Lessons from a Supermarket

Just the other day, I went to the supermarket with my mom. After the usual buying and paying at the counter, we were on our way to the escalator which will take us to the ground floor. Just then, my mom caught sight of a family of five with their shopping trolley packed to the brim. My very elderly mom said, "Wow, that's a lot of stuff!"

I told my mom, it may not be a lot for them and it could be "just nice" for a family of five. It then hit me. The father, the man/master of the household was walking behind his little daughter, his wife, another daughter and a son.

It dawned upon me how we think we are masters of our homes, boss of a corporate firm or even the complete owner of a business etc. But the truth is, we are servants. We are always serving someone or something and of course our senses. Our spiritual masters have countless times reminded us that we are not the masters nor the doers. Only Lord Krsna is the Master and the Doer.

Like what my spiritual master, Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja said:

"If you want to make your life successful, happy and peaceful, then endeavour to give all of your love and affection to Krsna, and while keeping Him in the centre, be affectionate to all living entities. Do not try to control others forcibly. Rather, giving up everything, be affectionate to all." - September 22, 2002, Odessa, Ukraine

It is indeed hard to be in a family life. I am not saying being a brahmacari, vanaprastha or even a sannyasi is a bed of rosses. In my opinion, at least they don't have much baggage to carry.

Therefore in a family life, if all family members are looked upon as serving the Supreme Lord Krsna and most importantly the bona fide spiritual master, as the centre of their lives, then yes, life becomes so meaningful.

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