He looked beyond my faults and saw my needs -Unknown.
How true !!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Lucknow Trip 23rd July 2010
The special train for the Bandara at Lucknow started from Chennai on 21st July at 9.30 PM with around 1500 abhyasis and more than 100 volunteers who worked tirelessly for uploading and distributing food and water for all the abhyasis.
The 46 hour journey gave us ample time to take individual sittings in train and get introduced to our fellow travelers. The formal introduction gradually turned out to be a discussion of our experiences with The Master. It was amazing to see how people from different walks of like, who spoke different languages and in different profession where strongly united by the same Master, Mission and
Method .
Though initially many of us were little frustrated due to unexpected delay in the special train by one day yet the satsangs conducted in the train made us witness Master’s presence strongly. We reached the celebrations venue at Lucknow on 23rd July at around 9 PM. The venue was such a massive piece of land with a big meditation hall which can accommodate around 40,000 abhyasis, Master’s cottage, tents for all the abhyasis, canteen, Kitchen, Comfort dormitories, Kids zone, book store, general stores, medical centre etc. Thousands of volunteers were working for twenty four hours in various areas like canteen, security, house keeping, transportation, medical, children’s zone, book stall, meditation hall etc.
During these Bandaras Master gives us a chance to live a simple life and be identical with nature. Taking bath in cold water be it early morning or midnight, staying in a tent, sleeping on the floor, sharing common toilets all these would never appear to be discomfort because the heart is joyously awaiting to participate in the birthday celebration of the Master.
More than 40,000 abhyasis gathered in the meditation hall on 24th July at 7.30 AM in pin drop silence, you listen to the Happy Birthday tune and Master enters the meditation hall; even if you have met the physical Master 1000 times in your life and been in Sahaj Marg for more than two decades yet you cannot control those drops of tears which rolls down the eyes. They are drops of love and gratitude emanating from the depths of our being. what else will you pray for except your Master’s good health and long life. They are moments of inexpressible grace. Does a abhyasis feel elsewhere or does he/she has the consciousness of existence at all? How lucky is the one who has a living Master who creates such a moment for all His disciples.
Few books and DVD’s were released. Rev.Master solemnized few weddings and gave though provoking speeches.
Yet another remarkable aspect of this Bandara was that 25th July also happened to be Guru Poornima day. A day when your spiritual progress is many folds. We boarded the special train to Chennai on 25th July at 11.45 PM. We met our fellow passengers as strangers; slowly exchanged eatables, gifts and rich experiences and within a short time a strong feeling of brotherhood prevailed.
Whether we are able to perceive it or not, in every Bandara Master inculcate in us brotherhood, tolerance, simplicity, service and devotion and then makes us taste the divine nectar.
From the spiritual perspective Master has always remarked that when many people meditate together the progress is exponential. Babuji has beautifully put it in Whisper’s that they are days of special grace you can imagine as if electric current surrounds the entire globe. The only question is are we sensitive enough to perceive it?
Even before we reach home the heart starts longing for yet another Bandara. A Persian poet has remarked “Whenever you look for Divine grace, keep your heart fully empty because it is often like a full bottle of wine poured over a small cup”. So let us start to prepare ourselves for the next Bandara.
The 46 hour journey gave us ample time to take individual sittings in train and get introduced to our fellow travelers. The formal introduction gradually turned out to be a discussion of our experiences with The Master. It was amazing to see how people from different walks of like, who spoke different languages and in different profession where strongly united by the same Master, Mission and
Method .
Though initially many of us were little frustrated due to unexpected delay in the special train by one day yet the satsangs conducted in the train made us witness Master’s presence strongly. We reached the celebrations venue at Lucknow on 23rd July at around 9 PM. The venue was such a massive piece of land with a big meditation hall which can accommodate around 40,000 abhyasis, Master’s cottage, tents for all the abhyasis, canteen, Kitchen, Comfort dormitories, Kids zone, book store, general stores, medical centre etc. Thousands of volunteers were working for twenty four hours in various areas like canteen, security, house keeping, transportation, medical, children’s zone, book stall, meditation hall etc.
During these Bandaras Master gives us a chance to live a simple life and be identical with nature. Taking bath in cold water be it early morning or midnight, staying in a tent, sleeping on the floor, sharing common toilets all these would never appear to be discomfort because the heart is joyously awaiting to participate in the birthday celebration of the Master.
More than 40,000 abhyasis gathered in the meditation hall on 24th July at 7.30 AM in pin drop silence, you listen to the Happy Birthday tune and Master enters the meditation hall; even if you have met the physical Master 1000 times in your life and been in Sahaj Marg for more than two decades yet you cannot control those drops of tears which rolls down the eyes. They are drops of love and gratitude emanating from the depths of our being. what else will you pray for except your Master’s good health and long life. They are moments of inexpressible grace. Does a abhyasis feel elsewhere or does he/she has the consciousness of existence at all? How lucky is the one who has a living Master who creates such a moment for all His disciples.
Few books and DVD’s were released. Rev.Master solemnized few weddings and gave though provoking speeches.
