Message for The New Year ....

Empty your-self

Believing that we have acquired a great spiritual wisdom, that we have learnt everything there is to be learned could be our biggest mistake.

To be a vessel or a container of Light, we have to become humble. We must get rid of our ego. The more we are filled with our own thoughts and ego, less space is there for Gyana; the Light and Rehmat; the ‘Grace’.

Empty your-self and find yourself filled with light. 

!! Happy New Year !!

‘Rajan Sachdeva’

Sage vs Thief

A great Jewish mystical teacher Baal Shem Tov used to travel through European cities teaching and helping people. On one occasion he had to choose between staying in the home of a sage or the home of a thief. 

It may surprise you to know that he chose to stay in the home of the thief!

When asked why he did not choose to stay at the home of the great scholar, Baal Shem Tov said: “Although the man is a scholar, he also has a big ego and wherever there is ego, there's no room for God.”

“The thief, however, even with all his negativity, I felt was better than anyone else. He performed negative actions but had no ego - had room to learn and change. But a person who thinks he has all the answers does not feel the need to learn.”

This is one of the best stories I have read because it illustrates an important lesson for those of us on a spiritual path: that knowing everything is not a prerequisite for gaining wisdom. 

This not only applies to our study of spirituality, but it can also be applied to every aspect of our lives. 

If we go into a situation thinking we have all the answers, we will not be open to any new ideas. This applies to everything from a business meeting to a simple lunch with a friend. This understanding can also give us a fresh perspective when it comes to facing our challenges; when we do not have the answers or we cannot find solutions. 

We can always learn something from everyone around us, only if we are open to listening. 

गन्ने का रस Ganne Ka Ras / Sugar canes

पिछली बार भारत जाने पर, बहुत सालों के बाद गन्ने देखने और खाने का अवसर मिला। गन्ने को दांतों से छील कर, और चबा कर उसका रस पीने का भी अपना ही एक स्वाद है. 

देखने में तो वो गन्ने बहुत सुंदर नहीं थे और शायद अभी ताजे ही खेतोँ से लाए गए थे इसलिए उन पर मिट्टी भी जमी हुई थी। 

उन्हें धोते और छीलते हुए मुझे ऐसा लगा कि लोगों का जीवन भी शायद बहुत हद तक गन्ने की तरह ही होता है। 

ऊपर ऊपर से देखने पर तो शायद बहुत सुंदर ना लगें। 

लेकिन बाहरी रूप और आचरण को छील कर अगर उनके अन्दर देखें तो सभी के जीवन से कुछ न कुछ मीठा और मधुर अमृत रस प्राप्त किया जा सकता है। 

गर ख़ुदा ने बख़्शा है फितरत-शनास दिल तुझे 

तो हर किसी में हुनर देखा कर, बुरा देखा ना कर

                               'राजन सचदेव'

  

Truth

Truth is not something outside; to be discovered.

It is something inside to be realized.

Everyone Feels Pain

Everyone will feel pain in their life, but does the pain have to last forever? If the pain is caused by something in the past, it only exists in thought, for the past no longer exists except through thought. When the mind is silent and focused in the present moment, that pain simply fades away because there is no dwelling thought for it to attach itself to.

                                                   

Start Early भलके उठि हरि नामु धिआवै ॥ਭਲਕੇ ਉਠਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਵੈ ॥

The best time to awaken both body and spirit is in the early morning when we are fresh, in solitude, and the vibrations of the world are at their calmest. It is not surprising that you will find all experienced meditators and yogis up with the dawn, inviting the sun of spirit to shine into the heart of their soul. The first half hour of conscious awareness will be the foundation of your day. Make an early start. Meditate, set the switch of your consciousness and calibrate your energy for the day. You'll be surprised to see the difference it makes. 

                                                            ('The Teachers of Yoga’)  

I had seen some great saints of our times such as Bhapa Ram Chand ji Kapurthala, Sant Amar Singh ji Patiala, Giani Joginder Singh ji Faridkot (later in England), and Rishi Vyas Dev ji sitting up in their bed in early morning doing Sumiran.

