Life is a Process of Weeding

Smart Plus  - Rakesh Mittal IA

Weeding is an important aspect of office working. There are rules and regulations on the subject and every office is supposed to follow them. The purpose is to weed our unnecessary/obsolete papers at definite intervals so that the office remains tidy and works with greater efficiency. I take special interest in this area.  During my inspection of any office I pay great attention towards cleanliness and check whether timely weeding has been carried out or not. I am of the view that those who pay attention to this aspect of office working, are also efficient in other areas. In fact, whenever I join a new office, I personally carry out this exercise in my own office. This not only helps me in my working but also motivates my colleagues to do the same.

Weeding is equally important in plant life. In order to get a healthy crop, one has to ensure that weeds are removed in time.  I remember when I was posted as District Collector, the then Agricultural Secretary had launched a special weeding drive for the wheat crop.  That year the problem of a particular weed in the crop of wheat had been very acute.  The Secretary’s motivated call for the weeding programme drew a healthy response from all concerned. As a result, the average yield of wheat in the state went up substantially and the Central Government gave a special award to the state for this achievement.

Extending the above logic further, I want to establish that weeding is equally important for a healthy human life. We all know that life is a process of change and if one does not outgrow the past continuously, one will neither be able to enjoy the present nor think of the future. I had an occasion to think about this subject once when I was preparing my new-year’s diary. I am going to share my thoughts in this write-up.

While making notes from the previous year’s diary, I came across several references and addresses which appeared to be very relevant and close at the time of writing but were now totally irrelevant. For a moment there was a temptation to note them also. Previously I had a tendency to be overcautious and used to note down everything in the hope of their distant utility.  However, such an eventuality was rare and such notes only proved to be a burden on the mind. That year I decided that if a reference or address had not been used for the past 2-3 years, there was no point in carrying it over any longer. As a result of this criterion, many references and addresses were weeded out and my new year’s diary became much more manageable. Not only this, the load on the mental span decreased and the focus on the present and the future improved.

Some philosophical thoughts also came to mind in this process. For a moment I thought whether weeding is a positive phenomenon or a negative one. My contemplation established that it is a positive phenomenon from every point of view. Even in worldly life we find that life is a process of quitting and getting.  When one gets a promotion, one quits the lower post.  When a student is promoted to a higher class, he quits the lower one. When one constructs a house in a bigger town, one quits the smaller one. When one buys a car, one quits the lower mode of transport. There may be innumerable examples of such kind.  Do we call such quitting a negative action ? No, by all means they are positive actions provided the ego is not there. Here I am talking of a natural phenomenon happening in one’s life.  Therefore, we must use the word ‘transcending’ in place of ‘quitting’. From this point of view every process of weeding is a transcending process.

Looking from another point of view, it is also a fact that if we don’t leave things, things will leave us. In that case the process may be painful. After all, in this transitory world, how can we expect things to remain with us forever ? If so, the wisdom lies in quitting them before they quit us. If we do so, we save ourselves from the agony of separation. Not only this, we are left with more energy for rising higher and higher.

Thus we find that constant weeding is essential for moving on to a higher path in life. It is true in the field of materials, in the field of plants and equally in the field of human life. Those who understand and follow this, enjoy a healthy and purposeful life.  For such people, the whole life becomes a process of weeding and they do not get perturbed when the time for the weeding of the body itself arrives.

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The Unsettled Arabs

Message of Peace - Justice P K Shamsuddin 

 News came to Mohammad that the tribes of Banu Mustaliq were mobilizing for war and instigating the Arab chance to kill Mohammed under the leadership of Al Haris Ibin Abu Dirar. Thereupon Mohammed hastened to strike and take them by surprise. Two divisions of Al Mohajerun and Al Ansar, led by Abu Bakr and Sad Ibn Iubadah, responded to Mohammed’s call. The allies of Banu Al Mustaliq ran away on hearing the advance of the Muslim army. Banu Ali Mustaliq was encircled by the Muslim army. In the encounter that followed, the Muslims lost Isam Ibin Al Khattah, who was killed accidentally by a Muslim. Banu Al Mustaliq lost ten men. Ultimately, Al Mustaliq realized that it would be better for them to surrender to the Muslim army. They were seized captives and their cattle confiscated.

Umar Ibn Al Katab had a servant charged with the care of horses. After the campaign of Banu Al Mustaliq, this servant clashed with one of the Al Khazreb’s tribesmen. During the quarrel the Khazreb men called Al Ansar for help. The other called for help from Al Muhajiroon. Abdulla Ibn Ubayy, who had accompanied the Muslim army on the expectation of booty of war, rose when he heard the call and venting his old hatred for Mohajiron and Mohammed attached to Ansar. Mohammed said to Ansar, “Indeed Al Mohajiron have not only crowded at here that even on our homes. The case of our hospitality to them has been nothing short of the common case. Bilal said, “Surely when we return to Medina the stronger party shall host the evacuation of the other. Such is the fate that you have decreed with your own hands. You have allowed the Muslims to occupy your land. You have willingly shared your luck with them. By God if you could only deny these privileges they would have to leave you alone and seek somebody else’s help.” This speech was soon reported to Mohammed. Umar suggested that Bilal be sent to trial. Mohammed but declined this suggestion of Umar and said “Oh Umar, what would the city think if they heard that Mohammed has begun to kill his own companion.”  Still, Mohammed thought that unless some resolute action has been taken the situation will worsen.

Ubbay heard that his speech was reported to Mohammed and he rushed to Mohammed to deny the report. Mohammed and the Muslim army returned to Medina. Ubbay could not however reconcile himself with his hatred and resentment to Mohammed and his companions. It was at this time the following verses were revealed. (Contd.) 

