Timeless Wisdom for Modern Life

In the Bhagavad Gita, the concept of performing duty without attachment to the fruit of action is referred to as “Nishkama Karma.” Here are some key shlokas (verses) that describe this concept:

Shloka 1: Chapter 2, Verse 47

“कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन |

मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भूर्मा ते संगोऽस्त्वकर्मणि ||”

(Karmaṇy evādhikāras te mā phaleṣu kadācana |

Mā karmaphalahetur bhūr mā te saṅgo ‘stvakarmaṇi)

Meaning: “You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty.”

Shloka 2: Chapter 2, Verse 48

“योगस्थः कुरु कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा धनंजय |

सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योः समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते ||”

(Yogasthaḥ kuru karmāṇi saṅgaṃ tyaktvā dhanañjaya |

Siddhyasiddhyoḥ samo bhūtvā samatvaṃ yoga ucyate)

Meaning: “Perform your duties, O Arjuna, being steadfast in yoga, abandoning attachment to success or failure. This evenness of mind is called yoga.”

Shloka 3: Chapter 3, Verse 30

“मयि सर्वाणि कर्माणि संन्यस्याध्यात्मचेतसा |

निरशीर्निर्ममो भूत्वा युध्यस्व विगतज्वरः ||”

(Mayi sarvāṇi karmāṇi saṃnyasyādhyātmacetasaḥ |

Niraśīr nir mamas bhūtvā yudhyasva vigatajvaraḥ)

Meaning: “Surrender all your actions unto me, with mind fixed on the Self, and without desire for gain or attachment. Thus, freed from mental fever, fight.”

Shloka 4: Chapter 5, Verse 10

“ब्रह्मण्याधाय कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा करोति यः |

लिप्यते न स पापेन पद्मपत्रमिवाम्भसा ||”

(Brahmaṇy ādhāya karmāṇi saṅgaṃ tyaktvā karoti yaḥ |

Lipyate na sa pāpena padmapatram ivāmbhasā)

Meaning: “One who performs his duties without attachment, surrendering the results unto the Supreme Lord, is unaffected by sin, just like a lotus leaf is unaffected by water.”

Shloka 5: Chapter 18, Verse 6

“सहायः सारथिरेको ज्ञाता ज्ञेयश्च पार्थिवः ||”

(Sahāyaḥ sārathir eko jñātā jñeyaś ca pārthivaḥ)

Meaning: “The Lord is the one companion, the one charioteer. He is the one knower, and He is the one to be known.”

These shlokas emphasize the importance of performing one’s duties without attachment to the fruits of those actions. By doing so, one can attain a state of mental equilibrium and inner peace, which is essential for spiritual growth and self-realization.

Righteous duty, also known as “Dharma” in Hinduism, refers to an individual’s moral and ethical obligations towards themselves, their family, society, and the environment. It encompasses the principles of righteousness, justice, and virtue.

Understanding one’s righteous duty can be a personal and subjective journey. Here are some ways to explore and discover your righteous duty:

*Reflect on Your Values and Principles*

1. *Identify your core values*: What matters most to you in life? What do you stand for?

2. *Consider your principles*: What guides your decision-making and actions?

*Explore Your Roles and Responsibilities*

1. *Family and relationships*: What are your duties towards your family, friends, and community?

2. *Professional life*: What are your responsibilities in your job or profession?

3. *Social and environmental impact*: How do your actions affect the world around you?

*Seek Guidance and Inspiration*

1. *Spiritual or religious teachings*: Explore the teachings of your faith or spiritual tradition.

2. *Philosophical texts and literature*: Read works on ethics, morality, and philosophy.

3. *Role models and mentors*: Seek guidance from people you admire and respect.

*Practice Self-Reflection and Mindfulness*

1. *Meditate and reflect*: Regularly take time to reflect on your thoughts, actions, and motivations. 2. *Journaling*: Write down your thoughts, feelings, and insights to clarify your values and principles.

*Cultivate Empathy and Compassion*

1. *Put yourself in others’ shoes*: Try to understand different perspectives and experiences. 2. *Practice kindness and compassion*: Treat others with kindness, respect, and empathy.

Remember, understanding your righteous duty is a lifelong journey. Be patient, stay open-minded, and keep exploring.

What a profound and multifaceted question! The concept of “righteous duty” can be understood in various ways, depending on cultural, philosophical, and religious contexts. I’ll provide an overview, exploring its meaning, understanding, and challenges, along with examples and relevant locales.

*Defining Righteous Duty*

Righteous duty, also known as moral duty or righteous obligation, refers to the responsibility to act in accordance with moral principles, ethics, and values. It involves doing what is right, just, and fair, even when it’s challenging or unpopular. This concept is rooted in various philosophical and religious traditions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and others.

*Understanding Righteous Duty*

To understand righteous duty, consider the following aspects:

1. *Moral principles*: Familiarize yourself with fundamental moral principles, such as respect for human life, honesty, fairness, and compassion.

2. *Personal values*: Reflect on your personal values and what you consider important in life. This will help you understand what drives your sense of righteous duty.

3. *Cultural and social context*: Recognize that righteous duty can vary across cultures and societies. Be aware of the norms, customs, and laws that shape your community’s understanding of righteous duty.

4. *Self-reflection and introspection*: Regularly examine your thoughts, feelings, and actions to ensure they align with your moral principles and values.

