How To Attract Grace Into My Life? ~Sri Sri

How To Attract Grace Into My Life?

~Sri Sri 

Whenever there is victory, it is due to some grace. Whether it is victory in sports, in a lottery, in studies, in a competition, or in politics – all of it happens through grace alone. When a person forgets that and gets into ego, then it results in their downfall. So always remember that whenever and wherever there is victory, it is through grace.

What is Grace?

There is a commonly-used phrase – “God's Grace”. What does this mean?

Whenever you achieve something very significant that felt like it was beyond your capacity, which was worth having, but came to you not by your doing alone, that is Grace.

You feel, “I am not capable or qualified for this, yet I got this”.

When you recognize the Grace in your life, you feel very grateful, because you feel you have been bestowed with things that you were not worthy of. And this is the language of a wise person. A wise person never says, "Oh, I earned it. This is my right". When you think it is your right, you are getting what you got because of your right – there is no gratitude. Gratefulness is there when you feel that you got this not by your effort but because it was bestowed on you by Grace, as a gift.

What is the Cause of Grace?

Grace is causeless and unmerited. It is not obtained through some merit or cause. Grace is received without any conditions. It is not that only after doing something you will receive Grace. If so, then that is not Grace – that is business. You are blessed with Grace just like that – without any conditions whatsoever. Grace is always there, just become aware of it and know that you are being showered with Grace.

Grace is something that can go inside even a closed purse. You don’t need to pay money to receive Grace. And if someone tells you that Grace will come to you only by opening your purse and giving money, then know that something is wrong for sure. God always blesses you in abundance. You need not pay money to receive it.

How Do I Attract More Grace in My Life?

The more grateful we become, the more we experience Grace in life. A mind that is complaining all the time cannot experience Grace. But one who is thankful and contented experiences more Grace in life.

 

We say that we want blessings and Grace. Blessings are available in plenty, but if your vessel is small, then what to do?

If you bring a tea cup and say, “Give me two liters of milk in this”, how can two liters of milk fit in the little cup? The cup is small and you are asking for too much. You need to bring a vessel with the capacity of three liters and then I can give you two liter or three liter, whatever you want.

So, you must remember that whatever you get is your capacity, and if you want to get more, then you must expand your capacity. When your capacity increases, more will definitely come to you.

How Do I Expand My Capacity to Receive More Grace?

Just having the intention to increase one’s capacity itself does half the job.

Be natural, simple, and humble. Humility from within naturally increases one’s capacity.

Meditation, spiritual practices, service to society and knowledge.

Shatt Sampatti (the Six Wealths or Six-fold Virtues)

Sama (calmness of mind) 

Dama (self-control or restraint of the senses) 

Uparati (satiety) 

Titiksha (power of endurance) 

Shraddha (faith) 

Samadhana (equanimity or one-pointedness of the mind)

This is what you must focus on increasing more in your life. By enhancing these virtues, your capacity to receive blessings will increase.

Free Press Journal

http://epaper.freepressjournal.in/1478651/The-Free-Press-Journal-Mumbai-Edition/24-Dec-2017#page/15

Sisrshasana - Article in the Free Press Journal

http://epaper.freepressjournal.in/1478651/The-Free-Press-Journal-Mumbai-Edition/24-Dec-2017#page/15

Astrology Session of H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

⭐"Astrology session"⭐ #Guruji said when we know that some #planet is not so favourable to us during a given period we & people around us can be more careful,

summarising the remedy for various planets as heard from the astrology session - 

1.#Sun can be made strong by meditation

2.#Moon & #Mercury by listening to knowledge

3.#Venus by singing, satsang

4. #Mars & #Jupiter by pranayam

5.#Saturn by seva & exercise asanas

@SriSri

Efficacy of Mantras

​http://www.freepressjournal.in/peace-of-mind/efficacy-of-mantras-you-should-be-aware-of/1184458

Benefits of Walking - As shared

Why walk is necessary ?         Good Information 

Ever wondered what happens to your body when you start walking?

Here's a minute-by   -minute rundown of the amazing chain reaction walking and exercise has upon your body, it's truly amazing!

Minutes 1 to 5

Your first few steps trigger the release of energy-producing chemicals in your cells to fuel your walk. Your heart rate revs-up from about 70 to 100 beats per minute (bpm), boosting blood-flow and warming muscles.

