The Window…
We’ve all had those moments—a sharp judgment slips out, or we catch ourselves venting about someone who’s not there. Like when you’re stuck behind a slow driver, muttering, “Why are they so slow?” Right?
It’s easy to think it’s all about them. But lately, I’ve been wondering: what if those words say more about us—our impatience, our need to be in control?
6 years ago, my mentor, Anandswarup Swami said,
“…to Our Inner World”
Think of it like this: nothing shows who we are more clearly than how we speak about others. Nothing.
Take a moment to think about this in your own life. I saw my mentor live it, too—always speaking with kindness and love, never contempt, whether in public or private. This truth has steered my life literally since I heard it—it’s that powerful.
The more I reflected, it clicked: it’s all about probity—that rare, unshakable integrity.
Every harsh word or unfair jab we toss out reflects our character, revealing our inner world.
Think about it:
When you’re truly happy—bubbling with real joy—do you ever want to tear someone down? Nope.
That kind of happiness makes us spread light, not shadows.
Yet too often, we chase significance instead. We judge, we gossip—why? To look good or feel important?
Isn’t that a hollow win? Baseless happiness?
The Truth
Real peace, the deep-in-your-heart kind, comes from aligning our words with who we want to be—honest, kind, loving, honorable, etc.
Negativity isn’t strength; it’s a sign we’re off-balance. Real happiness can’t coexist with negativity. This is the truth.
When we speak ill of others, it’s a sign we’re off-balance.
It takes guts to introspect and ask:
- Am I content right now, or chasing something else—significance, validation?
- When I’m off-balance, what’s the first thing I notice in what I say?
Society might seem to run on wealth or power, but it’s really held up by people who choose goodness, even when it’s tough.
My mentor showed me our truest wealth is a ‘heart at peace’.
Why not ditch the chase for significance? Why not choose to pause, be honest, express more love? We can always speak from joy, and not judgment.
Try This
A great place to start?
Catch yourself every time you speak about someone who isn’t there.
Take a moment this week to notice and introspect:
- When I make a negative comment, what do I say?
- Who am I criticizing? Why am I judging that person?
Send Me a Reply – Share Your MindShift
When’s a time your words didn’t match the peace you wanted to feel? What did you say? Could you have said something else? How could introspecting on this quote change your life?
If you’re that ‘one’ person this newsletter helps this week, I’d love to hear from you.
See you next week,
With love,
Shyambo
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Community MindShifts
A reader, KT, had a striking realization after reading last week’s newsletter. They
enjoy solo lunches but noticed a pattern when joining colleagues—adding to
negative commentary to fit in. The phrase
“Chasing Significance” hit home,
reframing what they once saw as blending in as a deeper pursuit of meaning.
They shifted from habit to awareness, writing:
“I never thought about this as ‘chasing significance,’ but… I
always find myself adding to negative commentary about
whoever is the subject at that moment. I think it is best
described as what you’ve called it: ‘chasing significance.’” -KT
Reply to share your MindShift. Who knows, maybe your insights could inspire
others to live more intentionally.
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