Loving Truths

2010-03-30T06:13:00.001-07:00

Will power needs to be developed with discrimination. We should be strong willed with compassion and not by being obstinate. Will power really means having the courage of your convictions. Stubbornness is sticking to your point of view even when disaster is imminent. A strong willed person may stoop to conquer or acknowledge his or her mistake. A sense of justice and fair play are the hallmark of strong will power along with a pragmatic approach to life.

The stubborn will refuse to accept and see reason. The strong willed will understand the need for adjustments and act accordingly.

Ideally proper will power should developed in childhood under the guidance of the parents. As grown ups we should set small goals and seek to fulfill them. The inner satisfaction will make the effort worth while. Try it !!

Loving Truths: Will Power

2010-03-30T06:13:00.000-07:00

Loving Truths: Will Power

Sai Astrology,
lubymaa.blogspot.com
Mind Power

Will Power

2010-03-28T04:08:00.000-07:00

It is part of life to face iniquities i.e. injustices, particularly when we feel that we do not deserve them. We lament, 'what have I done to deserve this?' There is no single answer to this question. Sometimes the question itself is futile because we need to concentrate our energies on overcoming the adversity. Life is like the river whcih flows on despite obstructions. We have to learn to swim with the current. What helps us to overcome is the power of the mind.

The mind is powerful if we rid it of negative thoughts. Fears and doubts are the source of negativity. Consciously their entry should be blocked. Just as we turn away unwanted people, fear and doubt should be turned away. A strong will power is needed to do this.

The Tight Rope Walk

2010-03-27T04:38:00.000-07:00

My Guru who knows all about me has rightly commented that I must practice what I write about. That is the difficult part. That is the tight rope walk of life. Like the person on the rope we need total concentration and a pole to balance our life. Along with these two we need constant practice. We should also be mentally prepared that during practice we are likely to fall.
I think the most important factor is the pole for balance. All of us need to know the pole which helps balance our life. It will vary with each person. For some it can be religion, for another family, yet for some one else it can be the talent of painting, poetry, writing etc. But the underlying factor will be LOVE for the balance of our life.
We must understand that love and not hate balances our life. We need to concentrate and develop love. This becomes possible when we remove negative thoughts and develop the power of the mind. A positive mind alone gives the impetus to rise after a fall.

Balanced Poise

2010-03-25T04:05:00.000-07:00

We must learn to tap the laughter and the joy within us. Very often we link our happiness with some one else, which is natural, because we are social beings. But a line needs to be drawn to restrict absorbing negative feelings of others. We must learn not to become a sponge. If we remain unaffected, we can help others better. Our spirit of joy will become a source of strength to those in need.

Remaining unaffected is not easy. It needs constant practice of being alert to what thoughts enter our mind. We have to be careful of our speech also. Living a life of balanced poise helps in remaining calm. A person walking on a tight rope maintains his or her balance with a long pole in both the hands. Life is a tight rope walk.

2010-03-22T05:04:00.000-07:00

We are all blessed to experience the joy of the spirit. We experience this joy on recieving unexpected kindness. Our spirit is joyful when we learn to give quietly. It is very easy to sign a cheque for a charitable organisation but it is more difficult to help a neighbour at his or her time of need. We are in the habit of rendering help when it suits us. Sometimes, a smile, a few kind words or controlling our temper is enough for us to connect with another person. Simple acts of kindness are sufficient to give joy to both the giver and the reciever.
It may appear difficult in the beginning. But if we change our mindset and learn to tune in, we will feel inner peace. It becomes easy if we imagine that the person we are helping is someone close to us.

The Joy Of The Spirit

2010-03-19T22:40:00.000-07:00

The universe exists and functions on the thirst for momentary pleasure which all species crave for. The desire for love, caring and sharing helps all species to propagate their race. Human beings with their infinitely vast and superior intelligence are no exception. But to be caught in the mire of sensual pleasures throughout one's life is being ignorant of the joys of the spirit.
Unlike other species, we humans are capable experiencing the pleasures of the world and inner bliss. The joy of the spirit can be understood only by experiencing it. It is being happy with your own self. A baby whose basic needs are cared for is happy and playful on its own. The needs of the body have to be fulfilled but beyond that is feeling the universal consciousness with which we are all linked. This consciousness has been termed as God and God has been stifled in the parameters of religion.
We can all feel and often we do feel oneness with this consciousness. When we are half asleep, or feel totally relaxed, when we are content with life as it is-----these and many other moments help us unite with this consciousness and that is when we feel the joy of the spirit. This joy is beyond the senses, unrelated to objects and fills us with calm peace.

Fleeting Joy

2010-03-19T06:22:00.000-07:00

What is Joy? Is it being happy on your own, with others, or feeling satisfied with making others miserable? Perhaps it is all three because we are all shades of grey and not black or white. The common quality in all aspects of joy is that it is fleeting and not long lasting. All happiness which is linked to achievement evaporates after some time. The same holds true for malicious pleasure. The only constant is the craving for pleasure. A person's whole life will be spent in sampling and deciding what makes him or her happy. There's no harm in this, so long as another person is not hurt in this process. Happiness and pleasure will vanish after a while but negative feelings of hatred or dislike which are aroused by hurting others will continue.
We have to discriminate whether this momentary pleasure is worth hurting people close to you or not. Careful judgement is needed.
Beyond the manifold experiences of worldly pleasure is understanding the nature of lasting joy.

Pursuit of Joy

2010-03-16T04:08:00.000-07:00

The most important aspect of life is knowing our own self. The common thread which binds all living, sentient beings is the craving for peace, happiness and joy. The source of happiness however varies. A dog is contented chewing on a juicy bone, a butterfly hovering on a flower, a person may be happy helping another, yet another's happiness may lie in dancing at a carnival and a third may feel good being mean and nasty. But all the above are unabashedly chasing joy. This is the nature of every one born on earth.
The difference between creatures and human beings is that whereas the former have a solid reason of hunger for destruction, the latter do not. Inspite of superior intelligence, people do not hesitate to trample others in their pusuit of happiness.
Every one survives on a diet of love and joy. The key to happiness is to live and let live.
We should have a clear understanding of the nature of happiness so that we learn not to hurt others.

