WHO WANTS TO BECOME A BILLIONAIRE?

 The most valuable wealth of a man is his knowledge,which cannot be destroyed; all other riches that he has gained or not considered to be wealth at all.

WHO WANTS TO BECOME A BILLIONAIRE?

 ----------------from the books of Speaking Tree--

Most of us dream of striking it rich; to never be in want .Good goals. To achieve these, would entail considerable diligence and perseverance, resourcefulness and creativity. A rare few are endowed with inherited wealth, but for most, the process is a challenge that includes many struggles.

 To understand what it is that we're after, we need to first know what it means to be wealthy to be rich. But wait a second, wealth and riches are not really synonymous, points out Swami Swaroopananda, global head, Chinmaya Mission. He reminds us that the universe is a resource, it is wealth. Hence nature is called Sri,Lakshmi,bringing prosperity and wealth. Whatever you produce, comes from nature. He adds that those she make the effort to make use of these resources productively, find wealth. 

We benefit from the earth because the earth is a giver, for millennia the earth's resources have been used to create wealth. And for as long as we can remember, we have been takers. "Except for human beings, all other species give back to earth. That's why the world is rich. Adi Shankara was asked who was poor and he replied that the one who has insatiable, infinite desires and who feels he does not have enough, that he is not rich enough he is truly poor".

 If you have food, shelter and clothing and you sleep well, your not poor. Having a fat bank balance does not guarantee happiness many among the richest are often unable to eat or sleep due to compromised health and stress, infinite desires and mind dissatisfaction. An unhappy mind means your body too slowly becomes unhappy and therefore unhealthy. Diseases may creep in. Stress and anger are known to be major causes of high blood pressure.

 Iago in Shakespeare's Othello says: "Poor and content is rich, and rich enough, 

But riches fineless is as poor as winter 

To him that ever fears he shall be poor, 

Good heaven, the souls of all my tribe defend

From jealousy!" 

Why be jealous of a super wealthy man who lives in constant fear of becoming poor and who is beleaguered by ill health? Several references in scriptures, proverbs and stories hold a brief for contentment that you are truly rich only when you do not hanker for more; when you are content with what you have, whether you have less or more than a monetarily wealthy person.

 "You may lose money, but try not to lose your mind," says Swamiji. "And never lose your faith in a higher power, in nature, in knowledge. Faith comes from gratitude." When you are enriched by positive attitude, good mind and a spirit of sharing, and you enjoy good health since mind and body are closely connected, richness stays with you whereas wealth may come and go .Your capacity to smile, makes you rich. You can feel the abundance. In short, you are richer than a so-called wealthy billionaire

Key highlights of Indian Budget 2025 and Impact on Indian Economy

 Key highlights of Indian Budget 2025 presented by our Finance Minister of India

Indian Government committed to economic resilience,fiscal discipline and inclusive growth.focussing on infrastructure development,digital transformation,tax reforms and financial sector growth.

The new personal tax has substantially reduced under new tax regime,resulting into zero tax liability for over 80% of individual tax filers.

Main highlights of the Indian budget 2025 and Impact on  Indian economy

Exempting incomes upto rs.12 lacs in new tax regime

Kisan credit card limit increased from 3 to 5 lacs

Credit cards for micro-enterprises

Enhancement of credit guarantee cover for MSME from 5 crores to 10 crores

Removal of several tariff rates to streamline taxation

Fiscal deficit maintain at 4.8% of GDP and 4.4% of GDP (target for next year)

Inflation maintain at 4.5%

Debt to GDP :57% of GDP and estimated to 50% of GDP till 2031

Tax to GDP of india:11.7%

Tax cuts will boost consumer spendings

Seeing a revival in rural economy

Look at banks amid falling rate and credit growth

Boosting consumption,translates to boosting GDP

Government efforts on reducing debt burden

MSME tweaks higher kisan credit card limit are major bold steps

May See buying in Auto,Discretionary,Dine Out,

See the current slowdown a temporary,

Manufacturing will play out in next 10-20 years,

Budget 2025 sets stage for a MahaKumbh of investing & economic expansion,

Expect Economy to grow 7% coming year,

See tax exemption as positive and boost for consumption,

GCC expansion to be as large as IT evolution,

See no negatives in the Budget announcement,

Seeing shift from Capex to consumption stocks

Many fundamentally solid companies can see price drops of 40 to 50% within a few months ,

India is emerging from mid-cycle soft patch and is set for a stronger-than-expected recovery,backed by this Magical Indian Budget 2025 and likely monetary policy support,

Ultimately a Dream Budget

Capex has been continued to b in focus

Growth has been given priority

Rural,MSME enterprises are well taken care of

GDP growth will get be continue to grow in this coming decade.

