January 2018

January 2018 www.lifepositive.com ` 60 YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO PERSONAL GROWTH 2018: The year of master number 11 Pg 40 Are we in Dwapara Yuga? Pg 64 Shield your child from sexual abuse Pg 58 LP Cover January 18.indd 1 15/12/17 11:02 AM

full page.indd 4 03/08/17 4:17 PM

full advt Jau 17 .indd 1 16/12/17 11:16 AM

Dear Reader, With great joy, I welcome your first steps into the brand new year _ 2018. Like everything which is new, be it a job, car, relationship, or an opportunity, the first glimpse of the dawn of a new year fills us with hope, anticipation, and excitement. We resolve to tick off more items on our bucket list, make new resolutions, and hope that the new year will be infinitely better than the previous one. The good news is that it has no choice but to play out like that if we continue to choose happiness and positivity in every situation of life. And, if our strength plummets, or motivation dips, we can always rely on each other’s support to soldier along the path of growth, love, and empowerment. The cover story for January is on viewing physical illness as a means of engendering spiritual evolution in human beings. When we have postponed our growth for a long time, the nudge often comes in the form of a disease that requires us to overhaul ourselves from inside out. The stories shared — of brave men and women, who befriended their illness, and prodded by it, unearthed their hidden potential— are inspirational. Enjoy it. Another major story this month is on ways to prevent and heal child sexual abuse. The alarming rate at which this menace is increasing in society has caused LP to address this issue. The article talks about ways to detect a predator, notice signs of abuse, and measures to take in case you find that a child has been victimised. Perhaps, lost in our narrow material pursuits, we became so emotionally distant from children that we forgot to pry open their little hearts and minds, and see the world from their viewpoint. Ultimately we would have to discover and heal our own inner child, inorder to protect our little ones from sexual predation. Wishing you a happy, safe, and promising 2018 once again. - Editor A new dawn Editspeak LP mascot: Laughing Buddha January 2018 Vol. 21 Issue 10 Price ` 60 Chairman: Aditya Ahluwalia President: D R Kaarthikeyan Director: V Venkat Editor: Shivi Verma Editorial Associate Editor: Punya Srivastava Correspondent: Muskaan Sharma Senior Graphic Designer: Vijaypal Singh Gusain Marketing Manager, Ad Sales: Ajit Singh Assistant Manager, Ad Sales: Santosh Pandey Product Marketing Manager, Circulation: Dharamveer Singh Assistant Manager, Circulation : P Murali (Bangalore) Senior Executive, Marketing: Krishan Kumar Senior Executive, Circulation : Dhananjay Singh Senior Executive, Circulation : Ganesh Suke (Mumbai) Subscription Executive: Ginny Gupta, Harsha Dashore Manager, Production: Kamal K Saini Finance & Administration Deputy General Manager: Ambika Sharma Executive: Jyoti Khatri Advisors Parveen Chopra, Suma Varughese, Mark Tully, Kiran Bedi, M Madhavan Nambiar, SD Saxena, Ameeta Mehra, Manisha Verma, Shruti Nada Poddar, Hamid Ahmed, Shovana Narayan, Ritika Goyal Editorial & Advertising Office Delhi: F1/9, First floor, Okhla Industrial Area, Phase - I, New Delhi-110 020 Ph: (011) 49563777 Fax: (011) 49563773 E-mails: [email protected] U.S. REPRESENTATIVE: Lifepositive.com, Inc. P.O. Box 65, Colts Neck, NJ 07722, USA; e-mail: [email protected] Readers are requested to make appropriate enquiries before sending money, incurring expenses or entering into commitments in relation to any advertisement in this publication. Life Positive or Life Positive Pvt Ltd do not vouch for any claims made by the advertisers of products and services. The printer, publisher or editor of Life Positive or any employee of Life Positive Pvt Ltd shall not be held liable for any consequences in the event of such claims not being honoured by the advertisers. All rights reserved. © Life Positive Pvt. Ltd. losZ HkoUrq lqf[ku~%] losZlUrq fujke;k% losZ Hknzkf.k i’;Urq] ekdf’pn~nq%[kHkkd~Hkosr! May all beings be happy, May all be healthy, May people have the well-being of all in mind, May nobody suffer in any way. — Vedic prayer Edited by Shivi Verma. Printed and published by Aditya Ahluwalia on behalf of Life Positive Pvt. Ltd. from F1/9, First floor, Okhla Industrial Area, Phase - I, New Delhi-110 020 Printed at M.P. Printers, B-220, Phase 2 Noida, 201305 Member, Indian Newspaper Society edit.indd 4 16/12/17 10:35 AM

full advt Jau 17 .indd 1 14/12/17 4:00 PM

w6w LIFE POSITIVE wJANUARY 2018 Heartspeak The search within my soul After experiencing inner turmoil for not having a professional career, Vidya Murlidhar realised that her heart belonged to full-time motherhood Close Encounter Lights! Camera! Enlightenment! Cover Photo: Adobe Stock Cover Design: Vijaypal Singh Gusain Noted filmmaker Pankuj Parashar talks about how his spiritual journey continues to shape his outlook, life, and work Special report Safeguard your child In light of an increasing number of children falling prey to sexual abuse, a guideline to help parents safeguard their children from this heinous crime BODY Healthy Asian foods Choose the healthiest options while trying out different flavours from the world cuisine Stay in shape with yoga Usher in 2018 with the amazing practice of surya namaskaar and enjoy health and well-being all the year round Lead story Evolving through illness In an effort to overcome a challenging illness, human beings often undergo intense emotional and physical churning which causes their spiritual transformation, says Jamuna Rangachari 24 32 14 24 14 18 32 58 36 Contents contant.indd 6 15/12/17 8:39 PM

LIFE POSITIVE wJANUARY 2018 w7w MIND The year of the master number Angel practitioner outlines what to expect in 2018, a year riding high on the energies of master number 11 Welcome to Dwapara Yuga The latest observations in astronomy indicate that the human race is in the ascending phase of Dwapara Yuga SPIRIT A spiritual adventure The writer shares her ongoing, fulfilling experience of finding love, her true inner calling, and divinity Total pages 84, including the cover page and the back cover REGULAR COLUMNS 45 58 40 64 45 54 68 Response 09 Mandala 10 Megha column 44 Shivi column 48 Suma column 70 Positive focus 71 Angel messages 74 Revelations 78 Banyan tree 80 When the Goddess beckons The writer shares her experience of solitarily exploring Calcutta, the abode of her guru Paramahansa Yogananda A scientist’s search for meaning The author battled extreme hardships to become a medical doctor but found solace only after discovering the path of spirituality contant.indd 7 15/12/17 8:40 PM

full advt Jau 17 .indd 1 12/12/17 10:46 AM

LIFE POSITIVE wJANUARY 2018 w9w LP embodies divine love As a reader of Life Positive since the last three years, I have observed that each issue of the magazine is becoming better and striving to ensure the emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being of its readers. Each issue is replete with tips that make our lives healthier and happier, which is why I read every issue from cover to cover along with previous issues. Suma Varughese’s column All the more reason, in the October 2017 issue, is so deeply ingrained in my thoughts that whenever things go wrong, I chant to myself her mantra, “All the more reason to keep trying.” Her column alchemised my tough moments into happy ones. Another beautiful article was The desert god by Nandini Hoon. I felt as though I was travelling with her. I read the article several times because of its joyous energy. I also felt happy to read the tribute to Louise L Hay, whose philosophy has deeply inspired me and helped me. Shivi Verma’s cover story, Shine your light, published in the November 2017 issue of the magazine, kickstarted my week positively as I could personally relate to it—especially inputs by Suma Varughese and Susan Jeffers, as well as the priceless tip, “If you are feeling sad or moody, just own it.” Melissa Nazareth’s heart-wrenching interview with Aarti Raheja, My son, my guru, touched me deeply. Immediately after reading it, I placed an order for Aarti's book. It is exemplary how she found a way to come to terms with her grief and share it with the rest of the world. People like her are the beacon of light we must look up to when life gets tough. I also found Melissa Nazareth’s Healing cancer with herbs, a very informative and useful reference which I intend to share with those who are in different stages of cancer. Spiritual books are treasure troves of metaphysical experiences but are rarely reviewed or come under the spotlight. But these treasures are now being unearthed for the first time by Life Positive and I cannot help but say to the whole team, “'Take a bow, embodiments of Divine love.” Swapna Raghu Sanand, Noida Scintillating article Shivi Verma’s lead story, Shine your light, published in the November 2017 issue of Life Positive, boosted my self-confidence manifold. Although I was academically brilliant, my social interactions were limited. I believed that I was low in confidence. I have a spiritual bent of mind, and after working for 35 years, I am finding the journey of life interesting and rewarding. Connecting with the higher Self through meditation, living in the present moment, letting go of the outcome, and thinking positive are all contributing to my spiritual journey. Congratulations to Shivi Verma for her brilliant and insightful article. Sudhir Goyal, via mail Response Mail from our readers, online fans and subscribers To read this online and post your comments, go to http://www.lifepositive.com/articles/news. Send letters to [email protected] Letter of the Month Reflective writing I congratulate Shivi Verma for her column, Quitting successfully, published in the November 2017 issue of Life Positive, which I highly resonated with. Just like her, I was weak in mathematics and formal sciences, and liked political science and English. I worked for a decade as a lecturer but, being a victim of power play, was deprived of better job opportunities. I sat for state administrative exams but couldn’t clear them, while those I tutored went on to secure government jobs. I opted out of a career in journalism after a decade, with the same feeling as hers that it was not my thing. I now work to promote good governance in my state. I have faith that, like Shivi, I too will find my calling in life. Her column was a reflection of my life’s journey. Hats off to her writing. Janakiballav Dash, via mail response.indd 9 15/12/17 6:14 PM

w10w LIFE POSITIVE wJANUARY 2018 Mandala Change is a law of nature. Everything manifests because of changes. A wise person understands that change is a reality. Understanding change helps you accept it and be better prepared for it—it puts you in control of your life, said N J Reddy, the founder of Yoga Prana Vidya (YPV) Ashram, during his recent I Ching divination workshop in Delhi. More than 60 meditators attended the workshop and learnt the 6000-year-old Chinese technique of I Ching divination. The I Ching, also known as the Book of Changes, is the oldest of the Chinese classics, which is used to seek guidance while taking decisions about changes in life. It is said to be helpful in resolving issues or getting solutions to problems. “The literature on I Ching divination exists in the form of symbols like hexagrams. The divine wisdom unfolds through these symbols. Since each one of us is a part of the Divine, the solution to our problems is within us. When we connect to the higher power, we can access that solution through the language of these symbols,” Reddy explained. The popular method of I Ching divination is cleromancy, a process of drawing lots. To seek guidance, you frame a question regarding your troubles and then you toss three coins at once, where each coin is given a value of two or three, depending upon whether it is tails or heads, respectively. These three values are added after each toss. Six such tosses make the hexagram. The process involves calculating these permutations and combinations and interpreting the result according to the I Ching book. “Not everyone can practice I Ching divination for themselves. The individual has to be in a state of emotional balance to better their connection with the Divine. Hence, we only teach trained meditators, especially those trained in Yoga Prana Vidya. However, anyone can consult an I Ching practitioner to seek guidance for their life,” said R Lakshmi Dehvi, a Yoga Prana Vidya trainer. Reddy came to know about it in the 1990s and studied it for several years. He gained deep insights into it and eventually started conducting planned workshops from 2013. “The significance of I Ching divination is not just to seek a solution or guidance to your problems. It is also to develop a wiser approach to life situations. It makes you understand the effect of changes in your life and on your development as an individual,” said Reddy. Talking about her amazing experience with I Ching divination, Delhi based Anupama Sharma said, “I’ve been associated with Yoga Prana Vidya since 2011 and I know this for certain that we can be divinely guided for the answers we seek. I was supposed to get married to a person I was with for seven years. However, in 2014, he refused to get married because his family didn’t approve of it. Eventually, we parted ways. Then, my trainer, Lakshmi Dehvi, suggested I Ching divination. Through it, I was divinely guided to give our relationship another chance as the future looked good for both of us. With utmost trust in the guidance, we got married in April 2015 and are living happily ever since.” Decoding changes N J Reddy emphasing the utility of I Ching divination method in the process of decision making mandala.indd 10 15/12/17 5:31 PM

