Appraisal Of Life

I have been working in IT sector from last 7 Years and have gone through the appraisal process in all the companies, I have worked with. In the existing company also, recenlty we had appraisal process. Since then I have trying to think about this word "Appraisal" and about the title. Let's try find out the actual meaning.

As per the meaning found on the internet, the word Appraisal means: "1. An act of assessing something or someone/ 2. An expert estimate of the value of something".

In the company, as per this process we are given a form which contains a set of goals, which are categorized as: Department Goal, Team Goal and, Individual Goal. The employees are asked to do a self assement and rate themselves for each goal. Then there is one-to-one interaction with the Manager who would re-assess the ratings. This process is followed every year so that the employees are made aware of the shortcomings and their achievements in the assessment year. This would help the employee to improve his/her perfromance in the next assessment year.

Now this is what we do every year in our professions, but have we ever done the same process of "Appraisal" in our personal "Life". This is a question that keeps on coming to my mind. We live our lives every single minute, every hour, days, months, and years, but probably have not done the assessment not in a single year. We have taken our lives for granted. As per the definition the Appraisal: "an expert estimiates the value". Who else other than "ourselves" can be the EXPERT of our lives. Now the question is what is to be assessed in our lives.

In the company we work for 8 hours every single day and assess the work that we do. We live our life 24 hours a day and during this time we interact with many people like in the office with our colleagues, during the travel with co-passangers in the bus or, train, at home with our family or relatives. So in our day-to-day life we have become a part of others people's life.

My Blog, named "Phoenix"

The day I created my blog, even I was not sure why did I choose this name, but the reason I created a blog was to keep a record of all the good thoughts / sayings that I came across. Till now all the posts on the blog are either copied from the emails received or, from other websites. I never posted anything written by me. But from today, I will start posting the writings of my own. Also, I have got a good reason behind choosing the name for my blog.

As you have already read the story of "Phoenix", in the blog's title that it is a Mythical Sacred Firebird who at the end of its lifecycle builds a nest with cinnamom twigs and burns both the nest as well as itself. From the ashes a new phoenix arises, and the bird is said to regenerate when hurt or wounded by a foe, and thus being almost immortal and invincible - a symbol of fire and divinity.

On this beautiful planet earth, we "Human Beings" tend to do everything instead of "Being Human". Each of us is running behind earning the worldy pleasures which we think are the MOST important in our lives. We have been putting so much effort to earn money, buy comforts like big house, car etc. for ourselves but have we been ever satisfied with what we have? Answer would always be "NO", instead have been putting even more efforts than before. In this whole process we have developed so much hatred in our hearts and even have hurted so many people around us. So, my reason behind naming the blog as mentioned was to keep a record of good thoughts which myself or anyone can go through anytime and as it is mentioned in the story of the phoenix, the bird burns itself and is regenerated being immortal. Similarly, not simply by reading such good thoughts but also by putting it in action into our lives we can burn the desires, the hatred in our hearts and improve ourselves to live much better life. Once we achieve doing this, we will be re-born like the "Phoenix" bird and after our death we will be immortal in the hearts of the people whose lives we have touched.

Since, good thoughts / sayings are not just restricted to emails/websites, it may be heard or said while interacting with people, may be friends, family, colleagues etc., around you, or, even from your own life experiences. As my mother tells me "You may tend to forget what you hear, but once you write it down, you would never forget and remember it by heart throughout your life". By posting such writings is small step that I have taken towards improving myself and hope to put all these good thoughts in action in my life.

Putting Pieces of World Together

A father was trying to read the newspaper, but his little son kept pestering him. Finally, the father grew tired of this and, tearing a page from the newspaper – one that bore a map of the world – he cut it into several pieces and handed them to his son.

‘Right, now you’ve got something to do. I’ve given you a map of the world and I want to see if you can put it back together correctly.’

He resumed his reading, knowing that the task would keep the child occupied for the rest of the day. However, a quarter of an hour later, the boy returned with the map.

‘Has your mother been teaching you geography?’ asked his father in astonishment.

‘I don’t even know what that is,’ replied the boy. ‘But there was a photo of a man on the other side of the page, so I put the man back together and found I’d put the world back together too.’

"What did I do to deserve this ?"

Sometimes we wonder,

"What did I do to deserve this ?" or "Why did God have to do this to me ?"

Here is a wonderful explanation!

