When Sun God Showered Blessings

 

Recently I was invited to give a session on meditation for the staff of a hotel. I asked them what image or words come to their mind on hearing the word ‘Meditation’. The answer came that it brings the picture of a sadhu clad in white or saffron clothes sitting on a mountain top or beneath a huge tree with closed eyes and hands in Gyana mudra.

So I asked, as a house holder, why should I talk about meditation to the youngsters who are leading a worldly life?

To have a stable mind

If we look at anybody’s life, the experiences that come over a period of time is like this – ‘sadness... tension.... stress... fear... happiness... sadness... tension.... stress... fear...happiness..’ and it keeps repeating in that order. During all the negative experiences, one is worried and not in a stable state.

What about experiences that bring happiness? Let us take an example, when a father gets to know that his daughter got first rank in the Pre University examination, he is overjoyed. How long do you think that the happiness remains? Various thoughts follow. “Now that she has got first rank, I need to put her in a good college, but my financial situation is tight...” “For further education she will go to a big city and I have heard horrible stories of the bad influences in those cities. What will happen to my daughter?” And in so many other ways his mind will wander and in no time that extreme happiness turns to negative thinking.

Regular meditation helps one to go beyond these obvious thinking streams, to keep the mind in a neutral position so that correct decisions can be taken.

How to meditate?

The simplest way is to just observe the breathing, because breath and mind are closely connected. Doing this even for five minutes before going to sleep and on getting up in the morning can bring wonderful changes over a period of time.

Mindfulness during every act/work one does is also a type of meditation. The mind will keep wandering, but bring it back to the current moment.

Chanting mantra with full awareness is also akin to meditation.

And then there are guided meditations.

The experience

I helped them to meditate by being aware of the breath through watching the rising and falling of the abdomen.

Then I took them through a guided meditation. It was a partly cloudy day and Sun was not visible when we started. I designed the meditation to strengthen their health and immune power by accessing the power of Sun, our life giver. It was a great experience to them and when we finished and they opened their eyes, the Sun came out of the clouds and was shining bright, bringing sun light into the area where we were sitting.

That was the indication from the Sun God that He had accepted our effort and blessed all of us!

Fortified Logical Mind – Shutter To a Beautiful World Beyond!

Logical thinking

Logical thinking is an important skill that can help us rationalise our thoughts and create positive outcomes. It is a combination of situational awareness and the ability to regulate your emotions productively so that they do not interfere in your decision-making processes. But logical thinking is the tip of an iceberg, which is the approach to life. Consider this example: We are crossing a river (life) in a boat (logical thinking). Once the river is crossed, we have to walk on the land. Thinking that the boat was such a useful means to cross the river, you tie it to your leg and start walking. What will be the result?

To embrace life in all its entirety and to enjoy it to the fullest, we need to realise the limitations of logical thinking and at some point in life, decide to take a leap.

Pendulum dowsing

Almost two decades back when I asked my friend to teach me pendulum dowsing, she just explained and showed it to me. I picked up the pendulum and it worked beautifully in my hand right from the first attempt. And so it was for many people whom I taught it. Then one day came a close friend who wanted to learn. I said that it was so easy and showed him. And I was shocked to see that the pendulum refused to make even a tiny movement in his hand. That is when I developed a step by step method to teach people like that.

Muscle testing

I uploaded a video on muscle testing and got a feedback, “It looked unbelievable, but I still thought there must be some noticeable change if I try it myself. But I didn't feel any change. What does it mean?”

Again, I learned muscle testing 15 years back and have done it on many of my clients, getting dependable results. This was the first time I heard it didn’t work. I replied, “I think your conscious mind is too controlling that it doesn't let your subconscious express.”

Then I thought of many more out there, whose conscious mind is too controlling, who have very strong logical minds, who think that whatever they have achieved in life is ONLY because of their logical thinking and problem solving ability. I feel sad that they are missing out a beautiful aspect of life.

Can they get a glimpse of the other side?

Strong logical thinking and the deep faith that this is the only thing that can help wade through life keeps fortifying that aspect of life and it creates an almost impenetrable shutter to give even a glimpse of the other magnificent aspect of life.

But if one is determined to go through that shutter, there is a way. It starts with getting in touch with one’s own body first. Sit for some time with closed eyes and start breathing longer and deeper. Watch the movement of the belly with each breath. Gradually increase that time to half hour. Then slowly you will start to feel that your body is communicating with you. Keep doing that longer and you will be able to have a glimpse of that world beyond.

How long is it going to take? Well, depending on how deep rooted is that aspect in you, it may take months to years. I know it, a very close friend who was totally logical, needed more than three decades to even sense the type of energy present in a place! 

And this meditation can help too: CLICK HERE

Reference:

https://in.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-think-logically

Free up your Emotional Disk Space

Emotions  like happiness, fear, anger, or hatred, can be caused by the situation that you are in or the people you are with.

While emotions start as sensations in the body, feelings are generated from our thoughts about those emotions. In other words, feelings are how we interpret emotions and let them sink in. We use the word, "feel," for both physical and emotional states.            

Basic emotons

A widely accepted theory of basic emotions and their expressions, developed Paul Ekman, suggests we have six basic emotions: sadness, happiness, fear, anger, surprise and disgust. Love is usually accompanied by the most intense emotions, but love is not an emotion. Love is a set of emotions and behaviours characterized by intimacy, passion, and commitment. It involves care, closeness, protectiveness, attraction, affection, and trust. 

Expression of emotions

Emotion is a very adaptive form of physiological response, and it regulates our lives. It is expressed largely in the theatre of the body, through posture and facial expression , and through internal processes as heart rate and blood pressure. Each emotion is associated with a distinct facial expression.

Though each one of us would love to have positive emotions, if we check our inner status, it will be seen that majority of the times we are stuck in negative emotions.

Energy in motion

Peter McWilliams quote: Emotion is energy in motion. The Latin derivative for the word emotion, 'emotere', literally means energy in motion. The biological aspect of emotions involves an intricate interplay among hormones, neurotransmitters, and the nervous system. Like everything else in the universe, these biological constituents are composed of atoms that vibrate and generate energy.

