My First Visit to Sri Badrika Ashram

 Pranaam!! due to God's grace, I got calling to visit Sri Badrika Ashram from 26th Nov to 29th Nov, 2022. So, I visited the Ashram with family. I can say with full conviction that this place is heaven on earth. Its location, beautiful and green mountains, river, ambience, the people in Ashram...Everything was so good and well maintained. Initially during planning for journey, I had doubts regarding comfortable stay in Ashram as I was going with small kids. Had it not been comfortable for kids, it would have been a bit different experience as a whole. The room was so good with excellent heating provisions. All in the family had mild cough when We started journey from Delhi. After reaching ashram, in one day, cough miraculously disappeared. It must be due to fresh air and zero pollution there. We are fortunate to see clear blue sky and shining stars in the sky in night. Generally, I am shy to interact Suo moto to strangers, but I interacted freely with fellow devotees came from across the world. We exchanged numbers with some of them. We chatted sitting near to book shop around bonfire every night almost till 11:45 PM. Before that I did meditation in day and in night after discourse and Aarati. The impact within is huge. The guided meditation sessions in the morning were so nice that I am overwhelmed and felt very blessed. I was lucky to get personal audience from Pujya Swami ji. I was in pain to see very hectic schedule of Swami ji to meet so many people in the evening but still he was so kind to provide patient hearing to every seeker who has applied for it. Discourses were excellent and contained deep meaning to ponder. I am fortunate to receive few books signed by Pujya Swami ji. I met Sri Rajiv ji who is so humble and kind. He was taking care of almost all the logistics effortlessly. It appears that Ashram is running in auto-pilot mode with clockwork precision. Everything is timed and is being followed professionally. My kids enjoyed volunteering for garbage collection drive on the bank of river. I saw Diya Om ji and Sadhvi Vrinda Om along with other disciples too. They were very busy so did not feel appropriate to disturb them without any valid reasons.

      I left ashram yesterday with heavy heart and lot of sweet memories with a deep desire to return to this place as soon as possible. When there is positivity around with presence of Sri Hari, it creates effect of a huge magnet. Though, with physical body, I am sitting in my office in Delhi, but heart and soul is still in Badrika Ashram thinking about what must be going on there. Life is very short so it should be enjoyed and celebrated thoroughly. If we can enjoy it as per our Sanskar and Sanatan traditions, nothing can be as beautiful. I think we as a family returned from Ashram as bit wiser and full of compassion. The biggest take away from this trip is 'Work Hard...Do things as if no tomorrow at our disposal'...Today, there must be grand celebration of birthday of Pujya Swami ji. I wish him a very happy birthday. May Sri Hari bless him with long life.

A small act of kindness brought Infinite happiness

 Pranaam!!I met one beautiful couple few days ago who came from one European country [to maintain privacy name, place and country is not mentioned]. They were enjoying woods and solitude, fresh air, fresh water and complete freedom given by Indian constitution [which is denied in their country as told by them]. They were overwhelmed and very satisfied soul. During interaction, I found that they belong to some country where government of the day is highly intolerant, so they have migrated to other country and working in some company where salary is not very good. They said that despite of not many resources, they are able to travel the world and have explored different places. I thought how lucky they are. I felt pity on myself who has millions of excuses to not to travel abroad. We exchanged numbers on departure and wishes best time with a promise to meet again in near future. During adieu, they said that they are going to visit some historically significant place before leaving India. 

      After few days, in early morning I have received one disturbing message on my WhatsApp from this couple. I immediately called them to inquire. I was stunned to know their ordeal in that particular historical town. They were badly cheated by few miscreants in the name of shopping artifacts and other things. I was deeply pained from inside and felt very bad that due to few foolish people, our whole country gets very bad name. Indian government want to promote tourism but such bad behavior by some brings very bad name. I tried to pacify them and suggested some ways to recover their stolen amount. I also promised to put words to local police through my contacts there if issue is not resolved. After few hours, I checked with them, and they said that partial amount looted from them has been recovered. I was relieved slightly. The couple thanked me profusely for listening their ordeal. Sometimes, even listening patiently somebody's' difficult issue have soothing impact on the victims.

           I further inquire about their plans. They said that they are moving to another historical town for only one day and afterwards they will depart to their country. So, as a precaution, I advised few things keeping in mind the possible scenario of repetition of cheating episode. They want to buy some local products from this new place. So, I enquired from my local contacts there and send the address and location so that they can get quality products at reasonable price. Further I asked them if any other assistance is required from my side. During discussion, I got the feeling that they are finding trouble in getting good transport back to Delhi at reasonable price. So, I offered from my side that I will arrange transport for which they need not worry as they have already lost good amount of money so as a guest of my country, I will arrange the transport as a departing gift. My idea was to make them feel welcomed, valued and cared so that They can leave this country with a positive note and forget about their ordeal in one historical town. So, I arranged one SUV for them. I transferred some advance booking amount to the vehicle owner and gave him clear instruction to not to disclose the actual fare to the guests. The driver reached at their hotel before reporting time. They felt overwhelmed by seeing nicely dressed driver with clean big vehicle. The couple continued asking me the amount to be paid to the vehicle. I requested them to forget about it. But they were insisting too much. I thought that they might feel otherwise so I sent message to the driver to disclose only half of the fare amount to them as actual fare as I have already transferred half of it. They landed Delhi safely. The couple would never come to know about my partial transfer of amount to taxi guy.

      Though this is a very small gesture from my side, and I don't have any intention to glorify myself by sharing this story but the point I want to make here is the amount of happiness I got within to help them at a time when they need it. One can imagine an ordeal in foreign unknown land and how one must be feeling in such pathetic and sad situations. I think this small gesture of help immensely impacted me. I felt that doing a kind act without expecting anything in return gives you true happiness. That is exactly the message being given by Pujya Swami ji in his discourses that one should always be kind and compassionate. 

