Thinking about It (Swamini Supriyananda - Chinmaya Mission)

We all get so easily distracted by things that we even know we don't want. When there's something we really want, we talk ourselves into it, and if there's something we don't want, we talk ourselves out of it. In the text, Bhaja Govindam, Adi Shankaracharya recognizes that we often have that internal conversation, but shifts us into a deeper practice of repeated action, so we do things that are conducive for us. Not just saying it once, but over and over again. Swamini Supriyananda explains that changing our default mindset requires effort - it's not as easy as a changing our phone settings. She expounds on a very easy tool which then lets us start seeing things for what they are.

Love alone enhances love. In the path of bhakti, love is both the means and goal. Alternatively, Bhakti techniques can be categorized into 3 levels, based on the support being employed. Practicing Level 1 means relying on our body, speech and mind. Each personality aspect is then dropped to progress to the most subtle method. But one is not better than the other since at different moods and times, we need to act accordingly. Just pay attention to yourself and evolve in the essence of what needs to be done.

The Sun’s always there and shining, but when clouds come to cover the Sun, we wonder, “There’s no Sun today!” In the same way, our true nature of bliss, love and joy is always there and self-effulgent, but our own thoughts rise in our mind to block us from seeing our truth. And just as the wind blows away the clouds so that we see the Sun shining brightly in the sky once again, we meditate to quieten our mind. Upon letting go of every single thought, in the blissful silence, we come to know ourselves.

When the Sun comes out, we wake up to do what we need to before we go back asleep. The Sun itself isn’t doing anything. Similarly, because the all-pervading truth or Atman is there, especially shining in our mind and heart, things happen as they are built to. Our senses function, mind feels, intellect reasons etc. So divinity allows us to see everything, but do we see divinity itself? What is that sentient, illuminous and enlivening light? Can I abide in it? Do I abide in it? Give it a try and see.

Introspection is a powerful technique to understand and regulate our mind-intellect unit. We start by observing the thoughts and reactions we had throughout the day. Then, we evaluate them and can detect the different types of thoughts we had. As we identify our thoughts, adjusting and negating, replacing them comes naturally. The repetition of this process empowers us to understand ourselves and our motives better. This clarity and growth makes us happier and more free as we make more purposeful choices.

Most of us don’t really know who we are. Even when asked to describe our personality, we get confused for we all feel we are one and the other, no matter how contradictory. We all also feel as if we’re always trying to fix something. There’s so much about our life we want to improve. But before going out and improving the world, we turn to this knowledge to understand our essence. We give it attention so that it creates impressions in our mind. Our mind holds that new form and as the mind changes, so do we.

Like how a flower needs rain and how the ocean needs a shore to break, people need people. We all need each other, not only for us to be able to connect, relate and share, but also for our desire to be recognised and appreciated. Relationships are a key part of this! We have many relationships in our lives, some of which we may easily and unknowingly take for granted. As such, today we will be attentive and try to notice something different about them so we can sincerely be grateful for them. 

We all naturally seek the light for we find in it comfort, therefore this line of the mantra resonates with us “From darkness, lead us to light”.  

Darkness and light cannot coexist; where there is light, there no longer is darkness.

Meditation is a process where we turn inwards, quieten the mind, and discover that the light is in fact within us. It shines from oneself to the world around us. With this session, see the darkness in your life disappear as the light of divinity permeates your entire life. Remind yourself to turn to the light and let it relieve, relax and reassure you.

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Our ancestors, be it our immediate lineage or even the history of the city we are a part of, are pillars upon whom and what we make offerings to. They have worked to create the world we have been born into, and we merely benefit from it. Today, we focus our gratitude in remembrance of them and what they created, ensuring we do not destroy it, but rather, build on it.

God, Atman or truth is formless, the oneness of all life, and free from the ownership of doing or acquiring. Enlivened by this essence, we can do what needs to be done. But we’re never in complete control of it all for divinity is the driving force. We can only control our present actions. Moreover, we all walk our own path of discovery and unfoldment, alone. Others can support us, but nobody, not even God, can go through our painful trials or facilitate our success for us. That’s what our journey is about!

The truth is that which always was, which is now and which will always be. From the line “Asto Ma Sagmaya”, we learn that truth and existence go hand in hand, as that which never changes is existence. Things come and go but existence stays.  Whilst we notice the things that are existing, we tend to fail to notice the existence that allows it to be there.  From the changing, lead us to the changeless. From objects lead us to existence.  To meditate on this mantra means to look for that which never changes: to look for truth and abide to it. Prepare yourself to meditate on truth. Let go of anything that changes. Stay aware of existence.

