Beautiful Story on Hope and Faith - Must Read!

Namaste, Hari Om,

This story is very touching, lets all dont forget the childlike faith that was once in all of us, its still there..

Feel free to pass it on to those you love,

Glory to Thee,
- SimpleHinduBhai

(Email came from a very good friend, thanks for the touching story..Not sure who the original author is..).

A little girl went to her bedroom and pulled a glass jelly jar from its hiding place in the closet. 

She poured the change out on the floor and counted it carefully. Three times, even The total had to be exactly perfect. No chance here for mistakes .. 

Carefully placing the coins back in the jar and twisting on the cap, she slipped out the back door and made her way 6 blocks to Rexall's Drug Store with the big red Indian Chief sign above the door. 

She waited patiently for the pharmacist to give her some attention, but he was too busy at this moment.  Tess twisted her feet to make a scuffing noise. Nothing. She cleared her throat with the most disgusting sound she could muster. No good. Finally she took a quarter from her jar and banged it on the glass counter. That did it! 

'And what do you want?' the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of voice. I'm talking to my brother from Chicago whom I haven't seen in ages,' he said without waiting for a reply to his question. 
'Well, I want to talk to you about my brother,' Tess answered back in the same annoyed tone. 'He's really, really sick...and I want to buy a miracle.' 

'I beg your pardon?'  said the pharmacist. 

'His Name is Andrew and he has something bad growing inside his head and my Daddy says only a miracle can save him now.  So how much does a miracle cost?' 

'We don't sell miracles here, little girl.  I'm sorry but I can't help you,' the pharmacist said, softening a little. 

'Listen, I have the money to pay for it. If it isn't enough, I will get the rest. Just tell me how much it costs.' The pharmacist's brother was a well dressed man. He stooped down and asked the little girl, 'What kind of a miracle does your brother need?' 

' I don't know,' Tess replied with her eyes welling up. I just know he's really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation. But my Daddy can't pay for it, so I want to use my money.' 

'How much do you have?' asked the man from Chicago  

'One dollar and eleven cents,' Tess answered barely audibly. 

'And it's all the money  I have, but I can get some more if I need to.' 

'Well, what a coincidence,' smiled the man. 'A dollar and eleven cents---the exact price of a miracle for little brothers. ' 

He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he grasped her mitten and said 'Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet your parents. Let's see if I have the miracle you need.' 

That well dressed man was Dr. Carlton Armstrong, a surgeon, specializing in neuro-surgery. The operation was completed free of charge and it wasn't long until Andrew was home again and doing well. 

Mom and Dad were happily talking about the chain of events that had led them to this place. 

'That surgery,' her Mom whispered. 'was a real miracle. I wonder how much it would have cost?' 

Tess smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost..one dollar and eleven cents....plus the faith of a little child. 

In our lives, we never know how many miracles we will need. 

A miracle is not the suspension of natural law, but the operation of a higher law.  I know you'll keep the ball moving! 

Here it goes. Throw it back to someone who means something to you!

A ball is a circle, no beginning, no end. It keeps us together like our Circle of Friends. But the treasure inside for you to see is the treasure of friendship you've granted to me. 

Today I pass the friendship ball to you. 

Pass it on to someone who is a friend 
to you.

MY OATH TO YOU... 

When you are sad.....I will dry your tears. 

When you are scared.....I will comfort your fears. 

When you are worried.....I will give you hope. When you are confused......I will help you cope. 

And when you are lost...And can't see the light, I shall be your beacon .... Shining ever so bright. 

This is my oath......I pledge till the end. 

Why you may ask?.......Because you're my friend. 

Signed: GOD 

Find us on Twitter.com now! @SimpleHinduBhai..

Namaste, Hari Om,

We are now on Twitter, please add us to follow our posts.

@SimpleHinduBhai
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Jai Shri Krishna,
- SimpleHinduBhai

Poem By SimpleHinduBhai: "Meri Pyaari Radha Swamani...Shri Brindavan Mein.."

"The loving tears of joy within our hearts shower the world with love"

Namaste, Hari Om,

This poem was inspired by a Bhajan (devotional song) by Anil Hanslas, "Hamaro Dhan Radha".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p226bgt_UqQ ,<- yeh Bhajan heaven ki tarah bahot sundar hain. (this bhajan is beautiful like heaven)...

