Satya - Truthfulness

Dedication to truthfulness gives our thoughts, words and actions power to manifest                                                            The Yoga Sutra 2.36, interpretation by Nischala Joy Devi

Dakini is the carrier of the ever pure intelligence.  She enables the Yogi to acquire knowledge of Tattva (that-ness, Supreme Reality or Truth)                            Harish Johari

 
Truth is not our opinion. Opinions, likes, dislikes etc. are all constructed by the narrative of our minds.  For many, the benefit of practicing yoga is to see the world as it really is, without the conditioning of the mind.  So when the Sutras invite us to cultivate the attitude of truthfulness in our dealings with the external world, they are not necessarily inviting us to share our opinion about our partners cooking, etc.

Instead we are being invited to share our own unique truth of the essence of who we are with the world.  The insecurities of the Muladhara chakra which can manifest as anger, greed, delusion, obsessions with material security, etc. can block our access to this truth.  Opinion (as opposed to truth) is often grounded in fear or insecurity and can actually block us from the truth.  Truth, on the other hand always connects us to love. 

Dakini is helpful here as she is the dispeller of fear and ignorance, it is her that helps us wake up to the truth, and this is why she is acknowledged here in the base Chakra.  I have offered optional reflective questions with this week’s asana practice so you can tap into her wisdom with the practice. The practice also invites you to use other tools, such as chanting and symbolism. Remember we are building on our practice, recall (or revisit) the previous weeks practices on the yoga tradition, honouring Dakini, strength and courage and on nonviolence (ahimsa) and also bring these qualities into this practice exploration of your truth.

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