We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be. -Kurt Vonnegut

The Law of the Seed

Take a look at an apple tree. There might be five hundred apples on the tree, but each apple has just ten seeds. That's a lot of seeds!

We might ask, "Why would you need so many seeds to grow just a few more apple trees?"

Nature has something to teach us here. It's telling us: "Not all seeds grow. In life, most seeds never grow. So if you really want to make something happen, you had better try more than once."

This might mean:

You'll attend twenty interviews to get one job. You'll interview forty people to find one good employee. You'll talk to fifty people to sell one house, one car, one vacuum cleaner, one insurance policy, or a business idea. And you might meet a hundred acquaintances just to find one special friend .

When we understand the "Law of the Seed", we don't get so disappointed. We stop feeling like victims. We learn how to deal with things that happen to us.

Laws of nature are not things to take personally. We just need to understand them - and work with them.

IN A NUTSHELL

Successful people fail more often. But they plant more seeds.

When Things Are Beyond your control, here's something that you must NOT DO so as to be happy: You must not decide how you think the world SHOULD be. You must not make rules for how everyone SHOULD behave. Many times, such thoughts can bring you spiralling down into more unhappiness.

On the other hand, let's say you expect that:

Friends SHOULD return favours.

People SHOULD appreciate you.

Planes SHOULD arrive on time.

Everyone SHOULD be honest.

Your husband or best friend SHOULD remember your birthday.

These expectations may sound reasonable. But often, these things won't happen! So you end up frustrated and disappointed.

There's a better strategy. Demand less, and instead, have preferences! For things that are beyond your control, tell yourself:

"I WOULD PREFER "A", BUT IF "B" HAPPENS, IT'S OK TOO!"

You prefer that people are polite.. but when they are rude, it doesn't ruin your day.

You prefer sunshine.. but if it rains, it is ok too!

To become happier, we either need to:

a) Change the world, or

b) Change our thinking.

It is easier to change our Thinking!

IN A NUTSHELL

It is not the problem that is the issue, but rather it is your attitude attending to the problem that is the problem. It's not what happens to you that determine your happiness but rather how you think about what happens to you!

The Power of Words

A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit. All the other frogs gathered around the pit. When they saw how deep the pit was, they told the two frogs that they were as good as dead.

The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit with all of their might. The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead. Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He fell down and died.

The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs said, "Did you not hear us?" The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.

This story teaches two lessons:

1. There is power of life and death in the tongue. An

encouraging word to someone who is down can lift them

up and help them make it through the day.

2. A destructive word to someone who is down can be what it

takes to kill them. Be careful of what you say. Speak life to

those who cross your path.

The power of words....it is sometimes hard to understand that an encouraging word can go such a long way. Anyone can speak words that tend to rob another of the spirit to continue in difficult times.

Your Weakness are your Assets groom them

Everyone has strength and weakness. Just when you are thinking that something may be your weakness, think twice. Sometimes your weakness may turn out to be your greatest strength.

The story of one 10 year old boy who decided to study Judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident.

The boy began his lessons with an old Japanese Judo Master. As the boy was doing well in his lessons, he could not understand why after three months of training and his master had taught him only one move.

"Sensei," the boy finally asked. "Shouldn't I be learning more moves?"

"This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you'll ever need to know." the sensei replied.

Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training.

Several months later, the sensei took the boy to his first tournament. Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy deftly used his one move to win the match. Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals.

This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger and more experienced. For a while, the boy appeared to be overmatched. Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. He was about to stop the match when the sensei intervened.

"No." the sensei insisted. "Let him continue."

Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake: he dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him down. The boy had won the match and the tournament. He was the champion.

On the way home, the boy and sensei reviewed every move in each and every match. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind.

"Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?"

"You won for two reasons," the sensei answered. "First, you've almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of Judo. And second, the only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grap your left arm."

The boy's biggest weakness had become his biggest strength.

The General and the Boy

Once, there was a General who wanted to cross a river. He was unsure of the depth of the river, and whether his horse could make it across the river.

He looked around for help and saw a little boy nearby. He asked the boy for advice.

The boy looked at the size of the General's horse and paused for a moment. He then confidently told the General that it is safe for the General and his horse to cross the river.

The General proceeded to cross the river on his horse. As he approached the middle of the river, he suddenly realized that the river was, in fact, very deep, and he almost drowned.

After he recovered from his shock he shouted at the boy and threatened to punish him.

The boy was stunned and innocently replied, "But General, I see my ducks crossing the river everyday without any problem, and my ducks have shorter legs than your horse".

SUCCESS PRINCIPLES

If you need advice, get it from people who know what they are talking about. Napoleon Hill says that, "Opinion is the cheapest commodity on earth". Make sure you review for yourself the opinion of others before you act on them

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

Nothing in life is as certain as death. Everything living is bound to die one day. We appear on the world scene only to disappear after a short span of time. This is the cycle of terrestrial life. Finally a time will come when even the earth would cease to exist. Indeed, nothing physical can escape the march of time and remain fixed in its place without decay, death or transformation. This is settled by Nature.

The transient and ephemeral nature of life is a universally known existential reality. Yet we are hardly bothered about it, and we continue to live as though we are here forever. We try to “make hay while the sun shines”.

We spend our lives as we please. The world is all the time with us. We tend to give free rein to desires and ambitions so much so that they sometimes extend out even beyond the confines of death encircling us. Plans and programmes are laid out years in advance when no one is sure of what is going to happen tomorrow. We construct huge buildings and palatial homes that outlive us by many, many years.

The way we hanker after life is the central weakness of our life. It is because of this that we are so afraid of death, of what is predestined and so inevitable. It keeps us always restless. It prevents us not only from acting decisively during critical moments but also from enjoying the pleasure and excitement of undertaking bold adventures in life. It is the root cause of many of our setbacks due to ego, greed, pride, hatred, dishonesty, ostentatious living as against simple living.

All these things cause problems and misunderstandings. They tie us down to the earthly plane and do not allow our imagination to soar high above to catch a glimpse of sublime truths and beauty at higher planes. They are, therefore, major obstacles in the way of great artistic creations. It is because we have staked everything on life that we are so incapable of living.

If we believe in the universal truths advocated by most religions, a belief that starts with self-realisation, death is not an end but the beginning of a new life. It is rather a point of transformation. The world we enter upon death is different with an altogether different set of requirements and standards. It is eternal and exists in both space and time. It is not discernible to us as the world we now live in was nowhere in sight when we were in our mother’s womb, protected and secure.

What are the norms and requirements by which the dead are going to be judged? This is a question we ask ourselves time and again. We must find out the answers and transform our lives in the light of their revelations, if we are not to jeopardise our chances in the life hereafter.

The wise man, as the prophets say, is the one who remembers death and keeps himself in a state of preparedness to face this eventuality. Death might then be an occasion for rejoicing rather than one of sorrow and repentance.

Cup Lesson ! wonderful thoughts

Cup Lesson !

