ALWAYS GETTING READY TO LIVE
Image Source: Ivana Cajina (Unsplash)
Author’s Note: I covered this topic before, but wanted to add more to this discussion.
"People in the West are always getting ready to live." - Chinese Proverb.
As a yoga instructor, besides preparing for my community classes, one of the weekly activities I reserve for myself is attending a class taught by another instructor. Often, I find inspiration for my blog posts, and Monday's hot yoga provided the platform once again. Our instructor Tish continued sharing the journey through the Niyamas. If you recall, the Niyamas (personal observances) are part of yoga's ethical practices. This week, she talked about Santosha or contentment.
In her book, The Yamas & Niyamas: Exploring Yoga's Ethical Practice (Duluth,2009), author Deborah Adele expounds further on the Chinese Proverb I quoted at the beginning of this essay. As Western people, when we are young, we can't wait to grow up; we can't wait to attend college, obtain our first career employment, go on vacation, and finally retire. Ms. Adele states, "We never really live; we just get ready."(p.120). In our hurried society, we jump light-years ahead in our life's journey instead of being content with who we are and what we have.
An obstacle to contentment is comparison. How often do we wish to have the big home, car, or lifestyle our neighbor or friend enjoys. We long for what others have without pausing to realize where we live and what we do comes with inherent blessings. The adage "The grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence" can apply here. What appears to be a lifestyle worth obtaining may come with its level of discontent. In other words, appearances can be deceiving. Given this dichotomy, how do we find Santosha with who we are and what we already enjoy?
Deborah Adele answers this question eloquently: "Practicing gratitude protects us from our own pettiness and smallness and keeps us centered in the joy and abundance of our own life." (p. 128). These words remind me of the iconic movie; It's a Wonderful Life starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. George Bailey (played by Stewart) always wanted more money, a bigger home, a new car, and a comfortable life for his family. Before he was married, George tried to travel around the world. However, he settled down and took the reins of the family savings and loan after his father's death. George always resented the life he had because he never attained his dreams.
It took the divine intervention of Clarence, an angel, to show George how he touched and affected countless others through his existence on this Earth. Ultimately, George found his own Santosha, affirmed by his brother Harry who said, "To my brother George, the richest man I know."
Do we practice gratitude for what we have? Every journey is unique. Therefore, your answer will be different from all others. However, if we remain focused on the now, doors may open to this enlightenment. Until next time-
Namaste,
Tim
Image Source: Patti Black (Unsplash)