 

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Strikes and Hartals -3

Blooming Stars - Swami (Dr) Snehananda Jyoti

After having looked at hartals and strikes in the context of the politics of violence, murder, paralyzing fear, and deteriorating law and order, that practically strike at the root of hard-fought freedom, it is important to reflect on what we, in our turn, need to do to preserve this freedom from tyrannical politicians and autocratic, blind, and hypocritical religious leaders.  These self-centered, narcissistic leaders sap our vital energy and stealthily tighten their noose around our necks. The great irony is that this precious freedom that was won from the colonizing oppressors and imperialists at incalculable cost to lives, limbs, and livelihood is trampled upon by our own religious and political confreres who claim to know what is good for us, and who are trying to save us from ourselves because they think we do not know what is good for us. I say: “May God protect us from such arrogant, misguided, corrupt, rotten leaders who are sheer charlatans”! Psychologically it is not uncommon for the abused and the oppressed to become abusers and oppressors in their turn, and that too with great vengeance. For humanity to survive and to evolve to its full potentials, this cycle of vicious violence needs to be broken. 

The framers of the Indian Constitution, chastened by their untold  suffering they underwent in order to free themselves and the future generations, that is us, from the weighty shackles of oppressive British colonialism and native bigotries of religiously sanctioned caste system and discriminations, were wise men who, seeing the dangers of unbridled capitalism of the West and the totalitarian communism of the Soviet Union, settled for a socialistic pattern of egalitarian, democratic society in India where everyone as well as his or her contribution is accepted, valued, appreciated, honored, and celebrated. It may be important to note that India had to be liberated from the vicious stranglehold of three evils: 1. enslaving foreign occupation and oppression, 2. enslaving religious bigotry and the evil caste system, and 3. The six hundred odd unscrupulous, native Hindu and Muslim kings indulging in unparalleled, mocking luxuries in the midst of their people dying of starvation and diseases. Which was the worst of the three evils? It is very difficult to say; because all of them were debilitating and fatal cancers. The framers of the constitution, that contained the unique Indian genius, drew their inspiration to a large degree from Mahatma Gandhi who refused to divorce politics from his belief system (religion purified) and spirituality. 

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In Fear We Live

Life's Lessons - Joseph Mattappally

A generation living in fear - that is what precisely we are. Everywhere we hear stunning stories of psychics speaking tongues or predicting future and finally skulking away with thousands in cash and kind. Hear a few recent stories: Tammy Mitchell, the phony psychic from Midtown Manhattan ensnared a former Wall Street trader by telling him that his family was cursed. After his first week of sessions with Mitchell he was $200,000 poorer. Another lady Sophie Evon was caught and was charged of first degree theft. She persuaded a Chinese immigrant to give Evon $200,000 to win back her boy friend. If similar things happen in most advanced countries like USA, what could be the fate of under developed religious countries like India? Well said, the situation here in India is worse than the creature peddling between the devil and the deep sea. The people here are choked by God men and doctrines. At every nook and corner of the country there are fear factories and solution venders. No religion here lets a man be himself or know the truth.

Two men went out for trekking and happened to spend one night under the tent they had brought. One of them, a well educated scholar, woke up in the dark and looked up. He shook his friend also up and asked him to look up and began explaining theories concerning terrestrial bodies, which they were seeing in abundance. He finished his discourse and asked his friend, “What do you understand?” He awfully looked at the scholar and said, “I understand that somebody has stolen our tent.” The story is relevant in our everyday life. In our eagerness to keep away from day to day misfortunes we forget what we basically lose or where we want an urgent repair.

Instead of an ever loving compassionate God, we have an array of Gods and saints anxiously waiting with a long list of wrongs each human being has done. There was a withered tree standing in the corner of a man's backyard. "It's unlucky to keep a withered tree," said his neighbour. "Cut it down before something unpleasant happens." The man cut down the tree. His neighbour came with his two sons and asked for and dragged away all the branches for fuel. ‘All he wanted was the wood,’ thought the owner of the tree, ruefully. The dictators in every religion wants the lay to observe this and that but unless the lay is aware of what they choose to do, one day they might also regret like the man who cut down the tree.  

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God and Guru

Health and Happiness - Dr Dwarakanath

As we reach the closing stanzas of the divine song of Shankara in ‘Bhajagovindham’, he comes strongly more than his usual self. He says, our body is the temple and the soul in it is God’. It is our duty to keep both the body and the soul pure by guarding them from defilement. There are several means suggested by our great ancestors, which are valid for all times. These suggestions were time tested and proven beyond an iota of doubt. It is our duty and most important endeavor to put them in practice. While making mental obeisance to these great masters and personages, we should resign ourselves to the will of God. It is the practice in Hindu tradition to learn any sacred scripture at the feet of guru in gurukul- ancient way of education in Indian system. The disciple used to put his complete faith in the guru and the guru used to free the disciple from the vagaries of birth and death. Such was the sacred bond between the guru and sishya- disciple.

Though the time has changed and in the present day world, it is very difficult to get a competent guru and a sincere disciple. With that, the practice of being directly instructed by a guru has almost ceased, except in few lucky souls among us. Under the present circumstances, until you find the right Guru, there is nothing wrong to treat the photo of ishta daivam (Holy deity), holy book or a temple as guru. But the only important condition is earnest desire and complete devotion to obtain liberation, nothing less than that at any cost. Faith is the secret power in the human mind to hold on to what we intellectually believe and not yet come to experience in our life.

Faith in god and faith in the wisdom of guru are most important for the disciple to become liberated from sansara soon. Because once surrendered to the lotus feet of the guru, it is his burden to guide the disciple till he reaches the destination. But, the disciple, on his part, has to obey the guru, manasaa, vaacha and karmana so much so that he firmly believes that guru is God. Sincere adoration and devoted surrender to the guru are the most important ingredients. While establishing such a firm faith in guru, the disciple has to control his sense-organs and the mind so as to experience the lord that dwells in one's own heart.

Again, Sri Shankara rightfully commands us all, who wish to truly attain realization the essence of path of truth! Shankara’s words when translated without mincing words says, “Oh fool, at least now understand the purport of life and cross the life's ocean with the help of worshiping God and reciting his sacred names with every breath that you take”.

