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.
<img
 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?
<img
 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.

 <img class="lazyload w-100"
 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>



<figure class="block-image"><img alt="" class="lazyload has-img-center"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/imagine_that_change_line_fa9f853602.png">
</figure>


<div class="block-image">
 <figure><img class="lazyload has-img-center"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/imagine_that_change2_ec5c15170b.jpg">
 </figure>
</div>


<hr class="vertical-space1">



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.



<hr class="vertical-space1">



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



<figure class="block-image"><img alt="" class="lazyload has-img-center"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/imagine_that_change_line_fa9f853602.png">
</figure>



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



<hr class="vertical-space1">


<div class="block-image">
 <figure><img alt="" class="lazyload has-img-center"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/imagine_that_change3_0ddab2c7ae.jpg">
 </figure>
</div>


<hr class="vertical-space1">



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



<figure class="block-image"><img alt="" class="lazyload has-img-center"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/imagine_that_change_line_fa9f853602.png">
</figure>



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.



<hr class="vertical-space1">



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



<figure class="block-image"><img alt="" class="lazyload has-img-center"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/imagine_that_change_line_fa9f853602.png">
</figure>



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.



<hr class="vertical-space1">


<div class="block-image">
 <figure><img alt="" class="lazyload has-img-center"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/imagine_that_change4_8e61a9b09f.jpg">
 </figure>
</div>


<hr class="vertical-space1">



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



<figure class="block-image"><img alt="" class="lazyload has-img-center"
 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

Common misconceptions about addiction

Paridhi is a lawyer, freelance writer, and Heartfulness Yoga and Meditation trainer based in London.

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Paridhi Singh

<h4>PARIDHI SINGH is a lawyer and freelance writer living in London. After years of letting ambition drive her, she shares the burn-out moment that made her pause and find a new perspective in an unexpected place.</h4>Failures and setbacks are a common part of life. But what if you do everything by the book, dot the i’s and cross the t’s, and still find yourself lost?I was in such a situation earlier this year. I had reached a key milestone in an epic odyssey to becoming a human rights lawyer, which began when I was at school in India and came to an end a decade later in England.&nbsp;I had a sheltered life growing up in a small town in Madhya Pradesh in India, with an abundance of love and nature and blissful ignorance of the world beyond. But as my brother and I grew older, worries about higher education hit us. My parents moved us to the capital city of Delhi. To say that Delhi shocked us as young teenagers would be an understatement. The population, diversity, pollution, poverty, and scale of the city all overwhelmed our senses.Adjusting and adapting to city life was difficult, particularly in school. All the students spoke English fluently, and it was difficult to fit in without it. It made me think: if I could not fit in, despite being the same ethnicity, age, class, and background, all because I could not speak English or because I was not a city kid, then what was life like for those who were truly different? Those who were impaired, or those who could not afford to go to good schools in the city?<figure class="image image-style-align-center"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/when_success_fails2_c659d685ca.jpg"></figure><h4>A spark</h4>Human Rights – a profession where you can empower those most vulnerable in society by protecting their freedoms and asserting their rights. My mother’s friend was a lawyer; he told me about this career path, which took root in me immediately. Little did I know that it would become a fire that would consume my entire focus and energy for the decade to come.I worked hard, secured good grades in school, and committed myself to improving my English. I flourished and gained entry into one of the top law schools in India. I worked even harder in my undergraduate university. My goal was simple: to study human rights or international law from a globally-renowned university and secure a good job.I had tremendous support from my faculty, family, and friends who guided me every step of the way. I was determined to secure an internship early on in my undergraduate studies at the United Nations, and after close to one hundred applications in my first year, I did. My first internship was at the UNDP in Colombo, Sri Lanka. And so I went as a nineteen-year-old to live and work abroad. The experience was transformative, and it strengthened my conviction that this was indeed the path for me.I knew that to get into a top postgraduate law school, grades alone would not be sufficient. I threw myself into the world of international competitive debating. I traveled to several countries and worked and competed at debate tournaments, took extra electives and more coursework to set myself apart. It was a lot of work, but I also had some amazing experiences along the way and made friends from around the world, whom I am still proud to have in my life. I was accepted into Cambridge University for my Master’s, a surreal feat for someone from my background.A crack&nbsp;After the amazement at getting into Cambridge subsided, I felt exhausted and completely empty inside. I had barely taken any break during five years of undergraduate studies and the realization came crashing into me. I felt that I could not even move my bones and the emptiness scared me. I confessed to my mother, who with such gentle and knowing eyes said, “I think you should try Heartfulness Meditation.”I was surprised at her suggestion. My maternal uncle is the one in the family who meditates actively; my parents don’t really meditate and rarely asked me to. But I listened and am so very grateful I did.Shortly after I moved to Cambridge, I got a message that a Heartfulness trainer had just started working in Cambridge once a week. Every Thursday morning, I would cycle to a local community center and ring the reception for my weekly meditation sessions.&nbsp;That trainer, who is my trainer still, is a wise and kind-hearted person. As our relationship grew, so did my meditation practice. Things became so much better; although the fire for pursuing a career in human rights had not dimmed, another flame had ignited within me for spirituality. I always remember that year in Cambridge fondly, as I finally found a sense of balance between working hard and enjoying life.<figure class="image image-style-align-center"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/when_success_fails3_461e65085f.jpg"></figure>But a career in law demands a pound of flesh. Seemingly, I was nowhere close to having made that payment. When I graduated from Cambridge, I was advised by several faculty members and other mentors to qualify as a solicitor in England, in order to open doors for me in the human rights field. That meant doing two additional postgraduate law degrees and two years of working at a good commercial law firm in London.I secured a position at one of the top law firms. The next four years were tough, I worked very long hours, weekends and weekdays blurring into each other, and I constantly felt that there was never enough time to rest.&nbsp;<hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">I worked very long hours, weekends and&nbsp; weekdays blurring into each other,&nbsp; and I constantly felt that&nbsp; there was never enough time to rest.</h4><hr><figure class="image image-style-align-center"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/when_success_fails4_60fd5b9cb3.jpg"></figure>I knew what I had signed up for, but during law school I had a lot of control over my time, whereas saying “no” did not feel like an option in the work culture. In fact, saying no was often interpreted as lacking drive.My health and well-being suffered. There were upsides; I was paid well and could book holidays for my family and put down a deposit for my first home. But I barely spent time with my family. Although I did qualify as a solicitor, I was not sure that I had landed where I wanted to all those years ago.<h4>And now?&nbsp;</h4>Last year, I visited Kanha Shanti Vanam, and spoke to the Heartfulness Guide, Daaji. One of the things he said was that when we think the material reward or achievement is so great we sacrifice ourselves.The penny dropped. I had not realized that is what I had inadvertently done. I had placed my career at the very top and sacrificed everything else. To chase a dream.This realization made me so resentful at first, but I felt such a release and relief after that, like I had finally been able to come to the edge of a shore alongside the calming and serene waters of my soul. I realized that even our noble desires can consume us and keep us from experiencing the true tranquility that resides within our hearts, always reminding us of our completeness that is not dependent on external achievements or accolades.&nbsp;After a long time, I felt truly at peace. I decided I would never give up this peace for anything else in the world. Perhaps I had to go through this journey to realize that. Perhaps, what I lost I will never find again, but that is okay. I am grateful I came to this realization now while most of my life is still ahead of me. Equally, I am grateful for this incredible journey that only a few get to live and experience.&nbsp;I am figuring out where to go next. I still want to do more human rights work, but this time my heart has the front row seat. Since I qualified, I left the law firm I was working for. I have been doing freelance content writing, teaching yoga, and volunteer human rights work. More importantly, I am allowing myself just to be – to live life, to not have it all figured out, and to not trade the present for the future. The flame I wish to keep alive is the one of a heartful way of life. One that keeps me warm on a cold night and will never burn me.For anyone who has gone through something similar, who did everything they were told to do and achieved success in a conventional sense, and still felt exhausted at the end of the long mile, do not lose heart. It is okay for it not to be okay. The world owes us nothing, but we owe it to ourselves not to sacrifice body, heart, mind, and soul for something external or fleeting.Besides, if you are feeling a sense of incompletion with where you are, then as the saying goes: The film is not over yet, my friend.<figure class="image image-style-align-center"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/when_success_fails5_f6240c910f.jpg"></figure><hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">The world owes us nothing,&nbsp; but we owe it to ourselves&nbsp; not to sacrifice body, heart, mind, and soul&nbsp; for something external or fleeting.</h4><hr>

