A Holistic Approach to Wellness

True wellness encompasses harmony between the body, mind, and spirit. The Bhagavad Gita’s teachings align perfectly with this concept, emphasizing the interconnectedness of these aspects of human existence and the necessity to nurture all of them for complete wellness.

Bridging the Physical and Spiritual

The Bhagavad Gita introduces the concept of the eternal soul (Atman) residing within the body. This teaching highlights the inseparable link between our physical and spiritual selves. By nourishing both, we can achieve a state of holistic wellness that transcends physical health alone.

Balancing Physical and Spiritual Nourishment

The Gita advocates moderation in all aspects of life, including diet, exercise, and spiritual practice. This principle resonates with modern wellness approaches that stress balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, and mindfulness. By aligning our physical and spiritual nourishment, we cultivate a harmonious state of being.

Detachment for Inner Fulfillment

Detachment from the outcomes of our actions, a key teaching of the Bhagavad Gita, fosters inner fulfillment and emotional balance. This concept dovetails with the pursuit of wellness, as it encourages us to focus on the journey of self-improvement rather than external validation. By detaching from societal pressures, we free ourselves to pursue genuine wellness.

Stress Management and Inner Peace

Stress is a barrier to both physical and spiritual wellness. The Bhagavad Gita provides tools to manage stress through maintaining equanimity and inner peace. These principles align with modern stress management techniques, contributing to overall wellness and balance.

The Bhagavad Gita’s teachings provide a comprehensive roadmap to wellness that transcends the boundaries of physical health. By intertwining physical and spiritual nourishment, embracing balance, detachment, and yoga, we unlock the path to holistic wellness. By integrating the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, we embark on a transformative journey toward a life enriched with both physical vitality and spiritual fulfillment.

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Embracing Holistic living

Holistic living is the synergy between the body, mind, and spirit. It encompasses a comprehensive state of wellbeing that extends beyond physical fitness and includes emotional and spiritual wellbeing. The Bhagavad Gita’s teachings resonate deeply with this concept, advocating a harmonious balance of all aspects of life. This is a Gestalt approach i.e. seeing things in a Macro perception rather than micro perception.

Balancing the Body, mind and spirit. 

Central to the Bhagavad Gita’s wisdom is the connection between the body, mind and spirit through all the four Yogas i.e. karma, bhakti, jnana and dhyana yoga. . Just as a charioteer steers a chariot, the soul guides the body and mind. By cultivating a healthy mind, we pave the way for physical wellbeing. Practices such as meditation and awarefullness, endorsed by the Gita, promote mental clarity and emotional equilibrium, which are integral to Holistic living.

The Art of Moderation

In both the Bhagavad Gita and the pursuit of Holistic living, moderation is key. The Gita emphasizes moderation in all aspects of life, including diet, exercise, and rest. These principles mirror modern Holistic living practices that advocate balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, and adequate rest.

Detachment and Acceptance

The Bhagavad Gita advocates detachment from the outcomes of our actions, fostering emotional wellbeing and reducing stress. This philosophy aligns seamlessly with Holistic living, where the focus is on the journey rather than the destination. By prioritizing the process of achieving physical wellbeing over immediate results, we reduce stress and anxiety.

Yoga: Uniting Body and Spirit

The Bhagavad Gita introduces the concept of yoga, which signifies unity or connection. Beyond just physical postures, yoga encompasses a holistic philosophy that unites the individual with their inner self and the universe. Engaging in regular physical activity, including yoga, not only enhances physical health but also nurtures mental and spiritual wellbeing.

Managing Stress Holistically

Stress is a significant obstacle to Holistic living. The Bhagavad Gita imparts insights into stress management through techniques like maintaining equanimity in challenges and practicing self-discipline. These principles align with modern stress management strategies, contributing to overall holistic wellbeing.

The Bhagavad Gita’s timeless wisdom transcends cultural and temporal boundaries, guiding us toward Holistic living through comprehensive approaches. By weaving its teachings on the mind-body connection, moderation, detachment, and yoga into our lives, we unlock a state of equilibrium and wellbeing. By aligning our Holistic living practices with the Bhagavad Gita’s principles, we embark on a transformative journey that enriches every facet of our lives.

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The Bhagavad Gita teaches that anxiety arises from a lack of inner peace. Lord Krishna, one of the central figures in the Bhagavad Gita, advises Arjuna, a warrior, to find inner peace and tranquility by practicing yoga and meditation. Yoga and meditation are powerful tools that can help individuals cope with anxiety disorders. Yoga can help regulate the body’s stress response and reduce symptoms of anxiety. Meditation can help individuals become more mindful and present, which can reduce rumination and worry.

