Showing posts with label Character. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Character. Show all posts
Friday, June 5, 2009
All the troubles of the world are because of warped intelligence and wicked activity. That is why after diagnosing the cause of a disease, it should be attacked at its very roots. The best method of social-service is to rescue the people from lowly thinking and activity and direct them towards excellence. If people change their method, then on the strength of their tremendous inner capacity, they themselves can solve their backwardness and difficulties.
We should co-operate in directing their activities on to the good moral path. They should be led with such qualitative leadership that they will give up their destructive activities and themselves start taking interest in constructive works. The only way to self -development is that we spread our friendliness in a wider area. By considering others’ happiness as ours and their sorrow too as ours, let us think and act to reduce their sorrow and increase their happiness.
No man has that much capacity that he will employ all his wealth in removing others’ wants. Neither can the 24 hours of the day be employed for public-service. Even then, there should be a strong sentiment that after fulfilling our minimum requirements, all the remnants should be dedicated for the removal of societal backwardness, difficulties, wants and grief.
To-day the world has discarded the robe of excellence and replaced it with the cloak of meanness. Life itself has become hellish because of the entry of meanness in our method of thinking and working. Gradually we are proceeding towards collective suicide by being busy in internal squabbles, quarrels in homes, and mutual torture.
In such a situation, human race can be served in only one way, that is, it should be saved from illusory, indiscreet and immoral thinking and prepared to develop logical discretion and to take shelter of pure intelligence. In today’s situation, that is the greatest service to the society.
By revolutionary thinking, the current miserable condition can be changed and heaven made to descend on earth. There is unlimited strength in purity of thinking. Whenever thinking is done on any subject with purity in viewpoint, then a situation can be assessed in an impartial and neutral way and any decision taken is also in the interest of all.
Divinity is the natural quality in men which they have received right from their childhood. This divinity gradually gets lost only because of polluted thinking. Therefore refinement and purity in thinking is extremely necessary. Only those men are able to rouse discretionary thinking in people, who establish idealistic thinking for moral regeneration. It is our pious duty to include this excellence in our character.
Religiousness means religious conduct. To respect religion in every field oft life, to follow the injunctions of religion, is itself called religious conduct. ‘Dharma’ not only means religion (as regards spiritual science and worship), but it has several other meanings including ‘moral duty’; but unfortunately politicians and the so-called intellectuals are twisting the interpretation of the word ‘dharma’ to suit their selfish ends. In reality religion is beneficial to man in every field. The question of narrowness does not at all arise in religion. In fact religion contributes to a wide and vast viewpoint. Real religion does not talk of putting blindfolds on the eyes, but enjoins us to remove them. No religion produces jealousy, malice and such perversities. Religion in the real moral sense creates an atmosphere of good thinking and love. Religion and humanity are mutually complementary.
Man can never remain without religion, and religion cannot remain anywhere except in man. Religion means a rule for carrying out one’s responsibility, in other words, ‘self-accepted imposition for achieving excellence’. Every field of activity has its own ‘dharma’ such as, teacher’s dharma, student’s dharma, people’s dharma, leader’s dharma, soldier’s dharma, servant’s dharma, father’s dharma, women’s dharma etc. Religion does not mean mere worship or rituals.
Dharma is a symbol of the entire life, because it pervades every aspect of life. Dharma is good activities, good deeds and truthful conduct. A ‘dharmik’ man is a man of good conduct, is satisfied, quiet (at peace), disciplined and restrained. Never does he get angry, has no malice, does not ridicule others, nor disrespect others. His main qualities are mental purity, truthfulness in conduct and excellent sentiments-for public-welfare. A religious man does not show off his religion. He is busy in his duties with a quiet and unselfish attitude. He relies upon excellence in thinking and simplicity in life. He always utilizes his total capacity and insight for deeds of public-welfare and removes the obstacles in the path with patience and firmness. A life of simplicity propounds the ideal of high thinking. Prosperity lies
in simplicity only and in that only lies one’s reputation.