LIFE POSITIVE wJANUARY 2018 w11w “The contemporary relevance of AYUSH is ever increasing. The AYUSH system not only makes scientific sense but can also make a considerable business impact,” remarked Shripad Yesso Naik, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of AYUSH, Govt of India. Mr Naik was speaking at the International Arogya 2017, the first international conference and exhibition on AYUSH and wellness systems, organised in Delhi by FICCI, in collaboration with the Ministry of AYUSH, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and Pharmexcil. AYUSH modalities have, since long, been one of India’s greatest gifts to the world. And since the last few years, the world is finally waking up to their brilliance. This four-day event (December 4–7, 2017), replete with an exhibition and conferences on the topic, was a perfect setup for building the brand. The backdrop of the event was the National Health Policy 2017 that strongly advocates mainstreaming the potential of AYUSH within a pluralistic system of integrative healthcare. Mr Pramod Kumar Pathak, Joint Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH, announced that the Government of India has signed MoUs with 11 countries and established 28 AYUSH informative cells till now. “We have witnessed the participation of more than 70 countries who have shown their willingness and resolve to work for the development of traditional medicine. The enthusiastic participation of more than 250 traditional manufacturers, itself shows that, in the coming days, this sector will emerge as a prominent economic entity, resulting in an enhanced transaction of AYUSH products and its related services,” said Mr Naik. Apparently, the export of AYUSH’s finished products is worth $700 billion, and a standalone potential of AYUSH’s raw material export from India is $3,000 million. In the plenary session, Building a Brand Strategy: Healing Power of AYUSH for the World, it was discussed that by incorporating modern systems of research and educating people about the concept that ayurveda is a way of life, brand AYUSH can be promoted abroad. It was also mentioned in one of the plenary sessions that the responsibility of integration should not be left to the patient alone; rather, physicians must integrate their knowledge and practices. The event also held discussions on business opportunities in integrative healthcare, sessions on global regulatory issues on AYUSH, and on matters related to standardisation and regulation. Free health check-up and consultation, counselling by specialists, yoga demonstrations, and naturopathy sessions were some of the other attractions at International Arogya 2017. Shripad Yesso Naik (third from left) and other dignitaries inaugurating the exhibition held at International Arogya 2017 AYUSH goes global mandala.indd 11 15/12/17 5:31 PM

w12w LIFE POSITIVE wJANUARY 2018 Music has immense power to bring about change. With this knowledge, Paresh Kumar has set out to bring behavioural changes in a society that suffers from high mortality rate due to rampant lack of hygiene. According to a WHO report, India has the highest number of “Under five” mortality in the world with an estimated 1.2 million deaths in 2015, which is 20 per cent of the 5.9 million global deaths. This is primarily due to lack of hygiene. Talking about how he ventured into this sphere, Paresh, Founder of DevInsights, a Delhi based research, monitoring, and evaluation, private company, said, “In 2015, we conducted an in-depth research into the existing communication models being used in the country and realised that these traditional methods of mass communication weren’t sufficient to bring the desired change.” They started brainstorming on innovative models that could hit the right chords with the rural Indian and urban slum dwelling population, and came up with the concept of Music for Development (M4D). It is a unique combination of science and art; a marriage of behavioural science and the art of music to produce social change and development. To gauge the power of music, we simply have to look at Mozart’s music which was used to direct appropriate behaviour among young offenders. Scholars have, time and again, emphasised upon the connection between music and neuroscience, and how the former can be used to bring about a paradigm change in human behaviour for positive development. M4D aims for a similarly efficient and long lasting impact on society's psych, in support of Swachch Bharat Abhiyan and WASH project. The uniqueness of the concept of M4D is that it believes in making school children the agents of change. As of now, M4D intervention has been implemented in three government schools of Chitaura block in Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh. Music is composed, keeping in mind the popular culture of a particular region, so that it easily gets registered in the minds of children. Each song is prepared after thoroughly researching the target area to understand the current knowledge, attitude, and practices of the residents. These include their likes, dislikes, lifestyles, interests, and choices. The songs are then sung by children in schools, accompanied by a few adults, to promote and emphasise key WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) behaviours. Pleased to see the fruits of his labour, Paresh says, “After having sung these songs in their school, they now own them, and dance to their tunes. Even the teachers are very happy and supportive of this idea.” Rita Sharma, one of the teachers from Damodarjot Prathmik Vidyalaya, shares an incident: “Once, a parent demanded to know what we taught in the school because their children had started demanding the construction of toilets in their homes. I asked him, ‘If the child is requesting why don’t you get it constructed?’ This is a small victory,” she says, with a smile on her face. Sweeping up with songs Paresh Kumar's creative project is transforming school kids into agents of change mandala.indd 12 15/12/17 5:31 PM

LIFE POSITIVE wJANUARY 2018 w13w L iving life is an art and requires a methodical approach. It requires a text, tuition, and teacher,” says Rakesh Sadarangani, founder of South Mumbai’s popular coaching centre, Rakesh Tutorials. Rakesh’s is an interesting story. As a young boy, he would question his mother—who was quite religious—about certain rituals, but wouldn’t get satisfactory answers. At about 21, he and his friends started visiting orphanages and began to find the activity truly fulfilling. Consequently, they set up a registered NGO by the name of Sacred Mission and started sponsoring the education of these children. Around the same time, Rakesh received a request to tutor a slum child at Akanksha (an NGO) which ultimately led him to his calling in life—teaching accountancy. About a year later, Rakesh happened to attend a lecture on Vedanta. “I expected chanting and preaching but was quite surprised to see that the teaching was backed by reasoning. This appealed to the logical person in me and answered all my questions about life,” he says. He learnt that it’s a virtue to have emotions but a vice to act impulsively on them. “If we don’t feel, we become like stone, but having felt, we must not get overwhelmed by our emotions and act wrongly,” he recalls. R a k e s h s u f f e r e d from temper issues but has now learnt to c h a n n e l i s e his anger positively. “I try my best to create a relaxed environment in my classes, where students don’t hesitate to clarify doubts and even look forward to attending them,” he says. Initially, Rakesh had students who hated accountancy, but thanks to his liberal teaching style, developed a liking for it. This, he said, is his best achievement so far. Rakesh has led by example and even inspired some of his students to learn Vedanta. He holds reflection sessions and a weekly class for them. “In ancient times, children started learning Vedanta in gurukuls from the age of 10, unlike today, when people seek this knowledge much later in life. Most of the people even fear this knowledge and believe that it is not for the common man. The truth is that anyone can pursue it in his routine life without having to give up anything. A child is possessive of his toys but when he gets attached to a bicycle or the pastimes of a teenager, the desire for toys automatically wanes. Similarly, as we get attached to higher values, we shed lower desires,” he maintains. Mini gurukuls, such as Rakesh Tutorials, are the lamps that illuminate the path of education’s future in India. Let the educators and academicians take a cue from him and ground their fundamentals on spiritual values. Vedanta’s special child 5HDGLQVSLUHGERRNVE\5R\(XJHQH'DYLV $GLUHFWGLVFLSOHRI3DUDPDKDQVD<RJDQDQGD $W0RWLODO%DQDUVLGDVVERRNVWRUHVLQ'HOKL3DWQD3XQH 9DUDQDVL&DOFXWWD&KHQQDL%DQJDORUHDQG0XPEDL $OVRDWRWKHUÀQHERRNVWRUHV :HEVLWHPOEGFRP )5((/LVWHQWR0U'DYLV·YLGHRDQGDXGLRWDONVUHDG 7UXWK-RXUQDOPDJD]LQHDQGVHHXSGDWHGQHZVDERXW KLV.UL\D<RJDWUDGLWLRQZZZFVDGDYLVRUJ Rakesh Sadarangani successfully bases his pedagogy on the spiritual principles of Vedanta mandala.indd 13 15/12/17 5:31 PM

w14w LIFE POSITIVE wJANUARY 2018 A recent chance encounter with an acquaintance led me to do a soul search and think deeply about my life’s purpose. One of my favourite things to do when I visit my hometown in Mumbai is to go for a walk to the nearby grocery store—Glory Center. The walk is pure nostalgia and brings back memories of the joyful times when my teenaged buddies and I ceremoniously gathered together every evening and trudged to the store. Often, there was not much to buy, yet we walked to the store and back, cheerfully conversing with each other about the happenings of the day. After all, it is the journey that matters, not the destination. On our way back we would sit on a small stony structure, which we called ‘The Rock’, and speak to our heart’s content about things that truly mattered to us then—boys, college, dreams, food, and movies. On one of my recent visits to Mumbai, a Vidya Murlidhar experienced inner turmoil for not having a professional career but ultimately realised that her heart belonged to full-time motherhood and homemaking The search within my soul day before I was to return to the US, I was on my nostalgic walk, and that’s when I met her—Mamta Singh. I was alone, humming a happy tune and wishing for some more time in this city that I loved so much. Suddenly, I heard a shrill, nasal voice call out to me. That voice could have only belonged to her. “Mamta?” I enquired. “Hi!” she said, grinning. “Wow! So nice to see you. You haven’t changed a bit and are just like I saw you the last time we met!” I said. “Thank you,” she replied. The last time we met was 25 years ago. Images of a skinny 15-year old me in two oily braids and clothes picked up from ‘Fashion Street’ came to mind. Fortunately, braces were not common then, or else I would have had them too. I shuddered at the image, hoping I had changed for the better and aged gracefully. She, on the other hand, looked ravishing. Was this the same anxiety ridden Mamta who spent every night before an English or Math paper at my place, crying and worrying that she would fail? Now, she oozed confidence and grace in her stylish blouse, snugly fit Heartspeak Photo: Adobe Stock Heartspeak (H).indd 14 16/12/17 10:37 AM