God's Cake

A daughter is telling her Mother how everything is going wrong, she's failing algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend is moving away.

Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and the daughter says, "Absolutely Mom, I love your cake."

"Here, have some cooking oil," her Mother offers.

"Yuck" says her daughter.

"How about a couple raw eggs?" "Gross, Mom!"

"Would you like some flour then?

Or maybe baking soda?"

"Mom, those are all yucky!"

To which the mother replies: "Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake! "

God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!

God is crazy about you . He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart.

If you like this, send this on to the people you really care about.

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.

I just want to live like a TV

One day a teacher of a primary school asked her students to write a essay about what they would like God to do for them.

Later in the evening while checking those essays at home, she came across one that made her very emotional. Her husband, who just walked in saw her crying, enquired: “What happened?”

Handing over a sheet of paper, she answered, “Read this. It's an essay by one of my students”

The essay, “I just want to live like a TV” read as under:

Oh God, tonight I ask you something very special: Make me into a television. I want to take its place.

Live like the TV in my house. Have my own special place and have my family around ME.

To be taken seriously when I talk . . . I want to be the centre of attention and be heard without interruptions or questions.

I want to receive the same special care that the TV receives even when it is not working.

Have the company of my dad when he arrives home from work, even when he is tired. And I want my mom to want me when she is sad and upset, instead of ignoring me . . .

And . . . I want my brothers to fight to be with me . . . I want to feel that family just leaves everything aside, every now and then, just to spend some time with me.

And last but not least make it that I can make them all happy and entertain them.

Lord I don't ask you for much . . . I just want to live like every TV.”

Having finished reading the essay, the husband gravely remarked: “My God, poor kid. What horrible parents!”

Tears rolling down her cheek, she looked up at him and calmly said: “That essay is written by our son!!!”

Don't Blame Others For Your FAILURE

One of the fathers of psychology, Carl Young, says that none else is responsible for the failures of a person other than himself or herself. One has to climb many steps to reach the top of the ladder of success and just one wrong step may lead to one's fall. TO BE SUCCESSFUL and realise true potential, one has to persevere with full body and mind coordination.

Demon king Ravana became the target of despise because of his misbehaviour with women, and dictator Hitler, because of his hatred for Jews.

We come across people who succeed initially but slide into infamy because of their greed. Popularity acquired with persistence thus vanishes with just one wrong step in life.

Vinaasa kaale vipareeta buddhi is a wise saying in Telugu. A person who is not content even after reaching a comfortable position either in career or in life is bound to fail.

The slippery path

Any one of the following tendencies can jeopardize the career of any individual. They are negative thinking, ego, greed, trickery, impatience, vengeance, extortion, postponement, eccentricity, rigidity, self-pity, obsession and negligence. Such characteristics symbolise a negative person. Negative people jeopardize not only their lives but also of those dependent on them.

If, people, besides living in the present, begin to like others and their surroundings, the situation improves over a period. This is the success secret of many stalwarts viz. Dr. Abdul Kalam, Mother Therese and many a more.

You can alter your thoughts

Your thoughts are your own and you can modify them in the direction you want any time.

Your thoughts fall into two categories. Your thoughts may concern changing your behaviour to achieve a desired result or they concern your desire to achieve something.

People need to practice a lot to change their behaviour. For instance, the husband of a foolish woman, instead of trying to change his wife's behaviour, should strive to give up anger and develop patience. When the husband thus changes himself, he finds the world around him more beautiful.

Similarly, instead of blaming the boss for his/her bad behavior, a subordinate should ensure that he does not incense the boss.

EVERY THING IS POSSIBLE

If you want to achieve something, you have to change your negative thoughts into positive ones. There is nothing wrong with people desiring to earn a fortune.

To achieve the goal, they should not adopt dishonest means. Such behavior lands them in jail one day or the other

A person who held several important positions continued to indulge in irregularities, he had to bow out of office in shame.

Similarly, a senior bureaucrat who indulged in irregularities even after his retirement is cooling his heels behind the bars.

To lead a peaceful life, a person needs to be healthy. He or she should have enough income to support the family and confidence to steer it out of difficulties, and love-based friends and not need-based friends.

BE THANKFUL

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire. If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something, for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations, because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tired and weary, because it means you've made a difference.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things.

A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.

Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings.

