IN THE CENTER OF THE CITY
©Lalita Arya
In the center of the noisy city is a tree, a big, spreading tree. Around the tree is a fence, an iron grill fence. It is triangular, isosceles in shape, the bottom half in concrete and the top iron, measuring about five feet high. The tree has heart shaped leaves and is considered sacred, it is actually a peepul tree. This beautiful tree is revered especially by unmarried women, because it is believed that the Lord himself had taken marriage vows with his Beloved, holding her hand while walking around this tree. The belief is that a tri-ambulation around it will grant anyone a partner for life.
Encircling its thick trunk, and at the base of the tree, someone had built a concrete seat about two feet high. Facing the street and near the bottom of the triangle fence, on this structure is seated a three-foot high statue of the Buddha. He is sitting in the classic lotus meditative posture. I have no idea what this statue is made of. It could be either cement, stone or even some kind of resin, but it has the usual pacific look of a Buddha statue.
I have to pass by there to drop off to, or pick up my kids from school. Every time I pass by there I look out of the car window and try to get a glimpse of the meditating Buddha under that tree. At times there is someone sprawled asleep on the clean, green grass lawn that is enclosed and guarded by the two sides of a gate tied together with a piece of string.
There is usually only one ugly sight and that is of an advertisement painted on a piece of wood, nailed to the tree, a commercial selling silk saris. Maybe, I consoled myself they are responsible for this oasis of peace in the midst of urban chaos, so they have a right to advertise. Surely they did not go to all this trouble simply to sell their delicate fineries. That is until recently. The sign was removed and replaced with another in favor of the Lions International, similarly nailed to the tree. The name of this mini park this commercial also announced is Himalaya Giri Buddha Park, the Park of the Mountain Buddha.
As I sit to do my meditative prayers at my own convenient time, the mundane worldly thoughts assail my peace and stillness. I think of that statue under the tree, I think of the stillness of the hands, the erectness of its back, the calmed externalization of inner feelings expressed in that half smile. My thoughts float on to other times and spaces to a living image under another tree. The form of the renounciate Prince Siddhartha comes in view.
He who sat in another time, in another age but with the usual clattering thought of karmas, thoughts of guilt, of temptations, of thoughts running into other thoughts, chain reaction of seeds of thoughts of all vrittis. His mind must have floated back to thoughts of his glorious regal past, of his uncertain present, what he was about to surrender, about the future and what it might be like, all mind stuff.
My mind struggles with the inner fights he must have had at first, fights we all go through. Sitting alone and still for forty-nine days and forty-nine nights, arguing, debating, analyzing, struggling day after day and night after night with the humdrum, ordinary problems of life and death. Slowly, if only slowly abandoning such confusions, moving on to more abstract ones above all physical and mental temptations, removing blocks, I see him not as a Prince, but as a struggling human being, somewhat like me.
In the end he decided to abandon the possessions of a beautiful wife and a dear son, to give up the pleasures and responsibilities of the luxury of a princely life. That tremendously impacting decision resonated through time to thousands of years after that sitting under the bodhi tree.
For forty nine days & nights he sat
In the unmeasured time that it takes to speed through thought and space, my agile mind races to that still form under the peepul tree, that is here and now. I am still, my spine straightens and peace envelopes …a peace absorbed from the aura of the image under the tree, the tree in the center of the noisy city.
*
Please see our updated KHEL link www.khelcharities.org
*
Sunday, January 6, 2008
WHY IS THIS POOR WOMAN SMILING?
WHY IS THIS POOR WOMAN SMILING?
© Lalita Arya
KHEL is a non-profit charity organization established by myself and Dr. Usharbudh Arya about 25 years ago in the city of Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India. KHEL stands not only for Kids’ Health Education & Laughter, but also Kindness, Health, & Education for Leprosy Families.
We try to interact and help with the basic needs of the people affected by leprosy, who live in “colonies” which they have established themselves sometimes with donations and sometimes by merely squatting on the land, mainly on the fringes of urban dwellings.
We contribute food and medical supplies, help with home improvement, provide for medical and other emergencies, upgrade their sanitary facilities, send their kids (yes, they do have normal non-infected kids) to school, and also give moral support.
Since it is essential that visitors and donors see how their generous donations are used, I sometimes take them to visit these people. There are times I hesitate to take guests there, and before going I always try to orient them at to what they will see.
Once when I took a group to visit on seeing their bare but essential necessities, one of them remarked, “These people are so poor and handicapped (to be politically correct now referred to as physically challenged) how come they seem happy and are smiling?”
One of the reasons for their joy was that so-called “normal” people were visiting. And this is where we as a charity organization differ from many others in serving these people, We actually go to their homes, sit with them, listen to their woes, their health problems, and also share in their celebrations of life.
Leprosy is not an infectious disease. It is a disease of the nervous system of the extremities of the physical body. When the nerves die, they become insensitive to external injuries, which lead to results that cause a person suffering from leprosy to lose fingers, toes, nose etc.
When we go with our guests, the residents bring their treasured old drums, tambourines and cymbals, sit in a circle on the mud floor in front of their cement homes built by us (formerly mud and thatch huts), singing in chorus or sometimes singly. Everything is so spontaneous that we cannot help but join in the chanting and clapping. Sometimes one of them will start a dance, a gentle twirling, so graceful and full of hand movements, we forget that they have no toes or fingers. Their faces reflect a serenity and peace not often seen in other places. It is such a joy and celebration of life, so blithe and jubilant, we forget our sorrows, as they do, rejoicing with them for the honor shared.
They display their pleasure of our acknowledgement of them as “normal” human beings. They are glad that we accept them as part of the colorful social fabric of which they are a part, in spite of their having to live on the fringes of urban limits. They feel they have much to be thankful for in being able to survive and sing about it. We come away entranced with an experience, relaxed and inexplicable, enriched with their display of the simplicity and exuberance of life.
We do come away with an energy gifted by them to us, but may we never forget that they still live on the peripheries of societies that still shun them because of ignorance.
