Beautiful lotus, easy metaphor

The lotus is an amazing flower. Not only is it a symbol of wisdom and purity, it has a range of spiritual overtones that serve as popular aids to learning.

The lotus, emerging from the water and standing above it - undrenched and unsullied - has come to be accepted as a symbol of enlightenment and purity of mind in Buddhist and Hindu thought. Not only is the lotus in bloom a pretty sight, it evokes positive thoughts in one who links it with his own journey on the spiritual path.

The image of the flower has profound connotations and can be so easily used to interpret and explain the Buddha's transcendence, the non-attachment concept of the Bhagavad Gita, and the evolution of our consciousness, the cause and effect theory of karma, and a host of other teachings.

The lotus is closely linked to the sun. It opens when the sun rises and closes when the sun sets. The eight petals of the flower could be taken to signify the eight noble paths. The white coloured lotus stands for mental purity and spiritual perfection, the red for purity of heart, love and compassion, the blue for wisdom and the pink lotus is often considered as the supreme lotus reserved for the most exalted deity.

In each one of us, the lotus can be visualised seated on the crown in a subtle form of a thousand petals opening upwards to receive divine cosmic energy. A closed lotus indicates an innate potential for enlightenment and an open blossom signifies an evolved consciousness. In paintings and sculptures, Buddha - the enlightened one - is often shown seated on a fully blossomed lotus for this reason.

The sacred lotus can be found in depictions of many Hindu gods and goddesses, too. Lakshmi, Saraswati, even Ganesh sometimes, are shown seated on the sacred lotus. Brahma the creator is depicted as seated on a fully opened lotus flower. The four faces of Brahma represent the four Vedas.

The lotus has the power to self-exist and self-regenerate and this shows the continuity of birth and rebirth. In the Statham Brahmna, the lotus is a symbol of the womb. Hence the flower is a symbol of life and fertility.

The karma principle can be explained easily with the help of the lotus. The flower signifies human life as being governed by cause and effect. Every cause produces an imprint leading to an effect that can be experienced during the doer's lifetime or in his future life.

The Buddhist mantra 'Om Mani Padme Hum' refers to the lotus. Here it signifies wisdom. In the Bhagavad Gita, non-attachment to the objects of sense perception is compared to a lotus or padma. "Any person who dedicates all his karma to the Supreme, and carries them out without clinging to the result, remains unblemished by karmas just as the lotus is untouched and undrenched by water."

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When money makes you sick

A former New Zealand bank teller, who fell sick after handling large amounts of currency notes in an unventilated vault, says "money is the filthiest stuff you could ever imagine".

Stephanie Connell, 52, suffered from depression, body rash and exhaustion and some some of the symptoms remain 18 months after leaving the job.

She took up a bulk teller's position in March 2007 after working as a Westpac teller for almost 10 years, The Press reported Monday.

Connell worked in "an unventilated vault, about the size of a double garage" where she constantly handled notes and ripped the tops of plastic bags containing money.

"There was a lot of green dust coming off the $20 bills that we ran through the bill counter.

"Money is the filthiest stuff you could ever imagine. You can absorb the dust through your hands, but I was inhaling it as well," she was quoted as saying.

By July 2008, Connell had "waves of anxiety, difficulty breathing, and a chemical, metallic taste" in her mouth.

The symptoms would clear overnight, but return at work. She was bedridden for several weeks and referred to a psychiatrist.

"They took my health and my livelihood. I thought, if this is the way I'm living, I want to die."

She browsed the internet and found the multiple-chemical sensitivity syndrome that matched her symptoms.

General practitioner Ted Pearson said in a letter to the bank's union: "The symptoms and harm suffered by Stephanie were the direct result of her exposure to dust and fumes whilst handling money, not from any other non-work activities or environments".

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30 Minutes to calm

Yoga guru Surakshit Goswami analyses the fickle and restless mind and says just half-an-hour of Pran

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Yoga of universal brotherhood

All that which falls within the purview of the five senses is known as the empirical.

