Wonder Why????

I read a forward recently which set me thinking.I found it so amazingly true, though it is for sure not something to be proud of.Unbelievable how the human mind works.
We never or rarely do find the need to understand the mystery of creation and thank God for the beautiful sky,the soothing green trees, grass,the bright and colourful flowers, the variety of birds, animals,the mental peace and happiness while at the sea shore watching the waves.The list is endless,the beauty of nature is simply awesome.Unfortunately we take it all for granted and are so engrossed with ourselves. We are reminded of nature only when we are in trouble,may be because of too much heat, cold, rains or when calamity strikes.We often say 'Oh it is sooo hot, or this heat is unbearable',but rarely do we stop to admire the beauty of the rising sun and setting sun.
We find it so difficult to listen to and find time for knowledge,whereas it is indeed more enjoyable to spend time watching a movie.
We have so many doubts and usually find it difficult to agree with what the scriptures say,but believe everything we hear in the form of gossip about someone or even a friend.
We talk nineteen to the dozen at all times, but when we sit for prayer we fall so short of words, we don't know what to say many times.
We never stop to think of the money we spend before we go shopping, just to boost our ego,but we hesitate so much while giving a small amount as charity.Isn't it surprising that the same amount (let's say $10) can have two different values for us.When we spend it on ourselves it looks too small and the same amount looks big when given as charity.
We tend to think and believe that we are eternal and even if we do accept that one day we will be no more, all of us sure want to go to heaven, but when we are taught and shown the way to reach there we hesitate to accept that.

I wonder why we fail to enjoy the little things in life and always postpone enjoyment for later...

I wonder why we always want what is not ours,why the grass is greener on the other side......

Jai Guru Dev!!!!

stay tuned....

Are You Tired?????

