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Good ones (usually liked by everyone to ponder/view upon)!

DID YOU FIND THIS POST USEFUL


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Law of Seeds!!!!

Law of the Seed






Take a look at an apple tree. There might be five hundred apples on the tree and each apple has ten seeds. That's a lot of seeds! We might ask, "Why would you need so many seeds to grow just a few more apple trees?"

Nature has something to teach us here. It's telling us: “Not all seeds grow. In life, most seeds never grow”.

So if you really want to make something happen, you had better try more than once." This might mean: You'll attend twenty interviews to get one job. You'll interview forty people to find one good employee.

You'll talk to fifty people to sell one house, one car, one vacuum cleaner, one insurance policy, or a business idea And you might meet a hundred acquaintances just to find one special friend.

When we understand the "Law of the Seed", we don't get so disappointed.

We stop feeling like victims. We learn how to deal with things that happen to us.

Laws of nature are not things to take personally. We just need to understand them - and work with them.

IN A NUTSHELL, Successful people fail more often. But they plant more seeds.

When things are beyond your control, here's something that you must NOT DO so as to avoid misery in your life: - You must not decide how you think the world SHOULD be.

- You must not make rules for how everyone SHOULD behave.

- Then, when the world doesn't obey your rules, you get angry!

- That's what miserable people do!

On the other hand, let's say you expect that:

-Friends SHOULD return favours.

-People SHOULD appreciate you.

-Planes SHOULD arrive on time.

-Everyone SHOULD be honest.

- Your husband or best friend SHOULD remember your birthday.

These expectations may sound reasonable. But often, these things won't happen!

So you end up frustrated and disappointed.

There's a better strategy: Demand less, and instead, have preferences!

For things that are beyond your control, tell yourself:

"I would prefer this, but if that happens, it’s OK too!"

This is really a change in mindset. It is a shift in attitude, and it gives you more peace of mind ...

You prefer that people are polite ... but when they are rude, it doesn't ruin your day. You prefer sunshine ... but if it rains, it is okay too!

To become happier, we either need to:

a) Change the world, or b) Change our thinking.

It is easier to change our Thinking!

So, It is not the problem that is the issue, but rather it is your attitude attending to the problem that is the problem.

It's not what happens to you that determines your happiness. It's how you think about what happens to you!


 
Amazing Facts about India!!!!

AMAZING FACTS ABOUT INDIA!






This is a compilation of random facts about India or related to India. Enjoy 50 Mind-Blowing, Shocking and Amazing Facts about India.

1. Navi Mumbai, a planned satellite township of Mumbai, was developed in 1972 and is the largest planned township on the planet.

2. In 2004, 200 women took law in their own hands and came to the court armed with vegetable knives and chilli powder and murdered on the court floor a serial rapist. Then every woman claimed responsibility for the murder.

3. Nearly 10,000 crore of rupees were spent and 800 soldiers died in the war mobilization effort after the parliament attack. Reportedly, over 100 children died and many farmers lost their livelihoods due to heavy mining in the border areas.

4. War of 27 years fought between the Maratha Empire and the Mughal Empire from 1681 to 1707 was the longest recorded military engagement in the history of India.

5. In 1955, Jawaharlal Nehru rejected an offer to India for a permanent UN Security Council seat to avoid being embroiled in the cold war politics.

6. Viswanathan Anand is first player in chess history to have won the World Championship in three different formats: knockout, tournament, and match.

7. India is one of only 3 remaining countries in the world to have a horsed cavalry regiment.

8. Agni III is the most accurate missile in the world in its range category and BrahMos is the fastest operational cruise missile in the world.

9. The process of crystallization of sugar from sugarcane juice wasdiscovered in India in the Gupta period (350 AD).

10. Many tribes in India worship Asura and Ravan and consider Vijaya Dashami and Dussehra to be black days.

11. In 1928, when the Indian Hockey team was on its way to Amsterdam, they played a series of exhibition matches in England. Seeing its calibre, England decided not to field a team for the Olympics as “they did not want to lose to a slave country.”

12. Lonar Lake, a saltwater lake in Maharashtra, was created by ameteor hitting the Earth and is one of its kind in India.

13. Raj Kapoor’s 1951 film Awaara was massively popular in Soviet Russia and China. The film and its title song were Mao Zedong’s (Founder of People’s Republic of China) favorite.

14. There were two US navy warships called USS Krishna and USS Indra that served during World War II.

15. Unlike in Border movie, only 2 Indians died in battle of Longewala.

16. English Actor Sir Ben Kingsley’s birth name is Krishna Pandit Bhanji and he is of Indian (Gujarati) descent.

17. Freddie Mercury, British musician was actually of Gujarati descent.

18. “John Doe” orders (restraint orders against unknown persons for breach of plaintiff’s rights) are called “Ashok Kumar” orders in India. Likewise, “unclaimed” or “unidentified” dead body found in a public place is called is Ashok Kumar.

19. The oldest building in Asia is in India, the Sanchi Stupa.

20. Bal Thackeray’s father changed his family name from Thakre toThackeray after the British writer William Makepeace Thackeray.

21. There is a species of Shark known as the Ganges Shark that inhabits River Ganga and it is critically endangered

22. The first railroad was constructed by two Indians (Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy and Jaganath Shunkerseth) and not the British.

23. Tamil is an OVS (object-verb-subject) language, a characteristic it shares with Klingon (a fictional language spoken by a race in Start Trek Series).

24. Mount Kailash has never been climbed , in spite of Chinese government’s support to the climbers.

25. Security at Tihar jail is managed by Tamil Nadu special police force.

26. When going to battle Indian kings would make their horses wear trunks. The other side’s elephants would refuse to attack the horses thinking that the horses were baby elephants.

27. If Uttar Pradesh were to be a separate country, it would be world’s fifth most populous country.

28. There are more poor people in 8 Indian states alone than in the 26 poorest African countries

29. Bodhidharma, a prince of the Pallava dynasty went to China and began the physical training of the Shaolin monks that led to the creation of Kung Fu.

30. A sugar company in Andhra provides rocket fuel to ISRO.

31. Tipu Sultan used Rockets with Swords fixed in the front against the British in the Anglo-Mysore Wars.

32. There is a French electronic band named “Masala Dosa.”

33. Did you know India has a National Ice Hockey Team?

34. Govt hiked the payment for the hangman from RS 10 to 5,000 just days before for Kasab hanging.

35. Ajmal Amir Kasab had a case booked for entering CST stationwithout a ticket.

36. Australia’s Cricketer Stuart Clark is of Indian origin. Both his parents, Bruce Clark and Mary Clark are Anglo-Indians.

