An awakening takes place when something that was dormant within comes into our conscious awareness. The pursuit thus becomes the awakening of what was always there to work together to facilitate us in our journey called life and living. It’s the embodiment of mind, body and soul the merging of all three, is what awakening is. A few years back I visited a school in Uttar Pradesh in India. It was at the beginning of my journey into the social development. India for me has been a great experience, one that has not only awakened my senses but also provided food for my soul. That gave me the time to introspect and formulate my own “Seven Laws of Happiness” that were inspired by the rich tradition of Indian wisdom According to ancient yogic texts, years – or indeed lifetimes – of practicing meditation can lead to eventual enlightenment, or union with the divine. When the fluctuations of the mind are completely stilled, one is free to experience the true self — the divine soul. Zen Buddhism, is a mixture of Indian Mahayana Buddhism and Taoism. It began in China, spread to Korea and Japan, and became very popular in the West from the mid-20th century. The essence of Zen is attempting to understand the meaning of life directly, without being misled by logical thought or language. Modern science has shown that regular meditation can enlighten the mind in several ways. Buddhists believe that change is always possible. My pursuit of spiritual wellbeing didn’t stop in Kyoto. Monk’s teachings inspire me to learn and explore more. It went form Empty Quatre magical dunes to snow covered Mountains piercing the sky in Gstaad Switzerland. Spiritual wellbeing principal were common everywhere: believe, fearlessness, acceptance, reflexivity, balance, contentment, kindness and willpower. For me, spirituality is not adopting more beliefs and assumptions but uncovering the best within you. Spirituality is not creating boundaries, but creating space of allowance, gratitude, honoring and trusting oneself and everyone and everything else to be part of your life and living. As Wayne W. Dyer says: “We are not human beings in search of a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings immersed in a human experience.”
Illustration: Clym Evenden
A Pursuit of Spiritual Wisdom We all at some time or the other experience this quest. The quest of seeking to be better versions of ourselves. We have glimpses of shifts here and there, what if we were to be the best versions of ourselves all the time? In pursuit of this myself, I write this note to share some of my own awakenings. Being a voracious reader and seeker, I have come to realise that there is a profoundness that accompanies this journey, and many different ways of approaching it. The wisdom of the ages, the scientific, the metaphysical, the spiritual, the mental the paranormal and consciousness to name a few. Some people define spiritual wellness as an alignment between your values and the way in which you live your life. Some say that it has to do with finding your purpose and living life with compassion for yourself and others. Others say it’s more about being first, and then doing, that which you choose to create. For me, the only question that matters is: “What does life and living mean to you?” Each of us is free to choose what works for us, to be the best versions of ourselves. Many spiritual paths actively use the notion of awakening to describe the purpose of the spiritual journey. However, rarely does anyone take the time to deconstruct the term “awaken.”
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CONTENTS 1 WORK
2 SELF
3 HEALTH
4 INSPIRE
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10 successful femal entreprenmeurs in India As an increasingly start-up friendly country, India has produced some of the world’s most successful female entrepreneurs
Ayurveda: facts A guide to the medical principles of the ancient science of Ayurveda
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Our Glorious Heritage From natural beauty like no other country to a culture filled with tolerance, spirituality and vivid history, we explore the great heritage of this blessed land
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8 Alternative uses of Indian spices If you thing tumeric, clove and cardamom are simply for taste, you are missing out. Here we look at the many uses behind these spices.
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The Mastery of Mind An extract from the Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga by Swami Sivananda
8 Most popular Festivals in India Indian celebration at its best
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The Most Beautiful Places in India A photo-journey through paradise
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Mental Illness on the Indian Silver Screen By Dr. Asma Naheed
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Mediation, Asma El Husana Al Ghani
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A new era of consciousness Exploring contemporary Hindu culture, in relation to it’s past
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Gitanjali
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Story of Wisdom
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Work
“India is the cradle of human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend, and the great grandmother of tradition” – Hu Shih
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10 successful female entrepreneurs in India Gone are the days when women were considered no match for all powerful men in this world. The new generation women across the world have overcome all negative notions and have proved themselves beyond doubt in all spheres of life including the most intricate and cumbersome world of entrepreneurship. Women have come a long way from being merely homemakers. Narendra Modi’s start-up friendly environment in the country has proved to be a blessing for female entrepreneurs and instrumental in fighting gender stereotyping in the business community.
Let’s meet 10 such Indian women entrepreneurs who can be easily termed as role models for every Indian female...
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1 INDU JAIN Indu Jain belongs to the Sahu Jain family and is the current chairperson of India’s largest media group, Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd., which owns the Times of India and other large newspapers. She is widowed with two sons. Indu Jain is known by many different identities such as that of a spiritualist, humanist, entrepreneur, an aficionado of culture and the arts, an educationalist but her most prominent and eminent role has been that of Chairman. Ms Jain was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the Government Of India in January 2016 .She is also the guiding force behind The Oneness Forum, formally launched by the President of India in 2003. The Forum recently awarded the MahatmaMahavira Awards to outstanding individuals from all of walks of life and is involved in several activities that seek to bring, and highlight, a sense of Oneness in the world.
2 KIRAN MAZUMDAR SHAW She is the founder Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Biocon Limited.Born in Bangalore, Shaw completed her Bachelors in Zoology from Mount Carmel College, Bangalore University. She later did her post-graduation in Malting and Brewing from Ballarat College, Melbourne University. She worked as a trainee brewer in Carlton and United Breweries, Melbourne and as a trainee maltster at Barrett Brothers and Burston, Australia. Shaw started Biocon in 1978 and spearheaded its evolution from an industrial enzymes manufacturing company to a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company. Today Biocon under Shaw’s leadership has established itself as a leading player in biomedicine research with a focus on diabetes and oncology. Kiran is also a member of the board of governors of the prestigious Indian School of Business and Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad. Kiran received the prestigious Padma Shri (1989) and the Padma Bhushan (2005) from the government of India.
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3 INDRA NOOYI The most well-known face amongst Indian women entrepreneurs -Indra Nooyi is the CFO and President of PepsiCo. With a Masters Degree in Public Management from Yale University and Masters in Finance and Marketing from IIM, Kolkata, Nooyi held several senior positions at Motorola and Asea Brown Boveri before joining PepsiCo. Born in Chennai, Indra did her Bachelor’s in Science from Madras Christian College in 1974 . Beginning her career in India, Nooyi held product manager positions at Johnson & Johnson and textile firm Mettur Beardsell. Nooyi joined PepsiCo in 1994 and was named president and CFO in 2001.She has been conferred with prestigious Padma Bhushan for her business achievements and being an inspiration to India’s corporate leadership. Her strong acumen for business has helped the company garner as much as 30 billion dollars worth of crucial deals within the last couple of years.
