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On Discontentment

Discontentment is human, contentment is divine. Animals know neither contentment nor discontentment; they simply go on living mechanically, unconsciously. It is the great privilege of human being to be aware of discontent. To be aware of discontent means there is a possibility to grow towards contentment. But very few people make any effort towards inner growth. Their whole life is rooted in a misunderstanding.

They think that if they have a bigger house or more money or more power or more prestige they will be contented; that if they become famous, if their name is known all over the world, then they will be contented. That is sheer nonsense.

How can a bigger house make you contented? You will remain the same. The house can be small or big, it may be more comfortable; you will be comfortably discontented, that’s all. In fact when you are in much discomfort you don’t feel much discontent, because your whole energy is involved in fighting with discomforts. That’s why poor people don’t feel so much discontent. Rich people feel discontent. Richer countries are very restless, because they have all the comforts. Sitting on their comfortable sofas, what else do they have to do? They start thinking about their life situation — what they are doing, where they are going, what is happening to them. And nothing is happening and they are going nowhere. A great discontent arises in them…

Nothing on the outside can ever make you contented. Contentment is possible only through inner growth. Inner growth can be helped in many ways. Down the ages meditation has been found to be the most essential part of inner growth because it helps you to cool down, it helps you to become more alert. It helps you to be more loving, it helps you to be more detached. It helps you to become clear about things. It gives you clarity, transparency. Slowly slowly you become a mirror and you start reflecting things as they are.

Osho