Santosha, Gratitude, and Contentment

Hey there, gypsies, scrubs, and gypsies in scrubs!

Yesterday, I was reading my favorite book, The Yamas and Niyamas by Deborah Adele, and it got me thinking about contentment. Santosha is one of the foundational principles of yoga. Santosha is derived from two Sanskrit words, "San," which means completely, and "Tosha," which means contentment or satisfaction. Therefore, Santosha means complete contentment or satisfaction with oneself and one's circumstances without desiring anything more.

In yoga, Santosha is one of the Niyamas, which are ethical and moral principles that guide the yogi towards a more fulfilling and harmonious life. The Niyamas are the second limb of the eight-limbed path of yoga, as outlined in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras.

Santosha is an essential principle to cultivate in yoga because it promotes a sense of inner peace and contentment. When we are content with ourselves and our surroundings, we can be more present and mindful in our daily lives. We are less likely to be distracted by our desires and can focus on what truly matters.

In our daily lives, it is so easy to slip into discontentment, especially with the constant inbound pressures from society, whether it is having more, being more, or doing more. However, practicing Santosha or contentment does not mean we should be complacent or stagnant. Instead, it means striving to be our best selves without becoming attached to the outcome. We should work towards our goals and aspirations with a sense of detachment, knowing that our worth does not depend on whether we achieve them or not.

We often need to remember to live presently and in the process. Deborah Adele says, "when action is complete in the moment, the process is enjoyed for the pure joy of the process, action becomes being, and being becomes contentment.

Practicing Santosha in yoga can be challenging, especially in today's fast-paced and materialistic society. We are often bombarded with messages that we need to have more, be more, and do more to be happy and prosperous. However, Santosha reminds us that true happiness and contentment come from within.

So, how do you start incorporating Santosha into your life?

1.         Gratitude. To cultivate Santosha in yoga, we can start by practicing gratitude. We can take a few moments each day to reflect on all the things we are grateful for. This can help us shift our focus from what we lack to what we have.

2.         Mindfulness. Another way to practice Santosha is through mindfulness meditation. By focusing on the present moment and observing our thoughts and feelings without judgment, we can cultivate a sense of inner peace and contentment.

3.         Acceptance. As we practice gratitude and contentment, we learn to accept ourselves and our circumstances as they are without trying to change them. Detaching ourselves from the judgment of our situations allows us to go with the flow and roll with the punches.

Santosha is a vital principle in yoga that reminds us to find contentment and satisfaction within ourselves and our surroundings. By cultivating Santosha, we can live more mindfully, be less attached to our desires, and experience greater inner peace and contentment. Instead of constantly chasing and grasping happiness, I strive to find stillness and balance in contentment.

XOXO,

The Gypsy In Scrubs // Ari