Such a beautiful voice Anil Ji has, I wish I had one drop of his graceful voice, the love from this bhajan struck me so much I wrote this poem from Krishna Ji's point of view as he talks to his one and only Radha Swamani Devi.

(Krishna is looking at Radha, his voice is not saying this, but every atom and creature in this world is telling Radha Devi these words....).... Apke liye, Mera man Krishna Ji ke pyaare Haatho mein, maine yeh lihka (For you, My mind In krishna Ji's loving hands, I have written this). Every husband should look at his wife in this way vice versa, every child should look at their parent in this way (vice versa etc..).. every atom that loved another atom, any particle that has loved another particle should look at each other as RadhaKrishna, ever lasting eternal love that janam-janam will never part..Shri Radha Radha...............Hamaro Dhan Radha Radha...


Meri Pyaari Radha Swamani...Shri Brindavan Mein,

Together we will always be the devotee's loving tears, Brindavan Mein,

Your undiscriminating love removes all devotees fears, Brindavan Mein,

Together we will be the eternal enlightenment, the loving Dove, Brindavan Mein,
You Maha Rani are my salvation, the immutable symbol of my love, Brindavan Mein
Together our love will shine like the Sun that soothes, Brindavan Mein,
You are the loving wind between all matter that moves, Brindavan Mein,
Together our love serves as a secret reminder for all, Brindavan Mein,
You are the pause in every living being's breath big or small, Brindavan Mein,
Oh Radha your smile can put the fiercest tiger in a trance, Brindavan Mein,
Together our love will be in everyone's devotional dance, Brindavan Mein,
All the birds and trees can not move without our divine connection, Brindavan Mein,
Together our love is seen in the sacred waters as a divine reflection, Brindavan Mein,
My Devi, you are the reason for living, as nothing can be loving as you Shri Radha Rani, Brindavan Mein,
Together we will be the gopis in every devotees heart's Vaani, Brindavan Mein,
Nothing can dare move without your love that is a magnificent feat, Brindavan Mein,
Together we are the heavens, suns and moons as we take the divine seat, Brindavan Mein, 
Oh Radha I am but a parrot that is caught in your hearts cage, Brindavan Mein,
Together our love helps the blind see, the frail walk with no sway, Brindavan Mein,
Your eyes, a river of love has washed me swiftly away, Brindavan Mein,
Together our love is a drought's cure, a warm soothing rain shower, Brindavan Mein,
Even As Narayana, forever in my heart you are always my right, beautiful flower, Brindavan Mein,

Meri Pyaari Radha Swamani...Shri Brindavan Mein,

Prem ke Sath Maine lihka, With Love I have written,
- SimpleHinduBhai

*Note "Always my right, beautiful flower", Lord Vishnu holds a flower in his right hand, every aspect represents Radha, even as a beautiful flower.. She is always his right, in the last line.
*Brindavan Mein, in Brindavan, City where Lord Krishna is known to have visited and played in. 
*Vaani means voice here; Together we will be the gopis in every devotees heart's Vaani [voice], Brindavan Mein,

Why do we take people for granted?

"To the world you maybe just one person, but to one person you maybe the world"

Namaste, Hari Om,

Gods blessings to one and all, may the all mighty force grant us energy to love one and all. For we all are brothers and sisters that have crossed paths somehow somewhere in our past lives, yet we might not know it. I will talk about two sides of the coin, from the person taking someone for granted, and the person being taken for granted.

Why do we take people for granted?

This is an interesting topic that happens in all of our lives, the first encounter is most likely with parents, then with a significant other, i.e. partner.

Is there a science or reasoning why we do? I am sure there are scientific reasoning that deals with brain cells and the Limbic System sometimes called the "emotional brain" or "Old Mammalian Brain. We will not dive into that as its complicated and not too simple.

Taking people for granted is sometimes done without a notice to the person "taking someone for granted", they are either caught up in their busy life, or find their life more important to stop to spend time, help or chat with someone. We often live life by the second, everything that is happening is happening now, not 1 minute before or after the present, but now.

