One favourite story!

 

One favourite story!

One story rightly said, one story rightly read is all it takes to change while our head is still making excuses!

Did you come across such a story?

Are you still waiting for such a story?

Don’t worry! Either way, you are a winner.

If you’ve already come across one then all you need to is apply it in your life and which you already must be doing as it is the story that’s brought ‘change’ along with it!

If you haven’t yet found one – well, there is more than one good news in it! One – you are intently looking at all the stories that come your way! That’s very good attitude.

Next, you are still looking means you have perseverance and hope in you. Very good attitudes – both required and essential to succeed in outer and inner world!

You are ‘aware’ that you haven’t found your story – meaning you are ‘aware’!

‘Awareness’ is the ‘The Attitude’ that will let thousand petals of lotus bloom – one at a time. Don’t lose it! Hold on to it. Keep going! Just include this awareness in your daily routine too like be ‘aware’ while you are eating, talking and even fighting. When you are fighting or shouting just be aware that you are doing it – and keep doing whatever you are doing!

In work or in play – just be aware!

And till then I’ll keep writing with a hope that I write ‘that’ story that is enough to change!

But I’ll keep writing, but won’t do with a wish, desire, condition, attachment or urgency to give ‘that story’ to you! I’ll just keep writing. Because, I do desire you get ‘your story’ but it can come from any source in this world. It coming to you is important – not necessarily from me!

And yet I’ll keep writing – without hoping, without conditions.

Happy reading! 

And if any of you have a favourite story from this blog, do share if you feel like and if you please, explain why that is your favourite story.......

# favourite story, on reading and benefiting, perspective, 

Rules and regulations for a Master

 

Rules and regulations for a Master

“Tell me, Guruji, how should a Master behave? What are his traits? What rule should he follow as a Master?” asked Vaishnav clearly wanting to find fault with our Guru’s behaviour. 

Our Guru replied with a smile “To master oneself, there are rules and regulations. To overcome one’s ego there are virtues to be developed. To transcend one’s samskaras (psychic impressions) one has to follow rituals and rules. 

But once the individual has transcended his karma, once he has ‘mastered’ over his nature he need not follow any rules.

Once a person has mastered selflessness and experienced ‘self’ he can behave as he chooses. However he behaves that is ‘right’.  Master cannot be bound by a student’s definition of right and wrong. But a student can be pointed his flaws and slips by the Master “saying so our Guru kept quiet.

We didn’t know what to ask after that and so kept silent – externally! 

Concluded....

# qualities of a Guru, me, my Guru, 

also read  : https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/search?q=qualities+of+a+guru 

https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/search?q=intention 

read the link to understand what a Guru does and how he can do and does it : https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/search?q=jabala 

Questions addressed : 

• What are the qualities that a Guru should have?
• What are the limitations that bind a Guru?
• Which traits of Guru are wrong?
• How to recognise a Guru?
• How long should we follow rules and regulations?
• What is the purpose of 'rituals' and 'dharma'?
• What is freedom and when does one get it?

Pointers in the post : 

“Tell me, Guruji, how should a Master behave? What are his traits? What rule should he follow as a Master?” asked Vaishnav clearly wanting to find fault with our Guru’s behaviour. - This looks like a harmless question on the first look of it. But look within and you see layers of anger, judging, envy etc in this question.

Why does one ask a question? - This is something we don't notice or think much about. A student who is being corrected by his master regularly gets so angry with him that he wants to find some reason to hurt him and find fault with him. In the process he again seeks the help of 'Guru' to hurt the Guru! What an irony!

Apply it with and in every relation where we are submissive because of other person's age, position or relationship - like parent, elders in the family, boss or your teacher and like. They have our good in mind when they correct us or point us our flaws. Sometimes, the method used or the way it is told may be wrong, but the intention of the person is not personal. They have our good at heart and our of intimacy may chide us but still that is only for our good. But we in our ignorance find it irritating and insulting. And we harbour that anger over the years and wait to get back to them. We hurt them in ways many and so many times. We harbour anger and are brewing it day in and day out......think about it! 

Assuming, they have hurt us, even then how many times they have extended us support? See how many times they have taught us well. See how many times they have given so much in so many ways! And yet, we are angry at them for few times (we presume!) they have hurt us!

And we think 'our logic and reasoning' to be right in being angry?

"Look at the answer given by the Guru" - That doesn't mean all the things 'so called Gurus' do and so they are in jail is valid. Don't understand the right answer the wrong way! Kudos to logic that sends us on this stupid road! Meditate on this. What does this mean? Why it is ok for Guru to kill and wrong when you and I are even angry at others? Even a thought of killing someone is wrong when you and I do but when Krishna kills, it is absolute 'Dharma'. Why? 

