ON MEDITATION – ITS HUGE BENEFITS

ON MEDITATION – ITS HUGE BENEFITS

 

Meditation, in broader sense means, to be busy or be engaged in contemplation on one’s breath. Meditation could also be based on repetition of a particular prayer or a mantra for ensuring self-awareness and to ensure connectivity with the higher power. Meditation is done with a complete focused attention i.e. single-minded approach. While meditating, all our senses get activated and in that activation, we have to ensure these senses do not go awry. This could be termed as controlled activism in the real sense of terms.

Meditation is the action of an individual to direct our energies to train our mind and five senses (touch, sight, hear, smell and taste) and thereby achieve our intended purpose. Particularly for meditation for which it is essential to firstly rein in our mind and do everything that we direct our mind to anticipate, remember or perform an activity. We have not to be the slave to our conditioned attitudes or old habits. Meditation helps us to de-condition these.

 

It is also a fact that a habit formed is difficult to be eradicated or erased easily but could be formed easily. In other words, to induce our conscious self to perform any activity, we actually have to have sense control in order to derive any benefit we want. These benefits may be in the form of physiological and psychological realms i.e. de-stressing, control over blood pressure, depression, anxiety etc.

 

The meditation helps in building our innate energies or capacities besides we are able to direct our mind in the direction in which we want it to act. This way, we can exercise control over our negative tendencies and bring about positive changes like compassion, generosity, love, patience, tolerance, forgiveness and forgetting or as the situation demands.

All of us know about the religious scriptures of main religions, such as Christianity, Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism and others have provided us with different scriptures for following a certain way of life for a common cause i.e. to reach to our destination/source. But for acquiring maximum benefit, it is essential to, first of all, cleansing of body and mind besides having unflinching faith and belief on the point(s) of our contemplation. It could be any beej mantra or any other prayer on which we would like to focus on for self-awareness.

Some of the essential facets of meditation are:-

TIME AND PLACE ESSENTIAL FOR MEDITATION

Time and place factors play important role in meditation. A proper routine in the mornings and evenings make the meditation exercise a purposeful experience.  Besides, at that stipulated time and place, it is indispensable that there should not be any pulls and pressures whatsoever which may defeat the very purpose of meditation because the best benefits in meditation could be accrued only when we are focused without any wavering in our thought processes.

Holy Quran rightfully stresses: Praise and glorify your Lord before sunrise, and before sunset. During the night you shall meditate on His name, and after prostrating.

IMPORTANCE OF POSTURES IN MEDITATIONS

Now coming to proper meditation; firstly, cleansing our body and mind of any muck, in complete relaxation. For meditation to be a purposeful exercise, it is important that we observe proper posture. For this sitting with physical balance is a must. For this, we should keep our head up (parallel to the ground), chin slightly in, pelvis and hips level, chest and back straight, the abdomen should be free of any tension and keeping our hands appropriately.

Having established a firm seat, let him firmly hold his body, head erect and still, gazing at the top of the nose above the lips, without looking around, thinking about pure love. – Bhagwad Gita.

ATTENTION ON BREATHING IMPORTANT FOR STRESS BUSTING

While meditating, it is essential that we focus on our breathing. The breathing should be smooth, deep and at even pace till we settle in for meditation. This helps in busting the stress which is prevalent in our system. Furthermore, positivity should be reflected in our face and eyes. The positive frame of mind triggers happiness and happiness is the panacea for curing our emotional and physical related ills.

KEEPING THE MIND FREE OF ANY THOUGHTS & REMAIN RELAXED

While keeping ourselves free from any thought-wavering, it is crucial that we remain naturally relaxed and calm. It is important also that we keep our mind in check thereby not letting our five senses to play truants. It is not an easy exercise, but reasserting through willpower always helps.

CALMNESS AND STILLNESS VITAL FOR MEDITATION

The purpose of creating calmness and stillness is to exert control over mental and physical activities so as to exert full control over our five senses and then concentrate on breath so as to develop awareness for intuitive insights to grow. In this exercise, the waywardness or wavering of mind has to be consciously stopped or controlled for obtaining the desired results. The main thing is to control the senses, whenever any of it wavers, take attention to the incoming and outgoing breath. Concentration could also be fixed on the lighted candle so that distractions are removed.

