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Time of India
4 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Becoming a mentor – Reflections to know our self & train our mind towards better
Sunil Kumar is currently member, managing committee, Ramakrishna Mission, New Delhi. An engineer and project manager trained at Vickers Armstrong Engineers and Babcox & Wilcox, UK, he is a former general manager of The Projects and Equipment Corporation of India, Ministry of Commerce and Consultant, NIDC, Ministry of Industry. Sunil has been member of a high-power government committee for value orientation in Planning Commission and In-charge of Value Education Programmes of Ramakrishna Mission, New Delhi. He has written books on Vedanta, managerial effectiveness – Indian Insights, human values, etc. His passion lies in applying Indian wisdom & Vivekananda's principles to managerial situations. His vision and managerial expertise led to the setting up of a unique PGDBM Management Institute in Delhi, called SriSIM, of which he was a Founder Trustee and Professor and which offered education in Indian ethos based Management. He is currently taking the message of Vedanta-centric human development to public servants through programs on 'Ethics in Governance. LESS ... MORE Every moment we have 'choices', but modern teachers and preachers have failed to 'teach or preach' how to 'know' and build 'powers of mind' to walk the talk towards the higher and better. Today we've teachers and preachers who 'believe', but we don't produce the 'Acharya and Shrestha' or 'Seers and men of God who 'see, realise, love all'! Whether we like it or not, we are continually in the process of 'becoming' and the 'educated choice' is to become 'better' not 'worse', in and through all our goals, choices, thoughts, motives, actions, relationships. At least now let's learn from our Vedantic wisdom which asserts that along with, and simultaneously with 'knowing', we must build 'ability'. And incidentally, all 'armed forces' do follow this commonsense, universal, ancient wisdom! And the 'better' can only be determined if we've an idea of the 'best' and so, process of education and preaching must inspire us to continuously reflect and strive to 'Know yhyself'. A person who has more and more love, care, and concern for others, is committed to kartavya-palan; and fulfils all his duties, is certainly better! Understanding and managing our mind: I am the 'subject', the 'knower', the body-mind are mere 'objects. I am not the object. This 'awareness' that 'I am not the mind' helps in control! Only continuous, regular, repetitive practice and spirit of selflessness and commitment to duties are needed to purify/refine and expand the mindset to feel one with awareness, consciousness. Doing what 'I' want to do implies doing what the mind wants to do. Freedom is not having to do what the mind wants to do! The motive power for all actions is either our 'duties' or our 'good-bad wants, desires'; and as we choose, we build our destiny. As educated people, we must continuously learn and practice to check the actions and desires to do wrong and continuously practice doing better. Those actions, which take us towards manifesting our 'infinite potential' for 'perfection', are good or right actions and those that take us away are wrong actions. Not allowing the mind to take us towards lower desires is to be constantly practiced. Mind imbibes that on which it dwells & it likes to dwell on what it likes. Only a pure mind, refined by 'righteousness/good' can be led. Based on past memories as impressed in our mind, our thoughts and mind flow towards 'trivia' and 'likes-dislikes'. From Trivia we've to learn to withdraw through 'practice'. And from likes-dislikes we've to learn to detach by learning to focus on the higher, better. Only when the mind gets hooked on the better will it stop tempting the lower. Mind wants enjoyment, whereas 'I am peace and fulfilment'. Mind will not give up easily. Only repeated better thoughts and habits can overcome past tendencies and impressions. There is no shortcut – 'Practice & detachment/focus on higher'. We can learn how to manage the 'unwanted thoughts flowing in our mind' by following the example of how we're managed by our mother, father, teacher, police, and how we ignore an unwanted Guest! Through continuous exposure to good thoughts and deeds, righteousness, commitment to duties, kartavya-palan, disciplined life, etc., supported by daily self-development practices, we can gradually purify, refine the mind, and make it more amenable to control towards the best. Not allowing the mind to take us towards lower desires is to be constantly practiced. Good actions calm the mind, and only a calm mind can really be effective and peaceful, and allow us to experience our full potential perfection and bliss. Because of the numerous impressions we create every moment, which propel us into fresh actions, the very nature of mind is to