Know yourself

William Shakespeare once said "The more we know about our SELF, the more we will be able to enjoy and appreciate life".

With my limited knowledge of your understanding about your knowledge of your SELF and your relationship with the creator, let me share with you in simple general understanding of how I see me, my SELF and my creator and its connection with Life.

To me SELF is made of 3 dimensions:-

1. BODY - Biological Dimension Of You.
2. MIND - Mental and INtellectual Dimension
3. SOUL - Source Of Universal Light
4.GOD - Universal Light of Almighty Cosmic Energy that Generates, Operates and Destroys.
5.LIFE - Love Invited For Ever

We are a spiritual being made from the source of universal light living in a physical body with a god given mind to live life with joy.

There is no black board in the sky, on which God has written our purpose, our mission in life. Our purpose is what we say it is. Our mission is the mission what we give ourselves. Our life will be what we create it as, and no one will stand in judgment of it, now or ever. Let us fill the blackboard of our life with whatever we WANT. If we have filled it in with the baggage from the past, wipe it clean. We have a clean slate and we can start over – right here, right now. Find our joy and live it!!!!!

Think and do which brings you joy, happiness, freedom and laughter. “If aren’t fun don’t do it.” If you do not know it, ASK, “what is my joy?” as you find it and commit yourself to it, to joy, law of attraction will pour an avalanche of joyful things, people, circumstances, events and opportunities into your life, all because you are radiating JOY.

Be HAPPY now, feel good now. Let us use our full mental and emotional potential. We can do anything, achieve anything.

The more we use the power of our subconscious within us, the more we will draw it to us, and reach a point where we won’t need to practice it anymore, because we will be the power, the perfection, the wisdom, the intelligence, the love, and the JOY

Relationships and Practical Spirituality – 1

Many people feel that spirituality means retiring from worldly affairs. Apart from the great Rishis and pundits whose chosen paths are those of living in isolation or in ashrams, spirituality is a very practical way of living our day-to-day lives. In fact, spirituality actually enhances your daily life in what the everyday person might call “magical” ways.

This may sound mystical or esoteric, but spirituality is really a very practical way of enhancing one’s worldly living. For example, consider everyday interactions and relationships. Everybody seeks an ideal, loving and harmonious relationship and ideal interactions with all people. And it is absolutely possible to have an ideal relationship with another person in this lifetime by putting practical everyday spirituality into action.

One of the major reasons of friction within any relationships or interaction between people is the issue of “control”. The “why can’t YOU think the way I do, why can’t YOU be more like me?” is the underlying spark which triggers off arguments and disagreements.

Now if we can introduce a couple of spiritual tenets into ourselves before the disagreement reaches high intensities of emotions, the first thing that we will remember about practical spirituality is that we really don’t need to control anyone’s way of thinking. In fact, we cannot, no matter how hard we try, ever control another adult’s way of thinking. If we can surrender our need to defend our point of view, if we can just listen, actually listen to what is being said by the other person as well as to what is not being said by him/her, it would reveal a great deal to us. And as we understand the other person more, a greater insight is born within us.

There are no hard and fast rules about this in relationships. There are many factors that govern friction, and the bottom layer is always that of an issue of power or in simpler words, self-importance. If we can surrender a little of our self-importance, life would be much happier. That is also practical spirituality in everyday life – less self-importance.

Spirituality in everyday life is practical, and many of you have already experienced it and are continuing to experience it. All human beings desire to be loved unconditionally, and whatever we desire from the world is what we first have to give to the world. The language of unconditional love is also the language of Spirituality.

People get happier as they age

Adding more proof that the saying ‘You’re only as old as you feel’ could be true, a new study has found that that over-50 are content, and their lives will get even better in another 20 years. Around 65 per cent of those in their 50s said they were very happy or quite content, but this rose to 75 per cent for those in their 60s and 76 per cent for those in their 70s, reports the Daily Mail. Among men, one in three said they were confused about their financial future and 19 per cent said they were happy.

Women were far more optimistic with 43 per cent being ‘happy’ and around 30 per cent confused. However, there was universal concern about the ability to pay for their care in old age. A total of 77 per cent of those in their 50s were slightly or very concerned about their ability to pay for their own care, while this increased to 79 per cent for those in their 60s and 83 per cent for those in their 70s. Dr Robert McCaffrey, author of the study, said: “Taken as a whole we see that there is generally agreement between the sexes about what is important in retirement, with leisure time being most important, followed by a focus on health."

If one at 25 or 35 age search for immortal life through.. prayer.. Dhyan.. Meditation... Ignite inner Energy for spiritual search to become whole .. than there is no need for any security .. Either financial or family... Universe take care ... All Happiness with Financial will frustrated at last life because life is going to waste .. every moment death will come .. this body who want luxuries from power .. soon be dissolve... what for these insecure security...

Yes this is very true. When you are in fifties, you are not easily ruffled by the events easily. The happiness comes with the achievements already tasted by this time. Your understanding of the people and why they behave in the particular circumstances is more. The expectations from others are less and this helps in being contented and happy.

It is the understanding which comes with age ... the understanding of limitation and options.... This understanding of events remove the anxiety of the events and people tend to be more content ... content ness gives them the feeling of happiness.....


Positively lets you age successfully

Ageing is something that bothers most of us Nothing is more frightening than waking up with more wrinkles and fine lines all over our face But the truth is we all will age at some point of time Now, a new German study has shed light into how the brain can help us age successfully Ageing successfully has been linked with the ‘positively effect’, a biased tendency towards and preference for positive, emotionally gratifying experiences Now, Dr Stefanie Brassen and her colleagues explain how and when this effect works in the brain.

They studied this effect by using neurons imaging to evaluate brain engagement in young and old adults while they performed a specialized cognitive task that included supposedly irrelevant pictures of either neutral, happy, sad or fearful faces During parts of the task when they didn't have to pay as much attention, the elderly subjects were significantly more distracted by the happy faces When this occurred, they had increased engagement in the part of the brain that helps control emotions and this stronger signal in the brain was correlated with those who showed the greatest emotional stability.

“Integrating our findings with the assumptions of life span theories we suggest that motivational goal-shifting in healthy aging leads to a self-regulated engagement in positive emotions even when this is not required by the setting," said author Dr Stefanie Brassen “In addition, our finding of a relationship between rostra anterior cingulated cortex activity and emotional stability further strengthens the hypothesis that this increased emotional control in aging enhances emotional well being,” she said.

