Government, Politics and Living....A democratic Way....contd....

Universal wrong doing is immune to complaints and punishments. We can never stop the wrong doing in the world but we can definitely take care of two issues in this context….

No 1 is....Have a system of continuous questioning through whatever way may be which keeps some people some time on track always.

No 2 is....Having noted down where the erring is predominantly possible, let not too much power be given to any one or any one group in the system to decide on the crucial issues.

No doubt, the progress to some extent may suffer because of these being active, but we will definitely have better safety in our living!

“In a democratic group where economic differences between individuals are too large, if severe harsh measures in terms of fines and confinement are allowed to get in, the same will be used by the powerful including the implementers of law to threaten the weak with consequences of theses severe punishments to achieve their selfish ends. In such Groups, the quantum of punishments can never be too high. The true upholders of democratic philosophies always know this!”

Meaningful life....Golden Way to Happiness....

Three Entities are always limited in life….Time, Money and Energy….

They are very precious for living a decent life, they create problem if allowed to be misused and an individual always elevates himself/herself through giving away these three entities  in an approved way!

Very important to understand in life….Let us look into detail….

Number one point is....They are precious because survival is out of use of these only. The world will not respect one if any shortage is there in these three….So one should maximize them and save them for a rainy day….No other go….The tools of discipline in this direction are….working, saving and spending carefully in a rationed way….

The second point is misuse of these….The three entities have to be well conserved/ protected indirectly. If available freely, they create devastation! Individuals turn out lazy, bad habits easily crop in, illegal activities will flourish and confusion prevails. The total Order in Nature will be lost…Thus, people have to be really disciplined in life in use of these; else no go….Further, educating others on the use of these three entities will not work easily….The only way is making these not available freely! Then one's own inward forces show the way….The ideal path to remember forever!

The third is caring for the Higher Order….Viz; Believing in the precept....‘Here, nothing is mine; I am not permanent!’  i.e.,Giving these limited entities in a way that benefits the entire world or to an individual as per his/her eligibility in true sense as per one’s own Dharma! 

Being alert thus is Golden Way to Happiness….

Meaningful life.... Philosophical Way....

There may be many firm thoughts sometimes in an individual…."Philosophy of life is not for me; it is in books, I have to read and remember it; being homebound I have nothing to do in this direction; where is the time with me for this activity? All this is for old age…."etc.

It is not correct to say that Philosophical way is not for me; in fact it is for everyone! Everyone can benefit out of it….

An ordinary man once approached  a Great Saint who used to advise disciples to meditate regularly and asked Him how to concentrate and meditate  as he was unable to fix his mind on any one entity so easily!  The Great man asked him, “Whom do you like the most in life?”    When he said that he liked the goat kid reared by himself, the Master said, “You keep an image of this goat kid in mind and continue thus your concentration. That is all; you have to do nothing else!  This is the best for you.”

From this, it is evident that it is such a simple way of living and every one can live his/her life style this way!

We are all doing our routine and regular jobs in life; both at home and outside. Naturally, we will be very happy if these jobs are done well all the time; no doubt about this!

Then what is the best way of doing these jobs?  There the Science of Philosophy provides the guide lines….

The guidelines define the quality of self in our actions…. Meaning care a little less for my comfort and care that much more for the other’s good!

Yes there is a level here; I can do things with full ease there! The guidelines say start living life at that level….

Ok, so far everything is fine!  Can I now try a little above this level and see what happens?   No great danger but worth venturing!  Anyhow I need not be too cautious everywhere as whatever the best I do, the result is not entirely in my hands; so let me relax and do slightly differently….This should be the spirit of venturing!

Then we see a change in us….definitely worth it!

A minor criticism from others is natural; that soon fades out as people around me understand my actions and everything that way settles ….

And the benefit of this attitude is

The good accrued in this becomes the useful entity for the people around  and I get true benefit of my mental peace of that level which never goes!

So next time I am in action….

Let me remember that Philosophical way of living is nothing but trying/doing a little more ‘THE RIGHT’ and I should never settle with any postponement in this direction!

Meaningful life....True Handing Over.....

One evening, two elderly friends had an occasion of meeting in a park.   After a few enquires to each, one noticed that his friend was not very happy, enquired the same at an appropriate moment and further asked whether he could know why. The friend muttered a few words but after a few minutes of further close talk, could not control anymore and lamented thus, “These days I am worried about my family works at home. I am noticing that I am becoming incapable and not able to take care of so many issues which once upon a time were easy to handle. Physical working has become a constraint and thus many works are piling up.  Dealing with money matters is becoming a herculean task as my memory is fading in respect of these issues.  I am becoming helpless thus. My children are very busy in their own activities and thus they have no time this side. They are already working hard and I cannot assign them these works. Because of this, they are not able to get what they want in time and are thus unhappy. Many times there is a lot of criticism from family members that I am a failure. All feel that I messed up issues. Trivial matters flare up!    One of my grand child’s responsibilities is with me which I cannot leave till he is a little grown. But, it is really a burden, I am noticing. I don’t know what to do in these circumstances!  Life is miserable!” Thus he spoke a bit sadly on the burning issues at home!