Fortunately due to health education publicly imparted by both NGO’s and government departments, leprosy is hopefully on the decline at least in India.
I feel I can safely say this since for the past few years or so these colonies have not had any new infected patients seeking residence.
At this time of feasts and celebrations, this season of Hannukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Eid, I wish to thank all our wonderful supporters who give generously to help us help these beautiful people observe their own festivals and celebrate Life in their own unique ways.
The residents of RamMandir, Indresh, Shivpuri, and Rotary Club settlements join with me in giving thanks to you, our generous supporters so we can keep them all smiling by helping to provide not only their basic needs, but joining them in all their celebrations of living.
A Joyous Season of Peace and Inter Faiths Observances to All.
The Heart is Happiest When It Beats for Others.
Please visit our updated website www.khelcharities.org. Thanks to Saumya and Urban Haas for this important contribution to KHEL.
© Lalita Arya
KHEL is a non-profit charity organization established by myself and Dr. Usharbudh Arya about 25 years ago in the city of Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India. KHEL stands not only for Kids’ Health Education & Laughter, but also Kindness, Health, & Education for Leprosy Families.
We try to interact and help with the basic needs of the people affected by leprosy, who live in “colonies” which they have established themselves sometimes with donations and sometimes by merely squatting on the land, mainly on the fringes of urban dwellings.
We contribute food and medical supplies, help with home improvement, provide for medical and other emergencies, upgrade their sanitary facilities, send their kids (yes, they do have normal non-infected kids) to school, and also give moral support.
Since it is essential that visitors and donors see how their generous donations are used, I sometimes take them to visit these people. There are times I hesitate to take guests there, and before going I always try to orient them at to what they will see.
Once when I took a group to visit on seeing their bare but essential necessities, one of them remarked, “These people are so poor and handicapped (to be politically correct now referred to as physically challenged) how come they seem happy and are smiling?”
One of the reasons for their joy was that so-called “normal” people were visiting. And this is where we as a charity organization differ from many others in serving these people, We actually go to their homes, sit with them, listen to their woes, their health problems, and also share in their celebrations of life.
Leprosy is not an infectious disease. It is a disease of the nervous system of the extremities of the physical body. When the nerves die, they become insensitive to external injuries, which lead to results that cause a person suffering from leprosy to lose fingers, toes, nose etc.
When we go with our guests, the residents bring their treasured old drums, tambourines and cymbals, sit in a circle on the mud floor in front of their cement homes built by us (formerly mud and thatch huts), singing in chorus or sometimes singly. Everything is so spontaneous that we cannot help but join in the chanting and clapping. Sometimes one of them will start a dance, a gentle twirling, so graceful and full of hand movements, we forget that they have no toes or fingers. Their faces reflect a serenity and peace not often seen in other places. It is such a joy and celebration of life, so blithe and jubilant, we forget our sorrows, as they do, rejoicing with them for the honor shared.
They display their pleasure of our acknowledgement of them as “normal” human beings. They are glad that we accept them as part of the colorful social fabric of which they are a part, in spite of their having to live on the fringes of urban limits. They feel they have much to be thankful for in being able to survive and sing about it. We come away entranced with an experience, relaxed and inexplicable, enriched with their display of the simplicity and exuberance of life.
We do come away with an energy gifted by them to us, but may we never forget that they still live on the peripheries of societies that still shun them because of ignorance.
Fortunately due to health education publicly imparted by both NGO’s and government departments, leprosy is hopefully on the decline at least in India.
I feel I can safely say this since for the past few years or so these colonies have not had any new infected patients seeking residence.
At this time of feasts and celebrations, this season of Hannukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Eid, I wish to thank all our wonderful supporters who give generously to help us help these beautiful people observe their own festivals and celebrate Life in their own unique ways.
The residents of RamMandir, Indresh, Shivpuri, and Rotary Club settlements join with me in giving thanks to you, our generous supporters so we can keep them all smiling by helping to provide not only their basic needs, but joining them in all their celebrations of living.
A Joyous Season of Peace and Inter Faiths Observances to All.
The Heart is Happiest When It Beats for Others.
Please visit our updated website www.khelcharities.org. Thanks to Saumya and Urban Haas for this important contribution to KHEL.
TRIBUTES FOR A SWAMI
Compiled by Lalita Arya
This month I would like to feature some tributes that were submitted by children and teenagers whose lives have been touched and enhanced by Swami Veda. Swami Veda’s works are not limited to adults, and it will be seen from these writings that his teachings have enchanted both young and old.
These submissions are taken from the “Tributes for a Swami” yet unpublished book that was given as a gift to Swami Veda on his sixty years of teaching yoga and meditation in February 2007 at the Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama Ashram, Rishikesh.
Ganga Water and Roses by Kai Blilie
Swamiji does mantras, and that is really special. He blessed me with Ganga water and roses when I was a baby. Now I’m four and a half. Will he please bless me again with Ganga water. I draw pictures for him and walked with him on a path to the playground. Can we go to his house now, please?
Kai goes to a Montessori school and lives with his parents in Minnesota, USA. He gives part of his allowance to the poor children of the KHEL Project.
*
Thoughts on Swami Veda by Anjuli Naraine
I had been hearing the name Swamiji and seeing his photographs around our home for as long as I can remember. My earliest memory of him was when he visited our home when I was about seven years. I received initiation when I was nine. Swamiji always involves everyone with everything he is doing and in this way he is actually teaching all the time. I found that he is very interested in every single topic and deeply interested in the lives of his disciples. He showers silent affection and I always get the feeling as though he is protecting me.
It is always amazing to me that Swamiji travels all over the world with his heavy baggage in spite of all the trials at the airports. He does this very cheerfully and in a calm and serene state of mind. I enjoy being with him whether he is swimming with the dolphins, looking for creatures on the floor of the ocean, working on the computer, composing poetry, giving jokes, speaking to a large crowd, or meditating. Swamiji truly lives in our hearts and I wish him continued health and happiness.
Anjuli is 17 years old and lives with her parents in Florida, USA
*
The Many Faces of Swami Nana by Dharani Persaud
Peace is a dove and he is its lustrous wings.
