Topic 2

.................coming soon..................

Topic 1

.................coming soon..................

Motto of Olympics

Speech by Adit:

Importance

·         Olympic Games has got special importance because these Olympic Games are held only once in every four years for all the countries in our world.

·         They are more important and valuable than other world championships, which are often held annually.

·         Many athletes have become celebrities or heroes in the world, after becoming Olympic champions.

Brief History of Olympics

·         The Olympic Games is an international multi-sport event.

·         The original and ancient Olympic Games were first recorded in 776 B.C. in Olympia, Greece and were celebrated until 393 A.D.

·         The international Olympic committee was founded in 1894 on the initiative of a French gentle man, Pierre de Coubertin.

·         People welcomed the august opening of the games. The first modern Olympic Games were the 1896 Olympics, held in Athens, Greece.

Meaning of Olympic Symbol

·         The Olympic Rings are the most widely used symbol. These five intertwined rings represent the unity of the five continents: Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia and Americas (North and South Americas regarded as one continent).

Motto of Olympics:

·         The Olympic motto is Citius, Altius, Fortius, which is Latin for “Swifter, Higher, Stronger”.

·         It means “with the true spirit of the game, we maintain faster, higher and stronger values/standards.

·         The informal motto added by Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games. It is “The most important thing is not to win but to take part!”

Olympic Sports:

·         Currently, the Olympic program consists of 35 different sports, 53 disciplines and more than 400 events.

·         In recent years, the IOC (International Olympic Committee) has added several new sports to the program to attract attention from young spectators. Examples of such sports include snowboarding and beach volleyball.

Highlights of Previous Olympics:

1896 Athens, Greece:

·         Nine sports were on the original Olympic program in 1896:

o   Athletics

o   Cycling

o   Fencing

o   Gymnastics

o   Weightlifting

o   Shooting

o   Swimming

o   Tennis and

o   Wrestling

1904 St. Louis, Missouri, US:

·         First games at which gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded for first, second and third places.

·         Included Boxing to the initial list of 9 sports.

1912 Stockholm, Sweden:

·         In athletics, electronic timing devices were first used

1924 Paris, France:

·         The Olympic motto “Citius, Altius, Fortius” (Faster, Higher, Stronger), was used for the first time.

1936 Berlin, Germany:

·         The Olympic Flame was used in previous Olympic games, but this marked the first time it was brought to the Olympic Town by a torch relay, with the starting point in Olympia, Greece.

·         Basketball and handball made their debut at the Olympics

1984 Los Angeles, California, US:

·         Carl Lewis makes his first of four appearances in the Olympics, and equals the performance of Jesse Owens of 1936 and wins four gold medals in the 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay and the Long Jump.

1996 Atlanta, Georgia, US:

·         A record 197 nations, all current IOC member nations, take part, with a record 79 of them winning at least one medal.

2004 Athens, Greece:

·         202 nations participated in this Olympics

·         Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, concerns about terrorism were much higher. Over all, 2004 Olympics ended with good note.

2008 Beijing, China:

·         XXIX Beijing Olympics were kicked off on 08/08/08 at 08:08:08

·         205 nations participated in this sports festival despite the Tibet issue.

·         The 2008 Olympics have seen the return of 28 sports, and held 302 events.

Olympics Problems:

1.       Violence:

·         1916, 1940, 1944 – No Olympics were held because of World War I and II

·         1972 Munich, West Germany: The Games were marred by what has come to be known as the Munich massacre. On 5^th September, a group of 8 Palestinian terrorists belonging to the Black September organization broke into the Olympic village and took eleven Israeli athletics hostage in their apartment, soon killing two of them in the apartment.

·         1996 Atlanta, US: Bomb blast at Olympic village, which killed one spectator and 11 injured.

2.       Boycott:

·         1956 Melbourne, Australia:

o   Egypt, Iraq and Lebanon announced they wouldn’t participate in the Olympics because of Suez Crisis, in which the British and French’s involvement.

o   The Soviet handling of the Hungarian revolution led to the absence of Spain, the Netherlands and Switzerland.

o   These two instances are starting point for the bad trend of boycott the prestigious Olympic games for their political benefits. Interestingly, the games were nicknamed “the Friendly Games”.

