What is Asteya?

This post is intended to answer the questions, “What is Asteya?” and “How can I utilize the principles of Asteya in my every day life?”

Yoga is an eight limbed path that could help you cultivate more awareness about your personal happiness. As we have talked about in previous posts, Yama, which are ethical disciplines, is the first limb of yoga.  Today we will look at the third yama, asteya. We have previously written about the first and second yamas, ahimsa, and satya.

Asteya (a=not, steya= stealing) means non-stealing. We were taught from our teacher, Rory Trollen, that asteya is a pure acceptance of your life for who you are and what you have.

Many people desire to have and enjoy what other people have. This craving or want drives some to live negatively and pursue negative deeds. Asteya gently guides us to be content with what we have.

Asteya also leads us to not abuse anything or anyone. When you commit to meeting with someone, hold your end of the bargain and meet them at that specific time. Do not over schedule when you cannot meet your word. Let asteya guide us to not misuse others. Let it help us have more trustworthy relationships.

Our teacher told us to practice not stealing others peoples energy and to reduce all jealousy for anything or anyone. Accept what is. Never want or need anybody else’s possessions or loved ones.

Pure yogis believe that one should reduce his or her needs to a physical minimum believing that if one gathers things he does not really need, he is a thief. They believe that while most men crave for wealth, power, fame or enjoyment, the yogi has one craving and that is to love God.

You do not need to be a devout yogi to follow these disciplines. Reducing wants and needs could be beneficial for many different reasons. Asteya can gently guide you to wanting less. It may help you from a financial stand point or help you be a better friend. We want to use these disciplines to help us be easier, nicer people. If we are all at each other’s necks then the vision of bliss and peace cannot be fulfilled.

What is Asteya to you?