To Walk in Grace

As I take a step,

things are not the same —

but not different either.

What I once disregarded,

what I once feared,

what I once saw as separate —

is now what I hold.

Not for lack of choice,

but because it is all

what makes me whole.

It is in the grace I walk,

in the grace I receive,

and the grace I give.

Who Am I — The Journey That Matters

Who am I?

It’s the question we rarely ask.

And perhaps that makes sense.

We're born into a world already in motion — a world where people rush through their own problems, chasing dreams, carrying regrets, solving things.

We look around and see others — some smiling, some struggling, some simply surviving. And without asking, we assume: I must be just like them.

We see babies enter the world through a mother’s womb, and we think, That’s how I came too. We see lives unfold, and we fall into the rhythm. Without pause. Without question.

We take our existence for granted.

We accept what is outside as real.

We accept what is within as vague.

We build assumptions around this “I” —

never stopping to ask what this “I” truly is.

But if — in the middle of all this noise - you were to pause…

Just for a moment.

Not to solve. Not to plan.

But to reflect — deeply, honestly.

Who am I, really?

That single question opens a door —

a door that doesn’t lead outward,

but inward.

And what lies beyond that door

is not ordinary. It’s not boring. It is a journey — the most extraordinary journey possible. A journey into the mystery of the universe and your own being.

A journey that begins not in temples or books or theories,

but in silence. 

In stillness.

In the aching, beautiful question that refuses to go away.

As you walk,

you begin to see that this isn’t a straight path.

It spirals.

It circles back.

It lifts you up. It tears you down.

It shows you everything — your fears, your beliefs, your truths, your illusions.

And yet, the deeper you go,

the more it begins to make sense.

Not only intellectually, but also existentially.

You begin to see:

This question — Who am I? —

is not only a riddle to solve,

but a truth to realise.

It illuminates every corner of your life.

It melts everything that is false.

And slowly, steadily,

you come closer to something unshakable.

Something still.

Something true.

This is the path

the ancient sages walked under the stars.

This is the question that echoed in the minds of philosophers through stone courtyards and silent libraries.

It is the oldest journey — and the only one truly worth undertaking.

Not for escape.

Not for answers.

But for the simple, undeniable truth:

That to know yourself is to be free from everything that’s not you.

Dead Desires.

The wind whispered through the empty corridors of his past. Arjun sat beneath an ancient banyan tree, his fingers tracing patterns in the dust. The world had once seemed vast, filled with opportunities, ambition, and unfulfilled longing. Now, it was small—contained within the quiet rise and fall of his breath.

There was a time when his desires had defined him. He had chased them like a man running after his own shadow, always grasping, never holding. Wealth, recognition, love—each had promised completion, yet left him emptier than before.

He remembered the nights spent staring at the ceiling, the weight of his wants pressing down on his chest. He had wanted to be seen, to be admired, to carve his name into something lasting. But even in moments of triumph, something remained just out of reach.

Then, the shift had come—not all at once, but like mist lifting from a valley. A simple question had cracked the foundation of his restless seeking: Who is the one that desires?

He had watched his thoughts like a distant observer, seen how they rose and fell, how they clung to ideas of identity, ownership, longing. And in that watching, something loosened. The desperation to be someone began to fade. The idea of lack, of incompleteness, dissolved like a mirage in the desert heat.

Desires that once burned fiercely turned to ash. He did not renounce them—they simply lost their meaning. What was there to gain, and who was there to gain it? The chase had ended, and with it came a stillness he had never known.

Arjun opened his eyes. The banyan tree stood as it always had—silent, unmoving, unconcerned with the world’s rush. He smiled, not because he had reached something, but because there was nothing left to reach.

The weight was gone. The wind carried away the last whispers of his past self. He was here. He was free.

And that was enough.

Roots of Joy

She sat in her office, surrounded by the trappings of success, yet feeling strangely detached from it all. She felt insecure about life as she wondered how she is going to manage the firm which is grappling with financial instability. As she thought, memories of her carefree childhood began to rush into her mind.