In the next week, let us see, what the great saints of India thought about the works of Shankara, especially the Bhajagovindam. Long live the Guru Parampara- Guru- Shishya sacred relation… India!

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Ganga or Sagar?

Smart Plus - Rakesh Mittal IAS

India is a country of holy places. Most people consider it a privilege to go on pilgrimage to these places. It is a great pleasure to see people undertaking all sorts of troubles in order to visit these places, which are not always comfortable. In this respect they show tremendous faith and patience. I have great reverence for this aspect of our culture and consider it a source of strength of our nation. It is a different matter that the objective of undertaking a pilgrimage is not always the same that it should be. I have had the privilege of visiting many holy places belonging to different religions. While I have no craving for these places, I like to visit them. In fact, more than the places, I enjoy the pilgrims and their faith. Here I am going to share some of the thoughts which came to my mind during our recent visit to Ganga Sagar.
Ganga Sagar is one of the most revered places of the Hindus. This is located in West Bengal and here the Mother Ganges merges into the ocean. It is said that while other holy places should be visited several times, it is enough to visit the Ganga Sagar only once.  This belief may be due to the difficult journey for the Ganga Sagar in the past. Now, of course, it is not so and the journey can be undertaken easily. But somehow the same belief continues.
After being posted to Calcutta, in July 1994, it had been our wish also to visit the Ganga Sagar and the opportunity came in December 1994. In November 1994, I got a letter from my former Director of National Academy of Administration, Shri Rajeshwar Prasad, expressing his wish to visit the Ganga Sagar and enquiring whether it would be possible to arrange the same. I was very happy to receive this letter for two reasons. Firstly, it gave me an opportunity to plan our visit also and, secondly, undertaking this pilgrimage with him was to be an added pleasure. So everything was planned in detail and we undertook this pilgrimage towards the end of December. The District Collector was of great help in making local arrangements and there was no difficulty of any kind.
During our stay at the Ganga Sagar, we had a good bath. While taking bath a thought came to my mind whether we were taking bath in Ganga or Sagar. The merger was so complete that it was difficult to differentiate one from the other. Some said it was Ganga and others felt it was Sagar. This made me think of the difference between the two. After all, Mother Ganga was a creation of the ocean only. Even when we see this holy river as a separate entity, is it not part of the same Creator, that is, the ocean?  In our ignorance we see them as separate entities. The ultimate aim of Mother Ganga is the merger with its creator and that is what happens at Ganga Sagar. It is like the merger of ‘Jiva’ with the ‘Brahma’. Due to ignorance, we consider ‘Jiva’ as a separate entity from ‘Brahma’ while they are actually the same.  Somehow the course of nature keeps drawing ‘Jiva’ towards ‘Brahma’ till they merge in the end. The ultimate aim of life is this merger and having attained it, there is nothing else to aim for.
This is what happens at Ganga Sagar also. Here the Mother Ganga, a creation of the ocean, merges with the Creator and thereafter it has to go nowhere. The cycle of creation and merger completes here and the process continues. The same is true of our lifecycle also. The created keeps merging into the creator and the cycle continues. This also explains the belief that while other holy places should be visited several times, it is enough to visit the Ganga Sagar only once. After all, having attained the supreme goal, what remains to be attained? Only a fortunate few reach this goal and it is no wonder that those who are able to undertake the pilgrimage to Ganga Sagar are considered fortunate.
 What we experience in the depths of our souls is realisation.
 When a man realises, he gives up everything.

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Threats Continue

Message of Peace - Justice P K Shamsuddin

Islam promoted fornication and strictly prohibited all sorts of sexual relationships between men and women who are not bound by marriage. Quran commands, “Don’t approach,” and strongly recommends purity and fidelity in private and life. Mohammed wanted to elevate the community to a higher plane where men enjoin the pleasures of the world without corrosion in their moral fabric and to guide all humanity to a distinct spiritual relationship, irrespective of professions and preoccupations in life. He commanded against all evil doing and strongly recommended a strong relationship between the followers of universal brotherhood. Islam was preparing for a great transformation.  After the encounter with the tribes of Banu Qurayyah, other Jewish tribes were trying to invade Medina and attack Mohammed. In return, Mohammed also kept vigil about any possible attack from them and the Meccans. Somehow, it came to the notice of Mohammed that Banu Lihyah and their allies were marching from a locality near Mecca to Medina. Mohammed then remembered the murder of Khubayh Ibn Adiy and his companion by the tribes of Banu Lihyah two years ago. Mohammed led the Muslim force towards them, turned to Mecca and proceeded to the camping place of the army of Banu Lihyah at Uran. When the matter came to the notice of Banu Lihyah, they took refuge in the heights of the surrounding mountains, gathering with them their cattle and property. Mohammed then returned to Medina.  A few days after Mohammed returned to Medina a group led by Uyyaynah Ibn Hisn raided the out outskirts of Medina. He seized the camel found in the area, killed a shepherd and took away his wife. Salman Ibn Amr happened to go that way to the forest with bows and arrows. He followed the raiders after them and called for help. Mohammed heard the call and alerted the people of Medina and the Muslims. As a result of this men came out from every direction. Mohammed ordered them to pursue the raiders; he also moved with another force until he arrived at the mountain of Dhuqarad Uyyaanah. The looters and their companions rushed to the tribes where they could find protection. But the Muslim cavalry overtook them seized the stolen animals and released the shepherd’s wife. The Muslims returned to Medina again.    

