Now comes a new lament. Indian players in the Indian premier league are being racially abused. And then Air France staff is accused of harassing Indians. So much of racial discrimination targetted against one community? What is it in us Indians which makes the world treat us so? I was invited as the chief guest to the IMA (Indian Medical Association) for their annual function. My introduction was in superlatives and I was given a lot of respect before being called to address the function. I … [Read more...] about Does our Spirituality make us Weak?
Archives for May 2014
House that for a unique method of collecting taxes?
In the Mughal and British times- due to the oppressive tax regimes- when people met citizens of another city the first question was not how is life in your city but how is tax in your city? I have also begun to ask this question of other city dwellers. How is tax in your city? Why? Because of the newly imposed house tax. Am I scared of paying taxes? No. I pay my taxes. What I fear is interacting with the Government. Whenever I interact with the Government I feel I will enter a morally … [Read more...] about House that for a unique method of collecting taxes?
Spirituality of Truth and Strength
Even a priest needs to inspire some awe to command the faith of the faithful- Chanakya By priest, Chanakya means a virtuous man - a kind, honest, sincere, generous, loving man. If you wish to live like such a man your life would be saintly. If you wish to be like a saint, then you should have a weapon. What does a weapon mean? Weapon means either the ability to stand for your principles or your network of contacts and your good will or your ability to expose the other person’s misdeeds. This … [Read more...] about Spirituality of Truth and Strength
What’s spiritual: shoes or stones?
In the last piece I said how throwing shoes at one’s oppressors is a spiritual act. A reader has asked me he would like to go further and throw stones. Would that be more spiritual? Let me answer his question with a tale from Ramayana. Lakshaman and Sugreeva are deliberating on how to cross the sea and reach Lanka with their army. They thought it is best to begin with a prayer to the ocean-god and submitted their opinion to Rama. Rama accepted their counsel and started his fast and prayers … [Read more...] about What’s spiritual: shoes or stones?
Are we becoming more Spiritual?
A popular tale about Krishna goes as follows. Krishna is having dinner sitting in heaven. His wife Rukmani is serving him. On the Earth a devotee of Krishna is surrounded by some thugs who are moving menacingly towards him to rough him up. Krishna watches this and gets up to go to his aid. Rukmani is disappointed that her husband has to leave suddenly and tries to stop him but Krishna is determined to leave. Suddenly he sits down again and resumes dinner. Rukmani asks him, “What happened, My … [Read more...] about Are we becoming more Spiritual?
Heart, Mind, Body and Love
Mun mecca dil dwarika, kaya kaashi jaan, Das dware ka dehra, taamein joti pichaan (Kabir says that your mind is the Mecca and the heart is Dwarika (the door-way to self-realisation). A sacred and healthy body may be likened to Kashi – the holy place of worship. This ten door body of the human being is that temple where self realisation can be attained. In other words, one does not need to go on a pilgrimage to reach God, the human body is capable of achieving everything right here right … [Read more...] about Heart, Mind, Body and Love