8-Limbs of Yoga

Yama (Ethical Disciplines): Guidelines for how we interact with the world around us.

Ahimsa: Non-violence
Satya: Truthfulness
Asteya: Non-stealing
Brahmacharya: Moderation or celibacy
Aparigraha: Non-possessiveness

Niyama (Personal Observances): Self-discipline and spiritual practices.

Saucha: Cleanliness
Santosha: Contentment
Tapas: Discipline
Svadhyaya: Self-study
Ishvara Pranidhana: Surrender to a higher power
Asana (Postures): Physical poses practiced in yoga to prepare the body and mind.

Pranayama (Breath Control): Techniques to regulate energy through breath.

Pratyahara (Withdrawal of the Senses): Turning inward and detaching from external stimuli.

Dharana (Concentration): Focusing the mind on a single point or object.

Dhyana (Meditation): Sustained awareness and contemplation.

Samadhi (Absorption): The state of enlightenment or union with the divine.

Satya (Truthfulness)
Satya, or truthfulness, is about more than just telling the truth. It also involves being honest with ourselves and living in alignment with our core values. They say that you can lie to others, but you can never lie to yourself. Satya calls for integrity in thought, speech, and action. It asks us to balance honesty with kindness, as truth spoken without compassion can cause harm—an idea that ties into the concept of Ahimsa (non-violence).

Metaphor of the Mirror: “Imagine your mind as a clear, still lake. When you live truthfully, the lake remains calm and reflects reality as it is—clear and undistorted. But when you stray from truth, it’s like throwing stones into the lake, creating ripples that distort your reflection, making it hard to see what is real. Living with Satya is about keeping the waters of your mind clear, so you can see yourself and the world as they truly are.

Balancing Truth and Kindness: “In yoga, we aim to speak our truth, but Satya is also about practicing compassion in how we communicate.

In Buddhism it is taught that before you speak, let your words pass through three gates: Is it truthful? Is it kind? Is it necessary?”

Think of it like a flame—truth is the fire that brings light, but without control, it can burn out of control. We must always ask ourselves: Is what I am saying both true and kind? Does it help or harm?”

The Weight of Lies: “Lies and dishonesty are like carrying heavy stones in a backpack. The more we accumulate, the more weighed down we become. But when we practice Satya, we set down those stones, feeling lighter, more authentic, and free.”

Trust

In any relationship, especially a romantic one, honesty and trust form the bedrock upon which everything else is built. When trust is solid, the relationship can withstand the trials of time, distance, misunderstandings, and any other challenges that arise. But when even the smallest crack of doubt is introduced, it disrupts our peace of mind. The soul connection that once felt unbreakable can quickly crumble.

Friedrich Nietzsche captured this sentiment perfectly when he said, “I’m not upset that you lied to me, I’m upset that from now on I can’t believe you.”

It’s not just the lie itself that causes harm; it’s the loss of trust that follows. Once trust is broken, everything changes. We begin to question everything we thought we knew about the other person, and that uncertainty can eat away at the foundation of the relationship.

As I reflect on the fragility of trust, it reminds me of a mirror. Trust takes years to build, but only seconds to break, and like a broken mirror, even if you manage to piece it back together, the cracks will always remain visible. The reflection is never quite the same again.

In the Buddhist teachings, we are encouraged to practice Satya, or truthfulness, in all areas of life. But truthfulness is not just about avoiding lies; it’s about living in a way that fosters trust. It’s about being authentic, even when it’s uncomfortable, and honoring the connections we build by remaining true to our word.

Maya Angelou offers a powerful perspective on this when she says, “I don’t trust people who don’t love themselves and tell me, ‘I love you.’” How can we offer something as precious as love or trust to others when we haven’t cultivated honesty within ourselves? Just as the saying goes, “Be careful when a naked person offers you a shirt,” we must be mindful of those who claim to offer trust and love without first embodying those values in their own lives.

In our practice, we learn that honesty begins with self-awareness. When we align ourselves with truth—both inwardly and outwardly—we become trustworthy to others. And when we embody truthfulness in our relationships, we create a space where love and trust can flourish, free from the cracks of doubt.

Poem – Trust

Trust is the glue that holds you tight, When the world around you seems to be falling apart. It’s the hand that you hold in the dark, When you’re lost and can’t find your mark.

Trust is the light that guides your way, When you’re feeling lost and astray. It’s the warmth that you feel in your soul, When you’re with someone who makes you feel whole.

So cherish the trust that you have found, And let it grow and spread all around. For when trust is strong, love will thrive, And together, you’ll conquer all and survive.

“The beginning of love is the will to let those we love be perfectly themselves, the resolution not to twist them to fit our own image. If in loving them we do not love what they are, but only their potential likeness to ourselves, then we do not love them: we only love the reflection of ourselves we find in them” -Thomas Merton, No Man Is an Island

Topic 2 – Keeping the Chaos Outside

“Mighty ships are built to survive storms, to navigate rough seas, and to explore the vast oceans of our planet. Yet, as strong as these ships are, they don’t sink because of the waters around them; they sink when they allow those stormy waters to get inside. Likewise, we don’t lose our peace because of the chaos around us—we lose it when we allow that chaos to take up residence in our mind.”

In life, especially in today’s fast-paced, noisy world, it can feel like we are constantly surrounded by waves of stress, negativity, and distractions. The outer world may be chaotic, but it is up to us whether we let that chaos enter our minds. According to Buddhist principles, much of our suffering comes not from external events, but from our own reactions to them. The mind is where peace or suffering is created.

