A friend of mine had a parrot, and its antics were truly endearing. Every time I visited, I couldn’t help but smile at its chirpy personality and attention-seeking charm. Somewhere deep down, I wished that I too had a parrot.
And as destiny would have it — the wish manifested. One fine day, a previously domesticated parrot flew straight into my window and refused to leave. It was gentle, friendly, and completely at ease around people. After a few attempts to let it fly away, I realised it had chosen me. I decided to adopt it and even set up a small enclosure for its safety — away from fans, wires, and appliances.
I called him Totaram, Totaji, or sometimes Tota Maharaj, and lovingly, just Tots. He was adorable — playful, demanding, and full of personality. But as time went by, something subtle began to shift.
The Sweet Trap of Affection
What began as affection soon became attachment. I noticed that Tots started consuming more and more of my time — time that was earlier devoted to my meditation and spiritual practice.
His antics were hard to resist, but they slowly began to scatter my attention. I found myself delaying my sadhana, getting engrossed in tending or playing with him. Until, I received a short WhatsApp forward that stopped me in my tracks.
A Divine Reminder Through a Simple Story
The message read:
Guruji often said: “We must be like the naughty child. When the baby cries, the mother gives it playthings, hoping to satisfy it so that she can go about her household duties. But as often as the mother gives the naughty child toys, he picks them up and throws them on the floor and goes on crying for the mother. To that child the mother must respond.”
It is the same with the Divine: so long as the Cosmic Mother sees that we are satisfied with a gift, She will go on dropping playthings to us and keep Herself away. But if we are able to convince Her of our sincerity by the constancy of our devotion, by our unconditional love, by our humility and self-surrender, crying, “Mother, no longer can we be satisfied with Your toys; we want only You!” — then the Divine Mother responds to us.
~ Sri Sri Daya Mataji, “Only Love”
Reading this, something within me stirred. I realised that even blessings can become distractions if they shift our focus away from the Divine.
Clarity, Focus, and Spiritual Progress
In that moment of recognition, I remembered the timeless wisdom of Master Choa Kok Sui:
“Your spiritual progress depends on your clarity of thought and sharpness of mind. Do not get stuck. Do not freeze. Keep on moving.”
Whether it’s a parrot, a possession, or a passing fascination — life constantly offers us “playthings.” They may look innocent, even joyful, but they can quietly consume our time, energy, and focus.
True progress requires awareness — to stay alert, observe where attention drifts, and gently return it to what truly nourishes the soul.
When the Student Is Ready, the Master Appears
Interestingly, my awakening didn’t come through a meditation or sermon — it came through a simple WhatsApp forward. (Read more: Seeing God in Nature — A Flower as Your Teacher).
The lesson was clear: the Divine communicates in many forms, often through small, everyday experiences. But to receive the message, one must be watchful and receptive.
The Quiet Return to Practice
Since that day, my mornings have found their rhythm again. Totaram still chirps and plays, but I no longer lose myself in his charm. The affection remains, but with awareness.
The parrot came into my life as a blessing — and became a teacher.
It reminded me that spiritual strength is not just about devotion or practice; it’s about clarity — knowing where your energy flows, and choosing consciously what you give your attention to.
Reflection
Every day, the world offers countless “parrots” — things that demand attention, affection, and time. The spiritual journey is not about rejecting them, but about remembering who holds your true devotion.
Because when focus returns to the Divine, even a parrot’s chirp can sound like a call to higher awareness.
A friend once shared how she felt her days were slipping away—busy yet unfulfilled, active yet restless. She was doing so much, yet at night, a quiet emptiness remained. Her story reminded me of something simple yet profound: fulfillment does not come from doing more, but from learning to focus on what matters in life.
In one of my earlier reflections, When the student is ready, the master appears, I spoke about how life brings us the right guidance at the right time. Sometimes, that guidance comes not from a teacher in human form, but from the simplest of objects. For me, a camera became such a teacher.
