Yamas Continued
Satya
The second Yama is Satya meaning truthfulness or non-lying. When first relating Satya to magic, it appears to be a lost cause. After all, isn’t magic about deception? Doesn’t deception involve lying? This is all true. However aren’t conjurers one of the most honest professions? It is our role to create magical experiences with people and to create them, we need to present things differently than they are. Our audiences know this. It’s part of our implied agreement with them.
It would be more helpful to look at Satya in terms of Ahimsa. What are intentions for our deceptions? To conjure astonishment? Or to promote ourselves as powerful, more clever than others?
Satya is refraining from self-inflation or boastfulness. It is telling ourselves the truth – self-truth – leading to the development of our authentic selves and our ability to share that with others. It is looking into our mirrors – either dressing or practice – and evaluating what we see. We may admire a performer like Lance Burton, Jeff McBride, David Blaine, or whomever but it is harmful to deceive ourselves into seeing them when we look into the mirror.
Satya is not boasting about one’s accomplishments or performing prowess. Actions speak louder than words. Its best to let our performance speak for themselves.
Reflection In Action:
- What is your intention for being a magician? Why do you perform magic?
- What are the stories you tell yourself and others about your abilities, the shows you do and the people you know?
- Do you name drop to increase your self importance or to engage in one-upmanship?
Astanya
Astanya is not stealing or not coveting the materials of others. It’s not “borrowing” a line, effect or routine. This is not easy especially when we are young and still discovering who we are. No one is immune to this. In the late 70’s and early 80’s, I copied Harry Anderson’s manner. Why? I was enamored with his style, creativity and above all, his routines were brilliant. After awhile, I realized that his persona like his suits did not fit me. Eugene Burger has often said that when he was young, he channeled Don Alan and that many magicians still do today although they may not even know who Don Alan was. Performers are lifting lines and schtick that has been lifted so many times before that they have lost sight of who originated them. We wonder why people think all magicians are the same.
Astanya is not copying digital products, books and effects. It is not uploading others works. With the proliferation of technology to allow us to do this with a few clicks, it becomes easy to rationalize the practice with a shrug of the shoulders, “everyone is doing it, what is the harm?” The harm is that we are stealing the ability for the creators to make money from their creations. These people may have worked years, maybe decades to create and hone this material. By doing this we are causing harm to ourselves with the double karmic hit of theft and violence.
Astanya is not sharing and teaching what is not yours to share or teach. Before I tip something, I ask myself, “is this mine to teach?” When I have been asked by another magician to show him or her the works to something I have performed, I tell them where to find it. It keeps both of us clean. Besides, the serious will pursue the source, the mildly curious will not.
Inwardly, Astanya is not being jealous or resentful of the success of others. Jealousy leads to talking about others to make ourselves look better or to feel better about ourselves. It really doesn’t.
Reflection In Action:
- Look carefully at your effects, routines and sets. Are they yours to perform? Have you paid for the books, digital products or props through purchase or, in the case of a lecture, the admission fee? For example, if I have purchased a book, I have purchased the rights to perform the effects. If I borrow a book and find a routine to my liking, I seek out my own copy. This will give me clear rights to perform it and the creator will be rewarded for their work.
- Inventory your props, books, digital products, computer files, drawers and shelves. Are they originals? If not, buy the originals. Again, it will reward the originator. If you don’t want or can’t get rid of them, send some money to the originator.
