​It seems like periodically within any given year, we come across those times when we run into communication challenges. There can be lot of confusion, misunderstanding and then the ensuing arguments and finger-pointing. In such circumstances it is very easy to lose our cool and get angry at the other person or at the very least resent them for their egoistic behavior. But the key is to not do so but observe- them and your own self!

In whatsoever manner that a particular person is behaving or whatever they may be saying to you- can you see the divine essence within them and show them love and kindness all the same? 

​Think about it- the other person may not be on a path of aware and conscious living. If you, who are on this path and have developed some sensitivity is feeling the anger and pressure, how much should that other person feel! In addition, unfortunately, they are probably seeing it as “all real”!

​Unlike you and I, who have learned to distance ourselves a bit from egoistic behaviors, probably this person has not learnt to do that and so is experiencing everything as a very essential-reality! 

So, learn to forgive and move on. If you need to retaliate to get your point across then surely do so. But without anger or aggression. Merely state what you need to say and do what you need to do but with love and kindness so there is no hint of your own ego in play!

Also, we find that during these times, past situations or people tend to crop up again in your life. These are just periodic cycles that one can observer within any given year. These people may have hurt you or you may have felt much anger and angst in the past- but if these situation come up again or something reminds you of these things, then learn to forgive- those people and your own self; so that you can leave the past behind step into the present moment and walk towards a bright and beautiful future.

​Addictions are something most of us struggle with at some level. For some it could be something very problematic like excessive drinking or drugs and for many others, it is more of the acceptable variety like binge watching your favorite shows, over-working, excessive thinking and so on.

Addictions at some level develop because we have initially associated a pleasant experience with an activity and then as we repeat it, we are somewhere hoping to re-experience that what gave us joy or satisfaction!! Of course, after a while (which for some extremely addictive substances can be just one use)… the physical memory takes over and this is how chemical based addictions happen!!

Also, we do know that a substance or behavior can easily be addictive for one person and not for someone else!! Since addictions are mainly based of memory (mental, emotional or physical) … a person’s karmic tendencies will play a huge role in how easily a particular person will succumb to addictions!

Now there is a whole remedial approach one can take by looking at their karmic patterns and so on… but you as a reader may have small addictions that you are dealing with… maybe you tend to eat way too much of fried foods or have developed this habit of eating sweet snacks in the middle of the night or have been drinking couple of more glasses of beer or wine than you know is good for your body!!

There is a way that you can start to address such simple- habit-driven addictions. What is needed for it to be successful is:

• one- for you to take accountability for what you do… you cannot blame your actions on anyone
• and two- you have to utilize the power of your intellect called Budhhi in Sanskrit to truly evaluate your actions and its consequences with a complete true, authentic and unbiased way…
• and then finally the power of your mind- which when controlled and channels in a proper way is known to work miracles!!

So how can you deal with addictive habits and behavioral patterns??

In the Vedic culture, it is called Sankalp (also called as Sankalpa). It is a kind of firm, un-bending and un-wavering decision that you make. For e.g. you say to yourself- “today I am taking the Sankalp that I will quit smoking and then that’s it.” 

Now does that mean you will miraculously stop and never pick up a cigarette again your life! No… though, it can also happen, depends on many other things. I know many folks who have quit smoking cold-turkey and never even thought of going back!!

But for many others, it is possible that they may falter. Take a drag here or there with their old smoking buddies. But, what “Sankalp” fundamentally changes is that- when you take that one drag, you don’t say- “oh, I should not have. Now, I feel bad…”, you don’t get caught in the negative cycle of guilt, anger (usually at oneself), self-loathing and then more of that same negative habit!! 
 
You don’t do that at all!! Instead, you simply acknowledge the action for what it is- not condone (agree) to it… but acknowledge it. After all it is happening- you are taking that drag, so what is the point of negating it. 

If you are taking that drag, then ‘it just is”!! BUT then, instead of the negative cycle, you evaluate what led to it and how you can change the situation. How you can prevent it from happening again??

Maybe you met your old smoking buddies and that somewhere tempted you to take that drag. So, next time if you want to hang out with these folks- either you meet with them separately (so you don’t get caught in group-memories and habits) and also when that one individual is not going to smoke and so on- this way there are more chances that you will not feel ‘dragged back’ (no pun intended)!!

