A lifelong writer, Noelle is also a mainstream and academic editor, writing coach, and spiritual counselor, with many publications, including articles in Challenges in Writing Your Dissertation (Rowman &amp; Littlefield, 2015) and Trust Your Life (Unity Books, 2011). She is grateful for the gifts to share and apply spiritual principles.&nbsp;

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Noelle Sterne

<h4 style="text-align:justify;">NOELLE STERNE tackles the most uncomfortable of emotions, envy and jealousy, and how competition with others can either cripple us or force us to try a more positive and enlightened approach.&nbsp;</h4>For me, competition takes the form of predictable pangs of envy seeing the high school science nerd who sat in the back getting a MacArthur Fellowship. Or my friend marrying a billionaire tech mogul. Or a book club member whose novel never seemed to be finished landing a contract with a major publisher. Or, as I was working on this article, a novelist who has written 14 Course in Miracles bestsellers, publishes in the top magazines, and appears on many television shows.&nbsp;In a Unity booklet, 40 Days of Letting Go: Lent 2023, the Reverend Cylvia Hayes describes those envious feelings perfectly: “Competitiveness keeps us focused on who we think we’re supposed to be rather than celebrating who we already are… our sense of worth on a comparison with others’ accomplishments, rather than truly appreciating our own unique talents, traits, gifts, and expressions.”Much as I try distractions, the comparisons and pangs sit heavy on my heart, coloring everything—the wonderful pasta meal, the delicious nap, the invigorating swim. I repeatedly tell myself that the successes of others don’t have to affect mine, but I’m never convinced. Soon the pangs spread and become full-blown depression. &nbsp;<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Strategies</h4>I’ve tried many tactics to dilute the depression. Console myself with the nerd’s lack of a significant relationship (in contrast to my longstanding one). My girlfriend’s losing battle with weight (in contrast to my slimming down and keeping down). The book club member’s frizzy hair (in contrast to my sleek pixie). The multi-novelist’s penchant for formularized paranormal romance, which I’d never do. But, at best, these are band-aids. I immerse myself in my writing, attempting to block out everything else. But soon my plaguing inner editor rears up: This is garbage. Throw it out. You’ll never get anywhere.I go out with friends. Or watch a string of rom-coms or lawyer shows while decimating a whole bag of corn chips. Or sleep too much.None of it works. The feelings can’t be covered, substituted, or held at bay for long. I’ve tried to block them out with whatever method, and I feel no better. And then they spiral into a fireworks of fervent vindictive wishes (the nerd’s latest invention blows up, my girlfriend gains so much weight she can hardly walk, the book club member fails to deliver her manuscript on time and her contract is cancelled, the novelist’s next one is a turkey).I really hate myself for those malevolent wishes of my small mind, ungenerous spirit, and cruelty I didn’t know I was capable of.So, what to do?<h4 style="text-align:justify;">How to counter the cruel competitive feelings?</h4>I’ve learned to turn away from the thoughts that lead to those competitive and depressive feelings. My methods of spiritual reading and meditation may not be for you, but I’ve found them supremely helpful, and you might want to test them out.&nbsp;Turning away is hard when the anguish seems to have me enslaved. If I’m successful, turning away is only half the remedy. It may weaken the intensity and the hold those feelings have on me, but more is needed.&nbsp;Thoughts trigger feelings, and I remind myself that I have the mental capacity and will to change my thoughts. The remedy, again not easy, is consciously to substitute other thoughts.&nbsp;I discovered a Bible passage that became the perfect substitute for my teeth-gnashing envy. In 1 Corinthians, Paul writes to the fledging church at Corinth, Greece, about their conflicts with leadership and personalities. As with many of Paul’s letters, he supports and encourages the members, urges them to solve their disagreements, and always reminds them of the supremacy of God.&nbsp;In the passage that struck me (1 Corinthians 12: 4-11), Paul addresses the erroneous idea that one person’s “gift” is better than another’s. It also resonates down the ages with a priceless lesson, especially when that ol’ devil competition rears up.Appropriate to the culture and time, Paul enumerates gifts each person is given—wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of different tongues, speaking in tongues and interpreting them, and the crowning conclusion:All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He distributes them to each one, just as He determines (1 Cor. 12:11).Although Paul’s examples of “gifts” may differ from the ones we covet today, his insights apply. For me, it’s the talents and successes of novelists. For my obese girlfriend, it may be the diet and willpower of an impossibly slender model. For my book club colleague, it may be the perseverance of another author whose books make it into movies. For the paranormal romance novelist, it may be writing a wholly realistic novel.&nbsp;Yet, who is to say that an author has more gifts to share than an airport attendant, a senator than a sanitation worker, a physicist than a plumber?Some of the gifts may seem more important, more contributory. But again, who is to say that the sanitation worker isn’t providing daily blessings to everyone in the neighborhood? A Course in Miracles reiterates Paul: “Love makes no comparisons.”&nbsp;I invite you to think of your own gifts and whom they bless.In The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron comments that competition and jealousy are “always a mask for fear: fear that we aren’t able to get what we want; frustration that somebody else seems to be getting what is rightfully ours even if we are too frightened to reach for it.”&nbsp;Cameron says that competition is a “spiritual drug.” We focus on the wrong thing, on them and their accomplishments, instead of our own work. Her solution is to “go within,” to what “our inner guidance is nudging us toward.” As we turn within, our own work rises up to greet us, we get excited about it (at least a little), and become engrossed in it rather than bemoaning our ill luck in the wake of another person’s successes.If you’re jealous of a friend who writes good crime novels, Cameron says, “Try writing one.” For me, with gnawing jealousy of the novelists, the answer is to finish my damn novel and start sending it out. Cameron is also reassuring, obliquely echoing Paul: “The truth… is that there is room for all of us.”&nbsp;In addition to her sage advice, I’ve found another antidote for that insidious poisonous devil competition: gratitude—to recognize my gifts and be constantly thankful for them. Every time the devil threatens, I turn away and instead say to Him, “Thank You for what I have and can give.” It works.Paul offers more: Each of us is given gifts or desires “as He determines.” Therefore, should we not thank Him for His particular gifts to us and the many opportunities—places, people, situations—to use them? Yes.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/devil_competition2_977b3e17d6.webp" alt="devil-competition2.webp" srcset="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thumbnail_devil_competition2_977b3e17d6.webp 145w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/large_devil_competition2_977b3e17d6.webp 381w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/devil_competition2_977b3e17d6.webp 381w," sizes="100vw"></figure>&nbsp;And should we not develop and use them to our utmost? Yes.He has given us gifts according to our capacities for our own and others’ good. Should we not express gratitude? Yes.Reminders such as these show me how to stop fueling the competition engine that erodes my writing, my desire to contribute, and my enjoyment of life. The engine sputters to a stop. With a grateful heart, I return to my work.<hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">Thoughts trigger feelings, and I remind myself that I have the mental capacity and will to change my thoughts. The remedy, again not easy, is consciously to substitute other thoughts.&nbsp;</h4><hr>

That ol’ devil competition

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Norman Vincent Peale

Choose Joy

NSN is founder and CEO at Sensei Technologies. He has been practicing Heartfulness meditation for 20+ years and is deeply interested in the science of spirituality, software architecture and design philosophies. He also works with Brighter Minds to develop tools and techniques to enhance cognitive skills, especially for children.

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NS Nagaraja

<h4>N.S. NAGARAJA writes about sleep, dreams, cartoon heroes, near death experiences, twisting space and possibilities. What can our senses really tell us about the world around us and inside us?</h4>

Yes, I should have just slept that night. I was half asleep and ready to rest. The inseparable, my phone, caught my attention, and so I checked one last time for the day. There was a message from an old school mate, and it said a thing or two, ending with, “On matters of God, I am undecided.” I stared at it for some time not knowing how or what to say.

This spiritual field of feelings is not easy to explain to the intellectual mind. I felt, “Intellect of this kind could be considered as a state of ignorance for the other kind!” In the same half asleep, I happened to read a short article on Near Death Experiences, which said that NDE research is only records of the experiences of people who went through it, and that is not scientific enough. It said that NDE could simply be a neurobiological condition produced under low oxygen levels in the brain, leading to hallucination. How convincing (not)!

I thought, “Less oxygen leads one to biological death, is it not?” But this particular article was trying to convince us that one day science will be able to show that NDE is a creation of the brain and there will be methods to simulate that condition in the brain. Long ago, when I started meditation, I used to think that meditation could just be triggering a chemical change in the brain. Subsequently, my brain allowed for many possibilities and helped me transcend the trap of theories so that I could explore reality with an open mind. The same questions, time and again, cross many minds. Now it was surely time to sleep.

I slipped into sleep with some sort of awareness. Of course it was not a NDE for sure! Now I was in a dreamy state in which there was an idea: what if, now, at this moment, the physical space around me has another dimension? ...

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<h4 class="text-center">Article by N.S. NAGARAJA</h4>
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When I was half asleep

