TWO GLASSES OF WINE

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 glasses of wine...A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the he sand filled up everything else He asked once more if the jar was full. The students re sponded with an unanimous 'yes.'The professor then produced two glasses of wine from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.'Now', said the professor, as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things; your family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions; things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.'The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car. The sand is everything else; the small stuff. 'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.' Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. Do one more run down the ski slope. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first; the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the wine represented.The professor smiled. 'I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple ofglasses of wine with a friend.'

God exists????

A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation. They talked about so many things and various subjects. When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said: "I don't believe that God exists." " Why do you say that?"asked the customer. "Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist. Tell me, if God exists,would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. I can't imagine loving a God who would allow all of these things." The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument. The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop. Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and un-kept. The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber: "You know what? Barbers do not exist." " How can you say that?"asked the surprised barber. "I am here, and I am a barber.And I just worked on you!" "No!" the customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside." "Ah, but barbers DO exist! What happens is, people do not come to me." "Exactly !"- affirmed the customer. "That's the point! God, too, DOES exist! What happens, is, people don't go to Him and do not look for Him. That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world."

GOD, MAN, MULE, DOG AND MONKEY

God created the mule, and told him, "You are mule. You will work constantly from dusk to dawn, carrying heavy loads on your back. You will eat grass and lack intelligence. You will live for 50 years." The mule answered, "To live like this for 50 years is too much. Please, give me no more than 20." And it was so. Then God created the dog, and told him, "You are dog. You will hold vigilance over the dwellings of Man, to whom you will be his greatest companion. You will eat his table scraps and live for 25 years." The dog responded, "Lord, to live 25 years as a dog like that is too much. Please, no more than 10 years." And it was so. God then created the monkey, and told him, "You are monkey. You shall swing from tree to tree, acting like an idiot. You will be funny, and you shall live for 20 years."The monkey responded, "Lord, to live 20 years as the clown of the world is too much. Please, Lord, give me no than 10 years." And it was so. Finally, God created Man and told him, "You are Man, the only rational being that walks the earth. You will use your intelligence to have mastery over the creatures of the world. You will dominate the earth and live for 20 years." The man responded, "Lord, to be Man for only 20 years is too little. Please, Lord; give me the 20 years the mule refused, the 15 years the dog refused, and the 10 years the monkey rejected." And so God made Man to live 20 years as a man, then marry and live 20 years like a mule working and carrying heavy loads on his back. Then, he is to have children and live 15 years as a dog, guarding his house and eating the leftovers after they empty the pantry; then, in his old age, to live 10 years as a monkey, acting like an idiot to amuse his grandchildren. And it is so ...

Parents, Are We Prepared for Puberty Yet!

