Girish's Blog

  Photo Credit: Pinterest Diwali – Lighting of the Inner Lamp Diwali, the festival of lights, symbolises the triumph of light over darkness, wisdom over ignorance, and love over hate. On this occasion, families gather, homes are decorated with lamps and candles, and fireworks illuminate the night sky. However, beyond these beautiful traditions lies an opportunity for a deeper, more spiritual practice - the lighting of the inner lamp, which signifies awakening to our higher consciousness. The true essence of Diwali invites us to turn inward and light the lamp within ourselves. In this internal journey, the inner lamp represents our soul, which, when nurtured with love, compassion, and wisdom, shines brightly. Just as the physical lamps dispel darkness, this inner light removes the ignorance clouding our minds, helping us see life’s purpose more clearly. Ignorance here isn’t just a lack of knowledge; it’s the absence of awareness of our true nature. When we recognise the divine withi

  Photo Credit: LinkedIn Embracing Stillness In the fast-paced world we live in, stillness often feels like a forgotten art. Our days are filled with a constant stream of activities, distractions, and noise that keep us moving from one moment to the next without pause. We’ve grown accustomed to this rhythm, but deep within us, there is a call for stillness. This call is not just a longing for physical rest, but for something far more profound—a spiritual stillness that allows us to reconnect with the essence of who we are and the world around us. Embracing stillness is about creating space for silence, both externally and internally. It’s an invitation to step away from the incessant chatter of the mind, the pressures of daily life, and the need for constant stimulation. In this space of quiet, we can listen to the subtle whispers of the soul, the guidance of our inner wisdom, and the voice of the Divine. Stillness is where true transformation begins. In the depths of stillness,

  Photo Credit: Pin Page Becoming Empty, Becoming Conscious The journey of spirituality often revolves around the profound paradox of becoming empty to become truly conscious. It is a process of letting go of all the mental, emotional, and spiritual baggage we accumulate throughout life, allowing us to connect with a deeper, more authentic aspect of ourselves. When we speak of ‘becoming empty,’ it is not about losing oneself or becoming devoid of life; instead, it is about clearing away the clutter of thoughts, beliefs, and attachments that obscure our true nature. In everyday life, we are constantly absorbing information, forming opinions, holding onto judgments, and reacting to external situations. This ongoing mental activity creates layers of conditioning that separate us from our innate consciousness. Over time, we become identified with these layers, mistaking them for our true selves. The thoughts and emotions we cling to can create a sense of self that is rigid, limited, an

  Photo Credit: Pinterest Becoming Utterly Ignorant In the journey of spiritual growth, we often assume that knowledge is the key to unlocking higher truths. However, there is a paradox within the spiritual path—true wisdom comes not from accumulating knowledge, but from shedding it. "Becoming utterly ignorant" in this context does not mean embracing ignorance in the conventional sense, but rather transcending the mind's tendency to cling to concepts, beliefs, and intellectual understanding. It is about surrendering the need to know, and opening oneself to the vastness of the unknown, where true spiritual awakening can occur. When we hold onto knowledge, whether it is about the world, ourselves, or spiritual principles, we create mental structures that shape our perception of reality. These mental constructs often become barriers to experiencing the pure, unfiltered truth. They can limit our understanding, confining us to a framework of duality, where things are categ

  Photo Credit: Etsy Beyond the Realm of Right and Wrong In our journey through life, we often find ourselves entangled in the duality of right and wrong. From childhood, we are conditioned to categorise actions, beliefs, and situations into neatly defined boxes of morality - this is good, and that is bad. This dualistic thinking forms the basis of societal norms, laws, and even our personal sense of identity. However, spirituality invites us to transcend this limited view and explore a deeper truth that lies beyond the realm of right and wrong. It encourages us to see life through a broader, more compassionate lens - one that embraces unity, understanding, and the oneness of all creation. In a world dominated by judgment, it’s easy to fall into the trap of labelling people and situations based on our subjective understanding of morality. We often define others, and ourselves, by these narrow constructs, creating division and conflict. Yet, life is rarely so black and white. What m

  Photo Credit: Pinterest Don’t Succumb to Small Pleasures In life, we are often tempted by small pleasures - those fleeting moments of gratification that offer instant satisfaction but leave no lasting impact on our well-being or personal growth. Whether it’s indulging in unhealthy food, spending excessive time on distractions, or giving in to impulsive desires, these small pleasures can derail us from a more meaningful and fulfilling path. While they may seem harmless, over time, the cumulative effect of constantly giving in to these temptations can weaken our resolve, cloud our judgment, and distance us from our deeper spiritual purpose. At its core, the pursuit of small pleasures stems from the mind's tendency to seek comfort and avoid discomfort. We are wired to look for quick fixes to alleviate stress, boredom, or emotional pain, often turning to temporary pleasures as a means of escape. But in doing so, we forget that true satisfaction and contentment do not lie in exter