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Enlightenment is not something to be achieved, but to be experienced within. We must give up all that is keeping us away from the core of our personality. Put everything at His feet and offer every limitation to be devoid of ego. In this surrendering, we also come to see that we are self-effulgent, vast and infinite. We are Ishwara, not the limitations we put on ourselves. So why not actively choose to be who you are?

Self Love is Talking to and Guiding yourself! Take a moment today to write a letter to YOU! 💌 Remind yourself of what you love, what makes you proud, and what’s truly important. ✨ This simple act of reflection will strengthen your sense of purpose and self-love.

Day 13 further explores the meaning of light. We previously established that “light” carries meanings of knowledge and fearlessness. Today, we place specific focus on the meaning of goodness.

Darkness is often associated with negative traits in our personality born out of ignorance and selfishness. But our good qualities take us into light – they bring light into both our hearts, and into the lives of others. Meditate to nurture the goodness and dispel the darkness – to replace negativities with nobilities. Allow the goodness to flourish.

Divinity is seen as goodness. Let this goodness enrich you, and invoke within you hearts all the noble virtues and values.

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Did you know that, on average, we blink around 15 to 20 times each minute, amounting to 10% of our day being spent on merely blinking? The act of blinking sounds so simple but its complex purpose serves many functions of protection. Similarly, our whole body is constantly working to serve and protect us, even when we are not aware of it. Today, we centre our concentration on showing gratitude for our body, the important roles it plays and the significantly determinative influence it has over our health.

So often, we look to the world for answers to our questions and it echoes back to us what we already think and feel. This is because our Idam thoughts rest on the substratum of the Aham. The entirety of our thoughts isn’t about the world and ‘i’. There is only ‘me’, connecting all conflicting thoughts throughout the ages, letting ourselves feel who we think ourselves to be. Then, as we enquire where the ‘i’ thought comes from, “Ayi!”! The elusive personality disappears for it has no depth nor substance.

Today, we focus on the chain of events that have occurred for us to use things. For instance, buying a cup of coffee appears a simple act, but behind the scenes, someone had to design the cup, someone had to source the material, someone had to build the coffee machine, someone had to keep it clean every day – and this is only just part of it! Remember the many hands that have helped you get the things you now enjoy. With sincerity, send out an acknowledgement of gratitude to all of them from your heart.

Introspection involves a lot of self-observation and self-evaluation. Introspection also entails staying with an identified mental process to see if it was inspired by an emotion or if it created one. So from our actions, thoughts and feelings, we identify the thought or emotion that led to them and its reasoning. It could be completely irrational or have been brewing for some time. Using the same question as yesterday, today we trace our thoughts and check for patterns in our thinking and feeling.

Our lives are uncertain as we don’t know what will come next. Everyday the news is filled with natural disasters, political unrest and economic crisis. We see our loved ones suffer through health issues or relationships. Bhaja Govindam keeps reminding us that we don’t know what tomorrow holds. The past is gone - so be present in the moment.

Swamini Supriyananda invites us to reflect on some thought provoking questions and leaves us pondering on whether we are preparing ourselves for that which is certain? 

Tapas isn’t just heat—it’s the fire within us to grow stronger through discipline and endurance. 💪 Today, challenge yourself to step into discomfort and build mental strength by giving up something you enjoy but know isn’t good for you. Whether it’s caffeine, sugar, or alcohol, let’s take this as an opportunity to practice self-control and foster resilience. Life becomes lighter when we embrace discipline—it clears the clutter in our minds and sharpens our focus. 🌟 💡 Remember, every small act of discipline feeds your inner strength. What will you choose to let go of today?

All creation comes from, plays in and dissolves into the unaffected substratum of truth, Supreme Self or divinity. For example, dreams are created by our mind, live in our mind and dissolve back into our mind. Even in terms of our own world, whether it be a belief, value or emotion that we create, it comes out of us. It exists for as long as we choose for it to before it goes back into us. So what exactly are we creating, how long do we want it to last and when are we going to be ready to let it dissolve?

We come into this world with all the right tools to get moksha but we lose our way. Our determination dwindles and things become hopeless.

In this state, we prey. It's extremely powerful, it opens our heart to receive the lord's grace. Holding onto a chant helps people get through extreme difficulties. When our hearts really yearn, we will get what we want. 

