Notice

Tip to use this blog better and to benefit from this the day there is no post 

you can type a word in the "search" option at the top of the blog and get post with relation to that word.  for example you may want to know something on 'character', then type 'character' in the search column and press enter and you'll have all the posts with that word in them.

On traditions and rituals

…contd…

But, the question is

a)  by bending the rule are we actually doing it right?  The purpose of the ritual itself is lost.  So, even after following it, we don’t see the benefits and complain that inspite of being traditional why am I suffering?  I hope all such people who asked/ and have this question have got their answer.

b)  If not, then what is the purpose of following the tradition where the purpose and the benefit is totally lost?

So, ultimately whether it is about the old ritual/tradition being followed or new one being included/ to be followed look into it’s purpose, procedure and the benefit and then take the call accordingly. 

Taking up a new ritual is a big ‘NO’ when the reasons is one of the following:

1.  Just to go against the family or it’s members

2.  When it is an outcry of my rebellion nature only

3. When I am doing it blindly and to please a certain set of people

4.  To be in the good books of some or to be called a ‘good person’.  Understand following a ritual/tradition will not automatically make you a ‘good person’.  This is a common misbelief that people have. (also refer blog post march 20^th 2009)

5. when it is detrimental to one’s physical/emotional/psychological/financial or spiritual benefit.  For eg: aping the west when we accepted social drinking and smoking into our culture or when we became materialistic looking at west, we lost our ‘national character’ and that is the reason for our downfall as a society and nation. (see blog post of Oct 6^th 2009 for details) and blog post (Apr 6^th 2011)

Pradyumna, I hope your doubt is cleared now.

On traditions and rituals

….contd…..

Today, I’ll explain the benefits of ‘moggu’ - a traditional drawing made with rice flour in front of the house early in the morning.

What are the reasons and benefits for following this tradition?

1.  Physical benefit : We have to squat or kneel down to draw ‘moggu’ (as in telugu) or ‘kollam’ (as it is called in tamil).  This is the ‘asana’ recommended by ‘yoga’ to cleanse our system and this is automatically done while doing this ‘ritual’.

But, this benefit is lost when a servant does this job or we paste a plastic one in front of our house. (And we take pride saying we follow the tradition even when a servant does it or we paste a plastic sheet! Funny!)

2.  Psychological benefit: It’s proven fact that the entire day’s mental state depends on the state of our mind in the first half-an-hour to an hour.  So, what you do then decides your day’s quality.  Now, when we draw this ‘moggu’ we need to concentrate.  That’s the first benefit.  We automatically are meditating and silencing the mind or training the mind to be peaceful and are giving it a start of ‘being in the moment’ for the day.

A thing of beauty is a joy forever.  Once, we complete drawing ‘kollam’ when we look at it, it’s beauty and the fact that ‘we’ have done it gives us a emotional satisfaction and happiness and that state of mind is very good way of starting a day.

Again this benefit is lost when we assign it to a servant maid.

3.  Social benefit: Now, we have come to realize that ‘no man is an island’.  That means man can’t survive on this planet on his own.  Even his survival is dependent on the relation he has with the ecology.  ‘green corps’, ‘friends of snakes’, ‘blue cross’ and such organizations were started with this motto.  But, ecological balance rests on the small insects too! And the ‘moggu’ that we draw is with the ‘rice flour’, which becomes the food for the ants and such insects in the mud and thereby their survival in turn sees to it that the balance is maintained. 

It also means we understand that we owe them our ‘survival’ and hence out of gratitude are repaying them their due.  It’s a classic way of living a ‘symbiotic’ relationship. 

4.  Spiritual benefit : We are starting our day with gratitude to the insects and other micro-organisms which are useful in maintaining the ecological balance.  What can better this start?

We are happy emotionally and physically fit with this simple act. Can we ask for more?

It reminds us of the social responsibility and makes us more responsible towards our society and environment automatically.  Do we need a ‘hole in ozone layer’ and ‘green house effect’ to wake up to this call?

