A book is a gift one can open again and again ~ Garrison Keillor
I have always appreciated gifts from my friends and acquaintances, but the best gifts I have received so far are books that help me contemplate my thoughts and the way I live my life. The Four Questions – A Pathway to Inner Peace is one such gift, which I received from the community of the Bhakti Club that I joined during my Master’s degree. Our local Bhakti Club consists of SJSU students and members of ISKCON who gather every weekend to do kirtan, discuss lessons from the Bhagavad Gita, and spend quality time with the sanga (community members). Joining this club was one of the best decisions I made during my Master’s. This book was a parting gift I received from one of the community members whom I deeply admire.
“A man who is really earnest must begin with himself. He must be passively aware of all his thoughts, feelings and actions” ~ Bhagavad Gita
Some choices we make in life are momentarily spontaneous. While I had already started reading two other books, for some reason, I decided to pause them and started reading this book over the weekend. Although I don’t know why I made this decision, it helped me gain clarity on some of the questions that had been on my mind lately and shifted my perspective on certain aspects of my life. As I finished reading the book, I felt deeply grateful to the person who gifted it to me and to myself for choosing to read it.
“You are lifted to the level of your questions. The quality of your questions determines the quality of your life.”
The book discusses in detail on how one’s life can be improved with just asking ourselves the below 4 questions.
- What is my purpose?
- How may I be of service?
- What is the lesson?
- Where am I investing my attention right now?
“Wisdom traditions throughout the world share a common thread: they remind us that we can look here, there, and everywhere for happiness outside of ourselves, but that ultimately true happiness can be found only when we look within.”
Reading how to approach each question so that it answers the fundamental questions that we have on our minds is very insightful. The book starts with explaining the importance of asking questions and how asking the type of questions directs the course of our lives. As the author highlights “the most important journey in your life begins when you dare to ask the big questions.” And it starts with asking ourselves what our purpose is of being in this world. While everyone’s purpose is different, asking this question to ourselves and aligning ourselves within that direction takes us closer to the supreme realm – beyond material world.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
I have always enjoyed volunteering. Helping others without expecting anything in return gives me immense satisfaction and contentment. I’m curious about the scientific reasons behind this feeling. While many scriptures support the idea, I haven’t found a valid theory that fully explains it. Perhaps, one day, when I pursue a PhD, I could explore this as a thesis topic. By asking ourselves how we can be of service, we give ourselves the opportunity to view the world from a different perspective.
“A service attitude changes our relationship with the world, and the more we expand that attitude, the more we feel fulfilled.”
It can be very challenging for anyone to think positively during a difficult phase. However, to regain a positive mindset, we can ask ourselves what lessons we can learn from the experience. This not only diverts us from negative thoughts but also helps us view the problem as an opportunity for growth. Personally, I take a couple of days to get back on track when something happens that is beyond my control. By seeing the situation as an opportunity to grow, I focus on what is within my control and work towards improving it.
“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” ~ Victor Frankl
Sometimes, I feel like a professional overthinker—though not by choice. My mind often races with hundreds of thoughts, and when I try to resist or stop thinking, I can spiral into stress, anxiety, and more. Although I’ve never tried asking myself the ‘fourth question’ mentioned in the book, I plan to start doing so regularly to help me focus on what’s truly important and what matters most in my life.
“Once you deliberate on your purpose and develop a clear idea of your goals, you become more deliberate in the things you do to achieve those goals. By becoming resolute in purpose, you intentionally learn to invest your attention, which leads to being more efficient and feeling more fulfilled.”
It’s been two weeks since I relocated to Chicago, and every other day, I found myself complaining about something because it’s been a long time since I moved to a new place, and I was trying to settle in. However, after reading this book, it gave me a new burst of energy and a shift in perspective. I’m now ready to embrace Chicago and start living my life with all it has to offer. I’m looking forward to new experiences!
Till my next read..
With Gratitude,
Teja Sree Goli
