For who ? For ourselves. Did we do something, some ritual that affirmed our faith today ? In what ? In ourselves. Our ability to connect with our inner selves. For if we do not, who is this person that is working, loving, talking etc. It’s certainly not you.
It’s an everyday search for me. For that something that can put me in touch with myself. My connection to consciousness. My connection to loving nature.
Of course many people have faith. Which is a wonderful ability. I don’t have blind faith. I am more of a searcher. Questioner. Good, bad ? I don’t know. No value judgements on any faith or the question of faith. Or on myself.
Some people do it with meditation first thing in the morning. I have never been able to do that. I have to connect to something, however small, however little, to loose my sense of individuality. That’s the daily struggle. Against my own exaggarated sense of myself. I am so used to it. I have relied on it for so many years. So tough to let go now. Not that I have never questioned it before. But now, it is really important for me to be truly ‘active’ rather than ‘reactive’, which is what I have done most of my life. And how do I know what that ‘true’ action is ? Unless I am constantly in touch with something larger, more immense, more universal than myself ?
Yes I know. By letting go. By allowing yourself not to be addicted to the result of your action. By allowing chaos to invade your life. Yes, I agree. All of that. I do allow chaos to prevade in my life. I am impeteous (spelling). But then the individual in me fights back hard.
It’s an everyday battle. This battle to let go of one’s addiction to one’s sense of individuality.
Yet, the smallest of things can provoke the sensing of my flowing into something much much larger. Something infinite.
This morning it was my 5 year old daughter waking me up with a loud ‘Peekaboo’ and the tinkling of an early morning laugh.
Sometimes it;s just getting up early enough to watch the first shades of dark blue brush across the sky. Something deeply stirring about that.
Sometimes it’s unexpected gestures of affection that were not sought. Or given so instinctually that you were not aware of them.
Sometimes, it’s writing a poem. But only if the words are coming from somewhere else. As if something is flowing through you, a river of emotion you can physically feel that flows through your being.
But it is always so unexpected. So much that I am constantly aware now. My senses hightened. Waiting for that unexpected moment.
When something deeper will reach out and engulf me, and give my life, and all my actions, however small, a deeper and all encompassing context. On a daily basis.
So say a prayer for me. And for yourself.
Shekhar
…for Aaravinda
…if you can’t live it, leave it!
Do not brood over your past mistakes and failures, as this will only fill your mind with grief, regret, and depression. Do not repeat them in the future.
-Swami Sivananda
In April, Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah on her 70+birthday.
Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older.
And, there on television, she said it was’exciting.’ Regarding body
changes, she said there were many, occurring every day like her
breasts.
They seem to be in a race to see which will reach her waist, first.
The audience laughed so hard they cried. She is such a simple and
honest woman, with so much wisdom in her words!
Maya Angelou said this: ‘I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.’
‘I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.’
‘I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life.’
‘I’ve learned that making a ‘living’ is not the same thing as ‘making a life’.’
‘I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.’
‘I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s
mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back.’
‘I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to
be one.’
‘I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone
People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.’
‘I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn.’
‘I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’
…for this new place to pray from…it makes a beautiful zen garden.
thank you N,
Cinda
Why is it so difficult for us to just accept the unknown? We tend to feel like we have to “make” things happen. Sure, we must take action, and work towards our goals – but at the same time if we could also relax and know that however things turn out, that’s the way they’re supposed to be. The process itself is really where we learn. And at the same time, since everything is changeable, and everything is possible, we can always start again!
-Lissa Coffey
awesome….
The Upanishads
Not what the eye sees, but that which makes the eye see, that is the Spirit.
…to all the instructors at Vallari’s Martial Arts…thank you
Happy 72nd Birthday today, to…
His Holiness the Dalai Lama
“Brute force, no matter how strongly applied, can never subdue the basic human desire for freedom and dignity. It is not enough, as communist systems have assumed, merely to provide people with food, shelter and clothing. Human nature needs to breathe the precious air of liberty.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Don’t say mindlessness is itself Zen; there is an even more recondite road herein. After you have overturned the donkey-tethering stake, as you hit the south you move the north.
-Huai-shan
what was then, used to be now…now would soon be then also
By thinking of all sentient beings as even better than the wish-granting gem for accomplishing the highest aim may I always consider them precious.
~Training the Mind, Dalai Lama
And better than a hundred years
lived apathetic & unenergetic, is
one day
lived energetic & firm.
-Dhammapada, 8, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
…for a safe trip
Love can’t be hid by hiding.
-Indian proverb
After many births the wise seek refuge in me, seeing me everywhere and in everything. Such great souls are very rare.
-Bhagavad Gita 7:19
a prayer for my tantie, who is about to embark on her magical journey to another life…her spirit is that of a great soul
…to the Sankar family and friends,
may they be surrounded by the love of support and comfort during this difficult time…om shanti shanti shanti
My imperfections and failures are as much a blessing from God as my successes and my talents, and I lay them both at His feet.
