Life Positive August 2021

ENERGYINNERVIEW
RULES
THE

WORLD

Innerview 51

Rishidev Narendraji helps spiritual seekers identify the root cause of
their sufferings—physical, mental, and emotional—and heals them

holistically with missionary zeal. In this interview with Pradeep
Krishnan, he elaborates on his methods culled from Vedic wisdom.

R ishidev Narendraji—the founder of and meditation, which are deeply rooted in
Shakthiveda Wellness Mission (SWM), the ancient scriptures. “These paths directly
a spiritual centre based in Bengaluru— correlate with the perfect functioning of the
is a family man, living with his wife and two human body on biological, spiritual, and auric
children. His life proves that one doesn’t levels, enabling the individual to achieve the
have to renounce the world to attain spiritual required energy, balancing, and healing to
realisation. He repeatedly stresses that one attain the ultimate spiritual goal,” he added.
has to grow spiritually within the established In all the activities of SWM, he is ably assisted
societal and family life. by Mataji Dr Sripriya, his principal disciple.

Born as Narendran Madhavan on January Excerpts from the exclusive online interview
16, 1950, to Professor Madhava Sastri and with Pradeep Krishnan:
Bhavaniamma in Kerala, he grew up in an
orthodox spiritual family. After completing Q. Guruji, please tell us about your spiritual
mechanical engineering, travelling all over journey. What prompted you to take this
India, he had passionately practised clinical path?
magnetology, treating hundreds of patients. My late father, a Sanskrit and Malayalam
Ultimately, explorations beyond the physical scholar, introduced me to religious texts and
realm led him to discover the causes of human spirituality. Interestingly, my father’s late
suffering as well as their remedies. brothers, Brahmasri Brahmananda Swamigal
and Brahmasree Prasanthanantha Swamigal
After years of research, he established the respectively became Madathipathies (chiefs) of
centre in April 2006 to provide remedies for Sri Narayana Ashram, Sivagiri, Varkala, and
the root cause of suffering—physical, mental, Sri Ramakrishna Ashram, Trichur.
and emotional—through the unique method
of healing called ‘Shakthiveda.’ Rishidev Though a mechanical engineer, I have been
says that the foundation for a peaceful and practising clinical magnetology, treating
harmonious life rests on the four pillars patients using low-frequency electromagnetic
of health, wealth, family harmony, and energy, exercises, diet control, and meditation.
interpersonal relationships. “If these supports My travels all over India to treat patients
are strong, one can lead a life of contentment prompted me to dwell deep into the root
resulting in physical, mental, emotional, and causes of human problems and to realise the
spiritual well-being and progress,” he argues. relationship between karmic bondages vis-
à-vis sufferings, which ultimately led me to
To strengthen these columns, he advocates spirituality.
performing fire rituals, chanting mantras,

52 LifePositive | AUGUST 2021

Q. Who is your guru? atmosphere within and outside the body. This
I do not have a physical guru. Rather, I have is the root cause of all suffering.
been initiated and directed in the subtle level
by Lord Shiva, and I work under His direction. The only solution is to change disharmonic
vibrations into harmonic vibrations.
Q. Can you please explain your core technique For this, I have developed energy-based
of Shakthiveda? pragmatic spiritual solutions to transform the
Shakthiveda is based on the theory that disharmonic beings into harmonic beings who
energy rules the world. Everything is created, can resonate with the Universe. The methods
maintained, and rectified by energy. We are include the chanting of mantras, meditation,
not just human beings; we are electrical beings yoga, and fire rituals. This brings peace within
too. We are experiencing the world around us and we experience calmness. In that state of
through our sense organs. The emotions which calmness, one can realise the Self and lead a
we feel are converted into electrical impulses coherent life in tune with the Universe.
by the sense organs. This is processed and
interpreted by our brain. Sense organs work as Q. It is often alleged that spirituality makes
transducers. a person dull, lazy, and lethargic, and such a
person can never succeed in life?
In a second, when we inhale, we lose three When one experiences himself, he cannot
million red blood cells, and in the next second, remain dull, lazy, and lethargic. He gets
the same number is replaced. In a second, over clarity about his purpose in life, which
100,000 chemical reactions take place in each brings dynamism and courage not only to the
cell of our body. We have 70 to 100 trillion cells! individual but to the whole society. Spiritual
Scientists have found that communication realisation makes one cheerful, calm, loving,
between cells travels faster than the speed of creative, and empathic within. Now let us
light. This phenomenal function of the human look into the factors which maintain wellness.
body depends on the electrical energy produced Nutritious food, water, sunlight, air, sleep,
by the cells of the body. hygiene, a positive attitude, relaxation, and
maintaining calmness is enough to enjoy a
Everything in nature is made up of matter. disease-free life.
Energy is the property of matter, and this
stored or potential energy has the ability to There are energies constantly working to
make things happen. Energy is inherent in maintain the shape of the body and organs and
all matter. Whatever happens in nature, in protect the body against any kind of invading
the whole universe, is nothing but energy microorganisms. This energy is referred to as
conversions. immune responses.