The friend listened to him ardently, paused a while, then smiled and said, “Look my dear, a steam engine has safety valve and you know the reason.  When the pressure builds up inside beyond the danger level, it blows off and thus avoids an accident. Should we not also allow this safety valve work in us in our lives? Yes!  We have to do that! Giving off, sharing, not taking up further works, winding up many issues, transferring the responsibilities to individuals who can handle the same and finally a renounced attitude are the safety outlets in this life at this age. You start doing the same and you see a solution to your problems.   Unless you propose, others do not look that side as they are busy in their own way.   As ultimately all these things go to them only, they will be interested if, in the right way the benefits are explained. No doubt, they show interest and find their own way of handling the issues. Through that they become more capable thus would be fit to handle still higher responsibilities. There are no limitations here. Everyone can do.  Only timely handing over and right education will do the job. Please do this way as I told, you will be freed from the trouble you have!”

While parting, he quipped softly in his ear, “Can you really lessen your emotions towards your grandson and your likings for holding power and money beyond that is required for you? Then only this would be an easy task. There lies all the catch! Think of this!”

Meaningful life....Right Faith....

A Great Saint had many disciples with him.   He used to give a number of discourses on Godhood and Ethics of life and many were His ardent followers.   No one could equal the Master!   He used to emphasize truthful living and everything for the good of people at large.  His own living style was a true depiction of His sayings, He was understood to be born to elevate the mundane beings in the right direction and was all the time understood to be the Upholder of Dharma and Authority on Scriptures….

No doubt the Saint was truly a Great Personality of the Era and His presence on the earth had a purpose!

One of His disciples  used to attend regularly His Discourses and Prayers, work in the Ashram in his allotted time and thus do equally a social service.  In his personal life, he almost adapted the concept of simple living and high thinking!

But all the time the disciple had one doubt in him which he could never get rid of!   He tried his best but the doubt had never vanished from his mind.   In fact it used to be a little vicious all the time and wild thinking was the outcome of that! The disciple  was thus subjected to lots of push and pull and in time he got very much disturbed with his so called evil thoughts while rest of his friends were blissfully involved themselves in the activities without a single doubt!

One of the days, there was a discourse by the Saint on the subject, “How deep faith can do wonders!”   A poor lady who had no money but great faith in her Master was finding difficult to cross a river daily in a boat with her meager resources to visit Him on the other bank.   One day she listened to the Great man saying how Lord Krishna’s father crossed the river with his faith established in God.   Inspired by that, she decided to cross the river herself with faith in God, the next day she did it!   “That way Deep Faith in us works!” the Master concluded his speech!

The disciple could no longer hold himself!  That day only, he waited, requested for an  interview with the Master and met him with all emotion. The moment he met him, he paid his salutations and said, “Reverend Sir, please forgive me for harboring the evil thoughts in me and give me a punishment for the same.  I doubt everything you preach, what you do and your own living style.   Can there be a greater sin?  I am totally lost!” he wept!

The Saint looked straight into his eyes and said, “My dear, who said you are a sinner and do wrong things?   In fact, I consider you as my true disciple!  Your mind does not allow belief without solid proof, a great quality I am seeing in my disciple!  Please go ahead with your enquiry and questioning thus for ever…Never get into a belief and become static!  We both have to continue this enquiry.  Out of this enquiry only, one elevates himself/herself.  Never end up in the so called blind faith!  Question .... Question …. Question…..everything.... Let the enquiry spirit burn!  That way, you are in true faith!”

The disciple had no further doubt !

The Only Way of Living Happily….

True responsibilities are only over a period of time and they surely taper off in numbers.  A seeming responsibility with one beyond a time is attachment and it is very difficult to draw a line here!   But broadly, all responsibilities have to be understood as limited sometime; somewhere….Each personality has this limit defined in a fine way!

It goes….A Sage was a highly evolved Personality meditating all the time in his Cottage. He had a goat kid with him by the side. He used to feed it when he was not meditating that is all! Somewhere there was a string of attachment in this activity….

The Saint had to take one additional birth because of this string of attachment before he attained The Eternal, where in all attachments dropped out! That is the power of attachment!

The responsibilities which are with us taper off towards the fag end of life, a major portion much before. There is no point in go on telling that ‘I have to do this or that’ or go on running around where the actions are not required from one’s own Dharma nor expected in general….

If this is not followed,

Soon the world tells firmly one to stop or the body stops by itself before that….that is the end of these activities!  No one should wait till these signals come out…..

So let one be alert here and do that which is bestowed on him/her as ordained duty….difficult to assess and address….but still the right and the only way of living happily….

The Safe Sailing….

The oft repeated story in brief….

An old lady had a domestic fowl which used to give out its favorite wake up call in the early mornings at 0400 hrs!  She used to get up and the village simultaneously. The old lady thought, “The village gets up because of me!”   She moved to neighborhood village one night with her fowl and came back next day morning. The village as usual was awake!

This is how oft an individual feels with respect to his/her interactions in the world.  Sometimes this attitude in one is the cause of feeling neglected  in his/her activities. 

Instead let one look at life this way!

I am there in life around people because of a complex net work of relations and interactions. The interactions are continuous in real time. I have a role to play in each interaction from ‘totally involving’ to ‘totally keeping quiet’ mode. The earliest I sense this level of 'involvement' or level of 'keeping off' to the nearest, I am a safe player!   Else this feeling of neglect will be oft striking!

