Thought 67: What defines a person

They say that some persons are born great; others become great; and greatness is thrust upon some others. Therefore, a person is not properly defined by his riches or his position in life or where he reached in his life. For instance, the son of Rockefeller or Warren Buffet is going to be rich. The son of a Tata is bound to reach a high position in life. Such persons are not to be considered great. They inherited the greatness that surrounds them .

The son of a Birla or Tata cannot help reaching higher levels of achievement – because his take off level is very high. But if an ordinary person’s son reaches high position (like Abraham Lincoln), then it is very remarkable and admirable. Abdul Kalam, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Shah Rukh Khan, Amitab Bachan and Sachin Tendulkar reached the highest position in life starting from very humble beginnings. Barack Obama, the president of USA, for instance, started from a very humble beginning and reached the highest position in life through an unusual vision, a strong determination and self-effort – and hence, he should be considered as truly great. Similarly, Mokshagundam Visvesvarayya, who is considered the father of engineering in India, started from very humble beginnings, overcoming several hurdles and setbacks. He became the advisor to the Mysore Maharaaja and also to the Nizam of Hyderabad. Sarvepalli Radhakrishna similarly rose to the position of the President of India. Dirubhai Ambani, who founded the Reliance company in India, started from very humble beginnings and developed the Reliance company into the largest private company in India in a matter of two decades.

Thus, a person is defined, not by where he reached, but by where he started to reach there. All these successful persons had a vision and had the determination to translate their dreams with a single minded devotion into reality. They are the role models to millions of youngsters.

The next thought is about “You have to put in the bank first before you can issue a check”

Thought 66: What a person says is not so important than what motivated him to say that

Most people are interested in themselves; they have an agenda of their own. There is nothing wrong in this. If you do not look after your own interests, no one else will do that for you.

In the pursuit of this agenda, some people talk to you sweetly, as if they are very much interested in your welfare - while in reality, it is part of a plan to further their own interests. They flatter you directly sometimes and subtly some other times. Be wary when any one flatters you; in all probability, he wants something from you. Most people mistake these flatterers as their well-wishers and would immediately want to reward their supposedly good gesture in some way. As a rule, these are not your well-wishers – although there may be exceptions to this rule.

No one always does the right things or does a thing right. Sometimes, we do the wrong things or we do a thing wrongly. People may or may not notice this fact. Even if they notice, they do not like to tell you that you have done the wrong thing or you are doing a thing wrongly. It is not a good policy to point out the mistakes of others. First, it may offend them because their ego gets hurt – and this is not exactly the way to get endeared to them. Secondly, it does not promote your interests in any way.

Having understood that, do not also immediately react when some persons point out where you go wrong. This person probably means well – and he has your interests uppermost in his mind. He is speaking frankly and he is not overly concerned, even if you were to misunderstand him for speaking frankly.

It is against this background, I say that what people say to you is not so important - what motivated them to say that is more important. If a person points out your mistakes, either he wants to hurt you or he is genuinely interested in you. Here, a judgment is involved. Make the right judgment. If this person, in your judgment, is honest and sincere, trust him - and take his advice seriously. You do not find many sincere well-wishers of this type in this world.

The next thought is about “What defines a person?”

Thought 65: Live up to your potential

Right from the childhood, we have been brainwashed – by various agencies, such as parents, siblings, friends, teachers, neighbours, media, colleagues, bosses and many others. They keep telling us various things about our weaknesses but never about our strengths; they never tell you about how to get rid of weaknesses and how to reinforce your strengths. What all they generally tell us are negative things about us and our minds are filled with this kind of negative garbage. “I do not think he can cope with so much home work”. “Do not force him to study so much – it is too much load on his young mind”. “It is enough if he gets “A or B” grades in important subjects”. “He is not the kind of material to compete with the best in his class”. “Let him enjoy now. Later, he would find no time to enjoy”. “He found the politics in the office difficult to handle”. “He is not the type who can deliver”. “He breaks down under even a small stress”. “He is having domestic problems and so, leave him alone. He should not be troubled with this project right now”. “I do not think he can handle this tight schedule”. And many more such things.

We gather many negative signals like this about ourselves, which are not true at all. Once this belief gets written on the subconscious mind, you begin to think and act to conform to this belief. This is how we believe that we cannot do many things, although we can. In this process, we impose several avoidable limitations on ourselves and on our ability to think properly and on our ability to act properly. Therefore, we do not measure up to our real potential. We work far, far below our potential. We sincerely come to believe that we cannot do certain things; which is just hogwash.

As long as this garbage is lodged in your bin (mind), you hesitate; you halt; fear grips you. You do not take even minor risks. You would like to walk the beaten path, because it is safe. You do not want to explore.

Those, who are successful, have thrown this kind of garbage overboard and their minds are left free and fresh; and they are full of optimism and enthusiasm. They go out and achieve things. Mind you, they are no better than you. They are just as good or as bad as you are. But they have the power of positive thinking. They believe in themselves; they believe in their ability to gain success; they believe in their intelligence.

What is the use of having intelligence and ability if they do not work for you. Make them work for you. That is the formula for success. The successful are not really great; they are just ordinary. But they are determined to succeed and they innovate in various ways until success happens. Their life’s ruling passion is success – they do not allow anything to come in their way. These persons do not like excuses for not succeeding. They are merciless – especially, on themselves. Other’s difficulties do not bother them. They will go to some others if you give excuses. They are impatient. They are just like the flood waters. If the floods encounter a big boulder in their path, they do not stop – they either continue to flow on top of the boulder or around the boulder.

The next thought is about “What a person says is not so important than what motivated him to say that”

Thought 64: Children need care

Children are special – very special. They need care. They need you to teach them – not merely school lessons, but many other things also about the world and about life. Encourage them to see a rainbow and wonder about it. Ask them to look at the night sky and admire it. Take them to see animals in a Zoo and get excited. Let them see birds and enjoy. Let them see green trees and fields - and get inspired to plant a tree on each birthday.

Teach them cleanliness. Teach them values. Teach them about god. Teach them discipline.

When they are unhappy, talk to them – and make them feel happy. Wave to children when you see them on the roads or in the shopping malls or anywhere else. They are the future – parents are the past.

The next thought is about “Live up to your potential”

Thought 63: Focusing on effects only

There is always a certain amount of bias in our judgments and that is the reality that we ignore frequently. Subjective thinking does not relate cause and effect properly. Cause and effect are correlated properly, only when the subjective bias is removed; objective thinking is essential for connecting them properly.

We react to people based on perceptions – which we falsely believe represent reality. We believe what we want to believe. We see only those things that we are looking for. Other things may also have been juxtaposed next to the things that we are looking for, but we do not see them.

We rarely see the cause and effect of any thing - even when they are obvious. We see mostly the effect. Very often, we tend to judge and sentence persons based on the effect only. It is seldom that two persons seeing an identical situation, interpret it in an identical manner. You may have a friend - call him "friend A". You think "A" is good because "A" has been sympathetic or helpful to you. Another person, say, "B", may not like "A", because, "A" has not been good to him. Thus, "A" can be both good and bad, when viewed from two different perspectives. Therefore, if some one considers a person as bad, it only reflects on their bilateral relationship - and it seldom indicates the intrinsic good or bad nature of the person. This is the essential nature of all subjective judgments that we constantly use in dealing with persons. When we think objectively, we realize, of course, the friend of an enemy need not also be our enemy.

Thus, we mostly see the effects. For most of us, the effects stand alone. Their connection to a cause is seldom a consideration. This is the cause of most of our suffering! Unfortunately, whatever we do to effects, we cannot change them. They get changed only when the cause is changed.

The next thought is about “Children need care”

Thought 62: For any decision, you need information

You are required to take decisions on trivial as well as vital matters – all through your life. Before making a decision, however, you should carefully weigh every bit of information available to you, because “your decision is only as good as the information you have”. Therefore, there is a dire need for the right information.

For instance, you need to insure your home and your household things against fire, theft and burglary. You need to insure your car, jewelry, life, too. You need medical insurance too nowadays, if you are self-employed. Which insurance company gives better deals? If you do not do the market research properly, you stand to lose a lot of money, which is a yearly recurring loss. There are any number of such matters over which you have to constantly gather information and keep it in your computer files.

If you do not want to throw away your hard earned money, then, which grocery store, for instance, should you prefer. If you pay more, as little as $ 20/- per week, it could cost you over an extra thousand dollars a year, which you can ill afford - and that is only for the groceries. There are many more such items that we need for the home on a regular basis. For the middle class, the money supply is always limited. Therefore, for them, every penny saved is a penny earned.

Where to buy a house - and from which builder. A vital decision. What car to buy? You may lose a lot of money if you are not careful. Which school for your children? A very important decision. Want to change your job? An extremely vital decision.

Which TV cable company? Which long distance telephone company? Which internet service provider? Each one of them claims that he is better than the others. Which restaurant? Which holiday place? You need to do research on these and on several other related topics. A wrong decision can be expensive - and may even have dreadful long term consequences, like the schools for the children, change of job, buying a house, and even marriage etc. I have known people who gave away their daughters in marriage to men who are already married and did not know about it.

The next thought is about “Focusing on effects only”

Thought 61: Every decision has a consequence (Continued)

A decision is actually a cause; it is the culmination of a thinking process, ending in a resolution for action. Actually, the thoughts that lead to the decisions are the first cause in the decision chain. Decisions commit us irrevocably to later events in our lives. It is unrealistic to take decisions and hope that we can escape the consequences. Most of us, however, seem to be doing precisely that - all our lives.

