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🖤 Want to reflect as you go? Grab this week's free companion journal — a simple space to write down what comes up after each episode. Download your journal here → *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-6a865006-2160-83ea-81b8-6d7a344aaef0-4" data-turn-id-container= "request-6a865006-2160-83ea-81b8-6d7a344aaef0-4" data-testid= "conversation-turn-20" data-turn="assistant" What if protecting your energy is not selfish—but one of the clearest ways to stop giving away the peace you need to live well? Welcome to Day 4 of our 7-day meditation series, Why You Feel Lacking (And How Asteya Changes Everything). This week, we're exploring Asteya, the yogic principle of non-stealing. On Day 1, we practiced Release—letting go of the belief that something essential is always missing. On Day 2, we practiced Rest—using abundance affirmations to soften scarcity. On Day 3, we practiced Ground—returning to the breath and the present moment. Today, we move into the arc of Protect. Because Asteya is not only about what we take. It is also about what we allow to be taken from us. Your time. Your attention. Your energy. Your peace. Today's meditation invites you to protect those resources with greater awareness. 🌿 Today's Meditation Technique Prithvi Mudra For today's practice, bring the tip of your ring finger to the tip of your thumb. Allow the other fingers to extend comfortably. Rest your hands gently on your thighs or knees. Prithvi Mudra is traditionally associated with the earth element, grounding, steadiness, and stability. As you hold the mudra, breathe slowly and repeat: My energy is valuable. I choose where it goes. ✨ Today's Arc: Protect Protection does not always mean building a wall. Sometimes it means noticing where you are overgiving. Where you are saying yes automatically. Where comparison is taking your attention. Where urgency is taking your rest. Where other people's expectations are taking more space than your own inner knowing. Asteya asks us to stop stealing from ourselves by giving away what we deeply need. Today's Reflection Where in my life am I giving away too much of my time, energy, or attention? You might also ask: What boundary would help me protect my peace without closing my heart? 🕉️ Asteya and Healthy Boundaries Asteya is traditionally translated as non-stealing. In a broader sense, it can also invite us to examine our relationship with resources. Time is a resource. Attention is a resource. Energy is a resource. When these are constantly spent without awareness, we may begin to feel depleted and resentful. Protection becomes a form of stewardship. It is not about withholding yourself from life. It is about becoming intentional about where your life force goes. 🧠Modern Insight: Attention Is Limited Your attention is not infinite. Every demand competes for a share of it. Notifications, unfinished tasks, conversations, comparison, and worry all draw from the same limited pool. When attention is constantly fragmented, it can become harder to feel settled and present. Boundaries help reduce unnecessary demands on that attention. Even small boundaries can make a difference: Turning off notifications. Creating a no-scroll window. Leaving space between commitments. Saying no without overexplaining. Asteya gives us an ancient language for a very modern challenge: Do not let everything have access to you. 💫 Today's Affirmation Repeat slowly: My energy is valuable. My attention is sacred. I protect my peace with clarity and care. I have enough for this moment. And return to this week's affirmation: I have enough for this moment. I am enough in this moment. I honor my time, energy, and attention. 📜 Wisdom for Today Asteya invites us to recognize that when we stop grasping—and stop allowing our energy to be scattered—we create space for greater sufficiency. Today, ask: What deserves my energy? And just as importantly: What does not? Discernment is one of the quiet forms of peace. 💛 Daily Message for Your Heart Dear Friend, You are allowed to protect your peace. You are allowed to take your time. You are allowed to say no. You are allowed to leave something unanswered until tomorrow. You do not have to make yourself endlessly available in order to be loving. Sometimes love looks like presence. Sometimes it looks like generosity. And sometimes it looks like a boundary. Protect what helps you remain whole. With love, Mary 🌙 Sleep Softly Tonight Before bed tonight, bring your hands into Prithvi Mudra. Take three slow breaths. Then ask yourself: What can I stop carrying tonight? Let one responsibility wait. Let one conversation remain unfinished. Let one thought go unanswered. Then repeat: My energy returns to me. My peace is protected. Nothing more is required of me tonight. I rest in enough. Let the body soften. Let your attention come home. And allow yourself to sleep knowing that your peace is worth protecting. This is Day 4 of the 7-day weekly series, episodes "Why You Feel Lacking (And How Asteya Changes Everything)" #2110-2116 Share Your Journey I'd love to hear what came up for you today. Screenshot this episode and tag me, or reply to this week's email — I read every message. Ways to Support If this episode helped you, the most meaningful thing you can do is share it with someone who needs a little peace today. Ratings and reviews also help this podcast reach more people looking for calm. Extra Daily Support Want more than one meditation a day? The Sip and Om Meditation App includes extended sessions, sleep content, and the full library of past series. 📲 [Download on the App Store →] Credits Music by Christopher Lloyd Clarke and Greg Keller. Hosted by Mary Meckley — Sip and Om, Daily Meditation Podcast. Questions or feedback? Reach me anytime at [email protected]