Happy New Year!

To all my readers I wish you a happy 2014,though it was yesterday! May you find the truth in all your actions past, present and future. May you re-discover yourselves through all situations. May you then know what your ture calling is and pursue it.

Enlightening those who have accepted that there is no light

I have been rather occupied since my last post. Pursuing one's dreams is never easy; you must choose between what you truly want and what you want now.

I have an article where the author thoroughly, yet simply and with great humour rebukes and refutes one who seeks to mislead others.

The author's target has a character highly reminiscent of an individual who had spouted the same garbage to me a while ago: the same diet, is enamoured by conspiracy theories/ exotic teachings, is a feminist/male chauvinist and a belief that room and board can be extracted from society for little or no pay. The offense perpetrated by the target and individual in question is thus: Vaccines pose a danger to society, children in particular, therefore we should be responsible and not have our children vaccinated.

The author has a fitting reply for the haughty ignorance displayed by the said individuals. To our benefit, he is NOT merciful. It begins after the silly message (which does have spelling mistakes to add to our confusion) in the beginning:

Happiness

Happiness is when

what you think,

what you say, 

and what you do

are in harmony. 

- Mahatma Gandhi 

First snowfall in Canterbury

This was the first time since I arrived in Canterbury that snow has fallen. I tried  broken by the capturing its beauty before I left for classes. Notice the silence that is only just soft patter of the snow and the sounds of people in joy.

Beauty

Lessons from the Gita

I found this simple article from MG Singh's pages illustrating an important verse in the Gita, that we may control our ego and thus break free from our karma. I have edited it a little to improve its flow.

Lessons from The Gita

Einstein added a 4^thdimension to man’s thinking: He brought forth the concept of time in Physics, but Man has always understood the concept of time and we usually relate it to the past. The past is an event that has happened and can never be reconstructed again. The Gita talks of past in a philosophical way It says that past will never come back and man should learn lessons from the past and move ahead.

. The human mind however is a complex mechanism and memory plays a very important part in a man’s life. Thus the past remains in our thoughts and many times we are conditioned in our future actions by what we have experienced in the past. This is the danger and the Gita points out that the past must never be allowed to condition the future. A man must move forward and not be shackled by what happened in the past.

Unfortunately most men are conditioned to act by what happened in the past. Most of the issues that shackle us are vestiges from the past. We are unable to shed the load. Man has a sensitive mind and thus he becomes a prisoner of the past and is constrained by perceived hurts which many will not forget.

This also applies to nations which are made up of men and women. The past haunts and conditions the present and the future. An example is the feud between China and japan which is rooted in the past.

 This also applies to our own lives. Man is apt to dwell in the past and much condition their approach to what happened earlier in their lives. The Gita warns against this danger. Man should not allow himself to become a prisoner of the past. One can draw lessons but one must also forget and move forward. The world is a beautiful place and it will be sad if a man's actions are conditioned by what happened in the past. Thus revenge, anger and jealousy create a vicious cycle that is hard to break, 

The core of the problem is over-inflated egos and utter selfishness; it applies to men and nations in equal measure. This is the quality that must be controlled. Lord Krishna has demonstrated that ego has no place in the world. His is the sublime example as in the Mahabharata he became a chariot driver of Arjuna though He was a great warrior and God. He demonstrated that though he had the power to influence the outcome of the world's events, it is as a teacher and guide that is His glory and not as the warrior who gains victory on the battefield.

It is for man to take the next step so that he can break free from the clutches of the past and then one will realize that the best is yet to come. 

Land Light

Hello everyone. I had spent the past month or so adjusting to my new circumstances. The adage that university life and British weather complement one another holds until you are in winter I suppose. The work here is heavy, but I have had time to think out many topics in spirituality due to the serenity of my surroundings. I will have essays up in due time.

But first: I found this track by Michael Stearns. It is called Land Light. This piece was written with regards to sacred lands and places. It evokes a timeless memory of a quest for human betterment and the search for the Truth.

The passing of the first man on the Moon

It has been 43 years since Neil Armstrong landed on the Moon. This he achieved at a time when many could not dream of even leaving their villages. Today he has departed, we know not where or whither one as him may ever return.

The Moon may be too far for most of us, yet there still are many other barriers for us to surmount and trenches to cross. Have we as humans taken the giant leap ourselves?  