25 years of Golden years for India

GDP per capita will grow from $2800 to $ 10000 in the next decade

India has become one of the best soft infrastructure in the world

Stable currency will give 11 to 12 % nominal growth

Make in India will boost economic growth

India will account for 23% approx..of working age population by 2030.

A strong dollar coupled with rising gold prices indicates that global liquidity is Flowing into hard assets,highlighting a loss of confidence in fiat money.

Shown full focus on 4 major castes, namely garib(poor),mahilayen(women),yuva(youth)& annadata(farmer).

This Budget2025 certainly concentrate on growth forecast and improving financial stability.

A move towards its vision of becoming a 5$ trillion economy. 

 

 

LIFE IS DREAM LIKE , STAY NEUTRAL AND ENJOY

 LIFE IS DREAM LIKE , STAY NEUTRAL AND ENJOY

 

-------------------from the book of Speaking Tree---------

 

William Shakespeare captured the essence of the Bhagwad Gita’s message when he wrote "All the world’s a stage, and all men and women merely players, they have their exits and their entrances….” The Gita extols the virtue of sakshi bhav-a witness-like attitude. This objectivity is the key to material success, happiness, and personal growth.

 The opposite of objectivity is being involved,partisan, and biased. Then, you view the world through tinted glasses. You see what your mind wants to see. You look at the world through the filter of your likes and dislikes and get a distorted vision. This skewed perception leads to errors and failure. An objective  person has clarity of thought. His perception in sharp. Actions become perfect. The mind is detached And success flows effortlessly.

 

Cultivate the mindset of an observer. Do not get entangled. Stay impartial in all circumstances, not partisan. Remain unbiased and unprejudiced. Be like a spectator in a boxing ring. If you jump into the ring, you risk getting beaten by both parties. Be an observer of this magnificent universe.

 

You are an actor in the drama of life. Play your role to the best of your ability-wholeheartedly, enthusiastically ,perfectly,yet dispassionately.When the curtain falls, exit gracefully.

 

Adopt a tongue-in-cheek perspective on life.Today's trauma will be a distant memory a year from now. Take a long-term panoramic view of things. Consider others' challenges, and yours will pale into insignificance. Rise to a higher plane and struggles of the lower level will cease to affect you.Reach out to others, stretch to accommodate their interests. Embrace the transcendental. As your mind expands, you become more mature and happier, unaffected by the ups and downs of Life.

 

Attachment to the body, mind, and Intellect binds you to unhappiness. They are matter. The world is also matter. Matter influences matter, just like a magnet attracts iron. You are not body ,mind, or intellect. You are Spirit. The world does not have the power to affect the Spirit. You appear to be affected because of your unintelligent identification and attachment to them. Remember, you are Atman. Remain a sakshi, witness, of everything, uninvolved in life's drama

 

You traverse three states of consciousness-waking, dreaming and deep sleep. Your true Self lies beyond these, the fourth plane.Live life as if you are re-entering a dream, knowing its illusory nature.

 

Embrace it with objectivity, joy and light-heartedness, free from entanglement and heartache. Objectivity is the secret of enjoyment, Practise objectivity daily. Observe the world around you: external objects, people, their appearance, emotions,and thoughts. Then, turn inward to your own body, mind and intellect.

 

SUSTAINED EFFORT:THE TRUE PATH TO SUCCESS

 SUSTAINED EFFORT:THE TRUE PATH TO SUCCESS

The subject of work-How much? T How Long? To what end ?

At what cost? has been doing the rounds for a while now.While there are Multiple sides to every story,the scriptures are clear that hard work,discipline and perseverance form the cornerstone of Personal and Social growth and work best when aligned This philosophy emphasises that success, however one defines it, is earned through consistent effort and virtuous action.

