Wednesday 14 December 2016

Sadhana 42 - Guru Paduka Stotram

Sadhana for Week 42
Speech Level: Guru-Paduka Stotram
Chant Guru Paduka Stotram & 108 names of Gurudev offering flowers to the Paduka.
Quote:
Faith and devotion to the Guru are necessary to ease the student’s path and level down the slopes en route his pilgrimage.

The true devotee is advised to surrender at the feet of the Lord through prayer so that the nobler and the diviner in him, which is lying dormant now, may come to manifest.

Peacefully live in cheerful joy at His Feet in devoted surrender.
That is spirituality at its best.

Anecdote:
Swamini Nishthananda had reservations about doing a pada pooja, worship of the Guru’s feet. She had not performed a single one for Poojya Gurudev for the past ten years.
During the last year of Poojya Gurudev’s life she was sitting in satsang with Him in His kutiya during a camp. Poojya Gurudev said to tell the people in charge of video shooting and those in charge of the kitchen that the lecture will start at 6.00 pm instead of 6.30 pm. One of the devotees asked if this is to be followed from tomorrow.
Poojya Gurudev replied, “No. Now! Then he added in Sanskrit, “Any auspicious resolve must be carried out immediately.”
Upon hearing the Sanskrit phrase Swamini Nishthananda was convinced she must perform a pada pooja to actualize a thought she had been harbouring in her mind for a while now. She knew it would be very unlikely that a vacant slot for biksha would be available (a pada pooja was generally followed by a bhiksha) but she still asked the organizers. To her pleasant surprise the very next day was an empty slot. She immediately confirmed and made arrangements for the same.
Her friend announced this to the entire gathering. Poojya Gurudev asked, “Why did she do a puja ten years ago?” Swamini Nishtananda corrected and said, “Gurudev, I’ve never done one. I am doing a pada puja for the very first time now!”
“Yes,” said, Poojya Gurudev, “ten years ago she was a most extroverted young girl (she had been 58 then)!”
At the Pada Puja Poojya Gurudev was was in very deep meditation. The whole atmosphere was charged with high spiritual vibrations.
In retrospect, Swamini Nishthananda recalls, “He knew I was blocking myself from a great experience, that of worshipping His Holy Feet, because of false notions. He made the thought come up in me that I must perform the puja. He made me bow down so that he could bless me. There never would have been another opportunity. He made the “most extroverted” part of me bend. Such was His Compassion. He gave without reservations, without counting the fitness of the person. Like sunlight and rain, He showered His grace on all.”

