Celebrating freedom

Monday, 31 December 2018

Celebrating freedom

The Speaking Tree  Spirituality | ET

By Tapan Chatterjee

 

The Hebrew word for Passover is Pesach, a combination of peh and sach. The two words mean, ‘the mouth speaks’. Passover is all about communication.

During Passover the Jews follow the commandment “And thou shalt tell thy sons” —to inform later generations about the departure of their ancestors from Egypt. The concept of nationhood is renewed annually in this manner by letting the “mouth speak” during the ceremonial dinner called Seder, in what can be described as a strongly symbolic ritual. In reading the Haggadah, or stories of Exodus, they recall their history with awe for Him.

During Passover it is forbidden to possess any Chametz, the Hebrew word for leavened food. Matzo, the unleavened bread, is eaten as a meal.

Without adding yeast or giving sufficient time to ferment the dough made from flour, it is not allowed to swell. All this symbolises the need for keeping control over one’s self. Leavened food and leavening agents have come to represent arrogance and malice.

 

God’s commandment conveyed the message that the people should not be arrogant with the Pharoah’s men, and in the hour of redemption, they should take care not to fall out among themselves by becoming egocentric.

The commandment exhorts them to stay together and help one another. They had heeded, as the legend goes, and had successfully crossed the Red Sea to become a cohesive nation for the first time in their history.

DISCLAIMER : Views expressed above are the author's own.

The energy matrix

 The Speaking Tree India | ET

By: Shyam Behari Lal

There are three kinds of energies: internal, external and marginal. Internal, or spiritual, energy pertains to Krishna consciousness, God’s superior energy.

The spiritual world is a manifestation of His internal energy.

The living entities, of marginal energy, perform material activities when acting under the external energy of God. And when they are engaged in the spiritual energy of God, their activities are of Krishna consciousness. So, the enlightened do not act under the spell of material energy, they act under the protection of God’s spiritual energy. This energy is obtainable through Krishna’s, or the spiritual master’s, mercy.

The Vaikuntha planets are products of spiritual energy of Krishna, God absolute. The living entities being infinitesimal of God’ spiritual energy, can reside either in the spiritual or material world according to their association with specific energies — they are designated as tatastha shakti, or marginal potency. The material universe is the manifestation of His external potency. Since the Supreme Lord is master of all energies, He is also in absolute control of both the spiritual and material universes. The Lord’s external potencies are qualified by the three material modes: satvic, rajsic and tamasic.

Earlier, scientists did not believe in consciousness. Their focus was exclusively on the physical aspects. Today, new physics is probing consciousness as a phenomenon that exists. For, the matter-space-time matrix of the physical universe owes its existence to consciousness.

DISCLAIMER : Views expressed above are the author's own.

Spiritual regulation of The Life Force

Youth is a very exciting time . Many people want, if possible to stay young and vigorous all their life. And there are charlatans who tell you through loud advertisement that they can enable you to stay young always either through yoga or through estrogens or progesterone treatments. It requires a considerable amount of stupidity to go in for eternal youth. They become the most pitiable of creatures who, though their youth is gone went to give the impression that they are blossoms of early morning. They have somehow missed the dignity and purpose of life.

It is not in the scheme of nature that anyone should always remain young. At a particular age the skin should wrinkle and the nerves grow weak and this is nothing to be ashamed of or worried about . it is the law of nature that it takes a morning, and afternoon, and evening and a night to make a full day. And every part of the day has its own value, purpose and beauty. The evening is not necessarily less beautiful than the morning.

But for those who have not received any religious training in their early youth, and who consider that the well –being of the body alone is the be-all and end-all of life for them the declining age is dreary. They feel themselves cast out by the world, and live in the past. They do not know how to live a forward-looking life because the body offers to them no promise of a future. The case however is different with those who have been nurtured in religion. They do not purposely neglect the body but they know that there is meaning in each stage of lfie, as there is to the changing season of the year.

 But, if He exists?