Real Meaning of Christmas

A time for christmas trees, a time to sing carols,
A time for a new beginning and to end all our quarrels

A time to forgive, a time to start afresh
Its the season of good will, so let's hope we're all blessed

For the coming year holds, the hope of a new beginning
So we can learn from our mistakes and correct where we were sinning

My fear is this though, that somewhere in our minds
The real meaning of Christmas is somewhat in decline

What happened to the baby, in a manger who was born
Who came on to this earth, to repair all that was torn

The birth of a chosen one, Lord Jesus Christ His name
He taught us about one global family and said we're all the same

For Lord Christ came on to this Earth and taught us all to care
He broke his bread in half and told us all to share

The message that He left, is not just for a season
To bring people together, that was His real reason

So if I could have one wish for Christmas, what would it be?
It would be a wish for all and not just one for me

That all our words are sweet, that they hold a sweet flavour
My wish is that we can all, learn to love "thy neighbour"

That we can all, learn to love "thy neighbour"

Believe this and see the world

Once there was a small kid on earth.

One fine day it came to know that god is distributing apples to humans in his place at heaven.

The kid was so happy to receive that news and it went with lot of enjoyment to heaven to get the apple from god.

There was a big queue standing to get apple from god and this kid also joined in that queue.

While it was standing, it was fully excited and thrilled for the fact that it is going to receive in person from god's hands. Its turn too came and the kid showed its both the hands to receive apple.

God gave the apple but unfortunately the tiny hands couldn't hold that big apple. Apple fell down and got wasted in mud.

The kid got so disappointed.

The ministers near the god informed that if the kid likes to have an apple from god again then it has to again follow the queue.

Having waited for so long the kid didn't want to return back to earth with empty hands so it decided to wait again in the queue.

This time the queue has become even longer than the previous one. While waiting in queue, the kid could see lot of people who returns back with apple in hands and utmost satisfaction on their faces.

The kid was so much disappointed and thought why me alone didn't get the apple in hand when all others were easily able to get it.

What is the sin I did that I alone should suffer like this. Now the kid was so scared that it should not miss the apple again. Again its turn came and god gave the apple to the kid's hands and after giving the apple god spoke to the kid.

"My dear child, last time after giving you the apple only I noticed the apple I gave to you was a rotten apple and that's why I made that to fell down from your hands. Having given you a rotten apple, I felt bad for you and I wanted to give you the best apple in the farm and that time the best apple in the farm was growing and that's why I made you to wait such a long time in the queue. Here it is. Now the apple that you have in hand is 'The Best' apple in the farm till to date. Enjoy."

So, friends, sometimes it happens as even after we put our 100% dedication and commitment things may get delayed or things may go wrong. Believe that god has something great for us and that's why this has happened. Always say, 'Gratitude is absolutely the best way to bring more in one's life'.

Believe this and see the world... Your world will also look green...

A Lesson in Life

Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of good or bad luck. Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests, if they be events, illnesses or relationships, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere.

If someone hurts you, betrays you , or breaks you heart, forgive them. For they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to who you open your heart to.

If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because they are teaching you to love and opening your heart and eyes to things you would have never seen or felt without them.

Make every day count. Appreciate every moment and take from it everything that you possibly can, for you may never be able to experience it again.

Talk to people you have never talked to before, and actually listen. Hold your head up because you have every right to. Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don't believe in yourself, no one else will believe in you either.

You can make of your life anything you wish. Create your own life and then go out and live it.

How To Practice Spirituality

To become SPIRITUAL, you first have to be humane and practice HUMANITY. One cannot be Spiritual, if they lack humanity. And to practice the Humanity factor, one must first aim to be a SAINT.

A saint is not a person who is wearing a robe, walking around seeking alms, as we Indians, traditionally picture a saint to be. Instead, a Saint is someone who lives his life as per God’s rules and follows the scriptures. In today’s world, a saint can be found in a pair of jeans and sneakers!!! A saint is determined, not from what he is wearing or how he looks, but from how he lives his life. Becoming a saint, does not mean giving up the materialistic world. A true saint knows exactly how to create the perfect balance between the materialistic world and the spiritual world.

This year, aim on living your life like a SAINT because only a saint knows how to live spiritually, in this materialistic world. There are three steps to follow, if you want to aim on living like a saint: just remember the rule of the 3 S’s!….It’s SEWA, SATSANG & SIMRAN. Each of these “S” factors, further involve 3 aspects.

