One new way I am studying the sadguna vaibhava is by remembering instances in my life when I have put them into practice.

With today’s virtue of easefulness, I see that when I am purposeful and keep to a schedule yet allow spaciousness, or when I eat well and spend time with like-minded friends, I experience this sadguna. This recognition is bringing alive for me Gurumayi’s teaching that the virtues already reside within me. Uncovering them heartens me and motivates me to let them grow even more.

For the rest of each day, I place the virtue at the forefront of my mind. It then becomes a beacon through which I see the world and a guide for all my activities. This morning, I had lots to do and noticed I was starting to speed up. Up popped the quality of easefulness. Aah! I relaxed and slowed down, relishing the moment.

Ripon, United Kingdom

For me, over the years of studying the sadguna vaibhava, each virtue has offered a new understanding that supports both my sadhana and my worldly, professional life.

Contemplating easefulness, I flashed back to a time I was in Gurudev Siddha Peeth, waiting to have Gurumayi’s darshan.

When finally I stood before her, offering my gifts and explaining their unique source—one was a puja meditation rug woven by my children—I was in stunned admiration at the gentleness and easefulness with which Gurumayi received and held each gift. And all the while, she was giving darshan, speaking to people, and listening to me.

In that moment I prayed, “Gurumayi, bless me so I can remain in this blissful state as I perform my worldly, professional activities.”

With a smile on my face, the memory was over, and I was back in the present day, realizing how well my prayer has been answered. It’s the virtue of easefulness that allows me to multitask with ease; this virtue is doing wonders in both my sadhana and worldly, professional life!

Lucknow, India

I have been considering how to refresh my approach to the sadguna vaibhava. In the past, my focus has been to study each one and find ways to practice it within myself. This year, after reading Eesha’s introduction, I was inspired to expand my focus by taking it outside as well—by discovering the virtues in the world around me.

Yesterday, I recognized the virtue of courage in the group of people I was working with—people who had experienced considerable adversity.

As I contemplated this later, I understood that by recognizing this great quality in others, I was starting to see the qualities—indeed the very nature of the inner Self—reflected everywhere in the world around me. To me, this feels like a big step toward seeing the one Self in all.

Havant, United Kingdom

I love Gurumayi’s invitation to revisit and reevaluate our approach to studying the sadguna vaibhava. I want to ask questions and think more deeply about my understanding of the virtues, of my sadhana, and of how I fulfill my purpose. This invitation from Gurumayi encourages me to refresh my intention and push past my boundaries. It offers me the reassurance that there is always protection from the Guru, especially as I call upon my own courage to go beyond what is comfortable in my life.

New York, United States

The month of bliss. One of my dearest months, close to my heart.

Ever since I started practicing the virtues, I have experienced my mind coming closer to my heart. It is a process that always allows me to realize again and again Bade Baba’s teaching “The Heart is the hub of all sacred places. Go there and roam.”

I was thinking about why this month feels more joyous and dear to me. It is because I consciously practice the qualities of my own heart, my own Self. Each virtue feels like a sacred place within.

Visiting these sacred places each day during the month of June is an extraordinary gift from my beloved Gurumayi ji, and I am grateful to Eesha for reminding me of this wonderful gift.

Bhandara, India

I am so grateful to be invited this year to study the virtues with a new approach, including considering what constitutes “too much” of a virtue.

For example, as I contemplate the abundance of Earth and my own life, I see the connection with reverence and respect. For me, “too much” of the virtue of abundance is when I don’t respect my limits and overdo it. When I treat my own reservoir of energy, my body, and the earth with respect and then use the energy and bounty without excess, there is no burnout. I can then continue to give without exhausting the reservoir—treating it as a precious resource and giving thanks every day for the abundance in my life.

New Jersey, United States