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Strikes and Hartals - 2

Blooming Stars - Swami (Dr) Snehananda Jyoti

 After a gruelling night-drive on August 7- 8, 2012 in the Western Ghats from Munnar, India, to Kochi International Airport and from there to St. Louis, Missouri, USA via Doha and Houston taking about 36 hours (of which 22.5 hours were in the air) I am still recovering from the jet-lag on the other side of the globe. I am completely turned around in that day has become night and night day. Fortunately some timely showers broke the long spell of sweltering August heat of St. Louis, in the mid-west, USA. I had a lot of time to think about in the plane and waiting lounges. After getting here, somehow I could not shake of the reports of the pathetic politics of murders engaged in Kerala especially by the Communist Party Marxist. That its misguided, obscurantist, and autocratic leaders could viciously consider someone leaving the party a kulamkuthi (stabber of one’s own family) or could make a widely reported and highly provocative statement to the effect that not even the Indian army can have access to a person suspected of a crime is kept somewhere in their party’s hiding place is unthinkable in a democratic country such as India. This kind of challenges can be construed to constitute seditious materials in a legally constituted democratic state. The strike on August 1, 2012, precipitously declared after the arrest of a prominent leader, who is reported to have facilitated through phone conversation the now famous murder of the defected party member, by impetuous, impulsive, and misguided party leaders spawning uncontrolled violence, and causing immense harm and untold suffering and inconvenience to the public while central forces summoned to quell unruly violence and keep peace was not employed is entirely unprecedented and totally unconscionable and unacceptable. The elected or appointed officials abetting such paralysis through neglect of duty have to certainly give an account to the general public. At this point I want to make very clear that I believe in non-violence and I would advocate very restrained and calculated force, however much I hate it, for the greater common good and only in extreme situations of the break-down-of law and order where a few anti-social elements would keep by far the greater majority at bay by threats and intimidations. It is also important to note that the report of the content of the taped conversation played by the police investigators in front of the arrested leader of the party in the face of his persistent denials in utter disregard for truth was widely circulated to the general public through the communication media, I presume, to inform and prepare the general public to prevent them from any possible rash and reckless behavior. This strike was not for protecting human rights; it was, on the contrary, to create chaos and anarchy so that a person who may have been an accomplice in the commitment of a crime may not be duly prosecuted. What about the rights of the innocent victim who was murdered in such a cruel way for exercising his fundamental freedom of choice?! Yesterday it was his unwanted murder. Tomorrow, God forbid, it might be mine or yours for that matter! No individual or party is above the law. Let the law with due process deal with the criminals. I am also appalled by the report of a judge who chose to leave the state earlier than planned to take his assignment in another state on account of some threats he received. Does a soldier in our army facing bullets in the border areas below freezing temperature to secure our security and freedom have the same choice? I do not think so. These are extraordinary times when all right-thinking and freedom-loving people need to do our little bit to support one another and to boost our morale lest we be overtaken by chaos and totalitarianism. Then it will be too late. Certainly we do not want to be silent spectators and repeat the history of Hitler’s Nazi Germany where over six million (60 lakhs) innocent Jews were killed when humanity was a silent spectator. In the light of many recent shocking revelations on murderous politics related to CPM in the media, I just happened to highlight some of the undemocratic activities of CPM. To be fair, other political parties are not far behind CPM in undemocratic ways and inciting mob violence leading to destruction, injuries, and deaths. Only they are not yet reported to be so systematic as the CPM in eliminating others. I also want to make it clear that in the depth of my being I am a communist, and I have suffered in good measure for the genuine communist values that I stood for. Only I cannot stomach the antics of political shenanigans in India who use politics without principles to advance their own hidden agenda and to line their own and their cronies’ pockets. 

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The Winner

Life's Lessons - Joseph Mattappally

The whole of humanity is on a mad race, to be always the first or the best. The present day market economy and its’ corresponding trends have made us slaves to such a blind race. Unfortunately, our curriculum also is designed to generate competency in every phase of life. The sad truth is that we compete not with our own files but with that of others, on a false assumption that success is being at least an inch ahead of many others.

I have heard the story of a race-crazy boy who always wanted to win the applause of the public. In every competition, the boy dug deep and called on his determination, strength and power. He used to finish first. The boy had a wise father, who took him to a running competition organized in a nearby school of physically handicapped children. The father thought of showing his son some unexplored areas of human life. But that day he could demonstrate something more. As the race at the school began, one of the contestants fell down. The boy who had gone much ahead of all others heard his friend’s cry; he turned back and helped the boy stand up and further continued the race together with him all the way holding his hand tight. This simple gesture of love and compassion moved the crowd. There came up a long and loud applause which the race-crazy boy had never heard. The wise man said to his son, “A person is a person because of another person.”

I think, this is truly the great knowledge the present world misses. There is definitely a difference between knowledge and wisdom. It is said that if knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit not a vegetable, wisdom is knowing not to include it in a fruit salad. A knowledgeable person always walks to the optimum at his level but how far others go is not his concern. What the world asks for is hearts filled with compassion; the problem is that each one wants others to be compassionate considerate but not oneself.

Once a farmer found an abandoned eagle's nest, with an egg in it. The egg was hatched and a baby eagle came out. It grew up along with the other chickens, the farmer grew. It spent its life pecking within the farm yard and rarely looked up. One day it lifted up its’ head and saw above it an eagle soaring high above in the sky. The farmyard eagle sighed and said to itself, "If only I'd been born an eagle". We appreciate charity and all acts of empathy not knowing who we are and our purpose here. We keep lamenting, ‘If I had been a human being!’

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Pranayama

Health and Happiness - Dr Dwarakanath

The main concern of the seeker is to restrain the senses so that they will not run like unchecked horses without reins. Shankara prescribed fourfold Sadhana- practice to control and restrain the unbridled horses in us. The four folds are Pranayama- control of breath, withdrawal of senses, discrimination and Meditation. The sadhakas- seeker should not feel despair if results are slower. We the seekers should continue the efforts till we reach the ultimate goal. The mind is the seat of all thoughts and activities, so, we have to be on the alert to keep the mind free from all kinds of negative thoughts. The intelligence should ever be alert and guard the mind, as only the intelligence is bestowed with the discriminatory powers between good and bad, true and false, permanent and impermanent, reality and appearance, etc. Prana- the life force consists of five distinct modifications. They are: praana (perceptions and reception of things into the subjective life), apaana (rejection of things and responses), vyaana, (the digestive system), samaana (the circulatory system), and udaana (the capacity to lift ourselves from our present state of understanding to a nobler and better peak of thought on the mount of knowledge). 

