Dandam Dashagunam

I am not writing the review of Kannada Movie named Dandam Dashagunam here. This post is about a sanskrit shloka which has actually lost its meaning and people use only the last one fourth of the sentence with an invented meaning. Especially after the launch of the movie.

Now how did I come across this piece of shloka? Well, my branch manager where I work is quite a stout short muscular guy. Moreover due to pressures from the higher executives, he has developed high Blood pressure problems and frequently has bouts of anger. I recently witnessed a situation where one of the bank's customers' tried to con the bank's staff in to doing something unethical. It was promptly brought to the notice of the BM and he lightly warned the customer from refraining from such activity. In stead of admitting his own immoral conduct, the customer himself started aiming false accusations on the BM. Then the BM almost took the Narasimha Avatar and saw to it that the fraudster scampered with his tail between his legs. After few hours during the lunch time, BM was having a hearty laugh and mentioned the phrase "दण्डं  दशगुणं "
(Dandam dashagunam) The literal modern meaning of this is that you get ten times the result by beating than by talking harshly. However, what intrigued me was that the sanskrit shlokas are never incomplete without a proper meaning. So, I knew that Dandam Dashagunam is a piece of a larger jig-saw puzzle. All I had to do was to find the other pieces.

On scouting the internet, I found the complete shloka

 विश्वामित्रेच  वार्धक्ये  रात्रौ अप्सु कर्दमे  |  अन्धे सर्पेच क्रीडेच दण्डं दशगुणं भवेत्

On the first glance I thought that the sage Vishvamitra had to do something with this sentence. But later after breaking every word the sentence, I knew that the sentence did not mean sage vishvamitra here. Now this was another puzzle altogether!

Sometimes the sanskrit shlokas are like the puzzles in the movie Da Vinci Code. It has a deeper meaning wrapped within a superficial meaning. Lets take the word Danda for example. It has various meaning. One meaning is Fine or Penalty. Another meaning is a stick or a stout stick, another meaning is arms of human body, as in Danda Baithak ( Push ups and Squats). See! one word can have so many meanings. Even English words have it; the word "set" has 26 meaning in an Oxford Dictionary!!!

In our shloka, the word dashagunam does not mean ten times effective but it means ten uses of danda i.e. stick. Vishwamitra, here, is a composite of three words. Vi, Shwa and Amitra. "Vi" is a short word for Vihaga meaning a bird. "Shwa" is an abbreviation for Shwaana meaning a dog. Amitra means un-friendly or an enemy, in simple terms. And so on....

Here the shloka means that the Stick can be used
1) to drive away the birds "Vihaga",
2) to drive away a dog "Shwaana"
3) to fight with an enemy "Amitra"
4) for support in Old Age "Vardhakye" (Similar to "Vruddha")
5) for support in the dark or night time "Ratrou"
6) for support while treading a river, boat men use stick to cross the river in a boat which has a shallow bed "Apsu"
7) for saving a person from a quagmire or quicksand "Kardame"
8) undoubtedly, for a blind person "Andhe"
9) to drive away or save oneself from a snake "Sarpe"
10) for use in sports "Kride"

It simply means that the stick in the hands of a fool would be used to beat somebody but in the hands of the wise it is a tool and can be used for ten various purpose.

Isn't this amazing ?? Do comment if you like it.

--
O.A.K.

When was the last time you did something for the first time?

The Question posed in the Subject line really grabbed my body, mind and soul by "its collars".

Last week from 10th to 13th May I participated in the most mind blowing course called DSN. This 4-full-day course is conducted by Art of Living Foundation. This course has the potential to transform the meek heart-ed mouse in us into a mighty heart lion. The course has array of practical teachings which can be done only if you switch off your questioning mind and "Just Do It" (All TM, copyrights of Nike respected!!)

The DSN Teacher asked all the participants one question. "When was the last time you did something for the first time in your life?" This question took some time to percolate through my senses. Although, I got the prima facie meaning of it, I was still amazed by the series of thoughts it triggered in me. Later, I was asked if I could fly an air-plane. I was sure I could not. Then the teacher asked me that if I never had attempted flying a plane, how could I know that I cannot fly a plane? It was like if I do not jump in the water, I will not know how to swim. But unless I jump in the water, I will never know my capability to swim. I will understand my capabilities only when I "DO IT"

One paradox that struck me hard was that "You will never be given any responsibility of a task that you are not be capable to handle. But you just do not know what your capabilities are !!!"


Isn't this beautiful??

I have decided to do something new as frequently as possible. The main challenge is the way mind behaves.
There are two things; First, the mind resists any change initially from the mundane grind and Second; it behaves just like a parachute. Both,mind and parachute, work when they are open!! So the challenge is to open up the mind to limitless possibilities.

This is where DSN actually helps. First, it prepares the mind to accept all the changes in life and later when you are open to all the possibilities, your mind actually starts functioning.

"But why do DSN in first place? I am quite happy with the way of my life?" is one question that a stupid mind may ask! Well the answer is very simple.

The mind needs no reason to be happy, but requires at least one reason to be unhappy. You can smile effortlessly but requires an effort to get angry! And the effort consumes energy and your peace of mind !!

If you observe your life pattern closely, you will notice that what all activities you do over a period of a week is same, every week. It is actually repeated every week for most of us. It starts with a dreadful monday blues, you wait for the "eagerly-awaited weekends" and ends with "sundays lazing around".

When a pattern becomes predictable, uneventful and frequent, the mind becomes dull. It starts finding a reason to be unhappy. Just like a body, which when does not get sufficient physical workout gets more prone to sicknesses, similarly the unchallenged mind becomes dull and cannot function when really required. And when the mind fails to function when required it leads to wrong decisions and thus misery follows.

So what challenges should we give to our mind. Well, another simple answer awaits... in the following blog

Till then do not wait for DSN to pass by. Just grab the chance to do it!!

-
O.A.K.

Swami Sharanam...

Yesterday was a very eventful day of my life. The Bank where I work was to be handled by me alone. By 'alone" I mean that I had to handle all the branch related decisions all by my self and the stakes were huge. The mind was super occupied in the work, yet I was getting calls for arranging a wonderful workshop called Math-Magikk, that dispells all the fear regarding maths. By the time the banking hours ended, I was already jittery. All I needed was a sound sleep before I could venture into any further activity.

Even an hour of sleep had not sufficed the uneasy mind. So I decided to pack my armoury needed for seva and started organising the workshop. Atleast, I could distract my mind from itelf??!!?? The results were not as expected. Unfortunately the workshop had to be postponed due to insufficient participants! Quite annoyed by the outcome, I sat for meditation. By how could I meditate?? My mind was not ready to settle down. Was it not annoyed?? (BTW, Annoyed for what?? something so small!!) Then I decided to go to a place where my disturbed mind could meet its match. Aiyappa Bhajan Mandal!! I had initially decided to attend only half hour from 9:15pm to 9:45pm. But I finally left that place after having scrumptious prasadam dinner at 11pm. All was to be taken care by Aiyappa (Read Guruji). That night gave me answers to many doubts. After meditation I had read a knowl sheet on Shaucha and Aschaucha (Vol 1, page 38 New Edition), It was the most apt topic for me!!

Later at night I was made to realise that if I live life by being emotional then my life is bound to be miserable. One must not be emotional, instead one should be devotional. That will take care of all the miseries.

I had to write this down before I could forget what I realised!!

J G D

Till now...

Since I started understanding the dynamics of Art of Living as an art, I have deep respect and admiration towards guruji.

Till now... I always wanted (wished) to be like him. I was emulating his outward expression. What is more important is the inner dynamism and truthfulness (Sincerity).

Till now... I always used to think that I will talk less. But hardly did I ever realise that it is not the quantity of talk that's important, it is the quality. If the quality is high even a single word is enough. More the time I devote to fruitful seva, less is the need to talk.

Till now... I wanted to implement many knowledge points. But I do not know how many I have really even realised. Actually, to implement one has to stop planning, and just plunge.

