The Hindu way to celebrate Diwali

Radhe Govinda : Awesome Song By Chakrini Devi Dasi

Multifunctional Wonder Herb 'Rhodiola' Found in Himalaya's by Indian scientists

LEH: In the high and hostile peaks of the Himalayas where sustaining life is a challenge in itself, Indian scientists say they have found a "wonder herb" which can regulate the immune system, help adapt to the mountain environment and, above all, protect from radioactivity.

Which is the simplest spiritual practice in Kaliyug?

1. Sadhana (Spiritual practice)

One has to make efforts to experience bliss or attain Ishwar (God) in very this birth, which is called as sadhana (spiritual practice).

1.1 Sadhana (Spiritual practice) to attain Bliss

In this part of satsang, ‘Sadhana to attain Bliss’, we will be discussing about practical aspect of (Adhyaatm Shastra) Spirituality, that is sadhana. In the field of Medical science, one is recognized as a doctor only when he has studied the books (theory) and has given treatment to the patients, during his study time in the university. One can never become a doctor just by reading books. Similarly one cannot understand Dhyaan, Bhakti, Shraddha.. etc. by just reading about it. One has to undertake spiritual practice (sadhana) in daily life, to experience it.

In this part, we shall learn about the efforts that one should put in, to achieve final liberation. The first question that arises is, in this era, which is the simplest and practical method to attain the state of God realization? In other words, in Kaliyug (era of strife), which is the simplest way of spiritual practice (Sadhana)?

1.2 Which is the simplest sadhana in Kaliyug?
The simplest sadhana in Kaliyug is chanting (namajapa). Our four main Vedas, Upanishad, Shreemad Bhagwat Geeta, Shreemad Bhagwatpuran etc clearly explain the importance of naam sadhana.

नाम उपास्‍स्‍व । (छांदोग्‍योपनिषद ७/१/४)

In Chhandogyopanishad, it is said that

“Naam upaasavyaa. (Chhandogyopanishad 7/1/4)

Meaning: Chant (continuously)

Saint Tulsidas has said,

नामु सप्रेम जपत अनयासा ।

भगत होहिं मुद मंगल बासा ।।

सुमिरि पवनसूत पावन नामू ।

अपने बस करि राखे रामू ।।

Naanmu saprem japat anayasa |

Bhagat hohim mud mangal basa ||

Sumiri pavansut pavan naamu |

Apane basa kari rakhe ramu ||

Meaning: devotee can easily get immersed in the ocean of Bliss, when he chants with love. Son of wind Sree Hanuman won Sree Ram’s heart only by chanting His name continuously.

As per Rugved,

मर्त्‍या अमर्त्‍यस्‍य ते भुरि नाम मनामहे । (ऋ. ८/११/५)

Meaning: I, the non-last embodied soul, am always and continuously remembering that chant (naam), which is full of divine nectar.

महर्षीणां भृगुरहं गिरामस्‍म्‍येकमक्षरम्‌ ।

यज्ञानांजपयज्ञोऽस्‍मि स्‍थावराणां हिमालय: ।। (श्रीमद्‌भगवत्‌गीता १०:२५)

Mahrsheenam bhrugurham giramsmyekmskarm |

Ydnaamjapayadnyosmi sthavaranam himalayaha || (Shreemad bhagwatgeeta 10:25)

Meaning: I am Bhrugu rushi in the list of all maharshee. I am one letter in any sentence, which means I am ‘Om’. I am sacrificial fire of chanting and amongst those, who are strong and stable, I am Himalaya mountain.

Meaning of chanting (naam jaap): Repeating the God’s name. The question that arises now is who should chant and which God's Name should one chant? The answer is - we should chant the Name of God depending on the religion or sect of our birth.

There are various Gods-Goddesses in Sanatan Hindu Dharma. So which God’s Name should be chanted by Hindus? In the initial stages of sadhana, ideally which God’s Name should one chant? The answer is - one should chant their family deities’ (Kuladevta’s) Name.

Hindus should chant the name of their Kuladevata (Family Deity): The meaning of Kuldevata (Family Deity) is, the care taking deity of the family in which we are born. In Hinduism, every family has a particular Deity whose worship brings about worldly and spiritual progress for that family. Now let us see how to chant name of family deity. If the name of Kuladevata is feminine gender i.e. Kuladevi, then the chant is formed as follows. First say ‘Sree’, followed by the name of Kuladevi and then end with ‘devyei namah’. If the name of the Kuladevata is masculine gender i.e. Kuladev, then the chant is formed as follows. First say ‘Sree’, followed by the name of Kuladev, like ‘Ganeshay’ or ‘Maheshay’ and then end with ‘namah’.

Now let us see some examples to understand this

If the Kuladevata is ‘Ambama’, then chant ‘Sree Ambadevyei namah’.

If the Kuladevata is Ganeshji then chant ‘Sree Ganeshay namah’.

There can be some exceptions to this. For example, if your Kuladevata is Hanumanji, then you will have to chant ‘Sree Hanumate namah’. Please contact us in case you have any doubt about how to chant your Kuladevata’s name

Now you can start chanting. Please contact us in case you have any questions or have any spiritual experience during the chant

Cow Is A Sacred Asset Of The Nation

When India fought the First War of Independence in 1857, and Bahadur Shah ‘Zafar’ wasinstalled as emperor by the Hindus in Delhi for a brief period, his Hindu Prime Minister, on the emperor’s proclamation, made the killing of cow a capital offence. Earlier in Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s kingdom, the only crime that had capital punishment was cow slaughter.

One global patent has been granted for cow urine, neem and garlic as a pest repellent, fungicidal and growth promontory properties for all different crops.

Our West influenced intellectuals and mentally dominated by foreign idiom, sneer at the mention of the cow, leave alone speaking about the cow as an asset to the nation. But we know that these intellectuals first sneered at yoga, now it is a fashion for them doing pranayama at cocktail parties. They also sneered at our sanyasis, calling them disparagingly as “Godmen”. Now they flock to ashrams with their white friends ever since the Beatles did. Who knows, they may soon boast of a cow in their backyards. For those of us who are desi by pedigree and conviction, I place some facts about the cow in the new perspective of modern Hindutva.

07 reasons - Why your English speaking isn't improving - Spoken English tips

UPSC Introduces Two More Attempts for Civil Service Exams

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has effected major changes in norms of civil services examination like granting aspiring candidates two additional attempts and consequential age relaxations from this year onwards.

"Every candidate appearing for the examination, who is otherwise eligible, shall be permitted six attempts (two more than earlier four)," said a notification issued by UPSC for the Civil Services Examination, 2014.

