Significance of Karthigai Deepam

 Karthigai Deepam is majorly observed by the Hindu community of Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka, and Kerala. The day of Karthigai Deepam is fixed based on Tamil Solar Calendar. It falls in the month of Karthikai when Karthigai Nakshatra prevails during Ratrimana. This is also the time when Karthigai Nakshatra coincides with Pournami, the full moon day in the month of Karthikai.

🪔🪔🪔🪔🪔🪔

Significance:

The Festival of Karthigai Deepam falls on the 6th of December this year. It’s a day regarded auspicious for two distinct reasons. 

🙏🏻The first is the manifestation of Lord Shiva as a huge infinite pillar of fire, which neither Narayana nor Brahma could fathom. This pillar of light is celebrated as the Thiruvannamalai Deepam. 

🙏🏻The second is that of Lord Murugan who was born of Agni as 6 babies, each having a Karthika Goddess (hence He is called Karthikeya) as his Mother and when Goddess Parvati held the babies she merged them all into one, earning him the name Shanmukha.*

*🪔The significance here is also that we all are born with 6 senses and when they merge into one that gives us the Supreme siddhi of being completely focussed, which is infinitely energetic.*

*🪔We become as powerful over both knowledge and all gunas (characteristics) as depicted by Brahma and Narayana respectively, giving us absolute control over not only ourselves but the whole universe. In fact, that is our true self.*

 Now days #plagiarizing  is very common. Can it be justified?

Stealing, of course, is a crime, and a very impolite thing to do. But like most impolite things,  is it excusable under certain circumstances ,as American film director Jim Jarmusch says..?

“Nothing is original. #Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic. Authenticity is invaluable; originality is nonexistent.”

—

How to get rid of the habit of stealing , when this question is asked to  Gurudev sri sri,   he  says  “I f you want to steal , steal someone’s  heart ❤️ .. steal knowledge, .. steal Ram Ratan .. loot sake to loot  😊..kya choti moti cheejo ki chori karna ”

In words of GuruDev Sri Sri( from various articles of guru dev)

“Man has three powers with him: Iccha-shakti (the power of desire), Kriya-shakti (the power of action), and Jnana-shakti (the power of knowledge). When all these three powers are influenced or dominated by Moha (attachment), it leads a person to become Tamoguni in nature (a quality or state of existence characterized by inertia, ignorance and negativity). People with demonic tendencies, negative and evil tendencies are completely sunk into Tamoguna.

Now, such people do have desires, they perform action as well and they also have some knowledge about the action they are doing, but there is no life in them (here meaning, to become devoid of positivity, enthusiasm and spirit). There is no awareness in them (meaning, to become deluded and lose sight of the Self).

A thief came to a saint wanting to surrender to him, but he didn’t want to give up stealing. The saint allowed him to have his way under the condition that he can steal provided he does it with full awareness. The thief thought it would be very easy as stealing was his second nature. But as and when he got ready to steal, he remembered the saint’s condition and became aware of his action. And he couldn’t steal thereafter!

Such is the power of awareness. It can bring about the highest transformation. Mistakes happen in unawareness. In awareness, one cannot get angry or commit a mistake. Such awareness comes when one establishes a connection with the Self. When a guru enters the life of a seeker, the awareness of higher Self dawns. The guru is a doorway one sees when groping for shelter from rain or the hot sun. The same rain and thunder, which appeared frightening, become beautiful when one is inside the shelter.

Once his master gave Kanakadas and other devotees a banana each to break the fast of Ekadashi with the condition it could be eaten only when no one was watching. The next day the disciples narrated their ingenious ways of eating it without being observed. But Kanakadas came back holding the banana. Kanakadas said he felt the presence of the Master wherever he tried to eat it. This is what we call sanidhya. In this state of awareness all complaints vanish and one operates with a deep sense of being taken care of.

🪷🪷🪷

This definite knowledge: “I am not the body. I am the Self. I am the space. I am the imperishable, untouched, untainted by the prakriti(nature), by this world around me. This body is all hollow and empty. And every particle in this body is changing and changing. The mind is changing and changing.” This definite knowledge is the way out of the cycle.

Jai gurudev

#srisriravishankar

#srisri #artofliving #happylifewithartofliving

#SriSriNote

 We fast not to please the Divine, but to cleanse our body.” - Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

According to Ayurveda, fasting rekindles the digestive fire. An increase in the digestive fire burns the toxins in the body. When the toxins are flushed out of the body, it loses dullness and lethargy. All the cells of the body are rejuvenated. Fasting, therefore, is an effective therapy to cleanse our body. When the body is cleansed, the mind becomes calmer and more peaceful because of the deep connection between the body and mind.

Your meditation happens best when your stomach is empty. Fasting decreases the restlessness of the mind, it becomes easier for it to turn inwards and meditate. Fasting coupled with meditation increases sattva -  the quality of tranquility and positivity within us. An increase in sattva makes our mind more peaceful and alert. As a result, our intentions and prayers become more powerful. A sattva bloom also makes the body lighter and energetic. We become more efficient. As a result, our desires manifest and our tasks get accomplished easily.

 That’s why Gurudev says “Why fasting is combined with prayer all over the world and in all religions, is because when you are fasting, you are detoxified, and your prayer becomes authentic and deep.”

 Items to avoid during fast

❌fried food and foods high in calories such as potatoes.

❌grains.

How to fast 

✅Have fluids such as water, fruit juices.

✅Have fruits, salads etc.

✅Keep the stomach light, preferably empty.

This change in food intake during a fast eliminates the toxins in the body, which could otherwise cause diseases. One should understand their ‘dosha’ type or the regulating forces of nature for them to observe a fast.

FASTING FOR PEOPLE WITH DOMINANT VATA PRAKRITI

If you have a predominance of vata dosha in the body or have a vata imbalance, complete fasting is not for you.  Zero fasting, water fasting and prolonged fasting is not recommended for you. Because fasting will increase dryness, lightness in the body which aggravates vata in the system.

Following a khichdi diet with vata pacifying herbs and ghee for 3-5 days is a good option to detox the system for vata peop

FASTING FOR PEOPLE WITH DOMINANT PITTA PRAKRITI 

Pitta prakritis have a strong digestive fire, hence zero fasting, water fasting and prolonged fasting is not applicable for pitta prakrti and in an increased pitta state.

Sweet, bitter and astringent tasting fruit juice, vegetable juice, soups and a khichdi diet with pitta pacifying herbs are a good choice. One can choose either one day in a week or continuous 3 days in a month based on the imbalance.

FASTING FOR PEOPLE WITH DOMINANT KAPHA PRAKRITI 

If you are healthy with a dominant kapha prakriti, regular fasting is good for you. Following intermittent fasting is highly beneficial for you.  One can go for complete fasting or water fasting once a week.

CONTRA-INDICATIONS

Fasting is not recommended for pregnant ladies, children, elderly people, during breastfeeding, menstruation period. 

Jai gurudev 🙏🏻

( This article is based on discourse and articles of Gurudev and art of living)

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#happylifewithartofliving #srisri #body #fasting #artofliving

 🪷Ganesha symbolises the consciousness which is omnipresent. Ganesha is the same energy which is the reason for this universe, from which everything is manifested and it’s the same energy in which the whole world will dissolve. Ganesha is not somewhere outside of us, but the very centre of our life. …Ganesha is formless;.. the form serves as the starting point and gradually the formless consciousness begins to manifest. 

🪷Ganesh Chaturthi marks a unique art of reaching the formless #Paramatma called Lord Ganesh by the repeated worship of his manifest form.

🙏🏻We pray to #Ganesha in our #consciousness to come out and sit in the idol for us for a while so that we can play with Him. After the #puja, we again pray asking Him to go back to where He came from – our consciousness. While He is in the idol, we offer back whatever God has given us through the puja of the idol.

🪷The ritual of #immersing (visarjan) the idols after few days of worship reinforces the understanding that God is not in the idol, He is inside us. 

So experiencing the Omnipresent in the form and deriving joy out of the form is the essence of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. 

