Yogis,
‘Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu’
This is a popular mantra used often in yoga classes,
meditation or spiritual gatherings.
Written in Sanskrit, an ancient Indian language, it translates to – May all
beings be happy and free.
‘Lokah’ means the Universe, or all places. ‘Samastah’ refers to all beings. Humans, of course,
but the animals, insects and all that have consciousness. ‘Sukhino’ is a state
of being. Coming from the word Sukha, it refers to freedom from suffering, living
with joy. ‘Bhav’ points us to the complete interconnectedness of everything and
everyone. All that I do, say or even think sends out a ripple which touches the
world, and therefore affects the happiness and freedom of all.
Together the mantra creates an invitation for harmony among
all beings. For global wellbeing…….
My students and I have been chanting this mantra the past 3
weeks and it has me thinking about happiness.
What exactly is happiness and how do I find it? Where does it come from?
I certainly know it when I feel it. The inner glow. A lightness. Spaciousness
around the heart. The smile on my lips.
As human creatures we want. Grasping. Things, the bigger
house, to travel, learn a new skill. If we slow down and get quiet though, looking
beneath all of these wants it boils down to one simple longing. Happiness. We
all want to be happy.
We play the ‘as soon as’ game. I will be happy as soon as……I find the perfect
mate…..switch jobs……..get beyond this illness…….retire. Spending our lives on this continuous hunt
for that elusive happiness. Each time feeling the joy, only to have it fade once
more. Looking to the external world to
feed the insatiable hunger to feel content.
There is an irony though. That which we seek resides within us.
Like a perfect diamond buried deep in the packed dirt, happiness, contentedness
and joy sit waiting to be unearthed. But
we seem to look everywhere else and inside everyone else for this jewel. What it
takes is moving within.
This is the path of yoga. The asana practice, meditation,
mantra and breath work are all tools used to chip away at the ground. Step by step, day by day. To peel back the
layers that conceal the brilliance that waits patiently. Once uncovered and
shined, happiness is a state of being. A connectedness. Still enjoying the relationships,
experiences and beautiful gifts the Universe offers, but no longer attached to them
as our source of joy. Knowing that everything I need is inside. That ‘I’ am
complete.
I am realizing that in order for me to contribute to the
happiness and freedom of all beings, I must first find it within myself. Just
as you cannot ‘make’ me happy, I too don’t have that power over you…..as much
as I wish I did. Yet if I can shine my own diamond, then my thoughts, words and
actions can indeed help others to shine theirs.
Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu.
I am choosing happy,
SARAH
SARAH
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