<hr><h4>NS NAGARAJA presents to us an index of some theories of consciousness that have been put forward in the fields of philosophy, science and spirituality. They are not the only theories, but they do awaken the curiosity to discover more!</h4><hr>‘In Search of Consciousness’ is a nicer title than the article itself, and you will find out soon enough! This topic is all about a self in search of itself. For what purpose? When the finder finds oneself, who will know the answer? The finder or the found? Sometimes philosophy sounds like this, doesn’t it! The purpose of this article is to capture key ideas about consciousness from the perspectives of philosophy, spirituality and science, and to motivate you to Google more – this is certainly not an exhaustive list. Not only that, this indexing type of article may encourage you to search, think and tinker with consciousness itself!<h4>What is consciousness?</h4>Let us start with a simple definition by Dr Christoff Koch: “Consciousness is everything that we experience.”We have a physical body that performs many functions. Likewise, we all have, “Something in us that makes awareness or perception possible.” We know the simple sensory inputs of smell, taste, sight, touch and sound, which generate rich inner experience. The inner experience can be joy, pain or complex imagination, and so on.Is the experience a physical phenomenon, arising out of complex information processing in the brain? Or is it a non-physical phenomenon associated with constructs like the soul or the self, or some universal field of energy?Some philosophers consider experience as the hard problem of consciousness. Some scientists argue that once we understand how it works, it will be yet another physical process. This article will list some of the key intuitive approaches (spiritual approaches) and more mechanistic approaches to consciousness.<h4>Theories of Consciousness</h4><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/buddha_ee8681b1fa.jpg" alt="in-search-of-consciousness"><h5 style="text-align:center;">The Buddhist concept</h5>Way back in 400 BC, Buddhist philosophy proposed that consciousness is the life force that continues across rebirths, and also posited that there are 9 levels of consciousness:Levels 1 to 5 arise out of the five senses: eyes – sight, nose – smell, ears – hearing, tongue – taste, and body – touch;Level 6 is the mind consciousness related to ideas and thoughts;Level 7 is the inner life that creates the sense of self and is associated with emotions and attitude;Level 8 is the subconscious, the repository of all karmic effects, that lives beyond this life; andLevel 9 is pure consciousness – a life force that creates complete harmony of the internal and external, and a sense of connectedness or oneness.Buddhism provides a set of practices to expand or deepen consciousness through meditation and contemplation.&nbsp;<hr><hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/plato_4882bd57bd.jpg" alt="in-search-of-consciousness"><h5 style="text-align:center;">Plato</h5>Around the same period, Plato theorized that the mind receives information through senses, and the soul uses this information to create form and perception.The allegory of Plato’s Cave is a simple thought experiment that gives interesting insights on how Plato viewed the problem of perception. Aristotle, who was Plato’s disciple, argued that the soul is seated in the heart and is the principal power by which life itself happens. Aristotle seemed to imply that consciousness is the property of the soul itself.&nbsp;<hr><hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/Integrated_information_theory_12c9539661.jpg" alt="in-search-of-consciousness"><h5 style="text-align:center;">Integrated Information Theory and Consciousness Meter</h5>Many scientists have tried to derive an understanding of consciousness by starting with the laws of physics, and therelationship between consciousness and the brain is still a subject of deep research. On the other hand, Integrated Information Theory (IIT) is a body of research that seeks to explain consciousness by first accepting its existence, and then reasoning about what sort of physical entity could manifest consciousness.IIT was first proposed by Giulio Tononi in 2004 and has since undergone many improvements. Some characteristics it attributes to consciousness are:It exhibits composition where there are distinct elements in it that are part of the experience.Each experience is distinct and differentiated from other experiences in the past or future.It is unified and it cannot be reduced to smaller experiences of phenomena inside it.IIT lays down certain postulates on what a physical entity like the brain that manifests consciousness needs to have. It should have cause-effect power, meaning it can influence other entities and can be influenced by other entities.IIT also gives an account of why conscious brains might have evolved: brains that reflect the causal structure of their environment in their internal causal structure can adapt better.IIT lays down facts about relationship between the brain and consciousness as well as providing certain inferences and extrapolations about consciousness. For example, the cerebral cortex is more likely to manifest consciousness than the cerebellum, because the neurons in the cerebral cortex can form a complex large enough for consciousness whereas the neurons in the cerebellum do not.IIT also predicts that experiences can be had even when the cerebral cortex is silent, like in states of meditation. This body of knowledge has become an important step in advancing our understanding of consciousness.Tononi and team have developed a tool to measure the consciousness level of a person. The Zap and Zip Technique involves sending an intense magnetic pulse through the skull and recording the induced electrical flow in the neuronal networks. A simple algorithm is then used to compute the complexity of brain activity. When tested on normal people, people under the influence of anesthesia, and people in a comatose state, the values obtained have consistently shown that it is possible to quantify and determine whether someone is conscious or not. Further research might help us understand how widespread consciousness is in nature.&nbsp;<hr><hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/tunnel_ba5a6d4163.jpg" alt="in-search-of-consciousness"><h5 style="text-align:center;">Global Workspace Theory</h5>Imagine you are seated in a theater, looking at the stage. On stage there are many actors, objects, the backdrop, movement, colors and sound. Now imagine a spotlight focused only on one actor and his actions. Everything else is still there, but it is not the focus. The director, technicians, audience and all other activities have slipped into the background and the spotlight highlights the one actor and his movement as the main focus. All the complex co-ordination, support and direction processes are all hidden. The conscious part is seen by the audience, directed by the spotlight. Hold on to this idea.Now think that the whole brain is a theater, with many parts of the brain performing various functions. Now assume that our focus (spotlight) is on some set of thoughts or experiences; our conscious awareness is mainly on one thing, and all others are in the background. Global Workspace Theory proposes that all sensory and other inputs are communicated to all cognitive functional components of the brain. The conscious experience is generated as a result of some focused neuronal activities, and many others are hidden in the background to support this. According to GWT, consciousness in an integrative function of the brain to generate the rich experience. Bernard Baars is the architect of this theory, which provides an interesting perspective to origins of consciousness.&nbsp;<hr><hr><h4 style="text-align:center;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/neurons_4172bde57f.jpg" alt="in-search-of-consciousness"></h4><h5 style="text-align:center;">Orchestrated Objective Reduction – the Quantum View</h5>Many scientists have constructed new theories to explain consciousness. Karl Pribam, David Bohm and many others have believed that classical mechanics is not sufficient to explain the phenomenon of consciousness. They propose that the quantum mechanical phenomenon, the entanglement and superposition, may play a role in brain functioning and, in some way, provide the basis for conscious experience.Roger Penrose and Stuart Hameroff have been working since the early ’90s on a theory of consciousness known as Orchestrated Objective Reduction (Orch-OR or OOR). OOR is a new effort to bring physics and neuroscience together to explain how the brain may be involved in the process of consciousness. The fundamental hypothesis is that the neurons have molecular structures (microtubules), which can potentially support quantum processes. This theory argues that consciousness is not because of some complex processing in the brain, but instead it is because of quantum processes inside neurons. Such a possibility in theory opens up large scale information processing, and even takes perception beyond the individual into the realm of a connected universal field. There seems to be some early evidence to prove the existence of quantum activity in brain cells.&nbsp;<hr><hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/body_points_eb7a325f26.jpg" alt="in-search-of-consciousness"><h5 style="text-align:center;">Subtle Body Approach – Energy Field</h5>In the Heartfulness philosophy, consciousness is seen as the integrated field of the subtle body, which has a spectrum consisting of the subconscious, conscious and superconscious. The expansion of consciousness from the current level of a person to the depths of the subconscious and the heights of the superconscious is known as spiritual evolution. And this evolution continues beyond the consciousness spectrum. Daaji has written extensively on the spiritual anatomy of the chakras, the subtle bodies and consciousness. Daaji’s integrative approach provides simplified and rich information, and many new insights for all who want to dive deeper in the mysteries of consciousness.In search of consciousness, outwardly, will give you lots of theories. In search of consciousness inwardly, what will you get?Deep within it is bliss; high above it is oneness.Transcending consciousness; what lies beyond?<hr><code>References:</code> <code>Integrated information theory, </code><a href="http://www.scholarpedia.org/article/Integrated_ information_theory"><code>http://www.scholarpedia.org/article/Integrated_ information_theory</code><code>&nbsp;</code></a> <code>Integrated information theory: from consciousness to its physical substrate, </code><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nrn.2016.44"><code>https://www.nature.com/articles/nrn.2016.44</code></a><hr>&nbsp;<hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">Article by NS NAGARAJA</h4>&nbsp;<hr>

In search of consciousness

<h4>NS NAGARAJA shares some thoughts on the science of peace.</h4><hr>Peace is something everybody wants. Perhaps it is one of the top ten highly prized items! What is this peace?Peace is “freedom from disturbance.” A disturbed state comes when there is disruption from normal and steady functioning. This applies to an individual inside, as well as to a community, a state or a country. By the time I finished writing this line, almost accidentally I read something about T. S. Elliot’s The Waste Land. I was sure that I would not be able to read and understand 434 lines of poetry, but I wanted to check what it was about. The ending caught my attention: “Shantih shantih shantih.”. I was not interested in The Waste Land any more, but in the person who wrote it, and what made him write “Peace, peace, peace” at the end. He must be a noble soul.The Nobel prizewinner had a great amount of disturbance in his personal life. It pushed him to create great literary works like The Waste Land that left a yearning with the signature saying, “We want peace, peace and peace.” Elliot moved on from The Waste Land and produced other great works, perhaps in the state of peace.This led me to explore more of the science of peace. The first reference I came across is from the field of practical philosophy taught in the Upanishads. I must warn you that I know very little about the Upanishads, but they talk about Tapa trayas, the three kinds of troubles (I had a lot of them!) and how to resolve them and achieve peace. Adi bhautika (physical realm) troubles arise out of external circumstances, Adi daivika (divine realm) troubles arise out of karmic laws and Adhyaatmika troubles arise out of one’s own self – body and mind.The Upanishads preach that shanti mantras (prayers for peace) can bring the troubled individual out of this troubled condition. Now my curiosity started growing. We all know that a particular state of being embodies a certain level of consciousness, but that itself is a knowledge and we may not have of full understanding of it. In the ancient teachings, mantras were used to invoke certain knowledge and a condition in the person reciting them, whereas repeating them mechanically is a ritualistic act with little or no results.&nbsp;<img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/peace_from_the_waste_land_other_realms_1_img_bf1ec4f39c.jpg">&nbsp;Here are some of these prayers called shanti mantras.One from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad says:Aum! That (Brahman) is infinite, and this (universe) is infinite. The infinite proceeds from the infinite. (Then) taking the infinitude of the infinite (universe), It remains as the infinite (Brahman) alone. Aum! Peace! Peace! Peace!This evokes a sense of the vastness of existence. The “I” is part of such infinity. Moving the mind in this thought itself can be elevating. Attaching the mind to that higher ideal, that Reality, even if it is temporary, will produce corresponding vibrations and feelings.This one from the Taittiriya Upanishad brings a simple idea of togetherness. If we truly immerse our minds in the meaning, will we not start caring about our co-travelers?Aum! May He protect us both together; may He nourish us both together; May we work conjointly with great energy, May our study be vigorous and effective; May we not mutually dispute (or may we not hate any). Aum! Let there be peace in me! Let there be peace in my environment! Let there be peace in the forces that act on me!&nbsp;<img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/peace_from_the_waste_land_other_realms_2_img_ae4136f5d7.jpg">&nbsp;The following shanti mantra from the Aitareya Upanishad is about integrity and being truthful:Aum! May my speech be in accord with my mind; May my mind be in accord with speech. O Self-effulgent One, reveal Thyself to me. May you both (speech and mind) be the carriers of the Veda to me. May all that I have heard not depart from me. I shall join together day And night through this study. I shall utter what is verbally true; I shall utter what is mentally true. May That (Brahman) protect me; May That protect the speaker (i.e. the teacher), may That protect me; May That protect the speaker – may That protect the speaker. Aum! Peace! Peace! Peace! Lead us from the unreal to the real Lead us from darkness to light Lead us from death to immortality Aum! Peace! Peace! PeaceNow, can all this knowledge and understanding of peace come without truly being in that state of being, that spiritual condition? Ponder over it.Let the spiritual condition create the necessary awareness and knowledge in us. If pursued under proper guidance and with the help of Yogic Transmission, meditation can truly create that spiritual condition in us. Let peace not remain as knowledge or definition. Let it be the foundation of our existence and help us launch our consciousness into a realm yet to be known.&nbsp;

