The big four

The big four

April 2017

By pinpointing four vital aspects, Megha Bajaj arrived at success of the body, mind and soul

I first wrote to Suma Varughese, editor of Life Positive, almost a decade ago. It was a piece that just flowed with emotions that needed to be expressed, by a girl who had just passed out from college. I never imagined that she would respond or ask me to join first as an assistant editor, and then as a columnist. I never imagined that our life journey would cement together as fellow seekers, fellow writers, or fellow Life Positive lovers for so many years. And yet it did. When Suma asked me to write this piece, as the testimony of someone who has tasted success at the personal and professional life, it made me very emotional. This endorsement from my first, and one of my favourite editors, made me feel that there must have been some grace that carried me through these last 10 years of my life – and it is with humility and a sense of honour that I share my journey. The first thing I did very early was to ask myself what success meant to me. I didn’t want a borrowed definition. I came to the conclusion that success predominantly had four key aspects for me – the first, to have a really healthy and fit body as no amount of success would be of any value to one who ails and pales. The second – to have some very beautiful relationships. I am not at a stage in my life where I can love all, but I could hope to arrive at a space where I could love a few unconditionally and be loved by them. The third – to have a very positive relationship with money – where this resource doesn’t become a restriction for me. And to earn it doing what I love, of that I was very clear. The last – to stay spiritually aligned to the laws of life, for the greatest succour comes from there. Since each of these four were very important for me, I realised that my waking hours would have to be used appropriately. It struck me that a day was a miniature version of life, and if I could live each day well, life would take care of itself.

A healthy body 

Since the body is my temple for this lifetime, taking care of it is most important. Hence the first thing I got right was allotting the first hour of waking up to the body. I am more of a free-flowing person than a strict disciplinarian so I allowed myself the leeway to do what I pleased. Some days I walk, other days I do yoga; sometimes I go cycling with a picnic basket to a lake near my house, other times I dance at home. I have allowed myself flexibility with what I do, but have imposed the discipline that I must exercise daily. As far as eating is concerned, over the years I have naturally turned to more raw food, fruits, nuts. It wasn’t a conscious decision as much as a natural happening with meditation becoming a part of my life. These simple shifts have gifted me with good health. There is always scope to become healthier, but I feel fit enough to live my day with complete energy from start to end, and I think this is a good space to be in. Since relationships really matter to me, a significant part of my day is devoted to cultivating them. Most of us think that while professional life and health need dedicated time, relationships just fall into place by themselves. I have not found this to be true in my life. I have realised with a lot of terrible trials and errors, heart aches and heartbreaks, that just like any other aspect of your life, relationships too need time and effort, and cannot be left to chance. I ensure that once a week I meet my in-laws just to love them. I ensure I give my parents the due love and care they need. My husband Arun and I take quarterly breaks (I would honestly prefer them to be monthly, but well) to explore new places, and more importantly, each other. I meet a few close friends and relations on a daily basis. A very key learning with a lot of struggle in this area has been – enter a relationship thinking of what you can give, and not what you can get. Paradoxically, the more abundant you feel as a giver, the more life fulfills all your needs. The more I begged for love in my earlier years, the more it evaded me. The more I started walking the path of a giver, the more it flooded me. I see the authoritative validation of this statement made by my beloved guru in my own life, “The starvation for love never ceases by receiving love, but rather by giving love.” I now belong to at least 10 very deep, very intimate, almost hassle-free relationships, and they make life very meaningful.

Money matters

My relationship with money has improved significantly – from having very little (not counting the family money or what my husband earns – but as an independent writer, teacher and entrepreneur) to seeing quite a lot. I have realised the secret to money is to once again give it the due it deserves – as an important resource – not more, not less. Convincing your subconscious that money isn’t important will deprive you of this awesome resource, while fixating over money will make life a living hell. See it practically, as a matter-of- fact need; and by becoming excellent at what you do, and adding that secret ingredient of love to whatever you do, money (in fact as much money as you want) can be attracted. I am just beginning to see the abundance so it's early days for me – but it has been an incredible journey nonetheless – from growing as a writer, to training hundreds of people across the globe to write and heal, to starting my own venture which is in the green right now. Although I write the fourth aspect as a different paragraph the truth is – spiritual alignment is actually an integral part of health, relationships and wealth. To me spiritual alignment is nothing but right thoughts and right feelings. High thinking, deep positive feelings keep me going. I have been a meditator for 11 years, ever since I first met my guru, and I know this has been a key element to gifting me with this God-kissed life of mine. When I use the words God-kissed life, please do not conclude that everything always goes right. Far from it. From cancer to corruption (in me and outside of me), from death to debts, from depression to devastation – I have vacillated through all the darker shades of life. The faith that has kept me coming back on track is the feeling, “Why would life give me life to torture me? I am sure this is just an anomaly – and beautiful, bountiful times are my real nature.” I halt, but I don’t stop. I trip, but I don’t fall. I keep moving with this faith, and this is what has made things beautiful. I have walked a long way, and I have miles to go before I sleep and yet – this day, this moment, as I type this sentence out to you, I am smiling. It is a beautiful life. Indeed, it is.

Bio: Megha is, above all, a seeker. These days she is attempting to find herself in the role of a teacher through the online writing course designed by her.