Why worship the Guru’s Padukas? What are its benefits?
Once a devotee asked Poojya Gurudev the significance of paduka pooja. This is what he said:
Just as a Shiva-linga represents Shiva and a shaligram represents Vishu; in the same way, the feet of the teacher represent to the students, not the feet, but the underlying concept. What we are invoking is Brahman, the Lord. But we cannot go directly to Him. We want a symbol. At this time, there is no symbol more sacred than the feet of a teacher/Padukas of the teacher.
When we worship the Padukas of our Guru, we worship the Supreme Truth or Self-Knowledge. This Truth is in our own hearts as Consciousness, which is All-Pervasive, Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient Reality, which we also call as Ishwara. Even though we are yet to realize the Truth, by worshipping the Padukas we pray that we may wake up and awaken others.
Listen to the audio of Swami Chinmayananda on why worship the padukas - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNIrNTeDkSw
Why should we touch the feet of the Master or elders? Watch a youtube video of Swami Chinmayananda - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utWmfN8oGw0
1.    Symbol of Truth or Self Knowledge
One Paduka represents the Truth or Self-Knowledge in which the Master / Guru is established, which lies dormant in our hearts and to which we have to awaken. The other Paduka is the symbol of awakening other people. Just as a lit candle, lights up other candles, the Master too has realized the Truth and His life is spent in awakening others.
I worship the two Feet of the Guru, endowed with the effulgence of Siva and Sakti, marked by the white and red colors – Feet that denote the Supreme and are beyond the reach of speech, mind and the senses.
-       Guru Gita, 1.90
2.    Padukas & Humility
To attain Self- Knowledge, humility is required. In the 13th chapter on the Bhagavat Geeta, Sri Krishna says:
Amaanitvam Adambhitva2m Ahimsa Kshantihi Aarjavam
Amaanitvam means humility. Worship of the Padukas represents humility. When we touch the feet of elders or the Guru, or when we worship the Padukas, we bow down the highest part of our body (head) towards the lowest part (feet).
The head is the ego and so by worshipping the Padukas we surrender. When a person becomes humble the person becomes very open, is ready to receive knowledge, does not have pre-conceived notions, is not arrogant about money, power, pleasure, body, beauty, fame; none of these. Such a person comes to know the Truth, is ready to do what it takes to know the Truth.
In this way, the Padukas show the goal as well as the path, which is through humility. When we worship the Padukas everyday, we surrender the ego. Every time we say Namaha, Namaha, Nanaha with each name of the Sadguru, we surrender because namaha means na mama or not mine.
The shoes of a Vedantic Master should always be kept shining, then when the student prostrates, what will he see there? Himself! By prostrating what goes out of us is our ego! -       Swami Chinmayananada
3.    Padukas and Gratitude
When a puja is done, it is an expression of gratitude. We are grateful to the Lord that we have so many blessings in our lives. When gratitude comes into our life, our life becomes more fulfilled. Without gratitude, even if we have everything, life still looks empty and we keep complaining, cribbing and victimizing ourselves. With gratitude, even if we have nothing there is completeness.
The fact that a Satguru has come into our lives is a sign of the Grace of the Lord in our lives, as is the fact that we are able to study, understand and share that knowledge with others. When we do the puja we express that gratitude.
It is the Uncaused and Infinite Compassion of the Satgurus, which makes them leave the quiet moments of Nirvikapla Samadhi, a life of seclusion and solitude and come to live amidst us and guide us to the Truth patiently. No matter what we do for such Masters, it is always less because everyone in the world makes a finite into a better finite entity. A Master makes the finite discover Infinity within. 
Whenever a child or anyone played the role of Swami Tapovanam, Adi Shankara or Sri Krishna, Poojya Gurudev would touch their feet because they are instrumental in invoking the bhaav of surrender in Poojya Gurudev and so he would express His Gratitude.
4.    Padukas & Hard Hittings
The world pampers our individuality and encourages us to think more and more about this individuality. It is only at the feet of the master that we realize, “I am not this.” All the pride just goes away. The master delivers this message with love and understanding, but it also hits hard.
5.    Padukas – Protection, Destruction, Realization
In the etymological meaning of the word Paduka, “Pa” means paati, to protect. The Grace of the Guru always protects the disciple, whether the disciple knows and acknowledges it or not. The moment one comes under the umbrella of a Satguru, of a Master who has known the Truth, the grace of that Master always protects us. It is not that the Grace doesn’t protect other people. Poojya Gurudev said that grace is like sunlight. Sunlight is always available. But when I surrender, I open the window and allow the light to come in. Others keep their windows closed and complain that it is dark.
For a spiritual student, Grace is very important because there are lots of weaknesses that we have, which we cannot overcome by our effort. We may try very hard – anger, lust, jealousy, passion, insecurity, the very sense of identification with the body – all these are very difficult to overcome. Merely by self-effort it is not possible. Grace is necessary to overcome these. The more a student invokes the Grace, the more the Grace protects the student. Not just the student, but also his family, the people around, the whole environment gets purified. 
Not only do the Padukas protect, but the Guru-Padukas promise that they will establish the seeker in the kingdom of Dispassion and Detachment. Poojya Gurudev advised the Seekers about Tapovanji Maharaj – “Keep Him in your heart and let him purify you. His Grace is sure and unfailing.”
“Du” means Dunoti, it burns away. When the worship of the padukas is done regularly as one’s sadhana, the devotion that grows in one’s heart will burn away all the negative tendencies and limitations. In the fire of Self Knowledge, all the ignorance is burnt away and karmas of many lives also gets destroyed.
“Kaa” means Kaashate – to shine. A person shines in one’s own true glory when all the negativities are gone. The Self within reveals itself and one gets established in one’s true nature. The Guru Paduka Stotram says that the Padukas establish a person in the state of Samadhi – the Self.
Read a blog on the Glory of Gurupadukas  - Sandals’ Splendour - http://notesnmusings.blogspot.in/2015/08/sandals-splendor.html

Why chant Guru Paduka Stotram?
Guru Paduka Stotram is a very powerful chant that glorifies the ‘sandals of the Guru’, which are symbolically represented as ‘the boat to help cross the endless ocean of life.’ This chant will enable those who listen, to become receptive to the Guru’s Grace.

