The Power of Half | November 2015 | Akram Youth

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Akram Youth

November 2015 | English

Dada Bhagwan Parivar

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Contents 04 Human life | Evolution & Evaluation 08 Goal of Life Gnani's Scientific Solutions

16 Experiencial Learning 18 Gnani with youth 20 Dada’s Book Excerpt | Dadavani February 2006 22 Gnani An Idol Of Astonishment

10 Today's Youth App 11 Glimpses of Great Souls | Mahatma Gandhi 12 News update | The Giving Pledge 14 The Power of Half 15 Puzzle

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02 | November 2015

Printed & Published by Dimple Mehta on behalf of Mahavideh Foundation Simandhar City, Adalaj 382421. Dist- Gandhinagar Owned by Mahavideh Foundation Simandhar City, Adalaj 382421. Dist- Gandhinagar Printed at Amba Offset Basement, Parshvanath Chambers, Nr. RBI, Usmanpura, Ahmedabad-14.

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Editorial Have you ever thought ‘What is the purpose of life?’ We all know about the theory of evolution and that man is at a higher place of development. What next? We need to ‘pause’ a bit and think about our daily activities. Have we become mere mechanical in fulfilling our daily needs from dawn to dusk? Dadashri’s says, “We must know where we are heading?” we must set a target and follow the principles to achieve it and should not remain directionless. A tree bears fruits, wood, leaves but all meant for others to use. It never uses the same for itself. Similarly a human life must be used for other’s benefits and be a cause for their development. His whole life Dadashri laid the emphasis on his strong will that “Those who came in my contact must be benefited and experience happiness”. ({™u {éÞku yu ‚w¾ …k{u.) Pujya Niruma went ahead in this mission and ensured flow of suitable guidelines for us to follow. In this issue we highlight the noble ways of living life in such a way that our birth in human form gets fulfilled. - Dimple Mehta Akram Youth | 03


Human life

Evolution & Evaluation

Development of consciousness is an evolutionary process. Since time immemorial, we have been observing and experiencing various life forms on Earth. Darwin’s insight into Theory of Evolution set about a deep research into the mysteries of life – its’ origin, purpose and finally goal. It has been established that trees are more conscious than rocks/stones. Animals-birds are more conscious than trees. Men (Human beings) are more conscious than animals and therefore they are at the highest rank on the ladder of Evolution. At this point most of the philosophies and so called religious beliefs get stagnated! What next? So we as human beings are at a very critical stage. Dadashri Says – “We are at cross roads that makes our life most precious in terms of achieving progress in development of consciousness”. Increasing Level of Consciousness

Rocks/Stones Non-Living

Trees

Animals/Birds Living

Humans

Aahar Nidra Maithun Bhay Four (Sangnas) Aahar, Nidra, Maithun and Bhay i.e. to say Food, Sleep, Sex and Fear are the main components of a human life. So what is so special about us? Even animals live in that stage. So we are social animals at best. Though born in remote or unsuitable conditions, man may grow and develop through intellect and no one can predict what heights he may conquer. 04 | November 2015


, scientist a , r o t c do l worker ecome a He can b a poet or a socia ing n, ak a musicia n account for m ople a pe ec tyles of s where h e f li is in nges t large. H a n io t vast cha a N le ties and of peop s e v or socie li e h ffect t actions a . ding him surroun

enic enjoy natural sc n ca y e th r fo ssed ting that Humans are ble f music, a pain o n o ti si o p m d d co artistic way an n a beauties, a goo in w o b in ra lors of a tion to reveals many co s he is in a posi u h T s. re su a . le nsual p and intelligence d in m many other se f o t n e e of developm take advantag

Scientists, philosophers, psychologists and Researchers are in pursuit of exploring newer discoveries to make human life more and more comfortable and enjoyable. Material science has succeeded so far and we see lot of progress in this field through various inventions and technological development. Akram Youth | 05


06 | November 2015

Sub Human (Danav)

Moksh

Human (Manav)

Super Human (Dev)

Animals


Evolution from man to God makes human life invaluable because only on this platform one can attain salvation or moksha (freedom from the cycle of birth & death)We have struggled very hard to come to this stage in human life. We have spent innumerable births, lives unconsciously in all forms and have finally reached this positon.

