2009 is by far one of the most difficult "spiritual years" I have had, but I am completely grateful for it. For me, 2009 was difficult because I was still in my first few months of transition from "worldly" life to monastic life, there were unresolved issues with some family and friends, and I really got a good taste of what disciplined spiritual living was. Fortunately, by the close of the 2009 year I have seen improvement in my spiritual life, I am accustomed to the monastic life, almost all issues have been resolved, and I am fortunate to be nearly done with my soul's downward cycle.
2009 was also difficult in the sense that I really faced a lot of the darkness I had within me, and its not necessarily easy to see the weakness, accept, and even be open to working on them. Fortunately, a lot of my bad habits have come to my attention that I need to work on. I do have a lot of aspects of myself to improve, but like all things, it takes time and effort.
I asked Acharya Shree Yogeesh a few weeks ago what 2010 has in store for me. He said simply, "You'll grow even more than this year." Later in the conversation he mentioned that if a person is spiritual, "the year will always be good, because they are continuously growing, even though they encounter difficulty. Those that are not spiritual are the ones that truly suffer because they lack understanding." It makes sense, because even if a spiritual person experiences hard times, they still have the ability to try and stay centerered, calm, and they are still determined to improve their lives in some way.
My reVolution (what many call resolutions) for 2009 was simply "to grow spiritually". I did not tack on any expectations or high goals, because I had no idea what the monk life was completely like, so I really could not determine what goals to set, if any. I can say though that I did achieve my 2009 reVolution goal and changed for the better - it was hard, but nonetheless, I've changed.
2010 ReVolutions
I feel really good about 2010, in the sense that I see more light for this year than the past year. I feel that there will be a lot of opportunities to grow, learn, understand, and new ways to work on myself. Also, my 2 year downward cycle will start to flow upwards (actually it already started recently - I can feel a different shift within me) sometime in February/March, so that will be a big change as far as my inner perceptions, ideology, and the way my mind thinks.
To share with you some solid 2010 Personal ReVolutions, they are:
- Increase humbleness, compassion, understanding, and awareness
- Decrease ego, anger and the need to control
- Improve the habits I have been working on lately (impatience, reaction time of anger)
- Practice more of my spiritual sadhana
- Learn to read and speak basic Hindi
- Write 1 - 2 books
- Create a DVD series of Acharya Shree's discourses
- Meet more truth seekers
Be the Change
Change starts with you. Think of one thing you'd like to change about yourself, and one simple action you can do everyday (for the year) to help you make this change. For example, if you want to be more patient, you can take 3 deep breaths anytime you start to feel impatience arise within you. Change starts with baby steps of action. When you change, and you make the commitment to make that change, you can.
I wish all of you a Happy and Wonderful New Year -- Never forget, any moment can always be a New Beginning.
Here's Acharya Shree's New Year's Message for you (just recorded it a few hours ago):
Photo Courtesty*: MyGreatGrandfathers.com
