Monday, March 01, 2010

Non-Stealing

This month we’ll focus on the path of non-stealing. But before I get into this abstention I would like to recap last month’s path of Truthfulness. What I discovered this last month is that to live your truth is not as simple as black and white. It takes a lot of soul searching to reach inside and connects with your inner truth and then observe how it interplays with the rest of life. There are many truths. The only rules that apply to the truth are: first and foremost to do no harm, and then we apply the other principles which are to develop a deep understanding of your own truth or what is going on with you and then observe how that affects the world around you, and lastly to think, speak and act in a way that does the greatest good for the greatest many. When truth is approached from the yoga perspective it is not always simple to know what to do. Therefore it is important to practice yoga each day, mindful of the place within where we can sit quietly and reflect upon the truth and how best to think, speak and act so as to do the least amount of harm and the greatest good.

Non-stealing
When we think of stealing we all conjure up an image of a thief. In yogi philosophy non-stealing means to not commit, cause or permit anyone to take what is not theirs in thought, word and action. And again with all abstinences they should be observed intellectually, verbally and physically.

Intellectual non-stealing is difficult because it implies that we should not even think about coveting that which belongs to another. It does not mean we cannot admire what a person has and then work to earn the same thing. It simply means that we should not think improperly about taking anything that belongs to another person. Many yogi texts tell us; that which you have not earned has not yet been presented to you. If something you desire has not come into your life, you simply have not earned it yet. When you earn it, you will experience great joy and happiness. However anything coming into your life which has not been earned will bring struggle, difficulty and perhaps unhappiness. Think of this in terms of love. If you have taken the time to develop yourself and establish inner balance then the love that comes into your life will bring happiness. But if you enter into a love situation without first establishing your inner love and respect for yourself the love you get may bring you unhappiness.

Verbal non-stealing is often over looked. It means you should not steal another person’s dignity, pride, happiness, moment of glory or mental values. It also means you should not hurt another person’s character in any way. Do no harm.

To take a physical object by theft, deceit or without permission is physical stealing. It is taking possession of something you have not earned or something that does not belong to you. If you want something, it must be earned. This brings balance and stability to the body-mind. We should understand that all things flow from life and that life is a process of putting forth energy. The energy we put forth will result in what comes back to us in the form of life’s gifts.

When we combine non-stealing with truthfulness and non-violence we begin to ascend to a higher order of being. A respect for us, others and the universe begins to take place. All three interconnect together to form a fabric of moral justice and a path that leads to compassion and understanding.

How does it apply to the physical practice of yoga? In yoga class we move in and out of poses observing what we have earned through regular practice of yoga and at the same time respecting what others have earned who may be further along the path. We learn to find quietude, balance and strength and from here we work to earn peace and serenity. Peace and serenity are life’s gifts but they must be earned.

Doctor Lynn

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