What is a gift? If we buy something for ourselves, it is purchase, and cannot be called a gift. Basically, a gift is given by someone else; given out of love. A bribe, though given by someone else, is not a gift, because there is an ulterior motive and an expectation behind the giving. A…
Category: Daily Practices
The Story of a Smart King
Once Upon a Time… There was a kingdom where the constitution allowed the king to rule only for five years. In those five years, the king could rule the way he wanted, with unlimited and absolute power. There was no opposition, no coup, and no election. No one could impeach or remove him. But, at…
Why is the Lotus So Special?
Lotus is Special…Why? Some believe that the lotus is “cradle of creative might”, while the other believe that “lotus holds the secret of the Gods.” Many stories illustrate the significance of lotus. In this blog, we have brought together all those mythological fractions to tell you why we consider the Lotus to be so special……
What is Team Work?
In all endeavours success depends totally on Team Work. The very acronym of the word ‘Team Work’ explains what it is: T – Togetherness W – Willingness E – Empathy …
What Should a Cloth Bag Cost?
That depends on how much you value it… Why NO to Cloth Bags? Ecoexist (a Social Enterprise in Pune) started promoting cloth bags in 2009 with a campaign called UseMeAgain. They were speaking to a public that had been spoilt into the habit of receiving free plastic carry bags from vendors on demand. Vendors were…
Why Do We Prostrate Before Parents and Elders?
Prostration is considered as the greatest sanskara in the Indian culture. Indians prostrate to their parents, elders, teachers and noble souls by touching their feet. The elder, in turn, blesses them by placing their hand on or over our heads. Prostration is done daily; when we meet elders and particularly on important occasions like a…
Prayer – an Invocation
The stream of happenings, come and go irresistibly around and above you, and that which gives the balance to face them steadily is prayer. – Swami Chinmayananda What is Prayer Prayer or worship is a technique by which the entire thought processes in the worshipper are mobilized and directed to flow towards a perfect point of…
Samskaras – Why they are important in a Child’s Life
What are Samskaras? Samskaras or sanskaras (Sanskrit: संस्कार) can be defined as “mental impression, recollection, psychological imprint”. Samskaras (impressions) are embedded in the subconscious mind. An experience in the sense-plane sinks down into the depths of the subconscious mind and becomes there a ‘Samskara’. These Samskaras manifest as tendency, karmic impulse, subliminal impression, habitual potency or innate dispositions. Thus, Samskaras are guiding principles…
Positive Thinking – Make it a Habit!
Positive Thinking…Make it a Habit You may have heard the saying that ‘negativity is contagious.’ Well, that statement is true for positivity too! Once you get into the habit of positive thinking…thinking about the best case scenario, the worst case will eventually start fading into the background. Positive thinking doesn’t mean that you keep your…
Copper Vessels – Look Good and Do Good!
There are many customs and traditions which are passed down to us by the wisest members of our family. During childhood, it’s difficult to understand their importance, but as we grow up, these begin to shape our lives more and more significantly. For example, our grandparents always told us to drink water that was stored…