Magnetic 'Micro-Robots' Could Lead to Tiny Automated Factories

Remember those old electric football games that used a vibrating tabletop surface to send teams of tiny NFL players scrambling around the field?

Well, researchers at SRI International are developing a super-miniaturized, high-tech variation on the theme in which tiny worker robots shimmy around a circuit board in a micro assembly plant. The 'bots are guided by magnets underneath the surface, and work in sync to assemble electronic parts and small mechanical systems.

The Diamagnetic Micro Manipulation (DM3) system uses magnets under the circuit board to guide the tick-sized robots in precise patterns. Because of their small mass, the bots can move very quickly and in the demo video below they appear to jump like fleas.

As with so many other things in life, cooperation is key. The circuit board is designed so that each tiny bot works in absolute synchronization with all the other bots — movements are precise down the the microsecond. The prototype system uses only a handful of microbots, but the idea is to scale the system up to employ thousands of mechanized blue-collar workers.

The DM3 concept is part of the DARPA Open Manufacturing program, which encourages lateral thinking in the manufacturing process. "Our vision is to enable an assembly head containing thousands of micro-robots to manufacture high-quality macro-scale products while providing millimeter-scale structural control,"

The system has several potential applications, according to SRI. These include non-silicon-based electronics, prototyping of high-quality parts and — rather ominously — "tissue manufacturing."

No word yet on the inevitable union issues, but it's only a matter of time before the mechanical proletariat learn about collective bargaining.

iWatch to Get LG-Made Flexible Display

The much-anticipated Apple iWatch may come with a flexible display manufactured by LG, a new report suggests.

According to Korean website Naver (and a translation via G for Games, LG will be the exclusive supplier for the iWatch's flexible display. This coincides with otherreports that surfaced in January, indicating LG would be a major player in developing displays for the connected smartwatch.

New ultrasound device may add in detecting risk for heart attack, stroke

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Researchers from North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have developed a new ultrasound device that could help identify arterial plaque that is at high risk of breaking off and causing heart attack or stroke.

At issue is the plaque that builds up in arteries as we age. Some types of plaque are deemed "vulnerable," meaning that they are more likely to detach from the artery wall and cause heart attack or stroke.

"Existing state-of-the-art technologies are capable of determining if plaque is present in the arteries, but can't tell whether it's vulnerable. And that makes it difficult to assess a patient's risk," says Dr. Paul Dayton, co-author of a paper on the new device and professor in the joint biomedical engineering department at NC State and Chapel Hill. "Our goal was to develop something that could effectively identify which plaques are vulnerable."

There are two ultrasound techniques that can help identify vulnerable plaques, but both depend on the use of contrast agents called "microbubbles."

The first technique is to identify "vasa vasorum" in arteries. These are clusters of small blood vessels that often infiltrate arterial plaque, and which are considered indicators that a plaque is vulnerable. When microbubbles are injected into an artery, they follow the flow of the blood. If vasa vasorum are present, the microbubbles will flow through these blood vessels as well, effectively highlighting them on ultrasound images.

The second technique is called molecular imaging, and relies on the use of "targeted" microbubbles. These microbubbles attach themselves to specific molecules that are more likely to be found in vulnerable plaques, making the plaques stand out on ultrasound images.

"The problem is that existing intravascular ultrasound technology does not do a very good job in detecting contrast agents," says Dr. Xiaoning Jiang, an NC State associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, an adjunct professor of biomedical engineering and co-author of the paper.

"So we've developed a dual-frequency intravascular ultrasound transducer which transmits and receives acoustic signals," Jiang says. "Operating on two frequencies allows us to do everything the existing intravascular ultrasound devices can do, but also makes it much easier for us to detect the contrast agents – or microbubbles – used for molecular imaging and vasa vasorum detection."

The prototype device has performed well in laboratory testing, but the researchers say they are continuing to optimize the technology. They hope to launch pre-clinical studies in the near future.

Traits Of People Who Reach Their Full Potential

Attaining the ability to freely express our inner power means we have learned how to harness our true energy. This is not the power that comes from a false identity, stress, adrenaline, pride and ego. Rather, this power arises from being one whose vibrational inner presence, words, conscience and actions are aligned to the truth that we have unlimited potential. We have released the illusions and limiting beliefs that once blocked our light.

Attaining this level of freedom, guarantees peace and clarity in our lives. These are eight characteristics shared by people who express their unlimited potential:

1. They unapologetically express who they are.

An empowered and free being recognizes they are unlimited love, light and peaceful energy. They care for this power, use it and unapologetically express it to the world.

2. They don’t blame others.

They stopped blaming others for their shortcomings, no longer complain about what’s not currently working and don’t make excuses for why things have not happened in their lives. They are attracted by excellence and put forth the willpower and discipline to manifest their desires.

3. They take full responsibility for their happiness.

They don’t rely on seeking happiness from any source outside of themselves. Happiness is an inside job and a choice they take full responsibility for.

4. They have an attitude of gratitude.

They don’t take anything for granted. They realize their present life is a result of the actions of their past and their present actions dictate future results. They take on an attitude of gratitude at each moment for what they have so they can attract peace in the present moment and abundance in the future.

5. They live outside the comfort zone.

They are relaxed where they are but don’t get too complacent. They are always striving to serve and help more people. They know that life is truly lived out of their comfort zones so they are courageous enough to take the leap of faith to be different and overcome obstacles that may arise. They are always open to discovering new lessons and learning new things.

6. They cultivate a spiritual practice.

They cultivate peacefulness and spiritual strength to rise above beliefs and illusions that limit their potential to grow and shine brightly. They rely on some spiritual wisdom to help raise self-awareness and dissolve self-limiting beliefs.

7. They exude a vibrant energy.

Their energy radiates love, courage and determination to any person they come in contact with. It is a concentrated energy that governs their mind and emotions. It isn't distracted by the unimportant, it does not lose sight of the important and does not allow itself to be trapped by anything or anybody.

8. They tap into the powers of imagination.

They are aware of the power of the imagination and channel it in a constructive way. They're not afraid to think outside the box, develop something new and live in the grey area.

When we live from the space of having an open mind and heart, we can live out our dreams without any limitation. By releasing our closed mind, we let go of being disturbed by fear, worry, emotional stability and getting easily offended. When we step into our authentic power, we relax because we never lose sight of the true meaning and potential of who we are.

