http://www.holisticguidance.com Blogs en-us Sat, 04 Feb 2012 04:26:19 GMT Sat, 04 Feb 2012 04:26:19 GMT http://someurl.com admin@holisticguidance.com http://holisticguidance.com/themes/holistic/images/holistic-logo.jpg you@youremail.com http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=120 Jump Start a New Year You can do it.Positive Changecan be createdand all it takes is one step to get started. Say YES to a New You a New Year. Are You READY ? One of the practices I have used for over 20 years is Feng Shui English translation Wind Water when further translated translates to the energy forces around you and the environment in which you live.Arranging my environment has helped me to succeed in all aspects of my life. It can help you too and I am here to show you how. But First... Make your list of everything you want for 2012 Check it off now dont wait till the end of the year in December for Santa Do it NOW 1 Make the Committment to do it 2 Write down Your Goals. i.e. I wil have a successful new business by the end of 2012 3 Learn How FENG SHUI can help you arrange your Environment to Support POSITIVE CHANGE in your Life. Understanding the English translation of Feng Shui and how this Ancient Chinese Philosophy has helped people and cultures for thousands of years youll see how easy it is to create a sustainable healthy life style which can help you achieve your day to day goals every day. Write to me and tell me what youre up to. Ill help you get started Warm Regards Lisa Thu, 05 Jan 2012 01:37:16 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=117 Stop by our studio on March 20 2011 between noon - 4 p.m. Share a cup of tea and ask us anything about Reiki or Massage Therapy. There will even be an aromatherapy station where you can create a custom blend. We cant wait to meet you. Mission Massage 1099 South Broadway Suite 260 Lexington Kentucky Sat, 12 Mar 2011 19:55:30 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=115 There is no way to Love Love is the way Tue, 18 Jan 2011 04:38:36 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=114 There is no way to Love Love is the way Tue, 18 Jan 2011 04:39:00 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=113 The purpose of anti-aging efforts actually constitutes the concept of aging gracefully. Because aging can not be prevented. However the debility dependence disease and dejection are frightening especially to a person bordering the 40s 50s and 60s. Hence the measures taken to achieve healthy aging are aimed at a] Being fairly fit in terms of stamina flexibility power balance coordination physical form and functions and speed. b] Being independent c] Being free of any gross disease d] Being useful to the society In my view mere engagement in hobbies or habits does not give the strength stability buoyancy and benevolence. This approach makes you a seeker a meek individual. It makes you selfish and dependent. Hence I find the following measures quite useful. 1. The most important measure is NAMASMARAN i.e. remembering the name of God i.e. remembering the your true self. This helps you to get oriented to yourself and not get dragged by deceptive temptations. It also helps you live alone without feeling lonely. 2. Taking bath regularly preferably twice a day 3. Eating green leafy vegetables and sprouted beans 5. Drinking cow milk with halad [turmeric] and sunth [dried ginger] 6. Concede without grumbling that the people are involved in their interests. So do not expect gestures of love in stead try to give justice to your aims and objectives of life. This keeps you connected with God or yourself and also with the hearts and souls of the others. 7. Try to practice Pranayama and some yogic exercise. 8. Try to accept every moment and every situation with reverence or focus on the root of that moment and situation viz. the name of God. This is not easy. But try it. This helps realize that your body your relations and your possessions are bound to end but the core of all these i.e. you is not going to die. 9. This gives you the enthusiasm to keep working in tune with the promptings of your soul without any returns Sat, 11 Dec 2010 22:01:48 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=112 November 4 2009 1030 am GURURBRAHMA GURURVISHNUH GURURDEVO MAHESHVARAH GURUH SAKSHAT PARABRAHMA TASMAISHRI GURAVE NAMAH I salute my Guru who is Brahma Vishnu and Mahesh called Gunamaya i.e. the penultimate truth and the Parabrahma i.e. the ultimate truth. It gives me great pleasure to share these experiences and perceptions of my study of Bhagavad Gita. Obviously this is neither a translation nor a commentary. I may not call this an interpretation also. This is simply a sharing of my experiences and perceptions of Bhagavad Gita For the sake of simplicity henceforth I am going to refer her as Gita. It was in early childhood that I used to hear some chapters such as 15th being recited by my brothers and sister. During our school days I remember to have learnt some shlokas from Gita Dhyana and some shlokas from Gita proper. But I don’t remember the details. After this brief encounter all that I heard during my medical college days from leftist friends was not in favor of Gita. But what I heard from many others was high acclaim for Gita. But somehow I was involved in many things other than Gita and probably kept on groping in the dark for quite some time. May be this was because study of Gita did not seem to have application in medical profession or social development or because study of Gita wasn’t thought very important by leaders in different fields. Most importantly study of Gita was not promoted enough by the local municipal state and central governments in India to attract majority of people and especially young minds Study of Gita was not associated with any apparent or tempting incentive I must appreciate however that there have been many voluntary groups trying to spread the study and message of Gita all over the world even though I had not come in their contact or influenced by their activity But after coming to Mumbai flame of curiosity was ignited and interest in Gita was aroused probably because I had begun to revisit Vishnusahasranam and Namasmaran andor I was becoming increasingly aware of my inadequacies. Apparently it was also because I wanted to study something world famous and ultimate in every sense so as to boost my ego Hence I began the study of Gita. But now it appears that there was much more to it than this. Whether I studied Gita or Gita herself made me study her is a moot question and I feel the latter may be truer. When I seriously began to study Gita about twenty years ago I found many contradictions in her. For example in 4th chapter Lord Krishna says in the same verse Chaturvarnayam maya srustam… that he created four VARNAS and also he did not create them Also even as Lord Krishna advocates the war Tasmat uttishtha Kaunteya yuddhaya kruta nishchaya…2nd chapter nirashi nirmamo bhootva yuddhaya kruta nishchaya… 3rd chapter Yadahankarmashritya na yotsya iti…..18th chapter he also upholds nonviolence and control of mind in most of the chapters e.g. Ahimsa satyamakrodham.. 16th chapter Moodhagrahenamatnoyat …17th chapter as a virtue. Similarly Lord Krishna disapproves Arjuna’s arguments in 1st chapter about VARNA SANKAR which means indisciplined and unrestricted marriages directed by mere attraction in different groups Ashochyanaiva shochastvam prajnya vadanscha bhashase.. .2nd chapter he uses the same argument Yadi hyaham na varteyam …and Utside yurime lokam… 3rd chapter. In 2nd chapter his argument Akeertin cha pi bhootani… Bhayat ranat uparatam… Awacchya vadanscha bahoon…. etc about “what people would say” appears to be too superficial and not enlightening or philosophical Please refer page 121. One can quote many such contradictions and uninteresting arguments as examples but that is not the purpose of this writing because as can be seen latter these apparent contradictions kept getting resolved in the process of study. Hence the purpose of this writing is to share exciting changes in my perceptions of Gita and myself and hitherto impossible amazing revelations which occurred as I went on studying Gita inspite of the contradictions and uninteresting arguments Why did I continue my study of Gita inspite of the contradictions and uninteresting arguments which at that time were “real” and not “merely apparent”? Why did I go ahead even further to byheart her? The reason why I kept on studying Gita in spite of the contradictions was I sensed that there was something in Gita which I was not able perceive. This sensing of something which I was not able to perceive kept on haunting me. I sensed that it was so precious that I could not resist myself This was like an obsession of searching a secret treasure inspite of difficulties and dangers That sensation of something imperceptible in Gita kept on propelling me from within also It was as if I was possessed by this sensation in and out In addition I realized that I needed to correlate the shlokas or verses in different chapters so as to extract deeper meaning. This could have been possible only if I remembered all the 700 verses from different chapters and contemplate on them at any given point of time. This I thought was the only way to possibly resolve the contradictions even while traveling or walking and without having to refer a book So I started the uphill task as I do not have the gift of very good memory of by hearting Gita But frankly speaking even as I am giving these apparently logical explanations I had not quite understood why I kept on reciting and by hearting Gita obsessively inspite of the contradictions It appears now that Gita herself consumed my consciousness without me being aware of it and kept on absorbing my being in her Another reason for the persistence inspite of pains and agonies of frequent and serious disagreements which was beyond my desire or voluntary will may be that study of Gita has the roots in my previous birth. This study may be a continuation of what was left half way in the last birth You may believe and appreciate this or discard as a flight of imagination I leave it to your own perceptions and experiences But life actually encompasses the births and deaths and hence called ANUBANDHA and NITYAGA i.e. linked up and continuous The continuity is evident in such phenomena. In the process of studying Gita the thought to share my understanding used be very predominant. This may be a reaction of the excitement I derived from time to time from Gita or it may be because I thought I have something to offer to the society For this reason I had tried to write on Gita about ten to twelve years back but later I stopped halfway as I was not quite satisfied and was not at ease with my own interpretations contentions and explanations which appeared circular to me Not that I am sharing now because I can claim to have understood Gita completely but because I am convinced that Gita enlightens us for the journey that starts with ignorance individuality and timed mortal existence and heads towards the destinations of self realization universality and trans-temporal immortal consciousness respectively Or rather it is because it is an urge to share something wonderful with the others with whom I feel am united irrespective of whether I knew them before or not. At this juncture I see that Gita deals with 1 Molecular activities 2 Individual activities including various physical instinctual emotional and intellectual 3 The relationship of these with the society and universe and 4 The relationship of all these with past present and future and 5 The all encompassing cosmic consciousness i.e. the nature of our cosmic being. Gita deals with the principles involved in what happens in a molecule in a cell in an individual in a society and in universe every moment and from all eternity to all eternity. Gita does not deal with the drudgery of enumeration and description of irrelevant peripheral details but with the intricate principles involved in the intermolecular inter-moment interpersonal international interactions and also the interactions at all the levels of consciousness. This may be termed cosmic dynamics or cosmic orchestra including the role of an individual blossoming in it I have realized that I may not understand Gita I may understand Gita partially or I may misunderstand Gita. In any case it is useful because with the study of Gita there starts the exciting voyage of enlightenment and blossoming Complete understanding of Gita is impossible because it is trans-intellectual i.e. beyond the three levels of consciousness SWPANA SUSHUPTI and JAGRUTI i.e. dream sleep and wakefulness respectively and four modes of communication VAACHA viz. PARA PASHYANTI MADHYAMA and VAIKHARI i.e. roughly speaking communication from the root of one’s existence without articulationumbilical area the primitive instincts communication precoridal area autonomic nervous system and neuroendocrine system throat and communication as articulated and spoken through central nervous activity tongue lips palate etc respectively. These modes of communication seem to express different levels of genuinity and varying distance from the objective truth. However even if I don’t understand Gita due to above reason I have the freedom and opportunity to keep on studying Gita and merge with cosmic consciousness to the extent possible and while doing so share the perceptions I have the freedom to be empowered in the course of time sufficient enough to relinquish at appropriate time “my” then redundant intellectual instinctual emotional and instinctual frameworks material possessions and my body happily and victoriously This is akin to a blossoming flower that emanates its pleasant fragrance without reservations and any kind of pain or discomfort whatsoever or a ripe fruit that drops from the tree Now before I go ahead I must state here that NAMASMARAN enabled the much necessary inner propulsion for continued study and “understanding” Gita to the extent possible and Gita provided the paradigm shift and strong and stabilizing conceptual foundation that made it possible to adhere to apparently meaningless and unglamorous activity of NAMASMARAN But most importantly it is the cosmic consciousness Guru that has made all this i.e. study of Gita Vishnusahasranam and NAMASMARAN possible I am glad that it has been uploaded for free download and is being shared with millions WITHOUT the delay caused by various formalities involved in printing publishing advertising transportation shipment and marketing or selling of hard copies. This delay due to several factors such as motivation interest commitment capability dynamism of the printers publishers and the people involved in marketing and sale of hard copies is avoided I am also glad that this electronic publication is independent of any influence of charity donations sponsorship. This is what I call the grace of God or the benevolence of the cosmic consciousness In as much as I don’t want to keep any copyrights so that anybody in the world could utilize these shared perceptions freely I would also like to clarify that just as well meaning use of these would aid in imminent universal blossoming the plagiarism of this material in any form with vested interests and mercenary motives would prove detrimental to the plagiarists and their readers and hence to everyone. November 4 2009 430 pm. Like any individual I was also engrossed in the cacophony of needs wants passions infatuations goals dreams and aspirations for myself and the society which I was conscious of there was in addition an inexplicable and subconscious undercurrent that seemed to give incomprehensible twists and turns to my life often beyond my tolerance and forbearance and stirred me from deep within Added to all this was the challenge of study of Gita This made it even more difficult and often disturbing But even as it appeared to create turmoil within my intellectual and emotional framework I could not get rid of it till today due to the possible reasons mentioned earlier It is just in recent times that I have started appreciating that Gita has the nectar of immortality that is beyond individual consciousness. But till recently I felt that Gita who kills one’s subjectivity imparted a dying experience This is why at earlier stages I felt it was terribly frightening to study and internalize Gita But even then Gita immersed me in herself In past I used to sometimes worship Gita and sometimes contradict her without seriously studying I often merely used some quotations from Gita for proving my point and to impress the audience and feel good with myself. During my study in college and medical college I used get enamored by unusual terminology and bombastic uncommon words and feel elated. Many a times quoting Gita added to this elation But now I know that I was merely getting enamored or repulsed by experiencing the periphery similar to enjoying or hating the fruit by tasting its skin In India Gita is recited chanted by hearted by many. Earlier I thought this was stupidity or slavish mentality. At times I thought this was blind belief. But today I confess frankly that I was more immature at that time than what I am today Today as a student of physiology for over 30 years I feel that Gita can especially benefit all the children in the world to develop and tone up their central nervous system including the speech areas and speech articulation with biomedical feedback and enhance their evolution during this life This is true not merely for a child but for any and every person of any age in the world. This is true even if Gita is by hearted without understanding the intricacies which one can appreciate at a later stage of development As a student of physiology I am also sure that by hearting of certain facts meaningful hymns philosophical or scientific sutras e.g. those from Ayurveda Gita and Arithmetic without questioning lets the child build the edifice of knowledge and then work on it. Up to a certain age there is no capacity in us to analyze and comprehend certain aspects of life and hence insistence on clarification should not be encouraged as it can act as hindrance in the learning. In fact by hearting even if the child did not understand the meaning is as essential as feeding the baby even if it did not understand the nutritive principles in that food While studying Gita I realized that questions themselves should not be discouraged but encouraged but it must also be clear that all questions may not be answered and if answered the answers may not be understood. Hence insistence on clarification as a precondition to by hearting should not be encouraged. Another point in learning Gita is an approach with humility and patience. They are very important. Besides hidden meanings are not understood by casual reading andor egocentric approach under the spell of egalitarian utopian or any such philosophical thought. Moreover Gita can not be appreciated if we are already prejudiced by individualistic trends or socialistic dogmas hidden under the guise of analytical fervor andor scientific temper. Patience which is born from honesty commitment and readiness to go beyond individual subjectivity and paradigms of every kind sometimes called SHRADDHA opens the doors to enlightenment and blossoming at individual and global levels Now I realize that study of Gita can empower a serious student of Gita to live with unconditioned acceptance love and respect for every moment and situation and work in consonance with nature to one’s complete fulfillment and greatest satisfaction. Gita enables one to blossom in such a way that subjectivity gets shed off smoothly while global unity and harmony begin to pulsate in one’s heart It is worthwhile to share with you here that today I feel that opportunity to study Gita is a one of the greatest treasure in my life for me. November 4 2009 945 pm. During my first few years of study of Namasmaran Vishnusahasranama and Gita I was instinctively or intuitively feeling that the essence of these teachings was not at all in opposition to the idea of social justice and material abundance explicit in socialistic and leftist way of thinking. I felt strongly that inequality and exploitation were aberrations and in no way teachings of Gita Vishnusahasranam and NAMASMARAN as sometimes thought even by me. I sensed the essence of Gita and Vishnusahasranam and the NAMASMARAN embodied the spirit unifying the essence of the leftists rightists believers nonbelievers and all others But it is after ongoing study that it became clear that being not equal can mean merely being different and complementary and not necessarily unequal in the sense of constituting antagonistic relationship of exploiter and exploited. Then I took it upon myself to further clarify the essence to myself and share it with others. Because I had in myself like in the outside society all the leftist rightist individualistic socialistic and other good and bad elements such as superficiality pettiness prejudice and ideological adamancy Hence I was possessed by only one question How to see more clearly and then show that essence of Gita Vishnusahasranam and NAMASMARAN is the key to blossoming of all irrespective of their identity viz. atheist leftists Hindus non-Hindus and others belonging to different cultural and socioeconomic groups? I had sensed as mentioned earlier that Gita Vishnusahasranam and NAMASMARAN had the best from capitalist or individualistic doctrines in terms of individual blossoming and the best of Marxist leftist socialist or communist doctrines in terms of global blossoming and welfare of all and unite all streams in the society So from this point of view I wrote my comments or interpretations on Gita and Vishnusahasranam and Namasmaran so as to highlight the innate unity and bring everyone together irrespective caste creed religion and even socioeconomic group But as the time passed I started realizing that even though my efforts were honest according to me they were subjective and incomplete. They did not convey absolute or objective truth and hence did not match the demands of the time But having not understood this enigma I was really frustrated. I didn’t quite understand the subtle difference between subjective and objective perspectives. I was unable to see how my efforts admired by most readers could apparently make no impact in terms of socio cultural and politico economic conditions to my satisfaction on myself and the society But in spite of my frustration I still felt quite strongly that my convictions if real then must blossom the universe in every possible way at some point of time. So I was not too much vagrant or did not go too astray Gradually I began to realize that even as my conviction was correct according to me it was essential to practice NAMASMARAN with greater commitment and grow more and more objective. Having realized this onus my head it became increasingly clear that it was useless andor counterproductive to simply despise my own short comings Self pity amounted to being suicidal i.e. violent to me Having accepted the NAMASMARAN as top priority it also became clear that it was inappropriate to hate the shortcomings of the others. Because that is being in a subtle way violent to others Thus I stopped despising what ever was being marketed under the guise of spiritualism socialism and other brands I realized that there was no sense in getting frustrated feeling guilty accepting defeat or blaming the so called “spiritual” or so called “revolutionary” activities of theists spiritualists atheists leftists secular and other activists and theoreticians of which I was also a part at one point. I also found no sense in feeling sad about the misinterpretations of Gita Vishnusahasranam and NAMASMARAN by their worshippers andor their detractors because I was a party to this also. I realized that what is required is blossoming together and empowering one another through the study and practice of Gita Vishnusahasranam and NAMASMARAN respectively. I thought this would assist us to grow from within and actualize intellectual emotional instinctual and physical actions in terms of globally nurturing policy making planning administration and implementation and engender individual and global blossoming November5 2009 1000 am Initially when I began to read Gita I felt that I am reading a story of war. I was rather put off by the list of names and the description of conches they blew. Later I read about the repulsion of Arjuna about the idea of war and violence and his arguments about the disastrous effects of war. I felt that there was nothing intellectual and it all seemed to be too obvious to be stated. But I kept on by hearting it apparently as a kind of exercise of memory and probably also to fill the void in me and actually because Gita “swallowed” me as I have mentioned earlier I did not quite understand the exact meaning MOHA for long time. Some said that Arjuna was afraid and some said that it was his love for the family members. Some felt Arjuna was right and some said he was wrong. But I never seemed to understand how this was related to the day to day problems in life of a common man and me and why Gita was acclaimed as the greatest exposition of philosophy Some said that the description of war was symbolic and actually Gita relates to the higher self in an individual with lower self. This seemed impressive but could not explain the relevance of Arjuna’s arguments about VARNA SANKAR i.e. haphazard and lawless marriages amongst different strata and groups in society and their ill effects. At this juncture it is clear that Gita actually deals with the individual existence universe the time and cosmic consciousness. She also deals with different stages of human development from SADHAKA i.e. seeker and SIDDHA i.e. enlightened individual and the various ways and techniques to attain the ultimate state of liberation. Initially I used to feel that Gita relates to individual emancipation and hence felt that there was nothing in terms of solution for the welfare of world. This was because of the repeated description of STHITAPRAJNA a person beyond the influence of painful and pleasurable influences in life and absence of any reference to dream society This could be because of my ego not necessarily unjustified or condemnable but not accurate either which prevented me from seeing my unity with the universe and how the STHITAPRAJNA state was related to social welfare. Hence I could not see how Gita could help in social emancipation In addition the obsession and yearning that “I have to change the world for better” was the stumbling block in getting satisfactory solution from Gita Moreover I was expecting some kind of a blue print for the universal welfare and since I did not find it I used to feel that Gita is individualistic and hence of no consequences for the global welfare. Naturally I was not quite in love with Gita. In fact I read and studied it with reluctance and as if because somebody was pushing me from within to study it persistently. Due to my honest though subjective concern I was obsessed by global welfare of which I had faint sketch in mind. But I was neither finding any reflections of the sketch in reality nor was I completely convinced by it. I was probably looking for clearer blueprint in Gita. But since Gita does not give any such blueprint I was rather getting depressed by reading Gita. Study of Gita was thus a kind invited trouble However gradually this turmoil began to subside when I started to realize that the role of Gita is not to provide any blueprint but to inspire the student to create a universal blueprint conducive to blossoming in a most democratic way of everyone in the world What were the hurdles in the process of studying Gita? Sometimes I thought Gita was produced on battlefield sometimes I felt that it was not a creation of one individual. Sometimes I felt that many people have added different verses out of context and relevance. But these feelings did not deter me from studying Gita because these feelings had nothing to do with what I was looking for in Gita I was really not concerned and bothered whether Gita was created by one or many and whether on battlefield or elsewhere Some people said that it was not proper to read Gita at home as it leads to conflicts in home and some people said that it was inauspicious to read it because it was read after some one’s demise. Although these views sometimes disturbed me temporarily while studying Gita they could not deter me from studying her I however felt that Gita was not very pleasant like a romantic poetry and did not generate elation or ecstasy. She seemed to ruthlessly remind unwanted unnecessary and unrelated questions and problems such as those of war and death Arguments that Gita preaches violence and the opinion that she promotes inequality and exploitation appeared too superficial and based on casual reading with preformed notions and prejudices though I was not decided over these issues. Many people in the world alleged then and do so even today that Hindu scriptures such as VEDAs SMRUTIs Compilations of rules regulations and practical techniques for social stability growth and harmony advocate inequality and hence exploitation. This was because of the labor division that continued through generations in a structured form. It is true that various influences such as military invasions and religious persecutions tore apart the fabric of holistic Hindu philosophy and way of life into arbitrary coercive and at times absurd traditions and conventions but it does not render the Hindu philosophy as such exploitative outdated and counterproductive. I began to understand that Gita philosophy the cosmic dynamics reveals to us our position and role in the eternal orchestra and guides us to live to our fullest satisfaction while simultaneously aiding the blossoming of the universe. I realized that by studying Gita superficially one can not see her potential to rejuvenate regenerate and even revive the chaotic and turbulent human civilization all over the world. I therefore felt greater and greater need to explore the heart of Gita. I started getting as if haunted by a beautiful and barely seen blurred “melodious light” in the core of Gita. Gita begins with the description of legions of Kauravas and Pandavas on the Kurukshetra. Thus Gita directly begins with the most crucial dilemma or tricky situation one can have in life viz. the question of life and death All conflicts in life are concentrated in this situation This makes Gita the ultimate counselor I now feel that Gita deals with war of higher self with the lower self in an individual where the lower self is attached to many likes and dislikes This attachment is depicted in terms of attachment like that for suicidal and destructive addiction for the relatives even if they were social psychopaths. This attachment leads to despondent retreat to lower self and passive acceptance of and involvement in degeneration and decay of one’s own true self and that of the universe. This is surrender of higher self to lower self or surrender of higher self of the society to the lower self of the society that is called MOHA of Arjuna which I guess is common to most people in the world which is why Gita is universal. Gita simultaneously deals with the actual war also because she looks at the individual and society in a holistic way. She conceives and teaches to appreciate that the condition of war within and our response to that war naturally manifest in family and social life. If our response is of surrender due to MOHA then it is detrimental to an individual as well as the society. I think I can appreciate this previously thought unwanted and irrelevant and hence unpleasant unavoidable and eternal war within and out In fact knowledge of Gita makes it clear that presence of this war and its comprehension is a golden opportunity to live in SWADHARMA and achieve individual and global blossoming Strange though it To state the war as opportunity may appear it is true that this internal and external war is a product of evolution Animals have no choice They neither can glorify their instincts nor can they condemn it Neither are they endowed with the freedom to choose indulgence nor are they free to opt for abstinence They do not have the golden opportunity to live in SWADHARMA as there is o conflict. Arjuna’s response of MOHA is a response to inner war that invariably manifests in the society Such despondent response to the lower self of an individual is invariably reflected in the form of a retreat to the lower self of the society i.e. psychopathic and detrimental elements in the society Gita not only depicts the individual and global despondency but it also depicts an intellectual explanation and justification of such despondency in the form of apparently sublime values and concerns as advanced by Arjuna. Thus Arjuna is dismissing the idea of killing teachers brothers and other loved ones by forecasting the social holocaust in terms of the ruining of families and the exploitation of widows and mutilation of social discipline and harmony leading to ill effects on the departed souls and the abyss thereof Arjuna represents erudite but erroneous arguments Thus Gita creates a strong case for individual and social mediocrity individualism pettiness gullibility defeatism and despondency with intellectual explanations and justifications which span from individual and social life to even life after death It is at this point that I realized that Gita is unique in NOT providing an arbitrary blue print that upholds individualism or socialism but enlightens the root of our being and provides freedom and blossoming of individuals and the universe simultaneously. This understanding has wiped out my previous reservations about Gita of being individualistic or addressing merely personal needs or problems and made me far more comfortable with Gita than I used to be earlier. I now understand that Gita is more personal and more social in true sense because she takes us to the core of both This makes her really and absolutely accurate just and totally democratic in true sense which the individualistic and socialistic philosophical frameworks are not I felt very happy for having persisted on the study of Gita and having come out of the limitations and inadequacies of individualistic and socialistic philosophies. Through depicting the individual and social despondence represented by ARJUNA VISHADA Gita creates a ground for an eternal discourse to shun the individual social and universal tendencies to sink and decay Gita enters into 2nd chapter and then offers the omnipotent and omniscient panacea to such despondence and decay that surfaces repeatedly in the human civilization throughout history from millennia to millennia and time and again from the very source of eternally provident and rejuvenating cosmic consciousness November 5 2009 1000 pm After creating a strong case for the despondence like a devil’s advocate in 1st chapter the propounder of Gita straight away proclaims in 2nd chapter the aphorism that you don’t die This aphorism can cause a massive shock for any serious reader and I was no exception. Isn’t it natural that normally our mindset cannot understand agree believe or realize the concept of immortality of soul? I however kept on reading it but without really understanding agreeing believing and of course realizing In fact this discussion in 2nd chapter made me feel miserably torn in two conceptual premises Neither could I agree with the claim of immortality which was beyond my comprehension and even imagination nor could I felt that I was a complete mortal with no traces of life after the death of my body I could never imagine myself discarding my body like “old clothes” or in living in absence of the body but I could not dismiss the claim of immortality also because I “knew” though I had not personally realized that a nothing is destroyed b consciousness thoughts feelings time space energy etc do not have the same kind of “existence” “birth” or “death” and c ‘beginning and end’ are human concepts derived from the limitations of physiological state consciousness perceptions thinking feelings and the information processing in the neurons and their network Now I realize that such tearing off of my conceptual premises lead to dialectical process breaking down the sectarian ideas and promoted evolution of the holistic perspective. Arjuna has indicated his disgust for a war that involves killing of near and dear ones. He is selfless and has no interest in any gains from such a war that involves shading of blood of his teachers brothers and other close ones. So Arjuna is NOT afraid of war like a timid creature but his conscience has paralyzed him Arjuna like any sensitive honest brave and conscientious individual despised the killing of his brothers. I am sure that any sensitive and conscientious individual would relate with the plight of Arjuna because it results from information processing through neuroendocrine autonomic and central nervous systems and hence is universal But having said that as I went on studying Gita it started becoming clearer that human beings are not merely physiological they are potentially much more than that November 6 0820 pm After listening to Arjuna’s plight Lord Krishna who is cosmic consciousness personified and hence can see what others don’t and can’t and is conscious of what others are not sees that Arjuna is not able to see the truth beyond the physiologically restricted sensory perceptions like most people in the world This inability to see beyond physiological boundaries inaccurate perception leads to faulty feelings arrogance or despondence as that of Arjuna and faulty actions refusal to participate in war by Arjuna. Lord Krishna notes that Arjuna has been paralyzed inappropriate conation or response due to inappropriate feelings affect resulting from this erroneous perception cognition. This syndrome actually universal is called MOHA. Lord Krishna therefore sets out to explore and salvage the human potential of Arjuna and mankind that has been paralyzed and wake him to his immortal self and thereby rectify cognition affect and conation from the despondent slumber of physiological confinements. Lord Krishna does this in a step by step manner with different explanations. As a friend philosopher and guide he disapproves Arjuna’s response as totally unbecoming for Arjuna. He declares it as totally inappropriate and impotent He explains to Arjuna that love and attachment to the bodies of all the warriors representing sociopathic elements by virtue of dominance of lower self in us which clouds our perceptions vulgarizes our feelings and deteriorates our actions is inappropriate. Such wars keep repeating in the societies between socially benevolent elements and sociopathic elements and also in the individuals between the lower self and the higher self. Lord Krishna shows that waking up and rising to one’s immortal existence engenders the appropriate actions and one should not get deterred by any considerations born out of MOHA. Lord Krishna further clarifies that the warring factions and the war which also goes on in the individual as well as in the universe had beginning and end but its core cosmic consciousness is immortal. Arjuna and we all should realize it by evolving through the various means described in scriptures such as NAMASMARAN and express himself enthusiastically with