Till now... I used to think that only by being swami or rishi or something of those kind, I will preogess in spirituality. But as the whole story of ashtavakra goes, it was the king who got enlightened, the very king who cannot giveup his duties, that very king could get enlightened and for that he did not have to give up his kingly responsibilities.


A person asked guruji how to make one's life satisfactory. HIS answer was, for that you need three factories. ICE Factory in mind, Sweet Factory on tongue, and compassion factory in heart.

Pearls of Wisdom (15th Nov 09)

Bangalore ashram, Nov. 15, 2009

*Q.* Guruji, why is it that sometimes you answer certain questions and sometimes you don’t?
*Sri Sri:* There is a right time and place for every answer. If questions are asked at the wrong time, then silence is the answer.

*Q.* What kind of siddhis (powers) are required to be able to know what is happening in other places?
*Sri Sri:* An ordinary person through spirituality can know what is happening all over. Mansik shakti (strength of mind) is enough. When you put your attention somewhere, you can know what is happening there. Practice and you will see it is easy.

*Q.* When we sit for meditation sometimes we are disturbed by other people. If we are humble, then they take advantage of it. How do deal with this situation?
*Sri Sri:* Just leave it; you will see it will settle on its own. If it goes beyond a limit, then you can also roar. A lion simply sits, doesn’t roar all the time. Inside you must be pleasant, outside you can roar. To roar you need inner strength.

*Q.* How do you recognize that somebody is your real guru and for you? How do you know if someone is a true disciple?
*Sri Sri:* I don’t test anybody nor do I let anyone test me. If anyone will ask me, I will say, “No!” and move on! Divine really doesn’t test anybody. We think we are very good people and when difficulties arise we assume that the Divine is testing us. We don’t get into trouble because of our goodness: it is because of our foolishness. Some things are your karma. Some difficulties teach you lessons. Look back and see all those problems you have come out of. You will see that you have become stronger. This is what you should recognize.

*Q.* What is a sign of the dawning of wisdom?
*Sri Sri:* Prasanna chitta (pleasant state of mind) is a sign. Friendliness, foresight, intuition, a mind in the present moment – these are signs of wisdom.

*Q.* What is the truth behind this Universe? Is everything an illusion?
*Sri Sri:* This universe has come from one unchanging principle. Vedanta also says the same. Everything you see in creation is Maya- like dolls in a laser show, what you see is not the truth. The wave is not the truth, the water is the truth. The form and name are not the truth, the Tattva (the principle) is the truth. The pot is not true but the mud is the truth.

The same brahma tattva (Infinite, Supreme, eternal principle) is the tree, grass, stone and everything else in creation. Brahmatatvamasi bhavayatmane - All has come from that Brahman. This is the ultimate truth. Knowledge of the truth, that this creation has come from Brahman, comes through meditation - Sarvam kalvidam Brahma.

*Q.* How can one attain Siddhis (power)? How does it affect a person to
strive for Siddhis?
*Sri Sri:* A Sadhak or seeker will get many Siddhis on the path. However if you misuse them or start running behind them, you will be lost. Only when you are established, you can receive the true knowledge. One who knows never loses his equanimity.

The tradition of the Masters (parampara) is very important. If anyone moves away from the parampara, it may seem good for some time, but then it bringslot of misery. A sadhak should toe the line of the parampara. The sign of a devotee and seeker is to pick up the best and not try to find all the negative things about others. But if someone cheats, misuses the powers, they undergo the consequences. This should not deter from the path. You move on the path of knowledge.

*Q.* What is the ultimate goal of meditation?
*Sri Sri:* A pleasant equanimous state of mind. A blissful life without sorrow.

*“That which you cannot express is Love.
That which you cannot reject/renounce is Beauty.
That which you cannot avoid is the Truth.”*
*~ Sri Sri*

Wise Guru Part 2

A wise woman who was traveling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream.
The next day she met another traveler who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry traveler saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him.
She did so without hesitation.
The traveler left rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime. But, a few days later, he came back to return the stone to the wise woman.
"I've been thinking," he said.
"I know how valuable this stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious. Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me this stone."

Sometimes it's not the wealth you have but your wise advice & insight is what others need.

Wise Guru Part I

A Guru or an Enlightened master is one who is so deep in wisdom that one line uttered by a guru can possibly transform a person's life. It is said that it can even turn a stone into a diamond! Wise Guru is a series of stories of such masters who have brought a revolution just by staying in wisdom. I sincerely hope that you'll love it

And for those who are eager to read more such stories they can hit Seeds of Wisdom

The story goes as below...
Once upon a time, a Master was to arrive in a village with his entourage. A villager, who was skeptical about the "Enlightened-ness" of the Master, thought of a plan to trick the Master and defame him. He decided to hold a butterfly in his palm, and ask the Master whether the Butterfly was alive or dead? If the master says it's alive, he would crush the butterfly to death. If the Master says its dead, then he would release the butterfly free and thus prove the Master wrong!

The Master, after entering the village, was addressing a large crowd of the villagers. The skeptical villager asked if he could ask a question. The Master agreed. The villager asked if he could come near him to ask the question. Again the master agreed. Skillfully, the villager trapped the butterfly in his palm and went near the master. The villager asked the Master, "You see, I am holding a butterfly in my hand. If you are truly enlightened then you will be able to tell me whether the butterfly is Dead or Alive? So is the butterfly dead or Alive???"

The master thought for a while and said, "My dear, It is all in your hands!".

What's the value of your "Peace of Mind"??? Part II

Part I of the story

Now, I saw that my hand was almost trembling with anger. That very moment I realised that I was not being myself. I knew it was time to apply knowledge! The first thing I did was Accept the People and situation as they are…

OK!! This is how my friend behaved; this is how the situation turned out. So What??? Accept it as it is. Next was to take right action. What could I do now? My mind started rummaging through the volumes of knowledge sheets I had read in past 5 years of AoL Life.

I then remembered Rishi Nityapragya's verse, often telling people: “Keep your mind happy. There is nothing in this world for which you can trade your peace of mind for!” I realized that I was losing my peace of mind for Ravi, the crowded trains, for my stupidity of listening to ravi, etc, etc. I firmly decided to keep my mind Calm, peaceful and happy; not subjecting my mind to the whims and fancies of the environment. That moment every illusion in my mind started evaporating. Things became still. Peace returned in my mind. By then the train towards home arrived. I boarded the train and stood near the doorway. The cool breeze actually cooled my hot mental engines! The train halted at Vitthalwadi. A voice within, quietly coaxed me to attend the Satsang. Mind agreed. After vitthalwadi, the train halted at Kalyan. I got down and sauntered towards the Satsang venue.

Suddenly, I realised how grateful I was to Ravi. It was due to him that I got to apply the knowledge points. I felt elated after applying the knowledge points. That very moment, all the acrimony against Ravi got washed away. Love for Ravi blossomed in my heart. If it had not been for Art of Living teachings, then I would have done unimaginable things with Ravi. The priceless relation I share with him would have severed within moments!!!

The Satsang that followed was simply amazing, something that can only be experience when you are on an advance course.

Jai Gurudev.

What's the value of your "Peace of Mind"??? Part I

Guruji has no need to test us, because he knows us very well. However, he puts us in such a position where we start doubting his divine existence? At times of trouble we pray hard, but prayers seem to be unheard by HIM. But no! HE is there to take care of even the silliest of the blunders we commit. The situation he puts us in always has a lifeboat. At anytime you feel you cannot handle it anymore, all you need to do is surrender. He takes care of the rest! That’s his “Role”. To make you realize that you are nothing without him. To make you realize that you are everything with him!