FAITH IS THE FIRST REQUISITE FOR MEDITATION

For meditation exercise to be more effective, it is essential that we have firm belief and indomitable or unwavering faith on God. Meditating would be a futile exercise without faith.

In Sri Granth  Sahib, it has been justly mentioned: “Jinee naam djiaaiaa gai masakat ghaal Nanak te much ujale, ketee chootee naal.”  Those who dwell on the Name, and depart after putting in their efforts. Shining are their faces and they save many others.

HOW I MEDITATE

We can meditate adopting any method we find suitable. The purpose is to still and calm the mind and thereby the five senses which take our attention away from the point we want to concentrate. It took quite sometimes to control the mind but to the extent possible, it has helped me by the grace of God. One thing to be taken care while meditating is that temptation (mrigtrishna) or any sort should not arise at the time of meditation otherwise the whole of the meditation exercise will be a wastage of time and energy.

Meditation too differs from person to person and place to place. I just stand on my feet, chant, close my eyes, chant ‘AUM’; ensure that its sound originates from my inner being rather than from my tongue. After having chanted AUM, I concentrate on a point between eyebrows, now without chanting any mantra. Then the true meditation starts. Every atom of my being just vibrates, my complete left arm more pronounced. This way, some power just takes over me which makes me stand for hours together.

CONDITIONED ATTITUDE COULD BE ELIMINATED THROUGH MEDITATION

When we draw our thoughts and ideas from our consciousness and then reflect in our day to day activities, the attitude reflected may be unique and may take the concerned person to the state of unity. This sort of an attitude, when imbibed after meditation, may not be conditioned one but a refined one because this has been acquired after spiritual activities. Living spiritually thus provides us vistas of pure living and living with love.

HUGE NEED OF MEDITATION NOW THAN EVER

It has been felt that the need of meditation or contemplation is felt now than ever before because of non-adherence of our priorities; what should be done and what not to, has lost. We give more credence to the issues which are impermanent in nature and are attracted towards them because of their outer shine or attraction but are losing sight of issues which are of permanent in nature. For example, Param-Gyan and Brahm-Gyan (Divine Knowledge) could be acquired through immense penance and single-minded attention. In fact, meditation is not just to control the consciousness but the purpose is to remove the ignorance by infusion of adequate knowledge thereby raising the bar of awareness in a person. The function of awareness is to instill knowledge so that we perform the functions of our life with a singleness of purpose – to seek connectivity with our Creator and perform all the functions which necessarily need suitable know-how. When we attain the requisite knowledge, we feel hugely elated.

For this connectivity to be the reality, it is essential that we know our inner potentials. It is just like enjoying the Indian oriental music and dance till such time we know the intricacies involved. It is similar to tasting an Amla (Indian gooseberry) whose sweet taste is felt only after sometimes after it has been taken and enjoyed.

There is a sweetness inherent in all of us, so, we cannot know it so easily since it is hidden from us all. It could be explored by persistent effort. There is Moh-Maya which provides ignorance and for removing that ignorance, we have to ignite; sataya sadhna for removing the ignorance. Those who remove his ignorance by self-awareness will gain and the inherent system will gain Gyan. Sadhna is a must for acquiring knowledge for removal of ignorance.

SAFLTA OR SARALTA KA MARG (SUCCESS OR EASIER PATH) DEPENDS UPON US ONLY

There are outer appearances which keep us away from realities. We can have the realization of God through self-effort by delving deep into our heart and extract the inner beauty which is latent in our system.

Japa means to intensively focus on the prayer or meditation. This is practiced by the hermits or sadhus..it is a Samadhi

BENEFITS OF MEDITATION

• For meditation to be more effective, it is important that we perform it with utmost concentration/focus. This enhances our retention power and memory which helps us in our day to day activities.
• Meditation cannot give dividends until such time we shun the negativity such as greed, lust, rancor, jealousy etc.
• Meditation provides us fulfillment in our day-to-day activities.
• It provides a cleansing effect on our body and mind.
• It bestows us stress-free and we can face all the emergencies of our life with strong determination.
• Meditation deepens our understanding for skillfully performing our actions.
• Meditation enhances our vision due to intuitive power which helps us in making wise choices in our life.
• Meditation makes us take the wiser decision in the happier environment because we acquire equanimity or balance in our life. This balance in life helps us to fight the challenges of our life with fortitude.
• Meditation helps us to imbibe the positive traits in life thus we are more tolerant, more compassionate and above all more forgiven, This has amply been clear in Bible: Whenever you stand to pray, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive your transgressions. Jesus makes it very clear that we can’t carry anger, hatred, or bitterness in our hearts toward anyone if we expect God to forgive us and/or hear our prayers.
• Meditation provides living purely with love towards others because when we follow a spiritual life, it is bereft of any conditioned attitude which we may have inherited from our environment in which we are living.
• Meditation strengthens our psychological and metaphysical aspects. It also enhances our intellect and wisdom which help us control our senses and use these the way we want. Ultimately all these spiritual aspects lead to fulfillment and satisfaction as an end result.