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VANDANA LUTHRA VLCC, a beauty and wellness giant has it’s presence in 11 countries across Asia, Africa and the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) and the credit goes to Vandana Luthra. Initially, a homemaker, Vandana started her journey in 1989 when the first of her two daughters was only 3 years-old. Born in Kolkata, West Bengal, this beauty expert got herself well versed with beauty, fitness, food and nutrition and skin care when she pursued higher education in Germany, UK and France, after completing a professional course from the Polytechnic for Women in New Delhi. She was awarded the Padma Shri in 2013 for her contribution. and in 2015, she was listed as the 33rd most powerful woman in business in India by Fortune India.
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5 NAINA LAL KIDWAI Naina has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Delhi university and an MBA from Harvard Business school. In fact, Kidwai was the first Indian woman to graduate from Harvard Business School. From being Head of Investment Banking at ANZ Grindlays during 1982-1994 to Vice Chairman JM Morgan Stanley, Naina Lal Kidwai is one of the most successful and famous Indian businesswomen of today. She is currently Country Head and Group General Manager HSBC Group India. Apart from working at HSBC, Kidwai has also held other eminent positions such as that of Global Advisor, Harvard Business School, non-executive director at Nestle SA and as a member of Governing Board NCAER, Auditor General of India and several other positions. Indian government conferred Padma Shri award on Naina for her contributions in the field of Trade and Industry.
6 CHANDA KOCHAR She is currently the MD & CEO of india’s largest private bank ICICI Bank. Rajasthan born chanda got Masters Degree in Management Studies from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai. She received the Wockhardt Gold Medal for Excellence in Management Studies as well as the J. N. Bose Gold Medal in Cost Accountancy. Chanda Kochhar is married to Deepak Kochhar, a wind energy entrepreneur and her Business schoolmate. Under Kochhar’s leadership, ICICI Bank won the “Best Retail Bank in India” award in 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2005 and “Excellence in Retail Banking Award” in 2002; both awards were given by The Asian Banker. Kochhar personally was awarded “Retail Banker of the Year 2004 (Asia-Pacific region)” by the Asian Banker, “Business Woman of the Year 2005” by The Economic Times and “Rising Star Award” for Global Awards 2006 by Retail Banker International.
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7 ADITI GUPTA One the most common taboos is Menstruation, but with time, it is getting the attention that is needed for the society to accept the fact and talk openly about it. One such initiative has been taken by Aditi Gupta. In 2012, she co-founded Menstrupedia with Tuhin Paul, a crowdfunded initiative. The company provides a resourceful guide about menstruation which helps women to stay healthy and active during their menstruation. Aditi is a post-graduate in New Media Design from National Institute of Design, and graduated in Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering. Aditi first got the idea for Menstrupedia while doing her thesis on the very subject for her post graduation at NID (National Institute of Design).Aditi was born and brought up in Garhwa, a small town in Jharkhand.
9 SUCHI MUKHERJEE Limeroad was started in 2012 by Suchi along with Manish Saksena, Ankush Mehra and Prashant Malik. The company has raised a funding of $20 Million from Lightspeed venture partners, Matrix partners and Tiger Global. Suchi post graduated from London School of Economics and graduated from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi. In his life Suchi received many awards and recognition like K.C. Nag Economics Prize for best student in Economics, George K. George Memorial Scholarship for overall contribution, all at St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University, Cambridge Commonwealth Trust, Scholarship & Fellowship, and Chadburn Scholarship for merit, both at Cambridge University and British Chevening Scholarship, at the London School of Economics. Suchi was selected as 1 of 15 women worldwide ‘Rising Talents, high potential leaders under 40. Suchi is an ex-ebay, Skype and Gumtree.
8 RICHA KAR Richa is the founder of online lingerie store Zivame , she grew up in Jamshedpur and completed her engineering from BITS Pilani (2002) and after having worked briefly in the IT industry she acquired Masters’ degree from Narsee Monji Institute of Management Studies in 2007, and worked with a retailer and global technology company before starting Zivame.com. Zivame is probably the first in the online lingerie space in India and has played a role in educating women across the country about intimate wear and shaping consumer behaviour.
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EKTA KAPOOR The woman who changed the face of Indian television – Love them or hate them, you just cannot ignore Balaji serials and Ekta Kapoor is the woman who single-handedly founded and made Balaji Telefilms the household name it is today. This baby-faced teenager, who once dreamed of marrying and settling down just like any other woman in India, is the creative head of Balaji Telefilms and counted as one of the top 10 women entrepreneurs of today. Her production house has many hit serials to its credit – ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’, ‘Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki’ and many others, making her the Queen Bee of the Indian soap opera scene. She has won the Hall of Fame award at the 6th Indian Telly Awards during 2006 for her contribution to the Indian television industry. Known to be fiercely protective of her company and brand, Ekta is also very professional and has strong business acumen.
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“India will teach us the tolerance and gentleness of mature mind, understanding spirit and a unifying, pacifying love for all human beings� – Will Durant
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Our Glorious Heritage A wealth of natural beauty combined with thousands of years of tolerance and cultural trailblazing, India has a varied and vivid history
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Asia is the largest continent of the world in terms of area and population. And India has a prominent place in South Asia. India is a land of ‘Sujalam’ (full of sweet water) and ‘Suflam’ (full of sweet fruit and crops), a land that has been endowed with varied heritage. Right from the beginning of IndusValley Civilization (Harappan Civilization) till today, people have made our country rich and wealthy with their intellect, ability, talents and skill. Innumerable scholars, thinkers, artists, artisans, sages, saints, scientists and historians have contributed to the growth and development of our culture, which is what differentiates mankind from other living beings. Culture and civilization are the distinguishing features of mankind, taking us from a primitive era to one of modern-day sky scrapers, jet planes and satellites. Culture is journey of man from cave (darkness) to home (light). It is the sum total of habits, values, customs, fine arts, drawings, architecture, traditions and conduct of lifestyle of man. It also means achieving the highest ideals of mankind, at a particular period or time in human history. The development of different branches of philosophical thinking, arts, religious customs and the economic development are also a part of culture. Many historians and great thinkers believe that India is the country from where the ‘ray of culture’ emerged and great thoughts are propagated. It is the only culture in the world which spreads realisation of ‘sat’ (truth) ‘chit’ (concentration) and ‘anand’ (pleasure). It also glorifies one and all, since it visualises the life with a rare vision and something auspicious. Indian culture is proud of its natural inheritance: the Himalayas, the river Ganga, the Yamuna the Saraswati, the Sindh and the Kaveri. It also provides a varity and rare emotion, feelings, knowledge, devotion and deeds. It includes justice, morals, mercy and compassion, love and non-violence, mutual understating and harmony. All these have a prominent place in the Indian cultural. Indian culture aims at achieving the goal of ‘Dharma’ (righteousness) ‘Artha’ (material
possession), ‘Kama’ (physical pleasure) and ‘Moksha’ (salvation). India is a country of peace and tolerance. There is no place for war, battle or strife in Indian culture. The emphasis has been laid on achieving peace all around. The words ‘Om shanti....shanti’ uttered at the end of any prayer, support it. Characteristics of Indian Culture India is an amalgamation of various thoughts and ideologies. It is very vast and varied culture rich in knowledge, devotion deeds, emotions and feeling. It shows the broad mindedness of Indian culture that it has assimilated all of these features without hesitation. India did not believe in invasion or war to propagate its culture, religion, ideology or any other thing. It treated all living creatures with same equality and compassion.
