Pongal Reflections from a Coach: Sowing the Seeds of Personal Growth

As we celebrate Pongal, I’m reminded of the coaching retreat at Shrimath Yoga earlier this year, where I deepened my understanding of personal growth and self-mastery through timeless Vedantic principles shared by Krishna Prakash and April Strong, ?? ACC (ICF) . Pongal, at its core, is about sowing, nurturing, and harvesting — not just in agriculture, but in our lives, relationships, and learning journeys.

I take this brave step today to explore Pongal lenses of Iccha, Jnana, and Kriya, as I understood during the retreat! I also look forward to my teachers Krishna and April to correct me if my understanding is incorrect and/or incomplete.

So here goes:

Iccha? – The Seed of Desire and Intention

Every transformation starts with Iccha, the intent or will to change. In coaching, I often ask, What is your deepest desire for growth? Pongal reminds us to pause and reflect on what we truly wish to cultivate in our lives. Are we planting the right seeds? Are we nurturing the right intentions? Iccha is the first step toward personal evolution.

Gyana ?– The Light of Knowledge

The next step is Jnana, or wisdom. Just as farmers rely on knowledge of the seasons and soil to yield a fruitful harvest, we too need self-awareness and insight to grow. Jnana teaches us to discern between what truly serves us and what doesn’t. During the Srimath retreat, one powerful takeaway for me was that growth isn’t about doing more, but about doing what matters. Are we investing in our inner wisdom to make meaningful progress?

Kriya ?– The Action of Cultivation

Without Kriya, or action, even the best intentions remain unfulfilled. Pongal symbolizes the importance of action in nurturing what we’ve planted. In our learning journeys, it’s about taking consistent steps toward change — however small. It’s about showing up, even when it’s hard, and trusting the process. As a coach, I often ask, What is one action you can take today to move closer to your goals? The harvest comes to those who tend their fields with care.

And yet, every growth journey is not without its challenges — which is where Abhayam, Karuna, and Aparigraha come in.

Abhayam ?– The Courage to Face Fear

Growth requires Abhayam, or fearlessness. Pongal reminds us to honor the farmer’s courage — planting seeds without guarantee of the harvest, facing unpredictable weather and obstacles. In our own lives, fear often holds us back from taking action. We fear failure, judgment, or uncertainty. But true growth begins when we step into the unknown with courage and faith.?

Karuna ?– Compassion in the Process

As we strive for growth, Karuna, or compassion, is essential — both toward others and toward ourselves. Just as farmers nurture their crops with care, we too must nurture ourselves with kindness and patience. The retreat taught me that personal growth is not a race; it’s a journey that requires gentleness. Let’s not be too harsh on ourselves for not being “there” yet. Let’s celebrate progress, however small.?

Aparigraha ?– The Art of Letting Go

Finally, Aparigraha, or non-attachment, reminds us to let go of outcomes. The farmer doesn’t control the harvest — they can only do their best to plant, nurture, and trust nature’s timing. Similarly, in life and learning, we must release our attachment to immediate results. Trust the process. Focus on the actions, not just the outcomes. Aparigraha also teaches us to let go of what no longer serves us — old habits, limiting beliefs, or expectations.

?As we step into this season of new beginnings, let’s ask ourselves:

** What seeds of Iccha (intention) are you planting today?

** What Jnana (wisdom) do you need to nurture your growth?

** What Kriya (actions) will you take to bring it to life?

?And most importantly, let’s remember to move forward with Abhayam (courage), Karuna (compassion), and Aparigraha (letting go).

?Happy Pongal! May this harvest season inspire us to keep learning, growing, and giving back.

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