The second Yama: Satya,Truth or truthfulness

December 17,2007

The second Yama or ethical retraint is Satya, which means Truth or truthfulness. To live in Satya, we must be interested in what is True. Finding out what is really True about the nature of existence demands a lot of deep soul-searching and help and guidance from others who have charted the territory.

There is a new age concept that "we all have our own Truth". I think this is perhaps misuse of the word Truth. We do all have our own value systems, conditionings and beliefs but Truth is much more fundamental. "The world is flat" is a belief. "The world is round" is true. That's an easy one. Take Darwin's theory of evolution versus the book of Genesis. Then it becomes more challenging.

When anyone has a spiritual revelation, it is said that the Truth is revealed, the doors of perception open, the veil of Maya (illusion) is lifted. What is commonly experienced is the true nature of the Universe or the fact of Cosmic Unity. One realizes that there is only one Consciousness, and we are all inseperable, interconnected parts of it. In this moment of realization one sees the ultimate Truth, one wakes up out of the slumber of an imagined separate sense of self. So knowing the ultimate Truth is no small thing. It means the end of egocentric living. It is a radical shift. Great yogis, like Buddha and Jesus awoke to this Truth and lived their lives accordingly.

Finding out what the truth is in any given situation, asks for clarity and simplicity and the renunciation of self-interest. So often we are interested in seeing things how we want to see them, or how other people have told us to see them, rather than how they really are.

Satya also means being truthful. Being truthful means to be open and to never engage in pretense. We habitually hide behind masks and play manipulative games with others. Practicing Satya is about being vulnerable and transparent. In terms of honesty this doesn't mean that we should just blurt out everything on our mind, like, for instance, telling someone that we really hate their new haircut. Certain things are better left unsaid. And we have to also bear Ahimsa(non-harming) in mind. But we want to attempt to be real and vulnerable with others around and demonstrate refreshing integrity and openness. When we have recognized the interconnectedness of all beings, and the fact that we are all the same; all struggling with the human condition; all struggling to evolve, then we cease to defend and protect our own egos and transparency and vulnerability become more natural.

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