Tag: spiritual

Natural And Slow

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Slowing down has never been more relevant than in today’s world. Forcing things to happen has become a way of life for many people, and the end result often falls short of their expectations, for sense of fulfillment eludes them. One doesn’t have to look far for inspiration to slow down. Take cues from nature. We must learn to tune our wayward minds to nature’s rhythm. Just as day changes to night, and yin energy transforms into yang, we must understand there is a time for every action. For instance, you can’t force the sun to rise early; it will take its time, but when it comes, it does so in splendour. Slowing down lies at the heart of Taoist philosophy. It is the very antithesis of being tense. So, whatever the activity that you are engaged in, learn to relax and you will accomplish your goal in time. The timeless principle of moderation is central to any t’ai chi movement. Wastful action is a cardinal sin. One of the fundamental rules of this ancient martial art is that you should perform a movement to 70 per cent of your potential, for going for 100 per cent sows the seeds of strees and tension, and your body starts experiencing fear and anxiety without you being aware of it. You lose your equilibrium and end up straining your body, which your opponent can use to his advantage. Deadlines increase pressure and reduce joy. The goal of meeting them keeps everybody on their toes, stunting free-flowing creativity.

Concentrate on planning ahead; this can help you tap into your lateral powers — imagination and judgement. Also, cultivate a reflective mood, running through the day’s events at the end of the day. This is where practising t’ai chi, yoga, reflection, and silence can help.

All you need is regular practise and a positive intent. In the words of Confucius: “It doesn’t matter how slowly you go, so long as you don’t stop.”

–Sensei Sandeep Desai

The Speaking Tree, Page: 02, 6, Feb, 2011

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Open Heart, Open Mind

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Shed your bias if you want to lead a life of bliss, writes STUTI MALHOTRA

You will agree that life dishes out different kinds of challenges to different people. Everyone has to face difficulties, problems, setbacks at some point or the other. My life appear to be one long-drawn out struggle. Like most people, everytime I faced at yet another problem that sapped my patience and forbearance, I asked myself in despair: Why me? Why can’t life ever be smooth and hassle-free? These questions seemed to have no answers.
Being a religious person in the traditional sense of the word, I concluded that God was unhappy with me. So I made every effort to please Him. But I got no response. Was I dialling a wrong number?
As time passed, I began to lose faith in someone who could not answer my questions and lead me to a more meaningful life. I resolved to find the answer myself. To set my mind at rest, I became a seeker.

Life Is A Test
In the course of my journey as a seeker, I discovered the Creation Plan of God. According to the plan, life is a test and its many problems are part of that test. Once the test comes to an end marked by death, we are either rewarded or punished, in accordance with our deeds.
This world is like an examination hall where a student, with all the freedom to write whatever he wants, takes tests. It is only the result which determines his future. The student is made to confront pleasant and unplesant situations — all meant only to test him. His response determines the life to come.
This was a logic to which my mind yielded without questioning. Everything fell into place. In the framework based on this ideology, I discovered that all phenomena of life were well-explained. To an explanation-seeking entity called man, only true reasoning can initiate him into the process that will eventually help him to discover his Creator.

God Is Generous
I desired little, but God gave me much; for what can be greater in this world than a satisfied mind? It is said, ‘Ask God not for a specific thing but pray to Him to bestow upon you what He deems best’. It is possible that while you might be praying for a small car, God may wish to bless you with a luxury vehicle such as a Rolls Royce!

Looking back, I want to thank God for having granted me the ability to understand and acknoweldge the answers that were presented to me.

I have come to realise that you become receptive to the wisdom of life only when you free yourself of biases. If you are unable to shed your bias, you become a dwarf thinker. It is important to live with an open heart and mind, so that you can think beyond your conditioning and discard inhibition and fear. When you discover the meaning of life, God Himself undergoes a transformation. This metamorphosis develops your personality and helps you to grow spiritually. It also helps you achieve material success.

The Speaking Tree, Page: 05, 6, Feb, 2011,

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I Love You

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It was a busy morning, approximately 8:30 am, when an elderely gentleman in his 80s, arrive to have stitches removed from his thumb. He stated that he was in hurry as he had an appointment at 9 am. I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would be able to see him. I saw him look at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On examination, it seemed to have been healing well, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and re-dressed his wound. While taking care of his wound, we began to engage in conversation. I asked him if he had another doctor’s appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I then inquired about her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognised him in five years now. I was surprised, and asked him, “And you still go every morning, even though she doesn’t know who you are?” He smiled as he patted my hand and said, “She doesn’t know me, but I still know who she is.”
I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goosebumps on my arm, and thought, “That is the kind of love I want in my life.”

