Do you always feel the need for someone to be around?
Think about it. A long, exhausting week has passed. Office stress, household expectations, the glitzy lives of others on social media. When the weekend arrives, are you truly at peace? Or do you keep scrolling through your phone, waiting for a text or a call, just because being 'alone' feels heavy?
We often hand over the remote control of our happiness to others. We feel that only if someone appreciates us, understands us, or stays with us, will we feel okay. But what if you started enjoying your own company?
The moment the mind finds stillness
Arjuna was struggling with the same noise. He saw chaos everywhere. That is when Krishna shared the secret of 'Yoga'.
Yatroparamate cittaṃ niruddhaṃ yogasevayā | Yatra caivātmanātmānaṃ paśyannātmani tuṣyati ||
Simply put: When the mind stops wandering through constant practice, and you start seeing the Self within yourself, you find such deep satisfaction that the loneliness of the world no longer scares you.
Three perspectives, one profound truth
Swami Mukundananda Ji:
He explains that the mind is like a monkey jumping from one branch to another. We look for peace outside, but true relief comes from disciplining the mind. When you become the master of your emotions, external circumstances lose their power to disturb you.
Srila Prabhupada:
According to Prabhupada, this satisfaction comes when we connect our soul to the Divine. When you realize your ultimate relationship is with Krishna, the desperate need for worldly validation naturally dissolves.
Swami Ramsukhdas Ji:
He points out that we are naturally satisfied in the 'Self' because the soul is never truly unhappy; unhappiness is just a creation of the mind. When you shift your identity from the body to the soul, you no longer rely on external crutches.
How to apply this in your daily life?
You don't need to go to a cave to practice this. Bring it into your everyday routine.
- At the office: When the pressure is mounting and people are judging your work, pause for two minutes. Remind yourself that your worth is not defined by your job title or salary.
- In relationships: Are you expecting too much from your partner or friends? Remember, it is not your job to fix them, and your happiness shouldn't be a hostage to their behavior.
- When alone: Instead of feeling 'bored' when you are by yourself, embrace the silence. Read a book, sip tea, or just sit. Befriending yourself is the best investment you can make.
Does this mean leaving the world? Absolutely not. Krishna doesn't want you to be a recluse; He wants you to be 'mindful'. You will still work and maintain relationships, but from within, you will remain steady.
Can you find the courage to spend 10 minutes with yourself today? Without a phone, without a to-do list, just being?