Greetings of New Year from Ganga Darshan, in the city of Yoga, Munger. Munger is the Karmabhoomi of our master Sri Swami Satyanandaji and it is our Yogabhoomi, the land of Yoga.

On New Year’s day we chant 108 times the complete Hanuman Chalisa to invoke the grace of Hanuman. Especially on these times of challenges, when we are facing a lot of difficulties, conflicts and pandemic disturbing our life, our society, our aspirations, plans and hopes for the future.

So this year, from the land of Yoga a message comes to you. And this message is in 7 parts.

The 1^st part of the message is that we should look after one’s health. It is not only the physical but also mental, emotional and spiritual. When we are able to regain total health of mind, body, emotions and spirit then we can call ourselves healthy.

Until then we have to struggle to find our health. Either at the physical level or at psychological level. No one is ever healthy. So, let us make an effort to focus on the cultivation of health this year.

2^nd point. Awareness.  Cultivate awareness and be aware of the environment, the surroundings. In the family environment, in the social environment. And contribute in the most effective and positive manner by becoming aware of the shortcomings and the needs in our immediate environment, to help people that are in need.

3^rd thing that is very much required is personal or self-discipline in life, which in yoga we call Sanyam. And this personal discipline is a must in today’s environment to add positivity in life, hope in life, optimism in life.

Also to contribute effectively and efficiently in a positive manner for making our home, our family and our society better. But this can be achieved with personal discipline, with awareness and with focus on our health.

The 4^th and 5^th thing is respect and humility. People say we are hungry for love. But I don’t believe that. I believe that we should learn to respect everyone, no matter what their shortcomings are. No matter whether they’re literate or illiterate. Intellectuals or non-intellectuals.

Recognizing that each has a place in our human society. And if we can respect each individual then naturally the love also will flow all around.

And along with respect in the 5^th item comes humility. In the biggest storms, in the biggest tempests, those trees that stand upright and tall often break. But those trees, plants and grass which bend with the wind, with the tempest, always survive. In the same manner humility is an antidote to arrogance and ego.

Humility is an antidote to aggression and misbehavior and therefore to all these things: hurt other people and create differences and distances between groups of people. Humility is an important quality of life and a spiritual or not even spiritual but I would call it human quality of life, which has to be cultivated to manage the eccentric ego behaviors.

And the 6^th and the 7^th. Zeal to perform one’s duties and commitment. These are the 6^th and 7^th sutras of the year. Complete everything that you undertake. Don’t leave anything in the middle. Spend little bit of time but complete the action, the job which you have taken. And that will free you. It will give you more time to do other things.

And remember commitment to do the right thing in life, to do the correct thing in life is what makes us human. It is our commitment to do the right thing, which makes us into a human being. Therefore we should fulfil our commitments and obligations not only to others but also to ourselves.

And these are the 7 points which if we can adopt this year, will help us go a long way in dealing with the challenges that we are all facing in society and in our life today.

So, I wish you well from the Yogabhoomi, from the Samarpanbhoomi, from the Karmabhoomi of our master Sri Swami Satyanandaji and pray for your peace, wellbeing and prosperity.

Hari Om Tat Sat

Ganga Darshan, Munger, 1 January 2022

 From the event “Hanuman Chalisa 2022, Culmination of the Hanuman Chalisa chanting and satsang”