How to take small calculated Risk ?

For me taking risks is like eating Ice cream. Yes, please go ahead and read the complete story, to know the calculated risk I have taken for eating an Icecream. 

Salem | 15-May-2019 | 12.30 PM 
In Salem, I, my wife along with my son was doing shopping. Sun is showing it's full power and the Current temperature in my mobile was showing 43-degree Celcius.

In order to cool ourself, we have entered a nearby ice cream shop with an intention to cool our body. Suddenly, a poster Pot Maalai Kulfi ( Summer Special) Rs.40 have taken my attention in the Ice Cream Shop. 

Without seeing the Menu, my wife has ordered her favorite Vanilla Ice cream, as she doesn't want to come out of her comfort Zone. Being a Project Manager by profession, I like taking calculated risks. I have ordered the Pot Maalai Kulfi. 
If I like it, I will get something better added to my favorite list. However, If I don't like it, I will update my lesson learned database so that I won't order this item in the future. Fortunately, I liked the Pot Malaai Kulfi and I got something better added to my favorites list. 


Moral of the Story :
Most of the people in this world, live a mediocre life and settle for something good. Only very few takes calculated risks and get successful and get something better. It's never too late to take calculated risks. Your beautiful life is lying outside your comfort Zone. 

A Request from Author :
If you like this article, please share it with your family and friends. It might help their Spiritual Journey.

You are kindly requested to join my mission to Donate a Meal to start making a positive difference in someone's life. You are born with the ability to change someone life positively, please give your life a chance.

Secrets of Happiness – Unboxed (Short Story)

10-May-2019 | Friday | 6.30 PM 

It is told that if you throw a small stone in Bangalore, it will fall on an IT Professional. Yes, it might fall on me as well, as I am also in Bangalore. I am Prem, a proud IT professional, working in a South Korean MNC. 

In my office car parking, I have boarded the black Honda City, of our Department head Narayan. Both of us are going for our Quarterly Team Dinner at AB'S restaurant, Marathahalli, sponsored by our Company. Everyone from our team has already left the office to the restaurant. As both of us are stuck in one important meeting, we are a little late. 

While driving his car, Narayan has kick-started the conversation and asked me "Prem, how you are happy always?" 

"It is a trade secret and I won't reveal it" I answered and winked.

"Please share your trade secret, so that I will also be happy" he said emotionally.

"If you promise me that, you will follow it religiously, then I will unbox the trade secret," I said smilingly.

“In the name of God, I swear that I will follow it” Narayan replied so fastly.

I could read from his eyes that he is genuine. So I have decided to tell the ancient secret of happiness, that I have learned from my beloved masters. 

"The secret of happiness is to Live in The present" I said.

"What? Is it the secret of your happiness ? I don't believe it" Narayan asked confused.

"Yes, It is the secret. Are you living in the Present ?" I asked him.

"Yes, Of course " he replied with confidence.

"If you are living in the present, you will be happy. If you are happy, you will be living in the present" I answered rhythmically.

"Can you explain me in detail?" he asked Puzzled

"Sure. Do you know why Children’s are happy?" I asked.

"No idea" he replied safely.

"Have you watched the children's playing in the ground? They will be so involved in it and will always wear a smile on their face"

"Prem, you are correct. Even I too was happy when I am a Child"

"Secret of their happiness is that they don't worry much about the past or future. They simply enjoy the present moment"

"It is making some sense. However, it is very difficult to follow for us who have lots of responsibilities in office and home" Narayan questioned

“Sir, It is a very good question. Now I could understand how you have become the Department Head. It is by asking the right questions, right ?"

"There is no use being a Department head for a Mobile Division, I want to be the Department head for Happiness. Can you give some easy tips to live in the Present moment" he asked eagerly.

"Each tip will cost Rs.1000 as the Free demo is over," I said Jokingly.

"Prem, I will pay you Rs.10,000 per tip" he said, concerned

“I will make a note of it and will claim it when needed"

"Sure, Please go ahead" he said 

"Do more of what makes you happy daily" I said 

"What does it exactly mean?"

