Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Perfect Health

Health is considered to be the first and foremost requirement of a person as it provides one with real happiness. To be healthy is to be happy. But, the notion of health needs to be understood in totality.
The first dimension of health refers to our physical will-being. Good physical health means a fit body- fitness of all limbs and organs of the body, so that they are flexible enough to move without any problem at our command. To be physically fit, one needs to be particular about the diet, i.e. the food intake, which should contain all the elements required by the body-vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, etc. similarly, one should follow a proper routine for sleeping, getting up, taking meals, etc. The daily routine should have a provision for taking physical exercise, entertainment and rest. It should be kept in mind while following a routine that it reflects a balanced approach while allotting appropriate time to different activities.
The second dimension of health refers to our psychological well-being. One must have healthy and positive thinking. Vices like dishonesty, jealousy, selfishness, etc. have absolutely no place in a healthy mind. If one is suffering from these vices, one will be termed as mentally sick and negative. Always think of doing good things to others while doing good to your own self. Mind it, your own good is a part of a common good of the community around. How can you rest peacefully when others in your neighbourhood are unhappy? Healthy thinking leads to healthy actions. One has to have an open mind, always ready to suggest and accept wise advices. ‘Cooperation’ is the real word, which can describe the healthy mind. It means to operate from both sides. Your righteousness will definitely motivate others to react rightly to you and to others. Thus, a healthy mind depends upon and involves healthy thinking.
The third, core dimension of health refers to our spiritual will-being. In fact, mental health (right thinking and positivity) and physical healthy are directly linked to this dimension referring to the divinity within. And, divinity, i.e. the powerfulness of the soul can be attained only through self realization and spiritual practices. It is the Perfect Master, the Guru, or the Spiritual Guide, who initiates one into true spirituality through Divine Knowledge and tells him the art of perfect health.
This blog attempts to provide its readers a healthy diet on all the three dimensions, because we wish that everybody becomes healthy and also makes this planet a healthy abode to live in!

(Akhand Gyan monthly magazine)

Monday, March 4, 2013

Revival of a new era

In modern-day society, besides optimists and pessimists, a third category has also emerged, which prefers calling itself ‘the realists’. They say that they neither give an outright acceptance nor rejection when it comes to establishing peace in the world. Instead, they say that they hold a realistic view which stands on practical grounds and is not hypothetical. They say that world-peace can be achieved only partially and intermittently. Because, according to them, human nature is inherently violent and he can never remain in peace at all times. And, hence they say that complete absence of wars and violence will always remain an impossible reality. Or, in other words, world peace in a true sense is never possible.
However, in my perspective, the viewpoint presented by the realists doesn’t sound valid and acceptable. First, because man is part and parcel of God who is ever-peaceful and ever-blissful; so his fundamental nature cannot be violent. This can also be supported with the fact that wars, bloodshed, violence, attacks, etc. are universally unacceptable. No one inherently likes them. And, something which is universally disliked by man cannot correspond to his basic nature.
Moreover, it often happens what when some idea is presented, which is beyond one’s comprehension, people tend to either mock at it or deny its possibility. However, which favorable results take shape, then all arguments, all opposition, all controversies automatically die out. History stands witness in this respect. For instance, in the early 1900’s nobody could even think that it was possible to fly in the air. When the Wright brothers proclaimed that they would be the first humans to fly, then the majority of people declared it to be a sheer impossibility because, they said that, it was not possible for a heavier-than-air machine to fly. But, when the two brothers became successful in making an air plane and took their first flight, then everyone had to believe. In the same way, until the 1950’s, it was beyond one’s imagination to walk on the moon. However, in 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first man to land on moon and thus proved the so-called impossible and impractical target as practically possible. For many years, it was thought impossible to run a mile in less than 4 minutes. Even the doctors and scientists claimed it to be physically impossible. They said that neither our muscles can move that fast and nor can our hearts pump that hard; and so, it was simply an impossible feat for humans. But, all claims, all thoughts had to succumb when, in 1954, Roger Bannister crossed the finish line of 1-mile in 3 minutes, 59.4 seconds. He not only broke through the physiological barrier, but also the psychological barrier. Hundreds of such examples can be cited from history wherein what a man commonly thought or perceived as impossible or impractical or unrealistic was proved otherwise.
Likewise, when it comes to bringing peace in the world, then this goal too may sound impossible or unrealistic to many. But, in reality it is not so. It’s true that one tends to develop this sort of perception because the conditions of the world show no signs of improvement despite several sincere attempts in this direction. Instead, the situation is deteriorating by the day. However, if the correct technique is applied, which can hit right at the root-cause, favorable results would definitely be seen. After all, if the formula (and its application) is correct, the solution is bound to be correct.
Basically, there are four levels pertaining to achieving one’s goal:
a.      The level of impossibility, when we deny any ray of hope in accomplishing something.
b.      The level of doubt, when 51% of our being says that we don’t think it’s possible.
c.The level of hope, when at least 51% of our being says that we think it’s possible.
d.      The level of certainty, when the mind says it’s absolutely possible.
It may be that the vision of world peace for many lies in the category of ‘impossibility.’ And, many may be ‘doubtful’ or ‘hopeful’ about its accomplishment seeing the current state of affairs. But, today, there are also many who take pride and vouch for the fourth category, i.e. those who are ‘certain’ that soon this world will shine bright with the golden rays of peace scattered in every nook and corner. These are the awakened units of society, who are equipped with the eternal technique of Self Realisation. And, this belief of theirs is in no way the product of imagination. Neither does their pessimism lack the support of a strong foundation. Rather, they claim so because through inner awakening, they have learnt how to get rid of their ‘ignorance’. And, today, they are spreading this message of awakening to the entire mankind with full gusto and sincerity to make this world a ‘peaceful abode’. 