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5 Ways to healthy living

If you think having a perfect state of health is a Herculean task, think twice. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

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Three cups of tea

Sara Abdulla remembers the octogenarian nun she befriended at the age of 16

I had met Sister Stansila while I was studying in the 11th grade in St. Ursuline. She was an octogenarian, who had been a pioneer in starting the Montessori school in our town. One evening after school, as I was returning home by car, I had observed an old nun. She seemed to be waiting for a rickshaw and I offered her a lift... this was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

The next day, I was summoned to the visiting room of the convent. At first, I wondered if my mischievous pranks in class had been noticed. But then I saw Sister Stansila. She had called me over to express her gratitude. Over tea, she asked me what my dream for the future was. I grinned sheepishly... I was enjoying school life and had not given a moment's thought to my future. Not particularly interested in science, I had vowed that after my 12th standard exams I wouldn't touch physics, chemistry or biology...

"My child, you must become a doctor, Jesus was a doctor; he could heal the minds and body of people," said the devout Sister.

Soon, I grew to be her regular visitor at the convent. A bond was formed between us. She once told me, "I was more beautiful than you at your age. People would stare at me when I went to college." I laughed at her twinkling eyes and retorted, "If you were so pretty, why did you shut yourself in a convent?"

She would tell me of her struggles and how she became a nun. Even at that age, she would dream of setting up new schools. Strangely enough, I never took the trouble of formally inviting Sister Stansila home, but in her own charming way, she gained a place in my home.

My grandfather was ailing, and he would complain that God was not calling him. Sister consoled him saying that the years of enjoyment and work were over and the years of prayer and love remained.

Over time, after many an argument with me, Sister resigned herself to the fact that I would not become a doctor. The 12th grade soon got over and I decided to pursue a degree in psychology from a noteworthy college in Mangalore. Sister Stansila was overjoyed hearing that I had decided to try to heal the minds of unwell people. She told my mother that I must meet her before I left for my studies.

Excited about moving out from home, shifting to Mangalore took precedence over everything else. I decided to meet her the first weekend I was home. I rushed to the convent only to be told that Sister Stansila had passed away that Friday night. As I stood in silence in the little cemetery, only two words came to my lips "Thank you".

I used to tell Sister, "I will marry a handsome prince and live happily ever after." Sister then gave me a bit of advice that I have never forgotten, "If you make two cups of tea, one for your husband and one for yourself, then you have not made use of God's gift of life. Make three cups of tea and give the third cup to a stranger and your life will be blessed."

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Lessons in life Dhoni gave us

The Indian captain did many things right to help us lift that cup. Psychiatrist Dr Harish Shetty tells you what you can learn from him
While you're basking in the glory of India's world cup victory, you may as well take some tips from M S Dhoni on how to stay on top of your game. Psychiatrist Dr Harish Shetty decodes the mantras that have made our captain among the greatest of all times.

Let criticism inspire you
During the presentation ceremony of the 20-20 World Cup, Dhoni looked at Ravi Shashtri and, with a genuine smile, said, "I remember you called us underdogs and so we have won the cup for you". Here is a man who does not collapse under the weight of a comment from an important cricketer but works forward with gusto, logic and a renewed determination. When important people undermine or underestimate you, get in touch with your feelings of fear, dread, anger or sadness and convert these into greater resolve. As a kid, Sachin Tendulkar too would not rest till he had defeated his friends in a table tennis match after a loss at his old residence Sahitya Sahawas.

Move on
When India loses, Dhoni often publicly accepts the team's shortfalls but does not dwell on them for long. During one loss, he said, "This match is over, let's plan for the next". Unlike captains of yesteryears, who would brood, ruminate and introspect too much, our reigning captain has mastered the art of leaving things behind. Fear and disappointment are not allowed to percolate his mind. Just focus on newer frontiers with a fresh pair of eyes and a refreshed mood. Do not be the victim of excessive critical appraisal from yourself or others. It may paralyse you.

Us, not I
On the day of victory, the World Cup was in every player's hands, except Dhoni's. A couple of years ago, Dhoni asked Anil Kumble to take the cup after a victory in a test series. His genuine affection for his team is visible and the bonding is strong. He has praise for all but neither did he mince words when Gambhir failed to make his 100 due to a bad shot. He is genuine, even blunt. He has publicly made statements such as, "Our middle order should perform" or "Sreeshanth should behave".

Stay cool
Dhoni is cool during tense moments. No sledging, or rash words. It would be interesting to learn more about his self-talk. It probably involves thoughts such as 'Calm down', 'Focus now' or "Let me try something new'. The feeling of dread and fear is allowed to pass. He probably observes these emotions come and go on his mind screen. This thought process is visible on his face that remains childlike many a time during a crisis. So, when the chips are down, just observe your feelings as they come. If you find yourself fretting or yelling, you have been hijacked emotionally and will lose friends and battles. If not, creative responses will emerge.

