MAY 2019
EAST AND WEST SERIES
5
THE BUDDHA’S MESSAGE TO THE NATIONS* SADHU VASWANI
Rama and Krishna, Buddha and Confucius, Jesus and Asoka, Muhammad and Nanak are eight of the greatest men of Asia, fascinating in spiritual beauty, dynamic in history’s drama, and rich in the perspective of truth and the mastery of wisdom. The Buddha influenced some of the great scholars and philosophers of Greece and Rome. The Buddha was born in Kapilavastu when, in that city, the flowers bloomed and the air was filled with the fragrance of spring. The fragrance-filled life and message of the Buddha brought *May 18 is sacred as Buddha Purnima
a new spring in the lives of many people, a new renaissance of art and culture. I went from Colombo to Kandy to see the holy temple there, where Lord Buddha is worshipped and adored. I went to Anuradhapura and stood amazed before the picturesque remains of Buddhist art and architecture. I entered into the atmosphere of Buddhist viharas in Ceylon. I listened to the innocent talk of simple bhikkhus of the Buddhist Sangha. And my heart was filled with unspeakable joy.
MAY 2019
EAST AND WEST SERIES
In the Buddha, as in Krishna who preceded him and Jesus who succeeded him, the Word became flesh. And the Buddha became an avatara not as a Divine descent but as an evolutionary ascent, by a process of growth and intensive culture. In the Buddha, man ascended to the Divine. Therefore is the Buddha become a mighty hope, a great example in history.
6
consciousness for concentration, and to realise that the truly great ones are not they who conquer the world but they who conquer craving and become the sons of Light, the servants of Love!
THUS SPAKE THE BUDDHA “O bhikkhus!
I saw a picture of the Buddha: beneath it were written the words: “Mercy of God.” The Buddha was, indeed, a picture of the Mercy of God. He became a saviour of birds and beasts: animal sacrifices in India were abolished as a result of his teaching and its tremendous influence upon the millions of this Ancient Land.
Wander through the land
It is difficult for me to forget what I felt, one evening, walking under shady palm-trees in a grove where some Buddhist bhikkhus lived. I felt that trishna (desire) is the cause of world-sorrow (dukkha), and a strange peace filled my heart. And, as the years have passed, I have realised, more and more, that out of trishna is the turmoil of Western politics and the struggle and scramble for silver and gold— for possessions and the goods of this Earth. Out of trishna, is violence, out of trishna is the War which, as a flame, continues to spread.
Bring new life to all!”
O, for new Apostles of the Buddha who would go forth among the nations and spread the message of the Master to extinguish the flames, to free the mind from the heavy chains of desire, to liberate
Born or yet in womb unborn,
With the message of healing And the message of light. And in the midst of darkness Kindle ye the light that heals! Thus, go ye forth to places near and places far! And, filled with compassion, Bring happiness to multitudes, *** “This triple truth Teach ye to all: The generous heart, The kindly speech, The life of compassion and service— These be the things That make Humanity new!” *** “May every living thing, Weak or strong, tall or short, Dwelling near or far away, May everything on earth Breathing out the breath of life, Be happy, full of bliss!”
MAY 2019
EAST AND WEST SERIES
7
SISTER SHANTI*— A GENTLE, TENDER SOUL DADA J. P. VASWANI At an early age, Sister Shanti came to Beloved Sadhu Vaswani, and he so blessed her that she became a blessing to many. She had the soul of a child and the heart of a mother. Her motherheart flowed in sympathy to all— rich and poor, young and old. Sympathy, Beloved Sadhu Vaswani taught her, must deepen into identification with the sorrows of others. “I do not ask the wounded person how he feels,” says Walt Whitman; “I myself become the wounded person. Not a mutineer walks handcuffed to jail but I am handcuffed to him and walk by his side.” So it was with dear Shanti. She regarded another’s woe as her own. She would not rest until she had given relief to those who came to her in suffering and pain. Not unoften, this affected her health adversely: but she did not care. “The body has to drop, sooner or later,” she said. “Why should it not go while serving God’s children?” Her love moved out to the poor and needy, to the depressed and the outcast. They are not apart from me,” she said. “They are a part of me. We all are one!” Thinking of dear Shanti, I am reminded of the immortal words of St. Francis of Assisi:
“Blessed is he that serves and desires not to be served!” “Blessed is he that truly loves and seeketh not love in return!” “Blessed is he that doeth good unto others and seeketh not that others do good unto him!” Blessed was Shanti. She served and loved and did good unto others till the last day of her life. Her compassion flowed to the sinner and the “fallen” one. Her love embraced brother bird and animal. Every day, she fed the
Contd. on page 11
*May 15-16 is sacred as Sister Shanti’s Mahayagna (Anniversary) days.
