Protecting Inner Peace in an Age of Constant Reaction

 

We live in a world designed to provoke reactions. Notifications, outrage-driven headlines, endless debates, and social media “rage bait” constantly pull our attention outward. In such an environment, one of the greatest skills we can cultivate is the ability to pause before reacting.

I came across this beautiful quote - “Peace is not something the world gives you. It is something you protect.”

This simple idea lies at the heart of inner growth.

The Three Transactions of Life

Life constantly moves through three stages: receipt, reaction, and response. Something happens, the mind reacts internally, and eventually we respond externally. Much of our frustration, guilt, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion can be traced back to this cycle.

Today, we are conditioned to react instantly — to every opinion, controversy, and provocation. But not every argument deserves our participation, and not every insult deserves our energy. Constant reaction slowly erodes inner peace.

In fact, choosing not to react can itself become a form of “spiritual hygiene.” Every unnecessary reaction drains mental and emotional energy. When we refuse to engage with negativity, we reclaim our inner power.

The Outward-Pulled Mind

The human mind naturally wanders, but modern life has amplified this tendency. From the moment we wake up until we sleep, our attention is consumed by screens, scrolling, noise, and stimulation. Silence and solitude have become rare.

Earlier generations consciously created moments to turn inward — through prayer, chanting, reflection, meditation, or simply sitting quietly. Today, even boredom has disappeared.

The challenge, therefore, is not just controlling the mind, but gently redirecting it inward again and again.

Bhagavan Krishna, in the Bhagavad Gita, advises exactly this in Chapter 6: slowly and steadily bring the mind back inward with patience and conviction. Not through force, but through consistent effort.

Practice and Dispassion

Krishna offers two timeless tools for mastering the restless mind:

• Abhyasa — consistent practice

• Vairagya — healthy detachment or dispassion

Practice means repeatedly training the mind to return inward. Detachment means understanding the limitations and impermanence of the external world.

This does not mean rejecting life or becoming indifferent. It means recognizing that wealth, fame, relationships, and even physical existence are temporary. Such understanding creates emotional balance.

At the same time, detachment from the world must be accompanied by attachment to a higher principle — God, truth, or the higher self. Without this higher connection, detachment can become emptiness.

Expanding Our Sense of Self

One of the deepest outcomes of meditation and inner reflection is the gradual expansion of identity.

Swami Chinmayananda talks about five stages of human growth:

• Mineral person — completely selfish

• Plant person — cares only for self and family

• Animal person — identifies with a larger group or community

• Human person — embraces all humanity

• God person — feels oneness with all existence

True spiritual growth is the movement from selfishness toward universal compassion.

A simple test is this: Can we genuinely rejoice in another person’s success without comparison or jealousy?

That capacity for joy, empathy, and connectedness reflects the journey inward. In the end, spiritual practice is not about escaping the world. It is about learning to live in it without losing ourselves to it.

P.S. Summary of Jnana Sadhana sessions on Bhagavad Gita - Session 19

Mastering the Mind: The Space Between Reaction and Response

 

Every day, countless events unfold around us. We see, hear, experience, react, and respond — often without even realizing the inner process behind it. According to the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, understanding this process is the first step toward mastering the mind.

Let's understand the three transactions of life: receipt, reaction, and response.

1. Receipt: What We Take In

Our five sense organs constantly pull information from the external world. Sounds, sights, conversations, social media, praise, criticism — everything enters through these gateways.

The challenge is that the senses can easily drag the mind outward. Modern life makes this even more intense. We are surrounded by endless stimulation, making it difficult to remain centered.

Awareness begins with observing what we are consuming — not just physically, but mentally and emotionally.

2. Reaction: The Invisible Inner Process

The most important stage is reaction.

An event happens outside, but the real disturbance often comes from the story created inside the mind. And these reactions are rarely about the present moment alone. Many are rooted in unresolved emotions, old memories, insecurities, and past experiences.

For example:

• “I lost my job” is a fact.

• “I am a failure” is the mind’s interpretation.

Similarly:

• “I lost a relationship” becomes “I am unlovable.”

• “I encountered failure” becomes “I am a loser.”

The mind quickly converts temporary experiences into permanent identities.

This is why two people can experience the same event yet react completely differently. Reactions depend on past conditioning, ego, upbringing, and unresolved emotional patterns.

