Niyamas – Santosha (Contentment)

Introduction

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Context

• Sutra 2.42, second niyama

Translations

• By contentment, supreme joy is gained. – Sri Swami Satchidananda
• The result of contentment is total happiness. – T.K.V. Desikachar
• Unexcelled happiness comes from the practice of contentment. – Swami Satyananda Saraswati
• When at peace and content with oneself and others (Santosha), supreme joy is celebrated. – Nischala Joy Devi
• An attitude of contentment (santosha) gives rise to unexcelled happiness, mental comfort, joy, and satisfaction. – AshtangaYoga.info
• As the result of contentment, one gains supreme happiness. – Swami Prabhavananda (YogaSutraStudy.info)

Heart of the Teaching

• Being at peace in the moment; having an attitude of contentment
• Accepting reality
• While santosha is said to lead to happiness, the contentment being described is not the same as being happy or liking what is happening
• Santosha does not advocate submissiveness or apathy; rather, it suggests choosing calmness and clarity of mind (from which right action stems)

Making it Relevant

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• When we are not experiencing contentment, we’re likely resisting what’s happening in some way. This usually means we’re agitated, worried, frustrated, angry or depressed.
• So, with the practice of contentment, we’re endeavoring to spend less time in agitation and more time aware of what’s really happening — another way of bringing us back to the present moment without judgment.

See Also

• Present Moment Awareness
• Self-Acceptance
• Surrender / Allowing / Accepting / Creating Space