Actions for the benefit of society

Karam Yoga in chapter 3 talks about this , working for a higher goal and with right intentions. There are various examples shared in Gita sessions here are some ....

1.
A helper in a kitchen cutting onions.
He can merely be cutting onions or helping prepare a meal
He is helping prepare a meal to feed hungry people
He is  helping prepare a meal to feed hungry people to enable them serve God.
Is the intention and the larger goal identifiable?

2.
I want money ...seems like a selfish desire
I want money to give to a needy guy...sounds better
I want money to open a training centre to help needy people learn and then earn for themselves....that sounds noble.

3.
I want to write a blog ...so!!!
I want to write a blog and increase the hits & make more people visit it ... sounds selfish
I want to write a blog and increase the hits & make more people visit it so I can share my thoughts about knowledge with more people  ... sounds better??

4.
I want to do a fund raiser...good idea
I want to do a fund raiser to be more visible in the school / society....sound self centric
I want to do a fund raiser to help the cause and also be more visible in the school / society....mixed up intention!!!
I want to do a fund raiser to help the cause and not for my image , that is a by product ...now that sounds like real charity

5.
I need firewood so will cut a tree...how simple and limited to self
I need firewood so will cut a tree, but will that harm nature, or the ecological balance ...what a thought!
I need firewood so will cut a tree, but since that will that harm nature and ecological balance , I must plant another 5 trees...now that seems like a noble action.

6.
I need good grades in school to please my parent...hmmmm
I need good grades in school to please my parents and they want what is good for me ......getting better
I need good grades in school to please my parents and they do want what is good for me and that will help me become capable to work for myself and contribute to the society.......now that is even better

7.
I want to look pleasant ...why?
I want to look pleasant so people will compliment me ...so ?!
I want to look pleasant so people will compliment me and see me as a manifestation of God ....now that is a new way to think


Our thoughts and intentions impact our actions. Noble thoughts with society and world at large will purify them and selfish thoughts will make them impure.

Laws of Nature & Manifestation of God

Just like gravity and water cycle there are many laws and functions that happen in nature.

Things always fall towards earth and hot days lead to rain in the equatorial land is known.

When we sow a grain of wheat, we get 100+ grains from the plant.  This is the glory of the creator that 1 grain becomes 100+.  Also the law is that when we sow wheat we get wheat and not rice.

Earth revolving around the Sun is a universal truth but a beautiful sunrise and a soothing sunset, its all manifestation of God.

The more you look around the more laws of nature and glories of God you will be able to see.

Connecting to God

In Gita it is mentioned that we are the doers of the God and once we accept that and do all actions with submission to God we are always connected.

For example a river is by itself knows its a river and flows with enthusiasm to connect with the ocean. The river collects minerals and soil and waste and pollutants along the way and keeps accepting them knowing its on its way to meet the ocean. The river gets flowers of prayer and rubbish thrown into it during its course.

When the river meets the oceans with all its water and pollutants , it merges with the ocean and looses itself completely. Even though the ocean is far away and the water at a point is yet to reach the ocean the river feels connected all the time.

For people who go through life feeling the divine connection , they accept all the experiences : good, bad, happy, sad... et all with ease as they submit all to God .

I can be a pot of water standing on its own or try to be like a river.  Or in the interim a pot of water floating,  tumbling and moving with the river towards the ocean.

Choice and Action are key

They say if not the whole Gita everyone must read the chapter 3 - Karam Yoga. It details about action and why it is key to choose the right action.

We are always doing an action voluntary or involuntary ( breathing etc). Even to have fun and indulge in the "not suitable" activities like drinking alcohol we need to do some actions.

Whether we do what we "should" or what we "want" there is action and there is choice.

When we choose the "should do" path, most of the "wants" are miraculously fulfilled.

We are always posed with choices. Knowing what is right is important but acting on what is right is more important. Just knowing right from wrong is not enough, if we don't have the ability, intention & courage to act on it. Does this remind you of "Action speaks louder than words."

For example when a mother is teaching her child to make vegetable eating a habit, she rewards the kid with a bit of chocolate. And for a child by doing what he should ( eat vegetables)  his desire for chocolate is fulfilled as well :-)

Or when a teacher drives students to stretch to complete work, he announces free time to have fun as well.

