Many a little makes a mickle
Meaning
Many small amounts accumulate to make a large amount.
Origin
A mickle, or as they prefer it in Scotland, a muckle, means 'great or
large in size'. Apart from 'many a little (or pickle) makes a mickle'
the words only now remain in use in UK place-names, like Muckle Flugga
in Shetland (which amply lives up to its translated name of 'large,
steep-sided island') and Mickleover in Derbyshire (listed in the
Domesday Book as Magna Oufra - 'large village on the hill'). 'Over'
and 'upper' are very common prefixes in English place-names, along
with their opposites 'under', 'lower', 'nether' or 'little'. Examples
of these are the Cotswold villages of Upper and Lower Slaughter, and
the Hampshire villages of Over and Nether Wallop. The word 'much'
derives from the Old English 'mickle' and has now almost entirely
replaced it. 'Much' is also used in place-names like Much Wenlock,
Shropshire (there's also a Little Wenlock, of course).
The proverbial phrase 'many a little makes a mickle' has now itself
been largely superseded by the 18th century 'look after the pennies
(originally, 'take care of the pence'), and the pounds will look after
('take care of') themselves'.
The first mention in print of what was undoubtedly an older proverb
comes in a 1614 work by William Camden, with a rather desultory title
- Remaines of a greater worke concerning Britaine, 1605:
"Many a little makes a micle."
In the next century it was taken across the Atlantic by George
Washington, who included it in Writings, 1793:
"A Scotch [steady on George, I think they prefer to be called Scots]
addage, than which nothing in nature is more true 'that many mickles
make a muckle'."
The phrase's variant form 'many a mickle makes a muckle' is also
sometimes heard. This 20th century version is actually nonsensical as
it derives from the misapprehension that mickle and muckle, rather
than meaning the same thing, mean 'small' and 'large' respectively.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Resilience Report By Booz & Co.-Taking a Calmer View
Read the Report. Strategy + Business............Taking a Calmer View.
by Klaus-Peter Gushurst, Ivan de Souza, and Vanessa Wallace
10/14/08
The financial sector’s prospects in the wake of crisis may be better than you think.
As the current economic turmoil unfolds, it’s easy to lose sight of the long-term implications. The crisis mind-set in the financial-services sector, in particular, is understandable. Some of the world’s leading banking and insurance institutions are falling by the wayside. It is estimated that more than 100,000 professionals will have lost their jobs by the end of this year. Most ordinary savers around the world have lost significant portions of their pension and retirement savings. Governments are being tested, and leaders are under great pressure to intervene. The “bailouts” and other responses developed so far, however beneficial, will divert treasury and taxpayer money that might otherwise have been used to build infrastructure and support economic growth. Today’s level of market volatility has not been seen since the 1987 stock market crash. The size of the U.S. financial sector, the interconnected nature of financial markets, and the lightning-fast communication of news and rumor around the world have exacerbated the speed and scale of the crisis’s impact.
And yet, this is still a financial crisis, not a broad, fundamental economic meltdown. There is no sign of substantial risk of sovereign default in any of the major strong economies around the world. Moreover, the effects of this crisis will not be uniform. To be sure, many healthy banks and financial institutions are being punished by association; they are suffering from the shortage of credit and of investor confidence. But these effects will subside. As governments and central banks cordon off the problem institutions, a level of relative calm and confidence will return to the markets.
Even now, a number of financial-services organizations are surviving the crisis without major turmoil. They have a historic opportunity to capitalize on the events of the past six months and emerge better positioned than they have ever been before. Their next stage will be to develop new business models and revamp management practices for lasting success in the post-crisis world. The current uncertainty provides a base for their future advantage.
Thus, for those in the financial-services industry, now is not a time for knee-jerk responses. These times call for business and government leaders to take a calm look at the realities — to put in place measures that address economic fundamentals and establish a platform for success in the new era.
Remember, this crisis was not driven by economic or geopolitical fundamentals. It is rooted in the risk management of particular financial-services institutions. In the U.S. and western European banking systems in particular, a combination of incentives and market signals — the rise of asset values, the tax deductibility of mortgage interest, the nonrecourse rules (which prevent lenders from having access to borrowers after foreclosure), and the strong sales commission incentives in real estate — had led to easy consumer credit and inflated purchasing power. Financial institutions, chasing market share in a rising market, had used securitization in ever more complex varieties to fund their lending. Insurers, rating agencies, and regulators had all played an enabling role.
Authorities reacted slowly and, on occasion, acted without the information needed to be effective (for example, the German government in its response to the near-collapse of the Hypo Real Estate holding company). In some cases, structural factors had delayed effective response: U.S. Federal Reserve measures, such as the lowering of fund rates, had been weakened by the amount of money tied up in longer-term instruments, such as fixed-rate mortgages.
As the denouement unfolds, three sets of opportunities are appearing: one for financial institutions in developed economies, one for the banks and financial-services industries in emerging economies (the so-called BRIC markets), and one for government regulators.
Now read the comments on the Report by J.K
Strategy + Business = Formulation + Policy
My Comments on Resilience Report by Booz & Co.
The fact is that some of the FIs and Insurance companies have gone
into grave yard, and some of them are on its direction towards grave
yard, this is besides what is reported as some of them falling by way
side. Once it has fallen in the way side it means its ultimate
destination is grave yard only.-indeed a pathetic state of condition
due to unplanned, unethical and in transparent way of conducting the
affairs of such organizations.
Its absolutely true that over a lakh of professionals are going to
loose their jobs-because of whom? It's just because of lack of
professionalism in their approach and way of functioning- Well there
are options for them in entering into selling fast food and make fast
buck
As reported rightly many are loosing their savings, pension earnings
and other investments, no doubt those governments are being tested
with great pressure- Why not? Leaders having tasted the cause of the
crisis, no harm absolutely, they being tested of its effect.
It is not some thing new for countries to divert its tax payer's money
for other than infrastructure and support developments. How it is
being utilized is a big? mark and this shall remain unanswered for
years to come. Why can't governments make some budgetary provisions
towards meeting such worst scenario situations like creating
contingency funds allocations? It has already happened in the past and
happening presently and might happen in future too. Create a
contingency provision for such financial and economical calamities,
and save tax payers money from utilising for such things .Governments
action to subside the problems to the level of comfort and calm, looks
like a long term process, on the contrary the government should find
ways and means for permanent solution in short span of time keeping in
mind the past bad experiences and keeping in hand the present crisis.
Is it that one has, to learn a good lesson continue to experience
and undergo bad lessons? Why can't experts and professionals find
preventive measure rather than finding to manage risks and crisis as
the good old saying goes "PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE"- Many
Leaders & professionals are under a confused state of mind, that this
saying applies only for Health care and it is a wrong assumption? The
effects as the report says will subside are yet to be desired as I
take the privilege of expressing my opinion it will" subdue" instead
of subside!!
With regard to healthy banks, FIs & Insurance cos, the report contains
"a trend of relative calm and confidence will return to market"- It
sounds to me like a relative term and not a realistic findings. The
report further states that the present crisis is not driven by
economic or geopolitical factors but through the risk management of
particular Financial services institutions- Ok Good and agreed- But is
there any guarantee that this crisis will not spread over and affect
more such Institutions?
All said and done, one has to accept the fact that what happens in US
and Europe in economics, banking and financial systems, undoubtedly
affects the ROW. This we have already experienced in the past and the
status-quo being maintained in the present too.
Analyzing the three opportunities appearing as reported as a measure
to undo the complications of the crisis are somewhat a welcome sign.
Developed economics performing strategy and its after effect looks
rosy. Retail banks and wealth Management Company's position and
prospects will look brighter as indicated in the report. The move for
sound risk & capital management practice by commercial banks and its
innovative operating practice by the insurance companies looks
encouraging and is a welcome concept. The investments banks exposure
check practice is also a good move indeed, keeping in mind its assets,
restructuring of business of Financial Service institutions and its
related actions are a smiling sign. As the report also indicates some
consolidation ahead.
As far as BRIC economies are concerned, the contents of report is
acceptable as very few financial services institutions have suffered
the set back of crisis in a smaller way, keeping in mind their asset
holdings, net worth and carefully planned future programs of growth
and development. The BRIC economies are also geared up for phenomenal
economical growth as per the recent print and visual media reports and
looks like they are ready with BRICKS to use it for their advantages
against certain parts of the globe and will ultimately the economies
of BRIC will emerge as a strong hold for growth and development. To
put it in a nutshell overall position of BRIC economy will emerge as
front leaders pushing aside US and Europe in pits-wait and watch!
Coming to capital markets, it is not only fundamentally changed-its
fundamentals have also stands changed as we see now. Acceleration of
globalization after the crisis, as reported is a thing to watch and
wait-which countries are going to be benefited and which are going to
be otherwise of the balance of trade and economy. New York and London
loosing its pre-eminence is already visible and some parts of the
Europe are not exception to this fact.
The financial systems of the future (which is relatively connected to
economic scenario) changing towards what good- is again a ? mark.... To
wait and watch. The markets as rightly mentioned in the report will be
less profitable and will not assist acceleration of GDP as is now
visible and governments will have to look for alternative tax revenue
(this is already in vogue in some countries) through main sources and
resources. No one can save the weak wall of the street (NYC) from a
major collapse.
The right course of action for the governments would be, to change the
policy makers by replacing with hard core talents and professionals
with right acumen, attitude, approach and expertise and experience in
Finance and economics, who will be in a position to foresee and
forecast economic conditions and keep in good control and aim to set
it under favorable conditions than debating on post crisis issues..
This will automatically take care of prevention of further erosion in
the future and prevent economic crisis-The present policy of US looks
like "ROB PAUL TO PAY PETER"- nasty and stinking policy indeed. And
shall not last long.
Analytical modules and models have no place in the present conditions.
The system has to be practical as well pragmatic and very well placed,
apparently to lead towards economical development and growth and say
bye to crisis and put the crisis to rest, failing which you will have
to face more Lehman Brothers in the country and create cemetery to
laid to rest at the cost of tax payers and common citizens.-The choice
is yours Governments?.
Take care well, of your citizens-Do not let them fall and face
debacles. Remember you are duty bound and you have been elected to
power to perform your duties earnestly, effectively & efficiently.
J.K
by Klaus-Peter Gushurst, Ivan de Souza, and Vanessa Wallace
10/14/08
The financial sector’s prospects in the wake of crisis may be better than you think.
