Why we are the way we are

Whichever way you have ‘become’, you have only created and cultivated a small part of it consciously.

A large part of you is unconscious because most of what you perceive is not in your awareness. Sense perception is like that – everything that goes in through your sense organs gets established in your system to be remembered forever. This is karma. Every impression that the five sense organs take in is stored. This is not against you; this information is useful. If you clean up all this information, you will not know how to handle even the simplest aspects of life.

It is only because the information is coming in such torrents, it is so complex, and most of it goes into you without your consciousness so it has become a problem. How you became the way you are is just a tendency that you developed because of the information you gathered. This tendency is traditionally called vasana. It is like a smell. Whatever is there in maximum quantity is the kind of smell you experience. Because you produce this kind of smell, a certain type of life moves towards you, and you also tend to move in that direction.

Now, you use perfume to cover the smell. In the first meeting, people may get deceived. The moment they notice the stink, they are going to run away. Is that the way to live?

So it doesn’t matter what impressions you have gathered, what you make of it is in your hands. An unpleasant experience is carried by most like a badge, always talking about it. “This happened; somebody did this to me, that’s why i’m like this.” They try to cover all their unpleasantness with this one badge.

One basic symbolism in yoga and Indian spirituality has always been a lotus. This is essentially because a lotus grows best wherever there is dirt. Either you can resist the dirt; you can become the dirt, or transform it into a wonderful blossom. It’s your choice.

If unpleasant things have happened to you, it is all the more important that you turn wiser and more beautiful as quick as possible, because you know the pain of unpleasantness. If unpleasant things have happened, all you have to do is see how such things do not happen again to you or to those around you. Whatever you are right now is your own creation, perhaps an unconscious one. Unconscious processing of your impressions has landed you where you are now. If you consciously process the impressions, you could turn them into something else.

To drop your vasanas, and get released from these tendencies is an endless work because in the process you may end up creating more karma. So, instead of trying to erase the smell, you need to distance yourself from the source.

Whatever the nature of karma, the recording mechanisms are only two – your body and mind. If you create little space between you and your physical body and mental structure, then whatever the karma, or vasanas, they have no impact on you. Then, they just die.

The choice is yours – you could be a victim, a spectator, or the master of your life.



Lovely Thoughts for Lovely People Just Like You

You are a blue pearl

Head understands head and heart understands heart. The nose can only smell; eyes can only see; ears can only hear. Similarly, the heart can only feel while the head can only think.

We try to put the heart in the head and the head in the heart and it doesn’t seem to work. Your heart feels something is beautiful, whereas head says it is beautiful. We cling on to the word in the mind but we don’t feel it. We repeat the word ‘beautiful’ in the head but it doesn’t seem or feel beautiful.

Same thing about love, you talk too much about love, you get stuck in the head and it doesn’t rise in the heart. In silence, love emits, radiates. We experience ourselves in the things we love more. That is why, when we lose the things we love, we feel hurt; we feel unhappy. Suppose you love your piano very much and you hear that something has happened to your piano, something gets cut off in you. Or, if something happens to your car or your dog, you feel a loss. So you are not just living in your body, but also in that of the objects or people you love. But if you can expand this existence even more to cover the entirety, you will know that there is no loss and you are total.

You are a blue pearl. Blue is beautiful; blue is something that is big, vast and infinite. All that is immense and infinite in creation and that which has depth expresses itself in blue. The sky is blue, the ocean is blue. You are a blue pearl, in the sense that you can’t be measured. You are so deep in your being. Though you are in the body, nobody can measure your being. The being in you is not just the blue infinity; it’s a shining radiant infinity that is deep and immense. Blue pearl means that which is shining, that which is radiant, that which is infinite; yet, it seems to be finite.

When we start listening to our heart, then we know that all is one; and one God is in all. See, in our body we have so many cells and each cell has got its own life. Many cells are being born every day, many cells are dying but they do not know you. You know if something is wrong with one particular cell; you can feel it. Similarly, though we all have small lives, there is one life that covers and governs all the other lives.

