Satya

***Week 2 of "Ten Weeks of Yamas and Niyamas". ***

Satya

• Truthfulness

Satya - the second Yama of truthfulness. It is about more than simply being truthful. Satya is about being authentic and genuine. Having integrity and being honourable. It is about honouring your truest, most authentic self. At the same time, it is about honouring and holding space for all those around you to live their highest truth. Allow others to have their own truth, even if it is in conflict with yours or doesn't seem to make sense to you.

I was reading a book called "How Yoga Works" by Gesne Michael Roach and Christie McNally. (It's a great book for learning the Yoga Sutras in the framework of a fictional story). There is a chapter titled 'Matching Pictures.' The chapter basically says, when telling a story, the person listening should have a very similar picture painted in their mind as the truth of the situation. Refrain from exaggerating and include the relevant details.

It is extremely important to mention that in order to truly live the yamas and niyamas - one must act in accordance to all of them. So, if telling the truth is going to hurt someone, it is probably better to keep it to yourself. There are times when it may seem that telling the truth, in unpleasant situations, may provide for great growth and better understanding of the self and the Universe. In these moments, if it is absolutely necessary, a very careful and diplomatic approach may be taken. My teacher, John Friend, teaches us about the Four Gates of Speech. I think they fit nicely with Satya.

1. Is it truthful?
2. Is it necessary to say?
3. Is it the appropriate time?
4. Can it be said in a kind way?

On our mats, Satya is recognizing where you are in your practice and staying true to that. The truth of the situation is, we all come together to practice, however it's not about the physical expression looking the same as much as it is about the heart's expression! Two people can do the same pose and look very different, but have the same fullness as an expression of their true self! For example - there is a beautiful student that comes to my mind who has arthritis. Every class she come to her mat with the knowing that her yoga is about creating beauty. She stays within the boundaries of her body which doesn't always lead to the same looking posture as the yogi next to her - but the softness in her eyes and the joy she spreads into the room from her heart is inspiring! Every day, in every way, she continues to grow and expand all ways. That is her truth! Never once have I seen an expression of frustration in her eyes during her practice. She finds the beauty where she is working in her body, arthritis and all! That is Satya in action!

What does Satya mean to you? Share your thoughts...