Discovering Sukha: The Sweetness and Contentment Within

When I say the sankrit word sukha, there is something about the sound and feeling that brings a smile to my face and a sense of ease and sweetness to my being. Sukha translates to the word “sweetness” and it reminds me to take a deep breath to remember to be grateful and to relax into all that is beautiful about my life. Patanjali uses this word in his Yoga Sutras, connecting sukha with both inner contentment and the physical practice of yoga.
Contentment as the Key to Inner Sweetness
In Yoga Sutra 2.42, he says, Saṁtoṣād anuttamaḥ sukha-lābhaḥ—“From contentment (santosa), unparalleled happiness (sukha) is attained.” The sutra reminds us that true contentment is something we find within ourselves, not in the ever-changing world outside. Santosa is about letting go of that endless “if only” feeling—the urge to chase happiness by achieving, acquiring, or controlling. Instead, it’s about learning to appreciate what’s already here. I’ve found that when I focus on the abundance in my life, sukha blooms naturally. I feel this inner sweetness that doesn’t rely on circumstances but grows from a sense of fullness within.

One way I try to nurture santosha in my life is by repeating a simple mantra when things get tough or when outside pressures start to seep in: “Nothing or nobody can bring me happiness. My happiness comes from within.” (read more on santosha in my book The Daily Guide to the Yoga Sutras.) Saying this brings me back to the truth that happiness is something I carry with me, like the steady nurturing of a mother’s gentle touch.

Finding Sukha in Our Yoga Practice

Sukha is also found in the context of asana, our physical yoga practice. In Yoga Sutra 2.46, Patanjali says sthira-sukham asanam, which translates to, “The postures should be steady and sweet.” For me, this means not pushing myself to the point where yoga feels like a struggle or competition. I used to think that to be a “good yogi” I needed to go deeper, stretch further, or hold longer. But in those moments when I strained, I lost that feeling of sukha, the gentle joy that should be part of the practice.

Now, I try to choose a practice that feels sustainable and nourishing. Sometimes it’s a restful, restorative class, and other times, it’s a flow that gets my heart moving but still feels joyful. I’m learning to recognize that I don’t have to prove anything on the mat—the real practice is about finding that balance between effort and ease or “effortless effort”.
The Lasting Sweetness of Sukha
By weaving sukha into both my inner outlook and my physical practice, I find a sweetness that lingers in my heart. It’s that quiet joy I can carry with me into everyday life—a reminder that happiness isn’t something I have to search for. It’s right here, in each gentle moment, as long as I allow it to be.

Breath into the sweetness within with this smile meditation by Tara Brach: Smile Guided Meditation