“Indians are the most committed partners, most committed lovers, most contented in their sexual lives, and the lowest in one-night stands.” An interesting Global Sex Survey by Durex (2005) and lot of reasons for India to cheer! When it comes to awareness for HIV/AIDS–India ranked topmost again (87%) agreeing it to be a serious priority. But, coming to sex-education, proud Indian parents take a backseat leaving it all as a responsibility of the Government or schools. Because we still don’t want to talk about it! Globally, people feel that the age for sex-education should be 12 years instead of the existing 13.2. While Indians still have the age to be educated about it as 15.6 years! Are we still enjoying living in a conservative society, blind-folded to the fact that these results are for today; an outcome of ‘low exposure’ and a lot of societal and moral pressure of yesterday (making us unable to outdo the scores)! The survey has also revealed a huge untapped market for the players: Indians being among the least sexually active people with most common age to lose virginity to be 19.8 years. If any teenager gets to read this he feels globally challenged already by the numbers where common age to lose virginity is 17.3!How long parents will be oblivious to the knowledge they should impart to their children well in time? Did you notice your pre-teens making peek-a-boo to adulthood already! It is time to get real. The generations ahead have an ever-growing exposure through different media. TV, movies, videos, internet, books, magazines… what all can you block! A class Xth student in Delhi sends a porn MMS and should anyone be agog about it! It was late than ever when a curious teen starts getting information through all wrong sources. He is feeling different-his hormonal pressure is making him explore sex. Some of the advocates of morality will blame him for his misconduct at crucial time when he should be all focused into his studies- stepping-stone for his career (He could have been probably if he knew it all before in a healthy way!). Thanks to the schools, which allow hygiene companies to come and teach budding women about menstruation; and if in a co-ed, the guys are left out completely to be more anxious than ever-before about what’s in there for girls! An 8-year-old child knows pre-marital pregnancy, love making, rape! If not the terms per se he can well relate the next scene in soap or a movie when a woman goes puking, that she is pregnant! So how long will you go on telling the stork brings baby stories? You did not give a right answer when he picked up a tampon and ask you. Result in no time he orders a free sample with literature from this magazine ad! Your 13-year-old girl trying on a bra, padded with tissues and there you are, ready to thrash her getting paranoid about her act. How long do we want them to be innocent kids and keep them protected of getting into adolescence? In your times you had to curb it, as it was taboo, immoral and completely forbidden area to even think about it. But we all know that the future generation is more liberated, more inquisitive, more experimenting & argumentative and ‘MORE EXPOSED’! Unfortunately, not properly INFORMED yet again. So would you carry on the same legacy making any normal sexually developing child feel guilty about his fantasies? How many women wish if their moms could have told them about periods before they started having it. It could have eliminated all those fears of seeing the blood for the first time and find some abnormal swelling in the breasts in adolescence. Are you also going to frown with an obscure fear that she should not ever fall a prey to someone (Gosh she’s a woman now), when she has her first periods? Would you also be frantic keeping her more protected than ever-before, keeping a check on her behavior, phone calls, and measuring depth of friendliness with boys. Are we just not repeating ourselves-generations on generations avoiding this subject as long as we can; and just have another breed of rebellions when they have already got their act together? Why can not parents think of while giving food, clothing, shelter, education or career path to their child; a small guidance on a better man and womanhood too! Why do we feel uncomfortable talking about it- a thing, which is rather normal, healthy and best when shared by parents? You can keep worrying and blaming it on the pollution, insecticides, obesity, or EXPOSURE- but early puberty is a fact. Kudos to Delhi Government, which has introduced the important biology chapters in class 6 instead of class 9 or 10! But should you leave them only with schools, to teach a lesson on anatomy! No school can give as much of openness, confidence and assurance as a parent could do. Experts tell giving the right answers whenever asked is a big help in right foundation. Not giving the right names to the private or genital parts leaves them unaware and probing. Of course kids need to graduate with some knowledge at some level. Parents can discuss and devise between them empathizing with their kids. When discussed in family already they don’t need to lay hands on unworthy sources and porn etc. Inculcated through parents like other traditions, values, emotions and lessons on morality, an open talk on this one will help them too. Psychologists feel anything learnt from family is adapted more easily and casually rather than other external sources which may leave them astonished and inhibited to open on the same. Once they know it already they feel less inquisitive and abnormal about it. They would also know of the right choices and responsibilities associated with it. They would know of unsafe sex leading to not only HIV but also other possible STDs. They would know it isn’t just for physical pleasure but should be out of two people’s consent and emotional attachment. They would respect abstinence. You are the one who trained your child for almost everything, but leaving this one for someone else or for some other time! Hope they would not know it and do it all (much before they should)!! What- is it still which parent to which gender- please wake up to the cause and let us not be in the shells of mother-to-daughter and father-to-son; but parents to children.

