The Last Promise

The Last Promise

There are promises, which we take when we solemnize the marriage. Another promise, when we see our first born and so on. Have you realized one continues to make promises during different spheres of life – sometimes with oneself, at other times with someone else or with the outer world. The authenticity of one,s life can be measured by the number of promises one honors and not makes !

Day in, day out, we are making promises, its time to wonder and question oneself – “ How many of them have we honored ?”How soon we reach the sunset of our lives, one never realizes till it,s time to bid good bye. Lucky are those who have this much time to see their final destination. For many, life is snatched untimely, accidentally and suddenly.

Whatever you want to do, please go ahead and do it. When I was about to start my college journey, besides a lot of many advises, my father gave me one very important pearl which I have kept safely. The advise was, “More than the failure, what hurts more is the regret of not doing it . I wish and pray that you try whatever you aspire for, if you fail, it s not a bad idea as you will be spared of the regret of not trying, when you are in your forties. At the maximum, the worst outcome will be failure. If you don’t try, then as it is you have lost it. Go ahead and try.”  This gave me immense strength and power. I was armed with my parent’s wishes and God and books as my soul mates as I set on this worldly journey.

Drop the excuses, start honoring your promises and witness the infinite power of your mind and soul. Let every promise, be like your last promise. Unburden your heart here and now.

The last promise my momsie took from my popsie was to be strong as she was handing over her duties to him. To take care of himself well, so that their children could focus on their goals, to dress her like a bride during her last journey as he had brought her into the house, when they got married. The beautiful bond of more than fifty four years was concluded with this last promise. To this day, popsie is honoring this promise in full faith and spirits. At times, he does feel tired and requests her that he wants to join her. My momsie, strong determined lady, discourages him and says, ‘ Our children need you more, I am fine , don’t worry !”.

As I write the concluding part of my first book as “An Ode to my momsie”, tears get dried up in my eyes as I am reminded of my last promise.

Love,

Juju

A lot can happen over tea# Tea time sermons!

A lot can happen over tea# Tea time sermons!

Tea is my household is a ritual. The aroma of brewing tea in the pot at my mother,s house early mornings spreads a magic spell. That first tea which my mother made for my father and for us too had an altogether divine taste. We would get up early morning just to sit with my parents and sip tea. Going to sleep afterwards is another story. Usually, our little discussions were like sermons with either a moral at the end or a thought to ponder upon.

Having lived a beautiful life for more than four and half decades on this blue planet, I find it a moral duty to share, what I have learnt. Discussions between parents and children are very essential for over all development of this relation. Confidence is instilled in children and they develop a thinking mind. Sharing one,s (refer to parents ) own childhood/college days experiences is the magical key which opens any communication lock. An authentic share always strikes a chord. By the time, one is ready to face this world, one should be armed with all the knowledge. Experience will be individual as no two experiences can ever be the same.

I always believe to understand life one should befriend philosophy too. It gives just the right amount of flavor. Reading books by recommended authors is a must in the path of spiritual growth. Many years ago, I did Landmark course – basic, advanced and SELP       (self experience learning program). The mool mantar (most important composition) is something which we all know and have been taught by our parents. Sir Deepak Chopra,s 21 day meditation course, Robin Sharma,s wise books, Rhonda Byrne,s Secret, Chicken Soup for the soul by Mark Victor and Jack Canfield (to name a few) have been like a multi- vitamin supplement for nourishment of my soul.

If one goes in depth of any new idea of yesteryears like Buddhism and so on, one realizes the work needs to be done at core level. One can only work on oneself. All that we seek outside is already within us. Live life beautifully, fully and create your own life. Happy soul searching!

Find your own magical key!

Take Care,

Juju.

Inner Engineering# Sadhguru

Inner Engineering# Sadhguru

There comes a point in every one,s life, which defines the point of arrival in the journey of life. The questions – Who am I? What is the purpose of my life? What do I want? If such questions keep coming up in your mind, I bet you must be on one of the paths of spirituality.  

Just like every building has a foundation, similarly every concept/ theory has a basis. It takes many years before theories are tried and then either accepted or rejected. A abstract base always intrigues the mind and keep on bouncing back and forth in our lives. Scientific base always takes time to percolate and is there to stay.

Inner engineering by Sadhguru appeals to a scientific mind. The mechanics of life, acceptance, ways of living and creating life are dealt in a step by step manner in a scientific way. Many of the cobwebs are dusted and what remains is a clear shining mind. Let,s not go into detail of heart, mind and brain. Out of these three, mind is the powerhouse.  There are seven sessions of nearly ninety minutes each. The coherence and flow is so magical that one cannot leave in between.

