Keep Driving!!

Heres an inspiring story which gives a beautiful message to keep going without giving up EVER.
To reach a destination one has to keep going. We can never reach the destination if we stop in the midway because of some mishap or accidents or some other problems. But if we proceed further irrespective of challenges , we sure will reach the destination.
 Here is the original story.

One day a young lady was driving along with her father. They came upon a storm and the young lady asked her father , "what should I do"?
He said "Keep Driving". Cars began to pull over to the side , the storm was getting worse.
"what should I do?" , the young lady asked.
"Keep driving", her father replied.
On up a few feet, She noticed that eighteen wheelers were also pulling over. She told her dad, "I must pull over, I can barely see ahead. It is terrible and everyone is pulling over!".
Her father told her , "Dont give up, just keep driving!".
Now the storm was terrible, but she never stopped driving and soon she could see a little more clearly. After a couple of miles she was again on dry land and the sun came out.
Her father said, "Now you can pull over and get out".
She said , " but why now?".
He said, "when you get out, look back at all the people that gave up and are still in the storm, because you never gave up, your storm is now over".

This is a testimony for anyone who is going through "hard times".

Just because every one else, even the strongest gives up, you dont have to. If you keep going, soon your storm will be over and the sun will shine upon your face again.

                                                   ( picture from google images)
The original story is given by Malladi Venkata Krishna Murthy.

When challenges come in our way, we tend to feel stressed to face  and overcome them. But there is one thing to be kept in our minds that the challenges wont last forever. We just have to keep the spirit high and keep going.

 

Guru who filled Gunpowder in us...!!!!

                                                                                                            

   Guru who filled Gunpowder in us.

One day fire crackers were fighting each other in a fire cracker manufacturing unit. Sky Rocket , Roman Candle, Fountains, Catherine Wheel, Sparklers, Mines, Laxmi atom bomb, Garland 10000, flower Pot. The Flower pot was saying to his friends" look at me "I am the most favorite of kids" because am flower pot, in between the Laxmi atom bomb came make loud noise, If am not here, where is the fun? so am the most favorite and loving one, The sky rocket was displaying his victory because it goes up into the sky. The Catherine wheel, Sparkler likewise everyone was boasting themselves saying they are the most sought thing on the diwali day and they are the best.

Their Debate couldn't end up among themselves to find out who is the best, so they went to manufacturer to decide which one is the best, The creator, listened them carefully and observed everyone was thumping his own winning story in front of him, the real creator of them. So to teach a lesson to them he submerged them in water, and then asked them to display thier feats, and ask each one of them to" tell who is  the best.!"!!!! Let the sky rocket fly?, or the laxmi atom bomb sound loud.!!!..Every ones gas been taken out.

Similarly we are doing  in our lives we  each one of us are like sparkler, laxmi atom bomb, sky rockets etc we are fighting each other , we  are racing a competition with each other, trying to display -skills to prove ourselves to be better than other. But we forget the gunpowder which is  common ingredient to all of us , and who filled the gunpowder in us..!!! . - Our creator, why did he make us? Off course with a purpose, But the purpose is to be obediently accept the role given to us and be part of his show. Be a part of his purpose would be boon for us. If a sparkler beautifully burn to display lovely sparkle, all spectators would enjoyed and give a recognition to sparkler saying that a lovely sparkler. But if ;while it is burning if it start peeping the life of  the sky rocket and thinking that, why I am not flying high like that? and filled with jealous  hatred and suspicion, it will not burn full , it will not display the beauty for which is made, and it get struck up in middle the person who was enjoying that sparkler, throw it out as soon he cited that it’s a bad one. We are similarly like that, we don’t identify ourselves for which we are made, as we grew older we become LORD, and forget LORD who makes us. If find yourself in middle of mudslinging soup. We start to compete, we start to follow, we race each other and finally when we go for Mediator with our Ego- he dumps in water to take out our gas.

When we come in touch with guru or the Mentor , we often fill with a perception that I am flying high, I have great gunpowder to for a  race, I can display my set of skills, Everything fades and prove to be an illusion that we are doing something , as soon as he leave us to fight alone and learn by ourselves, Till yesterday I would be the most sought thing , and I quickly become favorites to many . At once to realize that the it was the Guru's power- the creator fills the gunpowder and make us something, we were nothing. It is the magic of gunpowder which was creating a brand for us. I was racing towards the sky high was the great hoax.

How can I regain my power which once I realized due to the Guru, What is my destination after once i explode like laxmi atom bomb. How can I am going to regain my gunpowder again. The Guru show what we have in us, and then leave in this world to swim, to learn to know about us. With same burning material he made different fire crackers, he maketh for a purpose, and it’s over, where we stand now? Where is that energy which was there when he made us and filled with gun powder? Where has it gone?. Can we discover that gunpowder by which we can be really a sparkler?, a sky rocket? Or a garland of bombs? What is that material, is it is available with us? so that we always feel fired up, and be what we are, and surrender to our creator, so that he can use us to his purpose, 

. The answer to that everlasting fire is the PRAYER.