FEATURES OF INDIAN CULTURE
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LONGEVITY AND CONTINUITY
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UNITY IN DIVERSITY
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TOLERANCE
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AMALGAMATION OF SPIRITUALITY AND MATERIALISM
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SELF The Rich Heritage Of India India has a varied natural and culture heritage, due to being a vast nation with different geographical and physical conditions. Its history is thousands of years old. The culture has remained a witness to the changes made in the many exchanges of ideologies. Many foreigners invaded India and were victorious. They settled down here and merged in the ocean of Indian culture. In this context, heritage can be considered a precious gift from our ancestors. Heritage is natural as well as manmade. Its development has taken place along with the historic eras. On one hand, heritage is associated with place, province or region; on the other hand, it is associated with family and community. It is a special feature of the people and their identity. To make it simpler, we divide our heritage as natural and cultural. Natural Heritage India is a land of geographical and environment extreames. It includes tall mountains, big and small rivers, wide fertile lands, river valley regions, dense forests, long seashores and deserts. In this varied landscape, a wide range of minerals, vegetation, plants, and animal are abound. The result of a close relationship between nature, environment and human life is natural heritage. Wo r s h i p p i n g animals, river and mountains has been a part of Indian tradition. Similarly we consider pipal, banyan and tulsi as holy and reverential. Some birds and animals are accepted the vehicles of gods and goddesses and we treat them with respect. There are close relations between nature and music. Several Classical ragas are based on ‘Prahar’ (period of a day) and on ‘ritu’ (seasons), while nature and the seasons have often been
the central themes for our songs, poems, festival and paintings. Similarly, medcines such as Ayurveda, Unani and Nature cure are also based on nature. Nature has endowed India generously and as a result, we can see that natural and cultural heritage have a very deep relationship. The landscape itself has influenced life and therefore culture. Since the time of the Aryans, the mountains have been considered to be adorable and holy amongst various elements of nature, while the rivers of India have remained reverential as ‘Lokmata’ from ancient time till today. Our culture has flourished on the riverbank of Ganga, the Yamuna, the Ravi, and others as the source for drinking water, irrigation, floor plastering as well as making utensils from clay etc. Scenes at dawn and dusk are fascinating on the side of the river and have served as inspiration for artists for centuries. Meanwhile, trees such as banyan, pipal, neem,
‘‘India is a country of peace and tolerance. There is no place for war, battle or strife in Indian culture’’
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shrubs and tulsi are considered holy and treated with great reverence. Since ancient times, the green fields, prosperous forest and medicinal plants have enriched Indian culture. Grains and cereals, plants of oilseeds, myrobalan, tulsi, ardusi, aloe vera prove to be very useful while flowers like rose, michelia, daisy, louts and sunflowers have made human life beautiful useful and prosperous. It has a deep impact on our social, economic and religious life. Worshipping of Tulsi plant every morning and observing Vad-Savitri vrat, show the religious significance of plant-life.
The people of India love nature and animals (flora and fauna) since ancient times. Indians have long realised the importance of wildlife and we have established sanctuaries for those animals – elephants, tigers, lions – who need our protection. The respect that India has for animals is shown by the lion on our nation emblem. Cultural Heritage The culture (or ‘man-made’) heritage that India has gifted to the world is also prosperous rich and varied. For over 5,000 years, the people of India have contributed to the world through
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SELF different lands. They also contributed to our culture diversity. There was merging of those tribes, their languages, lifestyles and thoughts, so right from the beginning there was a creation of harmonious culture, which has given India a glorious and prosperous heritage. Religion played a vital role in indigenising these foreigners. Some of them accepted the Buddhism and some accepted Hinduism. The kushan emperor kanishka I adopted Buddhism and contributed notably in propagating Buddhism some pillar inscriptions coins cave inscriptions stone inscription etc. are a witness to all these. These foreign tribes adopted not only the religion but they also adopted language script social traditions etc. They also adopted Indian names and titles. In short in ancient India, the amalgamation of various cultures enriched Indian culture by making it variegated and prosperous. Preserving the cultural heritage is so important to India, that citizens are required by the constitution to carry out duties to conserve it, including maintaining the natural environment, having compassion for all living animals and to preserve the importance of our harmonious culture prosperity. The Indian heritage is result of the development of a society through social, economical, political and cultural fields over a period of thousands of years, while nature has created beautiful landscapes, which we should consider our moral duty to maintain. It is a heritage to be proud of.