Akram Youth | 07


Goal of Life Dr. Haresh Shah Doctor

By Profession a successful Doctor. He has a small hospital. But his initiative to help the person in need reflects the religious virtues he inherits from his parents. So twice a week he visits hospitals in village and offers free consultancy to needy patients. If a patient needs to be sent to some higher category hospital in another city, he sends his recommendation for admission and treatment at “discounted” rates. He even ensures that the patient continues to receive medicines post operation/treatment without any monetary obligation.

Ajay Rathod Software engineer

Gnani's Scientific Solutions

D

adashri: Without a goal in life, this life is meaningless. You earn money, you eat, drink and enjoy yourself but you still have worries. How can this be your aim in life? What is the point of a human life that goes to waste? Having been born a human, what should you do to attain the goal of a human life? If you want worldly happiness, you should give whatever you have to others. You can expect happiness only if you make others happy, otherwise misery will come to you for making others miserable. Understand the law of this world and of all the religions in just this one statement: ‘He who wants happiness should make others happy and he who wants misery, should make others miserable.’ Do whatever suits you. Someone may question about how it is possible to make others happy without money. Money is not the only thing that you can give; you can keep an obliging nature, run errands for others or give advice to people. You can oblige others in many ways. 08 | November 2015


Sandeep Bachhe Auto Driver

Drives an auto rickshaw in a metro city. He has a family to support. But whenever he gets some extra income he has found his own innovative way to contribute something for a social cause. He visits an old age home in nearby area and buys articles of daily use such as tooth brush, tooth paste, soaps, hair oils, biscuits and chocolates for them. Sandeep tries his best to help the needy by arranging free medicines and books for the under privileged persons. He offers discounted fare to the visually challenged. It is heartening to note that the lessons on social services and nobility are found from someone who is struggling for survival himself in these tough times.

Coming from a middleclass background, Jyotiben always wanted her life to be counted. So she found something different. Though she was earning by running tuition classes, she spends week-ends with children in a orphanage. She plays games, buys fruits & cakes for them, teaches them religious prayers and spends quality time with them by imparting them general knowledge. She spends 50% of her income for the benefit & welfare of children in the orphanage house.

Jyotiben Patel House-wife

Religion (dharma) is not the mere sitting in front of an idol of God; religion is to attain the goal of life. Whatever one does to attain concentration (ekagrata) is a different matter. If you focus your attention on achieving your goal, then you will succeed. If you make a decision that you want to maintain an obliging nature, the change will occur within you. Decide that you do not want any ‘wildness’ in your nature, even when the other person is behaving ‘wildly’ towards you. Is this not possible? Would changes not occur from the time you make that decision? Akram Youth | 09


Of the Youth | By the Youth | For the Youth

Today's Youth App The Official App of Dada Bhagwan Youth Group http://youth.dadabhagwan.org Description: ‘Today’s Youth App’ is designed for the Youth to help them deal with day to day life situations by applying pure scientific understanding & practical solutions, without any ritual binding, as explained by Pujya Dadashri. This App directs to the main youth website cos of the responsive nature of the website. This shall be very useful for the Youth to access on any kind of devices anytime, anywhere with just a click on this beautiful App.

REVIEWS

4.7 Download this APP now!! Khusbu Makwana

Neeraj Diwakar

Awesome app!! This is an awesome app to access the youth website directly without having to go onto the web browser. Easy to navigate and use. Recommended to all youth out there!! A must have app

Who am I? A best app for youth in whole collection of Google play store.. It is so much helpful for today’s Indian youth to properly utilize their energy in their development and development of India too.

Suhit gosrani

Meena Jesrani

It’s a best way to convey all the youths to be in a correct path of their life... As these youths learn from observing and understanding the life too

Always best it’s a best app for new generation.... thanks to all mahatmas who always think for us & do something new for the youth...