Knowledge leads to choice and then ability to act and desire for self realisation leads to actioning upon the right choice.

2*2=4 and TRUTH

2+2 = 4, and kids learn that in Kindergarten
2*2 = 4, and kids learn that in maybe grade 1
or in other words 2 square = 4, and kids learn that in say grade 4

Truth is revealed over a period of time as we are ready to understand the same.
The equations hold true always just we learn and understand at different ages.

2 is a special number as same equations are not true for 3 or any other number 3+3=6, but 3*3=9.

Mathematical truths and all truths have to be understood and then they are simple.
The universal laws of nature have always been there and hold true, its just when we become aware of them we begin to understand them our perspective and reactions in life change.

Gita & Dhoom 3 ( another one from an FB post)

Below txt is written by them. Dhoom 3 catch lines, rewritten by them for their own spiritual learning and growth!
------------
Bande hain hum uske (we are part of supreme self),

Ham pe kiska zor (we are not in control of this worldly maya),

Ummedo ke suraj nikle charon aur (sadachar, swadhyay, sat sang, naam jaap to guide us),

Eradeye hain fauladi (we are fully committed on the path of God realization),

Himmati har kadam (we have courage and discipline in all events of life),

Apne haathon kismat likhne (we have the intellect and power to achieve our ultimate goal),

Aaj chale hain hum (we have started our journey of self realization)

Gratitude

As per Wikipedia , Gratitude is a strong emotion which flows out of you when you realize that you are lucky and blessed. We are bound to be grateful in every step of life.

Some other quotes :

Gratitude is a strong emotion which flows out of you when you realize that you are lucky and blessed. We are bound to be grateful in every step of life.

Its not happiness that brings about Gratitude. It is Gratitude that brings us happiness.

Imagine : what if you woke up tomorrow with only what you were grateful for today???
Gratitude turns what we have into enough.

Gratitude is knowing that it is all a blessing from the divine and that God's plans are always perfect.

Being grateful takes you on a journey of innerpeace. Being grateful for this life, the kind of parents you were born to, the upbringing & education, the opportunities & challenges ....the list goes on.

In Gita there are various references that once human form is attained its to test if one can understand the purpose of life and maintain the pursuit toward the goal amidst all distractions. The first step on the path is being grateful for the human life. Next gratitude for the awareness & knowledge. Gratitude for the opportunities and help that God provides along the way (teachers, friends, satsang...).

Gita in a poem ! (copy pasted from Face Book post)

This was written by Geetha Nagraj. Her son Vinay studies in the US and she keeps sending him summaries and even does Gita with him regularly. Both parents and son have realised how much Gita is needed by all, for a happy, peaceful and fulfilling life 

 (1)

Everything is in vain

Arjun cried out in pain      

How do I kill my kith and kin?

Oh my God, it is a sin

I do not want to play this game

It will only bring me shame

Let me not indulge in this war

I cannot take this any far

(2)

Pity, you are meek and weak

Who fears future is so bleak

Know your might and the grace

A great warrior of your race

I am really torn asunder

My Lord, here I surrender

You know what is best and right

Guide me through this dark night

Hear me say the Truth in brief

Abandon indeed all that grief

Differ how they Body and Soul

Know this reality as a whole

Prescribed duties you fulfill

With single focus, if you will

Mind not the results in every age

It will lead to mere bondage

With senses controlled, wise men say

It is all but a Divine Play

Pleasure and pain life may bring

Glories of Lord they always sing

Two main evils desire and anger

Enlightened know how to conquer

They lead their lives, quiet and peaceful

Filled with joy, serene and blissful

(3)

Knowledge and Action, ways are two

Which one is better, guide me through

Everyone is so bound to act

No one can deny, it is a fact

Do your job with all your might

If it is detached, it is so right

Free of ego do your best

For the benefit of the rest

Sacrifice is the way to go

To reach the Supreme as you know

Based on which the Creation rests

This is how the Universe works

Know your strength, trade and skill

Make your destiny with your will

Your own task, do it with charm

Others’ role, it will only harm

Rest not until you fulfill your duty

Seek your Self in all its very beauty

(4)

