Let it go...

....all the plans, the expectations, the hopes and the ideas. Just let it go. I've been trying to do that for some time now. This doesn't mean that we shouldn't HAVE plans, hopes and ideas, although it is best not to have any expectations!

We can have the rest, but we shouldn't hang on to them. It's hanging on that causes confusion, disappointment, lethargy and pessimism. The plans, expectations, hopes and ideas envelop us into a falsely secure bubble. It can make us feel that we are visionaries that are always moving forward. But in reality they stump our spiritual, emotional, material and physical growth.

Most often, they can prevent us from seeing the "Krishna factor." When we face challenges or flat out failures in achieving or implementing our ideas, those very same ideas don't allow us to see the numerous other possibilities that are available and instead makes us focus on what WE didn't get.

Instead of becoming broadminded and creative, we become pigeon-holed and boring.

But how can we break free of this cycle that sometimes consumes our lives? Change. Changing our patterns and delving deeper into our relationship with Krishna. Changing our patterns may mean letting go of certain ideas by physically or symbolically cutting them out of our lives. But more importantly, on the positive side, it means forming new patterns. It may mean associating more with people who live in the moment as opposed to constantly dreaming about the future.

With respect to delving deeper into our relationship with Krishna it may mean taking a long and hard look about how much you allow Krishna to guide you in your life. Are rounds your priority? Are you actually genuinely asking Krishna for help or simply imposing your own ideas and asking Krishna to fulfill them? On the most granular level it means taking stock of your own consciousness. Are you trying to Krishna-ize it or are you still burning in the fire of your own material desires?

For some lucky souls, they never plan. They simply go with the flow and are able to recognize Krishna's hand guiding their lives. For others, it's a process. But it's important to remember that the journey is oftentimes more important than the destination. Our journey in learning to let go will help us become mature and sincere bhakti yogis.