*Believing in Righteous Duty*

Believing in righteous duty involves:

1. *Conviction*: Develop a strong conviction in the importance of moral principles and values.

2. *Commitment*: Commit to upholding righteous duty in your daily life, even when faced with challenges or difficult decisions.

3. *Faith*: For those with religious or spiritual beliefs, faith can play a significant role in believing in righteous duty.

*Difficulties in Performing Righteous Duty*

Performing righteous duty can be challenging due to:

1. *Personal interests*: Conflicts may arise between personal interests and moral principles.

2. *Social pressures*: Societal expectations, peer pressure, or family obligations can make it difficult to uphold righteous duty.

3. *Fear and uncertainty*: Fear of consequences, uncertainty, or doubt can hinder one’s ability to perform righteous duty.

4. *Cultural and systemic barriers*: Systemic injustices, cultural norms, or institutional barriers can make it difficult to uphold righteous duty.

*Relevant Locales and Examples*

1. *India*: In Hinduism, the concept of “Dharma” (righteous living) is central to understanding righteous duty. The Bhagavad Gita, a Hindu scripture, emphasizes the importance of performing one’s duty (swadharma) without attachment to outcomes.

2. *Tibet*: In Tibetan Buddhism, the concept of ” Bodhisattva” (enlightened being) involves cultivating compassion and wisdom to benefit all sentient beings. This embodies the principle of righteous duty.

3. *United States*: The American Civil Rights Movement, led by figures like Martin Luther King Jr., exemplifies the struggle for righteous duty in the face of systemic injustice and social pressure.

4. *South Africa*: Nelson Mandela’s fight against apartheid and his commitment to reconciliation and forgiveness demonstrate the power of righteous duty in the face of overwhelming adversity.

In conclusion, righteous duty is a complex and multifaceted concept that involves understanding moral principles, personal values, and cultural contexts. Believing in and performing righteous duty can be challenging, but it is essential for creating a just and compassionate society. By examining various locales and examples, we can deepen our understanding of this vital concept.

Some notable individuals from India in each of the major categories/professionals of people are mentioned below:

*Unsung Heroes in Various Categories*

1. *Healthcare Workers*

1. *Dr. M. C. Modi*: Known as the “Messiah of the Poor,” Dr. Modi provided free medical care to thousands of patients in rural Karnataka.

2. *Dr. Prakash Amte*: A physician and social worker who dedicated his life to providing medical care to tribal communities in Maharashtra.

2. *Teachers and Educators*

1. *Rashmi Tiwari*: A teacher from Uttar Pradesh who educates underprivileged children and has been recognized for her innovative teaching methods.

2. *Abhijit Sinha*: Founder of the non-profit organization “Ektara,” which provides education to marginalized children in Jharkhand.

3. *Environmental Activists*

1. *Medha Patkar*: A renowned environmental activist who has fought against large-scale development projects that harm the environment and displace communities.

2. *Chandi Prasad Bhatt*: A pioneer of the Chipko Movement, which sought to protect the forests of Uttarakhand from logging and deforestation.

4. *Social Workers*

1. *Jockin Arputham*: Founder of the National Slum Dwellers Federation, which works to improve the lives of slum dwellers across India.

2. *Shantha Sinha*: A child rights activist who has worked tirelessly to protect children from exploitation and abuse.

5. *Farmers and Agricultural Workers*

1. *Bhaskar Save*: A pioneering farmer who developed innovative farming methods that prioritize sustainability and environmental conservation.

2. *Kavita Kuruganti*: A farmer and activist who advocates for sustainable agriculture and farmers’ rights.

6. *Volunteers and Charity Workers*

1. *Sindhutai Sapkal*: A social worker who has dedicated her life to caring for orphaned and abandoned children.

2. *Narayanan Krishnan*: Founder of the Akshaya Trust, which provides food and care to the homeless and elderly.

7. *Scientists and Researchers*

1. *Dr. Anil Kakodkar*: A nuclear physicist who played a key role in India’s nuclear energy program.

2. *Dr. Rajendra Pachauri*: A renowned climate scientist who served as the chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

8. *Community Leaders*

1. *Bezwada Wilson*: A Dalit rights activist who has worked to eradicate manual scavenging and promote social justice.

2. *Sunitha Krishnan*: Co-founder of the non-profit organization Prajwala, which works to rescue and rehabilitate survivors of sex trafficking.

These individuals are just a few examples of the many unsung heroes in India who are making a positive impact in their respective fields.

You’re referring to the unsung heroes who make a significant impact in their respective fields, but may not receive the same level of recognition as political leaders or celebrities.

Here are a few examples of unsung heroes who deserve our appreciation:

1. *Healthcare Workers*: Nurses, doctors, and other medical professionals who work tirelessly to save lives and provide care to those in need.

2. *Teachers and Educators*: Dedicated individuals who shape young minds, provide guidance, and inspire future generations.

3. *Environmental Activists*: Passionate individuals and organizations working to protect our planet, conserve natural resources, and promote sustainability.

4. *Social Workers*: Selfless individuals who support vulnerable communities, provide aid, and advocate for social justice.

5. *Farmers and Agricultural Workers*: Hardworking individuals who cultivate and harvest food, often in challenging conditions, to feed millions of people.

6. *Volunteers and Charity Workers*: Individuals who donate their time, energy, and resources to help those in need, often without seeking recognition.

7. *Scientists and Researchers*: Brilliant minds working behind the scenes to advance medical knowledge, develop new technologies, and improve our understanding of the world.

