Sunday, 22 December 2024
A. Brahman satya Jagat hologram
Bohm argued that our physical world – what he called the ‘explicate order’ - was composed of ‘pure information’ and unfolded from the subtle realm of an ‘implicate order’, which existed beyond the virtual particles that popped in and out of existence at the baseline of physical reality.
Though the universe appeared to be solid, it was a hologram, Bohm said
Friday, 20 December 2024
Thursday, 19 December 2024
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We all live in a world of suggestions. Notice the world of advertising. Culture is the product of suggestion.
Our character is modified unconsciously day by day by others. We unconsciously imitate the actions of those whom we admire. We can be influenced by the suggestions of those with whom we come in contact or read about. A person of weak, unfocused mind yields to the suggestions of a person of strong and focused mind.
As an adult, do not be easily influenced by the suggestions of others. Stand alone. Have your own sense of individual thinking and living.
Listen to Nature. Nature suggests in various ways - the running rivers, the shining sun, fragrant flowers, the birds and the growing trees. These are constantly sending you suggestions of good intent.
Meditate. Develop intuition. Listen to your intuition first before listening to other's suggestions.
~ From the book Thought Power by Swami Sivananda
Wednesday, 18 December 2024
Tuesday, 17 December 2024
B DLAMA
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My favourite quotation from Shantideva’s book is: ‘As long as space endures, as long as sentient beings remain, until then, may I too remain and dispel the miseries of the world.’
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Monday, 16 December 2024
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A. Grf
― Francis Weller
Kaizen
When you improve a little each day, eventually big things occur. When you improve conditioning a little each day, eventually you have a big improvement in conditioning. Not tomorrow, not the next day, but eventually a big gain is made. Don't look for the big, quick improvement. Seek the small improvement one day at a time. That's the only way it happens - and when it happens, it lasts."
~ John Wooden
Saturday, 14 December 2024
MONEY QUOTE X KEY TAKEAWAY
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The term "money quote" refers to a particularly memorable, significant, or impactful statement, often one that succinctly captures the essence of an issue, situation, or argument. It's commonly used in journalism, media, and everyday conversation to highlight the key takeaway from an interview, article, or speech.
TOLSTOY
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“Man cannot possess anything as long as he fears death. But to him who does not fear it, everything belongs. If there was no suffering, man would not know his limits, would not know himself.”
“[B]ut now, in these last three weeks of the march, Pierre had learned a new and more comforting truth–he had learned that there was nothing frightening in the world. He had learned that, as there can be no situation where a man is perfectly happy and free, so there is no situation where he can be perfectly unhappy and unfree. He had learned that there is a limit to suffering and a limit to freedom, and that those limits are very close; that the man who suffers because one leaf is askew in his bed of roses, suffers as much as he now suffered falling asleep on the bare, damp ground.”
“We can know only that we know nothing. And that is the highest degree of human wisdom.”
OWN BODY A TEMPLE
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Brahma resides within our heart, the very source and nucleus of all creation.
Vishnu dwells in our throat, symbolizing sustenance and the protection of life.
Rudra is situated at the palate, embodying transformation and the force of power.
Maheshwara graces our forehead, reigning as the lord of destruction and renewal.
Achyuta (the Supreme Being) resides at the tip of the nose, the fountainhead of vitality and energy.
This physical and spiritual journey culminates in the ultimate destination, the Param Pada—where the soul unites with the Supreme Consciousness.
There is nothing higher than the “Param.” This profound realization illuminates the divinity within us and paves the path toward liberation.
By embracing the body as a sacred temple and immersing oneself in meditation and spiritual practice, the eternal truth becomes attainable.