In our day to day living, we constantly take decisions - in our profession, about children, about our health, about education, about vacations, about shopping, about budget, about friends, about relatives and on a host of other issues. Whenever we take any of these decisions, it is important to realize that every one of these decisions commits us to the consequences, which inevitably flow out of these decisions. However, when we put our thinking apparatus on hold and take decisions mechanically, we would never realize that every thing that we experience - trivial or vital - is the result of a decision that we had taken earlier.

Some times, a decision on what appears to be a trivial matter could have a far reaching effect. We do not, for instance, invest much thought in what we eat or drink. This is done routinely. A lot of us take foods or drinks, which are known to be harmful. We do this most casually, without any thought about the consequences. We should not be eating high cholesterol foods like ice creams, eggs and butter, but we do not stop eating them. We know that when we smoke, lung cancer and heart attacks are almost certain. We do not stop smoking - not because that we do not believe the statistics on this subject. We some how hope that we will not be a part of this statistic - and escape lung cancer or heart attack.

Smoking, excessive drinking, over-eating, over-spending, indiscriminate sex with strangers with the attendant risk of Aids and other diseases, excessive anger, excessive hatred, excessive greed, not properly maintaining cars, boilers, smoke alarms and similar appliances, in the hope that they will never break down, but continue to function correctly for ever, are some more such naive behaviors.

In all these instances, we do know the consequences or we have at least a vague idea of the consequences at the back of our minds - and we do not want those consequences. But we are not prepared to do the right thing to keep away the consequences. Of course, there is no way to escape the effects, if we do not eliminate the causes.

The next thought is about “For any decision, you need information”

Thought 61: Every decision has a consequence

We know that every decision has consequences – although we may not be conscious of this rule when we make decisions. Decisions are the causes and consequences are the effects. At decision time (major decision time at least), we should weigh the possible consequences properly and make a choice for the optimal outcome. Even then, it is possible that our decisions may go wrong frequently; for, we cannot always foresee the outcome correctly. There is no way to look into the next page in life.

Thus, the cause and effect principle is highly pervasive in our lives; we see it operating all around us; and we see it operating in us also (as any medical doctor will certify). It is a fundamental principle that governs every phenomena of this universe. It governs our actions too.

The cause and effect principle has a greater impact on our personal lives - than what we can ever imagine or what we are willing to admit. Most of us in fact do not even recognize its existence, although we see it happening all around us - all the time.

The next thought is about “Every decision has a consequence (Continued)”

Thought 60: Man is egocentric (Continued)

If you can control your ego, you can also control your reaction. In a controlled reaction, you send out a message as appropriate that you do react in a measured way to a certain ugly situation created by some persons. You indicate in this controlled manner that you are not willing to compromise over issues, when they are made very repugnant to you.

Most people, however, cannot control their ego – and therefore, they react instantaneously and sometimes severely or even violently. Most people are very sensitive – and excessive ego makes people excessively sensitive. Thus, egocentric persons are generally sensitive and unhappy persons.

Excessively egocentric persons think that they know everything – and what is worse, they think that all others are stupid. When a person gives this impression, people generally try to avoid him - like plague. I know a family who are excessively egocentric – and they look down on every one else with contempt and disdain. They are constantly trying to impress on you how great they are. You generally would like to avoid them but when it becomes really essential for you to talk to them, the experience is not only tiring - but most of the time, it even becomes unbearable. Consequently, such persons and families have no friends; they only have enemies.

The excessively egocentric persons also take offence quickly; and they are even quicker in abusing and hurting others based on ill or wrongly perceived insults. When you get trapped in such a situation by chance, it is prudent to withdraw quietly – preventing the already ugly situation turning more ugly. One of my friends and his wife were once caught up in this type of situation.

A close relative of the wife of a friend, who is an extremely egocentric person, started saying all sorts of bad things one day to my friend’s wife about him (my friend) – which were actually very silly and childish fabrications, provoked by prejudice and an overblown sense of ego. This lady is by nature a very gentle soul and her attempts to stop this false indictment of her husband proved to be futile. This person was virtually spitting venom at her husband - using very foul language too. This poor lady was in great agony – and she did not know how to deal with those false and fictitious allegations, which were causing her a great distress. She virtually broke down. She came to her husband narrating the whole dreadful episode – and he could see how she was making a brave but vain attempt to hold down tears, which were beginning to stream down her innocent cheeks.

He tried to calm her down. It took her a few minutes to gain her usual composure. Then, he told her nothing ever happens in this God’s world without a reason (which was his firm belief). Therefore, he believes that god sent this experience as punishment to him (and to her also) for something, which he (and she also) must have done in their earlier lives.

If this philosophy is accepted, then, this experience is an effect for a cause of which one would have no knowledge at this present time - but nevertheless it must have existed. Therefore, if one were to curse or abuse or wish bad things for this vicious person for causing this anguish to his wife, he will only be converting the effect into a new cause(!), which once again would bring its own effect to him later sometime in future. If one accepts this frightful experience on this basis, he will have no animosity against such obnoxious persons. The moral of this story is “Do not make an effect into a cause” – and this is what the spiritual wisdom of Vedaanta actually recommends.

Thus, I think that in situations, which do not involve compromising your values, it is good to be “thick-skinned” – that is, not reacting at all. What do you think?

The next thought is about “Every decision has a consequence”

Thought 60: Man is egocentric

All of us are egocentric; some persons are more egocentric than others. We react to events, to situations and to people. It is this reaction, which results in either happiness or unhappiness to you. If you do not react, there is neither happiness nor unhappiness for you – which, of course, is an ideal situation. But we are not living in an ideal world; nor are we gods; we are all ordinary human beings with normal expectations and normal reactive tendencies in life. Therefore, in real life, all of us react – to a more or less extent to events, situations and people.

Conflicts while dealing with other persons are very common – particularly when the egos clash. When our reaction to an event or a situation or a person entails a conflict, we become anxious and unhappy; sometimes we may even feel quite miserable. When our experience indicates that we are mostly in a state of unhappiness or misery, then, we should understand that we have not been able to keep our ego under control.

Before you begin to react, however, a thought enters your mind concerning the event or the situation or the person, about which/whom you are reacting. If you dismiss this thought as it arises in your mind, you do not react or you react minimally. But most persons cannot do that. Some persons, however, have a habit of sitting on this thought for hours on end, turning it over, again and again in their minds, thus, slowly working themselves into a fury. I used to do that a lot during my middle age. I could see I was miserable and achieved nothing by constantly brooding over issues, again and again, to no purpose - but I could not stop this habit. My wife, Sithadevi, who is a very pleasant, positive and calm person, observed this. She helped me eventually to overcome this habit. Once I was able to successfully do that, I was peaceful - and happy.

Since, ego is a sense of inflated self-importance, arising out of false identification with the body-mind complex, the more ego-centric one is, the more severe his reaction to an event, situation or a person is going to be – and vice-versa. In general, the more you dwell on an issue in your mind, the more severely you react to it. This kind of reaction always spells out anxiety and unhappiness for you - which is purely self-inflicted. But of course, it is the same ego that drives you also to positively achieve things in life – when it is kept under control.

Thus, ego is a double-edged sword; it is not a bad thing, if used to achieve things, which advance you in the positive direction in this world. But if used to satisfy your whims and fancies (arising out of your likes and dislikes), ego is bad, because it causes you avoidable misery on account of reactions to events, situations and people. I am not saying that you should not react – some measured reaction under certain circumstances, no doubt, is in order. However, over-reacting, or excessive reacting would only cause you avoidable misery.

Thought 59: The impact of cause and effect in the day-to-day life

The Cause and Effect is the law governing the Srishti (Creation). This law never changes; and it has no exceptions. This law applies to everything in the universe – to the living beings, to the other moving and non-moving things (Charaachara Jagat) and also to the phenomena of nature. This is the inviolable law here. This is not a law made by anyone here! This is Isvara’s (God’s) law.

When you go to a medical doctor, the very first thing that he orders is a series of clinical tests to establish the cause of your complaint or ailment, before he begins the treatment or the surgery. He insists on knowing what caused the ailment. Cause and effect is a well-established concept in the health care management.

It is even so in the police and the criminal investigation services too. Whenever a crime takes place, the detectives look for the cause – because they know that without a proper cause (reason), no crime ever takes place. And they also know that unless they show the cause with a proper and scientific evidence, the criminal will not be convicted in the court of law. Therefore, cause and effect is also a very important concept in the management of criminal jurisprudence.

In the management of the maintenance and repair services of appliances and machinery (called Tero-technology), finding out the cause is crucial to the restoration of the performance of the faulty device or machine. If they do not trace the cause that caused the malfunction, they have no hope of ever repairing it or ever preventing its recurrence in future. Just think how critical it is in the Aviation technology and industry. They would never allow an aircraft into air unless they established beyond all doubt that the cause of the defect reported earlier is completely investigated and removed.

In general, we may say nothing ever happens without a cause; nothing ever happens in this world without a reason.

The next thought is about “Man is egocentric”

Thought 58: The cause and effect principle in Creation

Every cause must give rise to an effect. When there is a cause, there is going to be an effect. There can never be any cause without an effect. There can never be an effect without a cause. Cause or effect, are not stand-alone systems. When one happens, the other is inevitable. When you see an effect, there would necessarily be some cause behind it. The cause must always precede the effect. This is not a rule made by any one here. We may try to understand this rule - but can never hope to change it in any way.

When you do something, you get a result. Every action produces a result - that is the rule. You cannot refuse the result. You have to experience the result; there is no escape from it. You cannot also transfer the result to some one else. You yourself have to experience the result of your actions. This is the rule here, again.

