If we say we do not steal physical things or property, we may steal other more subtle energies such as time. How do we steal time? We might unconsciously steal time from another by being chronically late or forgetful. We might steal energy when we exhaust someone over and over by our needs. Asteya means to not take something that is not freely given. It can also refer to refraining from wanting or craving something that you have not worked for or was not meant to be yours. That can be a quality, a talent or an experience, aswell as an object.
When we say off-handedly, "Oh I am so jealous!", we move away from the experience of just being happy for someone else's good fortune...also know as "sympathetic joy".
If we are controlling others we may be "stealing" their opportunity to live freely, to have their own experiences, to make their own decisions, to learn from their mistakes.
When we steal we come from a place of insufficiency, of lacking. When we live from a place of abundance we feel grateful and content.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Satya- truthfulness
When we share something about another we always have the option of PAUSING and asking ourselves: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? If is does not pass this test, then maybe it should not be spoken. This comes from Islamic teachings and is called "the three gates".
I like this "filter". Sometimes we might share something that cannot even pass through one of these gates...
When we consider the act of telling the truth, this is a simple and helpful reminder. Ahimsa and satya go hand in hand: non-harm and truthfulness.
It is also helpful to consider what is our intention behind what we share. In order to do that we have to be completely truthful about what our purpose was. We may be surprised to find out that it did not come from a caring place but more from and place of ego, or control.
Getting to know ourselves at a deeper level is not an easy journey, yet is is a deeply fulfilling one and can move us toward freedom of heart, mind and spirit.
I like this "filter". Sometimes we might share something that cannot even pass through one of these gates...
When we consider the act of telling the truth, this is a simple and helpful reminder. Ahimsa and satya go hand in hand: non-harm and truthfulness.
It is also helpful to consider what is our intention behind what we share. In order to do that we have to be completely truthful about what our purpose was. We may be surprised to find out that it did not come from a caring place but more from and place of ego, or control.
Getting to know ourselves at a deeper level is not an easy journey, yet is is a deeply fulfilling one and can move us toward freedom of heart, mind and spirit.
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