Category: inspire

You must remember that the only thing permanent in this world is change. Things do not and cannot remain the same.

Seasons change and you prepare yourself accordingly for the different moods of the four seasons. The freezing winter, sunny spring, sweltering summer and amazing autumn… each season varies vastly in every possible way, but gives way to the other season, quietly, following the instructions of Mother Nature. These seasonal changes that are witnessed and experienced by us are accepted by us as a normal, natural process and we never question the divine beauty of this cycle. Similar to the changing seasons, each one of us will find different shades, hues, colouring our lives. The pattern, rhythm and colour of our life can never remain the same. We laugh one day and cry the very next day. Life brings along-with it seconds of happiness but longer moments of duress. We will undoubtedly face new predicaments, daunting challenges and unexpected situations every day. The degree of difficulty of these concerns could differ. Some issues can be dealt with and tided over easily but some problems stay with us for a longer periods of time and refuse to leave us. It is during such moments of tension, when we feel that circumstances are beyond our control, nothing is going right for us, that we should neither be greatly perturbed, nor lose our self-confidence, but rise to meet the demanding period, boldly, with courage and confidence. Rather than questioning fate and blaming the Almighty for creating these problems for us, we should accept such moments too, as His blessing and thank Him for providing us with an opportunity to prove our merit and worth by standing tall in the eye of a storm. We should not develop a defeatist attitude and give in without putting up a fight! We feel stronger and empowered whenever we are able to overcome and win over situations which we felt were not in our favour.

We should remember that just like the changing seasons, this difficult time too is not here to stay with us, forever, but will pass by quickly, and things will be back to normal before long.

Swamiji often tells us how important it is to be disciplined in one’s life. He emphasises on following a routine no matter how simple it may be. Continuity, especially when it comes to spiritual matters, proves immensely beneficial in the longer run. Meditation, for example, is one such thing that just keeps getting better and better with time. Sticking to a 10-15 minute routine too, gives astonishing results sooner rather than later. Chanting or repetition, of any mantra or ritual should also be a disciplined and dedicated act. To expound this further He once told us this motivating anecdote that we’ve shared below.

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“Once upon a time there was a devotee whose day started with offering water to Sun (Surya Dev), as obeisance. 40 years passed and he never ever even once missed or forgo his routine ritual. Once he fell severely ill and was unable to wake up at his usual time. Nonetheless he got up when he could, and just as he began moving towards the window to make his ritual offerings to the Sun, his wife informed him that it’s a gloomy cloudy day outside and that he may not be able to make the intended offering. He looked at her, smiled and said – ” For the past 40 years of my life, every morning I have waited patiently and lovingly for HIM ( the Sun ), I’m quite sure He’s waiting as eagerly for me today.” Just as he said that, the clouds parted and the Sun smiled down upon him, shining a million times brighter, as if reconfirming what the man already knew. Such is the power and such is the beauty of discipline. Add to it a bit of love and devotion and lo! you have the perfect recipe for bliss!”

*** Om Swamiji Sri Ajay Guru Devaya Namah ***