Hari Aum.
As the year 2025 draws to a close, I was reflecting upon the events that have occurred during this period. And, I have to admit that, on the whole, I am truly very grateful to the universe. So much has happened, on so many levels (both on the outer/3D and inner/5D). Overall, I feel things are much better today than at the start of this year.
This year has, of course, not been without significant challenges (as is usual for many of us). But, once again, I would say that, in every challenge, there has been the protecting hand of the Divine.
One major challenge I have faced in the past year involves my mantra practice which has been absolutely terrible (in terms of both quality and quantity-- poor concentration/devotional feeling and malas reduced from 7 to 5 a day). This has been a source of huge frustration for me but I have not been able to solve this problem--it feels like a sort of spiritual test and I feel I have to accept it (I have requested the universe to help fix it but it continues to be difficult).
I have no problem concentrating on other topics such as work, dance, and even other spiritual matters- but my mantra japa currently feels very uninspired. I feel anxious and worried about this at times but have been forced to accept that this is a phase that I am currently through (I have been through something similar before, so am hopeful that it will improve again with time and patience).
In the meantime, I remain very grateful that I am able to still have a daily mantra japa practice. Fortunately, despite my not enjoying the japa one bit these days (unfortunately this currently feels like a really boring but important chore), not a day has passed without at least 15-30 minutes of recitation of my Guru mantra (the ashtakshara of Narayana). (There has been an unbroken thread of daily mantra japa since November 2011 for which I am very thankful to my Guru Sivananda and God).
And during the day, there continues to be ongoing periodic remembrance of God (sometimes joyful, and often times complaining-- but present nonetheless). Also, despite the dissatisfaction with my japa, I have felt inspired to worship God by performing occasional pujas (including of Tulsi-Shaligram) and through my dance practice (Bharatanatyam).
Coming back to the subject of this year, I feel that many significant milestones have occurred both in outer (3D) and inner (5D) life-- and there has been some vital progress made in harmonising the two. There has been a degree of reconciliation in various situations. For this too, I am very grateful.
On the whole, I am deeply grateful to the Divine for helping me to step up and face the challenges that were given this year. I continue to feel that the mantra japa connects me to the Divine within-- regardless of anything else that is happening in my life.
Once again, as already mentioned in previous posts over the years, it is my experience that the name and mantra of God is the foundation of life, the basis for dharma, artha, kama and moksha (the four goals of life according to the yogis).
And the main message I therefore have, is it is vital to continue the mantra japa every day even, and especially, when life feels difficult and challenging. Even when the mantra practice feels frustrating and uninspired. Such phases come and go in the life of every spiritual seeker, but we simply have to keep going. It is no joke and not easy but we just have to keep at it and trust in the process-- because it does work.
It is to be expected that spiritual life will have major ups and downs. In terms of acceptance of the will of God, this year has been good. I have had to accept all sorts of things (both in material and spiritual life) and resign myself to the will of the universe (including accepting uninspired japa!).
As I have said before, the mantra is for the many not for the few. It is for ordinary people living ordinary lives-- not only for yogis, sannyasis and brahmacharis living in ashrams and mountains. It is very much meant for busy householder yogis, rushing about here and there, performing household chores, looking after children and family and performing work. All this work we do, when dedicated to the Divine, becomes yoga.
In my view, every day should begin with at least 10-15 minutes of mantra japa--regardless of whether or not we are in the mood, regardless of whether the quality feels good or bad. Japa is always powerful and has an effect regardless of what we feel about it. And, if one is not too exhausted, the day should also end in a similar way with at least 5-15 minutes of japa. In addition, during the day, whenever possible, in a spontaneous manner, one should remember God (by privately talking with Him/Her, offering food before eating to the Divine and so on and so forth).
It is extremely unwise to spend even a day without mantra japa in my view--there are so many challenges that people on our planet face today-- the idea of handling them without Divine protection seems impossible.
The mantra of God provides protection to both ourselves and our loved ones {in the recent case of my father becoming unwell last week (that I mentioned in my last post), it so happened that a cousin of mine who is a doctor (specialising in the field of medicine in which my father required help) was visiting the family home when this occurred. He ensured that my father was promptly taken to hospital, accompanied him there and saw to it that he received all the care required. If my father had to face this karma of illness, I feel that God ensured that he received all the help he needed to get through it. Anything may happen, but so far, so good).
In this mysterious journey called life, we truly never know what is around the corner, what challenge we will have to face next. Truth is really a lot stranger than fiction (and modern science, while very valuable, cannot at all explain everything that we go through in life, especially in spiritual life).
One thing is certain though-- all will be well in end as long as we do our best (with all our flaws and imperfections-- which are usually many) to adhere to dharma (righteousness/ethics) while performing regular, daily spiritual practice, particularly recitation of the name/ mantra of God (from any spiritual tradition that appeals to us).
So, onwards and Godwards we go-- regardless of whether our spiritual and material lives are looking good, bad or downright ugly. :)
On that optimistic note, I wish all of you a very happy New Year. May the year 2026 bring great spiritual and material blessings for all of us. May there be a victory of the forces of dharma/goodness on our planet (and may negative forces be subjugated-- both within and without).
Om Namo Narayanaya. Om Namo Narayanaya. Om Namo Narayanaya.
Hari Aum Tat Sat.
P.S. As in previous years, the four Kindle books I have written on the life of Lord Krishna will be available for free download from the Amazon website over the New Year period (from January 1st, 12 am PST to January 5th 11.59 pm PST).
(Note- I will continue writing about the life of Sri Rama on this blog in the New Year)
P.P.S. I will conclude by sharing a short video describing the beautiful 'Divine Light' invocation meditation taught by a disciple of Sivananda Radha (the disciple of my Guru, Sivananda) (I sometimes perform a variation of this while seated and find it very soothing):
(Note- Please accept my sincere apologies for not replying to Vedic astrology queries in the past few months. As mentioned on this blog, I have had a lot going on recently hence the delay. I will aim to resume this in the New Year as far as I am able. Thank you very much for your patience and understanding.)
Hari Aum Tat Sat.
No comments:
Post a Comment