Practicing ahimsa (non-harming) slows me down. In a good way. I’m not usually malicious, either with others or by being too aggressive with my practice. When I cause harm, it is usually bumbling.

I had to slow down and listen for every cue.

Listening, really paying attention, is an obvious requirement for doing pretty much anything well, but too often I plough ahead, thinking I understand. Oops. Then, the trouble I cause must be my teacher. That teacher always tells me to listen better.

Slowing down will certainly help the next step: satya, or truthfulness.

This week, really consider and observe satya in you life. What is honesty? Not lying, certainly. Not misleading others in any way. Do you ever violate that? When? And what is honesty in our practice and with ourselves? Is satya relevant in personal practice?

The Sutras say that for a person firmly established in satya, everything they say will come true. What do you think of that? As you practice, observe yourself through the lens of satya. Do you learn anything new about your habits?

Homework

Practice a standing vinyasa with particular attention to maintaining integrity in the spine and torso: trikonasana to ardha chandrasana to virabhadrasana 3