Today’s all about getting your body moving—but with intention. 💡 Whether it’s yoga, a brisk walk, dancing, or a gym session, focus on the way your body feels, breathes, and flows through each motion. 💪

Mindful movement not only strengthens your body but also calms your mind and boosts your mood. It’s a chance to tune into yourself and appreciate what your body can do. 💭

Today, choose any form of exercise you enjoy. As you move, breathe deeply, stay present, and celebrate the connection between your body and mind. ✨ You can also add in last week's lesson of how mantras help us connect to our higher selves! What we have posted is the Gayatri Mantra, if you want to try dancing or moving along to it! 🙏🏻 

We as humans tend to be dissatisfied with what we have and want things that we don't have. We often chase things we don't need, because we tell ourselves that its the next thing we get will give us happiness. Swamini Surpiyananda very thoughtfully draws up the parallel between our infinite and never-ending quest for materialistic things to the infinite ocean. With this in mind, we learn that the boat that will help us navigate through the ocean is Satsang. We learn the importance of surrounding ourselves with people who can have a good influence on our lives and the significant impact they can create.

Swami Tejomayananda ji jokes, “What does it mean when a man opens the car door for his wife? Either it’s a new car or a new wife!” Attachment to objects and people changes the way we see the world and act in it for we add onto them a value. So during decision-making, we get swayed towards our attachments and away from Dharma, what we know is right. By repeatedly choosing Adharma, Dhritarashtra and Duryodhana were so weakened that they couldn’t accept grace into their lives. Shouldn’t we choose to do better?

Gratitude isn’t just something we feel—it’s something we share. 💬 When we express gratitude to the people who support and uplift us, it brightens their day and strengthens our connection with them. 💌 Today’s task: Take a moment to reach out to someone who has added value to your life—be it a friend, family member, teacher, or colleague. Let them know how much they mean to you and why you’re grateful for them. 💭 Why it matters: Sharing gratitude builds resilience, reinforces relationships, and reminds us that we’re never truly alone. It’s a powerful way to acknowledge that we’re supported and loved—and that we’re worthy of it too. Start spreading the gratitude vibes today! 🌈

Efficiency and dexterity in action means acting fast with precision and perfect technique. There is very little waste of time, energy or resources. Also, we do the action in the spirit of Karma Yoga and build ourselves up. When we are present and single-pointed in our action, our mind is less cluttered and detached from the results. In a silent and purified mind, we can feel grace and divinity working through us. This inspires us to focus more on our spiritual growth, taking us closer to our ultimate goal.

The process of introspection takes openness and time for we simply sit in waiting silence with an incident, thought or emotion. There is no active doing or hunting, neither a general idea nor an obvious answer and no hurry to get the answer. Reflecting on a day’s events is a good start for the mind to attune to details. But as we proceed, less specific and more time-pervading questions can be asked. Today, we check our feelings for both the intensity with which they featured and our predominant emotion.

We tend to be attached to things whose importance significantly deplets over time. Only later do we realize that being attached to those things weren't in our best interest after all. Swamini Supriyananda gives us great examples on these things and also tells us what we're trading off for these attachments.

Gratitude is the result of appreciation and free will. Our gratefulness comes first from our appreciation upon recognising that something is valuable to us. It then stems from the fact that all of this is freely given to us. We can choose to be grateful or we can choose to take our blessings for granted. When we want to start doing things differently, such as opting for the former option, we need our mind to be alert so that we can make these choices. Today we will focus on our choice to be grateful.

Be it at the level of body, mind or intellect, anything that gives us joy attracts us. Thus, what attracts us the most is that which would give us the greatest joy. But instant gratification of our desires empowers us to go after temporary pleasures. And when faced with a situation that directly conflicts with our attachments, we become weak. Our resolve breaks and we can become complacent. This behaviour is what we are trying to be more aware of so that we can grow to be the very best we can be.

While Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga or Gyaana Yoga may seem different, when being sincerely followed, they all require purity of intentions, nobility in our heart and a desire to uplift ourselves. So all paths lead to the ultimate goal of our restless mind becoming silent. In the stillness of that purified mind, all divisions such as likes/dislikes or good/bad dissolve and we see divinity as one undivided Truth. So resolve to be more continuous and dedicated, knowing that the goal can definitely be reached.