Yesterday's actions shape today. Today's actions shape tomorrow. Any day, what you get is what you deserve. Performing bad actions today and expecting to escape their bad results tomorrow is being naive. Performing bad actions today and expecting a good result tomorrow is even worse. Your actions produce results for you alone - not for any one else.

An action need not always be physical. Even thinking is action; thinking also produces a result. I once found my friend Venki tearing a photograph into very small pieces. I was surprised at this and asked him for an explanation. He said that he could not kill her and therefore, he found some satisfaction in destroying the photograph of a lady whom he disliked immensely. There was murder in his mind – and that is an evil action.

Speaking is also action; speaking also produces a result. We can destroy people with our words. You see that scenario vividly in our daily serials in the Indian TV. Similarly, we do several evil actions with our body limbs.

We also find that the nature of the action decides the nature of the result. When you perform a good action, you get a good result - and when you perform a bad action, you get a bad result. For instance, when you think negatively or speak ill of others, it produces a bad result for you – and not for the person against whom your ire is directed.

The next thought is about “The impact of cause and effect in the day-to-day life”

Thought 57: Religious Karmas in Hinduism (Continued)

Mind is never idle; it is always thinking. It goes hither and thither, constantly, rapidly and randomly. This is known as Chaapalyam in Sanskrit. The Upaasana (Dhyaanam), if done properly, removes this random and wild forays of the mind into the world of objects. It gets rid of the constant movement and randomness of the thoughts in the mind - and gives you concentration (Ekaagrataa). Thus, Bhakti-Yoga liquidates Chaaplayam (constant roaming of the mind)

The mind had a lot of impurities and randomness – when you did all worship mechanically for enjoyment of one type or the other. Even when you wish to stop enjoyment and reach out to Isvara through Bhakti, you have to make use of the same mind again. Mind is a powerful instrument. The mind, which had Rajas and Tamas earlier, is now transformed into a mind, which is full of Sattva. After getting cleaned up in this manner, mind will lose its Maalinyam and Chaapalyam.

Once the Rajas and Tamas are got rid of, Sattva comes up in the devotee – and this is known as Sattva Suddhi or Chitta Suddhi. While the Karma-Yoga develops the Chitta Suddhi, Bhakti-Yoga develops Ekaagrata. The journey of the devotee does not end with Chitta Suddhi and Ekaagrata. If the foul smell has been stopped, it does not mean the pleasant smell has commenced; similarly, if the bad Vaasanas (Durvaasanas) have been conquered, it does not mean that good Vaasanas (Suvaasans) have been created. Creating good Vaasanas is the next step.

Thus, all this while, the devotee has endeavored to prepare his mind so that it will become eligible to receive the Aatma Jnaanam (which is Moksha) - which is his goal. The next step in his quest for Aatma Jnanam - is Sravana (reading the Upanishads), Manana (reflecting and clarifying the doubts by studying the Brahma Suutras) and Nidhidhyaasana (contemplating with very serious concentration to know who you are). These last three exercises are better done with the help of a competent Guru. (The commercial Gurus of modern times, who peddle religion and spirituality for money and popularity (or influence) are not considered competent).

The religious discipline, thus, makes man a good person - one who seeks Jnananm and not pleasures alone. Such a disciplined person keeps sufficient distance between himself and Adharma; and such a determined and disciplined person will always be totally unwilling to become an instrument of conflict.

The next thought is about “The cause and effect principle in Creation”

Thought 57: Religious Karmas in Hinduism (Continued)

Those devotees who do Upaasana to the Devataas and lesser gods (than Isvara), through the stipulated rituals, believe that these Devataas and gods grant them their desires. Bhagavad Gita says that after leaving the present bodies, these devotees go to the world where the worshipped Devataa resides. If one worships Indra, the devotee goes to Indraloka and becomes a Deva in that Loka. But this Deva is still a Jeeva. After enjoying the pleasures of Indraloka for a limited time, the Jeeva has to return back to Samsaara and its sorrows. Thus, whoever worships a Devataa or a Deva (god) gets only a limited result.

Whereas, those who seek the Isvara go to him directly - which means that they attain Moksha. The wise devotees know that there is only one Paramaatma and wish to gain him; when they discover and recognize that they and the Paramaatma are identical, they gain the Paramaatma (which is Moksha). When they gain this knowledge, they gain freedom from Samsaara and its sorrows - for ever. These persons need not return to Samsaara, ever.

Such devotees recognize that all Devataas and gods are but “Amsas of the Paramaatma” only (Amasa is a tiny part or microcosm). They sincerely believe that there is nothing other than the Paramaatma any where. They also recognize that god or Isvara is not confined to the temple alone; god (Isvara) exists everywhere – in every nook and cranny of this universe. Such devotees convert their earlier fear and prejudice into love – and Love is Bhakti. These devotees make a very serious attempt to reach Isvara through Bhakti (love). They have no desires except to progressively enhance their Bhakti to Isvara. Hence, they do all Karma selflessly (Nishkaama Karma) with Prasada Buddhi, which means that whatever experience they get in life – be it pleasant or painful - it is Prasada (a divine gift) for them from the Isvara. There is no more selfishness in them now.

This is Bhakti-Yoga. These devotes get rid of their Bhoktrittva (desire for worldly enjoyment) and Mamakaaram (attachment to worldly things and pleasures) through Bhakti-Yoga. Bhoktrittva and Mamakaaram are caused by Tamas.

Thought 57: Religious Karmas in Hinduism (Continued)

There is nothing wrong in worshipping Devataas or gods in whatever manner that is conceived by these devotees. In fact, those who do these Karmas and Upaasanas are better persons than those who do not do any religious Karma or Upaasana. The former recognize that there is a higher authority ruling over the destiny of all human beings.

Vedaanta advises such devotees to convert their Karma into Karma-Yoga and their Upaasana into Bhakti-Yoga. These devotees have to recognize that there is a Divya Sakti in the universe, called Isvara, who created this universe, who sustains this universe and who also annihilates this universe. Having recognized the existence of this Divya Sakti, which is known as Isvara, they must remember him in everything they do at every moment of each day – like the musician who conscious of the Sruti while rendering his music.

To gain some knowledge and interest in Moksha and in the Isvara, these devotees have to first see and appreciate the limitations of their desires for worldly or heavenly enjoyment. Such worldly or heavenly desires always put them back in in Samsaara and its sorrows – after leaving their bodies in the current birth. Even those who go to Pitru Loka or heaven have to be reborn in Samsaara after their soujourn in those Lokas comes to an end; and their soujourn in those Lokas lasts only as long as their Punyam merits their stay in those Lokas. Thus, in this kind of worship, people limit their interests to Dharma (religion), Artha (wealth) and Kaama (desire). Therefore, Vedaanta says that one should not do these Karmas or Upaasanas mechanically with the desire for better life or with the desire to go to Pitru Loka or to heaven.

These devotees must recognize that everything in the world is Isvara; here, there is nothing other than Isvara. Their Karma is Isvara too; they should see Isvara in everything they do - including in their Sahaja Karmas (eating, sleeping etc) and Laukika Karmas (whatever they do to earn a living, what ever they do for the family or for the society). They must begin to appreciate and believe that it is not just Karma – but it is Isvara appearing in the form of Karma. Thus, they want to reach Isvara though their Karma. This is called Isvaraarpana Buddhi – which is the Karma Yoga. Bhagavad Gita (4.24), conceptualizes this principle saying, “Brahmaarpanam Brahmahavir Brahmagnau Brahmanaa Hutam Brahmaiva Tena Gantavyam Brahma-karma-samaadhinaa = The ladle and other implements used for offerings are Brahman; the oblation is Brahman; the sacred fire is Brahman; the person by whom the oblations are offered is Brahman; Brahman indeed is to be reached by that person, who sees everything as Brahman”. In this Karma-Yoga, the Yogi does everything for the sake of Isvara – and thus, tries to remember Isvara all the time. In this way, they get rid of their Kartrittva (ego), which is caused by Rajas.

When you do the religious Karma with Isvaraarpana Buddhi – it signifies “I am doing this because my Isvara, who is everything to me, asked me to do it and therefore, I dedicate this Karma totally to him”. A devotee with such a faith in Isvara will never do bad Karmas. This Karma-Yoga attitude leads to the purification of the mind; all the Maalinyam (impurities) in the mind gets liquidated and the Yogi attains “Chitta Suddhi” (purification of the mind). This is precisely what the ancient Maharshis had in mind when they recommended religious Karmas in the Vedas; they wanted people to do Karma only to puify the mind – and not for enjoyment.

Thought 57: Religious Karmas in Hinduism (Continued)

Vedaanta considers those who do religious Karmas and Upaasanas expecting a better life in the next Janma or do it for going to Pitru Loka (Chandra Loka) or heaven (Svarga Loka) for enjoyment after death, are ignorant people, who are consumed by a passion to possess and enjoy the worldly and heavenly things and pleasures. Those who focus on the worldly or heavenly enjoyment have wrong priorities – because worldly enjoyment is always accompanied by a lot of worldly misery also. In fact, the enjoyment portion is tiny compared to the misery component. Such persons have no control over their minds. Minds, which focus on worldly enjoyment, are considered to have “Maalinyam” (impurities) and “Chapalyam” (wild and random movement) in them.

When you have no control over your mind, it is but natural for you to feel compelled to act on whatever priorities your mind conceives. The priority of an uncontrolled mind is always enjoyment – and ever more enjoyment. Buddhi alone has the power to control the mind, but in such persons, Buddhi is not available for introspection and self-control. The minds of such persons successfully impose their own priorities. Their priority is always more enjoyment – and never less enjoyment.

