A walk to remember!

 

A walk to remember!

I took a walk!

A walk to remember!

There was traffic. There was noise. There was chaos all around. And yet, I felt silence.

There were people. There were vehicles all around – honking, buzzing, applying brake – but still, I was calm.

A walk – a very simple walk – walk with myself. A walk for myself. A walk to remember!

It was a reminder of a possibility – “There is peace that can be found even amongst the chaos.

We can tap into solitude even amid multitudes.

We can experience happiness even in the mundane routine of our busy lives.

A Walk is not an exercise. It is not something done with an end in view. It is an excuse and a way to connect with myself - every day of my life. And I love it!”

I liked it!

For it was a walk to remember!

**************** 

# daily routine of life, life is beautiful, mundane routine of life, spirituality, little nothings of life, break down and break through situations of life, silence, mindfulness, illusion, 

also read previous post https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/2023/09/a-wow-moment.html 

 

On being still!

 

On being still!

“The easiest way to get hold of the mind is to sit quiet and let it drift where it will for a while”. – Swami Vivekananda.

This is so far away from being lazy. This is also not doing some binge watching too. This is far from it. This is not being idle. This is not about passing away time. 

This is about disengaging yourself from all the chatter that your mind makes. This is being able to get to your oasis of silence in the midst of your inner chaos and desert.

Take up meditation with open eyes and see the magic happen.

It may not happen the first few times you do it.

Keep doing it daily and then bam, you experience it – may be only for a few seconds and then it is gone.

Just watch the nature – be it sky, running water, clouds, trees, just about anything without any agenda.

Don’t expect your problems to get resolved.

Don’t expect your desires to be fulfilled.

Do this exercise without any agenda.

If anyone does it, come back with your experiences, observations and insights!

Concluded.....

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# beingness, being still, living in the moment, being present now and here, restlessness, agitated mind, disturbed mind, calmness, calm mind, 

also read https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/2024/04/time-to-rest.html 

Me, my Guru – Bhagavatam – Bhaktha Prahlad and Hiranyakashyap

 

Contd....

Me, my Guru – Bhagavatam – Bhaktha Prahlad and Hiranyakashyap

But when the same problem is faced by a sadhan, bhaktha, people who are following dharm, then the same problem helps to alleviate them. It heals their karma. It betters their attitude. It purifies them. It helps to loosen up their bondage. It helps to grow spiritually. So you see, if and only if you are following Dharm, are full of purity of intent and in sadhan don’t look at the name of the relationship. Just do your bit. Keep your end of the relationship pure and full of love. See how honest you can be in your relationship. Play your part right. And then, leave the rest to God.

Use relationships to free yourself from bondage. Don’t use them to bind you to this World and karma”.

Having said this our Guru left us to have our lunch. We had to eat to fill our stomachs. But our hearts were filled already with what she shared!

She didn’t say anything new today and yet it felt new. Wasn’t this topic ever young, new and beautiful every single time?

Just listening to it gave us goosebumps. Imagine the bliss one experienced when he lived it??!!

Wow! No doubt, all Gurus stressed on this again and again!

We ate in silence.

This silence was beautiful.

This silence was fulfilling.

This silence was peaceful.

 Concluded......

Please note: Assuming you all know the stores from Bhagavatam that I am sharing, I am giving you an abridged version only......if any of you don't know any of the stories that I have shared, let me know I'll write the same in detail.....

************ 

# Me my Guru series, Prahlad and Hiranyakashyap, Bhagavatam, Bhaktha and samsari, materialistic and spiritual person, devotee, devotion, God protects those who trust him, God's grace, bad parent and good parent, break down situations, situations don't make or break us, 

also read suggested https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/2016/01/no-snowflake-ever-falls-at-wrong-place_23.html 

read the complete link given above.....

Me, my Guru – The Blacksmith in heaven

 

Contd....

Me, my Guru – The Blacksmith in heaven

In whatever we try to be of service to others we can make the Purpose of life out of that. The Blacksmith had a job that was a very basic one. But he always thought of it as a means to ease others’ lives. He lived his life servicing others through his profession. He led a selfless life that way. That was heaven! That is the “devotion” God expects from one and all – this is told in every scripture!”

When our Guru completed this story there was pin-drop silence for some time to come. Our various questions were answered.

Is there heaven and hell?

How to qualify for heaven?

We are afraid of going to heal. How to avoid going there?

How to lead a life that would please God?

What are the qualities of a true devotee?

What is the Purpose of life in our life? How to find it? Where to look for it?

When we look out for people in our family, does it count as a selfless act? Certainly not! Many times, people want to put up an act of selflessness - when in fact all they did was fulfill their duties. Know the difference and act accordingly!

The answer was simple and straight. But something in that answer disturbed us. Was it the simplicity of the answer?

We couldn’t exactly know what disturbed us. Yet with the answer received we left for good!

Pointers to understand this post:

“He lead a straight and simple life. God was very pleased with the way he followed God’s teachings. So, at the right time, God sent one of his best angels to fetch his devout devotee. He was just in his early 50’s.” – So you see, God loves those who are simple and pure. He doesn’t want all the “expensive rituals” that we follow to please him and find His Grace. Right attitude is all that God expects from us.

We don’t have to market ourselves as “good people” or “spiritual ones” to others of this World. It is totally useless. How you market may make a impact on your “image” but to God it is the purity of intent that matters.

