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must speak in the language of illusion.

The Hindu and yogic Yama and Niyama are among the most sophisticated and complete codes of conduct that have ever been devised. These guidelines, and others like them, can help us to be the spark of light and truth that we are amid maya, the world of illusion. Yama refers to external behavior: right action. Niyama refers to disciplines that create and restore balance, integrity, and wholeness within. Among the practices of yama: ahimsa (non-harm), satya (truthfulness), brahmacharya (moderation), aparigraha (detachment); and niyama: shaoca (purity), santosa (contentment), tapas (self-discipline), svadhyaya (mindfulness), and ishvara pranidhana (spiritual devotion). The right course of action requires consideration of all parts of yama and niyama. Thus, one considers not only "Is this the most honest course of action?" (satya), but also "Is this the most benevolent action?" (ahimsa). And "Am I practicing moderation, spiritual devotion -" and so on.

Truth is absolute, but we live in a relative universe. The enforcement of a single truth on every possible situation is dogmatic and oppressive. The fundamental perspective is fundamentally flawed for this reason. The universe is metaphorical, dualistic, and mystical, based on nature, an organic hierarchy that thrives on life and evolution, not the simplistic evolution of the strong surviving, but a complex and sophisticated evolution born of mystery and possibility. The universe is not synthetic and never will be. It is not made of plastic, concrete, chemicals, and digits. It is not linear. It is irrational and chaotic, and yet within the chaos the complexity of evolution prevails. This is all to say that we can never impose truth on reality, which holds its own truth. Hold, then, your own truth. In words of the modern vernacular, "Be real."

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