We are often reacting to old wounds, not current situations.

3. Response: What We Express

Response is the outward expression of our inner state. Words, tone, body language, silence, anger, withdrawal — all emerge from the reactions happening within.

Speech especially holds immense power. A careless statement spoken in anger can deeply affect relationships, especially children.

Repeated labels like “lazy,” “useless,” or “careless” slowly become part of a child’s identity. Over time, they internalize these words as truth.

This is why emotional awareness matters — not just for ourselves, but for everyone around us.

Strengthening the Intellect

Katopanishad compares life to a chariot:

• The senses are the horses.

• The mind is the reins.

• The intellect is the charioteer.

If the intellect is weak, the mind runs wherever it wants, pulled by likes and dislikes.

The mind operates based on pleasure and preference.
The intellect operates based on right and wrong.

A strong intellect helps create distance between an event and our interpretation of it. That pause allows objective thinking instead of emotional exaggeration.

The intellect can be strengthened through:

• Study of scriptures

• Good company (satsanga)

• Reflection on daily experiences

Becoming a Witness

Meditation ultimately teaches us to observe thoughts without identifying with them.

Thoughts arise naturally. But when we attach ourselves to them, they multiply and pull us away. Awareness creates distance. The more we observe without reacting, the quieter the mind becomes.

The goal is not suppression of thoughts, but freedom from becoming controlled by them. Mastery of the mind begins the moment we stop believing every thought that appears within it.

P.S. Summary of Jnana Sadhana sessions on Bhagavad Gita - Session 18

Lift Yourself by Yourself

Modern life gives us endless distractions, but very little understanding of the mind itself. The Bhagavad Gita approaches this differently. Before trying to control the mind, Bhagavan Krishna first teaches us to understand its nature.

Krishna’s instruction in Chapter 6:

“Lift yourself by yourself, and do not drag yourself down.”

This single line contains an entire roadmap for inner growth.

The mind follows the “law of gravity.” Left unchecked, it naturally drifts toward distraction, laziness, overthinking, emotional reactions, and unhealthy habits.

No one needs training to procrastinate or endlessly scroll through social media. The downward pull happens automatically.

The challenge, therefore, is not perfection, but consistent effort to pull the mind upward again and again.

Sometimes we succeed.
Sometimes the mind wins.

But spiritual growth lies in repeatedly lifting ourselves back up without giving up.

Why the Quality of Mental Inputs Matters

The mind is deeply shaped by what it constantly consumes.

Just as contaminated raw materials damage machinery, unhealthy mental inputs damage our inner clarity. Endless outrage-driven news, social media drama, emotional content, arguments, and overstimulation quietly agitate the mind.

Not everything deserves our attention.

Especially in the early stages of inner growth, protecting the mind becomes essential. The speaker compared this to fencing around a young plant. Until the plant grows strong, it needs protection from harmful influences.

Similarly, we need:

• good company,

• meaningful books,

• spiritual discussions,

• reflection,

• and healthy routines.

These create the right environment for the mind to mature.

The Battle Between Mind and Intellect

The mind seeks pleasure, comfort, and instant gratification.
The intellect knows what is right and wrong.

Whenever these two conflict, our choices determine our growth.

Example: Eating a chocolate bar despite health goals. Sometimes the intellect warns us before the action. Sometimes it appears during the action. Sometimes only afterward, creating regret. And sometimes it is absent completely.

Regret, therefore, is not proof of failure. It is a reminder that the intellect was not sufficiently available in that moment.

The solution is not self-condemnation, but strengthening the intellect through:

• study,

• self-awareness,

• introspection,

• and daily reflection.

Awareness Creates Change

We cannot transform what we do not observe.

The moment we begin watching our reactions, desires, emotional triggers, and habits without judgment, change quietly begins.

The goal is not suppression of the mind.
The goal is understanding.

Because only what is understood can eventually be mastered.

P.S. Summary of Jnana Sadhana sessions on Bhagavad Gita - Session 17

The Real Superpowers of the Digital Age

 

In a world where attention is constantly under attack, perhaps the greatest superpowers are no longer speed, strength, or intelligence — but self-control, presence, and discernment.

Score yourself: 1 point for every “Yes.” Total your score at the end.