37. A city name Jhumri Telaiya actually exists in Jharkhand.

38. There was a Great Hedge built by the British across India primarily to collect the salt tax. It was 4000 km long and 12 feet in height spanning from Punjab to Orissa. None of it remains today.

39. Kunal Nayyar (Rajesh Koothrappalli from Big Bang Theory) is married to a former Miss India, Neha Kapur.

40. There is a village called Delhi in New york , USA. There is a city called Madras in Oregon, USA.

41. India has three antarctic stations, Dakshin Gangotri, Maitri (pictured above) and Bharathi.

42. After United States, India has the largest number of English speakers.

43. During the battle of Rezang La in the 1962 India-Sino war a battalion called 13 Kumaon Regiment consisting of mere 120 soldiers held off 6000 Chinese with heavy artillery killing 1300 of their soldiers.

44. Bangalored‘ is a word in Oxford dictionary, which came up after heavy outsourcing to India took the world by storm.

45. One of the oldest College of Engineering in the world is in Chennai, College of Engineering (Guindy).

46. There is a village in Assam called Jatinga where over the last 100 years, thousands of birds have flown to their death over a small strip of land.

47. India has the world’s smallest prison population.

48. The average cost of census taking in India is $0.5 per person (US: $39, World Average: $4.6).

49. Frozen bank accounts of Ottavio Quattrocchi were unexpectedly released by India’s law ministry in 2006 apparently without the consent of the CBI which had asked for them to be frozen.

50. India Post allows you to order personalized stamps with your picture on them.
 
Live life before you leave life...

LIVE LIFE BEFORE YOU LEAVE LIFE...
A woman sat down next to a man on a bench near a playground at West Coast park one fine Sunday Morning.
"That's my son over there," she said, pointing to a little boy in a red T-shirt who was gliding down the slide.
"He's a fine looking boy," the man said. "That's my son on the swing in the blue T-shirt." Then, looking at his watch, he called to his son.
"What do you say we go, Jack?" Jack pleaded, "Just five more minutes, Dad. Please?" "Just five more minutes.
" The man nodded and Jack continued to swing to his heart's content. Minutes passed and the father stood and called again to his son.
"Time to go now?" Again Jack pleaded, "Five more minutes, Dad. Just five more minutes." The man smiled and said, "O.K."
"You certainly a patient father," the woman responded.
The man smiled and then said, "My older son John was killed by a drunk driver last year while he was riding his bike near here.
I never spent much time with John and now I'd give anything for just five more minutes with him. I've vowed not to make the same mistake with Jack.
He thinks he has five more minutes to swing. The truth is, I get Five more minutes to watch him play."
Life is not a race. Life is all about making priorities.
What are your priorities? Give someone you love, 5 more minutes of your Time no matter how busy and you will have no regret forever. Once you lost it, it will be forever....
Life can only be understood backwards; But it must be lived forwards.
Life is an uncompromising reconciliation of uncompromising extremes.
Life is real ! Life is earnest ! And the grave is not its goal.
LIVE LIFE BEFORE YOU LEAVE LIFE...
 
Performance and Position!


A Priest dies & is awaiting his turn in line at the Heaven's Gates.
Ahead of him is a guy, fashionably dressed, in dark sun glasses, a loud shirt, leather jacket & jeans.
God asks him: Please tell me who are you, so that I may know whether to admit you into the kingdom of Heaven or not?
The guy replies: I am Pandi, Auto driver from Chennai!
God consults his ledger, smiles & says to Pandi: Please take this silken robe & gold scarf & enter the Kingdom of Heaven...
Now it is the priest's turn. He stands erect and speaks out in a booming voice: I am Pope's Assistant so & so, Head Priest of the so & so Church for the last 40 years.
God consults his ledger & says to the Priest: Please take this cotton robe & enter the Kingdom of Heaven ...
'Just a minute,' says the agonized Priest. 'How is it that a foul mouthed, rash driving Auto Driver is given a Silken robe & a Golden scarf and me, a Priest, who's spent his whole life preaching your Name & goodness has to make do with a Cotton robe?'


'Results my friend, results,' shrugs God.
'While you preached, people SLEPT; but when he drove his Auto, people PRAYED'
It's PERFORMANCE & not POSITION that ultimately counts.
 
Top 10 home remedies to cure acidity

Top 10 home remedies to cure acidity


‘chicken tikka/Panneer Tikka' at a friend’s party today and you might have to face that unpleasant burning sensation in your stomach? Don’t worry, we bring to you

top 10 simple and effective home remedies that can help reduce the intensity of acidity.


Cloves

If you are suffering from gastritis, then clove acts as the wonder drug to get you rid of this sensation. Just chew say about two cloves and slightly bite them so that juices keep oozing out. Soon, the problem will vanish.

Cumin seeds

Take say about a teaspoon of cumin seeds and then roast them. After roasting, crush them in such a manner that they don’t become powder. Now, add this to a glass of water and have it with every meal you take. It does wonders.

Jaggery

Jaggery can help a lot in treating heartburn and acidity. Consume a small lump and allow it to get dissolved in your mouth to get relief from acidity. But, this remedy should not be tried by people who have diabetes.



Raita

Raita prepared with curd and added with ingredients like grated cucumber and coriander will surely aid in digestion and help eliminate acidity.

Basil leaves

Basil leaves are popular for their medicinal properties. Chewing say around 5-6 basil leaves relieves acidity to a lot of extent. One can also make a blend of crushed basil leaves and dried leaves which can be consumed with water or tea or simply be swallowed.

Butter-milk

A yet another simple and most easy homemade remedy to treat acidity is consuming butter-milk mixed with a little say about ¼ teaspoon of black pepper powder.

Mint

It is also a good idea to drink fresh mint juice or chew raw mint leaves after meals everyday to keep acidity and indigestion away from you.

Ginger

Ginger is considered as a cure-all herb as it helps in treating so many different kinds of conditions. Consume just the right amount of ginger about half an hour before each meal and feel the difference.

Milk

Milk is a drink that consists of a large amount of calcium which helps in preventing build-up of stomach acid. So, drink a glass of milk after your meal to soothe your stomach after having a spicy meal.

Vanilla ice cream

Yes, gorging a cup of your favourite vanilla ice cream not just savours your sweet tooth but also helps combat gastritis. This is an easy home remedy to fight acidity.

 
9 beautiful messages...

9 BEAUTIFUL MESSAGES...

1)Stay away from anger...
It hurts..Only You!