I drive joy There was a doctor in Benaras who spent 7 minutes in the morning and evening for mediation on God. Knowing this, his colleagues and friends laughed at him. One day they argued that he was wasting ten precious minutes on something, which he had been misled into believing. The doctor replied, “Well, if God does not exist, I agree that I am wasting ten minutes a day. But, if He exists? I am afraid you are wasting your entire lifetime. I prefer to waste ten minutes rather than a lifetime. Why should you grudge me the 10 minutes joy that I derive 4m.

ILLUSTRATED REVIEW : 7^th Heaven moment of the week , India won third test by decl 443/7 Epl Totnham Son 7  scored four  goals in two games,  and juventas no 7 scored two goals

Walk the lonely path

Monday, 24 December 2018

Walk the lonely path

The Speaking Tree | India, Lifestyle, Spirituality | ET

by Lavlin Thadani

To reach the innermost depth of understanding and tranquillity, each one of us, as a free thinker, has to walk the lonely path to self-discovery through the noisy mind. Life in its essence does not change; it flows, as ever, with all its ups and downs. The question is: can we flow along with it in a naturally abundant, joyous, balanced state of being?

From the chaotic state of mind, we first travel the difficult distance to the state of loneliness, which for some may even be an anxiety-ridden experience. But in itself, it is the first and most promising milestone towards Self-realisation. From there begins the journey towards aloneness. Loneliness is the mirror carved out of our introspection —it reflects where we are in our journey towards the ultimate.

At the take-off stage, we are nothing more than lost particles in the vast universe, and yet, not quite so…for we are determined to find out who we are. Aloneness is that next step towards Self-realisation and then with consistent, aware evolution comes the finer state of aloneness; it keeps getting better till finally one arrives.

In aloneness, we begin to cherish our own company and in the same measure as that of the stars, the trees and the breeze. Then you want nothing, crave for nothing, desire nothing because you have everything. You have you with you and that you is life in totality itself: the ultimate. The moment of Self-realisation can happen any time. It depends upon your readiness to receive it, upon the purity of your being in everything you do.

DISCLAIMER : Views expressed above are the author's own.

Quote from the True Charm and Power of Vedanta

Mind is a monkey

The Speaking Tree India | ET

By: Swami Muktananda

People want both God and wealth. They want their businesses to be successful, their children to study well, their health to remain perfect, and their households and cars to run without complication. A person should use his powers of discriminationin order to maintain a balance between spiritual pursuit and worldly affairs.

The Vedas say that only he who obeys can command others. Only he who possesses character can build the character of others. If society is perceived to be lacking in character, eventually, progress and betterment are bound to follow. The Bhagwad Gita says whenever unrighteousness prevails, God incarnates on earth to destroy evil and reestablish righteousness.

If enlightened people live in isolation, how can the people learn and benefit from them? Not all saints living in isolation are impostors. Nor is it correct to say that because they live in isolation, they are not working for mankind. Bhagwan Nityananda lived in the jungles of Ganeshpuri. Most of the time he remained silent. Yet, thousands of people visited him to obtain peace and happiness.

The simplest way to do sadhana is to first steady the mind. Artists, scientists and musicians all excel in their work through concentration of mind. You can realise the Truth only by making your mind steady. The mind is as restless as a monkey. The mind becomes steady as a result of knowledge of the Self. The mind can contemplate the Self but it cannot know the Self, because realisation of the Self is a matter of experience, not of intellectual understanding.

DISCLAIMER : Views expressed above are the author's own.

 But, if He exists?

I drive joy There was a doctor in Benaras who spent 7 minutes in the morning and evening for mediation on God. Knowing this, his colleagues and friends laughed at him. One day they argued that he was wasting ten precious minutes on something, which he had been misled into believing. The doctor replied, “Well, if God does not exist, I agree that I am wasting ten minutes a day. But, if He exists? I am afraid you are wasting your entire lifetime. I prefer to waste ten minutes rather than a lifetime. Why should you grudge me the 10 minutes joy that I derive 4m.