We are all floating in an ocean of life; a big life. It is not just empty space all around us; it is lively big life. And in the big sea of life there, all shells are floating and each shell has got a little water in it which is not the water separate from the water in the sea. So, we come out of our shells and experience, “I am not just in the body, but I am expanded all over; everywhere, it’s me there and it’s me here. I see myself in everybody”.

That is the essence of life!

The Art of Living Foundation.


Lovely Thoughts for Lovely People Just Like You

Keeping good company

As we go through the biographies of great souls, we find that whenever the supremely benevolent have incarnated on earth, slanderers have left no stone unturned in maligning them.

The intellect becomes mean with the association of slanderers but remains stable in the association of equals and becomes superior with the association of those who are superior to us. You reap fruits according to the kind of company you keep. Therefore, you should always be careful in selecting the company you keep.

Long ago, there lived a man named Chajju Bhakta in Lahore. One day he was with his friends when a fruit vendor down the lane shouted, “Acche san ... tare, acche san ... tare ... (buy good oranges)” Chajju Bhakta asked his companions, “Do you hear what that man is saying?” They said: “He is selling santaras (oranges) Bhaktaji!” Bhaktaji said, “You did not understand. Listen carefully, he is saying. ‘Acche sang...tare (good company redeems).’ He is saying that those who associate themselves with good people are redeemed, while those who fall into bad company meet with destruction.”

Bhaktaji told a story to illustrate this: A crow and a swan had become friends. One day the crow took the swan to its house and made him sit on a dry and wilted Babool tree. The place stank of dung, flesh and bones that were scattered all around.

The swan said, “Brother! I cannot stay in such a dirty place, even for a moment. If you know of any pious place, you take me there.”

The crow then took him to the secret grove of the king and made him sit on the tree, and then sat near him. Beneath the tree he was resting. As the swan looked down, he saw the king sitting under the tree with his head exposed to the sun. A swan is kind by nature, and out of compassion it spread out its wings to provide shade to the king who felt some relief from the sun. A crow, however, is uncaring by nature. So it dropped its excreta on the king’s head. The king shot an arrow upwards which brought the swan down, while the crow flew off quickly. The dying swan said: “O King! I am not the crow that dropped the excreta. I am the swan that lives in pure water, but due to the company of the mean crow, my life has been ruined.”

In the Sundara Kandam, Section 45.4 of the Sri Ramacharitamanasa, Rama says to Vibhishana, “May providence keep us from the company of the wicked! It would be better, O respected one, to live in hell.” (Because the company of the evil leads to the cycle of birth and death and repeated relegation to hells.)

Evil company destroys good virtues and is feared by those who recognise this truth. All scriptures and great souls have taught the jiva with great emphasis on the importance of staying clear of bad company. Bad company leads one to degeneration very quickly. For example, one has to make great efforts to climb a tree, but there is no effort required in falling down. Similarly, one has to make great efforts to attain spiritual power and earn the wealth of sadhana; but all our efforts carried out for over a long period of time will come to naught in a moment by keeping the company of slanderers.


Lovely Thoughts for Lovely People Just Like You

A Reason, A Season, A Lifetime

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed outwardly or inwardly. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrong -doing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up or out

and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and it is now time to move on.

When people come into your life for a SEASON, it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They may bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; those things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person/people (anyway); and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant. Thank you for being a part of my life

PRAYER:
May today there be peace within you.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing that you are a child of God.
Let His presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, and to bask in the sun.
It is there for each and every one of you.





Lovely Thoughts for Lovely People Just Like You

Jambali the Wealth-Giver

Are you ready for abundance? This tale of five young travelers in search of wealth and wisdom illuminates the perils awaiting those who seek riches

The five young men gathered close around the fire. The day-long trek across the arid high plains had left them weary and discouraged. Was this journey an act of otherwise sane men?
Certainly the elders could not be mistrusted. Their constant ramblings about the man called Jambali filled the air almost daily. They said he was a man of immense wealth and wisdom. A man who freely dispensed both to any who sought it.