(From Akhand Gyan Magazine with thanks)

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Beware of False Gurus and Siddh-Purush

The desires of the people in the present times are not aimed at seeking God, but they are secular in nature. So, they happen to meet not a True spiritual Master, but secular hypocrites!
Now a days, it is a trend to use the sacred platform of spirituality by various professionals and traders. This trend has been followed from the Treta Yug. We know, Ravan and Kalnemi used this platform to cheat Devi Sita and Veer Hanuman. Therefore, numerous Babas, Brahmagyani, Avatar, Himalayan Yogi are available in the society. It is a great difficulty for a common man to recognize who is real and who is cheater. Still, a true spiritual seeker should watch properly the actions and motives of anyone before accepting him his Guru. For example, Narendra examined Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa many times before surrender.
As per the revelations in the sacred scriptures on the genuineness and the merit of a Guru, such Babas and so-called saints are not at all entitled to be hailed as “Gurus.” Such individuals are not “Gurus” but they are “traders.” And the one that encourages such trades is the media! When a company launches some new product, it does lots of advertising through the media, so that more and more people are attracted towards the product. On the same lines, these so-called Gurus of modern times use media to reach the common households. In the name of spirituality, they are engaging in their private trade through lots of advertisement via media to maximize profits. Among these, there are many who do not know even the ‘a-b-c’ of spirituality; they simply make meaningless arguments to cheat gullible devotees. What do they say? – Eat chutney with samosa (an Indian snack) and you will get a job. Eat four slices of bread instead of two and your cancer will be cured. Instead of wearing the shoes of an X company, start wearing the shoes of a Y company and you will be blessed with a son, and so on….. What silly assertions! Completely senseless!
On listening to such talks, I am reminded of a funny incident. Once, a supervisor visited a school for conducting inspection. He went to one class and asked a question to the students, “It takes ‘x’ number of hours to reach Mumbai form Delhi. Now tell me, what is my age?” There was no link between the two assertions. Children, therefore, failed to understand the meaning of the question and so were unable to answer it. All of them remained silent. But then, one student raised his hand and said, “I know the answer to this question.” The supervisor was happy and said, “Tell me, what is my age?”
Student: Sir, fifty years!
Supervisor: Very good, my boy! You are the most intelligent student in the class!
After the supervisor left, the teacher who was highly confused asked that student, “The question posed by the supervisor was without head or tail. There is absolutely no connection between the time taken to reach Mumbai form Delhi and the age of the supervisor. So, how did you manage to answer the question correctly?”
Student: Sir, I have an elder brother. His age is twenty-five. He is half-mad. So, on this basis, I thought that the age of this supervisor must be fifty, because he was fully mad.
In the same way, through such meaningless talks, these so-called Gurus and Babas reveal their idiotic levels. By linking the wheel of karmas with things like bread slice, chutney, shoes, etc. they testify their immature mind-set. What more proof is needed for their ignorance? But, the unfortunate part is, not only the uneducated, but also the educated class is getting entangled into their glib talks and is becoming their followers. They sit at the feet of these Gurus and offer the flowers of dedication and trust. They blindly abide by their instructions. And, then what happens in the end? Something like this….. Once, a so-called Guru told his disciples, “I will take you to the abode of God, provided you follow my instructions by the letter and spirit, without questioning. So, are you all willing to make this promise to me? Are you ready to follow me with total obedience?” All the disciples gave an affirmative reply in unison. Now, the hypocrite Guru reeled out his first command, “Sit straight.” About 200 disciples that were gathered there hailed in one voice, “Sit straight!” Taken aback, the hypocrite Guru surveyed all his disciples. The obedient disciples also moved their neck in the similar fashion. The agitated Guru said in an angry tone, “You do what I tell you to do.” The 200 disciples also shouted, “You do what I tell you to do.”
