Gratitude – Deepak Chopra

17 Monday Dec 2018

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If that flight to Delhi had not been delayed in 1998 I would never have picked up my first book by Deepak Chopra entitled “The Path to Love”. He simplified and expressed the wisdom of the Ancient sages in a way that was so engaging and empowering. I understood everything he said. And for the next few hours till my flight I didn’t realise I was on board to a new destination altogether.  A destination inside myself. 

Two years later in 2000 I was at the airport again, this time in a queue to board a flight to Singapore. There was a sudden shift of energy when a middle aged man strode past me purposefully, dressed in grey with the most intent expression. It was Deepak Chopra boarding the same flight as I was.  His energy was electric and had the air of a man compelled to  to teach as many people about themselves as he possibly could. One of his tools his gratitude. And I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to this amazing man. Thank you 🙂 May you remain blessed:)

Copyright Mita Bhan. All Rights Reserved

“Ladies and Gentlemen, we present to you the Magician”

14 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by in Short Story, Spiritual Fiction, Tarot, TarotInsights

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The Magician strode past the crowd and climbed up on  stage. He gestured with his Selenite wand to the crowd to ask him any question.

One  man raised his hand. From his expression you could see the bitterness of age had begun to creep in and settle on the lines of his face, the remnants of frustration that linger after you give up on your dream. He spoke.

“Everybody’s doing well but me. People I trained have surpassed me. Even my younger cousins with start ups are getting successful. Why am I left behind?”

The crowd edged forward eagerly to listen to the Magician respond.

Instead the magnetic man on stage simply laughed and twirled his selenite wand like a baton. Bits of light radiated from the crystal.

With great flourish, the Magician leaned forward as if to whisper a secret.

“So what are you doing about things then?”

The man mumbled “I don’t know. Nothing I guess. All I know is I’m not getting paid enough by my company.”

The Magician smiled to himself.

“If you don’t do anything but complain, you’re not going to get anything are you?”

The man’s faced began to crumple like a baby before a meltdown. The Magician’s tone softened.

“Decide on what you want. Decide why you should get. And then go to your bosses for a raise. You will get it “

The crowd cheered. The Magician swished his wand around flamboyantly in the air and the shimmering lights descended on the people.He twirled in his cape and disappeared. A song began to play on stage while the sparkle dust danced for the audience.

“You can do magic

You can have anything that you desire” – America 1982

Is he an illusionist or a trickster? A glib showman or a wise old wizard?  In whatever form we choose to see the Magician card in the Tarot he comes to remind us that we have to manifest our own destiny. 

Copyright Mita Bhan. All Rights Reserved.


What Will People Say?

10 Monday Dec 2018

Posted by in Short Story, Spiritual Fiction

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It was 7 pm. Her friend and her Dad had come to pick her up. She walked down the stairs in her new jeans and a touch of eyeshadow. She’d saved up for weeks to buy it and tonight’s party was the reason why. As she reached the door, her mother stopped her

“What’s that on your eyes?”

From the tone of her voice she knew her mother didn’t approve.

“What will people say?”

A dense grey fog of guilt descended on her.  Make up, short skirts, large necklines, smoking, laughing out loud were the marks of a “bad girl”. The kind of girl the neighbour’s would nudge and stare at. Who’d never find a good match to marry. Who’d bring her family shame. The voices in her head were suddenly silenced.

“I don’t know. I won’t be listening” she replied and waved out to the car that was at the gate.

Copyright Mita Bhan. All Rights Reserved



Let it Rain

05 Wednesday Dec 2018

Posted by in Excerpts from Meditation, LifeLearnings, Meditation, Mita Bhan Writings, Note to Self

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As we get older we realise that some things are just not meant to be. Some friendships were meant to fizzle out. Some dreams didn’t happen. Some wounds just didn’t heal. And some desires would remain unfulfilled.  Acceptance is never easy and no one ever said it would be. But there does come a moment in all our lives when we have no choice but to shrug our shoulders and carry on. Only with acceptance can recovery and positive change begin. And the best thing to do while  it’s raining, is to let it rain.

Copyright Mita Bhan. All Rights Reserved.

silhouette and grayscale photography of man standing under the rain

Photo by Aleksandar Pasaric on Pexels.com

 

 

If you plant honesty – a short story

04 Tuesday Dec 2018

Posted by in Inspiration, LifeLearnings, Mita Bhan Writings, Short Story, Spiritual Fiction

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what-is-a-seedA successful business man was growing old and knew it was time to choose a successor to take over the business.