Effects of positive and negative emotions

Positive emotions bring about a reduction in stress and a boost to general well-being. Positive emotions can actually act as a buffer between you and stressful events in your life, allowing you to cope more effectively and preserve your mental health.

On the other hand, negative attitudes and feelings of helplessness and hopelessness create chronic stress, upsetting the body's hormone balance, depleting the brain chemicals required for happiness, and damages the immune system. Chronic stress can actually decrease our lifespan.

Negative emotions drain our energy and prevent us from bringing out the best in us. Each cell in our body is a complete living organism by itself, with all the biological functions like digestion, respiration, excretion etc., Every cell in your body experiences the emotion as you, the large organism is experiencing.

Clearing up the stored up negative emtions

The ‘prana’ aspect in the air you breathe has the capacity to remove these stored up negative emotions and associated blocked up energy. This can be a great transformative experience!

For this meditation, CLICK HERE

Reference:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1201429/ 

Healing Is A Serious Line Of Work

Recently I had a conversation with somebody who had received healing from a Reiki master some time back. Based on his experience (he didn’t feel anything) he formed his conclusion that one has to be highly spiritual to learn Reiki. Mikao Usui had decades of spiritual practice, that is why he could get the power of Reiki.

These points need elaboration

From the time I learned Reiki a quarter century back, lot of things have changed. Reiki is not treated with the respect and sanctity it deserves. Two or three levels of Reiki are taught over a weekend and majority want to start healing others immediately. Lack of proper training and attunement and  deficiency of serious self work/ self healing lead to either disappointment for the client (like the person who talked to me) or the healer picking up the client’s symptoms and suffering serious health problems. Because of the latter, many Reiki masters stop healing others over a period of time.

Probably over 1000 different branches of Reiki exist today. Majority of them evolved in the West in the New Age Movement, the practitioners altering the basic teachings to accommodate their other beliefs and practices.

Coming to the point that one has to be highly spiritual to learn Reiki, my experience over the years has been just the opposite. After learning Reiki and doing daily self healing over a period of time, many of my Reiki students have told me that gradually they started going on the spiritual pathway.

Uniqueness of Reiki

Reiki stands apart from all other healing systems because it can 1.heal you, 2.protect you, 3.and ensure your spiritual growth. It will bring all that are needed for you, to you. But you have the choice to either pick that up and progress, or just ignore them and go backward. Because life is ultimately moving forward or backward, it is never static.

Yes, Mikao Usui had a strong spiritual background when he came across Reiki. But then he got the blessing of giving attunement, which he taught his students. The problem is, many think that is the end, whereas the attunement is just the beginning. By becoming a Reiki channel, you have chosen a path of serious self work, which may span over many incarnations. Healing others is a side benefit that comes along. When it is reversed ie., healing others is the main job and self work is secondary, problems start cropping up.

Important aspects of healing others

1.       Do your Reiki self healing twice a day and follow diligently whatever spiritual practices you do daily.

2.       Always do self protection before healing others. Whenever possible, be in contact with the ground while healing.

3.       There has to be a proportion of how much self healing/self protection you are doing versus how much healing you are doing for others daily

4.       A strong desire to heal the client is not conducive to the well being of the healer. He /she will pick up the symptoms of the client.

5.      Do not think yourself as the healer, it is Reiki that is doing the healing.

2.       Make sure there is adequate energy exchange (only exception is your immediate family members)

 

References:

 

https://ihreiki.com/reiki_info/reiki_today/reiki_branches/?v=c86ee0d9d7ed

 

Daily Habits And Astrology

The major planets

Our present life is a result of our actions in the previous lives, but if we remember that our future life will be shaped according to our actions today and now, life takes on a new meaning and provides enthusiasm to meet every day challenges. The Sun, Moon, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury and Venus have major influence in our lives. We are not just hapless victims of the planetary effects, but our actions can influence them too. It is in our capacity to obtain blessings instead of malefic effects from them.

By following some simple habits, we can not only make our life happy, but also improve our luck  and economic condition, as well as stall some (not all) misfortunes. First let us understand that Sun is considered our father. It gives us a healthy constitution, immunity, and luck. Moon represents our mother. It controls our mind, blood circulation, and nourishment.

Understand the effects of planets

If we habitually leave food on our plates after meals, or waste food, moon gives us unexplained fears, sleeplessness, and unnecessary thoughts that drain our energy. Also, it brings sadness to our mothers.

If the first meal is taken without rinsing the mouth (think of having tea/coffee on the bed), Moon and Venus come into action and affect worldly comforts, physical beauty and economic conditions adversely.

Throwing trash everywhere, Sun and Saturn are invoked and this leads to loss of respect, luck, fame and it adversely affects your personality. It also gives suffering to father.

Polluting and wasting water brings the wrath of Moon, Rahu, and Goddess Lakshmi.

Leaving the bed unmade after getting up in the morning stimulates Rahu to bring in head ache, injuries, dent in reputation, getting involved in false cases, and mental disturbance.

Keeping a cluttered house and dirty surroundings is not good from astrological, vastu and health point of view.

Some easy solutions

Our physical body is the temple of our soul and its upkeep is our vital duty. It is through this body that we perform our familial and social duties, as also work towards manifesting our dreams. So we have to be careful to take healthy, limited quantity of food, do daily exercise, have healthy habits, and a balanced work/ rest life.

To keep our mind healthy, pranayam, meditation, satsang, and spiritual practices are helpful. It is a powerful practice to look at both palms on getting up in the morning, bring in gratitude in the mind for all that you have been blessed with, and get up from the bed with a prayer to have a fruitful and happy day ahead.

Finally, always be ready to lend a hand to those who are less fortunate.

Parashar Lake in Himachal Pradesh

 I started learning Astrology in all seriousness last year, when we got an awesome teacher . I find it so fascinating and accurate, though one needs to be intuitive to get correct results. While planning a trip to Himachal Pradesh, my husband came across ‘Parashar Lake’ on the internet. First he discarded the idea, but it came up again later and when he mentioned this to me, I showed a keen interest. I would very much like to visit the lake as he is my ultimate Guru for astrology .

Vedic Astrology and Maharishi Parashar

Maharishi Parashar is a pioneer among the promoters of Indian astrology and ‘Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra’is a complete text. Astrology of ancient and present is based on the rules laid down by Parashar. Due to the merit and completeness of ‘Parasara Hora Sastra’, this creation of his is widely referred to.

