IDENTITY-THE KEY TO OUR EXISTENCE

The foundation of our human existence is based on core belief we have about ourselves or who we are. This is called our identity. These beliefs define our individuality that makes us unique in this world. The more we are certain about them the more we create limits within which we live our life. The biggest bearing these beliefs bring is the way we evaluate any thing in our lives. Since we evaluate them within certain framework of our identity, they not just guide us to conclude but teach us how to feel and what action we should take. Sometimes they affect relations and make us decide how to think and feel, derive meaning in anything he or she does. If our belief about his or her love is strong then his or her intentions are never questioned even if he or she is angry. This is just one area of life where belief brings impact to certain extent.

The most important thing about beliefs is they shape our lives. They bring profound influence not only on our capabilities to do any thing but our beliefs to filter perceptions of all kind. They directly control consistency of our decisions of life. They control our physical, emotional and mental destiny. What is function of our capabilities? It is to define what we can do and what we cannot do. These beliefs again define who we are and who we are not. We not only look upon ourselves what we are capable of but also look upon what we are not capable of. This capability is constant in each individual but some use more and some use less depending upon their identity about themselves. The children show dramatic change in their performance if they are convinced that they are gifted.Also it is important to change the capabilities in order to grow and expand in life for that these children have to challenge themselves. It does not need much intelligence. Only they require is the sense of certainty that they are superiors.

Also perceptions affect the behavior like beliefs. If we carry perception about a person, these perceptions generate appropriate response for that person. It does not matter whether our perception are true or not. However whatever response is generated, it is always consistent with the perception or view. If our perception is declared publicly, we experience intense pressure to remain consistent with those views.

Beliefs can work negatively as there are people who believe that it is next to impossible to change ourselves. It is not true. If a person is addicted to any kind of drug, it is only due to belief that he carries that he is addicted to drug. Even if he leaves those habits of drug, he returns back to his habit thinking this is his true identity forgetting conveniently that taking drug is his conscious decision. When this person develops conviction that he is drug free, that is when his behavior changes to support his new identity. The lasting change would come only when he does this with sense of certainty. This shift in identity causes shift in entire belief system which includes shift in system of evaluation, the values that guide his action and the references that organize into beliefs.

If we repeatedly attempt to make particular change but continually fall short, then that is because we are creating emotional shift which is inconsistent with our belief “who we are”. Identities are formed due to long held beliefs and values. If we understand how we arrive at our present identity and how we can expand this identity then we can instantaneously change our identity in a matter of moment. We generally identify people by their action. Also we look upon ourselves as what we do to determine who we are. The more we do certain thing, the more we identify ourselves with our act. The more we make statement we believe, the more we willingly back it up. This consistent behavior helps form our identity. This way we can shift our identity. The identity of person does not get limited due to limited experiences of life. It gets limited due to interpretations of these experiences. These interpretations help us to decide who we are. We fuse ourselves with decisions we make for ourselves. This fusion creates label for us. The way we define our identity, it defines our life.

VISHUDHA CHAKRA OR THROAT CHAKRA

It is fifth center of consciousness or plexus in the order of seven chakras and is also called “Throat Plexus”. This center is located at the throat and is associated with thyroid gland, lungs and respiratory system. There are sixteen nerves interconnected with each other to form a plexus with a circle inside and is associated with expression of truth as we know it in our heart. Expressing can be in the form of communicating what one wants and what one feels, or it can be an artistic expression as an artist painting, a dancer dancing, a musician playing music, using a form for expressing and bringing to the outside what is within. Expressing is related to receiving, as in, “Ask and ye shall receive.” Its element is sound and governs communication, expression of thoughts and feelings and the plexus that forms controls neck, throat, jaw, voice, trachea, bronchial system, upper lungs, esophagus and arms.

Abundance, therefore, is associated with this chakra, as is the aspect of unconditional receiving, necessary to accept the abundance of the Universe. This is the first level of consciousness in which one perceives directly another level of intelligence, and experiences one’s interaction with this other intelligence.

Main characteristic of such person is they are communicative and are gifted with emotional intelligence. Before they express their idea’s they clarify things within themselves. They have courage to stand by their opinions and they give true expressions to their ideas. They are likely to be gifted singers and actors and can excel in areas of academia and the sciences. They are never afraid of exposing their weaknesses and strength. The truth is their highest goal.

The energy that flows through this center makes a person loyal, trustworthy, affectionate, caring, tactful and calm whereas an imbalance in this center can make one unfaithful, self righteous, untrustworthy and cold. Some diseases and conditions associated with the Throat Chakra are thyroid, anorexia, asthma, bronchitis, hearing problems, tinnitus, mouth ulcers, sore throats and tonsillitis.