​

ਗੁਰ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਕਾ ਜੋ ਸਿਖੁ ਅਖਾਏ ਸੁ ਭਲਕੇ ਉਠਿ ਹਰਿ ਨਾਮੁ ਧਿਆਵੈ ॥

गुर सतिगुर का जो सिखु अखाए सु भलके उठि हरि नामु धिआवै ॥

Gur saṯgur kā jo sikẖ akẖāe so bẖalke uṯẖ har nām ḏẖiāvai.

One who calls himself a disciple of the Guru, the True Guru, rise​s up​ in the early morning hours and meditate on the Lord's Name.​ 

                                                      (Mehla 4: Guru Ram Das ji)​

If we fear change ........

Change is inevitable.

When we grow, we automatically change.

Our bodies change. Our thoughts change; feelings and habits change.   

In order to grow, everything including individuals, organizations, and systems must change over time.

 If we fear change, how will we be able to grow? 

                                         ‘Rajan Sachdeva’

'Gar Dile Fitrat Shanaas गर दिले फितरत शनास

गर दिले फितरत शनास मिला है तुझे 

तो हुनर देखा कर - बुरा  देखा ना कर 

               

                                              'Rajan Sachdeva'

Agar Dile Fitrat Shanaas milaa hai tujhe

To Hunar dekhaa kar, Buraa dekhaa na kar

सत्संग

अकसर कोई भी काम करने से पहले हर व्यक्ति के मन में एक प्रश्न उठता है कि  ऐसा करने से मुझे क्या मिलेगा । 

जब  किसी को सत्संग के लिए प्रेरणा दी जाती है तो स्वभाविक है कि  उनके मन में भी यह प्रश्न उठता होगा । 

या हम स्वयं ही, प्रेरणा देने के साथ साथ सत्संग के लाभ भी ब्यान कर देते हैं । 

जैसे कि : सत्संग करने से दुःख दूर हो जाएंगे - बिगड़े काम बन जाएंगे तथा इच्छाएँ पूर्ण होंगी । अथवा भक्ति भाव बढ़ेगा तथा मन को शान्ति मिलेगी इत्यादि । ऐसा सुन कर कुछ लोग दुःख निवृति के लिए आ जाते हैं  तो कुछ इच्छाओं की पूर्ति के लिए । कुछ जिज्ञासु लोग ज्ञान प्राप्ति के लिए और कुछ भक्ति भाव से केवल मन की शान्ति के लिए भी सत्संग में आते हैं । 

इस में कोई शंका नहीं कि  सत्संग में आने से उपरोक्त सभी बातें पूर्ण हो सकती हैं लेकिन श्री आदि शंकराचार्य एक बहुत सुंदर एवं गहरी बात कहते हैं :

        "सत्संगत्वे नि:संगत्वं,  नि:संगत्वे निर्मोहत्वम् ॥"

अर्थात सत्संग करते करते धीरे धीरे मन 'नि:संगत ' अथवा संगत - रहित हो जाता है । 

नि :संगत होने के पश्चात निर्मोहत्व  की अवस्था प्राप्त होती है अर्थात मिथ्या मोह से बच कर मन स्वयं में स्थित हो जाता है । 

 यदि हम गहराई से विचार करें तो  हम पाएंगे कि हमारा मन हर समय किसी न किसी की संगत में ही रहता है । कभी भी अकेला नहीं रहता । मन के परम मित्र हैं आशा - तृष्णा , काम, क्रोध, लोभ, मोह, मद (अभिमान) और मत्सर (ईर्ष्या ) जो किसी भी समय मन को अकेला नहीं छोड़ते । 

आदि शंकराचार्य कहते हैं कि सत्संग का सब से बड़ा लाभ ये है कि  मन काम क्रोधादि की संगत से हट कर 'अकेला ' हो जाता है तथा 'स्वयं ' अर्थात 'निश्चल तत्व ' में स्थित हो जाता है । 