For North Dakota, drones a possible growth market

U.S. and North Dakota officials have big hopes for the growth of what are known as unmanned aircraft systems. And the remote northwestern state has positioned itself well to take advantage of its unique attributes: A first-of-its-kind academic program, an established military presence, a strong commitment from state and federal officials to find funding, and even the weather
."North Dakota made a conscious decision, several years ago, that they wanted to focus on this," said Ben Gielow, general counsel for the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, a group that promotes unmanned systems and robotics. He added, "North Dakota is one of the leaders and a model that we point to."

The result is a growing footprint for a new and potentially lucrative business: According to a report compiled by AUVSI last year, drones have the potential to create more than 100,000 jobs and more than $80 billion in economic growth between now and 2025. Domestic drones could yield big rewards for states that invest now, said Greg McNeal, a law professor at Pepperdine University who researches drones.

"Basically, you're saying that you want to be a hub for technological development, that you want to be the new Silicon Valley," McNeal said. "And that Silicon Valley might be in North Dakota, but it might not be in a state like Texas because of anti-drone legislation."

Becoming a nexus of drone research could build on the state's oil prosperity. Drilling at the Bakken and Three Forks shale formations have led the state's oil production to surge over the past several years, bringing economic stability, population growth and low unemployment.

The push to make North Dakota a drone leader as well got a boost this month when Michael Huerta, the Federal Aviation Administration administrator, announced in Grand Forks that his agency had granted North Dakota a two-year certificate to begin flying small drone test flights. That's the first of six FAA-selected test sites to get such approval. North Dakota is one of six states, along with Alaska, Nevada, New York, Texas and Virginia, picked to research integrating drones into the civilian airspace.

The FAA does not yet allow the commercial use of drones, but is working on operational guidelines and has said as many as 7,500 small commercial drones could be flying within five years of getting widespread access to U.S. skies.

Grand Forks, the location of the FAA's approved test site, is at the center of the state's drone ambitions. The U.S. Air Force is expected in June to finalize a 50-year lease at Grand Sky, an aerospace and technology park in the city. That facility will be anchored by defense contractor Northrop Grumman Corp. With the FAA's designation, state officials and others hope to attract more investment and interest.

Privacy issues tend to hover over any discussion of investment in domestic drones. North Dakota has largely avoided a backlash by working on the issue proactively. When Gov. Jack Dalrymple set up a committee to oversee the Grand Forks site's operations, he included establishing public safety procedures and privacy restrictions as core goals.

John Villasenor, a UCLA professor and nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, said privacy issues chilled drone investment in some states, "but drones have many applications, such as crop spraying, that don't raise privacy concerns at all."

The first FAA-approved test flights next month will showcase that sort of use. The Draganflyer X4ES will fly over North Dakota State University's Carrington Research Extension Center. Missions are scheduled for the summer over Sullys Hill National Game Preserve near Devils Lake. In both cases, they will avoid private property and focus on research of agriculture-related uses.

NDSU's extension service is examining how drones can be used to improve seed applications, fertilizer and pesticide, which could potentially reduce costs and improve crop performance. The drones will also collect data designed to help look at how they can be integrated into commercial airspace.

While the state already had the University of North Dakota's first-of-its-kind unmanned aircraft degree program. Gielow also cited the presence of the Air Force's unmanned aircraft mission at the Grand Forks Air Force Base as a reason for the state's strong position.

North Dakota officials have also spent money to welcome drone research. The state put more than $14 million in the Grand Forks site, and the congressional delegation has consistently pitched federal officials that it would be a good home for drone research.

Then there is North Dakota itself. The weather provides a variety of test conditions, and the relatively small population and lack of commercial air traffic make it an attractive location to run test flights.

12 Lessons About Happiness I Learned The Hard Way

It’s been a long, and still ongoing, journey for me to realize what life is about and how to be happy. Like many teenagers, I was rebellious, and I took it to the extreme. I was heavily involved in drugs and the wrong group of friends. I was arrested more times than I can count, spent time in drug rehab, and took six years to graduate high school.

There's a light at the end of this tunnel, though, because I eventually did graduate college, then graduated law school and passed the bar. I now own two business and advocate ultra-running, a healthy lifestyle, and inspiring others.

So how did I turn myself around? Well, looking back, I can point to 12 lessons I learned the hard way about how to lead a happy and fulling life:

1. Give people a second chance.

If it wasn’t for the second, third, or even fourth chances that I've received from others, I wouldn't be where I am today. Sometimes it takes a few times to catch on. Giving someone another shot is an amazing feeling, especially when they prove to you they can come through.

A Guru is a deliverer of Spiritual things

The Expert is God Himself starting in a personal type to information the hopeful. Elegance of God requires the way of the Expert. To see the Expert is to see God. The Expert is u. s. with God. He motivates commitment in others. His lifestyle cleans all.

The Expert is verily a weblink between the individual and the underworld. He is a being who has gotten up himself from this into That, and thus has 100 % free and unhampered accessibility into both the areas. He appears, as it were, upon the limit of immortality; and, twisting down he increases the having difficulties people with his one side, and with the other increases them up into the empyrean of lengthy term joy and unlimited Truth-Consciousness.

THE SADGURU
To be a Expert, one must have a control from God.
Mere research of guides cannot create one a Expert. One who has analyzed the Vedas, and who has immediate information of the Atman (Self) through Anubhava (experience), can alone be registered as a Expert. A Jivanmukta or separated sage is the actual Expert or spiritual preceptor. He is the Sadguru. He is similar with Brahman or the Superior Self. He is a Knower of Brahman.

A Sadguru is gifted with plenty of Siddhis (psychic powers). He offers all heavenly Aisvarya (powers), all the prosperity of the Expert.

Possession of Siddhis, however, is not the analyze to announce the success of a sage or to confirm that he has accomplished Self-realisation. Sadgurus usually do not display any miracle or Siddhi. Sometimes, however, they may do so to be able to persuade the applicants of the lifestyle of superphysical factors, provide them with motivation, and generate trust in their hearts and ideas.
The Sadguru is Brahman Himself. He is an sea of happiness, information, and whim. He is the leader of your spirit. He is the water fall of joy. He eliminates all your problems, sorrows, and challenges. He reveals you the right heavenly direction.

He crying your veil of lack of knowledge. He creates you underworld and heavenly. He transmutes your reduced, diabolical characteristics. He gives you the string of information, and requires you up when you are sinking in this sea of Samsara (cycle of beginning and death). Do not consider him to be only a man. If you take him as a man, you are a monster. Praise your Expert and bow to him with regard.
Guru is God. A term from him is a term from God. He need not-teach anything. Even his lifestyle or organization is increasing, motivating, and mixing, His very organization is self-illumination. Residing in his organization is spiritual knowledge. Study the Granth-saheb (the sacred bible of the Sikh religion). You will come to know the success of the Expert.

