The Trika Tradition Of Kashmir Shaivism
Pranav Khullar
Since Rudra is One, the knowers of Brahmn did not wait in anticipation for a second deity, says the Svetasvatara Upanishad, thereby setting the tone for early Shaivite thought. Unique in its overtly theistic strain, this Mantra Upanishad as it is called by Adi Shankara, is the first to allude to Shiva-Rudra as the Parama-Purusha , and can be considered as a poetic forerunner of the later philosophical tenets of Shaivite traditions, especially the Trika school of Kashmir Shaivism. From Sage Svetasvatara to the philosopher Abhinavgupta there is an unbroken chain of thought which sees Shiva as the Inexpressible Truth which the yogis realise by focusing their minds on the Self.
The Trika tradition of Kashmir Shaivism puts Shiva at the centre of this matrix of Being and Becoming there is only one Being, Shiva, who is the nature and existence of all beings, filled with the infinite light or prakasha of universal consciousness . The external world, too, is seen as a reflection of this Shiva consciousness, Pratibimbavada, the theory of reflection, where Creation, the Shakti is not external or independent of God-consciousness , but is a mirror of this Shiva principle. It is not separate but one only just as fire is one with its heat, in contrast to the Shankara-Advaita proposition that the outer world is merely a projection of maya or illusion.
Shiva himself forms the basis of this unique monistic thought, since he is shown as being synonymous with the Purusha principle, the underlying Self of the universe, from whom emanates the manifest world, the Prakriti-Shakti principle , and into whom everything dissolves back. The Trika tradition does not stress on the need for a devotional worship of Shiva, but sees the relationship of Shiva and Jiva as one of an inherently existing Oneness and identity. This interplay of the soul and world is defined as Shivas dynamic first impulse, arousing himself from his static samadhi, in which there is no outer world to manifest. Through this leela or divine play of Shiva through his Shakti or Creation Shiva himself is able to recognise his own universal consciousness for otherwise, Abhinavgupta says, there is nothing to recognise, for that consciousness is already there. The Kashmir Shaivite believes that even though every being has this intrinsic knowledge of his Shiva nature, it is overshadowed completely by the mind, the cogito, and its act of incessant thinking by which all beings have got into the habit of defining themselves. To transcend the mind is to find the Shiva nature within oneself, which is to realise that the you and i are actually the same.
This transcendence of mind, Trika says, can be achieved through anavopaya, disciplining the ego or anava through meditative practices, or through the method of saktopaya wherein energy centres are sought to be activated by centring ones attention to the silence which comes up between the end of one thought and the beginning of another, usually not even felt, but everpresent , the Kundalini path.
The path of Grace through total surrender is the third means of recognition pratyabighna darsana of ones Shiva consciousness , and Trika believes this to the most effective, the sambavopaya, freedom from thought through the Grace of Sambu-Shiva .
This turning inwards into the origin of thought itself leads one to the fulfilled state of anupaya, where the Jiva sees himself reflected in the image of Shiva himself, and knows that Shiva and Shakti are identical.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Growing older can be an art
Growing older can be an art
MARGUERITE THEOPHIL
AS I reach fifty-five , one of the slowing-down changes I notice in myself besides the fact that just walking and not running up three flights of stairs gets me breathless is that in a bookstore these days I also slow down in front of books about getting older.
I pause briefly before Biology of Aging: Natural Ageing Revolution, then move on to the funnier titles like Ageing Disgracefully , and Over the Hill, You Pick Up Speed; I wonder if the humour in these helps us face this time more easily . Some more browsing later, I actually end up buying From Ageing to Sageing by Zalman Schachter-Shalomi and The Second Half of Life: Opening the Eight Gates of Wisdom by Angeles Arrien.
The onset of ageing is so sneaky and gradual; we are often surprised to find one day it is right here. Then we are faced with three choices feel resigned to it, get horribly depressed, or welcome it as a chance to re-design our lives. The re-design thing can be as small or as big as we choose as long as we are the ones doing it.
Growing older, we need reminding , is not a disease, but can be an art, bringing surprising blessings if practiced well. We are delighted that consciously caring for ourselves focuses the mind as well as the bodys energies, leading to new freedoms, expressions of creativity and spiritual intensity. In indigenous cultures, elders were honoured and cherished for the precious resources they brought to the community. Yet most cultures current perspective is that this stage offers only decline, disease, despair. However , this is seen by Arrien as the ultimate initiation , when, if open and aware, we encounter moments reminding us we are a sacred mystery made manifest, enjoying limitless possibilities to restore and renew ourselves. Rabbi Schachter-Shalomi stops us short with the funny-but-true reminder that this special time is not given to everyone! He proposes a new model of conscious aging, called sage-ing , a time to let go of all weve outgrown and become wisdom keepers , acting as guides, mentors, and agents of healing and reconciliation on behalf of the planet, nation, tribe, clan, and family.
Conscious aging requires us to find both reflective and practical ways to remind ourselves of our intention to remain awake, alert and aware as we grow older; so it isnt really quick or easy. But we know it is a spiritual practice that involves finding and living out of that part of ourselves that is essentially timeless.