When we forget to look at the big picture and worry too much about the "now" we overlook people, things and tend to loose focus of our goals. Life is not easy as humans are emotional creatures for the most part and live off of each other to an extent (note this is from a general point of view).

We often look at someone's short comings before we look at their positive strengths, a person can do 9 things right out of 10, but that 1 wrong thing they have done will scar their image or perception in our mind. This is a way of taking someone for granted, we overlook their value and worth to us as its covered with emotions that are wrong and temprorary but we choose to elongate the bad image. We take people for granted because we are not thankful for their contributions to our lives. Is it subconsious that we do this? Possibly, similar to a parent who provides care and support for a child, the child is unaware of how hard the parent must work to keep the house running. The child is unaware of complexities of earning income, paying for bills, driving a car, risks of time and trade offs - all the child sees is the parent and their want/desire not fulfilled, thus calling the parent bad (taking for granted). Same for a wife or husband, one might not see the worth and work that goes on behind the scenes to support a relationship.

Same with God/the powerful force, we seldom think of the good karma/things that has happened to us, we often call Gods name for the bad things happening to us, versus thanking and praising God for the good things. For Example, we pray for food, but when we have food do we offer thanks? Most do, but its a way of being thankful and not taking anything for granted.

Its sad in life that we recount someone's worth when relationships end or parting with the soul comes about. We never realize how much that person is worth to us till they leave. We often tell ourselves why couldnt I say nicer things, why couldnt I help more, why couldnt I spend more time with this person, or why I couldnt be more thankful instead of ignoring or treating them bad. We all get warnings to enjoy each other and be thankful throughout our lives, why wait till parting with someone to recount these wishes? Do it now for time waits for no one! We think someone will always be by our side, we think they will always give us money, food or love, we always think that they will never die or part. Open your eyes to that person, each day we spend overlooking someone because a tv show or party is more important we lose that one day spending with them. Dont feel bad, its normal behavior, but if the person is blatnantly telling you, "spend time with me", or "You take me for granted", OPEN YOUR EYES AND EARS! Sadly this happens with older folks, they hold the most wisdom in our lives, yet we act like they are not worth anything. This is a sad outcome due to many things, primarliy technolody. Older folks hold life long advice that can help us become stronger and better humans on earth.

We should avoid taking someone for granted, especially someone who takes very good care of us. Someone who has taken good care of us, who is taking good care of us and who will be taking good care of us should not be taken granted for. Relationships with parents, grandparents, siblings, husbands, wives and childern etc.. Can be ruined if someone is taken for granted. Some of the negative outcomes if someone is being taken granted for;

The person who feels like they are being taken for granted*;
- Feels easily intimidated when they try to voice their words or ideas, because they will feel like they have nothing special to say as they fear they will be hurt or yelled at (yelling is another sign of being taken advantage of). Happens allot in many relationships, with parents and significant others. If a child has no outlet, who will they turn to?
- A parent who takes a child for granted will cause their child to withhold thoughts and feelings, shutting down when they are sad, angry or confused as they feel they have no outlet. You never get close with each other, thus building on the relationship pains - communication that is open and nice (both ways) will solve this.
- The person being taken advantage of will always put on a face that everything is ok, this false face is appeasing and they would rather do this than face intimidation or being hurt by the person taking them for granted. - This is where communication comes back in, voicing yourself will help even if you are not being heard.
- People who are being taken for granted develop fears that they dont want to talk further, they feel their worth is nothing infront of the person who is using them/taking them for granted etc.. The person taking them for granted uses tactics that causes pain and suffering that they dont even realize. - We must be careful of our fears with this, this could stem from worrying to much, You worry so much (worry about what the other person said, worry about what they meant by it, worry about how you reacted etc) that your worry creates a sense of helplessness and powerlessness. A parent that feels like they are helpless must find other ways to talk to their child, a partner must find other ways as this attitude does not grow the relationship very well.

We are all on earth for special reasons, some will know that reason within this realm, or another realm. Above examples relate how someone feels when they are being taken for granted, sometimes we never see this when we are living our life. A loved one will never say, "you are taking me for granted", they are afraid it will hurt you, but we need to open our eyes and consider how much they mean to us then spend more time to put a smile on their face.

What if you feel like you are being taken for granted?
 
