Dr. Rahul Mehrotra is an experienced cardiologist with an academic career spanning more than two decades. He possesses a sharp intellect and is keenly interested in managing various cardiac ailments optimally utilizing different investigative modalities. He is currently the Chief of non-invasive and clinical cardiology at Artemis Hospitals.

RAHUL MEHROTRA

Rahul Mehrotra

<h4>RAHUL MEHROTRA shares his experience as a busy cardiologist who also loves bird-watching and meditation.</h4>It has been more than a decade now that working as a cardiologist, watching birds around my house, and practicing meditation have gone on side by side. There seems to be a whole world to explore in the field of medicine, in the realm of birdlife, and in the world inside us. All it requires is tuning in.As I go to my terrace and hear the bird calls, spot them with ease and feed them, I realize I am becoming better at it. Discoveries are made: the white eyes, the tailor birds, the spine-tailed green bee-eaters informing us of the much-awaited monsoon rains, and many more.Birdwatching and meditation are not two separate hobbies. Along with my professional and family life, they are part of a whole, complementing each other. If my meditation makes me calmer, it also makes me more perceptive of the happenings around me. I more meaningfully observe the birds go about their daily business. I realize the value of being regular in feeding them, ensuring the bird feeder and the water bowl are never left empty.Their biological clocks work perfectly. Birds are there at the same spot and the same time every morning to have their breakfast. How simple a life they lead! The same food over and over, happily accepted. The same schedule – waking up at dawn, flying for food, a whole day of chirping, resting, moving about and going back to rest. In the rainy season they go hungry at times, yet they are happy when it rains: the small puddles on my terrace serve as the house sparrows’ bathing pools!Acceptance comes naturally to them. I should learn from them.They do not horde or worry for the future. Is that plain stupidity or instinctive faith in the provider? They live in the moment, meeting their needs diligently, with alertness. How do they learn to make the perfect nests? By instinct. With what instincts are we humans born? What is our innate nature? To be peaceful, calm, grateful, joyous and perhaps responsible for the rest of creation.Birds seem to have so much time during the day. Do they overeat? I wonder as I prepare a lecture on heart disease and the obesity epidemic that is engulfing the world.Why do I feel so much at ease when I meditate? I am with that eternal, original me, who does not require any of the props, the sensory inputs. The birds are perhaps in that state all the time, with their original selves, at ease, as they were meant to be.It is all there inside us, all around us, provided we take interest and tune in.<img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/tuning_in2_657e25d409.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-06T05:59:47.440Z">&nbsp;

Tuning in

rainer_maria_rilke.jpg

Rainer Maria Rilke

The journey within

Earth’s intelligence

Inner potential

Rajesh lives in Delhi, India, with his wife and two daughters. He has been a photographer since 2007, and also runs a Bed & Breakfast. He loves taking photographs of the beautiful natural scenery and peoples of the Indian subcontinent, including Spiti in the Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh, Pushkar in Rajashtan, Bhutan and Nepal. Nowadays he is travelling regularly to the northeast of India, working on photographic projects in Nagaland, Arunachal and Assam.

rajesh-menon-img.jpg

Rajesh Menon

<h4
 id="h-rajesh-menon-is-a-wildlife-photographer-and-environmental-conservationist-living-in-north-india-here-he-shares-some-ideas-for-solutions-to-the-animal-human-conflicts-that-are-apparent-in-all-regions-of-the-world-today">
 RAJESH MENON
 is a wildlife photographer and environmental conservationist living in North
 India. Here he shares some ideas for solutions to the animal-human conflicts
 that are apparent in all regions of the world today.
</h4>

<hr class="vertical-space1" />


 Recently I heard the news that a man died in Spain, gored by a bull during one
 of the country’s popular festivals. Such headlines make me wonder, “Are we
 playing God with Nature?”, “Are we the reason for all the chaos in the world
 around us?”, “Are we knowingly looking for a reason external to us?”



 Things back home in India are not rosy either. Down south, elephants are burnt
 to death for entering human settlements. Wild animals are electrocuted for
 entering human settlements. Elephants are run over by trains as they try to
 cross the railway tracks in Assam. Tigers and leopards are poisoned for coming
 too close to us. I could go on and on.



