PERFECTIONS AND IMPERFECTIONS

All our mythological events whether it is Ramayana, Mahabharata or Bible or Koran has given us tremendous lessons for leading our lives.

When Lord Krishna approached Duryodhana – He tells Krishna- “Krishna I know what is right but I am not able to indulge in it”. “And also know what is wrong, but I am not able to avoid it.” This is called as Duryodhana’s predicament.

If you think about it – We are all Duryodhana in one form or another. Only the degree varies. All of us in some way I know what is right but we are unable to indulge in it. We all know what is wrong and not able to avoid it. None of us are exceptions to it. It is just that some of us are 10% Duryodhana, some are 25% and some are 50%. Some are Duryodhana’s incarnation -100%. There are some people who will give a complex to Duryodhana and if he sees them, he will probably say “Oh my god, I am better than these people”.

The question is when we deal with this Duryodhana predicament with people who we come across in our life that they know what is right, they are not indulging in it, they know what is wrong, and they are unable to avoid and continue to do, how do we deal with them and go through this. First, you go through that by understanding that there is a Duryodhana within you as well. I recall what Leo Buscaglia, which is something very beautiful –“I will not expect perfection from you until I make myself perfect”. This means you are safe for the lifetime.

We all, as human beings, come as a package with some perfection and some imperfections and only the degree varies in the areas of thinking, attitude, behavior, responses etc. Accept people as what they are with those perfections and imperfections. If we can understand this, we become less judgmental, more positive in our living.

Wishing you all a Very Happy and a Prosperous New Year 2017.

Have a great day and a wonderful weekend

Be Blissful.

S.Sekar

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

Do you know what Systematic study of Scriptures and doing Meditation teaches you the most

1. How to be happy 
2. Give instead of take 
3. Reduction in wants/ desires
4. Accountability 
5. Bold decision making 
6. No fear of failures 
7. Not blaming others 
8. Only we can make it happen
9. That we are nobody

Believe me they are true to the core

Be blissful.

S.Sekar

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

Teachings and Teacher

Ramakant Acharekar was not a better cricketer than Sachin. Yet, it was his coaching that showed Sachin to Sachin, and in turn showed him to the world and world of cricket.

O.M.Nambiar was no match to P.T.Usha, but it was he who gave India one of the greatest athletes.

Gopichand in Badminton is no way better than Sindhu , but it was his coaching , perseverance, identifying the potential gave India the Silver medal in recent Olympics.

The glory of Dronacharya was to have developed Arjuna to the point where Arjuna was able to win the battle with his own teacher.

• We need someone outside to us to guide us. 
• They are the mirrors that reflect us to ourselves, that show us the strengths with which we can challenge our weaknesses. 
• We need coaches to sharpen our skills. 
• We need teachers to expand our knowledge. 
• We need Gurus to realize our spiritual life.

Our nursery teachers may not have made it as big as we in our life, but our life was built on the foundation of knowledge he or she gave us. Let us not compare ourselves with our guiding light.

• If you remove the Sun from the rays, nothing will remain. 
• If you remove the mud from the pot, nothing will remain. 
• If you remove the cause from the effect, nothing remains. 
• If we remove the teachings of our teachers from us, nothing of us will remain.

The math’s teacher wrote “ 1000” on the board and asked the student who was constantly disturbing the classes, “ How much is this “ confident, yet embarrassed by the simplicity of the question, the boy replied “ One thousand” . Now the teacher added a zero to the right and pointing at “ 10000” asked, “ How much is this “ “ Ten Thousand”, came the prompt reply. Now the teacher added another zero, but this time to the left of “ 1” and pointing “ 010000” again enquired, “ how much now ?” The Same…. Ten thousand , the boy replied.

The teacher smiled , winked and then said, “ When an insignificant number follows a significant number, it gains value. When the same insignificant number tries to go ahead of the significant number, then it has no value. So is the relationship between a teacher and a student. When a student follows the teacher, he or she gains value. The other way round…. Well , I don’t want to state the obvious.

The greatness of a coach is to show the player how capable he or she is. The greatness of a player how capable he is and live up to the capability he has been shown.

Be Blissful

S.Sekar

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

Notebook and Our Life

Think of a notebook with several pages. Each page in itself is just an open page. It is up to us to either scribble on it or write poetry on it. Irrespective of what we do with the page, we can still turn to the next page. Once again, we have the choice of either scribbling on it or writing poetry on this new page. Till the notebook ends, the freedom of choice to use or abuse the pages of the notebook purely rests with us. More importantly, even if we have wasted the first half of the notebook with just scribbling, we can still write poetries after poetries in the second half of the notebook and make the notebook worth preserving.