Now, I totally understand and recognize that addictions are a huge problem and I do not mean to lighten the issue by suggesting that there is a simple way in which everyone can get address all kinds of addictions!! Not at all… 

What I want to highlight here, is the power of “Sankalp”. When we make that un-bending, un-wavering decision for whatever it is that we want- it can be success, it can be breaking a bad habit or it can simply be continuing on the spiritual path, once we make a Sankalp about it, then instead of getting caught in negative spirals when you do an action against your Sankalp, you start to actively evaluate the issue and then start addressing all such issues that somewhere stop you from achieving what you want… 

Now depending on how strong your addiction is and how much you are mired in it, you maybe able to address this on your own or with the help of a counsellor. This is why counselling and other such therapies tend to help so much with addictions.

​They help somewhere to allow some distancing between a certain behavioral pattern and the person, so that the person can slowly start utilizing his or her internal strength to ultimately break free of the bad habit! 

But ultimately even taking help of a counsellor, deciding that I do not want to be addicted anymore and I want to break free of this repetitive behavior still can be aided with the power of Sankalp, where you make that firm, unwavering decision for your own betterment.

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​ Whenever we visit a temple (church, cathedral or any place of worship) we see it full of devotees! We see people ardently praying. BUT are they really praying? No. Most of the people are simply asking for ‘favors’ from the divine.

Most are trying to reach the divine to ask for various gifts and boons- for some it could be for a painful phase in life to pass and for others it could about starting a new profitable venture! Some may be praying for their own self and others for their near and dear ones. But, just about most of the people in temples, churches and other places of worship are there to ask for something…

But a real devotee does not feel the need to ask for anything, since all in existence is provided by the divine and he/she believes that the divine providence will take care of all their needs, and also all their wants and wishes, their desires. So, why ask!!

They realize that the real do-er in this world is the divine and we are its outcome, i.e. the divine is the dancer and we are the dance. So, they merely work on ensuring that they hear what the divine would like them to do (thru their own inner soul voice of intuition) and then do their best to do a great job. That is all…
​
Now, it is true that this feeling of divine presence as someone, who we can approach to voice our pain and unhappiness, plays a very therapeutic role in most people’s lives. And realistically speaking, it has its own place in obtaining solace when one feels very beaten up and battered down in a particular life-situation.

But, as folks who have chosen to lead our lives consciously, it is important to conduct at least one prayer session in a day where it is simply about ‘praise and gratitude’. That is all we need to focus upon- Thank the divine for all that they are providing you and for all that there is and simply express praise for the divine- after all, we live in a magnificent and magical universe- and we surely need to praise the creator for having manifested such an amazing creation!

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​When we look around, we typically look and perceive others as “another”; an-other. Our identity is so much aligned with our own self, that we tend to look at others and immediately see all the differences between us. 

Typically, we tend to observe differences between us and another person. This happens because we are very identified with our own self. AND, we view this self by its external qualities, such as- I am a man (or woman), rich (or poor), Hindu (or Muslim- another religion) and so on… It is true that at an apparent level, there are many differences in each one of us. 

​This makes for the grand creation that we live in. But instead of celebrating this diversity, we typically use it as a way to segregate and separate! 

It is only when we are very far from our normal location that we look for some commonality to find comfort and safety in the familiar! For e.g. When you travel, if you are to meet someone from your country/heritage, it seems to give you a special happiness.

If we are to look deep, we will notice that there are always so many commonalities- even with a person who is at an apparent level very different from us!  Let’s take an example of a white person from a rich western European nation and a black person from a very poor African nation. At an apparent level, there will be many differences- skin color, affluence and possibly even health and physical well-being.

BUT, when we look beyond the outer physical differences, we can observe the commonalities- their sense of humor could be different, but laughter is going to release the similar endorphins and ‘happy chemicals’ in their brain! Similarly, what moves them emotionally and how they express their pain could be different, but both of their tears would be salty!

And this is not just the case with another human being. ALL manifested forms have the same  underlying divinity. Observe and see the commonality between you and a  dog, cat, tree... can you feel the very life-force (the divine presence, it's energy) pulsating in every life-form?

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​Passion, emotions, likes-dislikes and so on are considered very normal. We all think that this is part of our ‘life’. What this does is, it tends to constantly sway us- one way and then another!! It seems like our well-being is in the hands of those around us- who seem to control us by invisible strings! But we fail realize that we are the ones who have given them that power.

A person could truly have behaved in a very rude or nasty manner. We could choose to address the problem at hand and then let that incident slide from our mind or seethe and fume over how that person behaved. And when we do the later, we are somewhere giving over the control of our mental peace and wellness into that person’s hands. See how we are orchestrating this?

