9 August
Every Action Has A Response

Question: Do we incur bad karma each time we kill a bug or insect or frog while driving down the road?
 

Sri Gurudev: Yes. Whatever we do, knowingly or unknowingly, brings karma. There's no doubt about it. Even when you walk you might step on many insects.
What should we do about that? The scriptures have given certain solutions. In our own life, as far as possible, we can offer our energy - material or physical, whatever it is - for the benefit of others to annihilate these bad karmas. It is called yagnya or sacrifice. There is a difference between the conscious karma and the unconscious or unavoidable karma. You have to pay for any karma done consciously, it is true; but you also have to do something in order to survive. You cannot escape from that. There is unavoidable karma. The only way out is to feel, "All right, having killed this many things while eating, breathing, driving, and walking, let me offer my energy for the benefit of the creation." Pray; offer your service to others. That is yagnya. Yagnya means always offering back more than you receive.
People can be categorised into five groups. The thief, the debtor, the fair businessman, the good person and the saint. Who is a thief? The one who always gets things from everyone, but never gives anything. The debtor gets ten dollars worth but gives only five dollars worth to others. The fair businessman is the one who gets ten dollars worth of benefit from others and returns ten dollars worth. A good person gets ten dollars and gives at least twenty or thirty dollars - more than what he gets. And a saint doesn't get anything; he just gives everything he can. So you can analyze your own life and see in which category you belong. The only way to wash out our bad karma is to be a really good person or a saint. That means through our service to the earth, to the people, to divine beings, to God. That way we can be pardoned for the karmas that we incur unconsciously.
Om Shanthi, Shanthi, Shanthi

posted 08/09/10 comments (0) Like it? ReTweet it! Share This!

8 August
We Are All Spiritual Beings

Question: I am part of a women's group. Please advise us of any special chants or prayers or observances that will keep us aware of who we really are. We wish to unfold gracefully in accordance with spiritual teachings.

Sri Gurudev: Very true. Well, if you want to become aware of who you really are, don't even form men's groups and women's groups. Men's groups and women's groups are formed in terms of a bundle of flesh and bone. We have to rise above the physical level. We have to transcend the physical, and the mental also.

The spiritual state is a transcendental state. As long as we get caught in the body and mind, we are not going to recognize the spirit. So if you really want to know who you are, say, "I'm not a woman, I'm not a man. I'm not a scholar, I'm not a fool." Yes. All this scholarliness and foolishness are in the mind. So know that: "I am spirit originally, essentially, using the feminine body, so I am calling myself a woman." That's all. Because you have a little body, you call yourself a child. Because you have a wrinkled body, you call yourself old. So you are associating yourself with the body and mind. That is what creates all the problems. If we really want to know who we are, we must rise above all these things and say, "We are all spiritual beings. We are the image of God. We are all lights, burning, shining through different bulbs." Some are good old 110 volt. There are also 108 volt. The minute you forget that, you revolt. So keep up the voltage.

Om Shanthi, Shanthi, Shanthi

posted 08/08/10 comments (0) Like it? ReTweet it! Share This!

2 August
You Can Enjoy The Same

For one month live a totally surrendered life. Try that life for a while. For a sample week, or a sample month. Just say, "Let God take care of me. And let me do my duty. whatever God has given me to do, let me fulfil it." That means wherever you are, God has placed you there. He has given you some job, you are doing it. I don't say that you should not have ambition. Have the biggest ambition. What is the biggest ambition? To maintain your peace. Yes. Let that be your ambition. "I have to maintain my peace at all costs. I am ready to give up anything and everything for the sake of peace." That's your biggest goal. And that's what you call God. Peace is your God. "For the sake of God, I am ready to renounce everything." That means God and Peace are one and the same. God and Happiness are one and the same.
I am simply telling you what I have been doing all these years. By following this truth, I am living a worry less life. There's nobody or nothing that can rob me of my peace and happiness. If you have a bigger goal, all right, go ahead and try it. But if you think this is your goal, then try it; I am sure you will enjoy that peace.
If you think that I am really happy and peaceful, there is no need to envy me. You can enjoy the same. It's not anybody's monopoly. Every one of you can enjoy this. God is our Father. He has not given nice things only to one person or two persons and not the other people. He has given this wealth to all equally. It's everybody's property. If we don't enjoy it, it's not His fault.
Om Shanthi, Shanthi, Shanthi

posted 08/02/10 comments (0) Like it? ReTweet it! Share This!

