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What is marriage?
The dictionary definition of marriage is the legally recognized union between man and woman. It emphasizes the rights and obligations between husband and wife. Two persons from different families with different status in society, different cultural background, different habits, different upbringing, different attitudes, or personality and different interests are united in matrimony.
How does one resolve these differences and live in harmony? Look at marriage as a compound word formed from two other words – mirror and image. If the ideal husband looks at the wife as his mirror image and if the ideal wife looks at the husband as her mirror image, all differences are resolved! It is an established, observed phenomenon that over the passing of years after an ideal marriage, the outlook of both the ideal husband and ideal wife compulsorily change to suit one another’s wants and feelings. Why does this happen? It is because the ideal husband and ideal wife are mirror images of each other without their consciously knowing so.
When the ideal husband and ideal wife are conscious of the fact that they are mirror images of each other, they will begin to see the true Self in each other. This is the reason why the differences are nullified and what is meant by the statement that one is the mirror image of the other. This is how the word marriage is derived from the two words – mirror and image.
If the ideal husband and ideal wife see the true Self in each other and if they are mirror images of each other, it can be logically concluded that the image as seen in the mirror is merely a reflection of the physical body and the true Self is what dominates their existence.
This then becomes the meaning of an ideal marriage – seeing the true Self in each other.
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pH – the power of Hydrogen
It is known that Hydrogen is the first element of the Periodic Table. Has anyone ever pondered over the reason for Hydrogen being the first element of the Periodic Table? The simple answer to this question is this blog.
Long before evolution and the coming into existence of this Manifested Universe, it is to be believed that the Unmanifested Universe was one fathomless volume of dark space filled with countless particles. The resulting force due to the particles colliding with one another generates friction and the particles begin to spin at infinitesimal speed. As a result of this spin, two well-known physics concepts occur – one, a centripetal force and the other a centrifugal force: one being a force of attraction and the other a force of repulsion.
The elements of the Periodic Table are made up of atoms, atoms in turn are made up of proton, electron, and neutron particles. The atom therefore is formed by the conglomeration of the particles due to the centripetal force or force of attraction. The centrifugal force or force of repulsion is what prevents these atoms from colliding with one another.
Hydrogen is the first element of the Periodic Table from which were formed all other elements of the Periodic Table. And from the atoms derived from the elements of the Periodic Table are all the molecules and compounds in Chemistry – both Inorganic and Organic. Hydrogen is present in most of these chemical compounds and gives rise to the specific properties of these compounds. This then is the power of Hydrogen or pH.
Given that Hydrogen is the base of all elements, molecules and compounds, pH then is the base of all existence. It is the cause for all chemical reactions, controls the enzyme and biological processes around us. Maintaining a proper pH becomes vital for the proper functioning of the human body. It plays an equally important role in maintaining the ecological systems. For example, pH of the human blood. The normal range of the human blood is between 7.35 to 7.45. Any variation from these levels affects the function of the human body. Hemoglobin in the human blood is sensitive to pH variation and affects cell activity.
Having talked about the power of Hydrogen and the importance of pH, it can be concluded without doubt that, just as the elements of the Periodic Table are derived from Hydrogen, the five basic elements of Nature are also derived from the same Hydrogen, following the order of the elements of the Periodic Table.
First, Helium for Akash or Aether; second, Nitrogen for Air (contains 78% by volume); third, Oxygen for Fire (no fire without presence of Oxygen); fourth, compound Water from Hydrogen and Oxygen; and finally, Mother Earth, a combination of all other four elements forming various compounds found in Mother Earth.
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Using Artificial Intelligence in self-realization
Everyone today talks about artificial intelligence. Let us try to understand how artificial intelligence is a tool for self-realization. First, what is intelligence? Intelligence is knowledge on any given subject. It is an acquired asset. For example, when we say that a person is intelligent, it means that they are knowledgeable. Intellect, on the other hand, is one’s ability to judge between what is right and wrong, helping in decision making. Information processing capacity is intelligence while decision making capacity is intellect. They are two different faces of the same coin. Intelligence is governed by the knowledge one acquires from books or other means of learning. Intellect is governed by the mind and dependent on the experience acquired by events or happenings in one’s lifetime.
Let us take a simple example of eating food. Intelligence is our knowledge about the nutritive value of day-to-day food items that are consumed. This helps us to pick the right diet intake for a healthy living. Suppose you are at a Mall and smell the aroma of food items that are not in your daily diet. You will be tempted to yield to the aroma and indulge in the food that you desire. It is at this stage that your intellect plays the part of making the right decision – yield to temptation or refrain from the temptation and stick to your normal diet. This is the duty of the mind within you.
Artificial Intelligence, as the name implies, is the artificial prompt from the database indicating the benefits or ill effects of a given food item. Again, your decision to abide by this prompt or await the command from the mind on the right decision is your choice. Artificial intelligence is something artificial and outside the preview of the mind. It can never ever replace the mind. Artificial Intelligence can never ever control Nature. Artificial Intelligence can help predict what happens around us in Nature. TFor example, AI can predict the Weather and forecast what the weather will be. But remember only Nature contrls the weather not AI. The mind is within you while artificial intelligence is external. Artificial intelligence will still need the input from the human interface to make the right decision or right choice or follow the right procedure.