Regulation of all these five qualities of Prana is called Pranayama. Pranayama is a system of much regulated exercises of breath. This can be achieved only through sustained and sincere practice, for sufficiently long time. The learning and understanding the technique must be under the direct supervision of a Guru. 

After learning from a Guru, mastering the technique to its atmost perfection can be done with our effort. We the Sadhakas must control the mind from wandering away through the sense organs (pratyaahaara). A discriminative intellect should be developed to distinguish between nitya (eternal) and anitya (impermanent).  It is possible through constant and scientific thinking. To achieve this, we have to undertake Japa, a kind of training to balance the mind. The Japa is a simple looking technique but has a profound affect on our mind and its thinking process itself, again, this is a practice, must be initiated by a Guru.  As the mind gets tamed, viveka- intellect develops the subtler meanings and deep imports of declarations manifests. As we proceed in this path, withdrawing our mind at will without much difficulty, from all sense-objects, will become possible. We reach a state of relative thoughtlessness (Samadhi). It is a kind of systematic and regular training, as it is just impossible to force the mind, crush the instincts and the passions, etc. We cannot force the mind. It will create suppression, deformity and abominable ugliness of personality. We have to be careful in our systematic and regular training to reach the ultimate reality. Suppression is not natural and going against nature will not take us to reality! Yoga and Shankara have proven this! 

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Countdown for Launching

Smart Plus - Rakesh Mittal IAS

In my early childhood, I lived with my elder sister for some time. She had been then recently married and her husband was posted in a small town of Gorakhpur district in U.P. There a tutor was arranged for me. He was quite elderly and was known as Maulvi Sahab.  Though not very soothing by looks, he was very affectionate and concerned about my studies. However, l did not feel very comfortable in his company. One of the pet exercises he used to give me was to do reverse counting.  Somehow I did not like it as I could never understand its logic.  However, in due course his sincerity won me and we developed a congenial relationship.

The same exercise of reverse counting was subsequently given to my son by a famous ayurvedic doctor of Calcutta. I had taken my son to him because of his lack of concentration in his studies.  When asked, the doctor told me that reverse counting was one of the methods of developing concentration. I saw logic in it and naturally my memory took me to my childhood, reminding me of the exercise given by the Maulvi Sahab. It also reminded me of our visit to ISRO, Trivandrum many years ago. There we saw the launching of a rocket and carefully noted the countdown before it took off. Somehow the word ‘Countdown’ stuck in my mind and I thought over it philosophically. This is what I am going to share in this write-up.

First of all we must understand that a rocket is a device which is used for sending a satellite or any other object in the space. For this purpose it should be able to provide enough power so as to impart escape velocity to the object. Once this object achieves escape velocity, it reaches the space provided the direction of the launching is correct. Thus we need to have two factors, namely, power and direction for putting an object into a space orbit. When the object reaches the right orbit, no more power is required and it remains in motion due to gravitational forces. As the object goes higher and higher, the fuel chambers of the rocket are released one by one till the object is put into the orbit when no more fuel is required.

Let us compare this situation with the process of self-realisation. Here the objective is the merger of our little self with the cosmic power which may be called ‘God’. For this also a similar strategy has to be adopted.  The ‘self’ here would be the object to be launched in the space and the mind would be the rocket. The first step in the launching of the rocket is the countdown. What does it mean in the case of mind ? It means that it has to be emptied from worldly thoughts, if we want it to rise above the world. That is to say, it has to reach the stage of ‘zero’ before taking off. For most of us the problem lies here.  We fill up our minds with so many worldly thoughts that it is not able to rise above the world permanently. Occasionally we may develop detachment but the attractions of the world pull us back.  Only a fortunate few are able to reach the stage of ‘zero’ which is necessary for the take-off. It is like committing mistakes in reverse counting and very few reach the zero level without making any errors. Somewhere or the other we get strangled.

Having reached the stage of ‘zero’, the mind has to develop enough power to impart 'escape velocity' to the 'self'. If this is not done, it will never be able to rise above the body which may be compared to the earth in the case of a satellite. Not only this, the direction of the motion should also be correct. That is why the power of the mind, when applied in the wrong direction, not only fails to achieve the objective but also does great harm. For this, one may also seek the help of a spiritual master, whose instructions may not be liked in the beginning but his sincerity is bound to prevail, if the seeker is serious. Once the process of self-realisation is complete, it hardly needs any effort to stay there. The only requirement is that the components of the object/ satellite should function well and they should be maintained properly. In case of a self-realised person it may be said that his body and mind should function well and they should be given due care. Of course, nothing can be done beyond natural limitations.

Thus we find that ‘Countdown’ is the first necessary step for launching.  This is true of all spheres of life, be they spiritual or mundane.  Even for worldly achievements, one has to empty oneself of other thoughts and impart full energy in the correct direction.  That is why the famous philosopher, J. Krishnamurti, used to say: ‘Unlearning is the beginning of learning’.  We may also say that "Countdown is the beginning of Launching".

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The Great Reformation in Arabia

Message of Peace - Justice P K Shamsuddin

 Al Zubayr Ibn Dita, another Jew had done a favour to Thabit Ibn Qays, when he left him after capturing hm. Thabit reciprocated this good deed and pleaded Mohammed to grant them pardon which was approved by Mohammed. When this came to the knowledge of Al Zubayr he pleaded that if he were to live in separation from his faily and children he has no use for life. Thabit then requested Mohammed to give similar pardon to his wife and family. Mohammed again granted this. When Zubayr heard of the pardon granted by Mohammed, he enquired about Kab Ibn Ksad, Huyyay Ibn Akhdnu, Asfal Ibn Samawal and other leaders of Bany Quraizah. During the time of Mohammed, the moral standard in Arabia was at the lowest level. Adultery was not considered a serious crime. Flirting and courting were common practices. Abu Sufian was a great leader of the Meccans and he was held at high esteem in the Meccan society. But historians state many things about Abu Sufian’s wife’s love and passion with other men. She was not ashamed to reveal her love affairs which she had with other men. There was no limit to the number of wives that a man could take or the number of women slaves and concubines one can have. This was a decisive blow to the growth of Islam. These immoralities were deeply rooted in their psychic character as described in the poetry of Umar Ibn Abu Radiah. 

