Tuesday, 31 January 2017
There's no use in overreacting to the events and circumstances of our everyday lives. Many times what looks like a setback, may actually be a gift in disguise. And when our hearts are in the right place, all events and circumstances are gifts that we can learn valuable lessons from.
Once upon a time, there was a farmer in the central region of China. He didn't have a lot of money and, instead of a tractor, he used an old horse to plow his field.
One afternoon, while working in the field, the horse dropped dead. Everyone in the village said, "Oh, what a horrible thing to happen." The farmer said simply, "We'll see." He was so at peace and so calm, that everyone in the village got together and, admiring his attitude, gave him a new horse as a gift.
Everyone's reaction now was, "What a lucky man." And the farmer said, "We'll see."
A couple days later, the new horse jumped a fence and ran away. Everyone in the village shook their heads and said, "What a poor fellow!"
The farmer smiled and said, "We'll see."
Eventually, the horse found his way home, and everyone again said, "What a fortunate man."
The farmer said, "We'll see."
Later in the year, the farmer's young boy went out riding on the horse and fell and broke his leg. Everyone in the village said, "What a shame for the poor boy."
The farmer said, "We'll see."
Two days later, the army came into the village to draft new recruits. When they saw that the farmer's son had a broken leg, they decided not to recruit him.
Everyone said, "What a fortunate young man."
The farmer smiled again - and said "We'll see."
There's no use in overreacting to the events and circumstances of our everyday lives. Many times what looks like a setback, may actually be a gift in disguise. And when our hearts are in the right place, all events and circumstances are gifts that we can learn valuable lessons from.
One afternoon, while working in the field, the horse dropped dead. Everyone in the village said, "Oh, what a horrible thing to happen." The farmer said simply, "We'll see." He was so at peace and so calm, that everyone in the village got together and, admiring his attitude, gave him a new horse as a gift.
Everyone's reaction now was, "What a lucky man." And the farmer said, "We'll see."
A couple days later, the new horse jumped a fence and ran away. Everyone in the village shook their heads and said, "What a poor fellow!"
The farmer smiled and said, "We'll see."
Eventually, the horse found his way home, and everyone again said, "What a fortunate man."
The farmer said, "We'll see."
Later in the year, the farmer's young boy went out riding on the horse and fell and broke his leg. Everyone in the village said, "What a shame for the poor boy."
The farmer said, "We'll see."
Two days later, the army came into the village to draft new recruits. When they saw that the farmer's son had a broken leg, they decided not to recruit him.
Everyone said, "What a fortunate young man."
The farmer smiled again - and said "We'll see."
There's no use in overreacting to the events and circumstances of our everyday lives. Many times what looks like a setback, may actually be a gift in disguise. And when our hearts are in the right place, all events and circumstances are gifts that we can learn valuable lessons from.
Monday, 30 January 2017
Wednesday, 11 January 2017
Life is a do-it-yourself project." Your attitude, and the choices you make today, help build the "house" you will live in tomorrow.
An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house-building business to live a more leisurely life with his wife and enjoy his extended family. He would miss the paycheck each week, but he wanted to retire. They could get by.
The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go & asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but over time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career.
When the carpenter finished his work, his employer came to inspect the house. Then he handed the front-door key to the carpenter and said, "This is your house... my gift to you."
The carpenter was shocked!
What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.
Moral of the Story
We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than our best into the building. Then, with a shock, we realize we have to live in the house we have built. If we could do it over, we would do it much differently.
But, you cannot go back. You are the carpenter, and every day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Someone once said, "Life is a do-it-yourself project." Your attitude, and the choices you make today, help build the "house" you will live in tomorrow. Therefore, Build wisely!
The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go & asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but over time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career.
When the carpenter finished his work, his employer came to inspect the house. Then he handed the front-door key to the carpenter and said, "This is your house... my gift to you."
The carpenter was shocked!
What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.
