Live truthfully

 

Quote from true charm and Power of Vedanta

 

Live truthfully

Many do know theoretically much of what spirituality is; but alas. How few are there who put their knowledge into actual practice. The achievement will be his only who would d follow up truth. We hear many say that it is impossible to be truthful in business. But I do not believe it. Where truth resigns thee he Lord Himself abides. If the man of business. but I do not believe it. Where truth reigns there the Lord Himself abides. If the man of business carefully enshrines truth in his house, he will be looked upon as the greatest of all virtuous men and his business too is destined to thrive  Nag maharaja  (a disciple of shri Rama Krishna ) was greatly devoted to truth., once he went to buy something in the market and the shopkeeper charged four annas for that . as he was truthful he took the shopkeeper also at his words and did not bargain. A bystander seeing him pay four annas thought within himself “what sort of man is he , he did not even care to bargain!” but when he came to know that he was Nag Maharaja , the saint, who believed that no one would dupe others , he took the shopkeeper to task for charging four annas for what was worth only two annas . the shopkeeper took this to heart and so the next day when Nag maharaya came to buy something he charged only two annas for a thing which was worth five annas , at which nag maharaja with folded hands addressed the shopkeeper thus; “Why do you behave like this with me ? This is worth more than two annas . Please take from me the proper price” The shopkeeper was deeply moved in this and fell at the feet of the saint. Therefore I say that you will never be a loser if you stick to truth. If you stick to truth. Divine grace is sure to flow to you through all channels –you will prosper not only in worldly affairs, but in spirituality as well.

 

Divine grace is the highest gift of them all TOI

By Kamlesh Patel

 

It’s the season of gifts and giving all over the world, from Deepavali, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, New Year, to Pongal and Sankranti, and it continues until spring.  Actually, the timing of the gift really depends on the call of the giving heart or the hour of need of the receiver.

 

The best gift is one which has the intention of purity behind it. That would show the state of joy or peace of the receiver, which matters most. A cup of cool water to a thirsty man in a desert is more precious than gifts of jewels or millions of dollars to a wealthy man.

 

Now, how do we evaluate a gift? The capacity of the giver is more relevant than the material value of the gift. Saints like Shri Ram Chandra of Shahjahanpur, Babuji, admired a few rupees donated by a needy woman more than millions from billionaires.

 What gives life to the gift? It can only be love! The intention and attitude associated with the thought and the gesture are equally valuable.

 In the Ramayan, there is the story of Shabari, the tribal woman who gave half-eaten fruits to Ram and Lakshman, the sons of King Dashrath. This old woman would bite into each fruit to ensure that it was sweet and safe before offering it to them. Her loving hospitality worked as a balm to relieve some of their pain of separation from Sita.

 

In the Mahabharat, when Krishn chose to stay with Vidur, instead of Duryodhan, Krishn happily ate the banana peels offered by Vidur’s wife. She did this because she was so lost in love and adoration for Krishn. When Vidur pointed out her absent-mindedness, Krishn said, “The superb taste of these banana peels is not present in the banana.”

 

 

 

O’Henry’s ‘The Gift of the Magi’ is also very inspiring. The wife, Della, sells her beautiful hair to buy a gold strap for her husband Jim’s wristwatch. Jim sells his watch to buy a beautiful comb for Della’s luxuriant hair. Neither of them could use the gift received from the other, but it filled their hearts to the brim with gratitude.

 

Isn’t forgiving the best gift? Miraculously, it turns out to be a double gift, it works for the giver and receiver. It has the potential to usher in a new heaven on earth by saving the world from hatred. Babuji Maharaj, the founder of the Heartfulness movement, adds that besides forgiving, if we also express our gratitude for the lessons learnt, perhaps that is the greatest in gift giving. However, only the one who has received divine grace can do it easily.

 

The Divine’s grace is the highest gift. It can happen in the presence of a divinised personality and not because one is deserving, meritorious or has earned it.

 

While planting a sapling today is a splendid gift to future generations and there are other noble ways to give, like contributing to your favourite charities or performing acts of service, we need to continue aspiring for the highest, too! That’s my wish for you. May that grace from the Divine descend on you in your act of giving and gifting.

