Asteya
A Mission Moment Share from Humble Haven’s Founder, Suzanne Burns
Asteya: Non-stealing
Asteya. In Sanskrit, a means “non” and steya means “stealing,” so asteya translates as “non-stealing.” It is the third yama, or ethical principle, outlined in the Yoga Sutras. On the surface, asteya reminds us not to take material possessions that are not ours. But yoga asks us to look deeper.
Energetically, asteya is about not taking another person’s time, energy, or ideas. On a personal level, it teaches us not to steal from ourselves by living in comparison, fear, or doubt—patterns that rob us of our own potential. When we observe asteya on both material and energetic levels, we find that it is ultimately a teaching about presence—in thought, in word, and in action.
Presence, however, takes practice. In a world full of distractions, we must learn to notice what pulls us away from the here and now. Often, when I feel stuck in thought or unable to take action, it’s because my focus has shifted from reality to an assumption.
By definition, an assumption is something we accept without evidence, or the act of taking on a role or responsibility. But when we view assumption through the lens of asteya, it asks us to consider: Is this belief, role, or responsibility truly mine to take on? Or am I stealing something that was never given to me?
Technology has placed an endless stream of ideas and beliefs at our fingertips. With so much information, are we training ourselves to consume more than we contemplate? And if so, does consumption without contemplation cause us to mistake assumption for truth?
Yoga means union. Practiced fully, it unites body, mind, and spirit, while also guiding us toward deeper connection with the living world around us. Asteya reminds us that assumptions, too, can be a form of stealing:
When we assume we are not capable without trying, we steal our own potential.
When we assume another person’s thoughts or feelings without asking, we steal their voice and truth.
When we assume an outcome, we steal our openness to possibility and new perspectives.
When we get stuck in assumptions, we steal our ability to be grounded in the here and now.
So, when you notice yourself ruminating or feeling held back by fear or comparison, pause and ask: What assumptions am I making right now? And what are they robbing me of?
As we’ve heard many times in yoga and meditation practice: be where your seat and your feet are. Come back to presence. Let the first three yamas—ahimsa (non-harming), satya (truthfulness), and asteya (non-stealing)—be your guides.
-Suzanne B.