We tend to cling to every object in our lives. We hold on to our profession, relationship or possession as if our entire world depends on them. We are so busy clinging to our own lives, that we have forgotten to live with the flow. We are afraid to move ahead, afraid to let go.
Life in essence is like an unobstructed, unrestrained, uncontrolled flow of a river. Life flows at its own pace and the ultimate source of all our pain and sufferings is our tendency to cling to and obstruct the flow. Professional life stagnates, relationships are broken, possessions are lost; all because we refused to let go when we were actually required to let things take their own course.
Why do we cling? We cling because change scares us; we cling because we are afraid to face the unknown, to face challenges; we cling because we feel secure if the status quo is maintained; we cling because we refuse to believe that life can never be static; because we refuse to accept the transience of everything; we believe that everything is in our hands. We do not have enough faith in life and that higher force which is omnipotent and omnipresent. In the chaos of existence, we have lost touch with our higher self. Most of us lead a life which is similar to that of a child who is lost in a crowd, separated from his guardians. He has nobody to place his faith on. He is afraid, insecure, suspicious about everyone and everything.
We live under the false illusion of having everything under our control. The spirit of getting things done becomes a problem when we continue to cling on even after we have exhorted all our efforts. We are overwhelmed by a sense of despair and disillusion when things move beyond our control. It is at this stage we need to learn to let go. Several times relationships are broken just because we tried too hard to make them work. We didn’t give the breathing space they required to grow. We didn’t let go and let them take their own course.
Professionally or personally, once all the efforts are made towards achieving a goal, we must learn to let go and let life take the best course. It might or might not be of one’s choice, but if we have faith, we will realise that it inevitably is the best course. We need to believe that forces above us are far better equipped to make judgments for us. We must learn to have faith in their judgment. Letting go, however, does not mean turning into a fatalist. One cannot sit idle in life and expect life to take care of itself. Karma, the fulfilment of one’s duties is the ultimate objective of all human existence and if we fail to fulfill our duties towards life, life inevitably fails us.
When God gives us dreams, He shares them with us. Whatever we consider our dreams, are actually His dreams and He gives us the capability to realise them. The part we are required to play is to ensure the optimum usage of the capabilities bestowed upon us. And once we have played our part with utmost honesty and effort, we need to let go, step aside and let God step in to fulfill our dreams. After all, they are His dreams, too.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Sunday, September 28, 2008
I AM: Chetan Bhagat
I am more of a spiritual person than religious. God, for me, is the inner voice within us, the higher power that we must all surrender to. The traditional interpretation of God as Ram or Sita or in temples is also important but being spiritual is more important to me. I think if you are not spiritual, you tend to reduce everything about God and religion to rituals and superstitions. I pray to God every day but I am not ritualistic in any sense, i don’t chant any specific mantra or pray in a specific manner. I just talk to God like I would to a friend. I tell Him about my day and thank Him for everything he has given me. |
I don't consider things to be lucky or unlucky and don’t wear any amulets. The reason i stay away from such things is because once you start believing in these things you kind of become dependent on them, it becomes an obsessive compulsive disorder, so to say.
I believe whatever has happened to me in life is because of God's grace. I never expected my first book to do so well and I know deep down it wouldn't have become an all-time best seller without God's will.
My second book starts with a phone call from God. It's my way of telling my readers to listen to their inner voice, which for me is God. I believe nothing can go wrong in life if you follow your instincts and have faith in the ultimate Super Power.
However, one should not lose faith in God if things do go wrong. I often self-talk myself out of a crisis, visiting temples also helps but just forgetting about the future and living in the present works best for me.
I believe one should not take life too seriously. I am not a serious guy but I think I am quite sincere in everything that I do. Sincerity always pays. I tell my sons to believe in themselves and in God.
Believing in God makes you humble and keeps you grounded even in the face of adversity. If you want to make it big in life, you have got to have faith in God and trust His will. Believing in God only helps, it never hurts.
‘God is a convenient term’
Dr Devi Shetty works in His name to ensure a job well done Devi Shetty
I strongly believe in the presence of God, which you could call as a cosmic force, or anything else you can see. Nothing in this world can happen by accident. Someone has to be there to co-ordinate everything happening around us, good or bad, since every action has a reason irrespective of its consequence on our life and our happiness.
