What is the definition of a balanced lifestyle? A balanced lifestyle is one in which you are able to integrate and harmonize the experiences, first at the individual level of body, mind and spirit, and then at the social level, through care and support, inspiration and motivation.

In this way, you not only improve yourself, but society and the environment as well. However, the care and nurturing of society has to be done from a selfless perspective, not a selfish one.

All the different forms of creation live for others. It is only human beings that live for themselves. Look at nature around you. Trees give their fruit to others; they do not eat it themselves.

They do not say, “This is my fruit and I will eat it,” they say, “The fruit is ripe; you take it, eat it and enjoy it.”

If you look at other aspects of nature, you will find something similar. Are you able to see the difference between other forms of creation and yourself?

If you can’t, there is nothing to say. If you can, then you have something to think about.

The thrust of yoga, or any spiritual subject, belief or philosophy, is that one should learn to live in the present. Yoga is not against any social thoughts or values.

It is for the improvement of the quality of life. The philosophy of yoga is: ‘Gain wisdom from past experiences and use that wisdom to improve the present’.

The future is unknown. Let it be.

 Ganga Darshan, Munger,12 October 1998

 From the book “On the Wings of the Swan, Vol 6”, pg. 15, Sw. Niranjanananda Saraswati