Greetings Yogis and
Yoginis,
This week in class we are considering the shift from greed to gratitude.
This week in class we are considering the shift from greed to gratitude.
The second of the eight limbs of Yoga are the Niyama's –
practices of self-purification through discipline. The second Niyama is Santosa, or Contentment. This is a commitment to being content and
reducing desires and becoming cheerful and creating balance of mind.
The second niyama, Santosa, is found in verse II.42 of Patanjali’s
Yoga Sutras.
II.42 – santosat
anuttamah sukhalabhah
From contentment and
benevolence of consciousness comes supreme happiness.
Contentment cannot be achieved through the accumulation of
possessions and people. We can start our
contentment practice with the understanding that everything we need for
happiness we already have. Additionally,
we have to be willing to let things go, especially likes and dislikes. To really practice or experience contentment
we have to make a shift from greed to gratitude - gratitude for all of the
little things that sustain us. Contentment
asks for only one thing: that you truly live in the experience of the mom ent. With
contentment comes a lessening of fear.
And with this comes the ability to share the most important thing that
you have been given: your love, your wholeness.
Quote from, The
Essence of Yoga: Reflections on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.
“Contentment comes from mental
well-being (saumanasya) that moves us to consider the positive in all beings
and situations. …………
Contentment is a dynamic and
constructive attitude that brings us to look at things in a new way. It calms the mind, bringing a flowering of
subtle joy and inner serenity that are independent of all outside influences
and perishable things. It is essential
for self-confidence, for succeeding in our personal endeavors, and for relationships,
education, teaching and therapy.
It is very difficult, however, to
sustain contentment. Though it may be
easier to be happy when we are successful, only an exceptional soul remains
positive in the midst of adverse currents.
Contentment means looking at every mom ent
with a smile. It helps to have a good
sense of humor.”
Homework: As usual try
to relate this practice to your asana practice first and then discover how you
can take this practice off of the mat.
Can you be content with where you are in your yoga practice? Can you maintain your gratefulness for your
current level of abilities knowing that they will change? Can you discover a time when you were greedy
about your practice? Is it possible to
be greedy and grateful at the same time?
References:
Light on Yoga, Light on the Yoga Sutras, both by BKS
Iyengar , The Essence of Yoga:
Reflections on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by Bernard Bouanchaud, and Living Your Yoga by Judith Lasater
Blessings,
paul cheek
Rushing Water Yoga
paul cheek
Rushing Water Yoga
Serving Yoga to Camas, Washougal, and Vancouver Washington
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