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| Sanskrit for Satya |
The first of the eight limbs of yoga are the yamas, which
can be translated as the restraints or moral/ethical guidelines in which to
live by. The yamas help us to understand that our goal on earth is to be compassionate,
generous, honest and peaceful. And, it ought to be noted that all yamas should
be applied in deeds and words, as well as thoughts. Most people don’t ever perfect
the yamas, but through dedicated practice and awareness, much progress can be
made in a given lifetime.
As new year’s resolutions abound, more and more I’m coming
to realize that the second yama, “Satya” is being uncovered as my necessary
intentional focus for 2013 and forever. I normally don’t make grand resolutions
to begin each new year, and now is not any different. This has been brewing in me for a few months
now, and it just so happens to be December as I make a stand and commit myself
to practicing Satya. Satya is Sanskrit for, “truth, truthfulness, honesty.” In my mind, Satya
means any words that come to mind that relate to being authentic, real and
honest.
I believe that Satya goes well beyond, “thou shall not lie.”
It goes beyond just telling the truth or not omitting truths. It means standing
in your truth by word, action and thought. This is actually much more difficult
and in depth than just not lying or just not cheating.
For me, standing in my truth means being honest with myself
first. Being aware of my thoughts and feelings and not stuffing them down to
avoid them or so as not to hurt someone else’s feelings. Of course, it doesn’t
mean blurting out how terrible a new friend’s haircut is, but it means
listening to and feeling your truths in your mind and then speaking and acting
on them with integrity and with no ill intent. In other words, when telling the
truth, it is important to speak in a positive way so as not to cause harm, yet
at the same time be as straightforward and sincere as possible.
A simple example that comes to mind is when someone has invited
me to dinner and I’m just too tired to join her (even if I told her last week
that I’d like to have dinner). Instead of making up a white lie and saying that
I have to study or that I have a Skype date with a family member, I will tell
her that I’m just too tired to go. It’s not about whether she will like my
answer or not, it’s about being truthful with her. Satya also means to me that
I walk my talk. If I always tell others that getting outside is healing and that
if they are sad or down, then they should make a point of taking a walk outdoors
or meditating outside. Then I need to follow my own advice. Therefore, if I’m
having a terrible day, and decide to crawl into bed and hide under the covers,
then I’m not aligned with what I believe will really help someone who is
feeling down. If I want to live
authentically and in my truth, then another scenario is that no matter how
continually dishonest someone may be with me, I will still remain honest and
authentic with him. Even if my ego will be crushed and I will feel like I am at
a disadvantage, I remain truthful and authentic. In the end, I know that I am
not actually at the disadvantage with my honesty; rather he is with his
dishonesty.
Living a life of truth is more freeing and less binding than
those who live in lies or half truths. Think about it. When you lie, you have
to use another lie (big or small) to cover the first lie, then another lie to
maintain the first and second lies, and so on. It snowballs, and then you are truly
caged by your own inauthenticity and it gnaws at you while at the same time
impeding you from following your true path and knowing your true passions or
desires.
Living in truth and authenticity is certainly not as easy as
using the occasional “harmless” white lie…but it’s worth the pay off. Satya is
freedom, love, authenticity, mindfulness, awareness, truly knowing yourself…and
thus allowing others all of the same. As you live in your truth, you will
inevitably allow others to learn to live in their own truth as well.
“Truth is righteousness.
Righteousness is light, and light is bliss. Ahimsa, Brahmacharya, purity,
justice, harmony, forgiveness, peace are forms of truth...Truth stands even
when there is no public support.” Swami Sivananda, Bliss Divine
by Brooke Nisbet
E-RYT200, RYT500
Yoga Teacher | Yoga Teacher Trainer | Yoga Mentor | Wellness Guide
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