...WALK THE TALK

A couple of years ago, I went through a phase that made my life a living hell. I failed to live up to spiritual ideals that I had imbibed during my decade-long study of the Bhagavad Gita. I erroneously began abdicating my karma and turning away from life's battlefield. Stress took over. My life went downhill. I was fortunate enough to realize that true spirituality is 'be nothing and do nothing' and not 'do nothing to be nothing'. Overcome the ego and the senses and you are free! In this regard, Richard Gere is a great role model. He actually lives his spirituality. He has inspired me to actually 'walk the talk', that is, do what you talk about.

We are all bound to experience stress now and then. I do too, but I am learning to transcend it. When faced with a stressful situation, I just think-'anything that is bothering me does not exist'. If everything in this world is transient, then why get anxious about it?

I often get disappointed with people who mistake my spirit of unconditional giving for naiveté. When this happens, instead of getting anxious, I connect with the Cosmic Consciousness. I remember that giving and taking ensues from the same source and if you give, you are not depleted. Rather, you will be reinforced constantly.

Every day, I get up early in the morning and spend a few minutes in meditation.

Vikram Raina, Director spiritualtimesindia.com