A group of working adults got together to visit their University lecturer. The lecturer was happy to see them. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life.

The Lecturer just smiled and went to the kitchen to get an assortment of cups - some porcelain, some in plastic, some in glass, some plain looking and some looked rather expensive and exquisite.

The Lecturer offered his former students the cups to get drinks for themselves.

When all the students had a cup in hand with water, the Lecturer spoke: "If you noticed, all the nice looking, expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal that you only want the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. What all you wanted was water, not the cup, but we unconsciously went for the better cups."

"Just like in life, if Life is Water, then the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold/maintain Life, but the quality of Life doesn't change."

"If we only concentrate on the cup, we won't have time to enjoy/taste the water in it."

The Richest Man In The Valley will DIE --- good profound thoughts.... with transpire your mind

The Richest Man In The Valley

A rich landowner named Carl often rode around his vast estate so he could congratulate himself on his great wealth.

One day while riding around his estate on his favorite horse, he saw Hans, an old tenant farmer. Hans was sitting under a tree when Carl rode by.

Hans said, 'I was just thanking God for my food.'

Carl protested, 'If that is all I had to eat, I wouldn't feel like giving thanks.'

Hans replied, 'God has given me everything I need, and I am thankful for it.'

The old farmer added, 'It is strange you should come by today because I had a dream last night. In my dream a voice told me, 'The richest man in the valley will die tonight.' I don't know what it means, but I thought I ought to tell you.'

Carl snorted, 'Dreams are nonsense,' and galloped away, but he could not forget Hans' words: 'The richest man in the valley will die tonight.'

He was obviously the richest man in the valley, so he invited his doctor to his house that evening.

Carl told the doctor what Hans had said. After a thorough examination, the doctor told the wealthy landowner, 'Carl, you are as strong and healthy as a horse. There is no way you are going to die tonight.'

Nevertheless, for assurance, the doctor stayed with Carl, and they played cards through the night.

The doctor left the next morning and Carl apologized for becoming so upset over the old man's dream.

At about nine o'clock, a messenger arrived at Carl's door.

'What is it?' Carl demanded.

The messenger explained, 'It's about old Hans. He died last night in his sleep.'

*******

Being rich has nothing to do with money or possessions. But it has everything to do with having a relationship with God.

Poisoning Mother-in-law

Poisoning Mother-in-law

A long time ago in China , a girl named Li-Li got married & went to live with her husband and mother-in-law. In a very short time, Li-Li found that she couldn't get along with her mother-in-law at all.

Their personalities were very different, and Li-Li was angered by many of her mother-in-law's habits. In addition, she criticized Li-Li constantly.

Days passed, and weeks passed. Li-Li and her mother-in-law never stopped arguing and fighting.

But what made the situation even worse was that, according to ancient Chinese tradition, Li-Li had to bow to her mother-in-law and obey her every wish. All the anger and unhappiness in the house was causing Li-Li's poor husband! d great distress.

Finally, Li-Li could not stand her mother-in-! law's bad temper and dictatorship any longer, and she decided to do something about it! Li-Li went to see her father's good friend, Mr. Huang, who sold herbs.

She told him the situation and asked if he would give her some poison so that she could solve the problem once and for all.

Mr. Huang thought for awhile, and finally said, "Li-Li, I will help you solve your problem, but you must listen to me and obey what I tell you."

Li-Li said, "Yes, Mr. Huang, I will do whatever you tell me to do."Mr. Huang went into the back room, and returned in a few minutes with a package of herbs. He told Li-Li, "You can't use a quick-acting poison to get rid of your mother-in-law, because that would cause people to become suspicious Therefore, I have given you a number of herbs that will slowly build up poison in her body. Every other day prepare some delicious meal and put a little of these herbs in her serving.

Now, in order to make sure that nobody suspect you, when she dies, you must be very careful to act very friendly towards her. "Don't argue with her, obey her every wish, and treat her like a queen." Li-Li was so happy.

She thanked Mr. Huang and hurried home to start her plot of murdering her mother-in-law.

Weeks went by, and months went by, and every other day, Li-Li served the specially treated food to her mother-in-law. She remembered what Mr. Huang had said about avoiding suspicion, so she controlled her temper!r, obeyed her mother-in-law, and treated her like her own mother.

After six months had passed, the whole household had changed. Li-Li had practiced controlling her temper so much that she found that she almost never got mad or upset. She hadn't had an argument with her mother-in-law in six months because she now seemed much kinder and easier to get along with.

The mother-in-law's attitude toward Li-Li changed, and she began to love Li-Li like her own daughter. She kept telling friends and relatives that Li-Li was the best daughter-in- law one could ever find. Li-Li and her mother-in-law were now treating each other like a real mother and daughter.

Li-Li's husband was very happy to see what was happening. One day, Li-Li came to see Mr. Huang and asked for his help again She said, "Dear Mr. Huang, please help me to keep the poison from killing my mother-in-law. She's changed into such a nice woman, and I love her like my own mother. I do not want her to die because of the poison I gave her."

Mr. Huang smiled and nodded his head. "Li-Li, there's nothing to worry about. I never gave you any poison. The herbs I gave you were vitamins to improve her health. The only poison was in your mind and your attitude toward her, but that has been all washed away by the love which you gave to her."

HAVE YOU REALIZED that how you treat others is exactly how they will treat you? There is a wise Chinese saying: "The person who loves others will also be loved in return." God might be trying to work in another person's life through you

THE BRICK

About ten years ago, a young and very successful executive named Josh was traveling down a Chicago neighborhood street. He was going a bit too fast in his sleek, black, 12 cylinder Jaguar XKE, which was only two months old.

He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something. As his car passed, no child darted out, but a brick sailed out and - WHUMP! - it smashed Into the Jag's shiny black side door! SCREECH..!!!! Brakes slammed! Gears ground into reverse, and tires madly spun the Jaguar back to the spot from where the brick had been thrown. Josh jumped out of the car, grabbed the kid and pushed him up against a parked car. He shouted at the kid, "What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing?!" Building up a head of steam, he went on. "That's my new Jag, that brick you threw is gonna cost you a lot of money. Why did you throw it?"

"Please, mister, please. . . I'm sorry! I didn't know what else to do!" Pleaded the youngster. "I threw the brick because no one else would stop!" Tears were dripping down the boy's chin as he pointed around the parked car. "It's my brother, mister," he said. "He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up." Sobbing, the boy asked the executive, "Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me."

Moved beyond words, the young executive tried desperately to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. Straining, he lifted the young man back into the wheelchair and took out his handkerchief and wiped the scrapes and cuts, checking to see that everything was going to be OK. He then watched the younger brother push him down the sidewalk toward their home.

It was a long walk back to the sleek, black, shining, 12 cylinder Jaguar XKE -a long and slow walk. Josh never did fix the side door of his Jaguar. He kept the dent to remind him not to go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at him to get his attention. . . Some bricks are softer than others. Feel for the bricks of life coming at to you. For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has positive answers.