In our life we give so much love and support but when we feel we are being taken for granted you could just sit down and talk to the person, you dont always have to be stepped on etc.. It is good to help other people. Unfortunately in today's world people take your goodness for granted and start taking advantage of it. So, help people but show as if you are doing it as a favour and making an exception. Make them feel obliged and indebted to you. People may call you a snob, but let them. It is much better than been taken for granted.

The person taking you for granted loves you, but they get caught up in your goodness and kindness and takes advantage of it, they abuse your love to get what they want. If you are a parent this will sound familiar around the time of gifting presents. It is always not nice to be nice. Let people know that you too can get upset and can call a spade a spade. Be polite, tactful and diplomatic but speak out your mind. Tell people clearly what you feel. They will never take your feelings and emotions for granted.

Some people feel that you are stuck with them and will take you for granted all the time, put your foot down and wake them up with your serious but loving words. Let them know of your value and worth, because you are equally worth more to them as they are worth to you.

If you are reading this post, ask your self, Do I take anyone for granted? And put yourself in their shoes, what if you had a daughter that treated you the way you treated your mother? Or (parent view) what if your parents treated you that way etc..? Or What if you did selfless things for your parenter and they treated you bad or took you for granted? Ask your self...

Consider this a warning not to take people for granted, we all need these warnings in our lives, dont wait for the hospital bed side, or a sad movie, or even parting with the loved one.

Always remember, put God first in everything we do, always have a kind heart but logical mind, we do live in a perfect world (As it was created by God), its the minds of people that are not so perfect :).

"To the world you maybe just one person, but to one person you maybe the world"

*Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Are-You-Being-Taken-For-Granted?&id=757974

Jai Shri Krishna,

-SimpleHinduBhai

Hindu Calendar - Updated for 2011 - Thanks to Swaha International

Namaste, Hari Om,

The Hindu Calendar for 2011 is now up to date thanks to Swaha International.

You can click calendar on the right side of the Blog, or click http://www.swahainternational.org/calendar/.

Many scriptures talk about special days in Hinduism that signify importance on many levels. We should always look at the calendar daily as it contains important dates for fasting, celebrating and observing special rites.

Special days are not just special due to its name or occasion, planets, suns, moons and stars are aligned in a special way for a reason, and on certain days energy can be channeled and transmitted easily, thus praying/fasting or meditating can raise our spirituality greatly.

Credit goes to Swaha International, many thanks!

Jai Shri Krishna
- SimpleHinduBhai

Simple Hindu Bhai Facebook Page - Please become a fan..

Namaste, Hari Om,

Please click the link to join our Facebook page, please forward to all your friends and family to stay up to date as well.. You can take part in discussions and post on topics and events..

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/pages/Simple-Hindu-Bhais-Blog/233430351518

Thanks!
-SimpleHinduBhai

Snake and Ladder had its origin in India - Hinduism Connection

Namaste, Hari Om,

Interesting article from Hindu-Blog.com, enjoy!

- SimpleHinduBhai,

______________________
http://www.hindu-blog.com/2006/11/snake-and-ladders-had-its-origin-in.html


The game had its origin in India and was called Moksha Patam or Parama Padam or Mokshapat. It was used to teach Hinduism and Hindu values to children. The British renamed it as Snakes and Ladders.

Now, when and who created this game? Most people believe it was created by the 13th century poet saint Gyandev. There are certain references which take the game back to 2^nd century BC.

The ladders represented virtues and snakes vices. In the original game square 12 was faith, 51 was Reliability, 57 was Generosity, 76 was Knowledge, and 78 was Asceticism. These were the squares were the ladder was found.

Square 41 was for Disobedience, 44 for Arrogance, 49 for Vulgarity, 52 for Theft, 58 for Lying, 62 for Drunkenness, 69 for Debt, 84 for Anger, 92 for Greed, 95 for Pride, 73 for Murder and 99 for Lust. These were the squares were the snake was found.

The Square 100 represented Nirvana or Moksha.

The British took the game to England in 1892 and named it Snakes and Ladders and changed it according to Victorian values.

