YOU HAVE COME TO THE WRONG ADDRESS

An inspiring story I came across...

A Rabbi was delivering lectures on the Torah, the sacred Hebrew scripture, to a few young Jewish students.

One day, in the course of their studies, they came across a line which said, "The truly evolved person is he, who continues to smile in the midst of the greatest of difficulties." The young students had a problem accepting this statement at its face value. "If we are truly in difficulty, how is it possible for us to smile under such conditions?" they asked the Rabbi. The Rabbi took off his spectacles and looked at his young pupils thoughtfully. "To be perfectly honest with you," he said, "I myself cannot answer that question. The truth is that I, too, cannot smile when I am in the midst of difficulties. At such moments I seem to forget how to smile." Silence prevailed in the class, as the teacher and the students pondered over the issue.

The Rabbi continued after a pause, "However, I believe there is someone who can give you the answer."

He proceeded to tell his students of an old man who lived in their city, not far from the synagogue




He had been an abandoned child- an orphan. When he grew up, he had lost both his legs in an accident. His life had been a series of struggles, a saga of pain and suffering.

"And yet," continued the Rabbi, "he always wears a lovely smile! He is a wonderful human being. You must go to him and ask him to answer your question."

The students were amazed to hear of this brave man. In a group, they went and knocked at his door. The door was opened by the man himself, moving briskly in a wheel chair. He welcomed the young students cordially and asked them the purpose of their visit...

"Sir, it's this text we are discussing in Class," said one of them hesitantly. "It's all about how one must smile amidst the greatest difficulties in life.

The Rabbi told us that you were the best person to talk to." "Tell us please, sir," added another. "How do you continue to smile amidst so much suffering and pain?" The old man was genuinely surprised. "I'm afraid you have come to the wrong address", he said. "I am 73 years old, and in all these years, I have never had to face any difficulty. The Lord has always been good to me, and protected me in His mercy. How can I teach you how to smile in the midst of difficulties?" This was a man who lived in close proximity with God!

Illustrations: Varun Vats, SSSU

- Heart2Heart Team

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You can write to us at : h2h@radiosai.org     

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Practicing spirituality at home...

http://twolips.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/alone.jpgWith so many things going on in my life at this point... I sat down to get a hold of myself and think back in time.  As I always mentioned, life is full of surprises, twists, turns, ups and downs.  Only way to stay together is trying not get attached to anything, respecting everyone. Realizing that everyone is God and respecting is important. 

Now comes the question - What about home? family members? Do we need to be detached??? 

The home is a temple where each member of the family is a moving temple and is nurtured and nourished. The mother is the high priestess of the House of God. Humility is the incence with which the house is filled. Reverence is the lamp that is lit with love as Oil and Faith as wick.

Home is heaven when there is Love and understanding and the same becomes hell when there is distrust and hostility. The home and the family is the basic social institution everywhere in the world. When the home improves, the whole world will be better. (From Sai Baba News)

The image is from here
  

Based on the quote above - the spiritual relationship with the family members will help us have a healthy family life.  Love,understanding and most importantly communication is very much important for any family and extended family.   I guess with respect to detachment - worldly detachment is important, but spiritually should not be detached.

So what are your thoughts?

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Values in Life

     
I came across this teaching by Sai Baba today - Just wanted to share it with you all :

In the world today, one sees anger, hatred, greed, jealousy, misguided ambition and power seeking. What is the reason for the prevalence of these negative emotions?
It is one thing only: man is lost and is wandering in a jungle where real values have no meaning. Real values can have meaning to man only when he steps on to the spiritual path, a path where negative emotions have no use. The spiritual path is based on the true human values: truth, right conduct, peace, love and non-violence. When man plots a course through life based on these values, which provide a solid foundation, then all the negative emotions fall away. Even if he should stumble on the path, he can easily see the reason for the fall and quickly steady himself and continue the spiritual journey.
Man learns through experience, and the spiritual path is full of different kinds of experiences. He will encounter many difficulties and obstacles, and they are the very experiences he needs to encourage and complete the cleansing process. And when the cleansing is finally complete, the evolved soul ceases to react to anything. All emotions are perfectly balanced. He lives in a state of permanent happiness, regardless of prevailing circumstances.
So long as you continue to react to whatever you experience, you must also continue to look at yourself progressively more closely. Only through self-examination will you be able to see through the negative emotions. You must see them for what they really are: aspects of the lower self attempting to maintain the grip which it has exerted over you for so long.

