Contentment is a mental decision, a moral choice, a practiced observance, a step into the reality of the cosmos. Contentment/santosha is the natural state of our humanness and our divinity and allows for our creativity and love to emerge. It is knowing our place in the universe at every moment. It is unity with the largest, most abiding, reality.The practices listed above are not mutually exclusive either. While in a Warrior Two, breath deep and send some thanks to your strong legs as the hold you up. Meditation combined with a deep diaphragmatic breath and a mantra of thanks can also be an effective way to cultivate contentment. Try a 40 Day Gratitude Journal listing the major things in your life that you are grateful for. As you proceed with the journal entries, you may start to notice and be thankful for the little things as well. Your heart may begin to open up more and let ease, peace and santosha in. Recently, I've changed the image on the blog to my cat, Maxine, for the month of November as a reminder to all of us that contentment is for everyone. I see and feel that she is content. Granted her daily responsibilities are not the same as mine but she is a cat with her own cat survival responsibilities. She stretches, she breathes, she is completely in the moment as she hears the birds, chases the butterflies and flees from me catching her. But her heart is open. She has this uncanny sense to come to me when I am upset. She greets each of us by the window when we come home. She is my daily reminder.
Labels: Gratitude, Hands to Belly and Heart, Reclined Bound Angle, Revolved Abdominal Twist, Supported Forward Fold - Legs Extended, Three-Part Breath