Bliss is a thousand petaled-lotus and he is its fragrance.
Compassion is a knight and he is its white steed.
Love is the way and he is the signpost.
Life is a maze and he is the guide.
Dharani is 12 years old and lives with her parents in Minnesota, USA.
*
To Be a Swami by Shivani Arya
When I went to Swami Nana’s ashram I actually felt peace. We did not see him when we were there but we saw the people. My feelings to Swamiji are very strong. I respect him in all ways. I cannot believe how he gave up everything to be a Swami.
Shivani is 9 years old and lives with her parents in California, USA
A Superior Intellect by Krishan Arya
I have yet to meet a person of more superior intellect or generosity. Although my correspondence with him was not numerous, I clearly remember that each time I heard he was coming to visit I was overjoyed. His humility astounded me. In addition he seems to be the type of person who has his priorities set and who knows where he is headed. To conclude he impresses me with his ability to evince what I consider a nearly perfect human being.
Krishan is 17 years old and lives with his parents in California, USA.
*
A Great Man by Anirudha Bhatt
I have known Swami Veda from my childhood and I had the blessings to receive the sacred Gayatri Mantra from him. I consider him to be a great person, as he guides me what to do now as a student and what to do later in life. He has told me the good things about yoga. I was lucky to read some of his books as Uncle Aaron had them with him. I pray for his guidance to continue and I hope to be able to serve him as I grow older.
Anidrudha is 13 years old and lives with his parents in Dehradun, India.
*
Priya Dai Tuttle traveled recently with her Mom all the way from Minneapolis to Chicago to receive her initiation from Swami Veda. She was very excited to be blessed in this way and to be finally able to share some sacred thing that her Mom and her brother Tarik already had.
*
Dev Kumar, is 10 years old and visited the ashram with his twin five year old friends Kartavya and Pavni Sharma. Dev enjoyed walking in the gardens, where he said he was impressed with the signs that said, “Let the flowers Bloom”. He said Swamiji gave him chocolates.
Pavni who was visiting for the first time wondered who was the person in strange orange robes, but was very happy when Swamiji hugged and blessed them all.
These children live in Dehradun, India.
Swami Nana you are the Greatest - Shalini P
Shalini is 16 years old and lives with her parents in Minnesota, USA.
*
Children are God’s gifts to the world. When they are given the appropriate sanskaaras (life experiences) early in childhood, the foundation is laid for future responsible adults, who adopt the world from their parents. It is the duty of parents to expose their children to those invaluable influences gained in the company of great souls, and protect them from harmful ones that will tarnish or warp their personalities.
This does not mean that kids should not be exposed to the ills of the world. They will see these eventually, but the training received in early childhood should prepare them to sift the “good” from the “bad”. It is said that parents deserve the children they get and vice versa. Traditionally it is believed that the children (souls) chose their parents in the hope that those parents will aid whatever karma they need to work out in this life time, while adding positive new ones.
Children, whether biological or adopted, do not happen into our lives by accident. Even the relationships of brothers and sisters are not accidental. We need to understand that there is more to life than just being born and living. Awakening the “buddhi” the Purpose we are born to fulfill is also very important.
Love, guidance and the blessings of parents help to achieve this goal. The efforts of children take them on the path of fruition, success and happiness. Both these paths are needed to make life meaningful.
Children who develop beautiful minds are like fragrant flowers that leave a trail of their essences long after they have flown the nest of parental protection.
*
This month I would like to feature some tributes that were submitted by children and teenagers whose lives have been touched and enhanced by Swami Veda. Swami Veda’s works are not limited to adults, and it will be seen from these writings that his teachings have enchanted both young and old.
These submissions are taken from the “Tributes for a Swami” yet unpublished book that was given as a gift to Swami Veda on his sixty years of teaching yoga and meditation in February 2007 at the Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama Ashram, Rishikesh.
Ganga Water and Roses by Kai Blilie
Swamiji does mantras, and that is really special. He blessed me with Ganga water and roses when I was a baby. Now I’m four and a half. Will he please bless me again with Ganga water. I draw pictures for him and walked with him on a path to the playground. Can we go to his house now, please?
Kai goes to a Montessori school and lives with his parents in Minnesota, USA. He gives part of his allowance to the poor children of the KHEL Project.
*
Thoughts on Swami Veda by Anjuli Naraine
I had been hearing the name Swamiji and seeing his photographs around our home for as long as I can remember. My earliest memory of him was when he visited our home when I was about seven years. I received initiation when I was nine. Swamiji always involves everyone with everything he is doing and in this way he is actually teaching all the time. I found that he is very interested in every single topic and deeply interested in the lives of his disciples. He showers silent affection and I always get the feeling as though he is protecting me.
It is always amazing to me that Swamiji travels all over the world with his heavy baggage in spite of all the trials at the airports. He does this very cheerfully and in a calm and serene state of mind. I enjoy being with him whether he is swimming with the dolphins, looking for creatures on the floor of the ocean, working on the computer, composing poetry, giving jokes, speaking to a large crowd, or meditating. Swamiji truly lives in our hearts and I wish him continued health and happiness.
Anjuli is 17 years old and lives with her parents in Florida, USA
*
The Many Faces of Swami Nana by Dharani Persaud
Peace is a dove and he is its lustrous wings.
Bliss is a thousand petaled-lotus and he is its fragrance.
Compassion is a knight and he is its white steed.
Love is the way and he is the signpost.
Life is a maze and he is the guide.
Dharani is 12 years old and lives with her parents in Minnesota, USA.
*
To Be a Swami by Shivani Arya
When I went to Swami Nana’s ashram I actually felt peace. We did not see him when we were there but we saw the people. My feelings to Swamiji are very strong. I respect him in all ways. I cannot believe how he gave up everything to be a Swami.
Shivani is 9 years old and lives with her parents in California, USA
A Superior Intellect by Krishan Arya
I have yet to meet a person of more superior intellect or generosity. Although my correspondence with him was not numerous, I clearly remember that each time I heard he was coming to visit I was overjoyed. His humility astounded me. In addition he seems to be the type of person who has his priorities set and who knows where he is headed. To conclude he impresses me with his ability to evince what I consider a nearly perfect human being.
