Fathers day

June 21st is celebrated as Fathers day. For me and rest of my family, the concept seems somewhat alien. We believe in celebrating festivals and birthdays and each day with parents and family. Marking a seperate day as Fathers day means that other days are not special. I dont buy this concept.

However , yesterday was different. I made it a point to spend some time with my son. So , took him out to the playground and played with him. Also the two of us visited a restaurant at Vijayanagar and had good time. After this , next came spending time with my father. I took my father out and bought him a new mobile phone. He felt happy and so did we.

YHAI Trek- Bheemeshwari

24th of May,09, Sundary morning, 6:30 AM , Majestic - Chandru had asked us to assemble at this date , time and place to start our one day trek from Soligere to Bheemeshwari. Chandru did a fantastic job organising the event , communicting with the team and getting the permissions from Forest dept folks. It turned out to be most enjoyable and also a very tiring ( atleast to me ) trek experience. Being a first time trekker didnt help too much , but the tips from other experienced trekkers like Krishna, Sreepathi and Chandru pulled me along the 15kms stretch. There were other first timers like me out to make the most on this day. For me , I wanted to experiment if my back could take the load. Touch-wood , I returned in good shape at around 10PM to watch the final clash of IPL2- Deccan Chargers beat RCB.

I have posted the snaps I took at http://picasaweb.google.com/prashanthbr07/SolegereBheemeshwariTrek#

The Three Rules by Dr Mary Morgan

At present , I am reading a book - "Leadership Begins With You " by author Dr Mary Morgan

There are three rules explained - Everyone Contributes , No Put-downs and Keep Agreements.

I am liking the content of this book.Its very simple and effectively persented.

There are lots and lots of examples or case-studies. Have read the book almost half way.

It makes one introspect and am able to relate many of my personal experiences.

A good book to add to our home library.

#2745, 12th main road,Subramanyanagar

#2745,12th main at Subramanyanagar in Bangalore. Fantastic memories are made of this nostalgic place and the small house we had at that time. It was more like a cottage as one of my uncles used to comment whenever he visited our home. This was where i grew up from birth till 95. The vast kitchen with an extra exit door which lead to the well and the spacious garden. The tulsi katte which amma worshipped each day and with more decoration on festivals like Tulsi habba and Deepavali. The broken compound wall where we spent some of the best times of our life. The tiled roof which housed some mice we used to chase. Outside area where there were many stones left from a long time. The sweetest water from our well which we used to share with the entire neighborhood when there was a water supply shortage from BWSSB. The single hall and single room where my parents accommodated each and every guest with utmost care, many times , sacrificing personal space, time and feelings for the benefit of the entire family.
There are many moments and things associated with this home where i have spent the first 23 years of my life.

Inspiring quote by Mother Teresa

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered:
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives:
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful , you will win some false friends and some true enemies:
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you:
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy it overnight:
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous:
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow:
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough:
Give the world the best you have got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God:
It was never between you and them anyway.

Insights from a cab driver

April 28,2009, 9:30 PM , Banglore. The economy slowdown has hit really hard. Realised this time and time again this summer.One instance is today. After a long day at office , was going home in the cab at 9PM. The driver was in a conversation with another individual on the impacts he has seen to his community due to the recession. Many cab drivers are suffering as their business has really dried up. Mine was only the second pick up of the evening and the first for this cab.On a usual day , it would have been 6th or 7th.Many cab owners are not able to sustain and are selling off their cabs for peanuts.Many cabs are seized by banks due to non payment of EMIs.He offered to sell a cab for 10K , which has a due of more that 2.5 laksh loan not payed.Some of his friends are ready to work anywhere which pays them a fixed monthly salary instead of driving a taxi.I had been a silent listener to the conversation.
Felt a deep sense of gratitude for whatever I have and silently promised to put in more efforts into my projects.

Superb evening at Ashram

April 18,2009. It was a bright saturday afternoon that we decided to go to the AOL ashram. A phone call to AOL confirmed that Guruji would indeed be physically present at the satsang that evening.We set out on our way. There were couple of DVDs that i had promised as a birthday gift that we bought at the Divine Store. The Satsang was arranged in the amphitheatre in front of the VM. As Guruji walked in , the usual crowd of devotees thronged the steps near the stage. Bhajans were on full swing, guess it was Srinivasji leading the group. Some time later Guruji opened the QA sessions. There were many questions from devotees. I have tried to capture some of the gyaan which came from the Master. This is my first attempt at this, more like a reminder to me about the knowledge.
Q: Can we take a sankalpa to change somebody elses behaviour ?
Guruji: Yes, do it. Take it up. But ensure that its not for your motive. You should take the sankalpa with intention that the change in behaviour is for the good of that individual, not for your good.
Q: My father is an astrologer and whatever he has predicted has become true. He has predicted that i would be mentally ill after few years. Am worried.
Guruji: Please remind your father that every problem has a remedy in astrology. Ask him what is the upaya for this problem. When you do sadhana , meditation , seva and satsang , that will take care of you. That is the upaya. Chant "Om Namah Shivaya". This mantra has the power to solve any problem.
Q: After doing SudarshanKriya, i used to feel a "high" earier. But when i do the kriya regularly, this feeling is not there. If a stop for some days in between and then do the kriya , i feel the "high" again.
Guruji : It seems you have lots of free time. Involve in Seva and continue the sadhana.