Ajay0

Therevada Buddhist teacher Mathieu Ricard have also stated on the same theme...

An insightful article by Joan Tollifson on the nature of addiction, on how capitalism focusses on creating desires and addressing them rather than needs, creating an artificial psychological sense of lack in the process and thereby pleasure addictions... https://www.joantollifson.com/writing9.html Joan Tollifson is a spiritual teacher whose background includes Buddhism, Advaita, nontraditional meditative inquiry, radical nonduality, martial arts, somatic work, addiction recovery, political activism, visual arts . She is a student of Toni Packer, a teacher of zen buddhism , and have authored books and articles on meditation, nondual philosophy and openly shares her own experiences with addiction, depression, cancer, aging, disability, and other life adventures. Born handicapped losing a hand ( her right hand was severed in utero by a strand of amniotic tissue) she is also a disability rights activist.

There is more to life than increasing its speed. ~ Mahatma Gandhi A mind that is fast is sick. A mind that is slow is sound. A mind that is still is divine.” ~ Meher Baba “All negative thoughts – anger, fear, passion,compulsive craving -- tend to be fast. If we could see the mind when it is caught in such thoughts, we would really see it racing. But positive thoughts like love, patience, tenderness, compassion, and understanding are slow - not turbulent, rushing brooks of thinking, so to speak but broad rivers that are calm, clear, and deep.” ~ Eknath Easwaran When we go slower, we are more patient and when we are more patient we have a choice in how we respond. ~ Eknath Easwaran An unhurried mind brings the capacity to make wise choices every day - choices of how we use our time, of where we place our resources and our love. I am not just talking about avoiding the rat race, but about a life full of an artistic beauty - a life that has almost vanished from modern civilization, but is quite within the reach of everyone. ~ Eknath Easwaran “As meditation deepens, compulsions, cravings, and fits of emotions begin to lose their power to dictate our behavior. We see clearly that choices are possible: we can say yes, or we can say no.― Eknath Easwaran

Most people with superficial knowledge of Hinduism claim that Hinduism is a polytheistic religion. This however is far removed from the truth.The Advaitan philosophy in Hinduism teaches that the unitary Brahman (which in its essence is pure consciousness) alone is true, and that matter, energy, space, time and causation are its diverse manifestations.These two sayings of female enlightened masters in Hinduism reflect clearly the above theme... The gods themselves are said to have arose from Brahman. The Vedas themselves proclaim this... From this vedic saying, one can see that the multiplicity of gods themselves sprung from the unitary Brahman.There are also many strictly monotheistic sects in Hinduism like the Kabir Panthis, Brahmo Samaj, Arya Samaj, Lingayats, Mahima Dharma and Prajapita Brahmakumaris where God is worshipped as incorporeal.The Hindu monotheistic sects have also brought about social reforms in India getting rid of obsolete traditions like casteism, untouchability, Sati, discrimination on the basis of gender and so on.The ideals of fraternity, equality and liberty were imprinted in Hindu society by these sects considering that all were children or offspring of one God.The Brahmo Samaj was instrumental in abolition of Sati, while the Indian scholar and president S.Radhakrishnan creditted the Arya Samaj for the progressive reforms in society and the Indian constitution.The S.N.D.P formed by Sree Narayan Guru, also had as its motto, 'One caste, one religion, one God' and was instrumental in removing the evils of casteism in southern India empowering the masses with social, cultural, religious and literary reforms.The Prajapita Brahmakumaris is the world's only spiritual organization led, administered and taught by women with its own unique theological and religious doctrine . The empowerment of women as spiritual and social leaders is a dominant theme of the Brahmakumaris.

A summarised teaching of Dharma by Phakchok Rinpoche... https://tzal.org/quotes-by-phakchok-rinpoche/

I recently came across an interesting story of a South African conservationist named Lawrence Anthony. He was known for his conservatory work amongst elephants. It is said that just after Lawrence's death in his house, a group of elephants marched their way to his house for 12 hours, and hung around for two days before making their way to the bush. https://protectallwildlifeblog.com/2021/08/01/when-the-elephants-came-to-mourn-the-elephant-whisperer/ Imho, I think , considering this case study, animals are somehow capable of intuiting the state of close friends and responding accordingly.

