Learn

We learn something every day. There is sometimes a first time and a new experience. And sometimes, repeated similar experiences because we DON’T. It is typical that these repeated experiences will keep coming. Until we learn what we are supposed to.

On a lighter note, this happens when we don’t address a WhatsApp message. The message will keep coming up on the screen until we read it.   it is a constant reminder that repeated patterns must be addressed.

Surekha Kothari

www.BodyMindSoulCentre.com

surekhakothari.wordpress.com

Speakingtree Blog: www.speakingtree.in/public/surekhakothari

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Self-Preservation

We are very quick to remove the garbage from our homes and fill our homes with aromas and fresheners. Because we feel good.

But come to our minds and we see a different picture. There is plenty of garbage there, unwanted thoughts, reactions and hurts, some of which may be totally self-created! THAT baggage remains as “impressions” or self-inflicted torture in our minds. And we just cannot let it go. Wearing perfumes does not help.

A very wise person told me, there is a switch inside us which, when flicked, off loads this baggage in a jiffy! It just requires personal consent and a tendency towards self-preservation.

Why do we allow anything or anyone to press our buttons? Just get rid of those buttons themselves and you are through!!!

Surekha Kothari

www.BodyMindSoulCentre.com

surekhakothari.wordpress.com

Speakingtree Blog: www.speakingtree.in/public/surekhakothari

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Consciousness

On the occasion of Buddha Purnima, let me dwell on the only sermon given by Buddha, in which he didn’t utter a single word. When he held up a flower, the whole congregation was silent, not understanding it’s significance, except one. Mahakasyapa looked at it intently and smiled. Buddha handed over the flower to him and said, “I have said what can be said and what cannot be said.” From that day Mahakasyapa became his successor.

In this ‘Flower Sermon’, Buddha drew our attention to the importance of direct experience, shorn of intellectual analysis. Flowers embody both form and formlessness. They arise from the earth and return to it, drawing attention to the formless consciousness of Oneness.

The simple act of seeing a flower can usher in a meditative state of intense awareness

William Blake said it wonderfully:

To see a World in a Grain of Sand

And Heaven in a Wild Flower

Hold infinity in the palm of your hand

And eternity in an hour.

Surekha Kothari

www.BodyMindSoulCentre.com

surekhakothari.wordpress.comSpeakingtree Blog: www.speakingtree.in/public/surekhakothari

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Realization

It is a natural human tendency to look at the outside world and, according to our value systems, find others to be lacking or otherwise. The catch phrase here is” according to our values systems”.

The entire judgement factor stems from this. We all build up our own value systems according to who we are and what our experiences are. Different things work for different people. At different times and we keep changing as wisdom dawns.

Each of us therefore, has to give each one their due. There is really no need to invade someone else’s space with analysis and criticism.

Anyway, criticism borders on “I am better than you” aspect which is not quite right. And you will see the evidence of this in the fact that people you criticize have their own friends and followers. Evidently then, what they live with are not wrong principles but different from yours. You may not agree but that’s ok. You don’t need to harbor any feelings about that. Letting go of what is not compatible with your energy is vital to growth.

At the end of the day, we need to recognize that each one has a different journey and the universe has the capacity to hold and protect all of us.

Yes, we do have to keep learning and evolving till we teach the truth about ourselves. But that is the extent and the ultimate for our journey, as it is for the others. How soon we will reach that point of realization, depends on our thinking, understanding and reflecting on ourselves. And then proceeding to work on ourselves as we go along.

“Live and let live”. Try and live well and with awareness of our thoughts, our actions and what we need to cleanse from our huge bank of memories.

Our memories spark our likes and dislikes. We need to keep away from both.

Surekha Kothari

www.BodyMindSoulCentre.com

surekhakothari.wordpress.com

Speakingtree Blog: www.speakingtree.in/public/surekhakothari

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Faith

When you reach a dead end in your mind, just leave everything to the Almighty! Knots will be removed with time. Faith is imperative! Whatever happens in our lives is chosen by us. So, to grumble and resist seems childish. Yes, we HAVE chalked out our agenda based on what we need to learn. But we don’t want some of what happens. We think we deserve better. When understanding dawns, we actually realize that we can move on to the better only once we have learnt from what happens and thus, change our energies to invite better things and better people in our lives. Let us not misunderstand this though and get happy. We need to reinvent ourselves each time we fall in our standards of ethics and morality, in failing to keep a spiritual awareness around us. And more… We can cram one book and give our exams. Or, we can refer to many books, understand the topic in-depth and then appear in the exams. There are no guesses as to which is better and progressive in its outcome. Life is like that. sometimes, a child handles life better because there is very quick recovery from any kind of so called adverse experience. The child does not hold on. And that is what we need to do. Adults reach dead ends either when there is ego activation or when there is a closure.

