Real Intelligence: Vachanamrut Pratham 18
Among all the species in the history of evolution, humans are at the top of the evolution chart. We are able to think, understand, communicate and perform various tasks and activities, which the other species are unable. This is possible because humans have a gift that no other species have. That is a programmable brain. Real Intelligence lies in programming or training our brain to avoid or bypass all the distractions, conserve our energy and focus on the task at hand. If one is able to do so effectively then the phrase ‘Nothing is impossible!’ is not far from reality.Shivam House was privileged with the opportunity to ponder upon the topic and share thoughts and experiences everyone in the last week of November 2014.
Taking reference from the holy scripture Vachanamrut and excerpts from the blessings of Param Pujya Hariprasad Swamiji, the following was conveyed in the assemblies throughout the week:
- If we speak inappropriately, we fill ourselves with negativity via our tongue. Negative or inappropriate words take away our energy and decreases our ability to perform our daily tasks. When we eat inappropriately, that negativity is reflected out when we crave to taste a particular food item that we bind ourselves with and that leads to frustration when we don’t get it. It also lures us to overeat and makes us lazy.But if we speak appropriately and only about relevant things and also do not allow our sense of taste to defeat us, we will remain enthusiastic and energetic, and experience positivity in ourselves.
- If we listen to irrelevant or inappropriate words or music, it fills us with negativity. On the other hand, wise and positive words, good books, appropriate songs or bhajans increases the positivity in us. Relating to the daily experiences of students, it was highlighted that sometimes when we sit down to study or try to think about something new, we hear in our head, some music or song that we may have heard in the past. That actually divides our focus and ends up wasting our time.
- Our eyes are also remarkably capable of experiencing the world around us. Most of the times, we are not even aware of what we are seeing. If we allow our eyes to watch the negative of others or irrelevant things or inappropriate movies or shows, we will actually harm our own self. However, if we just see positive in others or allow our eyes only to see relevant and appropriate things, we shall experience an increase in energy and enthusiasm in our own self. Children also understood that memories of inappropriate movie scenes or irrelevant scenes or looking at the negative aspects of others or negativity in different situations, causes us to lose our concentration and even leads us to anxiety, anger and frustration.And the same is the case for our sense of smell and touch.
- Further it was made clear that our brain is like a sponge. It absorbs everything through the five senses. Anything we see, hear, taste, feel and smell will get stored in our brain. As a result, this will ignite emotions based on the quality it possesses.If the input is positive then it will help us to conserve our energy, keep us enthusiastic, motivated and bring eternal bliss.
If the input is negative and we keep or dwelling upon it again and again the effect of it will be brutal. It will be like taking an intoxicant, a drug that will take control of our thinking ability and not allow us to think appropriately and hence we will feel anxiety, anger, frustration etc… It will also be a waste of lot of energy and time.
- In Pratham 18, Shreeji Maharaj has also showed the way to keep our senses positive i.e. being with positive people, having darshan of Thakorji or saints, or watching appropriate documentaries or movies, can inspire us greatly.
Hence, Pratham 18 acts as an eye opener in our life. One who is aware of the ill-effects of dwelling on the negative things and puts consistent effort to maintain the positive inputs through one’s senses is a real intelligent person. Such a person will be able to conserve, nurture and utilize his energy to do productive tasks and will be able to achieve all his goals.
Children were also made aware that Shreeji Maharaj, towards the end in this Vachanamrut, says that “If you do so, I shall consider it to be equivalent to you having served Me in EVERY WAY. I will also bless all of you and be EXTREMELY PLEASED with you.”
Thus throughout the week we understood that
- Senses are the precious gift of God to humans. Moreover, capability to think is like icing on cake.
- We must be clear of what we want to do with our life. Have a goal, a destination to achieve.
- Keep the company of people who are positive, who aim high and who persevere to achieve their destination and goal.
- Perform daily religious and spiritual rituals like aarti, prayers, pooja and swadhyay.
- Have complete faith in God.
- Keep the company of God realised saint to get constant motivation and guidance.
Thus, it was understood that by keeping our senses positive, we are actually serving God and, that is the true service of our soul and hence, of God. A real intelligent person realises that there is no limit to the bliss of God. He understands that he is different from his body, he is aatma and his birth here is mainly to purify his aatma and attain higher bliss of God.
Written by: Shivam House Team
Guru: God Personified
Every nook and corner of AVM campus and every life associated with it, has been flourishing through the ever flowing grace of His Divine Holiness Param Pujya Hariprasad Swamiji. Hence, at AVM, Guru Purnima is just not a commemoration of Swamishree’s glory but a day to reunite with His supremacy by offering our prayers to Him.“Swamishree always blesses us with all success and happiness, we just need to be committed and resolute for a good cause and a good goal.” said Suhrad Swamiji while addressing the congregation of Guru Purnima celebration in the Atmiya Prayer Hall on campus. In the presence of all elders, teachers, hostel staff, students and all members of Atmiya family, the programme started with Thakorji’s pujan by saints from Haridham and principal Vijay Sir. The junior class’ students sang melodious bhajans admiring the beauty of a Guru-guided life.