“Love has no other desire but to fulfil itself. To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night. To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving.” – Kahlil Gibran

The Speaking Tree, Page: 04, 6, Feb, 2011

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PAULO COEHLO

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“Over the course of one year, give a coin to each person who offends or upsets you,” instructed the abbout to a young man. For the next 12 months, the boy gave a coin to each person who offends or upset him, as instructed. At the end of the year, he returned to the abbot to find out the next step. ” Go into town and buy food for me,” the abbot responded. Once the boy left, the abbot changed his cloths, and disgusied himself as a begger and went to the gate. When the boy approached, he began to insult him. “Good!” said the boy, “for a whole year I had to pay people who upset or offended me, and now I can be attacked for free, without spending anything!” Hearing this, the abbot removed his disguise.

“He who does not take insults seriously, is on the path to wisdom.”

The Speaking Tree, Page: 03, 6, June, 2010

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Mullah Nasrudin…

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Philosophers, logicians and doctors of law had come to court to examine Mullah Nasrudin. It was a serious case, because Mullah had admitted going from village to village saying: “The so-called wise men are ignorant, irresolute, and confused.” He was charged with undermining the security of the state. “You may speak first,” said the king. “Bring pen and paper,” said the Mullah.

Paper and pens were brought. “Give some to each of the first seven savants.” The pens were distributed. “Have them separately write an answer to this question:” “What is bread?” This was done. The papers were handed to the king who read them out:

The first said: “Bread is a food.” The second: “It is flour and water.” The third: “A gift of God.” The fourth: “Baked dough.” The fifth: “Changeable, according to how you mean ‘bread'”. The Sixth: “A nutritious substance.” The seventh: “Nobody really knows.” “When they decide what bread is, ” said Nasrudin, “it will be possible for them to decide other things.” Is it not strange that they cannot agree about something which they eat each day, yet are unanimous that I am a heretic?”

-Idries Shah

The Speaking Tree, Page: 03, 6, June, 2010

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It Adds Up…

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Little Zachary was doing very badly in math. His parents had tried everything: tutors, mentors, flash cards, special learning centres. Finally, in a last-ditch effort, they enrolled him in the local Catholic school. After the first day, little Zachary came home with a very serious look on his face. He didn’t even kiss his mother or say “Hello”. Instead, he went straight to his room and started studying. Books and papers were soon spread out all over the room while little Zachary applied himself, hard at work.

Jesus

His mother was amazed. She called him down to dinner. The minute he was done, he marched back to his room without a word, and in no time, he was back hitting the books as hard as before.

This went on for some time, day after day, and finally little Zachary brought home his report card. He put it on the table, and then went up to his room to study. His mom looked at the report card, and found Zachary had an ‘A’ in math. She went to his room and said, “Son, what was it? Was it the nuns?” The little boy shook his head. “Well, then,” she replied, “was it the books, the discipline, the uniforms?”Zachary looked at his mother and said, “No. It was the first day of school when I saw that guy nailed to the plus signed; I knew they weren’t fooling around”.

The Speaking Tree, Page: 06, 23, Jan, 2011

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Just Relax

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Here are 11 simple steps to reduce stress

1. Define your goals; this way, we will know what our life purpose is and why, and knwo that it is up to us to control our own life.

2. Take charge of your diet: Reduce stress by avoiding stimulants such as coffee, alcohol, tea and sugar. Use chamomile and herbal tea as alternatives because of their calming and relaxing effect. Eat slowly to aid your digestive system.

3. Take hot baths regularly. After a very besy day, soak in a tub of hot water with lavender oil.

4. Aromatherapy is particularly helpful to relax and avoid stress. Again, use lavender oil.

5. Exercise is one of the best ways to reduce stress. As we exercies, our brain releases endorphins, our feel-good hormones. Exercise also relaxes tired muscles, so walk, dance or swin regularly.

6. Yoga, meditation and Tai Chi use deep breathing techniques, so make meditation and pranayama a habit.

7. Self-hypnotherapy can be very relaxing after a hot bath. Sit, or lie in a comfortable place with your eyes closed. Imagine a spotlight above your head an concentrate on it. Relax each body part consciously. You can also use a self-hypnotherapy audio tape for better results.