Next apply it with every relationship - we have a rule book on how 'they are supposed to' behave and we go with an assumption that we are 'perfect'. The basis of our wrong understanding in this logic and basis of our argument. Look into this aspect of every relationship and see how we have been 'wrong' in our expectations and conditions from our relationships.........

Don't let logic to twist your understanding..... 

Today's Miracle : 

Yesterday someone told "You know the worst thing about Corona - I can't taste my food. There is no good eating now" Now this person is a foodie and so the pain is much more for this person.......

how many times we take 'having ability to taste' for granted? Today, i sat to thank for still having it. I may not have chappan bhog  (loosely translated 7 course meal ) i.e., 56 variety of items to eat but still whatever gruel i drink i still am able to taste......thank God for that! and this thanks is not just verbal - mind you!

We miss out on living and life while we look at things that we desire for and not having right now with us.

We miss out living and celebrating people in our life while we cry for ones not in our life.

We don't use things and enjoy with them for we curse our fate for not being able to have those things which we long for!

In all this process, "WE" are choosing to suffer. 

We have this moment only once - once gone we can't retrive this moment. Do we want to spend it crying and complaining or being thankful and happy? 

We can work towards our goals and desires longing for them, crying for them, being jealous of people who already have it, getting angry at people whom we expect to fulfill our desires OR

we can keep working towards what we wish to acquire in life with a smile on our lips and song in our heart?

Our choice reflects who we are!

Our choice reflects if we are using our logic to our benefit or for our downfall?

Our choice reflects our 'Destiny'!

Choose wisely!

Monk and the scorpion – Me, My Guru

 

Contd....

Monk and the scorpion – Me, My Guru

Virtue developed just for the sake of virtue raised a man to his Godhood even without his desire to become one!

Virtue was not a coupon to be encashed for material benefits. It is an investment towards our growth. Even a small act of virtue practiced gives immense satisfaction, happiness, contentment and peace. Every small act of virtue makes way for the man to claim his ‘Kingdom of heaven’. And no good act goes wasted!

As Rahul explained all this, we had goose bumps. We felt we had wasted our entire life arguing with silly reasoning that clouded our perceptions. But, we also knew ourselves. Even after being floored we would go back to our hatred, anger and arguments. We still would justify our emotions and actions with some day to day incidents to support them!

Our road wasn’t long. We made it so by choosing ‘not to walk it’ for our various reasons best generated by us! 

Concluded.....

# monk and the scorpion story, story on forgiveness, being self, character, helping and caring, being human, 

also read : https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/search?q=forgiveness+and+empowerment 

https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/search?q=poem+by+Ghalib 

Sit in meditation and look into your anger......address it and know yourself.......

once you seek the cause of your anger, its nature, its effect on your personality and relationships, its origin - no one need tell you what to do and how to do.......go within and look into your emotion......

Monk and the scorpion – Me, My Guru

Contd....

Monk and the scorpion – Me, My Guru

We had many questions while attacking her explanation of Dharma :

1.Why should we forgive our family and friends so many times?

2.How are we to respond to people who insult, tease or irritate us?

3.What about our hurt in the relationship?

In one story, she said it all! We have certain responsibilities that come by taking this body. By behaving otherwise, we stooped to the levels of either animals or demons. We developed ‘asuric’ nature in us every time we chose to hurt others. We created hell for ourselves by our choice. Our choice became our curse. This ‘choice’ was the ‘karma’ that decided our ‘destiny’. 

But when we decided to be a bigger person in a relationship, we chose heaven for ourselves. We developed our ‘divine’ self. And that in turn bettered our perception, clarity of thought, purity of heart and patience. We developed forbearance the power of which is hardly understood until acquired. It was not weakness. It was a great power – to be able to hurt and yet choosing to restrain. That was ‘the power of restrain’ that made ‘Rama – the Purushottam’. That was the quality that Mahatma Gandhi had. That exactly was the quality that the English kneeled down to when Indians exhibited it. It was not the fight between nations as assumed by millions. It was the fight by the ‘haughtiness that comes with power’ against ‘forbearance’. That was the power of ‘Jesus’ against Jews which they couldn’t stand and hence crucified him out of fright. But, they couldn’t stop him from being inspiration to millions to lay down their lives in service of the oppressed.  

Contd....

# monk and the scorpion story, story on forgiveness, being self, character, helping and caring, being human, 

also read : https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/search?q=aftermath+of+forgiveness 

Monk and the scorpion – Me, My Guru

Contd....