2)If you are right then there is no need to get angry,
And if you are wrong then you don't have any right
to get angry.


3)Patience with family is love,
Patience with others is respect.
Patience with self is confidence and Patience with
ALMIGHTY is faith.


4)Never think hard about the PAST, It brings tears...
Don't think more about the FUTURE, It brings fears...
Live this moment with a smile,
It brings cheers

5)Every test in our life makes us bitter or better,
Every problem comes to make us or break us,
The choice is ours whether we become victims or
victorious


6)Beautiful things are not always good but good
things are always beautiful

7)Do you know why ALMIGHTY created gaps between fingers?
So that someone who is special to you comes and fills
those gaps by holding your hand forever

8)Happiness keeps you sweet so try n be as happy
from within as possible


9)ALMIGHTY has send us all in pairs...someone ...somewhere is
made for u...so wait
for the right time n right moment..
 
Story-of-the-week

YOUR CHILDREN MIGHT NEED TO USE IT!


A farmer got so old that he couldn't work in the fields any-more So, he would spend the day just sitting on the porch. His son, still working in the farm, would look up from time to time and see his father sitting there.

“He’s of no use any more,” the son thought to himself, “he doesn't do anything ” One day the son got so frustrated by this, that he built a wood coffin, dragged it over to the porch, and told his father to get in. Without saying anything, the father climbed inside. After closing the lid, the son dragged the coffin to the edge of the farm where there was a high cliff. As he approached the drop, he heard a light tapping on the lid from inside the coffin. He opened it up.

Still lying there peacefully, the father looked up at his son. “I know you are going to throw me over the cliff, but before you do, may I suggest something?” “What is it?” asked the son. “Throw me over the cliff, if you like,” said the father, “but save this good wooden coffin. Your children might need to use it.”
 
Rudram chamagam and mathematics

Our Vedhas not only talk about maths but talk about everything...it is our life,pride,treasure. But it is sad,we do ignore our own greatest of all treasures and run behind some mirage.
If you take a look at this excerpt from Chamakam of the Rudra Namaka Chamaka, you will get to know the mathematical genius in the Vedas.
Verse :
Eka chame, thirsa chame, panchas chame, saptha,
Ekadasa chame, tryodasa chame, pancha dasa chame, saptha dasa chame,
Nava dasa chame, eka trimsathis chame, tryovimsathis chame,
Pancha vimsathis chame,
and it goes on.
Mathematical genius behind it
Eka cha me 01 + 000 = 001 square root is 01
thisra chame 03 + 001 = 004 square root is 02
panchas chame 05 + 004 = 009 square root is 03
saptha chame 07 + 009 = 016 square root is 04
nava chame 09 + 016 = 025 square root is 05
Ekadasa chame 11 + 025 = 036 square root is 06
tryodasa chame 13 + 035 = 049 square root is 07
pancha dasa chame 15 + 049 = 064 square root is 08
saptha dasa chame 17 + 063 = 081 square root is 09
Nava dasa chame 19 + 081 = 100 square root is 10
eka ving satis chame21 + 100 = 121 square root is 11
tryo ving satis chame23 + 121 = 144 square root is 12
Pancha ving satis chame 25 + 144 = 169 square root is 13
Sapta ving satis chame 27 + 169 = 196 square root is 14
Nava ving satis chame 29 + 196 = 225 square root is 15
Eka Triyam ving satis chame31 + 225 = 256 squ. root is 16
A vedic hymn from rudram rings a bell, doesn't it? Aren't they a part of the classic mathematical progressions? Don't they remind you of the Number theory problems you've prepared for your IIT coaching?
The most important part is that the vedic hymn is not about mathematics. The math part of it is just an extra add-on to a deeper meaning. The hymn describes how Lord Shiva has created the universe. It talks about birth and death associated with the mystery of atoms. If you observe the sequence,
1 grows to 3 and then becomes 2 (the square root). Likewise, the sequence increases first and decreases again. This rise or increase is related to the growth of atoms which we called birth and the sudden decrease is related to the decay of atoms which we called death. An ancient sage Kaanaada extolled the hidden mathematical meanings of these verses w.r.t spirituality.
This simple verse is an example to depict the ancient Indian mind. The math part of it is an addon to the mystical meaning which is the core of the verse. The mystical hidden meaning is spiritual, the mathematical meaning is merely that which surrounds the core. The ancient Indian mind had always laid emphasis on subject (God) and the inner meanings related to it but not the objects that surround the subject.​
 
If we all could adapt this in our daily life............. the life would be peaceful.

This is courtesy of Mr. Jambunathan Iyer (my Face Book Friend)



A beautiful story..........

Once upon a time, there was an elder Buddhist monk. One day, an old friend of his paid him a visit. At mealtime, there was only one dish of salted vegetable on the table. His friend could not help but ask, “Isn’t it too salty?”

The elder monk answered, “Salty, its taste should be.”

After the meal, the elder monk drank a cup of plain water. His friend asked again, “Don’t you have tea? Why do you drink that tasteless water?”

“Tasteless, its taste should be.” the elder monk smiled and answered.

What he said is indeed true. As the taste of salted vegetable should be salted and that of plain water should be tasteless, what we encounter in life should be the way they are. Since we can do nothing about it, all we can do is to enjoy what is destined.............................

Along the long road of life, we need to savor all kinds of tastes and experience various frames of mind. It is a great pity to miss even any one of them. Only in this way can we achieve great completeness/fullfillment.......................

Saltiness is about strong beliefs, intense emotions, severe pain, obsessive enthusiasm, bitter loneliness and crazed love…...........................

Tastelessness is about freedom, freedom from all mental images...............

With the difference between saltiness and tastelessness transcended, one can savor the good taste of salted vegetable and the true sweetness of plain water.
This is the most ideal state of mind that every one of us should reach...............................

 
The things we did not know about Mr. Steve Jobs......

If MODI says I am a HINDU Nationalist then what is wrong in it ?



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You have heard about Mr. Steve Jobs who revolutionized the world of,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
computers and e based communications through his Apple computers. Do

you know the following facts about Steve Jobs.


He used to "walk 7 miles across town every Sunday night to get one good meal a week at the Hare Krishna Hindu Temple ".

He said in his Stanford University lecture " You have to trust in your gut, destiny, life and Karma." He was a staunch believer of karma yoga.

He visited many Ashrams in Rishikesh particularly Neem Karoli Baba ashram , a devotee of Hanuman. After visiting first time he returned from India to US with a shaved head and in traditional Indian robes.


He used to walk in his company bare footed like a Hindu sanyaasee..