Thank God, We got birth in India... Long live India

 Pranaam!! During my stay in Sri Badrika Ashram, I met one devotee Mehreen who is living in Netherland at present and originally hails from Iran. [To maintain privacy name is changed]. We interacted only once in Ashram and somehow felt connected and therefore exchange contact details. Yesterday, I was very happy to receive them at my residence for dinner before their departure to Netherland. Mehreen is very fun loving and carry very beautiful smile always on her face. She was accompanied by her husband who hails from Norway. He is very silent type guy and appears to be in continuous meditative state. Due to Delhi's chilling weather, they preferred to sit in drawing hall. She complimented me for a beautiful and big house in the heart of New Delhi. It is government house, so I told her that all credit to government. During discussion, I found a chain of awful episodes and brave stories of Mehreen's life back in Iran. She was a social activist which was not acceptable to the regime there. She was arrested once and sent to prison for one day for violating social norms which was very disturbing to me. She said that moral policing is a very big and problematic issue there.

               Suddenly, one night, she got wind of some massive crackdown by Iranian authority against social activists. She was frightened and she ran from her home alone without even carrying her purse or pair of clothes. She was hardly of 15 yr old that time. She crossed Iraq that night. She searched manual job in Iraq and started working there. Since, she was living near Iran-Iraq border area, so it was difficult for Iraqi authority to distinguish her as physical features and language were almost same. Since, she did not have any document with her, it was getting difficult to move to any other country. During her stay in Iraq, Mehreen told me that her mother used to send lot of things secretly through tourist bus driver. Bus driver used to charge money for this service and transport eatables to Mehreen in Iraq.  In between, war broke out in Iraq, and she was forced to take refuge in nearby country Turkey. She lived in refugee camp for some time and then she escaped to one European country and stayed for long in refugee camp there. She was alone and facing all this alone only. She was unable to contact her parents as authority was watching every conversation in Iran. After some time, she came to know that her father died. Now, only her mother and brother live in Iran.

       She finally landed in Norway and want to join nursing. For that, for one year she learnt local language for six months and then took admission in nursing course. In between for survival, she did baby sitting and other manual work. Authority took very long time to give her citizenship in absence of any document to prove her identity. Once, authority established that she would be prosecuted in Iran on her return, they bestowed her the citizenship. After few years, she met the guy and decided to marry him. They don't have any plan to extend their family. They are living happily in Amsterdam now. The thing which pained me very much that from last so many years, she was unable to talk to her mother in fear of reprisal from authority. Later, she came to know that all her friends were prosecuted.

     It was very heavy discussion in drawing room, so we moved in dining area for Indian vegetarian dinner. Hope, they liked our preparation. After the dinner, I took them to Bengali market near mandi house. She ate kulfi, Gol-guppas and Rasmalai. Almost everything both of them liked very much. Finally, I brought them to Pan Shop and requested them to taste it. They were ready to experiment with this unique Indian thing and felt very nice after chewing the Pan...It was almost 10:30PM and they need to catch flight today morning, so I dropped them at their hotel in Connaught place. We bid tearful farewell with very sweet memories of time spent together and promised to meet again in near future may be in Amsterdam during our visit or in Sri badrika Ashram .

   I returned to me residence after dropping them with deep thought that how much lucky we all of us are who are living a comfortable life with complete freedom. We are not encountering any moral police in the street, and we are not forced to run in midnight to save our life. We are lucky to not to encounter any situation where we are forced to live in refugee camp. I profusely thank God/Sri Hari for a beautiful life. This is the regular message of Pujya Om Swami ji to be full of gratitude all the time. We should focus more on what we have and not what we don't have. That is the way to be happy. The remarkable thing which I noticed about Mehreen is that she is always smiling and laughing while narrating her difficult times. I have learnt a lot from Mehreen. She is a very brave lady. They have plans to roam around the world and visit different places. She has already visited numerous countries. She also has plans to learn a new language. Right now, she knows five languages which is very impressive feat. I wish her a very beautiful life ahead. 

Singing about Guru brings immense happiness

 Pranaam!! I got the opportunity to visit Sri Badrika ashram on 26th Nov,2022. I liked everything there and every moment spent there is vividly imprinted in my memory. I miss the divinity existing there and time spent in meditation Infront of Sri Hari...Though, I am following Swami ji through his blog, videos and books since 2015, but got the calling in 2022 only. On return, I bought several books to gift to my friends, relatives and known whoever has any inclination towards spirituality and wellbeing. My special focus is on 'If truth be told' book written by Puja Swami ji as for a beginner it gives huge mental impact and generate curiosity to search more and more about Pujya Swami ji. Though, I am still not initiated but mentally I think I have reached the stage beyond that in terms of belief and surrender to Pujya Swami ji. Yesterday, I invited to one of my friends whom I met very recently in one social gathering and gifted him the book 'If truth be told'...During our brief sitting yesterday evening, I was telling him about the divine powers and grace and all about Swami ji. I felt so good which I can't express in words. The 20 minutes meeting with my friend brought me huge happiness inside. I was pondering that how truthful are the words of Swami ji that each and every advice given by Swami ji brings so much happiness if followed properly. Surprisingly or may be a coincidence, after finishing my today's meditation on black lotus, I clicked on act of kindness menu, and it throws me the 'act of gifting book' option which I already did yesterday. I found one more thing that it is always pleasant to sing about the Swami ji Infront of a third person. It brings huge joy inside. I think this is the crux of Bhakti movement also where devotees sang praise about their deity. This seems a short cut to attain happiness. Gifting something pious without expecting anything in return is a nice thing to do.    