 

 The writer, also known as Daaji, is the Heartfulness Guide.

 

IF HE EXIST

 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 7 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 7 minutes a day. But, if He exists? I am afraid you are wasting your entire lifetime. I prefer to waste 7 minutes rather than a lifetime. Why should you grudge me the 7minutes joy that I derive 4m.-

 

ILLUSTRATED REVIEW : 7th heaven moment of the IN BBL Perth Scorchers won scoreing 167/7

 

Essence of Bhagavad Gita Karma

 

Quote from true charm and Power of Vedanta

 

Essence of Bhagavad Gita Karma

Should we engage in activity or not?’ The Gita discusses this question more than once and in various ways . We know that it is necessary to work; as long as we live we must do work of some kind or together. This is so obvious! We may wonder why Sri Krishna discusses this question so much. There is a reason for it. At the time the Gita was taught. Philosophical discussions had increased to an enormous degree in India. Based on various philosophical schools a great many sects had arisen. Philosophical discussions had led to a firm conclusion that the mind was finite. It could not transcend the limitations imposed by name and form, or by space, time and causation. The mind, it was believed, would never be able to transcend these limitations. All philosophers were in unanimous agreement regarding this finite nature of the mind. All their researches, therefore, had only one purpose in view namely, to find out how we could go beyond the finite mind and realize the infinite truth. It was widely accepted that the only way to attain truth was to sit with a fully quit mind, since the mind being finite, world never be able to grasp the infinite.

 

The king of thinking had attracted even ordinary people with hardly any understand of the philosophical concepts involved. Only a person with perfect self-control could really calm the mind. But ordinary worldly minded people gave up only their external activities. Some of them became monks, but it was only in name! In order to remove this kind of misunderstanding, Sri Krishna felt it was right to remain active. that is why he made such great attempts to tech us the real nature of work the right way to do it, and the true meaning of giving up work and being free from all bondage. It is for this reason that Sri Krishna elaborately explains the path of Karma Yoga in the third chapter-as also in many places of the fourth and fifth chapters-of the Gita

 

Going on a vacation with God through meditation TOI

By Sant Rajinder Singh

 

As the world enters another holiday season against the backdrop of a global pandemic, vacationing in distant lands may not be in the cards.

 

We usually seek places that are relaxing, enjoyable and beautiful. Yet going on an outer vacation is often stressful. We have to earn money for the trip; book tickets; undergo the rigours of travel, find the right accommodations and food service. Often, we return from a vacation more exhausted than we had left.

 

However, there is still hope for a different kind of vacation that will leave us refreshed, rejuvenated and happy. A vacation that will fill us with relaxation of our body, mind and spirit, and put us into a state of tremendous love, joy and bliss. What would such a vacation look like?

 What if we could experience a vacation that did not cost anything and in which we could instantly travel to and experience unimaginable vistas more beautiful than anything ever seen in this world? What if we could tap into a restful peace that washed away our troubles and stayed with us even when we returned from the journey? What if we could take this trip anytime we wanted, as many times as we wished, by just closing our eyes?

 

This journey is not imaginary. Many enlightened beings and spiritual masters have taken this inner vacation.

 

It is a vacation where we stay at home and spend our time with God. He is an ocean of joy, happiness, love and bliss. To vacation with the Divine would be to swim in this ocean of happiness. God is available to all of us. It is simply a question of where we focus our attention. If we are continually distracted by the activities of the outer world, we will remain oblivious to the everlasting love and bliss of Supreme within us. Our true self, the soul, rejoices in closeness to God, and we can experience this through meditation.

 

People have been practising meditation for centuries. Meditation has been proven to benefit both our bodies and minds.

 

During the day our mind is filled with thoughts. When we sit for meditation and focus our attention, we begin to quieten the mind. We become at peace with ourselves and are not bothered by the problems around us. By meditating regularly, we develop sustained concentration. This increase in concentration coupled with reduced stress and tension, renewed energy, and improved relationships, helps us achieve success in our worldly activities. We become more efficient and productive and are better equipped to deal with life’s challenges.

