A man goes to the doctor and says, "Doc, I would like to live very long. What should I do?"
"I think that is a wise decision," the doctor replies. "Let's see, do you smoke?"
"Oh, Half a pack a day."
"Starting now, no more smoking."
The man agrees.The doctor then asks, "Do you drink?"
"Oh, well, doc, not much, just a bit of wine with my meals, and a beer or two every once in a while."
"Starting now, you drink only water. No exceptions."
The man is a bit upset, but agrees grudgingly.
The doctor asks, "How do you eat?"
"Oh, well, you know, doc, normal stuff."
"Starting now, you are going on a very strict diet. You are going to eat only raw vegetables, with no dressing, and non-fat cottage cheese."
The man is now really worried.
"Doc, is all this really necessary?"
"Do you want to live long?"
"Yes."
"Well then, it's absolutely necessary. And don't even think of breaking the diet."
The man is quite restless, but the doctor continues, "Do you have sex?"
"Yeah, once a week or so..., but only with my wife," he adds hurriedly.
"As soon as you get out of here, you are going to buy twin beds. No more sex for you. None."
The man is appalled. "Doc...Are you sure I'm going to live longer this way?"
"I have no idea, but I assure you life is going to seem like an eternity!"
So what, if they can't solve their own problems, everyone has a solution for other people's problems. And the best one at that. Because they can take comfort in the fact that others have bigger problems than them. Also, it gives them a good feeling that someone is looking up to them. Which means, they conclude, they must be something. Otherwise, why would anyone seek their advice? And that is how they start feeling good about themselves. And take comfort that they are not alone in their sufferings. And that it is a way of life.
The ego loves to delight in being proud of itself. And the bigger the ego, the bigger the pride it takes. And what is the hallmark of a puffed-up ego? It is in the bigness of things. It is not contented with small things. It wants everything in jumbo size. That is why we have huge multiplexes and hypermarts now. It's not that they have sprung up to cater to someone's needs. It is a reflection of their ego. Because no one wants to feel small shopping in a small place, though most of your needs are met there. We want to feel important that we have all the money in the world to splurge, that we can afford all the "important" things in life, and that we are next to none. This race to be extraordinary is the bane of the modern generation.
But,the most extraordinary thing in the world is to be ordinary. It is the biggest miracle in the world. And the toughest thing to do. Because when you live an ordinary life, you don't feel important. And that is not acceptable to the ego. It has grand dreams, glorious designs, and larger-than-life goals. That is what all the masters of the eastern and western spiritual tradition has been advocating. But we miss the woods for the trees. And take what suits us in our grand enterpriise called the LIFE.
Cycling, jogging, walking, and running are the simplest forms of physical exercise. And, ironically you don't need anything to pursue them. Only the simple desire to get up and go. But no, we love to brag about our physical exercise too, so we end up toning our muscles in a gym, and ruining our health in the process. The day we stop living for people around us, and live the way we want to, we would not only respect ourselves, but the life around us too.
Went on a long bike ride to shake myself of all the stress at the workplace. And myst tell you, speed biking gives me such a high that I can feel the dance of nature all around me. And it is a wonderful feeling to be a part of God's glorious design. Try it out, you'll love it.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Keep away from people who have the 'gift of the the gab', they are out to corrupt you
A man died and went to heaven. As he stood in front of St Peter at the Heaven Gates, he saw a huge wall of clocks behind him.
He asked St Peter, "What are all those clocks?"
St Peter answered, "Those are Lie-Clocks. Everyone on Earth has a Lie-Clock. Every time you lie, the hands on your clock will move."
"Oh," said the man, "Whose clock is that?"
"That's Mother Teresa's. The hands have never moved, indicating that she never told a lie."
"Incredible," said the man. "And whose clock is that one?"
St Peter responded, "That's Abraham Lincoln's clock. The hands have moved twice, telling us that Abe told only two lies in his entire life."
"Where's my clock?" asked the man.
"Your clock is in Jesus' office. He's using it as a ceiling fan."