1. SEWA: is service: Service to mankind! Sewa is done in a GIVING MODE. When you serve others, serve irrespective of their caste, color or religious background. Just serve humans, with humanity! Sewa, should be “Nishkaam”: without any benefits in return. When the left hands gives, the right hand should not even find out. You normally do sewa in 3 ways: with your “tan, man & dhan”: your BODY, MIND and WEALTH. Doing sewa with your body involves physical work towards doing something for someone. Eg: physically going somewhere to run errands & chores for someone who is old or incapable, rendering care to the sick, donating blood, cooking for the hungry, cleaning and volunteering for your respective places of worship etc.

Sewa by mind, is wishing well for others and praying for their well being. Sewa by mind is also compromising to keep Harmony. Whenever we do sewa, our mind has to first become humble and give up the “I” factor. Never think that I: did something. Feel fortunate that God chose you to serve someone. Don’t forget that if He wanted, He could have easily done it Himself. Instead, He blessed YOU, with the opportunity. Every time we do sewa, always remember that we are just a medium via which God is getting something done. Hence, the importance of being humble. The minute we think that WE have done something, just take it, that we just flushed down all our efforts of sewa! Sewa is also done by spending your money for the benefit of others who are incapable. Buying food or groceries for the poor, medicines or treatments for the ones who cannot afford them, or spending your money to benefit the community because someone’s gotta do it!!!

2. The next S factor is SATSANG: or Congregation! Which is done in a RECEIVING MODE. Satsang means “sat ka sang” :the company of the truth. We all need to go to school or college to get materialistic knowledge. Similarly, we need to go to congregations and spiritual seminars to earn spiritual awareness. These are the grounds to seek inspiration and motivation to stay on the right track. The world today lacks spiritual knowledge and hence the motivation to remain spiritual, mainly because congregations or staying in the company of saints is not given enough importance. Just like the body needs food to keep it going, the Soul also requires nourishment with spiritual knowledge. A Satsang requires 3 aspects as well: GOING, LISTENING and IMBIBING: Your mind will always rationalize with you telling you that it is not a priority. But YOU, have to make the effort to GO to a satsang and then leave it up to GOD to help you learn. Making that initial effort to GO to a congregation, is vital to transforming you into a 21^st century saint. To benefit yourself from a congregation, you have to LISTEN and switch yourself into the receiving mode, because only then, will you be able to learn. And lastly, make sure your IMBIBE everything you hear, into your life. A true satsang starts AFTER you leave a satsang, because how much you imbibe into your life, determines how spiritual you are.

3. The last S factor is SIMRAN: or meditating upon God’s name, or simply praying to God. Simran, should always be done in a NEUTRAL MODE. Ideally, a prayer should not be asking for materialistic benefits. A prayer should involve 3 steps to ACKNOWLEDGE God, SURRENDER to God and SEEK from God. Acknowledge the fact that God, and God alone is the formless, all powering source, surrender yourself to Him and seek His forgiveness and blessings. A perfect prayer is as follows:

"Dear Formless God, I surrender to thee, please forgive me and bless me!!!"

Put yourself in a neutral frame of mind and meditate upon his name. Thinking about God and the awareness that He is around us, is also Simran.

Remember, we all have to eventually leave this world, and when we go, the only thing we take along is our Spiritual knowledge! Everything else is materialistic and is left behind. So invest in spirituality, it’s the most precious asset you can possess and every time you do Sewa, Satsang or Simran, its yet another installment paid towards that eternal investment.

Source: Radio Roohaniyat

Do We Perform Our Duties Well?

Once I saw a waiter performing his day-to-day tasks wearing gloves for maintaining proper hygiene. I was delighted to see that he is carrying out his duty in a hygienic way as desired. However it so happened that he , with the same gloved hand was itching his ear in between the work. My disappointment was very obvious and made me think that - our condition is also somewhat like him. We also are blessed with Gyaan(gloves) and as part of it, are required to do certain things (maintain hygiene) but in real lives we do not perform our duties well.

A Speech By Chetan Bhagat

Speech by Chetan Bhagat at Symbiosis ...worth reading it!

Don’t just have career or academic goals. Set goals to give you a balanced, successful life. I use the word balanced before successful. Balanced means ensuring your health, relationships, mental peace are all in good order.

