SIMPLE Physical Exercises to Promote a Healthy Life.
You can familiarize yourself with the exercise routine through daily practice over a few weeks.
Sound is very important and creates vibrations that affect our moods, motivates us and can create either positive or negative changes in individuals and groups.
There are SEED SOUNDS that were known to ancient Indian sages. They understood and used these seed sounds for Promoting Universal Peace and Protection.
Here are some seed sounds which when chanted creates vibrations that enhances your energy and helps to alleviate depression.
SHIVAAYA RUDRAAYA NAMAHA
Hoarding vs Saving and Spending Wisely
DANGERS OF HOARDING
There were two brothers Tamas and Santosha. Santosha was married to Jyotir but Tamas never found time to get married, he was busy accumulating wealth.
Tamas owned an electric and auto shop. His business was very profitable and Tamas increased his earning by investing as much money as he could in the stock market, insurance plans, purchasing property and other money-making schemes. Tamas was able to afford to buy a big house, furnish it with expensive items. He had a walk-in closet filled with an assortment of clothes and footwear. He loved vehicles so had purchased as many as he wished and parked them in his big garage.
If anyone came to ask for charity Tamas would say, “Why I am all alone, I do not have excess money, I must save the money I earn to look after myself when I get old.”
The younger brother Santosha had a government job and worked for a small salary. Santosha’s wife Jyotir was an educated young woman and knew how to balance the saving and expenditure of the home. Santosha was very happy with the way Jyotir managed their family life.
Jyotir and a few women in the community would put up a certain amount of money each month. One person would be given the money collected each month, as agreed at the start of the collection. This way Jyotir encouraged the ladies to save money and then use the savings collected to help improve their family lives.
Santosha was a kind person and would not turn away anyone in need of help. Though the couple appeared poor, they were truly rich in heart.
One year, Jyotir collected her cash and told her husband she would like to invite a priest to read the holy scripture and invite musicians to accompany him in songs in praise of the Lord. Santosha was very happy at the thought of hosting such an event in the community. They decided to invite family and friends for the auspicious occasion.
Jyotir had many friends in the community whom she invited. A few neighbours and friends came the day before the festival. They brought vegetables and other items for the prayer. They helped Santosha and Jytoir decorate the place and prepare the vegetables for the meal on the following day. They laughed and chatted as they did all the work and time went by joyfully. The next morning, they returned and helped with the cooking.
On the auspicious day, Tamas arrived at noon at Santosha’s home. Santosha asked Tamas to sit with them on the ground for the prayer but he politely declined. The prayer ceremony commenced and everyone in the community participated. They prayed together, sang the holy songs and was steeped in devotion throughout the time. However, Tamas was complaining as the place was small and crowded. There were no modern conveniences of air-conditions, comfortable sofas which Tamas had abundantly at his home.
Tamas wondered, “How can Santosha be happy in a place like this? Why is he spending so lavishly on prayers when he can invest the money and increase his finances?”
After the prayer and singing, some of the neighbours lent a hand serving the dishes that were prepared earlier. They served everyone a nice lunch of vegetables, rice and other tasty dishes. Jyotir and the ladies had prepared and bagged sweets for everyone to take home.
Tamas wasn’t pleased to see so many people eating at his brother’s place. He thought, “I will speak to Santosha, he needs to learn how to manage his money.”
The following afternoon Tamas returned to his brother’s home. Santosha was very happy that his brother had come to spend time with him.
Tamas began his counselling, “Santosha you and Jyotir are living in a small house and there is so much money needed to pay bills and buy groceries and other necessities for your family, do you at least have a savings plan?”
Santosha replied, “Brother I am able to make ends meet with my income. Jyotir manages the home and she does not complain about lack of money or that she is unable to cater to our needs with the money that I earn. She managed to save some money, so we thought it good that we should spend some of the money on the prayer we had yesterday. Is there some problem?”
Tamas replied, “Look Santosha, Jyotir is good-natured, she will never complain. But at least every month you can put some of your money into a money market fund and it will give you good returns which you can use later in life. I have placed money in investment funds and property I am sure to get good returns on my money in 10 years and if I leave it longer the money will grow too!”
Santosha called his wife, “Jyotir look Tamas is advising that we invest some money in money market funds every month, what is your opinion?”
Jyotir answered, “Tamas that it is a very good idea to invest some money. However, we have commitments to meet every month and can only save a small amount at a time. I know about these funds and you must invest a minimum of $500 every month. We cannot afford it right now.”
Tamas reproached her, “Santosha said you were able to save and organize the grand affair yesterday. What is the problem with investing into a fund instead?”
Jyotir smiled and replied, “A few of the women put money towards our little savings. It is only $100 or $200 each month according to our budget. Although there is no interest on the money, it is like a saving for us. The money is guaranteed as we know and trust each other. When we receive our saving, it is enough to help with any venture any of us may need in the future. I spent some of the money and with the rest I will start a sewing business at home. This small business will start adding extra funds to help with household expenditures and we can save then.”
Tamas was annoyed, “You want to make small efforts to make money when the banks and investment companies are there to help you get bigger profits. Santosha I thought you would be able to see good senses that is why I spoke to you.”