He used to do Yoga daily and he was a perfect vegetarian till his last breath.

He visited many ashrams in north India and used to do yoga in the holy places.

He started touring India from 1970 onwards and he was a great lover of animals.

He did not request money from his parents even when he was jobless and generally took food from Hindu temples wherever he went.



He, religiously followed and spread the 'amazing Hindu dharma' and Vedic messages.
He did not complete his studies in the university but remained in university for discussions with his friends.He was removed from his own company by the management and later those management people were removed from their chair and Steve jobs was brought back.It is said that one of the Hindu swamijis in the Himalayas gave him a green apple and told him to eat it. He did and looked into the apple after biting a piece from it. That apple later became the emblem of his Apple computers.


 
Rudram chamagam and mathematics
Our Vedhas not only talk about maths but talk about everything...it is our life,pride,treasure. But it is sad,we do ignore our own greatest of all treasures and run behind some mirage.
If you take a look at this excerpt from Chamakam of the Rudra Namaka Chamaka, you will get to know the mathematical genius in the Vedas.
Verse :
Eka chame, thirsa chame, panchas chame, saptha,
Ekadasa chame, tryodasa chame, pancha dasa chame, saptha dasa chame,
Nava dasa chame, eka trimsathis chame, tryovimsathis chame,
Pancha vimsathis chame,
and it goes on.
Mathematical genius behind it
Eka cha me 01 + 000 = 001 square root is 01
thisra chame 03 + 001 = 004 square root is 02
panchas chame 05 + 004 = 009 square root is 03
saptha chame 07 + 009 = 016 square root is 04
nava chame 09 + 016 = 025 square root is 05
Ekadasa chame 11 + 025 = 036 square root is 06
tryodasa chame 13 + 035 = 049 square root is 07
pancha dasa chame 15 + 049 = 064 square root is 08
saptha dasa chame 17 + 063 = 081 square root is 09
Nava dasa chame 19 + 081 = 100 square root is 10
eka ving satis chame21 + 100 = 121 square root is 11
tryo ving satis chame23 + 121 = 144 square root is 12
Pancha ving satis chame 25 + 144 = 169 square root is 13
Sapta ving satis chame 27 + 169 = 196 square root is 14
Nava ving satis chame 29 + 196 = 225 square root is 15
Eka Triyam ving satis chame31 + 225 = 256 squ. root is 16
A vedic hymn from rudram rings a bell, doesn't it? Aren't they a part of the classic mathematical progressions? Don't they remind you of the Number theory problems you've prepared for your IIT coaching?
The most important part is that the vedic hymn is not about mathematics. The math part of it is just an extra add-on to a deeper meaning. The hymn describes how Lord Shiva has created the universe. It talks about birth and death associated with the mystery of atoms. If you observe the sequence,
1 grows to 3 and then becomes 2 (the square root). Likewise, the sequence increases first and decreases again. This rise or increase is related to the growth of atoms which we called birth and the sudden decrease is related to the decay of atoms which we called death. An ancient sage Kaanaada extolled the hidden mathematical meanings of these verses w.r.t spirituality.
This simple verse is an example to depict the ancient Indian mind. The math part of it is an addon to the mystical meaning which is the core of the verse. The mystical hidden meaning is spiritual, the mathematical meaning is merely that which surrounds the core. The ancient Indian mind had always laid emphasis on subject (God) and the inner meanings related to it but not the objects that surround the subject.


Dear Sir,

The chamakam mantra stops with अष्टाचत्वारिग्ँशश्चमे (aṣṭācatvārigm̐śaścame) i.e., 48 and the next is द्वातृग्ँशश्चमे (dvātṛgm̐śaścame) or 32. So how are these explained? Why not give the complete picture instead of just a clipping?




 
Law of the Garbage Truck.....................

This is being posted by me; which was received by me on my personal mail & the same is being shared in this forum

One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches!

The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly. So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!' This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'

He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally, just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so...Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't.

Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it! Have a blessed, garbage-free day!

Click Here To Read More
 
According to Krishan Yajur Veda, the following items are used for Abhishekam,
each item for each Anuvaak, to Lord Shiva, offered in this order.

(1) Cow Milk – All-round happiness;
(2) Cow yogurt – health;
(3) Cow ghee – financial prosperity;
(4) Sugarcane juice (or candy) – destruction of sorrow;
(5) Honey – Tejo Vriddhi;
(6) Coconut water – Sarv Sampadaa Vriddhi;
(7) Bhasm – Destruction of great sins;
(8) Sandal wood water – Sons’ prosperity;
(9) Pushpodak – Bhoo Laabh;
(10) Bilvajalam – Bhog and Bhagya;
(11) Doorvodakam – Nasht Dravya Praapti;
(12) Sesame Oil – Apa Mrityu Haram;
(13) Rudraakshodak – Mahaa Aishwaryam;
(14) Gold water – Destruction of Daridra;
(15) Rice – Raajya Praapti;
(16) Grape Juice- Sakal Kaarya Jayam;
(17) Dates (Khajoor) juice – destruction of both internal and external enemies;
(18) Black Apples – Renunciation;
(19) Kastooree Water – Kingdom;
(20) Nav Ratan Jal – Dhaanya, Griha development;
(21) Mango Juice – Destruction of long ailments;
(22) Turmeric water – Mangalprad
 
The Ethics of the Isha



One of the main features of the Isha Upanishad, is the ethical advice it offers and it is interesting to note that the ethics of the Upanishad are definitely based upon the metaphysical position ,given in it. The very opening words of the Upanishad tell us that ,God pervades everything. As a corollary,from this metaphysical position the ethical advice it offers is that, a man to enjoy whatever God bestows on him in the firm belief, as He pervades everything, whatever is bestowed on him by God must be good. It follows naturally that, the Upanishad forbids us from coveting another man's property.


In fact, we are fittingly taught here a lesson of contentment with one's own lot in the belief that whatever happens is divinely ordained and hence it is good for us. Another moral advice is that man must spend his life-time always in doing action, specifically the Karmas enjoined in the Sastras with resignation to His will. Inactivity, according to this Upanishad would be the canker of the soul. It is only when a man spends his life-time doing actions; in this manner that he can hope to attain the ideal of Naishkarmya . Finally the text goes on to say that a man who sees all beings in the self and sees the self as existing in all beings, in fact, for whom all beings and everything that exists have become the Self; how can such a man suffer infatuation? What ground would such a man have for grief? Loath-fulness, infatuation and grief verily proceed from our not being able to see the Atma in all things. But a man who realizes the oneness of all things, for whom everything has become the Self must ipso facto, cease to be affected by the common foibles of humanity." (Ref Pages 169 & 170 - The Creative Period by Messrs, Belvalker and Ranade)





 
Law of nature!!!!