Spiritual characteristic of such person is they belong to faculty of higher discrimination. Realization coming into their consciousness through this center is from the higher level of knowledge. This center is also known as center of nectar and poison. The nectar is transcendental fluid or called “The Dew of Heaven”. An inactive center sends this fluid downwards without any impediment to be consumed in the fire of Manipur Chakra resulting in decay, degeneration and death of body tissues. When this center is awakened, the divine fluid is retained and utilized by the body tissues becoming nectar of immortality thus giving rise to youthfulness and regeneration of body.

This center is called Vishudha chakra for the reason that at this level, negative or poisonous aspect of existence get integrated with total being and become powerless. Their badness falls away and they get absorbed and transformed into a state of bliss. They become pure.

INSPIRATIONAL POETRY

कल जो गुजरा उसॆ भुलाके तो देख
आज के साथ जिन्दगी जी के तो देख
खुशगवांर होंगे हर आनेवाले पल
वक्त के साथ कदम मिलाके तो देख
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ख्वाईशॊंमॆ जॊर हो तो आसमां की ऊंचाईभी कम है
कदमोमे हौसला हो तो काटोंभरे रास्तेभी कम है
इरादोमें ताकत हो तो मुश्किलों भरी मन्ज़िलभी कम है
खुदपे भरोसा हो तो इम्तिहानोका काफ़ीला भी कम है
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एक दिन ऐसा होगा कल आजसे बेहतर होगा
आज राहोंमे काटें है कल वह फ़ुलोसें भरा होगा

एक दिन ऐसा होगा कल आजसे बेहतर होगा
आज ज़िन्दगी वीरान है कल सावनसे भरा होगा

एक दिन ऐसा होगा कल आजसे बेहतर होगा
आज कदम कमजोर है कल ज़माना पिछे होगा

एक दिन ऐसा होगा कल आजसे बेहतर होगा
आज सरपे धुप है कल प्यारका साया होगा

एक दिन ऐसा होगा कल आजसे बेहतर होगा
आज ज़माना दुशमन है कल सारा आलम साथ होगा

एक दिन ऐसा होगा कल आजसे बेहतर होगा
आज खुशीयाँ रूठी है कल कामयाबीका जष्न होगा

एक दिन ऐसा होगा कल आजसे बेहतर होगा
आज आशाऎं जगी है कल हर सपना सच होगा

ANAHAT CHAKRA THE SEAT OF LOVE

It is fourth Chakra in line of seven Chakra or plexus and resides at the centre of all of them. It is a point where twelve nerves conjoin together to form a plexus. It is also a balance point between the world of physical matter and the world of spiritual energies. It is located between left and right chest, above navel and below throat and the plexus that forms controls upper chest, lungs, heart, ribs, breasts, abdominal diaphragm, thymus glands and circulatory system etc.

Energy that flows through this Chakra is energy of love, compassion, kindness and the reverse of it hate, jealousy and hatred. This occurs due to unbalanced emotions that reverse the nature of energy. Unbalanced chakra also gives rise to low self esteem, unable to forgive others or self, over possessiveness, lack of empathy, over dependency on others, miserness, bitterness and indifference etc. Where as balanced chakra brings emotions of compassion, forgiveness and unconditional love for others.

Main characteristic of such personality is they are warm, loving, tolerant and compassionate towards others. Their hearts and hands are open to all and are true to themselves. They have ability to make world around them a better place to live and make contributions to the professions they are in. The energy of peace which they have in their heart brings calming and comforting effect on others. They have power of accepting people as they are.

In fact this chakra is a kind of a knot between physical world and spiritual world till it is awakened. Awakening of this chakra is a kind of freedom to escape from preordained fate and to determine one’s own destiny and freewill. It is completely beyond empirical dimensions. It is kind of wish fulfilling tree but is solely dependent on one’s consciousness rather than any external feeling of faith. Initially all negative feeling like pessimism towards life, fears etc that are trapped in this chakra start surfacing first. One has to be alert not to allow them to take complete control over his mind. They are just mental tendencies and fantasies of mind. Its awakening brings refined emotions which are characterized by feeling of universality and unlimited love for all beings.

Out of twelve nerves one nerve connects to heart and ancient yogis believed that that was an actual center of spiritual consciousness, called "the lotus of the heart," situated between the abdomen and the thorax, which could be revealed in deep meditation. In spiritualism it is called lotus seat of Atman or Brahma or Godhead or universal consciousness, the real seer unknown to us. They claimed that it had the form of a Lotus and that it shone with an inner light. It was said to be "beyond sorrow," since those who saw it were filled with an extraordinary sense of peace and joy.

