What is lying? – Trruthfulness and Yoga

Pantanjali offers us 5 moral disciplines to obtain a harmonious social life. The second one is called Satya and it means truthfulness. But it may not be as simple, as not lying someone in their face. It is to strive to avoid even the smallest misimpression in the mind of the person listening to you. So their picture in their mind needs to match the picture we have in our mind about what we speak. Any difference created on purpose is lying. And if you let this sink in for a moment, it is really not that simple. But beware; speaking your truth should never hurt our first yama – ahimsa -, which means non-violence.

Being truthful to oneself

But speaking the truth is not only relevant in between minds but also within your own. How many lies do we tell ourselves on a daily base? Facing the truth can be challenging, when we really look deep and see how some behavior or thought patterns are just covering up what lies underneath. A simple example, have you said “I do not want to know” when someone brought up a subject that made you feel uncomfortable? Deep inside yourself you knew it is wrong, but out of convenience and programmed mind you avoid facing the truth? Factory farming as an example. Deep inside you, you know it is horrific what is going on for the animal, and our planet. But out of convenience, when you order your next burger, you put the truth aside. Or you know you work way too much, but the illusion of security and money keeps you running and you know deep down that your mental and physical health and relationships are more important, nevertheless they all suffer because you do not face your truth here neither. I am sure you can come up with plenty more examples, on when we are not truthful with ourselves.

How to speak your truth

A great way to practice is awareness. Listen carefully to your thoughts. Your thoughts are becoming your words. My dear teacher Jennifer says: What you think – is what you say – is what you become. So get your booty on your meditation pillow and start observing.

Vishuddha chakra – center of truth and freedom of speech

The throat chakra – Vishuddha – is responsible for truth and freedom of speech. It assists in clarity in communication, which will benefit the matching of the picture in your and their minds. If the 5th chakra is balanced, you are fearless in speaking your truth. Not struggling to tell someone what you really want (again without hurting them).

Different yoga asanas (postures) can help to balance Vishuddha chakra, ask your yoga teacher which ones are suitable for your current level of practice. Think sky blue, visualizing or gazing at the color can help balance it further.