In spite of all the work and dollars poured into solving both global and community problems (e.g. poverty, unemployment, drug use, terrorism, immigration issues, global warming, etc.), those problems still persist. Any wise person can see that the next problem-solving effort in the war on poverty, the war on unemployment, the war on drugs, the war on terror, the war on illegal immigration, or the war on global warming cannot succeed, regardless of what such efforts include, who creates them, how well they are funded, and how much support they have. 

Why? You ask!

Because, by narrowly focusing on the symptoms, staring at each problem individually with little attention to the underlying causes, human problems would never be eradicated. 

Consider the phrase “Human Nature“.

Do we invoke that phrase when we are talking glowingly about our brethren?

Hardly!

We use the phrase to focus on our greed, our fear, our selfishness all the things we dislike about being members of this species.

In reality, though, virtually every one of the traits we “chalk up to human nature” is not what distinguishes us as humans at all. 

Those so called “human nature” traits are those we share with many, if not all, animals.

When animals feel threatened, their immediate choices are either to run away or to fight back.

That is not human nature.

That is our “animal nature“.

It’s animal nature to steal, kill, cheat, and deceive.

It’s animal nature to be greedy, fearful, thinking of own survival above all else.

Animals compete, they are violent. 

And this “animal nature” is the underlying cause of all human problems.

It’s human to pray, it’s human to bless, it’s human to love and care for each other and the suffering humanity.

The solution to all human problems is to become human again, and to uncover our “Human Nature”.

Whether you are a rich rat or a poor rat, a famous rat or a common rat, a beautiful rat or an ugly rat, a smart rat or a dumb rat, you are still a rat, right?

What good is to be rich, famous, smart or beautiful, if you are still a rat?

Get out of the “Rat Race“, raise yourself and be a human first.

However hard one may try to raise a rat and put it in a clean and beautiful environment, till he is a rat he will curse you and run back to his filth. A rat enjoys his filth. This is a sure shot sign between a rat and a human. A human can never enjoy in filth. A human longs for Nirvana.

Join GOD YOGA now and start on a journey to realize your hidden Human & Divine Potential.

The Four Candles flickered in the darkness. They were the only source of light in an otherwise dark night. The night ambience was so silent that you could hear them speak.

The first candle said, “I am Peace! How can I stay lit when the world is full of war, terrorism and conflict?” Then the flame of Peace slowly diminished and went out completely.

The second candle said, “I am Truth! How can I stay lit when people are full of lies, deception and manipulate even their loved ones?” Then the flame of Truth slowly diminished and went out completely.

The third candle said sadly, “I am Love! How can I stay lit when people have no time for love? Forget about loving the neighbours, they don’t have time or heart to love the ones living in their homes.” And then the flame of Love went out in a puff of smoke.

About then, a child happen to pass through the night and without the flames of Peace, Truth and Love the dark night appeared more dark and cold. The child began to cry. “Why aren’t you burning?”, he asked. Without peace, truth and love what kind of a world are we children going to inherit?

Then the fourth candle spoke gently but firmly to the crying child. “Fear not my child, for I am Hope and while I still burn, you can relight Love, Truth and Peace with my flame.” With shining eyes, the child took the candle of Hope and lit the other three candles.

Never let the flame of Hope go out. With Hope in your life, no matter how bad things may be, Peace, Truth, and Love will shine brightly once again.

Now, the question is: What is hope? And how can it relight all that is lost?

Most of us confuse “Hope” with “Faith”.

According to C. R. Snyder, who dedicated his career to studying this topic, hope isn’t a mere emotion as is commonly believed; it’s a way of thinking or a cognitive process. Hope is a combination of setting goals, having the tenacity and perseverance to pursue them, and believing in our own abilities.

It means if we have hope:

• We have the ability to set realistic goals (I know where I want to go).
• We are able to figure out how to achieve those goals, including the ability to stay flexible and develop alternative routes (I know how to get there, I’m persistent, and I can tolerate disappointment and try again).
• We believe in ourselves (I can do this!).

