Utilize the leverage of trust to make every other sensation and emotion more effective.

Loving Parents..................................

It is very difficult to love your parents, I understand. The relationship is such that when a child is born the parents love the child -- it is instinctive. With the mother it is more so, because the father is not a natural phenomenon; it is just institutional. But the mother has an instinctive love towards the child. Not that she loves you -- there is no conscious decision about it, it is a natural pull just like gravitation. But the same pull does not exist from the child towards the mother; it cannot exist. It will exist from you towards your children -- that's the way the future is protected; that's a natural in-built mechanism to protect the future.

Your mother loved you, your father loved you... you will love your children, they will love their children. Nature is interested in the future, in the survival -- not in the past.

So there is no natural instinct for the child to love the mother. It has to be done with deep understanding. One has to be alert about it that it is just instinctive that the mother loves you and that it is also instinctive that you don't have any pull of that sort.

You can fulfil the duty, but if you don't have the pull, fulfilling the duty becomes ugly, so what is the way out? The natural pull is not there. You can force yourself unnaturally, but that is not good it kills your spontaneity and it makes you pretentious, and pretence is not good. Then what is the way out? The way out is to become more present.

Pretence is not the way, presence is the way... to become more alert about the situation -- that the mother carried you in her womb for nine months, that half of your being consists of your mother and half of your being consists of your father.You are here because of them: if they were not here you would not be here. All that is happening to you is, in a way, because of them.... One has to become aware of this.

And they have done much whatever they could do; more was not possible. Knowing well the type of persons they are, more was not possible so more cannot be expected. Whatever they did, that was all they could do -- they did their utmost. They have not been lacking, but they have a certain type of personality, they have a certain mechanism, and they are not meditators, so your responsibility becomes greater than their responsibility.

Whenever a person is in meditation, his responsibility is more than the person who is not in meditation, because more is expected from you -- existence expects more. It is almost like a man is walking on the road, drunk. You don't expect much -- if he goes to the wrong side, it's fine; if he sits just in the middle of the road, that too is all right. But you are not drunk. If you go to the wrong side, that is not acceptable: your responsibility is greater.

Exactly the same is the case with people who are not in meditation and they are living an almost mechanical life -- they may be your parents, may not be your parents; that is not the point. But you have entered a new life, you have entered in a new stream of consciousness, you have become a 'srotapanna'. Now your responsibility is greater... greater than ever! And you will not be able to forgive yourself if you do something irresponsibly.

This responsibility is not something that comes from the outside. Nobody can force anything on you, nobody is there to force. It comes from within; it is just your understanding that makes you responsible for many things. So just see the point: they are the type of people they are. Whatever they could do, they did -- to ask for more is meaningless. So whatever they have done you have to feel grateful for. And whatever is happening to you and will happen to you, they remain the causes. If some day you become enlightened, then you will have to feel grateful towards them. If you are breathing it is because of them, because they loved each other. If you are here, listening to me, it is because of them. They remain your foundation so don't forget the foundation, that's all.

It is not a duty, you cannot make it a duty. It cannot be a natural love, it can only be a compassion in deep understanding. I call it compassion. And when a child can feel compassion for his or her parents, great is the benefit for them and greater is the benefit for you. You will feel tremendously happy, at ease. You will feel very relaxed when you have carried out your responsibilities fully alert and aware.

So you just go and tell them and make them feel it is not only a question of telling: let them feel while you are there -- that they can depend on you, they can rely on you, that whenever the need arises you will be there. It's not a question of guarantee; it is guaranteed.

This time relate with them in a different way. Be more alert, look into your mother's eyes.... You may not have looked for years or you may not have looked at all. Nobody
looks into the mother's eyes -- a poor woman, she has lived a life but nothing much has happened to her. She may die without meditation, without prayer, without knowing anything of God. Feel for her, hold her hand, hug her! She is part of you, you are part of her! And in this way you can bring some new glimpse to them. Look into your father's eyes. Some day he will die and then there will be no
way to relate to him and you will miss him.

