Santosha

This month we dedicate our practice to the Niyama Santosha (samtosha) or contentment.  Exploring this Niyama gives us an opportunity to uncover the deep heart centered place of our own bliss while freeing ourselves from the entrapments of desires, expectations, and comparison.

It is through contentment (santosha) that duality begins to move toward unity.  Freeing the mind to see all that there is in a moment as complete or whole, we surrender to peace and bliss.  Expectations dissolve and we no longer hunger for that which is not there but celebrate that which is.  B.K.S Iyengar describes it in Light of Yoga as, “There is contentment and tranquility when the flame of the spirit does not waiver in the wind of desire.”  Observing expectations and letting them go clears the way for this niyama. What wonderful surprises await us when we are free from expectations? 

Observe when you start to make comparisons as they are a sure-fired path to discontent.  We can be our own worst enemy in the minefield of comparison, as it often leads us to self-defeating thoughts or beliefs.  “She is better or has more of what I want”, are deep entrenched mind thoughts for many of us that are ripe in comparison and unhappiness.  Santosha asks us to be content with what we have, grateful and humble even.

In the practice of Santosha we come to discover the “flow” of life.  As things present themselves, we see the path, explore it with gratitude and rest in the sweetness of contentment.  The viewpoint becomes clearer and clearer, no longer clouded by our desires or fears.  Fear of lack, fear of being less than, fear of not measuring up to, all dissolve.  Our life is lived from an internal compass of contentment instead of looking outside of ourselves for direction that is centered in desires and fears.  

Join us won’t you?  Practice each day.  Note when the impulse to compare comes up, and switch into a moment of gratitude for what is.  Catch yourself building an expectation (or noting you had one) and free yourself to be open to what will or does happen.  Release the clouded viewpoint steeped in desires and see clearly the path of contentment.