Imagine, if we were to have clocks, ours would be enough to fan an entire city. We lie for a reason. We lie without a reason. And we lie just for the heck of it. For what? To show that we too are 'smart'. When people tell me that someone is 'smart', I know for sure that he lies through his teeth about his so-called incredible achievements. But very often people don't want to believe that he is lying because they would lose his 'good' company. He becomes so addictive for them that they start feeling bored when he is not around. Whether he is a friend, or an acquaintance, or even someone who is just a mere face in the crowd, they warm up to him with the glee of a teenager.
What makes people flock to those who have the 'gift of the gab'? Their naivete? Or is it their innocence? Or just the simple fact that he is 'good fun' as they call him? All and none. It is simply because most of them want to become like him -- smart -- but unfortunately they haven't been endowed with the talent. And so they take the easy way out. Patronise one who has. That is how the world has given rise to a Hitler, a Napoleon, a Mussolini, a Mao, a Stalin or any dictator that has ruled the earth with an iron fist.
Every ideology is false, every ism is a trap and every leader is a wolf in sheep's clothing. They wait for an opportunity to gobble you up because you have been a witness to his evil ways. That is how the saying 'Revolution eats away its own people' has come about. Whether it's the French Revolution or the Russian Revolution or any ideological revolution, the stronger of them has either killed or exiled his nearest leaders for fear of being exposed.
So, be aware of people who try to mesmerise you with their words. And keep a mile's length away from them. For they not only corrupt your mind, but they destroy your soul too. And we are so caught up with our ambitions that we can't realise them even if they are in our midst, because we need the other and vice versa. But, still you can avoid them by becoming aware of everything you do. When you become aware, the very act of awareness opens up a whole new world that you have been hitherto unheard of. And this world, like lightning, destroys all the garbage from your mind, as you are guided by the soul, and creates a godly space. And when the space becomes bigger and bigger, all the falsity in the being is annihilated. And that is how you become holy. And the ground you stand on becomes a sacred place. Not because you go on a pilgrimage. It is a sheer waste of time. You can utilise your time to go in. And delight in your being.
Went on a long 30 km bike ride to derive a cyclist's high -- the equivalent of meditative awareness. It pervades my being with such a wonderful calmness that meditation happens automatically. And lasts for most part of the day. Till I get back on my bike and start it all over again. What a wonderful vehicle a cycle is. Isn't it?
He asked St Peter, "What are all those clocks?"
St Peter answered, "Those are Lie-Clocks. Everyone on Earth has a Lie-Clock. Every time you lie, the hands on your clock will move."
"Oh," said the man, "Whose clock is that?"
"That's Mother Teresa's. The hands have never moved, indicating that she never told a lie."
"Incredible," said the man. "And whose clock is that one?"
St Peter responded, "That's Abraham Lincoln's clock. The hands have moved twice, telling us that Abe told only two lies in his entire life."
"Where's my clock?" asked the man.
"Your clock is in Jesus' office. He's using it as a ceiling fan."
Imagine, if we were to have clocks, ours would be enough to fan an entire city. We lie for a reason. We lie without a reason. And we lie just for the heck of it. For what? To show that we too are 'smart'. When people tell me that someone is 'smart', I know for sure that he lies through his teeth about his so-called incredible achievements. But very often people don't want to believe that he is lying because they would lose his 'good' company. He becomes so addictive for them that they start feeling bored when he is not around. Whether he is a friend, or an acquaintance, or even someone who is just a mere face in the crowd, they warm up to him with the glee of a teenager.
What makes people flock to those who have the 'gift of the gab'? Their naivete? Or is it their innocence? Or just the simple fact that he is 'good fun' as they call him? All and none. It is simply because most of them want to become like him -- smart -- but unfortunately they haven't been endowed with the talent. And so they take the easy way out. Patronise one who has. That is how the world has given rise to a Hitler, a Napoleon, a Mussolini, a Mao, a Stalin or any dictator that has ruled the earth with an iron fist.
Every ideology is false, every ism is a trap and every leader is a wolf in sheep's clothing. They wait for an opportunity to gobble you up because you have been a witness to his evil ways. That is how the saying 'Revolution eats away its own people' has come about. Whether it's the French Revolution or the Russian Revolution or any ideological revolution, the stronger of them has either killed or exiled his nearest leaders for fear of being exposed.