MAY 2019
EAST AND WEST SERIES
10
Rabindranath Tagore* — The Radiant Man SADHU VASWANI
I wonder if you have ever asked yourselves the question: What is the meaning of the word “Tagore”? This word “Tagore” is a modern form of the ancient Indian word “Thakur”. And the word “Thakur” means “Master”. To many, indeed, in many parts of the world, I know Tagore is a “Master”. Gurudev Tagore, they call him still in Shantiniketan. This great Master sounds the Note Universal. In a book of his which he regarded as his greatest book— Nationalism, Tagore urges that all the Nations are members of Universal Humanity and the need therefore, to understand one another in the light of the spirit of humanity. He has a Sage’s insight, a Patriot’s vital hope. His Songs to the Motherland sound a new note and are a positive contribution to literature. His Sonar Bangla “Golden Bengal” is a wondrous utterance of the glory and valour and natural beauty of the Poet’s native land. His songs are rich in yearning and patriotic love for the rivers and mounts, the hills and rills, the rice-fields and rich plains, the trees, and stars of India. His poems of patriotism sound the note: India must not lose her own self. And the anxiety of his
heart is that India must not, in the distractions of these days, become “the Disinherited”. India will be great in the measure she is true to the Heritage of her Sages. This Heritage is Spiritual Idealism. The picture in his heart is that of a Free India. But he does not confound Freedom with the worship of power. India must be joyous, beautiful and free! Tagore is a poet of life: he is not a poet of the cloister or the cell. Tagore is not an ascetic: but he recognises the value of tapasya. When a distinguished man of the West, Prof. Levi, paid a visit to Shantiniketan, Tagore greeted him and Tagore read to him an address of welcome. In the course of this address, unfolding his ideals of education, Tagore pointed out that he was trying, as the rishis did in ancient India, to build education in tapoban and tapasya. Tapoban is Forest, is Nature, is communion of soul with the
*May 8 is Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore’s Birth Anniversary.
MAY 2019
EAST AND WEST SERIES
Infinite in the heart of boundless space and nature’s peace and limitless light. Far from the madding crowds is Shantiniketan: the Poet’s educational colony is planted in the tapoban: there nature may be seen in beauty and grandeur: the stars look on you in loveliness and the great sun peeps through the wide peepul trees. There, far from noises and shouts, you have songs of birds by day and the magic of the moon by night. Tapoban is the first principle of education. The second principle of education is tapasya. And Tagore interprets the spirit of tapasya in beautiful words. Tapasya does not mean that you retreat from life: tapasya does not mean that you cover your body with ashes and dust. No; take glory in the
11
beauty and the joy of life, said Tagore, again and again. What, then, is tapasya? Tapasya, Tagore points out, is disinterestedness in study and life. In knowledge and in action be disinterested for the fulfilment of soul which once belonged to India,” says Tagore. And I recall the teaching of Sri Krishna unto His beloved disciple on the Kurukshetra: “Arjuna! Arjuna! Work but cling not to fruits of action. Surrender the fruits of action at the LotusFeet of the Lord.” This is tapasya. Build knowledge in tapasya, in disinterestedness. And when you are called upon to act, see that you act, too, in the spirit of tapasya, in disinterestedness.
SISTER SHANTI— A GENTLE, TENDER SOUL Contd. from page 7 birds that came, in hundreds, to the terrace of the ‘Dada Darshan Building’, where she stayed. She fed animals and, in other ways, took care of them. “I, too, am a bird,” she said, “and will soon fly away. Continue to feed and take care of the little birds.” Dear Shanti was the very picture of loving-kindness. She had a gentle soul. She went about doing kindly things. And the words she spoke were vibrant with the sympathy and tenderness of her loving heart. To her none was a stranger: everyone was a friend. Her life was full of rich helpfulness. No wrong or injustice ever provoked her to ungentleness. She
was never known to utter a harsh word. The tongue, she said, is meant to repeat the Name Divine, and the heart is a shrine of the Lord. Therefore, must the heart be pure and the tongue guileless. Many came to her, every day, for advice on matters temporal and spiritual. To each she gave right counsel. She had a rich store of practical common sense: and she had the light of intuition with which she helped many to solve their worldly problems. May the witness of her love-filled life touch the hearts of some of us awakening us to the reality and the beauty of the dedicated life, the life of simplicity and sacrifice, of spontaneity and self-realisation!
