Sparks from great minds

 

                                      Sparks from great minds

•   Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark.
• Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man.
• What’s an Art ? It’s the response of man’s creative soul to the call of the Real.
• Facts are many, but the truth is one.
• Love is an endless mystery for it has nothing else to explain it.
• By plucking her petals, you don’t gather the beauty of the flower.
• The flower which is single need not envy the thorns that are numerous.
• Everything comes to us that belongs to us if we create the capacity to receive it.
• The highest education is that which doesn’t merely give us information but makes our life in harmony with all existence.

It is never too late !

   

                                              It is never too late !

 

       As the well-known adage goes “ Every saint has a past and every sinner a future”, the flow of time is never smooth and the same. Whatever be your age, as a worst case scenario, even if you have wasted the entire past of your life, you can still make a beginning, starting today. That’s the beauty of human life.

                  Past is past. You can’t retrieve or relive it. Draw a line with the past. Consider past experience as a period of learning. It teaches us that time is precious and can’t be taken for granted though available free of cost. Regret for wasted time is a more wasted time. When you look back and realize how you missed it without doing anything worthwhile, this feeling itself will motivate you to do to achieve something greater to your satisfaction with more speed. Then the present forms building blocks to your bright, happy future, with present becoming more a world of joy. So ,ultimately it’s the mind, passion and will-power that counts and accounts for creating our own world of joy and fulfillment.

 

     You can make the most of everyday of your life now and create a life of your own that will be cherished. It’s never too late to begin. It’s never too late to get wakened in life.

Thus we should realize that the time is always ripe to do right.

“ The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the second best time is now.”

Realization of this truth will indeed make life a blessing, worth living, worth remembering, and one’s life becomes a celebration for oneself and others.

    

The 24 hour body clock

 

                                           The 24 hour body clock

         The human body is one of the marvels of mother Nature, fitted with appropriate organs and efficient functioning in synchrony with the clock set by Nature herself, namely morning denoted by rising of the Sun and night by setting of the Sun, thus making it highly scientific in maintaining the energy flow across the body, enabling man to carry out and achieve anything in the world.

Morning 3-5  Peak performance for Lungs at this time. Inhaling fresh air from the clean, unpolluted atmosphere , thus increasing the life-force accounts for  healthy longevity of one’s life. This period is fit for Yoga, Meditation etc.

5-7     The large Intestine - This organ is very active during this time. Sipping slowly water or lukewarm water, or lemon water( any of these one cup)aids the elimination of toxins from the body and aids proper bowel movements.

7-9     The Stomach  - The function of Stomach is at its highest during these hours. So a heavy, healthy breakfast is advised. It’s said thus if you eat even a stone, it will be digested by the Stomach. Eat like a king. It will be easily digested and will become part of the body by adding strength.

9-11 -   The Spleen-  At this time the Spleen’s performance is at its optimum. The digested food becomes a nourishing one aiding in energy and formation of blood and thus results in maintaining the levels of fluid in the body. Don’t drink too much water. Digestion will be disturbed. Taking a bath, listening to music, reading are recommended to reduce the activity in the mind.

11-1 -  The Heart - The Heart is the center of emotions and its function is at its peak at this hour. Too much anger, outbursts, too much talking should be avoided. Basking in the Sun also helps in warming the heart as one shares in Sun’s energy. Perhaps that’s why in the Vedas, standing and praying to The Sun at noon is postulated. In fact prayer to the Sun in the form of Gayatri mantra is recommended at the rising of the Sun, at the time of noon when the Sun is at its peak, and at the time of Sun-set.

1-3 -  The Small intestine - This organ, a part of digestive system is very active at this time. It helps to digest food coming from the stomach, absorbs nutrients and water from food eaten.so a small , balanced , and nutritious food is recommended at this hour to strengthen and energize the body.it’s said eat like a prince or share your food with friends. And rest a while.