Mommed knew that he could do no social reformation without the consent of all men and women who must be helping and sympathizing with one another. In order to make the society viable it was necessary to assure that the women enjoy their rights. Led by the Quranic revelations Mohammed started his social reconstruction; he began to teach men and women their rights and duties. This built the relationship between them strong and firm. Islam wanted its’ women to have the same rights as men given they have their rights and duties to be exercised in an atmosphere of love and compassion.

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Strikes and Hartals

Blooming Stars - Swami (Dr) Snehananda Jyoti

In 2007, a year after I returned from the USA, I had an invitation to inaugurate a major function in a college in Thodupuzha, Kerala. At that time I was in Palaruvi Waterfalls, near Aryankavu, about 4 hours journey by car from Thodupuzha. When I started driving on the day of a strike I was warned of the dangers as the whole of Kerala was on a general strike declared by a major political party. I drove with my wife. The road was clear as we were practically the only ones on the road. In some places I saw some curious police officers looking at us in dismay. On August 1, 2012, I drove from my Ashram near Munnar to Kottayam, about three hours drive, for a very important business in Kottayam only to find out that evening that a sudden and unexpected all-Kerala strike, illegal as well as immoral, was declared by the Communist Party of India, Marxist (CPM), for the following day causing me and millions of Keralites major inconvenience. The strike was declared to protest the arrest of a major politician (district secretary) who was involved in the planning of a well-known political murder. It certainly was to the great credit of the Communist Party of India (CPI) to dissociate itself from the strike even though the CPI was criticized and put down by the state General Secretary of CPM for its non-cooperation with the strike. This indicates that there are still some courageous leaders in the Communist Party to take a moral stance in a morally degenerate climate that is getting worse every day. It was also very commendable that a writers’ guild released a statement on the day following the strike decrying the CPM attacks against democracy. What surprised me most was the lack of moral response from religious leaders who ought to have been outraged at the very vicious and immoral hartal (general strike) that paralyzed an entire state.

The greatest social and political cancer on Kerala society eating away the most precious gift – freedom – won after so many sacrifices including lives and so much prolonged suffering from the colonial invaders and masters. The Marxist Party as the advocate of the downtrodden masses seems to have recently suffered a severe setback after another of its major politician (district secretary) boastfully ranted a list of several vengeful political murders in a public political forum a few weeks ago. It is unthinkable that a state in the Indian Union that has the highest literacy should have sunken so low. The general paralysis effected by fear and learned helplessness has taken over the whole society as political goondas (hired thugs) and goons unleash murderous violence as they indulge in their  dance of death.

A friend of mine recently told me with some kind of resignation to the inevitable that Malayalees (persons of Kerala) queue up before liquor stores and meat stores on the eve of the hartal to celebrate it as they are afraid to venture out on the day of  strike. Most are afraid of suffering injuries from their vehicles stoned and damaged. As I am examining myself, I do not have the courage that I had in 2007 when I drove for hours on deserted roads on that day of hartal. I would certainly like to recover that courage. Looks like I would have to take some risk of injury to my body or damage to my vehicle for the freedom I so much value, and without which life has no real value. Here I am reminded of the words of the American statesman, Patrick Henry: “Is life so dear or peace so sweet to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!” Mahatma Gandhi exhorted that his non-violence was not that of the coward. A coward dies many times in his life while a brave person dies only once. A coward in fact is a dead man existing and going through motions of life but not really living. 

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Nothing is Written

Life's Lessons - Joseph Mattappally

August 15th, it is Independence Day for Indians. This is still another opportunity for the Indians to ask themselves, ‘what could we be, in spite of the enormous freedom we got?’ The living condition of majority of Indians has not improved greatly; financial alienation, racial discrimination and religious indifferences still haunt them. Indian youth seems to have lost all hopes of a regenerated India. Politicians, religionists and corporate giants have drilled the boat from all sides. 

I remember a touching scene from the film ‘Lawrence of Arabia’. It depicts the glorious return of the hero through a burning desert carrying a human being who everybody thought is destined to die. It was at a situation at which crossing the Nedfud desert was considered impossible even for fire birds that Lawrence the hero turned back to rescue Gasim who had fallen from the horse and got seriously injured. Lawrence and his men were on an expedition to Turkey. Seeing Lawrence returning with Gasim, still alive, the Sheriff comments, "Truly, for some men nothing is written, unless they write it." In a land in which each one is born into a religion and where the clergy of all sects are united in propagating that it is they and the Almighty that decides everything, how can there be Lawrences? 

Once, a group of tiny frogs arranged a running competition. Their goal was to reach the top of a very high tower. A big crowd had gathered around the tower to see the race and cheer on the contestants... Honestly, no-one in the crowd really believed that the tiny frogs would reach the top of the tower. They continued shouting "Oh, too difficult, too difficult!" As they all expected, one by one the frogs began to give up. Still there was one tiny frog who did not….and finally, it became the only one to reach atop the tower. All the other tiny frogs naturally wanted to know how this one frog managed to do it? A contestant asked the winner frog how he could do that. It turned out...the winner was fully deaf. 

If India wants to emerge into a model, there is still a chance; a generation that believes in itself and grows deaf at least to politicians and false religionists and believe in a poverty free, caste free and corruption free India should replace the present. 

Independence Day Greetings to all.  

