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 

DREAM EXPLAINED

Dream is an experience that comes to a person in his dream. It is unique to the dreamer. Each dream is an experience by itself. One cannot start the stop watch and get ready for the dream to happen as it is not possible to create a dream at your own will. One does not have the freewill to dream, as it occurs by itself.

 

A dream is never understood as a dream, by the dreamer, in his dream. It is understood as a dream only when he wakes up. It means knowing what he was unaware of. Dream for a dreamer is a reality, but cannot be shared with other members of the family. It is a reality only for the dreamer. It is called subjective reality. In the same way, our life is also like a dream, which seems so real, but understood only when awakened (when we become aware). The moment one wakes up (awareness sets in), it becomes an objective reality. Ignorance of the objective reality is the cause of subjective reality called a dream. Being unaware of the surroundings is Dream.

 

Surroundings are objective reality. This objective reality is also called as another type of Swapna (Dream). This must be caused by another ignorance (another sleep). In the eyes of Vedanta we are all sleeping. This is called Paramarika sathyam (Absolute Reality).

 

The above explanation about dream is given in “Tathva Bodha” text which is a mental preparation of the Self before one makes an attempt to read the Holy Scripture “Bhagavad Gita”.

 

Be Blissful.

 

S.SEKAR

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

 

Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did ~ Newt Gingrich

 

Focus On: Action not intension

Result not effort; Outcomes not activities.

CHOOSE PERFORMANCE OVER PROMISE

 

Do these statements sound familiar? “I meant to call you.” “I intend to finish the project before the week end.” “I’m sorry I forgot your birthday.” “I had every intention of being on time.” “I’ve been wanting to take a class, write a book, or volunteer.”  The truth is we are all good in our intentions. The reality is even the most sincere intention has no value without action.

 

Intention is defined as an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned action. The world is full of dreamers. It lacks doers. Intentions are a barometer of what is possible. Actions are putting your intentions in motion. Action, not intention, creates results. The expression, “Action speaks louder than words” is familiar to all of us because it’s true. Telling me you’re going to do something and not carrying it out is intention: it is not action. We measure someone’s character not by what they say, but rather by what they do. Action, on the other hand, always brings results. Results are measurable. Our lives are shaped by what we do consistently. Think of those times you put your dreams into action. How did you feel? Few people actually do what they know needs doing. Any time you put your momentum behind your plan you are already ahead of the crowd! We learn by doing. It’s easy to sit up and observe what’s happening. What’s difficult is getting up and taking action. The stronger your conviction, the stronger your action. For any intention to become a reality it has to be launched into orbit.

 

To get ahead you have to get started. While the majority of people have ideas: only a minority does something about them. Thinking about what you want to do or hoping something will happen, gets you nowhere. If you don’t make things happen, things will happen to you without your consent.

 

What have you intended to, told yourself you were going to do, and neglected to implement? What keeps you from moving forward? Every action is a step that will increase your strength, your skill, and your confidence. If you want to act, but you think you can’t act, it’s certain that you won’t. Getting started has its own reward: Action energizes. It strengthens one’s resolve to do more. Putting your thoughts into action requires focus and determination. Begin where you are and go where you want to be. Implement a plan and get started. Tomorrow is guaranteed to no one. Do what you’d rather not do to prepare for what you want. Choose performance over promise. Choose action over intention.

 

Be blissful.

 

S.SEKAR

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

BHAGAVAD GITA – A CRUX

Every one of us is searching for happiness. This is because happiness is missing in us. We are all born with happiness which is our natural state. Since we are filled with unhappy state of mind we have to make an attempt to get back to our natural state, which is happiness.

 

We are born as a child. We go to school for education. Thereafter we go for work and career. Then we get married, honeymoon and bitterness starts. There are relationship issues. We then strengthen our bond by getting a child. We still look for happiness. The child grows up. We tell our children to study hard to be happy. After all this, we come to read Bhagavad Gita.

