Eureka !

Mullah Nasruddin- Light heart, bright heart!

2011-08-30T10:38:00.000-07:00

"To be wise, you must become a fool," is an adage that runs as a substratum through many of the world's great wisdom traditions. We read many stories of the seemingly foolish, Mullah Nasruddin, and (perhaps) gain great knowledge and insight through his simplicity.

DEDUCTIVE REASONING

"HOW OLD ARE YOU, MULLAH? SOMEONE ASKED, 'THREE YEARS OLDER THAN MY BROTHER. 'HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT? 'REASONING. LAST YEAR. I HEARD MY BROTHER TELL SOMEONE THAT I WAS TWO YEARS OLDER THAN HIM. A YEAR HAS PASSED. THAT MEANS THAT I AM OLDER BY ONE YEAR. I SHALL SOON BE OLD ENOUGH TO BE HIS GRANDFATHER.'

TIT FOR TAT

NASRUDDIN WENT INTO A SHOP TO BUY A PAIR OF TROUSERS WITH A RECENT CASH ADVANCE HE JUST RECEIVED. THEN HE CHANGED HIS MIND AND CHOSE A CLOAK INSTEAD, AT THE SAME PRICE. PICKING UP THE CLOAK HE LEFT THE SHOP. "YOU HAVE NOT PAID," SHOUTED THE MERCHANT. "I LEFT YOU THE TROUSERS, WHICH WERE OF THE SAME VALUE AS THE CLOAK." "BUT YOU DID NOT PAY FOR THE TROUSERS EITHER. OF COURSE NOT, SAID MULLAH ;WHY SHOULD I PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT I DID NOT WANT TO BUY?"

MORE USEFUL

ONE DAY MULLAH NASRUDDIN ENTERED HIS FAVORITE TEAHOUSE AND SAID: 'THE MOON IS MORE USEFUL THAN THE SUN'. AN OLD MAN ASKED 'WHY MULLAH?' NASRUDDIN REPLIED 'WE NEED THE LIGHT MORE DURING THE NIGHT THAN DURING THE DAY.'

PROMISES KEPT

A FRIEND ASKED THE MULLAH HOW OLD ARE YOU? FORTY REPLIED THE MULLAH. THE FRIEND SAID BUT YOU SAID THE SAME THING TWO YEARS AGO ! YES REPLIED THE MULLAH, I ALWAYS STAND BY WHAT I HAVE SAID.

WHEN YOU FACE THINGS ALONE

YOU MAY HAVE LOST YOUR DONKEY, NASRUDDIN, BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO GRIEVE OVER IT MORE THAN YOU DID ABOUT THE LOSS OF YOUR FIRST WIFE. AH, BUT IF YOU REMEMBER, WHEN I LOST MY WIFE, ALL YOU VILLAGERS SAID: WE'LL FIND YOU SOMEONE ELSE. SO FAR, NOBODY HAS OFFERED TO REPLACE MY DONKEY."

OBLIGATION

NASRUDDIN NEARLY FELL INTO A POOL ONE DAY. A MAN WHOM HE KNEW SLIGHTLY WAS NEARBY, AND SAVED HIM. EVERY TIME HE MET NASRUDDIN AFTER THAT HE WOULD REMIND HIM OF THE SERVICE WHICH HE HAD PERFORMED. WHEN THIS HAD HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES NASRUDDIN TOOK HIM TO THE WATER, JUMPED IN, STOOD WITH HIS HEAD JUST ABOVE WATER AND SHOUTED: "NOW I AM AS WET AS I WOULD HAVE BEEN IF YOU HAD NOT SAVED ME! LEAVE ME ALONE.

Did you laugh:)

Loves

Pooja

Story of stuff

2011-04-19T15:12:00.000-07:00

Indian Scientists

2011-03-09T12:56:00.000-08:00

1. ARYABHATT (476 CE)

MASTER ASTRONOMER AND MATHEMATICIAN

Born in 476 CE in Kusumpur ( Bihar ), Aryabhatt's intellectual brilliance remapped the boundaries of mathematics and astronomy. In 499 CE, at the age of 23, he wrote a text on astronomy and an unparallel treatise on mathematics called "Aryabhatiyam." He formulated the process of calculating the motion of planets and the time of eclipses. Aryabhatt was the first to proclaim that the earth is round, it rotates on its axis, orbits the sun and is suspended in space - 1000 years before Copernicus published his heliocentric theory. He is also acknowledged for calculating p (Pi) to four decimal places: 3.1416 and the sine table in trigonometry. Centuries later, in 825 CE, the Arab mathematician, Mohammed Ibna Musa credited the value of Pi to the Indians, "This value has been given by the Hindus." And above all, his most spectacular contribution was the concept of zero without which modern computer technology would have been non-existent. Aryabhatt was a colossus in the field of mathematics.

2. BHASKARACHARYA II (1114-1183 CE)

GENIUS IN ALGEBRA

Born in the obscure village of Vijjadit (Jalgaon) in Maharastra, Bhaskaracharya's work in Algebra, Arithmetic and Geometry catapulted him to fame and immortality. His renowned mathematical works called "Lilavati" and "Bijaganita" are considered to be unparalled and a memorial to his profound intelligence. Its translation in several languages of the world bear testimony to its eminence. In his treatise " Siddhant Shiromani " he writes on planetary positions, eclipses, cosmography, mathematical techniques and astronomical equipment. In the " Surya Siddhant " he makes a note on the force of gravity: "Objects fall on earth due to a force of attraction by the earth. Therefore, the earth, planets, constellations, moon, and sun are held in orbit due to this attraction." Bhaskaracharya was the first to discover gravity, 500 years before Sir Isaac Newton . He was the champion among mathematicians of ancient and medieval India . His works fired the imagination of Persian and European scholars, who through research on his works earned fame and popularity.

3. ACHARYA KANAD (600 BCE)

FOUNDER OF ATOMIC THEORY

As the founder of " Vaisheshik Darshan "- one of six principal philosophies of India - Acharya Kanad was a genius in philosophy. He is believed to have been born in Prabhas Kshetra near Dwarika in Gujarat . He was the pioneer expounder of realism, law of causation and the atomic theory. He has classified all the objects of creation into nine elements, namely: earth, water, light, wind, ether, time, space, mind and soul. He says, "Every object of creation is made of atoms which in turn connect with each other to form molecules." His statement ushered in the Atomic Theory for the first time ever in the world, nearly 2500 years before John Dalton . Kanad has also described the dimension and motion of atoms and their chemical reactions with each other. The eminent historian, T.N. Colebrook , has said, "Compared to the scientists of Europe , Kanad and other Indian scientists were the global masters of this field."

4. NAGARJUNA (100 CE)

WIZARD OF CHEMICAL SCIENCE

He was an extraordinary wizard of science born in the nondescript village of Baluka in Madhya Pradesh . His dedicated research for twelve years produced maiden discoveries and inventions in the faculties of chemistry and metallurgy. Textual masterpieces like " Ras Ratnakar ," "Rashrudaya" and "Rasendramangal" are his renowned contributions to the science of chemistry. Where the medieval alchemists of England failed, Nagarjuna had discovered the alchemy of transmuting base metals into gold. As the author of medical books like "Arogyamanjari" and "Yogasar," he also made significant contributions to the field of curative medicine. Because of his profound scholarliness and versatile knowledge, he was appointed as Chancellor of the famous University of Nalanda . Nagarjuna's milestone discoveries impress and astonish the scientists of today.