Krishan is 17 years old and lives with his parents in California, USA.
*
A Great Man by Anirudha Bhatt
I have known Swami Veda from my childhood and I had the blessings to receive the sacred Gayatri Mantra from him. I consider him to be a great person, as he guides me what to do now as a student and what to do later in life. He has told me the good things about yoga. I was lucky to read some of his books as Uncle Aaron had them with him. I pray for his guidance to continue and I hope to be able to serve him as I grow older.
Anidrudha is 13 years old and lives with his parents in Dehradun, India.
*
Priya Dai Tuttle traveled recently with her Mom all the way from Minneapolis to Chicago to receive her initiation from Swami Veda. She was very excited to be blessed in this way and to be finally able to share some sacred thing that her Mom and her brother Tarik already had.
*
Dev Kumar, is 10 years old and visited the ashram with his twin five year old friends Kartavya and Pavni Sharma. Dev enjoyed walking in the gardens, where he said he was impressed with the signs that said, “Let the flowers Bloom”. He said Swamiji gave him chocolates.
Pavni who was visiting for the first time wondered who was the person in strange orange robes, but was very happy when Swamiji hugged and blessed them all.
These children live in Dehradun, India.
Swami Nana you are the Greatest - Shalini P
Shalini is 16 years old and lives with her parents in Minnesota, USA.
*
Children are God’s gifts to the world. When they are given the appropriate sanskaaras (life experiences) early in childhood, the foundation is laid for future responsible adults, who adopt the world from their parents. It is the duty of parents to expose their children to those invaluable influences gained in the company of great souls, and protect them from harmful ones that will tarnish or warp their personalities.
This does not mean that kids should not be exposed to the ills of the world. They will see these eventually, but the training received in early childhood should prepare them to sift the “good” from the “bad”. It is said that parents deserve the children they get and vice versa. Traditionally it is believed that the children (souls) chose their parents in the hope that those parents will aid whatever karma they need to work out in this life time, while adding positive new ones.
Children, whether biological or adopted, do not happen into our lives by accident. Even the relationships of brothers and sisters are not accidental. We need to understand that there is more to life than just being born and living. Awakening the “buddhi” the Purpose we are born to fulfill is also very important.
Love, guidance and the blessings of parents help to achieve this goal. The efforts of children take them on the path of fruition, success and happiness. Both these paths are needed to make life meaningful.
Children who develop beautiful minds are like fragrant flowers that leave a trail of their essences long after they have flown the nest of parental protection.
*
NAADA - THE SOUND OF YOGA
NAADA – THE SOUND OF YOGA
c.By Shanta Sawh
Today most people are familiar with the word Yoga. You must have heard of all the varieties of yoga, hatha, kriya, bhakti, but are you familiar with Naada Yoga? Naada is a Sanskrit word meaning sound. Yoga as we all know means union. Now put these words together, we get Naada Yoga. It simply means union through sound. The use of sound plays an important role in the practice of Naada Yoga. This path is one of several yogic paths used for spiritual growth and awareness. In fact it uses sound to bridge two worlds - the internal and the external, also described as the subtle and the gross. Philosophically it is joining the subconscious with the conscious. This practice uses sound as a means of transformation. It is being aware of the quality of sound and observing the way it affects the individual.
External sounds are the ordinary audible sounds, for example, the sound of your voice, or the sound of an instrument. That is, it may be ‘gross’ or in Sanskrit ‘ahat’. To describe what internal sound is may be difficult in that it is outwardly silent, or “subtle” as coming from your core being, arising inwardly. The Sanskrit word is “anahat”. When a sound is produced, it happens through striking, but anahat is a sound which is not produced through any striking. It is spontaneous
However, to reach the superconscious or transcendent sound, the process has to start with the experience from the external sound.
Our mind easily becomes absorbed in music. To start an experience of this absorption listening to soothing or soft music should relax and calm the mind.
Soft instrumental music for example the flute, or the sitar or New Age music is the exposure that encourages the unwinding of the mind. At this stage it is better not to listen to voices and words as these are too specific and distracting.
Focusing on the music for about fifteen to twenty minutes gradually prepares the mental state for tuning into the refined field where those who are initiates automatically find that their given mantra would take over and continually repeat itself. Eventually the ahat or gross sounds become muted and the anahat or subtle sound rises within.
There is a gradual shift from listening to the music and without realizing attention has shifted more and more to finer and finer sounds within., thereby merging with sounds coming from the ‘Anahat Chakra’ which is found in the region of the heart. .
The journey itself is pleasant and truly great are the benefits of Naada Yoga in respect to our physical, emotional and mental health. Listening skills improve, as one becomes sensitive not only to music and sound, but to the subtle emotions and energies within oneself and in others as well. One learns the art of listening.
The great Sufi teacher Hazrat Inyat Khan said,
Creation is the music of God.
In other words, the universe arose out of the music of God
He who knows the secret of the sounds knows the mysteries of the whole universe. A feast of heavenly music awaits those who can tune in.
Krishna with his eternally enchanting flute, Shiva with his rhythmic drums sounding the vibrations of creation and sweet Sarasvati with her melodious veena are all symbols that remind us of the heavenly quality of music.
Shanta Sawh is a singer in the classical Indian raga style who has been studying music for the past ten years. She lives in Toronto with her husband and family. She is Ammaji’s younger sister, and Ammaji thanks her for taking time to write this informative article.
c.By Shanta Sawh
Today most people are familiar with the word Yoga. You must have heard of all the varieties of yoga, hatha, kriya, bhakti, but are you familiar with Naada Yoga? Naada is a Sanskrit word meaning sound. Yoga as we all know means union. Now put these words together, we get Naada Yoga. It simply means union through sound. The use of sound plays an important role in the practice of Naada Yoga. This path is one of several yogic paths used for spiritual growth and awareness. In fact it uses sound to bridge two worlds - the internal and the external, also described as the subtle and the gross. Philosophically it is joining the subconscious with the conscious. This practice uses sound as a means of transformation. It is being aware of the quality of sound and observing the way it affects the individual.