🪷In a way, such organised #festivity and worships lead to an upsurge in enthusiasm and devotion.

🪷Ganesha is the lord of all the good qualities in us. So when we worship Him, all the good qualities blossom in us. He is also the Lord of knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge dawns only when we become aware of the Self. When there is inertia, there is no knowledge, no wisdom, nor is there any liveliness (Chaitanya) or progress in life. So the consciousness has to be awakened and the presiding deity of consciousness is Ganesha. 

👉That’s why before every puja, the Lord Ganesha is worshipped to awaken the consciousness. 

👉This is the symbolic #essence of Ganesh Chaturthi festival, 🧘‍♂️to awaken the Ganesh tattva which is masked inside us.

( based on discourse of Gurudev SriSri)

#Srisri #happylifewithartofliving

#GurudevSriSriRaviShankar #ArtofLiving #GurudevSriSri #Meditation #Knowledgeispower #yogicwisdom #gurudev #happiness #wisdom #ganesha #chaturthi #consciousness #manifest #universe #parmatma

Must read significance of 32 forms of Ganesh:

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=641248164001250&id=104224781036927

श्री गणेश अष्टावतार 

मुद्गल पुराण के अनुसार भगवान् गणेश के अनेको अवतार हुये है जिनमे आठ अवतार प्रमुख हैं । यह आठों अवतार  इस प्रकार हैं;-

(1) श्री वक्रतुण्ड गणेश:-

श्री गणेश के वक्रतुण्ड अवतार के सम्बन्ध में एक श्लोक मिलता है जो इस प्रकार है –

वक्रतुण्डावतारश्च देहानां ब्रह्मधारकः |

मत्सरासुरहन्ताम स सिंहवाहनगः स्मृतः ||

अर्थ :– भगवान् श्री गणेश का वक्रतुण्ड अवतार ब्रह्म स्वरुप से सम्पूर्ण शरीरों को धारण करने वाला है, मत्सर असुर का वध करने वाला तथा सिंह वाहन पर चलने वाला है

(2) एकदन्त श्री गणेश:-

भगवान् श्री गणेश के दूसरे अवतार एकदंत के सम्बन्ध में एक श्लोक मिलता है जो इस प्रकार है –

एकदन्तावतारौ वै देहिनां ब्रह्मधारकः |

मदासुरस्य हन्ता स आखुवाहनगः स्मृतः ||

अर्थ :- भगवान् श्री गणेश का एकदन्त अवतार देहि ब्रह्म का धारक है, यह मदासूर का वध करने वाला है तथा मूषक वाहन पर चलने वाला है |

(3) महोदर श्री गणेश:-

भगवान् श्री गणेश का तीसरा अवतार महोदर का है जिसके सम्बन्ध में एक श्लोक मिलता है जो इस प्रकार है –

महोदर इति ख्यातो ज्ञानब्रह्मप्रकाशकः ।

मोहासुरस्य शत्रुर्वै आखुवाहनगः स्मृतः ||

अर्थ :- भगवान् श्री गणेश का महोदर अवतार ब्रह्म ज्ञान का प्रकाशक है, यह मोहासूर का वध करने वाला है तथा मूषक वाहन पर चलने वाला है |

(4) गजानन श्री गणेश:-

भगवान् श्री गणेश का चतुर्थ अवतार गजानन का है जिसके सम्बन्ध में एक श्लोक मिलता है जो इस प्रकार है –

गजाननः स विज्ञेयः सांख्येभ्यः सिद्धिदायकः ।

लोभासुरप्रहर्ता वै आखुगश्च प्रकीर्तिताः ॥

अर्थ :- भगवान् श्री गणेश का गजानन अवतार सांख्यब्रह्म का धारक है, यह सांख्य योगिओं को सिद्धि देने वाला माना जाता है यह लोभासूर का वध करने वाला तथा मूषक वाहन पर चलने वाला कहा जाता है

(5) लम्बोदर श्री गणेश:-

भगवान् श्री गणेश का पंचम अवतार लम्बोदर श्री गणेश का है जिसके सम्बन्ध में एक श्लोक मिलता है जो इस प्रकार है –

लम्बोदरावतारो वै क्रोधासुर निबर्हणः ।

शक्तिब्रह्माखुगः सद यत तस्य धारक उच्यते ॥

(6) विकट श्री गणेश:-

भगवान् श्री गणेश का षष्टम अवतार विकट श्री गणेश का है जिसके सम्बन्ध में एक श्लोक मिलता है जो इस प्रकार है –

विकटो नाम विख्यातः कामासुर्विदाहकः ।

मयुरवाहनश्चायं सौरब्रह्मधरः स्मृतः ॥

अर्थ :- भगवान् श्री गणेश का लम्बोदर अवतार सत्स्वरूप तथा ब्रह्मशक्ति का धारक है, भगवान लम्बोदर को क्रोधासुर का वध करने वाला तथा मूषक वाहन पर चलने वाला कहा जाता है ।

(7) विघ्नराज श्री गणेश

भगवान् श्री गणेश का सप्तम अवतार विघ्नराज का है जिसके सम्बन्ध में एक श्लोक मिलता है जो इस प्रकार है

अर्थ :-भगवान् श्री गणेश का सप्तम विघ्नराज का है जो विष्णु ब्रह्म का धारक है, यह शेषनाग पर विराजमान है । श्री गणेश का यह अवतार ममतासुर का वध करने वाला है |

विघ्नराजावताराश्च शेषवाहन उच्येत ।

ममतासुर हन्ता स विष्णुब्रह्मेति वाचकः ॥

(8) धुम्रवर्ण श्री गणेश:-

भगवान् श्री गणेश का अष्टम अवतार धूम्रवर्ण श्री गणेश का है जिसके सम्बन्ध में एक श्लोक मिलता है जो इस प्रकार है –

धुम्रवर्णावतारश्चाभिमानासुरनाशकः ।

आखुवाहन एवासौ शिवात्मा तु स उच्येत ॥

अर्थ :-भगवान् श्री गणेश का अष्टम अवतार धूम्रवर्ण श्री गणेश का है जो शिव तत्व का धारक है या शिव तत्त्व स्वरुप है , धूम्रवर्ण श्री गणेश मूषक वाहन पर विराजमान हैं । श्री गणेश का यह अवतार अभिमानासुर का वध करने वाला है

उपरोक्त अवतार सुखी और शांतिपूर्ण जीवन जीने और परम सत्य की प्राप्ति के लिए इन कमजोरियों को दूर करने की हमारी आवश्यकता को इंगित करते हैं।

#श्रीगणेशअष्टावतार #ashtavtarofGanesh #happylifewithartofliving #Ganpati

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 प्रश्न: अनंत पद्म चतुर्दशी का क्या महत्व है, और कलाई पर लाल धागा बांधने का क्या उद्देश्य है? 

श्री श्री रवि शंकर: अनंत पद्म चतुर्दशी का त्यौहार अनंत को मनाने का उत्सव है। (अनंत चतुर्दशी के दिन अनंत पद्मनाभ स्वामी (भगवान विष्णु) की पूजा होती है।) 

जीवन का उच्चतम ध्येय है अनंत का अनुभव करना। बिना अनंत के अनुभव के मनुष्य जीवन पशु के जीवन के समान है। आत्मा की अनंतता की एक झलक मात्र पा जाने से जीवन में बदलाव आ जाता है। सभी साधक इसके ज़रिये ही साधक बनते है - ध्यान में साधक अनंत की एक झलक का अनुभव कर लेते हैं। 

चित्रकार ने भगवान विष्णु को क्षीर सागर (दूध के सागर) पर नाग के बिछौने पर विश्राम करते हुये दिखाया है। मन की आनंदित स्थिति क्षीर सागर है, जहाँ संतोष की लहरे हिलोरे लेती हैं। नाग, मन की जागृत अवस्था का प्रतीक है - कुण्डलिनी शक्ति जो कि हमारे भीतर है। मन की आनंदित और जागृत अवस्था के बीच, चैतन्य विश्राम करता है। इसकी तीन परते हैं। दूध के सागर का अर्थ है कि वातावरण अनुकूल है। वातावरण के अनुकूल होने पर ही समाधि संभव है। शास्त्रों का अध्य्यन मनन करने के लिये भी ये आवश्यक है कि वातावरण में कोई व्यवधान ना हो। अगर आस-पास भूकंप या बाढ़ आई हो, तो कोई बैठ कर शास्त्र का पाठ, या ज्ञान की चर्चा नहीं करेगा। इसीलिए क्षीर सागर अनुकूल वातावरण का प्रतीक है। 