5. ACHARYA CHARAK (600 BCE)

FATHER OF MEDICINE

Acharya Charak has been crowned as the Father of Medicine. His renowned work, the " Charak Samhita ", is considered as an encyclopedia of Ayurveda. His principles, diagoneses, and cures retain their potency and truth even after a couple of millennia. When the science of anatomy was confused with different theories in Europe , Acharya Charak revealed through his innate genius and enquiries the facts on human anatomy, embryology, pharmacology, blood circulation and diseases like diabetes, tuberculosis, heart disease, etc. In the " Charak Samhita " he has described the medicinal qualities and functions of 100,000 herbal plants. He has emphasized the influence of diet and activity on mind and body. He has proved the correlation of spirituality and physical health contributed greatly to diagnostic and curative sciences. He has also prescribed and ethical charter for medical practitioners two centuries prior to the Hippocratic oath. Through his genius and intuition, Acharya Charak made landmark contributions to Ayurvedal. He forever remains etched in the annals of history as one of the greatest and noblest of rishi-scientists.

6. ACHARYA SUSHRUT (600 BCE)

FATHER OF PLASTIC SURGERY

A genius who has been glowingly recognized in the annals of medical science. Born to sage Vishwamitra, Acharya Sudhrut details the first ever surgery procedures in " Sushrut Samhita ," a unique encyclopedia of surgery. He is venerated as the father of plastic surgery and the science of anesthesia. When surgery was in its infancy in Europe , Sushrut was performing Rhinoplasty (restoration of a damaged nose) and other challenging operations. In the " Sushrut Samhita ," he prescribes treatment for twelve types of fractures and six types of dislocations. His details on human embryology are simply amazing. Sushrut used 125 types of surgical instruments including scalpels, lancets, needles, Cathers and rectal speculums; mostly designed from the jaws of animals and birds. He has also described a number of stitching methods; the use of horse's hair as thread and fibers of bark. In the " Sushrut Samhita ," and fibers of bark. In the " Sushrut Samhita ," he details 300 types of operations. The ancient Indians were the pioneers in amputation, caesarian and cranial surgeries. Acharya Sushrut was a giant in the arena of medical science.

7. VARAHAMIHIR (499-587 CE)

EMINENT ASTROLOGER AND ASTRONOMERA

Renowned astrologer and astronomer who was honored with a special decoration and status as one of the nine gems in the court of King Vikramaditya in Avanti ( Ujjain ). Varahamihir's book "panchsiddhant" holds a prominent place in the realm of astronomy. He notes that the moon and planets are lustrous not because of their own light but due to sunlight. In the " Bruhad Samhita " and " Bruhad Jatak ," he has revealed his discoveries in the domains of geography, constellation, science, botany and animal science. In his treatise on botanical science, Varamihir presents cures for various diseases afflicting plants and trees. The rishi-scientist survives through his unique contributions to the science of astrology and astronomy.

8. ACHARYA PATANJALI (200 BCE)

FATHER OF YOGA

The Science of Yoga is one of several unique contributions of India to the world. It seeks to discover and realize the ultimate Reality through yogic practices. Acharya Patanjali , the founder, hailed from the district of Gonda (Ganara) in Uttar Pradesh . He prescribed the control of prana (life breath) as the means to control the body, mind and soul. This subsequently rewards one with good health and inner happiness. Acharya Patanjali 's 84 yogic postures effectively enhance the efficiency of the respiratory, circulatory, nervous, digestive and endocrine systems and many other organs of the body. Yoga has eight limbs where Acharya Patanjali shows the attainment of the ultimate bliss of God in samadhi through the disciplines of: yam, niyam, asan, pranayam, pratyahar, dhyan and dharna. The Science of Yoga has gained popularity because of its scientific approach and benefits. Yoga also holds the honored place as one of six philosophies in the Indian philosophical system. Acharya Patanjali will forever be remembered and revered as a pioneer in the science of self-discipline, happiness and self-realization.

9. ACHARYA BHARADWAJ (800 BCE)

PIONEER OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY
Acharya Bharadwaj had a hermitage in the holy city of Prayag and was an ordent apostle of Ayurveda and mechanical sciences. He authored the " Yantra Sarvasva " which includes astonishing and outstanding discoveries in aviation science, space science and flying machines. He has described three categories of flying machines: 1.) One that flies on earth from one place to another. 2.) One that travels from one planet to another. 3.) And One that travels from one universe to another. His designs and descriptions have impressed and amazed aviation engineers of today. His brilliance in aviation technology is further reflected through techniques described by him:
1.) Profound Secret: The technique to make a flying machine invisible through the application of sunlight and wind force.
2.) Living Secret: The technique to make an invisible space machine visible through the application of electrical force.
3.) Secret of Eavesdropping: The technique to listen to a conversation in another plane.
4.) Visual Secrets: The technique to see what's happening inside another plane.
Through his innovative and brilliant discoveries, Acharya Bharadwaj has been recognized as the pioneer of aviation technology.

10. ACHARYA KAPIL (3000 BCE)

FATHER OF COSMOLOGY
Celebrated as the founder of Sankhya philosophy, Acharya Kapil is believed to have been born in 3000 BCE to the illustrious sage Kardam and Devhuti. He gifted the world with the Sankhya School of Thought. His pioneering work threw light on the nature and principles of the ultimate Soul (Purusha), primal matter (Prakruti) and creation. His concept of transformation of energy and profound commentaries on atma, non-atma and the subtle elements of the cosmos places him in an elite class of master achievers - incomparable to the discoveries of other cosmologists. On his assertion that Prakruti, with the inspiration of Purusha, is the mother of cosmic creation and all energies, he contributed a new chapter in the science of cosmology. Because of his extrasensory observations and revelations on the secrets of creation, he is recognized and saluted as the Father of Cosmology.

Source: Unidentified

Loves

Pooja

Meditation helps to be calm at work place :-)

2010-11-27T20:28:00.001-08:00

Boss is not here：
Boss is calling：

In a meeting：
Training：
Tea break：
Before noon on weekend：
Ready for getting off work：
Tomorrow is a holiday：　

Got today’s target from boss：　

Tough target：

Find impossible to meet boss’s requirement：

OT for 2hrs：

OT for a whole night：

Being notified to OT on weekends：
Meet with ‘Sorry-I-Don’t-Know’clients：

Made mistakes in work：

Little achievement：

Frustrating things happens：

Finance person doesn’t give the money:

Being advised NO BONUS this year：　

Commitment

2010-10-29T10:17:00.001-07:00

Q: Why is it easier for some of us to commit to our own welfare rather than that of others?

Sri Sri: Because you do not know that whatever you are committed to brings you strength.
If you are committed to your family then your family supports you, if you are committed to your society, you enjoy the support of society. If you are committed to God, God gives you strength. If you are committed to Truth, Truth brings you strength.

Often one is not aware of this idea and that is why one is hesitant to commit to a greater cause. Also there is a fear that commitment would weaken one or take away one's freedom. Your commitment to a cause is bound to bring you comfort in the long run.

Commitment in life grows toward a higher cause. The higher the commitment, greater is the good for all.

Krishna Govinda

2010-09-04T09:06:00.000-07:00

So What Project! an integral concept for creating and playing music designed by Nicolás Pucci & Rodrigo Bustos. Emerged with the objective of expands the purifying & the high energetic level potential of mantras nurturing with their sounds and colors. Yoga Rave y So What Project! is part of a worldwide campaign for a non-violence and free-From stress society, by The Art of Living Foundation founded by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. More information: www.artofliving.org

A Spiritual laugh!

2010-07-23T21:09:00.000-07:00

An Art of Living joke-

While giving instructions for Bhastrika a Gujurati bhai said -

Take a normal breadth in and "LETS GO"!
_____________________________________________________________________

Part 1

What did the Yogi say when he walked into the Zen Pizza Parlor?
"Make me one with everything."

Part 2
When the Yogi got the pizza, he gave the proprietor a $20 bill. The proprietor pocketed the bill. The Yogi said "Don't I get change?" The proprietor said, "Change must come from within."

Have you heard of the cow who attained liberation (Moksha)? It was dyslexic and kept on repeating OOOOMMM !

Did you hear about the yogi who was having a filling put in a tooth. When the dentist asked him if he wanted novocaine. The yogi said "No. I can transcend dental medication."

