My mission

To jog-bicycle around the world, climb the mountains, swim the seas and soar the skies. Since they are not remotely possible, I settled for a daily dose of spiritual triathlon -- jogging, cycling and meditation -- necessarily in that order. My idea of a spiritual triathlon is 10 miles of jogging and 10 miles of cycling followed by an hour of meditation. I sincerely feel that not less than a spiritual marathon can tame the mind and mould it the way you want it to. So go ahead and have fun taking a dekko at my spiritual athleticism. But don't forget to drop in a word or two on how you feel about my blog and my way of life. Your advice is always valuable to go that extra length to the Garden of Eden

Food for cycling thought

A Zen Teacher saw five of his students return from the market, riding their bicycles. When they had dismounted, the teacher asked the students, "Why are you riding your bicycles?" The first student replied, "The bicycle is carrying this sack of potatoes. I am glad that I do not have to carry them on my back!" The teacher praised the student, saying, "You are a smart boy. When you grow old, you will not walk hunched over, as I do." The second student replied, "I love to watch the trees and fields pass by as I roll down the path." The teacher commended the student, "Your eyes are open and you see the world." The third student replied, "When I ride my bicycle, I am content to chant, nam myoho renge kyo." The teacher gave praise to the third student, "Your mind will roll with the ease of a newly trued wheel." The fourth student answered, "Riding my bicycle, I live in harmony with all beings." The teacher was pleased and said, "You are riding on the golden path of non-harming." The fifth student replied, "I ride my bicycle to ride my bicycle." The teacher went and sat at the feet of the fifth student, and said, "I am your disciple."
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts

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?

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.