{"id":64004,"date":"2025-03-27T09:57:47","date_gmt":"2025-03-27T08:57:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/?p=64004"},"modified":"2025-03-27T09:57:13","modified_gmt":"2025-03-27T08:57:13","slug":"our-progress-in-life-is-gauged-by-our-chanting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/?p=64004","title":{"rendered":"Our Progress in Life is Gauged by Our Chanting"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-z5AFy2-CGjM\/WzsAAOWRxhI\/AAAAAAAAlX8\/yaYFGxpte7c1O_JjpvDkuurTQNh5tfiKgCHMYCw\/s0\/2018-07-03_06-44-34.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/p>\n<p><i>Lecture by HH Nira\u00f1jana Swami<\/i><\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8211;<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p><!--\n\n<p>I am very happy to be back in Moscow after six months. It\u2019s hard to believe it\u2019s already been six months since the last time I was here. One realization I am getting a lot is how fast time goes. Doesn\u2019t seem very long ago that I was sitting here giving a class, but it\u2019s already been six months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p><!-- -->\n<\/p>\n<p>As we all know from various understandings of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness philosophy, our life is going to move just like this also. Sometimes when we realize how quickly our life is passing by, we begin to analyze: \u201cWhere am I going?\u201d These are good thoughts, \u201cWhere am I going? What direction am I moving towards?\u201d, because as we know, everybody by nature has to have some goal, some aspiration in life. Sometimes we get caught up in immediate goals, and sometimes even we hear an expression: \u201cI am just taking it from day to day.\u201d It is very common in America. I know that people often times will say like that when you ask them how they are doing. \u201cWell, I am just taking it day by day.\u201d Their goal is simply to make it to the next day. And usually \u2018just to make it to the next day\u2019 means \u2018just so I can survive\u2019. If I\u2019ve survived to the next day, at least the next day I can have my goal for the following day.<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>But as we know, by practicing K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness and by chanting the Holy Name, we are supposed to establish higher goals than that. Time is passing by very quickly, our lives are passing by very quickly, and we should actually feel that we are making some progress towards <i>real<\/i> goal in life. <i>v\u0101sudeva-par\u0101 gati\u1e25 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vedabase.com\/en\/sb\/1\/2\/28-29\">[<\/a><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vedabase.com\/en\/sb\/1\/2\/28-29\"><i>\u015ar\u012bmad-Bh\u0101gavatam 1.2.28-29]<\/i><\/a>: The Supreme Lord V\u0101sudeva, He is <i>par\u0101 gati\u1e25<\/i>, He is the supreme goal. In so many places in <i>Bhagavad-g\u012bt\u0101<\/i> K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a says, \u201cThose who make Me the goal of their life and worship me in devotional service, they will come to Me.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>We have to be moving in the right direction if we actually want to utilize this life to its full potential. I\u2019ve been speaking a lot these last several days about the Holy Name and how we should actually think of our own progress in life in relationship to the Holy Name. Because just as we say, K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a is the supreme goal of life, that means that the Holy Name is also the supreme goal of life, because K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a and the Holy Name are identical.<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>Srila Rupa Goswami says that although there is no difference between K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a and His Holy Name, still Krsna&#8217;s name is more merciful than Krsna because offenses to Krsna can be forgiven by chanting His names. (Namastaka 6)<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>But what are the circumstances by which one can be forgiven for his offence to the Holy Name? It\u2019s all simply based on one\u2019s attitude towards the Holy Name.<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>What is one\u2019s attitude? Why does one chant the Holy Name? One of the differences between <i>n\u0101ma-\u0101bh\u0101sa<\/i> and <i>n\u0101ma-apar\u0101dha<\/i> is that on the platform of <i>n\u0101ma-\u0101bh\u0101sa<\/i> one is <i>trying<\/i> to become free from his offences. That\u2019s a very fundamental difference between <i>n\u0101ma-\u0101bh\u0101sa<\/i> and <i>n\u0101ma-apar\u0101dha<\/i>.<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s also said that one who chants on the platform of <i>n\u0101ma-\u0101bh\u0101sa<\/i> commits offences due to weaknesses of heart (<i>h\u1e5bdaya-daurbalya\u1e41<\/i>) and ignorance. If out of foolishness or bewilderment one chants the Holy Name of the Lord and still commits some offences, then the Lord takes his attitude into consideration. Because person in ignorance just doesn\u2019t know better; and a person who is weak in heart, it is not that he is utilizing the Holy Name to fulfill some other motivations and some other purpose.