When success fails

As the first woman to be appointed Rt. Hon. Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Patricia’s career has been marked by a number of firsts. She is mobilizing the 56 nations of the Commonwealth to tackle climate change, and, through women’s enterprises, to build the resilience of more vulnerable countries.

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Patricia Scotland

<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Her Excellency, PATRICIA SCOTLAND, KC, The Rt. Honorable Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, visited Kanha Shanti Vanam in January 2024. During her visit, she received the inaugural Heartfulness Changemaker Award for outstanding commitment to service through compassionate action in her work. Here, she speaks with students from The Heartfulness Learning Center on climate change, service, dreaming big, and making a difference.</h4>&nbsp;Q: Good evening your Excellency. It is our pleasure to talk with you. We’d be delighted if you would tell us about your life growing up, and what influenced you to pursue your career?SG: First, I am thrilled to be with you. And the performance you gave was so wonderful I had tears in my eyes.As the Secretary-General, I am responsible for helping 56 countries—that’s 2.5 billion people—and 60% of them are under the age of 30. That’s 1.5 billion young people. All of you young people in the Commonwealth, I believe that you are all mine.So, I was extremely proud to hear from you. And I was touched by what you sang: a million dreams, a million dreams, looking at how the world could be, should be, and can be. All of you are going to make it as beautiful as you would like it to be. I was so thrilled that you’re dreaming. So dream big and don’t let anyone tell you that your dreams cannot come true. Because they can.You have to work hard. You have to love harder. And you have to pray and know that each of you has been given a talent by God. It’s your job to find that talent, hone it, and use it for the benefit of other people. And if what I saw on this stage is even a tiny drop of your talent, you are absolutely amazing.Let me tell you a bit about me, because that was your question. I was born on a small island in the Caribbean, the Commonwealth of Dominica. Dominica has about 72,000 people.I was born in the fishing village of St. Joseph. I have eleven brothers and sisters, and am the tenth of twelve children. My family moved to England when I was really small, and I grew up in the East End, the poorer end of London. At that stage, many people thought the likelihood of me succeeding in anything was small, because there was a pecking order. I was told it was white male, black male, then white female. And then at the bottom of the bottom of the bottom was black female.I had a fantastic family, full of love, care, and great determination. And they told me what I’m going to tell you: You can do anything if you choose. Don’t believe anyone who tells you it’s impossible. Everything looks impossible until it’s done. And you are going to do it. I said to my father, “But Daddy, nobody else has done this before.” To which he said, “Oh, good, that means you can be the first!” So if anyone tells you, “No one has done this before,” what are you going to reply?Q: I’ll be the first.SG: Good.The other thing I learned was that it’s really important to support your friends, and for your friends to support you. All of us need friendship and support. Never underestimate what a wonderful thing a smile can be. When you’re having a really bad day, you think things cannot get any worse, and a friend turns to you and smiles, it makes all the difference.Kindness is an incredible, important part of your survival. I’ve found that being kind to friends means that your friends tend to be kind to you.Q: That’s inspiring and heart-touching. Ma’am, we’re curious to know about your favorite subjects in school.SG: My favorite subject was English. I loved English, I loved language, I loved literature, and I loved History; but I come from a family of scientists, and they wanted me to be a scientist. There’s almost every form of scientist in my family—chemical engineering, pharmacology, agronomy—you name it, they are doing it. They thought I should be a physicist, because we didn’t have one. I had no intention of being a physicist, and my seven brothers thought that maybe the brain had started to run out when it got to me, because I was only a lawyer.<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:75%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/give_back2_f0eccc6195.webp" alt="give-back2.webp" srcset="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thumbnail_give_back2_f0eccc6195.webp 145w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/large_give_back2_f0eccc6195.webp 500w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/give_back2_f0eccc6195.webp 500w," sizes="100vw"></figure><hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">You can do anything if you choose. Don’t believe anyone who tells you it’s impossible. Everything looks impossible until it’s done.</h4><hr>I also loved knowing about people. Whatever you choose, choose a subject you love, not a subject someone else loves. If you choose a subject you love, it will never be work, it will always be joy.How were my subjects related to my career? The most important thing about being a lawyer is understanding language, construct, the love of language. How to communicate, and how to create ideas have been really important. I love law because I can use it as a tool to deliver justice. I always was absorbed by things that were fair and unfair. I hated to see people being bullied, people not having their say, having their rights denigrated, not being cared for. And I always wanted to make a difference so that people would get their rights.Q: Could you please help us understand the Commonwealth? What are its goals, and how can the youth of India be more inclusive and more involved with the Commonwealth?SG: India was pivotal in helping to create the new Commonwealth. Many of the countries had been members of the British Empire. In 1949, when a total of eight countries (including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka) became independent, the question was: Were they going to stay within the family of the Commonwealth? India’s Prime Minister made the decision to stay. When they asked him why, he said it was because the Commonwealth brought a touch of healing; the Commonwealth family of nations shared so many things.