The new year 2017 as per the Gregorian calendar has begun. Calendar years are nothing but waypoints in the journey of life. You could use any date such as your birthday, marriage anniversary, or any other important date in your life as a waypoint. However, the spirit of entering a new year has its own charm because you see everyone around you celebrating the event. This feeling adds more energy to your thoughts and decisions. However, it is important to note that when you enter a new year, nothing really
changes apart from the calendar. There is nothing spectacular about it unless you decide to use the date as a turning point to make major changes in the way you perceive things, the way you work or do things, in the way you communicate with others, in the way you live your life or in the way you treat yourself. Bhagavan Krishna says that He is the Self, situated in all entities (SBG 10:20). He exists within us and therefore the body needs to be treated as a temple of the Supreme Bhagavan Krishna. Your body is your sole material possession that will remain with you until the end of the Janma or the current leg of your Karmic voyage. The most important requisite for a journey is a mode of conveyance. In the odyssey of life, it is the body which is the one and only mode of conveyance for the Atman and therefore it is absolutely essential to care for it well. The mind is the main interface between you, your brain and your body and hence keeping your mind alert and efficient at all times is also crucial.
The upcoming planetary transit in January 2017 is a major one. On the 26th of January 2017, Saturn will transit to Sagittarius which is ruled by Jupiter. This transit indicates a lot of huge changes in the lives of people affected by Saturn. On that day, Tula Rashians will be out of Sadé Sati, Vrischikans will enter the 3rd phase of the dreaded period, Dhanu Rashians will enter the second phase and Makar Rashians will begin their seven and a half year period of Karma balancing. Vrischikans, particularly those who have undergone sufferings, trials, and tribulations in the last four years, can heave a sigh of relief and look forward to magical changes which will greatly improve their life. On the other hand, those belonging to Dhanu and Makar Rashis, who have fortunately not faced serious hardships until now may want to learn to respect the power of destiny and accept simplicity as the way of life.
The good news is that many of our members have started writing to me about improvements in their life. Some have found improvements in career while others have sorted out problems in their relationships. There is every reason to start the new year with total optimism, faith and gratitude. Most of you must have made different new year resolutions but my personal suggestion to everyone would be to prioritise taking good care of yourselves before anything else. Only when you are well can you be of use to yourself and to the society.
How about following these two prime steps?
1. Adopting a Sattvik diet (SBG 17:08) It is advisable to go for more of an alkaline than an acidic diet.
(SBG 17:09) “The foods that are bitter, sour, saline, excessively hot, dry, pungent and burning, are liked by the Rajasic and are productive of pain, grief and disease.”
Refrain completely from consuming animal products and go 100% Vegan. Do not 
get fooled by the medical and food industries and also by the media. Apart from the harmful effects of consuming animal proteins, you need to think about the cruelty involved in egg and dairy industries of which you may not want to be a part of. Remember, all actions create new Karma and therefore be very careful when making choices. It is not very difficult to do some research on the benefits of Vegan foods and of abstaining from animal proteins forever. Click here to know about some of the leading and popular vegan strongmen and women who live on plant-based diets. http://www.greatveganathletes.com/bodybuilders
A young person from a neighbouring European country contacted me in October 2015. She was in the fourth stage of Adenocarcinoma (metastatic pancreatic cancer). Being a very intelligent and well-informed person, she was determined to fight the disease and become healthy again. One of the first steps I suggested to her in order to prepare her body to fight the disease was to turn completely vegan and live on a purely plant-based diet. Well, that is what most cancer survivors have done. Except for two sessions of Chemotherapy, she underwent nonallopathic treatment. In the month of January 2016, there was a considerable decrease in her tumour marker. It has been 13 months since she started working on curing herself and now she is doing much better. Never overlook the fact that all diseases can be cured and also prevented through correct diet and the power of the mind.
2. The second very important step to maintaining good health is Exercise – at least 30 minutes if not 60 minutes of brisk walking. Cycling for two hours would be very effective. Apart from that, you could choose from the many Youtube videos that you could follow every day. Your body and its health give you a strong identity. Maintaining a well-nourished and exercised body greatly improves the quality and length of life. Nothing or no one can be more important than your own health.
Have a great new year and keep spreading happiness, love and friendship.
Jai Shri Krishna
Tavamithram Sarvada 