Spirit News Blog

MY KOLKATA GUIDEBOOK

Dr. Vidagdha Bennett — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 07:50:54

By Dr. Vidagdha Bennett

Most tourists arrive in Kolkata clutching the latest guidebook to India as if it were a lifeline tossed in a stormy and troubled sea. The 2007 edition from Lonely Planet, to take one popular example, is reassuringly crammed with well-researched facts on all the practical aspects of travelling in the sub-continent. The section on Kolkata prescribes exactly what to do, where to stay according to your budget, places to eat – and how to exit the city rapidly once you have exhausted the slender range of options that are listed. In practice, I found that this tome is, without doubt, a compendium of vital information should you happen to be a ‘casual’ traveller, someone who is just passing through the city on the way to, say, Darjeeling or Varanasi, someone who wants to skim the surface and cross Kolkata off the list of 100 places you hoped to see before you die.

But I was not. Kolkata has been such a rich and vibrant presence in my imagination for more than thirty years that my first trip to this cradle of spirituality, literature, music and art had become more a pilgrimage than an excursion. For me, Kolkata was not on the way to anywhere; it was a destination in itself. Having sacrificed valuable space in my suitcase for the whopping 1,236-page, one kilo Lonely Planet doorstopper, I consulted it religiously in the first instance to find somewhere decent and economical to stay. From its excellent maps, I memorised the basic layout of the streets. Then, a few days later, I sold it to a second-hand bookstore and launched into life beyond its carefully regimented scope.

After a month of exploring the city on my own, my experiences have led me to believe that Kolkata is one of those great destinations in the world that warrant a vastly different approach to tourism. To me, the worst aspects of our Western attitude to travel are summed up by Sir Edmund Hillary’s statement after he became the first person to summit Mount Everest: “We knocked the bastard off,” he declared when he arrived back at base camp with Tenzing after their victorious ascent of the world’s highest peak on May 29th, 1953.

Each Soul Has Something Very Special

Tejvan Pettinger — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 16:53:35

Alas, how we waste
Our precious time
In the company of
Jealousy and criticism.

Each soul, each heart
And each life
Has something very special
To offer
For the betterment of humanity.

There is only one examination
That cannot and will not stop,
And that is the examination
Of self-improvement.

- Sri Chinmoy

Poems Selected from Sri Chinmoy Books

Image by Abhishek, Sri Chinmoy Centre Galleries

A bliss lived in her heart too large for heaven

Tejvan Pettinger — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 16:49:23

The immense remoteness of her trance had passed;
Human she was once more, earth's Savitri,
Yet felt in her illimitable change.
A power dwelt in her soul too great for earth,
A bliss lived in her heart too large for heaven;
Light too intense for thought and love too boundless
For earth's emotions lit her skies of mind
And spread through her deep and happy seas of soul.
All that is sacred in the world drew near
To her divine passivity of mood.
A marvellous voice of silence breathed its thoughts.
All things in Time and Space she had taken for hers;

- Sri Aurobindo

Excerpt from Savitri

Book Twelve: Epilogue The Return to Earth Page 716

On A Rainy Kolkata Day

Dr. Vidagdha Bennett — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 15:05:44

By Dr. Vidagdha Bennett

Jorasanko Thakur Bari

25th January 2008: It has been raining heavily all night – a solid, drenching rain with no intermission. Nor did it arrive with thunder and lightning. It just came; to deluge the alleyways and the little stalls of the street vendors, to wash the dust from buildings and rickshaws, to cleanse the air and give the parched city a taste of winter. I emerge to find that everyone has pulled out their humble assortment of vests, scarves, socks and black umbrellas. Our hotel guard is wearing a thick woollen khaki uniform that looks as if it may have done service in the British army long ago.

After greeting my new acquaintances – the old man who sells the English newspapers and charges four times the newsstand price, the manager of the internet shop who has taken pity on my inept skills, the moneychanger who waves enthusiastically from behind his counter when the dollar climbs up a fraction, the young cook who makes perfect lemon pancakes and milk coffee on a tiny, antiquated stove – I reflect on the day’s itinerary.

As if by design, my Lonely Planet Guidebook falls open at the map showing destinations to the north of the Maidan and my eyes light on two words: Tagore’s house. It is, without doubt, the perfect day to go to the house of the Poet.

               “The sky is overcast with clouds and the rain is
       ceaseless. I know not what this is that stirs in me – I
know not its meaning.”

- Rabindranath Tagore, Gitanjali 27

I catch a taxi to Jorasanko Thakur Bari, the distinguished seat of the Tagore family. It is located at 6, Dwarkanath Tagore Lane in north Kolkata. This vast and spacious red brick dwelling was built in 1784 by Prince Dwarkanath Tagore, the Poet’s grandfather. In his book, “Rabindranath Tagore: His Life and Work” (1921), Edward Thompson describes it intriguingly:

“The Jorasanko house is a vast, rambling congeries of mansions and rooms, representing the whims of many generations.”

Replaying History

Dr. Vidagdha Bennett — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 17:37:16

Article by Dr. Vidagdha Bennett

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

As January 23rd dawned in Kolkata, I did not have to think twice about my destination for the day. It had to be Netaji Bhawan, the ancestral home of the great Bengali freedom-fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. January 23rd happened to be his 111th birth anniversary and the whole of Kolkata was flooded with pictures of this iconic figure.

Every year, no matter where he was in the world, my spiritual teacher, Sri Chinmoy, used to celebrate Netaji’s birthday. “For a Bengali,” Sri Chinmoy said, “these things are in our blood.” Sri Chinmoy looked upon Netaji not only as the foremost national leader of his day but as someone who was imbued with great spiritual depth. He was “the beloved son of Heaven and earth,” Sri Chinmoy wrote. And, in the dedication to his landmark book on Netaji, published in 1997, Sri Chinmoy said:

Netaji, beauty of the Bengali heart you were. Netaji, responsibility of the Indian life you were. Netaji, capacity of the sub-continent-unity you were.

I wanted to experience the depth of this Bengali reverence for myself.

Unsure of my bearings, I took a taxi to 38/2 Elgin Road, South Kolkata. We pulled up just before Netaji Bhawan to find the street partially blocked and the house ringed by armed security guards in white uniforms. In fact, the whole scene was eerily similar to that fateful night of January 16th/17th, 1941, when Netaji made his Great Escape from the house – under the very eyes of sixty-two members of the British C.I.D. (Criminal Intelligence Department) who were supposed to be detaining him under house arrest.

