288. Asteya – The Abundance of Non-Stealing

Continuing the theme...

Yoga Sūtra II.37, which speaks to the practice of asteya, or non-stealing.

The sūtra reads:

asteya-pratiṣṭhāyāṃ sarva-ratnopasthānam
“When one is firmly established in non-stealing, all jewels present themselves.” — Edwin Bryant

Let’s pause on this idea of pratiṣṭhām — being firmly established. When asteya becomes the foundation of how we live, “all the jewels” (sarva-ratna) naturally manifest. Things flow toward us — and isn’t that what we want? Who wouldn’t love a few more jewels?

But here’s the key: these jewels don’t arrive through grasping or taking. They flow when we live with full authenticity and integrity, when we set up the energy field and vibration we want to attract into our lives. It’s about becoming the kind of person who naturally earns the respect of colleagues, family, and friends.

What kind of abundance do we really seek?
It’s not just about material abundance — bigger portfolios, a nicer car, or better stock performance. Sarva-ratna points to something richer: an abundance of love, meaningful connections, deep relationships, and vibrant health.

Sometimes the question isn’t whether we’re stealing from others, but whether we’re stealing from ourselves. Are we robbing our own health by neglecting sleep, eating poorly, or pushing too hard?

Levels of pratiṣṭhām — where non-stealing plays out:

• Relationships: Am I demanding time or energy that isn’t freely given? Am I respecting others’ boundaries and autonomy? Or am I trying to take away their freedom to face their own fears and challenges in their own time? Asteya in relationships means giving people the space to grow, without stealing their process.

• Work: Do I acknowledge sources? Avoid taking credit that isn’t mine? Show up on time? Do I overpromise, or do I consistently deliver more than I take?

• Social Media: Do I borrow or repost content without giving credit?

To be “firmly established” in asteya means living in such a way that nothing needs to be taken, because life flows with sufficiency. At its root, pratiṣṭhāyām is grounded in the absence of fear — the fear that there isn’t enough, or that we ourselves aren’t enough.

And maybe we can close with this simple thought: when we let go of stealing, grasping, and taking, we discover that abundance was already waiting to flow toward us.