A Sojourn On Earth

Ritual for Radiant Living

T h e M o n k w h o s o l d h i s F e r r a r i

Below are the rituals as explained by the monk for Radiant Living

1. Ritual of Solitude

- daily ensure to have a mandatory period of peace in silence (10-15 min) contemplating on who you are.

- find a place where you will find the peace and practice this daily at the same time.

- works as the pit-stop for the soul

- e.g. walk around the garden, watch the sun rise, feel the morning breeze and relax

2. Ritual of Physicality

- take care of your body and nourish it with rigorous exercise.

- at least 5 hours of the total 168 hours of a week should be invested for some kind of physical activity

- e.g. vigorous walking, yoga, pranayama (art of effective breathing)

3. Ritual of Live Nourishment

- poor diet affects physical and mental energy

- have diet of fresh vegetables, fruits and grains

- vegetarian diet- sattvic diet

4. Ritual of Abundant Knowledge

- Lifelong learning and expanding our knowledge.

- become student of life and use what you have learned.

- read regularly for thirty minutes a day will do wonders (and be selective about what you put into the lush garden of your mind).

- read something which will improve you and the quality of your life.

- some books are to be tasted, some to be chewed and some are to be swallowed whole !

- books of wisdom are not to be just read but to be studied by reading it several times.

- Every answer to your every problem you have ever faced is in print. All the mistakes you will ever make in your life have already been made by those who walked before you. The answers and possible solutions are all recorded already on the pages of books. So read the right books

- Biography of American Benjamin Franklin, Mahatma Gandhi’s autobiography – The Story of My Experiments with Truth, Siddhartha – Herman Hesse etc

5. Ritual of Personal Reflection

- Every evening reflect on the full day activities sitting in a silence.

- Write down your thoughts or do a Personal retrospection

- Think about all positive and negative thoughts encountered – make immediate repairs to your negative actions/thoughts

- Those who repeats the same mistakes are not aware of their self – Self-Awareness is the quality that separates humans from animals

- Step-out of yourself and see what you are doing is right or wrong – a quality which is blessed only for the human beings

6. Ritual of Early Awakening

- Rise with the sun

- Six hours quality sleep (uninterrupted)

- Pain is the precursor to personal growth – Don’t dread it. Embrace it!

- Meditate on serene thoughts for 10 min before going to bed, relax

- And do this ritual for 21 continuous days to install it as a habit

7. Ritual of Music

- Play good music which soothe the mind.

- Never forget the power of music

8. Ritual of the Spoken Word

- Make recite the mantras (which frees the mind) a part of your life

- “I am inspired, disciplined and energized”

- “I am strong, able and calm”

9. Ritual of Congruent Character

- This ritual requires us to take daily, incremental action to build our character.

- Strengthen the character which becomes your action, action becomes habit and habit lead you to your destiny.

- Be guided by heart

- Congruent (Harmonious) Character has the following features which makes your life live according to the laws of nature

· Industrious

· Compassionate

· Humility

· Patience

· Honesty

· Courage

- A failure to adhere to these principles, the true happiness will always elude you

10. Ritual of Simplicity

- All-important -Live a simple life

- Never live in the thick of thin things

- Stop picking up phone every time it rings, stop wasting time reading junk mail, stop eating out three times a week

- Spend time with kids, Spend a day a week without your watch, Survive without facebook

- Watch the sunrise every few days

- Sell your cellular phone, dump your pager

Apply these rituals for one month, and you will surely start to see the difference within you !

10th Day after my Rebirth!

May be I should say, this is the 10^th day after I was reborn.
If you wonder what great I have done in the last two weeks to be reborn, here it is –

I did the ritual of waking up daily at 5 am and doing pranayama for 10 minutes. It is as simple as that.

But let me tell you, personally, it was almost impossible for me to be reborn against my three decades of decayed thoughts.

But I did.

I feel cheerful for what I have achieved in these 10 days.

It was easy for me to preach my team or my friends on several nice things we can do in our life.

What was difficult for me was to teach the same principles to my own mind.

Probably I never realized the simple principle that the only thing which I can change in this world is my self alone!

