Welcome back,
Dear friends,
To our meditation space.
Today we will talk about Santosha,
A Sanskrit word meaning contentment and satisfaction.
It's one of the five Niyamas or inner observances described in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.
To cultivate Santosha means to find happiness in what we have and in who we are.
It means to accept the present moment with sincere and genuine joy.
It means to focus not on what is missing,
But on what is already here.
Santosha doesn't mean settling for less,
It means shifting your mindset,
Changing perspective and learning to appreciate life exactly as it is.
It means appreciating yourself for who you are.
So let's begin.
Find a comfortable position and a quiet place.
Take a deep breath in and as you exhale gently close your eyes.
Let's practice triangular breathing together to let go of the thoughts and feel centered and grounded.
Inhale for 1,
2,
3,
Hold for 1,
2,
3,
Exhale for 1,
2,
3,
Again inhale for 1,
2,
3,
Hold for 1,
2,
3,
Exhale for 1,
2,
3.
Last one,
Inhale for 1,
2,
3,
Hold for 1,
2,
3,
Exhale for 1,
2,
3.
Now the mind is calmer and we are ready to our visualization.
Imagine yourself walking along a path.
The road ahead is wide and full of light,
A warm inviting light that encourages you to keep going.
As you walk with each step you feel peace and trust growing within you.
The path gently slopes down until you reach a large wide wrought iron gate.
At its center there is a key already in the lock.
Take a deep breath and slowly turn the key.
Before you a magnificent view unfolds,
A lush garden filled with plants,
Flowers and trees,
An explosion of life and color.
You look around,
Breathing in the fragrance of the blossoms.
You've never seen so many colors in one place.
Your favorite flowers are here and beautiful butterflies flutter from one to another.
You feel a sense of fullness,
Joy and harmony.
Take a moment to admire the beauty around you.
In front of you,
Beneath a centuries-old oak tree,
You see a bench.
You walk toward it.
The oak stands tall and strong,
It radiates stability and safety.
Sit down,
Beneath its broad branches you feel sheltered and protected.
You can almost feel its embrace.
Now,
Think of three things you are grateful for in your life.
Everything is constantly changing,
Yet here,
In your garden,
Surrounded by your favorite flowers,
Sheltered by the great oak,
You feel happy,
Content and grateful for all that you see and all that you have.
Nothing is missing.
Your enchanted garden is always here,
Ready to welcome you whenever you need it,
With its colors,
Its calm and its peace.
Breathe,
And as you exhale gently let go of the visualization.
Become aware once more of the space around you,
And when you are ready,
Slowly open your eyes.
And remember,
You are your own best friend.