10 | November 2015


Glimpses of Great Souls

Mahatma Gandhi

T

he reverence for life is the key. We feel respect for other's life and feel sadness when we find people in misery. We are fortunate that we inherit the legacy of those who have evolved to greatness by reverence and feeling well being of other live forms. Jesus has said, “service for man is service to god”. Dadashri emphasized “There is pure soul in every living being and we must ensure no one should be hurt in slightest form.” Furthermore, Dada has gone a step ahead- “Whatever happiness and bliss that has been bestowed on me should be experienced by all who come in my contact”. This is greatness.

G

andhiji was a barrister and a successful person. His life style was also suitably matched to its profession. He used to travel in 3rd class in trains in order to feel and understand the trouble and miseries of common men and make them also feel as if he is one of them. In one such case while he was travelling - it was a hot afternoon and the train got stuck over a bridge due to some technical fault. It was about to take some time for repairs and people got down from the train and walked down to the river to freshen up. Gandhiji too went down and approached the river, bent himself and started washing his face with water with both hands. While doing so he noticed there was a poor woman washing clothes

some distance away. He noticed the women had no sufficient clothes to wear to cover her full body and was trying to cover it up somehow or other. Tears came to Gandhiji's eyes. The incidence left a permanent mark in his heart and from then on he decided to give up all his lavish clothes and started wearing only 2 pieces of covering that we call Dhoti and Khes (replacement of pants and shirts) for the rest of his life. Such was his greatness that he wished that all people should have sufficient cloths to wear and till such time he would remain as if he is a amongst one of them. Truly, Bapu has justified each and every word of the famous Bhajan - “Vaishnav jan to tene kahiya je pid parayi jane re”. (Those who understands the pain and sufferings of others are called Vaishnav in true sense and spirit.) Akram Youth | 11


News update

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he Giving Pledge is a campaign to public the wish of the wealthiest people in the world to make a commitment to give most of their wealth to philanthropic causes. The campaign specifically focuses on billionaires and was made public in 2010 by Warren Buffett and Bill Gates. According to News reports more than 100 billionaires committed to giving a significant part of their fortunes to charity". An estimate of the contribution promised by them may run into over 100 billion mark. According to the pledge the donation can happen either during the lifetime or after the death of the donor. The pledge is a moral commitment to give, not a legal contract. The list includes the donors from all over the world.

Bill Gates The moral systems of religion are super important. We want to raised our kids in a religious way. I've been very lucky, and therefore I owe it to try and reduce the inequity in the world. And that's kind of a religious belief. I mean, it's at least a moral belief. His foundation is organized to execute and monitor all charitable work efficiently.

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Warren Buffett Were we to use more than 1% of my claim checks on ourselves, neither our happiness nor our well-being would be enhanced. In contrast, the use of the remaining 99% on the health and welfare of others can have a huge effect. He once commented, "I want to give my kids just enough so that they would feel that they could do anything, but not so much that they would feel like doing nothing." His charities includes: Substantial amount in the area of the Nuclear Threat Initiative in Washington. - World Food Programme in Italy. -Girls Incorporated, a nonprofit organization that focuses on giving confidence to girls in attaining Media literacy, economic literacy, adolescent health, violence prevention and sports participation.

Manoj Bhargave

H

e was nominated E&Y Entrepreneur of the year in 2012. Bhargave believes that personal involvement is also necessary instead of simply giving money. He has pledged 90% of his wealth to charity, with an emphasis on a common sense approach to philanthropy. Bhargava's charities have funded crores

of rupees to hospitals for the poor and education for disadvantaged women in rural areas. Bhargava set plans to spend large chunk of his money to develop villages in Uttarakhand, India. The first Indian to sign up for The Giving Pledge. He says I strongly believe that those of us, who are privileged to have wealth, should contribute significantly to try and create a better world for the millions who are far less privileged.

