#hey natha narayana vasudeva

[reflect-on-this-fully]

This is the second image from the art series I just posted, but actually the first I drew. I was really inspired by the verse from the Bhagavad Gita, that says: "Just as a lamp in a windless place does not flicker, so the disciplined mind of a yogi remains steady in meditation on the Supreme." (6.19)

Normally, I read a chapter of the Gita everyday, if I'm not doing a deeper dive or a commentary. But while I was waiting at the doctor's office the other day, I decided to just crack it open and read where my heart guided me. I landed on Chapter 6, which discusses the mind and its unsteady nature.

Deep within us all is that flame burning brightly, and even in my darkest of moments, it still burned: urging me onward, encouraging me to not give up.

Though my flame often flickers (and I'm still working diligently to prevent that), Bhagavan remains steady and unbothered by the actions of the world. Bhagavan is the ultimate reality, the thing we attain when give up the results of our actions and become tolerant to both happiness and distress.

Even in my weakest moments, I search for that flame, burning steadily within me, teaching me how to destroy the eternal bonds of karma.

I suppose this thought manifested in this image, depicting Shri Krishna dancing merrily as he plays his flute, an eternal cosmic flame radiating from around him.

Feel free to use this image as your background/or on your altar. Please don't use it for personal gain, however.

As an added note, I love seeing depictions of Krishna with darker skin, as is most accurate. There was a time during deep contemplation where I felt I saw Krishna's face, and another time as I was having an anxiety attack. Both times, Krishna's skin was a deep, dark blue, perhaps even darker than I have depicted here. I shall have to post about these experiences someday.

Om shanti

[reflect-on-this-fully]

A Peaceful and Brilliant Holi (plus a Shocking Turn of Events)

{Photo Courtesy of Nishant Das via Pexels}

Happy Holi, everyone!

I hope you had a wonderful celebration full of love, joy, and the renewal of Spring. May Krishna’s love and light glow brightly within you.

I was alone this year on Holi, so I did some celebrating on my own. It was peaceful and refreshing; it was a much needed break from the stresses of work and school.

I spent the day in my garden, tending to the budding sunflower shoots and various wildflowers beginning to germinate.

Krishna says that he will accept even a flower offered with love, so I had the idea to plant a small flower garden. Tending to it daily will be my offering of love.

A Garden of Devotion

Currently, I have yellow poppies, bachelor buttons, and snapdragons germinating in the greenhouse. I have a wildflower mix for the bees growing in the shade beneath my window. If all things go to plan, I shall have a vivacious mix of saffron, ultramarine, reds, violets, and every other color dotting our little abode on the hill.

Oh, and cayenne peppers…I love cayenne!

Later in the evening, I painted a flower pot for the garden.

I wrote “Shri Krishna Govinda Hare Murare, Hey Natha Narayana Vasudeva” around the top, taking advantage of my newly acquired skill in writing in Devanagari. I also painted two peacocks on it: one for Krishna, and one for Radha.

Escaping from Work

I’ve mentioned before that work has been quite stressful lately. I’m a content analyst, and my job often requires viewing posts that are inflammatory or politically turbulent.

Viewing that content all day, every day can be quite stressful, especially when people are making attacks against the LGBTQ community or other identities I happen to share.

I even posted about this on Reddit, asking how to navigate a world that is so deeply divided. I received some wonderful, deeply insightful responses that I’ll have to share another day.

As my productivity began to sink at work, I told myself that this was something I had to conquer. I have to separate myself from the anger and hate. I must let go of the results of my actions…and the results of others.

Digging My Heels to Fight

This was a challenging period in my life, but it was an opportunity to grow and practice what Shri Krishna suggests to us in the Gita.

I acknowledged this desire to Krishna, and faithfully let it go.

Yesterday at work, I found out that (without going into too much detail), I had been going above and beyond my daily tasks by a lot. There was a miscommunication in some paperwork, and long story short…my job instantly got a lot less stressful.

When this happened, I nearly burst into tears. It was like a weight off my shoulders. Before, my job felt like an impossible task, like Sisyhphus rolling his eternal boulder. Now, it is much easier. I am more engaged in my work and feel more connected to it. That what I’m doing will make a difference.

A Shocking Turn of Events

This has been such a tremendous blessing to me. It will certainly make going to school and working at the same time much easier.

I will also have more mental energy and fortitude to dedicate to writing, both creatively and personally.

I regarded this as a tremendous blessing from Krishna, a brilliant renewal on the day of Holi. I listened to bhajans, sang, danced with the colors of my garden, and had a wonderful day.

Wishing you joy and peace this wonderful festival.

Pax