What a Camera Teaches Us
Think about a camera. When the lens is crowded with unnecessary elements, the picture turns blurry. But the moment you adjust the focus, the image sharpens and beauty reveals itself. Life works the same way.
A camera teaches us four timeless lessons:
- Clarity comes from focus.
Just as the camera ignores the noise around the subject, you too must learn to set aside distractions. Clarity isn’t about having less to do—it’s about giving your energy to what truly matters.
2. Perspective changes everything.
Tilt the angle, adjust the frame, and the picture transforms. In life, too, a shift in perspective can turn problems into opportunities and setbacks into lessons.
3. Develop from the negatives.
Photographs come alive in the darkroom, shaped by the negatives. Likewise, our setbacks and struggles often hold the raw material for our growth. Instead of resisting them, we can learn and develop from them.
4. If things don’t work out, take another shot.
Not every attempt leads to the perfect picture—and that’s okay. What matters is the courage to press the shutter again, to try one more time until the outcome reflects your vision. Life also gives us that grace—a new morning, a new decision, a new way forward.
Focus on What Matters in Life
The world will always compete for your attention. Social media, news feeds, endless distractions—they all blur your inner lens. But the quality of your life depends on where you place your focus.
When you focus on what matters in life, you notice the beauty of small things, the depth of relationships, the joy of meaningful work, and the calm that comes from alignment with your values.
What is in my frame?
So, take a pause today. Ask yourself: What is in my frame? What deserves my focus? Like a camera, adjust until the picture of your life is sharp and true.
Don’t let distractions steal your clarity. Focus on what matters in life—and watch your world transform.
Good Karma and Luck — A Small Truth
Winston Churchill once raised a toast — not to health or prosperity, but to Good Karma and Luck. He noted that those aboard the Titanic were both healthy and prosperous, yet not lucky.
That thought makes you pause, doesn’t it? Some people missed boarding the Titanic for the simplest of reasons — missed trains, last-minute changes, or unexpected delays. They were disappointed then but later realized how fortunate they truly were. Life often hides blessings inside disruptions.
When Things Don’t Go as Planned
When plans fall apart or doors close, we often feel frustrated, anxious, or even defeated. But sometimes those very delays are acts of protection. Maybe the missed opportunity saved you from a wrong partnership, a hasty decision, or an unseen danger.
It’s easy to curse a delay or rejection in the moment — yet later, when we connect the dots, we often find that life was quietly working in our favor.
The Invisible Bank of Karma
Karma and luck are often spoken of as separate things — karma as our moral ledger, luck as random chance. But in truth, they are connected. Every time you help someone in need, stay honest despite temptation, or show patience when it’s hardest, you’re adding to your invisible bank of good karma.
And when that bank is strong, it often cushions you during tough times. Sometimes it protects you through people, sometimes through timing, and sometimes by keeping you away from what wasn’t meant for you. That’s the silent magic of Good Karma and Luck working together.
Blessings in Disguise
So, the next time life doesn’t go your way, pause and breathe. Instead of assuming only bad fortune, look for the hidden blessing. Maybe the delay is life’s way of keeping you safe.
Keep walking your path — but keep doing good, for others and for yourself. When your intentions are pure and your actions kind, life finds a way to turn even setbacks into strength.
In the end, we must remember that Good Karma and Luck are partners in grace. One is built by you, the other is bestowed upon you. Together, they shape the unseen rhythm of your life.
Becoming powerful on the spiritual path is not abstract; it is tangible in its effects on thought, emotion, intellect, and action. Advanced souls carry a higher degree of love, light, and power, and this manifests naturally: sharper foresight, intuitive clarity, intellectual precision, deeper compassion, refined empathy, and steadfast discipline.
“The standard for a person on the spiritual path is high. What cannot be done by ordinary people can be done by you.”