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Problems in Action

Health and Happiness - Dr Dwarakanath

Shankara a very bold Guru, as the entire Guru Parampara- culture must really be! He can swing his poem into ‘self’, money, lust, charity, all in a single strong yet beautiful swipe. He says, by attuning our ‘self’ with the sacred names of the lord, we the devotee try to elevate our ‘self’ to those noble qualities of the lord. All these efforts at study and worship of us, the devotee can be washed down in a single moment's passion, desire or lust, as it has such a power that it torpedoes the strong walls of will power. It is, therefore, essential to keep the company of noble and holy souls, so as to get encouragement and strengthen the will power. Charity being made with true feeling will make us understand that the needs and requirements of others are as important as one's own. The charity must flow from our own abundance and it should be done without any pomp and show, with a sense of brotherhood. Equanimity of mind is the true joy. By renouncing the fruits of action, i.e., attachment, but not the action, which is the duty, itself, is the only possible path to lead a life free from sensual pleasures and selfishness. We have to learn to do every action as a form of worship to god, according to Bhagavad Gita. So, what have to be renounced sincerely are the desire and the attachment. The intention and spirit of dedication to god is to be retained. To achieve this is, we should turn the intentions behind all actions towards positive or spiritual channels, at times, and it may be difficult to by-pass or change the native and in-born tendencies. 

The lust or craving for sex, is the greatest undoing for both male and female sadhakas- aspirers. This animal and momentary impulse is like fire, which can be used for good and bad, it will serve or destroy us completely. Though the sex is a natural phenomenon, if controlled, it is good for the home and the society at large. We should master the art of forgetting the sex of other person. This way we can turn away the mind from the impulses of the flesh and body-consciousness. We should enjoy nature and channelize our energy like painting, humour, singing, reading, etc. We have to make every effort not to allow the mind to stray even for a little while into forbidden grounds. Unfortunately, even the staring death into one's own face will not stop the human being from getting over such a shameful desire. The Maya of lust is so strong that in spite of realising that the ultimate destination is death, we find it difficult to overcome this temptation. 

Like any evil, amassing wealth also leads to unassuming problems. With the accumulation of wealth, the desires too increase, which breed pain and misery. It is also difficult to keep the accumulated wealth safe, even own son or kith and kin may become enemy. The so-called source of strength will become a source of fear for the miserable person, who amasses wealth. Natural love disappears due to fear and ego. Everything has a limit and anything beyond will become a cause for concern, anxiety and unhappiness. Unfortunately, in the present day world, most of us are under the false belief that wealth will bring us happiness. Thus, we become its slaves. At death, all of us have to go as ashes or dust and the amassed wealth will not accompany us even though we have sacrificed our life to accumulate it. It invites the grip of Maya, which is so strong and powerful in us that we never give different aspects of life their right and appropriate value for enrichment. 

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When You Grow Wise

Smart Plus - Rakesh Mittal IAS

            In November 1993, I was appointed as a Central Observer of the Election Commission for the Himachal Pradesh Assembly Elections. Just before leaving for my first visit to the state, I developed a severe pain in my wisdom tooth. I consulted a senior dentist who advised immediate extraction of the tooth and called me the next day. I was not prepared for this because I didn’t want to lose the tooth so early. Though I had crossed 44, my teeth had been in a good condition. So I consulted another dentist friend who advised me to wait for some time more as the pain could be managed with the help of medicines. Somehow the election duty was carried out without much difficulty.
The problem became acute once again next year and this time again, the dentist advised extraction of the wisdom tooth. He told me that there was no function of wisdom teeth after a certain age and that I need not be unduly concerned about losing one of them. I wanted to know the reason for these teeth being called wisdom teeth. He told me that these teeth grow after crossing the teens, i.e., in the early twenties and generally have to be removed in the forties. This information was enough for me to contemplate over the matter and I arrived at certain conclusions which I am going to share here.
Human Life has always been divided in four phases. In our scriptures these phases are called ‘Brahmacharya’, ‘Grastha’, ‘Van Prastha’ and ‘Sanyasa’, respectively. Assuming an ideal lifespan of 100 years each phase comes to about 25 years. However, in real life, a good lifespan may be taken as about 80 years.  So each phase of life is of about 20 years. The first phase of life, ‘Brahmacharya’, is a phase of restraint and learning. Those who wish to acquire anything in life have to remain disciplined and work hard during this period. The full meaning of life is hardly understood in this period. In a way it is good also. If life is understood in totality during this period, perhaps the urge to learn and acquire knowledge would be lost. Acquisition of mundane knowledge during this period is essential to successfully live the subsequent phases of life. This phase is like the running of an aeroplane on the ground before take-off. If sufficient speed is not acquired on the runway, the plane cannot take off and at times may meet with an accident.
The second phase of life is the most difficult one and can be compared to the take-off of an aeroplane. During this phase, one has to rise above the ground and achieve worldly success.  Maximum energy is consumed during this period and the knowledge acquired during the first phase of life is to be applied. One comes across a variety of experiences and we gain maturity and wisdom as a result of these interactions. While in the first phase of our life, one only acquires knowledge and remains on ground, in the second phase one acquires wisdom and gains height. That is why the wisdom teeth grow only in the early twenties. Their appearance thus indicates that the time for acquiring wisdom has come.
The acquisition of wisdom has also to come to an end. A period of 20-25 years in the second phase of life should be sufficient for a person to understand life fully and to acquire wisdom. It is like acquiring full height by an aeroplane during a flight. After acquiring this height, there is no need of going higher and the acquired height should be enjoyed. In human life this stage should reach at the age of 40-45 years and one should be able to grow fully wise by this time. At this stage, there is no need of wisdom teeth and that is why they are no more required. I feel that this could be the reason behind these teeth being called wisdom teeth.
Having grown wise, one enters the third phase of life. For a truly wise person life should become smooth in this phase and he should be able to enjoy it like an aeroplane journey in the third stage.  There is no need of any imposed restrictions in this phase and the gains of life are to be shared. A wise person should share his acquisitions including wisdom for his inner expansion as the outer expansion is no more required. If one does not share, in all probability he is heading for a miserable fourth phase of life.
The fourth phase of life is like the landing of an aeroplane. In this phase the acquired height is to be lost in order to land safely. If it is not done, a crash is inevitable. It means that a time comes in life when even wisdom has to be transcended. After all, in this cycle of birth and death, there are others in the queue and one should voluntarily make way for them. If one does not do so, he will either be pushed or crushed. A truly wise person should avoid this situation. That is why this phase of life is called ‘Sanyasa’ ashrarn. One has to give up everything for a happy end. Thus the four phases of life are the phases of acquiring knowledge, acquiring wisdom, sharing wisdom and transcending wisdom.

