Most of us love them and in the English language there are so many idioms describing them. Continue reading
The Cats’ Playbook
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Open your hearts, dear ones
Because there is suffering in your heart, it is possible for you to enter my heart.
Thus spoke the Buddha.
Buddha repeatedly said that he only taught suffering and the transformation of suffering. When one recognized and accepted the suffering within one, then the Buddha in us will look at it and address it. He will find out the source, prescribe a course of action which will transform it into peace and liberation. Suffering is the means that the Buddha used to liberate himself and that is how we can become free. Continue reading
What would my visiting card say?
Dear ones, give it a thought. Should the card say my name, my designation and my address? Does it sound perfect? I may wish to express my personality in a way that people would remember me. Maybe I would like to express the status of my relationship. Then there is an opinion about pronouns and title. Continue reading
Restore Cosmic peace
Om Shanti Om is an ancient Vedic mantra. Om is the sound of the universe, the primordial sound. As one chants this mantra one is spreading peace for all human kinds, living and nonliving in the entire universe. My grand-daughter asked me, what she could do about the Indo-Pak conflict. I thought about it and my response was that chanting Om Shanti Om, on her mala would be her contribution. Continue reading
Embrace the trajectory of Self-reflection
Daisaku Ikeda was a Japanese Buddhist leader, author and nuclear disarmament advocate. His quotes make one reflect and understand the Yogic path.
Even if things don’t unfold the way you expected, don’t be disheartened or give up. One who continues to advance will win in the end. It is impossible to build one’s own happiness on the unhappiness of others. Continue reading
Understanding Anger and managing it
The Bhagwad Gita gives the best description of Anger, and chanting a mantra is the cure.
Krishna says:
Anger leads to
Complete delusion or loss of judgment.
From delusion, memory is bewildered.
When this happens, intelligence gets lost.
And the person falls in this chain of events.
When we act in anger, Krodha vegam,
we do things that we regret later.
The Hanuman Mantra to remove fear
The ultimate chant to remove fear and negativity – Hanuman Bija mantra
Om Aim Bhreem Hanumate,
Sri Ram Dootaya Namah. Continue reading
A Hindu Peace Prayer
I desire neither earthly kingdom, nor even freedom from birth and death.
I desire only the deliverance from grief of all those afflicted by misery.
Oh Lord (Cosmic Mother) lead us from the unreal to the unreal to the real;
from darkness to light, from death to immortality.
May there be peace in celestial regions.
May there be peace on earth.
May the waters be appeasing.
May herbs be wholesome and may trees and plants bring peace to all.
May all beneficent bring peace to us.
May your wisdom spread peace to us.
May your wisdom spread peace through all the world.
May all things be a source of peace to all and to me.
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti (Peace, Peace, Peace).
Mahatma Gandhi Continue reading
Your heart is your spiritual center
The heart or hrydaya is mentioned in the Bhagwad Gita in several verses. It is referred to as the seat of consciousness, emotions and the divine within. Verse 10.20 states,
I am seated in the heart of all living entities.
How should Paramatman be worshipped?
Uddhava was the recipient of Krishna’s final teachings. He was Krishna’s cousin and counsellor and he asked Krishna how should Paramatman be worshipped? Krishna answered his question in detail. Continue reading
The essence of Sri Vidya
Sri Vidya puja focuses on the worship of the Goddess Lalita, the Divine Mother. The term Sri Vidya means knowledge of the revered. The worship of the Sri Yantra is central to the Sri Vidya system. Continue reading
Exhaust your karmas
Two processes are recommended for exhausting one’s karmas, Tapasya and Titiksha.
Tapasya means to burn or heat. It is purifying every part of the body through a particular process. It is undergoing a process of suffering spontaneously and willingly. In the Bhagwad Gita different forms of tapasya, physical, mental and emotional austerity are given. Continue reading
Sadhana in daily life
Sadhana has to be understood in the context of one’s daily life. Sadhana is a signal indicating the beginning and growth of the divine life within. Through sadhana the hidden powers of the mind are discovered which can be used for successful living and for spiritual realization. Sadhana enables one to overcome limitations. Continue reading
What is the purpose of Sadhana?
Dear ones, what is the objective of sadhana?
One cannot learn it. Sadhana involves concentration, and cultivation of fundamental virtues like truthfulness, selfless love, self-restraint etc. This enables one to travel on the spiritual path. Continue reading
Sadhana, our new life
Sadhana is the beginning of a new life, a life of expansion, glory and divine splendor is the road to peace, happiness, prosperity and immortality. Draw inspiration from sadhana to grow, expand and evolve. Build up all the positive qualities: fortitude, patience, and courage, that are dormant within. Let life be a radiance of purity, now and forever. Purify the mind in the flame of devotion and wisdom. Tread on the path of truth, which the sages followed. Faith, hope and love alone will vitalize your sadhana. – Swami Sivananda
Dear ones, how do we follow Swami Sivananda’s wisdom? Continue reading