Azim Premji

A

zim Premji Foundation, a nonprofit organisation, with a vision to significantly contribute to achieving quality universal education currently functions across various states in India in close partnership with various state governments working in the area of improving school education. He is said to have already given more than 25 per cent of his personal wealth to charity and has also planned to give away the rest of 25% in the next 5 years. One thing commonly found in the mindset of donors is that they devote personal time and energy to monitor and supervise the actions of the charitable trusts and institutions to ensure that they are run smoothly as planned. Akram Youth | 13


I

t all started when fourteen-year-old Hannah Salwen had a eureka moment. Seeing a homeless man in her neighborhoods at the same instant she spotted a man driving a glistening Mercedes, she said, "Dad, if that man had a less nice car, that man there could have a meal." Until that day, the Salwens had been like many of us - accumulating more and more stuff to support a comfortable life style. Hannah Salwen, 14 years old at the time, had a desire to do something to fix the world’s wrongs and her parents knew they had to act on her urge to do something about this disparity of wealth. As a family, they made the extraordinary decision to sell their Atlanta mansion, and bought a house half its size and downgrading to a smaller home, and give half of 14 | November 2015

the sale price to a worthy charity. At first it seemed outlandish: What, are we crazy? Then it became a challenge: We are totally doing this. Their plan eventually took them across the globe and well out of their comfort zone. In the end they learned that they had the power to change a little corner of the world. The family down-graded, by replacing their home with a house that was half as expensive and less than half the size and donated other half of the proceeds of the sale of their original home ($850,000) to a charity. They chose The Hunger Project, a charity that works to lessen the hunger of 30,000 rural villagers in over 30 villages in Ghana, and help the villagers move from poverty to selfreliance. Asked if he was suggesting the other people follow suit, he answered: "We never encourage anybody to sell their house. That was just the thing that we had more than enough of. For others it may be time, or extra things, or expensive possessions, or clothes in their closet. Everybody can give away half of one thing, and put it to use. This way you can do some good deeds and you will do some wonderful things for your relationships. The power of Half is truly a concept. It sparks off a thought amongst many. Just imagine how much time & money is spent in lavish marriages, birthday celebrations, parties, feasts, festival gatherings, use of expensive items 9 etc more as a matter of show and to impress society rather than actual need. If these spending can be cut cost-wise not material wise, the balance half can make a big difference to satisfy someone’s basic


Puzzle

The object of the puzzle is to fully fill in the given grid with missing numbers observing three simple rules. 1 through 6 for a 6 x 6 grid; and so on. Rule (1): Each row must contain different numbers. Rule (2): Each column must contain different numbers. Rule (3): Each stream must contain different numbers.

Answers | http://goo.gl/jKaMj0 Akram Youth | 15


Experiencial Learning

kul n a S a y id Vinod V

T

hose 40 hours spent in spiritual togetherness with Pujya Niruma are embedded in my memory as if this had happened only yesterday. At that time we were strangers in Ahmedabad and did not know anybody. My senior doctor had given me some Dada’s books to read. On noticing my reading enthusiasm, he informed me about Dada’s Gnan and in 1996 I took Gnan from Pujya Niruma during initiation ceremony. I felt very calm. In spite of studying several scriptures I was lacking experience of inner peace and this search ended here. During that time, I got the opportunity to do ‘Seva’ at Dada 16 | November 2015

Dr. Bharat Patel Vinod Vidya Sankul, Gota, Ahmedabad Darshan during Simandhar Swami’s ‘pratishtha’ program. For two days continuously I worked together with Pujya Niruma and Mahatmas/Aptputra. Soon after, I also got the chance to join the pilgrimage to Nepal. Thus, being in constant vicinity of Pujya Niruma, I got good clarity of Gnan and the goal of “Shuddhatma” set in, Due to my state of inner peace and calm, the desire to spread Dada’s Gnan arose within me. From within a voice told me “Pujya Niruma and Pujya Deepakbhai are


already ‘serving’ Gnan to the seekers and the elderly people. So let maybe the medium to reach out to the young people and spread Dada’s Gnan.” Being a doctor, I had my clinic.

I approached Pujya Niruma and put up my proposal of setting up a school that would impart the best knowledge to children. Along with the regular curriculum they would be made aware of Dada’s teachings so that it would strengthen the values of their life.