In Bhakti, we start by seeing ourselves as devotees who are separate from Paramatma, the Supreme Truth. We feel like small seekers constantly asking our grand creator for strength, knowledge, blessings or protection. But as we grow in spirituality, we see divinity’s reflection clearly within our hearts and comprehend that ‘i’ cannot be. There can ultimately only be one Truth of oneness. Once this is truly understood, our bhakti for the Lord is complete as our love, too, is vast, infinite and free. 

They say food is the way to the heart—and today, we’re embracing this in the most beautiful way. Cook with your friends and family, or cook for them. 🥘 It’s not just about the meal; it’s about opening your heart to others, sharing moments, and spreading love. Self-love isn’t just about focusing inward—it’s also about recognizing our need to feel loved and connected. Love grows when it’s shared, and cooking together is a simple yet powerful way to show others they are valued and wanted. 🌟 So, grab an apron, gather your loved ones, and create something delicious while building bonds that will feed your soul. 💖 What will you cook today? 🍲

From death lead us to immortality.  We’ve seen death as an end, but now, we may take this further and really question what the “end” is?  We learn that nothing really ends, it just changes into something else, it transforms. Therefore, death is not an end – it is just a concluding of one phase and the beginning of another. It means we continue – our souls continue.

The constant changing bring upon its own strains. In the changing there is fear, restlessness, strain. In the changeless, there is peace, stableness. Therefore, we plead “from the changing lead us to the changeless”. We meditate to become aware of the changeless and to recognize the changes in and amongst all the changing.

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A common reality is that many of us do not like our body or manage to find imperfections that we consequently use to judge ourselves. But what we can realise is that the very thing we are dissatisfied with plays a significant role in serving us! And for that, we should be grateful. Today, we will embrace our entire body, both the parts we do like and do not like as much, and be thankful for all that it gives us.

We all have created for ourselves the ‘i” or the personality layer. Made of traits, belief systems and social conditions, it is a barrier separating my individual entity from the world. In oneness, it is not that “i”, the limited entity, becomes one, but these man-made defining boundaries are foregone so that the differences dissolve. What is revealed is the essence of life that I am, is everywhere and in all creation. We establish in simply being, and not in the processes of ego. There is just oneness.

Our BMI tools provide a structured way to think about ourselves. Through the body, we look at how we are perceived and at the qualities of our actions. With our mind, we notice all the varied feelings we feel and the degrees to which we feel our mixture of emotions. With our intellect, we check our voice of reason and the stock of knowledge we use to make sense of world and ourselves. Today, we introspect on the exact same question as yesterday, but going through our actions, feelings, and thoughts instead.

This session focuses on “Mrityorma Amritam Gamaya”, from death lead us to immortality.

The Bhagavad Gita affirms that whatever has a beginning must have an end. There are multiple beginnings in our lives, and so, subsequently, there must be multiple ends. This occurs when we reach a limit – a point where we cannot go further. That is our end.

This line potently provides the meaning of being able to transcend from these limitations and to not put an end to the potentials we find within ourselves. May we be able to turn within during our meditation so we can find that eternal source of wisdom and that infinite source of happiness.

Meditate on freeing yourself from limitations, freeing yourself from the ends you have created.

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Expand your gratitude with today’s session, for gratitude has no limit. There is nothing to stop us from being grateful and it is indeed easy to practice! What is needed is simply the opening up of your mind to find things to be thankful for. Beyond being grateful for the good that happens to us, today we realise how we can also be grateful for things and people that have enriched the lives of our loved ones.

When we ‘like’ others’ posts on social media to broaden networking, be effective in commercial professions and increase standards of living, albeit for different intentions, we do a similar thing within spirituality. The purpose of doing so in the spiritual world is to better people, create meaningful relationships and add value to our standard of life. Today, we focus on giving positive feedback and making people feel valued so that we can express our gratitude for others. 

Bhaja Govindam's last verse instructs that if nothing else is possible, hold on to the Guru. The Guru is one who has already journeyed and is beaming with bliss. Despite our essence being truth, we see confusions, limitations and challenges. So when they come into our lives, the light within us is brought out. Also, the spiritual journey is pathless and open land with infinite possibilities. The Guru fulfils our need for inspiration and tailor-made guidance that keeps us going in our mission to reach the higher. But the most beautiful thing about the Guru is that they do all this for us; so that we become masters, like them.

For this, we can at least have immense gratitude for our Guru. Be lost in the love we can have for them, or in the love they undeniably have for us.