Moral of the Story
We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than our best into the building. Then, with a shock, we realize we have to live in the house we have built. If we could do it over, we would do it much differently.
But, you cannot go back. You are the carpenter, and every day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Someone once said, "Life is a do-it-yourself project." Your attitude, and the choices you make today, help build the "house" you will live in tomorrow. Therefore, Build wisely!
Whatever work you do, love it, enjoy the work.
Arjuna once asked Krishna, " Lord, why do people consider Karna more generous than Yudhistara? Neither have ever refused whatever has been asked for nor whoever has asked. So why is Karna considered greater than Yudhistara?"
The Lord said with a smile, "Come, I'll show you why."
Disguised as brahmins, they first went to Yudhishtira's court and asked for sandalwood sticks to conduct 'yagna'. The king immediately sent his soldiers to all parts of his Kingdom in search of sandalwood sticks. It was monsoon, the trees were all drenched and the soldiers returned with wet sandalwood pieces. Yagna was not possible with the wet sticks.
Krishna and Arjuna proceeded to Karna's court next and asked for the same sticks. Karna thought for a while and said " as it's raining for several days now, it will be impossible to collect dry sandalwood sticks. But there is a way. Please wait for a while."
Saying this, Karna proceeded to chop and cut down the doors and windows of the court which were made of sandalwood and after making them into pieces, gifted the dry sandalwood sticks to the brahmins to conduct 'yagna'.
They accepted the offerings and went back. On their way back, Krishna asked Arjuna "do you realise the difference between the two, Arjuna? Had we asked Yudhishtira to give his doors and windows for us to conduct yagna, he would have given us without a second thought. But he did not think of it himself. We did not ask Karna either. Yudhishtira gave because that was his dharma. Karna gave because he loves to give. This is the difference between the two and that is why Karna is considered greater. Whatever work you do becomes nobler when you do it with love."
We can work with different attitudes. Someone asked you to, or as a duty or as your dharma or as Karna did, out of love for doing the job.
The last said is however, the best; whatever work you do, love it, enjoy the work.
The Lord said with a smile, "Come, I'll show you why."
Disguised as brahmins, they first went to Yudhishtira's court and asked for sandalwood sticks to conduct 'yagna'. The king immediately sent his soldiers to all parts of his Kingdom in search of sandalwood sticks. It was monsoon, the trees were all drenched and the soldiers returned with wet sandalwood pieces. Yagna was not possible with the wet sticks.
Krishna and Arjuna proceeded to Karna's court next and asked for the same sticks. Karna thought for a while and said " as it's raining for several days now, it will be impossible to collect dry sandalwood sticks. But there is a way. Please wait for a while."
Saying this, Karna proceeded to chop and cut down the doors and windows of the court which were made of sandalwood and after making them into pieces, gifted the dry sandalwood sticks to the brahmins to conduct 'yagna'.
They accepted the offerings and went back. On their way back, Krishna asked Arjuna "do you realise the difference between the two, Arjuna? Had we asked Yudhishtira to give his doors and windows for us to conduct yagna, he would have given us without a second thought. But he did not think of it himself. We did not ask Karna either. Yudhishtira gave because that was his dharma. Karna gave because he loves to give. This is the difference between the two and that is why Karna is considered greater. Whatever work you do becomes nobler when you do it with love."
We can work with different attitudes. Someone asked you to, or as a duty or as your dharma or as Karna did, out of love for doing the job.
The last said is however, the best; whatever work you do, love it, enjoy the work.
Tuesday, 10 January 2017
It is not necessary that we show a reaction to everything. Step back & ask urself if the matter is really worth responding to .
As the carpenter went home after shutting down his workshop, a black poisonous cobra entered his workshop.
