leave your mistakes where you make them

The Sculpting Competition

Long ago, in a distant land, there lived two sculptors named Seb and Matthias. One day they each received a Royal proclamation inviting them to take part in a sculpting competition to be held at the Royal Gardens.

Both Seb and Matthias were extremely excited by this opportunity and immediately started preparing for the seven day journey.

Seb set out on a bright Monday morning with his chisels and hammers packed in the back of his horse-drawn cart. At the end of his first day of traveling, he made camp in a clearing by the side of the road. After a simple meal, Seb noticed a large rock on the edge of the clearing and decided to get in some practice for the upcoming sculpting competition.

He took out his tools and began to chisel away at the rock. Several hours later, Seb stood back to look at his sculpture. It was a statue of the Princess Rebecca, but while he was reasonably happy with his attempt, Seb realized that the statue’s hands were too big. He made a mental note to be careful of this in the future and went to sleep.

The next morning, Seb continued on his way leaving his statue of Princess Rebecca by the side of the clearing. At the end of his second day, Seb found another rock to practice on and created another sculpture of the Princess. This time he got her hands right but made her legs too short. He made a mental note on how to improve next time and moved on.

Seb continued this pattern throughout his journey. Each night he found a rock to practice on, created a sculpture of Princess Rebecca, made note on how he could improve and then moved on the following morning leaving the sculpture where he created it.

By the time Seb reached the Royal Gardens he had made seven practice sculptures that were each a little bit better than the one before. On the day of the competition, Seb created his best sculpture ever and to his delight, he was awarded the coveted ‘Golden Hammer’ award which was presented by Princess Rebecca herself.

Now you may be wondering what happened to the other sculptor, Matthias, so let me tell you his side of the story…

Matthias also set out on the seven day journey to the Royal Gardens to compete in the sculpting competition. Like Seb, Matthias made camp on the first night and found a large rock to practice on. He too created a statue of the Princess Rebecca but found that he made her feet too big. Matthias was angry at himself for making this mistake and the next morning he heaved the statue onto the back of his cart so that he could study his mistake later.

At the end of his second day of traveling, Matthias found another rock to practice on and created another statue. This time he forgot to include the princesses head dress and he became furious at his mistake. The next morning, he heaved the statue onto the back of his cart and continued slowly on his journey.

Each night Matthias repeated this same pattern. He created a statue, became angry with himself when he made a mistake and then loaded the statue onto his cart before moving on.

On the seventh day, Matthias woke up early and prepared for the final leg of his journey, but when he prompted his horse to get underway, the poor animal strained at his harness but could not move an inch. Matthias jumped down from his seat and went to the back of his cart.

There he found all seven practice statues of the Princess Rebecca which were weighing the cart down and making it impossible to move. Matthias complained bitterly as he looked over the statues in detail – too big, too short, too tall…the list of mistakes went on and on. The unhappy sculptor sat down on a tree stump and continued to stare at his statues for hours, and as a result, he never made it to the Royal Gardens to compete in the competition.

This simple story illustrates an important lesson that can often be the difference between success and failure. The statues in the story represent the mistakes that we all make in life. The difference between Seb and Matthias was the way in which they responded to their mistakes.

When Seb made a practice statue he made a mental note of any problems and then he left his mistake where he made it and continued on his journey. As a result, he gradually developed his skills and eventually achieved his ultimate objective.

Matthias on the other hand approached his mistakes in a different fashion. Each time he made a statue, he loaded it onto his cart and took it with him. Each day his cart became heavier and heavier until eventually it would not move at all. Instead of leaving his mistakes where he made them, Matthias carried the weight of his mistakes with him and the weight of these past mistakes eventually prevented him from reaching his real objective.

On your journey to success, understand that you too will make mistakes. Some small, some big. Each time you make a mistake you have a choice. You can either learn from your mistake and move on like Seb, or you can carry your mistake with you like Matthias.

The danger in harboring regret and continually analyzing your past mistakes is that, like Matthias, you can eventually get stuck and can jeopardize the achievements that are waiting for you in your future.

Today I’d like to encourage you to reflect on the story of Seb and Matthias and make the decision to leave your mistakes where you make them. In this way, you’ll be able to learn from your mistakes but will still be able to move forward to achieve your ultimate objective.