MAY 2019
EAST AND WEST SERIES
12
The Pranava Mantra DADA J. P. VASWANI
Omkara (pranava) is considered to be the sound incarnation of the Supreme Being. It symbolises Brahman; it is identical with Brahman, the Supreme Lord. It is beginningless, changeless, supreme and free from any external contamination. The Naradapancharatra states: “When the transcendental sound vibration is practised by a conditioned soul, the Supreme Lord is present in his utterance.” The Atharvaveda and the Mandukya Upanishad too, mention the importance of omkara. Omkara is said to be the beginning, middle, and end, and is eternal, beyond all material restrictions or contaminations. The Lord refers to this sacred syllable in the Gita: Maharshinaam bhrigur aham giraam asmy ekam aksharam yajnaanaam japa-yajno asmi sthavaraanaam himalayah [Gita: X – 25] Of the great sages I am Bhrigu; of vibrations I am the transcendental Om. Of sacrifices I am japa, the chanting of the holy names, and of immovable things I am the Himalayas.
What else can we say about this mool mantra? Sri Krishna Himself explains that He is the transcendental Om vibration and that japa (chanting or quiet recitation of a mantra for the purpose of meditation) is the purest of yajnas or sacrifices that we can offer to Him. Brahma is that aspect of the Trinity who is the Creator: we could say that He was the First Created Being; Sage Brighu, the greatest among rishis, was His son. The transcendental sound Om, takes its primary place as the Prime Syllable (Eka aksharam); and japa or chanting, as the primary form of sacrifice. We may understand, therefore, that by the japa and by hearing the holy sound of this mantra, indeed, even from its sacred vibrations, one can attain spiritual realisation. This, in essence, is the process of mantrayoga. Although the mantra is powerful in itself, when it is chanted with faith and intensity by a true devotee, it acquires even more power. This effect is also achieved when a disciple is fortunate enough to take initiation from a spiritual mentor or guru, who initiates him into a mantra for his spiritual progress.
MAY 2019
EAST AND WEST SERIES
As we know, all chanting of the Vedas or vedic verses begins (and ends) with the chanting of Om, because Om is the bija or seed mantra at the beginning of most Vedic chants and mantras. In fact, Om is also used as the pre-eminent and fundamental chant in yoga for training in pranayama or breathcontrol. The aspirant or sadhaka is taught to chant Om in the process of controlling his breathing. As we know, breath control is accepted as a way of steadying, stabilising, controlling and purifying the mind. Through repeated chanting of this mantra and through the combined practice of pranayama, the aspirant can take the first steps towards controlling the mind and gradually turning it away from worldly desires and preoccupations to focus on Self-realisation, which is the way to moksha or Liberation. The Mandukya Upanishad states: “Om is the one eternal syllable of which all that exists is but the development. The past, the present and the future are all included in this one sound, and all that exists beyond the three forms of time is also implied in it.â€? Here is what the Katha Upanishad tells us about this sacred mantra: The goal which all the Vedas declare, which all austerities aim at, and which men desire when they lead the life of continence‌ is Om. This syllable Om is indeed Brahman. Whosoever knows this syllable obtains all that he desires. This is the best support; this is the highest support. Whosoever knows this support is adored in the world of Brahman.
13
Brahman is incomprehensible to the untrained mind; in our state of physical existence, we can never ever hope to achieve this Supreme Knowledge: but the pranava mantra is the closest that we can attain to the cognisance of this Truth. It is a profound symbol, whose sound vibrations can help us realise this Truth, instinctively, intuitively. For those of us who worship the Unmanifest, it takes us closer to the Nirguna Brahman; for those of us who hold the form of the ishta devata dear to us, it can bring the form of Saguna Brahman, closer to our consciousness. That is why we refer to this as the pranava mantra, or that which pervades life and runs through our prana or breath. I have said this repeatedly, that though Kali Yuga is one of the toughest and most strife-ridden of the ages, it is also an Age in which God has made it easy for His bhaktas to attain to Him. Thus it is a sign of the times, that this mantra which was once held to be esoteric and mysterious and the prerogative of the learned few, has now become part of the daily life and routine of all believers. Most pious Hindus begin their day, their work and their travel with the chanting of this mantra. It is part of their recited and silent prayers; it is part of their pooja and aarti; our students write this syllable at the very beginning of their examinations! Women wear the sacred symbol as a protective pendent; men engrave it on their rings and so on. In many families, the sacred syllable is written on the tongue of the newborn child, during its naming ceremony. Contd. on page 15
MAY 2019
EAST AND WEST SERIES
14
THE FIVE LAYERS OF THE HUMAN ENERGY FIELD PHYLAMEANA LILA DESY
The human body consists of five layers of energy. The first layer is the physical body, which has weight, shape, and volume. You can touch it, see it, and contemplate its reflection in the mirror. But there are four other energy fields surrounding the physical body that are not so easily seen and which are commonly referred to collectively as a person’s aura. Together, these five layers, or energy bodies, comprise the human energy field. These layers are where our mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional characteristics are stored. They can be in balance or out of balance. Which is why energy medicine practitioners believe that it’s not enough to just treat the physical body when people fall sick. The other four layers must be evaluated and treated as well. How To Detect Energy Fields It takes someone with clairvoyant ability to see the second, third, fourth, and fifth layers, which can, but not always, look completely different from one individual to the other. The layers may also be perceived in ways that do not involve third eye visualisation. For example, some energy practitioners can sense a person’s aura via touch, scent,
or sound. To people with these special abilities, these layers are living energies with a pulse that can be measured. Physical Energy This is the layer that we generally think of as our physical selves. Although our physical bodies are a kind of package, consisting of flesh, skin, bone, organs, and blood, they are also an energy, same as the other layers of the body that most people cannot see or sense. Etheric Energy The second, or etheric— from the word “ether”— layer of our energy body, is located approximately one quarter to one half inch— but not more than an inch— from the physical body.