There is no point of getting a promotion on the day of your breakup. There is no fun in driving a car if your back hurts. Shopping is not enjoyable if your mind is full of tensions.

"Life is one of those races in nursery school where you have to run with a marble in a spoon kept in your mouth. If the marble falls, there is no point coming first. Same is with life where health and relationships are the marble. Your striving is only worth it if there is harmony in your life. Else, you may achieve the success, but this spark, this feeling of being excited and alive, will start to die. ……………….

One thing about nurturing the spark - don't take life seriously. Life is not meant to be taken seriously, as we are really temporary here. We are like a pre-paid card with limited validity. If we are lucky, we may last another 50 years. And 50 years is just 2,500 weekends. Do we really need to get so worked up? …………….

It's ok, bunk a few classes, scoring low in couple of papers, goof up a few interviews, take leave from work, fall in love, little fights with your spouse. We are people, not programmed devices........."

"Don't be serious, be sincere."!!

10 principles for Peace of MIND

1. Do Not Interfere In Others' Business Unless Asked.

Most of us create our own problems by interfering too often in others' affairs. We do so because somehow we have convinced ourselves that our way is the best way, our logic is the perfect logic and those who do not conform to our thinking must be criticized and steered to the right direction, our direction. This thinking denies the existence of individuality and consequently the existence of God. God has created each one of us in a unique way. No two human beings can think or act in exactly the same way. All men or women act the way they do because God within them prompts them that way. Mind your own business and you will keep your peace.

2. Forgive And Forget.

This is the most powerful aid to peace of mind. We often develop ill feelings inside our heart for the person who insults us or harms us. We nurture grievances. This in turn results in loss of sleep, development of stomach ulcers, and high blood pressure. This insult or injury was done once, but nourishing of grievance goes on forever by constantly remembering it. Get over this bad habit. Life is too short to waste in such trifles. Forgive, Forget, and march on. Love flourishes in giving and forgiving.

3. Do Not Crave For Recognition.

This world is full of selfish people. They seldom praise anybody without selfish motives. They may praise you today because you are in power, but no sooner than you are powerless, they will forget your achievement and will start finding faults in you. Why do you wish to kill yourself in striving for their recognition? Their recognition is not worth the aggravation. Do your duties ethically and sincerely.

4. Do Not Be Jealous.

We all have experienced how jealousy can disturb our peace of mind. You know that you work harder than your colleagues in the office, but sometimes they get promotions; you do not. You started a business several years ago, but you are not as successful as your neighbor whose business is only one year old. There are several examples like these in everyday life. Should you be jealous? No. Remember everybody's life is shaped by his/her destiny, which has now become his/her reality. If you are destined to be rich, nothing in the world can stop you. If you are not so destined, no one can help you either. Nothing will be gained by blaming others for your misfortune. Jealousy will not get you anywhere; it will only take away your peace of mind.

5. Change Yourself According To The Environment.

If you try to change the environment single-handedly, the chances are you will fail. Instead, change yourself to suit your environment. As you do this, even the environment, which has been unfriendly to you, will mysteriously change and seem congenial and harmonious.

6. Endure What Cannot Be Cured.

This is the best way to turn a disadvantage into an advantage. Every day we face numerous inconveniences, ailments, irritations, and accidents that are beyond our control... If we cannot control them or change them, we must learn to put up with these things. We must learn to endure them cheerfully. Believe in yourself and you will gain in terms of patience, inner strength and will power.

7. Do Not Bite Off More Than You Can Chew.

This maxim needs to be remembered constantly. We often tend to take more responsibilities than we are capable of carrying out. This is done to satisfy our ego. Know your limitations. . Why take on additional loads that may create more worries? You cannot gain peace of mind by expanding your external activities. Reduce your material engagements and spend time in prayer, introspection and meditation. This will reduce those thoughts in your mind that make you restless. Uncluttered mind will produce greater peace of mind.

