A Message of Reflection and Clarity
As we take a moment to reflect on our lives, let’s remind ourselves that a new year, whether it’s the Gregorian year or any other marker of time, by itself cannot do anything. It is our perception of things and our attitude towards life that truly influence our lives.
In my opinion, what we need to first strive for is clarity—clarity in the way we think, perceive, and judge. For this, some fundamental understanding of oneself and universal oneness is essential.
In our world, filled with numerous cults, groups, spiritual leaders and gurus, it is crucial to recognise the true qualities of divinity, which are honesty, sincerity, compassion, modesty, and gratitude. These virtues surpass any specific doctrine or tradition.
TThe Vedas, Upanishads, and the Srimad Bhagavad Gita are invaluable tools designed to guide individuals towards selflessness. However, although they make things easier for a seeker, they are not the only path to achieving a divine state. Many remarkable people who have never encountered these texts exhibit profound divinity, suggesting that true spirituality transcends any specific set of teachings.
In the Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Shloka 2:46, Krishna says that one who has attained SELF-realisation needs the Vedas as much as one would need a well when it is flooded everywhere. This illustrates that attaining supreme knowledge is the highest goal.
Everyone’s spiritual journey is unique. The purpose of Karma Yoga, or performing one’s duty without expecting results, is to maintain a balanced state of mind. Emotions such as happiness, sadness, anger, hatred, and envy are born from our perceptions. These emotions are merely waves in the otherwise tranquil ocean of awareness.
When we learn to perceive things differently, we can face and handle challenges better. However, the root causes of mental pain, sadness, and suffering are often attachments and our expectations.
The greatest lesson I have learned from life’s ups and downs is to never expect anything from anyone or life itself. Instead, relish every moment, knowing that anything can happen at any time. Being alive, healthy, sane, and conscious is a gift to be celebrated.
I think that feeling upset about things can also be seen as a form of arrogance or entitlement. It is because it overlooks the miracle of life happening with every heartbeat, which, by the way, can stop at any time.
BBy cultivating a profound understanding of this, we can achieve peace in any circumstance. Introspecting and recognising our fundamentally innate honest and sincere nature reveals the misguided notions arising from a lack of clarity, which obscure our divine true self. Challenging situations refine and polish us, leading to the highest clarity and the ultimate state of Krishna.
Please reflect on the following Shlokas from the Srimad Bhagavad Gita:
SBG 14:23
Krishna says: “He remains unattached and is not moved by sense objects. He knows that it is the senses and the mind born of the Gunas that act while his real Self remains unwavering in all situations.”
SBG 14:24
“He is the same in pleasure as well as in pain; is established in the Self; he is one to whom a lump of earth, a stone and gold are no different from each other; he treats equally the friendly and the unfriendly, and accepts praise or criticism with equanimity.”
SBG 14:25
“He who remains unmoved in honour and dishonour; is the same to friend and foe, and has renounced all actions by giving up claims of being the ‘Doer’, is said to have transcended the three Gunas.”
SBG 14:26
“He who serves Me with unflinching devotion and transcends the Gunas, is fit for becoming Brahman.”
SBG 14:27
“For I am the abode of the formless Brahman, the imperishable and the immutable, of eternal Dharma and of absolute bliss.”
Reflect on these teachings to find peace and equanimity in your spiritual journey. Once such clarity has been achieved, every new day can be celebrated as the first day of the rest of your life, without waiting for any calendar to announce and validate it.
As we embark on our own journeys, let us seek the fruits of the Tree of Abundance. This metaphorical tree, rooted in the fertile soil of knowledge and wisdom, offers us an endless bounty. From its branches hang the fruits of health, prosperity, and happiness, each one a result of the nurturing power of understanding and insight. When we cultivate our minds with learning and awareness, we gain the true wealth that life has to offer. May the Tree of Abundance bless you with its riches, nourishing every aspect of your life and guiding you towards a future filled with endless possibilities.
Please remember that if you continue to be what you have always been and do what you have always done, your life will continue to be how it has always been. Different results need different inputs. It all starts with knowledge. It is usually through the transformative power of knowledge that one can plant the seeds of change and harvest a future abundant with new possibilities.
Thank you.
Have a great life ahead.
Stay blessed.
Jai Shri Krishna.
example from my past. Many years ago, I was a motorcycle stuntman in Indian films, doubling for lead stars and performing death-defying stunts. In the film industry, numerous unions exist for various trades, including actors, directors, make-up artists, dancers, photographers, and others. Naturally, there was also a union for stuntmen, and I was expected to join. However, I refused to be tied down by group membership, choosing instead to remain independent. Consequently, I willingly accepted a penalty of twenty-five per cent of my earnings for not being a member. Despite this, I chose to pay the penalty each time I earned money performing stunts.
Tavamithram Sarvada 