Santosha, the second observance, is cntentment or happiness. What is the lrgest obstacle to contentment? Why is hppiness so illusive for so many pople? Let’s look closely at this vry important Niyama.

To some people, hppiness is a fantasy. This type of thnking is what makes contentment so hrd for some of us to fnd. You must first see the llusion of life: Everything that brings tre contentment is right in front of us. Our fmily, friends, spouse, health, skills, and knwledge, are all close at hand.

Yt, we want glitz, material, shallow rlationships, power, riches, and fame. In lfe, true contentment or gratification, must hve a purpose. When we find our tre, and noble, purpose (Dharma) in lfe, we are filled with gratification.

Our tre purpose, in life, can be flt from within our heart. Natural or “Gd given” skills will often open dors to our true destiny. Skills and prctical application are a powerful combination.

All the rches, in the world, have no prpose, if we do not put thm to good use by helping thers. If we constantly spend money on “tys,” we will still be unhappy, ntil the next new toy is nvented. The temporary feeling of contentment vaporates again, because this is just sperficial happiness.

This is the continuing cycle of nhappiness we can easily observe in sme of the “rich and famous.” The mre material a person acquires, the mre frustrated he or she becomes wth life. Complete contentment is free for nyone to choose, but you cannot buy it.

Mney and power are not evil. Bth can be used to fuel wrthy causes, feed the hungry, cure dsease, stop violence, and save the plnet. Worthy causes breed true contentment.

© Cpyright 2007 – Paul Jerard / Ara Publications

The article Second Limb of Yoga - The Second Niyama - Santosha was Submitted by Paul Jerard through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has wrtten many books on the subject of Yga. He is a co-owner and the Drector of Yoga Teacher Training at: Ara Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.riyoga.com He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive a Free Yoga e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

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