 

Being born as a human is a gift of God. Only a human being has freewill to do anything. Animals go about doing things according to their natural instinct. Nature of animal is eating, sleeping, mating and defending. The difference between a man and animal is making a higher enquiry through the study of Bhagavad Gita.

 

Long long ago Kuru dynasty was ruled by two brothers Viz., Pandu and Dhirdharastra. Dhidharastra who was blind had 100 sons called Kauravas while Pandu had 5 sons who were called Pandavas. After the death of Pandu, Dhirdharastra was appointed as the king. Duryodhana was the eldest son of Dhirdharastra. Pandavas and Kauravas got the same military training. Drona and Bhisma were great teachers who imparted the training.

 

Pandavas lost the kingdom in a game of dice to Duryodhana because of Sakuni, the cunning uncle of Duryodhana. Pandavas went to Vanvass (forest) and lived incognito for 13 years. After their exile period was over they came back to Hastinapura the capital of Kuru kingdom. They approached Duryodhana in the presence of Lord Krishna and asked for their share of the kingdom as they had completed their exile. Even after Krishna pleaded with him, Duryodhana refused to give the Pandavas space equal to even an eye of a needle.

 

What does Lord Krishna mean by 'Sama Dana Beda Danda'? How can it be applied in the present day world?

1.      Sama – Diplomacy

2.      Dana – Sacrifice

3.      Bhedha – Division

4.      Dhanda – Punishment

Point 1: O Duryodhana! Pandavas have Dharma on their side. They completed 13 years of exile as per the agreement. So you have to give their share of kingdom back. Already you have done many atrocities towards them. Take measure here.
RESULT: Fruitless.

 

Point 2: O Duryodhana! If you are not willing to give away half of the kingdom, at least give 5 villages to Pandavas. Still you shall have a fair deal and the war can be averted.
RESULT: Fruitless.

Point 3: O Karna! You are the eldest son of Kunti. Come with me. Pandavas shall worship you. Yudhistira shall be your minister. Bhima shall be your commander. Arjuna shall be your charioteer. Nakula and Sahadeva shall be your body guards. You shall be the KING.

      RESULT: Fruitless.
    

      Point 4: WAR (Kurukshektra)
      RESULT: Mahabharata.

 

Dhirdharastra asked Sanjaya (who had divine eyes) to see the battle and report the proceedings to him.

 

Dharma is Law of the land. Dharma is to follow one’s constitutional duty. To serve the people is your duty. If I do my duties properly, dharma protects me from inauspicious things. Dharma protects all of us. Dharmo rakṣati rakṣitaḥ is a popular Sanskrit phrase.  It can be loosely translated as "those who protect the Dharma are protected by the Dharma." So, if we take care of Dharma it will protect us.

 

Life lessons 

 

FEAR: Fear is caused due to attachment. Too much attachment causes anxiety. This further leads to anger and Stress.

 

DISCRIMINATION: You are partial in your actions. Being partial makes you to think everything is for Me and Mine. This mentality of Me and Mine is called Mamakara in Sanskrit.

 

INSECURED:  Due to insecurity, you brag about yourself. Self glorification is a symptom of insecurity.

 

DOUBT: In real life we doubt people around us. Because of our doubting tendency, we lose people. We hurt our loved ones. We should strike a bond by loving others.

 

Presence of Lord Krishna brings all auspiciousness. Krishna was on the side of Pandavas. Krishna gave a choice to both Pandavas and Kauravas, “I will not fight the war. I will be on one side and the whole array of warriors on the other side”. Arjuna chose Krishna while Duryodhana was immensely happy with a huge army battalion on his side. Krishna is a sign of victory, wherever he is present. Hanuman’s presence in Arjuna’s flag on his chariot indicates victory. Arjuna had a special chariot named Agnidev capable of conquering all directions. Krishna became the driver (sarathy) of the chariot of Arjuna.

 

We love somebody and we get disappointed because of difficult relationships. Achyuta’s or the lord’s relationship is eternal. Lord Krishna never fails his devotees. Establish relationship with one who is infallible. Lord Krishna is transcendental and serves his devotees.  