As the current economic turmoil unfolds, it’s easy to lose sight of the long-term implications. The crisis mind-set in the financial-services sector, in particular, is understandable. Some of the world’s leading banking and insurance institutions are falling by the wayside. It is estimated that more than 100,000 professionals will have lost their jobs by the end of this year. Most ordinary savers around the world have lost significant portions of their pension and retirement savings. Governments are being tested, and leaders are under great pressure to intervene. The “bailouts” and other responses developed so far, however beneficial, will divert treasury and taxpayer money that might otherwise have been used to build infrastructure and support economic growth. Today’s level of market volatility has not been seen since the 1987 stock market crash. The size of the U.S. financial sector, the interconnected nature of financial markets, and the lightning-fast communication of news and rumor around the world have exacerbated the speed and scale of the crisis’s impact.
And yet, this is still a financial crisis, not a broad, fundamental economic meltdown. There is no sign of substantial risk of sovereign default in any of the major strong economies around the world. Moreover, the effects of this crisis will not be uniform. To be sure, many healthy banks and financial institutions are being punished by association; they are suffering from the shortage of credit and of investor confidence. But these effects will subside. As governments and central banks cordon off the problem institutions, a level of relative calm and confidence will return to the markets.
Even now, a number of financial-services organizations are surviving the crisis without major turmoil. They have a historic opportunity to capitalize on the events of the past six months and emerge better positioned than they have ever been before. Their next stage will be to develop new business models and revamp management practices for lasting success in the post-crisis world. The current uncertainty provides a base for their future advantage.
Thus, for those in the financial-services industry, now is not a time for knee-jerk responses. These times call for business and government leaders to take a calm look at the realities — to put in place measures that address economic fundamentals and establish a platform for success in the new era.
Remember, this crisis was not driven by economic or geopolitical fundamentals. It is rooted in the risk management of particular financial-services institutions. In the U.S. and western European banking systems in particular, a combination of incentives and market signals — the rise of asset values, the tax deductibility of mortgage interest, the nonrecourse rules (which prevent lenders from having access to borrowers after foreclosure), and the strong sales commission incentives in real estate — had led to easy consumer credit and inflated purchasing power. Financial institutions, chasing market share in a rising market, had used securitization in ever more complex varieties to fund their lending. Insurers, rating agencies, and regulators had all played an enabling role.
Authorities reacted slowly and, on occasion, acted without the information needed to be effective (for example, the German government in its response to the near-collapse of the Hypo Real Estate holding company). In some cases, structural factors had delayed effective response: U.S. Federal Reserve measures, such as the lowering of fund rates, had been weakened by the amount of money tied up in longer-term instruments, such as fixed-rate mortgages.
As the denouement unfolds, three sets of opportunities are appearing: one for financial institutions in developed economies, one for the banks and financial-services industries in emerging economies (the so-called BRIC markets), and one for government regulators.
Now read the comments on the Report by J.K
Strategy + Business = Formulation + Policy
My Comments on Resilience Report by Booz & Co.
The fact is that some of the FIs and Insurance companies have gone
into grave yard, and some of them are on its direction towards grave
yard, this is besides what is reported as some of them falling by way
side. Once it has fallen in the way side it means its ultimate
destination is grave yard only.-indeed a pathetic state of condition
due to unplanned, unethical and in transparent way of conducting the
affairs of such organizations.
Its absolutely true that over a lakh of professionals are going to
loose their jobs-because of whom? It's just because of lack of
professionalism in their approach and way of functioning- Well there
are options for them in entering into selling fast food and make fast
buck
As reported rightly many are loosing their savings, pension earnings
and other investments, no doubt those governments are being tested
with great pressure- Why not? Leaders having tasted the cause of the
crisis, no harm absolutely, they being tested of its effect.
It is not some thing new for countries to divert its tax payer's money
for other than infrastructure and support developments. How it is
being utilized is a big? mark and this shall remain unanswered for
years to come. Why can't governments make some budgetary provisions
towards meeting such worst scenario situations like creating
contingency funds allocations? It has already happened in the past and
happening presently and might happen in future too. Create a
contingency provision for such financial and economical calamities,
and save tax payers money from utilising for such things .Governments
action to subside the problems to the level of comfort and calm, looks
like a long term process, on the contrary the government should find
ways and means for permanent solution in short span of time keeping in
mind the past bad experiences and keeping in hand the present crisis.
Is it that one has, to learn a good lesson continue to experience
and undergo bad lessons? Why can't experts and professionals find
preventive measure rather than finding to manage risks and crisis as
the good old saying goes "PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE"- Many
Leaders & professionals are under a confused state of mind, that this
saying applies only for Health care and it is a wrong assumption? The
effects as the report says will subside are yet to be desired as I
take the privilege of expressing my opinion it will" subdue" instead
of subside!!
With regard to healthy banks, FIs & Insurance cos, the report contains
"a trend of relative calm and confidence will return to market"- It
sounds to me like a relative term and not a realistic findings. The
report further states that the present crisis is not driven by
economic or geopolitical factors but through the risk management of
particular Financial services institutions- Ok Good and agreed- But is
there any guarantee that this crisis will not spread over and affect
more such Institutions?
All said and done, one has to accept the fact that what happens in US
and Europe in economics, banking and financial systems, undoubtedly
affects the ROW. This we have already experienced in the past and the
status-quo being maintained in the present too.
Analyzing the three opportunities appearing as reported as a measure
to undo the complications of the crisis are somewhat a welcome sign.
Developed economics performing strategy and its after effect looks
rosy. Retail banks and wealth Management Company's position and
prospects will look brighter as indicated in the report. The move for
sound risk & capital management practice by commercial banks and its
innovative operating practice by the insurance companies looks
encouraging and is a welcome concept. The investments banks exposure
check practice is also a good move indeed, keeping in mind its assets,
restructuring of business of Financial Service institutions and its
related actions are a smiling sign. As the report also indicates some
consolidation ahead.
As far as BRIC economies are concerned, the contents of report is
acceptable as very few financial services institutions have suffered
the set back of crisis in a smaller way, keeping in mind their asset
holdings, net worth and carefully planned future programs of growth
and development. The BRIC economies are also geared up for phenomenal
economical growth as per the recent print and visual media reports and
looks like they are ready with BRICKS to use it for their advantages
against certain parts of the globe and will ultimately the economies
of BRIC will emerge as a strong hold for growth and development. To
put it in a nutshell overall position of BRIC economy will emerge as
front leaders pushing aside US and Europe in pits-wait and watch!
Coming to capital markets, it is not only fundamentally changed-its
fundamentals have also stands changed as we see now. Acceleration of
globalization after the crisis, as reported is a thing to watch and
wait-which countries are going to be benefited and which are going to
be otherwise of the balance of trade and economy. New York and London
loosing its pre-eminence is already visible and some parts of the
Europe are not exception to this fact.
The financial systems of the future (which is relatively connected to
economic scenario) changing towards what good- is again a ? mark.... To
wait and watch. The markets as rightly mentioned in the report will be
less profitable and will not assist acceleration of GDP as is now
visible and governments will have to look for alternative tax revenue
(this is already in vogue in some countries) through main sources and
resources. No one can save the weak wall of the street (NYC) from a
major collapse.
The right course of action for the governments would be, to change the
policy makers by replacing with hard core talents and professionals
with right acumen, attitude, approach and expertise and experience in
Finance and economics, who will be in a position to foresee and
forecast economic conditions and keep in good control and aim to set
it under favorable conditions than debating on post crisis issues..
This will automatically take care of prevention of further erosion in
the future and prevent economic crisis-The present policy of US looks
like "ROB PAUL TO PAY PETER"- nasty and stinking policy indeed. And
shall not last long.
Analytical modules and models have no place in the present conditions.
The system has to be practical as well pragmatic and very well placed,
apparently to lead towards economical development and growth and say
bye to crisis and put the crisis to rest, failing which you will have
to face more Lehman Brothers in the country and create cemetery to
laid to rest at the cost of tax payers and common citizens.-The choice
is yours Governments?.
Take care well, of your citizens-Do not let them fall and face
debacles. Remember you are duty bound and you have been elected to
power to perform your duties earnestly, effectively & efficiently.
J.K
Microcosm & Macrocosm
Microcosm & Macrocosm
The mind of man--and by that I mean his entire mental, emotional and spiritual structure--exists within the microcosm, which exists within the macrocosm that we can see and touch and that we call the physical universe. The Gods also live within the microcosm. The microcosm is within this macrocosm, and then again, within that microcosm is another dimension of space, another macrocosm. Similarly, you can look into a drop of water through the microscope and see a new dimension of space in which myriads of tiny creatures are experiencing a total existence.
Those minute living things are in the microcosm; from where they stand they see it as a macrocosm. While you might say there is only one millionth of an inch between each of those little organisms swimming in the drop of water, to them it may seem like fifty yards. There are tens of thousands within that single drop, and yet they are not at all crowded, for it is a different dimension of space. This is how the microcosm can have an even bigger macrocosm than this one within it.
That bigger macrocosm is the Third World, the Sivaloka, where all the Gods and Mahadevas reside. It is within you, but it is ethereal, which means it is nonphysical. Your mind is in the microcosm. That is how it does all the things that it does. You can take your mind completely around the world in an instant, or across the galaxy. Right now we can take our minds to a star that is 680 million light years away from Earth. We can think about that star and see it in our mind. Time is not involved, nor is space. Thought is there instantly.
The Gods are also in the microcosm, and in the macrocosm within the microcosm. From their view, all that they do for you, to help you work out a problem, even if they work on it for days of their time, happens faster than instantly. Since your mind, too, exists within the microcosm, the change takes place instantaneously. It then takes a day or two for the effects of that change to be felt in the macrocosm. Deep within your mind, in the microcosm, the problem vanished the instant you stood before the God in the temple. It takes you a few days, or at least a few hours, to catch up to the inner event and see the results in physical form.
Source KHM
The mind of man--and by that I mean his entire mental, emotional and spiritual structure--exists within the microcosm, which exists within the macrocosm that we can see and touch and that we call the physical universe. The Gods also live within the microcosm. The microcosm is within this macrocosm, and then again, within that microcosm is another dimension of space, another macrocosm. Similarly, you can look into a drop of water through the microscope and see a new dimension of space in which myriads of tiny creatures are experiencing a total existence.