 I spoke to my forester friends, and they shared some useful insights about the
 other side of the story: The number of little children who die every year,
 grabbed in front of their mothers by leopards that prowl near human dwellings;
 poor farmers who face the wrath of wild boars destroying their crops. These
 are genuine issues that a few face, unlike the multitude of city dwellers. One
 for the team, as they say. A team that has no clue about the daily wars the
 poor farmers face to stay alive each night. There are farmers and tea-estate
 workers in the North-east and the South of India who face the wrath of wild
 elephants. For them, it’s work during the day and fending off wild animals at
 night, without sleep. But then, how many of us are aware of these conflicts?


<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<div class="block-image">
 <figure>
 <img decoding="async" width="700" height="394" alt="" class="lazyload has-img-center"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/animal_human_conflict2_700x394_fc880e6d9f.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-07T11:49:27.359Z" />
 </figure>
</div>

<hr class="vertical-space1" />


 Let me come straight to the point: Are we the solution providers or are we the
 problem?



 What is the reason for our existence? Is it just to make money, have a good
 time in life, procreate, fend for the kids, and make them as irresponsible as
 we are? In the name of society, do we drag down all things that encounter us
 as we travel to the doors of heaven? As my friend says, “Are we the worst
 parasites on this earth, gobbling away everything that comes within our
 reach?”



 It is said that we humans are the best form of life on Earth, and that even
 the gods have to descend to Earth and take human form to evolve! Another dear
 friend enlightened me with references to Indian mythology, where the gods
 descend with weapons in their hands, so they do not have to face us humans
 unarmed. What is it then that makes us so proud of our race? Are we in sync
 with Nature? Do we live in harmony and with love?



 Recently I was witness to a very beautiful scene of harmony in the wild, in
 the Corbett Tiger Reserve, Uttarakhand. While on the Jeep Safari, I saw a huge
 tamarind tree with langurs (Semnopithecus entellus) on the branches and
 spotted deer (Axis axis) below. The langurs are famous for alerting the deer
 about the presence of tigers and other carnivorous animals. In this particular
 scene, the langurs were also feeding the deer. They were plucking the tamarind
 fruit they were relishing and throwing them down for the deer to eat. The deer
 were happy to oblige! No claims of superior or inferior being. I was so happy
 to witness this pure magic of love and harmony.


<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<div class="block-image">
 <figure>
 <img decoding="async" width="700" height="394" alt="" class="lazyload has-img-center"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/animal_human_conflict4_700x394_d7eb5a5283.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-07T11:51:03.981Z" />
 </figure>
</div>

<hr class="vertical-space1" />


 There is too much to say about animal-human conflict. As far as I see it,
 there is no conflict on the part of the animals. They cross over to human
 settlements for easy means of food, because we have encroached on their
 territory. We have built our railways and roads on the animal-crossing
 corridors. We have multiplied so fast that we don’t have enough space for
 ourselves and we conveniently forget about the other species on Earth. I
 recently saw a beautiful caption with a picture of a deer crossing the road:
 “The deer is not crossing the road. We are crossing it’s jungle.” It makes you
 think.



 Harmony and love are all we need to deal with each other. Since when have we
 given value to a piece of paper and made it our god? Since when have social
 status and egos taken over? We still have time to correct our trajectory and
 go in the right direction. The question is: Are we willing to?


<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<hr />

<h4 class="has-text-align-center">
 Harmony and love are all we need to deal with each
 other.
</h4>

<hr />

<hr class="vertical-space1" />


 Let me leave you with a success story of a group of volunteers in Assam. Their
 name is Hati Bondhu, which translates to “elephant my friend.” They
 operate in Chapanala, in the Nagaon district of Assam. The place is an
 elephant corridor and that has led to many animal-human conflicts.



 They convinced the local farmers to cultivate the land between the forests and
 the villages. They have created a beautiful pond and large paddy fields and
 other food crops on 200 bighas of land (1 bigha = 14,400
 square feet). The twist to the story is that they cultivate these lands
 for the elephants. The pachyderms have their fill, drink and
 swim in the pond, and go back to the jungle without disturbing the villagers.
 They haven’t had any conflicts during the past two years.


<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<div class="block-image">
 <figure>
 <img decoding="async" width="700" height="394" alt="" class="lazyload has-img-center"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/animal_human_conflict5_700x394_7190085b61.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-07T11:52:26.167Z" />
 </figure>
</div>

<hr class="vertical-space1" />


 He mentioned that it was not a cakewalk. Educating the local village tribes
 was the hardest part. During the pandemic, the local farmers have come forward
 and contributed. Fear for their lands has now turned into care for the
 elephants. Both are happy. Now they are the ones empowering the project.