An incident that happened with me, yesterday, is just an example of what you just read above. I play guitar at Satsangs. One of the YES!+ teacher and close friend of mine, Ravi Kadam, asked me meet him at the Dombivli Station by 6:45pm so that we could go together for Satsang. The Satsang was at Kalyan, just two stations next to Dombivli. We both had train tickets and were waiting on the platform for the train. The slow train was so slow that, it seemed to take eternity to arrive. On the fast track, a train, “relatively empty” just passed by. Then a train arrived, “L'horrible: Ambernath Local”. It was so crowded that the ribs would have got crushed and our Bon Ami Ravi persuaded me to board the Ambernath Local.

The crowd was hostile. It was so much packed that even an ant would have found it difficult to pass through. And to my sheer craziness I boarded the train with my delicate piece of wood called guitar. The next challenge was to move from the one end of the door to the opposite end as the platform of Kalyan was to come on the other end. But my movement was restricted by the guitar I carried. I clutched my guitar with dear life. I made a barricade of flesh and bones to avoid the mindless people from throwing their obnoxious weight on the guitar. To my utter disappointment, I could not get down at Kalyan. I could not even move an inch forward. Then I decided to get down at the next station Vitthalwadi. But my fate had something else in store. The situation repeated. I moved partly towards the other end but could not get down. The train moved. Now I had to get down at Ulhasnagar. I prepared myself to get down at least at this station. Somehow, the divine grace (Read the Maddening crowd) managed to purge me out of the train. I almost tumbled out with my guitar.

The first thing I did after getting down at Ulhasnagar was to check the condition of the guitar, Any Torsioned “nuts”?... Sprained “neck”?... Cracks or ruptures on the body?... Any broken Strings?... NO!
But that had no effect on my boiling blood. In my mind, world war III had started. I already had some "problematic issues" with Ravi which I wanted to discuss and sort out with him. Frankly they were unresolved till that time. Over and above that, despite knowing that fact that the Kalyan local (The train which took eternity to arrive) would have deposited us directly to Kalyan, he took me on a hell ride in Ambernath local. My mind began to think how selfish Ravi was. He conveniently got down at Kalyan and left me in distress with my guitar. I knew he would not wait for me much and would walk off calmly as if nothing happened. My “Buttons” were pushed too deep!!!

I also knew Ravi would get anxious, a little, and would place a call. But my mind was not ready to hear his voice so soon. Enraged, I switched off my mobile. I crossed the bridge to the other end to go home. Yes, I did not want to go to Satsang now. So I got on the other platform and sat on the bench.

Now, I saw that my hand was almost trembling with anger. That very moment I realised that I was not being myself. I knew it was time to apply knowledge!... What I did then was amazing...

Part II

Guru Parampara: The Lineage of the enlightened masters!!!

Spending even few hours with bawa and dinesh is sufficient for anyone to get loads of vital information and profound knowledge. They both always have something new and fresh to share with the youth, inspiring them to work for the betterment of the society.

Yesterday, Bawa shared a gracious story of our guru parampara. Guru parampara is the lineage of the enlightened masters. The lineage is actually very very long. But it is said that Adi Shankaracharya revived the hindu bhagwat dharma.  And the lineage continues from him.

Shanakaracharya had four disciples. First was Padmapada. It is said that once when Shankaracharya called Padmapada, who was walking at the opposite bank of the lake, he ran across the lake without any hesitation. And wherever his feet fell on the water the lotus sprang up to support his feet. Hence the name Padmapada. Second was Hastamalaka. Malaka means berries. Holding berries in the hand is very easy. Similarly for Hastamalaka living life was as easy as holding berries in the hand. Hence the apt name.

Third was Vatikakara. Vatikakara was very erudite person. He engaged a debate with Shankaracharya which went on for fifteen long days. There was a tie between the two even after fifteen days. So vatikakara's wife then came up with an idea. She put a garland of flowers on both, announcing the a tie between the two. The same evening, She surprised everyone in the audience by announcing Shankaracharya to be the winner. When questioned how she arrived at the decision she said that the flowers which she put on her husband had wilted due to the body heat which rose due to the agitation he had in mind although he did not reflect it.

Fourth was Trotakacharya. Trotakacharya was like a dumbo amongst the four. He was not interested in learning the scholarly texts. He would immerse himselfe in the service of his master. He would make food dor him, prepare his bed, and attend to all his needs. However Shankaracharya would never start his discourse without his presence. Trotakacharya would usually dose off to sleep during the discourse. But Shankkaracharya would never ever start the discourse without Trotakacharya. Once it happened that Shankaracharya was waiting for Trotakacharya to attend the session. Other three disciples were getting impatient waiting for him. Trotakacharya soon enters the hall singing the most difficult raga, in the utmost difficult meters, and that to the song which speaks of the philosophy of the master (guru) in only Ten lines!!!

It is said that when you do seva of the master, then even in that service, you get the knowledge which master wants you to get.

Our lineage decends from Trotakacharya. The names of the guru in our lineage after Trotaka is not known but it transcends down to Bhramanada Saraswati. Then to Maharshi Mahesh Yogi, then to H. H. Sri Sri RaviShankarji.

And from Guruji to Bawa and from Bawa to Me (and all of us). Well, Make good use of the opportunity you have got!

Guruji's Address at Jerusalem

Peace and prosperity go together. If there is peace, there is more prosperity. The whole world today is interested in having peace in the Middle East. But we know that the problem that the world faces is terrorism, which is not going to vanish so quickly.


There are two major communities in the world which are struck by terrorism – one is India and the other is Israel. No other country is affected by terrorism as much as these two countries are, especially India. Every month in the last year there has been a terror attack. This is due to fanaticism and fundamentalism, which I feel can be quelled through educating children in a multicultural and multi-religious manner. When a child grows up thinking, “Only I go to heaven.
Everybody else is going to hell,” they create a hell for everybody else.


So we need to change the Mindset among children to embrace everyone with love. This is the effort we have been making irrespective of their religious and cultural backgrounds so the mind can become calm. The mind vacillates between the past and the future all the time. We need to bring this mind to the present moment, where it is able to move forward forgetting about the past and not being anxious about the future. I would say that we have all taught people everything
other than how to learn to manage the mind. From childhood, children have anger, jealousy and hatred. We tell them don’t get angry, don’t get jealous, don’t be greedy, don’t feel depressed. But we don’t tell them how not to get depressed, how not to undergo all these negative emotions.


This is where I thought we have to use the power of the breath because the breath is the link between the mind and the body. With the power of the breath, we are able to calm the mind and improve our perception, observation and expression. Breathing has helped millions of people cleanse their own mind. Though some yoga techniques have been there since the last 5000 years, they were not shared with everybody, but kept to a few. They were very precious and only to be given to the right person. I thought that today we should open up and give this – which is so
useful to people, to everybody, irrespective of their religious background, cultural identity – something that is useful to calm the mind and to feel happy from within. I felt that it is the property of the whole world, so we must share it with everybody.


Since then we started sharing this knowledge and we have got a very good response from the people getting rid of anger, hatred and also fear. Here also, in Israel, all along the border fence, people have had so much fear that they couldn’t sleep at all because anytime, at any moment, there could be an explosion, a bomb attack, or terror attack. These people also could get over those anxieties and become calm and have that endurance. This type of work is happening.


More relevant to the business world, as you know how business markets have crashed: It took nearly 10 years for communism to go from the world. It took less than 10 months for capitalism to collapse, just less than 10 months. It’s just the greed of a few people that has made millions of people suffer. This is unfortunate.


So we have this conference, Corporate Culture and Spirituality, where we have to sit and think how we can overcome this. There are many examples among you who have done your job with integrity, truthfulness, but your example has to come in front of people. They should see this company has been very responsible or this company has been doing business with integrity and honesty. That would inspire the young business people in the world. With this idea we have been doing this Corporate Culture and Spirituality conference where people realize that trust is the
backbone of business and that if trust is lost then everything is lost. This idea is being promoted more and more so that young people have an opportunity to be inspired.