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OVERWHELMING ONENESS X COM X GON
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Overwhelming Oneness |
"The biggest joy was on the way home. In my cockpit window, every two minutes: The Earth, the Moon, the Sun, and the whole 360-degree panorama of the heavens. And that was a powerful, overwhelming experience. And suddenly I realized that the molecules of my body, and the molecules of the spacecraft, the molecules in the body of my partners, were prototyped, manufactured in some ancient generation of stars. And that was an overwhelming sense of oneness, of connectedness; it wasn't 'Them and Us', it was 'That's me!', that's all of it, it's... it's one thing. And it was accompanied by an ecstacy, a sense of 'Oh my God, wow, yes', an insight, an epiphany." |
-Astronaut Edgar Mitchell A |
LYF GLORIOUS X WRETCHED
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The Glorious and The Wretched |
“Life is glorious, but life is also wretched. It is both. Appreciating the gloriousness inspires us, encourages us, cheers us up, gives us a bigger perspective, energizes us. We feel connected. But if that's all that's happening, we get arrogant and start to look down on others, and there is a sense of making ourselves a big deal and being really serious about it, wanting it to be like that forever. The gloriousness becomes tinged by craving and addiction. On the other hand, wretchedness--life's painful aspect--softens us up considerably. Knowing pain is a very important ingredient of being there for another person. When you are feeling a lot of grief, you can look right into somebody's eyes because you feel you haven't got anything to lose--you're just there. The wretchedness humbles us and softens us, but if we were only wretched, we would all just go down the tubes. We'd be so depressed, discouraged, and hopeless that we wouldn't have enough energy to eat an apple. Gloriousness and wretchedness need each other. One inspires us, the other softens us. They go together.” |
-Pema Chodron A |
MEMES
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“I believe that our planet is inhabited not only by animals and plants and bacteria and viruses, but also by ideas. Ideas are a disembodied, energetic life-form. They are completely separate from us, but capable of interacting with us—albeit strangely. Ideas have no material body, but they do have consciousness, and they most certainly have will. Ideas are driven by a single impulse: to be made manifest. And the only way an idea can be made manifest in our world is through collaboration with a human partner. It is only through a human’s efforts that an idea can be escorted out of the ether and into the realm of the actual.” |
-Elizabeth Gilbert A |
TNH CLOUDS IN PAPER
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Clouds In Paper |
“If you are a poet, you will see clearly that there is a cloud floating in this sheet of paper. Without a cloud, there will be no rain; without rain, the trees cannot grow: and without trees, we cannot make paper. The cloud is essential for the paper to exist. If the cloud is not here, the sheet of paper cannot be here either. So we can say that the cloud and the paper inter-are. |
"Interbeing" is a word that is not in the dictionary yet, but if we combine the prefix "inter" with the verb "to be", we have a new verb, inter-be. Without a cloud, we cannot have paper, so we can say that the cloud and the sheet of paper inter-are. |
If we look into this sheet of paper even more deeply, we can see the sunshine in it. If the sunshine is not there, the forest cannot grow. In fact nothing can grow. Even we cannot grow without sunshine. And so, we know that the sunshine is also in this sheet of paper. The paper and the sunshine inter-are. And if we continue to look we can see the logger who cut the tree and brought it to the mill to be transformed into paper. And we see the wheat. We know that the logger cannot exist without his daily bread, and therefore the wheat that became his bread is also in this sheet of paper. And the logger's father and mother are in it too. When we look in this way we see that without all of these things, this sheet of paper cannot exist.” |
-Thich Nhat Hanh A |
AGNOSTIC
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“I think it's much more interesting to live not knowing than to have answers which might be wrong. I have approximate answers and possible beliefs and different degrees of uncertainty about different things, but I am not absolutely sure of anything and there are many things I don't know anything about, such as whether it means anything to ask why we're here. I don't have to know an answer. I don't feel frightened not knowing things, by being lost in a mysterious universe without any purpose, which is the way it really is as far as I can tell.” |
-Richard Feynman A |
Friday, 13 December 2024
Thursday, 12 December 2024
Yoga nidra
The Benson Relaxation Response and Yoga Nidra are both powerful techniques that help reduce stress, enhance relaxation, and promote overall well-being, but they are distinct in their origins and methods. Here’s an overview of each:
Benson Relaxation Response
• Developed By: Dr. Herbert Benson, a cardiologist at Harvard Medical School.
