The Healing Power of Tears
Tears play a vital role in maintaining both emotional and physical well-being. Shedding tears alleviates suffering, releases mental tension, eases depression, and helps individuals process emotions such as grief, fear, anger, and joy. Crying is a natural mechanism for emotional release and should never be suppressed. After shedding tears, one often experiences a sense of relief, emotional balance, and inner peace.
Interestingly, tears
can also provide physiological benefits. They aid in overcoming symptoms such
as nausea and muscle stiffness. Women, who tend to cry more freely than men,
are statistically less prone to heart attacks. This suggests that emotional release
through crying may contribute to cardiovascular health.
Scientifically, tears are primarily composed of lacrimal fluid, which contains antibacterial substances and proteins that strengthen the immune defense of the eyes. Biologists recognize that tears help cleanse the body by eliminating harmful substances. Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of penicillin, demonstrated that tears possess germ-killing properties. Regular eye care should include natural tear production, as it clears dust, dirt, and potential irritants, reducing the risk of eye infections.
Just as laughter is
often hailed as the best medicine, crying offers similar therapeutic benefits
by relieving tension, depression, and pent-up emotions. Humans experience
various types of tears—whether of joy, sorrow, anger, or fear—stemming from
deep-seated psychological responses. Remarkably, nature ensures that newborns
cry at birth; if they do not, external stimulation is required to provoke
crying, as it is essential for their survival. However, infants do not produce
tears for a few days to four months due to underdeveloped lacrimal glands.
The unchecked pursuit of wealth, power, and material gratification often blinds individuals to the importance of emotional health. Enslaved by desires and driven by arrogance, many seek happiness through external means, believing wealth and dominance will bring fulfillment. Yet, those who disregard emotional well-being and genuine self-awareness may find themselves trapped in cycles of delusion, leading to emotional distress and even greater suffering.
In conclusion,
shedding tears is an essential part of human existence, offering both physical
and emotional relief. Embracing the natural act of crying can lead to improved
health, clarity of mind, and a more profound sense of peace.
The Enigma of Dharma: A Path to Happiness and
Righteousness
All beings seek happiness, peace, and serenity in life. Hindu shastras teach that such a life is attainable by following the path of dharma. Swami Vivekananda defines dharma as ‘that which makes man seek happiness in this world or the other.’ The Vedas declare, ‘All is established in dharma’; ‘dharma is the foundation of the entire world.’
Valmiki, in the
Ramayana (3.37.13), considers Lord Rama to be the personification of dharma. In
the Ayodhyakanda (21), Rama states, ‘Dharma is the highest and most superior;
even truth acquires value only if it conforms to dharma.’ In the Aranyakanda
(9.30), Sita asserts that dharma alone begets wealth and happiness and is the
source of all that is worth achieving. The Tirukkural similarly proclaims, ‘As
dharma leads to prosperity and supreme happiness, how can anything greater than
that be obtained by man?’
Despite its extensive usage in the Dharmashastras, Puranas, and Itihasas, the concept of dharma remains enigmatic. Even Wittgenstein’s notion of ‘family resemblance’ fails to capture the true nature of dharma, as its meaning ranges from everything to nothing.
Bhishma, in the Shanti
Parva of the Mahabharata, states, ‘Dharma sometimes takes the shape of
adharma.’ He argues that although ‘dharma was declared for the advancement and
growth of all creatures,’ it is difficult to define what righteousness truly
is. Identifying dharma’s exact nature is a complex challenge.
In early Buddhist
texts, dharma refers to ‘the ultimate elements of things.’ In later Buddhist
texts, it denotes ‘the essential function of things.’ According to Buddha,
whatever leads to peace, humility, control of desires, love of solitude,
earnest striving for moral and spiritual progress, and the easy pacification of
the mind is dharma.
The Jains hold a unique perspective, viewing dharma and adharma as material atoms that enter the soul. Dharma represents motion, while adharma signifies rest. The Jains uphold that the very nature of jiva (the soul) is dharma. The Acharanga Sutta declares, ‘Arhats of all times have only one sole message to give: no beings should be harmed; this is the eternal dharma.’
In the early 19th
century, when Indian scholars interacted with English-speaking intellectuals,
they struggled to explain dharma using the highly problematic English terms
‘religion’ and ‘ideology.’ Unlike religion, which requires exclusive adherence,
dharma does not demand singular loyalty. Similarly, while ideology lacks a
transcendental dimension, dharma embraces it.
Dharma also cannot be
equated with law, as it is more than a set of rules; it is the underlying
principle that governs and creates law in the universe. While the essence of
dharma is intuitive and accessible, its precise definition remains elusive,
making it one of the most profound and complex concepts in spiritual
philosophy.
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 : 7thheaven moment of the week
IN IPL Delhi Won by 7 wk, and no 77
got man of the match
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