The Search

Dr Vidagdha Bennett — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 16:39:53

Belur Math

Article by Dr. Vidagdha Bennett

There is an image of Swami Vivekananda that kept recurring to me when I arrived in Kolkata. Not the traditional image of him striding through India as an itinerant monk, dauntless in his quest, nor his fiery addresses at the Parliament of Religions, but something almost heartbreaking – the image of him scaling the locked gate to gain entry to Belur Math, the monastery he himself had created.

The incident occurred towards the end of Swami Vivekananda’s life, when his body had started to break down irretrievably. He had made his last tour to London and America, saying farewell to his dear ones and entrusting the responsibilities of his work to his Gurubhais Abhedananda and Turiyananda. Now, after a long absence, he just wanted to go home – to India, to Bengal, to his room at Belur Math. Unlike his earlier triumphant return, this time Swami Vivekananda did not inform anybody of his impending arrival. In his haste to reach India, he left the other members of his party in Cairo and travelled alone – in itself an unusual occurrence for someone with so many distinguished disciples.

Swami Vivekananda disembarked from his steamer in Bombay and caught the train to Calcutta (now Kolkata), a trip taking upwards of forty hours. Arriving at Howrah Station in the late evening of December 9th, 1900, in the garb of a sahib, he managed to locate a horse carriage for himself and his luggage. Then he started for Belur Math. Alas, when he arrived at last, the monastery was locked up for the night.

The Music of Shimshai

Tejvan Pettinger — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 14:01:01

I came across this video of Shimshai and enjoyed the music.

Thanks to Poetry Chaikhana video channel for this

The Genius of India - film

Tejvan Pettinger — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 17:24:46

The Genius of India is a film based on a talk given by Sri Aurobindo about India. Sri Aurobindo talks about the inner characteristics and soul of India and how the body of India may evolve.

"Spirituality is the Master-Key of the Indian Mind"

The Wild Flower's Song - W.Blake

Tejvan Pettinger — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 17:17:42

As I wandered the forest,
The green leaves among,
I heard a Wild Flower
Singing a song.

"I slept in the earth
In the silent night,
I murmured my fears
And I felt delight.

"In the morning I went
As rosy as morn,
To seek for new joy;
But oh! met with scorn."

- William Blake

Image from Sri Chinmoy Centre Galleries

Pure Thinking

Tejvan Pettinger — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 14:47:25

Pure thinking is not escaping
But
Self-offering.

Pure thinking is not observation
But
Self-transformation.

Pure thinking is not experimentation
But
Self-perfection.

Pure thinking is not God-fearing
But
God-becoming.

Sri Chinmoy
For a daily quote or poem by Sri Chinmoy, visit Daily Wisdom of Sri Chinmoy
For Poetseers, Poem of the Day

Sri Anandamayi Ma Sings Hari Bol

Tejvan Pettinger — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 14:42:54

"Always bear this in mind: Everything is in God's hands, and you are His tool to be used by Him as He pleases. Try to grasp the significance of 'all is His'. and you will immediately feel free from all burdens. What will be the result of your surrender to Him? None will seem alien, all will be your very own Self."

- Sri Anandamayi Ma

I came across this video of Sri Anandamayi Ma and devotees singing 'Hari Bol' By coincidence I notice Shane had posted another video of Sri Anandamayi Ma here previously

See video below.

A seeker's journey

Shane Magee — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 18:08:12

This video is a very nice interview with Atmananda, one of the principal assistants of the great yogini Anandamayi Ma. Anandamayi Ma grew up in Bengal, which was also the birthplace of other great Masters such as Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda, Paramhansa Yogananda and Sri Chinmoy. She spent almost sixty years of her life going from one place to another across the vast Indian subcontinent, where crowds of people would throng to see her in the blissful consciousness that gave rise to her name (Anandamayi='filled with bliss')

Video of Swami Vivekananda

Tejvan Pettinger — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 15:38:50

A video clip featuring personal reminiscences of Swami Vivekananda. Lillian Montgomery who had the opportunity to meet Vivekananda in person shares her experiences. In particular, two qualities she noticed were the power and poise of Vivekananda - an 'Ocean of Consciousness'

"Swami Vivekananda was so entirely different to anything we had known in America."

"As he spoke, veils just seemed to fall from your eyes, giving an entirely different impression of personality..."

The video was recorded in 1955

Poetseers - Poem of the Day

Tejvan Pettinger — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 13:09:19

We are now able to offer a daily poem of the day. The poem of the day will be published here: Poetseers - Poem of the Day. You can subscribe by RSS and also receive an email notification of the poem

The Poem of the Day is hosted at Shortpoems.org a sister site to Poetseers.org

If you want to suggest poems for Poem of the Day there will be a feature to allow submissions and requests.

On Atheism

Tejvan Pettinger — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 11:24:27

When I enter bookshops, I often see books discussing atheism.

As a spiritual seeker I don't have much interest in these books. Whether others believe in God or not is not of any concern. I rather like the quote of Thomas Jefferson:

"But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg."

Also, through practising meditation, one realises that there are many states of consciousness that can not be described and explained by reason. Therefore, to discuss the existence of God, through reason and the mind only, inevitably has to be unsatisfactory.

I have no interest in proving God's existence to others - I feel this is a fruitless and unnecessary task.

However, these are a few random thoughts, ideas and quotes on the subject of atheism

To See God In Everyone

Tejvan Pettinger — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 18:57:53

Swami Vivekananda used to recount the tale of a Hindu Sannyasin who took a vow of silence. Unfortunately the sannyasin got caught up in the Indian mutiny. - As he was being stabbed to death by a British soldier, he broke his 15 year vow of silence; saying to the soldier:

"And thou also art He!" [1]

The philosophy of seeing God in all, usually seems an ideal far beyond our grasp. At times, seekers may have difficulty to see God, even in a Saint or Realised Master. However, the ability to see God in all is the hall mark of a realised soul and a constant theme of all spiritual traditions.

An ancient Egyptian poem:

God is the Spirit of spirits,
of creation the Spirit divine.
GOD is God from the beginning
before all things were He was God.

God

I used to Shun My Companion

Tejvan Pettinger — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 17:47:21

I used to shun my companion
if his religion was not like mine;
but not my heart accepts every form.
It is a pasturage for gazelles, a monastery for monkss,
a temple of idols, a Ka'ba for the pilgrim,
the tables of the Torah, the holy book of the Qur'an.
Love alone is my religion, and whichever way
its horses turn, that is my faith and creed.

Anonymous

From Music of a Distant Drum, Bernard Lewis - Classical Arabic, Persian, Turkish and Hebrew Poems

The Secret Cannot Be Spoken in Silence

Tejvan Pettinger — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 17:30:26

Last night
I begged the Wise One to tell me
the secret of the world.
Gently, gently he whispered,
"Be quiet,
the secret cannot be spoken
it is wrapped in silence."