MAY 2019
EAST AND WEST SERIES
15
Energy medicine practitioners who are adept at psychically sensing this layer have described it as feeling much like a spider web, sticky, even stretchy. It is also gray or gray-blue in color. The etheric energy body has also been referred to as the blueprint or holograph of the physical body.
Mental Energy
Emotional Energy
Spiritual Energy
The emotional layer of our energy body is the third layer. Centrally located among the five layers, this layer is where our feelings and fears reside. This layer can be quite volatile when we are experiencing extreme high or low emotions.
The spiritual layer of the human energy field is the final layer. It is the place where our “consciousness” or “higher awareness” resides. This final layer ties us not only to our past lives but also to a universal consciousness.
This is the layer from which our ideas spring. Our belief systems are also stored here. This is where our thoughts are assimilated and sorted out, and it is where we house our personal truths, or, rather, our perceptions based on our experiences.
THE PRANAVA MANTRA Contd. from page 13 Scholars say that this sacred syllable is made up of three vital sounds: aa, oo and ma. This is why it is sometimes represented as Aum in English transliteration. It is also thought to be the primal sound that existed before the creation— and the ultimate sound that will continue to exist after the dissolution of the Universe in the pralaya. Thus, it is worshipped as the Naatharupa— the sound Form of the Supreme. Our great sages, rishis and yogis have meditated on this mantra as the path to Eternal Bliss, and union with the Nirguna Brahman or Formless Nameless God. These three sounds A-U-M are thought to represent the Holy Trinity of Creation, Preservation and Destruction. Thus the chanting of the mantra is a prayer or worship in itself.
In his characteristically simple and beautiful way, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa tells us: “The sound OM is Brahman. The rishis and sages practised austerity to realise that Sound— Brahman. After attaining perfection one hears the sound of this eternal Word rising spontaneously from within. ‘What will you gain’, some sages ask, ‘by merely hearing this sound?’ You hear the roar of the ocean there must also be the ocean. By following the trail of OM you attain Brahman, of which the Word is the symbol. That Brahman has been described by the Vedas as the ultimate goal... The sandhya merges in the Gayatri, the Gayatri in Om, and Om in samadhi. It is like the sound of a bell: t-a-m! The yogi, by following in the trail of the sound Om, gradually merges himself in the Supreme Brahman.”
MAY 2019
EAST AND WEST SERIES
16
THE LIGHT OF MAN SADHU VASWANI An Indian king, about two thousand years ago, asked the great Rishi Yagnavalkya: “What is the light of man?” And Yagnavalkya said: “The sun, O king!” But the king was not content with the reply. He asked again: “When the sun is set, O rishi of great renown! What, then, is the light of man?” And Yagnavalkya said: “When the sun is set, O king! Then the moon is the light of man!” But the king asked again: “When the sun and the moon both are set, O sage! What, then, is the light of man?” And Yagnavalkya said: “When both the sun and the moon are set, then fire is the light of man.” The king was still unsatisfied and asked again: O thou who knowest! Be gracious to me And answer. When the sun and the moon are set, And when the fire is gone out,
And all these outer lights have failed, And the whole world itself, Is in darkness wrapped, What is, then, the light of man? Then the sage answered thus: O king! When both the sun and the moon are set, When the fire is gone out, When the outer sources of the world’s light have failed, When the world itself is wrapped in darkness— Then doth the Light of the Atman— The Light of the Spirit, shine forth, The true Light that never is extinguished— The Eternal Light of Man. And his is the true life in whom shineth the Eternal Light. This Light is interpreted by the rishis, again and again, as the Light of Truth. The Supreme is the Truth. Than Truth nothing is higher— says an ancient seer. And students in ancient India were taught to bear witness to Truth in their lives,
MAY 2019
EAST AND WEST SERIES
their activities and aspirations. So the Sufi mystics worshipped God as the Truth (Al-Haq). India, then, was truly great. India, then, was the Teacher of the nations. And the people of India were ahl al-Haq, the people of the Truth, the people of God. Then, indeed, was India a free nation. Jesus rightly said: “Truth shall make you free!” When will India be truly free again, a liberated nation, shining as a star? This conception of God as the “Light of lights” (Nur alanwar) is the essence at once of the wisdom of the rishis and the gnosis of the mystics of East and West. True it is the Supreme is beyond comprehension, beyond knowledge, “beyond the known, beyond the unknown,” as a rishi said. And so the Upanishads say of the Atman, the Self: “Neti! Neti” “Not grasped!” So doth another rishi declare in words pregnant with deep thought: Unmoving, He moveth not! Far away, yet near, Within all, yet outside all, He, the Atman! And we can but meditate on Him in the heart in “silent wonder.” And in “silent wonder,” in the words of a sacred Upanishad, “do the wise see Him, the Atman, as the Life flowing in all creatures.” When a jignasu asks: “O Master! where is the Unconditioned to be found?” the rishi answers “Everywhere