sculpture, art and architecture. You can see the remains of Indus valley civilization as evidence of this, where the remains of the figures of Gods and Goddesses, human figures, animal and several toys as well as sculpture of a man with beard and the statue of a dancer stand as examples of a rich culture. Palaces, buildings, sculptures, temples, mosques, tombs, domes forts and gates – all of these architectural monuments is a part of our culture heritage. Even the historical places of our freedom movement can also be considered as a part of out culture heritage. This culture heritage should not only be conserved and preserved but also developed by the people of India age after age. As a result, the continuity of our culture heritage has been maintained. This has made Indian culture beautiful, charming and pleasing. The specialty of India is the traces of different races found here. The Dravidians were considered to be the most ancient people of India but the modern researchers of linguistics and anthropology have proved that even before the Dravidians came and settled in India six more tribes were also found form
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The Mastery of Mind An extract from the Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga by Swami Sivananda
M
ost people believe only what their senses perceive. They accept as unquestionable, knowledge acquired through these sources. They do not understand that their senses are imperfect instruments and that the mind is constantly employed in correcting mistaken reports of the senses. Even extrasensory perception (ESP) is limited and imperfect. It is dependent for its knowledge upon the mind, which itself is imperfect. The highest Truth is perceived only when we transcend the three dimensional plane created by the senses and mind and go beyond time and space. Astral travel, telepathy, and many other things that cannot be clearly explained, are, in reality, phenomena of a four dimensional world. The astral and physical bodies are connected by a subtle cord along which vital current passes. Physical death ensues when this cord is severed. Mind and matter are the veiling power of the consciousness that creates the world. This veiling power is known in Sanskrit as Maya Shakti, which makes the whole (purna) seem to be the; (apurna), the infinite seem finite, and the formless appear to have form. Humanity shares the subconscious plane of the mind with the lower animals. It is the first stage of mental development in the scale of evolution. In the subconscious mind lies all the knowledge and
impressions received from various sources. Self consciousness (ego consciousness) comes with the unfolding of the intellect. Cosmic, or universal, consciousness comes with the unfolding of the intuitional mind (higher mind). This gradual growth of ego consciousness is an important part of yoga philosophy’s explanation of human evolution. YOGA PHILOSOPHY SEPARATES MIND ACCORDING TO ITS THREE FUNCTIONS: a) subconscious (instinct) b) conscious (reason) c) super-conscious (intuition) The dawning of the pure, or higher, mind exerts its influence to pull the intellect towards it. At the same time the lower, or impure, mind is exerting its influence to draw the intellect back. This battle between higher and lower minds for control of the middle mind (intellect) started when intellect was in its infancy. The subconscious is the seat of desires, passions and appetite. The task of the intellect is to reason, and that of the higher mind is to radiate intuitive knowledge. (Intuition is direct, experiential perception.)
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In mythological stories and legends, the fight between the higher and lower minds is portrayed as temptation by the devil or demon on one hand, and being helped by a guardian angel, devil or saint on the other. Yoga’s science of mind has gone beyond even the higher mind and discovered the source of all knowledge. Herein lies the eternal peace and joy that everyone seeks. The subconscious, instinctive or automatic mind controls the involuntary functions of the body. It is the seat of the lower emotions and animal instinct, and carries on the automatic functions of our daily activities. Conscious mind or intellect can control and guide the subconscious. It is the basic requisite for the ego or ‘I’ consciousness. Reasoning is the function of the intellect. Super-conscious, or higher, mind is above intellect. Its purpose is to achieve intuition and higher consciousness. Beyond these three levels of the mind is the pure consciousness known as spirit, soul or Self, which is formless, timeless, changeless, and infinite in its nature. Mind can only think in terms of before, now and after - or past, present and future. But according to Yoga philosophy, reality, God or truth can only be experienced beyond time and space. Mind can perform its functions only in terms of time and space as a background. Just as the artist needs a canvas (or similar material) to create his work, so the mind uses the elements of space and time for its creations.
The German mystic Meister Eckhart said, ‘Nothing hinders the soul’s knowledge of God as much as time and space. Time and space are fragments; whereas God is One. Therefore, if the soul is to know God, it must know Him beyond time and outside of manifold things. God is One.’ Time and space exist in the waking and dream states. In the deep sleep state there is only the experience of ‘I am’ and ‘now’. When there is concentration of mind or the mind is in a very happy mood, time appears to move quickly. But when there is agitation and distraction of the mind owing to worries and anxieties, time appears to move slowly. In a dream, a whole series of the events of twenty years, may appear in fifteen minutes, yet in those fifteen minutes, time is equal to twenty years in the waking state. This demonstrates the relativity of time, or in other words, its unreality. Einstein pointed out the unreality of time in his Theory of Relativity. He explained time as a form of perception (a way that we view the world), like the colour sense. Einstein discarded the notion of Absolute Time - of a steady, unvarying, inexorable, universal flow of time streaming from the infinite past to the infinite future. He went on to say, ‘there is no such thing as a fixed interval of time independent of the system to which it is referred, and there is no such thing as now’ independent of a system of references. Mind is not limited by velocity, as is the case with all phenomena in the physical universe. It can reach a distant star in a moment, for both time and space are creations of the mind. Yogis explain, as humans evolve, they will develop the ability to function on higher mental planes, and to transcend physical limitations. Yoga declares that the final liberation from the dutches of time and space is possible only when the mind itself is transcended.
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A new era of consciousness Contemporary Hindu culture originated primarily with the Aryans who invaded India about 1500 B.C. bringing with them the Sanskrit language and the Vedic religion. However, for at least 1,000 years prior to this invasion, there existed a culture in India about which we know very little. The cities of the Indus river valley left no large monuments and although they did have a written language, it has not yet been translated. From some fragmentary evidence that does remain, scholars conclude this early culture contained within it many elements that were later incorporated into the Hindu religion.
The language of consicousness
The exploration of consciousness has developed to a remarkable degree in the Hindu culture. In fact, the Sanskrit language has shown itself to be sufficiently precise in describing the subtleties of consciousness exploration that many Sanskrit words, with no adequate English equivalents, have become commonplace in our own contemporary culture. Consider for example these terms:
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Asanas: postures used to stimulate flow of life-force through the body and to aid meditation. Atman: The human soul or spirit -- the essence of the inner being.
Guna: A cosmic force or quality. Hindu cosmology maintains that the universe is composed of three such qualities: satvic, meaning pure or truthful; rajasic, meaning rich or royal; and tomasic meaning rancid or decaying. Ishwara: Personal manifestation of the supreme; the cosmic self; cosmic consciousness.
Ahimsa: The doctrine of non-violence toward sentient beings. Akasha: The ether; primordial substance that pervades the entire universe; the substratum of both mind and matter. All thoughts, feelings, or actions are recorded within it. Brahman: Hindu god who represents the highest principle in the universe; the essence that permeates all existence. Brahman is the same as atman in the philosophy of the Upanishads. Dharma: One’s personal path in life, the fulfillment of which leads to a higher state of consciousness.
Karma: The principle by which all of our actions will effect our future circumstances, either in the present or in future lifetimes. Mantras: Syllables, inaudible or vocalized, that are repeated during meditation. Maya: The illusions the physical world generates to ensnare our consciousness. Moksha: The attainment of liberation from the worldly life. mandala: Images used to meditate upon.
Dhyana: The focusing of attention on a particular spiritual idea in continuous meditation.
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SELF Nirvana: The transcendental state that is beyond the possibility of full comprehension or expression by the ordinary being enmeshed in the concept of selfhood.
