My most impressive accomplishment- Spiritualism

 “Dr Surbhi, What is your most impressive accomplishment?

Well, the obvious answer was founding my online skin care portal Dermatocare.com; but there are thousands of start-ups in every nook and corner; the more I connect with Entrepreneurs the more I realize lot of people are on this journey of following their dreams. Yes, the most impressive accomplishment is to understand what keeps adrenaline rushing through my body and perseverance and will to follow it. But what a minute from where did this came to me, of course spiritualism.

I can declare with pride that the most impressive accomplishment of my life is spiritualism; or more explicitly my surrender to Lord. Around two years back, my life was driven by everything but my intellect. Ironically I was running with but not covering any distance. Do you know why so? Because my decisions were governed by the needs of senses, people and society. I know you must be thinking what is wrong with that. I ate what I liked, forgetting what my body needed; I wore what was in trend; fitting myself into fashion though uncomfortably; I even entertained myself based on society, but all I got was a temporary high.

This year I ate healthy versus tasty, could resist those yummy cakes and instead munched on an apple with efforts in starting but now its natural. Realized wearing a smile on face and goodness in heart is the real fashion statement and on New Year eve contemplated on last year goals and charted the next year resolution not to forget them but to revise them on weekly basis.  This does not mean I don’t shop, eat cakes, or party anymore; yes I do but I am not dependent on them to be happy.

I have just started my journey to spiritual abode, and I am sure lot more clarity of thoughts is to come; I just pray to Lord to guide me all through my life!

Acknowledgement: I express my heartfelt gratitude to the group of enlightened souls called Golok Express and group of Mahatmas called Jivanmuktas,  for bestowing me with the knowledge that I could write this article. Many thanks to the LORD for choosing me as an instrument to spread this knowledge.

Disclaimer- This blog does not promote any religion, faith or sectarian thought. This blog is platform for sharing my journey to spiritualism. I apologize if any of the thought expressed in this blog is against any religious faith or belief.

Do I hear, respond or listen?

” Pay attention, you are not listening but hearing”, remember how our teacher used to scold us when we gave a weird answer in the class. Well, it dint make any sense at that carefree time. But now, this very difference between hearing and listening can cost me a job or even a relationship. But have I ever sat back and contemplated, do I hear, respond or listen to others?

Image source: http://tx.english-ch.com

Hearing is defined as the “faculty of perceiving sounds”. A child watching TV might be hearing you, but doesn’t care to nod his head in acceptance or denial, more so if you are telling him to switch off the TV. But do we adults also do that? I guess giving a deaf ear to child’s complain, wife’s nagging or boss’s bragging is a good excuse to stay calm. But many a times, we are so lost in our thoughts that we are physically present but mentally absent during a discussion. No wonders our mind can travel faster than light! Here comes the significance of living in the present. All those who have read Bhagvad Gita can relate ‘hearing” to Mode of ignorance or tamsik guna.

Responding is one step forward because here you are hearing and responding too, but what? Your point of view of that discussion. But what is wrong in that? It’s the same difference between sympathy and empathy. When we see the world with tinted glasses of our preconceived notions, more precisely “what we think is right” rather than “what is right”, then we respond and not listen. No doubt responding is defined as “saying something in reply”.  This is the characteristic of mode of Passion or rajasik guna according to the Bhagvad Gita.

On the other hand, listening is defined as “taking notice of and act on what someone says; respond to advice or a request.” If we look at literal meaning, responding and listening is similar, but we see it from spiritual point of view listening signifies “empathy” and hearing means ”sympathy”. Listening comes from keeping our pre-conceived notions aside and giving the advice based on righteousness, dharma and for the greater good. Listening is characteristic of mode of goodness or satvik guna.

As we trod this path of spiritualism that culminates in Dharma or righteousness; lamentation becomes but a thing of past and anxiety of future has no entry and the present moment takes the forefront. There is complete synchronization of mind, intellect and action that too in direction of Dharma. Then where lies the home of hearing or responding in such state? Isn’t this journey from hearing to listening, a journey to spiritual abode?