                   "निर्मोहत्वे  निश्चल तत्वम, निश्चल तत्वे जीवन मुक्ति:"

अर्थात निर् - मोहत्व की अवस्था प्राप्त करने  के पश्चात 'निश्चल तत्व ' में स्थित होने से ही जीवन मुक्ति प्राप्त हो सकती है । 

सत्संग करने से लोभ मोहादिक का संग छूट जाता है तथा गुरु  कृपा से निराकार पारब्रह्म का ज्ञान प्राप्त करके निज-स्वरूप में स्थित जीव अमर हो जाता है । 

                                                               'राजन सचदेव '

A Perfect Life

Everyone's Life Would Be Perfect If.......

​......​ 

Anger Had A STOP Button.

​......​ 

Mistakes Had A REWIND Button. 

​......​ 

Hard Times Had A FORWARD Button 

​...... Sorrows had a DELETE Button​

​.......Desires had a CONTROL Button

​

​......​ 

And Good Times Had A PAUSE Button !!

​Unfortunately, life does not come with all these buttons. ​

So no one

​'s life ​

 can be perfect. 

                                             Rajan Sachdeva

If there is suffering,

If there is suffering, there must be a reason.

If there is a reason, there must be a solution.  

        We just need to find it. 

                                     (Rajan Sachdeva)

Nav Ras - The Nine Emotions

Nav-Rasa
 The Nine Emotions

In Ancient Sanskrit literature, there is a mention of nine types of human emotions called “Nav-Rasa”.

Same concept is found in the ancient Sangeet Shastras, the Indian classical Music literature. While studying, I read an authentic Shloka on this topic and then taught it for many years which explains these Nav-Rasa; the nine emotions.

Recently, it caught my eye again and while pondering over it I found a whole different meaning of this shloka.

“Shringaar, Haasya, Karuna, Raudra, Veer, Bhyaankah

 Veebhats-o-Adbhut Ityashto Rasa ShaantsTathaamatah”

“Love, happiness, sympathy, Courage, Terror, Fear,

Disgust, and confusion; these are the eight Rasas (emotions) and then there is also the peace.”

I wondered why the author said “these are the eight Rasas and then there is peace also.”

We always thought that eight plus the Shaant makes it nine but why the author did not include it and said “iti Nava Rasa”; that these are the nine Rasas?   

Was it for the poetical reason or is there another deeper, hidden meaning behind it?

Perhaps the writer was trying to say that these are the eight emotions that can be brought about from outside and absence of all these emotions is the “Shaant Rasa” or Peace. 

We are trying to find Shaanti; the peace from outside, as if it is likes the other emotions which can be created with outside influence, while in fact it is nothing but the absence of all other emotions. Instead of trying to find the ‘peace’ we should try to eliminate the others.

A still and thoughtless mind is always at peace. 

                                             ‘Rajan Sachdeva’

A flaw in our system.

There is a giant flaw in our system.

In order to make the system secure, we make it more complex. But the more complex we make it the more insecure we actually become. 

When we become more insecure, we try to find many more different ways to secure it. In the process, however, we create more rigid rules and controlling channels; create more positions and committees to distribute the power. To make sure that power is not concentrated at certain points.

But at the same time, just a few people at the top like to keep control of everything and hold the absolute power. 

Eventually it creates imbalance and restlessness at lower levels. 

The system starts to fail and people start doubting and questioning the absolute controlling power and start demanding for a democratic System.  

                                                  'Rajan Sachdeva'

What you see today

What you see today, is not simply the fruits of "Chance"...

But the fruits from seeds planted in the past.

Plant the seeds of harmony and peace now

and you will create a life of peace in the future.

'Rajan Sachdeva'

Does Spirituality bring everlasting happiness?

I think it is a misconception that spirituality brings everlasting happiness or the spiritual people never feel pain. 

