Satya, or truthfulness, is the second yama of the eight limbs of yoga.
The intention behind this yama (restraint) is to have truthful thoughts, words and actions so that we can live honestly and in harmony with ourselves and others.
We don’t want to use truthfulness to cause harm. Equally, we don’t want to withhold the truth if that could make something worse.
We think, speak or act based on how we feel at a certain moment. But we are not our emotions. Our moods and emotions are constantly changing. So is this the exact truth at that moment? What else can be true? Why else could that person have acted that way? We still want to allow ourselves to feel our emotions; we don't need to bottle them up. But we should try not to let them control our thoughts and actions. By observing our thoughts and feelings, we will start to notice if what we're experiencing is true or if it's being swayed by our current state of mind. It will then help us to make truthful decisions rather than irrational ones based on temporary thoughts and emotions.
How can you incorporate satya into your daily life?
Be truthful with your goals. Understand why you do things. Is there a driving purpose behind it? Do things because you want to and not because they're what you think others expect of you. Acknowledge and accept your current limits, but keep in mind that you are capable of pushing beyond them. This will allow you to prioritise what's important to you and keep you motivated to see things through.
Be truthful about who you are. You don't need to be ashamed for being you or being different. By being yourself, you will find your people and can surround yourself with those who are like-minded and those who will love you for who you are.
Practise self-reflections on your past words, thoughts and actions to learn from them and grow. Notice how you felt at the time, your immediate reaction, and how you feel about the situation now. This will help you to be more mindful of your future decisions.
Observe how you feel when you're calm and peaceful, so that you can utilise satya more effectively when faced with a challenge.
What about satya and yoga?
A great way to practise satya during a yoga class is to be honest about what your body can do today. I know it can be difficult, but try not to let your ego lead the way. Perhaps you may not be able to balance as well as you could last week, or you're being fidgety during savasana. Allow yourself to just observe. Notice how your body feels: are any parts of your body tense, especially your jaw? Notice your breath: is it short and fast or slow and relaxed? Allow your thoughts to float in and out of your mind without judgement.
Just like our emotions are constantly changing, our body is also constantly changing. Some days we'll find things easier; somedays, harder. And that’s ok. It would be fantastic if things went perfectly all the time. But since they don't, let's take advantage of the challenge and use it as the perfect opportunity to practise truthfulness.
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