It is known that the mind is the presence of the Internal Force or the Divine within each one of us. Listening to this Inner Voice will always be the right choice or decision that you make. Yogic practices to be aware of this Inner Voice and control the decision making of the mind are available in abundance. Here again, AI can tell you the advantages and disadvantages of such practices while it is the intellect that makes you choose the right practice that suits you. Sincerely adhering to the practice chosen alone will help you maintain your health – AI has nothing to do with this. AI thus becomes a tool to self-realisation and having a healthy and peaceful life.
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What is sharing?
Sharing is caring for others’ feelings and emotions. It cannot be a mere lip service ” I care for you”. It is something beyond that. Sharing your joys and sorrows with others makes life more meaningful and less painful.
Looking around you in Nature, you will find so many examples of true sharing. Crows when fed, caw and call other crows to come and partake of the feed. Not only that but also each crow partakes only what satisfies its hunger never overindulging more than that. The story of the lion and the mouse or the story of the dove and the ant are other examples of caring and caring means sharing.
There was once a young IT professional living in the Mumbai. Every day on his way back from work he used to buy fruits for himself from a particular fruit shop managed by a frail, underfed 85-year-old woman. He used to demand that the old lady tries out the fruits that she is selling in order to ensure that the fruits are of good quality and not spoilt. The old lady used to promptly take a bite from the fruits and then sell the young man the fruits. Looking at this gesture, the shop keeper neighbour, one day asked the old lady why she was entertaining this young man’s suspicious behaviour. To this the old lady replied: I know that he cares for me and only ensuring that I partake of the fruits to remain healthy. And I slip in one or two extra fruits without the young man’s knowledge in return.
Sharing the knowledge that you have with others is also caring – be it academic knowledge or spiritual knowledge or your experiences. If these are going to make the life of the other person more meaningful you are truly sharing or caring.
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What is togetherness?
Togetherness is the emotional happy feeling when you are with others. It is more a condition of the heart than a habitual physical contact. It is the act of doing things together or as a team. Togetherness is also a feeling of feeling of joy when you are with like-minded persons, uniting in a spirit of peace and happiness.
Remember the story told by our forefathers. There was once a farmer who had four sons. The sons used to help the father in the fields. As the farmer was growing old, he called all the four sons to meet with him. The sons were eager and hoping that the father would give each one of them their share of the property to manage on their own independently. Much to their surprise, the father asked the sons to go and bring four strong dried branches. He then told the sons to tie the four branches together with a strong rope. He now asked each one of his in turn to try and break the bundle of branches. None of them could do it. The father split the bundle and gave each of his sons one branch. He asked them to break the branch they had. All four of them broke the branch with ease. The father then explained to the sons about the act of togetherness or teamwork. As long as they are together, nothing can harm them.
Take the case of the trillion cells in the human body. If each cell were to independently act and behave as it liked, would the human body be able to function? Each organ in the human body will begin to function as it liked and resulting in dis-ease within the human body. The cells function together under instructions from the brain.
Today, quantum physics, postulate that the particles in the universe exist in multiple states simultaneously and are yet interconnected irrespective of the distance. Quantum physics concepts like superimposition, entanglement, and wave particle duality all go to confirm the importance of togetherness.
In the Vedas, material Nature is referred to as Prakrithi, the physical and energetic manifestations of existence. The physical forms of Prakrithi are an interplay of the three Gunas and their togetherness determined by the presence or absences of the three Gunas.
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What are Relationships?
Relationships are controlled by your own emotions. Relationships should give you a sense of fulfillment, happiness, and connection. If you are anxious, distressed, or unhappy, relationships suffer. Relationships has to be mutual and never one-sided.
- Persons need to feel understood before they begin to understand. For example, daughter or son need to understand that they are loved or cared for before they can understand what is expected of them. Expecting children to behave or act the way you expect them to will only restrain the relationships.
- Differences among persons is fundamental to relationships and not delusional. Keeping this in mind, relationships work best if these differences are resolved rather than being carried over. For example, knowing the generation gap that exists in terms of outlook and fashion, expecting others to be in tune with your outlook is delusional and will only lead to cracks in relationships. Relationships come not by blinding ourselves to these differences but by seeing beyond these differences.
- The world of relationships is like a classroom where the focus is on learning. It cannot be a courtroom where focus is on accusing or defending. In classroom, students are from different backgrounds and different cultures. Yet the relationship among the students is not hindered by the differences. Let us maintain this decorum in the world of relationships around us.
Relationships rests on good communication and maintaining love between persons. Relationship inequalites are always temporary and tiding over these inequalities is what helps in a healthy relationship.
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What are Emotions?
