Like many yoga practitioners, I started with with asana, and began to seek out yoga philosophy later rather than sooner. Part of the reason for this was my initial glance at the yamas, or moral restraints; I thought of them as the second half of the ‘yogic Ten Commandments.’ They didn’t seem that difficult or different; in particular, I found the third, asteya, to be a relatively obvious idea. Non-stealing? Okay, I won’t rob any banks today, I thought. It took a few years for me to appreciate the subtleties connected to this precept that make actually practicing it quite complex.
Asteya is the third yama, following ahimsa, or nonviolence, and satya, or truthfulness. I believe that this order is important; when we practice asteya, we take both ahimsa and satya to a new level. By refraining from stealing, we expand our non-violent living into the active practice of moving our peace out into the world. As we begin to embody the veracity of our experience, we find ourselves focusing both inwards and outwards, living with integrity and conviction.
Most of us know not to go joyriding in a stranger’s car, and we know not to break into someone else’s house. These scenarios represent the outer layer of how to live without stealing. However, what about that extra donut in the break room? Or the reputation we shred when we indulge in a bit of ‘harmless’ gossip? What about someone else’s good mood when we snap at them? Or their peace of mind when we give dirty looks to their screaming children as they stand in front of us at the grocery store? All are small deeds, but each can be considered a form of stealing. Human experience is made up of moments as much or more than possessions, and our actions impact those around us. Given that truth, practicing asteya means trying to live so that our lives don’t negatively impact others in any way, shape, or form. Respecting other people’s emotional boundaries, treating the earth itself with respect — the repercussions of this ideal resonate farther and farther out.
It’s easy to read a description like this and get discouraged, but the point of this yama is not to chide but to instruct. How many times have we been told that the word yoga means ‘yoke’ or union’ in Sanskrit? Here’s the connection in action. Each yama is meant to start us of thinking about how to end the perceived separation of our daily lives from the rest of the world. Ultimately, this means recognizing the divinity in everything, and treating the world as such. After all, that’s what we’re acknowledging when we greet one another with Namaste.
So how do we do this on a daily basis? I strongly feel that keeping it simple works best. What are the little steps that we can take day by day? We’ll never be perfect, but we can move our lives ever closer to the ideals we seek. Perhaps this is what Gandhi meant when he suggested that we be the change we wish to see in the world?
In practice, then, let’s start by considering our behavior during a yoga class. When we’re lucky enough to practice in person, how do we choose our spot in the room? Do we take up space that we could share with others? Do we steal from ourselves by relegating our presence to the narrow spot by the planter? What is an appropriate way to take what we need rather than hogging what we feel we deserve?
As the class continues, note what our minds do during asana. I tend to steal my self-esteem from myself by comparing my form with that of the person next to me. I also find my mind continually stealth wandering during Savasana rather than focusing on my breath or body. These days, I’m better at the snap judgments that steal dignity from others, but sometimes I do find myself mentally making snide remarks.
Off the mat, the practice of asteya is much the same: how do our daily actions affect others? If we do less than our share at work, aren’t we stealing time from our colleagues? What about those extra pens from the supply closet? And, by the way – yes, these are often tiny little details that no one else might ever notice. But we will notice, and we know how our minds work. Are our small actions stealing our self-esteem?
This work is arduous, and it’s important to proceed with gentleness and love. I find using the following mantra gives me focus:
Lokah Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu – May all be filled with prosperity and peace, and may my thoughts and actions contribute in some way to the peace and prosperity of others.
This, truly, is the end result of asteya practiced skillfully – a world made better by the fact that we have done and continue to do the inner work. As you consider this yama and the specifics of your life, give yourself time and patience to make the appropriate changes – and remember that the action of making amends implies changing our behavior in the future. We will all make mistakes and trip ourselves up. At the risk of sounding cutesy, this is why it’s called a ‘yoga practice’ rather than a ‘yoga perfect’, right?
Yoga Cielo Stellato 