Ocean of wisdom...meditation...self purification

 Pranaam!! Recently, I subscribed to the virtual sessions on ' Art of meditation' and engrossed in it so much that I completed the full course in a very short span of time. I got to know the finer nuances of meditation and its pre-requisites. I am amazed the lucid way Swami ji explained the whole subject. I also realized the importance of correct posture for good meditation sessions. In the same course, I also realized the importance of compassion, empathy, love and virtuous life for real growth in spiritual world. Therefore, I subscribed to another beautiful course on ' Self purification'. It is 15 days long course dealing with ten major aspects of life such as Desire, krodh, lobh etc. Swamiji beautifully explained the difference between Trishna and simple desire. I believe that after this course, I will be a better person who is more kind, gentle and compassionate. Infact, these courses are ocean of wisdom. I also go the clarity that there is no shortcuts to self-purification and good meditation. I need to work hard and practice it every day. It will be 'work in progress' for long time but I can be successful if I do it diligently and regularly with determination and motivation. I got the glimpse of Sadhvi Virnida ji in this course who is co-piloting this purification course. I am immensely grateful to God and Sri Hari for giving me opportunity and necessary resources to explore these beautiful teaching sessions. Foremost is the desire to change myself and desire to grow spiritually. Necessary resources may be available with many but a genuine desire to make mid-way corrections under the guidance of self-realized Saint is rarest of rare thing and which may be the outcome of some previous good karma. I read somewhere that the evolution of desire to go for even darshan of any Saint comes as an outcome of good karma. I don't know what the good karma I did in the past for which I am reaping the benefits right now. 

        I urge all the reader of this post to explore the virtual retreat section of os.me blog and get the glimpse of these beautiful teaching sessions. It has the power to transform the life. We need to find our own truth. It will come only under the guidance of experts on the subject. Who else can I find better than Swami ji? Every day, I am getting the vibes of peace and tranquility as I am continuously using black lotus. I can imagine how Swamiji must be experiencing the bliss in his day-to-day life and why he is working so hard to offer this bliss to the world. Now it is our turn to make use of it and get the benefits. 

A Prayer That Never Fails

 Pranaam!! I have just finished this wonderful book  " A prayer that never fails' written by Sadhvi Vrinda Om ji. I have not read any book written with so much honesty. I can relate with many incidences mentioned here. It needs tons of courage to write so truthfully. I congratulate Sadhvi ji for showing such courage to the world. I think it can be great guide for a common man like me to start a journey of self-purification and achieve great height in spiritual world. As mentioned in the book, it is a hard and arduous journey one needs to travel. Without continuous and hard work, nothing will happen in reality. The techniques given in the book on self-purification and taming our mind are beautiful. It is a very interesting and though provoking book. I strongly recommend all the reader of this post to immediately grab this book and read it if not done so far. I am in deep contemplation right now and have very few words to write further. May Sri Hari give her strength and wisdom to write many more wonderful books in time to come.

Deciphering the Message of Pujya Swami Ji...Herculean Task

 Pranaam!! I have started re-reading the blog posts of Swami ji. Though I have read maximum of blog posts written by Swami ji earlier but to recapitulate and for deeper understanding, I started re-reading these posts from the beginning i.e. from very first post written on 7th June,2011 under the title 'My truth'. My experience is simply mind blowing. A deep contemplation and wider understanding are needed to fully grasp the hidden message in these articles. Though on the face of it, it looks like a small post, but if I try to delve on it, it is as deep as Ocean and may be much deeper than the Ocean. My small mind with limited capacity generally loses the patience to go further. I used to think that I have the capacity to decipher the message quickly which is not true. After clearing Civil Services Examination [which is considered as toughest exam in India], such false sense of pride generally falls on the person who clears it. In many failed attempts to get something out of the written blogs by Swami ji, i take pause and try to re-read what is written. I amused sometimes, how wonderfully Swami ji has woven the language with so much of wisdom in few lines. 

  On helplessness of my mind, I recall the beautiful lines of famous Aarati....

                                                                              "....    मैं मूरख खल कामी

                                                                                 मैं सेवक तुम स्वामी,

                                                                                   कृपा करो भर्ता...."

         Actually, I seek Kripa of Swami ji to fully understand the real meaning of what is written. It seems that Swami ji has answered almost all possible questions which may arise in anybody's mind. I visited Sri Badrika Ashram last month and that time I had few queries in my mind. During personal audience, I thought to ask those questions but due to paucity of time, I could not ask those questions. Now see, on reading these posts, I found that Swami ji has already replied to those questions in detail. Thank God, I did not raise those questions at that time to waste energy of Swami ji.

      I think before even thinking about any question to be raised before Swami ji, one should browse Os.me blog for its reply first. It is highly possible that a detailed answer must be available on the blog/ you tube video/books. This will save precious time of Swami ji. I saw myself how Swami ji was fully occupied and got tired also due to the group meetings and personal audience. It can be minimized by reading and reading his blog/you tube videos/books first. 

     For example, I had several queries in my mind on the possibility of real Darshan of Goddess or Bhagwan to a normal person. Now see the beautiful and deep answer given by Swami ji in his very first post 'My Truth' [Originally sent on E-mail] which is as follows:

" If you believe that the Divine has a form, you can see his form in this very lifetime. If you believe that the Divine is formless, you can experience deep absorption (samadhi) in the foreseeable future. That is what I experienced multiple times. Your world is made up of your thoughts. If your world has a God in it and all your thoughts, all the time, are about Him, His very form will manifest before you.

If your world has bliss and all your thoughts, all the time, are focused on such bliss you will experience such bliss. That is a tough ask though because a perfectly stable and still mind is required to meditate on one thought for prolonged periods. It can be achieved with an initial intense effort."

   Completely bold out.....to understand this passage in real sense, a deep contemplation and intellectual analysis is required. The articles written by Swami ji looks like Shrimad Bhagavad gita which needs reading, re-reading and re-reading and re-reading to confer new meaning every time.

 I can see easily that time will come when research thesis will be written on Swami ji's work. Many universities across the globe will confer PhDs on successful research on Swamiji's writing as it is happening on the work of Tulsidas ji, Kabir Das ji and many other revered Saints of this Country at present. 