ILLUSTRATED REVIEW : 7^th Heaven moment of the week , Epl Totnham Son 7  scored two goals, in nba Rocket won by 7

Every Day is a Celebration

Monday, 17 December 2018

Every Day is a Celebration

The Speaking Tree  India | ET

By SANT RAJINDER SINGH

Some of what happens to us each day is God’s will. We also have free will to choose, and we can make choices that are going to be beneficial to us and those around us. Our journey in life is a process of evolution of the soul.

Sooner or later, the soul is destined to return to God. The end goal that God has for us is that we attain this freedom. At the right moment, we get a helping hand when we think all is lost.

Ernest Shackleton dreamed of crossing Antarctica by dog sled, a 2,100-mile journey. Shackleton and his team began the journey. Unfortunately, the boat taking them to Antarctica hit an ice pack and sank. Luckily, the men survived, but they found themselves in waters with drifting ice floes.

The nearest land was 200 miles away. The nearest human outpost was 1,200 miles away. They salvaged a one-ton lifeboat that they pulled with them, crossing from one ice floe to another. When they reached an area that did not have any more ice floes, they got into the lifeboat, but the waves were often 90-feet high.

Somehow, they made it to an island of ice, which had never been crossed before. It took them seven months to reach civilisation.

When they finally arrived, they told their friends that they felt the presence of an unseen power guiding them on.

The beauty of God’s unseen hand is that sometimes we actively pray for help and receive it, but there are many times when we do not even ask for help, and help comes anyway. These times are reminders to us that we are not alone.

DISCLAIMER : Views expressed above are the author's own.

Quote from the True Charm and Power of Vedanta

Protected by grace

The Speaking Tree India | ET

By Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev

When Draupadi was being disrobed in public, Krishna was not present. He was not even aware of Draupadi’s predicament.

So how was she saved? Krishna faced a crisis in Dwarka. Salva, a king who held a grudge against him, had ransacked Dwarka, killing and burning everything. So he was not aware of the happenings in Dwarka.

How then was Draupadi miraculously rescued? For Grace to function, I need not be mentally aware of what is happening to you. A certain investment of energies is made; it takes care. If one wishes to be aware, it’s possible.

But most of the time one does not wish to be aware because too many things are happening. These energies will lubricate the passage of life for you. And if you are open to it, it happens even unasked.

For the unreceptive, it will not work, even if you are wealthy and powerful. If you are not open to Grace, everything will come to naught. You are like a machine. Without lubrication, you are stuck.

I think it is Udhava who asks Krishna, “In many situations I have seen you and doubtless you are a divine manifestation.

You are definitely no ordinary man. But why is it that you can’t handle these problems just like that (snaps his fingers) for people? When somebody is struggling, why can’t you just do that?” Krishna said, “Nobody can work a miracle unless the recipient is in full faith. So don’t expect such things when people are not receptive”.

DISCLAIMER : Views expressed above are the author's own.

But, if He exists?

I drive joy There was a doctor in Benaras who spent 7 minutes in the morning and evening for mediation on God. Knowing this, his colleagues and friends laughed at him. One day they argued that he was wasting ten precious minutes on something, which he had been misled into believing. The doctor replied, “Well, if God does not exist, I agree that I am wasting ten minutes a day. But, if He exists? I am afraid you are wasting your entire lifetime. I prefer to waste ten minutes rather than a lifetime. Why should you grudge me the 10 minutes joy that I derive 4m.

ILLUSTRATED REVIEW : 7^th Heaven moment of the week , ISL Delhino 7 no 7 scored a goal, in hockey world cup Aus won by 7 goal

Monday, 10 December 2018

Action With Humility

The Speaking Tree  | ET

By  E RAVISHANKER

Among the many habits that return good health with other benefits, exhibiting humility scores high on the list. Perfunctory humility does not pay dividends; it has to come from within.

But how to realise and bring out pristine humility and how it can help us? The very first line in the Isha Upanishad conveys that everything that moves in universe must be in and pervaded by Isha, the Divine. The Bhagwad Gita says ‘to work alone one has rights; not for the fruits thereof ’.

If the former is the principle, the latter works as the rule to honour the principle. All living beings, owned and pervaded by the Divine, got an opportunity to move around in this world. When every atom including its essence, is pervaded by the Divine, identifying oneself as the ‘cause’ is ignorance.