When we were all children we used to hear so many stories of Mahatma Gandhi and get so inspired by him. But today, leading examples are needed in the field of business for young people to do business with honesty and integrity. So we have started this project called Corporate Culture and Spirituality. Spirituality, to me, means that which uplifts the spirit – anything that brings up that joy, enthusiasm and harmony and creates more compassion and a sense of belongingness with everybody.


Today the Jewish community is so strong in America and very well organized. I have been a keynote speaker at their century celebrations two years ago, I think. They were so well organized and they contribute to the growth of the American economy. In India as well, we have the Jewish community. It’s a very small, but very powerful and strong community. There’s been an old Jewish community in Kerala for thousands of years and in Mumbai also. The two streams of thought, Torah and Vedas are the most ancient on the planet. The oldest of all the religions is Judaism on
one hand and on the other hand the Hindu way of life, Hinduism.


There are a lot of similarities, we both say one thing: you say, “Shalom,” and we say, “Om Shanti, Om Shanti”— “Let there be peace!” Let us all be united. The world is one beautiful family. This message we need to take everywhere, to every doorstep. One is individual peace – peace is not just absence of conflict. It is a positive inner emotion. When we feel happy, only then would I consider that we are peaceful. That happiness has to be rekindled.


In Israel, among the youth, there is lot of frustration. Quite a few suicidal attempts are also happening. These youth need to be guided to inner peace, and this can happen just with the breath. I usually say we need to secularize religion, socialize business and spiritualize politics. Secularize religion means any religious leader cannot say I care for only my people. He should care for all the people in the world. An Imam cannot say my responsibility is only to Muslims.
He should say my responsibility is to see that all the people in the world are happy. Similarly, a Christian priest or a Rabbi, they can only say I care for all. In Sanskrit we say, “Sarvejanah Sukhino Bhavantu,” – “Let all the people on the planet be happy.” This is what I mean by secularize religion. Then fanaticism and terrorism will disappear.


The second is to spiritualize politics. If politicians are spiritual, then they care for people. Corruption and nepotism will disappear from politics. We will get back to the era of Mahatma Gandhi where politicians really cared for people. Then socialize business, which means to say every business takes some social responsibility: helps out institutions, helps out women and children – not just gives them money, but also cares for their well being.


If all your employees are happy, if they are integrated, then they will have integrity and commitment. If not, call them and sit with them, talk to them. If you don't have time for it, we can do it for you in what we call the APEX program for which four days are needed. Two to three hundred business companies have used this APEX Program where the youngsters who are the employees are given commitment and happiness from within because happiness is something that comes from within.


Q: Let’s take one idea - that the Imam will say, “we take care for all believers, not only the Muslims”, and the Rabbi will say not only the Jews, but for everyone. So what actually do we have to do to evolve because at the moment the extremists dictate the course of events?

Sri Sri: First of all, inter-faith dialogues and education for those people is essential. Second is that the people of the same community will have to identify the extremists and isolate them. For this, a neutral person needs to be there. A third party will have to come and facilitate the dialogue, re-orient them and bring them together. As you saw, we worked in Kashmir. There were 1500 Hezbollah Mohadin group terrorists who were transformed. These people came and shared, “We were doing something that was wrong. We were killing people.” They were caught in a prison in India with whom we worked.

So the first step tomorrow, I would say, is to work in the prisons with those terrorists. Through them contact other terrorists who are out there in the world. Bring them this education, this spiritual experience, a transformation in their mindset. I know it is not an immediate work; it gives results in the long term. In 2001 nobody could go into Kashmir. Businesses were shut. There were no electoral processes. The state of Kashmir was in a mess. Then, with our work till 2004, a big shift has happened. Today 69% of the people voted in Kashmir, and businesses have started though it took between 5 to 7 years. Drop by drop we would bring some difference, some transformation.


Similarly, if we can have 100 youth working for this cause in Israel and Palestine and train these people to think from a different perspective, I’m sure we can find greater peace, because I have seen this work in Iraq. I would like to give you an example of Iraq. You know, in Iraq we started the work between the Shias and Sunnis. There was such a big animosity between them. 8000 Sunnis were driven away from the Shia village. When we met one of the Sunni people, we took them to the Shia village and made them understand. Eventually they [the Shias] said that they
[the Sunnis] may all come back. This is just one example.


I know there is so much more to be done. I know we have not achieved total peace in Iraq, but we have moved significantly. We invited about 50 youth from Morocco and 50 from Iraq to India. These people were so fanatical. They would not accept us because we are Hindus. Hindu means idol worshippers. But just in a matter of 3 weeks they started shaking hands and started dancing with us. There was such a harmonious atmosphere.


We had 22 people from Israel and about 150 from other Arab countries. When they first arrived in Bangalore, the Iranians, Iraqis, Arabs were so furious. They said, “Why didn’t you tell us that you brought Israelis also!” It was as though we had committed a very big crime. They said, “You have cheated us.” But just in three days there was a difference – they started liking each other and honoring each other. We had 150 Arab youth singing Shalom and Om Shanti. That gave us big hope that we can do something.

===========
Q: A lot of our youth in Israel are leaving the country seeking opportunities elsewhere. Wouldn’t this adversely affect our economy? Please comment.


Sri Sri: If it is just 25% of the people going outside, I would say it is good. They will create a sense of belongingness to their country, to the place of their origin. It is good that people go and spread this everywhere. At the same time, if it is draining the economy of a university, of a state – like suppose you support a child to get educated, but then the child goes elsewhere and does not contribute to the government or system – that drain has to be addressed. This is a universal
problem. It is not just confined to Israel. It is there in Asia, Japan, everywhere. I would say it is the sense of responsibility to the university, to the government, to whosoever has given you education, to pay them back. That has to come into people.


Spirituality is uplifting the spirit, the consciousness. Money is for your comfort. It brings you comfort on the material level. We spend half our health gaining wealth and then spend half our wealth gaining our health back, and usually it doesn’t work. So take care of your health because your health is your wealth. It is part of spirituality. Money should be kept in the pocket, not in the mind. If you keep thinking about money all the time, you can’t even enjoy the money that you have produced. So money is needed, but something which is more necessary than money is that humaneness and that happiness that money cannot buy.


The present generation doesn’t worry what others think of them. They are not interested in showing off as much as the previous generation used to. Wealth is a status symbol, a symbol of respect, but that is no longer so in the younger generation. This is something very good. They earn money just for themselves and not to show their status, not to show it to others. And the younger generation, I would say, has become much more intelligent because they see that many people have a lot of money, but no happiness. They are not friendly, not happy, and they are
always stuck. The younger generation feels that they need to get the maximum out of their lives. That difference is there. The only thing is that the generation gap needs to be bridged. This can happen with understanding, through education. I would say that youth are very brilliant these days, very thoughtful and useful, if they don’t fall into the trap of alcohol and drug addiction. This is the danger for them – if they are deluded into all sorts of intoxication, which is a sorry state.

QnA with Guruji at Israel

*Q: What is the way to free myself from attachments, especially emotional
hurt of the past as well as trust and mistrust? How can I free myself to be
able to trust again after betrayal and not remain suspicious or cynical
because of that?*

*Sri Sri: *One thing we need to remember is that the whole story will be
finished here! All of us will be gone! We will all go under ground. Life
will come to an end, right? If we look back and see so many people we once
knew are now gone. Those who were with us, they are all finished. More will
go. Everybody will go and one day we will also be gone. This is the
permanent truth, the definite truth in life.

I was just thinking today is my mother’s 10th death anniversary. Already 10
years have passed! Time goes, things change, when we see life from a broader
angle what is emotional hurt then? Somebody said something and it hurt us
and we cried; somebody said a good thing and we laughed. What’s the big deal
about it? Sometimes you’ve said something and it hurt someone, but that was
not your intention. Hasn’t this happened to you? How many of you have
experienced this? You have scolded your daughter/son many times haven’t you?
What if they hold on to that all their life and say I will not forget that
you hurt me. What would you say to them? “Come on let it go, I didn’t mean
it”. Isn’t it? Or “I was stressed I was upset, I was not in a good mood so I
said something”. Don’t you expect people to let go of the hurt that you have
caused them?

