Subtle Forms of Stealing in a Consumer-Driven Society: Asteya Beyond Material Possessions
Have you ever felt the urge to get the latest season’s release of Lululemon yoga wear? Or maybe you've eyed that sleek, designer Lifeforme yoga mat, thinking it might just take your practice to the next level? Don’t worry, I’ve been there too — tempted by the allure of shiny new gear that promises to make our yoga practice "better." But every time I find myself wanting more, I stop and reflect on asteya, the yogic principle of non-stealing.
Now, don’t get me wrong — asteya isn’t just about physical theft. It goes way deeper than that. According to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras (2.37), asteya challenges us to look at all the ways we take — whether it’s material goods, someone’s time or even energy—and asks us to cultivate a mindset of sufficiency and balance.
In a world where consumerism tells us we need more to be happy, asteya reminds us to pause and ask: What am I really taking? And why?
How Consumer Culture Steals Our Inner Peace?
We live in a society that thrives on the message of “more.” More clothes, more gadgets, more experiences. It’s a never-ending cycle, isn’t it? But when we’re constantly reaching for the next thing, we’re not just taking stuff — we’re stealing from our own sense of contentment and peace.
Have you noticed how this mentality seeps into yoga, too? Whether it’s showing up late to a class, chatting loudly in the studio before class begins, or coming in with a mental to-do list that’s five miles long, we’re constantly taking — whether from others or from ourselves. When we walk into a class distracted, we’re stealing time and energy from our teachers and fellow practitioners, and let’s be honest, from our own experience of being present.
And it’s not just about showing up physically on time — what about being mentally present? Have you ever caught yourself halfway through a class, thinking about the arm balance you hope to nail in the future, instead of actually feeling your body in the pose you’re in? I know I have. It’s like we’re so focused on what’s coming next that we steal from the present moment — asteya in action, without even realising it.
The Subtle Ways We Steal Time and Energy
Let’s talk about something we don’t often consider as stealing—our time and energy. Imagine you walk into a yoga class five minutes late. It seems harmless, right? But when we’re late, we unintentionally steal time from the teacher, who now has to pause or adjust the flow of the class. Not to mention the energy we take from other practitioners who are now distracted. Even chatting loudly before the class starts, when others are trying to settle in, can feel like we’re stealing a peaceful moment from them.
I’ve seen this happen in my own teaching experience. As students, we often don’t realise how our actions affect others. When we don’t tune in, we’re not only missing out on the opportunity to be present with ourselves but also unintentionally taking from others' experience of quietude and focus.
But it doesn’t stop there. We also steal from ourselves. When we show up on the mat distracted by external desires — whether it’s the new yoga gear or the advanced poses we want to master — we lose sight of the practice as a tool for self-inquiry. Asteya calls us to check in with ourselves. Are we in this moment, right now, or are we fixated on something we’re not yet ready to achieve? Every time we let our mind wander off into the future, we rob ourselves of the chance to experience the here and now fully.
Resource Stealing: Are We Taking More Than Our Share?
Another way asteya manifests in the modern world is through the overuse of resources. This is a big one that goes beyond the yoga studio. Our daily consumption habits — whether it’s food, clothing, or natural resources — often reflect a mindset of scarcity. We stockpile, overbuy, or hoard because we’re told that "more is better."
Take a look at the environmental crisis we’re facing. As a collective society, we are taking far more than the planet can sustain. We’re extracting resources, polluting, and consuming at an alarming rate. And we’re stealing from future generations in the process. Asteya asks us to think about how much we really need and to take only that, leaving enough for others, including the Earth itself.
Stealing from Ourselves: Are You Really Present?
Here’s the part of asteya that hit home for me: the idea that we can steal from ourselves. Yes, we can rob our own time, peace, and energy. Think about the moments when you’re on your mat, but your mind is elsewhere. Maybe you're replaying a conversation from earlier, or planning your post-class smoothie. I’ve caught myself doing this, too — focusing on what’s next rather than feeling what’s now.
We also steal from ourselves when we’re constantly striving for the next big pose or achievement. Sure, it’s great to have goals, but are we using those goals as a way to bypass the work we need to do right now? I’ve noticed that when I focus too much on future goals — like mastering a particular arm balance—I’m often not fully present with the feedback my body is giving me in real-time. Instead of listening to what my body needs in the moment, I’m fixated on what I’ll achieve in the future, and in doing so, I’m stealing from the gift of the present practice.
How Asteya Cultivates Contentment
The antidote to all this stealing, whether from others, the environment, or ourselves, is contentment — or santosha. Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra 2.42 says that "from contentment, unsurpassed joy is attained." When we practice being satisfied with what we have — whether it’s material possessions, time, or progress on the mat — we stop feeling the need to take more.
When I think about santosha in my own life, it comes down to this: being present, being enough, and letting go of the craving for more. Whether it's letting go of the desire for that new pair of yoga leggings or being at peace with where I am in my practice, contentment shifts my focus from scarcity to abundance. And from that place of abundance, we no longer feel the need to steal — there’s enough, for everyone.
Practicing Asteya in Everyday Life
So, how can we actually practice asteya? Here are a few ways I’ve started to incorporate this principle into my daily life:
Mindful consumption: Before buying something new, I ask myself if I truly need it or if I’m just filling a void. This practice has helped me cut down on impulsive shopping and feel more content with what I already have.
Respect time and space: Whether I’m walking into a yoga class or meeting a friend, I make a conscious effort to show up on time, fully present. By being mindful of others' time and energy, I respect their space — and my own.
Be present in practice: I’ve learned to catch myself when my mind drifts toward future goals on the mat. Instead, I focus on how my body feels right now, tuning in to my breath and biofeedback. This simple shift has deepened my practice more than any advanced pose ever could.
Reduce environmental footprint: Whether it’s reducing waste, consuming less, or choosing sustainable options, I practice asteya by taking only what I need and leaving enough for the planet.
Practicing asteya in today’s consumer - driven society is no small feat. We are constantly surrounded by messages telling us that we need more — more stuff, more success, more attention. But the deeper we dive into the practice of asteya, the more we realise that true abundance isn’t found in the material world. It’s found in the quiet moments of contentment, in respecting the time, energy, and space of others, and in being fully present with ourselves.
When we begin to practice asteya, we shift our focus from taking to giving, from craving to contentment, from scarcity to abundance. And in doing so, we create a ripple effect that not only transforms our personal practice but also brings more balance and harmony to the world around us.
So next time you find yourself reaching for that shiny new yoga mat, or stressing about the next big pose, take a breath. Tune in. Ask yourself, Do I really need this, or am I stealing from the present moment? Because living asteya isn’t just about what we don’t take — it’s about what we give back to ourselves, each other, and the Earth.
Namaste!
Madhura x
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