हज़ारों ख़्वाहिशें ऐसी कि हर ख़्वाहिश पे दम निकले

 Pranaam!! The title of this post is sourced from beautiful lines written by मिर्ज़ा ग़ालिब, a famous personality who needs no introduction. I quote

                                                             "  हज़ारों ख़्वाहिशें ऐसी कि हर ख़्वाहिश पे दम निकले

                                                                बहुत निकले मिरे अरमान लेकिन फिर भी कम निकले                                                              

                                                                 डरे क्यूँ मेरा क़ातिल क्या रहेगा उस की गर्दन पर

                                                                 वो ख़ूँ जो चश्म-ए-तर से उम्र भर यूँ दम-ब-दम निकले

                                                                  निकलना ख़ुल्द से आदम का सुनते आए हैं लेकिन

                                                                  बहुत बे-आबरू हो कर तिरे कूचे से हम निकले  

                                                                 भरम खुल जाए ज़ालिम तेरे क़ामत की दराज़ी का

                                                                अगर इस तुर्रा-ए-पुर-पेच-ओ-ख़म का पेच-ओ-ख़म निकले ........"

                Desire is a universal emotion among living beings. For some, it is a basis of growth in life. It can be utilized for betterment of life if monitored properly else it can ruin our life due to aggressive pursuit of desires. Once, human mind is overpowered by strong desires (greed), We tend to lose the control on our brain and consequent activities. We tend to forget what is moral and just in pursuit of desires. Therefore, it is very important to tame our mind through meditation so that we get the capacity to have control over our desires. I experienced it in my life several times that how a very strong desire damaged the sense of proportion and judgement. Eventually it brings sadness and confusion.

             As I have mentioned in my earlier post that I started to re-read the posts written by Pujya Swami ji. In year 2011, Swami ji has written a very beautiful blog on the DNA of desire. It can be read under the title " The DNA of Desires..One desire leads to another. Like the human DNA, desires have their own DNA. Awareness is the key to tame them." It is a beautiful blog with a funny story. The message given in the funny story is very important. One can easily understand the desire and its impact on overall life.  

Urge for Self Transformation??

 Pranaam!! after my return from Sri Badrika Ashram, I am spending my time more on reading spiritual books, meditation, reading blog posts of Swami ji, attending course on self-purification and art of meditation. So many things in a stretch brought immense satisfaction and peace of mind though with occasional unwanted period of disturbances and mental turpitudes. Afterall, old habits die hard. In my attempt to re-reading old blog posts of Swami ji, I found very interesting post on 'Self Transformation". I thought to share it for the benefit of all the seekers who might find it useful.

                       It is a series of posts by Swami ji. I am finding it extremely useful for all the seekers who want to achieve permanent peace. This series of blogs started in year 2011 and continues in the year 2012. In the beginning Swami ji discussed in length on 'Mauna: The Practice of Observing Silence'. These articles are full of wisdom, deep meaning and provides solutions in a very easy language which can be followed by anyone working or non-working person. The only condition is the discipline to follow the prescription. I found a very beautiful line by Swami ji in one article  "The urge to talk arises directly from the restless mind '. In spiritual growth, mind is the key point where one needs to focus all the time as it is the origin of every wanted or unwanted though. If we can control or tamed it with keen observation, it would be easy to tread the path of self-transformation with swiftness. I hope that my journey on self-transformation path will be successful with blessings of Swami ji owing to the constraint of my profession and other worldly affairs. I wish every reader of this post to start this beautiful journey at the earliest.

Small Act of Kindness

 Pranaam!! I have one family living with me at my residence in New Delhi which have designated descent helper's quarter. The family comprises fun loving and humble couple with young and adorable daughter named Binni. Her mother is our cook who makes delicious food. Her father works as a driver in some private firm.  Binni is very cute and studies in class-4. I have my younger son aged 4yrs. He is fond of Binni as she used to come inside our living area and plays with my younger son. Today is the Birthday of Binni. Before leaving to office, I asked my spouse to arrange surprise party to the kids at home along with Cake. My wife organized a small surprise party to Binni with lot of balloons in the garden area. Though I am sitting in my office and unable to see the function Live but when I spoke to my wife on phone to check out the happening at home, i was able to listen the laughter and noise behind. I can sense the charged atmosphere at my residence. I am feeling very happy to organize a birthday function for the daughter of my helper without whom I am unable to function properly. I am grateful for their devoted service for my family. This small gesture makes her parents very happy. My kids are happy and of course Binni is very very happy. I am feeling very happy. It appears that being kind has exponential effect. If you invest one unit of effort it bounced back with 100 unit of happiness i believe. That is why, Swami ji always preach for being kind always. To my surprise, I received one notification in my E-mail today with subject "os.me Digest: Ho! Ho! Ho! " Which has the link for one blog post written by Swami ji  on "The Opposite of Kindness". It is a very beautiful post on kindness which has one heart touching story of old women selling walnuts on the road. I feel that kindness is one of the virtues if one can inculcate in oneself, most of his/her problem will sort out immediately. I am working on this aspect seriously. I wish Binni a very happy Birthday and bright future. Comments are welcome.

Grateful..Grateful....What else??

 Pranaam!! Last weekend, I visited the place in western Uttar Pradesh for some family function. Since, it is very cold nowadays, I saw people sitting around fire to make themselves comfortable. I saw kids running on the field. Some have shoes and some not. Lot of village people don't have adequate woolen clothes to cover their body. I got so emotional by seeing the state road transport bus whose windows were not properly closed and people were travelling in that bus including kids. All of them must be feeling very cold and uncomfortable. I was travelling in SUV which is fitted with advance gazettes. Instant sense of gratitude and emotion of gratefulness filled my heart. In the day-to-day life when we think that we are struggling a lot to maintain our lifestyle, we tend to forget that how our life is comfortable which might be a distant dream of millions of people. In one post Swami ji wrote a beautiful article on 'Wake up-Time is running out'. It has very deep meaning for each one of us regarding life and how to live it. As I started reading further, I am getting the significance of the concept of feeling grateful all the time. As Swami ji wrote in one post "No matter how terrible things may be, there is still plenty everyone has to be grateful for. Being grateful for what you have helps you to be positive and strong". It is such a powerful and beautiful message.  