Simply speaking, “Hope” is having some goal in life to pursue, the belief in our ability to achieve it, and having, or knowing how to get, the knowledge and skills to achieve that goal. “Hope” is the cradle of goals and their achievements. A purposeless life is a hopeless life.

To create and maintain peace and love within and outside in the world, it requires efforts and work. Mere hoping for peace and love as per our old definitions of “Hope” doesn’t bring about any peace and love, neither inside us, nor outside in the world. But with this new definition of “Hope”, you can create anything. Now, the question you have to ask yourself is: What is your purpose? Why are you living?

Faith, hope and expectation are three different things.

Yes, as we all know that it is far easier to say “Don’t expect” but it’s far more difficult to not expect in reality. We do expect and then we face disappointment. Because who doesn’t expect, can’t feel disappointment. But, as the definition of “Hope” teaches us, to keep on trying again and again inspite of disappointments, to not get bogged down by disappointments – is to have “Hope”.

First please take a look at the antonyms of these words, you will have a better understanding.

Expectation <—> Disappointment/Frustration
Hope <—> Despair —> Depression
Confidence/Belief <—> Doubt
Faith <—> Fear

Now, “Expectation” is a mere desire. You can keep on expecting things to happen, you can keep on expecting other people to behave in a certain way that you like, you can expect something to not happen to you. And when things don’t happen as expected we are disappointed, we are frustrated.

Confidence is belief in your abilities. The opposite is self-doubt.

Faith is knowing. The opposite is fear which grows out of ignorance.

Four friends planned a trekking trip in the Himalayas. Shraddha, Vishwas, Kamana and Aasha.

Kamana was very excited and she imagined all good things happening on the trip. That how they will enjoy, how it will be so good and fun.

Vishwas was quite fit physically and was confident of undertaking the trek.

Shraddha had already been to this trek many times before and knew all it took to make this trip a success. She knew the weather that how quickly it can change and she packed accordingly.

Aasha was also very excited about the trip. She felt confident in her abilities to trek as she has been regularly going to the gym. And to prepare for the trip she started jogging too. Moreover, she consulted Shraddha about what it takes, and she prepared and packed accordingly.

On the appointed day, they embarked on their trip. By afternoon, they reached their destination, the weather was very nice and all of them felt very good to be there. They were all excited about their trek that they were going to start the next morning. But by the evening weather took a nasty turn, which eroded all Kamana’s excitement, although she didn’t show it to others. Although Vishwas was still full of excitement, he was cold and uncomfortable because he didn’t pack the required woollens, but he kept on showing a brave face to others.

They all started their trek early morning. Just after trekking for two kms, Kamana’s excitement crashed and she felt very disappointed with the cold weather and the tiredness she felt because of the trek. She started blaming the weather, the mountain track and Shraddha for everything. This trip was nothing like she imagined. She could not continue the trek and went back to the hotel. She vowed never to come to Himalayas again. But before she left, she tried to convince Vishwas and Aasha that they should also come back with her and not follow Shraddha. But Vishwas and Aasha were enjoying the trek and they stayed with Shraddha.

Vishwas was cool about the trek, but as they went further along the trek, he started doubting his ability to complete the trek. He caught cold last evening and his body was not as fit and prepared as he had earlier thought. Mid-way he gave up and had to stay in the mid-way camp.

Shraddha and Aasha kept on with the trek. Although Aasha was also tired, even fell a few times during the trek. But, she rose right back and continued with her trek. Along the way, they both enjoyed the Himalayan views that only were accessible from that height.

When Shraddha and Aasha reached the top, it was already dusk. The Sun was about to set. And both of them witnessed the most amazing sunset they had ever seen in their lives. Now, Aasha had increased her faith a little that much more regarding this adventure.

You must have already realised that Shraddha is faith, Vishwas is Confidence, Kamana is Expectation and Aasha is Hope.

Now, “Hope” as per our new definition is a combination of three things:

• Having some goal in life to pursue,
• The belief in our ability to achieve it, and
• Having, or knowing how to get, the knowledge and skills to achieve that goal.

