Thursday, July 23, 2015

The Man I love - My father


Bereft of your tender touch
I float dither in air
Like a Palm Leaf
with gush of wind
reach high all of a sudden
and then gently
move closer to the ground
and yet again
the mindful wind
carries me afar
to newer pastures
amongst new trees

and so the cycle repeats
again I go up and yet down again
never to touch the ground
though howsoevr close I may be
I ponder day & night
what keeps me afloat
In storms, I get to rest
on the bark of a considerate tree
During violent winds
I am sheltered again
I never wither, I never die
though old I may be now
I never shed a tear, I never cry,

so I wonder again
what keeps me afloat
why the wind comes to my rescue
to lift me up
to help me afloat
to never let me touch the ground
to yet rise again
and after all this while
I have understood
that to the air you went
and the air you have become
you hold my hand no more
but you still show me the way
your love still reaches me
you still nurture, you still care
you uplift me completely
high in the air !!

I wait for the clouds to part
for the day when we will meet again
the air I will become or you the earth
whatever form either of us take
we will meet for sure
because thats the prayer I say
with my eyes closed & palms pressed together
kneeling by my bedside every night & every day...

Saturday, April 13, 2013

The Mother Mira Alfassa on astrology


The Mother Mira Alfassa on astrology

The stars have no decisive influence.  It is only if one does not believe in the Divine that one unnecessarily suffers by believing that they determine one’s life.
I have known many astrologers both in Europe and India. So far, nobody has been able to read the future correctly. 
There are three reasons for the failure.
  1. First, the astrologers do not know how to read the future properly.
  2. Secondly, the horoscope is always incorrectly made − unless a man is a mathematical genius.  And even for such a person it is very difficult to make a correct horoscope.
  3. Thirdly, when people say that the stars in this or that house at the time of birth rule your life, they are quite wrong.   The stars under which you are born are only “tape-recorders” of physical conditions. They do not rule the future of the soul. There is something beyond, which rules the stars themselves and everything else. The soul belongs to this Supreme Being. And if it is doing Yoga, then all the more it should never believe in the power of the stars or in any other power.
An astrologer who predicts a catastrophe for you is like a joker. Many jokers say things like, “Today you will break your neck!” But in spite of the joke nothing happens.
Only a great Yogi can tell you your future correctly. But even then there is the Supreme Will which alone controls and decides everything.

Why do you believe in what the astrologers say? It is the belief that brings the trouble. (i.e.The astrologer may be right or wrong.  The prediction need not be ignored but one must not get obsessed by it either.)

Sri Aurobindo says that a man becomes what he thinks he is.

Horoscopes have no importance for those who take up yoga, because the influence that works through yoga is much more powerful than the influence of the stars.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Water Conservation - how we can contribute

1. Designate one glass for your drinking water each day or refill a water bottle. This will cut down on the number of glasses to wash.
2. Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you'll save up to 150 gallons per month.
3. When washing dishes by hand, don't let the water run while rinsing. Fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water.

4. Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap.
5. Collect the water you use for rinsing fruits and vegetables, then reuse it to water houseplants.
6. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and sidewalk and save water every time.
7. When doing laundry, match the water level to the size of the load.
8. Teach your children to turn off faucets tightly after each use.
9. Water your plants deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root growth and drought tolerance.
10. Wash your car on the lawn, and you'll water your lawn at the same time.
11. Make suggestions to your employer about ways to save water and money at work.
12. Support projects that use reclaimed wastewater for irrigation and industrial uses.
13. Use a hose nozzle or turn off the water while you wash your car. You'll save up to 100 gallons every time.
14. Washing dark clothes in cold water saves both on water and energy while it helps your clothes to keep their colors.
15. Water only when necessary. More plants die from over-watering than from under-watering.
16. One more way to get eight glasses of water a day is to re-use the water left over from cooked or steamed foods to start a scrumptious and nutritious soup.
17. Turn off the water while you wash your hair to save up to 150 gallons a month.
18. Wash your pets outdoors in an area of your lawn that needs water.
19. When you are washing your hands, don't let the water run while you lather.
20. Keep a bucket in the shower to catch water as it warms up or runs. Use this water to flush toilets or water plants.
21. When you have ice left in your cup from a take-out restaurant, don't throw it in the trash, dump it on a plant.
22. Use your washing machine only when it is filled to its total capacity. You can save about 4500 litres per month in this process. Besides saving water, this method is also helpful to save electricity.
23. Avoid using a shower for bathing. Try using a bucket instead. This will help you save about 150-200 litres everyday.
24. Turn off the tap while brushing and save more than 200 litres of water every month.
25. Whenever you waste water, just think about those millions of people who still struggle to save every drop of water for their survival.
26. Lastly, spread awareness regarding water conservation. http://www.wikihow.com/Save-Water