Yes the Prayer is that gunpowder which regenerates even after we are fused once it is used. Do the prayer consistently, every day feeling ever present in front of the Guru- the God, being one with Guru, mentor or guide whomever you feel strength fully being with. Be one with them take help to discover ourselves, Surrender to the Supreme Everlasting Radiant king, who rules the world, let we play our role whatever been allotted to us. Accept it, praise him thank him, what he has given, and make ourselves fully available to him to his purpose, BE What we are. Ask for strength to do our role diligently. There is no competition between a sky rocket and a sparkler or laxmi atom bomb or Catherine wheel. If we learn to be that way,what we are; we would be exalted in our lives. This is what I am learning along with my beautiful friend who inspires me to make myself each day, from within.

May Guru protect us,

give  me strength to bear sufferings of this  worldly turmoil,

 Let my services be accepted at your feet, let me be useful to others always,

O my beloved Guru always keep me in your path,

and in your shade.

In Guru

Words about Commitment

Commitment is the language of the wise,

Complaint is the language of the fools.

Commitment is a responsibility and also includes accountability.

In life, one should be responsible as well as accountable.

Generally one takes responsibility without accountability; this weakens one’s being.

Our weaknesses result in disappointment. Disappointment should be cremated and not garlanded . People derive a sadistic pleasure from disappointment.

This is a primitive pleasure, like a grownup boy sucking his thumb.

To cremate disappointment, one should strengthen one’s strengths. The greatest strength comes from the energy of commitment and brings in excellence in all walks of life. Few people traverse the road of success without a puncture or two but it is commitment to excellence that takes them through. Observe nature and see how other being are committed. For example, look at an eagle.

From a range of 5 km, it focuses on its prey.

Can we focus on our goals like an eagle?

An eagle does not eat a dead prey.

Can we learn not to live on dead information?

If there is a storm, the eagle can glide on the strong breeze.
It tests its wings and enjoys the storm and the challenges associated with it. Can we enjoy difficulties and convert them into challenges? An eagle does not mix with other birds. It soars high on its own.

Can we be part of an average crowd and still soar high on our strengths?

An eagle tests before it trust. Before mating, a female eagle tests its partner. It picks up a twig, flies high and as the male follows, it flies around to escape and finally drops the twig. Before the twig falls on the ground, the male catches the twig and gives it to the female.

It repeats this act. If a male succeeds in catching the twig consistently,
then it allows mating to take place. Similarly, like an eagle, can we test before we trust?

Observe the commitment of an eagle in bringing out excellence while choosing a partner first and parenting later.  Bring similar commitment to all walks of life; be it at family, at work, in society or in your spiritual life.

Difficulties are like divine surgery. Do not resist difficulties. Nature expects us to use our heart and head to discover new and wise skills to fly in life.

Commitment creates integrity. In this state, it is easier to bring forth the excellence in our lives

The Donkey attitude - SHAKE IT OFF AND TAKE A STEP UP

Stories are pleasant, interesting to listen to. And through stories when lessons are taught it makes an impact in the mind and last long. Heres one such story which gives a great lesson about the ATTITUDE.

One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.

He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down.

A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step....shake it off and take a step....

As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the Donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!...

MORAL :

Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. we need to shake it off and take a step up....The trick is to get out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a stepping stone. we can get out of the deepest wells by not just stopping , never giving up!!Shake it off and take a step up.


Remember the 5 simple rules to Be happy:


1. Free your Heart from hatred - Forgive.
2. Free your mind from worries - Most never happens.
3. Live simply and appreciate what you have.
4. To Give should be pleasure and to take should be the shame.
5. Expect less from people but more from God.

Statements to reflect upon ''ALWAYS" in mind!

A few statements which "appear" short  but they have deep meanings..here are they..we always or most of the times look upon WHO has said , but it is always better to look upon WHAT they say..

1] Prayer is Not a " Spare Wheel " That You Pull Out When in Trouble, But it is A " steering wheel " That Directs The Right Path Throughout.

2] Do You Know Why A Car's WIND SHIELD is So Large & The Rear view Mirror is So Small ? Because Our PAST is Not As important As Ur FUTURE...Look Ahead And Move on.

3] Friendship is Like A BOOK. It Takes Few Seconds To Burn, But it Takes Years To Write.

4] All things in Life Are Temporary. If Going Well, Enjoy it, They Will Not Last Forever.If Going Wrong, Don't Worry, They Can't Last Long Either.

5] Old Friends Are Gold! New Friends Are Diamond! If You Get A Diamond, Don't Forget The Gold!..Because To Hold A Diamond, You Always Need A Base Of Gold!

6] Often When We Lose Hope And Think This is The End, GOD Smiles From Above And Says,"Relax, Sweet Heart, it's Just A Bend, Not The End!

7] When GOD Solves Your Problems, You Have Faith in HIS Abilities; When GOD Doesn't Solve Your Problems HE Has Faith in Your Abilities.