Procedures are available in Hindu Saastras to invoke specific Devataas for fulfilling specific desires. Persons who do the Karmas and Upaasanas perform these rituals with great Sraddha. They are content and happy to worship these Devataas or gods. These Devataas and gods are controlled and governed by a superior power called Isvara. The devoties, who worship these Devatas and Devas, are not bothered about Isvara, who alone has the power to fulfill the desires of all devotees – no matter which Devataa or god they invoke in their worship. These persons do not know that nothing ever happens in this world, without the knowledge and consent of the Isvara, who is the Omnipresent, the Omniscient and the Omnipotent controller of all events in this universe. They do not know that Isvara (Vaasudeva) is everything; they do not know that he alone appears in the form of the Devataa or the god worshipped. These are the ignorant persons - who are deprived of discrimination.

Thought 57: Religious Karmas in Hinduism

Every Hindu religious form of worship is generally connected with the Bhuuta (Upaadhi) of a Devataa or a Deva – and it is known as Anushtaana Karma (or simply Karma). There is also another form of worship, called Upaasana. Upaasana is generally connected with the Sakti in the Bhuuta, which is a Devataa or Deva - and it is known as Devatopaasana.

It is common in Hindu worship, either at home or in a temple, to perform Puuja with chanting of Slokas and/or sacred Naamas in praise of the Ishta Devataa (favourite god), using flowers, camphor, Agarbattis (incense sticks) during this procedure and wearing clean and washed clothes. If the Puuja is done at home, the idol of the Devataa or Deva (representing his Bhuuta) is kept on a pedestal in a clean place in a room. This kind of Puuja, which is performed following strictly all the stipulations of the Saastras is called the Anushtaana Karma (or simply, Karma). Here, the worship (Karma) invokes the Bhuuta (matter) and the entire thing is a ritual, which is mostly done with the physical body and the limbs of the worshipper. This kind of worship is recommended for the beginners (Mandaadhikaari)

The Upaasana is done mostly with the mind – and invariably by uttering a Mantra. There are several Mantras such as the Panchaksharee Mantra (Om Namssivaaya), Ashtaaksharee Mantra (Om Namo Naaraayanaaya), Dvaadasaaksharee Mantra (Om Namo Bhagavate Vaasudevaaya), Panchadasaaksharee Mantra (A Mantra with 15 Beejaaksharas invoking goddess Lalitaambika) and so on. The Upaasana silently addresses the Sakti (a Devataa or a Deva). Upaasana is done by more enlightened devotees (Madhyamaadhikaari)

Those who do the daily Karmas as enjoined in the Saastras (Niyatam Karmas) – generally do so mechanically. When done in this manner, it is known as “Anushtaana Karma”. Such persons follow all the rules and regulations as stipulated in the Saastras and they are afraid to deviate even a wee bit from those rules and regulations. Suppose, for instance, this devotee is delayd at work and is not able to start the worship at the appointed time; this causes a big worry to them. If a devotee misses to chant the Vishnu Sahasranaamam (one who has a program do that every day) on a particular day due to some difficulty, he becomes very uncomfortable; some persons get so worried that they cannot even sleep. Fear is the main motivator for this kind of worship. Worship should not be based on fear – it should be based on love (Bhakti). One need not fear god. He never punishes his devotees for their omissions and commissions with regard to worship.

The persons who perform the Anushtaana Karma daily, following all the stipulations of the Saastras, are typically very proud about the way they do their Anushtaana Karma; they are exceedingly egoistic and highly arrogant persons; these traits used to reflect clearly in their interaction with other persons, who do not do these Karmas in the same meticulous way that they used to do. I knew one such religious person, who used to be in the Administrative service in Andhra Pradesh. He used to get upset whenever any one opposed him - even on trivial issues; he used to frequently threaten them with “Saapam” (religious curse), which the ancient Rishis resorted to (rarely of course) - to punish the evil persons, whenever they did some harm to good persons.

Even those, who do Upaasana, also impose unnecessary limitations on themselves because of fear or prejudice. For instance, those who follow Vishnu and Chant Vishnu Mantras (such as Mahaa Mantra or Akshtaakshari Mantra) do not chant Siva Mantras (Panchakshari or Mahaa Mrityunjaya Mantra) and vice versa. The Sakti worshippers only believe in Sakti worship (Lalitaa Sahsranaamam) and no other worship. For such persons, who are locked on to one Devataa, if another Devataa comes to mind, it is sacrilege. Thus, they impose unnecessary limitations on themselves and get bound by their Upaasana. They do blindly and mechanically whatever they are doing - because of fear and prejudice. Such persons also feel proud and highly egoistic about the way they do their Upaasana. They feel that they are great and look down on all others who do not do what they do.

Thus, people, who do these Karmas or Upaasnas in the above mentioned manner, lead an egoistic and selfish life. Ego and selfishness are not good; they are evil. They are the worst pollutants in the mind.

The next thought is about “The cause and effect principle in Creation”

Thought 56: The reason why religions recommend righteous living (Dhaarmic life)

One may be able to give up some things totally - including one’s wealth, luxuries, travel, holidays, smoking, drinking etc. But one thing that one cannot give up totally is action (Karma); total cessation of activity is not possible for any living being (Jeeva). Total inactivity is the characteristic of insentient and inert matter (Jada).

For instance, you have to breathe, if you have to live. Breathing is a continuous process and cannot be stopped. Breathing, digesting and similar involuntary functions continue to take place even in deep sleep. Thus, there is no time, when a person is not involved in some activity or the other. Krishna Paramaatma says in the Bhagavad Gita (3.5), “a person can never live in this world even for a moment without performing action”

Hindu Saastras have recognized that there only two subtle movements in the body of a living being (Jeeva) – and they are the Praanas (the five vital airs or the Pancha Praanas) and the mind (Antahkarana). Subtle means that which is not perceptible to the five senses (Jnaanendriyas) – which means that you cannot sense them with any of the equipments that you are endowed with presently. Praanas and mind have power or energy (Sakti) inherent in them. This Sakti enables you to perform various tasks. For instance, the body moves – and what makes the body move is the Praana Sakti or the Kriyaa Sakti inherent in the Praanas.

The Sakti associated with the Praanas is the Praana Sakti or the Kriya Sakti (Sakti that enables you to perform Karma or work). The Sakti associated with the the mind is the Iccha Sakti (Sakti that enables you to “will”) and also the Jnaanan Sakti (Sakti which enables you to gain knowledge). These subtle Praanas and subtle mind are always (24X7) moving – which means that they are always (24X7) doing Karma. Human beings also have additionally, “Chit Sakti” – which is the Sakti associated with the Chit or consciousness in you.
Isvara also has these three Saktis (which are the constituents of his Mayaa Sakti). The Iccha Sakti associated with the Isvara is the Cosmic will. The Kriya Sakti associated with the Paramaatma is his Omnipotence. The Jnaana Sakti associated with the Paramaatma is his Omniscience. Chit (Consciousness) is the very Svaruupa (nature) of the Paramaatma and the Sakti associated with the Chit, is the very Svaruupa (nature) of his Maayaa Sakti (“Chit Sakti Chetanaa Ruupaa” – Lalitaa Sahasra Naamam).

When you associate yourself with the Karmas being performed by Praanas and mind, they become your Karmas. Man associates himself with those Karmas because he thinks (on account of Rajas) that he is a Karta who performs various Karmas (which is called Kartrittva); he does so only because he thinks (on account of Tamas) that he is a Bhokta; the Bhokta is one who enjoys the results of his Karmas (which is called Bhoktrittva). The Paramaatma is neither a Karta nor a Bhokta.

Kartrittva and Bhoktrittva invariably give rise to selfishness in man. For instance, while doing any action (as a result of Kartrittva), it is natural for every person to look for his advantage only (Bhoktrittva); he thinks that he is there for himself – and others have to take care of themselves. He believes that he is not responsible for what happens to others; consequently, he tries to gain the maximum advantage for himself - even if his actions were to cause harm to others. Man always tries to get watever he wants, no matter how much suffering he causes to others in the process. This selfishness in man is the one that gives rise to frequent and widespread conflicts in the society; selfishness is the root cause of all wars in the world.

The reason why religions recommend righteous living (Dhaarmic life) (Continued)

Every mind has some evil in it. This evil makes the mind unstable – and the unstable mind performs evil Karmas. That is how a Duryodhana, who is full of jealousy, greed, hatred and selfishness, caused instability in the society by his cruel and senseless ways. Evil minds perform evil Karmas and evil Karmas cause disorder and mayhem in the society - and the society ultimately collapses.

Seeing that all the evil there is in the world is only in the mind of man, the ancient Maharshis of India, who were pious and highly enlightened persons, and who were interested in doing good to the mankind and the world in general, could visualize that if man, with his evil mind, were to be allowed to do what he liked, he would destroy this world - and destroy himself also in the process; they knew that left to himself, man was more likely to become a selfish and evil Durydhana (who did not hesitate to destroy the society) than a Vidur (a wise person in the court of Dhritaraashtra). We are able to see the truth of their vision and wisdom - in the modern times also. Selfishness and other impurities in the mind are causing too many conflicts, terrorism and wars all over the world. Instead of using the science and technology exclusively for improving the comfort of man, the modern day scientists are developing weapons of mass destruction – which, if they were to fall into the hands of evil persons, would result in the destruction of this world.

