HOLISTIC MEDICINE
3) Asteya: “Asteya” means non stealing in routine sense of the word. The deeper meaning however is conviction that one’s own self is such that nothing can be added or nothing can be removed from it. With this conviction the petty desire of stealing can no more seize the person. The social significance of this is obvious. One performs his day-to-day activities and professional activities without bringing in petty motivations and vested interests. But he does it as a service to the universal will or God’s will. Exploitation gradually ceases due to practice of asteya. Asteya has many psycho-physiological influences which are beneficial to the yoga practitioner, (though these are not scientifically show). In absence of asteya one constantly dwells in the illusory petty identity of one’s self. This leads to a) Fear or dreams of future, b) Guilt or pride about the past, c) Fear of death, d) Worry about the progeny, e) Fear of thefts. All these and many other such feelings constitute the causes of stress and affect the body of the person adversely. The mechanisms underlying are not clear. But may involve Central Pattern Generators (CPG), limbic system, hypothalamus, autonomic nervous system and endocrine glands etc. affecting metabolic activities in different parts of body. Asteya in true sense can avert psychosomatic disturbances such as hyperacidity .insomnia, lassitude, pains & aches of unknown origin, cervical spondylitis & bronchial asthma. However, when arbitrarily imposed or practiced, asteya can cause confusion, disbelief and value crisis. 4) Aparigraha: This means Non hoarding.
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