To disrespect religion is like discarding humanness and acknowledging animalness. For animals there is no religion except fulfilling the needs of their bodies. If an animal coming in the path creates an obstacle, then to drive it away with its horns, to frighten it or to kill it ( i.e. selfish survival) is the only ‘dharma’ of animals. Animals do not have a sense of respect, sentiments, discretion, tradition, society and culture. These exist for man only and therefore at every step in life he has to conduct himself according to the rules laid down in religion. The essence of religion lies only in obliging or helping others, mutual co-operation, compassion, and living together. Conduct according to the rules laid down in the religion is the only basis for excellent character.
!!! Will Continue !!!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Happiness is a serious business - both personally & professionally.
0 comments Posted by Bloggers World at 1:58 AMIts importance at personal level is easier to understand ; not so easy to appreciate but equally important is happiness of human capital to any organization's bottom line. Happy, healthy people create the ultimate competitive advantage. It makes a strong business sense. Stressed, negative, unfit, grumpy people will neutralize the advantage of any good technology or product.
Lasting happiness is the eternal quest of every form of life. Everything that we do – not just we humans, but other sentient forms of life also – is to find happiness. We earn to be happy, we spend to be happy ; we work to be happy, we take a break from work to be happy ; we wake up every morning to continue our search for happiness, and at night we retire to find happiness from the post- work restfulness of sleep - sleep is like an unconscious meditation. All our lives, we live in search of happiness, and through death we move on to other realms in the same perennial quest.
There can be no happiness without health, unless of course one has entirely transcended body consciousness, such as Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa who could dance in joy with a bleeding cancer in his throat had done, or Sri Ramana Maharshi, who too had cancer, but could smile in deep bliss. Such saints actually take the karma of their disciples to work out on their own bodies, out of their limitless compassion.
Now, physical health is impossible without a reasonably peaceful mind which in turn must be anchored in the reason of the intellect. The sensory mind which governs the five senses, is the lower mind, because it gets easily bribed by the sensory inputs. It only understands pleasure and pain. The discriminating intellect with all its reasoning faculty, is our higher mind, and it tries to tell the lower mind what is good for it and what is not, regardless of whether it is pleasurable or unpleasurable. Pain is an important part of life's learning, but suffering is optional through attitudes, through how we pertceive the challenge.
Right eating is crucial to good physical health. We become what we eat – the gross part of our food builds the body, the fine part (the subtle sattwic / rajasic / tamasic nature of what we eat) builds the mind. Fresh seasonal vegetables and fruits, nuts (esp. almonds), milk and milk products and well cooked cereals are good for us ; non- veg, preserved (`dead') food, processed and highly spiced foods should be abstained from. There are several scientific reasons in
favour of a vegetarian diet.
Equally important for good physical health is daily exercise. A doctor in the West recently said, if exercises could be packed in a pill, it will be the world's most selling drug. But it cannot be
done ; we just have to do them. Brisk walk, Yoga, cycling, swimming, playing outdoor games, light/moderate gym activity etc are great help. Controlled diet and daily exercise can effectively cure the dreaded modern disease of obesity with the offshoots of hypertension, diabetes, cardiac ailments etc. Daily adequate sleep and rest, good hygiene etc are also important to physical wellness.
Mental peace, so essential to sustained good physical health, is best obtained by daily Pranayama and an introspective management of ego-driven emotions. This will also keep our relationships healthy and promote all-round happiness.
So we see, happiness is not pleasure. It demands discipline that can be bitter in doing but sweet in results. When we eat and sleep right, love our work, do daily exercise and Pranayama, we shall gradually be closer to a purification where meditation becomes possible.
Meditation, coupled with right living and right activity, will introduce us to the true bliss – the ultimate happiness – at spiritual level. Then love becomes our nature and we always live in
an indescribable tranquility where multi-level wellness is a by- product.
The physical disciplines mentioned above, the right living principles, daily Pranayama and meditation will together create grounds for a lasting wellness and true happiness. Our bad habits will then fall off, uprooted from the field of consciousness like useless weeds. It is hard to re-engineer habits unless we develop our self-awareness and will. Habits are mental automatic machines, they force us to do things against our will. Pranayama and Meditation bring about what modern science calls 'neuro-plasticity of the brain' ; they re-wire the brain circuits and cauterize the brain cells, creating newer, better neural pathways.
