Santosha: Contentment

In previous newsletters and blogs, we have covered the first limb of yogic philosophy, the five yamas, and started on the second limb, the niyama. Today is focused on the second principle of the niyamas santosha or contentment.

Contentment means that we are patient with whatever is present in our lives. Whether things are good or things are bad. Being content means trusting that whatever is going on in our lives is meant to be. It also means, knowing that this is what it is in the moment and things will eventually change. Contentment means accepting the situation without expending the energy to change it particularly if that situation is something immutable.

The ancient Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu said, "Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When your realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you. "

Many of us think of contentment as happiness. Yet it is hard to find true happiness without first being content. Contentment means, being in the moment and showing gratitude for the gifts of the moment. Whether these gifts are easily identified as gifts or lacking in some aspect, they are still gifts. Even the negatives are gifts. These gifts of the moment teach us to let go of trying to change or control things that are immutable. To be content means embracing what is here what is now rather than trying to change it or go in the opposite direction. When we accept what is, we will find contentment. It is only then that lasting happiness can ensue. Contentment provides the basis for happiness.

Feel comfort in what your life is at this point of time. Embrace the obstacles that are in your way. Below, I share a small example from my own life.

I came of age in the 1960s. Straight hair was the hairstyle of the day. Think Beatles (or more likely, Beatles girlfriends).

I am a curly head. I hated that curly hair as a teenager and I did everything I could to make it straight, even using chemical solutions. (There were no keratin treatments back then). Into my early adulthood, I continued to dedicate an inordinate amount of time trying to straighten my hair with hours devoted to blow drying, using giant rollers, and other straightening techniques. I spent hours because, not only is my hair curly, but very thick.

It wasn't until I hit age 30, that I realized I had a lot more that I could do in those hours than worry about straightening my hair. It was at this point that I decided to embrace the curls by going completely natural. Since I started doing that, I've gotten many compliments on my thick curly hair. Compliments I would have not gotten had I continued with the straight hair. I found contentment by embracing the hair that I had. Using that contentment as the jumping off point my "whole world" opened up. I had more time to experience life and felt very confident accepting the compliments about my hair. Enjoying my environment. Finding a richer, fuller life. This is santosha (contentment) in action.

While this story is at very surface level, it also applies to times when the hard stuff happens. If you have a serious illness or some other serious obstacle in your life, can you actually find contentment in that? As Seiberling (2018) states, "Terrible things can happen for little reason, but contentment keeps us grounded so we can move through tough times with fortitude and grace." Finding inner contentment helps weave strength and dignity into our lives and that can help us withstand just about anything. We can find contentment in that.

Santosha opens up new opportunities. We can find so many opportunities in life by embracing the philosophy of santosha. Santosha is more than not sweating the small stuff. Being content means being at peace with what is.

Contentment is not happiness, but a component of happiness. Without contentment, it is more difficult to find happiness.

Contentment is what it is. That means being present here and now, embracing whatever the current circumstances. This is the definition of contentment. Looking outside of oneself for something better, new, or different is the opposite. Inner growth is based on what is happening here and now.

Just like Henri the Cat. Santosha means coming to peace with what it is and remembering that things do change moment by moment.

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Yoga for Organizations

Using yoga and meditation techniques, I am available to support an organization's institutional mission and values tailored to the needs of employees. Meditation and yogic exercise have been shown to promote wellness that boosts employee morale, effectiveness, and productivity (Sheelu, Garg, & Rastogi, 2022). If you know someone who may be interested in setting up a meditation or yoga class for a retreat or as a regular amenity or employee benefit in their organization please forward this link to them.

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Resources:

Henri the Cat: This is Santosha. Courtesy of Heidi Reslow.

Seiberling, Courtney. Yoga's Yamas and Niyamas: 10 Principles for Peace & Purpose (pp. 65-66). createspace. Kindle Edition.

Sheelu, S. Garg, V., & Rastogi, R., (2022) Employee wellness without stress and strain: application of yoga and meditation in management with an industry 5.0 perspective. Handbook of research on innovative management using AI in industry 5.0 . DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-8497-2.ch014.