My first impression of this virtue was a lingering set of sounds: the syllables a-bun-dance. I focused on the final syllable of dance. I started to look at what these letters, these sounds were showing me, and I was delighted to see that out of this contemplation emerged the understanding that this existence is a dance. From the enjoyment and spiritual seeking that uplift our life on earth, we dance into our destiny. Just thinking about it in this way has made my heart feel lighter and has made my enthusiasm for exploring this virtue expand.

Massachusetts, United States

As I was contemplating the virtue of abundance, I reflected on how this virtue has shaped my sadhana and my life over the past thirteen years.

I realized that whatever external situations and challenges I have faced in my life, the grace of Shri Gurumayi has always been there in abundance, with me and for me. This helped me maintain a state of equipoise within my heart, and I was able to meet the challenges gracefully and with a smile on my face.

Abundance for me is Shri Guru’s bountiful grace, which is there for me to lead my life, perform my sadhana, and extend my inner state to all the people I meet and all the things I touch.

Lucknow, India

Contemplating the meaning and life energy of abundance, I began to see images of water flowing. Oceans, rivers, waterfalls of grace—of the Guru, of Shiva. Abundance became a live entity, with Om as an expressive vibration of that energy. I chanted Shri Guru Paduka Panchakam to offer my worship and reverence for the infinite grace, the abundance of Shri Guru’s love.

New York, United States

Today, I contemplated the virtue of abundance with a focus on not doing “too much,” as Eesha described in her introduction. I decided to take refuge in Gurumayi in order to more deeply experience the virtue of abundance. Immediately, I became aware of the sweet sounds of the birds singing outside my window.

Throughout the day, I continued to read Eesha’s introduction and contemplate abundance. I felt the abundance of breath, oxygen, prana, available for me to live my life. As the day unfolded, there were many other things that caught my attention, including the abundance of love from my daughter and the abundant time that I have to spend on spiritual practice.

In the evening, when something disturbed me, I chose to stay focused on what I have in life in that very moment—I could see the nice garden area around and take in my daughter’s love as she sat with me. Then we listened to a recording of my brother singing an uplifting bhajan; I experienced an abundance of calm and shakti as I listened to his soothing voice. 

Dombivli, India

As I reflect on abundance, I realize that God has already blessed me with this virtue.

My body is a living example of abundance—countless cells, organs, blood, breath, and thousands of energy channels working continuously to sustain my life. My brain has the capacity to acquire limitless knowledge, my heart can nurture noble virtues, and my mind holds an endless stream of thoughts.

When I give my positive thoughts my attention, they can grow into many uplifting ideas, insights, and possibilities. If I encourage my negative thoughts, they can multiply into unnecessary pain and suffering. Thus, I am inspired to observe my thoughts more consciously as a way of cultivating the virtue of abundance.

I feel fortunate to reflect on the virtues each day of this month. They are like nourishing food for my mind—uplifting, inspiring, and gently guiding my attention inward. Each virtue becomes a small lamp on the path, illuminating a deeper and more divine journey within. To me, true abundance exists within me and is waiting to be nurtured through awareness, gratitude, self-care, and dharma.

Khargone, India

To me, abundance is God’s true nature. God created everything in abundance. For example, a cherry tree bears not just one cherry but countless ones, which are there for everyone—animals and humans alike.

I practice abundance by constantly trying to open my heart completely in order to give love. But if I give “too much,” it can be overwhelming; the other person may perceive it as overbearing and patronizing, and they may reject what I am giving. On the other hand, if I am not open enough and cannot let love flow, then I feel lonely and unloved.

The reaction of others and my own feelings show me whether I am living the virtue of abundance in moderation.

Konolfingen, Switzerland

Early this morning, I went to pick strawberries in a farmer’s field. The strawberries were beautiful, and I felt gratitude for the farmer. When I got back home, I saw that today’s virtue is Abundance.

What a great manifestation!

So, I’ve decided to keep a daily record of the virtues in my journal and how they manifest in my life.

Lausanne, Switzerland

Balance is one virtue I have long wished to cultivate. I often pray for harmony among the four aims of life—dharma, artha, kama, and moksha.

Yet I frequently find myself caught in dilemmas. When I am deeply engaged in an important project, I worry that I am not giving enough time to my son. When I work hard, I feel I may be neglecting my body’s need for rest. If I choose to rest or spend time in leisure, I sometimes feel that my day has not been productive enough. So, I have noticed that the pursuit of balance itself can become a source of stress for me.

Over time, I have come to realize that, for me, balance is not about dividing time equally among everything that matters. Rather, it is about doing what is important in a given moment and offering it my full attention. When I am fully present with my work, my family, my health, or my rest, I experience a greater sense of contentment and balance.

Thane West, India

When I read today’s virtue, Balance, my first thought was that it would be difficult for me to practice. I often find myself wondering what my priorities truly are and how to choose them wisely.