Interesting and true! Also, more so, when one has good financial security, good health, and most importantly, achieved a big chunk of their dream and worked hard to achieve it.

Peace eludes man though he may presume that he taken all measures to fetch it.

He is always of the view that the other man is happy, not knowing that prosperity is a relative term. Each has his or her own problems and feels perplexed as how to solve them. How to carry them out are detailed in scriptural texts. “Study them, you will get your mind purified and develop character.” The theory of happiness that is bestowed upon one and the grief that another has to face are but the consequences of his past acts, If a person obeyed God’s commands incorporated in the scriptures, his present life will be free from cares. If he had failed to discharge his moral obligations in his previous birth, naturally he will pass through struggle.

Even a person may have committed misdeeds and insulted his own being, but still if he sincerely express his regret and submits his plea before himself to forget all that he had done and seek his own pardon. Its soul, which is pure, and is a part, of the almighty. The protection is bound to come. This is one of His (GOD) greatest fruits and inimitable. He (GOD) does not look into the past of a person. Who repents but goes into his real intentions. It is nature’s convenient to grant asylum to anyone irrespective of caste, sex, or status, provided he is anxious to get totally reformed from his past.

There are many that believe that life is for enjoyment and that so long as they remain in the world, they must taste pleasure. On the other hand there are others who have tamed their mind, controlled their senses, and diverted their entire attention and realization towards the reality of life and nature. The person, who has achieved this will automatically, will get the enjoyment of worldly affairs. This is again the reality of nature and life.

Divine law ordains that happiness and sorrow are part of man’s life. Success will follow failures, and joy will trail grief. But the usual tendency among mortals is to get dejected when made to face problems and forget God when immersed in worldly activities.

Some may ask whether sacred literatures are easy to digest the doctrines embedded therein or understand the import of the episodes. The very rendering of the verses will make the listeners easily grasp the contents. A patient who is asked by a physician to take a few tablets simply purchases them and consumes them as directed, without examining the constituents- chemicals, which go to make the make the medicine. The Mantras in the holy text will confer boons. The manner in which the various characters view with each other to strictly observe the provisions of the moral law will make people emulate their example.

One of the primary lessons in almost all the sacred literature is to make us realize that the other man is more intelligent than we are; we should not under the misapprehension that we are the wisest.

Why is there so much misery in life in spite of all the material comforts available to us?

Why does man suffer endlessly? The enlightened sages have a simple answer to this different question: be natural. Osho presents a river-Su-tra to regain the inner Tranquility that flows naturally within our being. He says: “look at the river: unconcerned With whatsoever is happening all around, it flows on in deep tranquility, in deep calmness, undistracted, by what is happening on the banks. Undistracted, it moves on. It remains tuned to its own nature; it never goes out of its nature. It remains true to itself. Nothing distracts it; nothing calls it away, away from itself. Whatsoever happens in the world around, to the river goes on being a river- true to itself, it goes on moving. Even if a war is going on, even if bombs are being dropped, whatsoever is happening, good or bad, the river remains true to itself. It goes on moving.”

Movement is its intrinsic nature. And tranquility is a shadow when you are true to yourself.” Why is it so different to be authentic and true to one when the whole existence is comfortable to be so? Man wants to dominate others and become Alexander the Great. Nature does not suffer from such crazy ideas. An enlightened man follows the nature and lives in choice less awareness. He drops all crazy ideas of conquering the world and dominating others. He becomes master of his own self – a Swami. He does not want to become anybody carbon copy.

Happiness and harmony are possible to the original and natural. Just watch the flowers on the trees. The trees are true to themselves. No flower is trying in any way to imitate any other flower. There is no imitation, no competition and no jealousy. The red flower is just red, and tremendously happy in being red. It has never thought about being somebody else. Where has man been missing?

“Man misses his true nature because of desire, imitation, jealously, competition. Man is the only beings on earth who is not true to himself, whose river is not in tune with itself; who is always moving somewhere else, who is always looking at somebody else; who always trying to be somebody else, the calamity. You can be only yourself. There is no other possibility, it simply does not exist. The sooner you understand it, the better. You cannot be a Buddha, you cannot be a Jesus, and there is no need. You can be only yourself.”

“The woman crying, because a son is not born to her, another crying, that he is unemployed, the employed one crying, that he is not getting any promotion, another worried about, the profit of his business, the thief worries, that he should not be nabbed, the householder prays, that his house should not be burgled, while he is away, this goes on.

But who on earth cries that he has not been able to see God? So we suffer like, as Sri Ramakrishna says, the camel in the desert which goes on Nibbling at the prickly plant despite the fact that its mouth bleeds. For a householder to tread the path of devotion amounts walking on the razor’s edge and if he succeeds, he is greater then a devoted saint. He better sees up his contention with an interesting anecdote.

Three factors governing the lives of most men are.

1. The tendency to amass wealth.
2. To remain deeply attached to their spouses and
3. To display extraordinary affection towards their children.

The greed to get- rich- quick may even make them resort to illegal methods though they may possess enormous wealth; this has to be curbed.

It is a paradox that among God’s creations particularly human beings some are placed in a comfortable position and enjoy life, while others always face adversity and do not even understand the very meaning of happiness. A general explanation for this is assigned to wealth- that those who possess money can get their problems solved and remain unaffected even by severe jolts. On the other hand the poor go through ordeals because they have no means to put up resistance. This reasoning feels flat when we see so many rich men spreading restless days due to worries while some among the deprived always remain contented.

A story told of a man who with his wife and son and carrying a bundle containing money was crossing a river. A sudden flood made him discarded the bag first. Giving up his wife, when the floodwater threatened his own life followed this; he left the child too. He clung the son till the end because he was of the view that while it may be possible to choose another woman as his partner, a child is a gift of God and cannot be obtained without his blessing.

Life is full of Problem-

Life is not easy and simple but it is filled with many problems that can never be solved. Every single situation demands that we review all the options before we can come to any solution.

