Om Asato Maa Sad-Gamaya | Tamaso Maa Jyotir-Gamaya | Mrtyor-Maa Amrtam Gamaya | Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih || *****
This morning I heard a solitary conch blow in the distance.
Someone somewhere was evoking the Gods. Invoking blessings, peace, health and happiness. Purifying the atmosphere with its vibrations, ringing out the primordial sound “Om’ into the atmosphere. Removing the darkness bit by bit.
Someone somewhere was praying for all of us.
And to that someone somewhere, I will always be grateful. And I pray their prayers are heard.
****
Om Asato Maa Sad-Gamaya | Tamaso Maa Jyotir-Gamaya | Mrtyor-Maa Amrtam Gamaya | Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih ||
Meaning: 1: Om, (O Lord) Keep me not in (the Phenomenal World of) Unreality, but make me go towards the Reality (of Eternal Self), 2: Keep me not in (the Ignorant State of) Darkness, but make me go towards the Light (of Spiritual Knowledge), 3: Keep me not in (the World of) Mortality, but make me go towards the World of Immortality (of Self-Realization), 4: Om, Peace, Peace, Peace.
This is one of my favourite renditions of this powerful mantra.
Energy flows where attention goes. Choose to be mindful of your thoughts today. Direct your attention from what could go wrong to what could go right (and will) 🙂
For customised readings and guided healing meditations, get in touch with me at mita.bhan@gmail.com
“Tayata Om Bekanze Bekanze Maha Bekanze Radza Samudgate Soha” the Medicine Budha
One does not even need to go into the details of the suffering around the Corona virus to know that what the world needs right now is healing energy not the destructive energy of fear, ignorance and suffering.
If the news is disturbing you, or if you’re struggling with an ailment or are taking care of a loved one who is ill, the Medicine Buddha Mantra brings peace at a deep level. It can be chanted by anyone, healthy or otherwise and is believed to raise the purifying vibrations on this planet. Tibetan doctors believe if this mantra is recited 108 times by the patient into his glass of water, the water becomes charged by the Medicine Buddha and can be repeated till healing occurs.
“To the Bhagawan with equal compassion for all Whose name when just heard dispels lower realms’ suffering Dispeller of disease and the three poisons I prostrate to Medicine Buddha Lapis Light.”
Tayata Om Bekanze Bekanze Maha Bekanze Radza Samudgate Soha
During my morning meditations ill be this Medicine Mantra will be chanted for the next 40 days and if you’d like your name or a your loved ones name to be included for healing energies please add them in the comments.
image from buddhaweekly.com
“The patient is to recite the long Medicine Buddha mantra 108 times over a glass of water. The water is now believed to be blessed by the power of the mantra and the blessing of the Medicine Buddha himself, and the patient is to drink the water. This practice is then repeated each day until the illness is cured.”
My mom only had one eye. I hated her… She was such an embarrassment. She cooked for students and teachers to support the family.
There was this one day during elementary school where my mom came to say hello to me. I was so embarrassed.
How could she do this to me? I ignored her, threw her a hateful look and ran out. The next day at school one of my classmates said, “EEEE, your mom only has one eye!”
I wanted to bury myself. I also wanted my mom to just disappear. I confronted her that day and said, “If you’re only gonna make me a laughing stock, why don’t you just die?”
My mom did not respond… I didn’t even stop to think for a second about what I had said, because I was full of anger. I was oblivious to her feelings.
I wanted out of that house, and have nothing to do with her. So I studied real hard, got a chance to go abroad to study.
Then, I got married. I bought a house of my own. I had kids of my own. I was happy with my life, my kids and the comforts. Then one day, my Mother came to visit me. She hadn’t seen me in years and she didn’t even meet her grandchildren.
When she stood by the door, my children laughed at her, and I yelled at her for coming over uninvited. I screamed at her, “How dare you come to my house and scare my children! GET OUT OF HERE! NOW!!!”
And to this, my mother quietly answered, “Oh, I’m so sorry. I may have gotten the wrong address.” – and she disappeared out of sight.
One day, a letter regarding a school reunion came to my house. So I lied to my wife that I was going on a business trip. After the reunion, I went to the old shack just out of curiosity.
My neighbors said that she died. I did not shed a single tear. They handed me a letter that she had wanted me to have.
“My dearest son,
I think of you all the time. I’m sorry that I came to your house and scared your children.
I was so glad when I heard you were coming for the reunion. But I may not be able to even get out of bed to see you. I’m sorry that I was a constant embarrassment to you when you were growing up.
You see……..when you were very little, you got into an accident, and lost your eye. As a mother, I couldn’t stand watching you having to grow up with one eye. So I gave you mine.
I was so proud of my son who was seeing a whole new world for me, in my place, with that eye.
Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom and learning, artwork by Raja Ravi Varma
During one of his travels, Kalidasa felt very thirsty and looked around for water. He saw a woman drawing water from a well. He went up to her and asked her for water. She agreed to give him water, but asked him, “Who are you? Introduce yourself.”
