Santosha. Contentment, Satisfaction (Niyama)

Santosha means that you’re satisfied and happy with what you have or don’t have. You accept whatever happens in your life: good and bad. You are already happy right now, and you don’t need something to become happy.

Santosha is about you as a person, your life, job, material side, money you have, or yoga practice. You already have everything to grow.

Mind always want something more, newer, better, or a different color. Our neighbor bought a new car, and we think that we also need to buy a new car.

Usually we think that the more items we have, the more money, better work, and the happier we are.

People often have everything, but still they don’t have peace of mind. When there is no satisfaction, mind runs searching for something new. Even in bad situations, we can find a positive side.

Santosha gives us a state of harmony with ourselves and with our lives. Santosha allows you to start doing plans and projects right now instead of planning them.

People think:

When I become older, I will do whatever I like.
When I finish my studies, I will do something I want.
When my kids become older, I will start a new job.
When I retire, I will be happy.

And it never happens.

How to practice Santosha

1) Always look at the bright side of life.
2) Cut off negative thoughts and emotions (with mantra).
3) Be more thankful for others.

No matter what happens in your life, you have the best situations to grow. Please remember karma. Why we have or don’t have something. If you want to get more good things, share them with others. The more you share, the more you get. The more you give to others, the more you get back.

Hatha Yoga Pradipika on Santosha: “Contentment in all, or Santosha, means developing a sense of the fullness in any situation, no matter what happens to you. Whether you have a lot or nothing, gain or lose, you must feel that you have enough of everything. The opposite of this is a feeling of insecurity, restlessness, and instability. We are all, of course, looking for something. Many find satisfaction in material things, but after a while, dissatisfaction comes again. When you understand that all desires cannot be fulfilled, it comes time to seek spiritual satisfaction and realization. This is the only way to Santosh, or true satisfaction.”