Let us hope that next time we sense this level the right way and act!

The safe sailing….

A Way Life Moves....

The Great Statesman freed the slaves and told them, “You are free now!   Please go and live happily here afterwards!”

A few sincerely told him back, “Sir, Where do we go? We are accustomed to taking instructions from our masters along with their scolding, thus do our work and spend our day.  Now we don’t know what to do and everything is strange; not our way!”

That is the effect of getting brain washed over such a long time!   Even slavery looks all right!

The saying goes…. We start eating neem fruit continuously; it tastes sweet after some time….

If we look the other way at life,

The entire world like above experiences chained in all interactions but somehow happy that way….That is the illusion….

In this scenario, a Great Master of true understanding having the best interest of conveying to the world what He experiences always faces people, some of whom will show interest and some will oppose….It depends on the prevailing social and economic conditions, the traumas people were subjected to in recent times and the existence of similar Great Personalities around in sizable number simultaneously as Nature has its own plan of enlightening sizable number at a time once in a way….

Thus all preachings around us have limited influence on us!

Something heard in this context….

A king turned Saint had great interest to convey what he had experienced as truth to many people….

He originally approached the Emperor. The Emperor laughed and said, “I am the supreme here. Who are you to tell me?”
Later, he went to a man of ultimate learning. The learned man retorted, “Should I tell you or you should tell me?”
Then he went to a businessman.   He shot back, “What benefit do I get if I listen to you?”
Finally he went to an ordinary man. He lamented, “I am totally tired with my day’s work. I do not have energy and interest to listen to what you say….”

Thus, the Saint could not approach any one!   He felt, “There is no taker of this at all.   Let this truth ultimately be digested within me only!”

Meaningful life....It is Worth to Venture!

It is often seen that I live in relation to people around in a complicated manner sometimes not taking care of the right responsibilities involved. It is a strange phenomenon in the world and all the misunderstandings in life at the root level are because of this attitude!

Let us look into a little detail here….

As the life goes on, I will be interacting with many people around endlessly daily, in the family, at work spot, in the neighborhood and in general in all places where interactions required or encountered. There may not be many compulsions from anyone anywhere in these interactions except where legal issues are involved.  Many of these are based on my own likings which also include direct/ indirect pressures brought on me by someone to whom I might have sold out myself!

Only here, I am likely to deviate from the RIGHT and continuously tread on the WRONG….Continued this way, after some time it appears my doings are correct, I develop my own justification accordingly and strangely I will have people around who will say, ‘It is OK in the situation….’ Rarely one says, ‘This is wrong!’

And here only, all my future ‘PAIN’ in life is stored for ever….

If I want to live my life without this pain, I should be extremely careful in actions and firmly say in the very beginning a big ‘NO’ to easy going attitude and make it clear to all around that I am bound to live and behave in life thus…that’s all!

Lo! Criticisms fall offs and questionings will start pouring in this situation….not so easy path in the beginning…..

But since all these have no bearing to reality, soon in time fade out, reduce in intensity or start waning off! Even if they increase, my actions will definitely work a ‘WAY OUT’ automatically and soon all likeminded people start strengthening it.  No doubt on this! But continuous protests and murmurings are likely to exist from the closest who feel affected. They are not at fault…They do not know….that is all….

This way, I am bound to make right impressions which protect ultimately everyone around! And here real safety and peace lies!  Rest is as per God’s Will and I have to take that way what is given by the Almighty!

This Royal path is in front of all us….

Are we interested in making use of this where feasible and thus be in peace? Let us make a beginning; it is worth to venture!

Meaningful life....An advice to young college students….

Your parents have a lot of hope on you that you come up the best in life. As such they invested their life time earnings on you to come up. Let you keep up their expectations. 

You are in an institution which lays a foundation and gives you direction for you in your future profession. Let further good name come to the college that it has turned out the best students!

You are in the process of learning your basic skill here. The start has been made. Let the initial phase go well. This skill can make a beginning no second time…..

You should remember that a college gives a basic certificate on conduct which will be asked by your first employer without fail. Make sure your principal writes there ‘good’ before signing.

Your college is a place to start interaction with peers. It is great but is complex. Beware of peers’ pressure beyond!

Your college is a place of start of learning social behavior as you get into young adult life. Make a note and learn all etiquette.

You are likely to involve in certain adventurous life during this period. Let the adventures all be safe and let them be approved by your parents basically.

You are likely to exert a lot during this period. This is to be equally supported by nutritious food and proper rest/sleep simultaneously.

Your society and culture around are to be surely supported by you and your age group young people all round. There are many great values around us. A few may not be the right ones. Respect the age old culture with modifications here and there to improve the same to suit your times. Never get away from your culture! No other culture does real good to you!

Believe in God. All is well that end well. The Doer is Almighty. Pray to Him to show you the right path all the time!

Meaningful life....A Short Story....

Two close friends met after a long interval and they had a great time together.  In the process, the one visited noted that his companion was not really well off.  He felt bad for the same and firmly decided to help him out.  At a convenient time during his stay, he gently made a suggestion.... 