&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:75%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/give_back3_446aeecb7e.webp" alt="give-back3.webp" srcset="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thumbnail_give_back3_446aeecb7e.webp 145w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/large_give_back3_446aeecb7e.webp 500w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/give_back3_446aeecb7e.webp 500w," sizes="100vw"></figure>We have the same language, we communicate in English, we have the same common law structure, the same parliamentary system, the same institutions. We fought together through two world wars. If you go to the Millennium Gates in London, you will see the names of those who sacrificed their lives. And you will see that India had the highest level of Distinguished Service Orders.In 1953, the Queen of the UK and the Commonwealth said that it was an entirely new concept, built on the fundamental and best elements of humanity, kindness, friendship, and respect. The Commonwealth could be a beacon for the rest of the world. Together, countries coming from five different regions—Europe, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, the Pacific—with different people, different languages, and with the same heart, looked at the values they shared. And they realized that if humanity needs to survive, we need to work together.<hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">If you choose a subject you love,&nbsp; it will never be work, it will always be joy.&nbsp;</h4><hr>The Commonwealth was about democracy. It was about freedom. It was about human rights. It was about enhancing trade. Fifty years ago, the Commonwealth decided the most important thing was our children. We were the first organization to have a dedicated youth program. In 2022, when we met in Shogun, Kigali, the leaders reinforced that that fifty-year celebration of youth must continue, because the children of our Commonwealth are our future, the leaders of today, not just tomorrow.The Commonwealth has been responsible for some remarkable things. Many of you were not alive when South Africa was divided on the grounds of race under apartheid. Black people had few to no rights, and white people dominated. It was the Commonwealth that said, “You cannot have a system where one citizen doesn’t have the same rights as the other. Everyone in our Commonwealth has to be equal.” The Commonwealth challenged South Africa and said, “You have a choice. If you wish to stay in our family, you cannot have apartheid. And if you want to have apartheid, you cannot be in our family.” South Africa left, but the Commonwealth continued to fight hard to end that system.You talked about climate change. In 1989, in Langkawi, the Commonwealth came out with a Declaration saying that if we do not change, climate change would become an existential threat. We have continued to fight for climate justice ever since. We are pushing for a regenerative approach that will reverse the climate decline. Looking at all the things you’re doing here in Kanha, I believe we can do this.You can join the Commonwealth Youth Network. We need your voice, your passion, your courage, your knowledge, and your innovation, because this Commonwealth is only going to remain wonderful if you make it so. It has to be how you want it to be. Nothing changes unless we change it. It starts with us.<hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">You cannot have a system where&nbsp; one citizen doesn’t have the same rights as the other. Everyone in our Commonwealth has to be equal.</h4><hr><figure class="image image_resized" style="width:75%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/give_back4_75d40aa13d.webp" alt="give-back4.webp" srcset="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thumbnail_give_back4_75d40aa13d.webp 145w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/large_give_back4_75d40aa13d.webp 500w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/give_back4_75d40aa13d.webp 500w," sizes="100vw"></figure>&nbsp;Q: I’m sure many of us here are inspired by your answer and want to take up a career in the field and express our opinions to make the world a better place.How can we as students contribute directly to the fields of sustainability and innovation?SG: One of the most important ways is by sharing your ideas. We looked at those who are making the biggest difference in the world, in terms of discovery, innovation, and change. And most of them are below the age of thirty. If you look at the founders of some of the biggest unicorns, many of them started as micro, small, and medium-sized businesses, which were innovative, different, and challenging the norms.&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:75%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/give_back5_df4ae167f5.webp" alt="give-back5.webp" srcset="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thumbnail_give_back5_df4ae167f5.webp 145w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/large_give_back5_df4ae167f5.webp 500w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/give_back5_df4ae167f5.webp 500w," sizes="100vw"></figure><hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">We each have to start from wherever we are,&nbsp; and someone has to put the first foot forward.&nbsp;</h4><hr>I would invite you to think about a problem you’re passionate about, and then ask yourself this question, “How can I help to solve it?”Remember that you won’t have to solve that problem on your own. But someone has to take the first step. You can do it in school. A group of you can take something, research it, understand it. Then you can ask yourself, “How do I make it better?”Everything you are doing at school can be part of the Commonwealth Year of Youth, because other young people will want to know what you’re doing. You’re learning things, you’re growing, you’re changing, and that knowledge needs to be shared with others. The Commonwealth is great at pooling the knowledge from all different areas.There’s a lot to do. Please join us. Never worry that what you’re doing is too small. It is never too small. We each have to start from wherever we are, and someone has to put the first foot forward.Remember that you won’t have to solve that problem on your own. But someone has to take the first step. You can do it in school. A group of you can take something, research it, understand it. Then you can ask yourself, “How do I make it better?”Everything you are doing at school can be part of the Commonwealth Year of Youth, because other young people will want to know what you’re doing. You’re learning things, you’re growing, you’re changing, and that knowledge needs to be shared with others. The Commonwealth is great at pooling the knowledge from all different areas.There’s a lot to do. Please join us. Never worry that what you’re doing is too small. It is never too small. We each have to start from wherever we are, and someone has to put the first foot forward.To be continued.

