Ten Habits of Highly Successful Indian Liberal Intellectuals!

Ten Habits of Highly Successful Indian Liberal Intellectuals!

Shefali Vaidya

1) Every time you come across an article, blog post or anything that has the word ‘Hindu’ in it, describe the post as ‘vile and disgusting’, regardless of the actual context. Express your hatred for Hinduism constantly and diligently, in ways that can be subtle or obvious depending upon the context. However, do not forget to mention in the same breath that you ‘respect’ Hindus.

2) Always ask, ‘But but but, what about 2002?’ in any TV panel discussion, even if the topic of discussion is about the sexual life of the Gorillas of upper Congo. Remember the golden rule. All communal riots are equal, but 2002 riots are more equal than others.

3) Write a blog about Modi. Make liberal use of words like ‘vile monster’, ‘butcher’, ‘autocrat,’ ‘Nazi,’ ‘Hiter,’  ‘kristalnacht’ and ‘1933’.  Attend anti-Modi seminars at the India International Centre and talk passionately about ‘malnutrition in Gujarat’ over a laden plate of canapés and glasses of free champagne.

4) Occasionally, throw a scrap of carefully constructed praise at the ’ tolerant spirit of secular Hindus’ and pander to their egos. This is very essential if you want to present yourself as a ‘liberal humanist’.

5) Learn to do nimble spiritual somersaults depending upon the context. Sometimes, you might refer to yourself as an agnostic, at other times, you can call yourself an atheist, but always mention that you are ‘spiritual, not religious’ – whatever that means!

6) Always shout from the rooftops that you are free from all caste prejudices, but never omit to mention the C word when needed. Carefully used, it can be an invaluable tool in a debate. It is a wonderful divisive technique that can be used again and again to drive a wedge among the Hindus.

7) Make selective, controversial postings about army atrocities in Kashmir and weep buckets over the ‘oppressed Kashmiri youth’. But remember, make NO mention of how the Kashmiri Pandits were forced at gunpoint to leave their homes in the valley. Ever! Do NOT ever mention the fact that the ONLY documented case of ethnic cleansing in India has been the forced exit of the Kashmiri Pandits from the valley.

8) When all else fails, throw the term ‘ fascist communal Sanghi Intolerant Bigoted RSS supporter’ at your opponent’s face. You need not worry about the veracity of the charge. If you throw the term enough times at someone, chances are, it will stick. It is the Goebbels principle.

9) Invest in a suitable wardrobe. If you are a man, crumpled Fabindia Kurtas are a must. A french beard is very helpful. It establishes your ‘intellectual’ credentials automatically, even if your IQ can barely crawl to double digits. If you are a woman, you need to wear handloom saris in earthy tones with mismatched granny blouses. Also, wear a bindi the size of a soup bowl and drown your eyes in copious amount of kohl. It helps if your hair is liberally streaked with grey.

10) When you find yourself unable to argue logically, and eventually, you WILL come to that point in almost every argument, announce loftily that you cannot talk with ‘rabid Internet Hindus’ because your ‘fragile liberal humanist’ soul is unable to deal with the pain of their ‘communal commen

Giving Up Chocolate

Giving Up Chocolate
 
 I was walking down the street when I was accosted by a particularly dirty and shabby-looking homeless woman who asked me for a couple of dollars for dinner.

 I took out my wallet, got out ten dollars and asked,'If I give you this money, will you buy chocolate with it instead of dinner?'
'No, I had to stop eating chocolate years ago', the homeless woman told me. 
 'Will you use it to go shopping instead of buying food?' I asked. 

No, I don't waste time shopping,' the homeless woman said. 'I need to spend all my time trying to stay alive.' 

 'Will you spend this on a beauty salon instead of food?' I asked. 
 'Are you NUTS!' replied the homeless woman. I haven't had my hair done in 20 years!' 

'Well, I said, 'I'm not going to give you the money.. Instead, I'm going to take you out for dinner with my husband and me tonight.' 

The homeless Woman was shocked. 'Won't your husband be furious with you for doing that? I know I'm dirty, and I probably smell pretty disgusting.' 
 I said,'That's okay. It's important for him to see what a woman looks like after she has given up shopping, hair appointments, and chocolate.