जब तक ज्ञान का गहराई से अनुभव ना हो, वह ज्ञान सतही रहता है। जितना चाहे कोई वेदांत का अध्य्यन कर ले, पर बिना अनुकूल वातावरण के...। 

जब कुण्डलिनी शक्ति ऊपर उठती है, तब हमारे भीतर जो चैतन्य शक्ति है, जो अनंत है, उसी का राज हो जाता है। उस अनंत शक्ति की नाभि से बिना किसी प्रयास के ही कमल का प्रागट्य हो जाता है। इसी तरह सृजन शक्ति का जन्म हुआ। 

चैतन्य के आनंदित स्वरूप से सृजन शक्ति का उदय होता है। बड़े से बड़े वैज्ञानिकों ने विश्राम करते हुये ही नये अविष्कार किये हैं। 

शोधकर्ताओं के लिये ये परम आवश्यक है कि उनका वातावरण अनुकूल हो - कोई शोर या व्यवधान ना हो। आप किसी से दो दिन में कोई नया अविष्कार करने को नहीं कह सकते हैं। अविष्कार, समय के बंधन से परे है, और प्रतिकूल वातावरण में नहीं हो सकता है। 

नाभि को दूसरा मस्तिष्क भी कहा जाता है। इस तरह, हमारे शरीर में दो मस्तिष्क हैं। एक तो सिर है, और दूसरा है नाभि। इसे मणिपुर चक्र (solar plexus) कहते हैं। दिमाग जो कार्य करता है, मणिपुर चक्र उसकी सहायता करता है। आधा कार्य तो मणिपुर चक्र ही करता है। इसीलिये, जब पेट अस्वस्थ होता है, तो अक्सर दिमाग में उथल पुथल होती है, मन में बहुत सारे विचार होते हैं।

इसलिये कहा गया है कि योग साधना से मणिपुर चक्र खिल उठता है। जो लोग योग साधना नहीं करते, उनका मणिपुर चक्र एक आमले के आकार का होता है। जब कुण्डलिनी शक्ति विकसित हो, तो मणिपुर चक्र का आकार एक संतरे से भी बड़ा हो जाता है - एक खिले हुये कमल के फूल की तरह।..

Jai gurudev 🙏🏻

#happylifewithartofliving #gurudevsrisriravishankar #SriSriNote #artofliving #srisriravishankarji #srisri

https://www.instagram.com/p/CiRdXENJwIs/?igshid=NmNmNjAwNzg=

 “You need to judge your company. Your company can pull you up or pull you down. The company that drags you towards doubt, dejection, blame, complaints, anger, delusion, and desires is bad company. It’s better to be lonely than in bad company. The company that pulls you up towards joy, enthusiasm, service, love, trust, and Knowledge is a good company. Don't think people who agree with your grievances, with your problems, are your friends, they are your enemies. Often, your own mind is your worst enemy. The negative tendency in your mind is your own enemy…”

~ SriSri

#happylifewithartofliving

#srisriravishankar

#srisri #SriSriNote #wisdome

 Question: Be great if our children could ever grow up happily in this difficult world. What else can we give them except love, while they are too young to meditate?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar : Just play with them. Don't always try to be a teacher and teach them something. Rather, learn from them and respect them. And don't be too serious with children.

I remember when my dad came home in the evening, he used to just clap and make us laugh. My mom was hard but dad used to make everyone laugh by clapping before eating. Sitting together Food was food. So before this, they used to clap and chase everyone across the house. Everyone had to laugh before eating.

So, don't always teach them, just celebrate with them, play, sing with them. It's the best. If you always carry a stick and say, "Don't do it, don't do that', it's no use.

With kids, I think you should play a little more and tell stories sometimes. When we were kids we heard a lot of stories. Everyday a story. This is a good way to raise kids with culture. If you do them Telling good and interesting stories then they won't stick to TV all day

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#happylifewithartofliving

#parenting

#gurudevsrisriravishankar

#SriSri #srisrinote

#wisdom

प्रश्न : बहुत बढ़िया हो यदि हमारे बच्चे     कभी कभी इस मुश्किल दुनिया में खुश हाल में बड़े हो सकें | हम उन्हें क्या दे सकते हैं प्रेम के अतिरिक्त , जब तक वे ध्यान करने के लिए छोटे हैं ?

श्री श्री रविशंकर : बस उनके साथ खेलिए | हमेशा एक शिक्षक बनने का और उन्हें कुछ सिखाने का प्रयत्न मत करिये | बल्कि , उनसे सीखिए और उनका आदर करिये | तथा बच्चों के साथ बहुत गंभीर मत रहिये |

मुझे याद है , बचपन में , जब मेरे पिताजी शाम को घर आते थे , वे बस ताली बजा कर हमें हँसाते  थे | मेरी माताजी बहुत सख्त थीं पर पिताजी बस ताली बजा कर सबको हँसाते थे , खाना खाने से पहले |सब को एक साथ बैठ कर खाना खाना होता था | तो इस से पहले , वे ताली बजा कर सबको घर भर में भगाते थे | सबको खाने से पहले हँसना होता था |

इसलिए , हमेशा उन्हें सिखाते मत रहिये ,बस उनके साथ उत्सव मनाइए ,खेलिए ,गाइए उनके साथ | यह सबसे उत्तम है |यदि आप हमेशा एक छड़ी ले कर बोलतेरहेंगे , “यह मत करो , वह मत करो’ ,उसका कोई फायदा नहीं|

बच्चों के साथ , मुझे लगता है आपको थोड़ा अधिक खेलना चाहिए और कभी कभी कहानियाँ भी सुनानी चाहियें | जब हम बच्चे थे हम बहुत कहानियाँ सुनते थे| प्रतिदिन एक कहानी | बच्चों को संस्कारों के साथ बड़ा करने का यह एक अच्छा तरीका है | यदि आप उनको अच्छी और रोचक कथाएँ सुनायेंगे तो वे टीवी के साथ पूरा  दिन चिपके नहीं रहेंगे

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#happylifewithartofliving

#parenting

#gurudevsrisriravishankar

#SriSri #srisrinote

#wisdom

 Q How do I deal with the rebelliousness of my kids?

Gurudev : Negative suggestions call for rebelliousness in the mind. If you say, “Don't do it”, then the mind says, “Why? Let me do it!” The mind calls for rebelliousness. But if you say, “You can do it, only you won't get the results”, then you don't leave a chance for the mind to be rebellious, then it takes the knowledge in.

I remember one dentist would tell kids who would ask ‘Why should I brush my teeth’, he would say, “No, you don't need to brush the teeth that you don't want, you only brush the teeth that you want to keep!”

So, move from negative suggestions to positive ones, this is important. When there is strong bonding, then negative or positive suggestions don’t matter. It’s only when the bonding is not very strong that negative suggestions call for rebelliousness in the mind.

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Q. Sometimes dealing with kids gets so tricky that I tend to lose my patience. Every day I decide to be calm, but when the situation arises I am not able to control myself. What should I do?

Gurudev: You can’t do anything about it now, you have to live life spontaneously. It is okay to sometimes lose your temper, never mind. You should leave a little room for imperfection in life, and start accepting.

Some kids are there to teach you a lot of lessons, and it is okay for mothers and fathers to sometimes get upset with their kids. You don’t have to bring them up with all with sweet words all the time. Then you will make them very weak. I have seen parents who have never scolded their children. These children when they grow old, they can’t stand any criticism. A little criticism, a little disrespect from someone or a little bit of failure rattles them. They become so upset because they never experienced anything like that at home. So, at home, being upset with kids sometimes is like giving them a vaccination so that they get stronger. But don’t take this as an excuse to get upset all the time with the kids, it does not work. Too much of it is also bad. If you are scolding your children every day on a routine basis, they become so thick skinned and they go all the way to the other side, which is also not good. A little dose here and there is okay.

