LIVING A LIFE OF HARMONY AND POISE

We are living in an age of confusion and tension, both external and internal. We tend to feel persecuted by external challenges and so we feel unhappy. Ancient rishis advised man to live in harmony with all situations in life and steadily work to meet them with discretion and constant application. When we live thus for a period of time, a subjective poise develops that gives us inward peace and tranquility, which thereafter remains unaffected by external threats and onslaughts.

In the outer world of bitter competition and strife, each one of us is compelled to battle constantly with situations and people. Deep within ourselves also, we have become helpless slaves to our own uncontrollable desires and undisciplined thoughts. Modern man is torn asunder between two forces: objective tensions and subjective confusions.

We are bound to face external threats and challenges time and again; none can escape them. Hence, the success and joy in one’s life is measured by the extent of control one has over inner subjective confusions. In our experiences in life, we sometimes fall into detestable and distressing environments and circumstances that provoke and enrage us, and we despair for a solution. Such protests and indignation weaken our inner personality. Instead of braving challenges, we render ourselves ineffective by allowing external challenges to crush and consume us.

After carefully analyzing human weaknesses, religious masters advise us to grow in strength and gain mastery over situations by living in harmony with them. A life of harmony can be lived by rising above our limited, egocentric view of things and happenings and expanding our mind to accommodate a constant awareness of the totality of the world, the entirety of the humankind, and the vastness of universal problems.

When you view problems from a purely egocentric and individual angle, these problems assume exaggerated and enormous proportions and so can easily crush you. Such a person is like a musician in an orchestra who chooses to play on his own without falling in line with the general rhythm and melody of the orchestra.

To live a life of harmony is to recognize oneself as a member of all humanity, living in a composite universe, thereby bringing about a melody of harmonious existence from moment to moment. The harmony envisioned by spiritual masters is attunement with the dynamic silence that is the architect of all creation. Expand to realise that “all is the divine self”. Try to find accommodation for everyone in your compassion and in your love for the world around you. Recognize that all things are creations of the divine Self; then recognize that all things are only the divine Self in various forms. As such they are all ‘moving temples’ of the supreme. Therefore, the Supreme Power alone exists.

Ultimately, when the experience is gained that the “Self-in-Me” is the “Self-everywhere”, only then is there total liberation from bondage of the mortal. There is nothing superior to the experience of Oneness in everything; this is the highest experience.

A life of harmony with a wider view of the cosmos brings to our heart an inward peace and poise before which problems and challenges vanish like mist before the rising sun. Religion ought to help us to live a life of harmony and gain this poise. Let us try to gain self-mastery to experience our true Self, and find eternal glory and peace.

Be blissful.

Swami Chinmayananda 

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

AGEING

“Age is an issue of Mind over Matter. If You Don’t Mind, it Does not Matter” … Mark Twain.

The above statement means “The process of getting old is a question of mind over matter: If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter”.

If I feel good, I will be good. If I feel bad, I will be bad. All is in the state of our Mind. If I have Mana Suddhi (Purity/ Cleanliness of mind) then I feel Happy all the time and I feel Fulfilled. True Happiness is like finding yourself.  Self-actualization is a process of discovering who you are, who you want to be and paving the way to happiness by doing what brings to YOU the most meaning and contentment to your life in the long run.

Psychologist and author David Weeks said a few decades ago “ageing definitely appears to be related to mood”. In his book, Secrets of the Super young: The scientific reasons some people look ten years younger than they really are and how you can, too!, he says the mantra to looking younger is being fit, having a Zest for life and being continuously interested in everything.

Middle age doesn’t look the way it used to. It’s become impossible to play the guessing game right when it comes to age these days. If you look stressed, drag yourself out of the bed on an everyday basis, you will look older. “The secret of those who look super young is that they live their lives to the highest potential – play a sport, habitually take care of their bodies and have a super positive outlook towards life”. Great stamina, takes years off a person’s face.

In fact, according to emerging medical research, if you look younger than someone of equal age, you may live longer than they will. And, if you look older than your age, medical science now tells us, you have a greater chance of dying younger! “How we think, work, spend our time, sleep, and even our approach towards ageing all play a vital role in how old we feel”. People who are curious, problem solvers and pro-active, look and feel younger. When we eat right, exercise on a daily basis and are mindful of our surroundings, we look younger.

“Your own perception of how old you feel can make a huge difference. More than age, it’s the attitude that makes you look younger. There is also more acceptance of ageing. Our generation is ageing more gracefully and adapting different options to look younger”. People above 50 are bungee-jumping, getting married, travelling the world and pursuing their heart’s desires fervently. Healthy lifestyle changes, exercise, yoga and de-stress activities are reversing the ageing process. People may be advancing age-wise, but getting old, as we knew it, is over.

