Heartsong

Remembered the amazing Mattie Stephanek today. What a child. What a darling. So much of wisdom, so much of love, so much of compassion. I need to learn from him. He is and will always remain my special inspiration. My angel Mattie Stephanek.......

“...A heartsong is something deep inside each of us. It’s our sense of why we are here and how we can keep going. It is like a purpose. It may be to live as a mommy or a daddy, or a firefighter or a deliver person, or a child with a disability who teaches others about patience and love and acceptance. Heartsongs are usually easy to hear when we are young, but we sometimes get too busy or hurt or angry to listen to them as we get older. And, just like any gift that isn’t cared for or used well, it is possible to forget how to listen to the message of each song, But even if we completely lose our heartsong, we can share someone else’s song until we are able to reawaken or recreate our own. ...” - Mattie Stephanek

'Silence'

Be silent,
Only the Hand of God
Can remove
The burdens of your heart.

I guess, we would not have any words to go beyond this. The moment I read this verse of Rumi, my heart literally slowed and became silent. I don’t think I can find any other methods to unburden my heart or any other words which would bring such profound wisdom even when one reads it once. I could only feel wow!!!!! What wonder, how sublime!

What can I say other than to observe silence?

Speaking Pleasant Words

“I believe everyone is entitled to his and her views and that we should respect this. Of course, this does not mean we must agree with these views. We are definitely at liberty to disagree with them. But just because we disagree with them does not mean we should silence these people and not allow them to express their opinions” - Raja Petra Kamarudin

I read this in RPK's blog in one of his article and it reminded me of a very nasty experience I had with someone I know recently. I was rudely shocked to be told off in a very humiliating manner to have expressed my personal opinion about some political issue.

The incident left me very shattered and badly shaken for a week and even though I have come out of it gradually, the scar or pain is still there. There is a saying in Tamil by the poet Saint Thiruvalluvar on using pleasant words. Sometimes we do not realize how disastrous the outcome can become if we do not know how to speak to people with courtesy. This particular incident has left me with more resolve not to hurt anyone with rude words because the pain caused can be agonizing.

The relationship too can be strained even though the person can be one of your best friends.


Speaking Pleasant Words - Thiruvalluvar


Pleasant words are those which, full of tenderness And free from deceit, fall from the lips of virtuous men.

Better than a gift given with a joyous heart Are sweet words spoken with a cheerful smile.

A kindly countenance and sweet words Spoken from the heart-these are virtue's way.

Poverty-provoking sorrow will not pursue Those who speak joy-producing words to all they meet.

Humility and pleasant words are the jewels That adorn a man; there are none other.

If a man seeks good works while speaking sweet words, His virtues will wax and his vices wane.

Words yield spiritual rewards and moral excellence When they do not wander far from usefulness and agreeableness

Sweet speech which is stranger to pettiness inparts pleasure Not only in this life, but in the next.

Why would anyone speak cruel words, Having observed the happiness that kind words confer?

Super Brain Yoga

I received an e-mail from a friend about 'Super Brain Yoga'. Watching it I am amazed that this is what we kids were asked to do as a punishment. Most of the Indian children would have gone through with this.

Another interesting thing about this particular act which is called “Thoppukaranam” in Tamil which refers to the action one does in front of the deity Lord Ganesh. When we approach this particular deity who symbolizes Knowledge, we will automatically knock with our knuckles on the temples of our head and then perform the Thoppukaranam. (holding the earlobes with opposite hands and alternately squatting and standing up as shown in the video below.

I was truly surprised that an act which was so insignificant and also related to punishment happens to have such an astounding result when it is done. India has so much wonderful mysteries to be unfolded. These little simple things in life are made part of the daily life of an Indian from childhood. They are told to adhere to many things without questioning, which may look superstitious but in fact turn out to be beneficial to us. When practiced consistently they become such valuable habits. Today I learned that this simple act actually is amazing and of great value to me.



Superbrain Yoga® is a simple and effective technique to energize and recharge the brain. It is based on the principles of subtle energy and ear acupuncture. This powerful technique is explained in Master Choa Kok Sui's latest book Superbrain Yoga®.

Poem by Rumi

You are filled with God's glow.
It radiates out pure sparking light
making you appear as a mystical flower.
So why the sad face?
You have a bonfire of happiness within.
Why don't you immerse your heart
in its blissful sweetness?
Do you still think it's outside?
Listen, my friend,
the gold mine of all gold mines
is underfoot.
Won't you feel foolish
when you discover
your father has bequeathed
immense wealth?
All your wandering and begging
has brought you naught.
Come sit by the fire
and feel it's warmth.
Let's drink wine
and look at the moon
until we become mad with joy.