all might in such wars outside and inside These outer and inner wars are actually considered as golden opportunity because animals do NOT have such a choice to fight against the forces of darkness within and outside. This is called DHARMYA YDDHA because it is in tune with as well conducive to reach the cosmic consciousness. This is similar to clinically accurate surgical treatment which can be required for the health of the whole body and society and is totally different from indiscriminate violence or indiscriminate nonviolence born out of ignorant and subjective premises. It has to be remembered that through out hereafter Lord Krishna keeps describing how one can conquer not coercively suppress the physiological individualistic and petty elements in body which mar the consciousness and cause MOHA. He further also shows that uninterrupted conscious union with immortal soul is called YOGA and the actions born through it are accurate precise and appropriate and in tune with the infallible cosmic principles He enlightens Arjuna and the world that such state of being in union with immortal consciousness and actions springing therefrom SWADHARMA is called YOGA which in essence is not different from TYAGA and SANYASA. Lord Krishna guides Arjuna about this state and assures him that this state brings peace for that individual and the universe even in the face of bodily death. Since Lord Krishna talked so much about this state of union with immortality which makes us desireless the next question would be “Why not remain united with the immortal and be peaceful instead of warring?” Arjuna asks this question in the 3rd chapter. But before I go ahead to 3rd chapter and share my understanding ? about Gita I must make it clear that study of Gita Vishnusahasranama and NAMSMARAN compliment each other tremendously. I have a feeling that NAMASMARAN which I call a mega-fusion a mega-process or a mega-fountainhead is sure to absorb the whole universe in itself i.e. immortal cosmic consciousness and in turn as and when consciousness adequately blossoms in an individual through NAMASMARAN the concepts of immortality in Gita would become tangible The vice versa could also be true It is this awakening to one’s immortality that I think Arjuna and the people of world could gain from Gita and that is more precious than anything else in the world and even the world itself November 7 2009 1210 pm In 2nd chapter Lord Krishna declares the aphorism of immortality of the core of universe and individual and human potential to realize this core that embodies cosmic consciousness. But Arjuna and student of Gita like me cannot experience the immortality right away Lord Krishna therefore apart from explaining the ways to rise and conquer the obstacles in the way of reaching the cosmic consciousness gives other supportive arguments to emphasize the importance of SWADHARMA i.e. behavior born from the state of union with cosmic consciousness. Thus Lord Krishna indicates to Arjuna that the greatest value in life is SWADHARMA and not some so called spiritual or material achievement so called and often hyped miracles and mere material abundance and hence any person who goes astray due to his subjective whether individualistic or so called religioussocialistic paradigm from this SWADHARMA is bound to be ridiculed as coward Akirtim chaapi Bhootani… and Bhayat ranat uparatam 2nd chapter This essence of value system is the eternal glory of Gita that has been revitalizing mankind from millennia to millennia Further Lord Krishna reiterates that all the efforts of human civilization e.g. VEDAs are essentially born from and culminate into cosmic consciousness and get expressed through individuals according to their constitutions. Those who know this are always connected with the cosmic consciousness YOGA and do not get distracted by the illusive results success or failure and those who do not know this get cut off from the cosmic consciousness and their perceptions feelings and the quality methodology and the elegance of their actions get marred. They develop the illusion that their limited existence is the doer of everything treating the subordinate as master and vacillate between pride and pain from the changing results of their inappropriate actions. The 2nd and 3rd chapters begin with Arjuna’s reluctance to participate in the war and remain contented without bothering about the gains of a bloody war But Lord Krishna identifies the subtle nihilism cynicism or pessimism hidden in this attitude. He identifies this darkness and drives the point that such “ascetic” extremism is suicidal for the individual and the society and not conducive to liberation Lord Krishna guides Arjuna in 3rd chapter Na hi kashchit kshanamapi… that it is impossible to live without action. Isn’t it true that irrespective of whether we want or not billions of biophysical and biochemical activities go on in our body and mind? Isn’t it true that even for the universe and universal consciousness this is true?. He clarifies that any one who tries to live in inaction deceives himself or herself. The only way to liberation is to practice SWADHARMA. Lord Krishna says whether the cosmic consciousness expresses itself in actions through you or through the actions you reach the cosmic consciousness both are essentially not different. The first is called JNANAYOGA where apparently consciousness is predominant and latter is called KARMAYOGA where apparently the actions are predominant. Thus the actions which spring from the cosmic consciousness e.g. as a result of the practice of NAMASMARAN are the ones which lead to realization of cosmic consciousness also and hence are called liberating or freeing actions SWADHARMA Lord Krishna then highlights the cycle of nature in which universe manifests from and again dissolves into the consciousness and suggests that when the society and the individual conform to the innate principle of nature they blossom together. He also points out that those who don’t conform to these principles never blossom themselves and also become obstacles in the blossoming of others. This happens because of their being overwhelmed by their own subjectivity individualistic religious bigotry or socialistic whims and compulsions. This can happen also because of the superiority or inferiority complex developed about their environment conditions and apparently due to sick value system unglamorous or despised nature of their SWADHARMA. Lord Krishna elaborates that since everybody is not exactly the replica of another person and the constitutions are different the nature of SWADHARMA varies. He reiterates that even in such a situation it is important not to get bogged down by the deceptive external and internal influences and persist on one’s SWADHARMA even if one has to die in return Initially this appeared a bit harsh. But when I keenly thought over I realized that living devoid of SWADHARMA is itself like death Hence SWADHARMA is preferable even in the face of death because it is the only express highway of individual and global blossoming November 7 2009 330 pm. In the 4th chapter Lord Krishna expands this concept of SWADHARMA and informs Arjuna that this is the knowledge that has run through generations and millennia. Like any physiological individual Arjuna also doubts Lord Krishna’s statement and then Lord Krishna reveals to him His immortal and true nature and that it is He cosmic consciousness that keeps reincarnating and re-manifesting as and when the universe becomes oblivious of Him. I feel that this is true in an individual society as well as universe. Lord Krishna asserts that he manifests through rising consciousness in an individual as well as society and annihilates the demonic and devilish forces of darkness inside and outside which obstruct the blossoming of individuals society and the whole universe. He also reiterates that one who realizes this either is united or unites with the immortal consciousness After revealing His cosmic nature Lord Krishna elucidates how from the consciousness different VARNAs i.e. four main characteristic personalities manifest though the consciousness does not produce them in the physical sense of that word and how they function This is like involvement of space but superliving which is essential for world activities but does not directly participate in them. He also states that people work according to their stage of evolution through different yajnas pranayamas and humble dialogue with a guide and reach enlightenment. Lord Krishna points out how the conflicts between upper and lower nature can sabotage one’s progress and assures that SWADHARMA or YOGA liberate the individual and society and the universe and hence appeals Arjuna to get rid of any doubt whatsoever and tread the path of SWADHARMA single mindedly. November 8 2009 1130 am In 5th chapter the discussion begins with a doubt about the choice between SANYASA and YOGA. I think the word SANYASA here pertains to renunciation or asceticism i.e. departure from all the day to day activities required for the normal family life and social life and YOGA pertains to participation in these activities by following SWADHARMA. Gita has reconciled that both are complementary because life is inevitably associated with renunciation of something or other at different stages of life and life is associated with different things at different stages of life. But renouncing in a swift and loving manner and not out of hatred or inertia and doing the work without attachment to the fruit constitute the SANYASA and YOGA respectively culminate in cosmic consciousness and the proportion of SANYASA may be more in one and proportion of YOGA may be more in another thus constituting two ways suitable for two varieties of individuals. Why should Arjuna repeat this question? The answer is understanding supremacy of SWADHARMA is not adequate. Because in spite of understanding the inertia keeps on surfacing and prompting an individual to escape from the worldly responsibilities giving one excuse or another. In India there were tides of ideologies glorifying irresponsible “asceticism” from time to time. Even today there are various breeds of “spiritualism” and “SANYASA” spreading like pandemics in the world causing masses to move into irresponsible inaction indolence and parasitism probably as a reaction to harrowingly and violently stressful petty pursuits intermingled with fanatic ideologies of so called “individualism” “religious bigotry” or “socialism” Arjuna’s repetition of the question underlines the importance span and sway over the world of such irresponsible “asceticism” and “petty pursuits”. Lord Krishna reiterates the vital or shall we say life saving importance of SWADHARMA for individual social and global growth and blossoming. He confirms that SWADHARMA is more meritorious than “asceticism” in which one may conquer one’s petty selfishness but can succumb to the escapist defeatist and irresponsible indolence and inertia which drags the individuals society and the world into abyss of misery Lord Krishna makes it clear that SANYASA i.e. external renunciation due to incidental cause is usually impulsive and not true renunciation. Such renunciation is because of repulsion for day to day activities or SWADHARMA which appear mediocre and unattractive but can serve the purpose of blossoming one and all that engenders misery. It is true that some individuals are born more evolved than the rest and hence neither get interested nor get involved in the day to day transactions of family and society. They renounce the world and accept SANYASA just as ripe fruit falls from the tree. Some other individuals understand and realize the true nature of the world through SANKHYA philosophy without going through the experiences a common man. Being aware of this Lord Krishna clarifies that we should not get enamored or infatuated by the heroic nature of SANYASA and SANKHYA philosophy due to subtle escapist or lethargic nature but stick to our SWADHARMA because even as the SANYASA SANKHYA and YOGA SWADHARMA look different ultimately culminate into the same pedestal of cosmic consciousness Having said this Lord Krishna elaborates the sublime characteristics of practitioner of SWADHARMA which elevates the individual in a blissful state that is beyond physiological boundaries and beyond all petty and subjective considerations of life November 8 2009 430 pm In 3rd chapter it is stated that one who cooks and eats merely for his petty pleasures which are actually detrimental to his blossoming is a thief. This is a very important aspect of Gita. Gita encourages individuals to be active physically instinctually emotionally and intellectually and according to one’s capabilities and skills but with the goal of getting freed from the subjectivity and merging with the cosmic consciousness. Gita states that one should never dissuade which is referred to as BUDDHIBHEDA any other person from his or her activities of livelihood such as crafts arts and other skilled and productive activities. One should in fact encourage these and try to do oneself all such activities in life but with the sole aim of conforming to the absolute truth and universal blossoming Lord Krishna reiterates this even in 5th chapter. In the 6th chapter Lord Krishna reinforces this point and describes certain ways by which man can merge with the objective reality. He therefore makes it clear right in the beginning that any one who works without attachment to the results is a SANYASI and also a YOGI and not the one who does not do his duties as prescribed by the scriptures with the intention of individual and global blossoming out of escapism and inertia. Just as He imparts the insight in SANYASA by pointing out the dangers of inaction and indolence and importance of getting rid from the results He also espouses and elucidates the nature of YOGA which in true sense means all activities done to merge with the absolute. This YOGA is impossible in presence of SANKALPA i.e. subjective erroneous projections or utopia You can imagine that SANKALPA or individual or subjective goals act as leakages and hinder the merger of individual consciousness with the absolute consciousness It is exactly like leakages in the pipes through which you cannot pump water to higher floors. So getting rid of these leakages SANKALPA is true SANYASA without which YOGA is not possible Even though these concepts pertain to individual and global blossoming they also make sense in day to day activities. Thus if you don’t depend on results you can avoid self destructive responses out of excitation or depression to the results of your activities and live life buoyantly But it has to be appreciated that in everyday life action is usually associated with results. Thus some understanding and anticipation of results is bound to be and has to be there so that you can perform the action elegantly and diligently. Gita upholds such continued improvement in technique by anticipation of results from which your feelings and responses are not marred. This is emphasized in Buddhiyukto jahateeha …yogah karmasu kaushalam 2nd chapter November 8 2009 7pm There are many postures mudras pranayamas etc apart from proper nutrition sleep etc. which are important aspects of life which ought to be cultivated right from childhood so that YOGA becomes possible. Lord Krishna does not elaborate in details on this but suffice it to say that once the goal viz. self realization is identified and given topmost priority and importance then one can adopt suitable techniques according to one’s physical and social environment conducive to reach the goal This is very important because during development to save us from dangerous infatuations born from some aphorisms e.g. Aham Brahmasmi Brham Satyam Jagat Mithya which tend to make an individual totally unrealistic and schizoid Lord Krishna reassures Arjuna and everyone that dedication and consistent study and practice make YOGA the correct process and progress to self realization possible. Lord Krishna also maintains that even if an individual loses his body before reaching the goal his efforts are never wasted and realizes the YOGA i.e. progress towards self realization in the next birth heshe is adorned with the necessary qualities. Lord Krishna also clarifies the importance of YOGA in terms of actual practice which seems to beneficially evolve the physiology rather than mere reading and understanding and further emphasizes the importance the focus on the goal viz. self realization i.e. complete submission of the subjectivity to Lord Krishna i.e. objective or cosmic consciousness. 6th chapter like the 16th17th and 18th chapters is important for any educationist education policy maker educational administrator teacher or trainer in the world so as to work holistically because it outlines the actual factors which contribute to the process of blossoming including diet and nutrition in brief It is easy to understand how this would have far reaching and beneficial impact on the world in terms of perspective policies plans and implementation for individual and global blossoming which is imperative today because no individual nation can grow or perish in isolation without beneficial or adverse impact on the other nations for long period. The practical relevance of this is on policy making. For example global reduction in the production of two wheelers and small cars in preference to mass transport vehicles such as buses has impact on global environment fuel consumption traffic jams accidents pollution wearing out of roads crowding of local trains in metros and so on. If principles of Gita the essential nutrients for individual and global blossoming are imbibed and digested by decision makers of the world then such globally beneficial policies can emerge in all the fields of life. In 7th chapter Lord Krishna narrates his omnipresent nature to Arjuna and indicates how only few realize this nature and how others do not realize this He explains that he is the light beyond the physical light and remains unseen by eyes November 9 2009 1130 am In 1st chapter there is depiction of subjective and hence inspite of being very conscientious erroneous perception feelings and response of Arjuna. In 2nd chapter there is elaborate explanation of cosmic consciousness and contingent nature of physical existence of the nonliving and living world There is also a detailed account of the characteristics of the individual who realizes this immortality and expresses accurate cognition affect and conation. It is obvious that even as reading per se is not enough to bring about the transformation in an individual and the world the role of reading and understanding the “road map of blossoming” in the process of conscious evolutionary transformation of an individual and thereby the world can not be denied. The 3rd 4th 5th and 6th chapters describe the concept SWADHARMA and some of the relevant techniques in brief but which can vary according to geographical historical social religious and other circumstances. 7th chapter is meant for reinforcing these ideas by pointing out how people in crisis need greed or intellectual and emotional yearning may get attracted to the absolute truth. In 7th chapter Lord Krishna reveals His omnipresent nature and indicates how He i.e. cosmic consciousness is present in every visible and invisible aspect of the universe and how only few realize this nature and how rest others do not realize this This can become clear to a discerning student when he would appreciate the stanza elucidating how Lord Krishna is a light beyond the physical light and remains inaccessible to most Throughout 6 chapters one finds the common idea of the rising of consciousness in an individual and the world and thereby getting freedom from petty mean and trivial but strong bondages. In 7th chapter there is endorsement of this and also further buttressing of this point by indicating how the cosmic consciousness encompasses every living and nonliving matter energy space and time and how awareness of this enables one to reunite with this immortal self. Naturally Arjuna would ask about the nature of the universe and relevance of it to human life. Thus cosmic dynamics is described by Lord Krishna in 8th chapter. Lord Krishna assures Arjuna that a person blossoms to get freed from the shackles of subjectivity and reunites with one’s true self through the knowledge of inseparable bond between the cosmic panorama and the individual and their relationship But before we discuss this further I think it is important to talk about nonviolence. AHIMSA i.e. nonviolence appears in chapters such as 16th. In my view this AHIMSA refers to negation or disapproval of indiscriminate violence committed under the influence of utter darkness of ignorance a variety of subjective activities destructive to self society and the universe and also destruction surgical violence of everything that opposes the union with cosmic consciousness i.e. individual and global blossoming. . Unqualified and indiscriminate nonviolence is NOT advocated in Gita which is clear from the repeated appeal by Lord Krishna to Arjuna and every one to participate tin the war against darkness and destruction outside and inside. It is important to realize this to avoid perennial schizophrenic state of upholding indiscriminate nonviolence without being completely convinced and practicing violence with petty selfish motives again without being fully convinced. In our society often indiscriminate violence is legitimately practiced by killing animals to eat killing people of other countries for the so called national interest pride and profit killing alleged criminals by death sentences and implementing a variety of deterrent punishments and most importantly unleashing policies in all the fields detrimental to the blossoming of individuals and the universe. If we understand that AHIMSA means NOT indiscriminate nonviolence but protection and promotion of everything conducive to individual and global blossoming and destruction of everything that jeopardizes the blossoming of individuals and universe then it would resolve the conflicts in the minds of all young and old and everywhere in the world and promote practice of SWADHARMA and blossoming of individuals and universe. If we keep on trying to uphold AHINSA as indiscriminate nonviolence then it creates value crisis and semblance of schizophrenia contrasting conflicting and contradictory thoughtsfeelings and actions in everyone and everywhere. I found that the prescription of blossoming and merging with the absolute consciousness through various techniques and through comprehension of the nature and interactions between the cosmos and the individual and practicing SWADHARMA in 7 chapters are not as simple as they appear In daily routine we tend to get overwhelmed and confused or bewildered and cut off from our true self by the deceptive influences coming from our body family society world and the products of all these in terms of literature art media education etc. This makes the self realization dissolving the subjectivity in objective truth and self expression i.e. SWADHARMA which are mutually nurturing and promoting very difficult. The inappropriate perception generates agony and urgency to respond. But since the response is usually ineffective because of not being in conformity or harmony with the nature one becomes agitated anddepressed. Actually in such a situation the prescriptions in Gita or the simplest means such as NAMASMARAN advocated by saints and seers from all over the world must be practiced with greater conviction But one can not “see” how it would rectify the perceived pathos in personal or global life even if it be erroneous and hence tends to enter in a vicious cycle of increasing distress. It is at this point that your SHRADDHA which means unconditioned and totally selfless commitment sincerity devotion and dedication without any petty motive can rescue you from the vicious cycle of distress and help you to enter in the wellness cycle. In 6th chapter therefore it is reiterated by Lord Krishna that mind is fickle and likely to fluctuate and vacillate but one should keep on trying with victorious attitude Sometimes I find that no one seems to see how holistic perspective can create the difference in different fields and hence become nervous not realizing the agonizing plight of people in the world is due essentially to lack of holistic perspective and spirit of Gita amongst the policy makers But I keep convincing myself that the SADHANA of any suitable nature or NAMASMARAN according to one’s tradition must never be stopped. To convey this strongly Lord Krishna has assured in 6th and 7th chapters and latter in 9th and 16th and 18th chapters that one would never fail if marches on this path of SWADHARMA I have begun to realize which I did not realize before that all activities especially NAMASMARAN to reach the truth have their impact though it may not be perceived immediately due to one’s subjectivity. The lesson from the 7 chapters therefore is to keep trying to reach the absolute and keep working in its light to the extent it is possible at any given time and in a victorious manner and haring the spirit and insights with others That is exactly the reason why I am writing this and making available for free download for sharing with any one and everyone in the world without any precondition Trying to keep yourself connected with cosmic consciousness keeps you reassured on the one hand and active participation in buoyantly charged and appropriate manner SWADHARMA on the other. The idea of arbitrary suppression or unabated indulgence do not find place in Gita. Similarly regimentalized stereotyped procedures also do not find place in Gita. That makes Gita somewhat ambiguous initially but as you go on internalizing it you find that she is basically universal in nature. In 3rd chapter 4th chapter and also 6th chapters this is evident. Gita is universal because she shows the light to any one and every one irrespective of the state of evolution region in the world hisher tradition and without being judgmental about anyone’s life style in any way In 8th chapter Lord Krishna clarifies that a person engaged in SWADHARMA through intellectual emotional instinctual activities actually is connected with the absolute and objective reality and hence does not get entangled and shackled in the repetitive basal cycles through different births. There is also a declaration applicable to bright and dark external and internal environments which lead to the fate of an individual. Thus individual is influenced by adverse external physical chemical and psychological activities and inner hormonal autonomic and central nervous activities. But it is also assured that any one who keeps trying reaches the summit of union with cosmic consciousness. Nov 10 2009 1115 am I decided to write on day to day basis rather than sticking serially and sequentially to chapters and verses. This has the advantages of being natural in expression rather than formal. It is also beneficial because of repetition andadditional emphasis on more important points which reverberate in my mind with reference to some verses. Sometimes it also happens that I skip many verses at a given point in time because I have nothing to say about them at that time but latter additional perspective and insights develop in the flow of writing and deserve expression latter even if it appears out of context. In the 2nd chapter YOGA is defined ….Yogah karmasu kaushalam as ultimate elegance or perfection in skill but other way round it also implies that the greatest skill or perfection in life is to realize YOGA There is elaborate discussion in 2nd chapter on how physical senses should be controlled. But if one takes into account the reference in 3rd chapter then it becomes clear that the human life and experiences there in have and must be appreciated by us that they have one goal or destination and that is SELF REALIZATION and there is one way to achieve it i.e. SWADHARMA rather than getting trapped in arbitrary suppression or indulgence. Gita is unique in the sense that she shows your ultimate goal shows you the path and guides you in the method to tread it. Gita therefore does not advocate suppression or indulgence in an arbitrary manner but inspires SWADHARMA in which while enjoying the core or essence of all material pleasures you channellize them to blossoming of one and all This is really universal thought in view of the difference in the physiological and other needs of people in the world from different regions and cultures. Once the goal of individual and global blossoming and the way of SWADHARMA is identified and adhered to rest of the dos and don’ts which need not be regimentalized follow the suit in appropriate manner. In this context one can appreciate the perspective born out of studying Gita about sex education. In light of Gita we should learn and teach the father and mother principles and parental care so that we don’t develop disgust for sex and succumb to sexual aberrations or perversions on the one hand and don’t develop carnal sexual obsession and don’t get trapped in unending and unsatisfactory and obnoxious indulgence in sex. Such holistic corrections can be made in all walks education. It is nice to share here that I found study of Gita different from study of many other books. The study of Gita elevates you from subjectivity to objectivity i.e. getting in alignment with the nature. Gita gradually but surely changes your status of being effectual to being causative This is certainly difficult to agree intellectually but can only be experienced. Another point that struck me is Gita teaches and trains us to enter the center of universe Thus from the world of visible appearances she trains us to see and merge with the core rather than getting trapped in the superficial and shackling aspects or getting averse and running away to fall in escapist trap Thus Gita does not advocate renunciation of the world on the one hand and does not justify or glorify the unending and unsatisfactory retrogressive shackling in petty pursuits on the other This is very useful in day to day life. If you experience the core of your spouse’s heart then the fear of loss of your spouse or any loved one gradually disappears to a large extent and the romance and love in general becomes super romance and love becomes super love Thus Gita trains you in supreme romance and super love. You learn to live every moment in super romance and super love rather than getting worried about past and future and subjective considerations. Another interesting aspect of Gita is you begin to refer to Gita as “she” and not it. Because Gita becomes even more valuable than “living” and “loving” mother In 5th chapter Lord Krishna assures that you would not be born again if you realize the self. But in 4th chapter he also assures that he would manifest or reincarnate as and when appropriatenecessary. The explanations to these contradictory statements are 1. Lord Krishna’s reincarnation is represented by the awakening of consciousness in every individual from time to time. 2. The reincarnation is progressive sojourn of life of an individual who is either already enlightened or gets enlightened and is different from rebirth which is full of shackles of ignorance. Hence reincarnation and freedom from rebirth are not incompatible Gita guides us to develop the conceptual framework or blue print of our life and NAMSMARAN rejuvenates us from moment to moment to proceed. The other way round also may be true It is like anatomy and physiology. Anatomical structure is essential and complementary to physiological function and vice versa. But when you go deeper both seem to be indistinguishable One of the most important things I learnt probably as a by product of studying Gita is practice of the essence of Gita is immensely important. Repeated reading or recitation of Gita consolidates the convictions about the essence of Gita and thereby rejuvenates the enthusiasm to practice that essence NAMASMARAN. The practice of NAMASMARAN in turn endorses and reinforces the conviction about the essence of Gita and makes the repeated recitation of Gita a sublimely empowering experience It is like reading about bath which develops conviction about the advantages of bath and actual practice of bath that endorses the convictions about bath. Thus both are perfectly complementary. One can compare it also with the reading about the advantages of exercise and actual practice of exercise. I also learnt in the course of time that we come across a number of situations in life due to internal and external environment which shroud our consciousness and we tend to forget our true self i.e. the essence of Gita and this is a really a shattering and weakening experience. In such situation recitation of Gita and NAMASMARAN helps tremendously. Hence in 6th chapter the importance of consistent practice is emphasized. In my view even somewhat arbitrary and formal recitation reading or chanting of Gita proves very useful by acting at subconscious and conscious levels in strengthening and expediting the process of blossoming. The repetition is important for another reason also which has physiological basis. Thus repetition of Gita or NAMASMARAN is a central nervous system activity and probably leads to development of stronger connections between cerebral cortex and the limbic system which are otherwise very weak. This underlines the difference between a well read individual and an individual involved in practice of NAMASMARAN andor self realized individual. Ordinarily one’s happiness or sadness depends on the involuntary interactions amongst the cerebral cortical limbic autonomic neuroendocrine endocrine and other systems of the body. The perceptions feelings and actions are usually impulsive and hence chaotic conflicting and counter posed because of weak input to and weak output from cerebral cortex to the remaining systems. Repeated study and practice of Gita and NAMASMARAN probably enhance the integration of all systems bringing them under higher controls such as cerebral cortex conscience and cosmic consciousness and effectively lead to harmonious behavior blossoming one and all. One can study the changes in the brain from this point of view in a control group and a group involved in NAMASMARAN to verify the anatomical and physiological substrate which may not be accessible to crude technology though of the essence of global culture. One of the greatest lessons of Gita to the world is whatever we eat drink see listen talk write learn perform use relish and so on should get culminated into the goal of individual and global blossoming. This makes our life itself the most meritorious activity i.e. YAJNA This is a true and qualitative revolution in individual and global life. Nov 11 2009 1000 am One of the most interesting things I learnt from Gita and also got thoroughly convinced in the course of time from the practice of NAMASMARAN is the fact that everyone is moving towards the same goal and the same destination. This fact usually remains concealed and one gets impatient to “teach others” “for their welfare” This impatience though natural can create condescending attitude and develop subtle expectations such as publicity and growth of your otherwise selfless mission This can take away your peace and mar the quality of your behavior. When we appreciate this fact that we all are going in the same direction and towards the same goal then true love probably more than that evident amongst the pilgrims emerges and blossoms. That is the greatest hallmark of world culture. Once I get convinced and clear about this fact then the acts of impatience and ignorance whether committed by me or others do not disturb me any more to a significant extent. It is matter of great privilege for us to realize deep experience this love especially amongst family members relatives colleagues coworkers people of our country people from world and latter even the enemies Even as this revelation of love is magnificent it may not manifest at all times and in all persons. It is natural and hence need not be despised that at various stages of development we frantically advise admonish preach and also expect the results from ourselves and more so from outside But Gita surely frees us from this in the course of time One of the difficulties in the study of Gita is that it can develop a doubt “Why truth has to be shown by some one else?” or “Why should I follow the ancestors?” As the study proceeds however you gradually realize that the thought of somebody else showing the truth is because of erroneous image of “self” and the “other”. It is also because of the faulty images of “following” and “ancestors”. The learning or accepting knowledge should never depend on who gives it and whether it comes from your ancestors or contemporary peers. The knowledge or enlightenment or revelation or objective truth is like Sun. He does not belong to the window through which His rays enter From another angle the idea “somebody else” is a relative idea. If we look at ourselves objectively then we learn to look “me” and “somebody else” from third person’s point of view and without the ego of self From yet another point of view even the idea of ancestors and decedents is relative if we could look at it by going beyond time. Just as right and left depend on how we stand similarly past and present lose meaning if we stand beyond time. Therefore the “truth” which is omniscient and omnipotent and omnipresent does not “belong” to any one So it is illusory to think that it belongs to some one else who “shows” you that and it is also erroneous to think that it “belongs” to your ancestors and you are an inferior descendent to “receive” it from them “Truth” or “self” is beyond time and it is absurd and baseless to be captive of superiority or inferiority complexes developed because of petty identity which come in he way realization of truth Another hindrance is the pride that can develop merely because you learn Gita or you recite her But gradually during study we realize that if “I” learn Gita it is neither a matter of pride if acclaimed by people respecting Gita nor a matter of pity if ridiculed by people who look down upon Gita. It is matter of being happy to blossom together In Gita there is a reference to virtues in many places including 16th and 18th chapters. One of them is “truth”. In everyday practice there is always a conflict between loyal description of facts which can either prove stupid and invite difficulties or wise at produce profits and concealing or misrepresenting the facts which also can engender punishment or yield gains. Hence there is ongoing conflict in every mind about the virtue viz. truth and Gita provides the answer to it. I began to appreciate the ‘true’ meaning of ‘truth’ gradually and distinguish it from “mere narration of apparent facts even if done with 100 loyalty and fidelity”. I began to understand that realization of “truth” is a process and it leads to expression of appropriate behavior conducive to blossoming of everyone and realization of truth For this rising above the criminal lies and gullible truths and living effectively to reach the truth to happen there are many precepts which ought to be followed from childhood but the most important and universally practicable in every condition and situation is NAMASMARAN. In 6th chapter there is a verse which is very famous verse UDDHARET