Asteya
Yama, the First Limb of Ashtanga, Part 3
By Baba Prayag
If you read the previous two posts you’ve learned by now that the simple translation of the five core principles into English fails to fully explain what we are to do if we want to maintain our personal integrity as well as remain part of the whole (as is the meaning of Yama). Similarly, the third principle of Yama, Asteya (typically translated to mean “non-stealing”), has more depth to it that is worth exploring.
As we make our way through the five core principles of Yama, it is worth considering how each one builds upon the one before it. The first principle, Ahisma (“non-harming”), shows us that there is more ways to harm each other beyond things of a physical nature. For example, a lack of Satya (“truthfulness”) can also create harm. Following suit, Asteya (“non-stealing”) reveals to us, actions that are both dishonest and harmful.
The first three principles may seem fairly obvious to most, but we should also pause to consider the reasons of why. Taking something that you know doesn’t belong to you often has more ramifications beyond material or monetary loss. While it may seem innocuous at first, you have little way of knowing the benefit your ill-gotten gains may have had in the hands of their previous owner. On the other hand, the theft may lead that person to pursue harmful ways to recoup their loss, including ways that aren’t necessarily one-to-one. The “why” of non-stealing is less about the reason of “stealing is wrong” and more about the reason of “stealing creates harm that can spread to others.”
Although we most commonly think of stealing as meaning “to take what isn’t ours,” in many cases of practicing Asteya “taking” and “using” can be seen as interchangeable. After all, using something without permission could easily be just as harmful as if you would’ve taken it without permission. The only real difference here is that the “theft” inherent of borrowing is presumably temporary.
Not everything we might steal from someone is physical in nature. We can also take (up) someone’s time and energy. Unfortunately in today’s society it seems far too common that these things are “stolen.” I believe if we considered our misuse use of it as another form of theft, we would less often take it for granted - both the time and energy of others and our own. Surely none of us mean to give anyone permission to “waste” our time or energy.
Losing time is pretty straight-forward, but things can be far more subtle when considering energy in our practice Asteya. Generally when we think about energy as it relates to people, we think about physical or mental energy. Nether of these can be stolen per se, as they can really only used by their “owner” to do various things we need, want or are asking them to do. When we “drain” people’s energy, we are “forcing” them to use that energy on our behalf on something they don’t really want to do. It’s okay to ask people to do things, but the setting in which we are asking makes a big difference.
To wrap this post up, let us consider Asteya and Non-Duality, i.e. the other side of the coin. Remember that we are all part of the same whole, so your loss is my loss and vice versa. When it comes to the self and the practice of Asteya, “non-stealing” becomes more a matter of giving away our time and energy when the ask isn’t appropriate. This can lead to you becoming a “push over” in the eyes of those around you, as they return time and again to take up your time and energy. The practice of the previous two principles can guide you in avoiding this scenario, whereas you might want to consider if you are being honest with yourself (Satya) about the time and energy you have, or even the desire for that matter. Giving in to these demands will result in harming you and possibly those around you (Ahisma).
With peace and loving-kindness. Namaste.