Yes. Now, things are slowly changing. My mind is now taking control of my thoughts and slowly I feel the power of will building up within me.

I feel it slowly building up as the fort against all the negative thoughts. I feel the deep calm, I feel the utmost safety inside my fort in construction.

I thank the supreme power who kindled in me these thoughts through the “Monk who sold his Ferrari”.

Once again, I am thankful to the supreme power for making me read this book at the right time of my life – neither early nor late.

Five Step Method for Attaining Goals

The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari

Step 1 : Create a clear mental image of the outcome.

If you want to lose weight, imagine yourself as trim and fit with full of energy.

If you want to be a good husband/wife, imagine yourself as the most caring one of your family, helping all in their daily tasks

If you want to be a violinist, imagine yourself playing the songs which you like

Step 2 : Apply positive pressure on yourself.

Do a public pledge on your goal. Tell everyone you know you will lose weight/you will cook the lunch for family/will play the favorite song on violin

Associate pleasure with good habits, and punishment with bad habits – punish yourself (!)

Step 3 : Attach timeline to your goal.

...in next 5 months I will trim

…by 2012 Jan, I will learn 5 new songs

…in another 1 year, I will take my family and parents for 2 vacations

Step 4 : Write it down !

Get a notepad/book and write down your goals.

Classify the goals as family/profession/spiritual/personal.

Stick pictures and inspirational notes in it.

Step 5 : Apply Rule 21 !

For the new habit to crystallize it should be practiced for 21 days without break at the same time of the day.

Installation will be complete in our brain in 21 days and a new neural pathway will be created !!

Enjoy the process and have the True Passion for your goal !

Bicycle Diaries - 1

Jew Street, Fort Cochin, Kerala - Walking down the street on a silent summer noon, chanced upon the 'past-future' tense of transportation. The message was lound and clear. "Go Green".

Zero Fuel Consumption, Unlimited Mileage,

One for the Poor and for the Rich as well,

Take the One-ways, Break the Traffic Rules,

Chart your own way, Ride your own Life - A Life Healthy, Peaceful and Environment Friendly :D

Twin Wonders

"If At All There is Any Wonder In this World - It is None Other than Mother.

And if there are any Two Wonders in this World -

Then they are none other than the Mother and Child!"

:D (23.Jun.2012)

A Divine Realization!

Friday, 20 April 2012, 8 am

Vijayalakshmi Medical Centre, Vytilla, Kochi

Today, for the first time in my life, my insipid eyes got its cherished moment - to feel and see how God looks like !

Yes, it took 5 days of patient pause and it was only today I could see my sisters baby for the first time. Rather undeservingly, with my trembling hands I took the divine creation in its purest form onto my lap.

Ha! Never in my life was I so close to God! I was not sure what was going through my mind - It was not just happiness, It was not just excitement – was it some sort of realization?!

Those tiny fingers, pristine wrinkles, stupendous smile transforming into worried brows, then bursting into a heart-clenching cry - It was as if I have travelled through thousand miles of transcendental thoughts within seconds!

With my blurred eyes and warm cheeks I was melting into the divine form – What went through Gautham Buddha’s mind meditating under the Sacred Fig tree cannot be much different, isn’t it ?!

(when I saw my sisters son for the first time)

The World Champions

Saturday, 02 April, 2011

Yes! It is now I feel my life has come to a full circle! A dream nurtured in the heart for so long has come deliciously true!

Last 28 years has been a journey just to greet this D-day! The day which took Indian cricket to its highest pinnacle.

And above all, to have the privilege of witnessing the “inspiration of our era” touch that coveted World Cup !

With friends in Thrissur watching the finals in the big screen open air stage (with the live music of Sivamani and Balabhaskar) was a unique experience. But then it turned out to be the dream night of a life time when the shot from Dhoni reached the crowds in the gallery.

For the next half-an-hour I was only partly conscious. I remember watching the sky, I remember the light drizzle and gentle breeze, I remember the soul touching “Vandemataram” in the background (courtesy Balabhaskar), then I remember the full hearted cry of the crowd – “INDIAAAA…..” - “SACHINNN…..”. I was not sure where I am – a surreal feel had engulfed me.

