Guiding Light: What Do You Do When You Are In Turmoil?

When faced with turmoil, Saint Narada advises taking time for seclusion. This includes stepping away from the constant bombardment of opinions and influences from various sources such as media, television, and newspapers. By doing so, one can allow their mind to return to its source, the silent core of their being.

Confinement serves a purpose in providing individuals with a break from their usual associations and influences. It creates an opportunity for them to reconnect with themselves. This concept of confinement is mirrored in the act of putting someone in jail, which aims to calm them down and help them regain their senses.

An example is provided of a man who renounces his home, wealth, and family to become a recluse in the forest. He walks ten kilometers to the forest but remembers a silver cup left outside his home. Unable to leave the cup behind, he walks back ten kilometers to return it to his wife. This story illustrates that seclusion alone is insufficient; the fear of what might happen to oneself binds the soul to material matters and prevents true detachment.

This fear and worry hinder a person's ability to truly let go and find happiness. One must release this fear and experience freedom from within. All actions are driven by the desire to acquire or maintain possessions, which can be classified as yogakshema – the desire to maintain what one already has.

In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna emphasizes that he will take care of the yogakshema of those who do not worry about anything else but focus their mind entirely on him. He promises to ensure that they do not suffer. When one begins their spiritual journey, more than they can comprehend will be provided to them. They can trust that their needs will be met, and their current possessions will continue to grow and remain with them. This faith is the guiding light in times of turmoil.