Living Your Truth
A silhouette of a person on a swing near water with long hair flying and the sun shining .
Satya is translated as Truth. I like to think of Satya as the kind of truth that you only know by listening to your inner voice. What is right and true, even when difficult? We often know the unspoken truths, but we sometimes ignore them when they’re too hard. Examples of these hard truths are staying in a job that’s no longer fulfilling, or ignoring the pain in your back because you want to believe it isn’t serious even when you know it is.
Truth also shows up around authenticity. The authenticity that comes when we are true to ourselves shines through with a different kind of weight. Sometimes we will mask our true, authentic self, and instead show the ‘self’ that is more acceptable certain groups of people. Holding back our Truth in this way may seem easier, but causes exhaustion and harm in the long term, Thus, by holding back our authentic self we neither honor Truth or Non-Harming (Ahimsa).
Satya has a very intimate relationship with Ahimsa, and we need to consider both together in many situations. The truth you tell a child about his artwork is different than the truth you tell a family member who once again asks to borrow money--one is encouraging, the other is enabling. When you come from non-harming, truth in every situation becomes clearer.
Integrity makes up part of our truth to it as well. When you commit to doing something, do you mean it? Do you follow through? How about when it comes to commitments to yourself? Sometimes we tell ourselves we are going to do an uncomfortable thing, and then procrastinate or don’t do it at all. How does that feel? Instead, try only committing to things you will actually do, and then delegate or drop the other things to stand firmly in your Truth.
As our lives change and grow, so does our truth. I once could eat all the sweets I wanted, that was my truth as a child. But now, eating too many sweets happens to be the fastest way for me to feel disgustingly ill. Sure, my body changed, but with it, my truth. The “sweets” idea can apply to beliefs about ourselves and others as well. Notice if you are clinging to a deep-seeded “truth” that no longer serves you. Perhaps it’s time to allow for the next truth to spring forth.
Each of us brings a unique blend of who we are into this world. We are meant to express ourselves without being stifled. We could unabashedly throw ourselves into this world and live the life that brings us joy, if it wasn’t so scary seemingly dangerous. Love and joy feed the spirit like oxygen feeds the cells. Break out of the boring safe haven and sing your song unto this world. It’s what you were born to do!