Any stiffness subsides as joints release lubricating fluid to help you move more easily. As you get moving, your body burns 5 calories per minute, compared with only 1 per minute at rest. Your body needs more fuel and starts pulling from its carbohydrates and fat stores.

Minutes 6 to 10

Heartbeat increases and you're burning up to 6 calories a minute as you pick up the pace. A slight rise in blood pressure is countered by the release of chemicals that expand blood vessels, bringing more blood and oxygen to working muscles.

Minutes 11 to 20

Your body temperature keeps rising, and you start to perspire as blood vessels near the skin expand to release heat. As your walk becomes brisker, you'll be burning up to 7 calories a minute and breathing harder. Hormones such as epinephrine and glucagon rise to release fuel to the muscles.

Minutes 21 to 45

Feeling invigorated, you start to relax as your body releases tension, thanks in part to a dose of feel-good chemicals such as endorphins in your brain. As more fat is burned, insulin (which helps store fat) drops--excellent news for anyone battling excess weight or diabetes.

Minutes 46 to 60

Your muscles may feel fatigued as carbohydrates stores are reduced. As you cool down, your heart rate decreases and your breathing slows. You'll be burning fewer calories but more than you were before you started. Your calorie burn will remain elevated for up to 1 hour.

All this happens without a single conscious thought from us - the human body is amazing.

Stay blessed -Stayfit

Walk / Exercise

          

 Kindly forward to as many as possible.

Have a Happy Walking..

One Life, Many Masters*- As shared

One Life, Many Masters*

One of the great Sufi Masters, Junnaid, was dying. His chief disciple came close to him and asked softly, ″Master, you are leaving us. One question has always been in our minds.  Who was your Master? This has been a great curiosity among all your disciples because we have never heard you talk about your Master. But we could never gather the courage to ask you."

Junnaid opened his eyes and said, ″It will be very difficult for me to answer because I have learned from almost everybody. The whole existence has been my Master. I have learned from every event that has happened in my life. And I am grateful to all that has happened, because out of all that learning I have arrived.″ 

Junnaid said, ″Just to satisfy your curiosity I will give you three instances...

One: 

I was very thirsty and I was going towards the river carrying my begging bowl, the only possession I had. When I reached the river a dog rushed, jumped into the river, started drinking. 

I watched the dog for a moment and threw away my begging bowl. Because I saw it is useless. A dog could do without it. I also jumped into the river, drank as much water as I wanted. My whole body was cool because I had jumped into the river. I sat in the river for a few moments, thanked the dog, touched his feet with deep reverence because he had taught me a lesson. 

I had dropped everything, all possessions, but there was a certain clinging to my begging bowl. It was a beautiful bowl, very beautifully carved, and I was always aware that somebody might steal it. Even in the night I used to put it under my head as a pillow so nobody could snatch it away. That was my last clinging. The dog helped. It was so clear: if a dog can manage without a begging bowl... I am a man, why can′t I manage? That dog was one of my Masters. 

Two:

I lost my way in a forest and by the time I reached the nearest village that I could find, it was midnight. Everybody was fast asleep. I wandered all over the town to see if I could find somebody awake to give me shelter for the night, until finally I found one man. I asked him, ′It seems only two persons are awake in the town, you and I. Can you give me shelter for the night?′ 

The man said, ′I can see from your gown that you are a Sufi 

The man said, ″I can see you are a Sufi and I feel a little embarrassed to take you to my home. I am perfectly willing, but I must tell you who I am. I am a thief. Would you like to be a guest of a thief?″ 

For a moment Junnaid hesitated. The thief said, ″Look, it is better I told you. You seem hesitant. The thief is willing but the mystic seems to be hesitant to enter into the house of a thief, as if the mystic is weaker than the thief. In fact, I should be afraid of you--you may change me, you may transform my whole life! Inviting you means danger, but I am not afraid. You are welcome. Come to my home. Eat, drink, go to sleep, and stay as long as you want, because I live alone and my earning is enough. I can manage for two persons. And it will be really beautiful to chit-chat with you of great things. But you seem to be hesitant.″ 

Junnaid became aware that it was true. He asked to be forgiven. He touched the feet of the thief and he said, ″Yes, my rootedness in my own being is yet very weak. You are really a strong man and I would like to come to your home. And I would like to stay a little longer, not only for this night. I want to be stronger myself!″ 

