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 |   As the first blog entry got exhausted. My second book |
| Evolution of Love Part 2 |
| "All mantras are the songs of the inner waters resounding in the space of pure consciousness. As the great Rishi Vasishtha states in the Rigveda: 'They know the origins of heaven and earth, the waters listen as they flow.' ~ Maitravaruni Vasishtha, Rigveda VII.34.2 Learn to hear the secret of the waters, which is the Nada, the unstruck sound from the core of your being. The heavenly waters chant 'Om' in their waves, while the electrical current within them forms the sound 'Im'. From these two all other letters or mantras arise. These sounds of the waters, or vibrations of space, are the basis of all sounds, verbal or non-verbal. Everything is hidden in the sound of the waters, which are both without and within. We are all the children of the waters and need to return to their universal flow." |
| *đ€«Overheard when William Shakespeare* came to get vaccinated, thenđ€ Nurse: âWhich armâ ? Shakespeare: _âAs You Like Itâ_. Nurse: âWas that painfulâ ? Shakespeare: _âMuch Ado About Nothingâ_. Nurse: âYou will have to have a second jabâ ? Shakespeare: _âMeasure For Measureâ_ . Nurse: âSo what do you think of the general awareness with regard to Covidâ ? Shakespeare: _âComedy Of Errorsâ_. Nurse: âI heard your wife Anne decided to get vaccinated in the company of her friendsâ ? Shakespeare: _âThe Merry Wives of Windsorâ_. Nurse: âDid you try convincing herâ ? Shakespeare: _âLoveâs Labour Lostâ_. Nurse: âWouldnât she listen to youâ ? Shakespeare: _âA Midsummer Nightâs Dreamâ_. Nurse: âSo what happened at the other vaccination centreâ ? Shakespeare: _âThe Tempestâ_. Nurse: âBut it worked outâ ? Shakespeare: _âThe Taming Of The Shrewâ_. Nurse: âSo it is okay thenâ ? Shakespeare: _âAllâs Well That Ends Wellâ_ đ€đ Shakespeare: âWill I've any adverse effectsâ ? Nurse:. âWait until _*The Twelfth Nightâ*_ ! đđđđđđ¶đșđŸđ |
| When I first came to Facebook to help with a friend's page dedicated to Anandamayi, I came across another page of someone who grew up closely around Mataji. This person had a post one day that spoke of the divine pull of Ma's presence or calling to you. This person talked about how you could not evade the strength of such a huge spiritual magnetic pull. I put in my comment underneath: "I know". This person then in front of many friends also there wrote to me "You Know Nothing." That was the entire response to me. I was so hurt and embarrassed and never did I say a word again there. I wondered how could someone else assume I knew nothing. What I had hoped is that this person would ask me my story and then I could tell about the pull that had me in some kind of trance state and in which there was at that time no earthly choice but to move with it. It was the only time I really wanted to tell my story and would have done so. But that hurtful retort was a true blessing. For I was determined to know even more. So I read and meditated and read and read deeper and deeper and opened my mind and heart to guidance from Her spiritual realms. So eight years later, I do indeed know a little more. I wonder if I had not been a westerner and a woman if I would have received such a comment back. Now, this week, I have been reading about the Siddhas in India. I never knew They existed. It is so humbling to read of them and what little we are given of their lives and writings. I begin again to realize that compared to them, I do for sure "know nothing". So I am open. Yes, that means I am open to know more because I don't have it all tucked neatly into an exclusive box. And the miraculous part of this is that if you are truly open in your heart and wish for Truth with all of your being, it comes to you in such mysterious unexpected ways! And suddenly you realize you are not alone, that there are those who appreciate your wanting to know things like who you really are and who you were in past lives and honestly you would not believe the pictures I get that are beyond this world and seen right before my eyes. I still cannot tell of that week when the divine pull had me on a plane flying somewhere I never wanted to go, but where I was given light that has never left me. I may have indeed known nothing, but there was a light given to me by Her Grace that would make sure someday I knew where I was going. Jai Ma! |