Since we have changed our natural harmonic What exactly are the causes of human suffering:
vibrations into disharmonic vibrations, we physical, mental, and emotional? How can one
don’t realise the truth that we are part of this get rid of miseries of different kinds?
dynamic universe. This lack of understanding
is mainly because of the stressful environment The causes of human suffering are related
inside and outside the house, the toxic to health, wealth, and relationships. The

Innerview 53

basic causes of various physical, mental, breakfast. For lunch and dinner, include a
and emotional problems are due to the toxic generous bowl of salad, and take dinner before
material present in one’s system; the cells and sunset. Do breathing exercises like pranayama
molecules are constantly torn apart and rebuilt and drink 2–3 litres of warm water every day.
from the food that we eat. Intermittently, all the
cells, molecules, organs, and even the physical Q. Our prarabdha karma (karma to be worked
body is completely replaced. But the destroyed out in the present life) affects our life. Can
cells and proteins are quickly reproduced one get rid of its impact?
without the toxins being removed from the Karma theory has a major role to play in the
blood. This happens due to the faulty lifestyle life of an individual. It is the collection of the
and unhealthy eating habits which accumulate effect and impact of all your actions of the past
toxins in the system, causing various diseases which are ready to be experienced. The impact
depending on the quantity of the toxins. The of bad actions will be experienced as miseries,
remedy is Sakthiveda which prescribes the and good actions will be experienced as luck.
chanting of mantras, fire rituals, meditation, The bad effect can be reduced by chanting
etc. mantras, meditations, and fire rituals. The
areas where prarabdha karma can damage are
Q. What are the lifestyle changes that you health, wealth, and interpersonal harmony in
advocate to maintain physical fitness? the house.
Avoid alcohol, drugs, and animal products,
including dairy. Make it a point to have 2–3 Though one cannot completely overcome the
servings of fruit as one meal, preferably for effects of prarabdha karma, one can overcome

Rishidev Narendradevji in deep meditation
54 LifePositive | AUGUST 2021

Do not wait for change. The world will
change only when you change yourself

suffering by contributing positively to society, made out of it will also be adversely affected.
helping fellow human beings, not harming the So, it is mandatory that the five elements
environment, not hurting others, abiding in should be maintained as pure as possible. But
Dharma, and living in the present. due to the greed of human beings, everything
is contaminated. The Mahayagyas help nature
Q. Your redefining procedures connected cleanse itself. Homa is a small fire ritual which
with several ancient rituals has been is performed daily for individual benefits.
criticised by many stating that it does not
have the sanction of the scriptures? In the Shakthiveda tradition, we use medicinal
Redefining the rituals was essential due to their herbs for our rituals. Medicine-rich air is
getting contaminated over a long period. In inhaled by the people and all other living
several rituals, especially in Mahayagyas, some beings. The rest will join with the wind
are even offering meat, fish, blood, liquor, etc. and move all over and heal nature. We are
to godly energies! microcosm, and nature, macrocosm. So, what
is good for us is good for nature also.
Everything in the Universe is God’s creation,
and He will not be happy to see animals Q. What were the findings of the scientific
brutally killed for His happiness. Even in study on the effects of Bhaishajya Maha
a temple, if a child has urinated or a drop of Yajna (fire ceremony) held continuously for
blood has fallen in the compound, the priest 81 hours on the outskirts of Bangalore during
will have to close the temple and do the Shudhi 2013 and 2014 under your leadership?
Kriya (purificatory rites). Then can one submit The study was done to assess the impact of
flesh and blood for the deities in a yagya? To the human energy field and also to observe
correct a sinful ritual, no support from any the pollution level in the environment before
scriptures is needed because the scriptures and after. The subjects were participants of
themselves are corrupted. I have corrected the the yagya who were actively involved, as well
rituals in accordance with Shakthi Vaidikam. as onlookers.