Acknowledgement: I express my heartfelt gratitude to the group of enlightened souls called Golok Express and group of Mahatmas called Jivanmuktas,  for bestowing me with the knowledge that I could write this article. Many thanks to the LORD for choosing me as an instrument to spread this knowledge.

Disclaimer- This blog does not promote any religion, faith or sectarian thought. This blog is platform for sharing my journey to spiritualism. I apologize if any of the thought expressed in this blog is against any religious faith or belief.

Did I ever love myself?

As the life is unfolding and the dawn of spiritualism is lighting up the darkness of past; this thought is hitting me again and again; “Did I ever love myself?”

Had I really loved “disciplined me”, I would not struggle every day getting up early in the morning. Is that extra fifteen minutes of sleep of wakeful dreaming a worth?

Had I really loved “the fit me”; I could have sustained atleast one effort may it be swimming, yoga or cycling.

Had I really loved “the healthy me”; I would not eat that extra calories just to satisfy the ever unsatisfied tongue of mine.

Had I loved myself ”the beautiful me”; I would not need expensive creams, make-up or cosmetic procedure.

Had I loved myself ”the smart me”; I would not depend on the ever changing fashion statement. I mean the smarter me would not need the testimony of latest styles.

Had I loved myself “the talented me”; I would not have taken thirty years to discover that I was bestowed with the talent to write.

Had I loved the “soul” within me; the realization of temporary nature of everything around me would have enlightened my senses, mind and intelligence. I would not have experienced the so-called tough times, or sad days, nor would I have hankered for what I do not have or I could not achieve.

Isn’t the journey of loving oneself is in a true sense a real journey to spiritual abode?

Acknowledgement: I express my heartfelt gratitude to the group of enlightened souls called Golok Express,  for bestowing me with the knowledge that I could write this article. Many thanks to the LORD for choosing me as an instrument to spread this knowledge.

Disclaimer- This blog does not promote any religion, faith or sectarian thought. This blog is platform for sharing my journey to spiritualism. I apologize if any of the thought expressed in this blog is against any religious faith or belief.

Hungry Kya ????

Did you know hunger could make you dumb, I mean you can speak but without power to think? Did you know hunger could make you somewhat deaf; you could hear voices but not interpret them well? Did you know hunger could leave you even handicapped,  you could move but with difficulty?

Guess what! I experienced the same just after a single day of fast! The time limit to reach such state could vary from individual to individual, but that’s not the question. The point of discussion is: “Aren’t we blessed enough that we don’t have to sweat hard for getting meals three times a day?”

The United Nations estimated that nearly 870 million people of the 7.1 billion people in the world, or one in eight, were suffering from chronic undernourishment in 2010-2012. Stats are alarming; approximately 1 in 8 people in this world might sleep with the feeling that left me half-dead, and that too almost everyday.

“Aren’t we blessed enough that we don’t have to sweat hard for getting meals three times a day?” But on the contrary, most of us might have felt dejected on inability to afford party in five star on new year eve or might have had long discussion on which cuisine to try today, or starved for pizza if it got late for delivery.

Experts agree that junk food is a huge contributor to skyrocketing rates of diabetes, high blood pressure, and even strokes. These stats are from developed nations and soon the rich people in developing countries would match them.

Isn’t this ironical, on one hand people who cannot afford food are dying of malnutrition and people have surplus of resources are dying of heart diseases?

Isn’t this reason good enough to cherish the meal you get daily at your home? Doesn’t that meal not only nourishes your body but feeds also your soul too?

Acknowledgement: I express my heartfelt gratitude to the group of enlightened souls called Golok Express,  for bestowing me with the knowledge that I could write this article. Many thanks to the LORD for choosing me as an instrument to spread this knowledge.

Disclaimer- This blog does not promote any religion, faith or sectarian thought. This blog is platform for sharing my journey to spiritualism. I apologize if any of the thought expressed in this blog is against any religious faith or belief.

Breathe life not air !

