Satya: Living in Truth

Megan H.
Sep 21
3 min read

This is the second in a series exploring the yamas, the ethical foundations of yoga.

Each article looks at one yama through the lens of yoga philosophy and Ayurveda, offering guidance for living with greater balance, clarity, and compassion.

Ahimsa, the first yama, teaches us to soften our edges with compassion, Satya, the second yama, invites us into clarity. Where Ahimsa says, “Do no harm,” Satya says, “Live in truth.” Together, they form the bedrock of an honest and compassionate life.

What Satya Means: “That Which Is”

In Sanskrit, sat means “truth” or “that which is,” and ya means “to uphold.” Satya, therefore, is not just about avoiding lies. It is about aligning ourselves with reality as it is, not as we wish it to be. Yogic philosophy teaches that truth is not a weapon to wield, but a way of being that keeps us in harmony with ourselves, others, and the cosmos.

Satya asks us to see clearly, speak clearly, and act with integrity. It is truth tempered by Ahimsa: honesty delivered with kindness, reality seen without distortion, choices made in alignment with the deepest part of who we are.

Satya Through the Lens of Ayurveda

Ayurveda, the sister science of yoga, reminds us that each being has a unique constitution (prakriti) and that imbalance (vikriti) clouds perception. When the mind is restless, overheated, or heavy with stagnation, we may mistake preference for truth, or project fears and desires onto reality.

Practicing Satya means cultivating clarity in body and mind so that our words and actions arise from balance, not distortion. For example:

Digestive clarity: Just as undigested food creates ama (toxins) in the body, undigested emotions or half-truths create heaviness in the heart. Living in truth requires both clean nourishment and honest self-reflection.
Seasonal rhythm: Ayurveda teaches that when we align with the rhythms of nature—waking, eating, and resting in harmony with the sun and moon—clarity naturally arises. Truth becomes easier to perceive when our daily life is attuned to the larger order of things.
Inner witness: Through meditation, pranayama, and mindful eating, we strengthen the inner witness (sakshi), which discerns truth from illusion.

Satya is a practice of clarity in thought, word, and lifestyle.

Living an Honest Life

To live truthfully is to align our inner and outer worlds:

With ourselves: We honor our needs, limits, and authentic desires, instead of pretending to be what we are not.
With others: We communicate with transparency and courage, not shrinking from difficult conversations but offering truth wrapped in compassion.
With the world: We live simply and sustainably, acknowledging the realities of our interconnection with nature.

Living in truth is not always comfortable. Sometimes, living in Satya means leaving behind habits, roles, or relationships that no longer reflect our deepest values. But when truth is paired with Ahimsa, it becomes a liberating force—freeing us from self-deception and opening us to authentic connection.

Satya: Living in Truth as a Daily Practice

Speak less, listen more: Truth often reveals itself in silence.
Pause before speaking: Ask, Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?
Journal honestly: Writing without filters allows hidden truths to surface.
Align actions with values: Let choices reflect what truly matters to you.
Honor your body: Notice when you push beyond your capacity, and when you need rest, nourishment, or stillness.

The Harmony of Ahimsa and Satya

Ahimsa without Satya can become passive—compassion without clarity. Satya without Ahimsa can become harsh—truth without love. Together, they create a path of courageous honesty and compassionate integrity.

In living Satya, we learn to honor “that which is,” both within ourselves and in the world around us. And in doing so, we create space for a life that is both authentic and kind—a life where truth becomes the foundation for freedom.

"Three things can not be long hidden; the sun, the moon and the truth." - Buddha

Lets talk tomorrow about the third Yama: Asteya (non-stealing).

Love, Meg