LP Magazine October 2020

Those who never stop learning leave a mark of their own. This is how trendsetters are born. Life is the best school of all, and when we stop learning, we stop growing.
his plan on grounds of practicality continued to come in his way. “Many people said that I was stupid to throw off a comfortable life that engineering promised. My father advised me to work for myself first before working for others and had me enrolled in another computer science course. But I was not going to let go. I continued and tried getting funds through various avenues. Although I did not get any at first, my idea impressed the technical secretary of Jaipur Foot, who soon gave me a seed grant to design seven such hands,” he says.
Overwhelmed, Prashant took a photograph of the cheque and sent it to his father. Working in a new city had its challenges. He had to pay for his rent, food, travel, and other expenses. As money began to evaporate, he had to prioritise shelter over meals, eating just once a day. “Those were difficult times. I would just drink water and continue to work on my device, without letting myself be distracted. I continued to pursue funds through various online campaigns and videos,” he shares.
Soon, his hard work found recognition in the USA, where a retired professor reached out to
support him in 2016. “I was invited to the USA to deliver a lecture about my project. They were so happy and supportive that they gifted me ten machines to expedite the work,” adds Prashant.
At present, Prashant Gade’s invention, Inali Arms, is India’s most affordable bionic arm for the differently-abled, priced at Rs. 50,000/- only! Over the last two years, over 700 arms have been designed and given for free, while nearly 300 have been sold across the country. He knows there are many who need this desperately and wishes to ensure that he reaches out to as many people as possible. One of the major landmarks in his journey was when his invention was eventually tried and appreciated by his inspiration, Nicolas Huchet. With Inali Arms being just a beginning, Prashant wants to expand further with affordable prosthetic lower limbs and other body implants, making the future of India’s healthcare accessible to all.
There are many engineers around us, but those who never stop learning leave a mark of their own. This is how trendsetters are born. Life is the best school of all, and when we stop learning, we stop growing.
Prashant Gade
Lead Story 101


We must realise that the more we make an organ work, the better it would function. Most of us have a physical fitness routine but do not exercise the mind at all. It would truly help if we focus on both as, without an active mind, we would not be able to find solutions to life’s challenges. In this area, I always remember my late mother-in-law, who combatted all kinds of challenges by learning and relearning new things all the time. In fact, she was a motivation for the entire extended family as a learner who never ceased to keep learning and growing.
Let us all then pledge to keep learning as long as we are alive. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”
Tips to keep learning and growing
Some suggestions I would like to share:
• Cultivate a new hobby: It does not matter if we are good or bad at it. We only need to please ourselves.
• Learn a new language: Languages always open new worlds for us. This is definitely worth pursuing. In a country like India, it is easily possible as even our neighbour could be from a different state and would love to teach us.
• Play games like scrabble or solve puzzles: This is definitely an interesting way to spend our time.
• Share your experience with others, and be open to learning from them too: This not just improves our learning ability but also fosters bonds.
• Study along with youngsters in your vicinity: This would not just exercise our brain but also make us feel younger
• Visualise yourself as a student of life all the time: This will make us feel younger and look forward to each new day as it unfolds.
We welcome your comments and suggestions on this article. Mail us at [email protected]
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LifePositive | SEPTEMBER 2020


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23
Enlightening Souls across the globe


GURUSPEAK
Dive deep within to find profound peace at the heart of the soul, says Daaji
I n times of universal crisis, we become peace- loving in the face of common adversity. The author and mystic James Allen observed that
the sparrows in Trafalgar Square share the meagre food during wintertime, while in summer, they fight over plentiful resources and territories. And there are good reasons for it:
• Survival requires unified action rather than individual action.
• In a crisis, we engage in the present. The same happens to sportspeople during a game and to musicians during a performance. Likewise, when we meditate well, we are present in the moment.
Consider the following as a simple formula for creating a peaceful world:
• Can there be joy without peace?
• Can there be peace without harmony?
• Can there be harmony without contemplation?
• Can there be contemplation without focussed
thinking?
• Can there be focussed thinking without meditation?
Meditation is the fundamental skill that brings focus, peace, harmony, and joy. Heartfulness meditation, supported by Yogic Transmission, takes us inwards to the first real experience of peace.
The soul or atman is inactive, yet it contains both movement (ath) and thinking (man). They naturally arise out of peaceful inactivity. The soul incarnates so it can think and act. The interplay of peace, movement, and thinking is the very nature of this incarnation.
During meditation, we learn to rest in our peaceful centre. Peace triumphs when we are centred in the soul, and peace falters when we turn our back on the soul’s existence. Peace paves the way for love, which, in turn, fuels courage, which leads to decisiveness. Decisiveness is the hallmark of being human.
In order to find peace and joy, we must nurture the soul. Imagine a scientist researching a COVID-19 vaccine with a mind troubled by personal problems! The mind loses creativity under stress; it needs to relax. Scientific discoveries are made when the discoverer is peaceful. Newton was relaxed when he discovered gravity, Archimedes was relaxing in the bathtub, and Albert Einstein would spend more than an hour in the bath! The mind creates when it is ripple-free.
The ordinary conscious mind is like the ocean surface—disturbed by thought waves. The deeper layers of consciousness are progressively stiller and clearer, like that of the ocean. We don’t need to abandon the surface for the inner spiritual life. We integrate both by developing elasticity of consciousness. In meditation, we dive deep and resurface, again and again. Eventually, we span the whole spectrum of consciousness in the state known as Sahaj Samadhi or Turiyatita.
When we meditate, the deeper we go, the more profound the peace. In the sea, a diver goes incrementally, acclimatising to various depths to avoid health problems. Similar acclimatisation happens within us; otherwise our consciousness rebels. Just as divers use deep-submergence vehicles for protection, meditators are protected by the Guide.
I hope that you dive deep to find the peace that is the mother of all that is good.
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KAMLESH D. PATEL is known widely as Daaji. He is the global guide of The Heartfulness Way.
104 LifePositive | SEPTEMBER 2020


FOOD
Naini Setalvad sings the praises of Indian food and proclaims it as the best diet in the world
Food 105


Iam going to share with you during satiates, heals, and energises us. Let me run
National Nutrition Week India (1st–
7th September) why the Indian diet is the only diet the world should follow.
I love India as it is the epitome of diversity— topography, demography, cultures, traditions, and most importantly—food. My subcontinent is home to a wide range of plant produce like grains, millets, pulses, good fats, fruits, vegetables, and dairy. We have a platter of options at our disposal, with numerous health benefits, be it gluten-free, vegan, or simply vegetarian.
I really get harrowed when people don’t realise how rich our Indian food is in life-supporting nutrients. I proudly say that balanced Indian diet can prevent, reverse, and retard diseases, obesity, and improve mood and performance—a truly nourishing and immunity-boosting diet! To the naysayers who run behind Brazilian nuts, avocados, and acai berries, let me show you the treasure trove of health sitting in our backyard.
Many nations show the balanced diet food pyramid in the form of a plate which depicts a proportion of whole grains, protein, fats, fruits, and vegetables, emphasising plant produce. Sounds familiar? Let me light your bulb. A home-cooked Indian thali consists of a balance of all nutrients and the added benefit of spices, providing a medley of flavours. The combination of grain, pulse, and vegetable cooked in herbs and spices in good quality fat
106 LifePositive | SEPTEMBER 2020
you through India’s incredible variety of food.
Vegetables and leafy greens: Indians have intelligently mastered the art of cooking vegetables, preserving flavours, fibre, and accessing antioxidants and vitamins. Antioxidants fight infections and uplift immunity. This is reiterated in the Dietary Guidelines published by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Fifty per cent of every plate at every meal must constitute vegetables. Choose from India’s huge repertoire, unlike the rest of the world.
Fruits and dry fruits: Vibrant seasonal fruits bring energy and pacify the sweet-craving, adding an influx of immunity-uplifting vitamins and minerals as stated by the ICMR. The Antioxidants in Fruits—This Millennium’s Health is well documented in a review by C. Kaur and H. Kapoor, 2001. The horn of cornucopia is no match for the variety of fruits found across the length and breadth of India. The omnipresent papaya; bananas in various sizes and colours; the seasonal king of fruits, mango; amla; jamun; Kashmiri apple; cherries; peach; and plum—the list can go on. Each comes with seasonal therapeutic properties. Add dry fruits such as raisins, figs, and dates, and you have a canon of good health.
Whole grains: The buzz is about unpolished grains and rice, gluten-free millets, and seed grains which are a part of India’s heirloom foods. Changing seasons change our grains. I