Elephant visits hospital to bid emotional farewell to its ailing caretaker: https://thedailyguardian.com/viral-news/elephant-visits-hospital-for-heartfelt-goodbye-to-its-ailing-caretaker-watch/ https://www.msn.com/en-in/entertainment/bollywood/watch-elephant-visits-terminally-ill-caretaker-at-hospital-for-final-goodbye-viral-video-leaves-netizens-in-tears/ar-AA1yGhUx

This is true. For example Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs turned the sikh community into a martial one due to external persecution and tyranny . At the same time he had no hatred for the opposing army and soldiers. As a warrior, he tipped his arrows in gold . His reasoning was that if the enemy soldiers his arrows killed were poor, their family will be able to extract the gold from the arrows to meet the expenses of burial rites .

First, see the conditions of your discontent in life/why you aren't happy, then you will start to see all your negative emotions. When you look deeper, you will see the negative emotions arise from the judgement thoughts of "I, me, my". If you can clearly see that the "I" is the trouble maker, then you can gradually convince yourself to train to reduce the "I", and this is the very purpose of the path of meditation. - Phakchok Rinpoche 'If I strike a match to light a white candle, then use that candle to light a blue candle, is the same flame burning on both the white and blue candle? Yes and no. And ‘yes and no’ can be applied to all relative truths. If you were to ask, is today’s ‘you’ the same as tomorrow’s ‘you’, the answer would be yes and no, because there is a continuation but only on the relative level. The only time a ‘me’ or ‘self’ will not continue into a new life is when we get enlightened. Once we are enlightened, the idea of a ‘self’ is no longer perpetuated and neither is the idea of ‘time’. For the enlightened, there is, therefore, no such thing as continuity or reincarnation.' ~ Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche

In our day-to-day life, we have to deal with many adverse situations and people. Under such circumstances, we need to be aptly equipped to safeguard our mind from getting perturbed. ~ Anandmurti Gurumaa If people are bad you don't have to make your own mind bad. If things are bad you don't have to make your own state of mind bad.You don't have to worry about it to make your own life bad. When everything is wrong, at least keep one thing right, and that's your own mind. ~ Anandmurti Gurumaa When everything is wrong, at least keep one thing right, and that's your own mind. ~ Anandmurti Gurumaa

A few observations and much reasoning leads to error; many observations and a little reasoning to truth. ~ .Alexis Carrell Record enough facts, and the answer will fall to you like a ripe fruit. ~ Christopher Hitchens Making good judgments when one has complete data, facts, and knowledge is not leadership - it's bookkeeping. ~ Dee Hock

Mohanji is a modern spiritual master, and the following is a description of his awakening process... https://mohanji.org/mohanji-life-journey/

