Walk Alone if need be but never leave the path…..

Walk Alone if need be 

but never leave the path…..

The path is difficult and lonely….

yes, many times it is depressing too……

but you CAN do it and you HAVE it in you.

Walk alone if need be

But never leave the path that takes you to yonder  shores 

where there is no pain or suffering.

Walk alone if need be

But never leave the path.

 

To leave the lust, anger and hatred

I know seems next to impossible

But trust me, it just seems

It is not so…..

To test you and to weaken you will come

Many a players in your life

And will come in every station of life

To play their part to perfection

That you may falter and give in to your vices

But you can win over these temptations……

If you just don’t give in

And keep up the moral high.

Walk alone if need be

But don’t leave the path.

 

If you become them, then say who’s won?

If you can’t change them to being you

Atleast you don’t become them!

Think and think wisely….

For your every thought is governed by them

If it is filled with anger and hatred

And you have won

If you are peaceful and calm

On their face and laugh at their idiosyncracies……

Walk alone if need be

But don’t leave the path!

Because at the end of the path

It is not if you have won over them or not that decides who’s won.

One who loses to his heart is a loser

And one who has won his heart is a winner……

 

Walk alone if need be

But don’t leave the path

Walk alone, walk alone…..

 

if you are open to bengali song listen to Kishoreda singing Rabindranath Tagore's eklo chalo song " https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmzvr3aZXQc

and the translation of this one of most Rabindra Sangeet song is :

If they answer not to your call walk alone

If they are afraid and cower mutely facing the wall,

O thou unlucky one,

open your mind and speak out alone.

If they turn away, and desert you when crossing the wilderness,

O thou unlucky one,

trample the thorns under thy tread,

and along the blood-lined track travel alone.

If they shut doors and do not hold up the light when the night is troubled with storm,

O thou unlucky one,

with the thunder flame of pain ignite your own heart,

and let it burn alone.

 

Kerala – All for one!

Kerala – All for one!

India has united like never before for Kerala. It’s time like these that gives hope in the humanity. It speaks volumes about the way people relate with the pain and suffering of their unseen and unmet brothers of India. This goes to prove how we all are connected by one thread of love and brotherhood.

Pockets like Kerala, seven northern sisters and such places of India which are lungs of India what with their vast green cover.  We owe it to them for all these benefits we have been receiving from them for all these years. And not to speak of unforgettable trip to Kerala (by those who had been there at least once in their life-time!) and the peace that this place blessed us with! We owe it to them for those memories.

Social sites and media are working creatively to stand up with Kerala in this crisis time and I don’t need to talk about ‘what to give’ and ‘send’ again. The list is already known to all!

But, I would suggest instead of randomly sending items, pool the resources of your group and get in touch with ‘the Keralite’ (one in every group will certainly have one Keralite friend) and when I say Keralite it applies to every native of Kerala – not just a Malayali – remember that. This is reaching a human as a human act ONLY! Ask him/her to check the requirements from their people and send the needed items accordingly – especially through this known contact. This way the goods get surely to the persons who need it and in the required quantity. This way you can be sure of at least one colony/area’s needs being fulfilled and trust me that is a great feeling.

Next, help doesn’t end by sending these items now. The work has to be done for at least next 3-4 months. Whatever is the skill you have, you can use it to give free services to those people by going there and working as a volunteer. Or use your skill to raise money and put it to good use.

Try to find people who have lost their livelihood – especially the daily wage labourers and give them their tools so that they can stand on their feet as soon as possible. Construction workers, tailors (sewing machines), road side tea stalls or tiffin centres – their start up requirements is usually just couple of thousands. You can reach atleast to few of them (as a group) and that way you would’ve saved a family and fed a family. Just think about it!

Instead of feeding a man with fish daily, teach him to fish and you’ve made a man out of him!

Apart from material supplies and support as Reiki channels send reiki daily for next 6mths atleast for them to get strength to face this calamity! Pray for them. Ask group who are not reiki channels to sit and pray for them. Let them chant for their well being!

Your reiki can save them from the diseases that can sicken them thanks to flood waters and all! This will help them to heal their trauma easily. They will come out as stronger persons. The help that they require will reach in time and in required amount various are the benefits of healing Kerala. Don’t lost this wonderful opportunity to open your hearts and pockets to reach out to those who are more in need of them than you and me.