The thief said, ″Come on!″ He fed the Sufi, gave him something to drink, helped him to prepare for sleep and he said, ″Now I will go. I have to do my own thing. I will come back early in the morning.″ Early in the morning the thief came back. Junnaid asked, ″Have you been successful?″ 

The thief said, ″No, not today, but I will see tomorrow.″ 

And this happened continuously, for thirty days: every night the thief went out, and every morning he came back empty-handed. But he was never sad, never frustrated--no sign of failure on his face, always happy --and he would say, ″It doesn′t matter. I tried my best. I could not find anything today again, but tomorrow I will try. And, God willing, it can happen tomorrow if it has not happened today.″ 

After one month Junnaid left, and for years he tried to realize the ultimate, and it was always a failure. But each time he decided to drop the whole project he remembered the thief, his smiling face and his saying ″God willing, what has not happened today may happen tomorrow.″ 

Junnaid said, ″I remembered the thief as one of my greatest Masters. Without him I would not be what I am. 

Three:

I entered a small village. A little boy was carrying a lit candle, obviously going to the small temple of the town to put the candle there for the night.″ 

And Junnaid asked, ″Can you tell me from where the light comes? You have lighted the candle yourself so you must have seen. What is the source of light?″ 

The boy laughed and he said, ″Wait!″ And he blew out the candle in front of Junnaid. And he said, ″You have seen the light go. Can you tell me where it has gone? If you can tell me where it has gone I will tell you from where it has come, because it has gone to the same place. It has returned to the source.″ 

Junnaid said, ″I had met great philosophers but nobody had made such a beautiful statement: ′It has gone to its very source.′ 

Everything returns to its source finally. Moreover, the child made me aware of my own ignorance. I was trying to joke with the child, but the joke was on me. He showed me that asking foolish questions: 'From where has the light come?′--is not intelligent. It comes from nowhere, from nothingness--and it goes back to nowhere, to nothingness.″ 

Junnaid said, ″I touched the feet of the child. The child was puzzled. He said, ′Why you are touching my feet?′ And I told him, ′You are my Master--you have shown me something. You have given me a great lesson, a great insight.′ 

″Since that time,″ Junnaid said, ″I have been meditating on nothingness and slowly, slowly I have entered into nothingness. And now the final moment has come when the candle will go out, the light will go out. And I know where I am going--to the same source. 

I remember that child with gratefulness. I can still see him standing before me now, blowing out the candle.

No situation is without a lesson, no situation at all. All situations are pregnant with meaning and intelligence. But we have to discover them. They may not always be on the surface. 

When we see life itself as our master, these lessons become more accessible.

Sri Krishna and Duryodhana

Once, it so happened that Lord Krishna was standing in front of the mirror decorating himself. He was trying on different crowns on his head and putting on some fine jewelry while his charioteer waited outside with the chariot ready. His charioteer waited and waited and thought to himself – usually Krishna comes immediately, today he has still not come. So, out of curiosity he went inside to find out if the program was still on because Krishna was very unpredictable, anytime anything could change. So, the charioteer goes inside and he sees Lord Krishna standing in front of the mirror admiring himself.*

*He politely asked, “My dear Lord, tell me, why are you dressing up so much today. Where are we going?”*

*Lord Krishna said, “I am going to meet Duryodhana.”*

*The charioteer said, “You are dressing up so much to meet Duryodhana?”*

*Lord Krishna then said, “He cannot see my inside, he can only appreciate my outside. So how I am dressed will impress him because he cannot see my inside.”*

*Then the charioteer said, “You are going to Duryodhana? You should not go, he should come to you. This I cannot accept.”*

*Many times, the drivers and assistants give you more advise than needed. He continued to say, “This is not fair. Look at your status and look at him! You are the Lord of the world. You should not go, let him come.”*

*Krishna turned back, looked at him, smiled and said, “Darkness does not come to light, light has to go to darkness.”*

*These few words silenced the charioteer.*

_*Jai Shree Krishna 

Developing Skills to be a Successful Leader

​http://epaper.freepressjournal.in/1470288/The-Free-Press-Journal-Mumbai-Edition/17-Dec-2017#page/17/1

Article in Free Press Journal

​http://epaper.freepressjournal.in/1470288/The-Free-Press-Journal-Mumbai-Edition/17-Dec-2017#page/17/1

Mahabharata (as by Guruji)

Q: Thousands of years ago (at the time of the Mahabharata), people had the same problems as what we have today. There is not much difference.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Thousands of years ago also, there was a new moon and there was a full moon, there was winter and there was spring. So in everyone’s life also, the 18 chapters of the Bhagavad Gita happen.