“Whether you are happy with your current Job?” I asked

“To be honest, I am not happy. I want to become a Motivational Speaker like Tony Robbins, however fate have landed me here” he said, concerned. 

“The fun fact is that you are not alone, more than 85 percent of the people in this world do the job that they don’t like. If you do a job that you don’t like you will be in stress, instead of being happy” I said. 

“I cannot switch my career now, as I have Home Loan, Car loan and Personal Loan” he replied, worried.

“Understood. Even I too don’t want you to switch your career immediately. As a first step, you need to identify the areas that make you happy in your current Job”

“I like making a creative presentation and delivering it to the audience” he said, cheerfully.

“That sounds good. Why cannot you help your subordinates to make a good presentation? It will give you some happy hours in the office” I asked. 

“Yes, you are right. I haven’t thought about it until now. I can do it” he said, gleefully. 

“As a next step start giving free Inspiring and Motivating sessions to your Apartment members and to our office colleagues every month whenever you are free”

“That is an incredible idea. I love doing it as it aligns with my passion”

Suddenly, it started raining heavily. Yes, even NASA cannot predict rain in Bangalore. I love traveling insider the car,  during rain without being Wet. I started enjoying my ride happily. However, Narayan was still busy thinking about his next moves. Before he gets lost in his own thoughts, I brought him back.

“I have seen the book ‘Rich Dad Poor Dad’ written by Robert Kiyosaki in your cubicle. Have you started your financial planning to achieve financial freedom ?”

“Yes, I have already started my financial freedom Journey and I will retire within ten Years from now”

“Wow. I am happy about you, as only very few people take such wise decisions”

“Thank you. Can you give some more tips to live in the present moment ?”

"Sure. You are so much attached with your 6-year-old daughter, Am I right ?"

“Yes, you are right. She is the rainbow in my life. How did you know it ?”

“During our last year team outing, you have spent the whole day with her. You haven’t acknowledged my greetings also on that day” I said sarcastically. 

“Oh really. I am sorry. I was so involved playing with her and I didn’t notice the things and persons around me”

“It's Ok. I am just kidding. Now you have found your next secret for happiness right? ”

“Yes, from now onwards, I will go home early daily and spend quality time with my daughter”

“Amazing. You got it right. Do you need some more tip ?” I questioned

“I got the secret Formula already, I will do my homework and write down all the things that make me happy and do more of it daily”

“You are smart” I said smilingly.

“Thank you so much for giving these wonderful tips. I will follow it religiously”  

“I don’t want your Thanks, I just need a free VIP pass to your Motivational and Inspiring sessions” I requested

“Sure. Why not ?” he said with a positive smile.

Finally, we have reached the AB's Restaurant, Marathahalli at 7.30 PM. Special Thanks to the Ongoing Metro and Flyover construction, we have taken around one hour to cover a distance of 6 Kms in the slow moving Bangalore traffic. 

The rain had stopped and we could feel a cool breeze when we stepped out of the car. Narayan was looking confident and marched towards the restaurant with a blissful smile on his face. 

Summary : 
1. If you are living in the present, you will be happy. If you are happy, you will be living in the present.
2. Do more of what makes you happy daily. 

A Request from Author :
If you like this article, please share it with your family and friends. It might help their Spiritual Journey.

You are kindly requested to join my mission to Donate a Meal to start making a positive difference in someone's life. You are born with the ability to change someone life positively, please give your life a chance.

Jnana yoga vs Bhakti Yoga - A Detailed Overview

The ultimate goal of Human life is to attain "Moksha" or "Liberation", which means to break the cycle of birth and death - The Happy Zen  

As there are multiple routes to reach a destination, even in Spirituality, there are multiple routes (Gnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, Raja Yoga ) to attain liberation. 

A Guru or Master is a person, who shows us the easiest and simplest path to the destination (Liberation). However, it is we who needs to walk in the path shown by the master with dedication and commitment. 