Metaphorically, the notebook can be compared with our life and each open page in it to a day in our life. The dawn of every day offers you the choice of using or abusing the day. Till you embrace death, the freedom of choice to use or abuse the days of your life purely rests with you. Whatever be our age, as worst-case scenario, even if you have wasted the entire past of your life, you can still make a beginning, starting today.

• The past is irrelevant. 
• We cannot undo the past. 
• There are no ctrl+Z options in life. So, let it go. 
• Draw a line to the past. 
• The present forms the building blocks to our future. 
• Begin from where we can begin and that is now. 
• Start now. Use our present to build our future. 
• Our future is yet to be and it begins from today,

We can make the most of every day of our life from now on and create a life that will be cherished. It is never late to begin. It is never too late to get awakened in life. Our future begins now. Move with this confidence and we can make a difference in our life.

Life is not about finding yourself, Life is about creating yourself.

Wishing you most and more

Have a wonderful day and a great week.

Be Blissful.

S.Sekar

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

Beyond Me, Mine, Myself

Without an element of Selflessness, there is no peace. Unless there is something beyond me, mine and myself, there is no peace. Any work done with a selfless intent is doing God’s work and the reward of doing God’s work is peace. Selfless work does not mean only social work and charity. By going the extra mile by surpassing expectations, by focusing on what you can give than what you can receive, by doing something without expecting something in reciprocation, in sharing, in caring, in listening, doing something without a personal motive wiping a tear of a friend, relative, colleague, causing a smile, by simply asking “ Who needs me”? than “who is there for me”- in any way you put the other above yourself, you are selfless. The fragrance cannot be separated from the flower. The fragrance of selflessness is PEACE.

• Create a moment of non-doing. 
• Gift yourself moments with nature. 
• Discipline some time slots that are free from sensory overload. 
• Spend some time without talking.
• Spend some time listening to the sound of silence.
• Spend some time eyes closed.
• Connect with yourself

There are times to run, there are times to slow down, further slowdown and further slowdown and in it, you discover peace.

People believe “In finding God, Creator, they will find peace”. The truth is “In finding peace. You will find it”. In fact, God will find you…

Have a great day and wonderful weekend.

Be blissful

S.Sekar

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

Brilliant post I have read...

Son decides to admit the father in the old age home as desired by his wife (the daughter in law).

He brings his father in the car to an old age home run by a Christian priest.
The receptionist gives diff choices like TV, AC, Veg etc. Father says No TV, AC etc. 

Son goes out to bring luggage from car. The wife calls up to check whether all fine. In addition, insists that father need not come home even for festivals.

The Christian priest appears and talks to the old man. Son wonders and asks the Christian priest whether he knows his father before as they were talking as though they knew each other.

Christian priest says.Yes. He came here 30 years back and took with him an orphan boy in adoption.

Speechless!

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

What is MATURITY by Adi Sankara

1. Maturity is when you stop trying to change others, instead focus on changing
yourself.

2. Maturity is when you accept people as they are.

3. Maturity is when you understand everyone is right in his or her own perspective.

4. Maturity is when you learn to "let go".

5. Maturity is when you are able to drop "expectations" from a relationship and give
for the sake of giving.

6. Maturity is when you understand whatever you do; you do for your own peace.

7. Maturity is when you stop proving to the world, how intelligent you are.

8. Maturity is when you don't seek approval from others.

9. Maturity is when you stop comparing with others.

10. Maturity is when you are at peace with yourself.

11. Maturity is when you are able to differentiate between "need" and "want" and are able to let go of your wants.

And the last but most meaningful!

12. You gain Maturity when you stop attaching "happiness" to material things!

Sekar’s Collections

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

FOCUS IN LIFE

In our life, we get distracted with everything we see. We get attracted by everything we want. I have met people, you give them an idea, and immediately they will say that they are going to start a business with that idea, which they never started. Lot of people have an ambition and keep saying that they want to start a fast food restaurant or a boutique etc. Dreamers keep on dreaming, live as a dreamer and Die as a dreamer. And no dream turned into a reality. What is the point? You think you can do hundred things in life and end up doing nothing in life.

You should understand the focus is not only your ability to say yes to the one, but also the discipline to say no to other 99. Nobody has put it better than Dr.Ambedkar when he was asked –“Why you did not do enough for freedom fighting “. Ambedkar said to commit one’s life to one cause is when he or she will do justice to that one cause. If a person commit to multiple causes he or she will not do justice to any of the cause. I have committed to the cause of abolishing the untouchability and let me live every breath of my life only for that. He was clear on the focus and so was his ability to say yes to the one and the discipline to say no to the other 99.