DON'T WE ALL

I was parked in front of the mall wiping off my car. I had just come

from the car wash and was waiting for my wife to get out of work.

Coming my way from across the parking lot was what society would

consider a bum.

From the looks of him, he had no car, no home, no clean clothes, and no

money. There are times when you feel generous but there are other times

that you just don't want to be bothered. This was one of those "don't

want to be bothered times."

"I hope he doesn't ask me for any money," I thought.

He didn't.

He came and sat on the curb in front of the bus stop but he didn't look

like he could have enough money to even ride the bus.

After a few minutes he spoke.

"That's a very pretty car," he said.

He was ragged but he had an air of dignity around him. His scraggly

blond beard keep more than his face warm.

I said, "thanks," and continued wiping off my car.

He sat there quietly as I worked. The expected plea for money never

came.

As the silence between us widened something inside said, "ask him if

he needs any help." I was sure that he would say "yes" but I held true

to the inner voice.

"Do you need any help?" I asked.

He answered in three simple but profound words that I shall never forget.

We often look for wisdom in great men and women. We expect it from

those of higher learning and accomplishments.

I expected nothing but an

outstretched grimy hand. He spoke the three words that shook me.

"Don't we all?" he said.

I was feeling high and mighty, successful and important, above a bum

in the street, until those three words hit me like a twelve gauge

shotgun.

Don't we all?

I needed help. Maybe not for bus fare or a place to sleep, but I

needed help. I reached in my wallet and gave him not only enough for bus

fare, but enough to get a warm meal and shelter for the day. Those

three little words still ring true. No matter how much you have, no matter

how much you have accomplished, you need help too. No matter how little you

have, no matter how loaded you are with problems, even without money or

a place to sleep, you can give help.

Even if it's just a compliment, you can give that.

You never know when you may see someone that appears to have it all.

They are waiting on you to give them what they don't have. A different

perspective on life, a glimpse at something beautiful, a respite from

daily chaos, that only you through a torn world can see.

Maybe the man was just a homeless stranger wandering the streets. Maybe

he was more than that.

Maybe he was sent by a power that is great and

wise, to minister to a soul too comfortable in themselves.

Maybe God looked down, called an Angel, dressed him like a bum, then said, "go minister to that man cleaning the car, that man needs help."

Don't we all?

Touching life story.....

A young man was getting ready to graduate college. For

many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer's

showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told

him that was all he wanted.

As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited

signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the

morning of his graduation his father called him into his private

study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine

son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son

a beautiful wrapped gift box.

Curious, but somewhat disappointed the young man

opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible. Angrily,

he raised his voice at his father and said, "With all your money you

give me a Bible?" and stormed out of the house, leaving the holy

book.

Many years passed and the young man was very successful in

business.

He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his

father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He

had not seen him since that graduation day. Before he could make

arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had

passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He

needed to come home immediately and take care things.

When he arrived at his father's house, sudden sadness and

regret filled his heart.

He began to search his father's important papers and

saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With

tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. As he

read those words, a car key dropped from an envelope

taped behind the Bible.

It had a tag with the dealer's name, the same dealer who had the

sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation,

and the words...PAID IN FULL.

How many times do we miss God's blessings because they are not

packaged as we expected?

The Window

The Window" (Author unknown)

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour a day to drain the fluids from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation. And every afternoon when the man in the bed next to the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other bed would live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the outside world. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake, the man had said. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Lovers walked arm in arm amid flowers of every color of the rainbow. Grand old trees graced the landscape, and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance. As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man could not hear the band, he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words. Unexpectedly, an alien thought entered his head: Why should hehave all the pleasure of seeing everything while I never get to see anything? It didn't seem fair. As the thought fermented, the man felt ashamed at first. But as the days passed and he missed seeing more sights, his envy eroded into resentment and soon turned him sour. He began to brood and found himself unable to sleep. He should be by that window - and that thought now controlled his life.

Late one night, as he lay staring at the ceiling, the man by the window began to cough. He was choking on the fluid in his lungs. The other man watched in the dimly lit room as the struggling man by the window groped for the button to call for help. Listening from across the room, he never moved, never pushed his own button which would have brought the nurse running. In less than five minutes, the coughing and choking stopped, along with the sound of breathing. Now, there was only silence--deathly silence.

The following morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths. When she found the lifeless body of the man by the window, she was saddened and called the hospital attendant to take it away--no words, no fuss. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look. Finally, he would have the joy of seeing it all himself. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall.

Moral of the story:

The pursuit of happiness is a matter of choice...it is a positive attitude we consciously choose to express. It is not a gift that gets delivered to our doorstep each morning, nor does it come through the window. And I am certain that our circumstances are just a small part of what makes us joyful. If we wait for them to get just right, we will never find lasting joy.

The pursuit of happiness is an inward journey. Our minds are like programs, awaiting the code that will determine behaviors; like bank vaults awaiting our deposits. If we regularly deposit positive, encouraging, and uplifting thoughts, if we continue to bite our lips just before we begin to grumble and complain, if we shoot down that seemingly harmless negative thought as it germinates, we will find that there is much to rejoice about.

Who controls you ???? become internally driven, Not externally driven

Become Internally Driven, Not Externally Driven

One day, if someone gets up on the right side of the bed and calls me and says, "You are the greatest person on earth. You are doing a great job and I want you to know I am honored to call you a friend," I know he is sincere. How does it make me feel? Great. But the next day, he gets up on the wrong side of the bed, picks up the phone and says, "You rascal, you cheat, you crook! You are the biggest fraud in town." How does it make me feel? Terrible.

So the first day when he says "you are the greatest guy," I feel great and the next day when he says "you rascal," I feel terrible. Who is controlling my life? Obviously, he is. Is that the way I want to go through life? Not at all. That is being externally driven.

I want to be internally driven. When he calls me and says I am the greatest guy, it is good to hear those words. But even if he doesn't say those words, in my own estimation, I am still a good human being. And the next day when he rips me apart, he can't really, because in my own estimation, I am still a good human being. When people make statements like, "You make me angry," the focus of control is external. But if I say I am angry or I choose to be angry, the focus of control is internal.

No one can make you feel inferior without your permission

There is a story about an ancient Indian sage who was called ugly names by a passerby. The sage listened unperturbed till the man ran out of words. He asked the man, "If an offering is not accepted, who does it belong to?" The man replied, "It belongs to the person who offered it." The sage said, "I refuse to accept your offering," and walked away, leaving the man dazed. The sage was internally driven.

THE KISSES

A young couple used to leave their daughter at a day-care center every day before going to work. As they parted company, the parents and child kissed each other's hands and then put the kisses in their pockets. All during the day when the little girl got lonely she would take out a kiss and put it on her cheek. This little routine made them feel together even though they were physically apart. What a wonderful thought.

