chyk (chinmaya yuva kendra) mumbai had called for a youth meet at sandeepany sadhanalaya on 15th july 2007. guruji (swami tejomayanadaji) addressed the youngsters. this is a brief synopsis of that talk :
guruji started off with a joke about a speaker who was asked to address a group of students. the speaker said he was from yale and started off by saying that the letter y from yale stood for 'youth'. he then spoke to them for about 20 mins on this topic. he then said the 'a' stood for ambition and then spoke about this for 30 mins. he explained that the 'l' stood for love and waxed eloquent about love for 15 mins and then finally said that 'e' stood for enthusiasm which he continued to speak about for a final 20 mins.
when he asked the audience for feedback about his talk one youngster piped up and said that the talk was good but that they were very glad that he was not from massachusetts!
guruji said he would keep his talk brief, and as is his style he managed to convey everything so wonderfully within the truncated time available to him.
he said that the older generation usually perceived the youth as 'people who know nothing but think they know everything'. at the same time the youth believe that the elders do not understand anything.
he then shared something he had read which was very apt - 'by the time you realise your father was right, you already have a son who thinks you are wrong!'
another common perception about the youth is that they are 'rash'. and this is best exemplified by their driving antics on the roads. a father tells his son who is a rash driver that 'it is better to be late here by a few hours, than to be early 'up there' by a few years!'
guruji said that youth is a phase when you find a contradiction - there is maximum energy levels among the youth, and you also find maximum levels of frustration!
most youngsters want to express themselves freely, revolt against convention and they consider themselves independent thinkers. but you also find that they are also blind followers of things that are considered 'cool' and 'different'.
the youth tend to have many questions. but its also important to ask the questions, ask the questions of the right person who can guide you with the answers, and have the courage to accept the answers. a fundamental quality required is 'humility' which is essential to be able to learn anything.
here guruji shared a beautiful story from the ramayana where hanumanji who has just been made aware of his powers by jambavan was very eager to cross the ocean, destroy lanka, kill ravana and get back seetaji. but then he suddenly realises that he might be getting carried away and so he decides to ask jambavan for guidance.
the point is that one should have the humility to say 'i don't know'!
here guruji mentioned a well-known saying among the armed forces - 'the more and more you sweat in peace; the less and less you will bleed in war'. similarly we should use our youth to work hard and prepare for life.
this is the aim of chyk - to harness youth potential to give them the right vision so that they can aim high in life.
he then referred to our shanti-path (peace invocation) where it is pointed out that success depends on mutual effort so that there is fruitful discussion and success and true transformation!
- saraswati nilayam, sandeepany sadhanalaya, july 15, 2007
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Monday, July 9, 2007
for those who missed these sessions
in the last two Q&A sessions, br. sattvikaji spoke about the 'laws of action' and about the 'art of time management'.
the presentations are available for you to download and view at the following links :
http://groups.google.com/group/whats-on-your-mind---kalina-talks/web/laws+of+action.ppt
http://groups.google.com/group/whats-on-your-mind---kalina-talks/web/Time+Management+-+final.ppt
as part of the 'what's on your mind?' series, we have now embarked on a systematic study of the bhagwad geeta with sattvikaji as our guide. the first session was completed on 5th july where we are getting introduced to the great scripture through the 'dhyana shlokas'. sattvikaji will be completing the dhyana shlokas in his next talk on 2nd august. and then we will have the exposition of each chapter of the bhagwad geeta on the first thursday of each month.
you can derive maximum benefit from this series of talks by attending these sessions. we will also try our best to keep you updated by posting the summary of each talk on this blog.
the presentations are available for you to download and view at the following links :
http://groups.google.com/group/whats-on-your-mind---kalina-talks/web/laws+of+action.ppt
http://groups.google.com/group/whats-on-your-mind---kalina-talks/web/Time+Management+-+final.ppt
as part of the 'what's on your mind?' series, we have now embarked on a systematic study of the bhagwad geeta with sattvikaji as our guide. the first session was completed on 5th july where we are getting introduced to the great scripture through the 'dhyana shlokas'. sattvikaji will be completing the dhyana shlokas in his next talk on 2nd august. and then we will have the exposition of each chapter of the bhagwad geeta on the first thursday of each month.
you can derive maximum benefit from this series of talks by attending these sessions. we will also try our best to keep you updated by posting the summary of each talk on this blog.