urge
you to try
the hundreds
of varieties grown
in India: pearl millet
(bajri), amaranth (rajgira),
sorghum (jowar), barley (jav),
finger millet (ragi), little millet (sama),
the varieties of whole wheat, and various rice, providing you with satiating complex carbohydrates, a host of vitamins, minerals, fibre, and phytochemicals. Whole-grain fibre protects from a host of lifestyle diseases, which has been documented in the 1970s by Burkitt and Trowell.
Pulses and lentils: My clients often have a query, “Should I take protein substitutes to increase my protein?” I tell them, “When you, in India, have unlimited access to plant proteins like pulses, sprouts, legumes, dals, and peas to choose from, why bother? ICMR advises to include a variety of pulses and dals to compliment a balanced meal. These supply you with digestible proteins, protective polyphenols, vitamins, and minerals.
Spices and herbs: Our centuries-old Indian spice box will leave you licking your fingers while healing your body from disease, and this has only been recently scientifically validated by the West. Turmeric, ginger, garlic, cumin, coriander, and cinnamon have all been meticulously researched for their health benefits of gastric protection,
mental stimulation, fighting free radicals, and boosting immunity. B. Bharat et al highlighted that spices inhibit a certain pathway that plays a part in inflammatory diseases like IBS, cancer, arthritis, etc. Remember, we have always consumed spices with fat, not raw, while the West is
awakening to this.
Fats: Thank heavens we are done with an era of demonising fats. Good fats like coconut oil, nuts, seeds, and desi (indigenous) cow’s ghee help absorb Vitamin A, D, E, K, and calcium, and lubricate the joints and digestive tract. A review by Kumar et al from the Centre of Rural Development and Technology, IIT Delhi, reiterates the same. Good fats boost memory, prevent Alzheimer’s, are a must in a cancer-healing diet, and transport functional chemicals present in our spices, herbs, and vegetables. So look towards India for your good fats as we have them all!
We Indians always tend to have less faith in our own achievements. The turmeric latte- chasing world has now awakened to the magic of Indian food. Eating from the plant kingdom and being vegan or gluten-free is very easy with the Indian diet. The world has recognised the disease-retarding, protective nature of Indian food, and it is high time you wake up too. I rate the Indian diet as the best diet in the world, and my practice is based on this.
Be Indian, eat Indian.
Food 107


RIDGE GOURD + YELLOW MOONG DAL RECIPE:
Ingredients:
• 1 cup yellow moong dal
• 2 cups water
• 1 ridge gourd, peeled, long cubes
• 1 tsp coconut oil or cow’s ghee
• 1 tomato, finely chopped
• 1 inch ginger, finely chopped
• 1 green chilli, slit
• 1/4thtsp of asafoetida, (hing)
• 1 tsp cumin seeds (jeera)
• 1 tsp red chilli powder
• 1/2 tsp turmeric (haldi) powder
• 1 tsp coriander (dhania) powder
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Salt to taste
• 6 sprigs of coriander leaves, finely chopped
Method:
• Soak the moong dal for 2-3 hours. Strain the dal.
• In a wok, add coconut oil or cows ghee, add cumin seeds, let them splutter, and then add asafoetida.
Add the chopped ridge gourd to this, add salt to taste, and sauté for 2 mins.
• Add soaked dal to the wok and water, if required, to make a liquid consistency. Cook till the ridge gourd and dal are soft. Add turmeric, red chilli powder, and coriander powder.
• Add the chopped tomatoes and cook for a few minutes more.
• Garnish with lemon juice and coriander leaves.
• Serve with a side salad and hot warm rotis (thin flat round bread).
We welcome your comments and suggestions on this article. Mail us at [email protected]
108 LifePositive | SEPTEMBER 2020


LESSON
Prof AVR Rao takes an incisive look at the machinations of manipulators and shows us how to cope with them
109 LifePositive | SEPTEMBER 2020


Manipulators are quite dangerous. They believe in—what Shakespeare says in Macbeth— ‘fair is foul, and foul is fair.’
M anipulators are all-pervasive, and every one of us has adorned that hat at one time or another. But its gravity looms large when manipulation becomes a habit. It is a trait which can be inherited, inherent, imitated, or developed over time
by anyone. Manipulative people prey on the conscientiousness, good nature, and helping attitude of virtuous people since it is easy to hoodwink, mislead, and exploit them.
Manipulation is a type of psychological influence used to change the behaviour or perception of others through indirect, deceitful, concealed, or unethical tactics. Manipulators selfishly use behavioural and emotional tactics to make others act or desist from acting. They are quite dangerous. They believe in—what Shakespeare says in Macbeth—‘fair is foul, and foul is fair.’ Often, they make even good people commit heinous crimes. The best examples are the villains and schemers in the Ramayana and the Mahabharata and also characters like Lady Macbeth in Shakespeare’s drama. Another example is that of spouses manipulating their partners to estrange them from their own kith and kin.
Depending on the situation and the interpretation of the viewer, manipulating can either be positive—guiding, moving, and operating for the benefit of the recipient—or negative—demeaning, scheming, calculating, and destroying.
The trait of manipulation can show up in various facets of human behaviour: love, hate, affection, indifference, likes, dislikes, bias, fairness, favouritism, nepotism, impartiality, and so on, and also in various spheres of human interaction: families, workplaces, political arena, sports, professions, practices, and virtually in all areas of society. Managing and saving oneself from manipulators becomes more difficult when the manipulator happens to be a close friend or family member or relative because, if you get affected adversely, it is not easy for you to cut off their relationship for various reasons.
How to identify manipulation?
There are many tell-tale signs that manipulators display and these will help you to manage them or even outsmart them. But you have to take care that such signs are not just one-
Lesson 110


We should never try to educate and reform manipulators as most of
fabricators. When you want to buy a product and it is not available in the shop, the shopkeeper tells you that that product has adverse side effects and hence he is not stocking it and that there is a better product in the shop which is popular.
• They feign innocence or as exploited these scheming people ones in order to gain your sympathy and
are so deliberately.
Staying away from manipulators is the best solution.
off behaviours before shunning their company or reacting to their manipulative behaviour. Because there is a risk of our branding them as manipulators when they are, in fact, good- natured people, occasionally straying towards the manipulative path.
•
•
•
111 LifePositive | SEPTEMBER 2020
proximity. An employee complains to the boss that a senior employee deliberately gave misleading information, which is the cause for the blunder committed by him.
• They tell half-truths and escape saying they never said it or they didn’t mean that.
•They are aggressive or passive-aggressive and use undue pressure. A wife, when she does not get what she wants, threatens to leave for her parents’ home. Or a husband tells the wife to leave his house for good if she does not succumb to his unfair demands. Giving people the silent treatment is also a form of emotional abuse which people often indulge in.
Some of their well-known techniques are listed below with plenty of related examples, which are a day-to-day experience of one and all.
• They deliberately conceal vital information. For example, in a job interview, a candidate blames his previous employer as being discriminatory while, in reality, it was he (the candidate) who committed mischief and was fired.
• Daughters-in-law and mothers-in-law, as well as sons and fathers, blame each other for lack of harmony in homes while they themselves are the cause for it. They indulge in manipulations either out of instinctive self-protection or imaginary fears.
• Manipulators are invariably selfish
They are pseudo well-wishers. The medical fraternity bombards you with unwanted medical tests for various diseases, all in your interest!
They make you feel guilty. Insurance companies recommend that you take various kinds of policies to protect your family members. After all, it is your moral duty to take care of them!
They quietly create problems for you. When you are set to go out for an important friends’ meet and your father does not like it, he quietly organises for the driver to come late or feign illness at the last moment.
•
• They derail or belittle your self-respect,
They justify and rationalise their own behaviour but judge and criticise yours.