Wise and enlightened ones also feel sadness. Pain and Sorrow still comes to them. May be temporarily, but they also feel the pain and get affected by their surroundings and circumstances. 

Like Lord Rama crying when Sita ji was kidnapped; or Lord Krishna becoming angry in frustration when Arjuna was losing the war.

Guru Nanak cried in pain when Babar's armies were massacring the innocent and helpless people after conquering north India. 

He questioned the Lord in a sad and painful tone:

"Eti maar payi kurlaane, Tain kee dard na Aaya?" or Guru Gobind Singh ji singing in loneliness: “Mitar pyaare nu haal mureedan da kehna”.

Jesus Christ cried on the cross asking:

“Why have you forsaken me O’ Lord?”

Recently we witnessed tears in Baba Hardev Singh ji’s eyes in a very tense emotional situation when his mother, Raj Mata ji passed away.

Feeling pain and sorrow or getting affected by the circumstances are natural human emotions. Everyone feels them.

But yet, Gyanis or enlightened ones are different. Unlike most people, the Gyana and the clarity of their mind helps them to see beyond the temporal emotionalism of the moment. They have better understanding and acceptance; they know when and how to let go the intellect and become the 'observer' rather than the 'actor' and go with the flow. 

“Sukh Dukh is Sansaar me har praani ko hoye

  Gyani kaate Gyana se, agyani kaate roye”

‘Rajan Sachdeva’

पतझड़ का टुटा पत्ता ही हूँ 

                              अभिशप्त नहीं मैं 

आती जाती ऋतुओं के संग

                       आँख मिचोली खेली मैने 

बसंत, सावन भादों की

                              भर दी झोली मैने

और पतझड़  के संग तो कितनी

                              खेली  होली  मैने  

जीवन के हर प्रहर 

                          हर छण  रस   पिये मैने 

अंकुर से बीज तक 

                    न जाने कितने जीवन सींचे मैने 

टूट कर शाख से  दूर अब 

                              सोचता हूँ। 
नहीं  अभिशप्त नहीं 

                                 कितना तृप्त हूँ मैं 

                                  Written by: 'Dr. Deepa Dixit'

Travel Light

This time, while coming back from India, I thought it would be better to travel light. Less luggage means less stress; physically and mentally.

And it was definitely better. 

On the plane, I was thinking that wouldn't it be better to travel light in the journey of life also? 

We are always carrying so much weight of desires, hopes, expectations and ego on our mind that makes our spiritual journey harder and at times, we even become frustrated. 

Less ego and expectations will definitely make our spiritual journey easier and more enjoyable.

ज्यादा बोझ लेकर चलने वाले अक्सर डूब जाते हैं

फिर बोझ चाहे सामान का हो या अभिमान का 

'Rajan Sachdeva'

A Quote from Shri Ramakrishna

......in order to realize God a man must follow one path
with all his strength. But you must regard other views
as so many paths leading to God.
You should not feel that your path is the only right path
and that other paths are wrong.
You mustn’t bear malice toward others

