Contentment is a virtue that is clearly visible—it is apparent in the form of satisfaction, and it sparkles on the face. Contentment is of three kinds—being content with oneself, with others, including all of Creation, and with the Creator. One who is always content is admired by all.
How do we remain constantly content?
Challenges and adversities inevitably confront those who seek to progress in life. They are like scenes that appear on the way during the journey of life. If we stop to look at the scenes and become engrossed in them, the destination begins to seem far away.
Instead of carrying on while seeing the scenes, we halt and wonder, “Why is it like this?”, “What is this?”, “This should not be so.” We start finding fault in every scene, forgetting our journey and what we need to do.
The result is that instead of being amused by the scenes, we end up confused, upset and discontented. Some people go to the extent of blaming God for what they do not like in the scenes of life.
Having become emotionally involved in the scenes, we start feeling that we are tolerating a great deal. Tolerance is a power that helps us move forward. In fact, if we are powerful, we never really feel we are tolerating something, but in the absence of this power we begin to complain that we have to endure a lot.
For example, it is the nature of fire to burn, but if someone does not know that, instead of making use of fire, they are harmed by it. As a consequence, instead of happiness they experience sorrow. Similarly, when we do not know the cause of our problems and adverse situations, we think we are having to tolerate them. The easy journey of life seems difficult. This brings discontentment – with the self, others, and God.
Discontentment does not allow us to remain happy for long. One day we are cheerful and the next day we become dejected.
To stop swinging like a pendulum between different emotions, we can start by being content with the self. When we are no longer preoccupied with our own perceived troubles, we will be able to notice and understand the needs of others, and help them. This will earn us their good wishes, and blessings from the Creator.
B.K. Usha is a senior Rajyoga teacher at the Brahma Kumaris headquarters in Abu Road, Rajasthan.
