4 Ways to Practice Satya This Week
SATYA (NON-LYING) YOGA CHALLENGE
Last week, 95 people joined me in a Sattya Challenge, to vow not to tell a single lie all week, and to try to be open and honest in all of our communications.
Satya means truthfulness or non-lying in Sanskrit, and it’s the second yama (yogic restraint). Lies of omission, lies of convenience, embellishing the truth… these are all things we can work on overcoming.
Here are some ways we experienced Sattya last week, that you can start applying to your life as well:
- Own Up to Your Mistakes
For many of us, the desire to “lie” arises from a self-protective place. If we overslept and came in late to work, for example, it would be tempting to lie and say you had a flat tire, to make yourself appear more responsible. In fact, the responsible thing to do is to admit your mistake and apologize sincerely. A number of us noted how we felt lighter and more free by just telling the truth and owning up to our mistakes.
- Differentiate Between “Your Opinion” and “The Truth”
Sattya takes a certain amount of self-reflection to determine if what you are saying is actually true, or is just a reflection of your own perspective. This is a very important distinction! Our egos often want to express our personal opinions as if they are the ultimate truth, but this is not satya. So if your friend asks you if they look good in that dress, you can tell them your opinion–but make sure they know it is just that, an opinion and someone else may feel differently.
- Allow Yourself to Share Deep Truths with Others
To deepen our satya, we can also allow ourselves to share deeper, hidden truths about ourselves. Aubrey Marcus last week wrote:
“Truth expressed is medicine. Truth withheld is poison. It doesn’t mean that the medicine of truth might not be a little bitter on the way out. It might be a little jolting or even revolting at first for those who see it. Before you release your truth, it might feel like you are so nauseous that you don’t know if you are going to make it. Then you purge into the proverbial bucket. And you realize it always feels better on the other side of that purge.”
- “Speak Sweetly,” Without Intention to Harm
A. G. Mohan, a long-time student of Krishnamacharya, says that we should “speak the truth, but speak sweetly. Do not speak the truth with the intention to cause harm, and do not lie for gain.” Krishnamachary’as own son, TKV Desikachar, also said that “A true statement is not satya if it is not appropriate.”
Again, this is where self-reflection plays a big role in Satya. We should ask ourselves, “WHY” do I feel the need to share this truth? Is it to bring greater love and kindness into the world, or is to cause harm?
Satya and the Throat Chakra
Our throat chakras regulate our communication and expression. When we have nice open throat chakras, we find it easier to express our truths. Some ways to open the throat chakra are to sing, to practice public speaking, and to stand up for others.
In one story, Shiva saved the world by drinking a poison that arose from the sea–it turned his throat permanently blue, but his act of courage helped all of humanity. Your throat chakra has the same power to help others–to create a kinder, more loving world, rooted in truth.
Last week was the second week of the Yoga Philosophy Weekly Challenge, where we go through one yama and niyama each week, challenging ourselves to weave those principles into our lives in specific ways.
At the end of each week, I’ll provide a little recap of what we experienced as a group here. To be ahead of the curve, sign up to join the weekly challenge here!
Or join The Gods of Yoga teacher training in Bali!