So, be aware of people who try to mesmerise you with their words. And keep a mile's length away from them. For they not only corrupt your mind, but they destroy your soul too. And we are so caught up with our ambitions that we can't realise them even if they are in our midst, because we need the other and vice versa. But, still you can avoid them by becoming aware of everything you do. When you become aware, the very act of awareness opens up a whole new world that you have been hitherto unheard of. And this world, like lightning, destroys all the garbage from your mind, as you are guided by the soul, and creates a godly space. And when the space becomes bigger and bigger, all the falsity in the being is annihilated. And that is how you become holy. And the ground you stand on becomes a sacred place. Not because you go on a pilgrimage. It is a sheer waste of time. You can utilise your time to go in. And delight in your being.
Went on a long 30 km bike ride to derive a cyclist's high -- the equivalent of meditative awareness. It pervades my being with such a wonderful calmness that meditation happens automatically. And lasts for most part of the day. Till I get back on my bike and start it all over again. What a wonderful vehicle a cycle is. Isn't it?
Sunday, July 15, 2007
DEAR CHILDREN, I'M GOD HERE, PLEASE DON'T DO ME ANY FAVOURS, I CAN STAND QUITE WELL ON MY OWN, THANK YOU
My Dear Children (and believe me, that's all of you),
I consider myself a pretty patient guy. I mean, lookat the Grand Canyon. It took millions of years to get it right. And about evolution? Boy, nothing is slower than designing that whole Darwinian thing to take place, cell by cell, and gene by gene.
I've been patient through your fashions,civilizations, wars and schemes, and the countless ways you take Me for granted until you get yourselves into big trouble again and again.
I want to let you know about some of the things that are starting to tick me off.
First of all, your religious rivalries are driving Me up a wall. Enough already! Let's get one thing straight.
These are YOUR religions, not Mine.
I'm the whole enchilada; I'm beyond them all. Everyone of your religions claims there is only one of Me(which by the way, is absolutely true). But in thevery next breath, each religion claims it's My favourite one. And each claims its bible was written personally by Me, and that all the other bible's are man-made. Oh, Me. How do I even begin to put a stop tosuch complicated nonsense?
Okay, listen up now. I'm your Father AND Mother, and Idon't play favourites among My children. Also, I hate to break it to you, but I don't write. My long hand is awful, and I've always been more of a "doer" anyway.
So ALL of your books, including those bibles, were written by men and women. They were inspired, remarkable people, but they also made mistakes here and there. I made sure of that, so that you would never trust a written word more than your own living heart.
You see, one human being to me -- even a bum on the street -- is worth more than all the Holy Books in theworld. That's just the kind of guy I am.
My Spirit is not a historical thing, it's alive righ there, right now, as fresh as your next breath. Holy books and religious rites are sacred and powerful, but not more so than the least of you.
They were only meant to steer you in the right direction, not to keep you arguing with each other, and certainly not to keep you from trusting your own personal connection with Me. Which brings Me to My next point about your nonsense.
You act like I need you and your religions to stick up for Me or "win souls" for My sake. Please, don't do Me any favours. I can stand quite well on my own, thank you. I don't need you to defend Me, and I don't need constant credit.
I just want you to be good to each other.
And another thing: I don't get all worked up over money or politics, so stop dragging My name into your dramas.
For example, I swear to Me that I never threatened Oral Roberts. I never rode in any of Rajneesh's Rolls Royces. I never told Pat Robertson to run for president, and I've never EVER had a conversation with Jim Baker, Jerry Falwell, or Jimmy Swaggart! Of course, come Judgement Day, I certainly intend to...
The thing is, I want you to stop thinking of religion as some sort of loyalty pledge to Me. The true purpose of your religions is so that YOU can become more aware of ME, not the other way around.
Believe Me, I know you already. I know what's in each of your hearts, and I love you with no strings attached.
Lighten up and enjoy Me. That's what religion is best for. What you seem to forget is how mysterious I am.
