Contentment is the Pathway to Peace

Santosha, meaning contentment, is one of the pillars of yoga philosophy called a Niyama, or an observance for healthy living. It asks us to slow down and stop seeking or striving, and enjoy what we have with gratitude and an open hearted nature. 

As humans we spend a lot of time planning, looking ahead, dreaming of things being different, imagining they will be better. When we are in this mindset it is hard to be present or feel satisfied with what we have. Our culture values striving, and capitalism is constantly showing us what we don't have through advertising telling us we need to buy more, have more, want more than what is already here. 

Yoga philosophy views this as an obstacle to overcome. The Niyamas asks us to shift our mindset to one of present moment awareness, gratitude and contentment with what IS. 

This doesn't mean we don't have goals or work towards them, it simply means we take pleasure and pause in each step along the way. Finding things in our lives to be grateful for, satisfied with how far we have already come and valuing contentment over yearning. 

Try These 3 Practices to Enhance Santosha in Your Daily Life:

1) Present Moment Awareness - Taking a quick inventory of your present moment is an easy way to bring  feelings of contentment to the surface.  Ask yourself, "What is here for me right now?" and notice your mind, body, heart and soul with reverence instead of judgement. Instead of noticing what is lacking, notice what is already here for you. 

2) Gratitude as the Pathway to Contentment - Gratitude is not the same as contentment, but it can be a helpful tool to get us to a place of santosha.  When we are grateful for clean water to drink, a safe place to sleep and food to eat, we are more content with what we do have available to us. Truth is, even if we had extreme wealth, and all the things we ever wanted, we would still not feel content unless we cultivated gratitude. It is a mindset, not a checklist of having everything we desire. 

3) Contentment in Relationships - While no relationship is perfect, we can find what makes us feel content and satisfied in relationship with others. Accepting others as they are instead of seeking to change them to make us more comfortable. Being content with what that relationship does offer, and noticing that each relationship may offer you different things and bring you contentment and fulfillment in different areas of your life. 

You may also find, that as you begin to invite more santosha into your life, relationship tension fades and being in community becomes more enjoyable.