Surekha Kothari

www.BodyMindSoulCentre.com

surekhakothari.wordpress.com

Speakingtree Blog: www.speakingtree.in/public/surekhakothari

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Perspectives

“All the five fingers are not alike” is a wonderful saying if we can consider its implications. But a fist is formed with all of them, despite the irregularity.

A family is just like that. The motley crowd of a family forms a fist uniting all the fingers. And it is said, a closed fist is worth lakhs. It is symbolic of united families where each one is different but together, they are awesome, even formidable.

But sadly! That is not true anymore.

We don’t look at the larger perspectives because the vision is lacking. We are very short sighted. We only look at what can fulfil our wants.

So, as a result, families are breaking up. No tolerance and little caring for each other.

And we keep adjusting to the new ways of distancing! Where is the choice? A clap also needs two hands.

Surekha Kothari

www.BodyMindSoulCentre.com

surekhakothari.wordpress.comSpeakingtree Blog: www.speakingtree.in/public/surekhakothari

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Selfless-Love

Sometimes, it is painful to watch someone you care for developing qualities that, you know, are not going stand them in good stead in the long run. And you are unable to even point it out. Because minds are blocked.

Each of us has to develop that vision, that awareness of distancing from ourselves so that we can observe ourselves and see ourselves more clearly. To see why we do what we do and what are the repercussions happening which we are unable to see until it is too late.

This is when our lives are running on an even keel and we think we are in control. Illusion indeed! Suddenly, one episode can upset our lives . And then, it is possible that people who care for you may not be around to support you. Or pick up the pieces with you.

It is wise not to alienate those people and appreciate them as people. Not many can really love selflessly. So, don’t throw away your blessings.

Surekha Kothari

www.BodyMindSoulCentre.com

surekhakothari.wordpress.com

Speakingtree Blog: www.speakingtree.in/public/surekhakothari

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Awareness

We have to watch our feelings about everything and everyone. Often, we feel negative or an alarm bell goes off within us. But we ignore it.

Instead, go into it and find out the cause. Sometimes, it is just your expectations showing up as disappointments. But sometimes, it can be a warning signal either to be wary or that you are going the wrong way.

It is incredible how important those one or two seconds of that particular warning can be. And how beneficial to our breaking old patterns with newfound awareness. Provided we listen carefully!

Surekha Kothari

www.BodyMindSoulCentre.com

surekhakothari.wordpress.com

Speakingtree Blog: www.speakingtree.in/public/surekhakothari

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Life Span

As researchers excitedly work on elongating the human life span, the senior citizens struggle with loneliness, ailments, little to look forward to and non-productive living.

The erstwhile vivacious and bubbly friends are today victims of personal tragedies galore! So many have passed on and so many are suffering from diseases and the loss of loved ones!

Some flog themselves (metaphorically) to keep their sanity and agility of mind by doing sudoku and such activities others give up!

The bottom line for longevity of life would definitely be sound mental, emotional and physical health. In their sunset years of fragility, all senior citizens need love, compassion, understanding and looking after in order to survive their last few years in relatively good health.

Let us not forget, their lives have been fraught with stress which they took on to keep their families thriving. Their brand of family love was sacrificing and working hard for their children. And often, the intense struggle cost them their own sense of joy AND that of others around them.

This should always be carried in the front of our minds.

Surekha Kothari

www.BodyMindSoulCentre.com

surekhakothari.wordpress.comSpeakingtree Blog: www.speakingtree.in/public/surekhakothari

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Practice

There is never a time when we can build up a case in favour of pettiness or meanness. Ultimately, the onus comes back to us. OUR thoughts, our reactions, our prejudices.

I understand perfectly that we have faced all this and more from other people. But, after much churning and trying out all options , it ultimately OUR choice: to retaliate and give it as good as we get, or to look at such people kindly and know there is something within that have not come to terms with.

That effort, though very tough, will pay rich dividends. It is a daily practice. And will have terrific blocks to overcome. Because the moment you make such an intention, the universe will start testing you with irritating episodes coming your way to see how strong is your resolve.

These are enough to get frustrated and leave the practice. But better to continue the practice. Otherwise, no results will be forthcoming.

Surekha Kothari

www.BodyMindSoulCentre.com

surekhakothari.wordpress.comSpeakingtree Blog: www.speakingtree.in/public/surekhakothari

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