courage, and confidence.
• They exaggerate, understate, or twist facts to suit their strategies.
• They speak for you as though you cannot speak for yourself. When your attending a social function out of your city is not liked by the manipulator, he tells the host that you do not like to travel long distances.
• They pressure and hurry you up and don’t give you a reasonable time to decide.
Should you stay away from manipulators?
We should never try to educate and reform manipulators as most of these scheming people are so deliberately. Staying away from manipulators is the best solution. However, it is not always possible or practicable to do so in society for several reasons:
• The manipulator is a member of your close family, such as a mother, father, wife, husband, or child.
• You need them to be with you for various beneficial reasons.
• They are otherwise fine people but resort to manipulation occasionally.
• They are not deliberate manipulators but only resort to manipulation ignorantly.
• The damage caused by the manipulations is not material or emotional but only causes inconvenience or embarrassment.
How to manage manipulators?
Your reaction to situations where you are being manipulated depends on the gravity and nature of the situation, your relationship with the manipulator, and your respective strengths
Manipulators confuse you by rationalising their actions and critising your’s in turn
Lesson 112


and weaknesses. Here are some suggestions:
•Never be a victim and silently allow yourself to be dominated and manipulated by the manipulator. It is like giving into a blackmailer. If you do so, you will always remain a slave to the manipulator.
• Quietly stay away from the manipulator; you need not explicitly announce it.
• Take a firm stand, ignore, and be indifferent to the manipulator’s suggestions or tactics.
• Let him have his way, particularly when it benefits you in some other way.
• Explain to him why his suggestions won’t work.
• Clarify to him, albeit politely, that you would not like others to make choices for you.
• Be decisive and assertive in not going the manipulator’s way.
• Take the help of a professional counsellor or teacher or elder or well-wisher, particularly one who was in a similar situation and overcame it.
• Always take care and protect your safety, self-worth, honour, and integrity.
• Be silent or escape by saying evasive phrases like ‘Let me see,’ ‘Good idea,’ etc.
For a deeper study and understanding of this aspect, refer to The Psychology of Human Relationships, a bestselling 1964 book by psychiatrist Eric Berne. Since its publication, it has sold more than five million copies. It
We welcome your comments and suggestions on this article. Mail us at [email protected]
describes both functional and dysfunctional social interactions. Also useful is the author’s Games People Play, wherein he emphatically declares that while we think we’re relating to other people, we are all actually playing games. Indian epics are also replete with examples of manipulators. Some of them who used manipulative tactics for their own self-interest include Shakuni of Mahabharat and Kaikeyi of Ramayana. Chapter 16 of the Bhagavad Gita describes in detail the nature of manipulators and demonic people. Lord Krishna also used manipulative techniques, but for uplifting virtue and destroying the wicked.
However, we need to take a positive view of things. Not all manipulators are wicked. Their attitude is just a weakness. If we see them through spiritual glasses, after all, they are behaving so because of their inner divine promptings which might be good for themselves and others in the long run. We need not be overly scared of such people if we have full trust in God. God will certainly bring about circumstances to expose the dirty tricks of manipulators and protect us from any harmful effects. There could also be some concealed benefits and lessons for us. Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita (18–61), “isvarahsarva- bhutanamhrd-dese ‘rjunatisthatibhramayansarva- bhutaniyantrarudhanimayaya,” meaning “God is situated in everyone’s heart, O Arjuna, and is directing the actions of all living entities, who are seated as on a machine, made of the material energy.”
113 LifePositive | SEPTEMBER 2020


AHA-MOMENTS
Love and fear often come face to face. In these moments, consciously choose love, as love liberates, whereas fear enslaves, says Megha Bajaj
She had thin, pink lips. to run, but where could she go? Fear Love said, “Just watch” and she
Ringlets in her hair. Big
almond-shaped brown eyes. They called her Love.
For wherever she went, she would bind people in love. She would make them feel so beautiful that the best in them would come forth. She would take them to the depths of their being, so they could experience who they were—love.
And yet, Love was not at ease. She used to question why there was so much hatred, jealousy, and anger in the world. A ball of anxiety would form in her stomach each time she came in touch with negative, darker emotions. She would feel like curling up and not getting out of bed at all. All she wanted to do was love, but it did not always seem easy to do.
One day, love was picking cherries in a forest. It was getting dark, but everything around was so beautiful—the crescent moonrise, the burst of dragonflies, the purple skies. She did not want to leave. She was humming happily and prancing about when, suddenly, she felt something eerie. It was Fear. It struck at her heart and laughed cruelly. She was scared. She felt overwhelmed. How would she make it home?
She fell to her knees. Fear seemed to be taking over every part of her. She felt choked. She felt like crying but no sound came out. She wanted
seemed to have paralysed her. All she wanted was to reach her hearth, that warm fireplace, that wooden dining table where hot tomato soup and garlic rolls awaited her. She wanted to go home. She wanted to be with her daddy and mommy. She wanted to go home, no matter what. To her little puppy, she so dearly loved. And her best friend.
The darkness and chill seemed to be increasing by the minute and Love just couldn’t get up. Her legs were not moving. It seemed impossible. Fear was taking over her completely. The light of love was dimming. She just kept focussing on her breath and felt that any moment, she would just lose her mind. She kept telling herself to calm down. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a thought burst through her mind. It was of her daddy singing her to sleep. The way he lay her head upon his chest, tousled hercurls,caressedhercheeks,and sang in that deep voice of his. Then the image of her puppy leaping towards her came to her mind. And of her mother lovingly making banana milkshake. Feeding her with her delicate hands. Love came bursting to the fore.
Love and Fear clashed. They fought.
Love said, “I can and I will.”
Fear said, “You cannot and you won’t!”
tried to get up.
Fear said, “No ways!” and held her down.
Love closed her eyes. She just kept holding onto the best of her memories; moments where all she could feel was peace and bliss. Slowly, inch by inch, fear began to give way. Love began to grow. She stood up. Fear tried to hold her back, but she fought back with all her might. She could do this. She took a tentative step, and then another. And suddenly, she began to run towards home.
Love was growing within her. She had broken free of the shackle of every negative emotion. All she could feel was love. Love and more love. Before she knew it, she was home. As she stood out of breath and waited to be let in, tears fell incessantly from her eyes. She realised, it was all a part of the journey. Love and Fear would often come before her and fight like two hungry wolves. She had to be aware, she had to stay rooted and keep allowing Love to win.
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]
114 LifePositive | SEPTEMBER 2020