The purpose of Japa is to silence the mind so that love and worship flows beautifully and smoothly towards the Lord. Constant and unbroken, all thoughts stay focused on the mantra and committed to the higher as they long to reach divinity. Such effortless and intense thinking is the ideal we want to attain to escape the wandering, scattered and disruptive mind we do have.

But in actuality, what are we sincerely dedicated and single-pointed towards? So what is it that we truly want?

Oneness is the essence, goal, and truth of spirituality. When we are one integrated whole, we interact with the world and our relationships with beauty of character, joy, and love. Conversely, conflicts within our personality and in the world around us bring confusion and frustrations. We can create a vision of oneness by seeing the connectivity of all creation and focusing on how similar we are to others.

The mantra acts as a calling for us to make our lives more meaningful.  “Mrityorma Amritam Gamaya - from death lead us to immortality”, acts as a strong reminder that our lives are short and limited. Our inevitable death makes the time of our lives so much more precious that we learn to prioritize on what is truly important. Each and every day presents an opportunity to do so, therefore one should take this session and use this as an opportunity to meditate on and go deep within ourselves to make this life – your life – more significant.

Divinity is the very force of life that enlivens us. Bow down with gratitude for life itself and appreciate this very gift of life.

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Awareness is the first step to gratitude. The more we expose yourself to gratitude, the easier it gets. Gratitude is a secret weapon that improves our lives drastically. The more we wield it, the stronger we become. It reduces stress while boosting our mood and self-esteem. By making us more giving and cooperative, gratitude naturally allows us to have healthier relationships and progress in our work.

Self-love isn’t a destination; it’s a lifelong practice. 💕 Today, let’s remind ourselves of the beauty of love—how it transforms, heals, and uplifts us. 📚 Today’s task: Dive into “I Love You Letters” by Gurudev H.H. Swami Chinmayananda ji. This inspiring read explores the art of love and reminds us that love is a skill we can nurture and master. The more we understand love, the more we can embrace ourselves unconditionally. 🌈 💭 Why it matters: Loving yourself is the foundation of a fulfilling life. The more you practice, the stronger and brighter your love for yourself and others will grow. Let’s carry this self-love journey forward, one step at a time.

Welcome to Day 16, where we reflect on the line of: “Tamaso Ma Jyotirgamaya” – from darkness, lead us to light. From negativities, lead us to nobilities. At first glance, light is that in which we can see. But to go deeper means to signify light as our awareness of our surroundings. 

Today, as we meditate, focus on increasing your abilities to see by paying more attention, by being more aware. Whenever we stay in awareness, more and more details are revealed to us. Practice the skill of being aware and become completely present in this state.

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Despite having experienced our dream or an argument to have all been in our head, we still assume everything we’re experiencing is real. We feel the same palpitations, anxiety and dread every single time until it ends. Similarly, we passionately hold on to our likes and dislikes, let them grow into love and aversion and give them so much control over us. But they are as real as the dream for they change, and their hold is only for as long as it ends. Is that worth letting every thought direct us?

As we understand the nuances of our being, we may have found something counterproductive to what we are working towards. It’s not something we want for ourselves and naturally, we wish to remove it. This is “negate”, the third step of introspection. But eliminating creates a space that cannot be left unfilled. So we consciously substitute our eradicated action, thought or emotion. Today, we find one unpleasant detail to negate and brainstorm on all possible substitutes before choosing one to implement.

We all make mistakes—it’s part of being human. But how often do we carry the weight of regret, replaying those moments over and over? It’s time to let go. 🌬️ 🌟 Today’s focus: Forgiveness. Not for others, but for YOU. Forgiving yourself is an act of self-love. It’s a way of saying, “I’m learning, I’m growing, and I deserve peace.”

The one belief we all can agree on is that action leads to result. But the Law of the Universe is far more intricate than we think.

Actions themselves are inert and don’t have supreme power. Our effort is required to put into motion the Law of Action but it is one small thing among all that at play, no matter the effectiveness, skill or efficiency of our action. So how much control do we really have? Never over the result, that’s for sure! So, detach from the results of your actions and feel the relief.

Art is more than just creating—it’s a way of feeling, releasing, and connecting. Whether it’s the sway of a dance, the rhythm of words in poetry, or the soothing act of gardening, creative expression is a gateway to your emotions and passions. 💃🖌️🌱 Step out of the routine and explore.