Once upon a time...there was a rich King who had four wives. He loved the fourth wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to the finest of delicacies. He gave her nothing but the best.He also loved the third wife very much, and he was always showing her off to neighboring kingdoms. However, he feared that one day she would leave him for another.He also loved his second wife. She was his confidante and was always kind,considerate, and patient with him. Whenever the King faced a problem, he could confide in her to help him get through the difficult times.The King's first wife was a very loyal partner and had made greatcontributions in maintaining his wealth and kingdom. However, he did not love the first wife and although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her.

One day, the King fell ill, and he knew his time was short. He thought of hisluxurious life and pondered, "I now have four wives with me, but when Idie, I'll be all alone.Thus, he asked the fourth wife, "I have loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing, and showered great care over you. Now that I'mdying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "Absolutely not!"replied the fourth wife, and she walked away without another word. Her answer cut like a sharp knife right into his heart.The sad King then asked the third wife, "I have loved you all my life. Nowthat I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?""No," replied the third wife. "Life is too good! When you die,I'm going to remarry!" His heart sank and turned cold.He then asked the second wife, "I have always turned to you for help, and you've always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep mecompany?" "I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time,"replied the second wife. "At the very most, I can only send you to yourgrave." Her answer came like a bolt of thunder, and the King wasdevastated.Then a voice called out. "I'll leave with you and follow you no matter where you go." The King looked up, and there was his first wife. She was so sad and thin, she looked half-starved. Greatly grieved, the King said, "I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!"

In truth, we all have four wives in our lives: Our fourth wife is our body. Nomatter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it'll leave us when we die.Our third wife is our possessions, status, and wealth. When we die, it will all go to others.Our second wife is our family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for us, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave and our first wife is our soul, often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power,and pleasures of the ego. However, our soul is the only thing that will follow us wherever we go. So cultivate, strengthen, and cherish it now! It IS your greatest gift to offer the world.

posted 07/12/10 comments (0) Like it? ReTweet it! Share This!

9 July
You Observe The Day And You Receive The Benefit

Only a candle that is lit and shining can give a little light to the other candles. If you simply sit there as an unlit candle and listen to hours and hours and hours of talk about light, you won't get lit. You have to come, touch the lamp, and get a spark before you get lit. That is the duty of a disciple. After having seen a lit candle, you should go, bow down and then get the touch. Once you have gotten that, you work on yourself, make your life brighter. Of course, since you remember that you got the light from another lamp, you are grateful to that light. This is why we dedicate a special day each year in honor of all the great masters, sages and saints. They were flaming torches. We touch them in some form or other and get a little spark. We humble ourselves in front of those great sages and saints and express our gratitude, and by doing that we are able to receive more. We give our gratitude to our mothers on Mother's Day and our fathers on Father's Day. In the same way we give our gratitude to the spiritual teacher, or the guru, who ultimately helps us to realize the final goal: the Truth, or God, or the inner Light.
So Guru Poornima Day, or All Prophets Day, is not just a mere celebration. It is an observance. You observe the day, and you receive the benefit. May the blessings of all the great sages and saints and masters be upon you all to make your life more shining, more peaceful, more healthy and more happy. May you in turn share those blessings with all other beings so that one day we can see a beautiful blessed heaven on this earth.
Om Shanthi, Shanthi, Shanthi

posted 07/10/10 comments (0) Like it? ReTweet it! Share This!

I know you've been wondering where I've been and what I've been doing (well...maybe not). There's too much to tell right now so I'll give you a little insight with this story:

For about a month now, I've been doing a workstudy at a Bikram Yoga Studio ("where is this studio?” I'm sure you're thinking...I won't tell...at least not now ) and recently, I did a sub on another day. Usually, people come to take a Bikram class armed to the teeth with water and other things (like Emergen-C). But on this day, two young men came in with VitaminWater.

As soon as I saw them, I knew something was going to happen. I didn’t know what was going to happen so I held my tongue, greeted them with a smile and let them go about their way. Another thing I need to mention is that one of them never did Bikram before. (keep that in mind as I go through this tale)

Class started and I began to fold towels. I went about my regular workstudy duties when guy #1 came out of the room (only 30 minutes have passed in a 90 minute class). He looked as if he was about to pass out. He looked pale and lost. I asked him if he was ok and he said that he wasn’t. He needed some fresh air. I explained to him that when you feel nauseous (which can be common for Bikram classes), it’s best to sit down (keeping your head above your heart) and drink water. He told me that his hands were shaking and feeling numb. I gave him some SmartWater.

