Some thoughts about contentment
I attend a weekly mindfulness class and over the last few classes we’ve focussed a lot on contentment. A central concept in mindfulness is finding space to respond to a situation or action rather than to react to it - when we react we may be clouded by emotions, and this reaction is unlikely to bring about a helpful result.
When we can note, but not be driven by our emotions we can respond rather than react, and this in turn will bring about contentment. In the Yoga Sutra 2.42, Patanjali tells us that from contentment (santosha), unsurpassed happiness can be gained.
I personally find santosha a difficult concept to work with and voiced my concern that finding contentment in our situation means putting up with things. In particular what I’m mulling over is that I currently feel stuck living in an environment that does not suit me. I’ve been trying to sell my flat and move out of London for 2 years now and there are a lot of things in the process that are completely out of my control. If I find contentment in my current situation, does that then mean that I won’t want to move and what does that mean for how I live my life?
My teacher directed me towards Eckhart Tolle the Power of Now. This is a book I’ve tried to read a few times and it’s not always landed with me, but this time I could see why my teacher had suggested it. Tolle explains that for some surrendering to the Now implies defeat and is seen as a negative response - exactly what I’ve been concerned about. However, he goes on to explain that surrender is not passive acceptance, nor does it prevent you making future plans to change a situation and act positively, it is yielding to the current situation right now, accepting what is, and releasing any emotional reaction. So finding contentment is about an internal response.
In fact, without this - when we rely on external things for our wellbeing, such as moving to a new area for a fresh start for example - we take our baggage with us. By accepting our current situation, we can respond positively and find true contentment. I wouldn’t say understanding this has magically turned everything around for me, far from it, but it’s reassuring to understand what I’m struggling with and will continue to work on.
Further reading
Ekhart Tolle (2001) The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment (20th Anniversary Edition)