 

Meditation is the art of inverting our attention from the world outside to that within. Sightseeing in the physical world may attract our senses with interesting and beautiful sights, sounds, smells, tastes and feelings. Yet inner sightseeing dazzles us. The inner voyage thrills our soul with bliss, love and joy that far surpass any sensory delights experienced in this physical world. It empowers our soul and we rise into dimensions of higher consciousness. The empowered soul is a tremendous source of wisdom, love and power. This is a purely spiritual experience.

 

So, this holiday season, rather than focus on the attractions of the outer world, why not take some time to meditate and focus on the joys of the inner world?

IF HE EXIST

 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 7 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 7 minutes a day. But, if He exists? I am afraid you are wasting your entire lifetime. I prefer to waste 7 minutes rather than a lifetime. Why should you grudge me the 7minutes joy that I derive 4m.-

 

ILLUSTRATED REVIEW : 7th heaven moment of the IN BBL JAMES BAZELY NO 7 GOT man of the match, Brisbane thunder won scoring 196/7

 

Ego Learn to Live

 Quote from true charm and Power of Vedanta

 Ego Learn to Live

 

All our social, political and economic reforms are intended to provide for food, clothing and shelter and thus remove obstacles in the path of physical existence . But there is another struggle that is going on for the maintenance of the ego. Man has not yet learnt the art of disburdening himself of the struggle the ego  tires to maintain its identity its superiority-in the family background where it is born, in its working environment, in the midst of friends and colleagues, in other forms of social relationships. We can imagine the maze of problems that can arise from this struggle. Existentialist writers show great sill in depicting this struggle most impressively and movingly. Bertrand Russell remarks in his book. The Conquest of Happiness. What people mean, by the struggle for life is really the struggle for success. What people fear, when they engage in the struggle is not that they will fail to get their breakfast next morning, but they will fail to outshine their neigbours.

 

            According to the views of western thinkers, efforts made by man to maintain and preserve the ego is one of the unavoidable existential necessitates. In the view of Kerkegard the father of existentialism, all the experiences that man can gain come through the narrow passage of the ‘ego’. He summarizes the features of human life in four words; individuality, contradiction, choice and dread . He goes on to explain the struggle of the ego. Just as man can not perch on his own shoulder, he cannot transcend the four limitations referred to above. The world “individuality” encompasses the limitations of a person who is caught in the current of forces like various impulses interests’ action reactions influences and protests in the context of the pressures emanating from, place environment and tradition. The quality of life of an individual depends on the occupation or profession he has chosen and on his attitude. But is the really free in this? He feels that nothing is impossible for him. But when he goes a few steps forward he finds insurmountable barriers around him. (Man is capable of a little and a lot, of everything and nothing –Fascal) He realizes that he is helpless. He realizes at every step, the limitation of his knowledge happiness existence. He realizes that his life is like a tree without roots a house without foundation, or a boat without a rudder. Death engulfs everything is in a fraction of a moment. However even in the midst of these contradictions he sometimes sees a principle of unity or reconciliation.

 

The Gita has a lot in common with physics

Speaking Tree India, Spirituality, TOI

By GS Tripathi

 

Try learning them superficially, both physics and philosophy will elude you. However, both become easy when you explore them thoroughly. There’s no need to go to the forest to understand a book of philosophy. You can do that at home. We live in a society and what is good for it can be done and experimented right here.

 

Concept of indestructibility occupies a significant space in both. While in the Bhagwad Gita the soul is described as indestructible, in physics, Einstein’s relation between mass and energy suggests that both are indestructible. The difference is that the concept of indestructibility is based on reason and experimentation in physics, whereas it is a matter of faith in the Gita. Phase transformation is another aspect that is a part of both.

 

 

In the Gita it is described that the body transforms and passes through different phases such as birth, childhood, adulthood, old age and death, and each phase has its distinctness. Childhood is characterised by tenderness and curiosity. Adulthood exhibits action, dynamism and energy. Old age shows maturity, compassion and also decay.

