Santosha – contentment

Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want, but the realization of how much you already have. ~ Unknown

Santosha (Santosa, Samtosa) pertains to our mental activity (e.g. study, knowledge),

physical effort, pain, and well-being; and how we earn our living and what supports us.

·        Contentment connotes self-sufficiency

·        Not coveting more than you have; renunciation of the need to acquire

·        Not suffering because you think you are lacking something

·        Having a mindful and openhearted approach to yoga asana practice for both easy and challenging poses

·        Understanding the power of your emotional state and not passing it on to others

·        Contentment can mean falling in love with your life, and appreciating the richness it has to offer

            The “real meaning” of santosha is “to accept what happens.” This does not simply mean that we need to pretend we’ve had a lobotomy and take on a passive, apathetic or emotionless role in our lives.  Rather, when things do not go the way we plan or when something bad happens, instead of bemoaning our personal grievances, we can practice santosha by trying to learn from the situation.

Santosha is about ourselves; about what we have and what he have been given.

There is no end of craving. Hence contentment alone is the best way to happiness. Therefore, acquire contentment. ~ Swami Sivananda

Riches are not from an abundance of wordly goods, but from a contented mind.~ Muhammad

My crown is in my heart, not on my head, Nor decked with diamonds and Indian stones, Nor to be seen: My crown is called content: A crown it is, that seldom kings enjoy. ~William Shakespeare

References:

Desikachar, T.K.V. The Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice. Vermont: Inner Traditions, 1999.

Iyengar, B.K.S. Light on Yoga. New York: Schocken, 1966.                 

Mishra, Ramamurti S. M.D. The Textbook of Yoga Psychology. New York: Baba Bhagavandas Publication Trust, 1997.