All of us today are familiar with emojis. Emojis are merely a representation of the state of the mind and derived from emotions. Mind is a monkey – just as monkeys wander from tree to tree without any objective, the mind too wanders. And this wandering leads to different emotions – emotions instability. This causes restlessness, loss of peace of mind, and lack of sleep. Emotions control our thoughts, decisions and actions.
How then are we to have emotional stability or maintain a balanced emotional state? Emotional stability helps you to face the vagaries in life and still be productive. The mind controls the five senses and hence controlling the five senses is the key to emotional stability. Firstly, feel the emotions and do not suppress them. By feeling you will realise the cause for the emotions and therefore be able to nip the seed in the bud. Secondly, detach yourself from the situation causing emotional instability and go to a quieter place to have your own space. Thirdly, introspect and learn from your experiences. Fourthly, scan the environment you are in to review the causes for emotional instability. Finally, a few minutes of deep breathing will erase the negative emotions.
By setting yourself boundaries, knowing your limitations and awareness of your strengths leads to emotional stability. For example, when you crave for a particular food that is contrary to your ideals, control the temptation to avoid emotional stress. Do not be judgmental. Faced with negative emotions such as loneliness, dejection, anger or fear, rather than running away from these for immediate relief, address the underlying issue and seek other ways of pursuing what you want.
Emotions bring life to our life – we cannot control them but we can control the attention that we give to our emotions.
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What is Happiness?
Happiness is merely a state of the mind and not a status symbol. Mind is a form of energy. Happiness is therefore energy. Energy is abstract and subjective depending upon the emotional well-being of an individual. An individual who is content in life is happy. An individual who is greedy will never be happy. Happiness depends upon the moods of an individual. An elated mood keeps one happy while a depressing mood keeps one unhappy.
Happiness gives positive vibrations. These positive vibrations in life helps one live longer, be satisfied, and gain skills to cope with any given situation in life. Happiness makes you flow with the vagaries of outcomes, and this leads to a balanced emotional state. Happiness is a means to achieve your goals more easily. Happiness leads us to show care and compassion for others. You become more selfless. You begin to be grateful for what you have rather than crave for what you do not have. Life turns out to be more meaningful and yo start sharing your happiness with those around you.
Happy persons too face the whole range of human emotions like anger or frustration but with their underlying sense of optimism. are capable of maintaining a balanced state of mind.
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The Source of Energy – Food
The food intake that we eat is the source of energy that sustains the basal metabolic functions of the body. The surplus then provides the body with the energy required for other daily activities. The food is converted to energy in the body and used by the cells.
Have any of us ever paused to ponder over the source of energy for the food itself? Food in the form of fresh fruits or cooked vegetables must have its own energy source. This energy source is Nature. The yield got from crops and plants in Nature is what we eat.
Energy for the crops and plants are derived from the seeds. In another blog, it was mentioned that these seeds house the Soul which is the primal source of energy for all living beings in Nature. The soil which is one of the five elements of Nature is the source of energy for the seeds. Once grown into a plant, the energy from the Soul is dissipated first through the branches, then leaves, then flowers, and finally through the fruits or vegetables.
The fruits or vegetables that we eat thus derive their energy from the Soul. Soul is then akin to Nature. We are therefore Nature. So let us preserve Nature and keep the surroundings free from pollutants so that the food that we intake keeps us healthy and free from diseases.
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Choices You Make in Life are Your Own
Every day we are confronted with making choices. Choices begin from the time you are up from bed to the time you retire for the day. You will notice that you make choices on what to wear, what to eat, when to leave for work, what are the priorites at work, whom you meet, and how you face the daily challenges at work and in life. A satisfying life would therefore mean making the right choice and good choices.
What are good choices? Good choices you make help you in going in the right direction towards achieving your goals or targets in life. Bad choices on the other hand are detrimental in your efforts to achieve your objectives. Bad choices lead to stress, confusion and despair.
How to make the right choice? You have two options in making choices – you go ahead with the choice or look at other alternatives. Making the right choice involves a simple process of understanding the situation you are in and taking a few seconds to reflect upon the situation before making the choice – will the course of action aide your objectives in life. If your objective is to become an independent and self -supporting person, too much of late-night partying will hamper your decision making and the choices you make the next day. Lying in bed for a longer time is again your choice. Doing so will upset the daily routine. Maintaining the daily routine to the extent possible is one way of ensuring that you make the right choice or decision.
The choice you make is your own and not to be confused with Faith. For example, suppose a married couple by choice have made a decision not to have children. Merely having Faith or Praying is not going to alter the result of this choice. On the other hand, if you believe in Faith and Prayer, then you need to leave the choice of having children or not to the Supreme Power and accept the result of that choice. You are not in any way to control the actions. Making the right choice and then believing in Destiny is a wiser thing to do rather than not making any choices and then being submissive to Destiny.
By integrating yogic practices in your daily routine, the daily choices you make will become consistent and congruent with Divine Guidance from within you. It will be the right choice in your progress towards your goals in life.
Emerging Elixir 