Forget Newton and Galileo.


Here are the real laws of nature

1. Law of Mechanical Repair -After your hands become coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch and you'll have to go to the toilet.

2. Law of Gravity - Any tool, nut, bolt, screw, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner. Gravy, beetroot etc only falls on clothing when you are wearing the lightest shades or at a function.

3.
Law of Probability- The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your action.

4.
Law of Random Numbers - If you dial a wrong number, you never get a busy signal and someone always answers.

5. Supermarket Law - As soon as you get in the smallest line, the cashier will have to call for help.

6. Variation Law -If you change traffic lanes, the one you moved from will always move faster than the one you moved to

7.
Law of the Bath -
When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone rings.

8.
Law of Close Encounters -
The probability of meeting someone you know increases dramatically when you are with someone you don't want to be seen with.

9.
Law of the Result -
When you try to prove to someone that a machine won't work, it suddenly will. Or that persistent fault or noise your motor makes will not be replicated when you take your car etc to the garage.10. Law of Biomechanics - The severity of your itch is inversely proportional to your reach.

11..
Law of the Theatre & Hockey Arena -
At any event, the people whose seats are furthest from the aisle, always arrive last. They are the ones who will leave their seats several times to go for food, beer, or the toilet and who leave early before the end of the performance or before the game is over. The folks in the aisle seats come early, never move once, have long gangly legs or big bellies and stay to the bitter end of the performance. The aisle people also are very surly folk.

12.
The Coffee Law -
As soon as you sit down to a cup of hot coffee, your boss will ask you to do something which will last until the coffee is cold.

13.
Murphy's Law of Lockers -
If there are only 2 people in a locker room, they will have adjacent lockers.

14.
Law of Physical Surfaces -
The chances of an open-faced jam sandwich landing face down on a floor, are directly correlated to the newness and cost of the carpet or rug.

15.
Law of Logical Argument-
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.It is generallyonly assumed you are a fool until you speak, then it is confirmed.
16.Brown's Law of Physical Appearance - If the clothes fit, they're ugly.

17.
Oliver's Law of Public Speaking-
A closed mouth gathers no feet.18.Wilson's Law of Commercial Marketing Strategy -As soon as you find a product that you really like, they will stop making it.

19.
Doctors' Law-
If you don't feel well, make an appointment to go to the doctor, by the time you get there you'll feel better. But don't make an appointment, and you'll stay sick. This has been proven over and over with taking children to the paediatrician.

The garden hose law (or rope, electric lead etc) will always snag on the only obstacle for a hundred square metres of where you drag it, and the hose will always kink when greatest distance away from the taskat hand.

The milk (water, coffee, any substance on the stove is doing fine until a minor distraction, then automatically burns, boils over, boils dry, catches alight.
.
Finally, Murphy’s Law is the most common. It states that whatever can go wrong, will go wrong and at the worst possible moment.
It is being fast being overtaken by O’Reilly’s Law which simply states that Murphy was an optimist.

 
Home safety tips

PUT YOUR CAR KEYS BESIDE YOUR BED AT NIGHT.

Put your car keys beside your bed at night. If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies.
Next time you come home and start to put your keys away, think of this: It's a security alarm system that you already have and requires no installation. Test it. It will go off from most everywhere inside your house.
If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break into your house, odds are the burglar won't stick around... After a few seconds all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won't want that.
And remember to carry your keys in your hand while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there also.
Would also be useful for any emergency, such as a heart attack, where you can't reach a phone. You should leave the spare remote button next to your bed permanently.
This info should be shared with everyone. Maybe it could save a life or a crime.
 
60ம் கல்யாணம் எதற்காக?




நம் பெற்றோர்கள் 60 வயதை எட்டிவிட்டால், அவர்களுக்கு சஷ்டியப்தபூர்த்தி எனும் 60ம் கல்யாணத்தை செய்கிறோம். இதை ஏன் செய்ய வேண்டும்? இது எல்லோரும் கட்டாயமாக செய்ய வேண்டிய சடங்கா? இதற்கு சத்குரு தரும் பதில் இங்கே.

சத்குரு:
நம் பாரம்பரியத்தில் ஒரு குழந்தை பிறந்து 12 வயது ஆகும் வரை, அந்த பருவத்தை, பாலாவஸ்தா என்பார்கள். அப்போது குழந்தை செய்வதெல்லாம், விளையாட்டு, சாப்பாடு, தூக்கம் அவ்வளவுதான். அதற்கு மேல் அவன் ஏதும் செய்யத் தேவையில்லை. 12 வயது நிறைவுற்றதும் அவனுக்கு பிரம்மோபதேசமும் அதன்பின் வித்தியாபியாசம் அதாவது கல்வி கற்பித்தலும் நடக்கும். பிரம்ம உபதேசம் என்பது இது எனது, இது எனதில்லை என்று பிரித்துப் பார்க்காமல் அனைத்திலும் பிரம்மனைக் காணக் கற்றுத் தருவது. இந்த தன்மை இல்லாத மனிதருக்கு கல்வி கற்பிக்கக் கூடாது. ஏனெனில் கல்வி என்பது ஒரு பெரும் சக்தி. அவர், இவர், எனது, எனதில்லை, வேண்டும், வேண்டாம் என்று பிரித்துப் பார்க்கும் மனிதருக்கு சக்தியைக் கொடுத்துவிட்டால் அவரால் பிரச்சனைகள்தான் ஏற்படும்.

வானப்பிரஸ்தா செல்லும்முன், அவர்கள் ஏற்கனவே 12 வருடங்கள் பிரிந்திருந்ததால், அவர்களுக்கு மீண்டும் திருமணம் செய்து அனுப்பும் வழக்கம் நமது கலாச்சாரத்தில் இருந்தது.