Holiday Home in the Mind

Green Seva – Nurture the environment

by Ravi Valluri

SLOGAN:   Be sensitive to the environment, nurture and nourish  it, let us care for all the species inhabiting this planet.
MESSAGE:

Consciousness of Environment is in built in the human system. Historically, nature (prakriti) has always been adored in the ancient traditions of the world; mountains, rivers, the sun, the moon, the trees have always been honoured. We need to revive the ancient practice of honouring and conserving nature. A return to traditional methods such as organic and chemical-free farming will go a long way in preparing the ground for healthy development. Tradition, technology, trade and truth are the four key factors, which need to be revived time and again. People should be encouraged to treat the planet as sacred.
                                                                                –  H.H. Sri Sri Ravishankar

The  Art of Living  last year observed and celebrated  the Gurupurnima Day by launching a  mega tree plantation drive. The question arises as to why this  project was taken up.

The answer is straight and simple. We need  to make our environs green and ensure that the  ecosystem does not collapse under the weight of crass commercialisation, unfortunately driven by  the ever increasing capricious  human demand. Thus the volunteers of  Art of Living, its teachers and Yuvacharyas planted trees at various places around the country.

The drive was undertaken in government run and privately owned schools,  colleges, government and public sector undertakings besides at various corporate enterprises.

Reputed personalities from all spheres of public domain spanning 119 districts and representing  20 states of the country participated in the noble initiative to rekindle the spirit among humans  to make our environment hospitable and livable for the present and future generations to come.

We owe this to Mother Earth which nurtures and nourishes us. As responsible citizens  it is our responsibility and we should not side step it.

Mother Earth is presently facing an acute environmental crisis of gargantuan  proportions. Poojya Gurudev in his wisdom has once again blessed the programme. The initiative is a remarkable opportunity to serve the planet. This is a small but a positive step to sustain our environment.

The drought afflicting various parts of the country over the last few years is a  grim reminder as to how predatory and selfish humans have become and we treat our environment with scant respect.

The Art of Living  fraternity in all its sincerity will once again launch a tree plantation drive on the day of Guru Purnima.

This is a wonderful opportunity for the  denizens across all walks of life to participate and undertake this  Seva.

SURYA NAMASKAR- SUN SALUTATION

Sun God grants us the vital energy  and radiance which provides us with enormous  abundance in life.  This illuminating star suffuses our lives with heat and light and consequently energizes our bodies, mind and soul.  Ayurveda  extols the virtue  that Sun is the provider of health . Hence the  worship of the sun assumes tremendous significance.  The worship  is performed through Mantra, Japa , Namaskar and Pranayama.

Sun salutation or Surya Namaskars is  more than a mere  physical exercise.  It exorcises fear from our body, mind and soul .As per Ramayana , Lord Rama was imparted this esoteric knowledge by sages Vashistha and Vishwamitra. As a result he attained the necessary strength  to  vanquish Ravana.

A  practitioner needs to be in total harmony with his breath ( prana) , sound and the physical movement while performing Sun Salutations.

Regular practice of Sun salutation increases our intuitive ability. The focus is on all parts of the body but particularly the solar plexus. The solar plexus which  is normally  the size of an almond  enlarges  to assume the size  of  a  human palm through  methodical  and faithful practice of Surya Namaskar.

The physical exercise  is an obeisance to the Sun and takes the form of twelve yogic postures, which are performed in a sequential manner  of movements and flow. Breath and sound  simultaneously flow  and rhythmically while performing this Yogic practice and the practitioner receives bountiful of cosmic energy.

The practice should not be associated with any religion or a ritual. It has a deep spiritual connect with the cosmos and opens up frontiers of profound dimensions of awareness and mindfulness. Meticulous and punctilious   practice has a  salutary effect on the  human mind and body which  results in startling benefits  and changes us  from within and without.

A fifteen to twenty minute practice of sun salutation augments the  vitality and beauty of  the yogic practitioner  and makes him  joyous and radiant. Most importantly it enhances bliss , compassion and love in the individual  and one discovers the eternal truth.

However it should be remembered that this is more than a mere physical exercise. It is a Sadhana to the life giver of this planet.

The Legend of Gabbar Singh- Shared by Vasudeva Rao

Gabbar Singh was a MANAGEMENT GURU as is reflected in some of the timeless management lessons he delivered thru the movie *Sholay.*

_Read On...They are awesome..!_

1. *Jo Darr Gaya - Samjho Mar Gaya!*

Courage and enterprise are important factors for laying the successful foundation of a growth oriented business.

2. *Kitne Admi The..??*

It's important to know the competition and its size. He understood that even a small team can make a difference.

3. *Arey O Sambha, Kitna Inaam Rakhe Hai Sarkar Hum Par ?*

Know your market value. Promoting one's own brand is very important and to be reiterated always.