When a father dies, his death hurts very much -- not only as death. Death hurts naturally, but it hurts more when it is your father, because now there is nobody left to whom you can go and feel grateful, to whom you can go and do something that you always wanted to do, but you never did. Look into his eyes, hold his hand... do something for him! The death of the parents hurts more because now there is no chance to relate with them again. You will not be meeting them again ever. Life is so fragile! So whenever you are near your parents, remember one thing: they will die before you. You will be here for many years without them; then there will be no chance even to ask their forgiveness.

So don't miss this moment -- this time really be with them. Do something -- whatever you feel like doing -- feel for them, and maybe through your love, through your compassion, understanding, a new breeze enters their life, a new window opens. Talk about meditation; and they will ask you about it. They will see that you have changed, because you have never looked into their eyes, you have never been so loving, so understanding, so responsible... they will feel it! If they cannot feel it, then who will? The same life energy continues in you; you exist on the same wavelength. If they cannot feel then nobody can; they will be the first persons to feel. So let them feel what has happened to you, let them enquire,
talk to them, talk about me, take a few tapes. Sometimes meditate and tell them just to sit and see what happens. Let there be meditative energy in your home. One never knows -- a door can open any moment.

And they have been seeking the same joy that you are seeking, the same search has been there...perhaps unconsciously. Maybe they were not so fortunate and they couldn't find some key to open the locks, maybe they were trying to search but in the wrong direction --somehow it didn't happen. But if it has happened to you and is happening to you, take the message to them.

Concern

Concern is like a match—-it can light a process. Next step—-blow out the concern before it burns your fingers, then enthusiastically gather fuel for the process that you've lighted.

When I Am Reminded..............

Each day is a new beginning given by God
I am reminded how blessed I am as this road I tread.
A new friendship comes to mind and it is my treasure.
Watching a child at play is my greatest pleasure.
Being able to help a fallen soul will
be my greatest joy.
Watching a bird build a nest while the
world searches for rest.
I am reminded I am only a small part of his plan.
When skies are blue or gray you are always there beside me.
I am reminded of God's love at the site
of a rainbow after the rain.
When I see the flag I'm reminded of the
freedoms I share.
I remember God's love to me when I
suffer much pain.
As the clowns come to town I am grateful I'm able to laugh.
I'll share your heavy load to let you
know I care.
I am reminded day by day we have much to share.

Together............................

Together

I bow and I bow
because I don't know how
to do anything more
or less
than love you

I sit and I wait
because there's no where
to go without you
and now
is held only by a slender thread

I pray and I pray
for the day that you and I
become one, become we
free to be
Together.

Chant - Ek Ong Kar - for at Least 3 Minutes Daily to Clear the Brain

How to chant (Ek Ong Kar) the Ashtang Mantra

Begin by taking a full breath through the nose and Chant

Ek Ong Kar

Take another full breath through the nose and Chant

Sat Nam Siri

Now take a half breath through the nose and Chant

Wha - hey Guru

Take another full breath through the nose and begin the mantra again

Even though it is vastly more important what a mantra does physically than what it means mentally, the intellect always wants to know meanings — Ek Ong Kar means One Creator created the creation. Sat means life/truth and Nam means identity of life. Siri means great beyond description and Wahe Guru means — WOW — infinite light comes from infinite darkness, the reality of the Cosmos.

The conscious mind relates to words and meanings. The sub-conscious and higher-conscious mind — which make up 95% of our mental body — relate to the symbols of imagery, and the sounds of melodies (ragas) and rhythms (taals). This is why art and music can move us at levels far deeper than any words can.

By chanting — over and over — the rhythmic sequence of these eight sound-beats, (EK ONG KAR SAT NAM SIRI WAHE GURU) the mind is entrained with this 8 = ∞ connection. There is a layering effect over the time that one chants this mantra, and eventually the big wheel of GOD runs the little wheel of self — appearing in our life as — THY will is MY will.