External sounds are the ordinary audible sounds, for example, the sound of your voice, or the sound of an instrument. That is, it may be ‘gross’ or in Sanskrit ‘ahat’. To describe what internal sound is may be difficult in that it is outwardly silent, or “subtle” as coming from your core being, arising inwardly. The Sanskrit word is “anahat”. When a sound is produced, it happens through striking, but anahat is a sound which is not produced through any striking. It is spontaneous
However, to reach the superconscious or transcendent sound, the process has to start with the experience from the external sound.
Our mind easily becomes absorbed in music. To start an experience of this absorption listening to soothing or soft music should relax and calm the mind.
Soft instrumental music for example the flute, or the sitar or New Age music is the exposure that encourages the unwinding of the mind. At this stage it is better not to listen to voices and words as these are too specific and distracting.
Focusing on the music for about fifteen to twenty minutes gradually prepares the mental state for tuning into the refined field where those who are initiates automatically find that their given mantra would take over and continually repeat itself. Eventually the ahat or gross sounds become muted and the anahat or subtle sound rises within.
There is a gradual shift from listening to the music and without realizing attention has shifted more and more to finer and finer sounds within., thereby merging with sounds coming from the ‘Anahat Chakra’ which is found in the region of the heart. .
The journey itself is pleasant and truly great are the benefits of Naada Yoga in respect to our physical, emotional and mental health. Listening skills improve, as one becomes sensitive not only to music and sound, but to the subtle emotions and energies within oneself and in others as well. One learns the art of listening.
The great Sufi teacher Hazrat Inyat Khan said,
Creation is the music of God.
In other words, the universe arose out of the music of God
He who knows the secret of the sounds knows the mysteries of the whole universe. A feast of heavenly music awaits those who can tune in.
Krishna with his eternally enchanting flute, Shiva with his rhythmic drums sounding the vibrations of creation and sweet Sarasvati with her melodious veena are all symbols that remind us of the heavenly quality of music.
Shanta Sawh is a singer in the classical Indian raga style who has been studying music for the past ten years. She lives in Toronto with her husband and family. She is Ammaji’s younger sister, and Ammaji thanks her for taking time to write this informative article.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
SUMMER DELIGHTS – Mangoes – King of Fruits
My first memories of mangoes is watching one of my younger brothers tumbling off our mango tree, knocking himself out, much to the consternation of my mother. Her tears stopped when he suddenly groggily stood up asking, ‘Is wa happn?” (What happened?). Those mangoes of my childhood, as ordinary as they might have been, still remain the sweetest in memory.
We all, brothers and sisters, used to climb the tree sitting at various forks, angles and heights when mango was in season. My grandmother used to warn us girls that we should not climb the tree when it was bearing fruit as we would make the fruits sour. Since we thought this was one of the dumbest excuses to prevent us from having fun, we just used to wait until she was out of sight to clamber up the tree and sit where she could not see us. We picked and ate the young hard green ones dipped in salt and pepper grains held in our palms, making sussurating sounds of chilly seasoned mouths. We ate the half ripe ones out of greed and sucked the seeds out of the over ripe ones with juices dripping down our forearms.
That was long ago on the wonderful breezy coast of the South American continent. Now over fifty years later in India, near the foothills of the Himalayas, I don’t try to climb the mango trees in our yard, but I have the same delight watching my grand daughters do that. I think they make the fruits sweeter.
We delight in the summer atmosphere redolent with the aromas of this favorite tropical fruit. There are so many varieties that I would not waste time trying to name or describe them. Each tropical place has its own flavors and varieties native to its country. In our yard we have several trees that take turns giving fruit. So at least we have one tree every year whose fruits we can enjoy.
Mangoes come in diverse sizes from those too large to hold in one hand to those small enough to fit in the palms of a toddler. In colors they vary from blushing reds, to saffron bright yellows to olive green. The colors do not necessarily determine the sweetness of the fruit, except reds and yellows always indicate ripeness.
Mangoes are such a popular fruit that there are restaurants and resorts named after them. Fortunately for Americans, the 18 year old ban on import of Indian mangoes into the US has now been lifted. Someone in India tried to mail her friend in the US a box of mangoes from South India but was refused export permission as only commercial shipments are allowed at this time. Hopefully in time to come, we will be able not only to buy Indian mangoes in the US, but to gift them from India.
The mango fruit is not the only part of the mango tree that we enjoy. Traditionally people string the green leaves on thread and hang this as a decoration on the front door of a new home. For opening a new business sometimes will be seen a peculiar ménage of one red hot chilly pepper stuck to a yellow lemon with green mango leaves sewn into it. This strange composition of fruits and leaves, hangs from the top of the front door of any new shop or store. We assume that this is to ward off the evil eye, but it also looks like a good scare for bugs and insects. The young green leaves are used as spoons in ritual blessing. The stem of the leaf is turned into the top of the leaf to form a loop, used as a handle while dipping into holy water and sprinkling for blessings to the new-born, birthday celebrants and for other rituals at home and at the temples. Dried twigs are sometimes used in the Vedic fire ritual ‘homa’, where pine or sandalwood is unavailable. The bark of the tree is used for dyeing clothes into a soft cream color. This usually leaves a subtle fragrance on the cloth.
At the entrance of villages in most of rural India a large mango tree will provide a welcoming shade for travelers. A round concrete seat surrounds the bottom of the tree, called a ‘chabutera’. Village meetings, panchayats, festivals give honor to this most receptive area throughout the year. I have always marveled at the mango farms we encounter on our road trips. When you look into these orchards you will be amazed at the symmetry of the heights from the ground to the lowest branches. They are always the same. The shapes of mango trees vary from regular triangles to hemisphere like shapes. When these are blossoming the cream colored blooms seem to form a glowing halo around the half orbs of leaves and the scent is indescribable.