Saturday, July 7, 2007
basking in the light - V
we were assembled in guruji's kutiya discussing the plans for the ceos' seminar that was being planned in mumbai. anil sachdevji was visiting from delhi and he was to be one of the speakers along with guruji for this program.
towards the end of the discussion a gentleman entered the kutiya. he was wearing a tie and looked like a senior person from some corporate. anilji then introduced him to guruji as one of the directors in one of the large indian corporate giants. after exchanging pleasantries, anilji mentioned an interesting anecdote which was the reason the gentleman had arrived there that morning.
on one of his previous visits to the ashram, after anilji had met guruji and was on his way back to his hotel after taking prasad from guruji, he noticed that this above-mentioned gentleman's cell-phone number had inexplicably appeared on his (anilji's) cell-phone. he took this as a sign that there must be some reason for this and decided to drop into this gentleman's office which was just a stone's throw away.
when he reached his office, the gentleman informed him that he had dropped into office only for a couple of hours and was now about to leave to accompany his wife to the hospital for her chemo-therapy since she was afflicted with cancer. anilji immediately gave him the prasad which he had received and asked the gentleman to give it to his wife and that it would give her some solace & strength.
the gentleman did give the prasad to his wife and this act had a great impact on this lady.
many months later, when anilji informed this gentleman that he was going to be in mumbai and that he could drop into the ashram in case he wanted to meet guruji. the gentleman's wife wanted him to go and meet guruji.
the gentleman, being a very senior official, had a very important meeting that same morning and he had forgotten this directive once he got into the meeting. he then received an sms from his wife reminding him to go and meet guruji. he then decided that he had to meet guruji and decided to come to the ashram.
guruji heard this narrative patiently and then enquired about her health and progress of the treatment. he then asked him to visit the ashram and meet at leisure and to bring his wife along too.
this simple act of love and caring by guruji won the gentleman's heart and he left shortly. it was obvious that he would soon return!
- sandeepany sadhanalaya, 12th june 2007
towards the end of the discussion a gentleman entered the kutiya. he was wearing a tie and looked like a senior person from some corporate. anilji then introduced him to guruji as one of the directors in one of the large indian corporate giants. after exchanging pleasantries, anilji mentioned an interesting anecdote which was the reason the gentleman had arrived there that morning.
on one of his previous visits to the ashram, after anilji had met guruji and was on his way back to his hotel after taking prasad from guruji, he noticed that this above-mentioned gentleman's cell-phone number had inexplicably appeared on his (anilji's) cell-phone. he took this as a sign that there must be some reason for this and decided to drop into this gentleman's office which was just a stone's throw away.
when he reached his office, the gentleman informed him that he had dropped into office only for a couple of hours and was now about to leave to accompany his wife to the hospital for her chemo-therapy since she was afflicted with cancer. anilji immediately gave him the prasad which he had received and asked the gentleman to give it to his wife and that it would give her some solace & strength.
the gentleman did give the prasad to his wife and this act had a great impact on this lady.
many months later, when anilji informed this gentleman that he was going to be in mumbai and that he could drop into the ashram in case he wanted to meet guruji. the gentleman's wife wanted him to go and meet guruji.
the gentleman, being a very senior official, had a very important meeting that same morning and he had forgotten this directive once he got into the meeting. he then received an sms from his wife reminding him to go and meet guruji. he then decided that he had to meet guruji and decided to come to the ashram.
guruji heard this narrative patiently and then enquired about her health and progress of the treatment. he then asked him to visit the ashram and meet at leisure and to bring his wife along too.
this simple act of love and caring by guruji won the gentleman's heart and he left shortly. it was obvious that he would soon return!
