Finding Peace In Challenging Times

"Chanting is a way of getting in touch with yourself.

It's an opening of the heart and a letting go of the mind and thoughts.

It deepens the channel of grace, and it's a way of being present in the moment."

Krishna Das

All of us are aware that life seems to be growing increasingly challenging; both in the inner and outer world. As war escalates around the world, and feelings of being overwhelmed, isolated and lonely (not to mention depressed) are growing in a vast majority of people, it can feel like we are drowning in a sea of confusion and insanity. Intrestingly, many of the worlds spiritual and indigenous traditions have pointed to the very times we are living through as a time of darkness and ignorance; a time when human beings would face the kind of challenges, both internally and externally, that we are going through right now. In the Yogic/ Vedantic tradition of India, our current time is called the Kali Yuga, a phase that is highlighted by spiritual decline, selfishness and greed, rampant materialism, wars and the destruction of the natural environment. Sounds pretty familair doesn't it?

Fortunately, we are told, not only in the ancient Vedic texts, including the Bhagavata Purana, Vishnu Purana and the Mahabarata, but also in Buddhist Sutras and Native American Prophecies that, while this cycle of time will be incredibly difficult on many levels, it will also be regarded as a time when spiritual liberation and inner-freedom will be much more accessible than ever before. Through some very simple practices we can easily align ourselves with Divine Intelligence, smoothing out the rough waters that all of us are bound to experience through this challenging, and often chaotic time. Besides meditation (which is essemtial), one of these practices is chanting the names of God, and one of the mantras/ prayers that will be most effective during the Kali Yuga is the Gayatri Mantra (though singing whatever name of God that resonates with you will be equally effective).

The ancient sages tell us that chanting this beautiful 30-syllable mantra can provide significant benefits; including spiritual growth, protection from negativity, increased inner strength, and a renewed connection to the Divine. It's sound can give us powerful protection as we navigate the darkness and complexities of Kali Yuga, and just listening to its soothing words can induce a state of peace and harmony within us. Here then are the words, and their meanings, to this powerful mantra/prayer; and you can find a beautiful version by Deva Premal on both Apple, Amazon, and Spotify music. Singing or just listening in your home, or while you drive, will bring its wondrous benefits to you immediately and help you navigate these challenging times with peace and trust in the Divine unfolding.