Monk and the scorpion – Me, My Guru

To his surprise he found a small scorpion in the water. He knew it would die if left in the water. So, he decided to leave it in the shore. As he turned towards the shore, water seeped out of his palm and that scorpion bite him. He shouted in pain and let it go. It fell into the water. It was about to get drowned. Realizing its plight, monk took it in his palm again. It bite him again. He let it go again. This went on for quite some time.

A villager sitting on the shore watched this happening. Being both irritated and amused he said “Dear sir, you are a monk. So, you obviously know more of the ways of the world than me. And yet, how come you are repeating your mistake? You know ‘that scorpion’ would bite you the moment you hold it in your palms. And yet, why do you take it in your palm again and again?”

Monk smiled and replied while keeping up with the act of trying to save the scorpion and being bite by it “Yes, you are right. I do know that this scorpion would bite the moment I hold it in my palm. And yet, I do it again and again. Scorpion’s nature is to ‘sting’ anyone who comes near it. And it is so committed to its nature that it is doing it again and again. It will lose its life doing so! And yet it is sticking to its nature! It is after all ‘a small creature’. And I, on the other hand am a man – fully evolved on the line of evolution. If that creature can hold on to its nature, how much more as a ‘human’ should I hold on to my ‘Dharma’ of saving ‘other life’?” 

Contd....

# monk and the scorpion story, story on forgiveness, being self, character, helping and caring, being human, dharma, saving others, duties of a human being, 

also read : https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/search?q=enemy 

Monk and the scorpion – Me, My Guru

 

Monk and the scorpion – Me, My Guru

Our Guru is always asking us to forgive, move on in relationship. She is always talking about being a bigger person. Her go to attitude of late seems to be selflessness. She said only ‘selflessness’ is the foundation on which relationship rested. We argued stating other person in the relationship being arrogant, selfish, irresponsible and hurtful. We gave her various incidents to prove our point. We wanted her to validate our frustration, irritation, anger and even hatred for the person who we considered responsible for our suffering. But she held her ground. She said “unless we learn to be selfless and accepting the flaw of the other, we can’t in ‘reality’ have affection for the other. No love or affection can exist where condition is!”

We begged to differ. She didn’t argue. She didn’t prove us wrong. She didn’t chide us. She simply acknowledged our anger and reason, smiled and gave us this story instead.

Some of us loved her stories but hated her point. We wished her to see our point and come over to our side of existence and accept the ‘facts’ that we believed in. 

“In a certain village was a stream. In that stream a monk got down to take bath. It was early in the morning. And as was the custom in India (at least in good old days) after taking bath, monk took water in his palms to give ‘tarpanam*’ to Sun God. 

Contd....

*tarpanam – it is an offering of water as a gesture of gratitude. 

# monk and the scorpion story, story on forgiveness, being self, character, helping and caring, being human, 

also read suggested : https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/search?q=it+is+indeed+difficult+for+all+work 

read the given link and especially the couplet part " bas ke dushwaar..." - it clearly states that we are not humans just because we are clothed in this body of humans. We got the body - good. But we should claim our being 'human' by living our 'humane' character....agreed it is not easy - nay very difficult most of the times thanks to wonderful people in our lives - but who is called a 'hero' for living a 'easy life'? Isn't 'hero' one who wins over all the obstacles, challenges and problems in his life? Is not hero one who comes out victorious over the evil in his life - which is always larger than life for any one? If I can't be a hero even in my 'life story' then what is the purpose of playing this role day in and day out? I have a part to play, why not play the part of a 'super hero' in my life story? No one can stop us from being a super hero - except of course ourselves! May you break through your fear and limited view of your capabilities and live your life to your fullest potential!

Questions addressed and points to be understood : 

• Why should we help people who are selfish and mean to us?
• Why go to protect and care for others in our life?
• It is very easy to be good to people who are useful to you. 
• It is easy to be good to people who are good to you.
• The challenge is to be good to people who are bad to you. Not because of fear of some God or Reiki. Not because you will be burnt in hell. But because you want to experience happiness and affection in life.
• As long as you carry hatred for any one in your heart, the energy that your heart generates is that of vengeance, anger and resentment. 
• We know with repetition that we receive what we generate. So, what do you think you are going to get?
• Look at what you are receiving right now and the answer is right in front of you.
• If you are not comfortable with what you receive then you need to change what you are generating and see if there is a difference.
• You owe yourself peace of mind! You should be good to self! You owe it to yourself to act wisely so that you receive that which is painless to you. So be selfless! Be giving! Be giving especially to those who hurt you. They don't know what they are doing. Be sensible and forgive. Bless them and see the 'miracle' happen. 