You look at the petty differences in your Scriptures and say, "Well, if THIS is the truth, then THAT can'tbe!" But instead of trying to figure out My Paradoxes and Unfathomable Nature--which by the way, you NEVER will -- why not open your hearts to the simple common threads in all religions.
You know what I'm talking about: Love and respect everyone. Be kind, even when life is scary orconfusing, take courage and be of good cheer, for I am always with you. Learn how to be quiet, so you can hear My still, small voice (I don't like to shout).
Leave the world a better place by living your life with dignity and gracefulness, for you are My OwnChild.
Hold back nothing from life, for the parts of you that can die surely will, and the parts that can't, won't. So don't worry, be happy (I stole that last line from Bobby McFerrin, but who do you think gave it to him inthe first place?)
Simple stuff. Why do you keep making it so complicated?
It's like you're always looking for an excuse to be upset. And I'm very tired of being your main excuse. Do you think I care whether you call me Yahweh, Jehovah, Allah, Wakantonka, Brahma, Father, Mother oreven the Void of Nirvana?
Do you think I care which of My special children you feel closest to -- Jesus, Mary, Buddha, Krishna, Mohammed or any of the others?
You can call Me and My Special Ones any name you choose, if only you would go about My business of loving one another as I love you. How can you keep neglecting something so simple? I'm not telling you to abandon your religions. Enjoy your religions, honour them, learn from them, just as you should enjoy, honour, and learn from your parents. But do you walk around telling everyone that your parents are better than theirs?
Your religion, like your parents, may always have the most special place in your heart; I don't mind that at all. And I don't want you to combine all the Great Traditions in One Big Mess.
Each religion is unique for a reason. Each has aunique style so that people can find the best path for themselves. But My Special Children -- the ones that your religions revolve around -- all live in the same place (My heart) and they get along perfectly, Iassure you.
The clergy must stop creating a myth of siblingrivalry where there is none. My blessed children ofEarth, the world has grown too small for your pervasive religious bigotries and confusion. The whole planet is connected by air travel, satellite dishes, telephones, fax machines, rock concerts, diseases, and mutual needs and concerns.
Get with the programme!
If you really want to help then commit yourselves to figuring out how to feed your hungry, clothe yournaked, protect your abused, and shelter your poor. And just as importantly, make your own everyday life a shining example of kindness and good humour.
I've given you all the resources you need, if only you abandon your fear of each other and begin living,loving, and laughing together. Finally, My Children everywhere, when you think of the life of Jesus andthe fearlessness with which He chose to live and die. As I love Him, so do I love each one of you.
I'm not really ticked off, I just wanted to grab your attention because I hate to see you suffer.
But I gave you free will.
I just want you to be happy. Always. Trust in Me.
Your One and Only,
God.
I consider myself a pretty patient guy. I mean, lookat the Grand Canyon. It took millions of years to get it right. And about evolution? Boy, nothing is slower than designing that whole Darwinian thing to take place, cell by cell, and gene by gene.
I've been patient through your fashions,civilizations, wars and schemes, and the countless ways you take Me for granted until you get yourselves into big trouble again and again.
I want to let you know about some of the things that are starting to tick me off.
First of all, your religious rivalries are driving Me up a wall. Enough already! Let's get one thing straight.
These are YOUR religions, not Mine.
I'm the whole enchilada; I'm beyond them all. Everyone of your religions claims there is only one of Me(which by the way, is absolutely true). But in thevery next breath, each religion claims it's My favourite one. And each claims its bible was written personally by Me, and that all the other bible's are man-made. Oh, Me. How do I even begin to put a stop tosuch complicated nonsense?
Okay, listen up now. I'm your Father AND Mother, and Idon't play favourites among My children. Also, I hate to break it to you, but I don't write. My long hand is awful, and I've always been more of a "doer" anyway.
So ALL of your books, including those bibles, were written by men and women. They were inspired, remarkable people, but they also made mistakes here and there. I made sure of that, so that you would never trust a written word more than your own living heart.
You see, one human being to me -- even a bum on the street -- is worth more than all the Holy Books in theworld. That's just the kind of guy I am.
My Spirit is not a historical thing, it's alive righ there, right now, as fresh as your next breath. Holy books and religious rites are sacred and powerful, but not more so than the least of you.
