Finding and Living in our Truths
Using the 8 Limbs of Yoga as a guide to inner wisdom
Satya means truthfulness and is the second Yama of the 8 Limbs of Yoga. If you are unfamiliar with this philosophy of the Yoga Sutras, go here and here for the first two articles in this series which go into further background and detail.
Ever since we were small children our parents told us to tell the truth. Truthfulness is a virtue that I think most of us aspire to. But as we all know, it’s a fine line to walk. How much of the truth to tell? What if it hurts another person? Maybe that is why Ahimsa (non-harming) is the first Yama. Life longs to be in balance but …
Life isn’t linear, clear or clean. It’s messy and confusing. What’s true for one isn’t always (often) true for another.
Honesty with self is a stepping stone to honesty with others. The first syllable of Satya, ‘sat’ means true essence or true nature, which points to our innate being-ness. Satya reminds us to tell the truth and live in our truths. And the second one might be the hardest. It requires us to go within and listen. It requires us to get quiet. With ever-changing thoughts, moods and emotions, how do we find the silent truth within us?
Prayer. Talk to God, Source, the higher power in which you believe. It is a concrete action you can take to begin to make things clear. What is your deepest desire? How do you want to live? Maybe start with something small that is bothering you and ask for resolve, but don’t get too attached to an outcome. Ask and then listen …
Meditation. While prayer is talking, meditation is listening. There are many types of meditations. In the simplest terms, just get quiet. Notice the inner voices and dialogue. Chances are some will feel good and others bad. Listen to the good voices, the ones that resonate deeply, and sort the truth out from there. Also listen for fear. How often does it comes up? A larger truth may be behind it. Listen to your mind and your body, and remember you are not your thoughts. You are the watcher of your thoughts …
Observation. Part of meditation is learning to be an observer. Watch thoughts without getting caught up in them. It’s harder than it sounds but gets easier with practice. All emotions are fleeting — often not true and easily changeable, perhaps you’ll notice that life isn’t so complicated after all. It’s only the mind that makes it so.
Talk therapy. Can’t get it all straight in your head? Me either! Talk to a respected friend, a therapist or life coach. Having another person’s perspective can sometimes make things clear, or at least give you other things to consider.
Body therapy. I’m a huge fan of body work of all kinds. Massage, acupuncture, Bowen work and other hands-on-body methods can move accumulated stuff (emotions, trauma, etc.) from the tissues. Consider working with a knowledgeable yoga teacher who can help you go deeper into felt sensations of the body, and might provide insight into your truth too. The mind is tricky but the body never lies. Get quiet and listen — both to your mind and your body to discover your highest truth.
What’s good for you is good for all. Stay true to Self and give permission for others to do the same. Our truths are as primal as the earth we walk upon. Like Buddha said,
Three things cannot long be hidden, the sun the moon and the truth.
Stop ignoring, hiding, living in the darkness and the doubt. Choose differently and shine! The world is waiting.
Thanks for reading. Did you enjoy? Please tap the 💚 to recommend it to others. Namaste …
ABOUT & OFFERINGS
Hi! I’m Heather, a writer and yoga educator from SE Ohio. I share daily-ish here as part of my spiritual practice, and am working on my first book, Yoga Prayers. Download the first 25 pages, A Prelude to Yoga Prayers, for a brief introduction into yoga history and philosophy — and let me know what you think!