ATMANATMANAM NATMANAM AVASADAYET ATMAIVA HYATMANO BANDHUH ATMAIVA RIPURATMANA I began to understand this by correlating it with the previous reference to the self. Lord Krishna elucidates the nature of real self to Arjuna in the 2nd and 3rd chapters. He then advises Arjuna in 6th chapter in this verse to rescue and uplift the other part of his consciousness we can call it lower or actually physical or physiological consciousness without being derogatory that has been trapped in body systems feelings and intellectual framework and prevent its further bondage. He further states that if you do this then you would find that that your lower consciousness is friend of your higher consciousness you and if you don’t then you would find that your lower consciousness is verily the enemy of your higher consciousness you. When I began the study it used appear strange that in 2nd chapter Lord Krishna has referred the war as great opportunity. I used to find this strange and not acceptable because of my erroneous concepts and feelings about the violence. I used to think that war is devilish vicious and avoidable and hence should be avoided. Later I used to partly agree but rather reluctantly because I used to think that Lord Krishna justified this war because it was imposed on them even as he had tried to avert the war through maximum possible negotiations But now I realize that the upholding of war as an opportunity refers to the option which no other living being has to emancipate the lower consciousness by participating in the war to conquer all physiological conflicts inside and social contradictions outside In my view this war of rescuing and emancipating the consciousness trapped in senses is described in HATHAYOGA texts as KUDALINI JAGRUTI. Hence HATHAYOGA practices described in 6th chapter of Gita and Dnyaneshavari or Jnaneshvari and intellectual exploration as through the SANKHY YOGA also described in 2nd chapter of Gita and Jnaneshvari are perfectly complementary and reach you to the same destination viz. individual and global blossoming The heavenly beauty and bounty of Gita is that she takes you beyond petty “love and hate” relationships. She reveals to you how the love and hatred in as much as the sense of fear and animosity are born in your consciousness trapped in your senses and how rescuing the same would free you from all subjectivity and all pettiness. I seem to understand now that this if realized by us can make our personal relationships far more pleasant than one can ever imagine Our relationships can become sublime and can go beyond any distance any time and even death through Gita and hence Gita is a super romantic cosmic poetry. Every single step in this direction is more precious than the entire world even if mountains of drawbacks and oceans of adversities within or outside us try to drag us back I have written an article entitled “Worshiping Sex” and unknowingly or not being fully aware I have highlighted in it this process of lovingly rescuing your consciousness making it your friend from the physiological prisons rather than hating it. I can appreciate now the feeling of adoring towards sexual attraction in the universe which is at the root of motherhood and worshipped as Kundalini and various Goddesses who merge with the true self when appropriate. Nov 12 2009 1210 pm While studying Gita one doubt used nag me from time to time. Why could not Gita create an ideal society? If we carefully understand the purport of Gita we begin to realize that an individual with a vision of “ideal society” is also a creation of the absolute consciousness and the people opposing this are also creation of the same cosmic consciousness. Thus an individual develops intense motivation to change the society for better and make it just as a result of several biochemical reactions in hisher body which in turn are result of causes hidden in further past. These activities keep going on irrespective of one’s volition. This means the objectives or aims of an individual are themselves not “his or hers” So if the aims or ideals do not belong to you what sense does it make to expect Gita to fulfill those aims or ideals as per your time frame? Secondly the universe if we observe is never static. It keeps changing. Thus every molecule and atom is undergoing change. Every organism and individual in terms of body and mind also is undergoing change. Every society also in terms of its inhabitants its life style and its nature is undergoing change. So how can anybody expect Gita to create “unchangeable ideal society”? In fact Gita enlightens us with this wisdom and hence acts like sun illumining the inner space of individuals for millennia. Gita is like infinite source enlightenment beyond space and time. From time to time and through ages this enlightenment manifests in appropriate individuals and through that person the masses. But as the individual and the society are replaced by next generation the void is created and the spirit of Gita has to reappear re-manifest This cycle goes on. It is therefore important to realize that Gita blossoms us individually and globally but not coercively and arbitrarily or in a regimentalized fashion. Also Gita spirit keeps reincarnating as and when there is a need because there can not be anything like permanently ideal state of a society. So Gita teaches us to perform SWADHARMA with full involvement and ecstasy without expecting anything especially “a permanently ideal society”. The absolute consciousness or the spirit of Gita is bound to take care of the present and the future from time to time and our pleasant duty SWADHARMA is to study realize and share the enlightenment of Gita with others. The individual and global blossoming are bound to manifest through this enlightenment as the spring comes Another point is the reason why we are advised not to expect with deep sense of attachment is the world keeps on changing beyond our subjective concepts and even if it were to change exactly according to our expectation precisely still we would never be permanently happy because we ourselves are changing individuals Whatever we expect is also changeable and hence can never give us lasting satisfaction. This is exactly why Gita assures that the enlightenment is bound to re-express itself again and again whenever there is need. So Gita teaches us to not merely enjoy the struggle of life but she teaches us to enjoy it like a sport in which we pass on the mantle to the next partner So it is inappropriate to expect creation of so called ideal society It is like expecting Sun to provide money With reference to above understanding of impermanence and realization of the transient nature of existence of our body society and the universe sometimes we tend to get depressed because of the attachment resulting from habituation that we have for our body and the environment by the thought of quitting them This depression leads withdrawal from the struggle. All struggles appear meaningless as they appeared to Arjuna. But even we get dragged by this insurmountable? feeling of are not participating in the life struggles war it won’t be possible for us because of being in inescapable physiological environment and individual consciousness in which a variety of biochemical and biophysical activities are bound to take place whether we wish or not Escape is impossible and involvement in them is inevitable Hence in 2nd chapter and latter in 18th chapter Lord Krishna asks Arjuna to follow SWADHARMA which extracts the immortal principle beyond time from this passing body and universe Hence it is also said that don’t worry about tomorrow. Just follow your SWADHARMA and for exactly identify and realize your SWADHARMA you can take the help of 16th chapter scriptures andor through practice NAMASMARAN from your inner voice. That makes study of Gita and sharing it with others a matter of great opportunity and ecstatic privilege. Even as our bodies are bound to perish and our society to metamorphose we have the opportunity to practice SWADHARMA and share our convictions and immortal essence with others. With reference to verses in some chapters such as 3rd 7th 9th 14th 16th I used to wonder how inspite of reputation of Gita as the propounder of ultimate truth there could be people not following the precepts of Gita go through the fate described in Gita? Why they are not persuaded or converted or changed by Gita? The answer to this question also is not very different. The individuals all over the world though belong to the same specie Homo sapiens are different in terms of their constitutions and their environments. Just as sunlight can be troublesome to photophobic individual Gita can be discomforting and disagreeable to some individuals due to their peculiarities. Hence just as there can not be a permanently satisfactory ideal society there cannot be a permanent and universal agreement on Gita. I learnt that even if there is absolute truth in Gita it can not manifest in every heart though one can keep sharing it as a part of one’s SWADHARMA. Individual and global blossoming would keep on manifesting appropriately as and when the time ripens though not permanently and though not in exactly the same manner as we anticipated Sharing the spirit of Gita even while studying has the advantage that those who are beginners get the advantage of senior student’s experience Those who don’t know Gita get introduced to her. Thus the percentage of students of Gita multiplies. This blossoms the individuals and the society for that age or period At the end of 7th and beginning of 8th chapter there is mention about KSHARA ADHIBHOOT PURUSHA ADHIDAIVA and SWABHAVA ADHYATMA AKSHARA BRAHMA ADHIYAJNA AHAM and VISARGA KARMA. ADHIBHOOT is a perishable aspect of universe including human beings. Individual consciousness or the unchanging vitality is called PURUSHA In Ayurveda referring to individual case this is called CHIKITSA PURUSHA. The essence of the intricate relationships between control systems and the functions and the mechanisms are called SWABHAVA or ADHYATMA. It is “physiology” of nature Actually physiology means study of nature if one refers to the word in Greek ADHIYAJNA is Lord Krishna i.e. cosmic consciousness that illumines everything and everybody. VISARGA is also called KARMA which is nothing else but the appearance manifestation and dissolution of universe in the consciousness. This concept is somewhat similar to manifestation and dissolution of our subjective world according to the evolution of our consciousness AAKSHARA is called BRAHMA. The substratum of or backdrop of eternal consciousness that encompasses from in and out the whole universe space and time is called AKSHARA BRAHMA. Thus to him or her whose consciousness merges with absolute consciousness the whole universe appears to be but a reflection This explanation pertains to holistic conceptualization of individual and universal existence. The semantics vary from different schools of thought. Hence my interpretation may not be exact like mathematical calculations. But the essence is that one who learns about his trans-temporal essence and relationship with the fleeting body society universe and a variety of physical chemical and psychobiological activities learns to “free the lower self” through SWADHARMA and in turn helps others to attain the same freedom and blossom to culminate in absolute light. One of the hindrances in our blossoming through Gita is inadvertent impatient and desperate efforts to teach others in spite of the learning of Gita which we have yet to assimilate. Such efforts are many times met with deceptive appreciation or adverse remarks. This can thwart the process of learning and blossoming Hence it is said in Gita 18th chapter that do not teach Gita out of your obsession ego whims fancies even if they be otherwise selfless or with any other petty purpose to disinterested and dubious individuals. One may question “If this is so then why great people like Adya Shankaracharya and Dnyaneshvar wrote on Gita for the benefit of one and all?” The answer is though many authors like Adya Shankaracharya and Dnyaneshvar wrote their invaluable commentaries on Gita for the benefit of world they did so in full concurrence with cosmic consciousness not out of obsession ego whims fancies even if they be otherwise selfless or any other petty purpose. Moreover they did not impose it on any specific individual or section of people. Hence their contribution is and should be adored world over. In 9th chapter Lord Krishna briefly explains how He His cosmic consciousness manifested and absorbed the universe from time to time. He further clarifies that those whose constitutions and especially neuroendocrine systems are NOT integrated have no inclination to devote themselves with innate feelings to Lord Krishna cosmic consciousness. They are handicapped in this sense. They can not enjoy the invigorating charm of deepest and selfless love They may pursue petty goals and may achieve them successfully if time is favorable and lose in such pursuits when time is unfavorable but suffer in both cases due to pettiness. However those who get the taste of Lord Krishna cosmic consciousness fall in His love. They live in full consonance and care of the absolute truth. They do not get harassed or entangled by petty problems. In 9th chapter Lord Krishna explains to Arjuna that all those who worship different deities out of ignorance and for personal gains also reach him in the course of time. He asks Arjuna therefore to get emotionally attached to his higher consciousness i.e. Lord Krishna cosmic consciousness rather than getting dragged into petty pursuits. The verse towards the end in 9th chapter referring to women VAISHYA and SHUDRA may give impression that it is derogatory to these groups. But that is not so. There are subtle physiological differences amongst different people and males and females due to variations in hormones sex hormones neuro hormones predominance of right or left brain other aspects neurological development influences of conditioning causing differences in memory linguistic skills mathematical skills capacity to visualize capacity to discern notes of music ability to read in between the lines thinking non sequentially aggressiveness submissiveness calculative capacity skills in handicrafts analysis and so on. These differences do not indicate inequality in exploitative spirit but merely differences. Lord Krishna says these qualities indicate aptitude and proficiency in a particular field but every possible quality has access to the spirit and benevolence of Gita. While writing this I came across sudden financial difficulties. The recovery agents from bank came home and discussed the matter. All the philosophy seemed to be redundant and useless. Everything seemed to revolve around money. I seemed to be a helpless creature worse than someone knowing nothing about Gita. I developed pity for myself. But within few minutes the grace of Lord Krishna cosmic consciousness engulfed my consciousness and made me realize that this incident itself and such innumerable incidents is “a miniaturized version of war in Gita” and has to be participated triumphantly and conquered I realized that writing on Gita has to be coupled with actual mastery over and detachment from dragging impact of feelings of self respect family relations financial risks and public reputation and even life That is the spirit of Gita I got back overcame my disturbance and decided to write come what may I realized that being unshakable and dignified in NAMASMARAN i.e. in the essence of Gita irrespective of anything and everything is SWADHARMA for me and possibly for everyone. Thus it would be clear that I am continuing to learn and follow SWADHARMA every new moment I have also begun to realize that this quality of being firmly positioned in NAMASMARAN i.e. in the precise purport of Gita is extremely useful for blossoming individual and universe especially if acquired by people involved in leadership of different types and management in different fields. Nov 12 2009 845 pm At the end of 9th chapter and in the beginning of 10th chapter Lord Krishna assures Arjuna that irrespective of any vices andor sins the individual gets freed through devotion for Him. He also says this in 18th chapter. How to reconcile this assurance with the notion that good deeds yield good results and bad deeds yield bad results? Is it not contradictory? Does it not contradict the expectation of justice in society? I used to really get perplexed by such statements in many other hymns also. But now it appears that what ever is visible is only superficial and hence partial truth and not necessarily a complete one. So condemning some one as criminal can be fallacious. Similarly the connection with Lord Krishna i.e. cosmic consciousness is never apparent. Hence even if an individual appears to be a sinner or a criminal he could get emancipated instantly through his connection which may not be apparent with cosmic consciousness. If we appreciate this then it would actually help our legal system to evolve from callous irrelevant and lopsided and unjust pedantic arrogance to enlightened holistic perspective and structuring of laws and their administration closer to natural justice In individual life this is important as it can take away the burden of being judgmental from our head reduces the nuisance of our ignorance to others It is necessary however to also appreciate that Gita certainly does not undermine the role of ethics and decency required in healthy social harmony and dynamics and hence advices to follow scriptures or inner voice of NAMASMARAN. At the end of 9th chapter Arjuna and we probably becomes conversant with the life struggle and how to focus on the absolute truth common to individual existence and the universe. But since Lord Krishna has described SWADHARMA through 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th chapters and one’s position in cosmic dynamics and the cosmic consciousness in 7th and 8th chapters and since in 9th chapter Lord Krishna asks Arjuna to devote to Him cosmic consciousness Arjuna has a question about Lord Krishna’s cosmic nature and how to worship or devote this cosmic nature of Lord Krishna. 10th and 11th chapters depict of this cosmic nature of Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna elaborates how He is the root cause or seed of the seen unseen and conscious subconscious and unconscious universe. He further assures that He enlightens the seekers of truth who are completely consumed and hence keep interacting intensely about the truth i.e. Lord Krishna in ecstasy Lord Krishna then describes various components of universe which broaden and expand one’s vision paradigm and perspective to become as objective as possible. In 11th chapter there is actually VISHVARUPADARSHANA. This means Arjuna is given special eyesight on the basis of his preparation in 10th chapter and actually shown the infinite nature of Lord Krishna. Obviously this “seeing” is not actual seeing by visual system but through opening up of the consciousness of Arjuna. This is why Arjuna “sees” the future fate of warriors. This vision is mind boggling Arjuna is afraid of this sight because this requires disappearance of the subjectivity which is like death itself Arjuna therefore requests Lord Krishna to appear in front of him as a human body. This is a very important point of transition from focusing and worshipping the cosmic formless reality to focusing on the human form of the Lord which is relatively easier because you can allow the subjectivity to gradually disappear. This is the reason and basis of why most of the saints and scriptures like Shrimad Bhagavatam advice common men to worship God in form and practice NAMASMARAN which is the subtlest non visual non olfactory non gustatory in short non sensory form of the Lord It NAMAMSMARAN trans sensory or supra sensory and hence when practiced by an individual can at best be barely “heard” by his inner sense of hearing which is quite unlike the “hearing” of sounds produced outside. Nov 13 2009 1000 am How one is enemy of oneself? With reference to the famous verses towards the beginning of the 6th chapter UDDHARET ATMANATMANAM…. as described earlier pg 55 the consciousness trapped in body mind ego andor subjectivity is the enemy if not properly negotiated with and mastered or conquered. This consciousness becomes our friend close friend once negotiated with and conquered or shall we say brought in harmony with ourselves. This activity of winning part of our own consciousness without being repulsive or escapist is YOGA. It is said by those who have achieved this MAHAYOGA that NAMASMARAN makes this possible. In 11th chapter Lord Krishna endows Arjuna with “objective vision” or extrasensory vision by lifting him from his subjective realm and perspective. Arjuna “sees” or actually experiences the cosmic consciousness. This “vision” or actual experience of objective reality is unfathomable in every sense because of our yet undissolved subjective existence For the same reason it is frightening. It is like moving with supersonic or superphotic faster than the speed of light speed. Arjuna experienced something similar to but more complex than high speed centrifugation or high speed revolutions creating destabilizing vertigo upsetting all body and mind systems. Arjuna went beyond time and sense of time seemed to have lost. He actually “saw” the panorama spread over ages and millennia. He saw generations after generations getting dissolved in that consciousness. He “saw” the seekers of truth worshipping that consciousness and the ignorant oblivious of Him being afraid and running from Him Arjuna realized that Lord Krishna the human form in front of him is actually cosmic consciousness pervading him and his consciousness in and out and from all sides. He felt stunned by this unparallel experience of omniscient omnipresent and omnipotent God. He was overwhelmed by the experience of what is implied by the terms unborn immortal and infinite He realized what is meant by the origin of universe and the destination of the universe. He sensed what consciousness beyond consciousness is and origin and culmination of all spiritual intellectual and emotional endeavors in literature art and science practiced by human civilizations knowingly and unknowingly in the pursuit of the “truth” are Since this experience is similar to that of getting burst or exploded from within it is destabilizing and shattering even though it is thrilling and exciting in ultimate sense Arjuna therefore while getting saturated and suffocated urged Lord Krishna to reappear in human form This is precisely the point of idol worship actually this word idol worship is very superficial and narrow and does not convey the spirit. It is aptly called MURTIPOOJA. The cosmic consciousness is brought in human or other form and then worshipped. This practical and simple way of connecting with the cosmic consciousness has been welcomed by billions of people for millennia. The saints as alluded to earlier have further made it simple by practicing NAMASMARAN and preaching it and thereby made the enlightenment accessible to billions of people for generations gone and generations to come Lord Krishna reappears in His human form still as a murti of a deity with four hands so as to distinguish Him as different from ordinary human being and explains to Arjuna that it is possible to not merely know and reach Him but actually merge with Him through devout love with absolute fidelity and loyalty. In my view Lord Krishna implies here that this unconditioned and devout love is the culmination and pinnacle of all penance and efforts such as PRANAYAM ASANA and others. This is YOGA of YOGA or YOGA attained through YOGA or MAHAYOGA At the end of 11th chapter Lord Krishna asserts that SWADHARMA i.e. every moment lived in His consciousness or remembrance characterized by inimitable and sublime love for everyone in the universe which signifies supreme form of universal unity certainly takes an individual and hence billions of individuals to His supreme abode In 12th chapter Arjuna like any genius after “seeing” “cosmic formless form” and “deity form” of Lord Krishna probably realizes the necessity to confirm for the benefit of billions the Lord’s opinion about the nature of worship and hence requests Lord Krishna to explain which type of devout love amongst the two viz. that for formless cosmic consciousness and that for a specific form idol murti or NAMA is preferable and conducive to individual and global blossoming Lord Krishna explains that it is quite difficult to remain focused on “formless cosmic consciousness” though those who can do this and have supreme love for everyone in the universe reach Him hence worshipping Him in some form because it is not practicable for a common man to comprehend remember and realize every moment the the self realization or the realization cosmic consciousness and its application in day to day life and also by doing every activity in His remembrance and offering Him because everything actually belongs to Him is desirable. He further advises Arjuna and every one in the universe that even if this also may be found difficult one should persist on it. Because through consistent and persistent efforts the individuals reach Him and blossom step by step from conceptualization and practice to enlightenment to composed or integrated mental state to detachment for every result the fleeting gains and losses to absolute all enlivening all empowering and all enlightening peace Lord Krishna briefly describes the great characteristics of such an individual and hence the society and assures Arjuna that following this path is like drinking the sap of immortality and being one with the eternal source of love that emanates through generations after generations Lord Krishna probably thought that Arjuna and many others like him who are like limbic system autonomic nervous system neuroendocrine system endocrine system etc. associated with instinctual and emotional and conscious and subconscious behavior and hence is not yet tuned to this kind of enlightenment. In other words the enlightenment did not yet seep down and did not yet percolate into the bones and into every cell In such situation it became necessary to explain the purport from different angle in still somewhat different language and with different semantics. Thus in 13th chapter Lord Krishna explains the meaning of KSHETRA KSHETRAJNA JNANA and JNEYA which mean body with all its systems knower knowledge and object of knowledge respectively. All this is explained in scriptures such as BRAHMASUTRAS elaborated by rishis which revolve around spring from and culminate in Lord Krishna i.e. cosmic consciousness. PRUTHVI which broadly means all particles AAPA which broadly means all liquids TEJA which broadly means the fire principle VAAYU which broadly means all energy and AAKASHA which broadly means space are called PANCHA five MAHABHUTAS. BUDDHI AVYAKTA and AHANKAR constitute the subtler aspects of human beings such as intelligence unapparent forces and the subjective schema of one’s own and the universe forming conceptual framework. These eight embodying various instincts and emotions constitute KSHETRA. The knower of this KSHETRA is KSHETRAJNA i.e. cosmic consciousness i.e. LORD KRISHNA. It has to be conceived that this consciousness when restricted or limited to KSHETRA i.e. human body and associated phenomena constitutes the KSHETRAJNA in that respect. JNANA is knowledge which is not merely information collected by an individual but enlightenment through study of ADHYATMA i.e. holistic physiology or study of intricacies of the dynamics of nature KSHETRA and consequent intellectual emotional instinctual and physical behavior of an individual JNEYA is object of knowledge which in ultimate respect is only one final reality viz. BRAHMA. It is without beginning and end. It is neither true nor false. Here true and false refer to concept of “is” and “is not”. “Is” and “Is not” are plausible only with reference to space and time in view of the three dimensional nature of everything and its durability Hence it is beyond “is” and “is not” It is conceived as It has countless hands eyes ears mouths and so on. It is said to encompass everything space time and all individual consciousnesses. It incorporates all sensory perceptions and beyond it all It is beyond all describable attributes as it is beyond the language of quality words and quantity numbers. It is detached as well as attached and it is beyond all qualities and yet experiences the qualities It is present inside and outside of everything and it is static as well as dynamic. It is extremely subtle and hence beyond perception and is infinitely away as well as in vicinity. It is beyond all light and all darkness which are functions of visual systems It is the knowledge as well as object of knowledge and ever present in the core heart of every one. All these qualities are described to reinforce the super concept of cosmic consciousness. The BRAHMA or PURUSHA and PRAKRUTI are said to be free of beginning and end. PURUSHA can be conceived as consciousness and as the root of every expression or manifestation which act as fields and rest all with beginning and end and changes constitute contingent aspects viz. the GUNAS. Understanding these concepts helps an individual to identify himselfherself as being increasingly closer and closer or being in common with the cosmic consciousness and begins to see the happenings in the universe and individual life as products of PRAKRUTI and GUNAS. This is progressive liberation. This liberation becomes possible because the individual sees that cosmic consciousness is like immortal eternal space that is essential component for everything that happens in universe but neither participates in the activities nor gets influenced by them and it is like Sun which illumines the universe without actually “going” to the nooks and corner and without actually “becoming” part of those places. Lord Krishna then describes the “applied” aspects of the holistic physiology viz. the implications of the contingent GUNAS in human life with undoubted impact on the universe in 14th chapter. Nov 14 2009 1010 am Gita is the nucleus of conceptual and actual world unity and harmony. When I was more immature than what I am today I could not appreciate the benevolence of Gita for the universe. Those days I preferred to read Maxim Gorky’s “Mother” in preference to Gita for the blind children. The “Mother” and leftist literature in general analyze the global problems in a rational way and take you a step forward in breaking the shackles of individualistic pettiness. Hence they are not counterproductive or retrogressive but they should be transcended by studying Gita. Gita imparts the vision of universal unity and harmony. Gita frees or liberates everyone with various characteristics attitudes beliefs and endeavors Far more important is the enlightenment in respect of death and immortality in one’s life that demystified n Gita. Gita gives this freeing knowledge everyone and guides to actually realize it and merge with cosmic consciousness. But this holistic perspective makes Gita somewhat ambiguous for most people and vulnerable to attacks from fascists fundamentalists and extremists and overall those people who are trapped in bigotry of one kind or another. But the spirit of Gita is bound to be triumphant in Her role for ages to come as she has been in the past Lord Krishna reiterates that every thing in universe including the GUNAS such as SATVA RAJA and TAMA result from the cosmic consciousness. This may be considered to be a kind transduction or transformation of the consciousness into energy that mobilizes the matter according to the characteristics of the matter which also develop from consciousness. From the interplay of consciousness time space energy and matter the world appears as it does which in turn is due to our consciousness veiled by our physiological and subjective perceptions Making it simplified SATVA RAJA and TAMA indicate different characteristics of every thing such as being nearer in between and away from absolute consciousness SATVA therefore is a quality that blossoms knowledge and activities conducive to freedom i.e. reach the cosmic consciousness RAJA multiplies intensity of feelings and the activities born out of subjective concepts and pursuits and TAMA enhances decomposition degeneration and downfall in the abyss of darkness of ignorance. Gita is global because you can see people with varying preponderance of SATVA RAJA and TAMA all over the world contributing to blossoming day to day working and mutilation of the world respectively. Following account can make this point clearer. Thus TAMA constitutes ignorance indolence slumber irrationality irresponsibility fanaticism viciousness and so on RAJA constitutes restless study and collection of information dynamism usually out of petty pursuits rational and analytical thinking without synthetic or holistic perspective being vigilant andor anxious discipline readiness to study the point of view of others and analyze according to one’s own conceptual framework and attitude conducive to liberal individualistic progress which generally come to loggerheads in the course of time and SATAV constitutes buoyant serenity of mind agility and swiftness in over all behavior focused attentiveness rationality complemented with holistic approach natural awareness of SWADHARMA the culmination of universally benevolent “discipline” generosity and loving attitude towards all variety of perspectives as originating from one and perspective conducive to holistic progress that ensures progressive complementarity and sublime harmony. However GUNAS generally bind people in some kind of subjectivity and hence the natural blossoming invariably leads to freedom from the influence not absence of andor veils of every GUNA. This is highly idealistic state but resides in every heart though one may be oblivious to it Thus in one sense spirit of Gita resides in every heart though some may be unaware of it and governs the dynamics of human behavior As majority becomes aware of this invaluable treasure of enlightenment and empowerment in their hearts through practices such as NAMSMARAN the spiritual renaissance would manifest in every nook and corner of the world. The hallmark of such spiritual revolution would simply be the awareness of this treasure in their hearts rest all would follow In 15th chapter there is an analogy of ASHVATTHA tree to describe the universe and universal consciousness on the one hand and the individual and individual consciousness on the other thereby highlighting the unity between the two. From human anatomical and physiological point of view human brain is the seat of consciousness. It is at the top forming the root or seed of consciousness the branches in the form nerve fibers spread up and down into plexuses and peripheral nerves and billions of receptors the nature of which corresponds according to Gita to the causative deeds of the individual in the past and the individual enjoys or suffers more or less exactly according to the inputs determined by the past deeds from these nerve fibers and their receptors In fact the whole body results from the past deeds Indeed the consciousness gets trapped in these sense organs and the person becomes bonded and suffers to a greater or lesser extent The human being becomes free after returning of his consciousness from the periphery to the center or the root This is analogous to cosmic consciousness that also gets in some way “trapped” in the universe and returns towards his origin at the time when the universe gets dissolved back into its roots In other words Gita beautifully shows the commonality between the individual blossoming with universal blossoming. In other words this may be called reorienting and reestablishing oneself in one’s own position This may also be called returning to one’s own self This consciousness reachable by an individual is the same as universal consciousness that illumines the entire universe. One can always say that this is a poetic imagination which it is but in the sense that it transcends the subjective reasoning Gita is beyond human whether poetic or scientific imagination. Anyone however can verify the spirit of Gita for himself or herself and inevitably with the world because the light of Gita cannot remain restricted to one’s petty self In 16th chapter there is description of qualities conducive to downfall of a person getting increasingly distanced from and oblivious of one’s true self i.e. cosmic consciousness and essentially correspond to the preponderance of RAJA and TAMA described in the 14th chapter. The way to overcome these influences of negative forces called ASURI forces is SWADHARMA and step by step victory over the KAMA KRODHA and LOBHA. The rejection of scriptures by an individual is usually out of impulsiveness arising from the slavery of KAMA KRODHA and LOBHA desire agitation on not getting the desired and addiction which are three enemies of an individual because they trap one’s consciousness and drag away from the true self of an individual. Many times I used to feel that KAMA KRODHA and LOBHA are all natural physiological and normal. Gita teachings are antinatural. But now I realize that my standards of “natural physiological and normal” were mediocre and born out of intellectual lethargy and slowness. I now understand that physiological is not a static term. Hence what is physiological in immature state would be pathological in mature state. What is physiological in primitive state would be pathological in evolved state. But having considered the differences in many environmental conditions the scriptures written thousands of years ago in one part of the world may not be exactly applicable in another part of the world and in present situation. Hence the emphasis is given by Gita on focusing on devout love SHRADDHA for cosmic consciousness This essence is reiterated by saints from all over the world and from all religions and in terms of remembering the cosmic consciousness through repetition of a name of God NAMASMARAN or OMKAR according to that tradition or religion In 17th chapter there is explanation about three types of SHRADDHA AHAR YAJNA TAPA and DANA salient aspects of behavior for the benefit of an individual in search of truth The sketchy description gives broad guidance about principles of behavior useful in individual and global blossoming and global policy making In essence the SHRADHA and consequent endeavors are differentiated according to the GUNAS. SATVA type worship divinity RAJA type worship affluence magic and even devilish forces and TAMA type worship evil spirits and dead bodies. SATVA type eat the food conducive to inner blossoming and enlightenment usually fresh sweet and empowering fortitude RAJA type eat food conducive to multiply the vigor and indiscriminate desires usually spicy and hot including some types of non-vegetarian food followed by ill effects and TAMA type like stale fermented rotten stinking e.g. some types of cheese and fish leading to further ignorance or dullness. SATVA perform YAJNA a procedure to invoke cosmic consciousness for satisfaction RAJA type for petty pursuits and socio-political gains for prestige and acclaim and TAMA type do it for even worse purposes and without adhering to the procedure and without any interest