4. *Goli 6 Aur Aadmi 3!*

Create an illusion where his insurbodinates had a chance of survival but kills them in the next scene. 

*Moral - Perform or ~perish~.*

5. *Le Ab Goli Kha*

Sometimes in the interest of the organisation you have to take hard and unpopular decisions.... 

So sometimes a leader has to 'fire' some employees.

6. *Yeh Ramgarh Waale Apni Betiyon Ko Kaunsi Chakki Ka Aata Khilate Hai Re.*

Market research is important to understand value propositions !!

7. *Yeh Haath Mujhey Dedey Thakur.*

Identify elements of threats in the market and take measures to minimise them.

8. *Holi Kab Hai, Kab Hai Holi ?*

Conduct advance mapping of key events within the industry and devise penetration strategy to have a competitive edge over your rivals.

Tailpiece: Takursab apni ghar me kutta bhi sher hota hai ( he didn't say this)

UNLOCKING THE MENTAL BLOCKS

Twenty five centuries ago, Sun Tzu had succinctly written ,' The supreme act of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting the war'.  Cobwebs and mental blocks in human minds become our greatest enemies consequently we cannot  scale the summit and get vanquished in the war of attrition.  The mind can be our greatest friend or  our biggest enemy.

We treat our mind's  primarily as fr-enemies. Fr enemy is   a person with whom one is friendly despite a fundamental dislike or rivalry.  Dislike for the mind arises when it  provides coattails to hang negative emotions. This is when we do not reside  in the present moment and the mind keeps swaying and oscillating between the past and the future.  Swinging like a pendulum between regrets and anxieties.

Amygdala is one of the two parts of the brain that affect how people feel emotions , especially fear and pleasure.  More  often than not  humans  are indulgent towards the mind  as individuals are unable to tap its reservoir and potential. And individuals get entrapped and ensnared  essentially by negative emotions.

The mind is more than often cannonaded by innumerable thoughts and is unable to break free and the mind continues to chatter.  A chattering mind can never perceive the  reality and unlock the  dusty spider's web which we create and nourish it  rather unfortunately. Only the explosive and dynamic strength can implode and vanquish the static but negative energy pervading in our self.

Once upon a time a farmer ventured to a bijou town to sell his prized possession.  These were his  three donkeys. On his way to the town he  encountered a river. The farmer wondered as to how he could take a dip leaving the donkeys unattended. Very shortly a sage  who was meditating in the river appeared.

The farmer fell at the feet of the sage  and asked for a plausible solution to the prevailing  unwelcome situation. The sage advised that all the farmer needed was to tie the two donkeys. 'What about the third donkey' queried the farmer?  Let it watch the proceedings of you tying up the two donkeys was the sagacious reply.

The farmer unerringly  followed the advice. Upon taking the dip, the farmer untied two donkeys and decided to embark on the journey. However the third donkey refused to move much to chagrin of the farmer. Then the realisation dawned on the farmer that the third donkey  was desperate and screamed to be untied.

While observing the process  of the two donkeys being tied, the third  donkey presumed it also to be tied.

Such are the mental blocks we create in our minds. We get tied down by all unwarranted fears and emotions.  And this can be unshackled only by  thinking out of the box and by living in the present moment. The Art of Living offers variety of courses which brings the human mind to destroy mental blocks and to live in the present moment. As the present moment is inevitable.

Train bookings by IRCTC

Do you Know why  IRCTC does not allow you to choose seats? Would you believe that the technical reason behind this is PHYSICS.

Booking a seat in a train is far more different than booking a seat in a theatre.

Theatre is a hall, whereas train is a moving object. So safety concern is very high in trains.

Indian railways ticket booking software is designed in such a way that it will book tickets in a manner that will distribute the load evenly in a train.

Let me take an example to make things  more clear : Imagine there are sleeper class coaches in a train numbered S1, S2 S3... S10, and in every coach there are 72 seats.

So when some one first books a ticket, software will assign a seat in the middle coach like S5, middle seat numbered between 30-40, and preferably lower berths (Railways first fills the lower berths than upper one so as to achieve low centre of gravity.)

And the software books seats in such a way that all coaches have uniform passenger distribution and seats are filled starting from the middle seats (36) to seats near the gates i.e 1-2 or 71-72 in order from lower berth to upper.

Railways just want to ensure a proper balance that each coach should have for equal load distribution.

