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CONTENTMENT SPIRITUAL PRACTICE (SADHANA) OF CONTENTMENT
AND ITS REWARD One who resorts to spiritual practice (Sadhana) and has understood the nature of the soul (Atma) and the doctrine of Karma by philosophical vision, is very fortunate indeed. Such a heroic person has the necessary capability to really uphold the great virtue of contentment. Wealth, power,, relations and fame cannot be attained just by hankering after them. These things can be acquired easily if one deserves them and is lucky to have the benefit of previously acquired merit. It is only when such true conviction and faith arise, that supreme contentment reveals itself by stages in the life of an aspirant (Sadhaka).
When contentment is attained, a person experiences mental peace. ease in life, and a state free from worries and tension. He is not inclined to be attracted by large-scale undertakings. Thus, by stages, he experiences introversion and steadiness, and attains to the highest transcendental meditation (Nirvikalpa-Samadhi). He also associates with divine bliss through the control of the mind (Chitta). Attainment of this state is the climax of a successful spiritual life. This is precisely the true meditation of the Yogis, the unflinching devotion of devotees and self-knowledge of enlightened souls.
Desirelessness is achieved in proportion to contentment; accomplished with the dawning of non-attachment. A spiritual practice in loneliness results in quick success of spiritual progress. A higher state is also attained to in the life hereafter because of the collection of unique virtues through quietude of passions in general and covetousness in particular.
WAYS TO CONQUER COVETOUSNESS The process narrated in the first chapter on forgiveness applies here also. In that chapter we have described the stages of annihilation of anger and the process thereof; here, in a similar manner, we have to understand that the effort of annihilation of covetousness becomes successful by resorting to the virtue under discussion.
However, actually conquering covetousness is indeed more difficult than conquering anger. Covetousness is so very cunning
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