Survival of the Tolerant—Hinduism

Hinduism has always fascinated people across the world, only religion whose date of origin is absolutely open for anyones guess, some theologists dated the origin of Hinduism as about 3400BC, some say it dates more then 5000 BC, astonishing as such an old religion still thriving and more and more people in the world are being attracted towards it.

The reason behind the success of the Hinduism lies in its ethos of acceptance of every kind or nature of person, it values all the philosophies and forces none.

Here is my Summarisation of the essence hinduism:

1. Believe in God ! – Aastik – Accepted.
2. Don’t believe in God ! – you are Accepted as a Nastik.
3. You want to worship idols- please go ahead you are a Murti Pujak.
4. You don’t want to worship idols – no problem you can focus on Nirguna Brahmin
5. You want to criticise some thing in our religion, come forward, we are logical, Nyaya, Tarka etc are core elements of Hindu schools.
6. You want to accept beliefs as it is, most welcome please go ahead with it.
7. You want to start your journey by reading Bhagwat Gita – Sure!
8. You want to start your journey by reading Upanishads – Go ahead.
9. You want to start your journey by reading Purana- Be my guest.
10. You just don’t like reading Puranas or other books, no problem my dear, go by Bhakti tradition.
11. You don’t like the idea of Bhakti ! No Problem do your karma, be a karma yogi.
12. You want to enjoy life, very good, no problem at all, this is Charvaka Philosophy.
13. You want to abstain from all the enjoyment of life and find God, Jai Ho! be an ascetic.
14. You don’t like the concept of God, you believe in nature only- Welcome (Prakriti or nature is worthy of worship).
15. You believe in one God or supreme energy Superb! follow Advait philosophy.
16. You want a guru go ahead obtain Gyaan.
17. You don’t want a guru …Help yourself! meditate, study!
18. You Believe in Female energy! Shakti is worshipped.
19. You believe every human being is equal, you are awesome, come on lets celebrate Hinduism “Vasudev Kutumbakam” (the world is a family).
20. You don’t have time to celebrate a festival, don’t worry, one more festival is coming, there are multiple festivals every single day of the year.
21. You are a working person, don’t have time for religion, its ok you will still be a Hindu.
22.  You like to go to temples, devotion is loved.
23. You don’t like to go to temples, no problem you are still a Hindu.
24. You know that Hinduism is a way of life with considerable freedoms.
25. You believe that evert thing has god in it, so you worship your mother, father, guru, tree, river, Prani-Matra, Earth, Universe!
26. And if you don’t believe everything has GOD in it – No Problem we respect your view point.
27. “Sarv Jana Sukhino Bhavantu” (May you all happily).

This is exactly the essence of Hinduism, all inclusive, that is why it has withstood the test of time inspite of repeated onslaught both from within and outside, and assimilated every good aspect from everything. That is why it is eternal! There is a shloka in Rigveda, the first book ever known to mankind which depicts the Hindu Philosophy in a nutshell “Ano bhadrah krathavo yanthu vishwathah” let the knowledge come to us from every direction.

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Self Care

Once upon a time, there was a cobbler who was famous for the elegant shoes that he used to make. He was also generous and kind hearted, helping anyone in need. He lived in a small village and he was the only talented cobbler in that village. He was responsible for repairing the shoes and making new shoes for everybody in that village. After some days, he noticed that his own shoes were torn but he was busy tending to the needs of the villagers and making exquisite shoes for some of the rich, getting a lot of praise in the process. He completely ignored the worn out shoes that he was wearing. Initially, there was no problem, but slowly there was a big hole in the sole of his shoes and it started becoming frail and torn. However he neglected the state of the torn shoes and kept on making footwear for others, feeling happy with the appreciation. He felt satisfied when you made free shoes for the people who did not have the means to afford it.
In due course of time, his tattered and worn out shoes started giving him painful blisters and he began walking with a limp, some of his customers started to worry about it, but he reassured them that it will get cured in a while. They continued to shower him with blessings and wishes for a selfless service and hard work. He was lauded for doing a fantastic job in spite of the boils, blisters and the limp.