~ Sri Ramakrishna

अंतर्द्वंद Antradvand By Dr. Sachidanand Kaveeshvar

              अंतर्द्वंद  

सुबह के घने कोहरे में, दूर - बहुत दूर

मेरी मंज़िल 

एक धुंधली परछाई  की तरह  

नज़र आ रही थी।

छत पर चढकर देखा ​तो ​

एक ​रौशन ​इमारत नज़र आई 

लगा यही मंज़िल है 

मैं वहां पहुंचने के लिये बहुत आतुर था

शाम की कालिख छाने से पहले 

मैने तेज़ रफ़्तार वाले ​सीमेंट के रास्ते पर

सफर करने की ठानी

 ​ ​

चमकीले दिए और किनारे पर लगे 

नियॉन के संदेशों की जगमगाहट से मैं पुलकित था।

दाएं बाएं से सनसनाती कारें गुज़र रही थी।

तीव्र गति से अब मंज़िल का फासला 

कम होता जा रहा था।

मगर तभी

सामने की कारों के ब्रेक लाइट्स चमकने लगे।

एकाएक यातायात ठप्प हो गया।

मैं ​उस ​चौड़ी सड़क के बीच रूका रहा असहाय​,​

सैकड़ों यात्रिओं से घिरा।

सीमेंट की सड़कों और नियॉन के दियों का 

कुतूहल अब कम होने लगा था।

अब कच्चे रास्ते पर जा रही बैल गाड़ी,

मिट्टी पर गिरि बारिश और किनारे पर लगी

​अम्रराई की सुगंध याद आने लगी।

गाय भैसों की गर्दन में टंगे ​
घुंगरू की आवाज़ याद आने लगी।

शाम होने में अब कुछ ही देर बाकी है।

शायद मैं और पगडंडी पर जा रही बैलगाड़ी 

साथ ही पहुंचेंगे - उसी मंज़िल पर

शाम की कालिख छाने से पहले।

............"डॉक्टर सच्चिदानंद कवीश्वर"

 ​​

"Nanak Phikka Boliye,Tan-Man Phikka hoye"

              "Nanak Phikka Boliye, Tan-Man Phikka hoye"

“Nanak says: meaningless talks make the body, mind (and surroundings) meaningless”.

In generally speaking, the word Phikka (Punjabi) or Pheeka in Hindi and Urdu means tasteless. Food with no flavor is considered Phikka khana. A fabric or an object with not so bright or faded color is called 'Phikka rang'. 

In terms of speech, 'Phikka Bolna' is usually translated as 'Meaningless-Talk' or 'Just a talk-with no action'.

'Meaningless' does not mean simply the words such as 'da da da or la la la la'. It may also apply to some meaningless talks that make absolutely no sense and to those that are merely speeches without any action.  

However, all spoken words have a potential of creating a chain of actions and reactions, and they usually do. 

Harsh and angry words can start and fuel a heated argument whereas kind and gentle words can create a pleasant and peaceful environment. 

The history of Maha Bharat tells us that this great destructive epic war was rooted in a short phrase spoken by Draupadi: "Andhe ki aulaad andhi" meaning "Blind children of the blind father--Like father like son", to mock and laugh at Duryodhan and his brothers. 

She may not have meant it but the seeds of deep animosity were planted by these three words.

Sometimes we also say things that we consider meaningless and harmless but they may have great consequences too. Later we may say that I did not mean it, but the damage may have already been done. 

That is why the scholars say "Think twice before speaking". 

"Pehalay Tolo phir Bolo" Weigh the consequences, and then speak"

If we cannot do that then another advice was given by the elders:

 "Ik chup - Sau Sukh" (A silence has hundred benefits)

According to Shri Maan Singh ji 'Maan':  

"Kade kisay nu kujh nahin kehnaa chaaheeda

  Ho sakay taan chup hee rehnaa chaaheeda”

 A 'Mahaa-Vaakya' from the great Vedas: 

 "Satyam Bruyaat, Priyam Bruyaat 

   Ma Bruyaat SatyamApriyam"

  "Speak Truth, Speak sweet that is beneficial to all.

   Do not speak if it is harsh, bitter, destructive or damaging even if it

   is true." 

               "Nanak Phikka Boliye, Tan-Man Phikka hoye"

                                                                'Rajan Sachdeva' 

Bodhidharma and Emperor Wu

Bodhidharma

There is a famous quatrain attributed to Bodhidharma in his meeting with Emperor Wu.

The emperor asked Bodhidharma, the toothless old monk with big wide open eyes: "Since I ascended the throne, I have promoted the building of temples, the transcription of Sutras (scriptures), ordination of monks; serving and donating money to temples and preachers. What merit have I obtained? "

The Master replied, "No merit at all."
The Emperor asked: - "Why no merit?"
The Master said: - "All these things are nothing but unclean for merit reasons; at the most they ripen the meager fruit of a human rebirth or Deva (god). They are like shadows that follow the forms, lacking their own reality."