concern and expenditure The purity decency humility of body and conduct with respect to deity teachers and enlightened individuals is called SHAREER TAPA. The appropriate and benevolent dialogue and study of the nature is called VANGMAYA related to intelligence and speech TAPA. The observance of abstinence from speech unnecessary talk gossip or any kind of impulsive expressions on the one hand and experience of noble feeling and the expression of this noble feeling and selfless love is called MANAS TAPA. Out of these TAPA without any petty expectations is called SATVIKA with expectations of socio-political or some other gains is called RAJAS and with fanatic endeavors with malafied intentions of harming the others is called TAMAS TAPA. DANA i.e. donations cash or kind are also categorized. Thus when given selflessly as a part of SWADHARMA it is SATVIK given with discomfort due to excessive love for money with intentions to extract excessive benefits is RAJAS and when given at wrong place to wrong person obviously with ill intentions it is called TAMAS. At the end it is summarized endorsed and reiterated by saints from all over the world and from all religions that every activity should begin and end in thankful remembrance of the name of God called NAMASMARAN or OMKAR symbolizing cosmic consciousness from Whom everything is born It is also clarified that if intelligence emotions instincts and body are not integrated and not focused in totality on cosmic consciousness then the process of blossoming and enlightenment is jeopardized. In 18th chapter many points from previous chapters are repeated and emphasized again in a kind of useful summary. Thus terms such as SANYASA TYAGA JNANA KARMA KARTA KARANAS ADHISHTHAN KARTA KARAN CHESHTA DAIVA JNANA JNEYAM PARIJNATA KARANAM KARMA KARTA BUDDHI DHRITI SUKHAM BRAHMANA KASHATRIYA VAISHYA and SHUDRA are explained. What I understand and deduce from these is as follows. SANYASA is giving up all activities of personal desires. SANYASA is invariably associated with dedication to cosmic consciousness. SANYASA is associated with responsibility of the whole world not just one’s family. SANYASI is not the same as an inert and indolent creature incapable of earning. He is not a popper or a beggar. So besides renunciation union with cosmic consciousness YOGA is inseparable from SANYASA. TYAGA is giving up all results or fruits of actions. According to Gita the activities prescribed in scriptures for common welfare should be performed without ulterior motives or expectations. This is especially true today when petty selfishness is dividing the world individualism is isolating the individuals and fanaticism in one form or the other is perpetuating viciousness and destruction. It may be clear that SANYASA TYAGA and YOGA are not separate from but actually the most essential aspects of mainstream life. NIYATA KARMA means all activities included in daily and seasonal or calendar routine for universal welfare. If an individual abandons them because of petty distractions or because of indolence then it is called TAMAS TYAGA. Abandoning the activities out of fear of bodily discomfort loss of money is called RAJAS TYAGA and does not lead to individual and global blossoming. Thus forsaking the fruits and performing actions SWADHARMA is called SATVIKA TYAGA. Thus a person following SWADHARMA does not give value or importance to the nature of the work and hence is free of confusion and doubts. Every activity has some components viz. ADHISHTHANA the space or area or field of activity KARTA the individual consciousness operating KARAN the means CHESHTA the actual dynamics and DAIVA which means the unseen environmental forces influencing the outcome. JNANA JNEYAM and PARIJNATA knowledge object of knowledge and knower respectively are the control mechanisms bringing about actions e.g. neurophysiological controls and KARAN KARMA KARTA means or tools action proper and doer constitute the actual components of actions. JNANA is classified as TAMASIK fanatic and blind RAJASIK rational and analytical but sectarian and SATVIK unifying and holistic. KARMA also is SATVIK selfless SWADHARMA RAJAS actions performed vehemently with individualistic pursuits and TAMAS work begun without thought or conscience and sense of proportion and usually to harm oneself or the others. KARTA doer is also SATVIK selfless humble buoyant enthusiastic and steadfast and courageous irrespective of success or failures because of strength of conviction RAJAS motivated by vested interests and hence harboring ulterior motives and violent and vacillating in excitement and depression and TAMAS ignorant unskilled dull crooked vicious cynical melancholic and lethargic. BUDDHI wisdom also is SATVIK discerns desirable and undesirable and freedom and bondage RAJAS cannot discern and hence misinterprets desirable and undesirable and TAMAS blunderous and disastrous in every respect. DHRITI fortitude also is SATVIK composed and integrated in every respect and focused completely on cosmic consciousness RAJAS involved in various activities for petty gains and TAMAS full of slumber nightmares and bouts of sadness and arrogance and shackling the individual in everyway. SUKHAM happiness also is SATVIK initially unpleasant but subsequently benevolent RAJAS initially pleasant due to indulgence in objects of pleasure but latter precipitating misery due to loss of those objects or due to their ill effects and TAMAS one which creates slumber perversion bondage and destruction. BRAHMANA KSHATRIYA VAISHYA and SHUDRA constitute different aptitudes and constitutions suitable for intellectual and enlightening activities leadership and brave military activity trading rearing cattle and farming and patient and sustained provision of services requiring different skills respectively. SWADHARMA i.e. act with complete dedication and selfless involvement for individual and global blossoming through guidance from scriptures or from inner voice through NAMSMARAN helps us return towards our root i.e. cosmic consciousness even if our aptitude and skills may appear to be inferior to those of others Lord Krishna explains that following SWADHARMA is itself the ultimate reward in life and everything else is born out of ignorance andor pettiness and hence counterproductive i.e. taking us away from our root In the last few verses He asks Arjuna repeatedly to focus on the true self i.e. cosmic consciousness and not get distracted by any other subjective ideological methodological or superstitious considerations SARVA DHARMAN PARITYAJYA and assures in fact pledges that He would liberate Arjuna of all bondages PAPA Arjuna understands and agrees to follow Lord Krishna i.e. cosmic consciousness in the struggle of life Sanjay the narrator in the ecstasy of having heard this dialogue and remembered the stunningly glorious persona of Lord Krishna declares his opinion that union of individual consciousness Arjuna and cosmic consciousness Krishna is itself the ultimate victory in every possible way. ADDENDA NOVEMBER 25 2009 0300 PM As I had mentioned earlier for it is suitable to keep on writing on Gita as and when it appears in mind rather than mechanically sticking to the sequence of chapters. Hence after I have “finished” writing on the content of 18 chapters now I am again starting to add the addenda In chapter 3 Lord Krishna expresses His concern about the common people who follow the reputed individuals in the society Even as this is grossly true this is an obvious statement. In addition to this obvious meaning Lord Krishna appears to imply that in any system the control mechanisms or the regulating centers or the higher centers are followed by rest of the component parts. This is true for the whole universe society and the human body also. In other words the higher self of an individual has the responsibility to behave in tune with the cosmic consciousness so that rest of the consciousness trapped in the body systems also can follow the suite. Similarly the position of the leaders in the different fields in society is that of the higher centers in the human body. They must follow SWADHARMA so that the whole society gets guidance and lives in order unity and harmony. If the leaders misbehave then the society is bound to perish. This applies to human body also. If the higher centers in the human body get deranged then the whole body would go in disarray. I used to wonder what is KARMAMUKTI or BANDHAMUKTI? Now I seem to understand that this is nothing else but the freedom of our consciousness from the shackling influence of biophysical biochemical and physiological activities. This is possible through linking with the cosmic consciousness by anchoring to the name of that cosmic consciousness called NAMA and remembering the NAMA called NAMASMARAN is focusing on and getting linked and gradually merged with the cosmic consciousness In Gita Lord Krishna is the cosmic consciousness. NOVEMBER 26 2009 0945 AM In 12th chapter there is verse in which there is a clarification about the culmination of study into knowledge or wisdom of wisdom into composure of mind DHYANA of DHYANA into KARMAPHALATYAGA i.e. detachment from the results of actions and of KARMAPHALATYAGA into peace. I used to wonder how simple detachment from results or fruits of actions could be superior stage just penultimate to peace i.e. superior to DHYANA or contemplation of cosmic consciousness or true self The detachment appeared simple and pertaining to mundane individual experience. Moreover simply getting detached from one result of one action could not appear to endow permanent peace because one could perform innumerable actions and each time the question of detachment would arise. It is clear however now that the detachment has far deeper and cosmic meaning. If and when I realize that that I am a part of cosmic consciousness and KARMA is actually the manifestation of the universe then I realize that detachment is actually not from personal actions but from the universal action of the cosmic consciousness Secondly the detachment is not from one or another action but it is from all possible actions of individual consciousness including all subjective realm such intellectual emotional instinctual and physical feelings and actions. It also includes all the physiological biochemical and biophysical actions going no in one’s body or rather being Last but not the least it includes peaceful and loving renunciation of everything subjective in nature and even the body at the end Once this meaning becomes clear it becomes clear how DHYNA culminates into KARMAPHALATYAGA and how KARMAPHALATYAGA culminates into or sublimates into peace KARMAPHALATYAGA here is really the MUKTI or liberation and it is but appropriate that it is associated with peace. In 16th chapter there are verses indicating the fruit of hating the cosmic consciousness Lord Krishna in terms of going into abysmal births and miserable end GATI. The meaning of these verses appeared to indicate the consequences of one’s actions and somewhat punitive nature of the Lord This appeared in contrast to the kind and benevolent nature of Lord so much emphasized by many saints. This appeared inexplicable when one pondered over the verses in 6th and 9th chapters stating that even a sinner of worst kind gets liberation and in verse 18th chapter stating that ISHAVR resides in every heart and governs and mobilized the living beings. Now it appears that the verses in 16th chapter relate to the ego of a person who separates himher from the cosmic consciousness and hence makes one arrogant and hate his or her own connection with the cosmic self In such a condition the Lord probably implies that he or she would keep on reverberating in his or her own separated and hence painful miserable and helpless state. If you experience the might of the shackling ego you would agree with this However after coming into contact with Gita and getting immersed in Gita he or she would begin to reorient himself or herself with the true self or cosmic consciousness and peace. This also you would agree if and when you experience NOVEMBER 26 2009 0200 PM In 9th chapter Lord says that for him every one is equal and He neither loves nor hates in a personal manner any one. This used be rather perplexing on the background that He says that He would punish those who hate Him Moreover it appeared absurd to equate good and bad people I now understand that even as Lord can see the unity of the universe and the universe being present in Him and He being present in every heart we do not experience this divinity residing in every heart because we do not see it in our own heart Hence due our personal biases and subjectivity we see individuals including ourselves as good bad simple shrewd cunning crooked vicious vindictive gullible healthy sick happy miserable etc. Gita implies that it is natural for everyone to evolve in this realization because the Lord resides in every heart which the Lord shares with Arjuna. All the means described n Gita such as NAMASMARAN and many others not directly and elaborately described in Gita take us to this realization. In 5th chapter it is said that SANYASA is not possible without YOGA SANYASASTU MAHABAHO DUKKHAMAPTUM AYOGATAH…. This implies that SANYASA and associated peace devoid of vacillations is possible if the is loving bond YOGA is preserved. Renunciation with contempt or hatred is not true SANYASA and not associated with peace If you have subtle dislike for you spouse and you decide to separate then that is not SANYASA in true sense or renunciation in true sense It is merely a reaction of hatred Conversely YOGA in true sense is bond of love with absolutely no expectations. YOGA is being free from i.e. renouncing every possible subjective consideration If you like your spouse so much that you cannot bear the thought of hisher separation then or you expect something from himher then bond of love is not YOGA or objective impersonal love Thus hatred and subjective attachment are responsible for mean petty prejudiced inappropriate unjust and suicidal or socially harmful actions which are followed by perversion andor bondage and suffering This holds true for every kind of subjective hatred and love. Lord teaches us that renouncing per se is not true sacrifice with objective perspective i.e. SANYASA and getting possessed per se is not objective love or YOGA. In the course of evolution you rise above this kind of hatred or subjective attachment. You learn and realize the rhythm of life. You learn to enjoy the supreme love and supreme sacrifice objectively. Thus SANYASA is rising above all the subjective framework and getting freed from it and YOGA is the absence of resentment and presence of loving fulfillment without any expectations while you are rising Further it becomes clear that just as SANYASA i.e. true renunciation is impossible without YOGA i.e. bond of objective love similarly the YOGA the bond of objective love is not possible without SANYASA i.e. renouncing all ideas ideals ambitions aims objectives and other preoccupations born out of subjective framework of mind In other words rising into objectivity is truly a self subjective less detachment and SANYASA and truly loving union with the cosmic self i.e. objective love or YOGA act It has been repeatedly said that NAMASMARAN can help in this It is said in 6th chapter that self control moderation helps an individual to attain YOGA. But in 6th 7th and 9th chapters it is also said that those who worship me can attain me irrespective of their conduct. What is importance of SATVA GUNA if this is so? I think it refers to the fact that in general SATVA GUNA is near to revelation of truth. But that is not always apparent and perceptible to common man’s eye. Hence it is also said that Lord’s devotee instantly becomes one with Lord as stated in 9th and 11th chapters This statement of Gita is particularly validated by the behavior of AVALIYAS who are nonconformist realized souls such as Satam Maharaj Gajanan Maharaj etc. NOVEMBER 27 2009 345 PM Some people commented that Arjuna was actually right in renouncing the war as he stated at the end of the 1st chapter itself that he was ready to die without offering any resistance rather than participating in the war for the sake of winning the kingdom Apparently I was also in two minds when I read this comment. But in the course of time I realized that Arjuna was kind and loving but getting derailed from his duty towards himself and the society. I also realized that those justified and upheld the view point of Arjuna were themselves in the dilemma of identifying the enemy and fighting it In my experience when you are not sure about the identity of the enemy you are not convinced about fighting In short Arjuna had not identified his true self and hence he had not identified the true enemy and hence was reluctant to enter and participate in the war With the practice of NAMASMARAN the nature of the enemy becomes clear and you begin to enjoy participating in the war with enemy inside and outside as a matter of privilege of SWADHARMA In 18th chapter there is reference to not getting TYAGA PHALA by RAJASA TYAGA How can we reconcile the idea of KARMAPHALATYAGA and getting TYAGA PHALA? The answer is here the Lord refers to the fruit or PHALA which liberates us from all kinds of expectations Hence this TYAGA PHALA is quite different or in fact quite opposite of KARMAPHALA which leads to bondage NOVEMBER 28 2009 730 AM In 5th chapter there is reference to 9 doors of the body. This concept is well known. But is this true for females? It has to be noted that in females there are 2 eyes 2 ears 2 nostrils 1 mouth 1 urinary opening 1 anal opening 9 doors but there is also 1 more door and that is genital opening viz. vagina making 10 ‘doors’ to female body. I feel that questioning an authority is not insulting the authority but showing confidence that you would be heard attended to and responded to properly. Not raising doubts is like being closed and already prejudiced that if you question the authority would feel offended insulted and or may not be able to answer This point is minor one with respect to anatomy but initially I was feeling inhibited to raise it because of the popular contention that scriptures should never be doubted. Later I realized that by raising doubts we do not reduce the importance of Gita but show that inspite of doubts in terms of minutia the essence of Gita takes us from our subjective frame of mind to the objective and cosmic consciousness One point from 2nd chapter is about the description of the deterioration DHYAYATO VISHAYAN…. of an individual due to entrapment in the dragging instinctual forces. I feel that as the feeling of attraction about opposite sex is natural hatred of it is not advocated in Gita. What is highlighted is how by focusing exclusively on the innate core of one’s self e.g. through NNAMASMARAN one experiences the sublimation of most desires especially the sexual desire into sublime and respectful love Hatred about or slavery of instincts such as sexual attraction are not conducive to individual and global blossoming They can not give warmth of romance or any other bond involved in different relationships. On the contrary when we evolve from within we do not hate the opposite sex. We do not become bitter. We experience and enjoy the sublime attraction in opposite sex and not obscene carnal cravings. This is probably the basis of worshipping feminine and masculine principles in the nature i.e. Goddess and God and not merely male god by males and female goddess by females This holds true for all other instincts and desires and that is exactly what is the hallmark of the imminent global culture. I feel this point is extremely important for a person like me who is often afraid of a state of desirelessness which is dreadfully similar to total void or actually death. Hence I reiterate that in the course of evolution our subjective desires sublimate or culminate into cosmic or objective desires and do not vanish. They vanish only as subjective or petty preoccupations or obsessions. They vanish as fanatic and exploitative compulsions. Thus Gita makes us free and not hollow or empty This is what makes us fearless and buoyant This positive content of Gita is extremely reassuring and rejuvenating. It ensures emergence of objective cosmic and immortal love in the feeble fragile and frail body that we have This is how we realize our immortality and that of the self realized seers of the past How to reconcile the utopia of better world? When I was charged with the idea of a better world I used feel totally upset disturbed agitated and at times disheartened and depressed by any argument opposite to it or negating it Hence initially Gita used to depress me tremendously because except the last verse of Gita there is not even an indirect indication or assurance of a better world in Gita. On the contrary she seemed to be revolving around the life and death and individual emancipation. To accept that you have to follow your SWADHARMA and not expect a global change was extremely painful and appeared to be irrational unrealistic pessimistic deterministic fatalistic and so disheartening and depressing. Now even when it is becoming clear that it was the cosmic consciousness that manifested in the conceptual form of the goal of global blossoming though partially andor ambiguously due to the constitutional limitations in my mind it has been painful to give up that utopia of global wellbeing because without it the life has appeared meaningless purposeless hopeless and dead I have felt impotent and helpless by the philosophy of detachment Gradually I have started realizing that this is not the message of Gita In stead Gita reassures that my core is immortal and that it is one with the spirit of Gita and hence would keep on manifesting from time to time through this individual or that. Thus Gita gives full stop to the fear of dying without accomplishing my dream and assures that the global blossoming though not exactly as per my specification would continue from time to time and Gita teaches us that the world would continue to have resurgence of cosmic consciousness and enlightenment and the necessary and appropriate rectification Hence Gita teaches that I have the freedom and privilege to practice the SWADHARMA with total involvement which ensures moment to moment ecstasy that does not depend on fruit The universe is going to continue with its characteristics and this enlightenment springing from Gita would also keep resurfacing from time to time through generations I am learning to free myself from the visible changes which are never permanent and hence deceptive of individual and global blossoming. I am beginning to understand and experience my role without unrealistic optimism or pessimism due the inner assurance of eternal continuity and periodic manifestation of universal consciousness and my spirit SWADHARMA is neither a utopia that aims at visible changes in the conditions of the people nor is it shackled by the pursuits restricted to visible benefits in the individual conditions Neither it is pessimistic nor is it optimistic. It is unconditionally victorious I have realized that even though I could once get elated by the idea of “working for the others” or “serving the mankind” I could never get the fulfillment or peace in it which I have started experiencing these days. This is the reason I have shifted from Marxism and other philosophies and ideologies as I understood to the core of Marxism and all of them again as I understood Gita teaches us to go to our own core and also that of the cosmos Gita is immortal and hence she is going to keep enlightening generations after generations and hence there is no aim of or a mission of “permanent” or “defined” or “specifically envisaged” global welfare What global or local changes would ensue would be pleasing but impermanent and changing and would essentially be the by product of the practice of SWADHARMA by individuals like me from the every corner of world and from millennia to millennia. However this was not as easy as it sounds. The SATVA RAJA and TAMA keep on interfering with the realization of SWADHARMA thus making the process tardy difficult and full of tribulations probably designed for one’s chastisement November 28 2009 1255 PM I just realized that today it is Gita Jayanti. I had read about government ban on many animal shows on road in circus and celebrations of NAGPANCHAMI in Battis Shirala. Yesterday I read that 200 000 animals were to be slaughtered in Deonar slaughter house. The study of Gita can engender proper policy on animal slaughter. Mere worship of Gita or mere hatred of Gita are not only sterile but come in the way of individual and global blossoming through SWADHARMA. At this point of time I want to discuss the word NIRASHI used in 3rd and 4th chapters. The word NIRASHI and UDAS are used in philosophical literature pretty often and more often than not have given me the impression of depression and frustration. I always wondered then how and why Gita is considered to be one of the best counselors. In fact I have experienced getting frustrated depressed or ultimately helpless and indifferent umpteen numbers of times with respect to many government policies and happenings in the society I guess frustration helplessness depression and indifference and melancholy are not uncommon. The clarification that emerged in my mind is the words NIRASHI UDAS and possibly others with similar connotations do not mean getting frustrated. They do not mean “giving up” or remaining “indifferent” They simply mean that you may not get the same results as envisaged by you. Do not get vacillated and perturbed in that event. Do not get disturbed. Do not get disheartened. Do not get depressed. Do not lose hope. Remember that the results depend on several factors and not necessarily on your subjective liking or preferences. Hence they do not indicate your incompetence. Not only one but even several failures per se do not indicate your incompetence. So do not judge and humiliate yourself from your failures. Just try to keep on getting closer to your SWADHARMA by continuous rectification of your perspective and behavior thus bringing more and more accuracy in it which is said to be made easier by practice of NAMASMARAN. Alternatively Gita also teaches us that even if you get so called tangible success do not get enamored. Because success also depends on several factors It does not indicate merely your competence Do not get excited and lose your sense of proportion as you may become arrogant and indiscrete in terms of what is benevolent and what is harmful to you and society. Further being unrealistic you may get distanced from your true self and get degenerated and decomposed Essence of Gita realized in this way keeps me far more buoyant and triumphant in spirit than what it otherwise used to be. In recent days I am learning from Gita that when our aim or target is not convincing to our innate core i.e. in variance with SWADHARMA then our performance is also unsatisfactory painful miserable andor socially harmful. Thus I was not convinced about the sectarian non-holistic curriculum of the MBBS and MD and hence I was not fully satisfied with my own performance in learning as well as teaching In addition my resilience and tenacity to achieve a particular goal in my learning and teaching career also were not fully satisfactory to me I think this is true for any person and in any business profession or duty. When the targets goals laws and regulations are not convincing in variance from SWADHARMA then performance and the involvement in any field become unsatisfactory As and when I am convinced about my actions to the core i.e. identify my SWADHARMA my enthusiasm buoyancy resilience tenacity perseverance forbearance courage and dedication and overall application also multiply I begin to get ecstasy in every small thing I do and my life becomes a source of unending vitality This brings charm and sweetness to all relationships including family relatives friends peers colleagues and so on because my patience consideration and flexibility also multiply My brittleness fragility impatience obstinacy whims fancies adamancy uncertainty doubts diffidence all begin to dwindle and make me more active freer and happier for increasingly longer intervals of time November 28 2009 0730 pm Gita teaches us to carry on our activities without getting trapped in the results. How to reconcile various activities going on with specific objective? In 4th chapter and latter in 7th 17th and 18th chapters there is reference to activities performed with intentions i.e. expectations of returns. Gita does not condemn them but guides us on the path of evolving further and performing actions decreasing subjective intentions or expectations in tune with the cosmic will through e.g. NAMASMARAN I have begun to understand that just as I went through different stages of development it could also be true with other people. I must not expect a simultaneous uniform and regimentalized change I must understand and be considerate about the changing activities with varying interests depending upon the age and stage of development of the people as has been the case with me I should not condemn people or should not get disheartened because there is no change Rather I should provide according to my capacity assurance and solution in the form of perspective policies plans and implementation conducive to individual and global blossoming In fact from this point of view it is important to realize from time to time the importance of the accessories food sleep residence company etc helpful in merging with cosmic will In other words just as we can not overlook or undermine the importance of different needs during our physical development similarly even in the process of reaching the final stage of merging with cosmic consciousness we have to utilize and respect the skills techniques and specializations such as those described in Vedic Karmas This is why Gita in 2nd 3rd 4th 17th and 18th chapters advises us not to quit the activities but to evolve from the activities of personal interest and perform SWADHARMA Thus everything that helps to focus and get connected with the cosmic consciousness must be done and not despised. If we are atheist iconoclast nonconformist usually because of inadequate study and petty ego fanatic adamancy and lethargy then we may suffer from periodic depression which can be overcome through study of Gita and practice of NAMASMARAN This became especially clearer when I read the excellent translation and explanation of Shri Sukta by Pundit Shripad Shastri Kinjavadekar. I realized that the practice of SUKTAS STOTRAS ARATIS and BHAJANS and so on helps in overcoming imminent depression fragility and fickle mindedness which keep piling up subconsciously. I seem to appreciate deeply that the inspiring energizing encouraging rejuvenating and revitalizing guidance about performing all activities supporting and nurturing the “ecstatic and freeing involvement in the SWADHARMA conducive to individual and global blossoming” is the greatest source of superlife in Gita Vishnusahasranam and NAMASMARAN November 30 2009 0808 AM In the beginning of the 3rd and 18th chapters there is repetition of doubt regarding SANYASA and KARMA and TYAGA. Initially when I was studying I thought in the 2nd chapter itself there is sufficient clarification about SWADHARMA and hence there is no need for further doubt and subsequent explanation. I thought it to be redundant. But the ideas of SANYASA KARMA and TYAGA are subtle and hence can be confusing when it comes to actual practice. This is because Gita perspective is expression of cosmic consciusness. It encompasses the cosmos society and the individual consciousness and individuals. The processes of transcending SANYASA and TYAGA and involving or participating KARMA which are apparently contradictory are basically complementary and uniquely and excellently reconciled in Gita. This becomes clearer as one keeps on practicing NAMASMARAN. These processes are related to blossoming and sustaining When one blossoms the past form is given up and new form is adopted but the life processes within go on in continuity in a sustained manner. SANYASA is growth and YOGA is the continued life It becomes clearer and clearer in an ongoing manner as one keeps on studying and contemplating on Gita and practicing NAMSMARAN. This highlights the previously discussed point of rising above without hating or trapped by the physiological characteristics in the nature society and the body and consciousness encompassing them. This understanding or realization also resolves the confusion about KAMYA KARMA NITYA KARMA and NAIMITTIK KARMA and so on. It is clarified that giving up KAMYA KARMA is SANYASA. This has different implications in terms of external appearances but the purport is universal. Thus SANYASA would mean renouncing the profitable activities which are at variance with the SWADHARMA. Thus at different stages of life individual renounces certain activities starting right from suckling of milk. Similarly a brahmin actually it is pronounced as BRAHMANA does not indulge in the activities of KSHATRIYA martial activities involved in protection and safety of the society or VAISHYA trading activities. This is a kind of SANYASA. Moreover just as a ripened fruit drops from the tree and is eaten by animals or man in the same way in old age the individual renounces direct administrative involvement while continuing with the essence of activities conducive to individual and global blossoming. TYAGA meant giving up the KARMA PHALA i.e. fruits gains or results of the activity. This is associated with the word detachment which does not convey the vital and vibrant spirit of KARMAPHALA TYAGA. It does not convey the innate meaning of implying growth and coming out of subjective or personal considerations which nurture individualistic forces manifesting in jealousy envy hatred arrogance depression followed by rat race petty competitions jealousy other crimes and social decomposition TYAGA has a positive element of getting rid of what is harmful or inappropriate while being focused on what is maximally benevolent December 1 2009 1220 pm Why can one dislike Gita? Long back when I used to be charged with physical needs passions emotions thoughts and ideas I used to feel agitated with the thought of similar plight of the people The social circumstances appeared extremely dark stark and annoying. The change the revolution appeared to be the only purpose of life even as the exact program of action andor the blue print of the revolution were far from ready The frenzy of all these complex feelings used to be so much that any proponent of Gita used to appear as unconcerned about peoples’ true needs unbothered about real issues such as poverty injustice and hence antisocial hypocrite parasitic etc or at best stupid or gullible The restlessness within used to be so much that it used to propel me towards addressing every problem that appeared in the news paper or on TV apart from those in my own personal life. As a result I used get engrossed in relevant physical work emotional expression in poetry intellectual analysis discussions public speeches writing articles and books etc which appeared to be the preferred ways of self assertion and solution to the problems Withdrawal from such activities was suffocating unbearable and killing Gita appeared to me a despicable escapism from the problems and the activities which I thought were “important and urgent” Gita discourses appeared to make the people facing problems as well as the preachers parasitic and paranoid It appeared to make them dependent and helpless. It appeared to dissuade them from accepting the challenges in personal and social life and facing them victoriously The fervor of my mind would never get calmed by the thought of Gita though many a times I appreciated the honesty and selflessness of the individuals advocating it. Apart from this dislike one of the common excuses that I used to find in studying Gita was the apparent irrelevance of the study in terms of daily livelihood. Moreover the study seemed to hinder the day to day work and disturbed the preoccupied mind. In fact it created a kind of tug of war in the mind Now I realize that this was because of my untrained erroneous cognition perception affect feelings and conation response. Thus I misconceived the dimension of the challenges felt tense and restless and responded rather erratically leading to further exaggeration of problems in mind This is called distress cycle. When you are in such distressed state you can not handle even small problems and hence study of Gita which starts with the problems encompassing the cosmic social family and personal dimensions simultaneously becomes a painful affair It is like a state of severe indigestion in which you are averse to eat anything and especially heavy food stuff that is difficult to digest Another reason that caused repulsion towards Gita was there were several tempting distractions which seemed to offer pleasure solace relief and consolation. Moreover these distractions such as movies TV shows parties gossip and socialization of different types did not require any active efforts on the part of your brain and heart. Study of Gita being demanding acute attention and focused concentration has always been an uphill task Actually this was the reason when I used to find the expressions of ecstasy and joy by Sanjay in the last 5 verses in 18th chapter quite contradictory and disagreeable Later in the course of reading Gita and about Gita in books such as the biography of Shri Brahmachaitanya Gondavlekar Maharaj by Prof. K.V. Belsare and through my experiences with a variety of activities of service and social struggle for justice I began to get intellectually convinced that Gita can evolve and transform an individual in terms of hisher perspective vision intellectual framework emotions and instincts and evolve himher into objective or cosmic consciousness. I thought this if happens in every walk of life then it could usher in individual and global blossoming appropriate to that period because it could actualize globally benevolent perspective and policies Now I realize that practice of NAMASMARAN right from childhood and teaching of Gita in every nursery school college and even professional college would evolve the student of Gita who would share the same joy and ecstasy that Sanjay expressed in the last five verses I don’t want to generalize this and give any guarantee abut this but this is my experience It is my experience that once Gita enters in the system the movies dramas TV shows and other activities can be enjoyed or avoided without getting overwhelmed or disturbed respectively. Gita provides the ultimate and invincible satisfaction coupled with vigor buoyancy fearlessness and benevolence encompassing universe Many times I used to feel disturbed by comments from friends apparently ridiculing Gita as very recent only about 1000 years old I did not quite understand how a book or a scripture could be judged on the basis of when it was written But somehow and somewhere these comments tended to dishearten and discourage me or at least thwart my enthusiasm in studying Gita. Many would say that Upanishads are really enlightening and Gita constitutes only citations from the Upanishads. These people obviously were ignorant about Upanishads as well