We must connect with our hearts.
Why do people fight among themselves? The heart must change. Greed and selfishness must perish. Then alone will there be peace in the world. The innermost Atman concealed in the chambers of your heart is an embodiment of peace. It is a quality of the soul. It fills the pure heart. It runs away from egotistical people. Attain the peace through meditation on the ever-peaceful Atman. – Swami Sivananda
A wish is a lovely word. Everyone likes to use it. It says so much. Children are asked what do they wish for and parents, relatives and friends try to fulfill their wishes. To see the joyous smile on a child’s face is a reward. Wish fulfillment is a lovely feeling for the person whose wish is grated and for the granter. With Christmas coming soon, many many people all over the world are making wishes and hoping that they will be fulfilled. Continue reading
Law of Divine compensation is described as the spiritual principle of reaping what you sow or divine recompense. The core principle is spiritual reciprocity: the basic idea is that actions, whether positive or negative have consequences that return to the doer, not merely as a direct transaction but part of a universal balance maintained by a higher power. Continue reading
Are we ready to accept Ahimsa as a way of life?
Are we already trying to practice Ahimsa?
Are we ready to ask ourselves how truthful am I?
Do we try to be compassionate or are we always in a compassionate mode?
Remember that Ahimsa also means non-injury in mind, word and action. Are we doing that or trying to do it?
Do we respect all life?
Do we acknowledge the Divine presence in sentient beings?
Are we true Yogis in thought and mind? Continue reading
We all know the meaning of lies and fake. Lie means untruth, fib, distort, fabricate and so on. Fake means bogus, phony, pseudo, false, contrived and there are many more words.
How do you view the word fake? I am taking it first as one has to understand its meaning. It is a strong word for wrong responses and actions. Continue reading
Naraka/Bhoot Chaturdashi are celebrated for the end of darkness. They are to be observed tomorrow on October 20th. Both Naraka Chaturdashi and Bhoot Chaturdashi are a time to reflect and to be cleansed of negativity and renewal of energy. Narak means hell and Narakasura was called the Asura (monster) from Hell. Bhoot means ghost and in Bhoot Chaturdashi we become mindful and realize that we are not alone. Continue reading
Be kind, generous and compassionate. How does it feel when one is described as having all three qualities? One feels great and then does one pause to think? Continue reading
To know that we know what we know, and to know that we do not know, that is true knowledge. – Nicolaus Copernicus
The Bhagwad Gita emphasizes the importance of self-realization and the pursuit of knowledge as a means to attain spiritual enlightenment. It teaches that true wisdom lies in understanding the impermanence of the material world and recognizing the eternal nature of the soul. By seeking knowledge and introspecting on the nature of reality, we can transcend the cycle of birth and death and become spiritually liberated. Continue reading
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
How did it all begin? Shakti, who is the cosmic Mother, has many names – Uma, Parvati, Durga, I can go on. She asked Shiva to narrate a story which will offer comfort in troubled times to all her children. Shiva then narrated the story of the Ramayana, which is about Ram and Sita. Continue reading
The concept of Hinduism is Dharma. One of the attributes of dharma is protecting the environment. We must practice pro-environmental behavior. Pro-environmental behavior is the actions we take in daily life to protect the environment. There are three levels here, willingness to act, daily protection activities and efforts to bring about public change. Since our environment is composed of earth, water, fire, air and ether. We have to make sure that our earth is not exploited, our water is drinkable and our air is breathable. Continue reading
Ram is the seventh avatar of Vishnu, and he is born as a mortal. In our Hindu tradition, Ram is a divine human, a mortal god incorporating both into the exemplar who transcends both humans and gods. The story of his life is in the Ramayana and the Ramayana is an allegory for the duties, rights and social responsibilities of an individual. He is a superior being and does not render evil for evil. Continue reading
The Hindu belief is totally non-exclusive and accepts all other faiths and religious paths. An ancient Vedic text says that God or truth is one and wise persons refer to it by many names. Hindus believe that no one religion is exclusively true, that all major faiths are aspects of the one universal all encompassing truth, and that there are many paths to seek and experience religious understanding and enlightenment. Continue reading
And the curbing of Greed
Kama is desire and it is a part of the fourth Purushartha and greed is an obstacle in the way of Bhakti.
Let us understand what Purushartha means. It means the objectives of mankind. These goals are Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. Dharma is the “order and custom” that makes life and universe possible. They are also described as the four pillars of Hinduism. Purushartha also means that an individual should have a meaningful life (Artha) by earning earning an honest livelihood through lawful means (Dharma), fulfil his desires (Kama) and attain liberation (Moksha). Continue reading
Padma Purana states, “Sarvedevmayh Pita”—
father is the embodiment of all devatas, gods.
Hindu Scriptures state:
Pita dharmah, pita, swargah, pita hi parman tapah,
Pitr preetmpanne preeyant sarva devta. Continue reading