God created human beings and kept all the tools inside as a safety measure. Now, the search is on and outside. Let,s take time to dwell upon inside and discover the tools.  

Happy inner engineering # worth a try.

Take Care,

Juju.

RAJYOG MEDITATION- My experience # my words

Rajyog Meditation- My experience#my words:

Having tried different roads to progress on path of spiritual journey, Brahmakumari,s has been one of my favorite route. The very concept of Rajyog Meditation has intrigued me since many years. After two failed attempts whereby, I left this course midway, finally I could do it few days ago. The whole concept is on thought process. It teaches us to give positive affirmations to your mind and tune it in that bandwidth.

In Art of Living by Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji, the crux is on breath. In Rajyog, the crux is on thought. It’s a seven days program with a daily devotion of pure sixty minutes. The whole concept of soul and its inherent powers is explained in a story form. During the program, there is self realization that, all that we seek outside, is already within us.

God has created a master piece in form of human being. Human mind is most powerful reserve on this planet Earth, whose potential has not yet been tapped to even a respectable level. Everything starts in one, s mind. Once the seed of thought is sowed, the same plant is bound to grow. One should be very careful in sowing seeds. All the positive thoughts will elevate to a higher orbit whereas, negative thoughts will pull you with force into an empty well (the depth of which is not yet determined).

As we cleanse our body every day, it,s is imperative to clean our mind too. One is never taught about mental cleansing, all the effort is on the outside. As one faces the challenges of life, many of us are left in search of the correct path. For those in pursuit of inner peace and spiritualism, life seems to be dual faced – simple yet complex. As one grows from infancy to childhood to adolescence to young age, unknowingly, our soul gets covered by unwanted layers. It,s a gradual process. So, removing the layers will also take time. Have patience, practice Rajyog meditation. The stress is on – “Being your own king (Raja jaisa yog karo- practice yog like a king)”.

This is a continuous process, ongoing throughout the day in which one tends to give a positive thought for a day as the day dawns. Every hour or so, one should remind oneself of this affirmation (even if for 5-10 seconds). This is not of one week duration, rather a lifelong process. This, when repeated regularly becomes ingrained as our value. Gradually, as one progresses on this path, with each thought as task for the day, the soul shines in its original form- The light is so striking, pure and blinding.

Just as we cleanse our body daily, it,s crucial to clean our soul too.

Happy soul cleansing! Follow the path of spirituality.

Create your yog like a king# Rajyog meditation.

Take Care,

Juju

The Journey Inside

The Journey Inside

We have heard phrases like, “Pen is mightier than the sword”, “Tongue lashes more hurt than a whip”, “An ant can make a mighty elephant cry “etc. This holds true in current times too. What no one could do, a virus of approximate size of 120 nm (.12um) has done to mankind. What was lost to the outside world under the umbrella of progress and development, this tiny virus has reversed the trend. No guesses! it’s the inward trend or the journey inside.

I heard a story during my childhood days.  When God created man, he took extreme care and diligently worked on this masterpiece. When God was about to complete, happiness came running and pleaded to God, “God please assign me a safe place, as I am always under threat by hatred, jealousy and sadness.” God thought for a while and exclaimed, “Well! as you are the most valuable asset, I will place you safely inside the human being.” Now happiness was satisfied. Gradually, as time wheel moved, human being started searching for happiness everywhere (outside). Happiness screamed out loud, “Hey human, I am inside you: why are you searching outside?” This became the trend for centuries as human being set out to search for happiness in the outer world. God calmed happiness by saying, “A day will come when human will find you.”

The time has come as majority of humans have started on an inside journey. Let, s focus on the upside aspect of this pandemic (downside is flashing everywhere). One of the positive effect is introduction of lot of online programs. Such programs are a great benefit, as one gets to do it in the comfort on one,s own surroundings.

In this write up, I will describe my experience of “Breath & happiness program” by AOL – Art of living”. This is an eight hour program spread over four days. Focus is on breath- the key. We start our lives with first deep breath, which marks our arrival in this world, and leave our mortal coil with one last breath. Surprisingly, one is never taught how to breath. Conscious breathing, synchronized breathing is like a dash charger for one,s brain. The kriya of breathing, as designed by Gurudev is an experience. This is enhanced exponentially as eyes are closed during the entire kriya. One feels light with sense of weightless. There is a sensation of synchronization with cosmos, mind comes to a point where there is nothing/infinity. Mind is thoughtless. This experience leaves you charged instantaneously. Automatically, an inner smile dwells on one,s lip. 

