LP Magazine October 2020

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` 150
YOUR PERSONAL AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH COMPANION
October-September 2020
GIVING
LIKE GOD
+The nuances of sattvik generosity
PAGE 28
How a soldier battled depression and won
PAGE 15
Life Positive ISF goes online
PAGE 50
Guruspeak by
Daaji
PAGE 48
MEET ROBIN SINGH: The voice of the voiceless
PAGE 20






Your love keeps us going!
Dear Reader,
It has been heartening to observe that the lack of regular availability of Life Positive’s print magazine due to the lockdown and other related issues has not dampened the enthusiasm of its readers in any way.
Almost everyday I get mail from LP fans who either want to know as to when their copies would be reaching them or how excited they are to get combined issues with a lot of reading material to enjoy in one magazine itself.
It is these responses that give us the impetus to continue to work hard despite the challenges. Never was the world more in need of positivity and hope than today, and it would be great for our loyal readers to recommend Life Positive to all the people they know so that they too can use this period fruitfully by developing self-awareness and self-reflection.
The cover story for October is on giving up the ego in order to embrace the true spirit of giving, like Nature, which gives without any agenda or expectations. Written by Purnima Coontoor, the article postulates that to be giving in the truest sense, we need to be free of our egoic attachments and, eventually, venture into the realm of achieving oneness with the Universe. Humans crave for freedom, little knowing that ultimate freedom is to be had from their mental and emotional prisons. Once this is achieved, they can experience the joy which comes with giving freely and without any motives.
We also have a very thought-provoking account of a former army officer’s battle with depression and eventual victory over it. I hope this will inspire many struggling with mental health problems to not give up hope.
Have a happy October.
- Editor
LP mascot: Laughing Buddha
October 2020 Vol. 24  Issue 07
Chairman: Aditya Ahluwalia President: D R Kaarthikeyan Director: V Venkat
Editor: Shivi Verma
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losZ HkoUrq lqf[ku~%] losZlUrq fujke;k%
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May all beings be happy, May all be healthy, May people have the well-being of all in mind, May nobody suffer in any way. — Vedic prayer
Edited by Shivi Verma. Printed and published by
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Y O U R P E R S O N A L A N D S P I R I T U A L G R O W T H C O M P A N I O N
THE
POWER OF
HUMILITY
PAGE 26
Non-violent Defence:
Is it possible? PAGE 54
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YOUR PERSONAL AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH COMPANION
July 2019
Are you a
victim of
Narcissistic
Abuse?
PAGE 62
Guru gyan by
DADASHREEJI
PAGE 40
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September 2019
Winning hearts across the country since 1996
CONSISTENCY:
THE SECRET TO
SUCCESS
How not to give up
PAGE 26
MELODIES
THAT HEAL
Ragas have a
therapeutic effect
PAGE 64
Make your
child a
meditator
PAGE 48
alone trauma
SPECIAL
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The man who lives on breath
C O M P A N I O N
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How to
overcome
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SELF-REALISATION
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12 Masters share their enlightenment experiences
Roshani Shenazz decodes the cosmic process of Self-realisation PAGE 100
a
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A
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Meet
GORJI The Guru of love PAGE 18
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PSYCHO NEUROBIC PROGRAMMING (PNP) - SERIES 6
PAGE 77
Disclaimer - All e orts have been made to make the map accurate. However, company Life Positive Pvt Ltd and its directors do not hold any responsibility for the correctness or authencity of the same. Our main motto is to show the presence of Life Positive magazine in India.
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THE
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THINKING
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Guru Gyan by
Mohanji Minimalism
STAND UP FOR YOURSELF
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Chant and be happy
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Say ‘Yes’ to life
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Guru gyan by
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PSYCHO NEUROBIC PROGRAMMING (PNP) - SERIES VII PAGE 79
23
Enlightening Souls across the globe


28
LEAD STORY
Give Up to Give
Purnima Coontoor deftly introduces us to the eternal wisdom of Advaita Vedanta
20
CLOSE ENCOUNTER
Living for others
Robin Singh tells how he gave up a life of comfort to give back to the world
15
HEARTSPEAK
Heal yourself to happiness
Sunil Parihar shares his multifarious journey from depression to happiness
06 LifePositive | OCTOBER 2020
COVER STORY


FOOD
Calm your colicky baby
Diet options for nursing mothers to prevent infantile colic in their babies
50
ISF PREVIEW
Life Positive ISF goes online
The LP International Spiritual Festival continues despite the pandemic, albeit online this time
REGULAR COLUMNS
Response 08 Guruspeak 48 Mandala 10 Sharing 56 Yoga 14 Journey 58 Aha-moments 41 Mudra Column 59
Spirit 61 Banyan tree 64
Cover photo: Adobe Stock, Photo credit: Adobe Stock, Cover design: Sandeep Kumar
Total pages 140, including the cover page and the back cover
Contents 07


RESPONSE
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YOUR PERSONAL AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH COMPANION
` 100
September 2020
How learning affects your brain PAGE 26
Guruspeak by Daaji
PAGE 38
LEARN AND STAY YOUNG
What is Rolfing?
PAGE 50
Are you being
manipulated?
PAGE 44
Letter of the month
Bright ideas
Two articles in the August 2020 issue of Life Positive—Bright Idea! (light bulbs out of plastic bottles) and Pits Of Money! (water harvesting)— were very interesting to read.
I am involved with two ashrams in a place 150km from Mumbai, where we train people on health and self-development—a system developed by our Guruji. Being located in a remote corner, we face a lot of trouble with water and electricity. We don’t have electricity, and it is very costly to get cables laid to start power supply in our area.
I liked the information shared in the articles mentioned above and would love to contact the innovators of these creative ideas to get their help. There are many other villages which can be helped too.
Shyam Balani, via email
08 LifePositive | OCTOBER 2020
Mail from our readers, online fans and subscribers
Unethical economics
Apropos of the article Ethical Economics in the August 2020 issue of Life Positive, author Suma Varughese has boldly brought out the truth of high-profile honchos parading as CEOs of big corporate companies. They are paid sky-high salaries to dupe the poor public.
Essentially, the business schools are responsible for teaching unethical economics to innocent students by charging them unaffordable fees. The general public is ignorant of these designs and does not have the guts to criticise them for their unethical practices.
Rajendra Kumar Palhan, Former GM, Indian Railways
Travelling alone
I enjoyed reading the article The Witness in the August 2020 issue of Life Positive. We all have a role to play in life, and destiny decides who should be with us in this role. Often, we have to travel alone, and it’s important to make the


most of it. Comparisons are often cause for depression! Editor Shivi Verma has put it very well in her column.
Madhavan Nambiar, via WhatsApp
Battling the tsunamis of life
The combined issue of April, May, and June Life Positive 2020 was excellent. It gave us great pleasure in the time of the lockdown when it was most needed.
While reading the article A tsunami in my heart, some thoughts came to my mind. In our life, we face a number of small and big tsunamis in the form of problems, difficulties, and bad situations. We get drowned in miseries, sadness, depression and, sometimes, anger and hatred.
Let us learn to face these problems calmly and boldly.We have no control over the tsunamis occurring in the sea or our life. We must accept them before we can swim out by embracing the spirit of courage. Let us help people facing similar problems and difficulties.
A S Dandekar, Mumbai
A rich harvest of happiness
I was gifted Life Positive magazine by a friend of mine when I complained to him about the
financial and emotional difficulties I was facing due to the pandemic and the prolonged lockdown.
Initially I felt what could a book or a magazine do to help me overcome my problems, but as I began flipping through the pages of the combined issue of April, May and June I came across plenty of articles which filled me with renewed hope and the faith that I had the power to change my life for the better.
Articles like Small sangha big support, Staying positive through the pandemic, The vital power of Self-work, One of a kind and The Maitrya arrives gave me the strength to not give up but go within myself to look for solutions.
I began to meditate and see vlogs on self- growth and spirituality. I learnt that I actually never enjoyed the job I was doing and this was perhaps the time to do what I was passionate about. I have now shifted to my hometown in Deoria and have begun to take interest in my agricultural land. I am finding plenty of peace and solace in the work that I am doing and will perhaps reap a rich harvest of organic rice and mustard in the coming months. Thank you Life Positive.
Suresh Tiwari, via email
Response 09


MANDALA
10
LifePositive | OCTOBER 2020
India has been facing critical health challenges, even prior to the pandemic, whereby lack of clean air, potable
water, and nutritious food has
caused a rise in diseases
among the population—a
majority of whom do not
have access to quality and
affordable healthcare. In
the wake of these persisting
problems and to mark the
National Nutrition Week,
Integrated Health and
Well-being Council (a non-
profit organisation engaged in
the health and well-being sector)
organised a mega Virtual Bharat Nutrition Week 2020 from the 1st to the 7th of September 2020. The multi-stakeholder digital event hosted panel discussions with around 100 speakers—including government officials of various ministries and institutions; policy experts of WHO and UNICEF; and industry leaders, researchers, and medical practitioners —to discuss the varying aspects of preventive, promotive, and curative healthcare and offer solutions for holistic health which is defined by the way we live, think, move, and consume.
Mr Kamal Narayan Omer, CEO, IHW Council, commenced the virtual conclave by stressing on the importance of nutrition for the sustenance of a youthful nation like India. He said, “In the past decade and a half, we have noticed a new trend of nutritional imbalance in India, especially in urban areas where people are contracting diseases by taking wrong nutrition rich in refined components like sugar, salt, and harmful fats. India’s rank in the Global Hunger Index indicates how prevalent malnutrition is in the country. The ‘Bharat Nutrition Week’ aims at securing and ensuring access to good
Aiming for a healthier nation
food for all.” India has a staggering number of both undernourished and overnourished children and adults, and nearly one-third of the diseases can be controlled with a
proper diet.
Shri Ramdas Athawale, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, along with other inaugural panellists, discussed the nutrition movement and ways to strengthen its commitment towards a Poshan Yukta Bharat. He spoke about the government initiative, ‘Poshan Abhiyan’, which aims to directly address the nutritional behaviour of the masses through community-based programmes in remote areas of the country. Discussion forums involving leading dieticians, nutritionists, food entrepreneurs, and influencers were held, aiming to nudge food businesses to reformulate their products and provide better nutritional information to consumers. Also, special live sessions hosted celebrity chefs sharing interesting recipes. To achieve better results, the conference involved sessions addressing a
wide spectrum of nutritional deficits in India.
To raise awareness around nutrition among children, IHW Council had a special segment titled ‘Bharat Nutrition Quiz Show with School Kids,’ where students from all over India participated. The event concluded with ‘Bharat Nutrition Awards’ honouring organisations, institutions, and individuals for their contribution in the field of nutrition.


