If I had 24 Hours to Live…

If You Had Only 24 Hours to Live, How Would You Live Them?

If I Had 24 Hours to Live, I would…

• I would spend time with all my loved ones and cherish each moment I have with them. I would also make sure they know how much I love them.
• Spend time with people who have made the most impact on my life.
• I would make sure my funeral expenses were paid and that my will was clear to avoid any inconvenience to my family.
• Serve God and all others for last 24 hours.
• Make sure I repent of my sins and establish a clean slate with God, so I can make it in to the pearly gates.
• Tell people what you never had a chance to say in-person.
• Do what I always wanted to do but never had a chance.
• Go totally crazy.
• Travel as much as I can.
• Be normal. Live today as you’ve always lived.
• I would be at my home with my parents and family members and would have set a cam to record last day of my life and would ask my parents to post it on YouTube or somewhere on eternal and infinite internet. Because I would want to leave something that will make you feel how short is life for all the nonsense other than spending time with people you love.

I’m sure, you also would have a similar response as mentioned above with same variant. May be altogether different response.

It actually doesn’t matter…

To summarize…

Don’t wait for your last 24 Hours as you will never come to know about your last day.

Live Everyday as your Last Day…

Live a full day, every day, so the last day is no big deal…

Don’t wait for the last day to Identify Your Purpose of Life…

Live every day to its fullest…

Shed your Ego…

Clarify any indifference that you had with your friends or family…

Do kind things for people…

Love with every fiber of your being…

Help whenever help is needed…

Restore others’ faith in humanity…

Thank God for your Blessings…
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The Power of Meditation...

The World we live in today has heavy information overload.

From the evolutionary standpoint, we were never meant to spend this much time indoors or staring at computer screens. To add to that, we also have our life to deal with.

There are continuous thoughts that keep our mind busy:

• Worrying about what we have to do for the day
• Worrying about tomorrow
• Worrying about what happened yesterday
• Opinions on the article we just read
• Opinions on somebody’s tweet
• Status Updates on Facebook
• etc…

The list really does go on and on... It’s pretty much endless… 

Imagine if we had a vehicle that we drive continually, and we never did any maintenance on it and every night somebody else took it and drove it all night. Eventually, it would break down much faster.

Similarly, our brains are kind of the same way. They weren’t possibly meant for never-ending thoughts. Even when we sleep we are still thinking.

Meditation on the Heart

When we apply our consciousness to learn about ourselves, it is as if our thoughts and feelings are separate.

When we meditate on the heart, we feel one with nature and develop intuitive understanding. Meditation heals and transforms us.

Why Meditate?

Regular practice of meditation has the following benefits:

·        Improved quality of life

·        Stress relief

·        Better quality of sleep

·        Stimulation of the immune system

·        Greater concentration

Meditation is either going thoughtless or focusing on a single idea/thought while still being aware of your surroundings.

Four States of Human Awareness:

Jagruti: The waking state of consciousness

Swapna: The dreaming state of consciousness

Sushupti: The state of deep sleep in which the mind, the ego and superego are still

Turya: The state of thoughtless awareness beyond the mind

Significance of Thoughtlessness

"All that happens in the thoughtless state is enlightened. Light never talks. If you switch on the light in the room, the light won't speak or give you any ideas. It would just make everything visible. The same is true about the light of thoughtlessness.

First become thoughtless and then doubtless. Then all your doubts go and you know that there is some power that works. It works very fast and is all-subtle. You will be amazed how it happens. This is also about time. I never look at a watch. But my real watch is in the thoughtlessness.

A thoughtless mind can be incredibly powerful in so many areas of your life. Have you ever noticed when you stop thinking about a problem, a few hours later you have the solution?

A thoughtless mind enables some of the most creative things we will ever do.

Thoughtless Awareness Meditation

When there is no thought in mind, that is the state of thoughtlessness or void (Shoonya).

One can be in thoughtless state without awareness, for example when one is in a dreamless sleep or in a coma.

When the state of thoughtlessness or void (Shoonya) is coupled with “conscious attention”/awareness of this state, it is called thoughtless awareness.

Thus, thoughtless awareness is the combination of a thoughtless mind and awareness (conscious attention) of this thoughtless state.

As per yoga, this is considered to be the highest stage of meditation. 

