Offbeat Spirituality

In a few days, week, month, year and a decade will change.  And I’m sure you want to change too. But if you are anything like me, you’ll find that there are so many ways one can think of improving self that it gets difficult to decide. Worry not, for here are some easy, doable New Year resolution ideas for the coming year. Start cooking more at home Over the years, researches have pointed out the surprising benefits of home-cooked meals. It has been scientifically proven that those who eat home- made food regularly are happier and healthier. Their food-eating time has fewer distractions and lesser chances of shifting to sugar-loaded and processed foods, which involuntarily increases body mass and unhealthy weight. Travel Travelling opens our eyes to new ideas, cultures and places. In a year, plan to take at least three vacations – two thrifty ones and one to explore little luxuries of life. For the first one, delve into the neighbourhood on foot. Visit than new place th...

A close family member of mine gets so mad that he starts smashing things. His rage blinds him by insecurity and anger. At some point, it doesn’t matter who is right or wrong. His trembling voice poisons his mind beyond his own control and things get ugly. What follows is bad mood for days, turning of frustrations inward, leading to more abuse or deliberate self-harm.  A lot of people don’t realize their anger is destructive. It intensifies with time due to the trigger points that make it more uncontrollable.  Anger is unnatural Human body is made to feel the experiences around us. The beauty of nature, little moments of joy, vast horizons of talents, incredible gifts of the Almighty, sweetness of relationships, warmness of compassion – the list is endless. Anger blinds us from these and takes us to the dark world inside where the mind starts to justify offensive behaviour.  Seeds of this poison work their way out in the form of jealousy, hatred, unhealthy co...

Once Buddha came to speak at his sermon carrying a satin cloth in his hands. He asked people what they saw, to which everyone replied in unison that it was a beautiful satin cloth. Then Buddha started  tying knots to it. After putting about five of them, he asked people whether it was the same cloth. People confirmed it was, though it was little different now because it had knots. To this, Buddha replied that it was what he wanted them to understand.  “You miss seeing the fine satin fiber lines because you are in knots.”  Mindfulness meditation teaches you to be the same cloth but without knots. He then asked the best way to open them, and if pulling the cloth from both sides would help the purpose. People replied that it wasn’t the correct way as it would in fact tighten the knots.  Acknowledging that, Buddha told them that even though most know it wouldn’t help, they still try to open their knots by pulling! He added that while the intention of an ind...

Is there a way to get food sleep? What makes the body sleepy? Thoughts? Actions? Worries?  For long, I have struggled to find the right balance between daily schedule and sleeping on time. My next day depends on a good night sleep. No good sleep, no high energy the next day. I have a ritual. I follow it everyday, and on the rare days i don't, the guilt of breaking the discipline makes it hard to concentrate on anything else. So here's my 7 step sleeping plan and I hope it helps you as much as it helps me.  How to sleep right Step 1:  Workout: Run, jog, walk, do yoga, aerobics, zumba, boxing, learn martial arts, pick weights or participate in strength training - do something everyday without fail. Exercise brings a natural rthym to body. It releases good harmones, encourages flexibily of muscles and makes sure the blood flow is better, not to mention tires the body so that it can get a good sleep.  How to sleep right Step 2: Have early dinner. Most Indians aren't used...

Have you ever had the feeling that you missed someone so much, you didn't want to get up from bed. When thoughts of someone meet you smile and cry. When you wanted to go back in time and spend more days with that special person. When someone broke your heart, but you still find it difficult let them go. Letting go is the final stage of grieving over someone, weather dead or alive. Letting go allows you to give up the pain that you have held for long. In some cases, it means accepting the truth that a person or the things that you have been so compassionate about is no longer there. It means confronting your unpleasant emotions about the past and becoming comfortable with them. If you find it difficult to let go, here are 10 tips to help you. How to let go: How To Let Go 1: Deal with people, one day at a time. Because when things don't go according to you, you have got to learn to deal with everything – one person a time. How To Let Go 2: Give space to you...

Imagine a  life where there is no anger,  no frustration  or irritation.  Imagine a life  in which you are calm, happy and contended.  Now imagine  that life has already started. What makes us stop from  feeling good ? Are the circumstances always exterior or can you control some part of them?   For most of us,  anger drives us into  territories which cause regret.  Broken relationships,  grudges and feelings of resentment  are just one of the few ways   in which anger gets expressed. So how do you manage something that has become such an integral part of your life?  How do you let go ?  I have researched and found some  Anger Management techniques  that may help.  You may take note of them try then what wine time you find the anger management  method that is perfect for you. Manage Anger #1: Act, not react. This anger control tool emphasizes the importance of reducing...