TIL GUL GHYA .......

SORRY............MALA LADOO NAHI BANAVTA YET !!!!

WHY I AM A HINDU

Hello, and welcome to 2009.
I received an email the other day, and must share it here.

Its Titled --- WHY I AM A HINDU - MUST READ

We respect all the religions in the world equally.
It's about the time that the world should know about us and it's about the time they should know how to respect Sanatan Hindu Dharma and Hindus.

We feel sorry for the young generation who donot have time to read Vivekanand. Sanyasta Khadga is a drama on his life in Marathi and all of us should see it. It's in Guiness book of records having made 9 continuous shows.recently.

Four years ago, I was flying from JFK NY Airport to SFO to attend a
meeting at Monterey, CA. An American girl was sitting on the right side,
near window seat. It indeed was a long journey - it would take nearly
seven hours. I was surprised to see the young girl reading a Bible
unusual of young Americans.

After some time, she smiled and we had few acquaintances talk. I told
her that I am from India.
Then suddenly the girl asked: 'What's your faith?'
'What?' I didn't understand the question.
'I mean, what's your religion? Are you a Christian? Or a Muslim?'
'No!' I replied, 'I am neither Christian nor Muslim'.
Apparently she appeared shocked to listen to that. 'Then who are you?'
'I am a Hindu', I said.

She looked at me as if she was seeing a caged animal. She could not
understand what I was talking about.

A common man in Europe or US knows about Christianity and Islam, as they
are the leading religions of the world today. But a Hindu, what?

I explained to her - I am born to a Hindu father and Hindu mother.
Therefore, I am a Hindu by birth.

'Who is your prophet?' she asked.
'We don't have a prophet,' I replied.
'What's your Holy Book?'
'We don't have a single Holy Book, but we have hundreds and thousands of
philosophical and sacred scriptures,' I replied.
'Oh, come on at least tell me who is your God?'
'What do you mean by that?'
'Like we have Jesus and Muslims have Allah - don't you have a God?'
I thought for a moment. Muslims and Christians believe one God (Male
God) who created the world and takes an interest in the humans who
inhabit it. Her mind is conditioned with that kind of belief.

According to her (or anybody who doesn't know about Hinduism), a
religion needs to have one Prophet, one Holy book and one God. The mind
is so conditioned and rigidly narrowed down to such a notion that
anything else is not acceptable. I understood her perception and concept
about faith. You can't compare Hinduism with any of the present leading
religions where you have to believe in one concept of god.

I tried to explain to her: 'You can believe in one god and he can be a
Hindu... You may believe in multiple deities and still you can be a Hindu. What's more -
you may not believe in god at all, still you can be a Hindu. An atheist can also be
a Hindu.'
This sounded very crazy to her. She couldn't imagine a religion so
unorganized, still surviving for thousands of years, even after onslaught from foreign
forces.
'I don't understand but it seems very interesting. Are you religious?'
What can I tell to this American girl?

I said: 'I do not go to temple regularly. I do not make any regular
rituals. I have learned some of the rituals in my younger days. I still enjoy doing it
sometime s.'
'Enjoy? Are you not afraid of God?'
'God is a friend. No- I am not afraid of God. Nobody has made any
compulsions on me to perform these rituals regularly.'
She thought for a while and then asked: 'Have you ever thought of
converting to any other religion?'

'Why should I? Even if I challenge some of the rituals and faith in
Hinduism, nobody can convert me from Hinduism. Because, being a Hindu
allows me to think independently and objectively, without conditioning.
I remain as a Hindu never by force, but choice.' I told her that
Hinduism is not a religion, but a set of beliefs and practices. It is
not a religion like Christianity or Islam because it is not founded by
any one person or does not have an organized controlling body like the
Church or the Order, I added. There is no institution or authority.

'So, you don't believe in God?' she wanted everything in black and white.

'I didn't say that. I do not discard the divine reality. Our scripture,
or Sruthis or Smrithis - Vedas and Upanishads or the Gita - say God might be there or
he might not be there. But we pray to that supreme abstract authority
(Para Brahma) that is the creator of this universe.'

'Why can't you believe in one personal God?'
'We have a concept - abstract - not a personal god. The concept or
notion of a personal God, hiding behind the clouds of secrecy, telling
us irrational stories through few men whom he sends as messengers,
demanding us to worship him or punish us, does not make sense. I don't
think that God is as silly as an autocratic emperor who wants others to
respect him or fear him.' I told her that such notions are just fancies
of less educated human imagination and fallacies, adding that generally
ethnic religious practitioners in Hinduism believe in personal gods. The
entry level Hinduism has over-whelming superstitions too. The
philosophical side o f Hinduism negates all superstitions.

'Good that you agree God might exist. You told that you pray. What is
your prayer then?'
'Loka Samastha Sukino Bhavantu.. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti,'
'Funny,' she laughed, 'What does it mean?'
'May all the beings in all the worlds be happy. Om Peace, Peace, Peace.'