aroyga march 2017.indd 2 17/02/17 5:34 PM

w16w LIFE POSITIVE wJANUARY 2018 trousers, and chunky bracelets. “Mamta, you look gorgeous!” I said as I wrapped my plumpish arms around her slender frame to give her a hug. She looked at me adoringly for a minute. Her expression quickly changed to one of surprise. “What happened to your hair, Vidya? It used to be so lustrous and thick—Dimple Kapadia and Crowning Glory types!” she said. Oh no! Was I balding? The last time I looked into the mirror, which was not too long ago, I wasn’t. “Childbirth,” I grinned. “I lost a lot of hair after my son was born and they never really grew back.” “You need to take better care of yourself,” she admonished, hinting at the muffin top peeking over the belted trousers. Che! I should not have worn these old, low waist jeans today. “So, what do you do? You live in the States, right?” she went on to ask me. “I am a stay-at-home mum,” I replied. “You stay at home? But you were such a good student! I always came to you for help.” she smirked. I remember that. “I stayed home for a bit after my son was born,” she shared. “The cooking and cleaning really got to me. Household chores never end, and everyone takes you for granted. It seemed like such a waste of time, and I realised a maid would gladly do all that work for just an extra 2000 bucks. So, I went back to office and now head the design department at M&S.” And just like that, she dismissed my life. Three Cs— cooking, cleaning, and chauffeuring were the story of my life. Was my story worth just a few thousand bucks? There had to be something more than this. “Er…I write sometimes…” I murmured, as an afterthought. “Really? Have you published anything?” “Not yet, but I have been working on a children’s picture book series.” “Oh!” she said, not very impressed. “You remember Leena Patel from class XA? She is in California. She’s a doctor and has a nanny to take care of her home. You should do that too.” She gave me a quick hug. “Chalo, I’ve got to run. I had some time, so I dropped by my mum’s place to say hello. My son has a swimming lesson, and the driver has to drop me home before he takes him to the class. It was so nice seeing you. You take care. Let me know if your book gets published. And get a nanny,” she said, wiggling her finger. The search within As I trudged back home, I wondered if I’d wasted my talent, abilities, and time in the past 18 years by not pursuing a career. Mamta was right when she spoke of the never-ending chores and being taken for granted. What had I based my life choices on? Did I stay at home because I did not have a choice, or was it because I had grown up in a culture where motherhood was the embodiment of sacrifice, and I believed that it was what a good mother did? Had I become complacent, and lost myself and the drive to succeed? What was I doing with my life?’ I sighed, as I walked up to The Rock, hoping to sit on it to ponder further. I realised to my dismay that the space where our beautiful rock used to be, had been converted into a parking space. I trudged along some more and sat on the stairs outside the apartment I grew up in. As I dwelled on the subject, it dawned on me that the problem was with measuring self-worth by how successful we are. While jobs, promotions, and perks define a woman’s success outside home, there are no tangible standards to measure successful homemaking and motherhood, which is why we often base a woman’s worth on how well her children do. We often hear mothers say, “I must have done something right,” when their child wins an award, and we see them flog themselves up if their children fumble in life or make mistakes. It is wrong to measure self-worth by how another’s life turns out. Every child comes into this world with his or her own karma and purpose to carve his or her own destiny. There is no correlation between the child’s destiny and whether his or her mother stays home or chooses to pursue a career. What does matter though is how happy the mother is with the choices she makes. A mother who is fulfilled will be better equipped to address her child’s needs. If she chooses to stay home because it is the noble thing to do but is frustrated because it does not fulfil her enough, her choice will feel like a huge sacrifice. She may even end up pushing her kids to achieve her own dreams, just to make herself feel worthy. On the other hand, if a mother chooses to work but feels guilty, she exhausts herself trying to find a balance and does more than is necessary for the kids, just to overcome the guilt. Both are unfavourable scenarios. Making the right choice A woman then needs to choose a path that feels right to her and not the one that is defined by societal expectations. You see, the essence of every moment is the same. Every moment is a divine gift. Life is truly worthy if these divine moments are used to bring joy to oneself. What you do with your time does not matter; how you do it and your attitude is what makes it worthy. Mamta was right in pursuing a career she loved and outsourcing the chores she detested if that is what she truly wanted to do. But would that choice have worked for me? I asked myself what drove me every morning to wake up Heartspeak (H).indd 16 16/12/17 12:51 PM

LIFE POSITIVE wJANUARY 2018 w17w To read these articles online and post your comments, go to http:// www.lifepositive.com/Magazine/January 2018. We welcome your comments and suggestions on this article. Mail us at editor@lifepositive.net and go about my day? There was silence for a minute, and then came a clear reply—I simply loved the way I spent my time! I loved cooking for the people who mattered to me—the spices, flavours, colours and aromas coming together, filled my heart with joy. I experimented adventurously in the kitchen and explored different cuisines; I enjoyed it thoroughly. Would I then be happy as a chef in a Michelin-starred restaurant? Absolutely not! Cooking for my loved ones was joy, but cooking for strangers seemed like a chore. As I thought of other activities that filled my day, it dawned on me that I enjoyed most of them. I meditated every day, baked frequently, read on topics that fascinated me, penned words from my heart, did a little gardening, took dancing lessons with a bunch of wonderful people, and spent a lot of time talking to my teenaged kids. The monetary benefit of these activities equalled zilch, but the happiness they brought me was incomparable. Though, of course, investing so much time at home truly did not translate to my family being perfect. We were just as flawed as any other family. They did take me for granted at times, but that did not change the fact that I loved what I did. There were Vidya Murlidhar lives in Charlotte, North Carolina with her husband, two children and father-in-law. When she is not writing, she spends her time dancing, baking and learning about Reiki and energy healing. no world changing or life saving inventions to my credit, but my contribution was invaluable. I had certainly not lost myself raising a family. In fact, I had found myself; so, this path was right for me. I was also fortunate that I had the choice to stay at home because we were financially sound. If not, I would have definitely decided to work. Someday, the kids will leave the nest, and I will have more time on my hands. Someday, my book will get published and maybe, even feature in Oprah’s book club! Someday… but for now, things are just perfect. Having pondered over my feelings, I went home happy, to the warmth of childhood memories and my parents’ and elder brother’s smiling faces. These were the people who had taught me what a loving family is all about, and I would forever be indebted to them and to Mamta Singh for enkindling the search within. 2 Days Certificate Program In Ayurvedic Sound Therapy & Frequency Healing Role of Sound in Ayurveda Heal Your Voice Nada Yoga Chakra Treatment Detoxification of Body Learn to Heal Illness Sound Healing Techniques Authentic Understanding of Singing Bowls Sound Therapy Master Class Mumbai th th Sat-Sun, 13 -14 Jan. The Club, Andheri W. (5 Star) New Delhi th th Sat-Sun, 20 -21 Jan. Hotel Legend Inn, East of Kailash /riveshvade 08080808455 / SMS:09960551929 www.wellnessvibe.com In last 7 years, Rivesh has trained maximum number of Sound Therapist globally through his award winning workshops. Relief from Chronic Illness, Arthritis, Diabetes, B.P. Remove Stress, Anxiety & Depression Increase in energy level Sure way to remove pain Boost Immune System Release stuck emotions Improve sleep Benefits: Testimonial: Fastest healing modality ever- Dr. Desai, USA There is great relief from my chronic back pain- Sofi, Greece This workshop helped me get spiritually rooted - Balsekar, Author My Fibromyalgia got healed after workshop - Julie, UK TIMES GROUP AWARD WINNER NadaYogi & Sound Expert Rivesh Vade, IIT Bombay Heartspeak (H).indd 17 16/12/17 12:51 PM

w18w LIFE POSITIVE wJANUARY 2018 F or those of us who came of age in the late 80s, Pankuj Parashar, a graduate of Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), painter, graphic artist, composer, and filmmaker, remains an important shaper of our imaginations. Karamchand, the hugely popular television detective series directed by Parashar that made Pankaj Kapur a household name, was running on Doordarshan. I remember Sachin Chawla, a classmate, telling me that he had walked up to Pankaj Kapur, who lived somewhere in New Quarters, a sprawl of single-storey flats painted in the pale yellow of all government buildings across India, to ask Noted filmmaker Pankuj Parashar talks to Satish Purohit about how his spiritual journey continues to shape his outlook, life, and work him, “who is the murderer?” Kapur, I remember Sachin telling me, had smiled and asked Sachin to watch the next episode. Detective Karamchand, who loves carrots, maybe for the beta carotene, also had a vacuous secretary, named Kitty, who would constantly be corrected with the line “Shut up, Kitty!” Parashar went on to make commercially successful films like the cop-thriller, Jalwa (1987), starring Naseeruddin Shah, and the Sridevi hit, Chaal Baaz (1989), which got the actress the Filmfare Best Actress Award. His film, Banaras—A Mystic Love Story (2006), was named after the city, which formed the backdrop of the film’s story. Starring Urmila Matondkar and Naseeruddin Shah as leads, the film was rich in references to the Buddha, Kabir, Tulsidas and Mahavatar Babaji. Parashar has Close encounter Pankuj Parashar with the self-painted image of Mahavatar Babaji in his studio Lights! Camera! Enlightenment! Close encounter (H).indd 18 15/12/17 7:25 PM

About this Past Life Regression Program: • What you are today is the sum total of your ‘past’, which includes your past from this lifetime as well as from your past lives. Past Life Regression is one of the most powerful tools for Transformation and Spiritual Growth. This is the perfect program to attend if you are looking for life-changing insights and deeper understanding of life. • The 2-day workshop on ‘Past Life Regression & Spiritual Science’ from Life Foundation is a prerequisite for this program. Transformation Now! LIFE FOUNDATION Awakening Wisdom Within Brings to you The Most Advanced Six-Day Intensive Residential Training Programs Presented by Dr. Newton Kondaveti, M.D. & Dr. Lakshmi G.V, M.B.B.S. The Art & Science of Past Life Regression 20th to 25th March 2018 At Life Foundation Campus, Nagsanpally Village, Kotpally Mandal, Vikarabad, Telangana In this Program: • You will also learn essential skills and techniques required to become a Past Life Regression facilitator, and help others to transform their lives. Other Residential Training Programs in 2018 “INNER CHILD WORK” 10th to 15th June 2018 “FAMILY CONSTELLATION” 25th to 30th October 2018 “LIFE BETWEEN LIVES” 10th to 15th November 2018 “BREATH MASTERY” 1st to 6th December 2018 For more details contact: Sridevi : +91-9848019022 Rajashekhar : +91-9849094575 Email : [email protected] Website Link: http://www.liferesearchacademy.com/ workshops Newton January 18.indd 1 18/12/17 3:04 PM

w20w LIFE POSITIVE wJANUARY 2018 shot another film in Banaras recently, for Children’s Film Society India called Banarasi Jasoos, which has little detectives solving the case of Tulsidas’s missing footwear! Life Positive paid a visit to Parashar’s cosy little office/studio in suburban Mumbai. The leafy lane in upscale Khar, leading to the quiet house which spilled over with musical instruments, books, trophies (including a Filmfare Award for the documentary, Malfunction, in 1980), and a big-screen desktop connected with a musical keyboard, set the tone for the conversation that followed. Tell us something about the creative and spiritual influences in your formative years. I was creative as a child, like most children. I was finger painting at the age of five and tried my hand at composing music. When there was a newspaper strike, I ‘hand printed’ my own newspaper that included my cartoons and sold them in the neighbourhood at the age of 10. Anand-Milind, successful film directors, and sons of the celebrated music director Chitragupta, were my neighbours. Their house was stocked with all kinds of musical instruments imaginable. My father bought me a sitar when I was 13. I was enrolled in a sitar class and made to practice raag Yaman Kalyan for one full year. I had a grand aunt who was widowed early; she lived in Haridwar. We would often visit her during my school holidays. She freely shared with me stories from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Yog Vashishta. It was from her that I learned that I have descended from the Parashar gotra (the blood line or disciplic line descended from the seer Parashar). She told me that I had the seeds of greatness in me, but I had to work hard to nurture them or my lifetime would be wasted. She quoted the Buddha and said that to be born as a human with self-awareness was a great honour and that I should be thankful to the universe for that. I have always been fortunate in one respect. I attract many spiritual people in my life. I get to meet a lot of elevated seekers, avatars, gurus, and spiritual souls. Considering the sound moorings I had in our spiritual tradition, life was meant to unfold the way it has, I guess. When I turned 10, I used to badger sadhus in Haridwar with questions like, “Why visit the temple? Why worship idols?” So, I was always a seeker. This side of my personality stayed alive till I entered adulthood. So, how did the spiritual and creative sides of your personality influence your craft as a filmmaker and storyteller? Apart from doing the usual Bollywood commercial films (with stars like Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Sri Devi, and Madhuri Dixit) I also shot a series of esoteric spiritual documentaries, which opened up new worlds for me. I read that by the age of 40, our brain cells reach their storage limit. However, one can increase one’s creativity by tapping into the Akashic records, the storehouse of all knowledge and records of what is, what was, and what will be, regardless of one’s age. So, in a way, one remains forever young in the head and the heart and can, if one so wishes, actually be more creative than he or she has ever been. Tulsidas wrote the Ramayana at age 65. Whether Hanuman recited it to him or he dipped into the Akashic records is worth considering. I was fortunate enough to hold the original handwritten Ramcharitmanas of Tulsidas in my hands in Tulsi Kutir, Banaras, during the shooting of my movie Banaras—A Mystic Love Story. It is sad that most people do not know that it exists. My life, which includes my creative pursuits as a filmmaker, has been scripted in many ways by spiritual forces. I understood this when I had the opportunity of receiving wisdom from Sri Amma Bhagwan of the Oneness University. Actually, my association with Sri Amma Bhagwan in 2002 (Amma and Kalki Bhagwan of Oneness University) opened up a world of spiritual possibilities for me as an individual and also as a creative person. How did Sri Amma Bhagwan enter your life? In 2002, when Sri Amma Bhagwan or Kalki (for those who do not know Sri AmmaBhagwan are a wife-husband pair) were only known to a minuscule but close-knit circle of devotees, I received a call from their ashram. I was doing mainstream commercial filmmaking back then and had little to do with any spiritual guru or organisation. They wanted me to visit the ashram. They described the place as a verdant forest surrounded by sylvan hills and a clear water stream where little fish nibbled away at the dead skin of one’s feet. I agreed to pay them a visit because in my mind it appeared to be a good place for an extended picnic. I was received by the closest devotees called dasas at the ashram. Bhagwan was supposed to visit us from Chennai shortly. We made good of the time by playing Close encounter (H).indd 20 18/12/17 10:09 AM