8. *Community Leaders*: Local heroes who bring people together, organize initiatives, and drive positive change in their neighborhoods.

These individuals, among many others, deserve our appreciation and recognition for their selfless contributions to society.

Would you like to know more about any specific group or individual?

Here are 3 important among Indian leaders who performed their duties for the benefit of people.

*Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel*: Unified India by integrating princely states, strengthening national unity.

*B.R. Ambedkar*: Chief architect of the Indian Constitution, fought for social justice and equality.

*Atal Bihari Vajpayee*: Prime Minister who introduced economic reforms and improved infrastructure.

These leaders have left a lasting impact on India’s history and development.

That’s a profound question! While it’s challenging, it’s not impossible for employees to focus on the process and duty without attachment to the result. This mindset is rooted in the concept of “detachment” or “vairagya” in Eastern philosophies like Buddhism and Advaita Vedanta.

In the corporate world, cultivating detachment from results doesn’t mean being indifferent or unaccountable. Rather, it involves:

1. *Focusing on what you can control*: Concentrate on the tasks, processes, and decisions within your sphere of influence.

2. *Letting go of outcome expectations*: Recognize that results are often influenced by factors beyond your control, such as market trends, team dynamics, or external circumstances.

3. *Embracing a growth mindset*: View challenges and setbacks as opportunities for growth, learning, and improvement.

4. *Prioritizing effort over outcome*: Focus on delivering high-quality work, rather than fixating on specific results or targets.

5. *Cultivating mindfulness and self-awareness*: Regularly reflect on your thoughts, emotions, and actions to maintain a balanced perspective.

By adopting this mindset, employees can:

– Reduce stress and anxiety related to meeting targets
– Increase focus and productivity
– Improve resilience and adaptability
– Enhance creativity and problem-solving skills
– Develop a greater sense of purpose and fulfillment

However, it’s essential to note that this approach may require:
– Open communication with managers and team members about goals, expectations, and challenges
– A supportive work environment that encourages experimentation, learning, and growth
– A willingness to adapt and adjust goals and expectations as needed

In conclusion, while it’s challenging, it’s possible for employees to focus on the process and duty without attachment to the result. By cultivating detachment, embracing a growth mindset, and prioritizing effort over outcome, employees can find greater fulfillment, productivity, and success in their work.

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What is self-awareness is necessary?

Self-Awareness:

Self-awareness is the ability to recognize and understand one’s own emotions, thoughts, motivations, and behaviors, as well as their impact on others. It involves introspection and an honest assessment of one’s beliefs and values, leading to a deeper understanding of oneself in various contexts.

How to Develop Self-Awareness:

Self-Reflection: Take time regularly to reflect on your thoughts and feelings. Journaling can help clarify your experiences and insights.

Mindfulness Practices: Engaging in mindfulness or meditation helps increase awareness of your thoughts and feelings in the present moment.

Seek Feedback: Ask trusted friends or colleagues for constructive feedback about your behavior and impact on others.

Personality Assessments: Tools like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) or the Enneagram can provide insights into your personality traits and tendencies.

Set Goals: Establish personal development goals based on your reflections and feedback to work on specific aspects of your self-awareness.

Emotional Check-Ins: Regularly assess your emotional state and the reasons behind it to understand your triggers and responses better.

Advantages of Being Self-Aware:

Improved Relationships: Enhanced understanding of your emotions and behaviors can lead to better communication and stronger interpersonal connections.

Better Decision Making: Self-awareness aids in recognizing personal biases and motivations, leading to more informed and rational choices.

Increased Emotional Intelligence: Being self-aware enhances your ability to empathize with others and manage your reactions.

Greater Resilience: Understanding your strengths and weaknesses helps you navigate challenges more effectively.

Personal Growth: Self-awareness fosters continuous self-improvement and adaptability to change.

Problems Associated with Lack of Self-Awareness:

Poor Decision-Making: Individuals may act on impulse or biases without understanding their motivations, leading to unfavorable outcomes.

Relationship Issues: Misunderstanding one’s own emotions can result in conflicts, as individuals may react in ways that are damaging to relationships.

Inability to Learn from Mistakes: A lack of self-reflection can hinder personal growth, making it difficult to recognize and correct negative patterns.

Low Emotional Intelligence: Difficulty in recognizing one’s own emotions may lead to challenges in empathizing with others and managing social interactions.

Stagnation: Without self-awareness, individuals may struggle to identify areas for development, leading to a lack of progress in both personal and professional life.

In summary, developing self-awareness is a crucial step towards personal and professional growth, benefiting both the individual and their relationships with others.

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Happiness is a JOURNEY not a Destination?

1) What is happiness and how to maintain?

Happiness is a complex and subjective emotion characterized by feelings of contentment, joy, fulfillment, and satisfaction. While it can vary greatly from person to person and be influenced by numerous factors, there are some common elements that contribute to a sense of happiness:

Positive Relationships: Meaningful connections with friends, family, and loved ones often bring happiness. Nurturing these relationships and spending quality time with loved ones can foster a sense of belonging and support.

Purpose and Meaning: Having a sense of purpose or meaning in life can contribute significantly to happiness. This could come from pursuing meaningful goals, engaging in activities that align with your values, or contributing to something larger than yourself, such as through volunteering or helping others.

Gratitude: Practicing gratitude involves focusing on and appreciating the positive aspects of your life, even during challenging times. Regularly acknowledging and expressing gratitude for the good things in your life can enhance feelings of happiness and well-being.