Happiness and breath are strongly related. God has given everyone the master key. Let,s identify the lock and unlock it. As the wise say," Add life to your years and not years to your life". Live life fully, happily and be your own script writer. One never knows, how many are watching your script and getting inspired. Live life in a state of consciousness.

To be happy , breath well# breathe well and be happy. With this thought, I conclude. (All this while I was breathing well and smiling). Promise to be back soon, with my experience on Inner engineering & Rajyog meditation. Remembering a song from a favourite movie,

" Hanste hanste, katt jaayein raste , zindagi yun hi chalti rahe........

Khushi mile yaan gum, badleinge naa hum,..............

Love,

Juju

{P.S. Thanks to all the AOL teachers & volunteers who have helped in these online programs)

 

 

 

 

Quarantine Series # 14 days Series# Day 8-14

Quarantine Series # 14 days Series# Day 8-14

P. S. This write up is dedicated to all the health care professionals, all persons who are covid positive and symptomatic. Once the symptoms appear and your covid testing confirms the same, the period of treatment and isolation seems like eternity. With this day wise write it is my endeavour to alleviate the pain. This is from the time of covid testing onwards.

“ Zindagi pyaar ka geet hai, isse har dil ko gaana padega …….. (Life is a song of love , every heart will have to sing)

Zindagi gum ka sagar bhi hai , hans ke uss parr jaana padega… ( Life is an ocean of sorrow too, will have to smile and go across).

Humming this song, the second week seemed to have gone by, at its own pace. Those with moderate symptoms were progressing well and gradually regaining their inner strength. Those with severe symptoms also, saw light at the other end of the tunnel. Their over all health showed improvement.  Happiest were the ones with mild symptoms as with this week, the period of isolation was gone by and, it was time to be reunited with family and life.

All said and done, this period of isolation has brought out this simple fact of life, that our needs are minimal in form of food, clothes etc. One never realized when the luxury became need and man was lost in this charismatic magical world of “Maya”. Once again it was the duty of mother (nature) to shake her children (human beings) from this deep slumber. Maa has done it beautifully!

Most of us, have had the time to introspect and must have taken steering wheel of the vehicle of our life in our own hands. It,s steered in the right direction respecting the speed limit. I have also ticked off few things from my “To do List”. The essence is always the same. Teachings are same as we have been hearing from our parents and elders. The question is of,  what strikes you! There is a turning point in everyone,s life.

Last week, I got the taste of Breath and happiness program by Art of living, Rajyog meditation by Brahmakumari,s and Inner Engineering course by Sadhguru. All these experiences have left a deep permanent impact in my life. Somewhere, it has hit the bull,s eye. It was a reminiscence of all what we all have been taught, but in different perspective.

 With this quarantine period coming to end, I hope and pray that all of us reach a turning point or “The point” from where, we actually start living our lives fully and totally so as to create a life which we want.  Yog and meditation will hasten the process.

Remembering lines from a famous song# my all time favourite,

“ Aane wala pal, jaane wala hai , Ho sake to issme , zindagi beeta lo, ( Moments come and go, try to live life in this moment ) 

Pal yeh bhi jaane wala hai…………. ( this moment will also pass by)

This moment is inevitable.

See you soon, with a new write up about my different experiences from varied courses.

Love,

Juju.

Quarantine Series # 14 days Series# Day 5-7

Quarantine Series # 14 days Series# Day 5-7

P. S. This write up is dedicated to all the health care professionals, all persons who are covid positive and symptomatic. Once the symptoms appear and your covid testing confirms the same, the period of treatment and isolation seems like eternity. With this day wise write it is my endeavour to alleviate the pain. This is from the time of covid testing onwards.

 

The last three days passed by in a fleet of moment. I am practicing the theory of “Live in the moment”, no past, no future. Life seems to be more organized and in sync with self. Whenever our frequency changes from our normal bandwidth, some changes occur within our self and in our surroundings.

Gradually, one gets adjusted to the hospital isolation room and starts living on a daily basis. With this mindset, one tends to enjoy the hospital stay (really !). As there is surge of energy and power within self, one realizes the numerous hidden talents which had been buried in pursuit of keeping pace with the vehicle of Life.

If one is stable, it’s a good moment to reflect upon oneself and try and do things which have been pushed to corner with a label “when I will get time, I will do it “.The moment is now. Those who live in the moment live a fulfilling life. A wise man said, “Add life to your years and not years to your life.”

Once the discharge day is near, you will go back to your home pavilion, life will revert back to same normal routine. Take these days as a challenge from God! you are the chosen one! Remind yourself that you are a powerhouse.  Keep track of your thought process and if u can pen it down (request for paper/pen from staff) and label them as “Tryst with self ”.