Peace from "The Waste Land" and other realms

<h4>N.S. NAGARAJA introduces the methods and practices of Brighter Minds, which help children develop cognitive and intuitive abilities and confidence. It is a difference approach to education that opens the heart.&nbsp;</h4><hr>&nbsp;<h4 style="text-align:center;">The capacity to learn is a gift; the ability to learn is a skill; the willingness to learn is a choice. –Brian Herbert</h4><hr>Can we improve all three? How much of learning is predetermined and how much can be molded? What really goes on in the brain when we are learning something? Do we have tools and methods to continually enhance learning effectiveness and experience?We have been exploring these questions at Brighter Minds. Recent advances in the field of neurosciences, particularly in brain neuroplasticity, suggest that learning is continuously possible. The process of learning is an outcome of the connections and re-connections among the 80 billion neurons that make up the human brain, with each cell having a potential to make several thousand connections with other cells.Learning in a way is directly proportional to the number of connections possible in a person’s brain. Scientists have observed that the connections start happening soon after birth. Initially they happen at the rapid pace of 2 million connections per second, so that by the age of two the brain has made over a trillion connections. After that the connections start pruning, particularly those that are not used, and by the age of 12 years 50% of connections are lost. So the exposure that the child has between the ages of 2 and 12 decides how much of the brain stays wired. And this determines the extent of learning that is possible.It also tells us that this age group needs attention. Recent evidence indicates that appropriate tools and training in a conducive environment can stimulate neuroplasticity in the brains during this age and beyond.Inspired by the vision of creating a brighter world for tomorrow and taking cues from the latest advances in neurosciences, the Brighter Minds team developed an innovative cognitive training program for children. Its mission is to inspire and equip every child with ways to enhance cognitive functioning so as to achieve personal excellence and instil self-confidence.The initial research not only helped to design the ongoing product and program, but also showed encouraging results. Parents of the children who participated reported improved focus, comprehension and memory, emotional stability, self-confidence, empathy and calmness among their children. The program not only enriches the intelligence quotient (IQ), but also the emotional quotient (EQ) as well, which is recognized as a vital element to effectively problem solve in today’s world.Initiated in India, the program is now present in 12 countries across Asia, the Americas, Europe, Oceania and Africa. Additional research is being done to understand the long term impact of the program.For more information, visit www.brighterminds.org.&nbsp;<hr>References:Eagleman, D. 2015. The Brain: The Story of You, Pantheon, USA. Goleman, D. 1995. Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ, Bantam, USA. Shichida, M. 2009. Children Can Change Through Right Brain Education, Shichida Educational Institute, Japan.<hr>

Enhancing learning effectiveness: the Brighter Minds experience

<hr><h4>NS NAGARAJA looks at the great social structures of governance throughout human history and proposes a new one for the 21st century.</h4>&nbsp;There is a large group of rationalists who reject spirituality because for them there is no proof of God or the soul or even consciousness. This apparent lack of evidence is robbing many of the possibility to explore meditation.Here it pays to examine another perspective. For a very long time, monarchs ruled and managed societies around the world. The monarchic system favored the rich and powerful ones, but the common people suffered. This led to new thinking and philosophies of how to organize and govern the state. Some people disliked the idea of the individual owning resources, and they proposed a new theory of social organization which allowed all the resources and properties to be owned by the community. The community members could contribute and receive according to the need and, sometimes, ability. This theory of communism was a promise of better life.In the beginning I don’t think any of these social models were created taking into consideration the economic value and the overall impact on geo-political factors. Instead, those who were suffering, with hope, accepted and tried each new model, which was given a chance by all. Similar is the case with the theory of democracy, socialism and capitalism. We as a human society have strived to improve our lives by trying various social theories and models without having any empirical proof of their implications.Let’s look at science. It is full of theories, which generally come first, and the experiments come later. The models evolve. We test them. Some survive and some go away. All are given an opportunity to be proven.Now take spirituality as a theory, which proposes to improve the social organization by improving the organization of individual mind. It proposes that through meditation it is possible to expand awareness and consciousness to make the individual mind purer and wiser. A meditative mind and contemplative life can help us to evolve our personality and bring peace and joy in life, hence creating a better society. As we fix the inner, the external will change for the good.It is such a simple idea to try out – spirituality as a way of inner governance. We have tried communism, democracy, socialism and capitalism. We have given a chance to consumerism. We are explorers. It is time we change our thinking fundamentally and explore the spiritual movement, which is the inner movement.<hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">We can change the world by changing our self – is that not a reasonable argument ?</h4><hr>The practice of meditation assisted by Transmission helps in evolution of the self, infinitely by:– Organizing and purifying the mind – Increasing awareness beyond the senses – Expanding consciousnessThe outcome is:– A calmer mind – Enhanced discrimination and decision-making ability – Positive attitude and joyous approach to life – Development of wisdom – Development of perception towards the real nature of self and universeHow to implement this approach:Step 1: Learn meditation along with willing family members with a scientific bent of mind Step 2: Observe and record changes in yourself for a period of 6 months or a year Step 3: While you learn and change, share with others Step 4: Record for yourself the changesThis spiritual movement not only has a simple theory but also an utterly simple approach of implementation and practice. The world as a whole is one large being made up of smaller beings. When the part changes, the whole also changes. We can change the world by changing our self – is that not a reasonable argument ? Let us give it a shot wholeheartedly.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A new social theory

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Oprah Winfrey

Challenges

Wounds to wisdom

Becoming a mother

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Oscar Wilde

A lifelong romance

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Osho

Truth

<h4>Enjoy these profound truths about simplicity from SWAMI VIVEKANANDA, DAAJI, OSHO and BABUJI.&nbsp;</h4>The greatest truths are the simplest things in the world, simple as your own existence.The greatness of a teacher consists in the simplicity of his language.Oh, to live even for a day in the full light of freedom, to breathe the free air of simplicity! Is not that the highest purity?—Swami Vivekananda<hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/simplicity2_b06e3a3ccc.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-05T14:55:22.361Z">Sitting for that first meditation session was the most amazing experience I had ever had in my life – it was so profound and proved to me that this system was right for me. I thought, “If a trainer of the system can transmit like this, imagine what the Guide can do!”His name was Ram Chandra and he came from Shahjahanpur – and now I was longing to meet him. But I had to wait. I could only visit him during my college vacation almost a year later in 1977. When I reached Shahjahanpur, I found him to be a loving, simple, genuine, down-to-earth person. His utter simplicity amazed me. Just looking at him made me wonder how there could be such purity in a person, such simplicity. His whole being radiated love. And I could feel the Transmission flowing through him all the time. There was never a dull moment, even when he was silent, which he was most of the time. There was always inner communion, and I was busy inside feeling his presence. That was the beginning of my journey with my Guide.—Daaji<hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/simplicity3_8fa70ee14a.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-05T14:55:56.408Z">If you are simple you will be able to observe yourself. A complex man cannot observe himself because he is so divided. He has so many things around him: so many desires, so many thoughts, and so many problems arising out of these desires and thoughts. He is continuously in a crowd. It is difficult to attain to self study. Only an austere man eats, sleeps, loves, and that is all. He has ample time and ample energy left to observe, just to be, just to sit and look. And he is so happy. … Things are so simple that he can do them easily. And simple things have a quality that even while doing them you can study yourself. Complex things are too much for the mind. It gets too involved and fragmentary, and self study becomes impossible. … You never have enough energy. And without energy there is no possibility of being aware. At the point of low energy, low level energy, you cannot be aware; overflowing energy is needed. An austere man has so much energy left – what to do with this energy? … You are sitting silently; the energy moves to the subtlest layers – it goes higher and higher, it goes on accumulating, it becomes a pinnacle, a pillar of energy. You can study yourself now. Even the subtlest nuances of your thoughts, emotions, feelings, you can watch.—Osho<hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/simplicity4_d717ea4018.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-05T14:56:26.650Z">Simplicity is the very essence of Nature. It is the reflection of that which existed in the Absolute in a latent state. It promotes growth. It can be aptly described as the quintessence of the Ultimate. This is in fact the life-substance of Nature.—Ram Chandra of Shahjahanpur

The free air of simplicity

Ovid

Habits change into character

Krishna is an innovator and educator, with more than thirty years of experience in designing, producing and marketing innovative products and services. He is known for his management of the design and construction of houses and ashrams in various parts of India. He is also the Chairman of the Lalaji Memorial Omega International School in Chennai.