 Kudos to this great initiative by Hati Bondhuand the amazing
 volunteers! The call of the hour is for more such genuine efforts with harmony
 and love in mind. How to spread more awareness and seek the help of local
 farmers and villages to resolve these conflicts? May the human will to take
 the right initiatives prevail!


<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<div class="block-image">
 <figure>
 <img decoding="async" width="700" height="394" alt="" class="lazyload has-img-center"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/animal_human_conflict3_700x394_3e6977ddc3.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-07T11:57:17.959Z" />
 </figure>
</div>

<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<hr />

<h4 class="has-text-align-center">Photography by RAJESH MENON</h4>

<hr />

The animal-human conflict

<hr class="vertical-space1">
<h4>Photo essay by RAJESH MENON from the national parks of India.</h4>
<hr class="vertical-space1">
I was born in the land of elephants, Kerala. Not a festival goes by without the
 elephants decorated in their full attire. When I became big enough, I came to know that my grandfather was the
 manager of the local zoo. I had never met him as he had passed away before I was born. But I was in awe of him when
 I came to know how much he loved the animals in his care.
<hr class="vertical-space1">
<div class="row">
 <div class="col-md-12"><img decoding="async" class="lazyload w-100 h-auto"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/a_prayer_for_their_survival_1_img_83f4894c5e.jpg"
 alt="a-prayer-for-their-survival-1-img">

 <hr class="vertical-space1">
 
 <img decoding="async" class="lazyload w-100 h-auto"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/a_prayer_for_their_survival_3_img_a72d8e5319.jpg"
 alt="a-prayer-for-their-survival-3-img">
 
 </div>
</div>
<hr class="vertical-space1">
As I grew up, I noticed that the elephants were forced into submission by their mahouts
 for the festivals. What mental torture and physical agony they must have gone through to satisfy us humans!
<hr class="vertical-space1">
<div class="row">
 <div class="col-md-6"><img decoding="async" class="lazyload a-prayer-for-their-survival"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/a_prayer_for_their_survival5_img_a231727231.jpg?updated_at=2023-03-31T13:06:45.455Z"
 alt="a-prayer-for-their-survival5-img">
 </div>
</div>
<div></div>
<div>
 <hr class="vertical-space1">
</div>
<div></div>
<div class="row">
 <div class="col-md-6"><img decoding="async" class="lazyload a-prayer-for-their-survival"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/a_prayer_for_their_survival3_img_8eb5e7ccbe.jpg?updated_at=2023-03-31T13:07:17.214Z"
 alt="a-prayer-for-their-survival3-img">
 </div>
</div>
<hr class="vertical-space1">
The passion to see them in the wild, where they truly belong, slowly took shape when I
 began photography. Somehow, through my photography, I wanted to convey their beauty when they are truly in their
 natural habitat.
<hr class="vertical-space1">
<div class="row">
 <div class="col-md-12"><img decoding="async" class="lazyload w-100 h-auto"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/a_prayer_for_their_survival_2_img_0a8b916b27.jpg?updated_at=2023-03-31T13:13:08.423Z"
 alt="a_prayer_for_their_survival_2_img">
 <hr class="vertical-space1">
 
 <img decoding="async" class="lazyload w-100 h-auto"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/a_prayer_for_their_survival_6_img_70348879c7.jpg?updated_at=2023-03-31T13:15:02.580Z"
 alt="a-prayer-for-their-survival-6-img">
 
 </div>
</div>
<hr class="vertical-space1">
My favorite place to watch elephants in their habitat is with my dear friend Sreekumar,
 in the Sholayar Jungles on the border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. They never ever felt threatened by our presence and
 always let us view them with their dear ones.
<hr class="vertical-space1">
<img decoding="async" class="lazyload w-100 h-auto"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/a_prayer_for_their_survival_7_img_f9123e1074.jpg?updated_at=2023-03-31T13:16:34.479Z"
 alt="a-prayer-for-their-survival-8-img">


