Inspiration - RKT Newsletter
April 2025
Quote
मन: प्रसाद: सौम्यत्वं मौनमात्मविनिग्रह: |
भावसंशुद्धिरित्येतत्तपो मानसमुच्यते || 16||
manah-prasadah saumyatvam maunam atma-vinigrahah
bhava-sanshuddhir ity etat tapo manasam uchyate
Serenity of thought, gentleness, silence, self-control, and purity of purpose
—all these are declared as austerity of the mind (Bhagavad Gita 17.16).
From the Editor’s Desk
In today’s fast-paced world, the constant chatter of the mind often clouds our judgment and peace. Whether overwhelmed by daily responsibilities, chasing material success, or consumed by personal struggles, the mind can easily spiral into chaos. Yet, the key to navigating this external storm with purpose and clarity lies in quieting the mind.
This issue of Inspiration focuses on how to cultivate stillness inside to find clarity outside. What is the role of selfless devotion and service to God for inner stillness? How can we increase our ability to discern truth from illusion and make sound decisions? Read further to find answers to these questions.
Bhakti Ras
The Power of a Calm Mind
When we quiet the internal noise, we allow clarity to emerge. This stillness is not just about silencing distractions—it is about achieving a state of inner peace that aligns us with our true purpose.
Swami Mukundananda beautifully explains that when one controls the mind and brings proper thoughts into it, one can be perfectly happy and inspired. However, if the mind is agitated, then even in the best of circumstances, one can feel miserable. This wisdom empowers us to navigate life with a clear and balanced perspective, untangled from the anxiety and confusion that often cloud our judgment. By mastering the mind, we create space for thoughtful decisions, purposeful actions, and true inner peace. To know more about the power of a calm mind, watch Swamiji’s explanation in this video.
Mind Control for Clarity
In the Bhagavad Gita, Shree Krishna stresses the importance of controlling the mind to achieve true peace.
बन्धुरात्मात्मनस्तस्य येनात्मैवात्मना जित: |
अनात्मनस्तु शत्रुत्वे वर्ते तात्मैव शत्रुवत् || 6||
bandhur atmatmanas tasya yenatmaivatmana jitah
anatmanas tu shatrutve vartetatmaiva shatru-vat
For those who have conquered the mind, it is their friend. For those who have failed to do so, the mind works like an enemy (Bhagavad Gita 6.6).
This verse underscores that mastering the mind is crucial to finding clarity in our lives. When we control our thoughts and emotions, we unlock our potential to make wise decisions and approach life with calm confidence. On the other hand, when we fail to tame the mind, it becomes our greatest obstacle, clouding our judgment and leading us into cycles of stress and confusion.
Ways to Cultivate Inner Stillness
Here are some tools – what to do to cultivate inner stillness. You will also find some practical implementation strategies – how to do these in the section on Holistic Health Tidbits below.
- Practice Meditation: Meditation is one of the most effective ways to quiet the mind. By focusing on the breath and being present in the moment, we train our minds to let go of distractions and find peace within. However, an even better technique is Roop-Dhyan, or meditation on the beautiful and dynamic pastimes of God. Savor the bliss of this exquisitely beautiful Roop-Dhyan meditation where Swamiji guides us to meditate on making a garland for God.
- Embrace Mindfulness: Mindfulness is about being fully present in the task in which one is engaged. It helps to quiet the mental noise and creates space for clarity in decision-making. By focusing on excellence and putting in the best effort, but leaving the results in the hands of God, can still the mind and help to feel peaceful.
- Engage in Spiritual Practices: Spiritual practices like prayer or devotional chanting can help us connect to a higher consciousness, bringing a sense of calm and clarity that transcends our daily struggles. A practical way to practice devotion while going about one’s daily chores and activities is to engage in Karmyog, i.e., perform the actions with the body while attaching the mind to God.
- Let Go of Material Attachments: Attachments to material desires cloud our judgment. When we release our attachment to specific intangible desires like recognition and respect, we open ourselves up to the flow of life with simplicity and allow clarity to guide us. Limiting or eliminating worldly desires also help to remember the purpose of our lives.
The Reward of Inner Stillness
When we cultivate inner stillness, we not only find peace but also gain the clarity needed to navigate our external world. Swamiji suggests that surrendering the material intellect and mind to God will lead to eternal peace.
“When we unite our will to God's will, we reach a state of inner harmony where pleasure and pain are no longer seen as mere circumstances of life but as opportunities for growth and deeper connection with the Divine. Trusting His plan, we accept all experiences as expressions of His grace, guiding us toward peace.”
The more we practice quieting the mind by eliminating material desires and nurturing spiritual desires, the better we become at making purposeful decisions, managing stress, and aligning our actions with our true values. This calm state opens the door to deeper spiritual growth and a life filled with purpose.
Bal-Mukund: Playground for Vedic Wisdom
The Blind Widow and the Honest Jeweler
A blind, unemployed widow lived by the seaside with her teenage daughter. Her daughter was uneducated but very skilled in diving and would gather gems from the ocean floor and sell them to keep the household running. She stored any remaining stones in a small box.
One day, she went out to dive and never returned. Her mother waited for her in vain and feared that the worst had happened. With nothing left to eat and no one to depend on, she managed to find the small box and made her way to a jeweler despite being blind. She requested the jeweler to buy the gems so that she could survive the next few years.
