When we aim to become a better person in order to add value and meaning to our lives, we often start by trying to acquire all the knowledge we can. Knowing what to do and how to do it is important, but simply knowing is not enough; we must implement or practise what we know in order to achieve our goals. That requires power, which may come in many forms, such as determination, correct discernment, and judgement. Lack of adequate power is what leads people to complain that they know what they have to do but are unable to do it, and they cannot stop themselves from doing what they should not do.
We need to spend time with ourselves, introspect, and identify our purpose in life. What is it that I am really looking for? We will find that money is not what we are after; ultimately, it is peace of mind and happiness that we want. We also realise that selflessly serving others brings greater satisfaction and blessings than constantly accumulating wealth and possessions.
The first thing we must recognise is that we already have what we seek: peace and happiness. We have not lost them; we have simply forgotten how to be peaceful and happy. To regain peace and happiness, we can begin by examining our priorities. What are we chasing—money, power, fame? When we get tired of chasing these, we start looking for deeper things. But again, we look outside, and some people even turn to intoxicants to experience a few moments of lightness and pleasure. That is a slippery slope to self-destruction.
The key to self-improvement is self-awareness. Meditation is a powerful way of knowing and empowering the self. It helps us recognise and understand our true identity: I am a soul with a goal. Then we can tap into our spiritual resources, such as peace, love, and happiness, which are natural qualities of the soul. We experience these qualities when we become soul-conscious.
When we become soul-conscious and our way of thinking, emotions, and behaviour are guided by the soul’s innate virtues, then old attitudes, beliefs, and habits are easily discarded as we recognise them to be harmful. We begin to live more consciously, aware of the kinds of thoughts and feelings we are creating and the likely consequences thereof. We also begin to accept responsibility for our thoughts, emotions, and actions, and we realise that we are the creators of everything we experience.This self-acceptance leads to self-respect, which then brings self-transformation.
We start paying more attention to the way we respond to people and situations. The higher the quality of our thoughts, the better our experiences will be. When our consciousness is elevated, our vibrations change, and the universe responds accordingly. If I am peaceful inside, I am the first to experience that peace, and others will also feel it as I radiate this quality. On the other hand, if I am agitated, I may be sitting in a very quiet place, but I will not enjoy the silence because I am vibrating at a different frequency. We shape, create, and attract situations according to the kind of vibrations we radiate. This is how, consciously or unconsciously, we create our lives.
Dr. Sachin Parab is a counsellor, hypnotherapist, and corporate trainer who has been practising and teaching Rajyoga meditation for the last 27 years.