The rest of the night it was just an out-of-the-world feel – with those glorious moments flashing again and again – the maestros’ straight drive, a point blank shot through the heart of Srilankan’s – the fantastic winning shot from a fantastic captain – team mates carrying the little master on their shoulders – and at last to see our dear Sachin in all smiles with his dream - the World Cup!

On Sunday, when I came back to my consciousness (if I can claim so!), it was time for greetings from everywhere – uncles, aunts, friends, cousins all calling, screaming, yelling and telling their feel, asking mine and sharing the joy of a life time !

Oh Life! What more can I ask for. You brought the dream of my life come true!

Now, I leave everything ahead to your choice! If you want my heart to stop now, I am ready for that as well! Here, today, at this moment, with all my consciousness I mark the full stop on all my dreams!

(The Night when India won World Cup)

In Absolute Freedom!

I feel the freedom of the bird flying in the sky,

The lightness of gentle breeze,

The freshness of the nocturnal flower,

There is nothing I should care,

There is nothing I should fear,

Here I am free from all bonds

Here I am in my Absolute Self.

That Precious Cricket Moment !

All are standing around the cubicles in groups,

Many looked tense. Biting their nails. Staring at the screen.

No – no one seems to be in an office.
I am also not sure where I am!

At this moment all the minds are praying for a single cause.

May be the whole nation should be praying for only one!
Then came the applause from a corner.

I felt that applause sweep across the floor.
I knew that the once in a lifetime moment has finally arrived – I took that delicate moment into the untouched corner of my heart.
To keep it safe.

To keep it pure.

To keep it forever !

- Watching the live update of this great moment in cricinfo at the office.

India's Sachin Tendulkar became the first batsman to score a double century in a one-day international with a score of 200 against South Africa on 24 February 2010. Tendulkar led India to 401-3 in 50 overs. India won the match by 153 runs to take a winning 2-0 lead in the series after they bowled out the tourists for 248. Tendulkar accomplished his feat in the second one-dayer against South Africa. Tendulkar hit 200 off 147 balls with 25 fours and three sixes.

ഒരു എഴുന്നള്ളിപ്പ്

ശിവരാത്രി കഴിഞ്ഞു. ഇന്നത്തെ ആറാട്ടു കൂടി കഴിഞ്ഞാല്‍ ഇക്കൊല്ലത്തെ ഉത്സവത്തിന്നു പരിസമാപ്തിയാവും. സമയം രാത്രി 8:30 കഴിഞ്ഞു. നേരിയ തണുപ്പ് ഉണ്ട്. നക്ഷത്രങ്ങള്‍ ഒന്നും കാണുന്നില്ല.
ആകാശം മൂടിയിരിക്കയാവും. ചെറിയ ഒരു ചാറ്റല്‍ മഴ ഉണ്ടോ?
ആറാട്ടു കഴിഞ്ഞു ഭഗവാന്‍ മടങ്ങുകയാവും. എഴുന്നള്ളിപ്പ് പറ തുടങ്ങി കാണും.

"എടാ, എഴുന്നള്ളിപ്പ് ഇപ്പൊ എവിടെ എത്തിയോ ആവോ, വേഗം ചെല്ലണം. ഞാന്‍ കൊട്ടാന്‍ ചെന്നാലേ അച്ഛനു വരാന്‍ പറ്റൂ." - രമേശന്‍ പറഞ്ഞു.

"നീ വേഗം കയറികോ, ഞാന്‍ കൊണ്ട് വിടാം." - സൈക്കിളില്‍ നിന്നും ഇറങ്ങാതെ ഞാന്‍ പറഞ്ഞു."

"അതു വേണോ?! നമ്മള്‍ ഒരുമിച്ചു സൈക്കിളില്‍ പോയാല്‍ താഴെ വീഴാതെ എത്താറില്ല." - രമേശന്‍റെ സ്ഥിരം ഫലിതം.

"എടാ, ഞാനല്ലേ ഓടിക്കണേ. നീ കയറി ഇരി." - എന്‍റെ സ്ഥിരം മറുപടി.

ഞാന്‍ സൈക്കിള്‍ വേഗത്തില്‍ ചവിട്ടി. വൈകണ്ടാ....ഇനി ഇപ്പൊ തന്നെ വൈകിയോ ?