Now Kalidasa thought that an ordinary village woman was not worthy of knowing who Kalidasa was. So he said, “I am a traveller.” But his lady replied, “In this world there are only 2 travellers – the Sun and the Moon. Both Rise and Set every day and keep travelling perpetually.”
Then Kalidasa said, “Alright then, I am a guest.” The lady promptly replied, “In this world there are only 2 guests – Youth and Wealth … both are temporary and hence can only be called as guests.”
Intrigued Kalidasa said, “I am a Tolerant person (sahansheel vyakti).” Now the lady replied, “In this world only 2 truly know the meaning of Tolerance – Bhoomi (Earth) and Tree. How much ever you stamp the earth or throw stones at the tree (for the fruits), both continue to nurture us.”
Now Kalidasa was completely perplexed. He said, “Fine. I am a stubborn person (hatavaadi).” The lady smiled and said, “There are only 2 truly stubborn personalities – our nails and our hair. We keep cutting them non-stop, but they continue to grow.”
Kalidasa had been patient so far, but now in anger he said, “I am a fool”. Now the lady gave a wide smile and said, “There are only 2 kinds of fools in this world – a King who rules without having any capability or knowledge & a Minister who is a sycophant to such a King and lavishes praises on such a useless king.”
Kalidasa realised that he had been outsmarted. He fell at the feet of the lady and when he touched her feet and then got up, whom did he see? Mata Saraswati – the Goddess of Learning and Wisdom. She said, “Kalidasa, you are wise. But only if you know yourself do you become a Manushya (human being). A person without any awareness of self has not reached the pinnacle of being a Human.
Note: The Guru who recounted this story in His Pravachan said, “Children should become a Manushya & know themselves. More than teaching them how to earn more money and become rich, parents should teach them to become aware of themselves and become better Human beings .”
Once a king called upon all of his wise men and asked them, “Is there a mantra which works in every situation, in every circumstance, in every place and in every time – in every joy, every sorrow, every defeat, and every victory – one answer for all questions? Something which can help me when none of you is able to advise me? Tell me, is there any mantra?”
All the wise men were puzzled by the King’s question. After a lengthy discussion, an old man suggested something which appealed to all of them. They went to the King and gave him a ring with words engraved into it, with a condition that the King was not to read it out of curiosity. Only if, in extreme danger, when the King finds himself alone and there seems to be no way out, only then he can read it. The King wore the ring without reading the engraving.
Some time later, the neighbors attacked the kingdom. The King and his army fought bravely but lost the battle. The King fled on his horse and the enemies followed him. The King found himself standing at the mouth of a deep ditch. If he jumped into it, there would be no way out. The sound of the enemy horses were approaching fast and the King became restless. There was nowhere else to go.
The King remembered his ring and about the engraving. He decided to read the message. “This, too, shall pass.” The King read it again and again until something struck him. Yes! This, too, will pass. Only a few days ago, I was enjoying my kingdom; I was the mightiest of all the Kings. Yet today, the Kingdom and all its pleasures are gone. I am trying to flee from my enemies. But just as those days of luxuries have gone, this time of danger will pass, too. Calm came over the King. He remained still and silent. The King looked around at the place where he was standing and realized how beautiful it was. He had never known that such a beautiful place existed in his Kingdom.
The revelation of the ring’s message had a great effect on him. He relaxed and forgot about his pursuing enemies. After a while, he realized that the noise of galloping horses had receded and that his enemies had lost him. The King gathered himself and reorganized his shambled forces and fought again. He defeated the enemy and reclaimed his empire. When he returned to the city after the victory, he was received with much fanfare. The whole capital was rejoicing and everyone was in a festive mood. Flowers rained down upon the King from every house, from every terrace as he trotted by. People were dancing and singing. In this moment the King thought to himself, “I am one of the bravest and greatest Kings. It is not easy to defeat me.” In all of the celebration an ego emerged in the King.
Then a ray of sunlight caught the King’s ring and sharply flashed into his eye reminding him of its message, “This, too, shall pass.”
He lowered his gaze and his valiant expression changed to one of humility. He realized, again, that if this, too, is going to pass, it is not yours. The defeat was not yours. The victory was not yours. You are just a player. Everything passes by. We are witnesses of all of this. We are the beholders. Happiness comes and goes. Sorrow comes and goes. And Life? This, too, shall pass.
Tonight she contemplated jumping off the 18th floor. She stood out on the foggy night and stared down the misty floors leading to nothingness.
A chill ran up her spine.
She remembered the image of the man on TV who stood on the ledge while someone stuck his head out of the window and talked. Something that man said made the suicidal man change his mind and walk towards the window.
How she wished she could be rescued tonight.
She walked indoors.
The man she loved was not ready for marriage and had blocked her on social media, her heart was now broken into an unrecognisable mess. Her mobile phone was her salvation. She scrolled mindlessly, seeking connection, a reason to live.
After many calls to many cold and bland souls, she heard a voice tell her “child you are no less than the trees and the stars, you have a right to be here.“
The fog lifted. Someone cared. The tears of gratitude eased the pain, healing her.
