Yoga Nidra For Abundance: Honouring Astēya (Non-Stealing)

Astēya, the yogic principle of non-stealing, invites us to let go of grasping — for time, attention, things, or even identity. In this Yoga Nidra, you’ll be gently guided to release the subtle ways we take from ourselves and others and return to the quiet sufficiency of simply being. Let go of the need to hold, to want, to chase… and rest in the truth that you are already enough.
Part of the series "A meditative journey through the 8 Limbs of Yoga"

Transcript

Hello everyone and welcome to our yoga nidra session. Today's session is going to focus on asetya, The third yama, In Patanjali's Eight Limbs of Yoga. And fundamentally this means non-stealing. And most people when they hear this think, Well I'm not a thief, I don't steal. But it's a little bit deeper than that. When we take something from others, Perhaps their laughter or their generosity or even their spirit, Then that's an act of stealing. If it's given to us, That's different. So today's class is going to be or practice is going to be about abundance. Because the only reason that we feel the need to steal is that there is a lack of abundance within our own lives. And the fact is that everything you need is given to you. And once we realize that, Then we can live in that abundant mentality without the need to take from anybody else or from ourselves. And as we know, All yoga practices begin with the self. So asetya calls us to live in a way where there's nothing needs to be taken because we realize we are already enough. So let's begin. Find a comfortable position lying on the bed or on the floor in the position of shivasana. Close the eyes down and simply relax. Notice that everything that you have here is enough. There is nothing that you need for at this precise moment in time. The breath is given, The air is abundant. A focus on a sense and a feeling of abundance. And as you know, The first thing that we do in this practice is we set a sankalpa. And your sankalpa needs to be said in the present tense. And as we are practicing asetya, Perhaps something that goes along the lines of, I don't need to take. Everything I need is given. I'm free from the need. I am abundant. Words along those lines may resonate with you, But I'd invite you to drop into your heart. And find the sankalpa that suits you. So initially, We are going to take a rotation of consciousness throughout the body. Simply drop into the feeling of the body. And as you can see, There is nothing that you need. Take your awareness to your right thumb, Index finger, Middle finger, Ring finger, Pinky finger, Back of the hand, Palm of the hand, Wrist, Forearm, Elbow, Upper arm, Shoulder, Armpit, Ribcage, Waist, Hip, Thigh, Knee, Shin, Ankle, Sole of the right foot, Top of the foot, Big toe, Second toe, Third toe, Fourth toe, Fifth toe. Take the awareness to the left side. Left thumb, Index finger, Middle finger, Ring finger, Pinky finger, Back of the hand, Palm of the hand, Wrist, Forearm, Elbow, Upper arm, Shoulder, Armpit, Ribcage, Waist, Hip, Thigh, Knee, Shin, Ankle, Sole of the left foot, Top of the foot, Big toe, Second toe, Third toe, Fourth toe, Fifth toe. Take the awareness to the back of the body, Right heel, Left heel, Back of the leg, The buttocks, The spine, The shoulder blade, The back of the head, The back of the arm, The top of the head, The forehead, The eye, The nose, The mouth, The chin, The front of the torso, The top of the legs, Both feet together, Both legs together, Both hands together, Both arms together, The torso, The head, The whole of the body. Rest in awareness of the body, And then come to the breath. Each breath arrives as a gift. You do not need to take it, You do not need to hold on to it, Just let it come and go. With a sense of plenty, Nothing to take, Simply breathe. Breathe the body. Breathe the body. Don't force anything. Allow yourself to get deep now with the breath. Deeper and deeper and deeper. You're not taking, It's given. Let the breath arrive. No need to hold. Deeper and deeper as you go. Imagine the body feeling hot and uncomfortable. Heat generators in the body. Too hot. And imagine a cold shower, Washing away everything. Nice and cold. And now, Take a deep breath in, And a deep breath out, And a deep breath in, And a deep breath out. Close your eyes, And gently gaze at the third eye. Notice the abundance there. No beginning and no ending. Just rest there. I'm going to suggest some imagery. I'd like you to see it in your mind's eye, To the best of your ability. Imagine pebbles in your hand. Pebbles in the hand. Dropping them one by one into a river. Letting go of borrowed items. Clearing out a cupboard. A feeling of release. A feeling of release. Taking something that doesn't belong to you. Taking something that doesn't belong to you. A room full of objects. Table, Vases, Anonymous. Giving away everything you don't need. Only taking what you need. Sitting by an open fire. With loved ones. Resting in security and abundance. Rest in bliss and serenity. I'll let you be for a few moments now without any voice. In this space of abundance, Reintroduce your sankalpa. Repeat it three times and simply let go. Knowing there is nothing to take that you need. This will come to you. This will manifest in your life. All you have to do is believe. Simply believe. Let go of any grasping. Give freely and receive freely. Give with love and receive with gratitude. Becoming aware of the body lying on the ground. Moving the fingers and the toes. Taking control of the breath. Gently breathing the body and making some larger movements. Stretch out as much as you need. Return back to this level of consciousness. The practice of yoga nidra is over. Thank you for listening.