Have You Noticed How Google Maps Never Yells, Condemns Or Castigates You If You Take The Wrong Turn? It Never Raises Its Voice And Says, âYou Were Supposed To Go RIGHT At The Last Crossing, You Idiot! Now Youâre Going To Have To Go The LONG Way Around And Itâs Going To Take You SO Much More Time, And Youâre Going To Be Late For Your Meeting! Learn To Pay Attention And Listen To My Instructions, OK???â If It Did That, Chances Are, A Lot Of Us Might Stop Using It. But Google Simply Re-Routes And Shows You The Next Best Way To Get There. Its Primary Interest Is In Getting You To Reach Your Goal, Not In Making You Feel Bad For Having Made A Mistake. _Thereâs A Great LessonâŠ_ Itâs Tempting To Unload Our Frustration And Anger On Those Who Have Made A Mistake, Especially Those We Are Close To & Familiar With. But The Wisest Choice Is To Help In Fixing The Problem, Not To Blame. |
| An older, white haired man walked into a jewellery store one Friday evening with a beautiful young galđ©â𩰠at his side. He told the jeweler he was looking for a special ring for his girlfriend. The jeweler looked through his stock and brought out a $5,000 ring and showed it to him. The old man said, "I don't think you understand, I want something very special." At that statement, the jeweler went to his special stock and brought another ring over. "Here's a stunning ring at only $40,000", the jeweler said. The young lady's eyes sparkled and her whole body trembled with excitement. The old man seeing this said, "We'll take it." The jeweler asked how payment would be made and the old man stated, by cheque. "I know you need to make sure my cheque is good, so I'll write it now and you can call the bank Monday to verify the funds and I'll pick the ring up Monday afternoon," he said. Monday morning, a very teed-off jeweler phoned the old man. "There's no money in that account." "I know", said the old man, "but can you imagine the weekend I had?"đđ |
Sri Maâs mother(Didima), Mokshada Sundari Devi. After receiving sanyas from Swami Mangal Giri, received the name Swami Muktananda Giri. Born in Baisakh (April-May), 1877 in East Bengal, she was the eighth child of her parents. Didimaâs parents called her Mokshada Sundari who was very calm and quiet and loved to spend time alone. Even as a child, she did not like games. Instead, she would stay in the religious environment of her home. As was the tradition in those days, she went to school to study up to the second standard. Her parents died early, therefore further studies were done at home. She could read the Ramayana, Mahabharat and Puranas in Bengali. At times she expressed her spiritual feelings through verses. She recited a number of such verses, which were her own composition. She was indifferent to her domestic life. Though there were problems a plenty, including that of money, they never reflected in her behaviour. She was always an excellent host, who would give her own food to a guest and still retain the charm of a very satisfied, contented person. This quality of kindness and compassion was the dominant part of her character. Maâs father, the late Bipin Behari Bhattacharya, frequently left home because of his passion for tapasya. He was brought back home by relatives and friends. Even during those situations, Didima never lost her composure, her patience. However much financial trouble she was in, Didima never made complaint. Giriji hailed from the Shiva Shakta Sampradai. Durga Puja and Kali pujas were regularly held at her home. There was a Narayan Shila there too, which is now being worshipped by Brahmacharini Chandan Bhattacharya at Kankhal ashram. From her childhood, Didima took interest in puja and its related exercises. She also had darshan of God in her dreams. She had a special fascination for Narayana and was very much fond of the name of Narayana. She once had darshan of Lord Gopal who asked her to âoffer Batasa Bhog worth one paisaâ. Since then Didima regularly offered Batasa Bhog to Thakur. Didima first had her Mantra initiation in a dream. She did the japa of this mantra for several years. In 1905 she was formally initiated by the family priest Shri Kalikrishna Vidya Vinod. Didima always carried with her the picture of her family priest as her first Guru, and also that of her sannyas Guru. Nobody has ever seen Didima angry. Nothing could antagonise her. Once Ma said, âDear Ma, what do you have in your brain that never looses its balance.â Didima laughed at this tribute. On another occasion, Ma spoke about her patience and perseverance, âShe is mother earth.â (extract from Ch 9 The Divine Mother, Shri Shri Ma Anandamayee by Premlata Srivastava) On February 5th, 1963, Mataji at the request of Sri Haribabaji Maharaj went to Jodhpur for a few days to be present at the inauguration of a satsang hall. She left Didima with Narayan Swami and a few other companions at Kankhal, asking them to meet Mataji at Delhi on February 14th. On February 11th at about 9 p.m. at Jodhpur, Mataji asked someone to send the following telegram to Narayan Swami: âSee that Giriji is well looked after and keeps good healthâ. It was difficult to understand why Mataji had the wire dispatched since she was to meet Giriji within less than three days. On February 14th early morning, as soon as Mataji arrived at the Delhi Ashram, she went straight to Girijiâs room, remaining there for an hour. Giriji and her party had arrived the evening before. After leaving Girijiâs room, Mataji said: âWhat need was there to wire, when we were to meet in any case two days later? People may have thought, perhaps Mataji was not aware of thisâ. Mataji continued: âThat day in the early morning I saw Giriji come to me with the words: âShall I leave tomorrow?