Man can comprehend only from man, and hence God instructs through a human whole body. In your Expert, you have your personal ideal of excellence. He is the design into which you wish to mold yourself. Your ideas will quickly be assured that such an excellent spirit, is fit to be worshipped and recognized.
Guru is the Moksha-dvara (door to liberation). He is the entrance to the transcendental Truth-Consciousness. But, it is the hopeful who has to get into through it. The, Expert is a help, but the actual process of realistic Sadhana (spiritual practice) drops on the hopeful himself.

THE NEED FOR A GURU
For a starter in the spiritual direction, a Expert is necessary. To mild a candlestick, you need a dropping candlestick. Even an illumined spirit alone can impress another spirit.
Some do relaxation for some decades individually. Later on, they actually experience involve a Expert. They come across some challenges in the way. They cannot know how to obviate these barriers or stuttering prevents. Then they start to look for for a Expert.

Check AP Intermediate Results 2014 First Year Junior

AP Intermediate Results 2014 - The Board of Intermediate Education, Andhra Pradesh (BIEAP) is going to declare the Intermediate 1st year result today i.e. April 28th 2014 at around 03:00 PM or on 29th April at 11:00 AM.

Earlier the junior year (1st year) result was scheduled to be declared on April 23, but due to some internal reasons, BIEAP postponed the result dates. Now, the new dates are released by the board. According to the latest information, BIEAP intermediate 1st year results will be declared on 28th April 2014. AP intermediate first year students can check their results at the official website of the AP board.

Check your AP Intermediate 1st year Results
The board has also notified that the results will be available officially on the board website at bieap.gov.in


BIEAP intermediate first and second year exams were conducted in the month of March and the result was expected to be declared in around one month. AP intermediate 2nd year results 2014 are likely to be declared on April 29, 2014. Intermediate senior year (2nd year) students can check their results here.
http://results.cgg.gov.in/

Key Ingredients Of A Happy Life

Sometimes growth is more about the questions we ask ourselves rather than searching for answers. Answers can keep us locked and stuck. But questions, like a rudder on a boat, can guide us or send us off into the right direction.

Here are 21 aspects of life you should care about, and the questions about them you need to ask yourself to spur personal growth.

1. How you wake up.

What wakes you up in the morning? An alarm clock blasting the sounds of obligation and dread, or the excitement of everything you will work on that day?

2. Daily state.
Do you spend most of your days feelings like you’re in a state of tolerable misery or in a state of wonder with peaks of joy?

3. Nourishment.

Are most of your meals fast and processed or organic and locally growth? And when you eat, is food scarfed down practically whole while burying yourself in social media or work or a time to practice mindfulness and be present with others?

4. Home.

Is your home complete chaos and feels like a prison or a safe haven where you can rest, reboot, and relax?

Raja Yoga Lessons - The First Lesson

In India, the Candidates for Initiation into the science of "Raja Yoga," when they apply to the Yogi Masters for instruction, are given a series of lessons designed to enlighten them regarding the nature of the Real Self, and to instruct them in the secret knowledge whereby they may develop the consciousness and realization of the real "I" within them.They are shown how they may cast aside the erroneous or imperfect knowledge regarding their real identity.    

Until the Candidate masters this instruction, or at least until the truth becomes fixed in his consciousness, further instruction is denied him, for it is held that until he has awakened to a conscious realization of his Actual Identity, he is not able to understand the source of his power, and, moreover, is not able to _feel_ within him the power of the Will, which power underlies the entire teachings of "Raja Yoga."    

The Yogi Masters are hot satisfied if the Candidate forms merely a clear intellectual conception of this Actual Identity, but they insist that he must _feel_ the truth of the same--must become _aware_ of the Real Self--must enter into a consciousness in which the realization becomes a part of his everyday self--in which the realizing consciousness becomes the prevailing idea in his mind, around which his entire thoughts and actions revolve.    

To some Candidates, this realization comes like a lightning flash the moment the attention is directed toward it, while in other cases the Candidates find it necessary to follow a rigorous course of training before they acquire the realization in consciousness.    

The Yogi Masters teach that there are two degrees of this awakening consciousness of the Real Self. The first, which they call "the Consciousness of the 'I'," is the full consciousness of _real_ existence that comes to the Candidate, and which causes him to _know_ that he is a real entity having a life not depending upon the body--life that will go on in spite of the destruction of the body--_real_ life, in fact. The second degree, which they call "the Consciousness of the 'I AM'," is the consciousness of one's identity with the Universal Life, and his relationship to, and "in-touchness" with all life, expressed and unexpressed. These two degrees of consciousness come in time to all who seek "The Path." To some it comes suddenly; to others it dawns gradually; to many it comes assisted by the exercises and practical work of "RajaYoga."    

The first lesson of the Yogi Masters to the Candidates, leading up to the first degree, above mentioned, is as follows: That the Supreme Intelligence of the Universe--the Absolute--has manifested the being that we call Man--the highest manifestation on this planet. The Absolute has manifested an infinitude of forms of life in the Universe, including distant worlds, suns, planets, etc., many of these forms being unknown to us on this planet, and being impossible of conception by the mind of the ordinary man. But these lessons have nothing to do with that part of the philosophy which deals with these myriad forms of life, for our time will be taken up with the unfoldment in the mind of man of his true nature and power. Before man attempts to solve the secrets of the Universe without, he should master the Universe within--the Kingdom of the Self. When he has accomplished this, then he may, and should, go forth to gain the outer knowledge as a Master demanding its secrets, rather than as a slave begging for the crumbs from the table of knowledge. The first knowledge for the Candidate is the knowledge of the Self.     

Man, the highest manifestation of the Absolute, as far as this planet is concerned, is a wonderfully organized being--although the average man understands but little of his real nature. He comprises within his physical, mental and spiritual make-up both the highest and the lowest, as we have shown in our previous lessons (the "Fourteen Lessons" and the "Advanced Course"). In his bones he manifests almost in the form of mineral life, in fact, in his bones, body and blood mineral substances actually exist. The physical life of the body resembles the life of the plant. Many of the physical desires and emotions are akin to those of the lower animals, and in the undeveloped man these desires and emotions predominate and overpower the higher nature, which latter is scarcely in evidence. Then Man has a set of mental characteristics that are his own, and which are not possessed by the lower animals (See "Fourteen Lessons"). And in addition to the mental faculties common to all men, or rather, that are in evidence in a greater or lesser degree among all men, there are still higher faculties latent within Man, which when manifested and expressed render Man more than ordinary Man. The unfoldment of these latent faculties is possible to all who have reached the proper stage of development, and the desire and hunger of the student for this instruction is caused by the pressure of these unfolding latent faculties, crying to be born into consciousness. Then there is that wonderful thing, the Will, which is but faintly understood by those ignorant of the Yogi Philosophy--the Power of the Ego--its birthright from the Absolute.    

