Latest news with #TranscendentalMeditation
Gulf Insider
7 days ago
- Gulf Insider
Indian Police Discover a Russian Woman Living in a Cave
While on patrol last week looking for any tourists who might have gotten stuck in the landslide-prone forests in the southern Indian town of Gokarna, police inspector Sridhar S.R. spotted a statue of a Hindu deity peeking out through the lush green vegetation. Moving closer, he saw makeshift curtains made of red saris that obscured the entrance to a cave. When he looked in, he was surprised to find a woman and two young girls living inside. The discovery on July 9 in Karnataka State set off days of sleuthing by the police and government officials to piece together a nine-year odyssey that had led the woman to the cave. The woman, it turned out, was a 40-year-old Russian national named Nina Kutina. She had been living in the cave, which she sometimes used as a retreat, for a week with her daughters, ages 4 and 6. She practiced yoga and meditated by candlelight, and cooked on a wood-fired stove, Mr. Sridhar said. Photos of Hindu deities lined the walls. 'Caves are heaven in her mind-set,' Mr. Sridhar said. Mr. Sridhar and his team initially tried to cajole Ms. Kutina into leaving the cave in the gathering dark, given the area's heavy rainfall, perilous location and reputation as a habitat for poisonous snakes. But Ms. Kutina told them that she was 'interested in staying in the forest and worshiping God,' said M. Narayana, the superintendent of police for Uttara Kannada, the district in which Gokarna sits. The cave is in the town's Ramateertha hills, where seasonal waterfalls and landslides are common. Eventually, the police escorted the trio to a shelter for women run by a nonprofit group. There, after charging her mobile phone, Ms. Kutina emailed her relatives in Russian. 'Our peaceful life in the cave has ended — our cave home destroyed,' she wrote, according to a translation provided by the police. 'From years living under the open sky in harmony with nature, we know: no snake or animal ever harmed us.' The discovery of Ms. Kutina on July 9 raised a bigger question of where she had been since she arrived in India nine years ago, which the police and government officials began piecing together from documents and interviews with her. In 2016, she had entered India on a six-month business visa and traveled to Goa, a state known for its beautiful beaches that is crowded with foreigners who also come to meditate, practice yoga and find spiritual connection. India, with its huge array of gods, deities, gurus, saints and mystics from multiple faiths, has long drawn notable visitors from around the world. In the 1960s, The Beatles famously spent time in Rishikesh, a town in northern India that sits by the Ganges River, sacred to Hindus, practicing Transcendental Meditation with a guru who later became world renowned. Ms. Kutina overstayed her visa by a year and was allowed to leave India by government officials in Goa in April 2018. She then went to neighboring Nepal, which is also a common destination for travelers seeking spirituality, on a 90-day tourist visa and left that country in September, according to a stamp in an old passport that sat among her belongings in the cave. Indian intelligence officials said Ms. Kutina had been back in India since early 2020, having re-entered the country on a multiple-entry tourist visa. She arrived with two sons and a daughter, according to government records. Her elder son died at 21 years of age, in a bike accident last year, and the whereabouts of her younger son, who is 11, are unknown, according to police officials. Her 6-year-old daughter was born in Ukraine, and the younger one was born in India. In Goa, Ms. Kutina worked as a tutor of Russian language and literature. She had made the roughly three-hour trip from Goa to Gokarna — a town of about 20,000 people locally known for its temples and beauty — multiple times in the past, said Mr. Narayana, the police superintendent who provided the details of her travels. 'She had stayed in the cave at least four times,' he said. Ms. Kutina could not be reached at a phone number shared by Karnataka police officials. Inside the cave, Ms. Kutina used to prepare simple meals of roti and vegetable curries for her family, said Mr. Sridhar, the Gokarna police inspector. 'She is an adventurer type of person, she knew lots of things about nature,' he said. But on Monday, Ms. Kutina and her daughters were sent to an office of the Indian government agency that oversees immigration, in Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka. In a photograph provided by officials, Ms. Kutina could be seen sitting cross-legged on an empty row of chairs, combing her hair. Her daughters were also seated, and one of them was using a mobile phone. The agency ordered that she be kept under 'close watch,' and now government officials are working on deporting her and her daughters to Russia. They have since been moved to a detention center in another city. Also read: The Billionaire Exodus: Why India's Rich Are Heading Abroad Source The New York Times
Boston Globe