This guy was climbing a tree when suddenly he slipped, then grabbed at a branch and was hanging there. After an hour or so had passed he felt himself getting exhausted and looked up to the heavens and cried out: "God, help me, please, help me." All of a sudden the clouds parted and a voice boomed out from on high. "Let Go!" said the voice. The guy paused and looked up at heaven once more, then said: "Is there anyone else up there?"

When two psychic friends met, one said: "You are fine. How am I ?"

Q: Why did it take the Buddha forever to vacuum his sofa? A: Because he didn't have any attachments.

We got that one off the alt.Yoga newsgroup

Two men meet on the street.
One asks the other: "Hi, how are you?"
The other ones replies: "I'm fine, thanks."
"And how's your son? Is he still unemployed?"
"Yes, he is. But he is meditating now."
"Meditating? What's that?"
"I dont know. But it's better than sitting around and do nothing!"

Did you laugh!!!!???

Lots of love

Pooja:-)

Me and Spirituality?

2010-06-14T08:45:00.000-07:00

How can I figure out how much time I should devote to my spirituality?

Why do we segregate our lives? Spirituality is not a foundation. Spirituality is not a physical tangible thing. Spirituality is the spirit in you, the enthusiasm in you, the joy in you. That is spirituality. So how much time do we want to devote to it?

Bring out the joy and enthusiasm in you. That’s the core of our existence. And do everything with it. Cook your food with enthusiasm. Drive your car with enthusiasm, with spirit. Meet people with spirit. The spirit in you, the joy in you, the smile in you, the vigor in you - all that is spirituality.

Up and downs are also part of spirituality. Sometimes you’re angry sometimes you’re not. All is part of spirituality. Everything is a part of you, the ups and downs. The good and not so good experiences; all is a part of life.

When the wave rises it’s a wave. When it merges back it becomes an ocean. Spirit rises and merges back.

Experience every aspect of life and smile. Just know you are like the wave of the vast ocean of consciousness. Let the life arises in you and emerge back into you.

- H. H Sri Sri Ravishankar

Effect of Knowledge on our counciousness

2010-01-12T14:44:00.000-08:00

An old Farmer lived on a farm in the mountains with his young grandson. Each morning Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading his Bhagavat Geeta. His Grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way he could. One day the grandson asked, "Grandpa! I try to read the Bhagavat Geeta just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. “ What good does reading the Bhagavat Geeta do?"

The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied, “Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water."The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, "You'll have to move a little faster next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again.

This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket instead. The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You're just not trying hard enough," and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.

At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got back to the house.

The boy again dipped the basket into river and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, "See Grandpa, its useless!"

"So you think it is useless?" The old man said, "Look at the basket."

The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and was now clean, inside and out.

"Son, that's what happens when you read the Bhagavat Geeta. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, you will be changed, inside and out. That is the work of Guru or Krishna in our lives."

Loves

Pooja :-)

An Interesting Short Story

2009-12-28T18:44:00.000-08:00

Tao of Forgiveness

One day, the sage gave the disciple an empty sack and a basket of potatoes. "Think of all the people who have done or said something against you in the recent past, especially those you cannot forgive. For each of them, inscribe the name on a potato and put it in the sack." The disciple came up quite a few names, and soon his sack was heavy with potatoes. "Carry the sack with you wherever you go for a week," said the sage. "We'll talk after that." At first, the disciple thought nothing of it. Carrying the sack was not particularly difficult. But after a while, it became more of a burden. It sometimes got in the way, and it seemed to require more effort to carry as time went on, even though its weight remained the same.

After a few days, the sack began to smell. The carved potatoes gave off a ripe odor. Not only were they increasingly inconvenient to carry around, they were also becoming rather unpleasant. Finally, the week was over. The sage summoned the disciple. "Any thoughts about all this?" "Yes, Master," the disciple replied. "When we are unable to forgive others, we carry negative feelings with us everywhere, much like these potatoes. That negativity becomes a burden to us and, after a while, it festers."

"Yes, that is exactly what happens when one holds a grudge. So, how can we lighten the load?"

"We must strive to forgive."

"Forgiving someone is the equivalent of removing the corresponding potato from the sack. How many of your transgressors are you able to forgive?"

"I've thought about it quite a bit, Master," the disciple said. "It required much effort, but I have decided to forgive all of them."

"Very well, we can remove all the potatoes. Were there any more people who transgressed against you this last week?"

The disciple thought for a while and admitted there were. Then he felt panic when he realized his empty sack was about to get filled up again.

"Master," he asked, "if we continue like this, wouldn't there always be potatoes in the sack week after week?"

"Yes, as long as people speak or act against you in some way, you will always have potatoes."

"But Master, we can never control what others do. So what good is the Tao in this case?"

"We're not at the realm of the Tao yet. Everything we have talked about so far is the conventional approach to forgiveness. It is the same thing that many philosophies and most religions preach - we must constantly strive to forgive, for it is an important virtue. This is not the Tao because there is no striving in the Tao."

"Then what is the Tao, Master?"

"You can figure it out. If the potatoes are negative feelings, then what is the sack?"

"The sack is... That which allows me to hold on to the negativity. It is something within us that makes us dwell on feeling offended.... Ah, it is my inflated sense of self-importance. "

"And what will happen if you let go of it?"

"Then... The things that people do or say against me no longer seem like such a major issue."

"In that case, you won't have any names to inscribe on potatoes. That means no more weight to carry around, and no more bad smells.

The Tao of forgiveness is the conscious decision to not just to remove some potatoes... But to relinquish the entire sack."

Love
Pooja:-)

An Interesting Conversation with Vivekanandaji

2009-12-08T06:35:00.000-08:00

Dear lovely friends, I got a lot of answers after reading this conversation which inspired me to be inspiring in life. I wish it will work the same with you! So, here is a conversation between a curious disciple and Swamiji -

Disciple: How is it, Swamiji, that you do not lecture in this country? You have stirred Europe and America with your lectures, but coming back here you have kept silence.

Swami Vivekananda: In this country, the ground should be prepared first; then if the seed is sown, the plant will come out best. The ground in the West, in Europe and America is very fertile and fit for sowing seeds. There they have reached the climax of Bhoga (enjoyment). Being satiated with Bhoga to the full, their minds are not getting peace now even in those enjoyments, and they feel as if they wanted something else. In this country you have neither Bhoga nor Yoga (renunciation). When one is satiated with Bhoga, then it is that one will listen to and understand the teachings on Yoga. What good will lectures do in a country like India which has become the birthplace of disease, sorrow, and affliction, and where men are emaciated through starvation, and weak in mind?

Disciple: How is that? Do you not say that ours is the land of religion and that here the people understand religion as they do nowhere else? Why then will not this country be animated by your inspiring eloquence and reap to the full the fruits thereof?

Swami Vivekananda: Now understand what religion means. The first thing required is theworship of the Kurma (tortoise) Incarnation, and the belly-god is this Kurma, as it were. Until you pacify this, no one will welcome your words about religion. India is restless with the thought of how to face this spectre of hunger. The draining of the best resources of the country by the foreigners, the unrestricted exports of merchandise, and, above all, the abominable jealousy natural to slaves are eating into the vitals of India. First of all, you must remove this evil of hunger and starvation, this constant anxiety for bare existence, from those to whom you want to preach religion; otherwise, lectures and such things will be of no benefit.

Disciple: What should we do then to remove that evil?

Swami Vivekananda: First, some young men full of the spirit of renunciation are needed — those who will be ready to sacrifice their lives for others, instead of devoting themselves to their own happiness. With this object in view I shall establish a Math to train young Sannyasins, who will go from door to door and make the people realise their pitiable condition by means of facts and reasoning, and instruct them in the ways and means for their welfare, and at the same time will explain to them as clearly as possible, in very simple and easy language, the higher truths of religion. The masses in our country are like the sleeping Leviathan. The education imparted by the present university system reaches one or two per cent of the masses only. And even those who get that do not succeed in their endeavors of doing any good to their country. But it is not their fault, poor fellows! As soon as they come out of their college, they find themselves fathers of several children! Somehow or other they manage to secure the position of a clerk, or at the most, a deputy magistrate. This is the finale of education! With the burden of a family on their backs, they find no time to do anything great or think anything high. They do not find means enough to fulfill their personal wants and interests; so what can be expected of them in the way of doing anything for others?

