(The marriage; the knower and the known; the moving & unmoving; the Prakriti & Purusha; the Shiva Shakthi union; Yoga)

(Tq for the pic Seal in Astral)

Marital Bliss or Blister?

An unmarried woman in her early 30s is a SINNER! She is definetly committing sins by DEPRIVING a man. Realised these lately when the finding of suitors are all hyped up in my family and friends circle. The concerns of mum, uncles, aunties and siblings on me tying the knot is indeed applaudable. Interestingly, their search has gone as far as US now.

On a personal note, yes, getting married is something to look for. However, let me have a clear viewpoint on why I should marry. Reasons such as I am getting old (better late than never!); need someone to look after (what if they die sooner!); everyone has done it (so?); marriage is a must (says who...what about saints and sages!); a woman is incomplete without a marriage (hmm try saying that about Mother Theresa!); and blah blah blah does not convince me ever.

The search for a suitor has become THE topic among all. Every function, every bhajans, every other get togethers have become dreadful or too overwhelming. From bliss to blister now.....!

Being in love and to be loved is a gift. What more a marriage is definetly sacred. It is not so much grandeur thats given during the ceremony but more of the importance stressed after. To be able to live for each other till death do us part is the common maxim. What about to be able to live for each other for a higher ideal? Coming together not just as a mere physical or mental attraction but more for complimenting each other for the betterment of society is motivating indeed. In a nutshell, to be able to rise in love is something to look for. Too idealistic? Maybe.

to be continued......

With Love

Excerpts on the 6th - The Law of Detachment

by Deepak Chopra

(Book - The seven spiritual laws of success)

• In detachment lies the wisdom of uncertainty.....in the wisdom of uncertainty lies the freedom from our past, from the known, which is the prison of past conditioning. And in our willingness to step into the unknown, the field of all possibilities, we surrender ourselves to the creative mind that orchestrates the dance of the universe.
• Like two golden birds perched on the sameself tree, intimate friends, the ego and the Self dwell in the same body. The former eats the sweet and sour fruits of the tree of life, while the latter looks on in detachment. - The Mundaka Upanishad -
• Anything can be acquired through detachment, because detachment is based on the unquestioning belief in the power of your true Self.
• The search for security and certainty is actually an attachment to the known.
• Uncertainty on the other hand, is the fertile ground of pure creativity and freedom.
• When you experience uncertainty, you are on the right path - so don't give it up.
• The law of detachment accelerates the whole process of evolution. When you understand this law, you don't feel compelled to force solutions. When you force solutions to problems, you only create new problems.
• Every single problem that you have in your life is a seed of an opportunity for some greater benefit.

Dlegacy: One of the authors that I greatly admire. These are excerpts from, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success. Mind boggling & thought provoking. A must read. Books such as this are assets itself. Used to ask myself, is reading alone sufficient? Putting into practise is essential. Some may take immediate action, some may take slow steps. Whatsoever it is we are the best judge of ourselves. Only we know where we are heading.

Dlegacy: Just a day after the topic of detachment was highlighted, I had a real life experience. My car had an accident. Minor because there were no casualties, major because it left a huge burn in the pocket. The moment it happened, I thanked my lucky stars and god, no harm done to others or to me. Guess, it truly helped to look at the incident in a positive manner, detached outlook. God truly prepares you to face the future ahead; be it for better or worst!

Astrology; Dispeller of darkness or destined destruction?

Recent happenings in life have raised a lot of questions in me. A self reflection. In the dire need of seeking happiness or refuge, in utter desperation coupled with sheer curiosity, my journey took me to astrologers. Yes not one or two but few. To check and countercheck and to check.....

Astrology truly amazed me. My respect and reverance to Hinduism further increased. To know our past, present and future lives based on the planetary position, which was written the very moment we were born is something to be reckoned. It is beleived that, since our very body consists of all minerals that are similar to the planets, hence the planetary influence is there on us. According to Srila Prabupad, in Brigu Samhita, Astrology, the science of knowing lives of past, present and future was mentioned. However, like Swami Sathya Sai blantly put in, he said astrology is true but astrologers are to be questioned. Its like a weapon, used correctly may benefit the seeker.

I had the privilege of coming in touch of several astrologers. Some said A and some said B. Well, the interesting part was not the reading per say but more the astrologers. One minced and chewed the reading in order to potray all sugar and candies. One took pity and hid things well. One was more keen to not lose the customer hence only positives were revealed. Interesting. Guess, it is important to trust our instincts which acts as filters for these information and the informers as well.

Its indeed interesting to note, these findings were definetly more challenging mentally. Thinking the bad news over and over again can be a torture. Indirectly our mind may attract the very thing that we despised. The law of attraction; the self destructive weapon. To be able to accept the future takes tough minded people. Tougher are the people who transcend the reading (rising above mind) and carve their own destiny. As a friend aptly said, astrology is not a verdict but a good guide. One has to go through the karma however the intensity can be reduced with faith and devotion. Karma.....hmmm another topic by itself.

The Word of God

A choir was conducted by the Sathya Sai Interfaith Organisation on the eve of Christmas in a Catholic church.

The word of God....universal, knows no boundaries, beyond caste and creed.

Satsanggatve nissangatvam,

Nissangatve Nirmohatvam,

Nirmohatve Nischalatatvam,

Nischalatatve Jivanmukthihi.

From Satsanga comes non-attachment, from non-attachment comes freedom from delusion, which leads to self-settledness. From self-settledness comes Jivan Mukti.