Why chant 108 names of Poojya Gurudev?
It is said in the Bhagavatam in Kali Yug just by saying the name of the Lord one can cross the ocean of Samara. The Guru is none other than the Lord in another form.
Naman means 'Salutations'. 'Chinmaya', the name of Poojya Gurudev, means the intelligent, sentient principle, underlying the entire Creation.
When we bow down and do Naman we offer our reverence, our identification with the altar of worship. We show our respect to knowledge and to the one who has it and gives it freely. When we thus worship the Guru, our purity and sanctity increases.
In the early 80’s, there was a yajna at Lucknow by Pujya Gurudev. All the devotees wished to perform a ‘Paduka Puja’ of Pujya Gurudev and wanted a Namavali for this purpose. There was no ready one. It was then that a namavali in the Sanskrit alphabetical order was prepared by Poojya Guruji Swami Tejomayannadaji and Swami Shantanandaji. The names revolve around different facets of Gurudev’s striking personality. Some names are pointers to his Absolute Nature. For example,
Om Avyayaya Namah : Salutations to the Imperishable One.
Om Achintyaya Namah : Salutations to the Incomprehensible One.
Om Antahsakshine Namah : Salutations to the Witness of the inner thoughts.
Some other names reveal the human side of this great sage, e. g:
Om Prasannatmane Namah : Salutations to the One who is ever cheerful.
Om Madhursvabhavaya Namah : Salutations to the One who has a sweet disposition.
Om Suhrude Namah : Salutations to the One who is the well – wisher of all.
There are still some other names that throw light on his work and accomplishments like,
Om Geeta Jnana Yajna Pracharakaya Namah: Salutations to the apostle of Geeta Jnana Yajna.
Om Granthakrute Namah : Salutations to the One who has authored spiritual books.
Om Dharmasansthapakaya Namah : Salutations to the One who re – established Dharma.
Again, a name like Bhaarata – Gauravaaya Namah shows how he was a glory to our country.
The most moving name is Sarva – Hita – Chintakaaya Namah, which means ‘one who wishes well to all (and works hard for the welfare of all)’. He truly served all – children and adults, Indians and foreigners, the learned and the illiterate. He nourished all those he met, with his wisdom and compassion. He taught the message of service. He wanted us to know the great message and spread it also.
Talks on Guru Paduka Stotram can be heard at - https://youtu.be/GcXlZxNU6EM
A Presentation on Gurupaduka stotram can be seen at - http://www.swatmananda.com/#!e-books/c3dw

How to?
1.    Every morning after a bath at your altar, light the lamp in front of the picture of Poojya Gurudev.
2.    Place the padukas of Poojya Gurudev in front of you. If you do not have the actual padukas worn by Him use any padukas and keep them specifically for doing the paduka pooja.
3.    Observe the picture carefully for a minute or two. 
4.    Sit still and breathe deeply 5 times so that body is relaxed and mind is quiet. 
5.    Close your eyes. Visualize a circle of white light in the space between the two eye brows or in the heart.  Invoke the form of the Satguru/Lord. 
6.    Mentally bow down and touch the padukas with devotion in your heart as if you are touching His feet.  
7.    Chant the Guru Paduka Stotram.  If you have not memorized it, chant seeing a book/printout or listen to the audio of Guru Paduka Stotram here - http://www.pravachanam.com/content/04-gurupaduka-stotram-swami-brahmananda
8.    Sit quietly for a minute.
9.    Chant 108 names of Poojya Gurudev offering flowers to the Paduka. While chanting the name take a flower, touch it to your heart and then when the name has been chanted offer the flowers to the padukas in front of you. Offer it after chanting every name. Thus you will be offering the flowers 108 times. If flowers are not available, then imagine the flowers are in your hand and continue to offer as above. The flowers are not important, your bhaav is.
10. Listen to the 108 names here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qBY0NPD3MQ
11. Pray for the Grace of Poojya Gurudev to be always with you.  
12. Sit quietly for a minute or more.
13. Prostrate to the Padukas.
14. Pray for the well being of everyone.
15. Rub your palms, place them on the face and gently open your eyes.

