Asteya: The True Yogic Meaning of Non-Stealing

It can literally mean no stealing. But it could also mean not hoarding materials. It encourages us not to rashly deplete natural resources or appropriate other people’s ideas.

What is Astra?

Asteya literally means “not to steal”. But on a deeper level, it encourages us to let go of the intention or desire to possess or steal. This can include materials, talents, relationships or gifts. Also, don’t steal other people’s achievements, success, time or natural resources.

Asteya reminds us not to take what is not ours.

Do not obtain by force, deceit or exploitation. Don’t use your actions, words or thoughts to take away from others.

The urge to steal comes from greed.

It also stems from a feeling of lack, powerlessness, and comparison with others. It is important to address and eliminate potential seeds of Asteya.

Then you can experience the virtues of Asteya.

Asteya and Belonging

Master Laozi’s words summed up Astiya very well.

“Be content with what you have; enjoy things as they are. When you realize you have nothing, the whole world is yours.”

Start enjoying what you have. Enjoy what others have.

Focus on feeling happy. You can choose to be jealous, envious or greedy. You can also choose to desire what others have. But when we desire what others have, we desire the object rather than the person.

Fostering a sense of contentment and togetherness forms the basis of asteya.

It challenges us to realize that people are more important than things.

Asteya and self-reliance

Asteya tells us that everything is already inside us. You are the source of all wisdom, strength and power. You contain all love, happiness and peace. Not much to look for outside.

Once you understand this, Asteya can begin to manifest in you naturally.

Asteya challenges us to develop a sense of self-reliance and inner wealth. By using our resources, we can come closer to ourselves. We don’t have to depend on others to make us happy. We don’t have to depend on things that bring us peace.

We are everything we could possibly need to be.

Asteya and the Spirit of Abundance

This is the third important element of Asteya. This is the law of abundance.

This feeling of fullness allows us to feel a vast connection to life.

Trust in the abundance of life as you go through each day. We are naturally generous creatures. We can practice Asteya in this way.

Asteya and minimalism

Asteya doesn’t just mean not stealing. Keeping or taking someone away is also a form of stealing. Sometimes we don’t realize our real needs. Most of the time, we mistakenly increase our desires. This makes us thieves. But following Asteya reduces our desire to accumulate.

Focus on what you need, not what you want.

Minimalism is a great way to practice Asteya. It forces us to question our tendency to hoard things. This may include closets, storage boxes and flats.

This tendency stems from excessive greed.

It is rooted in jealousy and insecurity. By piling on stuff, we steal our freedom and zest for life. We also took away things that other people could use.

Minimalism asks us to look at our lives and eliminate unnecessary junk.

After all, our trash can be someone else’s treasure.

Roots of Asteya

The need to steal stems from a lack of confidence. When we don’t have confidence in ourselves, we create what we need.

When we feel lack, feelings of desire, craving, and greed surface. We’re looking for something to fill that void. We often feel like everyone else has what we want. And our feelings of lack, insecurity, and longing make us feel incomplete.

It all boils down to a feeling that something is missing.

But the word yoga means bondage, union and connection. Yoga makes us whole.

Every aspect of practicing yoga on and off the mat moves us. It makes us feel like we’ve had enough. It tells us that we are enough. And we don’t need external objects to make us whole.

Asteya on the yoga mat

Sometimes we push our limits. In our yoga practice, we may want to try something challenging. But when we fail, we worry that we are not good enough.

You probably start your yoga class with the best of intentions. Then, halfway through, you start paying attention to your appearance. Instead, try to focus on how you feel.

Don’t focus on achieving a certain pose.

This robs you of sustainable and natural practices. It takes away your right to be with yourself in the present moment. Instead, allow yourself to open up.

Accept your approach. Never let posture dictate your practice.

What matters is your awareness during the practice.

Asteya from the yoga mat

Sometimes we buy more than we need. When we do this, we are subconsciously trying to fill in the blanks. We always feel like something is missing.

But material wealth cannot replace the needs of our soul.

They can temporarily satisfy our abundance. But craving and wanting make us go out of our way to get something.

Often we don’t need the things we buy. Instead, they may be appreciated by others. In this way, we unnecessarily take something from others.

Try to look at your property. wondering if anyone