Today, let’s explore the transformative practice of Japa—the repetition of a mantra or the divine name. 🕉️ When we engage in Japa, our mind aligns with the vibrations of the mantra, fostering qualities like purity, courage, forgiveness, peace, and love. ❤️ These vibrations help us stay centered, build a stronger mind, and sharpen our focus. Japa doesn’t just purify the mind; it smoothens the sharp edges of likes and dislikes, helping us embrace the world as it is. 🌎 The result? A more adaptable, calm, and lovable YOU! 🕊️ Take a moment today to chant or repeat a mantra that resonates with you. Let its energy flow through you and keep you connected with the divine.

Satyam (truthfulness), Ahimsa (to not hurt), and Brahmacharaya (intelligent self-control) are the three pillars of Hinduism because when practiced, they create energy dynamism. With an integrated, kind, and disciplined personality, our energy is not dissipated. Understanding how our energy works is crucial for we can then appropriately generate, conserve, and direct it into a field of our choice. Rather than unknowingly depleting our energy, we consciously adjust to balance it and serve a higher purpose.

Feeling drained can leave us frustrated and even less kind to ourselves. But when we’re well-rested, we’re more energized, focused, and ready to tackle anything. 💪 So, are you operating at your full capacity? Let’s make a simple change tonight: shift your bedtime, 30 extra minutes earlier, or sleep by 10:30pm! 🌙 The results? A healthier body, sharper mind, elevated mood, and more energy to crush your day! ⚡️ It’s the small things that have the biggest impact. Let’s sleep smarter and show up as our best selves!

The mind has many aspects. We have the essential functional aspect that is used to interact in the world. There is also the emotional aspect related to our strong desires, likes and dislikes. The mind’s effective functional part is often overridden by the emotional layer, which colors our thinking. The solution is not to just give up on emotions altogether, but to rise above the emotional thinking or recognize it for what it is. We should also discontinue the momentum of biased and non-beneficial thoughts.

Our tapas is practiced all day long and the greatest tapas is the remembrance of our divine nature – “I am Sat. I am Chit. I am Ananda.” We’re not only intellectually understanding this, but also, remembering, experiencing, and radiating divinity as our being while we feel, think and do. To abide in our nature is actually meditation, and everything else we do on the way there is building up to this powerful tapas of Gyaana Yoga.

We all have that inner critic, but do we ever stop to understand why it’s there? Criticizing ourselves isn’t the problem—it’s about understanding why we do it and if those judgments are truly valid. 🤨 Today, take a moment to observe when your inner critic speaks up. Is it based on facts, or just old beliefs? ✨ Recognizing these patterns is the first step toward building a healthier relationship with yourself. You don’t have to silence your inner voice, but understanding it is key to self-compassion.

Our likes, dislikes, beliefs, memories, judgements, and often negative self-descriptions all add up to become who we believe ourselves to be. But there is another ‘I’ thought free from all these limitations for it belongs to the very core of our personality, divinity itself. Because it exists and shines and is life and is love, I am. But we forget this divine “I” and drastically underperform. What are we holding onto that’s stopping us from who we want to be, and why? What could we be if we just let it go?

We tend to use objects for as long as they have a value, and the moment it is worthless, we discard it. Swamini Supriyananda shines light on our inner selfishness and reminds us to keep our higher goal in mind.

Embrace the meaning of the mantra: “Asto Ma Sadgamaya”, lead us from untruth to truth. This line is the first of many that reflects upon the various layers of truth. Inviting you to notice the areas where you have neglected the truth, or have deviated from it, utilise this session to assess yourself on how established in truth you really are. This session is guiding us to let go of our untruths, and to become more honest and truthful. The first step may seem simple but is always a necessary step in the journey.

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Over the next 8 days, the technique of introspection, or mindfulness, will be outlined. We start with preferably writing something down via the old-fashioned method of pen and paper. Compared to writing on an electronic device, this is less structured, allowing more freedom and flow in the way we express ourselves and our thinking. Writing things down also helps us better identify our thoughts and connect with ourselves. Today, we introspect on the question, “How happy was I, all throughout my day?”

Most of our thoughts centre around “me” and we become egocentric individuals as we think we are separate from everyone else. More importantly, we start thinking we are separate from the Lord, the light or the Supreme truth. But when we bow down and sincerely surrender ourselves, no thought of “me” or “I am” exists. Our mind is completely tuned into the Supreme, and we feel connected. The Geeta Dhyanam are such invocation mantras that help us in establishing that connection and staying there.

