The reflective individual

It is dawn now at the Ashram of Sant Baba Ishwar Singh ji on the outskirt of Dehradun. Rising each morning at 4 am I join the morning meditation and prayer at 4:30. followed by a couple of hours of silent contemplation before breakfast. The ashram provides a perfect place for rejuvenation.


An ashram literally means a sheltered abode. A shelter need not be only of the physical kind that protects the body. A true shelter envelopes also the mind and the spirit, allowing the individual to connect with the life giving energy of the cosmos. Known by numerous names this life force normally called God has to be experienced not learnt.


Only where there is love, friendship, peace and understanding can a house become a home. Similarly an ashram comes alive with the presence of a living Guru. The presence of the teacher/ master called Guru provides the recharging energy and wisdom at the ashram.


Visiting a mere structure has little meaning and acts more like a spiritual placebo, providing a superficial feeling of goodness which soon vanishes leaving the soul and the inner person untouched.


At the ashram my tensions ebb away as I sit here and contemplate and observe the monsoon fury which is so easily absorbed by the forest at whose edge the ashram is nestled.


Pursuing people and things, we are so busy in our daily lives experiencing love, hate, greed, lust etc. Yet we learn almost nothing from our experiences unless we reflect (look back and review) and analyse whatever happens.




Genuinely happy and successful people are often spiritually strong for they are in touch with their inner self. To connect with their inner being, they look inwards and reflect. It is however difficult to reflect on our experiences with the constant and omnipresent din of our social environment. We need a getaway place.


The quest for a getaway is initially a physical place, but we soon learn that it fulfills only a small part of our craving. The fortunate ones learn that the getaway is a spiritual place and within our own very being.


This spiritual place can be found within us but for which a living master is required. This master called a Guru leads people to discover their own inner space. This is the place where we hear, see, and feel not only ourselves but the entire creation. Peace, joy and understanding come to the reflective mind and spirit.


The first part of our spiritual journey takes us only to the inner space where we reflect. This reflection is useful if it is evaluated appropriately. Our reflection is tested against our values acquired from our parents, teachers and society at large. Much of this is material and some of it spiritual.


Like a beacon of light the Guru's teachings illuminates a way forward, helping the individual to choose between right and wrong. The Guru provides the precious touchstone for making the right choice.


It is helpful that each night before we fall asleep and review in a few minutes the entire day like one watches a movie. Reflecting on what transpired, one can judge what should have been done or said rather than what actually took place. This provides the seed for  corrective actions in future words and deeds. 



Truly reflective people exists simultaneously on two planes. They interact physically on the social plane yet their spirit and  mind operates at a higher plane making them happier and enabling them to be more  successful.