How many of these modern-day superpowers do you possess?

1. Can you climb 3 flights of stairs without gasping for breath?

2. Can you sit on the floor and get back up — with or without using your hands?

3. Can you disconnect from work, entertainment, and gadgets by 10 PM and go to sleep?

4. Do you pick up your phone consciously, instead of reflexively every few minutes?

5. Can you read a book uninterrupted for at least 30 minutes?

6. Can you watch a podcast or long-form video without simultaneously scrolling, texting, or multitasking?

7. Can you read a full-length article without asking AI for a summary?

8. Can you stand in a queue and simply be bored… without reaching for your phone?

9. Can you distinguish truth from noise, fake news, and manufactured narratives?

10. Can you admire celebrities without slipping into obsession or worship?

11. Can you watch a sunrise or sunset without feeling compelled to capture it on a screen?

12. Can you avoid falling for outrage cycles, rage bait, and fleeting social media trends?

13. Do you share opinions only on subjects you’ve genuinely invested time and thought into?

14. Can you play board games with your kids without turning the moment into social media content labeled “Family Time”?

15. Can you travel without constantly broadcasting your location, meals, and itinerary to the world?

16. Can you eat a meal without simultaneously watching a screen?

17. Can you spend an entire morning without checking social media?

18. Can you resist the urge to photograph every “special” moment?

19. Can you complete a task without checking notifications midway?

20. Can you listen to someone with complete attention?

21. Can you say “I don’t know” instead of pretending to have an opinion on everything?

22. Can you eat a meal without worrying about the macros and calorie count?

23. Can you exercise without posting about it online?

24. Can you avoid turning every hobby into content, branding, or monetization?

25. Can you enjoy music, food, or experiences without immediately reviewing or rating them?

26. Can you distinguish confidence from loudness on social media?

27. Can you resist the pressure to instantly react to every news event or controversy?

28. Can you be productive without glorifying burnout?

29. Can you rest without guilt?

30. Can you recognize advertising disguised as “influence” or “lifestyle”?

31. Can you buy something because you need it — not because an algorithm convinced you?

32. Can you spend time in nature without needing headphones or distractions?

33. Can you delete an app that consumes your attention and never reinstall it?

34. Can you attend an event and not post a single update about it?

35. Can you let a message remain unanswered for a while without anxiety?

36. Can you write an article without asking chatgpt to rephrase it? :-)

Your Score

31–36: Rare species. You probably still own your attention.
21–30: Doing reasonably well — but the algorithms are circling.
11–20: Your mind may be more externally controlled than you think.
0–10: Congratulations. You are now a fully optimized product of the attention economy.

The irony of modern life is this:

What was once ordinary human behavior has become extraordinary discipline.

Maybe the real luxury today isn’t wealth, status, or productivity.

Maybe it’s the ability to be present, intentional, healthy, and free.

2025 - Review

 As 2025 draws to an end, it feels like the right moment to pause and reflect on the milestones achieved, the joyful moments cherished, and the challenges faced along the way. Like every year, my heart is filled with gratitude for the many blessings God has bestowed through people and experiences.

I am now nearing the final milestone of my MSc Yoga programme. The second and third semesters went well, and the deeper learning and meaningful interactions made the journey truly memorable. I will certainly miss the structured learning and academic rigor that this programme offered. The final thesis work remains, and I hope to complete it in the first half of 2026.

2025 also marked the year I began teaching online Yoga classes. It was a deeply satisfying experience to plan each session and gradually incorporate varied asanas into the practice. However, I had to pause the batch as they clashed with the busy morning routine of preparing lunch boxes on time. I’m hopeful that in 2026 I’ll be able to work out an alternate schedule and resume the classes soon.

Apart from Yoga, I also initiated two new journeys — Jnana Sadhana and Bhakti Sadhana.

Jnana Sadhana is meant for sincere seekers on a path of learning and knowledge. Through over 20 weekly sessions, we explored and discussed books, podcasts, and online courses across a wide range of topics. Eventually, we narrowed our focus to the Bhagavad Gita and have completed six sessions so far. This initiative will continue more deeply in 2026, with the aim of studying the Bhagavad Gita and imbibing its core teachings in daily life.