HEALTH & FITNESS
Health & tness 115


Dr Suresh Duggal introduces us to Rolfing, a technique whereby imbalances in the connective tissues of the body are corrected, resulting in an improved posture
Poor posture, when carried over a prolonged period, can mess with the body’s tissues and muscles. However,
there is a technique called Rolfing, which can help us realign them.
Rolfing is a hands-on manipulation therapy of the soft connective tissue to release, realign, and balance the whole body. It can resolve pain and discomfort for a variety of health issues, including back pain, trauma, ageing, and repetitive motion injury. It is also an excellent foundation for yoga and complements it as well as other personal wellness practices. However, contrary to what one might think, Rolfing does not fall into the category of massage.
Rolfing is also called Rolfing Structural Integration and is widely practised in many countries around the world. It is claimed that with this therapy, one moves better, gains height, and also stands straighter.
This therapy was developed by a biochemist, Dr. Ida Rolf, in the mid-1940s. Later, in 1971, she founded The Rolf Institute of Structural Integration. This institute and a number
of schools along with other institutes teach methods similar to the method presented by Rolf. The idea behind this therapy was postural release with structural integration of the human body.
What is Rolfing?
Rolfing therapy is based on the fact that modern life, with habits like sitting and staring at screens for long hours, is resulting in poor postures. They can cause the body muscles to develop unnatural contractions, because of which connective tissues in the body change their form into thick plates known as fascia (these connect muscles to the bone), much in the way water, having crystallised, forms hard, unyielding ice. For example, as one muscle contracts, an opposite muscle lengthens in the body. However, if an unnatural action takes place in the muscular unity of the body and if this unnatural posture is maintained over a period, the muscles will remain contracted and not relax. The fascia surrounding each muscle will shorten and lose flexibility, and so lead to muscular imbalance and bad posture.
116 LifePositive | SEPTEMBER 2020


Rolfers, view the connective tissue as the fabric net supporting the body. By loosening and lengthening chronically shortened connective tissues, Rolfers are able to bring the body into better balance and alignment.
The above-mentioned fascia also affect the skeletal system. It is believed that this unnatural situation within the body creates not only muscular dysfunction but also contributes to a loss of energy and natural healing abilities.
In case of past trauma or injury, the muscles retain a form of memory. These memories remain even after physical healing, thus causing rigidity in the physical structure of the body. With time, this affects general health.
The purpose of Rolfing therapy is to restructure the muscle by breaking down the fascia while separating the fibres manually and loosening them to allow effective movement patterns. This results in improvements in posture, thereby improving breathing, which, in turn, increases energy levels throughout the entire system. The aim of Rolfing is to realign the body with its centre of gravity and with the earth.
It is important to realise that Rolfing therapy does not only improve posture and physical harmony but can also have a beneficial effect on stress-related issues a
How to practise
As far as the practice of Rolfing therapy is concerned, an adequate knowledge of human anatomy and hands-on training are required to negotiate the appropriate manipulations necessary to free the bound-up fascia.
Rolfers, or people who are trained in Structural Integration, view the connective tissue as the fabric net supporting the body. By loosening and lengthening chronically shortened connective tissues, Rolfers are able to bring the body into better balance and alignment. This improves the client´s posture and reduces or eliminates discomfort or pain.
Rolfing therapy is performed over a series of visits lasting an hour to an hour and 15 minutes each session, during which with each Rolfing massage, the client is asked to do certain exercises such as walking, bending the knees, and extending the joints before and after the treatment. The level of movement and function is noted before and after treatment each time.
Rolfing therapy works to break down the tight bands of connective fascia that constrict and contract the muscles and their skeletal attachments. The goal is to make the fascia softer and more flexible and to restore their
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Rolfing therapy is performed over a series of visits lasting an hour to an hour and 15 minutes
natural balance in relation to muscles, tendons, and bones. Over time, improvement is noticed.
Cooperation between the practitioner and client is needed to change the structure of the connective fascia to regain a more functional body alignment in relation to the centre of gravity.
Both mind and body are necessary to make Rolfing therapy effective. With time, one learns how to maintain balance in the body. One is then able to carry weight evenly without favouring one side over the other. Rolfing therapy is meant for every area of the body.
We welcome your comments and suggestions on this article. Mail us at [email protected]
Rolfing therapists suggest this therapy for a number of medical conditions. But sufficient data is unavailable to endorse its effectiveness as a therapy. Some regard it as only a deep massage. However, the concept of ‘fascia’ needs more investigation. During the Fascia Research Congress in 2007, much attention was paid to different researchers and clinicians.
Though Rolfing is considered safe, since it involves deep tissue manipulation, people with clots and vascular or skeletal disorders should consult a doctor before undergoing Rolfing therapy.
118 LifePositive | SEPTEMBER 2020


JOURNEY
Shivi Verma finds that being candid with people helps her breathe easy as well as nurtures healthy relationships
O ne of the most important reacted? He said, “I became cold amends with those who mattered
lessons that I have learnt
at my guru’s feet is to express what I feel.
I must say that I have felt challenged in this department and still do to some extent. But I am also learning that doing it is a great way to move forward in life and get closures or breakthroughs.
Expressing ourselves as authentically as possible, ensures that misunderstandings, distances, and differences do not mar relationships or allow grudges to set in. So often, bottling up our feelings and not expressing them the right way makes us lose important connections and partnerships. Most of the time, we do not express ourselves for fear of getting hurt, laughed at, or ignored.
Although I admit that balanced communication is a skill which needs to be learnt, saying what you are feeling without throwing a fit or feeling embarrassed can save many situations. Expressing feelings requires a level of vulnerability and a lowering of one’s guard which is unfamiliar territory for most of us.
I remember, once, a disciple raised a question to my guru about feeling hurt by someone’s attitude. My guru asked him how he had
towards him and stopped talking to him.” To this, my guru replied, “If you have felt hurt, you must convey to him that you have felt hurt.”
This brought to light my own issues regarding vulnerability. If ever I got hurt by someone, I would try my best not to show it as it would mean that they had power over me. Rather, I would often retaliate with hurtful words in order to get even or make them feel what I was feeling. I also had difficulty apologising if I found that my words had cut up someone. But I never expressed that I had felt hurt by the other’s caustic, angry, or sarcastic comments. Or if I liked someone, I would try my best not to show it and wait for them to take the risk of opening up to me first.
But as my spiritual work progressed, I realised that life was meant to be lived simply for us to be able to enjoy it in all its aspects. I realised that my heart and my inner voice spoke a language which was alien to my mind, which was always on the defensive. If something was left unsaid or unexpressed, heaviness would besiege my heart and drown me in sorrow and regret. Sadness would become my dominant emotion, and I would wonder how to make
to me. Slowly, I realised that my job was to express the feeling in my heart in all its simplicity and naturalness. For it was the lodged energy of unexpressed emotion which was suffocating me, as I was not letting it flow. How the other person reacted or responded, simply did not fall into its scheme of things. I began to drum up courage and get over my fear of rebuff, insult, or rejection as I allowed my feelings to flow.
I often do not get a positive response from people when I open up to them. But this does not spoil my happiness of having said what was so important to me. My heart starts coming back to its buoyed state as I did what was important for my emotional health. However, in many cases, I have also seen that letting go of my ego has had some people rush back to me with greater warmth after I apologised or expressed that I have felt hurt by their words. It feels good to know that you are playing your part well on the stage of life. How others respond is totally their choice, and I have no problem with it.
Editor of Life Positive, Shivi Verma is a devotee who found all her answers in loving God passionately.
We welcome your comments and suggestions on this article. Mail us at [email protected]
Journey 119