As you progress along the spiritual path, you should walk hand in hand with God. In whatever form you see Him. God the Ultimate is your guide and helper an He will carry you forward on the spiritual path if only you establish real contact with Him. It is like walking along a path with your closest friend. You can walk in complete silence and your friend, too, will remain silent. Or, you can talk to your friend all the time and learn from him as you go along.
God is that friend and it is up to you to break the silence and bring Him into your life at every moment of the day. God is love, and that is the easiest way to find Him, through love. If you keep your heart open and let love flow, God's love will fill you with divine energy and help you along the path, guiding you to overcome all obstacles. It is a long journey, but it becomes shorter and easier once you share it with the Lord. He knows the path, and will guide you all the way to the very end, to ultimate liberation.

It is beautiful and to the point - So true that we are so confused in this materialisitc world and we've lost the human values.

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Love is the way...

It is our nature to expect everyone to respect and love us.  As humans we believe we own everything and every body owes everything to us.  But, in all this, we forget that we must see "Love" in others in order for them to see " Love" in us.

The quote ...

“What you would desire others to do for you, you should do for others. You should respect others, as you want to be respected by them.”

Comes to my mind.  When we start to see "God" / "Love" in everyone and start respecting others, what we expect from others will automatically come to us.  Life is a two way street.. not One way.....

This is something came to my mind when I sat down quietly today.

Just wanted to share..

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Life is a challenge - meet it.

In my last post I wrote about happiness and how you get happiness in your life depends on your choices.  In other words, if you learn to see the half glass full- instead of half empty you can find happiness.  Ironically, within couple of days I myself  faced  these challenges.  Many  spiritual leaders talk about 'ceilings on desires' - yet we are to dream... and aim for the stars to succeed in life.  They also say - 'Make life worthwhile by doing service, useful and productive work to the society.'


But, to aim high and shoot for the stars don't you have to dream also?  Isn't  that NOT ceiling your desires?, I am not sure.... Another thing I've come to realize is that... anything and everything in this world requires money and power.  Anything and everything you aim or desire to do requires money.  The world has become very materialistic.  Even if you want to volunteer your time to do good - that also requires resources - ie money! :(.

Conclusion -->Time = Money.


Anyways, after analyzing all this - I came to a conclusion... that I need to follow my own thought or advise.  How do I make this situation I am in positive?  My idea is to serve and do something positive to the society.  The Guru - whose teachings I follow and listen to once said - "If the cause is noble and the outcome is pure - Go ahead... God will be with you to help"

My cause is noble - and the outcome will be pure... but at present I am facing obstacles which are caused by materialistic / resource shortage.  How do I deal with this? I am stuck!..

Another quote by Sai Baba comes to mind.

"Life is a song - sing it. Life is a game - play it. Life is a challenge - meet it. Life is a dream - realize it. Life is a sacrifice - offer it. Life is love - enjoy it."

Life is full of challenges and one has to meet and win over these challenges in his / her relentless struggle to realize life’s dreams. These challenges are not external but projections of the limitations and negative instincts of one's own self.

All action results from thought, so it is thoughts that matter. ....- My thought is pure......

What matters is to live in the present, live now, for every moment is now. It is your thoughts and acts of the moment that create your future. The outline of your future path already exists, for you created its pattern by your past.

So, realize and decide to create my past that is the future past positive and shape it by giving it all I got within my power with love and strength, hopefully the future is the pure outcome I expect.

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What is Karma?

What is Karma? I have a hard time understanding this. No matter what I read or what I listen. I always feel that I have a good grasp of this and then at times it doesn't make any sense and I am back to square one. Well, my question has always been - If what we are reaping is the product of the past or due to the past 'Karma' we did. Then why don't we remember the past? so at least we know why we are going through what we are going through and we 'learn' from our past or mistakes we did so that we will not make the same mistake again?.

I know there is a better and more profound explanation to my question.. and I just need to find it. and hopefully, one of you or some of you may be able to answer my question and enlighten me :)

There are many definitions to Karma - Karma is actions, ie - Good karma is good actions and Bad karma is bad actions. Some say - Karma is simply the process of cause and effect. If you do A, B will happen. If you plant tomato seeds, and water and look after them, tomatoes will grow.

I do have other questions -

How does Karma influence our life?
Karma Vs Destiny? How do we explain this?