The one who has no goal or purpose is already a hopeless person. But a person who wants to achieve something but doubts his abilities to achieve it, soon becomes a victim of despair and prolonged despair leads to depression. What about a person who wants to achieve something, is confident of his abilities, but lacks the perseverance, knowledge and skills to achieve his goals? Of course, soon he will also fall into despair and depression.

If you look at the world, it is full of depressed people who have lost their hope. Sometime back two famous Bollywood Celebrities – Deepika Padukone and Karan Johar, related their tales of depression.

How many celebrities and commoners in the world commit suicide because they have no hope left!

It may surprise you that India has the highest youth suicide rate in the world. Even here in the Himalayas where we live, we keep on hearing stories of suicide committed by young men. It is too common even when the population here is so scarce vis-a-vis the metropolis.

Why do people get depressed, that too young people?

Because, one, they have no meaningful purpose in their lives; two, they have no confidence in themselves; and three, they lack the perseverance, knowledge and skills to achieve their goals. And a lack of any of these three can lead to depression. And it’s more common than you think.

Even you might be depressed without knowing it. Check, ask yourself? And when you find traces of depression in your psyche, work on it.

Pursue a worthwhile goal, work on your abilities, find a coach (CFEL is already here to help you, join God Yoga) and, increase your knowledge and skills.

Do you have problems in your life?

Financially, professionally, psychologically, sexually, emotionally, etc.?

Lord Jesus Christ said: “If you have FAITH as big as a grain of rice, you can move mountains.”

Now what kind of mountains, is he talking about?

And why would anyone want to move mountains?

Oh, dear! He is not talking about physical mountains here.

By mountains Lord Christ means – problems.

Through a little faith you can move problems of the size of mountains.

Reflect, how you make mountains out of mole hills in your life – in your relationships, profession, business, etc.

On the other hand a man of faith makes mole hills out of the mountains in his life. It’s just so easy and simple for a man of faith.

But for a person full of fears, pride – even simple things become complicated and difficult. Oh la la… if only you would have a little faith!

To hope and faith….

Spiritual guru, Adi Shankaracharya used to abhor all kinds of material accumulation. He was free from desires and insecurities of the future.

Think about it, why do we want to save more and more, get more insurances, buy more properties?

Because we are afraid of what might happen in the future. Because we have no faith, no connection with our inner divinity. Our only refuge is material resources.

Those who lack inner resources tend to depend on outer resources. Those who are rich in inner resources are not dependent on outer resources and like a Gautama Buddha or Adi Shankaracharya, they can renounce all outer resources.

There was a dialogue in the Bollywood movie “Singham”: “मेरे ईमान में दम है, क्योंकि मेरी ज़रूरतें कम हैं।” (I have integrity because my necessities are less)

Now, the question is what are the necessities of life?

Clean air and water, food, clothes, a bed to sleep and a roof over your head.
(हवा, पानी, दो वक़्त की रोटी, दो जोड़ी कपड़े, रहने के लिए एक छत और सोने के लिए एक बिस्तर।)

Frankly speaking rest are all desires and insecurities.

Of course, in the current times, this definition of necessities seems harsh.
But then, in the current times, you cannot define necessities, because we know people have sold their blood or body organs just to buy an “I PHONE”.

However sad, but this is the truth of the current state of human life.

Now here again, you see how a person values an outer resource more than his own body. Because, the society and media have made fashion a value. They have made the outer possessions one has, the measurement of his value in the society.

Now, it’s not necessary for you to fall into the society’s trap. The society gives outer things value because they are empty inside. But ask them who is their favourite personality and they would say Mother Teresa or His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Now, if you start developing yourself, if you start valuing your soul and spirit more than the material things, the people would respect you for that. Yes, right now you cannot imagine that because right now, you yourself value the outer things more than your soul and spirit.

I can tell you from my own experience that I have never faced any disrespect from my wealthy relatives because of my lack of outer resources. In fact, I have always been more respected in my family circle for my lack of respect for outer resources and for my respect for my soul and spirit.

Please understand the pride, the inferiority and superiority, is countered with “Self Respect” आत्म सम्मान .

Now, you feel inferior to others for you yourself value what they have and you don’t more than your own self. You feel superior to others for you yourself value what you have and they don’t have more than your self.

