Every moral code includes truthfulness. In yoga, truthfulness— satya in Sanskrit—is the second yama. Satya is not a simple matter of not telling a lie. It requires authenticity.
Why is truth so important, and what exactly does it mean to be truthful?
Healthy relationships are based on authenticity. We cannot be authentic without being honest about what we want. Authenticity also means being honest about what we can and can’t do. So truth in yoga is a bit different—a bit more—than stating facts.
Think about what happens when we’re not truthful about what we want or need or when others are not truthful with us.
Why Authenticity Can Be Scary
Suppose someone asks you for something you don’t feel able to provide. You may be afraid to say no because you don’t want to offend, hurt, or anger the person. Taking care not to offend or hurt another person is valid, but relationships are two-way streets.
Pretending to be able or willing to do something when it’s not the truth hurts you. And you matter. If someone is unable to accept your limitations, it maybe be time to focus on relationships built around authenticity instead.
We might struggle to be authentic because we feel insecure and worry what others may think of us if they know the truth about our limitations.
What is the truth in yoga?
Years ago, I went to a lecture at a local bookstore. The lecture was titled “Radical Honesty.” The presenter, who wrote a book on the topic, believed we need to tell the truth 100 percent of the time. For example, this man suggested, if someone is wearing an outfit you think is ugly, you should say so!
Really? What purpose would that serve? Always speaking your mind is different from being truthful, unless being mean and hurtful is part of your truth.
But what if someone asks you a direct question, and you know your answer is not what the person wants to hear? In that case, it helps to be tactful. (“You look fine” is a legitimate response.)
Risking Authenticity
True authenticity means being honest with ourselves as well as others. Often, when we do risk speaking the truth, the consequences we fear don’t happen.
Do you agree to do more than your share of a project because you fear confrontation if you stand up for yourself? Are you spending social time with people you don’t really like, maybe people who don’t allow you to be yourself? Ask yourself why you’re doing this. Perhaps the idea of not liking someone makes you so uncomfortable you can’t admit it’s true.
Taking time to reflect before responding can help. If we’re leaning toward a response to a request or question, we need to be sure we’re not hiding a deeper truth.
Satya and Ahimsa
For a yogi practicing satya, authenticity is closely related to kindness and nonviolence. In fact, as we’ll learn, all five yamas (the ethical principles of yoga) are interconnected.
When you’re thinking about where to draw the line with truthfulness, remember to be kind! If being “honest” will do nothing other than hurt someone, it serves no purpose. If it makes a relationship more genuine, it may be worth the risk.
An important aspect of satya is alignment between what we believe to be true, what we say, and what we do. How many times have you heard he means well? Is it enough to simply have an intention (thought), or must we also act on that intention?
In The Path of the Yoga Sutras, Nicolai Bachman explains satya as alignment between thought, word, and deed. If we think—or believe—something is true but do not communicate or practice our belief, we are not practicing satya.
Similarly, if our words and actions are not based on an internal knowing, we are not being truthful. If we say one thing but do another or do something we said we would not do, we are not practicing satya. If we don’t check facts before we speak about someone or pretend to know something, we are not being truthful.
And if we are not truthful, we cannot be our authentic selves.
When do you struggle with truthfulness or authenticity? Share your thoughts!
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Hi, I’m Maria. I created Yoga Circles for you if you want to delve more deeply into the philosophy, practice, and life-changing effects of yoga. I’m also a writer and editor who helps small business owners, wellness professionals, teachers, and authors publish books, develop marketing strategies, and connect with readers, clients, and students. Visit my website (link below) for more about that. I’d love to hear from you!