Disciple: Is there then no way out for us?

Swami Vivekananda: Certainly there is. This is the land of Religion Eternal. The country has fallen, no doubt, but will as surely rise again, and that upheaval will astound the world. The lower the hollows the billows make, the higher and with greater force will they rise again.

Disciple: How will India rise again?

Swami Vivekananda: Do you not see? The dawn has already appeared in the eastern sky, and there is little delay in the sun's rising. You all set your shoulders to the wheel! What is there in making the world all in all, and thinking of "My Samsara (family and property), my Samsara"? Your duty at present is to go from one part of the country to another, from village to village, and make the people understand that mere sitting idly won't do any more. Make them understand their real condition and say, "O ye brothers, arise! Awake! How much longer would you remain asleep!" Go and advise them how to improve their own condition, and make them comprehend the sublime truths of the Shastras (scriptures), by presenting them in a lucid and popular way. So long the Brahmins have monopolised religion; but since they cannot hold their ground against the strong tide of time, go and take steps so that one and all in the land may get that religion. Impress upon their minds that they have the same right to religion as the Brahmins. Initiate all, even down to the Chandalas (people of the lowest castes), in these fiery Mantras. Also instruct them, in simple words, about the necessities of life, and in trade, commerce, agriculture, etc. If you cannot do this then fie upon your education and culture, and fie upon your studying the Vedas and Vedanta!

Disciple: But where is that strength in us? I should have felt myself blessed if I had a hundredth part of your powers, Swamiji.

Swami Vivekananda: How foolish! Power and things like that will come by themselves. Put yourself to work, and you will final such tremendous power coming to you that you will feel it hard to bear. Even the least work done for others awakens the power within; even thinking the least good of others gradually instils into the heart the strength of a lion. I love you all ever so much, but I wish you all to die working for others — I should rather be glad to see you do that!

Disciple: What will become of those, then, who depend on me?

Swami Vivekananda: If you are ready to sacrifice your life for others, God will certainly provide some means for them. Have you not read in the Gita (VI. 40) the words of Shri Krishna, " — Never does a doer of good, O my beloved, come to grief"?

Disciple: I see, sir.

Swami Vivekananda: The essential thing is renunciation. With out renunciation none can pour out his whole heart in working for others. The man of renunciation sees all with an equal eye and devotes himself to the service of all. Does not our Vedanta also teach us to see all with an equal eye? Why then do you cherish the idea that the wife and children are your own, more than others? At your very threshold, Nârâyana Himself in the form of a poor beggar is dying ofstarvation! Instead of giving him anything, would you only satisfy the appetites of your wife and children with delicacies? Why, that is beastly!

Disciple: To work for others requires a good deal of money at times, and where shall I get that?

Swami Vivekananda: Why not do as much as lies within your power? Even if you cannot give to others for want of money, surely you can at least breathe into their ears some good words or impart some good instruction, can't you? Or does that also require money?

Disciple: Yes, sir, that I can do.

Swami Vivekananda: But saying, "I can", won't do. Show me through action what you can do, and then only I shall know that your coming to me is turned to some good account. Get up, and put your shoulders to the wheel — how long is this life for? As you have come into this world, leave some mark behind. Otherwise, where is the difference between you and the trees and stones? They, too, come into existence, decay and die. If you like to be born and to die like them, you are at liberty to do so. Show me by your actions that your reading the Vedanta has been fruitful of the highest good. Go and tell all, "In every one of you lies that Eternal Power", and try to wake It up. What will you do with individual salvation? That is sheer selfishness. Throw aside your meditation, throw away your salvation and such things! Put your whole heart and soul in the work to which I have consecrated myself. (With bated breath the disciple heard these inspiring words, and Swamiji went on with his usual fire and eloquence.)

Swami Vivekananda: First of all, make the soil ready, and thousands of Vivekanandas will in time be born into this world to deliver lectures on religion. You needn't worry yourself about that! Don't you see why I am starting orphanages, famine-relief works, etc.? Don't you see how Sister Nivedita, a British lady, has learnt to serve Indians so well, by doing even menial work for them? And can't you, being Indians, similarly serve your own fellow-countrymen? Go, all of you, wherever there is an outbreak of plague or famine, or wherever the people are in distress, and mitigate their sufferings.
At the most you may die in the attempt — what of that? How many like you are being born and dying like worms every day? What difference does that make to the world at large? Die you must, but have a great ideal to die for, and it is better to die with a great ideal in life. Preach this ideal from door to door, and you will yourselves be benefited by it at the same time that you are doing good to your country. On you lie the future hopes of our country. I feel extreme pain to see you leading a life of inaction. Set yourselves to work — to work!

Do not tarry — the time of death is approaching day by day! Do not sit idle, thinking that everything will be done in time, later on! Mind — nothing will be done that way!

(From complete works of swami vivekananda volume 5)

Loves
Pooja:-)

Courtesy: Ujjwala

Be Prayerful

2009-12-02T11:37:00.000-08:00

Praying is a very personal experience. It is a chance to thank God for whatever we have got in our lives and to sit for sometime with our own self and to feel gratefulness about the abundance we admire in our life. As quoted by SriSri that repetition is not prayer. It is something original which is spontaneous and comes from a scared space of wanting or thanking divine or even just to be one with the bigger mind.

May be while praying if you are worshiping God lighting up a diya or a candle which is apparently made to make God happy but actually these few minutes of offering prayer makes you serene and calm and gives you an experience of life time as many times you do it. It does not only purify you but also purifies the environment in our surroundings, and regularity in doing so with a few chantings will really make the whole place worthwhile. And Ya, we have our own ways of praying. When Ram Krishna Paramhanse was asked to pray he prayed in his own way. He broke all the rules in temple and he said "My mother knows me and I know what my mother wants.'' And Ultimately united with the almighty.:-)

Your prayer is your own prayer and nobody else can offer your prayer you have to offer by your own as it is a very personal deed.

"Being Thankful, being grateful is what prayer is." Prayer is not about going outside but it is all about coming back inside time and again it is for becoming aware of the presence, experiencing the presence in the depth of your feelings."

Loves
Pooja :-)

‘Satsang, meditation and pranayama is the best gift to you’

2009-11-16T14:18:00.000-08:00

Posted: 14 Nov 2009 05:15 AM PST Bangalore ashram, (India), Nov. 12, 2009:

Sri Sri: You know, when one accepts that one is a fool then he is actually intelligent. A real fool does not recognize his foolishness.
We are in a universe full of secrets.

We are floating in the ocean of infinite secrets. There are infinite secrets in every atom. Science tries to discover and reveal these secrets but this attempt is like trying to discover the ocean in a small boat. It is that small, and there is so much more left to discover, which is impossible. And when science tries to find one secret, ten more arise. No scientist can say that, ‘I know all the secrets of the universe’. No one can say that. As science discovers more, it finds that there is so much more that is unknown, a secret.

So, love the secret! Honor the secret! This is the Chidambara rahasya. There are infinite secrets in the consciousness. You can’t understand all of them. The sky is endless. Like the sky, even secrets are endless. Our ancestors honored secrecy. A mantra is kept secret when we want to do japa (chant).

What you keep as a secret, grows. We don’t express our love, we don’t say ‘I love you’ everyday. When you are so deeply in love, just one glance is enough. Sometimes by saying it so many times, the love diminishes. If you do not express yourself at all, then also it is of no use.