They were only meant to steer you in the right direction, not to keep you arguing with each other, and certainly not to keep you from trusting your own personal connection with Me. Which brings Me to My next point about your nonsense.
You act like I need you and your religions to stick up for Me or "win souls" for My sake. Please, don't do Me any favours. I can stand quite well on my own, thank you. I don't need you to defend Me, and I don't need constant credit.
I just want you to be good to each other.
And another thing: I don't get all worked up over money or politics, so stop dragging My name into your dramas.
For example, I swear to Me that I never threatened Oral Roberts. I never rode in any of Rajneesh's Rolls Royces. I never told Pat Robertson to run for president, and I've never EVER had a conversation with Jim Baker, Jerry Falwell, or Jimmy Swaggart! Of course, come Judgement Day, I certainly intend to...
The thing is, I want you to stop thinking of religion as some sort of loyalty pledge to Me. The true purpose of your religions is so that YOU can become more aware of ME, not the other way around.
Believe Me, I know you already. I know what's in each of your hearts, and I love you with no strings attached.
Lighten up and enjoy Me. That's what religion is best for. What you seem to forget is how mysterious I am.
You look at the petty differences in your Scriptures and say, "Well, if THIS is the truth, then THAT can'tbe!" But instead of trying to figure out My Paradoxes and Unfathomable Nature--which by the way, you NEVER will -- why not open your hearts to the simple common threads in all religions.
You know what I'm talking about: Love and respect everyone. Be kind, even when life is scary orconfusing, take courage and be of good cheer, for I am always with you. Learn how to be quiet, so you can hear My still, small voice (I don't like to shout).
Leave the world a better place by living your life with dignity and gracefulness, for you are My OwnChild.
Hold back nothing from life, for the parts of you that can die surely will, and the parts that can't, won't. So don't worry, be happy (I stole that last line from Bobby McFerrin, but who do you think gave it to him inthe first place?)
Simple stuff. Why do you keep making it so complicated?
It's like you're always looking for an excuse to be upset. And I'm very tired of being your main excuse. Do you think I care whether you call me Yahweh, Jehovah, Allah, Wakantonka, Brahma, Father, Mother oreven the Void of Nirvana?
Do you think I care which of My special children you feel closest to -- Jesus, Mary, Buddha, Krishna, Mohammed or any of the others?
You can call Me and My Special Ones any name you choose, if only you would go about My business of loving one another as I love you. How can you keep neglecting something so simple? I'm not telling you to abandon your religions. Enjoy your religions, honour them, learn from them, just as you should enjoy, honour, and learn from your parents. But do you walk around telling everyone that your parents are better than theirs?
Your religion, like your parents, may always have the most special place in your heart; I don't mind that at all. And I don't want you to combine all the Great Traditions in One Big Mess.
Each religion is unique for a reason. Each has aunique style so that people can find the best path for themselves. But My Special Children -- the ones that your religions revolve around -- all live in the same place (My heart) and they get along perfectly, Iassure you.
The clergy must stop creating a myth of siblingrivalry where there is none. My blessed children ofEarth, the world has grown too small for your pervasive religious bigotries and confusion. The whole planet is connected by air travel, satellite dishes, telephones, fax machines, rock concerts, diseases, and mutual needs and concerns.
Get with the programme!
If you really want to help then commit yourselves to figuring out how to feed your hungry, clothe yournaked, protect your abused, and shelter your poor. And just as importantly, make your own everyday life a shining example of kindness and good humour.
I've given you all the resources you need, if only you abandon your fear of each other and begin living,loving, and laughing together. Finally, My Children everywhere, when you think of the life of Jesus andthe fearlessness with which He chose to live and die. As I love Him, so do I love each one of you.
I'm not really ticked off, I just wanted to grab your attention because I hate to see you suffer.
But I gave you free will.
I just want you to be happy. Always. Trust in Me.
Your One and Only,
God.