LIFE POSITIVE wJANUARY 2018 w21w cricket, talking, and generally having a good time. Food came from a village nearby as the facilities at the ashram were rudimentary back then. When Bhagwan arrived, we spoke for three hours and I sensed that I was standing at a door. If I pushed, a whole world of possibilities awaited me on the other side. He told me that I would be making a spiritual feature film a few years later. I laughed it off saying I would never do an experimental film. Four years later I shot Banaras—A Mystic Love Story! It was eventually screened at the ashram. What changed for you after that call from Kalki Bhagwan’s devotees? The conviction that the spiritual world has a lot to offer us grew on me. Bhagwan spoke with great certainty in those three hours. He assured me that a big temple would come up at this very spot where devotees in thousands would arrive and get transformed completely. His manner was that of calm knowing. At that time, in that remote patch of land, there were no signs of the teeming metropolis that he expected to manifest. Every word he spoke to me on that day has come true. Later, I was told by one of his close devotees that I was to shoot a havan that was being planned. I told him that I had no plans of shooting non-commercial films. However, I finally relented and decided to shoot a film for the Oneness University. It was, of course, a professional arrangement. I returned a few months later after I was told that Bhagwan was now giving initiations. A dasa would come over to my room at six in the morning and pour ‘cosmic energy’ into my crown chakra. Without touching me! For the first six days, nothing happened. Then something opened up within. It was a profoundly transformative experience. I could watch thoughts flitting through my mind with stunning clarity. I sensed the breathing of plants and saw a horse grazing at some distance. I could suddenly feel what the animal was feeling. The animal did not experience itself at all and was engrossed in the act of eating grass. The ecstasy the horse was feeling was unbelievable. It was a supremely blissful experience. We clutter our heads with so many thoughts on the surface, and in the subconscious, we miss the bliss of just being. The problem is that our ‘self’ is a wall and will not let this happen. Unless there is outside grace, or we get lucky like Krishnamurthy or Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev. I went through sadhanas that purified the self at very deep levels and as I progressed, I felt extremely light. It was as if a great weight had lifted off me. In the night, as I lay on the terrace, I felt the whole universe in me. My guide or dasa too felt this and we both just laughed endlessly, a causeless joy. I went on to shoot a documentary that captured experiences and miracles that a number of Kalki Bhagwan-Amma devotees had experienced in their lives. There is a woman in Orissa who was healed of her cancer by Kalki who reportedly visited her in her sleep and who in turn has been healing a lot of sick people. She credits Bhagwan for restoring her health, as well as her healing ability. There have been a number of instances where ash, kumkum (a red pigment used by Hindu women to make a round mark on the forehead), money, and even gold has materialised at altars with photos of Amma and Bhagwan. I have attempted to locate the source of the kumkum that has been falling from such photos and have found nothing. I shot a Pankuj Parashar being felicitated by Jackie Shroff and Sandip Marwah for his valuble contribution to Hindi cinema Close encounter (H).indd 21 18/12/17 10:09 AM

w22w LIFE POSITIVE wJANUARY 2018 clock with Bhagwan’s photo that was dripping honey for over a week in Orissa. Did you ask Kalki Bhagwan to grant you some powers of your own? I did ask him to give me enlightenment. He had given me glimpses of it. He laughed and refused to do it. He said I would not be able to do anything in the mundane world if I became enlightened. I would just be sitting under some peepal tree, self-satisfied, and withdrawn from the world. He said I had a lot to do yet—I understood. He just wanted me to gather enough spiritual strength, so I could live happily and peacefully in the world. However, with his grace, some special powers and experiences did come my way in the months that followed. He taught me to physically dissipate the ‘charge’ or ‘hurt to self or ego’ instead of wallowing in it, as the mind tends to. And it is not just me. There was a Christian minister I know about from New York who had an awakening of sorts and who keeps Kalki Bhagwan’s photograph on his mantelpiece in his church in New York. Then there is the Japanese monk and spiritual leader Kenji Nakanishi who took diksha along with 13 disciples when he finally experienced the cosmic oneness he had longed for all his life, thanks to the grace of Amma and Kalki Bhagwan. I interviewed him on camera. Could you elaborate what powers awakened as a result of your sadhana? I could easily scan a person’s body and tell if the body was sick, broken or unwell, or going to be sick. Back in Mumbai, I was sitting in the lobby of Taj Land's End when I saw a yogi sitting a few steps away. I immediately got down to business and tried to peer inside his body and found myself facing immense spiritual energy. The yogi saw me and suddenly shut my vision. He looked directly at me and smiled. He beckoned me to approach him. It was as if an armour had come up and I could not penetrate it. The man was Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudeva. He wasn’t as famous as he is now, so I hadn’t recognised him. He asked me what I was doing. It was a little embarrassing. He invited me to his ashram where he personally took me on a tour of the power spots at the ashram on Shivratri. He told me to keep my spine erect on Shivratri night as the planets were aligned and I should let them work on my chakras. I also released a book he had written, at three am on Shivratri! In fact, after my experiences with Kalki Bhagwan, I found myself encountering a number of elevated spiritual souls who opened up to me and added to my understanding of spirituality. Around this time, I also received a call inviting me to a meeting with Avdhoot Baba Shivanand and attend his camp in Rishikesh. He had seen my film, Banaras—A Mystic Love Story, and it was quite surreal discussing my cinema with an attained soul in Rishikesh on the banks of the Ganges. I told him that the music they played in the morning was really awful. The Baba, the sport that he is, laughed heartily and asked me to compose something better. I did, and that is what they play now at times in their Shivirs. I have witnessed the efficacy of Shiv Yog agriculture, where the soil, after being given Shaambhavi or Shiv energy by Avdhoot Shivanand Baba, increases its fertility by as much as 18 to 20 per cent. What is being achieved by the grace of these masters is amazing. Another remarkable teacher I met, this time through an article in Life Positive, was Dadashreeji of MaitriBodh Parivaar. He is a direct disciple of Mahavatar Babaji and is in constant touch with his guru. I went to Karjat to meet him when the ashram had not really developed. Once more, my good fortune brought me to the feet of a master whose congregation was yet to grow to a noticeable size. We spent hours talking one-to-one. It was amazing. He said he would convey my regards and respect to Mahavtar Babaji. Dadashreeji has visited this room you are in now. The photograph I have of him, which I took here, is used for worship at Dadashreeji’s ashram near Mumbai. One of my life’s biggest blessings was that Dadashreeji was told by Mahavtar Babaji that I should paint Babaji as he is now! So, I had to do many trips to Karjat as I did versions of Babaji till I finally got it right according to Dadashreeji, including the walking stick that Babaji carries now. It is this painting that is put up at the ashram now. Dadashreeji also let me sign it as ‘Mitr Pankuj’! I remain humbled by that gesture. I also found the only surviving photograph of Lahiri Mahasaya (Sri Shyama Charan Lahiri), the Kriya Yoga master, who could not be photographed as his body vibrated at a frequency which the cameras of those days couldn’t capture. This particular picture was taken with his permission. I made a documentary on him in the Banaras house where Babaji appeared to him and where many miracles were performed by Lahiri Mahasaya which is available on youtube. This short film also features Dadashreeji and the painting I did of Babaji. So, I am blessed when it comes to satsang with mahatmas. One of my closest friends is Dr Pankaj Close encounter (H).indd 22 18/12/17 10:09 AM

LIFE POSITIVE wJANUARY 2018 w23w To read these articles online and post your comments, go to http://www.lifepositive.com/Magazine/January2018. We welcome your comments and suggestions on this article. Mail us at [email protected] Satish Purohit is an author-coach whose professional background spans the fields of publishing, editing, writing, and bookselling. Naram, who is an ayurveda guru and a descendant of the gurus who originally treated the Buddha in Sarnath. He also has some parchments that are over 4000 years old with ancient ayurvedic formulas. He has lived in a cave for several years with his guru in the Himalayas, attaining ayurvedic knowledge. How has this spiritual unfolding affected your filmmaking? Without experiencing various spiritual dimensions and the transformation within myself, I would not have been able to make a film with a spiritual theme like Banaras—A Mystic Love Story. Avdhoot Baba Shivanand and Kalki Bhagwan asked me to be vigilant for the emergence of the 'spiritual ego’, which is the surge of pride that accompanies what are called siddhis (spiritual powers). It is very easy to have a swollen head after one gains some spiritual experience. This advice has held me in good stead. It has grounded me in my life and work as well. Banaras—A Mystic Love Story would not have been possible had L C Singh, the Chairman and CEO of Nihilent Technologies Ltd, not decided to produce it. He was clear at the outset that he wanted to make a good movie and not a money spinner at the box office. This gave me the creative room to bring the light of my spiritual experiences to my craft. Singh wanted to create a film that was aligned with his search for big answers pertaining to knowledge, truth, existence, being, and becoming. When the film was released, it attracted considerable critical acclaim and drew like-minded searching souls together. I know of several groups of seekers brought together by their love for the film. Not surprisingly, the film continues to be a spiritual catalyst in the lives of many. This is evident from the countless comments on YouTube, where the film is available for free viewing. I was shooting in Manikarnika cremation grounds in Banaras, where an Aghori sadhu surprised me with the advice: “drop the ego; the search becomes easier,” in English. Wonders never cease. Close encounter (H).indd 23 18/12/17 10:09 AM

w24w LIFE POSITIVE wJANUARY 2018 Lead story In an effort to overcome a challenging illness, human beings often undergo intense emotional and physical churning that engenders a massive spiritual shift in their consciousness, says Jamuna Rangachari Evolving through illness Photo: Adobe Stock Cover story (H).indd 24 16/12/17 12:52 PM

