The importance of self reflection

Namaste,

This topic is an important reminder of looking within to understand how we are feeling and our impact to each other and the world overall. 

Don't forget to self reflect :) 

The importance of the tulsi plant (holy basil)

 I have a tulsi book from my teenage years I got from a smallbook shop in India. This book is full of so many remedies and information. This book taught me tulsi is called holy basil.  Tulsi is known for its potency for reducing fever, even the poultice I made last week is excellent for headaches, and any phlegm build-up (ex. Flu and colds).

Tulsi is known to treat malaria fever, types of cancer, indigestion, stomach ailments, cramps, and many more. The diseases above firming relate to Kapha and Vata. Kapha, which is too much liquid or mucus and Vata, is too much or lacks air/gas in Ayurveda. Tulsi is known for stimulating and strengthening the nervous system. It is antibacterial, antiseptic, and antifungal. I can say it good at repelling mosquitoes and insects. I have a tulsi repellant lotion, and it's the best.

The active constituents in tulsi are eugenol methyl ether, estragole, linalool, and carvacrol. Tulsi also containsursolic acid, apigenin, and luteolin. Over consummation may cause liver damage, and people with diabetes should use caution because it also lowers blood sugar. It also is known for its antifertility remedy for yogis, so if you want children or are pregnant, not recommend for consumption. Now reading this, there is a lot of people I met in India that couldn't conceive in the overpopulated country. Besides the pollution, I wonder their long term consumption of tulsiin tea may play a part. There is not a whole lot of research done to say tulsi has a toxic effect long term. I still love it. 

  It truly is energizing, yet for me has a calmness. It is the perfect balance of resting and active energy, like Lakshmi and Vishnu. A side story with the connection of names. Vishnu is the male resting energy or calming, Ram and Krishna are an aspect of Vishnu. Tulsi is a form of Lakshmi, the female active energy. I love Ayurveda plants because of the connection with Hindu scriptures to nature.  

Remedies for fever, an Ayurveda recipe

Flu syrup to take morning, noon, and evening

• 50g of tulsi leaves (chief herb)

• Five black peppercorns (deputy herb, helps with absorption)

• 1 cup of water (water must reduce to half)

The syrup is bitter, spicy with heat but eventually feels cooling and minty inside. It helps to break a sweat when one has a fever, cold, or flu symptoms. You must take it three times a day until symptoms subside.  Black peppercorn is known for aiding in the absorption of the herb of choice. 

​Black pepper is known for having piperine, which helps the chief herb from being water-soluble not to be excreted by the liver, allowing it to be absorbed in the body. Black pepper is known for its anti-inflammatory, prevention of free radicals, antioxidants, and many more benefits. Most famously know to drink with turmeric and milk. In chai, we put black pepper to enhance the taste, little did we understood it was helping with absorption, incredible. 

 

References:

1. https://www.verywellhealth.com/benefits-of-tulsi-89591#:~:text=and%20other%20organs.-,Possible%20Side%20Effects,blood%2Dsugar%2Dlowering%20medication.: 

2. Rai, Yash.Holy Basil, Tulsi, p.65  2007

3. https://www.umassmed.edu/nutrition/blog/blog-posts/2019/6/using-black-pepper-to-enhance-the-anti-inflammatory-effects-of-turmeric/#:~:text=Piperine%20is%20responsible%20for%20black,that%20curcumin%20is%20not%20excreted. 

We are tied to the past by manifestations of rajas and tamas

Article form the international yoga guide  www.yrf.org 

Being a witness to your pass is very important as you reflect in your day what has happened always make sure you are just a witness do not judge. 

This is important as it helps us to remove our attachment to past events which no longer exists. 

having an understanding that these are not us will help us evolve to a different mindset where we let go of our attachments and false identity. 

🙏🏻Beautiful words from Swami Jyotirmananda below. 

SHB: Quote

Be the change but know that there is a cosmic hand guiding you. -SimpleHinduBhai 

Swami Jyotirmayanda quote

SHB quote

The universe is not built to take us down or hurt us. We take ourselves down with unawareness and not surrendering to a higher power. 

Om Tat Sat - SimpleHinduBhai 

Swami Jyotirmayananda Quote

God is your closest friend.. 

SHB Quote: Living away but never moving

Our mind’s vibrations set the tone for our cells in our body. So you think so you become. - SimpleHinduBhai

Raga and Dwesha - Desire and Hatred (attachment)

Namaste, Hari Om Tat Sat,

in the recent Yoga Journal from www.YRF.org, there is a great article on Insight into Raga Dwesha The ‘’Pairs of Opposites’’. 