MARGUERITE THEOPHIL
AS I reach fifty-five , one of the slowing-down changes I notice in myself besides the fact that just walking and not running up three flights of stairs gets me breathless is that in a bookstore these days I also slow down in front of books about getting older.
I pause briefly before Biology of Aging: Natural Ageing Revolution, then move on to the funnier titles like Ageing Disgracefully , and Over the Hill, You Pick Up Speed; I wonder if the humour in these helps us face this time more easily . Some more browsing later, I actually end up buying From Ageing to Sageing by Zalman Schachter-Shalomi and The Second Half of Life: Opening the Eight Gates of Wisdom by Angeles Arrien.
The onset of ageing is so sneaky and gradual; we are often surprised to find one day it is right here. Then we are faced with three choices feel resigned to it, get horribly depressed, or welcome it as a chance to re-design our lives. The re-design thing can be as small or as big as we choose as long as we are the ones doing it.
Growing older, we need reminding , is not a disease, but can be an art, bringing surprising blessings if practiced well. We are delighted that consciously caring for ourselves focuses the mind as well as the bodys energies, leading to new freedoms, expressions of creativity and spiritual intensity. In indigenous cultures, elders were honoured and cherished for the precious resources they brought to the community. Yet most cultures current perspective is that this stage offers only decline, disease, despair. However , this is seen by Arrien as the ultimate initiation , when, if open and aware, we encounter moments reminding us we are a sacred mystery made manifest, enjoying limitless possibilities to restore and renew ourselves. Rabbi Schachter-Shalomi stops us short with the funny-but-true reminder that this special time is not given to everyone! He proposes a new model of conscious aging, called sage-ing , a time to let go of all weve outgrown and become wisdom keepers , acting as guides, mentors, and agents of healing and reconciliation on behalf of the planet, nation, tribe, clan, and family.
Conscious aging requires us to find both reflective and practical ways to remind ourselves of our intention to remain awake, alert and aware as we grow older; so it isnt really quick or easy. But we know it is a spiritual practice that involves finding and living out of that part of ourselves that is essentially timeless.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Another Life, Yet Another Chance
Another Life, Yet Another Chance
Murali A Raghavan
The subject of reincarnation or rebirth has always evoked tremendous fascination and curiosity. Rebirth removes finality from death, reaffirms the imperishable nature of the spirit and affords a second chance.
Some philosophers have argued that birth is but a one-off phenomenon and all the actions get absolved with confession at the end of the term. The approach is not only simplistic; it also posits birth as an accident. It fails to probe the leitmotif of the picture of complexities sketched so diligently by the Supreme Power.
Hindu spiritualism regards reincarnation as a compelling tool for emancipation of soul from the karmic fetters. But within this school of thought, there are different approaches . Advaita, however, posits that the supreme consciousness pervades the entire universe like a limitless ocean and all the myriad manifestations arise like waves and submerge within this cosmic ocean. To grant these waves name, identity and title and grade them in any manner is give in to delusion and ego. Hence there is no admission of birth or death in its progression towards achievement of the unison with that single entity, Atman or Brahmn. The stress is on getting past illusion through the process of self-inquiry and letting the light within to glow, illumine and enlighten. Know yourself and all is known is the dominant theme.
In another approach, the sage of Arunachala , Ramana Maharshi said that Advaita in theory is possible but Advaita in action is not. In contrast, both Ramanujacharya and Madhavacharya enumerate various steps for a seeker to escape from the cycle of birth and death and a tacit admission of rebirth could be inferred therefrom. Both Visistadvaita and Dvaita prescribe the path of devotion and complete surrender and admit to rewards and retributions in the form of higher grades of life when probation on earth ends.
Before looking at yet another aspect, it might be instructive to reflect on the germination of life. Organisms are born out of organic substances under certain conditions. Life begets life. All organic substances, which are in the nature of food, are pregnant with life force, with the potential to create and procreate. How do ants arrive at a spot where sugar is spilled or stored Do they have radar The little secret is that the sugar itself gives birth to the ant which feasts upon it. The ants, perhaps, derive even their colour from the carbon content in the sugar. A piece of bread may decay with time but it is the progenitor of variety of species. Birth, growth, decay and rebirth is the unending chain that holds Nature in a state of equilibrium. The consumer is consumed in the process of consumption is the Upanishadic declaration.
All living species are born out of food and, in turn, become food for others. The Rig Veda begins with this assertion. How is food produced The friction between wind, water, fire and earth in space produces food and the sense of consciousness is imparted by the nature of the food essence or the flavour, according to Nisargadatta Maharaj.
Reincarnation or rebirth does not occur at a future date but is coextensive and simultaneous . It is here and now. The originator of the karma takes over the unfinished task through his progeny.
Murali A Raghavan
The subject of reincarnation or rebirth has always evoked tremendous fascination and curiosity. Rebirth removes finality from death, reaffirms the imperishable nature of the spirit and affords a second chance.