8] A Blind Person Asked Swami Vivekanand: " Can There Be Anything Worse Than Losing eye sight? He replied: "Yes, losing your vision!"

9] When You Pray For Others, God Listens To You And Blesses Them, And Sometimes, When You Are Safe And Happy, Remember That Someone Has Prayed For You.

10] WORRYING Does Not Take Away Tomorrows' TROUBLES, it Takes Away Todays' PEACE.

Hence ENJOY!!! each and every moment of Life!!!!!!!

WAY OF CONTENTMENT - 2

THE PHILOSOPHY OF PLEASURE

Selections FROM THE JAPANESE OF
KAIBARA EKKEN

FINDING THE TREASURE

He wears cotton cloth, and enjoys simple vege- table food. He reads books quietly, and enjoys poetry. To follow the teaching of the Sages  is his delight, to see and feel the beauty of Nature his joy. Friends he has also who share with him this pure and simple pleasure in life.

From ancient times there have been men of exalted position and great wealth; yet few amongst them have enjoyed peaceful lives, for position and riches are oftentimes hindrance to peace of mind. Fortunate are they who enjoy pure happiness — their enjoyment is superior to that of the exalted. Yet many of us who are in a position to enjoy this simple happiness do not realise its blessings are at our gate. We are like men living on a treasure mountain, yet failing to find the treasure. Again, there are men who understand what pure happi- ness means, and yet are unable to enjoy it because of their extreme poverty. Thus the blessing of true happiness only falls to the few who both understand what it is and are in the position to enjoy it. A tree which has beautiful flowers never bears good fruit. He who is enjoying this great happiness must never envy others. For as soon as his heart turns towards wealth his pure happiness will depart, for Heaven and Earth with no longer permit him to enjoy its blessing.

Not only do men love and respect the man who is benevolent and merciful; but even plants seem to lean towards him in friendship. To travel through different provinces and see a variety of sceneries is to widen our knowledge and help uplift our thoughts.

In visiting strange lands where we see un- familiar mountains and rivers, where we learn from the natives many peculiar customs, climb up mountains and through rocks and heather, taste famous local products, and stand before wide seas, the pleasure we obtain is infinite, and what we have seen and heard during these delightful excursions does not pass away, but remains with us always. The memories of these pleasant joumeyings are ever with us, even in old age, and bring back the delights we experienced years before. Little wonder then we identify the word " recollection " or omoide with every kind of pleasant happening.

The word " patience' is pop u largely used the word "forgive" but the word signifies forbearance, and suppression of selfishness and  evil desires .

and keeps the heart tranquil, he can enjoy a life free from shame, distress, and misfortune. All good things spring from a patient attitude, and all evil from its reverse. There a saying that patience is the gate of the of goodness.

Sake is the beautiful gift of Heaven. Drunk in small quantities, it expands the heart, lifts the downcast spirit, drowns cares, and improves the health. Thus it helps a man and also his friends to enjoy pleasures. But he who drinks too much loses his respectability, becomes over- talkative, and utters abusive words like a madman. That is the reason why the ancients termed SakS, " the mad medicine." In youth men must not form the habit of taking strong drink. Enjoy Saki by drinking just enough to give you a slight exhilaration, and thus enjoy seeing flowers when they are only just bursting into bloom. To drink too much and spoil this great gift of Heaven is foolish.

Dancing and slow singing also assist men in forgetting their worries and cares ; the ancients therefore indulged in these pleasures. The essential quality of the Samurai is courage ; only courage must not be exhibited vainly, but should be kept within one's heart. A brave man is always gentle and kind. The great

courage," says an old proverb, "resembles cowardice." Chorio was a man of great courage, but he is said to have been as gentle as a woman. True courage is to conquer one's desires, and to perform righteous deeds wherever one sees them — a truly courageous man is always calm and happy.

HABIT-FORMING BY CONCENTRATION

HABIT-FORMING BY CONCENTRATION

BY ARNOLD BENNETT

Excerpts from the book THE HUMAN MACHINE

 

As soon as the will has got the upper hand of the brain—as soon as it can say to the brain, with a fair certainty of being obeyed: 'Do this. Think along these lines, and continue to do so without wandering until I give you leave to stop'—then is the time arrived when the perfecting of the human machine may be undertaken in a large and comprehensive spirit, as a city council undertakes the purification and reconstruction of a city. The tremendous possibilities of an obedient brain will be perceived immediately we begin to reflect upon what we mean by our 'character.' Now, a person's character is, and can be, nothing else but the total result of his habits of thought. A person is benevolent because he habitually thinks benevolently. A person is idle because his thoughts dwell habitually on the instant pleasures of idleness. It is true that everybody is born with certain predispositions, and that these predispositions influence very strongly the early formation of habits of thought. But the fact remains that the character is built by long-continued habits of thought. If the mature edifice of character usually shows in an exaggerated form the peculiarities of the original predisposition, this merely indicates a probability that the slow erection of the edifice has proceeded at haphazard, and that reason has not presided over it. A child may be born with a tendency to bent shoulders. If nothing is done, if on the contrary he becomes a clerk and abhors gymnastics, his shoulders will develop an excessive roundness, entirely through habit. Whereas, if his will, guided by his reason, had compelled the formation of a corrective physical habit, his shoulders might have been, if not quite straight, nearly so. Thus a physical habit! The same with a mental habit.