Laxmi's days had become a whirlwind of corporate meetings, financial strategies, and seemingly endless emails. In her pursuit of maintaining financial stability and societal stature, she had inadvertently let go of the simple joys that once defined her. The laughter and carefree spirit she recalled from her childhood had faded, replaced by the weight of responsibilities and the pursuit of success.

Amidst this fast-paced life, fragments of stories shared by her maternal grandmother often visited Laxmi's thoughts. Her grandmother would spin tales of their family's past, of a time when they were humble street vendors, struggling to make ends meet. Amidst these tales, one stood out, vivid and poignant – the story of the day they won the lottery that changed their fate forever. Laxmi's father used that unexpected money to start the successful business that now played an integral role in her life.

However, what intrigued Laxmi even more was the perspective her grandmother added to that story. She recounted how, on the day they won the lottery, she had noticed a radiant smile on young Laxmi's face. Though unaware of the event's significance, the child had felt immense joy witnessing her parents' profound happiness. The grandmother emphasized that the child was happy because she felt safe and secure in her parents' eyes.

As Laxmi reminisced about her grandmother's stories, she realized that amidst her pursuit of financial stability and success, she had lost sight of what truly mattered. It wasn't just about accumulating wealth or climbing the corporate ladder; it was about finding joy and security in the simple moments of life.

She remembered the radiant smile she had worn as a child, not because of material wealth or grand achievements, but because of the love and security she felt within her family. It dawned on her that perhaps she had been chasing the wrong kind of success all along.

With a newfound clarity, Laxmi decided to shift her focus. Instead of solely fixating on the financial stability of her firm, she would prioritize fostering a supportive and nurturing environment for her team. She understood that true success wasn't measured solely by profit margins, but by the well-being and happiness of those around her.

Taking inspiration from her family's humble beginnings and the lessons imparted by her grandmother, Laxmi embarked on a journey to reconnect with her roots and rediscover the simple joys of life. She began incorporating elements of joy and camaraderie into her workplace, encouraging her team to find fulfillment beyond monetary gains.

Slowly but steadily, the atmosphere in Laxmi's office began to change. Employees felt more valued and supported, leading to increased productivity and creativity. As Laxmi focused on fostering genuine connections and creating a sense of belonging, she found that the financial instability that once plagued her firm began to dissipate.

With a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of what true success meant, Laxmi found herself not only steering her firm towards stability but also experiencing a personal transformation. She had learned that happiness and fulfillment couldn't be found in external accomplishments alone; they stemmed from within, from nurturing relationships, embracing simplicity, and finding joy in life's everyday moments. And as she looked back on her journey, Laxmi realized that the greatest lottery she had ever won was the love and support of her family and team.

Hunger and Desire

Guruji, what are the most essential things that a spiritual teacher like you knows but common people like us don't?

Everyone knows everything, my boy, but only Gurus like us are conscious of that knowledge. That's what differentiates us from others.

Guruji, what does it mean to know things consciously?

If you are aware of certain facts, you must have observed that most spiritual Gurus practice similar things, such as abstaining from courtship. We don't want to be driven by lust and engage in insignificant activities. We know that the primary purpose of sex is procreation and ensuring the continuation of the human species on this planet. Therefore, we try to move away from it and seek a higher purpose for our lives.

Guruji, if conceiving a child is the sole aim of sex, then why does romance exist? Doesn't romance bring meaning to the activity? Don't our actions go beyond their purpose and bring more significance to our lives?

What brings meaning to our lives isn't simply what we think will bring meaning; it's what aligns with our purpose. If you had truly understood the context of what I was trying to say, you might have been in my place. That's the difference between you and me.

Guruji, I may not be as enlightened as you, but I do understand that going beyond the purpose of anything is considered insignificant, and it's better to abstain from it to find greater meaning in other things.

Now you're on the right track, my boy. Yes, that's what I meant.

Guruji, but didn't you want the food to change yesterday?

Yes, the food they served was terrible, and I don't want myself or my devotees to have tasteless food. So, I asked them to change it.

But Guruji, if the purpose of food is to satisfy hunger, isn't it insignificant to demand tasty food?

As I said, if you understood everything, you would be in my place. Let others also have time to ask questions; we are running out of time. Does anyone have any other questions?