The past few months have been intensely demanding. Even when I wanted to write or reflect, I simply didn’t have the time. Ironically, the only quiet moments came while taking a bath—and during those moments, I often wished for a wireless connection to my brain, just to download my thoughts directly.
This constant “busy-ness” wasn’t just professional; it touched every part of my life – personal, familial, and work-related. Of the three, my professional commitments were the most overwhelming, often pushing me to the edge and sidelining everything else.
I found myself caught in a strange conundrum: needing to focus deeply on one task while simultaneously juggling dozens of minor issues. It felt like trying to stretch myself across too many roles, while still hoping to give each one my full energy. It was exhausting – and, honestly, it felt impossible.
In moments of reflection, I kept thinking of one person: my eldest sister. A retired defense officer, she managed a high-pressure career that took her across almost every state in India, yet she remained deeply rooted in spirituality. No wonder she was an academic and extra-curricular superstar. It was she who introduced me to the Art of Living. Throughout her career, she displayed a rare ability: to fully engage with the task at hand, while somehow managing multiple responsibilities with grace and presence.
Last week, during our weekly Art of Living follow-up session, something profound happened. Our teacher concluded the session by reading a knowledge sheet from Guruji. One line from it struck a deep chord in me:
“The balance between the focused mind and expanded consciousness brings perfection.”
That single sentence felt like an answer to what I’d been grappling with for months. I’ve been struggling to maintain focus – constantly pulled from one meeting or deliverable to the next. Each time I start concentrating, I get interrupted. And when I finally return to the task, it feels just out of reach. Then I jump to the next priority. It’s a frustrating, never-ending loop.
Thinking back, I remembered how my sister once pushed me – literally from Kolkata – to enroll in the Art of Living course. She was persistent, calling me multiple times to register. Yet, even with her packed days, she handled her responsibilities with calm and focus. She meditated regularly and gave herself space to unwind.
It’s like threading a needle – you focus intensely, get the thread through, and then move on. You don’t hold on to the needle, praising yourself endlessly for a job well done. You complete the task, then flow into the next.
That’s the kind of balance our work and life demand: focus when needed, detachment when the task is done.
Of course, this is easier said than done. I’ve only experienced this state of balance when I’ve been truly present. But in a world of competing priorities and endless to-do lists, staying present isn’t easy. Each demand pulls at us, scattering our attention. Still, I know this balance – this dance between focus and flow – is possible. I’ve seen it in others. I’ve felt it briefly myself.
I hope to return to it with more ease. And maybe, this time, I’ll stay there a little longer.