A dog is a man’s best friend. Many people adopt them as pets and treat them as part of their own family. However, most people in our country prefer to own foreign dog breeds due to their looks, characteristics, skills, and popularity.
Recently, the prime minister of India, Mr Narendra Modi, addressed the issue of adopting native Indian dog breeds in his monthly radio address ‘Mann ki Baat.’ As a part of the initiative ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat,’ the PM encouraged the citizens of the nation to adopt native Indian dogs over foreign breeds. “I have been told that Indian breed dogs are very good and capable. Among the Indian breeds, the Mudhol Hound and the Himachali Hound are of excellent pedigree. Rajapalayam, Kanni, Chippiparai, and Combai are also fabulous Indian breeds. They cost less to raise and are better adapted to the Indian environment and surroundings.”
Keeping this in mind, we have curated a list of some lesser-known yet absolutely beautiful, native Indian dog breeds that can give all the exotic breeds a run for their money:
• Rajapalayam: These are large, milky-white dogs with lean and muscular bodies,
used predominantly
for hunting.
• Bakharwal: An
ancient breed of working dogs found
in the Himalayas,
they are heavily built
with a fluffy coat and
are best suited for the colder parts of the country.
• BullyKutta:KnownastheIndianMastiff,they are mostly trained in hunting and patrolling, and are found in parts of northern India.
• Mudhol Hound: Known for their elegant gait and sharp muscular appearance, these dogs are used for hunting and guarding.
• Chippiparai and Kanni: These two dogs from Tamil Nadu are known for their hunting abilities and fierce loyalty. They are wonderful watchdogs.
• Gaddi Kutta: Commonly known as the Himachali Hounds, these mountain dogs are used by local shepherds for protection and hunting.
• Combai: These tan-coloured dogs are extremely energetic, powerful, intelligent, and friendly at the same time. They are known for their perseverance and loyalty.
There are many more types of native Indian breeds about whom you can find out on the Internet or through local adoption centres. Adopting an Indian breed will not only help them get a permanent home brimming with love and compassion but will also save them from getting extinct. So, consider adopting them, the next time you plan on owning a dog over a popular foreign breed and save them from disappearing
from the face of the Earth.
The Indian dog breed is more suited to our climate
Mandala 11


All ayurveda colleges teach their students from translated works instead of original Sanskrit texts. However, there is always the possibility of losing finer nuances in translation. Before our education system was changed during the British era, the teacher would read from original texts and then explain to their pupils. There were notable merits in the oral tradition of imparting knowledge compressed in the form of a poem; one of them would be that it sticks in the memory for a long time.
To give a glimpse of how the oral tradition worked and how we can revive the reciting and learning of shlokas from original sources for new students of ayurveda and siddha medicine, a unique initiative has been started by Ayurveda College, D Y Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune.
The head of department and organiser, Dr Joshi, explains the entire process. He says, “We have in-depth knowledge that is preserved in the form of shlokas, or
poetry, which is as old as 5000 years and, in most cases, is still relevant in today’s time.”
Every year in the Hindu calendar month of Shravan, the ayurveda department organises
a programme where approximately 100 students recite together 10-12 shlokas from the ‘Mool Granth’ (Original Source) of
‘Charaka Samhita’ or ‘Sushruta Samhita’. In the break after the recitation, veterans of ayurveda come and explain a few of the recited shlokas and how the treatise mentioned in the shlokas is used. They share their first-hand experience of healing as well as case studies to enlighten the students. Students too are encouraged to voice their opinion and ask questions on the subject being discussed. Opposing views on modern and ancient healing systems are also included in the discussion to ensure the holistic development of the students in the programme.
Every year, a specific topic is chosen for discussion and delved deep into to help budding students gain significant insights. Students can participate physically as well as online, and the forum is open even to laymen. Foreign students as well as students from other colleges can participate, and an e-certificate is presented at the end of the programme.
Besides discussing traditional ways of healing, topics are also critically evaluated from the modern medical perspective as well. For medical science to be holistic, it has to have the wings of modern medical practice and its roots
in ancient tradition.
Charak’s ancient insights continue to contribute to contemporary discourses on
health and wellness
12 LifePositive | OCTOBER 2020


Ayurvedic Cancer Care
Cancer is an abnormal growth of cells in any tissue or organ of the body. Our body is made up of trillions of cells and as these cells grow and divide to form new cells, there can be mutations leading to the genesis of cancer. The chances of such mutations increase due to constant exposure to various cancer-causing agents, known as carcinogens, in the food we eat, water we drink and the air we breathe. Moreover, constant stress further enhances the risk of cancer by suppressing the immune system. With time, these cancer cells invade and move into the adjoining tissues, create new blood vessels for their nutrition (tumour angiogenesis), evade the process of programmed cell death (apoptosis) and acquire the ability of limitless replication thus making cancer cells immortal. A few of the overcrowded cancer cells break from the primary tumour and travel through lymphatic & blood vessels to lodge in other parts of the body and form new colonies, leading to the spread of cancer, known as metastases.
What is Cancertame?
Cancertame is an ayurvedic formulation which helps to fight the growth of cancer as well as helps to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Cancertame is Made In India and has ISO Certification, GMP Certification, Halal Certification & is registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S.A. Cancertame is a better remedy, especially for those patients, who have become resistant or refractory to chemotherapy, and for those who are not fit to receive chemotherapy and radiotherapy due to old age, marked weakness or any other factor.
In our continuous endeavour to make Cancertame available locally, we have partnered with Trillium Bioteck led by Dr. Rajesh Bhalla. He has always been passionate to root out the disability, known as, osteoarthritis of the knee. Dr. Rajesh got his M.S. Orthopaedic degree from West Bengal University of Health Sciences & later did his Senior Residency in AIIMS, New Delhi. He is a National Board Certified (DNB Orthopedic) Doctor. He also got MCh (Orthopedics), University of USA & was first to be selected at the national level by Indian Arthroscopy Society for international fellowship, under which he went to South Korea. Nowadays, he is practising his zeal to eradicate knee osteoarthritis in New Delhi and has successfully treated to many painful knees to turn them happy and mobile. Cancertame is available for online purchase through our website and at Amazon India. You can also visit Trillium Bioteck or any of our following Authorised Sellers to purchase Cancertame:
Cancertame Private Limited
Delhi |+91-11-41515444
Complete Solutions (Dr. Gopal Rao)
Karnataka |+91-9844886677, +91-9743081425
Divine Health and Healings
Odisha |+91-9692801437
Giriraj Holistic Clinic (Dr. Avnish Panday)
Uttar Pradesh |+91-8218591626, +91-9012524447
Radhaa's Ayurway Pvt. Ltd.
Hyderabad |+91-9154045404, +91-9100058333
Shree Ram Clinic (Dr. Amit A. Sahasrabudhe)
Gujarat |+91-9824099286, +91-8160312697
Bhatt Pharma Store & Dhanwantri Arogya Center
Uttarakhand |+91-8923373336, +91-9410904443
Dhanwantri Ayurveda Care Clinic (Dr. Meetu Gulati)
Uttar Pradesh |+91-9654424669, +91-120-4210351
Dr. Amit Homoeopathic Clinic
Delhi |+91-9013838666, +91-7678620181
Nulife Wellness Centre (Dr. Arul K.)
Tamil Nadu |+91-9698877100, +91-44-24991466
Safiya Clinic (Dr. Abdullah)
Maharashtra |+91-9773348328
Trillium Bioteck (Dr. Rajesh Bhalla)
Delhi |+91-7678211699, +91-9971383628
For more information about any of our Authorised Sellers, visit our website. For any query regarding Cancertame, you can contact our Support Team & in order to become an Authorised Seller in your area, kindly contact our Business Team.
Support Team: Business Team: [email protected] | +91-9667785444 www.cancertame.com [email protected] | +91-9319405444
Advertorial


YOGA
The revolved head-to-knee pose works wonders for your breathing as well as your digestion says Kamala Venkat
Parivrtta janu sirsasana is a revolved forward bending posture. It is a variation on the asymmetrical forward bend, janu sirsasana. It is considered a calming and soothing asana with significant benefits for the mind as well as the body. It also works to stimulate the chakras, improving the flow of prana.
The name for this asana comes from the Sanskrit parivrtta, meaning “revolved,” janu, meaning “knee,” sirsa, meaning “head,” and asana, meaning “pose.” The English name for this asana is revolved head-to-knee pose.
• Start with few warm up poses and then follow the steps as mentioned below.
• Sit with your legs extended straight in front of you.
• Place your hands next to your hips on the floor.
• Open the right leg out to the side. Bend the left knee and bring the heel in towards the groin.
• Slowly shift your body to the right through the sitting bones and extend through the crown of the head as you inhale. Engage your outstretched (right) leg. As you exhale, twist the upper body to the left and take a side bend toward the right leg.
• Knit your lower ribs in, and gently rotate your ribcage upwards.
• Bring the right elbow towards the right knee or the floor.
• Raise the left arm and bring it over the head.
If you can reach it without strain take hold of the right foot with both hands.
• Slightly tuck the chin and turn the head towards the ceiling.
• Stay in the pose for five deep breaths. Reverse the steps to come out of the pose.
• Sit with your legs extended straight in front of you. For a moment to let the body settle before switching legs and repeat on the other side.
Benefits:
An invigorating spinal twist and chest opener that releases diaphragmatic tension and intercostal muscles, enhancing breathing. It also removes tension along the spine and lengthens the sides of the waist, stretching the abdominal organs, especially the ascending and descending colon, liver, spleen, and pancreas, enhancing digestion and elimination
Contraindications and Cautions
You should not come upright in the twisted pose as it could cause injuries. If you suffer from a delicate digestive system or are suffering from diarrhea, you should not do this pose.
Mrs. Kamala Venkat is a home maker with a great passion for yoga. Inspired by Shri Swami Ramdev of Patanjali, she has been practising it with complete dedication for the last 20 years.
We welcome your comments and suggestions on this article. Mail us at [email protected]
14 LifePositive | OCTOBER 2020