Hence, these Seers took the trouble of developing a whole body of religious literature - and tried to organize man into a religious discipline. They felt that even if a small percentage of humans were to become disciplined in this way, it was still worth their while. Even then, they could see (they were seers who could project themselves into the future) that God will have to come down periodically in Avataaras and save the world from the grip of these evil forces. Krishna Paramaatma says in the Bhagavad Gita (4.7) “Yadaa Yadaa Hi Dharmasya Glaanir Bhavati Bhaarata Abhyutthaana Madharmasya Tadaatmaanaam Srijaa Myaham” = Whenever the declining of Dharma and the rising of Adharma happens, then, I manifest myself in Avataaras, And (BG 4.8) “Paritraanaaya Saadhuunaam Vinaasaaya Cha Dushkritaam Dharma Samstaapa-naarthaaya Sambhavaami Yuge Yuge” = I take an Avataaraa in every Yuga to protect the Saadhus (gentle and good devotees), to destroy the evil-minded persons and to establish Dharma).

In this body of Hindu religious literature (called Saastras or scriptures), these seers classified certain Karmas as Niyatam or enjoined Karmas, which should be perfomed by every person and certain other Karmas as Nishiddha or prohibited Karmas, which should not be performed by anyone. These are actually the do’s and don’ts that all religions stipulate. The do’s are called Sat Karmas (good actions) in Sanskrit and the don’ts are called Dush Karmas (evil actions) in Sanskrit

These Seers recognized that death does not put a full stop to life; it only signifies a comma. If one dies, he is reborn again. The Saastras which these seers developed mention incentives for good Karmas – which give a better life (good health, wealth, good progeny) in the next birth and also certain disincentives for bad Karmas - which give a miserable life in the next birth (such as poverty, disease and many more such miseries). Saastras say that “Puurva Janma Kritam Paapam Vyaadhi Ruupena Peeditah (the sins or Paapam committed in the earlier births will always make you suffer from some disease or the other in this birth)

Fear is the greatest controller - and these Maharshis hoped that the fear of poverty, disease and other miseries in the next birth would keep people away from bad Karmas. They also hoped that the religious discipline in people and in societies would make people perform more Sat Karmas and less Dush or Nishiddha Karmas. They also assumed that even those who do not believe in rebirth will be enticed by the prospect of heaven and frightened by the prospect of hell - after their death.

Hinduism preaches Dharmas (duties as enjoined in the Saastras) and the essence of these Dharmas is that you should not do unto others those things that you would not like others do to you. This is the bench mark for all Dharma and this principle is ingrained in the philosophy embodied in the Hindu Saastras. You are asked to think and conduct yourself on the lines recommended in the Hindu Saastras. This is civilized behavior. This is righteous living.

When you live a life of Dharma, there are no conflicts. A life of Dharma, apart from involving righteousness, is also associated with all Hindu religious Karmas (and Upaasanas).

The next thought is about “Religious Karmas in Hinduism”

Thought 55: This world has evil

Every one agrees that there is evil in this world. But, have you ever reflected on “where this evil resides?” It is not in the buildings and the roads. Neither is it in the mountains and the rivers. It is not also in the earth and the sky. It is not in the plant world or the animal kingdom. Some of the animals like a tiger, for instance, may appear cruel and therefore, evil. Actually, there is no evil in a tiger. It has been programmed to pounce and kill in the same way that a gentle cow has been programmed to say “Amba” and give milk. Thus, although the tiger may appear dangerous and cruel, it has no evil in it. It only knows how to pounce and kill; it does not know any other way of interacting with man or beast; it has been created this way.

Take another instance, such as a snake like a cobra; the cobra bites; it is its nature to bite; The cobra may be frightening and dangerous, but it has no evil in it; it does not know that it is wrong to bite; it as been created that way. The nature of a pet dog is to bark at strangers and lick the face of the master at every opportunity. Thus, the good Lord, in his infinite wisdom, created certain animals to be cruel - and others to be gentle. But the cruel animals do not have evil in them.

Thus, if evil is not in the animals, if it is not in the trees, if it is not in the earth, if it is not in the sky and if it also is not in the mountains and the rivers, where is it then? All the evil there is in the world is in the mind of Man! Man, in general, is an evil creature. Every human mind has evil in it.

Considering from another point of view, have you ever heard of a tiger killing another tiger; it never does; a tiger never kills another tiger. Similarly, an elephant never kills another elephant. That is because there is no evil in wild animals like a tiger or an elephant. But man kills another man. Actually, man kills not only man, but every other creature also on earth. Therefore, all the evil there is in this world is only in the mind of man.

Because of this evil in his mind, man destroys everything that God has created; he destroys the trust and confidence of people; he destroys the good relations between man and man - and also between nation and nation; he destroys all the good things – such as the natural environment around him; he destroys even big and mighty companies such as Satyam; he destroys the mighty institutions such as world trade center, built painstakingly over a long period of time by the pioneers of this world; he even destroys other men through terrorism. Therefore, beware of Man; he is the most dangerous creature in the world; he is even more dangerous than a tiger, than a snake; than any other animal - because he carries exclusively in his mind all the evil there is in this world.

How does this evil look? Has it any form? Yes, it has a form; rather, it has several forms - and these forms are greed, hatred, attachment, jealousy, selfishness, arrogance, prejudice, etc. These are the evils that make this world an unhappy place to live in, not only for the animal kingdom and the plant life – but also for man himself.

The next thought is about “The reason why religions recommend righteous living (Dhaarmic life)”

Thought 54: There is Sakti (energy) in all objects and beings of this universe

Hindu Saastras have recognized that there are only two things in this world, which are matter and energy (Sakti) - and they are related. This is precisely what the modern science also says. In fact, Einstein’s equation (e = mc²) defines mathematically this relationship between matter and energy. But Vedaanta goes a step further as explained below.

Vedaanta says that you are not your body-mind complex; rather, you are the Aatma pervading the body-mind complex. Aatma is Brahman (Awareness). Maayaa is the Sakti of Brahman. Brahman and his Sakti cannot be separated; Sakti is always integral to the entity to which it belongs. Therefore, wherever Brahman is present, his Sakti is also present. Brahman is present in every object and in every being of this universe. Thus, the Sakti that is present in very object and beings of this universe - is the Sakti of Brahman only. This is the Sakti, which is referred to in the paragraph above. This Sakti is also known as the Paraa Sakti or the Muula Sakti (root Sakti) – because this is the Sakti from which all other Saktis associated with different objects and beings of this universe are derived. This Muula Sakti is also known as the supreme goddess (Mother supreme)

In Vedaanta, the matter is called Bhuuta - while the energy is called Sakti. Vedaanta also says that every physical entity is a Bhuuta (which is made of the Pancha Mahaabhuutas, which are the space, the fire, the air, the water, and the earth and which emerged from the supreme goddess). The Bhuuta is inert and inanimate matter (Jada). Our physical body, for instance, is a Bhuuta – and it is inert and inanimate. Every Bhuuta in existence has some energy (Sakti) in it (which is derived from the Muula Sakti explained above). Even a rock has some Sakti (energy) in it, which is the potential energy - and which is waiting to be released. The Bhuuta in the living beings is also called an “Upaadhi” in Sanskrit.

All living beings are energy sources. The Sakti (energy) associated with the living beings, is a composite of one or more of the three component Saktis – Kriya Sakti (Sakti, which enables you to perform Karma), Iccha Sakti (Sakti, which enables you to “will”) and Jnaanan Sakti (Sakti, which enables you to gain knowledge). Kriya Sakti is the Praana Sakti – which is the Sakti associated with the Praanas. The Iccha Sakti and the Jnaana Sakti are the Saktis associated with the mind. Praanas and mind are the only two subtle movements in the body-mind complex.

Since the trees have practically no minds in them, we may consider that they do not have any Iccha Sakti and Jnaana Sakti in them; they only have Praana Sakti. The animals have very rudimentary minds and possess only Vaasana Jnaanam. Therefore, we may consider the Iccha Sakti in animals as practically non-existent. The Kriya Sakti is the predominant Sakti in the animals. Animals also possess a rudimentary form of Jnaana Sakti (which is limited to the Vaasana Jnaanam only). The human beings possess all the three Saktis – Kriya Sakti, Iccha Sakti and the Jnaana Sakti. The Jnaana Sakti in the human beings is superior compared to that of the animals - in the sense that it spans the entire spectrum of worldly knowledge, which includes both Vaasana Jnaanam and Vivechana Jnaanam. In the living beings, these three Saktis are underscored by another great Sakti, called Chit Sakti.

“Chit” means “Chaitanya” – which is pure consciousness. Aatma is the pure consciousness and the Chit Sakti is the Sakti associated with the pure consciousness. When the “Chit Sakti” shines (in the Buddhi), the inanimate body-mind complex becomes vivified – and at the same time, it also becomes self-conscious. Thus, Chit Sakti makes us animate and sentient. Because of the Chit Sakti, a person knows that he exists; no one need prove to him that he exists.

All living beings have Chit in them. In the human beings, Chit not only vivifies their Bhuutas - but it also makes them self-conscious. In the animals, this Chit only vivifies them but it does not make them self-conscious. The animals do not know that they exist – but the human beings do know that they exist.

All the three Saktis (Kriya Sakti, Iccha Sakti and Jnaana Sakti), however, are inanimate (Jada). While they can flow in the Bhuutas of living beings all by themselves, they cannot do what they are supposed to do in the Bhuuta - all by themselves. For instance, the Bhuuta is what moves and Sakti is what makes it move. But the Kriyaa Sakti, which is supposed to move the Bhuuta, cannot by itself move the Bhuuta – because it is inanimate (Jada). What moves a Bhuuta is the Kriya Sakti in it no doubt - but only when it is underscored or supported from behind by the Chit Sakti. For instance, I am able to move because of my Praana Sakti (Kriya Sakti) - only when it is underscored by the Chit energy in me (that is, when I am alive).

Thought 53: What is Destiny?

An action is called a Karma in Sanskrit. A Karma need not always be physical. Whatever you do, decide, speak or even think is a Karma (action) - and every Karma (action) will have consequences. You are accountable for every Karma that originates from you.