 

 

After a few months, the blisters became extremely painful and the infection started spreading to the extent that he could no longer work. He could neither repair his shoes nor make or repair anyone else’s. He started regretting the gross neglect of his part as he lay on his bed tending to his wounds.
Does this story seem familiar to what many of us have done with our lives or what we have faced? This is a simple story which would have struck a chord with many of you to address an important issue this significant aspect of our life which we tend to ignore often is self-care and self- love.
In this self absorbed world, we tend to ignore the fact that our cup is not only half empty, it is almost empty. We spend years neglecting the poor state of our own half filled cup while tending to the needs of the people around us. Taking care of others gives us a sense of satisfaction and contentment. We often ignore ourselves and our own needs were trying to appease others.

If you do not look after yourself, after a while, the hollowness within you will make you incompetent to tend to the needs of others. Even with the best of your intentions, you won’t be able to radiate or share any happiness, or take care of the needs of anyone if youareempty from within. If one does not have time to care for themselves, then no one will.
This principle is applicable in the current global scenario where in we are under tremendous stress and pressure due to the ongoing pandemic. This is particularly in the case of frontline workers and all those who are impacted by the invisible monster, who have barely any time for self care and self grooming.

 

How to Deal with Difficult People

Does The thought of going to work every day weigh on you? do you dread family functions because you expect to bump into some tiresome person ? was is your answer or a resounding yes ? is it because you are apprehensive about dealing with difficult people ? if so it is totally understandable .

It must feel like entering a battleground every time. dodging bullets and bombs and oh, what was that ?Ego shrapnel ?it happens .Unfortunately , it takes all sorts to make the world ! so when you have to step into hostile territory ,how do you prepare yourself?

    Avoid meeting then ? Pretend they don’t exist when the proverbial head in the sand ostrich approach?  Well ,you can run but you cannot really hide , at least not forever. At some point you are going to have to learn how to handle these difficult people .so why not start now?

 Try these steps to learn how to deal with difficult people .

1  Agree to disagree 

Remember that everyone has a right to their opinion. in life you are not going to meet Only similar minded people .so you are bound to have some difference of opinions which some people. this is specifically true when you are working with difficult people but that’s okay gracefully, accept that there can be more than one point of view for any given situation. don’t demand compliance and don’t try to change or convince anyone .it usually only backfires.

2  Give up being reactive

Most fights in the world happened because people don’t listen to what is being said. do you also tend to react first before understanding it is not uncommon .however ,remember that the first reaction is ,generally , an emotional , impulsive and a logical one .it is not even, necessarily your only opinion.  so the next time your ‘nemes is ‘ voices and opinion,  really listen. don’t think of rebuttals and counter arguments simultaneously . chances are that he or she will also show you the same consideration this will help smoothen relations between you.

3  Be natural

Be yourself . don’t act like you are okay with something if you are not. it is tough to keep up pretences for long anyway. Especially if you are working with these difficult people day in and day out .One lie requires another and another to keep face so don’t put on masks and appear inconsistent. you cannot learn how to deal with difficult people if you ,yourself are not trustworthy and reliable. state your stand and be firm ,though not right.

4  Give respect to get respect

As you sow, so you reap if you expect your opinion to count, you must respect the other person’s opinion first .genuinely appreciate the merits of different perspectives and opinions. you might just be pleasantly surprised distance will teach you how to handle difficult people positive emotions like respect tend to bounce back to you in the same form, if not force.

5  Silence is really golden

You must have heard that auntie vessels make the most noise. it is true! The more close a person‘s mind is the more, open their mouth is likely to be! so ensure that you don’t subscribe to this rule . Open your mind and close your mouth . this will make you more likeable so when you share an opinion it is likely to be well received even by the difficult folk.  after all the more scarce your words the greater their value.

