Power of concentration

Monday, 25 November 2019

Quote from the True Charm and Power of Vedanta

Power of concentration

There is only one way to knowledge and wisdom and that is through the owner of concentration. Without this power nobody can accomplish anything in this world. The students who can concentrate their minds fully on their books are the best students. With the least effort they accomplish the most. The scientist in his laboratory concentration all the energies of his mind in one direction and thus discovers the secrets fo Nature. The astronomer fixes his mind, through his telescope, on sun, moon planets and they give up their secret to him. He is a good, musician who can concentrate his mind on his music. So also with artists and every one. This is the only road to knowledge. The more we can concentrate our minds on the subject of our study, the more rapidly the knowledge of that subject is revelled to us. Let us see then how to acquire this power of concentration, since all our wisdom is based on it, especially spiritual wisdom.

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

An absolute choice

The Speaking Tree | India | ET

BY ANDREW COHEN

There are times when suddenly, everything becomes clear in away that is profound, when everything falls miraculously into place, when the burden of confusion lifts and one is able to see the way things actually are. In moments like these, one experiences liberation.

Many, at one time or another, have experienced moments of liberation, but few have been so deeply affected that their lives have become transformed as a result. Why is this? Because it is not spiritual experiences in and of themselves that set us free. It is not the experience of overwhelming love, unbearable bliss or even penetrating insight that allows people to change in an extraordinary way. It is the readiness and willingness of the individual to surrender unconditionally to that which is discovered in the spiritual experience.

 One who is truly ready and willing to surrender, once having tasted what it means to be awake, will stay awake. If one is not ready to surrender unconditionally, if the context in which the experience of revelation occurs is one of profound attachment to the way things have been, then, even direct experiential revelation of the spiritual dimension of life will not be enough to deeply affect that individual’s relationship to life.

Again, what allows the event of profound insight and revelation to become extraordinary transformation is ultimately only the readiness and willingness of the individual to surrender unconditionally to that which is discovered in the spiritual experience. Spiritual experiences in and of themselves do not set us free.

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   F.Niderlench no 7 scored a goal,  

Secret of Right Activity

Monday, 18 November 2019

Quote from the True Charm and Power of Vedanta

Secret of Right Activity

There is an Indian parable of a rich man who employed two servants one, a talker, clever and convincing; the other, not so skilled in words but industrious , always busy in the orchard. One day the rich man came to visit the garden. The clever, shrewd servant began to praise his master’s person, flattering him, telling him how beautiful were his hands and face and everything pertaining to his personality. The other servant said nothing; he went and gathered all the fruits and flowers that he had produced through his silent labour and placed them before his master. With which do you suppose the master was pleased?

It is not the talker, the noisy , aggressive type of human being who produces the most or who brings the greatest amount of blessing . it is the quiet, concentrated worker. Although he asks nothing he receives everything. Whether we care for the fruit or not, it will come to us when we deserve it. let us carry this in our mind, in our consciousness. It will ennoble us; it will heal our wounds when we are disappointed. We are placed here by a divine hand. To disconnect ourselves from that , to feel and think that we are isolated and unprotected, existing merely for our own self-gratification, is the greatest tragedy that can befall us. To restore ourselves to that one is to rid the soul of selfish desires.

Let us have a great ideal, an ideal that will settle us with the greatness. That is the only kind of an ideal to hold before our mind’s eye and to work for. Little by little our imperfections and difficulties will vanish and instead of regarding life as drudgery, instead of shrinking form it, we shall bless this life which offers so many opportunities. we shall find joy even in the little daily tasks and wherever we are placed we shall know happiness.  

Your Attitude Is Important

The Speaking Tree |  India | ET

By MAHESH BHARDWAJ

Why are people angry, anxious and worried? To understand and analyse this situation, we need to divide things in two categories, one that are within the control of person and others that are considered beyond the control of people. Concentrate, therefore, on that which can be changed, through constant karmas, which is the dharma of Purusharth.

Do not worry about things that are not in your control. Move on in life. For example, to travel by air, one should try to buy a ticket of best security audited airline because that is in our hands. The worries concerning pilot, its engine condition and other intricacies related to the aircraft, which are not in our domain, should be left to the airline.

Following this approach, one should sit relaxed in the aircraft and enjoy the journey. In whatever we do, at best, we can exercise all possible cautionary measures to stay safe. The suggestion is not to worry too much about such things.

However, our efforts should be to continue to minimise the quantum of those things that are considered beyond our control.

In fact, success depends on how much of those things we can bring in our control that were hitherto not in our control. Having bigger bouquet of things within our control is definitely an ideal situation in life, while having a bigger bouquet of things beyond control delivers uncertain results in life. But if someone is unable to change this scenario, then it’s always better to stop worrying and go with the flow.

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   KZN 297/7

Easterdn won on 281/9 India beat Bangladesh 213/10 , 150/10

Break free of limitations

Monday, 11 November 2019

Quote from the True charm and Power of Vedanta

The modern world is experiencing a fareaching re-assessment in all aspects of human life and thought. Initiated and sustained by the positive science and modern technology, this process began as an intellectual movement but soon developed into a dynamic socio-political force. In its methods and results it was as much a destructive force as a constructive one. It lifted man from many fears and uncertainties of his primitive past and landed him in new and more gnawing fears and uncertainties. It destroyed many a fable and mytn and superstition imbedded in his past traditions and challenged, and continues to challenge, the credentials of every one of his beliefs and practices in the moral , religious socio economic, and order fields of his life.