You want people to let go of the hurt you caused them. In the same way don’t
you have to let go of the pain they have caused you? If someone has hurt you
earlier, it is due to selfishness and because they don’t know how vast life
is, how beautiful life is. They are selfish because they are afraid. They
are selfish or self-centered because they don’t have knowledge in their
lives. Nobody taught them how to love people, how to be silent, how to be in
this beautiful knowledge. It is not their fault. Is it their fault? If you
have not learnt how to read and write, is it your fault? Society teaches
you. Your teachers, parents take you to school, make you learn and then you
learn. In the same way there was no system for them to learn about life from
a broader angle. So you can only be compassionate towards them. They have
not had a chance to learn, there was no guide, no teacher. They were not
exposed to spirituality. They were not exposed to mannerisms. So they were
small-minded selfish people. That was their up-bringing. So what will you
hold on to? “Oh you hurt me!” Come on let go! Life is moving. When you die,
you will be asked two things: How much love have you given and how much
knowledge have you acquired in your life? It shouldn’t matter what others
have done to you but from your side you should be compassionate. If people
are good towards you, be happy. If they do wrong, have compassion. Life can
only swing between happiness and compassion. There is no third option. In
our life we have lost people who have been very dear to us. What do we do?
That is how life has been designed. We move on. We will also die one day. So
let’s move on with commitment. When we are sad, we pray for strength and
when we are happy we pray for the strength to serve.
====
*Q: Is wanting to find a lot of love in your life considered to be
feverishness? *

*Sri Sri:* If you are aware of the feverishness, “Oh I want it”, then it is
feverishness. Otherwise you just relax. Suppose you want to go to Jerusalem.
You think about it and then you go. Your feverishness is ‘Oh I want to go to
Jerusalem, Oh I want to go…’ Feverishness is ‘Oh I want a boyfriend, or I
want a girlfriend’. Looking at every girl and every boy, running after them,
annoying them, this is feverishness. Have you seen sometimes how people
annoy you? Girls here may know better. A boy is in love with you and keeps
running after you. How many of you find it irritating? So, only you can
decide if it is feverishness or not.
====
*Q: How can I free myself from the polarity of dependence and independence
so that I will be free for real?*

*Sri Sri : *There is nothing called total independence in life. Forget about
it. If you are thinking I want to be totally independent you are not. Till
the age of 15, 16 or 17years you were not independent. You were born
dependant. Somebody had to lift you up. Somebody had to change your diapers.
Somebody had to wash you. Somebody had to feed you. Somebody had to bathe
you, put you to bed. You were born dependant and in the end will also remain
dependant. When you die you are not going to cremate your body. When you are
sick somebody has to attend to you. You cannot operate yourself. You cannot
be your own doctor. After 50 – 60 years, it becomes so obvious that you are
dependent on somebody. To some extent you can’t say I am totally
independent. Somebody has to do something for you. Just the fact that you
pay them some bills, it doesn’t mean you have become independent. You are
just getting it done as an exchange. You are helping them a little bit but
you are still your dependant on them. Suppose no one wants your bills,
nobody wants to work for you, what will happen to you? Because you have some
paper bills and people want those currency bills it gives you an illusion
that you are independent. Money gives you a false notion that you are
independent. You may have money, but what if nobody wants money, then what
will happen to you? You are dependant. So life is a swing between
independence and dependence. At the same time you are independent to think,
you are independent to act, you are independent to have a say over you
feelings, control your feelings, if you want to feel good, it is your
choice. If you want feel bad it is your choice.

You should listen to the *Ashtavakra *knowledge. I have spoke about it in
this. Life is a combination of both independence and dependence. If you want
to be kind you are totally independent to be kind. If you want to have good
manners you are totally independent to have good manners. It doesn’t depend
on others. If you want to speak sweetly its totally dependent on you to do
that. If you want to blame somebody or be rude to others you are totally
independent to do so. You have to choose what you want to be independent
about and what you want to put yourself through. You may think financially
you are independent, but I tell you if you cannot endure certain derogatory
remarks from one of your friends or family or someone, you are not
independent. If someone blames you or tells you bad things about yourself
then you will come to know how independent or dependent you are. If you are
really independent then nothing can bother you. You move with zeal, with
vision, with a smile.
====
*Q: How to get joy in life?*

*Sri Sri: *Forget about getting joy, it will come to you. You should just
relax.

*Q: I am a very happy woman and blessed with a lot of things, so why do I
bother about being over weight?*

*Sri Sri: *You know a man or woman cannot live without botheration. That is
why I started the Art of Living, to get more botherations! So this is a good
botheration, at least it will put a break on you not to take a second scoop
of ice cream. You will not stretch your hand for the second piece of
dessert, or second piece of apple pie. You will stop at half. It is good to
have a little concern, otherwise when you grow older you may have to pay a
lot of bills to the doctor. So it is better to keep a check on the weight
unless you want the doctors to become rich. That is your choice!
====
*Question: What do I do about the guilt I have of not being able to love
some people in my family or even blood relatives?*

*Sri Sri: *Don’t force love out of yourself. Take it for granted that
certain feelings, connections or love is already there. You don’t examine it
every day right? Do I love my mother or my father, or that person? - though
you may not like their behavior. If your father and mother are old and
cynical you may feel very irritated and may not like their company because
they put you down or sing the same old song. Likes and dislikes arise from
the head. I’m sure deep in your heart there is love, a certain feeling
there. It is because it exists that you are asking this question. So it’s
just that you don’t want to recognize your love for them although you love
them. There is a deep connection of love but you don’t like their behavior,
the way they act or their mindset. It’s just an external thing. It’s
perfectly okay. Never doubt your love for people. The love is always there
and it will be there. Just take it for granted.
====
*Q: Whatever I did this year professionally did not work. I studied Hindi,
Massage, Physiotherapy and Anatomy. I really want to succeed. Please help!*

*Sri Sri: *There is a lot of work to be done. There are a lot of needs. 30%
of the Europe is depressed and we have this beautiful knowledge that can
help people overcome depression and suicidal thoughts. It would be very nice
for us to work together towards a vision of a world with less suffering. I
would like to have many youth to do Art of Living work full time. 3 - 4 days
to go out and teach everybody. Once you become a teacher you can teach,
create a community for Art of Living here. You can have your own ashram
here. Meditate here. Each one can do their job, and still contribute. It’s a
common pool where everyone can contribute. You can start up a community
kitchen. You don’t have to worry about grocery shopping. One person can go
shopping, one person can cook, and everyone can take it in turns. A small
community of 60 to 100 people can live like this. There can be celebration,
meditation and yoga.

The whole atmosphere will become so uplifting! In the Bangalore Ashram, we
have 800 people living together. Before we were only 10 to 12 people. Now
there are so many people who want to come and live here at the ashram that
we don’t have place. It’s because nobody needs to worry about their
electricity bills, house, tax, and food. It is all being taken care of and
everybody can contribute in whichever way they want to. The same is
happening in Germany, Canada, USA and has recently started in Argentina. Our
life is too short to spend time on unnecessary and unwanted things. Half of
life is anyway spent on sleeping. The Next 40 to 50 years or for however
much longer you will live on this planet, do you need people to take care of
you, do things for you, or do you want to do something for others and for
the society? Helping others and serving society, wouldn’t that be a good
idea? There should always be somebody to think about others, to care for
them and to help them. I want you all to think about this. I don’t want to
call it an old age home. These old age homes are very depressive. Ashram is
a place where there are old people, young people, children, everyone lives
together. So the younger generation is enriched by the experiences of the
older generation, and the older feel enthusiastic with the young. We can
create this type of atmosphere. What do you think?
====
*Q: I am a coward. All my life I have been afraid of every little thing. I
see risks and danger in my way and fear everything and everyone. I’m afraid
to get hurt. How do I overcome all this?*