The more closely we examine the development of original predispositions, the more clearly we shall see that this development is not inevitable, is not a process which works itself out independently according to mysterious, ruthless laws which we cannot understand. For instance, the effect of an original predisposition may be destroyed by an accidental shock. A young man with an inherited tendency to alcohol may develop into a stern teetotaller through the shock caused by seeing his drunken father strike his mother; whereas, if his father had chanced to be affectionate in drink, the son might have ended in the gutter. No ruthless law here! It is notorious, also, that natures are sometimes completely changed in their development by chance momentary contact with natures stronger than themselves. 'From that day I resolved—' etc. You know the phrase. Often the resolve is not kept; but often it is kept. A spark has inflamed the will. The burning will has tyrannised over the brain. New habits have been formed. And the result looks just like a miracle.

Now, if these great transformations can be brought about by accident, cannot similar transformations be brought about by a reasonable design? At any rate, if one starts to bring them about, one starts with the assurance that transformations are not impossible, since they have occurred. One starts also in the full knowledge of the influence of habit on life. Take any one of your own habits, mental or physical. You will be able to recall the time when that habit did not exist, or if it did exist it was scarcely perceptible. And you will discover that nearly all your habits have been formed unconsciously, by daily repetitions which bore no relation to a general plan, and which you practised not noticing. You will be compelled to admit that your 'character,' as it is to-day, is a structure that has been built almost without the aid of an architect; higgledy-piggledy, anyhow. But occasionally the architect did step in and design something. Here and there among your habits you will find one that you consciously and of deliberate purpose initiated and persevered with—doubtless owing to some happy influence. What is the difference between that conscious habit and the unconscious habits? None whatever as regards its effect on the sum of your character. It may be the strongest of all your habits. The only quality that differentiates it from the others is that it has a definite object (most likely a good object), and that it wholly or partially fulfils that object. There is not a man who reads these lines but has, in this detail or that, proved in himself that the will, forcing the brain to repeat the same action again and again, can modify the shape of his character as a sculptor modifies the shape of damp clay.

But if a grown man's character is developing from day to day (as it is), if nine-tenths of the development is due to unconscious action and one-tenth to conscious action, and if the one-tenth conscious is the most satisfactory part of the total result; why, in the name of common sense, henceforward, should not nine-tenths, instead of one-tenth, be due to conscious action? What is there to prevent this agreeable consummation? There is nothing whatever to prevent it—except insubordination on the part of the brain. And insubordination of the brain can be cured, as I have previously shown. When I see men unhappy and inefficient in the craft of living, from sheer, crass inattention to their own development; when I see misshapen men building up businesses and empires, and never stopping to build up themselves; when I see dreary men expending precisely the same energy on teaching a dog to walk on its hind-legs as would brighten the whole colour of their own lives, I feel as if I wanted to give up the ghost, so ridiculous, so fatuous does the spectacle seem! But, of course, I do not give up the ghost. The paroxysm passes. Only I really must cry out: 'Can't you see what you're missing? Can't you see that you're missing the most interesting thing on earth, far more interesting than businesses, empires, and dogs? Doesn't it strike you how clumsy and short-sighted you are—working always with an inferior machine when you might have a smooth-gliding perfection? Doesn't it strike you how badly you are treating yourself?'

Listen, you confirmed grumbler, you who make the evening meal hideous with complaints against destiny—for it is you I will single out. Are you aware what people are saying about you behind your back? They are saying that you render yourself and your family miserable by the habit which has grown on you of always grumbling. 'Surely it isn't as bad as that?' you protest. Yes, it is just as bad as that. You say: 'The fact is, I know it's absurd to grumble. But I'm like that. I've tried to stop it, and I can't!' How have you tried to stop it? 'Well, I've made up my mind several times to fight against it, but I never succeed. This is strictly between ourselves. I don't usually admit that I'm a grumbler.' Considering that you grumble for about an hour and a half every day of your life, it was sanguine, my dear sir, to expect to cure such a habit by means of a solitary intention, formed at intervals in the brain and then forgotten. No! You must do more than that. If you will daily fix your brain firmly for half an hour on the truth (you know it to be a truth) that grumbling is absurd and futile, your brain will henceforward begin to form a habit in that direction; it will begin to be moulded to the idea that grumbling is absurd and futile. In odd moments, when it isn't thinking of anything in particular, it will suddenly remember that grumbling is absurd and futile. When you sit down to the meal and open your mouth to say: 'I can't think what my ass of a partner means by—' it will remember that grumbling is absurd and futile, and will alter the arrangement of your throat, teeth, and tongue, so that you will say: 'What fine weather we're having!' In brief, it will remember involuntarily, by a new habit. All who look into their experience will admit that the failure to replace old habits by new ones is due to the fact that at the critical moment the brain does not remember; it simply forgets. The practice of concentration will cure that. All depends on regular concentration. This grumbling is an instance, though chosen not quite at hazard.