There is the appropriate way to express your life experiences. It should be like sowing a seed. It is a sown a few inches deep, not just on the surface level nor too deep. Then the relationship lasts for the whole lifetime. No child tells the mother, ‘I love you’, all the time- it is shown through his actions.

A yogi always does things in moderation - neither too much work nor sleep. Neither too much food nor too much fasting is favorable. It is not a favorable solution.
If you don’t eat for days or do such things then it is not only a torture for your body but also a torture for your soul. So have moderation in your food, interactions and speech. Then yoga siddhi (state of perfection) is attained and all sadness fades away. So, to become free from sorrow continue to do your sadhana and meditation.

Meditation happens to us. We don’t have to do it, with an effort. And the solution to be free from any obstacle to meditation is to sit in that space of the beautiful ‘I don’t know’.

In the Chidambaram temple, there is a screen and behind it there is only a wall. It looks as if you are bowing down to a wall but there is a deeper meaning behind it. It signifies the akasha tattva (the space principle). When you move the screen, the space is revealed. When you remove the veil of illusion and desires, you experience the vast infinite inner space. For a few moments your mind becomes free from thoughts. We realize that there is some secret of which we have had a small glimpse, like a flash, and this experience brings a transformation in life.

Q) How do you go beyond karma? When did it start and when will it end?
Sri Sri: When did the world begin?
Audience: I don't know!

Sri Sri: When will the world end?
Audience: I don't know!

Sri Sri: This question is also like that. We don’t know when the cycle of karma started. We don’t know the beginning but the seeds of karma can be burnt in the fire of knowledge.

Q) Guruji, why do we have to suffer because of our past impressions? In the present we are innocent.
Sri Sri: If you plant a coconut tree three years back then you enjoy the fruit later. You put money in the bank and expect it back with interest isn't it? Will you agree if the bank tells you to forget about it because it was so many years ago that you put the money? You want only the fruits which are favorable!
We need to realize, accept our mistake and move on. Then the intensity of the karma reduces.

Asking forgiveness for all mistakes made knowingly and unknowingly is part of our pujas also.

Q) Guruji, there are so many spiritual leaders, do we need to visit all and read their teachings?
Sri Sri: Respect and honor everybody. Follow one path. Suppose you meet four gurus and you take four mantras and techniques, which one will you use? It is like trying to reach your destination on four different boats at the same time! You will reach nowhere. If you had a guru before and you have come here now, know that he sent you here. Even saying 'all gurus' is wrong. There is only one guru principle. And all the Masters want only your happiness. When you want to dig a well, if you dig two feet deep in ten places, you will not find water. You need to go deep in just one place. There is no need to go everywhere, it’s not necessary. When you have faith in one path and move ahead then for sure you will reach your destination.

Q) How do I free myself from weaknesses? Does performing puja help?
Sri Sri: Satsang, meditation and pranayama is the best gift to you. Chanting mantras, doing pujas has its place. Don’t worry too much about it. Meditate and do a little puja. Don’t leave it out completely nor overdo it.

Q) How do I see God?
Sri Sri: Have you seen the breeze? Yet you know it is there. You can feel it. Similarly you can’t see God but the heart feels the presence, the prana (life-force).

Q) Guruji, you have said to love the secret, but I feel curious to know it also!
Sri Sri: Curiosity is natural. It sharpens the intellect. Loving the secret refines the feeling level. Life is a balance of the intellect and the feelings.

Q) Technology and science have advanced so much, when will spirituality grow?
Sri Sri: It’s already happening. So many of you are here. In our country science and spirituality are not in conflict. They complement each other. Both are necessary. Bhava (heart level) and buddhi (head level) are both required. When you watch TV, seeing and listening is important.

Q) Guruji, when I heard that the world is going to come to an end in 2012, it was a blessing in disguise for me because I was able to stop my racing and really look at myself and do the things I really wanted to. I could bring some rest for my mind.
Sri Sri: Pralaya (dissolution) can happen anytime. Thousands of black holes can swallow the solar systems, the sun is carefully moving through them. Whether dissolution happens or not, you still keep your calm and work to uphold justice and the truth without being caught up in craving and aversion. Do what you can.

Lots of love

Pooja:-)

Source: Wisdom Blog

Subh Dipa-wali!! Happy Diwali!!

2009-10-16T06:30:00.000-07:00

SriSri says - Time and space are infinite. Grains of sand are countless. Atoms in the universe are innumerable. So also the stars, the galaxies. The same is with the life on this planet. Neither is there a beginning nor is there an end, because it is all spherical.

A sphere has neither a beginning nor an end, nor a goal, nor a direction. Truth has no direction, no goal. Truth itself is the goal and truth is infinite.

Feeling or experiencing the infinity within this finite body, living the timelessness within the time span of life, uncovering the bliss within the misery. This is what you are here for.

Today is Diwali - the Festival of Lights. The streets and buildings are lit up with colorful lights. The four aspects of Diwali:

1. The lights: Symbolic of spreading the Knowledge.

2. Fire crackers: When the explosion happens outside, the explosion inside is diffused.

3. Gift exchange and distribution of sweets: Sweets dispel the bitterness and renew the friendship.

4. Feeling abundance: Brings awareness and gratefulness for what one has.

When true wisdom dawns, it gives rise to celebration, and in celebration you may lose focus or awareness. The ancient rishis knew this so to maintain awareness in the midst of gaiety of celebration, they brought sacredness and pooja to every celebration.

Celebrate the Knowledge and feel the abundance, for "those who have will be given more"!

LOVE
Pooja

Mullah Nasrudin!

2009-10-13T17:14:00.000-07:00

I am reading Tales of Mulla Nasrudin and its really really fantastic. It gives you a very different feeling while you are going through it, I really appreciate the kind of sense of Humor depicted through his ways!! His stories are very intelligently stupid and ticklish ;-)

Read him in this life time if you wanna add some spice to your life. I tell you will just go on reading this world famous guy!!

It's a matter of debit and Credit

Nasurudin was being tried in court for stealing water-melon. The judge exclaimed."Nasurudin I must impose a fine upon you for what you have done."

"There is no need to do that "said Mullah. "you can just use it against all credits I have accumulated for the times I didn't steal anything. " It's a matter of debit and credit." :-)

LOVE
Pooja

Read about Mullah here: Mullah

Are you becoming a fault - finder

2009-10-08T07:08:00.000-07:00

One of the easiest things in the world is to become a fault-finder. One best thing associated with this fault finding attitude is that it's an almost guaranteed way to keep you unhappy, stressed, and frustrated too. We mostly do it with ourselves, others, society, and the world. Only by finding faults we are entertaining ourselves to look sharp and smart but ultimately it is making you more miserable for always. And you know the best part at the same time when you are finding faults you are training your mind to cultivate that habit of being more like that and become use to that pattern of finding faults and becoming a fault finder (and the cycle goes on). The funniest part is we don't stop there we after finding faults take a net step of generalizing it:-) For example-ohh!! it is always like this with this person and you know what everyone in his family is like this and I think its not his fault the whole city where he belongs to is like that ...and so on! And that is how we keep entertaining and justifying ourselves.

Sri Sri says what when you do something sad? Do we then talk about it that often? and when somebody else does it we are after their lives. In spite of doing all that we can see that fault with innocence as an unintentional deed or we can explain it out from the space of real care and concern. That's it! The whole gist is In spite of getting into the habit of what’s wrong in this world and become a real sourpuss or a drag to be around, we can learn out of that situation apart from getting pushed into being verbose regarding the event.

"We will be back to enthusiasm and zest of life - because life is awesome without finding faults with it".

LOVE
Pooja

Research on Sudarshan Kriya

2009-09-30T06:39:00.000-07:00

Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY) was researched for six months on a small group of patients suffering from minor forms of depression, generalized anxiety and panic attacks. The results, which were verified by clinical and laboratory tests, were more than encouraging: a 60% reduction in the symptoms related to depression; a 40% reduction in the rate of psychosis in the form of sense of guilt, phobic anxiety or obsessive compulsive symptoms; an increased capacity to concentrate; and an improvement in the ability to ‘function socially’ in 100% of the patients.