Yet another remarkable aspect of this Bandara was that 25th July also happened to be Guru Poornima day. A day when your spiritual progress is many folds. We boarded the special train to Chennai on 25th July at 11.45 PM. We met our fellow passengers as strangers; slowly exchanged eatables, gifts and rich experiences and within a short time a strong feeling of brotherhood prevailed.
Whether we are able to perceive it or not, in every Bandara Master inculcate in us brotherhood, tolerance, simplicity, service and devotion and then makes us taste the divine nectar.
From the spiritual perspective Master has always remarked that when many people meditate together the progress is exponential. Babuji has beautifully put it in Whisper’s that they are days of special grace you can imagine as if electric current surrounds the entire globe. The only question is are we sensitive enough to perceive it?
Even before we reach home the heart starts longing for yet another Bandara. A Persian poet has remarked “Whenever you look for Divine grace, keep your heart fully empty because it is often like a full bottle of wine poured over a small cup”. So let us start to prepare ourselves for the next Bandara.
Master Mission and Method
Master, Mission and Method form the three fundamental aspect of Sahaj Marg. Our Master always says that all the three M‘s are vital in the life of abhyasis. During the initial days of practice we may begin with one aspect but with a passage of time we need to pay equal importance to all the three M’s.
Some of us could be emotionally attached to our Master; some of us could find it easy to serve and some others find it easy to follow the method strictly. Some of us are of the opinion that it is enough if we serve; to serve is a wonderful thing but how can we perceive our progress and be sensitive to what is happening within us if we do not meditate. Some of us are too greedy only about our progress and have no concern or the attitude that the mission is ours and ashram is our home and it is we who need to do our small part to help Master in His mission. Only when we take part in the activities of the vision tolerance and brotherhood would grow. Both the Mission and method is nothing if we do not have heartfelt love and craving for our Master. But what is the point in blindly waiting to see the physical Master alone and have no interest in sadhana, and no sense of duty towards the mission.
Spirituality is a journey of love. Love for the Master is the solid foundation of a spiritual journey; service forms its building blocks and the journey is complete only with our sadhana. Looked from one angle they look like three different things and when viewed from other Master, Mission and Method looks like one and the same. We could begin with any of these as it may vary with individuals but with passage of time let us try to catch up with all the three aspects. May be for isolated cases Master becomes both the mission and the method but for all of us who are privileged and have the opportunity Master, Mission and Method becomes indispensable.
Some of us could be emotionally attached to our Master; some of us could find it easy to serve and some others find it easy to follow the method strictly. Some of us are of the opinion that it is enough if we serve; to serve is a wonderful thing but how can we perceive our progress and be sensitive to what is happening within us if we do not meditate. Some of us are too greedy only about our progress and have no concern or the attitude that the mission is ours and ashram is our home and it is we who need to do our small part to help Master in His mission. Only when we take part in the activities of the vision tolerance and brotherhood would grow. Both the Mission and method is nothing if we do not have heartfelt love and craving for our Master. But what is the point in blindly waiting to see the physical Master alone and have no interest in sadhana, and no sense of duty towards the mission.
Spirituality is a journey of love. Love for the Master is the solid foundation of a spiritual journey; service forms its building blocks and the journey is complete only with our sadhana. Looked from one angle they look like three different things and when viewed from other Master, Mission and Method looks like one and the same. We could begin with any of these as it may vary with individuals but with passage of time let us try to catch up with all the three aspects. May be for isolated cases Master becomes both the mission and the method but for all of us who are privileged and have the opportunity Master, Mission and Method becomes indispensable.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
My hypothesis ~ 8
The power of thoughts :
"Is it really so,or do you think it to be so?There could be a difference between what is real and what you think,but what you think makes it real!!"
"Is it really so,or do you think it to be so?There could be a difference between what is real and what you think,but what you think makes it real!!"
Friday, May 21, 2010
Emotions
Sometime with someone everyone gets entrapped in emotional bondages. We keep building the bondage knowingly or unknowingly. You do not realize the bondage until the moment you are hurt. When you are hurt you cry, start thinking what mistake you has done, when you are unable to figure it out, you try to explain yourself; when you fail in your attempt of explaining yourself, you cry for not being understood. When you are exhausted crying, you get angry and feel ashamed of yourself. You think you should change, the more you think you should change, the more difficult it becomes to change.
Hurts come to us as shock because of the priority, love, trust and importance we have built on someone or something. It is easy to get out of it when it is the other person who has hurt you; it becomes all the more difficult when the other person is not at fault but it is your own attachment to the other person which hurts you.
At times, God makes you cry only to see things with a clearer vision. When properly understood, you will learn lessons for lifetime or may be you carry them even beyond.Dont think yourself to be emotionally strong when you are actually egoistic, never misunderstand stubbornness to a strong will power. Your real emotional strength lies in the tenderness of your heart, you will only have to reach out to more and more people. But to me the lesson is “Let affection exist, but not attachment”
Thursday, April 22, 2010
A Compassionate monkey !