Self-Care: Taking care of your physical, emotional, and mental well-being is essential for happiness. This includes getting enough sleep, eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, managing stress effectively, and engaging in activities that bring you joy and relaxation.

Mindfulness and Acceptance: Being present in the moment and accepting things as they are without judgment can contribute to happiness. Mindfulness practices, such as meditation or deep breathing exercises, can help cultivate a greater sense of awareness and acceptance of both pleasant and unpleasant experiences.

Personal Growth: Continuously learning, growing, and challenging yourself can contribute to long-term happiness. Whether it’s developing new skills, pursuing hobbies, or seeking out new experiences, personal growth fosters a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment.

2) Importance of health in happiness?

Health plays a pivotal role in happiness, as it influences various aspects of our lives. Here are several reasons why health is crucial for happiness:

Physical Well-being: Good health enables us to carry out daily activities without hindrance, allowing us to enjoy life to the fullest. When we’re free from physical ailments and discomfort, we’re better able to engage in activities that bring us joy and satisfaction.

Emotional Balance: Physical health contributes to emotional well-being. When our bodies are healthy, our minds tend to be clearer, and we’re better equipped to cope with stress, anxiety, and other negative emotions. Conversely, chronic illnesses or pain can significantly impact our mood and overall happiness.

Relationships: Our health influences our ability to form and maintain relationships. When we’re healthy, we can participate in social activities, spend quality time with loved ones, and contribute positively to our relationships. Poor health can isolate us and strain our connections with others, leading to feelings of loneliness and unhappiness.

Sense of Accomplishment: Achieving and maintaining good health often requires effort and discipline. When we make healthy choices and see positive outcomes, it boosts our self-esteem and sense of accomplishment, contributing to overall happiness and well-being.

3) Importance of money?

Money plays a multifaceted role in our lives, influencing various aspects of our well-being, security, and opportunities. Here are some key reasons why money is important:

Basic Needs: Money provides access to basic necessities such as food, shelter, and clothing. Without sufficient funds, meeting these needs becomes challenging, impacting overall quality of life.

Security: Having financial resources provides a sense of security against unexpected events such as medical emergencies, job loss, or natural disasters. A financial cushion can help weather such storms without falling into crisis.

Opportunities: Money opens doors to opportunities for personal and professional growth. It can fund education, training, and skill development, enabling individuals to pursue their aspirations and improve their standard of living.

Freedom: Financial independence affords freedom and autonomy. It allows individuals to make choices aligned with their values and goals, whether that involves pursuing a passion, traveling, or starting a business.

Quality of Life: Adequate financial resources contribute to a higher quality of life by enabling access to healthcare, leisure activities, cultural experiences, and other enriching pursuits that enhance well-being.

Investment and Growth: Money can be invested to generate more wealth over time. Investing in assets such as stocks, real estate, or businesses can lead to long-term financial growth and prosperity.

4) Importance of Communication Skills?

Communication skills are essential in almost every aspect of life, playing a crucial role in personal relationships, professional success, and societal interactions. Here are some key reasons why communication skills are important:

Effective Expression of Ideas: Communication skills enable individuals to articulate their thoughts, ideas, and feelings clearly and confidently. Whether in verbal or written form, being able to convey messages effectively ensures that your intended meaning is understood by others.

Building Relationships: Good communication fosters healthy relationships. Whether it’s with family, friends, colleagues, or clients, the ability to listen actively, empathize, and express yourself respectfully strengthens bonds and builds trust.

Career Advancement: In the professional world, communication skills are highly valued. Effective communication enhances your ability to collaborate with colleagues, negotiate deals, lead teams, and present ideas persuasively. It can be a deciding factor in career progression and leadership opportunities.

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Happiness is not expensive.

Today, when there is so much of information available on all human emotions and the reasons thereof, no one has any right or reason to be unhappy.
Actually earlier too, there was never a reason for people to be unhappy. Abraham Lincoln said in the early 19th century that ‘most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.’ However at that time there was no internet, literature was scanty and hardly available. Today, with the internet all the information and the images that one may require to collect about happiness, are easily available.
Vikram a student of 6th standard volunteered to collect the relevant information and the images on ‘how to be happy’. I reproduce the material collected by Vikram in about half an hour.
When I went through it, I found that anyone who would spend some time to read the knowledge collected by Vikram and see the pictures again collected by him should be never unhappy.
He informed me that he collected the pictures from Google images. Further, he collected the entire written material from Wikipedia. Please spend some time to look at the pictures and also a few minutes on reading the text which he collected from Wikipedia.

A smiling Rebecca L. Felton
Research has produced many different views on causes of happiness, and on factors that correlate with happiness, but no validated method has been found to substantially improve long-term happiness in a meaningful way for most people.

Sonja Lyubomirsky concludes in her book The How of Happiness that 50 percent of a given human’s happiness level is genetically determined (based on twin studies), 10 percent is affected by life circumstances and situation, and a remaining 40 percent of happiness is subject to self-control.