 

Similarly, matter undergoes phase transformations and changes state from solid to gaseous via a liquid phase. In the solid state, in addition, there are instances of order-disorder transformations. Off and on, physicists predict some exotic states. Their sustainability depends on how long they engage the minds and experiments of physicists and other related scientists. Solids are identified by their rigidity, while liquid and gaseous states are characterised by fluidity. All these states have their respective equilibrium phases, free of external and internal forces. Sometimes these states are disturbed naturally, or artificially to explore something new.

 

According to the Bhagwad Gita, the equilibrium state is the sthitapragya state in life. It is a force-free state, the ultimate state. Once a person reaches this state, he is automatically enlightened. He conquers the dualities of life. However, secluded enlightenment is of no use like gems in the deep sea or flowers in a vast desert. Maybe it purifies the soul. However, it is of no use if it is not dedicated to society’s welfare.

 

The Gita talks about things small and big, statics and dynamics, one and many, light and darkness, infinities and zeroes. Physics also talks about these things but with evidence.

 

Many physical ideas originate from conjectures and hypotheses. However, these are accepted as laws only when confirmed by evidence through experimentation and reason. True philosophers also emphasise reason. As Tagore said, “Where a clear stream of reason is not lost in dreary sands of dead habit.”

 

The Gita emphasises the principles of creation, preservation and annihilation. Jagatguru Krishn affirms these principles many times in the Gita. Physics is also based on these aspects. Both deal with many-body systems. Explaining about ‘sat’ and ‘asat’, the Gita says that ‘sat’ never ceases to exist, implying it is reality and ‘asat’ has no existence, that is, it is an imagination. Physics too handles real and imaginary concepts, and arrives at meaningful conclusions, substantiated by observations. However, there are clear-cut boundaries between the two, and these should not be blurred by too much correlation. The convergence is that both evoke deep thinking and are sources of eternal excitement.

 

The writer teaches Physics at Berhampur University

 

IF HE EXIST

 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 7 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 7 minutes a day. But, if He exists? I am afraid you are wasting your entire lifetime. I prefer to waste 7 minutes rather than a lifetime. Why should you grudge me the 7minutes joy that I derive 4m.-

 

ILLUSTRATED REVIEW : 7th heaven moment of the IN ISL East Bengal no 7 scored a goal, Mumbai no 7 scored a goal

 

Karma and Rebirth

 

Quote from true charm and Power of Vedanta

 

Karma and Rebirth

 

The Self is unaffected by joy and sorrow. It is perfect. But the body is subject to change according to the laws of the material world. Now a question may be raised. What happens when a person dies? The gross body, though which the mind works, becomes worn out. The Self discards this emaciated body and acquires a new one. Just as a person thrown away a torn dress and wears a new one, all the impressions(samsakara) of the thoughts efforts and work does through the body remain in the mind . The mind the intellect, the ten sense organs and the impressions of sense experiences make up the subtle body of the Self. The subtle body is made of subtle matter. It does not die along with the gross body. It remains associated with the Self even after death in other words even after discarding the gross body the awareness that “I have a body and senses” is not destroyed.

          

  Impelled by the impressions of the earlier body the Self then desires to acquire or create another gross body. It becomes attracted to the parents who will be able to prove it with a body suitable for the development of its impressions. Its past actions themselves propel it towards it’s would be parents. The subtle body has neither length nor breadth nor weight. It begins to reside in the mother’s womb right from the time of conception. The subtle body is not visible to the eye, but is material nonetheless. It is more subtle than even space and air. Through the new gross body, the Self resumes its quest from where it and left off at the death of the old body and continues to gain knowledge.

 

How to know whether to push oneself or let go

Speaking Tree in  India, Spirituality, TOI

 

By Swami Sukhabodhananda

 

 A man who is filled with arrogance suffers from it, not knowing how to free himself from it. By being arrogant he is constantly in conflict with others. He suffers this pain and finds himself alone, filled with the additional pain of loneliness. People feel scared to connect with him and he is scared of his loneliness, which makes him angrier. This is like adding fuel to fire. He approaches a spiritual healer for advice. The healer says, “Look at a flower. Irrespective of who comes by, the flower gives fragrance.”

 

He further adds, “Come from a context that you will be like a flower showering the fragrance of joy. Always carry a flower with you and let that flower remind you of its function. You have to awaken more of female energy.”