The Image of Our Own Self

2010-03-14T05:10:00.000-07:00

The three levels of our personality are revealed only when we think about them deeply. Dissatisfaction with anything can be utilised positively as a goad for revelations about our own self and to progress. It is necessary to have positive image about our capabilities no matter what the difficulties in life. That is the only way to cope with them. Never be bound by the image of what society thinks of you. Self confidence springs from the knowing that we can, all of us, always overcome. At the same time it is wise to know that confidence is always being tested, at times undermined by various problems and people we face in life.
But when our own image of our self is one of grit and determination, we have the moral courage to face everything. That is what counts. Every one's life is like the waves of an ocean---up and down.
Whenever we feel low, we should hark back to the time when we were part of the victory lap. It can be any memory from childhood, or as an adult. We are and we become what we think. Never underestimate the power of thought. Think of yourself as a person with strength and the ability to
face the roller coasters of life.
The source of self confidence is knowing who we are.

Who Am I ?

2010-03-13T04:10:00.000-08:00

Who am I, is a question which needs pondering in depth by every one. The three aspects of our personality, what others think of us, what we thinks of us need to be in harmony with what we actually are. More often than not, what others think of us becomes most important. This in turn, moulds our own opinion of our self. For example, a person has a public image of being either a shrew or being meek. Such a person will at times feel obliged to live up to the image, i.e. be angry when he or she is not or be quiet when furious. We become bound to this image of ours. Our opinion of our self tends to rely on the company of our friends, community etc. This is peer pressure.
The moment we come under the yoke of peer pressure, our intelligence gets clouded and the clarity of thought and situations vanishes. In short, we create a prison for own self. We begin to live up to the expectations of others which may be at variance with our own. If this situation continues, a nagging feeling of disquiet fills the being and it becomes difficult to pinpoint the reason for it. Relief is sought and one can turn to drugs or false friends to overcome it.
A break through comes about only when the need for it is realised. When the desire for change arises, the means too, appear.
More on this in the next blog.

Empathising with Others

2010-03-11T04:11:00.000-08:00

Empathy is required in our everyday life. When we feel irritated, we need to stem our irritation by seeing the other person's actions from a different angle. Even our own, for that matter. This may not be possible all the time. The next best thing is to think about the day's events just before sleeping. In that tired state, the mind is defenceless and new insights are possible. This can occur only if we are ready to make the requisite effort.
We have three aspects to our personality.
The first is what others think we are.
The second is what we think we are.
The third is what we actually are.
In the half asleep state, our real self, what we actually are peeps out. This is the time when we become aware of the reasons for our own actions and reactions. This eases the pressure on our mind and helps in sound sleep.

Be Objective

2010-03-10T05:15:00.000-08:00

We can learn to connect with our own selves to have clear reasoning and understanding of our actions and reactions. It is the nature of the mind to blur the intelligence and absolve one's own self of all wrong doing. Thinking over the day's events just before sleeping is a good habit. Sometimes, the first thought in the morning helps in better understanding. It is important to distance yourself a little to be objective. Intelligence functions best when it is not too involved.
We may give perfect advice to others but will feel lost with our own problems. Intelligence is sharpened when we cease to judge others and empathise with them. The quality of empathy is really placing our own self in another person's shoes.

Connecting Within

2010-03-08T00:25:00.000-08:00

All of us connect within when we feel peaceful and contented as occasinally we all do. We have to actually hold on to this spark of connection and nurture it. This connection becomes camouflaged by feelings of anger, hatred, greed and jealousy. These felings harm not only others but our own self also by robbing us of our peace. A supreme effort is needed to keep a check on the negativity within us.
The effort needs to begin at the level of the thought. Thoughts which harm others and us should be nipped in the bud. Deep breathing calms the mind. Concentrating on the inhaling and the exhaling process of breathing will help relax.

Inner Peace

2010-03-06T02:44:00.000-08:00

At times we are all restess, not knowing what to do with our spare time. Nothing appears to satisfy. We may pursue one thing or the other in our search for inner satisfaction. We must recognise this as the restlessness of the soul, of our inner self.
We cannot survive without taking adequate care of the body. Similarly, we have to take care of the needs of our inner self for our own peace. Time has to be kept apart for caring to the needs of the inner self. Beautiful nature is the ready means to connect within. The beauty of creation, be it the colourful flowers or majestic trees in a park, silences the turmoil within. Listening to the sounds of creation such as the chirping birds, the falling rain, the rustle of the leaves, the waves of the sea all soothe the restlessness of the spirit. Looking up at the sky itself helps us to connect within.
This inner connection is the key to our inner peace.

One Among Many

2010-03-04T02:20:00.000-08:00

We must always keep in mind that we are one among many, though everyone has an innermost desire to be exclusive. Overlooking this simple fact becomes the cause of frustration and sorrow. The inmost desire to be exclusive should not depend upon other people's perception of us. We can feel exclusive within ourselves by being content and peaceful. But in society we are always one among many. We may occupy the centre stage but for a while only. We have to move on to make space for others.
Inner strength is needed to face our own shortcomings. Develop your strength by being positive.

The Learning Process

2010-03-02T03:37:00.000-08:00

We are all bestowed with inner strength. To think otherwise is to forget that as babies we all learnt to crawl, to stand up first with some help and then walk on our own. Their inner strength motivates the babies to get up when they fall, to leave the hand that supports them and to walk on their own. We do not remember but all of us have gone through this learning process.
When we grow up, feelings of fear and at times guilt saps our inner strength. The universe actually functions without the concept of fear. The sun, the moon, the stars and the five elements function without fear. But fear is part of the sentient world. All the creatures including human beings live a life fraught with fear.
Developing inner strength is the only means of overcoming fear. The base of inner strength is courage of your inner convictions and not harming anyone consciously. As mortals mired in confusion, we are all bound to make mistakes. But if we accept our mistake, atone it if possible, and learn the implicit lesson from it, we can get rid of both fear and guilt. We are then ready to move forward without the baggage of past indiscretion's weighing on our mind. In short we bounce back with vigour and inner strength intact.

Inner Strength

2010-02-27T02:37:00.000-08:00

When a person is injured, the first thing one seeks is help. Injury to the mind or the psyche is not seen physically but is felt within. Often we do not realise the extent of the internal wound till later on. Even then we are not sure whom to turn to for help. Many people put on a brave face and a pretense of not being affected by it. But all wounds need kind attention.
First it is important to realise the need for help or the need to do something about it. A wound should be recognised and not allowed to fester. The best help for wounded feelings is quiet introspection and slow understanding of every one involved. One should try to go beyond one's emotional sphere to others. The wounded feelings of others should also be taken into account. If that is not possible in the present frame of mind, time should be allowed to elapse.
A physical wound is healed when the entire body cooperates to help heal it and this too, takes time. Time heals the mind when we allow it to, by not going over the negative feelings again and again. We have to go within and seek to realise the latent inner strength. We all have the capability to rise above the chimera of percieved weaknesses.