Only humans have the ability to appreciate this truth. Ability unused is tragedy. If the truth —that everything in the universeis divine — dwells in our mind, we will be able to begin any action with humility, be humane with fellow beings, knowing that it is Divinity that pervades everything. Then we realise that our rights are limited to action only and not with any credits associated with actions.

This attitude catalyses mental freedom to be prepared to strive, suffer, navigate the tide, and excel in our actions, albeit with equanimity. Equanimity improves our ease and peace, thus preventing many health-related complications.

The way forward: by reining humility to Divinity, let us progress with healthy body and sound mind, which are rewards non-measurable.

DISCLAIMER: Views expressed above are the author's own.

Quote from the True Charm and Power of Vedanta

No one can ever attain the supreme goal until he has become conscious of his higher Self. The surface being, who constantly identifies himself with physical conditions and makes himself believes that he has no power to conquer, no power to overcome obstacles-that man must be put aside. Nor does this mean self-torture or Self-annihilation, it means rising above limitations. It is not that the physical man must be destroyed-not so –but the causes of those lower impulses in us, which lead us to hate or strike in anger or do any unworthy act, must be rooted out. This is not achieved by destroying our eyes, ears, or any organ by which we may perform evil deeds . we must go behind the sense organs to find the real cause of evil in us. The senses are merely instrumental, and when properly controlled, they become powerful aids towards our spiritual advancement. “Through the practice of austerity man may deaden the feelings of the senses, but longing still lingers in the heart; all longing drop off, when one has attained the Highest.

But, if He exists?

I drive joy There was a doctor in Benaras who spent 7 minutes in the morning and evening for mediation on God. Knowing this, his colleagues and friends laughed at him. One day they argued that he was wasting ten precious minutes on something, which he had been misled into believing. The doctor replied, “Well, if God does not exist, I agree that I am wasting ten minutes a day. But, if He exists? I am afraid you are wasting your entire lifetime. I prefer to waste ten minutes rather than a lifetime. Why should you grudge me the 10 minutes joy that I derive 4m.

ILLUSTRATED REVIEW : 7^th Heaven moment of the week , ISL Delhino 7 no 7 scored a goal, in cricket India won first test scoring 250/10 .307/10

Monday, 03 December 2018

The Perils of Multitasking

 The Speaking Tree | Lifestyle | ET

By Swami Dhyan Vismay

When we observe silently, we notice only those activities we have control over. This is conscious energy with which we function consciously. Unconscious energy operates in inner body organs and is not noticeable. Unconscious energy is common to all living beings, as we are all connected to the cosmos through breathing. Animals, birds and plants breathe as we do without any control over this.

So, the pool of unconscious energy is common and we are given our share rhythmically, as determined by the beautiful but chaotic rules of the cosmos. We don’t breathe, the cosmos breathes for us.

Unconscious energy is multitasking. Don’t you see inner body organs of so many creatures functioning simultaneously? Conscious energy, however, normally, is unitasking. You can, on your own, see the speed and variety of thoughts in your mind at any time. You can also notice many of us shaking some body parts unconsciously while doing or thinking of something else. This non-unifocused state of an individual’s conscious energy demands additional energythat is stolen from the unconscious domain, which, in turn, cuts short the share of energy of unconscious parts and builds up stress in those inner organs.

When your conscious energy is multitasking, it requires more energy than can be supplied fully by the conscious domain. If we are awake and fully alert, we do not stress the conscious self. If multitasking is continued in the long run, it can lead to anumber of ailments. Meditation is a good way to overcome all this stress.

DISCLAIMER : Views expressed above are the author's own.

Qoute from true Charm and power of Vedanta

Hinduism and Advaita

The Speaking Tree | Lifestyle | ET

By Pavan K Varma

Hinduism, for most within its fold, is a way of life. It has no one Pope, no one text, no inflexibly prescriptive ritual, no mandatory congregation, and no one presiding temple. It is for this reason that it has continued to flourish from time immemorial, Sanatan and anant, because what is ubiquitous but not constrained by the brittleness of form, is by definition imperishable.