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P.R Krishna

P.R.KRISHNA shares his observations on the background chatter in the mind, the quantum field of realities we create for ourselves, and what is beyond both in the realm of pure universal consciousness.&nbsp;<hr>&nbsp;Recently, while sitting in meditation I was troubled because of some events that had taken place. As a result, it was difficult to center myself and go deep into meditation. I tried to apply my will to control the flow of thoughts and after a while my mind became more or less still. Even after this, though, I observed that a sort of background chatter persisted. It was not very strong, but it was noticeable.I thought about why it was there, and it occurred to me that this background chatter is like the background radio waves that are prevalent throughout the universe. All of us know of SETI, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.The scientists at SETI listen to and filter radio waves that form the background chatter of the universe. They apply algorithms to see if any of these waves are intelligible. The theory is that if they have a coherent structure then there is a good probability that someone with intelligence is out there trying to communicate with us.The other idea of relevance is that of the quantum field of physics. The quantum field is the field of un-manifested probability. Physicists tell us that as observers we cause certain realities to manifest from out of the vast sea of probabilities that exists, just by the mere fact of observing them. This is the essence of the Special Theory of Relativity proposed by Einstein.What is this quantum field? Think of it as a wok full of oil. A cook tests the oil’s heat by sprinkling a few drops of water on it. If the oil is hot enough, the water droplets make a loud spluttering noise and dance on the surface of the oil as soon as they hit the surface. The quantum field is similar. In the beginning, before we have regulated and trained our minds through meditation and rid our minds of the unnecessary complexities that exist, the surface of the&nbsp;oil is covered with a scum made up of our samskaras (complexities). Thus, every time we observe the quantum field of probable realities for the future, we see stuff that is from our past. This is visible to us because it is what we have created and therefore what we see.<hr>What is the nature of this background chatter? I have observed that this chatter is our baggage, largely composed of our samskaras, which determine our desires and attitudes and beliefs.<hr>We create our own reality and our own future. We observe what we want to see with our colored vision, and think that there is no other reality other than the one we create for ourselves, without even being aware we are doing so.Until we are ready to accept that our reality is not the real one, there can be no change in us nor in the world around us. At the beginning of a spiritual journey our consciousness is very narrow, so our field of view is limited and often very negative as well. In a sense, we are running our own version of SETI every day, trying to make sense of our personal background chatter. The problem is that our algorithm is governed by our state of being, often full of desires, fears and insecurities, all compounded by our attitudes and beliefs.This is the best and most important reason for ‘positive thinking’. If we continue to conjure up doomsday scenarios from the quantum field, they will manifest, simply because we cause them to manifest.This is also the philosophy behind the importance of prayer and positive suggestion.The will, I believe, is the instrument that we use to pick one un-manifested probability from out of the vast field of such probabilities. This is why in a spiritual practice we stress the development of the will so much.Now, the question is: What is the nature of this background chatter? I have observed that this chatter is our baggage, largely composed of our samskaras, which determine our desires and attitudes and beliefs.When we do a serious spiritual practice, we are trying to alter the very nature of our personal quantum field, to rid it of all the accumulated fears and desires and insecurities. By cleaning the heart and mind regularly, we change the nature of the field as it becomes purified.When we receive Yogic Transmission from a Guru of caliber, the very nature of the field is changed over time. In this way our attempts at changing ourselves from the inside are reinforced. These two processes go hand in hand: Yogic Transmission changes us and we change ourselves, until we become a very different person from the one who started the process. Our view of the quantum field now is significantly different from the old view, since we have changed. Therefore, the reality that we now create for ourselves is very different from the ones of the past. The very nature of the field of probabilities has changed. At this stage, the background chatter is still there, but it is muted to a faint shadow, even though it still has the capacity to disturb!I believe that this is the real transformation that takes place as we evolve. We exchange our lower level quantum field, composed of all the dross and grossness of our past, and replace it gradually with a quantum field that is upward-looking, light and devoid of negativity; in a sense, more spiritual.Then there is an even more profound change. The very nature of the field changes from one that is personal and narrow to one that is universal: our entire outlook changes. All our fears, desires, insecurities and ambitions of the past are replaced by a more aspirational outlook, one that is now asking the real question, “How do I reach the goal of life?”As we evolve, we become less and less concerned with ourselves, and more and more concerned with others and how to help them. Our consciousness itself transforms over time to become more and more universal, subtle and spiritual. When our consciousness expands to a breadth where there is very little of us and almost all of it is concern for our fellow beings, then we approach what can be called ‘universal consciousness’.What is the role of the will in all of this? Our will is the tool that we use to interact with the quantum field. It is the instrument that we use to pick one probability out of the vast field, and to make that one probability manifest as our very own reality. The will is thus a slave to our nature and does our bidding.If we are full of desires and fears and ambition, the will acts in a certain manner. As we change, the very nature of will changes also.The ego plays a very large role in the way in which we use our willpower, as it controls the way in which we transform intent into action. When the ego is sublimated and refined, intent is translated into action that is towards our spiritual progress. When we think with the heart and not with the mind, the ego is regulated and this results in correct action. This is why, when in doubt, it is better to ask the heart and not the mind. The voice of the conscience is the voice of the heart.<hr>When our consciousness expands to a breadth where there is very little of us and almost all of it is concern for our fellow beings, then we approach what can be called ‘universal consciousness’.<hr>As we evolve and become less egoistic, we are less concerned with the results of our actions and more concerned with doing our best, leaving the result up to God. The more we learn to do this, the more the will becomes pure, until we reach a stage when our will is almost divine. Man’s will is coloured by all the stuff that rules man, whereas God’s will does what needs to be done to restore balance, and is not clouded by human frailty.So, we can do away with the background chatter if we:<ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Clean the heart and mind and meditate regularly so that the very nature of the quantum field changes over time,</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Learn to sublimate the ego through changing our nature, replacing ambition with aspiration and controlling our desires and fears and insecurities,</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Allow the will to become pure, so that it becomes a wonderful instrument, capable of creating awe and growth. Why is it important to eliminate background chatter from our lives?</li></ul>All of us know that in order to think and act efficiently and effectively we need silence. Chatter prevents clear thinking and confuses us, so that we are not able to choose wisely. When there is silence, we are able to think and act with clarity. We can also see God’s creation in all its wonder. We marvel at it, and aspire to become one with it.I have always gone into some sort of retreat when I am stressed or disturbed. This helps me to center myself and regain touch with my core. It produces the peace and quiet that is essential for a spiritual life.<hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">Article by P.R.KRISHNA</h4><hr>

Background Chatter

P.V. Sindhu is a professional badminton player. She has won medals at multiple tournaments, including the Olympics, and a gold at the 2019 World Championships. She is also the recipient of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna sporting honor, and both the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan civilian awards in India.

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P.V. Sindhu

<h4>Youth icon, sportswoman, and multi-award recipient, P.V. SINDHU has many
 national and international titles under her belt, the latest being the 2019 World Badminton Championships. A
 never-say-never attitude, a magnetic smile and twinkling eyes, she is an epitome of humbleness and graceful poise.
 Here she speaks with SATYA SAHAY at the inauguration of the P.V. Sindhu Badminton
 Academy at the Lalaji Memorial Omega International School in Chennai, India.</h4>
<hr class="vertical-space1">
Q: I’m very grateful and super excited to have a
 heart-to-heart conversation with you.
PVS: It is a great pleasure for me to be here at
 LMOIS in Chennai, where I’m coming for the first time to inaugurate this new badminton facility that is named after
 me. I hope that those youngsters you take up badminton will come here to practice and train hard, and in future be
 more successful.
Q: You have ignited so many lives by being who you are,
 and you have inspired so many girls to take up sports and dream of reaching the same heights. This is an
 encouragement and support to them all.
PVS: Thank you so much. It’s nice to be told that,
 but it’s not just my hard work; it’s a lot of people’s hard work who have supported me. My parents have been very
 supportive, and my coach, and I’m thankful to them. Parents’ support is much needed by anyone who gets into sports;
 it’s not just a few months of hard work, but years of hard work, and success is not immediate. But with hard work you
 will definitely get there. Not only in sports, but in other things like studies, ups and downs are always there. Some
 might find success early and some find it late, but there’s a process and it will take time. You have to be patient
 and you have to believe in yourself.
Q: So, tell us a little about your childhood and
 upbringing.
PVS: I started playing badminton at the age of
 eightand-a-half, just for fun, and when I started I never thought I’d become an Olympic medalist or a World Champion.
 My parents are volleyball players and they always supported me with whatever sport I wanted to do. Step by step, I got
 better. My mom and dad guided me, because they knew how it was coming from a sports background and the experiences
 they had faced. Even now, whenever I play and make a few mistakes here and there, they tell me, “You need to do this,”
 or “You need to do that.” That helped me in improving my game and I’m very thankful to them.
<img class="lazyload w-100"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/hfn_sindu4_ce7f02518b.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-05T04:17:33.931Z" />
 The Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi with the Rio Olympic Silver Medal Winner &amp; Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna
 Awardee of 2016, Indian shuttler P.V. Sindhu, in New Delhi on August 28, 2016. Image credits: Wikimedia Commons
Q: What were the values in your family? Are there any
 qualities that you are grateful for?
PVS: As I said, hard work is one of the most
 important things, because you won’t achieve success so easily. You have to keep working hard. Also, whenever I would
 lose – you know there are always ups and downs – I learnt never to think it’s over, there’s always a next time. When I
 lost, obviously I would feel sad, but my parents would say, “There’s always a next time.”
Q: So how do you cope with failure in an individual sport
 where you’re not part of a team?
PVS: It’s not only in individual sports, but also
 in team sports, every player feels sad or bad whenever they lose a match or come up with failure. But failure doesn’t
 mean it’s over, and you learn a lot from your loss. The next time you face that same opponent, you won’t make the same
 mistakes again. It’s not that you shouldn’t lose, that you always have to win, because that can’t happen. So, you have
 to be strong and you have to come back stronger to face the next challenge.
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 class="lazyload img-float-left has-img-center-in-mobile"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/hfn_sindhu2_5ec01973ee.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-05T04:19:05.462Z" />
 Q: And how do you cope with winning?
PVS: Winning is always a very positive thing. You
 feel happy, you are motivated, and it’s important that you stay grounded and be aware that you won’t keep winning
 every time. You can’t become overconfident because that will lead to something else. You can be happy with your win,
 and the next time you face the same opponent you have to give 100% to the game. In badminton there are a lot of
 strategies, and every time you play the game changes. So you have to be mentally and physically strong.
Q: How did you discover your ability as a sports person?
 Was it easy to follow your passion?
PVS: It wasn’t easy, but at the same time I really
 enjoyed it. I think you need to enjoy sports; you need to enjoy whatever you do. It shouldn’t be a forced thing where
 you’re playing and winning for someone else. You need to feel happy doing it. It wasn’t easy, and there were times
 when I kept losing, and people started asking me, “What’s happening?” But then I came back much stronger, and I gave
 the answer to them with my racket. Criticism always comes, so don’t take it to heart, and let it go. You have to think
 what’s good for you and not spoil your mental condition.
Q: Is there any routine or act that you do before big
 matches?
PVS: It’s very important to take proper rest. You
 practice all the time, but before a match you can’t exhaust yourself. So to feel fresh and rested is important. Before
 any match the preparation is to get to know your opponent, what her strategies are, and how to play against her. And
 in case Plan A doesn’t work, you need to have a Plan B, and to decide on the court in the spur of the moment, under
 pressure, in a matter of seconds. That is crucial.
<hr>
<h5 style="text-align: center;">Hard work is one of the most important things, 
 because you won’t achieve success so easily. 
 You have to keep working hard
</h5>
<hr>
Q: And is there anything that you feel brings you
 luck?
PVS: I believe in God. There’s no lucky action, or
 any such thing, and I do believe that on a particular day whoever plays better wins. I’ve taken up Heartfulness
 practices, which really help me, and they have made a huge difference. There were times when I got angry with myself,
 when I lost points in a match, and I didn’t know what I was doing. But with this practice, I now find those answers
 within myself. I keep calm and keep going, which is very important when you’re playing long matches and feeling
 impatient. For example, when you’re leading by seven points and eager to finish, it’s important to close your eyes for
 a few seconds and get ready. These small changes help you a lot to stay focused and calm.
Q: What does it take to become a great sportsperson? How
 much of it is talent, how much attitude and hard work?
PVS: It is not any one thing; you need everything
 in equal parts. It’s like a chain, where you need to have determination, the right attitude, hard work, and also
 talent. It’s connected and everything together makes a champion. You also need to be grounded when you taste success;
 that’s important.
Q: How do you maintain your graceful poise under
 pressure?
PVS: Every player faces pressure, and that is when
 you need to just keep going, keep calm. People want me to win, the expectations are always there, there are
 responsibilities. That is when you think, “I need to win.” So it’s very important to bear in mind that you’re not
 playing for other people; it’s for yourself. And when you go on court and give one hundred percent and win, it’s for
 yourself and for the people too, for the country. If you let others’ expectations affect your mind, that brings extra
 pressure on you.
<hr>
<h5 style="text-align: center;">Learning to meditate makes a huge difference when you’re
 on court. 
 It makes you feel in control when you’re impatient and under pressure; 
 it calms you down. Nothing else comes into your mind.
</h5>
<hr>
Q: Would you say that meditation has helped you maintain
 your balance, and has kept you centered?
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 class="lazyload img-float-left has-img-center-in-mobile"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/hfn_sindhu3_84328df2c8.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-05T04:20:29.986Z" />
 PVS: Definitely. It’s a process and it takes time. Slowly I understood its effect. It makes a huge difference
 when you’re on court. It makes you feel in control when you’re impatient and under pressure; it calms you down.
 Nothing else comes into your mind. You’re able to just play your game. Otherwise, when you’re at game point, when
 you’re leading and about to finish a match, you have this anxiety, “What’s next?” So meditation keeps you going until
 the end. That’s been my personal experience. Every individual has a different mindset, has a different experience, and
 with me, I’ve seen a big change. I used to get angry whenever I lost points or when I was losing, but now that has
 reduced a lot. I’m able to keep calm.
Q: Who has helped you along the way in your career. Who
 are your mentors?
PVS: Of course, my parents and my coach. They’ve
 been very, very supportive, especially through the hard times. My parents have made a lot of sacrifices and I’m very
 appreciative. The stadium where I trained was very far from where we lived, so we had to shift house so we could be
 near the academy. My mom and dad took early retirement from their jobs, so they could travel with me wherever I went,
 and mentor me constantly. Still today, whenever I go home tired, my mom cooks what I like to eat. All that really
 matters and helps me a lot.
Q: What guidance can you offer young people who want to
 follow their dreams?
PVS: A lot of youngsters are taking up sports as a
 career, so I would say to them, “Enjoy your sport. Winning and losing is secondary. Follow your passion. It’s very
 important to play your heart out and do your best.”
To parents, I’d say, “Fully support your child in whatever sport they are playing. Your
 child has to want to play that sport. It’s not enough to put them in an academy and expect them to perform well, just
 because it has produced top players. It doesn’t work like that. Everyone has a different talent and ability, and it’s
 important to know your children’s needs when giving support.”
Q: They need constant nurturing.
PVS: Yes. Joining an academy doesn’t make you a
 world class player. It requires much more; it takes time, too, during which you need parents’ support and
 encouragement.
Q: How important is mental health in sports?
PVS: In any sport it’s important to keep yourself
 both physically and mentally fit. If you’re physically fit but mentally not strong, that won’t work, and vice versa.
 If you’re not mentally prepared, you’ll go and play blindly. At some point, suddenly you’ll go blank and won’t know
 what to do next in your game. Mentally you need to be very, very fit, so you’re aware of what’s happening within you
 and what needs to be changed. Doing meditation won’t necessarily bring you success and let you beat the world, but
 you’re doing it for yourself, for your heart. You get clarity through that. But that’s not the reason for doing
 meditation. You need to feel good within yourself, you need to understand and agree with the inner you, and use it in
 a positive way. When you start meditating, you start getting that clarity in your life. It helps you go with the flow.
 It has made a big difference in my personal life.

