~Oscar Wilde
Santosha encourages one to accept the situations of life.
“Life will give you whatever experience is most helpful for the evolution of your consciousness. How do you know this is the experience you need? Because this is the experience you are having at the moment.” ~Elkhart Tolle
Santosha also asks us to notice what we avoid and what we reach for.
“All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Santosha reserves a seat for the ultimate expression of thankfulness- gratitude.
“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
In the midst of my meditation practice I found myself abandoning the folly of ideas and sitting with an interior reflection of awe. In this neutral space I wasn't grasping for feelings of contentment or pushing away unpleasant thoughts, I was simply there which became here. Have you ever just sat in awe? Every minute of your life is blessed with a thoughtful hand of grace. It doesn't always have to make sense, because how can you truly put words to what wonder looks like, how can express the emptiness of grief, how can you convey the coziness of love, or how can you explain the shimmering joy of peace? Without judgement, or the thinking mind at the helm- the noisy nonsense of being busy and overthinking is overshadowed by this jewel of gratitude.
The profound frivolity of details pales in comparison to the simple act of being. It is during my meditation practice that I am reminded of the Divine guidance that is all around. Santosha is the messenger of gratitude. The equanimity of meditation allows us to look at what we cling to as much as what we resist. It is in this space that we become the observers of our lives.
All we have to do is ask, and make space for the reply. So often we get lost in dialogue and requests, that we forget to listen. The Universe is always eavesdropping on our desires and rooting for the Santosha of our hearts!! Shanti!
May You Sweetly Seek,
In Gratitude:)
Sarah