Value: Steadiness- July 2025

Second Week: Unclutter the mind

When a room is filled with too many things, we feel congested; when it is spacious and uncluttered, we feel comfortable and relaxed. This is also why our mind feels at ease and relaxed when we see a large landscape or open space. If this applies to what is outside the mind, it holds true within the mind as well. The Sanskrit word 'kha' means sky or space. When the mind is uncluttered and has very few thoughts, it is called 'su-kham' or joy. Conversely, if there are too many thoughts, it is 'duh-kham' or agitation.

What causes the clutter in the mind? Its wandering nature.

Observe the wandering mind

In the Bhagavad Gita, there is an insightful conversation between Lord Krishna and Arjuna about the fickle nature of the mind. When Arjuna asks, "How can I take care of my wandering mind?" Lord Krishna provides a clear answer: "By practice and detachment."

 

What kind of practice? Whenever you notice that your mind has wandered, bring it back to your point of focus immediately. To do this effectively, you must first establish a specific point of attention. This process is akin to an expert singer who selects a raga and elaborates on it in various ways without losing focus on that raga.

 

An effective practice is worshipping a personal deity, known as upasana. In this practice, the devotee offers various auspicious items to the deity's form and chants relevant mantra-s and Vedic hymns, all while maintaining their attention on the deity.

 

As you become more observant, you will eventually identify the elements that distract your focus and contribute to the wandering of your mind. The detachment will follow when the consistent practice intensifies. 

Chant and listen to the mantra-s

Removing unwanted thoughts is a process of uncluttering the mind. When a thought arises, we tend to 'listen' to it, even if it is fleeting. This inner chatter generated by the constant stream of thoughts leads to mental fatigue and can quickly tire us out. Perhaps this is why many young people put on headphones to listen to music and distract themselves from this inner noise.

 

However, simply escaping our thoughts temporarily does not actually clear our minds. In contrast, regularly practising the repetition of mantras can be beneficial. How does this work? By verbally repeating the mantra-s, listening to them, visualising the form of the deity, or contemplating the meaning in our minds, we can maintain focus. 

Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda suggested that all the sadhaks take up Likhita Japa -repeated writing of a mantra as well. When practised daily for 10 to 20 minutes, the mind becomes accustomed to this focused state, even while engaging in everyday activities.

 

A fully uncluttered mind is like a still lake, where you can clearly see your own reflection. The most important thing is consistency in practice. I have closely observed Pujya Gurudev engaging in japa — the repetition of mantras — whether he was travelling or sitting quietly. His clarity of thought and the way he delivered his teachings with utmost lucidity proved that his regular practice had made him perfect.

  Value: Steadiness- July 2025

First Week: Stability - sthairyam

In all pursuits in life, lasting results only come when we are consistent in what we do. When drops of water repeatedly hit a granite rock, it can eventually create an opening. I asked a famous singer, who has been singing for over 40 years, about his daily routine. He said, 'I practice daily for 5-8 hours.' I was surprised. 'You are an expert, so why do you still need practice?' His answer was simple: "I am an expert only because I practice daily!' 

Practice daily sitting in one comfortable posture for some time

In today’s world, a hurried life filled with overwhelming commitments leaves us little time to relax and sit without any agenda. We often see this as a waste. The body is merely an external expression of the mind. If the mind is unsettled, the body will be restless. Conversely, if the mind is focused and steady, the body will stay still. They are deeply connected. To cultivate inner stillness, we need to practice sitting quietly. To begin, find a comfortable posture for yourself, स्थिरमासनं सुखम्. The Bhagavad Gita guides us on how to do this.

शुचौ देशे प्रतिष्ठाप्य स्थिरमासनमात्मनः।  Firmly sitting down on a seat in clean spot, समं कायशिरोग्रीवं धारयन्नचलं स्थिरः।संप्रेक्ष्य नासिकाग्रं स्वं दिशश्चानवलोकयन् Keeping the body, head and neck erect and still, staying steady, looking at the tip of the nose-without looking around,प्रशान्तात्मा विगतभीर्ब्रह्मचारिव्रते स्थितः।मनः संयम्य मच्चित्तो युक्त आसीत मत्परः One should remain steadily seated with a quiet mind, free from fear, staying firm in being free of sensuality, and with the mind controlled by concentration, fixed on Me (the Lord), the supreme Goal.

