In the bright firmament of virtues that Gurumayi has given for Siddha Yogis and new seekers to study throughout the month of June, Gurumayi has revealed to us a new star. For her birthday, June 24, Gurumayi has imparted the virtue vichārshīlatā.
Let’s explore this stellar virtue together, so that it may shine brightly in the night sky of our awareness.
All words have nuances that are unique to their source language. So it is with the Hindi word vichārshīlatā, which is a compound of vichār and shīlatā. The word shīlatā means to “possess a certain quality, disposition, or character.” Vichār denotes reflection, consideration, prudence, reasoning, and discernment. The combined word vichārshīlatā describes a person who is deeply reflective, who navigates life with keen intelligence and an enlivened conscience, who is deliberate in their thoughts and actions.
I enjoy looking at a word from many different angles to better grasp its meaning—especially because it is not always a simple task to find the perfect equivalent for a word when translating it from one language to another. This is certainly the case when translating the word vichārshīlatā.
That said, the English word thoughtfulness gives an elegant approximation of its meaning. Thoughtfulness is a potential that all living beings are born with, but which blossoms forth only through conscious cultivation and studentship.
However, in the ambiance of our contemporary world, thoughtfulness is becoming increasingly scarce.
Have you noticed?
This situation is connected, in part, to the rapid diffusion of technologies and discourses that divide and isolate people and communities. The forging of mutual and harmonious relationships with the earth and our fellow humanity— relationships rooted in patience, receptivity, and understanding—has always been a noble undertaking. And it is also an endeavor that is becoming even more timely.
Our lives are increasingly mediated by technologies that narrow our focus and promote self-absorption: the concept of “me” or “I” can start to take precedence over the courtesy and care we might extend to others. When we are navigating such a situation, it is quite easy to grow weary. In fact, in our daily life, and given all that is transpiring in the world, we may be more acquainted with the opposite of vichārshīlatā—thoughtlessness.
In the Indian tradition of philosophical reasoning, exclusion is a common method to clarify a principle. To properly identify a cow grazing in a pasture, it can help to first confirm that it is not a horse. To fully appreciate what thoughtfulness is and entails, let’s first exclude its opposite.
A thoughtless person forms impressions, instantly. They leap to conclusions, automatically. They size up people, confidently. This is often followed by a series of mental verdicts—seeing others, primarily, as a set of predictable patterns, and judging them accordingly. And while such immediate categorization of people might seem “efficient” on the surface, it in fact exhausts our precious resources of time and energy. This is because thoughtlessness enmeshes us in patterns of suffering as we wrestle with the world as it appears in the mind. Fortunately, this can be contrasted with another way of seeing that we have available to us: thoughtfulness—a compassionate consideration of each person as an evolving human being who is also an embodiment of divine energy.
Thoughtfulness, and all the virtues we are contemplating and putting into action this month, are integral to the goal of the Siddha Yoga path: jīvanmukti, liberation in this life. These virtues come alive on the Siddha Yoga path because our efforts to cultivate them are in a reciprocal relationship with the Guru’s grace, the blessings of the lineage of Siddhas, and the wellspring of wisdom and support within the Siddha Yoga sangham.
In my experience, I have found that when we consciously work with ourselves—through consistent Siddha Yoga sadhana—an extraordinary thing happens. The mind becomes pliable. The breath becomes easy.
The thought patterns that course through the mind and fashion our mental landscape do have a tendency to ossify. But there is a different character to a mind that is vibrating with the mantra, that is permeated by the highest frequencies inherent in its syllables. There is a different character to a mind that is steeped in meditation, in the exquisite power of serenity. There is a different character to a mind that has been purified by the Guru’s teachings, by this incredible gold mine of wisdom and grace. Such a mind becomes an ever-renewable source of energy.