Rumi
Whispers of the Beloved, Maryam Mafi & Azima Melita Kolin
Rumi Poetry at Poetseers

Related Article

When Silence is the Best Philosophy by Tejvan Pettinger

Sri Chinmoy passes away in New York, aged 76

Shane Magee — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 16:02:29

Thursday, October 11, 2007 - A lifetime dedicated in the service of humanity has ended with the passing of Sri Chinmoy, the global humanitarian, meditation teacher and advocate of the boundless potential of the human spirit, at the age of 76 in his New York home. In the 43 years since he arrived in the America in 1964, Sri Chinmoy had turned his life into a living example of his firm conviction that, in his words, "the answer to the world's problems is for each one of us to go beyond our current capacities and become better". Even now, as people from all countries, religions, cultures and walks of life gather to pay tribute to him, it is not the death of his mortal frame that comes most to mind, but the immortal spirit that lay behind his tireless contributions to the evolution of human consciousness.

What truly sets Sri Chinmoy's work apart is the sheer variety of avenues through which he gave wings to this vision. In fields as diverse, art poetry, music and athletics, Sri Chinmoy left his own indelible mark that inspired all who came across it to in turn better themselves in their own sphere of talent. In exploring such a wide variety of endeavours, he sought to demonstrate that no matter where our talents lie, they can be put to use for the betterment of the world. In each field of activity, Sri Chinmoy embarked upon new challenges with an enthusiasm, poise and imagination that flowed directly from his deep inner awareness of the limitless capacity of the soul. His output in the creative fields was enormously prolific - 20,000 songs, over 100,000 poems and 200,000 pieces of mystical art, to name just some of his achievements: his inner feeling was that the quantity of his output need not be a hindrance to its quality, and so he kept on creating with the spontaneity of a child:

"If we know how to pray and meditate to gain a free access to the world of inspiration, if we have an inner communication with our Pilot Supreme, then quality and quantity can go together."

In addition, his many grassroots initiatives aimed at uniting his fellow beings behind the vision of a world based on harmony and oneness won him a unique position as a figure above political, religious or regional considerations, a person with truly the betterment of the world at heart. These initiatives included the World Harmony Run, an Olympic-style global relay which crossed the world seeing for themselves how the best qualities of humanity - kindness, empathy, largeness of heart - were qualities that could be found anywhere, and then spreading that message to everyone they met along the route. In 1990, he founded the Oneness-Heart Tears and Smiles humanitarian initiative, which provided aid to 24 countries with a philosophy based on recognizing that those we 'give' to are in fact giving us much more by enabling us to expand our heart. Sri Chinmoy was repeatedly honoured during his life, receiving the UNESCO Nehru medallion and the Mahatma Gandhi award, and being twice invited to hold the opening meditation for the Parliament of World religions in 1997 and 2004.

Every facet of Sri Chinmoy's work spoke of the timeless and eternal qualities of the human soul, a timelessness that feels alive and vibrant even now, even if its creator has left his mortal abode. He often spoke of life and death being merely two sides of the same coin:

"We have a short span of life, say forty, sixty or eighty years; then we pass behind the curtain of Eternity. There is an eternal Life. This Life existed before the creation, it exists now in the creation, then it passes through death and it goes beyond death and enters again into its own realm....It had no beginning and it has no end. It existed, it exists and it will forever exist. Through our meditation, when we realise God, when we stay in God, we become the possessor of that eternal Life. Consciously we go beyond the veil of death and we remain in the eternal Life, which has neither beginning nor end."

His last weeks on earth did not see any slowing down in his activities - in the middle of September, he had travelled to the Russian city of St. Petersburg to give concerts of meditative music, and just the day before his passing he was composing more songs to add to his existing total of over twenty thousand, as well as hosting a meditation function for his students.

Like a Lotus

Kate Carvalho — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 15:58:31

In Indian spiritual philosophy the human soul is likened to the Lotus - a most beautiful flower that grows in a miry existence but emerges skyward, delicate petals unfurling at the touch of the suns rays, offering its beauty and fragrance to the heavens. The human soul too has to struggle in the watery bog of the material world - through the practice of prayer and meditation and the cultivation of all the divine qualities we can rise above this material condition and be fully conscious of our divinity.

There was once a bandit by the name of Ratnakara who carried out a life of thievery and deception until one day quite by chance he happened across the great sage Narada whose thoughts were constantly immersed in Lord Narayana. Narada looked on Ratnakara with qualities that were so foreign to Valmiki that he could not recognize them - love, and compassion. Baffled by these emotions which he had never received even from his own wife and family, he asked Narada the reason for it. Narada replied that his constant love and adoration was for his Lord Narayana whose image he saw in the hearts of all, including the bandit Ratnakara. Narada instructed Ratnakara in the ways of meditation and advised him to repeat the name "Rama" which is another name for God. Ratnakara's nature however was so tainted with sin he simply could not utter the holy name "Rama", thus Narada instructed him to repeat "mara" which is the word for tree.

Immortality

Tejvan Pettinger — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 17:35:51

I feel in all my limbs His boundless Grace;
Within my heart the Truth of life shines white.
The secret heights of God my soul now climbs;
No dole, no sombre pang, no death in my sight.

No mortal days and nights can shake my calm;
A Light above sustains my secret soul.
All doubts with grief are banished from my deeps,
My eyes of light perceive my cherished Goal.

Though in the world, I am above its woe;
I dwell in an ocean of supreme release.
My mind, a core of the One's unmeasured thoughts;
The star vast welkin hugs my Spirit's peace.

My eternal days are found in speeding time;
I play upon His Flute of rhapsody.
Impossible deeds no more impossible seem;
In birth chains now shines Immortality.

By: Sri Chinmoy

Photo by: Jogyata, Sri Chinmoy Centre Galleries

In the Seas of Love

Tejvan Pettinger — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 17:29:40

I do not cease swimming in the seas of love,
rising with the wave, then descending;
now the wave sustains me, and then I sink beneath it;
love bears me away where there is no longer any shore.

From- (Diwan al-Hallaj, M. 34)

- Al Hallaj

Photo by: Unmesh, Sri Chinmoy Centre Galleries

The Illumined Man

Tejvan Pettinger — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 17:17:24

Arjuna:

Tell me of the man who lives in wisdom,
Ever aware of the Self, O Krishna;
How does he talk, how sit, how move about?

Sri Krishna:

He lives in wisdom
Who sees himself in all and all in him,
Whose love for the Lord of Love has consumed
Every selfish desire and sense-craving
Tormenting the heart. Not agitated
By grief nor hankering after pleasure,
He lives free from lust and fear and anger
Fettered no more by selfish attachments,
He is not elated by good fortune
Nor depressed by bad. Such is the seer.