·         1980 Moscow, USSR: Boycott led by the United States followed by 64 other countries in protest of the 1970 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

·         1984 Los Angeles, US: In view of the American-led boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics, the Soviet-led boycott of the 1984 Olympics caused 14 Eastern Bloc countries and allies including the Soviet Union, Cuba and East Germany boycott these Olympics.

3.       Doping:

·         1988 Seoul, South Korea: Canadian Ben Johnson wins the 100m in a new world record, but disqualified later he tests positive for stanozolol / steroid.

4.       Politics:

·         1936 Berlin, Germany: Nazi influence on sporting event.

·         1964 Tokyo, Japan: Unfortunately for Japan Olympic Games, the first nuclear test in China took more attention during the Olympics.

Conclusion:

·         Olympic Games should not be a reflection of political views.

·         Olympics is the not stage that one can express their political views.

·         We should not mix politics with the games. There are other ways to express the political issues.

·         It’s responsibility of each and every nation to protect this great sports event from the controversies, political issues and to run in friendly atmosphere and sportive environment.

·         It’s not only the athletes, the sporting authorities, people has to set standards in enjoying this sports festival and to spread the true spirit of the sports.

We wish the 2012 London Olympics will run smoothly without any issues and wish London Olympics will script a new chapter in Olympic Games without any controversies.

Ardas

................coming soon.................

Benefits of Globalization to the world economy

Article written by Adit:

Globalization is a powerful factor for growth in the developing world, and it is one of the most influential forces in determining the future course of our world. It has many dimensions: economic, political, security, environmental, health, social, cultural and others. The main focus is on how the "globalization" improves the world economy.

Amnon Levy-Livermore observes globalization as “a force for advancing the world economy” (42). There are many important aspects to globalization. Some of its features stem from the effects of competition that it entails. Globalization can contribute to their containment through the beneficial effects of competition and the potential for global cooperation to treat economic and other threats that our world is facing. One can see globalization as a positive development and it must be understood that it has changed the world economic system and poses both opportunities and challenges.

Globalization leads to an increase in worldwide trade. It has involved greater openness in the international economy. There has been a remarkable growth not only in traditional international trade in goods and services, but also in exchange of currencies, in technology transfer, in people moving through international travel and migration, and in international flow of information and ideas.

Globalization has had significant benefits to all the economies of the world, with manifold effects. It affects the production of goods and services. It also affects the employment of labor and other inputs into the production process. In addition, it affects investment, both in physical capital and in human capital. It affects technology and results in the diffusion of technology from initiating nations to other nations. It also has major effects on efficiency, productivity and competitiveness. Globalization has led to growing competition on a global basis (AharoniandNachum 235). Daniel Drezner points out that there are many beneficial effects of competition that can increase production or efficiency (841). Specialization and the division of labor, with their implications for increases in production, now exist not just in a nation but also on a worldwide basis.

Globalization is a very positive force that lifts countries out of poverty. It causes a virtual economic cycle associated with faster economic growth. Nico Van Stokrom, Frank Bonger, LeslieNootenboom and Wim Tebbens mention that the workers in the developing countries now have more occupational choices than ever before (167). Competition and the widening of markets can lead to specialization and division of labor which in turn helps for an increase in production on the worldwide basis. Thus globalization has the potential for increased output and living standards. The result is a potential for human well-being throughout the world. For instance, China has benefited enormously from globalization as a result of which thousands of people have been lifted from poverty and have improved their standard of living.

Therefore, globalization is a positive force offering opportunities. The net result of globalization depends crucially on the nature of the world system. In a cooperative world globalization benefits the economies of the world.

Works Cited

Levy-Livermore, Amnon. Handbook on the Globalization of the World Economy.Cheltenham,UK; Northampton, MA, USA: Edward Elgar, 1998. Print.

Aharoni, Yair and Lilach, Nachum. Globalization of Services: Some Implications for Theoryand Practice. London; New York: Routledge, 2000. Print.

