Mental/Emotional: We can get into habitual patterns of thinking and reacting that pull us down. Our mental/emotional environment can be approached in the same way as our physical space. Think about your patterns especially in those areas that are painful or difficult, and ask yourself the three questions. Some habits and attitudes should be thrown into the trashcan, others removed from your present mental space and put on a shelf to work on later. Remember, you want to work on things you can change, rather than on how others need to transform themselves.

Spiritual. Look at those things you can improve, such as meditation habits, use of techniques, attitudes, and devotion. Realize, however, that spiritual progress occurs on many levels and in its own timing.

You might end up with quite a few things you want to change, but don’t try to act on them all at once or you will diminish your enthusiasm. The canvas of your life is a big project. One thing that I’ve learned with painting is to take on only one small area at a time. I can’t change everything at once even on a small canvas. 

It is also very important to keep things in perspective and celebrate all the things that are working. Change is all part of the process. Enjoy it!

Paramhansa Yogananda has written, “Self-analysis is the greatest method of progress. Without it man becomes a living machine. 
Every tomorrow is determined by every today. Did you ever count your faculties or measure their strength?” Swami Kriyananda suggests, “Every night before sleep, review the day to see how you did on the battlefield of life.”

Try doing this with the three questions, “What worked? What didn’t? What if?” Step-by-step you will improve until your canvas is finished and you can put it in a frame and give it to God.

With love and joy,

Nayaswami Jyotish

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