In Sanskrit the word “asteya” means “non-stealing” and is a Yama (Moral Discipline).  In Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, Sri Swami Satchidananda presents these thoughts on asteya:  “All of us are thieves.  Knowingly and unknowingly, we steal things from nature.  With every minute, with each breath, we pick nature’s pocket.  Whose air do we breathe?  It is nature’s.  But that doesn’t mean we should stop breathing and die.  Instead, we should receive each breath with reverence and use it to serve others; then we are not stealing.  If we accept it and don’t give anything in return, we are thieves.” (YS 2.37)


The Yamas are practiced within oneself; meaning we explore our own relationship to each practice.  Practice of asteya can be experienced at mealtimes when we sit down to eat...deeply feeling gratitude for the availability of food and nourishment.  It can be experienced through giving back to your community by sharing your time or donating food or money to help others.   Anything that cultivates appreciation for that which you already possess.


""The intention of practicing asteya is to discover that we are born divine."  -Yogi Amrit Desai


The internal aspect of asteya focuses on awareness of our thoughts and attitudes surrounding our bodies, all aspects of our lives- including all of our possessions, and our jobs and status in the world.  How often do you look at your neighbor’s house/yard/car, etc...and think “OOOh, I’d just love to have _______ (fill in the blank).  I would be really happy if I had that.  They’re life must be so wonderful...”  Whether you are aware of it or not, you are actually saying to yourself and the Universe that YOU are not good enough because you do not “have” this desired thing.  This includes looking at a very attractive person and thinking to yourself “He/she is much more attractive than me...I’m overweight/out of shape/unattractive.” 


"In spite of abundance we may suffer from poverty; in spite of poverty we may live like rich men.  It is the consciousness that makes the difference."  -Gurudev


Asteya is also practiced in relationship to others.  Have you ever been late for or missed an appointment?  Well, at that moment you were  NOT practicing asteya...you actually stole that person’s time.  You were subtly saying that your time (your life) is more valuable than another. 


How can we begin to practice asteya, when we need to live and work in a world where we “need” things such as a home, food and clothing?  First, we need to remember that it is a PRACTICE...and just because we don’t necessarily have IT, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t move towards it in our daily lives.  Second, we can take small steps to practice an “attitude of gratitude” through a daily gratitude journal.  Every day, write a small message of gratitude in your journal about something that you are grateful for.  Remember that everything counts....so don’t ignore the “small” stuff.


When you sit down to eat, take a moment to acknowledge the blessing that the food is to your body...be thankful!  Be conscientious about yours and others time...be ON TIME for appointments!  Look around your home for things that you may be able to donate to needy people.  It’s a way of saying “Wow, I have great abundance in my life...so much so, that I have enough to give to those who have less.”  It’s also a way to practice the Niyama - Saucha (purity), by first cleaning out your environment, and then acting selflessly to give what is not needed to others.


”When we obtain what we desire by honest means, our mind remains at peace, free of fear; whereas when we obtain what we desire by dishonest means, we loose our peace of mind and become victims of fear.”  -Bapuji  (Sri Swami Kripalvanandaji)