Raga is attachment and Dwesha is hatred. 

The statement from Sri Swami Jyotirmayananda holds true, ‘’When one remains confined to the realm of mind and senses, and pursues or repels objects in this world based on these instruments, there will be pleasure and pain, a sense of agreement and disagreement, which will give rise to attachment (raga) and hatred (dwesha)’’ 

The ultimate goal is enlightenment, objects (people and things) that we desire truly do distract us. When there is a loss for that object or person we are even more distracted. Mental energy is precious just like time. When we have hatred (Dwesha) we also spend energy and time ignoring or avoiding objects or people. 

The way to avoid extremes in Raga and Dwesha is to have mental calmness. Being peaceful in the storm and in the calm sunny days as well. 

As Sri Swami Jyotirmayananda says, ‘’The secret to maintaining this serenity lies in developing devotion to God by promoting constant Satsanga’’. 

From the article, Sri Swami Ji outlines Satsanga as;

‘’Satsanga refera to the association with a spiritual preceptor or other persons of profound spiritual advancement, as well as the study of scriptures and reflection upon their meaning.’’

Don’t be trapped by Raga and Dwesha, truly think about your desires and hatred and face them. Does food, people, electronics or other things hold my interest and take my time? Is that TV show worth it etc..? What can I do with the time I am spending on these worldly objects and people who are not truly elevating me?

Same for Dwesha, why am I holding on to hatred, who am I really hating / distancing my self from? Is it even worth holding on to negative events or people? 

Namaste,

OmTat Sat

SimpleHinduBhai

Swami Jyotirmayananda Quote July 08, 2020

Source: https://mobile.twitter.com/SwamijiYRF

July 07, 2020: SHB Quote

Follow your heart and feel the moment.

- SimpleHinduBhai

Living Balanced - Swadharma and Paradharma - Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 3, Verse 35

Namaste, Hari Om Tat Sat,

श्रेयान्स्वधर्मो विगुण: परधर्मात्स्वनुष्ठितात् |
स्वधर्मे निधनं श्रेय: परधर्मो भयावह: || 35||

śhreyān swa-dharmo viguṇaḥ para-dharmāt sv-anuṣhṭhitāt
swa-dharme nidhanaṁ śhreyaḥ para-dharmo bhayāvahaḥ

BG 3.35: It is far better to perform one’s natural prescribed duty, though tinged with faults, than to perform another’s prescribed duty, though perfectly. In fact, it is preferable to die in the discharge of one’s duty, than to follow the path of another, which is fraught with danger.

I recently was reminded of Swardharma and Paradharma from the latest International Yoga Guide (Vol 57: No11, July 2020). 

There was a beautiful article easily explaining how the right action leads to mental purity. 

The article opened my eyes to a message that I have heard time and time again but have truly ignored. I took the lessons from the article and created a small reminder. 

Many of us work or do things to take care of our physical world, this is necessary but should not take a great deal of your energy. Some work for money, pleasure of the ego or even attribute work as a form of offering love to their loved ones. 

Looking at life from a career / work standpoint, the below is a good reminder amongst many good reminders. There is a reason why folks say do what you love to do - but take it one step further, do what you love that makes people smile and serves humanity. 

Foundations of life: Constant self reflection / mindfulness combined with Being Good and Doing Good, think and do positive (Good Karma) things. As the article states, ‘’The Impressions of good karmas have the power to neauralize the negative karmas’’.

DO:

Swadharma work / lifestyle: As Sri Swami Jyotirmayanda says, ‘’Swadharma is the type of activity that is in harmony with your heart, activity you enjoy doing’’. This goes further into satisfying your inner peace, for some folks doing charity and helping others with / in their job helps them perform Swadharmic work. This is your own duty, it is natural for your personality - some folks call it their ‘’calling’’ but in reality it is something that brings a great sense of peace, increases your mental capacity with positive vibrations. 

THINK:

Niskamya: As Sri Swami Jyotirmayananda says, ‘’To chaos eto work without egoistic expectation is called niskamya’’. Choose to go beyond the ego, do not desire the fruits of your worldly labors for yourself, self gain or selfish needs. Make all your efforts but leave the results to a higher power. 

OFFER:

Karma Yoga: This is how we walk the path of Karma Yoga when you offer the fruits of your labor to God. This brings you closer to Chitta Shuddhi, purity of the heart.

FEEL:

Chitta Shuddhi: Thinking in a Niskamya way way helps us go beyond our inner emotions and turmoil, As Swami Ji Says, ‘’Through purity of heart, you are now opening the door to successive steps leading to Englightenment’’. 