Until Next Time,

Dare To Dream!

source link:  http://www.anthonyfernando.com/2008/11/21/103/

 



 

वह शक्ति हमें दो दयानिधे,
                            कर्तव्य मार्ग पर डट जावें |
पर सेवा पर उपकार में हम,
                            निज जीवन सफल बना जावें ||
हम दीन दुखी निबलों विकलों
                            के सेवक बन सन्ताप हरें |
जो हों भूले भटके बिछुड़े
                            उनको तारें ख़ुद तर जावें ||
छल-द्वेष-दम्भ-पाखण्ड- झूठ,
                            अन्याय से निशदिन दूर रहें |
जीवन हो शुद्ध सरल अपना
                            शुचि प्रेम सुधारस बरसावें ||
निज आन मान मर्यादा का
                            प्रभु ध्यान रहे अभिमान रहे |
जिस देश जाति में जन्म लिया
                            बलिदान उसी पर हो जावें ||

 


यहाँ से उद्धृत: http://www.sat-karma.com/spr1/read_poem.php?param=poem49&poet=agyaat

Practice of Brahmacharya

 Instincts and appetites form a part of all life on earth. Sense impulses and biological urges are common to animal and man alike. Sex is one of the prominent, most important and absolutely essential aspects of human, animal as well as plant life. Sex is an integral part of life—human, animal and plant. While this aspect of life is regulated by nature in plants and by instinct in animals, in man it is left to his common-sense, intelligence and his developed reason to control and regulate the same. The vast and ancient scriptures of the world offer human society specific rules and regulations in this respect. With regard to India, as a nation, our forefathers followed the do’s and don’ts of the Dharma Sastras in meticulous detail and this, in large measure, contributed to their health, longevity and spiritual welfare.

But alas, in the present-day world, and more particularly among the educated class, in all walks of society and in all age groups, norms of conduct laid down by the scriptures are flouted with so much impunity that we see, all around us, the number of physical, mental and moral wrecks increasing every day. One reason for this sad state of affairs is modern man’s ignorance of his own scriptural treasures.
Swami Sivananda came on the Indian scene, in the early thirties, to blast this ignorance of the people by offering the hoary wisdom of the ancients through the media of his simple English writings. It is well known that spiritual treatises apart, the great Master, whose love for mankind knew no bounds, wrote a number of books concerning health, hygiene and medicine. One such book was “Practice of Brahmacharya” which dealt mostly with the subject of celibacy, and where celibacy was not possible, a regulated sex life. This book has been popular with the public.

This apart, the Swamiji’s thoughts on the subject of sex and sex sublimation are also to be seen here and there spread over his voluminous writings. In the present volume, all of Swamiji’s thoughts and instructions on the subject of sex and celibacy have been gathered up from “Practice of Brahmacharya” and elsewhere, and thoroughly edited, with a view to offering the public, and especially to the younger generation, a working guide to the vital subject of sex sublimation. This has been done as an act of loving service to modern youth who are often left groping in the dark by an irresponsible society. These days we often hear about “juvenile delinquency,” but this juvenile delinquency itself is the result of adult irresponsibility. The youth of the world craves for guidance which is often not forthcoming from the parents, teachers or society.

It is hoped that this book of holy Master Swami Sivananda will fill the above-mentioned lacuna and offer the youth of the world the knowledge and guidance which they so richly deserve in a vital area which affects their physical, mental, ethical and spiritual well-being. We pray that the blessings of the holy Master may pour on all those who may chance to go through the following pages and open up a new chapter in their lives. May all be healthy, happy and spiritually blessed.

Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu!

Pasted from the book Practice of Brahmacharya

Source: The Divine Life Society 

Links :