8. Meditate Regularly.

Meditation calms the mind and gets rid of disturbing thoughts. This is the highest state of peace of mind. Try and experience it yourself. If you meditate earnestly for half an hour everyday, your mind will tend to become peaceful during the remaining twenty-three and half-hours. Your mind will not be easily disturbed as it was before. You would benefit by gradually increasing the period of daily meditation. You may think that this will interfere with your daily work. On the contrary, this will increase your efficiency and you will be able to produce better results in less time

9. Never Leave The Mind Vacant.

An empty mind is the devil's workshop. All evil actions start in the vacant mind. Keep your mind occupied in something positive, something worthwhile . Actively follow a hobby. Do something that holds your interest. You must decide what you value more: money or peace of mind. Your hobby, like social work or religious work, may not always earn you more money, but you will have a sense of fulfillment and achievement. Even when you are resting physically, occupy yourself in healthy reading or mental chanting of God's name

10. Do Not Procrastinate And Never Regret.

Do not waste time in protracted wondering "Should I or shouldn't I?" Days, weeks, months, and years may be wasted in that futile mental debating. You can never plan enough because you can never anticipate all future happenings. Value your time and do the things that need to be done. It does not matter if you fail the first time. You can learn from your mistakes and succeed the next time. Sitting back and worrying will lead to nothing. Learn from your mistakes, but do not brood over the past. DO NOT REGRET. Whatever happened was destined to happen only that way. Why cry over spilt milk?

Law of the Garbage Truck

One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly.. So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!
'This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.' He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment.
As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets. The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so...Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't.
Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!

Saints love all. Their love flows from heart. Body is not the consideration; it is the invisible self or the soul that they love. It is devotion, which has always been shown by devotees or saints. Their love or devotion for God is always real, from the core of their hearts. It is never unreal or for show off. Neither they love God for worldly materials, because they know it is never the purpose. They know that worldly possessions can be had, perhaps more than anybody else, even by thieves, robbers and other evil doers:

सूत दारा और लक्ष्मी, पापी के भी होए; संत समागम हरी कथा, तुलसी दुर्लभ दोए.

A sinner, who does evil deeds may also find these things (son, wife and wealth) but the most valuable is the company of saints, the company of spiritual masters. And the saintly persons would love only this rare thing. They never depend on material goods. They only make use of them as per the need. Their real love is only for God. Their only reliance is this God, the Formless. They know that their devotion to God is the panacea for all kinds of diseases:

हरी को नाम सदा सुखदाई; जाको सिमर अजमल उब्रयो,गनका हूँ गत पी.

The nectar of God's Name (praise) has always brought relief, produced happiness. Worldly materials are not always the same. Their impact too varies. One thing may be useful at one time, but the same thing may prove harmful at some other. We know that milk gives strength to the body. But in diarrhoea, the doctor always advises one to stop taking milk. Different materials of the world have different uses, different effects. But the divine praise has been described as always soothing. It gives happiness when we are unhappy. In fact whosoever has given it place in his mind, sought its protection, rises above all ups and downs of life and enjoys peace all the time in all situations. A saint is so firmly aligned with God that he never fumbles. He does not give up his saintly character, whatever the circumstances:

संत न छोरें संतई, कोटिक मिलें असतं; चंदन विष व्यापत नहीं, लिपटे राहत भुजंग.

It means, just as the sandal tree does not give up its coolness, its fragrance (even when it is coiled by snakes), similarly, a saint does not leave the path shown by Satguru, does not give up service of others.

Difference between teacher and a guru

A teacher explains the world and its nature to you,
A guru explains yourself and your nature to you.

A teacher makes you understand how to move about in the world.
A guru shows you where you stand in relation to the world.

A teacher gives you knowledge and boosts your ego.
A guru takes away your knowledge and punctures your ego.

A teacher gives you maturity.
A guru returns you to innocence.

A teacher instructs you on how to solve problems.
A guru shows you how to resolve issues.

A teacher is a systematic thinker.
A guru is a lateral thinker.

A teacher will punish you with a stick.
A guru will punish you with compassion.

A teacher is to pupil what a father is to son.
A guru is to pupil what mother is to her child.

One can always find a teacher.
But a guru has to find and accept you.

A teacher leads you by the hand.
A guru leads you by example.

When a teacher finishes with you, you graduate.
When a guru finishes with you, you celebrate.

When the course is over you are thankful to the teacher.
When the discourse is over you are grateful to the guru.

Brick !

About ten years ago, a young and very successful executive named Josh was traveling down a Chicago neighborhood street. He was going a bit too fast in his sleek, black, 12 cylinder Jaguar XKE, which was only two months old.He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something. As his car passed, no child darted out, but a brick sailed out and - WHUMP! - it smashed Into the Jag's shiny black side door! SCREECH..!!!! Brakes slammed! Gears ground into reverse, and tires madly spun the Jaguar back to the spot from where the brick had been thrown. Josh jumped out of the car, grabbed the kid and pushed him up against a parked car. He shouted at the kid, "What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing?!" Building up a head of steam, he went on. "That's my new Jag, that brick you threw is gonna cost you a lot of money. Why did you throw it?"