How can we give back?

<h4>On the final morning of the Mahotsav, the Right Honorable PATRICIA SCOTLAND, KC, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, spoke about the role DAAJI has played in bringing spirituality to the world, unifying people of all faiths and cultures, and nurturing nature. In honor of his work, she bestowed upon him the title of Global Ambassador for Peacebuilding and Faith in the Commonwealth. Below is the speech she made while conferring the honor.</h4>My heartfelt greetings to you all. It is a genuine honor to return to this magnificent place. Vision, ingenuity, and labor have transformed what was once harsh and depleted land into a lush green campus, with rainforest full of thriving, endemic, and endangered species, medicinal and edible plants, and organic farms. This site has become a testament to harmony with nature. Every step one takes through the Yatra Garden and these hallowed halls is an encounter with tranquility and renewal.We stand today in the physical representation of the Heartfulness you have been practicing and sharing for so many years. And as we gather here in the month before the 125th Birth Anniversary of Babuji, it is a fitting monument to his lasting legacy.The imprint of his life of humble service, devotion, and love is unmistakable. It echoes in the demeanor of everyone present here. And it is reflected constantly in the vision and leadership offered by our dear friend and brother, Daaji, who has once again welcomed us so graciously to this wonderful place.The Commonwealth is a family, and we are 56 nations and 2.5 billion people stretched across five continents and six oceans. Our collective heart beats with the shared values of peace, understanding, and mutual respect. Daaji, as the guiding force behind Heartfulness, you embody these values. Your wisdom, compassion, and unwavering commitment to the spiritual well-being of humanity shines through you and through this movement. Your leadership has nurtured the growth of Heartfulness, and in doing so you have touched the lives of countless people across the globe, across 160 countries, and more than 5 million practitioners, with the dedicated support of 16,000 volunteer trainers operating in over 5,000 centers worldwide.&nbsp;Your impact extends far and wide. Heartfulness has become a global force for inner transformation, creating ripples that transcend continents and cultures, sowing seeds of mindfulness, compassion, and spiritual well-being. Your teachings resonate deeply, offering a pathway to peace and self-discovery. And your approach to meditation and spirituality is both profound and accessible, guiding seekers on a journey toward a harmonious existence.&nbsp;This vision has cultivated a Heartfulness community centered around love, unity, and mindfulness, offering solace and spiritual nourishment to seekers from diverse backgrounds in an increasingly chaotic world. Your unwavering commitment to service, coupled with your profound understanding of the human heart creates a legacy of grace, humility, inspiration, and boundless compassion. In our lives, we all try to create and send out our own positive ripples of change. The ripples you have created are vast and lasting. They can build a current that can sweep down even the mightiest walls of resistance and provide us all with constant inspiration.&nbsp;In your honor, and in honor of your vision and leadership, and your unwavering commitment to service, as Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations I am proud and honored to bestow on you the title of Global Ambassador for Peacebuilding and Faith in the Commonwealth.<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/honour_bestowed2_742483bd56.webp" alt="honour-bestowed2.webp" srcset="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thumbnail_honour_bestowed2_742483bd56.webp 145w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/large_honour_bestowed2_742483bd56.webp 600w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/honour_bestowed2_742483bd56.webp 600w," sizes="100vw"></figure><hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">In your honor, and in honor of your vision and leadership,&nbsp; and your unwavering commitment to service,&nbsp; as Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations&nbsp; I am proud and honored to bestow on you&nbsp; the title of Global Ambassador for Peacebuilding&nbsp; and Faith in the Commonwealth.</h4><hr>