• Purpose: Designed as a secular, science-based method to counteract the physiological effects of stress, such as high heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension.
• How It Works: It activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting a “rest and digest” state.
• Key Components:
1. Quiet Environment: Reduce distractions.
2. Mental Focus: Repetition of a word, sound, prayer, phrase, or breath to focus the mind.
3. Passive Attitude: Letting go of thoughts without judgment.
4. Comfortable Position: Usually sitting quietly.
• Duration: Typically 10–20 minutes.
• Applications: Stress management, chronic illness, anxiety, depression, hypertension.
Yoga Nidra
• Origin: Ancient yogic practice; part of the Tantric tradition and later formalized in modern yoga teachings, notably by Swami Satyananda Saraswati.
• Purpose: Deep relaxation and meditative self-awareness, often referred to as “yogic sleep.”
• How It Works: Guides practitioners through progressive relaxation and awareness stages, moving between wakefulness and sleep.
• Key Components:
1. Relaxation Poses: Practiced lying down in Savasana (corpse pose).
2. Guided Meditation: Led by a teacher or recording, often involving body scanning, breath awareness, visualization, and affirmation (sankalpa).
3. Subconscious Access: Encourages awareness without falling asleep, allowing for emotional healing and mental clarity.
• Duration: 20–45 minutes or more.
• Applications: Stress relief, trauma healing, insomnia, mindfulness, and spiritual growth.
Key Differences
Aspect Benson Relaxation Response Yoga Nidra
Origin Western, medical approach Ancient Indian yogic practice
Focus Stress reduction, physical relaxation Deep meditative awareness and emotional healing
Technique Mental focus (e.g., repetition) Guided, multi-layered relaxation
Posture Sitting Lying down (Savasana)
Intent Counter stress response Expand consciousness, promote healing
Both techniques are effective, but Yoga Nidra often involves a more comprehensive journey into mental, emotional, and spiritual realms, while the Benson Relaxation Response focuses on the physiological mechanisms of relaxation. Depending on your goals, you could practice either or even combine elements of both.
NON TX DEPENDENT THALASSEMIA
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Non-Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemias (NTDTs) refer to a subgroup of thalassemia disorders in which patients do not require regular blood transfusions to manage their condition. These individuals experience milder forms of thalassemia but may still have significant clinical symptoms and complications. NTDTs are typically distinguished from the more severe forms of thalassemia, where regular transfusions are necessary to maintain adequate hemoglobin levels.
Types of Non-Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemias:
Beta-Thalassemia Intermedia: A condition where there is a reduction in beta-globin chain production, but it is not as severe as in beta-thalassemia major (which requires regular transfusions). Symptoms vary widely and can include anemia, jaundice, splenomegaly, and bone deformities.
Hemoglobin E/Beta-Thalassemia: This condition arises from the inheritance of the hemoglobin E variant and beta-thalassemia mutations. It is common in Southeast Asia and may cause moderate anemia, splenomegaly, and occasional complications related to iron overload.
Alpha-Thalassemia (HbH Disease): This form involves the deletion or mutation of three out of the four alpha-globin genes. HbH disease can cause moderate anemia and mild to moderate splenomegaly.
Clinical Features:
- Mild to Moderate Anemia: Unlike more severe forms of thalassemia, individuals with NTDTs often have less severe anemia, though they may still experience symptoms like fatigue, paleness, and weakness.
- Splenomegaly: Enlargement of the spleen is common due to the body's attempt to compensate for anemia by increasing red blood cell production.
- Bone Deformities: In some individuals, especially children, marrow expansion can lead to changes in bone structure, particularly in the face and skull.