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Five Human Values - Spiritual Learning

Whither shall I go from thy Spirit?
       Or whither shall I flee from Thy Presence?
       If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there;
       If I make my bed in hell, behold, Thou art there.
       If I take the wings of the morning,
       And I dwell in the uttermost part of the sea;
       Even there shall Thy hand lead me,
       And Thy right hand shall hold me.
                                      -Psalms 139: 7-10

The five human values are - 

1. Truth, 
2. Righteous Conduct,
3. Peace,
4. Love and 
5. Non-Violence.

Below are the explanations - ( Source)

Truth

The life principle within each of us is the truth. We would not be existent without it and once we are not there, the world also ceases. This life principle is identified as the human soul which in turn is the 'resident divinity' within each individual. It is this truth which is the basis of every other thing and with the power of which the heart beats, the lungs breath and the system works. The role of human intellect is to find out the truth.

Interestingly, when one realizes and experiences this truth, one sees that the same truth pervades every other person and object. And in essence we are all one.

Truth has different levels. There is the truth of sense perception such as: 'the fire burns'. One can ascertain this with one's senses. There is also the truth by inference: such as 'man is mortal'. We base this statement on the strength of our observation of those around us and extend it to arrive at a general conclusion, even though we may not have seen every human being born in this world dying. Apart from all these is the truth which is incapable of being destroyed or hurt. It persists and pervades the whole cosmos.

Right Conduct

Truth in action is Righteous Conduct. The action takes place on the physical domain and behind each action there is thought. If this thought derives its sustenace from the human will, as opposed to human desire, the resultant action will be righteous.

What is of significance here is to understand the distinction between will and desire. Will is the colourless component of human resolve which motivates and inspires him to act in accordance with the truth. Different from this is the desire that prompts action. More often than not, this desire springs out from some myopic assumption or misbelief. The child has to be encouraged and trained to ignore impulses like this. In fact, it is the will to succeed which precedes everything else.

To ensure that Righteous Conduct becomes a way of life for a person, the education and training has to start in the childhood itself. This capability is developed in a child by some basic training in some important skills.

Peace

Peace is the end purpose of all human endeavour. Right or wrong, whatever a man thinks or does is with the intention of attaining peace and happiness.

Peace would certainly become a far more attainable entity, if one were to know the domain of personality at which it is acquired.

It is only when there is an emotional equilibrium that one experiences peace. This equipoise is not inert or vegetative but a dynamic realization that the emotional conflict and upsurge can never withstand the test of Truth and Righteousness. Peace is a state of 'power packed stillness' and follows the awareness that the source of human fulfilment is within.

Often dubbed as a mirage, peace can be a reality for each of us if we have faith in our innate power to do good, to be good and see good.

What is equally important is to recognize that nothing in this universe is ever responsible for absence of peace within us. It is only when our internal emotional system is disturbed that restlessness and confusion find a home. By conscious efforts we can certainly avoid such lacunae.

Love

 "How can one cultivate Prema? Firstly, consider always the faults of others however big to be insignificant and secondly, consider your faults however small to be big and feel sad and repentant. Whatever you do, with yourself and others, do it remembering that God is omnipresent. Endeavour every moment to be aware of the omnipotence of God."

The psychic domain of the human system is the source of love. Love is the expression of the individual divine within and is the power of soul. It is the mightiest of forces in the world and is truly representative of human nature.

Loeve is not an emotion. It is a form of energy which each individual transmits and receives every moment. It affects all forms of life. It is a peculiar possession which grows with sharing.

Love is the answer to the question: 'What in me loves - What in another person'. It is the reflection of the same Truth that one loves. What to say of children, even animals and beasts respond to this power of love. love helps us overcome the sense of fear by promoting better understanding and appreciation. Since Love springs from the Truth, it is in nature of Tighteous Action and results in peace.

Love has to begin by manifesting itself towards parents and grow and gradually to include family, neighborhood, country and most of all God.

Non- Violence

Non-violence is the zenith of human achievement and perfection. It is universal love that goes beyond our relation with our fellow beings and embraces all living and non-living things. It is the spiritual domain of existence. Here, one experiences the essential oneness and unity of all creation. It blossoms from the understanding that man has an obligation towards every object and component of this universe. And the least one can do is to try and extend one's sphere of love to all.

In the context of human beings, Non-violence means amity, harmony and the understanding; in the context of plants and animals it means non-injury that is, desisting from avoidable harm in the context of nature as such, it means non-violation of the law and balance of nature.