17
or nowhere!” This, verily, is true, True, also, was what the rishis taught their pupils in the ashramas of ancient India: Truth is God, And Truth conquers— Truth alone! But what is Truth? Who may answer the question in words? What is Truth? Not by lips, not by word of mouth did the rishis answer the question. The rishis taught that the Atman transcended speech and mind. And more than once the rishis indicated that the Supreme was silence. The rishis’ answer was not in words, not in categories of logic or understanding, but in their life rich in humility and sacrifice, radiant with the Light in whose Divine Presence “I” and “thou” cease to exist, the Light wherein all are seen to be but pictures of the One.
May my face be always turned to Light! May my footsteps always lead me to the right: And even if I stumble, may I be granted the strength to rise and get back to the Path. — Dada J. P. Vaswani
MAY 2019
EAST AND WEST SERIES
25
Laugh Your Way To Health Dentist: “Have you seen any small boys ring my bell and run away?” Policeman: “They weren’t small boys, they were grown-ups.” ***
Young doctor: “Why do you always ask your patients what they have for dinner?” Old Doctor: “It’s the most important question, for according to their menus, I make out my bills.” ***
“What time do you get up in the summer?” “As soon as the first ray of the sun comes in my window.” “Isn’t that rather early?” “No. My room faces the West.” ***
Teacher: “Frank, what is a cannibal?” Frank: “I don’t know ma’am.” Teacher: “Well, if you ate your mother and father, what would you be?” Frank: “An orphan.” ***
“Uncle Louis” said little Eleanor, “Do you know that a baby that was fed on an elephant’s milk gained 20 pounds in a few weeks?” “Nonsense! Impossible!” exclaimed Uncle Louis. “Whose baby was it?” “The elephant’s baby!”
remarked little Eleanor. ***
A man leans closer to his wife. “Can you keep a secret?” He whispers to her. “Sure I can,” says the wife, becoming curious. “That’s good,” whispers the man again, “So can I!” ***
Women really know how to hold a grudge. My wife asked me to pass her a lip balm. And by mistake, I gave her a tube of Super Glue. It’s been a month now and she’s still not speaking to me! ***
Husband brings the child home from kindergarten and asks his wife, “He’s been crying the whole way home. Isn’t he sick or something?” “No,” replies the wife, “he was just trying to tell you he isn’t our Frankie.” ***
A Japanese man in a monastery atop a sacred mountain asks the wise man: “Master Ayumu, why do all Westerners think that Japanese people look alike?”— “I am not Master Ayumu.” ***
Girl: “I’m sick and tired of you pretending to be some detective ace all the time. I think we should split up.”— Me: “Excellent idea. That way we can cover more ground.”
MAY 2019
EAST AND WEST SERIES
Children’s Corner EXPERIMENT WITH SALT Can you lift an ice cube into the air using nothing but a piece of string? This is a classic experiment with salt and ice. This one requires only a few simple materials, takes just a couple of minutes to do, and produces a real “wow” factor. Requirement: • A glass filled with water • An ice cube • A piece of string • Salt FREEZING TEMPERATURE: To conduct this simple science experiment, place the ice cube into the glass of water. The ice cube will float on top of the water. Next, take your length of string (it will work best if you use a wet piece of string) and lay it across the ice cube. Can you pick up the ice cube? No? What could we use as “glue” to attach the string to the ice cube? Here’s how to make the magic happen. Place the wet string on top of the ice cube, sprinkle some salt over the ice cube and string and wait for one minute. After one minute, lift the string by holding it at each end. SCIENCE MAGIC: There! The string is now attached to the ice cube and you’ve lifted the ice cube up and out of the water. How it works: Salt lowers the freezing point of water so where the salt
30
MAY 2019
EAST AND WEST SERIES
meets the ice cube, the ice melts quickly. It only takes a few seconds for the water to refreeze into ice and surround the string. When this water refreezes, the string is now stuck to the ice cube and can be used to lift it out of the water. So salt lowers the freezing point of water. Can you think of a common every day scenario where this fact is useful? How about during winter snowfalls when roads and sidewalks are slippery and covered with ice? That’s why we sprinkle salt over these surfaces to melt the ice and make them safer.