Assuming our body as city of Brahman, there is the heart and within the heart there is a little house. This house has the shape of a lotus, and within it dwells that which is to be sought after, inquired about, and realized. Even so large as the universe outside is the universe within the lotus of the heart. Within it are heaven and earth, the sun, the moon, the lightning and all the stars. Whatever is in the macrocosm is in this microcosm also.

Though old age comes to the body, the lotus of the heart does not grow old. It does not die with the death of the body. The lotus of the heart, where Brahman resides in all his glory is the true city of Brahman. Brahman, dwelling therein, is untouched by any deed, ageless, deathless, free from grief, free from hunger and from thirst. Brahman is passionless and indivisible. He is pure. He is the light of all lights. His desires are right desires, and his desires are fulfilled. If the body is thought of as a busy and noisy city then in the middle of this city, there is a little shrine, and that, within this shrine, the Atman, our real nature, is present. No matter what is going on in the streets outside, we can always enter that shrine and worship. It is always open.

Upon awakening of this chakra an aspirant can hear the sound of AUM like humming of a bird. Our scientists have proved that no sound can occur without collision or impact. However occurrence of sound AUM heard at this chakra is produced without any collision or impact. It is because of this phenomenon, this chakra is called “An-Ahat” or chakra that produces AUM without any impact. OM is almost certainly the most ancient word for God that has come down to us through the ages. It has universal sense, implying no special deity. It is the most sacred word of all. But what really matters is that we should appreciate the power of the “Word” in our spiritual life; and this appreciation can come only through practical experience.

घडी

कहने को ये घडी है
समयकी ये हथकडी है
टिक टिक कॆ संगीतसे
मेरे जीवनसे ये जुडी है

ना कभी कुछ कह्ती
ना कभी कुछ चाहती
एकसी रफ़्तारसे
केवल आगेकी तरफ़ चलती

दिन गुजरके शाम हो जाती
रात भी थकके सो जाती
इस भागती दौडती दुनियाका
हर पल आभास कराती

समयनॆ जीवनके रंग बदले
जीवन मुल्योंके अर्थ बदले
जिस भीडका मै हिस्सा था
उसीमे अपनेको पाया अकेले

आज उसकी टिक टिक धिमीसी थी
रफ़्तार भी कुछ थकी थकीसी थी
अन्तिम सांसें गिन रही थी
आंखॊ आंखो से कुछ कह रही थी

देख जीवन अनिश्चित है
सबका यहांसे जाना सुनिश्चित है
जिस जीवनरेतको तु मुठ्ठीमे धरे है
वो कण कणसे गिरेगी वो निश्चित है

भविष्य वर्तमानमे बदल जाएगा
वर्तमान भूतकालमे सो जाएगा
जिस माटीसे तु उभरा है
उसी माटीमे इक दिन खो जाएगा

कर्तव्य पथ का राही बन
निरन्तर चलता जा
फलकी चिन्ता मत कर
बिन अभिलाषा पा

अतिथी बनकर आया है
खुशीयां देता जा
प्यारे तेरे बोल ये
सबको देता जा

जीवनकी नश्वरता स्वीकार हुई
सॄष्टी मानो जैसे स्तब्ध हुई
कर्मकी श्रेष्ठताका आभास हुआ
मृत्युकी सत्यता स्विकार हुई

मांगे जो मिलता नही
सरल जीवन का सार
इतना सब कुछ कह गयी
बिन चिठ्ठी बिन तार

कर्तव्य बोध का ग्यान देकर
अब वो बिल कुल चुप है
सुख दुख के हर पल से
अब वो बिल कुल मुक्त है

HOW TO EMPOWER LIFE WITH POSITIVE RULES

Rules are like devices that trigger our emotions. We humans though have different rules for same values, they bring great impact on our lives. This impact is kind of a pain or pleasure that affects our lives. In fact we have several ways to feel bad but few ways to feel good.

Some times it is due to religious and cultural conditioning these rules get created and some times we create them to feel successful or would get motivated to work hard for achieving something in life.

Why do we impose such rules? There are several reasons and one such reason is we throughout the day observe people who touch our lives through set of rules. Most of them don’t even know our rules and we never express it to them. In spite of that we wish people to know them and comply with it. If they don’t then we start carrying hard emotions for ourselves and likely to carry hard emotions for others. It is important to communicate these rules subtly without upsetting anybody because it is difficult to expect people to know about the rules. If they are not known to other people, they get easily violated and may create misunderstanding. If we see somebody breaking them we get upset. We don’t feel good.