3-5 - The urinary bladder is at its peak in its function. So optimal time to drink water. Perhaps that’s why drinking tea with little snacks came into practice from circa 17 or 18 CE onwards.

5-7- The Kidney. When the Kidney is functioning to remove wastes and extra fluids from the body, and from the flurry activities of afternoon,when one is free, it is proper time to find tranquility through prayers, meditation etc.

7-9 - Pericardium time. The time of shock absorber around the heart. A calm and relaxed time for early dinner, enjoying with family creatively. The familiar saying goes thus- “ Eat dinner like pauper.” Light food recommended.

9-11- The triple burner, composed of the Thorax,the Abdomen and the Pelvis. This time-period belongs to these three organs. The Thorax controls the intake, the Abdomen keeps the digestion and transformation in check whereas the Pelvis controls the body’s eliminations. The proper working of these account for a feeling of balance, peace and joy. So sleep is recommended at this time.

11-1- The Gall bladder. Without proper sleep, the function of Gall bladder is affected. The Gall bladder is to aid the digestive system to break the fats though Bile secreted in it. TheGall bladder is often thought to play a role in the health of your muscles and connective tissues as well as your courage, judgement, and decision-making.

1-3 The Liver. When one sleeps, the Liver is active.The Liver collects blood from all over the body, cleanses the blood from toxins, maintains healthy blood sugar levels and other vital functions of the body. Frustration and anger are some of the emotions that are associated with Liver. No walking or sitting allowed during sleep-time. Only lying peacefully is recommended. That’s why early dinner is advised for the proper function of the Liver.

If you violate the time and your duties, disturbing the functions of organs of the body during their time, next day you’ll be inactive and lethargic to do anything, facing a life devoid of interest and charm.Thus the real key to your life is in your hands only whether you make it joyful or sorrowful. No one other than your own self is responsible for this.

One minute wisdom- Handy guide to science

 

                                         One minute wisdom- Handy guide to Science

    

•        If it’s green or wriggles, it’s Biology.
•        If it stinks, it’s Chemistry.
•        If it doesn’t work, it’s Physics.

    Is it not interesting and on the spot learning about the nature of Science ?

One-minute wisdom- “Learn from Caterpillar.”

 

                              One-minute wisdom- “ Learn from Caterpillar.”

                When the caterpillar decides that it’s ready to be a butterfly it goes into the cocoon to develop its wings.

 So, if a man is ready and passionate about change, and improvement and progress, he will find even seemingly simple things can unfold new openings heretofore not known or not explored. It will be a thrill to discover, realize and experience that every moment, every encounter, every activity and every experience has within it an unspoken, unique, inspiring and joyous message. If you live thus consciously, which’s your real nature, there’s nothing called problem, or worry or grief, but every moment  will be a bliss to be relished, and cherished by one’s own self, and transmit the same to others too. This is the real bliss of life, joy of living.                                      

One-minute wisdom

     

                                     One-minute wisdom

        Once a man asked God, ‘ What’s the difference between your love and my love? I feel love is the same. No difference.’

God smiled and said, ‘ A bird in the sky is my love and a bird in the cage is your love.’

             

                             

Personality trait

  

                                            Personality trait

             Favorite subject reveals you:-

•   Literature- You have enormous imagination and have a strong creative streak and you love to explore mind.
• Maths  - Organized, analytical, punctual, dependable and predictable.
• History- Remember everything, even things that don't matter, attentive, considerate, hardworking and diplomatic.
• Art -  You always look for bright side even in the darkest situations and often the bigger and a broader picture behind everything and every happening.
• Science- Highly curious, don't like to take the easy way, analytical, logical and cautious.
•      This is a major and broad classification of classical , and traditional subjects offered , studied all along from time immemorial. the present day special subjects are off-shoots of these major ones only, dealing with a portion of them. This variety of personality traits account for the beauty, richness and strength of the fibers for the development of the society, nation, and the world as a whole.

