Santosha संतोष
Sutra 2.42 saṃtoṣātanuttamassukhalābhaḥ

Last month, we began to dive deeply into exploring Niyamas (personal, introspective practices within yoga), with a spotlight on Saucha, one of Niyamas’ aspects. This month, as we approach the Fall Equinox here at Nectar Yoga Retreats on Bowen Island, and the season of the harvest, we’re feeling the pull of Santosha संतोषातनुत्तमस्सुखलाभः ॥४२॥, the ancient yogic principle of contentment.

In the depths of our hearts, there is a restless longing—a yearning for fulfillment, for meaning, for a profound sense of safety and contentment that transcends the fleeting pleasures, fickle external validations, and constant burden to accomplish in this insatiable world. It’s a thirst that seems unquenchable, and yet, in certain moments of profound spiritual connection, this hunger is momentarily suspended. We are reminded that everything is more than okay, and through the corridors of our souls, the spirit within beckons ourselves to embark on a sacred journey—of Santosha.

Santosha, often translated as contentment from Sanskrit, is not a passive resignation to the circumstances of our lives. Contentment is not a state of indifference, dulling of our desires, or detachment from feeling. Rather, the practice of Santosha invites us into a vibrant engagement with life, an expansion of our hearts that embraces both gladness and sorrow, the triumphs and disappointments.

In our fast-paced and achievement-oriented society, we are bombarded with messages that tell us that contentment lies in the endless accumulation of wealth, possessions, status, productivity, and other externally measured markers. We are constantly urged to reach and strive in a never-ending series of goals that promise to fill the void within us. Yet, as we grasp at these external badges of success, we find that they are but fleeting illusions, unable to quench the thirst of our souls, and if anything, ironically create yet a greater dependence on these plaques and accolades in order to feel we are living with purpose and meaning.

In other words, in our relentless pursuit of success and happiness, we wind up staying more in the states of pursuing and less in the states of happiness. We have calcified into modes of doing rather than being. Even spiritual practices that appear benign on the outside can carve more out of our drained hearts and bodies, creating more insecurity when we are in states of performance for approval.

Santosha invites us to step away from this relentless pursuit and to turn our gaze inward. It urges us to cultivate an attitude of gratitude not from a place of doing, but from a place of being, to recognize the abundance that already exists in our lives, and to notice what’s already precious and sacred. It reminds us that true contentment is not found in accumulation, but in the recognition of the inherent richness of our worthiness, in the beauty of each breath we take, and in the connections we share with others.

Contentment begins with a shift in perspective—a shift from me to we, from comparison to caring, from separation to wholeness, from thinking identity is earned to identity is inherent. It is a conscious choice to let go of the insatiable desire for more and to embrace what is already present. Santosha teaches us that contentment does not depend on external circumstances but arises from within, as we learn to accept ourselves and our lives as they are, in this very moment. It necessitates setting boundaries, prioritizing inner quietude, and making choices that align with our values and well-being.

This practice requires courage and profound trust—an unwavering faith in the goodness of yourself and in life, even in the face of difficulties and challenges. Santosha invites us to surrender our need for control, to release the illusion that we can manipulate and shape the world according to our desires. Instead, it calls us to embrace the uncertainties and mysteries of life, to let go of our biases and expectations, and to open ourselves to the infinite possibilities that lie beyond our limited vision. Santosha is “I am happy now,” not “I am happy when…” Contentment as a form of restfulness, and if we take this further, contentment is the medicine we need when we are burnt out.

Santosha asks us to get real with ourselves, face our discomforts and fears, cultivate eyes that notice small and wondrous things. We can often do this when we are in nature, when we marvel at a butterfly, or the emergence of wild mushrooms from the forest floor. The wildness here, with all its flora and fauna, do not keep RRSPs or announce to each other about their accomplishments, and yet, when we are surrounded by nature’s presence while staying in one of our Bowen Island cottages, we feel alive, enriched, and grateful to be part of something greater than ourselves.

This Niyama practice also invites us to embark on a journey of self-discovery, to explore the depths of our hearts, and to uncover the overlooked treasures that lie within. It is a dance that calls us to open our eyes to the beauty that surrounds us—and the beauty of ourselves—and to allow ourselves to be touched by light and radiate it. By embracing Santosha, we can navigate the chaotic currents of life with grace and find solace in the wisdom that true contentment resides within us, waiting to be discovered.

A diverse group of people on a yoga retreat gather around the geodesic dome on Nectar Yoga Retreat on Bowen Island.

In this way, we are invited to cultivate self-compassion—to embrace our imperfections, our vulnerabilities, and our wounds and grief with love and tenderness. Santosha reminds us that true contentment is not contingent upon perfection or the absence of pain, but is found in our ability to embrace the fullness of who we are, and to savour the human experience.

In the sacred dance of Santosha, we are invited to let go of the need for external validation and to find validation from within. It is a cultivated habit, an unbroken ritual, that liberates us from the tyranny of comparison and competition and invites us to celebrate the unique gifts and contributions that each one of us brings to the world. It is an on-going choice that reminds us that true contentment lies not in the pursuit of recognition or success, even in spiritual circles, but in the offering of our authentic selves to the service of others.

As we surrender ourselves to the observance of Santosha, we discover that contentment is not a destination to be reached, much like how Saucha is also not an arrival point, but a way of being—a way of embracing the fullness of life with hearts wide open. This practice may not make us immune to undesirable situations in our lives, but it can sweeten our perspectives, inner stories, and how we respond to the insatiable demands of our need for gratification. May contentment be part of what anchors us to ourselves, to each other, and to the divine presence that dwells within us and among us. In many ways, this is both a personal and community practice, something that can be cultivated at home, and also further amplified (or activated) at a nature retreat here at Nectar Yoga. There is something profoundly powerful when you are witnessed by others, and when you witness others cultivate Santosha with intention.

The practice of contentment cannot be perfected, it can only be intended through committed daily reflection. May with open hearts, willing spirits, and embodied senses, we allow ourselves to be guided by this Niyama into its gentle lull. There is much to be grateful for.

Sources and further reading:

Santosha – Contentment

The 8 Fold Path of Yoga

Santosha

Living the 8 Limbs – the second of the niyamas: Santosha

Is Santosha (Contentment) Really Possible?

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali translated by Sri Swami Satchidananda

The Yogi's Roadmap: The Patanjali Yoga Sutras by Bhavani Silvia Maki

The Yamas & Niyamas: Exploring Yoga's Ethical Practice by Deborah Adele

The Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice by T.K.V. Desikachar

Living Your Yoga: Finding the Spiritual in Everyday Life by Judith Hanson Lasater

Yoga Mind, Body & Spirit: A Return to Wholeness by Donna Farhi