The Yamas series - Satya
The second of the yamas, satya, goes very much hand in hand with ahimsa. Truthfulness should be kind, and to not be truthful is hurtful either to yourself or others. Last time I wrote about how my challenge with ahimsa is my own internal monologue, or self talk. Well, satya gives an opportunity to continue how I work with myself on this in two ways - firstly when it comes to any negative cycle of thoughts - what’s true, what’s not true, as well as what’s kind, would you speak to your closest friend the way you speak to yourself? Secondly am I being truthful with myself? If there’s something I’m putting off doing, what’s the reasoning behind it? And can satya help me address my blocks and move forward? Am I being honest and authentic in myself, and in my dealings with others.
Recently I’ve been working on a job application and as the deadline got closer I was finding myself feeling less and less confident to the point I was reluctant to submit it. Rather than tell myself that ‘that’s ok, maybe it’s not the right opportunity for you, don’t do it if you don’t want to,’ I closed the laptop and gave myself space to sit and examine the truth. What was putting me off submitting? Did I really think it wasn’t the right role for me? Did I think I wouldn’t enjoy it? Maybe I didn’t have the experience? Did it allow me a way of working that I can honour my work/life balance. What I uncovered was a fear of rejection - I didn’t want to submit because I didn’t want to be disappointed if I didn’t get shortlisted. Allowing myself that space to consider my truth meant I didn’t deny myself an opportunity to grow. By thinking I was protecting myself from harm (disappointment) I was potentially causing harm by not acting. I submitted the application and I have been invited for an interview! I’ll come back to this example later as it touches on a few other yama and niyama - they’re all connected.
I think the biggest thing I’ve learnt in considering satya, is that when I’m under stress and there’s a lot going on, putting a brave face on things so my family and friends don’t worry about me maybe isn’t the best approach. For one thing, it actually doesn’t really stop them worrying and maybe even worries them more if they sense I’m holding back. By admitting both to myself and to others I have days when I feel lonely, that I find it frustrating that I haven’t been able to relocate to Wales as planned, that sometimes it feels like I can’t move on and start working in the way I want yet, has meant that I could connect with that feeling rather than pushing it to one side. By connecting with the feelings I can then examine them rather than be overwhelmed by them. I feel better and more in control by being honest with myself and I feel closer to my family and friends by opening up.
Next time, I’ll focus on Asteya - non-stealing, or acting with generosity.
More information
Deborah Adele (2009), The Yamas and Niyamas, Exploring Yoga’s Ethical Practice
Rachel Bonkirk (2020), Flex your mind, 10 powerful Yoga principles for less stress in a busy world.