His friend smiled but immediately enquired what the offer was!  The first one got stunned at this behavior as he never expected his best friend asking that way.... 

But then he felt it as challenge and said that whatever his friend wanted he would give.  The companion said, “Can you give me lifelong what I am going to ask?”

With this the first one really got upset and severely admonished his friend saying that he never expected such a mean behavior from him whom he treated all these years as close to his heart!

To this, the friend smiled, embraced him with all affection and said, “I am sorry for hurting you this way. I meant nothing bad. Really to say, I don’t want anything from you. I should only earn myself what  all I need but never take free from anyone even the closest.”

To a query from his friend to explain why so, he continued,” See! Whatever you give me today as lump sum will be over in a certain time. Then, later onwards, where is the money with me to live with my habit that would have developed in me because of this free money? Even if you give me a fixed amount for my entire life, the life style I start living will not be acknowledged by my circle of people as the same is not with them. The group which lives with this life style will see me as a stranger only as they know that I, by myself, am not entitled for this. As such they also will not accept me. This way, whatever life style you give me will not make me any better as I lose all my people. That is why I am declining your offer in total. Whatever my ancestral transfer, my own effort and my progeny together give me are the only right possessions I can claim as mine!”

The friend was astonished at his wisdom and clarity!

Meaningful life....The Way in front of us....

The truth known to me is always the relative truth.

The absolute truth is at Infinity and with a finite body I am always away from the Infinite!

  
I have to lead my life only at a level of truth known to me as that alone is safe for me.  Below this level, conflict is eternal and above this pain associated is not less.

Thus both these patterns of life become a sort of copying something; not the original!

Then a question may arise; what for it is said all the time, “Do always good." when my level is limited?  How can I do good everywhere in such scenario?

It is a real question one may ask!

But, there is an answer….

Having assessed myself the relative level of my Understanding, the first and foremost activity I should contemplate upon is my total plan in this life towards a reasonable safe sailing through along with vagaries of Nature  existing around to some extent.

This is the first discipline that should be with me!  In fact, our elders, all societies and cultures around have shown us the path already….

Having firmly embraced this life, within this arena I should continuously work for people around for their good, simultaneously taking care of me well and thus evolve.

This way I may be freed from many wrong beliefs, ideas and dogmas and arrive at a common code of the highest ethics which always stresses only one point….”All are equal!”

Yes, if I understand this truly, what else is needed to be achieved in this life?

This is all I should do in this life; rest is God’s grace!

Why not follow this discipline?

@@ Nature, Life and Beyond....Everything can Teach....

It was raining cats and dogs that day in Cumberland, RI! 

I was near the window of my flat at second level seeing the downpour. 

A huge car came down and the driver parked the car 

Opposite to my window away on the other side of road. 

"Get down and walk home......" 

The driver spoke in a little high pitch and 

His voice merged with tittering sound of incessant rain drops! 

The front door opened.... 

Lo! To my surprise, Bernese mountain dog got down slowly without a jump from the vehicle and stood there a minute. 

He took a 90 deg turn and started walking slowly and majestically towards my block. 

Got on to foot path, made a perfect 90 deg right turn and 

Made the next  90 deg left turn at the entrance of his flat and walked in 

With no jerk and slowly disappeared from my sight all together 

The rain drops ever striking! 

What a marvelous scene I had seen! 

My heart filled with unexplained joy to see such a discipline in the mammal, of course 

The joy was partly I was not in front of him!! 

As I was engrossed with the thoughts of 

Beauty of discipline in Nature and every creature around me exhibiting the same so faithfully, 

I simultaneously understood that 

There should be no shortage in me to be indisciplined any moment in life and thus slowdown but be on toes all the time everywhere to help the Creation around me to express its best wherein only my safety lies forever eternally…. 

The great learning....

Individual, Family and Society....Truly Elder....

The ten signs of a true elderly person are

When all additional presentations of one’s personality in outside world to appear younger than his/her age are totally left out....

When one is fully aware that every where there can be a problem, but is always ready with a reasonable solution....

When one limits his activities in the world to the true level his/her body and mind do permit....

When one limits his/her activities in respect of family interactions with a feeling that enough interactions for life were already done....

When bringing up a grandchild is seen as the true responsibility of his/her child and never his/her own whatever the situation may be....

When one understands that part of one’s wealth can be used for justified cause in the world as per his/her wish and rest only for oneself and his/her progeny....

When one is fully aware that till last minute it is better one does his/her work feasible by himself/herself only....

When one realizes that it is better consumption in the world is minimized everywhere in respect of himself/herself....

When one understands that living the present life is good enough and all is well done so far and no regrets....

When one ultimately lessens his partiality whatever and sees that everyone around has his/her right to live in a decent way….

Nature, Life and Beyond....An Inquisitive Spirit....

It is said that the ‘Entire’ can be explored with 6 ‘W’s and 1 ‘H’; that’s all!

They are questions beginning with Why, What, Who, Where, When, Which and How….

It may look strange, but it is a fact that even Divine Experiences are associated with truthful enquiry through these questionings….In fact, our entire life is a series of explorations….But, when we get into enjoyment mode this exploration tendency becomes dull and in a hobby expression, it is in the front….

A short story here….