எனவே 12 வயதில் பிரம்மோபதேசம் கொடுத்து அதன்பின் அடுத்த 12 வருடங்கள் அதாவது 24 வயது வரை வித்தியாபியாசம் கொடுத்தார்கள். அவன் தன் வீட்டில் இருக்கக்கூடாது. ஒரு குருவிடம் சென்று அங்கேயே தங்கி அனைத்தையும் கற்றுக் கொள்வான். அப்போது அவனுக்கு ஒழுக்கம், கட்டுப்பாடு ஆகியவை போதிக்கப்படும். இந்த நிலையை பிரம்மச்சரியம் என்றார்கள். 12 வருடங்கள் குருவிடம் தேவையான கல்வி கற்று தன் 24வது வயதில் தேவையான அறிவு பெற்றவராக இருப்பார். இப்போது அவருக்கு ஆர்வம் இருக்கும்பட்சத்தில் பிரம்மச்சரிய நிலையிலிருந்து துறவு நிலைக்கு நேரடியாகச் சென்றுவிடலாம். அல்லது திருமணம் செய்து கொண்டு அடுத்த 24 ஆண்டுகள் இல்லற வாழ்க்கையில் இருக்கலாம்.அந்த 24 வருட தாம்பத்திய வாழ்க்கையின் பிறகு, அதாவது அவருடைய 48வது வயதில், குழந்தைகள் வளர்ந்து பெரியவர்களாகி இருப்பார்கள். இந்த நேரத்தில் கணவன், மனைவி இருவரும் தனித்தனியாகப் பிரிந்து சன்னியாசம் எடுப்பார்கள். ஓரிடத்திற்கு சென்று 12 வருடம் ஆன்மீக சாதனை செய்து தன்னை உணர்ந்த நிலையில் திரும்பி வருவார்கள். 12 வருடங்கள் தனித்தனியாக இருந்த கணவனும் மனைவியும் இப்போது அவருடைய 60வது வயதில் மீண்டும் ஒன்று சேர்வார்கள்.
அவர்களுக்கு முதல் முறை திருமணம் நடந்தபோது அவர்களுக்கு உடல் ஆர்வம் முக்கியமாக இருந்தது. ஆனால் இப்போது கணவனுடைய 60வது வயதில், அவர்கள் இருவரும் உடல் ஆர்வத்தினால் ஒன்று சேரவில்லை. வேறு ஒரு ஆழமான தன்மையை உணர்ந்த நிலையில் ஒன்று சேர்ந்திருக்கிறார்கள். இப்போது இவர்கள் காட்டிற்குச் சென்று மீதி வாழ்க்கையை வேறொரு தன்மையில் ஒன்றாக சேர்ந்து வாழ விரும்புகிறார்கள். இந்த வாழ்க்கையைத்தான் வானப்பிரஸ்தா என்றனர். வானப்பிரஸ்தா செல்லும்முன், அவர்கள் ஏற்கனவே 12 வருடங்கள் பிரிந்திருந்ததால், அவர்களுக்கு மீண்டும் திருமணம் செய்து அனுப்பும் வழக்கம் நமது கலாச்சாரத்தில் இருந்தது.

ஆனால் இப்போது வீட்டில் சேர்ந்து வாழ்ந்து கொண்டே 60வது வயதில் மீண்டும் இன்னொரு முறை திருமணம் செய்து கொள்கிறார்கள். இதில் ஒன்றும் அர்த்தமில்லை. இப்போது இது வெறும் சடங்காகத்தான் இருக்கிறது.

This is curtsy of Sadguru, ISHA FOUNDATION
 
60ம் கல்யாணம் எதற்காக?




நம் பெற்றோர்கள் 60 வயதை எட்டிவிட்டால், அவர்களுக்கு சஷ்டியப்தபூர்த்தி எனும் 60ம் கல்யாணத்தை செய்கிறோம். இதை ஏன் செய்ய வேண்டும்? இது எல்லோரும் கட்டாயமாக செய்ய வேண்டிய சடங்கா? இதற்கு சத்குரு தரும் பதில் இங்கே.

சத்குரு:
நம் பாரம்பரியத்தில் ஒரு குழந்தை பிறந்து 12 வயது ஆகும் வரை, அந்த பருவத்தை, பாலாவஸ்தா என்பார்கள். அப்போது குழந்தை செய்வதெல்லாம், விளையாட்டு, சாப்பாடு, தூக்கம் அவ்வளவுதான். அதற்கு மேல் அவன் ஏதும் செய்யத் தேவையில்லை. 12 வயது நிறைவுற்றதும் அவனுக்கு பிரம்மோபதேசமும் அதன்பின் வித்தியாபியாசம் அதாவது கல்வி கற்பித்தலும் நடக்கும். பிரம்ம உபதேசம் என்பது இது எனது, இது எனதில்லை என்று பிரித்துப் பார்க்காமல் அனைத்திலும் பிரம்மனைக் காணக் கற்றுத் தருவது. இந்த தன்மை இல்லாத மனிதருக்கு கல்வி கற்பிக்கக் கூடாது. ஏனெனில் கல்வி என்பது ஒரு பெரும் சக்தி. அவர், இவர், எனது, எனதில்லை, வேண்டும், வேண்டாம் என்று பிரித்துப் பார்க்கும் மனிதருக்கு சக்தியைக் கொடுத்துவிட்டால் அவரால் பிரச்சனைகள்தான் ஏற்படும்.

வானப்பிரஸ்தா செல்லும்முன், அவர்கள் ஏற்கனவே 12 வருடங்கள் பிரிந்திருந்ததால், அவர்களுக்கு மீண்டும் திருமணம் செய்து அனுப்பும் வழக்கம் நமது கலாச்சாரத்தில் இருந்தது.


