Resolutions

Is it that time of the year again when we are thinking of resolutions only to break them come end of January? Why is it that most of us are unable to keep the promises we make to ourselves? We even sometimes make promises to God and do not keep them. We normally make these resolutions out of a desire to improve ourselves or get disciplined in some way. In essence we try to add more sattvic qualities (the mode of goodness) but to no avail. Is this ‘resolution phenomenon’ spinning your head in all directions? Well it definitely makes my head spin every year trying to understand why I am unable to stick to mine.

The entire material creation is functioning on the three modes of material nature. Briefly I will mention what they are. The sattvic mode of goodness, the rajasic mode of passion, and the tamasic mode of ignorance/inertia. All things in this material world exist and function in one or a combination of these modes. Making promises to ourselves starts with good intentions but can end up in disappointment which takes us on a downward spiral of self-pity and feelings of failure. However rather than promises we can’t keep, the only thing one actually needs to endeavor is to remain in the mode of goodness as much as possible. All the good qualities that we are trying to become resolute about are sattvic qualities in the mode of goodness. Some of these qualities are tolerance, truthfulness, control of the senses and equanimity to name a few. Sattvic qualities give us delight, happiness, peace, wellness, freedom, love, compassion, equanimity, empathy, friendliness, focus, self-control, satisfaction, trust, fulfillment, calmness, bliss, cheerfulness, gratitude, fearlessness, selflessness. (source)

BG 18.33-35

O son of Pṛthā, that determination which is unbreakable, which is sustained with steadfastness by yoga practice, and which thus controls the activities of the mind, life and senses is determination in the mode of goodness.

But that determination by which one holds fast to fruitive results in religion, economic development and sense gratification is of the nature of passion, O Arjuna.

And that determination which cannot go beyond dreaming, fearfulness, lamentation, moroseness and illusion – such unintelligent determination, O son of Pṛthā, is in the mode of darkness (source)

So here Krishna describes determination in the three different material modes. We can see that to maintain any kind of resolutions which are defined as an ‘act of determination’, we first need to have resolute determination. Every year we start enthusiastically, as that enthusiasm is also a sattvic quality, but somewhere along the line we start to dwindle off. So to prevent that, try to remain in that sattvic goodness. Do activities and practices that enhance that. Food, sleep, and hygiene are a big part of staying in the mode of goodness.

Another aspect is the why. Why do we want to improve or change a certain quality in us? If it somehow makes us a better person, a better human being, if we can feel more satisfied with ourselves or above all be a better devotee then it is all worth the effort. Our will should coincide with the divine will and then there will be harmony in all that we do. We can see in the Bhagavad-Gita Arjuna was confused and he did not know what is good for him and what is not. He was in conflict with his feelings and what Lord Krishna was asking him to do. They were standing on the battlefield and Arjuna didn’t want to fight with his relatives whereas Lord Krishna wanted him to fight the war. Once he surrendered to the Lord, accepted Krishna as His guru, and took instructions from Him, then he felt at peace and with resolute determination fought the war. Krishna being omniscient has the best plan for everything; when we willingly and intelligently play our part in his plan, we relish the fulfillment of love and the achievement of success. (source)

We attain success in our endeavors when we are in alignment with God’s will. How do we know what God’s will is? When we sit down to plan our next year and our resolutions we should make sure it’s not decided haphazardly. One should always put the Lord in the middle of our plans. For example, if our resolution is to eat healthy or lose weight (some of the biggest resolutions), then why do we want to do so? One reason could be that if you eat better, then you sleep better, then you wake up refreshed, and so you can chant and meditate better. Another reason could be that being lighter in weight allows us to be free from many lifestyle diseases that are mainly due to our negligence and lifestyle habits. These are just examples of why. In the former example the reason has the Lord in the center and thus is less likely to dwindle off, whereas the former may just be for fruitive results.

I am by no means there myself, but I am definitely exploring ways to stick to my resolutions this year and here on out. A dear friend shared something. They said decide on a ‘word of the year’. So say you wish to be more fearless or brave or determined or disciplined, reduce anger, reduce greed, be less materialistic, etc. then that is the word. Use that word throughout the year as a reminder of your goal. Write the word many places as a reminder. Wishing you all the success in your endeavors!!

Here at Bliss Kirtan Yoga, we wish you all a very happy holiday season and a very Happy New Year 2020 !!

Last blog post of this year 2019 !!

Radhe Shyam!!!