HEARTSPEAK
Having overcome severe clinical depression, Sunil Parihar shares his multifarious journey back to happiness for those who are in the same boat
L et me start by telling you what made me write this article. I chanced to read a newspaper article about depression that gave an alarming account of how the not-so-dreaded yet deadly disease is spreading almost like an epidemic in India and across the world. As per WHO’s
(World Health Organisation) grim report quoted in the article, by 2030, stress-related illness will surpass communicable disease. Besides, the current COVID-19 pandemic is adding to people’s stress and anxiety, thus making them depressed. Also, seeing a lot of depressed people around (including some close relatives) and having suffered from depression myself—well, Clinically Significant Depression, actually—I thought “Let me share my experience and help people overcome their depression.” I know, many books and articles have already been published on this subject, but most, if not all, are written by medical professionals who, though well-versed with the science behind the subject, have little personal experience. And that’s the differentiator; what I am going to share with
Heartspeak 15


you is based on my personal experience as well as an in-depth study.
In any event, this isn’t meant to be an exhaustive medical thesis but some practical tips based on real-life experience gained on the battlefield of life, coupled with the study of many books and research papers, as well as interactions with psychiatrists, psychologists, and spiritual and self-help gurus. I don’t claim to know all the answers, and by no means is this a clear cut blueprint—don’t expect to find one anywhere else either. Take is as food for thought, if nothing else.
Fighting depression and conquering it is just one part of the story; the other part, and perhaps the more important one, is about finding happiness. As I look back over my years of battling the blues and consultation with mental health professionals, I can’t remember having heard the word ‘happiness’ ever mentioned as a therapeutic objective. The source of this word is the Icelandic word ‘happ,’ which means ‘luck’ or ‘chance.’ So, should we leave the experience of happiness to chance or should we seek to define, understand, and attain?
My story
It was October 24, 2004—a Sunday. After lunch, while chatting with my wife, suddenly my heart started beating faster, and it felt as if I was choking. Reckoning that I was having a heart attack, I asked my wife to give me an aspirin and take me to a hospital. After gulping the aspirin and without waiting for an ambulance, my wife, with the help of a neighbour, rushed me to the nearest hospital, which happened to be the Army Research and Referral Hospital, Delhi, (popularly known as RR Hospital) one of the best in India. The duty
medical officer put me on oxygen right away and started the cardiac monitoring procedure. Then he phoned the cardiologist and told him that my blood pressure and pulse indicated I am having an MI. He probably thought I won’t understand the medical jargon but I knew ‘MI’ meant ‘myocardial infarction’ and realised I was in serious trouble. This made my heart beat even faster, and I observed a look of concern on the doctor’s face. He gave me an injection, presumably on the cardiologist’s advice, and by the time the cardiologist arrived after about twenty minutes or so, I had started feeling better. After seeing the ECG and other parameters, and examining me, he didn’t seem to be sure as to what exactly had happened. The ECG seemed to be normal. I was put under observation, and, the next day, underwent various medical tests such as TMT, Echo, chest X-Ray, blood tests, etc., to evaluate my cardiac condition. There was nothing amiss, and all the tests were absolutely fine, as they should have been. At 46, I was physically pretty fit, thanks to my being in the army. I was discharged from the hospital without any specific diagnosis or further treatment. They called it an “episode or something.” What an episode!
Diagnosed with depression
Things were pretty much back to normal till, after a month or so, while staying with a friend at a military station, the darn ‘episode’ reoccurred in the wee hours of the morning, waking me up from deep sleep. I called out for my friend, who happened to be commanding an army unit out there. The Regimental Medical Officer was called and he took me to the Military Hospital in an ambulance. The RR hospital procedure was repeated here as well. But this time, they figured that, perhaps, these were panic attacks, and so I was examined by a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist opined that I was suffering
16 LifePositive | OCTOBER 2020


from severe clinical depression, prescribed medicines, and after some counselling, I was discharged from the hospital.
The depression had set in apparently because of high levels of stress due to some tragic experiences on the personal as well as professional fronts over a span of four years or so. Suffice to say, depression is something that doesn’t happen overnight but creeps in slowly, without one realising what’s happening. As per my psychiatrist, it mostly happens at the subconscious level.
The medicines—drugs, actually—weren’t suiting me at all. I took early retirement after serving for 25 years in uniform. Settling down in Civvy Street wasn’t easy. The depression became more severe. More medicines were prescribed, which made me feel worse. In short, life became miserable. I knew I had to get out of it. The psychiatrist had warned me that though not life-threatening, untreated depression could affect one’s longevity. The question was how to get out of it. I had no clue whatsoever, but one thing I was pretty sure of was that the allopathic drugs were doing me no good, and, in any case, were not a long-term solution. So I started looking for alternatives.
Alternative approach
Now the problem was that with my science background and a scientific bent of mind, I had little faith in alternative medical systems. Then, someone recommended an allopathic doctor who was practising acupuncture. A former first lady, a president’s wife, was one of his patients. Impressed by his credentials, I went to him with my medical file. After clinical examination, he recommended 20 sessions (one per week) of Electro Acupuncture. In standard acupuncture, one needle is used at each treatment point, while
Electro Acupuncture was a modified form that used two needles. After a month’s treatment, my condition was reviewed, and even though the doctor expressed his satisfaction over my progress, I felt no real change. I gave it another month and then started looking for another alternative.
Enter The Art of Living
My next stop was The Art of Living programme of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. It was a week-long beginner’s programme, which made me feel good, so subsequently, I did the advanced course as well. The Art of Living courses are essentially about special breathing techniques (pranayama), which they call Sudarshan Kriya; that, plus some yoga and meditation. Practising pranayama, in particular, did make me feel better (and I continue with it till this day), but the panic attacks didn’t stop even though they turned milder. I tried various other therapies such as naturopathy, panchakarma, chakra healing, and even something as mystifying as past life regression.
Weaning off the medicines
A couple of years down the line, I was still on medication. I was feeling somewhat better but wasn’t sure whether it was the alternative therapies that were helping my cause or the medicines were doing their trick. I desperately wanted to stop the medicines, but the doctors wouldn’t let me. Then a friend of mine recommended a doctor, not a psychiatrist but an endocrinologist, for consultation. I knew this doctor’s specialisation was not relevant to my problem, but since my friend insisted that he was a great physician, I went to him one day. The doctor, after clinical examination, assured me that physiologically, I was fighting fit; which didn’t surprise me as, despite the ailment, I had been following my exercise and diet regimen. I told him that I wanted to
Heartspeak 17


stop taking medicines as they were making me dull and listless. The doctor had a look at my prescription, gave it some thought, and then told me I could gradually stop taking the three medicines prescribed by the psychiatrist for a single dose of another milder one instead. Then he explained how to gradually do away with the medicines that I had been taking for over two years. I did exactly as advised, and within a month, I was on single medication, which I continued with for about a year. Life seemed to be getting back on track. No panic attacks anymore, though, sometimes in stressful situations, I would get a choking feeling, which I would overcome with pranayama and a few sips of water.
As things were getting back to normal, one fine day, I thought “Why not stop having even the solo medicine and be completely medicine free?” This time, I didn’t consult a doctor, as now I knew how to gradually reduce the dosage before stopping it altogether. After a month, I wasn’t taking any medicine for depression or anxiety, and, by His grace, still don’t. You may be wondering what actually worked. I think a multifaceted treatment approach really works. A combination of treatments such as psychotherapy, exercise, antidepressants, and meditation can give best results.
Help yourself to happiness
Getting over depression was like winning a battle, and that felt great! But what about the pursuit of happiness? Happiness, after all, is— or ought to be—the objective of one’s life.
There are many self-help books on the subject
We welcome your comments and suggestions on this article. Mail us at [email protected]
of happiness. Not only books but courses as well, like the one conducted by Professor of Positive Psychology Dr Tal Ben-Shahar at Harvard University. Can you learn to be happy? Yes, says the professor. One out of every five students at Harvard has lined up for the University’s most popular and life- changing course to hear Tal Ben’s insightful and inspiring lectures on that ever-elusive state—happiness. Since you presumably won’t be able to attend the course, I suggest you read his book Happier, based on his teachings.
Another book that I’d recommend is The Art of Happiness, co-authored by His Holiness Dalai Lama and Howard Cutler. The book offers the Dalai Lama’s practical wisdom and advice on how we can tackle everyday human problems and achieve lasting happiness.
Kriya Yoga
But the book that actually changed my life and made me happier is the all-time spiritual classic, Autobiography of a Yogi, by my revered Guruji, Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda. Being a student and practitioner of Kriya Yoga as well as Positive Psychology, I feel that both are essentially a combination of science and spirituality. However, Positive Psychology— generally referred to as ‘the scientific study of optimal human functioning’—was officially launched as a field of study in 1998 by Martin Seligman, president of the American Psychological Association. Kriya Yoga is much older and is believed to be practised and taught by Lord Krishna. Do I need to say more? It’s the ultimate. You may like to give it a shot.
18 LifePositive | OCTOBER 2020