In a certain village there was a huge cave a little away from the village. A belief existed among villagers that there is a demon inside the cave  and no villager dared to enter the same. They constantly lived under fear and through one more belief,  the villagers daily left certain food in front of the cave for the demon, to please it….

A young man in the village was of adventurous and inquisitive type. He felt strongly that he should be free from this fear in life. It was always better for him to see and assess instead of blindly following something.  He somehow convinced the villagers, that he wished to go in, see inside and come out and they should not bother for this….They agreed finally with lot of reluctance….

The young man went inside, made a round, saw nothing and came out declared to all outside that there is nothing! There after he lived happily ever without fear; the villagers continued in the same state may be a little better off…. 

The story is for story sake but the learning is....

The young man had put the relevant questions to himself and that was the end of his fear…!  Many of such questions to find out ‘IN’ and ‘OUT’ of me can be put to 'ME' continuously by myself. Young age is the best time; not that other times are not!

May be the lucky ones one day find an end for their suffering in the world!

The highest find out and wroth to find out….

Meaningful Life....Right Way the Best Way....

A few might have got stunned in life when he/she is shunned by the presumed close in life….A real pain, it happens not too often but once in away….

A large number may not experience it at all for various reasons….

When shunned, one should carefully make a note of this reality and start living the life the right way!  Because the right way is always the safe way! 

Tension, grief, feelings of being left out, being nothing, having lost everything etc., are generally associated with this shunned life and may disturb a person to a large extent.  But  getting out of these feelings is the only way and life is worth living without this pain existing….And if a strong determination in this direction sets in, soon one finds to notice specs of recovery and happiness.

The whole world waits and watches for this change in me!   If I change, they are also joyous the right way....But, if I change either for ending something or escape from this, part of the group may appear supportive not truly not but most will keep off….So, I should never  attempt this way, instead should look at ending the grief associated with me inside.

The study of this grief is a big interesting science, as I sail through this study I find there is no grief, I myself is the grief and it does not go that easy because I wish for it, think of it or get into another activity but there is less burden of it as I progress in this study and that study is nothing but start facing it and living the right way!

The right way cannot be taught or learned but the way I feel the best in life for me within the boundaries of law around! This way, coming up life teaches me and shows really what this grief is not! 

It is a Project to be taken up and completed well; no short cuts help!

Meaningful life....Something may be Worth Doing....

I heard in my childhood this....

The great man had said, “It is not that important what type of life a person lived through; it is how happy a person is when he is exiting the world!”

As we introspect ourselves we may find in us always a left out unfulfilled wish and a fear of losing something....

The determination here should be, “Can I be a little free in this; the full may not be required and may not be possible…?” And this little freedom with me to act or decide is a great peace and happiness in life….In fact, many issues I daily pursue with all vigor really do not have overall impact in my life! ....

A little more detail....

All works I do daily are of two types; of course all lawful ones: 

1. Works which must have to be done else I and people around me suffer and
2. Works even if I do not do I and people around me are really not affected....

Am seeing this difference? That itself may be 50% strength!

The first type of works have necessarily to be done without looking this way or that way....

In respect of the second type, I can pause a while and observe the reactions….Then,  I will notice that as I am mostly afraid of reactions from the world and due to my own weaknesses, I am doing these works and I can go slow, pause or do not do.... 

Here alone I should always experiment a little, however small it may be…It will never go waste….and that much strength I will experience…

People around me appear as if they are ready to shun me which is not true, but  if I stand firmly without moving away, I soon find that people start accepting what I do and encourage…

This trial needs all the start and hold on in the direction.... that’s all and this only leaves me in a state what is said in the beginning!

But if I am a little doubtful in attempting this, it appears to me that I am being resisted from doing this which is not true.... and that way, in the end I will end up in a state away from above!

In a market area we hear the bustle from a distance. But when we go near, each detail is clear. In the same way if we pay attention, everything would be clear....

Why not attempt something in this direction? 

Meaningful Life....The Realistic Way....

We should strive to live life Whole, not part. Whole is beautiful, free from confusions of life and all tension free! 

It is said that the only way  to have worry free life is to initially pass  through  the so called worries and as we sail through life,  experience the difficulties imagined and we soon find that the difficulties thus imagined are not so actually and the ease we thought is not all that easy.

That life alone covers the concept of Whole! 

A little more explanation in this direction.... 

Once a visitor was there with a Great man.  During this period, a number of people too have come to see the Great man, spent  few minutes with him and left.  The visitor remarked,”Sir, You have so many friends!”  At this, the Great man smiled and said, “They are not my friends; only acquaintances.”

To clarfy the same, he said, “You see, we might have met many times and laughed together, but we never wept together!”

This is the meaning behind living the life Whole! 

Are we repeatedly keeping off doing activities in life, which are nearer, can be done but a dislike for the same  puts us off  and we start some other?....This question,  in front of us is not to be answered immediately as it should also to be lived through.  It is not easy, because we do not know what we are made of and what for we are here!

To clarify further, the following may be helpful.... 

When once a Great Sage asked Lord Shri Krishna, what  an illusion in life is, the Lord asked him to fetch some drinking water for Him. The story goes as the Sage  went in search of water, he got into progressively  total mundane life  in steps and  as he slowly got lost into the same, all of a sudden everything had come  to a total halt one day. When he lost his track and was utterly sorrowful, Shri Krishna gently patted him from behind, and asked, “Where is the water?” 