6 Stay in the present

Don’t hold the past as a mirror for your current or future interactions with anyone.  This is what makes dealing with difficult people at work and outside the challenge. give people the benefit of doubt people change .opinions change know it and allow it to be so one of the best ways to stay in the present is by practising meditation, it can also help you stay calm and collected when provoked.

7  Try to get along

It could be your boss, colleagues or clients at work. Or these unpleasant volunteers in your community or extended family or even coaches at your children’s hobby classes. you know they say keep your friends close and your enemies even closer! so, be friend the difficult people in your life once you’re able to see things from his or her, view you might be able to relate better it will make dealing with difficult people . at work and outside so much easier all sudden done it is not easy washing with difficult people at the same time it doesn’t have to give you ulcers! so find a working situation that suits your personality and surroundings.

PERFECT PEACE

In the external universe there is ceaseless turmoil, change, and unrest; at the heart of all things there is undisturbed repose;  in this deep silence dweller the Eternal.

Man partakes of this duality, and both the surface change and disquietude, and the deep-seated eternal abode of Peace, are contained within him.

As there are silent depths in the ocean which the fiercest storm cannot reach, so there are silent, holy deaths in the heart of man which the storms of sin and sorrow can never disturb. To reach this silence and to live consciously in it peace.

Discord is rife in the outward world, but unbroken harmony hold sway at the heart of the universe. The human soul, torn by discordant passion and grief, reaches blindly toward the harmony of the sinless state, and to reach this state and to live consciously in it is peace.

Hatred severs human lives, footers persecution, and hurls nations into ruthless war, yet men, thought they do not understand why, retain some measure of faith in the overshadowing of a perfect Love; and to reach this love and to live consciously in it is peace.

And this inward peace, this silence, this harmony, this love, is the kingdom of Heaven, which is so difficult to reach because few are willing to give up themselves and to become as little children.

“Heaven’s gate is very narrow and minute, it cannot be perceived by foolish men Blinded by vain illusions  of the world; E’en the clear-sighted who discern the way, and seek to enter, find the portal barred, and hard to be unlocked. its massive bolts are pride and passion, avarice and lust.”

Men cry peace! peace! where there is no peace and strife. Apart from self- renunciation, there can be no real and abiding peace.

The peace which results from social comfort, passing gratification, or worldly victory is transitory in its nature, and is burnt up in the heat of fiery trial, and only the selfless heart can know the Peace of Heaven.

Holiness alone is undying peace. Self-control leads to it, and the ever-increasing light of Wisdom guides the pilgrim on his way. It is partaken of in a measure as soon as the path of virtue is entered upon, but it is only realised in its fullness when self disappears in the consummation of a stainless life.

“This is peace,

To conquer love of self and lust of life,

To tear deep-rooted passion from the heart to still the inward strife”.

If, O reader! you would realise the light that never fades, the Joy that never ends, and the tranquillity that cannot be disturbed; if you would leave behind for ever your sins, your sorrows, your anxieties and perplexities; if Isay, you would partake of this salvation, this supremely glorious life, then conquer your-self. Bring every Thought, enery impulse, every desire into perfect obedience to the divine power resident within you. There is no other way to peace but this, and if you refuse to walk it, your much praying and your strict adherence to ritual will be fruitless and unavailing, and neither gods nor angles can help you. Only to him that overcometh is given the whit stone of the regenerate is given the white stone of the regenerate life, on which is written the new and ineffable name.

Come away, for awhile, from external things, from the arguments of the intellect, from the senses, from the arguments of the intellect, from the noise and the excitements of the world, and withdraw yourself into the inmost chamber of your heart, and there, free from the sacrilegious intrusion of all selfish desires, you will find a deep silence, a holy calm, a blissful repose, and if you will rest awhile in that holy place, and will meditate there, the faultless eye of truth walloped within you, and you will see things as they really are, This holy place within you is your real and eternal self; it is the divine within; and only when you identify yourself  with it can you said to be “clothed and in your right mind . “It is the abode of peace, the temple of wisdom, the dwelling- place of immortality. Apart from this inward resting – place this Mount of Vision, there can be no true peace, knowledge of the Divine, and if you can remain there for one minute, one hour, or one day, it is possible for you to remain there always. All your sins and sorrows, your fears and anxieties are your own, and you can cling to them or you can give them up . Of your own accord you cling to your unrest; of your own accord you can come to abiding peace. No one else can give up sin for you; you must give up yourself. You can obtain freedom and peace alone by your own efforts, by yielding up that which binds the soul, and which is destructive of peace.