DID YOU KNOW…? • Hearing is the fastest human sense. A person can recognise a sound in as little as 0.05 seconds. • The finest quality emeralds are more valuable than diamonds. • Jellyfish, or jellies as scientists call them, are not fish. They have no brain, no heart, and no bones. • Russia has a larger surface area than Pluto. • Celery has negative calories! It takes more calories to eat a piece of celery than the celery has in it to begin with. It’s the same with apples! • More people are allergic to cow’s milk than any other food. • The longest international border is between Canada and the USA.
31
MAY 2019
EAST AND WEST SERIES
Thoughts and Aspirations DADA J. P. VASWANI
CELEBRATING THE ESSENCE OF MOTHERHOOD A mother of several children was asked: “Whom do you love the most— the eldest or the youngest or any one in between?” She answered: “I love the most the child who is sick until he gets well and the child who is away until he returns home!” Such is God’s love for everyone of us. *** The man who says he reveres God but has no respect for his mother, speaks a lie. *** We all love our mothers, but we must show our love by helping her as much as we can. *** Mothers are God's greatest gift to mankind. *** Remember there is no one else on earth who loves you as much as your mother does *** Let me live as a child— free from all care and anxiety. Let me grow in the faith that the Mother provides wherever she guides! *** O Lord, so bless me that I may never lose the sense of Thy tender care and loving protection. Thou art my Mother: I am Thy child! *** Greet difficulties with a smile and meet dangers with courage. Never forget that the Mother Divine is ever with you, protecting you, guiding you, guarding you. The Mother never fails. Trust in Her till the breaking point— and the breaking point will never come! *May 12 is celebrated as Mother’s Day.
32
MAY 2019
EAST AND WEST SERIES
36
How can we Really know
Dada? KRISHNA KUMARI
Sadhu Vaswani was a masterartist whose works captivated many hearts. But the most exquisite and unique work he created was Rev. Dada J. P. Vaswani. Minutely and painstakingly he chiseled, moulded and shaped him. The kinship, the affinity between these two kindred souls grew into an unbreakable eternal bond. Every opportunity Dada received to be in his Guru’s presence, in his Divine aura, contributed significantly to his spiritual upliftment. Once when the disciple and the Master were engaged in an intimate personal conversation, Dada asked Sadhu Vaswani: “The birth of this physical form was through my mother. You have given me another birth– you have released me from the womb of maya. Where was I before that?”
Looking deeply and lovingly at Dada, Sadhu Vaswani said: “You are the child of my tears. Before I sculpted you, I imprinted your image in the recesses of my heart. Your true form had already taken shape within me. It was then that I manifested you. You were like a dream dancing before my eyes. Just as a bud blossoms into a flower– my dream bloomed into you… “In this age of noise and din, clamour and craving, may you bear witness to the kingdom of God. That is your True Home. Always keep your faith in the rishis of India and kindle that same faith in the lives of all who come in contact with you. May you be drenched in a ceaseless flow of blessings from the rishis and spend your life in service and sacrifice. May you experience the unity of all life. Therefore may
MAY 2019
EAST AND WEST SERIES
you be a friend of all. May you be a burden bearer and lift their loads. “Hold aloft the ideals of the rishis and make India once again a land of True light and wisdom.” Such was the blessing Sadhu Vaswani bestowed on Dada. Little wonder, all who came in proximity with Dada, all who closely associated with him exclaimed: “O captivator of minds, O stealer of hearts, whose smile ravishes many hearts. Tell us who you truly are? “When we are by your side, we feel protected. In your presence, we feel uplifted. When at your lotus feet we seek solace, we are loath to return to the world.” Every day he would come from the land of silence and meet the aspiring souls who gathered to get a glimpse of his radiant face. They waited with bated breath for his arrival. He would slip into the room silently, but somehow his vibrations, which gave rise to an exciting tingle, would precede him. He would come and sit on a simple chair and with a calm smile and folded hands would greet them all and converse with them with care and concern, love and humility. His first question would be: “My dear ones, how are you? How did you spend the day?” They were runof the mill, ordinary questions. Yet there was something inexplicable about them– some magic in his voice– some wonder in his look, that made the stress and strain of the day get washed away and disappear. Sometimes his words would make us laugh, sometimes they made us cry. Sometimes he would be silent and we would strain to
37
hear his soft words. At other times his words were like the endless flow of a river. His sweet, penetrating voice would pierce our inner being, would make our spirits soar. The anecdotes he narrated were simple and straightforward, yet the encouragement and impetus they gave us would direct our steps on the right path at least for the next 24 hours till he met us again. His teachings were like a map, given to us on a platter to help us tread the path of goodness. To seekers he provided sadhanas (disciplines) to prepare them. To pilgrims who lost themselves in the ocean of life, he was a lifeboat. To those who were in a dilemma, he dispelled their doubts. To those lost in the darkness of despair he brought the light of hope and courage. To those who succumbed to pain and illness– he filled them with energy and vitality. His teachings cannot be merely inscribed on paper. Their enormity and depth, their potency and power can be assimilated if they are written in words of fire on the tablets of our hearts. Like a furnace purifying gold, his words should purify our hearts and make them worthy of being offered to him. Only when we try to put into practice his teachings, will we get a glimpse of who Dada is. To know, to understand, to realise the reality of Dada is a task that can be attempted only by those who choose to walk the rough and rocky path towards bliss eternal.