    On my return journey I bought some good quantity of  peanuts from road side vendor. I ate some of them. I liked the sound when I crack the cover to take out the peanuts. They were very tasty and specially in winter. When I reached my residence at New Delhi in late night, lady employed at my residence opened the gate with a very warm welcome smile. I thanked her for her presence at the odd hours of winter night. Since, it was very chilled outside, so I thought to gift all those remaining peanuts to her. She felt so happy to receive these peanuts to crack and eat at leisure. Such small acts of giving makes me so happy from inside. That's the reason, Swami ji always preach to give,give and give. That is the surest path of happiness I believe.  

     Last week, I read on Os.me, one heart touching experience of Diya Om ji in Kenya and how she felt grateful for everything she has in her life. The similar emotions overpowered me during my visit last weekend. I am just grateful, grateful and grateful for everything I have in my life and pray to Shri Hari to bless everyone with happiness and comfort.    

Are You Losing Track on the Path of Sadhana??

 Pranaam!! Sometimes, I experience wave of emotions full of negativity or depressing thoughts. Then times come, when everything looks so awesome, beautiful and divine. I start doubting whether I have split personality issue. How is it possible that within same person, a deep emotion of spirituality emerges and sometime tsunami of negative and all bad thoughts strikes at lightning speed. 

     After reading the numerous posts of Swami ji and going through discourses, I realized that such things are very common. Nothing to worry about it. Infact, I don't have any split personality, I strongly believe. The average human mind experienced 60000 thoughts in 24 Hrs as per Swami ji. So, thoughts per se are not good or bad. It is the nature of mind to enjoy negative thoughts. Thoughts will come and go. We need to be alert and mindful all the time to filter our thoughts. If we try to control the incoming flow of thoughts, we might not be successful. However, if we can be just remain spectator of these waves of thoughts, then we may experience that suddenly the speed of incoming thoughts decreases. We can imagine our mind as a football field and thought as a football. One thought in the form of football comes in, it bounces over the grass on field and moves out of field. Then another thought in the form of football comes in and bounce back. We are silently watching the bouncing of our thoughts. Is not it a beautiful imagination? So, key is being mindful. If we are mindful, then we would not be chasing a particular thought and we will not engage with it. Because engaging with a particular thought is dangerous as it will start a karmic cycle as we will pursue to achieve the objective of that thought particularly if it is for wrong things. Therefore, I realized that whenever I feel to lose the track in Sadhana, I need to work on my mindfulness quotient through meditation and devotion with discipline. Sometimes, I feel that loosing mindfulness in between must be the reason behind downfall of some of the famous Saints (If I can call them so) in India in last few years. Since, human mind is always an erratic organ which tries to engage and enjoy negative thoughts, so if someone stops being mindful then whoever he or she may be, will definitely fall prey to such negative thought and in that course, might lose the track of Sadhana.

   So, the crux of my reading so far is to be mindful and alert always. For that, I need to work upon my meditation sessions routinely. I need to be kind and grateful all the time. This is my take on the above topic. Comments are welcome.

Is 'Chhota Recharge' Required Frequently??

 Pranaam!! Yesterday, I had a very beautiful and fruitful evening. I visited Sri Badrika Ashram in the month of November this year. We accidentally met few devotees on the tea shop located outside the Ashram. We exchanged numbers. Last week, I thought to invite these devotees on dinner so that I can get some opportunity to discuss about Swami ji and various other spiritual talk. They obliged my invitation and visited my residence yesterday evening. I was very happy to receive them. We discussed various issues ranging from our native place, present profession, international and domestic politics but 95 % of our time spent on discussing about the Ashram and Swami ji. This is one of its kind get together. We all were so happy to describe our own deep connect with Swami ji. Generally, in such social gatherings, chit-chat surrounding with unnecessary topics usually happens but yesterday it was all about Swami ji and how to grow spiritually. Is not it beautiful?

                 In such a materialistic time horizon, four of us were sitting and discussing about spiritual growth and wellbeing of everyone. During discussion, a thought came into my mind and immediately I shared it with the guests. I thought to share with all of you as well through this post. During spiritual journey, sometimes We feel very high, and everything seems going well and suddenly without any exact reason, we start feeling low and might lose interest in doing any spiritual practices for time being. This is the right time when we should go for Ashram visit or attend Swami ji's discourse on whatever media possible. It can be termed as 'Chhota Recharge". Chhota Recharge is required to reinforce the wisdom and rejuvenate the desire for spiritual growth. It is a very normal phenomena most of us might be facing. So, nothing to worry about. Just go for Chhota Recharge.  If somebody who is living in the extreme materialistic world situation and want to achieve real spiritual growth, he/she need to frequently recharge himself/ herself by visiting Ashram, or reading books by Swami ji or watching HIS videos. It is essential because, one may not have so much of internal strength to face the realities of world without hampering his/her Sadhana. To strengthen it, one needs to go to Ashram in between and get himself/herself blessed with Sri Hari and Swami ji's darshan. This must be the reason behind the message of Sri Tulsidas ji when he wrote the following beautiful lines:

                                                  एक घड़ी आधी घड़ी ,आधी की पुनि आध , तुलसी संगत साधु की ,काटे कोटि अपराध।
  # भावार्थ -तुलसीदास जी ने सुसंगति के महत्त्व का बखान करते हुए कहा है कि साधू अर्थात् भले एवं सच्चे लोगों की अतिअल्प संगति भी हमारे जीवन से कई प्रकार के कल्मष एवम् पापों को हर लेती है।

It is always important to have good circle of friends or relative around as they influence one's internal psych..By visiting Ashram or reading about Swami ji and HIS books, the thought of being mindful, being kind and grateful reinforces again and again. We can be more mindful if we constantly remind ourselves to be so else the path of Sadhana is very slippery. We need to continuously monitor our thoughts and actions.

