The ‘Gain’ vs ‘Gaps’ Consciousness
Living solely in the realm of struggle and seeking immediate gratification denies us true peace. While there may be fleeting satisfaction in fulfilling our senses, the underlying inadequacies and gaps persistently haunt us. But, when we enter the peaceful shelter zone, we also tap into the realm of gain. The difference between the consciousness of ‘gaps’ and ‘gains’ is profound.
An individual immersed in constant struggle primarily focuses on the gaps in their life—what they have yet to achieve or acquire. This mindset prevents them from finding peace and embracing a grateful celebration of life. On the other hand, someone residing in the shelter zone begins to perceive the gains—the blessings they have received. This shift in consciousness brings contentment.
An anecdote better illustrates this concept. Once, a friend decided to surprise his family by bringing home some special pizzas from our Govindas restaurant. When he revealed his gifts, his younger daughter was overjoyed, but the older one exclaimed, “Dad, this isn’t my favorite pizza. You know I love the ones with jalapeños.” The younger child naturally embraced the ‘gain’ space, while the older child dwelled in the ‘gap.’ She failed to recognize that it was a delightful surprise, a gain. Her scarcity mindset prevented her from appreciating the beauty of life.
Are you a Struggle Addict?
When we constantly reside in the struggle zone, we yearn to reach a place or situation we believe will bring us happiness. Ironically, even if we were to reach such a state, we would continue to struggle because we lack the ability to recognize happiness. Struggling is all we know. In fact, when we do experience moments of peace, we question ourselves, “Why do I feel so peaceful? What is wrong? I must do something.” Peace discomforts a struggle addict.
During my early days as a monk apprentice, I would chant my Japa meditation with the fervor and enthusiasm of a monk seeking to conquer the spiritual realm. I engaged in distracted sessions, vigorously shaking my head while fingering my chanting beads, hoping that with greater concentration, I would soon find God. I thought, “Krishna is here somewhere, and I will soon attain Him.” One day, during yet another intense meditation session, I noticed a senior congregation leader quietly chanting at a distance, observing me curiously. After the session ended and the bells rang, he approached me humbly and inquired about my activities during the two-hour session. Matter-of-factly, I replied that I was attempting to control my mind. Probing further, he asked, “Is it such a great struggle?” I answered, “Yes, I struggle to attain Krishna, and these battles with my mind will purify me and bring me closer to God.” He sighed and looked away, disappointed. Perplexed, I asked if I had said something wrong.
He responded, “Well, no, not really,” with a wry smile. “I spend the entire week struggling at work, at home, and in my relationships. I look forward to coming to the temple on Sundays, seeking shelter. But when I arrive here, I see monks like you, who reside here, also struggling. It saddens me to realize that you are just as miserable as I am.”
That moment was an epiphany for me. I instantly recognized that my practice was fundamentally flawed. I needed to embrace peace and dwell in the shelter zone, avoiding unnecessary struggles. What the outside world yearned to achieve by coming to the temple, I already possessed as a gift. My journey had reached its destination, yet due to my habit of residing in the struggle zone, I failed to recognize my happiness and the need to gratefully connect with God.
To be continued…