BEHOLD
I STAND AT THE DOOR AND KNOCK
IF ANY MAN HEAR MY VOICE AND OPEN THE DOOR I WILL COME
IN TO HIM, AND WILL
SUP WITH HIM, AND HE WITH ME.
PSALM 122
The peace of Jerusalem
A song of degrees of David.
1. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the
house of the LORD. Is 2:3; Zech. 8:21
2. Our Feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.
3. Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:
See 2 sam, 5:9
4. Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the
testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the
LORD. Ex 23: 17; Deut. 16:16; Ex. 16:34
5. For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the
house of David, Deut 17: 8; 2 Chr. 19:8
6. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: They shall prosper that
love thee, Ps. 51: 18
7. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy
Palaces.
8. For my brethren and companions’sakes, I will now say,
peace be within thee.
PSALM 121
Help form the LORD
A song of degrees
1. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, form whence cometh
my help. Jer 3:23
2. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and
earth, Ps. 124:8
3. He will not suffer thy. foot to be moved: he that keepeth
thee will not slumber. 1 Sam 2:9; Ps. 127:1; Is 27:3
4. Behold, he that keepeth Israel Shall neither slumber nor
sleep.
5. The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upone
thy right hand. Is. 25:4; Ps. 16:8
6. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moom by
night. Ps. 91:5; is. 49:10
7. The LORD shall perserve thee from all evil: he shall
preserve thy soul Ps. 41:2
8. The LORD shall perserve thy going out and thy coming in
9. Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek
thy good. Neh. 2:10 Prince of Peace
from this time forth and even for evermore. Deut, 28:6
INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY OF MINISTERS
LT. COL. SELLARAJ JOHN (NADAR) HONORARY DIRECTOR KNOCK : 09582424800 195, 2ND Floor, Pragati Apartments, Club Road, Paschim Vihar, New Delhi Phone : 25211371, 25217399 Email : [email protected]
RIGHTEOUSNESS EXALTETH A NATION


CLOSE ENCOUNTER
Robin Singh tells Nikita Mukherjee how he gave up a life of comfort and luxury to give back to the world—much more than what he has taken from it
20 LifePositive | OCTOBER 2020


S ince the last few decades, our world getting into hacking. I got caught while doing
has been slowly turning into a very
cruel place where the meaning of compassion and empathy has got lost in the fragments of changing times. A lot of catastrophic events like wars and pandemics have taken place, which has changed the course of humanity. Moreover, the current times we live in have placed a seed of delusion in our minds, where fulfilling materialistic desires is more important than living together in harmony and peace. Money and power have corrupted the human mind and have distanced all of us from our virtues.
A while back, I was surfing through social media when I came upon a page called ‘Peepal Farm,’ where the pinned post was that of a young, enigmatic man telling his life story. I started watching the video and was completely moved by his profound words and philosophy. The guy in the video was Mr Robin Singh, founder of Peepal Farm. His non-profit organisation is a natural, organic farm in the Himalayan foothills, near Dharamsala, India, and deals with animal rescue and organic farming. I was intrigued by his journey from being a tech geek in the US to a social worker with the motive of ending the suffering of animals in India and, therefore, decided to make his story reach as many people as possible. So I contacted him to know more about him and his work. Over a telephonic conversation which lasted for more than an hour, Mr Singh gave me more insight into his life and work, and taught me a thing or two about how we all can bring about change and make the world a better place in such tumultuous times. Below is an account of that conversation:
Q. Tell us something about yourself and your life before Peepal Farm.
I started my career when I was 17 years old by
that, so that is something I am not really proud of. It helped me meet a guy who was running a software company. He said I can use my skills for making money and doing good work by creating websites. So, while I was doing a lot of freelancing, I sent an email with the wrong email ID. Through that email, I got in touch with a guy named Danny from Arizona, USA, in 2000-2001 and started working with him. For a couple of years, Danny was very frustrated because of the distance between India and the USA and persuaded me to come over to Arizona and work together. I took up his offer even though I had never planned on going there. Eventually, I ended up going there in 2003 with my wife, whom I married in 2002. Over there, I started a company called Digital Delivery that I was running till 2011. So, around 2008, I had an option of either running the company in a chilled way and let it go on its own, or I could make it into a 100-million- dollar company. I chose the former option as I didn’t want to work much and still be able to earn. That was the goal. I had achieved that goal, and by 2011, I was financially free. I had everything I ever wanted. I had a nice house, a nice car, and I could travel anywhere in the world and live a life I wanted to live without having to work many hours every week. That gave me some time to pause and think about what exactly I was doing with my life, and I realised that I was foolish and that was no way to live.
Q. When was the exact moment in your life when you realised that you are not satisfied with what you have?
When I achieved everything I ever wanted. I can’t pinpoint an exact moment. It’s a phase because you have everything you ever desired for and, suddenly, you realise there’s nothing left after achieving these things. Today’s
Close Encounter 21


generation only wants money, power, and success, but the truth is that 90 per cent will fail. Not everyone can be successful and financially strong. This is how the system is structured. There can only be a few winners. Some achieve it and become the boss, while others try to be winners all their life. Not everyone can run a company and employ a thousand employees to work under them. Now, these employees are the ones who try to become the boss and spend their whole life doing so, yet they don’t succeed. This is the sad part of the story, and what’s even sadder is that the one guy who wins realises that all this is completely empty. He reaches the top of the mountain of dirt to grab that one rose, only to realise that he has lost the sense of smell because once you are there, you are like “Now what?” It’s a panic response where you completely start feeling clueless and end up doing things out of restlessness. It’s not a well-thought-out life. Money helps you get things, but it does not solve all your problems. Intellect and drive solve problems.
Q. What was the turning point in your life when you decided to start Peepal Farm?
It was not a point, it was a phase. You could say that it was an accumulation of experiences. In 2011, when I got fed up with my life, I was not happy. I wanted to find happiness and returned to India in early 2011. I left my company and thought about various things which could make me happy. I thought of being a traveller, became a hippie, tried a few things for 18 months, after which I decided to go to Auroville as I always wanted to do so but never got a chance earlier.
At Auroville, I met this woman named Lauren. She was very old, anaemic, and broke. Despite that, she was helping 40-60 stray dogs by collecting the leftovers of food from nearby restaurants. I felt very ashamed
thinking that even though she has nothing, she is helping others and is somewhat happy. I have everything a person wants, and I’m still thinking that I am not happy. This was the time I told myself that I have to change the focus of my life from just receiving to giving. Lauren inspired that. I already had those seeds planted in me by my mother as her ancestors were all freedom fighters, and my mom used to talk a lot about Lord Buddha and Baba Nanak. She would have liked me to walk that path. That meeting with Lauren watered those seeds inside me. I wrapped up my life in the States and joined Lauren in 2013.
Q. How did you start Peepal Farm?
We started with animal welfare which was direct and on the ground. It was a sterilisation program in Delhi as we mainly dealt with dogs. Meanwhile, the philosophy was developing— reducing the damage caused by us and compensating for it. I was already a vegan as I wasn’t consuming any kind of meat or dairy products, so I thought to myself that I have already reduced my damage somehow. I decided that I have to utilise whatever life I get because I get that life by eating food, using resources like petrol, etc. All of that comes by causing some harm to nature. For farming, jungles are chopped off; for petrol, rigging and digging is done. Due to industrialisation, animals get affected and people get homeless, so there was this weight I carried, thinking that I should repay all these favours I have taken from nature.
While we were doing this sterilisation drive, we realised that with every dog we helped, there were millions of other animals we were not helping. So, the change in philosophy that came was to take as less as you can from your life but try to give the maximum. The next thing that we focussed on was that we had to
22 LifePositive | OCTOBER 2020


inspire others to do the same. Only then was this initiative going to scale up. A single person cannot move a mountain; many more can do the work. So, we thought that this initiative should be more like a movement. We needed a revolutionary ground to start, and that’s how Peepal Farm came into being.
We continued to do what we were doing but, along with this, we tried to involve and inspire other people as well to participate in this cause. This was our first strategy. We started a volunteer programme and, every year, at least 100 volunteers joined, stayed, and learned with us. Even before we came up with the idea of Peepal Farm, I and Shivani, my wife, were looking for a suitable place for building our home. At that time, we only thought of having a spectacular farmhouse. But when the idea of Peepal Farm came up, we decided that instead of a house with a swimming pool, there will be a cowshed. Instead of an entertainment room, there will be a clinic. Instead of a master bedroom, there will be co-working space for volunteers. It is a 1.5-acre farm, and all of it is dedicated to growing food, housing volunteers, and helping animals. Through involving and inspiring, we housed more than 500 volunteers within five years. The construction on-site began in December 2014, and in August 2015, Peepal Farm became functional.
After getting such great results, we decided to move on to storytelling, and, with that, we are reaching millions of people today. Even if 6000 people among those 60 million change, it would be a huge thing for us. Recently, a gentleman mailed me saying that he was a proper Muslim who followed his religion ardently. He recently saw my post on Bakr-Eid and, on that day, he realised that before being a Muslim, he was a human being and, on humanitarian grounds, should not eat meat. That was life-changing.
Close Encounter 23


Q. Was the transformation from being a corporate geek in the US to literally a modern saint ending the suffering of animals and promoting an organic way of living difficult for you?
It was difficult. Change is always difficult. I would say, doing a new thing step by step is the best move towards change. Leaving everything at once for a change is not the right way to go because it makes things very difficult for you and especially for people around you. I have a rebellious nature, so if I don’t like something, I do everything in my power to change it. But unlike me, there are a lot of people who struggle when they try to bring about change immediately. So if you are starting to learn something, do it step by step and do it on a daily basis. That’s very important. You should take one step at a time.
Though I left my work in the States at once, I didn’t start Peepal Farm in one go. I started by feeding stray dogs, worked with Lauren who taught me a lot of things, did a sterilisation programme in Delhi, and then I could fulfil my dream. It took me seven years to establish Peepal Farm. Change always happens in transition. Things take time, and you have to embrace the discomfort. I cried a lot of times doing this work. There were times when I
Change is always
difficult. Change always happens in transition. Things take time, and you have to embrace the discomfort.
regretted leaving my work in the States. I think, in India, adjusting is tough especially for the people who think differently from the stereotyped mindset of our country. Nobody dares to say a word to successful people, but if any other person starts moving away from the stereotype, society gives them a tough time.
Q. In a world where everyone is running after materialistic needs and power, taking such a step is hugely remarkable. How do you plan to encourage others to walk on a compassionate and empathetic path, just like you did?
There are two things: Firstly, you have to become very strong-willed. You should have conviction in you. The bad thing about the modern lifestyle is that everyone has their own way of living it. I don’t agree with that. Yes, there are different ways of living life but not every way is right. So, you should have a very strong conviction that what you believe in is right and then remember that you are living precisely for that. You have to be that person who ignores what others say and think that the purpose you are serving is above all. You derive strength from your purpose. Then if anyone says anything, it won’t matter.
Suppose you are determined that you have to serve cows when you see that people commit atrocities against them. You see the sufferings of those poor creatures, and that’s when you realise that no matter what others say, you have to fulfil your purpose of serving those cows. You know that their pain matters to you, so you will derive your courage from that. I don’t want to be old-aged and bedridden and think that I didn’t help the cows back then. That fear in you gives you the strength.
Q. How, do you think, can we end the suffering of animals and adopt a lifestyle
24 LifePositive | OCTOBER 2020


