Once a crane after much wait & effort gets a big fish. He is very happy with his catch. So to eat in peace it decides to fly to a quite place to eat it.
Soon other cranes & vultures start to follow the crane, primarily to try & get the fish. Now the crane has to flap its wings faster and keep flying and cannot land to enjoy his fish.
The it flashes to him that the fish is the cause of his misery & if he drops the fish he will be left alone.
The fish denotes the material possessions & the other birds chasing denotes the rat race in the material accumulation. Even when we get what we desired it does not ensure peace.
But when we drop the desire & drop out of the race and go on our individual path we are happy.
Wednesday, 19 December 2012
Apple products
Everything is I Phone, I Pod, I Pad....the "I" is part of the product name and can denote ego and can also be a reminder that each of us who own these things have many forms of ego
On the flip side its God saying "I" am there with you in the phone, in your hand held devices and everywhere
On another note it can be interpreted as the phone does its job not the "I". So "I" is not the doer its using the phone to do what its built of.
Just like we humans were made to do some social good & reach God and we are the executors of Gods will.
On the flip side its God saying "I" am there with you in the phone, in your hand held devices and everywhere
On another note it can be interpreted as the phone does its job not the "I". So "I" is not the doer its using the phone to do what its built of.
Just like we humans were made to do some social good & reach God and we are the executors of Gods will.
Monday, 17 December 2012
Wahe Guru
Wa He Guru ...a little modification without any offence, gives more depth and some more cool meanings to it
Wo He Guru
Wow he (is) Guru
Woh Hi Guru
Way (is) He (the) Guru
Wo He Guru
Wow he (is) Guru
Woh Hi Guru
Way (is) He (the) Guru
Power of thought
For those who doubt this, just imagine your favourite dish & it makes you salivate. Think of the person you hate & it makes you agitated. Thoughts about a tragedy brings tears. Remembering a person you love or a pleasant memory makes you smile.
A thought can make you angry, happy, sad and so on.
A thought is more powerful than we know.
That is why even thinking of God, we get blessed.
The Gita mentions the importance of Bhav / Intention behind every action. The attitude underlying the action is most important. However just having good thoughts & no action is not what it's suggesting.
A thought can make you angry, happy, sad and so on.
A thought is more powerful than we know.
That is why even thinking of God, we get blessed.
The Gita mentions the importance of Bhav / Intention behind every action. The attitude underlying the action is most important. However just having good thoughts & no action is not what it's suggesting.
Guna's a revisit
Just a quick reminder as we need them from time to time !
Tamas - Black, Lazy, lethargy, inaction, negative
Rajas - Red, Activity, action with noise & opulence, positive
Satwa - White, Action with equanamity , balanced, calm
Tamas - Black, Lazy, lethargy, inaction, negative
Rajas - Red, Activity, action with noise & opulence, positive
Satwa - White, Action with equanamity , balanced, calm
Monday, 10 December 2012
A kite , Laxmi & Saraswati
Paper flies by chance & Kite with capability
As per the ancient scriptures, there are eight types of wealth. Wealth is not only money. Of course, bank balance is wealth, progeny is also a type of wealth, so is health. If you have the confidence that you can create wealth in any situation, even when the economy is not doing well, you will have courage. That courage and confidence is a wealth. The ability to make friends is a wealth. Knowledge is also wealth.
The goddess of wealth, Laxmi, is floating on the lotus. She moves with the wind. The Goddess of knowledge, Saraswati, is on a rock. A rock is stable. Once you have learnt knowledge, you have learnt it for life. Wealth is not an end in itself. It is the means to an end. Laxmi moves from point to point (monetary wealth is not a constant) where as knowledge stays with you forever.
As per the ancient scriptures, there are eight types of wealth. Wealth is not only money. Of course, bank balance is wealth, progeny is also a type of wealth, so is health. If you have the confidence that you can create wealth in any situation, even when the economy is not doing well, you will have courage. That courage and confidence is a wealth. The ability to make friends is a wealth. Knowledge is also wealth.
The goddess of wealth, Laxmi, is floating on the lotus. She moves with the wind. The Goddess of knowledge, Saraswati, is on a rock. A rock is stable. Once you have learnt knowledge, you have learnt it for life. Wealth is not an end in itself. It is the means to an end. Laxmi moves from point to point (monetary wealth is not a constant) where as knowledge stays with you forever.
Sunday, 18 November 2012
Atma & Zero
Just another mathematical & spiritual thought
0 * anything = 0
0 / anything = 0
0 * anything = 0
0 / anything = 0
Atma - anything = Atma
0+0=0
0-0=0
Just like "0" can change the value depending on where it is place.
Atma makes matter alive
And multiplying with 0 gives 0
When we see Atma in everyone we feel oneness
Pray
We pray when we need something.
But true prayer is being thankful for what we have .
Prayer is not a ritual: it is a surrender.
Some more things to think about when we say PRAY!
P - Please
R - Remember
A - Atma &
Y - You
P - Pure
R - Relation, of
A - Atma &
Y - Your self
P - Peace, when you
R - Rise
A - Above
Y - Your self
But true prayer is being thankful for what we have .
Prayer is not a ritual: it is a surrender.
Some more things to think about when we say PRAY!
P - Please
R - Remember
A - Atma &
Y - You
P - Pure
R - Relation, of
A - Atma &
Y - Your self
P - Peace, when you
R - Rise
A - Above
Y - Your self
Friday, 16 November 2012
BAD
BAD denotes negativity, something not right.
B is for the feeling Before - Shall I do this or not, it seems wrong
A is for After - how you feel later - repenting, aware it was not right
D is for what you go thru During, unpleasant , unhappy
B is for the feeling Before - Shall I do this or not, it seems wrong
A is for After - how you feel later - repenting, aware it was not right
D is for what you go thru During, unpleasant , unhappy
Effort & Destiny
We make Effort for Arth & Kaam and leave Destiny to care for Dharam & Moksh
It should be other way round
We should put effort towards Dharam & Moksh and Arth & Kaam will follow suit.
You may have heard the story about the 4 old men that visited a house - Love, Faith, Wealth & Fame and said to the host you can invite only one of us as we come alone. After much debate in the family they invited Love, and the rest followed. Surprised the asked how come??? The wise old men replied - Love is the highest amongst them, the closest to God, the true nature of a person so when he is invited we follow else we go on our own.
It should be other way round
We should put effort towards Dharam & Moksh and Arth & Kaam will follow suit.
You may have heard the story about the 4 old men that visited a house - Love, Faith, Wealth & Fame and said to the host you can invite only one of us as we come alone. After much debate in the family they invited Love, and the rest followed. Surprised the asked how come??? The wise old men replied - Love is the highest amongst them, the closest to God, the true nature of a person so when he is invited we follow else we go on our own.
Thursday, 8 November 2012
Focus
Winners do what Losers don't.
FOCUS.
Fairly simple and yet very profound.
One can connect it to Arjun's story around seeing the target.
It can also be connected to Dhritrashtra focussing only on his & his sons aspirations !!!! And that teaches us that "focus" works miracles when in the right spirit & intention.
FOCUS.
Fairly simple and yet very profound.
One can connect it to Arjun's story around seeing the target.
It can also be connected to Dhritrashtra focussing only on his & his sons aspirations !!!! And that teaches us that "focus" works miracles when in the right spirit & intention.
Branches & Roots
We have heard it before care for the rootage ( foundation) and the leafage ( outcome) will be good.
Similar are the sowing of seed and reaping of fruit quotations
Here is another view point. To enable a tree being healthy we cut / prune / tie its branches. Ever heard of interfering with the roots???
Tying is a short term solution & may not always work. And cutting sounds sinful / painful. Pruning is about balancing and redirecting.
For a person, the roots are his values & principles, and branches depict the material worlds interest & distractions. Managing and balancing the branches is crucial for the tree's growth and sustenance.
Similar are the sowing of seed and reaping of fruit quotations
Here is another view point. To enable a tree being healthy we cut / prune / tie its branches. Ever heard of interfering with the roots???
Tying is a short term solution & may not always work. And cutting sounds sinful / painful. Pruning is about balancing and redirecting.
For a person, the roots are his values & principles, and branches depict the material worlds interest & distractions. Managing and balancing the branches is crucial for the tree's growth and sustenance.
Sports
There are individual sports & team sports
In team sports its the team effort & individual effort that impacts the result ( or so we think!)
We think in pursuing an individual sport , we control & influence the outcome. But we forget the outcome depends on the other competitors as well.
The only circle of influence is our own effort - in skill as well as in being a good team member
Boils down to Gita shloka 4.27, focus on effort and leave the outcome to the divine!
In team sports its the team effort & individual effort that impacts the result ( or so we think!)
We think in pursuing an individual sport , we control & influence the outcome. But we forget the outcome depends on the other competitors as well.
The only circle of influence is our own effort - in skill as well as in being a good team member
Boils down to Gita shloka 4.27, focus on effort and leave the outcome to the divine!
Boggle
Its an interesting game.
Some see only scattered alphabetic cubes & others see words out there.
Some see only the simple 2-3 letter words and some see te amazing big words!!!
When you play a game in a mix of amateurs and experts, its the usual expression one hears "how come I never saw this"
Is it the skill, practice or intention or all 3 that makes the winner.
Similarly in life having a skill, practicing it to excel & the using with good intention leads to a win win for you & the society.
