Sadhan for July 2024

 

Sadhan for July 2024

This month let’s do re-birth with “fear” at least thrice a week.

That would come to a total of 12 times this month.

Those who can, do more number of times.

Share your experiences and observations if any.

Me, My Guru – On Narada and Vishnu – The Greatest devotee of all!

 

Contd....

Me, My Guru – On Narada and Vishnu – The Greatest devotee of all!

When the silence was broken, it was to meditate! Yes, today we decided on our own to meditate. We knew where our flaw was today!! No point letting this understanding go to waste if we don’t put it into action – at least for today!

Our minds co-operated with us today. We were in silence like never before. We tasted the joy of ‘silence’. This was so near us – so within our reach and yet…! We could access it every day of our life and yet….

Which would be the story that could wake us up to that understanding and action??

When would be the day we would experience this bliss – day after day?

We wished it was sooner than later!

But today, we were in bliss! We would be in this hangover for a couple of days more as we lived through our lives. And then, we would go back to our restless selves again. But, that was for later. Today, Now, we were in bliss!

Concluded.....

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# me my Guru stories, Narada and Lord Vishnu, who's the greatest bhaktha of all, devotee, upanishad stories, Vedic stories, Vedic itihaasa, Land called India and its scriptures, stories from Indian Scriptures, attitude of devotion, devotion, devotee, loving God, Prayer, rituals and love, 

also read https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/search?q=keeping+count

Question time:

So, what in the story caught your attention?

What is your take on this post?

What did you understand from this story?

What can you apply from this story in your life?

How was this post useful to you?

What changes are you going to bring in your way of living from today onwards because of your understanding that you are taking from this post?

 

Me, My Guru – On Narada and Vishnu – The Greatest devotee of all!

 

Contd....

Me, My Guru – On Narada and Vishnu – The Greatest devotee of all!

He is not doing it to salvage his self-esteem. And that my dear are the qualities of any good bhaktha (devotee). He doesn’t expect anything in return. He doesn’t keep count. He is not doing it to please anyone. Sadhan is a way of life for him. Sadhan is a way of showing his gratitude and love towards the Lord! Sadhan is the way he gets connected to the Lord.

Sadhan is the way he keeps himself connected to me. And in this case, by uttering my name now and then he remembers to be connected to me! And if that is not bhakti, pray tell me what is. Tell me is this not the purpose of bhakthi or any sadhan for that matter?”

Narada received his answer in silence. His pride of being “The Lord’s greatest devotee” was broken that day! Thus, he became more closer to the Lord. Our pride of being in sadhan also can be detrimental to our consciousness.”

As our Guru completed her story and explanation, we fell silent for quite some time.

Contd....

# me my Guru stories, Narada and Lord Vishnu, who's the greatest bhaktha of all, devotee, upanishad stories, Vedic stories, Vedic itihaasa, Land called India and its scriptures, stories from Indian Scriptures, attitude of devotion, devotion, devotee, loving God, Prayer, rituals and love, 

also read https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/2018/01/me-my-guru-on-attachments-faith-and_25.html 

Me, My Guru – On Narada and Vishnu – The Greatest devotee of all!

 

Contd....

Me, My Guru – On Narada and Vishnu – The Greatest devotee of all!

The Lord didn’t seem to hear his words or his emotions. He simply asked “Ok now, you tell me, how many times did you recite my name as you walked around the mountain? Did you count? How many times did you remember me or my name?”

Now the Sage Narada lost it when he heard this question “How can you be so insensitive, Lord? How do you expect me to utter your name and over and above that be aware of the number of times I uttered it while I was doing such a tough task?

Narada thought “Today the Lord Vishnu’s common sense seems to have been lost. How can he ask such stupid, insensitive questions one after the other?”

The Lord Vishnu who knew everyone’s thoughts too was aware of Narada’s thoughts too. Yet, he didn’t take Narada to task.

Instead, he addressed Narada’s question directly “So you see Narada, you couldn’t utter my name even once while performing one task. You couldn’t even remember my name once!

Whereas that farmer who has to take care of his family – with parents, brothers, sisters, wife, and children remembers me as he goes through his activities.

He is working hard in the fields all through the day. His life is not at all comfortable. He is leading a very tough life. Poverty is written all around his life. And yet, as he leads his tough life sans comforts, he utters my name without fail at the start and end of every daily activity. He just doesn’t utter it mechanically, he does it with lots of love and gratitude. He is not doing that to please anyone. He is not doing it to show it off to anyone. His ‘ego’ is not fed with the thought that he is doing sadhan. He is in sadhan and still not proud of it. In fact, he is not even aware of it. he is doing it without any expectations. He does not relate doing ‘japam’ (uttering the name continuously) with him being a good person or a great sadhak. He is detached in his sadhan. He doesn’t make a show of it to others. He does it silently – so silently that even he is not aware that he is actually in sadhan!