<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>Just like Bhaktivinoda \u1e6ch\u0101kura describes the difference between <i>ch\u0101y\u0101-n\u0101ma-\u0101bh\u0101sa<\/i> and <i>pratibimba-n\u0101ma-\u0101bh\u0101sa<\/i>: c<i>h\u0101y\u0101<\/i> means \u2018shadow\u2019, and <i>pratibimba<\/i> means \u2018reflection\u2019. Actually, there are three definitions of <i>\u0101bh\u0101sa<\/i>.<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>First is <i>k\u0101nti<\/i> which means \u2018light\u2019. An effulgent object gives light and creates shadow; similarly, the Holy Name of the Lord is self-effulgent, but It also creates shadow. And the shadow which is referred to as<i> ch\u0101y\u0101-n\u0101ma-\u0101bh\u0101sa<\/i> is when the person, either out of bewilderment or foolishness, chants the Holy Name of the Lord (with offences), but he is <i>trying<\/i> to become free from his offences.<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>But <i>pratibimba-n\u0101ma-\u0101bh\u0101sa<\/i> means that a person is very much attached either to <i>bhoga<\/i> (sense gratification), or to liberation. He is so much attached that he wants to use the Holy Name of the Lord to fulfill his materialistic goals. His goal is not K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a! His goal is either liberation, like the impersonalist (who may also chant Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a), or he may simply want some material gain. Therefore the word <i>pratibimba<\/i> is used and it means \u2018reflection\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>Just like the sun may come through the clouds after burning through the clouds, and we may see reflection of the light on the water, but reflection is all distorted. Similarly, the pure Holy Name is reflected on the materialistic mentality. That materialistic mentality means that one wants to engage the Holy Name of the Lord to fulfill his own material goals. It\u2019s described that one of the effects of chanting the Holy Name of the Lord is that one can become peaceful, can become free from anxiety. So person may think, \u201cNow I can fulfill my material goals and I don\u2019t have to worry about being in anxiety. I\u2019ll chant Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a without having to worry to be in anxiety in fulfillment of these desires!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>His goals are all in the material world. If his goal is not K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a \u2013 \u015ar\u012bla Bhaktivinoda \u1e6ch\u0101kura says that such a person can never get love of Godhead, can never chant <i>\u015buddha-n\u0101ma<\/i>, pure Holy Name of the Lord! He says that only by some great fortune, either by the mercy of a great, powerful <i>Vai\u1e63\u1e47ava<\/i> devotee of the Lord, or by the mercy of the Lord, can one who chants with this mentality ever come to the platform of pure love of Godhead. He says, \u201cBut it\u2019s very rare.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>But <i>ch\u0101y\u0101-n\u0101ma-\u0101bh\u0101sa<\/i> means \u2018shadow\u2019. A person who chants on the platform of <i>ch\u0101y\u0101-n\u0101ma-\u0101bh\u0101sa<\/i> is not motivated to fulfill his materialistic goals. He is just weak, and out of weakness he commits offences to the Holy Name, but he wants to become free from these offences. Therefore, Bhaktivinoda \u1e6ch\u0101kura says that if one wants to get off this platform of <i>n\u0101ma-apar\u0101dha<\/i>, there are three things required.<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>He says that one has to associate with more advanced devotees of the Lord and chant Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a in their association. And one has to try to remove himself from all distracting elements, both externally and internally. He tries to remove himself from distracting elements internally by trying to become free from his <i>anarthas<\/i>, and he tries to remove himself from external distractions by controlling his environment where he chants Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a.<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>The day before yesterday we were speaking about devotional service performed on the platform of <i>ni\u1e63\u1e6dh\u0101<\/i>. We were speaking about the verse:<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p><i>t\u1e5b\u1e47\u0101d api su-n\u012bcena<br \/>\ntaror api sahi\u1e63\u1e47un\u0101<br \/>\nam\u0101nin\u0101 m\u0101na-dena<br \/>\nk\u012brtan\u012bya\u1e25 sad\u0101 hari\u1e25<\/i><\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>\u015ar\u012bla Bhaktivinoda \u1e6ch\u0101kura describes that this verse corresponds to a person who is on the platform of <i>nistitha-bhakti<\/i>. And what are the characteristics of <i>nistitha-bhakti<\/i>? As described by \u015ar\u012bla Vi\u015bvan\u0101tha Cakravart\u012b \u1e6ch\u0101kura, there are five <i>anarthas<\/i> that one has to overcome in order to be situated in the platform of <i>nistitha-bhakti<\/i>.