Santohsa: Contentment

Santohsa (contentment) is cultivation of calmness and equanimity of mind. In the immobile postures (asanas) and smooth, rhythmic breath controls (pranayama) are helpful.  All the yogic disciplines foster contentment and those qualities  of character.  Peace of mind comes, the Yoga masters say, when body and mind are kept pure.  Yogins should be cheerful and uncomplaining – tush, the root from which Santosha comes, means “to be pleased.” 

Accept what “IS”, make the best out of everything, move from a place of gratitude. Santosha is contentment, acceptance, and an attitude of gratitude. Remaining focused in the face of adversity. It is a practice of choosing love over fear. 

Practice: gratitude and joyfulness; remain calm with success or failure. This state of mind does not depend on any external status.  A nice adage for Santohsa is  “accept that which we cannot change, change what we can, and have the wisdom to know the difference.”

Santohsa is not rooted in externals

By including contentment as an active practice rather than a reaction to events around us, Patanjali points out that peace of mind can never finally rely on external circumstances, which are always changing in ways beyond our control. 

Santohsa requires our willingness to enjoy exactly what each day brings, to be happy with whatever we have, whether that is a lot or a little. This second Niyama uncovers the hollowness of achievement and acquisition; while material wealth and success are not evil, they can never, of themselves, provide real contentment. 

Santohsa in the midst of the storm

We can easily practice santohsa on the sunny days, in beautiful moments and joyous experiences of our lives. Patanjali asks us to be equally willing to embrace the on stormy day, in difficult moments and the not so joyous moments of our lives.  Only when we can be content in the midst of difficulty can we be truly free. Only when we can remain open in the midst of pain do we understand what true openness is. In our relationships, when we accept those around us as they truly are, flawed and beautiful, not as we want them to be, are we practicing santohsa.

All my love

Namaste

Chrystal Rae