Satya – The Gentle Strength of Truth

A truth that’s told with bad intent
Beats all the lies you can invent.
- William Blake “Auguries of Innocence”

The second Yama in yoga practice is Satya, which means Truthfulness of speech, thoughts and deeds. As with many yogic practices, Satya can be difficult to maintain when you also consider the first yama, Ahimsa (non-harming, non-violence).

Honesty is considered a virtue in just about every corner of our society; but we cannot deny that most of us lie every day, usually a variation one of the following two commonplace types of ‘lying’:

* A white lie is a lie which is harmless or innocuous. A common example of a white lie is, “You look marvelous”, at least when the person does intend that the other person believe this to be true.

* A “polite lie” is not a lie, but a false statement made without the intention that the audience actually believe it, out of politeness. A common example of a polite lie is the response “I’m fine” when asked the question “How are you?”. Regardless of whether or not you are actually well, most of us choose to give a positive, if not entirely true answer, to be polite to the other person and not burden/bother them with our present concerns.

The intent behind your words is just as important as the words themselves; are your words meant to wound, to heal, to educate, to love? Are you speaking the Truth to further your own agenda, to feed your ego? The level to which your Ego is involved has a lot to do with the how successfully you practice Satya – is it all about your wants/desires or are you speaking Truth for the sake of Truth?

Honesty can also be used as a weapon, so be careful to measure your words with kindness, compassion and love. It is not about being “right” for Love is higher than Truth. Brutal Honesty is not Truth; it is precisely as described – brutal- and violates ahimsa; you are not acting with love, you are using honesty (not Truth) as a weapon. The practice of ahimsa should be your guide in all things, including honesty. When Truth is guided by Ahimsa, then Satya is the natural course. Satya, as with all of yoga practice, must be practiced from a foundation of non-harming and loving intention.

Strive to be accepting and gentle like a newborn baby in life and love, and especially when you are presented with Truth, for a person’s Truth, like their experiences (be it your own or anyone else’s) is not subject to anyone’s judgment or criticism – and above all, let love, compassion and kindness keep your words soft, but true. Leave your Ego at the door and bring your best Self forward. Be diligent in the combination of Ahimsa and Satya, for there is integrity in this practice.

In yoga,

Jenn