The human body is a marvellous creation and everything works with clock-like precision. One day, something happens and the body becomes limp and comes to a standstill. We pronounce the man dead. If you dissect the body and figure what was there before and what has gone away, makes all the difference between life and death.
We have no explanation, since everything that is supposed to be inside the body is inside it even after death. We have no explanation for this phenomenon, we have no explanation for a power, which controls the events of this world, and God is a convenient term to address this cosmic force.
In no other profession you have the unique opportunity to take someone to the brink of death and bring him or her back to life. Many times we come across patients who have absolutely no chance to live, because of the condition they suffer from, and walking out of the hospital in less than seven days hale and hearty! Sometimes patients, who had a strong possibility of survival following the operation, do not make it. What is the reason for this outcome? Are we in command? No, certainly not. As a surgeon, before I start the operation, I pray to God and do the operation in His name. Success and failure are not because of me. It may be through me. As one becomes more successful, one is surrounded by more uncertainties. When we take more responsibilities on our shoulders, we get more stressed. Instead, if we hand over all the responsibilities to Him and work in His name, we can do a wonderful job.
(Dr Devi Shetty is a well-known
cardiac surgeon)
Unto Him : Dr Devi Shetty
I strongly believe in the presence of God, which you could call as a cosmic force, or anything else you can see. Nothing in this world can happen by accident. Someone has to be there to co-ordinate everything happening around us, good or bad, since every action has a reason irrespective of its consequence on our life and our happiness.
The human body is a marvellous creation and everything works with clock-like precision. One day, something happens and the body becomes limp and comes to a standstill. We pronounce the man dead. If you dissect the body and figure what was there before and what has gone away, makes all the difference between life and death.
We have no explanation, since everything that is supposed to be inside the body is inside it even after death. We have no explanation for this phenomenon, we have no explanation for a power, which controls the events of this world, and God is a convenient term to address this cosmic force.
In no other profession you have the unique opportunity to take someone to the brink of death and bring him or her back to life. Many times we come across patients who have absolutely no chance to live, because of the condition they suffer from, and walking out of the hospital in less than seven days hale and hearty! Sometimes patients, who had a strong possibility of survival following the operation, do not make it. What is the reason for this outcome? Are we in command? No, certainly not. As a surgeon, before I start the operation, I pray to God and do the operation in His name. Success and failure are not because of me. It may be through me. As one becomes more successful, one is surrounded by more uncertainties. When we take more responsibilities on our shoulders, we get more stressed. Instead, if we hand over all the responsibilities to Him and work in His name, we can do a wonderful job.
(Dr Devi Shetty is a well-known
cardiac surgeon)
Unto Him : Dr Devi Shetty
Paryushan Parva And The Festival Of Forgiveness
Paryushan is the most important Jain religious observance of the year. For both Shvetambars, who observe the festival over a period of eight days, and Digambars, for whom Paryushan Parva lasts 10 days, this is a time of intensive study, reflection and purification. It takes place in the middle of the rainy season, a time when Jain monks and nuns cease traveling and stay with a community and are available to them for instruction and guidance.
Paryushan means, literally, "abiding" or "coming together". It is also a time when the laity take on vows of study and fasting with a spiritual intensity similar to temporary monasticism. Paryushan concludes with a time of confession and forgiveness for the transgressions of the previous year.
The most important part of Paryushan is daily meditation and prayer, which provides an opportunity for looking within and towards the teachings of the Tirthankaras for guidance. Beginning on the fourth day of Paryushan, it is customary for Murtipujak Shvetambars to read from the Kalpa Sutra, a scripture which recounts the life of Mahavira — the 14 dreams of his mother before his birth, followed by the story of his birth, life and liberation. It also recounts the lives of other Tirthankaras and the rules of Paryushan.
The book of scripture would be carried ceremonially through the streets, water sprinkled in its path along the way, purifying the entire town. Jains often take time off from work during this period and eat a much simpler diet in addition to their normal vegetarian diet. They avoid potatoes, onions and garlic — the eating of which entails killing the entire plant.