But it is precisely for this reason, too, that most Hindus, while practising their faith in their own way, are often largely uninformed about the remarkable philosophical foundation of their religion.

If Hindus are adrift from the deep philosophical moorings of the religion they practise, they are deliberately choosing the shell for the great treasure that lies within. When religions are largely reduced to rituals, there is always the danger that the form will become more important then the substance.

That, I believe, will be a great disservice to Hinduism itself, and to the great seers and sages and thinkers — to whom the book I have authored, titled ‘Adi Shankaracharya: Hinduism’s Greatest Thinker’ is humbly dedicated — who gave to this sanatan dharma some of the most profound philosophical insights the world has seen. Jagat Guru Adi Shankaracharya was, undoubtedly, one of the greatest minds in Hinduism’s unrelenting quest for the ultimate truth. His short life of but 32 years is as fascinating as the Advaita philosophy that he so meticulously crafted.…

DISCLAIMER : Views expressed above are the author's own.

But, if He exists?

I drive joy There was a doctor in Benaras who spent 7 minutes in the morning and evening for mediation on God. Knowing this, his colleagues and friends laughed at him. One day they argued that he was wasting ten precious minutes on something, which he had been misled into believing. The doctor replied, “Well, if God does not exist, I agree that I am wasting ten minutes a day. But, if He exists? I am afraid you are wasting your entire lifetime. I prefer to waste ten minutes rather than a lifetime. Why should you grudge me the 10 minutes joy that I derive 4m.

ILLUSTRATED REVIEW : 7^th Heaven moment of the week , in hockey world cup Nither land scored 7 goals,

Monday, 26 November 2018

The Spirit of Inclusiveness

The Speaking Tree | Lifestyle | ET

By Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev

Educating yourself fundamentally means to broaden your horizons. From being in limitedness, you want to enlarge yourself. Increasingly, in large cities worldwide — in India as well — even two people are unable to live together. They have separate homes and meet during weekends. We are becoming so exclusive that loneliness has become a big problem.

Gypsies live a completely different kind of life. They have a different attitude that is considered romantic and, in some ways, very beautiful. Once a gypsy was scolding his son, “You good-for-nothing fellow, if you don’t learn some magic and jugglery to make a living, I will put you in school and make you an educated man and then you will suffer from endless want.” This is what education has done to people: endless want. The more educated societies are becoming, their wants are becoming unbelievable. Soon, an individual will want a separate planet for himself to dig up resources. All of us cannot live on one planet. It is not information that damages people, it is the way you gather it and the way it is given, and with what context. Inclusiveness is disappearing from society. The whole dimension of spirituality means ‘all inclusiveness’, not exclusiveness. Inclusiveness is life. Exclusiveness is death.

Today, education is just about survival. But it should be about broadening your horizons. We want to produce not just loving wonderful adults, we want to produce very resilient adults. If you put him in hell, he will slowly convert it into heaven.

DISCLAIMER : Views expressed above are the author's own.

Quote from the True Charm and Power of Vedanta

Continence is another virtue which is essential for the practice of any from of Yoga. The man who is chase in thought, word, and deed is free from many of the troubles which a slave f passion brings upon himself. His continent habits enable him to store an amount of mental energy which can be easily diverted to the building up of his higher life. A common method employed by spiritual aspirants throughout the ages, for overcoming their passions has been the infliction of various forms of austereness on the body which the all-loving st Franci of Assisiused to call “Brother Ass” The body undoubtedly exerts considerable influence over the mind; but as all the great mystics were not slow to realise, mortification, however rigorous of the body alone is not sufficient to bring the mind under control. On the contrary, a healthy body is generally a prerequisite for a healthy mind. Only the man who has come to know even partially , his divine nature and whose mind, as a result of such knowledge, has undergone complete transformation can be perfectly chaste in though world and deed. Others will have to struggle and be on their guard against the passions until they acquire such knowledge in the fullness of time. One thing is certain-that in the practice of any difficult virtue like continence as in life itself. It is always better to emphasis positive thoughts in preference to negative ideas. “If you go towards the East. As Sri Ramakriahna used to say “you are so much farther from the West” The more ne acquires genuine love for God or Truth, the safer is one from the influx of base thoughts. That is an inescapable law of the mind which the psycho-analyst calls “sublimation Curtsey  common sense about yoga

But, if He exists?