Sri Sri: First of all remove this label – ‘I am a coward’. Who said you are
a coward? Drop this label. When you label, like the saying in the bible ‘As
you sow, so shall you reap’ you go on encouraging that. You are wonderful.
We are all here to support you, and I am here to support you, and everybody
here will support you! Don’t think you are weak. Just drop it.
====
*Q: Can one do hollow and empty meditations at home as well?*

*Sri Sri: *At home you don’t need to do that. Just sit and it will start
happening. You give a car to the servicing garage and then you when you get
the car you simply run it. It’s already ready. Everyday at home you don’t
need to service it. But everyday you wash the car, so similarly you should
just close your eyes and meditate.
====
*Q: I have learnt to accept people as they are. However we have also learnt
the concept of responsibility. I have a 13-year-old son. He is mature,
breaks rules, leaves school in between, doesn’t learn, doesn’t come home on
time, and hangs around with friends. That concerns me. How do I complete my
role as a mother, accept him and place limits?*

*Sri Sri: *You are already doing it. It is very difficult to manage or deal
with teenagers. Sometimes you need to be strict, and sometimes loving as
well. It’s like riding a horse. Sometimes you can let loose but sometimes
you hold on tight. So managing teenagers is like riding a horse.
© The Art of Living Foundation

Creativity, Ctreator and Creation...

Today is Sonali Patkar's Birthday. I made a Chinese lantern for her out of candy sticks and tracing paper. I also copied the chinese symbols of good luck on the paper. Her squeal of joy when she saw it was just sufficient reward for my hard work. After putting in lot of effort the structure started taking the form. I started with the idea of creating a mobile stand which never stood. But the burning desire manifested in a simple cute lantern. While making the lantern my mom asked why was I making it? Wasn't it a waste of time? What is the use of making it? Maybe because of attending Patanjali Yog Sutra evey evening, another question popped up in my mind. Why did this whole creation take place? What was the need, especially when every thing is just an illusion, a dream? What is the purpose behind it? An astonishing question was greeted by marvelous revelation! The answer for the above question is that what ever we all see is just never made? There has been no creation, there is no creation, there will be no creation. It is just the disequilibrium that has created ripples in the form of world around us! ... I am sure there is enough disequilibrium after reading this blog. Do not worry too much because as Stevinus said...

The balancing of force thus brought about a stable equilibrium

Q n A with Guruji

Dear Ones. Jai Gurudev.These are amazing. Q: Why do we feel that something is lacking inspite of having everything? Sri Sri:Thats lack of knowledge. If you have knowledge and love, you won't feel any lackings in life. Q: Guruji in one of your books you have said that "God is an illusion",how? Sri Sri:I have never said "God is an illusion", I said "Surrender is an illusion", because anything you surrender anyway belongs to HIM only. Where is publication department?( Huge Laughter) Q: How can we give in our 100%? Sri Sri:Meditation is deep relaxation. 100% activity precedes or follows meditation. Q: When you know maya is an illusion, does it cease to exist? Sri Sri:A. Is your question a reality or an illusion. Q: What is truth? What is love? Sri Sri:Truth is that which does not change. To know what is truth, you need to go through all that is not true. So, all that changes is not truth. Life is a quest to find what is truth, don't be in a hurry. Truth can be realized in deep meditation and love is truth. They are two sides of the same coin. In short, truth is that which never changes and love is that which is undescribable. Q: Beloved Guruji, this course is so wonderful. How can I keep this wonderful state at home? Sri Sri: Don't try to hold on to the state of mind. Integrate wisdom in day to day life. Sometimes up & sometimes down. They'll come & they'll go. Q: Don't you get tired of wearing white all the time? Sri Sri: No. Because I am colourful myself! Isn't it? Q:. Dear Guruji, What to tell people at home who are very suspicious of what I am doing here? Sri Sri: When you go back give them gifts, show them all the nice pictures, give them a big smile. The depth of silence, the depth of meditation no one can know unless one has experienced himself. What beautiful wealth we all possess in our Self, that we have not explored. Every human being can go into that depth of meditation. That little experience, little skill to do that is missing. We are so fortunate to go into such stillness within ourselves. Q: How do I free myself of old & boring patterns in life? Sri Sri: The more whiter the cloth is, a small dot stands out. As you move into unconditional love, small imperfections in you become unbearable. The small moods of the mind can't touch the Self. Q: How many people are there in the world right now? (Question not complete...) Sri Sri: Tell me how many hairs you have on your head! There is no count. There may be few teachers. Knowledge is hidden in everyone like rice is hidden in paddy. Every child comes into the world with that innocence. We have to remove these outer veils, curtains that have been put on our mind.. Q: Missed the question. Sri Sri: When a baby tastes sweet, it wants to taste sweet all the time. It wants it again. You don't need to do anything too much. Only as much as is necessary. Q: I want to go deep in Meditation. What can I do? Sri Sri: This is an old question. You have already gone deeper. Q: Today my Seva was garbage cleaning & all I found was Paradise! When are you going to give me a proper job? Sri Sri: I don't have a job myself! Okay. Smile at everybody. Every morning give yourself a smile, come what may. Smile more. Take life easily. All will be provided. It's happening, no? Our prayer, meditation has such an impact, such an effect,that things happen before you desire. You need to strengthen yourself in Knowledge. Three types of peace are needed: First is material peace. If there is fighting around you, you cannot sit and stay peaceful. You need peace in your environment; Second you need peace in the body, in the mind. Third thing is peace in the soul. You may have peace in the atmosphere, you may have health in the body, to an extent peace in the mind, but if the soul is restless, nothing can comfort. So that peace is also essential. Only when all the three types of peace are there, can peace be complete; without one the other is not complete. So that which gives rest from all the three angles - physical, mental and spiritual, is ratri. And Shivratri is transcendental Divine consciousness, which brings solace to all layers of consciousness. Shivratri is where the shiv tatva and the shakti become one. Like mind, like memory, like intellect, Shiva is also a tatva. Shivratri is auspicious because it is more alive in the environment. That's why you don't sleep in the night, people say to be awake". Q: Lately I have begun to enjoy silence a lot. I feel like being silent all the time. Is this right? Sri Sri: It is alright for sometime. You can meditate and keep silence for sometime during the day, but not always! Q: Why do we come behind you like the mice ran behind the pied piper? Sri Sri: That's what I wonder too! [Looking behind Him] Anyway, there is no one behind me, all of you are sitting in front of me! We keep everyone in front of us and we push them forward! I am behind you! Q: There is a saying that even if God grants a boon, the priest denies it. Why is this so? Sri Sri: Mmm...so that you become the priest? What is the priest's role? He is the middleman between you and God. Why do you need a middleman? You deal with God directly. Maybe this is the reason why..... Q: After seeing you, I don't feel like going to temples to worship the idols. Sri Sri: It is okay....initially we need forms to worship and we gradually move towards worshiping the formless. The Divine is present everywhere. Q: What is the meaning of "So Hum" ? Sri Sri: What is the meaning of a seed? It means the whole tree, the roots, the leaves, the fruits, the flowers etc. Similarly the meaning of the mantra is everything in life, the tree of life. Q: I used to suffer from depression. After doing the course, I have become enthusiastic about life. I too have desires now to dress up and live life like others. Are these desires going to be obstacles for spirituality? Sri Sri: If you want to dress up for yourself it is fine. But if you want to do it because others are doing it, then... Why do you have to compare yourself with others? You do whatever you have to do. Q: Parents often complain that the youths who come to ashrams are brainwashed. They lose interest in their careers etc Sri Sri: If you are talking about other ashrams, I don't know! It is better that the youth get into satsangs and meditations rather than negative habits like drugs, drinking etc, isn't it? At least here they are on a positive track. Q: Both cows & buffaloes give us milk. But only the cows are worshipped. Why is this? Sri Sri: That is a good question! Maybe because when you worship, the one being worshipped should realize that they're being worshiped! You know, buffaloes are a little slow in realizing it. Maybe that's why! You know, when we worship, we do it for ourselves not for the one being worshiped. When we worship someone, we want them to know that we are worshiping them. That's why we see that there are no temples for Brahma. He is the creator. His job is completed. So nobody bothers worshiping Him. Vishnu is the maintainer, His work is still going on; that's why we worship Him! And we're scared of Shiva, after all He is the destroyer so we worship Him also! Q: I have been chanting Vishnu Sahasranaama from quite some time. But lately, I feel sleepy while chanting it. What to do? Sri Sri: Don't worry, He also sleeps! Q: What is more important: intelligence or innocence? Sri Sri: Both are important. Why do you want to choose one over the other? Q: What is life? What is death? What, if any, are the similarities between them? Sri Sri: What is life? You are finding out now. What is death? You will find out in the future; you will not miss it! And when you know both, you can compare and find out the differences or similarities between them! Q: I need to believe in a God. But I need some miracles as proof in order to believe. Sri Sri: Just look around! Everything is a miracle! A seed sprouts and grows into a huge tree. Is that not a miracle? When I was visiting Chennai last year, they brought a little boy who was born deaf. I just tapped him on his head and he started making noises. The next day, they brought 20 boys! Now, miracles happen naturally, and spontaneously. It cannot be forced. When everything falls in place, miracles happen on their own. Q: What is the difference between Veda and Vedanta? Sri Sri: Veda is knowledge. Vedanta is the end of knowledge, the ultimate knowledge. (He spoke more on this, but I can't remember all that He said.)