 

MISERIES OF LIFE

 

Symptoms of stress: You are shaken from head to toe. Arjuna decides not to fight due to compassion. Miseries are caused by loss of enjoyment, fear of sinful reactions, destructions of family traditions etc. Bhagavad Gita helps you in Stress management. Arjuna was under delusion (confused) and felt difficulty in fighting his kith and kin. Bhagavd Gita is an excellent guide in decision making.

 

In life too, there would be many occasions where similar dilemma will crop up. There will be ‘my’ people on the one side – ‘my’ in many senses, my kith and kin, my community, my place, my friends, my subordinate, my favourite guy, my well-wisher, he helped me in the past, he is useful, he will take care of me etc – claiming support only because they are ‘my’ people and genuinely deserving people on the other side. Whom do I support is something I need to decide with a clear intellect and not with an emotional heart.

 

Arjuna is a picture of misery and conflict, which is the most powerful symptom of samsara. Arjuna the most valorous and manly person, who is never given to emotionalism etc., starts shedding tears showing the intensity of samsara.

 

The rule for a spiritual person (Guru) is to never transfer his spiritual wisdom to anyone unless he (Sishya) seeks sincerely. Bhagavan Krishna follows this principle. Arjuna has not asked for advice and Krishna does not give advice in the first instant. Krishna utters a few words so that Arjuna will go through the other 3 stages of Samsara.

 

In the 2^nd chapter of Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna gives the solution to Arjuna. Controlling the external factor (our peace of mind is linked to the external factor) to ensure our peace of mind. You have to delink your peace of mind from the external factor. This is tough but a practical approach. Trying to control the world is an impractical approach. We should work for emotional immunity. Freedom from emotional dependence is Moksha.

 

Thus, the situation changes from one of battle to one of spiritual dialogue. Sanjaya reports to Dhirdarashtra the developments in the battlefield. Dharma is on the side of Pandavas and they win ultimately in spite of trials and tribulations that they go through.

 

Be blissful.

S.Sekar. Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

MOVE FROM BEING RITUALISTIC TO BEING SPIRITUAL

In this materialistic world of stress and strife, one loses track of Spirituality. Man leads a life of ignorance without realizing his own Self. It is very important that sooner or later one moves from being ritualistic to being a spiritual person for his own well being.

 

Religion teaches us the way of Life (How to live). You can do Karma yoga and Upasana yoga for performing religious activities.

 

Spirituality tells us the purpose of Life, through Self-enquiry and Self-analysis. Man’s purpose is to attain Moksha or Liberation, which is possible if one becomes spiritual. This requires Jignasu Bhakthi which is a bhakthi without any motive, or expectation.

 

In the seventh chapter of Bhagavad Gita, Krishna tells Arjuna that four kinds of virtuous men (Bhakta) worship him. They are, the distressed (Aarta Bhakti), the seeker of wealth (Ardharthi Bhakti), the seeker of knowledge (Jignasu Bhakti) and the wise (Gnani Bhakta), who are men of knowledge and have attained self illumination. Aarta and Ardharthi are religious and also materialistic people. They use religion only for contract with God Viz., for getting success in worldly ventures; they use Bhakti for non-spiritual purposes. We give another name for this as ‘Sagama Bhakti’.

 

Krishna says that everyone who begins with Sagama Bhakti must develop Spiritual Bhakti also called Nishkama Bhakti.

 

Nishkama Bhakti has 3 stages. Karma yoga stage, Upasana yoga (meditation) and Gnana yoga. Gnana yoga stage of Nishkama bhakti includes a continuous and systematic study of vedantic scriptures for a length of time under a Guru who himself has practiced the same. By doing Nishkama/ jignasu Bhakti you will get Gnana Bhakti. Lord Krishna says among all the 4 bhakti, Gnana Bhakti is the greatest of all.

