By Visakha Dasi | from the 12-part ‘Nurturing bhakti through loving exchanges’ series

To maintain healthy, nourishing relationships with others, we must first care for ourselves. Self-care begins with understanding who we are – our identity beyond the body and mind that we inhabit.

In this regard, the Bhagavad-gita provides us with vital knowledge: We are eternal, fragmental parts of God. Because we’re unaware of our spiritual identity, we misidentify our self with the body we’re living in and the mind and intelligence we’re living with. And as a result of that misidentification, we suffer. (Gita 15.7)
Good self-care starts with personal spiritual practices. Reading the scriptures, remembering God, sincerely praying and keeping company with Krishna’s devotees will help awaken us to who we actually are.

The more we nourish our personal relationship with God, the more our relationships will flourish. Let us make that relationship real, make it deep, and keep it strong and healthy through good times and bad.

January Challenge
Can you rise earlier than usual and, before using any of your devices, chant the Maha-mantra and read some scripture?

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As included in the Bhaktivedanta Manor 2026 Calendar
Calendar available to purchase online or in the Temple Gift Shop