Mango is high in Vitamin A, eaten with food as dessert it supposedly is good for promoting the hemoglobin in blood. The inner bark boiled with the skin of the mango is said to be good for blood flow. There are many other Ayurvedic uses for the different parts of this wonderful tree.
There are many recipes available for both green and ripe mangoes. There are chutneys, pickles, jams, drinks, ice creams and a variety of delights. I recently had a mango tart with the mango pulp artistically decorating the tart piped out of an icing tube. Umm, was that delicious?
Simple Recipe for Mango Lassi
Ingredients: The pulp of one ripe mango, equal amount of plain yogurt, some sugar to taste.
Method: Blend ingredients adding crushed ice. If the mango fruit is not available, use the canned pulp available in Indian stores. For vegans, use soygurt. It is advised not to have too much mango, as mango has a heating effect Ayurvedically.
Enjoy!!
We all, brothers and sisters, used to climb the tree sitting at various forks, angles and heights when mango was in season. My grandmother used to warn us girls that we should not climb the tree when it was bearing fruit as we would make the fruits sour. Since we thought this was one of the dumbest excuses to prevent us from having fun, we just used to wait until she was out of sight to clamber up the tree and sit where she could not see us. We picked and ate the young hard green ones dipped in salt and pepper grains held in our palms, making sussurating sounds of chilly seasoned mouths. We ate the half ripe ones out of greed and sucked the seeds out of the over ripe ones with juices dripping down our forearms.
That was long ago on the wonderful breezy coast of the South American continent. Now over fifty years later in India, near the foothills of the Himalayas, I don’t try to climb the mango trees in our yard, but I have the same delight watching my grand daughters do that. I think they make the fruits sweeter.
We delight in the summer atmosphere redolent with the aromas of this favorite tropical fruit. There are so many varieties that I would not waste time trying to name or describe them. Each tropical place has its own flavors and varieties native to its country. In our yard we have several trees that take turns giving fruit. So at least we have one tree every year whose fruits we can enjoy.
Mangoes come in diverse sizes from those too large to hold in one hand to those small enough to fit in the palms of a toddler. In colors they vary from blushing reds, to saffron bright yellows to olive green. The colors do not necessarily determine the sweetness of the fruit, except reds and yellows always indicate ripeness.
Mangoes are such a popular fruit that there are restaurants and resorts named after them. Fortunately for Americans, the 18 year old ban on import of Indian mangoes into the US has now been lifted. Someone in India tried to mail her friend in the US a box of mangoes from South India but was refused export permission as only commercial shipments are allowed at this time. Hopefully in time to come, we will be able not only to buy Indian mangoes in the US, but to gift them from India.
The mango fruit is not the only part of the mango tree that we enjoy. Traditionally people string the green leaves on thread and hang this as a decoration on the front door of a new home. For opening a new business sometimes will be seen a peculiar ménage of one red hot chilly pepper stuck to a yellow lemon with green mango leaves sewn into it. This strange composition of fruits and leaves, hangs from the top of the front door of any new shop or store. We assume that this is to ward off the evil eye, but it also looks like a good scare for bugs and insects. The young green leaves are used as spoons in ritual blessing. The stem of the leaf is turned into the top of the leaf to form a loop, used as a handle while dipping into holy water and sprinkling for blessings to the new-born, birthday celebrants and for other rituals at home and at the temples. Dried twigs are sometimes used in the Vedic fire ritual ‘homa’, where pine or sandalwood is unavailable. The bark of the tree is used for dyeing clothes into a soft cream color. This usually leaves a subtle fragrance on the cloth.
At the entrance of villages in most of rural India a large mango tree will provide a welcoming shade for travelers. A round concrete seat surrounds the bottom of the tree, called a ‘chabutera’. Village meetings, panchayats, festivals give honor to this most receptive area throughout the year. I have always marveled at the mango farms we encounter on our road trips. When you look into these orchards you will be amazed at the symmetry of the heights from the ground to the lowest branches. They are always the same. The shapes of mango trees vary from regular triangles to hemisphere like shapes. When these are blossoming the cream colored blooms seem to form a glowing halo around the half orbs of leaves and the scent is indescribable.
Mango is high in Vitamin A, eaten with food as dessert it supposedly is good for promoting the hemoglobin in blood. The inner bark boiled with the skin of the mango is said to be good for blood flow. There are many other Ayurvedic uses for the different parts of this wonderful tree.
There are many recipes available for both green and ripe mangoes. There are chutneys, pickles, jams, drinks, ice creams and a variety of delights. I recently had a mango tart with the mango pulp artistically decorating the tart piped out of an icing tube. Umm, was that delicious?
Simple Recipe for Mango Lassi
Ingredients: The pulp of one ripe mango, equal amount of plain yogurt, some sugar to taste.
Method: Blend ingredients adding crushed ice. If the mango fruit is not available, use the canned pulp available in Indian stores. For vegans, use soygurt. It is advised not to have too much mango, as mango has a heating effect Ayurvedically.
Enjoy!!
Monday, October 22, 2007
FINGER LICKIN’ GOOD
I was feeding my fifteen month old grand daughter the other day when I realized I was actually using my fingers to mix her rice, dal (lentils) and veggies to feed her. Since it is my habit to wash hands before coming to the dinner table, I was happy that I had remembered to do that. I think I started using my fingers, when she tossed her spoon on the plastic floor covering to hear the bang it made. Babies love to do that much to the annoyance of parents, and amusement of grandparents.
But then it seemed so natural to use my fingers to feed her as she just kept popping open her tiny mouth for me to put the little balls of food in. She herself loves to scoop up food with her hand and toss it into her mouth, even if there is a baby spoon provided. Sometimes later when we insist on the use of the spoon she will pick it up and try to feed herself. But when she is very hungry she completely ignores the spoon. Her natural instinct is to use her hands.
The spoon use seems like an evolutionary development and we never force its use. In many parts of the world fingers are still considered the best implements for getting food into the mouth. Each culture that regards this method as the most natural has developed its own etiquettes that accompany this sort of dining.