Q. How are performing homas, yagyas or The participants were assessed three times with
Mahayagyas (rituals) helpful to mankind? fixed intervals. Measurements were taken for
In ancient India, a yagya was accepted as a part all ten fingertips of the subjects; the patterns of
of everyday life. A yagya can be performed with light emitted from the subjects’ fingertips were
a specific purpose for the benefit of mankind digitally recorded and computer-analysed.
and nature. Our survival and well-being depend Three parameters: area, average intensity,
a lot on ecological relationships. If the energy and entropy, were calculated and statistically
(the raw material) is disturbed, the matter compared between the three measurements.

Innerview 55

You have to grow inside out. None can teach
you, none can make you spiritual. There is no

other teacher but your own soul.

The pollution level was measured using Enviro- In nature, there is a perfectly set proportion for
Tech, a standard environmental testing equipment, everything. Everything in nature is about balance,
to observe the level of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen and in order to maintain balance in nature, all
dioxide, and respirable suspended particulate the natural resources and living creatures are to
matter (RSPM). be maintained in proportion. But as man began to
develop in terms of technology and economy, his
The results were amazing as the observations ego took over, and he began to think of himself as
showed statistically significant positive changes a superior being. He stopped living in accordance
in both years. Among the three parameters, with the laws of nature. He became disharmonious
entropy was maintained constantly at a fixed with nature. He began to develop a notion that
level, while area and average intensity showed every other breed in nature is created for his
statistically significant changes in both years. In benefit.
general, the changes between the first and second
measurements showed greater alterations than Due to population explosion, man has been
between the second and third readings. Forty- destroying natural resources and other species for
three per cent of the reduction in sulphur dioxide his own benefit. So, as man is only a tiny part of the
was observed in the environment. It was concluded Creation, Nature has a duty to balance the entire
that a yajya can be one of the practices to invoke creation in proportion to the natural resources
the potentials of human internal energy, which available. I feel that one should take this pandemic
helps in cleansing the environment of certain as an eye-opener and a wake-up call to become
pollutants. human beings with the quality of humanness.

Q. How do you explain the present COVID-19 Q. Your message to the readers?
pandemic situation? Spirituality without logic, love, care, intuition,
Due to an unhealthy lifestyle and lack of humanness, and facts leads to disaster. In essence, it is about
the toxin levels in our physical body have greatly knowing yourself with the careful examination of
increased. Also, modern communication systems, your thoughts. It is your duty to verify the path of
with their harmful radiations, have weakened the your guru before you decide to join him.
energy level in our body, thus resulting in reduced
immunity.

We welcome your comments and suggestions on this article.
Mail us at [email protected]