These are solid gains; but the are not enough, they have lengthened the ropes without, however, strengthening the stakes; as the bible puts it. The tree of life has branched wide without correspondingly roofing deep. In the modern achievement, the science of nature have far outstripped the sciences of man, leaving man puny and unstable, with his centre of gravity always outside of himself. Moral and spiritual values emerge only from  the sciences of man. Referring to this imbalance, the bitter fruits of which are found in the shallowness and sterility of much of modern intellectualism and in the widespread cynicism among the intellectuals, Bertrand Russell says (The scientific Outlook)

Break free of limitations

The Speaking Tree | India | ET

By Swami Ramtirtha

The spiritual law has been described as seeing divine reality in all manifestation. Religion as spirituality is that advanced stage of mind, in which peace, felicity, spiritual bliss, satya-guna — truth, equanimity and cheerfulness, large-heartedness, universal love, power and knowledge of Self become spontaneous and natural. Our thoughts, words and deeds will not remain tied to the limitations of our body, mind and intellect. These will be free in consonance with our unlimited universal Self. Religion should help us directly to experience the true Reality behind all names and forms in the universe.

The best form of religion is to do away with egoism and to merge in the universal Self to such an extent as to be oblivious of the little self. The best way to practice religion is to ponder over the elevated and sublime spiritual teachings like those of the Upanishads and the Gita and to practice them in daily life. To be in constant company of spiritually evolved persons who by their practical wisdom can inspire peace and tranquility within you. To make sincere effort to remove ignorance and sinful ideas from our hearts. To realise ourselves to be above the body, mind and intellect and shift our mental abode from the desert of worldly attachments and selfish desires to the flower garden of Reality.

When a man submerges his mind, intellect and ego in his desired object, he acquires a state of self-forgetfulness, and is in communion with the One.

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  Sabitizer no 7 scored a goal ,  

Can one be scientific and yet spiritual?

Monday, 04 November 2019

Can one be scientific and yet spiritual?

Approaching realities of life and study of nature in an open-minded way, Swami Vivekananda divined that for meaningful existence the task before man is wider then mere controlling our outer nature. He places before mankind an ampler and bolder perspective of life which respects both science and religion as instruments for working out the total emancipation of man. For solving the problems of existence, for attuning the liberation of the spirit of self-fulfilment, in an age dominated by science, it will be difficult to get better directive principles then those which are to be found in these works of Vivekananda.

The goal of religion, according to Swami Vivekananda “is to manifest the Divine within by controlling Nature external and internal “and be free”

There are scientists who try to ignore the spiritual phenomenon for the simple reason that they are unprepared to undergo the disciplines required for comprehending it. Swami Vivekananda calls them “surface scientists” for it is not the sign of a candid or scientific mind to throw overboard anything without proper investigation.  

Again, there are religious people who show less than due regard to knowledge of science and its very important role in affairs of men, simply because they are not psychologically prepared to discipline their minds in a scientific way. These people who may be called surface spirituals , are slow to see the point that if, according to them everything happens according to the will of God, the may be God is well pleased that science is dealing some hard blows on theological superstations of ages! If God is Truth , and if the scientist is seeking this truth, forgetful of God in a formal way yet he will be spiritual.

“What is truth? Truth is something so noble that if God could turn aside from it, I could keep the truth and let God go said Mester Eckhart. Here is a truly spiritual man whom even the most self-satisfied scientist can respect.

Hold That Outburst

The Speaking Tree | India, Spirituality | ET

By Om Swami

A series of right actions eventually come around to insulate you from the undesirable situations and events in life. Good thoughts, words and actions culminate to become your shield. It’s not that life will stop shooting arrows, but you are protected.

And, I think most people can see the value in this strategy: postpone your unkind actions and do the kind ones with a sense of urgency. The issue, perhaps, is not in understanding but execution.

That is, how do we ensure we remember this when we are mad with anger and all wisdom is heading south? Temptations, habits, urges and our automatic responses trigger forgetfulness.

A fit of rage scares and flees the goodness out of us like a loud clap does to birds. How do you ensure that the mindfulness required to deliver a measured and delayed response stays with you when we need it the most?

First, of course, is the practice of mindfulness itself, which is cultivated by repeatedly bringing your awareness to the present moment. Two simple questions will do it for you: (a) what am I doing right now, and (b) what should I be doing in the present moment?

Second, even more importantly, a conducive environment is critical to the practice of mindfulness and kindness. Put yourself in the right environment and watch the miracle of mindfulness unfold effortlessly.

Our handling of any situation depends primarily on two things: our view of life and our habits. Achange in these brings an automatic shift in our feelings, reactions and comebacks. Always postpone an outburst. Never delay a good deed.

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  Bangladesh won by 7 wk , in paris master sturff won on 77