By Lauren Albarella, C-IAYT
Sat-Chit-Ananda, a concept from the Tejobindu Upanishad, speaks to the experience of wholeness, unity, and deep awareness of existence. It reflects a timeless truth found in yogic philosophy and Indian philosophy—as well as many other traditions—the fundamental interconnectedness of all things.
Yet in today’s world, disconnection and loneliness are widespread, to the point that loneliness is now being recognized as a public health epidemic1. Humans heal and thrive through connection—not only with others but also within themselves and with something greater. This could take the form of a connection to nature, the universe, or a personal sense of the divine.
Sat-Chit-Ananda offers an ancient pathway to rediscovering this deep connection, providing a much-needed sense of wholeness in our modern world.
In the yoga tradition, this understanding isn’t something to attain but something to remember. We don’t need to search for it outside ourselves—it’s already here. Healing through yoga helps refine our awareness, allowing us to recognize this interconnectedness, live from a place of greater clarity and compassion, and navigate life’s challenges. Now, imagine a world where this perspective is embraced—where people recognize their inherent goodness and that of others. How might that shift the way we move through life?
Are Humans Naturally Good?
Studies in developmental psychology suggest that humans are born with an innate capacity for empathy, cooperation, and kindness. Yet painful experiences shape how we behave in the world. Harmful behaviors often stem from unprocessed wounds—survival mechanisms formed in response to trauma.
Understanding this doesn’t mean excusing harm. However, it invites us to see that people act from their level of awareness — often influenced by their own suffering. When we recognize this, we open the door to responding with discernment and compassion rather than blame and resentment.
Yoga and yoga therapy invite us to see the divine in others, but that can feel nearly impossible when faced with cruelty. Many struggle with self-judgment or even self-hatred, influencing how they treat those around them. When we acknowledge this, we can choose to respond with wisdom rather than reaction.
A Trauma-Informed Perspective
For those who have endured trauma, the idea of seeing goodness in those who caused harm may be neither helpful nor appropriate. Compassion should never come at the cost of one’s well-being.
At the same time, embracing one’s inner wholeness—seeing the light within oneself and safe, supportive relationships—can be profoundly healing. No one should be pressured to empathize with those who have harmed them. Instead, the focus can be on recognizing one’s own worth, agency, and capacity for mind-body healing.
A Powerful Yoga Therapy Framework: The Five Koshas
In yoga therapy, we often use practices that help balance the five koshas—the layers of being encompassing body, breath, mind, wisdom, and bliss. When imbalances exist in these “layers,” suffering can occur, and disruptions in one layer can obscure the others.
Sat-Chit-Ananda aligns with the anandamaya kosha, the bliss body aspect of ourselves that represents our deep sense of spiritual connection and wholeness. The bliss body is considered the most profound and subtle layer. Therefore, it is impacted by the other outer layers and is often the most difficult to access and balance.
When working with clients to access and balance the bliss layer, we might introduce this teaching as a mantra, gently repeating Sat-Chit-Ananda during meditation or breathwork to cultivate inner peace and unity.
Devotional chants, such as Om Namah Shivaya—a powerful Sanskrit mantra meaning “I bow to Shiva”— can also be used. This mantra symbolizes inner transformation and alignment with one’s true self and is often chanted for peace, protection, and self-realization. Devotional chants aren’t limited to those from the yogic or Indian traditions. Any devotional chant or prayer from the client’s religious tradition, as long as it has meaning for them, can help connect with the concept of Sat-Chit-Ananda.
The Power of Ritual
Rituals can also be a very useful tool within yoga therapy to access the bliss body. Below are a few simple examples of daily ritual-based practices to help cultivate a deeper sense of connection and embodiment of Sat-Chit-Ananda in daily life:
Micro-Moments of Awe
Awe temporarily suspends self-referential thinking and creates a momentary sense of vastness, offering a tangible experience of spiritual connection.
Possibilities for practice:
- Gaze at the sky for 30 seconds, watching the movement of clouds.
- Light a candle and observe the flame while taking slow, deep breaths.
- Listen to a single note from a singing bowl and feel its vibration in the body.
- Smell a favorite essential oil and notice how it shifts the nervous system regulation.
Connection Through the Earth
Grounding in something tangible, like nature, can feel more accessible than abstract spiritual concepts.
Possibilities for practice:
- Press your hands against a tree trunk and feel its solidity.
- Stand barefoot on grass for 30 seconds, noticing the temperature and texture.
- Hold a rock or small stone in your palm, feeling its weight and coolness.
The “Small Gesture of Kindness” Experiment
Acts of kindness create moments of presence and mind-body healing.
- Offer a small act of kindness to a stranger—hold a door, offer a compliment.
- Write a thank-you note (even to yourself) and pause to feel appreciation.
- Offer a silent blessing to someone you pass on the street.
The Power of Remembering
Reflecting on these states—without forcing an experience—can support nervous system regulation, helping clients reconnect with a felt sense of ease, presence, and deep well-being. Often, we understand the power of universal connectedness on an intellectual level, but fundamental transformation through the bliss body is most profound when we can embody it.
As a result, when we recognize our true goodness, we are naturally open to deeper relationships with others and the world around us. This is the essence of Sat-Chit-Ananda—not an abstract spiritual ideal but a lived experience of wholeness. In a world that often reinforces separation, remembering this truth can be a powerful act of healing through yoga, both individually and collectively.
Lauren Albarella, C-IAYT is a yoga therapist with Yoga Therapy Associates. Yoga Therapy Associates provides private yoga therapy services. Our yoga therapists employ the bio-psycho-social-spiritual model when working with clients, which means that we understand that spirituality can play an important role in the healing process. If you’re interested in learning more about yoga therapy, you can contact us, schedule a complimentary and confidential phone consultation, or book an intake session.
References
- Murthy, V. H. (2023). Our epidemic of loneliness and isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General’s advisory on the healing effects of social connection and community. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-social-connection-advisory.pdf
