lotus flower

lotus flower

Monday, July 11, 2011

The Splendor of SATYA

"Be naked in the splendor of the truth of who you are." ~Gangaji

As we continue on this SACRED JOURNEY with SATYA (and, it truly IS a continuous journey, throughout our entire lives, learning, living, re-discovering our TRUTH, SATYA, INTEGRITY, IMPECCABILITY of our word), I invite us to 're-connect' with Rolf Gates, (the author of MEDITATIONS FROM THE MAT, and the inspiration behind our Yoga Center's Blog) as he states:

"SATYA is about living our truth; it is that simple. There are as many ways to do this as there are people who practice satya, and no one can tell you how you should listen for and find the truth within yourself. It makes sense to talk things over with someone you trust, but the point of the discussion is to come closer to your truth, not to have someone relieve you of the responsibility of discerning your truth. For some of us it is a long road back to our own truth, for we live in a culture in which truth is a rare commodity. Our work environments, home lives, and friendships are often permeated with falsehood. We distrust the slogans of the media, the promises of our leaders, the testimonials of politicians, the declarations of business-people.

Many of us come from families in which appearances are more important than reality. Still others have grown up in upside-down households, in which children took care of parents or were expected to play prescribed roles in order to meet their parents' needs. Elaborate no-talk rules must be deconstructed. Old fears must be released. Habits of silence must be examined. Are we failing to speak the truth out of a desire to protect or care for others? How do we respond to information we know to be untrue? How do we get in touch with what is true and good within ourselves? The list of ways in which we have obscured the truth from ourselves and others is as endless as the suffering such obfuscation produces.

Before we begin this work, it can feel overwhelming. But we are each possessed of an inner compass. When we stand still in the wilderness and take our bearings, we are able to apprehend the truth - about ourselves and the world around us. And once we commence the of practice of SATYA,we will never want to look back. We have only our own suffering to lose. As Plato said, 'Truth is the beginning of every good thing, both in heaven and on earth; and he who would be blessed and happy should be from the first a partaker of truth, for then he can be trusted.'

Over time you will have the pleasure of watching this beautiful practice blossom in your life in a way that is honest and authentic. As you learn to speak the truth, you will learn to be true to yourself, to all that is best in you."

I look forward to savoring more of this journey with satya and you.

Until we meet again,
in Satya,
Lee Ann