The emperor asked: - "So, what kind is the real merit?" 

The Master said: - "It is the pure, wonderful and perfect knowledge (Gyana). Its essence is emptiness. You cannot win a spiritual merit through worldly means..."

Then the emperor asked: - "What is the first principle of sacred truth?" 

Bodhidharma replied: - "Vast emptiness, nothing else; absolutely nothing." 

Excerpts from: 'Bodhidharma and his spiritual legacy'

By Dokushô Villalba. 

Des me Pardesi​ देस में परदेसी

कुछ साल पहले की बात है  ​....... 

  

जब मै अमेरिकन सिटिज़न बनने के बाद पहली बार भारत 

​जा रहा था तो मुझे बताया गया कि पहली यात्रा में  पुराना cancelled पासपोर्ट भी साथ रखना ज़रूरी है 

देहली पहुँचने पर जब मैंने अपना पुराना पासपोर्ट, वीजा और नया अमेरिकन पासपोर्ट कस्टम अधिकारी के सामने रखा तो उन्होंने entry stamp लगाने के बाद एक अजीब अंदाज़ से मुझे देखा और पासपोर्ट ​वापिस ​थमाते हुए बोले -

"वाह साहिब​!​

अपने ही देस में परदेसी बन ​कर आये हो "

मै एक खिसयानी सी हंसी के साथ उनका धन्यवाद करके बाहर आ गया।

लेकिन भवन पहुंचने तक पूरे रास्ते उनकी बात ​मन में खटकती रही 

​​ अगले दिन भी मैं उस पर विचार करता रहा तो अचानक ख्याल आया कि अक़सर अध्यात्म (spirituality) में भी हमारे साथ ऐसा ही होता है 

हम जानते हैं​ और अकसर ​कहते भी हैं ​कि ये दुनिया परदेस है और हमारा,

​यानी आत्मा का असली 'देस' परमात्मा है।  

फिर भी हमारा अधिकतर समय परदेस​ यानी ​संसार में ही गुजरता है और कभी कभी हम अपने देस ​अर्थात परमात्मा के ध्यान में कुछ देर के लिए विजिट करने चले जाते हैं। मगर परदेसी बन कर ही जाते हैं​, ​और​ परदेसको साथ ही ले कर जाते हैं। 

​

परमात्मा​ के ध्यान में भी परदेस​, ​यानी संसार की सुख सुविधाएं ही मांगते हैं।  

​घर में शादी थी ​तो सोचा कि शादी के लिए कपड़े और बाकी सामान लेने के लिए भारत जाना ठीक रहेगा। 

चूँकि इस यात्रा का प्रयोजन केवल कपड़े इत्यादि सामान लाना ही था सो एक आध हफ्ते में जल्दी से सब सामान इकठ्ठा करके वापिस आ गए। 

क्या हम सत्संग और सुमिरन में भी सिर्फ परदेस के लिए सामान  इकठ्ठा करने के लिए ही जाते हैं ? 

 वाह रे मनुआ वाह।  

 देस तो गया - मगर परदेसी बन कर 

 और लौट आया 

 परदेस के लिए​ कुछ साज़ो सामान ले कर 

 सागर में डुबकी लगाई तो​ थी 

​ पर लौट आया बस,​ हाथ कीचड़ से भर कर 

​                                         'राजन सचदेव'​

​

What is Dedication

अक़सर ऐसी घड़ियाँ भी Aqsar aesi ghadiyaan

अक़सर  ऐसी घड़ियाँ  भी  मेरे जीवन में आई हैं 

जो बातें खुद भी ना ​समझीं वो औरों को समझाई हैं 

Aqsar aesi ghadiyaan bhi mere jeevan me aayi hain

jo baaten khud bhi na  ​samjhin​  vo auron ko samjhaai hain