So, I prayed to Shri Guru, asking for guidance in cultivating this virtue.

As the day came to an end, I realized something beautiful had happened. I had found time for all my activities—my spiritual practices, work, household responsibilities, and even adequate rest. What amazed me most was how effortlessly the day unfolded, and how my daily targets were not only completed but exceeded.

This experience reminded me that what seems difficult through personal effort often becomes effortless when I am open to divine guidance.

Khargone, India

June 2 is my birthday, and the virtue of balance has always been a central theme in my life, because I used to be very easily affected by everything, which made me feel unbalanced and caused me a great deal of suffering.

I am most successful in practicing this virtue when I am humble and mindful. Discipline and regularity also help me to experience more balance in my life. When I am out of balance, I use the Siddha Yoga practices—usually reciting Shri Guru Gita or meditating—to return to a state of balance.

When I reflect mindfully, I immediately notice what is too intense and what I need to do to regain balance; often it is simply to breathe more deeply. It is therefore up to me to bring everything in my life into balance and to open myself to the supportive grace of my Guru.

Konolfingen, Switzerland

Inner balance

Outer balance

Peace

Joy

Inner balance

Outer balance

Transcendence

Poise

Inner balance

Outer balance

Love

Love

Florida, United States

As I was contemplating the virtue of compassion, my heart began overflowing with joy, love, and bliss. I considered that whenever I gaze into the eyes of Bade Baba, Baba, and Gurumayi in their photographs, I find that their eyes are full of compassion. I prayed to Gurumayi, asking how I can achieve this state.

I heard Gurumayi’s answer inside: “See the same divinity around you that is within you.”

Experiencing that Gurumayi is in my heart, I started my practice by cleaning the photos on my puja. I observed that my hands were gentle and soft as I was cleaning the photos. I was looking at Gurumayi’s photo with the same love, the same gentle smile that I saw on her face.

And with this same inner state, I went to my place of work. I am a professor, and I found that the same sweetness, the same compassion was present while I was teaching.

I am very grateful to Shri Gurumayi for instilling in me a deeper dimension of this precious virtue.

Lucknow, India

As I reflected on compassion, I understood that this virtue is a powerful presence that flows through all of creation, quietly nourishing everything it touches. I began to see that God comes to me in many forms, that every being who enters my life brings a form of grace. Every encounter, whether pleasant or difficult, seems to hold a lesson wrapped in compassion. Even those whose words hurt me unknowingly guide me back to remembrance of God, helping me grow in patience, understanding, and humility.

Behind every experience lies the same compassionate intention—to awaken, teach, and transform. The more I contemplate this, the more I feel surrounded by an ocean of compassion. It exists within me and around me, silently supporting every moment of my life. Its depth is beyond measure, and its presence can be felt in every breath. Like an endless shower of grace, compassion seems to flow through every particle of creation. In this awareness, I experience the sacred presence of God everywhere, in everyone, and in everything.

Ujjain, India

I have found prayer to be a wonderful vehicle for the expression of compassion, especially when I feel helpless in the face of difficulties being experienced by others or by myself.

For me, prayer helps to relieve my suffering. And when I am suffering due to uncomfortable or antagonistic relationships with another person, prayer is a powerful ally in changing my perspective and creating a compassionate attitude toward them.

Nanaimo, Canada

Compassion. A moment of stillness, connected to my heart. A pause with intention, focused on the other, done with deliberate effort to listen to their heart, their need. Judgment disappears. Openness to grace is elevated. Will I do that today? When I remember Gurumayi, I will. It is that simple for me.

New York, United States

For me, courage means allowing the awareness of my inner divinity to grow stronger than the fears, doubts, objections, and limitations of my ego.

Courage is therefore essential for being true to myself—for overcoming old, comfortable habits and for stepping outside my comfort zone.

I intend to practice courage at a pace that is natural for me. I sense that if I am too courageous too quickly, the result will not be satisfying in the long run.

Konolfingen, Switzerland

As I contemplate Courage, I feel that this virtue requires me to look within and honestly see and acknowledge both my virtues and my shortcomings. Virtues are often easier for me to notice, but I have to be vigilant so as to perceive them without allowing pride to arise. Recognizing my faults or negative feelings toward others without hiding behind excuses, justifications, or circumstances is more challenging. For me, the act of acknowledging which of my thoughts, words, and deeds needs to be changed defines what true courage means.

Whenever I practice this honest assessment with myself, I find that Shri Guru’s grace begins guiding me. Often, I receive an inner signal before repeating the same mistake. For me, courage first manifests as an inner transformation before it becomes an outer action. Having the strength to call my wrong actions wrong, bringing sincerity and discipline into my practices, and continuously striving to improve from within—for me, this represents courage.

Ujjain, India