A state of mind for all achievements – “ PEACE ”

Every one on this planet is thinking, looking, talking & working for Peace. When I was a child my parents at home used to tell be in peace , teachers in school expect peace in the classroom.

I remember, when I was in 3^rd standard a poet visited our school to convey the message of peace , I was awarded “Peace Award ” being a peaceful student in the school. At the age 9 years  I was not even, aware of what is peace and its relevance in life.

When I attended optional sessions on yoga  at NITIE, Vihar lake, Mumbai in the morning hours before start of the management sessions ,  a professor of Industrial Engineering taught us Yoga. That was my first introductory learning of Patanjali Yoga  asana practices. During that time I became aware of basic 3 components of human system - Body / Mind / Soul  and its requirements. Ancient Pantanjali Astang yoga – eight steps fulfil the desired requirements i.e.  

Ø  Body – Needs to be healthy

Ø  Mind – Needs to be Peaceful

Ø  Soul – Needs to be blissful  - “ The ultimate desired state ”

I was just thinking how I can frame the word PEACE and extract the fruitful meaning . There may be several extension depending upon human perception. My perception of word peace is :

ü  Pleasant,

ü  Easy ,

ü  Alert ,

ü  Clear ,

ü  Enthusiastic state of mind .

“ A pleasant , easy , alert ,  clear , enthusiastic state of mind PEACE  - A key to all achievements ”

Prepared and compiled by: S.K.Udaiwal

Spirituality – Practicing Virtues

Virtue or Righteousness defined in dictionary as

“ Conformity of one’s life and conduct to moral and ethical principles ”

In simple term – “Practice makes perfect ”

Ø  An Individual who practice Moral values become Moralist

Ø  An Individual practice Ethics becomes Ethical

In Patanjali Yoga Sutra – Following eight moral ethical practice suggested . One who practice sincerely becomes a - Yogi – “ A Moralist who follow and practice ancient life ethical principles ”

1.       Yamas – Restraints  - 5 virtues

Ahimsa – Non harming

Satya – Non lying

Asteya – Non stealing

Brahmacharya – Purity

Aprigraha – Non hoarding

2.       Niyams – Observances  - 5 virtues

Souch – Cleanliness

Santosh – Contentment

Tapas – Duties and responsibilities

Savadyaya – Self study

Ishvarpranidhana – Surrender

3.        Asana - Postures  -  bending , stretching, rotation of body

4.       Pranayama - Breathing  techniques

5.       Pratyahara - Withdrawal of the senses

6.       Dharna – Concentration (Focus)

7.       Dhyana – Meditation ( Awareness)

8.       Samadhi – State of oneness

One may find any good yoga centre in nearby location and learn and practice these virtues and life principles  - A backbone of spirituality

Regular practice brings perfection through a

ü  Healthy body

ü  Peaceful Mind and

ü  Blissful soul

Prepared and compiled by: S.K.Udaiwal

Race – A strategy for progress and competition

Word race has different meanings. For the purpose of this article the meaning of race as described in dictionary is:  

“ A situation in which individuals or groups compete to be first to achieve a particular objectives”

It is good for one as individuals or in a  groups in any forms as :

Ø  Families

Ø  Communities

Ø  Cities

Ø  States

Ø  Nations

Ø  Countries  etc......

Participate naturally on race. The race is necessary for

ü  progress,

ü  development,

ü  growth and

ü  survival

 as the case may be. It also results either constructive or distractive competition. A race with positive mind  set is always good for the progress , development, growth and survival. A competitive spirit encourages race irrespective of any differences and create mutual understanding and support among the participants either individuals or groups.

“ Be a master in a race of -  progress and prosperity ”

Prepared and compiled by: S.K.Udaiwal

A critical look – Building foundation of a child

Chance and choices  in one’s life span in few areas of concern are:

Ø  Education

Ø  Extra curricular activities

Ø  Career

Ø  Friends

Ø  Social

Ø  Spiritual  

Ø  Political

Ø  Place  etc....

Success  of individual depends upon how one get chance and choices in life. Family background, support, guidance, environment also play a very important role. Families struggling for basic needs of survival i.e.