Some see only scattered alphabetic cubes & others see words out there.
Some see only the simple 2-3 letter words and some see te amazing big words!!!
When you play a game in a mix of amateurs and experts, its the usual expression one hears "how come I never saw this"
Is it the skill, practice or intention or all 3 that makes the winner.
Similarly in life having a skill, practicing it to excel & the using with good intention leads to a win win for you & the society.
Tuesday, 30 October 2012
Action
This morning on a website I read "Thought - rehearsal before action - I Can "
If before action we think positive its "I can"
"Action" is an anagram to "I act on" or "I no act!!!!" ( Please read action is inevitable and inaction
is also a type of action - reference Chapter 3)
"Action" contains the "I can"
If letters could be re used action contains "tic tac to" and a good boggle player will find other words here. (A karam yogi will find all different actions that need to be performed).
If before action we think positive its "I can"
"Action" is an anagram to "I act on" or "I no act!!!!" ( Please read action is inevitable and inaction
is also a type of action - reference Chapter 3)
"Action" contains the "I can"
If letters could be re used action contains "tic tac to" and a good boggle player will find other words here. (A karam yogi will find all different actions that need to be performed).
Wednesday, 10 October 2012
Mother & Child
Like a mother will explain to a child in different ways
Krishna explained to Arjun via Dharma, Karma Yog & Bhakti
Most mothers repeat the same thing again after intervals
In the Gita important elements repeat often
When we learn about a kids problem, and say why you never told me?
Wonder what God thinks? when we have an issue we try & resolve without seeking his help and later revert to ask for divine help
Mom will care for their children come whatever
God will always be there for us
A misbehaved kid will also go to mom when hurt
All of us turn to divine when helpless
Moms lap is the best, most comfortable place for everyone
Knowing you in the divine care is a feeling that words don't describe
Mom always knows
You cannot hide from God
Mom takes extra care of weak ones & challenges the strong ones
God gives burdens to shoulders that can carry them
Mom knows what is best for her children
We are Gods children!
Krishna explained to Arjun via Dharma, Karma Yog & Bhakti
Most mothers repeat the same thing again after intervals
In the Gita important elements repeat often
When we learn about a kids problem, and say why you never told me?
Wonder what God thinks? when we have an issue we try & resolve without seeking his help and later revert to ask for divine help
Mom will care for their children come whatever
God will always be there for us
A misbehaved kid will also go to mom when hurt
All of us turn to divine when helpless
Moms lap is the best, most comfortable place for everyone
Knowing you in the divine care is a feeling that words don't describe
Mom always knows
You cannot hide from God
Mom takes extra care of weak ones & challenges the strong ones
God gives burdens to shoulders that can carry them
Mom knows what is best for her children
We are Gods children!
Making Yoghurt & Sharing knowledge
Most Indians set the natural yoghurt at home. We warm up milk add a spoon of yoghurt , leave it for a few hours and we have a bowl of yoghurt.
But if w keep checking or disturbing the bowl, it does not set. It needs time to set else we have start all over again.
And once we have yoghurt we can with a spoon set another bowl and so on.
If we don't use the yogurt appropriately -
1. Eat all but a spoon to set another bowl
2. If we don't eat in good time it will turn sour and not be edible.
3. Also if we did not use the spoon of yoghurt set aside to set new yoghurt that will go bad as well.
Similarly with knowledge , if we don't use appropriately and share , it does not keep refreshed (think stagnant water, running water) and begins to be wasted.
Knowledge received needs time to sink in & must be shared.
No next time we eat yoghurt, will we me mindful of this!
But if w keep checking or disturbing the bowl, it does not set. It needs time to set else we have start all over again.
And once we have yoghurt we can with a spoon set another bowl and so on.
If we don't use the yogurt appropriately -
1. Eat all but a spoon to set another bowl
2. If we don't eat in good time it will turn sour and not be edible.
3. Also if we did not use the spoon of yoghurt set aside to set new yoghurt that will go bad as well.
Similarly with knowledge , if we don't use appropriately and share , it does not keep refreshed (think stagnant water, running water) and begins to be wasted.
Knowledge received needs time to sink in & must be shared.
No next time we eat yoghurt, will we me mindful of this!
Knowledge & Infinity (copy paste from a friends post on Face Book)
Beyond a person is love. Beyond an object is infinity.
Knowledge is not in an event; it is beyond an event.
If you take one event and infer anything from one event -- infer knowledge -- it will be erroneous knowledge. Say Nancy gets angry and shouts at someone. You attribute anger to Nancy, but actually it was carried from someone else to her. Someone else got angry first and someone else and someone else and on and on like that.
When you go beyond an event, only then the truth dawns. One particular event gives you a false notion. So you have to consider the totality of events, the totality of all events infinitely. Beyond the event is Knowledge.
What do we call a person? A person is a body, a mind, a complex of behaviors which is changing. Love is unchanging. Beyond the person is love.
When you lose your personality, you become love. If you cannot lose yourself, you cannot find yourself. So, lose your personality; you'll find yourself!!!
Behind every object is infinity. An object is limited. Take an object and reduce, reduce, reduce, and you have an atom. An atom is infinity. Each atom contains infinite space. Beyond the object is infinity.
The object behind the object is infinity. The person behind the person is love.
Maya is getting caught up in the event, personality, object. Knowledge, love, Brahman is seeing beyond the event, personality, or object. See? Just a little shift
Knowledge is not in an event; it is beyond an event.
If you take one event and infer anything from one event -- infer knowledge -- it will be erroneous knowledge. Say Nancy gets angry and shouts at someone. You attribute anger to Nancy, but actually it was carried from someone else to her. Someone else got angry first and someone else and someone else and on and on like that.
When you go beyond an event, only then the truth dawns. One particular event gives you a false notion. So you have to consider the totality of events, the totality of all events infinitely. Beyond the event is Knowledge.
What do we call a person? A person is a body, a mind, a complex of behaviors which is changing. Love is unchanging. Beyond the person is love.
When you lose your personality, you become love. If you cannot lose yourself, you cannot find yourself. So, lose your personality; you'll find yourself!!!
Behind every object is infinity. An object is limited. Take an object and reduce, reduce, reduce, and you have an atom. An atom is infinity. Each atom contains infinite space. Beyond the object is infinity.
The object behind the object is infinity. The person behind the person is love.
Maya is getting caught up in the event, personality, object. Knowledge, love, Brahman is seeing beyond the event, personality, or object. See? Just a little shift
Thursday, 4 October 2012
Where is God
Look back , and Thank God
Look at your side, see God walking with you
Look ahead, hope he says with you
Look within , search for God
Look beyond, its just God
Look at your side, see God walking with you
Look ahead, hope he says with you
Look within , search for God
Look beyond, its just God
Self & Energy
There is energy in the form of heat, kinetic & mechanical energy.
Scientifically energy cannot be created or destroyed, just transformed.
That is what the Gita says about the "Self"it cannot be created or destroyed, just keeps gettng transformed.
Scientifically energy cannot be created or destroyed, just transformed.
That is what the Gita says about the "Self"it cannot be created or destroyed, just keeps gettng transformed.
Right & Duty
Most issues around us arise around the caption.
When we talk of right, in variable there is a fight!
And when we focus on duty, it leads to beauty.
Give it some thought
When we talk of right, in variable there is a fight!
And when we focus on duty, it leads to beauty.
Give it some thought
The Knife
To understand how situations & intentions make a world of difference, keep reading
A knife in the hands of a surgeon cutting up a body to save a life.
In the hands of a cook cutting veggies to feed hungry people.
In the hands of a criminal to threaten & extort money.
Or in the hands of a person planning a murder!
So is the knife doing it all ? Or the person? Or the situation?
Key is intention , or "Bhav" which is of prime importance.
Its all in the MIND!
A knife in the hands of a surgeon cutting up a body to save a life.
In the hands of a cook cutting veggies to feed hungry people.
In the hands of a criminal to threaten & extort money.
Or in the hands of a person planning a murder!
So is the knife doing it all ? Or the person? Or the situation?
Key is intention , or "Bhav" which is of prime importance.
Its all in the MIND!
Just Do It
When you see the phrase "Just Do It" we think of the Nike brand.
But that is what Krishna was telling Arjun and since he was not getting, he went thru 700 shloka's filled with knowledge trying to explain.
Well when Mom's tell kids , and we explain same thing again and again with different perspective.....a bit like Krishna , but sometimes the point still does not get across and we say "just do it" coz I say so or coz its the right thing.
Now when I see the phrase will it make me think?
Also "Just Do It" so relevant to
- Smile
- Do a good deed
- Help someone
- Be your true self
But that is what Krishna was telling Arjun and since he was not getting, he went thru 700 shloka's filled with knowledge trying to explain.
Well when Mom's tell kids , and we explain same thing again and again with different perspective.....a bit like Krishna , but sometimes the point still does not get across and we say "just do it" coz I say so or coz its the right thing.
Now when I see the phrase will it make me think?
Also "Just Do It" so relevant to
- Smile
- Do a good deed
- Help someone
- Be your true self
Bhagwan
In Hindi , by phonetics
Bh - Bhoomi - Earth
G - Gagan - Sky
V - Vayu - Air
A - Agni - Fire
N - Neer - Water
Phonetics & Elements
Bh - Bhoomi - Earth
G - Gagan - Sky
V - Vayu - Air
A - Agni - Fire
N - Neer - Water
Phonetics & Elements
Monday, 1 October 2012
KIS
In modern terms its "Keep It Simple"
And in Gita terms it will be....
