Santosha, or contentment is a dance of paradox. We have all been doing this paradoxical dance all of our lives, but maybe this is the first time it has been brought to our conscious attention.
One partner in the dance is the view that all is perfect and nothing else is needed. This is Santosha. When we sit on the porch at sunset and take a deep breath, we are feeling enjoyment from the dinner meal and seeing the beauty of the yard and neighborhood and sky. It doesn’t get any better than this. We need nothing more to make this the perfect moment in time.
The other partner in the dance is the view that there is work to be done to perfect and improve a poor situation. When we sit on the porch at sunset and take a deep breath, we feel that we have not connected well with a family member today and they are feeling unloved. The weeds are taking over in the garden and some trash fell out of the bin. These are important tasks and cannot be ignored forever. Life is about people and growing things and improving our corner of the world. And finding joy and contentment, Santosha in that work.
Both partners in this dance must be given their turn to whirl. It is out of balance to be with one partner too much. In any given moment and situation we can easily dance with both. Giving our whole heart to the task or to the moment and being unattached to the outcome brings Santosha as we dance.
Donna Farhi said that “Santosha, or the practice of content-ment, is the ability to feel satisfied within the container of one’s immediate experience…it is a sign that we are at peace with whatever stage of growth we are in and the circumstances we find ourselves in.”