 

ON OUR ASPIRATIONS

 

ON OUR ASPIRATIONS

OUR ASPIRATIONS

 

What we search out obviously

In our life depends partly

On our self-directed efforts

And partly due to factors

Not entirely in our control

Whence our sincere endeavors

Fail to click, as aspired

We get hugely disillusioned

Thus telling upon our health and well-being.

 

Then mode of comparison

Along with huge dose of competition

Between individuals makes us over-ambitious  

Thereby making our effort becoming meaningless.

 

We tend to measure our degree of success

With adequacy of material possession

Which really an exhibition

For others and influence them immensely

Suffusing us in negativity

Wisdom is to maintain a modicum of equanimity

And not get influenced by the allure of what is temporary.

If nothing works in our favor despite our best efforts

Then we can bank on our Omnipotent and Omniscient

Who will certainly come to our assistance.  

In life, the pendulum of happiness and sadness go from one side to another. When our efforts get fructified, we feel on the seventh heaven but when failure knocks our doors, we are knocked to the ground. This see-saw situation keeps on varying. A person may have the sufficiency of one thing but may lack behind in some other aspect.

For example, I had a sudden surprise meeting with a friend of mine with whom I met after about 25 long years. We had the almost similar background and were classmates. During our interaction, we shared our lives and stories including our careers etc. He told his part of the story and wanted to know mine too!. He mentioned that he worked really hard and now he had the sufficiency of everything that a person aspires for in life, but his body-system does not allow to take everything due to his health-related issues. He cannot take salt because of high blood pressure; he cannot take sugar because of his high blood sugar besides other ailments.

I just imagined, what was the use of material prosperity, if a person was not able to enjoy all those things for which he aspired and worked so hard? He too wanted to know about my present condition. I told him that I had, with the grace of Almighty God, sound health, can eat and digest anything, continue walking both in the mornings and evenings and am satisfied with what I earned. I pray to God and thank him for His mercies. In other words, I am not over-ambitious but what I have or do not have, possess satiety.

Disappointments and displeasures are real issues when we are not able to fulfill what we aspire for despite efforts. Intelligence and wisdom support the strength required to take away the non-fulfillment feelings and emotions and focus on continued efforts for achieving fulfillment.

Wisdom is in eliminating the modes of comparison and competition but the enjoyment of the activism in whatever capacity we can without much caring for the results of our action. In Bhagwad Gita it has been rightly been said that you have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions. Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results of your activities, nor be attached to inaction.

Disappointment will certainly be there with every non-fulfillment. It may result in despair and other stress-related ailments. But a genuine fighter will only focus on the efforts but ultimately accept the result in all humility.

Such question arises only when we focus more on result than to means to achieve what we aspiring for sufficient effort is your own conclusion, maybe way/ strategies need a re-look or efforts are in the wrong direction. 10 student studied for 10 hours doesn’t mean they have got the same result as it depends on level of concentration, observations, and analysis etc. Ask: are you getting any progress? if Yes increase and improve the effort, otherwise change the strategy. best of luck.

Although expectations or aspiration is a must for any success or failure. Of course, we can work on the project to actualize our plans, but let us also be ready for success or failure of our efforts but not remaining attached to the fruits of our actions.

Man’s aspirations are endless and all can never be fulfilled despite our best efforts. We should be contented with whatever is the outcome of our best efforts.

Conclusively, it could be said that aspiration is the first step and how best to put that aspiration into practice is the next step. Merely having aspirations and doing nothing to fructify those aspirations will not take us anywhere. The best part of it all is to put two to two together so that our efforts are streamlined and systematized.

