In this episode of “5 Minutes,” Dr. Robert Svoboda explores what it means to live with reality and align ourselves with the natural flow of life.

My mentor, the Aghori Vimalananda, was always fond of saying that it is essential to live with reality because if you do not, you can be sure that at some point reality will come to live with you. So what does it mean to live with reality, to be with reality?

To me, it means making an effort to live in the flow, to move with the current of events as they unfold. We are all living within karmic flows that are created by our past karmas, and we are constantly making adjustments through our present actions in order to move toward certain goals and destinations according to our future karmas. Everything is a matter of flow.

The question is how best to relate to the external reality in which we live today. Unlike many traditional societies, modern life often does not appear to have clear patterns or rhythms. In the past, societies were organized around natural cycles. There were festivals that everyone observed together, seasonal practices that people followed, and daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly activities that were structured according to the movements of nature.

Today, most people live in cities. They are often disconnected from the changing of day and night, the movement of the months, and the transitions of the seasons. Because of this, it is easy to become disconnected from the natural flow that is part of life itself.

In such a situation, it is important to reconnect with these natural rhythms as much as possible. At the very least, know when sunrise and sunset occur. Spend a little time at sunrise and sunset in meditation, even if it is only for a few minutes, and acknowledge the transition between the active time of day and the quieter time of night. Know when the new moon and full moon occur. Take moments to observe the Sun and Moon and recognize the patterns that are moving around you.

It is also important to look for the patterns and flows within your own life. Observe your work, your family relationships, and your personal habits. Try to understand the movements that are already occurring and find ways to align yourself with them.

Sometimes there may not appear to be any useful flow. However, this may only be true on the surface. If you look more deeply, you may find that there is some pattern or movement taking place. It may not be completely healthy or beneficial, but by recognizing it, you can begin to interact with it and gradually guide it in a more positive direction.

First, you align yourself with the existing movement. Then, once you understand that movement, you can begin to shift it.

This is not a simple matter, but it can be understood simply. The more aligned you are with your own Prana, the easier it becomes to align with the Prana of your environment, whether that environment is peaceful or disturbed.