Beginners and Advanced:
Beginners:
Do are advised above.
Advanced seeker:
1.    Do as advised above.
2.    In trying times when one is overwhelmed and doesn’t know what to do or when there is a temptation or negative vibrations, etc, remember the Guru at such a time. With your entire being in complete surrender and sincerity call out His name and one will get the answer to the problem or the strength to overcome and ward off the temptation. Individually if one tries to fight against one’s weakness, our mind is so weak and fickle that it will fail. But if one remembers and calls out to the Guru in surrender, with His Grace, one will be protected.
3.    When one is confused and doesn’t know if the action one will be taking is right or not then yourself ask one simple question: “When I do this action, can I look at my Guru in the eyes? Will I be ashamed of myself if I do this and go in front of my Guru?” If the answer is yes, one has to stop and not pursue that action.
4.    Find out the meaning of each of His 108 names. Reflect on the meaning behind 5 names daily. When we understand, and reflect daily on the values that Poojya Gurudev lived, we are able to identify with them. Slowly over a period of time we are able to imbibe them easily and they become our character.
Blessed are we that we were found by a Satguru like Poojya Gurudev and taken under His wings. Many lives of Punya must have fructified for this to happen. We pray that may our devotion to his Lotus Feet ever increase in our hearts and lead us to the “Chinmaya” within.
Wherever you want me,
Just close your eyes
And look into your heart,
And I will be there.
-       Swami Chinmayananada
UNTO HIM OUR BEST
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Sadhana 41- Cleanliness

Sadhana for Week 41
Body Level: Cleanliness
Follow cleanliness about and around you.
Quote:
Keep your tool sharp and clean and watch how He works through you.

Sweep your home clean every moment,
Day after day,
Of all its rubbish and misunderstandings.
Anecdote 1:
Once a devotee was hurrying across to serve Poojya Gurudev some tea in a cup and saucer. On the way the devotee spilled a few drops of tea on the saucer. When Poojya Gurudev was served the tea he reprimanded and said, “You are not serving on a railway platform!”
The devotee understood what Poojya Gurudev was trying to convey – always work with full concentration and devotion, everything should be clean and precise, no shoddiness and casual attitude even while performing simple mundane tasks. The devotee immediately rushed and brought back the tea in an immaculately clean saucer and served him.
Anecdote 2:
Poojya Gurudev was described by many as a person of elegance, of élan. The way he did things, dressed, walked – nothing escaped his scrutiny. He was so intellectually alert that even the crease in his kurta had to be just right.  
Why is it Cleanliness important?
The basis of elegance, alertness, fitness, sharpness of the mind, in fact most of our positive qualities is cleanliness. Cleanliness is a state of purity, clarity and precision. That is why it is said – Cleanliness is next to Godliness. Cleanliness must be maintained at all levels – body, mind, intellect and spirit.
Most of the sadhanas we have undertaken have been to cleanse our mind (heart) intellect and spirit to weed out and remove all the negativities and impurities. We often tend to ignore cleanliness at the body or physical level. Without maintaining cleanliness at the physical level none of the above sadhanas would have been possible. The saying “a cluttered desk is a cluttered mind” holds true. Maintaining both personal and environmental hygiene is very important.
Some think it is not necessary to have a bath daily, just a change of clothes with application of a deodorant will suffice. It is very important to clean our bodies daily by having a bath, especially in a hot country like India.  Cleanliness means absence of dirt, dust, stains, bad smells. Many of the diseases and illness are due to lack of cleanliness.
To maintain a healthy, disease free body it is vital we keep our bodies and environment clean. One of the causes of high infant mortality rate is lack of hygiene and cleanliness.  Every year in India 2 million children below age of 5 die because of this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xp-g4sDF_5M
The significance of cleanliness and hygiene cannot be overlooked by any society. Every faith and civilization stresses the importance of cleanliness. Historically, cleanliness has been considered one of the important factors by which to judge a civilization’s or society’s development.
In the scriptures there is a lot of emphasis on cleanliness.  In the Geeta Chapter 17 verse 14, while describing austerity of the body, the Lord mentions shaucham(cleanliness).  In the qualities of a devotee whom the Lord loves, he mentions suchi(cleanliness) in Chapter 12 Verse 16.
How unfortunate that our temples and sacred places are so polluted and unclean.  When we celebrate any festival or do any ritual, lets ensure that we do not pollute the environment. The flowers can be offered below any plants, trees or in a garden so that they become manure. lets not put them in the rivers or oceans.
“I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet.” ? Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi was a strong advocator of cleanliness and throughout his life he stressed on the importance of maintaining a clean environment. Unfortunately in
India though we keep our houses clean the streets and neighborhood are otherwise. That is the reason why India loses a large number of people to infections and bad sanitation. We lose revenue in tourism also.
Watch a video of Swami Chinmayananda where he gave the example of cleanliness to unite the Nation.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zv_Gsr_pgNAThe present government has also initiated similar campaign called Swacch Bhaarat Abhiyaan. 