So friends, happiness is our ultimate quest ; it is our serious business - both personally and professionally.
Cheers,
Reference:
Hans Dholakia
Lasting happiness is the eternal quest of every form of life. Everything that we do – not just we humans, but other sentient forms of life also – is to find happiness. We earn to be happy, we spend to be happy ; we work to be happy, we take a break from work to be happy ; we wake up every morning to continue our search for happiness, and at night we retire to find happiness from the post- work restfulness of sleep - sleep is like an unconscious meditation. All our lives, we live in search of happiness, and through death we move on to other realms in the same perennial quest.
There can be no happiness without health, unless of course one has entirely transcended body consciousness, such as Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa who could dance in joy with a bleeding cancer in his throat had done, or Sri Ramana Maharshi, who too had cancer, but could smile in deep bliss. Such saints actually take the karma of their disciples to work out on their own bodies, out of their limitless compassion.
Now, physical health is impossible without a reasonably peaceful mind which in turn must be anchored in the reason of the intellect. The sensory mind which governs the five senses, is the lower mind, because it gets easily bribed by the sensory inputs. It only understands pleasure and pain. The discriminating intellect with all its reasoning faculty, is our higher mind, and it tries to tell the lower mind what is good for it and what is not, regardless of whether it is pleasurable or unpleasurable. Pain is an important part of life's learning, but suffering is optional through attitudes, through how we pertceive the challenge.
Right eating is crucial to good physical health. We become what we eat – the gross part of our food builds the body, the fine part (the subtle sattwic / rajasic / tamasic nature of what we eat) builds the mind. Fresh seasonal vegetables and fruits, nuts (esp. almonds), milk and milk products and well cooked cereals are good for us ; non- veg, preserved (`dead') food, processed and highly spiced foods should be abstained from. There are several scientific reasons in
favour of a vegetarian diet.
Equally important for good physical health is daily exercise. A doctor in the West recently said, if exercises could be packed in a pill, it will be the world's most selling drug. But it cannot be
done ; we just have to do them. Brisk walk, Yoga, cycling, swimming, playing outdoor games, light/moderate gym activity etc are great help. Controlled diet and daily exercise can effectively cure the dreaded modern disease of obesity with the offshoots of hypertension, diabetes, cardiac ailments etc. Daily adequate sleep and rest, good hygiene etc are also important to physical wellness.
Mental peace, so essential to sustained good physical health, is best obtained by daily Pranayama and an introspective management of ego-driven emotions. This will also keep our relationships healthy and promote all-round happiness.
So we see, happiness is not pleasure. It demands discipline that can be bitter in doing but sweet in results. When we eat and sleep right, love our work, do daily exercise and Pranayama, we shall gradually be closer to a purification where meditation becomes possible.
Meditation, coupled with right living and right activity, will introduce us to the true bliss – the ultimate happiness – at spiritual level. Then love becomes our nature and we always live in
an indescribable tranquility where multi-level wellness is a by- product.
The physical disciplines mentioned above, the right living principles, daily Pranayama and meditation will together create grounds for a lasting wellness and true happiness. Our bad habits will then fall off, uprooted from the field of consciousness like useless weeds. It is hard to re-engineer habits unless we develop our self-awareness and will. Habits are mental automatic machines, they force us to do things against our will. Pranayama and Meditation bring about what modern science calls 'neuro-plasticity of the brain' ; they re-wire the brain circuits and cauterize the brain cells, creating newer, better neural pathways.
So friends, happiness is our ultimate quest ; it is our serious business - both personally and professionally.
Cheers,
Reference:
Hans Dholakia
Monday, March 30, 2009
Self-appraisal
A little boy went into a drug store, reached for a soda carton and pulled it over to the telephone. He climbed onto the carton so that he could reach the buttons on the phone and proceeded to punch in seven digits.
The store-owner observed and listened to the conversation: The boy asked, "Lady, Can you give me the job of cutting your lawn? The woman replied, "I already have someone to cut my lawn."
"Lady, I will cut your lawn for half the price of the person who cuts your lawn now." replied boy. The woman responded that she was very satisfied with the person who was presently cutting her lawn.