56 LifePositive | AUGUST 2021

What are Divine Visions? Divine Visions remembered my mother’s friend to
Yes a person who lives a life of whom I used to go for meditation as
meditation for spiritual elevation decided to leave. He said to the a teenager but why did I remember
experiences what we would call other, “I don’t think I shall stay her? Where was she now? I called
“Divine Visions” i.e. visions related here for another 25 years and he my mother and enquired about
with Divinity. walked away.” her. I got her contact number and
called her.
What can one expect here? Whereas, the other dusted his mat “Could I speak to Mrs Sharma?”
If one is fortunate, visions teach you and laid it more neatly and sat for said I. The person said, “Who is
about God and their ways by giving he knew he had to do so for next it?” I told my name and the phone
you visual lessons. Yes, just like one 25 years but he was sure God will was handed over to someone. That
sees a movie and learns about the come. Did God come? Yes, God did person gave me the address and
material world. Visions appear to come. The saint returned the next the next day I reached there at
those who are in pursuit of knowing day and asked him, “Where is your Andheri, Mumbai. Yes, I had found
God. Since my childhood, from friend?” The man answered, “He my Guru’s abode. A vision led me
the age of 10, I have had several left because 25 years was too long to God. All this had happened
visions and my understanding a period for him.” The saint asked within a few seconds. A vision of
of God became more clear due to “What about you? Why didn’t you a saint; an impulsive intuition to
these vivid visions. These were like leave?” The man replied, “Well make a call; instant contact number
visual lessons. I wish to share a few even if it were 25 years, I felt God given by my mother; me making a
here with those who are in pursuit will come, I don’t mind waiting.” call; address given; next day my
of God, but before I do so, I shall And to his surprise, the saint reaching there; it was my Guru’s
tell you a story. manifested as God before him and abode. I had found God. All in just
told him to continue practice and a few hours of the vision. Dreams
Two men who are in pursuit of God He’ll be around. Yes friends, for all don’t manifest- visions do.
decided to go to the woods and live those who are in pursuit of God, My next vision:- to be continued..
a meditative life and their routine don’t give up! I shall share some
was indeed practicing meditation visions of mine to tell you how God To order books written by GuruMaa
for hours together. One day a finds His way to help us. 9511602400 
saintly person came to woods and
saw them. He asked “What are you Vision#1 : Visions lead you to your Website: www.maakundalini.com
two doing in these woods?” The Masters or Gurus: I remember the Email: [email protected]
men said, “We wish to see God and times in the past when my world
so are trying to meditate.” had come to a standstill and not YOUTUBE: swami radhikanand 
at a very pleasant point. As any
The saint smiled and said,” Good! I desperate person turns to a Holy
too am in search of Him.” book, I too did and yes was trying
to find answers in it to move on in
The men asked the saint, “ Have life but my mind was tired and fell
you seen God?” asleep or went into a state where
visions manifest. A divine figure
The saint said, “Yes but almost who was in mid air moved towards
after 25 years of rigorous practice, my phone (landline) and stood by
God appeared for a second and it until it conveyed a message to me
then vanished.” Saying so, he left. “Make a call.”

The two men were wondering…25 “That was all” just an intuitive
years is a long period. One of the impulse emerged and the figure
two, wrapped up his mat and vanished. Who was I to call.. Yes.. I

MUDRAS

Strengthen your veins with mudras

Abhay Kumar Shah assures us that the practice of Mudra Science can be immensely beneficial for those
suffering from varicose veins

Prithvi Mudra Apan Mudra Hridaya Mudra

V aricosity of the veins is a very common Lipodermatosclerosis is a condition in which fat
problem in almost 23 per cent of the under the skin just above the ankle can become
population. Enlarged, swollen, and hard, and then the skin shrinks. This leads to
twisted veins, particularly of the legs and feet, are spider veins in which retained blood is pushed
common symptoms of this disease. These affected to nearby veins and a web-like formation of
veins eventually turn blue or dark purple. swollen veins occurs. Shiny brownish or bluish
discolouration takes place. Prolongation of this
Varicose veins occur when the valves in the veins condition can result in ulcers, which eventually
do not work properly. bleed. Neglecting this disease is quite unaffordable
health-wise. Apart from the pain, it is cosmetically
The veins have a one-way valve so that the blood unappealing also.
can move only in one direction. For any reason,
if these valves become stretched, less flexible, and Women are more prone to get affected by varicose
weak, they allow blood to leak backwards and flow veins. Female hormones relax the valves in veins
in the opposite direction and can retain the blood and have an adverse effect on their working.
in the veins. The natural exchange of fresh and Women who are pregnant or on birth control pills,
waste blood can’t take place. Retention of blood or over 50 years, are more at risk.
makes the veins enlarged and swollen. Eventually,
the increased pressure can cause twisting of the People who have to stand or sit for long periods are
affected veins. This results in aching legs and vulnerable too.
heavy legs. Even minor injuries in the affected
area may bleed for an abnormally long time. Obesity can also be one of the causes. This disease

58 LifePositive | AUGUST 2021

can be transmitted genetically too. Conditions your palms on your knees or thighs.
which increase the pressure in the abdomen or
pelvic areas, such as constipation and pregnancy, Practise for 16 minutes followed by Hridaya
increase the risk of varicose veins. Mudra for 16 minutes twice or thrice a day.