If still, nothing works despite our best efforts and total commitment, then there is ONE who can come to our assistance as given in Holy Bible: Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

 

 

DIWALI – A SACRED FESTIVAL OF LIGHT AND SOUND : HAPPY DIWALI ON 19TH OCTOBER 2017

DIWALI – A SACRED FESTIVAL OF LIGHT AND SOUND: HAPPY DIWALI ON 19^TH OCTOBER  2017

Literally, the word DEEPAVALI OR DEEPVALI means (deep – light and vali a row and together it means a row of lights) – a light which enlightens spirits and broadens our strength of mind.

PRECURSOR TO DIWALI

Apart from blessed thoughts which emanate from the inner recesses of our heart, the enthusiasts besides lighting their homes and hearths also make sure that their houses are spruced up for inviting the blessings of Maa Lakshmi, the  Lordess of wealth and wellbeing. For this purpose, we can say with fair amount of certainty that Swachchta (cleanliness) has its own reward. Not only our houses, we clean up our surroundings too and for this purpose, Swachch Bharat Abhiyan has done much. Need is to keep not merely ourselves but also clean up our environment. For this, use of crackers which produce huge amounts of pollutants should not be used. It would be in the fitness of things to confine ourselves to lighting our houses to the best way possible. Deepavali is more of the festival of light than of the sounds generated by exploding of crackers.

SWACHCHTA OF BODY & MIND THERE SHOULD BE CHABAACHCHTA OF HOMES

It is not merely Swachchta of our homes and surrounds, the DIWALI LIGHTS, by the grace of LORD RAMA should bring the purity of our body, mind, and soul so that we live a spiritually oriented life for a better living. Lord Rama’s philosophy of compassion for all; RAMA RAJYA (based on the righteous rule) should be the exhortation for all of us. One man’s celebration should not be the lamentation for others.

A STERLING EXAMPLE OF OBEDIENCE

The king of Ayodhya Dhashratha had extracted a solemn pledge to his wife Kakeyi that she could ask for redemption of two boons or promises, at a time of her likings. She had saved the life of king Dasaratha while on a hunting trip in the jungle. She was given promise that she could realize those boons whenever she wanted. While there was news that the king wanted Ramji to be crowned as the of Ayodhya, Manthra the maidservant of KaIkeyi poisoned the ears of the queen Kaikeyi and exhorted her to ask for the realization of two promises given to her by the king.

TWO PROMISES WERE EXTRACTED BY QUEEN KAIKEYI

First making Bharata (Kaikeyi’s son) the king of Ayodhya and second, 14 years’ exile for Rama (the son of Kaushilya). As there was the dictum in the family since ages together: – Raghukul Reet Sada Chali Aayi Puran Jaaye Par Bachan Na Jaye (There is a tradition in Raghukul that they will prefer death to break a promise), so Ayodhya king had to concede the demands of Kaikeyi though with heavy heart/ grudgingly.

After hearing about the turn of events (Crowning of Bharata and 14 years exile for Rama). Rama did not say even a single word. On the other hand, in order to comply with the directive of his father, he put on his the simplest dress to depart for exile, thus obeying the directive of his father without demur or reservation. Sitaji (consort of Ramji and Lakshmana the son of Sumitra) too wanted to accompany Rama. This is a fine example of obedience to the orders of elders in the family. Our youth should imbibe this exceptional trait of Lord Rama and thus follow a righteous path in our life.

WELCOMING LORD RAMA WITH IMMENSE ENTHUSIASM

After the expiry of Lord Ram’s 14 long years of exile, winning over the ‘Sone Ki Lanka – GOLDEN LANKA’  and killing of demon king Ravana with it all his evil Karmic deeds; Lord Rama, accompanied by his brother Lakshmana and Sita and all his followers including Hanumanji (a reservoir of strength, knowledge and intelligence,  courageous but without even a touch of pride, an epitome of Bhakti and Shakti –  despite all these qualities he considered himself to be the humble servant of Lord Rama).

When Lord Rama reached Ayodhya, he was accorded a rousing reception/welcome by the happy populace there. They welcomed all by lighting their homes and streets of Ayodhya with earthen wicks. The righteous emperor Bharata, the virtuous one coroneted his elder brother Rama to the throne of Ayodhya.