Those minute living things are in the microcosm; from where they stand they see it as a macrocosm. While you might say there is only one millionth of an inch between each of those little organisms swimming in the drop of water, to them it may seem like fifty yards. There are tens of thousands within that single drop, and yet they are not at all crowded, for it is a different dimension of space. This is how the microcosm can have an even bigger macrocosm than this one within it.
That bigger macrocosm is the Third World, the Sivaloka, where all the Gods and Mahadevas reside. It is within you, but it is ethereal, which means it is nonphysical. Your mind is in the microcosm. That is how it does all the things that it does. You can take your mind completely around the world in an instant, or across the galaxy. Right now we can take our minds to a star that is 680 million light years away from Earth. We can think about that star and see it in our mind. Time is not involved, nor is space. Thought is there instantly.
The Gods are also in the microcosm, and in the macrocosm within the microcosm. From their view, all that they do for you, to help you work out a problem, even if they work on it for days of their time, happens faster than instantly. Since your mind, too, exists within the microcosm, the change takes place instantaneously. It then takes a day or two for the effects of that change to be felt in the macrocosm. Deep within your mind, in the microcosm, the problem vanished the instant you stood before the God in the temple. It takes you a few days, or at least a few hours, to catch up to the inner event and see the results in physical form.
Source KHM
Monday, October 20, 2008
Spright up your health with sprouts.
Spright up your health with sprouts
Sprouts are complete food with high potency. Their alkaline nature helps improve health, purify the body and render it immune to diseases. Sprouts are germinated seeds of grains or legumes and have rejuvenating and health promoting properties.
Naturopathy believes that inclusion of sprouts can set right the acid-alkaline balance in diet. They are easy to digest, suited to all ages, a rich source of VitaminC,iron,riboflavin,niacin,phosphorous,minerals,proteins,enzymes,pytochemicals,antioxidants,nitrosamines,trace minerals,bioflavinoids and chemo protestants, such as sulphoraphane and insoflavone.
They are economical. According to source, seeds can multiply 8 to 15 times their weight. They are organic and can be germinated at home, free of pestcides, fumigants or synthetic fertilizers.
Research at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine has shown that three day old broccoli sprouts can fight cancer. Naturopathy believes that moong bean is a rich source of vitamins A, E & C. Fenugreek can be used in the treatment of diabetes, mellitus and rheumatic arthritis, while green sprouts increase vigour and vitality.
Seeds of Sun flower, moth, moong, lobia, methialfalfa, gram, soyabean, wheat etc can be sprouted. While sprouting care must be taken to avoid fungus growth. Wash the seeds thoroughly, use only whole seeds, put in jar and add water, four times the quantity of the seeds, and soak overnight. Next morning transfer seeds to a clean cotton cloth. In summer, sprinkle cold water to retain moisture. The sprouts appear by the second day. Eat raw after washing thoroughly
Source: Govt. of India, Ministry of Heath and Family Welfare.
Sprouts are complete food with high potency. Their alkaline nature helps improve health, purify the body and render it immune to diseases. Sprouts are germinated seeds of grains or legumes and have rejuvenating and health promoting properties.
Naturopathy believes that inclusion of sprouts can set right the acid-alkaline balance in diet. They are easy to digest, suited to all ages, a rich source of VitaminC,iron,riboflavin,niacin,phosphorous,minerals,proteins,enzymes,pytochemicals,antioxidants,nitrosamines,trace minerals,bioflavinoids and chemo protestants, such as sulphoraphane and insoflavone.
They are economical. According to source, seeds can multiply 8 to 15 times their weight. They are organic and can be germinated at home, free of pestcides, fumigants or synthetic fertilizers.
Research at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine has shown that three day old broccoli sprouts can fight cancer. Naturopathy believes that moong bean is a rich source of vitamins A, E & C. Fenugreek can be used in the treatment of diabetes, mellitus and rheumatic arthritis, while green sprouts increase vigour and vitality.
Seeds of Sun flower, moth, moong, lobia, methialfalfa, gram, soyabean, wheat etc can be sprouted. While sprouting care must be taken to avoid fungus growth. Wash the seeds thoroughly, use only whole seeds, put in jar and add water, four times the quantity of the seeds, and soak overnight. Next morning transfer seeds to a clean cotton cloth. In summer, sprinkle cold water to retain moisture. The sprouts appear by the second day. Eat raw after washing thoroughly
Source: Govt. of India, Ministry of Heath and Family Welfare.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Where One plus One equals Three
Where One Plus One Equals Three
There is one area of the subconscious mind that seems rather devious and extremely hard to program. It is called the sub of the subconscious mind. It often could seem like faulty software in the computer. But when finally programmed correctly, it can become the greatest asset. It brings us good luck and assists with perfect timing through life. At times we feel as if nothing is happening to us anymore. Everything is going along smoothly. We walk up to a closed door and the door opens for us. We walk up to a telephone and it begins to ring. These signs show us that the subsubconscious is going along very nicely. As soon as we do not enjoy this fine timing, it is generally because of the sub of the subconscious area. For when two programs of a similar nature go into the subconscious computer at different times, they mix and mingle and form a third program within the subconscious that is difficult to fathom intellectually. This is recorded in the sub of the subconscious. For this reason, the sub of the subconscious mind seems awesome and foreboding. If both of the programs are good, beneficial, positive and spiritually vibrant, things go smoothly for us. But if they are not, this area of the subconscious can be very disturbing. Remedies are deep introspection and emotional-intellectual honesty. The subsubconscious can become very powerful, creating healthy new tendencies in this life and molding a dynamic personality.
Two thoughts, at different times, sent into the subconscious mind, form in what is called the sub of the subconscious a totally different rate of vibration when intermingled--that is, if the psychological arrangement of the mind was the same at the time each thought entered it. This subconscious formation of thought turns into feelings of the lower, instinctive nature and causes the external mind to react to situations in a way that it normally would not have done.
The subsubconscious mind not only attracts situations that express its contents, but creates situations by playing upon the subconscious itself. The sub of the subconscious mind, therefore, is the part of the subconscious that stores and manages the unfathomable result of the combinations of intense, emotionally-charged experiences, either positive or negative. These combinations create a third, hybrid reactionary condition quite unlike either experience alone could have caused.
Color shall be our example. Blue stands alone as a color, and so does yellow. When they merge, they make a third color, green, which creates a mood when you look upon it, different than the mood that arises from looking upon blue or yellow alone. Only in understanding that green is a composite of yellow and blue is the mystery dispelled. Add white to red and you get pink. Add water to soil and you get mud. This is easy to understand and shows the nature of impressions coming together in the subconscious. Add oxygen to hydrogen and you get water. That is a mystery which parallels the nature of the subsubconscious mind, a realm where one plus one equals three, while in the subconscious the sum is two.
Source: KHM
There is one area of the subconscious mind that seems rather devious and extremely hard to program. It is called the sub of the subconscious mind. It often could seem like faulty software in the computer. But when finally programmed correctly, it can become the greatest asset. It brings us good luck and assists with perfect timing through life. At times we feel as if nothing is happening to us anymore. Everything is going along smoothly. We walk up to a closed door and the door opens for us. We walk up to a telephone and it begins to ring. These signs show us that the subsubconscious is going along very nicely. As soon as we do not enjoy this fine timing, it is generally because of the sub of the subconscious area. For when two programs of a similar nature go into the subconscious computer at different times, they mix and mingle and form a third program within the subconscious that is difficult to fathom intellectually. This is recorded in the sub of the subconscious. For this reason, the sub of the subconscious mind seems awesome and foreboding. If both of the programs are good, beneficial, positive and spiritually vibrant, things go smoothly for us. But if they are not, this area of the subconscious can be very disturbing. Remedies are deep introspection and emotional-intellectual honesty. The subsubconscious can become very powerful, creating healthy new tendencies in this life and molding a dynamic personality.
Two thoughts, at different times, sent into the subconscious mind, form in what is called the sub of the subconscious a totally different rate of vibration when intermingled--that is, if the psychological arrangement of the mind was the same at the time each thought entered it. This subconscious formation of thought turns into feelings of the lower, instinctive nature and causes the external mind to react to situations in a way that it normally would not have done.
The subsubconscious mind not only attracts situations that express its contents, but creates situations by playing upon the subconscious itself. The sub of the subconscious mind, therefore, is the part of the subconscious that stores and manages the unfathomable result of the combinations of intense, emotionally-charged experiences, either positive or negative. These combinations create a third, hybrid reactionary condition quite unlike either experience alone could have caused.
Color shall be our example. Blue stands alone as a color, and so does yellow. When they merge, they make a third color, green, which creates a mood when you look upon it, different than the mood that arises from looking upon blue or yellow alone. Only in understanding that green is a composite of yellow and blue is the mystery dispelled. Add white to red and you get pink. Add water to soil and you get mud. This is easy to understand and shows the nature of impressions coming together in the subconscious. Add oxygen to hydrogen and you get water. That is a mystery which parallels the nature of the subsubconscious mind, a realm where one plus one equals three, while in the subconscious the sum is two.
Source: KHM
An English man's home is his castle
An Englishman's home is his castle
Meaning
The English dictum that a man's home is his refuge.
Origin
The maxim that 'An Englishman's home (or occasionally, house) is his
castle' is most often cited these days in articles in the British
right-wing press that bemoan the apparent undermining of the perceived
principle that a man can do as he pleases in his own house, which they
hold up as an ancient right. The grumbles centre about the feminist
'what about Englishwomen?' response and the public disquiet about the
smacking of children, attacking of intruders etc. The proverb was used
in almost all of the articles about the court case of Tony Martin in
2000. Martin was convicted by jury trial of murder, after shooting and
killing a 16-year old who had broken into his house in Norfolk, UK.
Did Englishmen actually ever have a unique right to act as they please
within the walls of their own home? Well, yes and no. Yes, in the
sense that it has been a legal precept in England, since at least the
17th century, that no one may enter a home, which would typically then
have been in male ownership, unless by invitation. This was
established as common law by the lawyer and politician Sir Edward Coke
(pronounced Cook), in The Institutes of the Laws of England, 1628:
"For a man's house is his castle, et domus sua cuique est tutissimum
refugium [and each man's home is his safest refuge]."
This enshrined into law the popular belief at the time, which was
expressed in print by several authors in the late 16th century,
including Richard Mulcaster, the headmaster of Merchant Taylors'
School in London, in his treatise on education - Positions, which are
necessarie for the training up of children, 1581:
"He [the householder] is the appointer of his owne circumstance, and
his house is his castle."