YOUR STORY
120 LifePositive | SEPTEMBER 2020


Lalit Modi narrates an amusing account of the events leading up to his marriage, which was blessed by none other than the Divine Mother from Pondicherry
O urs was an arranged marriage, arranged by our families, arranged by the society, and prearranged by the Divine. I went ‘bride hunting’ from Pondicherry to Porbandar, with stopovers at Chennai, Bombay, Ahmedabad and Rajkot. I finally descended on Kirti’s house like a head hunter from Borneo. Kith and kin arranged the
meet.
All eyes on the bridegroom
I sat on a sofa which was a shade too low for my six-foot height. I almost felt that I was sitting on the floor with folded legs! With one glance, I observed that the family was honourable, cultured, disciplined, hospitable, and conservative. The head of the family was the oak-like grandpa, a strongly built six- footer with a Gandhi topi adorning his head. Beside him sat Kirti’s puny little grandma, hyperactive and enthusiastic. Kirti, the coy and compact bride-to-be, sat beside the protective grandma, her vocal ally. The gentle parents and her colourful aunts with heads covered with their psychedelic saris, and the obese middle-aged uncles of various sizes and shapes, arrayed around me as in a battlefield. All the elders looked serious and curious like a jury but were infallibly polite. More than half a dozen tiny tots sat before me, gaping at me as if I were from a zoo.
On that day, I gathered a large share of inquisitive eyeballs from all sides. But the most
powerful ones were the searchlight-like ones of her brother Raju. I felt nervous and shook like an autumn leaf. He opened the proceedings of the summit by asking me where I was from. When I offered that I was from Pondicherry, most of the assemblage betrayed disoriented expressions. A smart kid got up and ran into a nearby room and came back in a jiffy with an atlas. Many heads pored over the map to locate Pondicherry. Another child pointing out to Cherrapunji in Meghalaya declared that he had learnt in Geography that it was a hilly region having rainfall throughout the year. Calmly and patiently, I pointed to the southern peninsula and showed them Pondicherry’s location.
Big brother is apprehensive
The bespectacled brother looked hard at me as though I was an alien from Mars. It seemed his spectacles would crack any minute. But behind the tough look, there appeared to be a deep concern accompanied by deeper furrows on his forehead. Breaking traditions, the brother did not allow his sister to carry the traditional tray of tea and cookies for this ‘prospective bridegroom’ and his entourage. Instead, he did the honours himself. Like a courageous knight in shining armour, I accepted the cup of tea from him with the comment: “Raju, you seem to be an all-rounder like Kapil Dev,” to break the ice. The wisecrack did not amuse Raju. I noticed that all the while, he was trying to assess this ‘stranger’ in his confused mind.
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Grandma’s goal-keeping
After exchanging pleasantries, I directed a few questions at the demure Kirti. Her grandma answered these queries with clarity, and I wondered who I was going to marry! The rest of the family gently asked grandma to allow Kirti to respond, but the ancient septuagenarian did not yield and protected Kirti from the barrage of enquiries like a goalie protecting the goal post. To the granny, her every answer seemed like a goal saved, and the delight and glee elicited with every ‘save’ was palpable. In the meantime, Raju took a seat five feet away from me like a centre forward attempting a penalty stroke and trying to place me in proper perspective, sweat running down his brow and jowls. Everybody threw names of common friends and relatives around like a football. An extensive discussion and dissection about our family trees took place thereafter. In the meantime, when somebody offered the popular paan-beeda (betel leaf) and the traditional betel nut powder, I declined. This seemed to impress the grandfather. In due course, the grandpa threw the million-dollar ‘what is your occupation’ question at me. To that, I replied casually that I was a chartered accountant and had started practice about six months ago in a 10’ x 10’ room. I briefed him that apart from my qualification, my freehold assets comprised a table and three chairs shifted from home to my new office. I told him I had very few accounting assignments and a future to carve out and look forward to, nothing more, nothing less.
Grandpa approves
The grandpa seemed surprised and impressed by my honesty, but Raju remained unconvinced and shattered. He could not place this Clint Eastwood from Pondicherry either
under the category of the good, or the bad, or the ugly! How could he, after learning that I was a novice in my profession, give his sister’s hand in marriage to an alien-like me from the south and of whose character he knew nothing? Mentally, it was an emphatic ‘no’ from him. For a gentle girl like his sister who had grown up on a diet of Chandamama (magazine), Enid Blyton, and Ramayana, a probable diet of Alfred Hitchcock, Perry Mason, and Jeffrey Archer would not match, he presumed.
The match is made
I left with my small entourage after a great brunch, and immediately Kirti’s family went into a huddle to decide the destiny of their loved one. Raju expressed his reservations while his parents and assembled relatives had nothing negative to share and left the decision to the wisdom and maturity of the seasoned grandpa. Without obtaining Kirti’s opinion, the vintage senior exercised his discretion and voted for the espousal. A day later, when I conveyed my assent, he was overjoyed. He explained to Raju that he should appreciate my frankness and honesty and affirmed that one day, I would prove my worth and mettle in life. He firmly believed that I was the right counterpart for his granddaughter. Not that the rest, including Raju, were unhappy. Raju apprehended that none knew much about me and that the daughter of the house had to go nearly 2000 km away down south, that too with a ‘toddler’ who had just taken the first step towards his career. Raju was aghast that the other members of the family did not share his concern despite his host of reasons.
Raju’s loses rhythm
Marriage was celebrated within two weeks, and
122 LifePositive | SEPTEMBER 2020


Your story 123


by the middle of the third week, my parents, siblings, Kirti, and I left for Pondicherry. Raju was tense, worried, and nervous. His stress, despair, and anguish reached a vertigo level. As soon as our family reached Pondicherry, he called up his sister to find out if everything was okay. His sister assured him that all was fine. But that did not give him much solace. He knew his affectionate sister would never complain even if she were not happy in her new home. He lost sleep and would often get up in the middle of the night with a sweaty brow and a galloping heart. He, however, saw a silver lining in his proposed visit to Pondicherry for the marriage reception slated ten days later. At least he could assess the position of Kirti’s extended family personally. He began counting the restless days ahead, before the countdown, constantly lost in thought. When the rhythm of our thoughts is lost, it reflects in our actions; this, in turn, throws off the very rhythm of life. Raju’s rhythm of thought and life went for a toss!
A few days before his journey to Pondicherry, the beleaguered Raju went to bed with a heavy heart. He was worried and concerned about his sister’s situation, living in an alien land with unknown people. That night, he saw an elderly lady in his dream. She held her hand up in blessing, as if consoling him and saying, “Don’t worry, I am there.” He got up abruptly, hearing some gentle scraping against the window and wondering what was happening. It was 5.00 a.m., and being summer, the soft light of dawn had already made inroads into his room through the window. He moved towards the scratching sound from outside the half-closed window of his room. Arming himself with his spectacles, he peeped out of the opening
When the rhythm of our thoughts is lost, it reflects in our actions; this, in turn, throws off the very rhythm of life.
to survey the source of the gentle sound of scraping. Outside, he saw the bougainvillea plant gently swaying in the breeze and softly caressing the window. Neither the appearance of the kindly old lady in his dream nor the bougainvillea’s ‘ballet’ made any sense to him. Once again, he got engulfed by the anxiety about his sister’s circumstances and went for a walk. A band played solemn music in his mind’s ears, while gloom covered his eyes. On the way, he whispered a teeny-weeny prayer and took consolation from the fact that he would be in Pondicherry in a week to appraise the situation.
A sigh of relief
48 hours of a combination of bus, train, and taxi journey finally brought Raju and his parents to Pondicherry. Noticing his sister’s gentle demeanour with the familiar sweet smile and twinkling eyes, the typical Gujju
124 LifePositive | SEPTEMBER 2020


The Supreme Mother of Sri Aurobindo Ashram appeared in Raju’s dream
(Gujarati) atmosphere of the household, and the way she mingled with her adopted family, Raju’s strong confrontational opinions and apprehensions evaporated. He could never imagine that Kirti could kick start her marital life so gracefully and be such a gracious hostess. Sighing in relief, bidding farewell to his frown, he disarmed himself and inwardly felt a wee bit apologetic too. He looked at his parents with a satisfied smile. They acknowledged his conclusion with knowing looks. Sitting in the living room and stretching his tired muscles, Raju’s eyes fell on the photograph of an elderly lady hanging on the wall. Instantly and spontaneously, he sprang out of the sofa. Going close to the photograph and after scrutinising the picture intensely, he became ecstatic and charged with emotional voltage. Turning around, he asked me who the lady in
the photograph was. The high decibel of his voice surprised me, but patiently I explained to Raju that she was the Divine Mother of Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Like Sai Baba of Shirdi, Meerabai, Ramana Maharshi, Mahaprabhuji, and other sages and gurus, she left an indelible mark in the world of spirituality. She was a spiritual master and people thronged Pondicherry to visit the Ashram to find solace and strength. I explained to Raju about her divinity and that many people regarded her as an incarnation of the goddesses of the Hindu pantheon and possessed mystic powers. She did not profess or advocate any religion but was an apostle and crusader of spirituality. Spirituality, according to her, was the core of all religions. Devotees meditated upon her and experienced Divine Presence. Since her grace was infinite and presence eternal, everybody addresses her as the Supreme Mother.
Divine intervention
All this, I said in one breath. Raju was by then shaking like jelly and practically in tears. “What happened, Raju,” enquired Kirti with deep concern. All that Raju could do was exclaim, marvel, and wonder. Slowly, he walked towards me, sat down beside me and expressed his desire to confess something. Slightly perturbed, I asked Raju to calm down and allow his feelings to flow without fear or inhibitions. Ecstatic Raju spoke about his apprehensions of marrying off Kirti to an unknown individual like me and that too in an unfamiliar place. He spoke about the old lady in his dream and the scraping of the bougainvillea that woke him up. He then concluded that the noble lady who came and consoled him in his dream had the same likeness of the Divine Mother in the photograph. “I am sorry I felt uneasy about your marriage to Kirti, but this divine
Your story 125