Some philosophers have argued that birth is but a one-off phenomenon and all the actions get absolved with confession at the end of the term. The approach is not only simplistic; it also posits birth as an accident. It fails to probe the leitmotif of the picture of complexities sketched so diligently by the Supreme Power.
Hindu spiritualism regards reincarnation as a compelling tool for emancipation of soul from the karmic fetters. But within this school of thought, there are different approaches . Advaita, however, posits that the supreme consciousness pervades the entire universe like a limitless ocean and all the myriad manifestations arise like waves and submerge within this cosmic ocean. To grant these waves name, identity and title and grade them in any manner is give in to delusion and ego. Hence there is no admission of birth or death in its progression towards achievement of the unison with that single entity, Atman or Brahmn. The stress is on getting past illusion through the process of self-inquiry and letting the light within to glow, illumine and enlighten. Know yourself and all is known is the dominant theme.
In another approach, the sage of Arunachala , Ramana Maharshi said that Advaita in theory is possible but Advaita in action is not. In contrast, both Ramanujacharya and Madhavacharya enumerate various steps for a seeker to escape from the cycle of birth and death and a tacit admission of rebirth could be inferred therefrom. Both Visistadvaita and Dvaita prescribe the path of devotion and complete surrender and admit to rewards and retributions in the form of higher grades of life when probation on earth ends.
Before looking at yet another aspect, it might be instructive to reflect on the germination of life. Organisms are born out of organic substances under certain conditions. Life begets life. All organic substances, which are in the nature of food, are pregnant with life force, with the potential to create and procreate. How do ants arrive at a spot where sugar is spilled or stored Do they have radar The little secret is that the sugar itself gives birth to the ant which feasts upon it. The ants, perhaps, derive even their colour from the carbon content in the sugar. A piece of bread may decay with time but it is the progenitor of variety of species. Birth, growth, decay and rebirth is the unending chain that holds Nature in a state of equilibrium. The consumer is consumed in the process of consumption is the Upanishadic declaration.
All living species are born out of food and, in turn, become food for others. The Rig Veda begins with this assertion. How is food produced The friction between wind, water, fire and earth in space produces food and the sense of consciousness is imparted by the nature of the food essence or the flavour, according to Nisargadatta Maharaj.
Reincarnation or rebirth does not occur at a future date but is coextensive and simultaneous . It is here and now. The originator of the karma takes over the unfinished task through his progeny.
Its all for the best!
Its all for the best!
As we move on in life, we understand why we are denied certain things and it may actually be a blessing in disguise!
Vinita Dawra Nangia TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Acolleagues g-chat tagline read thus So, lets put it like this: I asked for a small round ice-cream cake with a cherry on top. . . and I got a 3-tier German chocolate cake with an extra supply of mango souffl and butter cookies!! Now, thats great. But the point is... where is my small round ice-cream cake with a cherry on top Is that too much to ask for
No, it isnt too much to ask for. It was never too much. But maybe someone thought they would give you more than you wanted assuming that would make you happier. But they assumed wrong, didnt they You wanted just that one small cake, and all the big ones in the world cannot make up for the fact that you didn't get the one you really wanted.
Things dont always work out exactly as you want them to. And if the intensity of the desire was strong, then even though you may have got much more than you wanted, the craving for that one thing that escapes you never really goes away.
Anjali, a friend, was working her way up to Head of Operations for a firm in Hyderabad. When promotion time came, another colleague made it to that slot while Anjali got a double promotion and was made the South Head, controlling all southern city ops. Even through the congratulations and accompanying euphoria, she admits to having felt back then a deep regret that she never could hold quite the post she had dreamt about! Today, five years later, though enjoying her job, she still wonders what it would have been like to have had her dream fulfilled and head Hyderabad ops!
Would you say she was being ungrateful Sure, you would. But then what about the boy who made it through the JEE IIT and yet committed suicide because he got Kharagpur rather than Delhi IIT, his first choice He hadnt got a better centre, but he did at least get into IIT. What about the many others who were nowhere on the merit list
Such disappointments occur when we allow our desires and dreams to overtake us and start living in anticipation of their fulfillment. A narrow focus makes us oblivious to all else but the goal in mind, very often blinding us to better options or greater pleasures just within our reach. A closed mind doesnt allow us to enjoy that which we got instead of hankering after what escaped our clutches. And life carries ona series of regrets and what ifs. How does one avoid this trap We all grow up hearing the adage, Jo hota hai achche ke liye hota hai whatever happens, is for the best. And most of us grow up to believe it and pass it on to the next generation. Situations we have fought and protested against, turns of Fate we have cribbed about, or choices forced upon us that we have kicked out at havent we all so often lived to bless these adversities In retrospect, much of what we desired and didnt get later seems like stuff we are well rid of, be it a job, a car, some particular house, a dream or even a lover! Life has a strange way of falling into a pattern as we move on, creating an interesting mosaic, which though unfathomable from near, assumes greater meaning as we move further away from it. There seems suddenly to have been a reason for whatever happened. Well, the reason was always there, I guess. Suddenly it seems comprehensible to us. As we move away from a situation and move on in life, we understand why we were denied certain things and how not getting others that we coveted actually was a great blessing for us. There seems to be a Power, someone up there who knows it all. Someone who has laid out the pattern and reveals it to us only bit by bit. As long as you trust in this, you may rest assured that life seems more manageable and you better equipped to handle it. This serves as a great source of solace too. Whenever you don't manage to get what you aimed for, you can always fall back on the face-saver that whatever happens, is for the best! However, lets not sound facetious here. If you believe in the Power that be, great, if you dont then you have to believe that the only reason you seem better off without what you got is because you convince yourself into believing so, and its no better than a case of sour grapes! I prefer to go with the first explanation What about you
As we move on in life, we understand why we are denied certain things and it may actually be a blessing in disguise!