Read the complete story: HERE

Jai Gurudev

Build hope, faith & your immune system [An Article published in DNA]

2009-09-17T07:34:00.000-07:00

Economic recession, job losses, terror attacks, environmental pollution and now H1N1. The world is living through difficult times. When the times get tough, it's important not to lose hope. Faith alone can bring hope and pull one through difficult times.

The fear over swine flu has added to the tough times the world is reeling under. As the panic spreads, one has to have faith that nothing bad will happen and take precautions by improving one's immune system. Ayurveda has many simple and effective ways to boost immunity and build resistance. Tea made from Laxmi taru (simarouba) leaves, tulsi, amla and amrut (giloy) act as immunity enhancers. Taking ginger and turmeric powder mixed with either lime juice or honey twice a day will also boost the immune system.
Agnihotra and burning sambarani dhoop (loban stems) can counter airborne swine flu viruses as these are very potent atmospheric sterilsers.

Don't panic and keep your mind centered. Whenever we panic and fear, our immunity level goes down. Practices such as pranayama, yoga, meditation and Sudarshan Kriya will help a lot. Also when the mind is calm, it's much easier to face any situation.

When faced with difficult times, invoke the valour in you and tackle the challenge with confidence. Through history, we have seen that the world has gone through harder times and come out stronger.

Remember people faced harder times than the one you are facing now. When you realise this, your problems will appear small. Serve people who are in bigger problems. When you expand from 'what about me?' to 'how can I help you?' the pains of difficult times will disappear
and you will start smiling.

Importantly, realize that you are not alone in these difficult times. There is always an unseen hand working for you. Don't underestimate the power of prayer. Prayer is not a ritual as it is usually perceived; it's feeling the helplessness and asking for God's help.

Chanting ancient Sanskrit slokas creates vibrant energy around you which can keep away depression - the most common pitfall of hard times.

Bad times will come and go. When you are faced with a problem, don't generalize and eternalise it by thinking about it all the time. Become a part of the solution, not the problem!

-Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Colors of life

2009-07-01T11:41:00.000-07:00

While listening to Bhagvad Gita yesterday I was thinking How would life be without the toppings of good and bad times!? And I am actually realizing that the life's beauty exists in contrast and gives a lot of space to us to have a base of spiritual practices in this life time. Good and bad times make us appreciate the life better and to be more thankful to what we have today and what the best can be taken out for personal advancement.

Our attachment to negative qualities and positive qualities brings sorrow in our life and then either we blame ourselves or we blame others. And this sorrow propels us to move toward knowledge and to be more in it as it is all joy. Knowledge leads sorrow towards the self.

Without knowledge sorrow will only multiply but will never be transcend. Knowledge or awareness transcend sorrow. In this path we have everything devotion , singing, dancing, meditation, wisdom, laughter, service, complication, yagayas, silence and chaos to add spice to it :-)

AND REMEMBER WE HAVE WINGS TO PROPEL OURSELVES GIVEN BY OUR MASTER.

So Chill and float and have a lot of fun !

Loves
Pooja :-)

Soul of Bhagvad Gita

2009-06-16T11:28:00.000-07:00

From the first manifestation as an amoeba to the last... the 8.4 millionth manifestations... stage of enlightenment and finally salvation... how the journey must be covered is spelled out in depth in Bhagvad Gita. We need to dive deep and gather those pearls of wisdom which are hidden in the various shlokas (verses) of Bhagavad Gita.

Bhagvad Gita clearly states that everything belongs to God Almighty. Every human being or every living being for that matter only works as a trustee in the entire cosmic scenario. Whatever karma is performed by the body... the fruits of the karma always belong to the soul atman within. This is the fundamental property of life. Unless we assimilate this truth of life... the diligent workers of the society keep on running after fruits of the karma performed. This is wrong... they fail to understand that the fruits of their karma would never be available to them.

On the earthly domain one may become as rich as Bill Gates but in the spiritual domain one may remain a pauper. Here we need to realize that it is only the positive residual karma which shall be carried on to the next life. Our ill gotten gains of this life shall all be left behind. Bhagvad Gita states that everybody has been taken by the soul atman within. The fruits of the karma thus belong to this soul atman. As an entity in between we need to continue doing our.

Stating it otherwise as per Bhagvad Gita, whatever belongs to us in the present life may have belonged to some other person in the earlier life and may belong to someone different in next manifestation. Whom we consider as our brother and sister in this life may have been my parents in the earlier manifestation and may become my children in the future manifestations. The relationships of the present life never get carried forward. It is only the residual balance of karma that passes on to the next life. Rather it is the balance of karma which shall decide what our next manifestation would be.

As per Bhagvad Gita if we have Punya karma in our balance then it is most likely that we are born in next manifestation in the house of a King or a pious person. On the contrary if we have negative karma in the balance then we may be required to slog in our next life. We may take birth in the house of a poor farmer. Theory of karma in Bhagvad Gita suggests... Whatever positive karma we perform in present life may not result in our reaping the fruits of the karma in that life itself. It is possible that the Punya karma earned in the present life may benefit us manifestations hence.

May God Bless you all !

Jaigurudev
Pooja :-)

Inner whispers - The Power of Chanting

2009-06-08T15:07:00.000-07:00

In one of the tapes of Asthawakra Guruji said -"If you speak bad words with somebody surely they are going to feel bad about it and how you call them?! And for many days altogether they will not forget the way you have been so unpleasant with them". So this is what word does to all of us! And the most important thing to realise is when bad words can cause such a deep effect on us then why not good words can have a capacity to affect ourselves positively? Of all the sounds let me talk about mantra. Of all the healing sounds that we can sing, the most potent are the great mantras, the names of God. Mantra means that which protects and redeems the one who holds it in his or her awareness. Mantras have transformative power. They purify us and lift us to a higher state of awareness. The mantra we receive from an enlightened teacher or guru is charged with the power of the Guru’s own fully enlightened state.

''Chanting is a purifying force. It has the power to annihilate the effects of even the most stubborn faults. It dissolves every ounce of bitterness and malice. If you are experiencing self-hatred or doubt or envy, just chant. And instead of these limitations, you will experience glory, God's glory''.

Chanting also has significant effect on our bodies and minds. Like everything in this universe, our body is made up of vibrating energy. Even though our body appears to be dense, every cell of the human body has its own frequency. There's a sound present in each tiny cell, however minute that cell might be.

Wherever there's movement, wherever there's vibration, there's sound. The body's inclination is to be in harmony with itself. All the different parts of the body, all its cells, want to move in unison, the way a shoal of fish or a flock of birds does, always moving but never bumping into each other. When this natural rhythm and harmony is disrupted in the body, that's when disease and disorders arise. However, when the vibrations of the chant sound within our bodies, the cells themselves respond; they resonate with the pure vibration of the mantras so that harmony can be restored.

And what about the mind? Chanting calms and clears the mind and actually rejuvenates it. You might notice that sometimes your mind is much clearer and your intention more focused, after chanting. Every word that we utter and every thought that we think leaves its subtle impression on the mind, and so do all the words and sounds that we listen to and absorb. Everything that we listen to also leaves its residue in the mind. Chanting the pure syllables of the names of God breaks through this mass of varied thoughts and impressions and opens us to a higher awareness, a clearer perception of ourselves and the world.

People, lets feel grateful by chanting, singing the devotional songs and offer it to the divine and feel BLISSFUL.

Harvard Health Publications : Sudarshan Kriya

2009-06-04T11:41:00.000-07:00

A type of controlled breathing with roots in traditional yoga shows promise in providing relief for depression. The program, called Sudarshan Kriya yoga (SKY), involves several types of cyclical breathing patterns, ranging from slow and calming to rapid and stimulating, and is taught by the nonprofit Art of Living Foundation.