DHANTERAS

It falls two days prior to Diwali. Dhan means wealth and teras mean the thirteenth day as per Hindu Calendar. On this day, devout purchase gold, silver ornaments/coins or any other precious metal or utensils as per the propensity of the person concerned. Maa Lakshmi – the Goddess of Wealth and wellbeing is worshiped on this day. Also Kuber, the treasurer of gold and silver is also worshipped. On this day, houses and business established are spruced up for the ongoing Diwali. It is also accompanied with Yama pooja (worship – the God of death) for ensuring sound health and wellbeing with his blessings.

THOUGHTS ON DIWALI

The love between the brothers. As Bharata came to know about the 14 years’ exile to Rama and crowning for himself, he felt very disappointed. He flatly refused to be crowned as a king of Ayodhya in the absence of elder brother Rama and Lakshmana. No arguments of any sort could placate him. He thought this act of being the ruler as adharam (irreligiosity). He even went to the jungles in order to persuade Rama and Lakshmana to come back to Ayodhya but Rama did not agree to this because of the promise was given to his father. This is also termed as Bharata Milap (meeting of Rama and Bharata).

Finally, he extracted a promise from Ramji that on his return back after 14 years’ exile, he will take the reigns as a ruler. Such was the love between the brothers – an unparallel one. Rama’s love for Bharta was also an example that ought to be followed by brothers now for ensuring goodwill in our families. Wealth or any other consideration should not be an impediment to good relations in our families.

BEING KNOWLEDGEABLE DOES NOT MEAN HAVING WISDOM. Ravana the Demon King was most Learned Demon King. Ravana, the son of Vishwashrava (A Brahman Rishi) and his mother Kaikasi (from a demon family) was a scholarly person who had the knowledge of Vedas and other scriptures at his fingertips but he is taken in the negative light because he did not make use of this knowledge for the benefit of demon clan. But Ravana was intoxicated with his prowess and knowledge. So much so he was swayed by ego that he stooped to abducting Sita Mata the consort of Lord Rama – an evil act. It goes to prove that if we do not use the knowledge with sagacity, we sure will fall prey to unethical karma leading to our sure downfall.

KUBER PUJA. Kuber is the step-brother of Ravana and is considered as the treasurer of wealth. It is believed amongst the devout that worship of Lord Kubera, especially on the auspicious day of Diwali, brings affluence and progress in business. Just as we can have fresh water from the fresh water reservoir, we can have Lord Kubera’s blessings if we pray sincerely and work hard for that. Meaning, he bequeaths wealth if we sincerely do our karma as per the natural laws. His graces those who resort to right karma and possess right attitude in life. Kubera Pooja is done on Diwali Day so that there is the sufficiency of everything for meeting the needs of our family.

LORDESS LAKSHMI & LORD GANESHA POOJA. Diwali is considered complete without first inviting Lord Ganesha because He is an embodiment of good beginning and removes obstacles besides being the Lord of Wisdom. Lordess Lakshmi represents wealth and well being. On the auspicious day of Diwali, both of the deities share a single altar thus ensuring blessings of the both. The former is taken as Lordess of wealth and the latter as the bestower of prosperity.

GAMBLING ON THE DAY O DIWALI. A legend has it that on Diwali Day Goddess Parvati played dice with Lord Shiva and He ordained that anyone who gambled on this day, prosperity will smile on that person. This tradition continues even today. But some unscrupulous/unethical people just gamble away their homes and hearts on this day and have to fend for themselves. This is bad. Tradition is OK, but the excess of everything is bad  – should never be forgotten.

It should never be forgotten that when tradition marries with modernity, may it be the celebration of festivals or any other day, we consider this as a pious and worth celebrating, it gives us feeling of wellness amongst our fellow beings. But one thing we ought not to forget that celebration should never be individualistic in nature. When all are happy then celebration gives more satisfaction. May it be the celebration of Diwali, Christmas Day, EID or any other religious day – when all accompany us, celebration becomes more meaningful and eventful in the true sense of terms.

Message: Care to be taken that the crackers used (if at all) should be of low intensity and should produce less no or less noise or air pollution. The Apex Court has rightly imposed the ban on cracker sales in Delhi-NCR.

 

DIWALI – A FESTIVAL OF LIGHT

A festival celebrated by the devout

They tastefully illuminate their homes

Which look so dazzling

In the darkest Amavasya night

Amidst the crackers bursting

That too, having cleaned our homes and surroundings

And also providing us opportunity for introspection

And finding out our negative aspects

Like greed, anger, lust, and jealousy

Then do everything possible for cleansing our mind and body

Off obsolete detestable thoughts

Which have made residency in our mindset

Preceding Diwali days

Provide us ample time for cleaning everything’s

So that Diwali bestows our opportunity to live aesthetically

And fill the people with unending love and huge satiety

With the bountiful graces of the Lordess Devi Lakshmi

Who fulfills the needs of all

Without even an iota o bias.

