Neither can it return nor can we change what we did in the past. Tomorrow can never become today either. All that we have is the present moment. We must use it well. Just as pouring fresh water continuously into salty water can reduce its salinity, we must do good deeds, thinking of the Supreme and offering our actions to him. In this way, we can reduce the intensity of sorrowful experiences and move ahead in life.

Once, a traveler crossing a dense forest was accosted by robbers. After stealing his money, the robbers bound his hands and feet with a rope, and threw him into a dry and disused well. The helpless traveler started shouting, “Save me! Save me!” Hearing his cries, another traveler went to the well. He threw a rope into the well and helped the first man climb out of the well. The man was bound and saved by a rope. Actions are like a rope. Selfish actions bind us, whereas selfless actions dedicated to God lead to spiritual liberation.

We may not always have good experiences in life. Often, hardship awaits us. We must learn to use such occasions as stepping stones to our growth and success. To do so, we need to have discernment rooted in spiritual understanding. Sanatana Dharma says, ishavasyam-idam sarvam—all this is pervaded by God. There is nothing but God. The plane cannot fly if its engine is damaged or even if a single screw is not in the right place. There is nothing trivial or insignificant in Sanatana Dharma. It tells us to see God in all—to love and serve all.

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