#happylifewithartofliving #srisri #SriSriNote #gurudevsrisriravishankar

Q: Guruji, what is the most important knowledge that one should remember when going through difficult times?

Gurudev: - If you have a problem in life, do not blame others. Because it is your karma that brings you these bad experiences.

A good seeker or student understands this and does not complain.

If the situation you are in is inevitable, tolerate.

If it's avoidable, get out of there.

If you feel like you can expand your skills, smile.

Every uncomfortable situation increases your comfort zone. Every awkward situation is a test of how deep you are in knowledge. Love something of an awkward situation. This will increase your comfort zone.

When your comfort zone increases, nobody will be able to press your buttons and you will become so focused and unbreakable. Every pain is trying to shake you, to see if you are strong or not. Test Your Strength. It is to make you stronger.

What happened, had to happen, do not sit down and think that you could have done this or that, it is useless. Move on. Remember that in life when we face challenges, our inner abilities and talents ignite, making us more innovative and creative.

The proof of your peace is only when there are obstacles. Appreciate the obstacles. Leave all the complaints and thank all those bitter days because they have given you strength.

Whatever is yours will come to you, it will stay with you! You cannot go without receiving it. Even if Lord Indra comes, he cannot take it away from you; what is yours, you will get it for sure.

Don't be in a hurry to get rid of storms, be with them. If you are peaceful, everything around you becomes peaceful. You are the center of this universe.

Most important of all, not all storms come to interrupt your life, some come to clear your way.

Whoever walks the path of wisdom does not lack anything. Difficulties come but there is always care, protection and divine grace.

#SriSri #srisriravishankar #wisdom #happylifewithartofliving

 Question - Gurudev, is it destiny or our actions that decides our future? I have heard many times that whatever is going to happen is already pre-decided. Is it true? If that is so, then we should not be made responsible for our good and bad actions. I have been confused about all this for a very long time. Please help me understand this.

Sri Sri - This is a very deep subject. If everything was already predestined, then what is the need to do anything? Then doing Sadhana, chanting mantras or offering worship to God would all be useless activities. See, when it comes to animals and other living creatures, then everything is indeed pre-decided (by Nature).

But in the case of human beings, some things are predestined by destiny, but there is some freedom of choice too. You are gifted with Viveka (discretion) to distinguish between right and wrong.

See, birds and animals do not acquire the fruits (merits or sins) of their actions, since all their actions and activities are programmed in their DNA itself. But in the case of human beings, you have the freedom to choose how to act, and you also have the ability to distinguish one thing from another. So you can change the way things happen as per your wish, that is why human life is well suited for attaining liberation.

So, despite things being predestined in life, you have the ability and free choice to either endure what happens, or change whatever happens in life. Human life is a mixture of things that are predestined, and free will. Life is a combination of destiny and free will. For example, Rain is destiny; whether to get wet or not is free will. Knowing that the past is destiny, the future is free will, you should live happily in the present moment. This is wisdom. Meditation is something that changes your destiny. If you go deep within and repose in the self, things start to change.

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Q - Gurudev, what is a Kundli (a person’s astrological chart), and are all the things written in the Kundli true? My mother-in-law says that according to her Kundli she will take Sanyas when she is 50 years old. So will she leave us when that happens?

Sri Sri- No, there is nothing like that. Astrologers say many things at times. Like I just explained, the Kundli simply gives you pointers or indications as to how things would happen.

Take your mother-in-law for instance, it says that she will attain dispassion after the age of 50. But that does not mean that she will abandon her family and become a recluse. If she continues to do her sadhana and meditation, then she will be able to fulfil all her family responsibilities and at the same time also continue to move forward on the spiritual path. This is what you should understand.

You should not bother too much about all these things. May be you trouble her a lot, that is why she must have said this thing (laughter).

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The planetary positions give indications. You cannot say that it will happen 100%. They only give an indication because there is always a grace element that can change anything, anywhere, and anytime. This is the reason that spirituality or sadhana (spiritual practices) are a step higher than this knowledge. Astrology is knowledge, it is a necessary knowing. However, there is something more remedial. Sadhana, Satsang (company of the Truth), Devotion, are all remedial measures that help. 

 

Jai gurudev 

#GurudevSriSriRaviShankar #ArtofLiving #DailyWisdom #grace #happylifewithartofliving #SriSri

 #मृत्यु के १० दिनों के पश्चात तक आत्मा अनिश्चय की स्थिति में बनी रहती है । इसे प्रेत योनि कहते हैं । यह आवश्यक नहीं कि यह अवधि १० दिनों की ही हो, यह ११ दिन अथवा ७ दिन भी हो सकती है । कुछ लोगों को ५ दिनों में ही शांति प्राप्त हो जाती है, परंतु प्राय: यह अवधि औसतन १० दिनों की ही अनुमानित है । यह वह समय होता है जब प्राणी ने शरीर तो छोड़ दिया है परंतु नये स्थान पर, एक भिन्न आयाम के साथ, उसका समन्वय नहीं हो पा रहा है । 

इसीलिए वह बीच में संघर्ष कर रहा है । यही समय शोक मनाने का होता है । यही समय प्रार्थना के लिए श्रेष्ठ है । प्राय: सभी धर्मों में लोग १० दिनों तक शोक सभाएँ और प्रार्थनाएँ करते हैं, कुछ स्थानों में वह अवधि ४० दिनों की भी है । प्रियजन दिवंगत आत्मा की शांति के लिए प्रार्थना करते हैं ।

भारत वर्ष में सम्पूर्ण #कर्मकाण्ड का पालन होता है । सभी संस्कार और कर्मकाण्ड विधिवत करते हुए भी, प्राय: लोग उसके औचित्य से अनजान बने रहते हैं । हाथ में तिल के दाने और जल लेकर तर्पण करते हुए दिवंगत आत्मा के लिए प्रार्थना की जाती है, "आपको तृप्ति प्राप्त हो, तृप्ति प्राप्त हो, तृप्ति प्राप्त हो ।" तृप्यताम्, तृप्यताम्, तृप्यताम्, इसे तीन बार कहा जाता है । पुत्र अथवा पुत्री इस धर्म-विधि को सम्पन्न करते हैं । पुत्रियों को भी इस अनुष्ठान का अधिकार है । दुर्भाग्यवश मध्यकाल में महिलाओं के लिए यह वर्जित हो गया था । मध्यकाल में यह अधिकार महिलाओं से छिन लिया गया था, किंतु प्राचीन काल में महिलाएँ भी इस कर्मकाण्ड में भागीदार होती थी । अत: संतान अपने माता व पिता के लिए इस धर्म विधि के द्वारा प्रार्थना करती है, "आप तृप्त रहें और आगे बढ़े " इसीलिए इसे तर्पण कहते हैं ।

"आपकी इच्छाएँ तिल के दाने के समान हैं । वे अति नगण्य -तुच्छ है । हम उनका ध्यान रखेंगे । आप उनका त्याग करके, आगे के मार्ग पर अग्रसर हो । इस नये आयाम में आपके योग्य अपार और अतुल्य ज्ञान है । आप इस संसार से आसक्त न रहें । पीछे मुड़ कर न देखें । आगे बढ़ते रहें ।"

संतान अपने माता-पिता से, उनकी मृत्यु के पश्चात तर्पण करते हुए यह कहती हैं । सारे श्लोक संस्कृत में होने के कारण, अधिकांश लोग इनके अर्थ नहीं समझ पाते हैं । 

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जाने वाली आत्मा को तर्पण दिया जाता है । यह उन्हें संतोषी बनाने के लिए ही है । जब वे जीवित थे, तब वे संतोषी नहीं थे । तो उन्हें उनकी मृत्यु के पश्चात संतोषी बनाया गया । यही कारण है कि बच्चों का तर्पण देना आवश्यक है । यह इस बात को सुनिश्चित करेगा कि जो कार्य उनके माता-पिता ने अधूरे छोड़ दिए हैं, वे उनको पूरा करेंगे । बच्चों को यह बात ध्यान में रखनी चाहिए ।

