to reflect on this most recent part of my journey.  Is there really a separation of self and shelf?  At some point, doesn't the shelf knowledge have the potential to become your self-knowledge, if you embrace that which you have read or heard?  And finally, are ...
Read more