A Beautiful teaching of Guruji Sri Sri Ravi Shankar for the benefit of the few who follow my blog!!!
Tired? If you are not tired, you will never reach home. Only if you're tired, will you ever rest. Everything in the world will tire you. Only one thing does not tire you. That is love
Love does not tire you because that is the end, the home. It is not possible to be tired in love. In fact, enjoyment brings tiredness! Tiredness is a shadow of enjoyment. What puts you on the road is your desire to enjoy. What brings you home is being in love. In your life, you move from one place to another in search of enjoyment. Wherever you saw joy and reached for it, you found that it was further away, somewhere else. So you had to move on and that moving is tiring. Look at your whole life. A child gets tired of playing with toys and wants new toys. Tired of playing with new toys, they want people to play with, they want new friends. They grow a little older. Their games change. The object of the game changes. They want something more. So it's like moving from one type of tiredness to another type of tiredness. As a teenager you looked for something else, not toys. Which is the new movie? What is the new fashion? You want to have the best match for you. You are married. You make a very good couple. Then what? You want to have your own home, children. Those who are single think that married people are better off. Those who are married think that single people are better off. Some think that people with children are happier. People with children wish everyday that their child grows up quickly so that they can be free. They wait for someone to give them a break, to take care of their children. Everything is tiring. You move from one spiritual path to another spiritual path, from one practice to another. Sometimes people say, "Oh, I have meditated for 20 years. I am sick of meditation now. Please don't tell me to do another meditation. Enough is enough." It's boring. People have no time. They find it boring to meditate. What to do? Where to go? When is that rest? That solace? That peace? When is that love that is so comforting, so eternal, so blissful? And you cannot rest until you reach home. You may sit in the path here and there but you cannot be there forever. You may take a break. On the motorway, there is some rest place. On the way, you stop your car, use the restroom, stay a while and stretch. But that is all. You cannot rest there, or be at peace there. At the back of the mind the drive is there - move on. There is no fulfillment. It is the desire that tires you - the 'want' in the mind. Your mind tires you more than the physical work. If you are willing to do some work, even 15 hours at a stretch, it will not tire you. However if you are not willing and you have to work even for four hours, it will tire you. You have a party at home or you are arranging Christmas decorations. So you may work many late hours but still not feel tired. You feel good about it. But you work in some place you don't like, you'd like to have four coffee or tea breaks and even then you feel it's tiring! Do not do any work at all. Just sit and go on thinking. You'll be terribly exhausted. For many people, the tiredness and exhaustion comes from thinking and worrying, not by working. Thinking you need rest makes you restless. Thinking you have to work hard makes you tired. Thinking you have worked hard brings self-pity. There is a place to rest. That is the Divine, that is surrender and that is love. And you can't do it unless you get really tired, unless you get sick of everything. You drop down. That is called surrender. There was a king, an emperor. He attained all that he wanted to in the world, all the wealth, the whole continent was under his control. He thought that this is his world. Thousands of people were under his command, all the wealth at his disposal, all the pleasures at his beck and call. He could snap his finger and get anything he wanted. But that couldn't get him home. It made him more and more tired. Then he went looking for some spiritual knowledge. He went from place to place, collecting things here and there, but nothing worked. Everything seemed to work for a while. Finally, he got so tired that he renounced everything. That also didn't work. Being an emperor didn't work. Renouncing everything didn't work. One day he fell near a tree. He was exhausted of looking for, but not finding, a real master. It's not easy to find a master. Even if one finds a master, it is difficult to recognize and let go. So, he finally dropped under a tree and at that moment a dry leaf fell down from the tree. He was looking at the leaf and that leaf flew to the east when the wind blew east and it flew to the north when the wind blew north. Looking at that, something in him suddenly snapped - the "doership" - The 'want' simply dropped from him. The very moment he realized that that moment is so eternal and he came back home. Make life that way - become like a dry leaf - agree with what the Divine has provided for you, float with the moment. Do not regret the past, do not anticipate the future. That is what all the enlightened masters say, "Keep practicing on your own. When you feel you can't do any more, that it's all so tiring, then come and rest." That's why the places of enlightened masters are called 'ashrama', where you come and get rid of your tiredness. 'Shrama' means effort. Ashrama means the place where all the efforts loosen up. All tiredness, both mental and physical, vanishes. Even spiritual, you don't have to strive for it. Just sit there. There is a candle, a light burning for you. You only have to sit under its light. You're lit. You don't have to do anything. It's burning for you. You only have to connect, sit there and feel the presence. Be a part of the divinity, then you will find that nothing can tire you in the world. You will become the source of love. You are the home. Things cannot irritate you. When you are tired, small little things can irritate you, push your button, can throw you off balance. Our peace is so fragile that anything, even a phone call, can blow it off. Our peace will be in hundred pieces - just a few words from someone. Fragile peace is of no use. The peace and love in our life should be so solid, like a diamond. Nothing should shake or move it. Desire, awareness of the Self and action all are manifestation of the same energy that is you. Among these three, one of them dominates at a time. When you have lots of desires, you are not aware of the Self. When desire dominates, self-awareness will be at its lowest, and that's why all the philosophers around the world have always advocated renunciation and dropping of desires. When the awareness is dominant, then happiness dawns. When desire dominates, stress and sorrow result. When actions dominate, restlessness and disease is the result. When your actions and desires are sincerely directed to the Divine or to the welfare of society, then the consciousness is automatically elevated, and self-knowledge is sure to be attained. You cannot rest when you have to do something that you cannot. And you cannot rest when you feel you have to be someone whom you are not. You are not required to do what you cannot. You will not be asked to give what you cannot give. Nothing is expected of you that you cannot do. Doing service involves only doing what you can do. And no one wants you to be someone whom you are not. This realization brings you deep rest. You cannot rest if you have either ambition or lethargy. Both are opposed to good rest. A lazy person will toss and turn at night and be 'restless' and an ambitious person will burn inside. This rest brings up your talents and abilities and brings you closer to your nature. Even a slight feeling that the Divine is with you brings deep rest. Prayer, love and meditation are all flavors of deep rest. The only thing you have to do in your life is to make your peace strong, your love profound and your joy eternal. Make your home God's home and there will be light, love and abundance. Make your body God's abode and there will be peace and bliss. Feel that your mind is a toy of God and you will watch and enjoy all its games. See this world as play and as a display of God Himself and you will repose in the non-dual Self.