The benefit of doing this will be experienced only after many weeks or even months. Do not be in a hurry to change your practice. Continue your practice at the same time every day.

Watch your breath when you are alone

In the initial stages of staying still, the mind tends to wander habitually. To help keep the mind focused, begin by observing the most immediate activity occurring within you: your breath! Our bodies breathe automatically, even while we sleep. This involuntary process sustains us as we experience the consequences of our past actions.

When you consciously shift your attention to the rhythm of your breath—known as प्राणवीक्षणम् (Prāṇavīkṣaṇam)—you will find that your mind becomes less prone to wandering. However, this practice requires ongoing effort, as the mind often turns routine actions into mechanical responses. 

To simplify this practice, try to engage in it whenever you have free time, whether you are alone, watching TV, or driving. Just remember not to close your eyes during these activities, especially while driving! Additionally, the practice of upasana, or daily worship of a chosen deity, can help you achieve mental steadiness. Focusing your mind on something greater than itself can enhance your inner confidence and strength.

 Value: Cleanliness & Purity- June 2025

Fourth Week: Discovering divinity

Every soul is fundamentally divine, and forgetting this truth leads to sorrow and confusion. It's similar to an actor who becomes lost in the character they portray on stage. The character begins to feel like their reality, and all the other characters in the play seem just as real to them. Their emotions, actions, and reactions start to influence the actor emotionally. 

Caught in this whirlpool, the soul repeatedly experiences joys and sorrows, tragedies and comedies, day after day, year after year, birth after birth - endlessly. The eagerness to escape is known as mumukshutvam - the desire to be free!

Where to start?

Reflect on the purity of the soul.

You have different roles to play each day, depending on the people you meet. You assume the role of a wife, mother, daughter, friend, and so on, based on your relationships. But who are you when you are alone?

When you set aside your connections to the world, you are left as just a soul, accompanied by your mind and body. Vedanta teaches us that even the body is a gift from your parents. When you let go of identifying with your body, what remains is the soul, along with a flow of thoughts known as the mind.

By recognizing that the mind is often false or only appears temporarily real, you eventually realize the purity of your soul, which is peaceful, profound, and divine. Make it a daily practice to spend exclusive time with your soul in solitude—what I like to call "soulitude." 

In soulitude, let go of all your relationships in the world and focus only on one: your relationship with Brahman. The essential nature of every soul is only Brahman. A pure mind can easily transcend its entanglements in soulitude and re-establish its true nature.

Consciously hear and see all that invokes divinity

The famous Atharva mantra says:ॐ भद्रं कर्णेभिः श्रुणुयाम देवाः | भद्रं पश्येमाक्षभिर्यजत्राः | - O Gods, may we hear what is auspicious with our ears. O Adorable, may we see what is auspicious with our eyes.

From early childhood until we were able to read independently, we gained knowledge primarily through listening. As a result, what we hear becomes integrated into our understanding and thought processes. To preserve the purity of our minds, it's important to choose to listen to those that are wise, worthy, and beneficial to our personal growth. This principle also applies to what we see.

Begin each day by chanting the name of the Lord and visualizing His form before interacting with anyone. By remembering His presence in your heart, you will invoke divinity within yourself and stay inspired to approach all your daily tasks as offerings to Him.

  Value: Cleanliness & Purity- June 2025

Third Week: Purifying the mind - Chitta-shuddhi

Citta refers to the mind, cittam is memory, and cit is Consciousness. There cannot be memory without Consciousness, and the mind cannot exist without memory. Essentially, Consciousness expresses itself as memory, which further manifests as the mind.

When Pure Consciousness mistakenly identifies with individuality, it undergoes experiences related to matter, resulting in the formation of deep-seated memories. The mind arises from these memories and creates further experiences. Consequently, the cycle of conditioned existence or samsara continues.

At the primary level, the purity of mind can be achieved through substituting habitual behavior with conscious actions, weakening the impact of those memories that retain us in samsara. At a deeper level, non-identification of individuality with the help of Self-knowledge will reduce the mind to its minimum presence, only to transact in the world.