MOTIVATIONAL

A beggar was sitting at the train station with a bowl full of pencils. A young executive passed by and dropped a dollar in the bowl. He then boarded the train. Before the doors closed, something came to his mind and he went back to the beggar, grabbed a bunch of pencils, and said, "They are priced right. After all you are a business person and so am I," and he left.

Six months later, the executive attended a party. The beggar was also there in a suit and tie. The beggar recognized the executive, went up to him and said, "You probably don't recognize me but I remember you." He then narrated the incident that happened six months before. The executive said, "Now that you have reminded me, I do recall that you were begging.

What are you doing here in your suit and tie?" The beggar replied, "You probably don't know what you did for me that day. You were the first person in my life who gave me back my dignity. You grabbed the bunch of pencils and said, 'They are priced right. After all, you are a business person and so am 1.' After you left, I thought to myself, what am I doing here? Why am I begging? I decided to do something constructive with my life. I packed my bag, started working and here I am. I Just want to thank you for giving me back my dignity. That incident changed my life."

FOOLS

A young executive with poor self-esteem was promoted but he couldn't reconcile himself to his new office and position. There was a knock at his door. To show how important and busy he was, he picked up the phone and then asked the visitor to come in. As the man waited for the executive, the executive kept talking on the phone, nodding and saying, "No problem, I can handle that." After a few minutes he hung up and asked the visitor what he could do for him. The man replied, "Sir, I'm here to connect your phone."

Have Patience

A lot of times we hear people saying that one exposure to a positive or a negative material does not have any impact. That is not true. The difference may not be visible but something is happening.

In China there is a bamboo tree which is planted, watered and fertilized for the first four years and nothing happens. There is no visible sign of growth.

But sometime during the fifth year, the bamboo tree grows about 90 feet in six weeks. The question is: Did the bamboo tree grow in six weeks or did it take five years to grow even though there was no visible sign it was taking root in the ground? When there was no visible sign, if someone had stopped watering and fertilizing it, would this have happened? Certainly not.

The bamboo tree would have died. We need to learn from nature and the lesson is pretty clear. Have patience and faith and keep doing the right thing. Even though the results may not be visible, something is happening.

Healing Meditation for Pain.

Here is a meditation technique you can do with a person who is experiencing a headache or any other pain. Have the person lie down,close his eyes,and relax deeply.Have him focus on his breath for a while,breathing deeply and slowly,yet naturally.Have him count down from ten to one slowly,feeling himself drift into a deeper,more relaxed state of being with each count.When the person is very relaxed,have him imagine a bright color,any color(the first color that comes to mind).Ask him to picture it as a sphere of bright light about six inches in diameter.Now ask him to picture it gradually growing bigger and bigger,until eventually it fills his whole field of mental vision.When he has experienced this,ask him to picture it shrinking,growing smaller and smaller until it's back to its original size.Now have it grow smaller still,until it's only an inch or so in diameter,still shrinking,and finally disappearing completely. Now go through the visualization exercise again,and this time have the person imagine that the color is his pain.

What IS Detachment???

Detachment is not indifference, distancing or remaining disconnected from people & events;

It is in embracing all - without labels of 'right and wrong'- without judgment of 'good or bad' -without descriptions of 'happy or painful.'.. And in this embracing... acceptance ... witnessing- detachment happens!!

Detachment ‘happens’ in all embracing acceptance! Not in denunciation or rejection of this that or the other!

Detachment is not in shunning, suppressing, fighting desires;

It arises in fulfillment ...or completion of .... desires!

Your 'desires' are your soul purposes and as you fulfill desires.... or complete the deeper learning behind the desire ...various soul purposes are being fulfilled

And as that happens- as soul plans are completed- desires which were only the propellers- are transcended- and detachment happens!

Detachment is not in having ‘no desires’; detachment is in the awareness that ‘your’ desires are only vehicles for the universal cosmic play to carry on

Detachment comes of its own accord…effortlessly almost… or it’s not detachment!

And indeed it cannot be wholly present when your roles in the cosmic game are still required...for then…how…or why…or what …would propel you? (‘Your’ desires are actually only divine desire, the cosmic play, being carried out through a ‘you’…)

But even as your roles near completion – are you automatically drawn to detachment…just as you were earlier to manifestation…!

And all that you may have learnt or read about detachment …or strived towards … culminates… and happens!

Detachment 'happens'! Striving towards detachment is attachment to detachment!

When there is no ‘you’…

When you personal consciousness merges with universal Self/consciousness

There is no personal attachment-or detachment-all is part of the cosmic play

And this play

This gurgle

This all embracing “Ah so it is!”

Moves you away from ‘concepts’ of attachment-detachment

Why Spirituality as the Basis for Work?

IMAGINE riding in a car whose 4-cylinder engine is working on only 3 cylinders,and whose gasoline is diluted with water. The car will struggle along, using only a part of its inherent power. It might still get you where you want to go, but with difficulty (and probably not up the steep hills.

At work, if we are running on only the power of mind, body, and emotions, we're running on only three cylinders. And if we find ourselves reacting to situations with anxiety, agitation, or anger – and feeling “there’s not enough time to do our best” – we're using diluted fuel.

What's missing ?

The missing cylinder is our “buddhi”: the spiritual intelligence that recognises the unity in the diversity of the world. With it, we can tap into our highest wisdom for making the right choices and working pro-actively toward a common goal. The pure fuel is “inner awareness”: knowing that we are all spiritual beings having a human experience. This awareness gives us the strength and equanimity for being true to our spiritual values. When spirituality is the basis for our work, we have the full spiritual power to be – and do – our best.

So how many cylinders are you running on at work?

And what is the quality of your fuel?

In our workshops and interviews, business executives with a consciously-held spiritual view of life (and who intend to lead from that basis) have enlightened us on what it means to operate from a spiritual basis at work.

First, they operate with a spiritual intelligence that shifts their experience of a situation to one of “unity” and guides their actions in ways that are not readily thought of by others.

For example, the human resource executive of an Indian corporation was in the midst of union negotiations. He realised during one of our workshops that his spiritual basis for work was centred on "awakening the inner self" and "peaceful co-existence." He then saw the possibility of creating a negotiation process that focused on awakening the inner selves of each person involved.

From this spiritual basis he was confident that an agreement would naturally exemplify peaceful co-existence.

Another attribute of these executives is an inner strength to make even the toughest decisions according to their spiritual values.

One American executive told us of a situation where she had pursued a large contract in a foreign country, despite scepticism from her bosses about her chances of success. From her spiritual basis,she trusted her intuition to engage in the negotiations.

She spent many long days and hours in that country putting together a huge contract.The day she sat down to sign the contract with the representatives of the foreign government, they suddenly told her that she would need to write them a large check

before they would sign. With inner calm and without hesitation, she refused... and went home without the contract.

With some embarrassment, and a great deal of peace, she explained to her management what had transpired. She had no difficulty acknowledging that their initial scepticism had turned out to be right – and also that she had gained invaluable new wisdom that would benefit the company. (By the way, her management applauded her refusal to give the bribe.)