There are few more benefits which I must have left out for sure!

…contd…

On traditions and rituals

…contd….

Next part of the question  : Can you want to take up a new ritual?

The answer is ‘yes’ and ‘no.

Yes because every tradition was started by someone sometime for a specific reason.

For eg:

1.              our grandmothers and even most of our mothers wear only sarees.  But are we not wearing ‘shalwar kameez’ and such outfits?  Did we not start a tradition that didn’t exist in our families?

2.              Women cut their hair only to denote a fact that something inauspicious has happened in their lives. But now it’s become a norm.

3.              Use of modern gadgets in kitchen, dress code, food habits everything has undergone a change.

Now, the question is not whether we can take up a new ritual. The question should be why do we need to take up a new ritual?  In the examples that I have given, our daily wear and gadgets that we use in kitchen are to ease our lives and to make our life comfortable.  So, we included all these in our lives. 

Most of our traditional rituals had reasons because of which they were to become part of our daily routine.  Our seers saw to it that every ritual should have benefit that betters our physical well-being, emotional and psychological well-being, social and inter-personal benefits, financial benefit and not to forget the spiritual benefit.  Go to post dated Nov 6^th 2012 where I have already given these explanations with regards to the ‘Dassera’ / ‘Golu’.

….contd…..

On traditions

On Rituals and traditions

See comment on “ Nov 24th 2013" Can we take up new rituals not followed by our families?

The answer is look around you and look within.

How many rituals are we following that have been handed out to us? Very few.

Why? Because, we can’t incorporate them in our life -styles.

Then, why do we follow those that we do?

Often because it’s become our habit and secondly because we are comfortable with them. 

As they say in Telugu “Nachchinnavanni achaaralu nachcannivanni anacharalu”. It means if I like or am comfortable with some ritual it becomes tradition and if not it becomes ‘not good’ for my family.

So, in the first place let us just look into our frame of mind with regards to the traditions that we follow….

…contd….

On Mahabharata

...contd....

One who doesn’t is always restless, agitated, hateful.

He is on the roller coaster ride of joy, pain, fear and like emotions.

He is ever finding fault with others and hates the sinner and can’t distinguish between the sin and the sinner.

He thinks he is the role he plays and feels he has to win it at any cost.

With these simple give aways one can easily know the person who’s become the character and the other who is playing the character…right?

look closely at the characters of Krishna and others and also look at the way they deal with the situations ( i mean the state of mind).  That will answer the question as to who knew and who didn't....

on Mahabharata

On 15th Nov we have a question posed "did the characters in Mahabharata know that they were just the characters in the great epic....?"

Krishna in Bhagavatgita says Arjuna “You and I are souls eternal and have been together on this journey since Janmas (births).  Only difference between you and me is that you don’t remember and I do”.  This clearly explains that even Arjuna doesn’t remember his past lives nor does he remember Krishna to be the Divine incarnate.  So, others knowing and playing the part is totally out of question.  

How to distinguish between the person who knows and the person who doesn’t know?

One who knows is balanced.

He is peaceful for he knows this to be a role that needs to be played.

He receives both the news of death and birth alike.

Doesn’t treat the person based on what he is but treats him based on what he can be.

His likes and dislikes don’t decide his actions, words or feel.

He hates the sin and not the sinner.

He works to correct the wrong and help the person who commits wrong in seeing what is wrong.

Notice

Many call me to ask this question "can we give this blog address to our family/friends who are not reiki channels?"

This blog becomes public the moment it is on air. so, where is the question of not letting non-reiki channels read it? If you have followed the blog regularly, then you will notice that the questions/issues addressed are the day-to-day issues of everyone's life.  It applies to one and all!  This is mainly written so that more number of people can see where actually the problem is and address it - that's all! Yes, it is easy to give a way out of that issue if they are reiki channels to me. But, that doesn't mean others don't need to know these eternal Truths.