We should not worry and become upset because we cannot solve problems permanently and forever. Sometimes we have partial solutions to the problems. But we should not forget that way solution brings new problems. This does not mean that we should not try partial solutions. Each of us has abilities but we have to develop these abilities to overcome a problem. Abilities without efforts are nothing.

Many times in life we put the cart before the horse. We do not put things in proper perspective and therefore, we come to false conclusions. It is very difficult to know what the right way to solve our problems is.

Sometimes we must confront them head on. Other times, we must be flexible, diplomatic and be willing to zig and zag and maybe even backtracks a little in order to solve them. We must overcome our obstacles in order to thrive and grow.

Life is filled with all sorts of unexpected twists and turns. Life is filled with darkness, thunder and lightning. Tears are inevitable in life but there is still also a lot of joy in life and we can feel that joy.

The light, the joy must be refracted through the tears. But life can still bring us happiness and joy like the rainbow. It is the love and concern for each other, which allows us to overcome all obstacles. It is the love and concern of our parents, which allows us and still allows us to overcome the many trials and tribulations of life.

George Bernard Shaw said that man with a toothache thinks everyone happy whose teeth are sound. The poverty-stricken man makes the same mistake about the rich man.

One of the difficult problems in life is how can we be reconciled with our enemies. In life, there will always be disputes, exchange of words, threats and blows. This happens within families, friends, within and between Nations. War many times is a product of these disputes.

The major problem on earth is not the bomb or nuclear or chemical weapons. These are actually the products of the problems. The main problem is that the human imagination has not yet expanded to the point where it comprehends its own essential unity.

That these unfortunates/seek after the goodness whose source within they bear’ this golden verse of Pythagoras reveals the meaning of life, which has been cursed and poisoned by none else but human beings themselves. Pythagoras says that people who go on seeking and searching for bliss and happiness are unfortunate. No body has cursed them, they have cursed themselves.

We are constantly running after power, position and self in the hope that they will provide happiness but we are sadly mistaken. We are searching for happiness in the outside worlds whereas the source of happiness is within us. This is the folly we commit.

Seeking means we are running after something – some shadow, illusion, dream, and desire. And it is this desire, dream that makes life miserable. What Pythagoras says in not different from what Buddha said: that we suffer on account of our desire? Here both Buddha and Pythagoras spell the same message to drop the desire, which means to stop running after something and to stop running after something means to drop the mind. Mind always thinks in terms of achievements. To achieve more money, high flying post and much popularity. Mind exists through goals, mind exists in the future.

That’s why human suffering is tremendous. In suffering we run towards temples, mosques, synagogues, churches etc but alas! Our suffering doesn’t come to an end. Even when we go to the temples and mosques to offer prayers, we go with our minds that are with some goals and desires in our minds.

That’s why Pythagoras says, “Don’t be goal-oriented. Goal –orientation is the way of mind. Mind exists in ambition, in future. So drop the mind that is, to live in the stage of no-mind.”

Pythagoras calls those peoples unfortunate who live in the mind, who live in the tomorrow. And when one lives in the tomorrow, he automatically lives in the yesterday also. But the yesterday is no more and the tomorrow is not yet. Between the two is the present moment, which we have been missing and unfortunately we are sandwiched between theses two falsities.

Acharya Rajneesh says that our misery is our whole invention. Nature knows no future; nature is always here – this very moment. The enlightened person lives in no-mind. No- mind is enlightenment.

The Enlightened one can’t be goal-oriented for he has no future, for him all is present. The stage of mindlessness is the stage of being religious – when no desire exists, no passion exists. Buddha laid emphasis on meditation that simply means no-mind-stage of “mindlessness”. But the term mindlessness should not be confused with the term “unmindful”. Buddha says that it is possible only when we drop our egos. The moment ego disappears, everything becomes crystal clear inside. And when there is no body inside, only god remains. When one disappears, he appears. Then whole existence overflows with godliness.

Guidelines to make life happy

Sages and Saints, Out of their deep knowledge and personal experience, have left a rich legacy of religious postulates and guidelines as how people can make their lives happy and peaceful. If the mental condition of a person is perfect, there can be no room for misadventures and wrong pursuits. If the wonderful ideas left by the God’s deputies are zealously followed. There will be no need to feel agitated or depressed.

But to-day society witnesses violence and feels totally dejected all because of the disinclination to uphold the directives prescribed by ancient wisdom. The divine messengers have strictly prohibited us from uttering lies but many of us in the present day are embodiments of falsehood. Even an insect should not be injured; they have stipulated but we now find not only killing of animals but human beings, out of sheer selfishness.

While happiness and grief alternate in every one’s life, the affected person can always pray to God to grant him the strength to bear the agony. When in difficulty, he should be in a position to smile. Man should learn to transform sorrow into joy, how to achieve the same. Shri Krishna in His message – Geeta, Arjuna symbolizes human aspirations and weakness. Shri Krishna was equally astonished. When Kunti- (The mother of the Pandavas), who proved that righteousness always triumph, sought a born from Him that she should even be immersed in difficulties, as then alone there could be total report with Him, otherwise the chances of forgetting the presence of the divine are great.

Material progress alone will not give real happiness or even peace.

The happiness, a person enjoys in a tasty dish or witnessing a charming person can be attributed to the soul within the body. If this soul goes away from a person others will hesitate even to utter his name. They will categorize it as dead and will be anxious to get rid of it at the earlier hour.

The man who has loved his wife so much and was deeply attached to her, will not want to sit near her, once the live element soul departed her. This does not prove that taste nor look, touch, sound nor smell will give pleasure but only the soul inside the human frame. To realize this soul is the purpose, of this birth.

Among the creation of God, the human being is conferred with several privileges. The plants and animals grow, eat multiply but they do not have the faculty of discrimination. They cannot convey their feeling by the word of mouth and cannot distinguish the closely distinguish the closely connected members of their own breed or between good and bad. They cannot send appeals to their parents by calling them nor can they offer worship or read scriptures or listen to holy lectures.

Should man also behave like them when they can use their speaking capacity to praise God’s glory, witness the dazzling forms of God in Temples, undertakes service to humanity, and spend time on useful pursuits? Men are not borne merely to chase illusory pleasures, earn money, and live in comforts and pass of peacefully, only to take further births. They have a purpose and their concern should be to get it fulfilled. They should take steps to go nearer to God, using the divine gifts.