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 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/hfn_sindu5_f247084a8b.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-05T04:25:55.869Z" />
 
Q: Now we have some rapid fire questions where you answer
 with one word within a few seconds. What does the following stand for you? 
Happiness.
PVS: Life. Happiness is life.
Q: True success.
PVS: Hard work.
Q: Would you say hard work is success in itself?

PVS: You are working hard with yourself and that is
 a critical condition. Success is not just to beat everyone and win. Success is step-by-step with what you’re achieving
 gradually.
Q: One thing you do when you are stressed out.
PVS: I just sit and think. I also meditate.
Q: ‘Sindhu’ as a brand stands for …
PVS: I would like to see me at the top of the
 world.
Q: Youth.
PVS: Youth stands for youth. There’s nothing that
 we can’t do if we set our minds to it.
Q: Cheeky moment in school. Any breaking rules?
PVS: No, I was a very good student.
Q: Who inspires you the most?
PVS: My parents are my inspiration. They were both
 volleyball players, and they worked hard at it 
 too. And the sacrifices they have made mean a lot. Earlier on, their support meant defending my choice of career and
 my chosen sport. They believed in me from the start and that is why they inspire me.
Q: Your message to school students who wish to pursue
 success?
PVS: It’s very important for students to start any
 sport at the grassroots level. Exercise is important. Keep fit. Spend one or two hours every day doing exercise or
 playing a sport.
Q: Thank you for having such an openhearted conversation
 with me, inspiring all of us to follow our dreams fearlessly. On behalf of everyone here I wish you continued
 success at the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. All the best.
<hr>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">Interviewed by SATYA SAHAY</h4>
<hr>

Poise under pressure

Pankhi is a third generation Heartfulness trainer, and has been an active practitioner for almost two decades. She holds a Masters in Organic Chemistry, and is a content specialist, ghost-writer, and editor. She spends her leisure time with Indian classical vocal music, birdwatching, and exploring nature.

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Pankhi Chauhan

<h4>
 PANKHI
 CHAUHAN describes how the power of visualization both facilitates and initiates change.
 Whether it is a lofty goal or a simple one, creating thoughts linked with purpose establishes the
 foundation of making new habits.
</h4>



<hr class="vertical-space1">



Imagine you have a long vacation coming up, and you are trying to decide between a tropical beach and a ski resort.
 How do you choose? Perhaps you imagine yourself at the beach, walking on the white sand, feeling the sea breeze
 in your hair, and swimming in blue waters under clear skies. Or do you imagine the rush of adrenaline as you ski
 down the slopes, as well as the pleasure of having a cup of hot chocolate wrapped in a warm blanket in front of
 a crackling fire in a log cabin? In short, you will visualize before you decide.



When it comes to making changes in your daily life, you may argue that it is not so easy. However, it is just as
 simple. Actions originate as thoughts. A single thought can lead to an intention, and this is then followed by
 implementation. The human mind is powerful in that “it is closely identical to the root-force that began the
 process of creation.”1 Tapping into this power can help you transform yourself, one habit at a time.




Making changes means changing existing habits and establishing a new order. How can you do this? How can the power of
 the mind help?



Do you rush into bringing about change with a “to do” list? Do you run out of motivation so that before you know
 it you are back to square one? This year, why not add one more step to the process?



<h2>Imagine. Visualize.
 Dream.</h2>



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A great way to start is to imagine that you are already there, just as you did when you chose your vacation.
 Visualize the change you wish to make and imagine your lifestyle as a changed being.



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<h4>Step 1: Decide upon
 your aspiration</h4>



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For example: you wish to make yoga a part of your life. Now, how will you visualize this?



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<h4>Step 2: Visualize the
 end</h4>



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Think of what you will be like when you have achieved your goal. Think of all the poses you will have mastered.
 Imagine showing them to your family and friends. Visualize the energetic and flexible new you.



Imagine in your mind, very clearly, your daily morning routine. See yourself getting up early, setting up your yoga
 mat in a clean, clutter-free room with open windows that let in the gentle morning sun. Imagine yourself feeling
 10 years younger! Smile as you think of all the things you will be doing because you are so much fitter. If it
 helps, imagine all the adoration you will receive for achieving your goal.



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<h4>Step 3: Keep it
 alive</h4>



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Once the final picture is clear in your mind, keep this vision alive when you go about your daily activities. The
 resulting thought process will naturally and eventually point you in the direction of making it happen. When you
 put your mind to something, you will attract it. So if yoga is your thing, the means to achieve it will also
 come to you.



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<h4>Step 4: Just do
 it</h4>



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 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/imagine_that_change_line_fa9f853602.png">
</figure>



Here is where the power of the mind truly comes into being! When you have conceived of the ideal vision enough, the
 possibility already exists in your mind. So, can you remove some clutter and make more space for it to manifest?




<hr class="vertical-space1">



<hr>



<h4 class="has-text-align-center block-heading">Once the final picture is clear in your mind, keep this vision alive when
 you go about your daily activities. The resulting thought process will naturally and
 eventually point you in the direction of making it happen.</h4>



<hr>



<hr class="vertical-space1">



Just one spark is enough to trigger them into action. (Remember the power of the mind? Limitless!)&nbsp; All it takes
 is one step – just do it.



“He who cherishes a beautiful vision, a lofty ideal in his heart, will one day realise
 it. […] Your circumstances may be uncongenial, but they shall not long remain so if you but perceive an
 ideal and strive to reach it. Cherish your visions, cherish your ideals […] if you but remain true to
 them, your world will at last be built.”2



<hr class="vertical-space1">



References:



1 Ram Chandra, 2020. Efficacy of Raja Yoga in the Light
 of Sahaj Marg, Heartfulness Education Trust, India.



2 James Allen, 2022. ‘Visions and Ideals,’ As a Man
 Thinketh, Heartfulness Education Trust, India.

Imagine that change!

Papiguy from Montpellier is a retired communication trainer, psychotherapist, and assistant of the director of the Grotowski Theatre Laboratory in Poland, leading creation sessions through the voice. In 1981, an encounter with Babuji revolutionized his life. He continues to be a student of the heart.