That is why when you book a ticket at the last, you are always allotted an upper berth and a seat numbered around 2-3 or 70, except when you are not taking a seat of someone who has cancelled his/her seat.

What if the railways book tickets randomly ? A train is a moving object which moves around at a speed of around 100km/hr on rails.
So there are a lot of forces and mechanics acting on the train.

Just imagine if S1, S2, S3 are completely full and S5, S6 are completely empty and others are partially  full. When the train takes a turn, some coaches face maximum centrifugal force and some minimum, and this creates a high chance of derailment of the train.

This is a very technical aspect, and when brakes are applied there will be different braking forces acting at each of the coaches because of the huge differences in weight of coach, so stability of train becomes an issue again.

I felt that this is a good information worth sharing, as often passengers blame the Railways citing inconvenient seats/ berths allotted to them.

Saving raindrops for thirty years

Saving raindrops for thirty years

Recently Indian Railways had run water specials by are called BTPN rakes to transport water to the parched districts of Latur in Maharashtra . A similar exercise was
undertaken to the dry areas of  Bundelkhand in Uttar Pradesh. I recall during my posting in Bikaner we were ferrying water tankers to several  drought affected areas of Rajasthan . My colleagues and seniors in railways have also performed this task. While the harried recipient awaits for water supply in an anguished state , we in our control offices monitor the rakes at tenterhooks.

Meanwhile   serpentine  queues for government-supplied water tankers are a common summer sight in several  parts of Rajasthan. But in Laporiya, a village 80 km from Jaipur, a collective effort to harvest water by 350 families has been defying drought for over  30 years. While ground water has depleted  to 500 feet in nearby areas, it is found at 15-40 feet in this village. Not only does lush Laporiya have adequate water for the  population of nearly 2,000, it even caters  water to some 10-15 adjoining  villages.

This journey from scarcity to self-sufficiency began in 1977 when an 18-year-old Laxman Singh returned to his village only to find that it was  gripped by poverty, caste conflicts and malnourishment. The school dropout  soon realized that the only way to stop this vicious cycle of misfortune was to make the area agriculturally prosperous. But water was a big challenge  — it was available at a depth of 100 feet.

"Back then, there were hardly any means to pump out water at such a depth. I decided that if we cannot go down, the water has to come up," said Singh. He then devised the chowka system based on a traditional method of water harvesting in Rajasthan and founded the non-profit organization Gram Vikas Navyuvak Mandal Laporiya (GVNML).

Under the chowka system, small, interconnected, sloping rectangular pits, nine inches deep, were made in pasture land. The pits are bordered with bunds (mud embankment). As water assembles in one chowka and  it flows into an adjacent chowka and then spreads evenly because of the bunds. After crossing several such chowkas, water finally moves into a pond. This method of preserving rainwater makes the top layer of soil moist, recharges ground water, and also enables growth of native grasses and shrubs.

Over the  15 years, the chowka system was developed on about 400 bighas of pasture land. The villagers came together and contributed money and labour to develop bunds. With the soil gaining moisture, villagers were able to harvest their rabi crop without irrigating their fields. "As there is no withdrawal of ground water for the rabi crop, it gets recharged and is used during summers," adds  Chotu Singh, a farmer.

Villagers adopted some smart techniques in face of adversity. Villagers stay away from water-intensive crops. During summer, cultivation of only green fodder and vegetables is allowed and that too in fields that are close to the well. And we learn in Maharashtra that  cultivation of sugarcane has resulted in reduction of water table and has contributed to the present agrarian distress.

The discipline reaped some additional benefits. As the pasture land became  green,fodder was available to animals. An indigenous breed of cow (Gir) was procured from Gujarat and dairy farming was promoted. Gir produces 8-10 litres of milk in a day and each house now has at least two of them. "Each household makes about Rs 30,000 — 45,000 a month by selling milk. It's more for those who have over five cows," says Arjun Singh, a volunteer of GVNML.  This example has now been adopted  by nearly  58 neighboring villages and is fast  spreading to other districts.

We too can do something for our society. Let us all volunteer and pledge to make this a better world for ourselves and our future generations.

An addict should never leave hope

For years addicts  believed in a punishing the  nature , Universe , humanity,  their near and dear ones for the  mounting miseries in life

And  continue to  in an unabated manner  blaming  the Divine  for all the  accumulated  misfortunes

They  incessantly keep  drinking in a quotidian manner 

The tunnel appears plunged in darkness and there seems to be  no bright spot in life

Finally they  have are left with  no option.