An Honor Bestowed

<h4 style="text-align:justify;">The Rt. Hon. PATRICIA SCOTLAND, KC, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth speaks at the Global Spirituality Mahotsav in Kanha Shanti Vanam about the role we all have to play in supporting peace with each other and the environment.</h4>It is a great honor to participate in this significant and seminal moment in our history. It would be easy to underestimate the enormity of this event. For Daaji to have brought together so many sages and faith leaders across the globe to this spirit-filled place is a matter and a moment we should all celebrate.Some have asked me, “Secretary-General, why have you come?” And there is a clear answer. The Commonwealth is made up of 2.5 billion people, 30 percent of whom are under the age of 30, and 1.5 billion who live here in India. As your Secretary-General, I have been entrusted with the sacred task of helping to maintain, foster, nurture, and support peace.Peace today is so endangered, so precious, so needed. And the truth is, if we wish to have a peaceful world, it must start with us, each one of us, because we are the arbiters of that peace. As Daaji said this morning, when we talk of peace, we are not talking about tolerance, but about respect, acceptance, and the word we have avoided today, the most important word, love.We must love one another. The essence of every faith is love. But we have also heard something else; every single person here today is my brother or my sister. And why is that? According to scientists, all of humanity has come from six individuals. So, why get confused about the color of our skin, the size of our girth, our height? Ninety-nine point nine percent of our DNA is the same, which means whether we like it or not, we are truly brothers and sisters.&nbsp;Together we face some real challenges. Our world is tightly bound by a tangled knot of crises spanning global systems. Conflicts confront us—conflicts rooted in political differences, economic disparities, religious divides, social injustices, and our relationship with the natural world. As I look around, I see the Global Spirituality Mahotsav, but how is it expressed with children and youth, with Nature, with health, and the need to deepen it?These conflicts, which are rooted in our political differences, economic disparities, and our relationship with the natural world, manifest themselves in various forms—from armed conflicts that are tearing us apart to societal tensions threatening to divide communities.Whilst the sources of these conflicts are specific to each place, we all see and feel their tragic impact. As religious and political leaders, and as responsible citizens, it is incumbent upon us to seek solutions, to strive for peace, and to build the bridges of understanding and cooperation. And the starting point lies in each of us. True, just, and durable peace cannot be achieved solely through external means; it must emanate from within.&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/we_are_all_related2_1049319d47.webp" alt="we-are-all-related2.webp" srcset="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thumbnail_we_are_all_related2_1049319d47.webp 145w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/large_we_are_all_related2_1049319d47.webp 492w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/we_are_all_related2_1049319d47.webp 492w," sizes="100vw"></figure>&nbsp;If we do not have peace within ourselves, how can we have peace in our families? How can we have peace in our communities? How can we have peace in our regions? And how can we have peace in our world? Our world is precious; our world is made in accordance with our values.Inner peace is not merely the absence of conflict or turmoil; it is a state characterized by harmony, clarity, and equanimity. It is the foundation upon which we cultivate compassion, empathy, and understanding toward others. When we are at peace with ourselves, we are better equipped to navigate the complexities of the world with wisdom and discernment. This quality of inner peace is powerful and contagious. And when we embody peace in our thoughts, in our words, and our actions, we inspire others to do the same. We create ripples of positivity that have the power to transcend boundaries and unite humanity in a shared vision of harmony and coexistence.Our Commonwealth, of which India is such a precious part, is in essence a powerful instrument to deliver that peace. You are blessed with the ingenuity and imagination of one third of the world. Your complexity, your diversity, is our strength; our shared humanity contains an immensely precious diversity of thought, culture, tradition, and experience. And we know that by listening to each other we will find many of the solutions we seek.<hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">When we embody peace in our thoughts, in our words, and our actions, we inspire others to do the same. We create ripples of positivity&nbsp; that have the power to transcend boundaries and unite humanity in a shared vision of harmony and coexistence.</h4><hr>From difference and sometimes difficult histories, our nations sit together today as equals—our unique and enduring blend of shared values. So, it is important that as we contemplate our part we understand how precious each of us is; we have the power, if we choose, to change our world by sharing the love and the spirit that binds us.We have talked about the different pathways, and as I was listening to many, I remembered what was said in the Gospel of John. Jesus said, “In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. And I go to prepare a place for you.” That place is for every single human being on the planet. We all share one God.So, I leave you with the blessing my mother always gives me when I go on a journey. We all of us are on a journey to bring peace in our world. My mother would say, “May God bless and keep you. May he make his face to shine upon you and be merciful unto you all the days of your life. May your guardian angel walk beside you, and may the Lord, our God, keep you safe in the palm of his hand.”&nbsp;