Chanakya Neeti, the classic treatise on governance and statecraft, highlights the responsibility of both rulers and householders to diligently work for the welfare of their domains A notable verse states:

Raja rastrakrtam papam rajnah papam purohitah/bharta ca strikrtam papam sishyapapam gurustatha-king bears sins of the nation, priest bears sins of the king, husband bears sins of wife, and teacher bears sins of disciple This verse underscores the cascading nature of responsibilities-from the pivotal role of a ruler in ensuring the Kingdom's prosperity, tireless effort and just governance to a householder's purpose to work earnestly to support the family, fulfilling both moral and material obligations. If you have taken up a role, then it is your duty to fulfil that role.

Chanakya also advises Sukhaaya mulam dharmah dharmasya mulam arthah Arthasya mulam rajyam rajyamulam indriyajavah-the root of happiness is dharm, righteousness, root of righteousness is arth, wealth,root of wealth is rajya, a strong state ,root of a strong state is indriya-Java, self-control.

Chanakya underlines overlapping orbits of influence through action. The essence of such actions is to be found in diligence and discipline, resulting in prosperity and happiness. The Bhagwad Gita reinforces this wisdom with the verse:

Karmanye vadhikaraste ma phaleshu kadachana/Ma karmfal heturbhu ma te sangostvakarmani- you have a right to perform your prescribed duties but are not entitled to the fruits of your actions.Never consider yourself the cause of results,nor be attached to inaction.

The Gita emphasises acting with dedication, without attachment to rewards or succumbing to the inertia of Inaction. It aligns human effort with the three gunas – tamas-inertia, rajas-activity and sattva-wisdom. While tamas governs rest, rajas drives productivity and innovation, and sattva fosters contemplation and renewal Growth thrives only in rajas, where ambition and perseverance fuel success

Human progress has been the consequence of constructive and beneficial action destructive action also has its bearings, which gives us pause to reflect on virtues of tamas, non-action.

Ultimately,our scriptures remind us that fruits of life are proportionate to the effort we invest. Success is not merely a goal but a way of life, achievable through dedication, discipline, and a sense of purpose. While every individual has the right to choose his path and pace, It is through hard work that transformation and fulfilment are realised.

In the many-forked flowchart of life within society, respecting individual choice is fundamental. But it is equally important to inspire and encourage a shift toward rajas wedded to sattva-a state of dynamic activity and creation- where the true potential of human effort can be realised for both personal and collective progress

 

DO YOU WANT TO BE SUCCESSFUL OR HAPPY?

 DO YOU WANT TO BE SUCCESSFUL OR HAPPY?

        ------from the books of OSHO--------

       --------here “I” & “ME”means writer OSHO---------

 Does a person living through intuition always succeed? No, but he is always happy-whether he succeeds or not. And a person who does not live intuitively is always unhappy. Success is not the criterion because success depends on many things. Happiness is the criterion because happiness depends only on you. You may not succeed because others are competitors there. Even if you are working intuitively, others may be working more cunningly,cleverly,calculatingly,violently,immorally.So, success depends on many other things, success is a social phenomenon.You may not succeed.

 

Who can say that Jesus succeeded? Crucifixion is not a success. He was crucified when he was just thirty-three-what type of success is this? No one knew about him.

 

Just a few villagers, uneducated people, were his disciples. He had no position, prestige, power.Crucifixion cannot be said to be a success. But he was happy He was totally blissful-even when being crucified. And those who were crucifying him would remain alive for many years, but they would remain in misery So really who was undergoing crucifixion?That is the point.Those who crucified Jesus,were they undergoing crucifixion? Or was Jesus, who was crucified? He was happy. How can you crucify happiness? He was ecstatic. How can you crucify ecstasy? You can kill the body but you cannot kill the soul.Those who crucified him, they lived, but their life was nothing but a long slow crucifixion-misery and misery...

 

The first thing is that I don't say that If you follow the innerguide ,you will always succeed –in the sense that world recognizes success; but in the sense that a Buddha or a Jesus recognises success, you will succeed. But that success is measured by your happiness, bliss-whatsoever happens is irrelevant, you will be happy Whether the world says that you have been a failure, or the world makes you a star, a success, it doesn't make any difference. You will be happy whatsoever the case; you will be blissful. Bliss should be success to you. If you understand that bliss is success, then I say you will succeed always.

