A BLOG ABOUT

FULFILLMENT AND AWAKENING

Discovering the Truth of our Existence

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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.

The Art of Learning

The Art of Learning

Sep 4, 2015 |

You Get what Put into your Education! Once a student approached a teacher for some instruction. After a few days, the student started asking, impatiently, "When will i get something out of my education?" The teacher affectionately replied, "When you will stop...

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Glory of Self-Knowledge

Glory of Self-Knowledge

Sep 1, 2015 | ,

THE KNOWLEDGE WORTH SACRIFICING EVERYTHING FOR! When Nalanda University was ransacked in c. 1200 CE, two surviving monks managed to salvage the most precious manuscripts from the pillaged library. While ferrying this priceless cargo, water started entering the boat....

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Seeker is the Sought

Seeker is the Sought

Aug 29, 2015 |

Self-knowledge: the Master Key Self-knowledge is not needed to be proficient in any discipline of knowledge—all one needs is the five senses supported by the mind.  Thus, one can be an expert in any number of fields and still continue to be ignorant about oneself....

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PURSUIT OF ĀNANDA, Supreme Happiness

PURSUIT OF ĀNANDA, Supreme Happiness

Aug 25, 2015 | ,

True Happiness is Not Experiential We commonly use the term happiness, ānanda, to express our pleasurable experiences. There are other words that we tend to use quite interchangeably such as fulfillment, bliss, joy, well-being and so forth. These allied terms may be...

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Three Uses of Wealth?

Three Uses of Wealth?

Aug 24, 2015 | ,

A Sanskrit epigrammatic saying, Subhāṣita, explains various uses of wealth as follows: दानं भोगो नाशः तिस्रो गतयो भवन्ति वित्तस्य । यो न ददाति न भुङ्क्ते तस्य तृतीया गतिर्भवति ॥ dānaṁ bhogo nāśaḥ tisro gatayo bhavanti vittasya । yo na dadāti na bhuṅkte tasya tṛtīyā...

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The Spiritual Quest of Steve Jobs

The Spiritual Quest of Steve Jobs

Aug 23, 2015 | ,

Gazing Forward, Glancing Back: Connecting the i-dots! By critical acclaim, Steve Jobs is considered to be a creative genius and a great visionary leader. More than one pundit, praising Steve’s ability to transform industries with his inventions, have called him a...

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Path to Fulfillment

Path to Fulfillment

Aug 21, 2015 | ,

It is wonder of wonders that fulfillment or happiness is our intrinsic nature; we keep frantically looking for it outside. Self-knowledge puts an end to this life of relentless becoming by revealing a Self that is ever full, whole, and complete (pūraṇa). Anchored in...

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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.