LIFE POSITIVE wJANUARY 2018 w25w As humans born on earth, we are obligated to evolve. The meshes of earthly life are designed to facilitate evolution through external and internal friction. No matter how much we try to evade this responsibility, we have to fight our demons and ascend to a higher frequency of existence. And until we have done the required inner work, the body remains a repository of all that which is unhealed and unresolved in our life, in the form of chronic aches, pains, and almost incurable diseases. For the longest time, we were programmed to believe that the human body is destined to fall sick and deteriorate gradually. Therefore, all illness is nothing but a gradual progression in that direction. Physical suffering has to be tolerated as inevitable and borne with a smile. Yet, as illnesses surmounted, and the human race reeled under it causing many to lose time, relationships, and their cherished dream, the search for perfect health gained momentum, unleashing a slew of spiritual and metaphysical discoveries. The yearning to house a body brimming with health and vitality motivated people to introspect, go on healing journeys, try various alternatives, and change several key elements in their mental and emotional make-up, making the entire process a kind of spiritual practice. Yet, not every illness is curable; some of them are beyond repair. The caregivers of such patients have to put their lives on hold to accommodate a severely challenged soul among themselves. And this alone has on many occasions caused people to discover qualities hitherto unknown to themselves, such as, patience, compassion, perseverance, humility, sacrifice, and unconditional love. Secondly, illness too, like any other major setback in life, is supposed to help us learn, evolve, and grow. My own battle with multiple sclerosis became a form of school, a training ground, from where I emerged stronger and empowered. When I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2007, I was devastated. There was no known cure or any guidelines on what someone afflicted with this problem must do to keep herself reasonably healthy. During those days of intense turmoil, I serendipitously came across the book, Tough Times Never Last but Tough People Do, by Dr Robert Schuller. The book talks about people who courageously withstood and overcame mammoth challenges that came their way. It speaks about building a positive self-image, no matter what the problem, and creating a positive world for yourself. It motivated me to read positive stories, and take inspiration from people who remained cheerful and upbeat in the worst challenges of their life. Around the same time, the then editor of Life Positive, Suma Varughese, wrote an article called Karma and Grace in the magazine, which injected me with a fresh dose of hope. The article beautifully highlighted the fact that when faced with a challenge, one also gets the requisite strength to handle it. She elucidated that the difference between the karma we earn and what is actually visited upon us is huge, and that divine justice goes hand in hand with divine grace. This further inspired me to face my challenge with fortitude. I then started exploring all kinds of alternative therapies to heal myself. I also decided to focus on the positive in life and being grateful for all that I had. After experimenting with several modalities, I finally stumbled upon acupressure which healed me completely. Gradually, I shifted to focussing on my emotions, to heal any underlying psychosomatic issues that could possibly have triggered the problem. Today, I am certain that it was my keenness to work on my emotions and develop a positive attitude that resulted in my overall healing. I have observed that overcoming any stubborn illness is a form of sadhana. Whether it manifests as several days in bed with the flu, or years of struggle with a chronic illness, getting sick has a wonderful way of stopping us in our tracks, forcing us into new priorities, and redirecting our lives. The harder the struggle to get well, the greater the dividends in terms of finding one’s core strengths and discovering hidden abilities. Leena Haider, a businesswoman and Heal Your Life practitioner from Mumbai, was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 44. She says, “The breast cancer diagnosis transformed my life. Of course, I went through the initial shock and trauma, but once I came to terms with it, I realised that it was just my body telling me to change my thinking. Till then, I always put myself and my needs on the back burner. This was my body’s way of asking me to stop doing that.” She came up with an action plan that put all Overcoming any stubborn illness is a form of sadhana. Illness wonderfully stops us in our tracks, forces us into new priorities and redirects our lives. The harder the struggle to get well, the greater the dividends in terms of finding one’s core strengths and discovering hidden abilities. Cover story (H).indd 25 16/12/17 12:52 PM

w26w LIFE POSITIVE wJANUARY 2018 condition live happily.” Since she worked on removing her illness with commitment and dedication, it became a kind of sadhana for her. And like any sadhana done with determination and sincerity, it fructified into her growth and empowerment as an individual. Illness unleashing a career Once we realise that everything in life, including illness, can be converted into a lesson, we never stop learning and growing. We need to know that for every problem there is a solution. While many give up in the face of unbearable illnesses, there are others who discover their indomitable spirit and neversay-die attitude while fighting their ailments. So many people would not be where they are today, had crippling illness not forced them to extract every ounce of courage and faith present in them to make something out of their lives. The illness became a laboratory where they constantly experimented with their mind and life to find a way to victory. Sai Padma, a 44-year-old from Visakhapatnam, was born healthy but got afflicted with polio at the age of one and a half months. The attack crippled her voice and movement of limbs. Her parents, both of whom were doctors, did their best to restore some kind of normalcy to her. After receiving several shock treatments—the only treatment available then—her voice and upper limbs became active but movement in her legs could not be restored. Sai Padma decided to use the faculty of her restored voice to her advantage and completed a diploma course in classical music, along with finishing her graduation in commerce and a diploma in computers. She then wanted to study chartered accountancy, but sadly, all the institutes she approached, politely declined to admit her, saying that they cannot accommodate her. Finally, one institute accepted her after much persuasion. Once admitted, she poured her heart and soul into mastering the subjects. But then, there was another challenge waiting for her. “Life twisted again after I finher learnings as a healer to the test. “I started affirming that all the resources required for my healing would come to me. I used a lot of affirmations, prayers, essential oils, Bach flower remedies, Reiki, EFT, and other modalities to help myself. In the process, I became more authentic, learnt to nurture myself, and had the courage to speak my truth. Today, in hindsight, I realise that I wouldn’t have taken so many bold decisions and lived life as per my choice if I hadn’t had this diagnosis.” She concludes, “I believe that everything happens for a reason. Deep down, I know that I went through this experience so that I could help many women with the same Leena Haider's breast cancer put her on the path of self-care and service to others Many people would not be where they are today, had crippling illness not forced them to extract every ounce of courage and faith present in them to make something out of their lives. Cover story (H).indd 26 16/12/17 12:52 PM

LIFE POSITIVE wJANUARY 2018 w27 w ished my CA internship. I would come down with severe fatigue, pain, and constant fevers,” she says. She was diagnosed with a condition called gross scoliosis for which she had to undergo surgery but recovered well through sheer grit. Currently, she is pursuing her MBA (finance) so that she can help finance various disability related sectors and make women more economically independent. A similar experience took place with Amarjit Singh Narula, 53, an ex-civil engineer and a resident of Mumbai, who suffered from ulcerative colitis for 13 years from 1986 to 1999. Since allopathy did not (and still does not) have a solution for this problem, he explored many alternative therapies and healed himself through them. He is now an alternative therapist himself who combines acupressure, colour therapy, and nutrition. He even published a book and is a television show host on Aastha chan - nel since 2005. Recounting his journey, he says, “I have learnt that nothing is forever, not even sick - ness. If we accept our illness and not curse it, we shall indeed be given a solution.” He learnt to for - give everyone and also became very caring as an individual. He is clear now that he has found the purpose of his life as a healer. Life always challenges us in one way or the other. But the fact is that every challenge makes us better and stronger. Kallolina Potra, an alternative healer from Delhi had helped many people heal through the use of acupressure, magnet therapy, and mudras. But recently, she herself came down with a health chal - lenge. She got a fever, suffered from severe pain, and had to depend on her husband for everything. She was later diagnosed with suffering from chi - kungunya fever. Once the cause of the disease was discovered, she started the onerous task of healing herself through the techniques she applied on oth - ers. She placed the magnets, pressed the relevant acupressure points, did mudra therapy, and within a few days, was back on her feet. Now that she has recovered, she is even more confident about her own healing prowess. With the experience having enriched her, she says, “This was my sadhana. I thank God for giving me the opportunity to feel the pain of chikungunya. He gave me the confidence to heal myself, guided me and helped me, which in turn, relieved me of my extremely painful condi - tion.” While attempts to overcome personal illness build core strengths of an individual such as being determined and responsible, dealing with illnesses of near ones gives the caregiver a glimpse of the expanse of his soul. Caring and healing Recently, I watched an interview with the chairman of Microsoft, Satya Nadella, on TV. As he spoke, I Cover story (H).indd 27 16/12/17 12:52 PM

w28w LIFE POSITIVE wJANUARY 2018 learnt that Satya owes his deeply empathetic nature to Zain, his eldest son, who is severely disabled. He was born weighing just three pounds, having suffered asphyxiation in the birth canal. As a result, he is visually impaired, suffers from cerebral palsy, has limited communication, and is a quadriplegic. He has endured many painful medical interventions and may face more. Still, he has a discerning passion for music and loves to spend time with his family members. Even in his most vulnerable moments, 21-year-old Zain shows great resilience and strength, which inspires both his parents. His positive chatter stops their internal chatter of “Why me? Why my child?” “When he brings his maximum effort to the table, I feel the need to do more for him and others,” said Nadella. He shared how the condition of his son has taught him and his wife, not just how to cope but also the power of kindness. In the process, Nadella learned the empowering act of being kind to others as well as himself. Another astounding caregiver who I came across recently is Yukta Sahni, a young vivacious mother, living in my colony in Delhi. She knows almost everything about nutrition and health. Intrigued, I asked her if she was a doctor or a nutritionist, which she denied. After she left, another young woman who was sitting next to us told me her story, which one could call heart-wrenching or inspiring, depending on one’s perspective. Yukta’s son was diagnosed with leukaemia when he was just five. After a few rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, and the works, when she found no improvement, she felt extremely depressed and went into the “Why me?” syndrome. The doctors did not have an answer, nor did her friends or relatives. At that juncture, she started to pray deeply for guidance. Serendipitously, she met a senior in the ward who told her that all she could do now was to make her son as happy as possible since only that could enliven his mind and spirit. Inspired, she began to consciously give him healthy, nutritious food and take him out to all the events he loved. As a result, the boy started participating in all the games and activities in the colony, reading plenty of books, as well as making friends everywhere. With this, the little boy’s life changed from being only about treatment to one that made him look forward to life. Life for him and the family started becoming joyous, with hope for complete recovery injected in the process. “I do not know what will happen next, but I do hope and pray for as much happiness as is possible for my son. This can happen only if I can be as happy as I can be. I have surrendered myself to the Almighty with complete faith that I shall be guided Sai Padma conquered various afflictions and emerged a winner While attempts to overcome personal illness build core strengths of an individual such as being determined and responsible, dealing with illnesses of near ones gives the caregiver a glimpse into the expanse of his soul. Cover story (H).indd 28 16/12/17 12:52 PM

LIFE POSITIVE wJANUARY 2018 w29w on the right path by Him.” Her faith, courage, and optimism, in the face of impending sorrow and uncertainty, has made her an inspiration for everyone around her. An example of selfless love Not just children, even adults need the support and care of their loved ones to heal. At 49, while vacationing with her extended family in Lakshmangarh, a small village in Rajasthan, Bimla Killa had a massive brain stroke. Since there was no history of any major brain-related illness on both sides of her family, the doctors administered her with painkillers, thinking it to be a migraine. When on the third morning too, she woke up with the same splitting headache, her husband, Mahesh, packed for both of them and flew back to Kolkata. She was driven straight to the hospital, where the doctor declared it to be a massive brain haemorrhage. The next morning, she suffered a paralytic stroke, which damaged 30 per cent of her brain, rendering her entire left side immobile. She lost her speech and the use of her right limbs. Doctors put her survival chances at less than 20 per cent. Bimla spent the next two months in the ICU of Woodlands Nursing Home in Kolkata, silently battling the odds. During this period, Mahesh spent most of his waking hours outside the ICU. After she was discharged, a series of treatments like physiofor more details on the curriculum and to register call: +91 98334 02653/55 for complete schedule logon to www.ekaa.co.in oogle may not have all the answers ...few answers come from within! Searching for a balanced life... EKAA’s Integrated Clinical Hypnotherapy Curriculum can take you to that inward journey... #BeYourOwnGuru #LearnHypnotherapy therapy, speech therapy, counselling, and many others were started for her. Their bedroom started resembling an ICU facility with an adjustable bed and all monitoring equipment. Things began to look brighter, and the efforts of therapy began to reap results. She had started stringing six to seven words together to communicate and could walk with some help. Unfortunately, in the next MRI scan, six months after the stroke, she was found to have another aneurysm in her brain that needed to be surgically clipped. She was hastily flown to Mumbai with a slew of family and extended family members. The surgery took close to six hours. The surgeon told Mahesh, “An operation is also an injury, albeit a controlled one. Though we have clipped her aneurysm, there has been extensive damage.” He then added that chances of Bimla’s survival beyond three years were slim, and all the progress she had made in speech and the use of her limbs had been lost. She had touched ground zero once again. He even cautioned that caregivers of such dependent patients initially take great care, but, with time, lose interest and patience. They pass on the Cover story (H).indd 29 16/12/17 12:52 PM

w30w LIFE POSITIVE wJANUARY 2018 saw her get up with much difficulty and walk behind the sofa my father sat on. He opened the face cream container and held it high to help her reach it. She scooped tiny lumps and dabbed it in small measures on his cheeks, forehead, chin, and nose. She then gave him a face massage for a full five minutes with her one good hand, while the right dangled lifelessly on her side. After which she wiped his face clean with the wet cotton swab placed in her lap by the nurse. All the while, she hummed. My father winked at me and said, “Now you know the secret behind the glow! It is because of the facial I get from your mom every morning.” Raksha says, “I read somewhere that like food, water, and air, we have another basic need without which we would all wilt, and this need is the need to feel ‘wanted’. Not for a moment in these years did my mother, Bimla, feel ‘not wanted’ by my father. Bimla owes her healing to the love and support showered upon her by her husband and family members. Holistic healing True healing requires coming into alignment with our highest good. But if we have addressed symptoms without supporting this realignment, we probably won’t be able to sustain a state of health and well-being for long. We need to adopt a new way of living to help us continue the deeper process of change that can be engendered only spiritually. In all my experience, I have found that including a sincere prayer of thanking the Universe, the cosmos, is the best medicine we can give to ourselves. Along with this, we need to add oodles of positivity too to our thoughts because this is what the Universe is trying to convey to us. Many proponents of the mind-body healing spectrum say that we are responsible for our health or illness. This sometimes sounds a little condescending. A better way to think is to take a longer, spiritual view, and let go of the notion that illness is bad, or that we must have done something wrong to bring it work to hired help, which leads to the patient feeling unwanted and hence, withdrawing from life. This entire episode took place 21 years ago. Mahesh, Bimla’s husband, never allowed her to withdraw from life. Although she cannot say more than three words together, needs round-theclock help to perform basic tasks, and does get irritated and drowsy with having to eat 20 pills per day, she and her husband manage to lead a fulfilling life till date. They drive to the park for their morning walks together—though Mahesh has to strive to keep pace with her slow speed—go to the club every evening, have their dinner together, after which they watch their favourite TV shows before retiring to bed. Their daughter, Raksha Bharadia, who is married and lives in Ahmedabad, recounts, “I remember once when I was visiting them in Kolkata. It was six in the morning and they had just finished their meditation. I Dealing with Bimla's illness helped Mahesh develop his spiritual muscle which strengthened their bond Instead of seeing illness as our failure to maintain our health, it’s more useful to view it as a sign that we’re ready to grow. The part of us that chooses illness is the spiritual self that sees our highest good. Cover story (H).indd 30 16/12/17 12:52 PM

