Ask More, Fear Less: How we think about the choices we make

It is easy to get caught up in following what others do. But sometimes we also need to enjoy the quirks of "thinking" for ourselves.

There will always be specific areas where we wish we could be 100% perfect or that we could take a more balanced view.

Whatever that may be, how we think about the choices we make for ourselves is more important than what we think.

[Also read: Jealousy - Why do we feel it? and Why are women mean to women?]

There's a well-know story about a lady who always cut off the end of the roast as a practice.

When asked by her daughter why she followed this method, she had no answer. She didn't know. She said that her mom always did it and she had just followed it.

She phoned her mom and asked why she always cut the end of the roast. Turns out that her mom only had a small roasting pan and the roasts never fit unless she chopped off the end of the roast.

BUT now: she had a big roasting pan, so why was she cutting off the ends of the roast, like her mother did?

She was following a 'family practice' without ever understanding why.

Arjuna asked. Lord Krishna answered. Lord Krishna didn't say, "You are a sinner who questioned the Word of God." Lord Krishna encouraged Arjuna to ask more.

I can't think of a better example than Lord Krishna to illustrate this point.

Ask yourself "WHY" before every action. Don't follow any practice blindly.

[ALSO READ: 3 SIMPLE ways to add joy to your life & Walking the Red Carpet]

I know, I know, it's not easy.

But still..... know why you choose to do what you set out to do.

I would love to know what factors you weigh in when you make a choice ....it could be anything...buying a new book or a dress or tasting a new dish, visiting a new place, etc.

Do tell me about the process you follow while making choices for yourself. I'd love to hear from you!

Comments

The Ugly Truth about Caste in Kerala

Many years ago, when I wrote this post on Kerala's caste system, I had not considered that people would start sending in abusive comments about one caste over the other. It baffles me that this is how Indians, all of us, continue to judge each other on account of caste differences. [ READ: Guru Kripa: Powerful Lessons at the Lotus Feet ] My question is - why do you ABUSE any caste or community? I suggest that you read about the lives of great Masters and their stories - none of them judged anyone on the basis of caste. You can read the life stories of Sri Adi Shankara Bhagawadpada, Tulsidas, Jnaneshwar, Namadev, Sri Aurobindo, Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Paramahansa Yogananda, Shirdi Sai Baba, and many more Gurus in Sanathana Dharma. NONE of them endorse these caste hierarchies in Bhakti Marga. Assuming that Guru Sampradaya does not appeal to your sensibilities, do read this new book 'Ants among Elephants' written by Sujatha Gidla, who writes about herself as being bor...

Gayatri Mantra as Panchamukhi: Get it right or let it go

Most people do not understand the importance of chanting the Gayatri mantra because they are not aware of its power. It is only when I began to read Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba's teachings that I learned how sacred and powerful the chanting of the Gayatri mantra is. The Vedas represent the breath of God. The Gayatri mantra is the very basis of the Vedas. Try not to undertake chanting the Gayatri mantra as a light endeavor or as a hobby. It has to be chanted with faith, discipline and purity of mind and body. Be steady with your sadhana if you want to reap the spiritual dividend associated with the Gayatri mantra and never once hesitate once you decide to do it. Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba said that the Gayatri Mantra is referred to as Pancha Mukhi, the Goddess with five faces that represent the five pranas or life forces. Here's more on it. . Also read: The Power of OM Chant the Gayatri Mantra correctly: Pause Five Times Here a...

How do you light Deepam at home?

How do you light deepam at home? As a child, I loved watching the ritual of my grandmother lighting the deepam or the traditional lamp at home in the evenings. A sense of serenity accompanied her frail figure as she would carefully straighten every wick, dip it into the tiny puddle of oil and light the lamp. As my grandmother would read out the scriptures and chant the prayers, the fragrance of incense sticks and flowers added depth to the experience. In many Hindu homes nowadays, the lighting of the lamp (or the nilavilakku, as Malayalis refer to the traditional lamp in their homes) is not a regular practice. A lot of people have many questions around how to light deepam at home and which oil to use and so on. An important point to keep in mind - Maintain physical cleanliness and hygiene while lighting the lamp. Wear clean clothes while lighting the lamp. Frequently Asked Questions About Lighting Deepam at Home Collating most queries related to how to light the deepam at home, I'v...

Aye Auto Malayalam film directed by Venu Nagavally: Mohanlal at his best!

Mohanlal starrer Aye Auto: Another super hit movie that Venu Nagavally is famous for is, Aye Auto, the first commercial entertaining movie of its kind that delved into the lives, conversations and relationships of auto rickshaw drivers in Kerala. [Source: TMdB] Mohanlal's heartwarming portrayal in Aye Auto Malayalam movie Once again, it is Mohan Lal’s exceptional acting abilities coupled with humorous dialogues that made the movie so popular in Kerala. The story is about a poor auto rickshaw driver who meets a girl called Meenakshi from a rich, well known family and begins to fall in love with her. She teaches him English and dreams of seeing him as someone who can speak the language with confidence while he dreams of her as someone as beautiful and priceless to his life just like the auto that he calls ‘S...

How to never ever give up on the spiritual path

The Upanishads have compared a spiritual aspirant's journey to a razor's edge. From the age of 9, I have been walking on that razor's edge. No matter how hard I try, how sincerely I aspire, the fall is always a gut-wrenching one, filled with mind-numbing pain. Then I chant the name of Lord Sai in my heart and I start my baby steps all over again, stumbling, sometimes falling but always knowing that my God is there , protectively watching over me. Being human, sometimes I forget that my nature is essentially divine. And on such days, I turn to Baba in despair, wanting to understand the cause of these inner struggles and consequent pain. I forget that my real Self is untouched by suffering. One such day, this was His message through the book 'Life is a dream; Realize it' by Joy Thomas: "Many quail before the impossible demands of Sadhana. When confronted by calamity, you must attach yourself to this sadhana even more firmly , in...

Petals!

Search This Blog