Krishna In Self
Karma In Sansara
Krishna In Soul
Karma In Society
Keep In Sanyam
Krishna In Serenity
Krishna In Songs
Karma Is Strong
Keep In Service
Krishna Is Source
Krishna Is Saviour
Karma Is Special
Keep In Satsang
Keep In Sync
And in Gita terms it will be....
Krishna In Self
Karma In Sansara
Krishna In Soul
Karma In Society
Keep In Sanyam
Krishna In Serenity
Krishna In Songs
Karma Is Strong
Keep In Service
Krishna Is Source
Krishna Is Saviour
Karma Is Special
Keep In Satsang
Keep In Sync
FEAR
F-E-A-R” has two meanings:
Forget Everything And Run…
OR Face Everything And Rejoice.. Choice is ours..
Now from Gita knowledge : In first chap of Gita, the fear of Arjun was provoking him to "forget everything and run", this is what many good people do when faced with 'situations' and 'confrontations'. But God taught him to 'face everything and rejoice' by "sadbhaav for everyone at the level of bhaav and proper action at the level of duty"
Forget Everything And Run…
OR Face Everything And Rejoice.. Choice is ours..
Now from Gita knowledge : In first chap of Gita, the fear of Arjun was provoking him to "forget everything and run", this is what many good people do when faced with 'situations' and 'confrontations'. But God taught him to 'face everything and rejoice' by "sadbhaav for everyone at the level of bhaav and proper action at the level of duty"
Honesty
There was a farmer who sold a pound of butter to the baker. One day the
baker decided to weigh the butter to see if he was getting a pound and he
baker decided to weigh the butter to see if he was getting a pound and he
found that he was not. This angered him and he took the farmer to court.
The judge asked the farmer if he was using any measure. The farmer replied,
"Your Honor, I am primitive. I don't have a proper measure, but I do have a
scale."
The judge asked, "Then how do you weigh the butter" The farmer replied "Your
Honor, long before the baker started buying butter from me, I have been
buying a pound loaf of bread from him. Every day when the baker brings the
bread, I put it on the scale and give him the same weight in butter. If
anyone is to be blamed, it is the baker."
What is the moral of the story? We get back in life what we give to others.
Honesty and dishonesty become a habit. Some people practice dishonesty and
can lie with a straight face. Others lie so much that they don't even know
what the truth is anymore. But who are they deceiving? Themselves – more
than anyone else.
The judge asked the farmer if he was using any measure. The farmer replied,
"Your Honor, I am primitive. I don't have a proper measure, but I do have a
scale."
The judge asked, "Then how do you weigh the butter" The farmer replied "Your
Honor, long before the baker started buying butter from me, I have been
buying a pound loaf of bread from him. Every day when the baker brings the
bread, I put it on the scale and give him the same weight in butter. If
anyone is to be blamed, it is the baker."
What is the moral of the story? We get back in life what we give to others.
Honesty and dishonesty become a habit. Some people practice dishonesty and
can lie with a straight face. Others lie so much that they don't even know
what the truth is anymore. But who are they deceiving? Themselves – more
than anyone else.
Friday, 31 August 2012
Nature & Us
All nature is made of 5 elements - Earth, Water, Fire, Air & Space
And your body is same - Flesh & Bones is Earth, Fluids is 75% just like on the planet, the agni that digests the food is the Fire, we breath air and Self is the space
And your body is same - Flesh & Bones is Earth, Fluids is 75% just like on the planet, the agni that digests the food is the Fire, we breath air and Self is the space
Sunday, 19 August 2012
The voice (copy & paste)
There is a voice inside of you
That whispers all day long,
"I feel this is right for me,
I know that this is wrong."
No teacher, preacher, parent, friendOr wise man can decide
What's right for you--just listen to
The voice that speaks inside.
-Shel Silverstein
Sailing & Spiritualism - 2 ( for adults)
When waters are calm, sailing is smooth and easy & voyage is faster!
When waters are rough , the effort involved in sailing is a lot more
The waters is the state of mind or us internally
Sailing is how we conduct ourselves
Again depending on our SAIL ( Self Awareness I Learn) we will move forward !
When waters are rough , the effort involved in sailing is a lot more
The waters is the state of mind or us internally
Sailing is how we conduct ourselves
Again depending on our SAIL ( Self Awareness I Learn) we will move forward !
Sailing & Spiritualism 1
As per Wikipedia Sailing is the propulsion of a vehicle and the control of its movement with large (usually fabric) foils called sails. By changing the rigging, rudder, and sometimes the keel or centre board, a sailor manages the force of the wind on the sails in order to move the vessel relative to its surrounding medium (typically water, but also land and ice) and change its direction and speed. Mastery of the skill requires experience in varying wind and sea conditions, as well as knowledge concerning sailboats themselves and an understanding of one's surroundings
For sailing the skill & environment are important but the sail is critical. Now imagine making a sail out of a weak cloth ?? will it be able to hold the wind & move with it? Will a sail made out of gauze move the boat forward?
What is the sail?? If my boat is my body & the ocean is the sansar and the journey I make is life , then the sail is SELF AWARENESS I LEARN
For sailing the skill & environment are important but the sail is critical. Now imagine making a sail out of a weak cloth ?? will it be able to hold the wind & move with it? Will a sail made out of gauze move the boat forward?
What is the sail?? If my boat is my body & the ocean is the sansar and the journey I make is life , then the sail is SELF AWARENESS I LEARN
Friday, 17 August 2012
GROWING GOOD CORN ( copy & paste )
Have you noticed how all of life is connected? You probably know about the relationship between honey ants (farm ants) and aphids. The ants can't seem to get enough of the tasty honey dew left behind by aphids, those tiny sap-sucking insects probably living in your garden. These two insects have a fascinating relationship. In exchange for all the sugary treats aphids deposit on leaves, the ants wage fierce battle against wasps, beetles and spiders that try to dine on aphids for lunch. As those aphids keep their ant friends happy, the ants keep their aphid buddies alive. Everyone wins, except the plants, of course.
The ants do better because of the aphids. The aphids do better because of the ants. It's a relationship called mutualism, and the rest of us could probably take a lesson. People, too, succeed best when they help others out.
James Bender, in his book How to Talk Well (New York: McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., 1994), illustrates how it benefits to everyone when we mutually help each other. He relates a story of a farmer who grew award-winning corn. Each year he entered his best corn in the regional fair where it won a blue ribbon.
One year a newspaper reporter interviewed him to learn about how he grew blue-ribbon corn year after year. The reporter discovered something interesting. He learned that the farmer actually shared his best seed corn with his neighbors.
"How can you afford to share your best seeds with your neighbors when they are entering corn in competition against yours each year?" the reporter asked.
"Why sir," said the farmer, "didn't you know? The wind picks up pollen from the ripening corn and swirls it from field to field. If my neighbors grow inferior corn, cross-pollination will steadily degrade the quality of my corn. If I am to grow good corn, I must help my neighbors grow good corn."
It's a simple and important principle. His corn cannot improve unless his neighbor's corn also improves. He cannot succeed simply by watching out for Number One. He succeeds best by helping his neighbors succeed. That's mutualism.
And I am aware that it goes for me, too. Do I want to succeed? Then I must help others to succeed.
Do I want to live in peace and harmony? Then I need to help my neighbors also live in peace, and the very peace they experience will add to my own.
Do I want to live meaningfully and well? Then I should help to enrich the lives of others, for my own happiness and well-being is bound up in the lives I touch.
In other words, if I want to grow good corn, I need to help my neighbors grow good corn. Call it mutualism. Call it a principle of success. Call it a law of life. I only know that none of us truly wins until we all win.
WHO IS YOUR PILOT?? (copy & paste)
The priest was on a long flight home after a conference. The
first warning of approaching problems came when the ‘Fasten your seat belts’
sign flashed on.
After a while a calm voice said," we
shall not be serving beverages as we are expecting a little turbulence." The
priest looked around and saw that many of the passengers were looking
apprehensive.
Later the voice thru the intercom said,” we are so sorry that we are unable to serve meals ; the turbulence is still ahead of us.”
And then the storm broke.
And then the storm broke.
Later, the thunder could be
heard even above the roar of the engines. Lightning lit up the darkening skies,
and within moments, the plane was tossed around. One moment it was lifted on
terrific currents of air, the next it fell as if about to crash.
As the priest
looked around, all the passengers looked alarmed - except one little girl. She
sat calmly, looking at pictures in a book, oblivious of the turbulence around
her. Sometimes she would close her eyes and then she would go back to her book.
The storm blew over.
When the plane landed and the passengers were disembarking , the priest approached the little girl and asked her why she was not afraid like the other passengers. The little girl replied,” because my Daddy is pilot and he’s taking me home”.
The storm blew over.
When the plane landed and the passengers were disembarking , the priest approached the little girl and asked her why she was not afraid like the other passengers. The little girl replied,” because my Daddy is pilot and he’s taking me home”.
There
are many storms that buffet us – physical, mental, financial, domestic and other
storms that can darken our skies and may throw us into turmoil. Like the little
girl, let us always remember:
"Our father is the Pilot. He is in
control. He will take us Home."