It is then the    Universe intervenes and  a  realization dawns  which compels  the addict  to surrender to the Divine will and  starngely enough as if  through providence   lays down their   misguided “weapons”  and armory of self defense

And then  begins the process of   resuscitating  their  lives, minds, bodies and souls  by   picking  up certain  “tools” which nature  offers  in myriad  forms such as the Vipassana technique, the  Art of Living Programme or adopting  the Alcoholic Anonymous programme

 Once the addict enrolls for these   programmes then life does   not  remain an affray  as  these are verily   Divine benedictions 

And which addict   would  wrestle  in receiving  gifts

Nevertheless if the addict does  indeed  spars with life  on  different occasions 

It  is because the human  mind keeps hanging  on to the patterns and impressions  of the past  and  some fixated   ideas which the it  has not been able to dissolve 

Consequently  there is little progress made in the   recovery of an alcoholic

It is imperative that the addict realises that human life is a seraphic bestowal which should not be squandered

And once again resolutely tread the path chosen

The upshot would indeed be  a positive outcome

An addict should never leave hope 

As Thy will be done

A Special Prayer by Senior Citizen!

 
Give me the grace, dear GOD, to listen to others as they describe their aches and pains.

 Help me endure the boredom with patience and keep my lips sealed, for my own aches and pains are increasing in number and intensity,and the pleasure of discussing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by.
 Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally, I might be mistaken. Keep me reasonably sweet.

I do not wish to be a saint (Saints are so hard to live with), but a sour old person is the work of the devil.

 Make me thoughtful, but not moody, helpful, but not pushy, independent, yet able to accept with graciousness favors that others wish to bestow on me.

 Free me of the notion that simply because I have lived a long time,
 I am wiser than those who have not lived so long.

I am older, but not necessarily wiser!

 If I do not approve of some of the changes that have taken place in recent years, give me the wisdom to keep my mouth shut.

GOD, please know that when the end comes, I would like to have a friend or two left.

Mirror Image....

PRANAYAMA - The Subtle Life Force

Pranayama can be broadly  shivered  into two segments. Prana  implies the vital source of energy( the subtle life force) and Yama is the control or extension or expansion. Therefore Pranayama can be enlarged as the  extension of this  dimension of Prana.

When our energy / prana / chi levels are low , we feel enervated.  This invariably  occurs  when  we eat in gargantuan proportions rather than partaking small morsels  , either sleep excessively or do not have adequate  rest. In all such cases there is  a significant expenditure of the vital life force.

Energy can nevertheless  be replenished through the  regular practice of Pranayama , Yoga and Meditation. This fortifies the flow of Prana in the Nadis or the  energy channels in  the human  body.

Depletion of  energy takes place  on account of  disruption  in our life styles ,  dietary indiscretions , emotional upheavals, or lack of physical exercise besides  the human  mind  undergoing unnecessary  stressful conditions.  Humans tend to  compromise on the four sources of energy namely - food, breath, rest and a calm and meditative state of mind. This leads to  excessive pressure on the body and mind.

When the human  mind is not in the present moment it  oscillates like a pendulum  between the past and the future. Humans invariably feel distressed and distraught . Our breathing becomes  rapid and shallow . However  when we live in the present moment, humans  take deep and rhythmic breaths and  consequently remain  calm and are  in a  meditative state of mind.

Strangely  enough through the   regular  practice of   Pranayama and breathing techniques  like Sudarshan Kriya  the  mind gets entrenched in the present moment.  Proper practice of Pranayama under the tutelage of an enlightened Guru assists us in performing Yogic exercises and also lead us into deep  meditation.

The human body is powered by five primordial elements . These are earth, water, fire , air and space.  These  are all extremely important , interwoven  and interrelated but  it is  Vayu that  sustains our life. We can be without food or water for a few days but cannot survive without breathing.

Our Rishis  have succinctly opined  that Pranayama is nothing but the worship of VayuDevata or the wind God. The powers of Vayu are immense and was known to our ancestors and the Rishis. No wonder we pray to Lord Hanuman during our trials and  tribulations.  He is the closest to Narayana , nourishes and sustains  us and    strengthens  our bodies  physically and mentally.

' Let us enjoy hundred springs say the esoteric Upanishads'. Scholars opine that ' Let us live for a hundred years , that implies- one has to live for a hundred years to blissfully appreciate a hundred springs. And this can be achieved only  through regular practice of Yoga.  Yoga is a  much misunderstood word. It is assumed to be  merely a  set of physical exercises. That is an incorrect perception of Yoga.  Yoga in Sanskrit actually  means Yuj( union with the self and divine). Yoga transcends the metaphysical and is not  confined to the realm of mere physical plane.

