very small philosophy lesson.
Contentment – Santosha in Sanskrit – is one of the niyamas. Those are the ‘commandments’ that talk about how you relate to yourself. There are 5: purity (śaucha), contentment (santosha), self-discipline (tapas), self-study (svādyāya) and surrender to ‘something higher’, or to the realization that you are not in control (Īśvara Praṇidhana).
Santosha sounds easy enough. Just sit around and be content. But it is exactly what the previous philosophy lesson (Pratipaksha Bhavana) on ‘cultivating opposing thoughts’ is all about. It needs practice. You need to do it.. So read that lesson again. And then write down 3 benefits of the upcoming lockdown for yourself. And three things to be thankful for in the same context.
We begin.
We look forward to:
1) the cats helping with the online classes again
2) getting a lower energy bill when we don’t have to heat the large yoga room
3) being able to just go away for a few days if we want to, and still teach without having to find replacements.
We are grateful for:
1) a good internet connection
2) a warm bed and a full stomach. Every day again.
3) you! Nice people to do yoga with. It’s not easy, but together we make it work!
4) see, once you start, more and more come to mind! So much to be thankful for. Wonderful yoga school. Country with good health care. From Monday onwards the days will lengthen again. And so on, and so forth.
Now, your turn!