Two blind persons wanted to drink water at the RagiGudda Hanuman temple, Bangalore. When they were unable to operate the tap, this mother monkey opened the tap for them, allowed them to drink water, drank some water herself and then closed the tap before leaving the scene.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
A touching story which i got as a forward
One fine day it came to know that The God is distributing apples to humans in his place, at heaven. One small kid was so happy to receive that news and it went with lot of enjoyment to heaven to get the apple from The God.
There was a big queue standing to get apple from The God and the kid also joined in that queue. While standing, the kid was fully excited and thrilled for the fact that he is going to receive the apple, in person from The God's hands. the kid's turn too came and the kid showed its both the hands to receive apple.
The God gave the apple but unfortunately the tiny hands couldn't hold that big apple. Apple fell down and got wasted in mud. The kid got so disappointed & starts crying.
The ministers near The God informed that if the kid likes to have another apple from The God again, then the kid has to again follow the queue.
Having waited for so long the kid didn't want to return earth with empty hands. So the kid decided to wait again in the queue.
This time the queue has become even longer than the previous one. While waiting in queue, the kid could see lot of people who returns back with apple in hands and utmost satisfaction on their faces. The kid was so much disappointed and thought why me alone didn't get the apple in hand when all others were easily able to get it. What is the sin I did that I alone should suffer like this. Now the kid was so scared that it should not miss the apple again. Again its turn came and The God gave the apple to the kid's hands and after giving the apple The God spoke to the kid. "My dear child, last time after giving you the apple only, I noticed the apple I gave to you was a rotten apple and that's why I made that to fell down from your hands. Having given you a rotten apple, I felt bad for you and I wanted to give you the best apple in the farm and that time the best apple in the farm was growing and that's why I made you to wait such a long time in the queue. Here it is. Now the apple that you have in hand is 'The Best' apple in the farm till to date. Enjoy."
MORAL :
Sometimes it so happens, as even after we put our 100% dedication and commitment things may get delayed or things may go wrong. Believe that The God has something great for us and that's why this has happened.
Always say,
'Gratitude & patience is absolutely the best way to bring more in one's life'
There was a big queue standing to get apple from The God and the kid also joined in that queue. While standing, the kid was fully excited and thrilled for the fact that he is going to receive the apple, in person from The God's hands. the kid's turn too came and the kid showed its both the hands to receive apple.
The God gave the apple but unfortunately the tiny hands couldn't hold that big apple. Apple fell down and got wasted in mud. The kid got so disappointed & starts crying.
The ministers near The God informed that if the kid likes to have another apple from The God again, then the kid has to again follow the queue.
Having waited for so long the kid didn't want to return earth with empty hands. So the kid decided to wait again in the queue.
This time the queue has become even longer than the previous one. While waiting in queue, the kid could see lot of people who returns back with apple in hands and utmost satisfaction on their faces. The kid was so much disappointed and thought why me alone didn't get the apple in hand when all others were easily able to get it. What is the sin I did that I alone should suffer like this. Now the kid was so scared that it should not miss the apple again. Again its turn came and The God gave the apple to the kid's hands and after giving the apple The God spoke to the kid. "My dear child, last time after giving you the apple only, I noticed the apple I gave to you was a rotten apple and that's why I made that to fell down from your hands. Having given you a rotten apple, I felt bad for you and I wanted to give you the best apple in the farm and that time the best apple in the farm was growing and that's why I made you to wait such a long time in the queue. Here it is. Now the apple that you have in hand is 'The Best' apple in the farm till to date. Enjoy."
MORAL :
Sometimes it so happens, as even after we put our 100% dedication and commitment things may get delayed or things may go wrong. Believe that The God has something great for us and that's why this has happened.
Always say,
'Gratitude & patience is absolutely the best way to bring more in one's life'
Hunger --- A deadly evil
Last week end, i had been for a eye checkup along with my dad.
I had brunch at around 10.30 am and left to the hospital.Unexpectedly,i had to spend the whole day at hospital.My eyes were dilated for about four times then i had a normal check up and i had to go to another hospital for a scan.We never thought its going to get that late.It was already 3 pm and still i was awaiting my chance to go for the scan.My father got hungry and asked if he shall go down.I asked him to wait with me for 10 more minutes because my eyes were dilated and it was glaring.Then after half an hour he said that he felt like fainting and left me alone to have snacks.Even i felt terribly hungry,but still i had to wait there for my chance.Finally at around 4 pm my chance came and i paid the bill and hurried downstairs and just ate the snacks which my dad had bought for me.
On my way back home i was thinking about all the people who starve of hunger.I really don't know if people can survive without food even for a day,but in the platforms and trains i have seen people begging and they have told that it has been two days since they ate.If only they told the truth, i was wondering how they would have felt.I felt that hunger is a deadly evil.Is there any way to eradicate the world's poverty ?
When ever i encounter beggars in train,in case i don't have change to offer them,i would just make a silent prayer.After this incident i thought everyday i should make sure that i never ignore any person who comes to me for help.