be restless like a monkey. Drunk with 'Desires'; stung by scorpion of 'jealousy'; and also possessed by devil of 'pride'; the mind is therefore very difficult to control! The more self-control we have, the greater a person we become. Mind is a continuous flow of thoughts – wanted / unwanted. The mind is built to look outside through the five sense organs. By its very nature mind has a tendency to 'flow down' – be tempted, enjoying the experience of the senses, weak people don't have self-control and do wrong. Mind is difficult to lift up and control – like reversing the flow of river. Mind is one-track in nature; gets attached easily but detaches with difficulty. Mind is material in nature, just matter! I am conscious, the master of the mind, not its slave! Our mind carries the impression of every single thought, word, action; choice/motive. Some reflections on how I get inspired to be better? I accept myself totally and express my gratitude to all who have helped me be what I am. I take full responsibility for what I am, and from now on, it is up to me to take responsibility to try to become better towards the best. I am a unique person, different from all; I want to discover my strengths and weaknesses, what I am good and bad at, what I really want and what qualities and skills I need to develop, and how I can prioritise my life towards long-term good for all. I want to discover whether my wants are in harmony with my deep-seated need for happiness, peace, and bliss. I will learn to reduce quantity of thoughts by keeping busy on planned SMART goals; improve quality by pouring good thoughts, prayers, meditation, study/ discuss/ explore inspiring books, satsang, etc.; control direction towards good, better, best. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Plato, Vedanta And Quantum Physics
What is reality ? Why does everything appear fragmented and separate if it is one and made of energy? Why do we each perceive it differently? For millennia, across cultures and civilisations, sages and philosophers have sensed that the world we perceive through our senses is not the whole truth. Beneath the visible lies the invisible. Behind the transient is the eternal. Beyond form and change, there is an unchanging essence. From philosophical insights of Plato to the spiritual revelations of Vedantic sages, and now discoveries of quantum physics , a striking convergence emerges. What appears as reality is only a projection, not the ultimate truth. Plato, philosopher of ideals, viewed the physical world as a shadow of a higher, perfect realm of Forms. Everything we encounter, trees, animals, human actions—is, in his view, an imperfect reflection of an ideal Form that exists beyond the material plane. There is a Form of Beauty in which all beautiful things participate, and a Form of Justice behind every just action. At the heart of this metaphysical vision is the Form of the Good, the ultimate source of all truth, existence, and intelligibility. The Chandogya Upanishad declares, Sarvam khalvidam Brahmn — all this is indeed Brahmn. It is described as the indivisible, undifferentiated, infinite essence that underlies everything. It is not a being among other beings. It is Being itself. Pure, formless, and beyond all categories, Brahmn is the ground of all reality. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tired of High Power Bills? Plug in This Device elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Learn More Undo But if all is Brahmn, why do we experience the world as fragmented, diverse, and ever-changing? The upanishad explains that although Brahmn is one and without division, we overlay distinctions upon it through nama, name; rupa, form; vyavahara, transactional experience. We name, shape, and engage with this undivided reality as if it were many. The world appears broken into parts because our perception is conditioned by duality. Vedanta teaches that this illusion, called maya, is born of ignorance, resulting from our reliance on limited senses and ego-mind. The goal is not to escape the world but to see through it and recognise unity in diversity. Modern science, through quantum physics, now reveals similar truths in its language. At the subatomic level, particles do not behave like solid objects but exist as waves of probability, fields of potential that remain undefined until observed. What we experience as a fixed, concrete world arises from something fluid, indefinite, and unseen. Just as Vedanta teaches that nama and rupa are superimposed upon Brahmn, quantum physics shows that the solid world manifests something more fundamental, an underlying field of pure potential. In both quantum theory and Vedanta, the observer plays a crucial role. In physics, the act of observation collapses a wave into a particle. Until then, it exists in superposition, a state of multiple possibilities. Vedanta, too, insists that perception is subjective. What we see, hear, or touch depends on the observer. Liberation lies in shifting the observer from conditioned, ego-bound self to witnessing awareness, Atman, which is Brahmn itself. Plato also called for this inward shift. In his allegory of the cave , he describes prisoners mistaking shadows on the wall for reality. Only by turning inward and moving beyond appearances can one see truth of Forms and, ultimately, the Form of the Good. Authored by: Ganesh Kolambakar Why Arjun Was Chosen: The Untold Secret of Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, Verse 3