Confidence, Commitment and Responsibility - Sri Sri

A Talk by H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

I once happened to meet a fragile-looking woman from a cottage industry. She had stitched a handkerchief, and she had 17 points on why her handkerchief was the best in the whole world. It was just a handkerchief after all, but the way she presented it made all the difference! She was so confident and she took so much pride in sharing it's size, colour, stitching, corners and other qualities - 17 such points that made her handkerchief the best in the world. When people take such pride, then they can come up very well. Set goals in life and then revive them. What are the goals that you have set in life? There may be many obstacles, but don't drop your highest goals in life - they bring direction to life. I don't say life will be smooth always: It will not always be a bed of roses, but if your vision is large, and if you go on - if you continue with the same zeal, you will be given the strength. What stops you from taking responsibility? Sheer laziness; or fear - whether it is right or wrong, whether you will be able to complete it. You are afraid of failure. Even if there is no failure, just an indication of failure upsets you. If you can merely become aware of this, it is good. Support needs to come from within. It's not just food and water that is needed. Spiritual strength is something that can lift you. In order to find satisfaction in life, you need to do some service and to sustain seva activities, you need sadhana (spiritual practices), otherwise you will experience burn-out. Also, be ready to take criticism. Whenever you do public work or social work, you should be ready to take criticism. You need to be like a solid rock. Nothing can shake you! You should welcome criticism. Sometimes, criticism can come out of anger or jealousy, but no criticism should make you fade or shy away. When someone criticises you, behave as if you are the third party. Then, you will be untouched. You will take something from it, but you will not fume; you will not burn inside. You will be able to drop it. You should be able to give criticism as well. Friends who do not criticise when needed are useless. The purpose of criticism is to improve, adopt, change. But if your mode of criticism is unpalatable, how will others accept it? An arrow should reach it's mark. See that your criticism is not wasted. You need to develop this skill; it cannot be learnt. By fostering a sense of belonging, see that the person is in a mood to take criticism. When you want to do something, look at your strengh. Your weakness is that you start looking at other's strengths! When you running, you can only look at the track below, not at who is next to you! Like a horse with blinders, look at your path only! Let anybody else do whatever he or she wants to. Also, any job that you do, should be done with commitment. Otherwise, you will do the job when you enjoy it and stop doing it when you don't. Our likes and dislikes change so often. You can find real joy only in service. Responsibility and commitment do generate some stress and worry. The best way to handle this is not to resist stress. It is okay to be stressed for a while, but don't get distressed!

Thanks & Regards., Ln.Ch Mohan Vamsi Krishna M.C.A 9379911234 9902371777

Journey from Charcoal to Diamond

For the first time in his life he was sitting co close to the master. It has been hardly some months, after he came into the space surrounding the master. There was a big crowd surrounding the master. He was looking at the master, wondering at his wisdom. But he never called himself a disciple of the master. He was not even attached to him. It was the ability of the master as a powerful orator and his immense knowledge that attracted him. He did not even believe in God. His life, the path traversed by him was not filled with flowers, but thorns. Even when he was listening to the master, he was in his own world. His mind was as usual traveling through the miseries that he underwent. His principles were based on his experienced. He had a strong point in not believing in the God. "If a woman has to sell her body for earning bread for her family, if a child has to become a thief just for quenching thirst and hunger, and if it is the decision of god, then that god is not mine." He could find logics only communism and rationalism. He saw intelligent children suffering to earn higher education, for they were not having economical support. At the same time he saw his friends climbing up the ladders only because the pockets of their father was heavy. God acted funny in his life. So there was no other option for him to go away from the God, and all the so-called masters. He hated them. He was even rude to his loving parents, they were not having any answer to his questions, and his mother cried a lot for she was not able to bear his rude words. The Earth has orbited the sun for many years; the wisdom of this master has pulled him near to the master. His mind was wandering. Suddenly he woke up, the master was standing right in front of him. He carried a microphone, a cordless one, in his hand. He looked at the master, and the master looked into his eyes. There was a naughty smile on the master's face. What happened? Do you have any problem?" the master asked. He did not tell anything. No words came out of his vocal chords. He wanted to ask many questions, including the sufferings, and credibility of the so-called God. But he could not utter a word. He was astonished to see the master so close, and to hear him asking this question. At last he managed to tell the master "No, No Problem". The master moved ahead. Three steps. The master stopped. Master looked at him. There was the same smile on the master's face. "Have you seen Diamonds?" The crowd shouted… "Yes", but he kept quiet. He wondered, "Why the master is looking at my face and asking this? " Master asked again "Why diamonds are so special, tell". So many answers came at a time from the disciple folk. "They are very strong!" "They shine even at night!" "Beautiful females wear them on their ornaments, even Aishwarya Rai!!" "They are rare" "They are very costly" There were so many answers… Master asked… "Do you know that the diamond is carbon? The same carbon with which charcoal…koyla… is made of…" "Yes… There is some difference in the chemical structure", some learned disciple made it clear. "Yes, that charcoal, the carbon was hidden under the stones, under the earth for years before it became the diamond. The charcoal had undergone years of chemical changes, pressures, heat, cold, for years… a lot of sufferings… at last the diamond was evolved.", he was wondering at the master's words… "Where is he going? What is diamond and charcoal? … bu** **** " Then one day the charcoal became a stone, paTHar. Many people saw it. But they did not understand that it was a special stone. They just overlooked it. One day one man who was a diamond merchant saw that stone. He just took it to his lab. He started cutting it into shape, filing it, polishing it and again suffering time for the stone… at last it started to shine. The diamond!! "The master looked at his face, with the same smile. Were his eyes filled now??? He was intelligent; he smelled something in the master's words. "Do you know how much suffering that charcoal, koyla, has undergone to evolve into the strong diamond?" still the masters' eyes were on him. "When sufferings come to our path, we curse everybody, even the God, the master. But know that those sufferings are given to you to make him stronger and stronger… like a diamond. He want to make you strong, for he loves you so much…" The master again looked at him… This time his eyes were filled… He had never seen that expression in his life before. The master's eyes talked to him everything. He saw the endless sky of love in the master's eyes. The master's hands waved in the air… "You are a diamond… You will be made stronger…stronger… " The master continued… "Know that you all are special… I never collect ordinary stones; I collect diamonds and pearls…" master walked ahead taking his mind along with. He understood that it was the end… He told to his mind…" Here is your master…the God you were searching for… The source of the unconditional love… your own existence… yourself." He folded his hands, with tears in eyes. The garbage that he was carrying in his mind was carried away by his master, his own master. Without him telling anything, without uttering a word, his mind was cleansed. He walked out and immediately made a telephone call to his loving mother…"forgive me for all those disrespectful words that I uttered to you… I was ignorant… I was lost… but now I am found… by my master…" his words were trembling… his mother was silent.. My Friend, this is master, the guru. It is not you who are selecting the master. He is selecting you. You need not to tell anything to him. He knows everything. You need not to open your mind before him; your mind is an open book for him… Personalize him; he is your divine. Nobody else in this planet can give you what he gives. His love is endless, everlasting, in this life and next lives. Be in that love. Hey… can you guess, who that master was???? Of course he must be none other than our Guruji.....We love u Guruji...... ..