You may delude your self that certain circumstances forced you into a given action and therefore, you are not responsible for that action. But the divine justice system knows the truth; you and you alone are responsible for any action that you initiate, no matter what circumstances prompted those actions. You had a choice; you always have a choice. And you have chosen to act in a particular way in response to those circumstances. You need not have reacted at all or you need not have reacted in that particular manner.

The person responsible for an action (cause) is the one who will experience the result (effect) of that action. Some results are experienced immediately; others, later in this life or in a subsequent life. Every result will be in the form of either happiness or unhappiness to the person who does the Karma. No person would ever experience the results of the Karma done by another person.

Thus, you are a victim of your own past activities. Your present – which is your destiny (Praarabdha Karma or simply, Karma) – is fixed irrevocably in this manner. Once you fire a bullet, you have no more control over it. It surely goes and hits the target – some target or the other. Likewise, once you perform a Karma, you have created your destiny – irrevocably. You have no more control over it than you have on the bullet, which left your gun.

The Hindu philosophy says that yesterday's actions shape today’s results for you; and today's actions shape tomorrow’s results for you. Any day, what you get is what you deserve – no more, no less. The results (your Destiny) are very precisely calibrated (in terms of what your Karma (actions) deserved) before they are meted out to you. That is how you get your Karma (Destiny) in any life.

Also, the results of your actions culminate inevitably in some happiness or unhappiness to you. There is no escape for you from the results of your Karma. Hence, you and you alone, are responsible for any thing that happens to you. No one else is accountable for the consequences of your thoughts, your decisions, your words (speech) and your actions. Therefore, it is no use blaming any one else for any thing that happens to you; you write your own script (Destiny). Destiny is whatever good or bad that happens to you every single minute of every single day in your life.

There could be some confusion here because the action is called Karma - and the fruits of action are also called Karma. The fruits of action are actually to be called the Praarabdha Karma (Destiny) – which, in practice, however, we abridge and call it also Karma (Destiny).

This reminds me of what a local person said in San Jose to my daughter Sashi one day in the parking lot of a large departmental store. This parking lot is always very, very busy and full - most of the time, on any working day. The chances for your getting a parking spot near the entrance – are almost zero. That particular day, as luck would have it (is it really her luck?), Sashi could park her car right in front of the entrance. Seeing this, one local person, who was also looking for a similar parking spot, smiled and remarked to her, (observing that she is of Indian origin), “Madam, your Parking Karma appears to be very good today!”

Thus, understand that in any life time, you will have to submit to your Destiny; every one of the experiences you get in any life happen only because of the Karmas you performed in your previous lives. You alone are responsible for everything that happens to you in any life; you need not blame any one for any bad that happens to you in any life; neither should you attribute any good things that happen to you in any life to good luck; they are also equally the result of your earlier good Karmas. No one can change one’s Destiny; and this is the reason why they perhaps say, “Whatever will be, will be, Kay Sarah Sarah”.

The next thought is about “There is Sakti (energy) in all objects and beings of this universe”

Thought 52: Internal changes are not easy

Most people would benefit from changing their attitudes, but they resist change. Change is very painful. But then, if you do not change, that is also very painful. If a person does not change, it is because he cannot change. Internal changes, as opposed to change of physical habits, are very difficult.

One can perhaps change his habits through will or determination. For instance, one can force himself to do jogging or any other physical exercise daily. One can similarly give up smoking, stop overeating, give up sedentary habits like sitting on the sofa and watching TV while consuming copious amounts of beer and chips all day long, etc through strong determination. Swami Dayananda says that the inner change is, however, a different matter. By merely "willing", you do not change internally.

One cannot be asked to like a person, for instance, by an order. Nor can he wish himself to like a person. It is something that has to happen naturally. The changes you may wish for a person may do good for him or her, but still the change will take place only when there is an internal urge for this change in that prson. This will take place only when the person realizes that his current attitude is not doing him any good; he should realize on the other hand that it is doing him harm.

Experience alone can cause internal changes. Until then, the person would resist change. It is only a wise person who tries to profit by the experience of others.

Actually, when a person is honest about his or her feelings, you will find the beginning of a genuine change, says Swami Dayananda.

The next thought is about “What is Destiny”

Thought 51: The rate of change is more significant than change per se

Things in the world constantly change; change is the nature of this world. The famous English poet, Oliver goldsmith, said, “the older order changeth yielding place to the new”. Every generation, in fact, has been facing several changes. Our forefathers too faced several changes – but it appears that this truth never dawned on them. They were completely oblivious to changes in their generation - and therefore, clung to tradition, thinking that it is the proper thing to do.

You are now living in times in which the systems, which affect your lives, are changing, not only constantly – but also very rapidly. The rate of change is increasing steeply from generation to generation. The consequence of not being able to adapt to these changes as they roll out rapidly - is the main cause of stress in individuals. If you do not notice these rapid changes and adapt yourself to them quickly as they occur, you will be left behind. Those who do not recognize this truth come to grief very soon.

Thus, it is not the change that is really significant now; rather, it is the rate of change which is becoming more significant with every passing day.

The next thought is about “Internal changes are not easy”

Thought 50: Everything is cycled in the space-time Dimension

Nothing ever remains static in this world. Things always change – it is their nature to change. The night changes to become the day. The day changes to become the night. Seasons change constantly. Time is ticking away and the world changes with time – it only moves forward, never backwards.

Everything gets cycled in Nature. We see in the nature, a carbon cycle, a nitrogen cycle, a food chain etc. Even human beings get recycled; they die and get reborn any number of times (until they gain Moksha). This cycling is called “Chakra Bhramana” in Sanskrit – which is Isvara’s Leela (sport). In all these phenomena, we see His Order - His Ecological and Moral Order. Everything in this world obeys His laws and follows His discipline, unless otherwise disturbed by the imprudent actions of the human beings.

During the time of my parents, the world changed slowly. Now, with the impact of high technology on the society, the changes are occurring very rapidly – too rapidly perhaps. Those who do not recognize this fact are not in sync with the times. Nothing stops for you. If you do not keep in step with the changing world, you are left behind - and the world moves on. My parents were not aware of this.

Happiness and sorrow also keep changing constantly like everything else in this world of ours. Happiness is never permanent. Neither is the sorrow. The wise person knows that, if he gets happiness today, sorrow is scheduled for tomorrow. If he gets sorrow now, happiness is right behind.

Do not panic if things look dark now – soon, there will be light. The night is always followed by the day. If things look bad now, good news is not far behind. Cheer up.

The next thought is about “The rate of change is more significant than change per se”

Thought 49: Everything changes constantly in the space-time dimension

I lived in a certain segment of history and my children are going to live mostly in a different segment. My views and experiences were the products of the period of history and society known to me. The economic conditions, political scenario, educational system, culture, traditions and moral values to which I was exposed, determined the forces and compulsions, which made me what I am. The next generation will be exposed to a different set of forces altogether - the advances in systems and technology in their life times may impose compulsions of a totally different nature on them. My experience and views, when extrapolated into their segment of history, may or may not still retain their validity and relevance. Relevance takes precedence over continuity.

During the time of my parents, the world changed no doubt but very slowly. Now, with the impact of high technology on the society, the changes are occurring very rapidly; too rapidly perhaps. Those who do not recognize this fact are not in sync with the times. Nothing stops for you. If you do not keep in step with the changing world, you are left behind - and the world moves on. My parents were not aware of this.

Changes take place ceaselessly - matter into energy and energy into matter. There are constant changes in climate (EL Ninyo and LE Ninyo) and environment. Where there were forests in India and Brazil, we see plain land today. The courses of rivers change constantly. All materials age constantly – deteriorating constantly and becoming useless ultimately. All technologies have been changing (they are improving in general). Animals grow and die. There are ceaseless changes taking place in us. We grow mature and wither off ultimately. The cells in our body are replaced at least once in three years. Our ideas change constantly. Our knowledge too changes constantly. Our relationships change continuously. Our culture too changes continuously.

Happiness and sorrow also keep changing constantly like everything else in this world of ours. Happiness is never permanent. Neither is the sorrow. The wise person knows that, if he gets happiness today, sorrow is scheduled for tomorrow. If he gets sorrow now, happiness is right behind. Do not panic if things look dark now – soon, there will be light. The night is always followed by the day. If things look bad now, good news is not far behind. Cheer up.

Everything changes – in the space-time dimension. Change is the fundamental principle of nature. If you do not recognize this truth and adapt yourself quickly to the changes as they happen, you are left behind as the world continues to change and moves on.

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Thought 48 (f): Action Plans

Setting a goal is the first step and this should be followed by actions to realize them. The proposed actions should be set down in what is called an action plan. This plan should say, what effort or resources are necessary and to what extent, what cooperation would be needed and how to achieve that, what information is needed and how to gather it, what infrastructure would be needed and at what cost, what risks are involved and do the risks justify the efforts, what roadblocks or barriers are likely to be encountered, what additional skills or strategies are needed and finally, what mid-course corrections and contingency plans are likely to be needed.

The needed actions should be broken down into easy steps, so that, implementation of this plan becomes easy and systematic - and monitoring and corrective actions become smooth. Goals are of no avail, if you do not frequently review the progress and apply the necessary corrections for the variances noticed from time to time.

The long term goals may be broken down into monthly action plans. You may set them three to four months ahead. When you have done the current month, add one more month, so that, you are always three or four months ahead. This may be continued until the goal is achieved. Review the progress once a month at least and apply the necessary corrections to your plans, before taking them up for implementation. This review can conveniently be done, each week for one goal. In this manner, you would have done conveniently, the review of four goals in a month. It is better not to take up more than four goals at a time. You can, then, handle them conveniently without any stress.

