Read the previous part here…
O the flame of the lamp, I bow to you, praying for my wellbeing, health and prosperity and also to remove evil thoughts that come to me.
Setting the stage
Reflect on the year that passed. Usually, we look back and feel sad at what should have been, and happy at what managed to work out. Reflection, on the other hand, is a third-party view at your life in the past year…think of it as someone else’s life that you are looking at, and try as much as possible to leave happiness and sadness out of the process. We all have our ups and downs, and so crying over spilt milk isn’t of any use…what matters is the learnings and our progress in the journey. Just as in meditation, witness – don’t participate.
Reflect on the year ahead. Setting goals, targets, KPIs…are all for the workplace. When performing this exercise, again, look at the year ahead with a non-biased view – think of what you plan to do, and whether it will lead you further in your journey, or hinder your progress – mentally, physically and spiritually.
The objective of these exercises is to observe, and not participate. The cosmos is in the same configuration as when you were born, when you had no past, and when you had a future with immense possibility. Use this day to come back to that point – a kind of meditation with open eyes and an open mind.
Do some good. It can be donation, charity, help, teaching…anything that you can give. Today, the net result should be that the amount you give exceeds the amount you get. So, if you are in for a lot of gifts, be ready to give more that you receive. It may seem odd at first, but you will begin to enjoy it. Also, giving doesn’t only mean money. Your time to someone who needs it, your advice, guidance…anything that leaves the receiver richer than he was before interacting with you.
Seek blessings. We underestimate the power of a heartfelt blessing. Ensure you collect as many genuine blessings as possible – from your parents, (genuine) relatives, your gurus. Bow to them, touch their feet, and seek their blessing. Works wonders.
Proper endings
Do what you like best. The day is not all about reflection and blessing…engage in that one activity (or two) that make you the happiest…I for example practice yoga and karate on my birthday, since they make me happy and help me round off a beautiful day with a smile.
Say thank you. Life is a gift. For some, it is very hard, and for others, it is easier. We all have struggles, but some of us struggle more than the rest. There is always someone struggling more than you, and so your janma tithi is also an opportunity to be thankful…that you were born into your family, that they took care of you and brought you up, gave you an education and helped you to stand on your feet. Something that we take for granted…until we see someone who is less fortunate.
The Janma Tithi is an opportunity that comes every year. What we make of it, like every other opportunity, is up to us. I hope that I have been of some help, some guidance…in my own small way, I hope that I have lit a lamp in a darker corner of your mind and heart. I celebrated my birthday and my janma tithi this month, got a lot of love from those who care for me, and so this is one way I have tried to give it back. If I have made a difference, do let me know.
If not, I will continue to knock on that door.
You may not open it for a while…but then you may not keep it closed for too long:)
ज्योतिषाम् अपि तज् ज्योतिस् तमसः परम् उच्यते ।
ज्ञानं ज्ञेयं ज्ञान-गम्यं हृदि सर्वस्य धिष्ठितम् ॥ १८ ॥
jyotiṣām api taj jyotis tamasaḥ param ucyate |
jñānaṃ jñeyaṃ jñāna-gamyaṃ hṛdi sarvasya dhiṣṭhitam || 18 ||
Srimad Bhagavad Gita
The Self is the source of all light. The Self is beyond the darkness of matter and is unmanifested. The Self is knowledge, the Self is the object of knowledge, and the Self is the goal of knowledge. The Self is situated within you.
See you tomorrow!