The Bhagavad-gita (02.16) encourages us to meditate on the difference between the unchanging, the spiritual realm within, and the changing, the material realm without. Gita wisdom further urges us to grow our roots in the world within: in realization of our own spiritual identity and our loving relationship with Krishna.

What exactly are our roots? They are our strongest desires, our foremost priorities and, most of all, our defining notions of reality.

We are normally rooted in matter: in possessions and positions, and in pleasures and treasures. Consequently, we find ourselves repeatedly buffeted by the stormy changes that characterize the realm of matter. When we start getting buffeted, our default response is to strive and pray for the end of the storm. If this remains our only response, then we overlook the precious nugget of wisdom that the storm has blown our way. That nugget is: the more external change shakes us, the graver is the reminder that our internal roots are weak and under-developed.

If we take note of the reminder, we will strive to deepen our internal roots and practice devotional service to Krishna regularly and rigorously. Subsequently, when the storms come again, they won’t overwhelm us as our inner spiritual roots will have made us emotionally secure and strong. We will not only be less negatively affected by the circumstances, but will also be able to more positively affect those circumstances. We will intelligently and prayerfully find our way through them.

And, most importantly, when the final storm of death blows everything material away, our deep spiritual roots will ensure that it doesn’t devastate us, but transports us closer to Krishna or even back to him.