Take a few moments to reflect upon your own spiritual basis for work.

How often do you run on all cylinders at work – tapping into your highest wisdom to see the unity that underlies the diversity, and working pro-actively for the good of all?

How often are you powered by pure fuel at work – being aware that we are all spiritual beings and feeling the strength and equanimity to be true to your spiritual values?

How KRISHNA works in our life............."How Delusion works in our life..."

An old Farmer lived on a farm in the mountains with his young grandson. Each morning Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading his Bhagavat Geeta. His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way he could. One day the grandson asked, 'Grandpa! I try to read the Bhagawat Geeta just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bhagawat Geeta do?'

The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied, ‘Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water.'

The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, 'You'll have to move a little faster next time,' and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again.

This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket instead. The old man said, 'I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You're just not trying hard enough,' and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.

At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got back to the house.

The boy again dipped the basket into river and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, 'See Grandpa, it's useless!'

'So you think it is useless?' The old man said, 'Look at the basket.' The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and was now clean, inside and out. 'Son, that's what happens when you read the Bhagavat Geeta. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, you will be changed, inside and out. That is the work of Krishna in our lives.

Pressure at work --- Trouble tree

I hired a plumber to help me restore an old farmhouse, and after he had just finished a rough first day on the job, a flat tyre made him lose an hour of work, his electric drill quit and his ancient one-ton truck refused to start. While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence.

On arriving he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked towards the front door, he paused briefly at a tree, touching the tips of the tree. When opening the door he underwent an amazing transformation.

His tanned face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss. Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier.

Oh, that's my trouble tree," he replied. "I know I can't help having troubles on the job, but one thing's for sure, those troubles don't belong in the house with my wife and the children. So I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home and ask God to take care of them. Then in the morning I pick them up again. "Funny thing is," he smiled, "when I come out in the morning to pick them up, there aren't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before."

A Happiness Quote

In vain do they talk of happiness who never subdued an impulse in obedience to a principle. He who never sacrificed a present to a future good, or a personal to a general one, can speak of happiness only as the blind speak of color.
-Horace Mann

A man can stand almost anything except a succession of ordinary days. -Goethe

Uanswered Prayer

An Answered Prayer

I asked for strength,
And God gave me difficulties to make me strong;

I asked for wisdom,
And God gave me problems to learn to solve;

I asked for prosperity,
And God gave me brain and brawn to work;

I asked for courage,
And God gave me dangers to overcome;

I asked for love,
And God gave me people to help;

I asked for favours,
And God gave me opportunities.

I received nothing I wanted - I received everything I needed.

My prayer has been answered!

Hang on the Nuts and Get Caught

Monkey-hunters use a box with an opening at the top, big enough for the monkey to slide its hand in. Inside the box are nuts. The monkey grabs the nuts and now its hand becomes a fist. The monkey tries to get its hand out but the opening is big enough for the hand to slide in, but too small for the fist to come out. Now the monkey has a choice, either to let go off the nuts and be free forever or hang on to the nuts and get caught. Guess what it picks every time? You guessed it. He hangs on to the nuts and gets caught.

We are no different from monkeys. We all hang on to some nuts that keep us from going forward in life. We keep rationalizing by saying, "I cannot do this because . . ." and whatever comes after "because" are the nuts that we are hanging on to which are holding us back.


Successful people don't rationalize. Two things determine if a person will be a success: reasons and results. Reasons don't count while results do. A good advice for failure is: Don't think, don't ask and don't listen. Just rationalize.

You can choose how you want to move in the life

A story of two brothers. One was a drug addict and a drunk who frequently beat up his family. The other one was a very successful businessman who was respected in society and had a wonderful family. Some people wanted to find out why two brothers from the same parents, brought up in the same environment, could be so different.

The first one was asked, "How come you do what you do? You are a drug addict, a drunk, and you beat your family. What motivates you?" He said, "My father." They asked, "What about your father?" The reply was, "My father was a drug addict, a drunk and he beat his family. What do you expect me to be? That is what I am."

They went to the brother who was doing everything right and asked him the same question. "How come you are doing everything right? What is your source of motivation?" And guess what he said? "My father. When I was a little boy, I used to see my dad drunk and doing all the wrong things. I made up my mind that that is not what I wanted to be." Both were deriving their strength and motivation from the same source, but one was using it positively and the other negatively.

Negative motivation brings the desire to take the easier way which ends up being the tougher way.

SELECTIVE LISTENING

I heard about a medical doctor who was invited as a guest speaker to address a group of alcoholics. He wanted to make a demonstration that would be powerful enough to make people realize that alcohol was injurious to their health. He had two containers, one with pure distilled water and one with pure alcohol. He put an earthworm into the distilled water and it swam beautifully and came up to the top. He put another earthworm into the alcohol and it disintegrated in front of everyone's eyes. He wanted to prove that this was what alcohol did to the insides of our body.

He asked the group what the moral of the story was and one person from behind said, "If you drink alcohol you won't have worms in your stomach." Was that the message? Of course not. That was selective listening--we hear what we want to hear and not what is being said.

Many of our blessings are hidden treasures--count your blessings and not your troubles

WHEN DID U LAST SHARPEN YOUR AXE ?

WHEN DID U LAST SHARPEN YOUR AXE



Rodger , a woodcutter, worked for a company for five years but never got a raise. The company hired Bill and within a year he got a raise. This caused resentment in Rodger and he went to his boss to talk about it. The boss said, "You are still cutting the same number of trees you were cutting five years ago. We are a result-oriented company and would be happy to give you a raise if your productivity goes up." rodger went back, started hitting harder and putting in longer hours but he still wasn't able to cut more trees.

He went back to his boss and told him his dilemma. The boss told John to go talk to Bill. "Maybe there is something Bill knows that you and l don't." Rodger asked Bill how he managed to cut more trees. Bill answered, "After every tree l cut, l take a break for two minutes and sharpen my axe. When was the last time you sharpened your axe?" This question hit home like a bullet and Rodger got his answer.

Top 10 Ways To Raise Your Consciousness

Top 10 Ways To Raise Your Consciousness


1. Forgive yourself and others: Life is too short to hold on to regrets, grudges, miscommunications, or disappointments. Free yourself by forgiving and letting go of any negative energy you’re holding on to about yourself or others. The process of forgiving yourself and others will result in your feeling light and free; it will raise your vibration.

2. Practise gratitude and appreciation: Whatever you focus on grows. So, when you focus on every thing in your life you feel grateful for all and the wonderful people you appreciate, the universe hands you more to feel grateful about.

3. Live each day as though it were your last: Then you will be living in a state of light, love and unconditional contribution.What would you say to the people you care about?

4. Meditate or pray: You open up a direct link between yourself and the spiritual realm when you meditate or pray. You will come closer to your creator energy, raise your vibration experience, peace, clarity, joy and connection, as well as a perfectly balanced state between your mental, physical, emotional and spiritual realms.

