The Oracle of Rama is consulted by all devotees of Rama. The custom is to ask a question after one has ended one’s morning prayers. There are three pages, with chapter, section and verse at the back of the book. It is a very powerful reading and it answers one’s query. Sometimes the answer is terrifying if one asks an inappropriate question. Continue reading
755 – Thy will be done
Jesus began his example of how to pray, saying,
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom comes. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Continue reading
754 – How do you view love and friendship?
Love and Friendship
Love is like the wild rose briar,
Friendship like the holly–tree
The holly tree is dark, when the rose–briar blooms
But which will bloom most constantly?
The wild–rose briar is sweet in spring,
Its summer blossoms scent the air;
Yet wait till the winter comes again
And who will call the wild–briar fair?
Then scorn the silly rose–wreath now
And deck thee with holly’s sheen,
That when December
Blights thy brow
He may still leave the garland green.
By Emily Bronte. Continue reading
753 – A bouquet of thoughts for you
My dear ones, I have discovered the beauty in the poetry of Rabindra Nath Tagore. The little book is called ‘Fireflies’.
While God waits for His temple to be built of love
Men bring stones.
752 – It is myself, said the Lotus
Extracts from Fireflies by Rabindranath Tagore
My Dear Ones, close your eyes and visualize. Enjoy the moment. You can take a single line also. Rabindranath Tagore was a very famous poet; musician and he wrote the Indian national anthem. He was awarded the Nobel prize for Literature. He is also called Gurudev. Continue reading
751 – Unconditional love
Dear ones, how many of us practice unconditional love? Whom do we remember when we think about unconditional love? Our mothers, family members, relatives? Let me start with Mums, can we think of our mothers with a mean gene in them? Elder sisters, aunts, grannies, teachers and the list can go on. It is surprising that the male relatives do not figure so much on the list. I am not writing to make comparisons but even all our Saints and Gurus remember their mothers. Continue reading
750 – Shiv Tandava Strotram
By Ravana
Salutations to Lord Shiva, whose hair is like a dense forest, whose throat is wet by the pure flowing water of the Ganga. The snakes resting around the neck of Shiva are like long garlands. They are iridescent in the sunlight. The sound of the drums is echoing the passionate dance of Shiva. Continue reading
749 – Is my ego me?
Ahamkara—ego is our identity as an individual. Ahamkara is described as being in a state without awareness. Being without awareness means we are without consciousness. It is how many of us live. We have no interest in anyone but ourselves. It is like having tunnel vision. We do not see left or right. I have observed this in many persons. Ahamkara means my form and it is your total self. Continue reading
748 – Invoke Medha
Who is Medha? She is the Vedic goddess presiding over the power of memory and understanding.
How does memory influence us? I read that one should build on the old memories and then one forgets the unpleasant memories. It is possible if it relates to war or other disasters. How can one reduce a traumatic event and build on it? Dear ones, it is possible to accept a traumatic event and not allow it to interfere with the process of daily events. However, one has to work on it, and sometimes it can be life-long. Continue reading
747 – Be regular with your Sadhana
We celebrate the awakening of Vishnu after four months of sleep today. Hindus worship Lord Vishnu and seek his blessings and love. Tulsi leaves and flowers are offered to Vishnu and Lakshmi. Dev Uthani Ekadashi (Ekadashi means eleven as in the eleventh day of two fortnights of the waxing and waning of the moon, in the lunar month) marks the awakening of Lord Vishnu after a four-month period of sleep. On this day, it is possible to get rid of our karmas and seek salvation. We also request Vishnu to grant us a place in his abode—Vaikunth Dham. The mantra chanted is Om Namo Bhagvata Vasudevaya, and the other mantra is the Maha mantra. Continue reading
746 – Mouse at my kitchen altar
What does expectations mean? Expectation means belief, hope, chance. Negative meaning is apprehension, fear, motive.
Dear ones, will you agree with me that we all have expectations. Therefore, if we all have belief, then why should not the poor and under-deprived not have hope. Continue reading
745 – A true tale about elephants and mice
Dear ones, what does it mean when I write how much is enough. And the next one what are problems?
I will start with how much is enough. In my earlier life, I would tell my colleagues that if we saw an elephant on Wednesday, all our problems would be solved. We were struggling as an NGO and we were running three projects for which we had to report regularly. We had to deal with many issues, our runaway boys, the AIDS Hotline and the Voluntary Counselling and Testing HIV/AIDS Centre. The projects were in three different areas. I would tell my colleagues that our difficulties would be resolved if we would see an elephant. Continue reading
744 – Prayers for Mother Earth
Native prayer for Mother Earth
Mother Earth, hear your child. Be a bond between the Worlds of Earth and Spirit.
Let the winds echo the Knowledge of Grandfathers.
Who await, unseen, yet visible if I only turn my eyes to their World.
743 – Are we warring within ourselves?
My dear ones, I have been wanting to write about how we all are waging a private war within ourselves. Today I came across what J Krishnamurti had said about the subject. It is so brilliant that I cannot add anything more to it. Continue reading
742 – Visualization
Lately I had to go for a PET scan to another hospital. While I was waiting for my turn, it was freezing in the space I was in.
I managed to grab a blanket and my teeth stopped chattering. I was wearing my hospital attire as I am still in hospital. I think dear ones, you all know that the clothes one is made to wear, are meant for the convenience of the doctors and nurses. The arms are bare, and it is cold in them. I settled down to wait my turn. I closed my eyes and meditated on Shiva. After shutting my eyes, what did I see? Continue reading