Face the impact of the past

The teachings of Vedanta assure us that the actions of the past, which have not yet begun to yield results, do not disturb those who have renounced their identification with individuality. Such individuals are also free from experiencing the future repercussions of their present actions. 

Everyone must endure the consequences that have led to their current birth and circumstances with patience and devotion to God. While one might refer to this as destiny, it should not be viewed with despair.

Face the situations of everyday life with a smile, as they quickly fade away and leave no lasting impact on someone who does not seek personal gain from them. Conversely, without a firm sense of dispassion, if you try to change your experiences or situations, what you are destined to face may be postponed to a later time or even to another life.

What you give up will never trouble you.

Redirect the thought flow

Purity is the nature of Consciousness; impurities are unconsciously added on by us. 

Be mindful of your thoughts and observe how many of them revolve around your likes, dislikes, desires, ambitions, passions, possessions, pains, and disappointments. Most of these thoughts tend to be self-centered. Additionally, many external factors influence your thoughts, which can excite, agitate, or preoccupy you.

Our spiritual journey often stalls when we allow our past experiences and the world around us to dictate our thoughts. Despite attending satsangs and engaging in self-study, we may not see significant progress. A key reason for this is that we fail to redirect our thoughts from being self-centered to being centered on the Self.

In his renowned work, Vivekachoodamani, Sri Adi Shankaracharya advises us to replace deha-vasana (attachment to the body) with atma-vasana (attachment to the Self). It is essential to repeatedly assert, "I am Brahman, not the mind or body," to steadily advance on our spiritual path. This cannot be achieved if we allow our mind to be what it has always been.

 

 Value: Cleanliness & Purity- June 2025

Second Week: Cultivating Purity - samskara

According to the scriptures on Vedanta philosophy, every soul is unique due to the latent impressions that shape it during conception in a specific womb, leading to a birth that occurs in a chosen environment and upbringing. 

Samskara:भावनाख्यस्तु संस्कारः जीववृत्तिरतीन्द्रियः - refers to the deep-rooted impressions that reside within the soul and are imperceptible to the senses. Although vasanas are also impressions like samskaras, the latter guides the soul towards emancipation. 

In Hindu culture, individuals are introduced to certain samskaras through teachings and rituals, which foster purity and instill a sense of responsibility. A person with samskara is considered eligible for spiritual study and practice, resulting in moksha. 

Redefine the purpose of the action

"None can remain without action," states the Bhagavad Gita. Actions arise from the thoughts generated by vasanas. If someone seeks freedom or moksha, they must manage the compulsive actions driven by these vasanas, as they lead to repetitive behaviors that bind the soul to the world.

The solution is to shift the purpose of action from fulfilling desires to fulfilling duties. A person who has developed samskaras through guidance from the wise and self-study can observe the compulsive actions that emerge from vasanas and can transform them into intentional choices and perform them as duties, rather than allowing them to become mindless, repetitive actions for self-gratification. 

Be mindful of your thoughts as they drive your actions. Immediately question: Is this desire for instant gratification, or does it relate to my current responsibilities? Make your choice with care. For instance, when eating your daily meals, ask yourself: Am I eating to satisfy my taste buds or to nourish my body? When engaging in conversations, reflect: Am I trying to impress the other person with what I know, or am I primarily sharing knowledge to learn what I do not?

Purify the attitude

Arjuna exemplifies a type 'R' personality, characterized as Rajasic. Individuals with this personality type often experience anxiety due to their aspirations to conquer, win, and showcase their abilities. In contrast, a type 'T' personality, known as Tamasic, avoids challenges yet enjoys the benefits of success.

Lord Krishna, who stands beside Arjuna, advises him to engage in the righteous battle without becoming anxious about the outcomes. His guidance is to "Act without Rajas," encouraging Arjuna to move towards a type 'S' personality, which is Sattvic. This type acts with enthusiasm but remains free from anxiety regarding results.

The Bhagavad Gita does not advocate changing one's work but rather emphasizes a shift in attitude. Transitioning from a type 'T' to a type 'R' personality necessitates a clear vision of the ultimate goal of human life. This goal motivates individuals to take action. Once the goal is established, one can gradually evolve into a type 'S' personality, making them open to higher knowledge and spiritual practices.