“Age is a myth today. Everyone wants to be young forever, and is working hard towards it.”

Have a nice day.

Be blissful

S.Sekar

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

FOUND IT RATHER RELEVANT

*Two Minute Management Course*

*Lesson One*

*An eagle was sitting on a tree resting, doing nothing.*

*A small rabbit saw the eagle and asked him, "Can I also sit like you and do nothing?"*

*The eagle answered: "Sure, why not."*

*So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the eagle and rested. All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit, and ate it.*

*Management Lesson - To be sitting doing nothing, you must be sitting very, very high up.*

*Lesson Two*

*A turkey was chatting with a bull. "I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree," sighed the turkey, "but I haven't got the energy."*

*"Well, why don't you nibble on some of my droppings?" replied the bull. "They're packed with nutrients."*

*The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, and found it actually gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree. The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch. Finally, after a fourth night, the turkey was proudly perched at the top of the tree.*

*He was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot him out of the tree.*

*Management Lesson -* *Bullshit might get you to the top, but it won't keep you there.*

*Lesson Three*

*A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold; the bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field.*

*While he was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on him. As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, he began to realise how warm he was.*

*The dung was actually thawing him out!*

*He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy.*

*A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate. Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him.*

*Management Lessons –

(1) Not everyone who shits on you is your enemy.

(2) Not everyone who gets you out of shit is your friend.

(3) And when you are in deep shit, it's best to keep your mouth shut!*

*This ends your Two (2)-Minute Management Course.*

S.Sekar

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

Sattvic tendencies leads towards salvation and Asuric tendencies bring grief and delusion

The 16^th chapter of Bhagavad Gita talks about Daivi Sampat (divine wealth or the wealth of divine qualities) and Asuri Sampat (In Asuric nature inclination towards sensual pleasures is predominant). In Rakshasic nature hatred predominates and the Rakshasa does various sorts of harm and injury to others.

Daivi Sampat involves spiritual values, which will help a person towards spiritual growth. Asuri Sampat involves material values, which is an obstacle to spiritual growth. Asuri Sampat is briefly indicated in the 4^th verse. From the 7^th verse, Krishna elaborates Asuri sampat until verse no 21. I have to carefully nourish Daivi Sampat values like a garden. I have to look for the weeds regularly and remove them so that my mind becomes a spiritual garden.

Four facts associated with Daivi Sampat, which are important, are absent or feeble in Asuri Sampat. First is Faith in God. Eventhough we don’t have a proper understanding of God, faith in god is important until we understand God. Second is Faith in Scriptures and their guidance. They will make my life meaningful, purposeful and fulfilling. Intellectual arrogance in Asuri Sampat is the cause of the lack of spiritual growth. Third is the lack of Faith in Lifestyle or Discipline prescribed in the scriptures. They were relevant in Vedic society. Fourth is Achara, which is a lifestyle conducive for this. Lack of faith tends to Materialistic personality.

Scriptures prescribe four goals of life represented by Daivi Sampat. They are Artha (money or wealth), Kama (sensual pleasures or pursuit of happiness), Dharma (mental refinement or character building) and Moksha (liberation from birth and death). This (Moksha) is a very important goal for human life. Moksha is spiritual knowledge about God and in myself. This is spiritual wisdom, which is the goal of life for all.

Lord Krishna describes a typical materialistic person. This is from verse 7 to verse 21. The demoniacal have no respect for dharma and Adharma. They do not see what is appropriate or inappropriate. They show utter selfishness. They do not know what to do and what not be done; what is right and what is wrong. Generally, what I don’t want others to do to me I should not do to others. I should start the day with invoking the relationship with God. A society cannot survive without values. Values are called Dharma. Everything in this world will be in harmony only when there is Dharma. Sampat is Wealth, which is peace, joy, and fulfillment got through Dharma. Ecological imbalance will also be there. Trees are destroyed and the animals are destroyed. There are so many natural calamities because we are violating rules. Doing Dharma sustains the world.

After one gets a grandchild or after attaining the age of Shastiabdhapoorti one has to turn to Dharma Moksha pradhana. Before this Artha Kama pradhana is OK. Inclining towards Asuric nature is due to wrong parentage who themselves do not have values or it is due to Purva Janma Samskara (Punyam and Pavam accumulation). They are going by Raga Dvesha. Their likes and dislikes.

As per our scriptures, after a particular age, everyone’s life should be governed by Dharma. i.e., what is ethically right and what is wrong. After attaining the age of ten, life must be based on dharma. Self-restraint governed by Dharma should be there and we should not go by our Raga Dvesha (likes and dislikes). We are supposed to be progressive in spirituality. I should use my intellect or Discrimination power and do what I am supposed to do. I should do what is right and avoid doing what is wrong.

