Day: June 13, 2026

Swami ji said…

Life is nothing but a series of circumstances; of instances that we face, from birth to death. There is not one moment which is ever in our control. Everything that we go through and experience in this life, in this world, is pre-destined. It is all a result of our past actions. The good, the bad, the ugly—and everything in between.

And, while most of us seem to know this, how many of us truly believe this? How many of us are acutely aware of this in our thoughts? Wouldn’t our reaction to any situation or circumstance be very different- if we had truly embedded this belief within ourselves?

If something good happens, we rejoice; if something bad happens, we become sad. Our mind during such moments is akin to a log of wood tossed in the seas—simply at the mercy of the crests and troughs of the sea, which seem much like the ups and downs of life.

When the going gets tough, we forget everything and look for someone to blame. And when the times are good, we look for ways to attribute that to ourselves. But, that is not the characteristic of one who is in control of himself. That is not the hallmark of one whose action is measured and thought out.

All our actions, whether planned or not, are ultimately a reaction to life around us. From the grand gestures to the smallest of acts. Be it our everyday routine or some special activity we do—everything is a response to life itself. And that is all that is in our control.

Some of us go through trials and tribulations in life- which are harsh, unforgettable. And many times, we believe that they, in turn, have made us harsh in our behaviour. Yet, there are others who go through worse and still come across as the kindest souls one could come across.

One student fails an exam and gives up on academics forever. Another digs deeper and decides to retake his exams, emerging as a much better student. Then there are some among us on whom fortune smiles, making us wealthy beyond measure. But what does that wealth do to us? Some become proud and arrogant, displaying the worst within them. Yet others become even more humble, more sacrificing, and ever more grateful. Same circumstances, yet different reactions. None of these examples are new to us. Yet, what do we learn from them?

The spiritual practitioner must strive to control his actions- unaffected and untouched by all that is happening around him. Irrespective of the circumstance- what truly matters- is the way he behaves and reacts to them.

Shri Ram’s temperament and nature did not change- while he was in exile- in the forest. His thoughts and actions were just as noble and grounded- as they had been while he was a prince. As a king, he maintained the simplicity and humility of a sage. The forests, the crowns, and the wars did not make Him deviate from His ‘principles’. He maintained His composure, His pursuit of truth and fairness, and His practice of “dharma”- throughout his life – indifferent to the contrasting circumstances that were faced by Him.

Similarly, the spiritual seeker must strive to be measured, composed, and strong in thought and action- always- no matter what life presents him with. He must be observant of his emotions, his thoughts and actions- and not let the challenges that will most certainly be faced by him while on the spiritual path- doubt himself, waver and move away from the Right path.