<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>The first is <i>laya<\/i> (sleep), which is the tendency to fall asleep in increasing levels from the platform of <i>k\u012brtana<\/i>, <i>\u015brava\u1e47a<\/i> and <i>smara\u1e47a\u1e41<\/i>. Because in <i>k\u012brtana<\/i> we may not fall asleep so easily \u2013 although it happens. Sometimes you see devotees who do the step called the \u2018tree\u2019. <i>[Devotees laugh]<\/i> Prabhup\u0101da taught us the \u2018Swami step\u2019 but sometimes the devotees perform the \u2018tree step\u2019. Tree is just firmly rooted. But then <i>\u015brava\u1e47a\u1e41 <\/i>(hearing) has a greater tendency to fall asleep. And then, of course, <i>smara\u1e47a\u1e41<\/i> (perfect control of the mind) has even greater tendency to fall asleep. That\u2019s the first (<i>laya, or sleep)<\/i>.<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>The second is called <i>vik\u1e63epa<\/i> which means \u2018distraction\u2019. That means the tendency to be distracted while performing <i>k\u012brtana<\/i>, or performing <i>japa<\/i>. Example is given, just like sometimes people may, instead of chanting in the association of so many devotees, they may chant some other place where they can go back and forth and talk to each other. They are easily distracted towards something else.<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>But Bhaktivinoda \u1e6ch\u0101kura also says that one has to actually remove himself from distractions externally. In another words, we shouldn\u2019t chant in a place which is going to remind us of so many things that we have to do.<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>It may be very subtle. We may sit in a room and we may just see our notebook where we keep track of all the things that we are going to do for the day. As soon as we look at that notebook we start thinking about all the things that we have to do for the day. Just immediately! Sometimes devotees will chant with notebook right in front of them, and just look at the notebook waiting for something to come up. <i>[Devotees laugh]<\/i> The excuse they usually use is that, \u201cIf I have my notebook I can write it down and I can forget about it.\u201d But just by having it there, immediately the tendency is that we start thinking, \u201cLet\u2019s see what nectar comes up from my meditation about it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>Or sometimes devotees sit in front of the computer. There is no question of meditation on the Holy Name in these circumstances.<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>Or devotees chant while they are driving sometimes. It\u2019s a bad habit. Devotees who are driving, they always ask, \u201cCan I chant my <i>japa<\/i> while I am driving?\u201d I tell them, \u201cYou can certainly chant Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a while you\u2019re driving, but you can\u2019t count it as your <i>japa<\/i>.\u201d <i>[Devotees laugh] <\/i>So many distractions! How can one completely commit himself to chanting the Holy Name?!<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>One is actually supposed to make progress in chanting the Holy Name. Certainly, in these first stages in chanting the Holy Name we have to listen, listen, listen. Prabhup\u0101da says it is very, very important \u2013 just listen to the Holy Name. By attentive listening to the Holy Name, the mind is supposed to gradually become controlled and cleared, and when the mind is actually controlled and cleared, then what begins to manifest is a particular form of one\u2019s worshipable Lord. That form may not always be manifested in the mind, but it begins to manifest in a clear mind. Or we may meditate on a particular form of the Deity. We may meditate on Dayal-Nit\u0101i&#8211;\u015aac\u012b-Suta, and meditate on Their form. Or we can chant in front of the Deity and look at Their form.<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>But these are the types of impressions that are supposed to begin manifest in the mind, because as Bhaktivinoda \u1e6ch\u0101kura explains, that by chanting of the Holy Name of the Lord then comes the form, and the qualities, and then the pastimes of the Lord. And then <i>everything<\/i> is revealed, even one\u2019s eternal relationship with the Lord is revealed by the chanting the Holy Name.<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>If the Holy Name of the Lord is non-different than the Lord, then certainly one has the relationship with the Holy Name. Everything is there. Actually, the goal that we should be looking for as we are making progress in K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness, is how much attachment we\u2019re actually developing towards the Holy Name of the Lord. This is the actual goal of our chanting!<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>As Bhaktivinoda \u1e6ch\u0101kura describes in \u201cDay\u0101l-Nit\u0101i-Caitanya\u201d<i> bhajan<\/i>, \u201cWithout affection to the Holy Name of the Lord one\u2019s life is useless.\u201d This is the actual goal of our chanting. So, we should at least know what is the goal of the chanting, and while chanting the Holy Name of the Lord, we should be thinking about making progress to that goal. That is one of the fundamental differences between <i>n\u0101ma-\u0101bh\u0101sa<\/i> and <i>n\u0101ma-apar\u0101dha<\/i>. Certainly on the platform of <i>n\u0101ma-\u0101bh\u0101sa<\/i> one does not get the pure Holy Name of the Lord, but gradually one becomes free from offences.