Thanks through sadhan.......

Thanks through sadhan.......

its been couple of weeks since we started this 'thanks through sadhan' weekend programme or sadhan......

if it is seeming to be too demanding and exhausting, i'll stop it for now and will resume it as and when you people are ready for it - whenever it is......

let me know - no need to explain all your limitations - just a simple 'let's take it up later' or lets continue' is enough of an answer......

will wait just couple of days before taking a decision........

Me, My Guru –Role of a Guru

 Contd....

Me, My Guru –Role of a Guru

“I am free to do anything that I choose. But I am not bound to do anything. I don’t owe you anything. And so I don’t need to do anything” replied Guru.

“But I took you for a Guru!?” exclaimed student confused. 

“I didn’t ask you to. In fact, I never said I am one. You called me Guru so that you can bind me to your expectations and demands. Guru is not one whom you can bind for your calling, by your calling. He is not bound by your expectations either. In fact, he is not bound by anything and anyone. He is free. Guru is one who teaches you to free yourself from your bondage. He can teach you that because he is not bound. And he knows how not to be bound too. He is not one whom you can bind with your demands and expectations” explained Guru.

“Then I don’t think I want to be your student anymore!” threatened student.

“If that pleases you” replied Guru without flinching. 

Concluded........

# Guru, role of guru, expectations and conditions, freedom, freewill, clarity of thought in playing roles.....

also read : https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/search?q=he+came+to+be+comforted 

Pointers to understand this post : 

“I am free to do anything that I choose. But I am not bound to do anything. I don’t owe you anything. And so I don’t need to do anything” replied Guru. - This is the way a person who is free thinks, behaves and lives. He is honest with himself and with everyone in his life. He doesn't pretend to be 'liked' or 'respected' by others as he is not using others for his benefit. He doesn't see others as his means to his end. So he is so! Selfish and greedy person cannot afford to say this. 

Only an arrogant or a Guru is capable of saying so!

"“If that pleases you” replied Guru without flinching. " - It is not the duty of the river to plead you to drink water from it and quench your thirst. If you with your adamant nature decide to go thirsty because of your selfishness and arrogance, then the suffering is your own doing! Same is the case with 'Universe' or God!

IF you love set it free, if it comes back it is yours, otherwise it never was yours in the first place! 

Love doesn't demand. Love can't expect. Love is here to give not to take. 

Me, My Guru –Role of a Guru

 

Me, My Guru –Role of a Guru

“But you are supposed to fulfill my desires” said a student.

“Why so?” asked the Guru.

“Because as a guru it’s your duty!” replied the student.

“Says who?” asked Guru.

“Everyone!” replied Student.

“There is only “YOU” in that everyone” replied Guru.

 “Then what is your duty?” asked the student.

“Nothing!” replied Guru smiling.

“How can it be nothing! You are supposed to do something!” shouted student.

“I can do many things. But I need not do anything” replied Guru.

“Meaning?” asked student. 

Contd....

# Guru, role of guru, expectations and conditions, freedom, freewill, clarity of thought in playing roles.....

also read : https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/search?q=Help+others+to+tide+over+your+problems 

Points to be understood : 

• We 'accept' someone as our Guru with an intention of 'expecting' him to fulfill our wishes. But, that is our side of the story and fact. In reality, Guru is one who accepts the student. Read various posts on Guru - every where it is very clear that the Guru accepts the student, it is not the other way round! 
• Guru accepts the student not based on having capacity to fulfill his demands. He accepts his student based on student's attitudes and qualities that he has. That means, it is the duty of the student to live up to his master's expectations, not the other way round.
• The weak and the mean expect and demand their master's to live up to their expectations. They come across people who charade as masters and exploit them because of their attitude - which is demanding and selfish.
• The person who trusts in the intent of the Guru surrenders to Guru and waits for his Guru to accept him as his student. Once it is done, it means he is ever ready to serve his master. Student accepting someone as his Guru doesn't mean Guru will fulfill his wishes.