â meaning that Giriji intended leaving her body. For Mataji there is no birth and no death. She at first said: âAll rightâ, but quickly added: âNo, no, no, donât leave tomorrow!â In reply to someoneâs question, Mataji later explained: âDo you know why the telegram was sent?â Just as one does not become a sanyasi by reading the sanyasa mantra in a book, but has to obtain it from the Guru, in a similar manner this body had the kheyala to confirm, as it were, what Giriji had heard Ma say. This is why the wire was sent to Narayan Swami. The inner telegram had already reached before. On February 11th at about 2.30 a.m. at Kankhal, Giriji had a strong desire to leave her body. During the whole night, she sat in meditation. At first, she reviewed her early life, then she had a number of visions. At dawn, she rose from her seat. At about eight a.m. she went to bathe in the Ganges near Dakshalaya Mandir which adjoins the Ashram. She then sat in the temple doing japa for a long time. She saw many of her devotees. When she got up, she asked Vimala, her attendant, where they had gone. Vimala said astonished âWhat do you mean? They never came here!â After distributing wheat-flour and gur to the beggars at the temple gate, Giriji sat among the tulasi plants in the Ashram garden in meditation. At that time, Mataji was watching Giriji from Jodhpur. She said: âGirijiâs eyes were tightly closed. Her senses did not work at allâ. Giriji was absorbed in deep contemplation. Her eyes were shut, but her consciousness was fully awake. Everyone present at the Kankhal Ashram saw Giriji in that state. At their request, Giriji went into the house and sat down on her asana. The extraordinary visions she had can hardly be understood by the ordinary intelligence. Yet, for the benefit of all, an attempt is made here to give an idea of what Giriji saw. She had the vision of a boatman who was taking souls across samsara, the round of birth and death. Giriji was herself in the boat. At Jodhpur Mataji also saw herself sitting in a boat with Didima. Didima said to the boatman: âI have crossed over the ocean of life and death; but what about those who are standing on the bank waiting to be ferried to the other shore? I cannot leave them behind!â Again, Giriji asked: âYou will take them across, wonât you?â The boatman repeated three times: âYes, certainly I shall take them acrossâ. Giriji reflected: âFor so long I have striven for the highest good of my followers, today my prayer is: Almighty God, may they all advance towards Thee, let none experience again the agony of birth, and the trials and tribulation of worldly lifeâ. Thereafter Giriji saw a divine personage ascend a staircase together with her. Behind her, there was a dog. Giriji asked the divine being: âWho are you? Are you taking me with you? Are you a man or a woman?â âNeither a man nor a woman,â was the reply. The divine apparition was clad in white garments, with a profusion of black hair covering the clothes at the back. Again, Giriji spoke: âJudhisthir had once to witness hell. Let none of my followers ever experience hell!â The divine being said with great vehemence, âNo, no, no, none of them will see hell. Where the name of Hari is, there can be no question of hell.â Then Girijiâs vision changed. She was in a realm of endless light. At once the question: âWhere are my followers?â arose in her mind. Her divine companion pointed in one direction, saying: âThey are there. According to their stages and states of achievement, they are at various levels. This is why there is difference. Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Sudras are on their own levels appropriate to their workâ. Giriji said three times: âMay none of them fall down again!â And three times, she received the reply: No, they will never fall down again!