But while these mental and physical things _belong_ to Man, they are _not_ the Man himself. Before the Man is able to master, control, and direct the things belonging to him--his tools and instruments--he must awaken to a realization of Himself. He must be able to distinguish between the "I" and the "Not I." And this is the first task before the Candidate.    

That which is the Real Self of Man is the Divine Spark sent forth from the Sacred Flame. It is the Child of the Divine Parent. It is Immortal--Eternal--Indestructible--Invincible. It possesses within itself Power, Wisdom, and Reality. But like the infant that contains within itself the sometime Man, the mind of Man is unaware of its latent and potential qualities, and does not know itself. As it awakens and unfolds into the knowledge of its real nature, it manifests its qualities, and realizes what the Absolute has given it. When the Real Self begins to awaken, it sets aside from itself those things which are but appendages to it, but which it, in its half-waking state, had regarded as its Self. Setting aside first this, and then that, it finally discards all of the "Not I," leaving the Real Self free and delivered from its bondage to its appendages. Then it returns to the discarded appendages, and makes use of them.    

In considering the question: "What is the Real Self?" let us first stop to examine what man usually means when he says "I."    

The lower animals do not possess this "I" sense. They are conscious of the outer world; of their own desires and animal cravings and feelings. But their consciousness has not reached the Self-conscious stage. They are not able to think of themselves as separate entities, and to reflect upon their thoughts. They are not possessed of a consciousness of the Divine Spark--the Ego--the Real Self. The Divine Spark is hidden in the lower forms of life--even in the lower forms of human life--by many sheaths that shut out its light. But, nevertheless, it is there, always. It sleeps within the mind of the savage--then, as he unfolds, it begins to throw out its light. In you, the Candidate, it is fighting hard to have its beams pierce through the material coverings When the Real Self begins to arouse itself from its sleep, its dreams vanish from it, and it begins to see the world as it is, and to recognize itself in Reality and not as the distorted thing of its dreams.     

The savage and barbarian are scarcely conscious of the "I." They are but a little above the animal in point of consciousness, and their "I" is almost entirely a matter of the consciousness of the wants of the body; the satisfaction of the appetites; the gratification of the passions; the securing of personal comfort; the expression of lust, savage power, etc. In the savage the lower part of the Instinctive Mind is the seat of the "I." (See "Fourteen Lessons" for explanation of the several mental planes of man.) If the savage could analyze his thoughts he would say that the "I" was the physical body, the said body having certain "feelings," "wants" and "desires." The "I" of such a man is a physical "I," the body representing its form and substance. Not only is this true of the savage, but even among so-called "civilized" men of to-day we find many in this stage. They have developed powers of thinking and reasoning, but they do not "live in their minds" as do some of their brothers. They use their thinking powers for the gratification of their bodily desires and cravings, and really live on the plane of the Instinctive Mind. Such a person may speak of "my mind," or "my soul," not from a high position where he looks upon these things from the standpoint of a Master who realizes his Real Self, but from below, from the point-of-view of the man who lives on the plane of the Instinctive Mind and who sees above _himself_ the higher attributes. To such people the body is the "I." Their "I" is bound up with the senses, and that which comes to them through the senses. Of course, as Man advances in "culture" and "civilization," his senses become educated, and are satisfied only with more refined things, while the less cultivated man is perfectly satisfied with the more material and gross sense gratifications. Much that we call "cultivation" and "culture" is naught but a cultivation of a more refined form of sense gratification, instead of a real advance in consciousness and unfoldment. It is true that the advanced student and Master is possessed of highly developed senses, often far surpassing those of the ordinary man, but in such cases the senses have been cultivated under the mastery of the Will, and are made servants of the Ego instead of things hindering the progress of the soul--they are made servants instead of masters.    

As Man advances in the scale, he begins to have a somewhat higher conception of the "I." He begins to use his mind and reason, and he passes on to the Mental Plane--his mind begins to manifest upon the plane of Intellect. He finds that there is something within him that is higher than the body. He finds that his mind seems more _real_ to him than does the physical part of him, and in times of deep thought and study he is able almost to forget the existence of the body.    

In this second stage, Man soon becomes perplexed. He finds problems that demand an answer, but as soon as he thinks he has answered them the problems present themselves in a new phase, and he is called upon to "explain his explanation." The mind, even although not controlled and directed by the Will, has a wonderful range, but, nevertheless, Man finds himself traveling around and around in a circle, and realizes that he is confronted continually by the Unknown. This disturbs him, and the higher the stage of "book learning" he attains, the more disturbed does he become. The man of but little knowledge does not see the existence of many problems that force themselves before the attention of the man of more knowledge, and demand an explanation from him. The tortures of the man who has attained the mental growth that enables him to see the new problems and the impossibility of their answer, cannot be imagined by one who has not advanced to that stage.  

The man in this stage of consciousness thinks of his "I" as a mental thing, having a lower companion, the body. He feels that he has advanced, but yet his "I" does not give him the answer to the riddles and questions that perplex him. And he becomes most unhappy. Such men often develop into Pessimists, and consider the whole of life as utterly evil and disappointing--a curse rather than a blessing. Pessimism belongs to this plane, for neither the Physical Plane man or the Spiritual Plane man have this curse of Pessimism. The former man has no such disquieting thoughts, for he is almost entirely absorbed in gratifying his animal nature, while the latter man recognizes his mind as an instrument of himself, rather than as _himself_, and knows it to be imperfect in its present stage of growth. He knows that he has in himself the key to all knowledge--locked up in the Ego--and which the trained mind, cultivated, developed and guided by the awakened Will, may grasp as it unfolds.

Knowing this the advanced man no longer despairs, and, recognizing his real nature, and his possibilities, as he awakens into a consciousness of his powers and capabilities, he laughs at the old despondent, pessimistic ideas, and discards them like a worn-out garment. Man on the Mental Plane of consciousness is like a huge elephant who knows not his own strength. He could break down barriers and assert himself over nearly any condition or environment, but in his ignorance of his real condition and power he may be mastered by a puny driver, or frightened by the rustling of a piece of paper.  

