Asteya - Beyond Non-Stealing

In the luminous constellation of ethical guidelines that form the first limb of Maharishi Patañjali’s (पतञ्जलि)Aṣṭāṅga Yoga – the Yamas (यम) – Asteya (अस्तेय), or "non-stealing," shines as a principle of profound integrity and far-reaching implications. While its most direct translation cautions against the appropriation of what is not rightfully ours, the wisdom of Asteya invites us on a journey "beyond non-stealing." It calls us to cultivate a deep respect for the resources, time, ideas, trust, and even the energy of others, fostering a state of inner contentment and ethical clarity that attracts true abundance, both material and spiritual.

To practice Asteya is to move from a mindset of lack and grasping to one of sufficiency and trustworthiness. It is a conscious choice to live with such honesty and respect for boundaries that we become a source of security and reliability in the world, and in doing so, unlock a wealth of inner peace and external harmony. This isn't just about keeping our hands off others' property; it's about purifying our intentions and actions at the deepest level.

Asteya: More Than Just Keeping Hands Off Others' Property

The Sanskrit word Asteya is formed from 'a' (not) and 'steya' (stealing, theft). As the third of the five Yamas, it builds upon the foundations of Ahiṃsā (non-violence) and Satya (truthfulness). If Ahiṃsā asks us not to harm and Satya asks us to be true, Asteya asks us not to take what has not been freely given. This principle is not unique to Yoga; it is a cornerstone of ethical conduct across all Dharmic traditions:

• In Hinduness: Besides Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtras, the Dharmaśāstras and epics universally condemn theft and emphasize earning through righteous means (Dharma).

• In Buddhism: The second of the five precepts (Pañcasīla) is Adinnādānā veramaṇī – abstaining from taking what is not given.

• In Jainism: Asteya (also Achaurya) is one of the five great vows (Mahāvratas) for ascetics and (Aṇuvratas) for householders, interpreted with meticulous care.

• In Sikhism: The principle of Kirat Karni (honest labor) and the condemnation of exploiting others or taking what isn't earned reflect the spirit of Asteya.

  
  

The universal presence of this ethic underscores its fundamental importance for individual integrity and societal order.

Venturing "Beyond Non-Stealing": The Subtle Forms of Appropriation

While the obvious injunction of Asteya is not to steal material objects or money, its deeper practice requires us to become aware of and refrain from more subtle forms of "taking":

1. Stealing Time and Energy:

   • Consistently being late for appointments is a theft of the other person's valuable time.

   • Unnecessarily prolonging conversations, demanding undue attention, or emotionally draining others without reciprocity can be seen as taking their energy.

   • Not fulfilling commitments or responsibilities in a timely manner can steal resources and create burdens for others.

     
     

2. Intellectual Asteya: Honoring Ideas and Creativity:

   • Plagiarism – presenting others' ideas, words, or creative work as one's own – is a significant form of intellectual theft.

   • Taking undue credit for collaborative work or failing to acknowledge the contributions of others.

     
     

3. Appropriating Trust and Opportunity:

   • Betraying confidences or misusing information shared in trust is a violation of Asteya.

   • Manipulating situations or people to unfairly gain an advantage or deprive others of rightful opportunities.

     
     

4. Ecological Asteya: Our Share of Nature's Bounty: From a broader perspective, the over-consumption of natural resources, polluting the environment, and failing to consider the needs of future generations and other species can be understood as a form of collective theft from Mother Earth (Bhūmi Devī) and all life. This connects Asteya deeply with ecological ethics and the principle of Aparigraha (non-possessiveness).

   
   

5. Not Fulfilling One's Role (Taking without Giving Due): Accepting payment, benefits, or a position of responsibility without diligently performing the associated duties can be seen as a subtle form of steya – taking value without providing fair exchange. Recognizing these subtle forms requires a high degree of self-awareness and a commitment to impeccable honesty in all our interactions.

The Roots of "Taking": Understanding the Psychology of Steya (Theft)

The impulse to take what is not ours, whether subtly or overtly, often stems from deeper psychological roots:

• Greed (Lobha, लोभ): An insatiable desire for more than what one needs or has rightfully earned.