It may be also  mentioned  that Pranayama is the fourth principle of Ashtanga Yoga as  delineated by Maharishi Patanjali.    Pranayama  should be coupled with mindful eating and breathing. These  are keys to balanced  physical and mental health. Fortuitously the  generation today are verily  being exposed to the secrets of breath and this is a positive development.

A TOUCHING STORY- BY FATHER JOHN POWELL

 

This is a beautiful TRUE story. PLEASE read it till the end and may you enjoy and be inspired by it.

Father John Powell, a professor at Loyola University in Chicago, writes about a student in his Theology of Faith class named Tommy:

Some twelve years ago, I stood watching my university students file into the classroom for our first session in the Theology of Faith. That was the day I first saw Tommy. He was combing his long flaxen hair, which hung six inches below his shoulders.

It was the first time I had ever seen a boy with hair that long.

I guess it was just coming into fashion then. I know in my mind that it isn't what's on your head but what's in it that counts; but on that day, I was unprepared and my emotions flipped.

I immediately filed Tommy under "S" for strange...Very strange.

Tommy turned out to be the "atheist in residence" in my Theology of Faith course.

He constantly objected to, smirked at, or whined about the possibility of an unconditionally loving Father/God. We lived with each other in relative peace for one semester, although I admit he was for me at times a serious pain in the back pew.

When he came up at the end of the course to turn in his final exam, he asked in a cynical tone, "Do you think I'll ever find God?"

I decided instantly on a little shock therapy. "No!" I said very emphatically.

"Why not," he responded, "I thought that was the product you were pushing."

I let him get five steps from the classroom door and then I called out, "Tommy! I don't think you'll ever find Him, but I am absolutely certain that He will find you!"

 

He shrugged a little and left my class and my life.

I felt slightly disappointed at the thought that he had missed my clever line.... He will find you! At least I thought it was clever.

Later I heard that Tommy had graduated, and I was duly grateful.

Then a sad report came. I heard that Tommy had terminal cancer.

Before I could search him out, he came to see me.

When he walked into my office, his body was very badly wasted and the long hair had all fallen out as a result of chemotherapy. But his eyes were bright and his voice was firm, for the first time, I believe.

"Tommy, I've thought about you so often; I hear you are sick," I blurted out.

"Oh, yes, very sick. I have cancer in both lungs. It's a matter of weeks."

"Can you talk about it, Tom?" I asked.

"Sure, what would you like to know?" he replied.

"What's it like to be only twenty-four and dying?

"Well, it could be worse.

"Like what?”

"Well, like being fifty and having no values or ideals, like being fifty and thinking that booze, seducing women, and making money are the real biggies in life.”

I began to look through my mental file cabinet under "S" where I had filed Tommy as strange. (It seems as though everybody I try to reject by classification, God sends back into my life to educate me.)

"But what I really came to see you about," Tom said, "is something you said to me on the last day of class." (He remembered!) He continued, "I asked you if you thought I would ever find God and you said, 'No!' which surprised me. Then you said, 'But He will find you.’

 

“I thought about that a lot, even though my search for God was hardly intense at that time. (My clever  line. He thought about that a lot!) "But when the doctors removed a lump from my groin and told me that it was malignant, that's when I got serious about locating God. And when the malignancy spread into my vital organs, I really began banging bloody fists against the bronze doors of heaven.

“But God did not come out. In fact, nothing happened. Did you ever try anything for a long time with great effort and with no success?

“You get psychologically glutted, fed up with trying. And then you quit.

"Well, one day I woke up, and instead of throwing a few more futile appeals over that high brick wall to a God who may be or may not be there, I just quit. I decided that I didn't really care about God, about an after-life, or anything like that. I decided to spend what time I had left doing something more profitable. I thought about you and your class and I remembered something else you had said:

‘The essential sadness is to go through life without loving.’
“But it would be almost equally sad to go through life and leave this world without ever telling those you loved that you had loved them.

"So, I began with the hardest one, my Dad. He was reading the newspaper when I approached him.

"Dad."

"Yes, what?" he asked without lowering the newspaper.

"Dad, I would like to talk with you."

"Well, talk.”

"I mean. It's really important."

The newspaper came down three slow inches. "What is it?"

"Dad, I love you, I just wanted you to know that."

 

Tom smiled at me and said it with obvious satisfaction, as though he felt a warm and secret joy flowing inside of him.