5. Suspend judgment: One judges another to feel less guilty about one’s own misgivings. Judgment energy is dense, dark and heavy. On the other hand, unconditional acceptance is light, free and accepting. Let go of judging and criticising yourself and others. Everyone is on a different path and some appear to be farther ahead on their path than others. Neither path is better nor worse than another.Raise your consciousness to one of acceptance.

6. View every experience as a gift: If you look back at occurrences in your life, you can easily see how even the worst situations you experienced in your life ended up teaching you invaluable lessons and therefore resulted in putting you in perfect place for your continuing development. When you view every experience — the good, the bad, and the ugly — as a gift, life flows more like a gentle, inspiring breeze.

7. Stay consciously aware of all your thoughts and feelings: It is easy to fall into negative patterns of complaining and feeling like a victim of society and your life. When you catch yourself in the negative zone, don’t feel badly about it and beat yourself up. Simply choose to switch your consciousness to one of gratitude and positive thinking.

8. Treat your physical body as your temple: Your body is the only vehicle you’ve been given for this ride called life. The better you care for your body by eating a healthy, balanced diet, and by implementing a regular exercise routine, and by giving your body the rest it requires, the more you will experience increased energy, vitality, joy and freedom.

9. View the world through the eyes of a child: Children are enthralled by the process of observing and experiencing the wonder and beauty in every single thing.They can’t get enough. Look at every tree, sunset, cloud and human being as a child would and you’ll be in a constant state of wonder, joy, surprise, acceptance and enlightenment.

10. Give love, love, love from your heart: It’s all about love. Love is the highest vibration. Allow yourself to receive love unconditionally from others. Give love from your heart unconditionally to yourself and others and you will experience the highest state of consciousness possible.

Love Kisses -- warmth are forever

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Some time ago, a friend of mine punished his 4 year old daughter for wasting a roll of gold wrapping paper. Money was tight and he became infuriated when the small child tried to decorate a box to put under the tree. Nevertheless the little girl brought the gift to her father the next morning and said " This is for you Daddy."

He was embarrassed by his earlier over reaction... He opened the box and his anger flared again when he found the box was empty.

Then he yelled at her:

DON'T YOU KNOW when you give someone a present there's supposed to be something inside of it???

The little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and said,

Oh Daddy it's not empty, I blew kisses into the box , all for you Daddy.

The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little girl, and he begged her for forgiveness. My friend told me that he kept that gold box near his bed for years.

Whenever he was discouraged he would take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there. In a very real sense each of us has been given a gold container filled with unconditional love and kisses.

There is no more precious possession anyone could hold.

Grandpa's Letter to his Grandson -- Good to read and grasp

Letter to My Grandson, The
by: Paul Harvey,



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We may not always realize
that everything we do
Affects not only our lives
but touches others too.

A single happy smile
can always brighten up the day
For anyone who happens
to be passing by your way.

And a little bit of thoughtfulness
that shows someone you care
Creates a ray of sunshine
for both of you to share.

Yes, every time you offer
someone a helping hand,
Every time you show a friend
you understand.

Every time you have a kind
and gentle word to give,
or help someone to find beauty
in this precious life we live.

For happiness brings happiness
and loving ways bring love,
And giving is the treasure
that contentment is made of.

Child's Bill of rights - and a Stern Mom's reply DADS would really love it....

Child's Bill Of Rights,
A son came home from school one day,
with a silly grin on his face,
He thought he was smarter than me, his mom,
and he could put me in my place.

HE SAID:
Guess what I learned in Civics Two,
that's taught by Mr. Wright,
It's about the laws of the land, today,
its called the Children's Bill of Rights.

IT SAYS:
That I don't have to clean my room,
I don't even have to cut my hair,
Nobody can tell me what I can eat,
or choose the clothes I wear.

IT SAID:
Freedom of speech is my constitutional guarantee,
and its my choice of what I read, or what I watch on T.V.
I have the freedom of religion, and regardless to what you say,
I don't have to ask your God for help---I don't have to pray.

IT SAID:
I can wear an earring in my ear,
and if I want to--I can pierce my nose,
It's my choice if I so desire,
to tattoo Satan's numbers--across my toes.

Hey, if ever again you try to spank me,
I will charge you with the crime,
and I can back up all my charges,
With the marks on my behind.

HE SAID, NOW:
Don't ever touch my body again,
this body of mine is for me to use,
And not for your hugs and kisses and stuff,
that's just another form of child abuse.

HE CONTINUED WITH:
And stop trying to fill my head with morals,
like your mama did to you,
Things like that is called mind control,
And that's illegal too!

Mom, I have these children's rights,
you can't do a thing to me,
I can call the children's services,
better known as C. S. D.

MY TURN!!!!
My very first impression was,
to toss this boy right out the door,
But here was a chance to teach him a lesson,
for once and for ever more.

I took my time and mulled it over,
but something like this I couldn't let go,
This kid of mine didn't realize,
that he was messing with a pro!

AND AWAY WE GO!
The next day we went shopping,
very much to his dismay,
I didn't buy him 501s
or shirts designed by Nike.

I had called and talked to the C. S. D.,
they said that they didn't really care,
If I bought him Volume shoes,
or a pair of Nike Airs.

AND THEN:
I canceled his appointment with DMV,
so he could test his driving skills,
I'd probably be dead by now for sure,
If only looks could kill!

I SAID:
By-the-way, I don't have time to stop and eat,
or pick up stuff for you to munch,
I think you should follow C. S. D.'s advice,
And make yourself a big sack lunch.

So, you say what? That you're not hungry,
that you can wait until dinner time?
Well, I am fixing liver and onions,
Cause that a favorite dish of mine.

Can we stop to get a movie,
so you can watch on the VCR?
Gosh no! I sold what was your T.V.,
And bought four new tires for my car.

I also rented out your room,
sorry, you really don't need a bed,
All I really have to do for you,
Is put a roof over your head.

As long as I have to buy your clothes,
and the food that you must eat,
The money I gave you for an allowance,
Is going to buy me something neat.

No more eating after we shop,
no more joking along the way,
Son, I too have Bill of Rights
That goes into effect today.

What's the matter, why are you crying?
What are you doing down on your knees?
Why are you asking God to help you,
Instead of C. S. D.?

Anger, power and soul

Power is part of our DNA, who we are. Power (and passion) are woven into our life's purpose – why we're on the planet. Absent power, life is a humdrum experience – lacking meaning or real engagement. When we lack or lose our sense of power, we feel less than, deficient, and invisible. What results is anger. Sometimes our anger is overt - violence, abuse or aggression, or silent – sadness or depression.

On a macro level, have only to watch or read the news to witness the degree of violence that threads throughout much of the world. So many folks feeling victimized, helpless and powerless.