Some wise person said, “Do spend time with your own good self else you will miss meeting the best person of your life.”

 Winding up with Swami Vivekananda,s famous quote

“The world is the great gymnasium where we come to make ourselves strong.”

 “Believing others is easy But Believing in Yourself ………..That,s the real challenge!”

Love,

Juju.

P.S. This write up is not intended to preach or teach. I share my experiences with a noble intention of helping others. This quarantine series has led to lot of self introspection and awareness of the power house within.

Quarantine Series # 14 days Series# Day 4

Quarantine Series # 14 days Series# Day 4

P. S. This write up is dedicated to all the health care professionals, all persons who are covid positive and symptomatic. Once the symptoms appear and your covid testing confirms the same, the period of treatment and isolation seems like eternity. With this day wise write it is my endeavour to alleviate the pain. This is from the time of covid testing onwards.

Human beings are so clever that they calibrated moments into seconds, minutes hours, days, weeks, months and years. After every six days, a Sunday- day of sun/day to relax was named. Little did this being know that the creator of this universe had set everything in a continuous motion and there was no moment to rest. Surprised!

Well my context here is very clear, I am talking about a person who is not well. Human body as we all are aware is a 24x7 working machine with no pause (Prayers if there is a pause!). Lucky ones enjoy Sunday for others it,s like just another day. Like Shakespeare wrote , “ What,s in a name ? “It holds true in most of the cases. Sunday can be any other day , at times its akin to a busy working Monday ( for medical professionals). Human body doesn,t take a day off, rather works continuously to make the body diseasefree.

One feels settled on day four and the isolation room starts giving a homely feel. The bed, staff and doctors are your new friends who work day in and day out to ensure you leave this place at the earliest. The intra-venous canula seems like a buddy which carries all the medication through it. The beeping monitors give you company in this emptiness and medicines taste like prasadam. To keep the canula patent is one,s priority. The skin starts seeking for soothing creams and your lips also yearn for moisturizer/lip balm.

There is a tilt in thoughts towards the positive side as one gets acclimatized to this new environment. Everyone has read and remembers “Survival of the fittest theory” by Charles Darwin. This is incomplete! Another theory which holds true in current times is  “It is not the strongest of the species that survives nor the most intelligent, but the most responsive to change .” Charles Darwin, 1809.

 The only thing constant in this world is ‘change”. Day 4 heralds a change in thought process slowly as the effect of medicine starts showing and finally one feels one is on the path of recovery. Your family also gets used to this temporary change. All the cobwebs of doubts are brushed off. This day appears to have gone by at a better pace. Few days to go, before you will be back in your seat of action. Till then, tighten your seatbelt, adjust your seat and get going. Self muse these lyrics of the famous song -A new day has come by Celine Dion, 

“I was waiting for so long, for a miracle to come,

Everyone told me to be strong, hold on and don,t shed a tear,

Through the darkness and good times, I knew I,d make it through

And the world thought I had it all….

A new day has come! A new day …..

Love,

Juju

Quarantine Series # 14 days Series# Day 3

Quarantine Series # 14 days Series# Day 3

P. S. This write up is dedicated to all the health care professionals, all persons who are covid positive and symptomatic. Once the symptoms appear and your covid testing confirms the same, the period of treatment and isolation seems like eternity. With this day wise write it is my endeavour to alleviate the pain. This is from the time of covid testing onwards.

As the sun dawns on day three, its been almost more than forty eight to 60 hours since one is hit by the unexpected happening which has landed in an ICU. Human mind is an exceptional form of energy whose potential and power has not yet been harnessed.

The rising sun brings an unconditional acceptance in everyone. The shore seems to be in sight although it appears to be hazy with overcast sky. The paradox lies in being certain of reaching the shore with clarity that turbulence will be there which will go away eventually.

One gets used to the hospital routine and monitor beeps sound like music (I know they are not !). The attending nurse (not in white uniform, but in PPE like a space suit) is your friend in times of need and your bedside buzzer your lifeline. Fear not! The land is visible now, focus with full faith and trust in almighty it will be not too long before your ship (yourself) hits the mainland (discharge from hospital).

As one regains inner strength, mind is back to original form. The loved ones judge your progress by assessing your social media activity. These are the times when its heartening to know that your loved one in isolation has fingers on mobile. For once your heart screams out loud that good, more the screen time implies the ship has taken a “U-turn " and is safe from wandering into the unknown in this vast ocean of life. Doctors visit, medicine schedule, meal times take a lot of energy and time. In between, calls from family makes the day complete.The same 24 hours seemed to have passed at a better pace than previous day.

