822 – The power of memory

Memory is the power to retain and recall the information and past experiences. Memory applies to both individual facts and experiences that one recalls as well as the brain’s ability to contain it all. A good memory reinforces one’s perceptions and an unpleasant memory can be very destructive. How does one handle memory? Memories are very important for one and each memory teaches one how to handle the repetition of a hurtful experience. Continue reading

821 – Reflections of Love

O Love, I see Thy glowing face in the gems. I behold Thy shy blush in the blossoms. I am enraptured, hearing Thee warble in the birds. And I dream in ecstasy when my heart embraces Thee in all hearts’ love, I met Thee in all things – only a little and for a while – but in Omnipresence I clasp Thee entirely and forever, and I rejoice in Thy joy evermore.

Love is a golden mansion in which the King of Eternity homes the entire family of creation. And at God’s command, love is a mystic fire that can melt the grossness of the cosmos into the invisible substance of eternal love.

Like a river, love flows continuously through humble, sincere souls; but it bypasses the rocks of egotistic, selfish, sense-bound souls, because it cannot pass through them.

Divine Romance by Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda. Continue reading

817 – Give yourself a hug

How does one give oneself a hug? Cherish yourself and work on your hormones, the big four.

  • Dopamine, which acts on specific areas of the brain to produce feelings of pleasure and satisfaction.
  • Oxytocin stimulates positive social interaction and reduces stress.
  • Serotonin stabilizes one’s mood and regulates sleep patterns and digestion.
  • Endorphins help to relieve pain, reduce stress and work on wellbeing.

What does one do to be content and happy?

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816 – Blessings from a spiritual bank

Dear ones, I read an interesting article in the newspaper, and I will share with you. In Ayodhya, the ancient city where Lord Rama was born, there is a bank for transaction of spirituality and inner peace. It is called the International Shree Sitaram Bank. It was set up in November 1970 by Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, chief of Sri Ram-janm Bhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust. The deposit in the bank is Likhit Japa (written chant) booklet. Continue reading

812 – My heart, my heart, my heart

I read a very interesting story the other day. A man came to a Guru and asked how he could connect to the Divinity. The Guru said, ‘Write a letter to the Divinity with your address.’ The man wrote his address and handed it to the Guru. It was his residential address. The Guru looked at it and said it was incorrect and he repeated address, it has to be the right one. Continue reading

811 – An ode to Mothers

 

Mothers are a special category of human beings. They are filled with unconditional love and they are forgiving. One does not have to be a mother to have Matri bhava (maternal love). One can have love for people and other God’s creatures, which is also considered Matri bhava. Matri Devo Bhava means one for whom Mother is God. Continue reading

809 – Water is life

 

Turned into strife.

Water makes up 60% of our bodies. On Earth, it appears as lakes, rivers, seas and oceans and it covers 71% of the earth’s surface. Water also exists in the air as water vapor. Currently 44% of all wastewater returns to earth untreated. This means that all our waste (human, household sewerage, toxic and medical) is released directly into the planet’s ecosystems.

We have forgotten what water means. Continue reading

808 – Moderation

Eat a little, drink a little,
Talk a little, sleep a little,
Mix a little, move a little,
Serve a little, worship a little.
Do asana a little,
Pranayama a little,
Reflect a little, meditate a little.
Do japa a little, do kirtan a little,
Write a mantra a little,
Have satsang a little. – Swami Sivananda

Continue reading