5 Simple Sanskrit Words To Integrate Into Your Spiritual Practice

By now most people are familiar with the words OM (the sound of the universe) and namaste (the divine in me bows to the divine in you). But beyond these two popular yoga phrases, there are a number of other Sanskrit words that can steer us towards our best selves. Here are five that speak to me, and some ideas for respectively adding them into your spiritual practice.

This word reminds us to find joy in our life as it is, and not get caught up in what we wish it to be. It asks us to remember that what we have right now is precious and transitory.

Add this word into your gratitude practice to express thanks for your blessings.

To practice equanimity, we must cultivate mindfulness and be aware of when we are becoming pulled in any one direction so that we are less jerked around by transitory thoughts.

Repeat this word, either to yourself or aloud, when you feel yourself being pulled into a riptide of thoughts that are not serving you.

Śrāddha is the inner, intuitive belief that you are walking steadily towards your life's goals. It takes us away from our limited perception of reality and into a more universal vision.

Remember this word when you need to find the courage to believe that everything about your journey is unfolding exactly as it should.

To cultivate, you must pull out the weeds (aka the most persistent, deeply ingrained ways of being and thinking) and plant the ways of being that you want to bring into your life. That's when you can begin to sow love, kindness, joy, happiness, humility, gratitude, and peace.

Using this word as your inspiration, make a list of activities that you'd like to "weed out" of your life—the ones that are toxic and no longer serving you—and the ones you'd like to give some more water to, to cultivate into vibrant health.

Sathya (suht-yuh) speaks to truth and honesty. This word tells us that if we live in accordance with our truth, our lives will be freer of suffering. 

Then, you try to live in accordance with the answer. Easier said than done, I know, but start by addressing the lies you may tell yourself. Do your best to stop listening to what other people say or do or think of you. Stand tall and strong in your belief of how to live a good life. That's when you'll notice that gossip and comparison stops, and truth and honesty begin.