Santosha calmly responded, “Maybe another time we will consider your offer. Now we cannot afford such grand schemes. Our friends help in any endeavour we start, this way everyone benefits.”
Tamas went away disappointed. He went home and checked his funds before going to bed. His money was safe and growing at a good rate of interest. He slept peacefully.
After two years, Tamas heard the stock markets had crashed and the insurance company he had invested into was going into receivership! It was a calamity! He lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in investment. He cried bitterly over the loss he incurred, after all it was his hard-earned money!
Jyotir was reading the newspaper, “Santosha look the stock market has crashed and there are problems with other banking institutions. Please check on your brother, I hope he did not suffer any great financial loss.”
Santosha went over to his brother’s house. Tamas opened the door with a forlorn face. Santosha asked, “Tamas what is the matter? You look as if you have lost a close relative! Is everything okay?”
Tamas dejectedly replied, “I have lost years of money I earned by investing in the stock market and insurance plans. I will not be able to recover from this loss Santosha.”
Santosha tried to console his brother, “Don’t worry all is not lost you still have your home and you can earn as you have good health still. Jyotir and I are there if you need any support.”
Nothing could help Tamas feel better, he became very anxious and tensed over the entire situation.
Santosha said, “See here, I cannot leave you like this. I will pack your bag and take you home. Jyotir and I would be happy to have you stay with us, it has been a long time since you came over for even a night.”
Tamas went to Santosha’s home for a few weeks. He could not sleep at night, inwardly he was crying over the huge loss, he just could not come to terms with the situation. Jyotir and Santosha were very patient with Tamas and attended to his needs.
Little by little Tamas became friends with the ladies who frequented Jyotir’s place to help with the sewing business. In the afternoons, Santosha’s friends would come over and would bring their kids. At first, this annoyed Tamas as he was not accustomed to large groups of people at his home, especially kids. Every evening at six, Santosha and Jyotir would sit together prayer, chant the name of God and sing praises of God. At first Tamas did not participate in any of the activities however, little by little he adjusted to Santosha’s home and started making friends with the visitor who frequented the home. He even started joining them in afternoon prayer.
After a month, Tamas had recovered his mental balance a bit. He thought it was time for him to return home.
Tamas said, “I have been staying here for a long time. I think it is time to return home and look after my affairs. Thank you both for supporting me when I needed help. I always thought if I had enough money things would be fine. I kept everything I earned to myself and ensured no one could take a penny from me. Alas, trying to hold on to the money it was swept away from me by strangers! Still, I am very lucky to have such a good family who supported me during my difficult time. I am truly blessed.”
Jyotir replied, “You should stay a bit longer the ladies will miss you if you leave. We are always happy to have you. Tamas you are right about saving and investing some money for the future. However, it is equally important to share and not hold on to things too much. Who knows who will enjoy our savings if we do not spend it now on good and noble cause?”
Tamas said, “You are one hundred percent correct Jyotir! I thought your prayer was a useless way to spend money. I even thought feeding people was a waste of time and money. After spending time at your home, I can appreciate the simple things in life that can make people happy and sleep peacefully at night. Good friends, sharing and a little charity makes life very pleasant. Whilst hoarding and selfishness will result in unhappiness.”
Santosha chirped in, “Well I think if you must leave, we should invite your new friends over and have a nice meal with everyone. You will stay at least two more days, so we can plan your party nicely.”
Jyotir and Tamas happily agreed to Santosha’s suggestion. It was a splendid idea!
MORAL:
It is wise to save money or invest for a rainy day. However, you should not be like the bee who hoards. Hoarding wealth and being possessive of your belongings will not allow you to sleep peacefully at night.
One day you will lose what you saved and others will enjoy it, if you do not use it yourself.
A hoarder loses his mental and emotional balance if he loses the things he cherishes.
I should balance saving and acquiring things with sharing and donating towards charitable or noble causes.
LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE STORY
i. Tamas was obsessed with earning money and investing the money so it would grow and yield even more profits.
ii. Tamas never gave a penny to a charity or extended a helping hand to persons in need.
iii. Tamas would sleep peacefully only after he was assured that his money was safe and he was getting good interest on his money.
iv. Tamas lost all the money he was saving to the banking institutions. Someone was enjoying his hard-earned money. The loss of his money resulted in the loss of his peace of mind.
iv. Santosha and Jytoir did not hoard but invested the little they had with people they knew well. They shared their happiness with others and spent their money in organizing a prayer ceremony for the community.
v. Santosha was contented with whatever he had and was also able to give freely to persons in need. Jyotir was sensible and did not invest in many things at once. She was able to balance her expenses and invest in a small business which she could grow. She had the help of people she trusted to manage her sewing business.
vi. Tamas lost his mental balance and was only capable of regaining his peace of mind after a long while. He was fortunate to have the support of his family in his time of need.
vii. Tamas learned that hoarding is a bad habit and resulted in harm to himself. He experienced the joys of sharing and trust in relationships when he stayed with Santosha and Jyotir.
Do not become a hoarder.
Acquire things but do not become obsessed with the things you have in life.
Maintain a balance so you will not lose your peace of mind, either from holding on to things or losings things.
Click on the link below to download each of the attached files in pdf format.
Curriculum : Lessons Learned from the Honey-Thief, Danger of Hoarding!
Honey-Thief Exercise Routine