Self Confidence

A rich man's son sent a proposal for a beautiful girl of a poor family. The father of the girl inquired about the profession of the son. He was told that the boy does not do any work and lives off the money of his father.

The girl's father said, "A person who does not earn on his own does not deserve my daughter's hand. The future of the boy is not bright". The boy felt very hurt by the statement and decided to turn things around. He toiled hard in his father's business, expanded it and created a name for himself.

This time girl's father came with the proposal and said, "You are developed the quality that I was looking for in the groom for my daughter. Now I will have no worries about my daughter's future as it will be in the right hands."

A person who rises to the top through his own hard work is genuinely respected in society because he is a self-made person who does not depend on his father's fortune or a stroke of luck to achieve recognition.

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Those were the days of Shraddanjali Yogya. There was need for financial resources and Gautam Buddha was taking stock of donations with his disciples. Everybody was excited about knowing whose contributions were largest. Bimbsar had contributed the largest amount. During the discussion Gatam Buddha held a copper vessel in his hand which was given by an old woman and said this was the most precious donation of this year. This woman donated the only possession she had and now she was left with only her clothes and some earthen pots, whereas everybody else had given just a small part of their wealth.

A person who humbly sacrifices all that he has regardless of its monetary value is more precious in the eyes of God than a king or a millionaire who egoistically donates a tiny portion of his wealth.

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A cow and a horse used to graze in a jungle. The horse became jealous of the cow thinking about how he was not able to fearlessly graze at the pasture when the cow was around, because the cow might attack him with its horns and the horse had none to defend himself with. He wanted to control the cow so that he does not have to fear the cow anymore.

A hungry man happened to pass by and looked at both the animals with greed and helplessness. Realizing the situation, the horse approached the man and told him to drink the cow's milk and satisfy his hunger. The man replied, "But she can run faster than me. How can I catch her"? Horse said, "Come sit on my back, I can run faster than the cow"

Be quick to offer thanks and equally prompt to apologize.

True Friends

A true friend never breaches the trust of his companion or stabs in his back. He is trust worthy and reliable. One should therefore always try to be a true and reliable friend.                   Sam Veda

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.                   Bible

Friendship is the only cure for hatred, the only guarantee of peace.      Gautama Buddha

The friendship is a plant of slow growth and must undergo and withstand the shocks of advisory, before it is entitled to the appellation. George Washington

If we are facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep on walking                               Buddhist Perverb

No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.                 Gautama Buddha

Walking path, every street in the world is your walking meditation path. When we practice this way, we feel deeply at ease, and our steps are those of the most secure person on earth. All our sorrows and anxieties drop away and peace and joy fill our hearts.                             Thich Nhat Hanh

Astral and Physical World

Astral life begins once physical life ends. There have been many accounts of the astral plane which describe its luminous nature. One of the most famous accounts is in the book, Autobiography of a yogi, by paramahansa yogananada.

In the astral plane, we inhabit astral bodies that are much like the physical ones we currently inhabit, but those are much subtler and radiant. These astral bodies are not confined within the narrow limits of current space-time continuum that governs the physical cosmos. In the astral plane, inhabitants communicate through telepathy and since we recognize people who were our family and friends in different incarnations; we learn to love them all equally. There are astral worlds of light, which have colors and music beyond our present comprehension. The astral plane is one of great beauty and joy. It is the place where many souls consider their "true home". It is also much larger than the physical universe.

So what about our current life on Earth? It is one in which the physical elements of life are manifested. But thanks to technology, it seems that our current life on planet Earth is becoming gradually 'astralized'. How is this? Well, let us take a closer look at our lives today.

In today's technology-dominated society, we use computers, digital cameras, internet and mobile phones for instance. We watch news, TV shows and movies. We listen to music, mostly in digital format. We have passionate opinions about people we don't really know, whom we've never met - be they politicians, media personalities, movie actors, business leaders, even terrorists and criminals. How many of us have actually seen and heard or touched these famous or notorious people physically? Yet we seem to 'know' them today through their projected images and sounds that are readily available to us through technology. Is it not like we know them in an astral or more subtle form? Even if you never met them in the flesh, you would continue to 'get to know' them through their light and sound images.