Regularity in walking, exercising, maintaining a Just like the veins in the heart, veins all over
moderate weight, raising the legs frequently, and the body have one-way valves too. The valves in
avoiding prolonged standing or sitting can prevent the veins of the thighs and calves work in a way
varicose veins. If this condition progresses, it is similar to those in the heart. Apan Vaayu Mudra
difficult to get rid of it. But the good news is that provides benefits for the veins in these lower parts
Mudra Science can remedy it. of the body, just like it does for the heart valves.
Blockages are opened, valves are strengthened,
Prithvi Mudra and cholesterol is reduced.
Touch the tips of the ring finger and the thumb,
keeping the remaining three fingers comfortably Hridaya Mudra
straight. Place the back of your palms on your Hold both the palms facing each other. Fold your
knees or thighs. Practise for 30 minutes twice a middle fingers and touch their backs to each other.
day. Touch the tips of the ring fingers to each other.
Keep the rest of the three fingers apart. Hold this
This mudra has multiple benefits for the gesture in the middle of your chest.
practitioners. It strengthens the structure of the
valves, heals bleeding ulcers, improves digestion, Practise for 16 minutes after Apaan Vaayu Mudra
and regulates weight. twice or thrice a day.

It heals the bleeding ulcers. One of my clients was unable to sit on the floor
Apan Vaayu Mudra because of varicose veins. But after practising
Touch the tip of your index finger to the root of these mudras, she could do so to massage and
the thumb. Touch the tip of the thumb to the tips bathe her grandson. And she is very happy and
of the middle finger and the ring finger. Keep the grateful for it. I hope these mudras will, likewise,
little finger comfortably straight. Place the back of benefit others suffering from this ailment.

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 59

JOURNEY Shivi Verma discriminates between the two
types of thoughts we all get and listening to
Inner thought and outer thought
which one can save us a lot of grief

I often get foxed when I alerts, warnings, or intuitions. chose to dismiss the symptom as
hear the statement that The latter is slightly quieter but acidity until it was too late.
life is uncertain. However, mostly points in a direction that Inner thought is based on
the outer world testifies to the the outer mind is not willing to intuition, while outer thought is
validity of the above observation look at. And the more we listen based on rationality. Often, when
each moment. Externally, to the inner thought and act on it, searching for a misplaced item,
everything seems shaky, unstable, the fewer the chances of us being after having rummaged through
and tumultuous. COVID is stumped by life. the whole house, we choose not
lurking around ready to swoop to search one particular place
down and claim one more of its ‘The wife is the last one to know,’ because, in our minds, it is
unsuspecting victims, financial goes the adage. However, the wife unlikely that the object could
stability is a chimera, and no one becomes the last one to know only be there. Only much later do we
knows what the future holds for because she ignores the red flags, discover that the possession was
them. the obvious signs of infidelity, indeed lying in the corner we had
and the constant neglect by her left unexplored.
Yet, it is difficult for me to believe partner. Paying heed to this inner
that life is uncertain. In all its thought would mean disturbing Inner thought does not let us
crests and troughs, sorrows and the illusion of a stable life one take anything for granted. It does
joys, losses and achievements, I is enjoying. In such cases, when not let us slip into laziness and
have always felt internally held calamity befalls, the outer mind procrastination or weave fanciful
by a strong and stable force which is unable to handle it and falls stories. What it does is it makes
is always there, no matter what into despair. However, if only we us more agile, alert, careful,
the situation. This force keeps had paid attention to the inner and hard-working. We ignore it
guiding me on how to navigate thought, a lot could have been because we do not want to make
a challenge and what steps to salvaged. the effort, face reality, or disturb
take to overcome it. All that I our peace of mind. But if you do
have to do is listen to it and take Similarly, the body gives plenty not want to get disappointed by
concurrent action. of signals before falling critically life, train yourself to catch your
ill, but we like to dismiss them inner thought.
Humans get two kinds of thoughts as minor problems, deliberately
in each situation: the outer ignoring the little voice that says Editor of Life Positive, Shivi
thought and the inner thought. that we need to get thoroughly Verma is a devotee who found
The former is the thought of examined. A case in point is film all her answers in loving God
the mind, which mostly likes to director Raj Kaushal’s recent passionately.
take the easy route, believes in sudden demise. He kept feeling
the best, and does not listen to unwell all through the day but We welcome your comments and suggestions on
this article. Mail us at [email protected]

60 LifePositive | AUGUST 2021

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SPIRIT The capacity to back yourself unconditionally is the
acme of self-esteem, says Suma Varughese
I have my back!

