The Point-of-View in Life!

In a small town there lived two brothers. But apart from the fact that they were brothers, they had nothing in common. The elder brother had many bad habits  drugs, alcohol, etc...and was often in and out of jail. He was a criminal by career, a very bad dad, with about two failed marriages.  His brother on the contrary, led a very healthy and peaceful life. He was a bussiness man in a very high position, a very good dad and husband. In his free time he serves his community through physical and financial means.

One day a reporter from a local telivision interviewed both the brothers seperately and asked them the same question..." What is it that made you, who you are today?"

The elder brother replied, "It is all b'cas of my father. He was an alcoholic, beat my mother, often for no reason. He was selfish and showed no love or affection to us. Today I have become just like him!".

The younger brother replied, "Its all b'cas of my father. He was a failure by all means. I took a resolve that I would never be like him. I am so grateful to my dad that he showed me how not to live!".

Both the brothers were troubled by their abusive father. They both had negative input however their output was completely different. Everything depends on our mind! If we want to see good in something or someone we can and if we decide to see bad, we can sure find a lot of that as well. Everything depends on how you look at it. Its all in your point of view!

Attitude in Life!

Once there was a monastery that was very strict. They followed a vow of silence and were allowed to talk just two words every 10 years. There was a new monk who after spending his first tenyears there, went to the head monk. When the head monk asked," Now that you have fiinished your first ten years, what are the two words you would like to speak out?", he immediately said, " Bed.... hard!". Another ten years passed by and he was asked the same question by the head monk for which he replied, "Food stinks!". On finishing the third ten years he went to the head monk with his two words,"I QUIT!" The head monk replied, "Well, I can see why... all you do is complain."

Even in the most suitable circumstances, if our attitude is not correct, we will not find peace of mind! Our own mind is the cause of our suffereing and our own mind is also the cause of our joy.

The True Significance of Onam

Onam, is a traditional festival celebrated by the Hindus in the South Western state of Kerala. It is associated with floral decorations (Pookalam), Good Eats (OnaSadya), boat race (Vallamkali) and a strange story!

Strange Story: - The Mahabali( He was a great King who ruled the land  once upon a time)story associated with Thiruvonam states that Mahabali was a great king in whose rule, the citizens were happy and peace with each other. The Devas were Jealous of Mahabali and they approached Lord Vishnu to curtail his power and Vishnu(God) agreed to malicious intention of Devas and kicked Mahabali underground.

1. If Vishnu yields to Jealousy of Devas, is Vishnu worth to worship?
2. Can a God be partial to someone or some clan?

Clearly this is a fabrication of human mind (Nara stuthi) which contains human elements of Jealousy, enmity, ego, arrogance, dominate with power and annihilate. There is no divinity (holiness) in this story.

Vishnu: - As per Vedas the feet of Lord Vishnu can be reached only by those who had conquered their senses (Indrajit), renounced and sacrificed.

Indrasya Yuj saha,
Tad vishno paramam padam sada pasyanthi soorayaha

Mahabali: - Our tradition states that we acquire nothing through wealth and only sacrifice defines a place for us (Tyagainaike amirthathvam anasuha). Mahabali had performed 99 Yajnams (fire sacrifices).
Yajnam is associated with fasting for several days, giving up our residence(upa vasam), giving up sleep and staying focused on Agni day and night, finally donating to the needy/ poor upon completion and staying de-attached from materialistic pleasures.

King Mahabali, executing 99 Yajnams(fire sacrifices) had acquired supremacy over his senses(Indrajit) and was qualified for more than Indra sadas. He was qualified for the Divine Lotus Feet of the Lord. Therefore the Lord Himself came down  to this qualified (Aruhath) soul.

Typically in Hindu traditions, departed soul integrates with the feet of Lord Vishnu (Vishnu Paadam). Pindam (offerings) to Vishnu Paadam is considered as offering to departed souls.  Vishnu Paadam is the final resting place for a soul and Mahabali acquired it alive through his penance and sacrifice.

In Conclusion:- Thiruvonam is a celebration for conquest of senses giving us a clue on how to reach parama padam. 

The Mother of All...

Mata Amritanandamayi... She is a spiritual Guru like no other. Read about Amma here... http://www.amritapuri.org/amma/who

 It is said that when you are ready the Guru comes to us. He makes the necessary arrangements for us to meet Him... And then something within us starts to change... we start becoming wonderful humans... learning to live in peace with ourselves, with our mind and with the outer world. Life becomes a wonderful experience!