I had brunch at around 10.30 am and left to the hospital.Unexpectedly,i had to spend the whole day at hospital.My eyes were dilated for about four times then i had a normal check up and i had to go to another hospital for a scan.We never thought its going to get that late.It was already 3 pm and still i was awaiting my chance to go for the scan.My father got hungry and asked if he shall go down.I asked him to wait with me for 10 more minutes because my eyes were dilated and it was glaring.Then after half an hour he said that he felt like fainting and left me alone to have snacks.Even i felt terribly hungry,but still i had to wait there for my chance.Finally at around 4 pm my chance came and i paid the bill and hurried downstairs and just ate the snacks which my dad had bought for me.
On my way back home i was thinking about all the people who starve of hunger.I really don't know if people can survive without food even for a day,but in the platforms and trains i have seen people begging and they have told that it has been two days since they ate.If only they told the truth, i was wondering how they would have felt.I felt that hunger is a deadly evil.Is there any way to eradicate the world's poverty ?
When ever i encounter beggars in train,in case i don't have change to offer them,i would just make a silent prayer.After this incident i thought everyday i should make sure that i never ignore any person who comes to me for help.
Only Love is Real ~ Brian Weiss
This book is about Regression hypnosis therapy done by the practicing psychiatrist
Dr.Brian Weiss.
This is a gripping love story of two of his patients Elizabeth and Pedro, who were suffering from anxiety, depression, dejection and unable to pursue a loving and meaning relationship in the current life. But when the Regression hypnosis therapy done on them individually by Dr. Brian to find the cause of it from their previous lives, he was able to connect that both of them had been related to each other in many lives.
Through hypnosis the doctor takes his patient's to previous lives and all to states between two lives.The doctor also gets messages from elevated souls called as Master souls who guide other souls after death.
One thing which i liked the most was the experience of a patient who sees hell like environment(amidst fires and devils) after his death in previous life.Nobody paid attention to him,then Jesus walks to Him and says ",Don't you realize all this is illusion. Only Love is Real".Then the firs and devils disappear,revealing the beautiful light.Sometimes we get what we expect but it may not be real.
I also liked the quote on liberation which the Master souls conveyed. "when you
look into the eyes of another, any other, and you see your own soul looking back at you,then you will know you have reached another level of consciousness.In this sense, reincarnation does not exist."
There are many more wonderful messages(about karma, other states of existence,relationships,forgiveness,pride,ego etc) in the book and is surely a must read and more importantly one has to practice it in day to day life.
Dr.Brian Weiss.
This is a gripping love story of two of his patients Elizabeth and Pedro, who were suffering from anxiety, depression, dejection and unable to pursue a loving and meaning relationship in the current life. But when the Regression hypnosis therapy done on them individually by Dr. Brian to find the cause of it from their previous lives, he was able to connect that both of them had been related to each other in many lives.
Through hypnosis the doctor takes his patient's to previous lives and all to states between two lives.The doctor also gets messages from elevated souls called as Master souls who guide other souls after death.
One thing which i liked the most was the experience of a patient who sees hell like environment(amidst fires and devils) after his death in previous life.Nobody paid attention to him,then Jesus walks to Him and says ",Don't you realize all this is illusion. Only Love is Real".Then the firs and devils disappear,revealing the beautiful light.Sometimes we get what we expect but it may not be real.
I also liked the quote on liberation which the Master souls conveyed. "when you
look into the eyes of another, any other, and you see your own soul looking back at you,then you will know you have reached another level of consciousness.In this sense, reincarnation does not exist."
There are many more wonderful messages(about karma, other states of existence,relationships,forgiveness,pride,ego etc) in the book and is surely a must read and more importantly one has to practice it in day to day life.
Deepak Chopra's Seven Spiritual Laws of Success
Seven Spiritual Laws of Success
To Start with Chopra advices to follow one law every day!
1.Law of Pure Potentiality(This law is based on the fact that we are in our essential state pure consciousness)
a.Observe Silence for one hour every day.
b.Practice non-judgment (Begin the day with statement “Today I shall judge nothing that occurs”)
2.The Law of Giving(Universe operates through dynamic exchange, nothing is static)
a.Try to give something to everyone you come across. It can be material or prayer, affection ,attention, appreciation etc
b.Remember that the more you give, the more you will receive because the universe works on dynamic exchange
3.The law of Karma(we sow what we reap)
Three ways to deal with Past Karma
a. Pay your Karmic debts (Most people do)
b. Learn from your experiences which arise out of Karma (Taking positive lessons from all situations)
c. Transcending Karma (Through meditation)
Applying the law of Karma
When you make a choice ask a question “Will the choice bring happiness to me and those affected by this choice ? ”
4.The Law of Least Effort(This is based on the fact that nature’s intelligence functions with effortless ease and abandoned care freeness)
a.Acceptance – Accept people, circumstances and events as they occur.
When you are frustrated by a person or situation, remember you are not reacting to the person but to your feelings about the person or situation.
b.Responsibility – It means not blaming anyone or anything for your situation including yourself. It means the ability to have creative response to the situation as it is now.
c.Defenselessness – Relinquish the need to convince or persuade others of your point of view.