How to?
Here are a few tips. Though these look seemingly insignificant, they play a major role in our health!
Personal Hygiene
1.    Fold the bedsheets and covers as soon as you wake up.  Let cleanliness be a priority from the moment we wake up
2.    Hand washing - A single act which has proven to decrease the spread of infection. Wash your hands  before every meal.  Use a hand sanitizer if you can’t wash hands. 
3.    Skin – Bath daily, trim your nails regularly, shave regularly, wash hair with shampoo regularly, take care of cracks in skin/foot
4.    Cover the mouth while coughing, do not share handkerchiefs or tissues, clean hands after coughing
5.    Brush the teeth twice a day
6.    Keep the Restrooms dry and disinfected
7.    Do not spit in public places
8.    Dispose garbage in closed bins
9.    Do not cut/bite the nails, pick the nose, clean the ears etc. in public.
Around Oneself
1.    Do not litter. Throw rubbish in a bin only.
2.    Put things from where they are taken. Do not leave them anywhere and then search for it later.
3.    Ensure that all furniture at home and at work are cleaned daily.
4.    Keep things in an organized manner
5.    Clean your vehicle(s) daily.
6.    Lets keep our sacred places as well as tourist attractions and all other places in general, clean. 
Benefits:
1.    Healthy body – prevents illness and diseases
2.    Keeps the mind and intellect sharp, alert and dynamic
3.    Keeps the spirit high and positive and increases the feeling of well being.
4.    Cleaning also has a therapeutic value.  When we clear up the clutter and organise things, we feel more inspired to work efficiently. 
5.    Increases efficiency at work

Beginners and Advanced:
Beginners:
Do are advised above.
Advanced seeker:
1.    Do as advised above.
2.    Ensure that the mind also remains clean and pure. Drop any impurities and negative thoughts. 
UNTO HIM OUR BEST
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Sadhana 38 - Hindu Culture

Sadhana for Week 38
Speech Level: Hindu Culture
Explain different aspects of WHY DO WE in Indian Culture to someone different everyday
Quote:
Without culture, man is a vulture!

The cultured make people happy, wherever they go.
The uncultured, whenever they go.