Description of the Supreme Reality in Vedas

In the Vedas the Universal God (Brahman) is formless, ineffable (nirguna) and Unmoved Mover. As Sankracharya says “ To describe Brahman even the words recoil.” However, based on the Vedic metaphysics whatever description of God is given, it can at best be a glimpse of His omnipresence, omniscience and omnipotence. He makes Himself felt whether as Adrsta - unseen cosmic power or the Supreme Reality as impersonal God. It is mainly because human senses and reason cannot analyze Him. Rig-Veda 1-164-46 and Y.V 32-1 clearly mention that God is “One”; wise men call Brahman by different names. The souls in all human beings are the subtle particles (ansh) of the same God. Since the entire cosmos and universe both visible and invisible continues to expand and is described as Brahamand so the Vedic metaphysicists (rsis and munnies) found an appropriate epithet for the nameless God as Brahman. In the Rig Veda He is also mentioned as Vishnu- one who spread in Viswa. In Yajur and Atharva Vedas epithets for God are mentioned as Shiva, Shankar Brahma and Shambhu.. Upanishads describe Nirguna Brahma- the ineffable God as, “Whole is that, whole too is this and from the whole, whole cometh and take whole, yet whole remains." A few Vedic hymns can be mentioned for proper understanding of Nirguna Brahma who is the Universal God. Rig Veda 6-15-13, 14 mentions that He is a pure illuminator, unifier, remover of all miseries, commands all to observe non-violence and other rules of righteousness, which are a-priori principles beyond any sense experiences. Rig-Veda 6-47-18 says that for each form, He is the Model. It is His Forms that are to be seen everywhere, in spiritual and material things.His spirit exists in all animate and inanimate life/things but is manifest in the human beings where God dwells in their hearts (Sama Veda 860). A similar description that He dwells in the human hearts is also there in Bhagavad-Gita and Srimad Bahgavatam. Rig Veda 1-9-5 and 6 mentions that God is the Lord of knowledge, infinite wisdom and material wealth. He pervades the matter and the whole space (A.V.19-20-2). All the four Vedas describe that He and His laws (Rta) are the same. Those who follow His laws and commandments can realise Him in one birth. He is unborn (ajo) and incarnation of God as a human being is not visualised (Y.V.34-53, 40-8 and A.V. 10-23-4). He lives within you and you live within Him as one of His tiny living cells. Nevertheless, the highest concept of divine mercy is reached that HE permits His children all things to be said about Him even if you do not believe in Him. Thus, toleration is an important teaching of Vedic metaphysics. Vedic hymns clearly mention that He is at your disposal but on His terms and not your terms. He expects you not to disturb violently His Design of the earth and the universe. Every thing belongs to Him, we use it only temporarily, whether it is food, air, water and He expects all of us not to over use these (Sama Veda 274). We should keep wealth and all material possessions only for our preservation lest we become exploiters by taking away some one else’s share. Sama Veda 274 clearly advises need-based living. According to Rig Veda 10-90-13 to 17, the entire universe is His body. Sun and Moon are His eyes, Earth is His feet and Heaven is His head. Our eyes can see 1/4th of Brahamand (entire cosmos within and beyond visual range). He acts by the necessity of His nature. His decrees are eternal truths and with dedicated and transcendental research, all these truths can be found out for the welfare of self, society and mankind Yajur Veda 40-5 tells us that He is within the entire universe and surrounds it externally. For those who want to realise Him, they have to follow the path of moderation, righteousness and cosmic laws of necessity (Rta), which are permanent truths and His Commandments. Kena Upanishad 2-5 mentions that God can be realised in one life. If you do not realise in one life, you are a great loser. The most beautiful description of Brahma is given in the Vedantic School of Indian philosophy, based on Upanishads. There was neither being nor not being, neither vayu (air) nor akash (ether) which is beyond...neither death nor immortality existed, no distinction was yet between day and night, darkness was first concealed in darkness and all this was indiscriminate chaos. In that stage of shuniya (cosmic void), apart from that nothing was whatsoever. It was when desire as the perennial germ of the mind arose for the first time and the entire cosmos was born out of cosmic Golden Egg (Hiranya garbha). The One, which was covered by cosmic Void (shuniya), was manifested through the light of Tapas (spiritual fire) (R.V X-129-1 to 3). Thus the One Lord of all that moves and that is fixed, of what walks, what flies became the Lord of all this multiform creation (R.V. III-54-8). The cosmic Word OM becomes the raft of knowledge. According to Yajur Veda XL-17, this word OM is Brahma Itself. "OM Khamma Brahma"- OM Thy name is Brahma. Through this Word, He not only created Prakrti and Universe but also protects the same with the divine energy coming out of Shabad Brahma. This cosmic word OM is from the root Ava (to protect). His all Forms are supreme in design and beauty. As He pervades every where and all material objects are His manifestations, so in this phenomenal world, we can see Him through many forms like the Sun, Moon, mountains, sea and even human beings etc., but He remains Formless. Thus His forms are His creative art Maya (R.V. VI-45-16, VI-47-18. S.V. 1710 and A.V. VI- 36-3). As God’s attributes are infinite being ineffable, the hymns at best only give glimpses of His attributes. Those who believe in one formless and ineffable God, invariably follow the philosophy of Vedic Iddm Nan Mmam- nothing for self all for society. The believers of One God are invariably transparent and follow the path of truth and non-violence in thought and action. It is thus quite apparent for the entire mankind that movement is generally towards pluralism, animism, fanaticism, fundamentalism, gurudom, kingdom of priests and extreme materialism. It is for the mankind to decide to live without His divine guidance owing to the vehement effect of Maya- a huge cosmic saw with sharp teeth OR to pass through the gap between these teeth and seek the only One Supreme Realty and remain under His divine guidance by following His commandments and laws. All the main scriptures of major religions have confirmed based on transcendental research that He is pure love, merciful, benevolent and perfect knowledge. Knowing Him is bliss and not knowing Him is ignorance and misery.