When the Candidate becomes an Initiate--when he passes from the purely Mental Plane on to the Spiritual Plane--he realizes that the "I," the Real Self--is something higher than either body or mind, and that both of the latter may be used as tools and instruments by the Ego or "I." This knowledge is not reached by purely intellectual reasoning, although such efforts of the mind are often necessary to help in the unfoldment, and the Masters so use it. The real knowledge, however, comes as a special form of consciousness. The Candidate becomes "aware" of the real "I," and this consciousness being attained, he passes to the rank of the Initiates. When the Initiate passes the second degree of consciousness, and begins to grow into a realization of his relationship to the Whole--when he begins to manifest the Expansion of Self--then is he on the road to Mastership.    

In the present lesson we shall endeavor to point out to the Candidate the methods of developing or increasing the realization of this "I" consciousness--this first degree work. We give the following exercises or development drills for the Candidate to practice. He will find that a careful and conscientious following of these directions will tend to unfold in him a sufficient degree of the "I" consciousness, to enable him to enter into higher stages of development and power. All that is necessary is for the Candidate to feel within himself the dawn of the awakening consciousness, or awareness of the Real Self. The higher stages of the "I" consciousness come gradually, for once on the Path there is no retrogression or going backward. There may be pauses on the journey, but there is no such thing as actually losing that which is once gained on The Path.    

This "I" consciousness, even in its highest stages, is but a preliminary step toward what is called "Illumination," and which signifies the awakening of the Initiate to a realization of his actual connection with and relation to the Whole. The full sight of the glory of the "I," is but a faint reflected glow of "Illumination." The Candidate, once that he enters fully into the "I" consciousness, becomes an "Initiate." And the Initiate who enters into the dawn of Illumination takes his first step upon the road to Mastery. The Initiation is the awakening of the soul to a knowledge of its real existence--the Illumination is the revelation of the real nature of the soul, and of its relationship with the Whole. After the first dawn of the "I" consciousness has been attained, the Candidate is more able to grasp the means of developing the consciousness to a still higher degree--is more able to use the powers latent within him; to control his own mental states; to manifest a Centre of Consciousness and Influence that will radiate into the outer world which is always striving and hunting for such centres around which it may revolve.    

Man must master himself before he can hope to exert an influence beyond himself. There is no royal road to unfoldment and power--each step must be taken in turn, and each Candidate must take the step himself, and by his own effort. But he may, and will, be aided by the helping hand of the teachers who have traveled The Path before him, and who know just when that helping hand is needed to lift the Candidate over the rough places.    

We bid the Candidate to pay strict attention to the following instruction, as it is all important. Do not slight any part of it, for we are giving you only what is necessary, and are stating it as briefly as possible. Pay attention, and follow the instruction closely. This lesson must be mastered before you progress. And it must be practiced not only now, but at many stages of the journey, until full Initiation and Illumination is yours.    

RULES AND EXERCISES DESIGNED TO AID THE CANDIDATE IN HIS INITIATION.  

The first instruction along the line of Initiation is designed to awaken the mind to a full realization and consciousness of the individuality of the "I." The Candidate is taught to relax his body, and to calm his mind and to meditate upon the "I" until it is presented clearly and sharply before the consciousness. We herewith give directions for producing the desired physical and mental condition, in which meditation and concentration are more readily practiced. This state of Meditation will be referred to in subsequent exercises, so the Candidate is advised to acquaint himself thoroughly with it.  

STATE OF MEDITATION.

If possible, retire to a quiet place or room, where you do not fear interruption, so that your mind may feel secure and at rest. Of course, the ideal condition cannot always be obtained, in which case you must do the best you can. The idea is that you should be able to abstract yourself, so far as is possible, from distracting impressions, and you should be alone with yourself--in communion with your Real Self.  

It is well to place yourself in an easy chair, or on a couch, so that you may relax the muscles and free the tension of your nerves. You should be able to "let go" all over, allowing every muscle to become limp, until a feeling of perfect peace and restful calm permeates every particle of your being. Rest the body and calm the mind. This condition is best in the earlier stages of the practice, although after the Candidate has acquired a degree of mastery he will be able to obtain the physical relaxation and mental calm whenever and wherever he desires.    

But he must guard against acquiring a "dreamy" way of going around, wrapped in meditation when he should be attending to the affairs of life. _Remember this_, the State of Meditation should be entirely under the control of the Will, and should be entered into only deliberately and at the proper times. The Will must be master of this, as well as of every other mental state. The Initiates are not "day dreamers," but men and women having full control of themselves and their moods. The "I" consciousness while developed by meditation and consciousness, soon becomes a fixed item of consciousness, and does not have to be produced by meditation. In time of trial, doubt, or trouble, the consciousness may be brightened by an effort of the Will (as we shall explain in subsequent lessons) without going into the State of Meditation.    

THE REALIZATION OF THE "I." 

The Candidate must first acquaint himself with the reality of the "I," before he will be able to learn its real nature. This is the first step. Let the Candidate place himself in the State of Meditation, as heretofore described. Then let him concentrate his entire attention upon his Individual Self, shutting out all thought of the outside world, and other persons. Let him form in his mind the idea of himself as a _real_ thing--an actual being--an individual entity--a Sun around which revolves the world. He must see himself as the Centre around which the whole world revolves. Let not a false modesty, or sense of depreciation interfere with this idea, for you are not denying the right of others to also consider themselves centres. You are, in fact, a centre of consciousness--made so by the Absolute--and you are awakening to the fact. Until the Ego recognizes itself as a Centre of Thought, Influence and Power, it will not be able to _manifest_ these qualities. And in proportion as it recognizes its position as a centre, so will it be able to manifest its qualities. It is not necessary that you should compare yourself with others, or imagine yourself greater or higher than them. In fact, such comparisons are to be regretted, and are unworthy of the advanced Ego, being a mark and indication of a lack of development, rather than the reverse. In the Meditation simply ignore all consideration of the respective qualities of others, and endeavor to realize the fact that YOU are a great Centre of Consciousness--a Centre of Power--a Centre of Influence--a Centre of Thought. And that like the planets circling around the sun, so does your world revolve around YOU who are its centre. It will not be necessary for you to argue out this matter, or to convince yourself of its truth by intellectual reasoning. The knowledge does not come in that way. It comes in the shape of a realization of the truth gradually dawning upon your consciousness through meditation and concentration. Carry this thought of yourself as a "Centre of Consciousness--Influence--Power" with you, _for it is an occult truth,_ and in the proportion that you are able, to realize it so will be your ability to manifest the qualities named.  

