“It is not the chains of some tyrant that robs us of freedom. Rather, it is the staleness of our attitude.”

― Craig D. Lounsbrough

The Eighth Commandment, “You shall not steal,” seems straightforward. We instinctively picture burglars, shoplifters, or fraudsters. It’s a foundational law for any society, a clear boundary protecting property. But what if this commandment points to a far deeper, more pervasive form of theft that each of us commits daily, often without a second thought?

This is the provocative question posed by Abd-ru-shin (the pen name of Oskar Ernst Bernhardt, 1875-1941) in his seminal work, “In the Light of Truth: The Grail Message.” He pushes beyond the material understanding to expose the spiritual core of this divine law, revealing it as a profound principle of cosmic justice.

The Literal Law: A Necessary Foundation

Abd-ru-shin does not dismiss the earthly importance of the commandment. He acknowledges that stealing material goods—whether through force, deception, or exploitation—creates immediate harm and disrupts social harmony. It is a clear violation of another’s rights and a manifestation of selfishness and greed.

However, he argues that limiting the commandment to this level is a grave error, a simplification that misses its true, universal intent. He states:

“The human being understands by stealing only the material taking away of something from his fellow-man. But the Commandment comprises infinitely more!” (Abd-ru-shin, In the Light of Truth, Lecture “The Ten Commandments”)

This “infinitely more” is where his critical analysis begins, challenging readers to examine their actions and thoughts on a much deeper level.

Theft of Time, Energy, and Peace

Abd-ru-shin expands the definition of theft to include intangible possessions, which are often more valuable than material goods.

• Stealing Time: Do you waste another person’s time through unnecessary dithering, chronic lateness, or demanding attention for trivial matters? This, Abd-ru-shin would argue, is theft. You are taking a resource they can never get back.
• Stealing Energy and Joy: Spreading gossip, nurturing resentment, or deliberately sowing discord steals a person’s inner peace and joy. You are robbing them of their emotional equilibrium.
• Stealing Reputation: Slander and malicious gossip are among the most severe forms of theft, as they plunder a person’s honor and good name, assets painstakingly built over a lifetime.

This perspective reframes daily interactions. The office gossip, the perpetually late friend, the negative influence—all are engaged in a subtle but real form of theft.

The Most Profound Theft: Robbing Ourselves

Abd-ru-shin’s most critical statement turns the commandment inward. He posits that the primary entity we steal from is often ourselves.

“The worst robber a man has is himself!… Man steals from himself daily, hourly! He steals from himself the best that he has: the possibility of ascending, of developing himself upwards.” (Abd-ru-shin, In the Light of Truth, Lecture “The Ten Commandments”)

How do we rob ourselves?

• Wasting Talents: By leaving our innate gifts and abilities unused out of laziness or fear, we steal from our own potential and from the world that could have benefited from them.
• Neglecting Spiritual Seeking: By prioritizing the trivial over the profound, distracting ourselves with empty entertainment instead of pursuing genuine knowledge and self-improvement, we steal our own opportunity for spiritual progress.
• Harboring Negative Thoughts: When we indulge in hatred, envy, or judgment, we are not harming the other person as much as we are poisoning our own souls. We steal our own inner light and peace.

This is a radical inversion of the victim-perpetrator model. We are both the thief and the victim. Every time we choose a lower path over a higher one, we commit an act of self-theft with eternal consequences.

The Cosmic Law of Reciprocal Action

Underpinning Abd-ru-shin’s entire exposition is the immutable Law of Sowing and Reaping (the Law of Reciprocal Action). Stealing in any form—material or spiritual—creates a karmic debt that must be balanced.

“Not a thing can be stolen without the perpetrator one day having to make good what he stole… The account must be settled in full.”

This isn’t about divine punishment but about the natural restoration of balance. The energy taken must be returned, often in ways we cannot foresee. Understanding this makes the commandment not a restrictive rule from an angry god, but a compassionate warning about the inherent mechanics of the universe. Respecting what belongs to others, both materially and ethereally, is ultimately an act of self-preservation.

Living the Eighth Commandment in the Modern World

So, how do we apply this expansive view today?

1. Practice Conscious Ownership: Be mindful not only of what you own but also of the time, attention, and energy of others. Value them as sacred property.
2. Guard Your Words: Before speaking, ask if your words build up or tear down. Avoid stealing peace through criticism or reputation through gossip.
3. Invest in Yourself: Refuse to steal from your own potential. Actively cultivate your talents, seek knowledge, and nurture your spiritual well-being.
4. Cultivate Gratitude: A grateful heart does not feel the need to steal. It recognizes the abundance already present and respects the boundaries of others.

Conclusion

Abd-ru-shin’s interpretation of “You shall not steal” is a call to heightened awareness. It challenges us to move beyond a legalistic view and embrace the commandment as a guiding principle for every thought, word, and deed. It reveals that true integrity means respecting all forms of property—the wallet, the time, the spirit, and the soul—understanding that in the intricate web of creation, to steal from another is, in the end, to rob oneself of light and progress.

By recognizing the profound depth of this ancient law, we can begin to live more justly, not because we fear punishment, but because we understand it is the only way to achieve true harmony within ourselves and with the universe.