पहले समय में, एक घर बनाने में कई साल लग जाते थे । एक मंदिर बनाने में कई पीढ़ियाँ लग जाती थी । इसका उदाहरण तंजुवर, तमिलनाडु का बृहदेश्वर मंदिर है । इस मंदिर का निर्माण तीन सौ सालों में तीन पीढ़ियों ने किया । यह बहुत ही आश्चर्यजनक बात है कि इस मंदिर के निर्माण में तीन सौ से चार सौ साल लगे ।

जो कार्य किसी एक ने आरंभ किया, वह किसी दूसरे को पूरा करना होता है । इसी प्रकार से, यदि पिता ज्योतिषी है, तो पुत्र भी ज्योतिषी बन जाता है । यदि पिता डॉक्टर है, तो पुत्र भी डॉक्टर बन जाता है । जो शुरू किये गए कार्य को आगे तक जारी रखता है, उसे शिष्य, पुत्र या वंशज कहा जाता है ।

ऐसा कहा गया है कि बच्चों को घर के बड़ों को तर्पण देना चाहिए, इसका तात्पर्य है कि बड़ों को सबसे पहले संतोष प्रदान करना चाहिए । यदि बड़े कोई कार्य करना चाहते थे और यदि यह अधूरा रह जाता है, तो कार्य पूरा करने से उन्हें तर्पण मिलता है । उनके कार्य को पूरा करना ही उन्हें तर्पण देने के समान है । यदि आप बड़ों को तर्पण देते हैं तो इसका अर्थ है कि आप उन्हें संतोष प्रदान कर रहे हैं । इसका कारण है कि उन्हें आप पर अधिक विश्वास होता है । उनका विश्वास होता है कि आने वाली पीढ़ी संसार को आगे लेकर जाएगी, या वे समाज का उत्थान करेंगे, देश के उत्थान के लिए प्रयास करेंगे और वंश वृक्ष को बनाए रखेंगे । बड़ों के इस विश्वास को पूरा करना, उन्हें तर्पण देना है ।

केवल तिल और जल देना ही #तर्पण नहीं है । हमें संतोषी बनना होगा और उन्हें ज्ञान देना होगा । संतोष केवल ज्ञान के द्वारा ही प्राप्त किया जा सकता है । इसीलिए कहा जाता है कि यदि परिवार के एक या दो लोग ध्यान या समाधि का अभ्यास करते हैं, तो आपसे पहले की सात पीढ़ियों को संतोष प्राप्त हो जाएगा । आपसे पहले की सात पीढ़ियों के कर्म नष्ट हो जाएँगे और उनके मन शुद्ध हो जायेंगे । ध्यान में बहुत अधिक शक्ति है । यह अतिशयोक्ति नहीं है । यह शास्त्रों में लिखा हुआ है ।

तर्पण जाने वाली आत्मा से यह कहना है कि हम यहाँ संतोष में हैं और आप जहाँ कहीं भी हो, संतोष में रहें । हमें उन्हें संतोष प्रदान करने से पहले स्वयं संतोषी बनना होगा । इसीलिए आप सत्संग, ध्यान और ज्ञान के जिन सत्रों में भाग लेते हैं, उनमें आप महसूस करते हैं कि आप संतोषी हैं । हमारी चेतना का प्रेम द्वारा जितना अधिक विस्तार होता है, उतना ही अधिक देवताओं को भी संतोष प्राप्त होता है ।

🪷🪷🪷🪷

*प्रश्न 😗 प्रणाम गुरुजी, मेरे परिवार में वृद्ध लोग कहते हैं कि दिवंगत आत्मा के तर्पण के समय समाशरण करना आवश्यक है । वे कहते हैं कि शंखचक्र डालने से पुण्य मिलता है ? क्या यह सत्य है ? क्या ये करना अनिवार्य है ?

*गुरुदेव 😗 नहीं । ये अनुष्ठान सांकेतिक होते हैं । #समाशरण की धार्मिक विधि करते समय हमारे एक हाथ में शंख व दूसरे हाथ में चक्र बनाते हैं । "मैं ही नारायण हूँ, मुझमें नारायण का वास है, सोहम" ये भाव जाग्रत करने के लिए शंख व चक्र की हाथों पर मोहर लगाते हैं । मैं नारायण स्वरूप हूँ अथवा नारायण मेरे भीतर हैं इसे स्मरण रखने के लिए, यह धार्मिक कृत्य सम्पादित किया जाता है । मोहर गरम करके इसलिए लगाते हैं जिससे कि वह स्थायी रूप से हाथों पर बना रहे जिससे तुम अपने सच्चे स्वरूप को कभी विस्मृत न करो । ऐसा करना अनिवार्य नहीं है । मोहर बनाकर ही तुम उसे महसूस कर सकोगे, ऐसा भी नहीं है । यह एक प्राचीन परंपरा है जिसमें वैष्णव संप्रदाय के गुरु, शिष्य के मन में छाप डालने के लिए यह अनुष्ठान करते थे ।

समाशरण का अर्थ है, सम आचरण, अर्थात् ईश्वर के समान आचरण करना । हर प्राणी के साथ इस प्रकार से व्यवहार करो, जैसे कि तुम स्वयं भगवान हो, अर्थात् सभी प्राणी मेरे अपने हैं । यही समाशरण का उद्देश्य है । देखो ! सेवा का भी यही अर्थ है स़ धन ईव । उसके (ईश्वर के) समान कार्य करना ही सेवा है अर्थात् ईश्वर की ही भाँति बिना किसी अपेक्षा के दूसरों के प्रति समर्पित रहना, सेवा है । ईश्वर बिना माँगे तुम्हारे ऊपर सब निछावर करता रहता है । यदि तुम भी बिना कोई अभिलाषा -आकांक्षा रखते हुए, समस्त प्राणियों की सेवा में समर्पित रहते हो तो वही सेवा है, समाशरण है । जीवन में ऐसे चलो, जैसे तुम नारायण हो । पहले तो एकाग्रचित होकर नारायण को ही भजो और फिर नारायण के समान हो जाओ ।

*गुरुदेव श्री श्री रवि शंकर*

#gurudevsrisriravishankar #SriSriNote #dailywisdom #SriSri #happylifewithartofliving #PitruPaksha2022 #pitrupaksha

 This is the time for #Pitru PakshaShradh , preceding the autumnal Navratras, when #ancestors are worshipped, and prayers offered for the repose of their souls. #Prayers and offerings are made because it’s believed the spirits of ancestors live on in the natural world and are thus able to influence the futures and #fortunes of the living relatives.

Why do we worship our ancestors?

Profound and beautiful explanation from Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji :

Water has two units of life, Fire has three units of life, Air has four units of life, Space has five units of life, Trees have six units of life, Animals have seven units of life, Human beings have eight units of life, and are known as Ashtavasu. Superhuman blossomed beings, who do extraordinary work, whether it be very good or very bad, have nine units of life.

Furthermore, humans can develop up to sixteen units of life. When we die we become more powerful in some way. We go between nine and ten units of life. This is strange but true. That is why ancestors are worshiped. The moment this body drops, the spirit has become free, without boundaries, and nothing can stop it. The spirit moves around freely. If it is bound in the body, you have only eight units of life but when you die, then you have access to the ninth and tenth units, so you gain much more access to the planet. That is why ancestors have the capacity to #bless you. They have more ‘life’ than you because their spirit is freed from the limited body. They have the power to know, cognize and bless you. You can feel their presence. So when you pray to them, they can grant you certain boons. They are able to bestow unto you to whatever extent they are powerful. #Ancestral worship can be found in China, Latin American and many other countries.

🙏🏻🙏🏻

Q Gurudev, we do certain rituals for the departed. Is there any basis for these rituals?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar:  These #rituals are there only to show your #gratitude to the departed #souls. But what has happened is that the Pundits and the Purohits have made it so complicated that sometimes you don't understand what they are saying. If they translate what they are saying in Sanskrit it gives you an idea. 