IOL News
18-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Swami Nischalananda: A pillar of strength for South African Hindus
Pravrajika Ishataprana Mataji, High Commissioner of South Africa to India Professor Anil Sooklal and Swami Swatmaramanandaji Maharaj light the lamp. Image: Tumi Pakkies/ Independent Newspapers Hundreds of people watched and listened to the different addresses at the commemoration of the 100th birth anniversary and legacy of Swami Nischalananda held at Kendra Hall in Durban on Sunday. Born Dhanagopal Naidoo in 1925 in Newcastle, Swami Nischalananda was a South African spiritual pioneer and Vedantic visionary who founded the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa in Avoca in Glen Anil. High Commissioner of South Africa to India, Professor Anil Sooklal, said there have been towering individuals who sometimes go unrecognised and uncelebrated, and Swami Nischalananda is one of those. Sooklal said that often, when you speak of the Indian community of South Africa, it is unfortunately overshadowed by Mahatma Gandhi. Of course, Gandhi was a larger-than-life person. But without the Girmitiya community being in South Africa, there would be no Gandhi today. 'I think it's important for us to distinguish between the journey of Gandhi in South Africa and the journey of the Girmitiya community, which is the journey of Swami Nischalananda as well,' Sooklal said. 'Without minimising one or the other, they are both equally important.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Sooklal said the religious text, faith and Gods and Goddesses brought by indentured labourers (Girmitiya) sustained Hindus when they were treated like slaves. He said 95% of the Indians who came to South Africa were Hindu, but today they are about 40%. 'If Swami Nischalananda were living today, do you think he'd be happy? And we are partly to blame for that because we became ashamed of our own identity,' Sooklal said. He said that in light of Hindus being denied having priests nurturing society, Swami Nischalananda rose, and he was fired with a deep passion for wanting to do something for his community. Sooklal repeated, had Swami Nischalananda been living today, what would be his assessment of the Hindu community in South Africa? 'And I can tell you, he will not be happy. And you know the reasons why. You know the reasons why,' Sooklal said. 'We are a powerful community, our great, great, grandparents came here, penniless, and they laid a solid foundation. They brought the culture, they brought the tradition, they brought the religion and built hundreds of temples with the few pennies that they earned,' Sooklal said. He said their sacrifice forms an integral fabric of this multicultural, fantastic society that embodies the make up of South Africans. 'Swami Nischalananda sacrificed so that we can enjoy today.' From left: Dr Nelistra Singh, High Commissioner of South Africa to India Professor Anil Sooklal and Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa chairperson Jugdeesh Gungadeen. Image: Tumi Pakkies/ Independent Newspapers Swami Swatmaramanandaji Maharaj said Swami Nischalananda did not live for himself but for others. Maharaj said he observed the running of the Ramakrishna Centre and can see the work and the foundation laid by Swami Nischalananda. He said the name Nischalananda in Sanskrit means still, unwavering, serene, and Swami Nischalananda embodied this. Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa chairperson Jugdeesh Gungadeen said Swami Nischalananda's mission was to serve selflessly, spiritually uplift and guide the Hindu community in South Africa. 'At a time when the community faced discrimination, marginalisation and the erosion of identity, Swami Nischalananda gave South African Hindus a spiritual anchor. 'In today's world of distraction, anxiety and infodemia, his teachings remind us to live with focus, fearlessness and faith. He taught that true power lies not in external success but in inner clarity and service. His life shows that spirituality is not outdated; it is the foundation of resilience and fulfilment.' Attendee Steven Surujballie said they hail from Newcastle, like Swami Nischalananda and left at 5am to attend the event. On attending the event, Surujballie said: 'It's very important because the founder was born in Newcastle.' He said they will have a function in Newcastle in October, the closing celebrations of Swami Nischalananda.