“Don’t be like a rigid oak that cracks and collapses in the storm be like a reed that bends with the storm and survives.”
5.The Law of Intention – We can have our intentions and desires but we need to surrender it to the womb of creation, trusting that when things don’t go my way, there is, a reason, and that the cosmic plan has designs for me much grander than even those that I have conceived.
6.The Law of Detachment – In detachment lies the wisdom of Uncertainty.
Don’t give up your intention or desire but give up your attachment to it.
7. The Law of Dharma – Everyone has hidden talents. Identify your talents and use it for the welfare Of humanity.
To Start with Chopra advices to follow one law every day!
1.Law of Pure Potentiality(This law is based on the fact that we are in our essential state pure consciousness)
a.Observe Silence for one hour every day.
b.Practice non-judgment (Begin the day with statement “Today I shall judge nothing that occurs”)
2.The Law of Giving(Universe operates through dynamic exchange, nothing is static)
a.Try to give something to everyone you come across. It can be material or prayer, affection ,attention, appreciation etc
b.Remember that the more you give, the more you will receive because the universe works on dynamic exchange
3.The law of Karma(we sow what we reap)
Three ways to deal with Past Karma
a. Pay your Karmic debts (Most people do)
b. Learn from your experiences which arise out of Karma (Taking positive lessons from all situations)
c. Transcending Karma (Through meditation)
Applying the law of Karma
When you make a choice ask a question “Will the choice bring happiness to me and those affected by this choice ? ”
4.The Law of Least Effort(This is based on the fact that nature’s intelligence functions with effortless ease and abandoned care freeness)
a.Acceptance – Accept people, circumstances and events as they occur.
When you are frustrated by a person or situation, remember you are not reacting to the person but to your feelings about the person or situation.
b.Responsibility – It means not blaming anyone or anything for your situation including yourself. It means the ability to have creative response to the situation as it is now.
c.Defenselessness – Relinquish the need to convince or persuade others of your point of view.
“Don’t be like a rigid oak that cracks and collapses in the storm be like a reed that bends with the storm and survives.”
5.The Law of Intention – We can have our intentions and desires but we need to surrender it to the womb of creation, trusting that when things don’t go my way, there is, a reason, and that the cosmic plan has designs for me much grander than even those that I have conceived.
6.The Law of Detachment – In detachment lies the wisdom of Uncertainty.
Don’t give up your intention or desire but give up your attachment to it.
7. The Law of Dharma – Everyone has hidden talents. Identify your talents and use it for the welfare Of humanity.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
When does Man become God ?
"We are not human beings with occasional spiritual experiences , but we are spiritual beings with occasional human experiences" is a quote which i like very much.
A scene from Anbe Sivam which i like very much.
Recently a incident which happened in train made me spontaneously remember the quote on spiritual beings.The incident though simple conveyed a deep message to me.
As usual i was accompanied by many government staffs in the train.They travel all the way to Chengalpet.There are few vendors who come to sell accessories like bangles, ear rings etc.Since they come almost every day, these government staffs were well acquainted with them.They told a vendor that a particular lady from their gang(she was called Hema) was expecting a child.The conversation conveyed that she had become a mother after many years of marriage.The vendor was too happy to hear the news.
Though the expectant mother was on long leave, the vendor immediately gave some beautiful bangles to a lady and asked her to give it to Hema.After some ten minutes she gave some packets of Bindhi to Hema.She came back after half an hour buying flowers from another vendor.All this must have costed her around 50 rupees.That vendor might only earn a profit of 50 rupees everyday.Despite all her poverty she was so generous.I am not telling about the generosity in giving away a day's salary.Oh how generous she was in affection.How much of love she had towards a fellow person was reveled in her face.I was deeply touched by her love for others and i saw a God in her.
I was thinking of the quote "We are not human beings with occasional spiritual experiences , but we are spiritual beings with occasional human experiences".
Some eight months back i listened to a speech by Sudha Moorthy.It was the best speech i have ever heard.The main agenda of the speech was about her welfare trust.
Every point in the speech was so powerful and heart touching
I cannot put down the entire speech here, but i wanted to write about one point.
"some people come and tell me that their servant maid is not well to do and they expect the welfare trust to help them.I just tell them that are they not wealthy enough to help their servant maid?The welfare trust is not for them.It is for the Riksha puller or a kulli in the road who does not even what is Infosys It is for them and their families.Millions of people have born and passed away from this world.what are we going to do.Helping is not for gaining fame or for our name to be displayed in newspaper,When we look back at our life we need to have a sense of satisfaction.When we help someone.We need to help a person who does not belong to our family or our religion or our language or caste,we need to help a person who is no way related to us,the person need not even know who we are."
After hearing the speech i recollected a help which i have a received from a person who is no way related to me.A simple help had a highly positive impact in my life.It was a incident which made me experience God in another person.
The speech moved me to tears and i was questioning myself if i was revealing the Divine within me or not ?Are we really spiritual beings, revealing the divine in us ? Of course occasionally at some time or the other to some people we reveal our divine nature knowingly or unknowingly.But we need to do that as often as possible.
