This Week's Quotation:
“Be steadfast in yoga, O Arjuna. Perform your duty and abandon all attachment to success or failure.”
— Bhagavad Gita 2:48
Living Rivers
Rev. Berry Behr, Interfaith Minister
At Gate House Spiritual Centre, we hosted a multifaith gathering marking our country’s Emancipation Day on December 1. It falls within the annual South African observance for 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. A long-time interfaith friend, Guru Krishna, told a story from the Bhagavad Gita. According to Hindu tradition, on the first day of December, Arjuna looked across the battlefield at his own uncle—someone he loved—and felt compassion. He wanted to lay down his bow. He wanted no part in the violence of the world, and certainly no part in this fight.
But Lord Krishna counselled Arjuna to stand up for what is right, even when the path is uncomfortable; to act from truth, not fear; and to recognise that inaction in the face of injustice is its own form of harm.
Life is full of choice points: to speak or to remain silent, to act or to be still. I often wonder, what if I had made the other choice?
The past and the future meet in us, here, in this moment. Emancipation is not only something that once happened, nor justice something that will one day arrive. Both are living rivers that run through our hands today. When we choose courage, compassion, integrity, and life, we honour those who fought before us and shape the world for those who will come after us. These quiet moments of personal decision change our inner world, but we may never see how their influence ripples outward.
The impact of our lives travels far beyond us, unfolding in ways we cannot imagine. Our example becomes another’s courage, forgiveness, awakening. Just like the enslaved people whose worth was unseen in their time, yet whose legacy is unmistakable, we too shape worlds we will never witness.
This is why all work matters—and why our work on the inner planes remains crucial, celebratory, and profoundly compelling. Every act of integrity turns the river a little further toward life. Every moment of inner clarity becomes a widening future. In these small, steady choices, we participate in the great unseen work of liberation that continues through every generation.
About Open Windows
We, the authors of this blog, dedicate it to the transparent exploration of the world's sacred scripture and enlightened spiritual thought. We believe that the original inspiration of all faiths comes from a common source, named and revered in a myriad of ways. With that understanding, the innumerable symbols, beliefs, and practices of faith cease to divide. They become open windows to a common reality that inspires and unifies us. We find deeper insight and nourishment in our own faith and from the expression of faith from others.
We hope these weekly quotations and meditations speak to your heart and soul.
What a wonderful reminder:
Every moment of inner clarity becomes a widening future. In these small, steady choices, we participate in the great unseen work of liberation that continues through every generation.
So well put, Rev. Behr. Thank you. I am aware of some world leaders who could use a copy of that conversation between Krishna and Arjuna — however, I must begin with myself. Every moment of Truth from each of us slowly changes the world. Thank you. Love, Tom C.
How true, Berry, that every moment offers us a choice to either be in our integrity and true character as Angelic Beings on earth or to offer something less. It is our consistent inner work and our outer expression of the Truth of Love that will ultimately turn the tables on the dysfunctional state of humanity.