 

Arrogance is the obesity of the head, and the heart of education is the education of the heart. The head is the function of male energy and the heart is the function of female energy. The balance of head and heart means the balance of the male and female energies in oneself. We are a product of our parents, and hence, both male and female energies exist in us. This balancing is an important aspect of wise living.

 

What is meant by female energy? Love and acceptance are functions of female energy. Love is the most healing energy in us. To bring the energy of love is a great awakening. The moment you start accepting, you will know how to surrender, and in that state of surrender the energy of love emerges. Only in this energy of love is one truly healthy.

 

What is meant by male energy? This energy is one of adventure, one of achieving.

 

If a person is not achieving oriented, then the male energy is not alive in him. When there is a balance of both male and female energies, one knows when to push oneself and when to let go and accept. An intuitive balance happens.

 

What happens if I don’t have the power of acceptance? Then you can’t accept your body ageing. You can’t accept that death is a part and parcel of life. How should I go about achieving in life? Think like a winner. You should allow your dreams to be converted into destinations. You should allow your dreams to come true.

 

A research conducted on successful persons has found that four factors contribute to one’s success: self-confidence, mental toughness, conceptional thinking, that is mentally practising success and commitment to excel.

 

Should one practice this balancing of female and male energies? The ability to practise this balancing is a life-long process. If you do not start young, then you will find it difficult. Even in martial art there are soft and hard techniques. If you are hard on the other when required to be soft, then even though you have won, still you would have lost, as winning is losing and losing is winning.

IF HE EXIST

 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 7 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 7 minutes a day. But, if He exists? I am afraid you are wasting your entire lifetime. I prefer to waste 7 minutes rather than a lifetime. Why should you grudge me the 7minutes joy that I derive 4m.-

 

ILLUSTRATED REVIEW : 7th heaven moment of the IN ISL northeast no 7 scored a goal, Chennai no 7 scored a goal. India won third test declaring 276/7

 

SOUL OF A MAN

 

Quote from true charm and Power of Vedanta

 

SOUL OF A MAN

From the above parable we learn that very few can resist the irresistible desire to be absorbed in the Lord, THE Abode of Bliss. He who can come down from the glorious height is called an incarnation of God. All great men of the world who are regarded as incarnation of God by different nations are men of the above description. They never care for their own enjoyment. Such great souls alone are qualified to do good to the world. They do not work out of necessity or compulsion like the ordinary man of the world. They work out of unselfish love for humanity that is why the infinite and unmanifested Lord of the whole Universe is more appreciated worshipped and loved in these manifested aspects of His. Men have erected countless temples, shrines , pagodas and churches in honour of these God men, to whom they will have to remain eternity indebted for the immeasurable good they have done, undergoing all sorts of miseries inflicted upon them by those very ungrateful people for where good alone they lived labourd and died.

 

After having had a clear conception of the higher and lower regions in both their outer and inner aspects, the seers of old were able to achieve the grandest victory over death, ignorance and misery, by realizing the Schchidanada.

 

Existence, knowledge and Bliss Absolute .

 

By God we means these three highest perfection, eternal Existence, infinite knowledge and undying Bliss. Your struggle will never come to an end for lives and lives together, until you realize these. The seers of old were able to know their infinite Self by the irresistible strength of their will, you also can succeed in the same manner if you have as strong a will as they had. What has been done once may be done several times over.

 

Says the Sruti. If you know the highest truth in this life then you shall really live. But it in this life you do not know it, great shall be the number of deaths you shall have to fall a prey to May the grace of the Lord  enable you to realize the Truth in this life!

 

“Life is a game, play it!” I don’t’ know who said it first, but many thought leaders have echoed this profound statement. I draw it from one of the messages of Sri Sathya Sai Baba who has inspired me in playing my game of life.

 

How can you compare life with a game? A game is a formally arranged sport, indoor or outdoor, between two persons (chess), or amongst several competitors (track events), or amongst teams (cricket, football, etc.). In life also, you must play the game of competition individually or in groups to achieve a degree, qualification, employment, promotion, name and fame encountering success and failure. In a sports game, you can choose to be a player, observer, coach, mentor, umpire, or sponsor. In the game of life also, you play different roles according to your goals, as you move from childhood, adolescence, youth, adulthood and elderly person, until the last breath, when the game is over.