Do you know why you take sesame seeds and say, ‘Tarpayami, Tarpayami, Taraiyami?’ It is called #Tarpanam. 

You take the name of the departed one and you take some sesame seeds and water and pour it onto a plate. Why do you do this? You do this to tell the departed souls, ‘Whatever desires you might be harboring in your mind, they are like sesame seeds, insignificant. They are for small things, so you just drop them. There is #infinite #joy and bliss in the abode of the #Divine, just enjoy that. We will take care of your unfulfilled desires. You be contented, be happy.’ 

This is what we tell the departed souls in Tarpanam. 

They do have #desires; they want to see the wedding of their grandchildren, their great grandchildren, or see the great grand children getting one more daughter. These sorts of desires remain in their mind before they die so we tell them, ‘Look these desires are small, drop them. Love is the essence of life and the Divine is all love. You move on to the light which is all love.’ So, giving instruction to the departed soul is what #Shraddham is. 

Then you ask them for #blessings, ‘I will do my part, what you can do from there is give me blessings so that my mind is on the right track and so that I do the right things in the right time. Bless me with good luck, #prosperity.’

🙏🏻🙏🏻

In the Indian tradition, there are three debts we need to clear:

Deva Rina – Debt to the gods for gracing us with wealth and prosperity

Rishi Rina – Debt to the sages for providing us with knowledge

Pitru Rina – Debt to our ancestors, for providing us with the human frame, knowledge, skills, and other privileges. It is with our human body that we lead our material life and also undertakes our spiritual journey.

Pitru Paksha is the period when our ancestors are pleased and pacified through various rituals like shraddha and tarpan to be free from the debt we owe them.

#happylifewithartofliving #PitruPaksha2022 #gurudevsrisriravishankar #srisri

 “A mistake is something that pinches you.It is the pinch that irks the consciousness and disallows the mistake to be repeated.Be with the pinch and not the guilt. “~SriSri

Feeling bad about oneself is a common response to realising that one has acted wrongly, or that one could have done something morally better.

Once a devotee  shared the same problem with Gurudev :

“ Gurudev, I have misbehaved with someone and now I feel very sad about it. My family is also suffering because of that. I keep thinking of the past and I can’t get rid of it. Please tell me what to do.”

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar  Ji  answered “What is the surety that you will take my advice and do what I say? If you would have taken it, you would have done it already. You don’t take my advice, so what can I do? Come on drop it! Some karma, something made you misbehave, and it is finished. Why to sit and crib about something that has happened in the past.

Every action happens because of four things:

1. You had the intention to do the action

2. Someone else wanted you to do it and that made you do it

3. Neither you or the other person wanted it, but somehow it happened against both your will

4. Both wanted it so it happened

Are you getting what I am saying?

Two people are involved in a fight with each other. First possibility is, you were upset and it came out of you. You were upset and your own anger caused it. Second possibility is, one comes to you in an angry mood and you catch that angry vibration and you also shout. You were very happy but someone’s vibration took over and you reacted. Third, neither you nor the other person expected but something happened, like an accident. This is because of time and some karma. Fourth is, both you and the other person wanted to go on a ride, so you went together.

So actions or mistakes have these four types of possibilities. It is useless to sit and worry about the past. Just move on! Every moment there is sparkling, scintillating energy within you, so move with that.

Mistakes have caused pain and that is good. Pain has given you depth and that is good. You have learnt from the mistakes and now you don’t want to commit the same mistakes again. That is good also.”

Forgiving ourselves can become the hardest thing we can imagine. However, as Gurudev often says, forgiveness is not only for the other person’s benefit, but our own, as forgiveness allows us to move on from the incident and get on with our lives..

#srisriravishankar #happylifechallenge #happylifewithartofliving

#GurudevSriSriRaviShankar #ArtofLiving #GurudevSriSri #Meditation #Knowledgeispower #yogicwisdom #gurudev #happiness #wisdom #aol #jaigurudev #SriSri #WisdomCookies #ConnectingHearts #positivevibes

 

Part 2

(how do you deal with a person who has committed a mistake? )

❌ (As discussed earlier also )Do not tell a person a mistake he already knows of and make them feel guilty, defensive or resentful. As this will only create more distance. You should only point out the mistake of a person who is ignorant about it but would want to know. Often people are aware of the mistakes they have committed, but they do not want anyone to point it out to them. Before pointing out the mistake of a person, see whether your comment will help to improve the situation, foster love, or bring harmony.

❌Also, don’t see the #intention behind others’ mistakes. When somebody does something wrong, often we think they did it intentionally. When we see from a broader perspective, every culprit is also a victim. They may be a victim of lack of education or information, too much stress and narrow-mindedness. All these would cause someone to make a mistake.

👍🏻A wise man, if he sees #mistakes in others, helps them to come out of it in a compassionate manner. But a fool is happy if someone else makes a mistake and takes pride in it and announces it to the world. 

👍🏻A wise man always praises others. Wisdom is uplifting the spirit. When you are centered, you always uplift everybody around you.

Save your mind. When the mind is established, you cannot make mistakes even if you want. With the knowledge of the self, all negative emotions like fear, guilt, anger, and sorrow disappear.

Jai gurudev 🙏🏻

( based on Gurudev Srisri Ravishankar ji’s discourse and articles)

Part 1 

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=650329649759768&id=104224781036927&mibextid=cwv5hk

 #happylifewithartofliving #gurudevsrisriravishankar #srisri #SriSriNote #wisdom #happiness,#lifeisgood #lifecoach #positivity

 

How to correct other’s mistake

Part 1:

“No one commits a mistake deliberately. Mistakes simply happen because of a lack of awareness. Once awareness dawns within you, then you should simply realise that you made a mistake out of ignorance.” …Sri Sri 

Mistakes keep happening all the time. Often you want to correct them. How much can you correct ? There are two situations when you correct other's mistakes. 

1. You correct someone's mistake because it bothers you. But even if you correct it, this does not work.

2. You correct someone's mistake not because it bothers you. But for their sake so that they can grow.

  👉To correct mistakes you need authority and love. Authority and love seem to be contradictory, but in reality they are not. Authority without love is stifling. Love without authority is shallow. A friend needs to have both authority and love, but they need to be in the right combination. This can happen if you are totally dispassionate and centered. When you allow room for mistakes, you can be both authoritative and sweet. That is how the Divine is, the right balance of both. Krishna and Jesus had both. 

(Now, how do you deal with a person who has committed a mistake? )

   ❌Don't make a mistake by pointing out mistakes !

  Once a lady came to me and said her husband had lied to her. She was very upset. I asked. " Why does your husband lie to you ? Because he loves you, and is afraid to lose your  love or hurt you. If he did not love you, he wouldn't lie to you !" 

  ❌Do not tell a person a mistake he knows he has committed. By doing this, you will only make him feel more guilty. A magnanimous person will not pick on the mistakes of others and make them feel guilty; he will correct them with compassion and care "

Part 2:

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=650333526426047&id=104224781036927&mibextid=cwv5hk

#happylifewithartofliving #gurudevsrisriravishankar #SriSriNote #SriSri #wisdoms #positivevibes #happinessisachoice #happiness

 

 “Everyone likes someone who is strong. You want people to like you and love you, but how will people like or love you when you are so weak and wiggly inside? They have compassion, and they tolerate you for some time, and then they want to get out and have free time for themselves. They feel suffocated. This happens in all relationships and that is why people runaway from relationships. You suffocate them with your likes and disliwkes, with your emotions; you put your emotions on their head and ask them to carry it when they already have enough of their own to carry. If you do this they will drop everything and runaway.”

“In any relationship, be a giver of strength. This you can do only when you are strong. When you are emotionally dependent on somebody and you keep asking them if they really love you, even if they had any love, it will just drain away.”

Jai Gurudev 🙏🏻

#srisriravishankar #lifequotes #SriSri

#happylifewithartofliving

Question: What is the golden rule of a happy married life?

Question: What is the golden rule of a happy married life? 