The Healing Process

2010-02-25T04:08:00.000-08:00

A disturbed mind tends to view everything and every one with suspicion. It gets filled with negativity and refuses to see anything positive in a given situation. The fact is that a tender spot has been bruised. Healing is needed and a person can attempt to heal by one's own efforts and if that is not possible, to go to a healer. Otherwise the wound festers and the seeds of retaliation are sown. Pouring your innermost feelings in a diary cleanses the mind. Speaking to a close and understanding friend gives comfort.
The important thing is to take out the angst from within without harming your own self or the person who hurt you. Let the law of nature take care of the person who inflicted the hurt on you.
No one can escape it.

Be Gentle with Your Mind

2010-02-23T03:19:00.000-08:00

The faculty of the mind is such that it seeks to relive the past---both pleasant and unpleasant. The mind is always full of thoughts. It is very difficult to tune in to the right frequency and to block the trash. We have to learn to handle our own mind very gently, with love and patience. Love for any of the arts such as reading good literature, painting, listening to music or playing an instrument, writing etc. all help to tune the mind towards peace. For others physical activity or sports is a healthy form of recreation. The mind has to be constantly engaged pleasantly and usefully to be cheerful and healthy.
The mind needs a space of its own, away from people where it can express itself freely. Any activity should be chosen with care.

Precious Childhood

2010-02-21T03:27:00.000-08:00

Childhood is the most precious period of every one's life. Yet the irony is that every one is helpless at this time. The memories are deep and resurface either to pacify or to torment. We cannot undo the past, yet we can selectively tune in to the happy zone and block out the painful one. As adults, that is in our hands. When ever we think of the past, we invariably relive the same old emotion. For our own peace, it is better to forget unpleasant incidents and the emotions attached to them. To forget is to actually forgive ourselves and others.
Another way to atone the past is to fill the present with beautiful thoughts and acts. The past should not be allowed to scar the present. That too, is in our hands.

Fair means

2010-02-18T03:11:00.000-08:00

When we set out towards our goal, the question arises, do we resort to crooked means when being straightforward appears to fail? The old question of ethics, of wrong means to achieve right ends is relevant today. It is common place to fudge truths here and there. The one who does not do so is considered foolish and unworldly. In an individual capacity, a person can say any number of half truths. It will affect him or her only. But when fudging becomes part of professions many lives are affected.
The moment a person enters the realm of half-truths, the mind is clouded by the fear of being found out. Discrimination vanishes slowly and one is caught in a vicious cycle of cover up. The seed of hiding the truth is sown in childhood. The responsibility of the parents in monitoring their children
is very high.

Joy on reaching the top

2010-02-17T04:19:00.000-08:00

Not everyone is able to reach the summit even if the capability is there. In fact all of us have the ability to achieve if we put our heart and soul in it. But somewhere along the way, we feel it is not worth it and we become content with whatever we manage to accomplish. But that is because we are constantly eyeing the pinnacle of achievement and not the requisite effort needed to reach there. If we stop brooding over the past failures or the future difficulties, we will be able to concentrate on the effort needed.
The most important factor is to stay focused, use fair means and maintain a balanced frame of mind for any eventuality. Only then will you feel elation and joy on reaching the summit. Again, it is always better to help others along the way, otherwise it can be lonely at the top.

Reaching the Summit

2010-02-15T05:06:00.000-08:00

When we aim high and find the going tough, we wonder whether we will ever reach the summit or is it even worth the effort. I would like to narrate a personal incident.
We set out to climb the hill on which the Shankaracharya Temple was located in Srinagar, India. I am not much of a climber and would have preferred taking the vehicle at the bottom of the hill. But as everyone else wanted to walk up, I perforce agreed and regretted the decision within fifteen minutes as I found the hill pretty steep for me to climb. But there was no going back. We simply had to go on climbing because midway no vehicles were available. Really angry with myself for having agreed to walk in the first place, I prayed silently and climbed on. When I was at the end of my tether, a jeep stopped on its own, the occupants realising that this person is finding the climb difficult. Not only myself, the others also piled in and the last leg we reached in comfort.
It was an important lesson that when we aim high and put in the requisite effort, we may get help from an unexpected source to reach the summit. Who knows who will airlift us when we find the going tough. We just have to carry on.

Spirit of Sacrifice

2010-02-13T22:56:00.000-08:00

When we are in love with anyone or anything, we should be prepared to give ourselves sincerely. We can freely give our time, emotions and money too. The spirit of sacrifice is the bond of love. Learning to sacrifice is the more difficult part. Sacrificing without any expectation of return is actually the acme of achievement. The spirit of sacrifice should be free from pride.
The summit always appears impossible to reach but climbing the mountain in good faith is as praise worthy as reaching it.

Love

2010-02-13T04:18:00.000-08:00

Love is a deep feeling within ourselves. We all share our love with people, pets, books, plants or any thing else. No one that lives or breathes is without love. Expansion is love. A tiny seed expands to a giant tree. Various species survive and continue to exist as they multiply themselves. A person living as a recluse will also have love in his or her life, be it a garden, pets etc. It is impossible to survive without love. The expression of love should be genuine and heart felt, not fake or artificial.
Insincere expressions of love sap our own energy first, while the recipient ultimately turns indifferent. Fake feelings can never be camouflaged for long.

Love Youself a Little

2010-02-11T06:15:00.000-08:00

As a toddler happily we are care free and happy,
the whole world is ours to play and seek
scanning nooks and corners out of sheer curiousity.
Somewhere along the way, we shut the door of welcome
and eye others suspiciously.
If the seed of venom sprouts,
put it out immediately
or it will corrode the love of a child's curiousity.
If you love yourself a little,
continue to pamper the child within.