You do not know ME fully yet

I am the Real and the Light

When Right is in its very decline

I manifest in forms, all divine

I appear at MY will, time and again

To restore peace, I ascertain

Leave your desire, fear and anger

Follow your way with all the fervor

Every path is dear and pleasant

If pursued with pure intent

Action and inaction, it is a world of choice

Always listen to your inner voice

A man’s life sans oblation

Leads him away from salvation

(5)

Renunciation and Action, ways are two

            Which one is better, guide me through

Superior to renunciation

I say it is unattached action

With subdued senses and life so pure

Anyone can reach ME, this is for sure

Even wise men perform deed

To purify their souls indeed

Ever clear in their equal vision

They are ever on their mission

(6)

You and only you are your friend and enemy

Elevate the spirit on your own journey

Honor and dishonor life will throw

Treat them equal, they come and go

Eat, sleep and act in moderation

Helps to reach your final destination

He is with ME and very aware

Who knows and sees ME everywhere  

Control your mind, restless for sure

Practice and dispassion, you ensure

Faith and worship come what may

He is the most devout, I would say

(7)

Thousands of men tried their best

Very few have passed the test

I am the seed and the essence

In everything, feel my presence

Blinded by their delusion

World is in my illusion

But those who seek my divine grace

With all the love I embrace

Worshippers and seekers, men are four

Pious Savants, I adore

Any worship, men may long

I make that faith firm and strong

(8)

I am the knowledge and the source

Everything springs from my creative force

Those who know ME as the ONE

And fill their thoughts of ME alone

At their end and along the road

They make their way easily to my abode

Mind and Intellect fixed in my sublime

Therefore remember ME all the time

Noble devotees reach their aim of eternal peace

Away from this painful and transient place

(9)

Secret of Truth I will share

It is the Royal Science, I declare

Actions in this path easy to perform

Pure and pleasant in its form

Those who cavil all the while

Will return to their path of vile

I am the cause and the effect

Everything possesses my divine aspect

Nature’s various manifestations

Are born under my directions

I am the father and the mother

And the supporter and purifier

I am the origin and dissolution

And the shelter and foundation

Only ME, who think and serve,

Their need, I secure and preserve

A leaf, flower, fruit or just water

Whatsoever my devotees offer

With all the delight, I accept

It is the intent that I respect

Whatever you do, eat or give

You submit to ME, it is the way to live

On the path to your noble goal

And unite yourself with the Supreme soul

(10)

 I am the Truth and the unborn

With my power everything is born

Men who know that I am the Creator

Are in delight and enlighten one another

To such men who worship with love so dear

I provide them with intellect to come so near

                       

                        You are the Divine and all pervading

                        But how can I know thy in every being?

There is no end to my eminence

Wherever there is magnificence

Glorious, Splendor, brilliance or excellence

Know that it is my immanent presence

(11)

With your profound words for my own sake

                        My delusion is gone and I am now awake

                        I wish to see your form, infinite and divine

                        Show me if you think it is all fine

                       

You can see in ME the whole universe

Forms, colors and shapes so diverse

I grant the spiritual vision to see the wonder

Behold all that you see, it is all splendor

                        Oh My Lord, I see Thee in every side

                        And the cosmic form in which you reside

                        I see the entire creation

And the countless evolution

                        I see the good and the horror

                        And the universe in terror

                        I see the blazing fire

                        And now to know you fully, I desire

                       

I am the time, the present and past

Everyone will see their end at last

Know that I am the destroyer of all

So, stand up and attend to your call

Gifts, rituals or austerities, men may perform

To see my cosmic exalted form

But only those who render their pure devotion

Are blessed to have this wonderful vision

12)

One who worships and meditates on ME

I help to liberate, such a noble devotee

He who is ever friendly and without any ego

Always the same to a friend or foe

Equipoised in honor and dishonor, praise and censure

Cold and heat, pain and pleasure

Neither rejoices nor hates

Nor grieves nor desires

Pure, forgiving, alert, full of compassion and devotion

Content, silent and steady in meditation

Adroit in work and possessed of firm conviction

And without any agitation

Free from elation, envy, anxiety and fear

Such a devotee is near and dear

13)

