In today’s class we contemplated and journaled on 'santosha', the Sanskrit term for 'contentment'. I find it beautiful - and realistic - that the yoga tradition doesn't try to sell us 'happiness' as such, but more this very simple, natural state of contentment, or desirelessness. Being as we are.
Those moments we find ourselves in now and again when we’re not clinging, planning, judging, striving to find happiness outside of ourselves..
It's tempting to start the new year with the usual list of resolutions - vowing to do more, achieve more, become more...
Can we instead take a step back and notice - when are the moments of desirelesness? When are we able to rest in a sense of things being ok, as they are?
Essentially, recognising that I, myself, am ok - as I am. Then our goal-setting (which also has a valid place!) can come from a more real place; from a place in which I'm more connected to myself the world around me and able to allow what is best for the whole.
In these moments - occurring often very naturally and simply - it is said we are resting in our 'Svarupa', our true nature. Who we truly are, before all of the effort.