Instead of choosing one of his Directors or his children, he decided to do something different. He called all the young executives in his company together.

He said, “It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO. I have decided to choose one of you..”

The young executives were shocked, but the boss continued. “I am going to give each one of you a SEED today – one very special SEED… I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed I have given you. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO.”

One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly, told his wife the story. She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted the seed. Everyday, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow.

Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew.

Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing.

By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn’t have a plant and he felt like a failure.

Six months went by — still nothing in Jim’s pot. He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Jim didn’t say anything to his colleagues, however.

He just kept watering and fertilizing the soil – He so wanted the seed to grow.

A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company brought their plants to the CEO for inspection.

Jim told his wife that he wasn’t going to take an empty pot. But she asked him to be honest about what happened. Jim felt sick to his stomach, it was going to be the most embarrassing moment of his life, but he knew his wife was right. He took his empty pot to the board room. When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other executives. They were beautiful — in all shapes and sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the floor and many of his colleagues laughed, a few felt sorry for him!

When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young executives.

Jim just tried to hide in the back. “My, what great plants, trees, and flowers you have grown,” said the CEO. “Today one of you will be appointed the next CEO!”

All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered the Financial Director to bring him to the front. Jim was terrified. He thought, “The CEO knows I’m a failure! Maybe he will have me fired!”

When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his seed – Jim told him the story.

The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at Jim, and then announced to the young executives, “Behold your next Chief Executive Officer!

His name is Jim!” Jim couldn’t believe it. Jim couldn’t even grow his seed.

“How could he be the new CEO?” the others said.

Then the CEO said, “One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead – it was not possible for them to grow.

All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new Chief Executive Officer!”

* If you plant honesty, you will reap trust
* If you plant goodness, you will reap friends
* If you plant humility, you will reap greatness
* If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment
* If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective
* If you plant hard work, you will reap success
* If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation
* If you plant faith in God, you will reap a harvest

So, be careful what you plant now; it will determine what you will reap later.

– Anonymous

 

 

December 2018 Tarot Forecast

01 Saturday Dec 2018

Posted by in Forecasts, Mita Bhan Writings, Tarot

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The last forecast for the year 🙂

 

Aries

The past few weeks have you seen you work your hardest. And somewhere you may find yourself getting tired of the daily grind, the deadlines and the volumes of work. This month sees you slack off a little, just for a bit. To recharge your batteries or to simply bring back the work-life balance. You may take a day or two off to vegetate. Or just not feel like working at all. Even at home your family members may be quite annoyed with your attitude and may demand some attention. Go ahead take a break, just remember to get back though.

 

Taurus

Anxiety levels build up as you find yourself worrying about something. You may not even be able to pinpoint the source of tension but you do know that it’s eating you up from inside. Figure out what is it that’s upsetting you. At work you may feel a little scattered and disoriented. And your loved ones may wonder about your health. A visit to the doctor may be necessary about a recurring ailment. And if it’s your love life you’re concerned about, the cards assure you that all will be well. Soothing music will be very beneficial.

Gemini

Set an example if you want to lead the way. Initiate whatever it is that you want to create. People will only follow, listen and believe you when they see you taking the first step. You have the makings of a leader but first you will need to be the change you wish to see. A great time for alliances and networking, reach out and stay in touch with people in your industry. Even in your love life, you’ll need to be a little more proactive. Go on and ask that special someone out. Or be the first one to share your feelings. It’s time to be courageous and it’s time to make a difference.

Cancer

You know you cant go further if you continue to allow yourself to be trapped by your own fears. Things wont improve unless you face the situation with courage. And relax, things arent as bad as you fear them to be. A tense situation at the workplace could suddenly get defused. Or a dreaded event will not take place. Be strong and hopeful. Others are looking up to you. And you cannot let them down. Your better half may require a lot more attention and reassurance. And you know only you can prop them up. Get out and show them what you’re made of.

Leo

Somebody doesn’t want you to get ahead and you may have to deal with unpleasant people or sudden obstacles that have been deliberately placed on your path. Nobody wants to be out shined. And you’ll just have to be a little more creative along your way. Don’t defy authority but do stand up for what you believe in. Even in your personal life there may be a battle for power ahead of you. Both of you think you’re right, and both of you want to win the argument. How do you reach a compromise without losing your cool and without appearing too bossy? Go figure dear Leo, the game has just begun.