எனவே 12 வயதில் பிரம்மோபதேசம் கொடுத்து அதன்பின் அடுத்த 12 வருடங்கள் அதாவது 24 வயது வரை வித்தியாபியாசம் கொடுத்தார்கள். அவன் தன் வீட்டில் இருக்கக்கூடாது. ஒரு குருவிடம் சென்று அங்கேயே தங்கி அனைத்தையும் கற்றுக் கொள்வான். அப்போது அவனுக்கு ஒழுக்கம், கட்டுப்பாடு ஆகியவை போதிக்கப்படும். இந்த நிலையை பிரம்மச்சரியம் என்றார்கள். 12 வருடங்கள் குருவிடம் தேவையான கல்வி கற்று தன் 24வது வயதில் தேவையான அறிவு பெற்றவராக இருப்பார். இப்போது அவருக்கு ஆர்வம் இருக்கும்பட்சத்தில் பிரம்மச்சரிய நிலையிலிருந்து துறவு நிலைக்கு நேரடியாகச் சென்றுவிடலாம். அல்லது திருமணம் செய்து கொண்டு அடுத்த 24 ஆண்டுகள் இல்லற வாழ்க்கையில் இருக்கலாம்.அந்த 24 வருட தாம்பத்திய வாழ்க்கையின் பிறகு, அதாவது அவருடைய 48வது வயதில், குழந்தைகள் வளர்ந்து பெரியவர்களாகி இருப்பார்கள். இந்த நேரத்தில் கணவன், மனைவி இருவரும் தனித்தனியாகப் பிரிந்து சன்னியாசம் எடுப்பார்கள். ஓரிடத்திற்கு சென்று 12 வருடம் ஆன்மீக சாதனை செய்து தன்னை உணர்ந்த நிலையில் திரும்பி வருவார்கள். 12 வருடங்கள் தனித்தனியாக இருந்த கணவனும் மனைவியும் இப்போது அவருடைய 60வது வயதில் மீண்டும் ஒன்று சேர்வார்கள்.
அவர்களுக்கு முதல் முறை திருமணம் நடந்தபோது அவர்களுக்கு உடல் ஆர்வம் முக்கியமாக இருந்தது. ஆனால் இப்போது கணவனுடைய 60வது வயதில், அவர்கள் இருவரும் உடல் ஆர்வத்தினால் ஒன்று சேரவில்லை. வேறு ஒரு ஆழமான தன்மையை உணர்ந்த நிலையில் ஒன்று சேர்ந்திருக்கிறார்கள். இப்போது இவர்கள் காட்டிற்குச் சென்று மீதி வாழ்க்கையை வேறொரு தன்மையில் ஒன்றாக சேர்ந்து வாழ விரும்புகிறார்கள். இந்த வாழ்க்கையைத்தான் வானப்பிரஸ்தா என்றனர். வானப்பிரஸ்தா செல்லும்முன், அவர்கள் ஏற்கனவே 12 வருடங்கள் பிரிந்திருந்ததால், அவர்களுக்கு மீண்டும் திருமணம் செய்து அனுப்பும் வழக்கம் நமது கலாச்சாரத்தில் இருந்தது.

ஆனால் இப்போது வீட்டில் சேர்ந்து வாழ்ந்து கொண்டே 60வது வயதில் மீண்டும் இன்னொரு முறை திருமணம் செய்து கொள்கிறார்கள். இதில் ஒன்றும் அர்த்தமில்லை. இப்போது இது வெறும் சடங்காகத்தான் இருக்கிறது.

This is curtsy of Sadguru, ISHA FOUNDATION

Excuse me for my remarks in English, I am very weak in expressing myself in Tamil though I can read and understand well.

There are some factual errors in the above note.

1. There was no "Brahmopadesam" in the period in which the vAnaprastha system was reportedly practised. There was only upanayanam and this is how almost all scriptural texts call it; I am not aware of any text calling it as "brahmOpadEsam", which is a very recent term, comparatively and denotes, perhaps, the efforts of the people who had the custom of wearing the "poonal" or sacred thread as part of their caste entitlement, to substitute the ancient upanayanam (taking a boy to a teacher for education) by a mere ceremony and yet claim that the boy had undergone successfully his vedic training.

2. The age at which boys were to be sent to a teacher (upanayanam) is not 12. It varies according to the castes (8 years after conception for brahmana, 11 years for kshatriya and 12 for vaisya—as per Manu Smriti, for instance).

3. The most ancient concept about upanayana was not knowing about brahman, or learning such discernment like 'this is mine: this is not mine' because such knowledge will not lead to any perception of brahman in everything under (or above) the sun (இது எனது, இது எனதில்லை என்று பிரித்துப் பார்க்காமல் அனைத்திலும் பிரம்மனைக் காணக் கற்றுத் தருவது.)

Thus the following paragraph appears to be erroneous, misleading and designed to impress only the gullible.
நம் பாரம்பரியத்தில் ஒரு குழந்தை பிறந்து 12 வயது ஆகும் வரை, அந்த பருவத்தை, பாலாவஸ்தா என்பார்கள். அப்போது குழந்தை செய்வதெல்லாம், விளையாட்டு, சாப்பாடு, தூக்கம் அவ்வளவுதான். அதற்கு மேல் அவன் ஏதும் செய்யத் தேவையில்லை. 12 வயது நிறைவுற்றதும் அவனுக்கு பிரம்மோபதேசமும் அதன்பின் வித்தியாபியாசம் அதாவது கல்வி கற்பித்தலும் நடக்கும். பிரம்ம உபதேசம் என்பது இது எனது, இது எனதில்லை என்று பிரித்துப் பார்க்காமல் அனைத்திலும் பிரம்மனைக் காணக் கற்றுத் தருவது. இந்த தன்மை இல்லாத மனிதருக்கு கல்வி கற்பிக்கக் கூடாது. ஏனெனில் கல்வி என்பது ஒரு பெரும் சக்தி. அவர், இவர், எனது, எனதில்லை, வேண்டும், வேண்டாம் என்று பிரித்துப் பார்க்கும் மனிதருக்கு சக்தியைக் கொடுத்துவிட்டால் அவரால் பிரச்சனைகள்தான் ஏற்படும்.

The teaching in the gurukula was not prescribed a 12 years or 12 years maximum. A student had to be certified by the teacher as having learnt at least one veda completely (to the satisfaction of the teacher) and having complied with all the disciplines of the student life. Only people qualified fully, in this manner, were allowed to become teacher in their right. But a person could spend several years in learning and mastering more than one veda and continue as bachelors. Hence much of what is stated below by the sadguru seem to be from his own specific reference books which are probably secret.