United we stand and let’s show ourselves and the world that we capable of facing and overcoming such unforeseen calamities. Let’s prove to ourselves how wonderful as Indians we are!

Proud to be an Indian!

Proud to be human!

related posts : https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/search?q=on+giving

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

https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/search?q=open+your+heart

https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/search?q=you+receive+what+you+give

Reflections – on living our “some” dreams

 

Reflections – on living our “some” dreams

My childhood memory doesn’t have even a single ‘apartment’ or ‘flat’ in it. All we knew was independent houses. Oh, those were the days! We lived in a huge compound with 13 neighbours. In the center was a very huge house in which our landlord – a Muslim with a huge family lived. Surrounding that house were our 13 houses – each belonging to one region of India. We would call our compound ‘a mini-India’ as it had people of all castes and religions in it.

Our house was a small 2 room and one kitchen. Rooms and kitchen were separated by open space. That was ‘the way’ for our neighbours house. So, we had people walking between our rooms and kitchen all through the day. But, it didn’t seem odd then. We would close our kitchen door and sleep in our rooms. We didn’t feel ‘unsafe’ of the kitchen being ‘in the open’ then. The open space wasn’t much either – just enough to put up a cot there. In summer, our mother would sleep there on the cot. We felt safe. The rooms wouldn’t be locked. We slept with our doors open. So, did most of the neighbours. We didn’t need a/cs then. We slept in the open.

Because I was brought up in an independent house, my heart craves for that – like most Indians of the bygone era. And the main reason in my case was my garden! By the time I was in 3^rd standard, I had become quite aware of my desires. And that was to be a farmer!! So, I would beg for vegetable seeds from Mom and plant them. We didn’t have much space. Just a small patch of ground that was used as a ‘dustbin’. It was dirty beyond words. But, the heart wants what it wants! 

Contd.....

# living your dream, dreams, achievements, living in the moment, reflections, 

also revisit old post further : https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/2015/01/what-you-chose-decides-where-you-go.html

Me, My Guru....

Me, My Guru…!

“Every pain has an equal or greater benefit within it. The day you realize it, you stop complaining and start being grateful. The day you see the benefit you take the lesson, grow as a person and let go of an experience” said the Guru.

I said “It may be applicable in few situations. But, some problems can’t have a reason to feel grateful about”.

Guru smiled and said, “State your complaint and I’ll give 10 benefits in it. I’ll show 10 reasons for you to be grateful about”.

I liked this challenge. I knew I got my Guru this time. And I put forth my first complaint, “My spouse had a heart attack” (This can be replaced by – My relative is suffering from … disease!)

Guru, “Good. Start counting your blessings and start being grateful for the same”.

1. Spouse or relative’s STILL ALIVE
2. Disease means some organ is not functioning properly. A car which has broken down is not considered as a problem. It is taken to a mechanic for repair. Likewise, a dysfunctional person needs only to be taken to a doctor for corrective measure.
3. Disease reminds us that we have been taking our body for granted. It needs to be properly taken care of. And the various measures are pranayamam (breathing exercise), walking and physical exercise, meditation, various techniques of Reiki, right eating, sitting and sleeping habits.
4. You could take that relative to a doctor. You have access to a doctor. That itself is a blessing. Millions in the world don’t have access to right medical facilities.
5. You can afford a doctor means you’ve money – it may be credit. Still you could raise that sum of money. It’s a financial abundance that you have. Millions die for want of basic needs. And we can afford a doctor’s fees. Great indeed!
6. You can browse through internet and get information regarding disease and get best possible aid for the same. You can AFFORD a COMPUTER!!!!! You think it is a necessity. Ask millions who don’t have proper drinking water…
7. You are browsing means you can read. It’s a blessing that more than 80 million in the world don’t have.
8. If you can read, you have eyes. That is the best possession you have.
9. Your near and dear are there to take care of you. You have a family to fall back on. You are not alone. What a blessing!
10. You have friends and relatives praying for you, worrying about your health. You really are a wealthy person.
11. You’ll know the fear of losing a person very dear to you. You’ll start giving more importance to spending good time with all who matter in your life rather than going behind acquiring things.
12. You will know to celebrate relationships instead of just having them in life.

