Living in the present

One day a young man called Savant went to a holy man on the banks of river Ganga. The holy man was called Guruji and was known for his wisdom far and wide. The young man was hungry for spiritual knowledge and he travelled a long distance to be with the holy man.

"Dear Sir, i have travelled 2000 miles to be in your presence. My father wants to marry me off after six months. Please teach me the wisdom of life in these six months before i am forced into the chores of wordly life', requested Savant.

The holy man didnt say anything. He told his trusted student Javitri to arrange for Savant's accommodation. "You will stay with me for one week", finally Guruji told Savant and left for his hut.

The next morning all students of the ashram woke up at 5am and started their morning practices. Savant joined them in their daily chores of cleaning, cooking, exercises and meditation.

Savant kept on waiting for Guruji to come but he did not come out of his hut all day. In the evening, the students arranged a bonfire and all students started singing devotional songs. "Where is Guruji?", Savant asked Javatri. "i have come so far not to sing songs but to gain knowledge. Please request Guruji to bless me with his wisdom." Before Javatri could reply, Guruji came out and joined the students in the singing. The students enjoyed singing songs for a long time after which everyone left for their huts.

The next day, the same morning routine was followed. In the evening, students went for a swimming session in the beautiful lake close to the ashram. Savant had not choice but to join as Guruji also joined the group.

The next day, same morning routine was followed. Post lunch, students arranged for an archery competition and Guruji aslo joined them. Poor Savant got really distressed Tearfully, he knelt before Guruji and pleaded, "Guruji, did i do anything wrong? Why are you making me waste my time in these frivolous activities. You gave me only seven days. Out of that, three days have already passed and you have not even given me one lecture. Please bless me with you grace and wisdom."

Guruji smiled, asked him to sit down comfortably and said

"Enjoy all the lovely things that God gives you today. You cannot save them up. There is no bank where you can deposit them to be used later on. If you don’t use the blessings now, they will be lost forever.

God knows that we are all artists of life. One day, he gives us stone to sculpt; on another day, he gives us brushes and a canvas, or a pen to write with. But those stones are of no use when it comes to painting, and the pen is useless for making sculptures.

Each day has its own miracles. Accept those blessings and create your small work of art today.

Tomorrow you will receive new blessings."

Discussion Points

1.Many people believe that worldly life is an obstacle to spiritual growth. The idea of a monk's life, filled with meditation and chanting, appeals to many as an ideal. However, it’s important to remember that many of our great sages and saints, such as Yajnavalkya, Vasishtha, Rishi Gautam, and Ved Vyasa, were householders—and yet they achieved liberation. From this empirical evidence, it is clear that being a householder does not inherently hinder spiritual growth. If that’s the case, what does?

2. The answer lies within our own mind—the greatest doubter of all. The mind interprets situations as either favorable or unfavorable. Often, people feel that the demands of daily life obstruct spiritual progress. Yet, even in ashrams, similar routines and responsibilities are followed, sometimes even more rigorously.

3. Many people have a romanticized view of ashram life, but when they experience it firsthand, the illusion often fades. What they fail to understand is that spirituality is not about changing external circumstances but about transforming the inner workings of the mind. True spirituality focuses on the inner self.

4. This story serves as a reminder of how often we misinterpret the true essence of spiritual life. Real spirituality does not promise to change external conditions; instead, it helps us perceive the world differently through the lens of a calm and centered mind. It’s about cultivating the ability to face life’s joys and challenges alike with equanimity and gratitude.

5. When we accept everything that comes our way—both happiness and pain—as gifts from the Divine, we can maintain inner peace and joy. Spiritual growth is not about escaping the world but about embracing it with an open heart and a serene mind.

6. The question arises: *How should we live our lives?* To answer this, we need a paradigm shift in our mindset. One of the most important shifts we can embrace is to view each day as an opportunity—a chance to make the most of what life offers in the present moment. Every day presents unique opportunities for growth, learning, and contribution.

7. Often, we get caught up in dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. However, neither the past nor the future is within our control. What *is* in our control is how we live each day to its fullest potential. Instead of being preoccupied with what has been or what might be, we should focus on what we can do today to enhance our lives and positively impact those around us.

8. Living a life centered on contribution rather than accumulation can bring true meaning and fulfillment. When we shift our focus from hoarding material possessions or chasing fleeting goals to making meaningful contributions—to ourselves, to others, and to the world—we transform our daily existence into something deeply purposeful and rewarding.

STORY CREDIT: This story has been adapted from a story in the book "Maktub" by Paulo Coelho