MARRIAGE AND LOVE ARE ANTITHETICAL CONCEPTS, BOTH OF THEM CAN'T CO-EXIST AS THE SPACE IS TOO SMALL
Mary Jane, the very good friend of a wealthy broker, opened the door cheerfully one day, and then quickly attempted to close it when she discovered the person on the threshold to be her lover's wife.
The wife leaned against the door and said, "Oh, let me in, dear. I don't intend to make a scene, just came to have a small friendly conversation."
With considerable nervousness, Mary Jane let her enter, then said cautiously, "What do you want?"
"Nothing much," said the wife, looking about, "I just want the answer to one question: Tell me, dear, just between the two of us, what do you see in that dumb jerk?"
Groucho Marx, the yesteryear Hollywood comedian, puts it succinctly: Marriage is a wonderful institution, but who wants to live in an institution? Ask anyone who is married and the first thing they would say, whether it is man or woman, is that marriage sucks. Then why is it that the society goes ga ga about it? Because they are scared that the unmarried person may eye their spouses, and it is this insecurity that keeps the concept of marriage afloat in the world. Not because of any enduring bond of love. In fact, marriage and love are two antithetical concepts. Where one exists, the other can't. Because the space is too small for two divergent concepts to co-exist. When one enters, the other finds an automatic outlet and disappears.
Marriage not only sucks, it is also a sickening institution. Even a mental institution is a far safer place to be than in a married household. It is so stifling that the wife waits for an opportunity to make a mistake, and if he doesn't, she gives him one so that he slips and she can take him to task. Similarly, the husband waits for an excuse to pounce on his wife to settle scores. What a charade?
Reams and reams of paper have been wasted to explain the glorious significance of a happy family. Not just that. Hundreds of films have been made to explain the importance of a close-knit family. But, everything comes to nought. And marriages continue to fall like nine pins. And that too with the rapidity of a supersonic jet. For the simple reason, marriage is not meant to be. It is a utopian concept that can be possible only in a highly evolved society -- where the man is not concerned about what his wife is doing, or a wife is least bothered whom the husband is flirting with. Because it comes from the knowledge that it is the natural order of things.
Went on a long bike ride today into the interiors of the city and got deliberately lost so that it would take a good deal of time to get out. That way my mind wouldn't be able to keep track of the number of miles I've logged on and feel proud of it. Besides, there is a thrill in getting lost. You not only get to see the inner city's beauty, which you don't get to see otherwise, but the very feeling that you are lost gets your adrenaline pumping making your journey a wonderful experience.
Also, have been doing some amazing breathing meditation, the one that is propounded by Osho, called the dynamic meditation. It is equivalent to biking 20 miles and the energy that it generates keeps me active the whole day. So, keep biking and keep breathing, because breath is life and life is breath, and all the secrets of the world are revealed to the person who can concentrate on his breath.
The wife leaned against the door and said, "Oh, let me in, dear. I don't intend to make a scene, just came to have a small friendly conversation."
With considerable nervousness, Mary Jane let her enter, then said cautiously, "What do you want?"
"Nothing much," said the wife, looking about, "I just want the answer to one question: Tell me, dear, just between the two of us, what do you see in that dumb jerk?"
Groucho Marx, the yesteryear Hollywood comedian, puts it succinctly: Marriage is a wonderful institution, but who wants to live in an institution? Ask anyone who is married and the first thing they would say, whether it is man or woman, is that marriage sucks. Then why is it that the society goes ga ga about it? Because they are scared that the unmarried person may eye their spouses, and it is this insecurity that keeps the concept of marriage afloat in the world. Not because of any enduring bond of love. In fact, marriage and love are two antithetical concepts. Where one exists, the other can't. Because the space is too small for two divergent concepts to co-exist. When one enters, the other finds an automatic outlet and disappears.
Marriage not only sucks, it is also a sickening institution. Even a mental institution is a far safer place to be than in a married household. It is so stifling that the wife waits for an opportunity to make a mistake, and if he doesn't, she gives him one so that he slips and she can take him to task. Similarly, the husband waits for an excuse to pounce on his wife to settle scores. What a charade?