•The first chapter is where you regret and say, "I am powerless and I give up".

•The second chapter in your life is when someone wakes you up and says, "Hey come on! There’s nothing to regret in life. There is something in you that doesn’t change andyou have the power to sail over all this". Then you wake up and you felt good.

•The third chapter tells you to act. Don’t sit and worry, ‘What about me? What about me? 'Go and act, this is Karma Yoga.

•The fourth chapter tells you, now that you are acting you must also listen to knowledge.Don’tbecome like a machine and only act, listen to knowledge as well. There is something beyond all this.

•The fifth chapter tells you about material and spiritual knowledge. You cannot say, "Everything is being done and there is nothing for me to do", or you cannot think, "I am doing everything. I did this and I did that". This is not going to work for you. Wake up and see, are things happening or are you really doing it?

•Then the sixth chapter is when you learn to meditate.

•The seventh chapter tells you, now that you’re meditating, you should know the author of meditation - the one who is meditating in you. 'Who am I? What is time?' Knowing all about science.

•Like that it goes on! When you meditate miracles happen in your life. Wake up and see the miracles! Many don’t observe miracles, nor believe in it. If you recognize it and believe in it then it happens even more! Give a chance for miracles to happen, don’t be so steeped in the material cause and effect - 'I did this so this will happen', or 'I did that and only that will happen', no! You did it but something else can also happen out of the blue! Recognizing that ‘something different’ is Vibhuti. Vibhuti means giving a chance for miracles in your life, exploring it.

•Then after that is knowing the universal self and knowing that everything is in me and I am in everything.

•Then comes love and devotion. You know and understand all this, but then what? It is not enough. You should be in deep love! When you know that the divine loves you, you cannot but fall in love with the divine! That’s the 12th chapter.

•Then you understand what are the divine qualities and what are the demonic qualitiesand you realize that you have all the divine qualities in you.

•Then there are the three qualities or Gunas (Sattvic, Rajasic and Tamasic) to everything: mind, ego and food. Sattvic ego is, "I am everything and everybody". The Tamasic ego is knowing that you are only this body, and the Rajasic ego is having a limited mindset and falling into craving and aversion.

•The final chapter is knowing that you cannot wash your own sins. Drop them and understand what is being said, "I am here to take care of your sins. Feel that you are mine, be connected to me and I will take care of everything. Just relax!’ This is sanyaasa or liberation.

These are the 18 chapters and these chapters are all a part of everybody’s life.Sometimes we don’t reach up to the 18th chapter. It takes many lifetimes to reach there!

Parents Live Forever (as received)

*Parents live forever*

People say that when parents die, the world comes to an end. The house looks empty. But I feel that parents live forever and they stay with us. It's us who forget them.

The matter of the fact is that a brother has eyes of his beloved father, a sister has the pretty face like the compassionate mother, a sibling smiles like dad or a sister cooks like mom. 

Parents don't die. They never leave us. They live among us. They live in us.

We are the reflections of our parents. Despite their physical absence, they continue to live in us.

When you want to remember parents, when you want to see them, when you want to be with them, simply gather your siblings around you. You will find the mesmerizing smile of the mother in one sibling, the soothing voice of the father in another. You will feel the parents very close to you. All around you. Deep inside you.

The garden of love that parents cultivate and grow with love, from the time that you are born, with the hard work of their tears and blood; it will continue to bloom, unaffected by the cycles of tough weathers of life. They shelter us in tough times.  But there are times, when we forget all their hard work and destroy their paradise that they built, with our selfishness, hatred, and opportunistic attitudes. Parents don't die. We put them to death.

Love your parents. Love your siblings. Continue to feed the garden that parents cultivated with love and compassion so that it never stops to bloom and blossom.  You will make your world a living paradise on earth. A heaven that only knows love, compassion, care, respect and it has you with your loved ones around you.🏼

Fitness

After the age of 50 

one may experience

many types of illnesses.

But the one I am most worried about is Alzheimer's.

Not only would I not be able to look after myself, 

but it would cause a lot of inconveinence to family members....