The Purpose of Birth

2010-02-10T04:14:00.000-08:00

Sometimes we feel the futility of our work, of our relationships and wonder at the purpose of our birth. Getting no answer, we push such questions under the carpet, away from our conscious minds. We feel uneasy at both the questions and the lack of right answers. But if we make an attempt to at least think or talk about it with like minded people, we will at least move in the right direction. Reading also helps. Each one's purpose of birth will vary but what we all have in common is our search for peace and joy.
Tranquility of mind comes from having a clear conscience.

Clouds and Sunshine

2010-02-07T03:11:00.000-08:00

Today money has become synonymous with happiness and pleasure. A sudden loss of fortune bewilders a person, who is unable to cope and often feels that life is not worth living. But if we just look around we will notice that natural calamities are part of nature. Cyclones, earthquakes, floods, tornadoes come and go, wreaking havoc definitely but life always continues. We have all evolved from the single celled amoeba which survived despite all odds. If we focus on our grit and determination and not on our loss, our instincts for survival will surface. We can then move on without looking back.
Misfortune for some may mean loss of face in society, but society is like the weather which is always changing. Clouds and sunshine are part of life.

Misuse of Money

2010-02-06T04:10:00.000-08:00

Today when we face problems, we first look for a solution which is linked to the use of money. Problems related to health, friendship and even love have become linked to money. We feel that many issues will solve themselves with sufficient spending. In the process we overlook sensitive feelings and the heart to heart connection. Money buys short term pleasures and not long term peace or happiness. For good, long term relationships, money should be set aside and one should invest in understanding and caring.
Health, too, will blossom if we are free from emotional stress.

At Cross Roads

2010-02-05T00:18:00.000-08:00

Sometimes when we are at cross roads, it is difficult to understand the direction we should be moving in. Confusion prevails and the chaos bewilders us. If there is a lack of clarity of thought, it is best to wait. The dust has to settle down before the path becomes visible. One has to drive slowly and carefully in the dust storm and in the fog. Waiting is not an easy task when important decisions have to be made. One can ready a list of alternatives for a vexing problem but reach a decision only by slow careful thought.
One must also keep in mind that all decisions have a positive and a negative impact.

Relation ship with our own self

2010-02-01T03:58:00.000-08:00

Our relationship with our own self determines the relationship we have with others. If we are open and honest with our self, we will be the same with our friends. Even if we find it difficult to acknowledge our mistakes with others but do so with our own self, we will be moving in the right direction of inner peace.
We must seek to be happy with our self and learn to tolerate our own failings. This is the only way to accept and tolerate others. This will help our relationship with friends.

Understanding Others

2010-01-30T04:08:00.000-08:00

We can understand others when we learn to understand our own self. This is because we see a reflection of our own self in others. If we are the suspicious sort, we will see others' actions with suspicion, imputing motives where probably none exist. An innocent child trusts since he or she is guileless. If we understand and accept our own selves we can accept others as they are. We must see ourselves as a whole, warts and all. We must be open and frank with our own self.

Conscience

2010-01-29T06:30:00.000-08:00

Our conscience is the the best keeper in this wide world. But sometime in our pursuit of self interest we overlook the tiny inner voice of our conscience, not realising that we are sowing seeds of confusion and doubt. This is the reason for restlessness. To identify the voice of the conscience one needs occasional solitude. In silent contemplation we get a clear picture of our own self. We learn to understand ourselves and the vapours of confusion are likely to vanish.
Unless we understand our own self, it is difficult to understand others.

Living life to the full

2010-01-26T03:48:00.000-08:00

We really do not know what living life to the full is. Very often we focus on what we have been unable to do rather than on our little accomplishments which really are the spring board for larger tasks. Each small task performed satisfactorily is a brick for the castle of our entire life. In retrospect each and every moment of exhilaration and disappointment propels us towards the goals of our life. If we cease to compare with others, all of us live life to the full, to our full capacity.
It is a different matter that each one's capacity varies.

2010-01-25T03:15:00.000-08:00

Being alone when we want to be with friends can be depressing. But if we stay connected through nature, the experience can be elevating. A squirrel came to my room through the open door, sniffed around, did a small jig and then scuttled off leaving me in smiles. We feed the birds in the balcony and if someone is a little late with the bread we can see them waiting patiently on the railing. The crows will not let us forget their dues if we are busy, they'll caw constantly! Perforce some one in the family has to attend to their needs. I draw the line at pigeons flitting in and out of the house though they have tried their best to use the balconies as nesting grounds. Having been refused permission, they anyway use it as their sitting room!
I am also fascinated with the plant of chinese oranges and keep a tab on its progress from the sweet smelling flowers to the fruit which takes time to ripen from dark green to light green and then to deep orange. Plants become a source of joy if we relate to them.
We have to look around and seek to make connections with the ever present sentient nature.

Memory Lane

2010-01-23T04:05:00.000-08:00

A walk down memory lane is refreshing if we turn to the happy moments of our life, and all of us have our fair share of them. We only have to think back and remember. The essence of daffodils captured by Wordsworth in his poem fills me with elation though i yet have to see a field of the flowers.
As for the unpleasant moments, one should learn what needs to be learnt and then move on. Bitter feelings should be overcome and forgotten.

Perseverance

2010-01-21T05:55:00.000-08:00

Perseverance is the quality which helps us overcome hurdles and eggs us towards scuccess. But do we turn towards it when we need it most or do we succumb to our inner fears and insecurities? The search for outside help ends when we log in to our own inner self for succour. Getting strength from within steadies us and makes us perservere in achieving our goals. Sitting quietly in silence is the sure means of connecting within and understanding your strengths and how best to utilise them.

Attraction in a marriage

2010-01-17T22:13:00.000-08:00

Attraction between two persons is thought to be a sufficient reason to live together. The attraction that does not wear off leads to a fulfilling relationship. All of us are constantly growing and evolving but if one person remains unchanged while the other changes problems begin to brew. If the attraction is genuine and unselfish both will accept each other and be happy in their togetherness.
When we imagine and suspect change we begin to be confused. This confusion is compounded by lack of proper communication. We should accept that partners will evolve and change. What is needed is being happy in each other's company. To do so both have to make a constant effort to have good thoughts about each other and lovingly voice their doubts.
It is necessary to think well of each other for a relationship to blossom.

Marriage

2010-01-14T22:44:00.000-08:00

Marriage contains the word mirage and perhaps people look at it as one, a beautiful union on a bed of roses. A togetherness which is based on friendship and caring will survive the natural calamities of life's ups and downs. In friendship we willingly give space to each other to pursue interests other than our own. True friends rarely cling and are always around to help out. Marriage should be thought of as a continuous friendship with each partner blossoming in their own way and helping the other too.
A friendship that lasts is based on proper communication.