Teachings of the Masters on Awareness-Proactivty and Unconsciousness-Ego-Reactivity.... Act. Do not react. --Sri Ravi Shankar Sin is never in action. It is always in reaction. -- Swami Chinmayananda Virtuous ( proactive) action increases intelligence, while sinful ( reactive ) acts decreases intelligence. --Vidura Neeti ( Mahabharatha ) If you want to progress in your life and grow, act not to react. --Harbhajan Yogi Bhajan Respond. Do not react. --Osho Just stay focused. Don't react. Just be a witness and you will see the magic of it. --Swami Chidanand Saraswati Be proactive. Do not be reactive. --Stephen Covey ( Author of 7 habits of highly effective people ) Habitually we react to external stimuli, that is we are generally overwhelmed by retaliatory emotional forces within us demanding appropriate action. But surely this cannot be called 'action' , it is in fact ' re-action' . Discipline of the reasoning mind controls the reactive forces and results in appropriate 'action' rather than 're-action', one should endeavour to establish control and avoid retaliatory behaviour. --Acharya Mahaprajna Quality of life depends on what happens in the space between stimulus and response. -- Stephen Covey Because of the space between stimulus and response, people have the power of choice; therefore,leaders are neither born nor made — meaning environmentally trained and nurtured. They are self-made through chosen responses, and if they choose based on principles and develop increasingly greater discipline, their freedom to choose increases. -- Stephen Covey Reaction is unconscious. You do not know exactly that you are being manipulated. You are not aware that you are behaving like a slave, not like a master. Action out of consciousness is response. -- Osho You can act in two ways -- one is reaction, another is response. Reaction comes out of your past conditionings; it is mechanical. Response comes out of your presence, awareness, consciousness; it is non-mechanical. The ability to respond is one of the greatest principles of growth. You are not following any order, any commandment; you are simply following your awareness. You are functioning like a mirror, reflecting the situation and responding to it -- not out of your memory from past experiences of similar situations, not repeating your reactions, but acting fresh, new, in this very moment. Neither the situation is old, nor your response -- both are new. -- Osho One who is obsessed with worldly pursuits, one who is body-oriented, cannot really go into this. We need to develop a distance from our mind and not give in to impulsiveness. Those who react are the ones who are living mindlessly. So in a way, we can say that living mindfully is being in meditation. -- Anandmurti Gurumaa So action which is born of reaction breeds sorrow. Most of our thoughts are the result of the past, of time. A mind that is not built on the past, that has totally understood this whole process of reaction, can act every minute totally, completely, wholly. — J. Krishnamurti Action which is born of reaction breeds sorrow. — J. Krishnamurti

In any situation we have two choices : either to wisely respond or to impulsively react.Obviously reactivity and emotivity leads to lower emotional strength and inner weakness , leading to deterioration of the situation we may find ourselves in.Thus the mind should be trained through spiritual practice and austerities in responding intelligently and patiently at all times rather than reacting impatiently and foolishly. Our mental equanimity and self-awareness at any moment reflects the depth of our spiritual practices or sadhana.A stable and equanimous mind enhances self-awareness which results in being able to respond the right way at all times.

The need of the hour is for us to increase our inner powers of emotional resilience, which means no matter what pressures come up, we do not get sucked into them.” ~ Sister Shivani ( Brahmakumaris) The problem is as big as the amount of pain we create. If we are stable, the problem appears to be very small and easy to face. ~ Sister Shivani “We need to empower ourselves mentally and emotionally to not only overcome any adversity with stability, but also learn how to remain calm, no matter what,” ~ Sister Shivani

We meditate to regulate our minds. An unregulated mind is pulled by wishes and desires, fears and habits, in many different directions. The mind becomes weak as it scatters in many different channels. In contrast, a regulated mind brings focus, and promotes well- being. Unless and until we meditate properly, and unless and until we regulate our minds properly, our consciousness will not evolve. ~ Daaji ( Heartfulness meditation) Meditation even regulates the mind, and so also help us better contemplate and refine our thinking.~ Daaji Feelings usually overpower thinking. Emotions can overwhelm us. If we are able to regulate our emotions and listen to feelings within, coming from spirit or listen to what we understand as in-spirit-ation, then we can know even without much thinking what is right and what is not. This is inherent wisdom of the soul, heard via heart. Meditation on heart really helps in this. ~ Daaji

Insightful article by the Brahmakumaris on creating a methodical roadmap to overcome old negative habits and addictions, as well as making new positive and productive habits . This can be useful for those making new year resolutions for the coming next year. https://www.brahmakumaris.com/blog/how-to-overcome-old-habits/