<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>\u015ar\u012bla Bhaktivinoda \u1e6ch\u0101kura explains that in verse of <i>Padma Pur\u0101\u1e47a, [Svarga-k\u0101\u1e47\u1e0da 48-49]:<\/i><\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p><i>nama-aparadha-yuktanam namany eva haranty agham<br \/>\navisranta-prayuktani tany evartha-karani ca<\/i><\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>The chanting of the Holy Name of the Lord is meant for those who are committing offences, because in the beginning, even though one may be chanting with offences, gradually he will become free from offences.<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>How does one get off the platform from <i>n\u0101ma-apar\u0101dha<\/i> to <i>n\u0101ma-\u0101bh\u0101sa<\/i>, and gradually come to the platform of <i>\u015buddha-n\u0101ma<\/i>? He has to chant with the attitude of \u201cwhat is the goal of this chanting?!\u201d Even though he may be committing offences while chanting, he has to be thinking, \u201cI want to become free from these offences!\u201d That attitude enables one to make progress in chanting of the Holy Name of the Lord. Just that attitude alone!<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>So, everything is there in the chanting of the Holy Name. Actually, the Holy Name of the Lord is our life! All our devotional service is meant to be performed in relationship to the Holy Name! All our progress in life is meant to be gauged according to our relationship with the Holy Name! \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da taught us that we are actually servants of the Holy Name of the Lord. We render service to the Holy Name by chanting the Holy Name of the Lord and by distributing the glories of the Holy Name of the Lord.<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>Of course, \u015ar\u012bla Bhaktivinoda \u1e6ch\u0101kura also explains that this all depends upon one\u2019s faith in the Holy Name of the Lord as well. He said that faith in the Holy Name of the Lord is the preliminary requirement for advancing. The <i>n\u0101ma-apar\u0101dha<\/i>, <i>n\u0101ma-\u0101bh\u0101sa<\/i> and <i>\u015buddha-n\u0101ma<\/i>, they are also different gradations of one\u2019s faith in the Holy Name.<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ve often times given the example that Bhaktivinoda \u1e6ch\u0101kura also gives in <i>Harin\u0101ma Cint\u0101ma\u1e47i<\/i>, that the Spiritual Master should not initiate somebody into the Holy Name of the Lord who has no faith in the Holy Name. He says that one of the meanings of the ninth offence to the Holy Name of the Lord is to preach the glories of the Holy Name of the Lord to the faithless; it means to initiate someone who has no faith in the Holy Name.<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>Bhaktivinoda \u1e6ch\u0101kura says, it\u2019s just like if you throw pearls before the swine, the swine will simply walk all over it with its feet. And if you give a monkey very nice clothing, monkey will simple rip it up. Similarly, if one initiates one into the chanting of the Holy Name of the Lord, but if that person has no faith in chanting, that person will commit offences to the Holy Name. He is an <i>apar\u0101dhi<\/i>, he commits offences to the Holy Name of the Lord. No faith!<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>But also, what happens is, if he commits offences then one who actually gives the Holy Name of the Lord, initiates him, he also becomes dragged down by those offences. He gives the example: it\u2019s just like sometimes a person may think, \u201cWell, I want to be initiated into the Holy Name of the Lord, because if I get initiated then I can get all kinds of respect, and if I can get all kinds of respect then I can get all kinds of service. People will serve me because I will be recognized amongst everyone else. I can extract some service in that way.\u201d He thinks, \u201cAll my bad reputation from the past can immediately be reversed, and now I\u2019ll get a good reputation.\u201d Or, he thinks, \u201cYes, now I\u2019ll be able to <i>really<\/i> enjoy materially!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>He is an offender to the Holy Name of the Lord, because he has no faith in the actual purpose of the chanting! Therefore, the duty of the preacher of the Holy Name is to render service to the Holy Name by spreading the glories of the Holy Name of the Lord. And by spreading the glories, he is supposed to create faith!<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>First, one has to preach the glories of the Holy Name of the Lord, and by their preaching to the others, their faith will actually also increase. \u201cYes, I want to take the Holy Name of the Lord, because I want to make K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a the goal of my life!\u201d And then, such person has faith that by receiving the Holy Name of the Lord, he\u2019ll actually be able to attain K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a as the goal of his life! That faith must be there!<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>Bhaktivinoda \u1e6ch\u0101kura says that faithful chanting, <i>\u015braddh\u0101<\/i>, means that one must be convinced that all of one\u2019s duties in life are automatically fulfilled simply by chanting the Holy Name of the Lord. And all of one\u2019s pious activities will be completed by chanting the Holy Name of the Lord.