 Value: Cleanliness & Purity- June 2025

First Week: Healthy living 

While embarking on personal spiritual growth, the importance of cleanliness cannot be overstated. It is often observed that those with unhealthy habits tend to neglect their personal hygiene. Shabby clothing and an unkempt appearance are signs of carelessness.

Ancient philosophers categorized human personality into three broad groups to illustrate how diet primarily influences a person's mental well-being. Moreover, our physical health relies not only on the food we consume but also on the environment in which we live. 

Watch what you eat

While conversing with Arjuna, Lord Krishna points out the need for taking care of the body through the right food, since the Lord resides and helps in digesting the food in everyone's body!

The right food for efficient work, spiritual study, meditation, and devotional practices is that which augments life, firmness of mind, strength, health, and happiness. Food should be fresh, soft, easy to digest, substantial, and agreeable to the body type. It should be served with love and eaten with a delightful mind.

Avoid those which are extremely bitter, sour, salty, hot, pungent, dry, and burning. Give up completely on the food that is not fully cooked, tasteless, rotten, and stored for a long time.

Maintain an orderly environment

What we truly need in our lives is limited, but our greed is endless. This applies not only to the quantity of food we consume but also to the objects and relationships we possess. Everything we need should have a designated place in our lives.

When we maintain the objects we use regularly and return them to their rightful places after use, we create an orderly environment. Having easy access to these items when needed can help reduce tension and stress in our daily lives.

Similarly, when we treat others with respect and love, giving them their appropriate roles in our lives, we foster cordial and pleasant relationships. Undue importance and possessiveness only lead to unrealistic expectations and disappointments. So, take a moment to reflect!

 

  Value: Salutations to Guru - May 2025

Fourth Week: Hear His words - upadesha shravanam

The literal meaning of the Sanskrit word उपदेश (upadesha) is 'advice.' However, if we break the word into two parts, we uncover a deeper meaning: उप (upa) means 'near' and दिश् (disha) means 'to show' or 'to point out.' 

The essence of a Guru's teaching is not to overwhelm the student with excessive information. Instead, the Guru points out the direction in which the student should begin to think and live. The Guru's guidance aims to impart wisdom to students, encouraging them to think critically rather than simply obey instructions. A Guru remains close to us as long as we regularly listen to His teachings.

Listening to His Teachings

When in the physical presence of a Guru, students naturally exhibit greater discipline. However, even in the absence of the Guru's physical presence, His influence can still be felt through His words of advice. Reading a book allows us to travel along with its author, and similarly, when we engage with the teachings of the Guru, we embark on a journey toward wisdom. The Upanishads affirm that when an enlightened Guru speaks, there is no more bondage (अनन्यप्रोक्ते गतिरत्र नास्ति).

Four types of individuals listened to Gurudev. The first group consisted of those who attended His lectures and gained knowledge of Hindu scriptures; they appreciated His teachings and presentation. The second group became sadhakas, attending study groups to learn more from His books and engage in discussions.

The third group comprises His devotees. Even after His mahasamadhi (passing), they continued their studies and selfless service at the Chinmaya Mission and its various projects. The fourth group consists of His disciples who renounced worldly life and fully dedicated themselves to serving His cause.

Following His Guidance

Guidance from Gurudev varies depending on the type of listener you are. It can be likened to being near a fire: if you are in the first group, you enjoy the brilliance of the fire from a distance. In this case, simply follow Gurudev's inspiring words of wisdom, such as "plan out your work and work out your plan."

The second group moves closer to the fire and feels its warmth. Here, one begins to understand Gurudev's saintliness and starts to embody spiritual values through regular study and reflection. 

The third group draws even closer to feel the intense heat of the fire. The devotees get transformed through selfless service (seva), dedicated to Gurudev, along with regular study and contemplation.

The fourth group enters the fire like dry wood. They permit their ego to burn away in His service via daily swadhyaya (self-study) and pravachan (lectures). They strive to exhaust impure vasanas (impulses) until their individuality is completely dissolved at His feet.