8. Massage is a great way to reduce stress.

9. Prayers and helping others are important components for happiness and stress reduction. You will feel calmer and get filled with a sense of inner peace.

10. Talking through your problems releases blocked emotions and it helps you find solutions to your problems.

11. Multivitamins like a Vitamin B complex tablet taken regularly decreases stress in those who need supplements. Consult your doctor.

The Speaking Tree (Learning Tree), Page: 06, 23, Jan, 2011(Sunday)

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Its’ All About Love, Really

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If the youth finds spiritual teachings uninteresting, it is perhaps not their fault. Maybe we need to reinvent the way we impart to them spiritual values, says Swami Sukhabodhananda.

For every minute that you are unhappy, you lose 60 seconds of joy. The ability to be happy is a part of spiritual living. Spiritual means to heighten the spirit and on ehas to look to enhancing the spirit.

Worldly life is never opposed to spiritual living as long as one is aware and committed to growth. If you learn the art of learning, then one door of spirituality is open and hence music or movies could help one in that direction. A spiritual affirmation is: Always be a student of life. Learn to listen to music in a way your heart opens. Sant Kabir said: “By reading books one does not become wise but if one learns to love one is truly wise”. The heart of education is education of the heart.

Let us take an analogy from the recently released movie 3 Idiots. The hero has a heart and knows how to love life, to enjoy and to serve. The movie so beautifully and entertainingly conveys this great spiritual learning. Love is more important than sheer success is the strong message. Success without joy and love is an empty achievement. This echoes the management saying: “Most of us are busy climbing the ladder of success only to find it is leaning on the wrong wall.”

The film 3 Idiots revolves around goodness rather then the rat race to reach the top. Is not goodness the foundation of spirituality? Helping people in need is a great quality. Is not being caught up in ego a spiritual derailment? The chief protagonist in the film convinces us that he is not caught in an ego trip of being on top and being appreciated — he just does what is right and good, and what is the need of the moment. The trap to beware is : “Whatever is mine is good and the great awakening is to ask, whatever is good, can it be mine?”

In the film Kurban one comes out with the feeling that a terrorist also has a heart. Even thought the terrorist “falls in love” for his personal agenda, later on, true love triumphs when he does his best to save his pregnant wife. In every one there is both goodness and badness. Which aspect we choose to activate is what will determine the outcome, good or bad.

So often one becomes a victim of others’ mischief, but to negotiate with their goodness is a spiritual art.

Well-made films with good themes could impart valuable spiritual lessons but one needs to decode them wisely. Entertainment can be a great source of learning. All you need is an open heart and mind to grasp it. Enjoy as you learn.

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Reflect on this

A young boy loves his dog so he spends his entire pocket money in nursing the dog when it is sick. While he is trying to push the medicine down the dog’s throat, the dog pushes the boy and the medicine falls down. The litttle boy gets angry and says: “I will not waste my money on you”. As he was turning away he sees the dog licking the medicine on the ground. Then he realises that it is not the medicine the dog rejected but the way it was being administered. If the youth finds spiritual teachings uninteresting, it is perhaps not their fault. Maybe we need to reinvent the way we impart to them spiritual values. And maybe the gap is, in a way, being bridged by the world of entertainment in the form of good films that are rich in positive content and implication.

If you listen deeply to music, if your heart is openand mind still, music can be a great spiritual learning. The problem has never been love but love that is not directed in the right direction. Music opens up your heart and your heart is guided with a calm mind. Both are achieved throught music. In fact it is said music is next to meditation.

The Speaking Tree, Page: 02, 28, Feb, 2010
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Kama as Means to Moksha

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Sexual desire is give importance in Indic philosophy; kama is one of the four ends of purushartha or life, writes K M Gupta

In Indic philosophy, kama or sexual desire has been acccorded an important place. There are four kinds of purushartha, ends of life, and one of them is kama. This is because the world was born out of kama. We know that all beings are born out of kama. What we don’t know is that the cosmos itself is a product of kama. How was the world born?

In the very beginning, according to the Upanishads, was sah akamayata. There was the ‘worldstuff’ or sad vastu in the begining, and it was seized with kama or desire. It agitated in kama and desired expansion. At the height of this agitation, there was bindu visphota or what we now called the Big Bang.