Judged against the standards of his time, Mulcaster was an enlightened
educationalist. His charges were nevertheless terrified of him and he
condoned methods in the 'castle' of his school that would result these
days in a visit from Social Services. His own experience in castles
wasn't that happy either. He was imprisoned for theft in 1555 in the
Tower of London and probably tortured into a confession.
What was meant by 'castle' was defined in 1763 by the British Prime
Minister with an admirable selection of names to choose from - William
Pitt, the first Earl of Chatham, a.k.a. Pitt the Elder:
"The poorest man may in his cottage bid defiance to all the forces of
the crown. It may be frail - its roof may shake - the wind may blow
through it - the storm may enter - the rain may enter - but the King
of England cannot enter."
It is clear from the above that the law was established to give
householders the right to prevent entry to their homes. Like the 'rule
of thumb', which was popularly and mistakenly believed to be the right
of a man to beat his wife, the 'Englishman's home is his castle' rule
didn't establish a man's right to take actions inside the home that
would be illegal outside it.
The principle was exported to the United States where, not
unnaturally, the 'Englishman' was removed from the phrase. In 1800,
Joel Chandler Harris's biography of Henry W. Grady, the journalist and
writer on the US Constitution, included this line:
"Exalt the citizen. As the State is the unit of government he is the
unit of the State. Teach him that his home is his castle, and his
sovereignty rests beneath his hat."
These days, with all the news of banking collapses and mortgage
foreclosures, men and women, English or American, might be glad to
have somewhere to call home, even if they have to obey the law when
inside it.
Meaning
The English dictum that a man's home is his refuge.
Origin
The maxim that 'An Englishman's home (or occasionally, house) is his
castle' is most often cited these days in articles in the British
right-wing press that bemoan the apparent undermining of the perceived
principle that a man can do as he pleases in his own house, which they
hold up as an ancient right. The grumbles centre about the feminist
'what about Englishwomen?' response and the public disquiet about the
smacking of children, attacking of intruders etc. The proverb was used
in almost all of the articles about the court case of Tony Martin in
2000. Martin was convicted by jury trial of murder, after shooting and
killing a 16-year old who had broken into his house in Norfolk, UK.
Did Englishmen actually ever have a unique right to act as they please
within the walls of their own home? Well, yes and no. Yes, in the
sense that it has been a legal precept in England, since at least the
17th century, that no one may enter a home, which would typically then
have been in male ownership, unless by invitation. This was
established as common law by the lawyer and politician Sir Edward Coke
(pronounced Cook), in The Institutes of the Laws of England, 1628:
"For a man's house is his castle, et domus sua cuique est tutissimum
refugium [and each man's home is his safest refuge]."
This enshrined into law the popular belief at the time, which was
expressed in print by several authors in the late 16th century,
including Richard Mulcaster, the headmaster of Merchant Taylors'
School in London, in his treatise on education - Positions, which are
necessarie for the training up of children, 1581:
"He [the householder] is the appointer of his owne circumstance, and
his house is his castle."
Judged against the standards of his time, Mulcaster was an enlightened
educationalist. His charges were nevertheless terrified of him and he
condoned methods in the 'castle' of his school that would result these
days in a visit from Social Services. His own experience in castles
wasn't that happy either. He was imprisoned for theft in 1555 in the
Tower of London and probably tortured into a confession.
What was meant by 'castle' was defined in 1763 by the British Prime
Minister with an admirable selection of names to choose from - William
Pitt, the first Earl of Chatham, a.k.a. Pitt the Elder:
"The poorest man may in his cottage bid defiance to all the forces of
the crown. It may be frail - its roof may shake - the wind may blow
through it - the storm may enter - the rain may enter - but the King
of England cannot enter."
It is clear from the above that the law was established to give
householders the right to prevent entry to their homes. Like the 'rule
of thumb', which was popularly and mistakenly believed to be the right
of a man to beat his wife, the 'Englishman's home is his castle' rule
didn't establish a man's right to take actions inside the home that
would be illegal outside it.
The principle was exported to the United States where, not
unnaturally, the 'Englishman' was removed from the phrase. In 1800,
Joel Chandler Harris's biography of Henry W. Grady, the journalist and
writer on the US Constitution, included this line:
"Exalt the citizen. As the State is the unit of government he is the
unit of the State. Teach him that his home is his castle, and his
sovereignty rests beneath his hat."
These days, with all the news of banking collapses and mortgage
foreclosures, men and women, English or American, might be glad to
have somewhere to call home, even if they have to obey the law when
inside it.
HEDGE YOUR BETS.
Hedge your bets
Meaning
To avoid committing oneself; to leave a means of retreat open.
Origin
Hedge has been used as a verb in English since at least the 16th
century, with the meaning of 'equivocate; avoid commitment'. An
example of this comes in Shakespeare's Merry Wives of Windsor, 1598:
"I, I, I myself sometimes, leaving the fear of God on the left hand
and hiding mine honour in my necessity, am fain to shuffle, to hedge
and to lurch ."
It began to be used in relation to financial transactions, in which a
loan was secured by including it in a larger loan, in the early 17th
century. Initially, the phrase associated with this form of hedging
was 'hedging one's debts', for example, John Donne's Letters to Sir
Henry Goodyere, circa 1620:
"You think that you have Hedged in that Debt by a greater, by your
Letter in Verse."
'Hedging one's bets' was coined later in that century. It referred to
the laying off of a bet by taking out smaller bets with other lenders.
The purpose of this was to avoid being unable to pay out on the
original larger bet. The phrase was first used by George Villiers, the
2nd Duke of Buckingham, in his satirical play The Rehearsal, 1672:
"Now, Criticks, do your worst, that here are met; For, like a Rook, I
have hedg'd in my Bet."
The verb 'to hedge' derives from the noun hedge, i.e. a fence made
from a row of bushes or trees. These hedges were normally made from
the spiny Hawthorn, which makes an impenetrable hedge when laid. To
hedge a piece of land was to limit it in terms of size and that this
gave rise to the 'secure, limited risk' meaning. Hedge funds, much in
the news nowadays, take their name from their method of limiting, i.e.
hedging, their risk.
Curiously, the original examples of another financial device currently
newsworthy i.e. stocks, were literally made from material that was
taken from hedges. In the 17th century, the tally that recorded a
payment to the English Exchequer was a rough stick of about an inch in
diameter, split along its length. One half, the stock, was given as a
receipt to the person making the payment; the other half, the
counterfoil, was kept by the Exchequer. Ownership of payments that
were made jointly by a group were shared among the members of
so-called joint stock companies, hence stocks and shares.
Meaning
To avoid committing oneself; to leave a means of retreat open.
Origin
Hedge has been used as a verb in English since at least the 16th
century, with the meaning of 'equivocate; avoid commitment'. An
example of this comes in Shakespeare's Merry Wives of Windsor, 1598:
"I, I, I myself sometimes, leaving the fear of God on the left hand
and hiding mine honour in my necessity, am fain to shuffle, to hedge
and to lurch ."
It began to be used in relation to financial transactions, in which a
loan was secured by including it in a larger loan, in the early 17th
century. Initially, the phrase associated with this form of hedging
was 'hedging one's debts', for example, John Donne's Letters to Sir
Henry Goodyere, circa 1620:
"You think that you have Hedged in that Debt by a greater, by your
Letter in Verse."
'Hedging one's bets' was coined later in that century. It referred to
the laying off of a bet by taking out smaller bets with other lenders.
The purpose of this was to avoid being unable to pay out on the
original larger bet. The phrase was first used by George Villiers, the
2nd Duke of Buckingham, in his satirical play The Rehearsal, 1672:
"Now, Criticks, do your worst, that here are met; For, like a Rook, I
have hedg'd in my Bet."
The verb 'to hedge' derives from the noun hedge, i.e. a fence made
from a row of bushes or trees. These hedges were normally made from
the spiny Hawthorn, which makes an impenetrable hedge when laid. To
hedge a piece of land was to limit it in terms of size and that this
gave rise to the 'secure, limited risk' meaning. Hedge funds, much in
the news nowadays, take their name from their method of limiting, i.e.
hedging, their risk.
Curiously, the original examples of another financial device currently
newsworthy i.e. stocks, were literally made from material that was
taken from hedges. In the 17th century, the tally that recorded a
payment to the English Exchequer was a rough stick of about an inch in
diameter, split along its length. One half, the stock, was given as a
receipt to the person making the payment; the other half, the
counterfoil, was kept by the Exchequer. Ownership of payments that
were made jointly by a group were shared among the members of
so-called joint stock companies, hence stocks and shares.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
The ideals of marriage.
The Ideals Of Marriage
Marriage is an institution, a business, a spiritual partnership, a furtherance of humanity and a contract--a three-level contract involving body, mind and emotion. Marriage is a necessary commitment not only for the continuation of the human race but also for the furtherance of each individual soul's spiritual unfoldment. The interaction on all levels between the couple, and later their children, molds the good, bad and confused karmas into new dimensions. Marriages involve not only the bride and groom but also their parents, their priest, guru, astrologer, relatives on both sides and the entire community. The feeling of responsibility to the community is ever present. The community's feeling of responsibility to make each of its marriages work out well is also always present.
Why are marriages unique? It is because of the ever-abiding belief in the ever-present oneness of God Siva within each one. God Siva is within you, and you are within God Siva. God Siva is the Life of our lives. This and more the Saivite saints sang. To forget that Siva is within the wife, to forget that Siva is within the husband is to forget Saivism itself. This basic Saivite belief lays the psychological foundation for the husband to see the wife as a Goddess and the wife to see the husband as a God. All other behavior comes out of this belief. Belief creates attitudes, and attitudes create actions.
The knowing that each one has come into life to work out certain karmas they brought with them in this birth, and that karmas are generally worked out through other people, gives a challenge and a goal--to resolve these karmas and receive the reward of liberation, freedom from rebirth. Because of this belief, this understanding, the husband and wife blend their energies more constructively. Their attitudes are naturally more generous, forgiving and understanding, their actions and interactions more harmonious and mutually supportive. A woman gives her prana, spiritual energy, to her husband, making him strong. Children give their prana to their parents, because to them the parents are Siva-Shakti, the first guru. The wife, always attending to her husband's needs, sets the pattern for the children. By focusing her energies within her family, she builds up a great spiritual vibration in the home. In fulfilling his purusha dharma, the husband gives his prana, love and loyalty to his family, and he benefits the community through his service. He never, ever raises his voice in the home; nor does he show anger in any way. He is the model for the entire family. When his sons come of age, they join their pranas with his, and as a result, the family, the community and the country flourish.