For Shvetambars, the final day of Paryushan is Samvastsari Pratikraman, the annual confession. The ritual of asking forgiveness from the teacher is widened in scope to include family and friends and, finally, all living beings. The culmination of confession is receiving forgiveness from all living beings and also granting forgiveness to all. This ritual of forgiveness is sometimes called the rite of "universal friendship". The spirit of the day is contained in this verse: "I grant forgiveness to all living beings, May all living beings grant me forgiveness; My friendship is with all living beings, My enmity is totally non-existent. Let there be peace, harmony and prosperity for all".
One cannot consume any fruits or even a grain in our upvaas, informs Nun Mallipragya. But how does one live without food? Elaborates Poonam Choraria, who has fasted for 31 days at a stretch: "We live in a sea of energy. Our bodies gain energy indirectly from the food we eat, while we gain direct energy from the cosmic energy that flows into us through the medulla oblongata at the bottom of the brain. But this kind of acceptance of energy depends upon our mental set-up. The greater the will, the greater would be the flow of energy."
Penance is given high importance to purify one's soul. In the time cycle, Lord Rishabh started the penance for one year at a stretch. The same tradition is followed even today. During the process of penance, all the accumulated toxins in the cells of the body over a period of time start to melt away. Since the body's energies are concentrated in cleaning and detoxification during the fasting process, rest becomes a necessary adjunct. The body parts are recharged and relaxed. This minimises physical ailments, increases strength and keeps body, mind and the hormonal balance in check.
Paryushan means, literally, "abiding" or "coming together". It is also a time when the laity take on vows of study and fasting with a spiritual intensity similar to temporary monasticism. Paryushan concludes with a time of confession and forgiveness for the transgressions of the previous year.
The most important part of Paryushan is daily meditation and prayer, which provides an opportunity for looking within and towards the teachings of the Tirthankaras for guidance. Beginning on the fourth day of Paryushan, it is customary for Murtipujak Shvetambars to read from the Kalpa Sutra, a scripture which recounts the life of Mahavira — the 14 dreams of his mother before his birth, followed by the story of his birth, life and liberation. It also recounts the lives of other Tirthankaras and the rules of Paryushan.
The book of scripture would be carried ceremonially through the streets, water sprinkled in its path along the way, purifying the entire town. Jains often take time off from work during this period and eat a much simpler diet in addition to their normal vegetarian diet. They avoid potatoes, onions and garlic — the eating of which entails killing the entire plant.
For Shvetambars, the final day of Paryushan is Samvastsari Pratikraman, the annual confession. The ritual of asking forgiveness from the teacher is widened in scope to include family and friends and, finally, all living beings. The culmination of confession is receiving forgiveness from all living beings and also granting forgiveness to all. This ritual of forgiveness is sometimes called the rite of "universal friendship". The spirit of the day is contained in this verse: "I grant forgiveness to all living beings, May all living beings grant me forgiveness; My friendship is with all living beings, My enmity is totally non-existent. Let there be peace, harmony and prosperity for all".
One cannot consume any fruits or even a grain in our upvaas, informs Nun Mallipragya. But how does one live without food? Elaborates Poonam Choraria, who has fasted for 31 days at a stretch: "We live in a sea of energy. Our bodies gain energy indirectly from the food we eat, while we gain direct energy from the cosmic energy that flows into us through the medulla oblongata at the bottom of the brain. But this kind of acceptance of energy depends upon our mental set-up. The greater the will, the greater would be the flow of energy."
Penance is given high importance to purify one's soul. In the time cycle, Lord Rishabh started the penance for one year at a stretch. The same tradition is followed even today. During the process of penance, all the accumulated toxins in the cells of the body over a period of time start to melt away. Since the body's energies are concentrated in cleaning and detoxification during the fasting process, rest becomes a necessary adjunct. The body parts are recharged and relaxed. This minimises physical ailments, increases strength and keeps body, mind and the hormonal balance in check.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Monday, August 4, 2008
Don't be complacent, keep growing
Complacency is a dangerous adversary, it's not in-your-face and yet very destructive. History is replete with instances of powerful companies becoming insolvent and successful dynamic individuals biting the dust simply because they were complacent in their success. Successful entities have to make a conscious effort to view their success in perspective. It's important never to forget the struggle that led to that success. Create new frontiers - there is no end to improvement and expansion.