You should have clarity on what is that you want to say and ensure that your life journey is smooth because of your one pointed focus. “It does not matter how much you have, what really matters is what you do with what you have “. It is about attaching yourself to the process of achieving that one and having a discipline of focusing the matter the most in your life without getting too much distracted by other things in your life, you are sure to achieve that one thing.

Get focused in your life my dear friends

F – Follow

O – One

C – Course

U – Until

S – Successful

S.SEKAR

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

HOW I START MY DAY

I consider early morning to be an auspicious one especially between 4 and 6 AM when it is called Brahmamuhurtham time. You can do your work with full concentration without any disturbance in a calm and serene atmosphere. Being awake an hour or so before the rest of the city wakes up is a satisfying feeling.

Being a morning person has many advantages – most important being the feeling of staying- ahead-of-time. It is a refreshing and inspirational time, where one can reflect and plan one’s day ahead. This is a particularly productive time especially for my writing reading, chanting slokas and hymns (A song of praise to God). I jot down the things to be done for the day and add the remaining work of the previous day.

A pleasant morning can only be further enjoyed with a healthy diet. I start with a full glass of boiled water and go out for an early morning walk and getting milk for the house. I make my own freshly brewed coffee with hot milk, which I prepare.

While walking on the road I see both my palms put together closely and pray to God that the day is good and it will go smoothly for me as yesterday. I will think of Bagawan even at the time of my death as I keep repeating for myself O Bagawan even if I ever forget you, my tongue and my mind will continue to chant Omkara Mantra all the time.

I prepare my breakfast, which is a plain Oats kanji consisting of Oats in water boiled and taken as a drink. I take two slices of Bread and some biscuits. A protein heavy breakfast helps in burning fat as the day progresses. I freshen up brushing teeth. Having eaten, taking bath and dressed, I am then ready to face the world and do my daily chores.

S.SEKAR

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

SEKRAS >>>>>>

HIGH PERFORMANCE ALWAYS

     ^

 < SS > LIMITLESS

     V

INTRODUCTION TO THE FIFTEENTH CHAPTER OF BHAGAVAD GITA

While we study Bhagavad Gita chapter by chapter, the total vision of BG should never be forgotten. The role of every individual chapter will be clear. BG comes as a Moksha sastra meant to solve human problem called Samsara. All human problems put together are caused by ignorance. All psychological and intellectual problems put together are caused by Samsara called ignorance. Bhagavad Gita gives the primary solution for Samsara by attaining Self-knowledge.

We must remember Brahma Vidya at the end of each chapter as the primary message of BG, which is borrowed, from upanishads. This is the central theme of BG. The purpose is to remove Self-ignorance. All the problems are caused by Self-ignorance (caused by Samsara) and are to be eliminated for living a peaceful and a happy life.

So many other disciplines are prescribed for getting self-knowledge. Patyam does not directly solve the problem. It helps in primary solution to work effectively. Even the best seed can’t germinate if the land is not fertile. If mind is not conducive, self-knowledge can’t take place. None of these can solve the primary cause of ignorance. Karma yoga, Upasana yoga and Gnana yoga are supportive sadana. All sadana other than self-knowledge are only supportive. Therefore, at the end of every chapter Brahma Vidya, Yoga sastra are mentioned which is patyam. Every spiritual seeker should give importance to Aushadam, Patyam, Brahma Vidya and Yoga sastra also. Some chapters focus on Brahma Vidya, some chapters on Yoga sastra and some chapters on both. 13, 14 and 15^th chapters are Brahma Vidya pradhana which is a hard core Vedanta and talks about gaining Self knowledge. Here in these three chapters the discussion is very subtle. Third chapter is full and full Yoga sastra, which is only preparatory. Sixteenth and seventeenth chapters are also Yoga Sastra pradhana. Fifteenth chapter is the last chapter of Bhagavad Gita, which focuses on Brahma Vidya. Eighteenth chapter is a winding up chapter in which all ideas are consolidated. Fifteenth chapter is a significant like 13^th and 14^th. Purushartha is Nirguna Brahma or Nirguna Atma discussed in Mandukya Upanishads.  Supreme Brahman is without qualities (Nirguna Brahman). There are four Purusharthas or aims of life namely Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha.