So, please go ahead and share this blog's content/ info with as many as you wish......

in this family of self-healers, it's always 'more the merrier'.....

and yes, the day I don't 'post'  please go through the older posts instead of complaining 'can't take silence from your end maam'.

bye the way, which is your favourite 'post'  and how many times have you read it?

Situation is neither good or bad

…contd….

When the situation is based on ‘Dharma’ then it is absolute.  For eg: rain in rainy season and weather being hot in summer is as per ‘Dharma’ of the Nature.  It is right as per the ‘Rule of the Seasons’.  So, having good rains in rainy season is ‘good’ ONLY even if it causes displeasure to me or inconvenience to me.  It is ‘good for ALL’.  It is ‘not relative’ here.

Earning money to run the family is the ‘Dharma’ of any person who is married.  It is ‘right’ to earn money – be it anyone.  But, if the means is not right, then as per ‘Dharma’ it is not right for anyone.  For eg: if I am a trader and I sell items with a margin, it is right as per Dharma.  But, if I create a fear of shortage or practice such dubious ways of making money in my trade, then as per business sense it may be called ‘good strategy’ but as per ‘Dharma’ it is ‘wrong’ for one and all.

I have given only two examples, but I am sure you can recollect lot from our classes.  I hope it is clear!

 

Situation is neither good or bad

Madhumita asked a doubt (see comments section for details)

Situation is neither ‘good’ or ‘bad’.  It is assigned a value based on it’s effect on us.  Therefore, it is always relative.

But, the ‘right’ and the ‘wrong’ and likewise ‘good’ or ‘bad’ is absolute when ‘Dharma’ is followed.  Then it is not relative.  When ‘Dharma’ is the basis of assessment, then if it is right, it is right for one and all.  Likewise, if it is wrong, then it is wrong for one and all!

Situation is ‘good’ or ‘bad’ based on it’s effect on us.  Therefore, it is relative.  For eg: if it rains when I am planning a picnic, then ‘that rain’ is ‘bad’ for ME.  But, to a farmer who has to sow seeds the same rain on that very same day is ‘good’. The rain on that particular day is ‘neither’ ‘good’ or ‘bad’.  It is only relative.

Likewise, apply it to various situations and then the situation is neither ‘good’ nor ‘bad’.  It is only relative.

Apply for married/divorced, getting something/not getting something (like an object of our desire) etc.

(if you haven’t understood this sentence please let me know, I’ll explain)

…contd….

Scriptures - their purpose

…contd….

Other stories also can have such morals then what is the difference between Mahabharata and such novels? Mainly because in this epic, it chalks out the journey of the soul through its various janmas. It talks about the reason which has caused the birth of a person – be it shikhandi, Krishna,Draupadi or for that matter anyone and everyone in that epic has a previous life that continues into present and their journey after their death is also continued in Mahabharata.  So, one gets to see clearly the reason behind every event, act or person’s nature. 

It just doesn’t stop here – because that can be seen in so many TV shows that talk about past life regression.  Mahabharata is a simple to-do list if you want results in any field of your interest – be it professional or spiritual.  Bhagavat Gita which is part of Mahabhara goes bang on to the cause of the problem and also deals with how to handle it, overcome it and finally see that you never come across it ever!

It’s the ultimate in ‘Inner Management’ techniques which when applied by any person in the world will always give the same result without an exception.  It’s the Ultimate Management Book!  It’s simple, applicable, complete and not to forget - latest than the future and hence timeless!

If you want clarification or detailed explanation on any of the above statements, then please post those questions in the comments section and I’ll try to do my best in clarifying your doubts….

Scriptures - their purpose

…contd….

Here, each character is an epitome of one nature and the pros and cons of that nature is clearly shown by that character’s life’s journey. 

