Finding Contentment

Recently, I have noticed my thoughts exploring santosha. While currently facing multiple challenges (some sadly familiar, some new and scary), I find myself working to maintain an inner peace and groundedness unshaken by external circumstances.

Santosha, translated to contentment in English, is one of the guiding principles from the 8-limbed approach of classical yoga philosophy. Santosha encapsulates not only 'being happy' when life is wonderful, but being content when things are not going as you would hope; being content with the people around you without changing a thing; being content in your own skin just as you are right now. Santosha is finding contentment within, without searching for inner peace based upon external circumstances. Tricky, I know! Though, seeing this puppy (in photo above) it seems it is simple. He doesn't care where he was, where he is going...he is present and content with feeling a breeze through his chops!

Contentment needs to be cultivated. It takes practice and is something we can work towards with a mindful approach; mindfulness not solely saved for others. As humans, we are presented daily with opportunity to cultivate santosha...we are presented with intense emotions (both positive and negative), challenging physical experiences (from a challenging yoga pose, to fighting disease and healing from surgery), financial challenges...etc, etc, etc. The work comes in finding a centered path, while navigating lifes challenges.

For myself, the path to santosha is paved with faith, trust, reflection, breath~work, gratitude, and facing fears straight in the eyeballs. Faith in a greater plan, and trust in the universe, that things will turn out as they are meant to in the end. Though 'as they are meant to' and 'as I desire them to' may look significantly different...that is a whole other series of lessons! Reflection takes place not only upon my circumstances and role in current challenges, but also in my thoughts ABOUT the circumstances. Stopping the happiness-destructive thoughts that get me nowhere, in their path. I find that mini breath~work meditations throughout my day help to cultivate calm. Breathing in peace and exhaling expectations of what 'should' be. Bringing my awareness to all that I have to be grateful for, helps me focus upon that aforementioned greater plan and redirects my attention to appreciation for the full experience of life, thorns on the roses and all. As I face my fears, I research and know the beast I face, and stay focused upon moving forward and up from here...taking solace in knowing that I am doing all I can, and letting go of what I cannot control.

Now who is going to drive me around, so I can hang my head out the window?!?