One day a doctor friend taught me an exercise using the tongue. 

The tongue exercise is effective to reduce the onset of Alzheimer's and is also useful to reduce/improve

*1* Body weight

*2* Hypertension

*3* Blood-Clot in Brain 

*4* Asthma

*5* Far-sightedness

*6* Ear buzzing

*7* Throat infection

*8* Shoulder / Neck infection

*9* Insomia

The moves are very simple and easy to learn....

Each morning, when you wash your face, in front of a mirror, do the exercise as below :

 

*stretch out your tongue and move it to the right then to the left for 10 times*

Since I started exercising my tongue daily, there was improvement in my Brain Retention. 

My mind was clear and fresh and there were other improvements too...

   1 Far sightedness 

        lesser

   2  No giddiness 

   3. Improved wellness

   4. Better digestion 

   5. Lesser flu/cold 

I am stronger and more agile.

Notes

The tongue exercise helps to control and prevent Alzheimer's...

Medical research has found that the tongue has connection with the BIG Brain. When our body becomes old and weak, the first sign to appear is that our tongue becomes stiff and often we tend to bite ourselves.

Frequently exercising your tongue will stimulate the brain, help to reduce our thoughts from shrinking and thus achieve a healthier body.

 Senior Citizens Please forward:

this to friends, certainly at least one life will be saved ... I've done my part, I hope you can help do your part. thanks!  Have a God-lead and fulfilled week!

Benefits of sleeping on your left side (as received)

*Benefits of Sleeping on Your Left Side.* 

*In Ayurveda it is called Vamkukshi..*

1. Prevents snoring

2. Helps in better blood circulation

3. Helps in proper digestion after meals

4. Gives relief to people having back and neck pain

5. Helps in filtering and purifying toxins, lymph fluids and wastes

6. Prevents serious illness as accumulated toxins are flushed out easily

7. Liver and kidneys work better

8. Helps in smooth bowel movements

9. Reduces workload on heart and its proper functioning

10. Prevents acidity and heartburn

11. Prevents fatigue during morning

12. Fat gets digested easily

13. Positive impact on brain

14. It delays onset of Parkinsons and Alzheimers

15. It is also considered to be the best sleeping position according to Ayurveda.

_Do share this information!_

Positive Living ( as received)

1. *Take the stairs and always carry your own stuff* This represents firm proponent of doctor Hinohara, he still takes two steps at a time climbing the stairs. 2. *Do not believe everything your doctor recommends or says* Explore, read and educated yourself. You do not have to believe in everything your doctor says. 3. *Share what you know* Dr. Hinohara gives 150 lectures on an annual basis in schools, business communities etc. He often shares lessons on war and peace. Do not forget that most of the lessons (90 min) are done standing up. 4. *You do not have to retire* If you love the work you do, you do not have to retire. 5. *Plan ahead* If you want to enjoy your life better, you have to have busy schedule fill with different appointments, lectures, work, etc. Dr. Hinohara is planning to attend the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. 6. *Don’t be overweight* Dr. Hinohara consumes a tbsp of olive oil, orange juice and coffee for breakfast. Cookies and milk for lunch and rice, fish and veggies for dinner. He consumes 100g of lean meat two times a week. 7. *Energy does not come from sleeping a lot or eating well, it comes from feeling good* You will be more happy and energetic if you eliminate strict time-regulated rules, be like children – have a lots of fun until you feel sleepy or hungry. 8. *It is wonderful to live long* He continues serving society, he volunteers, works 18h per day, 7 days a week and he also enjoy every single moment of his life. 9. *Find a role model* The doctor usually asks himself what his father would do when he faces with some issue. 10. *Do not worry too much, life is unpredictable and full of incidents* The doctor was hijacked by the communist Red Army when he has 59 years old. He spent 4 days under 40 degree heat and handcuffed to his seat. He is also amazed how his body slowed down to adapt to deprivation. 11. *Science alone can not help or cure people* The doctor believes that every illness can be cured with liberal and visual arts. He also believes in the uniqueness of every single individual. 12. *Do not be crazy for money* The doctor is more than aware that he can not take anything when he goes! 13. *Pain is mysterious* You have to do something fun if you want to forget about pain. The doctor found that music and animals can really help you to get rid of and mange your pain. 14. *Be inspired* You must find inspiration in the World in order to motivate yourself. For ex: he finds motivation in the poem “Abt Vogler” by Robert Browning. https://tinyurl.com/y7a73ygr

Yoga vs Physical Exercises (as received)

[27/11, 16:04] Ravi Valluri: *Yoga exercise v/s other Physical exercise*

1. Yoga emphasises on slow motion exercise with deep breathing and periods of relaxation whereas other violent physical exercise emphasise on fast muscular movement which produce large quantities of *lactic acid* in the muscle fibre causing fatigue.