We are all related

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Patrick Fleury

<h4>PATRICK FLEURY has been on an inner journey from a young age. Looking back, after 50 years of Heartfulness practice, he shares the importance of a spiritual Guide, and the Transmission and Grace that flow as a result of the Guide’s presence.</h4><hr>I was 13 when I first met God and experienced merging with the Divine. The moment was decisive for the continuation of my spiritual quest. The Lord had shown me the goal to be reached.&nbsp;I did a lot of research in both Eastern and Western spiritualities, and at 17 I realized that “knowing” was not enough. I was fed up with reading about spirituality, yogis, mystics, saints, and masters. I wanted to “live” what they were talking about.&nbsp;I had concluded that only meditation, contemplation, and prayer would enable me to do that, so I started meditating on the&nbsp;third eye chakra. After one experience, where I explored several dimensions, all of which went to infinity, I realized that I needed a guide, otherwise I might get lost in these immensities.&nbsp;But how could I find such a teacher? So I simply asked God.&nbsp;My mother used to say, “When the disciple is ready, the master will come.” I meditated every day for twenty minutes with my parents, until my prayer was answered. After a few months, I came across the Heartfulness way and its guide Ram Chandra, Babuji. I experimented, testing this meditation on the heart. At that time, I only had contact with the Transmission (pranahuti). I would receive it constantly, feeling it was nourishing my soul deeply.&nbsp;<img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/babuji2_e6370d20b7.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-11T06:45:16.816Z" alt="">In 1976, four years after starting, I met Babuji, the source of this blessed Transmission. The first time I meditated with him was at the Heartfulness Center in Nice. I was literally carried away. I had met my Master and I was not going to leave him. Six months later, I went to his home in Shahjahanpur, India. There we would spend the whole day and often part of the night near him, sitting on his veranda. We were out of time, completely contented.I understood much later that in Babuji’s presence we were at the Center, in God. Grace flowed down on us regularly, in waves. It surpassed even the fabulous Transmission. I became aware of the blessing that a living Master represents.&nbsp;After that, every year, my wife Alberta and I would spend a month near him. But it was the meeting with Babuji in 1978 that really triggered it all. At the end of each stay at his place, we felt spiritually satisfied. On the day of our departure in 1978, we went to thank him for all he had given us so abundantly. Seeing our gratitude, Babuji asked if we wanted to meditate. I naively replied that it was not necessary, that we only wished to thank him for all he had given us, adding that we had already been blessed with so much. He beckoned to us to sit facing him and the meditation began. Instantly, he gave me the experience of divine infinite love, and I knew this was what I had been longing for all my life without even knowing it.Thus, my quest for God had been totally re-oriented by Babuji. It now went through the love and surrender that manifested for my Master. The inner journey took a superluminal speed. My daily practice changed. I purified my heart so that it would become a sacred temple where I could be in the presence of the Beloved. I discovered the immense value of a Master who had realized the Ultimate. The progress was fabulous and Babuji enabled me to reach the states of liberation and realization at a relatively young age. But the quest for the Ultimate was not yet over. It is infinite, eternal.&nbsp;In 1976, in France, Babuji permitted me to be a Heartfulness trainer. I saw with enthusiasm the advancement of others who practice meditation. Through all these years, I have been blessed to travel the world teaching Heartfulness. It is an effective, universal method. I have realized that the light in the heart is common to all, whatever the continent, culture, or religion. We just need help to access the source of this light in the heart, and Transmission (Pranahuti) gives that direct experience. It brings about a great transformation of the being, a balanced life, and a remarkable equanimity.&nbsp;I was amazed that the instructions Babuji gave us to practice Heartfulness all fitted on one page. But what a page!&nbsp;Babuji used to say, “God is simple and the means to realize Him must be simple too.” He also said, “Silence is the language of God.”&nbsp; I invite you to share this Silence in the depth of your heart.<hr>

Fabulous Transmission

<h4>THÉOPHILE L’ANCIEN shares some practical wisdom about prayer with his young associate.</h4><hr><h4>Théophile the Younger</h4>Greetings! Can we continue with understanding the practices I need to do for my own evolution? I think now I realize the importance of meditation and transmission. Is there anything else that will help me on my inner journey?<h4>Théophile the Elder</h4>Many times we remain at the surface of the heart in meditation, although the suggestion is for us to dive deep to the Source of Light that emanates from the Center. So I invite you to try a “heart-of-the-heart” intensive practice, on the sublime love emanating from the Center of your being.<h4>Théophile the Younger</h4>Am I capable of this?<h4>Théophile the Elder</h4>Yes of course. During the introductory meditation sessions, you directly connect with that Source of Light, as the Guide’s heart is used as an energy transformer so that the power of Transmission is modulated and adapted to your capacity.<h4>Théophile the Younger</h4>Do you mean that we receive 220 volts instead of 10,000?<h4>Théophile the Elder</h4>That is actually quite a fair analogy. Our capacity then gradually increases with practice. Help is also there in the form of prayer, which is at once both powerful and subtle. It is a very important tool on your journey of self-discovery. It is a tool of high efficacy.<h4>Théophile the Younger</h4>I am not very attracted by prayer, as I have the feeling that it is like begging. You have often told me that the soul chooses its destiny before coming to Earth, and we just have to follow it. So what use do we have for prayer?<h4>Théophile the Elder</h4>That is right, but do we really let ourselves be guided? Genuine prayer connects us to the Source or the Center. The words that come are inspired. They emanate from higher planes and carry those vibrations. They can directly connect us to the Center.<hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">The prayer picked me up. Multiple dimensions opened up in me. I had the feeling of switching to superluminal speed. The rest is indescribable.</h4><hr><h4 style="text-align:justify;">Théophile the Younger</h4>The prayer would then be like a switch, in a way, on/off. Interesting!Would you mind helping me experience prayer?<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Théophile the Elder</h4>If you like. Please begin by closing your eyes, relaxing, and getting into a meditative state. Try to listen to the prayer resonate within your heart.Théophile the Younger, full of confidence, dives into his heart and is immediately overwhelmed by the Light. Theophile the Elder whispers a very beautiful prayer to him.What do you feel?<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Théophile the Younger</h4>The prayer picked me up. Multiple dimensions opened up in me. I had the feeling of switching to superluminal speed. The rest is indescribable.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Théophile the Elder</h4>We are going to explore a number of levels of this prayer.Théophile the Elder gives the instructions one by one, leaving a long time between each. His peaceful and assured voice alternates with deep silences.First say the words of this prayer out loud so that it can fill the whole room.The young man speaks. Then they sit in silence.Pray again, this time fervently, so that the words make their way to the heavens.Again the young man speaks, followed by silence.Now, say it within yourself. Let it fill your whole inner space.Silence.Say the prayer inside your heart, and let it resonate into its depths.Silence.Now, let your heart recite it.Silence.And now, let it be there without any words. Feel only the vibration of the prayer remaining.Silence.Now, erase even this vibration. You are connected to the essence of the prayer.Erase this essence. You are now in the silence of your Center.<hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">For a very long time the two friends remained in this prayerful state, created by the prayer of the heart.</h4>

