Optimising life through spiritual practice

We are all different and, therefore, must personalise our spiritual practices and daily routine. Only then can these be sustained. Lord Krishna has given specific instructions in this regard. The Lord states, “Yoga of one whose eating and recreation are appropriate; of one who strives appropriately in activities; of one who sleeps and stays awake as required, becomes the cause of elimination of sufferings.” (The Bhagavad-Gita, verse #6.17) Mark the last part. The elimination of sufferings must be the result, otherwise who will continue the exercise?

Going into the details of the quoted verse, Lord Krishna has instructed us to be appropriate in four parts of our daily routine. These are food, entertainment, work and sleep. Food must suit an individual. For example, an aged person must restrict oneself to what is nutritious, wholesome and easily digestible. The same goes for sleep; children need more sleep than old people. Entertainment must also be different age-wise. Younger people can have more of the physical types, like playing games, while older folks can have ‘satsang’ (good company), gentle walks and simple exercises.

Intelligent practitioners of ‘yoga’ (connection with God) balance efforts for maintenance and spiritual progress. In younger age, it is more learning and effort for maintenance, with occasional prayers for guidance and help when troubled. Later, it must be more for spiritual upliftment. This is when the instruction given in verse #9.22 becomes applicable, which is, “These people, who worship Me with undivided attention, meditating on Me, for those practitioners of yoga, I help in getting what one does not have and security of what one has.” In older age, more spiritual practices are required, when maintenance duties become less.

Lord Krishna has, in the Gita, given many options for doing spiritual practices. One has to choose what suits them in order to be able to do them. Instructions given by the Lord will help in making choices, which is, “For a saintly person, desirous of making progress in yoga, action is known to be the means, but for one fixed in yoga, peace is known to be the only cause.” (6.3) Do these practices conveniently in order not to lose peace of mind. The idea is to get help from God; our role in life can be limited only. God must become ‘karta’ (doer) in our life, and we His ‘nimitta’ (instrument). Then success is certain.

This is what I am doing. I engage my mind in God by chanting gently while looking at a photo of Lord Krishna, convinced that my Lord will accept my prayers (12.8). And God will guide me about what I must do and help where He only can help. In short, I must continue to do my minor part in life and God will take care of the major part to ensure success. The result: I am engaged appropriately by optimising my spiritual practices and also my daily routine. ‘Theek chal raha hai’ (Life is fruitful and beautiful).

The writer is a spiritual teacher and a columnist; Views presented are personal.