I highly encourage everyone to watch and listen to the lectures from Sri Swami Ji, you can also visit the website for information on the his books and the monthly Yoga Magazine. 

Namaste,

SimpleHinduBhai

(Source: www.YRF.org, commentary by Sri Swami Jyotirmayananda). 

SimpleHinduBhai Quote - Aug 23, 2019

Sometimes the harshest moments can teach you more about yourself than anything else. These moments are indeed blessings. It is a testing ground of your faith and mind.

Simple Hindu Bhai

Aug 11, 2019 quote

"Life is like a storm. Rainbow and an earthquake followed by a beautiful calming lake. Do not worry, that inner excitement that made you look forward to life is always there"

- SHB

Aug 01, 2019 - Negative Thoughts and its impact

Namaste,

If you live in Switzerland, Happy Swiss Day!

We are energy. Moving and constant, ever-changing energy. We have the power to control our mind. Before it develops in your mind, learn to use faith and the power of the inner self to remove negative thoughts.

Great article from https://www.hinduwebsite.com/selfdevt/thought_power.asp 

by Jayaram V

Source: This essay was originally published in the book "Think Success, Essays on Self-help" by Jayaram V under the same title, and reproduced with publisher's permission.

---

Buy This Book from our Online Store

---

Abundance is a state of mind. You conceive it with your thoughts, intentions, desires and beliefs. You realize it with your actions, dedication, resolve and commitment. Just by sitting somewhere and day dreaming, none can become successful or rich. Saying so would be naive. Our thoughts precede our actions, almost always. We think before we act, even when it appears we are not. Everything begins as an idea in a fertile mind and materializes through actions. Thus, there is a thought process behind every action we indulge in. When our thoughts and actions are in harmony with our deepest aspirations and intentions and when we are attuned positively to believe in ourselves, we make possible our hopes and dreams.

Our thoughts have a power of their own. If we know how they work and how to make use of them effectively, we can accomplish a lot more in our lives. Our thoughts reach out to others, through our words and expressions. They influence people both positively and negatively. They help us to make sense of the world and interpret our experiences according to our emotional states and perceptions. We value people, who are good thinkers and who have an exceptional ability to express their thoughts and resolve problems.

People are successful or unsuccessful, rich or poor, mainly because of the differences in their thinking. Our mental states influence our circumstances and together they create the experience we call life. Positive thoughts lead to positive states of mind, bringing us their rich rewards. Negative thoughts influence us in negative ways, bringing us pain and suffering, subjecting our minds to destructive thoughts and distracting emotions and reducing our ability to think normally or function effectively.

An idle life is a product of morbid thoughts. A mind fired by the power of imagination and the desire to achieve finds little value in harboring idle thoughts. When matched with corresponding effort and enthusiasm, it will lead to greatness, transcendence and abundance. By changing your thinking and beliefs, you can overcome the limitations of your mind and your circumstances and achieve an expansive state of mind. Your mind is the key to your success and progress. It is the powerhouse of your thoughts and beliefs. It is where your dreams and ideas take shape. Hidden in it are your immense potentials and unknown possibilities. It makes possible who you are and what you can do. Because of that we have awareness, knowledge, sensitivity and intelligence. Because of that we experience and control the very process of existence and intelligent awareness.

If you know how to manage your thoughts to achieve desired results, you will transcend your ordinariness and bring order and discipline into your uncertain life. When there are problems and difficulties, you will not feel paralyzed by your fears and self-deprecating thoughts. You will have an edge over those who surrender to their weaknesses rather than to their strengths and you will reach your goals with conviction and confidence. When you energize your actions with your thoughts, determination, clarity and clear purpose, you unleash your mind's immense power to manifest and make possible your intentions. You increase your ability to reach your goals with purpose filled and pointed actions. With each success, you will become effective, task oriented, and hopeful.

Our perceptions, thoughts, attitudes, feelings, emotions and perspectives, manifest our reality. It is where our convictions gather strength and our progress gains momentum. Others may interfere with our lives, but only in a limited way. They may become part of our lives or partners in our success, but only with our consent and willingness. The healing thoughts that come to us from outside do not heal us, unless we deserve help and are receptive enough. It is with our thoughts that we set the tone and direction of our lives, attracting or repulsing the abundance of the universe and opportunities. Knowingly or unknowingly, we harbor thoughts that shape our destinies. We allow them to build our hopes and aspirations as well as our fears and doubts. Our thoughts may not have the miraculous powers to manifest reality instantly. But they do so, slowly and gradually, according to our faith and effort. If you know how to use your thoughts effectively, you will multiply your energy and your chances of your success.