Drezner, Daniel. “Globalization, harmonization, and competition: the different pathways topolicy convergence.” Journal of European Public Policy 12.5 (2005): 841-859. Print.

Van Stokrom, Nico, Frank Bonger, Leslie Nootenboom, and Wim Tebbens. “Globalization andthe effect on national accounts: Practical examples.” Statistical Journal of the UN EconomicCommission for Europe 23.2 (2006): 167-178. Print.

Written by: Adit
Oct 2011, Minneapolis MN

The Influence of the World’s Creative Class

Article written by Adit:

In this world, some great people were born for the society and to do social service in different ways to make our world a better place to live. Through the centuries, some great people were born in this world, to navigate, to guide this world for making a life worth living on the Earth. I would like to present, how the “Creative Class” of great scientists and engineers has transformed our world.

The innovation, creativity and originality could bring the change and development in our world and that makes our world into a better place to live with lot of comforts. Many great scientists were born in this world; they made the mark and showed us the path for making this world to a better place to live with more comforts. I would like to explain how they made the impression in this world and would like to emphasize how they influence us with their scientific skills. The different sets of great people, whose role can be divided into: the role of the great scientists, the role of the great engineers.

The role of the great Scientists

The only constant is change. The innovation, creativity and originality will be essential in bringing change in our world. The notion is that the world is a creative place and so the scientists have showed their distinct innovative skills and gave us many great structures. They are the agents of change. Great scientists have brought change in the world with their theory and formulas. They have laid the stepping stones for the scientific advancement and industrial growth. Their theory and design in the laboratory has showed the way to the industry and resulted many devices and machines developed by engineers in the industry. If these great scientists had not born in the world, we would have gone in different direction and it would have been a long journey to make this world as comfortable as it is today with many devices and machines.

They navigated our world with their innovative ideas. Their design models, methods have brought rapid change in scientific field. This in turn, boosted the growth of economic development and thus changed the life style of people in our world. They left their impressions in this world and showed the path for future generations.

The 20^th century’s great scientists have laid the stepping stones for scientific revolution. The world has benefited with their formulas, scientific experiments and innovative thoughts. Now 21^st century’s scientists are continuing their legacy and doing lot of experiments and groundwork to bring practical approach for their new theories and ideas.

The role of the great engineers

Great engineers have brought the change in the world with their great effort and thus made our world into a better place to live with many devices and machines. With the intellectual brains of our engineers as the driving force, our world has got many great century-old companies such as International Business Machines (IBM), General Electric (GE) and General Motors (GM), and today’s companies like Apple, Microsoft, Google have brought revolution in the scientific technology, financial, healthcare, telecommunication industries and corporate world.

IBM, the first Information Technology company, which was established in 1911, and introduced the personal computers, mainframes to the world and did lot of research work for the advancement of Computer Science. General Electric (GE) was founded in 1892 by Thomas Alva Edison and has produced many gadgets, tools such as electric bulb, record player etc. which are very much essential in our daily life. The automobile company General Motors (GM) was founded in 1908 and has gifted the world with many models of cars by changing the design with day to day advancements. Microsoft made it possible to reach the hearts of people with their Windows Operating System, Software programming packages. Google has introduced the search engine. Apple has introduced number of intelligent machines and devices such as Macintosh, laptops, iPod, iPhone, iPad etc. With the evolution of internet, communication transfer is happening in micro seconds and the business world is rapidly growing up. Today’s world is benefiting with lots of gadgets, tools and getting the comforts for that effort initiated by our fore-fathers. If these devices weren’t exist, our world wouldn’t have tasted this happiness and wouldn’t have got this beauty that it has today.

The 20^th century’s great engineers, taken a practical approach for the scientific experiments and presented great machines, devices to the world. Our world has seen much growth from then onwards in environmental and economic positions of the world. Now 21^st century’s engineers are working with hard to improve the science and technology to more advanced levels and presenting great gadgets, devices to the world.