Reams and reams of paper have been wasted to explain the glorious significance of a happy family. Not just that. Hundreds of films have been made to explain the importance of a close-knit family. But, everything comes to nought. And marriages continue to fall like nine pins. And that too with the rapidity of a supersonic jet. For the simple reason, marriage is not meant to be. It is a utopian concept that can be possible only in a highly evolved society -- where the man is not concerned about what his wife is doing, or a wife is least bothered whom the husband is flirting with. Because it comes from the knowledge that it is the natural order of things.
Went on a long bike ride today into the interiors of the city and got deliberately lost so that it would take a good deal of time to get out. That way my mind wouldn't be able to keep track of the number of miles I've logged on and feel proud of it. Besides, there is a thrill in getting lost. You not only get to see the inner city's beauty, which you don't get to see otherwise, but the very feeling that you are lost gets your adrenaline pumping making your journey a wonderful experience.
Also, have been doing some amazing breathing meditation, the one that is propounded by Osho, called the dynamic meditation. It is equivalent to biking 20 miles and the energy that it generates keeps me active the whole day. So, keep biking and keep breathing, because breath is life and life is breath, and all the secrets of the world are revealed to the person who can concentrate on his breath.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
OUTER ACTS OF DEVOTION ARE NO SUBSTITUTES FOR THE REAL JOY OF MEDITATION
Three ladies die and meet St Peter, who is sitting behind a desk on front of the gates of heaven, getting ready to start his day.
"May the first person come," he says.
"Hello, St Peter," says the first lady.
"State your name and tell me how you spent your life," he says.
"Oh, St Peter, I am a nun, who spent my life helping those in need, and serving the Lord."
"Here, take this golden key, it will open the Gates of Heaven."
And off goes the nun.
"Next," says St Peter, turning to the second woman, "How did you spend your life?"
"I spent my life like a normal human being," the second woman says. "I told some lies, white lies here and there. But nothing serious."
"Here I give you a silver key. It is for the purgatory. You may go now," and sends her away.
"Next," he turning to the lone woman. "Tell me, how did you live your life?"
"Oh St Peter, my life was spent on parties I loved dancing, drinking, and having a different man every night. You might call me a creature of the night," says the beautiful girl.
"Here is a key made of copper," he says.
"Is that the key to hell?!"
"No, this is the key to my apartment."
Whether you are in heaven or in hell, in the market place or in the monastery, in the pub or in the purgatory, the human mind is constantly whirling with ideas of the world -- power, sex, recognition, and all the cravings that haunt humankind. And the saints are no different. You blurt them out and seek a release, while they suppress them in the name of discipline, and put up a proud facade to the world about their unflinching celibacy. But, dig a little deeper, and you will find their desires safely tucked away in the interior core of their being. What more, they are dangerously alive and kicking. They are the celebrities of the spiritual world, whose holier-than-thou attitude is meant to put them on a high pedestal, away from the floatsam and jetsam of society. No wonder, then, that celebrities have a common bonding with the so-called spiritual leaders and go seeking their blessings. Not because they want to change, but because the spiritual leaders know exactly how to make the celebrities, who considers them to be their alter egos, go after their cherished goals.
Spirituality or meditation is not about leading a disciplined life, and definitely not about achieving goals, but about leading a life of awareness. Because awareness brings about such a miraculous quality to our being that all the falsities dissolve of their own leaving us with a nothingness -- an empty space. And from that nothingness a pure joy springs forth. And it is such a simple thing, that it is impossible to believe that one can achieve miracles with the simple art of meditative awareness.
Yes, it is difficult to sit down for an hour everyday, because all the thoughts that have been safely ensconced in the back of our minds from our childhood come rushing in to seek our attention. We feel guilty, especially for the wrongdoings we have committed during our lifetime, which pop up during our meditation hours, that we just can't continue any further for fear of turning mad. So, we take the easy way out of visiting churches, temples, mosques, or a spiritual guru near our homes, so that we don't need to make any effort to change our inner being. And continue to fool ourselves that we are immune from all the vicissitudes of life. What a sham!
We are so used to our restless way of life that sitting silently is indeed a difficult task. And not advisable too. So the Zen tradition speaks of active meditations to prepare the body to endure the silent sitting. And it is very simple. Do every activity that you undertake, with a meditative spirit, whether it is sweeping, or driving a vehicle, or even eating. Slowly, the meditative spaces become bigger, and your being is enveloped in silence, that you become a lake of godliness.