The soul & the body (copy & paste)
The
Relationship Between The Soul And The Body – Explained With Interesting
Examples
Human being means the consciousness, the soul or being (living energy), experiencing life through the physical body, the human (non-living). The body is perishable and temporary, whereas the soul is eternal and without physical dimension.
• The soul is the driver; the body is the car.
• The soul is the actor; the body is its costume.
• The soul is a diamond; the body is the jewelry box.
• The soul is the musician; the body is the instrument.
• The soul is the guest; the body is the hotel.
• The soul is the deity; the body is the temple.
I can use a knife to chop vegetables. I can use the same knife to kill someone. The knife neither decides (outwards) nor experiences (inwards), but can be washed easily under water. Now look at the fingers which held the knife. They neither decide nor experience the actions. They too can be washed under water. It's easy to realize that the knife is an instrument, but it is more difficult to realize that the fingers as well as the arms are instruments too. The legs are instruments for walking, the eyes for seeing, the ears for hearing, the mouth for speaking, the tongue for tasting, the heart for pumping food and oxygen (via blood) around the body, and so on. Even the brain is an instrument used like a computer to express all thought, word and action programs through the body and to experience the results. If every physical part of the body is an instrument, who or what is it that is using this instrument? Very simply it is "I", the self, the soul. The soul uses the word "I" for itself and the word "my" when referring to the body; my hands, my eyes, my brain, etc. I am different from my body.
Human being means the consciousness, the soul or being (living energy), experiencing life through the physical body, the human (non-living). The body is perishable and temporary, whereas the soul is eternal and without physical dimension.
• The soul is the driver; the body is the car.
• The soul is the actor; the body is its costume.
• The soul is a diamond; the body is the jewelry box.
• The soul is the musician; the body is the instrument.
• The soul is the guest; the body is the hotel.
• The soul is the deity; the body is the temple.
I can use a knife to chop vegetables. I can use the same knife to kill someone. The knife neither decides (outwards) nor experiences (inwards), but can be washed easily under water. Now look at the fingers which held the knife. They neither decide nor experience the actions. They too can be washed under water. It's easy to realize that the knife is an instrument, but it is more difficult to realize that the fingers as well as the arms are instruments too. The legs are instruments for walking, the eyes for seeing, the ears for hearing, the mouth for speaking, the tongue for tasting, the heart for pumping food and oxygen (via blood) around the body, and so on. Even the brain is an instrument used like a computer to express all thought, word and action programs through the body and to experience the results. If every physical part of the body is an instrument, who or what is it that is using this instrument? Very simply it is "I", the self, the soul. The soul uses the word "I" for itself and the word "my" when referring to the body; my hands, my eyes, my brain, etc. I am different from my body.
Thursday, 16 August 2012
Baggage allowance
What is my baggage allowance???
With most airlines its a definite number
In the movie UP IN THE AIR, there was a magic bag pack which would take anything , but then not easy to carry
In life there is no limit and we keep collecting baggage - physical & emotional
There is a saying those who travel on faith , travel the lightest...
With most airlines its a definite number
In the movie UP IN THE AIR, there was a magic bag pack which would take anything , but then not easy to carry
In life there is no limit and we keep collecting baggage - physical & emotional
There is a saying those who travel on faith , travel the lightest...
Where no one can see
Once a master teaching children gave them all a banana and said go, eat it where no one can see.
So one kid went inside a small room.
Another went to a tree house
One went inside a tent
Then one put a blanket over him and ate his banana
Some one hid under a desk
And then there were others who went under the bed or on the roof top etc
One ate it with his eyes closed and claimed that he was in a place where there was no one & he closed his own eyes as well.
But some came back without eating the banana. When the teacher asked why they did not eat , this is what they said
A. If I don't eat it then no one has seen me eat it!!!
B. But God was watching me everywhere!!!!!!!!
So one kid went inside a small room.
Another went to a tree house
One went inside a tent
Then one put a blanket over him and ate his banana
Some one hid under a desk
And then there were others who went under the bed or on the roof top etc
One ate it with his eyes closed and claimed that he was in a place where there was no one & he closed his own eyes as well.
But some came back without eating the banana. When the teacher asked why they did not eat , this is what they said
A. If I don't eat it then no one has seen me eat it!!!
B. But God was watching me everywhere!!!!!!!!
Where is God
Usually when this question is asked the answer is everywhere. God is omnipresent. All pervasive and so on...
But here is how to remember this as said by a learned person
1. Look back and be grateful to God for what you have or achieved or become or learnt
2. Look forward and hope God will always be with you
3. Look besides and see God walking/working with you
4. Look within to search for God
5. Look beyond and realise its only GOD everywhere!!!!
But here is how to remember this as said by a learned person
1. Look back and be grateful to God for what you have or achieved or become or learnt
2. Look forward and hope God will always be with you
3. Look besides and see God walking/working with you
4. Look within to search for God
5. Look beyond and realise its only GOD everywhere!!!!
The flame and the breeze
Have you observed how the flame flickers when there is a whiff of wind, the candle struggles to keep the flame going. A little help from anywhere helps the flame stabilise.
Now the flame is you , the wind is the disturbances around you on the spiritual journey & the help comes from the God and from many of his conduits
Now if we have to keep our flame going , then we need to protect it from the disturbances. If we keep it in an almost protected room then the light will not reach others!!! so if we keep in say glass box, it will let the light out but will run out of oxygen!!! now if we kind of ring fence it with a glass chimney then the light will be shared & the flame will continue ...and the catch is that this shield needs to be always clean & almost not visible...
We have to live in worldly world, keep the flame going, and protect the flame with an almost invisible shield that lets the light out, but does not let the disturbances in. This shield is the knowledge of the Gita.
Now the flame is you , the wind is the disturbances around you on the spiritual journey & the help comes from the God and from many of his conduits
Now if we have to keep our flame going , then we need to protect it from the disturbances. If we keep it in an almost protected room then the light will not reach others!!! so if we keep in say glass box, it will let the light out but will run out of oxygen!!! now if we kind of ring fence it with a glass chimney then the light will be shared & the flame will continue ...and the catch is that this shield needs to be always clean & almost not visible...
We have to live in worldly world, keep the flame going, and protect the flame with an almost invisible shield that lets the light out, but does not let the disturbances in. This shield is the knowledge of the Gita.
When have you arrived?
We often say "Oh, he has arrived in life"
In the cosmopolitan sense this phrase is heard when someone has bought a house or a fancy car or other materialistic things
This morning I met a lady who said, in the spiritual sense ..
Is it when you want no more money
or when you want no more cars or wealth
or when you want no more relationships
or no more responsibilities ....
In her words its when you really want NO MORE and you want to KNOW MORE!!!!!
In the cosmopolitan sense this phrase is heard when someone has bought a house or a fancy car or other materialistic things
This morning I met a lady who said, in the spiritual sense ..
Is it when you want no more money
or when you want no more cars or wealth
or when you want no more relationships
or no more responsibilities ....
In her words its when you really want NO MORE and you want to KNOW MORE!!!!!
Tuesday, 7 August 2012
Sun & Moon
In the solar system we give great importance to Sun & Moon.
In our religious rituals also they have a significant spot.
WHY??
The Sun is the largest, oldest, perennial source of energy which enables life on Earth. Our environment and plants etc and hence our food and as a result our body can exists , thanks to the Sun.
The Moon that cause tides in the ocean and some times high tidal waves is directly connect with us as we are made up of 70+% water. And Moon reflects the sunlight!
Depending on our physical health , our mental attitudes reflect our situation.
Are we happy b'coz we are well, or are we well b'coz we are happy????
Well as some knowledgeable person said, the Sun is the Lord of our body and the Moon is the Lord of our mind.
In our religious rituals also they have a significant spot.
WHY??
The Sun is the largest, oldest, perennial source of energy which enables life on Earth. Our environment and plants etc and hence our food and as a result our body can exists , thanks to the Sun.
The Moon that cause tides in the ocean and some times high tidal waves is directly connect with us as we are made up of 70+% water. And Moon reflects the sunlight!
Depending on our physical health , our mental attitudes reflect our situation.
Are we happy b'coz we are well, or are we well b'coz we are happy????
Well as some knowledgeable person said, the Sun is the Lord of our body and the Moon is the Lord of our mind.
Thursday, 26 July 2012
Soft is Strong
We usually think that soft is weak.
But we have heard that soft women when needed can be stronger than most men around them.
Air & water are in gaseous /liquid state , but can erode the rocks in solid state.
Air finds its way into many so called air tight containers.
Water tight compartments are penetrated by water / a leakage by a small lapse.
Think about it.
Water
is fluid, soft, and yielding. But water will wear away rock, which is rigid and
cannot yield. As a rule, whatever is fluid, soft, and yielding will overcome
whatever is rigid and hard. This is another paradox: what is soft is strong
Krishna & Butter
We all have seen pictures of Krishna enjoying butter & stories of Krishna stealing butter.
But why butter?
Is it because he loved cows? Then why not milk or yoghurt ??
Cows represent the satvik qualities - white, calm, caring and so on.
Well butter is the outcome of churning milk/cream/yoghurt.
So to reach Krishna the output from the satvik cow, goes thru the various stages and needs to go thru the churning process and then it reaches Krishna.
Now maybe when we see / think of Krishna and butter, we may have a new perspective.
But why butter?
Is it because he loved cows? Then why not milk or yoghurt ??
Cows represent the satvik qualities - white, calm, caring and so on.
