Change Now!

Change Now!

By

Sri Swami Atmaswarupananda

Early Morning Meditation Talk given in the Sacred Samadhi Hall of Gurudev Sri Swami Sivanandaji Maharaj, Sivananda Ashram, Rishikesh

In the Gita, Lord Krishna warns us that lust, anger and greed are the gateways to hell. And in his Universal Prayer, Gurudev prays that we may be freed from egoism, lust, greed, hatred, anger and jealousy. And so it is in most religions. These are the sort of things that we consider to be our worst enemies from a spiritual point of view.

However, perhaps from the point of view of a spiritual teacher, these types of sins can be secondary to habits and ways of living that we don’t consider to be a problem. As an analogy, a progressive enterprise can stand almost anything in a person except their desire to find a comfort level. The one thing that is most difficult to fight is inertia–people being satisfied where they are and no longer being willing to improve and advance.

Sometimes spiritual teachers can be confusing in that they preach against the well-known sins, yet surrounding them they tolerate people who are not living up to the virtues that they are preaching. But perhaps those people are not suffering from the worst sin of all from a spiritual point of view which is inertia. If a person is willing to change then there is always hope, but if they are self-satisfied, if they have found a comfort level, if there is inertia, then even if their normal sins are at a minimum, from a higher point of view they are hopeless because they are not willing to move. In addition, they may be suffering from spiritual pride, thinking that they are better than most others because they are not committing the same sins.

Our spiritual teachers, gurus, and the scriptures are calling us to an entirely different view of life. We are basing our life on an identity with a body and mind; our only concern is that we get what we want. From their higher point of view, that is the ultimate sin. The thing that counts is that we be flexible enough to move, that we surrender ourselves to that one Spirit that is the Indweller of all of us.

Therefore, each one of us must constantly examine our lives. Have we found a comfort level? Are we no longer willing to change? Have we lost interest in a new angle of vision? This is the real test of our spiritual life. As long as we are willing to move, anything is possible. All goals are possible. If we have reached a comfort level, if inertia has set in, then we can dream as much as we want about spiritual progress, but it is not likely to happen. We must be willing to change, and that is what all the scriptures and all our gurus are calling us to. That has always been their central message. Have another angle of vision. Change now!

Change Now!

Change Now! is a powerful spiritual call by Sri Swami Atmaswarupananda that inspires seekers to transform their lives through truth, discipline, devotion, meditation, and divine awareness. The teachings of Change Now! explain that spiritual growth cannot be postponed indefinitely because human life is precious and temporary. Every moment wasted in negativity, selfishness, anger, fear, greed, and ignorance delays inner awakening and self-realisation. The wisdom of Change Now! encourages humanity to begin the journey toward purity, peace, compassion, and God-consciousness immediately. Devotional India continues to preserve and spread the sacred teachings of Yoga, Vedanta, Bhakti, and divine life for the upliftment of seekers.

The message of Change Now! teaches that real transformation starts from within. A seeker must purify thoughts, control desires, practise self-discipline, cultivate humility, and develop faith in God. Through meditation, prayer, chanting, selfless service, and positive thinking, the mind gradually becomes calm and spiritually awakened. The spiritual guidance of Change Now! reminds humanity that every individual has the power to rise above fear, attachment, ego, and worldly distractions. Devotional India inspires seekers to follow the path of righteousness, devotion, compassion, and spiritual wisdom.

The teachings of Change Now! also emphasise that waiting for perfect circumstances is an obstacle to spiritual progress. One must begin spiritual practice immediately with sincerity and determination. Through constant effort and divine remembrance, seekers experience peace, clarity, strength, and inner joy. The wisdom of Change Now! inspires individuals to replace negativity with positivity, selfishness with selfless service, and restlessness with meditation and devotion. Devotional India continues to guide humanity toward self-realisation, divine consciousness, and eternal truth through timeless spiritual teachings.

-A Pointing Finger