The Hindi word for respect सम्मान gives us the clue here: सम मान, meaning you can only give respect in equal measure as you give to yourself. What does it mean? A person who has no “Self Respect” cannot respect others. Or, if you respect your own self very less even if you would want to give respect सम्मान to others you can only give it as much as you respect your own self – सम मान.

It means respect starts with self respect आत्म सम्मान.
अगर आप अपनी आत्मा का सम्मान नही करते, means you don’t value your own inner divinity more than the things you have, then of course, you will value others also in relation to the things they have, rather than their own self.

For me, I would include in the above list of necessities, one more item: आत्म सम्मान।

Of course, you can object that I’m forgetting one more very important necessity of life: The Sex.

Now in relation to sex, the necessities vs desires can be explained by this differentiator:

Necessity: “एक व्यक्ति अपनी तमाम ज़रूरतें (necessities) एक से पूरी कर लेता है।” One person fulfils all his necessities from one. I.e., To a devoted married person one spouse is enough to fulfil all necessities.

Desire: “दूसरे को अपनी एक ज़रूरत (desire) पूरी करने के लिए कई व्यक्ति भी कम पड़ते हैं।” To the other many falls short to just fulfil one desire. I.e., To a philanderer many sexual partners also do not fulfil his/her sexual desires.

Outer resources never fulfil. That is why the current humanity is always unfulfilled, hungry, thirsty and ever empty.

That is why each year Apple, Samsung and other MNCs can milk them by bringing new models of their “I Phones”, etc.

If you fool yourself into thinking that when I would have enough material resources then I would work on my soul, then you are just wasting your time.

Insecurities do not go away with more outer resources. It’s a known fact that those who have more are much more greedy, corrupt and hungry than the have nots.

Insecurities fuel more insecurities, greed fuels more greed, and so on. Pride fuels more pride. Lust fuels more lust.

So stop fooling yourself that when everything would be to your satisfaction outwardly then you would start working on your soul.

Sorry to bust your wishful thinking, but that day would never come when you would be satisfied with your outward resources.

Because fulfilment is a quality of soul, not the ego. The day you will understand this, you would stop fooling yourself.

So, join GOD YOGA today.

To your fulfilment….

Do you do things that surprise you? That disappoint you? That you wish you hadn’t?
Are you always the person you wish you could be?

Do you know exactly who you are?
Do you know just what you would do in any given circumstance?
Do you always act consistently with your beliefs?

The truth is we do not know ourselves. We do not act as we think we might. We are often not the person we pretend to be, or want to be.

You realise that much of what you have regarded as wisdom all these years was just other people quoting other people – people making their best educated guesses.

Most people often assemble the evidence after their conclusions, not before them. Or to say it plainly, most people first jump to conclusions and then justify what they have concluded refusing to acknowledge tons of evidence against their conclusions.

Most people are a puzzle even to themselves, but sadly, they keep busying themselves in outer things and people, never spending time and energies in solving their inner puzzle.

Most people yield to short term pleasures and idiosyncrasies, reason emotionally, act on impulses, outside influences, and false gurus without much regard to their long term interests.

As they age, even their sense of wonder is lost. And what remains is bitterness and gnawing loneliness.

Life is not a quest for accumulation & survival, nor a struggle for existence. Life is a quest for wisdom, happiness and fulfilment. Life is a quest for freedom, for Nirvana. What is your life quest?

What’s interesting is that with just 3 small changes in your attitude towards your life:

• From a quest for accumulation to a quest for wisdom – you will become a philosopher, a lover of wisdom.
• From a fight for survival to a quest for Amrita – you will become an alchemist, an immortal.
• From a struggle for existence to a quest for making a difference – you will become a philanthropist, a net giver.

Wow!!! Let’s change our attitude today!

With just these 3 shifts in your attitude towards your life, you can change its direction.

And when you change the direction of your life rocket, you change where it’s going to land. Not to hell. To Nirvana….Adios ‘Mrityu Lok – Death Land’, adios pain & suffering. Hello eternal life, eternal peace and eternal happiness.

Join “GOD YOGA” today.

To your eternal life, happiness and peace….