I drive joy There was a doctor in Benaras who spent 7 minutes in the morning and evening for mediation on God. Knowing this, his colleagues and friends laughed at him. One day they argued that he was wasting ten precious minutes on something, which he had been misled into believing. The doctor replied, “Well, if God does not exist, I agree that I am wasting ten minutes a day. But, if He exists? I am afraid you are wasting your entire lifetime. I prefer to waste ten minutes rather than a lifetime. Why should you grudge me the 10 minutes joy that I derive 4m.

ILLUSTRATED REVIEW : 7^th Heaven moment of the week , in nba Laker won by 7 aginst jaaz, in cricket aus scored 132/7 in second t20

Imperfection is beautiful

Monday, 19 November 2018

Imperfection is beautiful

Times in The Speaking Tree , India, Lifestyle | ET

By Sumit Paul

The most beautiful face never has symmetry and the most beautiful thing comes with a baggage. A rose is accompanied by thorns and a peacock has ugly feet. A lotus never has a perfect surrounding because it blossoms in muck.

So, what’s perfection? Can it be defined? All the so-called conditions of perfection are set by us, human beings.

Perfection is a human concept, the limit of a limited mind. There’s never a fixed concept of perfection. It keeps changing. When there’re inherent perfections in us, how can anything made by us be perfect? American humorist Mark Twain said that the very notion of perfection is continuously getting perfected all the time, so much so that it needs an element of imperfection as a catalyst to grow further! In fact, anything or any person with a slight error or imperfection is more admired by people because we all can relate to the imperfections more easily than an imaginary idea of perfection.

Aslight defect in appearance adds to the essence.

Our attempt to achieve perfection has robbed us of the simple joys of life. When Chinese poet Lu Shun was asked how he wrote such simple and beautiful poems, he said that he never bothered about his poems’ perfection.

He scribbled them when thoughts struck him. Lu Shun never tried to perfect the deluge of thoughts that descended on him so effortlessly.

DISCLAIMER : Views expressed above are the author's own.

Self –Realisation

Realisation is the watchword of all religions. If there is a God, we must see Him; if there is a Supreme Self, we must realize It. Otherwise these theories about the existence of God and the Soul have very little value. If we cannot put them on a practical basis and realize the truth of them, they remain for us but mere words. This realisation is the only thing that can bring satisfaction to us. No amount of theory can every satisfy our minds. Unless we can see the reality of things for ourselves, we can never find satisfaction. The various methods of joining words, the various methods of speaking in beautiful language, the various methods of expounding the Scripture cleverly are only for the enjoyment of the learned , but thy never lead to spiritual realisation , not can they ever bring freedom. What use is there in studying the Scriptures if we thereby gain no spiritual wisdom? Studying means to get the directions which lead to the ultimate goal; and when we forget that ,we do not gain any profit whatsoever, though we may spend our whole life in reading all the Scriptures fo the world. There is a saying in India that “As a donkey carries loads of sandalwood on his back, only feeling the weight of the burden without getting the benefit of the sweet perfume , so it is with those who study innumerable Scripture without knowing the essence –the trugh of them. Courtesy Vedanta in practice

But, if He exists?

I drive joy There was a doctor in Benaras who spent 7 minutes in the morning and evening for mediation on God. Knowing this, his colleagues and friends laughed at him. One day they argued that he was wasting ten precious minutes on something, which he had been misled into believing. The doctor replied, “Well, if God does not exist, I agree that I am wasting ten minutes a day. But, if He exists? I am afraid you are wasting your entire lifetime. I prefer to waste ten minutes rather than a lifetime. Why should you grudge me the 10 minutes joy that I derive 4m.

ILLUSTRATED REVIEW : 7^th Heaven moment of the week , Indian women t20 won by 7 wk aginst nz Alexdner beat fedx 7(7)7(7)