One of the techniques to keep that inner calm is to practice mindfulness. Mindfulness teaches us to observe our thoughts and feelings without getting caught up in them. It’s like standing on the shore and watching the waves come in without letting ourselves be swept away. We acknowledge the chaos outside, but we do not invite it in.

Another useful practice is meditation, where we create a refuge of stillness within ourselves. Meditation is like building a strong, stable ship within the mind, one that stays afloat no matter how rough the sea becomes. Each breath becomes an anchor, grounding us, so the outside world cannot pull us down.

The lotus flower offers us another powerful metaphor. The lotus thrives in muddy waters, but it doesn’t let the mud taint its beauty. Its roots are deep in the muck, yet the flower itself rises, pure and untouched. In the same way, we must root ourselves in the present moment, but rise above the negativity, staying clear and grounded in who we are, despite the chaos swirling around us.

Remember, we cannot control the waves of life, but we can control whether or not we let those waves flood our minds. Today, let’s use our practice to strengthen the walls of our inner ship. Through mindfulness, meditation, and self-awareness, we can weather any storm and remain peaceful, no matter how chaotic the outside world may be.

Topic 3 – Sweeping the Mind’s Home

“Imagine a woman sweeping her home every morning, diligent and mindful of keeping it clean. She takes great care to ensure no dust or dirt from the outside world enters her sanctuary. She knows that if she lets even a little dirt in each day, soon her space will no longer feel like home—it will feel cluttered and chaotic, just like the world outside.”

In many ways, our minds are like this home. Each day, the world brings all kinds of ‘dirt’—stress, distractions, worries, and negativity. Just like the woman who sweeps, we need to be vigilant about what we allow into our inner world. The outer chaos will always be there, but it is our responsibility to keep it from entering and taking up residence in our mind.

Buddhist principles teach us the value of mental housekeeping. Through mindfulness, we become aware of the ‘dirt’—those negative thoughts, fears, or anxieties—that try to creep into our minds. Just like the woman with her broom, we must sweep these away as they come, keeping our mental space clean and clear.

The practice of meditation is another form of sweeping. Each time we meditate, it’s like we take a moment to pause, sweep out any thoughts or energies that don’t serve us, and restore peace to our inner sanctuary. We become diligent caretakers of our mind, making sure that nothing from the outside world disrupts our calm.

Remember, just as the woman can’t control the dust and dirt outside her home, we can’t control the chaos of the outer world. But what we can control is how much of it we allow into our inner space. Every time we choose to sweep away the negativity and return to stillness, we are preserving the sanctuary of our mind.

Supportive Quotes:

“Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace.” — Dalai Lama

“Your mind is your sacred space. Keep it clean and clear of negativity.”

“The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts.” — Marcus Aurelius

Mixed Bag

“Relationships are like birds. If you hold tightly, they die. If you hold loosely, they fly. But if you hold with care, they remain with you forever.”– Anonymous

“If you have to play detective, then it’s time to move on.

“When mistrust comes in, loves goes out.”– Irish proverb

“It is a blessed thing to have a friend, one human soul whom we can trust utterly, who knows the best and worst of us, and who loves us in spite of all our defects and imperfections because they can see our light.”– David Scott

“Having trust makes love come alive. Trust isn’t just the basis for a relationship; it’s the lifeblood that keeps a relationship healthy.”– Mira Kirshenbaum

“I understand how vulnerable it feels, putting your heart in someone else’s hands. But, if you don’t, how will you ever truly experience the richness of what true love is? Trust is the glue holding a relationship together.” – David Scott

“Trust takes time and consistency. A key to building trust is being true to your word; saying what you mean and meaning what you say.” – David Scott

We don’t have to agree on anything to be kind to one another.

Be the reason someone smiles today and believes in the goodness of people.

“We often give our enemies the means of our own destruction.” ~Aesop, The Eagle and the Arrow

“Our wounds are often the openings into the best and most beautiful parts of ourselves.” ~David Richo

“Trust the wait. Embrace the uncertainty. Enjoy the beauty of becoming.”

“I’ve had a lot of worries in my life, most of which never happened.” -Mark Twain

Growing can only occur when we are outside of our comfort zone.

“Conditions are never just right. A young bird in a nest, avoiding taking first flight until conditions are just perfect, never learns to fly and succumbs in the nest.” David Scott

“A person must be able to cut a knot, for everything cannot be untied.”

“A door must be shut or a door must be open. We resist burning a bridge from our past, out of insecurities about our future. Have courage and confidence to burn the bridge behind you and use the light from their flames to brighten the paths towards our future.” David Scott

“Decision is sharp knife that cuts clean and straight. Indecision, a dull one that hacks and tears and leaves ragged edges behind.” Gordon Graham

“There isn’t enough room in your mind for both worry and faith. You must decide which one will live there.” ~Sir Robertson

“Our words should be a poem, our actions compose a song and the purpose of our lives is to make ourselves and others dance.” David Scott

“She had not known the weight until she felt the freedom.” ~Nathaniel Hawthorne (The Scarlet Letter)

“At any given moment, you have the power to say: This is not how the story is going to end.” -Christine Mason Miller

“The Tao is always at ease. It overcomes without competing, answers without speaking a word, arrives without being summoned, accomplishes without a plan.” ~Lao-Tsu

“There is no greater wealth in this world than peace of mind.”

“It’s okay to not be okay all the time.”

“Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.” ~Corrie Ten Boom

“Peace is the result of retraining your mind to process life as it is, rather than as you think it should be.” ~Wayne Dyer

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” ~Lao Tzu

“I was never one to patiently pick up broken fragments and glue them together again and tell myself that the mended whole was as good as new. What is broken is broken, and I’d rather remember it as it was at its best than mend it and see the broken pieces as long as I lived.”– Margaret Mitchell