Being alive

2010-01-12T22:38:00.000-08:00

Being alive is a joyful state in itself. Even a mundane existence will be full of life if we tune ourselves to nature. Nature is always in a state of activity whether seen or unseen. It is fascinating to observe a tiny shoot appear and to watch it grow and flower. We are all part of nature, growing, blossoming, flowering and finally withering. Life is a state of continuous activity, whether we like it or not. We should be alive to everything happening around us, small acts of sharing, kindness and love.

Being happy with yourself

2010-01-09T04:07:00.000-08:00

As a child I remember my father intoning to my mother 'Icannot give you an injection of happiness. Your happiness lies within your own self.' I did not understand much but the words were imprinted in my mind and now I realise how true they are. The moment we look towards others to make us happy, we are sowing the seed of dissatisfaction and disappointment. Caught as everyone is in their own whirlpool of activity we should be happy with each one's contribution in terms of time and effort, be it at home or at work. Home is a place to relax, to live and let live, to accept and not to expect.
The restlessness within us is the source of dissatisfaction and unhappiness. The root cause should be understood by careful and sincere analysis. The light of understanding showers peace and only then can you be happy with yourself.

The little joys of life

2010-01-07T06:29:00.000-08:00

Sometimes so engrossed are we in our daily routine of juggling tasks and time that little joys pass us by, unnoticed and unappreciated. An unexpected warm smile can really light up our day, looking at the bright blue sky will cheer us up and a hot cup of tea or coffee on a wintry afternoon will uplift us no end, if only we pause and notice them. There are many more, we just have to look out for them. Being happy is in our hands.

Resolutions

2010-01-03T19:00:00.000-08:00

Do we really need to make New Year resolutions? Do we stick to them for a while and then slide back to our daily routine and forget all about them ? I personally am not in favour of treating one day as special only for a short time. Each day, each moment is special if we make it so. It is in our hands to make a tiny resolution for each day. Let's say, today the whole day I'll not frown and then see whether we can keep it up. It's a challenge for us. If we cannot, we should accept our imperfection gracefully and not get upset about it. That's another challenge!!
We can all share our experiences and learn from each other.

Christmas Time

2009-12-22T22:34:00.001-08:00

Impatience has today become part of our personality without our realising it. We are generally in a hurry to log on and to log off. We run short of time and no longer does time stand still. If it does, we worry why is it so. Instead of becoming our friend, time has become our master.
But Christmas is just a day away and on this day we need not navigate time to fill in the missing links. Christmas time is the time to commune with our inner self and be happy within and then share that happiness with others. Here's a short poem sharing joy for Christmas and New Year.

"New Year is round the corner,
Christmas is knocking at the door,
Let's forget our past woes,
and warmly wish all friends and foes
A loving and joyful Christmas,
A New Year's resolve too, in tow.
Be, what you wish to be,
Free, frank, fearless and loving to the core."

Wishing every one a loving Christmas, and a Happy New Year!!!!!!!!

What is impatience

2009-12-21T22:45:00.000-08:00

To develop patience it is necessary to recognise impatience in us. The seed of impatience lies in our thoughts and to some extent speech. Too many thoughts jumbled in our minds means loss of clarity. Emotions and stress related to work causes mental and physical fatigue. In such a state, the mind lacks focus and steadiness and short term goals are chased at the cost of long term ones. A wider perspective, a macro vision of life and flexibility to change is a must to overcome the web of impatience which robs us of peace. Under the spell of impatience we turn to wrong means to achieve our goals which lead to negative repercussions later on. It is necessary to focus on one important thought and goal at a time and to do full justice to it. Small baby steps when tackling something new, mean fewer mistakes and the time taken will be exactly the same as when we try to do things hurriedly and often mess up.
Believe me, I speak from experience. Recognising and acknowledging impatient behaviour is the first step towards patience. Change is possible only when we feel the need for change.

Patience

2009-12-20T00:13:00.000-08:00

Patience is the touchstone of progress towards mastery of your own self and in today's world most difficult to maintain. But without it there can be no inner and outer peace. Very few people are born with exemplary patience and today it is at a premium. Patience really means accepting people and circumstances over which one has little or no control cheerfully. Relationships, at work, with children, and even efficient workers need to be tolerated with loving patience. However, patience should not be confused with apathy, laziness or sheer inertia. Patience is quiet strength in the face of dominant opposition and a willingness to wait for the inevitable change. Seasons change in cycles and so does life. Hope is the key of patience.

The Seeker

2009-12-18T22:36:00.000-08:00

A seeker is one who has a genuine thirst for knowledge. He or she is dissatisfied with the present state of affairs, not superficially but from deep within. The person seeks to understand the cause of the annoying or difficult set of circumstances. Material fulfilment ceases to matter, satiated as some are with the best that the world offers. Dissatisfaction can, in fact, become the spring board for achievement if channelised in the proper direction, and if not it can take one to the abyss of despair. The seeker must have patience and wait for the right guide to come along.

The Guide

2009-12-17T21:41:00.000-08:00

The question is who is a guide and do we need one? Are we self-sufficient to manage on our own and how do we check out the right guide? We all go through our phases of doubts and fears when unable to decide we forgo all decisions altogether and simply drift, the flow sometimes rapid and sometimes sluggish. Late in life we realise that life has passed us by and we wasted the most important years of life in frivolities. Dissatisfaction and regret creeps in but its never too late to understand and change. The moment we are ready for transformation we are ready to recieve the guide. The guide seeks out the one who understands what he or she has come to say. Before meeting such a person nature is our best guide. Understanding the functioning of nature calls for intelligent study and implementing it in daily life means learning to shed the old impositions from childhood and embracing new insights.

2009-12-14T07:43:00.000-08:00

When will we understand the need to understand ourselves? I see people moving somnabulantly, apathy writ large on their faces, forever trying to catch up, not to be left behind and to be part of the crowd. Is there comfort in a crowd which racuously cheers and boos without thought? Youngsters perhaps may be excused because they know no better, but people who do, should they not stand apart and serve as guides in their own little way?
A guide is not a teacher sermonising. He or she points out the way to the weary wayfarer. A guide gives advice only when asked for and not before.