We tend to think of fortune as a wheel. We also tend to think of time as a wheel. The reason being, we are all very familiar with the cyclical nature of time and aware of its ups and downs. But, what we do not realize is that though various part of the wheel goes up or down as the wheel moves, the center of the wheel is always stationary. It moves from one place to the other- BUT does not experience the “up-s and down-s” and does not feel the turbulence that the rest of the wheel experiences.

Though negative turbulence seems to create imbalance, strongly positive situations can also many a times make us feel imbalanced.

When we get caught in the various situations and events- the various happenings in our life; we tend to go up and down with the wheel of life… with the wheel of time and ironically, though it seems to go along a linear path, we truly get stuck! As if we are simply spinning, but the actual wheel is stuck in the mud! 

As people who intend to live a conscious life, it is important for us to relinquish our strong attachments and passion, and instead center our self... to live our life from that center. 

The word meditation comes from ‘medi’ which means center. When we live life from our center, we are constantly in meditation- even while being fully active and conducting various tasks.

The best way to do this is, each time you feel your mind drawn to strong emotions over something that has happened in the past, you recognize the emotion, you evaluate what it is about the situation that still makes you feel involved and vulnerable.

Maybe you regret something you did or said or feel upset over what you perceive as someone’s betrayal and so on. If there is a concrete, conscious action you can currently take to address that situation and positive modify it in some way then surely evaluate your possibilities and if not simply choose to consciously let go of your “reaction” (i.e. the pain, anger, frustration etc.) and let that situation flow away in peace, as time is flowing away (each moment)…

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Journey To Oneness,   Karma,   Our Path Our Journey,   Spiritual Lessons       and   Self Development

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​This is such an inspiring quote from the Bhagavad Gita.  In the Bhagavad Gita we find the concept of A-karma (correctly written as a-karm), i.e. the way to do action without creating the repercussion or feedback loop, which the usual karmas do! 

It may seem like a small thing- but, it has immense power. It helps us to realize the false-ness of our ego- which believes it is the 'doer' and as we truly live by the principle of A-karma, we can find power and strength to do what is needed at any given time. You can read more about a-karm:   Karma Yoga- The Yoga of Non-action 

Of course, a-karma is not about being without a conscience and thoughtlessly doing whatever we want; as after all, not we, but the divine is the “do-er”!! 
​
In fact, it is the exact opposite- it is doing actions in an aware manner, as we are aware of what we are doing, being totally conscious about it and ensuring that our actions are not only for our own good and those of our loved ones, but also is in the well-being of our society at large.

As we go through each day, it is wise to remember that ultimately it is the Divine that operates through us and our simple daily prayers should be “Not my will, but let your will prevail”. Become the instrument through which the divine can play it’s music and then start seeing your life positively transform in ways that you could never even have imagined as possible!

Categories: 
Journey To Oneness,     Our World Today ,    Self Development   and   Yoga

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Today it is start of a new year… 2020 has been a tough year from many standpoints. It is one of those years that will be remembered in history as the year when the world came to a standstill. No one could have imagined that with our increasing global connectivity that we would actually think about our own “borders” again- be they borders between homes, communities or  countries!

We are now looking at 2021 to bring us some semblance of sanity and normalcy!! Now- where the world economy, politics or even access is concerned- it will be as it needs to be or should we say as correctly determined by the governmental (and medical) powers. BUT what can we as individuals do to regain our own sense of wellbeing? To step out of the apathy (almost depressive feelings) where we are asking ourselves- can we ever plan for anything anymore? Or- what does this life really mean- if it can all be changed or be even taken away in just an instance!!

Personally- I find that looking at 2020 as a year of “personal death” is a great way for me to approach 2021 as the year of regeneration. 

Many people fear death- they think of it as “game over”- and yes, to a certain extent there is some truth in that statement. That is the case, if we limit ourselves to merely our physical level of existence. Our physical existence- our body is just one dimension of our existence- it is just the tip of the iceberg. Similar to an iceberg- where the real bulk is not typically seen- it is the same with us. Our larger self- the real us, our spiritual being is not typically experienced and because of this we do not realize that death is not a full-stop but just a pause in our soul-journey.

This is an intricate subject that requires much understanding. Many people think that reincarnation is just some eastern belief and that there is no truth to it. But there are many instances of where people have been known to bring in memories and abilities from their previous lives. In fact, as someone who does Spiritual Regression, knowing about past life is not just a ‘belief’ but an actual reality for me.
​
Think of child prodigy like Mozart- at the age of four, he could not only play the piano very beautifully, but create heavenly symphonies which even experienced maestros of that time could not accomplish. This is a perfect example of carrying forward the work that we do during a certain time, into subsequent lifetimes. 

