The path of Self-study ..

Self-study leads one off the beaten path onto a uniquely personal journey. One track leads to another and then another, guided purely by the stirring of ones heart. Self-study originates from the inner urge in us to understand and deepen our learning about life and the world we live in. It is learning without a curriculum, without a set pace and without a goal.

All great writers, poets, teachers, philosophers, scientist and artists spend a great deal of time in self study. The anticipation of reading the next book elevates us from the mundane activities of daily life.  All that is needed is a quiet uncluttered corner in our homes for pursuing our self guided study.

Tagore in his study at Shantiniketan

“Self-education is, I firmly believe, the only kind of education there is.” ― Isaac Asimov

Upanishads: Mind rests on the Breath!

Stress or anxiety stems from the uncontrolled stream of thoughts in the mind. The quickest and easiest way to clear the mind and cope with stress is to become aware of ones breathing. The "mind and breath connection" was so clearly understood by those wise sages of ancient India who expounded this connection in the ancient masterpiece, the Upanishads written around 500 BC.

‘As a bird when tied by a string flies first in every direction, and
finding  no  rest  anywhere,  settles  down  at  last  on  the  very  place
where it is fastened, exactly in the same manner, my son, that mind after flying in
every  direction,  and  finding  no  rest  anywhere,  settles  down  on
breath; for indeed, my son, mind is fastened to breath. 

Challenges transform us..

Sometimes we taken on challenges, either personal or professional and battle through innumerable obstacles to reach the very end. If the challenge was taken up with an expectation of some reward at the end, then we are most likely to be disillusioned. The rewards may or may not come or maybe late in coming or the reward may not meet the level expected.

The real reward is how one is transformed by the experience. The inner strength gained by facing the challenges fearlessly is the reward! We must always put ourselves at the helm of things and not watch from the safety of sidelines. For every challenge builds character and confidence!

"The highest reward for a person's toil is not what they get for it, but what they become by it." - John Ruskin 

"Pursuers of Knowledge" and "Pursuers of Fortune":

As I understand, there are two types of communities ..a) communities that foster knowledge and b) communities that foster fortune. The primary goal of people in the former is their quest for knowledge, wisdom, freedom, truth and creativity. The people of the latter are only intent on doubling their wealth devoting any free time to monetary affairs.

The immense contribution of the Jewish community to the world in practically any field is attributed to them being the 'pursuers of knowledge'. In Einstein's Ideas and Opinion's he sheds light on these Jewish ideals ..

"The pursuit of knowledge for its own sake, an almost fanatical love of justice and the desire for personal independence these are the features of the Jewish tradition". "We shall continue not merely to survive as the oldest of living peoples, but by creative work to bring forth fruits which contribute to the ennoblement of the human race, as here to fore."

The very same ideals are upheld by the learned, progressive Brahmin communities of India who are inspired by the pure teachings of the Vedas and Upanishads. Their contributions to the world in science, social reforms, thought, literature, music, arts are on par with the contributions of the Jewish community.

“There are three classes of men; lovers of wisdom, lovers of honor, and lovers of gain.” - Plato

Getting to know Great Minds ..

Einstein, Gandhi, Muir, Hammarskjold, Sacks

Though my writings were very few last year, my readings have been many. The greatest pleasure of the last year has been readings which have brought me closer to great minds of the past. This includes the autobiographies of John Muir, Einstein, Gandhi and Dr Oliver Sacks. Dag Hammarskjöld's 'Markings' has always been close at hand providing me daily inspiration. They have all been the food for my soul.

Each one of these men were deeply spiritual. They were also men of action contributing to the world in their own unique way. 

Upanishad: "Quality of food = Quality of mind"

For eons, the highly learned Brahmin communities in India have attached immense importance to the quality of food one consumes. Sattvik (ie freshly cooked, warm, wholesome, tasty, mildly spiced) food is recommended at all times. Stale or even slightly old food is abhorred.

Even in this age of fast food, refrigerated, packaged and processed food, some folks like my mother-in-law are insistent on cooking every meal fresh despite the inconveniences. The reason for this fixation goes back to the ancient religious texts ie the Upanishads written way back in 500BC

"The food when eaten becomes threefold; its grossest portion becomes feces, its middle portion flesh, its subtlest portion mind" - The Upanishads (translated by F. Max Muller)

The Upanishads reveal the extent to which the mind is influenced by the food that is consumed. A person's mental constitution and thinking is fed by food. In the purity of food there is purity of mind;  Clarity of thought and a firmly grounded, pure intellect can only arise from a pure mind. Hence the great emphasis on pure or Sattvik food.