LEARNING TO LIVE WITHOUT RECOGNITION IS A SKILL!

There was a farmer who collected horses. He only needed one more breed to complete his collection. One day, he found out that his neighbor had the particular horse breed he needed. So, he constantly bothered his neighbor until he sold it to him. A month later, the horse became ill and he called the veterinarian, who said: "Well, your horse has a virus. He must take this medicine for three days. I'll come back on the 3rd day and if he's not better, we're going to have to put him down."

Nearby, the pig listened closely to their conversation. The next day, they gave him the medicine and left. The pig approached the horse and said: "Be strong, my friend. Get up or else they're going to put you to sleep!" On the second day, they gave him the medicine and left. The pig came back and said: "Come on buddy, get up or else you're going to die! Come on, I'll help you get up. Let's go! One, two, three..."

On the third day, they came to give him the medicine and the vet said: "Unfortunately, we're going to have to put him down tomorrow. Otherwise, the virus might spread and infect the other horses."

After they left, the pig approached the horse and said:- "Listen pal, it's now or never! Get up, come on! Have courage! Come on! Get up! Get up! That's it, slowly! Great! Come on, one, two, three... Good, good. Now faster, come on.... Fantastic! Run, run more! Yes! Yay! Yes! You did it, you're a champion!!!"

All of a sudden, the owner came back, saw the horse running in the field and began shouting: "It's a miracle! My horse is cured. This deserves a party. Let's kill the pig!"

Points for reflection: This often happens in the workplace. Nobody truly knows which employee actually deserves the merit of success, or who's actually contributing the necessary support to make things happen.

LEARNING TO LIVE WITHOUT RECOGNITION IS A SKILL!

If anyone ever tells you that your work is unprofessional, remember: amateurs built the Ark and professionals built the Titanic.

DON'T LOOK TO BECOME A PERSON OF SUCCESS, LOOK INSTEAD TO BECOME A PERSON OF VALUE!

Our frame of mind!

Once Buddha was  giving a sermon. keeping in mind that monks were present in the audience, he said at the end of the semon, "Before u go to bed don't forget to do the most important thing of the day". Hearing these words the monks thought, "We must not forget to meditate before sleeping." A thief who was also present thought,"Lord Buddha is right.", he mused "Late night is the best time for stealing." A  prostitute hearing these words thought that she should try to get some customers that night on the way home from the sermon. Each one took Buddha's  instruction according to his or her own frame of mind!

 When problems arise in our lives, we always try to change  the  circumstances often interpreting things as our minds wills, but in many cases the only appropriate solution is to change ourselves- to change our mind!

Learn to listen without a pre-determined idea...

A teacher teaching Maths to a six-year-old asked him, "If I give you one apple and one apple and one apple, how many apples will you have?"Within a few seconds the boy replied confidently, "Four!" The dismayed teacher was expecting an effortless correct answer (three). She was disappointed.  "Maybe the child did not listen properly," she thought.  She repeated, "Ok, listen carefully.  If I give you one apple and one apple and one apple, how many apples will you have?" He had seen the disappointment on his teacher's face.  He calculated again on his fingers.  But within him he was also searching for the answer that will make his teacher happy.  His search for the answer was not for the correct one, but the one that will make his teacher happy.  This time hesitatingly he replied, "Four…"

The disappointment stayed on the teacher's face.  She remembered that the boy liked strawberries.  She thought maybe he doesn't like apples and that is making him loose focus.  This time with an exaggerated excitement and twinkling in her eyes she asked, "If I give you one strawberry and one strawberry and one strawberry, then how many will you have?" Seeing the teacher happy, the little boy calculated on his fingers again.  There was no pressure on him, but a little on the teacher.  She wanted her new approach to succeed.  With a hesitating smile that young boy enquired, "Three?"

The teacher now had a victorious smile.  Her approach had succeeded.  She wanted to congratulate herself.  But one last thing remained.  Once again she asked him, "Now if I give you one apple and one apple and one more apple how many will you have?" Promptly he answered, "Four". The teacher was aghast.  "How, how?" she demanded in a little stern and irritated voice. In a voice that was low and hesitating the little boy replied, "Because I already have one apple in my bag."

 When someone gives you an answer that is different from what you expect. Don't think they are wrong. There maybe an angle that you have not understood at all. You will have to listen and understand, but never listen with a predetermined notion.