IOL News
11-05-2025
- General
- IOL News
Honouring Swami Nischalananda: A legacy of unity and spiritual awakening
Swami Nischalananda significantly influenced the Hindu community through his lasting message, which emphasised unity, knowledge, and selfless service. Image: Supplied The 100th birth anniversary and legacy of Swami Nischalananda, a spiritual pioneer and Vedantic visionary who founded the Ramakrishna Centre in Avoca in Durban, will be commemorated next Sunday. South Africans commemorate Swami Nischalananda this year while also acknowledging the lasting significance of his message: unity in diversity, strength through knowledge, and liberation through selfless service as evidenced in the multifarious activities in serving the poor, providing health care, education programmes and legal services are among the many other empowerment and spiritual activities it continues to this day. A spokesperson of the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa said that as South Africa reflects on its spiritual heritage, Swami Nischalananda's birth anniversary (born Dhanagopal Naidoo in 1925 in Newcastle), offers an occasion to honour the remarkable journey of a visionary monk who ignited a spiritual renaissance among the Indian Hindu community during one of the most turbulent periods in the nation's history. 'Emerging from the ashes of colonial oppression and apartheid discrimination, Swami Nischalananda dedicated his life to the revival and propagation of Vedanta philosophy. Amidst widespread religious suppression, cultural fragmentation, and aggressive conversion efforts, he provided a beacon of unity, courage, and spiritual strength to Hindus across South Africa,' the spokesperson said. Dhanagopal exhibited rare spiritual sensitivity and resilience, embracing ascetic practices in secrecy from a young age while growing up in poverty. Driven by a deep desire for divine truth and inspired by Swami Vivekananda, he initiated a secret study circle that eventually became the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa in 1946. Dhanagopal travelled to India in 1948, determined to wear the ochre robes of renunciation before returning to serve his people. Under the tutelage of Swami Purushottamananda at Vasishta Guha in Rishikesh, he underwent a significant spiritual transformation. This culminated in his monastic initiation, at which point he was given the name Swami Nischalananda. When he returned to South Africa in 1953, the spiritual revolution began. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading He countered missionary pressures and instilled pride, unity, and self-confidence within the fragmented Hindu community through lectures, exhibitions, mass prayers, youth rallies, yoga camps, and social welfare initiatives. His inclusive approach broke racial, linguistic, and class barriers—welcoming all into the fold of spiritual upliftment. 'Swami Nischalananda taught us that religion is not mere ritual, but the pursuit of higher consciousness and service to humanity,' the spokesperson said. 'His life exemplified the ideals of renunciation, devotion, and fearless action.' 'Despite passing at the young age of 40, his legacy endures through the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa, a vibrant institution that continues to promote spiritual education, youth development, and humanitarian outreach across the country. His foundational vision lives on in the lives he touched and the values he championed,' the spokesperson continued. South Africa's High Commissioner to India Professor Anil Sooklal will be among attendees at an event commemorating Swami Nischalananda on May 18. Other guests include Revered Monastics Pravrajika Ishtaprana Mataji, Spiritual Head of the Sri Sarada Devi Ashram and Revered Swami Swatmaramananda, President of the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa.
Time of India
04-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Shankaracharya nourished sanatana dharma, culture: Sanadi
Dharwad: Rich tributes were paid to Adi Jagadguru Shankaracharya on his birth anniversary, at a programme organised by the district administration and the department of Kannada and Culture at Dharwad on Saturday. Inaugurating the programme, chairman of Hubballi-Dharwad Urban Development Authority, Shakir Sanadi hailed Adi Jagadguru Shankaracharya for his role in preserving and nurturing sanatana dharma in India. He said Shankaracharya's birth anniversary is rightly being celebrated as Philosophers' Day , as it is a tribute not only to Shankaracharya, but to all those spiritual leaders and philosophers who strived to ensure sanatana dharma and its culture survived despite Mughal invasions. "Adi Jagaguru Shankaracharya propagated the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta and interpreted the Upanishads. He established four Sharada Peethas in North, East, South, and West India. It is very important that life stories of such great souls are taught to in schools," Sanadi added. Datta Avadhoota of Sri Brahma Chetanya Ashram, Hebballi, graced the occasion and said that Shankaracharya was born in the 8th century and is one of the most significant Vedantic philosophers. He taught the Advaita Vedanta philosophy and expounded the principle of 'Ekamevaadvitiyam' (the one without a second). His teachings emphasised the importance of knowledge, devotion, and meditation, he noted. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Underground Oddities: Weird Characters Spotted in the Subway Subway Quirks and Curiosities Undo Kannada and culture department's assistant director Kumar Bekkari and writer Bharati Hegde also spoke. Former mayors HV Dambal and Poorna Patil, president of Dharwad taluk Brahmana Sabha Brahmin RD Kulkarni and Deepak Alur were present.