 

Virgo

A dishonest soul may reveal his or her true colours. You may discover an unpleasant truth about someone. Or find out who’s been behind the gossip lately. Instead of confronting them with anger try and find out what’s motivating them to behave this way. Or what you have said or done to deserve their angst. Your people skills are going to be put at test. Which means it’s all about how you get along with others and persuade them to do what you want. Single Virgos may feel a little lonely as many of your friends tie the knot. Don’t despair, your life partner is about to come into your life and it’s best to be just patient.

 

Libra

Time to re-evaluate your life. Start with your strengths and build upon them. Learn from your past mistakes. And get set for a new, more inspiring phase in your life. If you aren’t patient by nature, then you may find yourself in for a bit of a testing time. Delays may frustrate you but once you realized they’re only there to teach you things should sort themselves out. Your good heart may be taken as a sign of weakness by others. Do not allow others to use you or exploit you. Pay attention to what’s not being said by people around you.

 

Scorpio

Just when you were wondering if you had enough, an unexpected cheque arrives or a promise of gains comes your way. You manage to pay off a loan. And a part of your burden is lifted. This month brings relief your way. And you realise once again that you’ve been tested and you’ve passed with flying colours. Your dedication and diligence will never go unrewarded. A family member may turn to you for advice. And if you were planning to get married you may even fix a date in the days ahead.

 

Saggitarius

The past few months have seen a sense of maturity come into you. Things which used to upset you no longer do. And you know when enough’s enough. You may choose to leave a job or even end a relationship that just isn’t worth your time and effort anymore. Yes, there may be pain and sadness but in the long run, your own heart tells you it was all worth it. If you’ve been toying with the idea of going solo or starting your own consultancy or business, plans may begin to take shape. A good time to plan ahead.

Capricon

It’s time to expand your horizons. You know you’re destined for bigger and better things. And you may consider higher studies or learning a new skill in this period. Open your mind to new possibilities. And if you can use this time to travel, go forth. New people, new ideas, new opportunities beckon. Confront your limitations and then expand yourself. A relationship that begins now could be more valuable than you ever imagined. A new friend proves to be extremely helpful. Stay open minded.

Aquarius

Value your work and your talents. Appreciate yourself for all that you’ve done. If your self confidence has been low lately, it’s time to prop yourself up and be your own best friend. A job offer may come your way. And there’s even a hint of an award or some form of recognition ahead of you. Realize things are never quite what they seem. And if you’ve been wasting time and effort on a relationship that only leads to pain and disappointment, slowly withdraw. Now’s not the time to give to the undeserving. It’s time to nurture your soul and get ready for a new journey.

Pisces

The way you’re heading, you’re definitely going global. You may consider studying overseas or working in another country. An encounter with a visitor from another country opens your mind to a whole new set of possibilities. This is not a time for doubt but to go forth with confidence.  Expect praise and financial gains. What appears to be a stroke of good luck, is nothing but good karma. Look at what you’ve achieved so far, be thankful for your blessings. And know that life’s going to get better and more beautiful for you in the days to come.

 

 

Copyright Mita Bhan. All Rights Reserved.

(If you are reprinting or sharing a section of this forecast,please include the link )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The bowl of noodles

14 Wednesday Nov 2018

Posted by in Inspiration, LifeLearnings, Mita Bhan Writings, Short Story

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98B0A861-3B64-4C6C-B322-E889B7A000A6.jpeg

 

President Xi Jing Peng of China said:
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As a small child , I was very *selfish*, always grabbing the best for myself.🙄
Slowly, everyone left me and I had no friends. I *didn’t think* it was my fault and I criticize others.🤔
.
But my father gave me 3 sentences to *help* me in life.🤨
.
One day, my father cooked 2 bowls of noodles and put them. on the table.🤔
One had an egg on top while the other bowl had none on top.🙂
Then he asked me to choose a bowl of noodles 🍜 .

Because eggs were hard to come by those days…. I chose the bowl with egg! 🙂🙂🙂

I was congratulating myself on my wise choice/decision and decided to wallop the egg….to my surprise as my father’s bowl of noodles had *two* eggs at the bottom of his bowl beneath the noodles ! 😀 😀

With much regret, I scolded myself for being too hasty in my decision.🤔🤔

My father smiled and *taught* me to remember that *what your eyes see may not be true*😇 .

