As we made our way down the metal stairs from the parking lot to the canyon floor, Simone paused to soak in the breathtaking view.
After a few minutes I grew impatient, and went on alone. I swam in the pool, explored the cave, and hiked to the river and back. When I returned to the stair case, I found Simone still sitting near the top where I had left her. I was concerned, wondering if she was scared of heights or possibly injured. As I approached, she gave me a beautiful smile and I saw her eyes were shining with tears. “Thank you” was all that she said.
Initially, I was disappointed. I had looked forward to sharing my favorite parts of the park with them. But at the same time, I could see that Simone had gottenmore from the experience of sitting on the stairs than I had with all of my explorations. While I had been chasing the experience, Simone had been immersed in it.
The second limb of Yoga includes Tapas and Santosha. Tapas represents the effort to achieve goals (which lie in the future), while Santosha is about finding contentment in the present moment. It is said that balancing both is crucial in life. They must work together in order for us to both shape the future and then enjoy the results.
As we prepare for the upcoming eclipse, we can see how lacking either Tapas of Santosha can impact our experience. With insufficient planning we might find ourselves at the wrong place, or without the special glasses to allow us to look at the eclipse safely. On the other hand, once the eclipse begins, if we lack Santosha, we will not be fully present to witness reality, especially if it does not match our expectations.
Achieving contentment means embracing reality in its perfect imperfection, finding joy in the simplicity of life.
When I am lost in the pursuit of something better, I look to Simone as a reminder to appreciate the present moment. By practicing this mindset, we can find beauty in an eclipse, even when the clouds block the sun.