For a seed to grow & flower needs soil +pot + water + sunshine in the right quantity and at the right time & eventually it will grow into a plant & flower & fruit
If knowledge is the seed
we are the soil
Satsang & practice etc are water & sunshine
Increased divinity is the plant and a beautiful life of giving is the fruit.
Here is a short story about a mango seed & monkeys
Monkeys love Mangoes and figure out that planting a seed will give them a tree and loads of fruit.
So they plant a seed. But the monkeys keep checking. Everyday one of them is digging up to see what is happening. They have no patience for mango to grow and because of there expectation and impatince the seed does not sprout into a plant.
Same for knowledge, we need to nourish it with service and satsang and sadhna and be patient. Then it blooms.
For a seed to become a plant it had to be destroyed. Someone who does not understand growth will see it as the destruction of the seed.
Monday, 17 February 2014
Word plays
- (DO)n't qu(IT)
- Listen and Silent , use the same letters
- Man is part of Woman. Woman is the "World of Man" / "Wife of Man" / "Wisdom of Man". Wo(man) contains man and in incomplete without it.
- Water Vapour ?? its either water or vapour / liquid state or gaseous state...can't be both.
- Slow Death ? does death have a speed? in which case Life would be slow detah as we are all moving towards it constantly
In other words:Do It relates to Action as in the Gita
Listening is important and so is Silence. Being silent helps listen !
Man & Woman are complimentary in nature not to compare & compete.
We can be in one state at one time..
Life is a journey towards death is how some people see it. Death is the culmination of a mission as others see it.
Body, Mind, Intellect & Soul.
Experiencing the world thru the 5 senses is a function of the mind. Even a lovely fragrance you will miss if the mind is else where.
The intellect is that which categorizes experience into good or bad or indifferent.
The memory is where past is stored, unpleasant memories are trauma, pleasant ones are, well, pleasant
Intellect works between the mind and the memory.
Ego is that which creates a sense of identity.
And all these including the body are continually changing.
The body, mind, intellect, ego keep changing - but to identify change, there needs to be an unchanging reference point... This is the Self.
The self/soul/atma ...is the unchanging
Though there is an argument that the vasna's & karma's etc are carried forward so how is soul unchanging.
The intellect is that which categorizes experience into good or bad or indifferent.
The memory is where past is stored, unpleasant memories are trauma, pleasant ones are, well, pleasant
Intellect works between the mind and the memory.
Ego is that which creates a sense of identity.
And all these including the body are continually changing.
The body, mind, intellect, ego keep changing - but to identify change, there needs to be an unchanging reference point... This is the Self.
The self/soul/atma ...is the unchanging
Though there is an argument that the vasna's & karma's etc are carried forward so how is soul unchanging.
Glass half filled with water
Pessimist : Its half empty
Optimist : Its half full
Realist : Its full as there is air. Nothing is empty except vacuum.
Opportunistic : I will drink what I get!
Its a perspective and they all are right from where they see it.
Optimist : Its half full
Realist : Its full as there is air. Nothing is empty except vacuum.
Opportunistic : I will drink what I get!
Its a perspective and they all are right from where they see it.
Tuesday, 11 February 2014
Talent as a divine gift
Talent is God-given...be humble.
Talent often leads to Fame
Fame is man-given...be grateful.
And fame often leads to Conciet and arrogance
Conceit is self-given...be careful.
We need to understand that my talent is Gods gift to me or divinity manifested thru me.
Also when you submit your actions (of your talent) to the divine , the fame is pure and there is no conceit.
A related story
Once a Bird asked a Bee: After constant handwork you prepare honey & man comes and takes it away. Don't u feel sad? The Wonderful Bee replied : No Never...Because the only thing man can do is steal "my honey" not the "art of making honey"
In this world anyone can copy your creation but no one can copy your TALENT...its a divine gift!
A related story
Once a Bird asked a Bee: After constant handwork you prepare honey & man comes and takes it away. Don't u feel sad? The Wonderful Bee replied : No Never...Because the only thing man can do is steal "my honey" not the "art of making honey"
In this world anyone can copy your creation but no one can copy your TALENT...its a divine gift!