Understanding the root cause

2009-12-12T20:36:00.000-08:00

It is very interesting to note the chain of action and reaction when we are facing minor or even major problems in life. To some extent we must analyse to check what went wrong where. We need to find the root cause----was it desire, animosity, anger or fear which motivated us to take a controversial decision, which set in motion certain events leading to the current crisis. We must understand the root cause, have clarity of thought, and then take the right decision to reverse the negative fall out of the problems we are facing. Each one has to seek their own means of understanding themselves and their difficulties. Sometimes the problems are self created due to lack of awareness and wrong habits. Change can come about only by understanding.

Holding On

2009-12-07T08:37:00.000-08:00

Sometimes, without quite realizing we hold on to relationships, be it with friends or one's own children. We cling to a pattern of behaviour which we have seen and expect our children to duplicate it. But that seldom happens and even if it does, it cause friction and ultimately disappointments. It's best to accept every one as they are, to let them be and to learn live and let live.

2009-12-01T04:22:00.000-08:00

We must learn the art of seeing the universe in the child. Innocent, unspoilt, loving and trusting----that is how children are. The universe, too, is based on those principles. Rivers, seas, forests, all the flora and fauna of the world, were inherently unspoilt in their pristine beauty. They still can revert back with a little help from people who care for nature as it once was. Some where along the technological revolutions we have lost the art of sharing and caring. But everything is possible with understanding and effort.

Prism of a child

2009-11-19T04:28:00.000-08:00

A child's point of view is radically different from an adult's. I told the children coming to my class to draw their home and family. One eight year old had a bossy elder sister and she drew her sister as a drooping sad flower and the other wanted to know if there were any 'male' flowers to represent her kid brother! Children reveal and share their feelings spontaneously without any pretense or camouflage. If we hark back to our childhood, we shall all find ancedotes humourous and sad when we lived in the present, with no thought of the past or the future.
Regaining entry to live in the present is the treasure we should all seek.

Child at heart

2009-11-17T03:47:00.000-08:00

We are all children at heart, simple and pure, seeking love and willing to love. But some where along the way, the tiny child gets buried beneathe layers of selfishness and desires. We forget the art of giving and the ability to recieve love. Everything is measured by our own preconcieved parameters of 'ought' and 'ought not'. The actual 'is' is lost and we move far away from reality.
Coming back to reality is always painful but everyone has to at some time or the other.
Becoming a child again is easy if we mingle with children and see life through their prism of joy and sorrow. Children forget and forgive easily--- a simple truth we can learn to practise in our life.

Home, sweet home.

2009-11-09T05:21:00.000-08:00

Coming home is a beautiful feeling. We often feel restless and uneasy about something we are unclear about. But, on coming home the restlessness vanishes. The niche we call home fulfills our longing to belong somewhere. Each species has its home and we are no different. But the home is a creation of our thoughts, feelings and actions. Home has a boundary, a discipline which binds us with love. We all have love in our hearts, even if it's for a plant or a pet and the home is where the heart is. Caring and sharing for the inmates is the base of the home.

Patience

2009-11-03T00:33:00.000-08:00

Time is a great healer. But do we allow Time to heal or are we always in a great hurry to get rid of our angst and start anew ? We feel that the new is better than the old but that is not alwaus the case. Patience is the key to progress in any walk of life.

The right focus

2009-10-23T23:23:00.000-07:00

Recently I was disturbed by the natural phenomenon of a dog going bonkers over a bitch in heat. His one track mind registered only one fact, even refusing food and drink. In fact, it set me thinking that if we learn to stay focused on any one thing, everything else ceases to matter. Perserverance is needed to overcome the distractions of the body which deflect the mind from its chosen path of action. Some times one is distracted unknowingly so that the long term goal becomes hazy and short term benefits appear attractive. One needs to be constantly alert to avoid losing sight of what one has set out to accomplish.

marriage

2009-09-30T06:27:00.002-07:00

Marriage contains the word mirage. Is it a mirage or do we make it by our rose tinted spectacles, by our expectations and desires ? When reality hits, disappointments follow and some times the entire personality is shaken to the core. Is there a reality check or should one walk in without any preparation? Marry in haste, repent at leisure, the old adage holds true for all time. Only when one is ready should one marry, not before.

marriage

2009-09-30T06:27:00.001-07:00

BLAMING OTHERS

2009-09-02T00:15:00.000-07:00

It is easy to blame others for our mistakes. We go over our mistakes and on trying to pinpoint the source, we invariably find that someone else is the cause of our problems! But why are we unable to admit our folly ? Why do we find it difficult to admit our fauxpas ? Leave alone open admittance even within our own self we never accept that we are at fault. Unless we do so we cannot possibly overcome our faulty behaviour or attitude. Change from within is possible only in acknowledging , yes, that was my mistake. If this is not done we keep repeating our mistakes over and over again.

2009-08-01T05:18:00.000-07:00

Today I met my cousin who's just come from Sydney and she told me about the varying life styles of people over there and here in India. As the cultures vary customs and attitudes are markedly different, beginning with children leaving homes at eighteen, setting up their own households, working to maintain it and saving for a university education. Parents, too, encourage them to leave and be independant. India is vastly different, with parents willing to sacrifice but determined to extract their pound of flesh when their children are settled in life. It's difficult to decide what is right or better for the parents and children both. It's a matter of understanding the concept of duty, where it begins and where it ends.
The ideal is of course to perform duty with love and without expectation. The moment we do this, we become bound to the law of return from nature which is the best form of return.

Monsoon rain

2009-08-01T05:16:00.000-07:00

Trying times

2009-07-20T00:47:00.000-07:00

Trying times basically means difficult times. But to pun on the word trying , we have a vast range of connotations from trying out different remedies for various problems, to experimenting with challenges that life flings at us to see whether we are up to the mark or debunk our problems under the carpet i.e out of sight, out of mind.
Trying times can also mean making efforts to understand the changing time and adjusting accordingly. As the status quo shifts, trying times emerge and one should be thankful for then one never grows old. The secret of not letting changing times affect you is not to get used to the status quo.

The Path

2009-06-18T23:22:00.000-07:00

I just read Mabel Collins treatsie titled " Light on the Path". Mabel Collins was part of the Theosophical Society in the late nineteenth century.