Papiguy.jpg

Papiguy

<h4>PAPIGUY from Montpellier reminds us that we have a lot to learn about generosity from the natural world around us, in this case from a very beloved elephant named Mana.</h4>Once upon a time, ages ago, in the Himalayan forest, there was a white elephant. His name was Mana and he had two superb long tusks. He was the descendant of a whole line of white elephants that came from the Hui-Sai forests in Siam, and they could speak the human language.No circumstance, however bad, altered his kindness and warm-heartedness. Mana was a model of generosity and wisdom for all the surrounding animals. Everyone was touched by the pure love and simplicity he radiated, and would in turn love and respect him. Through their songs and cries, the animals would often celebrate his incredible compassion, but he would say nothing.<h4>The quest</h4>When he was younger, the tall white elephant decided to go on a quest to faraway countries, and he met two remarkable men, Tierno and Hatim, who impressed him.Tierno, who was notable for his wisdom, said to him, “The more beneficial action is the one that consists in praying for one’s enemies.”&nbsp; Tierno’s teaching helped Mana understand that evil begets evil. So he decided to behave properly with all living creatures and bless inwardly any creature he came across.In the Syrian deserts, he met Hatim, a benevolent young prince of the Tai tribe. Hatim would say, “Generosity is a tree of paradise.”&nbsp;<h4>Chief of the elephants&nbsp;</h4>After coming back home, Mana became chief of all the herds of elephants in the Himalayas, which meant a great multitude ruled by wickedness and hatred. He did his best to calm down conflicts, always using kind words spoken through his tender heart.When his ruling time expired, he lived a solitary life, thinking, meditating, and praying. All the animals respected and loved him. He would welcome, guide, and help whoever needed it. They called him “the good king of the elephants.”&nbsp;One day, the animals heard a man desperately trying to find his way among thorny bushes. Shrubs and vines barred his path and he looked lost, haggard, and finally exhausted. His clothes were torn, his body was covered with blood, and he hopelessly wrung his hands: “Please, help me!” but nobody answered.&nbsp;The white elephant found him, and held his trunk toward the man. Frightened, the man stepped back. The elephant froze. So did the man. The elephant made a step ahead, but the man stepped back again. The elephant approached more slowly this time.&nbsp; The man said to himself, “This elephant stops every time I step back. Maybe it does not want to hurt me,” so he stopped moving.&nbsp; Good-hearted Mana approached and asked, “Why are you crying and complaining, man?” “I’ve lost my way in this forest, and I’m afraid I am going to die,” the man answered. “Don’t be afraid,” Mana replied. “I’ll put you back on the road to Gorakhpur.” He very cautiously put his trunk around the man, put him on his back and walked out of the forest.&nbsp; Feeling reassured, the man accepted Mana’s help. On his way, he thought, “What a lovely story to tell my friends!”&nbsp;On reaching the main road, the elephant set the man gently down and said, “Here you are. This is the road, man. It will take you right to Gorakhpur. Go in peace! But &nbsp;don’t tell anybody how I helped you, whatever the questions you are being asked.”<img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/mana2_f3ce240f88.jpg" alt="mana2.jpg" srcset="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thumbnail_mana2_f3ce240f88.jpg 226w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/small_mana2_f3ce240f88.jpg 500w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/medium_mana2_f3ce240f88.jpg 750w," sizes="100vw"><h4>Man was greedy</h4>The man thanked the elephant and left for Gorakhpur in a lively mood. But he was greedy and covetous, so his thought went to the kind elephant’s beautiful tusks.&nbsp; He went on to Varanasi and popped into a shop that sold ivory objects, asking, “How much would you give for the tusks of a living elephant?” The eldest said, “The tusks of a living elephant are far more expensive then those of a dead one? Bring them to us and you will get good money for it.”As he walked home, the man said to himself, “The elephant looked very kind. I could convince him to give me one of his tusks. That would mean a lot of money.”So he took a saw and went back to the Himalayan forest where the good king of the elephants lived.&nbsp; Surprised to see him back, Mana asked, “Why have you come back man? What brings you here?” “Misery, my dear white elephant,” the impostor answered. “I have nothing to eat. Give me your tusks. I will sell them in Varanasi and that will earn me a living.”Shocked by such a shameless demand, the white elephant thought the matter over and concluded that it had to be so.&nbsp; He answered, “Do you realize what you are asking for?” The man remained silent. “Okay, brother man. I will give you one of my tusks. Have you got a tool to cut it?” “I have brought a saw,” the greedy fellow said.So the elephant lay down and let the man saw one of his tusks.<img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/mana3_d5816d28d1.jpg" alt="mana3.jpg" srcset="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thumbnail_mana3_d5816d28d1.jpg 222w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/small_mana3_d5816d28d1.jpg 500w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/medium_mana3_d5816d28d1.jpg 750w," sizes="100vw">Feeling happy, the man added, “My dear elephant, one tusk won’t do without its pair. Let me have it, so that I won’t have to come back when the money for the first one is spent.” The determination and effrontery of the man dumfounded the elephant: “Are you going to leave me without any defense?” he asked. “They are precious to me and I am going to miss them. Thanks to them, I have survived. Well, brother man, if you really think they will be useful to you, take my second tusk.”&nbsp;Fearing neither God nor man, the ruthless man took the tusks away without expressing any thanks. He sold them for a very good price to the craftsmen in Varanasi. For some time, he led a debauched life and soon squandered all the money he received from the sale.&nbsp;Then he went back to the Himalayan forest to see the kind-hearted elephant and said, “Dear white elephant, I’ve sold your tusks, but the money has already gone. Again I am in a state of great misery, starving to death. Have mercy on me. Give me what is left of your tusks so that I may sell them too.” “What is your name, man?” Mana asked. “Goruk,” the man replied with a slight grin that distorted his embarrassed smile.&nbsp;The white elephant took a long look at the dishonest man. He had a glimpse of the man’s lost soul, locked in its gross coverings, passions, desires, and excessive jealousy. He said to himself that since he had already given his tusks, why not continue. Goruk cut them again, took the ivory away and left without thanking Mana.&nbsp;<h4><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/mana4_b609862dbf.jpg" alt="mana4.jpg" srcset="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thumbnail_mana4_b609862dbf.jpg 217w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/small_mana4_b609862dbf.jpg 500w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/medium_mana4_b609862dbf.jpg 750w," sizes="100vw"></h4><h4>All the creatures were in turmoil</h4>The animals had seen it all and spread the news across the Himalayas. They were in turmoil and could not understand how anyone could behave so poorly. Each one of them had a point of view, but they agreed to condemn the man’s attitude.&nbsp; The facts reached the ears of Lord Tiger who, feeling offended, said, “We won’t take it!”It was not long before the man’s money was squandered anew and greedy Goruk was again on his way to the Himalayan forest.&nbsp; On meeting the white elephant, he stated bluntly, “You gave me your tusks and all that was left of them. Now you must give me the roots. You don’t need them anymore, whereas I could draw money from them.”Good-hearted Mana lay down again and let ungrateful Goruk help himself to the roots of his tusks. Goruk purred with pleasure at the idea of the money he would get by selling them. But there were no thanks for Mana.As Mana watched him go, he felt compassion and thought, “Well, I’ve given him everything he asked for. I hope it will help him. Let him be in peace!”But the birds did not take the same view. They started squawking and blew the whistle for the whole forest. Suddenly, the man found himself surrounded by a myriad of animals, forming a barrier as inextricable as the thorns he encountered the first time he came in the forest. He heard a tiger roaring, coming nearer to him. Panicked, he ran back to the elephant, chased by flights of birds and grasshoppers.Mana, still stunned by what he had just undergone, was surprised to see the man back so quickly. &nbsp; The man shouted, “Please, elephant, protect me, save me!”The birds and the grasshoppers were soon joined by the threatening tiger, who addressed Mana: “You are our wise king, but don’t you see this man has shown disrespect to you! Eating one of his arms would be a reasonable punishment. And if he finds the verdict unbalanced, then I will eat his other arm.”Goruk started to shake like the leaves of a poplar in stormy weather.&nbsp;The elephant said gently, “Let him go. We all have to pay for our deeds, words, and thoughts. Let him harvest the fruit of what he did. As for me, I thank him for having rid me of my precious tusks, so useful in this world but of no use in the other world. I am at peace with him. Please, calm down my friends. Ask yourselves if you have never been blind to the condition of somebody else, out of greed or fear. Are we any better than him? When I was young, I had a great wise teacher. He was a man who could speak the languages of animals. He gave me the following advice: ‘Pray for your enemies and for any person who will make you suffer.’”&nbsp;“Yes, dear king,” the tiger insisted, “but my mouth already waters when I think of eating one of this man’s arms!”“Your satisfaction will be a selfish one, but what about your heart? Will your deeper conscience be satisfied too?” asked Mana. “But I will be considered weak and foolish,” the tiger grumbled. “Only the ignorant will take you for a fool. Though you may seem to be weak, you will express in the true core of your being a real strength of character.”&nbsp;In turn, the grasshoppers exclaimed, “Oh, beloved king, you have sacrificed a good part of yourself. But as for him, what is the use of your gift? Was it really useful? Was it wise?”&nbsp; Mana answered, “I don’t know. Only God knows whether it is useful or not. He is the invisible force that rules all our deeds.”&nbsp;<h4>Mana’s story</h4>Then Mana told them all a story. “When I was young, I was anxious to learn. I was curious about everything, and thought that to become wiser I needed to store as much diverse knowledge as I could. This quest for knowledge went on for years and years. It was an endless one. I roamed the world for it. Every day I became more and more emaciated and exhausted.&nbsp;“I tried to join a wise man I had heard of in Palmyra, Syria, when I was lost in the endless desert. I was terribly thirsty and thought I was going to die, far away from home. I collapsed and some men came to my rescue and took me to the Tai camp of Prince Hatim, who took care of me, treated me as a king, and cherished me, although he knew nothing about me. He turned every single day into a day of feasting in my honor. My heart was touched by his compassion and I was impressed by the sort of man he was. Some people said he was so well-known in Syria for his generosity that the king of Yemen had become jealous.&nbsp;<img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/mana5_4118585df0.jpg" alt="mana5.jpg" srcset="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thumbnail_mana5_4118585df0.jpg 220w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/small_mana5_4118585df0.jpg 500w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/medium_mana5_4118585df0.jpg 750w," sizes="100vw">“One night a man arrived, seeking asylum for the night. He was as ragged as I had been. Hatim welcomed him as a brother and ordered that a feast be held at once. The man stayed for several days and finally said he had to go as he was expected in Palmyra for some important business.&nbsp; ‘Can I be of help?’ Hatim asked.&nbsp; Then the man whispered, ‘I have to kill Prince Hatim. The King of Yemen has ordered me to do so.’ He added, ‘I am poor, so I live as an assassin and this murder I must do. If you want to serve me, after you have welcomed me as I was never welcomed before, please tell me what this noble man looks like, so that I may slaughter him. I have never seen his face.’“Hatim laughed, bent down, and, with his hand on his heart, answered, ‘My dear guest, you need go no further, because I am Hatim Tai, the man you are looking for. Take my head. It is a present for you! Take it to your king, since you must be true to your word and fulfill the task you have been entrusted with.’ When he heard Hatim’s words, the ruffian knelt at the Prince’s feet, and amidst hot tears said, ‘If ever I kill you, may all the sand in the desert devour my body and reduce it to dust.’ “Hatim raised him up, ordered some food to be given to him, and the man went back to Yemen no longer a murderer. Hatim’s generosity and kindness had touched him so deeply that his heart opened and became tender.&nbsp;“When the king of Yemen heard his story, he considered Hatim a saint. Hatim’s story is still told in Syria and the surrounding countries. His tomb has become a place of pilgrimage.“I could never forget Hatim, so I try to give willingly to all who ask for something.”All the animals were impressed and drifted away. Cheeky Goruk, who thought his hour had come, stood in front of that elephant with bleeding wounds where there had been superb tusks. Mana radiated a love he had never seen before.He felt a strong heat invade his chest, then a tidal wave of sobs. He knelt down and sobbed his heart out. He felt ashamed for his wickedness, his ungratefulness, and he regretted sincerely that he could not turn back the clock and change the events that happened. Mana comforted him and wished him well.<img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/mana6_db0cceddff.jpg" alt="mana6.jpg" srcset="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thumbnail_mana6_db0cceddff.jpg 222w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/small_mana6_db0cceddff.jpg 500w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/medium_mana6_db0cceddff.jpg 750w," sizes="100vw">In the forest, no one ever saw that cheeky Goruk again. Later on, some passing birds related that a man from Gorakhpur had become well-known for his generosity, and would tell everyone ready to listen stories about a white elephant.&nbsp;That is the end of the tale. May its words illuminate your path and enchant your hearts.&nbsp;<hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">Illustrations by THOMAS KLEIN</h4><hr>&nbsp;