Keep at it
MSD teased Ravi Shashtri by saying, "If we had lost, many questions — why Sreeshanth, why did I bat before Yuvraj — would have been asked". His getting into the middle of a battle shows he loves challenges and does not bother with incessant advice from exgreats. Like Anil Kumble, who shared at his retirement that he ignored all criticism during his lean period and persisted, our captain also practices 'dogged perseveration with risk-taking'. The Dhoni mantra is clear — persevere while down, take risks and obey your instincts.

Gratitude
Lastly but importantly, Dhoni feels and expresses his gratitude openly. After the win, he said, "I chose to come before and Gary backed me". Thanking 'Gary and Paddy', and others significant to his performance as well as that of the team, comes naturally to him. Gratitude is a part of his personality.

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Yoga reduces irregular heartbeat, anxiety

A new US study has revealed that yoga can halve the number of episodes of a potentially dangerous irregular heartbeat, known as atrial fibrillation, and improve the symptoms of anxiety and depression often associated with the condition.

Previous research has demonstrated the positive impact of yoga on overall heart health like lowering high blood pressure and cholesterol levels, but this is the first study to examine its benefits specifically on patients with atrial fibrillation.

"These findings are important because many of the current conventional treatment strategies for atrial fibrillation include invasive procedures or medications with undesirable side effects," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted Dhanunjaya Lakkireddy, lead author of the study and an associate professor with the University of Kansas Hospital, as saying.

The study involved 49 patients with the heart rhythm disorder who had no physical limitations and no prior experience with yoga. Their episodes of irregular heartbeat were measured for a six-month period by researchers at the hospital.

During the first three months, patients were allowed to participate in any physical activity they liked.

For the remaining three months, they underwent a supervised yoga program that involved breathing exercises, yoga postures, meditation and relaxation.

Forty-five minute yoga sessions with a certified professional were held three times each week, and patients were encouraged to practice daily yoga exercises at home.

Heart monitors measured episodes of irregular heartbeat throughout the trial.

On average, yoga cut episodes of the irregular heartbeat in half, while also significantly reducing depression and anxiety scores and improving scores in physical functioning, general health, vitality, social functioning and mental health, the researchers found.

Considering its low cost and benefits, Lakkireddy said yoga should be considered in overall treatment of atrial fibrillation and other heart rhythm problems.

The findings were presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology being held in New Orleans.

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Are you living a good life?

Don't envy anyone: Be spontaneous and keep your life uncluttered from feelings of envy. Says filmmaker and columnist, Pritish Nandy, "I have only three simple rules. Fall in love whenever you want to. It's the surest way to happiness. Never be envious of anyone. Envy is lowly. Try yoga. It never fails you."


Work on yourself
You are responsible for what you're thinking and the person you ultimately are. Work on yourself everyday. Focus on the larger picture even as you fulfil your daily responsibilities. Says theatreperson Lushin Dubey, "I try to make each day rich for myself, starting with prayer in the morning and ending with prayer in the evening. I fill the day with what I love most, ie, my work. In between, I fulfil my duties as a mother, wife and daughter because I truly believe that one has to feed one's own 'self' along with what we owe others. This constitutes a balanced way of living."


Don't take tension
Get a good night's sleep. And that takes some effort, ensuring there are no unresolved conflicts or negative situations crowding your mind when you hit the pillow. Recommends former diplomat and author Bhaichand Patel, "Don't let anything disturb your sleep. Don't take tension. Walk away from unpleasant situations and people. It's not worth the hassle. I prefer to stick to people who like me and who I like. If you're at fault, apologise and move on."

Learn a skill
Have a goal that fires your imagination and makes you feel alive as you pound away at it. Says author Chetan Bhagat, "It could be learning a skill, getting a qualification, a promotion or your health-related goals. Without goals, life becomes directionless and even with all the money and comforts in the world, quite dissatisfying. When the goal is achieved, set a new one. Don't kill yourself over it but keep making efforts to reach it."

Dance and sing without inhibition
Listen to your inner voice and stay true to yourself. Says writer Shobhaa De, "Trust your judgement, go with your intuition rather than logic sometimes and never compromise on your values and principles.... Dance and sing without inhibition — that's the best therapy in the world."

