Asteya –अस्तेय- Non-stealing. You can’t take nor should you want to take something from someone else. Typically when and if someone is failing at the art of Asteya they may have an imbalanced Muladhara. Greed is the main characteristic of this Chakra’s weaknesses.

Why is it that some drivers can take turns rather easily on a four way stop sign, giving and taking.

Sure, once in a while there is someone that goes out of turn or doesn’t actually know the system of order. But how can they organize themselves so easily, meanwhile some can’t seem to hold the door for one another as they walk in and out of the same building?

But, what does cooperation have to do with non-stealing? Everything.

For example, asking people to do things for you that you can do for yourself. Why should someone have to

• Look up a phone number for you

• Tell you where or how to vacation

• Say or write what they thought of some restaurant, school?

Your time is not more or less valuable than anyone else.

Learn for yourself. Do you not deserve discovery? Are you such an insecure person with sad thoughts of your decision making and credibility that you have little faith you can handle something on your own?

Or worse do you think you are better than others and see them as busy bodies at your disposal?

• Do you cut to the front of the line?

• Impress only to take over someone else’s friend or family member?

• Taking someone’s pride, debilitating their voice, humor, wit, courage, or god-forbid their sex.

Believe it or not there are some that justify this cruel behavior:

“I can’t stand weakness,” you say. As if this unfortunate event was somehow inevitable for the victim and not you the actor.

Whatever it is that you have taken isn’t yours.                   It will never be yours. And a reminder that your actions have inconvenienced someone else for selfish and personal gain.

This behavior is something can only lead to feeling badly and more specifically badly about yourself.

Greatness comes from respecting other people in the way you wish to be respected. If you think not, try it.

Namaste

If this sounds like you – you may also benefit from reading about Ahimsa.