Everyday Satsang

Satsang is a Sanskrit word meaning “association with Truth,” or with “the Self.” In Hindu, Buddhist and other Eastern religious—and spiritual—worlds, this is a very common word that usually means: people coming together to listen to, to be with a spiritual teacher, and with each other, to “attend Satsang.” But to dive deeper into the word, and its meaning, is to see that satsang can happen anywhere, at any moment. Seeing some truth of life, whether a relative truth, related to our own families or lives, or an absolute or universal truth, this capacity to feel truth, to know truth, is perhaps the most important “resource” we can call into lives—for our families, with our loved ones, for our work, for everything.

"There is a source of insight inside of each of us, and inside of each child, that, when tapped, reveals truth that is just right for us, just right for our families and lives."

I was feeling stressed today, and running around the house sort of getting nothing done, but feeling like a lot had to be done! The kids were off school for a mid-week holiday, which, as a working mom, tends to leave me in the lurch—with stuff on my calendar (this article to write!), and a house full of my kids, and their friends needing to be fed and tended to.

My oldest daughter stopped me, looked me in the eye and said, “Mom, breathe!” She said it with the conviction of her own inner “truth.” Obviously, I was losing it a little. And then I looked into her eyes and smiled. I smiled because she was right. I smiled at her growing maturity and wisdom. And I breathed.

In that moment, association with Truth, satsang, meant tending to the deeper wisdom in the moment. Was stressing out going to accomplish anything? Was barking at the kids going to make life easier for me, or for them? Was I lost in thoughts of what needed to be done; and not looking at what actually could be done, or not done, for that matter? Could I stop in satsang, if only for a moment?

Diving more deeply into this word, with its meaning of Self, of “associating with Self,” we recognize the peace, the insight, the silence we experience as our Selves, our deeper Selves—our core. When our minds are quiet.

I have worked for more than 20 years with children, families and communities, helping people to see we each have access to Truth, and of course, to our own Selves! And the mistake I see most for parents, and for all people, is that we turn everywhere in trying to “fix” our problems or help our children—to experts, friends, books, to an absolutely endless catalogue of information on how to and what to—and we forget to turn within.

There is a source of insight inside of each of us, and inside of each child, that, when tapped, reveals truth that is just right for us, just right for our families and lives.

But it takes a calming down, a stopping, a trusting of a silent inner space that is both unknown, and also beautifully familiar. It may take a moment, hour or day of rest—of self-care. It may take even longer, but from a foundation in our own, inner satsang, life (the same life we have always had) shows up as more gentle, more fun, more graceful, more fulfilling, and, in the end, full of Truth … and full of love.

Ami Chen Mills-Naim is an individual and family coach, global speaker, and author of The Spark Inside and State of Mind in the Classroom. She leads public retreats (next retreat in Paonia, CO, July 15-17) and trainings, and a monthly drop-in class at her home base in Santa Cruz, California. “Saturdays for Mind & Spirit" (formerly "Everyday Satsang") through Santa Cruz Yoga. Coming dates are Saturday, May 14, June 11, July 9 & Aug. 13. 1:30-3:30 pm. Fee is $15 to cover facility and Meet Up costs. For the latest updates on this class, including possible venue changes, please join the local Meet Up Group or check Ami's Events page.