Vinita Dawra Nangia TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Acolleagues g-chat tagline read thus So, lets put it like this: I asked for a small round ice-cream cake with a cherry on top. . . and I got a 3-tier German chocolate cake with an extra supply of mango souffl and butter cookies!! Now, thats great. But the point is... where is my small round ice-cream cake with a cherry on top Is that too much to ask for
No, it isnt too much to ask for. It was never too much. But maybe someone thought they would give you more than you wanted assuming that would make you happier. But they assumed wrong, didnt they You wanted just that one small cake, and all the big ones in the world cannot make up for the fact that you didn't get the one you really wanted.
Things dont always work out exactly as you want them to. And if the intensity of the desire was strong, then even though you may have got much more than you wanted, the craving for that one thing that escapes you never really goes away.
Anjali, a friend, was working her way up to Head of Operations for a firm in Hyderabad. When promotion time came, another colleague made it to that slot while Anjali got a double promotion and was made the South Head, controlling all southern city ops. Even through the congratulations and accompanying euphoria, she admits to having felt back then a deep regret that she never could hold quite the post she had dreamt about! Today, five years later, though enjoying her job, she still wonders what it would have been like to have had her dream fulfilled and head Hyderabad ops!
Would you say she was being ungrateful Sure, you would. But then what about the boy who made it through the JEE IIT and yet committed suicide because he got Kharagpur rather than Delhi IIT, his first choice He hadnt got a better centre, but he did at least get into IIT. What about the many others who were nowhere on the merit list
Such disappointments occur when we allow our desires and dreams to overtake us and start living in anticipation of their fulfillment. A narrow focus makes us oblivious to all else but the goal in mind, very often blinding us to better options or greater pleasures just within our reach. A closed mind doesnt allow us to enjoy that which we got instead of hankering after what escaped our clutches. And life carries ona series of regrets and what ifs. How does one avoid this trap We all grow up hearing the adage, Jo hota hai achche ke liye hota hai whatever happens, is for the best. And most of us grow up to believe it and pass it on to the next generation. Situations we have fought and protested against, turns of Fate we have cribbed about, or choices forced upon us that we have kicked out at havent we all so often lived to bless these adversities In retrospect, much of what we desired and didnt get later seems like stuff we are well rid of, be it a job, a car, some particular house, a dream or even a lover! Life has a strange way of falling into a pattern as we move on, creating an interesting mosaic, which though unfathomable from near, assumes greater meaning as we move further away from it. There seems suddenly to have been a reason for whatever happened. Well, the reason was always there, I guess. Suddenly it seems comprehensible to us. As we move away from a situation and move on in life, we understand why we were denied certain things and how not getting others that we coveted actually was a great blessing for us. There seems to be a Power, someone up there who knows it all. Someone who has laid out the pattern and reveals it to us only bit by bit. As long as you trust in this, you may rest assured that life seems more manageable and you better equipped to handle it. This serves as a great source of solace too. Whenever you don't manage to get what you aimed for, you can always fall back on the face-saver that whatever happens, is for the best! However, lets not sound facetious here. If you believe in the Power that be, great, if you dont then you have to believe that the only reason you seem better off without what you got is because you convince yourself into believing so, and its no better than a case of sour grapes! I prefer to go with the first explanation What about you
Self-worth lies within us
Just bank on yourself
Forget the downturn. Its not all about the money. Nor should it be about seeking other peoples approval. Self-worth lies within us, says Anshu Khanna
Our self-worth is based on how we feel about ourselves as a person in terms of our skills, achievements, status, financial resources and physical attributes . But who defines our selfworth What should it be measured against Its often confused with net worth. The very fact that it relates to self signifies that it refers to a feeling of being whole and complete.
Aspirations to fulfill our basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter drive us to work towards a goal. Gradually, our needs propel us to climb higher up the social ladder. Efforts translate into success and our basic needs graduate into indulgence. The basic need for a house grows into the need for a larger home and then into the desire to have the best address in town. Over time, our material possessions become an integral part of our identity.
Then the sub-prime crisis happened . Not only did it change the face of economies but it affected peoples self-worth . Peoples material desires have been compromised and their self worth has diminished. When most measurable possessions are suddenly taken away, what are you left with Material objects become crutches and we seem to lose our ability to live without them. There is such a high emotional attachment to ones possessions that a feeling of helplessness creeps in once they are gone.