- sandeepany sadhanalaya, 12th june 2007
Sunday, June 24, 2007
basking in the light - IV
many of us know that guruji is a great lover of music. when he is listening to music you can see that he is in a completely different plane. he is able to deeply experience the music.
this is one of the reasons that some of the greatest musicians in the country are able to instantly connect with him. the common thread is the divinity that music invokes in them - the musician, the aficionado and the music. in its purest form.
one evening we were assembled in guruji's kutiya after dinner. guruji suddenly popped a question at us - what is the definition of music? he wanted each one of us to share our understanding and definition of music.
each one of us tried to outdo the other in trying to define music. some called it a pleasant rhythmic arrangement of sounds; some a garland of notes; while some other called it the voice of the soul. but everybody knew that none of these definitions were able to completely define music.
finally guruji defined music as 'the adornment of silence'!
he likened it to the adornment on a bride at her wedding. he said that the bride may be beautiful, but the adornments enhance and emphasise the beauty of the bride. similarly music helps us to appreciate the beauty of the silence. and the entire attempt of music is to help us focus on that silence and the divinity that lies therein!
this was the most profound and apt definition of music that i have ever come across.
- sandeepany sadhanalaya, 2006
this is one of the reasons that some of the greatest musicians in the country are able to instantly connect with him. the common thread is the divinity that music invokes in them - the musician, the aficionado and the music. in its purest form.
one evening we were assembled in guruji's kutiya after dinner. guruji suddenly popped a question at us - what is the definition of music? he wanted each one of us to share our understanding and definition of music.
each one of us tried to outdo the other in trying to define music. some called it a pleasant rhythmic arrangement of sounds; some a garland of notes; while some other called it the voice of the soul. but everybody knew that none of these definitions were able to completely define music.
finally guruji defined music as 'the adornment of silence'!
he likened it to the adornment on a bride at her wedding. he said that the bride may be beautiful, but the adornments enhance and emphasise the beauty of the bride. similarly music helps us to appreciate the beauty of the silence. and the entire attempt of music is to help us focus on that silence and the divinity that lies therein!
this was the most profound and apt definition of music that i have ever come across.
- sandeepany sadhanalaya, 2006
Friday, June 1, 2007
cell-phone vedanta
Cell-Phone Vedanta
The cell-phone has almost become a necessity today. This modern instrument is not only very helpful in communication between people but it can also communicate the deepest spiritual truths to us which can help us to face the challenges of life more courageously.
Given below are some parallels we can draw between the cell phone and spirituality :
1. The cellphone instrument is the body. Now-a-days we have phones with which we can take a photograph, see movies, download emails, etc. These are somewhat similar to sensory perceptions of eyes & ears.
2. The cell-phone memory is the mind on which all the impressions of the pictures, phone numbers, etc. are stored.
3. The antenna of the cell phone is the intellect.
4. The battery is the prana.
5. Spirit or Soul is the Electricity.
6. Cell phone number is the name of the individuality.
7. The charging of the cellphone-battery (Prana) is the regular intake of `food' that we take.
8. The charger (food) charges all parts of the phone. Similarly our food must be also holistic and include physical, mental, intellectual and spiritual food.
9. When the battery is low, the transmission and receiving is disturbed. When we do not have enough energy, then the functioning of BMI (Body/Mind/Intellect) is not very efficient.
10. All Incoming calls are free. Gurudev Swami Chinmayanandaji said –" Problems and challenges supplied to us – Free. We don't have to ask. They are given freely"
11. You can choose to attend a call, divert it, keep it on hold or ignore it.
12. Any challenge can be
- Faced objectively (attending a call)
- avoided or one runs away from it (not taking a call and pretending as if the call did not come. This avoidance is only temporary. The problem will `ring' back)
- kept on hold (ruminate over the problem and get tensed. The call which has been kept on hold keeps beeping and one is disturbed in one's present conversation. A problem kept on hold disturbs one's actions sub-consciously)
- Opportunity knocks on everyone's doors. But most of the times we are either `out' or `sleeping in'. This is the missed call.
- When we are in the `home' location, incoming is free and outgoing is charged minimum. When we are in `OM' – our True Home, we are at peace and harmony.