as Gita but may be because of my weakness their comments could often sabotage my interest dedication efforts concentration commitment and involvement in the study There were others who used to praise Gita without reading it and boast that Gita is very old I could not derive any inspiration from this either because I could not agree to judge a book from its age In fact one could argue that inspite of being so old the book does not have significant impact on the world civilization in view of the stark global reality we witness Another argument that could annoy and discourage a new student was Gita is not written by one individual but by many people over centuries and further Gita could not have been written on the battlefield at all because no sane person would spend time in discussion in such a situation of war In fact this fact itself makes the Gita quite absurd Such remarks from people who have been cut off from their roots ancestors history and most importantly their true self due to petty individualistic ideas and fanatic beliefs could reduce one’s reverence for the book and hence the enthusiasm in studying it. Gita is studied with reverence. I also studied Gita because of the reverence she enjoys from billions of people and for millennia Some people laugh at reverence and think that is irrational But that is wrong Reverence is not superstition Reverence adds to one’s interest commitment focus motivation and involvement Reverence for Gita makes it easy to absorb the vital wisdom from Gita But after I studied Gita inspite of such criticism and insulting talks for some time I also felt there could be some truth in the argument that Gita is written by not but many people in view of somewhat conflicting concepts finding place in her But Gita whether written or sung or addressed by a particular person one person many persons by a person in chariot to another in the chariot on the battleground a person in his living room to another person is only relevant to those who are academic historians or those involved in divisive politics with some vested interests. For me as I kept studying and realizing the content of Gita it was immaterial in view of the content of Gita and its scope and potentials for individual and global blossoming It is silly for a student of Gita to dwell on such issues and waste time rather than dedicating to the study of Gita so as to grasp and realize the core of Gita Some used to ask “What is the basis to prove that Gita can lead to global blossoming? Study of Gita does not seem to do anything if compared to for instance scientific research or socio-political manipulations It does not seem to work and produce results even comparable to those produced by relatively simple agricultural activities or other andicrafts” If I say that Gita evolves us into objective or cosmic consciousness or imparts global perspective then the argument is “Can you prove the cause and effect relationship?” The answer obviously is “No I can not prove that Gita evolves us into objective or cosmic consciousness or imparts global perspective” because many of those who study Gita can disprove my contention Looking back I realize that my opinions changed due to the influence of factors beyond my comprehension constituting the “field” cosmic consciousness or God that encompasses and influences not merely “me” but everything including the people in the universe Whether the people in the world would also change and begin to get associated with Gita also therefore be determined by the same “field” and hence I need not feel restless about whether people accept the importance of Gita or not But if I say so then next argument would be “What is the proof for existence of such a field”? Obviously I have no proof Another argument is Gita has no influence on individual or social life studying Gita is wastage of time One may feel that Gita has benevolent role because of erroneously attributing the good changes in him or her to the study of Gita Actually it could be the other way round the good change leads him or her to admire Gita This argument also can not be refuted. What can be said is that cosmic consciousness or objective bliss is somehow associated with Gita. But even this can not be proved. Neither can I show that some one is linked through Gita to cosmic consciousness nor can I prove that those who are not studying Gita are dissociated from cosmic consciusness or objective bliss But having gone through the experience of all this I am convinced beyond doubt that Gita is a transtemporal transintellectual transnational transcultural and universally benevolent manifestation of cosmic consciousness irrespective of whether written or narrated or sung by one person many persons on battleground or in a living room amp at given time or over a period of centuries Further I would like to add that GITA amp VISHNUSAHASRANAM and NAMASMARAN is a life time golden opportunity or golden gate to cosmic consciousness provided by the cosmic consciousness Himself Even so the study of Gita and the experience associated with it are essentially personal and beyond linguistic communication beyond a certain point One may or may not believe in them and may or may not provisionally accept study experiment out and decide their validity or otherwise No one including me should feel that heshe can because no one can oblige them by studying or harm them by insulting No one can elate them by praising and sadden them by maligning Hence it said in verse in 6th chapter which implies that those who would study and realize the immortal cosmic consciousness would actually get the same in reciprocation from the cosmic consciousness It appears however that it is time that a vast majority of the world would get freedom from the shackling conflicts generated from fulfillment or otherwise of their physical needs instincts feelings arguments flights of imaginations infatuations and restlessness and get the privilege of being associated with the essence of Gita NAMASMARAN Vishnusahasranam objective bliss cosmic consciousness globally beneficial perspective and policies and their implementation irrespective of the nature of cause and effect relationship which also incidentally is a product of human intellectual framework In 4th chapter the importance of SHRADDHA is stressed. I used to feel that SHRADDHA is same as or at least similar to blind belief thoughtless trust superstition or unreasonable and unfounded devotion with petty and mean ulterior motives. At times I used feel that SHRADDHA is merely being emotionally attached or devoted to a particular God doctor etc with some hope against hope Hence I thought SHRADDHA is opposed to thorough critical and honest analysis During my study of Gita Vishnusahasranam and Namasmaran I realized that SHRADDHA is absolutely different. SHRADDHA is totally selfless and unprejudiced approach or attitude Thus it is a serious and sincere commitment for some study or a task It is being honest integrated and committed and nothing else. It does not in any way opposed to analysis even if be ruthless and unending Now I am convinced that the appreciation of the spirit of Gita is extremely difficult as mentioned in 7th chapter especially without SHRADDHA SHRADDHA is absolutely essential for learning the purport of Gita as ASHRADDHA which means casual prejudiced petty andor selfish approach usually associated with cynicism and contempt is a major hurdle in learning Gita ASHRADDHA makes the understanding or realization of Gita impossible as implied in 4th and 9th chapters. December 1 2009 0550 am What can deter us from SWADHARMA? Even as I was trying to integrate my concepts feelings passions and my practice and share it with others one of my near dear ones often kept saying that there won’t be any change in the world and hence all efforts in that direction are in vain His comments would come suddenly during the peak of discussion and give a jolt as if some one splashed his vomits on you. Whether that individual gets convinced or not at least I am happy to have gradually realized that a body cell and body work cooperatively to make life possible. If a cell were not to work in this way the body would cease to live and the cell also would die. We live because of this cooperation. MOHA is ignorance of this which is suicidal. I have to understand that I eat every day and keep on eating without questioning but when it comes to getting engaged in SWADHARMA I start giving excuses This is MOHA addressed in Gita and which is a universal problem not only that of the person criticizing and which is at the root of all other problems Another argument against SWADHARMA is that even if we try our best the maladies are bound to recur. Why waste time and energy in it? I don’t realize that I keep on doing things such as taking bath even when I know that I am bound to get dirty again and need to repeat it. I don’t give excuse that I am going to get dirty again to avoid bath. But I keep giving excuses that nothing is going to change permanently in the world and hence it is stupid and in vain to make efforts This is MOHA and makes me tubular short sighted and petty. It makes me timid and inert. It keeps me separated from my true self and hence from the society. This is why the contradiction between ‘me’ and ‘society’ is born and perpetuated. I have begun to understand that just as we sleep at night and start working in morning and just as during spring the gardens blossom similarly at opportune times people work for global blossoming even if the blossom is bound to end at some time and followed by summer. The ego of an individual hides the fact that trillions of activities going on in the trillions of body cells and in the innumerable molecules atoms and subatomic particles and trillions of activities going on for trillions of years in the universe are not done by an individual He is a part of them When spring comes he will have to blossom even if be for a specified time Hence Arjuna is given to understand that irrespective of what he feels he would be engaged in his work just as the flower has no choice but to bloom during spring This is said in 18th chapter YADAHANKARAMASHRITYA ….NA YOTSYA… SWABHAVJEN KAUNTEYA…. How is Gita related to struggles against exploitation slavery chaos and foreign rule? Gita has given the answer in 14th chapter in very precise manner. Thus a person a society a nation the world and even the entire universe either perish or blossom in accordance with the proportion of SATVA RAJA and TAMA present in them. When SATVA predominates many begin to blossom and when TAMA predominates many begin to perish. The conditions in the society reflect the proportion of SATVA RAJA and TAMA From the point of view of Indians blacks and other Asians the root of slavery has to seen in the preponderance of TAMA in the world and growth capitalism individualism and imperialism in the growth of TAMA and RAJA. Gita has given the solution of focusing on cosmic consciousness through e.g. NAMASMARAN thereby increasing SATVA and going even further What is the meaning of KARMA and AKARMA? In 4th chapter there is a verse KARMANI AKARMA YAH PASHYET…. indicating that one who sees action in inaction and inaction in action is the intelligent and accomplished yogi. Thus pure and cosmic consciousness never does anything in the routine sense of that word. He does not perform any action But He is responsible for the whole universe This is seeing KARMA in AKARMA Conversely all that we do is like a part of the engine. We are not drivers of the engine. It is a fallacy to feel that we are driving. Hence when we realize that we are not doers then “our” action becomes null and void and then it is called as seeing AKARMA in KARMA What is the importance of social opinion? I have mentioned Pages 4 and 5 what I felt about argument in favor of war in 2nd chapter Akeertin cha pi bhootani….Bhayat ranat uparatam…..Awacchya vadanscha bahoon….. in which the point of possible social indignation is used to ‘incite’ Arjuna to participate in war. But now I see there is another dimension to this argument. The social opinion is a double edged weapon. It is extremely harmful if we get sheared apart from our true self but it is extremely useful if we get pulled out of our basal or carnal instincts andor petty ego Society is like our mother. It nurtures us in every way. It is important that we do not malign it and attribute the responsibility of our miseries on it by knowingly or unknowingly concealing our weakness. Can simplicity of Gita come in the way of people studying her? If we are in sinking frame of mind we need something bombastic or dramatic for elevation The words of Gita appear too simple to convey much content We never get quite impressed by simplicity We need something dramatic andor melodramatic In fact we start doubting the importance because of simplicity We keep wondering instead of going ahead with study how and why Gita could enjoy such a coveted position and reign supremacy in world literature Sat, 11 Dec 2010 21:59:54 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=111 NAMASMARAN amp NEUROSIS Indulgence and asceticism atheism and theism romance and renunciation and such variety of apparently conflicting phenomena render completion to life. If you try to take away anyone of these the life appears incomplete. In fact even as I was convinced intellectually about the value of NAMSMARAN in life and wrote books on it right from 1992 one of the major hurdles in appreciating and experiencing the cosmic benevolence of NAMASMARAN was its depiction or my erroneous perception of the depiction as an activity of elderly neurotic inactive pessimists escapists and failed individuals. Even the books movies and dramas on saints and bhakti sangeet devotional music made saintly life and the practice of NAMASMARAN appear miserable and pathetic. I never thought this was the A grade happiness implied in spiritualism or self realization. Partly because of this and partly because of the social justice and freedom implied in the atheism which I cherish even today I could not be involved completely in any particular theist tradition of NAMASMARAN. But even as I due to my repulsion for the pathetic life style as depicted or interpreted by me felt material pleasures could not be amputated arbitrarily from one’s life if one were to evolve healthily I was not at ease even in the “best” of petty pleasures which could at best give B grade pleasure not A grade happiness which is implied in though often ignored and must be integral part of global justice. Thus neither could I identify myself with the ascetics nor with the materialists. I kept on vacillating from one side to another like a pendulum. But now it is more than clear that NAMASMARAN is a panacea it is an objective phenomenon and it can not be the monopoly of any one camp such as ascetic indulgent theist atheist scientific religious and so on. It is an objective phenomenon with cosmic benevolence for blossoming of one and all. It is as objective and as vital for human blossoming as the oxygen is for human life. It is beyond science religion and philosophy. It is beyond human thought. It is a matter of practice and experience not belief feeling or imagination. NAMASMARAN connects you to the center of life time and cosmic consciousness i.e. with your true self. NAMASMARAN according to one’s tradition is the privileged express highway to realize maximum potentials in every possible way for one and all NAMASMARAN A MAHAYOG A MEGAFUSION EK MAHASAMANVAY I feel that ? NAMASMARAN means remembering the name of God i.e. one’s innate and true self and thus helps to blossom from petty self into cosmic self in the course of time ? Namasmaran links all the faculties in an individual and helps him evolve integrity between thoughts feelings instincts and actions. ? Namasmaran cements the generation gap with consideration and love. ? Namasmaran helps to rise above petty whims and fancies and enjoy sublime bonds of love amongst family members relatives and friends. ? Namasmaran wields the bonds of understanding amongst people of different professions and of different strata. ? Namasmaran builds lasting bonds amongst people of different regions. ? Namasmaran builds the bridges of acceptance and love amongst different religions. ? Namasmaran helps in uniting different races. ? Namasmaran helps in nurturing love between people of different nationalities. ? Namasmaran brings the actual spiritualism in day today life in every walk of life i.e. actually catalyzes the reunification of spiritualism and materialism. ? Namasmaran therefore is MAHAYOG MEGAFUSION OR MAHASAMANVAY ? I would be obliged if the practitioners of NAMASMARAN comment whether these views from their point of view are realistic or are infatuations andor utopia. NAMASMARAN THE GOLDEN CHANCE The life begins with separation of petty self from true self. The geniuses seers and prophets have almost complete awareness of true self. The others are variably aware of petty self and true self. The life manifests as a result of conflicting awareness of a true and petty self. NAMASMARAN is a GOLDEN CHANCE for increasing awareness of the true self. This awareness is usually associated with increase in braveness buoyancy and benevolence in all the walks of life in different forms The other features of this awareness are perspective policies plans and actions for evolving awareness of true self universally . NAMASMARAN WHEN amp WHY? If there is a thorn inside then it hurts badly and the child cries. But if you try to remove it then it resists and cries more. A sick child refuses to take injection because it is apprehensive about the pain it produces. The list of such instances can be very long in fact unending. The point is simple. If you do not know the cause and nature of your problem and the efficiency of its solutions then you tend to despise and reject the solutions. Today most of the people are complaining of one thing or another. Some people are not complaining but the others are complaining about them This is especially important because “normal” people are suffering There is no clinical disease and yet they are suffering or at least they say so The suffering is largely because of immature or maturing perception feelings and actions. The solution is to development and maturation of these. This requires consciousness that emerges triumphantly out of the biologically dominated perceptions feelings and actions. This is actually the freedom of your soul or your conscience This requires NAMASMARAN in every place you go and in situation face. This is why you need NAMASMARAN. But it is most important to realize that NAMASMARAN is a supreme option open to you and is a golden opportunity. You are privileged to know about and practice NAMASMARAN. The answer to “when” NAMASMARAN is from the moment you come to know about it and always The answer to “why?” is because it is an accurate and radical solution to the problems for which you seek a solution WHAT IS NAMASMARAN? Namasmaran means remembering the name of God Guru great souls such as prophets and holy objects such as planets and stars. It may be remembered silently loudly along with music dance along with breathing in group or alone either with counting by rosary called SMARANI or JAPAMALA or without counting. The traditions vary from region to region and from religion to religion. However the universal principle underlying NAMASMARAN is to reorient your physiological being with your true self. In fact while reorienting with true self you aim to establish and strengthen the bond or connection between your physiological being with your true self. You aim at reunification with yourself Since remembering your true self is the pinnacle of or culmination of individual consciousness and individual consciousness is the culmination of every activity in life remembering any name of God or Guru any symbol of your true self is equivalent to opening the final common pathway for the individual consciousness associated with every possible activity to get funneled into or unified with objective or cosmic consciousness. Thus NAMASMARAN is in fact the YOGA of YOGA in the sense that it is the culmination of consciousness associated with every possible procedure and technique in the yoga that you are familiar with. It is the YOGA of YOGA because it is the culmination of consciousness associated with all the activities in the universe which it encompasses as well It is YOGA of YOGA because everybody in the world irrespective of hisher tradition and the beliefs would eventually ultimately and naturally reach it it in the process of liberation. Even so called non believers also would not “miss” the “benefit of remembering the true self through one symbol or another” Just as NAMASMARAN is YOGA of YOGA it is meditation of meditation also It is the natural and ultimate climax of every form of meditation. In short NAMSMARAN is super-bounty of cosmic consciousness for every individual to realize it cosmic consciousness This is truly a super-bounty because a person who experiences it rises above mercenary commercial and even professional and charity planes and manifest super- transactions in his or her life These are just few observations to give rough idea about what is NAMASMARAN. NAMASMARAN is an ocean of bliss. Its true meaning is beyond description in words and has to b experienced most preferably by billions WHY NAMASMARAN? Some said that poverty is due to exploitation. Some said that the misery is due to invaders. Some said the malady is due to imperialists. Some said the strife is due to religious fanaticism. Some said the stress is due to social oppression and injustice. Some said that the stress is due to deprivation of biological instincts. These are not completely wrong but not entirely accurate also. Such partial understanding usually breeds indiscriminate hatred and violence towards others. On the other hand there are many theories basically indicating the root of the distress in individual frailty. These are also not completely wrong but not totally accurate either. They usually lead to self abnegation and indiscriminate violence towards oneself. There is one simple and practical process that has benevolent and emancipating impact on individual and the environment. This process is called NAMASMARAN i.e. remembering the God i.e. your true self. Billions of people of the world actually are engaged in it without using this terminology. If billions more get engaged in it the blossoming of the individuals and the world are absolutely inevitable. There is no proof for this so one need not believe in this but as the idea of proof itself has its limitations one need not disbelieve also Unprecedented events have no proofs. They are realized only after they happen YOGA KARMA amp NAMASMARAN One of the enigmas of Geeta Gita philosophy is NISHKAMA KARMA which means action without expectation of a particular result. How can you perhaps do anything without expectation of a result when you see that everything is associated with result? Excepting perhaps involuntary actions and activities during sleep every action and its planning are associated with anticipation or projection of its result. It is understandable that if you focus on or get obsessed by a particular result or start day dreaming about it then it can distract you from the procedural skills and concentration. But how can you completely forget or get rid of the thought or idea of the result? It is also true that you should not get involved in the result because it can disappoint you if you don’t get the expected result. This is also fair and pragmatic. It can protect you from imminent reactive depression or psychiatric maniacal elation. But still how can you totally dissociate the vision about the result from the action? While thinking about these questions suddenly I realized that even as most actions are associated with results all the actions and their results i.e. cause and effect relationship do not follow the same logic. This is especially true of subtle actions for example my thinking or feelings are not describable in terms of their physicochemical details and hence their cause and effect relationships with their results and the nature of their also can not be defined It is true that actions are roughly and in general associated with successes and failures. But the human civilization is evolution of actions including the thoughts and feelings and the vision. As they evolve further they become subtler and cosmic. Their nature and results can not be qualified or quantified by routine gauging and assessment. Further neither the actions nor the results remain personal or subjective and hence their “Ownership” or “Credit” ceases completely So we no longer remain attached to it. This is NISHKAMA KARMA Geeta Gita inspires us for evolution of our actions from crudity tight attachment to or insistence on cause and effect relationships arbitrariness and subjectivity to subtlety where subjectivity and objectivity and the procedure and the results conceptually merge and the ownership ceases One such absolutely evolved action is NAMASMARAN i.e. remembering God or one’s true self Billions are already practicing it in different religions and billions more are most likely to practice it and emancipate themselves and others One can ponder over these explanations and decide about the option of NAMASMARAN YOGA STRESS amp NAMASMARAN YOGA is integration of right and left parietal cerebral cortex i.e. right and left brain. Inability to realize the unity of universe inability to realize unity of different ‘pathies’ in medicine and inability to understand the interrelationship interactivity interdependence and complementarity in various fields of transactions such as agriculture science technology industry trade culture politics is due to deficient development and disintegration between right and left brain. This inability leads to mismanagement of stress and sectarian prejudices and fanatic bigotry prevalence of injustice exploitation hatred and crimes in different forms. Even if a person is intelligent in terms of memory analytical thinking and innovation and so on i.e. left cerebral development heshe can be vicious perverted and antisocial if not balanced and integrated with right brain. Conversely a person with excellent development of right brain but without integration with left brain is likely to be artist or a saintly individual but oblivious to social reality. Can NAMASMARAN be useful to integrate left and right brain and enhance stress management and blossom individual and global life? PHYSIOLOGY amp NAMASMARAN Meru is a golden mountain that supports the heaven earth and hell. It supports the three levels of consciousness. It also means Tartar range of mountains north of Himalaya. This golden mountain is analogous to the brain which supports all the aspects of individual life. One of the meanings of the word Meru Sanskrit seems to be brain. Hence the vertebral column is called Meru danda Column or Rod. Meru-mani means a big bead in the japamala i.e. rosary. It is said that while reciting or remembering the name of God and counting it on the japamala i.e. while practicing namasmaran you are not supposed to cross the meru-mani. What could be the reason for this? According to me the penance of any kind including namasmaran is aimed at reaching the controlling center of the inner and outer universe. Physiologically it is clear that there is a continuous flow of impulses to and fro the cerebral cortex on either side. Impulses flow from right brain to the left body and from left body to right brain. When you start counting the name of God you tend to replicate the above process and go from meru-mani to the japamala and back. This is like going from left brain and coming back. The next counting is begun by reversing the position of the meru-mani as if starting from right brain to the body and coming back. One can tally this explanation with one’s experience. POSITIVE THINKING AND NAMASMARAN Most of the times it is said advised by most of the people to most of the people to think positively But most of the times it is forgotten that a person does not think negatively by choice and does not have any conscious plan of not thinking positively either However most of the times this advice of positive thinking is given and taken passively and superstitiously as if there is no other option It has to be appreciated that a person in depression or frustration may have negative thoughts which are destructive and need to be shunned. But the strength for this is what is utterly lacking at the point of depression or frustration. Hence in this point of depression the positive thoughts are countered by equally powerful and far more convincing negative thoughts by that person. Sometimes the positive thoughts sermonized by the others become irritating as they appear too unrealistic and utopian to the person in depression and frustration and hence can be counterproductive. The utter weakness of depression or frustration can be overcome by NAMSMARAN which revitalizes and rejuvenates the person. It is in fact the best preventive and curative measure against depression and frustration. VALUE EDUCATION AND NAMASMARAN Many people related to the field of education keep talking about VALUE BASED EDUCATION as a panacea to all the problems in the world. The idea of value based education is probably well intended in case of some of the proponents but …. 1. The influence of value system of the society now global values which does not come in the purview of any formal education influences ideas and behavior of the students and every one connected with education tremendously. 2. Common men follow the celebrities in different fields in the world. The celebrity status is decided by the global value system and the media hype in accordance with it Today all of us in the world are suffering with the disease of “individualism superficiality and pettiness”. Interestingly it is disguised in glamour glitter hype and glorification We have become caricature of ourselves. We are unable to think and behave conducive to our happiness and that of others. 3. The value system enlightenment and inclusiveness or otherwise of the constituent assemblies decide the contents and drafting of the laws. 4. The laws whether they represent the noble aspirations of the millions or not and the legal system whether it provides any kind of assurance support or solace against being subjected to injustice andor crimes influences common man’s and hence of every one related to the field of education beliefs and interactions. 5. Our listlessness and emaciation to rise above individualism pettiness and superficiality and our sectarian and fragmented perspective and thinking the cause of global problems are because of getting disconnected from our powerhouse our true self NAMASMARAN can reconnect us with our powerhouse. In other words this is like watering our roots 6. In absence of NAMASMARAN arbitrary teaching of some arbitrary values become pitiable and utterly ineffective in serving the purpose viz. providing any kind of solution to global or individual problems. 7. One need not believe in this but think over the issue and verify the empowering and rejuvenating experience of cosmic benevolence of NAMSMARAN and its byproducts. TOP PRIORITY AND NAMASMARAN For all those who believe that all the human efforts should culminate in individual and universal blossoming the holistic perspective and activities in tune with it form the only way of success If you believe in realizing and manifesting the universal unity and harmony then the simple way is NAMASMARAN. Through NAMASMARAN you begin to blossom and realize universal unity and harmony and ironically land up in magnificent bliss and infallible conviction some may call it obsession of NAMASMARAN It is through such conviction that you realize the need for top priority to training of children and also adults in first aid nursing home remedies cooking farming gardening stitching carpentry and various such household skills and crafts power sports gymnastics athletics martial arts and everything related to physical and mental fitness which have to be aimed at empowering the individuals to streamline the resources in problem solving and achieve individual and global prosperity and profundity. SPIRITUALISM MATERIAISM AND NAMASMARAN In the district of Satara in Maharashtra state there is a place called Gondavle Budruk. I first visited this place where there is a samadhi mandir shrine of Sadguru Shri Brahmachaitanya Gondavlekar Maharaj about thirty years ago. I have also visited the place called Shirdi where there is a shrine of Shri Saibaba and Shegaon where there is the shrine of Shri Gajanan Maharaj. These are the places where millions of devotees visit with reverence every year. I respect their feelings. However the questions that used to gnawing me were “Why are these places full of activities responsible for the downfall of mankind? Why can’t these and other spiritual masters change these and other respective places for better through their devotees local administrative heads andor the political leaders? Why are these places immune to spiritual rejuvenation and or revitalization? Why do we come across the socioeconomic and political misery? Why do we find people in pitiable life conditions in most respects?” The answer to all these questions is the development of the split or chasm between the spiritualism and materialism The saints and their shrines provide the enlightenment and empowerment but we are intoxicated by petty selfishness to such an extent that we visit these and other places of pilgrimage in a parasitic mindset. We visit these shrines and temples with beggarly mentality. We approach these abodes merely for trivial gains for our own selves or our families. All this is because we have forgotten our DHARMA which is different from the concept of religion. We have forgotten the concepts of pitru dharma matru dharma putra dharma acharya dharma kula dharma raja dharma etc. duties or privileges assigned to father mother son teacher pedigree ruler etc. respectively for individual and global blossoming. As a result we are being dragged by petty narrow superficial glamorous and individualistic considerations born out of disrespect for our ancestral traditions wherever we belong to and leading to hollowness on the one hand and we are being compelled by our insecurity to visit shrines and temples out of helplessness and meekness on the other The split between the spiritualism and materialism is evident today in the form of lopsided materialism associated with the cancerous growth of mercenary vested interests on the one hand and lopsided spiritualism associated with unjustifiably glorified pathetic escapism on the other Namasmaran is the solution which follows the answer to our questions Namasmaran empowers enlivens and enables us to get reoriented to and explore the dharma concept and reestablish the dynamic harmony and justice within ourselves and the society ensuring individual and global blossoming In nutshell with namasmaran we begin to understand and get inspired to rectify individual and social conditions so as to achieve individual and global blossoming including the places of worship. Further it is to be noted that namasmaran lifts us up conceptually above the dehumanizing and shackling concepts of development prevalent in socialistic andor capitalistic ideologies and societies. With namasmaran we evolve holistic intellectual emotional instinctual and physical responses in the form of perspective policy making planning and implementation in all the walks of life. Namasmaran helps us to live holistically and neither lopsidedly spiritually nor lopsidedly materially MIND MANAGEMENT AND NAMASMARAN The physical needs passions emotions at different ages are governed by physiological principles. We need a society and laws in which these are neither suppressed nor unleashed because both are counterproductive Gita Dasbodh and such light houses guide us in developing such a society in which the physiological needs are neither condemned nor glorified. They guide us to sublimate our needs smoothly into individual and global blossoming But as it may not be possible for every one to study these and interpret them as it was in my case and many like me. Hence I have written a book SUPERLIVING describing some simple tips the most important being NAMASMARAN for people from every possible field but especially children so that empowerment and enlightenment rejuvenate the society which in turn would revitalize me and many like me YOGA MANAGEMENT AND NAMASMARAN I think yoga has been discussed by many scholars with more or less common perspectives which lead to drifting of yoga from the mainstream life of vast majority of common persons. Thus either yoga is left for the privilege of ascetics or it is practiced in the form of physical exercises posture and breathing exercises. Yoga is an art of learning to ride and manage the horse that life is Due to the dominating influence of barbaric forces of regimentalization in the past several centuries and crudely individualistic andor socialistic ideologies in the modern times the Indian fabric of society was terribly damaged. It is important and urgent to salvage the Indian and the world society by beginning to re-explore the wisdom from the scriptures. But that requires a simultaneous practice of yoga which is the art of reorienting yourself to the concept of simultaneous blossoming of individual and the universe. This in other words is purification. There are many ways for this. But the simplest and most feasible way which can revitalize and rejuvenate the mainstream life style is NAMASMARAN. COW BEEF AND HOLISTIC PERSPECTIVE Once someone ridiculed the idea of consuming cow urine as a therapeutic agent. I had not studied Ayurveda in those days and was not sure whether the cow products such as ghee curd milk urine and dung of cow are really beneficial for health and if so in what way and how. So I argued that it was not fair to ridicule the ideas without proper study and research merely on the basis of some unfounded prejudices and delusions. Cow and many other animal products can be useful medicinally. Having said that it must be realized that mere utilitarian view point can be counter productive. It is important to acquire and practice holistic perspective and holistic rectification of our concepts and our actions in every field which is possible only through the individual and global blossoming through NAMASMARAN i.e. remembering your true self. You can get more explanation about NAMASMARAN in my articles and books. Presently we are being governed by superficiality pettiness dullness lassitude parasitism ethnocentricity individualistic obsessions and many perverted elements which we justify and feel proud of at the cost of other living and nonliving elements in the nature hence we come across such statements. At that time I was not in retaliatory mood so I did not point out that every person who consumes meat in one form or another actually consumes dead bodies of animals can be called some kind of necrophagia and also consumes the urine and the dung of that animal can be called some kind of urophagia and coprophagia Even as we uphold the principle of nonviolence we are slaves of our cruel obsession to keep on practicing not merely violence per se but viciously perverted violence in killing and eating dead animals and glorifying and glamorizing