Adi Guru Shankaracharya proclaimed, “Achintaiva Parama Dhyana” – to be in thoughtless awareness is the highest stage of meditation.

Buddha was asked: “What have you gained from Meditation?” He replied: “Nothing.”
“However”, Buddha said, “let me tell you what I lost: Anger, Anxiety, Depression, Insecurity, Fear of Old Age and Death.”
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One Wish...

If you could wave a magic wand and be granted just one wish, what would it be?

And what if rather than a magic wand, you simply needed to present that request to God, with the guarantee that it would be given to you, with the basic assumption, that the wish will not involve something sinful or harmful to others.

For whom would you ask that wish, for…?

·         Yourself

·         Family

·         Friends

·         Society

What will you ask?

·         Money

·         Power

·         Material

·         Health

·         Wisdom

·         Fame

·         Joy

·         Love

·         Peace

·         Celebration

·         Eternal/Spiritual Peace

·         Enlightenment

·         Childhood

Well, if you could answer the above two questions and identify your only one wish; it is evident that you are well aware of your Purpose of Life.

If you are unable to decide your only one wish, it’s time to revisit your Purpose of Life…
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Seek Joy, not just Happiness!

Happiness is an emotion in which we experience feelings ranging from contentment and satisfaction to bliss and intense pleasure.

Whereas, Joy is a stronger, less common feeling than happiness.

We can get happy but we can’t stay happy.

I have heard people saying "I just want to be happy!" They believe that happiness is something that can be achieved and held on to it. We look forward to that time in which we can finally be happy, but it continually recedes. When we are in High School, we think, "If we can just graduate then we will be happy." Graduation, however, is not fulfilling, and we decide "If we go to college then life will be better". But a college education does not bring happiness. Maybe it will come upon finding the right job, or getting married, or having children, or retiring. The goal remains elusive. The "happiness that lasts" is never found because it is actually impossible to get happy and stay happy.

If life is based on obtaining happiness then we will always fall short because life is always changing.

Joy connects us to the creative power - It is far better to seek Joy. Joy is related to happiness, but it is a deeper experience. In the search for happiness the individual focuses upon himself, but joy moves a person out of a self-centered preoccupation and provides an orientation towards others. Joy is an experience which connects us to that which is "Greater" than we are. Joy connects us to the creative power that is more than the "I" or ego. Joy gets us out of ourselves and gets us in contact with others. If we are willing to give up the search for Happiness, we may find Joy.

·       Happiness is based on an experience or other external stimulus. For instance, getting engaged to be married may result in happiness.  
     Joy is based on internal well-being or the anticipation of well-being.

·       When happiness is present, it is larger than life. Nothing seems better or worthy of attention but happiness is fickle. Happiness also tends to disappear when the situation changes. Joy is constant.

·       Happiness can be described as an emotion. Joy is more properly related to a state of one’s being.

·       Happiness depends on external factors to exist. Happiness happens to us. Even though we may seek it, desire it, pursue it. Feeling happy is not a choice we make. Joy, on the other hand, is a choice purposefully made. It is an attitude of the heart and spirit, present inside of us as an untapped reservoir of potential.

·       Happiness is achieved with five course meal. Joy is realizing that we have access to food and water, all the time. 

·       Happiness is feeling the sunshine on a beautiful day. Joy is acknowledging that the Sun is always there, even when it’s cloudy.

·       Happiness is winning an award or getting a raise. Joy is waking up every morning and doing what you love.

·       Happiness comes and goes. Joy comes and goes, but it's always a choice.

·       Happiness is a wish. Joy is a practice.

·       Happiness is an emotion in which one experience feelings ranging from contentment and satisfaction to bliss and intense pleasure. Joy is a stronger, less common feeling than happiness. Witnessing or achieving selflessness to the point of personal sacrifice frequently triggers this emotion

·       Happiness is caused by earthly experiences and material objects. Joy comes from Spiritual experiences, caring for others, gratitude, thankfulness, etc…

·       Happiness is outward expression of elation. Joy is inward peace and contentment.

·       Happiness is temporary as it is based on outward circumstances. Joy is lasting as it is based on inward circumstances.

