Eight Tips from Your Friends

Dear John,

Last night we had a Zoom meeting with the leaders of our various centers in India. Over twenty of us, all long-term devotees, shared valuable tips on what we have been doing to stay inspired during these times of lockdown and turmoil. By the end of the discussion I found myself not only inspired by the variety of ideas people had come up with, but intensely grateful to have friends such as these. I thought it would be helpful to share with you some of the things they’re doing.

You might want to take one or more of these suggestions and give them a try. Start by choosing one that is easy, and that you are happy to do. Inspiration flows most strongly when it is amplified by happiness.

1. Keep your body healthy. Do a bit more to up your level of fitness. Physical activity is usually the easiest way to get stuck energy moving. One person said that he’s had great success resuming his Ananda Yoga practice, which he had dropped.

2. Set weekly goals. Don’t just write them down: Also figure out how you will actually implement them.

3. Create a routine. As one of the group put it, “ I tend to use idle time poorly. I do a lot better if I have a good routine to follow.”

4. Help others. Be proactive in reaching out. Call someone who might need to hear a friendly voice. Focus deeply on what someone really needs—it could be someone in your own home. One man mentioned how fulfilling it has been to help his elderly, isolated dad: the best connection they’ve ever had.

5. Invigorate your sadhana. Almost all of these friends reported that they are being more regular and deeper in their practices. One mentioned that he’s experimenting with new ways of doing the techniques. Another said that chanting is revitalizing his life.

6. Do the energization exercises: Several people said they had really deepened their practice, and were feeling the life-force flow more powerfully than ever.

7. Be creative. One person related what a pleasure it has been to cook new things. Others described creative ways they’ve found to serve others.

8. Watch talks of Swami Kriyananda. One person said that he’s watching Swamiji’s entire Bhagavad Gita series. The sound of Swami’s voice, as much as the content of the talks, is helping him magnetically draw inspiration.

At first, getting a flow going may take a bit of willpower, but once a practice is established it is easier, because you’ll have the power of habit working for you.

I’ve found that even a little effort toward self-improvement pays great dividends. When inspiration begins to flow, life becomes fun, like a surfer riding a big wave.

In joy,

Nayaswami Jyotish