Arya Samaj

Shishya · Posted: Sat May 05, 2007 2:42 pm Post subject: Non-Stealing (ASTEYA)

Non-Stealing (ASTEYA)
by
Arya Putra

It is a tendency of one’s lower nature to try to ‘get something for nothing.’ In other words, driven by the tamsasic and rajasic qualities inherent in the ‘mind-stuff’ (extrapolated from Prakriti), people (that is, unevolved people) will tend to expect something is ‘owed’ to them without their having to really work for it. Such an attitude is the mindset of a thief; it is the attitude of one who desires without deserving, who wants without working, and who takes without giving.

We are robbing from ourselves when we expect other people to make us happy or fulfill our images and expectations. What we lose is our peace of mind. When we listen to our ego we are cheating ourselves. When we surrender to our selfish desires we are letting our own ego ‘rob us blind.’ It means when we are blind to the truth we follow our ego and it steals away our life.

Non-stealing means to keep our ego in check and not take credit for the good we do in the name of God (in the name of Truth, or Dharma). We are the instrument of a higher power and without that power we are powerless. Our body and mind are animated by the power of Atman in the form of PRANA. All credit goes to our spirit-self and NOT our small-self ego.

The embodied soul (the spirit-self working through the mind and body) MUST work. Work is a must. We become intoxicated with the spirit-self by performing actions (through the mind and body) in the spirit of renunciation—in other words, without the thought of our small self (ego, persona). The ecstatic state of consciousness can NEVER be attained by just doing nothing or expecting others to do something for us, or by depending on our ‘luck.’ When we are complacent and settle into our comfort zones we become zombies. A ‘zombie’ is one who does not think for himself but instead just follows the whims of his mind and the dictates of his ego.

If we follow our ego our ego will make us a ‘thief.’ Our ego makes us think that ‘the world owes us something’ or that we can get something out of life without giving anything to it. People who are addicted to gambling are also thieves because they think they can get something for nothing; in other words, a gambler thinks he can get rich without earning it; he thinks he can ‘earn’ a living without working for it. Life does not work that way.

Taking what is not ours is called stealing. Buying what we cannot afford to pay for is also called stealing. Eating food that we cannot digest will steal away our health. Acquiring things that we cannot maintain will steal away our peace of mind. When we are possessed by our possessions we lose self-control. When we lose self-control we are controlled by things outside of ourselves and feel that we are robbed of our peace of mind. To regain our peace of mind we have to make peace with ourselves. We do this by coming to grips with ourselves and making a firm resolve to ‘keep it simple.’ To keep it simple all we need to do is get our own ego out of the way: stop looking for attention, stop seeking appreciation or recognition, stop expecting ease without effort, and stop wanting without working. All of these thieving activities are driven by ego-mentality. This is why we need to remove ego from our mind. We need to break the mind-ego connection, and when we do we are FREE. When we are really free, there is absolutely no tendency to steal and no fear of losing what we have, because what we have (what we REALLY have) can never be lost or stolen.

The practice of Asteya (non-stealing) requires constant vigilance. We have to be very sharp and focused to see what we are doing and thinking, and how our thoughts and actions affect our life, the lives of our loved ones, and the whole world.

Mitra · Posted: Fri May 11, 2007 3:55 am Post subject:

Namaste ,

Thank you for explaining the relevance of Asteya in our day to day dealings Arya Putra Ji.
Everyone speaks of being non-covetous, but when it comes to outsmarting others its a skill that one has to master to survive. Is life so cutthroat and ruthless, devoid of dignity ? Why do wives, husbands, parents, siblings, friends begin to cast that covetous eye and vie against each other for a say in money matters ? Unfortunately our relations are based not just on spirituality, friendship and love but more on money. Life's success is measured not by achievement of excellence/one's inner potential but by some material yardsticks of ownership. And if this is the aim its easier to just get those things somehow , not delving into anything more .

For me, being truthful and just is to put it simply, easier on the nerves. I have to be . It is helping me be brave because I have got nothing to hide and have to speak out as it is. Maybe I dont have the stomach/smarts for lies but I am thankful I have a simple mind. And somehow even as I doubt my capacities to deal with life and go to pieces , I emerge grateful to that presence which protects me when I get through something yet again to breathe freely and see the world going on as good as ever.
But I have to make sure that when I rob no one, I also am not getting robbed. Thats tough and is making me grouchy and stingy Mad

. ( I will wait for your advice on Aparigraha, I need it badly or I am going to be one stingy person ) I also find often that when it is someone else's money being spent we dont seem to apply the same ethics of thrift and fairness. Its not our own money so spend it as you will. My friend who is the stingiest/ most honest person I know who never took a auto for hire when she spends her money, blew up a chunk of some collective funds on cab rides when entrusted to organise an event.

What I achieve/learn on my own is far more important to me than its monetary value. I was laughed at when I started out for my meagre earnings, I hated it and had to deal with the envy on seeing someone especially smart making it good right away, but couldnt give up my little job ,perhaps because the sense of being on my own fed my ego. I like doing my own thing at my own pace much more than the feeling of earning big and outwitting someone else or living off someone. The envy does help me push myself a bit more . My difficulties are uniquely mine and my happiness is mine.

I keep trying to remember what I was told that wealth is of two types - Laksmi and Alakshmi. The Alakshmi is earned by non-righteous means and may feel good for a shortwhile but leads to one's downfall in the long run.
_________________
Namaste
Manurbhava

Arya Putra · Posted: Thu May 17, 2007 4:07 am Post subject:

Namaste Mitra Ji,

The following thoughts are offered in the spirit of universal love and friendship. These thoughts may or may not relate directly to your train of thought, but they are on the right track and will lead you to a good place.