Niyama: Santosh

|| योग: कर्मसु कौशलम् ||

Niyamas help us in purification of anthakaran.

Santosh means Contentment in whatever means one has and to use it optimally. Many a time a person wastes his life by thinking he does not have something or the other. Thus whatever is available even that is not put to good use. Practice of Santosh is to 'start from where you are and what you have'. As and when required Providence gives us all that is needed.
Thus Eknathji brings the concept of faith in God and simple living to the Karyakartas.
Consumerism, apart from depleting natural resources, distracts the mind. Practice of contentment alone can check the rising tide of consumerism.

Not to be dependent on means of comfort or status and objects of enjoyment for living life. When everything is the expression of one's own self how is it possible to feel one lacks something? That non-dependence on materials or persons is to be practiced.

A smiling face, acceptance of the fruits of action as Prasad, to continue doing what we are supposed to do even if fruits of our endeavours are not in sight.
Eknathji also places the Dhriti-Utsav samanvita aspect through Santosh.
Not getting affected by adverse situation, even if no immediate result of the work done is seen. Contentedly to pursue the service of the Samashti, and practice for expansion of consciousness, is in short the practice of Yoga way of Life which is the very basic of our nation, culture.

Most often discontentment is not amongst those who have modest means but amongst those who have plenty. The tendency is to look at those who have much more and get restless to acquire it. Thus there is no end to demands, hankerings and ultimately, life is wasted in acquiring the means of enjoyment but the joy of life and that of living is lost. Life is wasted only in chasing for means and in the process the goal of life, the purpose of human life is lost. Over-consumption of the modern man has emerged as a threat to the survival of nature. Since man is a part of nature even his survival is at crossroads.

Practice of Santosh does not mean that we merely stay where we are and cease all striving for improvement, refinement.  Not to grieve over what we do not have but to strive with Shraddha and joy for achieving it with full contentment in mind for what we have is to be understood.

One who is established in the practice of Santosh gets superlative happiness. As each and every moment is full of contentment, happiness is discovered in the 'here and now'.