The cobra was hungry & hoped to find its supper lurking somewhere within. It slithered from one end to another & finally bumped into an axe & got very slightly injured. In anger & revenge, the snake bit the axe with full force. What could a bite do to a metallic axe? Instead the cobra 's mouth started bleeding.Out of fury & arrogance, the cobra tried it's best to strangle & kill the object that was causing it pain by wrapping itself around the axe. The next day when the carpenter opened the workshop, he found a dead cobra wrapped around the axe blades. The cobra didn't die because of someone else's fault but faced these consequences merely because of it's own anger & wrath.
- Sometimes when angry, we try to cause harm to others but as the time passes by, we realise that we have caused more harm to ourselves.
- For a happy life, it's best we should ignore & overlook things, people, incidents, affairs & matters.
It is not necessary that we show a reaction to everything. Step back & ask urself if the matter is really worth responding to.
The cobra was hungry & hoped to find its supper lurking somewhere within. It slithered from one end to another & finally bumped into an axe & got very slightly injured. In anger & revenge, the snake bit the axe with full force. What could a bite do to a metallic axe? Instead the cobra 's mouth started bleeding.Out of fury & arrogance, the cobra tried it's best to strangle & kill the object that was causing it pain by wrapping itself around the axe. The next day when the carpenter opened the workshop, he found a dead cobra wrapped around the axe blades. The cobra didn't die because of someone else's fault but faced these consequences merely because of it's own anger & wrath.
- Sometimes when angry, we try to cause harm to others but as the time passes by, we realise that we have caused more harm to ourselves.
- For a happy life, it's best we should ignore & overlook things, people, incidents, affairs & matters.
It is not necessary that we show a reaction to everything. Step back & ask urself if the matter is really worth responding to.
Sunday, 8 January 2017
Guru Brahma Guru Vishnu, an Awesome Devotional Bhajan with Lyrics, Meaning and Video.
गुरुर्ब्रह्मा गुरुर्विष्णुर्गुरुर्देवो महेश्वरः ।
गुरुरेव परं ब्रह्म तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥१॥
Gurur-Brahmaa Gurur-Vissnnur-Gururdevo Maheshvarah |
Gurure[-I]va Param Brahma Tasmai Shrii-Gurave Namah ||1||
Meaning:
1.1: The Guru is Brahma, the Guru is Vishnu, the Guru Deva is Maheswara (Shiva),
1.2: The Guru is Verily the Para-Brahman (Supreme Brahman); Salutations to that Guru.
अज्ञानतिमिरान्धस्य ज्ञानाञ्जनशालाकया ।
चक्षुरुन्मीलितं येन तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥2॥
Ajnyaana-Timira-Andhasya Jnyaana-[Aa]n.jana-Shaalaakayaa |
Cakssur-Unmiilitam Yena Tasmai Shrii-Gurave Namah ||2||
Meaning:
2.1: (Salutations to the Guru) Who Removes the Darkness of Ignorance from our Blind (Inner) Eyes by applying the Collyrium of the Light of Knowledge.
3.2: By Whom our (Inner) Eyes are Opened; Salutations to that Guru.
अखण्डमण्डलाकारं व्याप्तं येन चराचरम् ।
तत्पदं दर्शितं येन तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥3॥
Akhanndda-Mannddala-Akaaram Vyaaptam Yena Cara-Acaram |
Tat-Padam Darshitam Yena Tasmai Shrii-Gurave Namah ||3||
Meaning:
3.1: (Salutations to the Guru) Whose Form is an Indivisible Whole of Presence, and By Whom is Pervaded the Moving and the Non-Moving Beings,
2.2: By Whom is Revealed (out of Grace) That Feet (of Indivisible Presence); Salutations to that Guru.
अनेकजन्मसम्प्राप्तकर्मेन्धनविदाहिने ।
आत्मञ्जानाग्निदानेन तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥4॥
Aneka-Janma-Sampraapta-Karme[a-I]ndhana-Vidaahine |
Aatma-N.jaana-Agni-Daanena Tasmai Shrii-Gurave Namah ||4||
Meaning:
4.1: (Salutations to the Guru) Who Burns away the Fuel of Karma (results of works impressed on the mind) Accumulated over Many Births,
4.2: By Giving (Kindling) the Fire of Self-Knowledge; Salutations to that Guru.