intervention has shown me my place and proved me wrong,” he conceded. “Don’t worry, Raju. Your predicament and anxiety about your sister were justified, and I too would have felt the same way if I were in your shoes. You are lucky to have darshan (holy vision) of the Divine Mother in your dreams, and it only shows the purity of your heart and soul. Further, do you know that the sound of the bougainvillea scraping gently against your window was an even bigger mystic signal of the Divine? The Mother had, by establishing an inner contact with each flower, given spiritual significance and meaning to every flower. According to her, the bougainvillea is a personification and representation of protection, and the scraping of the bougainvillea against your window was a clear signal that your sister was under Her care and protection,” I clarified.
All’s well that ends well
The Divine conclusion of the episode overwhelmed Raju. He withdrew into a meditative stillness and felt himself enveloped with Divine love, so sublime, so soothing, and so concrete. He thanked the Divine for the protective care conferred on his sister. He left for Porbandar a day later, fully satisfied with the environment and grace in which his sister was basking. His grandpa’s words keep ringing in his ears even today as he finds me doing well
The bougainvillea is
a personification and representation of protection, and the scraping of the bougainvillea against Raju’s window was a clear signal that his sister was under the Supreme mother’s care and protection
in my profession and seeing his sister happy with her better half and well settled with her extended family. I too am grateful to Kirti’s family for having permitted her to move to Pondicherry. She too did not resist their decision. Today, most girls want to marry boys from their area or state and are reluctant to be too far away from their parents. Boys too prefer to marry girls who don’t live far away. Finally, I thank the Lord for this fairy-tale ending.
We welcome your comments and suggestions on this article. Mail us at [email protected]
126 LifePositive | SEPTEMBER 2020


SPIRIT
T he broader and more a moment that this theory was cannot be a viewpoint bigger than
The bigger your viewpoint, the more likely it is to be true, says Suma Varughese
inclusive your perspective,
the more likely it is to be true. Anything narrow, rigid, exclusivist, and fundamentalist is a creation of the ego. And it can never be true. For instance, any conviction that your philosophy or religion is the only true one and everything else is false is simply born out of the ego’s need for superiority. It is also compounded by profound ignorance. Those who believe in the superiority of their faith almost always know nothing about the others.
Through my decades in Life Positive, the one constant that always cropped up while meeting members of any spiritual organisation was their conviction that their organisation/guru/ philosophy was the best. I would inquire what they knew about other organisations, and they would then admit that they did not know much about them.
not true, the sheer beauty of the thought should make us all its ardent votaries. It instantly transforms our concept of ourselves and our world. Imagine it. We are divine. And not just you or me, but everything, even the humblest blade of grass. And what is more, we are all connected. We are not fragments rattling around in an alienated Universe. We are part of one wondrous Whole. And that Whole is God, the First Source, the Creator.
What I love about this philosophy is its absoluteness. It includes everything and everyone, leaving not even a mote of dust outside its fold. When you think of all the suffering caused by mankind’s needtobesuperiortoothers,you will see how beautiful it is.
Secondly, the thought that everything around us, including the lowliest pebble, is part of God, infuses the whole world with sacredness. Everything is worthy of worship. Everything, even a mosquito, is a manifestation of God. How radically our world changes when we embrace this view. When you think deeply about this and it becomes clothed in truth for you, you will not be able to look indifferently at anything or disregard it. Everyone and everything is God and must be
this.
Why this philosophy has the ring of truth is that all the evidence bears it out. We are recognising that we are intimately connected to every atom in Creation. Scientists have proved that our cells mingle with the stardust of bygone planets. We are recognising that the human is one integrated whole consisting of body, mind, and soul. All three impact each other and there can be no well-being without recognising this. Thus, we are slowly returning to the native therapies of ancient cultures such as ayurveda, unani, acupressure, and acupuncture.
As we move ever closer to the New Earth, this truth will show up more and more. Mankind will recognise its essential kinship, and hopefully, war and conquest will fade out. As the sacredness of life takes greater hold over us, we will safeguard the environment with our very lives if needed. From being predators of this beautiful planet for so long, we will eventually become its guardians. With this truth to show us the way, we cannot go wrong!
Suma Varughese is a thinker, writer, and former Editor-in- Chief of Life Positive. She also holds writer’s workshops. Write to her at sumavarughese@ hotmail.com.
We welcome your comments and suggestions on this article. Mail us at [email protected]
Because of its breadth
and inclusivity, the Vedic
understanding of God and life
takes my vote for the ‘most likely
to be true’ theory. Hundreds of
sages over time have pronounced
with breathtaking conviction that
the Creator and Created are One.
God exists through every atom
of existence, thereby making
all of Creation both divine and
connected. Even assuming for treated accordingly. There truly
Spirit 127


MUDRAS
Abhay Kumar Shah shares a combination of Mudras which can bring a substantial amount of relief to patients of rheumatoid arthritis and help them live a normal life
T here are many ailments for which no cure is available in modern medical science. They only manage the pain and maintain the status quo. Rheumatoid arthritis is one of these incurable diseases.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) symptoms
RA is a chronic disease marked by symptoms of inflammation and pain in the joints. These symptoms and signs occur during periods known as flares or exacerbations. During what is known as periods of remission, the symptoms disappear completely.
While RA symptoms pertain to several organs in the body, the symptoms of the joints include • Joint pain
• Joint swelling
• Joint stiffness
• Loss of joint function and deformities
Symptoms can vary from mild to severe, but it is important to get proper treatment for RA.
If one practises Mudra Therapy religiously, one can reduce the amount of pain-killing drugs and thus their side effects too. As I mentioned in my previous articles, Mudra Therapy works well for auto-immune diseases.
Here are the remedies for RA:
PRANA MUDRA
Formation:
Connect the tips of the ring finger and the little finger to the tip of the thumb. Keep the remaining two fingers comfortably straight.
Do it with both the hands. Place the back of your palms on your knees or thighs.
Practise it for at least 16 minutes, twice or thrice a day.
Bene ts:
Prana Mudra takes good care of the inflammation in the joints. It also increases the fighting ability of the body.
128 LifePositive | SEPTEMBER 2020