Believing in reincarnation, the parents know that their relatives--and they themselves--will be born back into their family again and again to work out their unfinished karmas. A home is a karmic factory, a recycling of souls, a mill that grinds exceedingly fine the seed karmas of this and past lives.
Source: KHM
Marriage is an institution, a business, a spiritual partnership, a furtherance of humanity and a contract--a three-level contract involving body, mind and emotion. Marriage is a necessary commitment not only for the continuation of the human race but also for the furtherance of each individual soul's spiritual unfoldment. The interaction on all levels between the couple, and later their children, molds the good, bad and confused karmas into new dimensions. Marriages involve not only the bride and groom but also their parents, their priest, guru, astrologer, relatives on both sides and the entire community. The feeling of responsibility to the community is ever present. The community's feeling of responsibility to make each of its marriages work out well is also always present.
Why are marriages unique? It is because of the ever-abiding belief in the ever-present oneness of God Siva within each one. God Siva is within you, and you are within God Siva. God Siva is the Life of our lives. This and more the Saivite saints sang. To forget that Siva is within the wife, to forget that Siva is within the husband is to forget Saivism itself. This basic Saivite belief lays the psychological foundation for the husband to see the wife as a Goddess and the wife to see the husband as a God. All other behavior comes out of this belief. Belief creates attitudes, and attitudes create actions.
The knowing that each one has come into life to work out certain karmas they brought with them in this birth, and that karmas are generally worked out through other people, gives a challenge and a goal--to resolve these karmas and receive the reward of liberation, freedom from rebirth. Because of this belief, this understanding, the husband and wife blend their energies more constructively. Their attitudes are naturally more generous, forgiving and understanding, their actions and interactions more harmonious and mutually supportive. A woman gives her prana, spiritual energy, to her husband, making him strong. Children give their prana to their parents, because to them the parents are Siva-Shakti, the first guru. The wife, always attending to her husband's needs, sets the pattern for the children. By focusing her energies within her family, she builds up a great spiritual vibration in the home. In fulfilling his purusha dharma, the husband gives his prana, love and loyalty to his family, and he benefits the community through his service. He never, ever raises his voice in the home; nor does he show anger in any way. He is the model for the entire family. When his sons come of age, they join their pranas with his, and as a result, the family, the community and the country flourish.
Believing in reincarnation, the parents know that their relatives--and they themselves--will be born back into their family again and again to work out their unfinished karmas. A home is a karmic factory, a recycling of souls, a mill that grinds exceedingly fine the seed karmas of this and past lives.
Source: KHM
Supporting the Marraiage
Supporting The Marriage
Once a marriage has occurred, both families are relied upon to hold it together through the years. It is the duty especially of the husband's parents to support and make the marriage work and to offer a home to their new daughter. But it is unacceptable in modern Hindu society, and especially in our fellowship, to follow the oppressive tradition in which the girl becomes the total charge of the boy's family and is seldom allowed to see her family of birth. It is the duty of the bride's parents to monitor her protection and observe the couple's abilities to dwell in unity and concord, while allowing them freedom to work things out together in their new home.
If she is abused physically, they must open their doors to receive her back, to be sheltered, comforted and consoled. It then becomes their duty and that of all shishyas in the community to try to patch things up, restore harmony and obtain trustworthy promises from the husband that this will never happen again. The bride should receive no blame for her husband's violence, for it is he who has broken his promise to adore her and protect her from harm.
The blending of the two families as a one family gives both the son and daughter two families to support them in good times and bad. It is the responsibility of both families to work toward assuring an endearingly enduring marriage, as well as to guide the raising of the progeny, so that they may become good, productive, dharma-aware citizens, contributing to society at large. If the two families fail in this mutual effort, society fails.
To build solid marriages, some Hindu institutions provide a family evening for fellowship and discussion with a trained counselor. Once a year during the holy time of Pancha Ganapati, the couple take out their marriage agreement and together study where they have been lax or derelict. They trace back in their minds to incidents that are still vibrating as negative samskaras, and apologize humbly and seek forgiveness and total resolution. They renew their commitment to each other. This is a wonderful key for setting the tone for the coming year--of harmony and peace, which leads to abundance and happiness. We call this anahata yoga, cleansing the heart chakra, bringing up that true love for one another. It is the process of bringing up all those things that were not settled before going to sleep, to retrieve those seeds before they get ploughed under and produce another crop of sorrow in the coming years. It is bringing up little things that each one said or did that hurt the other and were not resolved. It is bringing up incidents of anger, any physical violence, which should never be but may have been. It is time to extend apologies, talk with your kulaguru, and make promises and New Year's resolutions to set the course of the future on the path of dharma, which is based on ahimsa.
Source : KHM
Once a marriage has occurred, both families are relied upon to hold it together through the years. It is the duty especially of the husband's parents to support and make the marriage work and to offer a home to their new daughter. But it is unacceptable in modern Hindu society, and especially in our fellowship, to follow the oppressive tradition in which the girl becomes the total charge of the boy's family and is seldom allowed to see her family of birth. It is the duty of the bride's parents to monitor her protection and observe the couple's abilities to dwell in unity and concord, while allowing them freedom to work things out together in their new home.
If she is abused physically, they must open their doors to receive her back, to be sheltered, comforted and consoled. It then becomes their duty and that of all shishyas in the community to try to patch things up, restore harmony and obtain trustworthy promises from the husband that this will never happen again. The bride should receive no blame for her husband's violence, for it is he who has broken his promise to adore her and protect her from harm.
The blending of the two families as a one family gives both the son and daughter two families to support them in good times and bad. It is the responsibility of both families to work toward assuring an endearingly enduring marriage, as well as to guide the raising of the progeny, so that they may become good, productive, dharma-aware citizens, contributing to society at large. If the two families fail in this mutual effort, society fails.
To build solid marriages, some Hindu institutions provide a family evening for fellowship and discussion with a trained counselor. Once a year during the holy time of Pancha Ganapati, the couple take out their marriage agreement and together study where they have been lax or derelict. They trace back in their minds to incidents that are still vibrating as negative samskaras, and apologize humbly and seek forgiveness and total resolution. They renew their commitment to each other. This is a wonderful key for setting the tone for the coming year--of harmony and peace, which leads to abundance and happiness. We call this anahata yoga, cleansing the heart chakra, bringing up that true love for one another. It is the process of bringing up all those things that were not settled before going to sleep, to retrieve those seeds before they get ploughed under and produce another crop of sorrow in the coming years. It is bringing up little things that each one said or did that hurt the other and were not resolved. It is bringing up incidents of anger, any physical violence, which should never be but may have been. It is time to extend apologies, talk with your kulaguru, and make promises and New Year's resolutions to set the course of the future on the path of dharma, which is based on ahimsa.
Source : KHM
Arranged Marriages.
Arranged Marriages
Marriage is a union not only of a boy and girl, but of their families as well. Not leaving such crucial matters to chance, all family members participate in finding the most suitable spouse for the son or daughter and thereafter commit hearts and minds to assist in times of need. Marriage is a sacred covenant which all relatives take up the responsibility to care for and protect. It is one of the most sacred events of life.
Through the homa rite at the marriage ceremony, the priest invokes the Gods. The elders, the priests, the Gods, the devas, the planets and even cows witness the couple vow themselves to holy, harmonious matrimony for the rest of their lives. The Rig Veda intones: "United your resolve, united your hearts, may your spirits be one, that you may long together dwell in unity and concord..
While not all marriages must be arranged, there is wisdom in arranged marriages, which have always been an important part of Hindu culture. Their success lies in the families' judgment to base the union on pragmatic matters which will outlast the sweetest infatuation and endure through the years. Compatibility of culture and education is also taken into consideration. A spouse is generally sought from within the same religious community. The man and woman should at least be of the same religious sect for long life and a happy marriage. This may not seem important if both are not religiously active, but conditions will tend to change in future years, especially after children are born. Most families begin early in finding the proper mate for their children among families they know and esteem for the kinship bonds the marriage would bring. Those involved ponder whether the two families can blend into a one family harmoniously with benefits to both. Stability is enhanced if the groom has completed his education, established earnings in a profession and is at least three years older than the bride.
Source : KHM
Marriage is a union not only of a boy and girl, but of their families as well. Not leaving such crucial matters to chance, all family members participate in finding the most suitable spouse for the son or daughter and thereafter commit hearts and minds to assist in times of need. Marriage is a sacred covenant which all relatives take up the responsibility to care for and protect. It is one of the most sacred events of life.
Through the homa rite at the marriage ceremony, the priest invokes the Gods. The elders, the priests, the Gods, the devas, the planets and even cows witness the couple vow themselves to holy, harmonious matrimony for the rest of their lives. The Rig Veda intones: "United your resolve, united your hearts, may your spirits be one, that you may long together dwell in unity and concord..
While not all marriages must be arranged, there is wisdom in arranged marriages, which have always been an important part of Hindu culture. Their success lies in the families' judgment to base the union on pragmatic matters which will outlast the sweetest infatuation and endure through the years. Compatibility of culture and education is also taken into consideration. A spouse is generally sought from within the same religious community. The man and woman should at least be of the same religious sect for long life and a happy marriage. This may not seem important if both are not religiously active, but conditions will tend to change in future years, especially after children are born. Most families begin early in finding the proper mate for their children among families they know and esteem for the kinship bonds the marriage would bring. Those involved ponder whether the two families can blend into a one family harmoniously with benefits to both. Stability is enhanced if the groom has completed his education, established earnings in a profession and is at least three years older than the bride.
Source : KHM
Reasons reigns Supreme
Reason Reigns Supreme
It really hardens a person to live in the conscious mind all the time, because he has to build an ego shell around himself for protection, and that makes him insensitive and rough. One of the biggest protective influences of the conscious mind is anger. Anger makes a person cunning in his thinking, and of course the predominant underlying quality of anger is fear. He is always afraid of something. It is generally something that may happen or is going to happen. He is always in conflict with someone. These are the motivating forces of the conscious mind: anger and fear. Most people live in the conscious mind unconsciously.