Understand the concept of Matter and Spirit

The gross and subtle elements that is born with it

Knowledge will awaken the sleepy soul

Help you reach your lofty goal

Humility, non-injury, purity and unpretentiousness

Forgiveness, respect for teacher, self-control and uprightness

These are the qualities one must gain

With this knowledge, he is not born again

Those who see the Lord in every being

Reaches HIS eternal divine dwelling

14)

Purity, Passion and Inertia, constituents are three

Of the Nature, that is born from ME

Purity binds to knowledge and divineness

At all times leads to happiness

Elements of Passion are restlessness and constant action

It can only lead to pain and dejection

Inertia binds to useless activity, sleep and indolence

Result of which is ignorance

Everyone is so bound by these modes of three

One who transcends them becomes free

15)

Know this eternal truth that the individualized Self

Is nothing but an eternal part of Myself

In the body with five senses and the mind, I reside

Providing vitality for all beings, everything I preside

Those who possess the divine eye

Behold ME and contemplate so high

In the sun, moon and fire, know that light to be mine

I support all beings by my strength so prime

16)

Those who are born to attain sublime qualities

Possess all the divine properties

But those who are born for a demoniac estate

Exhibit all the traits that enslave

With hypocrisy, anger, lust and arrogance

They walk the path of only ignorance

Lust, anger and greed are three gates to pain

Renounce these and pursue the noble aim

Follow the guidelines prescribed in sacred text

They are the authority in what is best

17)

Faith of the embodied is a threefold kind

It depends on how their innate natures bind

Pure, passionate or dark

It depends on their inner mark

Know about three types of food, sacrifice and austerities

And the threefold way of giving charities

Harmless, truthful, helpful and pleasant

In austerity of speech, these are present

Discipline of the mind brings silence and calmness

And self restraint, purity and gentleness

Without any faith, one who does all these in haste

In this life and hereafter, goes only waste

18)

Know about abandonment and renunciation

Here is my ultimate declaration

Never should be abandoned, sacrifice, charity and austerity

Since it leads to purity         

Obligatory duties, all should perform

Agreeable or disagreeable, pure men always conform

Detached and not desiring of the fruit

Every prescribed duty, they execute

Action and its causes, understand all the facts

Helps you comprehend the reasons behind all acts

Kinds of knowledge, action, intellect, fortitude and pleasure

Are pure, passionate or dark, three in measure

Everyone’s duties depends on how their qualities bind

Qualities born of nature are four in kind

By engaging in their own duty, wise men attain perfection

And with Supreme they make their connection

Heart of every being is Lord’s dwelling

Seek his refuge and manifest your divine being

Secret of secrets, this wisdom I have shared so clear

It is because to me you are so dear

With all the knowledge gained, you reflect

Choice is yours and now you act

If you take refuge in me for sure

Will liberate you from all the sins, this I assure

This supreme knowledge with devotion who teach

Without any doubt my abode, they reach

                        With your grace, I am now aware

My doubts are dispelled, this I declare

                        My faith is firm and intact

                        Now as per your words, I will act.

                       

Line & line segment and rain & water cycle

During a geometry lesson revision was trying to explain to my child.
Line : No beginning & no end. Infinite
Line segment : has a start & end. Finite. Is part of a line.

Just like rain or lake has a start and end and is part of the water cycle

Soul and body was going thru my mind during this conversation. And my child related it to God & Human.

Human being / body is finite like the line segment and like a lake
Soul and God are Infinite and so is the line and the watercycle

And our being is a part of the divinity in a way .

Sun & Sunshine

• Look up at the Sun and the shadows will fall behind you ( not be seen).
• The Sun is the ultimate source of energy and life, beginning of the food chain!
• Sun helps plants grow, animals breathe. 
• Sun helps ice melt to water & then evaporate again to give rain. It is an essential part of the water cycle that one ignores
• It is said Sun first shared the Gita gyan 
• Its the core of our solar system. There would be no day & night and no seasons if there was no Sun. In fact we would not be here if there was no Sun.
• Indians, Incas and Greek ...all these cultures prayed to Sun God in different forms

God's plan are perfect!!

