A Valentine’s Day worth remembering

A true Valentine does not bind, it liberates, uplifts, and brings you closer to your true self

On Valentine’s Day, most people celebrate in conventional ways; flowers, dinners, gifts, and romantic outings. I had never really celebrated Valentine’s Day before, and perhaps I am fortunate that after joining the Gita sessions, I experienced its deeper meaning for the first time. At the very least, I began to understand what love is not.
Rarely does one see someone choosing to spend this day reading a book that challenges the ego and invites inner growth.
In Hamburg, Germany, where the temperature was minus 4°C, snow covered the surroundings and the air carried a sharp chill. Students from different parts of Germany gathered for a book reading and reflection session as part of the Gita community. While the outer world was cold and austere, the discussions inside were filled with warmth, enthusiasm, and liveliness.
We read chapters from one of our favorite books by Acharya Prashant and reflected deeply upon them. The space became one of honest dialogue, probing questions, and meaningful self-inquiry. In the process, we also encountered our own vulnerabilities and fears.
While practicing indoors on the sofa, singing felt joyful and effortless. But when we began singing outside, a subtle hesitation arose within me — what will people think, are they watching us, how are we singing, what image of Indians might this create? Yet it was also clear within that we were doing nothing wrong, nor were we creating disturbance. People often behave far more noisily or inappropriately in public spaces, sometimes even under the influence of alcohol — and here we were, simply singing songs of love. Gradually, the hesitation dissolved completely. Many people passed by without paying attention, yet our enthusiasm remained undiminished. The wind was strong, the air freezing, but our spirits stayed high.
What better way could there be to celebrate love than to understand the ego that so often distorts it?
With gratitude to Acharya ji, this Valentine’s Day we chose observation over routine, awareness over indulgence, and true love over mere celebration. And in the midst of a cold Hamburg evening, it felt genuinely special.
The entire experience reminded me of Acharya ji’s words:
“Love is when the ego moves towards The Truth, and hence reduces, dissolves.”

Chinmayee Parija is a software architect based in Frankfurt, Germany