Rishi Parashar had acquired knowledge of many disciplines and given them to the world. Parashar has many verses in the Rigveda. The Vishnu Purana, Parashar Smriti, Videharaj Janaka referred to as Gita (Parashar Geeta), BrihatparasharSamhita, etc. are compositions of Parashar.

When Parashara’s father, Sakti Maharishi died after being devoured by the king Kalmashapada along with Vashista's other sons, Vashistha resorted to ending his life by suicide. Hence he jumped from Mount Meru but landed on soft cotton, he entered a forest fire only to remain unharmed, then he jumped into the ocean that saved him by casting him ashore. Then he jumped in the overflowing river Vipasa, which also left him ashore. Then he jumped into the river Haimavat, which fled in several directions from his fear and was named Satadru. Then when he returned to his ashram, he found his daughter-in-law (wife of Sakti Maharishi) pregnant. When a son was born he acted as his father and hence forgot completely about destroying his life. Hence, the child was named Parashara which meant enlivener of the dead. Parashara was known as the "limping sage". He had his leg wounded during an attack on his ashram. Veda Vyasa is the son of Parashar muni with Satyavati.

The Parashar Lake

Sage Prashar had meditated on the banks of this lake, hence it is named Prashar Lake. Bhima, one of the Pandava brothers, is said to have created the lake. After the Kurukshetra / Mahabharat war, the Pandavas were returning with Lord Kamrunag. When they reached this place, Kamrunag loved the tranquil surroundings and decided to live here forever. So, Bhima, who was the strongest, rammed his elbow on one of the mountains and created a big dent in the land. This dent became Prashar Lake. There is also another belief that the lake was formed as result of striking of rod (Gurj) by Rishi Prashar and water came out and took shape of the lake.

Parashar Lake is a freshwater lake located at an altitude of 2,730 metres in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, India. It lies 49 km east of the town of Mandi, and has a three storied pagoda-like temple dedicated to Sage Prashar situated on its bank. Rishi Prashar is considered  the patron God of Mandi region. The temple was built in the 13th century by Raja Ban Sen of Mandi in honor of the sage.

There is a round, floating island in the lake, which is a common natural phenomenon found all around the world. It is composed of plant matter in various stages of decomposition, and is held aloft by the oxygen in its plants' roots. The floating island moves in all directions in the lake. The floating land covers 7% of the area of the lake. 

Sudden dip in temperature

We reached Sadar district in Mandi by afternoon and took a room in Bingal Home stay. 

The temperature had dropped to 6 degrees and with normal clothes, I was freezing. The person at the home stay advised us to visit Parashar lake immediately so that we could reach back by 5.30 pm, considering that it takes one and a half hours drive each way. I just wanted to go inside a blanket and sleep; it had started slightly drizzling too (which luckily  stopped after a while). My daughter coaxed me to wear  warm clothes to go to the Parashar lake, and reminded that Reiki is there to take care. So that is what we did!

On the way we found a place to have a light lunch:

Located at an altitude of 2730 mtr. Prashar is known for Prashar lake, sloppy meadows, dense forest and the panoramic view of snow clad ranges of Dhauladhar.  As we reached the highest road, the path got very slushy and the car refused to go forward. So we walked the remaining distance, which was tough. 

The moment I set my eyes on the Parashar lake, I was enveloped in a warm energy field and forgot about the cold and the aching feet! It was a feast to the eyes and balm for the mind.

Inside the temple

Then we went inside the temple dedicated to Sage Parashar. His standing idol was a sight to behold and those powerful penetrating eyes! Sage Parsahar had meditated in this place – that thought brought goose bumps for me. We meditated inside the temple, which was an enlivening experience! As usual, I felt my aura picking up and integrating energy from the surrounding. I prayed to him to help me with my astrology studies.

Back to the room

We walked back to the car and the moment we sat inside, it started drizzling. Reiki gave us clear skies till then. Stopping at the same restaurant where we had lunch, we had tea and came back to the room to finally get under the blanket!

 

References:

https://www.humansofuttarakhand.com/vedic-astrology-maharishi-parashar/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prashar_Lake

https://hpmandi.nic.in/tourist-place/prashar-mandi/

Imparting Happiness Is The Greatest Gift

 Whenever I watched rude behaviour of people to others in my childhood and teens, my inner self used to shrink to the extent of causing pain. It improved in the later years and once I learned Reiki, I could watch such situations with equanimity.

We are all One

Ultimately we are all one; the cells in your body are connected to the cells in the body of others. Because of this, when we harbour strong negative emotions for another, it affects our cells and lead to diseases. On the other hand, harbour loving thoughts for others and your body remains healthy. If we can’t bring joy in somebody else’s life, the least we can do is not to cause agony.

Watching others

Being a total introvert in the early years (Reiki balanced it out later), I used to just watch people. I could see behind the external facade they put up and see pain behind that was disturbing. In a restaurant when somebody behaves rudely to the staff there, I’ll be sending them healing. The misbehaving person doesn’t know that he/she is having physical/emotional pain and is passing through a difficult phase in life. Since that act is coming from ignorance, ‘let them be forgiven’, is my prayer.

A golden opportunity

Recently while having breakfast in a restaurant, we were having a conversation with two young girls who were staff there. In their early twenties, they were fascinated to hear about hypnosession. They were having inner sadness and restlessness and asked whether a session would help. When I looked at those innocent inquisitive faces, I got this urge to help them. Took permission to use the adjacent room and I did short sessions for both of them.

The beaming faces

Both of them were receptive subjects and I enjoyed doing the session. I gave one to one session and it was amazing that both gave the same statement on coming out of trance. They were so happy and said, “It was amazing. You are too good!”

I thanked the Universe and mentors in my mind. Fourteen years of dedicated hard work and I know I have to be good!

Forever 16 - Maturity Gone With The Wind

 These are just my random thoughts when watching the world around. I am not saying anything is good or bad, but if anyone gets any point to improve their life, I am happy.