Well butter is the outcome of churning milk/cream/yoghurt.
So to reach Krishna the output from the satvik cow, goes thru the various stages and needs to go thru the churning process and then it reaches Krishna.
Now maybe when we see / think of Krishna and butter, we may have a new perspective.
Another way to understand is that Krishna used to steal butter. What does this signify? Butter is the final product of a process: the milk is first made into curd and then the curd that is well churned becomes butter. And like milk or curd, life is the process of churning through so many events, happenings and instances. Finally butter comes out, which is the saintliness in you
Monday, 9 July 2012
FIR
We know how well we are doing on teh spiritual path by the FIR test
- F - frequency of
- reading scriptures
- being in satsang
- thinking of the learnings
- swaying away & becoming aware
- I - intensity of
- desire to read more
- go for a stasang
- go deeper in the knowledge
- being disturbed
- R - revisit / repeat / revise /recovery
- the chapter read
- going to satsang of such groups
- revise the knowledge
- recover from the disturbances
Passion & Gita
Yesterday I watched a Kathak performance by the Maestro - Pandit Birju Maharaj & his disciples.
They were all very passionate about the dance form and it was a treat to witness their performances.
Birju Maharaj & his troupe , demonstrated the creation of various scenes with the bells tied on his / their feet - A peacock rain dance, ducks in a pond, a hockey game, geometric sequences and much more. it was an amazing experience.
But what I really want to share is that he said he saw dance in everything. He sees the combination of rhythm & movement in everything from signing on documents to typing on lap tops to playing ball and in opening window. And he works to recreate the scenes with the rhythm & movement in the dances that he composes. And its his passion for the dance which enables him to see dance everywhere and he works very hard to share it with others.
Its said when you are passionate about something you can connect everything around you to that subject.
Wish I had the passion for Gita knowledge to that extent - to see the Gita principles around & to be able to translate them to others in a form that they can appreciate & enjoy and then make the connection.
Praying & Waiting!
They were all very passionate about the dance form and it was a treat to witness their performances.
Birju Maharaj & his troupe , demonstrated the creation of various scenes with the bells tied on his / their feet - A peacock rain dance, ducks in a pond, a hockey game, geometric sequences and much more. it was an amazing experience.
But what I really want to share is that he said he saw dance in everything. He sees the combination of rhythm & movement in everything from signing on documents to typing on lap tops to playing ball and in opening window. And he works to recreate the scenes with the rhythm & movement in the dances that he composes. And its his passion for the dance which enables him to see dance everywhere and he works very hard to share it with others.
Its said when you are passionate about something you can connect everything around you to that subject.
Wish I had the passion for Gita knowledge to that extent - to see the Gita principles around & to be able to translate them to others in a form that they can appreciate & enjoy and then make the connection.
Praying & Waiting!
Monday, 2 July 2012
Gita in Bollywood movies
All movies have some element of Gita in it. We just have to look for it.
1. Om Shanti Om
- what we wish for or want, becomes a vasana & we come back to complete it / live it. Om wished to be born son of a rich guy with luxuries...remember & behold ...there is a mention that the life we lead & events that happen we have wished for them in the past
- for a good casue the cosmos helps you when you ask ...the famous bottle award speech
2. Agneepath
- In new version the villian repeatedly talks about Atma not dying while killing someone
- Only the one who is stronger can forgive the weak ( physical, financially ...depending on circumstances)
- Only the one who is stronger can forgive the weak ( physical, financially ...depending on circumstances)
The trees & oxygen
The cost of Oxygen. A very interesting perspective!
In one day a human being breathes oxygen equivalent to three cylinders.
Each oxygen cylinder on an average costs Rs 700, without subsidy.
So in a day one uses Oxygen worth Rs 2100 and for a full year it is Rs
7,66,500. If we consider an average life span of 65 years; the costs of oxygen we use
become a staggering sum of Rs 500,00,000. Rs 50 million. Thats a million USD!!!!
All this oxygen is derived free of cost from the surrounding trees.
Imagine having to pay for the air we breathe!!!!
Very few people look at trees as a resource and there is rampart tree
cutting going on everywhere which should stop.
Please care for trees. In olden times there was a saying if you cut a tree your family will be cursed unless you plant 7 new trees. A very simple way to preserve the enviorenment.
In the Gita there is a mention that nature is doing its duty endlessly of providing is sunshine, oxygen , water and som much more. Without expecting anything in return.
The least we can do is respect nature and and learn selflessness from it.
In one day a human being breathes oxygen equivalent to three cylinders.
Each oxygen cylinder on an average costs Rs 700, without subsidy.
So in a day one uses Oxygen worth Rs 2100 and for a full year it is Rs
7,66,500. If we consider an average life span of 65 years; the costs of oxygen we use
become a staggering sum of Rs 500,00,000. Rs 50 million. Thats a million USD!!!!
All this oxygen is derived free of cost from the surrounding trees.
Imagine having to pay for the air we breathe!!!!
Very few people look at trees as a resource and there is rampart tree
cutting going on everywhere which should stop.
Please care for trees. In olden times there was a saying if you cut a tree your family will be cursed unless you plant 7 new trees. A very simple way to preserve the enviorenment.
In the Gita there is a mention that nature is doing its duty endlessly of providing is sunshine, oxygen , water and som much more. Without expecting anything in return.
The least we can do is respect nature and and learn selflessness from it.
Monday, 25 June 2012
Different roles of a person
A lady who is a teacher at school, is a mom, a wife, a sister, a daughter , a daughter in law at home. IS also a neighbour, a community member & a colleague etc. But she is the same one person, playing different roles. Its tough to switch roles every now and then , but she needs to in the best interest of everyone.
Now lets revisit Mahabharat & Gita learning's ....
The role of Arjuna in the war field is just to fight - giving his all to it, doing maximum justice to his role. When he plays the role of the fighter he should not share the concerns of his other roles - father, brother, son, son-in-law, nephew or any other. If he does, it is like splitting himself into many roles at a time and thus diluting his vyavasaya buddhi. Diluted dedication is inefficiency. When you play the role of the fighter, be just the fighter and not the father, brother or anyone else. When you play the role of the worker, be just the worker and not the father, mother, husband, wife or anyone else.
Gita teaches us that we may have many roles to play, but for each action / interaction we are doing that as our duty/karam for a particular role. And at that time we need to be focused on our duty in that role.
This gives multi tasking a new dimension. Its not about doing many duties at one time, its about how quick we can switch from one role to another without diluting any focus.
Now lets revisit Mahabharat & Gita learning's ....
The role of Arjuna in the war field is just to fight - giving his all to it, doing maximum justice to his role. When he plays the role of the fighter he should not share the concerns of his other roles - father, brother, son, son-in-law, nephew or any other. If he does, it is like splitting himself into many roles at a time and thus diluting his vyavasaya buddhi. Diluted dedication is inefficiency. When you play the role of the fighter, be just the fighter and not the father, brother or anyone else. When you play the role of the worker, be just the worker and not the father, mother, husband, wife or anyone else.
Gita teaches us that we may have many roles to play, but for each action / interaction we are doing that as our duty/karam for a particular role. And at that time we need to be focused on our duty in that role.
This gives multi tasking a new dimension. Its not about doing many duties at one time, its about how quick we can switch from one role to another without diluting any focus.
Wednesday, 20 June 2012
Simple Math
We are always working 2get and finding it difficult 2give.
Most of our life is about how 2get and what 2give.
Try replacing 2 with 4
And now work towards 4get & 4give
Square of 2 is 4. If 2 is a line, then 4 is its area of coverage .
It changes the perspective & dimension.
Monday, 18 June 2012
Forgiveness ( for older kids & grown ups)
We all hear about forgiving being an important element for self evolution.
As we know only that who can forgive should forgive. Can I forgive you for a wrong you have done to Mr A??? We teach our kids that they need to say sorry to the person that they have hurt or caused discomfort.
In the movie Agneepath - there is a very interesting dialogue about the fact that can a weak person forgive? Or only the strong can forgive?
- Saying sorry without meaning is no good - its lip service
- Asking for forgiveness when one realises ones mistake - is a state of awareness
- Making efforts to make good the wrong done ( to whatever extent possible) - is in the direction of freeing oneself from the karma impact
- when a person is hurt & is expecting an apology - we are attached & create a karma
- when forgiveness is requested if we feel good ( ah he is asking for my forgiveness) - then we are in ego
- when we truly forgive - is when we elevating ourselves from the karama bandhan
When we become aware of a mistake we have made, we should ask God for punishment and not forgiveness. Thus we free
ourselves from the karma that was created by that wrong we did.
A story
A Mahatma was going with his student in a
boat. Another boat following them had many kids in it. These kids kept teasing
the Mahatma and his student. After some time the boat carrying the students,
collapsed. Immediately the Mahatma slapped his student. Student asked: why did
you do that? Mahatma said: I am sure you must have thought "good that their boat
collapsed" so I punished you immediately for that wrong thought so that you do
not carry it further and get bonded by it.
Friday, 15 June 2012
Solid, Liquid & Vapour (for adults)
The water vapour always rises & water always fall down.
Its not about the weight (as mass cannot change when state changes). In case of vapour its the heat. And in case of ice its the Archimedes principle. But it floats only as ice & eventually melts and mixes into the water itself.
The water cycle takes water through its stages and its a never ending cycle. Similar to birth and rebirth to some extent - till the atma is tied with its karmas!