  Photo Credit: Pin Page Becoming an Empty Page Becoming an empty page is a profound spiritual metaphor that invites us to embrace openness, receptivity, and the willingness to let go of preconceived notions. In a world filled with constant input - beliefs, opinions, expectations, and judgments - our minds are often cluttered with old stories and attachments. These mental patterns shape how we perceive the world and how we respond to it. To become an empty page is to wipe away these layers of conditioning and approach life with a fresh perspective, free from the limitations of the past. An empty page represents potential, a space where anything is possible. When we allow ourselves to become like an empty page, we open ourselves to new experiences, ideas, and ways of being. This does not mean losing our identity or forgetting our past, but rather approaching each moment without the baggage of preconceived ideas. It is a state of being in which we are fully present, allowing life to

  Photo Credit: Pin Page Responding to Surroundings Consciously Responding to our surroundings consciously is a spiritual practice that transforms how we engage with life. In a world where distractions, noise, and external pressures are constant, it is easy to fall into habitual reactions without awareness. However, conscious response involves stepping out of automatic patterns and cultivating a deeper connection with the present moment, our inner selves, and the world around us. This practice invites us to live with intentionality, mindfulness, and compassion, allowing our interactions with the world to become more harmonious and purposeful. To respond consciously means being fully aware of our thoughts, emotions, and actions as we navigate different situations. It starts with mindfulness - being present and paying attention to the subtle details of our surroundings, whether it's a conversation, an experience in nature, or a challenge we encounter. When we respond unconsciously, w

  Photo Credit: Pinterest Effortless Living Effortless living is a profound concept that challenges our usual approach to life, which is often marked by struggle, ambition, and constant striving. On the surface, the idea of living effortlessly may seem passive or unproductive, but in reality, it is a state of being that aligns with the natural flow of life and the deeper wisdom of the universe. Effortless living is about surrendering the need to control every aspect of life and trusting in a higher intelligence to guide us. It’s about living in harmony with ourselves, others, and the world, without the constant pressure to push or force outcomes. At its core, effortless living is not about doing nothing but about letting go of unnecessary effort. Many of us expend immense energy trying to shape life according to our desires or expectations. We feel the need to work harder, achieve more, or make things happen. This often leads to stress, anxiety, and burnout. However, when we adopt

  Photo Credit: Pin Page Finding more Balance Within Finding balance within is a deeply spiritual practice, one that requires a harmonious alignment of the mind, body, and soul. Swami Shivkrupanandji, a spiritual leader and guru, emphasizes the importance of inner balance as a pathway to peace, contentment, and spiritual growth. In his teachings, balance is not merely about managing external life situations, but about cultivating a state of equanimity that allows us to remain centred, regardless of life’s ups and downs. In today's fast-paced world, we are often pulled in many directions, whether by work, relationships, societal expectations, or personal desires. This constant pull creates stress, anxiety, and a sense of imbalance, leaving us feeling disconnected from ourselves and from the present moment. Swami Shivkrupanandji teaches that balance begins with self-awareness - the ability to observe the workings of our own mind and emotions without getting entangled in them. By

  Photo Credit: Open Horizons Developing Harmonious Relationships Harmonious relationships are essential for a fulfilling life. In many ways, they form the foundation of our existence, connecting us to others in meaningful and transformative ways. Spiritually, relationships are not just social bonds but profound opportunities for growth, learning, and reflection. To develop harmonious relationships, it is important to understand that the key to true connection lies within ourselves, and the way we relate to others reflects our inner state. At the core of harmonious relationships is love - love that is unconditional and free from selfish desires. Most often, relationships become strained because of the expectations and conditions we place on them. We want others to behave in ways that suit our needs, validate our sense of self, or fulfill our desires. When these expectations are not met, conflict arises, and the relationship can feel strained. Developing a harmonious relationship requ

  Photo Credit: Pinterest Being Free from Sorrow Being free from sorrow is a deep spiritual aspiration that touches the core of human existence. Sorrow, in its various forms, is something we all encounter at some point in life. It may arise from loss, disappointment, fear, or unfulfilled desires. Often, we try to escape or numb sorrow, but true freedom from it can only be achieved by understanding its nature and transforming our relationship with it. At the heart of spiritual teachings is the insight that sorrow is not something external imposed on us, but rather a response generated within. It arises from the mind’s attachment to certain outcomes, situations, or people. When reality does not meet our expectations, or when we lose something we cherish, sorrow takes root. To be free from sorrow, we must address these attachments and the way we perceive the world. The first step towards freedom from sorrow is awareness. Sorrow often grows in the unconscious parts of our minds, wher