The angels of divine peace and joy are always at hand, and if you do not see them, and hear them, and dwell with them, it is because you shut yourself out from them, and prefer the company of the spirits of evil within you. You are what you will to be, what you wish to be, what you prefer to be. You can commence to purify yourself, and by so doing can arrive at peace, or you can refuse to purify yourself, and so remain with suffering.

Step aside, then; come out of the fret and the fever life; away from the scorching heat of self, and enter the inward resting-place  where the cooling airs of peace will clam, renew, and restore you.

come out of the storms of sin and anguish. Why be trouble and tempest-tossed when the haven of peace of God is yours!

Give up all self seeking; give up self, and lo! the peace of God your!

Subue the animal within you; conquer every selfish uprising, every discordant voice; transmute the base metals of your selfish nature into the unalloyed gold of love, and you shall realise the life of perfect peace. Thus subduing, thus conquering, thus transiting, you will, O reader! while living in the flesh, cross the dark waters of mortality, and will reach that shore upon which the storms of sorrow never beat, and where sin and suffering and dark uncertainty cannot come. Standing upon that shore, holy, compassionate, awakened, and self-possessed and glad with unending gladness, you will realise that

“Never the  spirit  was born, the Spirit will cease to be never;

Never was time it was not, end and begin nine are dreams;

Birthless and deathless and changeless remained the spirit for ever;

Death hath not touches it at all, dead though the house of it seems you will then know the meaning of sin, of sorrow, of suffering, and that the end there of is wisdom; will know the cause and the issue of existence.

And with this  realisation you will enter into rest, for this os the bliss of immortality, this the unchangeable gladness, this the untrammelled knowledge, undefiled wisdom, and undying love; this and this only, is the realisation of perfect peace.

who wouldst teach men of Truth ! hast passed through the desert of doubt ? Art purged by the fires of sorrow hath ruth .the fiends of opinion cast out of human heart? Is they soul so fair that no false thought can ever harbour there?

o thou wept through the dark night of grief? does it move (now freed from its sorrow and care) thy human heart to pitying gentleness, looking on wrong, and hate and, and ceaseless stress? O thou who wouldst teach men of peace! hast thou crossed the wide oven of strife? hast thou found on the shores of the silence, Release from all the wild unrest of life? from thy human heart hath all striving gone, leaving but truth, and love, and peace alone ?

Blessings and Disguise

A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it , and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house, the cracked pot arrived only halffull.

For a full two year this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water in his master’s house. Of course, the perfect was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do

After two year of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the steam. “I am ashamed of my self, and I want to apologise to you. “why?” ‘I have been able , for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master’s house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don’t get full value from your efforts,”the pot said.

The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot , and in his compassion he said , As we return to the master’s house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path. “Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of up the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this charred it somewhat. But at the end of the trail.it still felt bad beacuse it had leaked out half its load, and so again it apologised to the bearer for its failure.

The bearer said to the pot,”Did you notice that there were flower only on your side of your path, but not on the other pot’s side? That’s because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you’ve watered them For two year I have been able to pick these beautiful flower to decorate my master’s table. Without you being just the way you are , he would not have this beauty to grace his house.”

Moral: Each of us has our own unique flaws. We’re all cracked pots. In this world, nothing goes to waste. You may think like the cracked pot that you are inefficient or useless in certain areas of your life, but somehow these flaws can turn out to be blessing in disguise.”

How our Life changed By Yoga

                       The Effect of yoga on Body , mind and soul for the Elderly Population 

                                      What is Yoga ?