Peepal Farm is nestled in the lush greenery and serenity of Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India
where helping others is not the only motive but feeling good about ourselves is also a priority?
It depends on how your circumstances stand. You start small. Keeping water for dogs, birds, and other kinds of animals in need to drink during summers is a great start. Then, you can start feeding dogs. If you fear doing that, you can ask other people who feed dogs for help. You can volunteer in animal rescue, put rags outside your house for dogs to sleep, and stop or minimise eating meat and dairy products. These are some of the many ways you can stop harming and start helping animals. Firstly, stop the harm; secondly, figure out how to help and; finally, encourage people around you to take these three steps. Only then will this movement become a success. It should work like a chain reaction.
Q. I have always believed in the concept of ‘coexistence.’ But the majority of the population are either ignorant about it or else they just don’t have the knowledge. How do you think we, as a community, can build
this concept in society and educate everyone about the importance of coexistence?
I would like to say in very crude words, ‘garbage in, garbage out.’ People who don’t think or know much, and also don’t want to learn anything, reproduce bad copies, and eventually, the moral fabric deteriorates. If you know about the Indus Valley Civilisation, they were more progressive than us. We have to expose kids to compassion in the education system because most of the parents don’t know it themselves; so then, what kind of morality and ethics will they teach their kids? We have to educate children from the very beginning about being compassionate and empathetic. We have to reform our education system and teach children about moral values along with the usual academics.
Once someone turns 30, change hardly takes place because the person is frustrated by then. People give excuses about food chains for eating meat. It’s not that they really think about the food chain and consume meat; it’s just that they like the taste of meat. We are living in a modern world and not in prehistoric
Close Encounter 25


ages where we are hunting to survive and maintaining the food chain in that way. We have access to organic food, so why make these excuses?
Q. The world is slowly turning dystopian where hearing unfortunate and catastrophic news every now and then has become very commonplace. What do you think is the root cause of this problem, and what can we do to uproot this?
I think people are not leading their lives properly. They don’t have a philosophy of life. They are just living on autopilot without a purpose. That is the root cause of all problems. I don’t focus on things that are beyond me. Similarly, people should focus on the things they think they can change and not think about the bigger problems. Thinking about grand problems just tire you. It is like moving a mountain; the mountain won’t move at all, and you will tire yourself out. But if you try to move a rock, you will get tired but the rock will at least move a bit. As they say, every drop makes up an ocean. Similarly, small changes lead to a bigger change. So, focus on those problems which you can do something about.
Q. The young generation is playing a huge role in bringing about change in the established, orthodox society. Like you started Peepal Farm, there are others who are actively involved in non-profit organisations and movements which are paying off well and changing the face of the age-old culture we all belong to. What do you feel about this, and how would you encourage others to do their bit for a better society?
There are two types of people involved in this: One is the change-maker who dedicates their life to the cause, just like Bhagat Singh did for India’s Independence. They do not need inspiration; they are already inspired. They
have the drive in them that they have to do something. They need encouragement and want people to believe in them. Many people like these reach out to me on a daily basis. Some young girls tell me that they want to do something good but their mother scolds them for feeding the dogs. So, these people need validation from somebody older who stands by them. The other type are those who are the masses. They do not think much of the cause but do it merely for the trend. So if there is any good cause, you make it worthwhile and accessible to them, and package it in such a way that they are convinced that it is not just a good thing but also makes them look good; then it becomes a trend. The first type are leaders who just need to be mentored, and then there are the masses who need reasons to feel good.
If you are up for something good and your elders are against it, the first thing is to convince them. A lot of times, people start supporting you once they themselves participate and realise the essence of a good cause. But this is not always the case. In such a situation, you have to leave them and take up your own path. Sometimes, you have to leave something behind to get somewhere. You do not choose relationships. You did not choose your parents. They were given to you by default, but that doesn’t mean they will be good for you always. Even Lord Buddha said, “Purity of heart lies in wanting one thing only.” If you have chosen your path, nothing is bigger in comparison to your mission. Even Lord Buddha and Baba Nanak left their house to fulfil their purpose. If the ones you left behind are destined to come around, they will come back no matter what. You are not severing the relationship; you are just distancing yourself for good. Sometimes you have to take hard steps.
Q. Do you believe in spirituality? Do you
26 LifePositive | OCTOBER 2020


think that it holds the answer to all our problems and helps us make the world a better place?
My understanding of spirituality is very different from yours. I believe that spirituality is just looking within and not external. Spirituality is like introspection. Though I believe in introspection, I have a reductionist approach. Buddha was born a Hindu prince. After discovering the sufferings of life, many questions arose inside him and he went on to seek answers to them. He queried Hinduism, became an ascetic, and took up yoga. All this became very big and bulky for him. That’s when he realised and came to the conclusion— Do No Harm. I feel that introspection is a good way of bringing about change in others also. When you change, others around you change as well. But as a whole, spirituality is something I still don’t have a clear idea of.
Q. Since the current generation is all about consumerism and materialism, how do you think we can encourage the young generation to take up spirituality or, at the least, do something for the welfare of others and society?
There are two different things. First is to change your way. You cannot change your way trying to change others. There’s a very famous dialogue from an acclaimed movie which says, “Only when you have lost everything, you are free to do anything.” So, if you are thinking about everyone else’s happiness and opinions, then you lose even before you start. Your purpose will never get fulfilled this way. The fact is that people don’t want to hurt others but, sometimes, we have to do what we have to do. In the beginning, you have to do it all on your
Thinking about grand problems just tire you. It is like moving a mountain; the mountain won’t move at all, and you will tire yourself out. But if you try to move a rock, you will get tired but the rock will at least move a bit.
own. You have to derive your strength from your cause or get associated with a person who is already doing that. Find people who are alike and share the same thought process and drive as you do. Provide inspiration to those who are confused and scared about bringing about change, and lead by example. It should be like a chain reaction in your circle of influence. But what’s first and foremost is that you start and you walk the walk.
Q. A message for our readers?
Start taking small steps by stopping anything that you recognise as harmful to others, be it getting devastatingly angry, consuming meat, eve-teasing, etc. Just select one cause and start working on it. Do something good no matter how small it is. Collect plastic bottles in the house, fill them with clean water, and give it to rickshaw pullers who don’t have access to clean, drinking water. Then, educate those around you about these steps and spread it like a virus. For volunteering for work at Peepal Farm, connect with us on www.peepalfarm.org.
We welcome your comments and suggestions on this article. Mail us at [email protected]
Close Encounter 27


Give Up to Give
Purnima Coontoor deftly uses a conversation with her Vedantin uncle as a vehicle for spiritual discourse, through which she introduces us to the eternal wisdom of Advaita Vedanta
LEAD STORY
28 LifePositive | OCTOBER 2020


They only live who live for others —Swami Vivekananda
N ame the oldest living environmentalist from Karnataka who received the Padma Shri in 2019’ was the next question
on the quiz show on TV. “Saalumarada Thimmakka!” I exclaimed. “That’s such a no- brainer. Everybody knows her!” Or do they?
“Saalu...who?” asked Proffesor from behind me, sipping his favourite beverage—filter coffee. Prof., an uncle of mine, was a Vedantic scholar, academician, and a popular speaker on Indic philosophy at various fora across the globe. Happily, my residence in Bengaluru was his chosen pit-stop for resting, refuelling, and engaging in robust debates with me on topics of mutual interest. Now, taken aback by my expression of incredulity, he said apologetically, “Sorry dear, I am not up-to- date with social affairs lately. So tell me, why is she worth knowing about?”
“Saalumarada Thimmakka is a 106-year-old eco-warrior who has planted around 8000 trees in her lifetime. To start with, she lined a four-kilometre stretch of barren road near her village in Karnataka with banyan trees on either side and has since been rendering her environment green for seven decades. ‘Saalu-mara’ means ‘row of trees’ in Kannada. ‘Thimmakka’ is her name.”
Prof. was impressed. “Very noble indeed. ‘He that plants trees loves others besides himself.’—Thomas Fuller.’”
I sighed. “Why can’t more of us love others besides ourselves? The world would be a much kinder and greener place! If a daily- wage worker, illiterate by urban standards, and a person of extremely limited means like Thimmakka can find it in her heart to do so, it should be possible for others too, right?” I asked doubtfully.
“Sure. The whole Universe is doing exactly that. Otherwise, the sun would shine only on those it favoured and flowers would bloom only where they’d fetch a good price. But they simply go on giving.”
“Ah, the Universe,” I rolled my eyes. “Those are involuntary, natural phenomena. But I’m neither the sun nor a flower. I’m a sentient being who can think and act of my own volition.”
“More’s the pity.”
I sighed again. “True. Why are most of us so self-centred? Why is it so difficult to give?”
“I’m sure people do give when they feel love, gratitude, compassion, joy, even sorrow. You engage in some charitable activities surely?”
“Yes, but most of the time, my acts of charity are either compulsive or impulsive! Compulsive meaning out of compulsion, when I part with something because I’m obliged to and too polite to refuse, or impulsive, an act of spur-of-the-moment generosity which I might regret later.”
Lead Story 29