-Mohandas Gandhi
Here is one of the prayers that is read when raising buddhist prayer flags…
OM: CHHOK CHUE ZHING ZHUG KON CHHOK TSA WAS SUM
OM: To the Buddha, the Dharma, the Sangha, the Lamas, Yidams and Dakinis sitting
in the ten directions,
NOR LHA TER DAK DAM CHEN ZHI DAK CHE
To all the gods of wealth, the treasure holders, the oath bound ones, and the landlords:
GU PAI CHHAK TSAL GUY JOR _________ LO PAI (or LO MAI)
The sponsor whose age symbol is _________ respectfully prostrates.
SOG LUI WANG THANG LUNG TA ZA THANG KUN
May the life, body, power, luck and good fortune
SID NA CHHE WA TAK SENG KHYUNG DUK DANG
Prosper like the greatest ones in existence: the tiger, the snow lion, the garuda and the
dragon.
DOD GU LHUN DRUP GYAL SID RIN CHHEN ZHIN
May whatever we wish for be instantly accomplished, like precious possessions of a
great king.
JUNG NGAI LHA MOI DOG KYED YAR LA PEL:
With the help of the goddesses of the five elements who accompany me,
LUNG TA CHHOK DUI DAR ZHING GYEY GYUR CHIK:
May my good fortune eternally spread and flourish in all directions.
NYAM DANG GUD PAI KYEN NAM DA LA DOK
Return to the malevolent forces all causes of damaged and diminished good fortune.
CHO SID PHUN TSOK GE TSEN TAK BAR SHOK:
May both the spiritual and secular possess wealth, grace and glory and shine endlessly
as a symbol of virtue.
This prayer was written by
Pawo Chhoying Dorje of Dzog Chen.
Can any lock keep love confined within,
When the loving heart’s tiny tears escape and confess it?
The unloving belong only to themselves,
But the loving belong to others to their very bones.
-Tirukkural 8:71-72
…Pearlin Sankar
om shanti shanti shanti hari ommmmmmmmmmm
…Sirpa Seipio
om shanti shanti shanti hari ommmmmmmmmmm
jaya guru datta…sri guru datta
A little bit about what is coming up this weekend…
Celebrating the Guru
The day of full moon, Purnima, in the month of Ashadh of the Hindu calendar is traditionally celebrated as Guru Purnima (IAST: Guru P?r?im?, sanskrit: ???? ????????) by Hindus. On this day, devotees offer puja (worship) to their Guru.
This was the day when Krishna-dwaipayana Vyasa – author of the Mahabharata – was born. Vyasa-maharsi, as he is known, did yeoman service to the cause of Vedic studies by gathering all the Vedic hymns extant during his times, dividing them into four parts based on their use in the sacrificial rites, and teaching them to his four chief disciples – Paila, Vaisampayana, Jaimini and Sumantu. It was this dividing and editing that earned him the honorific “Vyasa” (vyas = to edit, to divide). The spiritual Gurus are revered on this day by remembering their life and teachings.
Hindus attach paramount importance to spiritual gurus. Gurus are often equated with God and always regarded as a link between the individual and the Immortal. Just as the moon shines by reflecting the light of the sun, and glorifies it, all disciples can dazzle like the moon by gaining from their Gurus.
What is Guru Purnima?
The full moon day in the Hindu month of Ashad (July-August) is observed as the auspicious day of Guru Purnima, a day sacred to the memory of the great sage Vyasa. All Hindus are indebted to this ancient saint who edited the four Vedas, wrote the 18 Puranas, the Mahabharata and the Srimad Bhagavata. Vyasa even taught Dattatreya, who is regarded as the Guru of Gurus.
Significance of Guru Purnima
On this day, all spiritual aspirants and devotees worship Vyasa in honor of his divine personage and all disciples perform a ‘puja’ of their respective spiritual preceptor or ‘Gurudevs’.
This day is of deep significance to the farmers, for it heralds the setting in of the much-needed rains, as the advent of cool showers usher in fresh life in the fields. It is a good time to begin your spiritual lessons. Traditionally, spiritual seekers commence to intensify their spiritual ‘sadhana’ from this day.
The period ‘Chaturmas’ (“four months”) begins from this day. In the past, wandering spiritual masters and their disciples used to settle down at a place to study and discourse on the Brahma Sutras composed by Vyasa, and engage themselves in Vedantic discussions.
…for peace of mind and returning to the “center”
May Shehar Kapur visit me at Amritsar to check
out ‘Ajaib ghar meusium-paintings depicting
Punjabs history for the last 5 Centuries’ and the
beautiful Maharaja Ranjeet Singh panaroma at Ram
Bagh gardens.
