Endgame

I recently read an article stating that the world’s greatest chess player is bored with chess. He declined to play in the World Chess Championship to participate in a more unconventional form of the game called "The Fischer Formations," where the pieces are set randomly. This forces players to be more intuitive, spending less time memorizing openings and defensive positions. He wanted to play for the pure joy of the game. Energy-age chess!

Nayaswami Devi reminded me that Swami Kriyananda once said that those of us who come on the path of Self-realization with sincerity are like a clock that ticks 24 hours. We are at the 24th hour, with just a few final ticks of the clock before Self-realization. That is awe-inspiring! Think of how far we’ve come on our long journey through time and space. Even being drawn to these teachings is "very, very, very good karma," as Paramhansa Yogananda put it.

In other words, like chess, we are in the endgame of our spiritual journey.

How Can We Win the Endgame?

To win in the endgame, we must first understand where the battle lies. This is why the world’s greatest chess player dropped out of the World Championships. He had already won it five times and conquered the mountain of worldly success. What he sought now was the joy of playing the game itself.

Similarly, Nayaswami Jyotish shared an essential attitude for victory in our spiritual endgame a few years ago. He reminded us to enjoy our service, asking a simple but powerful question: "Are you enjoying the ride?"

Many times, we try too hard and bring tension into our spiritual life, which should be the most enjoyable thing (and non-thing!) of all. God is described as "rasa," the most relishable as divine bliss and spiritual realization.

When we enjoy the ride and partake in the simple joy of our soul nature, with God’s hidden hand behind everything, life becomes fun and joy. As Swami Kriyananda said in a song, "God is life. God is joy. Life is God’s: Life is joy."

The Awe Walk

A friend recently sent me an article about taking an "Awe Walk," where you consciously look for small wonders in the world around you during an otherwise ordinary day. Scientists and doctors say an awe walk not only amplifies your sense of wonder but it can also have tremendous mental health benefits.

As I was walking home the other day, I was awe-struck by something ordinarily considered mundane. Leaves were gently falling from an oak tree in front of my house, and the moment's beauty stopped me in my tracks. The tree reminded me of Brother Lawrence, who was also struck by awe by a tree, leading to his spiritual conversion. The tree inspired me to write a poem about Brother Lawrence’s moment of awe:

Brother Lawrence's Tree

What was in that tree that converted your heart to be pure?

Was it the way the leaves fell in the fall,
meandering through gravity’s hand
to rest on the land?

Or was it the fresh buds of spring
reminding your heart to sing
of its native joy?

Or was it a stark winter day,
cold and still, echoing your heart’s
resting place?

Or summer high,
with the sun at its zenith,
blazing a path to the light of Christ within?

Or did the tree touch the pang of your heart,
the anguishing monotony of the seasons’ change,
the prison of duality with its ups and downs and merry-go-round,
that made you cry out to the Lord?

Maybe you simply witnessed the wonder and beauty of God’s hand,
and it reminded you of His imprint on your soul—
to be simple, pure, and rest permanently,
like an eternal leaf
on the lap of His Immortal Land.

So, we are at the last few ticks of the clock. Let’s enjoy the endgame! Remember Paramhansa Yogananda’s advice and immortal promise:

“From joy I came, for joy I live, in sacred joy I melt.”