LIFE POSITIVE wJANUARY 2018 w31w To read these articles online and post your comments, go to http://www.lifepositive.com/Magazine/January2018. We welcome your comments and suggestions on this article. Mail us at [email protected] Jamuna Rangachari is a writer who has authored two books for children, and compiled and interpreted Teaching Stories-I and II for Life Positive. upon us. Solutions will be given to us, for acceptance is always a prelude to solutions. All illness is purposeful for both, the personality as well as the soul. The ego, the part of us that believes we’re defined by our physical body, can’t help but find illness threatening and considers it inimical. However, as we address our lives’ situations more deeply, we realise that ‘responsibility’ is not the same as ‘control’. We can only control what’s within the range of our conscious awareness. Illness brings our hidden aspects to the surface and makes us consider new options. This is, perhaps, one of its most important functions. So, instead of seeing illness as our failure to maintain our health, it’s more useful to view it as a sign that we’re ready to grow. The part of us that chooses illness is the spiritual self that sees our highest good in a way limited perceptions of our ego can’t. From a spiritual perspective, illness is a step toward wholeness. No one consciously chooses pain or illness, yet the experience of dealing with these challenges can lead us on a journey that ultimately delivers great rewards. We have seen many people with cancer and other diseases describe their illness as one of the greatest blessings of their lives because it forced them to reshuffle priorities and pursue paths that brought profound fulfilment. The illness gave them an opportunity to make choices they wouldn’t have considered otherwise. As far as healers are concerned, illness gives them more confidence in their own healing prowess, as nothing speaks louder than one’s own authentic experience. To caregivers, it shows them that life is all about caring and loving despite whatever cards may be dealt by life to their loved ones. In the process, all of them become complete if they look at the illness as a supreme teacher. Isn’t it often said that the true test of love is caring for loved ones when they combat illness? Let us strive to accept any illness as a comma and not a full stop in life. Only then shall we be able to see life as an eternal gift. Cover story (H).indd 31 16/12/17 12:52 PM

w32w LIFE POSITIVE wJANUARY 2018 Globalisation has brought world cuisine onto our plates. More and more people are choosing to eat and order from outside. Trying out world cuisines and fusion foods from different countries has become fashionable. Not only the aerated drinks and the readyto-eat pastas, sauces and noodles too have become a staple among the Indian masses. The menu can include anything from fried Manchurian, tacos, nachos, cheese balls to foods made from molecular gastronomy, which is a fusion of physics and chemistry, and is served with fuming flasks of liquid nitrogen, LED blinking water baths, and different chemicals and syringes giving rise to different fragrances, textures, and even sounds. Who needs plates and saucers when we have chocolate spoons, As we are surrounded by a plethora of tempting options from world cuisine to choose from, it would be wise to select the healthier and wholesome preparations while trying them out, says Naini Setalvad Body superfood Healthy Asian foods crispy potato baskets, or steel meshes as serving items? Like the children following the Pied Piper, we are blindly following the herd, giving rise to a billion-dollar industry that encourages us to give up our local, regional, seasonal produce. This business recommends that we greedily eat more quinoa, kale, and broccoli at every meal. A cocktail of world cuisine on our plate, loaded with chemicals and pesticides to increase the size and flavour, is probably the reason for rising instances of early puberty, hormonal disturbances, and the rise of obesity, diabetes, and cancer in people. But this does not mean that you need to eschew all these wonderful cuisines, to maintain your health. In fact, there are plenty of healthy options in these cuisines to choose from. Read on to know what you can make at home, or order at a restaurant, from these exotic Chinese, Japanese, and Thai foods. Photo: Adobe Stock food.indd 32 15/12/17 7:40 PM

LIFE POSITIVE wJANUARY 2018 w33w Stir fry veggies Ingredients • 250 gm broccoli, chopped • 1 red/ green capsicum, sliced • 100 gm snow peas, trimmed of strings • 125 gm baby mushrooms, sliced • 6 pieces baby corn, sliced diagonally • 5-6 pieces spring onions, sliced diagonally • 1 tbsp vegetable oil • 1 clove garlic, crushed • 1/2 tsp ginger, finely grated • 1 tbsp soya sauce • 1 tsp sesame oil Method Heat vegetable oil in a wok. Add all the vegetables. Add ginger and garlic. Stir fry for two to three minutes. Stir in the sesame oil and soya sauce. Serve immediately. Photo: Adobe Stock food.indd 33 15/12/17 7:40 PM

w34w LIFE POSITIVE wJANUARY 2018 Chinese foods: Who hasn’t had midnight cravings for spicy Manchurian with fried rice or Hakka noodles? However, a constant craving for any of these foods is not good for your body. We need to replace Kung Pao potatoes, fried Manchurian, and Hakka noodles with udon noodles and jasmine rice, which are much healthier to eat. For drinks, you can choose antioxidant-rich green tea or jasmine tea that helps protect the heart. For starters, you can opt for vegetable clear soup, and have stir-fry veggies, sautéed greens, jasmine rice, or steamed dumplings filled with vegetables for the main course. Japanese foods: It is widely known that the Japanese are one of the oldest living people in the world. Their healthy diet is one of the main reasons for their longevity. I have noticed that not only do they sit on the floor during meal times, their food contains a healthy amount of peanuts, sesame, ginger, as well as fermented vegetables and drinks. So, while considering Japanese cuisine, you should pick and select their best foods. Many Japanese dishes contain fermented foods which enhance the beneficial bacteria in the gut. Miso soup, for example, is made from fermented beans. Edamame beans satiate your hunger, help you maintain your weight and provide fibre which aids the digestive system. Your main course can be Japanese curry along with sushi and sashimi. Japanese staples such as tofu and sticky rice are really good for health. Rice cracker is a Japanese delicacy to snack on while sipping on Macha tea. Macha tea is known to boost metabolism, lower blood sugar, and calm the mind and body. Thai foods: The Thai cuisine is known for its impeccable diversity, precision, and balance in its dishes. Since it is heavily influenced by Chinese, Cambodian, and Vietnamese flavour, there is something in it for everyone. Tom Yum Soup is a Thai masterpiece as it blends the sour, salty, spicy, and sweet flavours perfectly. Made from mushrooms, lemongrass, and lime leaves, this is an authentic Thai delicacy in which vegetables of your choice can easily be added. Som Tham, better known as Thai Papaya Salad, is basically shredded raw papaya which is a delicious salad. Try their most famous dish—Thai Curry which is available in green or red gravy. This dish is an unforgettable blend of delights with its coconut and basil flavours along with vegetables such as eggplant and bell peppers. This curry should be had with rice as it tends to be soupy. Thai food is filled with flavours and spices, and the use of coconut in almost all their dishes helps your body get good fat. Spices like kafir lime, galangal, thai basil, lemon basil, and star anise are used in abundance. Fresh fruits are often served as dessert after the meal. What is common in all these three cuisines is that most of their food is prepared in a wok, and rice or noodles is the standard base for cooking. They also have quick, time saving, one pot meals which contain vegetables, rice, chicken, or tofu. So, the next time you crave for Asian cuisine, choose from the healthier options provided to us by these different countries. To read these articles online and post your comments, go to http://www.lifepositive.com/Magazine/January2018. We welcome your comments and suggestions on this article. Mail us at [email protected] Naini Setalvad is a nutritionist, specialising in lifestyle and immunity disorders. Her foundation, Health For You, throws light on healthy food habits. Thai Curry, which is available in green or red gravy, is an unforgettable blend of delights with its coconut and basil flavours along with vegetables such as eggplant and bell peppers. food.indd 34 15/12/17 7:40 PM

full advt Jau 17 .indd 1 08/12/17 4:30 PM

w36w LIFE POSITIVE wJANUARY 2018 Any time is a great time for personal transformation, but there’s something about New Year that offers a fresh outlook. This New Year, give your resolutions a yogic twist! Enhance your body, mind, and spirit with five to 10 rounds of Surya Namaskara daily. Surya Namaskara has been handed down to us by enlightened sages of the Vedic age. The sun symbolises spiritual consciousness, and in yoga, the sun is represented by pingala or surya nadi, the pranic channel which carries the vital, life-giving force. Surya Namaskara is a complete sadhana and spiritual practice in itself, for it includes asana, pranayama, mantra, and meditation techniques. It is an effective way of loosening up, stretching, massaging, and toning all the joints, muscles, and internal organs of the body. Its versatility and application make it one of the most useful methods of inducing a healthy, vigorous, and active life, while at the same time preparing for spiritual awakening. General contraindications (conditions or factors that serve as a reason to withhold a certain medical treatment due to the harm that it would cause the patient):- the practice of Surya Namaskara should be immediately discontinued if a fever, acute inflammation, boils, or rashes occur due to excessive toxins in the body. When the toxins have been eliminated, the practice may be resumed. It should not be practised by people suffering from high blood pressure, coronary artery diseases, hernia, intestinal tuberculosis, slipped disc, and sciatica. Position one—Pranamasana Keep the eyes closed. Remain standing upright with the feet together. Slowly bend the elbows and place the palms together in front of the chest in Namaskara mudra, mentally offering homage to the sun, the source of all life. Breathe normally and relax the whole body. This pose establishes a state of concentration and calmness in preparation for the practice to be performed. New Year, new you! Bring in 2018 with this amazing practice and enjoy health and well-being all year round, says Malvika Dadoo Agrawal Stay in shape with yoga Position two—Hasta Utthanasana Separate the hands, and raise and stretch both arms above the head, keeping them shoulder width apart. Inhale while raising the arms. Bend the head, arms, and upper trunk slightly backward. Position three—Padahastasana Exhale and bend forward from the hips until the fingers or palms of the hands touch the floor on either Body regimen Yoga.indd 36 15/12/17 12:59 PM