Yoga is a combination of both mind and body practice and traces its origin to the ancient Indian philosophy. The practice involves meditative movements helpful for health purposes.

There are various styles and forms of employed , which include breathing techniques, physical postures, relaxation or meditation, and distinct philosophy. Some of the examples practiced under these are, namely, ananda, ashtanga, anusara, kundalini, viniyoga, Bikram and Kripalu among other. in the United States and Europe, the common from of yoga practiced is the hatha yoga that emphasizes meditation, breathing, and postures Birdee & Legedza , 2009).Fundamental challenge if raging is the non-communicable diabetes, sciatica, arthritis, ischemic, and hypertension. studies, on the other hand , have projected that there would be a high percentage of elderly across the globe, especially in India and Asia by the year 2025 (Bower, 2010). The author further explains that a carefully adopted set if yoga poses and practices are necessary to reduce the pain occasioned by these ailments of the aged. The adverse effects if the ailments to the aged, Bower (2010) explains is the low Quality of Life (QOL),which is characterised by pain, fatigue, and impairment of mobility. For instance ,Birdee & Legedza (2009) indicate “….epidemiological studies have reported a high ptorevalence of psychiatric disorders like depression and dementia in the elderly, ranging from 9% to 35%(p.1654). Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) adversely affects the quality of life in the elderly. Such effects include; sleep disturbances, insomnia, restlessness, excessive daytime sleepiness, nighttime awakening, periodic, leg movements, and snoring. Yoga therefore, comes in as a body and mind intervention used for its therapeutic potential to the elderly.

Studies indicate that American population of roughly 15.8 million, which constitutes 6.9% of her entire population practice different forms if yoga, Moreover, a sizeable proportion still indicates the willingness to take it up in future (Bower, 2010). Thus , yoga is practiced largely across the globe for physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

                                                Why Yoga is good for Your Health?

The approach of any medical system for elderly woman and men needs to address to the physical, mental, intellectual and spiritual aspects of life. Not satisfied with allopathic medications and the threat of serious side effects ever looming large in their minds, the elderly women and men have begun to use the complementary medical systems as a viable alternative to address to their health problems. including Yoga, physical therapy, diet and aromatherapy

Research suggests that yoga therapy is a viable gentle physical activity option with a variety of health – related quality of life, psychological and physical symptom management benefits. Diet and nutritional therapy on the other hand, has shown solid evidence as an alternative medicine to reduce the symptoms of chronic diseases in elderly population.

Be The Change

Last few months were very hard on all of us, but for some it was particularly hard as not only there health but there livelihood, there survival was at stake, some survived but some couldn’t, life was always hard but it was particularly hard on those who lost the battle without fighting it, COVID was a calamity for the small business owners, more then the disease it was the loss of business that made there survival difficult, one such business was the restaurant and catering business, many restaurants closed, they shut there shops never to open again, but there were few who diversified and adopted to the new reality, they curtailed there expenses, streamlined the business and changed there model to delivery based or parcel only, tide up with delivery apps and came up with aggressive pricing, they were determined to survive and waited till the tide turned, and then when the pandemic was over, they came out as victors and emerged as the dominant players.

This was a case for restaurant business but the same Rules applies every where in life, those who give up without giving a fight loose every thing including there dreams, those who try from the bottom of there hearts succeed, every situation is temporary, only the change is permanent, accept it, don’t be scared of it, fight for the survival, do not hope, but be assured that you will win.

Destiny challenges the brave, but the brave must live up to the occasion and fight to claim it.

Always remember, “Don’t be afraid of the change, be the change”

 

Remember always! That ‘imbalance’ Says, I’m balance!

Sometimes when things are falling apart, they may actually be falling into place” – J. Lynn

It is important to find strength in redefining moments and come out stronger than before. When your life is out of balance.

In your quest for balance in life,

Juggling between the multiple tasks

At times torn apart by strife,

The you in you is often lost.