Samsara: The phenomena of the senses. Attachment to samsara leads to further rebirth.
Ojas: Energy developed by certain yogic practices that stimulates endocrine activity within the body.
Siddhis: Powers of the soul and spirit that are the fruits of yogic disciplines.
Prana: Life energy that permeates the atmosphere, enters the human being through the breath, and can be directed by thought.
Soma: A plant, probably with psychedelic properties, that was prepared and used in ritual fashion to enable men to communicate with the gods.
Pranayama: Yogic exercises for the regulation of the breath flow.
Tantras: Books dealing with the worship of the female deities and specifying certain practices to attain liberation through sensuality, particularly through the heightened union of male and female energies.
Samadhi: State of enlightenment of superconsciousness. The union of the individual consciousness with cosmic consciousness.
Yoga: This is the Sanskrit word meaning union and refers to various practices designed to attain a state of perfect union between the self and the infinite.
Sadhanas: Spiritual disciplines. Practical means for the attainment of a spiritual goal.
- THE DISCIPLINE OF YOGA The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali prescribe a system of eight stages, or limbs for one’s higher development. The first two limbs are known as yama and niyama. They involve a highly ethical and disciplined lifestyle -- control, indifference, detachment, renunciation, charity, celibacy, vegetarianism, cleanliness, and nonviolence. The third step involves the development and care of the body through the use of exercises and postures called asanas. The fourth stage involves pranayama breathing exercises. The next stage, pratyahara, involves meditation, by means of which one withdraws consciousness from the senses. The fifth limb of yoga is called dharana, which means concentration. An object of contemplation is held fixedly in the mind; it must not be allowed to waver or change its form or colour -- as it will have a tendency to do. Often the yogi will concentrate on different chakras or focal points within the body. Self-analysis is used to observe breaks in concentration. Often he
will carry a string of beads and one is pulled over the finger every time a break begins. The next stage of dhyana occurs when the sense of separateness of the self from the object of concentration disappears and one experiences a union or oneness with that object. In the final stage, samadhi, one experiences an absolute, ecstatic cosmic consciousness. This does not, as some suppose, entail a loss of individuality. “The drop is not poured into the Ocean; the Ocean is poured into the Drop.” The self and the entire universe are simultaneously experienced. In the past decades, Western scientists have begun to study the abilities yogi practitioners can achieved. Body functions such as heartbeat, temperature, and brainwaves, that which had been previously thought of as totally autonomic, have been shown to be under the conscious control of some yogis. This research has paved the way for the newly emerging science of consciousness.
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Health
“In the West, where nothing is sacred, everything seems hidden; yet in Asia, where nothing is hidden, everything is sacred” – Steve McCurry
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HEALTH
Ayurveda: Facts About Ayurvedic Medicine By Marc Lallanilla for LiveScience
Ayurveda is an ancient health care tradition that has been practiced in India for at least 5,000 years. The word comes from the Sanskrit terms ayur (life) and veda (knowledge). Though Ayurveda, or Ayurvedic medicine, was documented in the sacred historical texts known as the Vedas many centuries ago, Ayurveda has evolved over the years and is now integrated with other traditional practices, including yoga. Ayurveda is widely practiced on the Indian subcontinent — more than 90 percent of Indians use some form of Ayurvedic medicine, according to the University of Minnesota’s Center for Spirituality & Healing — and the tradition has gained popularity in the Western world, though it’s still considered an alternative medical treatment.
Principles of Ayurveda Health care is a highly individualized practice under Ayurvedic principles, which state that everyone has a specific constitution, or prakruti, that determines his or her physical, physiologic and mental character and disease vulnerability, according to Dr. Bala Manyam, a neurologist and professor emeritus at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. Prakruti is determined by three “bodily energies” called doshas, Manyam told Live Science. There are three basic doshas, and though everyone has some features of each, most people have one or two that predominate, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center: Pitta energy is linked to fire, and is thought to control the digestive and endocrine systems. People
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with pitta energy are considered fiery in temperament, intelligent and fast-paced. When pitta energy is out of balance, ulcers, inflammation, digestive problems, anger, heartburn and arthritis can result. Vata energy is associated with air and space, and is linked to bodily movement, including breathing and blood circulation. Vata energy is said to predominate in people who are lively, creative, original thinkers. When out-ofbalance, vata types can endure joint pain, constipation, dry skin, anxiety and other ailments. Kapha energy, linked to earth and water, is believed to control growth and strength, and is associated with the chest, torso and back. Kapha types are considered strong and solid in constitution, and generally calm in nature. But obesity, diabetes, sinus problems, insecurity and gallbladder issues can result when kapha energy is out of balance, according to Ayurvedic practitioners. According to Ayurvedic beliefs, factors such as stress, unhealthy diet, weather and strained relationships can all influence the balance that exists
between a person’s doshas. These unbalanced energies in turn leave individuals more susceptible to disease, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
‘Stress, diet, weather and relationships can all influence the balance between a person’s doshas’ Some researchers who study Ayurveda believe that understanding a patient’s doshas — and in turn his or her prakruti — can help determine that patient’s risk of developing certain diseases or health conditions. In a study published in 2013 in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, Manyam used the principles of Ayurvedic medicine to identify populations that may be at higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. The study found that the incidence of Parkinson’s disease was highest in
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those with a vata prakruti (those whose dominant dosha is vata). Such studies can be helpful not only in identifying vulnerable populations for diseases but also in delaying the onset of symptoms and slowing the progression of the disease, according to Manyam. In the case of patients with Parkinson’s disease, individuals with a vata prakruti may alter their diet or seek Ayurvedic treatments that will keep their doshas in balance, Manyam said. Disturbances in any of the three major doshas are addressed by a range of Ayurvedic treatments, including herbal remedies, dietary restrictions, yoga, massage, meditation and breathing exercises called pranayama, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The effectiveness of these therapies has not been widely studied in clinical trials by practitioners of Western medicine. Therefore, some doctors and other health care professionals consider Ayurveda a risky adjunct to conventional medicine. However, in the 1970s, the
HEALTH
World Health Organization (WHO) conducted a study in conjunction with the Ayurvedic Trust — a public charitable health care organization in India — to test the effectiveness of Ayurvedic treatments in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The study found that such treatments were both safe and effective, providing symptomatic relief of arthritis with no harmful side effects. But such studies are few and far between, according to the WHO, which notes that there are currently no published studies that have tested Ayurveda as a whole system, nor are there many