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The Trial of the Jews

Message of Peace - Justice P K Shamsuddin

Mohammed pondered over post threat situation. Banu Qurayyah remained in the midst of Medina. Mohammed was sure that they were capable of attacking Muslims. Unless for the sudden withdrawal of the Meccans and their allies, he knew that Banu Qurayzah would have attacked the Muslims. Mohammed appointed Ali as the commander of their operation with Qurayyah. Banu Qurayyah had fortified their houses but that was not enough to effectively resist a Muslim attack. Mohammed came to the scene and he enquired about the Jewish plan. Mohammed came to know that the Jews were evading him. More and more Muslims came to the scene and Mohammed declared a siege upon them. 

Only a few arrows, stones and Javelins were shot between them. Banu Qurayyah got exhausted and started to realize that their resistance and fortifications are not going to help them and that they would fall into the hands of the Muslims. Mohammed sent Abu Lubaha to negotiate with them. He found that the women and children were in fear. Kab, their leader, suggested that they follow Mohammed and get converted to Islam, but the majority rejected the proposal of Kab. Kab then suggested that they themselves kill their women and children and go out to the Muslims and fight Mohammed. He said that if they happen to lose, their women and children would no more. Banu Qurayyah rejected the suggestion. Finally, Kab said that he found no other option to be considered. After elaborate consultations they thought of seeking the support of the tribe of Banu Al Nadir and their former allies from the tribes of Aws, with a hope that they would give them some protection. 

Banu Quraizah requested Mohammed to allow them to evacuate their territory and to settle down at Ad Hirah. But Mohammed rejected the proposal. Another group of tribesmen also approached Mohammed and informed him about another possible arrangement. Mohammed enquired if they would be happy if he allowed one of their men to arbitrate the case. They agreed and Mohammed asked them to appoint an arbitrator of their choice. This was communicated to the Jews. They appointed Sad Ibn Muaym who belonged to the tribe of Aws. He was a man of good repute. He wanted a guarantee from all parties that they would abide to his decision. It was assured. He asked the Banu Qurayyah command of their fortress to surrender their armor. He pronounced his judgment. He ordered that the fighting men to be put to the death sword and their women and children taken as captives. Banu Quraizah did not expect such a judgment from Saad Ibn Muaym, their former ally. They thought that he would plead for them. Sad knew that if the Meccans and their allies had won, the same destiny would have befallen upon the Muslims who were defeated, because of the Jewish treachery. The Jews brought one of their men for execution and said that it is God’s decision.

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Formula of Life

Blooming Stars - Swami (Dr) Snehananda Jyoti

Change in our consciousness will bring about change in the way we are, what we do and have. We have created the corrupt, greedy, immoral, hungry, and destructive world that deprives the overwhelming majority of inhabitants the necessities of life. We are our bothers’ and sisters’ keepers. We are for ourselves as well as for others. The ingredients of the formula for life are: Do to others what you like others to do to you (the Golden Rule). Treat others the same way you like to be treated. How do you like to be treated? Make an exhaustive list of the way you like to be treated. Now you know how to treat others. For instance, you like others to forgive you when you make a mistake; forgive them when they make a mistake.

• Accept yourself and others unconditionally. God does not create anything bad. We are all created by God; we are all good. God created us unconditionally, and loves us and accept us unconditionally. No apology for the way you are. You cannot help it. If others cannot accept you for who you are, it is their problem. Do not make their problem your problem.

• Live in the present; live in the here and now. Yesterday is gone; tomorrow comes only in terms of today. Today was the tomorrow we worried about yesterday. Tomorrow will be amply taken care of if we live today fully.

• Non-violence, truth force, and respect for others need to be in all human and international transactions.

• Give to each one what is one's due and more. Do not take advantage of anyone's misfortune, hard labor, and sweat.

• Do not fret over failures and waste precious energy fretting. Failure is part of human living. There is no human being who has not experienced it. Failure makes success even more enjoyable. Failure can be a stepping stone to success if used wisely.

• Give everyone the benefit of the doubt and a good measure of compassion. Concession and compassion go hand in hand.

• Think before you say and act.

• Be honest. Say what is on your mind, and mean what you say. Say only what is true. Nobody, except certain authorities for good governance or common good, has a right to certain information. It is good, though, to disclose everything to a few selected close friends.

• Thoughts cannot be controlled. They are neither good nor bad. They come and go. They become good or bad only when one consciously chooses them. Intentions can be controlled as they are acts of the will. 

• Fear and anxiety cripple the human spirit, drain the human energy, lead to depression, and make life worth not living.

• Keep your word. Do not make promises that you will not keep.

• Human freedom and perpetual vows do not go together. Freedom relates to a dynamic state, a vow relates to a static condition. Only doing God’s will at every moment is what is required of human beings as it is essential for holiness. That means on-going discernment. Humans continuously change over life-span.  A vow that is made at one period in life may not be relevant for another period. I will not recommend, except in the case of marriage, perpetual vows that will abridge human freedom.

• Eat nutritionally. Food is the first line of medication. Many diseases are due to poor eating habits. An old saying - an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure – is worth remembering. First nutrition, then taste. Taste without nutrition spells disaster. Food prepared and handled without love and care is toxic; I will not recommend its consumption.

• Take care of your body in the best possible way; for it is the temple of the Holy Spirit.

• Keep bodily, mental, and spiritual hygiene always. Make an examination of conscience at the end of every day, and come to terms with your own self, others, and God.

• Have a sense of humour; laugh heartily; celebrate life; do not take life so seriously as not to be able to laugh at yourself and others. Some ingredients are essential; others enhance the flavour.

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