MAKING TERMS WITH THE ADVERSARY

MAKING TERMS WITH THE ADVERSARY Around the Year with Emmet Fox April 28 By coining to terms with the adversary in the first place, that is to say, by getting our thought right immediately concerning any difficulty, we incur no "costs" and the transaction remains a simple one. Suppose that you find yourself sneezing. If you say: "There, now, I have caught cold again; I am in for it!" and then proceed to dwell upon the thought that you have caught cold, you are giving the trouble the opportunity to dig itself in to your mentality. People often indulge in quite a meditation upon colds. Instead, if at the first moment that the possibility of catching cold occurs to you, you immediately reject it and affirm the Truth, the whole thing will be over in a short time. Or perhaps upon opening your morning mail you find a notice informing you that your bank has failed. Many people in such a case would saturate themselves with the thought of ruin by rehearsing every kind of difficulty that might come. However, the proper thing to do, immediately upon becoming aware of the news, is to turn to God—your real support— and refuse to accept the suggestion of trouble as binding; literally drive the thought of loss, fear, and resentment out of consciousness. If you do this, working steadily until peace of mind is restored, you will presently find that in some way or other the trouble will disappear. Either the bank will speedily recover itself— and there is no reason at all why one person's prayer should not save the bank and the fortunes of thousands—or, if this is not possible, you will find your loss equalized in some other way. “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” Romans 10:13

Ram Naam Satya Hai

Why do people in Hinduism say 'Ram nam satya hai' when carrying the deathbed of somebody. What significance does it hold? In Hinduism, the phrase "Ram naam satya hai" is frequently uttered during the last rites or funeral procession of a deceased person. The statement is shouted by mourners as they take the body to the cremation or burial place and has profound cultural and spiritual significance. The importance and meaning of the term are as follows: Ram Naam: "Ram naam" is the name of Lord Rama, one of Hinduism's most cherished deities. The ideal human being, righteousness, and virtue are all represented by Lord Rama. The recitation of Lord Rama's name is thought to purify the soul and provide divine protection. The phrase "Satya Hai" can be translated as "is the truth" or "truth wins." By saying this sentence repeatedly, the mourners express their acceptance of the natural cycle of birth, life, and death as well as their recognition of impermanence and mortality. It serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of existence and the unavoidable transition to the realm of eternity. Accepting fact: Chanting "Ram naam satya hai" during a deceased person's ultimate journey is a method for the bereaved to accept the fact of death and take comfort in the divine will. The knowledge that the departed spirit is being led by Lord Rama's heavenly name brings solace. Spiritual Liberation: Hinduism holds that reciting holy words or mantras at the moment of death will help the soul pass peacefully from this life to the next. It is considered lucky to invoke the name of Lord Rama since it is thought to aid in the soul's deliverance (moksha) from the cycle of birth and death. The expression also acts as a means of honouring the divine and requesting favours for the departed soul. The grieving ask Lord Rama's blessings and protection for the soul's future travels by chanting "Ram naam satya hai”. It is crucial to note that Hinduism's many locations and communities may have diverse funeral rites and mourning displays. During funeral processions, "Ram naam satya hai" is a typical phrase used, however there are numerous variations and practises that may be used depending on local customs and beliefs.

Rama and Ravana battle

he final battle between Rama and Ravana lasted just 1 day. The shloka about it lasting 7 days is a clear interpolation. Indrajit was killed on Krishna Paksha Chaturdasi (14th day of dark half of this month). Ravana’s minister Suparshva advised him to march against Rama the next day which was Amavasya - Making yourself ready today itself, the fourteenth day of the dark half of this month, you along with the armies, sally forth tomorrow, the moonless day, to victory." Sarga 92, Yuddha kanda, Valmiki Ramayana. 2. The final battle between the armies started the next day which was Amavasya day - Towards sun-rise, that very terrific battle became tumultuous between demons and monkeys. Those monkeys and demons then began to strike each other with multi-coloured maces, darts, swords and axes in the battle. Sarga 93, Yuddha kanda, Valmiki Ramayana. 3. After destroying Ravana, Sri Rama arrived at the ashrama of Bharadwaja on Panchami or the 5th day of the bright half of lunar month - After completion of fourteen years of his exile and on the fifth day of the bright half of the lunar month of Ashvayuja Rama, who was disciplined even now, reaching the hermitage of the sage Bharadwaja, offered his salutation to the sage. Sarga 124, Yuddha kanda, Valmiki Ramayana. This clearly shows that only 5 days passed between the start of the final battle and Rama's arrival at Bharadwaja’s Ashrama. 4. Also Lakshamana had asked Rama to kill Ravana before Sunset - "I, for my part, wish to see the death of this evil-minded fellow instantly, even before this sun, having finished his task, does not sink below the horizon." Sarga 101, Yuddha kanda, Valmiki Ramayana. All of this clearly shows that Rama killed Ravana within a single day.

