When things start going downhill, the more we think about the things around us, the more we feel depressed. To raise our spirits, we need to first look up.

Amidst trouble, most people who are believers turn toward the being high up, God. Sometimes even nonbelievers do so; many atheists change their colors in the foxhole. Turning toward God for any purpose is beneficial; it can bring positive change in ways we ourselves couldn’t have done or even foreseen. Millions around the world turn toward something higher in prayer and worship. And they often get some answers; otherwise, why would they remain devoted?

But what about the times when our prayers aren’t answered? We just need to change the way we look up – not sentimentally, but spiritually. 

To look up spiritually instead of sentimentally means to not look toward the sky for some mystical intervention to set everything right. It means to raise our vision from the material to the spiritual, from the physical to the metaphysical, from the circumstantial to the transcendental. 

How can we look up spiritually? First, by gaining spiritual knowledge as given in wisdom-texts such as the Bhagavad-gita. And second, by applying that knowledge using time-honored spiritual process such as bhakti-yoga. 

Is such looking up spiritually possible amidst distresses? Yes; and it becomes easier if we have cultivated spiritual habits of scriptural study and devotional practice.

What happens when we look up? First, we perceive that we are indestructible beings. Second, we sense that a benevolent divine plan is still operating at the transcendental level, no matter how many things seem to be going wrong at the circumstantial level. The more we empower ourselves with such spiritual understanding, the more calmness, confidence and clarity permeate and animate us – as happened to Arjuna on hearing the Gita (18.73).

 

Think it over:

  • What does looking up sentimentally mean?
  • What does looking up spiritually mean?
  • How does looking up help? 

 

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18.73 Arjuna said: My dear Krishna, O infallible one, my illusion is now gone. I have regained my memory by Your mercy. I am now firm and free from doubt and am prepared to act according to Your instructions.


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