Hindu culture is essentially based upon sacrifice implied in duty and not upon acquisition, which is implied in rights.
Anecdote:
Poojya Gurudev devoted his whole life to spread the awareness Hindu culture to Hindus themselves. Here are the excerpts from his very first discourse on 31st December 1951 which was titled, “Let Us Be Hindus.”
“A Hindu swami to talk. A Hindu temple for a background. A Hindu audience, and the subject for discussion: “Let us be Hindus.” Strange! It sounds like a ridiculous paradox and a meaningless contradiction. I can see very well that you are surprised at the audacity of this swami!
It has become a new fashion with the educated Hindu to turn up his nose and sneer in contempt at the very mention of his religion in any discussion. No doubt, Hinduism has come to mean nothing more than a bundle of sacred superstitions, or a certain way of dressing, cooking, eating and so on. Our gods have fallen to the mortal level of administrative officers at whose altars the faithful Hindu might pray and get special permits for the things he desires, that is, if he pays the required fee to the priest…..
Hinduism is not this external show that we have learned to parade about in our daily life. Hinduism is a science of perfection. There is in it an answer to every individual, social, national, or international problem……
Let us know what Hinduism is! Let us take an honest oath for ourselves, not only for our own sake, but for the sake of the entire world; that we shall – when once we are convinced of the validity of the eternal Truth – try honestly to live as consistently as possible the values advocated by this ancient and sacred religion.”
What is Culture?
Poojya Gurudev defined culture as:
“When a group of people live together in a particular geographical area for a long time, a collective system of norms, values and distinct way of life develops which makes the group’s identity. This comes to be known as their culture.”
All over the world since the birth of mankind different cultures have been established, evolved and have even become extinct. In fact most of the ancient cultures of the world of great civilizations like the Mayan, the Roman, Egyptian, Messopotamian, Greek etc. do not exist.
But there is one culture that has stood the test of time. In fact it is the oldest living culture in the world – the Hindu Culture, which can be traced back to more than 7,000 years BC! This culture is practised even today in India and most of the traditions can be traced back to the Vedic times.
When we hear this the first question that comes to our minds is……….
But isn’t the Hindu culture just a lot of meaningless rites and rituals, a bunch of out- dated impractical traditions that are being followed?
For any culture to withstand the test of time and continuous invasions it must have a solid base, a firm foundation on which it is built. The uniqueness of the Hindu culture is that it is a Global Culture that is Rooted in Values and iscapable of Adapting to Change. It is based on universal principles of truth, righteousness, peace, love and non-injury.
All our traditions are seeped in deep philosophy and scientific principles to help us stay connected with these values, to help us evolve and achieve the purpose of life. They are not empty rites and rituals that have no meaning, no significance, no importance. Every act, every action, every mundane activity, a seemingly simple tradition has an immense impact on our personality, if understood.  Unfortunately the Hindu of today only knows the rite or tradition but not the principle behind it.
Know the WHY behind the What!
The culture of the people must continuously serve them,
Nourishing their inspiration,
Guiding their action and proving consolation, comfort, balance and equanimity
In both their joys and sorrows.
-       Swami Chinmayananda
Therefore it is very important to know the “why” behind the “what” we do.
1.    For example why do we greet another with Namaste instead of just shaking hands. This simple greeting reminds us every time we meet another that the same divinity that is there in me (one hand) is also there in the other (other hand). When we join them together we mean that I bow down to that divinity in us. No one is above or beneath the other, we are all essentially one.
In such a simple act the entire philosophy of humankind is woven. If everyone in the world understood this and evoked this feeling while meeting people the world would be a happy place with no war, terrorism, discrimination, etc.
See a video of Poojya Gurudev on Why do we do Namaste? - https://youtu.be/utWmfN8oGw0
2.    Touching the feet of parents every morning….old fashioned, why not just hug them?
Lets take the greeting one step deeper. Feet are the symbol of what a person stands for, what the person has done, achieved in life. When we bow down with folded hands and touch the feet of our parents we acknowledge them for all their love, their selflessness, their sacrifices while bringing us up and for their experience of life. We bow down in reverence not just respect. This helps us to keep our ego and pride in check especially as we grow up and our parents grow old when they cannot do much on their own. Often we forget all that they had done for us. We can never repay them or can equal them.
We greet our teachers, our elders, saints in the same fashion.
Now doesn’t it inspire us to greet another with a Namaste rather than a mere handshake? Isn’t it more meaningful, the transaction deeper, more affectionate, more respectful. Once we know the meaning behind the rite or ritual it suddenly becomes a beautiful gesture.  Similarly all our customs and traditions have deep meanings and are often symbolic in nature.
The more we focus on the why rather than the what and try to find out before rejecting an ancient practice, the more enriching our life will be.
3.    We worship plants, trees, stones, rivers, sun, moon! How primitive!!!! We even bow down and touch a book if we have kicked it by mistake!
We revere everything in our culture, both the inert as well as the sentient. Everything is a part of the divine creation hence we do not think of anything as a resource that can be used indiscriminately by man. We are the most eco-friendly culture in the world. Water, food, trees, animals, mountains are all to be treated with respect and have an equal right on this planet. Our culture believes in giving more than taking. That is why when one tree is cut, five more are to be planted.
We give knowledge the highest respect more than money, power, fame, lineage. That is why even a book is revered. The Guru or teacher is placed higher even more than ones parents.
Unfortunately today we do not know the deep philosophy behind the actions so we think that it is all primitive and useless.