Now it is common experience that nothing in this world can be accomplished or attained without hard work and dedication. Desires, for worldly possessions are not prohibited. Every human being takes steps, rightly too, to register his or her progress, in life. A man owning a cycle may hope to obtain a two wheeler and later, an automobile. One residing in a rented house may aspire to acquire a cottage its own. A woman may like her synthetic diamonds to be replaced by genuine gems. Even learned persons get themselves deeply attached to worldly pleasure and regret that they are not able to conquer the foes with in. At the same time what scripture and God’s messengers tell us is about the need to pay equal, if not greater attention to “Spiritual Development” Man should aim at getting rid of his re-births. Which naturally requires gradual as well as graded procedure.

Unfortunately, some believe in merely accumulating worldly objects not realizing that they will be left behind at the end of a limited existence. That civilization alone is real which enables its votaries to realize God. The want of our souls can never be satisfied by anything short of knowing the absolute Reality and Truth.

Scriptural Text repeatedly caution, us that wealth amassed by unfair means will lead us to eternal trouble making us face unending problems. It is often asked whether there is proof for the presence of God and whether, He can be seen. The answer is firm YES but with certain conditions. The essential requirement is a pure mind uncorrupted by base thoughts. Unfortunately, modern men are affiliated by thought pollution and their mind is swayed by various temptations.

Happiness is the state of One’s mind

How a man should ‘turn’ himself to the environment of the present world is of vital importance to day. The happenings around us are not satisfactory and no individual is happy. The problem arises because each one is self-centered and possesses ego.

If Happiness is defined as a state of pleasure and contentment. It is now evident that external factors like wealth, status or beauty can’t ensure happiness. And interestingly, according to research in the University of California about 50 % of happiness is genetic and about 10% is dependent on circumstances. That leaves 40 % unexplained. “There is no medical or psychiatric definition of happiness. Happiness is usually defined as a state of satisfaction. It involves satisfaction with one’s state of physical’ mental and emotional health and has a lot to do with their social, spiritual and financial side of life too.

(Alferd B Ford, the great Grandson of the Legendary Henry Ford, was born into one of American richest families, the tycoon who gave the world the Motor Car and the assembly line. As he himself says that he belong to a family which has everything, still there was unhappiness and frustration.)

God has created human beings to experience both happiness and grief, enjoy pleasures, and also face obstacles. Invariably, they meet with more number of problems than prosperous situations. The adversities are mainly due to the fact that people have swerved from the path of duty and have failed to carry out their religious obligations with faith and sincerity. Spiritual exercises ought not to be neglected and scriptural texts tell us how to combat evil and derive the moral strength by upholding the rules of righteousness.

In the past wise people who witnessed similar discontent earlier were able to offer the solution to make the world a place to live. Thinkers of to day are also in the same position. The need is that the individual should adjust him to the surroundings. This can be achieved not anatomically or structurally but mentally.

If a man changes, the environment will change. But this should come from within, inside the hearts and not through legislation or other methods. The mental/ attitude should undergo a transformation. So long as men’s attitude remains selfish, the world will sink lower and lower and the poor will remain poor. Men should rise to a higher level, giving up selfishness and desires. What God means by his statement has been presented in the Holy Scriptures?

An elucidation of this point is the example of a mirror, which will reflect an object in its Front as it is, if there is an image not charming, the defect is not of the mirror but that of the person. Any number changes of the mirror will be of no avail. Like wise people show changes.

Though man has been broadly classified as extraordinary, the average and the dull, there is a superior class who fall in the category of the distinguished and the wise. They generally lead a life of simplicity and austerity and the only goal is to serve humanity and render them assistance to get rid of their problems and if necessary guide them properly. They may out speak but will never be offensive.

Going to the ocean, a fisherman will be happy with a big catch, with which he can obtain money. Some other may go in for pearls and someone may dive deep to get more precious items. Some may try to strike oil and become rich. All of them seek only wealth.

But the spiritual guides are like the clouds, which bears the evaporated water from the sea, and empty it elsewhere on the standee crops. These types of people will spread essence of love. Associating with there spiritual guides should be considered a privilege.

He who is happy himself has the capability of making other human beings happy. Happiness comes from within. It is a state of mind and, of course, it is the mind. That guides the body. And pray. What is it that guides both mind and body! Well, it is the Atama. It is the soul that gives an individual his or her permanent identity.

The body gives only a temporary identity for one life. The soul is there as your own identity in life after life. It is the soul that enriches itself through action; Soul may impoverish itself though a different set of karma.

Karma is the most important and essential aspect of advancement or backwardness of a soul. What is it that guides a soul on the path of progress to enable it to achieve its aim? The Veda or the divine knowledge- celestial jyana- to guide all souls in there journeys though this mundane world.

Determination and Patience

Determination is the strength that will enable you to pass the barrier of useless thoughts in order to create positive thoughts and to be successful in whatever you wish.

It comes from the within and its partner is patience. Patience teaches you not to push but rather to wait and appreciate the game of the life instead, knowing that nothing remains the same, and everything will change at some point.

A Lesson from the Story

A woman came out of her house and saw three old men with long white beards sitting in her front yard. She did not recognize them. She said “I don’t think I know you, but you must be hungry. Please come in and have something to eat.”
“Is the man of the house home?” They asked.
“No” she replied “He is out”.
“Then we cannot come in.” They replied.

In the evening when her husband came home, she told him what had happened.
“Go tell them I am home and invite the men in.
“We don’t go into a house together.” They replied.
“Why is that?” She asked.
One of the old men explained. “His name is wealth.” He said to pointing to one of his friends, and said pointing to another one “He is success, and I am Love.” Then he added. “Now go in and discuss with your husband which one of us you want in your home?
The woman went in and told her husband what was said. Her husband was overjoyed. “How nice!!” He said “Since that is the case. Let us invite Wealth. Let him come and fill our home with Wealth!”
His wife disagreed “My dear why don’t we invite Success?” there daughter-in-law was listening from the other corner of the house. She jumped in with her own suggestion. “Would it not be better to invite Love? Our home then will be filled with love.”
“Let us heed our daughter-in Law’s advice.” Said the husband to his wife.
“Go out and invite Love to be our guest.”
The woman went out and asked the 3 old men, which one of you is love?
Please come in and be our guest.
Love got up and started walking toward the house. The other two also got up and followed him. Surprised, the lady asked Wealth and Success: “I only invited Love. Why are you coming in?”
The old men replied together. “If you had invited Wealth or Success, the other two of us would’ve stayed out, but since you invited Love, wherever he goes, we go with him. Wherever there is love, there is also Wealth and Success!!!!”