"Why God Permits Evil and How to Rise Above It" - by Paramahansa Yogananda

Namaste, Hari Om,

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Truly wish to thank all of you for the support and readings over the past year. You have truly inspired me to keep on researching and presenting great information on not only Hinduism, but other spiritual aspects that reinforce the fact that, "Ham sab ek hain", we are all one! By the grace of God this site has gotten thousands of hits per month from various countries in North/South America, Europe and Asia. I am truly blessed and honored to reach so many people with such simple words.

I received probably one of the best gifts of my life to date, a book by Paramahansa Yogananda, "Autobiography of a Yogi". I am very thankful for this book, I almost do not want to call it a book, it is a gift from a mighty force that is spreading the message of love and faith for the all mighty and human kind. The giver of this book is forever in  my heart as they have added energy and love to my spiritual path in more ways than they would ever know.. With love, I deeply thank you sincerely.

Its a truly special book, it was predicted long before its time, it was predicted to come out before the birth of the Author himself. It holds great spiritual power as it was written for our time and beyond. When reading it, questions will be answered in your mind, and you will start to conceptualize the scenery and emotions throughout the book. One cant help but find themselves in a new state of mind after reading each page.

By the grace of God, I will highlight a couple of key points from the book throughout the year. One particular interesting question that always arises is, Why is there so much evil on earth, why does God allow this and what can we do.

Of course Shri Shri Paramahansa Yogananda Ji can explain this as his knowledge came from a divine voice, but I wish to talk on a perception of the below teachings from the great Swami.

In life we tend to always remember the bad, the things that are not within our comfort zone. It happens with fellow humans, someone can do something nice nine out of ten times for us, but we will always remember that one time they did something bad, more often than the nine good things. We have to change our perception of how we look at life, being thankful and always looking at the glass half full (versus half empty) will put us in a calming state of mind.

Same for life, we focus too much on things that are negative, we have so much goodness going for us we are not even aware. In today's world, we are blessed with so many great things such as the speed of information, advanced economies and caring people all around us. Knowledge moves at the speed of light, but does it get absorbed at the speed of light? Sometimes but not always..

Back to the presence of Evil in this world, it will always be there. We should learn to accept and deal with negative aspects of our life just as we accept and deal with positive aspects of our life. Within negative situations in life there are blessings, we sometimes look at negativity as Evil. If someone cuts you off on the road, you might get angry and mad, but there could be a divine play at hand, what if you were speeding and by that person cutting you off the Police radar detects you at a lower speed, thus avoiding a ticket. Another example, you do not get that big promotion into the new division of your company. As you remain in your current position you are sad, but then a few months later you learn that the whole division was let go due to budget cuts, you are thankful for not having it but at the time of not getting it you were sad. We must develop a habit to always remember the will of the divine power and install faith in everything that happens. We must say, "Oh great divine power, you know whats best, please guide me".

We should always maintain a steady mind, extreme reactions and emotions will corrupt our outlook. Be the same when you win the lottery and the same when you lose the lottery - everything in life happens for a reason, the Divine Will is at play and we must have faith that it will be for the good. Even in sorrow we can understand what happiness is, even in anger we can understand the value of calmness, even in Evil we can understand the power of Good.

The below readings from the special book will further describe "Why God Permits Evil and How to Rise Above It". Its truly one of the best answers I have ever heard. Enjoy and let it develop questions and thoughts in your mind that reflects on our outlook of life. If you have never read, "Autobiography of a Yogi", I highly encourage you to do so.

Jai Shri Krishna
- SimpleHinduBhai




_____________________

Why God Permits Evil and How to Rise Above It
by Paramahansa Yogananda

Why God Permits Evil by Paramahansa Yogananda (Self-Realization Fellowship, Los Angeles, California.  All rights reserved).

Some say that God (consciousness) doesn’t know evil, because they can’t explain why a God who is good allows robberies, murders, disease, poverty, and other terrible happenings that are going on constantly on this earth. And yet, evil provides the contrast that enables us to recognize and experience goodness. Evil had to be, if there was to be any creation. If you wrote a message with white chalk on a white board, no one would see it.


 There is another angle about duality, or good and evil that I want to explain to you. If a movie producer made movies only of angels (of only goodness), and showed them in the movie theatres morning, noon, and night everyday, he would soon have to close up his business. He (the producer) has to produce variety in order to attract people’s attention.