We are all treading a path, but are we aware of the direction in which we are going , the hurdles we are likely to encounter, and the means at our disposal to over come them ? The path is of our own choosing , we must own responsibility for it and not blame others for any mishaps that ocurr on the way. Even if we feel pressured by guides, we always have the option of turning to our inner guide who truly loves us. We must learn to listen to our inner self waiting patiently by our side. We can do so only if we close our ears to the cacophony around us. We must learn to see and we can do so only if we see through the world around us, see the unity behind the diversity,

the real from the unreal.

All those who are on the path must go through Mabel Collins Light On the Path.

Summer in New Delhi

2009-06-03T23:10:00.000-07:00

It's hot and dusty ,with a constant hot breeze keeping people indoors as far as possible. The haze of dust is trapping the heat and a restlessness grips me as i patiently wait for a relief of a thundersquall or shower. The relief is momentary but sorely needed. I try to see something positive about this weather. Well, the trees Gulmohur and laburnum are in full bloom. Their deep red and yellow flowers are easy on the eye. The extreme heat has killed all the mosquitos and this heat makes the kharbuja and the water melon really sweet. Most people are away on a holiday and there's relatively less traffic on the roads. Moreover I look forward to the monsoon when the heavy rains actually make us think of the sun wistfully. Are we ever satisfied ?

Childhood memories

2009-05-24T04:22:00.000-07:00

The simple joys of childhood are climbing the ladder in the snakes and ladder game or crashing down to the bottom.
Watching the children play, one is reminded of our own childhood when we experienced identical feelings. Revisiting our childhood and perhaps relearning to feel happy about small innocuous happenings will fill our inner self with long forgotten joy make us better equipped to deal with the present.

Love and loving

2009-03-18T22:53:00.000-07:00

We love to love without knowing what loving is all about. Loving is understanding and giving what your love needs most at a given moment in time. Loving is learning from each other, admitting your ignorance and being modest about your achievements.

We are all sailors in this vast ocean of the world. Our boats are often rocked by stormy waters. We constantly need help and coordination from all those on board. We love to hear our own voice but we must learn to listen to the heartbeats of others.

We are one

2009-02-09T22:55:00.001-08:00

We are all one sharing the same pain and joy
lost for a while in a trough of seeping sorrows
but overcome we must
and not allow the shadows to engulf
the sweet serenity lost within each one of us.
Search, look within and the answers you seek
will be there for you to see.

Down memory lane

2009-02-09T22:55:00.000-08:00

Teaching Values to Children

2009-01-28T22:11:00.000-08:00

I have just joined as an Advisor at bitwine.com in the category of 'Teaching Values to Children'. All the values are in fact latent in children. We must know how to bring them out. The best way to teach anyone is by being an example which is really a very difficult task. But we can always try and effort is what counts.

Simple Pleasures

2008-12-12T21:30:00.000-08:00

We are generally so warped in our work and busy in planning our recreational pleasures that we over look the simple joys in our life. Joys which are part and parcel of our lives we take for granted and search in other avenues for fulfilment, failing which we frustrate ourselves.
"The early morning dew,
the welcome song of the bird
or even the caw-caw of the crow signals the birth of a new day.
A lush sun spreading its wings across the vast deep above
or a rivulet merry making below
or a bud budding in to a smiling flower
cheerfully accepting the buzzing bees with ease.
The stormy clouds , dark and fearful ,
unleash their torrents in a heavy downpour
but the song of the falling rain is joyful
when each leaf sparkles
and air breathes clean again."

Look Within

2008-12-01T03:42:00.000-08:00

Terror which clearly contains the word error has raised its ugly face in Mumbai. The hair raising incident had us glued to our TV. But in this global village which is our universe 'shock and awe' are becoming routine. A sense of helplessness creeps in and with it comes anger and cynicism. We demand action based on integrity, honesty, and dedication to duty from whosoever is concerned with our safety. But are we setting examples which others can look up to? Are we above reproach ? Have we become a part of a soiled fabric of society where selfishness and greed have throttled selflessness and honesty? The need of the hour is inspiring personalities who can lead with example.

2008-11-13T23:55:00.000-08:00

Behind the scenes

2008-11-10T06:22:00.000-08:00

"The five people you meet in Heaven " by Mitch Albom is a thought provoking book. There are so many gaps in our information, sometimes we are loaded by misinformation and it all leads to misconceptions about truth about our own self , our circumstances and all those we hold close to our heart. The book chronicles the life of one ordinary person who comes to know the real truth of his life only after his death. To revel in a positive frame of mind and to face life's difficulties cheerfully becomes easy if we stay focused and are well prepared to accept both the good and the bad. Like night and day, sorrow and happiness both enter our lives and both go. It cannot be otherwise.

A State of Mind

2008-10-26T22:50:00.000-07:00

There are lot of things which are beyond our control but that which we can make an effort to manage is the state of our mind. I f we get up in the morning thinking that it's a lousy day, the day will definitely turn out to be one. We have the image of a person, let's say our boss, in our mind. We'll try our best to fit everything that our boss does to that image , withour realising that many people are dynamic beings and are in a state of constant evolution, learning and changing with their experiences. More than learning, sometimes we have to unlearn our past emotions, prejudices and ideas. We have to move on with life with an open mind, free from the clutter of fixed opinions about people and situations.

LIVING IN THE PRESENT
Past is gone, a far cry,
perhaps an echo to help you by.
Why cling on to a fantasy, an illusion,
learn, remember the lesson and move on,
or else history repeats itself by and by
and you are entrapped in the cobweb of stale tales weaving fact and fiction
and an era speeds by
retarding change and bottling love and loving
with little or no openings.
Is that what you want from life ?
Life seeping in the bitterness of the past,
forgetful of the future
and hurtful in the present?
So do I say again and again
forget the past,
think not of the future,
and live only in the present.
Present is a gift, share it with love
unmindful of bygones which hurt,
of words which pierced
and left you bleeding to the core.
Release yourself from the trap of your own making.
Rise above petty losses and petty victories
and open the gift of the 'present'
and emerge like a colour butterfly
Happy, always Happy!
Be happy in rain, in sunshine,
in the storm of reckoning ,
in pain and in sorrow.
For someone is there to love and guide thee.