In the 15^th chapter in the first three verses lord Krishna gives a comprehensive description of this vast universe. It is a study of Cosmology and gives the description of the cosmos. What perpetuates the Universe? Causes for the arrival of the universe and creation of the universe are discussed. Nature of the universe and purpose of the universe is also discussed. In addition, what is responsible for the human problem of Samsara and diagnosis of samsara is discussed. Krishna talks about the primary cause as well as the contributory cause of samsara. The 1^st verse of 15^th Ch is borrowed from Kathopanishad. Bhagavad Gita is milk extracted from Upanishadic Cow. Here a vast universe is compared to Asvattha tree. We don’t know the limits of the universe, which is expanding day by day as per scientists. Universe is compared to an Asvattha tree. When it dies, it produces seeds, which produces another Asvattha tree. It is permanent in the form of a seed. Every seed is preceded and followed by a tree and every tree is preceded and followed by a seed. It is permanent and impermanent.

Universe is also impermanent. It has got a beginning at the time of Big bang. The Universe will again get back to pre big bang condition called Pralaya, which is the seed condition. Universe is a Maya. In quantum physics, we study universe at a micro level. In cosmology, we study universe at a macro level. World can never be understood by anyone. Pralaya or dissolution follows every Srishti or creation. i.e., Tree > Seed > Tree > Seed. It does not have a beginning. You may ask how the current universe began. You cannot ask when universe began as a series. Creation is beginning less and an endless series. Universe is a series without beginning or end. It expands contracts like an Asvattha Vircha (tree). In Asvattha tree one portion is above the ground, which is the visible part of the tree, which is available for sensory perception. Another part roots are above the ground. This peepul (Asvattha) tree is said to be eternal because it cannot be cut except by the axe of knowledge.  All other trees have their roots below, but this peculiar, strange and most wonderful tree of Samsara (Maya) has its roots above, in Brahman. Brahman is the Supreme Being. Brahman is eternal. It is the source of everything. Therefore, it is said that it is the one above. This one above is the root of this tree of Samsara. Universe has a visible portion and an invisible portion. The root of a tree is under the ground and is not available for perception. Similarly, God is not available for the instruments of our knowledge. Above is beyond our perception is the real meaning. Visible portion is trunk, branches and leaves. Whoever understands both the universe Visible and Invisible part will be a wise person who will be liberated.    

Bagawan is the root of the universe. The Vedas talk about various things that we can accomplish in life. Punya Papa Karma is the seed for our next life. Clearly understanding the universe with its root will give Liberation from birth and death. Root is understood by reading and knowing the Upanishadic part of the Vedas.  

In verse two Krishna talks about the extent of the Universe. Modern science talks about visible part of the universe only, which is 4%. The balance 96% is dark matter (23%) and dark energy (73%). The visible 4% consists of millions of galaxies including Milky Way and Solar system. According to Vedas, all of these come under Bhu-Loka only. Like that, there are 14 Lokas. In the Puranas, and already in the Atharvaveda there are fourteen worlds (Lokas), seven higher ones (Vyahrtis) and seven lower ones (Patala), Viz. Bhu-loka, Bhuvar-Loka, Svar-Loka, Mahar-Loka, Jana-Loka, Tapa-Loka and Satya-Loka above and Atala-Loka, Vitala-Loka, Sutala-Loka, Talatala-Loka, Mahatala-Loka, Rasatala-Loka and Patala-Loka below. Bhu-Loka is roughly in the middle. Higher Lokas are not accessible to us. Higher Lokas refer to qualifications, superiority where celestial bodies will be there (Indira sariram, Varuna sariram). Higher and lower Lokas are like the branches of an Asvattha tree. Similarly, Cosmos (Universe) has Higher and Lower Lokas.

Fifteenth chapter contains the essence of Gnana yoga. Eswara supports the universe. By forgetting my real nature I convert my Life into a burden, struggle and by remembering my real nature, I convert my Life into an entertainment and get Liberation or Moksha. I have to change my attitude from ownership to user ship. I should have more of Vairagyam. If I have less of Vairagyam, there will be anxiety, worry, and fear about the future. I have to develop virtues. I have to undergo a spiritual education program and do a systematic study of scriptures (Baghavad Gita) for a length of time under a competent guru who has also practised the same. Nirguna Eswara will have to be known by me ultimately. For this, I have to start with Saguna Eswara.

World has beauty, variety and novelty. It is Maya. Maya is a big promise superficially. It does not have stability. World is Matter which changes continuously. Since it is not stable, it is also not reliable or secure. Never be emotionally dependent on people, world or relationship for security. Detachment from the world is the First lesson in spirituality. You continue to use and serve the world, serve your family, and give your time but never depend on the world or family for emotional security. Entire universe is a cardboard chair. Use the world for serving and getting the qualification for spiritual knowledge. Don’t depend upon the perishable part of the universe. Switch over from world dependence to God dependence (vairagyam). Vairagyam means detachment. Turn away from the world and turn towards God. “Bhaja Govindam Bhaja Govindam Govindam Bhaja Mudamathe”. Transcending attachment and hatred is detachment. Detachment will become strong by discrimination. World cannot give security. Bagawan alone can give security. This is called Viveka. More Viveka will give Vairagyam. With Viveka sharpened Vairagyam may you confront the problem.                       