Sayings of Sri Ramakrishna on the Divine Mother... All women are manifestations of the Divine Mother. "Women whether naturally good or not, whether chaste or unchaste should always be regarded as images of the Blissful Divine Mother." Thus, do I realise that all women are so many forms in which the Divine Mother appears. Hence, I revere all women alike — be it an unchaste woman, or an ideal wife who is an example to others of conjugal love and devotion. He who is face-to-face with Reality, who is blessed with the vision of God, does not regard women with any fear. He sees them as they really are, images of the Divine Mother of the universe. All women are parts of the Divine Mother and, therefore, they should be looked upon as mothers by all. "Women are, all of them, the veritable images of Shakti." All women are portions of that Blessed One and should be looked upon as mothers. Women whether naturally good or not, whether chaste or unchaste, should always be regarded as images of the Blissful Divine Mother. When I see good women of respectable families, I behold in them the Divine Mother in purity; and when again I look at public women of the city, seated in their open verandahs exhibiting themselves, in them also do I see the Divine Mother sporting only in a different attire. "The knowledge of oneness makes me see that everything is but a manifestation of God the Absolute on the plane of the senses. Thus do I realize that all women are so many forms in which the Divine Mother appears. Hence I revere all women alike." The Divine Mother revealed to me in the Kali temple that it was She who had become everything. She showed me that everything was full of Consciousness. The image was Consciousness, the water was Consciousness, the altar was Consciousness, the water vessels were Consciousness, the doorsill was Consciousness, the marble floor was Consciousness-all was Consciousness. The divine Mother is always playful and sportive. This universe is Her play. She is self-willed and must always have Her own way. She is full of bliss. She gives freedom to one out of a hundred thousand… . The Divine Mother revealed to me: There is only One, without a second - it is Sat-chit-ananda alone who has assumed different forms. God Himself has become the living beings and the phenomenal world - indeed everything. It is He who has become food. "A man forgets God if he is entangled in the world of maya through a woman. It is the Mother of the Universe who has assumed the form of maya, the form of woman. One who knows this rightly does not feel like leading the life of maya in the world. But he who truly realizes that all women are manifestations of the Divine Mother may lead a spiritual life in the world. Without realizing God one cannot truly know what a woman is." God dwells in all people but the manifestation of this inner Divinity varies from person to person. In saintly people there is greater manifestation of God. Women are special manifestations of Divine Mother of the Universe, and so are to be treated with respect. "Why do people worship virgins? All women are so many forms of the Divine Mother. But Her manifestation is greatest in pure-souled virgins. Sri Krishna has a peacock feather on His crest. The feather bears the sign of the female sex. The significance of this is that Krishna carries Prakriti, the female principle, on His head. When Krishna joined the circle of the gopis to dance with them, He appeared there as a woman. That is why you see Him wearing women's apparel in the company of the gopis. Unless a man assumes the nature of a woman, he is not entitled to her company. Assuming the attitude of a woman, he can sport with her and enjoy her company.

All that is good and auspicious flows from self-control. All evil is dispelled by self-control. No gain, no pleasure in this world or in heaven is comparable to the delight of self-control. ~ Yoga Vasistha SELF-CONTROL, O Rama, is the best remedy for all physical and mental ills. When there is self-control, even the food you eat tastes better, else it tastes bitter. He who wears the armour of self-control is not harmed by sorrow. ~ Yoga Vasistha These four — CONTENTMENT, SATSANGA (holy company), the SPIRIT OF INQUIRY and SELF-CONTROL are the four surest means by which they who are drowning in this ocean of samsara can be saved. Contentment is the supreme gain. Satsanga is the best companion to the destination. ~ Yoga Vasistha The Spirit of Inquiry itself is the greatest wisdom and, Self-control is supreme happiness. If you are unable to resort to all these four, then practice one; by the diligent practice of one of these, the others will also be found in you. The highest wisdom will seek you of its own accord.~ Yoga Vasistha

India is considered to be the only country on earth which has never persecuted its Jewish population. Indian Jewish poet Zika Joseph’s new of book of poetry, ‘Sweet Malida: Memories of a Bene Israel Woman,’ dips into the culture and mythology around the subcontinent’s largest Jewish community. https://forward.com/culture/617986/indian-jewish-food-poetry-bene-israel/