You may have heard this proverb, which draws upon an analogy given by the Roman poet Ovid: “Dripping water hollows out stone, not through force, but through persistence.” With persistent self-inquiry and spiritual practice, we have a way to cultivate a mind that shines with vichārshīlatā, thoughtfulness. We want to restore the mind’s innate pristine nature, and we do it with joy. We want to bring forth the openness and receptivity of the mind, and we do it by listening more deeply. We want to usher in the discernment and curiosity of the mind, and we do that by falling in love with the present moment. Through this process, we become free from self-limiting concepts. Then we can reap an abundant harvest. We can make the most of our innate potential for this radiant virtue.
In time, and in the rhythm of right effort, thoughtfulness becomes second nature to us. And whenever we notice that its presence in our lives has been lessened—when this beautiful virtue has been out of use too long—we can reactivate it. We can make sure that, each day and each night, we continually choose thoughtfulness. As we carry the invaluable virtue of vichārshīlatā within us, and as we implement this virtue, it carries us into a life of depth and meaning. Thoughtfulness magnetizes thoughtfulness; as we extend understanding and goodwill, the world reflects these qualities back to us.
Let us receive Gurumayi’s birthday gift of this virtue with all our hearts. Let us discover and rediscover the power of vichārshīlatā, this shining star within our own firmament of virtues. Let us allow its iridescent light to spread softly through the dark corners of our hearts, all throughout our world at large. One step at a time, one virtue at a time, we can suffuse this world with light.
Seeing the virtue on Gurumayi’s birthday, vicharshilata, brought various interpretations to my mind: the ability to think correctly, be logical, apply reason, think deeply, discriminate.
Then I read Ben Williams’ commentary on vicharshilata, and the exploration on the synonyms opened up so many dimensions of this virtue for me, much like the pearls that framed the word. To me, vicharshilata reflects not only a quality but an action—an action that is constant, abundant, timely and powerful.
Hurlstone Park, Australia
Such a beautiful word, such a powerful virtue Gurumayi has given us! I find myself whispering it to myself, playing with its nuances, and rereading Ben’s insightful commentary. The meaning that has emerged repeatedly for me is “presence of mind.” As I reflect on vicharshilata with this in mind, the meaning of the virtue expands for me with fullness and strength, opening my mind and heart.
This virtue is showing me new possibilities, inviting me to consider the vast difference between exercising good judgment and passing judgments: one opens, strengthens, and expands, while the other closes like a slap. I learned early the false power of passing judgments. Now I am excited about learning how to truly exercise good judgment instead, and learning how to carry vicharshilata in both my heart and my mind.
In doing this, I feel the immense grace of the Guru and I offer myself to it with both longing and faith, grateful for this exquisite, compassionate guidance. Even to contemplate these possibilities is a gift beyond measure and my head bows in gratitude.
Washington, United States
I have always loved the word thoughtfulness. The resonance of the syllables in my head is like a gentle current amidst the ocean of actions. Sometimes I am impelled to offer a helping hand, while at other moments I feel restraint and stillness to be the most thoughtful offering.
I love this commentary, especially the teaching on the mantra. I find the mantra to be “the flame” that “burns brightly”—like “the flame of vicharshilata” referred to in the affirmation—beneath the ocean of action, making my thoughts softly brilliant.
Warrnambool, Australia
On Gurumayi’s birthday, I held vicharshilata in my awareness. I noticed my mind judging people as I saw them, “leaping to conclusions”; it was so quick!
I observed this tendency of my mind and took the opportunity to implement the approach Ben suggests. When I noticed my mind judging someone, I inwardly repeated the statement, “This person is an evolving human being. God resides in this person.”
There was an immediate shift in my outlook, a more compassionate acceptance of the person just the way they are. It was amazing to experience the rough edges of my feelings toward the person becoming smoother and softer. And happily, the more I practiced this toward others, the more I experienced this tender feeling for myself.
Today, I included practicing this toward myself, too. The moment I caught myself judging or criticizing myself, I repeated, “I am an evolving human being. God dwells within my heart.” With this practice, I could accept myself and experience a gentle inspiration to do even better.
a Gurukula Student in Gurudev Siddha Peeth
I used to think of thoughtfulness as one of my weaknesses. I’d ask myself, “Why do I think so much about other people?” Gurumayi’s gift of this virtue confirms for me that it is a beautiful quality. I am drawn to refine and nurture it.