All of us have basic emotional needs. They vary from person to person and depend upon the stage of life were at. Leadership consultant Anthony Robbins has classified our emotional needs into six categories: Certainty ; Uncertainty; Significance; Love and connection; Growth and Contribution.
People often have two or more needs working in parallel. But, the one need that dominates all of us is the need for approval . We seek approval by looking good, working hard, having a beautiful home, bringing up successful children and so on. We depend on others to give us our sense of our self worth. This desire arises either due to lack of positive reinforcement as a child or a sense of rejection or neglect in the early years. In order to fulfill the need to 'fit in' , people get professional degrees and try to gain material success, fame and money. Some resort to slandering others in a bid to get approval.
The constant search for validation of our self-worth is exhausting and debilitating. Becoming dependent on others to feel good about ourselves or waiting for positive affirmation restricts our growth.
Consider the way people respond to other peoples acknowledgement , say, by being called on stage to receive a standing ovation. Some people respond by opening their arms wide, laughing and even jumping up and down. Others barely tolerate a few seconds of applause before holding up their hands as if to say, Enough. Please stop. Im getting uncomfortable.
How do you overcome this constraint What is self-worth really Do you love yourself and accept yourself for who you are Or are you constantly trying to measure yourself using transient things
After all, the earliest man survived without many amenities. He found creative ways to seek shelter to protect himself from the vagaries of nature. He discovered caves and then brick houses. Starting from leaves and animal skin, he moved on to discover cloth yarn to cover his body. So, what was the early man equipped with, when he had no house or clothing He operated from the knowledge that he carried within him the means of overcoming the challenges of the day-to-day living.
Every experience in life adds to our knowledge. And self-worth can only be measured by the strength of ones intellect and a strong mind. It is a well of knowledge, which we constantly need to draw upon. We need to develop an inventory of all the positive attributes we possess; this will outweigh all our fears.
Lack of self-worth can be masked by indulgence in material items. With the world hit by a financial crisis and the value of property and other assets dropping substantially, what remains intact is the value of our skills or the knowledge within us.
During the course of our lives, we absorb knowledge from various sources, including formal education, experiences, environment and our families. That knowledge is our true wealth and is not transient. It is a gift we can share with each other. As it is written: The fact that I can plant a seed and it becomes a flower, share a bit of knowledge and it becomes anothers , smile at someone and receive a smile in return
I once read about a successful businesswoman who was diagnosed with cancer. The doctors discouraged her from working at the hospital . She responded with the words: My body is sick but not my mind! We have to carry on digging into our internal goldmine .
Many may constantly be waiting for a miracle to transform the world, create jobs and secure everyones future . But all of us possess the capacity to trigger change. Engage with your own self-worth . It is this love for self that will give you the basic material to overcome difficult circumstances and create miracles in your life.
(Ashu Khanna is an executive coach and leadership development consultant)
Forget the downturn. Its not all about the money. Nor should it be about seeking other peoples approval. Self-worth lies within us, says Anshu Khanna
Our self-worth is based on how we feel about ourselves as a person in terms of our skills, achievements, status, financial resources and physical attributes . But who defines our selfworth What should it be measured against Its often confused with net worth. The very fact that it relates to self signifies that it refers to a feeling of being whole and complete.
Aspirations to fulfill our basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter drive us to work towards a goal. Gradually, our needs propel us to climb higher up the social ladder. Efforts translate into success and our basic needs graduate into indulgence. The basic need for a house grows into the need for a larger home and then into the desire to have the best address in town. Over time, our material possessions become an integral part of our identity.
Then the sub-prime crisis happened . Not only did it change the face of economies but it affected peoples self-worth . Peoples material desires have been compromised and their self worth has diminished. When most measurable possessions are suddenly taken away, what are you left with Material objects become crutches and we seem to lose our ability to live without them. There is such a high emotional attachment to ones possessions that a feeling of helplessness creeps in once they are gone.
All of us have basic emotional needs. They vary from person to person and depend upon the stage of life were at. Leadership consultant Anthony Robbins has classified our emotional needs into six categories: Certainty ; Uncertainty; Significance; Love and connection; Growth and Contribution.
People often have two or more needs working in parallel. But, the one need that dominates all of us is the need for approval . We seek approval by looking good, working hard, having a beautiful home, bringing up successful children and so on. We depend on others to give us our sense of our self worth. This desire arises either due to lack of positive reinforcement as a child or a sense of rejection or neglect in the early years. In order to fulfill the need to 'fit in' , people get professional degrees and try to gain material success, fame and money. Some resort to slandering others in a bid to get approval.
The constant search for validation of our self-worth is exhausting and debilitating. Becoming dependent on others to feel good about ourselves or waiting for positive affirmation restricts our growth.