The Grace and Maturity

Decades back when I went with my husband after our marriage to his aunt’s (mamiji) house, his maternal grandmother was alone at home, who was knitting a sweater. She was a little dark complexioned, wrinkles on her face, but when I set my eyes on her, my heart was filled with love and respect. The thought “I would like to have her type of aura when I grow old” crossed my mind. She personified grace and maturity to me.

Touching feet of elders

It is very prevalent in North India to touch the feet of elders, especially for a new bride. I had to touch the feet of so many relatives, not that I enjoyed touching all those feet. By this gesture, one imbibes the culture of the person who is touched, and I had sense of energy from early on. But with some people, I really had this strong urge to touch and be blessed with some of their good qualities!

I could see many people of older generation who exuded grace, maturity and wisdom. If I am a newlywed at this point in time and I have to touch the feet of older people, I think I’ll be in a total dilemma. Because very few people got that inner sense of maturity and grace these days.

Everybody is a sweet sixteen

In my early days, a lady used to look like a wife after marriage, like a mother after having kids and like a grandma after grand children came to their life. But now majority want to look like they are in their teens by the way they dress up, do their makeup and in their behaviour! The maturity may be coming when one does the duties that come with changing relationships whole heartedly. When a mother is neglecting the house and kids and doing fashion shows, will she look like a mother or a model?

It’s my life

We come from a culture where family was considered above self, clan above the family, village above the clan, and country above the village. This view seems to be in shambles. I have to admit I see a revival slowly in some aspects, which is very heartening. In general, the thought pattern is,” It is my life; my happiness is of utmost importance, above everything else. Why should I consult my parents in choosing a life partner? I don’t believe in making any sacrifice. Every chore should be in a 50/50 pattern between husband and wife. Why should I make tea every day for my in-laws?”

Role of physical body and immediate gratification

Our soul is clothed in this physical body and the latter is designed for physical work. With all the modern gadgets and western commodes, this is hardly happening these days, leading to chronic diseases and tablet dependent life.

Another debilitating factor is the wanting of immediate results. When married youngsters come to me with the complaint of husbands not behaving as they should be, my advice is “Do what you expect them to do, and make sure they are watching it (this should be done discretely, don’t throw it on their face) and over the years, subconsciously they will imbibe that character. One has to be patient. Do this for 25 years. On 26^th year, come back to me. I am sure you will have a different story to tell.”

Yes, that is the fact. Things take time in life. You can’t plant a mango seed and expect mango the next month. You may say that some plants give flowers within a month. But we are talking of long term relationships. If you are looking for short term relationships, I take my words back.

Go beyond the physical body

Anything in this physical world has a life cycle. A bud cannot remain a bud. It has to bloom, spread its fragrance and beauty, then dry and wither off. When it is in the stage of full bloom or drying, if you gather all the petals, tie them together and spray some perfume, will it look like a bud? 

Think in similar terms about human beings.

Let us be grateful to have got this human birth, use the physical body as it is supposed to be, start thinking about the omnipresent soul residing inside, and begin doing things to let the soul complete its journey. If one doesn’t do it in this life, while taking the next incarnation, it will start from where it was left. That is perfectly ok with majority, but this article is not for them.

Hornbill Festival 2023

During our trip to Meghalaya a couple of years back, we heard about the Hornbill festival that happens in the first week of December in Nagaland. I was so fascinated by it, but sad at the same time, from the news that the number of hornbills is declining as they are being killed and eaten.

Hornbill Festival happening closeby

When my husband registered for the Hornbill festival in Dandeli, which is only about 90 kms from our place, I was the happiest person! The dates were 11^th and 12^th February 2023. We arrived at Dandeli the previous day and on 11^th morning reached the venue in great anticipation. After an awesome breakfast we assembled in the main hall and listened to amazing presentations that opened up new areas in the brain.

Hornbills, the gems of Indian forest

Hornbills (Bucerotidae) are a family of bird found in tropical and subtropical Africa, Asia and Melanesia. They are characterized by a long, down-curved bill which is frequently brightly coloured and sometimes has a casque on the maxilla. A casque is a helmet-like process or structure on the bill of most hornbills.

They are the only birds in which the first and second neck vertebrae are fused together; this probably provides a more stable platform for carrying the bill. The family is omnivorous, feeding on fruit and small animals. They cannot swallow food caught at the tip of the beak as their tongues are too short to manipulate it, so they toss it back to the throat with a jerk of the head.

 They are monogamous breeders nesting in natural cavities in trees and sometimes cliffs. Nesting sites may be used in consecutive breeding seasons by the same pair. Before incubation, the females, sometimes assisted by the male—begin to close the entrance to the nest cavity with a wall made of mud, droppings and fruit pulp. When she is ready to lay her eggs, the entrance is just large enough for her to enter the nest. She then enters the nest, seals the remaining opening shut, leaving only one narrow aperture, big enough for the male to transfer food to the mother and eventually the chicks. When the chicks and the female are too big to fit in the nest, the mother breaks out the nest and both parents feed the chicks.

In the Western Ghats there are four types of hornbills :  Indian Grey Hornbill (endemic to India), the Malabar Grey Hornbill (endemic to the Western Ghats), Malabar Pied Hornbill (endemic to India and Sri Lanka) and the widely distributed but endangered Great Hornbill. Indian Grey hornbill is the most common species found in India.

The activities

There was a variety of activities lined up, apart from the presentations and interaction with eminent Birders and Bird photographers. We were taken for a walk into the forest for bird watching. It was a very enriching experience to watch the hornbills fly above us, to see the fruiting trees that they frequent.  About 20 types of birds I got to see. We walked upto a water body, spent some time  there, watching the magnificent Sun about to set, and returned.

 There was a cultural program at the venue.

Got to see beautiful dance at the beginning of the function on 11th, which I could appreciate so well, being a Bharatanatyam dancer myself.  

The safari

On 12^th morning we assembled at 6.30 am for the safari. Here again we saw deer, Malabar giant squirrel,  jungle fowl, a very friendly pea cock and while returning spotted  a crocodile that was basking in the Sunlight near a small water body.

                                                See how happy we were during the safari!

                                                        Awesome scenery en route

The friendly peacock :-

A delicious lunch

The lunch that was served on 11^th was really good. The rumali roti, taro slices fried, sweet prepared in turmeric leaves, jalebi, a kheer type preparation that was unique – all these were so soothing to the stomach. May be because they were prepared from forest produce! 