No matter how humble may be your position--no matter how hard may be your lot--no matter how deficient in educational advantages you may be--still you would not change your "I" with the most fortunate, wisest and highest man or woman in the world. You may doubt this, but think for a moment and you will see that we are right. When you say that you "would like to be" this person or that, you really mean that _you_ would like to have their degree of intelligence, power, wealth, position, or what not. What you want is something that is theirs, or something akin to it. But you would not for a moment wish to merge your _identity_ with theirs, or to exchange _selves_. Think of this for a moment To _be_ the other person you would have to let _yourself_ die, and instead of _yourself_ you would be the other person. The real _you_ would be wiped out of existence, and you would not be _you_ at all, but would be _he_.    

If you can but grasp this idea you will see that not for a moment would you be willing for such an exchange. Of course such an exchange is impossible. The "I" of you cannot be wiped out. It is eternal, and will go on, and on, and on, to higher and higher states--but it always will be the same "I." Just as you, although a far different sort of person from your childhood self, still you recognize that the same "I" is there, and always has been there. And although you will attain knowledge, experience, power and wisdom in the coming years, the same "I" will be there. The "I" is the Divine Spark and cannot be extinguished.    

The majority of people in the present stage of the race development have but a faint conception of the reality of the "I." They accept the statement of its existence, and are conscious of themselves as an eating, sleeping, living creature--something like a higher form of animal. But they have not awakened to an "awareness" or realization of the "I," which must come to all who become real centres of Influence and Power. Some men have stumbled into this consciousness, or a degree of it, without understanding the matter. They have "felt" the truth of it, and they have stepped out from the ranks of the commonplace people of the world, and have become powers for good or bad. This is unfortunate to some extent, as this "awareness" without the knowledge that should accompany it may bring pain to the individual and others.    

The Candidate must meditate upon the "I," and recognize it--_feel_ it--to be a Centre. This is his first task. Impress upon your mind the word "I," in this sense and understanding, and let it sink deep down into your consciousness, so that it will become a part of you. And when you say "I," you must accompany the word with the picture of your Ego as a Centre of Consciousness, and Thought, and Power, and Influence. See yourself thus, surrounded by your world. Wherever you go, there goes the Centre of your world. YOU are the Centre, and all outside of you revolves around that Centre. This is the first great lesson on the road to Initiation. Learn it!    

The Yogi Masters teach the Candidates that their realization of the "I" as a Centre may be hastened by going into the Silence, or State of Meditation, and repeating their first name over slowly, deliberately and solemnly a number of times. This exercise tends to cause the mind to centre upon the "I," and many cases of dawning Initiation have resulted from this practice. Many original thinkers have stumbled upon this method, without having been taught it. A noted example is that of Lord Tennyson, who has written that he attained a degree of Initiation in this way. He would repeat his own name, over and over, and the same time meditating upon his identity, and he reports that he would become conscious and "aware" of his reality and immortality--in short would recognize himself as a _real_ center of consciousness.    

We think we have given you the key to the first stage of meditation and concentration. Before passing on, let us quote from one of the old Hindu Masters. He says, regarding this matter: "When the soul sees itself as a Centre surrounded by its circumference--when the Sun knows that it is a Sun, and is surrounded by its whirling planets--then is it ready for the Wisdom and Power of the Masters."    

THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE "I" FROM THE BODY. 

Many of the Candidates find themselves prevented from a full realization of the "I" (even after they have begun to grasp it) by the confusing of the reality of the "I" with the sense of the physical body. This is a stumbling block that is easily overcome by meditation and concentration, the independence of the "I" often becoming manifest to the Candidate in a flash, upon the proper thought being used as the subject of meditation.  

The exercise is given as follows: Place yourself in the State of Meditation, and think of YOURSELF--the Real "I"--as being independent of the body, but using the body as a covering and an instrument. Think of the body as you might of a suit of clothes. Realize that you are able to leave the body, and still be the same "I." Picture yourself as doing this, and looking down upon your body. Think of the body as a shell from which you may emerge without affecting your identity. Think of yourself as mastering and controlling the body that you occupy, and using it to the best advantage, making it healthy, strong and vigorous, but still being merely a shell or covering for the real "You." Think of the body as composed of atoms and cells which are constantly changing, but which are held together by the force of your Ego, and which you can improve at Will. Realize that you are merely inhabiting the body, and using it for your convenience, just as you might use a house.

In meditating further, ignore the body entirely, and place your thought upon the Real "I" that you are beginning to feel to be "you," and you will find that your identity--your "I"--is something entirely apart from the body. You may now say "my body" with a new meaning. Divorce the idea of your being a physical being, and realize that you are above body. But do not let this conception and realization cause you to ignore the body. You must regard the body as the Temple of the Spirit, and care for it, and make it a fit habitation for the "I." Do not be frightened if, during this meditation, you happen to experience the sensation of being out of the body for a few moments, and of returning to it when you are through with the exercise. The Ego is able (in the case of the advanced Initiate) of soaring above the confines of the body, but it never severs its connection at such times. It is merely as if one were to look out of the window of a room, seeing what was going on outside, and drawing in his head when he wishes. He does not leave the room, although he may place his head outside in order to observe what is doing in the street. We do not advise the Candidate to try to cultivate this sensation--but if it comes naturally during meditation, do not fear.    

REALIZING THE IMMORTALITY AND INVINCIBILITY OF THE EGO. 

While the majority accept on faith the belief in the Immortality of the Soul, yet but few are aware that it may be demonstrated by the soul itself. The Yogi Masters teach the Candidates this lesson, as follows: The Candidate places himself in the State of Meditation, or at least in a thoughtful frame of mind, and then endeavors to "imagine" himself as "dead"--that is, he tries to form a mental conception of himself as dead. This, at first thought, appears a very easy thing to imagine, but as a matter of fact it is _impossible_ to do so, for the Ego refuses to entertain the proposition, and finds it impossible to imagine it. Try it for yourself. You will find that you may be able to imagine your _body_ as lying still and lifeless, but the same thought finds that in so doing _You_ are standing and looking at the body. So you see that _You_ are not dead at all, even in imagination, although the body may be. Or, if you refuse to disentangle yourself from your body, in imagination, you may think of your body as dead but _You_ who refuse to leave it are still _alive_ and recognize the dead body as a thing apart from your Real Self. No matter how you may twist it you _cannot_ imagine yourself as dead. The Ego insists upon being _alive_ in any of these thoughts, and thus finds that it has within itself the sense and assurance of Immortality. In case of sleep or stupor resulting from a blow, or from narcotics or anaesthetics, the mind is apparently blank, but the "I" is conscious of a continuity of existence. And so one may imagine himself as being in an unconscious state, or asleep, quite easily, and sees the possibility of such a state, but when it comes to imagining the "I" as dead, the mind utterly refuses to do the work. This wonderful fact that the soul carries within itself the evidence of its own immortality is a glorious thing, but one must have reached a degree of unfoldment before he is able to grasp its full significance.  