The results of the 75 year Grant study of Harvard undergraduates show a high correlation of loving relationship, especially with parents, with later life wellbeing
Psychologist Martin Seligman asserts that happiness is not solely derived from external, momentary pleasures, and provides the acronym PERMA to summarize Positive Psychology’s correlational findings: humans seem happiest when they have

1. Pleasure (tasty food, warm baths, etc.),

2. Engagement (or flow, the absorption of an enjoyed yet challenging activity),

3. Relationships (social ties have turned out to be extremely reliable indicator of happiness),

4. Meaning (a perceived quest or belonging to something bigger), and

5. Accomplishments (having realized tangible goals

6. Abraham Harold Maslow, an American professor of psychology, founded humanistic psychology in the 1930s. A visual aid he created to explain his theory, which he called the hierarchy of needs, is a pyramid depicting the levels of human needs, psychological, and physical. When a human being ascends the steps of the pyramid, he reaches self-actualization.

7. Beyond the routine of needs fulfillment, Maslow envisioned moments of extraordinary experience, known as peak experiences, profound moments of love, understanding, happiness, or rapture, during which a person feels more whole, alive, self-sufficient, and yet a part of the world. This is similar to the flow concept of Mihály Csíkszentmihályi.

8. Self-determination theory relates intrinsic motivation to three needs: competence, autonomy, and relatedness

HEALTH

1. Richard Davidson‘s 2012 bestseller The Emotional Life of Your Brain argues that positive emotion and happiness benefit your long-term health. From a study conducted in 2005 by Andrew Steptow and Michael Marmot, findings have found that happiness is clearly related to biological markers that play an important role in health.

2. At University College London, Steptow and Marmot collected health and well-being data from 116 men and 100 women. All 216 participants were middle-aged, British civil servants between the ages of 45 and 59. The researchers aimed to analyze whether there was any association between well-being and three biological markers: heart rate, cortisol levels, and plasma fibrinogen levels. Interestingly, the participants who rated themselves the least happy had cortisol levels that were 48% higher than those who rated themselves as the most happy. The least happy subjects also had a large plasma fibrinogen response to two stress-inducing tasks: the Stroop test, and tracing a star seen in a mirror image.

3.In Happy People Live Longer, Frey reports that happy people live 14% longer, increasing longevity 7.5 to 10 years.

4.Steptow and Marmot furthered their studies by using their participants three years later to repeat the physiological measurements. They found that participants who scored high in positive emotion continued to have lower levels of cortisol and fibrinogen, as well as a lower heart rate.

5.Despite a large body of positive psychological research into the relationship between happiness and productivity, happiness at work has traditionally been seen as a potential by-product of positive outcomes at work, rather than a pathway to success in business. However a growing number of scholars, including Boehm and Lyubomirsky, argue that it should be viewed as one of the major sources of positive outcomes in the workplace.

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Who took away my peace of mind?

Nobody else did. It’s lack of understanding by you, your mind. It’s difficult to conceive the vastness of the ocean. But it is even more difficult to imagine the vastness of the mind. Sea is often very calm only sometimes it is turbulent. While an ocean is turbulence only at some occasions, the mind is at peace on only sometime. The confusion of the mind primarily arises due to the contradictions experienced in the fast paced life today. There is nothing that we can do for turbulence of the ocean. We can certainly tame our mind to achieve calmness and peace.

In fact peace of mind requires only your focus and consistent reminders to yourself. It has no tangible cost. It’s free
Nature – what it does? When it does? It remains unknown to mankind. Though there is no doubt that extensive study of nature has given us the knowledge and power to predict.
But when we talk of mind it is our choice to train it to be at peace most of the time. We have to understand the difference between peace and bliss. Peace is not bliss but peace offers you an ability to get into state of bliss when you want.
At work place, if you are doing something that you don’t like to do yet you have to do it under compulsion, your mind cannot be at peace. When you are lost in your work and you know that the work is important for you, you are a peace with yourself. Further, if you enjoy your work then every milestone that you achieve will give you bliss. There are the number of Dos and Don’ts which help you to gain peace of mind.
First, let us enumerate the don’ts:

1. Don’t get too much involved in reading the negative news. Our newspapers and electronic media are full these. You may scan through the headlines to be abreast with what is going on. Read books that will give you positivity. So many are available choose what you like and read to follow good suggestions.

Description: Image result for 2. Avoid spending too much time with people having negative attitude

2. Avoid spending too much time with people having negative attitude. Interaction with them will sink their negativity into your subconscious mind. Be always pleasant and nice. But instead of spending your valuable time, give them a broad smile and excuse four self.

3. Regard each person as an individual. They are entitled to hold their opinions. Do not be judgmental. Negative emotions like envy, jealousy, criticism of others will affect your peace of mind. So avoid these. But at the same time don’t just agree with anyone just to please humor her. Stand up for yourself.

4. Past is history. It does not have any significance except the lessons you have learnt. So don’t dwell on your past. Its human nature that your thought will hover round events in the past- unpleasant or even pleasant. Just follow lessons that you have learnt.

5. Become friends with members of your family. Children are very intelligent today and they should be treated as friends. Likewise you should be friendly with your spouse. When you talk to your family, particularly, don’t be casual taking them for granted. It’s important what you speak but it is even more important how you say it.

6. Your speech controls your relations with others including members of your family. Therefore use your words with care and discretion. The way you say something is as important as what you say.

7. Don’t be too much attached with your possessions. Practice detachment. What we have today, we may not have tomorrow.

Now about the dos!

1.Learn to focus your mind. Cut the clutter. On and average there comes as many as fifty thousand thoughts in one day. Try to reduce this number by focusing your mind.