രണ്ടു വളവു കഴിഞ്ഞപോഴേക്കും എഴുന്നള്ളപ്പ്‌ കണ്ടു. പറ നടക്കുന്നു. ഞാന്‍ വേഗം സൈക്കിള്‍ ആല്‍ച്ചുവട്ടില്‍ വെച്ചു. രമേശന്‍ പെട്ടന്നു ഷര്‍ട്ട് മാറി ഓടി ചെന്നു അച്ഛന്‍റെ കയ്യില്‍ നിന്നും ചെണ്ട മേടിച്ചു കൊട്ടി തുടങ്ങി. പുറകെ തന്നെ ഞാനും എത്തി.

ആലിനോട് ചേര്‍ന്നുള്ള വീട്ടിലാണു പറ. തിരിയെണ്ണയുടെ ഗന്ധം. ഒറ്റചെണ്ടയുടെ നാദം. തീവെട്ടിയുടെ വെട്ടത്തില്‍ നെറ്റിപട്ടം തിളങ്ങുന്നു. ഭഗവാന്‍റെ തിടമ്പും. മുറത്തില്‍ നിന്നും നെല്‍കതിരുകള്‍ സ്വര്‍ണനാണയങ്ങള്‍ പോലെ പറയിലോട്ടു.

കുപ്പി വളകളിട്ട കൈകള്‍.

പട്ടു പാവാട.

നിത്യശുദ്ധമായ ഭസ്മകുറി.

വീണ്ടും ഒറ്റചെണ്ടയുടെ നാദം. ഭഗവാന്‍ ഞങ്ങളെ അറിയുന്നു.

ഞങ്ങള്‍ വൈകിയില്ല. ഞങ്ങള്‍ വൈകാറില്ല.

2010/Feb

ദൈവങ്ങൾ ഭൂമിയിൽ ! ശൃംഗപുരം ശിവക്ഷേത്രം കഥകളി

ശൃംഗപുരം ശിവ ക്ഷേത്രം വലിയ തമ്പുരാൻറെ കൊട്ടാരത്തിനോട് ചേർന്നാണ്. കുഞ്ഞികുട്ടൻ തമ്പുരാൻ മുതൽ പ്രസിദ്ധരായ ഒട്ടനേകം കലാനിപുണർക്ക് ജന്മമേകിയ കൊച്ചു ഗ്രാമത്തിലെ ക്ഷേത്രം. ശിവരാത്രി ഉത്സവമായാൽ കഥകളിയും, കൂടിയാട്ടവും, ചാക്യാർകൂത്തും ആസ്വദിച്ചിരുന്ന കലാ സ്നേഹികളുടെ കൊച്ചു ഗ്രാമം.

കാലം മാറ്റങ്ങൾ പാവി പോയതോടെ ഗ്രാമവും മാറി - ഇടവഴി പോയി, റോഡ് വന്നു. നാൽകാലികൾ പോയി. നാൽചക്രങ്ങൾ വന്നു. എല്ലായിടവും തിരക്കായി. ജീവിതത്തിന്റെ വേഗത മനസ്സിനോടൊപ്പമായി ! - നാട്ടുകാർ അഭിമാനിച്ചു - ഞങ്ങളുടെ നാടും പുരോഗമിച്ചു ! ഇതിനിടെ, കൊട്ടാരം മണ്ണടിഞ്ഞു പോയി. കഥകളിയും, കൂടിയാട്ടവും, ചാക്യാർകൂത്തും ലോപിച്ചു തുടങ്ങി.

ഈ മാറ്റങ്ങൾ എല്ലാം കണ്ടു ഉൾക്കൊള്ളാനാവാതെ നിശബ്ദരായി ജീവിതത്തിന്റെ പടിയിറങ്ങുവാൻ കാത്തിരിക്കുന്ന ചിലർ - അവർക്കായി, അവർക്കായി മാത്രം ശിവനും, സതിയും, വീരഭദ്രനും, ഭദ്രകാളിയും ദക്ഷനോടൊപ്പം ഭൂമിയിലോട്ട് ഇറങ്ങി വന്നു.