The little boy found more perseverance and offered, "Lady, I'll even sweep your curb and your sidewalk, so on Sunday you will have the prettiest lawn in all of Palm beach, Florida." Again the woman answered in the negative.
With a smile on his face, the little boy replaced the receiver. The store-owner, who was listening to all, walked over to the boy and said, "Son... I like your attitude; I like that positive spirit and would like to offer you a job."
The little boy replied, "No thanks, I was just checking my performance with the job I already have. I am the one who is working for that lady, I was talking to!"
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
"I am in desperate need of help -- or I'll go crazy. We're living in asingle room -- my wife, my children and my in-laws. So our nerves are onedge, we yell and scream at one another. The room is a hell.""Do you promise to do whatever I tell you?" said the Master gravely."I swear I shall do anything."
"Very well. How many animals do you have?"
"A cow, a goat and six chickens.""Take them all into the room with you. Then come back after a week."
The disciple was appalled. But he had promised to obey! So he took theanimals in. A week later he came back, a pitiable figure, moaning, "I'm anervous wreck. The dirt! The stench! The noise! We're all on the verge ofmadness!""Go back," said the Master, "and put the animals out."
The man ran all the way home. And came back the following day, his eyessparkling with joy. "How sweet life is! The animals are out. The homeis a Paradise, so quiet and clean and roomy!"
Anthony de Mello, SJ
Most of us are just about as happy as we make up our minds to be.
-Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)
The disciple couldn't wait to tell the Master the rumor he had heard in themarketplace."Wait a minute," said the Master. "What you plan to tell us, is it true?""I don't think it is.""Is it useful?""No, it isn't.""Is it funny?""No.""Then why should we be hearing it?"
The disciple couldn't wait to tell the Master the rumor he had heard in themarketplace."Wait a minute," said the Master. "What you plan to tell us, is it true?""I don't think it is.""Is it useful?""No, it isn't.""Is it funny?""No.""Then why should we be hearing it?"
Anthony de Mello, SJ
Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.
--Henry David Thoreau
A gambler once said to the Master, "I wascaught cheating at cards yesterday, so mypartners beat me up and threw me out of thewindow. What would you advise me to do?"The Master looked straight through the manand said, "If I were you, from now on Iwould play on the ground floor."This startled the disciples. "Why didn't youtell him to stop gambling?" they demanded."Because I knew he wouldn't," was the Master'ssimple and sagacious explanation.
A gambler once said to the Master, "I wascaught cheating at cards yesterday, so mypartners beat me up and threw me out of thewindow. What would you advise me to do?"The Master looked straight through the manand said, "If I were you, from now on Iwould play on the ground floor."This startled the disciples. "Why didn't youtell him to stop gambling?" they demanded."Because I knew he wouldn't," was the Master'ssimple and sagacious explanation.
Anthony de Mello, SJ
We hang the petty thieves and appoint thegreat ones to public office.
--Aesop, Greek fabulist
Friday, March 20, 2009
An Inspirational Story
This happened many many summers ago.
There was a young flower in the desert where all was dry and sad looking...It was growing by itself...enjoying every day...and saying to the sun "When shall I be grown up"? And the sun would say "Be patient"---Each time I touch you,you grow a little"...And she was so pleased.Because she would have a chance to bring beauty to this corner of sand...And this is all she wanted to do---bring a little bit of beauty to this world.
One day the hunter came by---and stepped on her.---She was going to die---and she felt so sad.Not because she was dying ---but because she would not have a chance to bring a little bit of beauty to this corner of the desert.
The great spirit saw her, and was listening.---Indeed,he said ...She should be living...And he reached down and touched her---and gave her life.
And she grew up to be a beautiful flower...and this corner of the desert became so beautiful because of her.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Two men were traveling together, when a bear suddenly met them on their path. One of them climbed up quickly into a tree, and concealed himself in the branches. The other, seeing that he must be attacked, fell flat on the ground, and when the Bear came up and felt him with his snout,and smelt him all over, he held his breath, and feigned the appearance of death as much as he could.
The Bear soon left him, for it is said he will not touch a dead body. When he was quite gone, the other traveler descended from the tree, and, accosting his friend, jocularly inquired"what it was the Bear had whispered in his ear?" His friend replied: "He gave me this advice: Never travel with a friend who deserts you at the approach of danger."