He asked me why I gave him SmartWater when he has this VitaminWater. I told him to throw that away and never drink that for the rest of the class (or any Bikram class he takes). To keep him from passing out, I asked him when was the last time he took a Bikram class. “3 months ago,” he replied. I started to shake my head.

I explained to him that even though Vitamin Water has all kinds of stuff in it, it’s not hydrating. There is too much sugar and the kind of sugar that is in VW doesn’t benefit the body, especially when dealing with a strenuous practice like Bikram Yoga. I showed him the Emergen-C. “Look, this is made of fructose. However, VW has a processed form of fructose that may not help the body like Emergen-C and other electrolyte type of beverages do.”

I then told him that if he hasn’t done Bikram in a while, you should always drink more water than you normally do to hydrate. Hydration is an important aspect of Bikram and without the proper hydration (before, during, and after Bikram Yoga), you’re in for a heap of trouble. It was like a light came down from the ceiling and shone on his head. His eyes grew wide and awake with this new information.

I asked him how he felt (he almost drank the whole bottle of SmartWater). He said he felt a lot better. I told him to go to the bathroom and then go back to class. He did so, thanking me and apologizing to me (I was in the middle of cleaning mats when he came to me and he made one of them dirty with his sweat) as he went back in. I smiled and went back to my duties, knowing his friend (who never did Bikram) would come out very soon.

Fifteen minutes after the first guy went back into the room, his friend comes out of the room. He looked paler than his friend and his hands were really clammy and shaking. He said that his hands were also numb and he felt like fainting. I explained the same thing that I told his friend to him. “Yeah, and it doesn’t help that we went partying last night.”

I sighed and told him that to do that and then come to Bikram is worse than just drinking VitaminWater during class. He asked why and I told him, “You’re dehydrated…and you’re at higher levels of dehydration than your friend. I’m surprised you made it his far!”

I asked him if he knew any personal trainers. He said yes and told me that most of them party harder than he does! I gave him this to chew on:

It’s easy for Personal Trainers to do what they do and then drink all night because they not only know their bodies but they workout everyday! Their body is used to their routine and provides for them. For someone to be able to drink heavy the night before and then come to Bikram in the morning with the hopes of a hangover fix will have to be doing Bikram on a consistent basis for a year or two! You can’t just get wasted and then go to a Bikram class (for the first time at that) and expect to NOT feel sick or sicker than the way you do, especially since you have no idea how to hydrate properly.

He thought about it for a minute (or maybe he was trying to catch his breath) and then looked up at me, asking for another SmartWater. I gave it to him and I told him that he was going to have to go back in there and finish class. His face changed to fear and I told him not to worry. I gave him a pack of Emergen-C and told him that he will be ok. I asked him if he felt better and he said “yes.” I told him to go to the bathroom and if he feels sick again, just sit down (don’t lie down) and drink the rest of the SmartWater w/Emergen-C. He too thanked me and they both finished class.

When it was time for them to go, they both thanked me again and said, “no more Vitamin Water for us!” I laughed and realized that this is a serious thing. They could have really gotten hurt in class and it would have been because of their own ignorance, not because of Bikram Yoga.

A couple of days later, I spoke to my old boss, Manu Dawson. Manu is a great nutritionist and a mentor of mine. I explained the situation to him and asked him if I gave the proper advice. He said that I did and he was very proud of me for my quick thinking because I gave them water right away and more so because I explained to them how important it is to hydrate – not only for Bikram Yoga but every day, as much as possible.

I am an Integral Yoga teacher. Most of my peers don’t understand the reason that I do Bikram – most of them don’t understand Bikram Yoga at all. I do Bikram for a number of reasons but nowadays, it’s my form of detox. I don’t want to do the Master Cleanser right now so for a couple of months, I do Bikram on a consistent basis. It’s also healing for my (formerly) sprained ankle and most important, Bikram Yoga helps me to remember the importance of staying hydrated and the importance of staying hydrated with Water.

Here’s my advice when it comes to Bikram. If you have never done Bikram before and want to try it for the first time, drink a lot of water (don’t guzzle…just drink a whole bunch throughout the day. I don’t care what you say, you don’t drink enough water. Hell, I don’t drink enough water, so I know you don’t!) at least a week before you take your first class. If you’re a beginner at Bikram then make sure you drink water the night before and the day that you take class (before class. Don’t wait 20 minutes into class to take your first sips of water in weeks). If you’re an Advanced Bikram Yogi or Yogini, I really don’t need to tell you anything except to please explain this to your friends that want to try Bikram but never have.

Sharing (information) is caring. Namaste!

posted 06/15/10 comments (0) Like it? ReTweet it! Share This!