“Charmingly put,” smiled Prof. “In the Gita, Lord Krishna classifies daana or charity as - sattvic, rajasic, and tamasic. Briefly, tamasic charity is when you part with things that are no longer useful to you: the annual garage sale variety. Rajasic charity is when you give away things expecting some returns or favours: like the expensive sweet box given to the boss during Diwali or the elaborate ritual performed for removing the ill-effects of planets in your horoscope prescribed by priests.”
“That’s familiar; I do plenty of tamasic and rajasic charity! And what is sattvic charity?”
“It is the noblest kind, when you give spontaneously with no agenda whatsoever. Not even recognition or accolades or even expectation of favourable results. Evolved souls do not even think of their actions as selfless or charitable. Being so is their very nature. Involuntary, like the Universe.”
“It sounds like a wonderful state of being. Is that even possible?”
“Oh yes. Many are the stories of great acts of giving spontaneously. My favourite is a little-known anecdote from the Ramayana.” Prof. recounted this heart-warming story to illustrate the same:
Rama, the prince of Ayodhya, had camped on the outskirts of Lanka along with his army of monkeys led by their king Sugreeva. He had reluctantly entered into battle with Ravana in a bid to reclaim his wife, Sita. When Vibhishana, Ravana’s younger brother crossed over to surrender to Rama, the prince accepted him lovingly and promised to crown him king of Lanka once Ravana was vanquished. However, Rama always harboured the wish that Ravana would surrender of his own volition, as he
It is the noblest kind, when you give spontaneously with no agenda whatsoever. Not even recognition or accolades or even expectation of favourable results. Evolved souls do not even think of their actions as selfless or charitable. Being so is their very nature.
did not want to slay such a mighty warrior unnecessarily. When he expressed this to Sugreeva, the latter was mighty perturbed. “But my Lord,” he said, “you have already promised Vibhishana that he would be crowned king of Lanka! What will you do if Ravana surrenders? You, being the embodiment of truth, cannot break your promise to Vibhishana, can you?” Rama smiled. “I will not. If Ravana surrenders, I will crown him the emperor of Ayodhya itself. Where is the problem?”
Giving up attachment
I was overwhelmed. Spontaneous and natural, devoid of drama or premeditation— such was Rama’s selflessness. How could one hope to come even close to such a state of purity?
“How do Rama and other great souls get to be sattvic, and ordinary mortals don’t?” I asked petulantly.
30 LifePositive | OCTOBER 2020


Lord Ram was an epitome of sattvic charity
“Simple. Great souls do not feel finite or separate from the rest of humanity or even the cosmos.”
I pondered. Indeed that was true; my capacity to love was limited. I cared most for my immediate family, and only then did I extend it to other circles—the farther the lesser. Yes, I did feel strongly for the multiple problems of society, but the devastating fire in Australia couldn’t singe me unless it was in my neck of
the woods. I didn’t like it! I could do better, surely?
I sat up straight and asked Prof., “So tell me, how can I become a little less selfish and exclusive, a little more expansive and inclusive? How can I learn to give unconditionally?”
“By consciously trying to be so.”
I wasn’t convinced. “Are you sure that’s enough to become a Rama?”
Prof. laughed. “You’ll be happy to know that nobler souls than yourself have been seeking to achieve that since time immemorial, and the success rate is kind of limited.”
“Why is it so hard to be selfless?” I exclaimed in despair.
“Because you are too attached to everything in and around you! Only when one has a degree of detachment towards one’s own affairs can one truly think of the welfare of others. But attachment, my dear, is not easy to get rid of. Especially in a seeker, attachment sets back the clock by a few lifetimes.” And so Prof. went on to relate another story of a sage called Jada Bharata:
Once upon a time, Jada Bharata had been meditating deep inside the forest for years, presumably in search of salvation. He lived a most austere life in isolation, and the only concession he made was to take care of a deer which visited his hermitage regularly. Over time, the sage became so attached to the deer that when his end was near, his only thought was who would tend to the animal after he was gone. And lo! Jada Bharata was born as a deer in his next life!
“All that penance wasted because he was
Lead Story 31


attached to a little deer?” I asked in alarm. “That’s not fair.” I shuddered to think of the many people and things and ideas and concepts I was attached to.
“Exactly,” said Prof., reading my mind. “Dhyayato visayanpumsahsangastesupajayate.” While contemplating the objects of the senses, a person develops sanga(attachment) towards them, says Krishna in the Gita (2.62).
In the next (quite famous) verse, he adds: Attachment goes on to become kama (desire), in turn, giving rise to krodha (anger), sammoha (delusion), smriti vibhramah (bewilderment of memory), resulting in buddhi naasha (destruction of the intellect) and, ultimately, leading to one’s pranashyati (ruin). So your actions depend on what your mind is predominantly absorbed in. What about yours? Netflix? Films? Friends? Family? Food? Facebook?”
I let that sink in. “So I give up social media time to give time for social service, so to speak?”
“I’m saying be aware of how much energy you are investing in non-productive activities, that’s all. Are your petty preoccupations making your mind dull or energised? Contemplate more and more on the qualities of selfless persons you hold in esteem instead of behaving like a teenager who idolises her pop icon. This, in fact, is called the bhramara-keetanyaya in Vedanta or the logic of the caterpillar and the wasp. The keeta (caterpillar), which lives in fear of being eaten up by abhramara (wasp), by default, thinks of the predator all the time. Eventually, the caterpillar will itself transform into a wasp. King Kamsa of Mathura, for all his evil deeds, is said to have attained mukti (liberation) because he was obsessed with Krishna even before the child was born!
Simply put, you become what you think. Simple logic?”
“The logic is valid, but I doubt if I can ‘think’ myself into selflessness!” I cried. “At my level though, I do contemplate on the admirable qualities of people I respect, read biographies of saints, and follow philanthropists on twitter.”
“Good for you. Step it up a little more, translate your feelings to action, and you’ll be doing society an enormous service. Like Saalumarada Thimmakka.”
“I doubt Thimmakka went through any of those steps. What do you think was her motivation for planting all those trees? I would say she had enough on her plate already, trying to make ends meet.”
“Well, that particular mystery is easily solved,” said Prof., tapping on his cellphone. “Her motivation, says Wikipedia, was that she was unable to have children; so she decided to nurture trees instead. Not that it takes anything away from her achievement. People are often driven towards social service because of some
Only when one has a degree of detachment towards one’s own affairs can one truly think of the welfare of others. But attachment, is not easy to get rid of. Especially in a seeker, attachment sets back the clock by a few lifetimes.
32 LifePositive | OCTOBER 2020


Lead Story 33


The master took one look at the disciple and said, ‘Yes, you have indeed been a sincere student of mine, but do you know how many times you have used the word ‘I’ in your short letter? 43 times.’
lack in their own lives or because they have too much of everything. The large section of the population in between are generally content doing some charity here and there when time permits.”
“True. And there are those who throw themselves into it to make it their life’s mission, like Mother Teresa.”
“And some, like most freedom fighters, who sacrifice their lives to heed a higher calling.”
“What does it take to make the transition from giving consciously with an effort involved, to giving spontaneously? What is it that makes a Rama tick?” I persisted.
Giving up the ego
“Hmm. A disciple, after years of studying the scriptures and serving in an ashram dutifully, one fine day, grew impatient and fed up with it all. He wrote a letter expressing his angst to the guru, as the old man was rather strict, in which he went on and on about the futility of his sadhana (spiritual practice). ‘I wake up at this time, meditate for so many hours, attend classes, study the scriptures, water the plants,
clean the cowshed, massage the guru’s feet, refrain from visiting my parents, etc.,’ and he concluded with the question ‘Yet I’m not enlightened! When?’
“Exactly!” I too felt indignance on the young man’s behalf.
“The master took one look at the disciple and said, ‘Yes, you have indeed been a sincere student of mine, but do you know how many times you have used the word ‘I’ in your short letter? 43 times.’ Prof. paused for effect, ‘Let go of the ‘I,’ and all your questions will dissolve.’
This was getting more complicated than I expected. “Prof., you have lost me here,” I confessed. “Can you please walk me through this from the beginning? Let me list things out.”
• I cannot express unconditional selflessness because I feel finite and exclusive rather than expansive and inclusive.
• I do not feel expansive and inclusive because I have moha (attachment to worldly things).
• Attachment to something develops when the mind is absorbed in it either consciously or unconsciously.
• If I constantly think of noble deeds rather than objects of the senses, I will develop an attachment to nobility.
• But I will not succeed in manifesting nobility fully because I am attached to the ‘I,’ by which, I suppose, you mean the ego.”
Even as I said this, I knew it was an impossible situation, but I had to get to the bottom of this. “Correct,” said Prof.
34 LifePositive | OCTOBER 2020


“No wonder the Ramas of the world are so rare to find!” I exclaimed.
“But they have found themselves,” smiled Prof.
“Good for Rama, but how can the ego be dropped by ordinary mortals like me, neck- deep in samsara (cycle of death and rebirth)? Like you said, nobler souls have failed in that attempt. And I’m not even sure what the ego is to pin it down before I can think of letting it go.”
Prof. laughed. “Ok. Introduce yourself to me now, as if I were a stranger. Elaborately please.”
I complied with the strange request, with Prof egging me on for more details: “Hi. My name is___. I am___ years old and I am a qualified___. I work at___. I am married to___
and I have___ children. I live in ___. I love listening to___. I feel very strongly about___. My goal in life is___.”
“Thank you. And that description of yourself is your identity, the ego. If you notice, you just described yourself at three levels: the physical (age, husband, children, residence), mental (likes, dislikes, emotions, feelings), and intellectual (qualification, profession, goal). All three put together have a specific name— yours. With me so far?”
“Yes.”
“This identity of body, mind, and intellect are unique to every single person on earth. Right?”
I considered this for a while and nodded.
Attachment with one’s own identity limits a person from feeling ‘whole’
Lead Story 35