Sex, Brahmacharya…Myths Demystified

Brahmacharya

Advice To Brahmacharya

Brahmacharya means celibacy. A Brahmachari is one who is a celibate, one who observes chastity or celibacy. The term ‘Celibacy’ is from the Latin word ‘Caelebs’, which means ‘unmarried’ or ‘single’ and signifies the state of living unmarried. It means control of not only the reproductive Indriya but also control of all senses; it means purity in thought, word and actions.
The life of a Brahmachari begins with the Upanayana ceremony, the investiture of the sacred thread, his second birth. The Brahmachari should direct his entire attention solely to study and acquiring of such knowledge as would enable him to become a worthy member of society. During this period of study let him live either with his parents or at the place of his study under the supervision of teachers. He should not live by himself, with friends and acquaintances, nor with relatives.
A Brahmachari is one who is attempting to realise Brahman by his conducting a life of absolute celibacy. Brahmacharya is the conduct of leading a celibate life. A Brahmachari should study religious books till he reaches the age of twenty-five. If he has taken the vow of celibacy till the end of life, if he wants to become a Naishtika Brahmachari, he need not enter the stage of householder. He should have real lasting Vairagya and Viveka (dispassion and discrimination). Then only he will be really benefited. He can devote his whole life to spiritual pursuits.
A Brahmachari should worship his Guru, worship cows and gods with due reverence. Guru is the embodiment of all Vedas and all Devas. Therefore God and Guru should be taken as one and he should worship his Guru daily. He should serve his Guru with faith and devotion for complete twelve years.
The Brahmachari should have Japa as his highest possession. He should never leave Japa. Through Japa alone the Brahmachari attains success, no matter whether he performs any other Vedic sacrifice or not. Through the contact of his senses with their objects of gratification, he undoubtedly acquires sin. Hence, by controlling them, he achieves success. Control of the senses is possible for the Brahmachari only through Japa.
Brahmacharis should do their Sandhya Vandana daily at the proper time,-morning, noon and evening. ‘Sandhya’ is the point of junction of two periods of time. There is a special manifestation of force or purity at Sandhyas. The student will derive immense benefit by doing prayers at this particular meeting point of two periods of time. Arghya (offering libation) with repetition of the Gayatri should be given to the sun at the proper time. You will have wonderful health, vigour and vitality and a pure, sharp intellect. At the present moment students have entirely neglected their Sandhyas. Their minds have been charged with materialistic poison. They have become slayers of Atman. "Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we may die" has become their philosophy! Poor, self-deluded souls! How long will you continue this state of affairs? Do not kill the soul within. Awake, arise and purify yourself. Do Sandhya. Understand and realise its potency and efficacy. Do some form of worship or other and realise the splendours of the Atman. Regain your lost divinity.
A true Brahmachari only can cultivate Bhakti. A true Brahmachari alone can practise Yoga. A true Brahmachari only can acquire Jnana. Without Brahmacharya no spiritual progress or success in worldly affairs is possible.
Brahmacharis should entirely give up betel-chewing, cigarettes, tobacco, snuff, tea, coffee, etc. Tobacco produces nicotine poisoning, tobacco-heart (irritable heart), nervous diseases and tobacco-amblyopia (eye disease).
O bold Brahmachari, practice of Brahmacharya gives good health, inner peace, strength, peace of mind and long life. It invigorates the mind and nerves. It helps to conserve physical and mental energy. It augments strength, vigour and vitality. It gives power to face the difficulties in the daily battle of life. It is the master key for opening the realm of health and happiness. It is the corner stone of bliss and unalloyed felicity. It is the only specific that keeps up true manliness. Therefore keep up Brahmacharya by all means. Brahmacharya is freedom from sexual thoughts and desires. Preserve the vital fluid. It is the life-force in you. You will enjoy supreme bliss. A perfect Brahmachari can move the world, can command the five elements, like Sant Jnana Deva.
Brahmacharya is the basis for acquiring immortality. Brahmacharya brings material progress and psychic advancement. It is the substratum for a life of peace in the Atman. It is a potent weapon for waging war against the internal Asuras, viz., Kama, Krodha, Lobha, etc. It contributes perennial joy, uninterrupted and undecaying bliss. It gives tremendous energy, clear brain, gigantic will-power, bold understanding, retentive memory and good Vichara Sakti. Through Brahmacharya and Brahmacharya alone you can get physical, mental and spiritual advancement in life.
The vital energy, the Virya, supports your life. It is the Prana of Pranas which shines in your sparkling eyes, which beams in your blooming cheeks. It is a great treasure for you. It is the quintessence of blood. One drop of semen is manufactured out of forty drops of blood. Mark here how valuable this fluid is!
Brahmacharya or spotless chastity is the best of all panaceas. One who has perfect control over the sexual energy attains powers unobtainable by any other means. The door to Nirvana or perfection is complete Brahmacharya. Complete celibacy is the master-key to open the realms of elysian bliss. The avenue to the abode of supreme peace begins from Brahmacharya or purity. Ojas is spiritual energy that is stored up in the brain. By sublime thoughts, meditation, Japa, worship and Pranayama, sexual energy can be transmuted into Ojas Sakti and stored up in the brain. This energy can be utilised for divine contemplation and spiritual pursuits.
That man in whom the sex-idea is deep-rooted can never dream of understanding Vedanta and realising Brahman even in one hundred crores of births. Sexual Vasanas (subtle desires) are more powerful than other Vasanas. Therefore you will have to direct all your efforts to subduing the sexual Vasanas. Narada says in his Bhakti Sutras: "These (sexual) propensities, though they at first are like ripples, acquire the proportions of a sea, on account of bad company" (Sutra 45). Therefore avoid evil company at all costs.
What is the state of your mind, when you attend a ball-room dance or nautch party, or when you read the ‘Mysteries of the Court of London?’ What is the state of your mind when you attend the Satsanga party of a realised sage at Banares on the banks of the Ganga, or when you study the soul-elevating classical Upanishads? Compare and contrast your mental states. Remember, friend, that there is nothing so utterly ruinous to the soul as evil company. One should not talk even of stories of women, the luxurious ways of rich persons, rich foods, vehicles, politics, silken clothing, flowers, scents, etc. Because the mind gets easily excited; it will begin to imitate the ways of luxurious persons. Desires will crop up. Attachment also will come in.
Obscene pictures, vulgar words, novels which deal with love stories, excite passion and produce ignoble, mean, undesirable sentiments in the heart. Whereas, the sight of a good picture of Lord Krishna or Lord Rama or Lord Jesus or Lord Buddha and the hearing of the sublime songs of Suradas, Tulasidas or Tyagaraja induce noble sentiments, holy thrill in the heart and produce tears of joy and Prem, and elevate the mind to Bhava Samadhi instantaneously. Do you clearly see the difference now?
He who has wasted the vital energy becomes easily irritable, loses his balance of mind and gets into a state of explosive fury for trifling things. When a man becomes furious, he behaves improperly. He will do anything he likes. He will even insult his parents, Guru and respectable persons. He does not know what he is exactly doing, as he loses his power of reasoning and discrimination. It behoves, therefore, that an aspirant who tries to develop good behaviour must preserve the vital energy. Preservation of this divine energy leads to attainment of strong willpower, good behaviour, spiritual exaltation and Sreya or Moksha eventually.
There is no harm in looking at a beautiful woman. You can admire her beauty and think that the beauty in her face is the beauty of the Lord. Beauty is God. Woman brings the message that God is Beauty of beauties. Woman is the symbol of beauty. There should not be any lustful look (Drishti Dosha). The angle of vision must be changed as indicated above.
Again and again think that the beauty of the face is the beauty of the Lord. Godly feeling will arise when you look at a woman or a beautiful picture. Study the tenth chapter of the Gita—Vibhuti Yoga, again and again.
Physical Brahmacharya must be strictly practised at first. Control the body. Mental purity or mental Brahmacharya will gradually manifest.
Lead a well regulated moral life. Moral strength is the backbone of spiritual progress. Ethical culture is part and parcel of spiritual Sadhana. Loss of this vital energy is tantamount to practical death. Heavy loss of the vital energy is the cause of desire, miseries and premature death. Therefore take particular care to preserve this vital energy. Keep up Brahmacharya or the vow of celibacy. By the observance of Brahmacharya many of the sages of yore have attained immortality. It is the source of new strength, vigour, vitality and success in life and eternal happiness hereafter.
  