Imagine if H2O became H and O...will it still be part of the water cycle??? No.
Just like if the atma was freed from its karmas, the Atma will merge into Paramatma.
Also when we light a fire the flame always goes up, never down!!!
The flame of a lamp signifies knowledge & inspires you to move up... in a way it elevates you.
Thursday, 14 June 2012
Peace & Conflict
My son had Peace & Conflict as a unit in Humanities at school and they researched personalities like Gandhi & Churchill in this unit.
When he mentioned P&C , I said that's what Gita mentions too.
Arjun wanted peace, had conflict in his mind!
The Pandava's tried to resolve the issue with peaceful alternatives, but Kauravas reactions worsened the conflict.
All the seniors wanted peace but had conflicts in their minds over duties & commitments & promises.
Peace does not give rise to conflict. However a conflict well handles with help from fundamental principles will lead us to peace.
When he mentioned P&C , I said that's what Gita mentions too.
Arjun wanted peace, had conflict in his mind!
The Pandava's tried to resolve the issue with peaceful alternatives, but Kauravas reactions worsened the conflict.
All the seniors wanted peace but had conflicts in their minds over duties & commitments & promises.
Peace does not give rise to conflict. However a conflict well handles with help from fundamental principles will lead us to peace.
The prism effect
During Physics we all have studies the prism effect.
Below is a copy paste from Wikipedia for ready reference
Before Isaac Newton, it was believed that white light was colorless, and that the prism itself produced the color. Newton's experiments demonstrated that all the colors already existed in the light in a heterogeneous fashion, and that "corpuscles" (particles) of light were fanned out because particles with different colors traveled with different speeds through the prism. It was only later that Young and Fresnel combined Newton's particle theory with Huygens' wave theory to show that color is the visible manifestation of light's wavelength.
Newton arrived at his conclusion by passing the red color from one prism through a second prism and found the color unchanged. From this, he concluded that the colors must already be present in the incoming light — thus, the prism did not create colors, but merely separated colors that are already there. He also used a lens and a second prism to recompose the spectrum back into white light. This experiment has become a classic example of the methodology introduced during the scientific revolution. The results of this experiment dramatically transformed the field of metaphysics.
Now lets look at it with the spiritual bent of mind.
The light always had the colours but only after going through the prism there were visible. So the colours were unmanifested with in the light.
Just like the many features of divinity that are in us and around us - but not manifested for our physical eyes.
The physical sense organs are limited in their ability to sense only the very gross.
For examples the frequency that a human ear can pick is different from what other animals can pick or radios can pick. The radio wave frequencies are all there, just we only pick some of them.
Below is a copy paste from Wikipedia for ready reference
Before Isaac Newton, it was believed that white light was colorless, and that the prism itself produced the color. Newton's experiments demonstrated that all the colors already existed in the light in a heterogeneous fashion, and that "corpuscles" (particles) of light were fanned out because particles with different colors traveled with different speeds through the prism. It was only later that Young and Fresnel combined Newton's particle theory with Huygens' wave theory to show that color is the visible manifestation of light's wavelength.
Newton arrived at his conclusion by passing the red color from one prism through a second prism and found the color unchanged. From this, he concluded that the colors must already be present in the incoming light — thus, the prism did not create colors, but merely separated colors that are already there. He also used a lens and a second prism to recompose the spectrum back into white light. This experiment has become a classic example of the methodology introduced during the scientific revolution. The results of this experiment dramatically transformed the field of metaphysics.
Now lets look at it with the spiritual bent of mind.
The light always had the colours but only after going through the prism there were visible. So the colours were unmanifested with in the light.
Just like the many features of divinity that are in us and around us - but not manifested for our physical eyes.
The physical sense organs are limited in their ability to sense only the very gross.
For examples the frequency that a human ear can pick is different from what other animals can pick or radios can pick. The radio wave frequencies are all there, just we only pick some of them.
Gross to Subtle
Explaining gross & subtle to children is sometimes challenging.
Try doing with the 5 elements
1. Earth - we know, feel, touch, see, hold, cut - the grossest of all!
2. Water - we know, feel, touch, see, hold, but cannot cut - going towards subtle!!
3. Air - we know, feel, touch, hold, but cannot see or cut
4. Fire - we know, feel, see, touch, but cannot hold or cut
5. Space - we just know - out of reach of our 5 senses....most subtle!!!!
Try doing with the 5 elements
1. Earth - we know, feel, touch, see, hold, cut - the grossest of all!
2. Water - we know, feel, touch, see, hold, but cannot cut - going towards subtle!!
3. Air - we know, feel, touch, hold, but cannot see or cut
4. Fire - we know, feel, see, touch, but cannot hold or cut
5. Space - we just know - out of reach of our 5 senses....most subtle!!!!
Wednesday, 13 June 2012
Sun : Rays & Reflection -
Think about it...Sun rays are there all the time ...but some times they fall on surfaces that reflect it and double the light ! We have studied in science about black absorbing light and white / silver reflecting it!!!!
The sun is same everywhere ...we just see it differently. Clouds covering sun does not mean sun is gone, just we cannot see!
Being in Norther & Southern hemispheres does not mean Sun moved, just where we are looking from !!
Sun rays are there but if we don't draw our curtains our rooms will stay dark.
Rays travel in straight lines....straight line is the shortest distance between 2 points!
Have you noticed a ray of sun / a beam of light thru the curtains sometime? But do you see it if all the curtains are drawn??? You see the rays when there is darkness around but we don't notice them other wise....
Also do you recall studying Umbra & penumbra ?? The shadows depending on sources of light and distance....all are based on the characteristics of the Rays.
And we all know light travels faster than sound!!!!
So how does all this relate to spirituality???
1. The path to God is straight
2. If you are clean you can reflect divinity to others
3. God is everywhere & same, just depends how & from where we see it.
4. Enlightenment is about light, and light travels faster than sound!
5. When knowledge coming from different sources , we may get blurred like the Penumbra, but that does not change the light or knowledge!!!
The sun is same everywhere ...we just see it differently. Clouds covering sun does not mean sun is gone, just we cannot see!
Being in Norther & Southern hemispheres does not mean Sun moved, just where we are looking from !!
Sun rays are there but if we don't draw our curtains our rooms will stay dark.
Rays travel in straight lines....straight line is the shortest distance between 2 points!
Have you noticed a ray of sun / a beam of light thru the curtains sometime? But do you see it if all the curtains are drawn??? You see the rays when there is darkness around but we don't notice them other wise....
Also do you recall studying Umbra & penumbra ?? The shadows depending on sources of light and distance....all are based on the characteristics of the Rays.
And we all know light travels faster than sound!!!!
So how does all this relate to spirituality???
1. The path to God is straight
2. If you are clean you can reflect divinity to others
3. God is everywhere & same, just depends how & from where we see it.
4. Enlightenment is about light, and light travels faster than sound!
5. When knowledge coming from different sources , we may get blurred like the Penumbra, but that does not change the light or knowledge!!!
Numbers & Spirituality
Think about it....
One : soul / atma / paramatma
Two : Parmatma & Prakariti
Three : Triangle - the simplest shape to enclose an area . Think 3 Gunas
Four : Square - considered a perfect shape - equal sides & right angles. Think 4 awasthas - Brahamcharya / Grasth /Vasprasth /Sanyas. And think 4 Vedas
Five : Pentagon - 5 sides - think 5 senses - Gyan Indrian & 5 karam Indriya
Six : Hexagon - 6 sides ????
Seven : Heptagon - 7 chakras / VIBGYOR / 7 Maharishis
Eight : Octagon - 8 sides??????
Nine : Nine planets
Ten : 10 Avatars
One : soul / atma / paramatma
Two : Parmatma & Prakariti
Three : Triangle - the simplest shape to enclose an area . Think 3 Gunas
Four : Square - considered a perfect shape - equal sides & right angles. Think 4 awasthas - Brahamcharya / Grasth /Vasprasth /Sanyas. And think 4 Vedas
Five : Pentagon - 5 sides - think 5 senses - Gyan Indrian & 5 karam Indriya
Six : Hexagon - 6 sides ????
Seven : Heptagon - 7 chakras / VIBGYOR / 7 Maharishis
Eight : Octagon - 8 sides??????
Nine : Nine planets
Ten : 10 Avatars
Monday, 4 June 2012
The C's in life
In Singapore its about Condo, Car, Club, Credit Card
For kids its Cookies, Chocolate, Cupcakes, Chips, Crisps, Cake & being Cool
In Spirituality its about :
Commitment
Compassion
Calmness
Composure
For kids its Cookies, Chocolate, Cupcakes, Chips, Crisps, Cake & being Cool
In Spirituality its about :
Commitment
Compassion
Calmness
Composure
Sphere & Spirituality
Sphere has no vertices's or edges - its smooth & blended . Can bounce & roll in any direction. It has no edges to hurt anyone.
Now lets look at a Cone - one vertex, 2 faces - very pointed one one end & very flat on the other. Can balance only on its flat side , else rolls in a small area forming a circle.
Take a Triangular Prism . Few vertices's & edges & faced - pretty pointed & sharps one. Can balance on any side - Think Tobelerone!
Now think of a Pyramid - A square base & 2 triangular sides - very pointed & sharp. 8 edges & 5 vertices's & 5 faces.