Survival of Hinduism

Newton’s Third Law~ For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. That’s the main reason for Hinduism to stay not only alive but hearty and healthy. Harder the suppression stronger is retaliation, it takes no time for a flower to turn into a thorny bush. Physical Assault: Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb started toying with the idea of making India an Islamic country paving way for forceful conversions. Physical Retaliation Shivaji maharaj thwarted all his attempts and made him busy in Southern conquests, this resulted in providing base for future Maratha Empire once Mughals vanished Educational Assault British Rule tried to impose their distorted version of Hinduism to make the way easier for missionaries and to fill Hindus and other Indian religions (including Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists) with a lowly feeling that they belong to an unscientific backward faith. Educational Retaliation Swami Vivekananda and Sri Aurobindo changed the understanding of Hinduism and took the teachings right into the heart of Western Civilization during British Rule, this resulted in future inflows of Gurus and Swamis to share their snatani knowledge with Westerners. Today Yoga is practiced all over the World. No one is ashamed of being a Hindu and an Indian. Political Assault Mr Jinnah proposed a two nation theory and wanted to include entire Punjab (haryana, himachal), Assam, Bengal in Pakistan and make it Islamic republic. He also tried to woo Princely states of Hyderabad and Junagarh, Jodhpur. Political Retaliation Made Pakistan look like a joke. Successfully included Hyderabad, Junagad in India, didn’t allow entire Punjab, Assam and Bengal to go to Pakistan. Verbal Attack Used India’s liberal ethos to make fun of Hinduism in India. When asked politely to stop he challenged anyone to confront him to debate, Indians tolerated for many years thinking someday he will stop but he didn’t and used his skills into recruiting youths for Terrorist related activities (Now proved) Legal Retaliation Exposed him of his fake bravery, he is in no mood to debate anymore and has ran away permanently to Malaysia hiding like a fugitive. Agencies Established his illegal terrorism related connections and activities. When attempts have been made to supress Hindus specially with their religion, retaliations have come with equal force. Hence the legacy of Hinduism and India lives on.

*Contentment*

*Contentment* Most people feel wealth will bring in happiness and contentment. What constitutes a rich life really depends on your relationship with money and what matters most to you in life. There are many ways to become wealthy that don’t involve money. Being content with what you have is a sure sign you’re living a rich life. When you’re content, a number doesn’t matter as much as your mindset. Kurt Vonnegut, an American Novelist, published this anecdote in The New Yorker magazine. He recounts a conversation he had with Joseph Heller, the famous author of the best selling book, 'Catch 22.' The two writers were at a party thrown by a billionaire when Vonnegut joked, “How does it feel to know that our host makes more in one day than your book, Catch-22 has made in its entire history?” Heller responded, “I’ve got something he can never have - *I’ve got Enough”* As the famous saying goes, “some people are so poor, all they have is money”. We all know that true wealth is beyond things. Real wealth is meaningful experiences, relationships and life changing wisdom. Wealth and poverty, has nothing to do with material possessions, it is based on contentment and discontent. According to me, If you are content and grateful for what you have been blessed with, you are wealthy. This is because, "Real wealth is not the possession of abundance, wealth is freedom from need." Enjoy your day, Have enough, Be content & stay blessed forever.