 The bad man makes the hero look so much better! And we like plots that are filled with action. We don’t mind looking at exciting movies about danger and disaster, because we know they are only movies (a mere appearance on a screen). If you could see what is going on behind the screen of this life, you wouldn’t suffer at all. Life is a cosmic movie (projected within the screen of consciousness). I look at the beam of God’s light, which is projecting these scenes on the screen of life (consciousness). I see the pictures of the whole universe coming from this beam.

 Another time I was sitting in a movie theatre watching a movie on a screen. And then I looked into the projection booth. I saw that the projectionist was not interested in the movie, because he has seen it over and over again. Instead, he was reading a book. The projector was doing its job: there was the sound, and the beam of light was casting realistic images on the screen. And there was the audience caught up in the drama.

 From age to age, from civilization to civilization, the same old movies are shown over and over again, only with different characters playing the parts. When I took my gaze from the light of the projector and looked at the audience in the movie theatre, I saw that they were going through all the emotions of the actors in the movie. They were suffering with the hero, and reacting to the evil of the villain. To the audience it was a tragic experience. To the operator in the projection booth, it was only a movie! And so it is with God. He has created (imagined) movies of light and shadows, the hero and the villain, good and evil, and we are the audience and the actors.

It is only because we identify with the play too much (as being real) that we are in trouble. Without shadows as well as light (contrasts) there could be no picture. Evil is the shadow that converts the one beam of God’s light into pictures or forms. Therefore, evil (contrasting with good) is the shadow of God that makes this play possible. The dark shadows of evil are mixed with the pure white beam of the virtues of God. He wants you not to take these pictures so seriously.

The director of the movie sees the murders and the suffering and the comedy and the drama as means to create interest for the audience. He stands apart from the play and directs and observes it. God wants us to behave with detachment realizing we are only actors or observers in his cosmic movie.

 The way to supreme happiness will not be found by the scientist nor by material-minded people, but by those who follow the masters who say “Go back to the booth of the infinite (awareness) from which you can see the projection of all these cosmic movies. Then you won’t be troubled about God’s creation, God’s play.” Because you are a part of it now (identify with it as being real), you suffer. You must stand aside and watch (witness) it, and then you cannot suffer. When you are an observer, then you can enjoy this play. This is what you must learn.

To God, this (life) is only a movie, and when you turn to him (consciousness), it will also be a movie to you.

Since God is perfect and this world is not a necessity for his evolution, it is therefore a sort of hobby (play) of God. For example there are two kinds of artists: one type is the commercial artist who makes art pay; and the other type is one who creates art with no market value, simply for the personal enjoyment of it.

 Now we can’t think of God as commercial, for he has nothing to gain from his art of creation. So this world is God’s hobby (play). But it is not any fun for those who are suffering in it. Because your eyes are closed (and you believe the world to be real), you cannot help thinking this world is terrible. But if you keep open your eyes of wisdom and calmness (and realize it is an appearance), you will see there is a lot of enjoyment in this world – just as though you are watching a movie.

There is so much more to life than what you think. Since everything worldly seems so real, how much more so must be the reality (consciousness) that creates this unreal reality (of the world appearance)! But the unreal reality makes you forget the real. God wants you to remember that you wouldn’t mind this world if it were like a movie. Even if the brittle bones of the body break, you would say “Well look at those broken bones”, and not feel any disturbance or suffering. You could say that when you are anchored in consciousness. You will make fun of your habits, and you will be intensely amused at your distinguishing characteristics, as from the balcony of introspection watch yourself perform in the movie of life.

When you know this world to be God’s Lila – his play – then you aren’t upset by the contrasts in this drama of good and evil.

In a dream you behold rich people, poor people, someone strong, someone else groaning with disease, someone dying, and someone being born. But when you wake up, you realize that it was only a dream. This universe is God’s dream. When you are neither touched by the nightmares of disease and suffering and worries, nor bound by the beautiful dreams, then God says “Wake up now! Come back home.”

Mystics are those who are half awake and half dreaming: on one side awake in God, and on the other side dreaming the dream of incarnation. But they can quickly get out of this dream.

