About Getting Back Home
How can one apply the teachings of the Ashtavakra Gita in modern spiritual practice?
Stepping off the treadmill of constant notifications, the Ashtavakra Gita offers a timeless GPS for modern life. Its core message—that the Self is ever-free, untouched by passing events—can be woven into daily routines, turning hurried moments into sparks of clarity.
• Witness without getting swept away. During a tense Zoom meeting or a traffic jam, gently observe the mind’s chatter instead of merging with it. This “spectator” stance loosens the grip of stress, much like clearing fog before sunrise.
• Radical acceptance as a superpower. In an era of climate worries and social upheaval, practicing non-resistance (ashtavakra’s favorite tune) helps eyes stay on the only real canvas—the present moment. When frustration hits, drop the ball on expectations and embrace “what is.”
• Detach from outcomes. Whether posting on Instagram or chasing a promotion, success often slips through grasp. Ashtavakra’s teaching: goals are like mirages—pursuing them makes the journey feel heavy. Let achievements be the icing, not the cake.
• Daily “self-inquiry pauses.” Between emails or while waiting for a coffee, ask silently, “Who’s aware of this?” That quick checkpoint redirects attention inward, offering a taste of freedom even in a crowded café.
• Tech with a timeout. Try mindfulness apps that signal breathing breaks—or switch off autopilot scrolling. Each moment unplugged echoes the Gita’s call to rediscover inner silence amid digital noise.
• Micro-retreats over grand getaways. With remote work now the norm, carving out half-hour retreats—walk barefoot in the backyard or sit by a window—injects the same bliss found in week-long silent retreats.
At its heart, the Ashtavakra Gita isn’t a distant scripture but a living whisper: reality is already perfect, the mind’s stories are optional, and liberation begins the instant attention turns inward. Give these pointers a spin and watch everyday life transform into a canvas of liberation.