P

ujya Niruma immediately approved my proposal and did ‘vidhi’ twice, as a result of which, the establishment of school started with great enthusiasm and in full swing. Vinod Vidhya Sankul started at June 2002 in Gota with a few students only, and soon the number of students rose to over 1500. Day by day reputation of the school increased, because the results of students were better than those of other

schools. In this school we also spread Dadashri’s spiritual principles. Even today “Antaryami parmatma ko naman.” prayer and other verses of Dada are sung daily. Students live in harmony. I work by applying Dadashri’s principles of ‘Vyavasthit’ and ‘Money Matters’. Due care is taken that no student remains without his education under any circumstance, due to monetary problem. If any earning member of the family suddenly passes away then that particular student is taught, without any fees. Parents are satisfied that we have such affectionate dealings with our students. That in an exceptional case, if we have to rusticate a student, his parents urge us to levy whatever fine or give punishment but allow the student to continue in this environment and not send him to any other school. On seeing this, we can conclude that Pujya Dadashri’s Gnan is indeed effective. It prevents future generation of children and youth from falling in wrong company and protects them in this immoral sinful environment. Being a doctor by profession, I am running a part-time clinic also. At the clinic, ever if a patient does not have adequate money to pay, he is provided all necessary treatment and given relief. This is done as ‘seva’ and is done heartily as moral duty. Finally, let me admit that it is Pujya Dadashri’s ‘Shakti’ and Pujya Niruma’s blessings which have been a source of inspiration in my work. Now I am residing at ATPL with my family. I consider it my privilege to provide ‘seva’ according to my ability, in Dadashri’s ‘Jagat Kalyan’ project. Akram Youth | 17


18 | November 2015


Gnani with youth Q

uestioner: It is very difficult to know where are we heading in today's busy and hectic life. Life is full of instability and confusion of what to do or what not to do? After setting a goal it keeps changing. Please give the appropriate guidance.

P

ujyashree: A goal is something that you remember at least twenty five times a day. If you remember it once in two-three months it is not a goal, that all is hap-hazard. Person having a goal does not forget it at all in any situation, whether it is delusion, attachment or bad thought of any kind. It pinches him that this will do me harm in my life. They foolishly imitate others and go on wrong path. Now, because they went on wrong path, they have to come back to the correct path. Had they not picked up the wrong path they would not have needed to come back on the right track. They think oh! He has two cars, I will also have two cars.� similarly, these small children foolishly imitate others and think “Oh! He has two girlfriends, I will have three girlfriends.� There is no sense in any matter not in money, not in lust, food or drink. They are just living without any goal. First of all we must decide that what do we want in life?

Q

uestioner: Which understanding should we use to protect our selves from the influence of the western culture?

P

ujyashree: We are developed people while having any clash with any one he will think that this will bring me an animosity with this person. He will turn around and solve the issue with some adjustment. In my daily life I should settle the 'files' of social relations. First and foremost we should decide that there should be no fights in our house. If we think that we are cultured and religious people, there should be no quarrel at all in our home, no fights and no arguments. Such precious human life is just being wasted after money, sex and pride. All people want is that I should earn more, I should have more fame, stay busy with wife & children. Some people do not hesitate to enter in an affair! this is nonsense. This is an offence! Human life is just being wasted.

If we make any mistake then think on it and be regretful that this should not happen. Akram Youth | 19


Dada’s Book Excerpt

The goal of human life

20 | November 2015

Questioner: What is the goal of human life? Dadashri: One should have acquired more then 50 % of human qualities to quality for human life. If one has higher aims as a human being then he should attain 90% marks. Human qualities are necessary, isn't it? Where there is no humanity, how can one have an aim at all? This life here is all ‘fractured’, without any aim. One does not even know why he is living. What is the essence of human life? It is the stage where one can decide his future life form. One can also decide for liberation, moksha when one becomes a human being.


Questioner: What is the prerequisite for attaining the exact goal of human life and how long is this endeavor possible? Dadashri: One should know the qualities of ideal human beings and one should know how to attain them. One should go and sit near those human beings who have attained qualities of humanity.

