Actions and our progress

In Bhagwad Geeta Lord Krishna asked to perform our duty without desiring for the result of our actions.
One must perform his prescribed action. This world is action oriented place. Everyone has to perform some action. Our progress depends on the action performed by us. No one can live without action.
This world is driven by three qualities ( Gunas ).

Satva guna
Rajo guna
Tamo guna

These three Gunas are the basis of our personality. These are woven together like threads in a cloth and make each one of us a unique character. These primary qualities exist in us in various degrees of concentration and combination. In some persons the quality of Satva is dominates but in some people Rajas or Tamas are in excess.

The combination of these three qualities determines our character.  Our character decides the nature of our thinking and attitude. Which has effect on our actions.

The quality of Satva represents Purity and Illumination. It leads a person to get knowledge.

Rajas represents passion. A person in whom Rajas is in dominance tries to overpower his surroundings. He always runs after material things but is not satisfied.

Tamas is related to lethargy and craziness. A person who is dominated by Tamas leads a life of reckessness, indolence and sleep.

All these Gunas exist in a person and compete with each other for supremacy.

All the actions of a Satvic person benefit society. He always work for spiritual progress of society.
He is always careful about his actions and takes Care that no one get hurt by any of his action.

A Rajasic person is driven by his desires. He works hard to fulfill them. All his actions are aimed to get power, wealth and fame. He also works for benefit of society just to earn praise for his work.

All the actions of a Tamasic person pull him downwords. His actions neither benefit him nor society. 

Our attitude and way of thinking affect our actions. Our thinking and attitude are decided by the combination of three primary qualities. But the combination can be changed. One can move up from Tamas to Rajas and from Rajas to Satva.

But one who transcends all the three qualities is free from all bondages of actions and their results.

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/philosophy/actions-and-our-progress

Getting inspired

Many times you have heard people saying this  story orevent is so inspirational. That person can inspire    many people.

Do a person or event can really inspire us. No a      person or event can not inspire us unless we are not  ready toget inspired. 

As inspiration comes from within. No outside source   can inspire you unless the   feeling of inspiration   sprouts within you.

There is a story of a king who was repeatedly defeatedby his enemy hid himself  in a cave. There he saw a   spider was trying to climb the wall of the cave. But  after reaching to a certain height it slipped and camedown to the ground. It again tried to climb and again Slipped and came down to ground. Many times it tried  to climb the wall and met with same fate. But it kept  on trying until it reached to top of wall. Watching  the untired efforts of that little spider king thought if such a small creature did not give up how could I give up. This event gave him inspiration to keep on   fighting until he got success.

The question arises whether that spider inspired that king or the inspiration came from within. 

Of course it arised from his heart as the spider was  doing what was a natural thing for it.

The king get inspired because he was not sitting thereidly in despondent mood.  His mind was alert. He was  trying to find a way to get out of his situation. Thatis why he got the idea to keep on his efforts. If he  was sitting there disappoiedlamenting on his situationhe could never get inspired by that event.

Only a person who does not surrender before a hard    situation and is ready to face challenges can get     inspiration from an event or person. To get inspired  you need a positive attitude. A person who has        negative approach towards life can not be  inspired byanything.

Watching an ant climbing a wall with grain of sugar   can teach  a lesson about importance of being         hardworking to a person who is alert and wants to     learn. Otherwise it is just a petty thing for others.

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/self-improvement/getting-inspired?track=cntshem

Our connection with God

We can have five types of relationship with God. These are called bhava{Emotion}. The five bhavas are

Dasya bhava
Sakhya bhava 
Madhura bhava
Vatsalya bhava
Shanta bhava

We can connect with God through any of the above mentioned bhavas. They all have their own characteristic and beauty.

In Dasya bhava one has a relationship of servant of God. One serves God like a slave. Try to do whatever can make his Master happy.

In Sakhya bhava one treats God as his very close friend. We tell all those things to God which we can tell to our close friend.

In Madhurya bhava one thinks himself as beloved of lord. As a beloved tries to satisfy his lover one tries to satisfy God.

When we relate ourselves to God in Vatsalya bhava the lord becomes our child. We feed Him like a child do everything as a parent do.

In Shanta bhava one's heart is full of love and devotion. He peacefully worships lord without depicting any kind of emotion.

In whatever way we connect ourselves to God our relationship is based on faith.

Faith is nothing but intense kind of trust. This trust comes through deep love which is called devotion or bhakti.

Faith is a very powerful thing. It helps us to sustain difficulties. Through this a person can live peacefully in this world which is full of miseries. 
It is faith which makes us strong enough to face challenges of this world. Without faith nothing is possible. 

We talk about faith but very few understand it. Faith is a very powerful tool. Its makes us fearless. But most of us don't devolop strong faith as we live in fear.

