THE YAMAS & NIYAMAS SERIES - ASTEYA

Asteya: Living in the Truth of Enough

When we hear the word stealing, many of us picture something dramatic: taking what isn’t ours in a physical or obvious way. But in the teachings of yoga, Asteya—non-stealing—is much more subtle and expansive. It's not only about respecting someone else’s possessions, but about cultivating trust in the enoughness of our own lives.

What Is Asteya?

Asteya is the third of the yamas in Patanjali’s Eight Limbs of Yoga. The word itself means "non-stealing," but its deeper invitation is to live with integrity, to respect boundaries—ours and others'—and to release the grasping energy that says we’re somehow lacking or not enough.

In Yoga Sutra 2.37, Patanjali writes:"Asteya pratisthayam sarva ratna upasthanam" When one is established in non-stealing, all riches come.

At first, that might sound like a paradox. How does not taking, lead to abundance? But what Patanjali is pointing to is energetic. When we stop grasping at what isn’t ours—whether that’s time, attention, credit, energy, or material things—we come into alignment with trust, sufficiency, and spaciousness. And from that place, life begins to feel fuller—not because we’ve gotten more, but because we’re no longer leaking our energy through comparison, entitlement, or scarcity.

Beyond the Obvious

Asteya invites us to examine the subtle ways we "take" without meaning to:

• Taking someone’s time without consent. Interrupting, expecting immediate replies, or over-relying on a friend’s emotional energy without checking in.

• Taking more than we need. Whether it’s food, resources, or even space in a conversation—Asteya reminds us to pause and ask, “Is this more than I actually need?”

• Taking from ourselves. This one is tender. When we say yes to things we don't have the capacity for, or withhold rest, pleasure, or creative expression, we steal from our own wellbeing.

  
  

As Seane Corn teaches,

“Above all, this yama is about generosity and gratitude, it's about learning to say yes, and it's a reminder that you are enough—that you have everything you need within you.”

Asteya & Self-Worth

Practicing asteya begins with the belief that we are enough. That we don’t need to prove, perform, or possess more to be worthy. But let’s be honest—that’s not always easy. Many of us were raised in systems that taught us to compete, compare, and hustle for our value. In those environments, it makes perfect sense that we might reach outside ourselves for validation or certainty.

Ram Dass said,

“The quieter you become, the more you can hear.”

Asteya invites us into that quiet. Into a trust that what’s ours will come, and that we don’t need to force or chase. It’s a soft but radical return to sufficiency.

Practicing Asteya in Daily Life

• Notice grasping energy. Do you ever feel yourself reaching for your phone out of boredom, or interrupting someone out of urgency? Just notice—with kindness. Asteya doesn’t judge; it invites awareness.

• Check in before taking. Whether it’s someone’s time, energy, or even their ideas—ask if it’s freely given. If not, release the urge to take.

• Acknowledge what is already here. Make a simple gratitude practice part of your day. It helps shift the nervous system from lack to sufficiency.

• Give yourself what you seek. If you find yourself craving attention or validation, gently ask: Can I give this to myself first?

• Rest without guilt. Rest is not stealing time—it’s returning to balance. Honour your need for pause without apology.

  
  

Community & Asteya

At Wild Soul Studio, we’re always exploring how yogic philosophy translates into daily life. In a shared space, asteya becomes an act of sacred respect: showing up on time, honouring the space, listening deeply, and trusting that you belong without needing to prove yourself.

And when someone else shines, instead of feeling lack, we can remind ourselves: their light doesn’t diminish mine. There is enough room. Enough beauty. Enough abundance. For all of us.

Asteya is not about being perfect. It’s about being honest with ourselves, noticing where scarcity sneaks in, and gently choosing a different way. It’s a path back to peace. Back to trust. Back to the truth of enough.

So maybe this week, pause for a breath and ask: Where am I already whole? What can I release the need to chase? You might find, as Patanjali promised, that the real treasure is already within you.

With much warmth,

Sara 🙏