Each short term goal, in turn, may be broken down into four weekly actions plans, which, when successfully completed, will achieve the short term goal. It will be a good idea to make all the four action plans in the beginning - that is, four weeks ahead, which is, the time you allow yourself to achieve a short term goal. When you have done the current week, you can review the remaining weekly plans. Change them as needed before taking up the next week's plan for action.

In case of personal goals, you need not make elaborate action plans. What all that is necessary is to identify the important actions in easy steps. Henry Ford believed that no job would be too difficult, if it is broken down into small steps. Also, do not, in the early stages, look at the totality of the task involved - you may get discouraged, when the enormity of the task hits you.

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Thought 48 (e): Long term vs Short term goals

It is a good idea to think in terms of long and short term goals. List on a piece of paper, your long term goals. The long term goals may cover a time horizon of, say, one year - which is a convenient time frame.

However, you may find it more convenient or useful to consider more than one year. There is no hard and fast rule for this. A year, however, seems an easy and natural time period. The important thing is that you must have a deadline to complete your goals. Otherwise, nothing gets done.

Once you have your long term goals set, prioritize them, the first amongst them being the most important. Now, you are ready to set your short term goals based on the long term goals. The short term goals could be the milestones, which, when accomplished successively, you will achieve your long term goals. Each short term goal could be targeted for, say, a month.

Deadlines for goals

All goals must have deadlines. Without deadlines, the rate of effort may be too slow to be of any benefit to you. Deadlines activate you - and you spring into action. They make you give timely inputs and do not allow you to waste time on unimportant activities or in procrastination. Deadlines leave no scope for complacency. However, you should not drive yourself to extreme limits in this process. Do not attempt to achieve too much in too little a time. The stress involved can be counter productive. If you make these deadlines too cruel, you lose fun, excitement and ultimately, faith in this management philosophy.

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Thought 48 (d): The Process of Setting Goals

Goal setting is to be taken as a serious business. It appears easy - but not really. Goals are not mere hopes or wishes. Wishes do not have sufficient energy associated with them to be productive. Goals are commitments. You are going to commit your resources for their achievement. This commitment can be meaningful to you, provided you are able to visualize a corresponding benefit. The benefit must be absolutely clear to you. It is this benefit that continues to motivate action and effort, until you achieve the goals.

Writing down your goals brings clarity to them. You generally have a vague idea at the back of our mind, what goals you wish to pursue. But if they stay in your mind only, they keep changing. They do not take much meaning or seriousness, until you put them down on paper. Writing also makes them take a final and clear shape, as opposed to having them vaguely at the back of your mind. You can never plan firm actions and commitments in a constantly changing situation.

Goals have to be, not only specific but they should be positive. When they are not positive, you need to pay a lot of attention to avoid behavior like "not eating", "not getting angry on children", "not wanting to continue in the present job", etc, which can increase your anxiety and cause stress to you. Vagueness or confusion in goals does not allow you to assess correctly whether you reached them and if so, when did you reach them exactly, to enable you to immediately divert your limited resources to activities waiting in the queue for want of them. For instance, "I want to be a better father", "I want to acquire more wealth", "I want to improve my health" etc, are all vague and not specific.

Another important aspect in goal setting is that the accomplishment of a goal should be under your control. For instance, if you want a better consideration from your boss, it may prove difficult to control his behavior.

Set the goals in a balanced manner. Do not rob one area to enrich another. For instance, if you want to complete a graduate course in 10 months, you may have to undergo considerable stress in achieving your goal, affecting your health and happiness.

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Thought 48(c): Goals for individuals

Actually, any of our daily activities have built-in goals passing examinations, getting up in time early in the morning to go to work, buying a car, getting married, having children, keeping the house and garden clean and attractive, keeping the garbage outside on a specified day, paying bills on time, shopping etc. We are therefore, already goal oriented and achieving goals has become a habit to most of us.

However, the goals that we deliberately set for ourselves should be a little more difficult to achieve - demanding more out of you than a routine habit. The achievement of the goals should be able to bring out more of the latent potential in you. This potential is a lazy or dead inventory of resource. Goals convert it into an active resource, doing work for you - to make your life more fruitful and fulfilled.

In every person, there is an infinite wealth of potential. What we see manifested, however, is infinitesimal. Goals make you work harder and stretch your capacity - translate more and more of your potential into surface activity. This process takes you to places you never imagined that you could ever reach. More than the achievement, the process of stretching and reaching out to your potential is very satisfying.

Your present happiness or unhappiness is the summation of the consequences of various choices you made to date. Your future happiness or success, therefore, will depend on the choices you will be making today. Your goals are your choices.
Goal Setting For Individuals3

There are multiple demands on your resources and your resources are never adequate. There is always a resource crunch in a real world situation. Given infinite resources, any one can achieve anything. However, when there are limited resources - which correctly describes the reality of every day world - it is essential to make the resources produce, effectively and efficiently. This makes it imperative that you choose carefully, from out of the several needs that you may have at any point in time, only those needs over which, you want to utilize your limited resources. This choice depends upon your compulsions, likes, dislikes, priorities and importantly, where you want to go.

The next thought is about “The process of setting goals”

Thought 48 (b): Corporate Objectives and Goals

In a corporate setting, the higher you are in the hierarchy, the more visionary your objectives for the organization are going to be. It is believed that the chairman of AT&T in USA - which is perhaps the largest telecommunication organization in the world had visualized some years ago, the objective, "it is the objective of this organization to provide a reliable telephone service to the common man in this country at an affordable cost". Highly visionary, no doubt, but a chairman of a large organization, such as AT&T, always has to take a helicopter view of the scene; his view has to encompass the entire landscape. The executives of AT&T were able to convert this vision into a reality in a given time frame. They translated this vision into very specific goals for the lower levels.

Actions at the lower levels of the hierarchy will not be purposeful, unless they are chasing very specific targets. When you are low in the hierarchical ladder, like a foremen of a shop, the goals have to be very clear and specific. They should for instance, spell out a production target. Otherwise, the foreman will not understand and therefore, he is not likely to produce what is expected of him.

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Thought 48: Goals

Thought 48 (a)
List your priority needsList Your Priority Needs3

Although, it is easier to manage happiness than adversity, happiness also has to be managed carefully. Things that you seek in life seldom happen by merely wishing for them. They do not happen unless you are willing to earn them - through investment of energy and effort.

There are many facets to life, like relationships, health, home environment, education, finance, acquiring assets, friends, social contacts, social obligations, spiritual aspects etc, any of which, can influence your happiness. All these facets need to be managed. You cannot possibly address, however, all these needs simultaneously. You can at best take three or four of them at a time, for immediate action and address the remaining later.

Address Your Priority Needs FirstAddress Your Priority Needs First3

List your needs and prioritize them. Goals are your urgent needs, which you wish to address immediately. When you attend to your needs on this basis, you add a new meaning, direction and dimension to your efforts. You create a new expectancy and hope in your life, leading to fulfillment.

All happy or successful people have goals in life. They know where they want to go and what is the direction of their ultimate destination. It is said that if you do not know where you want to go, then, almost any road will take you there. You must be clear about where you want to go, if you have to know what to do to get there.

Goal settingGoal Setting3

Setting and achieving goals gives you the feeling that you are in control. You work at your best when you are seeking some thing, which you want to accomplish. You will canalize and direct your energy and resources, productively.

Goals and their achievement is the key for improving your quality of life. It is said that “if we do not have specific goals, we will be almost certain to work for those who have”. We can be anything that we want to be - if we can decide clearly what it is. Strangely, it is also necessary sometimes to be clear about what you do not want – before you are able to clearly define what you want in life.

Goals and objectives could relate to individuals and families as also to corporate entities. They also could relate to a short or long horizon. They could be specific or visionary. When they are visionary, they are commonly called objectives; goals have to be specific in nature. Visions take a long time to become realities; goals relate to shorter horizons.

A goal must be specific – otherwise you do not know if you achieved it or not. If you say that you want to be, say, “a better computer programmer”, the question arises as to what is ‘better’. Goals should be differentiated from results. “I want happiness” is not a useful statement of goal. Happiness cannot be a goal. Your goal should be stated in terms of specific steps, which when executed, will result in happiness.

Once you are able to set your golas, then onwards, you have to keep them under the spotlight all the time to focus on them – without allowing any distractions to disturb your focus. There is a well-known story in Mahaabhaarata (the Mahaabhaarata period is estimated to be about 5000 years ago) about how the venerable teacher Dorna taught and tested his students about focusing on goals. He was the teacher for both the Kaurvas nd Paandavas. One day he took all his students to a forest and called one by one to narrate what he saw on the yonder tree, which he pointed to them. One of them said he saw a lot of leaves; another said he saw a number of branches; and many of them gave this kind of irrelevant answers in different versions - except Arjuna. Arjuna said that he saw the eye of a parrot on one of the branches. Drona said, “Shoot it with an arrow” and Arjuna did it immediately – and the parrot fell at his feet.

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Thought 47: Vital few and trivial many

An Italian professor, by name Pareto, discovered that 80% of the problems, when solved, give only 20% of the total benefit, while 20% of the problems, when solved, yield 80% of the benefit. Professor JM Juran, the American quality management specialist, restated the same principle – as “the trivial many and vital few”. It is a good idea to classify problems into "vital" and "trivial". This automatically decides the priority that any problem merits. Vital problems, of course, get high priority and trivial problems get low priority. This is an excellent management philosophy.

