Yamas: Asteya - Non-Stealing

Now that I'm done with my meditation challenge, I want to return to visiting the Yamas. The third Yama is that of Asteya or Non-Stealing. Given how my week has been at work, and given the challenges most of us face in office / desk dwelling jobs, this is a great Yama to ponder. We inadvertently steal at times, and heavens knows that our jobs can steal from us.

Non-Stealing seems obvious when you think about not stealing physical items from someone, we all have been taught that is not a good thing and you shouldn't do it. However when you think of this in more non-physical sense it is quite deep.

Think about when you have stolen someone's time, drained their energy with negative talk, taken someone's idea for your own or even something as simple as having taken an extra slide of pizza from the left overs in the breakroom when you really didn't need it. Those things can also be considered stealing.

When you think about Asteya, think about looking inside to make yourself happy and fulfilled, rather than looking outside and taking from others (be it things, situations, thoughts, ideas, emotions) to make yourself happy and fulfilled. These Yamas help you live a more ethical life and a happier life when put into practice.

The yoga sanctuary has some beautiful quotes to help you ponder on this. I couldn't have said it better so I won't even try.

-Desk Dwelling Yogi

PS: Yes, I'm still meditating, but I missed yesterday, will make up for it tonight.