- When we are in the `roaming' area we pay extra charges for incoming and outgoing both. When we are`roaming' in the area of OET (Objects/Emotions/Thoughts) we pay `extra' charges.
- Each cellphone though looking alike, is unique. Each one of us, though made up of BMI (made up of same 5 elements), is yet unique.
- The SIM Card can be called as the Senses, Intellect & Mind. These can be removed from one cell and put into another. At death something similar happens. SIM from one body (Cell-phone instrument) is removed and put into another. The balance on the SIM Card is maintained on it even if it is transferred to another phone. The balance remains unaltered. Similarly, the account of our Karma is maintained in our SIM (Self Intellect Mind) and comes with us life after life.
- The Cell-phone-Company is the Ishwara.
- Just as all the cellphone users are linked to each other through the cell-phone-company, similarly all individuals are linked to each other through the Ishwara.
- The electricity empowering (`illumining' is the Vedantic equivalent) the individual cell phone is the atman. Electricity empowering the cell-phone-company and the other cell-phones is Brahman. Atman and Brahman are one and the same.Tat Tvam Asi !
- The usage of the cell-phone is the karma of the user (Ego). The karma-phala is the monthly bill. Whenever the karma-phala is not yet ready, it gets accumulated in the cell-phone-company (Ishwara) which sends the bill as and when the time is ripe.
- Many cellphone users are too attached to the cellphone. They just can't switch it off. They are afraid and insecure - What will happen if I switch off? What if someone wants to contact me…..? Most of the individuals cannot switch off from BMI and its pleasures. One feels insecure – What will happen if I switch off? What if the family needs my help? How can I `realise' leaving them? etc.
- A Sthitaprajna is one who can use the phone when required and switch off when required. He is not affected by either the usage or switching off. He is equanimous in both the cases. He uses it as a means for communication. Unlike others, his psychological security and peace do not depend on it.
- Not everyone can afford a cellphone. Similarly, Human birth is rare and precious. Let us use the phone and not abuse it. Let us use the human birth and not abuse it.
- Br. Sattvika Chaitanya
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
basking in the light - III
we were a few usual suspects in guruji's kutiya late one evening after dinner. the discussion veered towards bringing up children. guruji mentioned how most parents ask their children to study and tend to get worked up about it too. the parents don't seem to realise that the child is also as much, if not more, concerned about the examinations.
guruji narrated an anecdote to highlight this irony.
a ship has set out to sail and there is a very cheerful, happy-go-lucky kid who is part of the crew. the captain tends to always fret about this kid and believes that this kid is not very serious about his duties.
finally the captain is not able to stand the discomfort any more and decides to speak to the kid. he calls the kid into his cabin, sits him down and then proceeds to tell the kid that he is a crucial part of the crew and that he has a very important role to play. he then informs him that among the passengers there are some very important people and that he should pay extra attention at his job and ensure that he does not make any mistake.
the kid stares at the captain with an innocent look and says, 'but captain sir, i too am on the ship!'. thereby implying that he too values his life which for him is more important than any other lives. so it is only natural that he would take extra precaution to protect himself before worrying about anybody else!
in the same way, the parents should remember that the exams would be as important for the children as it is for them.
- sandeepany sadhanalaya, mumbai, 27th march 2007
guruji narrated an anecdote to highlight this irony.
a ship has set out to sail and there is a very cheerful, happy-go-lucky kid who is part of the crew. the captain tends to always fret about this kid and believes that this kid is not very serious about his duties.
finally the captain is not able to stand the discomfort any more and decides to speak to the kid. he calls the kid into his cabin, sits him down and then proceeds to tell the kid that he is a crucial part of the crew and that he has a very important role to play. he then informs him that among the passengers there are some very important people and that he should pay extra attention at his job and ensure that he does not make any mistake.
the kid stares at the captain with an innocent look and says, 'but captain sir, i too am on the ship!'. thereby implying that he too values his life which for him is more important than any other lives. so it is only natural that he would take extra precaution to protect himself before worrying about anybody else!
in the same way, the parents should remember that the exams would be as important for the children as it is for them.