Another Saint when asked his Master whether it was right time for him to embrace Renunciation, the Master replied that unless he lived through a highly powerful worldly life with all at his disposal and discharge his duties impassionately, he is not fit to embrace the Renunciation Chapter.

It means that responsible living only is the way to experience the Whole.

The depth of this life is endless and infinite, but for us it is an ordained duty to touch, live through part of it  reasonably and experience the reality to that extent.   Further learning is left to God’s plan for us.  What responsibilities in life I should embrace  and take up challenges in that direction are well streamlined, can be easily sensed by me and  I should ever be doing that!  They may differ based on  individual Make!

Living for that purpose should be the Motto in life!

Some effort in this direction may be worth the trial….

Meaningful life.....A Better Way....

An old joke goes…

A group of young people went out an evening to camp in a forest for the night.  They took everything along with them but forgot drinking water.  They searched around for a source, found a small  stream in the area.  They collected  water in middle of the stream, filtered a few times through a piece of cloth and allowed water to stay in a vessel.  Then they took out the clear water on top after sedimentation, thoroughly boiled it on a fire a few times and cooled the same.  At the end they decided, “Why to drink this water in a doubtful situation?  We will drink the alcoholic beverage  we brought with us which also has  water and take only minimum quantity of water as required.”

The meaning of above…. If I like some thing, ultimately I end up doing that.... I will have my own explanations and sincerely reason out to suit me!  Further, this appears very much justified to me in the scenario!

We often notice  in the world, neglect of duties assigned to people. 

Elders are neglected by their wards,

Spouse and children are not properly cared for,

The man at receiving end is rebuked and insulted etc., and

Lastly one neglects his/her own health, wealth and safety by adapting  wrong paths.

Here in, the problem is that one gives more importance to his/her liking than what is required to be done in a given situation.  A small change here sets right many issues in the world, however small it may be.  This change, to an extent possible to me, should always be attempted by me  and be in the direction of improving myself for ever.  it is a discipline!  This leads to a great strength in a person to face all challenges in life.  This strength is different from physical, mental, social, economical and political strengths and the  associated peace is there for every one around.  

This way we can make life on earth better for all of us! 

Nature, Life and Beyond....The Change....

I maybe at cross roads when I start getting the thoughts….

The people are always the same.
I have no alternative other than live with them.
If I refuse to do so also it does not matter for them; they will choose another one in my place.
The man thus follows the same routine.
This way living is endless on this earth…. as long as my life is planned here….

Thus, emotions of people around me and of me may expect…. All this nonsense should end…

It is to be understood that the problems that always plague world are dishonesty & corruption and violence associated with these…. They never seem to vanish whatever we think of doing in front of us…. 

What really required is ‘Change’….

This ‘Change’ is a difficult phenomenon to happen, not impossible, but the way it happens is not what we think.  The Change never comes through any action so easily!

Protesting does not bring the change.
Non co operation does not bring the change.
Fighting does not bring the change.
Forcing people will not bring the change.
Punishing does not bring change….

All above may show temporary change to divert the attention.  Real change comes only when a person changes who ever it may be.   When that happens in reality for reasons unknown and which will never take place through finite number of actions, it is Total Change!

A short story in this context….

The head of one of the families was all the time philosophical in his talks and never interested in results but was caring and hard working. His spouse was very much unhappy with his attitude and all the time rebuking him for not caring for the family like others do. He used to say that he had been doing the best to his ability and never neglected a single action which was true but submitted humbly that he would not be able to show the results. But she never allowed him to talk this way and repeatedly used to tell how her brother as a family man had planned everything for his family like day to day money requirement, growth in his wealth, children’s education and marriage, retirement pension and finally how he decided to quit home at Sixty five years and take up renunciation and reiterated that such a man only is really fit for renunciation.… She questioned her husband’s plan of action in this direction… The husband told her firmly that it is not way to renunciation. To a challenge from wife on what then is the right way, he said, “I will show you”. Immediately he went out, shaved off his hair, purchased a pair of saffron robes, a stick and a water kettle, wore the robes and came back home. His wife was furious. She asked what nonsense he was doing. He smiled at her and said, “This is renunciation” and quickly left home for forest never to return!

This is what true change is!

It takes place once for all; the result….Nature provides all fruits of such a great man’s love to the entire universe and the world under goes a change towards happiness and peace.

The message is

I have to remember that change is not easy, it occurs once in a way and when it occurs that cannot be stopped… My job is only to make my house clean for the good effects to enter my home and bless all people. Meaning….Cleansing myself is the only thing I can do sincerely and should definitely do that!

Education, Enterprise and Money....WORK CULTURE....

Welfare at work.... 

Before discussing the welfare measures of an employee at work, the measures  available at work  for redressal of grievance or  problem on either  side of employee and employer have to be understood clearly.

Striking Work is the  right available to the employees under collective bargaining to stop or abstain from work till such time the right of employee with respect to employment is addressed to the justified level as per labour laws of the state.  The employer should agree to the demand of employees if the strike is established as legal and the employer has to pay back the wages of employees for the period of strike.    In case the strike is established as illegal, the employees will lose wages for the strike period with a penalty. 