The scientists and engineers have led the way. The great people of the earlier generations have changed our world’s scientific and economic landscape. The credit goes to the creative people, who drive economic prosperity and the technicians who make it all happen behind the scenes. They were the innovators in marketing, entrepreneurship, and brought development in science and technology. They were the flag bearers of this world and agents of change. They brought change in the society and made our world into a better place to live as we are seeing today and we have to continue this development process and have to handover to future generations. Today’s world is the result of hard work, sincerity of the “Creative Class” and collection of many years’ efforts of intellectual minds. They influenced this generation to continue the scientific experiments to get new devices with new design. They set example by guiding the other public and influenced the society in showing the path to generations to come.

Written by: Adit
July 2011, Minneapolis MN

Education

Article written by Adit:

Education gives knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge is power. To acquire knowledge, a structured education is very much essential. For any person, along with the basic needs such as food, water, clothing and shelter, education is also very important to survive and lead a comfortable life. A good education is one that teaches students to think and conceive ideas on their own. Education is very important for everyone to lead a decent life in the society.

Sources of Education: There are many sources to get good education. In many countries, education can be given through schools and institutions. Education helps people to get discipline, behavior, knowledge and thus helps to get a comfortable life. It is very important to start education at an early age. Children can go to school and get education in a systematic approach by following the traditional class-room training. A teacher has to instruct and train them by teaching moral values in order to make them good citizens of one’s country. Children have to learn the habit of reading and understand the morals, history, behavioral sciences, mathematics, environmental sciences and languages. With the evolution of the internet and advancement in the electronics, education can be delivered on-line by using computers or laptops or other electronic devices. This paved a new way of learning such as online education. This gives students the opportunity to learn what they are interested in.

Education Models: In many countries, education can be delivered by formal education and informal education. Formal education involves the teacher, the students and the institution. It is organized and structured with a curriculum. In formal education, many countries in the world prefer class-room training because teachers can monitor students and train them in mathematics, sciences, morals, practical etc. Typically, formal education involves preschool education, primary education, secondary education and post-secondary education. Education can be done in schools from 1^st grade to 12^th grade, and then further undergraduate and graduate studies in colleges or institutions or in universities. Students can do further studies by doing research and exploration in the area of their interest. Many countries offer free primary education as it is must for us to live and survive in the society.

Informal education, on the other hand, does not correspond to an organized and systematic view of education. It merely supplements the formal education. It can be achieved more by observing the society, environment and by visiting public places such as museums and scientific fairs. Informal education can also be obtained by listening to radio broadcasting, reading texts on sciences, education etc. in journals, reading magazines, attending lectures etc. The latest advances in technology also help to gain informal education through web in the form of open courseware, videos, blogs and other online communities that deliver free tutorials.

Benefits of Education: Education gives intellectuality, awareness, discipline and thus increases the thought process. It gives us how to behave properly and gives us responsibilities to lead a happy and a peaceful life in the society. It helps to make decisions at work. If children get education, they will become confident citizens with moral values. Through education one can get a job, livelihood and a better standard of living. Education is a means to alleviate poverty and engineer a social change in many developing nations. It always helps to discover our ignorance in a progressive manner. It has a fundamental role in personal and social development and puts us in a better position to contribute more positively to society.

Written by: Adit
Apr 2011, Minneapolis MN

Divine prayers for daily activities - Sanskrit

The following prayers, we have to do:

Morning prayer (before stepping our feet on the floor from the bed):

Karaagre vasathe Lakshmi

Karamadhye Saraswathi

Karamoolethu Govinda

Prabhathey Karadarshanam !!

Meaning:

The front part of the hands (the finger tips) are ascribed to Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, the middle part (the palm proper) to Goddess Saraswati - the Goddess of learning and the root (the part of hand near the wrist) to Govinda (God). Therefore, every morning, one should have a respectful look at one's hand which symbolizes honest labor.

At Bath Time:

Gangeycha Yamunechaiva

Godavari Saraswathi

Narmade Sindhu Kaveri,

Jalesmin Sannithim Kuru !!

Meaning:

In this water, I invoke the presence of holy waters from rivers Ganges, Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswatim Narmada, Sindhu and Kaveri.

At Food Time:

brahmaarpaNaM brahma haviH

brahmaagnau brahmaNaa hutam.h .

brahmaiva tena gantavyaM

brahmakarmasamaadhinaa !!