Contd....

# me my Guru stories, Narada and Lord Vishnu, who's the greatest bhaktha of all, devotee, upanishad stories, Vedic stories, Vedic itihaasa, Land called India and its scriptures, stories from Indian Scriptures, attitude of devotion, devotion, devotee, loving God, Prayer, rituals and love, 

also read https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/2017/12/me-my-guru-stories-and-all-god-god-in.html

Me, My Guru – On Narada and Vishnu – The Greatest devotee of all!

 

Contd....

Me, My Guru – On Narada and Vishnu – The Greatest devotee of all!

A few hours later Narada came in sight. The Lord Vishnu waved his hand. Narada didn’t respond. He didn’t even smile at the Lord. There was tension writ all over his face. When he came near the Lord and removed the pot from over his head and placed it down, it was then that he heaved a sigh of relief!

Being mischievous as our dear Lord was, he asked “Why Narada, you didn’t wave back to me as you came in sight? Didn’t you see me? You didn’t even smile at me? I am hurt Narada!”

Narada became furious “First you give me a task as difficult as this – that is carrying a pot of water over my head. And then you put a condition that I shouldn’t spill even a drop of water. And the distance that I need to cover is around that huge mountain. How in the World do you expect me to be cheerful? Won’t my balance be compromised if I wave at you? Don’t you understand this simple logic Lord?” he was fuming as he completed his reply.

The Lord didn’t seem to hear his words or his emotions. He simply asked “Ok now, you tell me, how many times did you recite my name as you walked around the mountain? Did you count? How many times did you remember me or my name?”

Contd....

# me my Guru stories, Narada and Lord Vishnu, who's the greatest bhaktha of all, devotee, upanishad stories, Vedic stories, Vedic itihaasa, Land called India and its scriptures, stories from Indian Scriptures, attitude of devotion, devotion, devotee, loving God, Prayer, rituals and love, 

also read https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/2009/08/on-comparison.html

Me, My Guru – On Narada and Vishnu – The Greatest devotee of all!

 

Contd....

Me, My Guru – On Narada and Vishnu – The Greatest devotee of all!

Around noon, the Lord and the Narada took leave and went their way. When they crossed the village Narada asked the Lord Vishnu “How can you call him your greatest devotee? He says “Narayana” once in a while, while I utter it all through the day!!?”

When the person who asks the question is high with emotions like anger or arrogance, there is no point in explaining to him. Wouldn’t the Lord know this? So, the Lord gave Narada a pot of water and said “Just do a small favour to me. Keeping this pot of water on your head, go around that mountain once. There is an important rule though you need to follow without fail. Not a drop of water should spill. That is very very important Narada. Remember that! If you spill even a drop of water, then you are disqualified from being my greatest bhaktha. And again I repeat, no excuses there!”

So saying, the Lord Vishnu sat relaxed under the Peepul tree.

Sage Narada smiled and said “That’s an easy job. I’ll be back soon my Lord. You stay here.”

Sage Narada left to complete his task.

The Lord closed his eyes and attended to His World Affairs!

Contd....

# me my Guru stories, Narada and Lord Vishnu, who's the greatest bhaktha of all, devotee, upanishad stories, Vedic stories, Vedic itihaasa, Land called India and its scriptures, stories from Indian Scriptures, attitude of devotion, devotion, devotee, loving God, Prayer, rituals and love, 

also read https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/2020/04/on-prayers-answered.html

Me, My Guru – On Narada and Vishnu – The Greatest devotee of all!

 

Contd....

Me, My Guru – On Narada and Vishnu – The Greatest devotee of all!

When the Lord and Narada washed their feet, he handed them a towel to wipe their feet saying “Narayana”.

Like this, as he gave them a seat to sit (aasan), food to eat, or a cot to lie on, he would utter “Narayana” once!

The Lord would listen to this with a smile. They slept under the sky on the cot given by that farmer that night. Narada was not comfortable on the cot. He had disturbed sleep. Early morning, they found the farmer tending to his cows. You see, in villages, farmers get up at around 4-4.30 am and tend to cows and leave for the fields early in the morning!

At the start of every work, he would utter “Narayana” once. So, he would at the end of every job too!

The Lord requested to accompany him to his fields. The farmer agreed immediately! So, the Lord and Narada accompanied him to his fields. The farmer as he entered his fields, as he yoked his ox to his plough, as he tended his fields, as he gave water to his cattle, as he sat under the tree to rest, as he sowed, as he tilled the field – he would utter “Narayana” once. In short, at the start and end of every act, he would take the Lord’s name once. He was cheerful throughout the day!

