An Inner Turning
(Reflections from the Online Call Talk by Revered Guru Maa)
Ritvik
Golaghat, (Assam)
Hari Aum!.
My prostrations at the Holy Feet of Sree Guru Parampara.
This reflection arises from the Online Call Talk on the topic - “My Resolve for
2026.”
At first, the occasion appeared to be yet another moment to think about plans
or resolutions for the coming year; when from Revered Guru Maa’s very
opening words, attention began to turn—not toward future plans, but toward
the years that had already passed.
As this direction settled in, something became quietly visible. Much of life had
been filled with activity—responsibilities, interactions, and movement in the
world. Outwardly, there had been no lack of engagement; yet, when inner
progress was honestly looked at, there appeared to be little change, often left
unexamined. Inner evolution had often been treated lightly, if it was attended
to at all.
This understanding unfolded quietly as attention was gently turned inward. It
became clear that a resolve (Sankalp) is not about fixing outer habits, but
about changing the inner direction of one’s life—a return to right perspective
rather than a checklist for the new year.
THE POWER OF THE COLLECTIVE HAND
As the inner meaning of Sankalp became clearer, attention was drawn during
the talk to the image of many hands coming together, symbolically forming a
unified whole. From this simple image, a deeper understanding emerged. A
Sankalp taken by one individual is never isolated. When inner change takes
place, its effect naturally extends outward—into family, relationships, and
society.
What may appear small can become significant when commitment is genuine.
One sincere resolve quietly radiates beyond the individual, touching far more
than what is immediately visible. In this way, a Sankalp undertaken for self-
evolution becomes an offering toward the well-being of the whole.
THE INTELLECTUAL FOUNDATION — BUDDHI
From here, it also became clear why many resolutions do not sustain
themselves. They are often taken emotionally, arising from the mind instead of
being anchored in the intellect. The mind, described in Vedaant as a sankalp-
vikalp entity, constantly moves between alternatives—accepting, rejecting,
hesitating, and justifying. It offers many options, but little firmness.
The intellect, on the other hand, is Nischayaatmik — that which is capable of
clear decision. When the intellect is engaged, confusion gives way to direction
and resolve gains steadiness.
For a Sankalp to endure, it must be well thought over, well planned, and well-
analysed. It must be rational, logical, and beneficial—not only for oneself but
reaching beyond personal impulse. Such a resolve survives through the quiet,
steady strength of clear understanding, rather than enthusiasm alone.
THE THREE PILLARS OF PROTECTION
To support a Sankalp through the year, three inner disciplines were pointed
out.
First, decisions are not to be taken under pressure—whether social, emotional,
or financial.
Second, old patterns of thinking shaped by past circumstances are not to be
repeated.
Third, the mind is not to be followed when it attempts to weaken resolve
through excuses.
Together, these safeguards help create inner steadiness and protect the
resolve from gradual erosion.
SHAASTRA AS LIVING SUPPORT
To steady the resolve being taken, revered Guru Maa drew attention toward
Sreemad Bhagawad Geeta as living support for Sankalp. When a Sankalp is
aligned with Scripture, it carries a strength that does not rely solely on
personal effort.
The following seeds from the Geeta were brought into focus by revered Guru
Maa as anchors for Sankalp:
THE SANKALP TO DISCONNECT FROM THE AGITATIONS ARISING DUE TO
EXTROVERTED-NESS.
तं विद्याद् दुःखसंयोगवियोगं योगसञ्ज्ञितम्।
स निश्चयेन योक्तव्यो योगोऽनिर्विण्णचेतसा ॥6.23॥
“Let that be known—the severance from the union-with-pain is Yog; this Yog
should be practiced with determination and with a mind steady and un-
despairing.”
Here, while one experiences pain in the mundane world, Lord Sree Krishna
teaches how to loosen identification with it.
Pattern revealed is over-identification: “This feeling is me; this situation
defines my life.”
Here, the insight is learning to experience pain without becoming bound by it.
THE SANKALP TO PERFORM ONE’S BOUNDEN DUTIES
नियतं कुरु कर्म त्वं कर्म ज्यायो ह्यकर्मणः।
शरीरयात्रापि च ते न प्रसिद्ध्येदकर्मणः॥3.8॥
“You perform (your) bounden duty; for, action is superior to inaction. Even the
maintenance of the body would not be possible for you by inaction.”
Lord Sree Krishna calls for steady engagement with duty.
The pattern revealed is avoidance and postponement:
“I will act once I feel better or more certain.”
Here, clarity comes through steady action, not waiting for comfort.