In the end memories of return of Lord Rama

To the kingdom of Ayodhya

Ater 14 years’ of exile

As per the wishes of his father

The king Dasaratha of Ayodhya.

Whilst away from his kingdom and dear subjects

And bereft of lavishness and comforts of palace

He withstood toil and retribution

In the forests with no inhibition

Subsisted merely on wild herbs
Obtained from the woods

Filled with wild animals and demons
With his consort Sitaji and brother Lakshmanji along
He neutralized many demons
Demons who desecrated and defiled the religious places
Of worship of hermits, who worshipped God

 These demons respected no natural laws
Of humanity and only obeyed the dictates

Of demon king Ravana of Lanka

Who abducted, with utter deceit, Sita  Mata

Lord Rama invaded Lanka, the fiefdom of Ravana
There ensued a battle, so violent
In which Lord Rama decimated Ravana’s arrogance
And with it his wickedness, for good
From the Mother Earth
The purpose of which Lord Vishu
Had taken Ram’s Avtar.
People decorate their houses tastefully
To welcome the Lordess of Wealth and Wellbeing,
The Mother Lakshmi, the most benevolent one.

Fire-works and lighted earthen wicks

Are lined up, so stylishly and systematically
The houses are lighted nicely
There is  atmosphere of happiness all around
Business people worship their books of accounts
And pray for peace and prosperity for the days to come

 People celebrate Diwali happily
With traditional fervor and gaiety
By praying at the religious places
With a sincere prayer for their happiness
And those of their nears and dears

It is the festival whence air of goodwill prevails all around,
Good wishes and greetings along with sweets are exchanged
For each others’ well-being and prosperity

People light the wicks in rows tastefully

Burst crackers to celebrate joyfully

Yet, we ought to realize the importance of pollution free atmosphere

To rid the world off gases most poisonous

And celebrate every day with the feeling of Diwali – so joyous.

O my dearest Lord
And Mother Divine
Be gracious in Showering Thy bounties
So that all ills and intolerances are neutralized,
Like the demons done to death by Lord Rama,
So that every day may be like a Diwali Day,
For the celebration with enthusiasm and gaiety.

 

 

OUR REMEMBRANCE – TEARS ARE SHED & MISSING OF A HEARTBEAT

 

 

 OUR REMEMBRANCE – TEARS SHED & MISSING OF A HEARTBEAT 

A feeling so germane, we forget not surely

What’s unusually happened in the days gone by

Whilst we wind-back the reel of those memories

A flood of happenings come to our mind

That remains to cling vehemently

With the episodes that have happened eventually

And come to be known as to what transpired finally

Not to let those events revisit our lives, so unpredictable

On which we’ve got no power in our hands

To prevent for these happen so quite suddenly.

Our parents give precious time and energy

Meeting our physical and other needs

Under their shadow so intense and endearing

Whatever lessons we’ve learned

From the lap of our mother so full of warmth

Were learned by trial and error method

By pulling us up sometimes

Warm touch on other times

Trying to raise their offspring to the highest pedestal

When they leave this earth

For their heavenly abode

Thus leaving us only with their fondest memories

When we bring to mind some incidents

Our eyes get filled with tears

Along with our heart misses one or two heartbeats. 

Those who make supreme sacrifices

For the land of their origin

This way the mortals become immortals

And make a place in the annals of history

For the compatriots to remember till posterity

Inspiring the youths to take a leaf from the days gone by

And following their footprints for their nation’s safety.

After seeing some old ruins

Even the tell-tale remains of old palaces

Or graves of some prominent personages etc

We imagine of the entire monuments

Which these, now,  reduced to rubble contained

Having tell-tale story of their existence

Of those creative architectures

And their art and artifacts

Surely our memories tend

To reach to the artists

Thence we think of their architectural excellence

Who, with their artistic

Talents molded every bit of their creations

Combined their love and creative fervor

To erect a monument of repute

Masterpiece of great eminence

Which the ever-changing ‘time’

Changed it from thence state of great elegance

To present state of crumble

As evidenced in the history of that time

Our heart goes to those

Who created these masterpieces

With their masterstroke

When we reminisce of those artists

Who are no more on this earth

Our eyes get filled with tears

Along with our heart misses one or two heartbeats.