      The guests shared their journey of spiritual growth and learning and so I. I felt so blessed to have them at my residence yesterday. We parted at 11PM in the right with lot of happiness and best wishes to each other in our heart. I was thinking that how Swami ji is connecting strangers of similar interests. How Lotus app is bringing miraculous changes among masses. So many good things are happening around, so much of kindness is being spreaded on daily basis. The trigger point is Swami ji only. I wish all the devotees a very happy New year. I pray to Sri Hari that in the coming year, May I get the strength to self-purify myself and achieve greater heights in Sadhana. I wish all the devotees a blessed and peaceful year ahead. I wish a good luck to every fortunate soul who is already on the journey of Chhota Recharge in the Ashram this week.

Selfless Charity is Source of Happiness

 Pranaam!! I am writing a post after a long gap. Hope each one of you must be in pink of your health and attaining new heights in Sadhana and meditation continuously. I was not on sabbatical . I was writing L.L.B. 5th Semester Exam actually. After the exam, I went to my hometown to attend some social work. On the way to my home town I was reading Ram-charit-manas. I found the following Chaupai very meaningful [Though each and every line written has very deep meaning]

                        "कीरति भनिति भूति भलि सोई। सुरसरि सम सब कहँ हित होई॥"

                        भावार्थ-
                        कीर्ति, कविता और सम्पत्ति वही उत्तम है, जो गंगाजी की तरह सबका हित करने वाली हो।

I gave a deep thought over it and interpreted in a way that if you are a very famous man due to your wisdom, money power, political power or due to any other reason, if your name and fame is not doing  any welfare work to the masses then it is useless and meaningless. Similarly, you may be a good and famous writer but if your writing is not useful to the common man, then it is useless and meaningless. At the same time, you may be wealthy and may be minting millions of dollars every day but if this money or wealth in any form is not being used for the welfare of public then it is also useless and only accumulation of wealth which will bring problems in future.

      It is such a powerful line which made me think for very long time. Tulsidas ji was such a great saint who only can write such a beautiful and meaningful powerful lines with deep meaning. If we can follow his advice given in above Chaupai then world will be a very different place to live. This is the subtle meaning behind the myriad of discourses by Swami ji on Daan, Charity and being compassionate and loving. If we are not doing it, then we are in-fact wasting our life.

     Now coming to my own experience this past week. I went to my hometown. With the help of village Pradhan [Elected Village Chief], We identified 20 poor families and 40 other families who are poor and don't have enough resources to sustain their lives in a better way. We distributed 20 sewing machines to ladies of 20 different families and blankets to other 40 families. I was observing the faces of the recipients of these goods. They all were so happy to get these goods. The sewing machine can be a very important tool to make the rural woman self sufficient and empowered. They can stitch clothes and even can produce handkerchiefs and other daily usage items. By selling these things, they can have continuous source of income which will help their kids to study in good schools and can be helpful in medical emergency. It has been observed in several studies that whatever small some of money if one can generate continuously every month, it has huge multiplier effect on the whole family. One Sewing machine if properly used and maintained can help generations of same family. I hope, with the help of these sewing machines, at least We might be successful in making 20 ladies empowered which in turn might help average five other family members to live with dignity and self respect. 

            During the whole process of arranging this donation camp, I realised that the nature comes to support you from all sides. Due to cost competitiveness, We purchased the sewing machines from Kanpur. Now the questions was of safe transportation from Kanpur to this rural village which is around 120 Km from Kanpur. Suddenly, one of my friend called me and I discussed my problem with him and immediately he arranged safe transportation of goods with excellent packing free of cost. Similar other incidences happened during this charitable event where I realised the importance of giving. Nature tried to return me in multiples. I got so emotional that it is difficult to explain my feelings in words. I was full of gratefulness to Sri Hari [The experience I will share later on]. After the event, We all were so happy and felt peace in our heart. So the takeaway from my last week experience is give and give with both hands without expecting anything in return. Nature is bound to return to multiple times... Comments are welcome.

Hey, Are You Jealous After Seeing Progress of Others??

 Pranaam!! It generally happen that whenever We see the materialistic growth of somebody specially known one be it relative, close friend or even neighbour, the first feeling come to mind is of jealousy. If you are extremely kind and generous, then you might feel elated and happy else most of human being developed the emotion of jealousy. I used to feel very disturbed whenever I develop such negative emotions about others. I used to curse myself and used to think that my Sanskar is not good or I am not a good person. I am recalling a beautiful Chaupai ( चौपाई) on this emotion written by Tulsidas ji in Ram-charit-manas

             "जग बहु नर सर सरि सम भाई। जे निज बाढ़ि बढ़हि जल पाई॥
                सज्जन सकृत सिंधु सम कोई। देखि पूर बिधु बाढ़इ जोई॥"         

        भावार्थ-
                हे भाई! जगत् में तालाबों और नदियों के समान मनुष्य ही अधिक हैं, जो जल पाकर अपनी ही बाढ़ से बढ़ते हैं (अर्थात्‌ अपनी ही उन्नति से प्रसन्न होते हैं)। समुद्र सा तो कोई एक बिरला ही सज्जन होता है, जो चन्द्रमा को पूर्ण देखकर (दूसरों का उत्कर्ष देखकर) उमड़ पड़ता है॥

This चौपाई in-fact summarise the whole thing. Tulsidas ji categorised human beings in two types : one who are like pond or river and others (which are very few in numbers) are like Ocean. The first type feel happy on the growth of self only and second type feel happiness on the growth of others. So, the target of every one should be to fall in the second category. However this task is not very easy. It needs courage, discipline and self discovery.