Satsang leads to non-attachment and in simple terms satsang is living life with awareness; satsang is spending time with the center and watching the actions at the periphery as a witness. Any company that promotes this to happen is the right company.

A beautiful verse of Adi Shankaracharya, from Bhaja Govindam.

Two things that I am often reminded when I read this verse is Satsang & Detachment. Here I would like to touch on Detachment.

Experiences in life that usually involves work, relationship, finance and other social activities constantly hammer upon detachment. Based on all these experiences, a further homework revealed that each and everyone of us have our own calling. The bliss, that to be followed. It varies, from person to person, to birth to birth. And when we do identify it, Eureka.....life will be a bliss indeed. The need to identify our calling is crucial in the journey of detachment.

Have you wondered that the level of attached lifestyle does not bother some. Where else for another, even a tiny thought of attachment is robbed. Its either clipped before it is sprout or abruptly chopped from becoming a larger tree. The latter is more hurtful and forceful.

My cousin & I were discussing on lifestyles of many different people. We both had same complaints, where we felt, how some had smooth sailing life...everything spoonfed or on a silver plate where else, some had to struggle hard to achieve anything. Is it karma or.....? Oh yeah the only consolation that we had was; all great minds had to stare at failure at one stage in life. On a more spiritual sense, the incidents in life thought us to be much detached from the world itself so that when we actually succeed, it does not get into our heads.

In fact, my irritation was even greater when even simple things from shoe to pen are either lost or broken, the very moment my mind gets attached to it. Needless to say about other things..... Sigh!

My friend often says that detachment actually sets us free; we are more established in self; a criterion for healing; a method to get closer to god. Detachment, that happens either forcefully or naturally are to be taken as a blessing in disguise.

Life can give lessons which either we take it or ignore it. Choice is in our hands. Some learn it fast some in baby steps. Who knows it could be the end of journey for some, no return; and for some a start of a journey....

The most overused word of the year goes to.....yes you are right....MAKKAL SHAKTHI!

Truest concern, this word has been overused lately. Famously. Notoriously.

There were 2 articles or rather forwarded mails that I received on two different scenarios where the article ended with MAKKAL SHAKTHI.

First, the installation on Tamil signboard at Seputeh where the writer mentioned this was an effort by Hindraf and NOT MIC and ended MAKKAL SHAKTHI!

Second, the writer questioned the need for ASTRO to charge for Maharaja package where else our fellow brothers from the Muslim world did not have to pay for their own. He urged the people to boycott ASTRO if they did not answer the call....ended MAKKAL SHAKTHI!

Makkal Shakthi which means People Power has been often uttered by all sects of people. Caste, colour, creed did not matter. Yes it is worth acknowledging the vastness and depthness of this power amongst us lately.

I beleive that people power means, invoking our greatest abilities within us, tapping the potential and channeling it for a greater cause, for the upliftment of mankind. Well at least thats how I interpret it.

My concern is due to the term being used as a provocative measure or rebelliously natured. Makkal Shakthi is neither to introduce protest as our problem solver nor a block to racial harmony. It is very much positive (Hmmm but try uttering it in a mamak stall today and see the reaction from others). This reminds me of the analogy where a knife can be used by surgeons to save lives and also by another to murder. Which way it is utilised depends on us.....the people again.

Both the scenarios mentioned above are to be applauded. Yes the people power had been a catalyst in some manner or another. However, midst of us Indians busy finetuning or questioning what other Indian (s) should be doing or should have done...it is also time for reflection, to answer simple questions, a rather grass root questions......how many of us, the URBAN indians at Seputeh would be able to read the Tamil signboard? How many of us out there are willing to compromise their Selvi, Lakshmi, Arasi for their children's education? How many of us, the Indians who I beleive the Hindus are able to know the significance of temples and worships?

Folks, we had a punching bag before....Datuk Samy Velu.....now we do not have anyone but ourselves. Yes, we are Hindus, we are Indians, we have general wellbeing of our fellow brothers and sisters in mind, we are fighting for our rights to make it a better world, we are trying in all our ways and means to educate others. Excellent!

However, let us not forget the roots of the problem and solution for it.....us. Tansformation must begin with the individual, when the individual changes, the world will change says Bhagawan Baba. How true that can be.

This Makkal Shakthi should be a Mantra, a remover of ignorance, Maya, amongst us not a tool for destruction. Wisely used, then we live up to Mahatma Gandhi (oh ya the most popular man lately too) and Martin Luther King. The power of the people should flow through the individual, family, society, nation and world at large. The force created from this energy should transcend and be a torch for many....a legacy itself.

Points to ponder......

Journey to God

Taken while driving in KL

Reminded me of the journey to God

IF

by Rudyard Kipling

IF you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

Dr. Suresh Govind,

The man himself

Inspired millions in the pursuit of D'legacy

God's instrument to uphold D'legacy

If guru means the dispeller of darkness, then he is one such for me

Thank you God for giving such Noble soul

Jai Sai Ram

(In silence, will I be able to carve similar if not better path?)

Prophets at Home

Prophets have honour all over the Earth,
Except in the village where they were born,
Where such as knew them boys from birth
Nature-ally hold 'em in scorn.
When Prophets are naughty and young and vain,
They make a won'erful grievance of it;
(You can see by their writings how they complain),
But 0, 'tis won'erful good for the Prophet!
There's nothing Nineveh Town can give
(Nor being swallowed by whales between),
Makes up for the place where a man's folk live,
Which don't care nothing what he has been.
He might ha' been that, or he might ha' been this,
But they love and they hate him for what he is.

by Rudyard Kipling