 

Sagama Bhakti is for Materialistic purpose and Nishkama Bhakti is for Spiritualistic purpose.

 

Four differences associated with Sagama and Nishkama Bhakti are outlined.

 

1.    Sagama Bhakti is deity specific (doing pooja for material purpose). Nishkama Bhakti is not deity specific. You can worship any deity and seek spiritual growth

2.    Sagama Bhakti is ritual specific. Nishkama Bhakti is ritual non-specific. In Sagama Bhakti many rules and regulations are followed while performing a ritual. For Nishkama Bhakti your motive alone is important. You do pooja with whatever is available.

3.    Sagama Bhakti has doubtful results. Nishkama Bhakti has definite result as you think of the Lord only.

4.    Even if Sagama bhakti is successful and gives expected result, it is going to be finite in nature. Eg. Money, position, relation, possession etc., is perishable making you miserable when it perishes. Nishkama Bhakti will give Spiritual Growth, which is permanent. That is moksha. Moksha is stable. Even God cannot take away moksha once attained (Brigadaranyaka Upanishad). We should have Sagama Bhakti, Nishkama Bhakti Viveka (differentiation).

 

A person practicing Nishkama Bhakti is always happy, own nothing; believes in self and possesses good values. Have faith in yourself. We have great Mahatmas in our culture. They own nothing and they possess nothing. They take Bhikcha (alms) only from others for their living. However, they say, “I am perfectly poornam (fulfilled)”.

 

We have to practise good values. The most important is the dilution of Raga Dvesha (likes and Dislikes). Anything is easy if you prepare your mind.  

 

A person who has Nishkama Bhakti will know Eswara. At the time of death, he will remember Eswara only.

 

Being religious is being materialistic with expectations. Being spiritual is being Spiritualistic (doing Gnana yoga) without any expectations.

 

Life is a blessing for a Sanyasi, who is a spiritual person.

Life is a burden for a Samsari, who is a materialistic person.

 

By moving from:

Being ritualistic to becoming spiritualistic

From doing Karma yoga to gaining Gnana yoga

Expectations to Fulfillment

Being Rajasic to becoming Satvic.

 

One attains Self - realization.

 

S.Sekar

Email: sekrajc@yahoo.com 

FOOD INTAKE AND OUR LIFE AS EXPLAINED BY MAHA PERIYAVA SWAMIGAL

 

*Sambar, Rasam, Paayasa and Majjige*

 

A beautiful explanation about our own Sambar, Rasam, Paayasa and Majjige (Buttermilk) and their significance to the quality of life we lead. 

 

The explanation continues with the order of food intake as well.

 

An explanation given by SRI. KANCHI KAMAKOTI SRI MAHA PERIYAVA.

 

''What is the difference between Sambar and Rasam..?"

 

Both contain Dal, Tamarind, Salt, Spices and Asafoetida.

 

Someone from those assembled said, 'We consume Sambar first, and then Rasam, that's the difference...'

 

The Acharya laughed loudly.

 

He said, the Sambar has vegetables, but Rasam does not.

 

Based on this, the discussion proceeded.

 

Acharya's explanation:

 

If Ego occupies our mind, we get confused, that's like Sambar. 

 

But, if that Ego is not there, our mind is clear like Rasam.

 

'Taan' is the word used in many households for vegetables.

 

We should not forget this, and so, we consume each day, both Sambhar and Rasam.

 

You go to a feast. You are served Sambar,

*Rasam,*

*Paayasa*

*And Majjige*

(Buttermilk)

*in this order.*

 

Why?

 

This food culture is not found anywhere else. 

 

As soon as a man is born, 'Taan' or Ego fills in first.

 

He faces a number of problems that totally confuses him, like Sambhar, with different types of vegetables.

 

When his mind settles, it becomes clear, like Rasam - which is served next.

 

This is followed by the sweet Payasam, because your mind is settled and that which gives you happiness.

 

So many similarities between life and food.

 

Now, in the end, 

It’s Majjige or Buttermilk - which has a separate quality.