Now lets think of a hexagonal or octagonal prism
Take a square - 6 faces, 8 vertices's & 12 edges - that's a cube. looks perfect , can stand equally steady on any face - but very sharp corners. A cuboid is very similar.
Think cylinder. Think of all possible solid shapes.
Imagine holding blocks of these different 3 D solid objects and try & simulate how it will feel
Now lets try & relate the shapes' features to spirituality!!!!
Less the vertices's/faces - sharper the edges.
The sharpest edges are at 90 degrees - in cube & cuboid
As the angle between faces reduces & number of faces increases in the solid object the edges are less sharp.
More of the faces - the edges become less sharp.
When number of faces increases and 2 faces of the object come closer (the external angle reduces!) the surface begins to merge
And finally it becomes a sphere ....
This is what happens when we merge individuality into universality!!!
When each individual comes closer to the other , they all become one!
Also visit http://www.speakingtree.in/spiritual-slideshow/seekers/mysticism/mathematics-behind-the-form-of-shivalingam
Wednesday, 30 May 2012
Fraction, Decimal & Percentage
All kids get introduced to Fractions , then decimals & percentages. And of course the are able to establish the corelation & understand that its just the form of communicating the value of the number. The single truth is the value and the form is the fraction or decimal & percentage way of representing it.
Spiritual knowledge is also a bit like that. Its conveyed in different ways.
Children by grade 6 or 7 figure out that its the value & the presentation.
Another example for that. Kids when listening to spritiual talks of their level or exchanging notes about their parents, especially relating to good values, often say my parents say that or they think that way too. Its because parents are trying to impart similar values.
Since there is only one truth & usually one right, however you may communicate it, it will be that!
Though many grown ups are still not able to co-relate the spiritual knowledge coming from different sources is conveying pretty much the same thing.
Spiritual knowledge is also a bit like that. Its conveyed in different ways.
Children by grade 6 or 7 figure out that its the value & the presentation.
Another example for that. Kids when listening to spritiual talks of their level or exchanging notes about their parents, especially relating to good values, often say my parents say that or they think that way too. Its because parents are trying to impart similar values.
Since there is only one truth & usually one right, however you may communicate it, it will be that!
Though many grown ups are still not able to co-relate the spiritual knowledge coming from different sources is conveying pretty much the same thing.
Wednesday, 2 May 2012
Plumber & Electrician & Handyman
{Recently watched the 3 part "Intro to Gita" by Rajima on You Tube & quoting with her permission}.
We call these guys when something is broken or we need something to be fixed.
Some people treat God in the same way. They think of God when they need some thing to be resolved or some help in a tough situation.
Many of us forget the " Stitch in time saves nine" principle. If we did regular maintenance & used things carefully in the house, we will have only natural wear & tear.
Similarly if we remember we are a part of God and have a loving & grateful attitude, we will probably not need to call for help.
We call these guys when something is broken or we need something to be fixed.
Some people treat God in the same way. They think of God when they need some thing to be resolved or some help in a tough situation.
Many of us forget the " Stitch in time saves nine" principle. If we did regular maintenance & used things carefully in the house, we will have only natural wear & tear.
Similarly if we remember we are a part of God and have a loving & grateful attitude, we will probably not need to call for help.
Wednesday, 25 April 2012
The Thirsty Crow
This story is also quite well known. He was really thirsty and found a way to get to the water.
Now lets look at the message in that...
The crow signifies a sincere seeker & the water in the pitcher knowledge, and pebbles are the tools like yoga, meditation, satsang which help us get closer to the knowledge.
All of us are the seekers and for each the Pitcher, the level of water & the pebbles may be different.
Now lets look at the message in that...
The crow signifies a sincere seeker & the water in the pitcher knowledge, and pebbles are the tools like yoga, meditation, satsang which help us get closer to the knowledge.
All of us are the seekers and for each the Pitcher, the level of water & the pebbles may be different.
Hare & Tortoise
We have all heard the story & the moral being, slow and steady wins the race.
Well the Tortoise signifies immense patience, persistence & hard work as well as Satogun.
The Hare is jumpy (Rajo Gun) or sleeping (Tamo Gun) during the entire story.
The Tortoise is very symbolic. The shell signifies the knowledge that insulates him & protects him. The head & 4 limbs signify the 5 senses. It symbolises that the Tortoise can withdraw his senses at his will and be shielded by his knowledge. He is calm and stable and works towards his purpose - like a karamyogi.
So now we know why the Tortoise won the race.
Well the Tortoise signifies immense patience, persistence & hard work as well as Satogun.
The Hare is jumpy (Rajo Gun) or sleeping (Tamo Gun) during the entire story.
The Tortoise is very symbolic. The shell signifies the knowledge that insulates him & protects him. The head & 4 limbs signify the 5 senses. It symbolises that the Tortoise can withdraw his senses at his will and be shielded by his knowledge. He is calm and stable and works towards his purpose - like a karamyogi.
So now we know why the Tortoise won the race.
3M
When you see or hear 3M what comes to the mind...
1. The manufacturer of our favourite sticky notes
2. A kid doing data at school will think of Mean, Median & Mode
3. Adjectives to describe a person - Mean, Modest or Merry
4. Subjects like Maths, Music & Mechanics
5. or Magic, Miracle & Musement
Someone mentioned that
1. The manufacturer of our favourite sticky notes
2. A kid doing data at school will think of Mean, Median & Mode
3. Adjectives to describe a person - Mean, Modest or Merry
4. Subjects like Maths, Music & Mechanics
5. or Magic, Miracle & Musement
Someone mentioned that
- Use things like numbers in Maths - so be Mathematical with objects
- Be Musical with people
- And Meditative with self
5 Blind men & the elephant
Most of us know the story .
Five blind men went to see an elephant.
One touched the leg of the elephant and said, “The elephant is like a pole.”
The second touched the trunk and said, “The elephant is like a thick club.”
The third touched the belly and said, “The elephant is like a big jar.”
The fourth touched the ear and said, “The elephant is like a big hand fan.”
The fifth touched the tail & said its like a rope.
Thus they began to quarrel amongst themselves as to the shape of the elephant.
A passer-by, seeing them thus quarrelling, said, “Why are you all quarrelling?” They told him the problem and asked him to be the judge.
The man said: “None of you has seen the elephant. The elephant is not like a pole; its legs are like poles. It is not like a thick club; its trunk is like a thick club. It is not like a big jar; its belly is like a big jar. It is not like a fan; its ear is like a fan. The elephant is all these --- legs, trunk, belly, ears, tail and much more.”
In the same way, those who argue about the nature of God have known only a small part of His Reality. In spirituality, the divine is as we experience it.
Trying to understand God or Self for with our senses of perception, we only learn that much.
Trying to understand God or Self for with our senses of perception, we only learn that much.
Sowing wheat & spiritual lesson
When we sow wheat we get more wheat as well as fodder for the cattle or hay for the thatched roofs as well as some oxygen into the air. If we sowed only for hay (had their been seeds for it) then that's all we would get!
Sowing for wheat to feed self & others helps in other areas as well.
Would you stop growing wheat if you did not need the hay or because there was no way of growing only wheat??? One will still sow wheat and then either sell or give away the hay. Would you burn or destroy the hay? Obviously not as it useful to someone
If we do actions thinking whats in it for me? And think of only oneself that will spell doom.
Knowledge - Input , Process or Output???
There is a relationship between input and output & in between is the process that changes the input into output. This is a simple way to explain so it could be fruit becoming juice or dough+cheese+tomato becoming a pizza!!!
Now lets look at simple machines like tongs or wheel barrow or scissors that help reduce effort. All machines help in efficiency in terms of reducing input or increasing output.
The human brain & mind combination is the most complex machine. ( It can reverse the above in terms of making it things in efficient as well.)
If knowledge is input then what will be output ???
Or is knowledge the process???
Consider education as knowledge & one will think that knowledge of how to multiply or divide is really the process and helps reach the out come. And in maths the right output is only one.
Now consider knowledge in terms of what is good or bad / right or wrong etc on the moral / value based measure. Each person's view may be different and responses will be based on the individuals past experiences & knowledge.
Knowledge could also be an output. When we learn from our experiences and share that knowledge its our output & input for the receiver.
Or is knowledge the process???
Consider education as knowledge & one will think that knowledge of how to multiply or divide is really the process and helps reach the out come. And in maths the right output is only one.
Now consider knowledge in terms of what is good or bad / right or wrong etc on the moral / value based measure. Each person's view may be different and responses will be based on the individuals past experiences & knowledge.
Knowledge could also be an output. When we learn from our experiences and share that knowledge its our output & input for the receiver.
Knowledge is versatile & all pervasive - as Input, Process & Output
Why meditate? (a copy & paste)
Meditation is universal. It transcends all divides like religion, country and culture. It is a gift given to mankind to access the infinite spirit not limited by any identity. It is the only tool that can aid a person to return to innocence.
Modern life style has high exposure to anger, hate, fear and other negative emotions. These human emotions have a high tendency to duplicate and spread. For example, when a person gets cheated, he starts to suspect everything around him. This also has an impact on people around him. These emotions form strong impressions and opinions on an individual and social level. The result of which is an insecure individual and an unstable society.
Meditation helps an individual overcome these emotions to facilitate a calm peaceful mind and a healthy and stress free body. Upon daily practise an individual will blossom into an unshakable personality. With increase in the number of people who are calm, peaceful and healthy will facilitate a social transformation, enabling a society that is trusting, happy and content.