By Sri Swami Sivananda

 Download: Practice of Brahmacharya
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Whom to blame ...!!!

boy was born to a couple after eleven years of marriage. They were a Loving couple and the boy was the gem of their eyes.
When the boy was around two years old, one morning the husband saw a medicine bottle Open.

He was late for office so he asked his wife to cap the bottle and keep it in the cupboard. His wife, preoccupied in the kitchen totally forgot the matter.

The boy saw the bottle and playfully went to the bottle fascinated by its color and drank it all.

It happened to be a poisonous medicine Meant for adults in small dosages.
When the child collapsed the mother hurried him to the hospital, where he died. The mother was stunned. She was terrified how to face her husband.

When the distraught father came to the hospital and saw the dead child,

He looked at his wife and uttered just five words.

QUESTIONS:

1. What were the five words?
2. What is the implication of this story?


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ANSWER:

The husband just said "I am with you Darling"



The husband's totally unexpected reaction is a proactive behavior.

The Child is dead. He can never be brought back to life.

There is no point in finding fault with the mother. Besides, if only he had taken time to keep the bottle away, this would not have happened.

No one is to be blamed. She had also lost her only child. What she needed at that moment was consolation and sympathy from the husband. That is what he gave her.

If everyone can look at life with this kind of perspective, there would be much fewer problems in the world.

"A journey of a thousand miles Begins with a single step."



Take off all your envies, jealousies, selfishness, and fears. And you will find things are actually not as difficult as you think.


***MORAL OF THE STORY***

Sometimes we spend time in asking who is responsible or whom to blame,
whether in a relationship, in a job or with the people we know. By this Way
we miss out some warmth in human relationship.

Source: Email from a Dear Soul...

मुन्नी इस्कूल जाएगी . ..!

मै ना जानु पढ़ना लिखना,
लेकिन मुन्नी को हे पढ़ना,
अच्छी शिक्षा पाएगी
जब मुन्नी इस्कूल जाएगी . . .

रोज मजूरी कितनी मिलती,
मै ना जानु कोई गिनती
वो मुझसे गिनवाएगी
जब मुन्नी इस्कूल जाएगी . . .

दूर कभी चिठ्ठी हो देनी
मेरी बात लिखेगी मुन्नी
ख़त मे वो छाजाएगी
जब मुन्नी इस्कूल जाएगी . . .

हर मुश्किल से उसको लढना
कुछ भी हो आगे हे बढ़ना
अच्छे नंबर लाएगी
जब मुन्नी इस्कूल जाएगी . . .

जीवन कटा हे सहेते सहेते
थोडा हसते थोडा रोते
वो गीत खुशीके गाएगी
जब मुन्नी इस्कूल जाएगी . . .

-निखिलेश

श्रोत कड़ी: यार!! कर के तो देखो!!