Resources are always limited, generally, for any one individual or for any organization. In a real world situation, you never have enough resources for all your activities. Therefore, you cannot address all problems, all at the same time, to obtain all the possible benefit. You naturally, would like to conserve the limited resources that you have and use them first, to address those problems that give you the maximum benefit. It, therefore, appears prudent to address the 20% high priority (vital) problems first, to ensure that you get the 80% benefit. If there are still some resources remaining, you can attend to some of the remaining 80% of the problems. This is how you make use of the Pareto principle in managing your resources and objectives.

When we tend to do things mechanically without thinking, we get overwhelmed even by trivial problems. A great majority of life’s problems are trivial by nature – and we can solve them by commonsense alone. When you seek help even for trivial problems, you never develop self- reliance, self confidence and self-esteem.

Do not be afraid to “think”. It is so very easy to think. Think big. Big or small, think - and solve problems.

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Thought 46: Running vs. Management

Some of you may have read "Alice in wonderland". Alice is a small girl. In one of the episodes, Alice starts running - running very fast. At some point, she comes to a fork, where a black cat was sleeping. Alice asks the cat, "Mr Cat, Mr Cat, I am in a terrible hurry. Can you please tell me which road I should take". The cat opens one eye and says lazily, "depends upon where you want to go". This irritated Alice. She said, "I told you I am in a hurry. You are trying to waste my time. I don't care where I go. Now tell me which road". The cat goes back to sleep after saying, "Then, it does not matter which road you take". If you do not know where you want to go, all roads lead there.

In management of any activity, you have goals; when you know precisely where you want to go and in what time frame and within what cost budget. Turn the spotlight on to your goal and keep it lighted up all the time. This helps in restoring the focus back o the goal, just in case you get distracted and stray away from it for any reason.

Ralph Evans, the American Consultant calls it "running", when a person moves through life without well defined goals. This person does not know, why he does whatever he is doing. He is willing to settle for anything. It is pointless to undertake any activity without some goals – which relate to (desired) specific results, within given time and cost constraints.

Given unlimited resources of money and time, any one can achieve anything. But in a real world situation, you find that you are always confronted with time and cost constraints. Therefore, it is essential for you to achieve your goals within the given time and cost constraints. Use your resources efficiently and effectively to produce the desired goal or result.

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Thought 45: Clean problems vs Dirty problems

Ralph Evans, the American consultant, once said, that problems can be classified into two types. The first type is called “clean” “Clean” problems are those for which, we can readily visualize a solution. For instance, if your car is giving trouble too often, you may decide to replace it – which is a solution – when the car problem will cease to exist, at least for some years to come.

There is the second type of problems, which are not clean at all. We are unable to see a solution to these problems in the near future and therefore, unable to solve and put them behind us. Since, they are not “clean”, we call them “dirty”. For example, the indiscipline amongst employees in an organization or the political problems in India, problems of terrorism, problems connected with alcoholism and drug addiction in a society, are some examples of problems that do not lend themselves so readily for a quick and clean solution. These can be classified as dirty problems. Generally, all “people” problems are dirty problems.

Every one faces dirty problems at some time or the other in his/her life. For instance, every one encounters difficult people at some time in their lives! To deal with them – is not easy. This is a dirty problem that most of us face commonly – at some time or the other in our lives.

What do we do when we face dirty problems? We know that there are no easy solutions – at least, not immediately. What can any one do except to learn to live with them, until you stumble upon a solution. Some times “time” finds a solution to some problems - and one learns to live with these problems in that hope (which is, time finds a solution).

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Thought 44: Everyone is saddled with Problems

You are not the only one who has problems in life. Everyone has problems. There is no one in the world, no one at all, who is free from problems. The US president Barack Obama operating in his Oval office, the Pope operating in his Vatican office, the queen of England living in the magnificent Buckingham Palace, the Acharyas (Swamijis) of Maths in India (such as Kanchi Kaama Koti Peetham at Conjeevaram, etc), prime ministers, business tycoons, rich people, poor people and even beggars (homeless people) - everyone has problems.

Just imagine how dull and uninteresting life would be, if there were to be no problems at all. Problems add spice to life. Never run away from problems. If you do, they chase you. If you chase them, they run away.

The successful people are not intimidated by problems. They know that every problem has a solution. They also know of course that every solution has a problem too.! Therefore, they do not look for perfect solutions. They only look for optimal solutions.

A solved problem does not leave a vacuum behind. Another problem takes its place - instantly. Therefore, problems are something, which you would continue to encounter all through your life. So what is the point in getting stressed over problems? On the other hand, it is smart to learn to coexist peacefully with them – until you are able to solve them.

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Thought 43: Some invisible forces are stalking you all the time

In this world, every one comes under the influence of a number of strong but invisible forces. You get tossed and rocked by them – in the same way that a small boat gets tossed and rocked by the strong winds operating on stormy seas.

These forces usually operate in your work place, in your neighborhood, in your circle of friends, in your family circle. There are also forces influencing your personal finances, market forces (influencing stock prices etc), economic forces (influencing the general prosperity and job security), government legislation (impinging on every citizen in various ways) etc. You have to skillfully navigate your way through these forces – directing your boat always in the direction of your goals.

There is no escape from these forces for any one – every one, no matter how highly he is placed, comes under their spell. Every CEO is aware of their presence. Only a few successful ones handle them with finesse.

When you accept their power to control you, these invisible forces blow you into all sorts of directions. Ralph Evans, the American consultant, calls it “running” – when one is willing to be driven randomly by these forces. Do not “run” your life – “manage” it. In management of anything, you have to have goals. Set your goals, have faith in yourself and in your god - and do your best to keep the rudder always pointing towards your goals. No matter what you do, do not lose your cool. Fright and flight are not the answer for any problem. When you are calm and relaxed, you can deal with those forces better.

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Thought 42 : Coping with adversity and prejudice

There will be difficulties and adverse circumstances in every life. Your immediate environment is usually full of currents and undercurrents – opposing your every move. This is the nature of all life in this world of mortals.

Arjuna found himself in a battlefield situation against his will. He never wanted to fight his Gurus and near relatives – because he knew that in any battle, he was going to be victorious; which means that he would be killing all his Gurus and kith and kin. This scenario was quite abhorrent to him. Frequently, we find ourselves placed in such ugly or undesirable situations. When we find ourselves in such situations, we must learn to cope with them – and learn how to come out of them victorious.

Every situation teaches you something – if you have a learning mind. Do not be ashamed to learn – anything at any age. Learning is investing in future. A learning mind is like a superconductor. It has no preconceived notions; it has no resistances. When there is no resistance, electricity keeps flowing freely in a conductor – on and on and on. When there are no prejudices in the mind, knowledge keeps flowing freely - on and on and on. Get rid of your prejudices. Learn to come out of the frame, look at the picture and see, whether you like, what you see. You will then know how you appear to others.

Never let the adverse circumstances make you negative. Do you, for instance, ever plan for failure; never. All the same failures do occur every now and then – especially when we fail to plan. All failures are accounted by the uncertainties of life on this planet. Those who give up when they face failures or setbacks are the losers. Quitters never win. Also, winners never quit.

Always be positive. Always be objective. Always be happy. Always be enthusiastic. Always be cheerful. Let enthusiasm and cheerfulness be your hallmarks and constant companions - like the Sruti of a musician. When you do that, you are no longer overwhelmed by the world and its uncertainties and its adversities.

Lose anything but your enthusiasm and cheerfulness. Sing in the bath room. Say good morning to every one you see – you need not know them. Always pump out an outstretched hand several times enthusiastically. Never miss an opportunity to say “thank you”. If you can say “thank you” to god daily, through a prayer, it is even better.

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Thought 41: Good health is your greatest fortune

Good health, for instance, is your original stature. If you take ill, the doctor merely tries to remove your illness – and that is all he can do. He cannot give you good health. You have to strive and gain it yourself. So it is with spirituality too. Vedaanta removes the spiritual disease, which is ignorance - and allows you to regain your original stature, which is the Ultimate Truth; Vedaanta gives you knowledge to come out of your ignorance. Vedaanta teaches you to know the truth about yourself. This truth is that you are not the body-mind complex; you are verily the Aatma, which is Brahman.

As a young person in my twenties and even later, I never realized how important it is to keep in good health. I was healthy and was enjoying life in general – enjoying eating out at every opportunity, smoking - and never bothered about physical exercise. In those days, information on fatty foods, smoking and the need for exercise, was not known to us at all - the media never focused on such topics as it is being done now.

I was hit very hard one day in my late thirties for the first time, when my health suddenly gave me a fright. I will not describe here what went wrong with my health – but it did give me the shock of my life.

I had a very innocent wife and four excellent young kids - and what happens to them if my health fails? For the first time, I began to think how important it is for me to keep in good health. Immediately, I got into healthy eating habits and quit smoking. (I started smoking again a few years later but quit it again finally) I started daily Yoga Asanas - and brisk walking a few years later. In my mid forties, I started practicing meditation also.

One of the important Mantras I gave my children and through them to my grand children is “What you put in your mind, what you put in your mouth and what you do to your body decides your health and happiness”. Everything in life revolves round your health. If your health breaks down, you can achieve nothing. That is why they say in India that “Aarogyam is Mahaa Bhaagyam” (Good health is your greatest fortune)

Read the biographies of modern industrial tycoons – and you will find that all of them, without exception, enjoyed excellent health. They enjoyed excellent health, because they worked hard for it. One of the important management rules is “Always imitate a successful person”.

Therefore, if you do not work hard at maintaining good health, I will not call you a successful person – no matter how successful you are in your profession. The physical exercise has to be a vigorous and it has to be done daily. You can give up a meal but not your daily exercise. They say that wise persons are those who profit by others’ mistakes.

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