I keep coming back to the word “Contentment.” The word means a state of happiness and satisfaction. The Tao Te Ching says,
“There is no crime greater than greed,
No disaster greater than discontentment
No fault greater than avarice
Thus the satisfaction of contentment
is the lasting satisfaction“
TTC 46 (Lin)
Avarice means extreme greed for wealth or material gain.
So, I keep coming back to contentment because if I am to be satisfied and not work to attain material wealth, then I must be content with what is right now, all of it.
If I am content with right now, that means I see who I am in this moment as all that I could ever be and have peace with that.
It means that my strengths are strong enough. It means I have all that I need at this moment to be content.
To be otherwise would mean that I am in greed of something more, and there is no greater disaster or fault than this, according to the Tao.
So to be with the Tao, I must come to a place of gratitude and peace with what is in this moment and trust that it is enough.
I keep coming back to contentment because sometimes it feels impossible, and other times it feels like the only option.
This past week I was not content; I was greedy for life to be better for someone else. I was greedy for the way that I wanted things to be. My greed for my outcome did not lead to me getting my way. It only led to my suffering.
Wanting to help is greedy, just help.
Wanting to save is greedy, just save.
Wanting peace is greedy, just be peaceful.
Wanting love is greedy, just love.
Wanting certainty is greedy, just be certain.
Wanting compassion is greedy, just be compassionate.
Wanting joy is greedy, just be joyful.
Wanting community is greedy, just be in communion.
Wanting forgiveness is greedy, just forgive.
Wanting contentment is greedy, just be content.
There is no amount of love.
No amount of peace.
There is no amount of money.
No amount of grace.
There is no amount of time.
No amount of freedom.
That can free us from this place.
Contentment in contentment is heavens gate.
Everything IS as only IT could be.
Amen, and Happy Day
Seeking Purpose Today 