Before we set rules we have to check if they are empowering us to feel good. If it is difficult to meet the criteria of the rules, they will disempower our lives. If we cannot control them they will again disempower our lives. If we feel more bad than more good then again they are disempowering rules.

Hence rules should be such that they would move us in direction of human values, using criteria which we can control and which are achievable. If they are unachievable, they become non starters, a burden and unacceptable to others. If we are making rules of expecting perfection from family members and others; it is impossible to meet such rule. It is unachievable as nobody is perfect in this world. We cannot control actions and emotions of other people. Also such rule brings unpleasantness and upsets everybody.

It is very easy to set rules then to move away from them, once they start controlling our lives as well as our destiny. Therefore it is better we start scrutinizing them for their ability to bring success in our life. It is never too late to check them than blindly adapting them through beliefs. As rules generate behavior pattern, all we have to do is to create system of evaluating and controlling these rules, if they are achievable and they bring happiness in our lives. Happiness comes with achievement of goal and this happiness brings better treatment to our friends, colleagues and pals. These rules can be called personal rules.

Today everybody is living stressful life specially woman in our society. Not only do they have to have perfect body, they have to take care of their husband, children, parents, relatives and friends and that too perfectly. Same is also expected of men of our society. There are also rules which are agreed by human society in general like if I want health I must not smoke. If I want happiness in relation with my wife or husband then I must not have extra marital affairs. There are some rules which are never violated because of shear pain associated with it. But some rules though we should not break, we violate it again and again because we never treat them seriously. Because we assume so many things in lives.

Rules can give environment which is needed to be successful in life. They can motivate us to grow and expand in our life. What is required is balance between personal rules and never to be violated rules in appropriate context. If we don’t know the rules we may sooner or later violate them but if we observe people and understand their rules then we can predict their behavior and meet their needs. The most empowering rule is to enjoy the life no matter what happens.

RULES SOURCE OF PAIN AND PLEASURE

Human nature is to keep expectation. If they are met then we feel good but if they are not met then we are left unhappy. We all human being keep infinite range of emotions and each emotion responds to the beliefs we keep. Expectation is also one kind of emotion. People get excited and become emotional with each expectation they keep within their belief range. We also obsessively track theses expectation for their fulfillment. We crave for them as a thing of very scarce nature, but never look around for other things which are kind of miracle that happen with us every day.

Once these expectations are met we start framing rules, rules supported by beliefs and strengthened by experience we get. Experience is nothing but interpretation of controlling forces of our beliefs. What we believe we experience and once we experience, we try to make rule in order to occur a thing in a particular way. But if the thing does not happen in a way we desire or the way that makes us feel good then we start getting pain. We then say that the happening was not as per our expectation.

What has to happen in order for us to feel good? I would say, nothing has to happen in order for us to feel good. It is we who ask the brain to create a response or to change the biochemistry of our nervous system that causes us to feel that particular sensation called pleasure. It is our rule that say, if I get million dollars, I will feel good. If I get mail from my beloved, I will feel good. If I get four grade points in my final examination, I will feel good.

For every situation we try to establish rules and standard that would make us act in a particular way. But these rules have a base of belief that determines our emotions and behaviors to what is good and what is bad. What is important and what is not. This behavior is what is called rules. To discover these rules the easiest way is to put questions and judge response getting generated in our brain. We may ask our selves “what has to happen if I quit a job and join a new one”. “How should people react if they hear I have quit the job and joined new company?” Some may say we should become emotional while leaving the job. On the Other hand people would say, “No emotionality should be there, because if I am quitting the job, it is my decision. People would forget me the second day”

These rules activate our pain or pleasure. We become judge and jury within ourselves. We alone stage a miniature court within our brain and become judge and jury by ourselves. Those who break our set of rule become culprit and are damned for going against them without any say. Though we are hard wired to create judge and jury system, we have to assess each situation rationally.

Rules are like shortcut to responses that are generated by brain. They control every aspect of our lives. But the greatest dilemma is to generate perfect response matching the situation. Dilemma is due to judge and jury system that overplays in our mind. We set up these rules in a random style by influences to which we are exposed. These influences bring new values that shape our lives. We develop matching beliefs to achieve these values and very often abandon, twist and generalize old rules. These new rules which are in direct conflict with old rules will resist against them as they grow up. Thus some times they reward us and some times they punish us.

Most of us create rules which are unsuitable in defining success, security, making relationship or anything that bring change in our lives. Since everything in our lives is presided by this judge and jury system, it hurts our current life. That is the reason; we are what we are in our lives.