Veda says use the money you have but grow out of them and not get struck in them. Religion promotes family life. Materialism demotes family life. You want to work more and more for enjoying pleasures of life. Materialistic desires include attachment also. Attachment leads to anxiety. I feel it can give me permanent joy. This is a false notion. Attachment to family members is also Asuri Sampat. I have my duty to to raise them and get them settled. Veda says you can’t be attached to your family members and you have to grow out of them. Internally I should start to withdraw attachment to people. Loving and caring is wonderful. No relationship is permanent. Everyone has to go his or her own way. Every association is followed by dissociation. Intelligence is preparing the mind for dissociation.

I should prepare myself emotionally for the inevitable that may happen to me or my surroundings. Life is not merely for getting things. Life should involve sharing, charity, or giving also. Giving should be directly proportional to acquisition. The more I earn the more proportional should be my contribution. Spend time for dharma and Pancha maha yagna. You can have desire for Artha and Kama but they must be balanced by Dharma. Regularly allot time for Deva yagna. Find time for universal well being of humanity (Deva yagna). Find time for your family (Pithur yagna), especially elders, who require our support. You should find time for Brahma yagna (Scriptural study of BG) and Bootha yagna (animals and plants to be allocated some time by us). At spiritual level, my life should be one of taking and one of contribution for leading a well-balanced life.     

Lust, anger and greed – these highway robbers will cause a man to fall into the dark abyss of hell, misery or grief. These are the three fountain-heads of misery. These three constitute the gateway leading to the lowest of hells. Lust is a desire. Desire leads to anger. You act violently when you are angry. Greed is miserliness; not sharing one’s resources with others. In anger, I will not have any conversation and I will start to act violently. Mind is asubhavasana. Intellect is subhavasana. There is a Tug of war between the mind and the intellect when you are angry.  

When these gates to the hell are abandoned, the path to salvation is made clear for the aspirant. He gets the company of sages, which leads to liberation. He gets spiritual instructions and practises them. He hears the scriptures, reflects, meditates and attains Self-realization.

He who is entirely devoted to the Vedas cannot meet with misfortune, grief or delusion. No mother is more kind than the scriptures for they restrain us from doing evil and bestow on us the greatest good (liberation or Moksha). Therefore, treat the scriptures with great respect. I should renounce all that the scriptures prohibit. Success in spirituality is yours my friend.

Be blissful

S.Sekar, 

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com   

Sharing a post from a female in a lighter spirit

A new metal has been added to chemistry:

• Name - Husband

• Symbol - Hb

• Atomic weight:
- Light when found first
- Tends to get heavier over the years with time

• Physical properties:
- Boils at any time with in-laws
- Can freeze in front of his own family
- Melts when sees mom 
- Very bitter if questioned

• Chemical properties:
- Very reactive
- Highly unstable
- Possesses strong resistance to gold, silver, diamond, platinum, credit cards and      cheque books
- Money saving agent

• Occurrence:
- Mostly found in front of TV(snoring), laptop or with a cell phone

--Living with Hb is part of living...

But living with the same Hb for years is 'art of living'!!!!!!! 

Be Blissful.

S.Sekar

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

Working Together Works - Aligning Capabilities

There is always a solution to a problem if you take everybody's views and suggestions.

Read this interesting Layman’s thinking*

An engineer in a car manufacturing company designs a world-class car.
The owner is impressed with the outcome and praises him a lot. 
While trying to shift the car from the manufacturing area to the show room, they realized that the car is a few inches taller than the entrance. 
The engineer felt bad that he had not noticed this before creating the car. 
The owner was at a loss on how to take it out of the manufacturing area.

The painter suggested that they could pull out the car and the few scratches that could come on top of the car could be taken care of later on.

The engineer suggested that they could break the entrance and after taking the car out cement it in place again.

The owner was not happy with any of the ideas and felt that it was a bad sign to break the entrance or allow scratches on the car.

*The security guard* who was watching all this drama slowly approached the owner. 
He wanted to give an option if they had no problem.
They all wondered what this ordinary man could tell them that the experts could not.

The security guard said : *The car is only a few inches taller than the entrance, so if they release the AIR in the tyre, the height of the car will be adjusted and it could then be easily taken out.*

Everyone clapped!

*LESSON:*
```Do not encounter problems from the expert point of view. 
There is always a``` *LAYMANS point of view* ```that will give the best solution for a problem at any given point of time...```
••••••• •••••••• •••••••••

Life issues are also the same.

*Many a time a friend's entrance door falls short by a few inches, and we feel taller!*

*Release some air (ego) and adjust the height.*

*Think simple...*

*Be simple...*
*Live simple.*

Wishing you most and more…

Be blissful.

S.SEKAR

SEKRAS >>>>>>

HIGH PERFORMANCE ALWAYS

     ^

 < SS > LIMITLESS

     V

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