2. Practice meditation. It will help more than one can imagine.

3. Cultivate a habit to enjoy only healthy food. Decide that you must eat slightly less than your hunger.

4. Go on vacation periodically. The cycle of routine work needs to be broken as often as possible.

5. Give yourself some quality time. Talk to yourself. Talk about what you like about you. And, further improve the same.

6. Make it your habit to consider that challenges are your opportunities. When you face these challenges with success, it gives you happiness and your mind becomes peaceful.

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How to improve your personality for success and happiness?

5 Steps to understand and build up a better personality.

Personality comprises understanding self, fixing one’s goals, physical and mental health and various other facets of the person as seen by himself/herself and as seen by others. Indeed, understanding personality is not easy. But it is extremely important. It is important for your success. More importantly it helps you to achieve happiness. The study of personality can be said to have its origins in the fundamental idea that people are distinguished by their characteristic individual patterns of behavior—the distinctive ways in which they walk, talk, furnish their living quarters, or express their urges. Whatever the behavior, personologists—as those who systematically study personality are called—examine how people differ in the ways they express themselves and attempt to determine the causes of these differences.

First, understand yourself.

Each one of us must sit down and contemplate about life’s significance. It’s a kind of vision statement which one must clarify to himself/herself. The act of contemplation on significance will always help you to adopt and maintain a proper prospective. Before researching possible career moves it is useful to spend time understanding yourself, including your capabilities, expertise and personal values. Being self-aware can help you to plan development and make career decisions that are right for you.

Write down your specific goals.

By and large everyone has wishes. But these are not specific desires. Wishes become desire only when you specify your goals. Wishes do not allowed you to focus and take actions needed for achievements. These wishes often times remain wishes. Further unrealized wishes erode self esteem. It is imperative therefore to write down clearly on your goals. Goals would state the time frame goals should also clarify how you plan to achieve. Its only when you make a practical plan that you can pursue your goals.

Physical and Mental Health both are equally important.

First on the list of your goals should be good health. One can achieve physically good health by taking care of food, exercise and sleep. Human body is made to last for about 100 years. So we need to use all the faculties with discretion. We must not over use, under-use, but strike a good balance and keep on becoming more effective. Mental health is even more important. It refers to your thoughts, your behavior and your attitude towards others. It also refers to your attitude towards life. A clear distinction is often made between ‘mind’ and ‘body’. Poor physical health can lead to an increased risk of developing mental health problems.

Good Communication Skills are Critical for your better relations at the workplace and at home.

We all communicate right from the time we are able to speak. In fact babies start communicating immediately after birth. As we grow the social considerations keep on shaping our communication skills. Besides the influence of people around, parents, teachers, friends and others we meet also create an impact. We can develop and maintain good communication skills only with regular review of our ability regarding communications. Good communication skills can aid in helping you land an interview and pass the selection process. Being able to articulate well provides a significant advantage! To do your job effectively, you have to discuss problems, request information, interact with others, and have good human relations skills – these are all part of having good communication skills.

Application of Mind at all times ensures that you remain on track.

Application of mind enables you to analyze any situation. It enables you to review your performance even in challenges. In fact, human sufferings impart great life’s lessons one should be willing to learn these lessons. Knowledge acquired through reading books, attending training programs and interacting others play an important role. One should never be judgmental. However it’s necessary to apply mind and to form opinions about anything that concerns us. This process helps us to become more decisive to pursue our goals. Present day world whatever we see and enjoy are nothing but result of application of mind. Application of mind is more important than knowledge.

Thanks for reading.

How to be a good listener, to be popular, and to be respected?

Loved breeds happiness. And when you make others happy, you are loved. There is a close bond between love and happiness. So, how does listening help you in being loved and being happy? This is the subject of our discussion in this essay. The feeling that you are being loved brings you satisfaction. It enhances your self esteem and results in happiness. When others care for you, you feel important and when they listen to you, you feel significant and elated which adds to your happiness. Same is true when you listen to them.

Let’s deal with the subject by considering the following 3 questions:

What is good listening?
How does it help you to being loved?
How does it help you to be happy?

Question 1. What is good listening?

i) Ask question only to ensure understanding.

It requires you to put your agenda aside and totally devote to understanding and assimilating what is being said. You don’t listen to give a reply, but you just listen to understand. The moment you become keen to give a reply, your mind will start analyzing the speech from your own perspective. It will hinder your ‘objective’ understanding. You should, add comments, seek clarifications or ask question only after listening, understand and assimilating what is said.

ii) You should always be self-aware and live in present.

There should be no thoughts about the past nor should you think about future, when conversing with someone.

iii) Body language is important post of communication.

You need also to understand the body language of the speaker. And, this would include eye contact, posture, facial expression etc.

iv) Listening needs to be non-judgmental.

You must not allow your likes and dislikes or personal prejudice to affect the meaning the speakers wants to project.

v) Listening is more important than speaking.

To be listened is so important for the people that many a times they will like to be heard rather than just granted the request what they requested.

vi) Learn the process of active listening.

Active listening calls for you to listen about 80% of the time without interruption balance 20% of the time you may ask questions. This will indeed be an attribute of good listening.

vii) Assumptions misguide and sometimes these are dangerous!

You need to make it known to the speaker that you are attentively listening. Thus, your nods with your head and words like ‘Yes’hmm ‘I see, I agree go long way to make be you an adept active listener.

viii) Relaxed mind is more receptive.

You will indeed enjoy your choice of active listening with the results that you will derive from the activity.