SANDHI MUDRA
Formation:
Right Hand: Touch the tip of the ring finger to the tip of the thumb. Keep the other fingers comfortably straight.
Left Hand: Touch the tip of the middle finger to the tip of the thumb. Keep the remaining three fingers comfortably straight.
Place the back of your palms on your knees or thighs. Practise for at least 16 to 30 minutes.
It is important to practice Prana Mudra after Sandhi Mudra for one-third of the time of Sandhi Mudra. (For instance, if Sandhi Mudra is done for 30 minutes, then Prana Mudra should be practised for 10 minutes.)
Bene ts:
This mudra diverts energy to the joints of the body and tries to maintain normality. This is a very effective mudra.
VAYU MUDRA
Arthritis is considered as a vata rog (disease generated by an excess of Vayu) in ayurveda. Vayu Mudra is meant to reduce the vata dosha in the body.
This mudra is known as a natural painkiller also.
Formation:
Touch the tip of the index finger to the root of the thumb. Place the thumb on the back of the folded index finger. Keep the remaining three fingers comfortably straight.
Place the back of your palms on your knees or thighs. Practise for 30 minutes or at least 16 minutes, again followed by Prana Mudra for one-third of the time of Vayu Mudra.
Many sufferers of RA have given me their feedback that this combination of mudras has made a difference in their life. It is bliss for the chronic pain- bearer.
Abhay Kumar Shah is a mechanical engineer, who has learnt Mudra Shastra from experts and established his own method of using this science correctly, and in the modern context. He can be reached at: [email protected]
We welcome your comments and suggestions on this article. Mail us at [email protected]
Mudras 129


SHARING
Gurjas Chahal awakens to the truth that cultivating goodness in oneself can have a positive and transformational effect on others
130 LifePositive | SEPTEMBER 2020


I came across a very nice talk on social Shopkeeper vs customer
media, emphasising the wonderful
quote: “The power to evoke Ravan or Ram in the other person lies within us.” A beautiful thought and a beautiful truth, I thought. This talk received various favourable comments and likes. The interviewer’s story supporting the quote caught my attention. It was fairly long but added the required weight to the quote’s import. He narrated that one day, he chanted the mantra ‘I am love’ throughout the day and went to sleep meditating on this mantra. When he woke up around 2.30 a.m. the next day, the mantra ‘I am love’ came automatically to his lips. And courtesy such thoughts, he had a wonderful day at the office, where he found himself talking to everyone with lots of love. The staff was amazed to see the complete turnaround in him, for he was far different from his erstwhile image of an angry boss.
Our thoughts can change others
The interviewee linked this experience with the quote mentioned above, by explaining that if our thoughts can change ourselves, they surely hold power to change others. By chanting the mantra, ‘I am love,’ the person became love the next day and this brought about a change in his behaviour towards others and vis-à-vis their perception of him.
On being enlightened by the above positive talk, I felt very good and woke myself to the experiences which come our way because of our thoughts. I experienced that a person can evoke either Ravan or Ram, that is evil or good, in the other person by one’s words.
One early morning, while buying bread and butter from a grocer, I found him irritated to the hilt. A woman came to him with a five- hundred-rupee note to buy stuff worth about ten rupees. The shopkeeper said he didn’t have change for the big note. She asked him to keep the entire money and lend her only eighty rupees so she could buy milk from the nearby Mother Dairy booth. He lent her eighty rupees. After a while, she returned to demand the balance money as she needed it at home for some urgent work. The shopkeeper argued back saying he did not have the change. The woman shouted loudly as if she was in a mood to let the passers-by know that the shopkeeper was wrongful in not parting with the change and was doing some kind of a crime by not letting an old woman have the much-needed money. Annoyed and cheated, the shopkeeper gave in, thinking of the impending nuisance which the woman’s loud screams could attract. He gave her the balance amount of four hundred and twenty rupees and got the woman off his back.
Just then, another customer came with a big note of five hundred rupees, asking for titbits which were not worth more than fifty rupees. The shopkeeper, already hot from the argument with the old woman, refused the new customer bluntly murmuring he did not have any change.
Friendly advice
When the shop was empty of any customer and he was alone, he confided in me that people are very clever. The woman who made him give
Sharing 131


her the change for five hundred rupees was a crooked person who often used such trickery for getting the change. The shopkeeper was full of poison for the woman and was in the mood of venting all his frustration on me. However, courtesy my constitution, I do not react to any wily talk against anyone, however right the cribber might be. So I heard him patiently without saying anything. When he was over and cooled down a bit, I smiled and gave him a suggestion which eased the tension off his brow: “Perhaps, every morning, you could sit at the counter with a big casket of loose currency notes,” I said, making a gesture of widely placed cupped hands before him to suggest the size of the casket. This would ensure that no customer went without buying the wares just for want of change. A relieving smile immediately visited his countenance. It looked as if he had let go of whatever bad was going on his mind. I added, “Follow my advice so that you can liberally oblige at least the first ten of your morning customers.”
Shopkeeper ‘pays’ back
After making my purchases, I gave him money so he could deduct the price. He looked at me with surprise. How much did you give me,
I experienced that a person can evoke either Ravan or Ram, that is evil or good, in the other person by one’s words.
he asked. I checked my wallet and said one hundred rupees. He returned me one crisp hundred-rupee note and said, “You gave me two hundred-rupee notes” and then added a wonderful piece of trade advice: “Sister, whenever you make any payment, always open the note, straighten it, and then give. This way, you will never give more money than required due to an oversight.”
We welcome your comments and suggestions on this article. Mail us at [email protected]
132 LifePositive | SEPTEMBER 2020


Heal with Earth’s frequencies
POSITIVE FOCUS
There has been a significant rise in chronic diseases over the past few decades due to our modern lifestyle choices. Most of these diseases are directly linked to increased stress levels, unhealthy food habits, lowered immunity, and odd hours of sleep. In India, the rising level of air, land, water and sound pollution, coupled with harmful electromagnetic waves from communication towers has taken an unprecedented toll on our collective health. Yoga, meditation, ayurveda, eating organic foods are some of the healthy practices that can help people to cope with lifestyle diseases. One such practice is the use of Pulse Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy.
PEMF therapy is a non-invasive treatment that works by emitting a pulsating electromagnetic field with varying intensity and frequency to heal a variety of ailments. PEMF therapy is approved by US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for healing non-union fractures, delayed union fractures, spinal fusions and providing relief from pain and even depression. PEMF devices work at a cellular level. Using PEMF daily is like giving your cells a bath after working in a dirty environment.
Earth’s healing touch
Humans need to be in sync with nature to sustain themselves. Various researches undertaken by prominent scientists and reputed institutions like NASA have scientifically proven that humans cannot survive if they do not get adequate exposure to earth’s natural magnetic and electromagnetic frequencies.
Soviet Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin suffered from depression, decreased metabolism, impaired perception, bone loss and muscle degeneration after his voyage from the outer space that lasted for one hour and 48 minutes. It was found out that lack of PEMF was one of the factors responsible for this condition.
PEMF devices create a magnetic field consistent with the Earth’s natural frequencies. This restores restricted ion flow and stimulates the body’s regeneration process. Hence, NASA, now equips their space capsules with devices that use electromagnetic fields to counteract bone density loss and muscular degeneration in astronauts who are on prolonged space missions.
Need of the hour
With the growing prevalence of wireless technology in our daily lives we are exposed to harmful electromagnetic radiation at an increasingly alarming rate and it will only get worse with the coming up of smart cities, smart homes, smart devices, more powerful cell phones, GPS devices et al. Numerous studies prove that exposure to the radiation emitted by these devices can cause serious psychological and physiological damage, some as serious as cancer. Dr Olle Johansson, professor at the renowned Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, has provided evidence suggesting that exposure to EMFs, which are created by electronic devices, has long-term cumulative effects that go as far as changing our very DNA.
Benefits of PEMF
Although there have been countless cases where patients have benefited from PEMF therapy for various conditions, the most recognised benefits of PEMF devices are pain relief, increased circulation, reduced inflammation, improved sleep, keeping your bones healthy and strong.
PEMF therapy has become very popular in Europe, Japan and now in the US owing to these devices. Nuage Health Devices has partnered with European and US manufacturers to supply high quality and drug free, natural healthcare products at affordable prices.
Positive Focus 133