Consider the way people respond to other peoples acknowledgement , say, by being called on stage to receive a standing ovation. Some people respond by opening their arms wide, laughing and even jumping up and down. Others barely tolerate a few seconds of applause before holding up their hands as if to say, Enough. Please stop. Im getting uncomfortable.
How do you overcome this constraint What is self-worth really Do you love yourself and accept yourself for who you are Or are you constantly trying to measure yourself using transient things
After all, the earliest man survived without many amenities. He found creative ways to seek shelter to protect himself from the vagaries of nature. He discovered caves and then brick houses. Starting from leaves and animal skin, he moved on to discover cloth yarn to cover his body. So, what was the early man equipped with, when he had no house or clothing He operated from the knowledge that he carried within him the means of overcoming the challenges of the day-to-day living.
Every experience in life adds to our knowledge. And self-worth can only be measured by the strength of ones intellect and a strong mind. It is a well of knowledge, which we constantly need to draw upon. We need to develop an inventory of all the positive attributes we possess; this will outweigh all our fears.
Lack of self-worth can be masked by indulgence in material items. With the world hit by a financial crisis and the value of property and other assets dropping substantially, what remains intact is the value of our skills or the knowledge within us.
During the course of our lives, we absorb knowledge from various sources, including formal education, experiences, environment and our families. That knowledge is our true wealth and is not transient. It is a gift we can share with each other. As it is written: The fact that I can plant a seed and it becomes a flower, share a bit of knowledge and it becomes anothers , smile at someone and receive a smile in return
I once read about a successful businesswoman who was diagnosed with cancer. The doctors discouraged her from working at the hospital . She responded with the words: My body is sick but not my mind! We have to carry on digging into our internal goldmine .
Many may constantly be waiting for a miracle to transform the world, create jobs and secure everyones future . But all of us possess the capacity to trigger change. Engage with your own self-worth . It is this love for self that will give you the basic material to overcome difficult circumstances and create miracles in your life.
(Ashu Khanna is an executive coach and leadership development consultant)
Self-worth lies within us
Just bank on yourself
Forget the downturn. Its not all about the money. Nor should it be about seeking other peoples approval. Self-worth lies within us, says Anshu Khanna
Our self-worth is based on how we feel about ourselves as a person in terms of our skills, achievements, status, financial resources and physical attributes . But who defines our selfworth What should it be measured against Its often confused with net worth. The very fact that it relates to self signifies that it refers to a feeling of being whole and complete.
Aspirations to fulfill our basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter drive us to work towards a goal. Gradually, our needs propel us to climb higher up the social ladder. Efforts translate into success and our basic needs graduate into indulgence. The basic need for a house grows into the need for a larger home and then into the desire to have the best address in town. Over time, our material possessions become an integral part of our identity.
Then the sub-prime crisis happened . Not only did it change the face of economies but it affected peoples self-worth . Peoples material desires have been compromised and their self worth has diminished. When most measurable possessions are suddenly taken away, what are you left with Material objects become crutches and we seem to lose our ability to live without them. There is such a high emotional attachment to ones possessions that a feeling of helplessness creeps in once they are gone.
All of us have basic emotional needs. They vary from person to person and depend upon the stage of life were at. Leadership consultant Anthony Robbins has classified our emotional needs into six categories: Certainty ; Uncertainty; Significance; Love and connection; Growth and Contribution.
People often have two or more needs working in parallel. But, the one need that dominates all of us is the need for approval . We seek approval by looking good, working hard, having a beautiful home, bringing up successful children and so on. We depend on others to give us our sense of our self worth. This desire arises either due to lack of positive reinforcement as a child or a sense of rejection or neglect in the early years. In order to fulfill the need to 'fit in' , people get professional degrees and try to gain material success, fame and money. Some resort to slandering others in a bid to get approval.
The constant search for validation of our self-worth is exhausting and debilitating. Becoming dependent on others to feel good about ourselves or waiting for positive affirmation restricts our growth.
Consider the way people respond to other peoples acknowledgement , say, by being called on stage to receive a standing ovation. Some people respond by opening their arms wide, laughing and even jumping up and down. Others barely tolerate a few seconds of applause before holding up their hands as if to say, Enough. Please stop. Im getting uncomfortable.
How do you overcome this constraint What is self-worth really Do you love yourself and accept yourself for who you are Or are you constantly trying to measure yourself using transient things
After all, the earliest man survived without many amenities. He found creative ways to seek shelter to protect himself from the vagaries of nature. He discovered caves and then brick houses. Starting from leaves and animal skin, he moved on to discover cloth yarn to cover his body. So, what was the early man equipped with, when he had no house or clothing He operated from the knowledge that he carried within him the means of overcoming the challenges of the day-to-day living.
Every experience in life adds to our knowledge. And self-worth can only be measured by the strength of ones intellect and a strong mind. It is a well of knowledge, which we constantly need to draw upon. We need to develop an inventory of all the positive attributes we possess; this will outweigh all our fears.
Lack of self-worth can be masked by indulgence in material items. With the world hit by a financial crisis and the value of property and other assets dropping substantially, what remains intact is the value of our skills or the knowledge within us.
