Introduction:
The title of this essay might sound like a hippie manifesto, but it is really a practical
guide to a concept we frown up in the west; contentment. It sounds like a synonym to mediocre,
right? Like accepting second best. We should think about it in the essay as a synonym to
satisfaction instead.
So What Is Santosha?
Ashtanga Yoga has eight branches to the end goal of the union of body, mind and
universe. The first two are Yama (social discipline) and Niyama (self discipline). Santosha is part
of Niyama. This mental attitude keeps the mind in a condition of equilibrium and it is considered
to be a key to supreme happiness.
If you have ever heard yogic stories whose advice is to simply say ‘very nice, very nice’
to every situation, not matter how bad it seems, and wondered how you could do that, then
Santosha is the answer you are looking for.
Key Points about Santosha you should know:
- When you struggle against the present moment, you struggle about the universe.
- Contentment implies acceptance and even satisfaction without resignation.
- Santosha reflects that your peace is independent from the world around you (exterior objects or situations)
- Happiness consists in not possessing much, but in being content with what you possess.
- Wealth is not having a lot, but being content with what we have.
- Contentment or Santosha, is to be happy with life and its problems.
- Contentment is one of the most important qualities or virtues of a yogic aspirant.
- If a man has no contentment, his mind will always be wondering.
Santosha vs Attachment
Attachment causes a number of negative emotions such as fear, jealousy, anger,
depression and insecurity. For example, we feel anger towards whatever is keeping us from
fulfilling our desires. If we have already attained the object of our desire and we feel it’s already
part of use, we might become angry if it’s taken away from us.
Another example of negative emotions coming from attachment is fear. Having fear
means to live in the world of imaginations (situations with negative outcomes that have not
actually happened).Rather than squarely facing the fact that everything in life is subject to
change, we desperately try to hold onto objects and situations. Sooner or later we will have to let
go of what we claims as ours.
The opposite of Santosha is insecurity, which creates restlessness and unsteadiness. We
are all searching for something. Most people find contentment in material fulfilment, but after a
while discontentment arises. We become more secure when we don’t need external objects or
situations to soothe our anxiety. Santosha will only emerge when we give up our attachments.
Contentment vs Ambitions in Life
Question: If I become contented, will all my ambitions die? Will I become lethargic or lazy?
Answer: Santosha can never make you lazy or kill you ambitions or life dreams. Contentment
will help you destroy all unnecessary ambitions (things you don’t need). It will help you get rid
of all the murmurings of the mind. Without the unsteadiness, you will have more energy to turn
to work on your dreams and ambitions with a pinpointed mind. Being content with the present
does not mean quitting on our future dreams. It means to frankly accept all conditions in human
life and make it a point of honour not to be dismayed or wearied by them.
Contentment vs Tragedy
Questions: How can I be contented and say “Very Nice. Very Nice” if something really tragic
happens?
Answer: Santosha work best for everyday life to minimise stress, anger etc. Its continuous
practice will lead to a happier life. Tragedy is also part of life, such as in the case of the loss
of loved ones. In those cases, the realisation of the motto: ‘very nice, very nice’ would be
inappropriate. But still, we should be able to find great lessons in all challenging life experiences
in the long term. Contentment and the “very nice, very nice” attitude, in these cases, should help
us have perspective. We are social beings and we depend on each other at many times. In life,
sadness and sad events are unavoidable. Contentment is an ideal and its practice will train us to
deal better with life situations.
How to Practice Santosha:
“The reoccurrence or repetition of a thought or action, lead to perfection” – Swami Sivananda
- The mind is like a jumping monkey and it must be disciplined daily. Then it gradually can come under your control. If a man has no contentment, his mind will always be wondering. Through the practice of asana and pranayama, your experience of the present moment quietens the mental turbulence that disturbs contentment.
- We can also train our mind to think the opposite: ‘very nice, very nice!’. ‘I am okay with this situation’, ‘I accept what I have’. Yoga nidra can help up train our mind through the use of making a resolve.
- We can train to see things as they are and not resent them because they are not as we want or waste time fantasising they could be better. Our thinking patterns develop over years, they become our opinions. Contentment can become a thinking pattern. “Contentment and fulfilment begin with a clear understanding of one principle: some things are under our control and some are not.” Epitectus
- A good technique in dealing with old negative thinking patterns is to acknowledge them and not to fight them, as they will come back stronger. It is best to just let them pass by.
- Karma Yoga can also be a good practice to learn detachment and find ourselves closer to
Santosha, by expecting nothing in return from our labour.
Conclusion
The ‘very nice’ attitude of Santosha is an ideal of aspiring to supreme happiness.
Sometimes we will succeed and sometimes we might fail. The important thing is to acknowledge
that contentment is an essential quality for happiness and for yoga practice, which will make
us more aware and closer to reaching it. The practice of detachment is also very important and
complimentary to Santosha, if not a pre-requisite.
In the search for supreme happiness through Santosha, we should constantly remember to
train the jumping monkey of the mind through the practice of asana, pranayama, meditation,
yoga nidra and karma yoga. Should that fail, and should one find undesired results in this quest,
remember to always repeat the magic words of Santosha: ‘very nice, very nice!”