Image: The blind lady requested the jeweler to buy the gems
The jeweler examined the stones and was astonished to find that they were invaluable gems. He told her that he did not have the funds to purchase them himself and promised to contact the jewelers' association to raise the necessary money. He gave her some money to cover her expenses in the meantime. When he explained the situation to the association, they asked him why he had told the woman that the gems were invaluable, especially since she was blind and didn’t know the value.
The jeweler responded that although the woman was blind, his conscience was not. He could have cheated her, but he would never be able to silence the voice within that knew right from wrong.
Practical Wisdom:
- The jeweler decided to be honest with the blind lady even though he could have taken advantage of her blindness. Decisions are made by the intellect, whereas desires are made by the mind. The intellect can control the mind. When presented with choices, decisions are made based on values. The intellect accords importance to things based on these values. Correct values are gained from hearing or reading divine knowledge, retaining the knowledge through repetitive listening and contemplation, and making a firm resolve to use the knowledge as a moral compass while navigating the external world situations peacefully.
- The jeweler knew that if he had cheated, he would have not been able to silence his voice within. One of the ways God communicates is through the inner voice. This is the voice of conscience. One must surrender to God for His Grace and learn to practice listening to this inner voice to align one’s actions and thoughts with the will of God.
Holistic Health Tidbits
Finding Stillness in a Turbulent World
Think of our minds like a lake. The world will throw stones in — events, demands, emotions — which create stress, anxiety, and a sense of disconnection. If we learn to respond, not react, the ripples fade faster. We find peace by learning to respond from a grounded inner state.
In the Bhagavad Gita Verse 6.15, Shree Krishna explains to Arjun: “Thus, constantly keeping the mind absorbed in Me, the yogi of disciplined mind attains nirvāṇ, and abides in Me in supreme peace.”
Practical Ways to Cultivate Inner Peace
We will never have a shortage of external problems. Therefore, developing a consistent practice to create our serene inner selves is essential. In the Bhakti Ras section above, you read about some valuable tools to cultivate inner stillness. Here are the practical implementation strategies:
Quieting the Mind
- Mindfulness Meditation
Some of us find meditation difficult, so start with a simple practice: Sit, breathe, and observe for 5-10 minutes per day. The goal is to acknowledge our thoughts and let them pass without attachment. As focus increases, bring the spiritual aspects to the practice through Roop-Dhyan.
- Breathwork
Techniques like box breathing (inhale 4–hold 4–exhale 4–hold 4) regulate the nervous system and calm mental chatter.
- Limiting Mental Clutter
Reduce inputs — e.g., social media, web browsing, news scrolling, and the constant phone notifications. The more we consume, the noisier our inner world becomes. Conversely, the less we overburden the mind, the quieter our inner world becomes.
- Connecting with Nature
A quiet walk, watching the clouds, or listening to birdsong reminds us of nature’s stillness and simplicity, and that peace is our natural state.
- Journaling
Freely writing down what is on our minds can clear emotional noise and bring clarity and gratitude, especially before bedtime. Ask: What am I feeling right now? What can I let go of? What went well today?
- Create “Mental Containers”
Set specific times for worrying, planning, or working. By defining our thoughts’ boundaries, we can bring them back to the present when the mind starts spiraling.
- Remove Physical Clutter
Our physical space affects our mental space. Making the bed or clearing the desk can help to feel relaxed and focus the mind on the important aspects.
Reflection Questions
Bhakti Ras / Inspiration
Reflect on your inner state of mind before and after engaging in a devotional meditation or Roop-Dhyan. What did you experience, and how can you benefit from this learning?
Bal-Mukund: Playground for Vedic Wisdom
Why did the jeweler pursue the path of honesty with the blind woman?
Holistic Health Tidbits
What is taking up unnecessary space in my mind; and, how would it feel to let it go?
Upcoming Events
Akshaya Tritiya
There is a very special event at the Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas (Allen) at the end of this month that is considered to be very auspicious. It is Akshaya Tritiya!
Akshaya Tritiya is very auspicious for a variety of reasons. It brings success and good fortune. But does God shower divine grace indiscriminately on all souls, or is there an eligibility criterion? Let’s understand the day’s significance.
The word Akshaya refers to an indestructible entity, whereas Tritiya refers to the third lunar day. The implication is that whatever we accomplish on this day becomes auspiciously immortal. Many Hindu legends are tied to Akshaya Tritiya. For example, Sudama’s abject state of poverty ended when he went to meet Lord Krishna in Dwarka. Not wanting to ask God for any material comforts, he did not reveal the reason for his visit. However, Shree Krishna gifted him immense wealth on this day, Akshaya Tritiya. Shree Parshuram, the avatar of Lord Vishnu, was also born on this day.
Join us for a blissful and divine Mahamantra Yagna on this occasion. We invite you to participate in person and immerse yourself in the transcendental vibrations of the Mahamantra chanting.
This sacred event will fill the atmosphere with divine energy, offering a unique opportunity for spiritual growth and collective devotion.
- Date: April 29, 2025
- Time: 6:00 PM onward
- Details: https://www.radhakrishnatemple.net/akshaya-tritiya