â Next, Giriji found herself alone with the divine being in a realm of which she said: âFrom there everything could be seen, call it the earth or anything you like; yet there was neither day nor night, neither darkness nor light, a deep pervading peace that passes understanding it is impossible to describe that realmâ. It cannot be grasped by human intelligence. In the Kathopanishad we read: âThe sun shines not there, nor the moon and stars; These lightings shine not, much less this earthly fire After Him, as He shines, everything shines. This whole world is illumined with his lightâ. Did this great land of light appear before Girijiâs inner eye? She said: âUnless all are liberated, how can there be liberation for me? Animals, birds, insects, trees, creepers, may none have to suffer again the agony of birth and death!â This reminds us of the lord Buddha who remained on the threshold of Nirvana out of compassion for all sentient beings. The whole day Giriji sat on her asana inside the house. In the evening she came outside, sang kirtan under the bel-tree, and then distributed batasha to all. After having sung Godâs names, Giriji again felt like leaving her body in front of Siva. She was utterly calm, peaceful and serene, her heart and mind merged in the Self. All at once, she saw Mataji. Giriji said: âHow are you? From where have you come?â Mataji said: âIâ have come to see youâ. The whole day Mataji had taken nothing but water. Didima saw that Ma was wearing a red sari. That day at Jodhpur someone had dressed Ma in a red sari and performed her puja. Girji said: âYou have come to stop me from going, havenât you? Mataji said: âJust look at me for a minute, Girijiâ âI am looking at youâ. But Mataji saw that Girijiâs eyes were shut. Neither of them would open. However, gradually the right eye opened. Mataji did not take her gaze off Girijiâs eyes. For a long time, Girji remained in that state of deep inner absorption. Before returning, Ma said: âA mood was made to start in you that would not let you leaveâ. Mataji gave Giriji a flower from the head of Siva. Giriji began to breathe again. Gradually energy returned to her senses, her hands started moving. Twice that day at Kankhal, Giriji had gone into that state and both times Mataji had seen it at Jodhpur. At night, Giriji hardly ate anything. Even when going to sleep that night she was not yet fully reconciled to the thought of remaining in the body. Some of the members of Girijiâs family had had the power to die at will. One or two of her brothers had foretold the exact time of their death and made all arrangements themselves. A few days later someone wrote a letter to Mataji, asking how the whole world could be liberated. Mataji replied: âIf you yourself endeavour to attain to liberation, by your example the desire to pursue the path to liberation will be awakened in othersâ. Turning to the people present in the room, Mataji added: âThis is meant for all of you!â |
A married couple was in a terrible accident where the man's face was severely burned. The doctor told the husband that they couldn't graft any skin from his body because he was too skinny. So the wife offered to donate some of her own skin. However, the only skin on her body that the doctor felt was suitable would have to come from her buttocks. The husband and wife agreed that they would tell no one about where the skin came from, and they requested that the doctor also honor their secret. After all, this was a very delicate matter. After the surgery was completed, everyone was astounded at the man's new face. He looked more handsome than he ever had before! All his friends and relatives just went on and on about his youthful beauty! One day, he was alone with his wife, and he was overcome with emotion at her sacrifice. He said, 'Dear, I just want to thank you for everything you did for me. How can I possibly repay you?' 'My darling,' she replied, 'I get all the thanks I need every time I see your mother kiss you on the cheek. |
Ma has unequivocally said that Self-Realization is the goal of every human being. She taught us that âvasanas (subtle desires) are the root cause of rebirthâ. Ma says too, âHuman being is manifested in the form of want. He thinks of want only. And ends up in want. That is why he should contemplate on his real nature. Otherwise: wantâinactivityâ inertnessâmisfortuneâdeath (continue)â. VASANAS, DESIRES AND THE VICIOUS CYCLE A closer look at âVasanasâ may be of interest. Says Swami Shivanandaji, founder father of Divine Life Society, â Vasana is âdesire in subtle formâ. Its seat is the Karana Sharira ( Causal Body in us, behind the subtle and the gross body). It exists there in the latent form of a seed, an impression, and manifests in the mind- lake. Just as flowers blossom and then fade out in a day or two, Vasanas bloom like flowers one by one, come out to the surface of the mind. They then generate Sankalpas (will to act, volition) in the mind of the Jivas and goad them to strive to possess and enjoy the particular objects of enjoyment. âVasanas thus cause actions and (the consequent fruits of actions) strengthen the Vasanas. This is a Chakra( vicious