It should be like occasional revelation,then frequent revelation and finally constant revelation of the Divine within :-)
A scene from Anbe Sivam which i like very much.
Recently a incident which happened in train made me spontaneously remember the quote on spiritual beings.The incident though simple conveyed a deep message to me.
As usual i was accompanied by many government staffs in the train.They travel all the way to Chengalpet.There are few vendors who come to sell accessories like bangles, ear rings etc.Since they come almost every day, these government staffs were well acquainted with them.They told a vendor that a particular lady from their gang(she was called Hema) was expecting a child.The conversation conveyed that she had become a mother after many years of marriage.The vendor was too happy to hear the news.
Though the expectant mother was on long leave, the vendor immediately gave some beautiful bangles to a lady and asked her to give it to Hema.After some ten minutes she gave some packets of Bindhi to Hema.She came back after half an hour buying flowers from another vendor.All this must have costed her around 50 rupees.That vendor might only earn a profit of 50 rupees everyday.Despite all her poverty she was so generous.I am not telling about the generosity in giving away a day's salary.Oh how generous she was in affection.How much of love she had towards a fellow person was reveled in her face.I was deeply touched by her love for others and i saw a God in her.
I was thinking of the quote "We are not human beings with occasional spiritual experiences , but we are spiritual beings with occasional human experiences".
Some eight months back i listened to a speech by Sudha Moorthy.It was the best speech i have ever heard.The main agenda of the speech was about her welfare trust.
Every point in the speech was so powerful and heart touching
I cannot put down the entire speech here, but i wanted to write about one point.
"some people come and tell me that their servant maid is not well to do and they expect the welfare trust to help them.I just tell them that are they not wealthy enough to help their servant maid?The welfare trust is not for them.It is for the Riksha puller or a kulli in the road who does not even what is Infosys It is for them and their families.Millions of people have born and passed away from this world.what are we going to do.Helping is not for gaining fame or for our name to be displayed in newspaper,When we look back at our life we need to have a sense of satisfaction.When we help someone.We need to help a person who does not belong to our family or our religion or our language or caste,we need to help a person who is no way related to us,the person need not even know who we are."
After hearing the speech i recollected a help which i have a received from a person who is no way related to me.A simple help had a highly positive impact in my life.It was a incident which made me experience God in another person.
The speech moved me to tears and i was questioning myself if i was revealing the Divine within me or not ?Are we really spiritual beings, revealing the divine in us ? Of course occasionally at some time or the other to some people we reveal our divine nature knowingly or unknowingly.But we need to do that as often as possible.
It should be like occasional revelation,then frequent revelation and finally constant revelation of the Divine within :-)
Friday, April 2, 2010
Role of KArma in our life
Some more things about Karma and our life came to my thoughts recently.
We come to this world to work out our karma (both good and bad).
Only when we attain a state of nothingness we can reach the abode of God.
So, we have to work out all the past karma which we are building over all our past lives.
First and foremost we need to prevent the formation of further karma,this is possible when we are always in the remembrance of God.
We work out our past karma through bhog(various experiences).
A Guru of high caliber can interfere with our karma if He is moved by our love and devotion.
We need to do good deeds to negate our past karma.Good deeds are selfless act.It could be physical service,monetary help,emotional support,or a simple prayer for our fellow beings.
If we aim to attain God in this very life time, we need to be aware that we have to work out all our Karma so accept what comes our way without getting annoyed,Live in the remembrance of God and lead a selfless life.
We come to this world to work out our karma (both good and bad).
Only when we attain a state of nothingness we can reach the abode of God.
So, we have to work out all the past karma which we are building over all our past lives.
First and foremost we need to prevent the formation of further karma,this is possible when we are always in the remembrance of God.
We work out our past karma through bhog(various experiences).
A Guru of high caliber can interfere with our karma if He is moved by our love and devotion.
We need to do good deeds to negate our past karma.Good deeds are selfless act.It could be physical service,monetary help,emotional support,or a simple prayer for our fellow beings.
If we aim to attain God in this very life time, we need to be aware that we have to work out all our Karma so accept what comes our way without getting annoyed,Live in the remembrance of God and lead a selfless life.
Friday, March 26, 2010
what does surrender really mean ?
Many things were moving so quickly, a combination of unexpected pleasure and pain.
Unlike the past, now I view myself as some kind of an observer of what’s happening to me, without taking part in it. I was just watching life as it unfolds.
We never know what awaits us the next moment; Life seems to be a combination of pleasure and pain based on once karma. If life is just viewed as a series of events of unfolding of karma and if the world is only a place where we repay our karmic debts (both good and bad) what should be aspiration or aim of any individual?
What is the role of free will in the life of a human being? What is the boundary line between destiny and free will? What is the extent to which one’s karma can be changed by faith, prayer and good deeds?
These concepts are very much beyond the apprehension of the average human mind. We have no solid and concrete answers to such questions. So how is one expected to lead a living?
