The soul of a tree

I was pleased to know from my six year old grand daughter Emma, that her favourite pastime hobby is to swing by holding the hanging branches of a Banyan tree. It also happens to have been my favourite childhood activity too.

The reason the Banyan tree makes the best swings in nature is also why it has a special place in Indian literature and philosophy. The branches have the capacity to gradually touch the ground, go deeper into the soil to connect with the roots, and together they give strength and longevity to the main tree and create an extraordinary canopy of thick leaves and are among the largest trees on the planet. This unique characteristic of a Banyan tree conveys a beautiful metaphor used in Indian philosophy to describe the nature of consciousness - that while each branch is separate it also has the capacity to connect to the source and in fact, there is one consciousness even as it is embodied across a multitude of individuals. Man’s creation of artificial intelligence - which, like a banyan tree is interconnected and always learning and growing, is a shared construct. Is it our consciousness that powers intelligence or intelligence itself that becomes conscious? Or are they facets of something entirely larger. The Banyan tree works as a swing just as well as it works for a metaphor for consciousness of artificial intelligence.

Spiritual masters say, by stilling the mind through meditation, realisation of our  connectivity, and our one divine source  can be manifest in our mind. As the moon and stars get reflected on the calm surface of the water, by stilling the mind, one realises the divine connectivity of all living beings. That only makes us loving and compassionate to each other. Then only barriers between people, religion, and nations will begin to fall.  As the Sufi poet Rumi beautifully wrote “ you are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop “. 

Will vs destiny

Blessed are the thorns for within them flowers bloom. I read an amazing story in today's newspaper about a poor and ailing village girl who had leukemia and she came first in the nationwide board exam with. Her will, focused mind and her love of life found expression in ways that her life might not allow for long. This is the triumph of will.

Such unusual events prove that destiny, fate or circumstance, and whatever their causes might be, can be overcome by a strong will. While the accumulations of past lives might manifest in present life even as one lifetime doesn't hold explanations of any apparent reasons, we label them as destiny or fate. They may be pleasant or unpleasant in nature, but we do not have much control over them.

Sri Ramakrishna compared the limitations of human free to with a cow tied to a stake in a field. It has room to roam free up to the length of the rope it's tied with. We cannot deny fate, but total acceptance also may pull down our self esteem,  efforts and will power  to shape our own life. It is true that hereditary factors, environment, tendencies of past life, all help to shape our lives in different patterns but it is also not a wise choice to surrender our will power at the alter of Fate.

Paramhansa Yogananda, who helped uplift human spirit through his writings, lectures and by establishing S.R.F. (Self realisation Fellowship in U.S in 1920, H.Q in L.A) all over the world, brought rays of hope. He said, "past life tendencies can be cauterised from the brain with the fire of wisdom. And the best anaesthesia against pain is to develop our mental power by being engaged in helpful, creative activities and specially by practicing “Kriya  Yoga meditation" (from The divine Romance). The first  reference to Kriya  Yoga  is  found  in Indian epic Mahabharata, when Krishna taught it to depressed Arjuna  to overcome fear and inspired him  to perform his duty as a warrior battling his own family to establish righteousness. That light of wisdom was carried over by lineage of five masters,  the  last guru Yogananda  opened the light of wisdom fountain for all coming generations through his teachings. I feel blessed to have it , and it has helped me to overcome many hurdles in life. I conclude with a few lines of an unknown poet,” Pain makes you stronger. Fear makes you braver. Heart break makes you wiser. So thank the past for a better future.“

An ancient science that supercedes modern medicine

The literal meaning of of Ayurveda is “Science of life “ or” Science of longevity “ . Dhanvanthri, who was known as God’s physician, was the first practitioner of Ayurveda about 3000 years ago.

Unknowingly the seed of interest to know about  was planted in my young mind long back, when first time I  heard the  story of Laxman’s  miraculous survival from the Indian epic Ramayana. It said, when Laxman was critically injured on the battlefield, Hanuman (the monkey god ) was sent to bring Sanjivani - an herbal  plant, from a far away mountain called Dronagiri in the Himalayan range. And when the great devotee of Rama,  Hanuman, could not identify that  special herbal plant, with his immense strength, he lifted the whole mountain and brought it to the battle field. Then Laxman was given that special herb, and he survived. As a child I was thrilled to hear that story, but as I grew up, that story faded from my memory. My interest in Ayurveda sprouted up again in my middle age, when I started having knee pain from rheumatoid arthritis. I  consulted an authentic  Ayurvedic doctor and within a year of treatment, I was able to improve to the point where I could taper off and finally discontinue immunosuppressive therapies. That experience  inspired me to share my experience with Ayurveda which I have benefitted from immensely.