cycle). On self ârealization that is the advent of knowledge of Brahman(SELF), all Vasanas are fried out. The real enemies are Vasanas withinâ, says Swami Shivananda ji, founder father of Divine Life Society. BIRTH, DEATH AND REBIRTH Vasanas lead to rebirth. Swami Tejomayanandaji, ex-Head and global spiritual leader of Chinmaya Mission, reinforces this teaching of Ma through a commentary on the 8th verse of Bhagavan Adi Shankaracharyaâs âDrg Drysya Vivekaâ. He writes, âMan cannot live without actions. To perform actions, he needs a body. To enjoy the results too, he needs a body. Actions fructify at different times and they cannot be experienced by the same body always. So, the individual has to take up different bodies from time to time. The present body too is the result of actions performed in the pastâ. âDesires create agitations in the mindâ, continues Swami Tejomayanandaji. âThis prompts him to act in order to quieten the agitations in the mind. Action yields results which when experienced create impressions (vasanas). Vasanas again create desires, agitations, actions, results. Thus, man falls into a vicious circle of birth and death ( action-enjoyment-action). All this is because of the notion that he is finite (and not the Infinite Self). This delusional notion ( stemming from stored vasanas and actions thereafter )is the root cause of bondage (and hence rebirth). It has been in existence since beginning less time and shall continue to bind the individual till true Knowledge takes place.â THE PLAY OF THE MIND(MUN) AND INTELLECT ( BUDDHI) A mind flitting about like a butterfly to actualize Vasanas takes us away to the sense objects and the world. It draws us away from the quietude of our Self, engaging us in the play of the illusory world. Maâs vani reinforces the above discussions: âOne's actions themselves create a sense of want. Again one's actions only will destroy this feeling of want. One has to strive for one's own fulfillment. By enjoying sense objects one gradually advances towards death. Father, become the one to drink nectar. Enjoy immortality. On that path, there is neither death nor disease.â And it is the mind play that has to be addressed. This is why Ma had said : âMun ke amun korar nam hi tapsyaâ or âConverting the mind to no-mind/transcending the mind is the essence of spiritual questâ. âThe mind is like the âreceiving clerkâ in any office. Though the clerk receives the mail, he does not take any action on them, but puts them up to the âofficer-in-chargeâ ( buddhi or intelelect) for his direction and advice of disposal. The force that drives the mind to whip and herd the sense organs(body) into the cesspool of sense objects(activity) is the intellect, and its various âschemes of happinessâ is known as desires. The desires have their source deep in the âunconsciousâ in man, called vasanas. This level of personality is called by the rsis as the âcausal bodyâ The causal body or vasanas determine the type of body and intellect (subtle body) and the organs of action ( gross body) which shape all our behaviour in this life at the physical levelâ , writes Swami Chinmayananda ji , founder father of Chinmaya Mission. The causal level of our personality, also called causal body or karan sharir, is the unconscious layer (depth) of our mind and called in discussions in Upanisad as ânescienceâ or ignoranceâ (avidya) says Swami Chinmayananda ji . It veils our Self, our spiritual essence and makes us oblivious of the Infinite glory and Perfection already within us. It is the cause of our sense of restlessness, fear, loneliness etc. and thus the intellect âdesiresâ for, the mind âagitatesâ with and our sense organs âindulgeâ in the world of sense objects. MIND (THOUGHT FLOW) AND SAMSKARAS (IMPRESSIONS IN OUR CHITTA) The mind intellect equipment directs us often to the world outside. In essence, mind is defined as a flow of thoughts by the rishis in Amrtabindu Upanisad. But where the thought waves emanate from and what happens to it is an interesting subject for us to break the mind barrier. We often hear people saying, this man has a good Samskara or a bad Samskara. It very often defines the inner traits of a person . But in reality, Samskara is an impression in the subconscious mind of a person( chitta). A Samskara of an experience is formed or developed in the Chitta or subconscious mind at the very moment the mind is experiencing something. There is no time gap between the two events. When you perceive an orange and taste it for the first time, you get knowledge of an orange. You know its taste. You know the object, orange. A Samskara is formed in the subconscious mind at once. At any time,the Samskara can generate a memory of the object, orange and knowledge of the orange. Though the object and