Thursday 23 February 2017
Realizing the self
The Bhagvad Gita explains that
there are three paths to realizing the self. Knowledge (gyan), action (karma)
and devotion (bhakti). Different people have the aptitude to adopt any of these
paths.
As in case of all
generalizations, we know this to be true. However, these paths are actually
interconnected. Devotion or bhakti is the ultimate. Through knowledge and
through karma, we ultimately realize that ultimate devotion and surrender are
the final steps. And that comes from spiritual learning and action.
The main root of right
knowledge is attachment. We are not our body, nor our minds. We are not our
senses, nor the intellect or ego. We are not mothers, fathers, sisters,
brothers, aunts and uncles. It is our role play that some take seriously. When
you get hurt by these very people, this experience itself directs you towards
the right knowledge and the right action. And then you realize that you are not
in charge. You are not the doer. So, after exhausting yourself through ego
driven actions, you finally lay down your weapons and prostrate before the
light of the Almighty. For life is fragile. We are not in command for the most
part though we think we are. And surrendering, there is nothing to DO. Things
happen... and we are channels.
Surekha Kothari
surekhakothari.wordpress.com
Tuesday 21 February 2017
Sense of humor
Sense of humor! Sigh! If common
sense is uncommon, a sense of humor is, too. You know, if you want to remove
your blocks within yourself, learn to laugh at yourself about the very things
that hurt and angered you earlier.
Today, we are so careful about
monitoring our humor. Say the right things. Smile only so much. Facial
expressions should be just correct. Oops! How exhausting!
Life is fun! Laugh. Fall and
get up to run with exhilaration, with the wind blowing your hair away...feel
the raindrops on your cheeks...
...and if people laugh at you,
join them and make them laugh more! Be a free spirit...after all, what do you
care as long as you are in tune with yourself? Neither our smile nor our
happiness should be a bi product of someone else's perceptions. Because I am
because I am, not because you think I am.
Surekha Kothari
surekhakothari.wordpress.com
Fragility of life
The fragility of life! The desire to live and the illusion
of being immortal keep us going. When there is a death, it only comes to the
next door neighbor. Such is our mental makeup.
But life is fragile and a shock could be awaiting us round
the corner. So, never take your health for granted as you grow older. Now a
day, things just fester inside and by the time we can take stock, things are
way worse than we dreamt.
I see people shying away from seeing doctors, fearful of
what they might diagnose. We talk about "mind over matter" so easily
but when it comes to us that are not always easy.
Just as being forewarned is being forearmed, being careful
and balanced in everything would be wisdom.
And even then, we have to pass on when our time is up.
Someone said live everyday as if it were your last. That everyday would be the
best day every day. A great attitude even to nullify many a karma....
Wishing us all the dawn of this
attitude...
Surekha Kothari
surekhakothari.wordpress.com
Monday 20 February 2017
Saturday 18 February 2017
Friday 17 February 2017
Monday 13 February 2017
Survive
Surviving without our loved ones is so difficult! The loss
creates a permanent void. You live. You work from day to day...you lead a so
called "normal" life. But every now and then, your heart becomes
heavy and you feel like you are someone else. You feel as if a limb has been
cut off and you are trying to compensate for the huge handicap....
Such is attachment. Such is love. Sermonizing about
detachment is wisdom. But being human has its limitations. You cannot detach
your emotions from the memory of your loved ones completely...at least most of
us cannot.
It is the first death
anniversary of someone I love unconditionally and miss very much. God bless all
those who love with all of their being, for such a loss is indescribable and
irreparable.
Surekha Kothari
surekhakothari.wordpress.com
Thursday 9 February 2017
Wednesday 8 February 2017
Tuesday 7 February 2017
Experience
I have been reading "Narada Bhakti
Sutras". One of the "sutras" had me deeply involved in
introspection. It talks about "bhakti" and the grace of God being
showered through intense hate as much as intense love. There is a story in the
book about hating God and every mention of God. And hate is the reverse side of
love. The fact also is then, that it is directly proportionate to love. One
hates only because one has also loved with equal intensity.
It is a matter of single minded emotion with a
sharp focus only on this and nothing else. It is like the sharpness of the
sun's rays that can burn paper. It is like complete meditation where, in a
flash, one can get liberated. This is subject only to experience. Words would
always fall short of the experience.
Surekha Kothari
surekhakothari.wordpress.com
Monday 6 February 2017
Friday 3 February 2017
Thursday 2 February 2017
Comfort quotient
Once you establish the connection between the body, mind and
soul, you should be able to have a multi pronged approach towards analysis,
whether of events or you yourself. All the content is to be examined in detail
by examining the quality of the layers surrounding it.
The ramifications of any event necessitates the use of a
microscope under which the specimens would be our thoughts, emotions, how we
feel about things, our comfort quotient etc. With people, too, this method
should be employed. Only then can we remove the unwanted layers and preserve
the important ones and thus, preserve the meaningful in all of the thoughts
emotions, actions and attitudes.
I am convinced that this exercise would make it possible to
connect all positive and good vibrations with each other, in body, mind and
soul while doing away with all of the vibrations that have been colored by our
own inconsistent and imbalanced perceptions, led by our ignorance. And also,
thus, leading us away from our ability to discern, feel, recognize the right
from the wrong and from establishing the connectivity of the body, mind, soul
with all creation and the Universe.
In the Universe, we practice what is universal. And what is
universal is that everything is interconnected. Any tendency of separatism can
only give grief.
Surekha Kothari
surekhakothari.wordpress.com
Wednesday 1 February 2017
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