Without faith we can't have a strong relationship with God. Our relationship with God is limited to our desires. Most of us only pray to God in the hour of need. Whenever we want any of our desires to be fulfilled we ask God to do so. We visit the place of worship. Try to make God happy with our offerings. If our wish is fulfilled we sing praise of God. Call him merciful and great. But if we don't get our desires fulfilled we started to complain. Start questioning about His existence. 

The cause of our behaviour is our selfishness. We treat God as provider of things we demand from Him. Therefore whenever our demands are not satisfied we blame God for being unkind.

God has its own plan for us . It is hard for us to understand it. So just have full faith in Him. Don't doubt God's intligence. Whatever happens is good for you. Accept whatever comes to you. Having faith in God just do your duty. 

Faith is not God can but it is a firm belief that God will.

Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.       ( Martin Luther King )

God is self-satiated. He doesn't need anything from us, neither our praise nor offerings. Whatever we offer Him with devotion He accepts it. 

Just surrender unto Him with unflinching faith. 

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/god-and-i/our-connection-with-god?track=cntshem

GAYATRI MANTRA meaning and its effects

Gayatri mantra is taken from Rig Veda ( iii,62,10 ). It is 10th mantra of 62 sutra of 3 Mandala. It is the most popular Vedic hymes. Gayatri mantra is poetic meter.  It has 24 syllables. It has eight lines of three syllables each.
Gayatri mantra is developed and composed by Maharshi Vishwamitra. It is called Savitri mantra. No where in the body of this mantra word Gayatri appears. The mantra is addressed to Savitur ( Sun ) the luminous body. It also represents Spiritual light that brings Self realisation. Hence the mantra is addressed to Inner power called PARMATMA which is Immortal, Infinite and Imperishable.
Gayatri is combination of two Sanskrit words.
Gayanath means what is sung
Trayate means who preserves, protects, gives deliverance, grants liberation.
Mantra is a prayer of praise of
Hence Gayatri mantra sings the glory of Vital energy which preserves us protects us and liberates us.
Before reciting this mantra we must understand the meaning of it.
The translation of the Sanskrit text is as follows.

ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः

तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं

भर्गो देवस्यः धीमहि

धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात्

AUM BHOOR BHUWAH SWAHA,


TAT SAVITUR VARENYAM


BHARGO DEVASAYA DHEEMAHI

DHIYO YO NAHA PRACHODAYAT. 

Oh God, the Protector, 
the basis of all life, 
Who is self-existent, 
Who is free from all pains and Whose contact frees the soul from all troubles, 
Who pervades theUniverse and sustains all,
the Creator and Energizer of the whole Universe, the Giver of happiness, Who is worthy of acceptance, the most excellent, Who is Pure and the Purifier of all, let us embrace that very God, so that He may direct our mental faculties in the right direction.

Gayatri mantra is praise of God which tells us about His attributes. It depicts our Devotion and Supplication unto Him. In the end we pray to God to give us wisdom so we can become pure and feel Supreme Bliss.

God is Self-existent. He is without beginning and end. He is eternal and infinite. He is all pervading. He provides us life and grants us all the things required for maintenace through out our life. God is self-conscious and is aware of everyone. He is remover of all pains. We must surrender ourselves unto Him. He is omnipotent and omnipresent. He is basis of this whole universe. He resides within us as PARAMATMA. He is the vital energy within us which helps us to act. He is capable to do everything. He controls this whole universe. Let us all pray to Him and meditate on Him for strength, intellect and purity.

The reciatation of Gayatri Mantra has a very soothing 

effects on us. That is why Gayatri Mantra is recited not 

only by Hindus but  by people all over the world 

irrespective of their Religion or Faith. It has the followin 

effects on our body and mind.

1. Chanting of Gayatri Mantra helps us to meditate which has a calming effect on our mind.

2. Chanting of Gayatri Mantra helps us in increasing your concentration and learning.

3. Chanting of Gayatri Mantra helps us to improve our breathing.

4. Chanting of Gayatri Mantra keeps us calm and composed. Which makes us stress free. Gives us        positive vibrations and keeps depression at bay.


5. As per the results of a study published in the British Medical Journal  chanting a mantra significantly slows down a person’s breathing, which helps synchronize and regularise your heart beats, helping it stay healthy. 

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/meditation/gayatri-mantra-meaning-and-its-effects?track=cntshem

SHIVOHAM is a journey

The Adi Sankaracharya described the Advait ( Non Dualism ) philosophy in six beautiful stanzas known as  ATMA SHATAKAM. When as a young boy of eight he was wandering in Himalayas seeking for a Guru he encountered with a sage who asked him " who are you ". He replied him through these stanzas. The sage to whom he talked was Swami Govindpada Acharya. 

Dvaita ( Dualism ) philosophy is based on the concept that you are different from supreme power. You worship this power to get strength. You ask forgiveness for your wrong doings. In the end you wish to leave this mortal world to be with Him. 