The conscious mind is the area of the mind where memory and time are Gods, and reason is the Supreme Ruler. "If it is not reasonable, it is not acceptable," declares the conscious mind, and "If we can't measure it, it does not exist." That is the conscious mind. It is active. It is alive. The conscious mind perpetuates itself, and we all help it to do that. It is carried on in ramification by its own novelty. We can always find in the conscious mind some distraction to please us, to intrigue us, to dominate our awareness of other states of consciousness. And we don't have to look very hard to find it.
The mystic's goal is to control awareness while he is in the conscious mind--to know where he is in consciousness. When he finds he is aware in the conscious mind, and the five senses have become his ruler, he then controls his awareness within the conscious mind itself. He does this in a number of ways. One way is through the control of breath. Breath is life, and life is breath. Breath is the controlling factor of awareness. Awareness rides on breath. Breath is also a controlling factor of our willpower. A seeker must develop a dynamic will to walk the path of enlightenment, so that he does not stumble or falter, but continues onward no matter how difficult the path seems to be for him.
The mystic loves the conscious mind, for he sees it like an adult sees the toys of children. An adult does not take children's toys too seriously, but the child does. Meditate on that comparison. Meditate also upon the conscious mind while you are aware in it. Write down on a piece of paper the various areas of daily experience over a period of three days to which you are most attached. Then meditate on those time periods until you are able to see the chemistry that makes the conscious mind appear to be what it is. When you live two-thirds within yourself, even physical things begin to look transparent to you.
Source : KHM
It really hardens a person to live in the conscious mind all the time, because he has to build an ego shell around himself for protection, and that makes him insensitive and rough. One of the biggest protective influences of the conscious mind is anger. Anger makes a person cunning in his thinking, and of course the predominant underlying quality of anger is fear. He is always afraid of something. It is generally something that may happen or is going to happen. He is always in conflict with someone. These are the motivating forces of the conscious mind: anger and fear. Most people live in the conscious mind unconsciously.
The conscious mind is the area of the mind where memory and time are Gods, and reason is the Supreme Ruler. "If it is not reasonable, it is not acceptable," declares the conscious mind, and "If we can't measure it, it does not exist." That is the conscious mind. It is active. It is alive. The conscious mind perpetuates itself, and we all help it to do that. It is carried on in ramification by its own novelty. We can always find in the conscious mind some distraction to please us, to intrigue us, to dominate our awareness of other states of consciousness. And we don't have to look very hard to find it.
The mystic's goal is to control awareness while he is in the conscious mind--to know where he is in consciousness. When he finds he is aware in the conscious mind, and the five senses have become his ruler, he then controls his awareness within the conscious mind itself. He does this in a number of ways. One way is through the control of breath. Breath is life, and life is breath. Breath is the controlling factor of awareness. Awareness rides on breath. Breath is also a controlling factor of our willpower. A seeker must develop a dynamic will to walk the path of enlightenment, so that he does not stumble or falter, but continues onward no matter how difficult the path seems to be for him.
The mystic loves the conscious mind, for he sees it like an adult sees the toys of children. An adult does not take children's toys too seriously, but the child does. Meditate on that comparison. Meditate also upon the conscious mind while you are aware in it. Write down on a piece of paper the various areas of daily experience over a period of three days to which you are most attached. Then meditate on those time periods until you are able to see the chemistry that makes the conscious mind appear to be what it is. When you live two-thirds within yourself, even physical things begin to look transparent to you.
Source : KHM
Thursday, October 09, 2008
What makes a House a Home.
What Makes a House a Home?
What is it that makes a house a home? A home is a place of companionship with people in it who love each other, who are harmonious and closer inside with one another than they are outside with associates in the workplace or with classmates at school. A home is a place that's so magnetic that it's difficult to leave. In a home there is love, kindness, sharing and appreciation, and the inhabitants help one another. It's a place of selflessness and togetherness, where everybody has time for everybody else. In a home, the guests are treated like Supreme coming to the place of worship. That is the spirit of hospitality in the human framework. It is the same spirit of sublime energy flowing to the guest that also flows within the household. And a righteous household that worships every morning together as one family is like a place of worship. That's a home, and everything else is just a house or a hotel lobby.
If you were to look at a harmonious home with your astral vision, you would see the three primary colors--pale pink, pale blue, pale yellow--and white, all intermingling in a big pranic force field. Moving over to another house, you might see a congestion of various colors, with dark and light shades and strange astral forms, and you would know that house was not much different from a hotel lobby.
I was once asked about the desperately poor, homeless families living on the street in America and what can be done for them, when so many other families have large, luxurious homes. I, too, have seen families on the street. But if they live together, if they sleep together, if they talk together, if they eat together, they are a family, even if they are destitute. Such a family is at home wherever they are. You don't need a roof to make a family. You don't need a roof to make a home. The truly homeless are some of the rich people who build multi-million-dollar houses and are too busy to really live in them. The truly homeless are those who have turned their home into a hotel lobby. The husband works. The wife works. The children are delinquent. There's no companionship. They don't talk together every day. They don't eat together every day. They rarely see each other. The truly homeless people are those with babysitters, caretakers, gardeners and maids, but who don't spend quality time with the family in their house. Babysitters often abuse their children. Parents are unaware, too busy making money outside the home that they don't live in. This is another way of looking at the rich and the homeless. Who is to be pitied?
Control of the computer and the Internet is also important to make a house into a home. If the computer is on all the time, the house turns into an office, even if everyone is at home. Many homes these days are just offices. Human communication has stopped. The computer eats up the time that one should be giving to others within the home. Using the computer moderately gives us time for gentleness, play and communication, not with a screen, but with a human being. And that is the vibration needed in a home.
Source KHM
What is it that makes a house a home? A home is a place of companionship with people in it who love each other, who are harmonious and closer inside with one another than they are outside with associates in the workplace or with classmates at school. A home is a place that's so magnetic that it's difficult to leave. In a home there is love, kindness, sharing and appreciation, and the inhabitants help one another. It's a place of selflessness and togetherness, where everybody has time for everybody else. In a home, the guests are treated like Supreme coming to the place of worship. That is the spirit of hospitality in the human framework. It is the same spirit of sublime energy flowing to the guest that also flows within the household. And a righteous household that worships every morning together as one family is like a place of worship. That's a home, and everything else is just a house or a hotel lobby.
If you were to look at a harmonious home with your astral vision, you would see the three primary colors--pale pink, pale blue, pale yellow--and white, all intermingling in a big pranic force field. Moving over to another house, you might see a congestion of various colors, with dark and light shades and strange astral forms, and you would know that house was not much different from a hotel lobby.
I was once asked about the desperately poor, homeless families living on the street in America and what can be done for them, when so many other families have large, luxurious homes. I, too, have seen families on the street. But if they live together, if they sleep together, if they talk together, if they eat together, they are a family, even if they are destitute. Such a family is at home wherever they are. You don't need a roof to make a family. You don't need a roof to make a home. The truly homeless are some of the rich people who build multi-million-dollar houses and are too busy to really live in them. The truly homeless are those who have turned their home into a hotel lobby. The husband works. The wife works. The children are delinquent. There's no companionship. They don't talk together every day. They don't eat together every day. They rarely see each other. The truly homeless people are those with babysitters, caretakers, gardeners and maids, but who don't spend quality time with the family in their house. Babysitters often abuse their children. Parents are unaware, too busy making money outside the home that they don't live in. This is another way of looking at the rich and the homeless. Who is to be pitied?
Control of the computer and the Internet is also important to make a house into a home. If the computer is on all the time, the house turns into an office, even if everyone is at home. Many homes these days are just offices. Human communication has stopped. The computer eats up the time that one should be giving to others within the home. Using the computer moderately gives us time for gentleness, play and communication, not with a screen, but with a human being. And that is the vibration needed in a home.
Source KHM
The Donkey and the Carrot
The Donkey And the Carrot
When we are in the conscious mind, we are like a donkey with a carrot in front of our nose. We are always walking to try to get that carrot. We are never satisfied, and we are never happy. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. No matter how much money we have, we want more. No matter how many clothes we have, we need more. No matter how many television programs we watch, there is always a better one coming up. No matter how many sights we have seen, the next one may surpass them all. No matter how much food we eat, there is always the next big wonderful meal to enjoy. No matter how many emotions we experience, the next set of those emotional experiences will be the high point of our entire life, and we are sure of it. That is the conscious mind.
When we live in the conscious mind, we only surmise. We make guesses. We are never quite sure if we are right. Therefore, we are insecure, because the conscious mind only knows what has gone before it. It is certain only about the past. If it has been provided with a good memory, then it knows the past very well. But without a good memory, the conscious mind doesn't know the past well at all. So, when we are in the conscious mind, we have one predominant and solid quality that we really can be sure of, and that is fear. We are afraid! We're afraid of the future. And many of the things in the past petrify us, for we don't want them to happen to us again. We don't know quite how to avoid them, because with awareness caught in conscious-mind concerns, our superconscious faculties are temporarily cut off. The superconscious mind is seen as a figment of imagination, a product of superstition.
The conscious mind is the real enemy, the real barrier, the real distractor to someone on the path of enlightenment. It is intriguing. It is the temptress. It leads us on and on and on, life after life after life after life after life after life after life. It is a wonderful state of mind, however, as long as our superconscious faculties are also available for awareness to flow into once in a while to become refreshed and renewed by a change of perspective and influx of energy. Otherwise, the conscious mind is a difficult and onerous state of mind in which to live, day after day after day. The spiritual path leads us out of the morass of the darkness of the conscious mind into the mind of light, which we call superconsciousness.
Source KHM
When we are in the conscious mind, we are like a donkey with a carrot in front of our nose. We are always walking to try to get that carrot. We are never satisfied, and we are never happy. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. No matter how much money we have, we want more. No matter how many clothes we have, we need more. No matter how many television programs we watch, there is always a better one coming up. No matter how many sights we have seen, the next one may surpass them all. No matter how much food we eat, there is always the next big wonderful meal to enjoy. No matter how many emotions we experience, the next set of those emotional experiences will be the high point of our entire life, and we are sure of it. That is the conscious mind.