Here are few questions that are worth examining to know whether you are prepared for success and happiness in your life. What type of mindset do you have? What type of thoughts do you entertain most of the time? Are you able to control your mind and its activities? How easily are you distracted? How focused are you in your life? Are you resolute enough to carry through your actions? How do you react to the problems that arise in your life? How frequently do you suffer from negative thoughts and actions?

We do not frequently ask ourselves such questions, but they are worth examining and remembering to remain positive and hopeful. If you want to find lasting solutions to success and happiness, you need to do introspection on these lines and find your own truths according to your experience and circumstances. Your findings may not help you to deal with every situation in your life, but they will prepare you mentally to take control of your life and manifest your dreams and desires according to your beliefs. A room which is decorated with an abundance of roses is bound to emit the fragrance of the roses. Your mind acts similarly, it reflects what it has. If it has knowledge, it radiates knowledge, and if it has ignorance it radiates the same. If you keep it clean and organized with the fragrance of positive, constructive and empowering thoughts, you will smell the sweet fragrance of success coming out of it. Similarly, if you have peace, harmony and happiness inside you they will manifest in your life too. Therefore, if you want to achieve success in any venture, you have to prepare and train your mind to contain the seeds of it.

Success and achievement are transformative processes. We achieve success when we translate our thoughts into actions and our actions into desired results. Every action begins in our minds first as an idea or a plan and becomes an action only when we apply our energies to it. Otherwise, our actions will remain as mere thoughts or wishes. In doing things and achieving things, we transform our energies by using our resources. We exchange them with the universe in return for gains, approval, and recognition. The universe is always willing to help you as long as you are willing to work with it positively. In life it may seem that you deal with innumerable things and people, but in reality you deal with but one, which is the universe. He appears to you in innumerable forms and guises and creates in you the illusion of dealing with many. In your dealings with the world, you should always remember that fundamentally only two realities exist, the universe and you. The rest is all a play of names and forms. You may think you are dealing with others, but you are dealing with yourself or the universal Self.

Hence when you exchange things unfairly, you become responsible for your actions as the law of compensation is set in motion. Therefore, when you deal with others try to be fair and generous, knowing that the universe keeps a watch on all and settles the dues. You are never separate from the universe. You look at the screen and forget that you are in the theatre. The universe is your witness, and your partner in everything you do. He dutifully balances your account as your resources and energies are but His. You may mistake the aspects of universe as different, but such distinctions do not exist in the domain of the universe. If you are unfair or unjust to others, know that you are unjust and unfair to the universe. When you hurl abuses at others, know that you are hurling abuses at the universes. The universe is the otherness. What you do to others will bounce back to you. Everything outside you is one; everything inside you is one; until you know that everything is one.

Our thoughts create our actions, and our actions precipitate reality. This is the underlying mechanism behind every self-willed and self-directed manifestation. What we call planning is actually an exercise in manifestation. We use it to give a definite shape to our thoughts and desires as the blueprint of our future. It is an organized effort to remain committed to our goals and aspirations. Our thoughts are thus our prime resources, the raw material, with which we manifest our dreams and desires. We are what we think and believe to be. We make things possible or impossible through our beliefs. If you want to achieve something in life, you must first believe in it and work for it with conviction. When you set out on a course of action, you must resolve your doubts and fears. Otherwise, they may become your actions.

Our failures and successes, and so also our experiences and circumstances are mostly products of our consciousness. Superficially it may appear that events happen randomly, but in reality through our thoughts, desires, beliefs and decisions we create them. The world is beyond our control, but not entirely beyond our influence. Knowing your limitations and opportunities, and what you can and cannot do is important. Even in the most helpless change others or your circumstances but you can change your thinking and decisions. You may not have full control over Nature, but you can adapt to it. You may not change others according to your wishes, but you can always decide which relations to keep and which to ignore. The world may not listen to us, but we can pay attention to it and learn from it. Thus, whatever may be the circumstances and difficulties, you can always act to feel empowered and optimistic.

Truly speaking, we are all great survivors. We survive against great odds. We can adapt to circumstances and survive in difficult environments. People have been doing it for ages. We may not be able to change the course of the planets, but we can change the course of our lives. With positive thoughts and aspirations, we can bring light into our hearts and minds and change our destinies. Your thoughts manifest your desires. Since they are not always under your control, you should know how to attune them to your goals and aspirations. You have to learn how to think positively and keep your mind focused on your goals. In this regard, the following suggestions are helpful

• Pay attention to what you think mostly. Avoid frivolous thoughts.
• Believe in your ability to manifest your thoughts.
• Clearly know what you want and focus on it.
• Dispute your negative thoughts using positive ones.
• Think deeply until you have weighed all the options.
• Be realistic, but know you can create magic with your thoughts and actions.
• Do not let others control your life. Empower yourself.
• Cultivate relationships with people who are successful and positive.
• Stay focused on your strengths and positive outcomes.
• Avoid people who are by nature negative and critical.
• Organize and prioritize your resources and tasks.
• Frequently visualize your goals to remember them.
• Use positive affirmations to reinforce your thoughts and beliefs.
• Keep an open mind to see new possibilities and alternatives.
• Improve your vocabulary and communication.
• Practice meditation and mindfulness techniques to remove negative energy from your mind and body.