A King had a male servant who, in all circumstances always said to him; My king, do not be discouraged because everything God does is perfect, no mistakes. 
One day, they went hunting and a wild animal attacked the king, the servant managed to kill the animal but couldn't prevent his majesty from losing a finger. Furious and without showing gratitude, the King said; if God was good, I would not have been attacked and lost one finger. The servant replied, 'despite all these things, I can only tell you that God is good and everything He does is perfect, He is never wrong'. Outraged by the response, the king ordered the arrest of his servant. While being taken to prison, he told the king again, God is Good & Perfect. 
Another day, the king left alone for another hunt and was captured by savages who use human beings for sacrifice. On the altar, the savages found out that the king didn't have one finger in place, he was released because he was considered not "complete" to be offered to the gods. On his return to the palace, he ordered the release of his servant and said; My friend, God was really good to me. I was almost killed but for lack of a single finger, I was let go. But I have a question; If God is so good, why did He allow me to put you in prison? His servant replied; My king, if I had not been put in prison, I would have gone with you, and would have been sacrificed, because I have no missing finger. 

Everything God does is perfect, He is never wrong. Often we complain about life, and the negative things that happen to us, forgetting that everything happens for a purpose. God knows why you are reading this message today, please bless someone with it by sharing it. God is good and perfect!!!😇

Law of Karma : a simple explanation ( copy, edited & pasted)

“Karma” means “activity”, and the law of karma is the law that regulates the reactions to our activities. 

The law of karma is the natural law of action and reaction. In physics this is expressed by Newton’s law, “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction”. 

Or, in Christian theology, “As ye sow so ye shall ye reap”.

From a practical point of view this means that good actions give good results and bad or destructive actions give bad or less fortunate results.

It should be noted here that all souls are essentially good. This means that just because someone gets a bad reaction it does not mean that they are a bad person. Another important point is that karma is temporary. This means that although we may be experiencing a particular set of circumstances right now those circumstances will change in the future. This could happen in this life or even future lives. Not only is karma temporary it is also possible to change one’s karma, or even get rid of it altogether by acting spiritually in the service of God.

Good reactions include things like wealth, beauty, intelligence and happiness. Bad reactions include things like poverty and disease. In order to fully understand how karma works the concept of reincarnation must also be looked into. See the page on Reincarnation for more information.

Karma (good or bad) creates a continuous cycle by which one is entangled in repeated actions and subsequent reactions. As long as one is in this cycle one will naturally experience both happiness and distress. The philosophy of the devotees of Krishna teaches how to break this cycle and achieve a state of eternal happiness known as liberation in a pure relationship with God.

From the spiritual point of view, that of eternity, it doesn’t really matter if one has “good” or “bad” karma. This is because past material karma does not impede one from making spiritual advancement.

Spiritual significance of Ramayan! ( Copy paste from an FB post)

Ramayan is an epic story about King Dasharatha, who had three wives, but no children. Along with his wife Kaushalya, he performed a yagya called Ashwamedha, after which they got four sons.

Dasharatha means one who can run ten chariots at a time; You are Dasharatha; Your body-mind complex is Dasharatha. The ten chariots are the five organs of senses and the five organs of actions. The five organs of senses are eyes, ears, nose, tongue, skin. The five organs of action or Karmendriya enable us to interact with the material objects of the world; these organs are hands, feet, organs of ingestion (mouth), organs of excretion (rectum) and organs of reproduction (genitals).

Kaushalya means skill - A skill is required to be able to draw the mind away from the Maya and establish it in the Self!

Ashwa means today; that which was not yesterday, not tomorrow, but "Now....in this present moment", Ashwa also means horse. Our senses are like horses that keep running in different directions.

Medha means purification;

Ashwamedha is when one’s mind and intellect is totally in the present moment free from the anger and regret of the past and free from the anxieties and fears of the future. By being in the present moment, purification happens. When medha, your intellect is so deep in the present moment, nothing can shake it. What can shake your intellect is only the past. If you can snap yourself out of the past every moment, you are free, that is liberation. You are liberated because you have snapped out of the past. This is purification.

Rama - The words "rays, radiance" come from the Sanskrit root word Ra, which means to shine, to radiate, brilliant, light. Ma means within me; in my heart. So, Rama means the light in my heart.

So, when Dasharatha and Kaushalya came together, and performed the Ashwamedha yagya, Rama was born. When the mind-body complex uses some skill and gets into the present moment, purifying the mind and the heart, then Rama, which means, the light in our hearts is born. This is the spiritual significance of Sri Rama’s birth.