Pandavas stand for the people with vices but still ones walking on the right path – following the Dharma.  But, that doesn’t mean, that they enjoy supremacy over Kauravas or that they get to enjoy good and comfortable life.  Does it mean, it is senseless and worthless to lead a life which is based on Dharma? Is it useless to be forgiving and walking on the path of righteousness? 

Peace, satisfaction were experienced by Pandavas even in the forests because they were bound by mutual love and respect for each other…inspite of being in the palaces of Hasthinapur, Kauravas could never sleep peacefully for they were ever bothered about the return of Pandavas and always planning as to how to usurp their rights…

Anyone, who is hurting others or who snatches others rights can never be peaceful for his conscience will never let him go to sleep…..we are always punished the most by our soul….

…contd….

Scriptures -their purpose

Note : The question asked on 30^th Oct 13 was “What is the essence of Mahabharata? ….” Refer comment of 30^th Oct 13 for full understanding of this question and answer.

Mahabharata or any other scripture doesn’t ‘tell’ us how to lead a life.  That is the best part of Hindu Dharma.  It respects our right of ‘free will’ (already explained in one of the previous blogs- please check) and so gives us picture of the effects of a certain act in our life. 

For eg., Dhritarashtra stands for the ultimate of ‘moham’ or ‘attachment’ – more precisely ‘putra moham’ i.e., attachment for his son.  By looking at Dhritarashtra and understanding his character we can see how he ended up taking steps which ultimately brought about downfall of not only his son but of the entire dynasty and the entire Bharata Khanda eventually.  One person’s blind attachment can be the cause of the end of this world.  All the dynasties of that era were wiped out completely because of ‘kurukshetra war’. 

Here Dhritarashtra doesn’t stand for a physically blind person.  He is shown as blind to explain that if one sense is blinded by our greed, ego, lust or anger, then imagine what our plight would be when we are blinded by all our senses?

…contd….

Just a thought

Situation is neither ‘good’ or ‘bad’.  It is assigned a value based on it’s effect on us.  Therefore, it is always relative.

But, the ‘right’ and the ‘wrong’ and likewise ‘good’ or ‘bad’ is absolute when ‘Dharma’ is followed.  Then it is not relative.  When ‘Dharma’ is the basis of assessment, then if it is right, it is right for one and all.  Likewise, if it is wrong, then it is wrong for one and all!

 

 

Dasera

…contd….

Think about it! Is ignorance a bliss in such cases?

Remember the difference between learning some lessons (in school) without understanding it and then on a later day how you related with the same when you understood it?

Or

Remember the way you relate to the subject that you understood and so liked and the subject that you didn’t understand and yet had to learn (majority with relate with mathematics this way – poor maths)?

That was a simple subject – but do you want to go on living your life this way? If not, seeks answers! Ask questions about the rituals that we follow? Think if they truly are useful in this age……

Seek and it shall be shown!

Ask and it shall be answered!

That is the way the universe works – so, wake up to awareness and knowledge and bid goodbye to blind faiths!

All the best in your endeavour!

Dasera

……contd….

Just by following the traditions or rituals blindly do I get the benefit? 

How can you if you don’t know why and what you are doing?  The main difference between a materialistic and a spiritual person is the operating center from which they operate.

A person who follows the ritual blindly becomes arrogant, fanatic, blind with faith, rigid with his beliefs, thinks less of people who don’t follow the same ritual….. these will further take him away from the lord and bind him to his karma.  So, by following the tradition blindly we harm ourselves more than benefit out of it in most of the cases. 

Where is bhakthi if purpose of this ritual is not understood?  Without bhakthi, how can you bring humility, love and happiness in this entire ritual? These lacking how can you assume to score marks called ‘punya’ by blindly following a ritual?

…contd….

Dasera

…contd….

‘Punarapi jananam punarapi maranam, iha samsare bahu dukhkhare’ it means again and again we are born to die and experience the pain of undergoing through the ups and downs of this life?  Once we understand the fact behind this, we long to get out of this cycle of life and death and that is shown by the top most step.