it as if it is the ultimate pleasure in life The shameless hype of all this leads to perpetuation of the perversion into the next generations far and wide in the world I do not want to blame any one but only to appeal to find out if we are in inner harmony through all this or we are simply delirious Such introspection is possible through universally acceptable and practical process of NAMASMARAN NAMASMARAN is like a process of oxygenation of the dying organism We urgently need it More explanation about NAMASMARAN is given in my articles and books uploaded for free download like this article ANIMAL SACRIFICE AND NAMASMARAN In the process of evolution at some stage the art skill and courage involved in hunting RAJOGUNA were vital in view of the fact that the survival of the individuals and the societies depended on hunting. In the process of protecting from the predators the animals were killed in as much as they were killed to satisfy the need of food. The fishing and hunting were practiced not only without any guilt but in fact with some kind of pride and dignity because of their utility for the society When the mankind began to sense the influence of unknown and unseen deities he began to offer his food sacrificial animal to the deity. To celebrate and cheer up the yajnas were performed and bravery was invoked admired promoted and celebrated This is probably the logical basis of the dignity that the sacrificial killing RAJOGUNA enjoyed in yajnas. The respect and honor for hunting and killing animals was logical also because cowardice TAMOGUNA in those circumstances could have meant destruction of the individual and the specie. As and when the mankind evolved further the tradition of sacrificing animals in yajnas became redundant and did not signify bravery RAJOGUNA but signified basal carnal animalistic and cowardly behavior TAMOGUNA in view of preferred vegetarian food being easily available and hence gradually declined to almost zero. But I was once told that the practice of sacrificing animals as offering to their deity still goes on Irrespective of the region or religion this is not bravery RAJOGUNA but cold blooded risk free cowardly cruelty worst than mere cowardice and hence worst than TAMOGUNA. In my view this is a perverted and brutal and not brave hangover of the redundant traditions and customs belonging to the primitive stage of the development of the society which belonged to RAJOGUNA and were much required in those times. But those traditions are rendered retrogressive and detrimental TAMOGUNA in the present context Once my friend asked why don’t majority of the people offer animals to the deities? I did not have instant and satisfactory answer at that time and thought that probably it could be blind following of the egalitarian or god fearing tradition of offering vegetarian food to deities. But later I came to realize that unnecessary killing belongs as alluded to earlier to worst form of TAMAS OR TAMOGUNA fanaticism and those who evolve in the course of evolution rise from TAMOGUNA and RAJOGUNA to SATVA GUNA and choose not to opt for brutal cruel and absolutely unnecessary killing of cows bullocks sheep goats and other animals or birds for any purpose eating offering or any other luxury Through probably the practice of NAMASMARAN I realized that as the mankind evolves the SATVA GUNA becomes preponderant and hence he gradually does not need to perversely assert his bravery by killing especially when absolutely not required for protection or feeding. A SATIVK individual irrespective of his or her region or religion does not fancy killing harmless and in fact loving and serving animals ungratefully for so called offering andor eating but prefers vegetarian food for all offerings and celebrations. COW OR MOTHER? Once someone ridiculed the idea of consuming cow urine as a therapeutic agent. I had not studied Ayurveda in those days and was not sure whether the cow products such as ghee curd milk urine and dung of cow are really beneficial for health and if so in what way and how. So I argued that it was not fair to ridicule the ideas without proper study and research merely on the basis of some unfounded prejudices and delusions. Cow and many other animal products can be useful medicinally. Having said that it must be realized that mere utilitarian view point can be counter productive. It is important to acquire and practice holistic perspective and holistic rectification of our concepts and our actions in every field which is possible only through the individual and global blossoming through NAMASMARAN i.e. remembering your true self. You can get more explanation about NAMASMARAN in my articles and books. Presently we are being governed by superficiality pettiness dullness lassitude parasitism ethnocentricity individualistic obsessions and many perverted elements which we justify and feel proud of at the cost of other living and nonliving elements in the nature hence we come across such statements. At that time I was not in retaliatory mood so I did not point out that every person who consumes meat in one form or another actually consumes dead bodies of animals can be called some kind of necrophagia and also consumes the urine and the dung of that animal can be called some kind of urophagia and coprophagia Even as we uphold the principle of nonviolence we are slaves of our cruel obsession to keep on practicing not merely violence per se but viciously perverted violence in killing and eating dead animals and glorifying and glamorizing it as if it is the ultimate pleasure in life The shameless hype of all this leads to perpetuation of the perversion into the next generations far and wide in the world I do not want to blame any one but only to appeal to find out if we are in inner harmony through all this or we are simply delirious Such introspection is possible through universally acceptable and practical process of NAMASMARAN NAMASMARAN is like a process of oxygenation of the dying organism We urgently need it Through such introspection what I have realized is eating animals is a matter of slavery to one’s own cravings which are aggravated by media hype promotion glamorization glorification of such slavish trends upheld by many slaves in the positions of leadership political economic cultural scientific etc. I have begun to understand that 1. Considering cow as a mother is far more evolved and cultured than killing and eating her. 2. Considering rivers as mothers is far more evolved and cultured than simply treating them as utility of life. 3. Treating plants as goddesses such as holy basil i.e. ocimum sanctum and ceremoniously worshipping them is far more evolved and cultured than treating it is as a living element low in the scale of evolution. 4. This applies to the earth also. Considering earth as mother viz. DHARANI MATA is far more evolved and cultured than treating it as an obvious element on which we live 5. In short it is a far more advanced culture in which the nature around is worshipped with festive spirit and never exploited. 6. The cruelty exploitativeness ungratefulness are even if they are glamorized glorified hyped and promoted as superior counterproductive and cast detrimental influence on others thus throttling suffocating and thwarting the blossoming process of individuals and universe Sat, 11 Dec 2010 21:54:51 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=110 It is true that love is spontaneous. There is no volition. There is no effort. There is not intention and motive. Hence this title “How to love?” may appear absurd. But love is an extremely familiar yet obscure phenomenon. Love evolves within us through all shades ranging from passionate fixation to free and sublime bond It ranges from person or thing specific attraction to global benevolence devoid any thing and any individual. If we are able to “feel” and be with this evolution then we can “learn the art of loving” The usual feature of loving is vacillation between likes and dislikes and between attraction and repulsion. It vacillates between favors and vengeance. This is because of the typical character of “unevolved love” that emerges and is driven physical needs instincts emotions and thoughts. It is controlled by hormones autonomic nervous system and central nervous system. In other words it is the product of our ego or subjectivity. Thus “unevolved love” is inability to rise above subjective or petty self constituted by bodily instinctual emotional and intellectual wants or rather insatiable desires. These “unevolved love” driven by wants and desires when becomes overpowering it forms strong assembling and disrupting forces. The more the frantic cravings the greater is the disrupting and dragging effect This disrupting dragging and disorganizing phenomena in cells living beings and in universe are interrelated and linked. These get added up and multiplied and have globally disruptive destructive and disastrous effects. Naturally the antidote for this phenomenon is conquering controlling harmonizing and synchronizing the physical instinctual emotional and intellectual subjectivity. There are several ways described for this. They are called SADHANA. But I found the most rewarding i.e. expediting smooth evolution of objective and globally benevolent love way of learning the “art of loving” is NAMASMARAN which is the uniting emancipating and organizing phenomenon This is because 1. Just as disruptive influences add up and get stronger the practice of NAMASMARAN by billions of people also gets added up and yields the result of global love and emancipation. 2. The unique feature of NAMASMARAN is that unlike most other activities it can never yield retrogressive or mere individualistic or sectarian gains benefits or profits. 3. NAMASMARAN is always universally blossoming. This is because NAMSMARAN revitalizes that core of an individual which is inseparable from that of every other element in the universe. 4. NAMASMARAN may be though not completely satisfactorily compared with proper controlrectification of the individual and cosmic homeostasis which is vital for the health or disease of every cell in the body and being in the universe. 5. We can appropriately pardon absolve provide prayashchitta punishment and thus avail justice for ourself or others through NAMASMARAN which is the main remedy and other actions or activities are supportive or adjuvant measures. 6. NAMASMARAN is like an upward and correct step taken by the mountaineers who are tied together by a rope of true or objective love and bond climbing uphill. Each step i.e. NAMASMARAN helps every other person while opposite of this causes downfall of every one. 7. The property of objective love of NAMASMARAN is unknown to and unrealized clearly and convincingly by most people including even those who practice NAMASMARAN and hence their conviction is feeble. 8. Our core is linked with the core of even the worst criminal in the society and even the smallest animal in the universe. In as much as we are affected by and are responsible for though not apparently the crime we can affect and be responsible for the chastisement or emancipation of the criminals though not apparently through NAMASMARAN The secret link between the cores of the crores of individuals of objective or cosmic love becomes overt and manifest which is declared by Sadguru Shri Brahmachaitanya Gondavalekar Maharaj as the name of God i.e. NAMA received as a bounty and benevolence and remembered and recited from guru would emancipate the whole universe Sat, 11 Dec 2010 21:51:23 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=109 My fiance ampI are looking to move out of the cold winters of Wisconsin and move to a more temperate climate in the US and to a place that will support our love of holistic living. We are having a difficult time trying to locate a city that has these qualities. Any suggestions? Wed, 24 Nov 2010 05:05:17 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=108 We had a great day at the Mystical Paranormal Fair yesterday. Before joining up with this venture I wasnt sure that what I do was actually a good fit for a psychic fair. My intuitive work is a branch of the healing work. I connect with guides but the information I receive is usually energetic in nature focused on wellness. Its been a wonderful journey so far however - seeing people in this format. Its helped me grow in the psychic work and stretch into new areas. Ive met the loveliest people. My favorite aspect of this fair is that the readers all have separate rooms so sessions are conducted privately. It makes all the difference. As an empath psychic fairs have historically been difficult places for me to be but the fact that I can create my own space and pull the curtain enables me to stay in my energy and clear myself often. We had the biggest crowd yesterday than weve had since beginning and the energy was buzzing and glowing. Im so appreciate to everyone who came out. Sun, 21 Nov 2010 20:40:40 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=106 You may have heard me say that Reiki changed my life. It sounds dramatic like infomercial hyperbole but it’s true. Of course it’s not just Reiki which I sometimes feel is a limited term. It’s everything all of it – the energy work the intuitive work – opening to all of this. I think it’s important to remind ourselves that transformation is ours for the asking. It’s what the work is all about and I can look my clients and friends and family members in the eye and say that with honesty because I live it. My heart is full of love – love for my life love for my clients love for the people I encounter throughout my day. I love this world this planet this dance. That wasn’t always true but it’s impossible to channel Reiki and feel anything other than love which is unconditional and completely without judgement. When I stand with my hands in a person’s energy and sense the flow everything else slides away. It’s just love. Love is the only reality. And knowing that this energy exists for us in every moment knowing that guides and angels exists for us and respond to our requests knowing this as fact changed me. It enabled me to look past the illusion. My heart softened. Joy became my default setting. It took a little while but one day it dawned on me that it was true. I was no longer living as a person who had to crawl out of anxiety or depression or anger. I was living as a person who woke up in peace and happiness. I’m not saying of course that I don’t have a full range of emotions who would want that? but the love of Reiki and spirit showed me how to respond rather than react. It showed me how to expect and receive miracles it showed me the beauty in the heart of every living thing. I don’t get hung up on stuff the way I used to. I’m not perfect I’m still learning how to walk on this path but I have changed over these past few years into someone both stronger and more open. And that is downright magical. Yesterday was a cleansing day for me. I got in my salt bath and cut cords and cried and when I came downstairs I wasn’t done so I cried some more. I no longer clutch on to emotion I just breathe it out. As am empath I take things into my body – other people’s things. Through Reiki and spiritual work I’ve learned how to release it and I’ve learned what it is. This walk has given me sight the ability to look at my own experience in a different way. It has enabled me to create in my life rather than feeling at the mercy of a willful universe. It has given me a deepened appreciation for everything. It hasn’t blanked out my emotional life it has enriched my emotional life. I understand what emotions are now and I understand that we are always spiraling forward. Always. Happiness isn’t surface level. It isn’t false smiles and platitudes. It’s deep soulful understanding. It’s release and invitation. It’s a dive into the rich tapestry of mystery and pleasure. It’s a place I’m still rather stunned and grateful to find myself. A few times lately people have asked me what to look for when choosing a Reiki practitioner or psychic. Yesterday I was walking with Woody through the fallen leaves. Every now and then we stopped so that he could sniff their autumn smells. The air was chilly and the sky was blue grey. Once I watched a hawk swoop in to the trees ahead of us then take flight again. In that moment I realized there was really only one answer to that question. Ask yourself does this person seem happy? Because this is a path paved in joy. Sun, 21 Nov 2010 07:35:14 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=105 Do you know someone who could benefit from a relaxing detoxifying Reiki treatment? Gift certificates are available for all of the services I offer and can be used for in person or long distance treatments. The certificates can be sent digitally or through snail mail. Visit my website to learn more or purchase httpweb.me.comlorilyndreamlifecreativewellnessGifts.html Tue, 16 Nov 2010 21:34:15 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=103 Acne Acne vulgaris is a common skin problem in teenage years. Acne may be caused by the increased level of sebum oily secretion that lubricates the skin under the influence of harmones such as androgens.The other causes include Bacterial infection blockage of pilosebaceous unitcertain drugs etc.Women with PCOD a hormonal disorder may present with acne.Some factors such as stressjunk and fatty foodchemical irritants and atmospheric pollution may worsen this condition.Pimples or pustules whiteheads or blackheads and greasy skin are the common characteristics of Acne.The lesions may be present on face neck and back. Self help measuresAvoid squeezing the pimplespustules as this may cause scarring.Use oil free soap for washing the face.Choose oil free natural cosmetic products. Reduce oily fatty and junk food.Include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables organically grown which are rich in antioxidants.Drink adequate water.Take regular exercise.Avoid mentalemotional stress. HomeopathyHomeopathy can help in the cure of Acne.Recurrence and scarring can be reduced with Homeopathic treatment.The following are some of the remedies which are indicated for Acne Berberis aquifolium Eugenia jambos Juglans regia Natrum mur Pulsatilla Sepia Sulphur Thuja Consult a Homeopath to know more about individualized treatment and dosage. Sun, 07 Nov 2010 17:16:00 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=102 and perhaps the tagline to this story should be ...or a story of scattered Personal Energy and how I found focus at the end of the day...finally...after resisting all universal signs to the contrary I had originally set up this Personal Energy Practice blog using a free blog service offered by my hosting provider. It was a great start for me as it cost me nothing extra and enabled me to start to learn the Wordpress software. If youre not familiar with Wordpress its a phenomenon which started to grow in 2003 as a piece of open source software called cafelog. For those of you of the non-techical IT persuasionopen-source softwaremeans that users are free to modify the code in a collaborative manner. So over the years Wordpress has grown and can now be installed and used by anyone who wishes to create a blog. What potential for collaborative communication and change over the web and this planet During this summer break I learnt more about the software and learnt enough to download some copies myself and discover how to run the software with my software hosts database. Having set up one blog which...so far is running smoothly - the Mom On A Spiritual Journey blog - I decided it was time to update this blog from my free software theme limited to something that felt more right for an energy practice blog and that would give me the freedom to make some design choices. I am not an under the hoodbonnet software persone.g. not a programmer yet but I was ready to see what was out there. In the Wordpress world the collaborative approach has created any number of free themes which talented software coders support. Think of the Theme as the skin around your blog material creating a look feel and different systems toaccess the information. I have also beenlearning froma great online collaborator a guy called Derek Fox aka The Digital Fox who gives excellent online videos to enable you to learn more about Wordpress. I took inspiration from one of his taglines Clarity Focus because I noticed straightaway that it was very easy to get into some kind of mind cul-de-sac or energy spiral learning about this work. I dont have a lot of time as Im a home mom so I really need to focus my time energy and thoughts to learn more when I sit down at my desk to do this. Sometimes the intellectual challenges had me walking paths that I ended up not using but boy were they interesting OK so finally Im learning to honor my history and my inner geek I was an IT trainer for several years but initially put that part of me away when I got involved in the world of energy work. Thatll teach me. So ready to choose a theme I looked and found a great one straightaway. It was even at the top of the first list I chose. The name was perfect for what I want to do the look was tight the feel was energetic and very different. Everything felt right in my gut and my intuition had taken me straight there. But like a lot of the human population I decided to second-guess all these intuitive hits and started looking around...and I found another theme. Which I thought would be great I still thought it would be great even though I started reading all sorts of questions viaGoogleabout the problems it bought people who were using it. Still I tarried and worked on. My headings wouldnt look like I wanted but still I persisted. A week went by. My database got corrupt and broke completely. I had to reupload the wordpress software twice. Until finally I got it. This was not the theme for me. I started afresh and re-uploaded the first theme I had chosen. And then I found a blog entry from the author of this theme commenting on how he had needed to do work with a client and this other difficult theme that I had also been struggling with. I had to laugh The message was even there on the originators blog all along. So the name of this theme that you see before you is Graphene. From the Physics About web site - Graphene is a form of carbon. As a material it is completely new - not only the thinnest ever but also the strongest. As a conductor of electricity it performs as well as copper. As a conductor of heat it outperforms all other known materials. It is almost completely transparent yet so dense that not even helium the smallest gas atom can pass through it. Carbon the basis of all known life on earth has surprised us once again.... ... with graphene physicists can now study a new class of two-dimensional materials with unique properties. Graphene makes experiments possible that give new twists to the phenomena in quantum physics. Also a vast variety of practical applications now appear possible including the creation of new materials and the manufacture of innovative electronics. Graphene transistors are predicted to besubstantially faster than todays silicon transistors. It is basically a one-atom thick material that can hold a charge. How many more enormous signs from the Universe did I need to see that it was the perfect theme for a Personal Energy Practice blog?? Several apparently So thank you to Khairul Syahir for this elegantly executed theme. So how to focus your Personal Energy and get great results with your chosen project? What I learnt from this instance is... get in touch with your gut feel. Does what you are focusing your energy upon feel good to you? What are the emotions that accompany the feelings? Is there a sense of wellbeing flow and happiness or is there stress and a sense of fighting against the flow? Pay attention to significant universal signs that are a match with your belief system. I have spent several years studying a new and different form of energy work that finds many of its answers from quantum physics...so even the name of this theme was a huge glaring sign Do you really like what you are focusing your Personal Energy upon? Can you sense many potentials from choosing this projectrouteoutcome? Be extremely sensitive to any feelings of stress if they are there then take some deep breaths and step back. Is this feeling coming from your core energy or center the core energy runs from above your head to below your feet using the model of the Universal Calibration Lattice or UCL. Is there instead pressure coming from the outside to make a choice? E.g. other aspects of your energy anatomy like your personality or ego e.g. they have that theme so perhaps I should have it too...or even pressure from another person? That feeling of pressure may indicate that the timing isnt right. If there is resonance within your core you will feel at peace if there is dissonance you wont. These signals will move you towards a clear yes no or maybe. I was taught by Joseph Riggio many years ago originator of the Mythoself™Process that these responses are body-based you can learn or re-learn to recognize them clearly and very quickly over time. As quickly as the social media revolution is moving so are open source programs like Wordpress. Graphene could be a material whichhelps move the technology supporting this revolution along even more quickly.If you are monitoring anything regards the social media revolution you know it is shifting quickly so quickly that Im guessing even the people moving at the forefront of this new energetic collaboration are running to keep up. We are also moving through a revolutionary shift in the human consciousness movement alongside this media revolution...or is it one and the same thing...simply the same collaborativeenergy in a different form? As Ive learnt to honor that part of my history once again which loves to use software andcreate newand different ways of doing thingsIm beginning to wonder if - whoda thunk it - technologywill give us the key to a new level of worldwide collaboration andhuman consciousness. Maybe Twitter isnt just about Bieber fever - but a new way to create a divine matrix of human collaborators? What potentials could you put out via the internet today...when you focus your Personal Energy? Sarah Lawrence Hinson sarahnewworldenergetics.com Fri, 05 Nov 2010 00:28:38 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=99 This week the FDA enforced a recall of Hylands homeopathicteething tablets a product which has been manufactured and used by parents for over 85 years in the USA. Ive observed this situationargument grow arms and legs and also watched the misinformation grow at the same rate. The first link I noticed came from another mommy blog site and several mom sites have posted this because theyre worried of course. The first post said that there was a botulism scare since the Chammomilla chamomile present in the tablets had been infected with botulism - just like the recent scares with tomatoes spinach and eggs being infected with salmonella and other substances. This line of thought was related to some moms in the PANJ area whos babies are suffering with botulism and may have taken the teething tablets. I can as yet find no full reports to validate these findings. The second line of thought came from the FDA themselves who through various agencies havereported that a toxic substance Belladonna has been found in Hylands teething tablets. In large quantities Belladonna is toxic and historically has been used as a poisonif applied inlarge amounts but as Julie Igel a Homeopathic Clinician and author of the Homeopathic Soulutions Blog says There is one other thing that is very important when using homeopathic remedies especially for the needs of babies and that is potency. Homeopathic remedies come from all aspects of nature. Toxic substances being one of them. However in the process of creating the homeopathic equivalent of these toxins they are diluted many manytimes. The higher the number the more dilute it is. The lower the number the closer it is to the original crude substance. The potencies used in the Hylands Teething tablets are of the 3x potency. Which means they arecloser to the original crude substance. It is always a good idea to check with a homeopathic professional before giving any remedy regardless of the potency to babies. Now having said that it can be very frightening for parents to see their children go througha proving state. Their regular pediatrician is not trained in homeopathy and only see Belladonna on the label and justifiably panic. They tell their young mothers that they are poisoning their infants by using this product. Please be assured this is not the case and that these symptoms will subside and leave no side effects. The symptoms will stop with in a 24-36 hour period of the discontinuation of the remedy or product. Homeopathy is a very safe and effective way to treat all kinds of ailments. However I would like to trulyemphasize the need for professional homeopathic care. It can be very frustrating for a young parent going it alone and in the end turn them off to homeopathy completely. Julie makes a great point about potency.Experience with my children has shown me that 6c or 30c remedies work great for them. I have a lower vibration less energy older person and I often need a 200c remedy to get the same result or as good a result if the issue is chronic. Julie also mentions thehomeopathic term proving state in her article. A proving or proving state in homeopathy was definedin the early 19th century when homeopaths studied the use of quinineto cure malaria. It had been observed that quinine given to a healthy person causes the same symptoms that malaria does in a person suffering from that disease therefore quinine became the preferred treatment in malaria. When a substance was found to produce the same symptoms as did a certain disease it was then used in very small doses to reverse the process of that disease.So taken in full amounts the substance proved the disease by it becoming present in the person hence the name. Homeopaths proved these substances by taking the substances to make themselves sick. A pure example of healer heal thyself I have used Hylands teething tablets with my 8 year old when she was a baby. The Chamomilla in the tablets was perfect for her constitution because she fit thedefinition of JuliesChammomilla description. Chammomilla This baby is very angry and not so much fun to be around They are irritable fussy whining and moaning. Capricious. The child may want many things which are then refused. Discontented and demanding. They do not know what they want. This baby wants to be carried and held. Ive also used Belladonna as a remedy for my 8 year old in the 6c and 30c potencies. When she gets sick she often runs a very high fever. Shes a hot person anyway only needing a light blanket even in the winter and finds the hot Kansas summers a trial sometimes. She is very relieved that fall is now here and that it is cooler for her. So with a fever on top of that constitutional type she whizzes up into to over 100 degrees very quickly. Her cheeks flush bright red and I watch her very carefully and give her the Belladonna regularly. It works very quickly and shes never had an issue with febrile seizures. I am aware that higher fevers can be life threatening and a cause to take a child to the ER hence the careful watching So why its not 100 clear to me as to why this recall has been enforcedmoms dads and carers -you might have to do without the Hylands tablets for a while. Chamomile tea also works very well for teething youngsters plus homeopathic Chammomillaremedies in the lower doses are also available in health food stores. I think the main lesson to be learnt here is to check our sources hold our ground and go with what works as long as we understand the information fully and have taken the time and trouble to become informed consumers as parents. Misinformation is damaging to everyone concerned - in this case to Hylands in particular who have given us 85 years of great service so far. Sarah Lawrence Hinson sarahmomonaspiritualjourney.com Fri, 29 Oct 2010 21:30:01 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=98 We are 5 members strong so far If youre in the Wichita area would you like to join? Monthly meetups on alternative health and energy practices for Moms Dads and Carers. Well share useful information on the blog too. First meeting date will be posted later this week...subject...homeopathy. As some of you know this blog is dedicated to my mum who passed away this summer. She used to repeat the saying The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. Do you want to become an informed consumer about your childrens health and wellness? Do you want to learn more for yourself about gentle safe drug-free treatments for your children? Do you think that integrative medicine needs to be part of our families futures but not sure how you can influence that outcome? Then this group might just be for you. Meetups will be in a structured format and focus on information sharing and practical experience. Anyone who has specific information on a givensubject before a meeting is encouraged to contact me first so that we can add useful links and knowledge to meetup handouts ahead of time. Then feel free to share your stories during the meetup and others can benefit from your experiences If you think youd like to offer a subject for a group and speak on it step up You can work with me ahead of time and Ill show you how to format what you have into useful and memorable material for everyone attending. In the longer term run I aim to invite guest speakers from specialist areas also. I already have contactswith a really talented group of people in the acupuncturecommunity here in Wichita. If there are any alternative practitioners out there who are reading this blog and would like to guest at a meeting let me know. Also any members or friends of members who know of a great practitioner that they would like to share with the group again let me know Click on this Moms On A Spiritual Journey Meetup Link to join the Meetups Group email me or simply continue to read more on this blog to keep in touch with what well be doing. You can follow on Facebook too at the Mom On A Spiritual Journey page. Remote Like ers of this page contact me too if youre interested...after the meetings I can post PDFs of useful information you can download and use. Its my intentionthat we createa model with this group and get it workingwell enough for Spiritual Moms in other parts of the country to do the same Cmon Spiritual Moms lets rock Sarah Lawrence Hinson sarahmomonaspiritualjourney.com Mon, 18 Oct 2010 21:19:43 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=97 This from 1800Homeopathy.coms website about Pulsatilla- This comprehensive cold nerve and PMS remedy specializes in affectionate clingy sometimes moody children or adults who hate hot stuffy rooms and crave fresh open air. It speeds healing of cold flu and hay fever symptoms with stubborn night coughs. It can quickly ease car sickness and painful indigestion from rich foods. For women it helps balance PMS mood swings irregular late periods pain cramps and nervous headaches. Other characteristics include anxious dreams restlessness and a constant need for sympathy and fresh air. 1800Homeopathy.com recently posted a note on their Facebook Page allowing us all to guess the remedy using some of the above phrases and answer was...Pulsatilla This remedy is derived from the Pulsatilla plant which is native to Scandinavia Denmark Germany and Russia. The fresh plant in flower is used. I have found this remedy to be great for sinus issues especially with my younger child who seems to suffer from this more than anyone else in our family. I can even smell when the sinuses are starting to bother her since she gets bad breath in the morning kind of a heavy salty smell - perhaps right now youre glad you dont have smell-a-vision. Whats really interesting about homeopathy is that since it is a vibrational medicine that is very small amounts enable the body to make the energetic shift back into homeostasis or healthy balance rather than trying to suppress the symptoms - in this case sinus issues - since the cause may be emotional as well as physical. This remedy can also have other applications. My youngest Crystal childis often anxious on the first day of school or after a break from school. My oldest child Indigo girl cant wait to get back into schooland is rushing off into her social role as soon as possible My youngest though needs a little more help and sometimes Pulsatilla helps her stay calm and balanced. Why is this? Well the practice of homeopathy also includes an analysis of what are called Constitutional Types. This from The New Guide to Remedies from Parragon Publishing. Homeopathy treats the individual as a whole taking into account physical emotional and mental states as well as disease or ailment. Knowing a persons constitutional type offers insight into the best remedy for them. This is particularly important because two people suffering from the same problem may have different symptoms. They may find that different modalities influences improve or worsen their condition. Therefore two people with the same symptoms may need to be treated with different remedies despite having the same illness. Through observation and experience I have noticed a number of behaviors which lead me to believe that Ariannas constitutional type is Pulsatilla. Factors include physical appearance social behaviours in her case some shyness and anxiety sometimes clingyness...she would always rather sit on Mom or Dads lap in a group than on her own physical weaknesses - in her case the sinuses and a sensitive stomach. There are more that I could list but I do know from experience that Pulsatilla works particularly well for her during times of stress sinus irritation and for the occasional emotional stomachache. Interesting to note Ive never found that Pulsatilla works well for me during times of colds and flu - but Gelsemium derived from the yellow jasmine works like a charm People can learn to resonate with their own constitutional types when they start to read them. Its an interesting journey Check out the Useful Books page and scroll down for some recommendations for books on homeopathyif you decide to start your own homeopathic journey or would just like to learn more. Also check out my Mom On A Spiritual Journey Facebook Page for more useful hints tips links and Facebook pages. Like it if you like it You can keep in touch with regular blog updates that way too. If youre interested in reading more about the latest scientific research related to homeopathy check out this blog entry from the Natural News Writers health blog Nobel Scientist Discovers Scientific Base of Homeopathy. Sarah Lawrence Hinson sarahmomonaspiritualjourney.com Fri, 05 Nov 2010 00:27:26 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=95 Twitter can be a wonderful thing...is it a version of The Matrix I wonder? - Was adding to my Twitter list last night and typed in reflexology in the search box...and up Kevin Kunzs twitter profile along with this link. Barbara and Kevin Kunz - Reflexology Live Blogspot Dont you just love synchronicity So as a reflexologist who can also blog I thought Id go along with Kevins excellentidea. He says To celebrate World Reflexology