Monday, 10 February 2014
PARENTS
P.A.R.E.N.T.S. : People (with) Amazing Resolve (to) Enrich, Nurture, Transform Souls (include parent-bloodline/adopted, teachers and other well wishers like parenting maids and wow ayahs in school during childhood)
Since GOD could not be everywhere he made Mothers!
God and karma choose the parents , so please know that this is what was meant for us.
Putting
All
Resources
Endlessly &
Naturally
Towards
Spirituality
Since GOD could not be everywhere he made Mothers!
God and karma choose the parents , so please know that this is what was meant for us.
Putting
All
Resources
Endlessly &
Naturally
Towards
Spirituality
Friday, 24 January 2014
Action and its Fruit
Am back with thoughts related to 2.47, the much talked about and often misinterpreted Gita shloka.
Well to warm up, karma in general is action.
Action always has a reaction. And there are multiple possibilities.
We throw a dice and there are 6 possible outcomes!!!
That is a quick outcome, but sometimes outcomes are in future..as much as in next birth!!!
Well to warm up, karma in general is action.
Action always has a reaction. And there are multiple possibilities.
We throw a dice and there are 6 possible outcomes!!!
That is a quick outcome, but sometimes outcomes are in future..as much as in next birth!!!
Karma theory is about you reap what you sow
Hindus believe in karma's being related to soul and not just the body ! So we have Karma's accumalated from past
Karma types : based on timing
And Karma types with a different perspective
1. Nitya Karmas (everyday )
2. Naimittika Karmas (occassional)
3. Kaamya Karmas (towards artha & kama within dharma)
4. Nishiddha Karmas(forbidden )
5. Prayaschitta karmas . (Repentence )
Karma is action and will have a reaction or fruit is certain, just when and what is not known.
Every action of ours/ Karma has a 4 fold impact
1. The result
2. The impact on our character
3. The impression / vasna it leaves on our mind
4. The impact on others in the world
Karam Yoga is a lot more than just action
It is action
1. Done to the best of our ability
2. With no attachment to result
3. For the good of society
4. Dedicated to God
Take an example of a surgeon , operating to save a life. He/she will do what he can best do and takes no responsiblity of outcome. But a karam yogi surgeon will do that but will also not take the credit for the positive outcome and will dedicate his action as service to lord.
Or a tutor while teaching if he gives his best and then advertises that his students get A* , is he a karam yogi???
Every action can have multiple outcomes. To simplify, largely in 4 categories ...
Example we want to cross the road to catch a bus
1. We do exactly that
2. We cross and get a ride from a friend
3. Before you cross someone distracts you and you see the bus go. So we miss the bus & no taxi coming as well..
4. We get hit while crossing the road...or lightning strikes...or you get a call and the need to go ends
Now coming to making choices for action. Inaction is not a choice ( doing nothing is an action of sitting around!!)
The letters of ACTION include
Self effort is of highest importance. Heard about "God helps those who help themselves!!" and "Its mind over the matter "
The choice for action is key.
Now coming to the shloka...it has 4 elements
1. Your right (Responsibility / choice/ competency ) is to work only
2. You have no control over / choice of / plan for the fruits
3. The fruits of action should not be the motivation for you to act. Do not try to be the author of your fruits of action
4. Also do not let your attachment be to inaction , duty is to act but only to act not be distracted to inaction.
(Suggest you also read olds post related to the topic)
Hindus believe in karma's being related to soul and not just the body ! So we have Karma's accumalated from past
Karma types : based on timing
- Sanchit : Accumalated from the past , over janma's , good and bad karma
- Prarabdh: those that have fructified
- Agami : yet to happen
- Kriyami : happening now, at this moment!
And Karma types with a different perspective
1. Nitya Karmas (everyday )
2. Naimittika Karmas (occassional)
3. Kaamya Karmas (towards artha & kama within dharma)
4. Nishiddha Karmas(forbidden )
5. Prayaschitta karmas . (Repentence )
Karma is action and will have a reaction or fruit is certain, just when and what is not known.