न देने वाला मन

एक भिखारी सुबह-सुबह भीख मांगने निकला। चलते समय उसने अपनी झोली में जौ के मुट्ठी भर दाने डाल लिए। टोटके या अंधविश्वास के कारण भिक्षाटन के लिए निकलते समय भिखारी अपनी झोली खाली नहीं रखते। थैली देख कर दूसरों को लगता है कि इसे पहले से किसी ने दे रखा है। पूर्णिमा का दिन था, भिखारी सोच रहा था कि आज ईश्वर की कृपा होगी तो मेरी यह झोली शाम से पहले ही भर जाएगी।
अचानक सामने से राजपथ पर उसी देश के राजा की सवारी आती दिखाई दी। भिखारी खुश हो गया। उसने सोचा, राजा के दर्शन और उनसे मिलने वाले दान से सारे दरिद्र दूर हो जाएंगे, जीवन संवर जाएगा। जैसे-जैसे राजा की सवारी निकट आती गई, भिखारी की कल्पना और उत्तेजना भी बढ़ती गई। जैसे ही राजा का रथ भिखारी के निकट आया, राजा ने अपना रथ रुकवाया, उतर कर उसके निकट पहुंचे। भिखारी की तो मानो सांसें ही रुकने लगीं। लेकिन राजा ने उसे कुछ देने के बदले उलटे अपनी बहुमूल्य चादर उसके सामने फैला दी और भीख की याचना करने लगे। भिखारी को समझ नहीं आ रहा था कि क्या करे। अभी वह सोच ही रहा था कि राजा ने पुन: याचना की। भिखारी ने अपनी झोली में हाथ डाला, मगर हमेशा दूसरों से लेने वाला मन देने को राजी नहीं हो रहा था। जैसे-तैसे कर उसने दो दाने जौ के निकाले और उन्हें राजा की चादर पर डाल दिया। उस दिन भिखारी को रोज से अधिक भीख मिली, मगर वे दो दाने देने का मलाल उसे सारे दिन रहा। शाम को जब उसने झोली पलटी तो उसके आश्चर्य की सीमा न रही। जो जौ वह ले गया था, उसके दो दाने सोने के हो गए थे। उसे समझ में आया कि यह दान की ही महिमा के कारण हुआ है। वह पछताया कि काश! उस समय राजा को और अधिक जौ दी होती, लेकिन नहीं दे सका, क्योंकि देने की आदत जो नहीं थी।