Chant this mantra to focus, structure, discipline and empower the mind.

Life Story

Pressure, friction, stress and tension are the bonding forces that hold the atoms and molecules of matter together . . . they will always be here as long as we are. Matter is the stage on which the play known as "Creation" unfolds.
How do you work with those forces that bond us . . . how do you handle the pressure, the friction, the stress and the tension? This is how your story is told.

OPR

When circumstances govern our lives—-life is seldom rewarding . . . we have become a passenger in 'OPR'—-'other people's realities'.

Character

In life we are consistently surrounded by a variety of characters . . . each one bringing lessons. It is never about the character with the lessons . . . it is always about the lessons in the character.

Human Life

"The purpose of the entire practice of all of human life is, when you breathe the breathe of life, you know that you are breathing it. You give it to Infinity as an offering. Then close your eyes, and say 'Wahe Guru' and be One. That act of that moment is the purpose of life."

Eat, Pray, Love

“…if you sit down with the pure intention to meditate, whatever happens next is none of your business. So why are you judging your experience?”

“Just as there exists in writing a literal truth and a poetic truth, there also exists in a human being a literal anatomy and a poetic anatomy. One you can see; one you cannot. One is made of bones, teeth and flesh; the other is made of energy and memory and faith. But they are both equally true.”

“…the rules of transcendence insist that you will not advance even one inch closer to divinity as long as you cling to even one last seductive thread of blame. As smoking is to the lungs, so is resentment to the soul; even one puff of it is bad for you…”

Maya Angelo ~ Nubian Queen ~ Every Woman Should Have…Every Woman Should Know…

MAYA ANGELOU’S BEST POEM EVER

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE…
Enough money within her control to move out
And rent a place of her own even if she never wants
To or needs to…

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE…
Something perfect to wear if the employer or date of her
Dreams wants to see her in an hour…

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE …
A youth she’s content to leave behind…

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE…
A past juicy enough that she’s looking forward to
Retelling it in her old age…

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE …
A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE…
One friend who always makes her laugh… And one who
Lets her cry…

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE…
A good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone
Else in her family…

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE…
Eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a
Recipe for a meal that will make her guests feel honored…

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE…
A feeling of control over her destiny…

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
How to fall in love without losing herself…

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
How to quit a job, break up with a lover, and confront a friend without ruining the friendship …

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
When to try harder… And when to walk away…

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
That she can’t change the length of her calves,
The width of her hips, or the nature of her parents…

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
That her childhood may not have been perfect…but its
Over…

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
What she would and wouldn’t do for love or more…

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
How to live alone… Even if she doesn’t like it…

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
Whom she can trust, whom she can’t, and why she shouldn’t
Take it personally…

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
Where to go… Be it to her best friend’s kitchen table…
Or a charming inn in the woods…
When her soul needs soothing…

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW…
What she can and can’t accomplish in a day…
A month…and a year…

MAYA ANGELOU

THE HOLIEST MOMENT : Death

THE HOLIEST MOMENT : Death

The first thing: when death is there you have to be very respectful because death is no ordinary phenomenon, it is the most extraordinary phenomenon in the world. Nothing is more mysterious than death. Death reaches the very centre of existence, and when a man is dead you are moving on sacred ground: it is the holiest moment possible. No, ordinary curiosities cannot be allowed. They are disrespectful. In the East particularly, death is respected more than life -- and the East has lived long to come to this conclusion. In the West life is more respected than death; hence so much tension, so much worry and so much anguish, so much madness. Why? If you respect life more, you will be afraid of death, and then death will look antagonistic, the enemy; and if death is the enemy, you will remain tense your whole life, because death can happen any moment. You don't accept it, you reject it -- but you cannot destroy it. Death cannot be destroyed. You can reject it; you can deny it; you can be afraid, scared, but it is there, just at the corner, always with you like a shadow. You will be trembling your whole life -- and you are trembling. And in the fear, in all fears if searched deeply, you will find the fear of death.