Every action of ours/ Karma has a 4 fold impact
1. The result
2. The impact on our character
3. The impression / vasna it leaves on our mind
4. The impact on others in the world
Karam Yoga is a lot more than just action
It is action
1. Done to the best of our ability
2. With no attachment to result
3. For the good of society
4. Dedicated to God
Take an example of a surgeon , operating to save a life. He/she will do what he can best do and takes no responsiblity of outcome. But a karam yogi surgeon will do that but will also not take the credit for the positive outcome and will dedicate his action as service to lord.
Or a tutor while teaching if he gives his best and then advertises that his students get A* , is he a karam yogi???
Every action can have multiple outcomes. To simplify, largely in 4 categories ...
- What we expect
- Better than what we expect
- Worse than what we expect
- Completely unexpected
Example we want to cross the road to catch a bus
1. We do exactly that
2. We cross and get a ride from a friend
3. Before you cross someone distracts you and you see the bus go. So we miss the bus & no taxi coming as well..
4. We get hit while crossing the road...or lightning strikes...or you get a call and the need to go ends
Now coming to making choices for action. Inaction is not a choice ( doing nothing is an action of sitting around!!)
The letters of ACTION include
- I CAN
- as well as I CANT
- and I NO ACT???!!!!
- as well as A TIC ON
Self effort is of highest importance. Heard about "God helps those who help themselves!!" and "Its mind over the matter "
The choice for action is key.
Now coming to the shloka...it has 4 elements
1. Your right (Responsibility / choice/ competency ) is to work only
2. You have no control over / choice of / plan for the fruits
3. The fruits of action should not be the motivation for you to act. Do not try to be the author of your fruits of action
4. Also do not let your attachment be to inaction , duty is to act but only to act not be distracted to inaction.
(Suggest you also read olds post related to the topic)
Wednesday, 22 January 2014
Prioritising / making choice
When a child is sick parents will force the medicine in, no listening to I don't like, don't want, it is bitter. Parents know it is good and essential for child.
Similarly for minor aches or feeling tired parents do not allow children to miss school or a extra curricular activity.
Then why when it comes to attending spiritual classes or doing seva, they think otherwise.
We all have heard of its too hot/cold for something or too far or have a birthday to go for and so on. When parents do that, they themselves are making a choice of being in comfort zone of they want to do instead of what they should do.
Will this demonstration teach the kids that they need to complete the wants and then work on shoulds?
Prioritising and making choices is done always by everyone and we need to be aware of what choices we make as they all have consequences.
Similarly for minor aches or feeling tired parents do not allow children to miss school or a extra curricular activity.
Then why when it comes to attending spiritual classes or doing seva, they think otherwise.
We all have heard of its too hot/cold for something or too far or have a birthday to go for and so on. When parents do that, they themselves are making a choice of being in comfort zone of they want to do instead of what they should do.
Will this demonstration teach the kids that they need to complete the wants and then work on shoulds?
Prioritising and making choices is done always by everyone and we need to be aware of what choices we make as they all have consequences.
Tuesday, 21 January 2014
Life of Pi
If you have read the book and watched the movie, you will be able to relate.
Pi was admirable as a character ...trying to do what is right, trying to see that the tiger was there to give him reason to live, his immense gratitude towards Richard Parker at the end of his adventure.
His belief that he will be saved and his faith in God that he will reach land was commendable. His ability to make the most of everything. Gratitude for the small blessings amidst all the chaos.
Knowledge that he had before helped him and that indicates knowledge as a saviour.
And the knowledge that he acquired during his time as a castaway also relates to the truths revealed in meditation or in solitude.
His multi religion practices relates to trying to connect to God by different routes.
His relating the story to a journalist relates to sharing his experience and knowledge like wise and enlightened folks.
The connections to France, India, Mexico & Canada make me thing all world in one and connected in a way we don't understand.
Everything in that story has spiritual undertones. Think about it.
Pi was admirable as a character ...trying to do what is right, trying to see that the tiger was there to give him reason to live, his immense gratitude towards Richard Parker at the end of his adventure.
His belief that he will be saved and his faith in God that he will reach land was commendable. His ability to make the most of everything. Gratitude for the small blessings amidst all the chaos.
Knowledge that he had before helped him and that indicates knowledge as a saviour.