Videos of Sri Krishna

Tejvan Pettinger — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 10:33:19

Picture Stories of Krishna at Seattle Art Museum

"Sri Krishna was a teacher from the very beginning of his life. Even before he entered into the physical world he acted as a teacher. Before he entered into his mother's womb, he came to his father who had been imprisoned by the king and said, "I am now going to enter into the physical world. As soon as I am born, you will take me out of this prison-cell and take me to Nanda" (one of his relatives). His father saw Sri Krishna vividly before he came into the world of manifestation, and to everybody's surprise, all of a sudden all the doors and gates of the prison were wide open, and his father took him to Nanda's place. Here he started his teaching."

From: Krishna - The Eternal Mystery by Sri Chinmoy

Patience Quotes

Tejvan Pettinger — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 16:19:37

"We must realise that a life of failure is never permanent."

"Patience is the most sublime progress in disguise."

"Life needs these three things: effort, perseverance and patience."

- Sri Chinmoy

Photo by Tejvan, Sri Chinmoy Centre Galleries

God's Grandeur - Gerard Manley Hopkins

Tejvan Pettinger — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 16:13:22

God's Grandeur

The world is charged with the grandeur of God.
It will flame out, like shining from shook foil;
It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil
Crushed. Why do men then now not reck his rod?
Generations have trod, have trod, have trod;
And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil;
And wears man's smudge and shares man's smell: the soil
Is bare now, nor can foot feel, being shod.

And for all this, nature is never spent;
There lives the dearest freshness deep down things;
And though the last lights off the black West went
Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs --
Because the Holy Ghost over the bent
World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.

By: Gerard Manley Hopkins

Photo from: Sri Chinmoy Centre Galleries

Spiritual Links September

Tejvan Pettinger — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 15:23:02

World Harmony Run in Iceland

Links for September 9th

Sri Chinmoy Inspiration New blog on self improvement and self transcendence
Life Voices weekly podcast with inspiring people at Sri Chinmoy.TV
World's Largest Pencil unveiled in New York - A new record for Ashrita.
How to deal with Anger - 10 ways to deal with anger.
The Power of Simplicity
The Secret of Happiness - Desire less, aspire More. At Shane Magee.com
Peaceful simplicity at Zen habits

Meditation

The role of statues and pictures in meditation at Meditation Workshop.org
How Long should I meditate for?

Photo from: World Harmony Run in Iceland

Shivaratri at Belur Math

Tejvan Pettinger — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 15:06:58

From: Shivaratri celebration in Belur Math.

Brothers offering their Dance to Lord Shiva in the Main Temple of Sri Ramakrishna. Belur Math was founded by Swami Vivekananda. Swami Vivekananda became the leader of the early Sri Ramakrishna movement. Vivekananda had a close to connection to Lord Shiva, the cosmic God of renunciation

- Sri Ramakrishna

Forgiveness is Mightier

Tejvan Pettinger — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 15:04:49

Forgiveness

Forgiveness
Is mightier
Than the mightiest.

Negativity
Eventually digs
Its own grave

No human being
Shall remain
Indefinitely unrealised

By: Sri Chinmoy

From: Seventy-Seven Thousand Service Trees part 33

Photo by: Tejvan, Sri Chinmoy Centre Galleries

Sri Harmandir Sahib- Amritsar

Tejvan Pettinger — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 14:48:17

Sri Harmandir Sahib- Amritsar - Shabad with Pictures by Ip Singh

Sri Aurobindo - A Tribute

Tejvan Pettinger — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 14:09:05

Based on: Mohan Mistry's song "Hey Ananta Divya Purush

Biography of Sri Aurobindo

Quotes on Death

Tejvan Pettinger — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:33:04

Because I could not stop for Death,

He kindly stopped for me;

The carriage held but just ourselves

And Immortality.

Emily Dickinson [1]

The mystery of death holds both fear and fascination. On the one hand we fear death - death of the body and death of the ego; to some, death is the extinction of all that we hold dear in the world.

But, if we live not only for worldly possessions, we come to feel that maybe there is more to life than this physical being. The Seers and mystics proclaim that death is but a transition: a chance for renewal and rebirth. Death is an end for the body; but for the soul, death is merely the process of discarding its worn-out garment and moving to something higher.

Death is not the end

Death can never be the end.

Death is the road.

Life is the traveller.

The Soul is the Guide

Sri Chinmoy

"They will come back—come back again, as long as the red Earth rolls.

He never wasted a leaf or a tree. Do you think He would squander souls ?"

Rudyard Kipling

References

[1] Because I could not stop for death

[2] Quotes on Death

[3] The Sack of the Gods R.Kipling

Photo credit: Pranlobha, Sri Chinmoy Centre galleries

As Once the Winged Elergy

Tejvan Pettinger — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 03:33:15

As Once The Winged Energy

As once the winged energy of delight
carried you over childhood's dark abysses,
now beyond your own life build the great
arch of unimagined bridges.

Wonders happen if we can succeed
in passing through the harshest danger;
but only in a bright and purely granted
achievement can we realize the wonder.

To work with Things in the indescribable
relationship is not too hard for us;
the pattern grows more intricate and subtle,
and being swept along is not enough.

Take your practiced powers and stretch them out
until they span the chasm between two
contradictions...For the god
wants to know himself in you.

By: Rainer Maria Rilke

Rilke Poetry

Photo by Kamalika Sri Chinmoy Centre Galleries

The Unitive State

Tejvan Pettinger — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 03:23:11

In the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad we get a most illumining description of the immortal Self and its primordial state of complete union with the all-pervading Divine consciousness.

In the Unitive state there is no suffering and pleasure, there is no birth and death; there is only a state of being.

At times the Self may incarnate in a certain body and have a dream like experience in and through this particular body. However whatever may befall this particular body, it is like a mere passing experience which leaves no lasting mark on the state of being.

Thus, when we feel I am hungry or I am in pain, what we really mean is that this particular body is hungry, this body has taken on the experience of pain. In ordinary life we perceive ourselves to be in a body, with a thinking mind and human emotion. But, this is not the real Self. At this point, the immortal words of the Bhagavad Gita throw light on the difference between the material world of impermanence and the Self's reality of absolute permanence

"Even as man discards old clothes for the new ones, so the dweller in the body, the soul, leaving aside the worn-out bodies, enters into new bodies. The soul migrates from body to body. Weapons cannot cleave it, nor fire consume it, nor water drench it, nor wind dry it." [1]

Delight, Infinity's Delight

Tejvan Pettinger — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 15:39:15

When this world of ours

Was first born,

There was only one thing:

Delight, Infinity's delight.