The Sea

This is  a recording of the sound of the sea. Restless as it may be, it is thoroughly relaxing.

Evening

This interesting video brings out the soul of evening in an empty, forgotten structure. Light fades but the spirit remains and hope endures.

The values of disattachment

1) You worry less

2) You live life one day at a time

3) You do your best, that a future result may be so secured and live the moment 

4) You can fix you immediate problems/faults/pains

5) You get to go on that vacation you've been planning for years but were held down by your attachment to 

    your job

So, release you attachment to all around you. Nothing is permanent except change. 

Fatal, cold, cruel, yet supremely beautiful

The Caravansary

A  place to rest and recover after a day's journey. A home away from home though you cannot tarry long for your journey has yet to end. This remarkable piece by Kitaro describes the haven that is the Caravansary, for we all need to rest and recover.

Comments

I just realized I hadn't enabled comments for all users. Feel free to send me your thoughts on my posts.

The power of simplicity

Hello everyone,

I just got back from a torrid stretch of work. My sanity was preserved by a technique that is publicly available, but is ignored or misconstrued. - Meditation.

It would seem that it is not even worth mentioning here. What good is this Eastern techinique anyway? Ganja, alcohol, mescal or even LSD work just as well. They do, but side-effects are common and not all souls are willing to trod dark paths.

The simplest of techniques therefore should be foremost. Today's world with its interconnected society and increasingly complex systems of communication, finance and even philosophy requires simplicity.

Here it is -  Turn off ALL your communication devices and sit down quietly with your back straight. Close your eyes and breath in SLOWLY and deeply. Use your belly and not your chest. Slowly, begin to relax, one limb at a time. Avoid concentrating on anything. If a thought comes along, regard it and let it go on its way. Avoid holding onto/ dwelling any particular thoughts, especially those soaked in emotion as they upset your relaxation. Keep breathing slowly. Do this for about 15 minutes a day. I found this particularly useful after exercise.

The Candle

The Candle:

Even if all were dark, this single light
gives vision to those who wish to see.

     The light that keeps giving.

Be Back Again and Again and Again.............

This song was on my radio last night as I drove home. It reminds me of Reincarnation or Reappearance as some call it. The song is "Highwayman" by The Highwaymen.

Bhagavad Gita Board Game

I have just stumbled upon this site: Bhagavad Gita Quest The music on the site is soothing, for one. Let's examine what it is this site is all about:

To one born into an Orthodox Hindu family that has traces of Jewish blood, influenced by Catholic education as well as spirituality of other forms, the supposed commercialization of a spiritual text may seem a sacrilege. But let us be patient and study this new form of the Gita.

The Bhagavad Gita (Beautiful Song of God) is the cornerstone of Hinduism. It lays the philosophy on life and our personal relationship with God. Celebrated by many, denounced and criticized by some and even banned by a country or two, the Bhagavad Gita is among the oldest living spiritual texts in the world.
As with other texts, the young are often left behind in the practice of the message and the ultimate relationship with God. To this end I feel, a game based on the principles of the Beautiful Song of God benefits them, and illustrates with simplicity to the older generations. Experiencing the Bhagavad Gita is the experience of a lifetime.

Driving into the Rain

Today I was driving to my evening class in Melawati along the DUKE highway. I normally drive slow, take my time.

A meaning of life came through to me:

Those who go through life slowly, step by step, learning and appreciating the lessons along the way live life to the fullest, and perhaps find Truth.

Those who insist on rushing, speeding through everything as if it were just another milestone, running toward that Goal we call the Ultimate - often are dismayed in the End.

Then there are those who are aimless - having found some meaning here and there, proclaim Truth to be their Companion but Delusion is the Veil that hides Suffering and Despair behind that Companion.

It is to our advantage to set the speed of each stage our life, that we may find Meaning that we seek.

Birthdays, as today is mine

Many look forward to this one day in every year, hoping to feel special, important, loved, etc. Yes, it is.

Make good use of it. Start good habits and set goals. Make a timetable for yourself. Give to charity. Meditate, pray. Sit and relax. This day should be the among the best you had and the best you did with.

You deserve all the attention and importance on your birthday., Tell the birthday blues to chill. You truly were born for this day.

Happy Birthday to all people born on the 10th of March!