Jai Guru Dev!!!!!
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Why Pray!!!

This morning as I was saying my daily prayer a thought that was going in my mind is 'why do we pray'?How prayer helps us.Most of the times we do not know or understand the meaning of the shlokas that we say becuase it is all in Sanskrit and many of us do not know sanskrit.Inspite of this fact what is worth appreciating is the satisfaction and the peace of mind after prayers.Isn't it amazing that something we do not understand can give us so much happiness, joy and peace of mind.Imagine our happiness and joy if we understood!!!
There is a lot of hesitation in our mind when it comes to reading Baghwad Gita or Srimad Baghavatham and many times our mind prompts us and tells us 'no this is not for you,it is very difficult'.....
While these thoughts were going on in the mind I was reminded of a very beautiful story which I read sometime back.
Read on.....

'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 Bhagavad-Gita just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading? theBhagavat 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 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, it is 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.'

So this is what regular prayer& chanting of scriptures like Baghvath Gita and Srimad Baghavatham does to us, It does not matter at all if we do not understand.Just chanting can cleanse the system.Another story which comes to my mind in this context is:

'There lived in Srirangam a very simple man who loved the Baghvath Gita and his day was incomplete if he did not read the Gita.Unfortunately he did not know sanskrit and so was not able to read it with the right pronunciation.The learned brahmins of Srirangam discourage him and ridiculed him for reading in his broken way and shooed him from the place.The brahmin, unable to give up his reading goes to a corner of the temple where no one will notice him and continues with his chanting of the Baghavth Gita tears rolling down his cheeks.
Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu who is visiting the temple quietly stands behind this brahmin and listens to this brahmin chanting the Gita, and observes the tears rolling down his cheeks.After a while the brahmin realises someone is observing him and asks Mahaprabhu to forgive him for reading.Mahaprabhu asks him why he is crying while reading, when he cannot understand and when he does not even know to read fluently without mistakes.
The brahmin in total sincerity tells him ,swami, "This is the Gita of the Lord,I see Krishna holding the reins of the chariot, I see Arjuna kneeling and that is why tears flow down my cheeks"Mahaprabhu Chaitanya tells him 'you have understoood the Gita comletely'!!
"That is the work of Krishna in our lives"!!!!

"Celebrate life,Care for others and share what you have with those less fortunate than you.Broaden your vision,for the whole world belongs to you."


Stay tuned.......

Jai Guru Dev!!!

Faith

I read this truly brilliant and thought provoking article on Faith and thought would share it with the few who read my blog.This is an article by Guruji Sri Sri RavShankar.