When we live in the conscious mind, we only surmise. We make guesses. We are never quite sure if we are right. Therefore, we are insecure, because the conscious mind only knows what has gone before it. It is certain only about the past. If it has been provided with a good memory, then it knows the past very well. But without a good memory, the conscious mind doesn't know the past well at all. So, when we are in the conscious mind, we have one predominant and solid quality that we really can be sure of, and that is fear. We are afraid! We're afraid of the future. And many of the things in the past petrify us, for we don't want them to happen to us again. We don't know quite how to avoid them, because with awareness caught in conscious-mind concerns, our superconscious faculties are temporarily cut off. The superconscious mind is seen as a figment of imagination, a product of superstition.
The conscious mind is the real enemy, the real barrier, the real distractor to someone on the path of enlightenment. It is intriguing. It is the temptress. It leads us on and on and on, life after life after life after life after life after life after life. It is a wonderful state of mind, however, as long as our superconscious faculties are also available for awareness to flow into once in a while to become refreshed and renewed by a change of perspective and influx of energy. Otherwise, the conscious mind is a difficult and onerous state of mind in which to live, day after day after day. The spiritual path leads us out of the morass of the darkness of the conscious mind into the mind of light, which we call superconsciousness.
Source KHM
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Support at Crucial Times.
Support at Crucial Times
When the tensions of the burdens of life begin to build, if friends, relatives and community begin to pull away rather than come forward to help, mom and dad are rendered helpless, absolutely helpless. Certain crises are predictable in the course of a marriage. When the first child is born, everything changes. This is the first crisis in their life. He lost his sweetheart and lover when she gave birth to her first child and became a mother. She lost her lover, too, when he became a father. Their roles first began to change during the time of her pregnancy. He had to watch very closely his thoughts toward other women, while feeling neglect because she was thinking about their baby soon to be born more than she was thinking about him. She used to think only of him.
Moving into another home is another crisis time. It's easy for dad because he is involved in new employment and new friends, but hard for mom because she has to adjust to the change of her entire environment. Is this a time for her to be emotionally upset? Yes it is.
At middle age, around forty, mom goes through menopause--another big crisis. Dad doesn't admit it-no man ever does--but he goes through a corresponding change at that time, too. At that time they both begin to think how it would have been if they had married somebody else. Dad, maybe, especially is ready for one last fling. They both have a desire to return to the surroundings of their youth. This is another intense crisis time. If dad reaches fortyish first and mom later, then they experience two crisis times instead of one. When their daughter entered puberty, another crisis time occurred for the family. They didn't know what she was going to do next, and they often blamed themselves and each other for her erratic and sometimes erotic behavior. Another crisis time.
Grandma, Grandpa, great aunts and uncles, the neighbor next door, even the deliveryman, can help in times of crisis. The temple community, the church congregation, the priest, the minister, friends, Rotary Club members, executive at the office, if they don't help, are all negligent. We can blame them for the failure. Don't blame mom and dad. They are helpless. Do we blame somebody who is sick for being ill? Of course not. Do we blame a person who is emotionally distraught for being emotional distraught? Of course not. We try to understand. We try to help. If the help is offered or is not offered, we blame those who do not help.
Therefore, I tell troubled youth, for your own peace of mind, dear child, love your mother and your father. Keep them as one in your mind. Don't separate them in your mind. You yourself are the greatest marriage counselor. It is only you who at this juncture can become a binding force for the family. Rise above the accepted standards of the nonculture of today, which advise divorce to solve the problem. Remember, don't take sides.
Source KHM
When the tensions of the burdens of life begin to build, if friends, relatives and community begin to pull away rather than come forward to help, mom and dad are rendered helpless, absolutely helpless. Certain crises are predictable in the course of a marriage. When the first child is born, everything changes. This is the first crisis in their life. He lost his sweetheart and lover when she gave birth to her first child and became a mother. She lost her lover, too, when he became a father. Their roles first began to change during the time of her pregnancy. He had to watch very closely his thoughts toward other women, while feeling neglect because she was thinking about their baby soon to be born more than she was thinking about him. She used to think only of him.
Moving into another home is another crisis time. It's easy for dad because he is involved in new employment and new friends, but hard for mom because she has to adjust to the change of her entire environment. Is this a time for her to be emotionally upset? Yes it is.
At middle age, around forty, mom goes through menopause--another big crisis. Dad doesn't admit it-no man ever does--but he goes through a corresponding change at that time, too. At that time they both begin to think how it would have been if they had married somebody else. Dad, maybe, especially is ready for one last fling. They both have a desire to return to the surroundings of their youth. This is another intense crisis time. If dad reaches fortyish first and mom later, then they experience two crisis times instead of one. When their daughter entered puberty, another crisis time occurred for the family. They didn't know what she was going to do next, and they often blamed themselves and each other for her erratic and sometimes erotic behavior. Another crisis time.
Grandma, Grandpa, great aunts and uncles, the neighbor next door, even the deliveryman, can help in times of crisis. The temple community, the church congregation, the priest, the minister, friends, Rotary Club members, executive at the office, if they don't help, are all negligent. We can blame them for the failure. Don't blame mom and dad. They are helpless. Do we blame somebody who is sick for being ill? Of course not. Do we blame a person who is emotionally distraught for being emotional distraught? Of course not. We try to understand. We try to help. If the help is offered or is not offered, we blame those who do not help.
Therefore, I tell troubled youth, for your own peace of mind, dear child, love your mother and your father. Keep them as one in your mind. Don't separate them in your mind. You yourself are the greatest marriage counselor. It is only you who at this juncture can become a binding force for the family. Rise above the accepted standards of the nonculture of today, which advise divorce to solve the problem. Remember, don't take sides.
Source KHM
Striving for Team Work.
Striving for Teamwork
The mother-in-law has much to offer. A strong, kindly mother-in-law will see that divorce does not happen for her son by helping to hold the family together. A strong, loving mother-in-law will see that an untrained wife becomes trained in various household skills and the human arts of nurturing and education. A strong, understanding mother-in-law will care for the children and give occasional rest and freedom to the busy young homemaker. The mother-in-law is a precious artifact. Whatever her qualities are, likeable or unlikeable, they are also the qualities of the son, since she raised him. She is a library of useful knowledge for the young bride. If the young homemaker takes the attitude that she is in school and the mother-in-law is her teacher, and adopts that relationship, then it will be a positive learning experience for the daughter-in-law, and she will become a better, more accomplished, more refined person as positive qualities awaken in her. The mother-in law teaches the ins and outs of the whole family, and if there are dozens of members of the extended family, there is a lot to share and know. She should listen carefully.
Many families are not patient and persistent enough to bring about harmony in the home. Often they resort to splitting apart. When the mother-in-law living with her son and daughter-in-law is not kindly, loving or understanding, one common solution that works when the going gets tough for the bride is for the son to get an apartment for himself and his wife next door to his mother and father's home, or at least not too far away. After the first baby is born, mom-in-law may soften.
Another solution is a condominium with members of the extended family living in separate apartments in the same building. This happens in many parts of the world where ancestral compounds provide closeness, but also separateness. Within this independence enjoyed by each nuclear family, there is yet a valuable dependence on the extended family as a support in marriage, crises, births and deaths. Here, without too strict a rein, the elderly mother may reign supreme. Honor her, respect her when she visits and realize that each in turn may be a mother-in-law or father-in-law one day. Thus we set a new karmic pattern in families where Eastern values and those of the West merge for a happy elderly experience among Hindus in today's world. With this in mind, shall our motto now be "Old and gray and here to stay"?
Still, we must admit that to move across town to avoid the mother-in-law is to cause new karmas to be worked out in a future birth. To conquer the home situation in love and trust leads us to deepen our religious commitments through sadhana, to quell the flames of fight within us. When this is done, a better person emerges. The family dharma is a very important part of Hinduism today. We must reaffirm that we are born into a family to merge our prarabdha karmas with those of others and endeavor to work them out with all family members.
It is best to take a positive attitude. Mothers-in-law are not going to go away. They have always been with us; they will always be with us. Many, if not most, are not going to adjust to being retrained. Most will have a hard time accepting suggestions or hearing about a better way of doing things. They are who they are. If the wife receives pleasure from her husband, simultaneously she can bless his mother for bringing him into a physical body. Let's be kindly. Let's be tolerant. Let's be accepting. Let's be nice to the aged. Let's work out issues at the daily family meeting as they come up. If all else fails and the situation becomes unbearable, let's get an apartment a few minutes away, and treat Mom as an honored guest when she comes to visit, which will probably be twice a day.
Source KHM
The mother-in-law has much to offer. A strong, kindly mother-in-law will see that divorce does not happen for her son by helping to hold the family together. A strong, loving mother-in-law will see that an untrained wife becomes trained in various household skills and the human arts of nurturing and education. A strong, understanding mother-in-law will care for the children and give occasional rest and freedom to the busy young homemaker. The mother-in-law is a precious artifact. Whatever her qualities are, likeable or unlikeable, they are also the qualities of the son, since she raised him. She is a library of useful knowledge for the young bride. If the young homemaker takes the attitude that she is in school and the mother-in-law is her teacher, and adopts that relationship, then it will be a positive learning experience for the daughter-in-law, and she will become a better, more accomplished, more refined person as positive qualities awaken in her. The mother-in law teaches the ins and outs of the whole family, and if there are dozens of members of the extended family, there is a lot to share and know. She should listen carefully.
Many families are not patient and persistent enough to bring about harmony in the home. Often they resort to splitting apart. When the mother-in-law living with her son and daughter-in-law is not kindly, loving or understanding, one common solution that works when the going gets tough for the bride is for the son to get an apartment for himself and his wife next door to his mother and father's home, or at least not too far away. After the first baby is born, mom-in-law may soften.
Another solution is a condominium with members of the extended family living in separate apartments in the same building. This happens in many parts of the world where ancestral compounds provide closeness, but also separateness. Within this independence enjoyed by each nuclear family, there is yet a valuable dependence on the extended family as a support in marriage, crises, births and deaths. Here, without too strict a rein, the elderly mother may reign supreme. Honor her, respect her when she visits and realize that each in turn may be a mother-in-law or father-in-law one day. Thus we set a new karmic pattern in families where Eastern values and those of the West merge for a happy elderly experience among Hindus in today's world. With this in mind, shall our motto now be "Old and gray and here to stay"?
Still, we must admit that to move across town to avoid the mother-in-law is to cause new karmas to be worked out in a future birth. To conquer the home situation in love and trust leads us to deepen our religious commitments through sadhana, to quell the flames of fight within us. When this is done, a better person emerges. The family dharma is a very important part of Hinduism today. We must reaffirm that we are born into a family to merge our prarabdha karmas with those of others and endeavor to work them out with all family members.