Rumi

Buddha – The Radiant One

All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become.

-- Buddha


I am unable to remove the picture of this “Buddha”. Somehow I find myself irresistibly drawn towards this picture. The Radiant Buddha as I would like to address him, exudes such peace and tranquility.

This portrait does not belong to me but to cyberspace. Knowing this reality, I still feel that I want to hold on to it. The portrait of the young Budha, sitting under a tree and meditating , makes me feel the serenity, radiance, peace and calmness.

This want to possess also reminds me of how everything I try to hold on to my life, truly does not really belong to me but to this Universe. Just as all these words, the pictures and whatever I write on the blog does not really belong to me, this whole thing that I call mine too does not belong to me. I am given a chance, an opportunity to enjoy and to embrace them for a period of time.

You may call me silly or sentimental, but I decided to maintain the portrait of the Radiant Buddha for remembrance on my home page. He inspires me to be tranquil, contented and radiant. A reminder to me that I need to feel contentment in my life too ………….

Budha On Believe

Buddha:

"Believe nothing just because a so-called wise person said it.

Believe nothing just because a belief is generally held.

Believe nothing just because it is said in ancient books.

Believe nothing just because it is said to be of divine origin.

Believe nothing just because someone else believes it.

Believe only what you yourself test and judge to be true."

Wisdom

By associating with wise people you will become wise yourself.

Menander

The seat of knowledge is in the head, of wisdom,
in the heart.

William Hazlitt

Of all parts of wisdom the practice is the best.

John Tillotson

The more a man knows, the more he forgives.

Catherine the Great

Quotable Quotes

LIFE

"What most people need to learn in life is how to love people and use things instead of using people and loving things."
~ Unknown ~

"To be sensitive is to feel the thoughts and hearts of others as only you would want yours felt."
~ Author Unknown ~

"Your work is to discover your world and then with all your heart give yourself to it."
~ Buddha

Guest House

This poem by Rumi, teaches us of how to face adversity in it's face. Never to give up. Isn't that the nature of this beautiful heart. This poem teaches us to accept everything which comes by our way. Good and bad comes to make us stronger and to become more compassionate human beings.

I dedicate this beautiful poem to every heart!



The Guest House

This human being is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected vision.

Welcome and entertain them all.
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still treat each guest honorably.

He may be cleaning out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame.
the malice meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent,

as a guide from beyond.

- Jelaluddin Rumi

Kahlil Gibran - On Love

Love gives naught but itself and takes
naught but from itself.
Love possesses not nor would it be
possessed;
For love is sufficient unto love.






Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself.
But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understanding of love;
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;
To rest at the noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy;
To return home at eventide with gratitude;
And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.

Thirukkural -" Words of Wisdom"

I am a great advocate of the Thirukkural. My first book of thirukkural was given to me by my mother who is a passionate reader herself. She reads widely and encouraged us, her children to read. Since I was not fluent in Tamil, she bought me books translated into the English language. I was lucky to have followed her advice as a child, then as an adult reading has become one of my passions. I particularly like works like the Thirukkural, Upanishads, works by Shankaracharyar, The Baghavad Gita to name a few. I am definitely drawn to philosophical works. Some of my other favorites are Confucius and Lao Tze. This pilgrim is on her journey and continues in her learning. Learning is a joy. I have learned so much from the Thirukkural and hope to learn more.

Thirukkural is a precious gem among the classics, unique in the deliverance of code of conduct to mankind to follow for all time to come. It enshrines in it 1330 couplets under 133 chapters, each chapter comprising 10 verses. The chapters again fall under three major divisions. Virtue, Wealth and Love. This treatise encompasses the whole gamut of human life and by Thiruvalluvar, its illustrious author illuminates every bit of it! This classical work written in Tamil, has been translated in over 60 languages of the world.

Thirukkural is the masterpiece of Tamil literature with the highest and purest expressions of human thought. Its ethics and values are applicable to all religions, countries and time. Thirukkural's immortality and universality are unquestionable.
I feel that every person should read this beautiful work of wisdom regardless of what nationality, race or culture they belong to.

Many believe in memorizing the words of this ancient work (Thirukkural) and taking part in competitions. I for one do not believe in this. I feel that anything learned should be understood by the mind, assimilated and put into practice in our lives.

So today I start this humble journey of mine to follow the versus of Thiruvalluvar and learn again these beautiful timeless words which will help me to walk further in this life of mine.