The past year has been a very difficult one. It seems that bad events continue to happen to me one after the other. Each time I experience a setback, I try and stay optimistic by telling myself that things will get better, and eventually they do. It’s just that as soon as I think things are starting to get better, I have another setback. This has continued for many months now. My question for you though revolves around the understanding of why bad things happen to us. I have struggled with a belief in a higher power for a long time, although I consider myself spiritual. I think I try to be a good person, and I am always trying to learn from my mistakes. I know that I am not perfect and I have certainly not been the best person my whole life. I just don’t understand why I have experienced so many really bad events over and over for the past year without a break. Is it karma, is the universe or God trying to tell me something? Everyone has their own theory, but I wanted to hear  yours. I want to learn from life, but I just don’t know how to “place” these events into my head so it makes sense. Am I missing the bigger picture? I appreciate any advice you are willing to offer.

I go to your website daily to, among other things, read the daily inspiration. Today’s inspiration is about reconnecting with your bliss. I understand the meaning of the word but unable to relate it to my own life. I love my family, children and grandchildren and live my life with a grateful heart and thank God for all my blessings. Is that what my bliss is?

I often think about dharma and purpose in life, I cannot say I´ve really found it yet, and when I do think about it –
even if I have dreams and passions – the only thing that I can see as absolutely meaningful –
is to become enlightened, to find the true happiness, knowledge and emotional freedom that I´m sure is lurking
just under the surface.
When I think about idols and archetypes, I feel very drawn to the rishis and saints both of today and ancient times,
who have attained this state of mind and live it fully and also have the possibility to heal and help others with their
energy and wisdom.
When I see other people having problems and difficulties, I always wish that I could take them with me beyond
the troubles to that place where I know that peace and freedom is. But to do this, I have to go in to this state myself,
and even if I am always working with developing my self and focus on my spiritual evolvement, I feel that it could be
much more effective and that I could be of so much more help by developing my self more.
I am also somewhat jealous of people who lead a completely spiritual life, like monks and the ancient saints and rishis.
I would like to have a much more slow and calm life with room for a deep and extended spiritual practice, I just don´t
know how to integrate this wish with my ordinary life with full time work and duties.
And that is what my question is about, when you live an ordinary life with work, family etc, how can I have the most effective spiritual progress?
I know that my western way of thinking is shining through that question very much, but I can´t help it, I am so curious and am longing so much. How do people of today in the western society get enlightened? I have a strong longing, but feel at the same time confused how to do it and how to adapt my life in the best way to allow it to happen.

Slowly but surely, I am realizing in a gradual manner that anytime I take action from a timeless state of mind or being (meaning without the worry of finishing it by a certain time) my actions have a peculiar power and bring me peace, joy, security and a sense of ultimate relaxation.
But anytime I am chasing a target or a goal that has a deadline or limited time to finish, I find myself really anxious, worried, fearful and stressed out (I can even feel the anxiety in form of various muscle groups clenching in my body). Now, I would love to use my timeless state of presence for all actions, but this approach backfires on me when I have made commitments to other people and can’t fulfill them on time. And when that happens I make myself feel very bad by judging myself as lazy, worthless etc. etc.
Please help, how can I use time only for practical purposes as much as possible without assigning time limits and deadlines on most goals?? Any books, seminars you recommend will be great.

I am 27 year old and since childhood have been very lazy. I feel I could have achieved more success in life if I were a bit more active. Please advise how to overcome laziness and procrastination. How do one become active in life?
Also, I tried Vipassana meditation which my brain finds very logical and advises me to practice it regularly but as soon as I sit for meditation a fear grips me and I feel doubtful if this is the right technique to practice. How do one understand which meditation is good for us as we have hundred different gurus and meditation types available in India now?