 

The most important things in a game are the ‘Rules of the game’ which are crucial to decide win or lose. Rules are laid down in detail in a transparent manner, which should be followed by every player. However, within the rules, the players can play different strokes to showcase their best performance. A game usually involves a game plan or a strategy, guided by the coach. The umpire’s decision is final. In many games, there is a referee or second umpire who agrees (or disagrees) with the verdict. In cricket, you have a third umpire, a video camera, which helps in verifying the decision based on evidence.

 

In the game of life too, you have to follow certain rules and regulations, starting with civic duties, casting votes, paying tax, following traffic rules, or obtaining licenses and permits. Every game of life, whether it is acquiring a degree or winning an election is fought with successes and failures, owing to hard work or at times luck. Here, the umpires are the authorities, examiners, supervisors, bosses, those in power, or even the public. The second umpires are the referees, external examiners or appellant authorities, who are appointed to ensure that the rules of the game are followed. The third umpire, especially in case of litigation, is the judiciary or court which considers the strength of evidence to declare the winner.

 

There are two differences between games in sports and games of life. In the game of life, you are compelled to play different roles. As a family member, you must play husband, wife, brother, sister, father, mother, so on and so forth. You can’t deny a particular role.

 

Secondly, in life, the rules of the game change! They change from time to time and place to place. They are unpredictable. You need to plan your moves according to the expectations of others and your ability, keeping in mind the circumstances.

 

The rules of the game in life are ultimately bound by Dharma, which is nothing but duty and code of conduct. Our ancient scriptures declare that if you hold on to Dharma, Dharma will protect you (Dharmo rakshati, rakhatah). One is always expected to cherish fundamental values like Truth (Sathya), Right Conduct (Dharma), Peace (Shanti) and Love (Prema) irrespective of whether the game is tough or not. However, the application of rules of Dharma is a tricky issue because it involves exercising one’s discretion of ‘right and wrong’ which leads to an ethical dilemma. For example, if someone assaults your loved one in public, would you like to walk away silently forgiving the misbehavior, or take some immediate action whatever best is possible under the circumstance? The final verdict should come from your inner voice which is beyond court evidence. This brings us to the role of the fourth umpire in the game of life. You may call this fourth umpire as Almighty God or your inner voice which ultimately decides whether you have won or lost.

 

 

Life is a game, play it!

Balachandra Adkoli in BV Lens, India, Spirituality, TOI

How to win the game of life?

 

First and foremost, understand and follow the rules of the game or Dharma. Be committed to good principles of life, which translate to good living. Hold on to universal values. Inculcate a healthy lifestyle by following good eating habits (Aahar), exercise – physical and mental (Vihar), positive thinking (Vichar) and service (Seva) beyond self (Aachar). Techniques like yoga and meditation are useful to overcome stress and resolve conflicts. Self-management techniques, including management of time and stress, are now available in plenty.

 

Secondly, work with a good coach and a mentor. The coach will hone your technical skills and competence. But you need a mentor who will guide, motivate, handhold and help you to self-actualize your potentiality. In addition to mentor and coach, you need support from your colleagues and collaborators who will serve as a ‘community of practice’ and share their experiences to ensure your growth. When you are stuck up, they can be the game changers! Their constant feedback and constructive criticism can help you to overcome endless hurdles between you and your winning stroke. Thirdly, learn to manage your success as well as your failure. No one can win all games in a row. Failure is just a stepping stone to success. Sometimes you need to take one step back to move two steps forward. Reflect on your failure, meditate upon it, change your game plan and bounce back with resilience. Don’t get attached to the results, win or lose. Just move forward. This is the essence of the Bhagawad Gita.