One study compared 30 minutes of SKY breathing, done six days a week, to bilateral electroconvulsive therapy and the tricyclic antidepressant imipramine in 45 people hospitalized for depression. After four weeks of treatment, 93 percent of those receiving electroconvulsive therapy, 73 percent of those taking imipramine, and 67 percent of those using the breathing technique had achieved remission.

Another study examined the effects of SKY on depressive symptoms in 60 alcohol-dependent men. After a week of a standard detoxification program at a mental health center in Bangalore, India, participants were randomly assigned to two weeks of SKY or a standard alcoholism treatment control. After the full three weeks, scores on a standard depression inventory dropped 75 percent in the SKY group, as compared with 60 percent in the standard treatment group. Levels of two stress hormones, cortisol and corticotropin, also dropped in the SKY group, but not in
the control group. The authors suggest that SKY might be a beneficial treatment for depression in the early stages of recovery from alcoholism.

Jaigurudev

https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletters/Harvard_Mental_Health_Letter/2009/April/Yoga-for-anxiety-and-depression

YOG from "'Geeta''

2009-06-02T09:51:00.000-07:00

It is high time to realise how old is YOG gifted to us by our culture.Read a small discourse among Krishn and Arjun on YOG from BHAGVAD GEETA.

Chapter 3, Krishn had given the assurance that if a man followed his precept, free from delusion and with sincere devotion, he would be liberated from the bondage of action. Yog (both of knowledge and action) has the power to effect liberation from this servitude. The idea of waging war is embodied in yog. In the present chapter he points out who the author of yog is, as well as the stages by which this discipline has evolved.

“The Lord said, ‘It was I who taught the eternal yog to the Sun- (Vivaswat), who then taught it to Manu, who taught it to Ikshwaku.’ ’’

It was he, Krishn says, who at the beginning of devotion (kalp), imparted the knowledge of eternal yog to the Sun (symbolizing righteous impulses), from whom it was passed on to Manu (symbolizing mind), son and then to Ikshwaku (symbolizing aspiration). Krishn, as we have seen, was a yogi. So it is a yogi, a sage dwelling in the Supreme Spirit, who initiates the everlasting yog at the beginning or, in other words, at the commencement of worship and transmits it into the life breath. The Sun represents the way of God-realization. God is the “one light that gives light to all.’

Yog is everlasting. Krishn has said earlier that the inception, the seed, of this process is indestructible. If it is but begun, it does not cease until it has achieved perfection. The body is cured by medicines, but worship is the remedy for the Soul. The beginning of worship is the beginning of Self-cure. This act of devotion and meditation is also the creation of an accomplished sage. To the primitive man lying unconscious in the night of ignorance, who has not given a thought to yog, is brought to the perfection of yog.

When he meets with a sage-just by looking at the great man, by listening to his voice, by rendering albeit an inadequate service to him, and by associating with him. Goswami Tulsidas has also said this: “Ultimate bliss is granted to the man who has perceived God as well as to the man who has been noticed by God.”

Krishn says that at the beginning he taught yog to the Sun. If a realized sage just casts a glance at a devotee, the refinement of yog is transmitted into the life-breath of the lucky Soul. All beings that live are animated by the sun-by God who is subject to himself alone. Since light is life or breath, it is ordained that the Supreme Spirit can be attained only by the regulation of life-breath. Transmission of pious instincts into early man is the imparting of knowledge of yog to the Sun, after which in due time the seed of this perfection sprouts in the mind. This is how gods pass on the knowledge to Manu. After the seed has sprouted in the mind, there will arise a wish for the realization of the sage’s utterance. If the mind has something in it, there is also the desire to achieve it. This is Manu’s preaching yog to Ikshwaku. There will be a longing, or aspiration to do that ordained act which is eternal and which liberates from the bondage of action. If it is so, there is the will to act and worship is quickened. Krishn now speaks about the point to which yog takes us after it has been set in motion.

! Thank divine !

2009-05-13T07:43:00.000-07:00

Yesterday while listening to astavakra Guruji said a very apt thing he said "We all learn from our life experiences good and bad both experiences contribute to our growth and surprisingly bad experiences contributes more to our advancement. So,take everything as a part of offering from divine because our bigger plans are chalked out by him and he takes care. Just try this out be effortful and see through everything as if it is happening for your good and see the changes.You will have more patience and less aversion with the happenings around you, just we need to have FAITH.

Our scriptures says everything and if we peep deeply into them we will see it has an answer to everything so read GEETA, RAMAYAN etc. these are our miraculous scriptures and they are so easily understandable that it delivers the right essence. Sooo...people we have it all to manage our lives just see if we do the following things :

Thank divine for whatever is given to us.
realising that we r happiness so smile.
stop blaming self and others.
do satsang, sing.
meditate.
read knowledge sheets.
be helpful.
spread love and peace.
have divine company.
DO PRAYER !?!

I would say "we are in the midst of a sacred operation, and we are all a integral part of this creative process".

Cheers
Pooja

....final count down !

2009-05-05T07:04:00.000-07:00

Are we thinking that we are here for always! Look into your reactions when you meet people, while having food, while walking on the road, while watching a sunset, while saying good bye to someone, while doing our spiritual practices, while appreciating, while blaming, while laughing, while admiring, while expressing, while loving, while cracking a joke etc. Are we doing all these actions complete ?!If You are asked to leave this planet now,would we be able to that happily without any pending list?Actually in all our actions there is a scope of completeness and completeness not from any one else perspective but from your own!

If we even try to do things to our own demarcations we can really have fulfillment of at least living a day fully! But we live here as if we are going to live here for always! remember the people you have around you in this life time will not be there any longer if u leave this planet or they leave it! So, hurry up! Complete your task, complete any incomplete conversation u have had, express yourself fully always as if u will never get another chance to do so, watch sunset as if you are watching it for the last time, do your spiritual practices dearly because you never know about your next moment ;-) earth quakes are prominent (hahaha), joke around this life time you got a flavor of being humorous, say sorry if pending, ask if u want to ask for something from ur loved ones may be they are waiting to give it to you but u never asked , appreciate people around you they might not come with u in next life time, express yourself and thank divine who looks after us so well!!

I am sharing this from my true experience !Believe me !Try to live each day complete !As if there is no next day !And see the miracle....

Finish your things then and there and be thankful to divine that you are reading my blog as a reminder !!

All glory to my guru !

Pooja

II Love II

2009-05-03T11:37:00.000-07:00

Whatever I read from Guruji's library are just amazing and helpful to me. At times you will be amazed to read the exact stuff you needed at that point of time! YA, actually try it !Recently I finished reading his "Power of love" and believe me it has a great stuff to agree with and which is so profoundly inspiring that you will be just wow ! to read it :-) Just wanted to share some stuff from this book where he shares about "What are the signs of love"? So, SriSri says -

When you love someone , you don't see anything wrong in them .If you see some fault you justify the fault and say ,"well everyone does it !It is normal !

You think, you have not done enough for them.The more you do the more you want to do for them.

They are alwayz in your mind.

Ordinary things become extraordinary !

You want them to be yours exclusively.

When you love someone you want to see them happy always, and you want them to have the best.

So,these are some excerpts from the book, the book also has beautiful learning over how only being truthful can glue your relationship,whereas most of the people tell lies to each other in a fear of losing the loved ones but actually it is the other way round !In love we feel weak and truth can only give you the strength to smile and walk forward !

From the above mention stuff you might get a whole lot of questions in your mind on why ? Is SriSri saying this ?which would be worth exploring if u go thru the book !

Happy reading this book !

Cheers

Pooja

Nervousness affects !

2009-04-30T11:03:00.000-07:00

Most nervous diseases are due to excitation of mind. Examine what happens when we get nervous.When we get nervous or mad we throw a bolt of energy to our heart and brain all of a sudden.Emotions such as anger and fear can so overload the nerves that they cause body to malfunction.Over excitment and over anger means you are directing certain energy to certain area and depriving other nerves of the life source.