act of knowledge are distinguishable, yet they are inseparable. Thus, Samskaras have their source in mind/thought waves. Vritti (whirlpool, thought waves) arises in the mind ocean. It operates for some time. Then, from the surface of the conscious mind, it sinks below, deep down into the region of the subconscious mind (called Chitta). There the vritti or thought wave lies embedded in a dormant or latent condition. Subjective mind, subconscious mind, unconscious mind, Chitta are synonymous terms and its seat is the cerebellum or hind brain, says Swami Shivavanandaji, founder father of Divine Life Society . When the subconscious mind sends something as a big wave to the surface of the conscious mind by recollection, it is called memory or Smriti. The thought wave now in our conscious mind generates actions as discussed initially. All actions thus have their root in our Vasanas and Samskaras and depend on how we react to a stimulus from the world outside or within. CYCLIC CAUSATION OF THOUGHT AND SAMSKARA An object awakens or revives a Smaskara in the mind through an external stimulus.Then a thought is formed. A desire to act ensues. Swami Shivananda ji says, âThus Samskara causes Sankalpa (volition or will or determination to act) and Sankalpa causes Samskara, just as the seed is the cause of the tree and the tree is the cause of the seed, in turn (There is a similar Ma vani on this). A vritti or thought wave creates a Samskara and Samskara in turn causes a vritti. Owing to the force of stimuli, either from within or from the outside world, the seed-like Smskaras again expand and give rise to further activities (or karma). This cycle of Vritti and Samskaras is Anadi ( beginningless) , but has an END when one ATTAINS Divine Knowledge and LIBERATION. They get âlayaâ or dissolution into Prakriti, the Cosmos. They cease to produce any effect on the Jivanmukta, the liberated-in-life.The Samskaras should be fried up by continuous Samadhi ( through practice of meditation and thoughtless no-mind state).Then only you will be free from births and deathsâ. Annihilation of Sankalpa only leads to liberation. Destroying the Sankalpas of the mind is the single key to unearth the treasure within us, advises Swami Shivanandaji. THE PATHS TO THE REAL HOME WITHIN Our past karmas have led to embedded Samskaras. Vasanas in the causal body lead to desires. The mind catches on and acts, in tune with our Samskaras and the gurgling desires.. The little I or ego takes ownership of all actions (I am the doer) and experiences ( I am the enjoyer, I am the sufferer etc). The sheath of ignorance which veils the real Self does not allow us to conceive that the play in the world is only of our mind-body-intellect. It does not tell us that in reality, we are unscathed and untouched by anything, just as a sky is unaffected by the sun or the clouds. Twin actions on the conversion of ashuddha(impure/worldly) vasanas to shuddha (pure) vasanas on one hand and the taming of the mind by steady withdrawal and spiritual practices alongside constant remembrance of God brings us closer to our real identity. A pure 'antakarana'(our inner equipment ) helps in transcending the mind to the no-mind state. Ma has said at different times : âThe more time spent in remembering God the greater is the advantage gained. Where there is the world there is want. That is His nature. One can only hope for peace by keeping the mind at His feet, willingly or otherwise. As there is veil of ignorance there is doorway to knowledge as well. It is through this door of knowledge man goes back to his own nature and obtains his own stateâ. âThe mind has been engaged so far in (sense) objects. Now, engage it towards God. Youâll see the path will gradually open up. Thoughts of (sense) objects will leave. Thoughts of sense objects are sure to leave, the veil will also gradually disappear. What is impermanent will certainly be destroyed. Donât you see children flying kites in the sky? The kite flies and flutters at great height but remains joined to the reel by the thread. The mind is like the kite and the sense objects is the wind. Keep the mind tied with the thread of Godâs name. Someday it will come under controlâ, says Ma. Any human being will vouchsafe that one of the most peaceful and blissful moments is in deep sleep when the mind is at rest as it has no contact with the sense organs and the outside world. However, we are then not conscious of our real (blissful) Self within due to the veil of âavidyaâ or ignorance covering the Self. Being able to achieve a similar no-mind state while in the waking state, what the spiritual masters say as âOBJECTLESS AWARENESSâ, is the pursuit. Elsewhere, Ma has said, âThe perusal of scriptures â regular daily study of books of wisdom- is a matter of âanandâ (bliss). Spiritual instruction, the teaching of the âsastrasâ(scriptures), whatever has been disclosed of spiritual experience in the scriptures for the sake of undoing the knots ( granthi) of the heart- this is called Guru grantha. There the Guru manifests as scripture. The reading of books of wisdom and the singing of Godâs name- the cream of Kaliyuga- are the expedients by which to cross over the ocean of becoming ( bhava sagara). So many times have you undertaken the pilgrimage to death; over and over again have you experienced happiness and pain. Now become a pilgrim on the path to Immortality; retrace your steps and proceed to your REAL HOMEâ. |