Times Have Changed

An interesting piece by Tavleen Singh :- Many things have changed in India since Narendra Modi first became prime minister. But one change that has gone almost unnoticed is that a process of real decolonisation has transpired. And because of this the old, colonised ruling class has been swept away. This is a very good thing. It should have happened long, long ago. As someone who belonged to that ruling class, I consider myself well qualified to explain why this process of decolonisation was overdue and how we failed India as its ruling class. The truth is we were an effete, hopeless bunch. We spoke no Indian language well, but this did not matter to us. We were proud of speaking English well. In our drawing rooms we sneered at those who dared enter without speaking good English. And at those whose table manners were not embellished with western refinement. In short, those who fumbled with forks and knives and preferred eating with their hands and without cutlery. When we travelled to foreign lands, we made a good pretense of being Indian, but we never cared to understand what it meant to be Indian. We pretended to know everything about India’s ancient culture and civilisation, but we knew almost nothing. In the schools and colleges we attended, we learned more about western civilisation, history, and literature than about our own, so it was not totally our fault. When it came to politics and elections, we stuck loyally by the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty and its various heirs because they were people like us. We did not care that Parliament had been turned into a private members club. It was our club. Nor did we care that the Congress Party under Sonia Gandhi’s stewardship had also become a private club. It was our club. In our drawing rooms we talked endlessly of democracy and secularism and saw ourselves as ordained to protect these ideas. Then along came Narendra Modi and the earth shifted beneath our feet. He may not have been personally responsible for everything that changed but he was a vital part of the political change that happened, and this somehow became an essential element of the bigger changes that were happening. Suddenly, almost overnight, after Modi first became prime minister, we became not just powerless but irrelevant. A new breed of Indians who spoke Hindi well and English not at all started replacing us in the high offices of government, as political analysts, and anchors in TV studios, in journalism, in Bollywood movies and TV series. They were not impressed with our skills in English, and we were so impressed by how Indian they were that we tried to emulate them just to belong. Some of us have succeeded, most of us have not. Those who have not but wish to continue being relevant cling these days to Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi and hope that somehow, they will be able to defeat Modi. Some act as advisors to the current heirs of the Dynasty and fill their heads with grandiose ideas like saving the Constitution and saving democracy. But the truth is that Rahul Gandhi’s main message remains the same as it was in the last general election. This is that Modi is corrupt and that he works only for a handful of rich Indians. He steals your money, he shrieks at his political rallies, and he gives it to his rich friends. How exactly does this work? As leader of the Congress Party, he is seen, especially by foreign correspondents, as the only man who can defeat Modi. It is bad luck for him that he seems so incapable of convincing Indian voters of this, despite trying hard to prove that he is one of them. He has worked with farmers in rice fields, transported coal on bicycles with miners, listened to the woes of vegetable sellers and spent long hours with mechanics in dingy shops to show how much he cares about the ‘common man.’ So why is the common man not impressed? Could it be because these gestures come across somehow as noblesse oblige and not genuine acts of sympathy? What is it about ‘autocratic’, ‘dictatorial’ Modi that attracts ordinary Indian voters more? The answer that I got to this question on my recent travels in rural India is that people have seen changes in their lives, and they believe that these changes have happened because of Modi. These are not remarkable changes. They are simple things like roads, drinking water, electricity, and Internet services but because they were not there before, they seem remarkable. Many of these things should have happened long ago. But because we were so colonised a ruling class, we did not notice that ordinary Indians were forced to endure the worst public services. In our drawing rooms and in our entitlement, we did not care about such things because in our privileged cocoon it would have been unthinkable to go to a government hospital or a government school. Modi’s advent burst the bubble in which we lived, and the truth is that most of us have no idea why this happened. We continue to hope that he will be defeated this time and hope that the message that democracy is in danger will resonate with voters. When the results come, we are likely to be disappointed again. I met nobody in rural India who saw Modi as corrupt and autocratic.

Hanuman

If there is anything in this universe that cannot be defined, it is love. If you can describe love, then it is far from the truth. Nature of love is that which you cannot express or define. You give flowers, you hug, you prostrate, you offer but still something remains unexpressed. We can only find a little expression, just a glimpse of it. There is a story about Hanuman. He loved Lord Rama. Once Rama asked Hanuman: ‘Tell me how much you love me?’ Hanuman said: ‘My lord I cannot express my love for you, you want to see? I will tear open my heart and show you’. You can see the picture of Hanuman tearing open his heart and showing Rama: ‘Only you reside in my heart.’ There are three types of love: Satvik, rajsik and tamsik. Satvik love is that which does not expect anything in return. Rajsik love, is the love combined with feverishness and a desire to get something back. Tamsik love is love for destroying things. But Divine love is free from all these three. When you love somebody, what do you love in them? Do you love their qualities, attributes or the person? The love for someone just because they are great, have wonderful qualities, look very beautiful or they are kind, these are all business and not Divine love!