2. Yoga regards body as an instrument for a journey to perfection. It is designed to develop mental faculties and concentration. It believes in having a healthy body where all organs function under the intelligent control of mind. In other physical exercises, the violent muscular movements increase the adrenaline and stimulates the mind. A muscular body can’t necessarily be healthy,as mind is not controlled and the short term health may give license to indulge in a unhealthy lifestyle.

3. The inverted postures in yoga use gravity to force the blood back to the heart thus strengthening and stretching the heart which increases the volume of blood circulated. While other physical exercises are solely aerobic, increase heart pumping and thereby circulation placing a tremendous amount of strain on the heart.

4. Yoga pays great attention to maintaining the flexibility of the spine and joints. It keeps muscle elastic and the stretching of joints causes secretion of a lubricant called *synovial fluid* that keeps the joints supple and reduce stiffness. In other physical exercises less attention is paid to warming up and stretching of muscles, the violent movements can damage muscles, causing long term stiffness. 

5. Deep breathing exercises in yoga ensure that the oxygen supply is in abundance. Relaxation is done systematically to pay off oxygen debt while in other physical exercises the intake of oxygen can not meet the muscular demands, lactic acid is accumulated in the muscles leading to fatigue and exertion.

[27/11, 16:04] Ravi Valluri: *Yoga exercise v/s other Physical exercise*

1. Yoga emphasises on slow motion exercise with deep breathing and periods of relaxation whereas other violent physical exercise emphasise on fast muscular movement which produce large quantities of *lactic acid* in the muscle fibre causing fatigue.

2. Yoga regards body as an instrument for a journey to perfection. It is designed to develop mental faculties and concentration. It believes in having a healthy body where all organs function under the intelligent control of mind. In other physical exercises, the violent muscular movements increase the adrenaline and stimulates the mind. A muscular body can’t necessarily be healthy,as mind is not controlled and the short term health may give license to indulge in a unhealthy lifestyle.

3. The inverted postures in yoga use gravity to force the blood back to the heart thus strengthening and stretching the heart which increases the volume of blood circulated. While other physical exercises are solely aerobic, increase heart pumping and thereby circulation placing a tremendous amount of strain on the heart.

4. Yoga pays great attention to maintaining the flexibility of the spine and joints. It keeps muscle elastic and the stretching of joints causes secretion of a lubricant called *synovial fluid* that keeps the joints supple and reduce stiffness. In other physical exercises less attention is paid to warming up and stretching of muscles, the violent movements can damage muscles, causing long term stiffness. 

5. Deep breathing exercises in yoga ensure that the oxygen supply is in abundance. Relaxation is done systematically to pay off oxygen debt while in other physical exercises the intake of oxygen can not meet the muscular demands, lactic acid is accumulated in the muscles leading to fatigue and exertion.

Overcoming Psychological Disorders- Article in Free Press Journal

Kindly find the link of  an article published in Free Press Journal, Mumbai. This is purely because of Guruji's  love, affection, guidance and deep affection.

http://epaper.freepressjournal.in/1453310/The-Free-Press-Journal-Mumbai-Edition/03-Dec-2017#page/17/2

REUNION

In response to the invitation for a rather unusual REUNION of all- time greats:

* Newton said he'd drop in.

* Socrates said he'd think about it.

* Ohm resisted the idea.

* Boyle said he was under too much pressure.

* Darwin said he'd wait to see what evolved.

* Pierre and Marie Curie radiated enthusiasm.

* Volta was electrified at the prospect.

* Pavlov positively drooled at the thought.

* Ampere was worried he wasn't current enough though alternately none were.

* Audubon said he'd have to wing it.

* Edison thought it would be illuminating.

* Einstein said it would be relatively easy to attend.

* Archimedes was buoyant at the thought.

* Dr Jekyll declined - he said he hadn't been feeling himself lately.