मन्नाथः श्रीजगन्नाथो मद्गुरुः श्रीजगद्गुरुः ।
मदात्मा सर्वभूतात्मा तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः ॥१२॥
Man[d]-Naathah Shrii-Jagannaatho Mad-Guruh Shrii-Jagad[t]-Guruh |
Mad-Aatmaa Sarva-Bhuuta-[A]atmaa Tasmai Shrii-Gurave Namah ||5||
Meaning:
5.1: (Salutations to the Guru) My Lord is the Lord of the Universe, My Guru is the Guru of the Universe,
5.2: My Self is the Self of All Beings; Salutations to that Guru.
ब्रह्मानन्दं परमसुखदं केवलं ज्ञानमूर्तिम्
द्वन्द्वातीतं गगनसदृशं तत्त्वमस्यादिलक्ष्यम् ।
एकं नित्यं विमलमचलं सर्वधीसाक्षीभूतम्
भावातीतं त्रिगुणरहितं सद्गुरुंतं नमामि ॥6॥
Brahma-[A]anandam Parama-Sukhadam Kevalam Jnyaana-Muurtim
Dvandva-Atiitam Gagana-Sadrsham Tat-Tvam-Asy[i]-Aadi-Lakssyam |
Ekam Nityam Vimalam-Acalam Sarva-Dhii-Saakssii-Bhuutam
Bhaava-Atiitam Tri-Gunna-Rahitam Sad-Gurum-Tam Namaami ||6||
Meaning:
6.1: (Salutations to the Sad-Guru) Who is the Bliss of Brahman, Who is the Bestower of Supreme Joy, Who is the Absolute, Who is the Embodiment of Knowledge,
6.2: Who is Beyond Duality, Who is Boundless and Infinite Like the Sky, Who is Indicated by Maha Vakyas Like Tat-Tvam-Asi (That-Thou-Art).
6.3: Who is One without the Second, Who is Eternal, Who is Stainless and Pure, Who is Immovable, Who is the Witness of the Intelligence of All Beings,
6.4: Who is Beyond the States of the Mind, Who is Free from the Three Gunas; Salutations to that Sad-Guru.
In daily lives we must see that its not happiness that makes us grateful but gratefulness that makes us happy.
A famous writer was in his study room. He picked up his pen and started writing:
**Last year, I had a surgery and my gall bladder was removed. I had to stay stuck to the bed due to this surgery for a long time.
**The same year I reached the age of 60 years and had to give up my favourite job. I had spent 30 years of my life in this publishing company.
**The same year I experienced the sorrow of the death of my father.
**And in the same year my son failed in his medical exam because he had a car accident. He had to stay in bed at hospital with the cast on for several days. The destruction of car was another loss.
At the end he wrote: Alas! It was such bad year!!
When the writer's wife entered the room, she found he husband looking sad lost in his thoughts. From behind his back she read what was written on the paper. She left the room silently and came back with another paper and placed it on side of her husband's writing.
When the writer saw this paper, he found this written on it:
**Last year I finally got rid of my gall bladder due to which I had spent years in pain.
**I turned 60 with sound health and got retired from my job. Now I can utilize my time to write something better with more focus and peace.
**The same year my father, at the age of 95, without depending on anyone or without any critical condition met his Creator.
**The same year, God blessed my son with a new life. My car was destroyed but my son stayed alive without getting any disability.
At the end she wrote:
This year was an immense blessing of God and it passed well!!
See!!
The same incidents but different viewpoints. If we ponder with this viewpoint that what could have happened more, we would truly become thankful to the Almighty.
Moral : In daily lives we must see that its not happiness that makes us grateful but gratefulness that makes us happy.
**Last year, I had a surgery and my gall bladder was removed. I had to stay stuck to the bed due to this surgery for a long time.
