Without that Love

The below story is one that I read when a lady who follows the Krsna Conciousness faith came into my shop and passed on a book called "The Way of Love". Interesting read.

Once, a man in a forest heard the sound of a tiger. As he ran in fear, his eyes darted here and there looking for shelter. Finally he came across a "blind well", a well that is no longer in use. Grass and plants had grown over that well and a tree grew beside it. Taking help from two branches of the tree, the man lowered himself into the well, comforted by the thought that he was beyond the tiger's reach. As he descended the well, however, he saw beneath him many snakes. The snakes raised their hoods and hissed, ready to bite him.

As he hung from the two branches he realized that his predicament had only increased. At the bottom of the well there were many poisonous snakes waiting to bite him and at the top a ferocious tiger waited to eat him. He was suffering great anxiety.

Then, two rats - one black and one white - began gnawing the branches onto which he held. It was only a question of time before the branches would be eaten through and he would fall into the pit of snakes. To escape this predicament, he had to either climb out and be eaten by the tiger or descend into the well and be bitten by the snakes. Whatever he chose to do, his fate would be gruesome.

In this very dangerous situation, the man suddenly noticed a honeycomb on the branch of the tree. Because the tree was shaking, some honey was dripping and it just happened to be dripping very close to his face. Taking this opportunity to enjoy, he stuck out his tounge and took that honey into his mouth. He began to relish the flavour, thinkin, "Oh, how sweet! How sweet!" Feeling some happiness, he completely forgot the danger he was in.

All the components of this analogy represent our own condition. The man in this story exemplifies all souls who are attached to this world. We are in a dangerous situation, as we may die at any moment, and there is no way for us to be saved by our material endeavours. The snakes represent our many problems, coming at us one after another like waves in an ocean. We think, "Oh this is the last of my problems. I will be happy as soon as this problem is solved." But sometimes the next wave is larger still, and sometimes many wanves, or problems, come at once - five or six at a time. At the top of the well stands the tiger, who represents death, which is waiting for every one of us in this world.

The two branches represent the reactions to our fruitive activites - good and bad, pious and impious. We live our lives experiencing the reactions of our pious and impious activites. Combined together, these reactions comprise the duration of our life, and that duration is being taken away moment by moment. The black rat represent nighttime, and the white rat daytime. We are very happy when another day comes and goes, but actually the coming and going of days only means that the duration of our life is being gnawed away.

Amidst so many problems and dangers one drop of honey falls on ours tounges, and this drop is likened to the momentary happiness we may feel with friends and relatives of this world.

What is Prem?

There was a blind girl who used to hate everyone except her best friend. She always used to say that "I'll marry you if I could see you".
Suddenly one day someone donated eyes to that girl. When she saw her best friend, she was shocked to see that he was also blind.
When he asked "Will you marry me?" she simply refused him rudely.
Then, he did not say a word to her, smiled and went away leaving her a letter saying:
"Darling, take care of my eyes..."

PREM - Real, unconditional love.

Spirits at a Bar or Dynamic Spirits?

“Jay Sean’s coming down tonight… Session at mine. It’s gonna be sick! You’re coming yeah?”

You know you have a 9am lecture tomorrow, but you absolutely love Jay Sean, especially after a bottle or two. I’m sure most of us have encountered a similar scenario. You’re left with a decision to make. Do you become a ‘social visa card’, accepted in most places? Or do you risk becoming a social nobody? What influences the decisions you make in your social life?

Living the independent life at university will always be a challenge. For most of us it is the first time we’re living away from our families, so we look to our friends to become part of the “extended family”. There is nothing wrong in doing so. On the contrary, I strongly recommend that you find your family away from home. But the extent to which our chosen friend circles affect our decisions is something worth considering.

We are all warned about the effects of smoking, drinking and drugs, but at the end of the day it’s your life, and you have to choose how you want to live it. What are your priorities? What is your duty? You, and only you, can be the one who makes the decision, because come 9am tomorrow morning, you could either be sat in your lecture or you could still be hung-over and fast asleep. Should the latter be the case, you are the one who must face the consequences, not your friends. You are the master of your own destiny.