You have two choices right now:
1 Click this off.
2. Invite Love by sharing this story with all the people you care about.

My wish for you…
• Where there is pain: I wish you peace and mercy.
• Where there is self-doubting: I wish you a renewed confidence in your ability to work through it.
• Where there is tiredness, or exhaustion: I wish you understanding, patience, and renewed strength.
• Where there is fear: I wish you love, and courage.

Here's how heaven looks like!

What happens when you die? It is most certainly one of life's biggest questions.

Several near-death survivors have come forward to narrate what they had a glimpse of when they were in heaven.

Now, Don Piper, an ordained Baptist minister, who was once pronounced dead following a car accident, has shared his intriguing story.

He says he remembers music that was "beyond spectacular" and aromas he'd never smelled before. His grandfather was there to greet him warmly, as dozens of others who had died in years past stood before him in front of a magnificent gate.

Piper, who insists it was no dream and visited heaven, has chronicled his experience in the New York Times bestseller, "90 Minutes in Heaven." "It was the most real thing that ever happened to me," he said.

There were lights reflecting off the gates, which looked like they were "pulsating with life.”That's because in heaven there is no artificial light, God illuminates it with his glory. In front of the gate stood his grandfather, welcoming him "home," he said.

"I was heartbroken when he died," he said. "Now I'm at the gates of heaven (and) he's the first person to greet me."

Piper, who was ordained in 1985, said he could not have imagined what he saw in heaven. "You know, if I was having a dream about it, this wouldn't be in it," he said. "Some of these people who met me at the gates, I haven't thought of in decades."

He believes he was sent back to spread a special message: "Heaven is a real place."

Are we using our life as human beings rightly?

A Potter lived on income from earthen pots he made. He used to carry the pots so made to the market on a donkey he had. Once when he went to forest to collect firewood for baking raw pots he saw a small stone which was shining in parts while some parts were not so. He liked it and picked it up. He put it in a sling and put it around neck of his donkey.

One day he was going to market with his wares and was accosted by a man who asked him if he would sell that stone to him. Potter agreed and on being asked price demanded Re 1 for it. The man offered half of that but Potter did not agree. So that man thinking that if he moves away Potter may agree to the offered price. But it was not so as another man who was witness to this offered Re 1 and got the stone.

On seeing this first man came back and told Potter that keeping company with donkey he has also become as idiot because the stone was an uncut diamond worth Rs 1 lac and by selling it for Re 1 he has lost Rupees Ninety Nine Thousand. To this reply of Potter was No, I have not lost this sum. I did not know the value of the stone and thought Re 1 was alright but it is you who has lost this amount as knowing the value you did not do anything to make use of your knowledge.

He linked it up with our day to day life saying that though we know that we have highly valued life as a human being but what use do we make of this knowledge? Do we do anything for betterment of society we live in or make better relations with others? Are we not wasting our highly valuable life as a human beings in petty squabbles due to our egos?

The Heaven and Hell You Create

Why is it so that a person... a failure in India succeeds in life in USA? In spite of his best efforts one fails to run an enterprise because of the bureaucratic interferences in India! In the US, it is the free enterprise system that keeps USA the number one country of the world. Hard-working and sincere people normally succeed in life... An almost perfect law and order always in standby!

Swarga (living in Heaven) is a relative concept. While in Swarga Heaven ... an atman the soul within is not expected to work ... it is but to enjoy the fruits of its labor. In the materialistic West ... it is normally observed that people are contented. It is not like India where people madly run after money. In India money is the goal ... in the West money is but a means to live a comfortable life.

In the West people do not engage themselves in gossip and look forward to spending their day wisely. For them it is a new life every day... A new birth in the morning and the death of their body when they go to sleep! They do not want to think of the past or the future! This habit of living day to day keeps them absolutely fit and fine. If they are contented with the materialistic trend then where is the problem. Black sheep always exist in the society. Some people are born only to break the laws... we need to take care lest we may suffer at the hands of destiny!

The people in the West are very cordial ... very hard-working ... no gossips ... concentrating on their jobs ... a satisfaction writ on their faces. People had no dearth of materialistic riches ... it is a different matter that most were immune to spirituality.

Whatever I have gained in life could have easily fetched me above a billion dollars by now. Money and comforts is never the goal of a true seeker ... such things are sought only by those who care for material riches, comforts and status in life. It is not that remaining all the time contented with life I speak in such a way ... even if the whole Cosmos and its riches are put at my command ... would I desire anything out of it other than two meals per day and an average life. Spiritual masters were never after the Midas touch!

The Indian traditions keep the children emotionally attached to the parents for a very long time ... totally contrary to what is practiced in the west ... not that the people in the west do not love their parents ... yet, they live their own life totally detached from what their parents may have expected of them to do.

The mortal frame of a person affects us Indians so badly that when it leaves it practically becomes impossible for us to continue with our life ... yet, life has to go on! We all know very well that one who has come shall always leave ... for life is not in our hands but we are to only perform our Karma within this life span.

Is that all to life we are supposed to live ... what of the values we attach to our relationships with our parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and our friends.

Meaning of peace

In ancient times, there lived a good king who was obsessed with the desire to find the real meaning of peace. “What exactly is peace? Where and how can we find it? And when we get it, what should we do with it?” he asked everyone he met. Courtiers and advisors from his kingdom were challenged to answer his questions, and he even offered a bag of gold as a reward.

Many tried, but none could give him a satisfactory answer about what peace really is, how to find it, and what to do with it. At last someone suggested that the king ought to consult a well known sage, a wise woman who lived deep inside the forest.

"She is an old woman and known to be very wise; people from all over seek her advice," the king was told, "… so if anyone can answer your questions, she can."

The king called for the old woman and posed the eternal question. Without a word, she went into the kitchen and brought back single grain of wheat to the king. "In this,” she declared, gently placing placed the grain of wheat in the king's outstretched palm, “you will find the answer to all these questions."