From reading Ben’s commentary, I understand that acting from the right space in my heart and mind is what will make me truly thoughtful.
I also understood that being thoughtful does not mean going overboard or making huge personal sacrifices. As Eesha Sardesai mentions in “A Fresh Inquiry into the Sadguna Vaibhava,” we must know what is “too much” of a virtue.
Through reading this commentary, I also realized that when I repeat the mantra at the back of my mind, I am able to shift away from critical thoughts and focus on thoughts that have clarity and compassion. This effort stops me from expressing an immediate reaction and enables me to give a thoughtful response.
Mumbai, India
I am grateful for Gurumayi’s gift of the virtue vicharshilata, thoughtfulness, as well as the compassionately helpful elucidation in the commentary. In meditation after reading the commentary, the word acceptance arose. Focusing on the concept of acceptance allowed me to eschew all thoughts and be fully present, bringing my mind to a place of deep silence.
After meditation, I journaled, and I realized that the grace of vicharshilata had brought forth in me the concept of acceptance. I see practicing thoughtfulness as opening a doorway into accessing virtues and divinely inspired ways of thinking and being.
New York, United States
Each year I look forward with great anticipation to receiving Gurumayi’s birthday prasad in the form of a specially chosen virtue on her birthday. And each year, the virtue shines bright. Ben Williams’ analogy to the firmament is well chosen. With this in mind, I am making an intention to cultivate the virtue for the next twelve months.
The virtue of vicharshilata is perfect for me. If I am looking at myself and my sadhana honestly, I see that I have allowed myself to slip into a thoughtless state from time to time, and into some occasionally thoughtless behavior. It is as if the Guru sensed this and is reining me in with a gentle redirection. I am grateful to my beloved Gurumayi for guiding me to the light.
Virginia, United States
When I saw the beautiful image of vicharshilata shining with purple pearls, I resolved to receive this prasad with both hands: I repeated it as a mantra, installing it throughout my body and in all the chakras. My body began to tingle acutely as I installed it in each finger, each toe.
As I read Ben’s commentary on its meaning, I realized it is just the right message for these times. I look forward to reading the commentary as a way to enter into meditation, letting it take root in my life.
Washington, United States
I am currently coordinating the renovation of a house that holds many years of my husband’s family history. This process is asking me to attend both to the visible structure of the house and to the invisible network of relationships around it: the opinions and expectations of different family members, the varied working styles and rhythms of the people involved, and the timelines that keep shifting.
As I read Ben’s commentary on vicharshilata, I recognized how easily the mind can form quick judgments when many details and decisions arise at once. Practicing this virtue is helping me see the value of pausing and considering each person and situation with greater awareness. I am learning that this pause can allow me to listen more fully, make decisions with greater inner steadiness, and choose my words and actions more thoughtfully.
I feel deeply grateful to Gurumayi for this birthday virtue—a gift of guidance at a moment when I need it so much.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Gurumayi always uses the occasion of her birthday to give us wonder-filled gifts, and vicharshilata is a profound one to contemplate. Many thanks to Ben Williams for illuminating this magnanimous virtue. It is so timely and needed in the present era.
To me, vicharshilata combines all the virtues into one comprehensive concept. In the state of thoughtfulness, I can see all the wisdom of our path shining brightly in the celestial realm of the Guru’s teachings. And despite all that is going on during Kali Yuga, when I follow these teachings, I can still live a divine life.
Georgia, United States
What I felt while reading Gurumayi’s gentle, love-filled birthday gift was expansive, deep serenity. The experience was of limitless potential for love, consideration, and purpose. This gift has given me the opportunity to expand the space within and around me naturally. Restriction vs. expansion becomes a conscious choice steeped in knowledge and the Guru’s grace.