These were a few practices based on the philosophical aspects, now lets look at some of the scientific and social significances of our customs and traditions:
1.    Why do we pray before a meal?
Just before eating a meal when we close our eyes the senses get cut off from their indulgence in the environment. The focus shifts onto oneself. By praying the mind comes in the present in a state of calmness. While praying we offer gratitude that we are fortunate to have this meal. This makes us appreciate the meal placed before us, we appreciate the efforts of the one who has made it, who has produced it. With such a feeling when food is eaten it gets digested very quickly as the body is in a state of relaxation and well being free from any agitations.
The aroma of the food placed before oneself in that quietude makes the stomach produce the digestive juices so that it is ready to intake the food. The saliva glands in the tongue get activated that help in digestion.
All of the above aid in digesting the food. One eats mindfully not indulging in excess. Every bite is savoured. Most of the time people eat without even noticing what is on the plate while watching TV and end up eating much more than required.
2.    Why do we have so many festivals in India? Isn’t it a waste of productive time, all these holidays result in national loss?
Diwali is a day dedicated to inner purity and noble character.
-       Swami Chinmayananda
Festivals are there to celebrate our lives, the joy of being alive and it is to be shared with all – our friends, relatives, our neighbours, our colleagues, the young, the old, everyone.
Amongst the gaiety and celebrations are hidden great values which rites and rituals bring forth as powerful reminders. But to the one who is unaware of the significance it will appear as wastage of resources, unnecessary indulgences and even foolish, outdated practices.
Take for example Ganapati visarjan. People often say this festival should be stopped because it causes water pollution, next day the sight on the beach with hands and legs of Ganapati is not nice and causes harm to the beach, noise pollution when the processions are being taken out, etc.
Foreigners on the other hand remark, how cruel that you drown your own gods in the sea after taking care of him for so many days!!!
Any normal thinking and caring person would think so. But lets see what this festival is all about and why was is it celebrated. Then decide for yourself.
Ganapati, the Lord, is brought home with great fan fare. For 7 to 9 days he is taken care of like a favorite family member.  All the things he likes to eat are made, friends, relatives, neighbours, etc everyone is invited to pay their respects to him. And on the tenth day with great fanfare he bid adieu and submerged in the sea.
Ganapati symbolizes the life spark which is sentient. When it takes a human form and comes in to the world we celebrate the birth of a child. The child is taken care of lovingly by the family, friends, society. Ganapati (child) brings joy, love in the hearts of all. Everyone partakes in all his/her activities, joys and sorrows. So everyone takes care of everyone as all are born. But those who are born also must die, hence live your life in complete harmony with all beings around and know that one day you will depart. The departure should also be such that you leave a mark in everyone’s heart and they remember you for your love, and goodness. Live a life of love, purity, selflessness, contributing to society. This also to reminds us that we have a limited time on earth and one day we all have to go. All that we accumulate – wealth, friends, possessions will not go with us, everything will remain here except our deeds. The chanting that Ganapati come back next year is a reminder that we too will be born again and again until we are able to evolve and gain complete freedom from the cycle of birth and death. Until that time live harmoniously and contribute to the well being of others.
When this tradition was started Ganapati was made from mud. The philosophy was from mud-to-mud. It did no harm to the environment. The colors used were vegetable dyes. Isn’t this festival a beautiful way to convey to the children the importance of right living, to the householders the importance of giving back to society and to the elders to start letting go to prepare for their onward journey. When we celebrate it every year knowing the significance it makes an impact in our minds and our thinking.
About the pollution the idol can be made from eco friendly material. no need for POP and can be immersed in a bucket of water which can be used to water the plants. But to abolish a beautiful, meaningful festival without understanding its significance how wise it that?
We have so many such customs, traditions, festivals, rites rituals – each has a deep meaning, is symbolic and has great learnings embedded in them.
That is why Indian or Hindu way of life has been appreciated by people all over the world:
India is the cradle of the human race, 
the birthplace of human speech, 
the mother of history, 
the grandmother of legend, 
and the great grand mother of tradition.
Our most valuable and most instructive materials in the history of man are treasured up in India only!
-       Mark Twain

How to?
A blind following and an outright denial, both do the same to kill culture, instead of bettering it!
1.    Find out the meaning, the significance behind the traditions. Read up about the different facets of Hindu culture. Read “Why do we?” – a simple book published by Chinmaya Mission. Gift it to friends to share the knowledge.
2.    Practice it with knowledge. Take up one practice or custom everyday and do it yourself after understanding the meaning behind it. Observe how you feel.
3.    Everyday share with someone the knowledge you have gained. Make them aware of the beauty and depth off our culture.

Benefits:
1.    To know where we came from, as it helps us to understand ourselves better.
2.    Many cultural traditions enrich our lives.
3.    It is a beautiful accommodating culture which has given shelter to so many other cultures. Strength of Indian culture is adaptability and accommodativeness.
4.    Helps preserve our culture which has been passed down from so may generations. Do we want to be the generation to destroy it? Even if one generation does not follow it, it will be lost forever.
Beginners and Advanced:
Beginners:
Do as advised above.
Advanced seeker:
List down questions that you have in your mind about the cultural practices and start finding out their answers and significances and share it with others. 
UNTO HIM OUR BEST
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