Wednesday, February 8, 2012

10 SIMPLE WAYS TO HELP ANIMALS


These simple acts practiced at the individual level can go a long way in improving the lives of animals and birds around you. Take the initiative, spread the message and make a difference.
  1. Feed stray dogs. And don’t forget to keep bowls with clean water for them in and around your neighbourhood, especially during the summer.
  1. Keep water for birds. Keep water in mud bowls on your terrace or in the park in front of your house. You will see both birds as well as squirrels trot over for respite. You can also keep bird feed (bajra, makki etc.) next to the water in a separate bowl or scatter it across one area in the park.
  1. Do not dispose left-over food and kitchen waste in polythene bags. Since cows do not have sharp teeth or sharp nails, they are unable to tear the polythene bags;The consumed plastic produces lethal toxins in the stomachs of cows, which ultimately cause the most excruciatingly painful deaths. So dispose off all edible wastes directly or by wrapping them in paper. And make sure not to throw pins, nails or plastic items along with the edible waste.
  1. Do not cage birds. no matter how big the cage is; it is outright cruelty to confine a bird and deny it the freedom to be free and to fly.
  1. Do not buy dogs. why not adopt a homeless Indian breed dog or an abandoned pet? Indian breed dogs are beautiful, intelligent, friendly, faithful, extremely sturdy and good with children as well. Yet they live miserable lives  .Pets which are abandoned on the streets too are seen dying in misery, as they have not learnt how to fend for their food and security. 
  1. Oppose the use of animals for entertainment. snakes do not dance at the sound of the been. Snakes do not have ears. What looks like them dancing to the tune of the snake charmer’s instrument is in fact, a defensive reaction from the snake as it feels threatened by the long stick-like structure of the been. 
  1. Use cruelty-free products. Boycott all products that involve animal-testing procedures or use ingredients extracted from animals. Also, reject all goods made from leather, furs or skins of other animals, including silk. Up to 900 silkworms are immersed in scalding hot water, steamed, or electrocuted alive to make one silk shirt. 
  1. Plant trees.  Also, make an effort to help save more trees by using recycled paper and by encouraging the use of pencils and paper economically.
  1. Keep important phone numbers handy. At seeing any injured, sick or diseased stray animal or bird, make sure to inform the nearest animal hospital, shelter or welfare organization at the earliest. 
  1. Spread the word of kindness. Educate your friends, family and neighbours about the various needs of animals and birds and encourage them to do their bit for the wellbeing and welfare of animals and birds around them.  And encourage them to voice against and oppose all acts of cruelty or meanness, be it in the form of stoning or kicking an animal or simply being a heartless and careless pet owner.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

8 Fold Path- Essence/Gist of Buddha's Teachings

The eightfold path is a series of eight beliefs and behaviors realized and taught by the Buddha Himself which lead to peace of mind and everlasting joy..

Right View- View everything from Buddha's eyes, with wisdom and compassion.
Right Conduct- Before criticizing others see how you behave
Right Speech- Speak in direct, kind and gentle manner. no lying, criticism, condemning, gossip, harsh language, slandering, meaningless babble.

Right Intention- Have the heart to wish well for everyone..to be happy and free of suffering
Right Mindfulness- Be aware of your thoughts, deeds and words
Right Livelihood- support yourself without harming others
Right Effort- promote good thoughts; conquer evil thoughts
Right Concentration- Meditate to achieve a higher state of consciousness

Practise non injury in thoughts, deed and words. Practise love, generosity, compassion, mercy, wisdom..Wisdom will emerge if your mind is pure and calm..Do not judge..

Quotes of Buddha

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LE4wtPaano

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Buddhist Legend: The truth of life is right here

Ancient Indian philosophers were wondering if universe was finite or infinite? etc..

Buddha did not participate in these debates. Instead he dealt with the sufferings of life..He explained:

Suppose a man is hit by a poison arrow. A doctor is sent for immediately. But what happens if the man makes the doctor wait while he finds out " Who shot it?" " What kind of a bow was used?" " What is the arrow made of?" The wounded man would die before all these questions are answered. The important thing is to remove the arrow immediately.

The same is true of what is going on right now. No amount of abstract discussion will resolve the sufferings of life. What is mot important is to determine the cause of the suffering and to eliminate it. .

The truth of life is right here in our immediate surroundings, and is not to be found in meaningless theoretical discussions..