As Hindus, karma plays a bit part in our lives. For every action, there is a reaction. How often do we, as students, remember the laws of karma in our everyday lives? If our actions are positive, then the reaction will also be of a positive nature (aka “The Ripple Effect). Sometimes, maybe not straight away, but that is the magic of karma, that it will come back to us. It’s like knowing the results for an exam before even sitting it. I assure you, it does not get much easier then that! If we are consciously aware that each of our actions is being balanced on the scales of karma, I’m sure we would prefer the scales to be tipped fully to the positive side. All we have to do is make the positive decision.

Those of you who have dared to delve further into spirituality may have come across the “Happiness vs. Pleasure” debate. Do we strive for long-lasting happiness, or short-term pleasure? What truly makes us happy? There is much we can gain pleasure from, and as students we are increasingly pressurised to allow temporary pleasure to become our only form of “happiness”. With clubs offering alcoholic beverages at “student rates”, the increasing availability of drugs and so on, aside from the mental and physical implications of their use, one cannot possibly get in touch with the spiritual self whilst intoxicated. Many may argue that the drinking of bhang helps one to boost meditation and achieve transcendental states, but realistically, how many students do you know that use drugs to get a spiritual high? If the intentions are wrong, then we will achieve nothing good from it… simple karma.

Lest we forget what our scriptures say. The majority of us are aware of the free will exercised by Hindus, that we are not bound by sets of rules in order to maintain a Hindu identity, but given guidance by scriptures and Gurus that we can choose to accept or not. A basis of Hindu Dharma revolves around the “greater good”. Whatever our actions, we should take into consideration the effect on the bigger picture. Just like karma, where a positive action is responded to with a positive reaction, we demonstrate strength in character by making choices based on the greater good. So as students who are trying to maintain and promote our Hindu identity, we must take into consideration whether our actions are of a positive nature. Indeed, being positive will enhance the self to be more spiritual. There is not right or wrong, it is completely down to the self. But one thing to always keep in mind is that all actions will always bring about a reaction. So will you be a spirit at a bar or a Dynamic Spirit?

“We are not human beings on a spiritual journey; we are spiritual beings on a human journey”
~ Stephen Covey.

(This article was featured in the booklet given out as a momento of "24seven- Live it : Breath it", a record-breaking conference held by the National Hindu Students Forum, at De Montfort University, Leicester.)

24seven - Live it : Breath it

What choice will YOU make?

Decisions... They govern our world, our actions and even our thoughts. Ultimately, they define who we are. How many do we make every day... every hour... every second?As students, we are faced with more choices, challenges and decisions than ever before. University life provides the perfect blend of opportunities and experiences from which we are able to shape our future.We face a multitude of seemingly trivial decisions on a daily basis, such as deciding what to eat, what to wear, whether to go out or to study. In addition, every student at some point is faced with more complicated moral and ethical dilemmas.

*~~~*

What guides these decisions we make on a daily basis? Is it our body, our logic, our environment? Or is it something deeper?How do we make the decision that is right for us and the people around us? Once we've made that decision, how do we convert it into action and implement it within our daily lives? What difficulties do we face in doing this? Can positivity ever become instinctive?

*~~~*

NHSF's 24seven will explore these questions in a series of talks entitled "The Butterfly Effect", "The Ripple Effect" and the "The Internal Effect", as well as in interactive workshops specifically aimed towards students looking to maximise their entire university experience.You can choose to come to this conference or you can choose not to. Just remember...Every choice we make has an effect...so what choice are YOU going to make?

*~~~*

Click the link to watch the trailer:http://www.nhsf.org.uk/247/trailer.html

Register online: www.nhsf.org.uk/247

Cost: Free! (£5 deposit required - will be returned when you attend on the day)

Website: www.nhsf.org.uk/247

Hari Aum! (Watch the trailer below)

You Can't Make Everyone Happy

I read an interesting article in the "Asian Voice" newspaper not too long ago. It was written by a 9 year old boy who had attended the "Learning through Eastern Wisdom" seminar. Although he admitted to the seminar being more beneficial for those older than him, he also went on to talk about what he had learnt from there. One such case was learning how in life, one cannot make everyone they encounter happy. I've written what I can remember from the story which he told.