And the knowledge that he acquired during his time as a castaway also relates to the truths revealed in meditation or in solitude.
His multi religion practices relates to trying to connect to God by different routes.
His relating the story to a journalist relates to sharing his experience and knowledge like wise and enlightened folks.
The connections to France, India, Mexico & Canada make me thing all world in one and connected in a way we don't understand.
Everything in that story has spiritual undertones. Think about it.
Monday, 20 January 2014
Joy of giving ( edit to a copy paste from FB)
There is a saying in Sanskrit, ‘Naalpe sukham asti yo vai bhumaa tat sukham’. The mind always goes for something that is bigger; some bigger joy, bigger bliss. It is its nature, you cannot avoid it. The mind wants to have something bigger, and spirituality gives you that bigger joy, bigger happiness.
There is one kind of happiness that you get by taking; as children we all have it. However, a grown up person has happiness in giving; like a mother at home. She enjoys cooking for everybody, but when she is all by herself she doesn’t make five or ten different varieties of food and eat. She never does that. She will have a cup of tea or coffee and munch something. So there is the joy in giving. Authors and literary giants have this joy that I gave something to society, I wrote something. There is a joy in it; go for that.
The Sun shines not for itself and the tree bears fruit not for itself.
We all have something to give to others. The divine in us is a skill or ability to do something and when we use it for others or for social good , it brings us joy as well as makes the world a better place.
Sunday, 19 January 2014
Who am I ??
If you answer it with your name, then to know that its a word given by parents to address you , may confuse you.
If you say child of X & Y , and then someone explains they were the medium for you to take birth and they were given responsibility to look after you, then you wonder !!!!!!
Then you try and a man/woman, Indian/ other nationality, or Hindu/Other religion ....
All these identifications are true yet not the answer.
So who am I ?
If you say child of X & Y , and then someone explains they were the medium for you to take birth and they were given responsibility to look after you, then you wonder !!!!!!
Then you try and a man/woman, Indian/ other nationality, or Hindu/Other religion ....
All these identifications are true yet not the answer.
So who am I ?
Bigger Order
We sow many seeds & we water them all , but not all sprout.
And then though all are in the same soil and environment but not all grow or not grow to same size.
Then not all flower and not all flowers bloom fully. Some flowers fall to the ground and some are plucked and reach the altar and some reach a funeral and some bloom and wither away still on the tree. Why???
Imagine walking and sometime we step on some ants. Unknowingly we kill some ants . So why only those ants get killed? and others survive.
Why some people have a very unfortunate life???
Why some people are good and still have a bad end?
All these questions are valid , but answers are not easy.
Its all a part of the big order that we as humans cannot understand. Accepting that we are part of the creation and only the creator knows why somethings are.
We may see the thread and then see the knot and get troubled by it, but the thread and the knots are part of a big net is something we may not be aware of. Only the creator knows.
And then though all are in the same soil and environment but not all grow or not grow to same size.
Then not all flower and not all flowers bloom fully. Some flowers fall to the ground and some are plucked and reach the altar and some reach a funeral and some bloom and wither away still on the tree. Why???
Imagine walking and sometime we step on some ants. Unknowingly we kill some ants . So why only those ants get killed? and others survive.
Why some people have a very unfortunate life???
Why some people are good and still have a bad end?
All these questions are valid , but answers are not easy.
Its all a part of the big order that we as humans cannot understand. Accepting that we are part of the creation and only the creator knows why somethings are.
We may see the thread and then see the knot and get troubled by it, but the thread and the knots are part of a big net is something we may not be aware of. Only the creator knows.
New spiritual acronyms
KPI : Krishna's Powerful Instructions
GITA : Get In To Action
AAA: Arise Awake & Act
GITA : Get In To Action
AAA: Arise Awake & Act
Saturday, 18 January 2014
The Trinity
Brahma: Creator, Orginator, Generator, Constructor
Vishnu : Protector, Operator, Care taker
Mahesh (Shiva) : Destroyer
Generator
Operator
Destroyer
Vishnu : Protector, Operator, Care taker
Mahesh (Shiva) : Destroyer
Generator
Operator
Destroyer
Thursday, 16 January 2014
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.
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.
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