 

But to you bliss is not success; success is something else. It may even be misery Even if you know that it is going to be misery you long for success. Ask political leaders-they are in misery I have not seen any political leader who is happy. They are just miserable, but still, they are trying for higher posts, trying to get still higher on the ladder; And those who are already above him are in misery and he knows it. But we are ready to be miserable if success comes to us.

 

So, what is success to us? Success is egoistic fulfillment, not bliss. It is just so that people will say that you have succeeded. You may have lost everything-your soul and silence the brings you nearer to the Divine-but the world will say you are a success.

 

For the world, ego gratification is success, for me it is not. For me, to be blissful is success-whether anyone knows about you or not. It is irrelevant whether anyone knows about you or not, whether you live totally unknown unheard of, unnoticed. But if you are blissful, you have succeeded.

Let 2025 Be When You Connect More To Live Better

 Let 2025 Be When You Connect More To Live Better

--------------------from the books of Speaking Tree----written by Radhanath Swami a spiritual guru from ISKCON-----------------

 Every year, on the night of DECEMBER 31st, we welcome the new year with excitement. We also bid farewell to the year gone by. Each year teaches us lessons, things that went well, the right choices and mistakes we made, relationships gained and lost, successes and failures, and much more.

 Many a time we desire to make resolutions for the new year. Resolutions are made and often forgotten. It is seen that few people stick to their resolutions for up to six months, and very few see them through to the end.

 
Instead of repeating the usual patterns, adopting a new approach to the upcoming year can fill us with optimism. Let us focus on three simple aspects this year. Invest, Grow and Connect, IGC. Invest in meaningful relationships, grow in life through small yet consistent steps, and connect with Divinity. These simple actions can not only make our new year fulfilling but also impart a novel sense of joy.

Relationships bring both joy and stress. Investing in relationships is important. Studies say about 80% of personal stress stems from them. The imbalance between what is given and what is expected often leads to disappointment.

Technology helps us stay connected, but it has also made our relationships shallow. Endless scrolling often replaces moments that could have been spent with someone we care about. How developed through excessive usage of social media? Sometimes, we become so engrossed by technology that we fondly converse with people all over the globe without caring for our next-door neighbour.

Spending time with loved ones can fill life with deeper meaning. The year ahead is full of opportunities to invest in personal relationships that can bring inner satisfaction.

Rather than merely going through life, efforts could be made to grow through life. Growth happens quietly, in small steps. A part of our new year resolution could be to develop willingness to acknowledge our mistakes, to forgive and let go of trivial things that may often consume the mind. Life, much like a device, needs a source of power to function. Without connection often seem worthless and purposeless.

The Bhagwad Gita (5.29) mentions that the one who connects with the Supreme finds peace. Prayer, meditation, or even a simple moment of gratitude can fill our life with inner joy These practices may be small, but their impact is lasting. They offer clarity and fill our lives with a purpose.

Connection with Divinity also helps us navigate through life's challenges in a dignified manner. The Gita (2.70) gives a beautiful analogy of a person who is connected with the Supreme Source.. Since time immemorial, rivers have been pouring unlimited amounts of water into the ocean. Yet, the ocean doesn't over- flow; it remains calm. Similarly, a person who takes the time to connect with God becomes peaceful like the ocean.He is not affected by the multitude of difficulties, adversities, heartbreaks, or betrayals that life brings forth.

 Let us welcome this new year with positivity Let us be grateful for all that we have received. Let us strive to invest time in meaningful relationships, grow beyond our cocoons to become majestic birds soaring high in the sky By connecting with God, may we attain eternal peace and happiness.

You Have The Power To Change Your Life

You Have The Power To Change Your Life

In Today s fast paced world,life can feel overwhelming. Many of us need tranquillisers to get through the night and mood boosters to brighten our days. The thought of self spoils the show Obsessing over self drains your energy enthusiasm, and creativity It leads to errors, mediocrity and failure,

The Bhagwad Gita encourages you to work in a spirit of yajna-service and sacrifice for a higher cause. The universe seems to work in a spirit of yajna. The Sun gives valuable light and heat. Flowers give fragrance, birds sing. peacocks dance, rivers gives life. No element in nature works with a selfish purpose except humans. Only human beings suffer from anxiety and stress. Krishna says emphatically in the Gita, work unselfishly and you will attain success, happiness and spiritual growth. Selfishness only gives misery.