According to Ayurveda, the five fundamental elements of creation  earth, water, fire, air, and space, also work within the human body and help to keep balance of body and mind. Ayurveda describes three orientations, which are called Vata (related to air and space), Pitta (fire and water element) which affects digestive system and third is Kapha (earth and water element) which affects bones, muscles, and teeth etc. Like the mix of primary colors can make up infinite palette, these three orientations mixed together manifest as the multitude of individuals, who are each to be treated distinctly if they are to be treated holistically as the balance of these three differs from person to person. As Ayurvedic medicines are chosen from plants, herbs, minerals and not synthetic or chemical extractions,  they don't create side effects. Another popular cleaning system of Ayurveda is known as 'Pancha Karma',  which means cleaning and eliminating toxins from the body  through five different actions. Ayurveda considers body as a temple, and which must be nourished with right food, right environment and right life style  with harmonious relations with all. Yoga guru B.K.S Iyengar rightly said, “The body is your temple , keep it pure and clean for the soul to reside in it". Ayurveda, as a sister science to Yoga ultimately supports the cause of spiritual enlightenment through manifesting balance in the mind and body. And for that I am grateful.

The Simplicity of Choice

Sometimes the memory of a funny story may bring a serious thought to mind -as it happened to me when I was having my evening walk in our garden. Few lines of a much forgotten poem floated in to my mind, which told the story of the invention of shoes. When people were fending off dust everywhere, someone suggested they drench the earth with water, while others suggested covering it up with cloth or leather. Then a wise old man suggested that before trying to change the landscape, why not cover  your own feet  with leather. Thus shoes were born. 

I realised that  in any situation of life, self-protection is more effective than trying to change the outside world. We find our world is burning today with hatred, injustice, greed and anger, expressed through wars between countries, social ideals of different cultures and also within families. Wars fought with weapons or words  are unable to bring permanent peace. So we must be ready to listen and learn from the wisdom of that mythical inventor of the shoe.

One such effective idea is expressed in the first few sutras (lines) of the ancient text, “Yoga Sutras”, written by Maharishi Patanjali around 400 C.E. In his first chapter, “Yama “refers to the five external aspects of individual must do's. They are as follows, Ahimsa or non violence, Satya meaning truthfulness,  “ Asteya “ prescribes  non-covetousness in any form, let alone the act of stealing. “ Brahmacharya “ asks to develop self restraint, and” Aparigraha “is to stay unaffected by greed or the desire for accumulation.

The second chapter, “Niyama “ refers about five internal aspects of must dos of an individual. “Sauch “means to maintain inner and outer cleanliness. Santosh, is to have contentment. Tapas prescribes self-discipline and right effort,  “Svadhyaya” prescribes study for self improvement and self-awareness and finally comes “ Ishvara Pranidhan, “which means surrendering to God with love and humility.

Patanjali with his deep insight realised that we can change our world by purifying and strengthening our own mind. The world we create within is the world we live within.

Is man becoming the machine or is machine becoming man?

Today many people ask, "is technology a boon or bane to our lives?"

Recently, while driving through a crowded road of Delhi, our driver Rajbir saved one absent minded lady’s life by screwing to a stop a few feet away from her almost toppling me out of my seat. One woman emerged from staring into her smart phone, her attention to some unknown destination. I thanked Rajbir for his quick reaction, and also felt sad for  that lady’s addiction, which could have been the cause of her death and endless complications for my driver and me.

These days it is common to see students in class rooms with smart phones on, disengaged from their teacher, fellow students and the study material. In meetings, social gatherings, or while crossing the road, this level of not being where you are is a threat to consciousness. Apart from impoliteness of such behaviour, they become the victim of many calamities, the least of which is chronic depression and anxiety, which is now well proven. This is a form of living death where you are not in your body or your space but 'elsewhere'. 

No doubt, the internet helps us in many ways as well. It can  instantly supply vast amounts of information, or data, or can connect researchers across the globe to allow them to work collaboratively in real time. It can speed up learning or even fund-raising after natural disasters. It has of course, made people more politically aware even if much of it is disinformation. It also can create new types of jobs -  one can now be famous over night on Instagram, though that fame can be as hollow as being rich in a monopoly game.

 Intelligent machines have taken industrialization to a new level. I read an interesting quote, “one machine can do work of fifty ordinary men, but no machine can do work of an extraordinary man.”That extraordinary power of the human being  is the abilities to think deeply in the human context, learn and grow in life, to have a richer experience of it, not just ben more productive. The purpose of human life is not to produce more things more efficiently, it is to evolve as a conscious being. By expanding the imagination, with unconditional love and compassion  to all life , humans are capable of create a beautiful world - within and without. We must be aware that unmindful usage of technology has the power to crush humanity in its wheels of progress. It can cause anxiety, sleep disorder, lack of concentration, poor academic performance etc. Also society has been sickened by the increase in sex crimes, violence, and cyber bullying that affect children and adults alike. Extended screen time can cause many health hazards. It robs our precious time , energy and disrupts our relations with others. Einstein righty said, “I fear the day, when the technology overlaps with our humanity, and the world will  only have a generation of idiots . “

 So the time has come to think deeply about how to make boundaries. To define technological use not with what technology can do but what we want it to do. Children who grow up with pets, play and take care of them, grow as better human beings,  with love , compassion and understanding in life. A robot dog will most likely not have the same effect. 

