Resolutions!

As we ring in the new year, it seems repetitive as Sun repeats itself going around, but it is also very strange as time is linear & only moves forward. This has both positive and negative aspect. Positive, that we can keep progressing & growing and negative (from material point of view) that we are closer to the end of our lives by a year & that is dreadful for few (but will happen to all). Nevertheless, each year is a new beginning

Similar to western culture, where people take new year resolution, in the Vedic system there is a concept of Sankalpa, which is taken frequently & not once in a year. In the Vedas, observing Vrata is very established when one takes a vow to do certain things or refrains from doing few for a certain period. Sankalpa is a verbal statement of determination to carry out certain project or action to achieve desired goal. Important point is determination to focus on goal else whatever we intend to do is not achieved

In material world, we've material goals hence we make resolution to achieve them. It can also be some bad habits one may want to leave. Material resolutions give material results and as per Vedic injunction should be secondary to spiritual resolutions. As we are not this material body but spiritual soul hence, we should dedicate our resolutions to grow spiritually. Now it may seem that the material & spiritual are opposite to each other, but it is not necessarily so

In the conclusion of Bhagvad Gita 18.78 it is said:

yatra yogeśvaraḥ kṛṣṇo yatra pārtho dhanur-dharaḥ

tatra śrīr vijayo bhūtir dhruvā nītir matir mama

Wherever there is Kṛṣṇa, the master of all mystics, & wherever there is Arjuna, the supreme archer, there will also certainly be opulence, victory, extraordinary power, & morality. That is my opinion

This means that more we are situated in our spiritual practice, more we are established in material opulences which we can use in the service of Supreme Lord Krsna. When we progress spiritually, we have all what is necessary to sustain ourselves on this path (& not what we desire for sense gratification which leads to destruction)

Resolution shouldn't be made lofty but should be small acts of determination, to be reviewed every now & then. People take vow to observe “Ekadashi” every fortnight & review should ideally happen twice a month on this day, so that we don’t forget as people resolve but they forget. Cumulatively this help us to achieve higher purpose of life. We need to make a list of things which are favorable for our spiritual progress & what is not & act accordingly

So, in Vedic view the Sankalpa is what makes us perfect on our spiritual path with side material benefits as well. Mantra Meditation, right association, discipline of time & words, reading scriptures & its application, leaving bad habits & accepting healthy ones etc are basis of our vows

Let’s start 2022 with a difference. What is your Sankalpa?

A Very Happy & Prosperous New Year to all my Friends

#gameoflife