It is best to take a positive attitude. Mothers-in-law are not going to go away. They have always been with us; they will always be with us. Many, if not most, are not going to adjust to being retrained. Most will have a hard time accepting suggestions or hearing about a better way of doing things. They are who they are. If the wife receives pleasure from her husband, simultaneously she can bless his mother for bringing him into a physical body. Let's be kindly. Let's be tolerant. Let's be accepting. Let's be nice to the aged. Let's work out issues at the daily family meeting as they come up. If all else fails and the situation becomes unbearable, let's get an apartment a few minutes away, and treat Mom as an honored guest when she comes to visit, which will probably be twice a day.
Source KHM
Be patient & Caring.
Be Patient And Caring
There is an old saying: "If you can't beat them, join them," and this is wise in certain respects. We are thinking of the young adults who will not follow the traditional family patterns of their well-raised parents. Admittedly, they can be made to fear their parents and be forced to obey for a time. The problem with such an approach is that it usually ends up with the sons or daughters losing respect for them and leaving home as soon as they are able.
Often parents take the authoritarian approach, not realizing there are alternatives, well-proven techniques of a more positive discipline. In actual practice, it is more useful to work with children little by little as they grow and mature. They can be reasoned with and will be very open if the parents show a definite interest in their cross-cultural way of life and their natural inclinations, one of which is to keep in with their peers. To lament the modern young adult's behavior, to merely criticize it, is not going to help, and may cause, in the case of sensitive children, irreparable damage.
My advice to parents has always been to stay close to their children, but at the same time give them some space to grow and mature in today's world. Today's world is not all that bad. But children must be taught how to live in it-what to be wary of, whom to trust, whom to befriend and marry, how to proceed in business, social life, education, career upscaling, religious life and on into the raising of their own family. So, keep the communication lines open.
True, today's world has its challenges, its temptations and definite drawbacks, but it is today's world and the world of tomorrow. We can't ignore that fact. We cannot recreate yesterday's world or wish for the return of olden days. We have to move forward and teach the children to move the forces of the outside world for a better world in the tomorrows that are to come. So, be wise and pass your deeply profound Hindu culture and wisdom along to the children so they can make proper decisions for themselves. This is what they will do anyway, make their own decisions, so they might as well be trained early on how to do it right. Who better to teach them this than their own parents? True, times have changed, and things may never be as they were, but the religious and cultural traditions of the former generation are still valid and must be passed on gently yet firmly to the modern children, educated to think for themselves rather than simply carry out orders from elders. Don't close the doors on them. This will not help society or the family unit. Nor will it fulfill the dharma of parenthood.
Parents of all ages and all cultures have always worried about their teenagers, so take heart. Don't give up on them. They are the future. Some must learn by their own mistakes, while others, more sensitive, thoughtful and loving, who are polite enough to at least listen, can learn by the mistakes and successes of their parents. So, communicate your wisdom to them; whether they listen or not makes no difference for the time being. Your message, given with conviction but without anger or resentment, sinks deep into their subconscious mind, making a positive samskara. To accomplish this best, give it just before bedtime, when they are more open and less defensive. It will be their last thought before sleep. Don't rant and rail during the day. That will simply sow the seeds of long-lasting animosity and create division within the family. At night before sleep--this is the key to getting your message through. Also, before sleep, all differences must be resolved, lest they become unwanted vasanas to be worked through later in this life or the next.
Source: KHM
There is an old saying: "If you can't beat them, join them," and this is wise in certain respects. We are thinking of the young adults who will not follow the traditional family patterns of their well-raised parents. Admittedly, they can be made to fear their parents and be forced to obey for a time. The problem with such an approach is that it usually ends up with the sons or daughters losing respect for them and leaving home as soon as they are able.
Often parents take the authoritarian approach, not realizing there are alternatives, well-proven techniques of a more positive discipline. In actual practice, it is more useful to work with children little by little as they grow and mature. They can be reasoned with and will be very open if the parents show a definite interest in their cross-cultural way of life and their natural inclinations, one of which is to keep in with their peers. To lament the modern young adult's behavior, to merely criticize it, is not going to help, and may cause, in the case of sensitive children, irreparable damage.
My advice to parents has always been to stay close to their children, but at the same time give them some space to grow and mature in today's world. Today's world is not all that bad. But children must be taught how to live in it-what to be wary of, whom to trust, whom to befriend and marry, how to proceed in business, social life, education, career upscaling, religious life and on into the raising of their own family. So, keep the communication lines open.
True, today's world has its challenges, its temptations and definite drawbacks, but it is today's world and the world of tomorrow. We can't ignore that fact. We cannot recreate yesterday's world or wish for the return of olden days. We have to move forward and teach the children to move the forces of the outside world for a better world in the tomorrows that are to come. So, be wise and pass your deeply profound Hindu culture and wisdom along to the children so they can make proper decisions for themselves. This is what they will do anyway, make their own decisions, so they might as well be trained early on how to do it right. Who better to teach them this than their own parents? True, times have changed, and things may never be as they were, but the religious and cultural traditions of the former generation are still valid and must be passed on gently yet firmly to the modern children, educated to think for themselves rather than simply carry out orders from elders. Don't close the doors on them. This will not help society or the family unit. Nor will it fulfill the dharma of parenthood.
Parents of all ages and all cultures have always worried about their teenagers, so take heart. Don't give up on them. They are the future. Some must learn by their own mistakes, while others, more sensitive, thoughtful and loving, who are polite enough to at least listen, can learn by the mistakes and successes of their parents. So, communicate your wisdom to them; whether they listen or not makes no difference for the time being. Your message, given with conviction but without anger or resentment, sinks deep into their subconscious mind, making a positive samskara. To accomplish this best, give it just before bedtime, when they are more open and less defensive. It will be their last thought before sleep. Don't rant and rail during the day. That will simply sow the seeds of long-lasting animosity and create division within the family. At night before sleep--this is the key to getting your message through. Also, before sleep, all differences must be resolved, lest they become unwanted vasanas to be worked through later in this life or the next.
Source: KHM
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Have an inkling.
Have an inkling
Meaning
Have a vague intimation of; have a slight knowledge of.
Origin
Clearly the understanding of the source of this little term is based on knowing what an inkling is. It sounds as though it might be something small, like a jot or a tittle. It also seems to exist in the same neck of the linguistic woods as the names of other minor sensations, like tingling or tickling. We can tingle or tickle, but we don't inkle, so where did inkling derive from?
These days, there isn't much we can do with an inkling other than to have one. In the 13th century, when the word was coined, inklings weren't had, they were heard. Inklings, like tinklings, were small sounds. Specifically, an inkling was an indistinct hearing of the use of one's own name.
This meaning is demonstrated in the earliest known use of the word, in the Alliterative Romance of Alexander the Great, circa 1400–50:
"[Alexander] Herd a nyngkiling of his name, & naytis him [exerted himself] to ryse."
So, if you heard an inkling your senses were alerted to listening for something that might interest you and it is that sensation that has lead to our current usage of the word. To be more accurate, in the 13th century you would have had a ninkling rather than an inkling. Inkling is one of those nouns that were originally spelled with an 'n' at the start of the word but later lost it in everyday speech. In this case, sometime in the 16th century, 'a ninkling' became 'an inkling'. Other examples of this are 'a napron' and 'a nadder' [snake]. This reformation of words is called metanalysis and these 'n' examples of it are difficult to explain fully. There are examples of words going in the other direction, i.e. adding an 'n'. For example, 'an ekename' is now 'a nickname' (eke means also) and 'an ewt' is now 'a newt'. Other examples, like 'nangry' where the originally spelled 'angry' gained an 'n' but then failed to become publicly accepted, show how precarious such changes are. Curiously, the most commonly heard example of an English word losing its initial 'n' happened in France rather than England. The French obtained 'orange' via a route through several languages, ultimately from the Sanskrit 'naranga', and 'une narange' became 'une arange'. By the time oranges appeared in England they were already oranges - there never was an English word noranges. On to more inventive metanalysis from Duck Soup:
Chico: What is it that has a trunk but no key, weighs 2,000lbs and lives in a circus?
Prosecutor: That's irrelevant!
Chico: A relephant. Hey, that's the answer.
Meaning
Have a vague intimation of; have a slight knowledge of.
Origin
Clearly the understanding of the source of this little term is based on knowing what an inkling is. It sounds as though it might be something small, like a jot or a tittle. It also seems to exist in the same neck of the linguistic woods as the names of other minor sensations, like tingling or tickling. We can tingle or tickle, but we don't inkle, so where did inkling derive from?
These days, there isn't much we can do with an inkling other than to have one. In the 13th century, when the word was coined, inklings weren't had, they were heard. Inklings, like tinklings, were small sounds. Specifically, an inkling was an indistinct hearing of the use of one's own name.
This meaning is demonstrated in the earliest known use of the word, in the Alliterative Romance of Alexander the Great, circa 1400–50:
"[Alexander] Herd a nyngkiling of his name, & naytis him [exerted himself] to ryse."
So, if you heard an inkling your senses were alerted to listening for something that might interest you and it is that sensation that has lead to our current usage of the word. To be more accurate, in the 13th century you would have had a ninkling rather than an inkling. Inkling is one of those nouns that were originally spelled with an 'n' at the start of the word but later lost it in everyday speech. In this case, sometime in the 16th century, 'a ninkling' became 'an inkling'. Other examples of this are 'a napron' and 'a nadder' [snake]. This reformation of words is called metanalysis and these 'n' examples of it are difficult to explain fully. There are examples of words going in the other direction, i.e. adding an 'n'. For example, 'an ekename' is now 'a nickname' (eke means also) and 'an ewt' is now 'a newt'. Other examples, like 'nangry' where the originally spelled 'angry' gained an 'n' but then failed to become publicly accepted, show how precarious such changes are. Curiously, the most commonly heard example of an English word losing its initial 'n' happened in France rather than England. The French obtained 'orange' via a route through several languages, ultimately from the Sanskrit 'naranga', and 'une narange' became 'une arange'. By the time oranges appeared in England they were already oranges - there never was an English word noranges. On to more inventive metanalysis from Duck Soup:
Chico: What is it that has a trunk but no key, weighs 2,000lbs and lives in a circus?
Prosecutor: That's irrelevant!
Chico: A relephant. Hey, that's the answer.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)