Yet many had traveled to the eastern mountains in search of this man, and all had returned weeks later with nothing to show but


callused feet. Was it all just a wistful tale; a fantasy concocted to give the people of their desperately poor village a reason to hope? This was the question that plagued the five travelers as they bedded down for the night, their hearts full of hope and their heads full of doubt.

The sun rose to find only four travelers remaining; the fifth having let doubt win over. His note by the ashes of the fire implored the four to push on, but he had returned to the village, unable to pursue a journey that held no promise.

And so the four travelers hiked throughout the morning and reached the tree line of the eastern slopes by mid-day. It was a welcome escape from the relentless heat of the desert sun. They had not walked more than 100 yards beneath the shade of the trees, when they happened across an old woman.

They told the woman of their quest to find a man called Jambali, and asked if she knew where to find him. She exclaimed that they were indeed fortunate, for he was a nomad and was camped for the day just over the next rise. She bid them caution however, as he was not fond of unannounced strangers to his camp.

Thanking the old woman, they hastily made their way to the rise and thereupon did devise a plan. One of them would ascend the rise to investigate the layout of the camp and then report back to the others. In this way they could best decide upon a method of entering the camp.

They elected a scout, and he ascended the rise while the others anxiously waited. After a short time the scout returned looking forlorn and discouraged. He announced to the others that he did not see the camp of a wealthy man, rather was it the camp of a pauper. He spoke of a man dressed in rags and a tent of simple design.

And then this traveler did proclaim their journey a fool's adventure, and he marched back into the desert with a heavy heart.

The remaining three travelers were not so easily dissuaded. One was elected and he ascended the rise to scout the camp. He shortly returned with a puzzling report. Not only was this man without wealth, but he was also crazy. He told of a man standing in front of his tent waving his arms wildly in the air, screaming obscenities at an unseen demon.

And as before, this traveler also proclaimed their journey a fool's adventure, and marched back into the desert… with a perplexed heart.

The remaining two travelers had not come this far to give up so easily. One of the pair ascended the rise, only to quickly return shaking with fear. He exclaimed that the man was indeed acting crazy, but not because of an unseen demon, rather because there was a tiger crouched in the trees ready to devour the man.

This traveler hastily declared their journey a fool's adventure, and hurried back into the desert… with a fearful heart.

The last traveler began his ascent. He reached the top and peered into the camp. He too witnessed a tiger of great ferocity, but he put his fear aside and decided to help the man defeat the beast.

He quickly fashioned a makeshift spear using a dry branch sharpened with his hunting knife. He ran down the hill and jumped between the man and the snarling tiger. He readied his weapon and was on the verge of thrusting it into the beast, when the man suddenly let out a shrill whistle and grabbed the spear from the traveler's hands. The tiger abruptly ceased its attack, then trotted over to stand next to the man. Obviously, a cruel trick had been played upon the traveler.

Distraught over what had just transpired, the traveler demanded an explanation. The man explained that the old woman had seen the four travelers approaching from the desert, and had warned him of their arrival. He explained that his antics were designed to invite only the most sturdy of heart into his camp.

The man went on to introduce himself as Jambali the Wealth-Giver. He invited the traveler to sit beside him and tell of his journey. The traveler did so, explaining that the trip had began with five, of which he was the only one remaining. He went on to tell Jambali about his people's belief that all who visited him would receive wealth and wisdom.

Jambali told the traveler that his people's belief was true, but that before wealth can be possessed, one must first have the wisdom to own it.

Jambali explained, "The first traveler gave up on the first night. He did not want to work at acquiring wealth."

"The second traveler saw a poor man's camp. He had not the vision to perceive wealth among ordinary things."

"The third traveler witnessed a crazy man. He had not the vision to perceive wealth among non-ordinary things."

"The fourth traveler witnessed a man-eating tiger. He was not ready for wealth because he had not the courage to overcome fear."