Five ways of eliminate sorrow...

If you are human and alive then sorrow is an indispensable part of life. Like it or not, we have to live with it. Sorrow never remains for ever, but when in sorrow we feel like everyone has deserted me. There are five ways of eliminating sorrow from our lives. 1. Know that every thing changes: All the happiness and sadness you have faced has changed. Nothing has lasted forever till now except you! Only one thing is certain, that every thing is uncertain and changing. 2. Serve when you feel low or dejected. We, generally, think of serving people when we are full and plenty. It is easier then to so such social service. But what when we are sad? The best and the fastest way out to get out of depression, suicidal feeling, dejection is to serve. When one feels low, the person asks only one type of question. "Why me?" "What will happen to me?" All the questions are related to "I" ME" or "MYSELF". Just turn the direction of the question and ask "What can I do to be of any help?" and serve the needy. There is no dearth of opportunity around. It just requires an alert and aware mind. The joy of serving others make you more joyful! Many bad things happen in the society just because the so called good people are inactive. Chanakya, the great visionary, once commented that it is not the tyranny of evil doers that bothers me, it is the insensitivity and stupor of good citizen that troubles me. 3. Know that some force is protecting you. There is a famous line from the movie STAR WARS, "The force will be with you... Always" It is 100% true. There is some force that is always with us, protecting us. You see, when a child is born then automatically the nature makes provision for milk. When the child grows old enough to eat solid food then automatically teeth appears. When there is summer the trees provides us shade, in winter when sunlight is limited by the haze, the trees undergo leaf-shedding in autumn, so that maximum sunlight reaches the earth. What we see is just one percent of the real word. 99% of the real world is invisible. Like your mobile phone, You only dial and hold it by your ear. You hear the ring on other side, you talk. But the whole work (transmission of data & Voice) happens in the invisible force field, which cannot be seen. 4. After giving your 100%, Surrender the rest. After doing all that you could do and giving it 100% leave it up to your Ishtha Daivata, Guruji or the lord your often pray. Know that it will be taken care of. 5. Yoga se bahut kuch hoga (Many things can be achieved by practicing yoga)! With the help of Yog Sadhana, Meditation, Satsang also, you can overcome problems in life. How this influences life is a different dynamics by it self. But doing so will never do any harm, It will always be beneficial! Happy Living!

A Single point

It is amazing about the way a profound knowledge points hits you. And trust me, it hits hard! But it does not come for those who just sit idle in its anticipation. Some work has to be done to "earn" it. A simple yet profound knowledge point(kp) hit me today during lunch. The KP that I always follow is Living in the present moment. Every time I remind myself this one point and relish every moment I live! Yesterday, a YES!+ Teacher, Ambarish was sharing a dialogue from a Bollywood film, Chandani chowk to china. It was something like this, "It is not the 1000 techniques which you know that bothers me. It is the one technique that you have practiced 1000 times that bothers me" On the similar line I realized a KP. It goes like this:

It is not the thousand knowledge points that one has learn't that matters. What matters is the single knowledge point that one has lived a thousand times!

I was super elated after realizing this! O.A.K.

Non Attachment!

A great Monk named Kitano Gempo, abbot of Eihei temple died at the age of ninety two. He believed that one must practice non attachment while enjoying the marvels of life. At the age of 22, when he was wandering monk, he came across a tobacco merchant who gave him a pipe and tobacco to smoke. "How wonderful it feels to smoke tobacco!" The monk commented. The merchant gave his pipe and some tobacco to the monk and he left. The monk then felt, 'Such pleasent things will disturb my meditation. I must stop it before it goes too far!' He stopped smoking immediately Then at the age of 28, he started studying calligraphy and poetry. Other monks and priests praised his skills. The monk felt, 'If I do not stop writing poetry and calligraphy, I will be a good poet and calligraphy artist. I will not be able to meditate.' He stopped writing poetry and calligraphy. Moral: It is very easy to get attached to the objects or people in the world. Then we believe that the joy is in the object. When we meditate or lead a spiritual life, we face hardships. Then we feel that there is no joy in the world. True. There is no joy in this world. Absolutely nothing. Because YOU are the source of joy. Everything is changing, everything. Wake up and see the reality. Wake up before its too late. :) Jai Gurudev O.A.K. Note: The image is the copyright of Karma Digital Art. All Rights Reserved.

Have you joined the "99 Club"

This story is pretty much interesting. I love this story soooo much! Once upon a time, there lived a King who, despite his luxurious lifestyle, was neither happy nor content. One day, the King came upon a servant who was singing happily while he worked. This fascinated the King; why was he, the Supreme Ruler of the Land, unhappy and gloomy, while a lowly servant had so much joy. The King asked the servant "Why are you so happy?" The man replied "Your Majesty, I am nothing but a servant, but my family and I don't need too much - just a roof over our heads and warm food to fill our tummies." The king was not satisfied with that reply. Later in the day, he sought the advice of his most trusted advisor. After hearing the King's woes and the servant's story, the advisor said "Your Majesty, I believe that the servant has not been made part of The 99 Club." "The 99 Club? And what exactly is that?" the King inquired. The advisor replied, "Your Majesty, to truly know what The 99 Club is, place 99 Gold coins in a bag and leave it at this servant's doorstep." DONE ! When the servant saw the bag, he took it into his house. When he opened the bag, he let out a great shout of joy... So many gold coins! He began to count them. After several counts, he was at last convinced that there were only 99 coins. He wondered "What could've happened to that last gold coin? Surely, no one would leave 99 coins!" He looked everywhere he could, but that final coin was elusive. Finally, exhausted, he decided that he was going to have to work harder than ever to earn that gold coin and complete his collection. From that day, the servant's life was changed. He was overworked, horribly grumpy, and castigated his family for not helping him make that 100th gold coin. He stopped singing while he worked. Witnessing this drastic transformation, the King was puzzled. When he sought his adviser's help, the adviser said "Your Majesty, the servant has now officially joined The 99 Club." He continued " The 99 Club is a name given to those people who have enough to be happy but are never contented, because they're always yearning and striving for that extra 1 telling to themselves: "Let me get that one final thing and then I will be happy for life ." We tell this since we are kids. As a kid you say just let me pass 10th std. Then I'll be happy. The kid passes 10th and is in college. Then the kid goes on saying, let me pass college then I'll be happy. By the end of college, the kid now a grown-up says, let me get a good job then I'll be happy. Once there is a good job, desire to have a spouse wells up. Then you say let me get married then I'll be happy. Then you have to make the nest "complete" thinking you'll be happy after your kids arrive. Then the kids come into the picture. Then you dream about their future; their school, college, job/business, their marital life. Then you say after you retire you'll be happy. Then suddenly all of a sudden the angel of death visits you! We can be happy & contented with whatever we have in our lives or can keep grumbling and complaining for what we do not have, the choice is yours! The minute we're given something bigger and better, we want even more! We lose our sleep, our happiness, we hurt the people around us; all these as a price for our growing needs and desires. That's what joining The 99 Club is all about." Hope you will stay out of this club! Jai gurudev O.A.K.