Wishing you a Happy New Year and a blessed year ahead. May God’s light guide your way in 2024; may the closeness of your loved ones, family, and friends fill your heart with joy.
As a way of life for the year ahead, I would like to share the traditional Balinese philosophy of Tri Hita Karana, which I discovered in 2023, and which has stayed with me. Tri Hita Karana, is derived from the words “Tri” (three), “Hita” (happiness), and “Karana” (cause), meaning the “three causes of happiness”, based on one’s relationship/ harmony with God, people and nature or environment.
Tri Hita Karana teaches us that everything in the universe is interconnected and that our actions and decisions affect not only ourselves but also the world around us. In the face of global challenges like wars, climatic changes, technological advancements, and personal, emotional, and health challenges, these principles, echoed in the Bhagavad Gita, can bring profound benefits.
Connecting with God strengthens us internally. Gratitude and devotion can be expressed through worship, pilgrimage, and following religious teachings.
Our relationships with others should be positive, harmonious, and based on mutual respect and support. Compassion and personal time for our near and dear ones can foster understanding and diminish conflicts.
Respecting and preserving the environment is crucial. Nature should not be harmed; a clean, harmonious environment nurtures beauty and tranquillity. Forests cannot be cut down completely; animals cannot be hunted at will because it will disrupt the natural balance.
Melting glaciers, erupting volcanoes, wildfires, earthquakes, typhoons have all been nature’s way of backlashing at humankind.
If we integrate these principles into our lives, Tri Hita Karana can become a timeless compass for harmonious living. As we navigate the complexities of the modern world, let us be the light, practicing these principles for a better future.
Start today, believe in the transformative power of Tri Hita Karana, and shape a harmonious existence—one that stands resilient in an ever-changing world. Happy New Year and may this be a year of positive transformation and fulfilment!