I n my last column, I talked of how comfortable they are being our minds, drinking more than is
about the moment when I themselves. good for us, or greedily finishing
decided, I did not have to up a giant bar of chocolate on
be a paragon; it was enough to be It all emerges from your capacity our own—is that it frees us from
who I was. And how this made all to back yourself unconditionally. conditioning. As someone who
the difference in my capacity to This means you are for you. No has been looped into overeating
embrace resistances. matter what, no matter when. No and other aspects of addictive
questions asked. Backing yourself behaviour, I can testify that the
Today, I would like to explore means being on your side even reason for it is not weakness as
this space of accepting yourself when you are harbouring jealous those who know nothing about it
as you are. As someone who has thoughts of your friend who seems often maintain, but rather, your
felt as starved for self-esteem as to get more likes and comments for tendency to beat yourself up, not
a socialite for company during her Facebook posts than you do. forgiving yourself, distrusting
Covid, I would say this capacity It means accepting even the part yourself, and fearing the object of
seems to me to be the acme of of you that wants to goof off and your desire.
self-esteem. Self-esteem does not read an Agatha Christie when this
mean you have to be perfect. In column cries out to be written. It Embracing your wrong actions
fact, perfection is a mythical term, means accepting, embracing, and cuts through this loop completely.
and those in pursuit of it may as allowing every single thought, You simply move on untainted
well chase a pink elephant. Self- feeling, and physical sensation. It and unmarked, thinking no worse
esteem means to be okay with means walking past a showroom about yourself than you had
not being okay. To embrace your window, seeing your paunch yesterday. Backing yourself gives
imperfection capaciously without outlined in sharp relief, and you permission to dissolve all the
feeling inadequate. accepting both the resistance to it labels that you have imposed on
and the instinctive need to pull in yourself and helps you return to
Self-esteem means that you are your stomach. It means allowing your whole, perfect, and complete
whole, perfect, and complete, your hunched back to be and not nature. It means you are spacious
just exactly as you are. Babies fighting the instinct to straighten enough to accept every aspect and
and toddlers are far from perfect. up. part of you for the rest of your life.
They can be thoroughly cranky,
throw dreadful tantrums, and It means never allowing other So that’s my task for the moment.
cling to their belongings or that of people’s opinions or expectations Backing myself unconditionally
others like Fevicol. Yet, have you of you to enslave you. It means the every moment of the day.
noticed how perfectly comfortable ability to shrug off the burden of
they are within themselves? public opinion and reclaim your Suma Varughese is a thinker,
And how powerful that makes freedom. writer, and former Editor-in-
them? Their gurgles and giggles, Chief of Life Positive. She also
their innocent and magnificent The beauty of this capacity to holds writer’s workshops. Write
capacity to befriend you on sight, embrace what we believe to be to her at sumavarughese@
their ability to smile even when unacceptable—such as judging hotmail.com.
running a fever, are all indications someone, putting them down in
We welcome your comments and suggestions on
this article. Mail us at [email protected]