While the Advaita ( Non Dualism ) is based on the concept of SHIVOHAM means I am that Supreme power. I am not seperate from Him. I am same from within and without. All the things in this world are same. The only difference is of covering ( Body ). When we go beyond this body we become same as Him. 
SHIVOHAM  means ' I am Shiva '. Shiva is pure all pervading consciousness. Shiva is beautiful, Shiva is absolute truth. SHIVOHAM  is unifying yourself with Shiva the Supreme power.

SHIVOHAM is not just a phrase. It is a journey from Mortality to Immortality, from Darkness to Light, from Untruth to absolute Truth, from Sufferings to Supreme bliss. It is a process to leave all your weaknesses and attain Divinity.  SHIVOHAM can not be understood in a short span. It is a gradual progress. one can understand its literal meaning but to assimilate its real meaning one need to practice it. Repeated recitation helps you to remember that you are not just this mortal self but you are pure consciousness.

There are those six stanzas known as ATMA SHATAKAM

Mano BuddhyA-hankara ChittaNi naaham

Nacha Shrotra Jihve Na Cha Ghrana Netre

Nacha Vyoma Bhoomir Na Tejo Na Vayuh

Chidananda Rupah Shivoham! Shivoham!!

I am not mind, intellect, ego and the memory.

I am not the sense of organs (ears, tongue, nose, eyes

and skin).

I am not the five elements ( sky or ether, earth, light

or fire, the wind and the water).

I am supreme bliss and pure consciousness, I am

Shiva,

I am all auspiciousness, I am Shiva.

 Na Cha Prana Sangyo Na Vai Pancha

Vayu

Na Vaa Sapta dhatur Na Vaa Pancha Koshah

Na Vak Pani Padam Na Chopastha Payu

Chidananda Rupah Shivoham! Shivoham!!

I am not Prana ( energy) nor five vital airs

(PanchVayu), nor the seven essential material( sapta

dhatu ), nor the five sheaths of the body ( pancha

kosha ).

I am not the organ of speech, nor hand nor the leg,

nor the organs of procreation or the

elimination(anus).

I am supreme bliss and pure consciousness, I am

Shiva,

I am all auspiciousness, I am Shiva.

 Na Me Dvesha Ragau Na Me Lobha

Mohau

Mado Naiva Me Naiva Maatsarya Bhavah

Na Dharmo Na Chartho Na Kamo Na

Mokshah

Chidananda Rupah Shivoham! Shivoham!!

I have no hatred or dislike, neither greed nor liking,

no delusion,

I have no pride or haughtiness, nor jealousy.

I have no duty to perform(dharma), no desire for any

wealth or pleasure (kama), I have no liberation

(moksha) either.

I am supreme bliss and pure consciousness, I am

Shiva,

I am all auspiciousness, I am Shiva.

 Na Punyam Na Papam Na Saukhyam Na

Dukham

Na Mantro Na Teertham Na Veda Na

Yajnaha

Aham Bhojanam Naiva Bhojyam Na Bhokta

Chidananda Rupah Shivoham! Shivoham!!

I have neither virtue, nor vice.

nor pleasure or pain,

I do not need mantras(sacred chants), nor

pilgrimages. nor scriptures (Vedas), rituals or

sacrifices (Yagyas).

I am neither the enjoyed nor the enjoyer,

nor enjoyment.

I am the supreme auspiciousness of the form of

consciousness-bliss(chidananda Rupah). I am the

auspiciousness

I am supreme bliss and pure consciousness, I am

Shiva,

I am all auspiciousness, I am Shiva.

Na Me Mrityu Shanka Na Me Jati Bhedah

Pita Naiva Me Naiva Mata Na Janma

Na Bandhur Na Mitram Gurur Naiva

Shishyah

Chidananda Rupah Shivoham! Shivoham!!

I have no fear of death, nor do I have death. No

doubt about my existence, nor distinction of caste. I

have no father or mother, I have no birth.

I have no relatives, nor friend, nor the guru, nor the

disciple.

I am pure knowledge and supreme bliss, I am Shiva,

I am all auspiciousness, I am Shiva.

 Aham Nirvikalpo Nirakaara Roopah

Vibhur Vyapya Sarvatra Sarvendriyanaam

Sada Me Samatvam Na Mukthir Na Bandhah,

Chidananda Rupah Shivoham! Shivoham!!

I am formless and devoid of all dualities

I exist everywhere and pervade all senses

Always I am the same,

I am neither free nor bonded

I am pure knowledge and supreme bliss, I am Shiva,

I am all auspiciousness, I am Shiva.

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/meditation/shivoham-is-a-journey

Is life a competition ?

You must heard many people saying that this is a competitive world. You have to face competition at every level of life. If you don't beat your opponent you will fall behind. For them life is a competition.

