Sahajata: The Art of Living and Doing with Ease

In today’s fast-paced world, we find ourselves caught in endless responsibilities — managing jobs, long hours of commuting to and from work, attending to children’s and grandchildren’s schooling, their homework, coaching classes, sports, music, dance, and other activities. The days become filled with tasks, deadlines, and rushing from one obligation to another.

But what is this all leading us toward? Modern studies and research show that these activities, though important in their place, do not directly create a happy and fulfilled life. The biggest and longest survey ever done — a study spanning over 75 years across three generations — has revealed a simple truth: Happiness does not come from busy routines or material achievements. It comes from living a meaningful life, with loved ones, in a spirit of ease and naturalness — in sahaj bhav.

---

🌿 Why Sahajata Matters?

Life, at its core, was meant to be lived simply, gracefully, and with a sense of natural flow. Whether it is our work, spiritual practice, study, or daily chores, when done with sahajata (ease and naturalness), they nourish not just the body, but also the mind and soul.

When we operate under constant stress, the tension seeps into everything — our work, our relationships, even our health. A meal prepared in peace carries a different energy than one made in haste. A child taught with patience absorbs more than one taught under pressure. Our environment reflects our inner state.

🌸 Unless we have peace within, we cannot share peace outside.

What we carry inside is what we offer to the world. A peaceful mind and heart create harmony at home, at work, and in the community.

---

🌱 The wisdom of sages and scientists

The greatest discoveries and teachings did not arise from hurry, pressure, or mental clutter.

Newton discovered gravity in quiet reflection under a tree.

Einstein’s E = mc² came not from rush, but from deep thought and inner stillness.

Tesla and Edison created from focused, uncluttered minds.

The rishis of ancient times received the sacred Vedas through meditation and silence, not through constant activity.

When the mind is empty and at ease, it becomes a channel for true wisdom and creativity.

---

🌿 Bhagavad Gita’s timeless wisdom

1️⃣ Bhagavad Gita 6.6

“For him who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best friend; but for one who has failed to do so, the mind will be the greatest enemy.”

👉 Our greatest support or obstacle is our own mind. A peaceful mind is our greatest ally.

---

2️⃣ Bhagavad Gita 6.7

“One who has mastered the mind remains tranquil in cold and heat, pleasure and pain, honor and dishonor, and is steadfast in the Supreme.”

👉 When we live with balance, outer ups and downs no longer disturb our peace.

---

3️⃣ Bhagavad Gita 2.70

“A person who is not disturbed by the flow of desires — that enter like rivers into the ocean, which is ever being filled but always still — attains peace, not the one who runs after fulfilling endless wants.”

👉 True peace comes from inner stillness, not from external achievements.

---

🌸 A gentle reminder for us all

Before we fill our lives and our children’s lives with endless tasks and classes, let us pause and ask: Are we living with ease? Are we offering the gift of peace to ourselves and those we love?

True fulfillment lies not in how much we do, but in how we do it — with ease, presence, and love. Let us slow down, breathe, and bring sahajata back into our work, our homes, and our hearts.

🙏 May we all rediscover the art of living with ease, and make peace our greatest offering to the world.

• Manjushree Rathi