Today I'd like to continue my series on some of the philosophy of yoga. Practicing only the physical part of yoga (asana) leaves out so much of the good stuff, so it's important to occasionally take a step back and reexamine yoga as a whole. Luckily, there is quite a bit of literature and ancient texts that do just that.
So in my last post on the Sutras, I began going through the Yamas, which are the basic moral guidelines for relating to others. Next up is Satya, which roughly translates as "truthfulness." Seems pretty self-explanatory, right? Being truthful with others seems like a fairly obvious guideline to practice. However, there are some nuances worth examining.
Firstly, it is importance to recognize that Satya refers to truth as it relates to our highest selves. So what that DOESN'T mean is brutal honestly. It is essential to use our understanding of Ahimsa (non-violence; do no harm) into our interpretation of Satya. We must be conscious of the impact of our words and truth-telling.
As my yoga practice has grown over the years, I have come to the understanding that being authentic and entirely genuine in my interactions with others is essential to my feelings of happiness and fulfillment. It is so important to truly understand our own deepest needs and desires and be able to communicate those needs; being truthful with ourselves first paves the way for greater honestly in our interactions with others. Listening for the whispers of TRUE SELF that we can hear sometimes, when we are still and quiet or in meditation, becomes easier when we act in a way that is an authentic representation of the true self.
In physical practice, Satya is essential in understanding what we need from asana on any given day. Recognizing and being honest with ourselves when we need more of a gentle, restorative practice- rather than just pushing through intense asanas anyway- will yield a much greater satisfaction and fulfillment from the practice.
"It is only when we silence the blaring sounds of our everyday existence that we can finally hear the whispers of truth that life reveals to us, as it stands, knocking on the doorsteps of our hearts."
-K.T. Jong
Live every day as your most authentic Self. Speak your truth. Practice radical honesty with yourself and others- see what happens!
Xx Rebecca
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