"The newspaper fluttered to the floor. Then my father did two things I could never remember him ever doing before. He cried and he hugged me. We talked all night, even though he had to go to work the next morning."

“It felt so good to be close to my father, to see his tears, to feel his hug, to hear him say that he loved me.

"It was easier with my mother and little brother. They cried with me, too, and we hugged each other, and started saying real nice things to each other. We shared the things we had been keeping secret for so many years.

"I was only sorry about one thing.... that I had waited so long.

"Here I was, just beginning to open up to all the people I had actually been close to.

"Then, one day I turned around and God was there.

"He didn't come to me when I pleaded with Him. I guess I was like an animal trainer holding out a hoop, 'C'mon, jump through. C'mon, I'll give you three days, three weeks.

“Apparently God does things in His own way and at His own hour.

"But the important thing is that He was there. He found me! You were right. He found me even after I stopped looking for Him."

"Tommy," I practically gasped, "I think you are saying something very important and much more universal than you realize. To me, at least, you are saying that the surest way to find God is not to make Him a private possession, a problem solver, or an instant consolation in time of need, but rather by opening to love.

“You know, the Apostle John said: 'God is love, and anyone who lives in love is living with God and God is living in him.’

"Tom, could I ask you a favour? You know, when I had you in class you were a real pain. But (laughingly) you can make it all up to me now. Would you come into my present Theology of Faith course and tell them what you have just told me? If I told them the same thing it wouldn't be half as effective as if you were to tell it.”

"Oooh…. I was ready for you, but I don't know if I'm ready for your class."

"Tom, think about it. If and when you are ready, give me a call."

In a few days Tom called, said he was ready for the class, that he wanted to do that for God and for me.

So we scheduled a date.

However, he never made it. He had another appointment, far more important than the one with me and my class.

Of course, his life was not really ended by his death, only changed.

He made the great step from faith into vision. He found a life far more beautiful than the eye of man has ever seen or the ear of man has ever heard or the mind of man has ever imagined.

Before he died, we talked one last time.

"I'm not going to make it to your class," he said.

"I know, Tom."

"Will you tell them for me? Will you.... tell the whole world for me?"

“I will, Tom. I'll tell them. I'll do my best."

So, to all of you who have been kind enough to read this simple story about God's love, thank you for listening. And to you, Tommy, somewhere in the sunlit, verdant hills of heaven.... I told them, Tommy, as best I could.

If this story means anything to you, please pass it on to a friend or two.

The last words of Steve Jobs -

 I have come to the pinnacle of success in business.  In the eyes of others, my life has been the symbol of success.  However, apart from work, I have little joy.  Finally, my wealth is simply a fact to which I am accustomed.  At this time, lying on the hospital bed and remembering all my life, I realize that all the accolades and riches of which I was once so proud, have become insignificant with my imminent death.  In the dark, when I look at green lights, of the equipment for artificial respiration and feel the buzz of their mechanical sounds, I can feel the breath of my approaching death looming over me. 


 Only now do I understand that once you accumulate enough money for the rest of your life, you have to pursue objectives that are not related to wealth.  It should be something more important:  For example, stories of love, art, dreams of my childhood.  No, stop pursuing wealth, it can only make a person into a twisted being, just like me. 


God has made us one way, we can feel the love in the heart of each of us, and not illusions built by fame or money, like I made in my life, I cannot take them with me.  I can only take with me the memories that were strengthened by love.  This is the true wealth that will follow you; will accompany you, he will give strength and light to go ahead. 


 Love can travel thousands of miles and so life has no limits.  Move to where you want to go.  Strive to reach the goals you want to achieve. Everything is in your heart and in your hands. 


 What is the world's most expensive bed?  The hospital bed.  You, if you have money, you can hire someone to drive your car, but you cannot hire someone to take your illness that is killing you.  Material things lost can be found.  But one thing you can never find when you lose: life.  Whatever stage of life where we are right now, at the end we will have to face the day when the curtain falls. 


 Please treasure your family love, love for your spouse, love for your friends...  Treat everyone well and stay friendly with your neighbors.

DEEP PRAYER- FEEL LIGHT AS A FEATHER

We should pray and surrender  to the almighty irrespective of  situations , events and conditions

Our prayers should not be linked to situations , events and conditions which are prevailing

 It will be a major  folly committed by us  in case we assume  that we are not worthy enough to pray to him

Only the superior Divine force is   our lifeboat during  all our sufferings ,  trials and tribulations.

