Satya teaches us to speak the truth in a spirit of benevolence, weighing our words against the feelings of others. How kindly truthfulness differs from the mere stating of facts (rta), with examples and a practical assignment.
Relying on the strength of the spirit. A commitment to kindly truthfulness.
There is an essential difference between simply telling the truth and telling the truth benevolently. Stating the facts is called rta in Sanskrit. Satya, in turn, means a commitment to kindly truthfulness. This principle rests on using speech and intellect in a spirit of benevolence.
The point is that rta, the stating of facts, can become a cause of degradation, suffering or loss of inspiration. We should try to present accurate information carefully and kindly, first thinking about the consequences of simply handing out the facts.
Satya in examples
1. Say a person receives a letter about the death of a close relative and has to tell their mother about it. Following rta, one would tell her everything at once. This could have negative consequences for the mother's health. But following satya, the right thing is to prepare her by saying that grandfather lived a good, long life but had been ill lately. In this way the mother's mind gradually attunes itself to the unpleasant truth, and after that one can speak of what has happened.
2. Here is another example. A person makes some mistake. You could tell them very harshly how badly they acted and what it led to, and so take away their motivation for anything they undertake. But you can act differently. For example, praise the person for their efforts and suggest, more gently, other ways to do things better.
Of course, there is no universal recipe for exactly how to follow satya, because we always have to take into account the place, the time and the person. In every situation we will have to act differently, but in a spirit of true love. The main idea of satya is to support, inspire and help a person. Mere adherence to facts can be harmful.
3. The next situation shows the flexibility of the principle of satya. Suppose someone is fleeing from pursuers and takes refuge in your house. The pursuers run into your house with weapons in their hands and ask where this person is. If you follow the principle of rta, you will give them away — for example, by saying that the person is hiding in your closet. In that case you will become an accomplice in the killing of this person.
Following the principle of satya, you must help the person save their life, even if you have to distort the facts. For example, you tell the pursuers that the person ran past your house toward some neighborhood.
But this does not mean that it is all right to deceive, because changing the truth out of selfish interest is a violation of satya. If, however, you are moved by love and wisdom, then the untruth you speak loses its sinfulness and becomes satya.
Following the principle
Following the principle of satya develops honesty with oneself. The energy of benevolence pervades a person's thoughts, words and actions, because there is strength in truth. This frees us from pessimism and from inferiority and superiority complexes. The mind stays more and more in an even state. An understanding comes that we are all one whole and should treat everyone with equal love.
This principle also calms the restlessness of the mind, and a person begins to speak less, but sincerely and kindly. This helps conserve mental energy. When a person says only what is really important, they are able to lead people.
In essence, such people are our saints, prophets and the great teachers of humanity. They lived long ago — two, three, five thousand years ago — yet we still benefit from their teachings, actions and deeds and draw inspiration from their lives!
And there is one reason for this: in the spiritual sphere there is boundless strength. Without kindly truthfulness it is impossible to gain access to these resources. We need to be honest within, and then we will surely be able to inspire everyone else!
Assignment
- Cultivate honesty in your thoughts. This means being able to call things by their names and not trying to justify yourself. Don't call black white or white black.
- Before you say or write something, ask yourself: will what I say or write contribute to the welfare of others and to my own? Welfare means progress on the physical, mental and spiritual levels. Welfare means, first of all, developing a harmonious relationship with the supreme reality.
- Cultivate inspiring speech and avoid unconstructive criticism, which creates painful feelings in the mind. Criticism should be put in the right form, so that in the end it encourages and helps progress.