To be liberated from this cycle of life and death, we need the grace and guidance of Guru who will unchain us from our karmas and help us to surrender to the Lord.

Just as Lord gave moksha to the Elephant (represented by the doll) we also can get liberated if we surrender to him.  Guru is represented by Swami Dattatreya and Lord Dakshinamurthy.  Then the jivatma – the soul will merge with the Shakti – the energy - life force energy represented by the Mother Goddess here.

Thus the ritual which is more social for many has a purpose and acts as a remainder of our journey and purpose of life. 

……contd….

Notice

For all those who had complaints that they were finding it difficult to understand the blog in English, please find 'Translate' Option available from now on.Please use it. it's for your convenience.  pass this message to your friends and family who wanted this blog in hindi and telugu and other languages...

hope this helps you all........

hoping that this would benefit you.....

Dasera

contd….

Only a person who can surrender to the will of the Lord and live according to his dictate will understand the meaning of detachment and love and raise to a level of an enlightened Master like Buddha.  This is represented by next step. 

Buddhahood also brings total detachment. Vairagya or total detachment brings with it a perception and an understanding of a situation where nothing can be bettered any more.  It has to be totally annihilated. Then comes the Avatar of Kalki – the Lord of Destruction and the Apocalypse sets in in the form of the great deluge or pralaya – the great flood.  Then Lord absorbs everyone into Himself.  This is an act of Love, of Karunya of compassion. It is not an act of punishment.  He feels for all those who have been going through this cycle of life and death – innumerable times and suffers with them and when he knows they can no more make progress to reach Him He reaches out to them in the form of Pralaya.

Even, at such time he saves the handful like the Rishis and animals represented by the boat – a la Noah’s Ark.  For this he takes Matsya Avatar and then the cycle of Avatar continues.

The question is how long do we want to be part of this cycle of life and death?

…contd….

Note

There are lots of people who have joined the blog recently and they call me up to ask so many questions.  All these questions - most of them have been addressed clearly in the previous blogs. So, i request the new readers to go through the blog's old /previous posts dating back to 2009.  Even the regulars, i find have forgotten what they have read long back...please go through the old blogs once again. Read atleast one of the old blogs from the beginning per day.  It will refresh your memories and help you to be in Sadhan and also work on yourselves on the regular basis....

all the best....

and yes, you can ask questions from the old blog posts too! (in the comments section) - will answer as when the time permits for sure!

….contd…..

Super-human is a stage of mankind which is visualized by saints like Aurobindo, Rabindranath Tagore and others and here it is represented by Lord Krishna.  Lord Krishna with his super powers lived a normal life like you and me.  The difference being the way he lived them.  The center through which he operated were totally different from ours.  His life and incidents of life are depicted by various dolls like lifting govardhan hill, rasleela , love of radha-krishna.  He acted out of detachment and complete love.  There was no selfish motive at all in any of his acts.  We act as per our desires and likes and dislikes.  But his every action was an expression of the will of the Divine.  Therein came all the difference.

…contd….

Dasera

…contd….

The spiritual growth of a human life is clearly shown here where all through his life he lives for the sake of others and lives by the principle – forsake self for the sake of the family, and a family for the country and a country for the welfare of the world. 

If each individual lives by this dictum then we will have a Rama rajyam –represented by the Rama’s pattabhishekam doll. Rama rajyam is not religious in any way.  It represents a country where there is abundance of prosperity, happiness, safety, contentment for ALL in that country.  Everyone follows Dharma on their accord so there is no evil and no need for any punishment.  Everyone’s energies is totally diverted for the sake of development in their respective fields and therefore we find excellence in every field – be it literature, art, spirituality, science – you name it, it’s there.  It is a complete Utopian Dream we are talking about and it had been a possibility once – then why can’t we recreate it once more?

The day it happens, it shows we are ready to evolve into next stage of growth that is of super-human.

….contd…..