Satya – Week 2

View of my garden, St. Francis of Assisi – Patron saint of animals & nature and my newly potted plants. The garden brings me to my truest self.

Week 2 – Satya — Truthfulness

As we continue on the journey of studying the Eight Limbs of Yoga, we come to the second of the yamas, Satya, or truth. Along with being kind, Ahimsa (the first of the yamas), comes being truthful. Speaking the truth to others might be the first thought when thinking of truth, but just like Ahimsa, truth starts with yourself in your thoughts, speech and actions.

When we are true and real with ourselves, then we can be honest with others as well. Being vulnerable and speaking your truth can be scary but, as Brené Brown would say “Being vulnerable is not a weakness, it is our greatest measure of courage.” And being honest with others is kind. Not to mention, its always easier to be truthful and kind with others as well. When we are untruthful we have to remember the stories told and who we have told them to. When we are honest we have more space for things that we enjoy. I am loving my yard and garden right now, it’s a great way to get out of my mind and into my body and nature.

Again, we must remember that before truthfulness comes Ahimsa, so our words must first be kind. For example, it is not necessary to tell your dinner hosts that their food tastes horrible, just because you want to be honest, in that situation, it is more important to be kind, then truthful.

There is an ancient Buddhist saying, “Before proposing to speak, ask yourself: Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind?” If the answer is no, than maybe silence is better than speaking.

In Sanskrit, the word sat means “that which is true, exists or that which is.” Therefore, we come to understand that Satya is about seeing and communicating things as they actually are, not as we wish them to be. The goal is to be in reality and allow the world around us to be what it is without changing or wishing it to be something different. Accepting where we are and what is.

In our yoga practice, that means focusing on the breath, your body and not comparing yourself to others or even yourself during previous practices. Each moment, each breath is where your true self lives. That is the practice.

The idea is to live in the present and accept each moment as it is. Be true, in this reality.

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