Tuesday, 24 April 2012
DIY
This makes us think of the Do It Yourself stores to buy things to fix/make around the house.
Now if someone said its meant to be - Divine Inside You ...it will take a while to register.
Now think of it as a spiritual journey or learning & evolution process - its a Do It Yourself kind of thing!
Now think of it as a spiritual journey or learning & evolution process - its a Do It Yourself kind of thing!
Gross & Subtle
Some examples, characteristics & pointers to help understand
- Sight & Vision
- Short Term & long term / eternal
- Is & Could be
- Ever changing & Permanent
- Form & Formless
- School & Education
- Perceive through our senses & feel/know inside
Front & back of our bodies
The front represents the BHOG - what we enjoy/consume. So we have out eyes & nose & mouth & ears there to see, smell, eat & hear.
The back is for YOG or to connect with GOD & SELF. So we have the spine that supports us in everything. And when we need to rest we lie on our backs & lay our heads down. The back of our body is used for resting, recovering & meditating
Repitition of Math topics and Reading Gita repeatedly
Some children wonder they started learning fractions in Grade 2 & did again in say grade 4 & then they keep having to do again in later grades as well.
Well as they get older of course the level of detail & the complexity of the problems they solve progresses with the ability of the child .
And people who read Gita repeatedly vouch that they learn more / deeper meanings each time. They say depending on their level of consciousness and satwa, the understanding increases as a continuous process.
For fundamentals truths ( Maths as well as Gita) repeated practice and gradual increase in complexity and understanding is important.
Water reactions
Just imagine water falling on
1. A hot frying pan - it sizzles & evaporates
2. On a leaf - it slides around it, hangs from the tip & drops down
3. Into an oyster - becomes a pearl.
If water was knowledge and the 3 examples were either different situations or different people and how hey receive the knowledge.
Agneepath the poem & the movie
The movie may be violent etc, but very inspiring in few ways
Vriksh ho bade bhale,
ho ghane ho bhale,
Ek Patra chhah bhi mang mat, mang mat, mang mat,
Agnipath, Agnipath Agnipath;
Tu na thamega kabhi tu na mudega kabhi tu na rukega kabhi,
Kar shapath, Kar shapath, Kar shapath,
Agnipath, Agnipath, Agnipath.
1. The good defeats the evil - eventually / in the long run. ( in the movie after blood shed etc)
2. What the child learnt from his father in his early years comes back to him
3. We are usually alone in our journey of life
Agneepath the Poem with Translation
Vriksh ho bade bhale,
ho ghane ho bhale,
Ek Patra chhah bhi mang mat, mang mat, mang mat,
Agnipath, Agnipath Agnipath;
Tu na thamega kabhi tu na mudega kabhi tu na rukega kabhi,
Kar shapath, Kar shapath, Kar shapath,
Agnipath, Agnipath, Agnipath.
Ye Mahan Drishya hain,
Chal raha Manushya hain,
Ashru, Sweth, Rakta se Latpat Latpat Latpat..
Agnipath, Agnipath, Agnipath.
(There may be huge, warm and shady trees all around)
(Don't even ask the shade of a single leaf)
(Walk on the Path of Fire, Walk on the Path of Fire)
(You will not stop, You will not turn, You will not halt)
(Take this oath, take this oath, take this oath)
(The Oath of Fire, the Oath of Fire, the Oath of Fire)
(This is a great situation)
(Man Walks)
(Tears, Sweat and Blood)
(They swathe Him, they swathe Him)
(Walk on the Path of Fire, Walk on the Path of Fire)
Chal raha Manushya hain,
Ashru, Sweth, Rakta se Latpat Latpat Latpat..
Agnipath, Agnipath, Agnipath.
(There may be huge, warm and shady trees all around)
(Don't even ask the shade of a single leaf)
(Walk on the Path of Fire, Walk on the Path of Fire)
(You will not stop, You will not turn, You will not halt)
(Take this oath, take this oath, take this oath)
(The Oath of Fire, the Oath of Fire, the Oath of Fire)
(This is a great situation)
(Man Walks)
(Tears, Sweat and Blood)
(They swathe Him, they swathe Him)
(Walk on the Path of Fire, Walk on the Path of Fire)
Monday, 23 April 2012
Another ABC of spirituality
Aware of the divine
Belongingness to divine & seeing divine in others
Commitment to increase divinity in self & others.
Spiritual & Mental FITness test ( for adults)
Here is a way to test if we are doing well on the path of spirituality/knowledge
1. Frequency of disturbances / us loosing balance decreasing
2. Intensity of how upset or angry we get reduces
3. Time taken to return to centre & be balances also reduces
If the above is true , then you are doing well , give yourself a clap & keep at it.
Sunday, 22 April 2012
Ways of presenting a number
There are so many ways of presenting a number.
1. Hindu Arabic
2. Roman
3. Fraction - simple/mixed
4. Decimal
5. Percentage
6. On a number line
But does the value of the number change???
The presentation may appeal to some or make it easier for some to understand, but the value remains same.
Same with religion / paths of spirituality. They all talk of same things and lead to the same ultimate truth, just packaged / presented differently.
Possibilities of what we can do! (inspired from something I read!)
The starting point for understanding Prana/ Atma is to appreciate that the world consists of a more than just the physical things we sense with our 5 senses. Physicality is just the tip of the iceberg. Beyond this there are worlds upon worlds of more rarefied and non-dimensional realities, which are just as tangible as the physical realms if you are able to discern them. They can’t be felt with our ordinary physical senses but it is possible to develop other organs of perception in our subtle bodies. Over a period of time, the level of functionality that can be built up is amazing.
Imagine, for example, that you lived in a culture where for some reason it was taboo to use your arms. As you grew up, they just withered and hung uselessly from your shoulders.
Then supposing one day you meet someone who says, “Hey, do you know you can use those?”
“For what?” you ask, incredulously.
“For so many things!”
And then the person teaches you how to begin to move your arms. It would be nothing more than a few jerky spasms at first but gradually, if you worked at it, you’d build muscle and be able to move your fingers, turn your wrist, bend your elbow, move your arm, and pick up weights. One miraculous day you’d be able to use this previously pathetic appendage to drink a cup of tea! And that’s just the beginning. You could go on to learn how to write, create handicrafts, paint masterpieces… the list is endless.
Its the same with Atma/Prana. Once we have the awareness we can be part of the subtle world that exists but we can't experience it till our subtle senses begin to work.
Friday, 20 April 2012
Taking care of a plant / child / self!!! ( for adults)
When we sow a seed , we need to take great care about the amount of water and sunlight etc. And the weeds that come by. Even as a small shoot we need to take great care and protect it from excessive sun or water and keep weeding as necessary . Weeds come by themselves & rain comes with little warning & strong winds can be harmful for a little plant, but we need to take care of the plant & protect it till it becomes a healthy plant or strong tree.
A lot like parenting ! Taking care of the children's various needs and preparing them to be independent individuals
And also we need the same treatment when we are learning about self / on path of spiritual knowledge. We need to take care of ourselves when we are new to knowledge and weak to the impact of disturbances.
Is imitation bad! (for adults)
Well in the modern day plageurism is considered unethical at school & university.
Now consider this - A great spiritual teachings. Someone plagiarises and publishes another one & it reaches many more people ...is that bad? It is plagiarism and we may not know the intention ( good or otherwise) but if the book does good to many more people is it not good! Think about it???
Similarly there are books written about the power of thought and about sending positive thoughts into the universe et all. And some say it is borrowed from old Vedic scriptures. So whats wrong with someone repackaging it ??? Well some may agree that at least spreading knowledge while others will say by hiding the source it may be diluting the knowledge or the context.
Its open to debate ...please put your comments.
Angle & Circle ( for adults)
An angle is a part of a circle. An angle is a part of the whole, relative to something bigger!
When we say see it from his angle - what does that mean - we see from his point of view - understand with his intellect - in his circumstances etc...
When the angle broadens - at 180 degrees it becomes a straight line and at 360 degrees a dot at the centre or a circle at the outside!
A circle as no end , no beginning (like the atma, how spiritual!)
Imagine if we are an angle and then we learn and work towards becoming a circles !!!!
Thursday, 19 April 2012
Ways of learning
1. By memorising
2. By awareness & knowledge
3. By understanding & application
True & complete learning will have elements of all 3.
Take the example of multiplication tables.
Some think that kids have to mug up some of them for easy recall in future.
But if they did not understand the concept or be aware that multiplication is a compression of addition and that all ways of multiplying get the same answer ( repeat addition, grid multiplication as well as usual long multiplication) , will mugging help!!!
In the famous movie "3 Idiots" we witnessed result of mugging without understanding.
Though comparing the speech in the movie with multiplications may not be the best example, it has a takeaway. We can memorise pronunciation of a word when we don't understand the phonics but we cannot use the word without knowing its meaning!
Teaching/Learning the principles of Gita with or without shlokas' has a similar debate. Many people reading the shlokas (in the transliterate version) don't know the language and base their understanding on the translation and then the explanation.
However in case of Gita they say the viberations generated by the sounds of the shloka's have benefits at the sub conciuos level hence saying them without understanding is perfectly fine.
Hence the recommended modern way of studying Gita is
1. Using transliteration to read the shloka or hearing it online. Reciting when possible.
2. The literal translation & then the explanation
3. Applying the principles to ones life
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