Tips for a fruitful trip

A sage once advised, “Life is short. With our limited tenure, we should aim for spiritual development. It would be foolish to waste time.” As “travelers,” we must remember these basic truths:

1. Overloading yourself with material things and desires slows you down. Carrying heavy emotional burdens can cause a flat tire. So, travel light and happy.

2. You are only passing through. Don’t treat your house as the final destination. Enrich your life, not your house.

Destination

3. Focus on the real destination—our spiritual home and shelter. Don’t get distracted by the side roads. If you get lost, you won’t get to your destination.

4. When the time comes, learn to let go. There’ll be less pain if you accept that everybody goes through a journey—we all have to move on.

5. Move forward in an enlightened condition. Seek wisdom. Don’t drown in illusions and fantasies. It’s easier to travel with the light.

6. Be brave. Cowards don’t go far.

7. Take shelter in the Holy Names such as Jehovah, Allah, Rama and Gopala. In the Supreme, you’ll find strength, happiness and protection. He provides refuge and love.

8. Be kind to fellow travelers along the way. The journey will be quicker if you help others reach their true home. Be compassionate.

9. Don’t procrastinate. Don’t prolong your misery in the mundane realm.

10. Be determined to achieve the goal. Only lazy people are contented with lack of progress!

By R. Valencia, S. Bismark