This morning I’m thinking about Truth. How to find it within ourselves, and how to share it appropriately with others.
It’s a tricky thing.
We want to be true to ourselves, AND we don’t want to hurt others. If we choose the path of the former, it’s not guaranteed that the latter will happen.
The idea of FINDING our own Truth is a topic in itself. Because Satya is a Yama (how we connect to the world around us), I want to ground into that relating to others side (while also recognizing that we can never truly disconnect the two).
To do this, I will use the Agreements from the book The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. It outlines basic Toltec wisdom (this ancient culture hails from Mexico), and how it can free us from suffering.
Be impeccable with your word
How are you communicating your truth? Are your words and actions matching with love for others? Are you choosing your words based on Ahimsa?
Don’t take anything personally
When we live a life of Truth, there will be others who struggle with this. This is on them, not on you. Are you doing all you can to approach this with love? Then your job is done.
Don’t make assumptions
SO HARD. We will constantly assume others mean something when they say something. Let it be your Truth, don’t get caught up in a cycle (Samskara) of wondering what someone meant and whether your *Truth* is right because of what someone says.
Always do your best
This is always all we can ever ask. Did you share something with someone that upset them? Think back on your actions. Did you try your best? If yes, sit with that peace. If no, how can you apologize? How can you do better next time?
Thinking in this way is like a muscle that we have to train. In my own growth journey, I have come to learn about this muscle (I was a big "keep everything inside" person). Each day I worked the muscle, it was a challenge. I remember thinking - why is this so hard! When will it work!
For me this took about as long as it’s taking for my hamstrings to stretch out. What we don’t realize is that it’s happening, slowly but surely. Think of the growth of your body, the change in your practice. Then imagine the growth of your own mind - it’s the same thing.
We must normalize training our mind. We must teach our children to train their minds.
Give people the gift of your Truth. Listen to the Truth of others. The world will be a better place with this compassionate honesty.
With Love,
Christina
p.s. share your takeaways, if you feel so moved. Or throw out a question. This can be another space of sharing and love for us.