studies that have tested multiple Ayurvedic treatments in the management of a specific disease. Organizations such as the Ayurvedic Trust are now endeavoring to back up claims about the efficacy of Ayurvedic treatments with peer-reviewed studies and articles, which are published in the organization’s two journals, Ancient Science of Life (ASL) and ASLMusculoskeletal Diseases. Benefits of Ayurveda “The fundamental concept of Ayurveda is to maintain health. Ayurveda does not look at the disease. It looks at the host and
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[an individual’s] vulnerability,” Manyam said. Many Ayurvedic treatments — like meditation and individualized diets — are therefore aimed at keeping a person healthy, not curing them of disease. Turmeric, a spice derived from the turmeric plant (Curcuma longa), is often prescribed by Ayurvedic practitioners. Turmeric contains beta-carotene, calcium, flavonoids, iron, niacin, potassium, zinc and other nutrients. And in addition to its potential effectiveness in treating peptic ulcers and some forms of cancer, turmeric also has proven anti-
inflammatory properties. Several studies have suggested that it may help reduce the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). A 2011 study found that an Ayurvedic herbal compound was just as effective at treating rheumatoid arthritis symptoms as Trexall (methotrexate). Another widely used Ayurvedic treatment is frankincense, a dried resin derived from the Boswellia tree. According to NCCAM, osteoarthritis patients had significant decreases in pain after using a frankincense remedy. A study published in 2005 in the journal Cardiology in Review suggested that the Ayurvedic practice of yoga may help reduce anxiety and improve quality of life, making it a beneficial practice for those with heart disease and hypertension. Is Ayurveda safe? A 2008 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that almost 21 percent of Ayurvedic medicines purchased over the Internet contained detectable levels of lead, mercury or arsenic. However, as Manyam pointed out, the medicines mentioned in the 2008 JAMA study were not linked to a widespread epidemic of poisoning in those who consume Ayurvedic medicine. “Ayurvedic drugs have been taken for thousands of years, mostly in India, and if the lead in [these medicines] was poisonous, we should have an epidemic of lead poisoning. But we never had anything like that,” Manyam said. In 2012, the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted six cases of lead poisoning in pregnant women
who had used Ayurvedic medicines containing lead. (Fetal exposure to lead can cause severe problems with neurological development and other prenatal health concerns.) Lead poisoning and poisoning from other dangerous compounds that have been linked to Ayurvedic medicines could be the result of improper use of such medications or in some cases, such compounds may find themselves into certain Ayurvedic medicines that have been improperly manufactured, according to Manyam. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not regulate the herbs or dietary supplements that may be prescribed by Ayurvedic practitioners, according to the University of Minnesota’s Center for Spirituality and Healing. Furthermore, there is no official licensing procedure for Ayurvedic practitioners in the United States, according to the NCCAM. If you’re considering an Ayurvedic treatment, or any other alternative therapies, be sure to speak with your primary care physician or other health care professional. Some Ayurvedic treatments may be dangerous when combined with prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
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8 alternate uses of Indian spices
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Are you using your spices just to pep up your dishes? Well, it’s time you know ways you can use them for their proven health benefits. We get some handy healthy tips from Luke Coutinho, head nutritionist and Master Coach - GOQii, Lifestyle Medicine and exercise physiology, Author and Speaker
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Asafoetida It’s commonly known as Hing in India. It’s warm in nature and that probably explains the reason it helps to increase the digestive enzymes. It helps reduce flatulence, digestive disorders, prevents constipation and is an excellent laxative. A pinch of asafoetida can be taken with buttermilk/water to reduce flatulence and cleanse the digestive system. Also, it’s believed to relieve menstrual pain. The active component of Asafoetida, coumarins can thin the blood and is believed to be anti-coagulant. Also, helps lower blood pressure.
2 Turmeric
Turmeric was once called a poor man’s saffron, but now we know how incredibly healing and powerful this spice truly is. Curcumin is the active compound in turmeric that is powerfully anti-inflammatory as well as rich in antioxidants. Curcumin has powerful antioxidant effects. It neutralizes free radicals on its own, and then stimulates the body’s own antioxidant enzymes. Curcumin can cross the blood-brain barrier and has been shown to lead to various improvements in the pathological process of Alzheimer’s disease. Curcumin can help treat symptoms of arthritis and is in some cases more effective than anti-inflammatory drugs.
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Clove
Clove or Laung is a pungent aromatic floral bud. The most prominent and common use of clove is alleviating symptoms of toothache and dental decay. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic components present in clove helps to reduce the swelling around an infected tooth and relieve pain. It’s antiseptic property will help fight the infection in the affected area and prevent it from spreading. Apart from this, Eugenol present in clove prevents clotting of blood and in purifying blood.
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Cardamom
Cardamom also known as Elaichi. They are believed to stimulate appetite and enhance digestion. It helps in stimulation and regular excretion of gastric juices. It helps in balancing these acids in cases of acidity, thus providing relief during heart burns, flatulence, stomach cramps, hiccups, nausea, vomiting and constipation. It is also valued for improving oral hygiene and eradicate fowl breathe. Carom seeds: These tiny seeds are popularly known as Ajwain or bishop’s weed in India. Ajwain contains high levels of thymol, a compound, which aids the release of gastric juices from the stomach which makes Ajwain`excellent indigestion reliever. To add more, it helps to deal with flatulence, nausea and colicky pain in babies. Ajwain has properties that help reduce inflammation and soothes irritated nerves. Because of this, it acts a great remedy to stop hiccups.
Garlic
It has been used as a medicine to prevent or treat a wide range of diseases and conditions. Garlic is used for many conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, coronary heart disease, heart attack, hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). It is also used to prevent colon cancer, rectal cancer, stomach cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and lung cancer. It is also used to treat prostate cancer and bladder cancer.
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Black peppercorns
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Also known as Kali Mirch. Piperine is the active ingredient in black pepper, and it has been shown to jumpstart digestion, prevent certain cancers and heart disease, lower blood pressure, and prevent arthritis. It has cholesterol lowering properties and help in cardiac function recovery especially after a heart attack. Overnight soaked peppercorns if consumed next day while having breakfast relieves migraine problem for most of them. The antibacterial property of black pepper helps to fight against infections and insect bites.
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Ginger
Chewing raw ginger or drinking ginger tea is a common home remedy for nausea during cancer treatment. It reduces the symptoms of dysmenorrhoea (severe pain during a menstrual cycle). Ginger is commonly used to treat various types of stomach problems including motion sickness, morning sickness, colic, upset stomach, gas, diarrhea, nausea caused by cancer treatment, nausea and vomiting after surgery, as well as loss of appetite. Other uses include pain relief from arthritis or muscle soreness, menstrual pain, upper respiratory tract infections, cough, and bronchitis.