Meaning:

A process of offering is Brahman, the oblation is Brahman, the instrument of offering is Brahman, the fire to which the offering is made is also Brahman. For such a one who abides in Brahman, by him alone Brahman is reached.

Bed Time prayer:

Ramam Skandam Hanumantam Vynateyam Vrikodaram

Shayaneya Smare Nityam Duswapnam Tasya nashyati

Karkotakashya Nagashya Damayanti Nalayacha

Ritu parnacha Rajarshi Keertanam Kali nashanam !!

Shlokas at completion of Prayer:

Kayena vacha manasendriyairva

Budhyath manovat Prakrithe swabhavat

Karomi yat yat sakalam parasmai

Shriman Narayano yathi samarpayami !!

Written by: Adit
Jan 2011, Minneapolis MN

Abdul Qadir's Journey to Baghdad

I like Abdul Qadir's story very much. My mom has narrated this story from a story book to me along with great stories of Arabian nights. Now I am going to share the beautiful story of a young boy 'Abdul', his journey to Baghdad, his pleasing attitude and principles. He set an epitome for all of us.

Many years ago, in a small village, near to Baghdad city, there was boy named Abdul was living . One day a young boy named Abdul saw a large group of people returning from Arafat Mountain, thousands of miles away from his place in the neighbourhood of Mecca after performing Haj. After coming to know about those people, he gave a thought why he was born and he decided to pursue knowledge. Abdul went to his mother and asked her permission to make a journey to Baghdad in order to pursue a career in knowledge. Mother understood the divine call and promptly gave the permission for him to go. She gave him 40 gold coins which was his share he inherited from his father. She stitched these 40 gold coins inside the lining of his coat collar and gave him permission to leave. When she stepped out of the door to bid him a farewell, she said, “Oh, my son! You are going! I have detached myself from you for the sake of Allah knowing that I shall not see your face again until the day of last judgement. But take one advice from me. My son, you always feel the truth, speak the truth and propagate the truth even when your life is at stake”.

Abdul traveled with a small caravan heading for Baghdad. During the journey, when the caravan was passing through the tough terrains, a group of robbers on horses suddenly attacked the caravan and started looting. None of them however took the slightest notice of Abdul, until one of the looters turned to him and said. “You are here poor boy! Do you have anything with you? Abdul replied, “I have got 40 gold coins which are stitched by my mother in the lining of my coat underneath my collar.” The looter smiled and thought that Abdul was just joking. He left him alone and moved elsewhere. When their leader came and the looters took this boy to their leader and said to him, “A poor boy claims that he is in possession of 40 gold coins. We looted everybody but we have not touched him because we hardly believed that he has got gold coins with him”. Then the leader put the same question but Abdul replied the same. Then the leader ripped through his coat and discovered that he indeed got 40 gold coins inside the lining of his coat collar.

The astonished leader asked Abdul, what prompted him to make this confession? Abdul has replied. “My mother made me promise to always be truthful even at the cost of my life. Here, it was a matter of only 40 Gold coins. I promised her and never betrayed her trust, so I told the truth”. The looters started weeping and said, you have adhered to the advice of your great mother but we have been betraying the trust of our parents and the covenant of our Creator for many years. From now onwards, you would become our leader in our repentance and they all decided to give up robbery and from that day, became righteous persons.

Later Abdul has grown up and became a great scholar. Our world saw the birth of a great saint, Shiek Abdul Qadir Al-Gilani. Right from young age with his gesture of sticking to promise that he made to his mother and speaking truth, he gave us a message.

Written by: Adit
Oct 2010, Minneapolis MN

Light of Asia

Speech given by Adit:

Birth of Buddha:

Siddartha / Gautama was born around 566 B.C. in Himalayan Foothills to Queen Maya and KingSuddodhana.

Rising:

King wanted him to be an emperor of this world. He decided to protect him from possibilities of spiritual path. He provided all luxuries to his son, inside the 4 walls.

The Four Signs that changed Siddartha:

1. Old man with white hair, withered skin, staff to lean.

2. Maimed man (distorted).

3. Funeral procession & corpse.

4. A monk in yellow robes, shaven head, empty bowl.

His chariot explained the meaning of each sign. His chariot’s name was Channa.