When I was a child, I never knew what I wanted to become in life when I grew up. I just knew that I was not cut out for ordinary things; I was not meant to lead a normal life. Now, what did that mean? Well, I myself wasn’t aware of what it really meant.
Since childhood, I have always been very fond of watching movies. I would connect deeply with the story and the characters. Every time I watched a movie, the protagonist would inspire me so much that I would think “This is what I want to be when I grow up.” I always lived in a world of fantasy where I envisioned myself as a cop, a lawyer, a detective, a patriot, a
dancer, a leader, a doctor, and so on. My career hence shaped out to be very interesting and versatile. I have been an SAP consultant to an event manager, a research analyst to an IELTS trainer, a store manager with Fabindia, head of admin and HR, a director of landscaping, and now, a spiritual healing practitioner and instructor, as well as an actor and dancer. Life has been a journey of self-discovery for me.
Being in this field of energy healing and witnessing a transformation in my life as well as other people’s lives, I realised one thing: We all have certain wounds and past experiences which we carry with us, and the
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wounds need expression. Everything needs expression. Whatever is within us will find a way of expressing and manifesting itself in our body and in our life. Suppressed emotions find expression in the form of some physical diseases or disorders. The best way to heal the self is to express. Every thought generates some emotion which we feel in our body. If that feeling doesn’t get an outlet through expression, then the emotion will take shape and form in our physical body and our world, impacting our relationships and finances as well.
Last year, I met a boy who had throat cancer. His dream was to become an actor. When he got the opportunity to act in plays, he fulfilled his dream, and that gave him so much joy that his cancer was gone! Yes, it’s true. Isn’t this a miracle? How was this possible? He just found a way through acting to vent out his suppressed emotions which he was holding onto for many years. He went through a catharsis and realisation dawned. This incident made me ponder over it.
I started with different ventures in theatre, and it was during these COVID times that I had the opportunity to do online plays and join some acting workshops. My throat chakra opened, and I could clearly see the change within me. And this led me to do more research on this subject. Acting is itself a therapy. I started combining acting with healing the self.
Act Therapy is all about expressing in a loving manner. Being authentic or true to yourself and being sensitive are both equally important. At times, we don’t know how to say no to people, as we feel the need to please them. This comes from not being compassionate towards yourself and not being able to speak your truth. Act Therapy helps you to be that energy and space. It helps you to get in touch with your subconscious mind and memories, and at the same time, it teaches you to be present in the here and now. We learn to be emotionally present. Also, we learn to heal our inner child, if the child has had an abusive and traumatic childhood. It gives you a different perspective on your challenges.
Life is a play, and we all are enacting our multifaceted roles, which keep changing. The question is “Who is the scriptwriter, director, and producer of this play called life?” Will you say it’s the Creator? Or is it you? Who created this? Well, this is an interesting debate. Some people believe that we don’t have the power to create because that’s the power and job of the Creator. We are merely puppets, and the story has already been written and we are just living that. Whereas some people believe that we have created this and so we can change it. I believe the latter is true. This is because the same creative force energy is present within each one of us. How to tap into that energy of the Creator and channel it into our bodies? Learn Act Therapy and heal your past; heal yourself. Discover yourself, and know who you truly are.
For details contact: 9031045900/7004100257 or inbox your query on [email protected]
Positive Focus 135


BANYAN TREE
TEACHING STORY
CAT-ASTROPHE!
Two cats were walking on a narrow path towards each other. When they came face to face, no one was willing to let the other pass first. They just stood there, screaming at each other.
INSPIRATION
FIREFLIES
I touch God in my song
As the hill touches the far-away sea With its waterfall.
The butterfly counts not months but moments, And has time enough.
Let my love, like sunlight, surround you And give you illumined freedom.
Love remains a secret even when spoken, For only a lover truly knows that he is loved.
Emancipation from the bondage of the soil Is no freedom for the tree.
In love, I pay my endless debt to thee For what thou art.
~Rabindranath Tagore
ONE-MINUTE WISDOM
BE TRUE
Be confused; it's when you begin to learn new things.
Be broken; it's where you begin to heal.
Be frustrated; it's where you start making more authentic decisions.
Be sad; because if we are brave enough, we can hear our heart’s wisdom through it.
Be wherever you are right now. No more hiding. You are worthy. Always.
~S C Louise
“You let me pass first,” said one cat.
“No! I was here first,” said the other.
“No, I must be first, because I am bigger.”
“No, I must be first, because I am more beautiful.” “No, I am wiser than you, and you must, therefore, respect me.”
“I am stronger.”
After a while, the screams turned into a fight. The cats started fighting, scratching, and biting each other. A little while later, a wiser cat arrived at the scene. He looked at them and started to laugh. Seeing him laugh, the two cats asked, “Why are you laughing?”
“I am laughing at your behaviour. Why are you fighting? Don't you have anything better to do?”
“It is a matter of honour and power,” the two cats said.
“Someone who is really strong and self-confident doesn’t feel the need to show this to others.
They feel good about themself, and others feel their strength, and respect them with love, not fear. Is it really important who passes first? Is it worthwhile to have all these scratches and bites? You are wasting your time, energy, and health on nonsense.”
The two cats were bewildered and didn't know what to say.
~Remez Sasson
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THIS, I KNOW
STEPHEN RICHARDS
• You are essentially who you create yourself to be, and all that occurs in your life is the result of your own making.
• When you connect to the silence within you, that is when you can make sense of the disturbance going on around you.
• No matter whether you believe in luck or chance, the final decision is from yourself.
• The moment you become friends with your inner Self, you realise that the failures or hindrances that you met earlier were caused more by your disconnected status with your inner Being.
• Don't live to be judged for what you haven't done. Live to be judged for what you have done.
• Stop comparing yourself with others. If they are good at something, you too are good at something else. Self-confidence is not measured by your own capabilities versus that of others but by your own needs.
• When we lose our spiritual child, then that is when we have grown old.
• The tragedy is that what you disapprove of in others is the very thing you disapprove of in yourself.
• Whatever it takes to find the real you, don't be daunted if the rest of the world looks on in shock.
QUOTE
Comparison is an act of violence against the self.
~Iyanla Vanzant
JUST FOR LAUGHS
PRAYERS TAKE YOU TO HEAVEN
A kayak instructor and a priest are sitting at the gates of heaven. An angel says to them, “Sorry, but there is only room for one more person in heaven.” He then leaves to go consult with the other angels. The priest says, “It’s obviously going to be me because I’m the most spiritual.” The angel then returns and says that the kayak instructor is going to go in. The priest, who is now very confused, asks why. The angel replies, “Well, whenever people came to your meetings, they would go to sleep. Whenever people would go kayaking with the instructor, they would be praying.”
Banyan Tree
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Lalit N. Modi
A chartered accountant by profession; and a writer
and motivational speaker
by passion, Lalit Modi is spiritually inclined towards the philosophy of Sri Aurobindo and Lord Krishna and is also the trustee of a few NGOs.
Prof AVR Rao
Prof AVR Rao is a former company executive who has worked with various multi- national companies for over four decades. He holds double masters degree in philosophy and business economics respectively, and is also a teacher and freelance writer.
Jamuna Rangachari
Former assistant editor of Life Positive, Jamuna Rangachari has authored two books for children, and compiled and interpreted Teaching Stories-I and II for Life Positive.
Gurjas Kaur Chahal
Gurjas Kaur Chahal is a voracious reader and a writer by hobby. She enjoys reading the works of renowned authors, children’s books, fables, scriptures and non-fiction. Her other interests are travelling, playing guitar and keeping fit
Dr Suresh Duggal
Dr Suresh Duggal is a scientist by profession, a reiki master, and a qigong teacher with many years of experience in nutrition, foot reflexology, acupressure, Bach flower remedies, massage techniques, primary awareness, and panchakarma courses in ayurveda.
Naini Setalvad
Naini Setalvad is a nutritionist, specialising
in lifestyle and immunity disorders. Her foundation, Health For You, throws light on healthy food habits.
138 LifePositive | SEPTEMBER 2020