Connect with your center

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Paul Luu

Soils make life possible

Paul Stamets

The grand recyclers

Paul is an American sociologist and bioethicist. He is a professor at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, and served for 15 years as the Bioethicist for NASA. He is Editor-In-Chief of AJOB Neuroscience, the official Journal of the International Neuroethics Society (INS), and a director of INS.&nbsp;

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Paul Wolpe

<h4 style="text-align:justify;">PAUL WOLPE lives and breathes ethics. He speaks with one of his ex-students and one of our editors, KASHISH KALWANI, about how we rely on ethical decision in everyday life—at work, in our families, and also for ourselves. Also, how ethics, values and morals are connected, and how it is very rarely about right and wrong.</h4>KK: To break the ice, tell us three fun facts about yourself.PW: Fact number one: My father was a rabbi, two of my three brothers are rabbis, and one of my two daughters is a rabbi. I am surrounded by spiritual people. Fact number two: I put myself through graduate school as a massage therapist. Fact number three: I have a hang gliding license.KK: Wow, that’s cool.How would you define ethics in the simplest way?PW: My definition of ethics is not in textbooks or the dictionary: Ethics is how we determine, express, and assess our values in the world. Morality is how we establish, maintain, and conduct our relationships as expressions of those values.KK: &nbsp;I remember you sharing that on the first day of class. It’s not about what is right and wrong, but a conflict of two rights. That really struck a chord with me.PW: I think we’re taught about ethics incorrectly. We’re taught it’s about determining right and wrong, and sometimes it is. With children, you need to set the fundamentals: It’s wrong to steal, it’s wrong to be violent, it’s wrong to lie in certain cases. But once you’ve got those fundamentals down, the rest of your life is spent figuring out a different question: I have a set of values I want to express in the world, so what do I do when they come into conflict? That’s what ethical dilemmas are. They’re rarely about right and wrong. We phrase it as, “What’s the right thing to do here?”, but what we really mean is, “What’s the best right thing to do here?” because there’s not just one right thing, there are many right things to do.<hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">Ethics is how we determine, express, and&nbsp; assess our values in the world.&nbsp; Morality is how we establish, maintain, and&nbsp; conduct our relationships as expressions of those values.</h4><hr>I teach ethics to doctors, and give them cases about conflicts of values. The patient wants to do one thing, while another thing is in their best interest; a patient’s autonomy is a good value, a doctor’s responsibility to take care of their patients is a good value, and they can’t both be honored. How do you get to the best right thing to do?There are certainly wrong things you can do, like killing the patient so you don’t have to worry about it. But there are usually a range of right things you can do. Being mature is about trying to figure out what the best right answers are.KK: &nbsp;That’s a great example. What inspired you to pursue a career in bioethics, and what has been the most rewarding aspect of it?PW: I’ve got an overdeveloped sense of justice. Trying to figure out when people are expressing their highest best qualities is something I’ve always done. It’s part of my personality. I was always interested in science, medicine, and technology. Putting those things together, there was this wonderful field called bioethics.Now it is a really well-known field, but back then it was pretty obscure. What’s so wonderful about bioethics? Once you develop an expertise, you can apply it to anything. Any business has ethical challenges; any group has ethical challenges, internally and in relationship with the world. If ethics is how we express our values in the world, then every interaction we have has ethical elements to it.&nbsp;Deciding how a business is going to treat its customers and employees, how safe its products will be, how safe its workplace will be, how it’s going to advertise and where, how it’s going to manufacture its goods in another country with cheaper labor, where the laws don’t protect workers well; each of these is an ethical decision. Businesses are making ethical decisions all the time. Professionals are making ethical decisions all the time. Individual business owners are too. In our relationships—with friends, with partners, with parents, when we walk into a store and talk to a clerk—there is always an ethical element.You asked what is the most rewarding part. In my career, I was bioethics advisor to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). I was bioethics advisor to Planned Parenthood Federation of America, I was on committees in Canada to give out millions of dollars of state funds to worthy projects. I have sat with the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala. I’ve met famous singers and directors. I never expected where ethics was going to take me. I thought I was getting into an academic profession and never thought my career would allow me to do many of the things I’ve done.KK: &nbsp;A lot of our readers are young adults. How can we think ethically in everyday life situations? Given that there are wars going on and climate change happening, what is the importance of ethics in the life of a young adult?PW: Ethics is challenging. It’s not simple and it’s not easy. Many times, the ethical thing is painful and means you don’t get some other desirable outcome. For businesses to do the ethical thing might mean losing money. For me to do the ethical thing might mean turning down an opportunity, or turning down income, or losing a friend. We joke and say ethics is not for sissies.It’s easy to make casual ethical decisions. It’s when we’re faced with a situation where doing the best right thing means giving up something else significant that we often fail. We all do it, but it’s particularly problematic when big businesses do it, governments do it, people with power do it. Part of what defines a leader for me is taking the responsibility to do the best right thing for an organization, a country, or a group. It’s a hard standard to keep, and we see it failing over and over again.<hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">In our relationships- with friends, with partners,&nbsp; with parents, when we walk into a store and talk to a clerk— there is always an ethical element.</h4><hr>KK:&nbsp; How do we make an ethical choice in daily life, then?PW: We teach a methodology to businesses on how to make ethical choices. It’s a little different than how we make ethical choices in our individual lives. Very often, we know what the ethical choice is, but the struggle is, “Do I really have the courage to do what I think is right?” There are situations where the right ethical choice is controversial or problematic, where none of the choices seem completely right. That’s an ethical dilemma. Very often they require compromise. That’s when we tend to talk them over with friends and loved ones.