Secret of Success -- Ant's philosophy

 It can be shared ample number of times when it does good to ourselves.something good to hear, see, know and so on.. stories, pictures, quotes and so on..here's one such inspiring thing...


All of us tend to look up to big people for lessons on how to get better. We are keen to learn the secrets of their success. But we forget that sometimes the biggest lessons in life come from the smallest folks around us. Now that's a good lesson to remember!.


Take ants for instance. Would you believe those small creatures can teach us how to life a better life?
Jim Rohn - the great motivational guru - developed what he called the ' Ants Philosophy'.


He identified four key lessons from the behaviour of ants that can help us lead better lives. Jim Rohn is no more - but his messages continue to inspire. Here then , are the four lessons from Rohn's Ants philosophy.


1) Ants never quit.
Have you noticed how ants always look for a way around an obstacle? Put your finger in an ant's path and it will try and go around it , or over it. It will keep looking for a way out. It wont just stand there and stare. It wont give up and go back.
We should all learn to be like that. There will always be obstacles in our lives. The challenge is to keep trying, keep looking for alternative routes to get to our goals. Winston Churchill probably paraphrased the ant's mindset when he offered this priceless advice: " NEVER GIVE UP.NEVER, NEVER GIVE UP!".

2) Ants think winter all summer.
Remember the old story of the ant and the grasshopper? In the middle of summer, the ant was busy gathering food for the winter ahead - while the grasshopper was out having a good time. Ants know that summer - the good times - wont last forever. Winters will come. That's a good lesson to remember. When the going is good, don't be so arrogant as to believe that a crisis or a setback cannot happen to you.
Be good to other people. Save for rainy days. Look ahead. And remember, good times may not last, but good people do.

3)Ants think summer all winter.
 As they suffer through the unbearable cold of winter, ants keep reminding themselves that it wont last forever, and that sums will soon be here. And with the first rays of the summer sun , the ants come out  - ready to work, ready to play. When we are down and seemingly out, when we go through what looks like a never ending crisis, its good to remind ourselves that this too shall pass. Good times will come. Its important to retain a positive attitude, an attitude that says things will get better. As the old saying goes, tough times don't last. Tough people do.

4)Ants do all they possibly can.
How much food does an ant gather in summer? All that is possibly can ! Now that's a great work ethic to have. Do all you can! One ant doesn't worry about how much food another ant is collecting. It doesn't sit back and wonder why it should have to work so hard. Nor does it complain about the poor pay! Ants just do their bit. They gather all the food they can. Success and happiness are usually the result of giving 100% - doing all you possibly can. If you look around you , you will find that successful people are those who just do all they possibly can .


Follow the simple steps of Jim Rohn's 'Ant Philosophy' - and you will see the difference. Don't quit. Look ahead. Stay positive. And do all you can .


And there's just one more lesson to learn from ants. Did you know that an ant can carry objects up to 20 times their own weight? Maybe we are like that too. We can carry burdens on our shoulders and manage work loads that are far, far heavier than we'd imagine. Next time somethings bothering you and weighing you down, and you feel you just cant carry on, don't fret. Think of the little ant. And remember, you too can carry a lot more on you shoulders!.

                       (picture from google images)

Best and Worst Things

     The most crippling failure disease  ---------------Excuses.

The most dangerous pariah  -----------------  A gossiper.

The deadliest weapon  ---------------------- --- The tongue.

Some simple oneliners yet very powerful and reaches inside. Both good and bad are present all over. It just lies in the identification of them. Here are a few best and worst things..

Best things

The greatest joy ----------------------------------------------------------- Giving.

The most satisfying ------------------------------------------------- ---- Helping others.

Our greatest natural resource--------------------------- ------------Our youth.

The greatest 'shot in the arm' ---------------------------- -----------Encouragement.

The most effective sleeping pill------------------------ -------------Peace of mind.

The most powerful force in life ----------------------- -------------Love.

The world's most incredible computer---------------- ----------he brain.

The worst thing to be Without ---------------- -------------------Hope.

The two most power filled words ---------------- --------------"I can".

The greatest asset --------------------------------------------------Faith.

The most beautiful attire ----------------- ----------------------Smile.

The most prized possession -----------------------------------Integrity.

The most powerful channel of -communication ------  Prayer. 

The most contagious spirit --------------- ------------------Enthusiasm.

The most important thing in life --------------- ---------GOD THE ALMIGHTY.

Worst things

The most destructive habit ---------- -------------------------------Worry.

The greatest loss ------------------------------------------------------- Loss of self-respect.

The ugliest personality trait --------------- ------------------------Selfishness.

The most endagered species --------------- ------------------------Dedicated leaders.