The word bindu means both a point and semen. When the guru advises his disciples to practice celibacy, he says: “Falling of bindu is death; keeping of bindu is life.” Visphota means bursting out. Therefore bindu visphota denotes the orgasm. The world was born out of bindu visphota. One can think of this bindu visphota as what modern scientists speak of as the ‘Big Bang’ that generated the universe. The big bang is the orgasm of kama in the worldstuff.

Bindu is also known variously as teja, prana, kam and vaishwanara. It is the bindu’s kam or energy that becomes kham or space. From this energy was born matter in the form of the panchabhutas. The panchabhutas are mostly misunderstood. As Vedanta explains it, the panchabhutas include the solid prithvi, the liquid apa, the gaseous vayu, the energy within matter, agni, and the amount of space an object takes up for its shape, called akasha. This way, the world was born out of kama.

Since energy is kama, the universe is imbued with kama. Matter in all its states and diversity is kama, and the space that houses matter is also an expanse of kama. Kama is the substance of the universe. That is why kama is such an indomitable force in the life of beings. There is no beating it.

In the Mahabharata, Kamadeva, the God of Kama and love, brags: “If anyone tries to beat me, I grow manifold over his beating.” The atempt to subdue or win kama makes it burst out with greater force. Since kama is the origin and quiddity of existence, it has to be accorded its rightful place. Therefore kama is considered as one of the purusharthas. The ultimate purushartha is moksha — liberation of the soul from the clutches of finite existence.

Generally, kama is regarded as an obstacle to moksha and brahmacharya while celibacy is seen as an essential prerequisite. The guru commands: keep the bindu, don’t let it fall. The reason given as to why kama has to be overcome for the attainment of moksha is that kama is the opening up of cosmic energy while moksha is its opposite — which is shutting energy in all its diversity up in its primordial cause, the worldstuff or sad vastu, So they are deemed natural contraries.

However, anything that belongs to this world can be turned into an instrument for moksha and kama is no exception. Kama also can be a means to moksha. But actually doing this needs extraordinary skill. Some sects of tantra use kama as an instrument of moksha. For these, kama is more spiritual and less carnal. Genuine practitioners of tantra achieve an experience of oneness with the Divine at the height of the physical orgasm. For them, kama is a magnetic pull towards the divine and the orgasm is a perfect communion.

Kama as a means for moksha is extremely individualistic, slippery, esoteric and unreliable as far as lay practitioners are concerned, and therefore its use is not advisable for the general public. An example is Osho, who took this individualistic practice to the public domain and became controversial.

The Speaking Tree, Page: 4, June, 6, 2010.

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AN INTRODUCTION TO BRAHMACHARYA (CELIBACY)

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Brahmacharya is a divine word. It is the sum and substance of Yoga. Brahmacharya is the Achara or conduct by which you attain or reach Brahman (God). It is life in the Absolute. It is movement towards God or the Atman (Self).

Brahmacharya is absolute freedom from sexual thoughts and desires. It is the vow of celibacy. It is control of all the senses in thought, word and deed.

Brahmacharya is not mere bachelorhood. There should be strict abstinence not merely from sexual intercourse but also from auto-erotic manifestations, from masturbation, from homosexual acts and from all perverse sexual practices. It must further involve a permanent abstention from indulgence in erotic imagination and voluptuous reverie.

In a narrow sense, Brahmacharya is celibacy. In a broad sense, it is absolute control of all the senses. The door of Nirvana (liberation) or perfection is complete Brahmacharya.

Celibacy is to a Yogi what electricity is to an electric bulb. Without celibacy no spiritual progress is possible. It is a potent weapon and shield to wage war against the internal evil forces of lust, anger and greed. It serves as a gateway for the bliss beyond, and opens the door of liberation. It contributes perennial joy and uninterrupted bliss. It is the only key to open the Sushumna (the chief among astral tubes in the human body running inside the spinal column) and awaken the Kundalini (the primordial cosmic energy located in the individual).

There cannot be any language without words. You cannot draw a picture without a canvas or a wall. You cannot write anything without paper. Even so, you cannot have health and spiritual life without celibacy.

An established celibate will not feel any difference in touching the opposite sex, a piece of paper, a block of wood, or a piece of stone. A true celibate only can cultivate Bhakti (devotion). A true celibate only can practice Yoga. A true celibate only can acquire jnana (wisdom).

Brahmacharya is meant both for men and women. Bhishma, Hanuman, Lakshmana, Jesus, Mirabai, Sulabha and Gargi were all celibates.

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