On the Indian subcontinent where I spend a lot of time, the majority of the population that resides in the villages, eat their meals with fingers. Tools such as spoons, forks and knives, the cutlery of the urbanites are mostly not known. In some northern regions, spoons are used for liquid foods, like soups and dals. In the south even for liquid sambaar that accompanies most dishes like idli (steamed rice cakes), dosai (pancakes made from rice flour) or even plain rice, a spoon is hardly necessary as the liquid sambaar is soaked up in these rice dishes. But the rules for eating with the fingers are just as strict like rules for not using fingers.
When using the fingers for carrying food to the mouth, only fingers of the right hand are to be used. The left hand is NEVER used for eating. There is a good reason for this, but is not subject for this article. One may serve oneself for seconds by using a serving spoon with the left hand. Food should not touch the hands, as the fingers scoop up bits to put into the mouth. In some families, licking the fingers is a signal to the host that the meal was really enjoyed.
Another taboo is food that has been eaten from or contaminated by saliva is never shared with another. In the north this is referred to as “juthaa” and in the south as “eschil”. This is probably a good health habit. I remember my horror when I was offered a bitten-into apple by a friend when I first arrived to live in the US. Not wanting to hurt feelings, I carefully bit the other un-eaten side. But like all rules, this one has an exception. Sometimes one may notice two persons sharing the same plate or thaali (a steel round plate) that is normally used in Indian homes. This would either be a husband and wife or very close friends. Sometimes a mother-in-law the matriarch of the extended family would invite her daughter-in-law to share her plate, to show acceptance or to make up after some disagreement.
In the yoga tradition this sort of subliminal sharing is not encouraged. This is considered as sharing of sanskaars “impressions on the psyche”. This custom is considered to be interfering with the fulfillment of one’s own karmic acts. It is true we are born within certain families to achieve our destinies linked with the relationships within that family. There are many things shared already within those experiences. The whole aim of being born is to purify as much as possible our human tainted qualities and realize our divine nature. So the less we pile up unnecessary sanskaars, the quicker we get there. Hence the less the sanskaars are intertwined the less external inputs influence the psyche.
It is important to create the kind of atmosphere at home that encourages the child to develop within the parameters of the philosophy of that particular family. Outside the home it is difficult to know what impressions the young is receiving, in the neighborhood, in schools, from friends, from the environment. So whatever we can do at home to steer the child into the “right” sanskaars is very important.
Etiquettes of living at home include the training and behavior in all aspects of life. Rules of dining are naturally part of these. Family dining together at least once a day is an excellent way for these habits to be practiced whether it is the correct way to use the fingers to break chapattis, which is the correct salad fork, or how to use chopsticks gracefully. I know a guy who was trained in boarding school in England, married a girl who was trained both in America and in India. It is wonderful to see their children at home in all these continents with the flexible ability and ease to use fingers for dosais (rice pancakes) knives and forks for English meals and even chopsticks for noodles.
**
Here’s a recipe for chapattis:
Ingredients: One cup chapatti flour or whole wheat flour, some warm water. Mix these into a soft dough (like bread dough) and leave to rise for about an hour.
Method: Roll out into flat rounds somewhat like tortillas and cook on a griddle or hot pan. Flip over when little bubbles start to appear and cook other side. Stack them in a clean kitchen towel, after rubbing some butter or olive oil on them to keep them soft.
These may be eaten like tortillas with cheese, or with curried veggies. Enjoy!
**
But then it seemed so natural to use my fingers to feed her as she just kept popping open her tiny mouth for me to put the little balls of food in. She herself loves to scoop up food with her hand and toss it into her mouth, even if there is a baby spoon provided. Sometimes later when we insist on the use of the spoon she will pick it up and try to feed herself. But when she is very hungry she completely ignores the spoon. Her natural instinct is to use her hands.
The spoon use seems like an evolutionary development and we never force its use. In many parts of the world fingers are still considered the best implements for getting food into the mouth. Each culture that regards this method as the most natural has developed its own etiquettes that accompany this sort of dining.
On the Indian subcontinent where I spend a lot of time, the majority of the population that resides in the villages, eat their meals with fingers. Tools such as spoons, forks and knives, the cutlery of the urbanites are mostly not known. In some northern regions, spoons are used for liquid foods, like soups and dals. In the south even for liquid sambaar that accompanies most dishes like idli (steamed rice cakes), dosai (pancakes made from rice flour) or even plain rice, a spoon is hardly necessary as the liquid sambaar is soaked up in these rice dishes. But the rules for eating with the fingers are just as strict like rules for not using fingers.
When using the fingers for carrying food to the mouth, only fingers of the right hand are to be used. The left hand is NEVER used for eating. There is a good reason for this, but is not subject for this article. One may serve oneself for seconds by using a serving spoon with the left hand. Food should not touch the hands, as the fingers scoop up bits to put into the mouth. In some families, licking the fingers is a signal to the host that the meal was really enjoyed.
Another taboo is food that has been eaten from or contaminated by saliva is never shared with another. In the north this is referred to as “juthaa” and in the south as “eschil”. This is probably a good health habit. I remember my horror when I was offered a bitten-into apple by a friend when I first arrived to live in the US. Not wanting to hurt feelings, I carefully bit the other un-eaten side. But like all rules, this one has an exception. Sometimes one may notice two persons sharing the same plate or thaali (a steel round plate) that is normally used in Indian homes. This would either be a husband and wife or very close friends. Sometimes a mother-in-law the matriarch of the extended family would invite her daughter-in-law to share her plate, to show acceptance or to make up after some disagreement.
In the yoga tradition this sort of subliminal sharing is not encouraged. This is considered as sharing of sanskaars “impressions on the psyche”. This custom is considered to be interfering with the fulfillment of one’s own karmic acts. It is true we are born within certain families to achieve our destinies linked with the relationships within that family. There are many things shared already within those experiences. The whole aim of being born is to purify as much as possible our human tainted qualities and realize our divine nature. So the less we pile up unnecessary sanskaars, the quicker we get there. Hence the less the sanskaars are intertwined the less external inputs influence the psyche.