Question 2. How does active listening help you to being loved?
Now we can consider how listening actively makes others happy and make you in turn happy. They not only respect you but they love you if you actively listen to what they say.

Try to reflect what the speaker is feeling be at the same plane.

The speaker feels that he/she are important when you carefully listen to them. They are reassured that you care for them. In turn they will care for you. The speaker thinks that they have some worthy ideas that is being expressed. And if you don’t listen to them with due attention, they will feel let down. But if on the other hand you not only listen but make it known that you have listened, the speaker will feel elated and happy and so will you be.

Respect is always mutual, you have to earn respect. You have to make others happy to receive positive vibes making you happy in return.
Besides, better listening rids you of any bitter discussion. You understand that these are futile. Avoiding arguing, you also avoid bitterness which often is the result of trying to win an agreement. Active listening empowers you to hold your opinion without any offence. Because of your listening skills you are in a position to offer you opinion in a relevant manner. When your conversation with everyone becomes more meaningful, both of you enjoy it. Undoubtedly it brings happiness.

Exchange of ideas in such a situation brings about a lot of learning on both sides. Continuous learning raises your self –esteem which in turn makes you satisfied with yourself and be contented.

In fact, even between the spouses the problem starts with one not listening to other. One feels ignored and the problem starts. Left unattended, it grows into unmanageable differences. If we are unhappy at home or at the work, place life is messed up.

Children too turn rebellious because they feel that parents don’t try to understand them. In the fast changing world today maintaining good relations is more challenging than ever. Yet good relationship is emanating from better understanding which forms the foundation of respect and love.
So if you want to be loved by others listen to them and make them feel that they are loved. If you want to gain happiness distribute the same among others who will gladly reciprocate.

Question 3. How does Good Listening help you to be Happy?

Every living being has physiological needs and safety needs. Living being must have food to live and is keen to care for life. That part is survival story. No happiness is involved. But, after survival needs are fulfilled, psychological needs come to the fore for human beings.
As social entities, humans want to have a feeling of belonging. It’s an experience that they belong to a community, a family or a group gives them a feeling of satisfaction. If they are alone and uncared their psychological craving of togetherness disturbs them.
Good listening helps you to have cordial relations with your family and friends. When you listen to them they come closer to you, they experience that you are giving them importance. By listening you reassure them of their significance. Inwardly they feel obliged to you as you are fulfilling their psychological need of heart to heart communication.
As we discussed earlier ability to express your ideas give a great satisfaction. However, you approve of your ability only if the listeners pay attention, understand and when possible and needed, take action. Likewise when you are actively listening, the speaker feels comfortable and satisfied with his skill of expression. In turn the process fosters better relation and love for each other. This is particularly important among the family members and close friends.

Besides, when you speak, you say what you already know. No doubt it satisfies your need for expression, but you don’t learn anything new. But listening gives you the opportunity to learn what you don’t know. Learning gives a great satisfaction and enhances your self esteem. When your self esteem is high you wish to do greater things. Self-esteem enables you to venture on the new turf, start new project. Maslow’s theory of happiness is recognized as the last word in respect of this great wishful emotion-happiness.
“There is a clear distinction between love and respect or esteem. The ability to feel self-esteem springs from being embraced by families and communities”. Further, you become more creative which again contributes to your confidence.
Good listening also helps you to mitigate your personal ego. Because when you are full of ego, you tend to behave as if you know all and therefore you shun listening, much less active listening.

Actualization makes you really happy. And what is actualization? Maslow defines actualization as “what a man can be, he must be. This need may be referred to the desire for self-fulfillment. So discovery of self, understanding the capabilities and then doing what it takes to actualize yourself will grant the best results. But this cannot take place unless you are a good listener.

Further, survey reveals that you tend to perceive situations, people and their reality more accurately if you are good listeners.
With all the advantages described above there remains no doubt that listening and its resultant process will make you one, who understands the world and the people better. This understanding will make you happier, more than your expectations.

Thanks for reading.

Pursuit of Happiness

**Happiness is your own individual decision**

Everyone in his/her life pursues various objectives and goals with the ultimate objective of achieving happiness. ‘Pursuit of the happiness’, these words initial used by US president Jeffereson Devis. Subsequently they were made popular by Martin Luther king in his famous speech ‘I have a dream’. No doubt, everyone has a right to pursue happiness in whichever way the person likes. However, very often we are so much involved in daily routine that we are carried away by the string of events. In the process, we lose focus on what we are trying to achieve. It will be a good exercise for each one of us to reflect on these words and work out and define what is how you plan to pursue your happiness.
Firstly, we must understand that happiness is not just momentary pleasures of life. I do not say that pleasures of life should not be there. But that these should be only a part of our larger plan, which should addresses some or all of the related features of happiness. The following aspects are of immense importance in an individual’s life.
Your attitude to life. One must have a positive attitude. Life is full of ups and downs. There could be challenges, successes and failures. Positive attitude means just to accept these as a part of life. You become a witness or an observer of what is going. At the same time, use your discretion to take decisions. It’s only then that we understand that we can remain composed and maintain our poise in turbulent times. In fact, it is necessary to maintain our poise even in the happiest time. None of the two situations last forever. Like every night is followed by the day. Every day is followed by night. But in life it may not be in the same order and the duration may also vastly differ.

Importance of your Goals: In order that you pursue happiness, you must define your goals: in all of the following aspects.