As this is an important concept and I will address it more in future articles- but for now, I want to highlight the importance of carrying forward our experiences and not fearing death- but thinking of it as an opportunity to regenerate- like the mystical bird- Phoenix. From our own ashes- we rise again.

So, when we think of 2020, as the year of our ‘symbolic death’- it gives us an opportunity to regenerate ourselves, as to how we would like to be, work towards our dreams, goals, and life-purpose with a renewed sense of joy and enthusiasm. We stop fearing life and life-events when we know that we are doing our best within the situational-paradigm… and that is the best that can be done. Then we live in peace, knowing that we will start to benefit from our actions, i.e. receive its fruits in due course of time- exactly when will that happen- well, the timing would depend on many factors- BUT one thing is for sure- Nothing that is done in this Universe ever goes un-noticed!! We are the witness of all that happens and as such we continue to bring forth and experience the feedback (karma), memories (samskars), contracts, promises and so on. The fruits of which- good or bad, could be delayed but can never be denied.

I wish everyone a very happy 2021 ahead…

The first month of this year is going to be very peculiar in the sense that- life will seem even more chaotic than in 2020- but we need to remember that times of regeneration also can come across as times of chaos and confusion.
​
Even though the world at large may struggle to find its foothold, you as an individual can work on your own re-creation and remember that, though we all are affected by what happens around us- we are most affected and controlled by what happens within us- and this is a ‘choice’ we all have the ability to make. No matter what is happening around you, which you may or may not be able to control, you can always control what is happening within you and ensure that it is as per your liking. 

Energetically speaking this month of January holds special meaning because anything that we do, anything that we initiate will have strong karmic results. The effect of our actions will be more much more intense than usual, and one can expect the rewards (or repercussions) to not only be quick but also extensive. Because of this- it is a great time to begin ventures that you have long wished to initiate!! If you would like to learn more why January 2021 holds this special significance, then you can read my article on it under the Vedic Wisdom blog.

So, get started with 2021 with a renewed sense of hope, purpose, and a joy-filled heart… Wishing  all of us, the very best.

Categories: 
Death And After,   Journey To Oneness,     Magical Living,  Our World Today    and   Self Development

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Everything in existence is ultimately energy and information. We also know that matter and energy are interconvertible, i.e., matter can be converted to energy and vice versa. When we truly understand these concepts, then you will also realize the importance of why ancient cultures used figurines when they prayed- these figurines worked like Quantum-banks storing energy. More on that in another post. 
​
Today, let us look at how we can utilize an object to hold information for us- so when we need to have some kind of warning or guidance, then such an object can provide it to us. Sounds fantastic… magical? It is quite simple and normal- once you learn how to work with energies.

You will realize that as you get more advanced in working with energies- then you do not need to limit yourself to specific objects- but you can obtain guidance thru myriad of ways.
​
So, to explain how we can utilize the power of any objects to provide us warning/guidance- let me narrate this personal incident.

Back then, I lived in Chicago and was far from home. International calls were quite an expensive treat in general and particularly for me as a student. Given the fact that many times, I would be too engrossed within my own life as I tried to figure out the path, I always felt concerned that I would not know for a long time if something was to happen to my mom- who I love dearly!!

So, this is how I decided to power an object to help me to know/perceive any subtle energy changes around my mother.

​She had gifted me a small locket and considering I felt her love and blessings within it, I took the locket in my hands and promised the Divine/ Universe/ Higher Self (however one chooses to name it) - that I would always wear that locket and no matter what- would never take it off- AND if something was to happen to my mom- i.e. if she was in any mortal danger then this locket would fall off my body (i.e. not touch my body any longer).

Years went by and I ensured that I always wore that locket. Even when I had to go thru immigration x-rays and other procedures- the medical staff needed to tape it to my face, as I refused to remove it for any reason what-so-ever and during all that time I always ensured that the locket always touched my body.

Though at an apparent level, taking things to such an extreme may seem silly- but this is precisely where one’s conviction provides the energy that sustains how such situations pan out.

Then finally, one day- I noticed that for no apparent reason, the chain broke, and that locket fell. It happened so suddenly that I could barely react and even though I tried to catch it- I could not grab it in time and it fell… on my foot (still was touching my body). I picked it up and quickly tried to decipher what it meant…

I could distinctly feel the Universe saying that my mom’s time on earth was coming up. Even though we may be able to prolong her life a little thru our love and efforts, but it was time for her to pass on.
​
Within days- my mom was diagnosed with a grave stage 4 medical condition!! We did several things to help her- medically as well as from an energy perspective to ensure that she would have an awesome quality of life in her last days. Even though the doctors gave her barely three months to live, she stayed on for another whole year!

