Satya: The Second Yama

Hello! 

Continuing with my September YOGA MONTH theme of Exploring the Yamas, for our next Monday Morning Meditation class, we'll invite exploration of the second yama, Satya.

Satya is the Sanskrit word for truth. 

So the second yogic principle that guides our actions is truthfulness and honesty. Comparing again to the Ten Commandments, we remember this one: Thou Shalt Not Lie. This is very specific: Don't tell lies. But in yogic philosophy, the principle of honesty and truthfulness is, as was the case with the first yama, non-harming, broader and more complex than simply not telling lies. 

Satya means to be honest and truthful in your thoughts, words, and actions. This means not just speaking the truth, but also living and speaking YOUR truth. Being honest with yourself, and living your life with honesty in every way - by honoring your gifts, in the work you do, in the way you speak to yourself with your thoughts, and to others with your words, and in all of your actions and interactions. 

There is an added dimension to this concept, as the Yamas always ask us to test our behavior against the first and foremost principle - ahimsa or non-harming. So for example, when speaking to another person, we might ask ourselves if the truth we are about to tell them will be harmful to them. This is not always clear cut! In this example, we are being asked to really think before we speak. We are not always required to speak!

In our Monday Morning Meditation class on September 8th, we will be invited to reflect on Satya in our own lives. Join us from 7:30 to 8:00am ET online through The Yoga Sanctuary. The class is complementary and the link to register is here: The Yoga Sanctuary.