Lockout is a measure adopted by the employer to temporarily lock the gates of the factory from employees entering the premises when it can be reasonably established that there is a  danger to the  property/business if the employees are allowed in the premises and lift the same the earliest the danger/damage signs vanish. During the period of lockout the employee receives no wages.

Layoff is a measure adopted by the employer to cater for lesser demand in the market for services/skills of employees temporarily and is resorted to such a time the demand re establishes in the market.  During layoff, the employer should constantly be considering how to redeploy the employees and pay them the minimum wages as stipulated by law for survival of employee at a dignified level. The employees should wait patiently for the change without resorting to any unlawful activities or quit the employment as per the rules laid down. 

Employee welfare measures are such steps taken by the employer ensuring welfare of employee in a reasonable way without disrupting active, profitable and productive work.

Welfare at work is a concept in which the employee does his work with devotion and the employer takes care of some of the specific measures related to the employee where in, if not done, the employee’s health and  well being and hence his rightful living are affected and the work out put in turn suffers.

Welfare measures are defined many times in various measures depending on the ruling authorities. It is difficult to define welfare measures at one stretch .

The capitalistic economies define welfare in one way and the socialist economies define different from this. In spite of defining the right measures, the implimentation was misused maximum in the past. Economies have broken down where the implementation of welfare measures could not be checked /or allowed to exist beyond the means. Economies of capitalistic groups have prospered but only at the exploitation of the weak.

Hence, countries which follow mixed economies have broadly adopted certain welfare measures and related Parliamentary Acts have been passed.  In india, the following acts generally take care of employee welfare in the organised sector.

The Factories Act, 1948 stipulates  clearly terms of employment, working conditions at employment, measures to form employee unions and bargaining rights for employee etc and other related issues.

The Payment of Wages act, 1936 broadly describes the right of employee to receive the wages for the work he/she has done.  


The Minimum Wages Act, 1948  says that no employee should be paid wages below a level wherein his standard rightful living gets affected. This minimum wage is revised from time to time. 

The Employees’ Provident Fund & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 is a welfare measure for compulsarily saving part of employee’s monthly earnings along with an equal contribution from employer for meeting the following requirements of employee during the period of service/layoff/post retirement viz., savings for retired life,   savings for discharging social responsibilities/duties, savings for medical needs, savings for house making etc.

Extension to this act is Employee Pension Scheme( EPS) where in, instead of giving lumpsum to employee at the time of retirement, a pension will be provided progressively over certain years so that monies are available for employee thru’ out his/her life for a maximum period.

Through Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, the employer gifts a long standing employee of the company for his/her service at the time of resignation/ retirement provided the employee was honest on his job.  But  there is a minimum service requirement to become eligible for gratuity to be paid.

The next welfare act is the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948 thru' which the employee makes a small contribution every month and the state provides essential medical care and leave salary to the employee during times of unexpected illenesses/injuries to self/family.

Through  The Payment of Bonus Act, 1965  the employer shares part of the profit with the employee every year as the employer is  making sizable profit out of contributions of employee but paying him/her only limited salary. It is mandatory for the employer to pay this bonus to all employees below certain level specifed in the Act.

The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 mainly provides for redresal of all disputes between employer and employee thru’ arbitration and settlement thru’ labour courts.

The Workmen’s Compensation Act, 1923 defines the responsibility of employer in respect all compensations for various types of employment injuries in which conditions the employee has to be reasonably taken care by the employer and compensated in respect of the monies involved, the leave to be sanctioned and the re habilation package in case of termination of service due to loss of work capacities.

The following other acts cover some of the welfare measures related to specific categories.

The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961
The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976
The Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986
The National and Festival Holidays Act
The Weekly Holiday Act, 1942


Welfare is a measure to be remembered by both employer and employee the right way. It helps the business to grow and both employer and employee are happy and become prosperous. If misused, both parties would get affected and in general the economy of state will be under threat. 

The Employer has primarily invested his wealth in the business for earning a decent profit after meeting cost towards employee welfare and grow the same. He always wishes to withdraw his investment if his business is not profitable and if law of land does not permit that, first of all he will not invest. The employee should ever remember this at work and never demand beyond what can reasonably be afforded!

THE GOLDEN RULE IS....RESPECT THE MEASURES; YOU ARE SAFE.... 

Education, Enterprise and Money....WORK CULTURE....

TRAINING NEEDS AT WORK

Training at work is a concept through which the employee’s capabilities are continuously improved for competing and being in business.

The best human traits are the original capabilities. A few are: 

Good character is number one capability.
Good physical and mental health are the best capabilities one can have.
If your work is what you like to do in life, the best capabilities are out in that particular field.
Lastly, accepting whole heartedly all limitations in oneself as they are but still be Optimistic in life is the highest capability an individual can have.

Beyond the original capabilities, other capabilities can be improved through dedicated regular training only, the reason being: 

Capabilities are built through time.
Repetition improves capabilities.
Knowledge levels define capabilities.
Good references are capabilities.

Every employee is to be compulsorily trained in his skill areas on a regular basis.  If you don’t undergo training regularly, you are no more competitive.