Pointers in this post : 

• Look at the tone of the student - demanding to the full. One who is student can't get angry at his master. If he gets angry at his master, he never was his student in real sense.
• Keep aside guru- student for a while. Even if you look at other relationships - where there is respect, trust, love there is no demand. Where there is demand and expectations, there is no love and respect. 
• People think when they get married, they are entitled to live a life as desired by them and the job of the spouse is to live up to their expectations and desires. This wrong expectation, desire and demand from the spouse in the relationship is the basis of all relationship problems. It is not about persons. 
• Now apply it with children, relatives, job, career or any where - the rule is same. We expect others to be of use to us and expect the same from them. That demand is the basis of our pain and suffering in our life and relationships. 
• Remove being selfish and demanding in a relationship and see the 'love' that you miss in life express itself all through. See the abundance that you so miss in your life. This is the key to abundance!

sree rama shloka

 

SRI RAMA RAMA RAMETI RAME RAME MANORAME
SAHASRANAMA TATTULYAM RAMA NAMA VARANANE
srirama namah varanana om nameh ithi........
The last line need not be chanted by those who are used to chanting only first two lines........i have already told you it is in Vishnu Sahasranama - all you had to do was check in that .....
those who can't or don't know this shloka, just chant 'Rama, Rama, Rama...' atleast 21 malas - 
those who wish to do healing out of interest can actually do 21000 times i.e., 210 malas.......which would be very good........
if you are doing rama nama then using rosary or mala would be bit difficult. so, chant 'rama three or 5 times' and then move one bead, this way it is easy to move the bead and you need not slow down the flow of chanting......by the time you complete your one mala it would be equal to having completed 3-5 malas depending upon no. of rama you have chanted per bead.....then you can keep the further count from there........

Thanks through sadhan...

 

Thanks through sadhan.....

Let's thank people who have give us essential services all through their lives to make our lives easier and comfortable........

Take the list you have already written in your journal and place it in front of you. Start your reiki and send to the list and chant 10 malas of "Sree Rama Rama Ramethi Rameh .....om nameh ithi" ......

this shloka is found in Vishnu sahasranama.....

you can increase or decrease the number of malas as per your desire and convenience.....

you can chant in one go or do it taking breaks through the day....

those who wish to do more number of times but find it difficult because of other avocations can do it in next 2-3 days........

this way we are sending our thanks to these people for the services which we had already received......this was something due from us which we are giving to them now.....'intelligent and logical minded people - don't expect some returns for doing this .....

any one not willing to do for any reason, you need not do - just don't explain or give any reason to justify not doing........

there is no compulsion so no foul, no harm ......

the same rules will apply for all the 'thanks sadhan ' which we will be undertaking for next couple of weeks.....i'll not repeat the same thing again and again......

Me, my Guru – fish and the ascetic

 

Contd....

Me, my Guru – fish and the ascetic 

We were left with the story, our questions and our understanding. 

If simple fish could behave differently to different state of mind of that monk, then what say about humans and Universe?

If just, one intent could make so much of difference, then what about us and our emotions and intentions?

Where were we with our lust, anger, hatred and desires?

What we desired or did not was not that important – as from which centre we made that desire. The intent made it ‘dharmic’ or ‘adharmic’.

This did not just apply to people in our lives. It could be applied to our every desire.

Are we sending away that we want by the way we want it?

Are we pushing away all that we desire from our life with our lust filled hearts and mind?

Does ‘intent’ make it ‘dharma’ or ‘adharma’?

We fall back on our ‘understanding’ to justify our desires and acts! But…

These and such questions were raised by us. We needed to work on them and more importantly on ourselves. And for that we need to look within – honestly. That meant – meditating. So, we sat in meditation….. 

Concluded.......

# fish and the ascetic story, law of attraction, on giving and receiving, 

also read : https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/search?q=you+chose+your+destiny 

various aspects of free will, destiny, decisions and choices made and their effect on our destiny is explained in the link given above....go through it for complete understanding of all these aspects of this story...... 

Points to be understood : 

1. What is law of attraction and how it works?

2. Why and how we repel right kind of people from our life?

3. Who is responsible for being lonely or for attracting people who give us pain and suffering in our life?

4. Easiest thing to do is 'change self' and the world around us changes for better......

5. We are not what we think we are, we are what we are ...and hence attract what we are not what we think of ourselves to be.....

6. To know who you truly are, look at the people and situations in your life. It reflects the exact vibration you are generating right now......if you like what you notice, good be so! But if you are not happy with what is in your life, then look within, meditate, change all that needs to be changed.

7. Nothing changes for good unless the way you vibrate change from within.

8. Selfishness will attract only dislike, hatred and related energies. Selfishness cannot attract love, affection, respect or happiness. 

Thought for the week : 

He says "in sukh "I" don't exist and when "I" exist it is dukh"...

'Nenu' lenappudu sukhamu, nene unnappude dukhammu.....

నేను లేనప్పుడు సుఖము, నేనే ఉన్నప్పుడు దుఃఖము 

jab mein hota hoon woh dukh hai aur jab mein nahin woh sukh hai.....

जब मैं होता हूँ वह दुःख हैं और जब मैं नहीं वह सुःख हैं।