Mana the elephant

Once upon a time, ages ago, in the Himalayan forest, there was a white elephant. His name was Mana and he had two superb long tusks. He was the descendant of a whole line of white elephants that came from the Hui-Sai forests in the kingdom of Siam, and they could speak the human language.No circumstance, however bad, altered his kindness and warm-heartedness. Mana was a model of generosity and of wisdom for all the surrounding animals. Any creature that met him was touched by the pure love and simplicity he radiated, and would in turn love and respect him. Through their songs and cries the animals would often mention him and his incredible compassion, but he would say nothing.When he was younger, the tall white elephant decided to go on a quest in faraway countries, and on his journey he met two remarkable men, Tierno and Hatim, who really impressed him.Tierno, who was notable for his wisdom, said to him, “The more beneficial good action is the one that consists in praying for one’s enemies.”Tierno’s teaching helped Mana understand that evil begets evil. So he decided to behave properly with all living creatures and to bless inwardly any creature he came across.In the Syrian deserts, he met Hatim, a benevolent young prince of the Tai tribe.Hatim would say, “Generosity is a tree of paradise.”Chief of all the herds of elephants in the HimalayasAfter coming back from his tour, Mana became the chief of all the herds of elephants living in the Himalayas, which meant a great multitude ruled by wickedness and hatred. He did his level best to calm down conflicts, always using kind words spoken through his tender heart.Then his ruling time expiredHe had retired and was living a solitary life; he spent it thinking, meditating and praying. All the animals could feel only respect and love for him. He would welcome, guide and help whoever needed him. They all called him ‘the good king of the elephants’.One day in the forest, the animals heard a man who was desperately trying to find his way among thorny bushes. Shrubs and vines barred his path, but he went on through the inextricable tangle of plants, looking lost and haggard. Having gone round and round in circles, he was finally exhausted. His clothes were torn, his body was covered with blood and he hopelessly wrung his hands.Then he pleaded, “Please, help me!”Nobody answered. There were no men around.The white elephant heard all this and went in the direction of the man, finding him caught in the thorn bushes. He came nearer and&nbsp;held his trunk towards the man. Frightened, the man stepped back. The elephant froze. So did the man. The elephant made a step ahead, but the man stepped back again. The elephant approached more slowly this time.The man said to himself, “This elephant stops every time I step back. Maybe it does not want to hurt me,” so he stopped moving.Good-hearted Mana approached him and asked, “Why are you crying and complaining, man?”“I’ve lost my way in this forest, and I’m afraid I am going to die,” the man answered.“Don’t be afraid,” Mana replied. “I am going to put you back onto the road to Gorakhpur and there you will find your folks.”He very cautiously put his trunk around the man, put him on his back and started walking out of the forest.Feeling reassured, the man accepted Mana’s help.On his way, he thought, “What a lovely story to tell my friends!”Then he watched his surroundings attentively. He wanted to remember all the incidents and asperities, the mountains, the hills, the ponds, the streams and the big trees. On reaching the main road, the elephant set the man gently on the road and said, “Here you are. This is the road, man. It will take you right to Gorakhpur. Go in peace! Now, I will ask only for one thing: Don’t tell anybody what happened and how I helped you, whatever the questions you are being asked.”<img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/mana_the_elephant_with_a_heart_of_gold_part_img1_b91dfc0811.jpg?updated_at=2023-03-30T10:28:03.436Z" alt="spiritual-reading-for-children">&nbsp;&nbsp;<hr>The man was greedyThe man thanked the elephant and, as he left for Gorakhpur, he was in a lively mood. But he was greedy and covetous, so his thought went to the kind elephant’s beautiful tusks. As soon as he arrived, he went back to Varanasi and popped into a shop where they sold ivory objects. He asked them, “How much would you give, dear masters, for the tusks of a living elephant?”“You ask?” the eldest said. “The tusks of a living elephant are far more expensive then those of a dead one. Bring them to us and you will get good money for it.”As he was walking home, the man said to himself, “The elephant looked very kind. I could convince him to give me one of his tusks. That would mean a lot of money.”No sooner said than done. He took a saw and went back to the Himalayan forest where the good king of the elephants lived. Surprised to see him back, the white elephant asked, “Why have you come back man? What brings you here?” “Misery, my dear white elephant,” the impostor answered. “I have nothing to eat. Give me your tusks. I will sell them in Varanasi and that will earn me a living.”Shocked by such a shameless demand, the white elephant thought the matter over and concluded that it had to be so. He answered, “Do you realize what you are asking for?”The man remained silent.“Okay, brother man. I will give you one of my tusks.Have you got a tool to cut it?”“I have brought a saw,” the greedy fellow said.So the elephant lay down and let the man saw one of his tusks.Feeling happy, the man added, “My dear elephant, one tusk won’t do without its pair. Let me have it, so that I won’t have to come back when the money for the first one is spent.”The determination and effrontery of the man dumfounded the elephant. “Are you going to leave me without any defense?” he asked. “Don’t you know they were precious to me and that I am going to miss them? Thanks to them, I have survived. Well, brother man, if you really think they will be useful to you, take them and do what you think is right. So, take my second tusk,” Mana said kindly.Fearing neither God nor man, the ruthless guy took the tusks away without expressing any thanks. He sold them for a very good price indeed to the craftsmen in Varanasi. For some time, he led a debauched life, and he soon squandered all the money he received from the sale.Then he went back to the Himalayan forest to see the kind-hearted elephant and said, “Dear white elephant, I’ve sold your tusks, but the money has already gone. Again I am in a state of great misery, starving to death. Have mercy on me. Give me what is left of your tusks so that I may sell them too.”“What is your name, nameless man?” Mana asked.“Goruk,” the man replied with a slight grin that distorted his embarrassed smile.The white elephant took a long look at the dishonest man. He had a glimpse of the man’s lost soul, locked in all his gross coverings, in his passions, his desires, his excessive jealousy. He said to himself that since he had already given his tusks, why not continue. Goruk cut them again, took the ivory away and left without thanking Mana.<img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/mana_the_elephant_with_a_heart_of_gold_part_img2_77aaf68b0a.jpg?updated_at=2023-03-30T10:28:41.016Z" alt="spiritual-reading-for-children"><hr>All the creatures were in turmoilThe animals had seen it all and they spread the news all over the Himalayas. They were in turmoil and could not understand how a creature could behave so poorly, guided by greed alone. Each one of them had a point of view, but they all agreed to condemn the man’s attitude.The facts reached the ears of Lord Tiger who, feeling offended, agreed with the animals: “We won’t take it!”Let him be in peaceIt was not long of course before the man’s money was squandered anew and greedy Goruk was again on his way to the Himalayan forest. On meeting the white elephant, he stated bluntly, “You gave me your tusks and all that was left of them. Now you must give me the roots. You don’t need them anymore, whereas I could draw money from them.”Good-hearted Mana lay down again and let ungrateful Goruk help himself to the roots of his tusks. He grasped the head of the elephant and dug out the roots where the two beautiful tusks formerly emerged. He took them away with him, purring with pleasure at the idea of the money he would get by selling them. There were no thanks, nothing for Mana, the generous elephant.As Mana watched him go, he felt compassion and thought, “Well, I’ve given him everything he asked for. I hope it will help him. Let him be in peace!”To be continued…&nbsp;<hr>&nbsp;<hr>Illustrations by THOMAS KLEIN<hr>

