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A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Shaunaka Rishi Das

Good morning.

The Holiday weekend is in full swing, sun or not. Just a few months ago we were still chilling in winter's grip, and chilling to the thoughts of our heating bills. And then the unimaginable happens, as it mystically does every year, we’re relieved of all that cold stress. One day we can’t imagine not wearing a coat, and the next we’re in tee-shirts.

I was just savouring this as I strolled through our village, and a flashy car goes by, with its open roof, a couple in their sunglasses and white tooth smiles, elbows resting on the door, relaxed and jolly, and they throw a look at me and laugh to their private joke, as they fly past leaving me in the dust of their joy. I hate that.

I hate it because it reflects so badly on me. It exposes me to myself, and I don’t like what I see. I could demand that no one should have so much money, or waste that money, or disrespect elders, or be so needlessly happy. But that’s all so mean-minded.

On that day, I remembered a meditation, from an ancient Hindu text, the Bhagavat, which reassured me that I wasn’t the first small-minded person on the planet. It’s a positive, yet challenging conversation with a sage. It gave hope when I read it, and remembered it, and now as I translate it into a prayer.

Lord, when we see someone with more than us, may we be happy for them – not envious; with our peers may we be friendly – not in competition; and with juniors may we nurture them – not repress them. Let us live happily with that kindness.

Hare Krishna