The count is more than 10 already. So be grateful and open up to thanking people and life in general” said Guru with a smile on the lips. I was lost. Clearly, my next complaint should be one that doesn’t have a reason to thank.

Fill your complaint bucket...Think about your it objectively till we meet in the next post....

Rashtrapathi bhavan / Nilayam - Hyderabad

 

Rashtrapathi bhavan / Nilayam - Hyderabad

Maybe, you all know that we have a “RASHTRAPATHI NILAYAM / BHAVAN” one in Hyderabad too! Our president comes and stays during winter at least for a month and conducts the office from here!

Presently, it is open to the public. Previously, it was open only for 15 days a year after our President comes for a visit and leaves. Now, it is open to the public throughout the year except on Mondays.

It is right in the heart of the city – amidst the Nature in the Cantonment area of the Secunderabad.

It is a must-visit for each one of us. As of now for lack of awareness that it is open to the public all through the year, the rush is minimal. Go and benefit as an early bird! Take children with you if you have any. Teachers - plan an excursion for your school here.

The staff here are very friendly and we have a guided tour.

We wish to go to some distant places and see their presidential suites and palaces. We feel bad that we are not able to do that! Pity that we don’t consider our own tourist places worth visiting! People from all over the World come to Hyderabad and we feel we are missing out on seeing other places!!?? What a pity!

Cherish what we have!

Relish what we have!

Enjoy and take in what we have!

“One who is complete from within will find the World in his backyard”!!!

People come to me and say “We read “The Secret” book which is excellent. You also read it!”

Contd...

# Rashtrapathi Bhavan, Hyderabad, places to visit, awareness, simple joys of life, little nothing of life, abundance, miracles, 

also read on similar topic: https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/2022/07/reflections-on-cleaning-1_092558187.html

Greed

The duck that lay golden eggs

The next issue or quality that has a telling effect on my FA would be ‘Greed’. We’ll recollect our childhood story in a gist to understand what greed is all about.

Once upon a time not very long ago lived a farmer named Buddhuram whose wife was called Lobhisree. Buddhuram was happy with his life but his wife always would remind him of the insufficiencies in their life and would reprimand him to earn more to satisfy their needs. One day Buddhuram helped a duck which was caught in a hunter’s net and the duck out of gratitude said “Buddhuram you are a very good man. I would like to pay back your help by staying with you for some days to come. Take me home. I’ll lay a golden egg each day and you can sell it in the market and live happily for ever.”

Buddhuram was both surprised and elated. He took the duck home and it started to lay eggs as promised – one egg a day. His wife was very happy at the start, but very soon became restless. Her fear was “What if the duck leaves them? Why do we have to wait everyday just for one egg when we can get all the eggs that the duck is to lay in it’s entire life by just cutting it open?” these and such related thoughts bothered her day and night and she shared it with her husband. Initially he was very angry with her. But, slowly she kept repeating the same fear again and again and it had a telling effect on him slowly and steadily. Even without his knowledge, he started thinking on those grounds.

One day, he relented to his fear and greed and cut open the duck’s stomach. To their utter dismay, they found it empty of gold. They cried their heart out. They wanted the duck to come back to life, so that they can get at least one egg a day. But, it was not to happen.

Now, what does this story which we know since long teach us today? How does it apply to FA in my life? What is greed and how does it affect me? Share your views till I come up with my next blog…..

World Metta Day – 22nd March

 

World Metta Day – 22^nd March

Today is celebrated as World Metta Day. The word “Metta” means benevolence and love for all beings of the World! This day calls all people from all walks of life and of all religions to practice one to two hours of silent Metta Meditation. This is done all over the World from noon to 2 pm – local time.

History of Metta Meditation says that a group of 500 Buddhist monks settled in a forest during a rain retreat. There, the monks felt unwelcome and unwanted by the forest spirits. They came back and reported to the Buddha about the same. They even requested him not to send them back to that forest. Buddha asked them to meditate with an open mind and heart. He also emphasized that they have welcoming thoughts and feelings during the meditation. Later, he sent them back to the forest. Now, the monks found that the spirits were welcoming. These monks now found their practices based on “Metta Meditation” from then on.