– MCKS, Creative Transformation, The Golden Lotus Sutras on Spiritual Practices
In contrast with what is commonly believed, spiritual people are not anemic or fatalistic in nature. On the contrary, it equips individuals with inner power to face life’s challenges and to produce results. This blog dives deeper into the becoming powerful and the spiritual practises for inner strength.
Mechanics of Becoming Powerful
- Enhanced Intellect
- Cause: Mental clarity sharpened by alignment of thought and energy.
- Effect: Ability to perceive goals with precision and select the most effective means.
- Outcome: Decisions are executed with intelligence, reducing wasted effort and enhancing results.
2. Compassion and Empathy
- Cause: Expansion of heart-centered awareness.
- Effect: Deep understanding of others’ perspectives, motivations, and feelings.
- Outcome: Natural capacity to guide, collaborate, and harmonize with teams — a foundation for leadership imbued with integrity.
3. Discipline, Inner Strength, and Consistency
- Cause: Stronger will power and focus.
- Effect: With a stronger will, a person will be driven by goals and plans, rather than moods.
- Outcome: Intelligent, focussed effort becomes habitual, steadily advancing toward clearly defined goals.
In each of these domains, subtle shifts accumulate quietly — like sunlight filtering through leaves — until the seeker finds themselves becoming powerful, not in force, but in efficacy and efficiency.
Practical Pathways for Developing Power
Arhatic Yoga
Among the many paths, Arhatic Yoga offers a structured, accelerated route for cultivating spiritual energy, emotional clarity, and intellectual acuity. It is a science of inner alignment, guiding thought, emotion, and action to move in synchrony. Learn more here.
Meditation on Twin Hearts
- Cause: Activation of heart and crown centers while transmitting blessings across the world.
- Effect: Amplification of love, clarity, and inner vitality.
- Outcome: Even beginners notice peace and calm within, the first step for clarity, compassion and focus.
Note: This meditation is both potent and safe, providing a gentle yet profound enhancement of energy and presence. (Read more here)
Through these practices, the seeker discovers that the internal landscape begins to bloom — each discipline a seed, each meditation a ray of light — nurturing the quiet strength that defines true power.
Outcomes of Becoming Powerful
With disciplined practice and alignment:
- Thoughts gain clarity and foresight.
- Intent and action converge naturally.
- Compassion and empathy guide interactions with others.
- Progress toward goals is sustainable, deliberate, and graceful.
Becoming powerful is thus a structured, observable process: purification and disciplined practice align energy; aligned energy enhances intellect and emotional intelligence; enhanced intelligence and heartfulness drive effective, consistent action.
For a deeper exploration of aligning thought and energy, see Achieve Your Goals: How to Manage Emotions and Stay Focused.
A friend once said, “I wish I could be spiritual, but I’m too ambitious for that.”
It’s a common misconception — that spirituality means retreating from the world or losing one’s drive. Yet, as Master Choa Kok Sui beautifully expressed,
“People on the spiritual path are not anemic. They must be sharp, strong, and courageous. Being spiritual means being powerful, dynamic, and intelligent.” – Page 3, Creative Transformation, The Golden Lotus Sutras on Spiritual Pratise.
This quote captures the true essence of spiritual strength — not softness or surrender, but the inner power to face life’s challenges with awareness, discipline, and balance.
Understanding Spiritual Strength
At its core, spiritual strength is the ability to stay centered amid uncertainty. It helps one remain composed under pressure — not out of indifference, but from a deep inner steadiness.
Rather than fostering passivity or fatalism, true spirituality inspires personal responsibility. It encourages individuals to rise after every fall, to act consciously, and to keep moving with faith and clarity.
Insights Drawn from the Teachings of MCKS
Several interpretations can be drawn from Master Choa Kok Sui’s words. They serve as guiding principles for living a life that is both grounded and inspired:
- Spirituality as Intelligent Living: Spirituality is not limited to inner stillness; it can also express as intelligent spirituality — where inner development produces visible outer transformation. Meditation, service, and right thought sharpen one’s energy and focus.