Strange, but true !

                                                Strange, but true !

•      In the blackest soil grow the richest flowers, and the loftiest and strongest trees spring heavenward among the rocks.
• It's not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness.
• The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved.
• A man is as miserable as he thinks he is.
• We are more inclined to hate one another for points on which we differ than to love one another for points on which we agree.
• Without vision, there's no hope, and without hope, life is nothing more than a mere existence.
• If we could read the secret history of our enemies, we would find in each man's life sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility.
• There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of strength. They speak more eloquently than thousand tongues. They are the messages of overwhelming grief, of fear, of deep gratitude, of deep contrition, of unspeakable love.
• Only in the agony of parting, do we look at the depth of love.

Streaks of nobility in “Nature”

         

                                        Streaks of nobility in “ Nature”

•         While cutting down the trees, they remain silent. It doesn’t mean they don’t feel the pain.
•          If we cultivate fruits without seeds using our science and technology  against Nature, the Nature will create human beings without teeth.
• Worms don’t destroy the living, healthy trees.
•  The earth which grows beautiful flowering plants gets only the loving embrace of dry flowers clinging to her.
•  The earth doesn’t taste sweet growing sugarcanes on it nor bitter by growing bitter-gourds on it.

A glimpse from ancient wisdom

    

                                     A glimpse from ancient wisdom

         All have hidden talents and skills. Applying these to trade, commerce to gain material prosperity  and economic development is not a modern concept. But its roots can be traced to ancient times when there was no internet.

Once a friend of Socrates approached him for solution to the problem he was facing. He said that a lot of relatives have taken asylum in his house as they were forced to leave their place due to some national calamity. His friend with his limited means didn’t know how to support all of them with food. Socrates suggested a way. He said that each one of his relatives must be having some talent like cooking, sewing, physical labor etc, and asked his friend to employ them in those works like cooking food, snacks, planting, watering, taking care of animals and other activities according to their talent. The cultivated grains, vegetables, fruits, clothes sewn, eggs could be taken to market, and sold for money. It will give not only a satisfaction being self-dependent,and not a burden to others, but make them happy, but also fruitful and useful.

A similar echo is reflected in Swami Vivekananda’s advice also. When one of his disciples asked him what business he could do, Swamiji told him, “ Take Indian cloth, towels, bamboo works, and other indigenous products, and peddle them in the streets of Europe and America. You’ll find how greatly Indian products are appreciated in foreign markets now. Take, for example, such excellent fabric as the Varanasi-made Saris of India, the like of which aren’t produced anywhere else in the world. Go to America with this cloth. Have gowns made out of this fabric and sell them, and you’ll see how much you earn”.

Thus youth or any one who are capable if they stand with determination, avid interest and industriousness they can find various ways of economic development.

Thus crying over the problems would not solve the problems  but one has to stand up, and work. One should remember that problem’s don’t come alone. They bring solutions along but hidden in them. Man has to apply his mind and intelligence to tap them. This message transcends the barriers of time and place. Even today, this universal message has great appeal.

What's life and living ?

 

                                         What's life and living?  

•    Among the pricking thorns. and hard and rough leaves, a bee searches and finds out a soft flower. This is the way how to live.
• As the rainy season ushers, birds head towards their summer homes.
• Don't  look at the thorns. Look at the rose which supports thorns and becomes more beautiful, and a source of joy to the onlookers.
• Butterfly expresses its love towards flowers and humanity through its unique gift of pollination, and dies. Nature speaks eloquently of the love which outlives death, and makes the humblest things beautiful and sacred.
• The inherent nature of a human being, supposed to be the highest evolved is love, love for all, the feeling of oneness with all. Violence is artificial, his own creation out of ignorance and stupidity clouding his real nature. All violence begins with disconnection. All outward violence begins as inner loneliness only.