 

Once our mind is settled and we get happiness, our mind becomes one with the Lord, just like we get curd, butter, ghee and buttermilk from milk in that order.

 

Buttermilk is the last stage in our Life - from which you cannot get anything more.

 

The same way, once you attain the Lord, then there is nothing more to achieve. 

 

Majjige in the end, also indicates 'Enlightenment' and that, it’s the last item on the "menu", after which you just leave your "leaf" behind.

 

Thus, ended the Acharya's discourse. (Shared as forwarded to me).

 

S.SEKAR

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com

EFFECT OF YOUR KARMAS EXPLAINED

Why Bhishma Pitamah had to suffer on a Bed of Arrows?

When Bhishma Pitamah was struck down by Arjuna, in the Mahabharata War, he fell down from his chariot. But since the arrows had pierced his chest, he did not touch the ground, but remained lying on the bed of arrows. His head was hanging; he needed to rest it, and told Arjuna to make some provision. Arjuna immediately stuck 3 arrows beneath his head to support it. Bhishma remarked joyfully - "What a fitting pillow for a warrior like me - a pillow to match the bed!”. Next he asked for water, since he was thirsty. Arjuna once, more, struck a mighty arrow right through the earth, and Ganga maiya surged up to pour cool water in the parched mouth of her beloved son. So Bhishma Pitamah had to suffer the pangs on the bed of arrows in battlefield before attaining final beatitude and redemption to Vaikuntha Loka.

Now what was the Karmic reason that Bhishma Pitamah had to Suffer on a Bed of Arrows?

To the question as to why Bhishma Pitamah was suffering this punishment even when he had not committed any sin during past 72 birth lives (Great Bhishma could peep into his past lives through Samadhi), Lord Krishna replied him that he committed a folly in past 73rd life birth when he inflicted injuries to insects by piercing thorns / needles into their bodies. Those thorns have now appeared as bed of arrows for you. Your sinful Karma remained dormant as you were a pious person throughout theses lives but since you have now become a party to Adharma of Duryodhana, the sanchit evil Karma’s of 73rd life has ripened now. 

So if a person has done good Karmas in past lives, he/she gets a good life in future births and if he/she has done bad karmas in past lives then that person has to suffer bad fruit of those bad Karmas. So it is generally said that we should do good Karmas only.

Below are few verses of Bhagawad Gita which explain about how a soul travels from one body to the other and where it goes as per the Karmic law:

"Yada sattve pravrddhe tu

pralayam yati deha-bhrt

tadottama-vidam lokan

amalan pratipadyate" (Bhagavad Gita: Chapter Fourteen verse 14)

 

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, When one dies in the mode of goodness (after doing good Karmas), he attains to the pure higher planets of the great sages."

 

"Rajasi pralayam gatva

karma-sangisu jayate

tatha pralinas tamasi

mudha-yonisu jayate" (Bhagavad Gita: Chapter Fourteen verse 15)

"Sri Krishna said: O Arjuna, When one dies in the mode of passion, he takes birth among those engaged in fruit producing activities (i.e. as a man or woman on earth); and when one dies in the mode of ignorance (after doing bad Karmas) , he takes birth in the bird & animal kingdom."

So it is said that we should do all our Karmas for the God only as by doing such Karmas no evil result shall come out of those Karmas in future lives.

"yajnarthat karmano ’nyatra

loko ’yam karma-bandhanah

tad-artham karma kaunteya

mukta-sangah samachara" (Bhagavad Gita: Chapter Three verse 9)

"Sri Krishna said: Work done as a sacrifice for Vishnu has to be performed, otherwise work causes bondage in this material world. Therefore, O Arjuna, perform your prescribed duties for His satisfaction, and in that way you will always remain free from bondage."

So let’s do Good Karmas only so that we shall get Good Fruits of those Karmas in future births. Let’s do all the Karmas for God only as by that way God shall protect us always.

S.SEKAR

Contact: sekrajc@yahoo.com