The king, puzzled but unwilling to admit his ignorance, locked the precious grain in a beautiful little gold box and placed the box in his strong safe. Each morning on waking, the king would unlock the safe, open the golden box and look at the grain, as if to find the answers to his questions as the wise woman had assured him. But he found nothing.

Many weeks later the king sent for the old woman again and hesitantly admitted how he went through the same ritual every day. "Since you gave me this grain, I have been looking for an answer every single morning, but I find absolutely nothing."

The sage gently explained: "It is really quite simple. Just as this grain contains nourishment for the body, peace holds nourishment for the soul.”

“But,” she added, “There is more.” Gently she went on to explain: “If you keep this grain locked up in a golden box, however precious and exquisite, it will eventually perish without providing any nourishment and without multiplying. However, if it is allowed to interact with the elements - light, water, air, soil - it will flourish, multiply and soon you will have a whole field of wheat which will nourish not only you but so many others.

This is the meaning of peace. It must be shared to nourish your soul and the souls of others; it must multiply and spread by interacting with all people."

Know yourself

William Shakespeare once said "The more we know about our SELF, the more we will be able to enjoy and appreciate life".

With my limited knowledge of your understanding about your knowledge of your SELF and your relationship with the creator, let me share with you in simple general understanding of how I see me, my SELF and my creator and its connection with Life.

To me SELF is made of 3 dimensions:-

1. BODY - Biological Dimension Of You.
2. MIND - Mental and INtellectual Dimension
3. SOUL - Source Of Universal Light

4, GOD - Universal Light of Almighty Cosmic Energy that Generates, Operates and Destroys.
5. LIFE - Love Invited For Ever

We are a spiritual being made from the source of universal light living in a physical body with a god given mind to live life with joy.

There is no black board in the sky , on which God has written our purpose, our mission in life. Our purpose is what we say it is. Our mission is the mission what we give ourselves. Our life will be what we create it as, and no one will stand in judgment of it, now or ever. Let us fill the blackboard of our life with whatever we WANT. If we have filled it in with the baggage from the past, wipe it clean. We have a clean slate and we can start over – right here, right now. Find our joy and live it!!!!!

Think and do which brings you joy, happiness, freedom and laughter. “If aren’t fun don’t do it.” If you do not know it, ASK, “what is my joy?” as you find it and commit yourself to it, to joy, law of attraction will pour an avalanche of joyful things, people, circumstances, events and opportunities into your life, all because you are radiating JOY.

Be HAPPY now, feel good now. Let us use our full mental and emotional potential. We can do anything, achieve anything.

The more we use the power of our subconscious within us, the more we will draw it to us, and reach a point where we won’t need to practice it anymore, because we will be the power, the perfection, the wisdom, the intelligence, the love, and the JOY

Attachment

Attitude The worst in life is attachment “It hurts when you lose it. The best thing in life is “Loneliness” because it teaches you everything and, when you lose it, you get everything it’s better to lose your ego to the one you love. Than to lose the one you love…..Because of ego why we have so many temples. If god is everywhere, but we still need a fan to feel it. When you trust someone trust him/her completely without any doubt…at the end you would get one of the two: either a lesson for your life or a very good person. Life is not about the people who act true to your face….it’s about the people who remain true behind your back soldier: We are surrounded from all sides by enemies.

We can attack in any direction the worst in life is “Attachment”. It hurts when you lose it. The best thing in life is “Loneliness” because it teaches you everything and when you lose it, you get everything every moment, every situation, every issue and every concern has a positive side…Find it and bring it to life.

Expand your mind

Get attached to a wider circle of people – community, nation, humanity. Work for Loka Sangraha, for the welfare of the world. As you get attached to the higher you get detached from the lower.

True love is born and your relationships become free from the endless strife that prevails now. In order to fill the haunting sense of emptiness in your life you depend on people for your happiness. Thus the starting point is faulty. Only when you are happy within can you establish meaningful relationships with others. It is absurd to depend on others to fill the void. Vedanta says you are Paripurna – totally fulfilled you do not need anyone to make you happy. Gain knowledge of your fulfilled state. Love others for what they are, the good as well as the bad.

Understand that people behave according to their nature. Do you hate a lion for its ferocity or a deer for its timidity? You love both creatures equally because you understand their nature and accept them for what they are. What prevents you from accepting people as they are? Why do you complain when a partner gets angry or a child is timid? Look at others as part of yourself and you will focus on their best qualities. You will see opponents as partners, competitors as comrades. You will celebrate others’ victory as if it were your own.

Thus your happiness multiplies a billion times! Today you are happy only when good things happen to you in the end love turns God ward. You worship God in all beings. Vedanta says there is only one. If you see separateness, it is your delusion. Just as one ray of light refracts into seven different colours, you see distinctions and demarcations because you view the world through the prism of your body, mind and intellect. You see maximum separateness when you identify with your body. See the world through your mind and your circle of love expands to include your family

Tangible Symbol of Cosmic Union

When we make offerings to the lingam and invoke Shiva and Shakti, we are acknowledging and celebrating the fact that Shiva and Shakti are not separate. That is, as husband and wife, Shiva and Parvati may appear to be two but in fact they are but One. Hence we give so much importance to the lingam in Shiva temples across region. The concept of unity is very relevant in family life as well. The husband and wife must live with one mind; they need to complement each other. The Shivalingam is a miniature representation of the egg-shaped universe.

By venerating the Shivalingam, we are paying our respects to the entire cosmos, seeing it as an embodiment of auspiciousness and divine consciousness. The Shivalingam teaches us to perceive and realise the truth that service of the world encompasses all living beings, and in such service is visible, the path to salvation. This is the essence of Shiva worship. The term Shivalingam is composed of two words `Shiva’ and ‘Lingam One of the meanings of the word, `Shiva,’ is auspiciousness. Another version is “linga is derived from the two Sanskrit words laya (dissolution) and agaman (recreation).” Thus the linga symbolizes both the creative and destructive power of the Lord and great sanctity is attached to it by the devotees. Whosoever worships the Shivalingam with an understanding of its true meaning and knowledge of its true principle, will be blessed.