**The same year I reached the age of 60 years and had to give up my favourite job. I had spent 30 years of my life in this publishing company.
**The same year I experienced the sorrow of the death of my father.
**And in the same year my son failed in his medical exam because he had a car accident. He had to stay in bed at hospital with the cast on for several days. The destruction of car was another loss.
At the end he wrote: Alas! It was such bad year!!
When the writer's wife entered the room, she found he husband looking sad lost in his thoughts. From behind his back she read what was written on the paper. She left the room silently and came back with another paper and placed it on side of her husband's writing.
When the writer saw this paper, he found this written on it:
**Last year I finally got rid of my gall bladder due to which I had spent years in pain.
**I turned 60 with sound health and got retired from my job. Now I can utilize my time to write something better with more focus and peace.
**The same year my father, at the age of 95, without depending on anyone or without any critical condition met his Creator.
**The same year, God blessed my son with a new life. My car was destroyed but my son stayed alive without getting any disability.
At the end she wrote:
This year was an immense blessing of God and it passed well!!
See!!
The same incidents but different viewpoints. If we ponder with this viewpoint that what could have happened more, we would truly become thankful to the Almighty.
Moral : In daily lives we must see that its not happiness that makes us grateful but gratefulness that makes us happy.
This simple methodology of watching the mind, that you have nothing to do with it....
A man who has gone out of his town comes back and finds that his house is on fire. It was one of the most beautiful houses in the town, and the man loved the house. Many people were ready to give double price for the house, but he had never agreed for any price, and now it is just burning before his eyes. And thousands of people have gathered, but nothing can be done.
The fire has spread so far that even if you try to put it out, nothing will be saved. So he becomes very sad.
His son comes running, and whispers something in his ear: "Don't be worried. I sold it yesterday, and at a very good price ― three times.... The offer was so good I could not wait for you. Forgive me."
But the father said, "Good, if you have sold it for three times more than the original price of the house."
Then the father is also a watcher, with other watchers.
Just a moment before he was not a watcher, he was attached. It is the same house, the same fire, everything is the same. but now he is not concerned. He is enjoying it just as everybody else is enjoying.
Then the second son comes running, and he says to the father, "What are you doing? You are smiling ― and the house is on fire?"
The father said, "Don't you know, your brother has sold it."
He said, "He had talked about selling it, but nothing has been settled yet, and the man is not going to purchase it now."
Again, everything changes. Tears which had disappeared, have come back to the father's eyes, his smile is no more there, his heart is beating fast. But the watcher is gone. He is again attached.
And then the third son comes, and he says, "That man is a man of his word. I have just come from him. He said, 'It doesn't matter whether the house is burned or not, it is mine. And I am going to pay the price that I have settled for. Neither you knew, nor I knew that the house would catch on fire."
Again the father is a watcher. The attachment is no more there.
Actually nothing is changing; just the idea that "I am the owner, I am
identified somehow with the house," makes the whole difference.
The next moment he feels, "I am not identified. Somebody else has purchased it, I have nothing to do with it; let the house burn."
This simple methodology of watching the mind, that you have nothing to do with it....
The fire has spread so far that even if you try to put it out, nothing will be saved. So he becomes very sad.
His son comes running, and whispers something in his ear: "Don't be worried. I sold it yesterday, and at a very good price ― three times.... The offer was so good I could not wait for you. Forgive me."
But the father said, "Good, if you have sold it for three times more than the original price of the house."
Then the father is also a watcher, with other watchers.
Just a moment before he was not a watcher, he was attached. It is the same house, the same fire, everything is the same. but now he is not concerned. He is enjoying it just as everybody else is enjoying.
Then the second son comes running, and he says to the father, "What are you doing? You are smiling ― and the house is on fire?"
The father said, "Don't you know, your brother has sold it."
He said, "He had talked about selling it, but nothing has been settled yet, and the man is not going to purchase it now."