Life involves challenges. We cannot avoid challenges. Dwelling up on them will never help avoiding the same. I can confront the future. Let me not spoil the present by worrying about the future. Through Bhakti yoga, reduce fear about the future. Do Tapas (austerity) to toughen the personality. Let my thought, word and deed be in harmony.

Be blissful

S.Sekar

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

INSPIRED PUSH; we all needed it sometime or the other.

A man had one very beautiful daughter. When the daughter was ready for marriage, the father sent news around town that all the eligible young men should come to compete in a test which would determine who was fit to marry his daughter. 

On that day, all was set; all the able-bodied young men came out. Some came with paper, biro, and others with cutlasses and swords.

The rich man took them to his swimming pool and addressed the men: “Any of you who can swim from one end of this swimming pool to the other would marry my daughter.

In addition, I‘ll give him 15million dollars, a car and a house so they can start life well. I shall be waiting to meet my son-in-law at the other end. Good luck!”

As the young men, all very excited at the prospect of winning, started taking off their shirts, a helicopter came over the pool and dropped alligators and crocodiles into the pool. Immediately, all the men turned back and started wearing their shirts again.

Disappointed, some of them said, ‘‘that is crazy, let’s see who would marry that girl, no one will'.

All of a sudden, they heard a splash in the pool. Everybody watched in amazement as one person waddled across, expertly avoiding the alligators and crocodiles.

Finally, he made it to the other side. The rich man could not believe it. He asked the young man to name anything he wanted but the man was still panting uncontrollably.

Finally, he got back to his senses and made a request saying, ''SHOW ME THE PERSON WHO PUSHED ME INSIDE THIS POOL!''

Moral 1:
You don’t know what you are capable of doing, until you are PUSHED! 
Moral 2: 
Those seeking to push you into the jaws of alligators and crocodiles may have helped you to reach your promised land!

Sometimes it takes going through the bad moments to bring out the BEST in us.

Trials are raw materials for Triumphant Testimonies... The push might take different
dimensions: some people needed to be sacked before realizing their potentials and reaching their goals in life.

I PRAY THAT you will GET A DIVINELY INSPIRED PUSH IN YOUR LIFE!

S.Sekar

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

Great Thought- Words create your world - Resolve for NEW YEAR

I am sure all of you had a great NEW YEAR celebrations, Wishing your near & dear – over phone, email, what’s app, SMS, in person… I am sure there were many exchanges of thoughts, ideas, resolutions, reaffirmations etc.

Words have the power to make or break you. Attitude is shaped by your thinking and your very thinking is shaped by your words. Your words create the fabric of your reality.

Utter the following words and observe the feelings they kindle in you

Flowers, Rainbow, Buddha, Darling, Baby, Excellence, Wonderful, love, friend, gift

Now utter the following words and watch your feelings change

Volcano, Osama, Testing times, Betrayal, Revenge, Failure, grave, war, thorn, graveyard, betrayal

• Replace “ Problems” with “Challenges” and watch the difference 
• Replace “ Failure” with “ Opportunities to learn” and watch the difference
• Replace “ Contentment” with “ Most and More” and see the difference 
• Replace “ Give up” with “Go up” and notice the difference 
• Replace “ Failure” with “ Lessons learnt” 
• Replace “ I spent time” with “ I invest time” 
• Replace “ okay with “ Fine”

Word has the power to make or break. Attitude is shaped by thinking and thinking is shaped by words. Words create the fabric of reality. They give voice to your thoughts.

Words are the flowering of your thoughts. The quality of vibrations is carried in your words. You will unlearn the words create guilt and learn the words that create celebrations. You will unlearn the words that limit me and learn the words that create you.

Create your own dictionary of words and expressions by replacing “Limiting Vocabulary” with “Resourceful Vocabulary”

The new year 2016- Our Resolve

Nothing but the words that create a flowering in my heart and in the hearts of those who hear my voice will come out of my tongue.

Also, remember everything that comes out of Human being stinks. From sweat, to blood to urination to… everything stinks. Only thing that comes out of a human that can be sweet are his or her words.

Your words create your world. So resolve to tongue the right words and your words will build your world.

Wishing you most and more

Have a wonderful day & great week

Your WORDS

Create

Your WORLD – Jeffrey Rachmat.

Be Blissful

S.Sekar

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com