Ask yourself again and again: ‘If I am not the body-mind complex, who am I?’ Recognise that you, whoever you are,” Prof looked at me piercingly, “are still around, despite your physical and mental transformations.
“You are attached to this identity of yours, in the sense you have a feeling ‘This is me.’
I couldn’t argue with that.
“And this identity limits you—physically, mentally, and intellectually—in the sense, you are you and not someone else. Yes?”
“Well, OK.”
“There you are. How can you feel ‘whole’ when you feel limited?”
That stopped me in my tracks. The logic was unbeatable, but I didn’t quite get it. “But how can I help it? I am born with my body, mind, and intellect, and they’ll be with me until I die. How can I give them up when I’m alive?”
“I didn‘t say that. I said one has to give up the identity, the ‘I.’ And you cannot give up the body-mind complex even if you wish to, because they are giving up on you anyway.”
“They are?” I was totally clueless as to where this was heading.
Prof. explained. “Consider this: You were born with a body, yes? But do you have the same body even after 50 odd years? No? It has grown, changed, transformed, aged. In fact, every cell in your body is replaced by a new cell every seven years. The skin is said to regenerate itself every 27 days. So the body has a natural tendency to ‘give up’ on you. Agree?”
“I hadn’t thought about it like that! True that.”
“Now consider the mind. How long can you hold on to a thought? Half a minute, if you are lucky, before another one pops up? How many times do you change your mind about what dress to wear, what to cook, what to watch on TV, where to go? Haven’t your likes and dislikes, and emotions and feelings changed over the years? Can you hold on to anything you call your mind? It is estimated that the mind throws up 50,000 thoughts in a day. The mind, therefore, is also ‘giving up’ on you all the time.”
“Same with the intellect.” I had caught on to the logic now. “My comprehension, understanding, and knowledge have grown and changed over the years and will continue to. The intellect is also ‘giving up’ on me.”
“Indeed. What does that imply?”
“That my identity, which felt solid and tangible until now, isn’t so at all!” I was confused.
“Correct. And clinging to an intangible identity that also makes you feel finite is not an intelligent way to go about life.”
“Meaning?”
“The very standpoint you have taken over years and lifetimes in your interaction with the world
36 LifePositive | OCTOBER 2020


has been erroneous. As an unstable, changing entity yourself, dealing with other unstable, changing entities, how can you expect to find equilibrium in such an inherently entropic equation?”
How indeed? “And if I cannot find equilibrium in myself, how can I spread love and light in the world, like I wish to?”
“You cannot. Hence the conflict—within yourself and with the world.”
“If I am not the body-mind complex, who am I?”
Giving up to Self-enquiry
“Aha, you’re finally asking the right question!” said Prof. with glee. “That’s the teaching of Ramana Maharshi: the path of Self-enquiry. The logic is that the more you enquire about your true identity, the faster the grip of the body-mind complex will loosen, and your true nature will emerge.”
“Which is? That I am the soul, atman, Sat-Chit- Ananda, etc., etc.?”
“Not so fast, and not with such flippancy! It’s easy to bandy these words about, but the proof of the pudding lies in the eating. Hold on to that thought ‘Who Am I’ using the bhramara- keetanyaya, and you’ll eventually recognise your real identity. Ask yourself again and again: ‘If I am not the body-mind complex, who am I?’ Recognise that you, whoever you are,” Prof. looked at me piercingly, “are still around, despite your physical and mental transformations.”
“Yes,” I said thoughtfully, “there’s something that’s me that survives the changing components in me.”
“Nisargadatta Maharaj calls it the unmistakable, unshakeable feeling of ‘I Am.’
“I exist in all my apparent physical and mental states.”
“And that unchanging reality ‘I,’ as opposed to the other changing ‘I’ you tend to cling to, is your real identity. Get hold of it, and let go of your association with the body-mind complex.”
“How is that possible?” I was fascinated despite myself. “Tell me more!”
“That particular conversation is likely to be a long discourse! Perhaps, during my next visit. But in simple terms, simply shift your attention from yourself to your Self. You are not an individual, isolated, limited entity but the pure consciousness that pervades the whole universe itself. The same consciousness in frog and fish, friend and foe. The same cosmic energy that powers the stars and the sand dunes, the one that pervades the outer as well as the inner space. You are the soul of the universe. Identification with the body limits you, identification with the soul makes you infinite, immortal.
“This is the most profound teaching of Advaita Vedanta. The secrets of existence are embedded in the Upanishads. The Bhagavad Gita is the most comprehensive exposition of the truths contained in all the 108 Upanishads. Enlightened masters like Adi Shankara, Vidyaranya, and Goudapada have written several texts expounding this philosophy called Advaita Vedanta or Non- Dualism. Contemporary Western masters like Eckhart Tolle and Alan Watts also speak of the same reality—the oneness of existence. Studying these scriptures under the guidance of a realised master to find your true identity
Lead Story 37


is called Jnana Marga, the path of knowledge. “When you recognise yourself as the infinite, immortal soul, there is no separation, there is no other. You will no longer be self-centred; you will be Self-centred. The Australian fire will then be as real for you as if your own backyard was on fire, and you will do whatever it takes to douse it and bring relief to the suffering masses. Not necessarily physically; your intention alone will be powerful in itself to shift the cosmic gears and make the right things happen.”
Just to hear these eternal truths was beautiful in itself. How much more beautiful if one could achieve that state of being in one’s lifetime!
“But Prof., I understand how the world can benefit from this transformation in an individual. But isn’t such an individual at a disadvantage? How can one live normally if one goes on resonating with each and every ill that befalls the world every moment? Rama, for all his good intentions, suffered a great deal in his lifetime.”
“Good observation. To quote Nisargadatta Maharaj, ‘In matters of daily life, the knower of the real has no advantage; he may be at a disadvantage rather. Being free from greed and fear, he does not protect himself. The very idea of profit is foreign to him; he abhors accretions. His life is a constant divesting of oneself, sharing, giving.’”
“How noble!”
“But a liberated soul does not ‘experience’ the disadvantage, if you know what I mean.”
“Like in “Pain is inevitable; suffering is optional?”
“Correct! Now tell me what you have understood so far,” said Prof. “What do you have to give up to be able to give?”
“Samsara! Looks like I’ll have to live in an ashram in Rishikesh and do years of sadhana to realise that I am not my body or mind but infinite, pure consciousness, before I can attach the suffix ‘Ananda’ to my name,” I remarked, half-jokingly.
Giving up Ignorance
Prof. shook his head. “Wrong. One can live like a renunciate and yet be attached to the world. One can be in the midst of samsara and yet be in bliss, like King Janaka. Have you heard of him?”
I had. And then Prof. narrated the story of King Janaka:
Yajnavalkya was a great sage who imparted the knowledge of atma jnana (knowledge of the Self) in his ashram, adjacent to the palace of King Janaka. Among his disciples was the king himself, who ruled his kingdom with wisdom and courage. One day, when a class was on, a guard came running to say that the palace and its surrounding areas had caught fire. While the disciples panicked and rushed to their cottages to collect their meagre belongings, Janaka continued to listen to his master with rapt attention, unperturbed by the disastrous news. Yajnavalkya later remarked to his shamefaced disciples, “All of you, so-called sanyasis (renunciates) cannot even let go of your begging bowl and loincloth, while your king was unfazed even when his grand palace was on fire!”
That was true renunciation, I realised, as I recalled the story with newfound wisdom. But was it possible to realise that truth while going about the humdrum of daily life? Could
38 LifePositive | OCTOBER 2020


spirituality be one more thing on my to-do list, along with dropping off the laundry and picking up groceries?
“Spirituality can and should be on your to-do list, as long as it is at the very top. Vedanta has a very simple three-step process through which your true nature can be realised even as you wash dishes or write codes or whatever it is you do.
The first is Shravana: Listen to and study the truths given in the sacred texts through a qualified master.
The second is Manana: Meditate and contemplate on these truths until you understand them thoroughly by going back to the texts again and again and asking questions.
The third is Nidhidhyasana: Get stabilised in that truth and abide in that knowledge, which comes with practice. Repeat the steps as long as it takes.”
“As long as it takes. That sounds like a catch.”
“Indeed. Through this process, absolute clarity will dawn about your true identity as the Universal Self. The mind and ego, absorbed in and into the Self, will now become tools through which your intentions for the welfare of the world are achieved.”
I marvelled at the simplicity of it, despite the catch.
“Jnana Marga, the way of Knowledge through Shravana-Manana-Nidhidhyasana, is the most straightforward of all the paths that lead to Self-realisation and hence called the Direct Path. Now try again. What is it that you have to give up, to be able to give?”
“Ignorance,” I said with conviction. “Ignorance about my real identity as Pure Consciousness, the Universal Self.”
“Excellent!” cried Prof.
But the ‘catch’ was still nagging my mind. “How long will it take, even as I go through the
Self-enquiry reveals our real identity as Pure Consciousness, the Universal Self
Lead Story 39


three-step process, to drop ignorance?”
“As long as it took the Prince of Vaishali to recognise the Princess of Kashi,” said Prof. cryptically.
“And thereby hangs a tale!” I said happily, as Prof. related yet another intriguing story from ancient India:
The Queen of the Kingdom of Vaishali once organised a cultural programme at the palace for Navaratri, as women are wont to. She wanted to cast a little girl for the role of the princess of Kashi but found none suitable among her courtiers. So she simply dressed up her five- year-old son as a girl and let him play the role, as mothers are wont to. The little prince looked so pretty that the doting mother had a painting made of him in his princess costume and hung it in her chambers. Years passed and the painting found its way into the cellar, while the little prince grew up to be a handsome young man of marriageable age. Even as the hunt was on to find a suitable bride for the prince, the lad once wandered into the cellar and accidentally discovered the old painting. The prince, mesmerised by the beautiful little princess in the picture, promptly fell in love with her. He decided that the girl in the painting would be his bride, none else. As princesses, one more beautiful than the other, were brought to his notice, the prince rejected them all, and this charade went on for months. As the royal parents were getting angrier and the prince more and more frustrated, the latter finally confessed his love for the mysterious princess to his mother. “What girl? Which painting?” asked the Queen, and burst out laughing as
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she understood what her son was referring to. “That pretty girl is none other than you, my son,” she said in great merriment and recalled how it all came about. The prince laughed in surprise and relief, rather sheepishly, but the burden he had been carrying in his chest for months was lifted in an instant.
It was a beautiful story with multiple messages. I, as a little individual, am like the prince of Vaishali with an inherent tendency to like and dislike things, people and situations. However, when I know my real Self, I realise that, in essence, the persons I love or despise are none other than myself, though they appear to be separate individuals because of their distinct gross forms.
“How should we treat others?” Ramana Maharshi was once asked, to which the great sage replied, “There are no others.” Not knowing this, I go through life miserable. The moment I get it, all false physical and mental boundaries crumble, and I am liberated from every pleasant and unpleasant modification of the mind.
“Thank you, Prof., for patiently taking me through an introduction to Advaita Vedanta. I think I now understand how, ‘by helping others, you are helping yourself.’
Prof. smiled. “When that saying is no longer a platitude but your conviction, you will have understood. For now, you have merely heard the truth. Now go ahead and make it your own reality, a truth which you can live by. Shubhamastu!”
40 LifePositive | OCTOBER 2020