Faith is the central core of human existence. Faith sustains life and leads one through difficult times. Faith brings out hidden courage and potential in more ways than one. To have faith is to realize that God is protecting you. Realizing this is sufficient to move ahead in life. There are three types of faith: Faith in oneself, faith in the world, and faith in the Divine. All these faiths are connected. You must have all three for each to be strong. The concept of faith is treated differently in the East and West. In the Occidental or Western way of thinking, faith comes first, and experience follows. According to Oriental or Eastern philosophies, the reverse is true: experience comes first, and faith follows. During the harvest season, the farmer separates husk from grain with a broad sieve. He stands on an elevated platform, holds the sieve and puts all his grains into it. He then proceeds to shake the sieve. If the particle that falls through the sieve is mere husk, it flies away and is lost. Meanwhile, the grains fall to the ground and stay put. Similarly, if your faith is shaken very quickly and too often, or if you lack faith in difficult times, then you are akin to the flying husk. God expects only one thing from you your unshakeable faith. One whose faith shakes when faced by catastrophes cannot smile through them. If you lack faith and if events frighten you, then you fly away like the husk, lost and anchorless. On the other hand, if you have faith that everything will be all right, you will find stability and everything will settle down. Contrary to popular thinking, faith does not contradict logic. When knowledge establishes itself firmly in one's life, it is called faith. Make the knowledge, "I am blessed," your companion and have faith in the Infinite. This feeling of "I am blessed" can help you overcome any obstacle. There is a saying: "Behind every successful man is a woman." I would modify it to read: "Behind every success, there is the Divine that says, "I am behind you.' " Once you realize that you are blessed, complaints disappear, as do grumblings and insecurities. Not everything in this world is hunky dory. However, if you are grounded in faith, then you will progress and maintain your equanimity in this world. Faith leads to prayer, and prayer is a vital tool to improve your life. Prayer nurtures values such as integrity and honesty. Now, prayer happens in two situations or in a combination of situations. You pray when you feel grateful or when you feel utterly helpless. In either case, your prayers will be answered. If you are not grateful or prayerful, you will be miserable. Our love, faith and belief should be deep-rooted. The world is a celebration and you should be happy in life. All aspects of life involve ups and downs. For example, the human body may be susceptible to colds, coughs and fevers one day and may be fine the next. However, one must ensure that happiness is always established in oneself. This unconditional happiness can dawn only through deep-rooted love, faith and beliefs. This, according to Hinduism, is known as Purushaartha. Faith plays a big role in shaping one's life. Even those who say, "I don't believe in anything," have to believe in their words! The issue is where you place your faith. For an atheist, his faith in objects is obvious; his faith in people is fluid and his faith in the unseen power of creation is ambiguous. However, for a believer, his faith in the unseen power is supreme; his faith in people is inconsequential and objects do not matter in any way. The role of faith is even more visible in the materialistic world. Faith saves one from suicidal tendencies and helps people see beyond the obvious. When life is based on faith, one follows philosophy rather than getting caught up in revenge and hatred. If there is faith that everything will be all right, then everything will settle down. Faith is realizing that you always get what you need. Faith is giving the Divine a chance to act.


Jai Guru Dev!!!!
Stay tuned........

Health Is Wealth-2

Am attempt was made to write about physical health and metal health in the last post.
This post is devoted to intellectual health.
Intellect has three main diseases, ... ignorance, doubt and misconceptions about everything.
The intellect always tends to doubt everything.'Aggyana, Sanshaya, Viparyaya'(ignorance,doubt and misconception)
One of the major doubts is about our Goal in Life and the means.It is very,very important to know our goals clearly, and the means to attain our goals is through reading scriptures. This is mentioned in Udhava Gita
Reasoning and perception are the two eyes and the third eye (where we put the tilakam or pottu) is Veda.
We need to understand that science is not against Veda and similarly Veda is not against science.By the study of scriptures we will learn about the three eyes Shruti, Yukti and Anubhava(scriptures, reasoning and perception.)We need to integrate the three to know about the means and the end.
A healthy intellect is clear about the means and end.

At this point I am reminded of talk s by Sri Sri where he talks about how the intellect works:

Sri Sri says in his talks 'if you observe the intellect it always doubts the positive things, to quote an example; if someone comes up to you and says "I love you",the immediate reply most of the time would be "really'??The negatives on the other hand are accepted without any doubt and question, this is how the intellect works.If someone comes to you and tells you "you look clumsy in that dress,"we generally tend to accept that and then keep brooding over it and sulk and feel depressed about someone's opinion.
In order to change this pattern it is important I think that we read scriptures, be in satsanghs,do pranayam and yoga.
Once we have physical ,mental and intellectual health then success is ours for sure.
Let us all strive to achieve and accomplish the four goals Dharma, Artha, Kama&Moksha...
Let us strive to improve our physical, mental and intellectual health by doing all the require sadhanas...

It is a belief that Surya Baghwan is the bestower of good health,fame and efficient management....so let us pray to Surya Baghwan...

Stay tuned........



Jai Guru Dev!!