You can consider these articles and statements made by Jews themselves... https://www.business-standard.com/world-news/india-only-nation-with-no-history-of-antisemitism-diaspora-supports-israel-123102400069_1.html https://www.business-standard.com/world-news/india-only-nation-with-no-history-of-antisemitism-diaspora-supports-israel-123102400069_1.html The article in the OP is also from Jewish media where the Jewish author states thus to a question... https://forward.com/culture/617986/indian-jewish-food-poetry-bene-israel/

There are no nazi or neo-nazi movements in India. Many dark-skinned Indians have also been victims of racism in europe and the west, and it s their increasing wealth and influence that has made immune to such discrimination later on. The Jews, I repeat have never faced such discrimination in India as there are no nazi or neo-nazi movements in India unlike those in the west and Australia and New Zealand. Hate speech indulging in anti-semitism has been a regular feature of these neo-nazi movements in these countries. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antisemitism_in_Australia#:~:text=Antisemitism in Australia is the,established in the 18th century. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antisemitism_in_New_Zealand Since you mentioned Ecuador, I had to mention Spanish south america, as Ecuador is a part of it. Hope you got it ! Many westerners with anti-semitic views have come to India as tourists and may have disseminated some of their propaganda here and leave after their visas expire. Hindus and Indians welcome them as they do for all tourists with an eye on the money and investments they bring to the region.This is all there is to it. There are relatively much more Jewish buildings and architecture in India , and Zionism was also considered as a model by Hindu nationalists which would explain the warm relationship between India and Israel in present times. Savitri was a French European woman who tried to blend some elements of Hinduism with nazism . Her views are laughable and comical as far as I am concerned, and it shows how human beings can be deluded by their imagination to hold absurd notions. The Gita teaches reincarnation , and the concept of reincarnation means that she herself can be born as a Jew in her next life. So hatred and prejudice becomes illogical in the light of reincarnation. A hindu can be reborn as a muslim or Christian in his next life so hatred becomes superficial and irrational in the long run. Indians in the nineteenth and early twentieth century was fighting against British and western colonialism (French,Portuguese) and so adopted nationalistic movements modelled upon that in Ireland, the US, Japan and also Germany and Italy. Communism had also influenced many Indians at that point of time due to influence of neighboring China and Russia. They used whatever models of nationalism available in other countries to fight and triumph over western colonialism. Even Islamic and Zionist models as well were also adopted as models for Hindu nationalism or Hindutva. Hindutva or Hindu nationalism was also mainly a reaction to prosleytising efforts and persecution by Islamic and Christian invaders which had projected the Hindus as heathens due to religious conditioning, and wrecked their temples and religions institutions using violence and brutality. Inquisitions and jihads, jizya taxes were common in regions where they had attained control and so there was a lot of wars and battles by the Hindus to gain control of their land and prevent the persecution. You can see that the Jews, Zoroastrians, Tibetan Buddhists, Bahais who arrived in large numbers to India as refugees were treated well by the same Hindus and not shunned or discriminated upon. They were non-violent and peaceful and consequently never encountered problems of any sort in India.

I am not aware of contact between Jewish merchants and the indigenous native Australians in Australian history. With respect to the state of Australia in modern times after european colonialism, I am aware of Neo-nazi movements in both Australia and New Zealand which obviously have anti-semitic tropes in their ideology. In Spanish south america, the jews were labeled as heretics , avoided major urban centers and survived by camouflaging their personal and group identity. Indian jews never faced such issues.

Pleasure is the greatest incentive to evil. ~ Plato If we wish to accomplish anything of value in our life, we will have to ensure that we do not allow our lower nature the liberty to manifest itself. - Swami Mukundananda Discipline is a choice. It's simply consistently choosing the hard right over the easy wrong. ~ Rory Vaden Anything worthwhile in life can be had only by going uphill. ~ Swami Mukundananda Successful people have all had to do things they didn't feel like doing in order to get where they are. ~ Rory Vaden

Balakishore of Brahmakumaris expounds on the necessity for synergy between Principle, Context and Practice for optimal results. This also enables elimination of misunderstandings and conflicts between various groups leading to promotion of universal harmony. https://balakishore.in/articles/principle-context-practice/