The Bhagavad Gita also teaches that anxiety arises from a lack of detachment. Lord Krishna advises Arjuna to detach himself from the outcome of his actions. This means that individuals should focus on the present moment and let go of worries about the future. Detachment can help individuals reduce anxiety and worry and improve their overall mental health.

Another important teaching of the Bhagavad Gita is self-reflection. Lord Krishna advises Arjuna to reflect on his actions and thoughts and to strive for self-improvement. This means that individuals should be aware of their thoughts and emotions and try to change negative thought patterns. Self-reflection can help individuals identify triggers for anxiety and develop coping strategies to manage these triggers.

The Bhagavad Gita also teaches that individuals should be aware of their own limitations. Lord Krishna advises Arjuna to know his own strengths and weaknesses and to act accordingly. This means that individuals should recognize their own limitations and not push themselves beyond their capacity. Overexertion and stress can lead to anxiety and other mental health issues.

In addition to these teachings, the Bhagavad Gita also emphasizes the importance of seeking support from others. Lord Krishna advises Arjuna to seek guidance and support from his teachers and elders. This means that individuals should not be afraid to seek help from mental health professionals or loved ones when they are struggling with anxiety. Support from others can help individuals cope with anxiety and reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness.

The Bhagavad Gita also teaches the importance of living in the present moment. Lord Krishna advises Arjuna to focus on the present moment and not worry about the past or the future. This means that individuals should focus on the present moment and enjoy the present without worrying about what is to come. Living in the present moment can help individuals reduce anxiety and increase feelings of happiness and contentment.

In conclusion, anxiety disorders can be challenging to cope with, but the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita can provide individuals with valuable guidance and support. By practicing yoga and meditation, detachment, self-reflection, recognizing limitations, seeking support, and living in the present moment, individuals can cope with anxiety and improve their overall mental health. The Bhagavad Gita teaches that inner peace and tranquility are essential for a healthy mind and body. By following these teachings, individuals can find relief from anxiety and lead fulfilling lives.

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Embracing Detachment

One of the key lessons from the Bhagavad Gita is the importance of embracing detachment. This does not imply a lack of care or concern for the world; rather, it encourages us to let go of excessive attachment to outcomes and this shows up in overthinking, another form of worrying. . Often, our negative thinking stems from the fear of failure  or the addiction for specific results. By cultivating detachment, we free ourselves from the burdens of expectation and open up to a more optimistic perspective. We learn to focus on our efforts and intentions rather than obsessing over the end results.

Detachment is not being stuck with a familiar option. It gives a freedom to act with pliability

Navigating Through Challenges

Life is full of challenges, and how we perceive them determines our ability to overcome them. The Bhagavad Gita teaches us that challenges are inevitable aspects of human existence.

If one is anchored in one’s Dharma ie Duty and enjoy doing one’s duty however difficult, then an inner strength opens up.

 An optimistic mindset enables us to view challenges as opportunities for growth and self-discovery. By embracing the idea that difficulties are stepping stones to progress, we can develop the resilience needed to face life’s adversities with a positive attitude.

Practicing Self-Awareness

Understanding our own thought patterns and emotions is essential in cultivating a positive mindset. The Bhagavad Gita emphasizes self-awareness as a means of recognizing negative thought patterns, such as self-doubt and pessimism. Through self-reflection and meditation, we can identify and challenge these negative tendencies, replacing them with positive affirmations and thoughts. This practice empowers us to approach life’s situations with optimism and self-assurance.

Surrendering to a Higher Power

In the Bhagavad Gita, surrendering to a higher power is depicted as an act of faith and trust in the universe’s divine order. While this may resonate differently with individuals depending on their beliefs, the essence of surrender lies in relinquishing our need for total control over outcomes. When we let go and trust in a higher purpose, we alleviate anxiety and stress, fostering a more positive outlook on life’s uncertainties.

Fostering Gratitude

Gratitude is a powerful tool for cultivating a positive mindset. The Bhagavad Gita encourages us to develop an attitude of gratitude by acknowledging the blessings and abundance in our lives. By focusing on the positives, we shift our attention away from what we lack and embrace a more optimistic perspective on life.