Around noon, the Lord and the Narada took leave and went their way. When they crossed the village Narada asked the Lord Vishnu “How can you call him your greatest devotee? He says “Narayana” once in a while, while I utter it all through the day!!?”

Contd....

# me my Guru stories, Narada and Lord Vishnu, who's the greatest bhaktha of all, devotee, upanishad stories, Vedic stories, Vedic itihaasa, Land called India and its scriptures, stories from Indian Scriptures, attitude of devotion, devotion, devotee, loving God, Prayer, rituals and love, 

also read https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/2018/12/on-prayers-unanswered-and-desires-kept.html

Pointers to understand the post:

"They slept under the sky on the cot given by that farmer that night. Narada was not comfortable on the cot. He had disturbed sleep. " - Notice this scenario carefully!

Narada was not comfortable and had disturbed sleep. When the mind is agitated, disturbed by emotions no person can have peaceful sleep.

Here, the Narada was disturbed that he was not called or given the credit of being the "greatest bhakta of the Lord". When we desire something or expect something from anyone and if that expectation is not met, the mind becomes disturbed. Our emotions run amok. We lose our peace of mind! The problem is not in the person who didn't fulfill our wish or desire. It is not because of our desire either. It is in our conditioning that our desire be fulfilled a certain way and that too immediately (manytimes). 

So, whenever we are feeling restless or uncomfortable in any scenario, know it is time to check our expectations and conditions that we have with regard to our desires!

"“How can you call him your greatest devotee? He says “Narayana” once in a while, while I utter it all through the day!!?” " - Most of us are like this Narada. We assume we are highly advanced in spirituality because -

1.We do "Reiki" for set number of hours

2.We do "mantra chanting - japam" the set number of malas (rosaries)

3.We are Reiki channels

4.We have completed higher degrees/become a Reiki Master/Grand Master

How foolish of us! We put all the importance on the rituals that need to be followed and forget the "spirit" of the ritual completely!

We miss out on working on our attitudes.

We miss out on noticing if we are totally "with sadhan" or mechanically doing it?!

We become arrogant with our sadhan. That itself contradicts the purpose of being in sadhan. One who is doing it right develops humility - not arrogance that "I am doing sadhan"!

Sadhan is the way of life. Every act of our life should become the expression of our state of mind - that of yog with the Divine - that is sadhan!

If we are with Reiki/Divine only for a couple of hours and behave as ever during other waking hours, well, you think about it! What does that say about us????

Me, My Guru – On Narada and Vishnu – The Greatest devotee of all!

 

Me, My Guru – On Narada and Vishnu – The Greatest devotee of all!

Our Guru told this beautiful story once “Once Lord Vishnu and Sage Narada went on a walk. During the course of their talk, Narada asked “Pray Lord, tell me who is the greatest of your devotees?”

Narada considered himself to be the greatest Bhaktha (devotee) of the Lord. He was a Brahmachari (celibate) always singing and reciting the name of the Lord. So, who else could it be, he thought? He was silently smiling expecting the Lord to utter his name. even after knowing this fact, it gave him great pleasure to hear the same from the Lord’s mouth!

But the answer that the Lord gave was something that he didn’t expect. “To know that, we have to go to my devotee’s house”!!!

Narada was disappointed – but obviously!

After the long walk, they entered a remote village. On the outskirts of that village was a small piece of land. There was a small hut in the corner of that field. They both knocked on the door of that hut – but of course in disguise.

A frail-looking farmer opened the door. The Lord said, “We are travelers. It is already dusk. We request you to let us stay at your place for today. We’ll leave tomorrow morning”.

The farmer welcomed them with open arms saying “Narayana has sent guests. How can I not serve them? Please come in”.

He gave them water and said “Narayana! Please wash your feet”.

When the Lord and Narada washed their feet, he handed them a towel to wipe their feet saying “Narayana”.

Like this, as he gave them a seat to sit (aasan), food to eat, or a cot to lie on, he would utter “Narayana” once!

Contd....

# me my Guru stories, Narada and Lord Vishnu, who's the greatest bhaktha of all, devotee, upanishad stories, Vedic stories, Vedic itihaasa, Land called India and its scriptures, stories from Indian Scriptures, attitude of devotion, devotion, devotee, loving God, Prayer, rituals and love, 

also read https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/2020/02/devotee.html 

Pointers to understand the post:

"During the course of their talk, Narada asked “Pray Lord, tell me who is the greatest of your devotees?”