Everyone is born with a distinctive gift, an inborn talent. What's yours? Identify your talent. This can bea game-changer. The world would have lost iconic sportspersons if Sachin Tendulkar had become a CA or Nadal had taken to business. Set a lofty, audacious goal in the area of your passion. Then put in hard work, grit and perseverance to achieve your objective. Set aside your favourite movies, dining out, or hanging out with friends. Direct all your actions no easy way to success. Kobe Bryant, the legendary basketball player, would start training at 4am every day Cricketers, athletes, and musicians work hard to achieve their dreams. Are you ready to put in the effort?

 Sharpen your intellect. The intellect thinks, reasons, and navigates life's challenges. When the intellect directs your actions toward the goal, you generate energy. Feel deeply for your goal, be devoted to it, love it, and work consistently for it. Concentrate on every action without meandering to past worry or future anxiety. The results will be astounding. Nobody can achieve greatness alone. Recognise the pivotal role of teamwork in achieving success. Inspire others with a higher purpose. Reach out to them with love and affection. Give them a reason to come to not just their paycheque. Empathise, appreciate and applaud. They will rise to the occasion and serve the cause. They will do their best to achieve the goal. The positive impact will be profound. Share the spoils with your team members. Give them the credit they deserve. You will achieve outstanding results.

Society equates success solely with money. Is it restricted to material riches? The Gita teaches us that true success goes beyond mere wealth. It's about happiness and fulfilment. Invest in your happiness and personal growth, and wealth will follow effortlessly

Are you ready to tap into your limitless potential? Start today by shifting your focus from profiteering to offering. Identify your passion, work hard, and engage with others meaningfully. Embrace the journey of self-discovery. You have the power to change your life and inspire those around you. Let's unleash that greatness together. Each step brings you closer to becoming the extraordinary person you were meant to be. Whether through your work. relationships, or creative pursuits, the world is waiting for what you can offer. 

IS IT EVEN POSSIBLE TO HAVE A WORK LIFE BALANCE?

 IS IT EVEN POSSIBLE TO HAVE A WORK LIFE BALANCE?

The recent tragic death of a young woman working for   prestigious firm has evoked anguish ,with so much being discussed about having  a reasonable work-life balance.

 This highly qualified individual worked for a firm with presumably world class corporate governance. However,there is only so much the human body can handle ; lack of sleep,rest,and proper nutrition can destroy health.It  is the responsibility of society and the state to protect the citizens when these things are violated.

 People have pointed out that the working environment in modern offices has become toxic  and unhealthy.Perhaps they are right.But these are times of great revival in the nation and a demanding work environment is an inescapable reality.This is the reality of the challenges,opportunities and rewards of the times and there is only so much the state can do to regulate the modern workplace.So, its crucial that we,as individuals ,take matters into our own hands to protect ourselves and our young.

 

The first is to examine the work environment.A famous leader of our country was recently asked about what he does to relax,especially with the mind-boggling stress his job brings.His answer is revelatory and inspirational.He said his work was relaxation , an answer that aligned with India;s ethos.

 

The After all our forefathers were emperors, merchants and scholars, and we can find their imprints across the globe.

 

Even the most nationalistic Indians of today cannot claim to have surpassed their achievements.They did not have  to resort to finding a balance because dharm governed their lives .

 

Somewhere,in the mad rush for modernity and prosperity,we have abandoned principles based on ancient Indic wisdom,so work and work places have become so stressful.

 

But what about life after work,which is supposed to act as a counter balance? A cursory examination reveals that we are not doing enough to unwind our activities are contrary.if work brings stress, we should do those things that  counteract it.Watching movies on a mobile phone,binge shopping,or binge eating are not solutions. It is not enough to hit the gym,the workplace stress builds up during the day, and even thinking  about it in the evening hampers recovery- the mind has to take a meaningful break.