• Sense of Lack or Scarcity: A feeling of insufficiency, believing that there isn't enough to go around, which fuels a desire to grasp and hoard.

• Insecurity: Trying to fill an inner void with external acquisitions.

• Envy: Desiring what others possess and feeling entitled to it.

• Lack of Contentment (Asantoṣa, असंतोष): An inability to find satisfaction with one's own circumstances and possessions.

  
  

Asteya, therefore, is not just about controlling an external action but about addressing these inner states that give rise to the impulse to take.

Cultivating Asteya: The Positive Path of Integrity and Contentment

Practicing Asteya is an active process of cultivating virtues that counteract the tendency to appropriate:

1. Santoṣa (सन्तोष – Contentment): This Niyama is a powerful ally of Asteya. When we cultivate contentment with what we have earned through honest effort, the desire to take from others diminishes significantly.

2. Honesty and Transparency: Being truthful and transparent in all dealings naturally precludes any form of theft or deception.

3. Dāna (दान – Generosity): The practice of giving is the direct antidote to the impulse of taking. A generous heart finds joy in sharing, not in accumulating at others' expense.

4. Respect for Others: Recognizing the inherent worth and rights of others, including their right to their own resources, time, and ideas.

5. Self-Reliance and Effort: Focusing on creating or earning what one needs through one's own efforts, rather than looking to take from others.

   
   
   
   

The Radiant Fruit of Asteya Pratiṣṭhā: When All Treasures Are Yours

Patañjali, in Yoga Sūtra II.37, describes the profound result of being firmly established in Asteya: "Asteyapratiṣṭhāyāṃ sarvaratnopasthānam" (अस्तेयप्रतिष्ठायां सर्वरत्नोपस्थानम्) – "On being firmly established in non-stealing, all jewels (or treasures) present themselves."

This potent sūtra can be understood on multiple levels:

• Material Abundance through Trust: A person of impeccable integrity and honesty naturally attracts trust and goodwill. This can lead to opportunities and abundance flowing towards them without them needing to grasp or take. The universe, in a sense, entrusts its treasures to one who will not misuse them.

  
  

• Access to Inner Virtues: The "jewels" can also be interpreted as inner virtues – peace, clarity, wisdom, compassion, contentment. When the mind is free from the agitation and guilt associated with stealing (in any form), these inner treasures naturally manifest.

  
  

• The Universe Provides: When one lives in a state of non-desire for what isn't theirs, and trusts in the universal flow, what is truly needed often arrives effortlessly. It’s a state of being provided for because one is in harmony with the principles of giving and receiving.

  
  

• Freedom from Guilt and Fear: Living by Asteya liberates one from the psychological burden of guilt, the fear of being caught, and the mental restlessness that accompanies dishonest actions. This leads to profound inner peace.

Asteya as a Mirror for Self-Reflection

The practice of Asteya serves as a powerful mirror for self-reflection. It requires us to constantly examine our motivations, our desires, and the subtle ways in which we might be "taking" without awareness. Are we truly respecting others' time? Are we giving due credit for ideas? Are we consuming more than our fair share of planetary resources? This ongoing self-inquiry is a vital part of the yogic Sādhana (साधना).

Living Asteya in a modern world, with its pervasive consumerism, relentless competition, and easy access to information (and misinformation), presents unique challenges. Yet, it is perhaps more crucial than ever. It calls for conscious choices: to consume mindfully, to act with integrity in our professional and personal lives, to respect intellectual property, and to be generous with our own resources and time when appropriate.

Asteya, therefore, is a profound ethical guideline that invites us to live with unwavering integrity, deep respect for all that belongs to others (and to the collective), and a liberating contentment. By venturing "beyond non-stealing" into the subtle realms of our thoughts, words, and interactions, we cultivate an inner richness and trustworthiness that becomes a source of true abundance, peace, and profound spiritual connection. It is the practice of honoring the sacredness of all that is, by taking only what is freely and rightfully given, and in doing so, discovering the priceless jewel of our own authentic Self.