The mind is always restless on account of greed. Greed is a kind of internal fire that consumes you slowly. The most effective antidote to greed is contentment. Just as a man who, sun-scorched is refreshed by taking a plunge in the river, is refreshed by taking a plunge in the river, so also the greedy man burnt by the fire of lobha finds immediate joy and relief by a dip in the ambrosial water of contentment.
There are four sentinels who guard the domain of moksha. They are shanti, santosha, satsanga and vichara – peace, happiness, good company and self-inquiry. If you can approach any one of these, you can get hold of the other three.
That man who is living up to 150 years tries to prolong his longevity by talking Rasayanas and Siddha Kalpas. He who possesses one hundred crores of rupees tries his level best to make it two hundred crores of rupees. The mind grasps one thing and leaves it the next moment & says: "This is mine. That is mine. I will try to possess that also."
Contentment is an important part of the niyamas of Raja Yoga. The Gita says: "Be contented with whatever you get by chance and apply yourself to meditation with a dispassionate mind." Socrates speaks very highly of this virtue.
If contentment is such a great virtue and we know it, why do we not cultivate it? Greed is the chief officer of passion. Wherever there is greed, there is passion, and wherever there is passion there is greed almost invariably. The intellect gets perverted and memory gets confused by passion and greed. If I become contented, all my ambitions will die. I will become lethargic and lazy.
On account of my various sorts of ambitions, I exert and somehow I try to achieve my ambitions leading to more restless mind. Contentment is bliss. Repeat mentally, "Aum contentment." And you'll soon feel contentment envelop you. It is the best medicine. Happiness consists not in possessing much but in being content with what you possess. He who wants little always has enough. Wealth or power brings its peculiar inconveniences and trouble. 'Artha' – Wealth is anartha evil. A rich man and a man with power have their own secret griefs.
The mind cooled by calm contentment is ever peaceful. Divine light can descend on an aspirant who is endowed with contentment. A contented man is one who does not long after what he does not possess: he enjoys what he has in the right manner. He is quite satisfied with whatsoever he gets. He is magnanimous and graceful. The calm countenance of a contented person gives delight to those who come in contact with him.