Four things come out of you when Ashwamedha is done:

Rama, which means the light in our heart shines (Born of Kaushalya)
Lakshmana, means awareness, mindfulness (Born of Sumitra)
Bharata, means all talents (Born of Kaikeyi)
Shatrughna, means one who has no enemies (Born of Sumitra)
The first wife’s name is Kaushalya, which means skill. In Hindi, you say ‘Kushalatha’, meaning skillful.

The second wife’s name is Sumitra, which means good friend. There could be many friends, but not all are good friends. Many times, friends drag you in the wrong direction; take you in the wrong way. Sumitra is one who takes you in the right direction.

The third wife’s name is Kaikeyi, one who sacrifices herself and brings benevolence. Kaikeyi is one who stands by your side, although she appears differently; but deep within, she does benevolence, with a cover. It is like a doctor who gives you a bitter medicine, or a vaccination. As soon as the children see him, they start yelling and crying, but the vaccination does good to them. Similarly, Kaikeyi who apparently, outwardly, is not pleasant, but inwardly, does that which is good for you.
So, these are the three wives of Dasharatha.

Ravana means the one who clouds or covers the "light within",hence Ravana is also called the EGO. The 10 bad qualities, which are represented by 10 heads of Ravana that cover the spirit within are:

1. Kama vasana (Lust)
2. Krodha (Anger)
3. Moha (Attachment)
4. Lobha (Greed)
5. Mada (Over Pride)
6. Matsara (Jealousy)
7. Swartha (Selfishness)
8. Anyaaya (Injustice)
9. Amanavta (Cruelty)
10. Ahankara (Ego).

Ramayana is happening in your own body. Your soul is Rama, your mind is Sita, your breath or life-force is Hanuman, your awareness is Laxmana and your ego is Ravana.
When the mind (Sita) was stolen by Ravana (the ego) then the 10 bad qualities start dominating and cause emotional pollution. This makes the soul (Rama) restless. Now the soul cannot reach the mind on its own, it has to take the help of the breath - the prana. With the help of the prana (Hanuman), the mind (Sita) got reunited with the soul (Rama), and the ego (Ravana) vanished.

(This is exactly what we do in rhythmic breathing .This is the spiritual significance of the story.)

Knowing God, a perspective

Very often we come across people trying to understand God. Not visible, not physical . So intangible.

Some examples that helps explain to kids.

When you fall and it hurts, can you see the pain? Can your mom see the pain? But you feel the pain . And thru your experience and sharing your mom feels your pain.

Someone may argue when you break a bone it comes in an xray but when its just a bruise you cannot see in xrays. And now science has many ways to see changes in body and brain waves when we are happy, sad or in pain. But do we as people see those electro magnetic waves? But we FEEL them.

God and divinity is about EXPERIENCING it.

We experience the cool breeze, that is a form of divinity. ( we surely don't see it)
We see the rainbow which is divinity too, but do we see the joy it spreads in the hearts of all those who see it???
We feel joyful when we see a rainbow or feel the breeze or warm sunshine.
This is experiencing God !

Gandhi & Gita

"The Gita is the universal mother. She turns away nobody. Her door is wide open to anyone who knocks. A true votary of the Gita does not know what disappointment is. He ever dwells in perennial joy and 'peace that passeth all understanding'. But that peace and joy comes not to the skeptic or to him who is proud of his intellect or learning. It is reserved only for the humble in spirit who brings to her worship a fullness of faith and an undivided singleness of mind. There never was a man who worshipped her in this spirit and went back disappointed.

I find a solace in the Bhagavad Gita that I miss even in the sermon on the Mount. When disappointment stares me in the face and all alone I see not a ray of light, I go back to the Bhagavad Gita. I find a verse here and a verse there, and I immediately begin to smile in the midst of overwhelming tragedies - and if they have left no visible, no indelible scar on me, I owe it all to the teaching of the Bhagavad Gita."

~ Mahatma Gandhi (taken from The Holy Geeta - a CCMT publication)

Let us pay heed to his words and understand how the Gita guided him in his darkest moments. Let us all "Go through Gita... Grow through Gita..." and let Gita go through you to the next generation by example.