Align with truth
When you contemplate the word “truth”, what comes to mind? Do you think about telling the truth? Does truth mean authenticity to you? Is it a value you hold at your core for both the search for your true nature and for the way you interact with the world? In our pursuit of self-actualization, establishing a solid relationship with truth is foundational. When we reference Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, we see that it includes five yamas, or guidelines, for how we relate to the external world. The second yama is satya, which means truthfulness. But, practicing satya is so much more than just speaking facts. It’s about connecting with that which is true and aligning your intentions, words, and actions with that.
In this world of evolution, of change, of impermanence, it is important to form a relationship with that which does not change. There are certain truths that are everlasting: love, bliss, and your true nature. But, how do you connect to your true nature? And then, how do you use that relationship to live in truth? Here are a few steps for identifying with truth and living in that space more frequently:
Identify your core values
I mention this practice a lot because it forms the basis for how you live your life. Isn’t that important?! Write a list of every value you can think of, then choose the five that mean the most to you. Is it connection? Community? Integrity? Compassion? Play? Intelligence? Service? What values are paramount to you?
Be honest with yourself
Reflect on your actions. Every evening, ask yourself, “Did I act in alignment with my values?” Take an honest inventory of your behaviors throughout the day. Your life will feel more purposeful, more impactful, and more honest if you act in alignment with your values. Remember what Polonius says in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet: “To thine own self be true.” Cut through the B.S. Do away with the stories you tell yourself, the labels you over identify with, and the emotions that will eventually pass through you.
Speak truthfully
You might have heard the following wisdom, which has been attributed to several sources including Rumi, other Sufi poets, and Bernard Meltzer. I couldn’t get to the bottom of this, but I do know that these gates of speech are so important to remember: “Before you speak, let your words pass through 3 gates: Is it kind? Is it necessary? Is it true?” Speaking truthfully does not mean that you speak without thinking. It’s not about being brutally honest. We have to balance this yama with the others, including ahimsa, or non-violence.
Consider your relationship with truth on all levels. That is part of the satya practice, which will help you elevate your inner game.