One of the most transformative things that happened to me...
Whatever you do, make it an offering to me — the food you eat, the sacrifices you make, the help you give, even your suffering.
— Bhagavad Gita
One of the most transformative things that happened to me was to be reminded of this
by my aunt, a few years ago... I don't know if she ever read the Gita, as she spoke of it in different terms, telling me about the power of asking.
She said that as long as I kept trying to do things by myself, I'd be frustrated by my human limitations. That if I could let go of the notion that "I can do this alone", things would become much easier.
She told me there was nothing I could not, or should not ask. That I should ask out loud
— alone in my house — for my deepest longings, and that things would come very quickly after that, in a matter of days.
Ask For What You Want
This came as a shock. I was a person who easily gave, but had difficulty in accepting to receive. I regularly said, "Oh, it's too much, really, you shouldn't have..." when someone gave me a present — I understand that many of us are in this situation.
When she said this to me, I was going through a difficult phase. I was at the end of my emotional, psychological and material means and couldn't find a solution to the situation
I was in. So I decided to give it a try, however scary the notion of asking for something (even to an empty room) was.
When she left, I burned an incense stick and sat down to contemplate. I knew what it was that I was going to ask for, but it took me a while to gather my courage. And finally I uttered the words, trying to speak as loudly as I could.
When my ears heard the sound of my own voice, I broke down, awash in humiliation.
I wept. And as I sobbed, I asked for my fears and difficulties to be removed.
It was a gut-wrenching experience, in which I faced feelings of being "not good enough" that I'd carried from my childhood into my adult years, and let them go. As I sat there
crying and speaking to whoever was out there, I opened myself : I let go of my walls, my self-protection for fear of being hurt.
I thought, "I'm doing this because I couldn't do it alone. So from now on, I shall entrust myself to You, come what may. Do what You want with me, put me where You want — I give up, I have no strength left."
... and four days later, a miracle happened. The solution to my biggest problem. And with that a sense of wonder, of "is it really possible that it could be so simple? That just asking for something will make it happen?"
A Simple Process
Over the years I have seen that YES, it is that simple. All you need do is ask for something that is truly meaningful to you, and ask it with sincerity, aligning all of your self into that prayer. And it shall be given, very quickly.
I changed my way of life, allowing myself to be guided wherever it is that the universe wants me to go. I trust, completely, that everything is absolutely fine — nay, perfect —
the way it is. I do not worry about tomorrow, I do not rant about today : all that comes,
I accept it as a Gift, and am thankful.
When it appears less than pleasurable, I look for the lesson to be learned. When it seems so wonderful that I might not be deserving of it, I remember to let go and accept whatever is sent my way.
The meaning of Karma is in the intention.
The intention behind action is what matters.
Those who are motivated only by desire for the fruits of action are miserable,
for they are constantly anxious about the results of what they do.
The process of offering is Brahman; that which is offered is Brahman.
Brahman offers the sacrifice in the fire of Brahman.
Brahman is attained by those who see Brahman in every action.
— Bhagavad Gita
I ask, now and then, for things that matter to me. It is still not an easy thing to do — my humility is a work in progress. But I know that when I align myself, the outcome is always positive.
Ask, And It Shall Be Given. — Matthew 7:7
