Satya: The Path of Truthfulness in Thought, Word, and Deed

Recurring theme spoiler alert: Satya fosters openness & empathy - how our world NEEDS more openness and empathy!!

Satya (सत्य), one of the key principles in Yoga philosophy, derived from the root 'sat,' means truth, reality, or existence. The earliest known mention of Satya is in the ancient Rigveda (10.85.1), composed around 1500-1200 BCE, discussing the cosmic order (Rta). Satya represents the ultimate reality, the truth of existence, and the moral and spiritual law one must follow. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (YS 2.36), composed around 400 CE, later elaborates it as the second of the five Yamas (codes of restraint). Although often translated simply as 'truthfulness,' Satya encompasses much more - it represents a commitment to truth in thought, word, and deed - a true dedication to seeking the truth, living it, and expressing it. Living it means honest communication and actions, both of which are fundamental to building healthy relationships and communities.

The Many Facets of Truth

Implementing Satya into your life involves aligning yourself with what is "real" and genuine at every level of your being. It is about being true to oneself, recognizing one's biases, limiting beliefs, and being open to different perspectives. This openness is particularly important in a world where strong opinions and polarized viewpoints often dominate conversations.

Understanding Personal Truths

Our 'personal truths' are shaped by our unique experiences, education, skills, strengths, and challenges, cultural and social influences - meaning what we perceive as 'truth' may differ from what others perceive. Recognizing this is key to practicing Satya, as it fosters empathy, openness, and a willingness to engage with different perspectives. It also helps us question and confront the 'untruths' we may unconsciously hold onto – our biases, misconceptions, and limiting beliefs. To overcome these untruths, we can self-reflect, question our beliefs, and be open to change. This process of self-inquiry and self-honesty is essential for spiritual growth and self-realization.

Universal Truths and Satya

The 'nature' of truth is complex, especially when discussing the concept of 'universal truth' - that is, truths acknowledged by all human beings. These include the fact that change is inevitable, death is certain, the transient nature of our physical bodies (even for those aging "well"), and suffering is a part of life. These truths are fundamental to the human experience and can serve as a common ground for understanding and empathy. Acknowledging and accepting these universal truths is essential to practicing Satya, as it involves aligning oneself with what is "real" and genuine at every level of our being and fosters empathy and openness, leading to healthier relationships and communities by promoting a shared understanding of the human experience.

The Philosophical Landscape of Yoga and Satya

As a student of Yoga, one encounters various lineages, teachings, and philosophies. Scholarship is a requirement in this process of self-realization within the path of Yoga, and coming across different viewpoints is inevitable. For example, the Samkhya philosophy of Yoga emphasizes the dualism between the material (Prakriti) and the spiritual (Purusha), while Advaita Vedanta posits that there is no distinction between the individual soul (Atman) and the universal soul (Brahman). Both claim their view of the question of self/soul is a Universal truth. Both philosophies address the illusion of our material existence but approach and explain this illusion and the ultimate nature of reality differently. Each philosophy posits its viewpoint as the 'Truth,' which, for its followers, is a necessary belief to engage with, and practice the teachings genuinely. The concept of differing 'truths' is not unique to Eastern philosophies. The three Abrahamic religions - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam - each have their interpretations of the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. For devotees of each tradition, adhering to their interpretation is a matter of integrity and faithfulness, this is not considered 'untruth'; rather, the untruth lies in the insistence that one group's truth is the ultimate truth - to the exclusion of all others – this conflicts with the principle of Satya. It is important to approach these differing perspectives with an open mind and a respectful attitude, recognizing that what one perceives as 'truth' may differ from the perceptions of others and this does not make one perspective more valid than another.

In Yoga philosophy studies, it is not uncommon for practitioners to find resonances between different philosophical systems as they deepen their understanding and practice of Satya.

Living Satya in Daily Life

Cultivating more Satya in one's life involves additions and subtractions and much self-study along the way. We must ask ourselves, "am I being truthful with myself and others?" Here is a step-by-step guide to help you cultivate Satya in your daily existence in 4 distinct stages:

1. Speak Truthfully

The first step in cultivating Satya is to commit to speaking truthfully and being honest in your communication with others and yourself. It's essential to become aware of any 'white lies' or exaggerations that you might habitually use and consciously choose to speak the truth instead.

2. Drop the Pretenses

The next step is to let go of any pretenses or facades you might be holding onto; this involves being genuine and authentic in all aspects of your life, including your interactions with others. It means letting go of the need to appear perfect, knowledgeable, or infallible and, instead, embracing vulnerability, acknowledging your limitations, and being open and honest about your feelings and experiences.

3. Let Go of Strong Opinions

Holding onto strong opinions leads to a distortion of the truth. It's important to approach conversations and situations with an open mind and a willingness to see different perspectives. Furthermore, it is crucial to cultivate an awareness of the power of one's opinions and the potential divisiveness they may cause. Often, our beliefs and opinions are so deeply ingrained that we perceive them as absolute truths. This can lead to misunderstandings, conflicts, and an inability to fully embrace Satya. It is essential to question these deeply held beliefs and be open to the possibility that there may be other valid perspectives.

4. Speak Seldom and Carefully

This step involves being mindful of when and how you speak. It's about choosing your words carefully and considering their impact on others. Remember, words have power; they can heal, hurt, inspire, or discourage. Practicing Satya requires us to be fully present in our conversations, to listen actively, and to speak with intention and compassion. It also involves recognizing when it is necessary to speak up and when it is better to remain silent. Sometimes, the most truthful act is to listen deeply without immediately reacting or responding. At other times the most truthful act for us is to grab a bullhorn and make sure your voice is heard.

RECAP
Practicing Satya daily involves being honest with oneself and others but also requires discernment. It is important to consider the impact of one's words and actions on others. Sometimes, speaking the truth may cause harm or distress, and in such situations, one must weigh the importance of truth against the principle of ahimsa (non-violence); hence the adage "if you don't have anything nice to say (or productive to contribute) don't say anything at all." The ultimate goal of Satya's philosophies, views, and practice is to lead one to openness and empathy, for self-realization, in order to experience liberation (moksha- mokṣa - मोक्ष) -- different paths lead to the same summit.

May your path be clear, and may Satya guide your thoughts, words, and actions on your journey. So much loving kindness to all!