I have a confession. I haven’t read the Yoga Sutras in its entirety. I have only read the Sutras that were assigned to me during my teacher training. When we decided to write about the Sutras in this month’s newsletter, I told myself I would finally read the whole collection.
That’s plenty of time to read it
, I thought optimistically. Instead, I kept returning to that page-turning murder mystery that I just couldn’t put down.
Finally! It’s off my chest and now I feel relief. Satya is the practice of truthfulness, part of the 8 Limbs of Yoga in Sutras 2.29 and 2.30. This I actually did have to study, and I found the 8 Limbs to be a practical guide for how to be a good person to yourself and others.
I would bet that most of us reading this are good people who are honest with ourselves and loved ones, but sometimes we do tell little white lies.
I was stuck in traffic, I didn’t receive that email,
or
I’m not feeling well, so I can’t meet you out tonight
– these are examples of little lies we tell to protect ourselves. How harmful would it be to tell your friend that you need a night to yourself and you are staying in rather than to lie and say you are sick?
Satya should be practiced in a non-harmful way, so be mindful of the way you tell your truths. If telling your boss you hit snooze twenty times and that’s why you’re late will affect your position at work, maybe keep that truth to yourself. Instead, consider talking to your boss and telling them you are feeling a little run down and maybe need a personal day. Give it a try next time you feel like you need to protect yourself. I bet the person on the other end will not judge you and will appreciate your Satya.
With gratitude,
Rae