The Gita emphasizes on the fact “Maam Ekamam Saranam vraja”.The literal translation of this is “I alone protect all those who have surrendered unto me”. What does surrender really mean and what is it in the life of an abhyasi?
By Surrender, it means we are surrendering our past, present and future to the Lord or the Guru.
Surrender does not mean we leave our past to Guru and continue to live life the way we like without mending our actions and still expect our Guru to perform miracles and interfere with our karma and prevent us from danger.
Of course, there is no doubt that the Guru can interfere with our karma, it is only when our love and devotion urges Him to do so. But how can we expect Him to do that when we don’t abide by His teachings, which is for our good.
The true meaning of surrender is - We leave our past in the feet of our Guru and more importantly live the present in the way we are expected to live, without adding on to our layer of grossness; inorder to achieve in our future the Goal of human life – Oneness with the Lord.
Unlike the past, now I view myself as some kind of an observer of what’s happening to me, without taking part in it. I was just watching life as it unfolds.
We never know what awaits us the next moment; Life seems to be a combination of pleasure and pain based on once karma. If life is just viewed as a series of events of unfolding of karma and if the world is only a place where we repay our karmic debts (both good and bad) what should be aspiration or aim of any individual?
What is the role of free will in the life of a human being? What is the boundary line between destiny and free will? What is the extent to which one’s karma can be changed by faith, prayer and good deeds?
These concepts are very much beyond the apprehension of the average human mind. We have no solid and concrete answers to such questions. So how is one expected to lead a living?
The Gita emphasizes on the fact “Maam Ekamam Saranam vraja”.The literal translation of this is “I alone protect all those who have surrendered unto me”. What does surrender really mean and what is it in the life of an abhyasi?
By Surrender, it means we are surrendering our past, present and future to the Lord or the Guru.
Surrender does not mean we leave our past to Guru and continue to live life the way we like without mending our actions and still expect our Guru to perform miracles and interfere with our karma and prevent us from danger.
Of course, there is no doubt that the Guru can interfere with our karma, it is only when our love and devotion urges Him to do so. But how can we expect Him to do that when we don’t abide by His teachings, which is for our good.
The true meaning of surrender is - We leave our past in the feet of our Guru and more importantly live the present in the way we are expected to live, without adding on to our layer of grossness; inorder to achieve in our future the Goal of human life – Oneness with the Lord.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Three Keywords of life
Life is all about three things : 1. Accept
2. Give
3. Love
Are we able to give ourselves completely in every thing, in work relationships etc and still able to accept what comes back to us ?
Able to Give the best and still accept the outcome is possible only out of Love.
Our Sadhana creates the capacity for more love and love makes us to accept and give.
When we are bale to do this, we have reached the next state of evolution.
Babuji puts it as "Make Love and Acceptance the two fulcrums of life"
2. Give
3. Love
Are we able to give ourselves completely in every thing, in work relationships etc and still able to accept what comes back to us ?
Able to Give the best and still accept the outcome is possible only out of Love.
Our Sadhana creates the capacity for more love and love makes us to accept and give.
When we are bale to do this, we have reached the next state of evolution.
Babuji puts it as "Make Love and Acceptance the two fulcrums of life"
Sunday, January 3, 2010
New Year a time for introspection and change
A dawn of another new year, with new hopes wishes and resolutions. Isn't this the right time to think about our advancement towards the goal and the way we approach our Master.
Every single day introspection of the soul must be done. What we were before we came to Sahaj Marg? What are we today? And we need to become? Are we doing everything from our part to become what we should become, to become what our Master wants us to become? Are we co-operating with our Master in every way or are we just trying to accept him partially only in the aspects which seems convenient to us.
Master gives unconditionally to everyone without any question of deservingness. Are we willing to make ourselves deserving in order to retain what He bestows upon us?
Our Master is an Alchemist who transforms our tendencies from animal to human and from human to divine we need to co-operate with Him for our transformation. We have a saying that "Everything is easily said than done"; But being guided by our Beloved Alchemist everything is easily accomplished. The need of the hour is our willingness to change.
"A human birth, a craving for divine and being born at the time of Guru who will take us to the Divine, the combination of three is very rare indeed". Being bestowed with such a rare blessing we need to co-operate with our Master in every possible way and allow Him to transform us.
It is very hurting to read Master quoting Bapuji in His book Heart of the Lion where Bapuji has said "I have been a failure in my life, because I never told the truth to people ".Master has said that" Bapuji said so because of His devotees who were priding themselves upon their devotion, priding themselves for their so-called love for the Master. My Master was betrayed by His devotees, by his bhakthas, by his lovers more than anybody else"
At least we need to live in such a way that He derives a sense of satisfaction when He thinks about us. We need to do something which will give our Master a sense of satisfaction and when one day Master thinks about us He should feel that we are an embodiment of His success.
First of all we need to check the way we approach our Master; Are we in the initial stage of approaching the Master for material benefits like wealth, success and good health or are we in the second stage of approaching the Master for spiritual elevation and gifts of bliss and liberation or are we in the third stage of approaching the Master for His neither for material nor for spiritual for His love, His attention and a place in His heart. Even the third stage is not complete by itself.