- Sri Chinmoy

From: My Christmas-New Year-Vacation-Aspiration-Prayers, Part 21

Photo By: Tejvan Pettinger, Sri Chinmoy Centre Galleries.

The Spiritual Significance of the Great Pyramids

Tejvan Pettinger — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 15:33:03

The Great Pyramids - Egypt

Within man, there are two aspects. There is his real inner, divine self. There is also the body and intellect which, at his present stage of evolution, consider himself to be a separate egoist entity. However, there comes a time when man realises that he is not the body and intellect. His real existence is a state of being; a consciousness at one with the Universal consciousness.

The great pyramids of Egypt hold a real significance in this great spiritual quest.

Quote: Enlightened people know Themselves

Tejvan Pettinger — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 03:57:54

Intelligent people know others.

Enlightened people know themselves.

You can conquer others with power,

But it takes true strength to conquer yourself.

- Lao Tzu

Photo by Tejvan, Sri Chinmoy Centre Galleries

Inspiring Spiritual Books

Tejvan Pettinger — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 03:50:09

Sri Ramakrishna's Room

The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna

The Gospel of Sri Ramkrishna tells of the unique life and teachings of spiritual Master, Sri Ramakrishna. Sri Ramakrishna who was born in a simple Indian village and received little in the way of formal education. However, from an early age he felt, with great intensity, a desire to see God. Throughout the book we are constantly reminded of the pure devotion inherent in the life and spirit of Sri Ramakrishna. Frequently we become aware of the mystical ecstasy's Ramakrishna would repeatedly enjoy. To the credit of the author M, we feel a glimpse of this devotional consciousness; the book is far more than just dry words, describing facts and theories. Any spiritual seeker can derive great inspiration from this book. In particular it will encourage us to pursue the direct path of love, devotion and surrender.

Recommended Spiritual Books part 1

Tejvan Pettinger — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 15:18:21

These are some of my personal favorite spiritual books. This list is far from exhaustive, but, it is just a few good suggestions.

A Search In Secret India. by Paul Brunton

One always retains a certain affection for the book which gives you a real thirst for the spiritual life. It was the concluding chapter in "A Search in Secret India" by, Paul Brunton, that awoke a real longing for me to try meditation. The book tells of the various adventures and experiences of Paul Brunton, as he travels through India.Throughout the book we are introduced to a variety of exotic fakirs, saints, astrologers and charlatans. But, it is amidst his various journey's and travels we get a real glimpse of the ancient spirituality of India. In particular, his visit to Arunachala and the great Sage, Ramana Maharshi, really stick in the mind. It is on the holy mountain of Arunachala that Paul Brunton experiences a state of advanced meditation. Much to the credit of the writer, he is able to convey at least a glimpse of this marvelous experience. Most importantly it awakens in the aspirant the feeling that this is something we can experience ourselves.

Paul Brunton

Characteristics of a Liberated Soul

Tejvan Pettinger — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 16:54:38

1. Humility

A liberated soul knows that he is not the doer. He knows and feels that he is a mere instrument for the higher power. It is this awareness that enables him to be a channel for divine light. A liberated soul does not deal with his own individual will and individual freedom; he seeks only to be a channel for the Divine Will.

"Because I came down from heaven not to do my own will, but the will of the one who sent me." - Jesus Christ [1]

This humility is only possible when a person has subdued his ego. When our ego is predominant we feel that we are the doer. But, if we transcend the dominance of the ego, we learn true humility. This state of consciousness gives does not give us a sense of superiority, but oneness with others. Because of his sense of identification with others a liberated soul will never feel better than others.

"A real spiritual Master will never think that he is superior to anybody. He will feel that it is his bounden duty to be of service to the divinity, to the Supreme in humanity."

Sri Chinmoy [2]

T'is So Much Joy

Tejvan Pettinger — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 16:42:40

'T is so Much Joy

’T is so much joy! ’T is so much joy!
If I should fail, what poverty!
And yet, as poor as I
Have ventured all upon a throw;
Have gained! Yes! Hesitated so
This side the victory!

Life is but life, and death but death!
Bliss is but bliss, and breath but breath!
And if, indeed, I fail,
At least to know the worst is sweet.
Defeat means nothing but defeat,
No drearier can prevail!

And if I gain,—oh, gun at sea,
Oh, bells that in the steeples be,
At first repeat it slow!
For heaven is a different thing
Conjectured, and waked sudden in,
And might o’erwhelm me so!

By: Emily Dickinson

Photo by Tejvan Sri Chinmoy Centre Galleries

Spirituality and Philosophy

Tejvan Pettinger — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 08:04:18

Philosophy and spirituality share some common ideas, but also differ in their approach and practise of the truth. To some people there is a wide divergence between philosophy and spirituality. However, to some extent, they share some similarities and both have their role to play in the discovery of truth.

1. Mind and Heart.

Philosophy deals primarily with the mind. It tries to understand, solve and explain problems through mental clarity and written explanation. Philosophy can seek to prove the existence of God, but this proof is always through the medium of the human intellect. In philosophy, it is the mind that is predominant.

"Philosophy is in the thinking mind. Philosophy is of the searching mind. Philosophy is for the illumining mind."

[1] - Sri Chinmoy

Spirituality accepts the mind can have a role to play; but, at the same time it can never be satisfied solely with the reasoning of the mind. Spirituality wishes to experience the heart of reality, and not just examine life from the fringes. Spirituality is not so much concerned with proving God's existence; spirituality teaches us to make the God a living presence in our consciousness.

"Spirituality is in the aspiring heart. Spirituality is of the liberating soul. Spirituality is for the fulfilling and immortalising God."

[1] - Sri Chinmoy

My Gratitude Flames

Tejvan Pettinger — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 09:33:06

My Gratitude Flames

Thorns die,
Roses live.
Hate dies,
Love lives.
Desire dies,
Aspiration lives.
The human in me dies,
The divine in me lives.

My gratitude-flames
In the Heart of God
Never shall die.
Eternally they breathe,
Eternally they sport,
Eternally they manifest
The Supreme,
My Supreme.

By: Sri Chinmoy

More: Gratitude Quotes

Photo by: Prabhakar Street, Sri Chinmoy Centre Galleries

Quote: Let my Soul Smile

Tejvan Pettinger — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 16:39:08

Quotes by P.Yogananda

"Let my soul smile through my heart
and my heart smile through my eyes,
that I may scatter rich smiles in sad hearts."

"Many people excuse their own faults
but judge other persons harshly.
We should reverse this attitude
by excusing others' shortcomings and by harshly examining our own."

"There is a magnet in your heart that will attract true friends.
That magnet is unselfishness, thinking of others first.
When you learn to live for others, they will live for you."