      I attended the 'Self Purification" course available on os.me. This programme contains beautiful lessons by Swami ji and Vrinda Om ji.It has one lecture on Jealousy.It is a good course, one should attend if someone wants to go on journey of self purification. In some other lecture of Swami ji, I observed that Swami ji told that thoughts are as such not good or bad. Millions of thoughts come and go in a human mind very day. The problem starts when we start engaging with these random thoughts. So, I interpreted his message in a way that even if negative emotion of jealousy comes to your mind first, then you should not worry about it or must not feel bad about it. We should be mindful in such situation and we should immediately divert our attention from this negative emotion of jealousy and start thinking about good part of somebody against whom we developed a negative emotion just now or we can divert our attention to something else. Therefore, the easy way to fall in to the category of ''Ocean type'' as per Tulsidas ji, We need to be mindful always. To become mindful, We must meditate everyday. With practice and sincerely attending self purification path, we may start feeling less of emotion of jealousy and more emotion of happiness in the achievement or growth of  others. This is my take on above Chaupai (चौपाई)....comments are welcome.

जो मांगे ठाकुर अपने ते सोई सोई देवे.....

Dear Bloggers.... I got up early morning today and went to drop my elder Son to school. On the return journey, I had the privilege to go to Nehru Park , a very beautiful and well maintained public park for running. I have the habit of listening some discourses by various saints available on you tube while running. From last many months, I am listening you-tube channel 'The Quest' apart from Swami ji's discourses. I got a very sad news as soon as I logged in to the channel about the demise of noted philosopher Sri Himmat Sinha ji. My heartfelt condolences. I was listening to him from last so many months and developed an emotional bond. He was probably 96 years old but had very sharp memory and had vast knowledge about our religious scriptures. The Quest channel tried to record his discourses on various topics. I am very grateful for this channel for recording and preserving his discourses for the benefit of mankind. I was deeply sad today in the morning. I though that it was very bad day for me.

          After completing my running, I sat in the park and completed my meditation routine on Black lotus app. I returned home with very heavy heart. I was not feeling good. However, I need to visit one school located near Khan Market  to enquire about admission of my younger son in pre- school. Getting admission in nursery is a very tough task in Delhi. I have applied in top three so called best schools ,two are located near Khan Market and one is located in Chanakyapuri area. Since, my elder Son is studying in a very prestigious school located in Chanakyapuri so on sibling basis, my younger son got admission there but my spouse was not happy as she wanted to get admission for my younger child in some other school. So, We both went to school near Khan market. In my heart, I was sad and thought that it is a futile effort to visit the school as I was almost sure that admission process is almost over and We will be getting negative response from school. I have Swami ji's hand made photograph in my dining area. Silently, I glanced at Swami ji's photograph and prayed ," please take care of this issue Swami ji". I was not bothered much about the admission as my kid already got admission in a very nice school at Chankyapuri. We went to the school at Khan market. To our surprise, the person came with admission form and asked us to fill the details. My spouse asked him whether we are getting admission today. He nodded in positive and asked us to submit the fee and other necessary documents quickly. We were not prepared for this surprise. Somehow, We arranged the documents and submitted the form. The school offered us the welcome letter for my younger son...... STOP....there is another surprise we got while filling the admission form  in the school itself. I got a call from admission office from another very prestigious school located near Khan market and asked me to report tomorrow morning to meet Principal for admission matter. It was full of surprises today.

       Though, my day started at a very sad note but due to Swami ji's blessings We got pleasant surprises one after other. In the month of December, when I was filling online admission form for my younger Son, I prayed silently to Swami ji that kindly bless my kid for his bright future. In fact, during my first visit to Ashram during the month of November, I was lucky to get the private audience from Swami ji and that time also We seek the blessing of Swami ji for our both the kids. When I got the surprises today as mentioned above, I felt so blessed and humbled that I can't explain in words. I am grateful to Swami ji and to almighty for everything happening in my life. There is so much struggle to get the admission of a kid in nursery in a good school in Delhi and here is a kid who are getting calls from three most prestigious schools of Delhi. What else the proof , Swami ji can give regarding his blessings to his followers. I am constantly reminding the beautiful Bhajan Swami ji used to sing in Ashram " जो मांगे ठाकुर अपने ते सोई सोई देवे,,जो मांगे ठाकुर अपने ते सोई सोई देवे".....It is my truth today....I wish the similar blessings in every one's life...God is so kind...the world is very beautiful...There is nothing to complain about...in fact we don't have any right to complain about anything..We need to return to the world multiple times of every good thing happening in our life.. We need to be kind..compassionate...loving....caring..be mindful....LIVE...LOVE...LAUGH ...Comments are welcome...I am quoting the lyrics of beautiful Bhajan below for readers benefit.

                                      जो मांगे ठाकुर अपने ते सोई सोई देवे
                                      जो मांगे ठाकुर अपने ते सोई सोई देवे
                                      नानक दस मुख ते जो बोले ईहा उहा सच होवय
                                      नानक दस मुख ते जो बोले ईहा उहा सच होवय
                                     जो मांगे ठाकुर अपने ते सोई सोई देवे
                                     जो मांगे ठाकुर अपने ते सोई सोई देवे

                                     चतुर दिसा कीनो बल अपना, सिर ऊपर कर धरयो
                                     चतुर दिसा कीनो बल अपना, सिर ऊपर कर धरयो
                                     जो मांगे ठाकुर अपने ते सोई सोई देवे
                                      जो मांगे ठाकुर अपने ते सोई सोई देवे

                                       किरपा कतख अवलोकन कीनो, दस का दुःख बिदारयो
                                       जो मांगे ठाकुर अपने ते सोई सोई देवे
                                       जो मांगे ठाकुर अपने ते सोई सोई देवे
                                       कंठ ले अवगुण सब मेटे, दयाल पुरख बकशिंद
                                       कंठ ले अवगुण सब मेटे, दयाल पुरख बकशिंद
                                       जो मांगे ठाकुर अपने ते सोई सोई देवे
                                       जो मांगे ठाकुर अपने ते सोई सोई देवे

Somebody is Saved from Exploitation

 Dear Bloggers! I have acquainted with one entrepreneur in Delhi. He is very down to earth and kind. He is in to manufacturing of bakery products. Some of the cakes manufactured by him are very popular. Last night, I got a panic call from him regarding one e-mail purported to be sent from one government office. I asked him to send me the screen shot of the mail. On the glance of it, I smelled it something wrong with the e-mail. I promised him to do something tomorrow whatever is possible in my capacity. I happened to know the top-level officer of that particular department, so I shared the screen shot of the E-mail to him. Fortunately, that officer took this matter promptly and enquired about it in the department. It was found that though that E-mail was sent by the proper officer from his official E-mail id but the content was not approved by his immediate superior which needs to be done as per the established procedure of law. When the reason was asked from that lower officer, he was not able to reply properly.

