The Tao of Contentment

Contentment is a powerful sentiment, one that leads to longevity.

My Tao journey has revealed just how powerful Tao virtues are. To some people, terms of virtue don’t carry much weight. They can be viewed as a sentiment or suggestion for moral behaviors. In this blog post, I will show another perspective revealing the deep-abiding power of contentment.

First, an introduction to Virtue as a Tao Principle. The paradigm shift happens when you suddenly see something you have not seen before. It can seem like magic, but it is simply Tao. Virtue is much more than a sentimental or moral term. Once you see its function, it will become clear how simple It can be.

Notice the phrase “because of.” This woman gained love and affection from her village because of devotion and compassion. The virtue of compassion, of devotion, has a cause and effect of becoming loved by those who appreciate it. People can see this type of thing as someone giving themselves for the betterment of others. Compassion is the first virtue that comes to my mind. But with further thought, other virtues are present too. Filling this kind of role in society must surely require the virtue of patience, kindness, conservation, and humility. The virtue becomes actualized through the cause and effect of karma.

The Simple Life of Contentment

Then there is the virtue of Contentment. Let’s use ‘the because of test’ to see if the power will reveal itself.

“When asked, the woman said the secret to her longevity was being content with her life. Because of her contentment, the woman experienced harmony and longevity.”

Living simply and avoiding unnecessary complexity and complications is the way to contentment. Living a long life of contentment is one of the secrets to longevity. Contentment is experienced when life is a good balance. Harmony is a catalyst for nurturing the flame of life. Seeing the path is only the first step, following and staying on the path is what takes practice and discipline.  Contentment and harmony create vitality, or Qi, life force energy. The healthier this vital energy is, the more you will enjoy life and the longer you will continue to live.

For me, Contentment was something that I had to cultivate over a prolonged period. I would have embraced it earlier if I knew how effective it would prove to be. Ego-Desire management is not easy. The hard part is cultivating willpower and ‘self-discipline.

How do you feel about seeking contentment? Does it appeal to you? Or is some part of you just too hungry or needing stimulation? Can you see yourself letting go and living a simple life? I hope you will take a few moments to think about it sometime. You may conclude that all the stuff you do is because, deep down inside, it is contentment that you are seeking. Lasting contentment is not found as much in the material sense as in the spiritual sense. Dealing with those false needs is at the heart of the matter. When you uncover your deeper feelings and urges you can begin letting go and simplifying your life. A simple life is one where you are not creating an unnecessary burden.

When you can become Sovereign over the ego-self, the right choices become easier. Your inherent wisdom will guide you toward contentment through simple living.

Can you look at the part of you, your ‘self,’ that you are feeling needy, hungry, or have a longing? This ability to step back and witness the feelings requires being in a state of detachment. It is a transcended state where the true self observes the lower self (the ego). In this state of being, you choose to say no or let go. You can cultivate this awakened state through meditation and mindfulness practice and take back control of your life. This awakened state is the Tao principle of Sovereignty. (See the book and blog)

Being able to wake up from this distraction is “the big thing” you must work on when cultivating longevity. In the book, I talk about waking up, transcending the ego mind, and finding the virtue of Sovereignty. Sovereignty is another powerful virtue. I started a blog and wrote a book devoted to sovereignty. You can visit  The Tao of Sovereignty website here.

There is a lot of popular hype about finding joy and happiness. I found that contentedness to be a better state of mind. Joy and happiness come and go, yet being content is a choice. Seeking joy and happiness may be just another ego trap, whereas contentedness is cultivated through simplicity. The less you have to be constantly dealing with, the easier it is for joy and happiness to arise naturally. Satisfaction opens the way for happiness when there are not so many preconditions. Have you ever heard your ‘self’ saying, “I will be so happy when (fill in the blank)? Being satisfied with the simple things in life will bring forth contentment. I believe you will notice, as have I, that joy and happiness become spontaneous. Joy and happiness are not states of being you must seek out. They are states of beings that rise naturally in simple moments. It can be as simple as a moment enjoying a sunset or sunrise.

As your life becomes simpler, your needs decrease. You need less to experience contentment or even happiness. Take the flavor of vanilla. I heard it said “That’s so vanilla,” meaning it is so ordinary as to be boring. When I began simplifying my life by eating simple natural foods, my taste changed. My sense of taste became much more sensitive. One day I tasted something flavored with vanilla, and there was this extraordinary flavor sensation. Vanilla has become this deep, rich, wonderful experience in my mouth that became a meditative moment. It was anything but boring. Other simple things became quite wonderful. My favorite cookies are Oatmeal-Raisin. When I taste one, I close my eyes and let the taste/texture sensation fill my mind. It is so simple yet so powerful. One has to wonder how just four or five ingredients can come together in this alchemy of deep flavor.

As your Sovereignty develops, so does your contentment. It extends outward to envelop your lifestyle. Suddenly you don’t need to have the most expensive car, the most exotic house, or the richest clothes. When you meet someone, you like them not for how they look but for how their spirit feels. This newfound simple wisdom allows you to see the beauty or not-so-beautiful within.

If you have read this far, perhaps your desire-seeking ego has not completely taken over your life, and something in here resonates with your higher wisdom. If you feel brave, try taking the ‘self’ assessment below to see where you might find a way forward toward simple living and contentment.

Self Assessment

How often do you consciously consider the ‘want vs. need’ question when contemplating a new purchase? Is this just something you want because you are seeking happiness? Or is this truly something you need? Can you look deep within and find the truth? Take some time for self-reflection and survey how well you are cultivating contentment.

• How often do you find your ‘self’ feeling overwhelmed because life is just too complicated and busy? If you say it often, look deep within and seek clarity on why that is? How much of this is rooted in seeking contentment in all the wrong places? By all the wrong places, I mean material things or activities that do not bring real meaning.
• How often do you feel there is just not enough time to do the things that are important to you personally?
• Are you lazy? How often do you avoid getting started? How often do you procrastinate doing things you know are necessary? How often do you feel unmotivated?
• How often is life just too dull? Why is it boring? What is the source of those feelings? What is stopping you from doing what is meaningful to you personally?
• Does the idea of a simple life bother you on some level? Why is that? What part of you needs more?
• Think back to the last time you found someone attractive. What was it about them you found to be the best part? Was it their looks, or was it their personality?
• How much of your daily activity has significant meaning? Meaning how much of your daily life is spent on meaningless distractions. (TV, social media, Gossiping, etc.) vs. living a life of clear purpose, and awareness. One of the Okinawan Blue Zone secrets to Longevity is Ikgai, having purpose and duty that brings value and meaning to others and yourself. In my simple life, my duty and purpose are to help take care of my grandchildren (cooking, games, book reading, fun activities, etc.) and to pay forward the lessons of the Tao. It is a simple life of purpose and duty to others which transcends constant sensation-seeking.

After your assessment, think of choices that made life easier or harder, simpler or complicated. Think of a situation and try using the “because of” phrase to bring clarity (clear true understanding).

I.E., I just cannot seem to control_______because of ___________.

Or

I am able to ________ because of _______.

The answer will either be a virtue or a poor choice. If it is a success, identify the virtue. If it is a failure or mistake, try to recognize the error of choice.

Success in changing your destiny (Longevity) depends on your ability to pay attention to what you think, feel, and do. Meditation and mindfulness are the skills needed to do this.

Moderation, Balance, and Harmony are three important Tao virtues that bring about contentment. Cultivating a simple life of contentment is about letting go and reducing what is complex and unnecessary. This way of life is an effective foundation for Longevity.