Another cause of nervousness is long conversation on the phone,drumming the fingures,moving the toes,television sound they all cause our nerves to react. See how the reaction happens with small small things. Many researchers described the bad effect of nervousness on human body including Dr. Samuel Rosen, clinical professor of otolaryngology at Columbia University states- Anger or loud noise leads injection of aderaline into our blood stream which causes neuromuscular tension which finally leads to irritability,anxiety and nervousness.

More causes are gossiping, sharp speech, stubbornness, verbal misbehavior and any bad emotion.Our heart requires true love, friendship, and above all peace. Maintaining our peace and helping people to maintain their peace is a "Divine quality".

Jaigurudev,
Pooja :-)

Quest for Spirituality-CNN

2009-04-20T20:40:00.000-07:00

It's one of the testimony from the world leading electronic-media CNN

Soulful Reading

2009-04-17T06:05:00.000-07:00

The book I have just finished reading is The Wisdom of Yoganand vol.1 on "How to be happy all the time".

Happiness is easier to find than we may think -if we look for it in the right place.The book focuses on even mindedness it talks in length about how to not loose our calm and centerdness in gush of life.It emphasizes nothing can make you happier than your own mind.Neither circumstances nor any person can bring happiness to you.You are the only person to decide the state of happiness for yourself.

I feel each and every word of this book is absorbed with divine inspiration.Each and every paragraph makes an absolute sense and gives fullness to the reader to lead a routine life with awareness !

One interesting paragraph from the book here:

Yoganand says -"When a diamond cutter wants to produce a beautiful stone, he knows that he must cut it along its natural cleavage.Its cut must not be random to satisfy some abstract fancy of his own. The same is the case with bringing out the beauty in human nature: We must take into account the realities of others, and never seek to impose on them our own".
The way it goes about ex planing things is extremely simple and rhythmic. And each and every word is soaked in divine power !!

U must read this book !!Let me know when you are done with it ! :-)

Happy reading !
Jaigurudev
Pooja

Kabir..the legend !

2009-04-15T15:16:00.000-07:00

Saint Kabir Das (kabir, Arabic for "great", dasa, Sanskrit for "slave" or "servant"), is widely acknowledged as one of the great personality of the Bhakti movement in North India. He was as is widely acknowledged born in Year 1398 A.D.(71 years before Guru Nanak). Kabirpanthis (followers of Kabir) say that he lived upto the age of 120 years and give date of his death as 1518! He expressed his love for divine in form of dohas !

"चलती चक्की देख कर, दिया कबीरा रोये

दुई पाटन के बीच में,साबित बचा न कोए"

"Chalti Chakki Dekh Kar, Diya Kabira Roye

Dui Paatan Ke Beech Mein,Sabit Bacha Na Koye"

Translation

Looking at the grinding stones, Kabir laments
In the duel of wheels, nothing stays intact.

This doha picks up a situation from our daily life. Kabir watches the woman grinding wheat on the flour mill. I have used the word woman here as generally it is the woman who does this work even today in the rural Indian society. The wheels are made of stone. One is stationary while the other on top is made to rotate by turning it with the help of a handle attached to it. The grain that is put into it gets crushed and the converted flour comes out. Thus the literal translation given above conveys that.

(Diya Kabira Roye) Kabir cries out, however, is what makes the reader to contemplate on this Doha and realize for oneself the hidden meaning behind this metaphor. Dui Patan here signifies earth (Prithvi) and sky (Akash) and within the ambit of these is all creation and life as also the manifestation of all natural phenomenon of dualities – day and night, life and death, joys and sorrows, thereby making life forever in motion (Chalti Chakki) and an ever changing process. Trapped in this duality, whatever we see is perishable. Nothing that we comprehend is eternal.

"बुरा जो देखन मैं चला, बुरा न मिलया कोए,
जो मन खोजा आपना, तो मुझसो बुरा न कोए"

"bura jo dekhan main chalaa, baura na malayaa kaoe,

jo man Khojaa Aapnaa, to mujasao bura na kaoe"

Translation

I searched for the crooked, met not a single one
When searched myself, "I" found the crooked one

This doha deals with our perception behavior and tendencies. It has been invariable noticed that we tend to find fault with someone else for our situations and circumstances. our "I", the ego, always tries to put blame on others. Being unaware of our own self is the cause of this attitude. Resultant, we find ourselves being busy in criticizing and condemning others and conveniently term them as crooked or evil.

Spiritual attractiveness...magnetism of inner self

2009-04-15T11:27:00.000-07:00

The present generation symbols attractiveness to the most stylish malls and beauty parlous. Its very important to pay a lot of attention to our physical body but tell me how honestly to we peep inside to have a charming inner being?Are we working upon that? How much?

To go in a business meeting its important to have a deep hair color ,and a attractive face and body with a mind capable of discussing things but how long these artifacts going to remain with you ,we need to devote some time in polishing ourselves to see the core of our very being! Then the attractiveness which you carry with yourself is worth admiring.Paying a little attention to beautify ourselves from within will be nourishing and will contribute not for any short term gain but will take life to a very interesting plain.

The substance will always come from your inner being that solidness which has a scintillating brilliance and will give outrageously fearless performance!! Yup! There are Beauty parlours where we can go for beautifying ourselves but go much to a place which will help you to become internally beautiful !! And hence you can have both external and internal beauty:-) So I feel this combo of internal-external beauty will give rise to an excellent personality.

I know one such parlour which beautifies you internally i.e ART OF LIVING ,BANGALORE ASHRAM (and the courses it conduct are also like a short sitting for beautification )and you will not be surprised to listen to the beautician's name, He is Srisri Ravishankarji :-)My Guru!!

When you have divine attractiveness, physical features are of less importance - Yoganandji

Happy longing for a deep inner beauty!

Cheers
Pooja

Titksha...An even minded endurance

2009-04-15T08:49:00.000-07:00

To make an attempt to rise above disturbance is an intelligent attempt. For a past few days I was observing a lot on what a difference speech or spoken words can make in our surroundings ! While listening to ashtawakra by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji where he talks about The right use of ''speech " is really worth listening to.

If we see carefully what do we do with our gifted power of speech we will see that either we gossip around or we use this gift in blaming and criticizing people around us. Or at times we are so unaware about it that we keep twisting it left right to make some sense somewhere :-) And at a very few places we use this for the purpose of sharing knowledge, uplifiting each others morale or motivating people positively.We can very constructively use this power in spreading knowledge,in motivating each other and in spreading peace . Purpose of words is to achieve silence and is wrongly used when it creates turbulence in others mind .Hence we can make an attempt to have that level of endurance where we can admire silence and use spoken words for a peaceful and constructive reflection.We can see subsequently increases in our energy level, in sharpness and awareness level etc. It has enormous potential.We can understand silence more when we use our speech correctly and vice-versa. So, we can all make an attempt to be more aware of it and I feel even minded endurance will bring blissful results:-)

We keep chattering,chattering,chattering because we dont know actually how to sit with our own SELF. Having an outward search of listening or exchanging words with someone who will take away the restlessness from our life is all we keep exercising attimes .We tire ourselves with the speech to an extent that we go to the bed and totally consumed of talking!!(Few people use chating as a remedy to sleep:-)

The whole attempt of writing is to imbibe a few routine practices in our life which will enrich our own being. Yoga, Sudarshan kriya and meditation are the few of the best examples to be taken into daily routine as a cleanser.

So, lets make an attempt (effortless) to be quite from within and to make a right use of our speech"!

'' Inner harmony and serenity is much more pleasurable than the best music you can ever listen to.”

Happy enjoying that quietness!

Lets move together !

2008-09-23T02:04:00.000-07:00

I feel a little appreciation and concern for each other in truest form (may for a while) can really help us in moving ahead with a BIG SMILE :-) We never know how our lil attention can bring somebody up from disappointment !

Hey see I will keep writing here.