Has the earth rotated at a faster pace than previous day ?? Has the clock ticked faster? Oh God ! night shift staff has arrived so soon.

With these thoughts, you roll up your hospital sheet with a heart full of gratitude. The mind looks forward to the next day with high hope and prayer that Mother Earth rotates at a faster pace. Really ! The darker the night # brighter is the next day.

Remembering words from the famous poem by RN Tagore - where the mind is without fear and the head is held high…………

I am ready to embrace day 4^th.

Love,

Juju .

Quarantine Series # 14 days Series# Day 2

Quarantine Series # 14 days Series# Day 2

P. S. This write up is dedicated to all the health care professionals, all persons who are covid positive and symptomatic. Once the symptoms appear and your covid testing confirms the same, the period of treatment and isolation seems like eternity. With this day wise write it is my endeavour to alleviate the pain. This is from the time of covid testing onwards.

After a long-long twenty four hours, yet another day begins. The rising sun beckons new birth and the warm sunshine kindle rays of hope. The ups and downs are akin to waxing and waning of sea waves. The bliss can be broken by some untoward changes in your laboratory parameters leading to hard decisions and change in treatment protocol. Your mobile phone is the “magical access key” to this world of uncertainty from the outer side. For once everyone feels being tied by unseen shackles. Somewhere the thoughts of well being of near and dear ones keep on raising their tiny heads in the conscious mind.

One needs immense mental power to push aside these thoughts and brace the change in treatment schedule with full faith and power. This is the time when your whole being is fighting with these foreign enemies (virus) with full might and valor. Deep down, one must be in control so as to command each cell to fight well and brave the journey. Each cell has complete trust in their master and knows that soon the enemy will be thrown out. It s all a matter of few days before this war will be over and the victorious warrior returns home. Important is to plan this day well so as to avoid any panic or distress.

Kith and kin can form a support group and schedule out their call timings. Brief few seconds happy, cheerful videos can be shared to our warrior. Short motivational messages can be shared. It is always better to share original ones than forward ones. I have learnt that nobody is interested in reading same forwards. Try something original.

Smile is everyone best accessory# always wear it. It is important to fool oneself into thinking “All izz well”. Do whatever makes you strong. This day shall see the dusk soon. The medicine will be working in your body and beating the enemy a hell lot.

Day 2 seems to have passed in a slightly better pace than Day 1.

Constantly remind yourself few things:

1)    Every storm gives rise to a beautiful rainbow.

2)    No night is so long that it will not see a day.

3)    Whatever you want is on the other side of fear.

4)    A stone which is scared of being beaten will never turn out into a beautiful statue.

5)    The land which is afraid of plough will never grow nutrient crops.

6)    This too shall pass.

As the night sets in, it spreads a blanket of hope and trust.

Waiting for an interesting Day 3……..

       Love,

        Juju

 

 

Quarantine Series # 14 days Series# Day 1

Quarantine Series # 14 days Series# Day 1

P. S. This write up is dedicated to all the health care professionals, all persons who are covid positive and symptomatic. Once the symptoms appear and your covid testing confirms the same, the period of treatment and isolation seems like eternity. With this day wise write it is my endeavour to alleviate the pain. This is from the time of covid testing onwards.

 A healthy person comes in contact with person with corona viral load. There can be different scenarios. One is of frontline warriors who are using protection and are aware of the patients they are dealing with. Second scenario can be in case of contact with healthy asymptomatic carriers. Another can be you were in self isolation but stepped out of your house once or twice.

Whatever maybe the scenario, in spite of all precautions, you have symptoms and there is suspicion of covid. Now the million dollar question is what to do?

It is of utmost importance to decide whether one needs home isolation or hospitalization?  Constantly remind to oneself that with proper treatment and adequate care/isolation, one will win this war in two to four weeks time. Have faith in almighty. Let your faith and will power not deter. Form a mental support system. In these times, there is vacuum of physical presence of your kith and kin. Be mentally strong. Life is a mental game.

Create an aura of abundance of good health and gratitude of good health so far. Time will tick at its usual speed. The only difference will be that we will be fully aware of every nanosecond. Once the admission and line of treatment is finalized, be prepared that four walls will be your fortress for the next two weeks or more. Create a mental strategy of your war plan for the next few weeks in which loneliness, negativity, weakness and low health will be your key opponents. Willfully one needs to fight back every living moment and soon day one will see the sunset.

Take rest and be prepared for day 2………

Next 24 hours will give birth to another write up.

All my love and strength to all those fighting in this war either frontline/ back stage.

 Love,

Juju.