Misfortune tests the sincerity of friends
Sunday, January 25, 2009
"Everything can be taken from a man but one thing; the last of the human freedoms-to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way."
Viktor Frankl
Attitude is everything!! Yes, Everything.!!
It is more vital than events. It's more important than what's happened. Because attitude determines whether we are happy or unhappy, fulfilled or empty, the positive perspective assures us that we can never fail. A hopeful attitude guarantees internal success. Attitude- the altitude adjuster determines whether we fly high or low, crash or soar, glide or slide.
Anybody can have a positive attitude when things are going well. What really matters is its how you act when things are going badly that determines the strength of your character. An appropriate attitude means feeling hopeful in challenging times. Stop yourself. Count your blessings. Look for the good.
Attitude is everything!! Yes, Everything.!!
It is more vital than events. It's more important than what's happened. Because attitude determines whether we are happy or unhappy, fulfilled or empty, the positive perspective assures us that we can never fail. A hopeful attitude guarantees internal success. Attitude- the altitude adjuster determines whether we fly high or low, crash or soar, glide or slide.
Anybody can have a positive attitude when things are going well. What really matters is its how you act when things are going badly that determines the strength of your character. An appropriate attitude means feeling hopeful in challenging times. Stop yourself. Count your blessings. Look for the good.
Here are the magnificent 7 ways to improve your attitude:
Choose to be Enthusiastic
Corporate presidents voted it the most valuable personality trait. It's the biggest single factor in successful selling. Think enthusiastically. Talk enthusiastically. Become enthusiastic by acting enthusiastic. Your thoughts and actions establish your level of enthusiasm.
Be Alive to Everything You Do
Walk fast. Put a bounce in your step. A vigorous, hearty handshake indicates you are glad to be alive and happy to be with the other person. A good smile radiates enthusiasm. Put spirit into your speech by varying the tempo, raising and lowering the pitch, changing the tone and modulation. Force yourself to act with enthusiasm, and soon you will feel enthusiastic.
Broadcast Good News
No one ever made a friend or accomplished anything worthwhile by transmitting bad news. Good news, on the other hand, promotes good will and spreads enthusiasm. The message, "Hey! I've got good news" gets the attention of everyone. Take sunshine to school or work. Always aim to make the person you talk to feel better than they otherwise would.
The Power of Visualization
Imagination powerfully influences successful outcomes. When imagination and willpower compete, the imagination always wins. Force of will never keep you striving for success, but proper visualization will. All peak performers visualize success. Before you try to do anything, close your eyes and visualize yourself doing it well.
Positive Self-Talk
What did you say to yourself today? Did you moan and groan about everyone at school or work? Did you complain about your parents to your best friend? What we think is 100% reflected in how we feel. If all we think about is negative thoughts, our actions will be negative. Remember "I'm a 10! I'm Healthy! Wealthy! Happy! I do what I ought to do, when I ought to do it, whether I want to or not! No Debate! I love me!"
Love Others
How can we become more loving? By bringing encouragement, optimism, and hope to all that we meet. By helping others feel comfortable in our presence; by spreading joy and goodwill; by being concerned about the wishes and desires of others; by understanding, caring, accepting, and forgiving; by becoming more concerned about helping others achieve their individual desires.
Go, choose your Attitude and choose your own way!
SOME MEN SEE THINGS AS THEY ARE, AND ASK "WHY"
SOME MEN SEE THINGS THAT ARE NOT, AND ASK "WHY NOT" -
GEORGE BERNARDSHAW
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Meaning Of Peace
There once was a king who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The king looked at all the pictures. But there were only two he really liked, and he had to choose between them.
There once was a king who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The king looked at all the pictures. But there were only two he really liked, and he had to choose between them.
One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror for peaceful towering mountains all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace.
The other picture had mountains, too. But these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky, from which rain fell and in which lightning played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all.
But when the king looked closely, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush a mother bird had built her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest - in perfect peace.
Which picture do you think won the prize? The king chose the second picture. Do you know why?
"Because," explained the king, "peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace."
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