Spirit 63

BANYAN TREE

TEACHING STORY THIS, I KNOW

SEEING WITH THE INNER EYE NEALE DONALD WALSCH

Once there lived a girl who was always confused as • All human actions are motivated at their
to what to make of her life and was very frivolous deepest level by one of two emotions—fear or
with her career choices. She would take up a course love.
or a job, one after another, and quickly drop it,
only to move on to the next one. Sometimes she • T here is only one purpose for all of life, and
would get influenced by what others were doing that is for you and all that lives to experience
and how it looked more endearing and promising the fullest glory.
on the outside; however, she would discover later
that she had no interest in pursuing it at all. Other • I f you want the best the world has to offer, offer
times, she would try doing something she didn’t the world your best.
have any skills or talent for and end up being a
failure. Finally, she learnt somewhere that the • Start telling the truth now and never stop.
only way to be creative is to express yourself in Begin by telling the truth to yourself about
the best possible way, and this can happen only yourself. Then tell the truth to yourself about
if you know yourself well. And so, she started her someone else. Then tell the truth about
journey of self-knowing. One day, in an ordinary yourself to another. Then tell the truth about
moment, she discovered that cooking and baking another to that other. Finally, tell the truth to
were her ultimate joys. The strange thing was everyone about everything. These are the five
that while she had been looking outside to know levels of truth-telling. This is the five-fold path
what her heart really wanted, it was right there in to freedom.
front of her. As soon as she discovered this, she
started taking training in baking and soon began • T he way to move out of judgment is to move
a small home bakery. Gradually, she became one into gratitude.
of the most popular bakers in her locality. She
even automated her business and took it online. • I f you carry joy in your heart, you can heal at
As she expanded her brand, she started living any moment.
the best days of her life. Sometimes, the most
important things, lessons, and epiphanies are • Enlightenment is in the understanding that
floating right before our eyes, but since they exist there is nowhere to go, nothing to do, and
in the mundane, they get generally overlooked. nobody you have to be except exactly who
They are mostly situated inside our hearts. All we you’re being right now.
need to do is turn inwards and look at the heart to
know what our true desires and callings are. This •Nothing in this universe occurs by accident.
is the secret of a happy life.
QUOTE
—Navni Chawla
“I don’t ask for the sights in front of me to
change, only the depth of my seeing.”

—Mary Oliver

64 LifePositive | AUGUST 2021

INSPIRATION If you can meet with Triumph they are gone,
and Disaster And so hold on when there is
IF nothing in you
And treat those two impostors Except the Will which says to
If you can keep your head when just the same; them: “Hold on!”
all about you
If you can bear to hear the truth If you can talk with crowds and
Are losing theirs and blaming it you've spoken keep your virtue,
on you; Or walk with Kings—nor lose
Twisted by knaves to make a the common touch,
If you can trust yourself when trap for fools, If neither foes nor loving
all men doubt you, friends can hurt you,
Or watch the things you gave
But make allowance for their your life to, broken,
doubting too;
And stoop and build ’em up
If you can wait and not be tired with worn-out tools;
by waiting,

Or being lied about, don’t deal If you can make one heap of all If all men count with you, but
in lies, your winnings none too much;

Or being hated, don’t give way And risk it on one turn of pitch- If you can fill the unforgiving
to hating, and-toss, minute

And yet don’t look too good, nor And lose, and start again at your With sixty seconds’ worth of
talk too wise; distance run,
beginnings

And never breathe a word about Yours is the Earth and
everything that's in it,
If you can dream—and not your loss;

make dreams your master; If you can force your heart and And—which is more—you’ll be

If you can think—and not make nerve and sinew a Man, my son!

thoughts your aim; To serve your turn long after ~Rudyard Kipling 

JUST FOR LAUGHS

BOREDOM CAN KILL

Once a lazy boy, who procrastinated a lot, shared with his friend that he was
just done with life and it would be better if he died soon. His friend asked
him if he were to pick from the many options, then how would he like to die?
To this, the lazy boy replied, “I think I’d like to die of boredom.”

Banyan Tree 65

Jyoti Marianne Bahri
Jyoti Marianne Bahri is a teacher, a survivor, and an explorer of the inner world.
After a life-threatening accident, writing had become an essential healing tool as
well as her gift to the world.

Suma Varughese
Suma Varughese is a thinker, writer, and former Editor-in-Chief of Life Positive.
She also holds writer’s workshops.

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.

Naini Setalvad
Naini Setalvad is a nutritionist, specialising in lifestyle and immunity disorders.
Her foundation, Health For You, throws light on healthy food habits.

Charles Shahar
Charles Shahar is a teacher of yoga and meditation for the last 17 years.
A resident of Canada, he is currently based in the Kullu Valley, India. Website:
lightfigures.com

Pradeep Krishnan
Pradeep Krishnan is a student of consciousness, based in Kerala. A seeker by
nature, he is deeply attracted to the teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi and
Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj.

66 LifePositive | AUGUST 2021