Once, a father and his son were looking to sell their donkey to raise some money to support the family. They had to travel through 5 villages in order to sell the donkey, so they set off on their travels.

They left home, the father and the son walking beside the donkey. After going through the first village, a villager said,

"Look at that poor boy being forced to walk alongside the donkey". The father heard this and promptly told his son to sit on the donkey whilst they continued on their journey.

Whilst entering the second village, another villager said,

"Look at that poor man. He must walk whilst his son rides on the donkey." The son heard this and jumped off the donkey, and told his father to sit on the donkey.

They then approaced the third village, where yet another villager said,

"Look at that poor boy, being forced to walk beside the donkey whilst his father sits on it." Having heard this the father told his son to sit on the donkey with him.

When they got to the fourth village, another villager was heard saying,

"Look at that poor donkey being forced to bear the weight of both father and son in this heat." Both father and son heard this, so they got off the donkey, tied up its legs and carried it on their shoulders.

Whilst approaching the fifth village, the father and son were crossing a bridge, but the weight of the donkey became too much and they slipped and the donkey fell off the bridge. Subsequently, the father and son who had been trying to please all the villagers, were left without a donkey and nothing to show for it.

This story goes a long way to show us that in life, we can't always please everyone, because in the end it will backfire on us. We should do what we feel is best, and what we feel comfortable doing, because at the end of the day we live our lives for ourselves - not for others.

LIFE - Explained.

Uncle was on his way to work one morning. Along his route he noticed a boy of about 13 years old sat under a tree, sipping some chai. The uncle didn’t think anything of it, and continued on his journey.

The next day, Uncle along his route to work, saw that same boy sat under a tree, calmly sipping away at his chai, whilst in deep thought. Uncle thought it was quite strange, but nevertheless, carried on toward work.

The following day, along his journey, who should Uncle see? The same boy, sat under a tree, drinking his chai. Now Uncle was really intrigued, so he stopped and said to the boy,

“Every morning I pass through this route, and every morning I see you sat under this tree drinking tea. Why are you not at school?”

“I am enjoying the scenery. What is the need to go to school?” replied the boy.

“Well, when one goes to school, it gives him a better education and a chance to get a job in a big city.” Said the Uncle.

“And then what, Uncle?” Asked the boy.

“And then you will be earning lots of money. You’ll be able to buy yourself a car and a nice big house. Then, you will get promoted in your company until you are the boss. You’ll have people working for you!” exclaimed Uncle.

“How long will that take?” the boy replied.

“About 20-25 years.”

“And after that, what can I do?”

“Afterwards? That’s when it gets really interesting,” answered Uncle, laughing. “With all the money you have earned, you can invest it in to other companies, which will earn you more money! And with that you can buy more cars, and an even bigger house! You’ll be earning millions!”

“Millions? Really? And after that?”

“After that, you’ll be able to retire, live in a small village and spend your days sat under a tree drinking chai, whilst thinking and enjoying the scenery.”

||हरी ॐ तत्सत|| - Hari Aum Tat Sat

For those of you who know me, you know that I love to use the phrase: Hari Aum Tat Sat. Some have questioned what the meaning behind this phrase is. Without fail, it always leaves that person thinking more in-depth about things. I shall endeavour to explain the relevance of this phrase.

Before I do go ahead with an explanation, let me start with a bit of background information about the phrase. I originally "discovered" the phrase after my mother had booked tickets for the 2 of us to see the Morari Bapu Ram Katha in Dubai in 2005, through Hari Aum Holidays (located in Southall). Despite the Katha being cancelled, the tavel agency put together a tour of Dubai instead. I had never travelled to Dubai, so for me it was an exciting prospect. My mother has been to Dubai so many times, I'm suprised she isn't employed as a tour guide for the country.

