A new study by UK scientists suggests that a natural plant compound called Theobromine, which is abundant in cocoa can potentially slow down cellular aging. Theobromine is the primary alkaloid found in the Theobroma (Greek for food of the Gods) cacao plant. Apart from polyphenols, that’s what makes cocoa taste bitter, Theobromine is also found in tea and coffee though in lesser amounts. Continue reading
What is the definition of a good person? A good person is one, who is empathetic, compassionate, treats other persons with respect and is nonjudgmental. What are the characteristics one looks for in such an individual? 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
Hate and violence are such terrible words. I am so sad because there is so much abhorrence and brutality around us.
We had a terrorist car bomb blast in old Delhi outside the Red Fort. This area is in the most crowded part of Delhi and opposite it the market is called Chandini Chowk. Chandini means Moonlight and chowk means Square. The name Chandini Chowk was given because a canal ran through it in the 17th Century. Continue reading
Both words when spoken aloud sound sad and horrid. See your face in the mirror, when you say revenge. Let us try to understand the power of these two words.
I will take retribution first. I will share some quotes with you and many of you are familiar some of them. Continue reading
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own: you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies. – Corinthians 6:19—20
Compassion is the foundation of Hinduism and it involves Bhutadaya (universal empathy). Universal empathy extends beyond humans to all living creatures and responsibility for the natural world. It explains interconnectedness of life and how suffering ultimately affects everyone. Continue reading
I love the idea of the Bhagwad Gita’s Birthday. It is a beautiful celebration as we work on ourselves and offer prayers to Krishna and Lakshmi. The birthday of the Gita is known as Gita Jayanti. It is celebrated on the 11th day of the waxing of the moon in the Margashirsha Shukla Ekdashi. In the lunar calendar it either begins on the new moon or the full moon. It corresponds to the ninth month of the lunar year. It is considered the most sacred month in Hindu faith. Continue reading
Kindness is a virtue which is prized in every faith. Kindness brings one closer to God. In Judaism great importance is laid to a good moral life observed at every moment. Charity has a very high premium. It must be practiced with sincerity and a proportion of one’s income has to be kept aside for it. Continue reading
When I was growing up, in the local paper this title would come every day. A thought for the day. It was the time when one waited for the newspaper to arrive. Then my parents would read the newspaper and the subject would come up for discussion about what the thought was. It was quite the highlight as often one felt that it was exactly what one was thinking about. Dear ones, you must remember that there was no television and one depended on the radio and the daily newspaper. Continue reading
There are eighty-four million species in the world. There are four instincts which are present in all of them. They are desire for food, desire for sex, desire for sleep and fear of death. These instincts exist in all the creatures right from the smallest bacteria or insect to the elephant.
Only mankind has a special quality. S/he can worship God, sing God’s name, do Japa and meditate on God. We can experience God; we are aware of God. We are searching for Him. We have questions for Him. Continue reading
A person steady wisdom.
Sthithaprajna means one whose intelligence is fixed on self-realization or one who is fixed in wisdom. It describes a state of inner calmness, equanimity and detachment from external influences. In the context of the Bhagwad Gita it means one is not affected by the ups and downs of life. One is detached from the fruit of action. One performs one’s duties, only focusing on the action itself.
The human frame will be an empty shell
If the soul within is lonely and unwell.If the soul is clothed in flesh that feels both soft and rough
It is to get a sense of what it means to love.The life lived in love is a gainer full twice over
On earth in joy and then in heaven’s clover.
Quotes from Tirukkural Continue reading
Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive. – Dalai Lama
Empathy is seeing with the eyes of another, listening with the ears of another and feeling with the heart of another. – Alfred Adler
Feel the sentiments of others being like one’s own self. This is what Atmabhava means. It is a Sanskrit word that means the existence or being of one’s self. It is composed of the words atman and bhava. It also means all-encompassing affection, which is sympathy and feeling oneness with others, identifying with their woes. It is a pure form of worship of the Supreme Divine Being, the consciousness or God. Continue reading
Day 1. Prathama: I will control my anger.
Day 2. Dwitiya: I will be nonjudgmental.
Day 3. Tritiya: I will be free of grudges.
Day 4. Chaturthi: I will forgive everyone.
Day 5. Panchmi: I will accept people as they are.
Day 6. Shashti: I will love unconditionally everyone.
Day 7. Saptami: I will be free of jealousy and guilt.
Day 8. Ashtami: I will be free of all my fears.
Day 9. Navami: I offer gratitude for what I have and what I will receive.
Day 10. Vijaydashmi: There is abundance in the universe for all and I will do my best to love, serve and give. Continue reading