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Keep Cool about Calories, Heartbreaks, Confidence & More

It's May 2015 already! And look what's been keeping me busy!

In case you'd missed my earlier posts, here's the one on Dad's 70th birthday and the birth of my niece, Aishani.  

Hard to believe that the months have flown and we are at the peak of a scorching summer that is bound to last for the next two months!

Here's my "Keep Cool" summer round-up of posts that I enjoyed reading:


                                                                        [Image credit: Morguefile] 

Andy Mort talks about how to maintain our focus and his second post is about how to see confidence as a continuous journey that never ends.


In another humorous take, Sangeeta also talks about our eating habits and how festivals perk up our calories...she answers a relevant question: So, what really is 500 calories? 

And for all those who have experienced life-shattering heartbreaks: Vishnu's latest e-book cuts out the fluff and tells you what happened when the greatest love of his life crumbled. 

He's been through it, got what it takes to bounce back and wants to help you do the same.

The return from heartbreak is never easy but you can come back a stronger, calmer and more loving person than you were...do read Vishnu's post here.

I am sure you've also done some fun things this summer...it may be your reflections, observations or something you've read or some one whom you've met and had an interesting conversation with.

Do share it with me here...would love to know what your summer's been like.

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The Ugly Truth about Caste in Kerala

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Best time to light diya

Want to know when is the best time to light diya or deepam at home? In most Hindu homes, 'deepam' or 'diya' is lit at least twice - once in the morning and then in the evening. For both times, brass is considered to be auspicious for lighting deepam or lamp at home. Clay diyas are also considered auspicious for lighting at home. When lighting diyas on Fridays, it is better to use ghee than oil, if possible. [ Connect with Svara on Facebook ] [Read: Vidyarambham - The Labyrinth Within] When Should I Start Lighting Diyas? The symbolic shift begins from darkess to light. Therefore, in the evenings, light diya before sunset to usher in divine blessings into your home. At what time should we light diya today? Every morning at sunrise and every evening before or at sunset. An ideal time would be to light the diya at least half an hour before sunset. Can we light diya after 12 PM? In Hindu homes, the diya is lit early morning at around sunrise and towards evening sunset. Can ...

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.   [Subscribe to my weekly newsletter now]   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  and Dark Night of the Sou...

Mumbai Police Movie Review: Prithviraj breaks the typical 'hero' mold, challenges sexual stereotyping

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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. [ Let's Connect on Facebook ] 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. The most essential factor is unwavering focus and concentration when you light the lamp every eve...