During the course of our lives, we absorb knowledge from various sources, including formal education, experiences, environment and our families. That knowledge is our true wealth and is not transient. It is a gift we can share with each other. As it is written: The fact that I can plant a seed and it becomes a flower, share a bit of knowledge and it becomes anothers , smile at someone and receive a smile in return
I once read about a successful businesswoman who was diagnosed with cancer. The doctors discouraged her from working at the hospital . She responded with the words: My body is sick but not my mind! We have to carry on digging into our internal goldmine .
Many may constantly be waiting for a miracle to transform the world, create jobs and secure everyones future . But all of us possess the capacity to trigger change. Engage with your own self-worth . It is this love for self that will give you the basic material to overcome difficult circumstances and create miracles in your life.
(Ashu Khanna is an executive coach and leadership development consultant)
Forget the downturn. Its not all about the money. Nor should it be about seeking other peoples approval. Self-worth lies within us, says Anshu Khanna
Our self-worth is based on how we feel about ourselves as a person in terms of our skills, achievements, status, financial resources and physical attributes . But who defines our selfworth What should it be measured against Its often confused with net worth. The very fact that it relates to self signifies that it refers to a feeling of being whole and complete.
Aspirations to fulfill our basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter drive us to work towards a goal. Gradually, our needs propel us to climb higher up the social ladder. Efforts translate into success and our basic needs graduate into indulgence. The basic need for a house grows into the need for a larger home and then into the desire to have the best address in town. Over time, our material possessions become an integral part of our identity.
Then the sub-prime crisis happened . Not only did it change the face of economies but it affected peoples self-worth . Peoples material desires have been compromised and their self worth has diminished. When most measurable possessions are suddenly taken away, what are you left with Material objects become crutches and we seem to lose our ability to live without them. There is such a high emotional attachment to ones possessions that a feeling of helplessness creeps in once they are gone.
All of us have basic emotional needs. They vary from person to person and depend upon the stage of life were at. Leadership consultant Anthony Robbins has classified our emotional needs into six categories: Certainty ; Uncertainty; Significance; Love and connection; Growth and Contribution.
People often have two or more needs working in parallel. But, the one need that dominates all of us is the need for approval . We seek approval by looking good, working hard, having a beautiful home, bringing up successful children and so on. We depend on others to give us our sense of our self worth. This desire arises either due to lack of positive reinforcement as a child or a sense of rejection or neglect in the early years. In order to fulfill the need to 'fit in' , people get professional degrees and try to gain material success, fame and money. Some resort to slandering others in a bid to get approval.
The constant search for validation of our self-worth is exhausting and debilitating. Becoming dependent on others to feel good about ourselves or waiting for positive affirmation restricts our growth.
Consider the way people respond to other peoples acknowledgement , say, by being called on stage to receive a standing ovation. Some people respond by opening their arms wide, laughing and even jumping up and down. Others barely tolerate a few seconds of applause before holding up their hands as if to say, Enough. Please stop. Im getting uncomfortable.
How do you overcome this constraint What is self-worth really Do you love yourself and accept yourself for who you are Or are you constantly trying to measure yourself using transient things
After all, the earliest man survived without many amenities. He found creative ways to seek shelter to protect himself from the vagaries of nature. He discovered caves and then brick houses. Starting from leaves and animal skin, he moved on to discover cloth yarn to cover his body. So, what was the early man equipped with, when he had no house or clothing He operated from the knowledge that he carried within him the means of overcoming the challenges of the day-to-day living.
Every experience in life adds to our knowledge. And self-worth can only be measured by the strength of ones intellect and a strong mind. It is a well of knowledge, which we constantly need to draw upon. We need to develop an inventory of all the positive attributes we possess; this will outweigh all our fears.
Lack of self-worth can be masked by indulgence in material items. With the world hit by a financial crisis and the value of property and other assets dropping substantially, what remains intact is the value of our skills or the knowledge within us.
During the course of our lives, we absorb knowledge from various sources, including formal education, experiences, environment and our families. That knowledge is our true wealth and is not transient. It is a gift we can share with each other. As it is written: The fact that I can plant a seed and it becomes a flower, share a bit of knowledge and it becomes anothers , smile at someone and receive a smile in return
I once read about a successful businesswoman who was diagnosed with cancer. The doctors discouraged her from working at the hospital . She responded with the words: My body is sick but not my mind! We have to carry on digging into our internal goldmine .
Many may constantly be waiting for a miracle to transform the world, create jobs and secure everyones future . But all of us possess the capacity to trigger change. Engage with your own self-worth . It is this love for self that will give you the basic material to overcome difficult circumstances and create miracles in your life.
(Ashu Khanna is an executive coach and leadership development consultant)
Saturday, July 18, 2009
A Guru Can Help Us Get Connected
A Guru Can Help Us Get Connected
Shri Shri Nimishananda
The external world is only a reflection of our inner world. Our thoughts and feelings dictate the way we perceive and experience life. People and the environment only respond and correspond to the kind of vibrations we generate. Trapped by emotions and mood swings, we suffer and make others suffer. Though controlling the mind may seem as impossible as harnessing the whirlwind, through the grace and guidance of a guru we can gain complete mastery over it. The guru can totally transform our inner and outer worlds and fill it with bliss, contentment and peace.