This write up is dedicated to Dr Andrew Wells; after reading his book “Art of Breathing”, I realized the most inexpensive, easiest and least time consuming way to get the glow on face and vigor in body is breathing in the right way. Dr Andrew explains the science, advantages and experiences with his patients in this book. And guess what? None of the diseases, whether mental or physical, is beyond the benefits of breathing technique. He admits that “Yoga” from ancient India is the roots of this “Pranayam”; and the scientists are yet to study it.

I am not going to details how it works, but yes this little change in your habit might give you immense peace and health beside radiant skin. So, lets get started:

1.  Sit upright: Choose a silent place, sit on comfortable couch or floor, take the posture you are comfortable with but keep your spine straight and close your eyes.
2. Get Conscious of your breath: Begin with paying attention to how you breathe i.e. feel the air moving through your nostrils. It is important to first understand the pattern of breathing before changing it.
3.  Exhale first: Unlike we do normally; try to exhale first through your nostril until your stomach is sucked inside.
4. Inhale into abdomen: Then inhale back to fill up your chest and stomach, so that your belly moves out with each inhalation.
5. Breathe deeply, quietly and slowly: Have you ever noticed that your breath becomes fast and shallower when you are tensed or afraid? Repeat the above process slowly, take deep breaths but without making noise as if you are breathing peace into your body.

When can I do this?

Ideally you should practice this breathing technique; first thing after getting up in morning and just before sleeping; even 5 minute each would suffice. Once you get use to such kind of breathing, it can be practiced at any moment especially when you are under stress. Most important is regularity, keep atleast 5 minutes for it twice a day on fixed times.

Does other breathing exercise help too?

Yes!  They do. You can begin with this technique and add another breathing exercises in the morning. YouTube is treasure chest of such videos and demonstrations on “pranayama”; so let us begin now and breathe life into each cell of our body.

Are you really living your life?

This video clipping is part of one of the most popular epic on Indian small screen “MAHABHARAT”; and the LORD KRISHNA, the God himself is speaking:

“Another name for future is struggle! If our desire remains unfulfilled, then mind keeps on imagining that that desire will be fulfilled in the future. But life is neither in future nor in the past, life is in this very present moment. Experiencing the present moment is experiencing life. Despite knowing this, we fail to understand this truth. Either we are surrounded by past memories, or we are planning for future; and the life passes away. But if we accept this truth that neither we can foresee the future, nor we can create the future; we can only welcome the future with courage. Wont every moment of life filled with life?”

How many times we are actually in the present moment? Let us see! I am playing with my child but my mind is roaming in the kitchen “what to cook today”, on my laptop “lot of work is pending” or on my phone “Whats app or Facebook updates”. Dint I miss the little hands building the blocks, stress relieving innocent smile of my child, infact all the moment to connect with my son. Leave aside what my child missed!

For that matter how many times or for how long we relish the food we eat or music we listen or book we read? Let us peep into supposedly the most important part of our life, “profession”. Do you put 100 % effort into your work  in the office? Don’t you check the news or Facebook updates in the office? Don’t you chitchat in the office more than your family at home?

The first thing in morning either we repent for the worthless yesterday or plan for the coming day. Hey! Planning is not a problem, carrying the plan in your head all the time is! How about starting your day with prayer to God for bestowing us with yet another day of life? How about giving few rejuvenating moment to your mind by breathing exercises? 

We all know repenting for the past moment can gives us nothing but sorrow, and planning for distant future would fill our heart with anxiety. So what should be done? We can grossly chart the plan of your life based on our expectations from life without going into intricate details? Can you control the date of your marriage or starting family or retirement? Daily or weekly planning is must and should be  done at the end of the day but not before sleeping. Feed your mind with good thoughts before sleeping by reading your sacred scriptures may it be Gita, Bible or Quran!

Acknowledgement: I express my heartfelt gratitude to the group of enlightened souls called Golok Express,  for bestowing me with the knowledge that I could write this article. Many thanks to the LORD for choosing me as an instrument to spread this knowledge.

Disclaimer- This blog does not promote any religion, faith or sectarian thought. This blog is platform for sharing my journey to spiritualism. I apologize if any of the thought expressed in this blog is against any religious faith or belief.