​She spent that last year- not in any hospital, but by living up her life. She got a chance to travel to places that mattered to her and meet people she cherished and then finally after a year, she passed on to the other side...

So, after my mom passed on, I thought to remove that locket. But I could feel her “living presence” in the auric (energy) form and so thought to let it be. Then finally after we completed all the required rituals, I took that ritual bath and just as I stepped out of the shower, I felt something falling- and noticed that the locket had fallen off- and this time it had fallen on the floor away from my body. 

A locket which had stayed put for years on end, had got battered up and weathered, had many chains replaced and all the time, the one Sankalpa I had done was to ensure it stays touched to my body, which it did for all those years and then finally it fell off, on its own, once my mother had completed her stay on this earthly plane and had commenced her onward journey.
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Though this may sound amazing or even magical, if you work with energy principles, then you will realize that it is quite ‘normal’. Also, it does not need to be an object that one wears. In fact, given how difficult it was for me to maintain that Sankalpa, not to mention the challenges with delicate jewelry; if I had to ever repeat this- I probably would not choose anything wearable!!

Why such Sankalpa matters is that most of us do not like sudden changes and disruptive events. If done right and if the rest of your energy-way-of-being is in-synch, then you will find that such guidance/warning can come in handy.

What such Sankalpas help with is to give you a warning- a little bit of extra preparatory time to better deal with a challenging situation. It gives you a heads-up as well as some shock-absorption time to better understand and assimilate an otherwise devasting situation!

Also, this is a good way to get started if you want to work with energies and to learn to utilize them in simple, small ways.

As mentioned earlier, you will realize that as you get more advanced in working with energies, then you do not need to limit yourself to specific objects. You can obtain guidance thru myriad of ways. Anything and everything in your surroundings can help you, can guide you. After all, we are in a collective and connected energy-field, which we commonly call as the collective consciousness.

​Categories: 
Death And After,   Journey To Oneness, How To...  and   Magical Living

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There is a phrase in English- “absence makes the heart grow fonder”. How true!! When someone is away, it seems like we think more of them and “miss” the good times. Is it really so?? 

What would happen if that person was with you 24 by 7? Would everything still be perfect and hunky-dory? Obviously not, since as we spend lot of time with another person, it is very natural that disagreements and clashes will arise over differing likes and choices. But this is life. If a person is brought into your sphere of influence then there is a purpose and plan for why they are there! 
 
Part of conscious living is to welcome all interactions including these challenging situations. It’s true that if the going is smooth, we will surely enjoy the ride, but if the going is not as smooth, then it simply means- that your interaction with that person is highlighting areas within yourself that need to be analyzed for stuck energy of repeated patterns. It is hard to objectively look at such upsetting scenarios. So, how do we start?? 

Here are some Real-life Steps for Walking the Path:

Start by viewing the troubling scenarios as if you were watching a movie. In movies, we of course take sides with the protagonist or other characters, but we are never truly “emotionally involved” since we know it is a “made up story- a film”. Because of this, even when we are watching true story narratives, we are able to find places and times, where the “good”, “nice”, “kind” protagonist still made mistakes and goofed up the situation.

Basically by not being emotionally identified with the protagonist and by not being involved in the situation, allows us real objectivity to see what is truly going on and what actions/not each person is taking.

When you review your troubling scenario with such clear objectivity, it will allow you new insights and understandings into the dynamics of the interaction. Once you understand this, then you can make choices towards required actions.

Clarity of thinking has immense power. Usually we give lot of importance to the mind- but the mind only processes what it already knows. It is the intellect, usually called higher mind that allows us to clearly evaluate and analyze an issue. Intellect is like a sharp knife that can cut thru the veil of ignorance!

I can almost hear you say- what if the problem is really with the other person. What if they are a bully, abusive, angry or are exhibiting any other negative behaviors. Even then- such objective review will allow you to see the entire situation without your previous bias of them as the “abuser” and you as the “victim”.

​Instead, you will see the action for what is- how your actions have led them to continue or even encouraged them to continue with such destructive behaviors towards you. Once you have this clarity then you will feel equipped to proceed further with whatever actions you need to take in that given situation.

​Categories:   
Conscious Living,   Guidance,   Journey To Oneness,   Our Path Our Journey,   Spiritual Awareness   and   Spiritual Lessons  

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 #codependence #ConsciousLiving  #EndAbuse  #LivingFree #noabuse   #conflictresolution