This meditation emphasis that we show love for one and all including ourselves. The meditation just does that.

As Reiki channels, those who have completed Karuna Reiki, do “forgiveness meditation” today!

Others can do “Rebirth meditation” with “anger, dislike, resentment, hurt, conditions, expectations or hatred”.

Higher degrees who have been taught “Love Meditation” do that.

You can also do “Emotional Healing” with people in your life especially those whom you dislike or are angry with.

You can also do “Earth Healing”.

Every technique that takes you away from fear and towards accepting yourself and others is a "Metta Meditation".

As Reiki Channels, you have been taught the “Metta Principle” in so many ways and through so many techniques.

Those who are reading this and not Reiki Channels or those who are Reiki Channels but not under me (as they may not know the techniques that I have mentioned above) - to you (don't feel left out), do 1- 2hr simple chanting "Om shanthi, shanthi, shanthihi".

If you are not an Indian or one who practices some other religion and have a problem saying "Shanthi" as it is in the Sanskrit language, you simply sit and chant "Let there be peace within me. Let there be peace in the world. Let peace permeate through the entire Universe". That should do!

A sadhak is one who uses every excuse to do some or the other technique. He knows that every technique is a tool that takes him nearer to Himself!

Those who do this come back with your experience/observations/ understandings.

I always have said and believed that “Love is all that needs to be experienced. And healing is all about removing every obstacle that stops us from experiencing it in toto!”

Come, let’s fall in love with ourselves – once again!

******

# World Metta Meditation Day, love, on relationships, meditations, loving self, loving kindness, awareness, mindfulness, ego, we reap what we sow, our thoughts and us, 

also read previous post on love : https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/2023/02/its-love-love-and-love-all-along.html 

As always said "Read the complete post" using the link given at the bottom of the post. 

Question time:

We have traveled a lot on this journey. Now the question is "What has this journey taught you about love?"

How much have you been able to experience it, live it, or understand it?

How has the definition of love changed before Reiki and after for you?

How have various techniques to increase love in you and in your life helped you previously at you various points of life?

Sadhan for the Invocation of Rama into our lives, Nation and the World!

 

Sadhan for the Invocation of Rama into our lives, Nation and the World! 

Further to https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/search?q=ram+lalla, I am very glad that at least one among you - Swathi has been able to complete the entire sadhan as decided and instructed. 

Not for just this sadhan but see for yourself in any venture, there are lots of takers at the start.

Many drop out after a few days.

Some more drop out after walking for a few more days. 

Just a handful keep walking still! 

Then, most drop out and only a couple touch the end line!

So, it happened this time too - even in sadhan - or maybe more so in Sadhan!

But, even if one person comes to the finish line it is a huge cause of celebration for all of us!

Because, every time, someone walks this path (however little it maybe) diligently, it impacts the whole group. That person is carrying the torch for the entire group at that point of time!

As most of you must have noticed, people participating in the blog also change from time to time. Look at the comments to understand this. No person has been continuously following the blog since its inception. The only constant with the blog is 'me'!

Readers come and go. Then, some come back after some time. Then they continue for some more time and then go away. 

Why does this happen?

Mostly, people are regular when they are facing a problem. Once the problem is solved, they go away. Then after a few years, they end up facing some problems in life and then they come back and become regulars in the blog |(and also in class).

I am yet to meet a person who continues with sadhan, is regular with sadhan, has the same amount of respect, affection, and gratitude as when he started and is sincere with sadhan with the same intensity!!! https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/2016/01/how-your-feed-back-helps.html. 

People use the words "gratitude", "love", "bhakt/devotee/devotion", "faith" so casually and yet the truth of these words is just this - "https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/2022/04/on-faith-and-being-faithful.html".

Don't worry or feel bad. No one is judging you. You are who you are! You are not answerable to anyone - and it applies to me too in your life! but, you need to know yourself - the real way! And for that, one needs to take action. One needs to be courageous to walk this path! One needs to take time to look within and find out the real emotions, real feelings, real thought processes and the real you! And then, therein you will find the way to solve all the causes of your pain and suffering! https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/2009/04/know-thyself.html 

And the first step towards that path and end is the "regular sadhan". 