The same extends to people who are not necessarily well known. Today's social networking sites are a testimony to this. Think of how many Twitter followers and Facebook friends you have who you don't really 'know' in the physical sense. We are now growing so accustomed to electronic lifestyle that we are beginning to experience life and relationships as a form of virtual or electronic or energy life. We are now open to accepting life forms interacting with us in their electronic forms as long as we know that there is some real intelligence and individuality being expressed. Your relationship with someone would continue to grow more intimate through these electronic platforms even if you never interacted in the so-called 'real' world of flesh and blood.

This seems to be the first step in the astral conditioning process. As we advance technologically, we create things that make our earthly experiences a little more like the astral will continue to have in the future after our Earth visa expires. In that non-material realm, we learn that the reality is not the flesh, but the radiant energy that is our true nature. Our modern-day technology is a reminder of that and just a precursor to that awesome astral realm that we will all return to some day.

Real statements

Chhatrapati Shivaji was once building a bridge for the welfare of people affected by floods. A large number of people were obtaining their livelihood by working for the construction of The Bridge.

Shivaji thought that had he not started construction of the bridge a large number of people would have died of hunger. This thought filled him with arrogance.

Samarth Guru Ramdas was passing by Shivaji's place. Shivaji invited him and honored him. He boasted about his achievements and kindness stating how he was providing succor to so many destitute people every day.

Samarth understood the situation and did not respond. Next day when he was about to leave he told Shivaji; "Do you see that rock? Get it broken". The rock was broken. There was a cavity inside the rock which was full of water and a frog was playing in the water. Guru Ramdas said, "I am sure you arranged for the life support of this frog inside the rock; that else could do such a miracle?"

Shivaji realized his mistake and fell qat the feet of Guru Ramdas. He advised Shivaji to fight the enemies of humanity and to continue serving humbly the cause of humanity without feeling arrogant or proud of his accomplishments because arrogance could turn even a kind hearted human being into a cruel tyrant, who could cause great harm to society.

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The topic of disarmament was being discussed in a zoo. Rhinoceros said, "Horns are just for self defense. The real weapons are nails and sharp teeth of some animals which should be banned". Deer, wild buffalo and even the horned fishes supported this argument.

The lion contested, "Teeth and claws are for eating and walking. Horns are the most useless things which can be very dangerous and should be banned" Similarly all the animals tried to defend their positions and oppose other animal's view point. There was a massive uproar and everybody tried to put forth their viewpoints very aggressively.

After hearing loud uproar, the zoo keeper came in and forced all the animals in their cages. He said, "All you need is to cultivate a friendly environment and have a healthy perspective of coexistence. This will develop friendship amongst you and create an atmosphere of peace. If you practice it you will never need any kind of disarmament"

We hope that at least humans understand the real meaning of this story.

Existence of God

A father was observing his son; they were increasingly getting doubtful of the existence of God. They used to say, "If God exists somewhere then he is very partial. He gives happiness to one and pain to the other. We do not feel like revering somebody who does not do justice with everyone"

The father called his sons and took them to the farm. He had seeds of rose, mango and neem plants in his hand. He said, "I am planting these seeds in the same soil, giving them equal nourishment, water and care but can you tell me why each of these will grow up to be so different from the other?"

The son replied that it was not the fault of the person planting them, or of the field, but of natures of the seeds, which were so different.

The father smiled and said, "Similarly, God is neither partial nor unjust. The different situations that everybody faces are the results of one's own karmas or the seeds of deeds that they have planted. A man reaps what he sows. God is not responsible for the situations faced by a person. Man himself is responsible for it."

The boy understood that the situations a person faces in his lifetime, whether good or bad, are the result of his own actions and he is the only one responsible for his rise or downfall. The choice is his to make.

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Three travelers were staying over-night in the same dormitory. The travelers were a farmer, a beggar and a thief and they all had a bag of belongings each. Late in the night, when there was silence in the room, their luggage bags started conversing with each other. The bags of the beggar and the thief suggested that all the three bags should unite. The farmer's bag said, "I don't have a problem in uniting but then what will happen to the hard work, truthfulness and honesty." The other two bags realized their shortcomings and stayed quite thereafter.

What is earned through hard work and honesty has far greater value then what is grabbed through wrongful means. The former provides both moral and material satisfaction to the owner.