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.

ALCHEMY OF SELF-KNOWLEDGE-9

ALCHEMY OF SELF-KNOWLEDGE-9

Jul 11, 2016 | , ,

VEDĀNTA IN SRIMAD BHĀGAVATAM: [Bhāgavatāmṟutasāra: skandha 6; chapter 16,  verses 51-56] [Chatu-Sloki Bhāgavatam: skandha 2, Chapter 9, Verses: 33-36 अहं वै सर्व-भूतानि भूतात्मा भूत-भावनः I शब्द-ब्रह्म परं ब्रह्म ममोभे शाश्वती तनू II 6.16.51 ahaṁ vai sarva-bhūtāni...

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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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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.