What a great way to end the year and a great way to begin the new year. In Satsang, all that begins well ends well, and all that ends well begins well.
This year which has passed, 2025, has brought many gifts and many lessons to you. Everything is evolutionary. That is how we should see it. You had moments when you didn’t want certain things to happen, yet they happened. Somewhere, all those happenings have brought you strength, wisdom, and depth. This you must take. Acknowledge it, instead of resisting or pushing things under the carpet. Recognize what you need to do, recognize, and move on.
All happenings, all outside events, are not you. You are separate from them. When you look at everything that has happened – the good things, the bad things, things you liked and things you didn’t like – you see that this is how the world is. When you step back, you realize that through all this you have become stronger, richer, and wiser.
Foolish people get embroiled in events. They keep regretting the past, and that regret creates anxiety about the future. They suffer all the time. What does a wise person or a spiritual seeker do? They say, “Okay, this is what has happened.” They do not regret what has happened, nor do they become anxious about what may happen in the future.
If you learn to see things with this vision, then you have won. Nobody can take your smile away. No situation can put you down. This is the whole purpose of the spiritual path. This is why you are here, why you do what you do, why you meditate – to see reality from a completely different plane.
This year, 2025, has also brought much scientific evidence to support this understanding. Even if there was a little doubt or sarcasm in the mind, science has helped remove it. This is a great step forward. When quantum mechanics came, the idea of the unified field opened people’s eyes. They realized there is something more than what we think.
Today, science tells us that what we see as empty space is not really empty; it is full of energy. What our eyes can see is only 0.003% of existence. When this is known, how can anyone remain cynical or sarcastic? What we see is not all that exists. There is so much more that we cannot see. This alone is proof enough to acknowledge the universal consciousness of which you are a part.
All this singing and chanting has immensely uplifted the space inside you. It energizes your entire life. Science now says that the mind does not create thoughts; it receives them. Thoughts have their own field, and your mind, based on its frequency, locks into certain thoughts and keeps receiving them. There is an algorithm in the mind.
If you think negative thoughts, negative things come to you. If you think positive thoughts, positive things come to you. So, as 2026 begins, make sure you are putting positive thoughts out there.
Of course, many things will happen in the world. When construction begins, first there is digging; only then does the building come up. When an old, dilapidated building is removed, the bulldozer comes first. This happens every year. So every day, remind yourself that you are lucky. That alone is enough to keep your spirit high.
Say, “I am so lucky.” Second, say, “I am here to do some good work.” I have come into this world as a giver, not a taker. A giver is independent; a taker is not. When you know you have come to give, your needs will be taken care of. Nature will take care of you. In fact, you will get more than what you need.
Hold this thought: “I have come here to give something back to the world.” The world wants to see you as a generous, happy person. That is what you must radiate. You are already radiating it; resolve to do it more.
Everyone has ups and downs in life. Never mind if such moments come. Just keep this resolution firm: “I am here to do something good.” Do not get frustrated thinking, “I want to do good, but I am not able to.” That will not help. The mind is very tricky – it can create misery in any situation. Even in the best circumstances, it creates its own suffering.
Our mind creates its own shell and sits inside it, repeating the same thoughts, believing everyone else is wrong and only I am right. You may have gone through such phases in the past. Practices like meditation have helped you sail through them, but practice alone is not enough. Wisdom is also essential. Wisdom comes from listening to knowledge.
Whether you go through science or spirituality, you reach the same point: everything is nothing. When nothing matters, you become happy. This does not mean you stop taking responsibility. You take responsibility and at the same time remain above the rut.
The Art of Living is entering its 45th year in 2026. Forty-five years ago, people had many reservations about meditation. There was a lot of cynicism and sarcasm. Today, that is no longer the case. People now know how important meditation is. This is what we need to bring to every home, to every individual. We will do what we can and keep doing it.
There is no dearth of miracles. You pray, and miracles happen. Look at how many have happened in the past year. Share these experiences so that those who are depressed or have lost hope can find inspiration. Tell them to come out of their small minds. Pain, depression, and negativity can be snapped out of.
So many children are blossoming with intuitive abilities. There is hope for society and hope for the world. When people only read news about war and conflict, they feel low. They must also hear that a new hope is emerging. There is a higher dimension where life is eternal and blissful, and everything else is just drama. Enjoy the drama – as an actor, a director, or an onlooker.
People from all over the world have joined us for this New Year’s Eve satsang. Once again, confirm within yourself that you are lucky and that you are here to do something good. The Art of Living is turning 45, and each of you has a role to play. Think about what you want to do and what you can do.
Remember that you have come here to give back to the world. Step back and see things from another dimension. Be a witness after you complete your work, not while acting. Before starting any work, spend a few minutes in absolute silence. When you act, be 100% involved.
Keep these resolutions in mind. Life is full of miracles, and they will keep happening. Give hope to everyone.
So much more is happening. There is cake downstairs for everyone. Imagine you are all like doctors—doctors are needed most when things are not going well. In 2026, know that you are all doctors, and you have a lot of work to do.
Every experience of the past year, pleasant or unpleasant, has made you wiser, deeper, and stronger. Enter the New Year knowing that you are fortunate and that you are here to give back to society.
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