He added that *If you make a habit of *taking advantage of people, you will end up losing*😇
.
The next day, my father again cooked 2 bowls of noodles: one bowl with an egg on top and the other bowl with no egg on top.

Again, he asked to choose the bowl I wanted🤔

This time I felt smarter so I chose the bowl without any egg on top.🙂

Hmmmmmm to my surprise, there was not even a single egg at the bottom of the bowl!😱

Again, my father smiled and said to me, *My child, you must not always rely on experiences because sometimes, life can cheat you or play tricks on you*.

Never be too annoyed or sad, with situations, *just treat experience as learning a lesson experience that cannot be gotten from any textbooks.🤔🤔🙂
.
The third day, my father again cooked 2 bowls of noodles, one bowl with an egg on top and the other with no egg on top.🤔🤨

He asked me to choose the bowl I wanted 🤔.

But this time, I told my father, *Dad, you choose first, you are the head of the family and you contribute the most to the family*.

My father was happy to and choose for me🙌🏽🙌🏽t

He chose the bowl with one egg on top, but as I ate my bowl of noodles, to my surprise! There were *two* eggs at the bottom of the bowl.👍🏽🙂
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My father smiled at me with love in his eyes, he said *my child, you must remember that when you think for the good of others, good things will always naturally happen to you*😇
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I always remember these 3 sentences of my father
.
Xi Jing Peng

Tarot and Vedic Astrology. A comparative study

11 Sunday Nov 2018

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Tarot and Vedic Astrology. A comparative study.

Tarot from the West.

Vedic Astrology from the East.

Are they poles apart, incomparable to one another?

Or are there connections between the two.

Let’s have a look.

Origins

The first Tarot deck can be traced back to 14th century Italy. Vedic Astrology or Jyotish first received mention in Vedic texts over 5600 years ago.  Both were patronised by the nobility and gain popularity over the years.

Foundations

The Tarot is based on the present moment energy. Vedic Astrology is based on the position of planets during your time of birth and during the time of a reading. Both tools of divination can be used to understand and learn about the past, the present and the future potential of  an individual during a consultation.

Tools

In Tarot the reader reads from a deck of 78 cards which represent the journey of the soul from birth to death. And in Vedic Astrology, the astrologer interprets the chart from the position of the planets and their transits as represented in their chart, which is drawn after scientific calculation.

Prerequisites to Knowledge

In order to give answers the Vedic Astrologer is required to understand Astronomy as well as have the ability to calculate the positions of degrees and angles in the planets in relation to one another. In Tarot, a thorough understanding of the 78 cards is expected from a Tarot reader who then interprets the question using knowledge and the power of intuition to answer the question.

Levels of Accuracy

Neither a Tarot reading nor a Vedic Astrology reading is 100% accurate both are open to human interpretation and human error in judgement.

Prediction of Exact Dates

Many Vedic Astrologers say this science has the ability to predict dates, but Aacharya Adityaa  says “it can give you a probability of when the event takes place.” Upma Shrivastava says vedic astrology “goes beyond prediction helping to bring a change in your atitude towards life”

On the other hand Tarot can offer broad time frames when energy shifts and although there are suits to indicate Seasons and court cards to indicate Zodiac signs, exact dates are rarely given on the basis of the cards alone.

Role of Intuition

Intuition plays a role in both. Some call it the sixth sense, some call it clairvoyance, but it’s the little extra insight provided by both the Astrologer and the Tarot reader.

In Vedic Astrology too, as Upma Shrivastava, puts it ” the moment I open someone’s chart my intuition is activated as I see the planetary positions affecting a person’s current state”where as Aacharya Aditya concludes ” Prediction has a direct relationship with your intuition power”

In Tarot readings the reader uses his or her intuition to interpret the messages of the cards while tuning into the querent’s energies. However, the Tarot works more like a life guide and predictions are only part of a reading. The rest is an understanding of your situation, the choices you have ahead of you and how you can move forward.

Both the Tarot and Vedic Astrology work in tandem with one another. Both offer insights about what may be happening and what could happen and they complement one another in many ways. Neither is superior nor inferior, they are just two methods of helping you find clarity, peace and direction.

 

By Mita Bhan (with valuable collaborative inputs by Aacharya Aaditya and Upma Srivastava Tel – 8130908560)