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| Asteya, Non-stealing |
During the Gita Group last weekend, we began the group with an explanation of the Bhagavad Gita's epic beginning. We then began to outline the Niyamas and Yamas from the Sutras. Asteya (non-stealing) seemed to be the point that was drawn upon from the beginning of the Gita in our conversation; the lands were stolen from the brothers. It takes much courage in life to discern what our worth is, and even more to decifer what the costs of our actions affect. Stealing is a sense of entitlement, a feeling or belief that we deserve something that we did not earn.
Begin to think of organizations that do not honor Asteya towards others and the environment. Examine small examples such as leaving the water running. If I do this, I am paying for the water so I am entitled to do this? No, I am not using the water (though I am paying for it), but I am wasting it, thus stealing it from the environment. Lets climb up the scale of stealing shall we? I order a small package in the mail. I recieve the package, but claim that I did not get it so that I get it for free. No harm done right? Wrong. Did you know the delivery operator must recoup for that cost? I just stole "x" dollars from that UPS/FEDEX/Postman. Want to see it on an even bigger scale? Wal-Mart. I like the principle and idea of Sam Walton's concepts, but the organization that it has become makes me very sad. When I shop at Wal-Mart and endorse cheap supply chain products brought to me by individuals serving and working for my needs that are making minimum wage with shanti benefits, I am stealing. I am stealing quality of life from them, from the environment, from our country (overseas marketing/contracting), and from our communities. We all have the power to make choices of purchase, of ethics, and of conservation.
I write to you this blog and thoughts about Asteya. Consider something: the golden rule. "Do unto others as you would have done to you". Consider this when you support any organization, and any product that you consume. Begin to research where things come from and how they get to you. Begin to find out in the service industry how much of what you pay for your services goes back to the person actually providing the service. For example, when I was in the Virgin Islands before Christmas, I met a massage therapist. She told me she was employed for a cruise company. She was giving 10-15 massages daily and getting paid $7.50 per hour +a small room and board (food not included). Customers were paying $45--$75 an hour for massage. Is this fair? It is stealing. I implore you to apply this to restaurants, hair-cuts, landscaping, medical care, YOGA, this list is infinite.
Fair Trade is something that many products now carry and that many consumers now endorse. I beseech you to apply this concept to every form of trade you share in, service or material objects. Looking for ways to apply this to what we do on our mats? Honor yourself in class and during practice by being present, and letting go of judgement and competition against others and yourself. Release expectations of what others or your poses should look like. Do not compete in knowledge with being the "seasoned" yogi thinking that you know more than others or the instructor; we all have something to bring to the table. Using a yoga classes props/mats/facilities without caring for them in the utmost respect. "Getting" our moneys worth out of a class...because we are entitled? What is the cost?
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Posted by omyoga82 on 2008-04-01 00:25:00 | Rating: | Views: 187
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