THE SANKALP TO CONFRONT DESIRE, THE ENEMY OF KNOWLEDGE, AT
ITS SOURCE
तस्मात्त्वमिन्द्रियाण्यादौ नियम्य भरतर्षभ।
पाप्मानं प्रजहि ह्येनं ज्ञानविज्ञाननाशनम्॥3.41॥
“Therefore, O best of the Bharatas, controlling first the senses, kill this sinful
thing, the destroyer of knowledge and wisdom.”
Lord Sree Krishna points to desire—the lure of comfort—to be cut.
The pattern is giving in to comfort; other weaknesses follow.
“Why leave what feels good right now?”
Awareness returns to steadiness and clear understanding.
THE SANKALP TO MOVE FROM EGO TO DIVINE CONSCIOUSNESS
मच्चित्तः सर्वदुर्गाणि मत्प्रसादात्तरिष्यसि।
अथ चेत्त्वमहङ्कारान्न श्रोष्यसि विनङ्क्ष्यसि।।18.58।।
“Fixing your mind on Me, you shall, by My grace, overcome all obstacles; but if,
because of ego, you will not hear Me, you shall perish.”
Lord Sree Krishna shifts identity away from doer-ship toward right orientation.
The pattern is over-control and self-imposed excessive responsibility:
“If I don’t manage this perfectly, everything will fail.”
Here, the insight is easing the need of the sense of doer-ship to carry
everything alone.
These four Shlokas together reflect the movements of the mind, instructed
upon by the Lord. As clarity deepens, one may take any one of them as a
guiding Sankalp for the year, according to one’s present state.
SELF-REFLECTION THROUGH THE SHLOKAS — SEEING ONESELF
In our day-to-day living, we often act from habit, unaware of the inner patterns
shaping our responses or our Sankalp. The Call Talk presented these
perspectives in a careful, methodical way, giving us the space to reflect on how
we choose our Sankalp. As i sat with them, they began to feel like a mirror,
quietly revealing my inner movements. Familiar tendencies surfaced on their
own, inviting patient recognition and clear seeing.
As this seeing deepened over time, a wider clarity took shape. The Shlokas no
longer appeared as separate perspectives, but as parts of one vision. In the
way revered Guru Maa brought them together in the Call Talk, what sounded
simple at first began to open into a depth that kept revealing itself over time.
Looking through the lens of this reflection, it is evident that revered Guru Maa
had laid open the entire terrain before us, allowing awareness to recognize
that nothing lay outside this view for the mind to hide in. Identification with
sorrow (duhkha-sanyog), withdrawal from what must be done (akarma), the
pull of desire (kama), and the burden of doer-ship (ahamkara) are each
brought into clear view. Seen as one, these cover all the ways the mind moves.
From this clarity, one may take up the resolve that fits one’s present need
while remaining aligned with the whole.
When this wholeness is seen, resolve matures into a quiet surrender. Effort is
replaced by insight, allowing a steady perspective to emerge. This is not a new
creation, but a gradual recognition of what is already present. Understanding
develops naturally as the mind settles into what has been revealed, ending the
need to seek or add anything further.
THE SUMMIT
सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज।
अहं त्वा सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुचः ॥18.66 ॥
“Performing all duties as an offering to Me, take refuge in Me alone; I will
liberate you from all sins, grieve not.”
As Guru Maa explained the Shloka of chapter 18 of Sreemad Bhagawad Geeta,
it became evident how this verse stands as the natural culmination of the
Teachings, which is “Surrender”. In the sacred, insightful space that those
words opened, the long-held habit of thinking “I must handle everything”
began to recede, giving way to a clearer recognition that life was not being
upheld by my effort alone.
Through the clarity with which Guru Maa unfolded this Shloka, it became
evident that Sankalp does not stand on resolve alone. As the mental noise of
the 'I' clears, the way ahead is met with a quiet surrender into a support that
has always been present. This is the transition from effort to surrender, not
bypassing effort.
ABIDING WITH THE RESOLVE
The direction is now clear and anchored. Any resolve taken from this point is
grounded in the understanding of Shaastra, free from passing emotion or
external pressure. It aligns with what the Shaastra reveals and assures and is
received through living guidance and instruction with gratitude, trust, and
quiet conviction.
With this understanding, the resolve naturally finds its place in daily life.
Staying connected to the Divinity within, supported by listening to, studying,
and reflecting on Shaastra, becomes a way of being rather than a separate
effort. There is no space left for confusion.
A resolve born of thoughtfulness, guided by rationality, and aimed at a
beneficial end, possesses an inherent and quiet assurance.
It was in this deeper sense that Guru Maa concluded the Call, leaving a New
Year wish imbued with quiet grace and higher meaning, and from our side, a
humble and reverent acknowledgment of the wisdom and compassion through
which this inner path was so lovingly illuminated.
In gratitude and surrender, Sree Guru Sharanam!
Hari Aum Tat Sat!