Krishna consciousness embodies the principle of living life the way Lord Krishna intended all humans to do. It is the awakening of the soul in aligning itself with the ways of fruitful and harmonious living, with the words of the Gita. Krishna consciousness aims to purify the soul by leading one’s life in accordance with the principles and virtues of the Lord himself. Finding balance in the daily chaos is not easy; however, with the help of Krishna consciousness, one can navigate life’s challenges with wisdom and determination. Krishna consciousness, once awakened, will leave the individual in a much better place than when they first began trying to understand the mysteries of life.

I have found great comfort in myself after having experienced Krishna consciousness within me. Trying to solve the mysteries of life through the teachings and preachings of the Bhagavad Gita has left me stronger yet humble at the core. I found myself questioning the challenges of life in mid-2019 when I found that my mother was struggling with a fatal disease, battling for every breath for her life. I turned to the Bhagavad Gita for strength and inspiration during those testing times. In the Bhagavad Gita, Shri Krishna says, “mamaivamso jiva-loke jiva-bhutah sanatanah manah sasthanindriyani prakrti-sthani karsati,” which means, ‘living entities in this world are fragmental parts of the Divine Lord, but their mind and senses are conditioned with the material world, which is the underlying cause of their illusory struggle.’

Krishna consciousness is not only a way of life but an inner awakening or enlightenment in itself. Making time to think about the almighty in situations in which we are completely powerless and in despair has taught me freedom. Surrendering oneself in those situations to “The Creator” brings out the best in a person; it gives you faith and the courage to go on. Questioning oneself and the Lord in such times is only humane, and thus it binds us closer to our roots. In those testing times, the Lord awakens the third eye that helps us navigate such storms with faith and conviction while hoping for the very best outcome in our hearts.

My experience with the Lord has been one such deeply eye-opening through one of the most tedious battles of 4 years that the Lord had chosen for me. At the end, we might not always get what we want; however, the strength and hope that once filled keeps us on the right path all throughout, and in the core of things, it nurtures the soul for the journeys to come. I have embarked on a journey of Krishna consciousness in all these years through surrender, self-reliance, and kindness that has made me transform into a better human being. The Lord chooses the battles for us in this lifetime in order to help us navigate through the path of light and wisdom for lifetimes to come. So, whatever decisions we take today should definitely be in accordance with the Lord’s vision for us. Moreover, the 3 S’s of life: strength, surrender, and solidarity are the key virtues that have been embodied in me since I adopted practicing Krishna consciousness. Thanking and praising the Lord through all the battles of life is the key to living a fruitful and happy life.

  Learning to focus on the greater good of things is not always easy. Krishna says that no one who does work with good intent in his heart will ever come to a bad end, either here or in the world to come. So keep focusing on the greater good of things, even in times of despair and disappointment, and you will surely meet with success in every walk of life. On this note, I conclude my blog with my favorite shloka from the Bhagavad Gita, “Karmanye vadhikaraste ma phaleshu kadachana,” which implies, we have the right to perform our assigned duties without being entitled to the fruits of our actions. Hare Krishna!