It is important to create the kind of atmosphere at home that encourages the child to develop within the parameters of the philosophy of that particular family. Outside the home it is difficult to know what impressions the young is receiving, in the neighborhood, in schools, from friends, from the environment. So whatever we can do at home to steer the child into the “right” sanskaars is very important.
Etiquettes of living at home include the training and behavior in all aspects of life. Rules of dining are naturally part of these. Family dining together at least once a day is an excellent way for these habits to be practiced whether it is the correct way to use the fingers to break chapattis, which is the correct salad fork, or how to use chopsticks gracefully. I know a guy who was trained in boarding school in England, married a girl who was trained both in America and in India. It is wonderful to see their children at home in all these continents with the flexible ability and ease to use fingers for dosais (rice pancakes) knives and forks for English meals and even chopsticks for noodles.
**
Here’s a recipe for chapattis:
Ingredients: One cup chapatti flour or whole wheat flour, some warm water. Mix these into a soft dough (like bread dough) and leave to rise for about an hour.
Method: Roll out into flat rounds somewhat like tortillas and cook on a griddle or hot pan. Flip over when little bubbles start to appear and cook other side. Stack them in a clean kitchen towel, after rubbing some butter or olive oil on them to keep them soft.
These may be eaten like tortillas with cheese, or with curried veggies. Enjoy!
**
Green Grass on the other side
( From my journal March 21st 2007)
I witnessed something today and I don’t know what adjectives to use to describe the episode – funny maybe also sad in a way. I was taking my usual morning walk in the front garden, when my attention was attracted by some noises emerging from the neighbor’s wall edging the pathway leading to our gate.
Let me add that the neighbor is an unknown element as the previous owner had sold her property last year, and we have no idea who has bought it. No one seems to live there, except a guard. There used to be a cow in the backyard, but she is gone together with some mango trees that grew there.
On hearing the noises, I looked up to see two village women sitting atop the pillar of the concrete boundary wall. They did not immediately see me as their attention seemed to be riveted on something in the backyard. I shouted “hello” to them to get their attention. They turned towards me and I saw that one had a sickle and one had a small bundle of rope. “What are you two doing up there perched so precariously on that itty bitty pillar?” I asked. One stood up to get a better look at me, and said, “Look at all this beautiful, lush, green grass just lying there useless. Soon it will become all brown in the sun.” “Yes,” said the other woman, “All we want to do is just go down there and save someone the trouble of having to cut the grass by cutting it ourselves. See how thick and green it is!”
Well of course I could not see the fat, plump grass, but I was completed amazed at their description of grass, as I had never thought of it before in those terms. But I suppose when you have cows to feed, you see it from the cows’ point of view. Now every time I see village women with grass bundles on their heads, I will have greater respect for grass.
To continue I advised the desperate women that before they jump unto the lush lawn they should check with the guard. They said, “Yes, we did go to the front of the house first, and shouted Bhai, Bhai (Brother, brother) but there was no one there.” The guard was probably off for his morning stroll or tea at the wayside teashop. They continued, “So we thought we would just go ahead and cut the grass.”
I did not agree with this foolhardy idea as the male guard would appear anytime and who could tell the consequences.
While they sat there still pondering their bad luck, I sent my own guard out to advise them against any precipitous grass cutting incident. It seems he finally managed to convince them to abandon this venture. Maybe if they had waited the guard would have returned, but it was morning which is grass gathering time and cows don’t wait for their meals. They start a regular concert of moos.
I felt really sorry for them for they eventually left, but I also admired them for not giving in to a necessary temptation and for educating me on the quality and value of grass.
(Actually I think if it was me I would have gone and cut the grass, so what if the guard appeared, I had a sharp sickle with me and there were two of us.)
(c)2007
I witnessed something today and I don’t know what adjectives to use to describe the episode – funny maybe also sad in a way. I was taking my usual morning walk in the front garden, when my attention was attracted by some noises emerging from the neighbor’s wall edging the pathway leading to our gate.
Let me add that the neighbor is an unknown element as the previous owner had sold her property last year, and we have no idea who has bought it. No one seems to live there, except a guard. There used to be a cow in the backyard, but she is gone together with some mango trees that grew there.
On hearing the noises, I looked up to see two village women sitting atop the pillar of the concrete boundary wall. They did not immediately see me as their attention seemed to be riveted on something in the backyard. I shouted “hello” to them to get their attention. They turned towards me and I saw that one had a sickle and one had a small bundle of rope. “What are you two doing up there perched so precariously on that itty bitty pillar?” I asked. One stood up to get a better look at me, and said, “Look at all this beautiful, lush, green grass just lying there useless. Soon it will become all brown in the sun.” “Yes,” said the other woman, “All we want to do is just go down there and save someone the trouble of having to cut the grass by cutting it ourselves. See how thick and green it is!”
Well of course I could not see the fat, plump grass, but I was completed amazed at their description of grass, as I had never thought of it before in those terms. But I suppose when you have cows to feed, you see it from the cows’ point of view. Now every time I see village women with grass bundles on their heads, I will have greater respect for grass.
To continue I advised the desperate women that before they jump unto the lush lawn they should check with the guard. They said, “Yes, we did go to the front of the house first, and shouted Bhai, Bhai (Brother, brother) but there was no one there.” The guard was probably off for his morning stroll or tea at the wayside teashop. They continued, “So we thought we would just go ahead and cut the grass.”
I did not agree with this foolhardy idea as the male guard would appear anytime and who could tell the consequences.
While they sat there still pondering their bad luck, I sent my own guard out to advise them against any precipitous grass cutting incident. It seems he finally managed to convince them to abandon this venture. Maybe if they had waited the guard would have returned, but it was morning which is grass gathering time and cows don’t wait for their meals. They start a regular concert of moos.
I felt really sorry for them for they eventually left, but I also admired them for not giving in to a necessary temptation and for educating me on the quality and value of grass.
(Actually I think if it was me I would have gone and cut the grass, so what if the guard appeared, I had a sharp sickle with me and there were two of us.)
(c)2007
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)