<img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/right_wrong_ethics2_0384260e4a.webp" alt="right-wrong-ethics2.webp" srcset="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thumbnail_right_wrong_ethics2_0384260e4a.webp 145w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/large_right_wrong_ethics2_0384260e4a.webp 600w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/right_wrong_ethics2_0384260e4a.webp 600w," sizes="100vw">After studying ethics for a long time, the expertise we develop is to take apart an ethical situation into its pieces and clarify. For example, I do rounds three or four or five times a year with the OB-GYN residents, they send me their ethical dilemmas, then we talk about them. They have trouble teasing out what is a social issue, a clinical issue, a legal issue, an ethical issue; they’re wrapped up together. I help them take it apart, because the ethical piece is the conflict in values. And that’s different from the clinical, social, and legal pieces. Until you have clarity about that, it’s hard to see what to do. Sometimes it helps to start by clarifying values: “What do I think is the value I should be honoring? Is it patient autonomy, or the best interests of the patient?”In the United States in the 21st century, it’s patient autonomy. That’s what the country’s decided is the value we’re going to honor. It’s not true in every country. In some countries, a physician will override a patient if they think what the patient is doing is not in their best interests. In the US it used to be that way too, but we made a decision to prioritize the value of individual choice. It’s not about us being right, and another country being wrong. We have a best right choice, while another country based on its traditions, its history, its values, its religious background, its political beliefs, etc., says, “We think the best right choice is to do what’s in the best interest of that patient in view of the people who really understand medicine. And, eventually, we believe the patient will thank us, even though right now they may not.” And that’s a defensible, ethical position.We try as parents to give our children an ethical compass, because most of the time when we make decisions we don’t sit and analyze them and take them apart. We intuitively do what we think is best. Developing a good intuitive ethical center; part of the job of parents with their children is to teach them how to do that.KK: I have so many follow up questions. One question is: Do you feel guilty for some decisions? You mentioned that you talk with nurses and you teach doctors. What if your own bias affects their understanding?Another question is about parents teaching their kids an ethical compass: Will the bias of parents with their traumas be passed on to their kids, influencing their decisions?PW: We all have biases. In the ethics community, we believe that, for difficult and complex decisions, we need to talk about them in groups. During Covid, I was President of the Association of Bioethics Program Directors, which encompasses every organization that runs a bioethics program in the US. There were so many tough decisions we had to make.At the beginning, we thought they might run out of ventilators at certain hospitals. We were writing policies for hospitals on who would get ventilators if there was a shortage. I started an every-two-week phone call of all the bioethics presidents and leaders of centers. We discussed all these things, and ended up publishing papers on those questions.While I was at NASA, space flight was evolving from being centralized in a government agency, to happening in private space agencies all over the world. We brought together a group of ethicists and people in the private and commercial fields, because there are a lot of ethical questions about putting bodies up into space and doing experiments on those bodies. Bodies in space are a scarce resource.<hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">So we bring together people with a wide range of experience, coming from many different fields, cultures, religions, and backgrounds, then debate these questions and try to come up with the best policies we can.&nbsp; Then we publish a paper somewhere so that other people can read them.</h4><hr>When commercial companies start putting bodies in space, pharmaceutical companies, medical instrumentation companies, and commercial device companies will want to send up instruments and experiment on those bodies. NASA has a well-developed process for that, but the commercial companies do not.So we bring together people with a wide range of experience, coming from many different fields, cultures, religions, and backgrounds, then debate these questions and try to come up with the best policies we can. Then we publish a paper somewhere so that other people can read them.When it comes to individual ethics, or teaching children, it’s not just parents; kids learn ethics from their peers, schools, and religious institutions. The best thing we can do is to understand that we all have biases. When children learn different values and ideas outside the family, entertain them in a serious non-defensive and nonjudgmental way. Don’t immediately have a kneejerk reaction and say, “Oh my God, this is wrong!” Entertaining and discussing ideas have helped children develop a critical sense and a critical judgment about ethical values. It’s a tough job being a parent.KK: &nbsp;Is there anything more you’d like to share with our readers?PW: One of the most difficult things around our values is protecting them. We feel like anyone who challenges our values is threatening us at a deep level. Listening to another person’s articulation of their values is often threatening. Many of the fights in the world are really about a blind unwillingness to entertain the values of the other side. We defend our values by branding them as right, and the values of others as wrong, evil, or misguided. So we’re back to the beginning! This violates the whole idea that ethics is about conflicts of values, and people prioritize values differently.Deep listening to the other person is a skill we can develop. If I wanted to leave a message it would be that we need more deep listening in the world right now.<img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/right_wrong_ethics3_a3a754ae26.webp" alt="right-wrong-ethics3.webp" srcset="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thumbnail_right_wrong_ethics3_a3a754ae26.webp 145w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/large_right_wrong_ethics3_a3a754ae26.webp 600w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/right_wrong_ethics3_a3a754ae26.webp 600w," sizes="100vw">KK:&nbsp; I feel that listening is such a powerful tool, clearing lots of misunderstanding and miscommunication. &nbsp;What is next for you?PW: I’m stepping down as director of my center in June and building a new center for conflict resolution, mediation, and peacebuilding at Emory. I’ll be traveling on sabbatical next year to Oslo, Geneva, The Hague, and other places, talking to people in different conflict resolution centers, and trying to build some innovative models.KK: That’s great. Thank you for taking the time for this.&nbsp;

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