* Morse said, "I'll be there on the dot. Can't stop now, must dash."

* Gauss was asked to attend because of his magnetism.

* Hertz said he planned to attend with greater frequency in the future.

* Watt thought it would be a good way to let off steam.

* Wilbur Wright accepted, provided he and Orville could get a flight.

* And Dr. Sigmund Freud couldn't help but give it the slip!

* Aryabhatta said there were zero chances of him showing up.

*Chapter 1 - Arjuna Vishada Yoga*- Pujya Gurudev

*Chapter 1 - Arjuna Vishada Yoga*

*_Day1_*

The universe is a brilliant expression of consciousness. Everything you see here is nothing but an expression of consciousness, in it's brilliance. The purpose of every created object is to remind you that the consciousness which has created this, which is the basis of this existence is the most brilliant one. Bharata means brilliance. Mahabharata means the great brilliance. The great brilliance has a song to it, has a rhythm to it, and that is Gita. Bhagwad Gita means 'Divine Song'. When there is a war, you cannot sing. War simply means disharmony. Music means harmony. On a battlefield knowledge is so far away, yet that is what is most necessary there. When there is a war, wisdom is most essential. Bringing harmony where it is most needed is the brilliance of the Divinity. Bringing wisdom, not in a palace, but amidst war is the brilliance of the Divinity. Music is harmony. See the dichotomy in this. In the battlefield, can someone sing and talk to you about the Self? When someone does it, it is little short of a miracle! And on who does so is an expression of Divinity. One who did that in the battlefield, bringing out the wisdom of life, the truth of life, indicates an eternal phenomenon. 

Life is a struggle when you don't know harmony. Everything here appears to be in conflict. The four elements are in conflict with each other. Fire does not like water, water does not like fire. Air does not like fire and vice versa. All the four elements in creation - the fifth one is just a witness - are in conflict. In the same way, in your body there is conflict, in the world there is conflict, in society there is conflict, in family there is conflict. There is conflict between the young and old, between the wise and the foolish, because the universe is made up of opposites. When it is made up of opposites, conflicts are bound to arise, then war is inevitable there. However, intervention of the Divinity can change this whole scenario. Its the Divinity which can raise your eyes to the fact that there is harmony, there is beauty, there are all these beautiful things on the planet. Its your spirit which appreciates a thorn, makes it something decorative, an Ikebana(japanese art of arranging flowers) or throws it in the bush. When your perception changes, everything changes in the world.

*Chapter 1 - Arjuna Vishada Yoga*- Jai GuruDev

*Chapter 1 - Arjuna Vishada Yoga*

*_Day 2_*

When you are blind, there is disharmony, and that's exactly what happened in the Gita. The king Dhritarashtra was blind. When the king is blind, there will be war. It is inevitable. When the head of the family is adamant, arrogant, and blind, everybody in the family suffers. When a professor, who is head of a department at a college or university, is foolish then he cannot recognise real talents and then thus frustration filters through the whole setup. The same is true with any business setup. Take any example, if the head is blind, then there is suffering throughout. But the suffering does not just remain down the line, it comes back to the head, and that's exactly what happened in the Mahabharata, of which Bhagwad Gita is the central core. The king, who was blind didnt know what was happening. 

Often, people who are adamant, who are arrogant, who are blind, do not ask questions (the _Gita_ begins with a question). There is no spirit of enquiry in them, they think they know all. When you think you know, without knowing, then you are in big trouble, then nobody can help you. However, that state doesn't last too long, because when there is a problem, it doesnt stay away from you. Whatever problem you create for others, comes back to you, and so the problem came back to the king. He wanted to know, "What is happening?" There is a good end to everything; every conflict has a good end. The moment you want to get out of a problem, it means you have climbed one step towards victory. Realization of a problem means we are out of the problem. 