4 Noble Truths:

1. The truth of suffering

2. The truth of cause of suffering

3. The truth of cessation of suffering (suffering can end)

4. The truth of path that leads to nirvana

8 Eightfold Path:

· Right understanding

· Right thought

· Right speech

· Right action

· Right livelihood

· Right effort

· Right mindfulness

· Right concentration

If anyone sees ‘NIRVANA’ in his life time, he won’t reborn.

Five Hindrances:

· Doubt

· Lust

· Hatred

· Worry

· Languor

Definition of Karma: Karma à means action. Every time a person acts there is some quality of intention at the base of the mind and it is that quality rather than the outward appearance of the action.

Buddha’s Ethics:

What makes a person a Buddhist?

· Do not destroy life

· Do not steal

· Do not commit sexual misconduct

· Do not lie

· Do not take intoxicating drinks

There are some similarities between Buddha’s Ethics and Ten Commandments

Ten Commandments:

· Do not have any other Gods before me

· Do not make unto thee any carved image

· Do not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.

· Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

· Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lordyour God is giving you.

· Do not kill

· Do not commit adultery

· Do not steal

· Do not bear false witness against a neighbor

· Do not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.

Holy Book:

Holy Book of Buddhism is ‘TRIPITAKA’. It was written by Buddha Ghosa in Pali

Famous Mantra:

OM MANI PADME HUM – Jewel in the Lotus

If you take refuge in 3 Jewels:

· The Buddha

· The Dharma

· The Sangha

The chant: http://youtu.be/3T-7Ug7x2uE

Buddham saranam Gachami

Dharmam saranam Gachami

Sangham saranam Gachami

Meaning is:

I go to Buddha for refuge.

I go to Dharma for refuge.

I go to Sangha for refuge.

Dalai Lama, the Spiritual Leader of Buddhism:

Dalai Lama is said to be incarnation of Avalokiteshvara or Chenrezig

Dalai Lama is spiritual leader of Tibetan people. Dalai means Ocean (Spirituality as deep as ocean); Lama means Guru (Teacher)

Three Vehicles: There are 3 ways in following Buddhism.

Theravada (conservative)

Mahayana (liberal)

Vajrayana (subset of Mahayana)

Spread of Buddhism:

Many Eastern countries in Asia are following Buddhism. China, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, Tibet, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Bhutan, Vietnam etc.

Conclusion:

World should follow some of His great sayings.

Written by: Adit
July 2010, Minneapolis MN

Ancient Indian Universities

Centuries ago.......Taxila University........Nalanda University........

*************An interesting blog is on it's way***************

Written by: Adit
Apr 2010, Minneapolis MN

Breathing techniques

Speech given by Adit:

In our busy lives, from dawn to dusk, we never notice when exactly we are breathing in and when we are breathing out.

When do you become aware of your own identity?

When do you become aware of yourself?

When do you become aware of your life?

Breathing comes in first place much before livelihood, materialism etc.

The first thing we have done on this Earth is breathe in. The last thing we are going to do is Breathe out. In between Life is existing.

In our busy life, our mind is wandering from past to present events like a pendulum, we don’t even observe when we are inhaling and exhaling.

‘Now’, present is the moment. Find time to get importance of breathe.

Mind is like a kite and breathe is the thread. Breathe is like a thread that’s joining to heart and mind.

Rhythm of breathe is connected to emotions.

When you are smiling, the breathing is just normal and where as when you are angry on someone, your breathing rate is very much faster than the normal breathing. Did you ever observe? *smiles*

BREATHING:

4 sources of Energy:

1. Food, water – we can survive without Food, Water (at least for some days)

2. Sleep – We can survive without sleep (at least for some days)

3. Knowledge – We can survive without knowledge may be through out our life *smiles*

4. Breathe – can we survive? No.

Importance of Breathe:

Demonstration:

Close your eyes

Breathe in (Take deep breathe)

Aware of your breathe, body

Breathe out

*smiles* Aren’t you feeling fresh? Aren’t you feel active?

