Santosha
(contentment) means contentment or satisfaction. Santosha has to be
developed at two levels because life is a twofold pursuit - earning and
owning. Initially we aspire to earn a lot of wealth and also own many
possessions. The first stage of contentment is at the level owning. We are
satisfied with our possessions and stop yearning for more. Earning continues
but spending decreases. Such a person produces more, consumes less and
creates wealth for the community, society and nation is called a karma
yogi.
The second stage
of contentment focuses on earning. We stop craving for more and more.
Such a person is a jnana yogi. Contentment at both the levels of
earning and owning is called santosha or tripti and should be
practiced as a niyama meaning with a positive attitude. We think of
what we have rather than what we do not have and give beggarliness of the
mind. We tell our mind that we have plenty. This is the principle of
abundance.
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