Life is about compassion, surprise and wonderment
Don't wonder at the purpose of life... feel grateful for the fact that you're alive. And allow this awareness to enrich every moment of your day. Says Deepak Chopra, "I've lived in the constant awareness that my existence is a highly unlikely event. That I exist is a constant source of wonder and surprise. This has made me ever grateful and made love and compassion the most important values of life."

Accept the bad with dignity
Go slow on expectations from the world around. Don't sweat the small or big stuff and take ups and downs in your stride. Says artist Akbar Padamsee, "Never plan. When things don't turn out the way we wished, we get frustrated. Accept a situation for what it is... there is always a reason for it."

Don't retire from life
Don't rest on past laurels. Bhaichand Patel remarks, "Even when you retire, don't retire from life. Don't wake up at 8 am not knowing what to do with your day." Dev Anand is an ideal example. When a publicist met the veteran actor and praised his past movies, he retorted that he would rather focus on his upcoming movies!

Nurture your own garden
Be creatively occupied in making your house a home and keeping close ties with nature. Khushwant Singh in his book Absolute Khushwant recommends, "Rented places can never give you the comfort or security of a home that is yours for keeps. If it has garden space, all the better. Plant your own trees and flowers, see them grow and blossom, and cultivate a sense of kinship with them."

The gift of giving
Make charity a part of your daily routine by giving leftovers to the needy, fruits to street kids, etc. Says Sunita Menon, "It's the basic principle of karma in action, and you get back what you give. The act of charity also makes you feel good and encourages detachment, as you learn to give away material possessions. Start small, by giving away Rs 10 or Rs 100 or dig into your cupboard. Just give!"

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Tuning in to the rhythm of life

We are not here on earth to struggle for a satisfying existence, or just exist aimlessly to the whims of our destiny. The Vedic view is that cessation of all misery is the purpose of human birth.

This can be achieved only through complete liberation of our consciousness. Good and evil, happiness and misery only exist in the mind of the observer. The conditioning of the mind is dictated by the manner in which we live. No one on earth can live a self-indulgent, indiscipline and wanton life and hope that this lifestyle will not affect his state of mind, for it would impact all his perceptions and circumstances.

Even our subsequent departure from this world would not alleviate our distress, because the cycle of birth and death is endless. Only Self-knowledge can free us from miseries. Self-knowledge can be achieved by living right. According to the Vedas, there are four values that are to be cultivated by any individual for living right. That is, there are four main purposes to human life. They are: Moral perfection, worldly attainment, fulfilment of legitimate desires and liberation. The first three values have meaning only when they are aimed at the fourth one. Only when the major aim is liberation, can an individual remain centred while following the other three tenets, else he may tend to become arrogant, greedy, power-hungry and immoral.

We live a life of moral perfection when we live in tune with our real Self, thereby always being in tune with the rhythm of life. We discover how to function in an optimum manner, and have the full support of Providence to evolve because Nature is always inclined towards progression. This is also known as 'the righteous way to live'. All our behaviours then become constructive, life enhancing and appropriate.

When we have a harmonious relationship with the Universe, it provides for all our needs. Whatever is required to make our lives satisfying, unfolds spontaneously. We are always in the flow of harmonious relationships and supportive circumstances. But we should also cultivate the faith that whatever is showing up is for our highest good. Impatience does not have spiritual virtue. With unshakeable faith in God, we should be joyous and enthusiastic always.

When our life-enhancing, legitimate desires are fulfilled, life is fulfilling, enjoyable and we can devote ourselves to higher learning and practice. As spiritual beings we have this ability to have our desires fulfilled by gentle intention. We do not have to apply great effort or struggle to have them fulfilled. As our awareness increases we are naturally in a state of fulfilment. We only need to acknowledge our desires and have complete faith that they will be soon fulfilled.

As spiritual beings we cannot be satisfied only living a life of contentment, worldly attainment and having our desires fulfilled. Without spiritual unfolding of our consciousness, we would always remain disgruntled and despite the fulfillment of the first three ideals, we would still be prone to getting waylaid. The first three practices make our lives satisfying so we can devote ourselves to the fourth and most important ideal. All four resolutions are interrelated and work in conjunction. We can demonstrate commitment to spiritual practice by making it the focal point of our lives. All actions and thoughts should be conducted from that platform. As we keep progressing on our path with full dedication, we are forever assured of God's grace.

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