May 2022 week 2

Our Yama this month is: Asteya - non stealing and our intention is - My fear reveals to me what I need to heal. We have been using the Har meditation for prosperity. Remember Har in Sanskrit means 'Seizer', ‘Destroyer' in other words to Seize, destroy the fears, the blocks and on the other side is prosperity.
Asteya’s deeper meaning goes far beyond stealing, it also means not taking that which is not offered, including not just material objects but also time, thoughts, energy, emotions and ideas. Its fundamental implication is that we should refrain from looking outside ourselves to other people, things, and situations to make us happy and fulfilled. As we discussed last month, this Yama and our intention is another invitation for us to get honest with ourselves, uncover and name our obstacles and then bust right through them to the prosperity of our truest expression of ourselves from the inside out! I know I posted this quote last month, but I think it is worth repeating.

"I hope you’ve met at least one “Kingdom person” in your life. They are surrendered and trustful people. You sense that their life is okay at the core. They have given control to Another and are at peace, which paradoxically allows them to calmly be in control. A Kingdom person lives for what matters, for life in its deepest and lasting sense. There’s a kind of gentle absolutism about their lifestyle, an inner freedom to do what they have to do—joyfully. Kingdom people feel like grounded yet spacious people at the same time, the best of the conservative and the best of the progressive types in the same body.” Gurmukh’s book 8 Human Talents. I love, love this quote!!! Let’s reflect on the people in our lives. Do you know anyone who lives comfortably from the inside out? Who is not “stealing” from others or situations outside of themselves? That is a Kingdom person! A person I aspire to be around and to be myself!

How does Asteya come into play in our asana practice? Let’s keep it in mind when we are practicing in a room full of advanced yogis gracefully flowing from asana to asana with perfect form, reframe from wishing you moved in a similar way. Also, let’s turn to it when we find ourselves holding back from really finding our edge in a pose because we are afraid we won’t have enough energy to get through the class if we do. We can practice Asteya on the mat by honoring our bodies as they are here and now, even while we work towards our goals and aspirations. We can acknowledge that coveting what another has only leads to suffering and works against us in our practice and our lives. We can shift from a mindset of lack and scarcity to one of abundance and gratitude. We can act based upon the belief that the source of happiness and fulfillment lies not outside us but within us.