24-06-2025
- Business
- Boston Globe
It took 45 years, but spreadsheet legend Mitch Kapor finally got his MIT degree
At the end of the phone call last November inviting Kapor to give the lecture, Aulet said he decided to tease his old friend. 'I'm like, there's only one problem, Mitch, I see here you haven't graduated from MIT,' Aulet recalled last week. Why the tease? 'Because I'm from New York and we talk trash all the time,' Aulet said. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'He was just yanking my chain a little bit,' Kapor, 74, recalled in a separate interview. Advertisement But the joke got Kapor thinking about why he left MIT without a degree, a story that starts even before he enrolled in Sloan's accelerated masters program in the summer of 1979. After graduating from Yale in 1971 and bouncing around for almost a decade as 'a lost and wandering soul,' working as a disc jockey, a Transcendental Meditation teacher, and a mental health counselor, Kapor said he became entranced by the possibilities of the new Apple II personal computer. He started writing programs to solve statistics problems and analyze data, which caught the attention of Boston-area software entrepreneurs Dan Bricklin and Bob Frankston, who co-created VisiCalc, one of the first spreadsheet programs. They introduced Kapor to their California-based software publisher, Personal Software. Advertisement Midway through Kapor's 12-month masters program, the publisher offered him the then-princely sum of about $20,000 if he'd adapt his stats programs to work with VisiCalc. To finish the project, he took a leave from MIT, but then decided to leave for good to take a full-time job at Personal. Comparing his decision to those by other famed tech founder drop-outs, 'It was just so irresistible,' he said. 'It felt like I could not let another moment go by without taking advantage of this opportunity or the window would close.' Mitch Kapor, founder of Lotus Development, at MIT in 1979, where he was studying for a masters degree that he did not complete until 2025. Photo courtesy of Mitch Kapor A few years later, Kapor returned to Cambridge and founded Lotus in Kendall Square, leading to his first encounter with Aulet. Around 1982, Aulet was working at IBM in the then-new personal computer unit when Kapor visited the tech giant's Madison Avenue office in New York to demonstrate Lotus 1-2-3. Kapor arrived dressed not in the IBM standard of a suit and tie but in a Hawaiian shirt, Aulet recalled. 'This guy was so cool, so relatable,' Aulet said, which eventually inspired him to become a startup founder himself. Over the decades, the pair kept in touch. Aulet left IBM in 1993, founded several companies, and started teaching at MIT in 2005. Kapor left Lotus in 1986, As a venture capitalist, Kapor developed a philosophy with his wife, Freada Kapor Klein, that they called 'gap-closing investing,' which aimed to fight racial and income inequality by supporting business concepts that would address the needs of underserved communities. HealthSherpa, for example, helped people sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, and LendStreet helped people climb out of debt. Advertisement When Aulet made his joke on the phone call with his old friend in 2024, Kapor had largely retired from investing and realized that he wanted to complete his degree. 'I don't know what prompted me, but it started a conversation' with MIT about the logistics of finally graduating, Kapor said. By the time Kapor gave the lecture in March, Aulet had discovered Kapor was only a few courses short. MIT does not give honorary degrees, but school officials allow students to make up for missing classes with an independent study and a written thesis. Kapor decided to write a paper on the the roots and development of his investing strategy. 'It's timely, it's highly relevant, and I have things to say,' he explained. One The thesis explained that though Kapor's investing strategy was not aimed at picking entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups, he ended up backing many such founders. 'It turns out that, more often than not, the kinds of people who are the entrepreneurs with these ideas, who have the ability to do them, are themselves from a marginalized or underrepresented group, because that's the world they know and they grew up in, and that's what lit their fires,' he said. Advertisement Such an outlook could be increasingly important at a time when politicians, from the president on down, have 'We take an alternative approach that avoids the kind of head-on opposition in the current political environment,' he said. 'This is not tech's shining hour — far from it — but there's still reason to be hopeful.' Aaron Pressman can be reached at
India Today
20-06-2025
- Health
- India Today
Struggling to Focus? Meditation might help—All you need to know