An employer, who does not spend time and money on training, will be soon out of  business and the employee working there will be out of job.

The employer may give you training with certain conditions but it is worth have the  
 training with all those conditions.

A cutting knife is sharp under two conditions:

Involved in continuous cutting process and 
Repeatedly sharpened by external agency

Else, it gets rusted and is thrown out.  We are no way different. 

Training in related areas of your core competency is the best.   But training in other related fields is equally required.

Broader knowledge is the personality.   Effective personality helps progress the work and sells the same. Core competency plays fewer roles in the above.

Remember if it can reasonably be established, the customer is happy to pay for the employee’ s training cost.

Training caters for better competitive skills; out-smarting stays no where near to it.

All trainings are of three types:

Theoretical conceptual training
Supervisory/managerial/personalitydevelopement training
Latest job knowledge related training

All the above trainings are a must during the employment.

Finally to Remember

Knowledge is strength then why be weak?

Meaningful Life....An Introspection....

The Joy of Life….is never away from us….Am I listening?

There is no reason for not being  healthy, happy and prosperous in life.

If some one is lagging in any one of the above  three, let it be only under the condition that one has done the best in this direction but still Almighty has other plans for him/her…

The belief goes that the wandering soul takes a birth on this earth as per its free wish and enters the chosen mother’s womb accordingly!

So, I am free before birth itself to do what I wish!

Here the caution…. Not to overuse that freedom to work against my own happiness, health and prosperity….

So, the introspection….Am I working at any time against these?

A moment of indiscipline in life does that damage!

But Mother Nature gives me always the chance….

In my routine, I can always correct myself!

If not today at least tomorrow or day after but definitely soon!

And Mother Nature is kind.

She provides me enough number of chances to make amends for the failure.

Let me make a note of the same, and straighten myself this way….the earliest….Barring this, there is no other great achievement in life! 

Education, Enterprise and Money.... WORK CULTURE....

Remuneration at work :

Remuneration at work other wise called compensation package on a job invariably is negotiable.

Market conditions almost fix the broad range of salary packages.

Elements of salary package include basic pay, an element to compensate rise in prices, other perks and allowances and variable pay.

Basic pay is the standard yardstick for many payments/calculations and is invariably to be paid by employer if profit is earned or not.

Variable pay component depends purely on performance and profits earned. It is broadly supported by three variants of performance.

1. Individual performance

2. Group performance

3. Divisional performance

 Further performance on job can be direct or indirect depending on the job done.

Sometimes the whole salary is an overhead.

Employee welfare payments include contributions towards provident fund, payment of gratutity, payment of medical allowance, payment towards leave travel, provision of subsidized food, transport etc.

Perks are part of employee motivational aids.

 Overtime at work:

Over time at work invariably exists.

It is because the customer may require the help all of sudden and by meeting his requirement the highest customer satisfaction is achieved which is one of the mottos of good business.

It may also be because the employee is running out of time beyond planned, due to vagaries of circumstances and it is appropriate to complete the same in time by taking care thru’ stay over.

In third instance, over time can be because of trainings planned.

Only in the first instance, the employee can expect extra remuneration from the employer. In the second instance, the employee should be grateful that the employer has not questioned his inabilty and carelessness in not completing the work in time.

Indian Factories Act stipulates certain conditions of booking over time. This involves welfare of employee in respect of rest, facilities and extra remuneration who worked already eight hrs and is strained. This is applicable only for all those levels below supervisory cader. Above this level, the employer generally compensates thru’ time off.

Extended overtime booking concept is working on weekly holidays/other paid holidays. The requirements and rules applicable are similar.

Nature, Life and Beyond....A Discipline....

Life is a beautiful journey and freedom is the gist of living.  So expressing one hundred percent should be the way of life.

But my living is always supported by three things....Health, Safety and Work…. Taking care of these three to the core is wisdom because body expression is possible only when these three are supportive and this Eternal Law applies for ever….

Of course, luck overtakes sometimes these three and makes life possible the other way for me but wisdom takes a back seat when I leave everything to luck and  neglect the core....

Here, a discipline to follow is the order of the day....

What ever may  be the turmoils of life, I will   always be  happy, because to be happy is the gist of life and nothing less.  No one can stop me from being so!  Hence, let always the tough situations in life  be out of what the Almighty plans for me, not out of my carelessness and misdeeds and I can still be happy as usual in these times.....

Sometimes,it may be  a wonder that  events happen that way, but even where hard work, dedication and honesty are the key, they may happen that way only....except, that  we should wait in Time queue till  God' s plans are through....

So, I am  waiting patiently in the queue…..my turn is coming….Let this wisdom prevail in me!

This way only I have to express myself... meaning...without loosing an iota of grip on what Mother Nature tell me....

Mother Nature is very kind…If I go out of way, She gives me many times a small whip but puts me quickly back into activity… But am I listening to her?  I start repeating the wrong , She becomes progressively  helpless and the Demon in life takes over….and  should I hand over myself to Demon?

Here lies the Wisdom…

It means, there is great difference between expressing myself as I wish and expressing  the right way and let me be alert every moment and remember for ever that..... 

If I derive happiness in life through activities which are against  taking care of body, caring for people and work, there I come to a total  full stop may be the rest of life.....