Now, upon arriving Abu Dhabi airport (don't ask why we didn't fly direct to Dubai airport), we were greeted with a coach which was kept together by carpet tape. After filling the luggage compartment with tonnes of luggage (bearing in mind the tour group consisted of about 60 people- all Hindu Gujurati's), a Johnny Lever lookalike greeted us with a bellowing "HARI AUM". To which the under 25's all sniggered, and the over 25's replied in a rather feable manner with the same phrase. This was my first actual encounter with the phrase, and from then on, every morning, every time we got on to the coach during the tour, we were faced with that magnificent phrase. When I came back to the UK, this phrase became "my thing", and I spread the love amongst everyone near and dear to me.


After the original formation of the Hari Aum Millitants (HAM- Miran, Vikesh and myself being the millitant aspect), we opted to change the name to something less threatening, so we just stuck to Hari Aum. The original idea of HAM was to spread Hindu awareness amongst the people, whilst showing people a more spiritual path. The same applies now, although we're more about the spiritual aspect of life. For more information, the "Hari Aum - It's A Way Of Life" group exists on the almighty Facebook, whilst the Hari Aum website is under construction.

Now, enough about the small talk, let me explain to you the meaning behind Hari Aum Tat Sat. I'll break it down for you, word by word. This phrase originates from Sanskrit.


Translation word for word:

Hari - Immanent Reality

Aum - Transcendent Reality

Tat - Both are

Sat - Truth

Therefore, "Immanent Reality and Transcendental Reality are Both the Truth."

Now, I can tell you have a rather confused look on your face, I did too. But I'll explore the concept further, so you can fully understand.

Immanent Reality: "Immanent" is defined as being within the limits of possible experience or knowledge. In this case, it refers to God or the Supreme Being being within our grasp, in a sense that we are able to reach him (or her) through the things we can see, feel and touch. A perfect example is idol worship. A stern belief in worshipping idols brings us to believe that we are closer to God, that if we perform certain duties to the idol, then we are blessed in someway. I am in no way criticising this particular method, it is absolutely fine. If idol worship brings one closer with God, then who am I to stop someone from doing so. Effectively, God is manifested in the world.

Transcendental Reality: "Transcendental" can be defined as something that is beyond common thought or experience; mystical or supernatural. So the opposite of Immanent, something that we cannot see, feel or touch. This means that God is completely outside of and beyond the world. A prime example of this is meditation, where we aim to reach a higher state of mind, state of being in order to reach God. Rather than worshipping an idol to reach God, we use ourselves to reach God.

Both are: Self explanitory really, refers to both the mentioned subjects.

Truth: Again, fairly self explanitory. Both are undeniably inseparable.


Now, you may be thinking (hopefully) that both terms contradict one another. Ofcourse they do, but is that not the same as everything else created within the universe? For man, there's woman. For right there's wrong. For left there's right. For the sun there's the moon and so on. And in all these cases, aren't both terms the truth?

One cannot function without the other.

This is only the beginning of such an in-depth topic. If you would like to discuss this further, then please leave a comment on my wall with your e-mail address, and I'll be more than happy to get back to you.

Hari Aum Tat Sat

हरी ॐ तत्सत

The Power Of Music..

Music. The most powerful tool to unlock a human being. We hear music all the time, but we barely ever listen to it. Okay, I'm not talking about your average 50 per-cent song, but songs with meaning. Instrumentals more notably. There is so much love, passion, feeling and power contained within each song, and it's waiting to be unlocked. All you have to do is listen.

Sit back (cup of tea in hand, preferbly), press play on the above video, and just listen to the music. Feel the power. Feel the passion. Feel the love. It's all there, your ears are the key.

The song is a keyboard version of "Sanu Ek Pal Chain Na Aave, Sajana Tere Bina" by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. This means "I can't get one moment of peace, without you my dear".

Enjoy.

What is the point?

Religion. Most people have one, most of them believe in it, most of them practice it.



