New year calls for new commitments. Actually, any auspicious, remarkable or blessed day serves for an excuse for that. This year starts with Monday, and as such is considered a particularly auspicious year. The human mind is fond of dealing with entireties, and so being, one can harvest substantial benefits in the way of determination from making commitments bound with particular periods of time, and so forth. Of course, devotional commitments run from here to eternity, but from here to eternity is a very large concept for a small mind to cope with. Hence, commitments for the new year.


For niyamas and vratas to bear success and be lasting, they aren't fit to be openly disclosed before the public. Commitments stay intact and prosper when shared with one's heart's friends. Put before others, they run the risk of vanishing with our escalating self-esteem. I have seen this, and indeed been through this too many a time to make the same blunder again. Bhajana must be in a progressive state of growth, not in zig-zag motions, to carry us from here to the land we belong to.

As such, nothing specific to be said in regards to what comes, but as a note in a general way – and as a note of inspiration for everyone to do likewise – bhajana must grow for the upcoming year. With the move here, perhaps the biggest change of our lives, I am yet to have mustered the energy with which to focus on nourishing my bhajana in the capacity I ought to for it to be at a standard I'd like to see it at. Much has happened in the world without, pulling my mind away from the world within. Many practicalities have had to be taken care of, and many worthy projects have been brought to a satisfactory completion. But for prospering smarana, the mind must become a recluse to the world.

For deep bhajana and distractions do not mix well. They do mix for those who have built strong habits over the years, and in whose pristine hearts and minds the lila unfolds of its own accord. For those of us in the early practice phase of bhajana, at a stage where the mind is still fragile and subject to the influence of distractions, protecting the equilibrium is vital for us to grow firm and strong. Firm and strong in our attachment to seva in the flow of the nitya-lila, the final objective of all acts of worship and contemplation.

Then, re-establish and grow your commitments in bhajana for the upcoming year, make your heart blossom, make your bhajana prosper – make the next year a success unlike anything before. And have these two poor souls in your prayers, pray to let us stay in Vraja in the company of saints and fulfill our desires of bhajana. Jaya Sri Radhe Radhe!