The word `Lingam’ also refers to the principle into which everything ultimately dissolves or merges. The lingam is that form, from which the cosmos arose and into which it will dissolve eventually (According to Hindu Texts when one dies, his soul or life energy or soul which is enveloped in the Linga Sarira or a subtle sheath and invested with the sum total of good and bad Karma passes after sometime into another plane shaping of the gross body as a man castes of his own - out clothes and put on new one). The Rishis who investigated the nature and origin of the universe discovered through tapas or meditation, that the source and substratum of everything is Brahmn. It cannot be described or signified by words. The fountainhead of all attributes, it is itself attribute less and formless. How can the attribute less are described? Only something with attributes can be an object of the mind and senses.

So the Rishis conceived of the Shivalingam to represent this inexplicable juncture between the unmanifest Brahmn and the manifest creation. The Shivalingam symbolises the universe rising from the Brahmn. The supreme truth, which is attributeless, is beyond name, form and individuality. The shivalingam represents all this in a tangible form. Scientists describe the shape of the universe as ellipsoidal or egg-like, and is referred to in Indic tradition as andam or brahmandam. Therefore by paying obeisance to the lingam, we are merely bowing before the cosmos as well as acknowledging the power of Oneness.

By worshipping the egg shaped Shivalingam, it is hoped that the aspirant will become aware of all this. When we sing "akash-linga pahimam, atma linga pahimam", it means; "may all- pervading God, who is as expressive as akash or the sky, protect us; May the Paramatma or Supreme Soul who is of the nature of our true self, protect us."

According to puranic legends, Shiva reduced Kamadeva to ashes by opening his third eye. At the start of Creation the Supreme Truth ramified into Prakriti or nature and Purusha or the indwelling principle

Purusha and Prakriti are not two different concept- they are one, just as fire and the power to burn are one, and they cannot be separated.

In the same way, Shiva represents the principle of the unchanging, changeless substratum behind all change or flux. The Shiva-Lingam is a symbol of the Shiva-Shakti union. By meditating on the Lingam, we will inspired to realize this Supreme Truth.

Kama –The Hidden Source of Vital - Spiritual Energy -2

The physical science regards atom as the basic unit of matter. As per the hypotheses prevalent until half a century ago, the origin and properties of matter and hence all its reactions and energy-variations were attributed to specific arrangements, distributions and motions of the subatomic particles in the nuclei of its atoms. Further research had discovered that the atom or subatomic particles are not the most basic entities, rather, these are consequences. After the theories of (quantum) energy waves etc, it is now believed that the root cause of the manifestation of Nature is some kind of cosmic vibration that could be regarded as generating the physical as well as conscious energy waves; the sparks of which motivate the motion of subatomic and subtler particles and give rise to the physical existence of the universe and control its expansion and ultimate destruction.

The science of spirituality begins at much deeper levels. It affirms the origin of Nature and cosmic expansion through the evolutionary impulse generated by the commingling of Prakrati and Purusha. These (Prakrati and Purusha) are also referred as Rayi and Prana, and Siva, or Agni and soma in the vedi literature. We may think of these as sublime cosmic power currents of mutually complementary nature. As the flow of electricity is not possible without both the positive and negative currents, no energy or motion could be realized in Nature without the vibrating linkage of Prakrati and Purusha.

The Sankhya school of Vedic Philosophy describes that the cosmic impulse induced by the vibrating linkage – consistent cycle of mutual commingling and separation, originate the evolving existence of the Para and Apara forms of Nature. We get the first experience of this effect in the motion of (sub) atomic particles. A clock starts and continues operating with the harmonic motion of its pendulum. Similarly, the existence and unlimited activities of Nature commence and continue with the vibrating linkage of Prakrati and Purusha.

In order to explain and illustrate the deeper science and philosophy of this subliminal process, the Purusha (Brahma) and Prakrati are rhetorically described in the scriptures as representing the eternal man and woman. The trinity Gods: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva - symbolize the powers of eternal creation, maintenance and evolution. The Goddesses referred as their respective consorts are Savitri, Lakshmi and Parvati. Hidden behind this rhetoric description of divine couples is the fact that the eternal Being (Purusha) is incomplete without Prakrati. No creation, no life and no growth would be possible without the conjunction of the two. There would be nothing except the absolute void. From the anthropological viewpoint, the conjugation of the mutually supplementary powers of man (male) and woman (female) is the root cause of all the gross existence of the world. The confluence or coupling of the two naturally complementary streams of the sex-element gives birth to new life. This reaction is like generation of spark from friction, from impulsive cycle of conjugation and separation.

The vibrating linkage in the sublime domains of Nature is also reflected in every expression of life, every process of the living body. For example, the respiratory cycle, the consecutive compression and expansion of the muscles, the beating of the heart, the pulsating flow of blood, the cyclic growth and division of the cells, the rhythmic cascade of molecular interactions etc….

Any disruption in this system invites the terror of death. This is true not only for the gross body, but also in every expression of Nature. Like the high and low tides of the sea, every activity in the universe is based on the cosmic impulse of the vibrating linkage – cyclic conjunction and disjunction of what is termed in the science of spirituality as Prakrati and Purusha or Rayi and Prana.

Human life entirely depends upon this eternal cosmic process. What is transacted by the Prakrati and Purusha in the subliminal realms of cosmic creation is supposed to be performed by man and woman together in the gross domains of life on this earth. The alliance of the two is therefore essential on the social fronts. Apart from the exceptional cases of individuals living singly because of some unavoidable compulsion or because of some ascetic ideals or noble aims, the life-partnership (as married couples in general) or company of man and woman is the most natural, common and favorable mode of life in the human society. No one would object to accept that the natural growth and happiness of life is sustained on the association of man and woman.

It should be noted that the intimate companionship of man and woman is required not only for reproduction or carnal pleasure. The joy of sexual linkage and desire of having offspring may trigger such relationships in a couple. However, this is not all. In fact, the intimate association between the two enables creative channelization of kama4 in both and thus helps arousal of their otherwise dormant consciousness; this soothing exaltation is required in every moment of life. The attachment of a child with his mother and eagerness of being in her lap or proximity are also indicative of this natural requirement.