LIFE POSITIVE wJANUARY 2018 w37w side of the feet. Bring the forehead as close to the knees as is comfortable and keep the knees straight. Contract the abdomen to expel the maximum amount of air from the lungs. People with back problems should not bend forward fully. Position four—Ashwa Sanchalanasana Place the hands on the floor besides the feet. Inhale and stretch the right leg back as far as it is comfortable. At the same time, bend the left knee, keeping the left foot on the floor in the same position. Keep the arms straight. In the final position, the weight of the body should be supported on both hands, the left foot, right knee, and toes of the right foot. The head should be tilted backwards, the back arched, and the inner gaze directed upward to the eyebrow centre. Position five—Parvatasana Keep the hands and right foot still. Exhale and take the left foot back beside the right foot. Simultaneously, raise the buttocks and lower the head between the arms so that the back and legs form two sides of a triangle. The legs and arms straighten, and the heels come down towards the floor in the final position. Try bringing the head and shoulders towards the knees, but do not strain. This pose strengthens the nerves and muscles in the limbs and back, stimulates blood circulation and helps increase height. Position six—Ashtanga Namaskara Keep the hands and feet in place. Lower the knees, chest, and chin; the feet will come up on the toes. In the final position, only the toes, knees, chest, and chin touch the floor. The buttocks, hips, and abdomen should be raised. The breath is held in this pose; there is no respiration. This pose strengthens the legs and arm muscles, develops the chest and exercises the region of the spine between the shoulder blades. Position seven—Bhujangasana Keep the hands and feet in place. Slide the chest forward and first raise the head and the shoulders. Then, straightening the elbows, arch the back into the cobra pose. This will lower the buttocks, thighs, and hips to the floor. Inhale, bend the head back, and direct the gaze upward to the eyebrow centre. Position eight—Parvatasana The limbs do not move from position seven. Exhale and assume Parvatasana. Note: Please bend your left knee instead of the right knee as shown here Yoga.indd 37 15/12/17 12:59 PM

w38w LIFE POSITIVE wJANUARY 2018 P o s i t i o n n i n e — A s h w a Sanchalanasana Keep the palms flat on the floor and the right foot in place. Bend the left leg and bring the left foot forward between the hands. Simultaneously, lower the right knee so that it touches the floor and push the pelvis forward. Inhale and tilt the head backward. Arch the back and gaze at the eyebrow centre. Position 10—Padahastasana Exhale and bring the right foot forward next to the left foot. Straighten both legs and bring the forehead as close to the knees as possible, without straining. Position 11—Hasta Utthanasana Keep the arms and spine in a straight line. Inhale and raise the torso and stretch the arms above the head. Keep the arms separated, shoulder width apart. Bend the head, arms, and upper trunk slightly backward. Position 12—Pranamasana Exhale and bring the palms together at your chest. For spiritual benefits, practise three to 12 rounds slowly. For physical benefits, practise three to 12 rounds more quickly. Beginners should start with two or three rounds and add one more round every week to avoid fatigue. Regular yoga practitioners may practise a greater number of rounds. To read these articles online and post your comments, go to http:// www.lifepositive.com/Magazine/January 2018. We welcome your comments and suggestions on this article. Mail us at editor@lifepositive.net Malvika D Agarwal is a yoga therapist, and Public Relation and Social Media Manager at Life Positive. Yoga.indd 38 15/12/17 12:59 PM

advt. full advt Dec 17 .indd 1 21/11/17 11:07 AM

w40w LIFE POSITIVE wJANUARY 2018 A year has ended and another has started. 2018 is going to be with us for the next 365 days. Year 2018 is a great year for the whole creation on many levels. It is the year of the dynamic master number 11 (2+0+1+8), the father of all the numbers as per numerology. As per the angels, the year 2018 is the chief year of manifestation of powerful energies. This manifestation is accelerating at great speed, which has been apparent to humankind in the last few decades. According to the angels and the science of numerology, 2018 is a great year for seeming underdogs, surprise feats, global decisions at the behest of the whole world, child prodigies, the rise of the divine feminine across various aspects of life, and for greater alignment and balance in the world. The individual digits of 2018 total up to 11, which could further be reduced to number 2, for, in numerology, all the numbers are Angel practitioner Roshani Shenazz Nadirshah outlines what to expect in 2018, a year riding high on the energies of master number 11 The year of the master number reduced to the vibration of a single digit. However, numbers 11, 22, and 33 are called ‘master numbers’ and are never reduced to a single digit. Significance of 11 11 is the first master, carrying the underlying energies of number 2. The energies of each master number keep rising in frequency in ascending order. Thus, number 33 is at the highest spiritual order of frequency, whereas number 11 is said to be the propeller of these powerful universal energies. The latter is also the most intuitive and manifesting of all the numbers. People born under this master number are intuitive, charismatic, dynamic, and capable when their sight is set on a concrete goal. This year will be of utmost importance for all those born under this number if they truly follow the guidance. Number 11 carries the energy of almost instant manifestation. Thus, the number-11-borns have to be careful of what they wish for. First quarter According to the frequencies, the year will begin with commanding energies spilling over from the celebraMind guidance Roshani's.indd 40 15/12/17 10:16 AM

LIFE POSITIVE wJANUARY 2018 w41w tory month of December 2017. The period from January to March will be one of careful sowing of new seeds for many. For others, it would be a time to harvest fruits of past efforts. Be careful how you begin the year because everything you think, say, or do, is being stamped onto the cosmic canvas like a King’s seal, the imprint of which is going to last almost until 2027, the next master number 11 year. It is an opportune time to collaborate with and create a healthy ecosystem of like-minded people, whose goals and visions match your dreams. The first three months are extremely potent for giving birth to new ideas, relationships, projects, jobs, or bringing a radical turnaround in your career or business. Second quarter The period from April to June will be bombarded with more noisy information. It shall unfold the chaotic influx of new technology, inventions, and extraordinary discoveries. It is also a period of caution as the power of these inventions can tantalise the crooked elements of the world. Send more love and prayers to the troubled parts of the world, creation, and humanity. A significant trigger will set off pandemonium during this time, but the collective goodness, which is simultaneously being generated worldwide, shall dispel it. People in power or authority should be careful of not misusing it. Be aware of your habit of judgment, discrimination, arrogance, or sheer overconfidence. Spend time discovering your true self. Learning, going for higher studies, or enhancing your skills during this time shall be highly beneficial. This period shall also witness a change in world policies and breakthroughs in governance. It will be a time to undergo detoxification and build your immunity since increased anxiety and adrenaline rush at this time can cause emotional and physical chaos. Third quarter The roller coaster reaches its peak during the months of July, August, and September. Fasten your seat belts as these three months would be a rush hour to finish pending jobs. The Universe does not wait for anyone and will be in a great hurry during this time. Any inertia or procrastination will be turned on its head. If you are in that zone, be ready for upheavals. Seek guidance to do away with self-sabotaging beliefs, habits, or conditioning. The release of toxins may hinder the physical health of some; therefore, it is advisable to consult the right medical or alternative practitioner for taking precautions. Relationships might need a closer look during this high energy quarter. Be careful of arguments, gossiping, blaming, or anything else which might ruin your peace. Do not feed negativity, and do positive affirmations, meditation, and self-introspection at every point. At the same time, it is a period of miraculous turnarounds, medical recoveries, financial revivification, and marriage commitments. Fourth quarter Since 11 also has the subliminal energies of the number 2, it exerts a certain amount of duality as well as the power of divine faith and timing. It encourages us to create a balance in different aspects of our lives—spiritual and earthly, professional and personal, inner and outer. Hence, the period from October to December shall push us over the edge to orchestrate perfect balance and alignment in all aspects of our life, to work towards releasing all duality, removing masks and dropping all facades. For all those who have worked upon themselves, the year end would bring transformations and infinite possibilities to change and heal from their own limiting beliefs, recurring patterns, and self-sabotaging processes. A step forward All in all, 2018 is a potent, forceful year of elevated energies entering our dimension as we move dynamically into the Golden Age. You are required to hold on to faith at any cost, as resurrection not only requires complete destruction and clearance of old debris but also a new, firm foundation. This year is the beginning of a wonderful journey for many who have successfully ended their karmic chapters, learnt their specific soul lessons, and moved ahead with love and forgiveness in their hearts. By living this powerful guidance, you shall not only have a stupendously divine 2018 but will shine your light upon the world as you journey ahead. Be in awareness of every emotion, feeling, thought, word, and deed. Make gratitude and kindness your default nature. Water the soil of your soul with the sparkling, divine waters of a balanced way of living. Know that this benevolent guidance shall carry forward the energies that go beyond this particular year. Infuse the fragrance of this guidance into your waking life and watch the magic unfold. Have a sparkling 2018! To read these articles online and post your comments, go to http://www.lifepositive.com/Magazine/January2018. We welcome your comments and suggestions on this article. Mail us at [email protected] Roshani Shenazz is an internationally acclaimed spiritual guide, mentor, coach and best-selling author of Angels Speak. For more info or to get in touch, email: [email protected] Roshani's.indd 41 15/12/17 10:16 AM

full advt Jau 17 .indd 2 12/12/17 11:50 AM

full advt Jau 17 .indd 3 12/12/17 11:50 AM

w44w LIFE POSITIVE wJANUARY 2018 What the numerous books and videos on positive thinking forget to tell us is that it is not enough to just think positively. It is also important to deepen the feeling of positivity, making it so intense that it has no choice but to reoccur. It is not that happy people don’t face challenges in their lives or that unhappy people don’t experience goodness in their lives. The entire game is to gain mastery over our thoughts and emotions; deepen the good, so much so that the challenges start appearing very tiny, almost insignificant, before all the magnificent good. Conversely, some of us deepen the negativity, triggering its reoccurrence in our lives. Let me explain with the help of an analogy. If you hold your thumb too close to your eyes, hindering your sight, you won’t be able to see the sun. But if you hold it away, you realise that it was obstructing the sun. Similarly, we hold our challenges too close to our hearts, blocking the positivity and allowing negativity to define our lives in so many ways. Good and bad will keep recurring. Birth and death will be part of our lives as long as we inhabit the body. Duality is the very fabric of life, and paradoxes, its very nature. But the one who makes life count is the one who has finally understood. Deepen the good, own it, celebrate it, and cherish it; you will understand and believe that life is beautiful. So beautiful! Let the bad times be shallow experiences that come and go while accepting them without undue importance. I wish you a fulfilling life complete with all its paradoxes. May you be happy, centred, and loving through it all. The thing about life is that it continues. Happiness and strife, as well as easy and challenging times, may come and go, but life continues to flow. I went through a purple patch in my career. Things looked up like they never had—my online training course in writing was thriving, as was my centre for children. There was abundance all around me. And then, something went wrong. Things started going downhill. In fact, it was such a downward spiral that I wondered if I would be able to survive the loss. And then again, a ray of hope came bursting forth. That’s life with its ups and downs, ebbs and flows, and days and nights. I met someone who had just lost his mother as well as someone who had given birth to twins—both on the same day. It got me thinking about life and death; they’re woven in so intricately into the design of the cosmos. This coming and going—it’s a continuum. I went through a phase in my life when I was in the pink of health. I could do all that I wanted to. Then came a time when my body was riddled with aches and pains; energy levels had fallen, and it was tough to even get out of bed. After that, once again, things turned around. I’ve been super healthy sometimes and at other times not as much, but life never stopped on the basis of my feelings. It always did what it must—flow. How do we, fragile as we are, make sense of this coming and going, this high and low in life? How do we, so in love with certainty as we are, make sense of this inherent uncertainty and ride the waves instead of drowning under their sheer weight? The answer I have arrived at is: Deepen the good as much as you can and leave the bad as shallow as you can. Let me explain. The design of life is such that it creates a pattern of reoccurrence of that which we deepen. 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 Embracing life Megha Bajaj believes that life goes on no matter what, but focusing on the positive will stand us in good stead Aha-moments To read these articles online and post your comments, go to http://www.lifepositive.com/Magazine/January2018. We welcome your comments and suggestions on this article. Mail us at [email protected] Good and bad will keep reccurring. Deepen the good as much as you can and leave the bad as shallow as you can. Megha.indd 44 15/12/17 3:22 PM

