My philosophy in life

My philosophy in life

In a recent mail my daughter-in-law Barbara has enquired about my new way of life and suggested various activities for me to keep myself productive and useful and also to evolve. Here is the list -

• Now that you have some leisure time, wondered if you’ve thought about taking free college courses (on your computer) on subjects you have always wanted to know? You can find them by just typing in “free college courses.”
  

• Also, have you considered buying an e-book reader? It is the greatest thing! E-readers are small, like carrying a book. Not only can you buy books in 30 seconds and start reading, but you can borrow books from the library on your device.
  

• Are there any volunteer opportunities where you live? Is there a school where you can help out?
  

• Are you exercising? Meditating? Becoming one with the universe?

Here is my response -

Before moving into this place, I have thought of and talked about various activities I could do, get involved in and taking advantage of certain facilities / opportunities available around here.

But after moving in, I found my lifestyle has a way of evolving, influenced by various relationships and the environment I am living in. I am enjoying everything the place has to offer and not missing anything I am used to. My way of life lets me exercise, meditate and become one with the universe without my making any special effort.

There is volunteer opportunity right where I live with so many lonely elderly people. I am able to assist them in small little ways. They are happy even if I just talk to them. For a few I help them by getting some of their requirements when I do my shopping. Initially I thought how would I communicate with these people with whom I don't have much in common? But now after observing and interacting with them I have found I could learn so much from each one of them.

Doing some free courses on the computer on various interesting subjects has always appealed to me. I had intended to learn things from ‘Khan academy’. http://www.khanacademy.org/ , I was planning to learn Sanskrit and enroll in an online Sanskrit course my friend Balaji was doing. But now I have no time for all that.

I have been reading so many books simultaneously jumping from one book to the other. They all seem to have a common underlying principle which makes me wonder “am I being led to the truth for which I am ready”.

The value of values by Swami Dayanana Saraswati gifted to me by Naval Agarwal who is a student of Vedanta at the Dayananda Saraswathi ashram

Ramana Virundhu (in Tamil) Part I & II, a compilation of events in Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi – lent to me by my neighbour Leela mami

Srimad Bhagavata a condenced version by S.S.Cohen lent to me by Ragavan, another resident of the Home who studies Vedanta at the ashram

Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsch recommended (through chat) by Ramaa, my friend from Bangalore.
formathttp://www.humanitysteam.ru/lib/Conversation%20with%20God,%20book%201.pdf

I found Meditations from Conversations with God in our library

Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi published by Sri Ramanasramam recommended by Ranganathan, a young resident at the Home spending his entire time on meditation. http://www.messagefrommasters.com/Ebooks/Ramana_Maharshi_Books/talks_with_sri_ramana_maharshi_complete.pdf

The Celestine prophecy by James Redfield - I felt I should read it again
https://www.dmt-nexus.me/doc/The%20Celestine%20Phrophecy%20.pdf

Being our companion – Exploring self-facilitation through The Presence Process – I found this when I was searching for The Presence Process
http://www.thepresenceportal.com/being_our_companion_page.htm

I am sure that other books / reading materials would find their way to me through various sources.

And of course I do need time to just sit in my front porch and watch the sky especially the colours at sunrise and sunset, the magnificent mountain range and the stars at night and enjoy the peace and quiet feeling the cool breeze and listening to the birds chirping.

I read in today’s news paper, in a comic strip, that Teddy Roosevelt said “Do what you can, with what you have where you are.” That struck a chord as that is exactly what I have been doing.

Trust the system that works

Trust the system that works

For easy transaction I have been using the post-paid system for my mobil phone. Since I learnt to do the on-line banking I have been paying my bills directly. Last month while going through the process of paying the bill, after I gave the bank details and clicked ‘Pay’ the transaction didn’t go through fully. Though I got a ‘sms’ from my Bank to say the amount has been transferred I was not sure my service provider has received the amount. I went back to the BSNL site to check the status. My bill was still the same with the amount due.

I was not comfortable with the status. I didn’t want the service discontinued for non-payment. I am afraid I wouldn’t know how to get it back. So I went through the process of paying the bill again and this time, completed the transaction; again got the message from the Bank that the amount has been transferred successfully. I looked at my bank statement and it showed that the amount has been sent out twice.

I agonised over it for taking a hasty action and wondered how to retrieve the excess amount paid. I never had to do such things on my own, I only had to tell somebody to do it.

Couple of days later, one after the other I got two messages from BSNL for payment received. I wondered is it for two payments or the message has been delivered twice?!!

I know there is a BSNL office at Thadagam about 5 kms away from where I live. I thought I would go one day and enquire. But having been busy with various activities, I didn’t get an opportunity to do so.

Yesterday I realised it is time to receive this month’s bill. I did not receive it. So I checked at the BSNL site. My bill mentioned due Rs. – 37. I was thrilled. The system has taken into account the double payment and has given due credit.

Happiness is when systems work when you least expect it.

The realisation is that sometimes issues have a way of resolving itself if just left alone.

Down to earth

Down to earth

During my week-long trip to Mumbai I ate so much, starting with a big ice-cream Sunday in ‘Boomarang’, on the way to the Coimbatore airport.

In Mumbai, every day I had so many rich foods and snacked in between meals too. I had pal payasam, Sakkarai pongal, Badham halwa, therattipal, Bengali sweets, kulfi falooda, laddoos and pedas, chikkies and chocolates, without any restriction. I had Rajasthani meal, Bombay chat varieties, and a full festive meal at a friend’s house with 2 cups of rich pal payasam.

I went to temples, I listened to good religious discourses, I met family members and friends and talked a lot.

I saw two well acclaimed movies - the Hollywood movie ‘The Descended’ and a Bollywood movie ‘Agneepath’.

I enjoyed every bit of it.

Last night I came back to my home, unpacked a bit, tidied up the God’s place and lighted the lamp and agarbathi. Chanted Sahasranamam along with M.S.Subalakshmi’s CD.

I had vermicelli upma with chatni and a glass of hot milk for dinner. I was so tired. Just went to sleep without a care in the world.