A BLOG ABOUT

FULFILLMENT AND AWAKENING

Discovering the Truth of our Existence

Welcome to this blog about dis-covering
fulfillment through self-awakening and
selfless service.

Here you will find some musings about the wisdom traditions of the world: teachings of Advaita Vedānta, Buddhist Psychology, Sufism, Zen, and much more. During these pages, we will meet sages such as Veda Vyāsa, Vaśiṣtha, Lao Tzu, the Buddha, Ādi Śhaṅkarācārya, Dogen, Rumi, Hafiz, Ramana Mahaṛshi, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Swami Sharananadji Maharaj, Swami Akhandanandji, Swami Dayananda Saraswati, Swami Paramarthananda, Gurdjieff-Ouspensky, J. Krishnamurti, and many more ancient and modern saints and seers. The Bhagavad Gītā and Upaniṣads will be used as foundational texts of Vedānta for garnering self-knowledge. All faiths, beliefs and philosophies are welcome.

LET GO!

LET GO!

LET GO OF YOUR STRESSES! A psychologist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they'd be asked the 'half empty or half full' question. Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired . ....

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भारत की पावन भूमि पर ऐसे संत भी हुए हैं….

भारत की पावन भूमि पर ऐसे संत भी हुए हैं….

Unique Wisdom of Sharnānandjī Mahārāj भारत की पावन भूमि पर ऐसे संत भी हुए हैं…. It so happens that the Nirvāna-divas of Swamiji and Christmas falls on the same day! Once, Swāmījī Sharnānandjī was sitting in a train compartment. A Christian priest also came...

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THE MOST SCENIC SUNSET

THE MOST SCENIC SUNSET

SUNSET AT KANYAKUMARI Watching sunrise and sunset is quite a spectacle at Kanyakumari. The sun very slowly emerges, as if, from the ocean and desends even more slowly back in the lap of the mighty ocean. The tip of peninsula where India’s land ends is the meeting...

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LESSONS FROM THE SEAS!

LESSONS FROM THE SEAS!

Thiruvalluvar Statue In Kanyakumari, this solitary Thiruvalluvar statue stands amidst the mighty sea, doing the udaghosha of the Absolute! The tip of peninsula where India’s land ends is the meeting place of three oceans: the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the...

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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.