I have been a strong advocate of active meditations. And the trio -- running, cycling and dancing -- have been my ways to enter the meditative spaces. However, I must admit that I have not been on a long bike ride for many days now. For one, it has been raining, which is a lame excuse, and two, I've been busy with blogging. But despite my busy schedule, I have never given up on my active meditations. I bike 20 kms a day to and fro from office, go for jogging in the park, and do a bit of sitting meditation in the night. But, still, there is scope for doing better, what say you?
"May the first person come," he says.
"Hello, St Peter," says the first lady.
"State your name and tell me how you spent your life," he says.
"Oh, St Peter, I am a nun, who spent my life helping those in need, and serving the Lord."
"Here, take this golden key, it will open the Gates of Heaven."
And off goes the nun.
"Next," says St Peter, turning to the second woman, "How did you spend your life?"
"I spent my life like a normal human being," the second woman says. "I told some lies, white lies here and there. But nothing serious."
"Here I give you a silver key. It is for the purgatory. You may go now," and sends her away.
"Next," he turning to the lone woman. "Tell me, how did you live your life?"
"Oh St Peter, my life was spent on parties I loved dancing, drinking, and having a different man every night. You might call me a creature of the night," says the beautiful girl.
"Here is a key made of copper," he says.
"Is that the key to hell?!"
"No, this is the key to my apartment."
Whether you are in heaven or in hell, in the market place or in the monastery, in the pub or in the purgatory, the human mind is constantly whirling with ideas of the world -- power, sex, recognition, and all the cravings that haunt humankind. And the saints are no different. You blurt them out and seek a release, while they suppress them in the name of discipline, and put up a proud facade to the world about their unflinching celibacy. But, dig a little deeper, and you will find their desires safely tucked away in the interior core of their being. What more, they are dangerously alive and kicking. They are the celebrities of the spiritual world, whose holier-than-thou attitude is meant to put them on a high pedestal, away from the floatsam and jetsam of society. No wonder, then, that celebrities have a common bonding with the so-called spiritual leaders and go seeking their blessings. Not because they want to change, but because the spiritual leaders know exactly how to make the celebrities, who considers them to be their alter egos, go after their cherished goals.
Spirituality or meditation is not about leading a disciplined life, and definitely not about achieving goals, but about leading a life of awareness. Because awareness brings about such a miraculous quality to our being that all the falsities dissolve of their own leaving us with a nothingness -- an empty space. And from that nothingness a pure joy springs forth. And it is such a simple thing, that it is impossible to believe that one can achieve miracles with the simple art of meditative awareness.
Yes, it is difficult to sit down for an hour everyday, because all the thoughts that have been safely ensconced in the back of our minds from our childhood come rushing in to seek our attention. We feel guilty, especially for the wrongdoings we have committed during our lifetime, which pop up during our meditation hours, that we just can't continue any further for fear of turning mad. So, we take the easy way out of visiting churches, temples, mosques, or a spiritual guru near our homes, so that we don't need to make any effort to change our inner being. And continue to fool ourselves that we are immune from all the vicissitudes of life. What a sham!
We are so used to our restless way of life that sitting silently is indeed a difficult task. And not advisable too. So the Zen tradition speaks of active meditations to prepare the body to endure the silent sitting. And it is very simple. Do every activity that you undertake, with a meditative spirit, whether it is sweeping, or driving a vehicle, or even eating. Slowly, the meditative spaces become bigger, and your being is enveloped in silence, that you become a lake of godliness.
I have been a strong advocate of active meditations. And the trio -- running, cycling and dancing -- have been my ways to enter the meditative spaces. However, I must admit that I have not been on a long bike ride for many days now. For one, it has been raining, which is a lame excuse, and two, I've been busy with blogging. But despite my busy schedule, I have never given up on my active meditations. I bike 20 kms a day to and fro from office, go for jogging in the park, and do a bit of sitting meditation in the night. But, still, there is scope for doing better, what say you?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