In today's fast-paced world, where everything happens in a flash, people's attention spans are shorter than ever. Studies indicate that attention spans are rapidly shrinking, with individuals struggling to maintain focus on tasks that demand even moderate effort. The primary culprits are stress, constant digital distractions, and the overwhelming volume of information we are exposed to daily. India Today spoke with her to get deeper insights on how meditation impacts focus in the age of distraction. By Mrs. Aditi Shrivastava, Senior Teacher of Transcendental Meditation (TM) and Academic Advisor for Consciousness at Maharishi University of Information Technology (MUIT)advertisementWHY MEDITATION IS THE ANTIDOTE TO DISTRACTIONMeditation is a valuable tool for enhancing concentration and mental function. It helps individuals become mindful, present, and better equipped to manage the work at hand. As pressures from contemporary living rise, the capacity to concentrate becomes a key driver of productivity, making meditation a crucial skill for both personal and professional HIDDEN COST OF MULTITASKINGWith most people juggling multiple tasks, multitasking is often mistaken for efficiency. However, research shows that it reduces productivity by nearly 40%. Stressful environments compound this, leading to anxiety, fatigue, and mental blockages. Meditation, by contrast, allows the mind to reset and operate from a calm, expansive state—making deep focus more natural. Meditation isn't just a spiritual or ancient ritual—it is backed by neuroscience. It activates the prefrontal cortex, responsible for critical thinking and attention. It also increases grey matter in regions that handle learning and memory. Studies from Harvard have shown that nearly 47% of a person's day is spent distracted—something meditation helps dramatically reduce by anchoring awareness in the BENEFITS OF MEDITATION FOR IMPROVING CONCENTRATIONadvertisementMeditation enhances focus by quieting internal distractions. It boosts alpha wave activity, which is linked to a calm yet alert mind. It stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing stress hormones and promoting a relaxed state conducive to concentration. With regular practice, it also helps regulate emotions like frustration and anxiety, allowing mental clarity to emerge. Over time, meditation improves neuroplasticity, empowering the brain to focus better and adapt to challenges.'Meditation allows the mind to transcend the noise and settle into stillness, which is where true concentration is built,' says Shrivastava. 'It clears away the mental clutter, giving rise to natural alertness.'HOW TO INCORPORATE MEDITATION INTO YOUR DAILY ROUTINEStarting a meditation practice doesn't have to be overwhelming. Begin with a short, consistent routine. Choose a style that resonates—be it mindfulness, visualisation, focused attention, or Transcendental Meditation (TM). Understanding the impact of meditation in your daily life can fuel your motivation to continue.'The key is consistency, even if it's just for a few minutes a day,' says Shrivastava. 'It's about choosing a practice that aligns with your mind's nature. TM, for instance, is effortless and deeply restorative.'ALTERNATIVE PRACTICES FOR BETTER FOCUSBesides meditation, complementary practices like yoga asanas, mudras, and pranayama can improve memory and concentration. Simple habits—like mindful walks or short meditation breaks between work—can prevent burnout. A balanced lifestyle involving good sleep, nutrition, and mental wellness further supports sharper cognitive concentration is more essential than ever in our distraction-heavy lives. Meditation trains the mind to experience deeper awareness, expanding its potential for productivity and peace. Whether you choose TM, guided visualisations, or breath-focused practices, a daily routine is key to unlocking long-term benefits.'Concentration is a learnable skill, and meditation is the training ground to cultivate the mind's infinite capabilities,' Shrivastava Watch
Indian Express
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar called Bollywood a haven for ‘drugs and alcohol', accused film industry of ‘attacking culture of the country'
Bollywood has always been a polarising industry. While several people have criticsed the 'dark side' of the film industry, many who earn their livelihoods from the movies have mounted a defence. The spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, who has interacted with several film industry personalities, accused the entire industry of promoting unethical and immoral practices. Many Bollywood stars have been associated with his foundation, Art of Living. With a massive crowd in attendance, Sri Sri said in 2013, 'In Bollywood, anybody wearing a tilak is a villain, and anyone with a little pony has to be the bad guy. They bring the dignity of the people who are practising religion into a very bad light so that young people can move away from religion. So that they are susceptible to drugs, alcohol and cigarettes. The only thing that stops one from these things is your religiosity.' ALSO READ: Hina Khan's husband asks Sri Sri Ravi Shankar about turning vegetarian, wonders if he has eaten chicken: 'Tandoori chicken is true love' He criticised the exorbitant fees that actors charge, and how they generalise religious groups or sects for their own convenience. 