Question:
I was wondering why cows are considered sacred in India? What is it about cows that is supposed to make them holy?
Response:
In Indian tradition, cows symbolize the Goddess Mother Earth. Like the cow, the Earth goddess is seen as patient, giving, kind, beautiful, and nourishing. Respecting cows is a way to honor and acknowledge the nurturing we receive from the living earth and our obligation to take care of it.
Love,
Deepak
Question:
Dear Deepak, I thought I had found my calling about 6 years ago. At that point I knew without a doubt that I was completely aligned with what I was supposed to do. Now I’m realising that it’s time for a change. It just doesn’t feel right. I know this is because it takes tremendous effort to do my job in the creative field that took considerably less time in the past. I literally have to force myself to get my job done. I know I’m not doing myself and certainly not my employers any favours by staying in this company and continuing this job but I can’t just leave due to financial reasons. The problem is I’m stuck because I don’t know what I want to do. I can’t find that certitude I once had 6 years ago. I don’t want to lose the lesson here. How can I find the answer and as soon as possible?
Response:
If you feel it’s time for a new direction, then fine acknowledge that and be patient and attentive to what the next step will be. The next step may not come as the certain bolt out of the blue you had 6 years ago. Maybe the intermediary stage will be a different position at the same company. That could provide you financial continuity and a new challenge while your new direction takes shape. Even if you can’t find a different job in the interim, tell yourself that you have received its message that it is time for a change, but that until the new picture comes into focus you will be able to do your job as effectively and efficiently as you did before. Your skills have not diminished, only your sense of calling. But until the new path is revealed, your way to get there is still through following your present path and work.
Love,
Deepak
Question:
Hi Deepak, I’m always happy, upbeat, only sleep 4 hours a day and love what I do for money more than the money. I have a fantastic family and an amazing wife. I’m wondering if I want more or should indeed ask for more. No matter what happens I always find a positive angle to rebuild upon. What’s my problem or should I have one? Is it right to be so happy and content all the time?
Response:
It’s more than all right to be happy and content, it is your birthright. This is what normal life is designed to be — happy. Your only problem is in thinking that you have a problem. It’s okay to desire more, and it’s fine to be content and grateful with all you have. The two things, desire and contentment, can now coexist. That is the secret of detachment, you have your wishes and hopes, but the outcome whatever it is cannot disturb your happiness.
Love,
Deepak
Question:
Recently I have experienced a beautiful meditation experience. I couldn’t sleep one night, so I started meditating at 4’0 clock. After sometime my breath disappeared and my physical body boundaries disappeared. I did not feel the separation between the air around me in the room and my body, felt my body is that air/ energy!!! though I am thinking that my body boundaries have gone, that peaceful experience was still strong(Usually when thoughts start popping up, meditation experience goes). After sometime felt heaviness in my heart and could not sit in meditation. After getting up from meditation also I was so fresh, as if I had a deep peaceful sleep and did not find the need to sleep afterwards. Could you please tell me the reason for heaviness in my heart and at what time do you get up to meditate? I heard that 4AM is good time to meditate. I would be grateful if you could explain the disappearance of physical body boundaries, what does that mean?
Response:
Early morning has been prescribed as the ideal time for meditation by sages throughout the ages since it is the quietest time of day. It is said to have a special fresh energy associated with it that makes it especially good for meditation. Your experience of physical unboundedness and breath suspension are strong indicators of a deep meditation. The subsequent feeling of heaviness in your heart shows that you released some very profound emotional blocks earlier in your meditation and that gave rise to that heavy feeling. This experience is also good in that it means you are clearing away the old conditioning from your past and opening yourself up to even deeper and longer periods of profound silence in meditation.
Love,
Deepak
Question:
I want to know if our souls have some identity? Please clarify the following – 1. We are bubbles of universal sea and after we are done with our life purpose we merge back into it. Does it mean that the souls have no identity? 2. If we merge back into the universe then how can we have memories of past lives? Does our souls have some identity?
Response:
The sense of individuality in our soul comes from our history and experiences—especially emotional experiences. That individualized soul or jiva carries the impressions, tendencies and evolutionary karmic intelligence for that person after death and into the next life. This continues until the person becomes enlightened, when they realize that their individual self is in truth the universal self. The universality of our soul comes from its unconditioned nature, its pure existence. Our universal self or Atman still can maintain its identity, even if it is no longer associated with a physical body.
Love,
Deepak