Breathing Techniques:

There are many breathing techniques: Pranayama, Bhastrika

Among them, Pranayama is an important Breathing technique.

Pranayama is a Sanskrit name given to one breathing technique.

Pranayama: Increases Life Force.

There are different mudras (Signs) while doing Pranayama / Breathing techniques namely, Adi Mudra, Chihn mudra, Chinmaya mudra, Meru mudra

Benefits with Breathing Techniques:

While practicing Breathing Techniques, you are concentrating in breathing, so you are living in the present.

You are concentrating on inhalation and exhalation, so you are going to be in present moment in any breathing technique.

It gives you peace of mind.

MEDITATION:

There are 7 levels of existence of human-being:

Body : We are going to become aware of this body through

physical asanas (physical exercises)

Breathe : We are going to aware breathe by Pranayama or any breathing technique

Mind : Level of mind, by meditation

Intellect : (Chitta): We are going to aware of Intellect when we use our brain, intelligence. Eg: I invited you for this session, your brain telling you, you have to attend the session.

Memory : (Smriti): We are going to aware of Memory when we use our brain to recall the events. Eg: Who brought you here?

Ego : (Aham):

Demonstrate: stand up …. did I name anybody’s name? I didn’t call anyone by name, so no one didn’t stand up. That awareness of belongingness is called ‘Aham’. Appropriating to oneself all physical and mental activities ‘I eat’, ‘I see’, ‘I talk’ etc is called ‘Aham’ or ‘I consciousness’.

Consciousness: (Chetna): We are going to aware of Consciousness, when you use your intellectual powers. The meditation takes you there.

Meditation:

Introduction:

According to Bhagavad Gita, the undisciplined mind acts as our enemy, whereas a trained mind acts as our friend.

So there is a necessity to know our mind: We intend to do many things – make resolutions to cultivate good habits, to kick certain bad habits, to study with concentration, to do something with a concentrated mind.

How a person behaves, feels and thinks, how he conducts himself in a given set of circumstances is largely determined by the state of his mind.

So becoming aware of our thoughts is ‘Meditation’.

It’s becoming aware of State of peace of mind.

It’s a spiritual technique and adopted as key elemental part in some religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Islam etc.

Meditation

• Transforms life
• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Energizes you
• Improves your patience
• Gives you peace of mind
• Gives you presence of mind

RULES TO BE HAPPY:
1….Opposite values are complementary.
2….Accept people and situations as they are.
3….Don't become football of other people's opinions.
4….Don't see intentions behind other people's mistakes.
5….Present moment is inevitable.

Once the distinction becomes clear, then journey towards the source begins:

Who am I ?

What I am responsible for?

What I am not responsible for?

In this spiritual path, everybody has to walk alone. The quest is the need of the soul. One can attain answers with deep silence, breathing techniques and meditation.

Don’t see the problems as big. If you compare them with universal problems the problems what you think big will become small.

More responsibility, more growth. More you complaint, more you decrease.

Don’t resist thoughts while doing breathing techniques.

Eg: If I say don’t think about Red Monkey when you do breathing/meditation by closing eyes. You will think why I told not to think about ‘Red Monkey’. *smiles*

So whatever thoughts you get, don’t resist. Just invite them.

Failure in exams or failure in relationships is not failure in life.

Responsibilities not given but taken.

More you resist, more you persist

Events come and events go.

Face the challenges in life like a solid rock which is hit by waves

Don’t relate happiness with an event

Don’t catch the anger from a stressful person. Anger is contiguous.

Energy goes where your attention goes.

Conclusion:

There is a clear distinction between religion and spirituality. In Technical words, Spirituality is a Framework and religion is the application built on it. For instance, a banana and banana skin: Religion is like the banana skin and spirituality is the banana. Religion is outer ritual and habits, a way of life; spirituality is the quest for the source of life, going back to the source, knowing deep within us we are part of the divinity.

Breathing and meditation are the technique related spirituality and they are not related to any religion. Breathing and Meditation are good mental exercises. Nowadays, even doctors are suggesting these techniques for peaceful living and proper blood circulation.

Written by: Adit
Jan 2010, Greensboro NC