Thereafter, the host of the programme, Mukesh sir narrated a few stories to the students elucidating that the Guru is God manifested and He cultivates the human potentials. The students were reminded that it was the day for them to resolve to those easy-to-follow yet hard-to-stick to injunctions given by Swamishree to all AVM students and to realise that following these will help them to be a better human being.The inspiring and elevating words of Pujya Suhrad Swamiji on this pious occasion explained that the best way of celebrating Guru Purnima and offering true reverence to Swamishree is by self – reflection to be worthy of His blessings. He further added that it is a day to decide to resort to prayers and take divine help each time we deviate from our goal. This would certainly bring a realisation which leads to improvement.
So let’s decide, how we are going to deal with the darkness within us – with the glare of fascinating distractions that obscures OR with the light – the glow of Guru’s grace that illuminates!!!
Prayer-a connecting link between Human and Divine
Prayer is a wonderful experience with GOD. Prayer is a type of e-mail that we send to God. It is a link between God and us. Prayer isn’t just a thanksgiving but also an instrument through which we experience Divinity.
Now the question arises that how to pray. Different religions have their own way of prayer. Muslims pray by keeping their palms open facing to the sky. Christians cross their hands and we Indians join our hands near the chest. Though the ways are different but the intentions are same. All remember and invoke their Gods.
When we pray we have to forget all worldly affairs and problems. We have to visualise God and think about His glory. This is how we pray.
Prayer can be done at any time, but mostly people pray before beginning any task. Prayer is a thing one can do in one’s most difficult times. Prayers are not always offered in the temples. One can pray to God anywhere.
There are many benefits of prayer. If we pray all our sins wash away. When we pray we feel better. We feel as if we are in the abode of God; abode of love, abode of peace.
Prayer is really a wonderful experience being with God. It is the best, easiest and the only way to connect you with God. Please experience!
Written by: Ravi Patel (6th B)
Prayers of Sundaram House turned Heavenward
….…join your hands, close your eyes and start the prayer….chanting of mantra in chorus and the pious arena of magnificent prayer hall resonates with melodious bhajans seeking blessings of the all mighty before the day starts….Prayer is the part and parcel of Atmiya Vidya Mandir’s daily schedule.
In the third week of July 2011, Students and teachers of Sundaram house made a humble effort to explore and explain different aspect of prayer. On Monday, Smit Patel of Std VI A, Nimit Patel of VI B and Sarveshvar of VI B handled the mike very well with anchoring, thought of the day and news for the day respectively. Sundaram House members very well explained ‘Why should we pray’ on this very first day of the week, at the end of the assembly, on behalf all students, Sundaram House prayed to the lord to make every student an obedient child and a good listener. On Tuesday, Abhishek Purohit of VII was the host and Krushan Panchal presented thought of the day. Through a small skit, some students of Std 7th demonstrated the different timings of prayer which are early morning, before study, before meal, in evening and before sleep in the night. It was followed by, Tanmay Patel and Jay Baria chanting and explaining the different prayers to be offered at these timings. Thus, these students gave details about ‘When should we pray’. On this second day of their week, Sundaram House placed a prayer onto the lotus feet of Swamiji to give them good company and friends.
On Wednesday, Students of Std 8th came on the stage to explain yet another aspect of prayer, that is Whom should we pray. On this day, Mukesh Sir, in his speech, talked about grandeur and unconditional love of God. Once again, on behalf of all the students, Sundaram House offered a prayer to the lord to make every student ‘a focused reader’. The following day, Thursday, Students of Std 9th made an attempt to give you an idea about ‘How should we pray’. Everybody watched a video clip in which Swamishree Himself explained the significance of prayer for students. Students were benefitted by Swamishree’s divine words and resolved to pray before and after studies. At the end, students placed a prayer onto the lotus feet of Swamiji to make them ‘His Bhoolku’ (God’s choicest child).On Friday, students were showed a presentation to show the universal acceptance of Prayer as a medium to get connected with the Supreme. On this second last day of the week, Binu Madam told the students about yet another aspect of prayer that is ‘What should we pray’ .Last but not the least, on this day, Sundaram house prayed the Lord to ‘keep everybody at peace’.
Thus in this week, during morning assemblies, students of Sundaram House uncovered many facets of Prayer.
Through the soft board, Sundaram House displayed benefit and power of prayer. The illustrative material referred to the experiences of historical personalities about effects and impact of instant prayer. It was loud and clear through the facts and research work of students that ‘when everything else fails, prayer works’ as these finding were displayed on the soft board showing the scientifically proved beneficial effects of prayers.
The creative assembly on Saturday incredibly portrayed the transformation and positive change prayer can bring in a student’s life. The junior group presented a dance at the same time senior group, through a drama, evidently proved the prayer as an unavoidable part of student life. The students conveyed the message that no prayer goes unheard, sooner or later God does answer our prayer by blessing us with something which can bring us happiness and peace. The drama was based on P.P Swamiji’s praying habits which explained what a student should ask for… in his prayers; similarly, God might not give us exactly what we have asked for but it is sure that God gives us more and better than what we have prayed for. In this way, Sundaram House members assured the students that prayer is a medium to communion with The Supreme which keeps the mind free from anxiety and worries.