Whenever you are afraid, something has given you an indication of death. If your bank goes bankrupt and you are filled with fear and trembling, anxiety -- that too is anxiety about death, because your bank balance was nothing but a security against death. Now you are more open, vulnerable. Now who will protect you if death knocks at the door? If you become ill, if you become old, then who is going to take care of you? The guarantee was there in the bank, and the bank has gone bankrupt.

You cling to prestige, power, position, because when you have a position you are so significant that you are more protected by people. When you are not in power, you become so impotent that nobody bothers in any way who you are. When you are in power, you have friends, family, followers; when you are not in power, everybody leaves. There was a protection, somebody was there to care; now nobody cares. Whatever you are afraid of, if you search deeply you will always find the shadow of death somewhere.

You cling to a husband, you are afraid he may leave; or you cling to a wife, afraid she may leave you. What is the fear? Is it really the fear of a divorce, or is it a fear of death? It is a fear of death... because in divorce you become alone. The other gives a protection, a feeling that you are not alone, somebody else is with you. In moments when somebody else will be needed, you will have somebody to look to. But the wife has left, or the husband has left, and now you are left alone, a stranger.

Who will protect you? Who will care for you when you are ill? When people are young, they do not need a wife or a husband so much, but when they are old their need is more. When you are young it is a sexual relationship. The older you become the more it becomes a life relationship, because now if the other leaves you, immediately death is there. Wherever you are afraid, try to explore, and you will find death hiding somewhere behind. All fear is of death. Death is the only fear source.

In the West people are apprehensive, worried, anxious, because you have to fight continuously against death. You love life, you respect life -- that's why in the West old people are not respected. Young people are respected, because old people have moved further towards death than you; they are already in its grip.

Youth is respected in the West -- and youth is a transitory phenomenon, it is already passing from your hands.

In the East old men are respected, because in the East death is respected; and because in the East death is respected, there is no fear about death. Life is just a part; death is the culmination. Life is just the process; death is the crescendo. Life is just the moving; death is the reaching. And both are one! So what will you respect more, the way or the goal? The process or the flowering?

Death is the flower, life is nothing but the tree. And the tree is there for the flower, the flower is not there for the tree. The tree should be happy and the tree should dance when the flower comes.

So in the East death is accepted; not only accepted, welcomed. It is a divine guest. When it knocks at the door, it means the universe is ready to receive you back. In the East we respect death. And this young man Zengen just came in without even expressing a word of death is childish; one has to be respectful, silent. That is sympathy or respect. He simply became curious. Not only that, he was very disrespectful -- he tapped on the coffin and asked Dogo, 'Is he really dead?' His question
is beautiful, but not in the right moment. The question is right but the moment he has chosen is wrong. To be curious before death is childish; one has to be respectful, silent. That is the only way to have a rapport with the phenomenon. When somebody dies it is really something very deep happening. If you can just sit there and meditate many things will be revealed to you. Questioning is foolish. When death is there, why not meditate? Questioning may be just a trick to avoid the thing, it may be just a safety measure so as not to look at death directly.

I have watched when people go to burn or to cremate somebody -- they start talking too much there. At the cremation ground they discuss many philosophical things. In my childhood, I loved very much to follow everybody. Whoever died, I would be there. Even my parents became afraid; they would say, 'Why do you go? We don't even know that man. There is no need to go.'

I would say, 'That is not the point. The man is not my concern. Death... it is such a beautiful phenomenon, and one of the most mysterious. One should not miss it.' So the moment I heard that somebody had died, I would be there, always watching, waiting, witnessing what was happening. And I watched people discussing many things, philosophical problems such as: What is death? And somebody would say: 'Nobody dies. The innermost self is immortal.' They would discuss the Upanishads, the Gita, and quote authorities. I started feeling: 'They are avoiding the real issue. By just becoming engaged in a discussion, they are avoiding the phenomenon that is
happening. They are not looking at the dead man. And the thing is there! Death is there, and you are discussing it! What fools!'

