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Like Neo in The Matrix, has something always felt wrong about the world? Why is everyone looking for a permanent happiness in impermanent places, and then after it doesn’t last, wondering what they’re still missing? Why do we project (vikshepa) happiness onto every new food, vacation, and position, rather than remember where happiness always was? Why do we give into the illusion (maya) that an Infinite Reality could have become a finite, incomplete individual?

We may sometimes wonder why we are the way we are. Why do we do the things we do? Our actions are caused by our thoughts (vrtti) and those thoughts come from our print (vasanas), which is who we are because of our past actions. But how can we change the core of who we are? What tools (upadhi) can we use to reach our higher purpose?

Like weary travelers endlessly stumbling after illusions of water in the burning desert, we spend most of our lives running after one inner demand after another. When does the chase end? Are we carrying boulders of emotional baggage in our memory (chitta), or are we learning from the past to move on? Do we allow the leech that is the Ego (ahankara) to drain us with endless agitations, or do we observe it to dismantle it? Are we allowing the senses (indriya) to control us through urges to indulge, or are we directing them to a far greater joy?

When using our gadgets in our daily lives, there’s one thing we never forget to do: plug them in. Well, what are we plugged into? Do we feel drained, and out of battery? Are we investing in a more efficient input (prana), to live deeper than it? Are we allowing the mind (manah) to interpret the world, or are we directing it within? Do we find the intellect (buddhi) constantly instructing and planning, or are we inquiring into what’s most important?

What does it truly mean to feel fortunate (bhagya)? What are some ways we can get to this feeling of serenity? Vivekji teaches us one way to invest in feeling fortunate is to know that all is temporary. Realizing that even the body (deha) is an equipment we have to help us uncover our true nature.

When dealing with uncomfortable situations, many of us try to escape from mental pain (dukha nivrtti), such as stress, anxiety, fear, etc. We try escaping by engaging in activities that we think will bring us joy. But what is a practical and permanent way to face those uncomfortable situations? How can we go from trying to escape discomfort to striving for peace (sukha prapti)?

Reset and recharge your relationships for the new year!

Many times in life, we find ourselves tired -- completely exhausted in running the seemingly endless race of responsibilities. When we’re lacking in inspiration to keep going, where do we find purpose (puruṣhārtha) in all this? How do we choose between what’s easy and pleasurable (preyas) vs. what’s peaceful and visionary (shreyas)?

Living is like a mirror. When we are angry, the world is angry. When we are happy, the world is happy. What can we do to cheerfully evolve into a courageous personality? What are the steps we can take to become more integrated?

What is the purpose of living? It is to be joyous. But how? What are some steps we can take to dive deeper into our purpose? How can we do this with all the ups and downs life throws at us?

The path to Peace is a long one, filled with many hills of transformation and valleys of feeling stuck. Through this, are we living for Peace with the intensity needed to actually evolve? Are we seeking (sadhana) with the discipline (brahmacharya) needed to conserve our energy, and the sensitivity (ahimsa) to be considerate of others?