MAY 2019
EAST AND WEST SERIES
RECIPES
38
EGGLESS MANGO MOUSSE
FOR THE MONTH NAAN PIZZAS
Ingredients: Garlic and coriander mini naans....................... 6 Sliced kale, washed, tough stalks removed......................... 3 handfuls Cauliflower, sliced very finely, thick stalks removed................................½ head Red onion, thinly sliced...................................... 1 Full-fat paneer, sliced................................. 226 g Olive oil, plus extra to grease.....................2 tbsp Chilli flakes...................................................2 tsp Spiced mango chutney................................2 tbsp Green salad (optional)............................to serve Method: Heat the oven to 220°C/200°C fan/gas 7. Put the naans onto 2 greased baking sheets. Put the kale, sliced cauliflower, red onion and paneer in a bowl and toss with the oil, salt and freshly ground black pepper. Divide evenly among the naans and sprinkle over the chilli flakes. Bake for 10 minutes or until the onion and cauliflower are cooked through, the kale is crisp and the cheese is golden. Slide the naan pizzas onto a chopping board, mix the mango chutney with a little hot water, then drizzle over the pizzas and serve with a green salad on the side, if you want to. Delicious tips: Use 6 mini flatbreads instead of mini naans as bases and vary the topping to suit what you have or need to use up.
Ingredients: Mango puree............................................. 2 cups Heavy cream................................................1 cup Berries and mint.........................................to top Method: Using an electric mixer, beat the cream until soft peaks form. Using a spatula, carefully fold in the mango puree. Don’t over mix. Transfer to serving glasses and rest in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours. Top with berries and mint. SUMMER FRUIT COOLER
Ingredients: Ruby red grapefruit juice, divided............. 8 cups Unsweetened pineapple juice.................... 2 cups Orange juice................................................1 cup Cranberry juice............................................1 cup Lemon-lime soda, chilled.......................... 4 cups Orange slices and fresh mint leaves Method: Pour 3 cups grapefruit juice into two ice cube trays; freeze until set. In a large pitcher, combine the pineapple, orange and cranberry juices; stir in remaining grapefruit juice. Chill until serving. Slowly stir in soda; add the grapefruit ice cubes. Garnish with orange slices and mint.
