I recently had a slightly awkward conversation with someone who told me they believe everyone is entitled to free speech and an opinion, even if that opinion could be harmful to certain groups of people.

And this didn’t quite sit right with me. Especially as someone who has been bullied in the past.

We live in a culture where freedom of speech is held as a core value - it’s something we’ve fought hard to protect, and we can feel deeply fearful of losing. And in our digital age, countless platforms exist that allow us to share our thoughts instantly with hundreds, even thousands, of others. 

Yes, each of us has a voice and we are entitled to speak our truth. We each see the world through our own unique lens, and it’s natural to want to express our views. But what happens when those opinions wound others, or even create the conditions for harm to take place?

This conversation took me back to the heart of yogic philosophy and Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras - particularly the first two Yamas (ethical principles to live by):

✨ Ahimsa - non-violence, non-harming

and

✨ Satya - truthfulness

Ahimsa teaches us to refrain from causing harm or violence to any living being through thought, word, or deed. It asks us to promote compassion and seek harmonious relationships with all forms of life.

Satya teaches us to practice truthfulness, integrity, and authenticity in speech and action, and thus to align what we say and do with our inner truth.

So this is where it gets a little tricky… because truth is always filtered through personal experience, and it calls for deep inner honesty, not just blunt words.

Ultimately, the sutras remind us that ahimsa comes first and “truth” is never an excuse for cruelty.

Words carry weight - we can speak our truth with compassion; or we can wield it like a weapon.

This often raises the question - should we “lie” or stay silent just to keep the peace? Not at all. The invitation is to ask ourselves how we might honour our truth in a way that does not create unnecessary harm.

That, I believe, is the real practice.

It doesn’t mean we’ll always get it right. But it does mean we pause before we speak, soften the sharp edges of our words, and place compassion at the centre of our expression. In this way, we embody both satya and ahimsa.

And perhaps, if more of us practiced this balance in our conversations (with whomever and however we’re engaging) our world might begin to feel a little gentler, a little safer, and a little more human.