Cinnamon
Commonly known as Dalchini. It is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-microbial and anti-clotting factor. Cinnamon reduces total and bad cholesterol (LDL) and increases good cholesterol (HDL). It also helps improve insulin resistance and improves glucose tolerance in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus, thereby making it useful in diabetes management. Consuming Cinnamon plus honey has many benefits one of which is that it increases body’s metabolism and also helps in relieving gas and acidity.
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Inspire
“India is place where all stories are possible. You forget that the imagination can take hold of anything and contemplate it and love it and describe it� - Yann Martel
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8 Most Popular Festivals in India Festivals for Experiencing Indian Culture at its Best
Being a highly spiritual country, festivals are at the heart of people’s lives in India. The numerous and varied festivals that are held throughout the year offer a unique way of seeing Indian culture at its best. Don’t miss these following popular festivals in India...
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1 Diwali
November 7, 2018 Diwali honors the victory of good over evil and brightness over darkness. It celebrates Lord Ram and his wife Sita returning to their kingdom of Ayodhya. This follows Ram’s and monkey god Hanuman’s defeat of the demon King Ravana, and rescue of Sita from his evil clutches. It’s known as the “Festival of Lights” for all the fireworks, small clay lamps, and candles that are lit. For most Indian families, Diwali is the biggest and most anticipated festival of the year.
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2 Ganesh Chaturthi September 13-23, 2018
The spectacular Ganesh Chaturthi festival honors the birth of the beloved Hindu elephant-headed god, Lord Ganesha. The start of the festival sees huge, elaborately crafted statutes of Ganesha installed in homes and public podiums, which have been especially constructed and beautifully decorated. At the end of the festival, the statutes are paraded through the streets, accompanied by much singing and dancing, and then submerged in the ocean. The best place to experience it is in Mumbai.
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3 Holi
March 2, 2018 Holi also celebrates the victory of good over evil, as well as the abundance of the spring harvest season. It’s commonly referred to as the “Festival of Colors”. People exuberantly throw colored powder and water all over each other, have parties, and dance under water sprinklers. Bhang (a paste made from cannabis plants) is also traditionally consumed during the celebrations. Holi is a very carefree festival that’s great fun to participate in if you don’t mind getting wet and dirty.
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4 Navaratri, Dussehra, and Durga Puja October 10-19, 2018
The first nine days of this festival are known as Navaratri, and are filled with dance in honor of the Mother Goddess. The tenth day, called Dussehra, is devoted to celebrating the defeat of the demon king Ravana by Lord Ram. It also coincides with revered warrior Goddess Durga’s victory over the evil buffalo demon Mahishasura. In eastern India, the festival is observed as Durga Puja. It’s the biggest festival of the year in Kolkata. Huge statues of the Goddess are made and immersed in the river there. In Delhi, nightly plays are held around the Red Fort, recounting episodes from the life of Lord Ram.
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August 15-24, 2018
Onam
Krishna Janmashtami (Govinda)
Onam is the biggest festival of the year in Kerala. This lengthy 10-day harvest festival marks the homecoming of the mythical King Mahabali. It’s a festival rich in culture and heritage. People strikingly decorate the ground in front of their houses with flowers arranged in beautiful patterns to welcome the King. The festival is also celebrated with new clothes, feasts served on banana leaves, dancing, sports, games, and snake boat races.
Krishna Janmashtami, also known as Govinda, commemorates the birthday of Lord Krishna. An extremely fun part of the festival involves teams of guys climbing on each other to form a human pyramid to try and reach and break open clay pots filled with curd, which have been strung up high from buildings. This activity, called Dahi Handi, falls on the second day. It’s best experienced in Mumbai.
September 3, 2018
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7 Pushkar Camel Fair November 15-23, 2018
An astonishing number of camels converge on the tiny desert town of Pushkar, in India’s state of Rajasthan, for the Pushkar Camel Fair. The camels are dressed up, paraded, shaved, entered into beauty contests, raced, and of course traded. It’s a great opportunity to witness an old, traditional style Indian festival.
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8 Temple Festivals in Kerala
Throughout Kerala, from January until May each year The south Indian state of Kerala is filled with temples that are renowned for their exotic temple festivals. The large processions of elephants, resplendent in ornaments, are the main attractions of these festivals. The processions are accompanied by colorful floats, drummers and other musicians.
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SAND DUNES, JAISALMER
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The most beautiful places in India From the crashing elegance of Nohkalikai Falls to the graceful green mountains of Munnar’s Tea Gardens, a journey through some of the most beautiful places
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BRACKISH LAGOONS, ALLEPPEY
NANDI HILLS, KARNATAKA
NOHKALIKAI FALLS, CHERRAPUNJI
LEH
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KEY GOMPA, HIMACHAL PRADESH
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SHOLA FOREST IN NILGIRI HILLS
DEODAR FOREST, HIMACHAL PRADESH
HOGENAKKAL FALLS, KAVERI RIVER
NANDA, DEVI
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TEA GARDEN, MUNNAR
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STOK KANGRI LADAKH
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MAJULI, JORHAT ASSAM
DUDHSAGAR FALLS, GOA
BELUM CAVES, ANDHRA PRADESH
CORAL REEF, LAKSHADWEEP
LONAR SAROVAR MAHARASHTRA
ANDAMAN ISLAND
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KONKAN COAST
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SALT MARSH, KUTCH
KANHA NATIONAL PARK, MADHYA PRADESH
NOHKALIKAI FALLS , CHERRAPUNJI
SNOW CAPPED PEAKS, MUNSIYARI
DARJEELING TEA FIELDS
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ZANSKAR VALLEY, LADAKH
TUNGNATH, UTTARAKHAND
MATHERAN, NEAR MUMBAI
DUDHSAGER FALLS, GOA
DAL LAKE, KASHMIR
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MAJULI, JORHAT ASSAM
NUBRA VALLEY, LADDAKH
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Mental Illness on the Indian Silver Screen by Dr Asma Naheed, Educational Psychologist, Special Needs Consultant and Public Speaker
C
inema is a beautiful combination of art, literature and science. It is rightly called the art form of the 20th century. Art and literature are reflections of life and they present the moments of life vividly. On the other hand, science studies man and his world. So cinema, a combination of these, invariably presents man and his life in society. With the largest democracy in the world and a huge and fast-growing middle class, India is a huge proponent of cinema, making more movies than any other country (around 1,500 to 2,000 annually). And its people are famously fanatical about those movies and their stars. Cinema, like other modes of media, is inspired and
influenced by the society and it portrays it colourfully. A glance at the Indian films produced recently confirms this fact. The changing trends in films reflect the changes taking place in our society. Seeking medical help for psychological issues is still largely taboo in India. Many equate mental illness with madness, and the country has a high suicide rate attributed to depression and anxiety. Several Bollywood movies deal with mental illness and disorders and receive many awards and international recognition for doing so. Bollywood bravely tries to ease the stigma around mental health and spread awareness. Here are few epics of Bollywood depicting Mental Health:
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Black Drawing inspiration from Helen Keller’s life and struggle, Black revolves around a deafblind girl and her relationship with her teacher, who himself later develops Alzheimer’s disease. Paul (Dhritiman Chaterji) and Catherine McNally (Shernaz Patel) give birth to their first daughter, Michelle (Rani Mukherji), who can neither hear nor see. Not knowing how to care for a deaf and blind child, they isolate their daughter from the outside world and as a result, she is ill-behaved and emotionally distraught. Paul even considers putting Michelle in a mental hospital until an eccentric teacher with a (Amitabh Bachchan) offers to help.
