As we move forward in life, we all want to move forward lightly, with freedom. Freedom is an original experience of the soul. If we were to move to a new house, we would be wise to sort out what to take, what to leave and what to throw away. If we were to pack a suitcase for a holiday or to move on, we would be wise to make sure we only carried the essentials or most beneficial items with us. Yet, we often forget that it is also deep wisdom to do the same kind of decluttering of our mind. We need to sort out what our dearest values, and most deeply held beliefs are, and they are the ones to keep with us as treasures, as we travel forward. In that way we can keep moving on, holding the bigger picture in mind, which keeps us light and easy.
However, many of us keep looking back. We keep picking up the past, ruminating, reminiscing, wishing things were different, or wishing things were as they were before. All of this makes us heavy. We get stuck and then we lose perspective. We need to learn to let go of and pack up the past. Time, in its wisdom, moves forward, not backwards.
So, first of all, in two words, sort and short! Take time to be in solitude, and, in the peace of solitude, see what our realisations and inspirations are in essence, and take them forward. Leave behind the guilt, shame, fear and worry. If we also remember to stay in the essence in the present, we will create fewer things to sort through in the future. We all talk far too much. We need to learn to keep our speaking to the essence, and not use ten words when two will do.
Secondly, there is a mantra worth rememberin: Don’t think! So many events are beyond our control and yet the tendency is to constantly react. It is important to remember that there is always a little space before we react, and that little space is where the conscience has a moment to speak. If we listen to that and stop ourselves from reacting, we are saved from the negative thoughts and emotional turmoil that often follow knee-jerk reactions. Take a deep breath and extend that little space and give the self time to observe and choose the right things to say.
Thirdly, learn how to apply the brake, to put a full stop from time to time. Take a break during the day, to go inside and be at peace. Stay light, laugh a little at the self, do not take the self too seriously. I, the soul, am part of a much bigger dynamic of events and relationships in the world and I am not responsible for everything in it — I am responsible for how I feel about what is happening. I am responsible for what I carry with me, and some things are just not useful anymore. Let me learn the art of packing up and taking with me the valuable things I hold most dear, for myself and for others.
Gopi Patel is a spiritual educator and senior Rajyogi meditator with the Brahma Kumaris, specialising in spiritual pragmatism in all areas of life.