Long back , Lord Buddha recommended the 'Middle path' as the golden mean of life. It says, neither by indulgence nor by denial, and only by following the middle path, life can be meaningful and peaceful for all. Today to follow the golden path, we all need to apply wisdom and will to life and automation. 

Technology is a choice, not an imperative.  Our relationship with it will define whether we benefit from it to become greater beings that we are or to become lesser beings than we were.

If laughter is the best medicine then smiles are the best form of healing

Laughter is a magic tool one that dispels darkness from heavy hearts and can brighten up a lonely soul instantly. It is truly an unspoken universal language - one that uplifts all spirits. Joyousness may be expressed in many ways. It may shine through a twinkle in the eyes, or through a silent smile. It may also burst out in roaring laughter like rolling waves of a river. It could also the persistent gurgle of a stream or a booming guffaw from the belly. Whatever form it may take,  it brings forth the essence of a moment well lived.  As Charlie Chaplin said, “A day without laughter is a day wasted.”

A hearty laugh is beneficial for health. It increases the flow of oxygen in our body. Strengthens the heart, lung and muscles, also improves cognitive power and fight against the stress and anxieties of life. 
Today people mostly search for inner happiness through outer sense gratification, which can bring some temporary satisfaction, but can not give lasting happiness or peace of mind. That frustration often leads them to cling some other addictions like drinking, gambling etc. Some health conscious people may join “Laughing Clubs “, where they laugh forcefully every morning, to increase lung power. I happen to live overlooking a park where they congregate every morning. Though I am not very sure about it’s health benefits, but surely that vigorous forced “Hyena laughter “brings lots of disturbance in its neighbourhood. 

We all are in a search for a magic formula that can keep our heart warm and minds cool.
Buddhism says, by transcending emotions and thoughts, one can experience inner peace. That also helps to develop inner strength, which can resist external turbulences  from becoming our mind
Through the ages, many enlightened, souls were born in India. They said, as divine consciousness is present in every soul, our spiritual goal should be to realise that unity in all. Only then one can  feel blessed with true happiness.
 Paramhansa Yogananda said,” view life as a cosmic motion picture, where we all are travellers. “He also said “ No sense produced pleasure is permanent, and time relentlessly works it’s havoc on physical beauty. Every thing in this material world is subject to change…. Fill your mind with the love of God. Then you will be able to love every body and will be able to smile all the time.” (from the book Mans Eternal Quest). So in the dawn of this new year  we  may pray that may our soul smile through our hearts, and our hearts smile through our eyes, which may scatter rich smiles in sad hearts.

To learn from a tree

"A tree is a poem that Earth writes upon the sky". ~Khalil Gibran

Every morning I realise this truth when I sit in the company of trees and plants in my garden. I see the sunlight playing hide and seek through the leaves and branches, the chirping birds hopping from one to another as the morning breeze hugs my heart with joy. 

Growing up, I remember our 'Nature study' class. We visited places with our teachers to learn about different types of trees, their names and characteristics, the different shapes of flowers, leaves and fruits. Even about those caterpillars and which leaves they preferred to chew on for their transformation to feeding on flowers. That beautiful training taught us to love and care for nature and created a sense of connection to something beyond the self and other humans.

Sadly, today’s children growing up in a concrete jungles do not get much of an opportunity to establish this loving bond with nature. They're more comfortable in an air conditioned room connecting with smart phones and hi-tech gadgets. Being alienated from nature, they learn to believe that land, water, air and life beyond walls are commodities for the use of human beings. The truth is that the most essential life form on this planet are trees. Without which, there would be no possibility of human or animal existence. They are the lungs if not the beating heart of the earth, constantly purifying the air, supporting the creation of oxygen and the purifying cycle desalination through water vapor and prep precipitation giving us the fresh water to drink and air we can breathe.They nourish us with fruits, flowers and shade. Bring rain to cool down parched earth, and give shelter to so many species of life, innumerable birds, insects and tired travelers. All these are done, without any expectations or a price tag - an absolutely unthinkable idea in today’s world. If we were to calculate the economic value of trees vs humans, there would be no contest. 

Modern man with arrogance and selfishness has brought so much of misery in the whole world. The time has come to think over it deeply. This is the time of year where we take a moment to ponder and make resolves to do better. May we learn some eternal values to be happy and to make others happy. Nature can teach us to be tolerant, kind and also to be connected with all life. As trees always adjust with the seasons, we also must learn to be flexible and adjusting to situations. And finally, as trees give and sustain life by giving its fruits to all without any expectations, we also must learn and apply this quality in life, to make life happy and blessed for all. Life can shine, if we remember the famous  saying, “Life is to give, not to take". 

Trees make the soil they stand on stronger, and many, like Banyan trees are connected with each other through roots under the soil. Learning from nature, we also can be aware of this basic truth of life. That what happens to any of us happens to all of us. Today the whole world is going through much turmoil. The time has come, that we realise our connectivity, and respect every form of life on earth, and make it a better world for all. May the next circle around the sun be a happier one. Happy and blessed new year to all.