ü  Food

ü  Shelter

ü  Clothing

ü  Education

ü  Medical aids

At the age 60+ while analysing  my real life examples I find it very interesting results among neighbourhood , school , college and professional friends age wise

·         0-6 - years  with family

·         6 -17 years          – First lots of friends

·         17 – 22 years      - Second lots of friends

·         22 – 60 years      – Third lots of friends

·         60+ years - Few new additions.

Important learning – Parents  as guide,  mentor, supporter play a very critical role. One’s limitations  in economical, educational, social , cultural and spiritual status needs to be examined and overcome for right guidance, mentoring and support. Basic support at early age is very important and it build the foundation for future growth and success.

Prepared and compiled by: S.K.Udaiwal

Think for True knowledge of living – “ Life Span and uncertainty of life ”

After viewing , few viral messages on social media on instant loss of life. I just started thinking about life span and current living environment across the world . Reasons may be broadly either :

a.        Natural calamities , which are beyond control of human being  or

b.      Un – Natural calamities , which are well within control of human being

Some of the common causes either of these two categories are listed below:

Ø  Fatal incidents on Road /Rail

Ø  Vital Diseases

Ø  Unknown reasons detected as vital health issue  

Ø  Riots /war / terrorism

Ø  Domestic violence

Ø  Suicide

Ø  Industrial fatal incidents

Ø  Individual conflict

Ø  Carelessness

Ø  Natural calamities – Earth quake , flood, Cyclones - thunder .....

Ø  Unnatural calamities  -  pollution of -  air, water, food, mind  ...

Print , social, electronic media  instantly reports these incidents as information , followed with discussions and analysis . Advisory notes on preventive care and prevention suggested to avoid reoccurrences. Need of hours is,   one needs to understand the individual responsibility . A normal average human  life expectancy may  be 60-70 years, it varies country to country. On an average one spend

ü  20 – 22 Years on acquisition of Education/skills  - Enjoying childhood and teens life and preparing self for future living.

ü  30 – 35 years on employment or business  – Marriage expansion of family and responsibility of children and dependent parents and future planning

ü  10 – 13 years left out period as retired life - One needs to analyse contribution & think for some social services as per capacity and health condition.

True knowledge of living a peaceful, happy, joyful, healthy and wealthy life may minimise the reasons of natural as well as unnatural calamities. One as individual and collective as

·         Family

·         Neighbourhood

·         Society

·         Citizen

·         Nationalist

·         World family

May plan to learn and enjoy this beautiful world.  One may approach “ Self Development - Raj Yoga  centre” of Brahma Kumaries and learn  ancient True Knowledge of living  for  peaceful, happy, joyful, healthy and wealthy life.

Prepared and compiled by: S.K.Udaiwal

Learning through a small word - “Watch ”

Once I got an opportunity to attend a discourse on self awareness in a school. Speaker asked a question to all the students raising his one hand with a small table clock .

What is this ?

Entire house voiced  -  Watch ...watch.......watch....................

There after a pin drop silence for a moment. Speaker said  its right answer dear students. Speaker asked another question.

What is the purpose of watch ? - Simple answer from audience – It shows time

Is there any other meaning of word WATCH ? One student raised his hand and replied, yes sir

It is  - To see. Right my dear. Speaker started further,

 Dear students ,

 We have two eyes to see , two ears to listen, and senses for feelings  -  touch, taste and smell to know our outer world . But we have a third sense to know our inner world. Just remember this five letter word watch and its meaning which give us , direction to create our destiny , and live a life as per our choice and wish. Let us see these letters and extension to understand further.

Ø  W            Words

Ø  A             Actions

Ø  T              Thoughts

Ø  C             Character

Ø  H             Habits

Now the sequence is :

Watch your thoughts because thoughts becomes words.

Watch your words because words become action

Watch your action because action becomes habits

Watch your habits because habits becomes character

Watch your character because character becomes destiny and destiny is LIFE

Watch and align your thoughts , words and actions properly and create right habits, character ,destiny and life.

The conclusion is “ You are the creator of your own destiny and life ”  - What you think you become.

Prepared and compiled by: S.K.Udaiwal