The Bhagavad Gita, with its timeless wisdom, offers profound insights into the power of positive thinking. By embracing detachment, navigating challenges with resilience, practicing self-awareness, surrendering to a higher power, and fostering gratitude, we can cultivate an optimistic mindset that empowers us to lead fulfilling and purposeful lives. As we integrate these teachings into our daily lives, we begin to experience the transformative effects of positive thinking, unlocking the door to personal growth and self-realization.

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The Bhagavad Gita teaches that stress arises from attachment and expectation. Attachment is being stuck and not open and expectation is different from aspiration. Lord Krishna, teaches Arjuna to detach himself from worrying about the result. This means that individuals should focus on the process of their work and not worry about the outcome. Detachment can help individuals reduce stress and worry and improve their overall mental health. This strategy should be transformed into action.

The Bhagavad Gita also teaches that individuals should be aware of their thoughts and emotions. Lord Krishna teaches Arjuna to be aware of his thoughts and emotions and to remain steady in his mind. 

Awareness is to be sensitive and not sentimental to the sensations of life. Sensitive is to experience “what is” and sentimental is reacting to “what is”.

Sensations exist but to be sensible to sensations is different from being senseless to the sensations. 

Another important teaching of the Bhagavad Gita is the practice of yoga. 

Lord Krishna advises Arjuna to practice yoga to attain inner peace and tranquility. Lord Krishna gives a revolutionary meaning of Yoga ie “disjoining to ones joining to sorrow”. One has to learn to “let go” from what is not working and “let in” to what works. By this one can manage stress and handle burnouts.

In addition to these teachings, the Bhagavad Gita also emphasizes the importance of self-care. Self care is not “self Love” but “ cosmic love”. Self love is narrowing oneself to your greed but cosmic love is connecting to the macro and not getting lost in the micro self

 Lord Krishna advises Arjuna to take care of his body and mind and to avoid overexertion. This means that individuals should prioritize their own health and well-being and avoid burnout. Self-care can include activities such as exercise, healthy eating, and spending time with loved ones.

The Bhagavad Gita also teaches the importance of maintaining balance in life. Lord Krishna advises Arjuna to live a balanced life and to avoid extremes. This means that individuals should strive for balance in all areas of their life, including work, relationships, and leisure. Maintaining balance can help individuals reduce stress and avoid burnout.

Another important teaching of the Bhagavad Gita is the importance of surrendering to a higher power. Lord Krishna advises Arjuna to surrender to him and to trust in his guidance. This means that individuals should surrender to a higher power and trust in the universe to guide them. Surrender can help individuals reduce stress and worry and improve their overall mental health.

In addition to these teachings, the Bhagavad Gita also emphasizes the importance of community and support. Nara seva is Narayana seva i.e. serving people is serving the lord for lord resides in all beings.

In conclusion, stress and burnout can be challenging to cope with, but the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita can provide individuals with valuable guidance and support. By practicing detachment, Awareness, yoga, self-care by transforming self love to cosmic love and  maintaining balance, surrendering to a higher power, and seeking support, individuals can manage stress and reduce burnout.

 The Bhagavad Gita teaches that inner peace and tranquility are essential for a healthy mind and body. By following these teachings, individuals can find relief from stress and burnout and lead fulfilling lives. One has to convert any situation as a form of learning and lead to growth management . This will happen if one is committed to transformation. The Bhagavad Gita is a wonderful book for Transformation.

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The Bhagavad Gita teaches that the root cause of depression is the attachment to material things and desires.

Lord Krishna, guides  Arjuna, a warrior, to detach himself from the material world and focus on his spiritual journey. This means that individuals should focus on their inner selves and their connection to a higher power, rather than on external circumstances and material possessions for the sake of name and fame or position of power.

The Bhagavad Gita also teaches that the mind is the cause of both bondage and liberation. Lord Krishna advises Arjuna to control his mind and focus on positive thoughts and actions. This means that individuals should take control of their thoughts and emotions and focus on positive affirmations and actions to overcome depression.

Another important teaching of the Bhagavad Gita is the practice of yoga. Lord Krishna advises Arjuna to practice yoga to attain inner peace and tranquility. Yoga can help individuals overcome depression by improving their mental and physical health, reducing stress and anxiety, and improving their overall sense of well-being. The yogas are Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana yoga and dhyana Yoga.

In addition to these teachings, the Bhagavad Gita emphasizes the importance of self-awareness. Lord Krishna advises Arjuna to be aware of his own thoughts and emotions and to remain steady in his mind. This means that individuals should be aware of their own mental states which have layers of ignorance and memory roles  and strive to maintain a calm and Transform them. . Self-awareness or objective awareness can help individuals overcome depression by allowing them to identify negative thought patterns and develop strategies to overcome them.