Since childhood we are forced in a competition. When we are at school our parents and teachers compare us with other children. This comparison developes a sense of competition in us. We try to beat other children and become superior to them. Instead of learning all our focus shifts on somehow remain ahead of them. Our whole education system appreciates those students who get highest marks. Therefore parents and teachers encourage students to get highest marks. So most of the students try to memorise important portions rather than to understand the subject. 

The motive of education should be encouraging students to learn. But that requirement is not fulfilled by present education system. The competition also creats a burden on students. Some students who  can't stand on these expectations unable to bear this burden take drastic steps to end their lives. 

Even when we grow up the competiton remains with us. Now we have to compete with our colleagues, friends and neibhours. In our workplace we try to leave behind our colleagues in race to get promotion. Rather than working hard some of us try to manipulate things in our favour. 

There are two kinds of people, those who do the work and those who take the credit. Try to be in the first group; there is less competition there.
Indira Gandhi

Similarly we compete with our friends and neighbours in accumulating things. 

Most of us take life only as competition and don't see it beyond that. For such people this world is a big battlefield and people around them are their opponents and they have to defeat them at any cost.

Competition to certain extent is not bad. It helps us to bring out our best. This is good until we try to do our best and try to be better than others. But when the thought that I have to win at any cost creeps in our mind then it becomes a deteriorated thing. Because it doesn't help you to bring out your best but encourages a negativity with in you. 

Competition has been shown to be useful up to a certain point and no further, but cooperation, which is the thing we must strive for today, begins where competition leaves off.
Franklin D. Roosevelt

Competition can be a part of it but it should not become your whole life.

Competition is the spice of sports; but if you make spice the whole meal you'll be sick.
George Leonard

Ask yourself a question. What is meaning of life. Why it is given to us.
The life is meant to create not to compete.

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/self-improvement/is-life-a-competition?track=cntshem

Life is precarious

In June 2015 edition of Reader's Digest magazine there is an article about Jean Dominique Bauby. He was editor in chief of famous Fashion magazine Elle.

He had an stroke which left him completely paralyzed from head to toe. He was deprived of any movement and speech but was mentally alert. Only he could blink his left eyelid. This medical condition is known as Locked in syndrome. A man who was leading a successful life was now lying on hospital bed and was completely dependent on other. He was devastated. Even in this condition he was not ready to live a life of a jellyfish. 

As he was unable to speak and only could blink his left eye he could communicate only in 'yes' and 'no'. One blink for yes and two blinks for no. His speech therapist introduced him with a special alphabet card with the frequency of letters used in French so he can communicate in sentences. She used to read letters slowly to him until he blinked once in affirmation. She wrote that letter on a pad and then repeated the process for next letter. In this manner first a word then whole sentence was formed. In this way he started to talk to visitors and his well wishers.

This gave him an idea to write his experiences. He had a contract for a book with a publication house. When he revealed his desire to write a book they hired a freelance editor Claude Mendibil to assist him in this task. She adopted the same method and read letters slowly to Bauby and on each correct letter he blinked once. Bauby composed the whole book in his mind and dictated it with blink of his left eye. He died just two days after realise of his book.

Bauby's story tells us that their is no limit of human spirit. It is indomitable. No matter what is our physical condition, how tough things are going with us if we want we can add meaning to it.

Life is precarious. It should not be wasted in lamentation or self pity. 

Don't waste in mundane things. Don't disrespect it by ildulging yourself in destructive ways. Live it in full.

If we give respect to life it will give us respect. 

We need to appreciate how precious life is.

Shelley Fabares

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/self-improvement/life-is-precarious?track=cntshem

Have a purpose in life

What is purpose of our existence.

Why we are on this planet called earth. This question haunts many human beings since beegining of this universe. Many people sacrificed so much to get answer of this question.

Why we need a purpose in life.

He who knows the why for his existence will be able to bear almost any how.

If we know the purpose of our existence on this earth our life will be focused and more disciplined. Without a purpose the journey of life is like someone is just wandering here and there without knowing where to go. All his energies are wasted as he reached no where. But one who knows his destination channelises his energies to pursue his goal. He knows what step should be taken next, which route should be opted. He is more focused and is ready to face all difficulties without any complaint.

One who has no aim very easily succumbes to hardships because he only seeks comforts.

Take example of a student working hard to crack IIT ENTRANCE EXAM. As he has an aim he gets up very early in the morning even if the weather is extremely cold. He utilizes most of his time in studies and avoids all things which can distract him from his goal. His focus remains only on qualifying his entrance examination and he works hard for this.

One with a purpose in life never feels fatigued. Though his body aches but he feels a sense of fulfillment. 

But one without a purpose never gets a satisfaction even if he is surrounded by comforts.

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/self-improvement/have-a-purpose-in-life?track=cntshem