Gratitude Vs Entitlement

 

The side effect of nuclear families

In a family with one or two children, the kids are made to feel they are special. They are so much protected and all wishes fulfilled that when they go out into the world, they become misfit. They are incapable of dealing with disappointments and seek immediate rewards. Working hard for months or years together just for the sake of doing it, is alien to them. A glance at the news gives ample examples for this: teenagers committing suicide, injuring parents for not providing with expensive mobile phones etc.,

Parents have failed to instil gratitude in their spoilt apples of their eye. I see this as a grave situation for the future and it is of utmost importance for the parents to give a deep thought to the way they are raising their kids.

And the older generation....

While I was thinking that it is a problem with children, a couple of clients approached me for healing their parents. The parents were having physical problems which were easily treatable with simple measures. And they get benefit too, but would find some reason/excuse to discontinue doing whatever they were supposed to do.

Since I know learning Reiki can help them tremendously, I advise them to learn and practice Reiki healing daily. Many of them straightaway refuse to learn. And a few who do learn, stop practicing soon. It surprises me beyond imagination why they can’t follow a daily routine and do things like getting up early, doing yoga, daily walk, pranayama, healthy eating habit etc., in spite of all the time they have got.

There comes the entitlement

Slowly it dawned on me, they think they have earned a status for being looked after by children since they have “sacrificed” their comforts and ambitions for the future of their progeny. This creates problems because the adult children are in the peak of their career, with their own children to care for. And it is further complicated if the children are settled abroad. Old parents resent the fact that they are not coming to India often. They only have done everything possible to see that their children go abroad for studies and jobs (sometimes even by taking huge loans), and when that happens, they are not ready to accept the things that come along with them!

Hearts being torn

This creates a lot of pain for the adult children. They want to see their parents happy, but they are always cribbing. May be the parents think that if they remain healthy and happy , they may not get attention of their children!

Because the mind is sad and frustrated, the children remain annoyed, irritated and exasperated. To a recent client in such a situation, I told to respect the decision of the parent’s soul to remain in the current situation. The best one can do in this scenario is to make the parent feel that he/she is there with the parent and do whatever they can do in their situation. Especially, keep sending Reiki healing to the parent. It is a balanced way of nurturing old parents.This was a new approach and the client was so grateful for this advice.  

The probable solution

If one has to live with peace and contentment, the only solution may be to practice gratitude for whatever one has got in life. If children are abroad and the parent is bed ridden, they are being looked after by in house nurse that the children arrange for them. They can try to be grateful for the fact that even if the children are not with them, they are being looked after and their medical problems addressed.

And the growing up children should also be trained in a similar way, to have gratitude for all the comforts available at home, instead of cribbing for the foreign trips that their friends may be enjoying.

Paradox To Doom...

 

This is ‘Kalikal” when everything and everyone

Will act just the opposite.

Rains will flood and create havoc at

Untimely times, cold waves during summer,

And as the heat burns you in winter,

Look around and inside yourself my lovelies.

 

Are you a doctor for whom the patient’s well being

Is the last priority on your list?

Are you a lawyer who saves those

Who are eating away the society’s fabric?

Are you a teacher for whom moulding the

Younger generation is just a chore done half heartedly?

Are you a farmer who is flooding the soil

With pesticides, and making the food poison?

 

Are you a wife spending fortunes on beauty products

While your house is in a total mess?

Are you a mother chasing her passion,

Who is not available

To kids in their lonely moments?

 

Are you spitting on your wife’s face at home,

When your colleagues in the high-tech office,

Are applauding your foreign education and

Position in the company?

Why child, was there excessive production of saliva

In your mouth, that you had to download it where you did?

 

And then, as a CEO, when you slapped your wife,

Who is also highly educated and your colleague,

Was there no inner voice telling you not to go ahead

With this heinous crime?

Is this how you are paying back to those mothers,

Who brought up their daughters so lovingly,

And gave them to you in marriage?

What happens to their tears for the daughters’ pain?

Will Mother Parvati be disturbed too and

Bring justice?

 

Look deep inside, are you going with the flow,

Or are you exercising the power

That the Almighty has given you?

Yes, there are some who do so, it is they

Who are helping to maintain balance,

And giving hope to those who want

To live life in alignment with

The Universal precepts. 

The food You Eat.......And When To Eat

For me, food is a very important aspect of life. It is food that generates the thought vibrations. Apart from the ingredients that goes in while cooking, the thought waves that pass through the person cooking are of great significance to the physical and mental health of the person consuming that food.

Raw food vs cooked food

Papaya, a piece of raw sponge gourd, soaked raw peanuts, moth sprouts,fenugreek sprouts , chia seed pudding with nuts and raisins, banana and upma for breakfast

As  you increase the amount of raw food in your diet, you feel satisfied and have more energy on smaller meals because raw food has the best balance of water, nutrients, and fibre to meet your body's needs. Raw foods comprise of  fruit, nuts, leaves, and vegetables that are gathered direct from tree, bush or vine. They taste good to the majority of us. But those who are used to strong tastes of masalas cannot appreciate the subtle flavours of raw foods.

The human race learned long ago that cooking meat before eating it would protect them from parasites. Since then this practice of cooking has grown to include all types of foods and is now considered an art. The heat of cooking depletes vitamins, damages proteins and fats, and destroys enzymes which benefit digestion. Addition of salt, sugar, spices, or other condiments can irritate your digestion system and over stimulate your nervous system.

When raw foods are chosen properly, one no longer needs to suffer from gas, indigestion, heart burn and constipation. Apart from protecting from acute diseases like colds and flu,  a raw food diet can  reverse or stop the advance of many chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart disease and cancer.   Cooking creates free radicals, which are the major cause of cancer.   

How many times should you eat?

Food is needed for body growth, for energy to do physical and mental work. Ideally, one should eat only when hungry and how much to eat should be based on the body’s needs and not for the tongue’s satisfaction.

It is a great policy to not eat after Sunset. I think our ancestors ate during day time and as the Sun set, they gathered around fire, sang and danced and went to sleep. So there is no sense in what is usually said, “One should not go to bed on empty stomach. Those who emphasise on this should be asked whether they have tried eating before Sunset for at least two weeks and did a self assessment how their body and mind felt. I was surprised at the way I felt so energetic and light the whole day on stopping having dinner almost two decades back.