Hypocrite Guru: Idiots! Sit quiet! Do not imitate me!
200 Disciples: Idiots! Sit quiet! Do not imitate me!
Whatever that hypocrite Guru said and did, the disciples followed him action by action and word by word. Greatly upset, that pseudo Guru lost the balance of his mind and slapped a disciple sitting in front of him. Ah! What next? The entire atmosphere reverberated to the landing of slaps on the face of that hypocrite Guru in quick succession. That poor chap had to save his life somehow, and so he ran from there. All the disciples also ran after him. In that mad rush, the Guru fell down into a well. The 200 disciples, the faithful ones, also jumped after him and, thus, all of them reached the abode of death together!
Such is the plight of those who join the blind race and follow the hypocrite Gurus. Without thinking, without contemplating, they repose faith on their assertions. Referring to such disciples who follow blindly, Einstein has said, “Two things are infinite in this world. One is space; another is man’s stupidity.” What else would one call it if not stupidity? Without using the power of discrimination, we confer the title of Saint on anybody and everybody.
Besides ignorance, another important reason behind such unwise acts is the greed of an individual. What do we desire? Prosperity in the business of a son, cure form diseases, the marriage of a daughter, and likewise… the list is endless! And to fulfill these unending desires, an unending number of Gurus have sprouted today. A wise man has made a correct observation – “The ‘Logs’ are crooked and therefore there are crooked ‘Saws’ for them.” Meaning, the desires of the people in the present times are not aimed at seeking God, but they are secular in nature. So, they happen to meet not a True Spiritual Master, but secular hypocrites!
But, the true inquisitives of God do not get caught in the trap of such hypocrite Gurus. They identify them at the first sight itself. In this context, I recall a real-life incident relating to Yogananda Paramahansa. At that time, Yogananda was a child and his name was Mukund. A saint arrived at Kalighat, spread his mat under a tree near the bank of the Ganga River, and established himself there. Somebody told Mukund that the saint was 105 years old and possessed extraordinary powers. Whoever bows his head before his feet in reverence, in a fraction of a second, all his diseases are cured. As soon as Mukund came to know about this, he got very curious. He along with his brother Sunanda Lal Ghosh and other friends reached Kalighat. There, he saw the saint surrounded by a large number of people. He had long hair in the form of matted locks and a flowing beard. He had a glow on his face too. Mukund reached out to him and discussed spiritual issues for some time. Then they all returned. On reaching home, Mukund told his brother, “Today I visited a beautiful graveyard.”
“What do you mean?” Mukund’s brother asked instantly.
Mukund: Have you observed the graveyard carefully? From outside, it is constructed beautifully. It is laid with sparkling white marble stone slabs. Flowers are offered to it. But, what is within? The rotten flesh and decaying bones! Likewise, that saint was beautiful from the outside. But when I talked to him, I realized that from a spiritual standpoint, he was dead. Within him, there was no seed of divinity.
Dear readers, if you will also observe from the lens of discrimination, you will realize that the so-called Gurus of the present times are spiritually dead from within. They claim that they will cure your ailments. Many people even come forward to vouchsafe for their credibility. But, all this is a fraud and stage-managed. They engage those who are unemployed, bribe them and bring them before the media to lie.