Yesterday, we began exploring the niyamāḥ, the observances of aṣṭāṅga yoga as laid out by Patañjali in Yoga Sūtra 2.32. We looked closely at śauca, purity or clarity, and how it stands as the foundational niyama, much like ahiṁsā is the cornerstone of the yamas.
Today, we turn our attention to the second niyama: santoṣa — contentment.
Santoṣa means to be content with what is — to rest in the simplicity and sufficiency of the present moment. This teaching can be especially challenging for those of us with perfectionistic tendencies. It asks us to step out of the loop of striving and allow the world — and ourselves — to be exactly as we are, without resistance.
The modern Vipassanā master S.N. Goenka spoke of this when he emphasized the practice of equanimity: seeing things clearly, as they are, and accepting them without craving or aversion. This is the essence of santoṣa. It’s not complacency, but rather a deep and courageous willingness to meet reality with grace.
True contentment brings stability and peace of mind. It allows us to see our inner world clearly and to rest within it without needing to change or escape. Whether we are practicing āsana, prāṇāyāma, or dhyāna (meditation), this capacity to accept the moment as it is lies at the very heart of yoga.
Lao Tzu offers us a poetic reflection of this truth:
“Do you have the patience to allow the mud to settle and the water to become clear? Do you have the patience to allow the right action to arise by itself?”
This is santoṣa. This is yoga.
We’ll continue tomorrow with the next niyama, and then move on to a new sūtra — one that is rich and inspiring. Stay tuned.
And if you're ready to go deeper into these teachings in real time, join us for our 2026 Yoga Retreats in San Pancho.
Details are at www.jefflichty.com/events.