Intermittent fasting

Intermittent fasting is all about when you eat. You might try eating only during an eight-hour period each day and fast for the remainder. Or you might choose to eat only one meal a day two days a week. There are many different intermittent fasting schedules.

Fasting for a certain number of hours each day can help your body burn fat and scientific evidence points to some health benefits, as well. Johns Hopkins neuroscientist Mark Mattson has studied intermittent fasting for 25 years, and opines that our bodies have evolved to be able to go without food for many hours, or even several days or longer. Mattson says that after hours without food, the body exhausts its sugar stores and starts burning fat. He refers to this as metabolic switching.

One of Mattson’s studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine revealed data about a range of health benefits associated with the practice. These include a longer life, a leaner body and a sharper mind.

What status would you like to have for your body and mind for the remaining period of your life? Before you put that bolus of food into your mouth the next time, stop and think. And make a healthy decision!

 

References:

https://www.vegkitchen.com/10-benefits-eating-raw-food/

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/intermittent-fasting-what-is-it-and-how-does-it-work

https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra1905136 

Chanting mantras

Repetition of any Mantra or Name of the Lord is japa. It is an easy way for God realisation. Even practice of japa alone can give peace and bliss in Kaliyuga. When you are chanting, have a mental picture of whichever God you believe in. Imagine that he/she is listening to you, looking at you with loving eyes and hands in blessing posture.

Why chanting?

The word mantra comes from the first syllable of Manana (Man) or thinking, and Tra comes from Trana or liberation from the bondage of this finite world. A mantra generates and accelerates creative force and produces harmony. Constant repetition of mantra awakens consciousness. If chanting is done with concentration on its meaning, one can attain God consciousness quickly. If there is no knowledge of the meaning of the mantra, it will take a little more time.  

Sound is vibration

Scientific experiments show that notes produced by musical instruments trace out definite geometrical shapes on a bed of sand. Every sound produces a form in the invisible world and combinations of sound create complicated shape. Repeated chanting of God’s name gradually builds up His/ Her form. This serves as a focus to concentrate the benign influence of the being which, radiating from the centre, penetrates the worshipper.

Repetition of God’s name

It is important to do Japa or Nama Smarana(remembering the name of the Lord) very seriously and with faith. The chanting of His/Her name is but serving Him/Her. Have full faith and belief in the eternity of the Name.

A Mantra is Divinity. The aspirant's individual Sakti is strengthened by Mantra-Sakti, and then the individual Sakti joins with the Mantra-Sakti to make it more powerful. The Mantra is awakened from its sleep through the Sadhana-Sakti of the aspirant. The Mantra of the Devata is that letter or combination of letters, which reveals the Deity to the consciousness of the aspirant who has evoked it by the Sadhana-Sakti. The Mantra is a mass of radiant Tejas or energy. Mantra awakens supernatural powers.

The Name of God or any Mantra should be uttered regularly every day. The recital of a Mantra destroys sins and brings everlasting peace, infinite bliss, prosperity and immortality.

When should one start chanting?

When the child starts speaking, that’s a good time to introduce mantras. Start with simple ones like “Hari Om”. Along with training them to say ‘Good morning’, teach them to say Hari Om, Jai Srikrishna, Hare Rama Hare Krishna or anything like that. So the purification of their inner selves starts right from the beginning.

Which mantra should I start chanting

For a start, Gayatri mantra is great. Or ‘Om Shrim Namah Shivayah’ is also good. Then onwards, you will be guided to the mantra specific for you by the Universe. It is always better if you can resonate with the mantra you chant daily. The mantras are chanted for a specific number of times daily, like 11, 27, 54, or more commonly, 108. It is easier to keep the count if you use a japa mala, which can be tulsi mala, sphatik mala, navratna mala, or rudraksha mala. 

Once you use it for chanting daily, it gets loaded with energy and on wearing it around your neck, you absorb that energy and you are protected.

So start chanting from today and after a period of time, you are sure to be surprised of the changes that happen in your attitude and life!

 

References: 

https://japa-yoga.org/japa.pdf 

Birds And Their Significance

 When one continues intense sadhana for Devi, birds start coming closer. I have been doing Devi sadhana for decades and since a few years, we see many birds behaving very friendly and coming very close. When I stand in the portico, birds will walk on the ground very close to me, as if they don’t notice my presence. They take bath daily from the bird bath that I have kept in the balcony and won’t fly away even when I open the door and step out into the balcony. Innumerable bird nests have been made in and around our house and hatched their young.

Invitation to the swallows

Recently when I stepped out after the yoga practice, two swallows were flying round, close to the balcony. I stood there watching them, extended my hand and told them to come and sit on my arm. Of course they didn’t do that. I told, “At least come closer.”

A honey comb?

A couple of days later, we saw what looked like a honey comb on the roof in the same location. Honey bees can be dangerous at such close quarters and we considered getting that removed. On closer inspection, we saw the head of a bird jutting out from the top! 

So, that was a bird’s nest made up of mud. I didn’t know that such a thing existed and googled to find out more.

The nest made by a swallow bird is not a hanging nest and is along a vertical wall or any kind of support. These nests are made by mud and saliva of the swallow bird is also mixed in it. These nests are made by the bird step by step, the upper level after the lower has dried completely. You can see some more pictures here.

There are other species of birds that will primarily make their nests out of mud. These include martins, magpies, thrushes, choughs, and even American flamingos.

The marvel of nature

I was totally wonderstruck to see that nest. How much of labour and how many hours must have gone into its making!

Shift From Mass Consciousness to Universal Consciousness

Herd mentality

We all know of herd mentality of sheep. When a group of sheep has to be guided to a particular direction, one of them needs to be put in that direction. As it starts going, all others will follow. A new research study sheds light on a behaviour that is consistent among many species — that is, making decisions based upon the actions of others. Scientists at the University of Leeds believe they may have found why humans flock like sheep and birds, subconsciously following a minority of individuals. Researchers discovered that it takes a minority of just five percent to influence a crowd’s direction — and that the other 95 percent follow without realizing it.