If you truly want to succeed in your life, you should mentally prepare for it and develop the necessary strength to withstand the problems and challenges that arise from it. You should use your intelligence to find your purpose, define your goals and develop suitable means to reach them. No one is perfect. You must be willing to forgive your faults and imperfections, without taking them personally and being stuck in them. You must keep your mind in a certain positive frame of mind and fuel your actions with positive thoughts. This is the proven way to reach your goals. There is no magic wand other than this. You may not have the wings of angels, but you can wing your thoughts and dreams with your beliefs and let them fly. What you think you are, and what you stand for in your life determine what you will ultimately become. If you are in harmony with yourself, you will be in harmony with others. If you are confident of reaching your goals, you will improve your chances of success. If you remain in a positive state of mind, you will harness your energies with minimum friction.

You are the source of all that happens to you. You decide what will happen to you. You are the sum total of all your thoughts, feelings, emotions, beliefs, expectations, intentions, goals, memories, knowledge, ability, skills and energies. Your ability to control and regulate your life, your capacity to face adversity, your willingness to learn from failures, your interest in forging healthy relationships, your integrity, personality, balance, character, and attitude are shaped by them. They make possible what you desire in your life, how you relate to your world and experience the joys and sufferings of life. Some people work less, accomplish more. There are some who toil day and night, but remain unhappy and unfulfilled. Some, despite their great riches, do not experience prosperity. Driven by insecurity, they live like poor people. For some, life is a rewarding experience. The mere sight of a flower or a sky fills them with joy and wonder. When you interact with some, you feel energized, peaceful and spiritually uplifted, but when you meet some, you feel disturbed and depressed, as if something has been taken away from you or drained out. These differences exist because of the differences in thinking and perceptions. It is for us to decide what we want to do with our lives and in which direction we intend to go. It is up to us to decide whether to take control of our minds and thoughts or let them control us.

-----------------------

As far as your brain, every thought releases brain chemicals. Being focused onnegative thoughts effectively saps the brain of its positive forcefulness, slows it down, and can go as far as dimming your brain's ability to function, even creating depression.  

Swami Jyotirmayananda - quote Twitter

Please follow @SwamijiYRF on twitter

Live to discover, "God is the Doer, I am an Instrument in His Hand." With every act of goodness, Feel the Divine Touch! Enfolded by God!OM!

Quote from Dalai Lama

It's useful to reflect not only on how anger, fear and suspicion destroy our peace of mind, but also on how peace of mind gives us the confidence to act honestly and truthfully. We are social animals and we need friends. We make friends on the basis of trust.

July 26, 2019 quote

"You already have it, calm the mind to realize it" - SimpleHinduBhai

July 25, 2019 - Quote

''Be aware that you are beyond this earth. You are not your job, school rank, accomplishments or even a title. You are that divine spark''

- SimpleHinduBhai

July 25, 2019 - Article from YRF.org Treasured Verses by Saint Kabir

Namaste readers!

Sorry for being away, i am officially back online!

I would like to start off with a wonderful offering, ''Treasured Verses by Saint Kabir'', translated by an inspirational Guru, Swami Jyotirmayananda Ji.

You can find more information at www.YRF.org, or simply visit the Ashram in Miami as well.

This article comes from the Yoga Research Foundation's Internal Yoga Guide, Volume  56: No 8, April 2019.

One of the verses that applies to us all, sits with the reaction to negativity.

What someone else does to us is their Karma, how we react is our Karma. We have the ability to turn a negative situation into a positive karmic impact by the choice of our thoughts, reactions and emotions.

''If someone sows thorns for you, then (instead of being bitter) sow flowers for him. Because then, for you there will be nothing but flowers (as a result of your goodness); but for the person (who has sown thorns), there will be the trident (Karmic punishment) awaiting for him. (By your act of goodness, the person will experience a spiritual transformation in the triad of Seer, Seen and Sight!)''
- International Yoga Guide page 20.

Please keep positive!

Namaste, Hari Om,

SimpleHinduBhai