Mana the Elephant With a Heart of Gold, Part I

Once upon a time, ages ago, in the Himalayan forest, there was a white elephant. His name was Mana and he had two superb long tusks. He was the descendant of a whole line of white elephants that came from the Hui-Sai forests in the kingdom of Siam, and they could speak the human language.At the end of the story last month, Mana had surrendered his beautiful tusks to a greedy and selfish man by the name of Goruk. The animals in the forest were outraged by this, and decided that something had to be done. So here our story continues ….<h3 style="text-align:center;">The birds did not take the same view.</h3>The birds started squawking resentfully and blew the whistle for the whole forest. The man, who was on his way back, found himself suddenly surrounded with myriads of animals making a barrier, just as inextricable as the one he was locked in the first time he came in the forest. Suddenly, he could hear a tiger roar nearer and nearer to him. Panicked, he took to his heels and ran back to the elephant, chased by flights of birds and grasshoppers.Mana, still stunned by what he had just undergone, was surprised to see the man back so quickly. Then the man shouted, “Please, elephant, protect me, save me!”The birds and the grasshoppers were squawking furiously and were soon joined by the threatening tiger addressing the king of the elephants, saying, “Oh king, you are our wise king, but don’t you see this man has shown disrespect to you! I do think that eating one of his arms would be a reasonable punishment. And if he finds the verdict is unbalanced, then I will eat his other arm. What do you think?”Hearing that, Goruk started to shake like the leaves of a poplar in stormy weather.The elephant said gently, “Let him go. We all have to pay for our deeds, words and thoughts. Let him harvest the fruit of what he did. As for me, I thank him for having made me get rid of my precious tusks, so useful in this world. But what use would I have of them in the other world? I am at peace with him. Please, calm down my friends and give. Ask yourselves if, at any moment, each one of us has not been blind to the condition of somebody else, out of greed or for fear of losing some acquired goods or convenience. Are we any better than he is?When I was young, I had a great wise teacher. He was a man who could speak the language of the animals. He gave me the following piece of advice: ‘Pray for your enemies and for any person who will make you suffer.’”“Yes, dear king,” the tiger insisted, “ but if I curse the one who does me harm and if it destroys him, I am satisfied. My mouth already waters when I think of eating one of this guy’s arms!”“Your satisfaction will be a selfish one, but what about your heart? Will your deeper conscience be satisfied too?” asked Mana.“But I will be considered weak and foolish,” the tiger grumbled. “Only the ignorant will take you for a fool. We, the animals, tend to curse our enemies. Praying for them makes us look weak and defenseless. Yet, though you may seem to be weak, you will express in the true core of your being a real strength of character.”But how about him? What is the use of what you have done?In turn, the grasshoppers exclaimed, “Oh, beloved king, you have sacrificed a good part of yourself. But as for him, what is the use of your gift? Was it really useful? Was it wise?”Mana answered, “I don’t know. But I had to do it. What I have to do, at all times, is to give away. Only God knows whether it is useful or not. He is the invisible force that rules all our deeds.”<h3 style="text-align:center;">Then Mana told them a story.</h3>“When I was young, I was anxious to learn. I searched for knowledge all over the world. My quest was an endless one. I was curious about everything and sure that to become wiser and cleverer I needed to store as much diverse knowledge as I could. This quest for knowledge had no end and went on for years and years. I roamed the world for it. Every day I could see I was becoming more and more emaciated and exhausted.“Being so strained, I tried to join a wise man I had heard of when I was in Palmyra, in Syria, and was lost in the endless desert. I was terribly thirsty. I thought I was going to die, far away from home.<h3 style="text-align:center;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/mana_the_elephant_with_a_heart_of_gold_part_ii_img1_6de32090b0.jpg?updated_at=2023-03-31T07:23:15.953Z" alt="mana-the-elephant-with-a-heart-of-gold-part-ii"></h3><h3 style="text-align:center;">Prince Hatim</h3>“I collapsed and some men came unexpectedly to my rescue and took me to their Tai camp to Prince Hatim, who took care of me, treated me as if I were a king, and cherished me although he knew nothing about me. My heart was touched by his compassion and I was really impressed by the sort of man he was.“Some people told me he was well-known in the whole of Syria for his extreme generosity, to the point that the king of Yemen had become jealous of him. Hatim would turn every single day into a day for feasting in my honour.“One night a man arrived, seeking asylum for the night. He looked fishy, and he was as ragged as I had been. Hatim welcomed him as a brother would and ordered that a feast be held at once. The man stayed for several days and finally said he had to go as he was expected in Palmyra for some important business.‘Can I be of help?’ Hatim asked.Then the man whispered, ‘I have to kill Prince Hatim. The King of Yemen has ordered me to do so.’ He added, ‘I am poor, so I live as an assassin and this murder I must do. If you want to serve me, after you have welcomed me as I was never welcomed before, please tell me what this noble man looks like, so that I may slaughter him. I have never seen his face.’“Hatim burst out laughing, bent down and, with his hand on his heart, answered, ‘My dear guest, you needn’t go any further, because I am Hatim Tai, the man you are looking for. Take my head. It is a present for you! Take it back to your king, since you must be true to your word and fulfil the task you have been entrusted with.’When he heard Hatim’s words, the ruffian knelt at the Prince’s feet and kissed the ground. Amidst choking sobs and hot tears he said, ‘If ever I kill you, may all the sand in the desert devour my body and reduce it to dust.’“Hatim raised him up, ordered some food to be given to him, and then the man went back to Yemen, no longer a murderer. Hatim’s generosity and kindness had touched him so deeply that his heart opened and became tender.“When the king of Yemen heard his story, he had to admit that no man in the world was more generous than Hatim. From that very day, he respected him and considered him a saint. Hatim’s legendary story is still told nowadays in Syria and in the surrounding countries. His tomb has become a place of pilgrimage.“I could never forget Hatim’s story, and so I try to give willingly to all those who come across me and ask for something. That is the way my life was outlined.”<img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/mana_the_elephant_with_a_heart_of_gold_part_ii_img2_22118d2a3d.jpg?updated_at=2023-03-31T07:23:58.184Z" alt="mana-the-elephant-with-a-heart-of-gold-part-ii"><h3 style="text-align:center;">Goruk had never seen nor felt such potent love.</h3>All the animals were impressed and they drifted away. Cheeky Goruk, who thought his hour had come, looked at the elephant whom he had so far considered as an ivory bank. He stood there in front of that elephant with bleeding wounds where there had been superb tusks. This creature radiated love; a love he had never seen before, a love he had never experienced.He felt a strong heat invade his whole chest; then a tidal wave of sobs rose up. It was so strong that he knelt down on his knees and sobbed his heart out. Now he felt ashamed for all his wickedness, his ungratefulness, and he regretted sincerely that he could not turn back the clock and change the events that happened.Mana comforted him and wished he would fare well.<h3>The story continues…</h3>In the forest, no one ever saw that cheeky Goruk again. Later on, some passing birds related that a man from the city of Gorakhpur was well known for his generosity, and used to tell everyone ready to listen to him stories about a white elephant.That is the end of the tale. May its words illuminate your path and enchant your hearts.<hr><hr>Illustrations by&nbsp;THOMAS KLEIN<hr>

Mana, the Elephant With a Heart of Gold, Part II

DR. PARI DESHMUKH is a board certified psychiatrist in general psychiatry, addiction, and integrative holistic medicine. He is a certified psychotherapist, and a meditation trainer in both Heartfulness and Mindfulness He is also an elected fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and Society of Addiction Medicine. He is a researcher, a teacher, a community volunteer, and a recipient of many local, regional and national awards. He lives in Central Florida with his wife and son. He has a special interest in the common grounds of science and spirituality and their implications on betterment of mental health of humanity.

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Pari Deshmukh

<h4>DR. PARI DESHMUKH is a board certified psychiatrist, a certified psychotherapist, and a meditation trainer in both Heartfulness and Mindfulness. He is also an elected fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and the Society of Addiction Medicine. He has a special interest in the common ground of science and spirituality, and their implications on the betterment of our mental health. Here he addresses some basic aspects of addiction, including common misconceptions.</h4><hr><h4>What is addiction?</h4>Addiction is a treatable, chronic medical disease, a complex interaction among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences. Many think that addiction is not treatable and is some form of moral defect or character defect, which is not true. It’s just like high blood pressure or diabetes. Chronic means long-term; it can be a very long time including over a lifetime, but it is treatable.The brain is involved in pushing the addiction, and there are certain brain circuits that are more involved. One of them is the reward pathway.There is also the component of genetics; if our family members have addiction disorders, our chances of addiction are more. Even if their addiction was in some other form, we may still be predisposed to it.Then there is interaction with the environment. What kind of stimulus, rewards, and punishments is the environment giving us, and how is it guiding our behavior? That has a tremendous impact on our addiction.<hr><hr><h4>Any form of activity can become an addiction, if it’s spiraling out of&nbsp; control and leading to&nbsp; negative consequences in life.</h4><hr><hr>Then there are individual life experiences. How has our life been shaped so far?So, brain circuits, genetics, individual life experiences, and environment are the ingredients that come together to form a long-term medical disease, which is treatable. Research shows that treating addiction is equally as successful as treating other chronic disorders, like diabetes.<h4>What are the different types of addictions that exist?</h4>There are mostly two types: substance addiction and process addiction.Substance addiction means we are addicted to a chemical, and the most common is alcohol. There are other addictions like marijuana, cocaine, heroin, opiates. Then there are prescription drugs, like benzodiazepines, or alprazolam. There are also hallucinogens and dissociatives, like LSD, ketamine, and inhalants.There are various forms of substance addictions, because there are so many substances available. The brain becomes dependent on a particular chemical.There is also process addiction, which is dependency on some form of act or thinking pattern. For example, gambling and shopping can be addictions. It’s for good reason that Amazon is successful, because shopping is one of the most common addictions. Then we have Internet addiction. On the Internet, we have pornography addiction and sex addiction. We have other co-dependency issues, and eating can also be an addiction. Any form of activity can become an addiction, if it’s spiraling out of control and leading to negative consequences in life.For example, knowing that alcohol damages your liver and has an impact on your physical health, will you still drink? It could have an impact on your performance at work. You lose your job due to addiction, yet you’re still drinking. Your relationships are affected but you are still doing it. So, despite the negative consequences, your addiction is persisting. You have legal problems, financial problems, but you are still doing it. When it becomes uncontrollable, despite the negative consequences you continue, then it is an addiction.<h4>What are some factors that predispose a person to addiction?</h4>Sometimes addiction serves as an escape from the uncomfortable feeling we are having. It’s easier to just go ahead and look at the mobile or drink a glass of alcohol.Eventually, over time, we develop a tolerance toward drugs and alcohol the more we consume them. Initially, one glass of alcohol would give us pleasure. Eventually, we would have to drink 10 glasses to get the same pleasure. The tolerance builds up. With time, the pleasure goes away and misery starts.Then there are co-dependency issues. Relationships are normal, but when dependency affects life performance it also can be an addiction.Coming to the factors that predispose us, they could be genetic, family, or our lack of ability to cope. Initially we find it pleasurable, and there is a reward pathway in the brain that whenever we find pleasure we want to do it again. Nature has put those reward pathways there for a reason, giving us pleasurable stimuli for certain things. For example, if we did not have any pleasure in eating, we would not eat, and we would suffer from nutritional deficiencies. If we win something, we feel pleasure. We feel like doing more hard work because there are outcomes and we get pleasure from the outcomes. So nature has its way of advancing us and improving our life. But if we are too much involved in work, for example, it can be an addiction.<hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/misconceptions_addiction2_b7309f416d.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-12T07:57:24.426Z" alt="misconceptions-addiction2"><hr><h4>What does recovery from addiction look like? What does it entail when a person has to go through rehab or treatment?</h4>Treatment options are many. Rehab is when we are admitted to an in-patient facility, where there’s detox followed by learning. Detox is done under supervision, because detox from some substances, like alcohol and benzodiazepines, can be life-threatening. Other detoxes may not be life-threatening, but they are very uncomfortable, and taking medications from a professional during that time can make it easier, tolerable and safe. Detox is the first step.The second step is learning about addiction, learning about self, and learning about coping skills. I would say there are two ways of approaching this. The first is within, where we are learning about our own psychiatric disorders, treating them, and removing the underlying factors, such as access to the drugs and alcohol, and stimulus triggers, so that we can get away from them. We learn how to say no, and about the underlying emotional states that predispose us to addiction. Then we learn to cope with that. We have to remove those factors and learn about our inside environment and triggers, and work on them.The second thing is action, and the level of action we take. Some examples are the 12-step meetings, going to peer support groups, sober houses, and ongoing community programs that helps us stay motivated and sober.So, there is inside work and outside work on the path to recovery. As professionals, we use various tools such as individual psychotherapy, group psychotherapy circles,&nbsp; psycho drama, Rapid Eye Movement Treatment (EMDR), neurofeedback, medication, and then meditation after some time. All these tools are utilized. More and more research is available on how to use what tool for which person. There is no one formula for every person with addiction – we have to choose what is best for them. The good news is there are a lot of tools available, and as the research is growing they are becoming more and more effective. The primary step is to recognize the addiction and to seek help.<h4>Misconceptions and myths people have about addiction</h4>The most common and harmful misconception about addiction is that it’s a moral defect, or a character defect, or a lack of will power. I don’t know who’s spreading that misconception, but it’s so wrong. Addiction is a medical disease and it’s very common. We should all have empathy and compassion toward each other, because it’s all about imbalance. We all have been through some form of imbalance, and if we understand that, then we can have compassion and empathy for each other. That’s the first step toward improvement. It’s a disease and it’s a spectrum. We all fall somewhere along that spectrum.<hr><hr><h4>We should all have empathy&nbsp; and compassion toward each other, because it’s all about imbalance. We all have been through&nbsp; some form of imbalance,&nbsp; and if we understand that,&nbsp; then we can have compassion and empathy for each other.</h4><hr><hr>The second thing is that it’s treatable. Efforts do bring results. The thought that it’s not treatable puts a block to recovery, to wellness, to our betterment.<hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/misconceptions_addiction3_1386601956.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-12T07:57:55.738Z" alt="misconceptions-addiction3"><hr>Elements used from Rawpixel.com

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