In the Guru Gita, Shiva tells Parvati: It is the existence of the guru that lends reality to our inner world; it is the radiance of the guru which illumines That , the Cosmic Consciousness; it is the ananda of the guru that makes all beings blissful. Therefore, offer your salutations to the guru with utmost reverence.
The guru is not a vyakti or personality. He is the shakti or energy that connects our soul to the Supreme Soul. Ever one with the Universal Consciousness, he enfolds the cosmos in his being. He is the all-encompassing power of love, the fount of compassion . The guru always propels our minds towards peace and Self-realisation and anchors us in total stability. The brilliant searchlight of his wisdom illumines the hidden recesses of the mind, revealing both the filth and wealth we have accumulated over lifetimes. His grace strengthens our power of discrimination, ignites our willpower and enables us to discard vices and nurture virtues.
To the guru each Soul is precious. Even if we forsake Him, He does not forsake us. Many people relate to us through our body, mind and intellect, but it is only the guru who is interested in our soul. Whether others value us or not, the guru accepts and cherishes us. For this we have to invoke the guru through our love and devotion. If we already have a guru, we start feeling his grace intensely and instantaneously. In the Guru Gita, Ishwara says: Though the devoted disciple of a Guru may be a fool, all his actions like initiation, vows and penance
bear fruit because of the immense Grace of his Guru. The gurus grace offers refuge to our body, mind and soul, giving us complete protection. Selfless service turns to reverence and this helps us to identify our ego which is preventing us from attaining Self-realisation This reverence dawns with the knowledge that the gurus word is the truth. In the Guru Gita, Shiva says: The Vedas and scriptures are scintillating jewels at the lotus feet of the guru . His wisdom is the Sun that illumines the highest truths. The word of the guru is the source of all mantras and the grace of the guru is the source of Self-realisation . When we surrender completely to the guru, He balances everything inside us and brings out the sweetness of bliss, the essence of the Soul. He liberates us and shows us how to expand our constricted world into an endless expanse of joy so that we become one with the One with love.
Shri Nimishananda Ashram. Phone: 934125908. e-mail : nimishanandaashram@hotmail .com
Website: www.shrinimishamba.org
Shri Shri Nimishananda
The external world is only a reflection of our inner world. Our thoughts and feelings dictate the way we perceive and experience life. People and the environment only respond and correspond to the kind of vibrations we generate. Trapped by emotions and mood swings, we suffer and make others suffer. Though controlling the mind may seem as impossible as harnessing the whirlwind, through the grace and guidance of a guru we can gain complete mastery over it. The guru can totally transform our inner and outer worlds and fill it with bliss, contentment and peace.
In the Guru Gita, Shiva tells Parvati: It is the existence of the guru that lends reality to our inner world; it is the radiance of the guru which illumines That , the Cosmic Consciousness; it is the ananda of the guru that makes all beings blissful. Therefore, offer your salutations to the guru with utmost reverence.
The guru is not a vyakti or personality. He is the shakti or energy that connects our soul to the Supreme Soul. Ever one with the Universal Consciousness, he enfolds the cosmos in his being. He is the all-encompassing power of love, the fount of compassion . The guru always propels our minds towards peace and Self-realisation and anchors us in total stability. The brilliant searchlight of his wisdom illumines the hidden recesses of the mind, revealing both the filth and wealth we have accumulated over lifetimes. His grace strengthens our power of discrimination, ignites our willpower and enables us to discard vices and nurture virtues.
To the guru each Soul is precious. Even if we forsake Him, He does not forsake us. Many people relate to us through our body, mind and intellect, but it is only the guru who is interested in our soul. Whether others value us or not, the guru accepts and cherishes us. For this we have to invoke the guru through our love and devotion. If we already have a guru, we start feeling his grace intensely and instantaneously. In the Guru Gita, Ishwara says: Though the devoted disciple of a Guru may be a fool, all his actions like initiation, vows and penance
bear fruit because of the immense Grace of his Guru. The gurus grace offers refuge to our body, mind and soul, giving us complete protection. Selfless service turns to reverence and this helps us to identify our ego which is preventing us from attaining Self-realisation This reverence dawns with the knowledge that the gurus word is the truth. In the Guru Gita, Shiva says: The Vedas and scriptures are scintillating jewels at the lotus feet of the guru . His wisdom is the Sun that illumines the highest truths. The word of the guru is the source of all mantras and the grace of the guru is the source of Self-realisation . When we surrender completely to the guru, He balances everything inside us and brings out the sweetness of bliss, the essence of the Soul. He liberates us and shows us how to expand our constricted world into an endless expanse of joy so that we become one with the One with love.
Shri Nimishananda Ashram. Phone: 934125908. e-mail : nimishanandaashram@hotmail .com
Website: www.shrinimishamba.org
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