LIFE POSITIVE wJANUARY 2018 w45w I t’s been four decades since I embarked on a journey of seeking love and harmony in relationships. Exploring, experimenting, and discovering who I am has been exciting. Along the way, I’ve been blessed with abundance and scarcity, joy and suffering, hope and despair, as well as divine interventions that have helped me understand my true inner calling and find divinity within. I wish to share my story and in doing so, hope to enkindle awareness about the joy of living in love, understanding, and acceptance of the self and everyone. Childhood influences and youthful struggles My grandfather had a lasting impression on me. Throughout my childhood, I saw him as the epitome of goodness, wisdom, calmness, gentleness, and discipline. He was known for his selfless service, always ready to help others and never expecting anything in Neena Nambiar shares her ongoing, fulfilling experience of finding love, her true inner calling, and Divinity A spiritual adventure return. I remember a large number of people coming to our house every day. My grandfather would attend to each one of them, patiently and with love, dispensing medicines free of cost. He was fair to everyone, whether rich or poor, male or female and made no distinction. My father, on the other hand, was an alcoholic, which brought shame to our family. My mother took care of me and my two siblings, as well as her mother-in-law, having occasional fights with my father. I remember relatives and friends taking advantage of our circumstances. Eventually, we shifted from our beautiful home in Delhi to a small town in Punjab. Deep down, I felt insecure and unsafe, and so, I prayed. As a typical Indian girl of those times, I followed rituals like fasting, to please the gods for a better future for myself and my family. I’d read the scriptures mechanically, hoping to please God and get rid of the shame and pain I was experiencing. I yearned for love and attention and went about seeking it from others most of the time. All these experiences affected my personality. Spirit evolution Photo: Adobe Stock Neema. Nambiar.indd 45 15/12/17 5:59 PM

w46w LIFE POSITIVE wJANUARY 2018 Like most girls, I dreamed of marriage, a loving family, and our new home. Eventually, I met a man who I fell in love with. We got married, and I hoped to live happily ever after. But I was naive to believe that life had ended well for me. All was blissful for a while until disagreements and conflicts started cropping up with my husband and in-laws. I was deeply hurt and observed patterns of blaming, shaming, anger, and judgement based on prejudices. Deep down, I knew that I cared for my husband, but the disharmony unnerved me. I felt guilty and unsure of myself despite fulfilling my roles as a wife and a mother. Alas, my negative childhood experiences had caught up with me. I’d throw tantrums, and in a fit of anger, verbally deride my husband, calling him names. Then, I’d withdraw in sullen silence and not eat or talk to him for a couple of days. After a lot of cajoling, I’d feel better and relent. I’d apologise for this behaviour but repeat it all over again and feel bad about it. I also noticed that I wasn’t being honest with my words and actions; I’d say one thing and do another. Often, I’d threaten to pack my bags and leave home. I almost left a few times only to be overcome with guilt. I had a strong urge to get away from the people I was living with and the place I was in. Probably, I found the situation so unbearable that I preferred flight to fight; I chose not to take responsibility for my situation. I didn’t know who to speak to or how to explain my situation. I was afraid of committing mistakes and violating religious and societal norms. But I desperately wanted to change myself, be a better person, and bring about joy and harmony in my relationships, particularly with family and friends. Turning a new leaf I set forth on an experiment to seek happiness and stop suffering. On the outside, everything seemed the same, but there was a gradual yet intense change of direction on the inside. I learned yoga, read self-help books and attended workshops and retreats. These things helped me a lot, and there was a short period of relief. But soon, I was back to my old behavioural patterns. It was frustrating to hear my husband often tell me calmly that happiness resides within. I believed that happiness purely depended on external factors. I zealously sought happiness outside; seeking attention from others, reading books, and consciously practising ways to be peaceful and happy. To entertain myself intellectually, I’d even have discussions with others on relationships—my favourite topic. I was called ‘Relationship Manager’ because I tried too hard to build, mend, and empower my relationships. But my attention-seeking and controlling behaviour embarrassed me, making me feel even guiltier. This was often followed by blaming and further loss of harmony. When I found similar behavioural patterns in many of my friends and acquaintances, I got a wake-up call. I started questioning myself: “What is the self? Why does it seek love? What is the purpose of life?” I realised that I had everything—a loving family, friends, a home—yet, I was longing for something more. I went on to study philosopher J Krishnamurti’s teachings, Sri Aurobindo’s Integral Yoga and Ramana Maharshi’s Advaita. J Krishnamurti says, “Observe yourself without evaluation or judgement and practice quiet time.” I applied this teaching and started observing myself in order to find answers to my questions. I realised that it made me more conscious and mindful of my actions and reactions; it made me more discerning and sensitive. I learned that life is a process and we continue to learn from it. I transformed from being an ignorant mother to a conscious one. I even taught for a while at the Krishnamurti School. After lots of experimenting and contemplation, I finally had a better understanding of myself and life. Further, I was showered with divine gifts and blessings. My husband is When the understanding of our multidimensional self deepens, it results in unconditional joy, harmony, and love Photo: Adobe Stock Neema. Nambiar.indd 46 15/12/17 5:59 PM

LIFE POSITIVE wJANUARY 2018 w47w extremely supportive, and I truly appreciate his gesture. Commitment to seeking It’s been a long journey, and discipline and commitment have seen me through. It’s worth mentioning that initially, I half-heartedly put in efforts and they led me nowhere. I’d get serious for a while and then backslide. It took me so long to come around because I wasn’t consistent. But when I truly committed myself to my journey, things began to look up. I even received help in different forms through people like Andrew Cohen, Vimlaji, and many others. My friends, what it really boils down to is: Are we serious seekers? One has to feel it and be ready from within. It can’t be imposed by external factors. It takes a lot of discipline to truly understand ourselves and our different energies, but it eventually becomes a joyful experience. Observing quiet time and being attentive to my energy for the last 10 years—it was only in 2006 that I truly committed myself to my journey—has helped me find divinity within and everywhere. Not that my troubles, old behaviour patterns, and other distractions in life disappeared immediately. But there is no judgement anymore of myself or others; rather, complete awareness and acceptance. Over To read these articles online and post your comments, go to http://www.lifepositive.com/Magazine/January 2018. We welcome your comments and suggestions on this article. Mail us at [email protected] Neena Nambiar is a self-awareness educator, who is deeply interested in sharing universal principles discovered through personal experience. She facilitates life training programmes. time, this understanding of our multidimensional self deepens, and the result is unconditional joy, harmony, and love. When the energy of silence, as Vimlaji, says, overtakes your being, it takes care of things and you ease out realising that this energy is doing whatever needs to be done. I too, in my journey, found the Divine within me and everywhere. We seek that which is hidden, but the reality is not hidden. It is everywhere and within. In the majesty of the cosmos—from microcosm to macrocosm, finite to infinite, unmanifest to manifest—is one big cosmic dance of energies! Neema. Nambiar.indd 47 15/12/17 5:59 PM

w48w LIFE POSITIVE w JANUARY 2018 Editor of Life Positive, Shivi Verma is a devotee who found all her answers in loving God passionately. E ver since I started walking the path of spirituality, the one concept which has contributed tremendously to my growth is that of shunya, or the unknown, as you say in English. And the Master I am indebted to, for it, is Osho. A voracious reader, I used to happily devour spiritual books in my thirst to gain knowledge and proximity to God. But I used to zealously avoid reading Osho. I feared that by the power of his incisive logic he would dismantle all my dearly held lofty ideals and push me down the spiral of cynicism, despair, and hopelessness— like most nihilists and atheists do. They attempt to take away every crutch of faith you may be hobbling on, just to prove their intelligence and superiority. Moreover, his reputation for convincing people to be licentious and promiscuous terrorised me. Although I didn’t judge him for that, unlike those with a strong sense of right and wrong, I feared falling into the trap of his irrefutable logic and losing my faith and innocence in the process. But one day, a man, whom I had met accidently and had come to regard as a sort of a Master, asked me to read Osho, before bidding me goodbye forever. Gingerly, I reached for his books in the bookstore and purchased my first copy of his works. No sooner had I turned the first page than I realised that I was holding the biggest marvel in my hands. Every secret of life and existence was stripped, and laid bare before me by his penetrative gaze and laser sharp observations. His arguments were so realistic and sensible that I wondered why he was criticised so much by his contemporaries. And yet, there was no negativity or cynicism in his views. He opened a thrilling wonder of possibilities for me and I was bowled over by it. Journey column The magical unknown Having faith in the creative prowess of the unknown has helped Shivi Verma discover her true self But his greatest gift to me was decoding the secret of finding stability in an apparently uncertain and unstable world. When he said with emphasis, that shunya, or nothingness, is the ground from where every creation, every stability arises, I felt that I had discovered a magic formula. “The unknown with all its possibilities, changes, secrets, and surprises is the safest bet for seekers. The more you trust it, the more it will prove its efficacy to you. The lesser you do, the more angst-and-fear-ridden your life will be,” he said. For me, it was like a bugle call to push fears aside and begin experimenting with life. I became certain that even in my darkest of moments, I will be held and supported by the unknown: the nameless, formless, grand, overall design of life. This belief got so entrenched subconsciously that I went on accepting one challenge after another, with the faith that the Universe has something special reserved for me, but which can only be accessed if I heard and acted upon my inner voice. My fear of public opinion and encountering loss or hurt were diminished to a large extent because of my faith in shunya, whose magic could only be unfolded and experienced by stepping into the realm of the unknown. My decision to step out of a dysfunctional relationship was based on my deep faith in the unknown. And so far, it hasn’t let me down. The more I cultivate my faith in the unknown, the more I realise that every seeker has her own unique path to enlightenment and that no two paths are alike. As it is rightly said, “Travellers, there is no path; the path is made by walking.” The unknown with all its possibilities, changes, secrets, and surprises is the safest bet for seekers. The more you trust it, the more it will prove its efficacy to you. To read these articles online and post your comments, go to http://www.lifepositive.com/Magazine/January 2018. We welcome your comments and suggestions on this article. Mail us at [email protected] shivi.indd 48 15/12/17 6:00 PM

Sister B.K Shivani SPIRITUAL FESTIVAL 2018 INTERNATIONAL 16th -18th March, 2018 Zorba the Buddha New Delhi OPEN TO ALL : Keynote Address by FINAL AD.indd 44 12/14/2017 1:43:45 PM

Vibrational Healing by Shruti Nada Poddar The sound-healing workshop is a complete journey of discovering oneȜs personal vibrations through the science of Nada Ȩsoundȩ, exploring and balancing the esoteric energies of the body through chakras, and realising oneȜs healing power through beej Ȩseedȩ mantras Understanding Ashta-Karma through Past Life Regression Therapy by Trupti Jayin Dr Trupti Jayin is famous all over India for her show, Raaz Pichle Janam Ka, which popularised the concept of past-life regression all over India. This workshop will encourage you to bring to surface the deeply ingrained memories to develop awareness, insight and perceptiveness leading to behavioural, emotional and spiritual transformation. Ayurveda by Dr Partap Chauhan Dr Chauhan, founder of Jiva Ayurveda will tell you how to imbibe Ayurveda in your lives in simple steps using things that are easily found in every home. These tips are very simple and you can start using these tips right away and experience a positive shift in your health and quality of life. All The WorldȜs a Stage by Rashi Bunny This experiential workshop is a unique combination of theatre, music and art, involving fun activities, theatre games, storytelling, original music, improvisations, film snippets and art meditation. Rashi BunnyȜs workshop will help you connect within, release the past and create courage, deep self empowerment through authentic communication, emoting and expressing without barriers, balancing EQ + IQ + SQ, and designing your future, your way. Pyramid Meditation by Dr Dhara Bhatt The Pyramid Meditation workshop will harness your inner power for increased calmness, clarity, contentment. It will improve your self confidence, and eliminate stress, anxiety and depression. Relationships - Rising in Love by Jacqueline Maria Longstaff JacquelineȜs workshop focuses on stripping away the layers of illusion that we are conditioned to believe in who we are, and awakening to our true nature. This workshop is for those who wish to be in conscious relationships on the way to awakening and move beyond the emotional dramas of falling in love, fear of losing, projecting light and shadow onto the partner. Colour Therapy by Ajay Mishra Ajay Mishra, who has aired shows on Pragya Channel țCall For CareȜ and țAcu HealerȜ, will introduce you to acupressure, acupuncture, concept of colour and their effects. His workshop will give you live demonstrations of tackling common diseases FINAL AD.indd 45 12/14/2017 1:44:19 PM