Picture: Lakshmi-goddess of prosperity & Ganesh-god of wisdom and overcomer of obstacles; ushering you into the New Year.
As I think of this coming new year I picture opening a new book, or a fresh unmarked page upon which to write, perhaps sitting in a theater waiting for a performance to begin. There is openness, a hushed expectation, curiosity, and a desire to know what the supreme Author will scribe, say or do in your life. The start of anything can seem exciting, tenuous and uncertain, all at the same time.
Through the years, we can become over-familiar with life, and in doing so we lose many precious qualities: becoming dulled to life’s wonders, entrenched in sameness, hypnotized by fear, lack, self-condemnation, or enmeshed in bitterness. These are life killing tendencies and suck joy right out of us. These perspectives are simply states of mind, as demonstrated by the fact that the person next to us, with very similar circumstances can have a completely different and elevated attitude.
The very root of this universe is Ananda; it is an explosion of joyful-bliss. And life, when lived in God, is filled with divine Presence. No matter how far we wander from our Source, it never stops being the essence of who and what we are; this is a fact. It has been a source of great mischief that religious leaders invented eternal hell and damnation. Reason tells us that God, being the creator of all, and is more loving than the most devoted parent, will never abandon His children, never! We are made in His likeness and His image, therefore we are eternally His.
The real question then, is how to consciously re-establish that connection? For that, we have been given the truth by living spiritual masters, and we have received the means to practice the very highest methods for realizing God by our Guru-lineage. Mental speculation is but a vague shadow compared to the light of realization. To step into that light, we must strive with all of our might; with great courage we must step out of the shadows and be illumined.
Sri Yukteswarji assured us that all of us have had a trail of misdeeds littered behind us, but that should not stop us in striving for Self-realization. But, neither will spiritual laziness get us to the Goal. I have devotees tell me that they have no time for meditation because they play golf each morning, some who wish to drink alcohol or use drugs, others are driven by the need to socialize with friends, watch television or surf the net—there are a million excuses. But, there is one compelling reason for knowing God—it is only through oneness with Him that we can have lasting happiness; a fulfillment that does not diminish with time nor is severed by the death.
As aspirants, we continue to live in the body–in this world. As such, there are things we must have for the survival of this body: clothing, shelter and food, at times we need medical care, for many who have taken on the responsibilities of family the list grows longer. So, we work to have balance in our lives–there are legitimate desires to fulfill living in this material realm. For some it is completing education, excelling in a profession, building a business, or raising a family. Looking to the new year we can take into account the many aspects of life—material as well as spiritual.
Create a clear picture of who you want to be and what you want to accomplish–for every creation begins with an idea. Putting yourself into that picture, feel what that is like: the sense of self-mastery, the balance, peace, bliss, wisdom, the whole package. Think also of accomplishing what you have come to do in this world: service to humanity and the fulfillment of your dreams. Expand your consciousness to comfortably and easily accommodate your dreams–definitely invite God in to be co-creator with you. Remember, you are made in His likeness and His image; there are no limits to what He can do through you.
Blessings, blessings for the unwritten pages that will be filled with the unfolding days of this new year, and that you be a perfect conduit for the supreme Light of this world to manifest through your every thought, word and action.