दूसरी दुनिया का आदमी - By - रोहित कुमार ‘हैप्पी’

वो शक्ल सूरत से कैसा था, बताने में असमर्थ हूँ। पर हाँ, उसके हाव-भावों से ये पूर्णतया स्पष्ट था कि वो काफी उदास और चिंतित था।
मैंने इंसानियत के नाते पूछ लिया क्या बात है? बहुत उदास दिखाई देते हो। कुछ मदद चाहिए क्या?
'हाँ, मैं उसके लिए काफी चिंतित हूँ। जाने उसपर क्या बीती होगी...जाने कैसी होगी...’ उसने एक लम्बी ठँडी आह भरते हुए कहा।
'वो..वो कौन?’'वो जिससे मेरी शादी होने वाली थी। वो मुझसे बहुत प्यार करती थी और मैं भी उसे जी-जान से चाहता था।’ वो अपनी कहानी सुनाए चला जा रहा था और मैं भी उसकी प्रेम कहानी में दिलचस्पी ले रहा था।
'फिर क्या हुआ?' मैं उसकी कहानी आगे सुनने को उत्सुक था।
'फिर क्या..उसके घर वाले नहीं माने। लेकिन हम एक-दूसरे के बिना नहीं रह सकते थे। एक दिन सुना कि उसके घर वालों ने जबरन उसकी शादी कहीं और तय कर दी।''फिर?''मैंने उसे मिलने की बहुत कोशिशें की पर.....'
'पर क्या.....' मैंने पूछा।
'पर मैं उसे मिल नहीं सका,' उसने गहरी साँस छोडते हुए कहा, 'और मैंने आत्म-हत्या कर ली।'
'...आत्म-हत्या....पर तुम तो....''अब मैं जीवित व्यक्ति नहीं हूँ।'
'क् क्या..मेरी उत्सुकता डर में बदल गई थी।
'डरो मत, मैं तुम्हें कोई नुक्सान नहीं पहुँचाऊंगा। बस तुम मेरी थोड़ी-सी सहायता कर दो।'
'हाँ कहो' मैंने राहत की साँस ली।
'मैं उससे बहुत प्यार करता हूँ, उसकी चाहत ही मुझे इस रूप में भी यहाँ खींच लाई है। मैं सिर्फ जानना चाहता हूँ कि वो ठीक तो है! कहीं मेरे मरने की खबर सुनकर उसने भी ....और मेरे माँ-बाप... क्या तुम मेरी मदद करोगे?'
''अरे आज इतनी देर तक सो रहा है! उठ चाय-नाश्ता तैयार है।'' रसोई घर से माँ के तीखे स्वर ने मेरी नींद खोल दी।
'ओह, आया माँ!’ मुझे उस दूसरी दुनिया के उस प्राणी से अपनी बातचीत अधूरी रह जाने का खेद था। काश! माँ ने 5-10 मिनट बाद आवाज लगाई होती तो कम से कम उसे इतना तो बता देता कि - 'हे भाई, बेवजह परेशान हो रहे हो। यहाँ सब कुशल ही होंगे. तुम्हारे माँ-बाप भी ठीक-ठाक होंगे। और तुम्हारी वो... वो भी तुम्हें भूल चुकी होगी। जानते नहीं, शादी के बाद स्त्री का एक तरह से पुर्नजन्म होता है। और वैसे भी हम धरती के लोग मरे हुओं को याद करना अपशकुन मानते हैं। और भूल से भी कहीं अपने घर या उसके घर ना जा पहुँचना। जिनके लिए तुम इतने उदास और चिंतित हो, वो 'भूत-भूत' चिल्लाएंगे तुम्हें देखकर और दूर भागेंगे तुमसे।’
‘अरे भईये, इस धरती के लोग यहीं के लोगों से प्यार निभा लें तो काफी है! तुम तो बहुत दूर जा चुके हो।' पर मुझे खेद है कि यह सब मैं उसे नहीं बता पाया।