I AM THE UNIVERSE

I Am the Universe

Author: Sanjay Shharma

The alarm hasn’t rung yet, but I’m already awake.

My mind, however, has been running all night.

There’s a pending payment.
A deadline at work.
A doctor’s appointment I’ve been postponing.

Somewhere in the middle of it all, a thought creeps in—why am I always on edge?

Life is good. Then why does it always feel like something is missing, something needs fixing, something isn’t quite right?

I look at my dog, curled up peacefully, completely unbothered by the world’s chaos.

I envy him.

How does he do it?
Eat when he’s hungry.
Sleep when he’s tired.
Wag his tail when he’s happy.
Simply… exist.

And why can’t we?

Because deep down, we think we are the universe.

If we don’t worry, everything will fall apart.
If we don’t plan every little thing, chaos will take over.
If we don’t stress, who will hold it all together?

We carry this burden—of control, of responsibility, of making sure everything runs perfectly.

But isn’t it laughable?

The sun will rise tomorrow, whether I set my alarm or not.
The world will move, whether I keep running or take a pause.
Life will happen, whether I stress or surrender.

Then why do I act as if the universe is in my hands?

The truth hits me like a truck. We don’t allow ourselves to let go.

We have trained our minds to live in stress, as if it’s a necessity, as if life isn’t complete without worrying.

A problem solved is just a new problem waiting to be stressed over.
The cycle never ends.

We don’t eat in peace because we’re checking emails.
We don’t sleep in peace because we’re planning for tomorrow.
We don’t even enjoy our victories because the next challenge is already waiting.

But tell me—where does all this rushing lead?

Is there a finish line where life finally slows down?
Is there a grand moment when we’ll say, Now I can be happy, now I can be at peace?

No.

That moment doesn’t exist—unless we create it.

And yet, this is nothing new.

Thousands of years ago, the Bhagavad Gita spoke of the same struggle. "योग: कर्मसु कौशलम्"—Yoga is skill in action. Not just meditation on a mat, but the art of acting without attachment, of living without allowing the mind to be enslaved by outcomes. Do the work, but don’t let the work consume you.

The Upanishads whisper—"सुखस्य मूलं धर्मः"—happiness comes from living in harmony with oneself. Not from external success, but from inner balance.

And the great sage Patanjali tells us—"स्थिरसुखमासनम्"—true stillness is not just physical, but mental. A mind at ease, no matter the storm outside.

So I decide.

No more overthinking.
No more chasing perfection.
No more holding onto what drains me.

If something doesn’t go my way? I’ll adapt.
If people don’t behave as expected? I’ll let it be.
If success takes time? I’ll enjoy the journey.

Why should I let anything disturb my peace?

Life will throw its punches.
Deadlines.
Responsibilities.
People’s opinions.
Unexpected problems.

They won’t stop.

But Krishna’s words echo in my ears—"न हि कश्चित् क्षणमपि जातु तिष्ठत्यकर्मकृत्"—not even for a moment can one remain without action.

But can I act without stress?

The meeting at work is just a meeting, not a life-or-death battle.
The traffic jam is just a delay, not a catastrophe.
The disagreement with a friend is just one moment, not a permanent rift.

We add layers of stress where none are needed.

And what do we get in return?

Anxiety.
Sleepless nights.
Irritability.
A mind that’s always tired.

Imagine if we lived like my dog—
Eating when hungry.
Resting when tired.
Letting go of what’s out of our control.

Krishna smiled on the battlefield, surrounded by war.

And we lose our peace over a delayed email.

I start practicing it.
Noticing when my mind starts running.
Pausing before reacting.
Reminding myself—this isn’t worth my peace.

And surprisingly, life continues just fine.

The work gets done.
Relationships remain intact.
The world keeps moving.

The only difference?
I’m not drowning in stress.

I smile more.
Breathe deeper.
Sleep better.

People around me notice.
“You seem different,” a friend says.
“What changed?”

Nothing changed.

I just stopped letting stress be my default setting.

Because life will always be uncertain, messy, unpredictable.

But one thing is in my hands—

How much I let it affect me.

The alarm hasn’t rung yet, but I’m already awake.

My mind, however, isn’t running anymore.

It’s at peace.

And so am I.

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About the Author

Sanjay Shharma is an engineer, management graduate, and second-generation entrepreneur with over 35 years of experience in building products, markets, teams, and institutions. Deeply rooted in Indian culture and a firm believer in the power of self-awareness, he integrates ancient wisdom with modern challenges. Passionate about community development, conscious living, and personal well-being, he shares insights drawn from life experiences, encouraging readers to live with more ease, joy, and fulfillment.