 

Fourthly, don’t shy away from setting high goals that are aimed at the public good. The highest ‘Olympic medal’ in the game of life is decided by the fourth umpire, your inner voice, and not necessarily the medals and awards which are usually bagged by a handful of people in a competitive world. So life is a different ball game, play it differently

 

 

IF HE EXIST

 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 7 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 7 minutes a day. But, if He exists? I am afraid you are wasting your entire lifetime. I prefer to waste 7 minutes rather than a lifetime. Why should you grudge me the 7minutes joy that I derive 4m.-

 

ILLUSTRATED REVIEW : 7th heaven moment of the IN WBBL Harmanpreet no 7 got player of the Seires, and in final no Kepp7 of perth won player of the math.

 

God is Infinite

 

Quote from true charm and Power of Vedanta

 

God is Infinite

God is infinite, No creed, doctrine, dogma, name, from or ritual can never limit the limitless Being. It does not matter how we worship Him as long as we are genuine and sincere in our feeling for Him. Religion is not in theory. God is too great to be confined in any theory or belief. The only place. He can manifest fully is in the pure heart.

            True God-vision comes when we see Him everywhere, when we see Him in all and not merely in one creed or scripture. When we perceive God only in one place or one thing, that vision is fleeting, but a true knower of God sees Him everywhere so his awakening is steadfast. He indeed is blessed who can see God in everything and that man alone is religious. So long as we see two, we do not know how to perceive the great Cosmic Power that underlines all things. Seeing the same in everything is perfection.

I care not where the spiritual flower grows whether in the East or in the West, it will have the same beauty and fragrance and give the same joy to whoeer comes near it. So a spiritual being is the same whether in East or West, he will radiate the same Truth and beauty and holiness wherever he may be

Whenever we reach the heart of an individual or of a nation therein we find something which is neither individual nor national, but universal. It is the same heart but it heats differently in different nation. Truth is ever the same though its outer manifestation may very.

 

Sowing seeds of hope and action where we are

Speaking Tree, Spirituality, World, TOI

 

By Daisaku Ikeda

 

The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic continues to not only create a grave public health crisis around the world, but also to severely impact the economy and other aspects of human society. We are faced with the urgent challenge of restoring social connections and people’s livelihoods while halting the spread of infection.

 

The sudden disruptions to our daily lives during this unprecedented time have given rise to a deeper appreciation of the ways in which our lives and livelihoods are supported and sustained by the efforts of so many others. We have been able to surmount the severe challenges of the pandemic thanks to the dauntless efforts of frontline health workers and all those whose work helps secure the lifelines of society.

 

Thinking of their selfless struggles, I am reminded of Gandhiji’s encouragement against despair in the face of daunting tasks. He wrote: “It’s a matter of whether one touches the life of an individual. We can’t look after thousands of people. But if we can touch one person’s life and save that life, that is the great change that we can effect.”

 

 

 

 

To uplift those in our immediate environment; to help the individual in front of us – this, I believe, is the vital perspective we must adopt in our communities as we work, step by step, to solve problems and rebuild society from the ravages of the pandemic.

 

The Lotus Sutra, the great Buddhist heritage of India, contains the lines, “This, my land, remains safe and tranquil” and “My pure land is not destroyed.” These words pulsate with this same robust spirit – the determination to bring peace and security to this world and keep it from destruction.

 

While the pandemic seems to have finally begun to subside, the work of steadily resolving a host of problems in order to restore our lives, the economy and society – all of which have been deeply impacted – still lies ahead. Gandhiji’s encouragement and the spirit of resolve expressed in the above passages from the Lotus Sutra are important touchstones in this effort; one which must be led by the determination to move forward together despite all obstacles.

 

In addition to the Covid-19 crisis, we are also confronted by the reality of climate change. In response, the SGI has created the international exhibition, ‘Seeds of Hope & Action: Making the SDGs a Reality’. At schools and universities in India, young people and students who have viewed this exhibition have been inspired to strengthen their belief that every individual has the potential to bring about positive change.

 

The year 2021 has been one of unparalleled challenges, with countries around the world navigating many crises simultaneously. With firm conviction that our steady efforts to tackle these difficulties are helping to build a world in which every person can live in safety and security, let us begin to plant seeds of hope and action exactly where we are.

