Truth, or Satya in Sanskrit is a seemingly clear concept on the surface, yet many aspirants struggle with the question, what is true? As a yama, or behaviour/discipline in the tree of yoga, it is sometimes translated as truthfulness. “Always tell the truth” is a common instruction given to children. Yet sometimes it is imprudent to tell the truth, as in the case of hurting another. This action would put the person in conflict with the first yama, ahmisa or non-harming.
The Indian epic the Mahabarata says “Speak the truth which is pleasant. Do not speak unpleasant truths. Do not lie, even if the lies are pleasing to the ear. That is the eternal law. the dharma.” I like this approach, as I can feel an internal dissonance when I tell a so-called “white lie”. Therefore I find myself sticking to the truth, and when tempted to lie or avoid the whole truth, instead I find a way to say something related to the topic that is pleasant and which is true for me. For instance, one of my friends said recently that she’d lost X number of pounds and had I noticed? I said, “Not really, because I am not looking at you in that way. What you weigh isn’t important to me.” I’m paying more attention to her words and actions and way of being, rather than her appearance. Of course I want her to be a healthy weight, however, I am not primarily focused on that. I could have lied, and that lie would probably have been pleasing to her ear. However, I would know I had lied.
When do you notice you are tempted to tell a white lie or a half-truth? Do you feel an internal conflict or notice any sensations in your body when you do? What about lying to yourself? Or fooling yourself? This is something to consider, and observing ourselves is part of svadhyaya or self-study, which is the subject of another blog post. May the light of awareness and truth bring you clarity and peace.
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