Week Five

Asteya: Non-stealing – Includes not only taking what belongs to another without permission, but also using something for a different purpose to that intended, or beyond the time permitted by its owner.

Asteya is our first encounter with the power of non-attachment.

“When we look honestly at the ways in which we have been stealing, we come to understand that in each instance, there is an attachment to a specific result that overrides our deeper values. Beneath the attachment, we find fear: fear that we will not get what we need; fear that if we leave things up to the universe, we will not be taken care of.” ~ Meditations from the Mat

Class Discussion: Stealing and coveting. What does this mean on a non-physical level?
Are you willing to give up all you have for the “one true thing?”

“Craving muddies the stream of tranquility” ~ Light on Yoga

Letting go of Poverty Consciousness: Committing those tiny, seemingly insignificant thefts without a second thought, we cannot significantly change our behavior. We no longer have to believe that if you win, I lose.

Practice:
Pranayama: Ujjayi Breath
Asana: Inversion (headstand)
Meditation: Mirror Soul Meditation

Journaling (in class):
Write about one thing you are stealing and how you want to let it go.

Blogging
We are actually halfway through this class, believe it or not! What, if any, changes have you experienced since beginning your yoga practice? Are you keeping the benefits of the practice on your mat? OR, Do you notice the changes in other areas of your life?

Next week:
• Please have your binders with yoga journals ready to check off at the beginning of class.
• Please log onto the blog and read about the Seva assignment again and come prepared to share with the class how you plan to do your 5 hour Seva practice.
• Blogging (starting this week) will become an assigned task. Each week, there will be an assigned blog question, along with the journaling in class.

Seva:
• Seva: To be fully human, we must translate our compassion and concern into useful service.
o First, we must ask this: “What inspires you to be of service to the world?”
o Off the Mat and Into the World
o Seva Project as a class: I would like everyone to work on a five hour Seva Project to be completed by the end of the semester. You can work together.