'They are all up to some mischief. They are attacking the values of the society and culture of the country. They say that all ashrams are bad and all temples are looting money, but that is exactly what they do. An actor only has to sneeze in an ad for Vicks, yet they charge crores of rupees for it.' Sri Sri stated that 'all Bollywood actors lead miserable lives, with immoral and unethical practices.' He added, 'They may talk about ethics, but if you look at their personal lives, you can't find any. They don't want ethics and religion to blossom. They are like politicians, who make their own enemy and fight against them.' He ended his attack on the film industry by blaming it for the alleged drug problem in Punjab. 'The drugs and alcohol lobby is with Bollywood, and they all want to influence the youth to fall into these bad habits. That's how Punjab got trapped in this, and it is so unfortunate that a state so robust and vibrant is going in this direction,' he said. Before establishing his own ashram and foundation, Sri Sri was an apprentice of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the originator of Transcendental Meditation, a form of meditation that attracted the British rock band Beatles all the way to Rishikesh.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Time of India
From Bill Gates to Steve Jobs, 2 powerful habits all high achievers share— And how you can use them too
From Bill Gates to Steve Jobs, 2 powerful habits all high achievers share— And how you can use them too While most people want to be successful in life, not many can do so. But why is it so? What are the things that most successful people are doing right that set them apart from the rest? Bestselling author-entrepreneur Tim Ferriss set out to discover what makes successful people tick, and that's when he spent over a decade interviewing some of the world's top performers. From tech founders and elite athletes to mental health experts and billionaires, he uncovered two surprising habits that consistently showed up in most high achievers, which helped them succeed in life. Talking about this, in a conversation with CNBC Make It, Ferriss explained how these two habits have helped countless high achievers stay focused, calm, and productive. It's something he's seen time and again through his popular podcast The Tim Ferriss Show, where he's spoken with everyone from Oprah to Ray Dalio. So, what are these powerful habits, and how do they shape one's success? Read on to know more: 1. Meditation: A powerful workout for your mind Ferriss says that around 70% of the top performers he's interviewed have some form of meditation or mindfulness routine. And it's not just sitting in silence. Meditation can include anything that helps clear the mind— and it includes journaling, walking, or swimming. His personal favourite? Transcendental Meditation (TM)— a simple technique where you silently repeat a mantra for 20 minutes twice a day. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 오스템 임플란트 받아가세요 임플란터 더 알아보기 Undo Big names like Oprah Winfrey, Lady Gaga, and even Ray Dalio swear by it. Even Bill Gates , who once dismissed meditation as 'mystical,' now practices it for about 10 minutes a few times a week and says it helps him stay focused and sharp. If traditional meditation feels hard, Ferriss suggests rhythmic activities like running, biking, or even swimming. These can serve as meditative moments that calm your thoughts and center your focus. 2. The power of saying 'No': The productivity superpower While meditation helps calm the mind, saying 'no' helps guard your time. Ferriss noticed that high achievers are incredibly intentional about what they say 'yes' to. He cites Steve Jobs , who once said, 'Focusing is about saying no.' It's not about being rude— it's about protecting your time, peace, and energy. Warren Buffett agrees. He famously said, 'The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything.' Ferriss believes that learning to say 'no' politely but firmly is one of the most powerful habits you can build in a world full of distractions. How you can start practice these habits You don't have to be a billionaire to use these strategies. Ferriss says anyone can benefit from them with small, consistent effort. Try meditating for just 5 minutes a day to start. You can take the help of guided meditation videos online or even use certain apps for it. Once you get used to it, try increasing the duration gradually. Practice gentle ways to say 'no', like: - 'Let me think about it and get back to you.' - 'Thanks for the invite, but I'll have to pass this time.' The more you build these habits, the more clarity, energy, and focus you'll have for what truly matters. In a noisy, always-on world, success often comes down to just two things: Quieting your mind and guarding your time. These aren't just habits of the wealthy— they're skills that anyone can learn and apply. And they just might be your edge in achieving more with less stress. Diana's Brother Says 'No' To Prince Harry's 'Spencer' Plan; Sussex Stopped From Changing Name? One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