If the attitude and intent are good, God would choose you to shower His Grace on you – even without you asking for it!

Contd....

# Me my guru series, blacksmith in heaven, heaven and hell, sacrifice, seva, on helping others, purity of intent, selflessness, honesty, humility, 

also read suggested https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/search?q=heaven+and+hell 

read the link given to understand how we all create our own heaven and hell

Grace healings for Saving Lions and for the animal World!

 

Grace healings for Saving Lions and for the animal World!

Sent Grace healings to Swathi for 3 days – for she sent Reiki for the animal kingdom further to https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/2024/08/lions-day.html?showComment=1724032799274

Lesson to be learnt:

Many more must have sent it.

But, they didn’t give the feed back. So, they didn’t receive Grace healings!

So, do we need to ‘propagate’ to the Universe, World and God about our good deeds to receive the bounty – absolutely NO!

Never talk about the good that you have done. That is the best way to heal your karma!

But, also you can’t feel jealous that the other you had expressed their good work is getting praised.

You also can’t complain that you didn’t receive ‘grace healings’ in spite of having healed!

You can’t expect appreciation for the work done unless explicitly stated.

So – for a sadhak, it is imperative that you do all work in silence and yet not expect any returns – either in kind or otherwise for the same.

Then, why separate rules for the blog?

Here, the benefits of expressing are varied. Read https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/2017/09/on-feedback.html (I have also clearly stated various benefits in old posts - share with others the same if you come across it)

How can you expect me to send Grace healings unless I know that you have done it!!?? If you don’t want Grace healings, well, that is a different story altogether though.

Why Grace healings ? https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/search?q=why+grace+healings 

"The best way to guarantee receiving something that you desire is to give it first!" says the Mystic!

So, what did you learn from this post?

# heal the Earth, heal the animals, saving animals, no man is an island, grace healings, receive what you give, do good receive good, no good done ever goes waste,

Points to remember:

No good ever done goes to waste!

You receive what you give. 

Give more of what you wish to receive!

Be the change you want to see!

No man is an island!

We are as safe as others are in this World - animals, plants, insects and minerals!

 

Lion’s Day!

 

Lion’s Day!

Today - August 10th is Lion’s Day.

Let’s send reiki to cat family especially endangered species like lion, tiger, leopard, and cheetah. Today is a reminder that we need to protect our wildlife if we need to save ourselves. We owe it to ourselves to send Reiki to all the endangered species like the bald eagle, polar bear, panda and so many like them.

So, this week let’s send reiki to Mother Earth with the intention that the Reiki be sent to save all endangered species and the animal world at large!

During the Nazi movement this poem was written. If we are silent when injustice is meted out to the weak and innocent, then when our time comes no one will come forward to help or maybe there will be one left to help?!

First they came!

First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist

Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist

Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist

Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew

Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me

 (-         Martin Neimoller German Pastor on silence of German Intellectuals and clergy being cause of Nazi power) 

They are beautiful and essential in our food chain. Every time one big or small animal vanishes from the food chain, it impacts the entire ecology, ecosystem and bio-diversity. We are effected by what happens to animals and vice-versa. “no man is an island!”. Sooner we understand this, better! So, let’s do Reiki for these big cats – at least if not for all the endangered species of the animal kingdom for at least a week!

I am going to do – wish you too would join in!

*****

# lion's day, animal world, ecological balance, being human, our duties as a human being, wildlife, endangered species, 

 

Me, My Guru – On where there is a will, there is a way!

 

Me, My Guru – On where there is a will, there is a way!

“Guruji, you are always asking us to do so many techniques. But, where is the time? Other masters don’t even emphasize doing ‘hands-on’ on 24 points. In fact, it is not even mentioned in their classes. Yet, you are always asking us to complete doing ‘hands-on’ on a daily basis. We have jobs and personal lives too. Where is the time to do the sadhan?” asked one among us in a dejected tone.

Our Guru just smiled and waited for tea to arrive.

As tea was served everyone relaxed and the air was filled with our laughter. After our tea and chit-chatting were over, our Guru started to say “SRK is one of the top stars of Bollywood. He also owns a production company. He owns a cricket team too. He is into lots of other businesses along with his movies and shows. Imagine how much physical strain would it be to be a performer for 10-12 hours daily – be it in a movie, show or a private function! And over and above that to run such huge businesses! Still, he takes time to attend and be with his friends for all their good and tough times. He is there for his family too! He teaches cricket to his son!

Understand this better with this anecdote. He had a spot boy named Subhash. This boy lived in the slum. SRK would visit the slum silently at night after 1 pm and would stay for 15-20 minutes and leave silently. He would go to this slum once every 6-7 months to attend a birthday party of a kid or if a family member of Subhash was sick. He would attend any small function in Subhash’s house.

Contd...

# Me My Guru series, where there is a way there is a way, on choices, decisions, attitudes, 

Read suggested https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/2015/09/after-long-silence.html  read the link given to know how the wise listen to the suggestion/ advice from the other and immediately apply it in their lives and are benefitted because of the same...

also see how the intelligent - sometimes out of ego may take a little longer to accept other's advice - but they too get saved though delayed because of their ego

the foolish full of arrogance, stupidity and ego face the consequences of their own nature - these are the ones who blame the others for their calamity.....

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 

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