 

The writer is honorary president of the Soka Gakkai and founder of the Soka school system. He lives in Japan

 

IF HE EXIST

 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 7 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 7 minutes a day. But, if He exists? I am afraid you are wasting your entire lifetime. I prefer to waste 7 minutes rather than a lifetime. Why should you grudge me the 7minutes joy that I derive 4m.-

 

ILLUSTRATED REVIEW : 7th heaven moment of the week India won second odi by 7 wk, in isal est Bengal no 7 got Hero of the Match

 

True CHARM AND POWER OF GITA

 

Quote from true charm and Power of Vedanta

 

The Gita has a simplicity which we very often miss. We are accustomed to complicate things. We cannot appreciate simple things. The human mind wants in the name of philosophy and religion, something striking in the form of books dress ritualistic. Simple character or simple ethical beauty is not much appreciated. Simple beauty is not understood by ordinary men. Truth which is simple is clothed in a variety of ways and we get not the naked truth but a clothed truth. When you come to the Gita, we have the presentation of the simple truth which helps to take us across life’s problems. it frees us from all attachments to joys and sorrows and good and bad . It gives us absolute calm; and a freedom from all conditions-extent and internal. We want this independent and freedom of the individual to be maintained of all Costa. This is what philosophy seeks to confer on life. If we have this else do we requires? One who attains ties remains fresh in spite of life’s aging and retains the freshness of a new –born babe even unto death. He has philosophy to guide him. This is the true test of philosophy-a philosophy which helps us to pass through life’s struggles without getting scorched which helps us to remain as fresh at the end of the journey as at the beginning.

 

You have the power to be happy, practice it

Speaking Tree in India, Spirituality, TOI

By Prem Rawat

 

It is a good thing to know others, but it is a wise thing to know yourself. Nature has bestowed on every living thing the necessary power that is required for its survival. It is inherent in everyone and is an incredible thing. It can change the impossible into possible, sadness into happiness, war into peace and hate into love. The question is ‘Do you realise, the power you have is a gift of nature?’

 

As a human being you are bestowed with the true power of abundant kindness, joy, love, truth and peace within yourself. These are the things that can change the face of your own world. Despite all turmoil, there is abundant source of happiness in you, which can be brought forward whenever and wherever you need. In the deepest hour of sorrow, you still have the power to change sorrow into happiness. The only thing you require is to practise these powers, because whatever you practise, you get good at it. If you find yourself getting angry within no time, it means you have practised anger the most in your life. Practise peace in your life and you can get good at it.

 

 

Everything in your life begins with you sowing seeds. Love, kindness, peace, understanding, doubt and confusion are like the seeds you have been given. Depending on which seed you sow in the soil of this life, those will be the trees you see in the garden of your life. They all start out as little seeds, but as they sprout and grow, they manifest their particular characteristics. Some you will like and others you won’t. It is up to you which seeds you sow and nurture in your life. It’s not only a question of sowing the seeds but also that of nurturing, watering and protecting them so that they grow in the soil of our life. To feel kindness, to feel true love, to understand what it is like not to be in doubt and confusion, this is something you do first for yourself and then for other people. And it will be a step towards humanity and peace.

 

When you focus on problems, you will have more problems and when you focus on possibilities, you will have more opportunities. Ships don’t sink because of the water around them; ships sink because of the water that gets into them. So, don’t let what’s happening around you get to you and weigh you down. Life is an opportunity – the truest opportunity, as we only have this one life to navigate. The breath coming into us is the definition of opportunity. Sometimes we need to be reminded to keep our focus clear and remember what is real, because we get impressed by money, followers, degrees and titles. One should instead be impressed by kindness, integrity, generosity and humility. This should be real and practical.

 

We often look at things from the perspective of overcoming situations, people and ideas. It means somebody is going to win and somebody is going to lose; but when we are victorious over ourselves, nobody loses. It’s only a win-win situation. If life is a lottery, we all hold winning tickets in our hands.

 

IF HE EXIST

 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 7 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 7 minutes a day. But, if He exists? I am afraid you are wasting your entire lifetime. I prefer to waste 7 minutes rather than a lifetime. Why should you grudge me the 7minutes joy that I derive 4m.-

 

ILLUSTRATED REVIEW : 7th heaven moment of the week in wbbl Renegade won scoring 92/7 in wt20 final man of the match scored 77