The greatest problem to overcome--------------------------------Fear.

The most worthless emotion  ------------- ---------- ---------------Self-pity.

         

WAY OF CONTENTMENT - 1

WAY OF CONTENTMENT
Selections FROM THE JAPANESE OF
KAIBARA EKKEN

Why should I worry about many things ? " Again he said : " If a man lives the morning in benevolence and uprightness, what more can he want than that his death should take place in the evening ? " If one is not content with Destiny, and does not trust in the will of Heaven, then when the end approaches, great will be our grief. The end is important, let us then endeavour to uphold our principles until the last moment. The more I think of it, the more I realise that there are many pleasures in this world. Yet if one does not know the path, he resents Heaven, finds fault with others, and his foolish heart strays into darkness. Man's body is neither gold nor stone, and, consequently, it must perish. All who live must die, and none who die can renew their life on earth. Let us then enjoy our life while it lasts, for the years which are allotted to us are not many. From henceforth let every day of ourselves be spent in happiness and joy. Our lives are well worth the living, provided we spend them in doing good, and in enjoying the true Path.

An old man says the same thing over and over again ; I have repeated the same truth over and over again in order to help myself and warn others. Once more I shall repeat it : " Let us not fritter away our lives meaninglessly without enjoying them. If we heed the Path in the morning our existence is justified, and we may, then, die peacefully in the evening.

" The useful oxen which plough fields have no possessions ; but rats live where food is plenteous." It is neither a dis-grace to be poor, nor an honour to be rich. All our shares are not the same, let us therefore be content with the share we receive from Heaven and Earth, and envy not others. To envy others is to invite misfortune; no greater folly is there than to lose our own happiness by coveting things we have not.

There are many in this world who have not enough to eat, nor sufficient clothing to cover themselves. They are to be pitied, while we should help them in their distress. To give them pleasure is to make ourselves happy, for there is no greater happiness than doing good. To spend money on useless things is folly. If the rich were to lay aside the expenses of one day, and devote it to assisting the unfortunate, they might assuage the hunger of thousands. To help a hundred is within the power of even the passing-rich. If one is so inclined he can always help others ; if he does not it is because he will not, not because he is unable.

Keep your heart serene and calm : enjoy your leisure and haste not. Time flies as swiftly as an arrow, and the seasons pass as quickly as a stream. The older one becomes the quicker the time seems to pass. Looking back on the first fifty years they seem short indeed. Yet if one lives long enough, and looks back on the second fifty, they seem shorter. Take care then of your precious minutes and hours, ye men of old age, and enjoy a day as if it were a decade. Do not let a day slip by without enjoyment, for to-morrow may be not yours to enjoy.

The wise man finds his delight in following the true path : the foolish in following his own desires. If one suppresses his selfish desires while following the path, there is no discord, only pleasure; but if one forgets the path through coveteousness, there is confusion and no pleasure. Therefore the pleasure of the foolish is untrue.''

Heaven and Earth do not lose their sublime harmony because of the thunder or storm, so, likewise, men should not lose their calnmess and content because of misfortune or hardship. Though one may lose his position and wealth, and is forgotten by the world, nevertheless let him not lose his peace of mind ; but believe that all is Heaven's will.

Year after year the same flowers bloom in the same attire, but men change. A child of yesterday is the youth of to-day and the old man of to-morrow, and then passes away. Men in this world are but so journeys, and their stay but a short one. The poet Sotoba said : "A year is like a dream, a hundred as the vision of one who passes." Such being human life, why then cannot men make the best of their short existence, instead of leaving the world without enjoying it ? Why do men permit this brief span to flit away in anger, fear, and care ?

Keep an even temper, and avoid rashness. Even when busy do not lose the harmony your heart ; for if your heart is not calm you will make mistakes in your actions. Do not be irritated nor speak harsh words, even when you are being insulted by others. To loose the calmness of your heart is to lose pleasure.
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There is one way to prolong life, said Hakura- kuten : " If we keep our peace of mind, then years and months are long." A day for a man whose heart is calm seems as two days, seventy  years as two hundred and forty. Consequently,
even busy men should find time for repose and nourishment of the mind but to avoid labour and seek ease continually is evil.

To sit quietly in solitude is pleasant ; its serene joy is far superior to that of a noisy banquet. To receive no callers is better than to receive visitors with whom we have nothing in common. Yet to show signs of displeasure in the face of an unwelcome visitor is impolite.

There is a happiness called pure happiness, and it is enjoyed by him who has neither too much nor too little. Though he is not recognised by the world and possesses neither position nor wealth, yet he enjoys his peace of mind and leisure hours. He lives in a house which is sufficient to protect him from wind and rain.

courtsey: budduha-siraschakra

If we make our heart the fountain-head of pleasure, our eyes and ears the gates of pleasure, and keep away base desires, then our pleasure shall be plentiful ; for we can become the masters of mountains, water, moon, and flowers.

Meanings of important sanskrit words -GURU- 2

ALL ABOUT GURU

collection from sites.