Thus the practice of non-violence is not restricted to the physical plane alone but includes all the three, that is, thought word and deed.

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Do you really meditate?

Whenever you hear a talk on spirituality, spiritual upliftment etc, there is always a talk on meditation.  Meditation, "Meditation is a holistic discipline by which the practitioner attempts to get beyond the reflexive, "thinking" mind into a deeper state of relaxation or awareness. " - this is according to Wikipedia. Different meditative disciplines encompass a wide range of spiritual or psychophysical practices that may emphasize different goals—from achievement of a higher state of consciousness, to greater focus, creativity or self-awareness, or simply a more relaxed and peaceful frame of mind.

To me , meditation is relaxing, thinking of nothing, feeling within, deep relaxation and understanding oneself. But how to do this? Mind is a mad monkey - I have tried several times to meditate and ended up sitting still quietly, eyes closed, but, all I was able to understand is whats for dinner? What to do next? or some type of day dreaming. Yes, all I do is day dream while meditation. Mind you, don't mistake - in my opinion meditation is a great way to relax and understand oneself - just because I haven't mastered this, doesn't mean it is not a great tool to gain spirituality.

There are many gurus and sages of different discipline have taught and used meditation to gain divinity. Buddhists say - The purpose of meditation is to make our mind calm and peaceful. If our mind is peaceful, we will be free from worries and mental discomfort, and so we will experience true happiness; but if our mind is not peaceful, we will find it very difficult to be happy, even if we are living in the very best conditions. Sathya Sai Baba, the Indian guru, teaches his devotees - the So-Ham meditation, the repetition of the Name, and the Meditation on Light. Soham means I am God. So is That (God) and Ham means I. Meditation on Light -
This is sometimes described as The 'Most Effective Form of Meditation'

I have tried the meditation of light several times and personally, this is the only meditation I was successful, and able to concentrate.

Here is how to do the Jyothi Meditation ( Meditation of Light) Source

Based on Sathya Sai Baba's step-by-step directions.

Jyothi (flame) Meditation is the foremost spiritual discipline geared towards gaining inner peace.

1) We should have a fixed time and place every day where we sit for meditation either in the morning and/or evening.

2) We should sit on a thin mattress for this exercise. The sitting pose or asana should be comfortable both for our mind and body.

3) We should then chant Omkar, the Universal Mantra glorified as 'Nada Brahma' at least 3 times but preferably 21 times. The mind under the influence of this divine sound slowly loses momentum and becomes more and more tranquil and steady.

4) The next step is to put the breath in rhythm. The easiest and the most effortless method is to watch the breath, thereby the process becomes normal, that is, longer and calmer. When we inhale, the breath sounds 'So' and when we exhale, it sounds 'Humm' which means 'He' i.e. "God" and 'I' respectively or "God am I".

5) Accordingly, synchronizing with these two breaths, imagine that the flame 'Jyot' is within us. Feel that the light of the flame is in our heart, right in the centre of the Lotus. Gently move the light to other parts of your body -- the stomach, the limbs, the eyes, the ears and the tongue. Feel that the entire body is illumined thereby. Rejoice that the light is the light of love; it removes hatred; it dispels darkness and doubt; it reveals that all are Divine.

6) As the light fills the eyes, you must feel that they have been purified. They shall no longer seek to look upon evil sights. When the light lights the tongue with love, decide that there is no more scope for uttering harsh words. Similarly, once the radiance of the divine light bathes the arms, they can no longer delight in performing harmful deeds while the feet can no longer move into polluting areas and places.

7) Now visualize the light as surrounding our physical body and spreading far out to family members, neighbours and even those whom we do not like. Every object is enveloped in that divine effulgence. Isavaasyam Idam Sarvam. All this is illumined by God. This is the stage of bliss.

8) In this manner, the ONE flame on which we concentrate can cleanse our mind and body and spread its light and radiance to include our entire environment.

9) Finally, take the Jyot on to the figure of our Ishta Devta or the Deity of you choice and/or fix our vision on the Jyot, and commence meditation or silent sitting for a few minutes, followed by Japa of our chosen Mantra with the full understanding of its meaning and firm faith in its power and benefits. It should be inter-woven with our breathing process of inhaling and exhaling.

Okay now , if you are reading this post -
Have you meditated? Do you meditate? Share your story. :)

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