A BLOG ABOUT

FULFILLMENT AND AWAKENING

Discovering the Truth of our Existence

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Happiness Inc.

Happiness is a universal pursuit. The search for happiness motivates all our actions. It will be hard to find any living being who actively strives to be unhappy. And yet when we look around we do not find too many happy people! Could it be that we do not know how to pursue happiness? Or perhaps the very pursuit of it is counter-productive?

The door of true happiness is neither open nor closed. It “appears” open or closed when looked through the lens of likes and dislikes. What is the secret to happiness? Is there way to abiding happiness? Is happiness a skill that can be mastered? Or some are just born that way, with a sort of genetic set-point of happiness?

Once a man approached the Buddha and said, “I want happiness.”

Buddha replied, “First remove ‘I,’ that’s ego; then remove ‘want,’ that’s desire. See now you are left with only ‘Happiness!’”

Buddha paused, and then added, “But if you really want to be happy, make someone else happy.”

Moral of the story: You are the happiness that you are seeking: You are already home. Act for the good of others.

ALCHEMY OF SELF-KNOWLEDGE 5

ALCHEMY OF SELF-KNOWLEDGE 5

Jun 27, 2016 | , ,

Meditation According to Patānjali Yoga and Advaita Vedānta According to Patānjali, yoga is defined as “stilling the modification of the Mind”: योग: चित्त-वृत्ति निरोध: (yogaḥ citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ): Yoga Sutras 1.2. In Advaita Vedānta, Self-Knowledge...

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ONE IN MILLION!

ONE IN MILLION!

Jun 21, 2016 | , ,

ONE IN MILLION: A LEAF FROM A TRAVEL DIARY! Only a seeker who is ready benefits from the teachings. Otherwise, one may be living with or around the greatest teacher in the world and completely miss it! History and our current experience amply bear out this fact. The...

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ALCHEMY OF SELF-KNOWLEDGE-4

ALCHEMY OF SELF-KNOWLEDGE-4

Jun 19, 2016 | , ,

  THE MEANS TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE HIGHEST SELF Praśnopaniṣad (प्रश्नोपनिषद्) consists of six questions asked by six students to the great Seer, Pippalada.  At the very outset of his commentary, the Ādī Śaṅkarācārya, points out that this Upaniṣad serves to teach...

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ALCHEMY OF SELF-KNOWLEDGE-3

ALCHEMY OF SELF-KNOWLEDGE-3

Jun 17, 2016 | , ,

THE PATH AND THE GOAL! NO FREEDOM WITHOUT SELF-KNOWLEDGE! जन नानक बिन आपा चीन्हे,  मिटै न भ्रमकी काई...गुरुबाणी Nanak says: O man, without knowing thyself the darkness of illusion cannot be dispelled. नानकजी कहते हैं: हे मनुष्य, बिना स्वयं को पहचाने भ्रम की मृगमरीचिका...

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When the Student is Ready…

When the Student is Ready…

Jun 12, 2016 | , ,

WHAT IS ŚRADDHĀ श्रद्धा ? ‘When the student is ready, the teacher appears!’ In this regard, the Sanskrit word श्रद्धा (śraddhā) is very meaningful: it is made by conjoining two words--śrad (सत्य truth) and dhā (घारण embrace); literally, the ability to embrace or...

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DO NOT WORRY!

DO NOT WORRY!

Jun 9, 2016 | , ,

Lord Krishna Quilling Paper Art work by Shally Dhiman DO NOT WORRY! The message of the Gītā starts with verse eleven of chapter two (BG 2.11) and concludes with verse sixty-six of chapter eighteen (BG 18.66). If we look at the first word of BG 2.11 and the last word...

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Conversations with a Tree

~ Satinder Dhiman, Ph.D. Ed.D.
January 11, 2013

Today during morning walk, I paused near a wise old tree; It greeted me, as always, gently; Unassumingly with an inviting look!

I have heard it whisper, as I pass by it, everyday: “I produce oxygen; What do you?”

Today, there was urgency in its voice, As if it had lots of questions for me That needed to be addressed; As a matter of life and death!

Still kind in its manner, Gentle in its demeanor; Solemn in its voice, The tree continued….

Rain or sunshine, Extreme cold or hot; I bear my lot, patiently; Without complaining or comparing! Do you?

By way of my own care and concern, I need very little on a daily basis. Always making sure to contribute, More than I consume. Do you?

I offer my gifts of shade and shelter, Anonymously and generously; And my fruits and flowers, To all and sundry, selflessly! Do you?

I am content in being the way I am, Without needing to compare or compete; To outshine or be better than the next tree; In the mindless race called success! How about you?

I abide placidly in the Present; Without brooding over the past, Or pining for the future; Living fully in the Now, authentically! Do you?

On yearly basis at least, I renew myself: Letting go of the old leaves; To make room for the new ones! Do you?

I do not hate my fellow trees, Nor do I destroy my own kind. Merely because they are different, Or hold a different viewpoint! How about you?

My virtues are: Patience, Generosity, Acceptance, Forbearance, Caring, Compassion, Contribution, Usefulness, Selflessness, Sustainability, Self-renewal! What are yours?

With my drab, rough exterior, I stay nimble and pliant inside. Always ready to adapt and to cater: Whatever circumstances transpire! Do you?

I genuinely hold my head high, Upright in my humility and gratitude; Always glorifying my Creator, By serving selflessly Its Creation! Do you?

In life and in death, I stay valuable, making sure that Every part of me is somehow useful, For the sake of others! How about you?

My leaves, my stem, My roots, my bark; All parts of the Divine Exchange, You humans call Eco-System. How about yours?

Even when I die, I am of service to you; As firewood to keep your house warm, And to cook your supreme meal! Do you?

Above all, I have the Virtue of Eternal Silence, And never get bored with my own existence! How about you?

As I listened to this wise old tree, I kept wondering: What have I done to the Garden Entrusted to my care?!

~ Satinder Dhiman, Ph.D.; Ed.D. January 11, 2013.