Coping With Challenges-Free Press Journal

http://www.freepressjournal.in/peace-of-mind/coping-with-the-challenges-of-life/1176664

*Chapter 1 - Arjuna Vishada Yoga*- Pujya Gurudev

*Chapter 1 - Arjuna Vishada Yoga*

*_Day3_*

So Dhritarashtra, the king, called Sanjay - Sanjay means 'the right victory' - and asked him: 

*dharma-ksetre kuru-ksetre samaveta yuyutsavah mdmakdhpandavds caiva kim akurvata sanjaya (1.1)*

"Sanjay, my dear son, please tell me what is happening on this Dharma Kshetra (the land of dharma, the land of action). This is a land of action. This universe, our world is a place where law governs, dharma governs. If our actions are in accordance with dharma, there is always harmony. If our actions are against the law, against dharma then we face disharmony or conflict. Knowing this, he asked Sanjay, "Tell me, what is happening? You can see it, but I cant. You tell me what is happening in Kurukshetra, between my children and the Pandavas." Its my-ness, the limited belongingness that blinds a person. A limited understanding of what is mine, what is not mine makes a person miserable. 

Dhritrashtra asked Sanjay, "What is happening? Sanjay was intuitive; his inner eye was open. He was a sort of psychic. He didn't watch any crystal ball, but he was so intuitive, that sitting in the palace he saw what was happening out there in the battle field. In those days there were no cameras, so the people had to use their inner faculties. There was no conference calling, no television stations. However, some people had great inner vision, an inner ability to cognise, to recognise, to comprehend things happening far away. Even today there are many people who can see things, who can predict, who can visualise whats happening elsewhere. Sanjay was an expert in that, and the king sought an experts help to see what is happening. That is the beginning of Gita. When you dont have the ability, take the help of those who have the ability - the very first lesson. You cant do everything by yourself. So take help from those who can do it, and then do it. See that they too are part of you.

Mahabharata- As per H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Q: Thousands of years ago (at the time of the Mahabharata), people had the same problems as what we have today. There is not much difference.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Thousands of years ago also, there was a new moon and there was a full moon, there was winter and there was spring. So in everyone’s life also, the 18 chapters of the Bhagavad Gita happen.

•The first chapter is where you regret and say, "I am powerless and I give up".

•The second chapter in your life is when someone wakes you up and says, "Hey come on! There’s nothing to regret in life. There is something in you that doesn’t change andyou have the power to sail over all this". Then you wake up and you felt good.

•The third chapter tells you to act. Don’t sit and worry, ‘What about me? What about me? 'Go and act, this is Karma Yoga.

•The fourth chapter tells you, now that you are acting you must also listen to knowledge.Don’tbecome like a machine and only act, listen to knowledge as well. There is something beyond all this.

•The fifth chapter tells you about material and spiritual knowledge. You cannot say, "Everything is being done and there is nothing for me to do", or you cannot think, "I am doing everything. I did this and I did that". This is not going to work for you. Wake up and see, are things happening or are you really doing it?

•Then the sixth chapter is when you learn to meditate.

•The seventh chapter tells you, now that you’re meditating, you should know the author of meditation - the one who is meditating in you. 'Who am I? What is time?' Knowing all about science.

•Like that it goes on! When you meditate miracles happen in your life. Wake up and see the miracles! Many don’t observe miracles, nor believe in it. If you recognize it and believe in it then it happens even more! Give a chance for miracles to happen, don’t be so steeped in the material cause and effect - 'I did this so this will happen', or 'I did that and only that will happen', no! You did it but something else can also happen out of the blue! Recognizing that ‘something different’ is Vibhuti. Vibhuti means giving a chance for miracles in your life, exploring it.

•Then after that is knowing the universal self and knowing that everything is in me and I am in everything.

•Then comes love and devotion. You know and understand all this, but then what? It is not enough. You should be in deep love! When you know that the divine loves you, you cannot but fall in love with the divine! That’s the 12th chapter.

•Then you understand what are the divine qualities and what are the demonic qualitiesand you realize that you have all the divine qualities in you.

•Then there are the three qualities or Gunas (Sattvic, Rajasic and Tamasic) to everything: mind, ego and food. Sattvic ego is, "I am everything and everybody". The Tamasic ego is knowing that you are only this body, and the Rajasic ego is having a limited mindset and falling into craving and aversion.

•The final chapter is knowing that you cannot wash your own sins. Drop them and understand what is being said, "I am here to take care of your sins. Feel that you are mine, be connected to me and I will take care of everything. Just relax!’ This is sanyaasa or liberation.

These are the 18 chapters and these chapters are all a part of everybody’s life.Sometimes we don’t reach up to the 18th chapter. It takes many lifetimes to reach there!

The Power of the Subconscious Mind

​http://www.freepressjournal.in/peace-of-mind/know-the-power-of-the-subconscious-mind/1172703