Follow Nature

                                    Follow Nature

•   Sleep when birds go to sleep and get up when they get up by chirping. The implication in today’s life is to maintain a  time-regularity for going to sleep at night and getting up in the morning.
• Observe birds the place where they rest, there can be found source of water for digging.
• Rabbits make hole, plant trees there. The trees will grow at that place.
• Pick up mushrooms on which insects sit. Insects don’t sit on poisonous mushrooms.
• Eat worms perforated fruits. They don’t perforate poisonous fruits.
• Make bed on the place where cats sleep. They don’t sleep on the place which doesn’t offer peace.
• Draw water from the place where horses drink. Horses don’t drink spoilt water.         

        These are the tips for men trekking or caught in wild Nature. The kind mother Nature herself provides her children an opportunity to learn from their kindred brethren.

Beauty of Nature

 

                                            Beauty of Nature

  

            The real charm and uniqueness of Nature lies in the variety of created beings. Not only in form, strength,size and color, each one is endowed with means of knowledge for survival in this complex world.

For recognizing the surroundings and understanding others, each one of them has been provided with means of knowledge. It’s interesting to note:

• Only by body one senses - Plants
• By body and tongue-        Sea creatures
• By body, tongue and nose- Reptiles
• By body,tongue, nose and eyes- Insects
• By body, tongue, nose, eyes and ears- Animals
• By body, tongue, nose, eyes, ears+brain- Man.

             

A wave of nostalgia

 

                                  A wave of nostalgia 

   

      I remember golden years of my childhood. In fifties, my music teacher would come to teach me classical music around 4.30 A.M. My mother would wake me up around 4 A. M, give me hot milk and make me sit before the harmonium. In the evening around 6 or maximum by 6.30 I was expected to reach home from my outdoor games, wash my feet and sit in the puja room with a lighted oil lamp glowing, and the fragrance of fresh flowers and sandal incense permeating all around. I had to bow down, sit, sing at least one or two classical songs learnt.

As I was growing up there was no time for morning learning and practice due to busy-study schedule and the music teacher also would come to teach after my school hours. But in the morning, the classical and devotional songs relayed on radio would be switched on from 4.30 AM to 5.45 A.M would be in the background. Daily singing at dusk was almost a duty. As a growing girl, I could never understand this stipulation, considering it almost an imposition. Later when I started appreciating music and longing to learn more with no time to practice, I realized the significance of it in the light of practice and could not but admire at the way how the entire scheme had been incorporated as a routine , an opportunity to cultivate voice and poise as a part of worship. Now a message forwarded to me on What’s App has opened my mind to the beauty of that routine.

  

         

Would Rose be so beautiful were the thorns not there, perhaps wouldn’t be ?- A point to ponder over.

           

               Would Rose be so beautiful were the thorns not there, perhaps wouldn’t be?- A point to ponder over.

All things have faults and imperfections in this world. In spite of that, each has its own charm and usefulness.  Some flowers have spectacular colors but no fragrance. Some fruits may be small in size but full of juice. Likewise each and everything can be analyzed. Even the so called defect is nothing but a different shade of beauty to the thing only if one knows how to appreciate and develop a mind and eye to perceive the beauty in everything and everywhere. Therein lies the joy of life.