| Love cannot be selective. The moment love is selective it is reduced to mere liking and disliking, approving and disapproving, the manifestation of our desire and fear. In Dhamma terms, love means acceptance without limitations or conditions, and it is only in this place that we will find true peace. The world is filled with unenlightened beings, often intelligent, creative, possessive and manipulative, but this is what we must accept, because it is the reality of the moment, it is the reality of life. From that unconditional acceptance can come a wise, compassionate and loving response. Sometimes gentle and caressing, sometimes firm and direct, but always clear. When we are clear, life is clear. It is this non hypocritical clarity that becomes your gift to each situation that you find yourself in. Beings are the way they are, that is their choice, but you are the way that you are, and that is your choice. Reflect, what do you bring to the world? Everyday we make our own history. What is your contribution? â€â€â€đđđđđđđâ€â€â€ |
| A real story reflecting the aspiration of an Indian sportsperson: Rani Rampal : âI wanted an escape from my life; from the electricity shortages, to the mosquitoes buzzing in our ear when we slept, from barely having two square meals to seeing our home getting flooded when it rained. My parents tried their best, but there was only so much they could doâPapa was a cart puller and Maa worked as a maid. There was a hockey academy near my home, so Iâd spend hours watching players practiceâI really wanted to play. Papa would earn Rs.80 a day and couldn't afford to buy me a stick. Everyday, Iâd ask the coach to teach me too. Heâd reject me because I was malnourished. Heâd say, âYou arenât strong enough to pull through a practice session.â So, I found a broken hockey stick on the field and began practicing with thatâ I didnât have training clothes, so I was running around in a salwar kameez. But I was determined to prove myself. I begged the coach for a chanceâ maine bahut mushkil se convince kiya unko finally! But when I told my family, they said, âLadkiya ghar ka kaam hi karti hai,â and âHum tumhe skirt pehen kar khelne nahi denge.â Iâd plead with them saying, âPlease mujhe jaane do. If I fail, Iâll do whatever you want.â My family reluctantly gave in. Training would start early in the morning. We didnât even have a clock, so mom would stay up and look at the sky to check if it was the right time to wake me. At the academy, it was mandatory for each player to bring 500 ml of milk. My family could only afford milk worth 200 ml; without telling anyone, Iâd mix the milk with water and drink it because I wanted to play. My coach supported me through thick and thin; heâd buy me hockey kits and shoes. He even allowed me to live with his family and took care of my dietary needs. Iâd train hard and wouldnât miss a single day of practice. I remember earning my first salary; I won Rs.500 after winning a tournament and gave the money to Papa. He hadnât ever held so much money in his hands before. I promised my family, âOne day, weâre going to have our own homeâ; I did everything in my power to work towards that. After representing my state and playing in several championships, I finally got a national call up at the age of 15! Still, my relatives would only ask me when I was planning on getting married. But Papa told me, âPlay until your heartâs content.â With my familyâs support, I focused on doing my best for India and eventually, I became captain of the Indian hockey team! Soon after, while I was at home, a friend papa used to work with visited us. He brought along his granddaughter and told me, âSheâs inspired by you and wants to become a hockey player!â I was so happy; I just started crying. And then in 2017, I finally fulfilled the promise I made to my family and bought them a home. We cried together and held each other tightly! And Iâm not done yet; this year, Iâm determined to repay them and Coach with something theyâve always dreamed ofâ a gold medal from Tokyo.â |
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