Ghujni A look at the effects of short-term memory loss, this film explores the life of a rich businessman who develops anterograde amnesia following a violent encounter in which his love interest, a model named Kalpana, was killed. In the film, he attempts to avenge the killing with the aid of photographs from a Polaroid Instant camera and permanent tattoos on his body.
Tere Naam This film was based on a real-life incident of a friend of director, who had fallen in love, lost his mind and ended up at a mental asylum. An accurate interpretation of the serious condition of schizophrenia, but of course not all schizophrenics have to be in an asylum!
Barfi! The film depicts the story of Murphy “Barfi” Johnson, a charming, street-wise Nepali boy who was born deaf-mute, and his relationships with two women, Shruti and Jhilmil who is autistic. A tender love story of mute boy and an autistc girl this film was a huge box office success, becoming one of the highest-grossing Bollywood film of the year.
Devdas This romantic drama depicts a lovelorn, depressed and alcoholic man, who eventually dies of liver cirrhosis. Sadly, in life, Major depressive disorder (MDD) or clinical depression is often a mental disorder which isn’t taken seriously enough, given that this condition can lead a person to believe that life is not worth living. This brilliant film depicts how rejection can ultimately end in demise.
Karthik Calling Karthik A psyhcological thriller, this film depicts the life of a young man, Karthik, whose battle with Schizophrenia takes us through an alarming joureny.
Taare Zameen Par This tear-jerking portrayal of a child battling dyslexia was a huge hit. The movie shows the 8-year-old Ishaan, a dyslexic child, as he struggles with the ridicule he faces for behaving in a manner completely normal to him. Although he excels in art, his poor academic performance leads his parents to send him to a boarding school where thankfully, Ishaan’s new art teacher suspects his disability and works to help him overcome it.
U Me Aur Hum A film about the justifiably dreaded Alzheimer’s disease, U Me Aur Hum is a well-crafted piece that is, in its own unshowy way, a film about memory itself. Sensitively showing a husband’s unconditional love as he cares for his wife suffering with Alzheimer’s. Understandably, it’s a staggeringly sad film, while acknowledging light at the end of the tunnel, resolutely singing out that all you need is love.
My Name is Khan A mildly autistic man travels across the U.S. to meet President Obama. My Name Is Khan, the film is about a multitude of the opinions, facts, and propaganda that comes with the global issue of discrimination and intolerance towards a race of people completely unassociated with the evils of terrorism. It’s about a relationship between two people, between an individual and the State, and between an individual and the country. In short, there are the three important components: a love story, Islam, and a mild form of Autism.
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- Meditation Without the help of meditation, you cannot attain Knowledge of the Self. Without its aid, you cannot grow into the divine state. Without it, you cannot liberate yourself from the trammels of the mind and attain immortality. Meditation is the only royal road to the attainment of freedom. It is a mysterious ladder which reaches from earth to heaven, from error to truth, from darkness to light, from pain to bliss, from restlessness to abiding peace, from ignorance to knowledge. From mortality to immortality.
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Asma El Husana Al Ghani The Self-Sufficient, The Wealthy, The Independent One The One who is self-sufficient. The One without need of anything. The One who transcends all needs. The One who is completely satisfied. The One who is free from any wants. The One who is free from any dependence. The One who flourishes without help or aid of any sort, yet who is needed by all. The One upon whose wealth and riches all others depend.
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GITANJALI - Rabindranath Tagore -
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high; Where knowledge is free; Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls; Where words come out from the depth of truth; Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection; Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit; Where the mind is led forward by thee into ever-widening thought and action Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.
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- STORY OF WISDOM Ten people went on a pilgrimage. They came to a river that was in flood with no boatavailable to ferry them across. So they decided to swim across. The leader arrived on the far shore first, and proceeded to count his group as they emerged from the river. He counted and recounted, but found only nine people. Heartbroken, he asked each of the pilgrims to take turns to count. The result was always the same - only nine had arrived. They all sat down and began to weep for their lost comrade. Thencame along another pilgrim and inquired as to the reason for such lamentation. They told him their sad story. The pilgrim at once saw the problem and informed them of it, ‘Each of you in turn counted the other members of the group but forgot to include yourself.’ Just like the unwise pilgrims, we look everywhere for happiness(wealth, fame, power etc.) and lament that ‘something is missing’;. That ‘something’; is knowledge of Self. The Mystery of the Mind.
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This month I am.. .… Trying to solve. .
Reading..
The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra
Listening to..
From childhood, we’re taught that success comes to those who work hardest, who strive and try and sacrifice, but what if we’ve got it all wrong? In this seminal work, Deepak Chopra offers a whole new perspective on success, one based on achieving harmony and learning to live within the natural law. Once you achieve this balance, and with it a sense of peace, he argues that good health, fulfilling relationships, boundless energy and material success will all spring forward effortlessly. A practical guide rooted in spirituality, this is a timeless classic to read again and again.
Ted Talk: Radical women, embracing tradition by Kavita Ramdas As Director of the Global Fund for Women, Kavita understands the many challenges that modern women in traditional cultures face while knowing that unlocking this potential is key to making the world a better place. Here, she discusses how women can embrace Western-style empowerment without sacrificing their heritage.
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‘‘There are some parts of the world that, once visited, get into your heart and won’t go. For me, India is such a place’’ - Keith Bellows
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“A nation’s culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people” – Mahatma Gandhi