A villager used to carry two pots on his shoulder slung on a pole, with ropes tied to the pole and around the neck of the pots for balancing and bring pure water from a long distance. After sometime one of the pots developed  a small hole and water started dripping from that all the way. By the time the man reached his home, the water would be three-fourth only. The man didn’t throw the pot but happily carried it to and fro without bothering about the wastage of water on the way. But the pot wanted to serve the honest master in a proper manner befitting the kind master who didn’t discard the pot because of its defect.   The pot started feeling sad as to how a small hole had developed in it, causing inconvenience to his master who was cheerful and never showed any sign of displeasure on his face or words or in action.  It prayed fervently to God to compensate for the loss incurred to his master. After a few days the pot couldn’t resist conveying his heart-felt feelings to his master for the loss of water. The gracious mater consoled the pot telling him not to worry about the loss of water. In stead it( The pot ) should look at the path he was carried through. Next day , the pot started looking down on the path. What a beautiful sight it was ! There were a lot of luxuriant green plants both types, flowery and vegetable  grown on the path with varied hues smiling greeting the passers by. The master said, “ I could understand your genuine feelings through positive vibrations coming from you. To surprise you and to make you overcome the loss you felt, I owed the seeds of flowers and vegetables on our path throughout. Daily trickles from you had produced all this greenery around. The flowers are so much, I give them to temple, distribute among the neighbors and send the remaining ones to market for sale. Same is the case with the vegetables. There’s so much fresh produce, i keep them for my daily needs, distribute to others and send the rest to market for sale. Mother Earth has responded to your sincere yearning and prayer. There’s no defect at all. In abundance of merits, defect merges into them and it’s never seen and felt. The Moon’s black spot is never taken notice of among her other overwhelming qualities like beauty, coolness, pleasantness  etc.”

Life-learning lessons

 

                               Life-learning lessons

•    Everyone is gifted, but most people never open the package. 
•    When you’re curious you find lots of interesting things to do. You came to learn a lot of interesting facts. You realize your oneness with the world and life becomes interesting.
• Life becomes a goal to achieve something great and useful to all. As Aristotle pointed out that the ultimate aim should be kindness , an inner desire that makes us want to do good things even if we do not get anything in return. This kindred feeling will permeate the entire atmosphere with the coolness and fragrance of love and peace.
• Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity and responsibility to give something back by becoming more.
• Your life is your message to the world. Make sure it’s inspiring!

Parents, the greatest gift in one’s life

                                   Parents, the greatest gift in one’s life

•   One who loves till her eyes close is a Mother. One who loves without an expression in the eyes is Father.
• Mother- Introduces you to the world. Father- Introduces the world to you.
• Mother: Gives you life. Father: Gives you living.
• Mother : Makes sure you are not starving. Father : Makes sure you know the value of starving.
• Mother : Personifies Care. Father : Personifies Responsibility.
• Mother : Protects you from a fall. Father : Teaches you to get up from a fall.
• Mother : Teaches you walking. Father : Teaches you walk of life.
• Mother : Teaches from her own experiences. Father : Teaches you to learn from your own experiences.
• Mother : Reflects Ideal. Father : Reflects Reality.
• Mother’s love is known to you since birth. Father’s love is known when you become a Father.
• Mother loves from Heart, Father loves from Brain.

Interesting Tit-bits

Interesting Tit-bits A grandma's worry All my grandsons will come up in life.Only my dear grandson Tagore ( Rabindranath) is wandering,all the time scribbling story, poetry like things without doing any proper constructive work.What will become of him, how he is going to be successful in life , this thought is daily worrying me. Thus wrote the world famous Rabindranath Tagore's grandma in herpersonal diary. What culture? One English man mocking at Sardar Patel, the first Deputy Prime minister of Independent India, known as Iron man of India for his strict and idealistic policies asked him-" What's your culture, Sir." Patel equally quipped his answer "Agricultue." Then the English gentleman couldn't ask him any further. Diogenes Socrates's disciple, a simple man, great philosopher, once in the market during day time was searching something holding a lamp in his hands. people asked him what he was searching in th day light? He replied, " I am searching whether there is any real human being somewhere here."

A beautiful Question-answer to ponder over!

    

                       A beautiful Question- answer to ponder over !!!

       Once a common man asked a saint, " When the stone-image is consecrated with sacred waters ( Kumbhabhishekam ceremony in Hindu temples ) how can get power ?"

The saint replied- " An ordinary note when goes through government mint machine and comes out, does it not become a valuable currency? In the same way, the stone-image also assumes power, positive vibrations and the positive vibrations increased by faithful devotees charge the entire atmosphere with a spiritual halo."