All wise people talked about everyone getting along, no matter their religion. Even religious books like ‘Sripada Vallaba Charitra’ show us that Gods from different religions are seen as one. In Chapter 45 of this sacred text, Sripada Srivallabha, a revered figure, requests Lord Hanuman, a Hindu deity, to take an avatar that combines elements of both Islam and Hinduism. In response to this request, Hanuman transforms into Sai natha, also known as Shirdi Saibaba, symbolizing the unification of these two major faiths (P:317). This powerful narrative underscores the idea that divine entities transcend religious boundaries, and the essence of spirituality is universal. This further emphasizes the need for harmony and unity among different religious communities.

KJ Yesudas’s rendition on Twitter

KJ Yesudas, is a renowned Indian musician who, despite being a Christian, has shown great devotion to Lord Ayyappa, a Hindu deity. His spiritual journey transcends the boundaries of his birth religion, displaying a unity of faiths through his musical renditions. This is best exemplified in his soulful renditions of the ‘Harivarasanam’ song, a lullaby to Lord Ayyappa, which is played every night at the Sabarimala Temple in Kerala, India. His dedication and reverence towards a deity from a different faith demonstrates the unification of religions and the universal nature of spirituality.

Carl Sagan , a distinguished cosmologist and astrophysicist, also shared a similar perspective about unity and interconnectedness, though from a more scientific standpoint. In his famous ‘Pale Blue Dot’ speech, Sagan emphasized the insignificance of our planet in the vast cosmos, underscoring the futility of conflicts and divisions among humankind. He urged humanity to cherish the ‘pale blue dot’, the only home we’ve ever known, and to strive for unity and harmony. This sentiment, while rooted in scientific observation, echoes the spiritual teachings of unity and universal harmony found in religious texts and practices.

In conclusion, these perspectives, whether they are derived from religious texts like ‘Sripada Sri Vallabha Charitra’, the spiritual journey of a musician like KJ Yesudas, or the scientific observations of a renowned cosmologist like Carl Sagan, all converge on the same pivotal idea – unity and harmony. They all underscore the importance of transcending divisions – whether they are based on religion or other human constructs – to recognize the shared essence of humanity and spirituality that binds us all. Despite the distinct paths they have taken, these narratives collectively emphasize the fundamental interconnectedness of all beings, urging us towards a more inclusive and harmonious world.

“Scoop: Word is they’re going to repeal prohibition. What’ll you do then?”
“Ness: [jokingly] I think I’ll have a drink.”

This exchange from the movie ‘The Untouchables’ perfectly encapsulates the essence of moving on. (Also quoted in my book ‘Directing Business’.)

Eliot Ness, the main character, works hard to put Al Capone in jail for breaking the law during Prohibition. When he hears that Prohibition might be repealed, he doesn’t get upset. Instead, he jokes about having a drink and gets ready for his next challenge. This scene is a great example of how important it is to move on, no matter what happens.

Life is a journey filled with ups and downs, triumphs and failures, joys and sorrows. It’s a roller coaster ride that takes us through different phases and experiences. But amidst all these, there’s one thing that remains constant – change. And with change comes the need to move on.

The Power of Letting Go

Imagine holding onto a hot coal with the intention of throwing it at someone else. Who gets burned first? You do. This analogy, often attributed to Buddha, perfectly illustrates the harm we inflict on ourselves when we refuse to let go and move on.

Holding onto past hurts, failures, or disappointments is like carrying a heavy burden that weighs us down. It hinders our progress and prevents us from reaching our full potential. By letting go, we free ourselves from this burden and open up space for new experiences and opportunities.

The Lessons in Failure

Failure is often seen as something negative, something to be avoided at all costs. But in reality, failure is one of our greatest teachers. It provides valuable insights into what works and what doesn’t, and it helps us grow and improve.

When we fail, it’s important to take a step back, assess what went wrong, learn from it, and then move on. Dwelling on failure or wallowing in self-pity won’t change what happened. But learning from it and moving forward can change what happens next.

This is beautifully illustrated in the story of a farmer from an Amar Chitra Katha comic book. The farmer lost his bag of gold coins three times, but each time, he found them again. Instead of dwelling on his loss, he learned from his mistakes and moved on, eventually regaining what he had lost.

The Promise of New Beginnings

Every ending is a new beginning. When one door closes, another one opens. But we often spend so much time mourning the closed door that we fail to see the one that has opened for us.

Moving on allows us to see these new opportunities. It gives us the chance to start fresh, to try something new, to meet new people, and to explore new paths. It’s the promise of new beginnings that makes moving on so exciting and rewarding.

The Art of Adaptation

Life is unpredictable. Things don’t always go as planned. We face unexpected challenges and setbacks. In such situations, the ability to adapt and move on is crucial.

Adapting to change requires us to be flexible and resilient. It requires us to let go of our expectations and preconceived notions, to accept the new reality, and to move forward with courage and optimism. It’s this ability to adapt and move on that helps us survive and thrive in the face of adversity.

Raanidi Raadu Dr.BMK

The philosophy of the Thyagaraja Kriti – Raanidi Raadu – Raga Manirangu, a song that provides profound insight into the nature of destiny and karma, aligns closely with this concept. The song suggests that if we are meant to earn certain wealth, we will definitely get it. On the other hand, if we aren’t destined to have it, we won’t get it no matter how hard we try. So, the best thing we can do is to keep doing our work or duties without worrying about the outcome. This is because we never really know what we are destined to receive.

This philosophy is also echoed in the teachings of Karma Yoga, a path of selfless action. Karma Yoga, as explained in the Bhagavad Gita, encourages us to perform our duties without attachment to the outcome. This concept, known as Nishkama Karma, teaches us to accept both success and failure with equanimity. It’s about doing what needs to be done, without worrying about the results. This is an essential aspect of moving on, as it allows us to focus on the task at hand, rather than getting caught up in what might or might not happen in the future.

In conclusion, moving on is not just an act but an art. It’s an art that requires courage, resilience, and a positive mindset. It’s an art that teaches us valuable lessons, opens up new opportunities, and helps us grow as individuals. So, no matter what life throws at us, let’s master the art of moving on. Because in the end, it’s not what happens to us that defines us, but how we respond to it.