Asteya, or non-stealing, is the third yama of the eight limbs of yoga.
Do you find you're always desiring more? Bigger, better, newer possessions? We buy something because we believe 'once I've got this, I'll be happy'. And, once we've got it, it does fill us with satisfaction, but the satisfaction never lasts. It isn't long before we're craving something else.
If we can't be satisfied with what we currently have, this cycle of longing will always continue, and we'll never be truly content or happy.
The same can happen with our goals. When we achieve something, we move straight onto the next thing to work towards. Often, we don't even fully celebrate our accomplishment before we're already focussed on something else we want to do.
Non-stealing can mean literally not stealing things but also not stealing our ability to be peaceful by giving into feelings of greed, desire or jealousy.
How can you incorporate asteya into your daily life?
Try not to steal your time. Enjoy the present moment. But how do you actually do that? We wish away our time, wanting the weekend, a holiday or any fun activity to come by as soon as possible. Then when it comes, how much do we truly appreciate it? We're often thinking about other things, something we need to do, or worrying about life or work. And then it's passed by before we even realise it without us gaining much from it.
Even if what we're doing now is mundane or a little bit unpleasant, if we can find a way to appreciate the time more, we can find happiness in the present moment. It's certainly a challenge, though!
I like associating a task or chore that doesn't need my full attention with a chance to do something fun, mostly listening to music. You could also listen to a podcast or an audiobook. For example, running is difficult, but I know it's good for me, so I want to do it. As a middle ground, I lightly jog on a treadmill whilst occupying my mind with something aside from being out of breath and noticing how hard my muscles have to work. I like to plan things to do, read or brainstorm ideas. I'm not wishing for the jog to end as I'm enjoying this other aspect. Usually, once I've been jogging for a bit, I actually get into it, and I can focus on the run alone and, dare I say, even enjoy it.
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Try turning your mood around when things don't go as planned or something isn't what you had expected. It's so much easier to focus on the negatives, but finding some good points will ensure the bad thing doesn't completely ruin your day. Repeat those positives to yourself again and again, and really let yourself feel the good emotions that come with them. Talking also helps so, so much. The person you confide in can help you see it from a wider perspective. It's also uplifting to have someone sympathising with you and reassuring you that it's ok to be feeling these emotions.
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Build strength to overcome jealousy and desires. Notice when jealousy or desires of spending and consuming arise, and try practising letting the feelings pass and not giving in to them. Being mindfully aware that you're experiencing these thoughts and feelings is already a step forwards compared to unknowingly letting them control you. Focussing on your breath can help you to become centred, and concentrating only on the breath will help the desire drift away. If you're in a situation which allows it, start doing something which takes a lot of attention. Actively engaging in something else will help the thoughts naturally drift out of your mind and the feelings to go with them. If you can achieve it once, it will give you momentum to do it again and again, making it easier to overcome the next temptation.
You could try to look for negative qualities of the thing you want to buy to reduce the craving. Maybe it'll take up space, or it's another thing to clean and maintain. Is it really how you want to spend your money? Remind yourself that it won't be long before its new, shiny appearance wears away.
What about asteya and yoga?
One way you can try practising asteya during your yoga class is to remind yourself that you don't need to force yourself to do a pose if it's going to steal away your enjoyment of doing yoga. Try not to focus on what other people are doing, but concentrate on what you can do and what feels good for your body. Yoga is all about you and improving your well-being. You don't need to be able to do a fancy pose to attain the benefits of yoga. Learning to listen to your body and being ok with slowness and quietness will have a more meaningful impact on your life!
Another way you can practise asteya is by not letting a bad day deter you from attending a yoga class. I know that when I'm in a low mood, I don't feel up for doing anything. And even if I don't feel up for attending a yoga class, I know that it's what my body and mind need to feel better. Then once I'm at the class, I instantly feel calmer and happier, and now that my mood has perked up, I can also enjoy the rest of the day.
Can you think of ways you can start practising asteya?
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