1. Guru: Preceptor; one who initiates into the mysteries of the Self.

2. Parama-Guru: Preceptor’s preceptor; grand-preceptor.

3. Paratpara-Guru: Great-great grand-preceptor (A preceptor is looked upon as being identical with the Absolute Reality).

4. Parameshti-Guru: Great Great grand-preceptor.

5. Kula-Guru: Family teacher or preceptor.

6. Vidya-Guru: A preceptor who teaches scriptures.

7. Jnana-Guru: A preceptor who teaches or transmits highest knowledge.

8. Siksha-Guru: A preceptor who trains and moulds the character of a disciple.

9. Deeksha-Guru: A preceptor who initiates into the order (Brahmacharya, Sannyasa, etc.).

10. Adi-Guru: The original or the first preceptor.

11. Jagad-Guru: World preceptor (one whose teachings can be followed universally).

12. Sat-Guru: Real, not false or pseudo, preceptor; or one knowing the Truth.

13. Maha-Guru: The great preceptor.

14. Advaita-Guru: A preceptor who propagates the doctrine of Non-duality.

15. Ananta-Guru: Infinite preceptor—one who is beyond all limitations, being the very embodiment of Brahman.

16. Gurudev: The Divine preceptor; super-human preceptor.

17. Guru-Maharaj: Sovereign preceptor.

18. Guru-Bhai: Brother-disciple.

19. Guru-Patni: Preceptor’s or mostly teacher’s consort.

20. Guru-Putra: Teacher’s son.

21. Guru-Mata: Preceptor’s mother (sometimes his wife, too)

22. Guru-Seva: Service of the preceptor.

23. Guru-Susrusha: Service of preceptor.

24. Guru-Bhakti: Devotion to preceptor.

25. Guru-Mantra: A mystic hymn or chant relating to the preceptor.

26. Guru-Kripa: Grace of the preceptor.

27. Guru-Vara: The best preceptor; preceptor par-excellence.

28. Upa-Guru: Subsidiary or secondary preceptor.

29. Guru-Prarthana: Prayer addressed to preceptor.

30. Guru-Mantra Japa: The repetition of the mystic formula given by or pertaining to the preceptor.

31. Guru-Pada: Feet of the preceptor.

32. Guru-Prasada: Anything (sweets, etc.) tangible through which the grace of Guru is transmitted to the disciples.

33. Guru-Chintana: Reflection or meditation on Guru.

34. Guru Bhajan: Singing the glories of the preceptor.

35. Guru-Janmotsava: The Birthday-Celebrations (lit. feasting) of the preceptor.

36. Guru Aradhana: Worship of the preceptor.

37. Guru Puja: Worship of the preceptor.

38. Guruseva-durandhara: One devoted to and delighted in the service of his preceptor.

39. Guru-kripapatra: One who deserves the grace of the preceptor.

40. Guru-sishya Samadhana: The sacred relation between the disciple (s) and preceptor.

41. Guru-charana-kamala: The Lotus-Feet of the preceptor.

42. Guru-sevasakta: Inclined to or desirous of the service to preceptor.

43. Guru-padapuja: Worship done to the feet of the preceptor.

44. Guru-ucchishta: The leaving of a preceptor, which are believed to be purifying the mind of the eater.

45. Guru-Paduka: Sandals of the preceptor.

46. Guru-Stuti: An expression of One’s devotion through the praise of one’s preceptor.

47. Guru-Stotra: A poem or a collection of poems extolling the preceptor.

48. Guru-Bhakti-prabhava: The saving influence of devout devotion to preceptor.

49. Guru Mahima: The mysterious power of the preceptor.

50. Guru-Charitram: An account pertaining to a preceptor’s life & personality.

51. Guru-Leela: The inscrutable deeds of the preceptor.

52. Guru-Katha: A biography on preceptor.

53. Guru Maharaj ki Jai: Glory to the preceptor.

54. Guruji: The revered preceptor.

55. Guru-gita: A song (short or long) depicting the nature and deeds of a preceptor.

56. Guru-dwara: A temple of the Sikhs (Lit. The gateway leading to the preceptor or Reality).

57. Guru mukhi Sadhana: Spiritual practices carried on under the guidance of a preceptor.

58. Guru-poornima: The sacred full-moon day dedicated to the worship all the preceptors.

59. Guru-Saranam mama: Taking refuge in or paying homage to the preceptor.

60. Guru-grantha: A book embodying the teachings of a preceptor or preceptors.

61. Guru-Charanamrita: The liquid (considered as divine elixir since it bestows immortality, Amritatvam) with which preceptor’s feet are washed.