Letting go is one of the hardest practices we will encounter, but once we do it, we wonder why we did’nt do it sooner. Many a times we find ourselves stuck about someone or something and people tell us to “let go”.
But how?
Here’s a few tried techniques that may work for you if you are struggling with something. Remember very very few of us have the ability to let go in a second. For the majority of us the process takes many tries. and time. Be patient, be persistent.
Write it down and burn it.
Struggling with a relationship that’s over. Disturbed by someone’s insensitive behaviour which you find difficult to forgive? Psychologists and Healers recommend writing a long letter to them, pouring out your feelings and allowing the process to be cathartic. Get in touch with your feelings, remember what happened and write out your soul. When you’re done, just burn the letter. Chances are you may feel lighter and purged of your pain.
2. Connect with the Inner You
Meditate and focus on your breathing. Start paying attention to your mind and your body. Start getting aligned with you, your space, your feelings and thoughts. Too many times when we find ourselves too attached to others the pain comes as a reminder to detach and focus entirely on your seperateness from them. Get in touch with YOU. Appreciate and accept your who you are. Understand you cannot change anyone but yourself. Allow any feelings to arise and be kind with yourself.
3. Look for Closure
Most relationships break up without closure. People disappear without giving answers. And those who are left holding on wait for a final goodbye or some sort of sign from them to close the chapter. When it doesn’t happen, we have no choice but to find closure within ourselves. Say “My relationship with X is over” out loud during meditation, write it out, or talk to a trusted soul. Acknowledge and accept that it’s over. When you reach a space that someone or something was not meant to be in your life for a reason (which you may or may never know) you allow yourself to disconnect and restart.
4. Forgive Yourself. Forgive Them
The process of forgiveness can take a long time and comes with its share of reliving the pain. The pain is but a passing energy, let it flow out, once and for all. Contemplate on all the mistakes you made, realise your humanness. Contemplate on their mistakes, realise their humanness. Consciously work at forgiving and allow the peace to come in.
5. Distract Yourself
I find this technique works the fastest and at a practical level, it’s do-able. The key is to be mindful. Whenever you find overthinking about someone or something, do an activity that breaks the pattern. Clean your drawer. Delete the Junk mail. Go outdoors. Use your hands. It works in seconds as an important part of the process of letting go.
Letting go takes time and when it doesn’t happen naturally, we need to push ourselves out of our comfort zones to speed up the process. Not easy but necessary for our own growth. We allow ourselves a second chance and as the wise ones have always told us “when one door closes, another opens.”
If you’re still finding it difficult to let go, reach out for a guided healing meditation on Letting Go to get you started on your process of restarting and reshaping your life. Email me at mita.bhan@gmail.com for details.
The mind is a clever thing it gently nudges us back to the past and we dwell in the experiencs. Or it pushes us headlong into the future, thinking about what we will do when something happens and then what if someone does something and we find ourselves in the midst of unease. That’s when a simple reminder by the Zen cards jolts us out of our time travel into this very moment. The right here, right now which is perfect and peaceful. And we learn to appreciate the present is a culmination of the past and the launch pad for the future. What we do, feel, think, say right now is all that matters, all there is.
There was this
greedy CEO of a major Corporation who received a huge salary and bonuses
based on how much the Corporation made in profit that year; the more
the Corporation made, the bigger his bonus. Over the past years he did
all he could to maximize profit, increase his bonus. He started paying
workers lower wages while laying off many of the longtime employees; he
closed local plants while opening plants in other countries where he
could pay workers even less; he cut the quality of the product while
increasing productivity requirements on those who were left; he used
every tax loophole he could to save money while moving profits overseas
and hiding assets. He thought to himself, ‘If I only had more money, I
could do so many things I have always wanted to do; I’d be so much
happier If I only had more. How can I increase the profits to the
Corporation so I can make a huge bonus at the end of this year?’ After
spending all day, into the evening, thinking of ways, it hit him –
Inversion. He would re-incorporate the company overseas in order to cut
the tax burden on Corporate profits. This would allow the Corporation to
save hundreds of millions in tax liabilities and pad his pocket with a
multi-million-dollar bonus, and the Stockholders would be happy with a
large dividend; everyone would be happy, except the workers.’ He looked
into the mirror and smiled, ‘I will have so much more money and live the
life I always wanted without all this pressure.’ He was excited,
because he would finally live a better life.”
“It was late, and
he was tired. Before going to bed he emailed several people to get the
ball rolling. As he started to fall asleep he heard the voice of the
Divine, ‘You’re such a jerk, tonight is your last night on earth. Now,
ask yourself who will get that fat bonus check?’
This is what
happens when you live your life for greed; you’re always pushing for
more things, thinking things will make happy. But all it does is make
you miss out on living, on helping others. You keep saying to yourself,
‘Only if I just had a little more I would be happier.’ Never once
realizing that a simple life is better. When you fill your life with
things, you have no room for the Divine. Dump the things and make room
for the Divine.”