'Hmm ...very interesting. I want to learn more about this religion. It
is so democratic, broad-minded and free' she exclaimed.

'The fact is Hinduism is a religion of the individual, for the
individual and by the individual with its roots in the Vedas and the Bhagavad-Gita. It is all about an individual approaching a personal God in an individual way according to
his temperament and inner evolution - it is as simple as that.'

'How does anybody convert to Hinduism?'

'Nobody can convert you to Hinduism, because it is not a religion, but a
set of beliefs and practices. Everything is acceptable in Hinduism because there is no
single authority or organization either to accept it or to reject it or
to oppose it on behalf of Hinduism.' I told her - if you look for meaning in life, don't look for it in religions; don't go from one cult to another or from one guru to
the next.

For a real seeker, I told her, the Bible itself gives guidelines when it
says '

Kingdom of God is within you.' I reminded her of Christ's teaching about the love that we have for each other. That is where you can find the meaning of life. Loving each and every creation of the God is absolute and real.

'Isavasyam idam sarvam'

Isam (the God) is present (inhabits) here everywhere - nothing exists
separate from the God, because God is present everywhere. Respect every
living being and non-living things as God. That's what Hinduism teaches
you.

Hinduism is referred to as Sanathana Dharma, the eternal faith. It is
based on the practice of Dharma, the code of life. The most important aspect of
Hinduism is being truthful to oneself. Hinduism has no monopoly on ideas. It is open to
all. Hindus believe in one God (not a personal one) expressed in
different forms. For them, God is timeless and formless entity.

Ancestors of today's Hindus believe in eternal truths and cosmic laws
and these truths are opened to anyone who seeks them. But there is a
section of Hindus who are either superstitious or turned fanatic to make this an organized religion like others. The British coin the word 'Hindu' and considered it as a religion.

I said: 'Religions have become an MLM (multi-level- marketing) industry
that has been trying to expand the market share by conversion. The biggest business in today's world is Spirituality. Hinduism is no exception'.

I am a Hindu primarily because it professes Non-violence - 'Ahimsa
Paramo Dharma' - Non violence is the highes t duty. I am a Hindu because
it doesn't condition my mind with any faith system. A man / woman who
changes his / her birth religion to another religion is a fake and
does not value his / her morals, culture and values in life. Hinduism
was the first religion originated.

Hinduism - Is Just That , its an"ism" ----- Its a way of life.

Be proud of your religion and be proud of who you are.

LETS HAVE A HAPPY 2009

No Bitching, No Ranting, No Sarcasm Just this Bit of Poem

A Picture Speaks a thousand words,
A thousand words !! That's Absurd,
Only three should make it clear,
Wishing you a "HAPPY NEW YEAR."

----------- Rishi Mantri.


A New Year is dawning with promise abound
An era’s beginning with much to be found
A time for renewal, reflection, and change
Where our sacred dreams are, at last, in range
No longer shall we dwell on days now bygone
From this hour forward, our hearts shall be strong
We will face the morning with stars in our eyes
Grateful for a New Year of wealth and surprise.

Through burdens and hardships, we’ve battled and won
To now find ourselves at the New Year begun
Away from the sorrow that time has removed
And ready to embrace the future improved
Our souls remain steadfast, our smiles remain bright
As we greet the New Year of glory with might
Regardless of the paths which led us to now
We stand here, united, with hope on our brow.

A New Year has beckoned and long may she roam
To bring us the blessing and solace of home
The foods on our table, so plenty and grand
And riches held dearly in each heart and hand
May your joys outnumber the days you feel lost
May your wishes be on angels’ wings embossed
So, your only struggles are those you forget
Leading 2009 to be your best year, yet!

© 2008 – Jill Eisnaugle’s Poetry Collection



!! HAPPY 2009 TO YA ALL !!

NEW LOOK !!

After people complaining about being irritated about white text on black.
Here is a Brand new look to the Blog.

Coping With Stress.

Thanks to Dr. K for pointing out

http://www.rediff.com/getahead/2008/dec/04terror-aftermath-how-to-cope-with-stress.htm

The article on recognizing and resolving post traumatic stress deserves to be read.

Now of course for a true Mumbaikar the terms Stress,Trauma, Shock,Panic and Despair have little if not any meaning at all. We have blocked out these words form our collective sensibilities mostly by force and not by choice. Just one emoion remains --- NUMBNESS.

Having emotions, feeling afraid, or grieved is just not a part of that ghastly 'Mumbai Sprit' that we helplesly enforce upon ourselves.

I asked a Friend of mine, who calmy sat eating in a retaurant while Mumbai was burning and exploding, how can u sit and eat at a time like this ? He truely summed up the 'Mumbai Sprit' in these starkly simple words " Hey, either I'll die or I wont, nothing else can happen. This might me my last meal, shutup, and let me enjoy it."

All the doctors and Psycologists are now talking about the effects of shock and anxiety and are loosely throwing about that fancy medical term post traumatic stress disorder. To them I say -- You Call it POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER.....We just call it MUMBAI.