Mass Consciousness

Mass consciousness, also known as the collective consciousness, is a philosophical and sociological term. It refers to the beliefs, sentiments, and attitudes held by the average members of a group. This concept can be contrasted with the Jungian concept of the collective unconscious, which represents a form of the unconscious (that part of the mind containing memories and impulses of which the individual is not aware) common to mankind as a whole and originating in the inherited structure of the brain.

When a decision is made based on the mass consciousness, the electrochemical changes that happen in the brain percolates into the body and this leads to restlessness. Over a period of time, this can lead to depression and physical illnesses.

Universal Consciousness

Universal consciousness or Universal mind is a metaphysical concept suggesting an underlying essence of all being and becoming in the universe. It includes the being and becoming that occurred in the universe prior to the arising of the concept of Mind. “New Thought” author Charles Haanel said of the universal mind and its relationship to humans: “The Universal Mind has unlimited resources at its command, and when we remember that it is also omnipresent, we cannot escape the conclusion that we must be a manifestation of that consciouness. The nature of the universal consciousness is said to be omnipresent."

By various dedicated practices, we can access the Universal consciousness and allow it to guide us while making decisions, which will then be in tandem with the universal laws. When such decisions are made, the resulting electrochemical changes in the brain that permeates the physical body will be conducive to health and it also leads to peace and calm.

To access the Universal Consciousness and get a glimpse of what it can bless you with, please listen to this meditation: CLICK HERE

 

References:

https://psychcentral.com/news/2017/02/15/herd-mentality-explained#1

https://homework.study.com/explanation/what-is-mass-consciousness.html

 

  

Merits of Chastity

 

A cinema during childhood

During my teenage days we saw the Malayalam movie “Chemmeen” which was about fishermen’s lives. There is a belief that the fisherman’s safe return from the sea is guaranteed by his wife’s chastity or faithfulness to her husband. In the movie, on a stormy night when the husband is out in the sea fishing, the wife sleeps with her lover and in the morning she gets to see the husband’s dead body. It had a deep impact on my psyche. For me, truthfulness and faithfulness are two basic qualities in a good human being.

Over the years I got this question in my mind whether chastity is a quality that only women should have. It is nauseating to see men boasting about having multiple one night stands and some fathers feeling proud that their sons are womanisers. It is a sad aspect that in modern days women are also going the same way.

A blessing indeed

I feel blessed to have a relative who reads our sacred books and scriptures for the last 30 years. Whenever I have any doubts to clear on religion and spirituality, it is to him that I turn to. Recently, out of the blue, he narrated the story of Sudhanva to my husband. When I heard it, I told my husband that it was a message for me that answered the question lingering in my mind for many years.

The Ashvamedha Yagya

After the passing away of grandfather Bhishma, Lord Krishna advised Maharaja Yudhisthira to conduct  Ashvamedha (horse) Yagya (sacrifice). These sacrifices required the subordination of all earthly Kings. Maharaja Yudhisthira released the sacrificial horse and ordered Arjuna to follow it wherever it went and to fight with any belligerent rulers, who did not want to accept the King's sovereignty. The sacrificial horse was freed from the city of Hastinapura and allowed to wander wherever it wished. If the horse entered a kingdom and was taken captive, the warrior following the horse fought with the challengers. Thus Arjuna followed the sacrificial horse as it roamed from one country to another.

Sudhanva’s story

His story begins with capture of this stallion. Sudhanva, son of Hamsadhvaja, stops the horse with only one intention. Being an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna, Sudhanva wanted to see him and attain emancipation (moksha) in front of Krishna. As the war begins, Sudhanva is disappointed that Krishna is not the charioteer for Arjuna. Sudhanva is equally skilled in the war compared to Arjuna and kills the charioteer, thus forcing Lord Krishna to arrive.

After an intense fight between the two, Sudhanva gains a slight upper hand against Arjuna. He vows to kill Arjuna within the next three arrows. When it appears that Arjuna is about to be killed, Krishna comes to his help to counter the arrows. He says to Arjuna, “Sudhanva, apart from being a great warrior, has only one wife and has accumulated immense merit by being completely loyal to her. We both don’t have any such merit. So this is going to be really tough.”

                                                 Lord Krishna's words from Mahabharata

When they were ready with their first arrows, Lord Krishna puts all the merit he had accumulated by lifting the Govardhan mountain and saving the people into the arrow of Arjuna to make it all powerful. Then Sudhanva puts all his merits due to ‘Ekpatnivrat’ into his arrow, and that broke Arjuna’s arrow into two mid air.

For the second arrow, Lord Krishna added the merits he gained during ‘Varaha’ (boar) avatar when he lifted the Earth from the ocean and restored her place in the Universe, after killing the demon Hiranyaksha. Sudhanva put all the merits gained from his ideal character and conduct. This time also his arrow broke Arjuna’s arrow.

For the third and final arrow, Lord Krishna pledged all merits earned during his avatar as Rama on account of his absolute loyalty to Sita. Sudhanva put all merits earned from selfless life and constant remembrance of God. This time Arjuna’s arrow cut Sudhanva’s head, which flew and fell at the feet of Lord Krishna. Thus he attained moksha. Sudhanva’s life revealed that a house holder’s ( Grihasta dharma) life is no less that any sage’s life, when lived in proper way.

Garuda’s  dilemma

Lord Krishna summoned Garuda and asked to take Sudhanva’s head to the Prayag (Triveni sangam). Garuda was confused, “Sudhanva has attained moksha, so why is this necessary?”

Lord Krishna said, “This is not for his benefit. The divine vibrations from his head when merging with the holy waters, will help those who take bath to remove their sins.” Then Garuda takes the head to Prayag.

A place in Lord Shiva’s garland

When Garuda was about to drop the head, Nandi arrived there and said, “Lord Shiva has sent me to get Sudhanva’s head. It is so divine that he wants to put it around his neck.” There was argument between the two, and the moment Sudhanva’s head touched the water (thus imparting vibrations), Nandi lifted it and went to Lord Shiva.

It is interesting that while the great merits of being loyal to one wife is explicitly described in this incidence from Mahabharata, it is never discussed or publicized, and this information is not available on the net too. Another proof that it IS a MAN’s world!!