So remember, God is dreaming this world. And if we are in tune with him, we will live a divinely intoxicating life and nothing will disturb us. We will watch this cosmic movie as we watch films in a movie theatre, without being hurt. God created (imagined) us that we may dream as he does, enjoying this dream and all its contrasting experiences, as an entertainment, without being affected by it, absorbed in his eternal joy.

Ones values are profoundly changed when one is finally convinced that creation is only a vast movie and that not in it, but beyond it, lies ones own reality (consciousness).

The rishis of ancient India, having penetrated to the original cause of being (consciousness), declare that God is perfect (complete); that he needs nothing, for all is contained within himself; and that this world is God’s Lila (divine play). The Lord (consciousness), it seems, like a little child, loves to play, and his Lila is the endless variety of ever-changing creation.

I used to reason in this way: God was infinite, omniscient bliss, but being alone there was no one but him to enjoy that bliss. So he said “Let me create (imagine) a universe and (appear to) divide myself into many souls that they may play with me in my unfolding drama”.
By his magical measuring power of Maya, he became dual; spirit and nature, man and woman, positive and negative. But even though he has created (imagined) the universe out of delusion, he himself is not deluded by it. He knows that everything is but an (imagined) diversification of his one consciousness. Experiences of the senses and emotions, the dramas of war and peace, sickness and health, life and death – all are happening in God as the dreamer of all things - but he is unaffected by them.

One part of his infinite being forever remains transcendent beyond vibratory (imagined) dualities: there God is inactive. When he vibrates (imagines) his consciousness with thoughts of diversity, he becomes (appears) immanent and omnipresent as the creator in the finite vibratory realm of infinity: there he is active. Vibration (imagination) brings forth (appearances of) objects and beings interacting in space in the motions of time – just as vibrations (the imagination) of man’s consciousness brings forth dreams in sleep.

We can say that God should never have created this world in which there is so much trouble. But on the other hand, mystics say that if you knew you were Gods, you wouldn’t mind it. If you watch a movie, you like a lot of action rather than something dull, don’t you? That is the way you should enjoy this world.

Look upon life as a movie and then you will know why God created (imagined) it. Our problem is that we forget to see it as God’s entertainment (the play of consciousness). When we have finished seeing the movie, we know that nobody was killed; nobody was suffering. In fact, that truth is the only answer I see when I look at the drama of life. It is nothing but an electrical-shadow-show, a play of light and shadows.

Everything is the vibration (imagination) of God’s consciousness condensed into (an appearance of) images. The essence of those images cannot be severed by a sword, nor burned, nor drowned, nor suffer pain of any sort. It (consciousness) is not born, nor does it die. It only (appears to) pass through a few changes.

Just as when you are half awake and can see a dream, and know you are dreaming, and yet are apart from it, that is how God feels this universe. On one side he is awake, and on another side he is dreaming this universe. And that is how you should look upon this world. Then you will know why he created it, and you will not ascribe these dream conditions to your soul. If you pass through a nightmare, you know that is no more than a bad dream. If you can live in the world in that consciousness, you will not suffer.

You won’t mind then, because you will know you are dreaming. Do not pay undue attention to the passing scenes of life. You are the immortal self (consciousness) living only temporarily in a dream that is sometimes (imagined) to be a nightmare. That is the higher philosophy (and truth) of the mystics.


Do not be so sensitive. Emotional sensitivity is the silent cause of all suffering. To give strength to creation as a reality by emotional involvement in it is foolishness! To not sit still and realize your true soul nature, but to drift along as a part of the eternal motion of (imagined) creation is a constant danger to your happiness. Perhaps someday your body will be terribly sick, and though you want to walk or do other things that you used to do in your younger or healthier days, you find you cannot do them; it is a terrible disillusionment for the soul. Before that day comes, make yourself so free, that you can look upon your body with detachment, caring for it as though it were someone else’s.
Be like the active-inactive Lord. In creation he is joyously busy; beyond creation he is joyously quiescent (still) in divine bliss. Be calmly active and actively calm. When you think about your mortal life and all your troubles and identify with them, you do an injustice to the consciousness of God within you. Affirm and realize “I am not a mortal being; I am spirit.”