I think, by now, the heaven must be flooded with the prayers of AVM students!!!!!!!!!!
मान – सम्मान – आदर
प्रभु के चक्षु से बहता पानी
आज प्रभु के चक्षु से बह रहा था पानी।
जैसे, बह रहा हो झरना, सुना रहा हो कहानी।।
प्रभु की सर्जित दुनिया में –
आज मनुष्य द्वारा मनुष्य की हो रही थी निलामी।
जैसे आग का दरिया और समुद्र का खारा पानी।।
आज प्रभु के चक्षु से…
प्रेम से सँवारकर प्रभु ने मनुष्य की मूरत बनाई।
मूल्यों से सजाकर उसने हम से लीला करवाई।।
खुश हुआ प्रभु , हाँ…… खुश हुआ प्रभु ।
जब मनुष्य ने आत्मीयता की अलख जगाई।।
अरे! आज क्या हुआ मनुज को –
अरे! आज क्या हुआ मनुज को –
जो उसने अपनों की ही खिल्ली उड़ाई।।
आज प्रभु के चक्षु से…
मनुष्य ही मनुष्य का कर रहा था अनादर।
नफ़रत की सभी ने ओढ़ ली थी चादर।।
जिस धर्म ने सभी को जुड़ना सिखाया।
उसी धर्म के वास्ते, हाँ, आज उसी धर्म के वास्ते,
सभी मनुष्यों ने एक-दूजे का खून बहाया।
अतः प्रभु ने सभी को अपने आँसू से नहलाया।।
इसलिए…
आज प्रभु के चक्षु से बह रहा था पानी।
जैसे, बह रहा हो झरना, सुना रहा हो कहानी।।
– निहारिका
जीवन रूपी बगिया का माली – प्रभु !…
हे प्रभु !…
यह जीवन एक बगिया और तुम हो माली।
हम सब की डोर तुमने ही सँभाली।
जब कभी मुसीबतों की आँधी आई,
मेरी झुकती हुई डाली, तुमने ही सहलाई।।
जीवन रूपी बगिया में,
वात्सल्य की फुहार बहाकर,
प्रेमरूपी वर्षा का पानी बरसाकर।
हे प्रभु! तुमने यह पुष्प का चमन तो खिलाया।
मगर साथ में काँटों का सरताज क्यों पहनाया।।
फूलों की खुशबू से जीवन हुआ खुशहाल,
पर काँटों की चुभन ने तो, जीना किया दुशवार।।
हे प्रभु! अब तू ही बता अपना यह हाल मैं किसे सुनाउँ!
तेरे सिवा न किसी ओर को अपने इर्द-गिर्द पाऊँ।।
काँटों की चुभन को तू सहना सीखा दे।
इसकी चुभन सहकर भी खुश रहना सीखा दे।
सीखा दे वह सब कुछ जो कुछ तू हमसे चाहता।।
हे प्रभु! जीवन रूपी बगिया का जब तू माली बन बैठा,
तो अब जीवन के दुख-दर्द से हमारा क्या वासता।
हे प्रभु ! हे प्रभु ! हे प्रभु ! ….
– निहारिका
God – Prayer — Me
Prayer, the word gives security, it gives satisfaction. People have choice of gods to offer prayers, different gods for different people but what is common between them is their belief. I was wondering why one should pray or if that really matters. If I think rationally, not spiritually, I liked the definition of prayer by Gautam Buddha – He says best prayer is patience.
I feel the most obvious reason we should believe in God is, many a times you reach a situation where you give it all but nothing happens, at that point of time if you believe in something like God you won’t give up you look up to Him for the solution.
Life is not impossible without prayer, but the quality and meaning of life.
I like what Harivanshrai Bachan said to his son Amitabh Bachan.It was not the talent of Amitabh Bachan that took him to the heights; it was the words of his father that didn’t allow him to give up in adverse conditions.
‘jo mann ka ho vo accha aur jo mann ka na ho vo aur bhi accha,
kyu ki vo ishvar ke mann ka hota hai aur vo kabhi ki bura nahi karte’.
जो मन का हो वो अच्छा , और जो मन का ना हो वो और भी अच्छा
क्युकी वो इश्वर के मन का होता है और वो कभी किसी का बुरा नहीं करता |
It is not the talent of Sachin Tendulkar that scores 100 after 100, but him thanking God after every 100.
Praying is an inward journey and belief is the fuel.
It is not the talent that gets you 100 century or title of Millennium superstar, but the faith the belief when you are out on zero or you film is flop.
You can score a 100 or have a good movie by your talent, but to be consistent you have to believe in Him, you have to pray when you fail in the journey towards your goal.
If your inward journey is —————, your outer journey will be easy and you will overcome all the obstacles and achieve your goal.
By
Just Pass
(Shailendra Sir)