By Stephanie Bucklin
In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali lists Santosha—contentment—as one of the five Niyamas, or personal observances, on the path toward enlightenment. It seems like such a simple thing, doesn’t it? To be content. To find peace in this moment, exactly as it is. Yet, for most of us, contentment is one of the hardest spiritual practices to embody.
The Practice of Presence
As a Buddhist and a mindful practitioner, I’ve learned that contentment isn’t a passive surrender. It’s an active relationship with the present moment.
Mindfulness is a daily devotion—staying awake in moments when others drift into distraction, numbness, or denial. Living consciously means I honor my values, respect other beings, and extend that same respect inward, even when it feels uncomfortable.
Carl Jung once said, “The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.”
And that’s what mindfulness reveals—who we are beneath the noise. Beneath the striving. Beneath the fear that we’ll never be enough.
The Struggle with Enoughness
Contentment has not come easily to me. Life taught me early to keep fighting, keep proving, keep surviving. My passion, my voice, my drive—all forged in the fires of “not enough.” But survival is not the same as living, and living is not the same as thriving.
Through years of self-study and observation—what Patanjali called Svadhyaya—I’ve seen how our collective stress response keeps us locked in cycles of scarcity. We tell ourselves: Once I have more money, more love, more time, then I’ll be content. But that future never arrives. The mind moves the goalpost.
Deepak Chopra reminds us, “Happiness for a reason is just another form of misery. Happiness is your true nature.”
Contentment, then, is not something we get—it’s something we remember. It’s already within us, obscured only by the stories we tell about lack.
The Path from Survival to Peace
I’ve come to understand the inner path this way: Feel safe → Relax → Find peace → Experience contentment.
Safety is the foundation. Without a sense of safety—within our bodies, homes, and relationships—the nervous system cannot relax. When safety is restored, relaxation follows. From there, peace becomes possible. And peace opens the door to contentment. The problem is, our survival patterns often don’t recognize when we’re safe. The old fears whisper, “Stay alert. Keep striving.” But Santosha invites us to pause, to breathe, and to soften the edges of our vigilance.
A Course in Miracles teaches: “Peace is of God. You who are part of God are not at home except in His peace.”
To be content is to remember our true home—an inner sanctuary that cannot be taken away by circumstance.
Cultivating Santosha: Practices for Modern Life
Contentment doesn’t mean complacency. It means embracing the wholeness of this moment while still evolving with grace.
Here are practices that continue to help me live into Santosha:
- Gratitude: Thank life for what already is. Gratitude softens the grasping energy of lack.
- Self-Compassion: Speak gently to the parts of you still afraid. They are not obstacles—they are invitations to heal.
- Celebrating Small Wins: Each mindful breath, each act of kindness, is a victory on the path to peace.
- Allowing Joy: Let yourself experience joy without needing to earn it. It’s your birthright.
Patanjali wrote, “Contentment brings supreme happiness.” (Yoga Sutra II.42)
It’s not the happiness that comes and goes—it’s the serene joy of being in alignment with life itself.
From Lack to Love
When we stop searching for fulfillment “out there,” we return to the still point “in here.” The heart expands. The mind quiets. The soul remembers.
And in that remembering, we discover what A Course in Miracles has whispered all along:
“Love holds no grievances.”
Contentment is not about having a perfect life—it’s about releasing our grievances with the life we have. It’s about learning to trust that peace is possible now, even as we grow, even as we heal, even as we change.
Closing Reflection
Santosha is the courage to be still in a world that glorifies the chase. It’s the radical act of saying: This moment is enough. I am enough.
Through gratitude, compassion, and surrender, we remember that contentment isn’t the end of the journey—it’s the atmosphere through which awakening unfolds.
Namaste,
~S
💫 Read More Yoga Wisdom
If the teachings of Santosha speak to your soul, I invite you to continue your exploration of Patanjali’s wisdom through my other reflections on the Eight Limbs of Yoga. Each post offers a doorway into a deeper aspect of your spiritual practice—bridging ancient philosophy with modern mindfulness.
🕉️ Continue Your Journey:
The Eight Teachers of the Soul – Explore how breath, light, and stillness become your greatest spiritual guides.
Returning to Your Center – Learn practical ways to find peace amidst emotional turbulence.
Embodied Healing – Discover how body awareness, self-compassion, and energy work open the path to wholeness.
🙏 Every breath is an opportunity to return to peace. Practice mindfulness. Choose contentment. Embody Santosha.
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