Each one of us has a unique bundle of things we fear, and in general, all of us fear death, rejection, or loss. So it does not matter how big we grow from the outside, for inside, we all have the same scared heart that governs our actions and thoughts. This mantra’s sounds bring about nourishing vibrations within us that build courage so that we can outgrow this fear. Chanting this mantra may or may not solve our immediate problems, but it definitely gives us a far deeper strength that lets us face them.

We have seen how we can be grateful for countless things in our lives. But we must not forget that there are times we feel ungrateful as we may feel unrealistically or inappropriately entitled to something that we do not necessarily do. Also, we can feel ungrateful when we perceive things to not be good enough or to not have met our expectations. Today, instead of putting aside our ungrateful thoughts, let us embrace them, use them and transform them into grateful ones.

While identifying our actions, thoughts, and feelings during introspection, the mind learns to bear a witness attitude. We develop our ability to simply observe. Our mind is also trained to be alert and wholly tuned into our thought process as we examine all identified thoughts for motivation of our actions. These great qualities help build the frame of mind that is needed for meditation. Today, we look back on our day’s actions and reflect if they could have been done any better.

To have a to-do list makes us feel well-equipped. Knowing what to do solves most of the problem so that we can go about doing the tasks. In spirituality, we know what we have to accomplish to be peaceful, equipoised, and selfless. But how to go about is where we find ourselves lost, not quite sure about what is to be done in the moment. Sadhana Panchakam (Sadhana: means/practice, Panchakam: set of 5 verses), composed by Adi Sankaracharya ji, details 40 steps as a means/practice to achieve that end goal of happiness. 

We'll pause on this series as the Self Love Challenge continues! See you soon!

Satsang is the company of whom you keep. Satsang helps us grow in our spiritual paths. We all learn learn from copying. We learn from the people we look up to. Swamini Supriyananda gives us great examples of how satsang with our role models really helps us grow. We learn from watching great masters and following great examples. They inspire us and show us that perfection is possible.

Though the rituals of puja serve their purpose to stay focused on the higher, the goal is to lift our mind from a particular murti or representation of God’s form and worship His manifestation in us and the world around us. It’s to recognize the harmony in creation and His form in all people and respect it. But why stop there? Give, serve, alleviate any suffering or need of society and the Earth with reverence, respect and love for the Lord so that your whole life becomes puja and worship.

In our lives, it is inevitable that we face hardships, challenges, and difficulties. It could be through our dislikes, our fears, or our negative encounters. But all these struggles have shaped us into the people we are today. They push us out of our comfort zones, make us do things we would not normally do, and we come out as stronger individuals. These invaluable experiences are that for which we will be grateful today.

Hell is typically described as the terrible place where we are punished. In bhaja govindam, it says that we are in hell when we experience anger, desire, greed, and delusion. Renounce desire, anger, greed, and delusion and then we will experience bliss: our true nature. 

Hell is something that takes us away from our true nature. It's something that takes us away from Soham.

Our minds are blinded by attachments, but our intellect can see. We are constantly making decisions that shape who we become and the destiny we face. Do we listen to the mind or intellect? Though Arjuna was faced with the epic Mahabharata war, this is the war that is eternally waged in our hearts. Our war is but the battles we face minute-to-minute, hour-to-hour, day-to-day and week-to-week. This new series is a discourse on the Bhagavad Geeta, rooted in the commentary of Pujya Gurudev, Swami Chinmayananda.

We already are divine. We already have whatever it is we are looking for, but don’t know it. We have forgotten as the mind is so busy thinking or doing a gazillion things. It’s like when we go around looking for a missing pair of glasses or keys that we had on us this whole time. Ultimately, our spiritual journey is to just stop and remember our nature; that we have it all. Doing spiritual practices help us to quieten the mind and remove the obstructions keeping us being able to see what is already there.

Who doesn’t love getting a warm smile from someone? It’s like a little burst of positivity! 🌟 But here’s the secret: to get a smile, you have to give one first! Today, make it a point to smile at someone, whether it's a friend, a stranger, or even someone in your own home. 😊 Brighten their day—and yours too! Smiles are contagious, and the more we spread, the more positivity we create. Be bold, be brave, smile first!

