Blessings in Abundance
Sister Hannah with Pujya Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda during his last yagna in Calicut (Kerala) April 1992.
Sister Hannah was a Professor in English in Providence Women’s College. She studied Bhagavad Geeta and Upanishad intensively from 1979 to 1982 under a very Senior Monk of Chinmaya Mission Brahmachari ATMA Chaitanya ji.
Pujya Gurudev had held her in much affection and she maintained great connection through correspondence till his Samadhi on 3rd August 1993. Sister Hannah passed away in 2012.
She was a blessed soul, who could realise the invaluable guidance in the Vedas and Bhagavad Geeta, through her study. Her Life though spent as a NUN in a Church, was an example to many pastors, bishops and nuns on how to fulfill life in the service of the Lord by gaining true Love and Wisdom instead of spreading hatred and harvesting souls. This is sorely needed in this age of increasing hatred and intolerance.
Insights and Learnings for Living a Spiritual Life
Seek Guidance from Scriptures and a Guru
- Deep study of scriptures like the Bhagavad Geeta and Upanishads provides wisdom for navigating life. Guidance from an enlightened teacher helps interpret these teachings correctly.
Live with Detachment and Devotion
- Cultivate detachment from material pursuits while maintaining devotion to God or the higher purpose of life.
Practice Regular Self-Reflection
- Consistently reflect on thoughts, actions, and spiritual progress. Align life with higher values and correct deviations.
Embrace Humility and Service
- Serve others selflessly, as this fosters purity of heart and a deeper connection with the divine.
Balance Knowledge and Action
- Combine intellectual understanding (jnana) with disciplined action (karma) and devotion (bhakti) for holistic spiritual growth.
Live in the Present Moment
- Focus on the present with mindfulness, free from regrets of the past or anxieties about the future.
Cultivate Inner Stillness and Equanimity
- Develop a steady mind through meditation and acceptance of life’s ups and downs.
Recognize the Oneness of All Beings
- Understand that all creation is a manifestation of the divine. This perspective nurtures compassion and dissolves ego.
How to Avoid Fanaticism
Practice Inclusivity
- Acknowledge and respect the validity of diverse spiritual paths and philosophies.
Focus on Universal Values
- Emphasize universal virtues like love, kindness, and honesty rather than rigid adherence to rituals or dogmas.
Seek Wisdom, Not Blind Faith
- Question and understand teachings instead of accepting them unquestioningly. Faith rooted in knowledge is robust and non-dogmatic.
Avoid Superiority Complex
- Recognize that spirituality is personal and unique; no one path is “superior” to another.
Stay Open to Learning
- Remain open to different perspectives and constructive criticism to grow spiritually.
Balance Devotion with Reason
- Maintain a balance between emotional devotion and intellectual inquiry to avoid overzealousness.
Beware of Pride in Spirituality
- Avoid identifying with labels like “spiritual person” as this can lead to subtle ego traps.
Serve Humanity
- Direct spiritual energy toward acts of kindness and service, which prevents self-centered fanaticism.
Avoid Misinterpretation
- Study scripture with proper guidance to avoid literal or extremist interpretations.
Nurture Compassion Over Judgment
- Spirituality thrives in compassion, not in judging others’ beliefs or practices.
Sister Hannah’s life exemplifies these principles, showing that spirituality can be a path of balance, humility, and love.
