There Will Always Be PROBLEMS

GOUR GOPAL DAS is an Indian monk, lifestyle coach, motivational speaker, and former electrical engineer. He talks about the inevitability of problems and how developing a state of inner peace can help us to navigate those problems, and not allow them to hold us back from living a fulfilling and whole life.

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How many of you were good at spelling in school? How many of you were terrible at spelling in school? How many of you didn't care about spelling in school?

One boy was asked by his teacher, "Which state of India are you from?"

He said, "I'm from Arunachala Pradesh, Ma'am."

"Can you spell it for me?" 

He said, "I'm from Goa, actually."

Who spells Arunachala Pradesh? But if you spell the word "success," the second letter is "u" (you). You cannot spell the success of such a grand event without you. You can't have the word success without "u." Without all of you, this would be no event. My respects to all of you for coming with such open hearts and such open minds to explore this diverse deep space of spirituality.

How many of you have problems? Any health problems? Any workplace politics? Any financial liabilities? Emotional issues? Mental health issues? Relationship problems? The biggest issues in finding inner peace are problems. How many of you would like to have a solution to problems? All of us.

Whoever you are, problems are an integral part of your life. Do you think the esteemed guests sitting on this dais don't have problems? Do you think they don't have health crises, or logistical issues when it comes to building things of this scale? Spiritual or not spiritual, when we are human beings living on this planet, we all experience problems. Life bothers us every single day. Life is causing a threat to our inner peace. Challenges, issues, problems, calamities, trying circumstances, and difficulties are ruining our inner peace.

How many of you have felt, "Now my health is better." Have you ever given a sigh of relief? As soon as a problem goes away, you give a sigh of relief. For a lot of people the definition of peace is the absence of problems.