(Related read: Achieve Your Goals: How to Manage Emotions and Stay Focused)
- Strength with Compassion: The evolved individual balances firmness and empathy — embodying the qualities of both the warrior and the healer. This equilibrium represents spiritual strength at its highest expression: unyielding in integrity, yet gentle in understanding.
- Spirituality as Co-Creation: Rather than resignation to fate, spirituality can be seen as conscious co-creation with the divine will. Through awareness, discipline, and intention, one learns to direct energy towards growth and goodness.
(You may also like: Observe Your Thoughts and Emotions – The Path to Self-Awareness)
The Discipline Behind Spiritual Strength
Cultivating calmness requires consistent practice. Meditation, rhythmic breathing, and mindful living aren’t mere rituals — they are tools to strengthen the inner self. This discipline builds spiritual strength, which naturally reflects in relationships, choices, and professional conduct.
With regular practice, reactions give way to responses, confusion to clarity, and fear to quiet confidence. Such transformation is the hallmark of a truly strong and spiritual being.
Be Strong, Be Spiritual
True spirituality doesn’t detach one from the world; it deepens engagement with wisdom and grace. It allows a person to be compassionate without being fragile, successful without being arrogant, and peaceful without being passive.
Ultimately, spiritual strength is not about controlling what happens outside — it is about mastering the energy and awareness within.
True spirituality doesn’t detach one from the world; it deepens engagement with wisdom and grace. It allows a person to be compassionate without being fragile, successful without being arrogant, and peaceful without being passive.
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Imagine walking into a lavish buffet — a spread full of colors, aromas, and temptations. You could fill your plate with everything in sight, but you know not all of it will serve your health or well-being. You pause, look again, and choose wisely — picking what will nourish your body and leave you feeling good later.
That’s precisely how life works. Every day, it offers you a buffet of experiences, opportunities, people, and emotions. The real art lies in how to make better life choices — selecting what serves your growth, joy, and long-term well-being.
You may also like: “Walking the Spiritual Path: From Ideals to Daily Life“ — a guide on grounding your spiritual insight in daily decisions.
The Power of Conscious Selection
We often move through life on autopilot — reacting rather than responding. The world presents us with options, and without awareness, we consume whatever comes our way: habits, opinions, even negativity.
Learning how to make better life choices starts with slowing down. Before choosing, pause and ask:
- Does this align with my values?
- Will this nourish me or drain me in the long run?
- Is this decision driven by peace or impulse?
The moment you bring mindfulness into the process, your choices transform from reflexive to reflective.
Read next: “Observe Your Thoughts and Emotions” — discover how awareness helps you respond consciously rather than react impulsively.
Finding the Glimmer
Even when things or people seem unpleasant, life still has glimmers hidden within them — small sparks of goodness or lessons. Train your mind to spot them. Every person and every experience has something to offer.
If you can’t find a glimmer in someone, ask yourself: “What can I learn from this interaction? How can I become a better person because of it?”
This mindset helps you stay open-hearted instead of reactive. You no longer see life as a battle of right and wrong, but as a classroom full of diverse lessons.
The Role of Forgiveness in Wise Choices
When emotions run high, clarity disappears. You can’t make sound choices with a turbulent heart. That’s where forgiveness comes in — not as a favor to others, but as a gift to yourself.
Forgiveness calms your emotional waters, allowing your inner wisdom to surface. Once you regain peace, you can see situations with perspective — and naturally, your decisions become wiser.
Explore further: “How to Stop Overthinking and Reacting” — learn how meditation and emotional awareness can restore your inner calm.
Building a Life that Nourishes You
To truly understand how to make better life choices, remember this: it’s not about having more options, but about having the discernment to pick what’s best for your soul.
Choose people who uplift you.
Choose work that fulfills you.
Choose habits that empower you.
And when you can’t find something good — create it.
Life will always offer a mix of sweet and bitter, joy and challenge. The wisdom lies in choosing what serves your highest good, just as you would choose the healthiest dish at a buffet.