 

According to a recent article in Harvard Business Review, one method is to detach psychologically from work.The mind has  to be engaged in something removed from work.The authors suggest practicing mindfulness as a solution.

 

What did our forefathers do? One way was to practice evening sandhya,practice prevalent throughout the land.It is performed at dusk, a time for transitioning from day activities to contemplation , of connecting with the Divine.In the past,everyone did it as dharm.The bindings of dharm are no longer applicable today.However,people can embrace proven methods from the past because they can help solve todays problems.

 

The key is to engage the mind and to train it  to stay engaged.In this field, we can be proud of inheriting humanitys treasure trove of knowledge.The time has come to unearth the eternal treasures  and profit from them.

We Need A New Approach To Ecological Balance

 We Need A New Approach To Ecological Balance

from the books of speaking tree

 After the Industrial Revolution,humanity has progressed greatly in science and technology.However, in the pursuit of development,human beings have destroyed triangular ecological balance and harmony among trees,wild animals and humans.

 Almost  all natural resources are dwindling day by day. We must remember that the sky, the air, birds, hills, wild animals, reptiles, insects and flies, fish, marine creatures and aquatic plants are all bound by an inalienable bond. Human beings are only a part of a vast common society. No one can survive the exclusion of others. Not even humanity.

 Air water and soil have become polluted.As a result, many unknown diseases manifest and known diseases reappear in more virulent forms.As a result of air pollution,bronchitis and other lung related problems are increasing.Due to the indiscriminate use of pesticides in agriculture,toxic elements enter the food chain.

 The fertility of land is decreasing, and in the near future, the productivity of various agricultural crops will decrease, thus, there is an increased threat to food security throughout the globe.Due to the indiscriminate use of ground water,the world will face water crises for both agriculture and drinking purposes.

 Shri Shri Arundamurti says, "Humanity, through its own madness, has annihilated numerous beings and objects and has thus prepared its funeral pyre. This act of sheer short-sightedness is Intolerable. People will have to be alert henceforth. They must shape their thoughts, works and plans in accordance with the science of ecology. There is no other way left to them."

 Global warming has become a real threat long before scientists thought so. The problems of survival are at the doorstep, and policymakers must act urgently Cheerfulness is gradually disappearing, and mental rudeness is magnifying among humans.

 Today , the challenges are manifold.Humanity will also have to embrace a new philosopy – neohumanism.

 Promoted by Shri Shri Anandamurti,neohumanism entails embracing all the plant and animal kingdoms and even inanimate objects.Thus, humanity be able to create a new mindset for rejuvenating ecology.

 Today humanity mast re-evaluate the progress made so far and plan everything ,considering its inalienable relation to ecology.

 So, without spiritual knowledge, balance in other strata.of life, that is, physical and psychic, is not possible. We cannot even think of ecological balance without.reshaping our mental thoughts in the light of

Never Lose Hope And Let Patience Thin Out

 Never Lose Hope And Let Patience Thin Out

from the book of Speaking Tree

George Bernard Shaw said, "Two things define you: Your patience when you have nothing and your attitude when you have everything. "He elsewhere wrote that all admirable human traits ensue from the womb of patience. The most significant human attribute is patience. Patience opens up a plethora of blessings and benefits for a person eternally tied to the apron strings of this divine quality. All scriptures categorically eulogise the significance of patience. The Quran states, 'Innallaha Ma As Sabireen-God is with those who have patience.

English poet John Milton wrote in On His Blindness, "They also serve who only stand and wait." To have patience is to have a divine sense. Human history is full of instances that consolidate our faith in the power of patience. We often get irritated and start cursing ourselves and those around us when things go awry. But we forget nature's perennial law that one gets everything eventually, provided one has patience.

When young Alexander the Great planned to subjugate East India and its extensions-one of his wise friends advised him to have patience and tried to dissuade him from going to the far East with a tired and jaded army. He also said that his time to subdue the East would come. He must have patience till then, the young and reckless Alexander didn't heed his friend's sage advice and finally reached India. But he had to return to Greece. Disillusioned, he died on the way If only Alexander had a modicum of patience, the history of the East would have been different.

Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming, who discovered Penicillin in 1928, wrote in his autobiography that it was because of endless patience, he finally discovered the panacea that saved the lives of millions. He failed nearly 100 times before discovering an antidote that would be harmless. Louis Pasteur and Thomas Alva Edison never gave up.They waited patiently to get that proverbial Eureka moment to discover and invent something that could change the collective destiny of mankind.

Had Rabindranath Tagore lost patience and stopped writing because he started feeling that he wasn't producing anything worthwhile, the world would never have got Gitanjali and its sublime 103 poems. His elder brother Satyendranath Tagore exhorted him to go on and write verses without losing patience. The rest is history. Patience teaches us that better times are about to come, and, in the process, it defines our attitude. Be still sad heart, cease repining/Behind the clouds is the sun, still shining. It's one human quality that strengthens the character and gives insights into things, people and phenomena.

An impulsive person, however intelligent he may be, loses life's great opportunities destined to appear at their time. Remember the age-old Hindi maxim, 'Samay se pahle aur bhagya se adhik kisi ko kuchh nahin milta-one doesn't get anything before time and more than his earmarked destiny. This is not a fatalistic adage. It has a hidden message: only by dint of inexhaustible patience does one get what he is destined to. So, never lose hope and let patience thin out.

YOG IS MINDFUL MOVEMENT, A JOURNEY OF SELF DISCOVERY

 

YOG IS MINDFUL MOVEMENT, A JOURNEY OF SELF DISCOVERY

FROM THE BOOKS OF SPEAKING TREE

Two cardinal principles in the dynamic spiritual science of yog are movement and awareness Both are not separate entities, they coexist and complement each other. The first principle in yog is movement in balance with awareness. Life is a movement, not a stagnant pool. It is like riding a bicycle. To maintain balance, one must keep pedalling without tilting and falling on either side.

The body acquires sickness if it remains in one place Movement, both vertical and horizontal is, therefore, necessary to prevent the build-up of harmful substances that will cause disease within the body.The only way we could live a lifetime of fluid and painless mobility would be to acknowledge that we are more than just a skeleton with moving components. Humans are made of layers upon layers of connective tissues  that move and eventually develop patterns of movement based on our ingrained behavior and programming.

In Hath Yog, the asan and pranayam facilitate greater movement, triggering enhanced awareness. Asanas stimulate internal organs such as the muscles ,bones and cells, whereas other forms of physical exercise activate the external parts of The body.Through asans,the toxic elements accumulated the in the cells are burnt. The blood is purified, new energy is infused, and fresh oxygen is Injected.

We must love how our bones and muscles move through space and time: flexing, stretching, bending, twisting, pivoting, turning, reaching folding the List of amazing and enjoyable actions that are effective and effortless is endless.

To assist us in moving freely, a functional movement approach to asan practice that help us logivally, imaginatively and methodically can strengthen and stretch, stabilite and mobilise, unwind and unbind.

The purpose of pranayam is to cleanse the subtle nerve centres and manipulate the pranic currents to bring about change in consciousness. Its triple benefits include eliminating the growssness of subtler bodies, preparing the mind for dharana and dhyan,and destroying the accumulated subliminal impressions.

Through pranayam, the mind becomes the clarified butter It acquires the capacity to percive mental images without confusion.The second principle is awareness in movement.

One's awareness is subsequently strengthened when the movement of is not momentary but moment to moment. It is awareness of body , the thought process,and the environment.

Both asan and pranayama activate the inner and outer movement of the body with more awareness,which in turn facilitates more movement.This transformative process of movement and awareness ,perfectly synchronized not only brings balance within ourselves but also with the outer environment.

All movement in awareness and awareness in movement happen to achieve a state of calmness.This is the essence of YOG.

Shift The Focus To Duty-based Approach

 Shift The Focus To Duty-based Approach

From the books of Speaking Tree thru writer Maulana Wahiduddin Khan

(Maulana Wahiduddin Khan was an Islamic scholar and founder of Centre for Peace and Spirituality International)

In today's world, people are so engrossed in their day-to-day lives that they are only concerned with fulfilling their responsibilities. They have no time to think of helping others, forming good relations, building a better society, and developing their nation.