May we talk for an hour over a cup of coffee and
sandwitches.
Resp. Shekharji,
Konnichiwa,(hello in Japanese language)
After just watching your JEENA ISI KA NAAM HAI episode today over the internet of Rajshri films website I was surprised and a little shocked when I heard Shri Amrish Puri saying that long time ago you had dived straight into the sea of Juhu Beach to save the drowned who happened to be the family friend of Shri Amrish Puri.
If I am not mistaken the drove away by the sea waves child was me and it was in the mid 70s when I was 5-6 yrs old.I clearly remember that me my elder brother with family relative children were playing with the sand over the Juhu beach and I remember a strong ocean wave driving me with it I was drowned and started screaming and crying and someone I remember pulled me with my leg so hard that the white color shoe came out and was gone with the waves which I still miss.
Was it me really? If your incident collides with this one then I am sure it was me whom you had saved.
My father Mr. Pratap M Narsain had gone England too to study business management during your time do you remember and know him?
Anyway if yes you remember then please please contact me because I my roots belong in Mumbai it was that after the family disperse we all scattered and forgotten.
Thankyou
Warm regards
priyambada
Lata P Narsain my real name.
…to all those who save, rescue and add a bit more happiness and awareness to this earth each day…
Music is a force that unites Humanity the world over. Music has for centuries been known to have a pleasing appeal to both humans and animals. Music is a harmonizing factor in today’s world which is full of conflicts and tensions. Transgressing man-made frontiers, Music sends the message of harmony, peace and brotherhood. Musical Ragas (tunes) are said to help treatment of patients with afflictions of physical and mental nature, in certain conditions.
~Datta Yoga Centre
There is something very interesting to note about the ‘subsidiary alliance’ business of the British:
The british made their almost bloodless expansion thru subsidiary alliance in the following chronology-
1.Nizam of Hyderabad(1798)
2.Mysore(1799)
3.Avadh(1801)
4.Peshwa Baji Rao II(1802)
5.Bhonsle(1803)
6.Scindia(1803)
7.Holkars(1818)
Not Punjab…Never.They did try to subvert Dilip Singh after his father Ranjit Singh’s death. But the Punjabis saw thru and waged the 1st Anglo-Sikh struggle.
*******
)
May I do what I am born for and know for sure that that is what I am doing.
May I dream no false, unachieveable fantasies but only what I am destined to fulfill.
May those who think that I am a day dreamer and a fool and worldly un-wise be proven wrong soon.
May my spirit win before my body looses.
May I not be conscious of whose site this is but only of the One to whom I pray.
May shekhar lock his next script with me.
May the Golden Age be a superhit.May it break some records at the counters.
May better sense of propriety prevail upon me to write my comments on this blog.
My the child in me not takeover so much so as to annoy other bloggers(posters!!!?).
…to the Celestial Troop and their Spiritual Master…peace, harmony, and a joyful experience here in Canada
…to all the devotees of seeking betterment for themselves and others
om shanti shanti shanti hari ommmmmmmmmmmmm
“By learning to contact, listen to, and act on our intuition, we can directly connect to the higher power of the universe and allow it to become our guiding force.”
-Shakti Gawain
Enlightenment is merely an impersonal happening. We give it the taint of personal achievement. Therefore the question arises, “What is an enlightened being like?” There is no such thing as an enlightened person. Enlightenment is merely another event. There is a flood, a fire, an earthquake; there is enlightenment, just as one happening in the whole process, all part of the phenomenal process.
-Ramesh Balsekar
…healing to this planet
Better
than if there were thousands
of meaningless verses is
one
meaningful
verse
that on hearing
brings peace.
And better than chanting hundreds
of meaningless verses is
one Dhamma-saying
that on hearing
brings peace.
-Dhammapada, 8, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
…to the wind that carries the message of the om….namaste
“Keeping your body healthy is an expression of gratitude to the whole cosmos–the trees, the clouds, everything.”
–Thich Nhat Hanh
…for peace
~~~~~calm~~~~~
~~~harmonious thoughts~~~
…for Anjalee,
may your journeys of learning and adventure take you to a place of greater mindfulness.
loving you…always, in my soul
Mama
Children are the best people in this world
Although today we do not have the Holy Temple, we can still improve the state of the environment – global warming and all – by taking control of our negativity and taking responsibility for our actions. We should do this not because it is moral and ethical, but because each and every time we violate the universal spiritual laws, we affect the cosmos, the world, our loved ones, and ourselves. There is a practical benefit to living in harmony with our world.”
~Rav Berg
~~~om shanti shanti shanti~~~
Every time we split our self into multitude of activities, we do so at the risk of diluting the quality of attention we bring to that activity. Conversely, when we are there in the moment with our total presence, we log into the state of timelessness, egolessness and that is what Zen is all about.
~Parmjit Singh