Santosha: Contentment

Santosha (contentment) is cultivation of calmness and equanimity of mind. The practice of postures (asanas), dristhi and smooth, rhythmic breath controls (pranayama) are helpful in calming the mind.  All the yogic disciplines foster contentment.  Yogic masters instruct that peace of mind comes when body and mind are kept pure. Yogins should be cheerful and uncomplaining.   A yogi experiences, even in the midst of chaos, both on their mats and in their lives, an abiding calm and vibrant quality existence that neither pushes nor pulls against reality.  Tush, the root from which Santosha is “to be pleased.”  The practice of Santosha cultivates a kind of contentment that is rooted in an inner sense peace.

It is easy to understand theoretically that through the cultivation of Santosha the yogi is content (pleased), but the process of cultivation may not be so clear.  According to yogic philosophy, one of the most important ways that we cultivate Santosha is through acceptance of what “IS”.  Rather than pushing or pulling against the continual flux and flow of reality, a yogi allows his heart to open to the world with no predetermined judgment of good or bad.  In this way, there is no waste of energy, pushing or pulling against something that already IS.  However, this is not a passive movement, it is dynamic, alive, and rooted in love (pure presence).   In the truest practice of Santosha, all movement is a movement of love.  There is not drain of energy. No fighting against or for a particular reality, but an openhearted embracing of all things exactly as life presents them NOW.  Secure and trusting in the divinity of existence, the yogi perceives the transient nature of life as a gift.  Without expectation, he makes the best of everything 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 (consciousness) rather than Fear (unconsciousness).

Practice:   Remain calm with success or failure.  Neither push towards nor pull away from life’s experiences.  Instead embrace all experiences with a gratitude and joyfulness that does not depend on any externals.  A nice adage for Santohsa is  “accept that which we cannot change, change what we can, and have the wisdom to know the difference.”

Santoshsa 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.

Santoshsa 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 practice of Santosha on stormy days, and in difficult moments.

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 true openness and freedom.

Only when we love (present) All beings equally without differentiation are we truly loving and truly practicing Santosha.  

 From my heart to your ALL my love , Chrystal Rae