By: Paramahansa Yogananda

Yogananda Poetry

Video Yogananda

Photo by Pavitrata Sri Chinmoy Centre Galleries

Is it possible to stop the thoughts of the Mind?

Tejvan Pettinger — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 16:54:13

"No matter which path you follow for meditation, the first and foremost task is to try to make the mind calm and quiet. "

- Sri Chinmoy [1]

Beginners to meditation find that when they sit down to meditate their mind is akin to a mad monkey; no matter how hard we try, the power of the mind's thoughts seem to make meditation most difficult. However, it is possible to have a completely clear mind. It is not easy, but there are various techniques that can be used to quieten the mind. These are some techniques that I recommend.

1. The Source of Thoughts.

Whenever a thought appears in your mind, ask yourself - where did this thought originate from? Try to dive deep into the source of this thought. When you follow the source of your thoughts you realise that our real essence is not mental thoughts; there is something beyond thought. This is a powerful technique for calming our mind because we realise there is a separation between what we are and our thoughts. When we feel thoughts as separate from our identity it is easy to stop them completely.

2. Will Power.

Another technique to stop thoughts is to use the power of our will. Develop the determination to stop all thoughts completely. Feel like you are vigilantly guarding your mind. As soon as a thought appears stop it entering. If you like you can imagine throwing it out of your mind completely. The important thing is to not allow any thought, whether good or bad.

Love Poems from God

Tejvan Pettinger — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 16:49:50

THE SANCTUARY

It could be said that God’s foot is so vast
That this entire earth is but a
field on His
toe,

and all the forests in this world
came from the same root of just
a single hair
of His.

What then is not a sanctuary?
Where can I not kneel
and pray at a shrine
made holy by His
presence?

By: St Catherine of Siena

From “Love Poems From God” by Daniel Ladinsky.
Copyright © 1999 by Daniel Ladinsky. Reprinted by permission of the author.

Photo by Sharani Sri Chinmoy Centre Galleries

The Trial of Joan d'Arc: Film Review

Tejvan Pettinger — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 17:51:11

Film Review: Proces de Jeanne D'Arc by Tejvan

“...they do not order me to disobey the Church, but God must be served first.” - Joan d'Arc at her trial.

Directed by Robert Bresson the trial of Joan of Arc is a fascinating perspective of the show trial of, Joanne d’Arc, the patron saint of France.

The striking feature of the film is its simplicity. There is nothing staged for dramatic or emotional effect. Bresson adds nothing to complicate or distract from the essence of this extraordinary trial. Bresson leaves it to the power of the words and the austere setting to create a thought provoking and very realistic account of this fascinating trial.

The simplicity and power of the film comes from Robert Bresson’s decision to remain as faithful as possible to the exact transcript of the trial. By good fortune, all of Jeanne’s questions and answers were written down. From these extracts, and her later “rehabilitation trial” 25 years after her death, Bresson is able to deliver a realistic and compelling insight into the final moments and inner thoughts of Jeanne d’Arc.

Revelation

Tejvan Pettinger — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 11:56:10

Revelation

No more my heart shall sob or grieve.
My days and nights dissolve in God's own Light.
Above the toil of life my soul
Is a Bird of Fire winging the Infinite.

I have known the One and His secret Play,
And passed beyond the sea of Ignorance Dream.
In tune with Him, I sport and sing;
I own the golden Eye of the Supreme.

Drunk deep of Immortality,
I am the root and boughs of a teeming vast.
My Form I have known and realised.
The Supreme and I are one; all we outlast.

By: Sri Chinmoy

Poem from: My Flute

Wisdom of Ramana Maharshi

Tejvan Pettinger — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 11:52:48

There is Nothing New to Get

There is nothing new to get.
You have on the other hand,
to get rid of your ignorance,
which makes you think you are other than Bliss.
For whom is this ignorance?
It is to the ego.
Trace the source of the ego.
Then the ego is lost and Bliss remains over.

It is eternal You are That, here and now...
This is the master key for solving all doubts.
The doubts arise in the mind.
The mind is born of the ego.
The ego rises from the Self.

Search the source of the ego
and the Self is revealed.
That alone remains.
The universe is only expanded Self.
It is not different from the Self...

By: Ramana Maharshi

Video Footage of Ramana Maharshi

Photo of Arunachala

Film Review: Into Great Silence (2005)

Sumangali Morhall — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 14:37:55

Into Great Silence is surely one of the bravest films ever made. Almost three hours long, no script, no score, no commentary. I was compelled to see such a daring feat of minimalism.

Over 20 years before the film's release, German director Philip Groening applied for permission to film at the Carthusian monastery of Grande Chartreuse in a far corner of the French Alps. He was told it was too early, perhaps in 10-13 years it would be the right time.

16 years later his requested was accepted.

The Carthusian order, possibly the most ascetic Christian order, has remained largely unchanged for a thousand years, so they were not about to be rushed into such a venture. Unlike the UK, France is lucky enough to have preserved many of its ancient monastic sites. The site of Grande Chartreuse is as beautiful as it is remote, and Groening wastes no time in emphasising either aspect.

Some interesting recent blog entries

Shane Magee — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 08:30:23

Sometimes it can be hard to find purely uplifting blog entries in the middle of the introspective maelstrom that is the blogosphere, but here are a couple of gems that have shone out recently:

Freedom: a moment of clarity through running a marathon. Posted on Spirit Flower's blog at Zaadz.
The most exotic animal: Serial Guiness-record-breaker Ashrita Furman describes his recent record-breaking exploits in Mongolia! Ashrita's records often have a very playful aspect to them, and this blog entry is great fun to read!
Jellyfish concentration: A mother tries to teach her son how to concentrate, but ends up getting a lesson herself. A post from the Sri Chinmoy Inspiration Group.
The world's oldest sub-3 marathoner: A short blog article about Ed Whitlock, who ran a 2:54 marathon at age 73

Rabindranath Tagore Songs

Tejvan Pettinger — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 18:03:13

The Life of Rabindranath Tagore

Tejvan Pettinger — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 17:55:26

Documentary by Satyajit Roy

Rabindranath Tagore biography and poems at Poetseers

Tagore singing

My Country Awake by Tagore

Poem by Kabir - The Moon Shines

Tejvan Pettinger — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 17:51:18

The Moon Shines

The moon shines in my body, but my blind eyes cannot see it:
The moon is within me, and so is the sun.
The unstruck drum of Eternity is sounded within me; but my deaf ears cannot hear it.

So long as man clamours for the "I" and the "Mine", his works are as naught:
When all love of the "I" and the "Mine" is dead, then the work of the Lord is done.

For work has no other aim than the getting of knowledge:
When that comes, then work is put away.