The sons deprived of motherly affections and the daughters bereft of father’s love and protections are often found to lack in healthy psychological development. The presence of boys and girls both among the children augments the happy ambience of a family. The boys who have no company of sisters and similarly the girls without having brothers remain deprived of overall development of personality and risk some hindrance in mental evolution. With the emergence of youth one has to arrange for a married life. Healthy association between husband and wife together would offer natural boost to each other’s progress in all dimensions of life. In old age, affectionate interaction with the (grand) sons and (grand) daughters also provides extra sublime support to the hidden consciousness of the (grand) mothers and (grand) fathers respectively.

Renowned psychologists like Dr. Freud, though in a narrowed sense of the word, have advocated "Kama" as the utmost need of human life. It is affirmed to be fulfilled in intimate interactions, amicable alliance between the opposite genders. Somehow in our country, the Sanskrit (or Hindi) word "Kama" is mostly used to imply sexual pleasure or related desires. This is why it is often discarded as an erotic or obscene terminology and the concept of inevitability of Kama appears debased and unacceptable to many of us. But a sane consideration of the overall meaning of the word with scientific outlook and an open mind would convey that Kama is indeed an eternal necessity reflected in origin and infinite expansion –– right from the commingling of Prakrati and Purusha and the gross generation of life…, to the contributions of married life in the society and sustenance of the world. Finding flaws in this interpretation or countering it by some linguistic analysis etc would only be a prejudiced and futile exercise of arguments.

Unmindful and uncontrolled use of any resource is risky. Extremities or exploitation of everything should be avoided. Incontinence and greed of unwise, shortsighted people often cross limits in unchecked, insidious misuse of the faculties of Two sense organs i.e. Tongue and genitals (the sex-organs). The God has given them with duel work load.

For instance look at the state of our tongue. Many of us have ruined its vital power in abusive, bitter and false speech and all kinds of unhealthy (though lavish) foods and invited physical and mental sufferings and economical and moral decrepitude in several respects. This is not the flaw of the natural faculties of taste and voice endowed in the tongue. If restrained, refined and used wisely, this tiny organ alone could serve great purposes in enlightened progress of our life.

The same is the case of the genitals (the sex-organs). If these are restrained carefully together with adoption of Brahmcarya and the nectar of Kama hidden in the sex-element is enjoyed with moral purity and cautious control, the sexual indulgence too would prove to be beneficial and fulfilling like the elixir of life. After all, careful processing and medicinal use of poison makes it a life-saving drug too. However, at the same time we must note that adulteration and ill usage of these are always detrimental and could convert even the nectar into a deadly toxin. Thus, it is not the Kama, rather, its perversion and eroticism that are debauching and should be reproached and avoided.

When the relations between a daughter and father, sister and brother, or mother and son could be so sacred, happy and healthy, why would those between other kinds of social interactions between the two sexes be pernicious? Take for instance the case of husband and wife. This relationship could be most enlightening and exceptionally encouraging for unalloyed progress of both if insulated from the aberrations of sensual lust. Marriage in such cases would prove to be an excellent means of nurturing fulfillment in the lives of both the partners by healthy alliance and mutual support…. Lord Krishna had mobilized a welcome revolution in this regard.

The Indian society of those days of yore was subjected to blind traditions – even the young boys and girls were not allowed to play together. People clung to a blind conviction that meeting or interaction of men and women, of whatever age groups would lead to immoral, untoward consequences. This had darkened people’s mentality and thus captured the smiles of children too in the barrier of social absurdity; little boys and girls were not able to laugh or play together under these baseless constraints.

Lord Krishna removed these suppressive barriers and encouraged healthy alliance between the two sexes by way of organizing the blissful programmes of "Raslila" in which the boys and girls, men and women all used to play and dance together. He found it illogical to discriminate among humans on gender basis; so what if one section of the human society can grow moustaches and the other doesn’t. How could the difference between the anatomies of the genitals make one sex inferior or harmful to the other in any way? In fact, this difference in the physical and psychological nature of the two sexes is a remarkable symbol of Nature’s art that offers soothing mutual complementarities’ among them. The sick mentality that the two different sexes would commit mistakes and indulge in obscene, amoral acts whenever they associate is an extreme of mistrust of humans towards themselves.

Chastity of conduct, virtuous development of character could be ensured only by refinement from within. This demands inculcation of sraddha, prudence and farsightedness towards noble ideals and human dignity. Social norms should not prohibit healthy alliance, interaction and collaboration between the two sexes; else the society would be deprived of the great benefits available from the joint efforts, mutual support of its two major pillars. Lord Krishna had propagated this message effectively by his enchanting Raslilas.

The spiritual science of sublime power of the sex-element accords sacred interactions between man and woman. The intimacy of their relationship as married couple could also incorporate sensual connections and mutual satisfaction of sex. There should be no restriction on healthy association, joint efforts and social unions of men and women in general. As two or more men or women can share the joy of friendship without any risk or suspicion, the same way men and women could also maintain unstained, respectful alliance. This natural, serene, sober association should not be prohibited.

The mutually supplementing powers of Prana and Rayi, soma and Agni, and Swaha and Swadha in man and woman are of unique biological, psychological and spiritual importance. The conjugation of these sublime elements holds limitless potentials of genesis, creation and blissful evolution at higher realms of Nature. Reproduction or growth of population is a very crude and negligible expression of this astonishing effect. These two subliminal streams of the source of consciousness and manifestation of Nature should be recognized and realized through the deeper science of spirituality. Sagacity of human mind should check the risk of tragic decline and extinction of human species by preventing the perverted dissipation of the immense energy of Kama – hidden in the sex-element – in erotic passions. This sublime power should rather be channelized wisely for the overall augmentation of the physical, mental and spiritual strength of mankind.

The activity of sex-element in copulation is a subtle biological process. The sensual lust and excitement associated with copulation could be vulgar and shameful. Erotic description of the same could be detrimental and should therefore be avoided. However, knowing the roots of this process in Nature, deciphering the higher dimensions of the vital force and the deeper science of Kama, is neither untoward nor vulgar. It is indeed a part of the Panchagni Vidya – the Vedic science of genesis and evolution of prana that has been lost in the mist of ignorance and tides of time. Neglect of this great knowledge has caused enough harm to our own lives and potentials. The deep knowledge of multiple aspects of the bioelectrical force and prana in the sex-elements of man and woman is dealt in the spiritual science of Kama. It should be studied with same sincerity and investigative attitude as any other branch of science.