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Ji: Okay, I am not capable of saying anything, but let me think. Why don't you sit with people who are happily married? What I heard is: Before marriage: Couples are crazy for each other! During the wedding: These are made for each other! And then: they're mad at each other! A little later: they are crazy about each other. Someone here prepared it! One thing I know, marriage is an institution of patience, sacrifice, caring and sharing. If one is upset, the other should keep quiet and wait for his turn to be upset.

Jai Gurudev 🙏🏻

#srisriravishankar #lifequotes #SriSri

#happylifewithartofliving 

 

Secret of long lasting friendship

“Blessed is the man who has the gift of making friends. It involves many things, but above all, it’s the power of going out of one’s self and seeing and approaching whatever is noble and living in the other man.”

— Thomas Hughes

We all know that, in order to forge a lasting friendship with anyone, we should cultivate certain human qualities. In the first place, we have to remain loyal to our friend through thick and thin. We have to stand by him or her through both prosperity and adversity. Magnanimity, sincerity,  unconditional love  , smiling face are few good qualities that nurture true friendship. 

 Here are few Tips given by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji for long lasting friendship :

👉Not demanding anything from the friends, and telling them I’m here to support you. 

❌Don’t demand #love. When you demand love you are destroying love.

So you should never demand love or attention from people. If you are there only to give love and attention, then anyone will feel comfortable with you. But if you are expecting something then you are putting people in a very uncomfortable position. 

❌when you do something good for them then don't keep on talking about it. 

❌Nobody wants to be under obligation, so don't make people feel obligated.

❌Also, don't make people feel small

👉Friendship has two things. You may feel it's very confusing. On one hand I'm saying don't want anything from them, and on the other hand I'm saying, ask them for something to keep their self respect. That is the skill. They are completely two opposite positions. 

 👍🏻Keeping the self #respect of the other person is number one and 

❌second is not demanding anything from them.

Just keep these two things in your mind:

-👉Firmness with humility:

Do not assert your own ego by saying you've never taken anything from anybody or don't want anything from anybody. It may be true, but you should not come out like that. Do you see what I'm saying? So first firmness with humility.

What is #humility? Saying, 'Oh, I'm so humble', is not humility. Its firmness with humility.

- 👉Dignity with cordiality: Many people who are very dignified they keep so aloof. They are not warm and cordial. People who are warm and cordial they don't have any dignity. They just look so mushy mushy and wiggly wiggly, like noodles. Just imagine noodles all joined together, you can't even take it in a fork, it's like a paste. That is of no use. Noodles are a good example. They are soft yet separate, not mushy nor hard. That middle path: cordiality with #dignity, this is the secret of friendship.

👉Whenever a person is down #uplift them. When you go to a true friend with a problem and you feel lighter when you walk away from them, then that's a good friend, that is good company. However, if you have a problem and you go to a friend but you come away with your problem appearing much bigger than you ever thought, then that's not a good friend.

👉#Friendship based just on needs doesn't last long. However, when it comes from a space of sharing, the whole world will befriend you.

👉To come out of #loneliness you make friends, but coming together in knowledge is rare. Be a friend in knowledge and uplift each other.

Jai Gurudev 🙏🏻

#srisriravishankar #srisri #happylifewithartofliving #lifecoach 

 

How to increase family value

 How do we increase family values?

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji :

India has not yet lost family values, and it is our responsibility to maintain them. 

To increase family values at home, make it a rule to eat together regularly. If not daily, then at least once a week. Sit and have a meal together; if not dinner, then at least breakfast. At these times make it a rule: unless each and every member of the family is present, no one eats. You should all eat together. Then there will be a change in the atmosphere at home.

Even in villages, all friends should meet and eat together. 

When I was a child, Pitaji (Sri Sri’s father) would invite everyone to eat together once a month. Everyone would get some dish from home and there would be so much food! The atmosphere would be great.

Similarly, at least once in two-three months, have a preeti bhog (family feast). Don’t make it a party: make it a pot luck. Someone should plan – decide the dishes between yourselves. Then there will be a good atmosphere in the family and the society.

#happylifewithartofliving #gurudevsrisriravishankar #SriSriNote #Parenting #parentingtips #parenthood  #SriSri #artofliving

What should I do when someone hurt me

 Anger is a natural emotional response to being hurt or wronged by someone else. But staying angry can be harmful to your mental health if not treated or worked through. That's why it's important for us to work through it when anger and suffering arise and we need easy ways to do that. It can even help us to better assess ourselves and the situation that prompted it. 

Gurudev SriSri says there are many WAYS TO LOOK AT HURT:

1. Someone who has hurt you is pained. They have scars and are unhappy. They can only share what they have. They are hurt and they are sharing the hurt with you. You think they are doing it purposely, but, in fact it is because they do not have happiness inside them. They are wounded. What is required for a wounded person? Compassion. You have to be compassionate to those who hurt you, because they are hurt and wounded themselves. 

2. Those who are causing hurt to you are ignorant. They don’t know that their actions are hurting others. They are ignorant and arrogant. You can only feel sorry for them and hope that someday they will become intelligent. Wish for them to be more sensitive.

3. It is just karma. You had to get this hurt and if not this person then someone else would have given it to you. We must have caused some hurt to someone in the past and Nature is bringing it back to us now. When you know that it's just karma being repaid, you feel settled. 

4. It is being done to make you strong. Nature is bringing this to you so that you become strong, so that you discover strength and power within you.

jai Gurudev 🙏🏻🪷

Also read how to overcome the feeling of hurt

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=648167816642618&id=104224781036927&mibextid=cwv5hk

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4ways of dealing challenging people

Part 1

4 Ways of Dealing with Challenging People

When someone does something wrong or misbehaves with us, what do we do?

In our day-to-day lives, we come across challenging situations or exchanges with people where we aren’t sure what the right approach to deal with the situation is. The following four techniques, in this particular order, have been prescribed by the Ancient Seers to deal with challenging people.

#1 Saam – Gentle Persuasion

When someone is making a mistake, the first step is to gently make them understand where they are going wrong. Many people commit mistakes unknowingly. Most of them will not repeat it the next time once they understand that they are making a mistake. Therefore, the first step is gentle communication. If you start off with a stick, it is not right. You cannot blame someone for a mistake that they have made unknowingly. So Saam means to explain to the other person the mistake he or she has committed and to make them aware of it.

#2 Daan – Earnest Request

Now, even after explaining a mistake, if a person goes on repeating it, the next approach would be to forgive them and request them not to do it again. This is Daan.

So, at first, you make them aware without making them feel like a culprit. If they repeat it, then you make them feel responsible for the mistake, and forgive them.

You should never make a person feel like a culprit if they are committing a mistake unknowingly for the first time. See, if you create guilt within them by blaming them at the very first instance, then they will not improve their ways. They will never be able to gain awareness and overcome their wrong ways. So, the first approach is Saam and then comes Daan.

#3 Bheda – Indifference

Suppose even after doing all this, they continue to repeat their mistakes, then you need to adopt the approach of Bheda – having an attitude of indifference towards that person.

Then you tell them, “Okay, since you continue to repeat this mistake even after my telling you so many times, I am not going to behave the same way with you anymore.”

This will make them feel a pinch of guilt about what they have done, and they will understand their mistake.

#4 Danda – Punishment

Danda is the last measure one needs to adopt. When someone does not listen even after doing everything else, then you need to pick up a stick to make them understand. Someone who does not improve their ways even after explaining, requesting, and being treated indifferently, will only understand through punishment.

You must first take the harmonious path, then give a chance, then discriminate, and finally when nothing works then take firm action. These are the four skillful ways to handle any situation.

If none of these four works, then pray for wisdom to dawn on that person!

🪷🪷

Part 2:

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How to deal with difficult family member

Part 2

How to deal with difficult family member?

(Excerpts from a Gurudev ‘s talk)

“❓Do you know why people create chaos? 

It is because they feel insecure. They do not feel loved. They often think, ‘I do so much for my wife and children by sacrificing my whole life for them from morning till evening, yet they do not care for me.' 