Here I would like to quote Lalaji's comments on Bapuji (from complete works of Ram Chandra volume -3 edition 1997 U.S.A page 180) "You did not ask even for my love for you, which people are always after. I think, asking for Master's love is against etiquette ".
I think approaching the Mater either for material benefits or spiritual benefits or even for His love everything is selfish. May be selfishness getting diluted in each stage but still it is selfish.
What then is the proper way to approach our Master?
(Complete works of Ramchandra volume -2 edition 1991 U.S.A ,Page 137)
Bapuji has also emphasized that "The question of getting arises only when there is a motive at the bottom. But when the heart itself is no longer ours the question of motive does not arise at all. What will you get then? Only that which is really yours"
In what ever level we might have approached the Master, past is past and Master does not want us to regret but only to change so at least now let us give our heart to Him.
Isn't this a right time for introspection, to change ourselves and to correct our ways and advance towards our Goal. Our Goal is Divine, our guide is Divine and our Path (Sahaj Marg) is Divine. So Success assured provided we are willing to co-operate.
Every single day introspection of the soul must be done. What we were before we came to Sahaj Marg? What are we today? And we need to become? Are we doing everything from our part to become what we should become, to become what our Master wants us to become? Are we co-operating with our Master in every way or are we just trying to accept him partially only in the aspects which seems convenient to us.
Master gives unconditionally to everyone without any question of deservingness. Are we willing to make ourselves deserving in order to retain what He bestows upon us?
Our Master is an Alchemist who transforms our tendencies from animal to human and from human to divine we need to co-operate with Him for our transformation. We have a saying that "Everything is easily said than done"; But being guided by our Beloved Alchemist everything is easily accomplished. The need of the hour is our willingness to change.
"A human birth, a craving for divine and being born at the time of Guru who will take us to the Divine, the combination of three is very rare indeed". Being bestowed with such a rare blessing we need to co-operate with our Master in every possible way and allow Him to transform us.
It is very hurting to read Master quoting Bapuji in His book Heart of the Lion where Bapuji has said "I have been a failure in my life, because I never told the truth to people ".Master has said that" Bapuji said so because of His devotees who were priding themselves upon their devotion, priding themselves for their so-called love for the Master. My Master was betrayed by His devotees, by his bhakthas, by his lovers more than anybody else"
At least we need to live in such a way that He derives a sense of satisfaction when He thinks about us. We need to do something which will give our Master a sense of satisfaction and when one day Master thinks about us He should feel that we are an embodiment of His success.
First of all we need to check the way we approach our Master; Are we in the initial stage of approaching the Master for material benefits like wealth, success and good health or are we in the second stage of approaching the Master for spiritual elevation and gifts of bliss and liberation or are we in the third stage of approaching the Master for His neither for material nor for spiritual for His love, His attention and a place in His heart. Even the third stage is not complete by itself.
Here I would like to quote Lalaji's comments on Bapuji (from complete works of Ram Chandra volume -3 edition 1997 U.S.A page 180) "You did not ask even for my love for you, which people are always after. I think, asking for Master's love is against etiquette ".
I think approaching the Mater either for material benefits or spiritual benefits or even for His love everything is selfish. May be selfishness getting diluted in each stage but still it is selfish.
What then is the proper way to approach our Master?
(Complete works of Ramchandra volume -2 edition 1991 U.S.A ,Page 137)
Bapuji has also emphasized that "The question of getting arises only when there is a motive at the bottom. But when the heart itself is no longer ours the question of motive does not arise at all. What will you get then? Only that which is really yours"
In what ever level we might have approached the Master, past is past and Master does not want us to regret but only to change so at least now let us give our heart to Him.
Isn't this a right time for introspection, to change ourselves and to correct our ways and advance towards our Goal. Our Goal is Divine, our guide is Divine and our Path (Sahaj Marg) is Divine. So Success assured provided we are willing to co-operate.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
My Alchemist
You Transmitted Love
You Transmited Happiness
You Transmitted Courage
You gave me a reason to live
What more you have given
I do not Perceive as of now
I think it would take me an eternity
To absorb all that you have bestowed
You keep giving unconditionally
Without a thought of my deservingness
I am always on the receiving end
And have attained the status of a beggar
Today this beggar stands before you
Without Knowing what she can give to you
Except her heart filled with gratitude
And tears emanating out of Love
Thou art my revered Father
Thou art my Best Friend
Thou art my Beloved Master
but above all Thou art my Alchemist
(Transformer of tendencies)
You Transmited Happiness
You Transmitted Courage
You gave me a reason to live
What more you have given
I do not Perceive as of now
I think it would take me an eternity
To absorb all that you have bestowed
You keep giving unconditionally
Without a thought of my deservingness
I am always on the receiving end
And have attained the status of a beggar
Today this beggar stands before you
Without Knowing what she can give to you
Except her heart filled with gratitude
And tears emanating out of Love
Thou art my revered Father
Thou art my Best Friend
Thou art my Beloved Master
but above all Thou art my Alchemist
(Transformer of tendencies)
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