The Candidate is advised to investigate the above statement for himself, by meditation and concentration, for in order that the "I" may know its true nature and possibilities, it must realize that it cannot be destroyed or killed. It must know what it is before it is able to manifest its nature. So do not leave this part of the teaching until you have mastered it. And it is well occasionally to return to it, in order that you may impress upon the mind the fact of your immortal and eternal nature. The mere glimmering of this conception of truth will give you an increased sense of strength and power, and you will find that your Self has expanded and grown, and that you are more of a power and Centre than you have heretofore realized.    

The following exercises are useful in bringing about a realization of the invincibility of the Ego--its superiority to the elements.   

Place yourself in the State of Meditation, and imagine the "I" as withdrawn from the body. See it passing through the tests of air, fire and water unharmed. The body being out of the way, the soul is seen to be able of passing through the air at will--of floating like a bird--of soaring--of traveling in the ether. It may be seen as able to pass through fire without harm and without sensation, for the elements affect only the physical body, not the Real "I." Likewise it may be seen as passing through water without discomfort or danger or hurt.  

This meditation will give you a sense of superiority and strength, and will show you something of the nature of the real "I." It is true that you are confined in the body, and the body may be affected by the elements, but the knowledge that the Real "I" is superior to the body--superior to the elements that affect the body--and cannot be injured any more than it can be killed, is wonderful, and tends to develop the full "I" consciousness within you. For You--the Real "I"--are not body. You are Spirit. The Ego is Immortal and Invincible, and cannot be killed and harmed. When you enter into this realization and consciousness, you will feel an influx of strength and power impossible to describe. Fear will fall from you like a worn-out cloak, and you will feel that you are "born again." An understanding of this thought, will show you that the things that we have been fearing cannot affect the Real "I," but must rest content with hurting the physical body. And they may be warded off from the physical body by a proper understanding and application of the Will.     

In our next lesson, you will be taught how to separate the "I" from the mechanism of the mind--how you may realize your mastery of the mind, just as you now realize your independence of the body. This knowledge must be imparted to you by degrees, and you must place your feet firmly upon one round of the ladder before you take the next step.    

  

The watchword of this First Lesson is "I." And the Candidate must enter fully into its meaning before he is able to progress. He must realize his real existence--independent of the body. He must see himself as invincible and impervious to harm, hurt, or death. He must see himself as a great Centre of Consciousness--a Sun around which his world revolves. Then will come to him a new strength. He will feel a calm dignity and power, which will be apparent to those with whom he comes in contact. He will be able to look the world in the face without flinching, and without fear, for he will realize the nature and power of the "I." He will realize that he is a Centre of Power--of Influence. He will realize that nothing can harm the "I," and that no matter how the storms of life may dash upon the personality, the real "I"--the Individuality--is unharmed. Like a rock that stands steadfast throughout the storm, so does the "I" stand through the tempests of the life of personality. And he will know that as he grows in realization, he will be able to control these storms and bid them be still.  

In the words of one of the Yogi Masters: "The 'I' is eternal. It passes unharmed through the fire, the air, the water. Sword and spear cannot kill or wound it. It cannot die. The trials of the physical life are but as dreams to it. Resting secure in the knowledge of the 'I,' Man may smile at the worst the world has to offer, and raising his hand he may bid them disappear into the mist from which they emerged. Blessed is he who can say (understandingly) 'I'."    

So dear Candidate, we leave you to master the First Lesson. Be not discouraged if your progress be slow. Be not cast down if you slip back a step after having gained it. You will gain two at the next step. Success and realization will be yours. Mastery is before. You will Attain. You will Accomplish. Peace be with you.

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"Thank You So Much"

Show your gratitude through actions rather than words, says OSHO

Once a disciple expressed her gratitude to Osho in these words: “Soaking up everything that you give to us, being totally overwhelmed by your grace and your beauty — when feeling your compassion, tears come to my eyes.”It does not matter how you are going to express your gratitude. Your experience of silence and meditation, of love and joy, of dancing in blissfulness, is more than any gratitude can be.

Gratitude cannot be expressed through words. It can be expressed only through your whole being  — your eyes, your hands, your breathing, your heart; it overwhelms you completely. And it is not possible to put it into words, so don’t try that. 

Energy Circle

Nobody has ever been successful in showing his gratitude in words. That’s why, in the east, we

have discovered different ways of showing it — the disciple touches the feet of the master. The west cannot understand it. All human beings are equal — then why should someone touch the feet? They have not discovered many things. 

When the disciple touches the feet of the master, the master touches his head and a circle of energy is created; and that circle is gratitude. Just your being present in deep silence is enough. 

Neither the grace is mine, nor the beauty. It all belongs — just as flowers and birds belong — to existence. Do not confine them into a cage. Let your experience of my grace and beauty become your experience of the grace of trees and mountains and the beauty of sunrise and sunset. Spread it all over the world. And without your being alert, it is spreading; hence, tears come to your eyes.

People ordinarily think that tears come to the eyes when you are suffering, when there is pain. Their understanding is absolutely wrong. Tears come to people when they are in pain, when somebody dies; but they have known only one side of tears. The other side is reserved only for those few whose experience of love, grace and beauty — whose ecstasy, is so overwhelming that it cannot be expressed in any other way. Tears are the most subtle expression.

Your eyes are full of tears, a silent expression of overflowing joy. Tears express any experience that is overwhelming — whether it is pain or blissfulness, whether it is agony or ecstasy.

It is unfortunate that millions of people never know the higher and the greater side of tears. They know only the lower, the very superficial

It is unfortunate that millions of people never know the higher and the greater side of tears. They know only the lower, the very superficial, the ordinary. In their minds, slowly, slowly tears become associated with pain and misery and anguish and anxiety, and they remain unaware that tears can also become an expression of overwhelming blessings. And unless you have known your tears as overwhelming blessings and benediction, you have missed the most beautiful experience of life. Tears are a kind of language — silent. 

They don’t come from your head; they come from your heart. It is the heart which is flooded and cannot contain the experience anymore and finds language impotent, inadequate. Then, suddenly the heart remembers it has got a language which does not speak, but still expresses.Tears of joy are the language of the heart. The Rebellious Spirit, courtesy: Osho International Foundation