Spiritual masters like Buddha, Prophet Mohammed, Mahaveer, Shirdi Sai Baba, Ramakrishna, Paramahamsa Yogananda, Jesus, Sri Ramana Maharishi, Robert Adams,  J Krishnamurthy, Osho, Vallalar, etc tried their best to explain the path of Self Realisation in their own way based on their experience. 

Jnana yoga : 
Robert Adams is a Western Spiritual master, who has advocated the path of Jnana Yoga to his disciples. Jnana Yoga emphasis on the practice of self-inquiry [ Who am I ? ].

Robert Adams is the disciple of Sri Ramana Maharishi, who got enlightened on the foothills of Thiruvannamalai, South India. Below is a beautiful quote from Robert Adams based on his principles. 

"Your spiritual practice does not begin when you've gone to many teachers and you've read many books. It actually begins when you've given up everything when you've emptied yourself of all knowledge, all desires for liberation. When you have become an empty shell, then your spiritual life begins. Until that time you're only playing games with yourself"

Arunagirinathar, the Tamil Saint-Poet also emphasized the importance of "Summa Iru" while literally means "Be Still". 

Bhakti Yoga : 
However, on the contrary, His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada (Founder of ISKCON) emphasize the practice of Bhakti Yoga to attain Moksha or Liberation. 

Below is the extract from the book "Bhagavad Gita - As It Is" written by His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.  

"Bhakti-yoga is very simple and pure and easy to perform. One can begin simply by chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa. The Lord is merciful to all, but as we have already explained, He is especially inclined toward those who always serve Him without deviation.

The Lord helps such devotees in various ways. As stated in the Vedas (Kaṭha Upaniṣad 1.2.23), yam evaiṣa vṛṇute tena labhyas/ tasyaiṣa ātmā vivṛṇute tanuṁ svām: one who is fully surrendered and engaged in the devotional service of the Supreme Lord can understand the Supreme Lord as He is. And as stated in Bhagavad-gītā (10.10), dadāmi buddhi-yogaṁ tam: the Lord gives such a devotee sufficient intelligence so that ultimately the devotee can attain Him in His spiritual kingdom

What does Bhagavad Gita tell about Meditation*? 

"The Yoga-sūtra also prescribes meditation on Viṣṇu, and not a meditation on the void. We have to be Kṛṣṇa conscious – devoted to the personality of Godhead. This is the aim of real yoga.

One who is not self-controlled and whose mind is not undisturbed cannot practice meditation. Therefore, in the Bṛhan-nāradīya Purāṇa it is said that in Kali-yuga (the present yuga, or age), when people in general are short-lived, slow in spiritual realization and always disturbed by various anxieties, the best means of spiritual realization is chanting the holy name of the Lord. harer nāma harer nāma harer nāmaiva kevalam kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva nāsty eva gatir anyathā “In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy the only means of deliverance is chanting the holy name of the Lord. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way.”
Nowadays people are very much inclined to the meditational process, which is not practical in this age, but if anyone practices meditating on Kṛṣṇa twenty-four hours a day by chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra round his beads, he is surely the greatest meditator and the greatest yogī, as substantiated by the Sixth Chapter of Bhagavad-gītā.

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 9 Text 28

śubhāśubha-phalair evaṁ mokṣyase karma-bandhanaiḥ sannyāsa-yoga-yuktātmā vimukto mām upaiṣyasi

Translation  

In this way, you will be freed from bondage to work and its auspicious and inauspicious results. With your mind fixed on Me in this principle of renunciation, you will be liberated and come to Me"

What Spiritual Practise I follow?
I follow Bhakti Yoga. I have selected Lord Krishna as my Spiritual Master and I follow HIS teachings written in Bhagavad Gita religiously. 

Sometimes, I also follow Deep Relaxation technique and Meditation based on the need. It will surely add bonus points to my physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. 

