Question –
What is
Prayer?
Ans. – Prayer is wonder, reverence.
Prayer is receptivity for the miracle that surrounds
you. Prayer is surrender to the beauty, to the grandeur
to this fantastic existence. Prayer is non-argumentative dialogue with
existence. It is not a discussion… it is a love-dialogue. You don’t argue… you
simply whisper sweet nothings.
When a man falls in love
with a woman he whispers sweet nothings into her ear. When a man falls into love
with existence… the same romance: prayer is romance. It is becoming available to
the miraculous. Many people have lost the capacity to pray, because many people
have lost the capacity to wonder. They have lost the capacity to be surprised.
You go on seeing millions of wonders every day but you are not surprised at all.
Your eyes are so full of dust and knowledge that you don’t see anything. A seed
is sprouting, and you don’t see any wonder. A new leaf coming out of the tree,
and you don’t see any wonder. A bird singing, and nothing happens inside you. A
peacock dances, and nothing dances inside you. A white cloud floats in the sky,
and you remain untouched. Then prayer is
impossible.
Prayer needs a poetic
heart, a loving heart. Approach reality more poetically — don’t be too much of a
scientist, don’t be too much of a rationalist. don’t think that you know;
nothing is really known — ignorance is absolute, ignorance is ultimate. Once you
understand that nothing is known, and ignorance is ultimate, you will again be
full of those beautiful eyes you had when you were small
children.
Prayer is the capacity to
be amazed. prayer is the capacity that you had as children, and you have lost.
Claim it — reclaim it — because with prayer you have lost all. The day your
wondering eyes closed, God became nonexistential to you. Open your wondering
eyes again, and you will find him pulsating again. He’s very close by… he’s all
around you… he is within and without.
Source
– Osho Book “The Divine Melody”
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Friday, November 30, 2012
What is Prayer
Monday, November 26, 2012
My 5th Service Anniversary
That was a
Monday, unlike others I had in life. Fresh formals, tie, black shoes all
together in a combo, for the first time. To top it all, nicely trimmed hair and
clean shave. Boy 'o boy that was the smartest I ever looked.
For the first
time there wasn't a feeling of alone in a group of completely unknowns. All of
us stuffed in the bus together, heading towards the campus, of which we had a
fleeting glance the day before. Being a chatter box is gender agnostic, it was
discovery made that day. Years have passed since that Monday. Walk has been a
long one, held some hands, others just shook and left.
Its Monday again, with the same date and a gap of half a decade time to hit the rewind button in forward mode...
Its Monday again, with the same date and a gap of half a decade time to hit the rewind button in forward mode...
in cricketing terms, it’s a 4 off a no ball. Plus 5 on the board, free hit to follow.
Confusing ;)
Well, Today I completed 5 years with Infosys.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Nine Principles for Peace of Mind
1. Do Not Interfere In
Others’ Business Unless Asked
Most of us create our own problems by interfering too
often in others’ affairs. We do so because somehow we have
convinced ourselves that our way is the best way, our logic is the perfect
logic and those who do not conform to our thinking must be criticized and
steered to the right direction, our direction. This thinking denies the
existence of individuality and consequently the existence of God… God has
created each one of us in a unique way. No two human beings can think or act
inexactly the same way. All men or women act the way they do because God within
them prompts them that way. Mind your own business and you will keep your
peace.
2. Forgive And
Forget
This is the most powerful aid to peace of mind. We often
develop ill feelings inside our heart for the person who insults us or harms us.
We nurture grievances. This in turn results in loss of sleep, development of
stomach ulcers, and high blood pressure. This insult or injury was done once,
but nourishing of grievance goes on forever by constantly remembering it. Get
over this bad habit. Life is too short to waste in such trifles. Forgive,
Forget, and march on. Love flourishes in giving and
forgiving.
3. Do Not Crave For
Recognition
This world is full of selfish people. They seldom praise
anybody without selfish motives. They may praise you today because you are in
power, but no sooner than you are powerless, they will forget your achievement
and will start finding faults in you. Why do you wish to kill yours if in
striving for their recognition? Their recognition is not worth the aggravation.
Do your duties ethically and sincerely.
4. Do Not Be
Jealous
We all have experienced how jealousy can disturb our
peace of mind. You know that you work harder than your colleagues in the office,
but sometimes they get promotions; you do not. You started a business several
years ago, but you are not as successful as your neighbor whose business is only
one year old. There are several examples like these in everyday life. Should you
be jealous? No. Remember everybody’s life is shaped by his/her destiny, which
has now become his/her reality. If you are destined to be rich, nothing in the
world can stop you. If you are not so destined, no one can help you either.
Nothing will be gained by blaming others for your misfortune. Jealousy will not
get you anywhere; it will only take away your peace of
mind.
5. Change Yourself According
To The Environment
If you try to change the environment single-handedly,
the chances are you will fail. Instead, change yourself to suit your
environment. As you do this, even the environment, which has been unfriendly to
you, will mysteriously change and seem congenial and
harmonious.
6. Endure What Cannot Be
Cured
This is the best way to turn a disadvantage into an
advantage. Every day we face numerous inconveniences, ailments, irritations, and
accidents that are beyond our control. If we cannot control them or change them,
we must learn to put up with these things. We must learn to endure them
cheerfully. Believe in yourself and you will gain in terms of patience, inner
strength and will power.
7. Do Not Bite Off More Than
You Can Chew
This maxim needs to be remembered constantly. We often
tend to take more responsibilities than we are capable of carrying out. This is
done to satisfy our ego. Know your limitations… Why take on additional loads
that may create more worries? You cannot gain peace of mind by expanding your
external activities. Reduce your material engagements and spend time in prayer,
introspection and meditation. This will reduce those thoughts in your mind that
make you restless. Uncluttered mind will produce greater peace of
mind.
8. Never Leave The Mind
Vacant
An empty mind is the devil’s workshop. All evil actions
start in the vacant mind. Keep your mind occupied in something positive,
something worthwhile. Actively follow a hobby. Do something that holds your
interest. You must decide what you value more: money or peace of mind. Your
hobby, like social work or religious work, may not always earn you more money,
but you will have a sense of fulfillment and achievement. Even when you are
resting physically, occupy yourself in healthy reading or chanting of God’s
name.
9. Do Not Procrastinate And
Never Regret
Do not waste time in protracted wondering “Should I or
shouldn’t I?” Days, weeks, months, and years may be wasted in that futile mental
debating. You can never plan enough because you can never anticipate all future
happenings. Value your time and do the things that need to be done. It does not
matter if you fail the first time. You can learn from your mistakes and succeed
the next time. Sitting back and worrying will lead to nothing. Learn from your
mistakes, but do not brood over the past. DO NOT REGRET. Whatever happened was
destined to happen only that way. Why cry over spilt
milk?
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