AHA-MOMENTS
Megha Bajaj points us to the stillness that exists in all of us—The Source—which nourishes and anchors our life
Ibelieve each of us has a ranging from anticipation to can influence. No one can take it
God Centre within us. That
sacred, untouched, silent space from which everything else arises. This space is neither affected by thoughts nor goes through the ups and downs of emotions. It cares not for judgments, be they our own or that of the world. It simply is. Still. Divine. The Source.
On a cloudy day, we cannot see the sun. The same way, I believe, all the noise within and outside covers the God Centre. And yet, there are glimpses when, suddenly, we experience the quietude. The burst of sunshine. The Grace.
I love my God Centre. It holds me. It nurtures me. The best of my ideas come from it. The greatest of my breakthroughs are born from here. The deepest of my experiences come from this sacred space, and when everything stills, I come in contact with this God Centre. Sometimes in meditation, sometimes while writing, and sometimes out of the blue, for no rhyme or reason, it just happens.
anxiety, fear, and worry. Strangely, I am not as tossed as I would have been earlier. I like being in control and yet, though there is none right now, I still find myself rooted.
I wondered what was carrying me through, and the answer I arrived at was ‘my God Centre.’ Though I have momentary alignment issues, somehow, I am able to re-orbit myself to my God Centre. And find the peace. The depth. Just the holding.
We all need some anchoring. Many of us seek this from the world outside. For some, their security comes from a title they hold. For others, a relationship or the money they have in the bank. Each of these aids in giving us a sense of familiarity and confidence — but they are external and hence subject to change. What if that one relationship which offers you the deepest sense of security alters for some reason? Then where do you find yourself? At sea, like a ship without a captain.
from me, not even me. It was, it is, it will be. From my first breath to the last. Somehow, I feel a deep sense of protection and an immaculate strength in knowing that my God Centre exists.
The more I operate out of this God Centre, the more abundant and aligned are my thoughts, words, and actions. It is my inner compass that constantly points North.
I find the easiest way to find my God Centre is to be in solitude and focus on my breathing. After a few minutes of simply watching the thoughts crash within, everything dissolves into that space of nothingness.
He has it. She has it. You have it. And I do too. The God Centre. Such liberation to know that my strength, my choices, my security— it all comes from me!
An award-winning author, film- script writer and poet, Megha is an eternal seeker at heart. She also empowers people to write and get published through her online writing workshop. You can read more on www. WonderofWords.org.
We welcome your comments and suggestions on this article. Mail us at [email protected]
Life is so uncertain. Especially now.
None of us expected a pandemic to
come and put the world on pause
mode. None of us know what
tomorrow holds. Everything is
conjecture at best, and it’s natural
to go through so many emotions that nothing in the world outside
I tried to find security in many things outside of me until I realised the deepest, most unconditional, and unchanging one lay within me. My God Centre. It is something
Aha-Moments 41




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FOOD
Naini Setalvad provides diet options for nursing mothers to prevent infantile colic in their babies
44 LifePositive | OCTOBER 2020


O ne just cannot compare the absolute Cow’s milk protein: Cow’s milk is good but not
joy, light, and happiness a newborn
baby brings to a household. Watching a tiny life grow and adapt to its surroundings is heart-warming for the parents as well as all the relatives who fuss over the child. This enchanting experience can be dampened when the baby begins to cry incessantly. All babies cry, but it becomes an area of concern when there is continuous wailing for hours. There can be many reasons that elicit this discomfort, but more often than not, the cause is colic.
Infantile colic can be defined by the ‘rule of three’: crying more than three hours a day, for more than three days a week, for more than three weeks a month. The cause of colic in infants is largely unknown, and the fact that infants eventually outgrow it within four to six months suggests slow neurodevelopment that eventually catches up with time, as mentioned by S Wade and T Kilgour in their clinical review on colic. Having said this, there is a strong correlation between the mother’s diet and the occurrence of colic. Here are certain foods a nursing mother should avoid if her child is suffering from colic:
Cruciferous vegetables: Often, lactating mothers are told to consume all types of green vegetables. I say avoid the greens, and by that I mean specifically the green cruciferous vegetables. Cabbage, lettuce, cauliflower, and broccoli can cause discomfort to the child as suggested by a study carried out by K Lust and J Brown. These contain compounds that are hard to breakdown and get transmitted into the mother’s milk and cause the formation of gas in the infant’s belly.
always for a lactating mother. I can vouch that the mother’s consumption of excessive cow’s milk could cause indigestion in the infant due to the milk protein. Studies by Jakobsson I and Lindberg T (1978) suggest the same. Three glasses of milk a day is not a thumb rule for all. I advocate drinking milk as a kadha (herbal decoction) with the inclusion of colic- preventing foods like ginger, gond (Tragacanth gum), hing (asafoetida), and cow’s ghee.
Be careful about certain carbohydrates:
Carbohydrates come in many forms. Some are easily digestible, whereas some cause flatulence and bloating. Reducing the intake of foods with the latter type of carbohydrates has been proven beneficial for babies suffering from colic by Maria Iacovou et al. One needs to reduce the quantity of fruits high in fructose like apple, mango, fructan-rich onion, garlic, and watermelon; polyol-packed berries, plums, peaches, and sweet corn; galactan-heavy legumes and pulses; and lactose-rich dairy products. Pomegranate may cause constipation too. Grains, millets, seed grains, and rice are easy to digest in small quantities, accompanied by desi(indigenous) cow’s ghee and non-gassy vegetables (gourd and pumpkin family).
Exclusion of allergens: I have seen that nuts, soy, and eggs can cause severe bloating and discomfort for the mother, transferring it to the child via breast milk, thus increasing colic in the infant. Science too has confirmed this in a study carried out by David J Hill.
For many, raw veggies, sprouts, onions, and garlic may cause gas. The moong and
Food 45


masoordal family is your go-to choice for dals, seasoned with asafoetida, cumin, ginger, and other spices that help prevent gas. Avoid whole pulses like chickpeas, kidney beans and peas.
A lactating mother should include my below-mentioned natural cures to prevent infantile colic:
• Roasted ajwain (carom) seeds with rock salt as a digestive after meals. • Sip on my Desi Kadha (see recipe below) post breakfast and lunch.
• Slightly warmed ajwain cloth bundles placed on the infant’s chest.
These are a few diet tricks a new mother can keep up her sleeve to ensure that she and her newborn can enjoy the initial months surrounded by love and peace.
RECIPES
1. Prune and Fig Compost Recipe
Serves: 2
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
4 dried prunes 4 dried figs
Method:
1. Chop prunes and figs into half.
2. Soak the prune and fig half for 10 hours. Keep it covered. 3. Store in a fridge.
4. Consume post meals.
2. Roasted Ajwain
Ingredients:
2 tbsp raw ajwain seeds
1⁄2 tsp water
A pinch of haldi (turmeric powder) Rock salt to taste
Lemon juice to taste
Method:
1. In a small bowl, mix turmeric powder, rock salt, and lemon juice in water; stir and dissolve.
2. Add the above mixture to the raw ajwain seeds and combine well.
3. Roast the coated ajwain over a slow flame till it turnscrisp.
4. Store in an airtight bottle and consume post meals.
46 LifePositive | OCTOBER 2020


3. Desi Kadha
Serves: 1
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
1 tsp desi cow’s ghee
1⁄4 tsp cumin seeds
1⁄4 tsp hing(asafoetida) 2 tsp powdered gond 200 ml water
Method:
1. In a vessel pour water and bring to boil.
2. In another vessel add the desi cow’s ghee.
3. In the above, sauté cumin seeds, asafoetida, and gond powder. 4. Pour hot water into the above mixture.
5. Stir continuously till the gond powder dissolves.
6. Sip on this post breakfast and lunch.
We welcome your comments and suggestions on this article. Mail us at [email protected]
Food 47


GURUSPEAK
I n today’s world, relationships and careers are the stabilisers, bringing security, contentment, and purpose in life. Yet, we don’t seem to be
very good at the relationship part because many people are simply struggling to sustain healthy long-term relationships.
Is this symptomatic of a throw-away consciousness? Whether we are talking about containers, appliances, or people, we now live in a world where we throw things away very easily. The environmental issues caused by plastic bottles and bags are a case in point. Similarly, when it comes to relationships, if there are problems, we end them; if there is hardship, we look for something better. We are fostering a culture of quitters.
But the tide has been turning of late: plastic articles are banned in many places, and people want sturdier appliances that last. Will our attitude towards our relationships also move towards valuing longevity and commitment over the throw-away mentality?
To do so, we need some basic emotional intelligence and maturity. Let us ponder over a few things that can help:
• Prioritise harmony over being right. Does it really
matter if your partner is wrong? Why ruin the peace by having an argument that could have been avoided by simply saying, “Okay, yes honey.”
• Learn to pause and listen to the other person’s point of view. Feel what is being communicated beyond the words.
• When there is tension, it is not necessarily a bad thing. It is like a warning bell telling you that something needs to change. Rather than expecting others to change, try to see what you can do.
• More often than not, you have an argument simply because both the partners are tired and out of sorts. If the kids are also in the equation, it could be worse. So, be kind. And remember, your attitude and thoughts are even more important than your words.
• Be humble and open-hearted. Your heart will thank you for all the joy it can hold.
• Cultivate the way you speak; avoid a harsh tone. People will enjoy listening to you more when you speak sweetly.
• Be patient. Let things heal naturally and have faith that all will be well.
• Let go of resentment. Generally, other people don’t mean to hurt you. They are also imperfect, just like you.
• At bedtime, close your eyes and feel sorry for anything you have done to hurt others. There is no need to feel guilty; just promise yourself you will not do it again. You will then sleep with a clearer and lighter conscience.
• Accept the other person just as they are without trying to change them.
• A sense of humour also goes a long way!
The four core practices of Heartfulness are perfectly suited to nurture emotional intelligence—they allow you to learn to love. At the end of the day, what makes the world go round? It is love.
Daaji urges us to move towards nurturing lasting relationships based on love
We welcome your comments and suggestions on this article. Mail us at [email protected]
KAMLESH D. PATEL is known widely as Daaji. He is the global guide of The Heartfulness Way.
48 LifePositive | OCTOBER 2020


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50 LifePositive | OCTOBER 2020