'Don't get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.'
-Dolly Parton
We were on our way to Mr Nirmal Bhatt's home for their annual Ganesh Chaturthi puja. As Anand, our driver, drove through the throngs of people celebrating Ganesh Visarjan, I couldn't help but think, wouldn't it be nice to approach life as a carnival? Then we could fill our lives with colours, music, dance, fun and purpose!
What do the world's best carnivals like Rio Carnival in Brazil, the carnival of Viareggio in Italy or the Mardi Gras in the USA have in common? They remind us how to celebrate life. They remind us how life is simple and that there is no need to become serious about it. We often put ourselves on the racetrack of life and keep running only to realize that there is never a finish line in the race to materialistic success. Yet we become so occupied with the race that we are only focused on what lies ahead, forgetting to pause and look at the beauty around us.
I asked Anand to be careful while driving through the dancing crowds. It was the fifth day of Ganesh Chaturthi and people were already beginning to come on the roads for the Visarjan processions. I knew it was not going to be an easy drive. Ganesh Chaturthi-you may call it a festival or a carnival-makes Mumbai come alive in a way like nothing else! I would say this is the world's largest carnival-like
celebration, rejuvenating the busy city. 'Maa, it seems we are out today at the wrong time,' said a worried Anand while carefully navigating through each of the Ganapathi groups dancing to the deafening dhols on their way to Juhu beach.
'It is just this one lane; we will be through easily after we turn left. This is the main way to the beach,' I said, trying to calm his mind. Patience is the key to navigating not just traffic jams but also life problems. Sometimes we don't realize that a struggle is just a temporary phase, just one single lane. During such times, one usually either becomes restless or gives up.
*Anand, can you please switch on the GPS and check the fastest route?' asked Rohita softly, while trying to open the map app on her phone. The screen was refusing to load.
'Yes Rohita ji, sure', said Anand without taking his eyes off the road. Rohita is a vibrant twenty-six-year-old woman who hails from Gujarat. She had visited our centre, The Yoga Institute, to do a teacher's training program. A brilliant and disciplined woman, she excelled in all the subjects of the course. She has, however, had her share of relationship problems-a breakup that had completely shattered her.
Work pressure and relationships are two major stressors prevalent among the youth today, who usually seem lost when it comes to handling them since they succumb very easily. Young people need guidance on how to handle these stressors. Rohita came to the institute to find herself again and is much stronger and braver now. After her course, she expressed her desire to continue being associated with the institute and aid us in serving people. I felt she could manage my schedule or assist me in my travels and welcomed her to the team.
'Rohita ji, I think we must take the second left; the GPS indicates that the first left is clogged with traffic,' said Anand.
'That's great, let's take that route,' said Rohita, relieved. 'Maa, wouldn't it be great if we had GPS for life which could warn us about our forthcoming problems, troubles and obstacles?'
Rohita's question was profound. With the help of technology, we have mastered the art of accurately predicting many future events, such as the movements of objects in outer space, the arrival of a storm or where a star would be positioned 100 years from today. We can even estimate when the universe will come to an end. But can we ever know what will happen to our life in the next moment?
'Well, that's an interesting thought,' I replied. 'We already have one. Your body is the best GPS you have. Every cell in your body is a sensor. All you have to do is listen to it. If your gut feeling tells you that something is wrong, listen to it. If your body tells you that it's stressed, then listen to it and take a step back. You just need to be mindful enough to sense them.' I reached for the water bottle and had a few sips of water. We passed the first left. Rohita thanked the app.
'Your mind can also become an indicator of things to come,' I continued. 'You just need to be in the present and a little clever. When you train your mind to see the cause behind every change that happens and the effect of every action, you slowly gain the intuition to see what might happen next.'
The mind is a mysterious element. It is a storehouse of all possibilities. Psychology of yoga helps one tap their stored potentials. I generally avoid discussing things that are super-natural and miraculous in nature, but sometimes we have to make people realize the hidden strength that lies within. Only when you realize you can, you will!
'Maa, is it possible for someone like me to become like that? Is it an easy process?" Rohita asked inquisitively.
I smiled at her and said, 'Yes, you can! Why not? Nothing is difficult if one is sincere, disciplined and focused on their goals. There are just three simple acts required to attain any goal: strong will, continued perseverance and letting go of all that doesn't contribute to your goal.