Everywhere you will see people, good and evil, searching in their own way for happiness. No one wants to hurt himself. Sins are errors committed under the influence of ignorance, or delusion. But for a different degree of understanding, you might be in the same boat. The point is, in everything we do we are seeking happiness. No one can truthfully say he is a materialist, because anyone who is seeking happiness is seeking God. Therefore, in evil as well as in good God is coaxing us back to him by our search for happiness.

The greatest sin is ignorance – not to know what life is all about. And the greatest virtue is wisdom – to the know the meaning and purpose of life and it’s creator (consciousness). To know that we are not little human beings, but that we are one with consciousness is wisdom. Every night in sleep God takes away all your troubles to show you that you are not a mortal being; you are spirit. When there is health and joy, smile in the dream. When there is a nightmare or sickness or sorrow, say, “I am awake in God, merely watching the play of my life”. Dismiss this world appearance of disease and health, sorrow and joy.

Rise above it. Become the Self (consciousness). Watch (witness) the show of the universe, but do not become absorbed (attached) in it.

Death and darkness cannot cast fear upon us, for we are the very consciousness out of which this universe has been created (imagined) by God (consciousness).

So do not be afraid of anything (since life is a dream - only an appearance in consciousness alone).


* The above excerpts are from

Why God Permits Evil and How to Rise Above It

by Paramahansa Yogananda

Why God Permits Evil by Paramahansa Yogananda (Self-Realization Fellowship, Los Angeles, California.  All rights reserved).

Hinduism Today: Hinduism Today Magazine Jan-Mar 2011

Namaste, Hari Om,

Please see the Hinduism Today Magazine, its free in digital form, great magazine with interesting news.

http://www.hinduismtoday.com/archives/2011/1-3/pdf/Hinduism-Today_Jan-Feb-Mar_2011.pdf

Enjoy,

SimpleHinduBhai

Hanuman Quiz: A 20 question Quiz on everything Hanuman!

Hanuman muurthi From Tirupati (Tami Nadu)

Namaste, Hari Om,

Try this wonderful 20 question quiz on Shri Hanuman... Enter your name below and begin.

Jai Hanuman!

-SimpleHinduBhai

HB Quiz 2 HB Quiz » Fun Trivia Maker

Hindu-Blog.com: Goddess Alopi Devi – About Hindu Goddess Alopi Devi

(A Love that has no begining or ending...)

(At Alopi Devi Mandir)

Namaste, Hari Om,

There are many aspects of God in Hinduism, we must try our hardest to breakthough the image that they are all different. Their aspects could be different but they are all one, with various aspects.

Below article from Hindu-Blog.com talks about Alopi Devi, its an interesting story that takes a tale from Sati. Please enjoy reading it. Alopi Devi is a manifestation of Goddess Shakti and is one among the 51 Shaktipeetahs. I have also found the Mandir that is related to the story.

-SimpleHinduBhai


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Hindu-Blog.com:

Alopi Devi is a manifestation of Goddess Shakti and is one among the 51 Shaktipeetahs. The legend of the Goddess is associated with the death of Sati at the yajgna conducted by Daksha and the subsequent anger of Shiva and his roaming with the body of Sati and Vishnu then cutting the body using his Sudharshana Chakra to save the universe. The temple dedicated to Alopi Devi is located at Prayag (Allahabad) in Uttar Pradesh.

Alopi Devi is also popularly known as Goddess Madhaveswari.

The popular belief is that the fingers of the hands of Goddess Sati fell at the spot where the Alopi Devi Temple stands. It must be noted that Goddess Alopi temple is also part of the Ashta Das Shaktipeetah concept more famous in South India and propagated through the Ashtadasa Shaktipeetaha Stotra of Adi Shankara.

Alopi means disappeared. The Goddess gets the name Alopi because of the belief that the last part of Goddess Sati’s body fell here and disappeared. Hence this is the last spot from where Goddess Sati disappeared from earth and it is considered highly auspicious.

At the Alopi Temple, Goddess Alopi Devi is depicted as a Dholi placed atop a marble stone.

Alopi Devi Temple is located at Alopi Bagh west of Daraganj in Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh.
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Picture of the arial image of the Alopi Mandir in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh.
http://wikimapia.org/13846791/Alopi-Devi-mandir 
http://newshopper.sulekha.com/india-hindu-festival_photo_736398.htm