Anyways, here is the article sent to me by Dr. K

Terror aftermath: How to cope with stress

December 04, 2008

Mumbai was attacked by terrorists last week and collectively as Indians we feel stressed -- we not only feel the pain of those who suffered at their hands, and the anguish, but also a feeling of helplessness. Can we ever return to our lively pubs, cafes and movie theaters without looking at the person next door with suspicion?

Initially we were all numb, overcome with extreme feelings of shock, anxiety, panic, sadness and despair all at once. Some of us expressed our emotions by becoming moody, irritable, or resentful. All of us are sailing in the same boat; we're having trouble concentrating, studying, sleeping, eating and are even worried about hopping onto a train or a bus to commute to and from work.

Each one of us feels grief differently and handles it differently as well. Grief-induced stress is such a personal problem and we all face it at some point in our lives. For some of us the stress is brought on by work or at home; for others, events such as those that unfolded last week in Mumbai and the fright that we may be affected next are sufficient to trigger all kinds of emotions. When coping with such a situation, you may just feel mentally drained.

Signs that you are stressed as a result of the terrorist attack

• You have inexplicable mood swings during the day.
• You feel insecure and jittery and you've become restless and impatient.
• You are fearful of what's around the corner, or the guy sitting next to you on the bus with a backpack.
• Loud noises including blaring music now hurt your ears.
• You have trouble sleeping and suffer from frequent nightmares.
• You have lost your appetite and are eating poorly or are binging on junk food, packaged fried foods and ice-cream late at night.
• You are unable to concentrate at work or have a normal conversation with friends.

What can I do to help myself?

• Remind yourself that grief is a normal human emotion and that a lot of people across the country are experiencing the same thing.
• Practice yoga, exercise or relaxation techniques to help improve your mood. It may be hard to motivate yourself, so modify your usual routine if you need to. Don't, however, exercise late in the day -- it increases your alertness.
• Reach out to others. By becoming a part of the larger community (be it a residential colony or your school/college) and finding ways to help others in similar situations can alleviate one's own feelings of frustration, isolation and fear. Empower yourself by talking to others, learning the issues of the larger local community and helping out with them in whatever big or small way you can.
• Get adequate rest. Your mood will be more manageable and your body can more effectively fight stress when it's well-rested.
• Stop watching news channels that are telecasting the same carnage over and over. Also, don't watch a reality show or read a book that is stimulating, frightening or violent right before going to bed.
• Avoid excess caffeine intake, which can increase feelings of anxiety and agitation. Also avoid alcohol and tobacco; caffeine and nicotine both stimulate the central nervous system, so if you're going to indulge in these habits, at least don't do so for a few hours before bedtime. They will only disrupt your sleep cycle.
• Don't eat to overcome depression. Instead of walking into a fast food restaurant and ordering fries and a milkshake, take a walk, treat yourself to a movie, listen to music, read or call a friend. Plan enjoyable outings for yourself. Activities like listening to soft music, talking to a friend, drawing, writing, or spending time with a pet can also help reduce stress.

Sensible eating to help you relax

Sometimes the strongest longings for food occur when you're at your weakest, emotionally. Many people turn to food for comfort -- consciously or unconsciously -- when they're facing a difficult problem or looking to keep themselves occupied.

• Eat right -- You may feel like skipping meals or you may not feel hungry, but your body still needs nutritious food. But emotional eating, i.e. eating as a way to suppress stress, anger, anxiety, boredom, sadness or loneliness -- can make you pack on the pounds.
• Snack healthy -- If you feel the urge to eat between meals, choose a low-fat, low-calorie food, such as fresh fruit, vegetables with fat-free dip or unbuttered popcorn. Or test low-fat, lower calorie versions of your favorite foods to see if they satisfy your cravings.
• Try to eat at fairly regular intervals -- Don't skip breakfast. Include foods from the basic groups in your meals. Emphasize whole grains, vegetables and fruit, as well as low-fat dairy products and lean protein sources. When you fill up on the basics, you're more likely to feel fuller for longer.
• Eat only if you are hungry -- Often, emotional eating leads to overeating, especially high-calorie, sweet, salty and fatty foods. Is your hunger physical or emotional? If you ate just a few hours ago and don't have a rumbling stomach, you're probably not really hungry. Give the craving a few minutes to pass.
• To sleep well -- Drink a warm glass of low-fat milk before bed, the amino acid tryptophan in the milk will help make you sleepy. Avoid going to bed hungry or on a full stomach. Being hungry stimulates you, while being full can give you indigestion and heartburn.

In addition to the tips listed above, you can also soothe yourself by building a network of friends who can help you cope in a positive way. Or talk about your feelings in an online blog or chat room, share your experiences with others. Take a break from stressful situations. Work towards bringing both the society and your life back into order.

We offer our condolences to the families directly impacted by this tragedy. May we find strength as a country and as a people to stand up and show our resilience.