- Delayed Growth and Development: Children with NTDTs may experience slower growth and developmental delays due to the chronic anemia.
- Iron Overload: Although NTDT patients do not receive regular transfusions, they are still at risk for iron overload because the body compensates for anemia by increasing iron absorption from food. This can lead to iron accumulation in organs such as the liver, heart, and endocrine glands, potentially causing serious complications.
Management:
- Monitoring and Support: Regular monitoring of hemoglobin levels, spleen size, and iron levels is essential. Patients may require treatment for symptoms such as anemia or iron overload.
- Iron Chelation Therapy: In patients with significant iron overload, iron chelation therapy may be used to remove excess iron.
- Folic Acid and Other Supplements: Folate supplementation is often recommended to support red blood cell production, and other vitamins and minerals may be needed depending on the individual's health.
- Management of Complications: Patients with NTDTs may require treatment for specific complications, such as bone deformities or endocrine issues (e.g., growth hormone deficiency or diabetes).
Prognosis:
While individuals with NTDTs generally do not face the life-threatening complications associated with transfusion-dependent thalassemias, they can still experience significant morbidity, including complications related to iron overload and organ damage. Early diagnosis, regular monitoring, and appropriate treatment can help manage symptoms and prevent long-term complications.
Wednesday, 11 December 2024
HEMINGWAY EFFECT
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Hemingway Effect refers to the practice of stopping work on a project or task while you still have momentum or inspiration, so you can easily pick up where you left off later. The term is inspired by the renowned writer Ernest Hemingway, who reportedly would end his writing sessions in the middle of a sentence or a strong idea, ensuring he had a clear starting point for the next day.
Key Benefits:
- Maintains Momentum: By leaving off mid-flow, you create a natural continuation for when you return, reducing the struggle to restart.
- Prevents Burnout: Stopping before you're completely exhausted allows you to sustain creativity and energy over time.
- Builds Anticipation: Having something exciting to return to can boost motivation.
How to Apply the Hemingway Effect:
- Pause with Intent: When you feel productive, deliberately stop before exhausting your ideas.
- Leave Clues: Write brief notes about what comes next to make re-entry easier.
- Use for Any Task: While rooted in writing, this principle can apply to any creative or problem-solving work.
A. Solitude
Spending just a few hours alone can have significant effects on the brain, often leading to a mix of emotional and cognitive responses. Research in neuroscience and psychology highlights that solitude, even in short doses, activates areas of the brain involved in self-reflection, memory, and emotional processing. Here’s a breakdown of why and how this happens:
1. Activation of the Default Mode Network (DMN)
The DMN, a network of brain regions including the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, becomes active during periods of rest and introspection. When you’re alone without external distractions, this network facilitates self-reflection, daydreaming, and processing past experiences.
2. Increased Emotional Sensitivity
Solitude often triggers heightened emotional awareness. In some cases, this leads to a sense of calm and clarity; in others, it may amplify feelings of loneliness or anxiety. The brain’s amygdala, which processes emotions, can become more active, especially if solitude evokes stress or negative feelings.
3. Boost in Creativity and Problem-Solving
Spending time alone can encourage divergent thinking, which is essential for creativity. The brain, freed from external demands, has more resources to focus on internal thoughts, allowing for deeper problem-solving and idea generation.
4. Stress or Reward Responses
The brain’s response to solitude depends on how the individual perceives it. For some, being alone feels rejuvenating and triggers a reward response in the brain’s dopamine system. For others, especially those who dislike solitude, it may activate stress pathways and lead to heightened cortisol levels.
5. Long-Term Impacts
Regular periods of solitude can improve emotional regulation and resilience over time. However, prolonged isolation or loneliness (distinct from intentional solitude) can have adverse effects, including heightened risk for depression and cognitive decline.
In essence, even a brief period of solitude can significantly impact the brain, but the effects vary depending on individual preferences, context, and emotional state.