Reflect and introspect. Take a few steady steps,

Let not the you within you, wilt or wither at any cost,

The equilibrium you strive for Can’t be achieved when you are at war, With yourself.

Choose your battles, wisely, Let the you in you win calmly.

The pursuit for balance is perpetual,

Let the ‘you within you’ become a ritual.

Remember always! That ‘imbalance’ Says, I’m balance!

True Meaning of Education

What Does it Mean to Be Educated

Just like a passport is a pre-requisite to travel the world, similarly, a good education is a pre-requisite to lead a meaningful life confidently. Whom, then, do I call educated? The following is the definition of education given by Socrates approximately two thousand years ago.

First, those who manage well the circumstances which they encounter day by day; and those who can judge situations appropriately as they arise and rarely miss the suitable course of action.

Next, those who are honorable in their dealings with all men, bearing easily what is unpleasant or offensive in others and being as reasonable with their associates as is humanly possible.

Furthermore, those who hold their pleasures always under control and are not unduly overcome by their misfortunes, bearing up under them bravely and in a manner worthy of our common nature.

Most important of all, those who are not spoiled by their successes, who do not desert their true selves, but hold their ground steadfastly as wise and sober-minded men, rejoicing no more in the good things that have come to them through chance than in those which through their own nature and intelligence are theirs since birth.

Those who have a character which is in accord, not with one of these things, but with all of them, these are educated— possessed of all the virtues. – Socrates (470-399 B.C)

 

Acres Of Diamond

Hafiz was a farmer in Africa who was happy and content. He was happy because he was content. He was content because he was happy. One day a wise man came and told him about the glory of diamonds and the power that goes along with them. The wise man said, “If you had a diamond the size of your thumb, you could buy your own city. If you had a diamond the size of your fist, you could probably buy your own country.” And then the wise man left.

That night, Hafiz couldn’t sleep. He was unhappy and he was discontented. He was unhappy because he was discontented and discontented because he was unhappy. The next morning Hafiz made arrangements to sell his farm, took care of his family and went off in search of diamonds. He looked all over Africa and couldn’t find any. He looked all through Europe and couldn’t find any. By the time he got to Spain, he was emotionally, physically and financially broke. He was so disheartened that he threw himself into the Barcelona river and committed suicide.

Back home, the person who had bought his farm was watering the camels at the stream that ran through the farm. Across the stream, the rays of the morning sun hit a stone and made it sparkle like a rainbow. He thought the stone would look good in his living room. He picked up the stone and put it on his mantle piece. That afternoon, the wise man came and saw the stone sparkling. He asked, “Is Hafiz back?” The new owner said, “No, why do you ask?” The wise man said, “Because that is a diamond. I recognise one when I see one.” The man said, “No, that’s just a stone I picked up from the stream. Come I’ll show you. There are many more.” They went and picked some samples and sent them for analysis. Sure enough, the stones were diamonds. They found that the farm was indeed covered with acres and acres of diamonds.

What is the moral of this story? There are many morals:

1. When our attitude is right, we realise that we are all walking on acres of diamonds. Opportunities are always under our feet. We don’t have to go anywhere.

2. When we don’t know how to recognize opportunity, it could slap us on our face and we would still not be able to recognize it. All we need to do is to learn to recognize opportunities.

3. People, who don’t know how to recognise opportunities, complain of noise when they knock.

4. Lost opportunities are easier recognised when they are leaving rather than when they are coming.

5. An opportunity only knocks once. The next one may be better or worse, but never the same one. That is why it is so crucial to make the right decision at the right time. A right decision at the wrong time becomes a wrong decision.

6. The grass on the other side always looks greener. There are two dimensions to the greener grass: a. It may be possible that the other farmer is taking better care of his grass and it is actually greener. b. Most of the time, however, it is only an illusion. Many times in life, while chasing an illusion, we lose out the opportunity right under our own feet.

7. While we are eyeing the grass on the other side, there are others who are eyeing the grass on our side. They would be happy to trade places with us.