"Please, mister, please. . . I'm sorry! I didn't know what else to do!" Pleaded the youngster. "I threw the brick because no one else would stop!" Tears were dripping down the boy's chin as he pointed around the parked car. "It's my brother, mister," he said. "He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up." Sobbing, the boy asked the executive, "Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me."

Moved beyond words, the young executive tried desperately to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. Straining, he lifted the young man back into the wheelchair and took out his handkerchief and wiped the scrapes and cuts, checking to see that everything was going to be OK. He then watched the younger brother push him down the sidewalk toward their home.

It was a long walk back to the sleek, black, shining, 12 cylinder Jaguar XKE -a long and slow walk. Josh never did fix the side door of his Jaguar. He kept the dent to remind him not to go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at him to get his attention. . . Some bricks are softer than others. Feel for the bricks of life coming at to you. For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has positive answers.

How To Speak The Truth

There was a benevolent king and as normal human he had weakness for astrologers and their sooth saying. In the kingdom there was a good Brahmin highly learned in astrology and had mastered the subject of different ancient masters in the subject. But he normally does not predict for others. Hearing of his depth of knowledge, the king called him to palace. He was offered a good place to stay in and extended all the facilities. The king gave a copy of his horoscope and asked him to review and tell him the findings.

On the review it was clear to the Brahmin that the king shall loose all his close relatives and friends and shall be lonely during his last days. As the Brahmin is determined to tell the truth always he bluntly told the truth. “Oh, My Respectful King you are destined to loose all your close relatives and friends and shall be lonely during your last days”. These words angered the king who immediately ordered him to go out of his kingdom. The Brahmin was very much upset.

Taking pity on him the minister asked him why he predicted so. He replied that I have followed the Dictum of Vedas- “Satayam Vadha” “TELL TRUTH”. He advised the Brahmin to follow the orders of the king and present himself after about a year growing beard and with some facial lift. He may then offer to predict again. But the Brahmin insisted to tell the truth only then too. To that the minister brought forth another dictum of Vedas- Jigwah madu mathhthama”- LET MY TONGUE BE HONEYED”.

The Brahmin reappeared after a long time and as advised by the minister with the facial lift and beard etc not easily recognizable. He offered king to give astrological counsel, to which the king readily agreed.The Brahmin exclaimed “Oh, My Respectful King, you have a very long life, and till your end you shall be a prosperous king. Your life time is so long you shall out live all you close relatives and friends.” This pleased the king greatly who awarded him generously and honored him. After all the predictions were same but put up so beautifully, and coated with honey.

Hence we pray “LET THE TONGUE BE HONEYED”

Avtar Bani Verse

EK TU HI NIRANKAR [10]
Bande upar vekh jara eh suraj chand sitare ne,
Chamak inha di mukni ek din, mit jaane eh saare ne,
Hethaan vekh jameen aag paani teenaa da vistaar bada,
Ek din ehne vi nahin rehna disday jo sansar khada,
Vaayu jeev aakash vichale suksham roop hai jinna da,
Sada layi eh mit jana aey jod jo judye tinna da,
Eh nau cheeza drishtman ne jisnoo kehnde maya ae,
Dasva brahm inha to nayara ehna vich samaya eh,
Eh sabho kujh mitt jana ae baki kujh nahin rehna yaar,
Kahe avatar hai eho sab kujh is noo hi kehande nirankar

EK TUHI NIRANKAR[10]

O' man, behold above, you see the sun, the moon and the stars;

Their luster will go one day, and they all shall vanish.

Down below, you have the earth, the fire and the water, with vast ramifications;

All the visible world shall too perish one day.

In between, you find the air, the life-spirit and the sky, all in their subtle form;

The close combination of the three shall also end once for all.

These nine elements, which constitute the 'matter' can be seen or visualized;

The Tenth is the Supreme Being (Brahm), distinct from the nine, yet present in them all.

O' my friends, all that is visible shall go and the Nothing shall remain at last;

Avtar says, what remains is, of course, the Everything and this is known as the Formless God (NIRANKAR).