When we appraise the written works of authors

Which optimally enriches us

Which has, in fact, made them eternal

Through their pearls of writing, so immortal

We learn about the lives of these writers, so eminent

It may be epics like Mahabharata

By the greatest sage Ved Vyasa

Or another epic like Ramayana

By Valmiki – great sagacious one

Although these great men of wisdom

Or the works of literature littérateur

Created by Wordsworth, Shelley, Shakespeare etc

Time has unfortunately snatched these great ones

From our midst, alas!

Yet their works of great significance

Keeps them alive through their works of great eminence

Our eyes get filled with tears

Along with our heart misses one or two heartbeats.

IMPRESSIONS OF OUR PARENTS

Many a time, whilst we remember our relationship with our dear ones, with whom we’ve spent our valuable time thereby got influenced immensely; while they are no longer in our midst; we naturally feel forlorn.

This emotional perturbation is severe when it comes to our own parents or any other closest relations, who’ve presently left for their heavenly abode; we are filled with supremely dejected. Their association with us, from our birth onwards, makes the journey of our lifeless cumbersome. In our childhood, they transfer the value system, culture, and tradition including modes of behavior.

It is the parents only from whom we learn the first lesson of our life; especially that of the mother who showers all the love and affection on us; pampers us when it is required and also reprimands us whenever it is hugely needed. For a offspring, parents remain a binding force till death. Their reproof and appreciation still remain embedded in our memories.

Finally, when they depart from us for their heavenly abode, we feel very sad. Even ‘time’ does not lessen their reminiscences. Whenever our imagination goes to their leaving us forever, we miss one or two heartbeats and our eyes get moistened.

REMINISCENCES OF OUR MARTYRS

It is natural that we work hard for earning a living for our family besides doing everything possible for its security, honor, and wellbeing. It is well said: East or west home is the best. We may travel anywhere, but we would like to be in our home and hearth and with the members of our family, the sooner it is possible for us. That is the attraction we cultivate for our family.

After our family, we have the combination of families, which make up a society or community in which all the families live. Then different societies combine to make a country which has the border of its own and its citizen have sovereign rights to act and live according to the constitution which is enacted suiting the country. The borders of the country are protected by the armed forces. They protect their borders against intrusions from outside the country.

The personnel deployed for the protection of the borders, many times, go beyond the call of their duties and make the even supreme sacrifice for its protection. These martyrs are remembered for their highest gallantry. Whenever we remember these martyrs our hearts are filled with deep respect not only for the martyrs but also for the entire families to which those brave individual belong.  

WORKS OF HISTORICAL STRUCTURE

Anybody who visits a historical place and sees the historical structures/monuments is wonderstruck / spellbound with their architectural magnificence and elegance. Our imagination goes back to the artists and craftsmen who put their creative talents to make these historical buildings. Even after seeing the remains of some of the dilapidated structures which could not withstand the onslaughts of ‘time’ our mind is filled with sadness. Remembering these creative craftsmen while seeing their immortalized works of art and craft, we cultivate a sense of respect for them along with a tinge of sadness.

REMEMBERING THE PHILOSOPHERS, WRITERS AND GREAT THINKERS OF THE PAST

Who is not impressed by the written works of writers and philosophers who with their outstanding writing talents and philosophical inclination have made them immortalized in the annals of history. Their philosophies in their respective fields have enriched the world at large and have contributed much for the reformation of the civilization with their philosophies. Whenever we go through their rich treasure of legendary works of literature and philosophy, we are really enthralled by their works. These philosophers amongst others like Rishi Ved Vyas, Rishi Valmiki, Aristotle, Plato, Galileo, Voltaire, Pythagoras, Chankaya, Confucius, Adi Shankraya, William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Helen Keller, Mark Twain, Rabindranath Tagore and hosts of other authors and poets. They have immortalized themselves through their respective works of literature.

Whenever we go through their words, we remember these great philosophers, great thinkers, and writers of repute, our imagination goes to these great personages and our heart is filled with respect and our eyes are moistened.

Not only the above, there are some others persons who are not there on this planet but remain in our memories who leave a far-reaching impression on us. It is difficult for us to wipe out their memories from our midst. In other words, it remains etched indelibly in our mind until our end.