Why I prefer Bhakti Yoga? 
Whether in this Kali-yuga, is it possible to follow Meditation? Yes, it is possible for the souls who have accumulated lots of good deeds in their Karmic account. 

As most of them have a negative balance in their Karmic account, they give up meditation within a couple of weeks of practice. Because their Karma won't allow them to do Meditation. However, as per Srimad Bhagavadham Kali Purush cannot come near to the devotee of Lord Vishnu. It is for this so reason, you can see the devotees of Lord Krishna will be always in ecstasy singing, dancing and chanting. 

Arjuna, the great warrior cannot control the mind in Dwapara Yuga, and I bet that it is very difficult to practice Meditation in Kali Yuga where there are lots and lots of distractions. However, if you practice meditation daily, give a big pat on your back. You are truly a blessed soul. 

Why Bhagavad Gita?
Bhagavad Gita means "The Song of God". It is the words that are spoken by God HIMSELF and not by HIS representatives, who are sent to this beautiful world to spread HIS message. 

I have read hundreds of books about Self-Help, Consciousness, Re-incarnation, Soul, Deeds, Karma, happiness, etc and almost all the contents are inspired by Bhagavad Gita. 

Simple and Easy Bhakti Yoga Practise : 
A - Association of Devotees.
B - Book Reading ( Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam, Vedic Scriptures, etc )
C - Chanting the holy names of God. 
D - Diet - Satvik Veg Food offered to Lord Krishna ( Prasadam  ) 

Final Verdict : 
In a nutshell, God has given the free will to us to follow any Spiritual practice as per our taste. You can take any Spiritual school of thought and follow it religiously to achieve"Moksha" or "Liberation". 

Swami Vivekananda beautifully quotes that "Jnana, Bhakti, Yoga, and Karma - these are the four paths which lead to Spiritual freedom. One must follow the path for which one is best Suited". 

Have you started your Spiritual Journey, if not it is never late to begin? Happy Spiritual Journey ahead. 

I have written this article, based on my little understanding of Spirituality. I might not be right. I leave your inner voice to guide you in the right path, as it is your real Master and not me. 

References: "Bhagavad Gita - As It Is" written by His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.  

A Request from Author :
If you like this article, please share it with your family and friends. It might help their Spiritual Journey. 

You are kindly requested to join my mission to Donate a Meal to start making a positive difference in someone's life. You are born with the ability to change someone life positively, please give your life a chance.

The Happy Zen - Monthly Food Donation

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done - Proverbs 19:17 

"The Happy Zen Foundation" board members have decided to donate Food to the Special Children's school, located at Salem. Lunch [Including Sweet] will be sponsored every first Saturday of every month. 

Mrs.Vasuki Vijayakrishnan, the correspondent of the school is the close friend of our The Happy Zen Foundation board member Mrs.Gayathri Rafi. 

Food Preparation : 
Food will be prepared by Mrs.Gayathri Rafi, The Happy Zen member or by her friend and will be directly distributed to the students under her supervision. 

Lunch Menu :

• 3.5 - 4 KGS of lemon or coconut or veg biriyani or any other rice
• 1 kg of curd rice
• One chutney, 
• Papad (Optional)
• One sweet

Total Budget per Month : 
Rs.1500 / month (It will be shared among the members. If 15 members are interested it will be Rs.100 per person per month). 

Contact Details : 
Mrs.Vasuki Vijayakrishnan,
Salem Institute of Rehabilitation,
367,CTO Colony,
Rajaji Nagar,
Salem -636004
Email: vasukischoolsir@gmail.com
PH:9944971775

Request for Sponsors :
If you are interested to be part of this noble cause, please send me a private WhatsApp message to +91-9916465648. You will be added to a separate WhatsApp group and informed about the monthly proceedings. 

Note - As you know already, we are doing a little bit of contribution to a College Student education for more than one Year. It is our second initiative to make a small positive difference in our beautiful society.

Donate a Meal : 

You are also welcome to join Donate A Meal program. Yes, you too can make a positive difference in someone's life. If you can't find a compassionate person, be one.