 And sssuming that we are imperfect  to pray and perhaps  waiting for the right moment only delays our redemption

In such a scenario we will never be in a position to  attain salvation

We should always  feel blessed, positive,  abundant and  believe that we  worthy as all animate and inanimate objects are nothing but  his creation

We need to develop  trust and have immense faith in God

And repose immense  faith in the Divine force

We are humans and to err is humans

We should accept this facet of our personality with utmost humility

Committing mistakes is part of our nature and we should attribute even this trait to the almighty

Since we are the images and imitation of the almighty we are worthy enough  to pray

However our prayer should not be a mere  ritualistic excercise  but ensure that  the pining should emerge  from the bottom of our hearts

Almighty God negates all our misgivings in case  we surrender to the superior power with absolute humility

Do not try to play games and trick God

A true seeker does not indulge in spiritual shopping and sublimates his ego when he approaches the almighty

We should not harbor feelings of guilt , avarice , greed , jealousy when we approach God

For he himself  has ignited our minds to pray

We should truly  remember that God himself has initiated the prayer

Such is the power of prayer

We should weep while praying and surrender all our emotions

Then the cardinal principles of Law of Attraction will work

We all suffer . Even Buddha suffered after attaining enlightenment. Rama , Christ all suffered

So we should not feel despondent

Just pray deeply and meditate on the holy name

Train your minds that only  good will happen

Then good starts happening like miracles

If  our mind focuses on lack we will be deprived of his grace

Let us open the doors of our minds , clear all cobwebs and pray to the almighty and meditate deeply

Then we will feel as light as  a feather.

Vedic Mathematics - learn The Art of Living Way

Vedic Mathematics 

During the last century (1884 – 1960), Sri Krishna Thirtha Maharaj, reintroduced the Vedic Mathematics through his   relentless  research work with the  available information  at Shringeri mutt between 1911-1913. He was a renowned  scholar with numerous records against his name and was indeed  a genius.  He was the  Sankaracharya at Saradha Peeth  during 1921-1925 and once  again adorned the position  at Gowardhan Peet during 1925 – 1960.

This  remarkable repository of knowledge combines  16 sutras, 13 upa-sutras and  Vinkulam besides an  efficient mechanism of  COMBO operations. The Vedic Mathematics is known for  its simplicity and speed.  It takes merely  one line to arrive at the ultimate   result without any botheration of  intermediate results. The veracity of the result too is checked with alacrity and authenticity.

This knowledge  can be   a boon and a luxury to enhance  the performance and efficiency  of the  central processing unit of a  computer that  has apparently witnessed an element of saturation  and stagnation  since the beginning of this century. This ancient knowledge can  be complimentary to contemporary mathematics which is  imparted to young minds  at schools.

Of late several  research papers have been  tabled and the subject has been analysed threadbare  at various international Engineering and Computer conferences. The  'role of Vedic Mathematics to speed up the computer' and  focus on  the power and importance of Vedic Mathematics in the contemporary world of numbers are fascinating areas  and are igniting the minds of both the  traditionalists and scientists alike.  After all  this was the country which gave the world the concept of zero. So we know our numbers.

Vedic Mathematics can help students in numerous ways:

–      It is    complimentary to the existing pedagogy of imparting the knowledge of mathematics.

–     Studies indicate that  students find it   simple , quick and intelligent to understand and grasp.

–    The pedagogy with the emphasis on speed   is   truly Godsend  during competitive exams which have  quantitative aptitude questions

–       Those learning the skill are excelling in grasping the power of  'numbers'.

–     Most importantly this technique dispels  the 'fear' of Maths.

–      The remarkable  independent result verification technique enforces  to confirm the authenticity and  correctness of the results.

–       Significantly the simple one  line mental solution is a real gift to the learner.

–      There are two hemispheres of the brain. The left and the right. While the left side focuses on logic and sciences, the right hemisphere enhances our artistic abilities. A student who learns Vedic Mathematics can  holistically  develop both the hemispheres of the brain as it simultaneously  activates both the sides.

–    Most importantly the mind  is cultivated and cultured to be in the present moment through increased awareness. Gurudev always emphasizes to be in the present moment. As the present moment is inevitable.

In the present moment , the mind does not oscillate between the past and future. The past is brimful of regrets and the  future hangs on to the coattails of anxiety and worry. Sudarshan Kriya the unique breathing rhythmic breathing technique brings our mind to the present.

So students enroll for the unique course of Vedic Mathematics as imparted by the Art of Living.