You have to be silent. If you can be silent when death is there, you will suddenly see many things, because death is not just a person who has stopped breathing. Many things are happening. When a person dies, his aura starts subsiding. If you are silent, you can feel it -- an energy force, a vital energy field, subsiding, getting back to the centre. - And the Flowers Showered, Is He Dead?

Dealing with Death

Death cannot be the enemy,
because it is part of existence.

Existence has given birth to you.
Existence is mothering you.

And when you die,
you simply go back to your original source,
to rest and to be born again.

There is no need to be afraid .

You will not die,
you will only disappear
like a snowflake
in the pure air.

Your form will disappear
into formlessness,
the river will disappear
into the ocean,
but it will not cease to exist.
It will even become wider, vaster,
it becomes oceanic.

Silence ...... Wat a Gr8 Music....!

The first thing to understand is that music is a by-product of meditation. The first musicians, the pioneers, were really not trying to create music; they were trying to find some way to convey the silence, the beauty, the calmness, the soothingness that they had felt in meditation. They have worked in many ways; in fact all the arts have their origin in meditation, but music comes the closest, because music is nothing but a play between sound and silence.

To the ordinary musician the sound is important. To the master musician the silence is important: he uses sound only to create silence. He raises sound to a high pitch and then drops it so suddenly that you fall into a deep silence.

In the East classical music is absolutely devoted to meditation. It has not forgotten its origin. But the origin must have been thousands of years ago. There is no written record about it, so whatever I am saying is

according to my inner experience. I have felt it, that I use language also in the same way... words to create moments of wordlessness. Basically it is the same technique. So it is possible: listening to music you may remember me. You may feel close to me, although I am not a musician. There is no superficial connection between me and music, but there is something deeply connected.

The musician is using notes of music to create periods of silence.

I am using words to create gaps. Those gaps are more real, closer to my experience than the words. But it is difficult for people to understand the gaps – they can understand only words. So I have to trick them into the gaps. They come to listen to the words, but slowly, they start slipping into the gaps. And finally they will find that they have been tricked: the words were irrelevant. What was really relevant was the gap between two words.

So because I am using the same technique... not being a musician, I cannot play any instrument; there has not been time for me to learn to play any instrument. I have been involved so much with consciousness that whatever time was available to me, I have given to consciousness. So I am the most unskilled person. I cannot sculpt, I cannot write poetry, I cannot play music -- all that I can do is in some way create the

same technique through words.

And that's why listening to music -- particularly classical music -- you may feel closer to me. You may feel very close. It does not matter what technique is used; the basis is the same. All the arts have their origin

in meditation, and all the arts have moved far away from meditation -- and this is a calamity. Otherwise every artist, whatever his special art, should find a way towards meditation. But it doesn't seem so.

On the contrary, most of the modern artists, musicians, dancers, poets, painters, sculptors, rather than reaching to meditation, end up in madness -- that is the other extreme of meditation. And the reason is because in the original sources the gaps were important, not the words. But as time passed, words became more important than the gaps. If you are going to print a book exactly the way I speak, it will become too lengthy and people will not be able to understand -- what is the matter, why so many gaps? So in printing you will have to bring the words closer and drop the gaps.

The same happened in music, the same happened in dancing. The dancer was trying to express his inner experience. He would go into a certain movement and then there would be a sudden stop, and he would become just like a statue. And that was the moment to understand.

As far as I am concerned, it is absolutely on the right track that you are moving. You have found a way of being close to GOD.

Whenever you are silent, you are close to GOD.

Whenever your mind begins chattering, you start going away. But modern music has fallen from grace because it has forgotten its basic purpose. It has forgotten its origin. It does not know that it has anything to do with meditation. And the same is true about other arts. They have all become non-meditative, and they are all leading people to madness.