Jambali watched as the traveler digested these words. They were powerful words that sank deep into the traveler's heart.

Then, suddenly and without notice, the traveler rose to his feet and thanked Jambali for these wealth-giving secrets. He was overwhelmed with exhilaration at the wisdom he had just received, and could barely contain his desire to depart for the village with news of his good fortune on this journey. He quickly bade Jambali farewell and promised he would tell his people what he had learned.

And so, this traveler did declare the journey a success, and he trotted into the desert with a glad heart.

As the traveler disappeared from sight, Jambali strode into his tent and filled a ruby-rimmed cup to overflowing with a dark, red wine. He drank largely, allowing the warm liquid to both caress and exhilarate his senses. A drop escaped from the corner of his mouth and momentarily danced upon his chin, as if unsure of which direction to fall before relinquishing its hold to the ground below.

Jambali tossed the cup, gestured loudly to the barren desert which had swallowed the travelers, and dispensed his last bit of wisdom, "The fifth traveler received wisdom, yet no riches filled his pockets because he did not ask for them."
Taken from articles by Brett Krkosska

Lovely Thoughts for Lovely People Just Like You

Overcome ego, be happy

Who doesn’t wish for happiness? Can money buy happiness? Do great achievements bring true happiness? Riches, success and achievements may bring name, fame and pride, but they do not always bring happiness.

If lack of money and success creates sorrow and suffering, their possession does not give happiness either. The question then is how can you be peaceful and happy, irrespective of whether you are a success or failure in life?

Krishna says in the Bhagvad Gita: “There is neither intellect nor bhavna (feeling for God) for the ayukta or the one who is not united, and to one devoid of bhavna , there is no peace. To the one without peace, how can there be happiness?” Krishna says, clearly, that unless a person is tuned into God he cannot have peace and without peace, he cannot be happy. Krishna also says that an un-united person does not have intellect.

So if you want happiness, unite with God. For this, you don’t have to abandon the pursuit of riches, success and achievements. God is self-knowledge and wisdom of sameness towards all beings because all are God. An egocentric person remains alienated from wisdom that is God. If you are free from ego, you look at all beings as God and so are united to the wisdom that is God. You will be free of sorrow and will attain peace and happiness.

Krishna says that we do not have right to the fruits of action and, therefore, we should perform actions, leaving the fruits to God. How can you avoid worrying about the fruit while performing actions? When a person regards the fruits of action (success or failure) as ‘mine’ and performs focused on the object, he is automatically worrying about the fruit.

Moreover, in doing so, he fails to abide the law of God, which says that one does not have right to the fruits. What you have to really do is to steady your intellect with the thought that the fruits of actions are of God. And when the fruit accrue in the form of success or failure, joy or sorrow, you have to mentally renounce the fruit to God. Since you do not contemplate the objects, you will not be attached to them. You will break the chain that starts with attachment and gives rise to desire, anger, delusion, confusion of memory, loss of intellect and death. Your intellect will become steady.

Krishna calls the wisdom of steadying your intellect by renouncing the fruits of action to God as Buddhi-yog or discipline of intellect. In this state you can be freed from constant births in different bodies. If you don’t, you are bound by actions. You lose your intellect due to attachment, desire and anger and perish, only to take another birth in a new body.

To steady our intellect we have to bring change in our thoughts. We have to remain engaged in usual actions and enjoyments as earlier but with a steady intellect fixed on the thought that all fruits of action are of God. This will free us from desire and ego, and gain eternal peace and happiness.

The same wisdom that will give peace and happiness to us will also give us Self-realisation and make us immortal. It will lead our world to a new age where we will live in peace, happiness and oneness, realising that we are in union with God.



Lovely Thoughts for Lovely People Just Like You

Words of Wisdom Of the Day # 291

"Laughing Faces Do Not Mean That There Is Absence Of Sorrow! But It Means That They Have The Ability To Deal With It". 

~Shakespeare