On a micro level, what about you? First and foremost, anger is a reactivity to loss of love. Secondarily, anger arises when we feel we are powerless – feeling we're not able to control others either verbally, emotionally or psychologically. What we need to understand here is that now we're not talking about "power," but "force." What's the difference?

Force is a "faux" power we resort when we feel deficient and want to feel powerful. Force is actually a "weakness" that leaks out as aggression and dominance.

True and real power – a soul quality – is actually the energy that accompanies self-confidence, self-worth, self-awareness, authenticity, equanimity and gentleness. Power is supportive, not defensive. Power comes from an inner "knowing," an inner drive and inner authority. Power is the soul's "right action."

Powerlessness and resulting anger come not from the heart, but from a fear-based mental and emotional sense of not being in control, or feeling victimized or trapped by one's life or environment – at work, at home, at play or in relationship. Anger is a reactivity to one's circumstances or to the lack of opportunity.

Anger also arises when one feels unable to express one's self – either lacking the ability to communicate, or feeling unheard, misunderstood or unseen. Frustration and self-esteem issues arise when one feels unheard or unseen.

Finally, anger arises when one feels they lack a capacity to "do" or "be." Physical or mental disability, illness, or career or financial hardship. When one feels "limited," anger and frustration often result. Anger arises, too, when one cannot fulfill their dreams or visions.

So, what is the antidote to anger?

First, on a practical level, it's helpful to explore the reverse side of frustration. What do I need to do, be and have to reduce or eliminate my frustration? What knowledge, skills or abilities do I lack? What would empower me to feel capable and powerful? Are there new or different directions or interests I might pursue that would give me a sense of purpose and power? Can I challenge myself to explore the "unknown" and forward the action of my life into new areas, across my current life boundaries? Powerlessness is a "message" that suggests we need to look beyond our eyes.

Second, on a spiritual level, powerlessness is an opportunity to "go inside," to explore within to touch the true source of Power, where true and real "empowerment" resides. Often, the "inner" will point us to the "outer" – that true and real power is about serving the needs of others. Lest you think that "power" is "volunteering," it might be. But true and real power and the sense of authenticity, self-confidence, aliveness, fulfillment, and meaning accompanying it come from a conscious choice to serve, support and be self-less to others – at work, at home, at play and in relationship.

True personal power arises from a personality-soul connection. True personal power is the result of passion and purpose that is heart-driven, not ego-mind driven. Personal power results from empowering – others, not your self. As Deepak Chopra says, "Seventy-five percent of what a person does, they do for their self – and there isn't one." If we understand that, we can discern the difference between the love and gentleness of power and the ugliness and harshness of force.

So, power begins with me, my True Self – identifying and making healthy choices to change and grow in my life at work, at home, at play and in relationship - and allow the ripples from my growth to move out and affect others.

So, some questions for self-reflection are:

Where are you on the power-force continuum?
Would your colleagues and friends say you are ever forceful and aggressive?
Are you a "control-freak?" Do you move to anger quickly when you feel you're not in control?
Do you ever reflect on your forceful or aggressive thoughts, words or actions? If so, what do you see about yourself? Any patterns?

Are there folks in your life you can empower? How can you do that?
Do you feel stuck, powerless or frustrated? What talents, skills or abilities might enable you to forward the action of your life?


Think of a person or persons you can empower and decide how you will do that.
Can you take some time to reflect or meditate on your life purpose or how you can contribute to life? This is where you discover your power.
What was being around anger and force like for you and your family as you were growing up?

Two wolves inside you ??

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all.

"One is Evil - It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

"The other is Good - It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

A "no" uttered from deepest conviction is better & greater than a "yes" merely uttered 2 please, or what is worse, 2 avoid trouble. -Gandhi

GIVE AWAY AND BE HAPPY.........

"Rivers do not drink their own water, nor do tree eat their own fruit, nor do rain clouds eat the grains reared by them. The wealth of the noble is used solely for the benefit of others?


Even after accepting that giving is good and that one must learn to give, several questions need to be answered.

The first question is 'when should one give?'

Yudhisthir asks a beggar seeking alms to come the next day. On this, Bhim rejoices, that Yudhisthir his brother, has conquered death! For he is sure that he will be around tomorrow to give. Yudhisthir gets the message.


One does not know really whether one will be there tomorrow to give! The time to give therefore is NOW.


The next question is 'how much to give?'

One recalls the famous incident from history.

Rana Pratap was reeling after defeat from the Moghals. He had lost his army , he had lost his wealth , and most important he had lost hope, his will to fight.

At that time in his darkest hour , his erstwhile minister Bhamasha came seeking him and placed his entire fortune at the disposal of Rana Pratap. With this, Rana Pratap raised an army and lived to fight another day.

The Art of Giving-

The answer to this question how much to give is " Give as much as you can!


The next question is 'what to give?'


It is not only money that can be given. It could be a flower or even a smile. It is not how much one gives but how one gives that really matters.


When you give a smile to a stranger that may be the only good thing received by him in days and weeks!


"You can give anything but you must give with your heart !

One also needs answer to this question 'whom to give?'

Many times we avoid giving by finding fault with the person who is seeking.


However, being judgmental and rejecting a person on the presumption that he may not be the most deserving is not justified.

"Give without being judgmental!"

Next we have to answer 'How to give?

Coming to the manner of giving, one has to ensure that the receiver does not feel humiliated, nor the giver feels proud by giving.

'Let not your left hand know what your right hand gives?

Charity without publicity and fanfare, is the highest form of charity.

'Give quietly !

While giving let not the recipient feel small or humiliated.

After all what we give never really belonged to us.


We come to this world with nothing and will go with nothing.



The thing gifted was only with us for a temporary period.

Why then take pride in giving away something which really did not belong to us?

Give with grace and with a feeling of gratitude.



What should one feel after giving ?



We all know the story of Eklavya. When Dronacharya asked him for his right thumb as "Guru = Dakshina".



He unhesitatingly cut off the thumb and gave it to Dronacharya.



There is a little known sequel to this story.. Eklavya was asked whether he ever regretted the act of giving away his thumb when he was dying.



His reply was "Yes ! I regretted this only once in my life. It was when Pandavas were coming in to kill Dronacharya who was broken hearted on the false news of death of his son Ashwathama and had stopped fighting.



It was then that I regretted the loss of my thumb.



If the thumb was there, no one could have dared hurt my Guru?



The message to us is clear.



Give and never regret giving !



And the last question is ' How much should we provide for our heirs ?



Ask yourself , 'Are we taking away from them the "gift of work? - a source of happiness!'


The answer is given by Warren Buffett: "Leave your kids enough to do anything, but not enough to do nothing!"



I would conclude by saying: let us learn the Art of Giving, and quoting


Sant Kabir:



"When the wealth in the house increases ,
When water fills a boat ,
Throw them out with both hands !



This is the wise thing to do!

ACCOUNTS of Life

MY LIFE IS ALL ACCOUNTANCY.



"What comes, I debit.

What goes, I credit.

