Niyama 2: Santosha (Contentment) — Finding Peace in the Bleed of Unexpected Outcomes

Embracing the art of contentment, vibrant hues blend into new shades, capturing the joy of creation without judgment.

When we look at the second Niyama, Santosha, we are looking at one of the most transformative mental shifts a person can make. Santosha translates to contentment—a state of radical gratitude and satisfaction with what is, right here in the present moment.

But let’s be completely honest: practicing contentment is incredibly difficult in a culture that feeds on our perpetual dissatisfaction. We are constantly conditioned to focus on what is missing, what needs to be fixed, and how we can push ourselves to achieve the next benchmark.

When we gather for our Art Exploratory Walks, we don't just lecture on contentment. We use the fluid, unpredictable physics of watercolor to physically practice it on a 2.5" square page.

The Trap of the "Should"

In our realistic sketch sessions, we practice looking at the outer world with filter-free honesty. But during our dedicated abstract sessions, we step away from realism entirely. We leave the recognizable shapes of leaves, trees, and sidewalks behind, and we enter the realm of pure expression.

This is exactly where many of us hit a massive internal wall.

The moment we begin an abstract wash, the analytical mind starts screaming with expectations:

• "This line should be straighter."

• "Those colors shouldn't have mixed like that—now it looks chaotic."

• "I ruined the page because it didn't turn out the way I planned."

This is the opposite of Santosha. It is the suffering that occurs when we attach our peace of mind to a rigid, predetermined outcome. When we focus entirely on what a painting should look like, we completely miss the magic of what it actually is.

Two artists, divided by a literal wall, reflect on the metaphorical barriers of creativity—one embraces the fluidity of colors, while the other battles with rigid expectations, illustrating the internal prison of self-doubt and perfectionism.

Radical Contentment with the Unexpected

Watercolor is an alive, dynamic medium. When you drop pigment onto wet paper, the water takes over. It flows along invisible fibers, pools in unexpected crevices, and bleeds outward according to its own rhythm. You cannot fully control it—and that is the entire point.

Practicing Santosha during an abstract session means choosing to meet the unexpected with curiosity instead of frustration.

When the paint pools or a color bleeds across your boundary line, Santosha invites you to pause, breathe, and adapt. Instead of trying to scrub the pigment away or tossing the page in anger, we practice deep gratitude for whatever the paper naturally reveals. We look at the organic, bleeding textures and find value in the chaos, symmetry, and unmapped blending of the colors.

Moving from Control to Contentment in Daily Life

A person sits by a forest stream, immersed in sketching a "Sound/Feeling Map" in their notebook, capturing the essence of nature's invisible elements like rustling leaves and gentle breezes.

The sketchbook is a low-stakes training ground for your nervous system. If you can practice looking at a messy, unplanned watercolor wash and genuinely say, "There is something beautiful and valuable here," you are building the exact muscle you need to navigate a chaotic world.

Life, much like watercolor on wet paper, rarely follows our strict templates. Our days get messy, our timelines get disrupted, and the outcomes we work incredibly hard for don't always materialize when or how we want them to.

Santosha doesn't ask you to pretend that everything is perfect or to give up on your goals. It simply offers you a sanctuary in the middle of the mess. It is the quiet, grounding realization that your worth, your peace, and your capacity for joy do not depend on absolute control over the final product. You can look at the unexpected layout of your current life and find a reason to be grateful for the raw, real experience of living it.

Embrace the Flow This Summer

If you are ready to put down the exhausting burden of perfectionism and learn the art of riding the wave, come find your seat with us. Our community meets every Tuesday and Saturday, departing directly from the green space at Washington Park in Ithaca.

Whether you are a seasoned artist or haven't held a brush since childhood, you are welcome here just as you are.

👉 Reserve your spot on an Art Exploratory Walk and experience the profound freedom of painting without templates.