It is also in the fitness of things to reminisce, God,  even at the time of our death. It has been mentioned in Bhagwad Gita that one who, at the time of death, fixes his life air between the eyebrows and in full devotion engages himself in remembering the Supreme Lord, will certainly attain to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

 

 

Is my husband refusing to take responsibility or am I just being insensitive? (As asked by somebody)

 

Every time something goes wrong in my husband’s day, he tends to blame his circumstances on a traumatic job experience from his past. He will sit and talk for hours about the same situation, how he was victimized, and how others should have helped him; he sounds as if others owe him loyalty. However, I see the situation as being partly his fault. While I am trying to be sensitive to his needs, I think he’s obsessing and needs to move on. For example, he keeps up with who is hired and fired at his former job and he constantly reads negative former employee reviews. When he sleeps, he has nightmares about the situation or talks about them in his sleep. He’ll sometimes stay up for hours writing about what others should have done differently. It’s like he’s living in the past, and is trying to alter the past situation in his favor. He has developed a negative attitude towards trusting people, even me; he says that the only person he can trust is himself and it’s just a matter of time before I betray him. He no longer wants to go in public in our town because he says that he might run into former coworkers; he drives to the next town to shop. Is this reasonable?

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Best Answer:  From the quandary which you have given, it is evident that fault lies with your husband. Question is; who can help him now? You are the only one who is suffering being near to him and you can only help him come out of this predicament since one who is near the burning fire would be affected by its heat. You have some options which are given below:-

(a) As far as possible, divert his attention from his current state of mind to something productive in the household. If you’ve got your offspring tell him about his/her little little prattles, his/her performance in the school or something positive which has transpired in the household.

(b) Try to take him to temple/church or any other worshipping place which may help him change his outlook and he turns to spirituality. It is a fact that spirituality is a great binding and changing force. Nothing will happen in jiffy. Much water has flown down the drain and spoilt his mind but things could be soothed if you become a stabilizing force. With God’s grace everything could change. This should actually be made known to him by you only. Practical spirituality helps.

(c) He ought to be told in clear terms, whatsoever has happened cannot be retrieved – may it be his prestige or position. He should not delve more in the past which is dead and unpredictable future but try living in the present moment. This moment is right now.

(d) A lot of negativity has cluttered in the mindscale of your husband. Whatever he observes consciously, he pens that down, takes it to sub-conscious mind and subsequently it comes in his dream thus there is possibility of hallucinations’ and talking in the dreams. All of these events go to his non-conscious mind which lead to critical problems. Just be sure that he does not repeat what happens in the office. Official incidents should be left in the corridors of office only. If these are brought to ‘home’ then that home would become house and subsequently a ‘quarrelling house’ – dissensions and breaking point.

(e) If possible, take him for some counseling session, if things do not stabilize soon.

(f) If his parents could chip in for rectification of his state of mind then it may have sound affect on him.

INNER THOUGHTS

Harbans

Askers rating: *****

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Family is an institution wherein both the couples should understand each other, have compatibility, possess  the traits of forget and forgive including, sometimes, follow the dictum: Silence is golden. It does not create animosity and differences.

Seemingly, in our quest for smooth relationship, sometimes, we become too much concerned, a concern bordering on inconsiderateness to our partner; which the other partner may think to be insincerity in continuing relationship. For example, if a person has a bad patch in home and office, he/she feels very low mentally. The other partner should listen to his/her problem very minutely, suggest probable solution(s) and if nothing changes through joint efforts then take the help of the elders in the home who would be more than willing to chip in for rendering help since compatibility between the spouses brings in peace and tranquility in the family. If even then solution is not found then professional help could be sought. Above all these, sincere and solid belief on our Creator  solves most of our problem.

Try to cobble home intractable solutions through consultation and persuasion rather than resorting to blame-game in order to score points which may create suspicion and knots which could make the matters worst for the family..

All the above cited should be pursued soon or otherwise it may have negative effective effect on the entire family. The sooner some solution is sought the better for you too.

In our life, we tend to face moments which are not of our liking but wisdom is to withstand and remain cool customer despite hurdles. It should be kept in mind that ‘time’ factor contributes much in our life. It removes much of our skepticism, confusions and misunderstandings.  Those who stick to old-rut and do not learn their lesson from the past experiences are doomed to get more gloom.