Ways to seize Joy:

·         Choosing to Smile
·         Meditation and Imagining
·         Positive Thinking
·         Feeling Grateful
·         Notice Immediate Surroundings
·         Become Active and Support others

Appreciate Happiness and Live Joy!
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My Expectations from Others...

“When expectations rule our lives, we setup ourselves for disappointment”

Most of the disappointment, hurt, and anger in this World come from someone not meeting our expectations, either someone else’s or our own.

Sometimes we expect too much from our spouse, our children, our jobs, and ourselves. When our expectations are unrealistic, instead of inspiring greatness with the high bar we’ve set, we’re more likely to foster disappointment and resentment.

It isn’t that we shouldn’t ever have high expectations; it’s just that we need to be aware of how our expectations can sometimes make us unhappy.

“Low expectations can be a key to happiness.”

How often do we face these situations?

• When I’m driving to work, I expect that people will stop at red lights and go on green.
• I expect that most of my coworkers will come to work on a workday.
• I expect that I will get help from other people during the day as I help other people whenever they need help.
• I expect a perfect job & a perfect spouse.
• I expect my friendships to be reciprocal - give and take.
• I expect Life should be just like the movies
• I am a huge giver and anticipator of the needs of others. This feeling comes from a very deep need for connection.
• My friend/spouse simply does not show it and I end up feeling sad, disappointed and angry that he/she does not meet my expectations.

Our “Expectations” are a product of our upbringing and our values that we bring to the relationship.

Often we tend to believe that the way we treat others should the way we are treated in return. But, unfortunately, this does not always happen.

I used to have expectations of the people that worked for me. I expected them to come to work every day, get to work on time, work diligently throughout the day, take breaks and lunches at the designated times, do what I told them to do exactly how and when I told them to do it.

Whenever they did not meet my expectations, I felt angry and disappointed (which was actually waste of time and energy). Anyone who didn’t meet my expectations was defective. What I wanted was perfection. And then I realized that perfection was really just “my way of doing things”.

We need to realize that our expectations cannot change people. Even if they will, what is the effort, energy and heartburns that will get consumed from either side.

If you do not have expectations, you can never be disappointed.

Communicate your Expectations – Share your expectations openly and honestly with your partner. Don’t end yourself up in a situation - “but she/he should have known”.

The most important part of being in a healthy relationship is good communication.

Most people are not mind readers and the expectation that our friend/partner should “just know” what we want, is going to leave us feel disappointed.

Communicate at the right time - Sharing expectations timely could prevent much sorrows and heartburns. We just can’t assume that our partner is on the same page.

We really need to talk, may be not on the first date, but as soon as we think that our partner is relationship material. I remember one couple that I worked with who divorced.

She assumed they would have children and he didn’t want children but none of them communicated their expectations timely.

Adjusting Your Expectations

• Decide what is reasonable.
• Tone down Your Expectations. Eliminate the word “should” and choose –“I would prefer”. None of us can control other people, try as we might. People behave the way they behave for their own reasons.
• Recognize limitations. Try to identify the limitations or problems that the other person might be facing. It’s also possible that they might have a different agenda than meeting your expectations. Relationships have their limitations. Marital research shows that 69% of relationship issues are basically unsolvable and perpetual. Wise couples accept this and find ways to live around the issues, rather than engaging in constant conflict.
• Be tolerant of other’s views. Respect other’s point of view. People rarely behave exactly the way you want them to. Hope for the best, but expect less.
• Explore alternative ways to get your Expectations met. Take responsibility for your own needs and find workable and acceptable ways of satisfying them.
• Change Your Expectations - By maintaining an accurate awareness of our own realities, we become capable to determine what is truly expected from others.

“There are two ways to be happy: improve your reality or lower your expectations.”

Accepting the Reality: Acceptance is an amazing trait that needs to be actively worked toward. When things do not work out the way we had planned, it is much more beneficial to realize the reality/actuality rather than becoming frustrated about the situation.

Have hope rather than expectations and you will tend not to get disappointed.

An unfortunate pitfall of having high expectations in certain circumstances is that we prevent ourselves from enjoying the experience altogether. If you feel this way in your life, you need to readjust/recalibrate your expectations. Do not expect things out of situations; just go into them with an open mind. This will allow you to fully immerse yourself without the pressure of living up to preconceived notions.

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