The Bhagavad Gita also teaches the importance of surrendering to a higher power. Lord Krishna advises Arjuna to surrender to him and to Trust in his guidance. This means that individuals should surrender to a higher power and trust in the universe to guide them. Surrender can help individuals overcome depression by reducing stress and worry and improving their overall mental health.

Another important teaching of the Bhagavad Gita is the importance of practicing detachment. Lord Krishna advises Arjuna to detach himself from the fruits of his actions i.e. don’t worry about the results of action and to focus on performing his duties without attachment to the outcome. This means that individuals should focus on their actions and their spiritual journey, rather than on the outcome or results of their actions. Practicing detachment can help individuals overcome depression by reducing feelings of disappointment and frustration.

The Bhagavad Gita also emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment. Lord Krishna advises Arjuna to focus on the present moment and to let go of the past and future. This means that individuals should focus on enjoying the present moment, rather than worrying about the past or future. Living in the present moment can help individuals overcome depression by reducing feelings of regret and anxiety.

In addition to these teachings, the Bhagavad Gita also emphasizes the importance of cultivating positive relationships. Lord Krishna advises Arjuna to cultivate positive relationships with his family and community. This means that individuals should focus on building positive relationships with their loved ones and their community. Positive relationships can help individuals overcome depression by providing them with emotional support and a sense of belonging.

There is a Spiritual self but we are lost in the functional and social self which is guided by ego. Dropping ego is making one discover the Spiritual self. 

In conclusion, the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita provide valuable guidance and support on how to overcome depression and find joy in life. By detaching oneself from material possessions, focusing on the spiritual journey, practicing yoga, cultivating self-awareness, surrendering to a higher power, practicing detachment, living in the present moment, and cultivating positive

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Adversity is a part of life, and building resilience is crucial for individuals to cope with challenging situations. The Bhagavad Gita, provides insights on how to build self-confidence in the face of adversity. In this blog post, we will explore the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita on how to build strength and confidence. This can be the mantra as to how it can help individuals cope with difficult times.

The Bhagavad Gita teaches us to see opportunity in a difficulty and not a difficulty in an opportunity and that individuals should embrace it with a positive and grateful  attitude. Lord Krishna advises Arjuna, a warrior, to embrace his difficulties with a powerful mindset. This means that individuals should view adversity as an opportunity to learn and grow, rather than be a victim.

The Bhagavad Gita also teaches that individuals should focus on their inner strength and resilience. Lord Krishna inspires Arjuna to remain steadfast and determined in the face of adversity. This means that individuals should focus on their own inner strength with commitment and not complaint.

Another important teaching of the Bhagavad Gita is the practice of yoga. Lord Krishna advises Arjuna to practice yoga to attain inner peace and tranquility. Yoga also means “inner silence”. Yoga can help individuals build resilience by improving their mental and physical health, reducing stress and anxiety, and improving their ability to cope with difficult situations.

In addition to these teachings, the Bhagavad Gita emphasizes the importance of self-awareness. Lord Krishna advises Arjuna to be aware of his own thoughts and emotions and to remain focused. This means that individuals should be aware of their own mental states, emotional states and watch his or her soliloquy  and strive to maintain a calm and steady. Self-awareness can help individuals build resilience by allowing them to identify their own strengths and weaknesses and develop strategies to cope with difficult situations.

The Bhagavad Gita also teaches the importance of surrendering to a higher power. Lord Krishna advises Arjuna to surrender to him-cosmic intelligence and to trust in his guidance. This means that individuals should surrender to a higher power and trust in the universe to guide them. Surrender can help individuals build resilience by reducing stress and worry and improving their overall mental health.

Another important teaching of the Bhagavad Gita is the importance of community and support. Lord Krishna advises Arjuna to seek guidance and support from his teachers and elders. This means that individuals should not be afraid to seek help from others when they are struggling with adversity. Support from others can help individuals build resilience by providing them with emotional and practical support and reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness.

In addition to these teachings, the Bhagavad Gita also emphasizes the importance of maintaining balance in life. Lord Krishna advises Arjuna to live a balanced life and to avoid extremes. This means that individuals should strive for balance in all areas of their life, including work, relationships, and leisure. Maintaining balance can help individuals build resilience by reducing stress and improving their overall well-being.