In Hinduism, heaven and hell exist both in this life and in the hereafter. Here, they are realms of consciousness that we experience in our own minds. We either daydream positive scenarios or replay negative reactions of our actions in our head. Just like Arjuna, we too, glorify our weaknesses or just want to escape. We too, lose clarity when faced with our attachments. However, when we accept we don’t know and can no longer see clearly, our sorrow transforms. With surrender, we can detach and move forward.

If our actions are not supreme, and their results are ordained by the higher principle governing all Laws of the Universe, then is it all simply destined? Are we all just the puppets to the puppeteer’s whims and fancies?

No. Because we choose the actions we perform and how we perform them. Destiny then works as the Law of Action. But remember that our little actions are part of a bigger picture. So, keep pride at bay, and feel humility and divinity’s grace in the parts we do get to play and accomplish.

Hinduism and our scriptures are kept alive by relevant reinterpretations that are applicable to us, our temperaments, and our lives. One of such redone works is “The Manual of Self-Unfoldment”, authored by Swami Chinmayananda. This book provides seekers with the perfect foundation to be building on, for it is written as if Pujya Gurudev committed to paper his own notes on Vedanta. Also, self-unfoldment itself is the spiritual journey, as we unfold to discover who we are in essence and rise in our awareness.

There is a verse in the Bhagavad Geeta that reads “na me bhakta pranashyati”. Shri Krishna promises that each one of us will be liberated, taken care of by him, and supported. So today, let us be grateful for promises. Whether it is His promise or any other promise you made, let us be thankful for it and appreciate how these promises have helped build our lives.

Welcome to this year’s health challenge on gratitude! There is a growing understanding of the concept of gratitude as being thankful; a readiness to show appreciation. Gratitude starts with the acknowledgement of receiving something or possessing something of value. Upon recognizing the value of something, we can be thankful and grateful for it. This 30-day challenge will progressively go deeper into the process of gratitude and involve a 2-to-3-minute meditation session to broaden our gratitude awareness.

The introspection structure explains that the deeper we consciously trace a pattern of thought within our personality, the deeper we can negate and adjust. A successful alteration then leads to our unfoldment as it affects so many of our actions. There is also the development of presence of mind as we observe others to learn and experiment with different ways of doing things before eventually adopting one. Today, we notice our feelings about ourselves, about others and when we compare ourselves with others.

Ever noticed how small things can set the tone for your entire day? 🕊️ Simple daily tasks—like making your bed, washing the dishes, or packing lunch—aren’t just chores. They’re atomic habits—tiny actions that build momentum and create a powerful ripple effect. 💥 These small wins send a clear message to your mind: “You’re doing good, you’re putting in effort, and you’re on the right path!” 💪 They boost positivity, create a sense of control, and fuel you to tackle bigger challenges. Big transformations start with small steps. Let’s focus on these atomic habits today and set the tone for success—one task at a time. 🏆✨

The often-asked question, “Do you see the glass as half-empty or half-full?” stands for a few amazing things. While both options hold true, the one each one of us sees makes a tremendous difference in how we feel. Today, we will focus on how perceiving things as half-full can make us feel somewhat complete and content. Try to find your gratitude buddy and message each other three messages with three things you are grateful for in that moment or for that day, three times a day for the next three days. 

In all-pervading divinity, we put up divisions of “me” on our body, and “not me” to all that outside of us. We then build on that limited entity, using color (culture, skin, lineage, etc.) to define the person as “better” or “worse”. But while we can accept that we’re not just pretty faces, it’s harder to see that we give importance to other superficial aspects as well and overlook our essence. Our personality, values, habits, intellectual achievements, or emotional temperaments is not all that we are.

All of us have goals. Our finite bodies and minds have limited capacity and carry out impermanent actions to attain those goals. Consequently, the results are temporary, and a little too soon, the enjoyment is over. We then immediately look for the next result we want to obtain. This is the endless cycle of finite actions producing finite results, leading to a constant need of doing and wanting. But when will it be enough? Isn’t there anything more?

Be aware of the trap, question and think deeper.

Today, we are recognising our traits, thoughts, and patterns. Embrace what you love about yourself, and gently initiate changes that align with your growth. 🌱 Remember: You are enough just as you are. Let’s start this journey of self-acceptance and positive change!

As a follow up from the previous episode, now that we know that desires can really harm us and that we should get over them, we learn methods to get over our desires. One such method is to delay gratification. An extended version of delayed gratification is tapas. The problem with tapas in isolation is that our mind will try to fulfill the desire in another shape or form. A combination of tapas and attachment to a higher cause is the surest way to get over desires.