The flower blooms for the fruit: when the fruit comes, the flower withers.
The musk is in the deer, but it seeks it not within itself: it wanders in quest of grass.

By: Kabir

Translated: Rabindranath Tagore

Photo by Phoolanjaya Sri Chinmoy Centre Galleries

Weekly Spiritual Links

Tejvan Pettinger — Mon, 28 May 2007 17:27:54

"The Mongolian steppes stretch as far as the eye can see – right to the edge of the sky: hard-packed dirt and shale punctuated by small shrubs and feathergrass. Here and there, a lone ger – the round nomadic tent – with dung smoke rising through its roof hole toward a pale sun!"

A Spiritual Odyssey Through Mongolia : Chidananda Burke, of the Sri Chinmoy Centre, recounts a recent visit to Mongolia.

"My heart-rate drops almost instantly, but jolts on hearing the dulcet tones of 50 Cent, which a kindly school boy at the back is treating his fellow travellers to. Too much of a coward to ask him to lower the volume, I realise this is the perfect test of my meditation techniques.."

Commuting Meditation Meditation on your daily commute at Sumangali.org

"One evening, Shyama Charan Lahiri was roaming at the foot of the Himalayas while on a short visit to the area, when he heard a voice saying, Shyama Charan, Shyama Charan. He was surprised to see a sadhu calling him from a distance. The sadhu approached him and said, Cant you recognise me, my child, my son?"

Lahiri Mahasaya's Initiation and other stories about the Indian Spiritual Master, Lahiri Mahasaya

I have loved Thee with two loves -

a selfish love and a love that is worthy of Thee.

- Rabia al Basri

Poetry of Rabia al Basri at Poet Seers

More Links

Spiritual Articles by Sahayak Plowman at Sri Chinmoy Books.com.

71 Things you can do - good list (I'll give the dancing a miss though)

Ramayana Bridge seen from Space

Picture by: Projjwal, Sri Chinmoy Centre Galleries

The Existence of God

Tejvan Pettinger — Mon, 28 May 2007 17:24:56

The Existence of God

"They proved to me by convincing reasons that God does not exist; Afterwards I saw God, for he came and embraced me. And now what am I to believe- the reasoning of others or my own experience? Truth is what the soul has seen and experienced; the rest is appearance, prejudice and opinion."

By: Sri Aurobindo

Photo by Unmesh Sri Chinmoy Centre Galleries

Talk on the Existence of God by Sri Chinmoy

Related:

Swami Vivekananda - Sri Ramakrishna

Tejvan Pettinger — Tue, 22 May 2007 15:57:53

Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda

Swami Vivekananda

When Naren, (Swami Vivekananda ) first came to visit Sri Ramakrishna , he was not altogether impressed with what he saw. His mind doubted this perplexing, unorthodox figure. He left dissatisfied, but, at the same time he felt strangely compelled to return to visit Ramakrishna at Dakshineswar. Sri Ramakrishna, on the other hand, immediately saw in his beloved Naren, tremendous spiritual potential. After his first meeting, he predicted Naren would at one time do great things for his beloved Mother Kali.

Love's Philosophy - Shelley

Tejvan Pettinger — Tue, 22 May 2007 15:50:53

Love's Philosophy

THE fountains mingle with the river
And the rivers with the ocean,
The winds of heaven mix for ever
With a sweet emotion;
Nothing in the world is single,
All things by a law divine
In one another's being mingle—
Why not I with thine?

See the mountains kiss high heaven,
And the waves clasp one another;
No sister-flower would be forgiven
If it disdain'd its brother;
And the sunlight clasps the earth,
And the moonbeams kiss the sea—
What are all these kissings worth,
If thou kiss not me?

By: Percy B. Shelley

Photo by Phoolanjaya: Sri Chinmoy Centre Galleries

Buddhism and Lord Buddha

Tejvan Pettinger — Wed, 16 May 2007 07:25:18

Daibatsu Buddha

"For centuries the light of the Buddha has shone as a beacon beckoning men from across the sea of darkness. Like lost children, millions of seekers have reached out to the light with their heart's inmost cry, and the Buddha has shown them the Way. The world stood before the Buddha with it's ignorance, and the Buddha, the Enlightened One, gave man Truth. The world offered its age old suffering to the Buddha's heart and the Buddha, Lord of Compassion, showed man the Dharma."

From Introduction to: Siddhartha Becomes The Buddha by Sri Chinmoy

Other selected parts from the play:

Buddha and Ananda On the passing of Lord Buddha.

Spiritual Music: Baoul Style

Tejvan Pettinger — Mon, 14 May 2007 15:45:18

Ranjit and Unmesh Swanson, are meditation students of Sri Chinmoy, who have frequently visited the Indian subcontinent. They have visited various spiritual sites such as Dakshineswar (where Sri Ramakrishna lived)

This is a selection of some of their music. It is sung in the Baoul tradition of wandering mendicants; they are accompanied by simple stringed instruments and percussion. Enjoy:

Recording 1: Vishna Ar Droma by Sri Chinmoy + Song of Sri Ramakrishna. Listen Now (m4a)

Recording 2: 1 song by Sri Chinmoy: 1 song by Sri Ramakrishna: Listen Now (m4a)

Recording 3: 1 song composed by Sri Chinmoy: 1 song a Bhajan of Mirabai: Listen Now

Picture of Dakshineswar, India by Unmesh Swanson: Sri Chinmoy Galleries

Akbar - India's philosopher king

Tejvan Pettinger — Mon, 14 May 2007 03:13:27

By: Kate Carvalho

Akbar the Great

Akbar the Great Moghul emperor ruled Northern India from 1556 to 1605. He was a great leader, warrior, hunter, a lover of nature and the arts, expert sportsman and philosopher. Akbar was a multifaceted man - a master of all arts, yet one of his most revered qualities and greatest legacies was his great love for and practice of religious tolerance. Viewed in the context of the era in which Akbar lived this is all the more astonishing and impressive. In a time where wars constantly waged in the name of religion, prejudice was rife in many parts of the world and would remain so for hundreds of years, Akbar practiced an unprecedented kindness, compassion and reverence for many religious other than his own Muslim faith.

Akbar ruled Hindus, Muslims, Zoroastrians, and Jains, members of which were all treated equally under his philosophy of sulahkul or "universal tolerance. With Akbar as their ruler, for the first time in their history India had a Muslim leader who not only tolerated the many other religions, but actively sought out their guidance and wisdom.

Secrets of Inner Peace

Tejvan Pettinger — Fri, 11 May 2007 15:28:30

"No price is too great to pay for inner peace. "

- Sri Chinmoy

Consciously or unconsciously we are all searching for inner peace. Inner peace is the foundation of lasting happiness, and satisfaction. Without inner peace, man can not know, either himself, or be at peace with the world.