In conclusion, building resilience in the face of adversity is crucial for individuals to cope with challenging situations. The teachings of the Bhagavad Gita provide valuable guidance and support on how to build resilience through a positive attitude, focus on inner strength, yoga, self-awareness, surrendering to a higher power, seeking support, and maintaining balance. By following these teachings, individuals can develop the inner strength and resilience to face adversity and overcome it with a positive attitude.

Strive to make your life a spiritual training to be a better human being rather than a bitter human being. Then one will enjoy life and make others experience life in fullness. 

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Jealousy underestimates what we possess and gets lost in what others possess. Understand that jealousy provides the mud for failure to throw on us and make us unambitious. Jealousy provides us the ignorance to define our failure by looking at someone’s success.

Apart from the above explanation, what is jealousy and how does it function? How is youth affected by it?

The moment you define your failure by looking at someone’s success, understand that comparison has entered your mind. Jealousy is nothing but comparisons. It is not wrong to compare, but it is wrong to whip and hurt ourselves with comparison. See this distinction. By comparing, if you can appreciate the other and inspire yourself from the other, then such a comparison is good. But we do the opposite.

You look at someone who is better looking than you and feel bitter. You look at someone who has scored better than you and feels bitter. You look at someone who has a car and you don’t have one and feel bitter. The more this bitterness increases, an inner volcano will invalidate what you already possess. This will make you feel bad instead of feeling good. As I told you, one of the legs of self-confidence is feeling good. And self-confidence is the foundation to being successful.

What are the other pillars to build self-confidence?

One is “feeling good” which I have already explained in the previous chapter. The other is “taking responsibility” and when responsibility is taken with accountability, you become a good leader. For example, if you want to be self-confident in being a good orator, then you should feel good, and secondly, take the responsibility to join a public speaking program.

Being responsible will make you realize that without accountability, the word responsibility is meaningless.

So take projects and be responsible and accountable and in the process, just feel good that you have the project with you. This will slowly build leadership quality in you. This slow build-up will be a great asset in your work front in the future.

What is the third pillar of success?

The third pillar is developing skills. If you want to become a public speaker, you need to develop skill sets like pace, pause, pitch, punctuation, and voice modulation. You should develop the skill of multiple close and open statements. This is one example of developing skills. 

the best way to build self-confidence as I have unfolded above. Then with self-confidence, you will confidently march towards your goal. Your goal then will inspire you and not overpower you.

Jealousy is part of possessiveness. Learn slowly to develop in your own way not to be possessive for, in the end, even your own body is something you have to leave at the time of death.

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Once, a King played a game to convey a message to his subjects. He was put in a huge hall that had one thousand doors. He had a task to quickly find out the right doorway that would open and lead him to the exit to another world. The King started running and touching each door, as there were nine hundred and ninety nine doors which though appeared as the right doorway but were not so.  Only the right doorway can be opened to the exit. The time was short. The King went about touching each door at a good pace. When he came near the right doorway, he paused and felt like scratching his head. In the process he missed touching the real door leading to the exit.

 “Though I recollect the story, I have forgotten the punch line of the story. How in an insignificant act of a momentary distraction, the King missed touching the right doorway and thus opening it to exit. One takes the human birth after many births. In this human birth, which comes as a chance, we forfeit the gift of life in trivial issues and get lost. In the process we miss opening the right doorway to freedom or moksha.

Through one small error our whole life can be wasted, told the mother once. I have observed in my family and among friends – one habit of smoking has practically killed a person. Another relative of mine who is a very good soul has fallen prey to the habit of alcohol addiction, that has destroyed his life. Also I believe that, even the wrong habit of eating can even lead a person to their death bed.

Mother added to my understanding that though I was prioritising exercise and did hours of floor exercises, yoga, martial art, aerobics, gymnasium, I was not prioritising my diet much. She pointed out that even though my eating was based on a healthy diet, lately I have been prioritising on having a researched diet with balanced carbs, fat, fiber, protein and also calories count through which weight reduction of thirteen kilos was possible without much exercise. The punch line she came up with was – I hardly lost any weight doing only exercises.

As an advice, she recalled a newspaper article that once I shared with her where a celebrated actor had said his success for fitness lies in 90% diet and 10% exercise. She recounted with a smile that such a small tip helped me as I was open to explore and find a breakthrough for my weight reduction program.

“Is this also true in the realm of the psychological world?”

Yes. It is very applicable. In the corporate world, a boss may utter something unpleasant but if one goes about worrying about that, one’s quality of life is affected. I know of a person whose daughter had gone through a bitterly fought divorce. The daughter is well educated and works for a good company. But her mother is constantly worried about her divorced daughter. In the process, the mother misses the joy of being in the family along with the other good things in life. One small error is spoiling her life and health. A psychological error can mess our lives up.