Narada considered himself to be the greatest Bhaktha (devotee) of the Lord." - Sage Narada himself assumed that he was the greatest bhaktha!!! What audacity!?

The real bhaktha would be so immersed in his bhakthi that he would not even get a thought to ask such a question. 

Why? Because, he is so lost in loving the Lord that he has no time to compete with any other person in any field - even if it be as a bhaktha!

Humility is the first quality that develops in a spiritual person. Anyone who is in competing mode can ASSUME HE IS in spiritual mode or path but his competing streak and nature become his enemy for the same. 

Look within! Listen to your words! Ask yourself one question at the end of the day "Did I make a statement that reflected the competing nature in me?" If you find it, first, nib it immediately. Don't justify it!. Just kill it.

Stories in the blog and their interpretations!

 

Stories in the blog and their interpretations!

Stories especially those from Vedic Itihaasa (Hindu scriptures) are told to you to drive home one point which is usually explained in the post one way or the other!

But that explanation need not be the ‘be all’ of those stories.

That is the beauty of all these stories from any scriptures. They are a treasure trove of knowledge!

Once you complete reading the post – read it once again – just the story part without the explanation given by me. Then sit in silence with the story. Or, if your life is too busy, carry the story with you with you all through the day. Ruminate (mananam) on it! Keep thinking about it. and see how you understand it. see how that understanding can be infused into your life and your personality. Come back and share with others.

Every time you come back or go back to the story, you’ll find a different perspective – that is if you’ve been in sadhan. If you've healed enough, your understanding will surely change for the better. And with that changed understanding, you’ll be able to understand the story better this time!

Every person’s understanding is subject to his level of consciousness. So be with it. be with healing. Then infuse every understanding into your life and keep growing. And as you keep applying that understanding to your life and also keep healing your attitude, the level of consciousness will shift – for the better.

This is one wonderful way to enjoy and grow on this path!

So now, how do you wish to sum up?

So, what did you get from this?

BTW, a totally routine question - does my writing all these stories help you in any way?

Do they help you in any way?

Does it show you a way out of your pain?

Does it help to navigate through your life easily?

Concluded...

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# Me My Guru series, understanding the blog and its posts, 

also read suggested https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/search?q=how+to+understand+this+blog

Me, My Guru - On purpose of Life - 2

 

Contd.....

Me, My Guru - On purpose of Life - 2

So you see, life is not in possessions. It is in moments lived!

Are you living your moments or just chasing some ‘possessions’ all through your life? Ask yourself such questions and then draw a line.

Live life!

There are two ways to lead a life.

One is, we desire, accumulate and then work to preserve it!

The second is, we have enough to fulfill our needs and we have all the time in the world to live our dreams!

The choice is take to towards your “POL” eventually!”

What a way to teach us!

She didn’t lecture today! She made us ‘live’ our answers. We learned our lesson – for now!

We got our answers – for now!

Concluded.....

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# Me My Guru stories, purpose of life, ikigai, self worth, self esteem, joys of life, happiness, life, needs and purpose of life, beauty of life, abundance, 

read related posts https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/search?q=il+dolce+far+niente 

Come back with your experiences with all .......

question time:

What represents the "tea" in our life?

And

What represents the "cup" in our lives?

Me, My Guru - On purpose of Life - 2

 

Contd.....

Me, My Guru - On purpose of Life - 2

Chalk out your priorities right!

Concentrate on that! Your 80% of pain and suffering will go away.

You’ll be happy and content.

Instead of working to build a huge house, work on spending time in the house.

Instead of working to build a huge house, work on making your house a home!

Work on your bank balance. But better still, work on your relationships. For that, you need to spend some time with your family and friends.

Post your vacation photos online. But better still, post stories of your family member's good qualities and the way they had reached out to you in times of need. The more you talk about how someone is good because of his conduct, the more will follow suit. If all you talk about is achievements and possessions, then we are unknowingly starting a ‘war of egos’. Don’t let people think that the ‘worth’ of the person is in how much he possesses. Let all know that what he gives out and how he is, is the measure of being ‘great’. This is within everybody’s reach. So, everyone will start working on that. And before long, your circle will be that of ‘genuine good people’.

Buy children toys. But don’t let MRP decide its worth. Teach them to enjoy games where money is not involved too.

Instead of shopping more, wear more often that you have purchased. Why let almirah be stuffed with expensive clothes when all you prefer is housewear? When you buy less (or only as much as you need) then you will have more savings and you can retire fast too….

Contd.....

# Me My Guru stories, purpose of life, ikigai, self worth, self esteem, joys of life, happiness, life, needs and purpose of life, beauty of life, abundance, 

read related posts https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/2019/01/on-moving-forward.html