At-one, atone with your own self

2008-10-21T09:30:00.000-07:00

I feel that we really need to be happy with our own selves. Some times we are not satisfied with we do or are angry with our self, or blame our self for what we felt was left undone. There may be a long list of 'could have beens', 'if onlys' and regrets with which we torture our minds and inflict pain on ourself. Is it needed? Do we need to be harsh with our self? Should'nt we accept our mistakes, learn from them and carry on with life calmly? If we accept our own self, warts and all , we'll accept others too, as they are. Live and let live.

This poem I had written at the turn of the century. I would like to share it with everyone.

A MESSAGE FOR THE MILLENIUM..........................

Love a little, smile a little,

give a little, recieve a little,

sing a little, kiss a little,

spread peace and joy

to all whom you know,

and in this giant leap forward

take only thoughts sacred

and

BE HAPPY, ALWAYS BE HAPPY ,

IN THE MILLENIUM NEW YEAR.

The key to life is to BE HAPPY.

AT-ONE i.e atone

2008-10-20T08:41:00.000-07:00

When we atone we are at one with the Universe

the sails unfirl, the waves gentle,

the zephyrs welcome the ship of all those

who cautiously tread the path of the unknown.

Nature waits for the u-turn,

bruised and battered by greed and plunder

she eagerly seeks out souls loving and kind

wishing and willing to atone.

Atonement

2008-10-15T05:33:00.000-07:00

Do we need to atone? Should we atone at all ?What do we achieve if we start on the path of atonement? Is it preferable to forget and carry on with your life without thinking too deeply about it ? We are all in the same boat and all of us seek answers to remain afloat.
Please comment and share.

The Tree

2008-10-11T00:40:00.000-07:00

We are all bound by Time......yes capitals, for we revolve round the clock. Sometimes harrassed, sometimes dreading an event or the other extreme-- anticipating a long awaited union with a loved one, we allow the present to slip like the sands of the hourglass, silent and unnoticed. Seasons come and go, life carries on, time marches ahead but what remains is our resilience to face each day with the same love and enthusiasm that we had as children or as hopeful youth willing to take on the impossible with a cheerful grin.

THE TREE

Not many leaves remain

on this bare withering tree

braving the strong winds of destiny.

Yet proudly its branches lift skywards

as if reaching out to the clouds laughingly.

Its roots are strong , its trunks firm and smooth

so what if its leaves are few and far between

Is it not the season of the Fall?

Ere winter comes its snowy beauty beckons one and all.

The tree now majestic in white

glimmers in the moon-lit night

Unafraid, as if smiling in delight

at the unsurpassed beauty of the shimmery and starry night.

See, the snow is melting down the slopes,

See, the tree now harsh and brown but awake

to the hibernating life-forms now active below.

A tiny green appears waving a cheery Hello!

And soon the tree is covered with shades of green

growing, blossoming and welcoming the eternal spring.

Happy is it in its garb of green,

Happy it was in its white sheen

For naught else but the eyes behold

the beauty waiting to be seen.

__________________________

IN AN AEROPLANE

Up in the sky where we see the world go by,

Clouds of various shapes and hues

Float below the prism blue

whispering messages, "We are passing clouds and will sail to pastures new,

life is a journey between two points of time

and not haggling over yours and mine."

Mystic Moments

2008-09-29T03:39:00.000-07:00

mystic moments
Those lovely moments snatched on a lonely beach,
those colours ........shades of pink were they ?
suffused on shimmering waters
a calm yet vibrant energy
drew me to that manifest rosy
dawn, noon and sunset ---- all rollen in one
like the ever flowing time of past , present and future
for the three are alike
each sewn into the other.
You shake your head,
well so did I,
once upon a time.
Fool that I was ,
I chose to run from from
the glorious moment on the beach
in a hurry to catch
missed trains and chequered schedules.
Yet my memory on its own clicked
the image in the still shaky screen
of my meandering mind
and I return to it in bliss
like Wordsworth to his Daffodils.

I feel we often overlook the beautiful present for a criss crossed past and an unknown future.
We should live in the NOW.

managing anger

2008-09-25T07:21:00.000-07:00

Anger......one word short of DANGER which needs to be spelt in capitals because our daily lives revolve around both. we are angry at one and all but mostly at our own selves. we are angry because we are unable to fulfill our own expectations, our own desires and we blame others. it matters not but to overcome it ,a simple exercise of pouring it all out in a diary in pencil may help. Take out your pent up emotions, use whatever language you feel like and leave it. Read it up the next day and if you want to erase with an eraser. You'll erase the emotions from your heart. Try it.

a wake up call

2008-08-11T06:37:00.001-07:00

wake up to a new day, to a new thought and to a new you !!

and for all those who feel that old is gold here's something for you to chew!!

are you dross or gold covered in muck needing paint and brush and lots of good luck?

we are all gold but need to be bold to hold on to our dreams singing in our heart!!

At the sea shore.

2008-05-27T23:50:00.000-07:00

How to be happy.
By just being your own sweet self.
But do you really know yourself?
A short story. Two children were walking down a water front, when one said to the other, "I want to sail across this ocean and see the other side."
The second child replied, "But there's only the sun over there and we can see it from here too. There's really no need to go."
The first one said thoughtfully, " You may be right but I'll enjoy the sailing, the buffeting waves, the occasional storm. Will you come ?"
"No,"said the second child quietly, " I enjoy the sun from the sea shore. The sea is rough and I'm not strong enough to face it."

LOVE & CREATION

2008-04-26T03:37:00.000-07:00

Love and creation exist side by side, one leading to the other. We love painting and we create one. Everything in this universe exists and survives on love. Love is the basis and it is only when our love is mingled with multiple desires is creation jeopardised.
Purity of love leads to creation of breathtaking beauty giving satisfaction and joy.
"A thing of beauty is a joy forever", by Keats is an immortal line because he wrote with love in his heart.

LOVE IS.....

2008-04-20T00:40:00.000-07:00

In this age of cyberspace,
When love hides and truth fades
you are welcome to this page
to discover your inner being, still sleeping
in a cocoon of haze......

Love, a universal feeling needs no definition but here are a few of love is....euphemisms

Love is.....not falling in love but uplifting yourself with love.

Love is....not kissing the ground beneath her feet but holding hands and walking together to a new destiny.

Love is.....not losing yourself but finding truly who you are.

Love is..... not clinging on tenaciously but letting go and watch your loved one grow.

Love is...... not only looking at each other tenderly but having a deep insight.

Love is .....not only saying 'sweet nothings' but always having something sweet to say.

Love is.....not getting and forgetting but giving and forgiving