See the Good in All

“Smile at everybody, think well of everyone, speak well of everybody, don’t talk about the bad things or the bad sides of people. Know that, the more you think of the bad side of others, the more you think of the bad side within you. You may be talking about somebody saying, ‘Oh, he is bad that way, or she did that bad thing,’ but it is you who are thinking of those bad ideas in his or her name. Your mind will get spoiled because it invites the bad thoughts. Before you make the other person a bad person, you become the bad one. So don’t ever invite bad thoughts; think good ideas. Rather, think good ideas, speak good words; do something good. Then you will really enjoy the supreme joy.

“God bless you. OM Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.”

posted 06/13/10 comments (0) Like it? ReTweet it! Share This!

The Best 'Want'

“Whatever you want, you will get, if your want is so powerful that you concentrate on it with the totality of your mind. The mind has that kind of power. It can create anything. It can give you anything—but you have to want it, powerfully, strongly, deeply, collectively and without any dissipation. You should be careful in deciding what you want, for, if you focus on hatred, you become hatred. Therefore, you should know what to think about in order to make yourself comfortable and happy. That is how a mantra can help. A mantra makes the mind strong, clear and collected. And, when you concentrate on the mantra for a long time, it slowly dissolves, and your mind becomes still and free of disturbances. What better want is there than peace of mind?

“God bless you. OM Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.”

posted 05/15/10 comments (0) Like it? ReTweet it! Share This!

12 April
It's All For Good

Once upon a time there was a king who had a wonderful, wise minister. The minister was very loyal and devoted to the king, and the king never left the palace without the minister at his side.

Dne day as the monarch was cutting a piece of fruit, he accidentally cut his finger. As it was being treated, he asked the minister why this had happened. "I was very careful," he explained, "but the knife just seemed to slip all by itself." The minister looked at him and gently said, "Don't worry, raja. It's all for good."

The king became furious. "What kind of philosophy is this? I have cut my finger. The blood is pouring. Yet you stand there calmly and say, `It's all for good.' If that is as much as you care about me, I don't want you around anymore." He called the guards and told them to take the minister to jail. The minister quietly submitted. As he was being taken away, he simply said, "Fine. This also is for good."

Several days later, the king decided to go hunting. He went far into the forest with a large group of companions. Suddenly he started chasing a beautiful deer. Of course he had the fastest horse, and he soon left the others far behind. Still, the deer managed to escape. When the king realized how far he had gone, it was too late. He was very deep into the jungle and was lost.

Fortunately the raja had been on many adventures, and he stayed calm. He was very tired and thirsty. Nearby there was a big, green tree with a small brook running past it. He drank his fill, then leaned against the tree and fell asleep.

In a little while, a rustling sound woke the king. He slowly opened his eyes. What he saw made him freeze. A huge lion was standing right next to him, sniffing him all over. He didn't know what to do so he just stayed still and watched the lion. All of a sudden, as the lion was sniffing one of the king's hands, it snorted and ran away.

The king was amazed at his good fortune. He leaped up and began shouting for his companions, who eventually found him. "Listen," he told them. `A lion came while I was sleeping. He was huge and ferocious looking. He was all ready to eat me, but something mysteriously happened. All of sudden the lion just left."

That's wonderful, they exclaimed. But none of them could explain what had happened. When they returned to the palace the king had the minister brought from the jail. He told the story in every detail. The minister simply said, "It's all for good, Maharaja."

What do you mean all for good? That doesn't explain why the lion just went away without even biting me. What is the explanation?

Maharaja, the lion is the king of the beasts, just as you are the king of the people. When somebody offers you a fruit, it should be a clean, wholesome fruit. The minute the lion smelled the cut finger, it knew that you were not whole, not fit. As the king of beasts, it didn't want to eat you. So you see, raja, the cut finger saved your life. Now do you understand that it's all for good?

As for my imprisonment, you know that ordinarily we are never separated. Surely I would have been with you on the hunt and would have raced after you through the jungle. We would have both been sleeping under the tree when the lion arrived. He would still have rejected you, but would have swallowed me. Because you had put me in jail, my life was saved.

It is not often easy to see the good in adversity when it occurs. When you find yourself in pain, remember this story of the king and his minister. The benefit may not make itself clear until much later, but it is there. Have faith in the positive outcome. Tell yourself, "It's all for good." It's like a mantram in a way. You can repeat it again and again to give you courage.

Om Shanthi, Shanthi, Shanthi

posted 04/12/10 comments (0) Like it? ReTweet it! Share This!