<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>Therefore, \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da explains that the most important instruction \u2013 <i>the most important instruction<\/i> \u2013 given by the Spiritual Master, is to chant the Holy Name of the Lord. There is no other instruction which is as important as that instruction! All the profound secrets of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness and devotional service can be revealed through faithful chanting of the Holy Name of the Lord!<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>But, we actually have to chant with this attitude, this intention, \u201cYes! I want to become free from these offences!\u201d And we should judge, as the time is passing, we should see how much progress am I making in chanting? And if we think, \u201cActually, I am not making any progress,\u201d then as Bhaktivinoda \u1e6ch\u0101kura says, one has to seek out the association of devotees who are making progress in chanting! Without that association it is <i>very<\/i> difficult to come to that platform of <i>n\u0101ma-\u0101bh\u0101sa<\/i>, to come from platform <i>n\u0101ma-apar\u0101dha<\/i> to <i>n\u0101ma-\u0101bh\u0101sa<\/i>.<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>Because by that association, gradually what happens is that the secrets of the Holy Name of the Lord can become gradually revealed. One begins to think more seriously about his chanting of the Holy Name. He begins to think, \u201cWhat am I trying to accomplish by this chanting?\u201d The devotee who thinks like that will always have the impetus to chant his rounds every day, because he understands what the goal is. And he knows that &#8211; although he may be traversing slowly &#8211; at least he knows, he has a purpose for chanting.<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>By repeat offences to the Holy Name of the Lord, one loses his taste for chanting. Such devotee doesn\u2019t associate with the devotees for the purpose of increasing his attraction for chanting, and by those offences, gradually he may give up the chanting the Holy Name of the Lord. There is no purpose! \u201cWhy am I chanting? There are so many more important things to do than chanting! No time to chant! So many more important things to do!\u201d Then, what happens is that one falls into the materialistic conception of life.<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>Actually, we wanted to speak about this verse <i>t\u1e5b\u1e47\u0101d api su-n\u012bcena taror iva sahi\u1e63\u1e47un\u0101<\/i>, in relationship to the Holy Name. \u015ar\u012bla Bhaktisiddh\u0101nta Sarasvat\u012b \u1e6ch\u0101kura says that this verse from <i>\u015aik\u1e63\u0101\u1e63\u1e6dakam<\/i> is the <i>siddha-pra\u1e47\u0101l\u012b<\/i> for <i>Gau\u1e0d\u012bya Vai\u1e63\u1e47avas<\/i>. <i>Siddha-pra\u1e47\u0101l\u012b<\/i>. <i>Pra\u1e47\u0101l\u012b<\/i> means \u2018the means by which one can attain <i>siddha<\/i>, or perfection\u2019. And he also says that this verse is solely intended to teach us how to chant without offences.<\/p>\n<p>\n<\/p>\n<p>But, it\u2019s time for <i>\u0101ratika<\/i>, and we\u2019ll speak about this verse tomorrow. Hare K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a. \u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da ki Jaya!<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-chb_tQVEj9Y\/Wzr_q5UKSII\/AAAAAAAAlX0\/AXboD0KSZeggPhvvbqp67mpoUvEdauOpwCHMYCw\/s0\/2018-07-03_06-43-09.jpg\" alt=\"Hare Krishna\" \/><strong>By Niranjana Swami<\/strong><\/p>\n<p> As we all know from various understandings of K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness philosophy, our life is going to move just like this also. Sometimes when we realize how quickly our life is passing by, we begin to analyze: \u201cWhere am I going?\u201d These are good thoughts, \u201cWhere am I going? What direction am I moving towards?\u201d, because as we know, everybody by nature has to have some goal, some aspiration in life. Sometimes we get caught up in immediate goals, and sometimes even we hear an expression: \u201cI am just taking it from day to day.\u201d It is very common in America. I know that people often times will say like that when you ask them how they are doing. \u201cWell, I am just taking it day by day.\u201d Their goal is simply to make it to the next day. And usually \u2018just to make it to the next day\u2019 means \u2018just so I can survive\u2019. If I\u2019ve survived to the next day, at least the next day I can have my goal for the following day.<!--more--><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-64004","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-articles"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64004","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=64004"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64004\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":109446,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64004\/revisions\/109446"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=64004"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=64004"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dandavats.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=64004"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}