If we want to usher in real change in a nation, we must first change individual thinking and conduct so that citizens may develop patriotism and national character by thinking of  their country first. The national character of its citizens plays the most crucial role in building a nation. The national character of its citizens is essential in nation-building, just as the quality of bricks is vital in construction work. A house made of unfired bricks is unsafe because any calamity even a minor one, can bring it down. On the other hand, a building made of kiln fired bricks can be trusted to withstand onslaught of tempests and floods.

Similarly,citizens with character so tempered that they can be depended upon through thick and thin-like the kiln-fired bricks-build a nation in the long run. On the other hand, building a nation without laying a solid foundation in its individuals is like building sandcastles,which soon crumble away.

Trees show us how to develop character. A tree's roots are deeply embedded in the soil, its trunk rises, and its branches spread out high above. Through this, the tree shows how to usher in real change in a nation's citizens first consolidation and then expansion, where consolidation means to establish one's base in the ground firmly, expansion means to spread out everywhere. For example, if you want to successfully educate individuals for life, you must train young learners' minds on positive lines. Similarly, if you are going to run successful institutions, you first have to implement an ethical educational system to develop the foundation of our youth.

People who constantly complain and demand their rights from others gain nothing. Rights cannot be unilaterally demanded and enforced. Francis of Assisi rightly said, "It is in giving that we receive." When people carry out their duties, they will automatically receive their rights, albeit pragmatically Therefore, they should shift the focus of their efforts from the rights-based approach to the duty-based approach. This standard of ethics is straightforward and natural, and anyone can easily learn it. Becoming a good human being has nothing ambiguous about it. Its simple formula is: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Known as the golden rule of ethics, this is the highest principle of social ethics. This is a universal teaching found in almost every religion in one verse or another.

Every Country’s Citizens  should make excellence their goal, they should not accept any thing less than striving for excellence. In doing so, not only will they reach great heights of success, but they will also be able to reform society along constructive lines and make their country invincible. Actual results can be achieved only through long-term planning and unflagging, dedicated effort. The two great virtues indispensable in the struggle are patience and fortitude.

 Let us dedicate ourselves to the noble endeavour of advancing our nation by embracing the principle of their country first. This entails prioritising our nation's and its citizens' welfare and interests above all other considerations.

Desireless Performance Can Produce The Best Results

 Desireless Performance Can Produce The Best Results

from the books of Speaking Tree

People often question whether anybody can work sincerely and efficiently without desire. Sincerity becomes natural, and efficiency peaks when actions are no longer motivated by desires. Desire makes the mind cling to future gain or loss instead of the present task. It accompanies expectation, anxiety, and fear and affects attention and performance.

We are born with an insufficiency that makes us look for happiness externally. We are born with the delusion that something from the world will fulfil that lack and make us happy.

Has anybody ever become permanently happy by gaining anything from the world-money, power, companionship,fame or appreciation? Even the most overwhelming happiness lasts until the mind picks up some other lack or a fear of losing what we have gained. It is not the fulfilment of our desires that makes us happy It is the elimination of desires that truly makes us happy.

When a desire is fulfilled, the mind becomes 'desireless' for a while. It remains contented and peaceful until another desire for gaining something or fear of losing something agitates it again. It is the undisturbed state of the mind that makes us happy. It reveals for a while the placid joy that is always there within as a natural characteristic of our inmost identity, the Self. It is like seeing the bottom of the lake clearly when there are no waves or ripples. That is why we experience unprecedented joy or bliss in meditation, when the whole world is forgotten, and the mind is absorbed in its Source.

The day we realise that joy comes from within, it is a natural property of our Self, we understand that desires make us unhappy because they take us away from the Self. If joy lies within,why should we chase external objects that give us pleasure? If we do not expect happiness from the objective result of our work, what will be the motivation for work? The motivation for work will be just the objective result of the action, and not gaining happiness from the desired objective result.

Without desire, our mind will be naturally placid and fulfilled. We shall do whatever the circumstances need and what is within our capacity. No more shall we work expecting happiness. We will do whatever is to be done as an expression of joy, and such desireless performance can produce the best objective results.

Several activities are constantly going on in the universe. Earth revolves around the Sun, and the Moon revolves around Earth. Rivers flow. Plants grow. Flowers blossom-each with its own colour and beauty. Nowhere is there desire. When desires are diminished, we blossom like flowers in our natural behaviour, nature, spreading joy.