THE TRUTH OF LIFE: THE ROLE OF ‘KHEELI’ (CENTRAL PIVOT): Dr. DEEPAK GOSWAMI

THE TRUTH OF LIFE: THE ROLE OF ‘KHEELI’ (CENTRAL PIVOT): Dr. DEEPAK GOSWAMI

9-JUNE-ENG 6

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA----------------------------Everyone talks about the millstones, but no one speaks of the central pivot (keeli). Those who stay close to the pivot remain unharmed._*

Kabir 'tweeted' this five hundred years ago, yet we haven't managed to 'retweet' it to this day. Everyone sees the millstones. This worldly machine has two grinding stones rubbing against each other day and night: one of happiness, the other of sorrow; one of praise, the other of insults; one of promotion, the other of layoffs. Both stones spin at full speed, and we are caught in the middle like grains of wheat. Step out of an HR meeting and face your boss's taunts; go home and hear your spouse's complaints; answer the phone and get threatened by a credit card agent. You get crushed, don't you?

But the real game is about the *keeli*—the central pivot. The pivot is invisible; it is that iron peg standing in the center. The entire mill revolves because of it. The wise grain clings to the pivot and remains whole. The grain that tries to be 'over-smart' and rolls towards the edge gets ground into flour. Then, we make rotis from that very flour, eat them, and complain that life lacks flavor.

The *keeli* is your center. Your 'still point.' Your backbone. In today's world, the *keeli* means being able to sleep peacefully at night even when LinkedIn is ablaze with news of someone becoming a millionaire at twenty-two. It means living with dignity in your simple shirt while Instagram reels show everyone else in ripped jeans or vacationing in Bali and Dubai. It means keeping your blood pressure stable even when the stock market fluctuates wildly every minute. That is the *keeli*.

Today, *Moksha* (liberation) is available on a 'Buy-One-Get-One-Free' offer. Sign up for a three-day spiritual retreat for ₹4,999. Head to the mountains, snap a selfie, and caption it "Finding Myself." Buddy, you won't find yourself on a mountain; you’re stuck right here in traffic. *Moksha* (liberation) isn't something you can order via Swiggy. True liberation is when your boss yells at you and you don't flare up in anger. When you get an EMI alert and don't feel a pang of chest pain. When you receive your ex's wedding invitation and your hands don't tremble. That is what it means to anchor yourself to the *Keeli*—the central pivot.

Today, the meaning of "purpose" has been reduced to just money, money, money. As soon as a child is born, people ask what their salary package will be. The moment a boy grows up a little, he’s packed off to coding classes. Why? Because we’ve let go of the *Keeli*. The meaning of life is to *live*, not just to earn. But we’ve turned the means into the end. Now, if you have a car, you need a driver; if you have a driver, you need a big house; if you have a big house, you need guests to show it off to; and if you have guests, you get stress. This is greed. This is insatiable craving. This is the rim of the grinding millstone. The moment you step there, the grinding begins.

Just look at your phone. The moment you wake up, the millstone starts turning. Notifications, Reels, Shorts, emails, memes. One shot of dopamine, then another, then a third. By evening, your brain has been ground into flour. Food delivery apps, shopping apps, dating apps, betting apps—they’re all pushing you toward the rim. And you’re getting ground up quite happily. Then you complain about anxiety and say you need therapy. But the *Keeli*—the anchor—*is* the therapy. Put the phone aside, close your eyes for ten minutes. Just observe your breath. That’s it. Free therapy.

Science says the same thing. Split an atom, and you’ll find the nucleus in the center. That is the stable part. Electrons just spin around like mad. If the nucleus shifts, there’s an explosion. What is *your* nucleus? Money? That could vanish in a market crash tomorrow. Your reputation? That can be ruined by a single scandal. Your body? That can give way to a fever. Your true core—your consciousness, your principles, your conscience—is the nucleus. Psychologists call this the 'anchor.' Without an anchor, where would a ship go in a storm? It would crash against the rocks.

The state of truth is even worse. Truth is no longer what *is*; truth is what is *trending*. People are debating after earning a 'PhD' from 'WhatsApp University'—experts one minute, judges the next. Lies are being peddled loudly on TV, and we are buying them. But remember, no matter how fast the millstones of falsehood spin, the person standing firm with the 'peg'—the truth—remains unharmed. Socrates was made to drink poison, yet who knows Plato today and who doesn't know Socrates? Gandhi was shot, but who worships Godse? Both were anchored to that central peg.

Now, consider the 'last man'—the daily-wage laborer lifting bricks in the scorching sun. He, too, is being ground down by life. Yet, if he goes home in the evening and shares a simple meal with his wife and children—without Netflix, without making comparisons—then even while being ground down, he remains whole. And then look at the CEO: a private jet, yet unable to sleep without a pill; twenty doctors on call, yet no cure for the mind's unrest. Why? Because he is a hundred kilometers away from that central peg; he is sitting right at the edge of the millstone.

So, what is the solution? It is very simple, yet very difficult. Take a break three times a day. Put the phone away and look at *yourself*. Ask: "Where am I right now? Near the peg or at the edge?" Greed arises? Know that you are sliding toward the edge. Anger flares? Know that the millstone is spinning faster. Puffed up with pride at a compliment? That’s the edge. Shrinking in shame at an insult? That’s the edge. When you remain equanimous in both joy and sorrow, know that you have grasped the peg.

If you want to hold onto that modern-day peg, do this: stop watching reels while you eat. Keep your phone face-down while talking to your parents. Do your office work honestly, but don't make the office your God. Earn money, but don't let money become your master. Flaunt your physique, but don't become a prisoner of your body. Build relationships, but don't get entangled in them. This is the *Karma Yoga* of the digital age.

Kabir saw the flour-grinding millstone. We have seen the ones driven by data, EMIs, likes, and FOMO. The grinding stones spin a hundred times faster now. Yet, the saving grace is that the central pivot remains exactly where it was—neither rusted nor broken. You just need the courage to step into the center.

For the millstone will keep turning regardless. It is the world; it moves on. The tides will rise, governments will change, viruses will strike, and wars will be waged. You cannot stop the grinding stones. But whether you get crushed or remain whole—that is in your hands.

So, take a vow today: do not roll towards the edges. Do not run where the crowd is rushing. Close your ears to the noise. And find your anchor—right in the center, the absolute center.

For those anchored to the Divine remain untouched by harm. This isn't just poetry, brother; it is life insurance—premium-free and guaranteed. Just share and spread the joy; life is wonderful.

When nothing makes sense and your heart feels anxious,

Do not worry.

My dear, the Divine Couple—Yugal Thakur—is there to protect you from all sorrow and suffering. All you have to do is close your eyes for two minutes and...

Chant the names: Radha-Krishna, Radha-Krishna, Krishna-Radha.

It is the most precious jewel of one's life.

"I wish to abide in the Lord's refuge."

Then watch as all your troubles simply vanish into thin air.