Spirituality In Practice

Category: Uncategorized

  • Non-attachment: Agree or not disagree?

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    sipractce
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    Do you “agree” or “not disagree”? The end result may be the same but the approaches for the two choices are totally different! We exist as part of the universe and as influenced by the laws of nature. Do you agree or not disagree? Think about this question and your answer for a moment. Reflect…

  • Non – attachment

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    sipractce
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    Scriptures are vast ocean of knowledge and wisdom. One can get immersed in them to the point they become  academic documents for mere intellectual exercise.  To prevent such pitfall we have codes of conduct such as Athichudi. They are brief statements  for direct and immediate use. https://sipractce.wordpress.com/2010/11/24/%e2%80%9cruled-of-the-road%e2%80%9d-aathichudi/ Another example is the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as…

  • Spirituality in Practice – in the words of Pope Francis.

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    sipractce
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               On Sep. 24th 2015, Pope Francis addressed the joint session of the congress of the United States. It was a memorable speech and a solemn occasion. The Pontiff’s simple message of common principles applicable to all trumped the pomp and circumstances of this special event. They spell out the nobility of thoughts, conviction…

  • Remembering Gandhiji

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    sipractce
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    October 2nd marks the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. Here is a post in his honor.

  • Athithi Dhevo Bhava – Part 2

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    sipractce
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    In our last blog we described the transformation of any guest into God (Athithi Dhevo Bhava) Have you ever wondered what is really said or prescribed through the various Puja (prayer) services with the chanting of verses in Sanskrit language? Every Puja for every God is a literal translation in practice of the concept of…

  • Athithi Dhevo Bhava – May the guest transform into God!

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    sipractce
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    One of the often quoted injunctions from the Upanishad states: Mathru Dhevo Bhava; Pithru Dhevo Bhava; Acharya Dhevo Bhava; Aththi Dhevo Bhava (your mother, father, teacher and guest exist as your God). This statement is often used to teach the basic moral principles. This injunction can be followed merely by being respectful to our parents,…

  • What I learned during a nature walk!

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    sipractce
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    I had an opportunity for a peaceful walk on a bright sunny morning recently. As my walk continued I arrived at a location with a winding river with lush greenery everywhere. I continued my stroll along the banks of the river. Fortunately I had a camera with me to record several images. With each passing…

  • Clean hands and useful slate

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    sipractce
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    “With grace and gratitude we dry our clean hands and realize the slate can be as clean as we allow it to be” – this is a quote I found printed on a liquid soap bottle! Later I realized the brand name for this product was “Grace”! http://www.thebeautyoflifeblog.com/2010/12/best-hand-soaps-philosophy-amazing.html  Clean hands could also refer to the purity…

  • Astu: So be it!

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    sipractce
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    During the Vedic chants, there are passages conveying the blessings of the Lord to all those present. When the chief priest recites these verses, the others in the retinue of priests would say ThaTha Astu (we concur with that). In its shortened form it is stated as Astu (so be it). Astu also stands for a…

  • The Yoga of renunciation (Sanyasa Yoga)

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    sipractce
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    In a recent news item it was reported that the women’s basketball team players of University of Maryland had entirely given up their cell phones for a few days. The idea is that such total withdrawal from the cell phone is a symbolism of their ability to pay unbridled attention to the job on hand…