MAY 2019
EAST AND WEST SERIES
41
SIMPLE RULES OF HEALTH PREVENTING ASTHMATIC TRIGGERS Asthma occurs when the airways (bronchial tubes) in the lungs become inflamed and are blocked by mucus, making breathing difficult. The chest tightens and the lungs seem to produce a wheezing sound. Asthma can be well controlled. If you find that you’re experiencing asthma attacks often, consult your doctor on the lifestyle changes you can make to prevent the attacks. Here are some steps endorsed on how to keep your condition under control. Identify the triggers In order to prevent an asthma attack, it is important you first recognise the causes of it. Certain triggers can set off a cascade of asthma symptoms– coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing– so it’s important you identify the triggers. That way, you can take steps to avoid an asthma attack. Start keeping track of your asthma symptoms in a diary Monitor for several weeks and remember to include all the environmental and emotional factors that are associated with your asthma. When you experience an asthma attack, return to your diary to see which (combination of) factors might have contributed
to it. Some common asthma triggers are not always obvious. Once you’ve identified your asthma triggers, it will be easier to look into ways you can avoid them. The most common asthma triggers include air pollution, allergies, the flu virus, and smoke. Allergy-proof your environment If you have an allergy-induced asthma, be sure to minimise your exposure to substances you are allergic to. Some of the ways to allergy-proof your environment include: • Change the bed linen regularly and wash your bedsheets and pillow covers in hot water to rid it of dust mites • Install an air purifier (with a certified HEPA filter) in the bedroom to reduce the quantity of dust mites • Use a dehumidifier to reduce moisture and prevent mould from forming in your home • Vacuum your floor with a suction cleaner containing a HEPA filter at least twice a week to avoid the accumulation of dust
Contd. on page 43
MAY 2019
EAST AND WEST SERIES
42
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE RECONNECT WITH NATURE KRISTOPHE GREEN & DACHER KELTNER Humans have long intuited that being in nature is good for the mind and body. A large body of research is documenting the positive impacts of nature on human flourishing— our social, psychological, and emotional life. Over 100 studies have shown that being in nature, living near nature, or even viewing nature in paintings and videos can have positive impacts on our brains, bodies, feelings, thought processes, and social interactions. In particular, viewing nature seems to be inherently rewarding, producing a cascade of position emotions and calming our nervous systems. These, in turn, help us to cultivate greater openness, creativity, connection, generosity, and resilience. Science suggests we may seek out nature not only for our physical survival but because it’s good for our social and personal well-being. HOW NATURE HELPS US FEEL GOOD AND DO GOOD Several studies have looked at how viewing awe-inspiring nature imagery in photos and videos impacts emotions and behaviour. Studies tells us that even brief nature videos are a powerful way to feel awe, wonder, gratitude, and reverence— all positive emotions known to lead to increased wellbeing and physical health. Positive emotions have beneficial effects
on social processes, too— like increasing trust, cooperation, and closeness with others. Since viewing nature appears to trigger positive emotions, it follows that nature likely has favourable effects on our social well-being. Viewing nature in images and videos seems to shift our sense of self, diminishing the boundaries between self and others, which has implications for social interactions. HOW NATURE HELPS OUR HEALTH Besides boosting happiness, positive emotion, and kindness, exposure to nature may also have physical and mental health benefits. Why is nature so healing? One possibility is that having access to nature— either by living near it or viewing it— reduces stress. Studies have found that people who report feeling a good deal of awe and wonder and an awareness of the natural beauty around them actually show lower levels of a biomarker that could lead to a decreased likelihood of cardiovascular disease, depression, and autoimmune disease.
MAY 2019
EAST AND WEST SERIES
WHY WE NEED NATURE All of these findings converge on one conclusion: Being close to nature or viewing nature improves our well-being. The question still remains…how? There is no question that being in nature— or even viewing nature pictures— reduces the physiological symptoms of stress in our bodies. What this means is that we are less likely to be anxious and fearful in nature, and thereby we can be more open to other people and to creative patterns of thought. Also, nature often induces awe, wonder, and reverence; all emotions are known to have a variety of benefits, promoting everything from well-being and
43
altruism to humility to health. People seem to be spending less time outdoors and less time immersed in nature than before. It is also clear that, in the past 30 years, people’s levels of stress and sense of “busyness” have risen dramatically. Perhaps we should take note and try a course corrective. The 19th-century philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote about nature, “There I feel that nothing can befall me in life— no disgrace, no calamity (leaving me my eyes), which nature cannot repair.” It’s time to realise nature is more than just a material resource. It’s also a pathway to human health and happiness.
SIMPLE RULES OF HEALTH Contd. from page 41 Avoid smoking areas • Do not allow smoking in your home or car • Avoid smoking zones in public areas, eg. at the coffee shop • When travelling, opt for a nosmoking room Get vaccinated for flu Get a flu shot every year to protect yourself against the flu virus, which almost always makes asthma much worse for days to weeks. People with asthma are more likely to have complications from the flu, such as pneumonia, and are more likely to be hospitalised as a result. Staying current with vaccinations can prevent flu and chest infections
which may trigger asthma flareups. Work out Physical activity is important for overall health, even for those with asthma. One of the goals of asthma treatment is to help you maintain a normal and healthy lifestyle, which includes exercise and other physical activities. Minimise stress People who are under stress tend to have higher asthma rates. Stress causes the so-called “fight or flight” response in our bodies, involving a surge of hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. This leads to among other things shallow and fast breathing, which puts us at a higher risk of asthma symptoms like tight chest and coughing.
East And West Series
Since 1954 A Monthly Journal for Self-improvement, Self-knowledge, Self-realisation
Annual Subscription In India: Rs.100/Outside India: Snail Mail: $ 10 or ÂŁ 7.50 Air Mail: $ 20.00 or ÂŁ 15 Contact: East And West Series 10, Sadhu Vaswani Path, Pune - 411 001, (India). Tel: 020-40064450 Email: eastandwestseries@sadhuvaswani.org
You may subscribe by sending a demand draft (DD), money order, cheque at par or through our online website www.dadavaswanisbooks.org