Bhakti Sadhana grew as an extension of the offline shloka classes I had conducted the previous year. The chanting sessions moved online, and we came together for several group parayanams during festivals and other significant occasions. Over the year, we learned the Hanuman Chalisa, Aditya Hrudayam, Pratahsmarana Stotram, Sudarshana Ashtakam, Mahishasura Mardini Stotram, Damodara Ashtakam, Kalabhairava Ashtakam, and Mahalakshmi Ashtakam. Recordings of these sessions are available on my YouTube channel.

It was a deeply fulfilling process, as I prepared detailed slides, studied the meaning of every verse, and listened to multiple discourses before each class. With divine grace, this initiative will continue in 2026 with many more stotras and parayanams.

Alongside this, I also dedicated time to learning new stotras such as the Ramaraksha Stotram, Lingashtakam, Shiva Manasa Pooja, Shiva Panchakshari Stotra, and Durga Sapta Shloki, thanks to courses offered by Nirvana Academy. Vijayalakshmi ji remains a source of inspiration for me, and I eagerly look forward to their future offerings.

Learning scriptures continued through multiple sources this year as well. It has now become a daily sadhana for me to listen to these discourses on YouTube, make detailed notes, and reflect on the teachings. Below is a list of the discourse series I have completed so far. Many others are still in progress, which I will share in next year’s review. :-) 

Vedanta Institute London (Bhaskar ji)

• Bhaja Govindam

• Thesis on God

• Symbolism of Hindu Gods and Rituals

• Gita Dhyanam

• Gita chapters 4, 5, 6, 9, 12

Arsha Bodhini (Acharya Lavanya ji)

• Bhaja Govindam

• Sadhana Panchakam

• Understanding Karma Yoga

Advaita Bharati (Acharya Suryapriya ji)

• Gita in daily life

Chinmaya Mission (Swami Aparajitananda)

• Narada Bhakti Sutras

Since learning happened mainly through Shravanam (hearing), reading took a back seat. Managed to complete 10 books, with a few more in progress.

1. Kindle Life by Swami Chinmayananda

2. Bhaja Govindam by Swami Chinmayananda

3. Tattva Bodha by Swami Tejomayananda

4. Narada Bhakti Sutra by Swami Sivananda

5. To the beginning of the end of Karma by Meetu Bisht

6. Narada Bhakti Sutra by Swami Chinmayananda

7. Narada Bhakti Sutra by Swami Bhuteshananda

8. Vedic view and way of life by Swami Dayananda Saraswati

9. Sanatana Dharma Q&A by B Mahadevan

10.  A manual of Self Unfoldment by Swami Chinmayananda

Staying away from social media has helped me remain focused on what truly matters and avoid being caught in the content-creation treadmill that demands constant output just to stay relevant.

My workshops on packaged foods continued this year as well, including the annual session at Bhoomi College, a short lecture for a school in Kolkata for sixth-grade students, and a two-hour workshop for members of My Bharat My Culture. In addition, I introduced a new workshop titled “Reclaim Your Focus,” aimed at addressing social media addiction and encouraging the practice of digital minimalism. I conducted one session this year for My Bharat My Culture members and hope to take it to a wider audience in 2026.

We didn’t do much traveling outside the city this year. We did a 3-day trip to Kumarakom which was relaxing. 

On my birthday, K took us out on a day trip to Aprameya temple, Shivasamudram falls, and Art of Living Ashram. It was quite memorable.

We enjoyed the standup comedy show “8” by Praveen Kumar (big fan!). It was hilarious to see his reaction, when I invited him home for “super upma”! ;-)

We spent a day visiting our favorite Prani pet sanctuary. A great place for anyone who loves to spend time with pet animals.

I tried an Escape Room experience for the first time this year, something that’s quite popular in Bangalore. To be honest, I didn’t enjoy it much—it felt overpriced for a rather mediocre experience. Definitely not my kind of fun! 🙂

Meeting my nephew and niece was quite special. D had so much fun with her cousins, although only for a few days.

I had some health-related setbacks in the middle of the year, which by God’s grace, got resolved for now.

As with every year, I have no specific goals, resolutions, or plans for 2026. I choose instead to accept God’s will and remain an instrument in fulfilling His plans, with discipline, rigor, and a deep sense of responsibility toward my health, family, society, and my country, Bharat.

Wishing everyone a very happy, joyous and peaceful 2026!