Health goals. Good mental and physical health is extremely important if you want to lead a happy life. Doing what is necessary to keep good health is everyone’s duty. Regular exercise, following proper food routine and maintaining positive attitude can ensure that you are moving towards your health goals from day to day. Yet, it is a continuous process to pursue throughout the life.
Career/ financial goals. If you are successful in your career it expected that you will also do your financial and remain comfortable but you have to find tune of your objectives and follow the plan as devised.
Your family is undoubtedly equally important and should feature in your pursuit of happiness, according to our own Indian tradition. The importance of finance and family are critical in your pursuit.
Then comes to your social goals. What do want to contribute to the society and what you actually do, determines how successful you are in following social goals. Here again, you need to define and then follow your plan of action. The amount of success you achieve in your social goals will add up in your happiness. It will also determine how the society perceives and respects you. In other words, it means your reputation is reflected by what and how you contribute to the society.
For leading a fuller, complete life you must pursue some hobbies. At least one. It could be music. It could be painting .It could be some sport. It could also be travelling, writing etc. But the important thing is that you have atlaest one hobby on which you able to spend some time. It must not only for name sake.
Last but not the least your spiritual goals are also important. We all know that no one has to stay here forever. Sooner or later we must depart. We don’t know where. This uncertainty needs your spiritual pursuit. Whichever religion you may follow, you must define your spiritual goals. These will eventually define how you are remembered after your departure.

Thank you for your reading.

How to realize your Ultimate Dream? Happiness!

Happiness is your own individual decision

Total freedom to your pursuit of Happiness

Age no bar for Pursuit of Happiness

Everyone in his/her life pursues various objectives and goals with the ultimate objective of achieving happiness. ‘Pursuit of the happiness’, these words initially used by US president Jeffereson Devis. Subsequently they were made popular by Martin Luther king in his famous speech ‘I have a dream’. No doubt, everyone has a right to pursue happiness in whichever way the person likes. However, very often we are so much involved in daily routine that we are carried away by the string of events. In the process, we lose focus on what we are trying to achieve. It will be a good exercise for each one of us to reflect on these words and work out and define what is how you plan to pursue your happiness.
Firstly, we must understand that happiness is not just momentary pleasures of life. I do not say that pleasures of life should not be there. But that these should be only a part of our larger plan, which should addresses some or all of the related features of happiness. The following aspects are of immense importance in an individual’s life.
Your attitude to life. One must have a positive attitude. Life is full of ups and downs. There could be challenges, successes and failures. Positive attitude means just to accept these as a part of life. You become a witness or an observer of what is going. At the same time, use your discretion to take decisions. It’s only then that we understand that we can remain composed and maintain our poise in turbulent times. In fact, it is necessary to maintain our poise even in the happiest time. None of the two situations last forever. Like every night is followed by the day. Every day is followed by night. But in life it may not be in the same order and the durations may also vastly differ.

Importance persistent efforts towards achieving your Goals for Happiness: In order that you pursue happiness, you must define your goals: in all of the following aspects. When we are working towards achievement of our Goals, we feel satisfaction for the efforts made. Besides, persistent efforts are bound to produce desired results. This process of efforts, and achieving encouraging results of our Goals make us happy, Continue doing this and be happy. Happiness is a journey not a destination.

Health goals. Good mental and physical health is extremely important if you want to lead a happy life. Doing what is necessary to keep good health is everyone’s duty. Regular exercise, following proper food routine and maintaining positive attitude can ensure that you are moving towards your health goals from day to day. Yet, it is a continuous process to pursue throughout the life.
Career/ financial goals. If you are successful in your career it expected that you will also do your financial and remain comfortable but you have to fine tune of your objectives and follow the plan as devised.
Your family is undoubtedly equally important and should feature in your pursuit of happiness, according to our own Indian tradition. The importance of finance and family are critical in your pursuit.
Then comes your social goals. What do you want to contribute to the society and what you actually do, determines how successful you are in following social goals. Here again, you need to define and then follow your plan of action. The amount of success you achieve in your social goals will add up in your happiness. It will also determine how the society perceives and respects you. In other words, it means your reputation is reflected by what and how you contribute to the society.
For leading a fuller, complete life you must pursue some hobbies. At least one. It could be music. It could be painting .It could be some sport. It could also be travelling, writing etc. But the important thing is that you have atlaest one hobby on which you able to spend some time. It must not only for name sake.
Last but not the least your spiritual goals are also important. We all know that no one has to stay here forever. Sooner or later we must depart. We don’t know where. This uncertainty needs your spiritual pursuit. Whichever religion you may follow, you must define your spiritual goals. These will eventually define how you are remembered after your departure.

In the end I would like to say that understanding life is so important that its significance must never be undermined. Ups and downs are inextricably intertwined in our day to day life. Acceptance scores our expectations is something we must all remember in our pursuit for happiness.

Thank you for your reading.

Poem of the Day – Time

Time

Often,

Value of time is little known
for time’s inherent wealth,
scanty respect is shown.
Any other possession; if
we lose.
We can try to get it back
if we choose.
Wealth of time
will never return.
Simple lesson, though
often we don’t learn.
For time if lost, is lost forever.
It’s same for the stupid, and the clever.
Yet if asked, how much
you value your time
you may find, you care less.
With invaluable time;
should we ever make a mess?
We regret mistakes
committed in the past.
And for futures’ sake,
worry our tasks.
What about the present?
We seem to forget;
though ‘present’ is the best time, I bet.
Every moment of time you must use
Achieving anything significant that you may choose.