            Just now, I got a call from my friend with a very joyful voice. I asked him the reason. He told me that just few minutes back that officer who sent that threatening mail called him and asked the forgiveness profusely. He thanked me for all this. I felt humbled and thanked almighty for knowing the person in that department by chance who came for his rescue immediately. I wondered how many such incidence might be happening every day where there is every chance of misuse of authority and exploitation of common man. I am grateful to God that today I was able to bring smile on the face of at least one person and his entire family who was in tremendous pressure since last two days….LIVE…LOVE…LAUGH…be kind…Comments are welcome. 

Nothing is impossible....Iron will magic

Source:- open search engine

Dear Bloggers!!! Today, during my tennis session, I met one person who has impacted me a lot due to his true-life story of struggle and survival. He is a nice tennis player and after our practice session, we chatted for few minutes. There, I found a man standing in front of me full of positive energy, self-confidence, gratitude towards God and service inclination to society. He is working in Fire department. In 2004, there was massive accident of fire in one area of Delhi. He was deployed to defuse the fire. He went there with his colleagues. The fire was so intense that the fire department were unable to control it and lot of building debris fell upon these brave fire fighters. As a result, seven of his colleagues lost their life on spot. He was lying under the huge pile of hot debris of building material. He was burnt severely and maximum bones were also broken. His legs were broken, and his backbone also got damaged. Somehow, he was taken out from that pile of debris after a great struggle, immediately he was shifted to one hospital where his friend was working as Doctor. It is not difficult to imagine that the survival chances in such situation is very less. The family was completely shattered, and everyone were praying to God for his speedy recovery. His doctor friend was trying his best to recover his friend whose body has been burnt and broken from many places. In fact, the whole body needs to be reconstructed a fresh. For plastic surgery from face to legs, it needs certain part of body flesh which can be cut and pasted at other places. It was getting difficult for the doctors to find any safe part of flesh for such plastic make over. He painfully recalled that in spite of such pathetic and hopeless situation, his mind was active, and he was able to speak. Due to God's grace, one of his hands had some part intact where medicinal injection were given. It appeared to him that God has deliberately left his one hand intact so that he can get medicine and recover. His doctors used to ask him what he thought lying on the bed in such difficult situation. He told me that he always replied with confidence that it is the wish of God only, I am ok with whatever suffering I am going through. Since, it is a wish of God, I am taking it with respect. Such was his positive thinking and strong will power to survive, he slowly recovered. Doctors suggested him to not to get physically active as it might lead to paralysis of the body. Such advice from doctors made him sad but he thought that if he continues to lie on bed, definitely he will have mental issues and might fall in depression. So, he decided to go against the advice of his doctor friend however in a slow pace. 

    Subsequently, he received three Gallantry awards for distinguished service, bravery and over all commitment to serve the country. He is still working with fire department and six years of service is still left. He has very cute grandson and very happy family. He is very fit now and plays tennis regularly. He told me clearly that he is enjoying every second of his life given as 'Bonus' by almighty. He does not have any regrets or bad memory or any grudge against anyone. He is helping other people by motivating them and helping them in whatever way he can do. Everyone in his department called him Doctor now. He is a great motivator and believe in action. I pray to God for his long and healthy life. His name is Sri Dr Dharmpal Bhardwaj [I took his permission to take his name]. Presently, he is posted as Deputy Chief fire officer, New Delhi. I am grateful for today's time I spent with him, and I am filled with huge positivity today. He is a living example for an idea that nothing is impossible in this world. If you have iron will and blessing of God, you can cross any obstacle in life...keep on blogging.

What is the Reason Behind the Uneasiness/restless Mind?

 Dear Bloggers, Why mind is so restless? What is the reason behind the permanent status of sadness? I used to ponder on these questions frequently. It is difficult to find easy answers, I guess. I used to doubt on myself whether I am suffering from mild depression? Do I need consultation from some doctor? Though, apparently, everything seems good and there are no other symptoms of depressions at all. It indicates that it is not mild depression, it is something else. With God’s grace, good health, good family, stable job with time bound promotions and increment, healthy Childrens etc etc. Then what is the reason behind the permanent feeling of sadness in the back of mind. I read somewhere that one should always be in same mode, in extreme happiness and in extreme sadness.  If one is able to maintain status quo, he/she is termed as awakened soul. My interpretation might be wrong, but I think such interpretation led me to dull lifestyle where I am unable to celebrate success openly or show emotions during rainy days in life. Someone can correct me on this. 

      Going through all such ups and downs, I reach to the conclusion that one should do something which makes one very happy internally and get the feeling of satisfaction. I zeroed on writing. Someone might find satisfaction in doing something else. I found joy in writing something on different topics. I think, there is joy in creating something. This is the basic fundamental of mother nature. Every creature around us is busy in creating something, be it animals, plants or human being. If we start creating something with mind fullness, then I think that will give us immense satisfaction. Seeding any idea, sowing it, working on it and seeing it grow give a different feeling altogether. I don’t know whether I am able to convey my feelings clearly today, but I think it is important to know the source of restlessness as early as possible. It will happen only when We give time to ourselves, sit in solitude and ponder over the real issues. For me, creating something gives me pleasure. Since, I don’t have much time to construct something physically, so I think creating something in the form of writing is one of the easy things to find inner peace. I may be wrong but at this juncture, I am trying to gain peace through writing. Suggestions are welcome. keep on blogging. 

Is my kid misguided? The Halloween effect !!!