This feeling takes a deep hold in their heart. 

…when they do not get any love and respect in return, they become angry. 

👉…Win him over with love.

👉You know sometime you should walk the same path as the ones who create chaos and then slowly make them understand and change. 

👉Do not oppose him for two days and do whatever he says. Give him so much love that he will melt.

👉See, no one is in an angry mood all the time! People do have good moods. When they are in a good mood then you can communicate. When they are not in a good mood, you can ask them, what is it that you can do for them.

👉If they are in the worst mood, just move away from the scene. 

👉So you have three options to win over people with love and #skilful communication; Yes!

❓What can one do if one encounters foolish people? 

👉In such cases, we have little choice but to just play along and walk their path…

They find pleasure in fights and have no interest in anything else, and so they just create fights. That is why .. , whatever such people say to you, just agree with them. Win them over with #love.”

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How to deal with challenging people

 Part 3

Question - Gurudev, how do you deal with a family member who is stiff & bitter?

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar  ji - Deal with them with patience and compassion. They are going through some rough patches. Do not pay much attention to what they say & do not say too much to them. Take anything they say with a smile.

Give them some space to calm down and get rid of whatever they are into.

If possible, then slowly bring them into meditation. If you cannot do it directly then do it through someone they trust. Make them meditate and listen to knowledge.

#GurudevSriSriRaviShankar #ArtofLiving #GurudevSriSri #Meditation #Knowledgeispower #yogicwisdom #gurudev #happiness #wisdom #knowledge #calm #attention #family #space #smile

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Significance of Mahalaya Amavasya

 Part 1

Pitru Paksha, also known as Mahalaya Paksha, starts on a Full Moon and ends on a New Moon known as Mahalaya #Amavasya. Maha means great and Laya refers to dissolution.

Pitru Paksha or Mahalaya Paksha is a period representing #dissolution that must precede recreation. Recreation is represented by the transition period of Devi Navaratri which immediately follows #MahalayaAmavasya, except during the years when adhik maas, the extra month is added to the Hindu calendar.

The Full Moon which heralds the beginning of Mahalaya Paksha, lies aligned with the star in Aries known as Bharani in Indian #astronomy. Bharani is associated with Lord Yama, the god of Death. The fortnight starting from the Full Moon until the New Moon is thus observed as the time to pay respects to the ancestors so that the prayers and offerings may reach the abode of Yama and from thereon to our ancestors.

Also read 

Part 2

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=656274345831965&id=104224781036927&mibextid=cwv5hk

Part 3

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=656277109165022&id=104224781036927&mibextid=cwv5hk

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Mahalaya Amavasya

 पितृगण को याद करने से क्या होता है ?

जब आप यह शरीर छोड़ते हो तो देवता आपको एक अलग संसार की ओर राह दिखाते हैं। पुरुरवा, विश्वेदेव - ये इनके नाम हैं। यह आकर आपको एक स्तर से दूसरेे स्तर की ओर मार्गदर्शित करते हैं।

जैसे टेलीविजन देखते हुए आप जब चैनल चलाते है तब बाकी सारे चैनल उस वक्त तरंगो के रूप में उपस्थित होते है। एक चैनल बदलने के बाद हम दूसरे चैनल पर जाते है। इसी तरह से जब मृत्यु हो जाती है तब आत्मा सब जगह व्याप्त हो जाती है। अब जो भी लोगों को हम कृतज्ञता पूर्वक याद करते है तब उनकी तरंग हमें महसूस होती है फिर वह ब्राह्मणों के द्वारा या गाय या कौवे के द्वारा हो सकती है। जिसको याद करके जब हम कुछ करते है तो उसका फल हमें मिलता है।

पित्रुओं की याद में भूखे लोगों को भोजन कराने से आशीर्वाद प्राप्त होता है। जो खाये हुए है उन्हें खिलाने की जरुरत नहीं है। जिनको भी याद करना है उन्हें श्रद्धा से याद करें। बात यह है की अच्छा काम करें। किसी का दिल न दुखाये। लोगों को प्रसन्न करें।

श्रद्धा मतलब हम जानते है और मानते है, हमें देखने को नहीं मिलता वह इन्द्रियगोचर नहीं है। जब हम मानते है की ऐसा करने से कुछ अच्छा होनेवाला है।

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Shailputri

 “Shailaputri is the energy born out of peak experience . Shail  means which is extra ordinary , which is rising up to the reach the  heights.”

Among the nine Durgas, Devi Shailaputri is considered to be the first manifestation of Goddess Durga. The first day of Navratri, dedicated to Devi Shailaputri, is called Pratipada. A form of Shakti, Devi Shailaputri is the consort of Lord Shiva and has two children, Lord Ganesha and Lord Kartikeya.

Form of the Devi

She carries the trishul (trident) in the right hand and the lotus flower in her left hand. Her vaahana (vehicle) is the bull, Nandi. 

What Shailaputri represents

As per the Upanishads, Goddess Shailaputri humbled Indra and the other devtas. They bowed and prayed, “In fact, thou are Shakti, we all – Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are capable only by getting Shakti from you.” Thus, Shailaputri is considered a manifestation of the power of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.

She is also known as the Goddess of the Muladhara (Root) chakra. Upon awakening the root chakra, one begins their journey towards spiritual awakening and discovering their purpose in life.

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Navratri

 These nine days are nine days of inner connection to the Divinity. In these nine days, let us keep all our small, petty things, petty desires, requirements, our small small issues that bother us - all in one side and just say to Divine, 'Let thy will be done. I am yours, let thy will be done'.

With this conviction, when you move forward, doing your practices you will lack nothing. All that you need, will just come to you naturally, spontaneously. So we move into our sadhana, our practices with a trust that we will be taken care of, we are being taken care of.

- Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar🌷🌷🌷

Brahmcharini

 On the second day of Navratri, Mother Divine takes the form of Brahmacharini. This is a quiet, beautiful, and yet powerful form of Durga Devi, where She undertakes severe penance to attain Lord Shiva as her consort.

Brahma signifies ‘tapasya’ or ‘penance’, charini means ‘female follower or devotee’. So, Brahmacharini means ‘one who undertakes penance’.

🪷Form of Brahmacharini Devi

Devi is in her simplest form. Draped in a plain white saree, She holds a kamandala or water pot in one hand and rosary beads in the other hand. Devi is the unmarried version of Goddess Parvati. She has a meditative aspect and her face manifests bliss and a calm strength - a mark of the intensity of the austerities she has undergone. 

🪷What Devi represents

Since Devi spends most of her time meditating, this day is good for meditation. Devi blesses those who undertake fasts, chant mantras, and meditate devoutly, with love, success, knowledge and wisdom. It is believed that praying with steadfast devotion to Devi can help devotees attain the power to control their senses, achieve what their mind is set upon, and ultimately attain moksha or enlightenment. Since Brahmacharini Devi has undergone harsh penance, she also takes away the sufferings of her devotees.

🙏🏻Spiritual significance of Brahmacharini

🪷Brahma signifies infinity. Brahmacharini is that which moves in infinity. What is interesting is that even when infinity is all over, it can still move. Movement in infinity is the reality of the subtle. It is like space; while it seems static, it is actually dynamic. There is enormous movement in space. It may be compared to waves in an ocean. While the huge waves don’t go anywhere, they are moving. 

🪷The second meaning of Brahmacharini refers to the virgin aspect of energy. Newness is depicted in the second form of Durga. It can be compared to the rays of the sun. While the sun’s rays are old, and have been around for millions of years, they still have a fresh and new feel as they shine every day.

Since Devi spends most of her time meditating, this day is good for meditation. Devi blesses those who undertake fasts, chant mantras, and meditate devoutly, with love, success, knowledge and wisdom. It is believed that praying with steadfast devotion to Devi can help devotees attain the power to control their senses, achieve what their mind is set upon, and ultimately attain moksha or enlightenment. Since Brahmacharini Devi has undergone harsh penance, she also takes away the sufferings of her devotees.

Jai Gurudev 🙏🏻

#artofliving #happylifewithartofliving #srisriravishankar