Sri: Seeing the Goodness, Beauty, and Bountifulness Within and Around Us

In yoga, there’s a deeply held truth: nothing is separate from the divine. You are divine, inherently imbued with the qualities of the sacred. One of these qualities is Sri (pronounced Shree)—an energy of beauty, goodness, and abundance that exists not only in nature but also within you.

But here’s the catch: while Sri is ever-present, we often fail to see it. Life’s blessings, so ordinary and constant, become invisible to us in their familiarity. And in a world where the loudest voices point to what’s wrong—what needs fixing, improving, or judging—it can take practice to tune into the quiet brilliance of what’s already right.

This is where yoga steps in, offering a pathway to reclaim our ability to see the extraordinary within the ordinary, to marvel at the beauty of life as it is, and to train our minds toward abundance rather than lack.

What is Sri?

Sri is an ancient concept found in the Rig Veda and other sacred texts, often linked with qualities of beauty, bounty, and goodness. Over time, Sri became associated with Lakshmi, the goddess of abundance, fertility, and harvest. Lakshmi embodies the growth and prosperity of life—the lush fullness of existence that supports and nurtures us.

To embody Sri is to recognize and honor the abundance within and around you. It’s a perspective shift: choosing to see the blessings, the goodness, and the beauty, even in the face of challenge.

Choosing Sri in Everyday Life

For many of us, seeing the good doesn’t come naturally. If you’re like me, with a fiery pitta constitution (hello, intensity, drive, and perfectionism), you might find yourself more tuned into imperfections—the cracks in the picture, the areas for improvement, the critical voice that says “not enough.”

But the truth is, Sri happens. Just as life happens, goodness happens. Beauty happens. Abundance happens. The challenge lies in training our minds to notice it.

Each morning, I start my day with a mantra, a reminder to seek the beauty and bounty that surrounds me. This simple practice rewires my perspective and sets the tone for the day. Instead of focusing on what’s lacking or imperfect, I begin to see the extraordinary in the ordinary.

When we breathe deeply into this moment—this body, this life—we remember that abundance is already here.

A Moment to Reflect

Think about this: every single day, without fail, the sun rises and sets, casting light and shadow across your world. You breathe without needing to think about it. Your heart beats, your body moves, your mind dreams. These are extraordinary miracles, yet we often overlook them.

We live in a world so full of goodness that we become blind to it. The coolness of grass underfoot. The laugh of a friend. The weight of a loved one's hand in yours. The quiet strength of your own resilience. Sri is in all of these moments, waiting to be seen and felt.

Yoga asks us to look again. To train ourselves to recognize and celebrate the bountiful, beautiful blessings that surround us and are within us. And in doing so, we realize that Sri isn’t something external to us—it’s our nature.

Shifting Perspective

As the saying goes, “Where attention goes, energy flows.” If you focus on the cracks, you’ll see the imperfections. But if you train your gaze toward the good, the beauty, and the abundance, you’ll find yourself surrounded by it.

Yes, challenges will arise, and life will bring its share of difficulties. But by anchoring into Sri, we can meet those moments with grace. We can remind ourselves that life is not defined by the struggles we face but by the blessings that quietly support us through them.

A Final Thought

This practice of seeing Sri is transformative. It’s not about denying hardship but about choosing to lean into the extraordinary gifts life offers daily.

So, the next time life feels overwhelming, pause. Look around you. Breathe. Notice. Sri is there in the sunbeam cutting through the window, the rhythm of your breath, the smile of a stranger. Sri is in you.

The world often says, “Shit happens.” Yoga teaches us, Sri happens.

Let’s train ourselves to see it.

Yoga to Transform invites you to embrace your Sri through movement, breath, and mindful living. Join us to rediscover the extraordinary within the ordinary.