Week I have a great idea. Reflexologists should become authors. After all everyday stories are being made through the work of reflexologists all over this world. Heres one of my stories which relates to my own life and why I ended up deciding to study and practice reflexology. I wasnewly married and pregnant three months into the marriage having just moved to Virginia Beach VA with myUS Navy husband. He had to go on a 6 monthdeployment and then on theday of my first OB appoint 911 happened. So sadlyI know for sure what I was doing that day. At the appointment at PortsmouthNaval Hospital inPortsmouth VA tapes of that terrible happening in New York were being played over and over on theTV screens in the waiting room. I also had a British friend with me at the time who was visiting and was understandably very worried about flying home after such an incident Im originally from the UK also. I had all the usualcheck-ups and went home but at each successive appointment after that my blood pressure continued to rise. Itis a teaching hospital also so each time I had a new doctor who immediately zoomed in on the high blood pressure recorded on the first appointment when then I pointed out the date of the first appointment... however my blood pressure was just not going back down. So somehow I suspect via synchronicityI found my way to the Association of Research and Enlightenment in Virginia Beach and received reflexology sessions regularly from a teacher and practitioner there called Rainbow Perry. Just for information this was from the second trimester onwards...reflexology is definitely not recommended in the first trimester. Magically my blood pressure almost immediately returned to normal which stumped the doctors at Portsmouth Naval Hospital at the time. I explained the treatments I was having but at the time they were not familiar with the approach. I took two classes in reflexology given by Rainbow at the ARECayce Reilly School of Massotherapyduring the later part of mypregnancy. It was great because part of learning reflexology involves both and giving and receiving sessions so I received more reflexology while I was there learning to give Rainbow was studyinga course to become a reflexology practitioner who works specifically with pregnant women so she had a massage table with a hole in it for my belly bump. I could lay on my tummy at 8 months pregnant...I swear I probably would have paid just to lay on the table - If youre pregnant or have been pregnant youll know what I mean...ohhh that release on the lower back. When it came to the birth of my oldest daughter my husband only had a 2 week window of return from deployment unusual also since he was switching orders shortly after that. Again I employed Rainbows services two weeks before my due date to work certain pressure points on the body and again the day before the baby was due. This resulted in my oldest daughter being born on her due date with my husband present It was an easy birth despite being my first and drug free. Rainbow even came to the hospital to work my feet the day after. Wonderful By the way if there are any reflexologists out there who would like to publish a story and have a link to their email or website...contact me...its National Reflexology Week Ill publish it for you Just call me the blogging reflexologist. Bit of a mouthful but what the hey. More on reflexology? Check out theUsing Reflexology page. Tue, 05 Oct 2010 00:39:07 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=93 Medical massage therapy is recognized as a health care provision under rehabilitation outpatient coverage under most major medical plans. Specific plan coverage’s vary according to the benefit package your plan andor employer offer. Medical massage therapy definition is the ability to heal restore and improve function which was other wise compromised due to illnessinjurydisease or surgery. It must be a part of a treatment plan your primary care provider recommends as medically necessary to restore lost function. Provisions are also given towards motor vehicle accident PIPand workers compensation-labor and industry LampI job injury recovery care claims. Like wise verification and preauthorization must be met prior to starting care. The variation of massage therapy are vast according to the training and experience of the licensed massage therapist. State laws are in place for licensing and certification. When looking for a therapists find one with further education beyond the standard education and training as well as consider their skill level when seeking out care. When injured you should seek out a massage therapist with skill training and experience compatible with the injuries and sustained ailments that you have. For instance you would not want to seek out a massage therapist who specializes in spa massage. Injury treatment is specialized and has specific protocol and training whereas spa massage does not. Insurance companies WILL NOT recognize a feel good spa approach as a medical procedure. A consumer should also ask about how is the facility or practice run what kind of specialized training do they have what kinds of clinical andor experience have they have in treating specific dysfunctions. Recommendations from your primary health care provider local hospitals are a good resource to find an experienced therapist. There is also a number of organizations such as the American Massage Therapy Association that has a referral source of massage therapists available at www.amtamassage.org For the best results advocate self-education and consumer awareness. As well as have a proactive approach. Be a willing participate in your healing and recovery will happen. This information was supplied by Andrew WolfeLMP of Harmony Licensed Massage Therapy a medical massage therapist with 23 years of local full time clinical private practice since 1987.With expertise in the field of rehabilitation medical massage therapy he has advanced himself beyond the standard training and clinical experience. He has produced audio book of health and massage therapy as well as a U Tube video. For more information about this or other topics please visitwww.harmonymassagetherapy.com Tue, 21 Sep 2010 00:03:40 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=92 Medical massage therapy is recognized as a health care provision under rehabilitation outpatient coverage under most major medical plans. Specific plan coverage’s vary according to the benefit package your plan andor employer offer. Medical massage therapy definition is the ability to heal restore and improve function which was other wise compromised due to illnessinjurydisease or surgery. It must be a part of a treatment plan your primary care provider recommends as medically necessary to restore lost function. Provisions are also given towards motor vehicle accident PIPand workers compensation-labor and industry LampI job injury recovery care claims. Like wise verification and preauthorization must be met prior to starting care. The variation of massage therapy are vast according to the training and experience of the licensed massage therapist. State laws are in place for licensing and certification. When looking for a therapists find one with further education beyond the standard education and training as well as consider their skill level when seeking out care. When injured you should seek out a massage therapist with skill training and experience compatible with the injuries and sustained ailments that you have. For instance you would not want to seek out a massage therapist who specializes in spa massage. Injury treatment is specialized and has specific protocol and training whereas spa massage does not. Insurance companies WILL NOT recognize a feel good spa approach as a medical procedure. A consumer should also ask about how is the facility or practice run what kind of specialized training do they have what kinds of clinical andor experience have they have in treating specific dysfunctions. Recommendations from your primary health care provider local hospitals are a good resource to find an experienced therapist. There is also a number of organizations such as the American Massage Therapy Association that has a referral source of massage therapists available at www.amtamassage.org For the best results advocate self-education and consumer awareness. As well as have a proactive approach. Be a willing participate in your healing and recovery will happen. This information was supplied by Andrew WolfeLMP of Harmony Licensed Massage Therapy a medical massage therapist with 23 years of local full time clinical private practice since 1987.With expertise in the field of rehabilitation medical massage therapy he has advanced himself beyond the standard training and clinical experience. He has produced audio book of health and massage therapy as well as a U Tube video. For more information about this or other topics please visitwww.harmonymassagetherapy.com Mon, 20 Sep 2010 23:57:47 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=91 In the state of trauma the body in order to survive will protect itself. This survival instinct is apart of the evolution and adaptation of humans regardless if the response is due to a physical threat or not. With nerve fibers to respond with sensations and the brain to release chemicals to ready our bodies to the physical challenges we have within normal perimeters the tactics to react to stress trauma or any other perceived threat. If conditioned enough times repetitively without enough processing time for recovery or in the case of an extended duration patterns can develop which can be deeply seated into the mind and body. These patterns switch on easily and often trigger the event or events that created the original trauma. Post traumatic stress disorder is a common diagnosis relating to this condition. Developing coping mechanisms is one way in which order to adapt to trauma. Isolation guilt blame anxiety fear and resentment can be a few of the emotional conditions of coping. Often one internalizes feelings resulting in repression depression and tension in the body. Often times other physical symptoms andor disorders manifest as well. Other forms of coping can take place forming addictions attachments detachments boundary issues etc. Healthy touch reinforces healthy boundaries especially in the case of physical and sexual abuse. Often times trauma as yet another coping mechanism one can remove themselves from feeling and residing in their body. Healthy touch reclaims the body sending a positive message of self acceptance embodiment safety trust openness healthy vulnerability and self love. Andrew Wolfe is a holistic Licensed Massage Practitioner in Smokey Point located in the Cumulus Park Health Care Center 16410 Smokey Point Blvd Suite 303 Arlington WA 98223 . He owns and operates Harmony Licensed Massage Therapy currently for 23 years. He can be reached at 360-653-4657. Please visit httpwww.harmonymassagetherapy.com Video linkhttpwww.youtuhttpwww.youtube.comwatch?v=OCxYsuGK38 Mon, 20 Sep 2010 23:51:34 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=90 You may or may not yet have noticed but there is a large group of people on this planet who have for a long time been considered somewhat ‘out there’. I’m referring to a group of folk sometimes referred to as Lightworkers Energy Workers perhaps there are some Medical Intuitives in the mix Body Workers some NLP™ practitioners some reflexologists and some yoga tai chi Nia technique practitioners PsychicIntuitive practitionersmodern Shamanistic Practitioners some Zero Balancing practitioners som Acupuncturists…the list goes on. If I missed you off this list Lightworker please comment and count yourself in For many years this group of which I count myself a member has operated out of back rooms part-time ‘on the quiet’ or offering services for free to many people in order to assist in our own skill development since not everybody was open to receiving our various skillsets any other way We’re all very different kinds of people from all over the planet but IMHO we have one thing in common we either were born with or became aware of an overwhelming urge soul purpose or personality characteristic which means that we are INHERENTLY GOOD at our chosen field. By inherently good I mean that somehow we were born to do this that perhaps even we have some genetically inherited tendencies in order to be able to carry out these practices well. Please make use of us We are a planetary resource We are beginning connect using the planetary social networks via the internetwith other like-minded souls on the planet too. We are starting to create websites Wellness Centers online and phone services to offer you our services. A lot of us have physical intolerances to modern medicine and modern media inputs so we have learnt to stay well using other methods that really work. Your local lightworker might well know the BEST homeopath in the area the BEST bodyworker the BEST Intuitive because we need them too or modern life becomes intolerable to us. So make use of us we’re here for you. Google us and see what you get. - I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been called ‘weird’ a ‘nutjob’or had various people show me their sceptical ‘lemon faces’ when I’ve put forward ideas based on tools both ancient and modernto help them. Well I can tell you is that what I do to take care of myself and my familyreally works. I wouldn’t apply it if it didn’t work. Lightworkers have children too. Let us honor modern medicine also…if I broke a leg or needed an appendectomy I’d be the first person at the hospital taking the good drugs and receiving excellent healing in a clean environment. But if I knew how to have a stock of homepathic remedies and oils in my cupboard to clear my child’s ear infection and save myself a co-paywith my insurance company-then I’ll do it. Surely it’s better for everybody and keeps antibiotic use to a minimum if possible. I strongly desire an integration with the medical community also. I think there are many medical practitioners ‘out there’ who would like to integrate their practices with ‘alternative’ or ‘complementary’ work but don’t know where to start. I know there are many practitioners out there myself included who would be happy to co-create treatment programs with the modern medical profession subject matter probably for another series of blogs. We are ‘out there’ we are writing books running workshops researching and applying new technologies and ideas - and fusing tools both ancient and modern to assist us all to have greater wellness clear emotional issues become more self-aware and evolve towards greater unity consciousness. Try some new words to define us instead of ‘weirdo’ how about ‘complementary practitioner’ instead of ‘nutjob’ how about ‘new thinker’. My favorite definition so far comes from Peggy Phoenix-Dubro originator of the EMF Balancing Technique. Her definition is ‘People Of The Edge’. We are out there on the edge. Won’t you join us? httpwww.personalenergypractice.com Mon, 20 Sep 2010 21:23:37 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=89 Historically the use of essential oils had demonstrated many physical benefits from healing burns to easing muscle pain. In the process of working with my clients in creating custom blends I noticed a definite connection between their emotions and their physical symptoms. I also witnessed the profound impact my Synergy Wellness Blends had on my clients’ emotional well-being. My most recent essential oil creations are my Synergy Chakra Blends. Following a year of multiple losses and many personal challenges I formulated these chakra blends. Within two weeks of applying the blends daily to my chakras I became aware of what I describe as a “knitting together” of myself. I now move through upsets more quickly gaining healthier perspectives along the way. I am more open and have a greater ability to see new possibilities. Anxiety and fear have become a thing of the past. I feel grounded. Through the use of my Chakra 6 Blend I have increased access to my intuition. I feel clear guided calm and serene. I am aware of my Divinity. httpwww.crownchakracafe.com Mon, 20 Sep 2010 08:50:18 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=87 I am excited to share the location of my new office 6 Maple st. suite 204 Northborough MA. 01532 508740-9745 I will be seeing people 1 on 1 and do workshops and weekly meditation groups on Wednesdays more details to follow Tue, 24 Aug 2010 01:25:45 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=86 Wed, 18 Aug 2010 18:21:02 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=85 Having a sparkling set of teeth can definitely be of advantage to all of us. Healthy white teeth make us look more attractive healthier and younger. Most people in the public eye know this which is why they invest heavily in teeth whitening. Most people are not aware that teeth are never naturally completely white. They are usually a light yellow that tend to darken with age. This is because the surface enamel cracks and erodes which exposes the dentine. The dentine is more porous and absorbs more food colours and pigmentation. The stains can then grip onto the plaque causing a build-up of tartar. The internet is packed with ‘advice’ about how to have whiter teeth. Much of this advice is to be avoided or at least given careful consideration as many of them can cause damage to the teeth in the long term. Here’s a quick run through some of the most common pieces of ‘advice’… One of the most common forms of advice is to rinse the mouth with hydrogen peroxide every day. Please do not do this. Whilst you may see some positive results Hydrogen peroxide has been found to cause tissue hyperplasias which are precancerous tissue changes if used for more than 5 days. Lemon juice is a natural bleach and whitener and a very good general purpose stain-remover. However it should never be used on teeth as the high Vitamin C content will strip the teeth of calcium and damage it faster than anything else. In fact avoid using any acids even it is from relatively harmless ingredients such as strawberry’s or other fruit. You do not know what quantity of acid you are applying so it is difficult to calculate a safe level of usage. If you must use these methods then rinse the mouth thoroughly with water then brush with a fluoride toothpaste about 20 minutes later when the enamel has hardened. Brushing with salt and baking soda is also commonly recommended. You may indeed see some whitening results but the prolonged ‘scrubbing’ of your teeth will eventually wear down the enamel causing far greater problems than simple staining. If you do decide to go down this route then limit its use to about once every two weeks. There are some effective and far safer methods to get those white teeth you dream of. Here’s a run down of some top tips… Avoid or reduce your consumption of coffee tea cola red wine tobacco – anything that stains. If possible try to brush your teeth after every meal. – Ideally with an electric toothbrush. These can remove 98.2 percent of plaque which holds stains. Mouth washes with antibacterial action and plaque dissolvers also help in the prevention of stains. Remember to be careful of brushing too hard as it will strip off the surface enamel exposing the darker dentine which is also more vulnerable to staining. If brushing your teeth after every meal is impractical which it is sure to be at times then try chewing gum. Chewing gum has two beneficial actions helps to clean the teeth in a by removing the debris and it also stimulates the production of saliva. Drinking plenty of water also helps improve the function of the salivary glands. This is important as saliva has the ability to neutralise acid and remineralise the enamel strengthening the teeth. Less damage to our enamel means fewer discolourations. Gum that contains Sorbitol has a therapeutic anti-bacterial action which helps kill decay-causing bacteria. However even gum with sugar is beneficial as the sugar quickly dissolves making it effectively into a sugar-free gum after a few minutes. Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water after every meal if brushing or chewing gum is not an option. This is especially important if you do consume drinks that stain. The water will wash away and dilute the damage. If you can’t get to a bathroom sink swill some water around your mouth and swallow. Try to eat more crunchy fruits and vegetables such as apples carrots celery radishes and peppers. Your teeth will benefit from the gentle rubbing actions that helps to keep the teeth clean without causing them any damage. Teeth grinding can add to micro-cracking in the teeth and can cause the biting edges to darken. This is usually caused by stress so listening to relaxation sessions can actually help keep your teeth white You can also use ‘tooth bleaching’ to whiten the enamel of your teeth. Dentists and tooth whitening kits use a form of hydrogen peroxide. However this is far safer than simply rinsing your mouth out with it yourself. The hydrogen peroxide in the whitening kits is buffered and there are devices in the kits such as trays and strips which minimise tissue exposure to the peroxide. If you have really serious stains then your dentist might suggest you apply a veneer. A Veneer is usually made of porcelain that is attached to the surface of your natural tooth with a type of durable cement. Veneers are custom-made to the desired shape and colour of your tooth. The application is painless and the veneer itself should last around 7-10 years. Bonding is also a process of applying a cover over a discoloured tooth surface. Here a dentist applies a tooth-coloured plastic resin to the tooth that is then bonded and sculpted to the proper shape. There is also the process of lazer bleaching. A dentist uses a laser along side a whitening gel. The gel is applied to the teeth and a laser light is used to activate the crystals to absorb the energy from the light and penetrate the teeth enamel to increase the lightening effect on the teeth. This is one of the most expensive remedies but is usually the quickest. There are many ways to help you get a brighter whiter smile. Use your head and make sure you are not actually doing more harm than good. Look after your teeth in the traditional sense with regular brushing and avoiding sweet acidic foods and staining foods. If you have more serious stains then visit a dentist or buy products from a reputable dealer. Be very careful when using the common household remedies such as hydrogen peroxide acids baking soda and salt. They could cause you more harm than good in the long term. Wed, 18 Aug 2010 18:20:46 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=84 What is the Law of Attraction and how can you use it to manifest what you really want? The Law of Attraction is the concept that “your thoughts become your reality”. The idea is that the universe responds to your thoughts and your reality is created by the thoughts that you put out into the universe. Put simply if you think that you are going to have a bad day when you wake up in the morning then it is more than likely that you will have a bad day because you “think” you will. The art of manifestation is much more complicated than just you thinking thoughts and the universe providing you with what you think. Your thoughts are more powerful when you feel the emotions behind the thoughts. If you think “I am a millionaire” and you feel I am so broke the universe is confused The vibration you are putting out is one of fear not of love. Fear is the lowest vibration while love is the highest. If you are thinking thoughts out of fear the thoughts you are thinking are conflicting with your emotional vibration and this creates energetic blocks to your true desires. In order to truly manifest your desires you must first be connected with yourself. Take some time to understand where you are truly at in your life. Accept yourself forgive yourself and love yourself. Know that where you are at right now is exactly where you are meant to be. Be grounded in yourself. Once you have grounded yourself and are honest with yourself about where you are take a few deep breaths and then begin to think about where you want to be or what you want to manifest as you do this begin to feel the positive feelings of what you want. Spend at least 3 minutes with a focused intention on what you want and a focused positive feeling of how it feels to have what you are asking for. Once you have done this release the request to the universe and forget about it. The universe will begin working to fulfill your request immediately Quick steps on how to ask the universe for what you want 1 Ground yourself 2 Meditate andor take a few deep breaths 3 Set a focused intention 4 Be specific as specific as possible. 5 Make sure each statement is positive – statements should not include the word “not” in it. The universal law of attraction ignores negative words like not and gives you it anyways so if you do not want more debt than say “I am financially stable” or “I am abundant” or “I have savings.” 6 Use the present tense. Assume you already have what you are asking for – feel the feelings of having what you are asking for. 7 Make sure you are not asking for something out of fear- Fear is the lowest vibration of energy and love is the highest. Ask for what you want out of love not out of fear. 8 Always include I want “this… or better” or “this… and anything I forgot.” 9 Release the request to the universe and forget about it – let the universe do its work 10 Create a Vision Board Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:32:59 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=83 “Stress is caused by being ‘here’ but wanting to be ‘there’”- Eckhart Tolle Learning to be in the present moment is very hard to do. It is our nature as human beings to dream of more to dream of better. The concept of “the grass is always greener on the other side.” Why is it soo hard to be present and what does being present mean? To me being present in one’s self is about really truly getting to know yourself and accepting yourself as whole and complete living in each moment as it is without expectation of outcome. Appreciating each situation for what it is good or bad and noticing your own body’s response physically and emotionally. This is how you get in touch with your knowing. I believe it is true we cause stress in our lives by wishing we were different or that our situation was different. It is important to dream dreams help our emotional and etheric bodies to manifest our true desires but holding on to our dreams and attaching them to specific outcomes mentally and emotionally believing that if we were in a different place or when we get to a different place we will then “be happy” pulls emphasis away from who we are now and enables us to ignore the present situation and prevents us from hearing and truly accepting ourselves unconditionally. Unconditional love can only exist in the present moment and unconditional love is the reason all of us are here on this earth. We are here to strive toward learning about ourselves and others. We are here to understand not to solely function in daily life but to learn from each experience to feel the connection with the universe and to tap into that great power of oneness to tap into our knowing and to believe in ourselves and our inner power. If we ignore this by living in the future we continuously miss the present and we are unable to grow and experience life and its amazing gifts. How to be present 1 Live consciously – become a conscious observer of your life. 2 Truly listen to and experience your interactions and surroundings. 3 Observe your emotional and physical reactions to each situation – the more you practice the more natural it will become and the more in tune you will be with yourself. 4 Follow your intuition. 5 Don’t analyze in your head the meaning of the situation – this prevents you from being present because your focus is somewhere other than where you are at. Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:30:55 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=82 A Holistic Practitioner once said to me that “Crisis happens when we become stagnant.” She said that when we become stagnant in our daily lives or in a specific area of our daily lives and we do not take action then the universe will assist us in taking that action. In many instances we believe that change “happen to us” thus generating crisis andor chaos in our lives that we may not have desired to have. Many of us fear change. This fear is what blocks us from moving forward and makes us remain stagnant. Whether you have initiated a change in your life or whether you consider that change something that “happened to you” you have two choices as to how to handle this change. The 1st is to fight the change. In this instance the transition you are going through will be much more painful and a lot slower. The second option is to accept the change or transition that is occurring and to enjoy the process. Consider this scenario I lost my job because the company is downsizing. I have worked there for a very long time and I was completely caught off guard when I was told that my department was being eliminated. Thoughts and Feelings surrounding this scenario Fear Based What am I going to do? I have a family to feed I have bills to pay I am soo angry How could my company do this to me Embrace the opportunity Things are going to work out for me. They always do This is an opportunity to reevaluate my career path. I always hated my job anyways Everything is meant to be Whenever change occurs and we go through a transition whatever it may be we have an opportunity to embrace the change or fight it. We can use this time to feel sorry for ourselves be depressed and angry or we can use this time to dig deep really deep inside ourselves and evaluate how we truly feel about the situation. In most instances I believe you will find that if you embrace the change the results you will get maybe not right away will be that you will be in a better place once you come out on the other side of your transition. You will be in a better place and possibly the best place you have ever been in if you truly listen to yourself. Hear what your inner guidance has to say about the situation even if you wish to be angry or sad or depressed or scared if you truly allow yourself to listen to your inner guidance you may find that you will hear a sigh of relief that your situation is no longer as it was and that things are changing for the better. Thu, 22 Jul 2010 20:53:50 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=81 Many people come to me to help them to get their dream job whether this is to help them to make a career transition to another company or to start a business of their own. The process I go through with these clients is extensive but they come out with a clear vision of what they want and how to attain their perfect job. Here is a quick overview of the steps you can go through to help you define your dream job and how to attain it 1. First consider what you like to do. What skills do you have? What are you passionate about? What is your idea of the perfect work day? If you don’t have the answers to these questions then visualize yourself in your perfect job. Where are you located? Outside? Inside? Are you doing detailed work? Are you managing other people? Are you on the phone? Writing? How does the day look? What are you wearing? Sometimes you may not know what you want to do and you are just unhappy and feeling stuck where you are. In this instance consider hobbies areas of interests that you are passionate about or areas of interest that you used to be passionate about looking back even as far back as when you were a child. This step is extremely important because the key to landing your dream job is to truly define and explore all opportunities dig deep and understand what drives you what you are truly looking for in your new position and what you really want to be doing when you are working. 2. Once you have a description then you can create a resume catered to you specifically outlining your skills and your focus of what you want. Create a true vision for yourself possibly create a vision board that has pictures that you emotionally connect with when you look at them. The key is positive thinking. Understanding that you are unique and there is no one like you. You have skills that in combination with other skills are completely unique and authentic to you. Customize your resume or design your new business paying specific attention to these unique assets that you have. Feel the new position get excited about it and then look for the features of your dream position in jobs you apply to. 3. Once you have completed this process you can then write up a more specific job description of your perfect job if you have one or if you do not then you can look for jobs that have the items you defined during this process. Once you create the Dream Job Description make sure to post it somewhere you can read it at least daily and to use it when reviewing job descriptions of jobs you are applying to as well as to create your own position for yourself if you are going to be starting your own business. A great book to use when starting the process of understanding and defining your dream job is What Color is Your Parachute Workbook. This book is very useful in helping a person dig deep and define their skills and requirements for their perfect position in an abstract way. For more information or to work through this process more extensively feel free to contact me. Good luck Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:41:35 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=80 I originally began my career in the financial services business where I was an executive at a large firm for 10 years. I loved what I did until I didn’t anymore. The job became too political and I began to see that the higher positions I would be reaching and striving for were positions I did not even want. Because of this I began to think about what I wanted to do with my life and my career. I had always wanted to start my own business but I had no idea what I would do. Then one day I was driving to work and the words “life coach” popped in my head. I had no idea what one was or what they did so I went home that night and looked up life coach. When I researched life coach I realized it was everything I always wanted to be I had been able to describe my perfect job since high school but I never knew what that perfect job would be called until I read about coaching. That was it I wanted to be a coach. I spent about a month thinking about how I would transition to coaching and then one day I walked into work and I just quit. The rest is history. I have been a personal and business coach since 2004 and I love it I love working with individuals and small business owners to identify their goals and to help them achieve those goals. I coach using a holistic approach looking at the entire person and all aspects of their life. I believe it is important to take a gloabal perspective when looking at achieving goals if one wishes to be successful because not all people have the same aspirations and not all people are driven by the same thing. Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:24:17 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=79 In this country today we obsessed with germs and sickness especially when the Swine flu became an “epidemic”. You see antibacterial soaps and sanitizers everywhere.Antibiotics are prescribed to almost any mild condition such as common colds. The overuse of all these products leads to the growing problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. However there is a natural method to protect yourself and your loved ones from viruses and bacteria. Many essential oils are well known for their antiseptic properties. It means that these oils have the ability to kill bacteria. Essential oils were shown to be a cheap and effective antiseptic topical treatment option even for antibiotic-resistant strains like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus MRSA and antimycotic-resistant Candida species in a new study Craniomaxillofac Surg.2009 Oct377392-7. Here are the results of recent studies on some essential oils described in Natural Products Marketplace magazine. “Several common and hospital-acquired bacteria and isolated yeasts six Staphylococcus strains including MRSA four Streptococcus strains and three Candida strains including Candida krusei were tested for their susceptibility against eucalyptus tea tree thyme white lavender lemonlemongrass cinnamon grapefruit clove bud sandalwood peppermint kunzea and sage oil. Thyme white lemon lemongrass and cinnamon oil were the most effective. The other oils also showed considerable efficacy. Almost all tested oils demonstrated efficacy against hospital-acquired isolates and reference strains whereas olive and paraffin oil from the control group produced no inhibition.” Essential oils were used for centuries. The use of essential oils goes back to at least 4500 B.C. when the Egyptians created perfumes and medicines from them. The ancient knowledge of the medicinal benefits of essential oils was preserved by Greek Roman and Arab physicians. Essential oils are effective and they are safe if used properly some essential oils are not recommended during the pregnancy. So you can easily substitute your regular hand sanitizer napkins with your home-made anti-bacterial napkins. You can create your own natural safe anti-bacterial soap and air sprays. It is easy to do at home. Here is what you will need Choose three or four types of the following essential oils that are the most appropriate for you. Cinnamon – invigorate and rejuvenate the mind and body supports the respiratory and digestive systems. Clove – relieve headaches and toothaches improves digestion and opens sinus and breathing passages Eucalyptus – promotes alertness clears the mind fights cold and congestion soothes dry cough Thyme – has stimulating and invigorating properties good for respiratory and digestive systems Spruce – opens and release emotional blocks creates feeling of balance supports the respiratory and nervous systems Lavender – combats anxiety stress and depression good for nerves migraines headaches tension and sore muscles Lemon – lifting for the spirit supporting concentration and the ability to memorize Lemongrass – good for purification and digestion Grapefruit – toning and stimulating has uplifting soothing and refreshing qualities Heres a recipe for a great non-toxic anti-bacterial hand soap and basic household disinfectant • Fill a spray bottle with water and a squirt of dishwashing soap. • Add 3-5 drops each of lavender lemon and pine essential oils. • Shake well before used. The following mixture is an excellent cleanser for work areas cupboards bathrooms sinks tiles woodwork carpets and more. It will kill bacteria and remove odors. It also freshens and disinfect air. Combine oils and 2 ounces of water in the glass spritzer bottle • 2 drops rosemary • 4 drops lemon • 3 drops eucalyptus • 4 drops lavender Shake well before used. Now for people on the go. Make your own non-toxic hand sanitizer napkins Buy a large size cleansing pads Hazelets by T.N.Dickinson’s . They contain only natural and safe Witch Hazel and Aloe extract. They come in the round plastic jar. You can find it in Whole Food stores. Open the jar and add three of your favorite antibacterial essential oils. Choose from the list above. I like to put 6 drops of each of the following oils Lavender Lemon and Cinnamon. Just make sure that you do not drip the oils on the same spot. Place drops evenly on the round surface of the cleansing pads. Close the lead and let the rest of the pads underneath absorb the oils you dripped into the jar. Carry this plastic jar in your purse or car and use every individual pad as an anti-bacterial hand wipe. Essential oils are very safe but remember that they are very potent too. Do not apply essential oils directly on the skin. Some of them are so strong that can cause you a temporary discomfort. Rosemary oil should be avoided in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. Clove Cinnamon Thyme and Lemongrass should be avoided throughout pregnancy. Also when buying essential oils be sure that they are natural and not synthetic. Synthetic extracts are easier to produce than obtain these substances from plants so they are cheaper than pure essential oils. Quality oils are usually labeled “true” or “pure” essential oil. They are produced by steam distillation or expression from natural usually organic plant material. Consider the benefits of using essential oils instead of commercial anti-bacterial products. They are Non-polluting Non-toxic Non-volatile 100 organic Safe for you and the planet. Remember that keeping your immune system strong is your best bet against any disease. So eat well sleep enough and smile a lot to support your best guard immune system. Sun, 20 Jun 2010 05:36:47 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=78 httpwww.youtube.comwatch?v=vmc47Y83hYampfeature=related Mon, 14 Jun 2010 19:50:38 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=77 Wisdom Ways Acupuncture Blog welcome to my “everything acupuncture” blog… …where you will find seasonal articles with tips for staying balanced Food-as-Medicine info and recipes articles regarding researchnews in acupuncture updates on the Locavore MovementFood Movement information on classes or workshops being offered at our Wellness Center important information regarding your rights and access to alternative medicine and much much more I hope we get to know each other well through our shared comments about acupuncture healing foods and intriguing subjects related to energetic healing and balance. Each Wednesday I post my weekly “Some Wisdom for your Wednesday” health tips news that I send out to my patients. Here you’ll see my latest thoughts on staying balanced according to the seasons we’re in or what’s going on in the world around us and just in general things I come across or think about that I love and want to share. I’ll also be giving updates that you’ll want to know about during my research for the writing of my book “The Wisdom Way Kitchen” and posting my seasonal newsletters. While I’m an acupuncturist I have an ENORMOUS passion as an educator. The more we know the better able to take care of ourselves we are and the more we can become our own healers. But the teacher becomes the student and the student the teacher so let’s all share our knowledge and wisdom and grow together to help our planet and our bodies be as healthy and vibrant as possible Sat, 12 Jun 2010 05:14:52 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=76 90 of Americans don’t get the amount of magnesium their body needs from their diet. A magnesium deficiency could be related to a host of symptoms such as leg cramps headaches fatigue loss of appetite depression nausea and high blood pressure. ...Magnesium helps keep the heart healthy and bones strong. It also helps the body absorb other minerals like calcium and potassium. New research suggests that in addition to all of the health benefits already mentioned the nutritional supplement magnesium can help boost an individual’s brain power. According to a study published in the journal Neuron magnesium supplementation can bolster your ability to learn and enhance your memory. The Recommended Daily Allowance RDA for magnesium is 320 mg per day for women and 420 mg per day for men. If you are having trouble reaching the RDA through diet alone simply add either OsteoProCare or OsteOmegaCare to your daily health regimen. By taking two tablespoons of these products daily you will provide your body with 600 mg of magnesium. Let the brain boosting begin Source Vitality Newsletter Life Force International Thu, 10 Jun 2010 17:57:51 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=75 As a licensed massage therapist believing whole heartedly in the benefits of my chosen trade I’ve recently been remiss in my own self-care. Last week I enjoyed a long overdo massage session with one of my trusted massage therapists. Yes that’s right… I have several massage professionals in my self-care toolkit. It occurred to me during and after the session that I’ve never formally shared my favorite “by-product benefits” of massage therapy. Many benefits of massage are well known i.e. relaxation increased circulation pain relief etc. For me there’s much more.So here goes.My five fabulous additional upshots of the massage experience Relax – Connect - Let Go - Listen - Remember. Before I dive in further allow me a quick disclaimer. I am simply conveying my opinions regarding massage therapy and not implying it’s the only doorway to any of these results. Relax Beyond the obvious physical relaxation inherent in a massage therapy session lies a chance to allow your mind to relax. Sadly its a rare event for some with minds set on constant spin cycle. The spin of one set of thoughts perpetuating more thoughts ricocheting off of incoming ideas and multiplying into more and more thoughts all operating like mini-cyclones in the fields of our conscious minds. Relief from this alone would be blessing enough. But wait...theres more. Connect Within massage lies the possibility of tuning-in to your bodys amazing message system. Our body‘s are sending signals regularly signals relating to and about strain overuse misuse discomfort and pain. Amid a chaotic daily life these built-in helpful and protective indicators become easy to dismiss and eventually ignore. Let Go Once relaxed and tuned in to your body an opportunity exists to release physical remnants of spent emotions from the recent and possibly distant past. Our bodys store it all. Cleansing breaths made possible by a relaxed state paired with mindful intention available with connection to your bodys indicators provides a perfect setting for letting go. A letting go of stress hormones trapped in your tissues from traumas big and small...a letting go of accumulated pockets of worry...a letting go of the effects of early programming i.e. a need to do it all - or understand it all - or have it all. The releasing possibilities are endless. Just imagine. Listen Massage leads to relaxation and stillness. In my business my mission is to assist you in reaching a state of wellness and stillness so you may hear the whisper of your own inner wisdom - your best compass in ANY situation. Building and strengthening the muscle that is “connecting to inner wisdom” is suited perfectly for meditation and journaling activities and massage provides a terrific complementary optionfor maintenance. Remember Within the stillness and relaxation of massage therapy rests a gift a reminder of who you are...what you truly want...and best of all thehint that you can always start or start again right now. Offering a subtle gentle nudge toward the authentic wonderful you is perhaps my most cherished by-product of the services I provide. Its your turn now holistic guidance readers.What potentially underappreciated or unperceived benefits do you experience from massage therapy or your preferred style of bodywork? I’d love to hear about it. Sun, 16 May 2010 07:40:07 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=73 How do we really create? From nothing comes everything. The creative void gives rise to form. Form evolves and grows...ALL IN RESPONSE TO CONSCIOUSNESS What is the Source of Abundance? It is in your consciousness. You will never get it from outside yourself. God-Goddess would not play such a cruel joke --- so we can stop pretending that we are on anyones payroll other than Mother-Father Gods. Open yourself to the abundance that you ARE and you will stop struggling. Your consciousness is the key. Change it to a more divine state through healing mantra prayer and meditation and you will experience the abundance you are seeking --- INSIDE YOURSELF it will begin and spread outward until it shows up in your healthbank accountfriends family partnership and connection with the universe. It is a humble honor serving your divinity. Namaste Jordan Jordan Bain 617.694.0994 jordanbainlifeflowering.com visit online www.lifeflowering.com Sat, 15 May 2010 10:49:10 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=70 Acupuncture has been around for centuries. It is a method of placing small thin needles through the skin at specific points on the body depending upon symptoms and treatments. Many doctors are taking it seriously and believe that it can be beneficial to their patients for a number of reasons. It should only be performed by certified trained professionals. You can use the directory search facility of Holistic Guidance to search the database of qualified Acupuncture practitioners and specialists. People say acupuncture can help de-stress decrease the frequency and severity of migraine headaches help people with weight loss help in combating morning sickness and aid in the cessation of smoking. Could it help you? Your mind should be opened to the possibility of acupuncture of inserting sterile very thin disposable needles into certain energy points in your bodies. This is not as painful as it may sound. There are numerous scientific examples to prove the worthiness of this ancient practice. Below is a partial list of some trained Acupuncture Practitioners by Holistic Guidance with their addresses. If you are interested in learning more about acupuncture ask any questions you may have and discuss rates or visit www.holsiticguidance.com for further information. Natural Balance Massage... Open 7 Days Monday through Friday 830AM - 9PM Practice Areas Alternative Medical Systems Traditional Chinese Medicine Alternative Medicine Location Brooklyn New York 11234 Crysalis Touch Kangen... Gentle Deep Tissue Therapy Gentle Practice Areas Alternative Medicine Natural Health Natural Therapy Location Seattle Washington 98104 Yvonne Phillips Yvonne Phillips Practice Areas Acupuncture Location Mystic Connecticut 06355 Born To Massage Associates Available 7 Days a Week Holidays by Prior Appointment. Hours Practice Areas Homeopathy Traditional Chinese Medicine Alternative Medicine Location Greenport New York 11944 Care Wellness Center We take pride in helping our patients achieve optimal health Practice Areas Chiropractic Homeopathy Alternative Medicine Location Arlington Texas 76015 Blue Lotus Holistic Center Blue Lotus Holistic Center in Downtown La Mesa Practice Areas Alternative Medical Systems Ayurveda Homeopathy Location La Mesa California 91942 Bohemia Healing Spa Apothecary Monday - Friday 11AM to 6PM Saturday Practice Areas Traditional Chinese Medicine Aromatherapy Body Work Location Wichita Kansas 67213 Doraji Acupuncture and Herbs Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs Practice Areas Traditional Chinese Medicine Alternative Medicine Herbalism Location Brooklyn New York 11215 Adela Acupuncture and Herbs Acupuncture Chinese Herbs Yoga Tai Chi Quan Magnetic Practice Areas Alternative Medicine Acupuncture Location Flushing New York 11354 The World Health Organization issued a statement claiming that through controlled trials acupuncture proved to treat adverse reactions to chemotherapy radiotherapy hay fever allergic rhinitis dysentery peptic ulcers acute and chronic gastritis headaches low back and facial pain hypertension and hypotension induction of labor leucopenia correcting malposition of a fetus morning sickness nausea and vomiting postoperative pain renal colic and rheumatoid arthritis. You can browse through the directory at Holistic Guidance.com and contact the Acupuncture Specialists. HolisticGuidance.com is a holistic practitioner directory and social community of individuals interested in self-discovery and healing including healthy living environmental awareness and constructive spirituality from all around the globe. We offer holistic seekers a social community platform to share information on holistic health services and holistic health programs. Mon, 27 Sep 2010 17:28:33 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=69 We are an online holistic practitioner directory and social community of individuals interested in self-discovery and healing including healthy living environmental awareness and constructive spirituality from all around the globe. We offer holistic seekers a social community platform to share information with Holistic practitioners and meet other Holistic Seekers like themselves participate in forums post photos videos blogs and polls. We offer Holistic Practitioners a great vehicle for knowledge sharing business promotion and communication providing multiple resources including a comprehensive practitioner directory comprised of holistic practitioners including massage therapy acupuncture reflexology homeopathy and many more. You will find our Practitioner Directory useful- If you are a health-care practitioner interested in promoting your services If you are a business interested in promoting your services or products. If you are an instituteschoolcollege looking for the online platform to showcase your services. If you are a visitor and seeking for a great platform for communication business promotion and knowledge sharing. If you enjoy writing Holistic Guidance offers an outstanding venue for publication and feedback on your ideas opinions concerns or questions - on any topic that is holistic in nature. As a registered subscriber of Holistic Guidance we will publish all your original articles blogs personal and unique experiences and opinions. We have made it possible for you to add your experiences which are related to the theme of the site and we would be happy to add any categories you suggest that also fit in with our holistic focus. At Holistic Guidance practitioners with existing web sites can include their web link in their Holistic Guidance Business Directory listing. Because we are a one-stop holistic site our primary focus is on issues dealing with the whole. Thus we include a variety of topics in our discussion forums article categories and business listings. Holistic Guidance is truly a wonderful affordable and multifaceted community portal designed to allow you to find others with common interests and aspirations. Holistic Guidance promotes a holistic approach to your health and well-being through proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle. It is our goal to have Holistic Guidance be an interactive website with lots of useful information for the holistic seekers and holistic practitioners. Stay tuned for further updates on our website and other exciting initiatives in progress There is much going on at Holistic Guidance and we welcome you Is there anything Holistic Guidance can do for you we always appreciate your ideas and suggestions. A big thank to all the existing members of the practitioner directory and to all the social community subscribers for helping to make this multifaceted community possible. We are here to make holistic information and resources more visible and viable. HolisticGuidance.com is a holistic practitioner directory and social community of individuals interested in self-discovery and healing including healthy living environmental awareness and constructive spirituality from all around the globe. We offer holistic seekers a social community platform to share information with Holistic health practitioners and meet other Holistic Seekers like themselves. Thu, 29 Apr 2010 18:49:08 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=68 Aromatherapy is the science of using essential oils in a way that promotes an improved sense of well being. Today modern medical science comes to agree that essential oils can be used for therapeutic purposes. Many might be surprised to learn the Physiological and Psychological benefits of Aromatherapy. The “whole” idea of Aromatherapy is to focus to attempt to treat the whole person concentrating on the cause of the illness as well as on the symptoms. With the connection of mind body and spirit Aromatherapy is aimed to achieve maximum well-being. Aromatherapy helps relieve the physical pain and discomfort When one mentions Aromatherapy the first thing that rings in ones ear is that it helps relieve the physical pain and discomfort caused by fibromyalgia. Aromatherapy is mostly given to lessen symptoms of stress among people. A good example of this is the basil oil which is normally given to relive physical pain. Aromatherapys role in cancer treatment While essential oils may not directly stimulate the immune system they can help in fighting cancer by boosting the systems ability to fight off infections. Aromatherapy can also be used to treatheal burns caused from radiation treatment manage loss-of-memory and soothe pre-treatment anxiety and other symptoms of cancer. Aromatherapy stimulates lymphatic drainage Certain oils can have antibacterial properties and can stimulate lymphatic drainage. Since it has many uses ranging from managing anxiety to helping with sleep relaxation and memory. Aromatherapy’s role in soothing the mind Essential oils are absorbed into the body with inhalation and absorption by the skin. When an essential oil is inhaled it activates the nerve cells which send impulses that stimulate the brain and produce positive feelings and emotions while at the same time substances of the essential oils are drawn into the lungs and then quickly absorbed into the bloodstream soothing the mind and body. Aromatherapy is a pleasant method for relaxation stress mental clarity and headache alleviation. It can cure insomnia depression heal colds heal wounds arthritis problems skin disorders digestive respiratory conditions and can enhance circulation and improve the immune system. Although the efficacy of aromatherapy massage is scientifically proven you should always keep in mind that alternative therapies are complimentary to conventional medicine. You can use the directory search facility of Holistic Guidance to search an extensive worldwide database of qualified Aromatherapy practitioners and therapists as well as to find articles blogs forums and events related to all topics associated with Self- Discovery and Healing utilizing a holistic approach. Holstic Guidance will assist you with obtaining the healing benefits of oils- like lavender sandalwood that can be applied directly to the skin- while with other massage oils bath soaps and lotions. Experienced Aromatherapy practitioners and experts use the appropriate techniques and essential oils to achieve desirable results. HolisticGuidance.com is a holistic practitioner directory and social community of individuals interested in self-discovery and healing including healthy living environmental awareness and constructive spirituality from all around the globe. We offer holistic seekers an alternative holistic health social community platform to share information with Holistic health practitioners and meet other Holistic Seekers like themselves. Mon, 27 Sep 2010 17:14:37 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=67 Networking with other Indigo Adult’s? What better offering on this Easter day than a bowl of hand painted Easter eggs? It reminds me of how individual amp unique Indigo’s are. We are a treat to the world How fun if the rest of the world would have the same appreciation for unique and different individuals. I am most grateful to a friendly email request that came via the www.indigohearts.com website. Why wasn’t the “Networking with other Indigo’s” offered on the site OUCH Thanks David I thought that I had done most of the work but thanks to you we need to set this up HELP To the Indigo’s out there How in the world do we “Network” together? Please not of Facebook Let’s find a cooler way We’re open to suggestions Well here’s to you Indigo’s out there my plate of unique Easter eggs each representing a samples of my intuitive soul family Please come forth amp suggest your way to network with each others Click here to go read more blogs on Indigo Hearts site Tue, 06 Apr 2010 01:29:03 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=66 When the ancient Chinese buried their dead they selected places where their ancestors would be happy for eternity. They sought out ideal locations on flat ground or gentle slopes with a large protective hill or mountain backing them up low hills to the sides and a magnificent view to the sunny south and nearby river or stream. Each of these four directions took the name of a symbolic being the Black Tortoise protecting them to the north a Tiger and Dragon guarding the east and west and the Phoenix rising in the South. The Red Phoenix It wasn’t long before people realized that this land configuration was also best for agriculture. The newly named art of Feng Shui meaning Wind amp Water started to be used as a way of locating farms to ensure health and prosperity for their owners. Do you think it really matters how Feng Shui originated? I think so because it gives you a better intuitive understanding of how to use it in your space without necessarily knowing all the “rules” by heart. What do you think — are you glad to know this? Would you like to know more? Related Posts New Year – New Service Offerings Whaddaya Mean There Are Two Types of Feng Shui? The Year of the Tiger is here Happy Chinese New Year The Bagua Explained Wed, 31 Mar 2010 20:37:50 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=65 Our deepest needs are addressed in the Bedroom. In fact Feng Shui considers the Master Bedroom particularly your bed to be the most important place in your home because it’s where your innermost life – resting dreaming romancing – is lived. It needs to be your special haven in a busy world . Why the Master Bedroom Gets Shortchanged The Master Bedroom often becomes a haven for clutter because it’s in the back of the home or upstairs or somehow “out of sight.” It gets short shrift because it’s unseen and its occupants you don’t spend much time there during a typical day. In fact though we spend over one-third of our lives here. A Feng Shui Look at Your Bedroom So let’s take a good look at your Master Bedroom and create a space that serves your deepest needs. 1. First ask yourself what is the purpose of my Master Bedroom? This may seem like a strange question to be asking in your bedroom but take a look around. Are you using it solely for sleeping and relaxing or has it taken on the characteristics of some other activity – as an office exercise room library or playroom? Rest and relaxation come first here. If a desk or exercise equipment must remain set up a partition so they’re screened from the bed. Clear bookshelves of work-related books and other types of clutter. Best would be to move the shelves out of the room altogether or use them for things you truly love and use. 2. Declutter When you clear the clutter you’ll discover how your Bedroom has really been functioning. Eliminate the psychic “noise” that comes with disorderly stuff and give yourself the gift of a calming environment. Organize closets and bureaus make sure doors and drawers open and close freely. Edit kids’ toys and belongings to a bare minimum and put the rest where they belong. A TV in the bedroom is a common “disturber of the peace” and brings unwelcome electromagnetic energy into your sanctuary. The best option is removing it from the room but if this is impossible cover it up so it can’t beg to be turned on. 3. Be aware of the symbolism of artwork and photos. A bedroom needs particularly soothing and uplifting art and other images so surround yourself with things that make you feel great. Eliminate mirrors from your bedroom too their hard surfaces cause energy to bounce around diminishing your ability to relax. 4. Arrange your bed in the “command position” placing it where you can easily see the door. Set it up so it can be approached from both sides welcoming to two people even if you live alone at the moment. Set up good lighting perhaps a small music system and bring in sensuous colors and luxurious textures. Make sure if you’re sharing this space with a partner that each of you has personally significant items to enjoy here. Caring for your Bedroom = Caring for Yourself Taking care of your Master Bedroom enhances your love life helps you stay stable and focussed and keeps good Chi energy flowing in the rest of your life. Paying attention to it today will pay untold dividends tomorrow. Related Posts Clearing Clutter Room by Room Yin amp Yang Tips for Getting Your Life Into Balance Feng Shui is for Kids Four Tips for Creating Abundance During the Holidays Q. of the Week Two Bedroom Questions Wed, 31 Mar 2010 20:38:15 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=64 Have you ever noticed a change in your child’s behavior when the color or decor of their room has changed? Feng Shui has some ideas about that — let’s take a look. Here’s some Bad Feng Shui in a model home I recently visited with the child’s room set up like so Its crowded in here This room is packed with animals. I count twelve stuffed animals I might have missed a few plus painted animals on furniture and wall hangings animals in the curtains and bed linens and animal prints on the easy chair The giant giraffe alone is nightmarish. Don’t get me wrong stuffed animals are wonderful companions but in Feng Shui it’s key that a child’s room feel safe private and roomy. This child may well feel differently. Here’s a very different equally disturbing way to go Intense colors = hyperactive child? The vibrant primary colors here make great sense for a playroom where activity is encouraged but in the bedroom a quieter mood needs to prevail to encourage rest and relaxation. Softer Yin shades create a wonderful bedroom environment for a child. Good Feng Shui colors for a child’s bedroom include soft green to encourage growth and development and soft yellow for a sense of stability and groundedness. What do you think? What changes have you you noticed when your child’s room decor has changed? Related Posts Bad Feng Shui Colors for Kids Feng Shui is for Kids Tip of the Day Your Family in Your Bedroom? Q. of the Week Bedroom Do’s amp Don’ts Floorplans and Romance Wed, 31 Mar 2010 20:39:40 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=63 I recently had the privilege of visiting the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington DC. From a Feng Shui standpoint it’s a thrilling experience. The museum doesn’t seem to have one single straight line in its design inside or out. The Chi energy flows. photo courtesy of the Smithsonian I learned so much that day about the tragedies traditions and development of America’s native societies. And the discovery that these cultures have so much in common with Feng Shui only added to the excitement of the day. Have you been to the museum? How did you like it? Are there other public buildings you know of with amazing Feng Shui like this? Related Posts The Terracotta Army Yin and Yang in the Berkshires Yin and Yang in LA Five Things That Make Feng Shui Special The Feng Shui of London’s new U.S. Embassy Wed, 31 Mar 2010 20:39:20 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=62 This week’s question comes from Verosha who asks “I recently bought a fish tank. What colors of fish should I get?” I love this question since it gives me a chance to write about all the ways an aquarium creates good Feng Shui. An aquarium is one of Feng Shui’s best-loved adjustments anchoring your intention for wealth and abundance. It instantly brings harmony into your space since it contains each of the Five Elements Wood green plants Fire fish colors and lighting Earth sand in the bottom of the tank Metal shiny fish and round tank shape and of course Water. Black amp gold fish in a Feng Shui aquarium Nine is the most powerful Yang number in Feng Shui and is used to supercharge the energy whenever possible so it’s most auspicious that your aquarium contain nine fish eight gold or orange and one black. According to the Bagua your aquarium is best located in the Career Self-Cultivation and Family areas since these are connected with the Water and Wood elements. And finally there are two rooms where your aquarium does NOT belong the bedroom and the kitchen. Its constant motion creates too much energy for a bedroom likewise the Water symbolically extinguishes a kitchen’s vital Fire energy. An aquarium is great for offices too — but that’s a topic for another post Do you have an aquarium? How do you feel about the energy it’s bringing into your space? photo courtesy of tropicalfishonline.info Related Posts Feng Shui on the Road Feng Shui Artwork How To Work With Feng Shui’s Five Elements Feng Shui tip “Puddling” Curtains The Bagua Explained Wed, 31 Mar 2010 20:41:04 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=61 Last week I had the privilege of accompanying Feng Shui master RD Chin as he assessed the Chi energy of a new three-story office space in midtown Manhattan. RD Chin assessing the Chi The site is more than 30 stories up and in a very powerful location with one side immediately facing the city’s central Chi point the Empire State Building. RD is planning important aspects of the space including the location of the CEO’s office and the placement of a large internal staircase to connect the three floors. Working from a blank slate. We discussed some of the interesting Feng Shui challenges presented by this huge space especially finding a way to “ground” an environment that’s so high up and compensating for two missing Bagua areas Wealth amp Relationship. Working on a project like this requires an encyclopedic knowledge of Feng Shui so every possible issue can be addressed as early in the construction process as possible. It’s a wonderful opportunity to create ideal Chi for a business right from the start. How do you feel about working in an office that’s so high up off the ground? Do you love it — for the views? Or hate it — because it’s so far from the earth? Related Posts Greening the Empire State Building Feng Shui amp Donald Trump The Feng Shui of London’s new U.S. Embassy Six Feng Shui Steps to a Healthy Wealthy Office Q. of the Week What if the Command Position is impossible? Wed, 31 Mar 2010 20:40:44 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=60 Here comes the warm weather It’s time to think about ways to get fresh air — and Chi energy – moving through your space. Ceiling fans are fabulous for keeping the atmosphere fresh without making noise or taking up precious floor space. In these ways they’re fabulous from a Feng Shui perspective. But the conventional wisdom in Feng Shui is to avoid ceiling fans in your bedroom because they can create a feeling of downward pressure as you sleep. Is this really the case? Ceiling fans theyre ok In fact ceiling fans can be just the ticket for your bedroom. This picture shows a Feng-Shui-friendly ceiling fan off-center from the bed and circulating the air without threatening the sleepers. It’s a setup that’s a-ok because the fan isn’t directly above the center of the bed. What do you think? Are you a ceiling fan — fan? photo courtesy www.tcvillas.com Related Posts Nine Feng Shui Tips For Small Spaces New Year – New Service Offerings Bad Feng Shui in Architectural Digest A Feng Shui Space-Clearing Ceremony Feng Shui Secrets When Times Are Tough Wed, 31 Mar 2010 20:40:25 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=57 If you live in a small space you know just how quickly it can turn into a home with less-than-ideal Feng Shui. Packing too much life into a tiny area can easily grow overcrowded chaotic and disorganized. Can an environment that just feels too small ever become your most sacred space? The answer is “Yes.” A studio apartment floor plan -- the right place to start. Here are nine tips that will help you honor your space — or the space of someone you know — with “enlightened Feng Shui.” As an aside I feel like something of an authority on this topic having lived for 14 years in a 250-square-foot apartment. I know these tips work 1. In one-room situations such as studio apartments place the most significant piece of furniture – usually the bed – in the Command Position. This critical step will make you feel safe and put you in control of your space. 2. Make sure multi-purpose rooms have clear divisions between sections. Things like area rugs and sheer curtains will visually separate your bedroom area from your office area for example while retaining the open feel of the space. 3. Create an entryway that’s clear and open making it easy for positive Chi energy and valuable opportunities to enter no matter how much stuff your home contains 4. Unify your environment with a consistent color scheme varying it with shading and texture. Consider ways to employ Feng Shui’s Bagua and Five Elements with color texture and shape rather than with physical objects. 5. Minimize the number and variety of keepsakes on view to keep visual noise to a minimum. If you have the storage capacity consider rotating your mementoes keeping things fresh by displaying just a few extra-special items at a time. 6. Make the most of every inch of storage and especially “go vertical” as the saying goes. Measure every nook and cranny to see what kind of storage might work. In my tiny apartment for example I took advantage of a narrow hallway by installing fabulous shelves with unusual dimensions 7’ high by 6’ wide by 5” deep. I was astonished at how much stuff those shelves could hold 7. Open up the space with a large mirror bringing good Feng Shui into the space by making sure it reflects things you enjoy looking at particularly nature and the outdoors. 8. Keep Chi energy circulating by hanging an energizing crystal from the ceiling or a fixture as near to the center of your space as you can manage. 9. Clear clutter daily honoring the space by making it part of your routine. When you take these steps in your small space you create your own private sanctuary a cosy welcoming environment you’ll be glad to come home to every night. What are some of your favorite Small Space Tips? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Related Posts Floorplans and Romance Four Tips for Creating Abundance During the Holidays Six Feng Shui Steps to a Healthy Wealthy Office Clearing Clutter Room by Room Five Steps To A Feng Shui Bedroom Wed, 31 Mar 2010 20:41:25 GMT http://www.holisticguidance.com/modules/wordpress/?p=42 Had my car serviced yesterday and requested a 2.00pm pickup since I had the kids’ school run to do afterwards. I arrived on the dot to discover my car wasn’t ready half an hour later in the waiting room I explained the situation to an assistant and she got things moving…so why the delay? Well a bar on the luggage rack had come loose during the detailingwaxing process and bounced down onto the bonnethood BritAmerican speak scratching and denting it in two places. My main concern as the female assistant could plainly see was that I was going to be late picking my girls up from school and so got things moving giving me a replacement car for the interim. The damage required that my car be taken to the paint shop so would take a day or two. I had spent 20 minutes or so whilst in the waiting room reading the first part of Seka Nikolic’s book ‘You Can Heal Yourself’. This was a book I had been waiting for and had just arrived in the mail. So I had been immersed in the world of one of the most powerful Bio-Energy healers on the planet whilst the guy waiting to tell me that the front paintwork of my car had been trashed was probably putting off the moment and dreading it. A hard thing to do I think I preferred my experience to his. So when finally explaining the situation he was somewhat breathless and then I noticed that another coworker was standing by which could have been his boss - not sure and they were both apparently waiting for something. So I took a breath and then accepted the substitute vehicle. I was so focused on being concerned that my kids would left waiting and getting upset that it didn’t occur to me until afterwards that they were probably waiting for some kind of explosion of angryenergy from me Will Bowen in his book ‘Complaint Free Relationships’ suggests that when a customer care problem arises and you are the customer it’s a good idea to start the conversation with the person helping using the words “You may not be aware of this but…” It helps release the emotional and energeticcharge for both of you dealing with the situation as something separate from your bodies even if it’s an emotional issue for you. Then any emotion expressed is more likely to be dealt with in the energy of mutual respect. So while I signed off for my substitute car I could sense that the guy had a relaxed somewhat and he mentioned that they’d never had a luggage rail come off before somehow the bolts were missing who knows how. My response was “That must have given you guys a fright huh?”. I saw the last of the tension leave him as he breathed out some more and he agreed wholeheartedly So when working on your Personal Energy Practice a great place to start noticing where your energy goes is when you are put in a position of being asked to complain. The Western economy has a culture of ‘customer service’ which is a wonderful thing an aspect of that however is that we are encouraged to complain even if only a few minutes of waiting is required and Customer Service Assistants are focused and fully trained in any number of ways to apologizefor any lack of service. What if you could shift this energetic exchange to one where the energy exchange between you is less awkward and ultimately pleasant? In order to experience this for myself I took Will Bowen’s Complaint Free challenge 2 years ago where I sent off for and wore the Complaint Free purple bracelet for 21 days without verbalising a complaint. Granted it took me 3 months to complete the challenge if you complain switch the bracelet to the other wrist and start over but I really enjoyed the energy that was released from going through this process. I had an experience in Disneyland where it was very hot and we were in a food line the line was taking a while and two people either side of me were complaining about the wait. They asked me to comment on the situation so I showed them the bracelet and said “Sorry I can’t complain I’m taking the challenge”. It was a very freeing feeling to avoid spending my energy that way especially on a hot day. So in your Personal Energy Practice consider the nature and energy of complaining. Would a few deep breaths enable you to move past a pre-programmed response to one where you can honor the person who has the role of helping you? I can guarantee that they will feel the difference Complaint Free website www.acomplaintfreeworld.org Seka Nikolic www.sekanikolic.com Mon, 29 Mar 2010 22:13:46 GMT