- sandeepany sadhanalaya, mumbai, 27th march 2007
Monday, April 9, 2007
how to manage anger
(this is the fifth session of 'what's on your mind?', the question and answer series being conducted by br. sattvika chaitanya at kalina in santacruz, mumbai. this session was conducted on 5th april 2007.)
the fifth session was based on the question 'how do we effectively deal with anger?'
sattvikaji started off the session by explaining how in today's modern life we are living in the midst of conflicts. and many of us have a false notion that anger is essential to deal with these conflicts. we even go to the extent of considering anger to be a sign of strength and power! but the bhagwad gita (chp. XVI) tells us that anger is one of the three doors to our self-created hell.
but in contrast, a calm mind is a happy mind, an efficient mind, a loving mind, a creative mind, a strong mind and a spiritual mind. when the mind is calm, the intellect is sharper & decisions are rational right & rewarding. the gita defines such a person as a yogi; one who is unaffected by the pairs of opposites.
what is anger?
“anger is nothing but an attachment for an object, when expressed towards an obstacle between ourselves and the object of our attachment.” - swami chinmayananda
sattvikaji mentioned that anger comes & overwhelms us at a certain moment. if we win that moment we will be fine. he then shared the key tips for anger management by saying that we need to look at anger at two levels and address it accordingly -
the fifth session was based on the question 'how do we effectively deal with anger?'
sattvikaji started off the session by explaining how in today's modern life we are living in the midst of conflicts. and many of us have a false notion that anger is essential to deal with these conflicts. we even go to the extent of considering anger to be a sign of strength and power! but the bhagwad gita (chp. XVI) tells us that anger is one of the three doors to our self-created hell.
but in contrast, a calm mind is a happy mind, an efficient mind, a loving mind, a creative mind, a strong mind and a spiritual mind. when the mind is calm, the intellect is sharper & decisions are rational right & rewarding. the gita defines such a person as a yogi; one who is unaffected by the pairs of opposites.
what is anger?
“anger is nothing but an attachment for an object, when expressed towards an obstacle between ourselves and the object of our attachment.” - swami chinmayananda
sattvikaji mentioned that anger comes & overwhelms us at a certain moment. if we win that moment we will be fine. he then shared the key tips for anger management by saying that we need to look at anger at two levels and address it accordingly -
- handling impulsive reactions & provocative situations - by identifying 'stabilizers' and holding on to them to weather the storm
- handling deeper causes of anger - by finding an 'anchor'
some of the stabilisers that he shared with us included :
- delaying our response but not denying it
- broadening our angle of view
- chanting a mantra and doing a 'mantram walk'
- deep breathing & breath observation
- setting up an inspiring ideal and focusing on that ideal
- cultivating tolerance & patience
we then tried to understand the deeper root causes of anger.
- kama - desires which created expectations which in turn turned into insistence and then finally anger when the expectations are unfulfilled.
- raaga & dvesha - strong likes & dislikes
- attachment - which leads to fear of loss and subsequent anger
- taking things personally at our ego level
the anchors that he then indicated to us included :
- acceptance - accept life and move with the flow
- minimise likes & dislikes with the help of tapas (austerity) & vrata (vows)
- choose your sense inputs (balance & moderation)
- choose role models & visualise yourself as being calm & composed
- cultivate 'sattva guna' (pure & noble traits)
sattvikaji finally concluded by highlighting that a person who has attained this equanimity and calmness of mind gets established in the 'truth'!
--------------------
the presentation used by sattvikaji can be downloaded by clicking on the following link : http://whats-on-your-mind---kalina-talks.googlegroups.com/web/anger%20management.ppt?gda=jWDBBUUAAADGvikJHVjX_C0KD1rTtWd2-EMI0PVpMwQxyYVwQZH9AGG1qiJ7UbTIup-M2XPURDQBXUmJOfcH_PSnwicjgtGKgpuClco-BFKssGxc48tqVQ.
and if that doesn't work you can try copying this link to the address bar of your browser. or you could right-click on the link and select the 'save target as' option.
(and please do send in your comments and questions you would like sattvikaji to answer in these sessions.)
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