Sacrifice – the Key to a Successful 2017

His Holiness Paramacharya Pt. Hardeo Persad, Spiritual Head of SWAHA, recommends the pursuit of sacrifice for success in 2017. In his New Year’s message which was delivered at SWAHA’s Gyaan Deepak Kirtan Mandali, Paramacharyaji presented the possibilities for this year based on the ongoing trends locally and worldwide. He also offered guidelines to making the year a most auspicious one of protection, progress and fulfilment. Here is an excerpt of his address:

Challenges of 2017

We have just left behind another year with the hope that 2017 will bring new beginnings, new hopes and aspirations and renewed resolve to improve our lot. However, we must be prepared to look beyond the surface of situations in order to survive the escalating physical, social, mental and psychological trauma that could envelop us at every step of our lives. Increasing personal safety challenges, financial shocks, unfair treatment of our children are just some of the issues that could have far-reaching effects for us. The financial problems could send many reeling. Many may become suicidal. Many of the problems we may encounter could lead to increased pain, suffering and destruction.

Cause of our problems

Man is propelled by desires which push him forward. It is natural that we all need material possessions but quite often, we allow these things to possess us. One desire leads to another and yet another. The flame of desire spreads far and wide. The list of wants increases faster than the means to acquire them. Desires unfulfilled lead to anger, which leads to loss of reason and ultimately to self-destruction.The triple gates of desire, anger and greed lie at the core of our problems and bring about our downfall. These qualities are at the base of confusion, corruption and the many other outfits of crime. We are the creator of our problems. No one but ourselves must be blamed for our condition. Because of greed, we want more and bind ourselves further in the noose of destruction. We are never satisfied. Contentment is sorely lacking among us. I ask, when is enough really enough?

Success through 2017

However, there is hope that this year can be a successful one. As long as we recognise that we are responsible for ourselves then we can overcome the hurdles ahead. As long as we stick to the spiritual path, close to the Divine Being, we will not be crushed by the throes of worldly challenges. Here are some guidelines to help us:

1. Be positive. Think positive and make an effort to free yourselves from these diseases of desire, anger and greed. We need to practise sincere discipline and sacrifice. These help us to develop our powers of discrimination and enlightenment that guide us towards making correct choices and to analyze situations critically. Endowed with these qualities, we get our perspectives right and rid our lives of the problems that suffocate us daily. We must apply a concerted effort to control anger, desire and greed and free ourselves from the shackles that enslave us to a degenerating quality of life.
2. Get close to the Divine. Those who stay close to the Supreme are protected; they are safe. Those who stray can be easily crushed. Build your vibration and build an armour around yourself strong enough that you are protected from all the winds of fury. You cannot change the world but you can change your world.

Success depends on each of us, not on the religious leader or God. If we care about ourselves and our children, we will make the sacrifice to ensure that we survive yet another year.

A blessed year to all.