எனவே 12 வயதில் பிரம்மோபதேசம் கொடுத்து அதன்பின் அடுத்த 12 வருடங்கள் அதாவது 24 வயது வரை வித்தியாபியாசம் கொடுத்தார்கள். அவன் தன் வீட்டில் இருக்கக்கூடாது. ஒரு குருவிடம் சென்று அங்கேயே தங்கி அனைத்தையும் கற்றுக் கொள்வான். அப்போது அவனுக்கு ஒழுக்கம், கட்டுப்பாடு ஆகியவை போதிக்கப்படும். இந்த நிலையை பிரம்மச்சரியம் என்றார்கள். 12 வருடங்கள் குருவிடம் தேவையான கல்வி கற்று தன் 24வது வயதில் தேவையான அறிவு பெற்றவராக இருப்பார். இப்போது அவருக்கு ஆர்வம் இருக்கும்பட்சத்தில் பிரம்மச்சரிய நிலையிலிருந்து துறவு நிலைக்கு நேரடியாகச் சென்றுவிடலாம். அல்லது திருமணம் செய்து கொண்டு அடுத்த 24 ஆண்டுகள் இல்லற வாழ்க்கையில் இருக்கலாம்.அந்த 24 வருட தாம்பத்திய வாழ்க்கையின் பிறகு, அதாவது அவருடைய 48வது வயதில், குழந்தைகள் வளர்ந்து பெரியவர்களாகி இருப்பார்கள். இந்த நேரத்தில் கணவன், மனைவி இருவரும் தனித்தனியாகப் பிரிந்து சன்னியாசம் எடுப்பார்கள். ஓரிடத்திற்கு சென்று 12 வருடம் ஆன்மீக சாதனை செய்து தன்னை உணர்ந்த நிலையில் திரும்பி வருவார்கள். 12 வருடங்கள் தனித்தனியாக இருந்த கணவனும் மனைவியும் இப்போது அவருடைய 60வது வயதில் மீண்டும் ஒன்று சேர்வார்கள்.
அவர்களுக்கு முதல் முறை திருமணம் நடந்தபோது அவர்களுக்கு உடல் ஆர்வம் முக்கியமாக இருந்தது. ஆனால் இப்போது கணவனுடைய 60வது வயதில், அவர்கள் இருவரும் உடல் ஆர்வத்தினால் ஒன்று சேரவில்லை. வேறு ஒரு ஆழமான தன்மையை உணர்ந்த நிலையில் ஒன்று சேர்ந்திருக்கிறார்கள். இப்போது இவர்கள் காட்டிற்குச் சென்று மீதி வாழ்க்கையை வேறொரு தன்மையில் ஒன்றாக சேர்ந்து வாழ விரும்புகிறார்கள். இந்த வாழ்க்கையைத்தான் வானப்பிரஸ்தா என்றனர். வானப்பிரஸ்தா செல்லும்முன், அவர்கள் ஏற்கனவே 12 வருடங்கள் பிரிந்திருந்ததால், அவர்களுக்கு மீண்டும் திருமணம் செய்து அனுப்பும் வழக்கம் நமது கலாச்சாரத்தில் இருந்தது.

"vAnaprastha" was reportedly a practice in which people beyond a certain age, repaired voluntarily from their homes to the forest (or, uninhabited) areas. This helped their children to lead a slightly more comfortable lives because, agriculture was possibly the only economic activity for many then and even that agriculture was in the rudimentary stages and hence it did not produce as much as today's yield per area. There is no reference for a second "marriage" in any of the hindu scriptures. Since marriage is one the 16 very important 'samskaaras' for a person there is no likelihood of the Dharmasastras prescribing any such "repeat marriage" for the same person.

What seems to have happened is that when average longevity was low and the chances of a person living upto/beyond 60 years itself was low, a religious rite was somehow 'fabricated' by means of which the 60th. birthday was celebrated by
performing a "rudraikAdaSinee" followed by a purifying bath with water sanctified by chanting the "udakacAnthi manthra" followed by various dAnams to brahmins including dakshina, set of clothes, etc. The thaali tying ceremony etc., are very recent additions, probably to appease public sentiments. That's all there is to Shashtiabdapoorthy. The sadguru is sadly giving his own interpretations.
 
[h=1]O-ZONE VINITA DAWRA NANGIA[/h][h=2]Why must we share?[/h][h=3]There is an inbuilt fuse in all of us that cuts off our supply of happiness unless we share it with others[/h]

This story came to me through mail. A reporter once asked a farmer why his corn won the state fair contest every year. The farmer revealed that it was because he shared his seeds with neighbours. The perplexed reporter wondered why. The farmer’s answer: “Sir, don’t you know? The wind picks up pollen from ripening corn and swirls it from field to field. If my neighbours grew inferior corn, cross-pollination would degrade the quality of my corn. If I am to grow good corn, I must help my neighbour do the same.”
A simple lesson that nature teaches us, and we find difficult to imbibe. We pull down others in order to climb up. We clutch our possessions and refuse to share the good things of life. Rarely will you find a person readily sharing credit for a job well done. I have quoted this instance earlier – a senior colleague often talks about how at an interview, what went against the candidate was precisely his biggest achievement at the last job. The guy boasted about being a one-man army and took credit for everything good about the magazine he had launched. “Instead of conveying a good impression,” said my colleague, “this told me that the guy was not a good team player!”
Contrary to common thinking, studies have repeatedly proved that rather than decrease what you have, sharing only succeeds in starting a circle that brings back multifold benefits. Spiritualists say this, astrologers say it, doctors say it, and now scientists and scholars have also proved it with studies. But more than anything else, our own instinct tells us the same, as does our experience after giving away to a needy person.
Sharing is the one big reason for the magnificent success of social media. Sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc, enable people to share their thoughts, emotions, experiences, memories and even frustrations with thousands of others at one go. And instant ‘likes’, sympathy, empathy and consolation make for immediate brightening of spirits. Social interaction helps one’s physical and mental health. Engaging in positive sharing of emotions and thoughts, and contributing to each others’ feel-good experiences helps improve health and prolong life. A study by neuroeconomics researcher Paul Zak showed that
people who share and feel gratitude release oxytocin, a feel-good hormone, and experience a reduction of stress hormones. Even 10 minutes of tweeting spikes a person’s level of oxytocin.
Sharing is, in fact, a very natural instinct in humans. Can you imagine where we would have been if our ancestors had not co-operated and shared food, shelter and arrangements of security? Through sharing resources, information and knowledge, we save time and energy and create free time for ourselves. Google and Wikipedia have gained gigantic proportions by sharing knowledge for free. Sharing also helps create trust, which is a prerequisite for security and happiness. When we share our feelings, knowledge and possessions with others, we create a relationship of trust, which in most cases flows back and helps us feel secure and happy.
Not just religions world over, but even top corporate leaders and thinkers believe in the benefits of giving and sharing. A survey at Harvard Business School in 2008 showed that when one gives away a sum of money, it helps lift his own well-being more than if he spends it on himself.
Not long ago, whenever any household prepared a special dish, invariably some of it would be sent to the neighbours. In turn, they would fill the dish with goodies before returning it. My mother remembers the many happy hours spent with neighbouring women baking, throwing away burnt dishes and then emerging triumphantly with successful ones. That is how we shared our experiences and our successes. There was always enough for everyone. Today, we make just enough for ourselves and have no time or inclination for sharing. As a result, most of us do not even know the people who live next door, leading to unsafe, insecure neighbourhoods and skirmishes over minor issues such as parking spaces or pets.
What is the use of an idea unless it is uttered? What good is a dream unless executed? What good are thoughts unless used to benefit others? What good is happiness or success unless shared? Those who wish to succeed must help others succeed, like the farmer on the corn field. Those who wish to live well, must help others do so. And if it is happiness you want, start spreading the warmth and goodness to others around.
TIMES NEWS NETWORK The opinions expressed in this column are the personal views of the writer


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