Swathi, for doing it "this time" and for being the only one - will receive reiki for one week.

For not expecting anything in return and just doing sadhan for sadhan's sake - she receives Reiki for one week - again!

For silently following the instructions - with no questions and no demands - for one fortnight - again!

Each attitude of a person brings abundance or pain depending on the attitude - every single time it is expressed by the person. https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/2017/05/ask-and-it-shall-be-given-me-my-guru_26.html. Here, it is obvious. In life too, it happens, it's just that we are not aware of what we receive.  We are not generous and honest enough to validate what we receive. We feel entitled and so we count our blessings also as our "right" and grow in bitterness instead of gratitude! 

What she received from me is nothing to what she is to receive in exchange for her sadhan. https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/2023/09/on-receiving-for-healing-and-growing.html. Swathi is to open her eyes and heart to see it and validate it. So, it is for everyone else too! 

Jai Shree Ram!

Me, my guru – No good done ever goes to waste!

 

Contd....

Me, my guru – No good done ever goes to waste!

“But our Guruji just said “Good done doesn’t go to waste”. It doesn’t mean it’ll be returned by the same person or the same way. These stories are not to be understood so literally. Be open to seeing the larger and clearer picture”

“Exactly,” said Swathi “I know a girl who had fractured her leg. She was the sole breadwinner of her family. For health reasons, her husband couldn’t work. Her finances were very poor. Even her medical expenses were met by a couple of her relatives. Her neighbours distributed days among themselves and gave her piping hot good food for the next 3-4 months. One would get breakfast, the other lunch and the third dinner. One took care of giving her a bath and all. She said her mother had fed so many people and that punya (good) came to support her today. It was a known fact that for the last 4-5 years this girl herself had been giving ‘prasadam’ at the temples near her house (30-49mts drive). And yet, she attributed her good luck of having such wonderful people as neighbours to her mother’s good acts.**

The people whom we help or serve may be ungrateful but our acts will come back as ‘aids’ in our life through some good Samaritans. That is the “Law of the Universe”!"

Vaishnav didn’t seem happy with this explanation.

** This is a "real life incident of a person written as a story"!

Contd....

# me, my guru stories, no good done goes waste, karma, you receive what you give, good or bad comes back to us, boomerang effect of our actions, sooner or later we reap what we sow, we reap what we sow, 

read previous post further on this topic https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/2009/07/on-cheating.html 

The link gives us an understanding as to how our "cheating" comes back in our lives....

Pointers to understanding post"

" It doesn’t mean it’ll be returned by the same person or the same way. These stories are not to be understood so literally. " - NEVER expect the person to whom you have given support, help or so to return it! Manytimes, it doesn't come back from the person to whom you have given! It comes back from that person only if that person has an attitude of gratitude, honesty, humility, purity of intent and heart, and love. Above all that person should be the follower of 'Dharm'! 

Since, not all who you do good have these qualities, it is not returned by the other. And yet, the Universe is ever wakeful and watchful. It sees to it that the good done is sent back to your aid at the appointed time and in times of need!

"** " - The incident told above is the real life situation that happened recently. It is the classic case of karma bearing fruit at the needed time! 

That girl doesn't have material benefits much to her account but karma did come back as help needed at the much needed time! Understand this right!

The Mystic asks!

 

The Mystic asks!

The Mystic asks "Do you keep knocking on a heart till it opens?"

and

The Mystic wants to know "Are you working on your relationships enough and long enough for them to be better?"

also read shayaari from previous post on unrequited love : https://kantipadam.blogspot.com/search?q=kaho+aana+kaise

# on unrequited love, relationships, give and take, on patience, on being there in love,

points covered:

• Good relationships don't happen overnight! They happen when the people involved exhibit virtues of patience in every mood of the relationship.
• When we are in a relationship - be it with anyone, are we into it already expecting it to be a finished food and ready to be served? Or, are we entering it with an open eye knowing that we are in it to make it work for all the work put in is for 'our' sake ONLY?
• When the affection is genuine then just being in the relationship means all....
• and when affection is not genuine then no amount of returns is going to make it seem good....
• think about it for a while.....