References:

https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/mahabharata/d/doc118467.html

https://payaniga.com/yakshagana-war-sudhanva-arjuna/

https://www.punjabkesari.in/dharm/news/mahabharat-1545923

Spirituality For Old Age?

 

There is a commonly prevalent notion that spiritual practices like chanting and meditation are for old people. Many of my clients tell me that the seniors in the house (parents/ parents-in-law) express their deep disapproval  if their progeny starts these in their youth. Recently a distressed client told me that due to her mother-in-law’s cribbing, she stopped chanting one and a half years back. I instructed her to start chanting every day before we embarked on any therapy.

Devil’s workshop

Last week an old friend visited us in Belgaum. He stays in a metropolitan city. He retired a decade back, has difficulty in walking and is very disturbed by the fact that his mind is in a constant state of worry. He just takes up common situations in life, think of all horrible things that can happen in relation to that and the mind goes into overdrive.

“Now that there is no other job to do, this is what I do 24/7.”

I asked whether he does any meditation or chanting and was fascinated by his reply. “I have never done anything like that in my youth, it is very difficult to start at this age.”

My belief confirmed

This has been my belief right from the beginning and I have advised several people to start some spiritual practice when body and mind are in prime condition, and to train their kids too. By disciplining oneself in this aspect, one gets guided as to how to lead a peaceful life as the mind doesn’t over run. When one has lived a totally logical and materialistic life for five or six decades, it is very difficult to start something new.

Please don’t waste precious years of your life

So, please don’t wait any more. In India, we have ample guidance that our ‘Seers’ have left as our legacy. People may think they are just superstitions, but every single advice has a strong scientific basis, which, unfortunately, has not been passed on to the newer generations. It is heartening to see that many of these facts are now being proven by Quantum physics.

Protecting Your Energy

Protection is needed only when we acquire something

When we are walking on the road without carrying any money or valuables, we will be carefree. Imagine yourself having a bundle of currency or a pouch of diamonds! You are going to be extra cautious.

Similarly, when we start accumulating spiritual energy, we need to be careful to prevent its loss. When I teach Reiki, I always tell them methods to prevent the leakage of energy that they are slowly garnering. Persons in need of energy due to physical problems or mental issues can just draw energy (without their knowledge or conscious effort) from another nearby human being who is having a higher level of energy. People who are having a developed sixth sense can feel this energy leakage.

The Reiki II student

Recently I was attuning a student for Reiki II. He already had a higher spiritual energy level and a developed sixth sense. As usual, I explained the importance of preventing energy leakage and the means to do it.  After a couple of days, I was so happy and impressed to see this message from him in our Reiki whatsapp group:

“ As a kid I often saw and wondered why Gods and Goddesses wear so much jewellery, then I would reason they have powers so using alchemy they can produce anything they want, so why not.

Yesterday for the first time I actually observed numerous pictures of Gods and Goddesses and one thing I noticed, except for Lord Shiva, every God/Goddess wears a crown, has either a bindi or vibuthi, a necklace, a longer necklace (1 or more) that is extending until stomach and then a waistband (kamarband) which has a U or V profile that extends further.  That's when it hit me everyone is wearing/covering their chakras that we look at, then I noticed further and realised Lord Shiva is doing the same but without ornaments, Long hair, Vasuki in neck, Rudraksha malas, tiger skin, bhasma all over the body indicating it's not so difficult to protect our energies from leaking. Then I saw pictures of Sadhus they all have Rudraksha and bhasma all over the body.

This all connects to ma'am telling about energy leakage and Ashwita's video demonstrating how bindi and vibuthi prevents leaking of energy.”

A new perspective

I was really glad to have this new perspective!

Reiki Is An Intelligent Energy

The purpose of learning Reiki

Many people learn Reiki for wish fulfilment purpose. Then there are those who want to face difficult situations in life in a balanced way and be able to make correct decisions. There is no need to classify anything as ‘good’ or ‘bad’. Everything has a purpose and has a role to fulfil.

You want your wish to be fulfilled? Good.  Reiki will help in your goal achievement. Problem arises when one gets stuck in that stage. Always ‘using Reiki’ for petty (when we consider the Universal plan, all our goals are petty) achievements, slowly one gets disillusioned and may lose faith in Reiki and stop self healing.

With dedicated Reiki self healing over the years, we reach a stage when we surrender totally to Reiki and let Reiki ‘use’ us. We just become a tool for Reiki to fulfil our role in the grand plan of the Universe.

We are not healers, just channels

One basic aspect to understand is that we cannot heal another person. The only person you can heal is just yourself. But we can help others heal by transmitting Universal healing energy (Reiki) to them. They receive the energy and bring about the healing themselves. So we are just acting like a channel – receiving Reiki from the Universe and transmitting it to the other person.

Now take a moment to look deeper into that word “channel’. Reiki passes through this channel, actually we don’t have much control in this energy transmission. The recipient draws the energy through you, only to the extent whatever energy is needed at that particular moment. They cannot draw excess energy.

Let us go one step further now. When a person is in dire necessity of Reiki energy for healing and you made and intent to help, then that person draws energy through you, whether you are actively sending or not. I used to tell this aspect in my Reiki classes, but now I got  validation from one of my Reiki students.

A unique experience

After learning Reiki she tried to help her mother a couple of times by giving Reiki to heal her pain. But it so happened that the mother experienced an increase in pain on starting the healing. This happens sometimes, just like it happens with homeopathy treatment. Since she felt guilty in being the cause for the increase in pain for the mother, she stopped healing others and was just doing self healing.

One night at 2 am her father phoned as he couldn’t sleep due to disturbing thoughts and head ache. To her question ‘Do you want me to send Reiki?’ he said yes and they ended the conversation. On second thoughts, she decided to not send Reiki healing for the fear of increasing his pain. And she didn’t send healing. After 20 minutes, her father called up again and told her to “stop whatever you are doing as the head ache has increased.”

Next morning she came to know that immediately after talking to her, her father slept, he actually slept longer in the morning and on waking up, he was totally free from headache!

The intent starts the flow

What has happened in this situation? He was seeking help and she agreed to send healing. That very moment, he started drawing energy through her, though energy was not sent consciously. This is an indication that Reiki is an intelligent energy.