The two types of goals in worldly life Questioner : What should one do to attain his goal in life? Dadashri: What goal have you decided for this human life? Tell me. Two types of goals need to be decided. The first is that if you cannot meet a Gnani Purush then until then, you have to live your life in such a way that no living being is hurt by you. You have to spend your time in the company (satsang) and vicinity of good human beings and avoid bad company (kusang) as much as possible. This should be the aim. The supreme goal of not hurting a single living being to the slightest extent should be there. It is not our independent

authority to give happiness to others. And if you happen to meet a Gnani Purush then remain in his satsang. With Him, all your goals will be accomplished and all your puzzles will be solved. So what then is the goal of a human being? Human beings of India have the potential to become Gods. To attain one’s own Supreme Self is the final goal of a human being. The goal is lost and one becomes a beggar

T

he religion for human beings in India is not simply for building temples only. To be born in India is exclusively for liberation. Do all your work with the goal of attaining liberation in one more life time. If this is the goal, it will be attained in 50, 100 or 500 life times to come. Let go of all other goals. Thereafter, be free to marry, have children, become a doctor or whatever, build a bungalow, or whatever you wish. Stick to this one goal, that having taken birth in India, I want to attain liberation and proceed in that direction. This will lead you to your liberation.

Download free PDF version of This Book scanning this QR code

Akram Youth | 21


Gnani

O

ne night, Niruma along with many ‘mahatmas’ was engrossed in ‘bhakti’ on the terrace of “Dada Darshan”. Building the ring of a phone from a doctor mahatma in U.S interrupted and Niruma was asked to attend the call. The doctor very solemnly informed that cancer cells were detected in Deepakbhai’s kidney. After hanging up the phone Niruma rejoined the mahatmas and continued with the ‘bhakti’. On completion of ‘bhakti’ she went to her room and conveyed the news to one ‘aptputra’. The ‘aptputra’ was completely shaken with the news but Niruma maintained her composure. She only said, “The ‘punyay’ (merit karmas) of the people of this world is falling short. One who has been so well moulded and blessed by Dadashri and has dedicated his whole being to the selfless cause of ‘jagat kalyan’ has been diagnosed with cancer. He has dedicated his whole life for the worthy cause of guiding young boys on the path of celibacy and helping the senior mahatmas in their endeavour of spiritual progress.” She was momentarily overcome with grief while saying so, but immediately regained her composure by with the thought of it all being ‘vyavasthit’. She immediately decided to fly to U.S. and join Deepakbhai as she was well aware about the gravity of the situation. 22 | November 2015

An Idol Of Astonishment Deepakbhai requested her not to travel, so as to avoid the strenuous and long flight but Niruma was firm in her stand said, “My presence there will bring joy to Deepak, hence I want to go there.” While on the other hand Deepakbhai was not at all upset on hearing the news of his health. Niruma used to pray to Dada, used to do ‘vidhi’ for Deepakbhai but all this was not out of ‘moh’ (illusionary attachment) but out of ‘gnan’. A few days later Niruma dreamt, that Pujya Dadashri was telling Deepakbhai, “Deepak you need not worry about your kidney. Nothing shall happen to you. Don’t even think about it and just forget it. Everything is going to be just fine.” In due course Deepakbhai’s operation was successfully carried out in Niruma’s presence. Such was Niruma ‘the mother’ of entire world!


Akram Youth | 23


Date of Publication: 22nd of Every Month RNI No. GUJENG/2013/53112 Reg. No. G-GNR-311/2014-2016 Valid up to 31-12-2016 LPWP Licence No. CPMG/GJ/121/2014 Valid up to 31-12-2016 Posted at Adalaj Post Office on 22th of every month

Pg. 24 - November 2015. Year: 3. Issue: 7. Cont. Issue: 31.

Akram Youth

Send your suggestions and feedback at: akramyouth@dadabhagwan.org Printed and Published by Dimple Mehta on behalf of Mahavideh Foundation-Owner. Printed at Amba Offset, Basement, Parshvanath Chambers, Usmanpura, Ahmedabad-38014

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