Again, everything changes. Tears which had disappeared, have come back to the father's eyes, his smile is no more there, his heart is beating fast. But the watcher is gone. He is again attached.
And then the third son comes, and he says, "That man is a man of his word. I have just come from him. He said, 'It doesn't matter whether the house is burned or not, it is mine. And I am going to pay the price that I have settled for. Neither you knew, nor I knew that the house would catch on fire."
Again the father is a watcher. The attachment is no more there.
Actually nothing is changing; just the idea that "I am the owner, I am
identified somehow with the house," makes the whole difference.
The next moment he feels, "I am not identified. Somebody else has purchased it, I have nothing to do with it; let the house burn."
This simple methodology of watching the mind, that you have nothing to do with it....
Saturday, 7 January 2017
JUDGE YOURSELF! YOU ARE YOUR BEST JUDGE
Once upon a time there was a painter who had just completed his
course. He took 3 days and painted beautiful scenery. He wanted
people's opinion about his caliber and painting skills.
He put his creation at a busy street-crossing. And just down below
a board which read -"I have painted this piece. Since I'm new to this profession I might have committed some mistakes in my strokes etc. Please put a cross wherever you see a mistake."
While he came back in the evening to collect his painting he was completely shattered to see that whole canvass was filled with crosses and some people had even written their comments on the painting.
Disheartened and broken completely, he ran to his master's place and burst into tears.
Master smiled and suggested "My Son, I will prove that you are a
great artist and have learnt a flawless painting. Do as I say without questioning it. It WILL work."
Young artist reluctantly agreed and two days later early morning he presented a replica of his earlier painting to his master. Master took that gracefully and smiled.
"Come with me." master said.
They reached the same street-square early morning and displayed the same painting exactly at the same place. Now master took out another board which read -"Gentlemen, I have painted this piece. Since I'm new to this profession I might have committed some mistakes in my strokes etc. I have put a box with colors and brushes just below. Please do a favor. If you see a mistake, kindly pick up the brush and correct it."
Master and disciple walked back home.
They both visited the place same evening. Young painter was surprised to see that actually there was not a single correction done so far. They say the painting was kept there for a month for no correction came in!
Moral of the story:
It is easier to criticize, but DIFFICULT TO IMPROVE!
So don't get carried away or judge yourself by someone else's criticism and feel depressed...
JUDGE YOURSELF! YOU ARE YOUR BEST JUDGE
course. He took 3 days and painted beautiful scenery. He wanted
people's opinion about his caliber and painting skills.
He put his creation at a busy street-crossing. And just down below
a board which read -"I have painted this piece. Since I'm new to this profession I might have committed some mistakes in my strokes etc. Please put a cross wherever you see a mistake."
While he came back in the evening to collect his painting he was completely shattered to see that whole canvass was filled with crosses and some people had even written their comments on the painting.
Disheartened and broken completely, he ran to his master's place and burst into tears.
Master smiled and suggested "My Son, I will prove that you are a
great artist and have learnt a flawless painting. Do as I say without questioning it. It WILL work."
Young artist reluctantly agreed and two days later early morning he presented a replica of his earlier painting to his master. Master took that gracefully and smiled.
"Come with me." master said.
They reached the same street-square early morning and displayed the same painting exactly at the same place. Now master took out another board which read -"Gentlemen, I have painted this piece. Since I'm new to this profession I might have committed some mistakes in my strokes etc. I have put a box with colors and brushes just below. Please do a favor. If you see a mistake, kindly pick up the brush and correct it."
Master and disciple walked back home.
They both visited the place same evening. Young painter was surprised to see that actually there was not a single correction done so far. They say the painting was kept there for a month for no correction came in!
Moral of the story:
It is easier to criticize, but DIFFICULT TO IMPROVE!
So don't get carried away or judge yourself by someone else's criticism and feel depressed...
JUDGE YOURSELF! YOU ARE YOUR BEST JUDGE
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