62. Guru-moorti: The physical figure of preceptor.

63. Guru-dhyana: Meditation on the Guru.

64. Guru-ajna: The commandments of the preceptor.

65. Guru pada-dhooli: The (holy) dust of the feet of preceptor.

66. Guru padarenu: The sand particle (s) sticking to or under the feet of the preceptor.

67. Guru-charanadasa: A servant of the feet of the preceptor—greatly devoted.

68. Guru-padasevaka: A servant of the feet of the preceptor—greatly devoted.

69. Guru-premi: The beloved of or one who loves the preceptor.

70. Guru-charana raja: Dust or tiny particles under the feet of Guru.

71. Chid-Guru: Guru who is an embodiment of knowledge or consciousness.

72. Chidghana-Guru: Guru who is an embodiment of knowledge or consciousness as it were, a solid mass of knowledge.

73. Chinmaya-Guru: Preceptor who is identical with the Supreme Consciousness.

74. Mauna-Guru: Preceptor who remains speechless—serene and self-composed.

75. Jaya-Guru: Victory to the preceptor.

76. Guru-guna-guna: A number of noble qualities of a preceptor.

77. Guru-parampara: The infinite succession of Gurus.

78. Gurorangri: The feet of the preceptor.

79. Guru ashtottara sata namavali: A list of 108 epithets of the preceptor.

80. Guru-ashtottara sahasra namavali: A list of 1008 epithets of the preceptor.

81. Guru-Raja: The king among preceptors—highly qualified.

82. Guru Pradakshina: Circumambulation of the preceptor.

83. Guru-Bhakti Yoga: The unification or identification of the finite soul with the infinite Spirit achieved through devotion to the preceptor.

84. Guru-Seva Yoga: The unification or identification of the finite soul with the infinite Spirit achieved through service to the preceptor.

85. Guru-nivedhana: Self-surrender to the preceptor.

86. Gurunatha: Lord Guru—Preceptor who is the support or the lord to his followers.

87. Guru-dakshina: Offering of anything (as, fruits, cloths, etc.) to the Guru as a token of one’s gratitude & love.

88. Guru-upasana: Meditation on or the worship of the preceptor.

89. Guru-upasaka: One who meditates on or worship the preceptor.

90. Brahma nishtha-Guru: A preceptor who is established in the Consciousness of the all-pervading Reality.

91. Guru-upadesha: Instructions of a preceptor.

92. Guru-seva-tatpara: Devoted to the service of the preceptor’s feet.

93. Guru-peetham: The raised seat on which the Guru sits.

94. Guru-Bhakti prabhava: The mighty power manifesting itself (in the disciple) as a result of devotion to preceptor.

95. Guru-padambuja: The Lotus-Feet of the preceptor.

96. Guru-seva magna: Immersed in the service of the preceptor.

97. Guru-seva kushala: Efficient in waiting on the preceptor.

98. Guru-seva vrata dhari: One who has endowed or pledged himself to the service of the preceptor.

99. Guru-bhakti-ratna: A pearl (the best) among those devoted to Guru.

100. Guru-devata-archana: Worship of the Divine Preceptor.

101. Guru sesha vastra: The used clothes of the preceptor.

102. Guru-vandana: Saluting or prostrating oneself before the Guru.

103. Guru seva agra ganya: The foremost among the attendants of the Guru.

104. Guru-aajnaanukari: One who carries out the behests of the preceptor.

107. Deva-Guru: The preceptor of the gods—Brihaspati.

108. Asura-Guru: The preceptor of the demons or Rakshasas—Sukraacharya.

109. Brahma-Vidya Guru: Preceptor who imparts the knowledge of the highest Truth.

110. Brahma-Srotriya Guru: A preceptor who is master of the theoretical knowledge of the Reality.

111. Guru-saranagati: Taking shelter under protecting care of the Guru.

112. Gurvakaara-Vritti: A mental modification which has taken the form of the preceptor.

113. Guru-Pada Mudra: The foot-impression of the preceptor.

114. Guru-Namavali: A list containing the epithets of the preceptor.

115. Guru-Kataksha: The side-glance (compassionate look) of the Guru.

116. Gurvanugraha: The blessings or grace of the preceptor.

117. Gurvasirvada: The blessings or grace of the preceptor.

118. Guru-Tattva: The characteristic nature of the Guru; or the Entity or the essential Principle in Guru.

119. Guru-Charanaravinda: The Lotus-Feet of the preceptor.

120. Guru-Padaravinda: The Lotus-Feet of the preceptor.

121. Guru-Mahattva: The mighty power or influence of the preceptor.

122. Guru-seva-dhurandhara: An adept who bears the brunt of the service to the Guru.

123. Guru-Sishya Samvada: The dialogue between the disciple and his Guru.

124. Loka-Prasiddha Guru: The world-renowned preceptor.

125. Jagad Prasiddha Guru: The world-renowned preceptor.

126. Guru-Droha: Disloyalty towards one’s preceptor; deceiving him.

127. Guru-Drohi: One who is disloyal to or cheats one’s own Guru.

128. Guru-Ninda: Criticism or vilification of one’s own Guru.

129. Guru-Sannidhana: Proximity to the preceptor.

130. Guru-Kulam: Preceptor’s abode or residency.

131. Guru-Vakyam: The words or injunctions of the preceptor.

132. Guru-Nivasa: The abode of the Guru.