When a person begins his/her career, then he is filled with a desire to make a mark, to grow through the ranks, accumulate wealth and gain recognition. Once all these goals have been achieved, it often happens that the person runs out of steam in terms of motivation and new goals. New goals can transcend personal desires and encompass the family, organisation and society as a whole. For an organisation, constant innovation is the only attribute that allows it to stay ahead of the competition. Being over cautious is as detrimental as being reckless. Remember the adages, 'He who hesitates is lost' and 'Look before you leap'.
They may seem contradictory but the secret is treading the middle ground. Complacency always leads to recklessness; a person is so confident of things falling into place and going off well that he/she does not evaluate and react appropriately to different situations. It's important to believe in yourself and supplement that with judicious thought and action. A useful tool to overcome complacency is to consider each situation from a desperate viewpoint. Think of how you would assess and respond to the situation if you had inadequate resources and were desperate to overcome the situation in your favour. There is no room for complacency in such a hypothetical situation and you will find yourself shrugging off complacency and acting with the urgency required.
When a person begins his/her career, then he is filled with a desire to make a mark, to grow through the ranks, accumulate wealth and gain recognition. Once all these goals have been achieved, it often happens that the person runs out of steam in terms of motivation and new goals. New goals can transcend personal desires and encompass the family, organisation and society as a whole. For an organisation, constant innovation is the only attribute that allows it to stay ahead of the competition. Being over cautious is as detrimental as being reckless. Remember the adages, 'He who hesitates is lost' and 'Look before you leap'.
They may seem contradictory but the secret is treading the middle ground. Complacency always leads to recklessness; a person is so confident of things falling into place and going off well that he/she does not evaluate and react appropriately to different situations. It's important to believe in yourself and supplement that with judicious thought and action. A useful tool to overcome complacency is to consider each situation from a desperate viewpoint. Think of how you would assess and respond to the situation if you had inadequate resources and were desperate to overcome the situation in your favour. There is no room for complacency in such a hypothetical situation and you will find yourself shrugging off complacency and acting with the urgency required.
What is maturity?
Maturity is the ability to control anger and settle differences without violence or destruction. Maturity is patience. It is the willingness to pass up immediate pleasure in favor of the long-term gain.
Maturity is perseverance, the ability to sweat out a project or a situation in spite of heavy opposition and discouraging set-backs. Maturity is the capacity to face unpleasantness and frustration, discomfort and defeat, without complaint or collapse. Maturity is humility. It is being big enough to say, "I was wrong." And, when right, the mature person need not
experience the satisfaction of saying, "I told you so."
Maturity is the ability to make a decision and stand by it. The immature spend their lives exploring endless possibilities; then they do nothing.
Maturity means dependability, keeping one's word, coming through in a crisis. The immature are masters of the alibi. They are the confused and the disorganized. Their lives are a maze of broken promises, former friends, unfinished business, and good intentions that somehow never materialize.
Maturity is the art of living in peace with that which we cannot change, the courage to change that which should be changed -- and the wisdom to know the difference.
Maturity is perseverance, the ability to sweat out a project or a situation in spite of heavy opposition and discouraging set-backs. Maturity is the capacity to face unpleasantness and frustration, discomfort and defeat, without complaint or collapse. Maturity is humility. It is being big enough to say, "I was wrong." And, when right, the mature person need not
experience the satisfaction of saying, "I told you so."
Maturity is the ability to make a decision and stand by it. The immature spend their lives exploring endless possibilities; then they do nothing.
Maturity means dependability, keeping one's word, coming through in a crisis. The immature are masters of the alibi. They are the confused and the disorganized. Their lives are a maze of broken promises, former friends, unfinished business, and good intentions that somehow never materialize.
Maturity is the art of living in peace with that which we cannot change, the courage to change that which should be changed -- and the wisdom to know the difference.
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