My birth is my opening balance.

My ideas are my assets.

My views are my liabilities."





"My happiness is my profit.

My sorrow is my loss.

My soul is my Goodwill.

My heart is my fixed asset.

My duties are my outstanding expenses.

My work is my prepaid expenses.





"My friend is my adjustment.

My character is my capital.

My Knowledge is my investment.

My mind is my bank balance.

Bad thing, I always depreciate.

Good thing, I always appreciate."





" My thinking is my current Account (A/C)

My behaviour is my journal Entries.

My aim of life is my trial balance.

My death is my final A/C (Account)."

WHAT SHALL I DO

What Shall i Do ??????????
People are often unreasonable, self-centred:--------- Forgive them anyway.

If you are honest, people may cheat you,------------- but be honest anyway.

What you spend years to build, someone could destroy overnight.-------- Build anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow.----------------- Do good anyway.

You see, in the final analysis it is between you and God;

it never was between you and them anyway.


The Science of Happiness


The fewer desires you have, the happier you will be. Having the right information (truth) leads to contentment. Having the right understanding of the self, our purpose, our origins and our true relationships should free us from the cycles of boom and bust and lead society to that ultimate happiness.

Should one be afraid OF DARKNESS?

For one who is fearful, darkness is evil. For one who is not fearful, darkness is the all-absorbing nature of existence. That which can absorb everything is also that which creates everything. So, Devi is seen as the basis of all Creation. Earth is called “Mother” because it is all-creating and all-absorbing. It throws us out and absorbs us too, one day.


Why do some associate darkness with evil? Only because your visual senses are such that you cannot see in darkness, it instills fear in you. For all nocturnal animals, darkness is beautiful. There was no light in your mother’s womb. The fear of darkness came only after you were born.


For those trapped in the limitations of sensory perception, darkness is a problem. For those who have transcended the limitations of the senses, darkness is a blessing. The fundamental principle of Bhairavi is darkness. One meaning of ‘bhai’ is fear. Another meaning is ‘beyond’. She is fearful for those who are trapped in limitations – but for those who have the eyes to see it, she is the nature of the beyond. Fear appears because there is no vairag, no dispassion. For those who are trapped in limitations, dispassion is a fearful thing. For those who consciously go into it, dispassion is ultimate freedom.


Either you are in ‘bhai’ or vairag – there is no other way to be. Passion and fear are connected. The word ‘passion’ is used in many ways: we are using it for intensity but passion essentially means you are clinging to something. Being passionate about something or somebody is the only way for you right now to generate certain experiences within you.

If the object of your passion is threatened, there is fear. Dispassion does not mean non-involvement. Right now, you are kicking up your involvement with passion. If you can kick up your involvement with dispassion, then there is no question of fear.


When Devi is depicted in fearful ways, it is not that she really is fearful. It is just that people see her like that; it is their perception. Those who love her think she is compassionate, but those who look at her bound by limitations think she is fearsome. You might see pictures where Devi has taken off her own head, carrying it in her hand; this aspect of the Devi is called Chinnamasta.

This is to show that she has taken off her own limitations. If Devi nurtures your limitations, would you call that compassion? Or would you think so if she takes away your limitations? Removing your limitations is ultimate compassion - to a point where she is willing to be unpopular.


Devi’s compassion is like the purifying and life-giving fire. A mind that is full of fear looks upon fire fearfully. But fire is the basis of all life. May the fiery Grace of Bhairavi be upon you.

A Good Reason to Lift People Up

As long as you keep a person down, some part of you has to be down there to hold him down, so it means you cannot soar as you otherwise might. -Marian Anderson

No man who rises before dawn 365 days a year fails to make his family rich. -Chinese Proverb

Very Short Courage Quotes

Tiny courage quotes that make you laugh, inspire you and encourage you.What we seek we shall find; what we flee from flees from us.Ralph Waldo EmersonCourage is knowing what not to fear.PlatoIf we're growing, we're always going to be out of our comfort zone.John MaxwellCourage is fear holding on a minute longer.George Smith PattonIt is easy to be brave from a safe distance.AesopSometimes even to

SEARCH THE LIGHT WITHIN

SEARCH THE LIGHT WITHIN

There is a story of one person who was found searching for something at a spot which was lit by a lamp . On being asked, he replied to state that he was searching for his purse which he had lost. Further questioned as to whether he was sure if he had dropped it at the spot where he was searching, he answered that he had actually dropped it elsewhere but chose to search at that particular spot because only there, it was not dark!

The story, as above, is told by Swami Sukabodananda to illustrate the fact that most persons seek for answers to their quests from various external sources, when the solution lies within themselves. This is akin to a person running around for ghee when he has enough butter in his possession. Indeed, as in the case of butter, the human mind too, which is possessed of the required powers, needs just those processes and refinement to obtain the end result!



The future lies with you, you seek Your Own light within and do away the darkness of negativity and bluntness, Blend yourself to the ray of light and to almighty to seek your answers.


True enough, external support and guidance such as rituals, visits to places of worship and Gurus are necessary in one’s spiritual journey as means to the end just as crutches and external bandages or even surgery may be necessary for the patient who has had fractures and injuries. Just as the patient progresses to that stage of finally discarding these, the spiritual aspirant too has to transcend external supports to discover the jewel within, which is the abode of all power, peace and light.


Bhagawad Gita refers to this as a process of discarding passion, desire and anger such exercises for the body, mind and the spirit enable one to discover light and divinity within. This is the state, described by Gita as that state of “joy within, comfort within and light within” — antasukah, antararamah, antarjyoti

The four functions of the mind

The four functions of the mind

The mind is the inner organ and consists of such functions as desire, deliberation, doubt, faith, want of faith, patience, impatience, shame, intelligence and fear.

The impressions carried by the organs of perception are shaped by the mind into ideas, for we see only with the mind, hear with the mind. Further, the mind changes the ideas into resolutions of the will.

There are four functions or divisions or parts of the mind.

One part of the mind called Manas, creates doubt.
The Buddhi (intellect) makes decisions
Chitta is the storehouse of memory
Aham (the ego), creates I-consciousness.

The five organs of action, the five organs of perception, the five pranas, the mind, and the intellect constitute the gross and the subtle body of the embodied soul (jiva). The subtle accompanies the individual soul after death, when the gross body is destroyed. The subtle body is the abode of the KARMA or impressions left by action, determining the nature of the new body and mind when the soul is reborn. As the jiva (the embodied soul) does and act, so it becomes.

The presence of an irrefragable Self or consciousness is assumed in all acts of thinking. The Self or consciousness, which is the true 'seer' or subject, is unchanging intelligence, and can never be imagined to be non-existent. Atman (the Self) in man and Brahman in the universe are completely identical.

The idea of body, senses, and the mind, associated with the non-self, is falsely superimposed upon the Self, and the Self, which is of the nature of pure consciousness, appears as a jiva, or phenomenal being, subject to the various limitations of the physical world.