“What do you think is the real cause?

There are several causes. The most important is – if you have ego, the ego in you wants to survive its misery by hook or crook. Ego creates its own unique misery. Besides, we don’t listen to our body, mind, feelings, distress and sorrows

When we listen to our sorrows, we realize that our sorrows are an extension of some illusion that we are holding. For example, if you find that married people are happy and find your daughter is not married, you worry because of the illusion that you carry. When the philosopher Socrates was asked a question, “Will I be happy if I get married or will I be happy not getting married”, he replied, “Either ways you will be unhappy”, for happiness is not the result of marriage or not getting married. Happiness is an approach to life.

 “How does one listen to one’s inner call?” Generally, in our listening we are more committed to our opinion, our conclusions, our inner conditionings… where are we truly listening? We are listening to ourselves. We are stuck with our opinions and conclusions. If we can listen to the birds without likes and dislikes, and similarly with other human beings, our intelligence understands more than our conditioned mind. Similarly, if you are worrying, listen to your worry and it will present you with its story of illusions and also demonstrate its psycho drama of errors. But we don’t allow this learning to penetrate us. An iron curtain of our self-talk filled with desires and a conclusion is our block to seeing or listening.

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The word ‘thanks’ should not be uttered mechanically. It is something expressed from one’s heart to another. When someone expresses love and gratitude from the depth of his heart, his hands would move together in obeisance..the lips would tremble…tears would well up in his eyes!

This is a story from Zen Buddhism.

He was the owner of a small restaurant. From morning to night, he would toil in his restaurant. Yet, his heart was centred on spiritual thoughts. His only wish was to meet at least one Zen monk in his lifetime, but his workload did not permit him to go in search of a monk. Everyone, including his staff as well as his regular customers, knew of his desire.

It was not the habit of the Zen monks to wear the normal garb of monks … saffron robes or any special attire meant for those who had renounced worldly life. They normally dressed like any other ordinary Japanese citizens. So it was very difficult to identify a monk.

One particular day, the restaurant owner was very busy. Busy as he was, it was however his habit to observe all his customers. He noticed two men were drinking tea seated in a corner table. As he watched them, his joy knew no bounds!

‘The Zen monks, who I waited for all these years, have come to my restaurant at last!’ he exclaimed happily.

The two men, in fact, were Zen monks. Seeing his exuberance, they accepted him as their disciple. He made his son take charge of the restaurant and was about to follow the monks. One of his customers then asked him, ‘How did you find out these two were Zen monks?’

‘I found out from the way they were seated, the way they held the teacups in reverence, the way they sipped the tea with gratefulness ….. every moment was filled with love. They were radiating serenity all around, he replied as he walked away with them.

He himself later became a Zen monk. Not only that, but he also established a novel method of meditation known as ‘Zen Tea Meditation’ in memory of those two monks who led him to enlightenment.

What is this ‘Zen Tea Meditation’?

Yes, you guessed it right! It is nothing but drinking a cup of tea with a great sense of prayer, love and gratitude. Even today, in Japan, the ‘Zen Tea Ceremony’ takes place. In this ceremony, the Japanese hold cups of tea in both their hands and sip them with deep relish, love and gratitude.

The supreme being has demonstrated benevolence on the Japanese in many ways, as their attitude in expressing love and gratitude, is unmatched.

But many of us may ask, ‘What has HE given us except poverty and hunger? Why should we portray gratefulness to the supreme being?’

In Islam, there is a sect known as Sufi. A Sufi monk and his disciples were wandering in the forest. It was scorching under the sun. Thorns hurt them as they walked barefoot. Unmindful of these sufferings, the monk walked on and on. There were no houses in sight to beg for alms, nor any waterways to quench his thirst on the way! Soon it was night. The monk and his disciples got ready to sleep, without having eaten or drunk anything during the whole day.

The monk prayed aloud, ‘Oh, God! Thank you for all that you gave me today!’

This really irked his disciples who were dying of hunger and thirst. Controlling their anger, they asked, ‘God did not give us anything. Yet you are thanking Him. So what is the meaning of your prayer?’

The Sufi monk replied with a smile, ‘Who told you that God did not give us anything? Just as a mother knows what to give and what not to give to her child, The supreme being knows well what to give and what not to give us. Today, He has given us hunger; an opportunity to fast. Whatever He does, He does it rightly. Therefore, I thanked Him.’

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