It is said to be the cause of all war's. True to a certain degree. Where does it begin? With those that take their religion a little too far.



Now I'm not one to say that we shouldn't take religion seriously, because I'm an active Hindu. But when people start formulating their own idea's of certain texts and aspects of faith, without full knowledge and background, that's when, as the saying goes, "shit gets messy". A prime example of "shit getting messy" is on a particular Facebook group; "The Sick Truth About Hinduism"; where the admins of the group appear to be of the Sikh faith, and are spreading malicious rumours about Hindu rituals and pastimes. Now cleverly they have created a reference list to show where their information has been obtained from, but upon closer research I found that all of the discussions and topics have been taken from an Anti-Hindu website, which is run by those of the Muslim faith.

Subsequently, I let the group know that I'm fully aware of where the information is from, and that I'm fully aware of the truth that the Administrators of the group are not of the Sikh faith, but are followers of Islam. When a certain "Gulab Singh" (which is the name of a Sikh freedom fighter, and the first Maharaj of Jammu & Kashmir) read my comments, I was blocked from posting any more messages.

Now, I have no problems with people who want to discuss issues related to Hinduism, however controversial, but when people can't handle arguments against their own and go off on a tangent, that's when it gets irritating. Especially since I have been blocked from making any comments, it shows the blatent cowardice of those opposed to my views. If you can't stand the heat, you better get out the kitchen is probably the best way to put it.

What I'm trying to get at in essence, is that if people are willing to start such a controversial issue, and truly believe what they saying is right, then understand what I say and argue against it. Excuse my language, but DON'T PUSSY OUT OF A DEBATE. I love debates, and have done since primary school (my first experience was when we re-enacted the House of Commons in year 5 with Miss Jackson - how many of my fellow Barley Lane companions remember that?). And I like to think that I keep an open and rational mind when it comes to such debates, but if the opposing party cannot reciprocate I ask you this- what is the point?

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who matter don't mind, and those that mind, don't matter"

~Dr Seuss

First and Foremost..

Well, I have now entered the world of the blogging. Before today.. I lie, before about half an hour ago, I hadn't the faintest idea what this blogging lark was all about. But after a quick fire search on the webs most reliable resource of information (aka Wikipedia), I have been "well informed" (if such a thing exists) on how this all works. And now I'm a blogger.

Where to start.. The beginning is always a good place, I suppose. The simple reason for me to start a blog is so I can share my thoughts with the world. Many of you are under the impression that my moments of silence are a sign of my connection with a certain Homer J. Simpson. How wrong you are (most of the time). No, I do not picture a monkey banging a pair of cymbals whilst doing back flips in my quiet times. Quite the contrary, in fact. My time is better spent understanding the deeper concepts of life, much of which will be honoured with a space on this blog.

But before I do move on to the nitty gritty, let me take a minute to explain the meaning of the blog.

The name of my "blog spot" is Chai Corner. "Chai", roughly translated, means Tea. Better yet, it is the name given to tea in Asian countries, which generally consists of milk, water, sugar and plenty of masala (herbs and spices). I love chai. I believe that a good cup of chai first thing in the morning (or any time of the day) will give you a boost, no matter what you have to do or what you have planned. The masala gives it that extra kick (for those of you who are interested to know more, feel free to join the Facebook group "The Indian Masala Tea Appreciation Society").

The name given to this particular blog space is "Pyar Vali Chai". Translated, this means "Tea made with Love", which is exactly what is required to make a good cuppa chai. It's not always about the ingredients that you physically use, but what goes in to the making of it.

Now that I've explained what this is all about, I'm going to let you carry on with your daily tasks. Chances are that nobody will really read this, but I don't care. It's a place for me to express myself and my views. If you happen to stumble across this blog, I hope that you do enjoy what is to come.

Each post will end with a quote or a picture, to clear out some of the cobwebs we have building upstairs. Today, I shall end with both.

Hari Aum Tat Sat

"We turn to God when our foundations are shaking, only to learn that it is God who is shaking them" (Author Unknown)