1. Inner Peace is a Choice.

It is our own thoughts that will either bring us peace or restlessness. If our mind is clear of useless, undivine thoughts, we can experience inner peace in abundance. When we lose our inner peace it is because of our own thoughts. It is tempting to blame our problems on the world and other people. However, a man of inner peace will not allow the outer world to disturb his inner mind. If we maintain equanimity and detachment to events of the world, inner peace will remain a permanent feature of our mind.

God has not forgotten
To give us peace.
He is just waiting for us
To ask for it.

- Sri Chinmoy [1]

Criticism has no Peace

Tejvan Pettinger — Thu, 10 May 2007 16:00:55

Criticism has no peace
Either in the inner world
Or the outer world.

~~~

Forgiveness
Is mightier
Than the mightiest

~~~

The aspiring heart
Makes my life
Beauty's heart-garden

By: Sri Chinmoy

Aphorisms from Seventy Seven Thousand Service Trees part 33 by Sri Chinmoy

Quotes on Forgivness

Photo by Prabhakar: Sri Chinmoy Centre Galleries

Rumi Poem - If

Tejvan Pettinger — Thu, 10 May 2007 14:49:36

If

If you can disentangle
yourself from your selfish self
all heavenly spirits
will stand ready to serve you

if you can finally hunt down
your own beastly self
you have the right
to claim Solomon's kingdom

you are that blessed soul who
belongs to the garden of paradise
is it fair to let yourself
fall apart in a shattered house

you are the bird of happiness
in the magic of existence
what a pity when you let
yourself be chained and caged

but if you can break free
from this dark prison named body
soon you will see
you are the sage and the fountain of life

By: Rumi

Translation by: Nader Khalili

Quotes of Rumi

Photo by Prabhakar: Sri Chinmoy Centre Galleries

Prabhakar's Turkey Gallery

A Simple Life

Tejvan Pettinger — Fri, 04 May 2007 15:20:00

by Vidagdha Bennett

A university-educated friend of mine once asked Sri Chinmoy if he should accept a challenging, executive position or one that offered far less pay. Sri Chinmoy responded with this enigmatic message: “Just earn enough to defray the costs of your earthly existence.” Overcoming a certain amount of ambition, my friend accepted the lower salary. It enabled him to live simply and, at the same time, this job gave him the freedom to pursue his spiritual life.

According to Sri Chinmoy’s philosophy, a moderate simplicity is a great advantage. The desire for material things not only binds us but also entangles our thoughts, our emotions. It creates unnecessary worries and anxieties in our lives. Admittedly, it is extremely difficult to extricate oneself from that cycle, but if we can make even the slightest move to lead a simpler life, the resultant feelings of freedom and joy percolate through our entire existence. That is why, perhaps, books like Karen Kingston’s Clear Your Clutter have found such a receptive audience in recent years. They encourage us to examine all our possessions and reduce them—drastically.

Overcoming Anger

Tejvan Pettinger — Thu, 03 May 2007 16:55:26

Anger

Anger says:
"I can destroy
The whole world."

Peace says:
"Not when I work
Inside you."

By: Sri Chinmoy

Poems on Anger at Poetseers.org

Photo by Unmesh Sri Chinmoy Centre Galleries

Losing Face - Gaining Wisdom - Ashrita gives an honest insight into his experience of anger and transcendence.

What is this Life if, full of care?

Tejvan Pettinger — Wed, 02 May 2007 03:38:17

Leisure

WHAT is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare?—

No time to stand beneath the boughs,
And stare as long as sheep and cows:

No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass:

No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night:

No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance:

No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began?

A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

By: W.H.Davies

Photo by Pranlobha: Sri Chinmoy Centre Galleries

Poems on Life at Poetseers.org

"Conquer the Angry Man by Love"

Tejvan Pettinger — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 17:26:42

Conquer the angry man by love.

Conquer the ill-natured man by goodness.

Conquer the miser with generosity.

Conquer the liar with truth.

From: The Dhammapada

Buddhism

Photo by Trishatur, Sri Chinmoy Centre Galleries.

Buddha from Po Lin Monastery, Lantau Island, Hong Kong. Considered the Largest Outdoor Buddha Statue in the World. Hand Gesture of Turning the Wheel of Dharma and Meditation.

Spirit News Blog

MY KOLKATA GUIDEBOOK

Each Soul Has Something Very Special

A bliss lived in her heart too large for heaven

On A Rainy Kolkata Day

Replaying History

The Search

The Music of Shimshai

The Genius of India - film

The Wild Flower's Song - W.Blake

Pure Thinking

Sri Anandamayi Ma Sings Hari Bol

A seeker's journey

Video of Swami Vivekananda

Poetseers - Poem of the Day

On Atheism

To See God In Everyone

I used to Shun My Companion

The Secret Cannot Be Spoken in Silence

Sri Chinmoy passes away in New York, aged 76

Related links:

Like a Lotus

Immortality

In the Seas of Love

The Illumined Man

Videos of Sri Krishna

Patience Quotes

God's Grandeur - Gerard Manley Hopkins

God's Grandeur

Spiritual Links September

Links for September 9th

Meditation

Shivaratri at Belur Math

Forgiveness is Mightier

Forgiveness

Sri Harmandir Sahib- Amritsar

Sri Aurobindo - A Tribute

Quotes on Death

As Once the Winged Elergy

As Once The Winged Energy

The Unitive State

Delight, Infinity's Delight

The Spiritual Significance of the Great Pyramids

Quote: Enlightened people know Themselves

Inspiring Spiritual Books

Recommended Spiritual Books part 1

Characteristics of a Liberated Soul

T'is So Much Joy

'T is so Much Joy

Spirituality and Philosophy

My Gratitude Flames

My Gratitude Flames

Quote: Let my Soul Smile

Quotes by P.Yogananda

Is it possible to stop the thoughts of the Mind?

Love Poems from God

THE SANCTUARY

The Trial of Joan d'Arc: Film Review

Revelation

Revelation

Wisdom of Ramana Maharshi

There is Nothing New to Get

Film Review: Into Great Silence (2005)

Some interesting recent blog entries

Rabindranath Tagore Songs

The Life of Rabindranath Tagore

Poem by Kabir - The Moon Shines

The Moon Shines

Weekly Spiritual Links

The Existence of God

The Existence of God

Swami Vivekananda - Sri Ramakrishna

Love's Philosophy - Shelley

Love's Philosophy

Buddhism and Lord Buddha

Spiritual Music: Baoul Style

Akbar - India's philosopher king

Secrets of Inner Peace

Criticism has no Peace

Rumi Poem - If