<hr class="vertical-space1">
The national parks I visit to see tigers, deer and sambhars are the Jim Corbett
 National Park in Uttarakhand, and Ranathambore in Rajashtan. To view rhinoceroses I like to visit Popithara in
 Assam.
<hr class="vertical-space1">
<div class="row">
 <div class="col-md-12"><img decoding="async" class="lazyloaded w-100 h-auto"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/a_prayer_for_their_survival_8_img_fb5ae3b53d.jpg?updated_at=2023-03-31T13:17:09.153Z">
 <hr class="vertical-space1">
 
 </div>
</div>
Like spirituality and meditation, waiting is the chief quality that one needs to
 develop to observe and photograph wild animals. They will reveal themselves and let you be joyful. Carry them in
 your heart with a prayer for their survival.

<hr class="vertical-space1">

<hr>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">Photo essay by&nbsp;RAJESH MENON</h4>
<hr>

A prayer for their survival

<h4><hr class="vertical-space1" /></h4>
<h3 style="text-align: center">
 A PHOTOGRAPHIC ESSAY
</h3>
<hr class="vertical-space1" />
<h4>
 RAJESH MENON is a photographer from Delhi,
 who specializes in images from nature. Here he shares some of the beautiful
 birds of Kanha Shanti Vanam, the 1,300 acre property near Hyderabad, India,
 that is the international headquarters of the Heartfulness Institute. It is
 also a green sanctuary.
</h4>
<hr class="vertical-space1" />
<img
 decoding="async"
 alt="birds-of-kanha3"
 class="w-100 lazyload"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/birds_of_kanha3_45ae49590c.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-12T07:53:01.853Z"
/>
<hr class="vertical-space1" />

 It all began with Daaji announcing retreats in Kanha Shanti Vanam during the
 pandemic. Keeping COVID-19 in mind, everyone who visited Kanha during this
 period was required to do a two-week quarantine, which could also be used as a
 spiritual retreat. Registering for the September period, a dear friend and I
 decided to drive to Kanha from Delhi, for reasons of safety.


 Right after the quarantine period, Daaji asked me to photograph the birds of
 Kanha. One thing that still baffles me is how he knew that I had come prepared
 with a 600 millimeter tele zoom lens.

<hr class="vertical-space1" />
<img
 decoding="async"
 alt="birds-of-kanha2a"
 class="w-100 lazyload"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/birds_of_kanha2a_463e199504.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-12T07:53:02.198Z"
/>
<hr class="vertical-space1" />

 So began my wonderful journey into the life of the birds in Kanha. Five years
 ago, it was a barren dry land. The place has been totally transformed and is
 now a thriving ecosystem of trees, shrubs, herbs and organic farms, including
 rare and endangered species, rainforest trees and medicinal gardens.


 Following the birds around Kanha, I discovered their daily routine. The tiny
 and the mighty all have a daily routine. It was beautiful to be one with them,
 following them, observing them, inspired by their total surrender to all other
 natural forces.

<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<hr />
<h5 style="text-align: center">
 So began my wonderful journey
 into the life of the birds in Kanha.
 Five years ago, it was a barren dry land.
 The place has been totally transformed and is now
 a thriving ecosystem of trees, shrubs, herbs
 and organic farms, including rare
 and endangered species, rainforest trees
 and medicinal gardens.
</h5>

<hr />
<hr class="vertical-space1" />

 The best observed were the Shikra falcon couple, who shared a neem tree. One
 interesting fact about falcons in general is that the female of the species is
 bigger than the male. The hunt of the black-winged kite showed me just how
 concentrated its approach was. The little tailor birds, sunbirds, bulbuls and
 the weaver birds were also fascinating.

<hr class="vertical-space1" />
<img
 decoding="async"
 alt="birds-of-kanha4a"
 class="w-100 lazyload"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/birds_of_kanha4a_f46c6544fc.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-12T07:53:02.162Z"
/>
<hr class="vertical-space1" />

 <img
 decoding="async"
 alt="birds-of-kanha6a"
 class="w-100 lazyload"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/birds_of_kanha6a_ecc2465642.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-12T07:53:26.755Z"
 />


<hr class="vertical-space1" />

 I shared great camaraderie with my fellow photographers on our early morning
 trips following the birds. Brotherhood is made forever.


 A word of caution: It is not easy to leave Kanha. The songs of the birds will
 charm you to come back. I am counting the days when I can be back in Kanha
 again.


 A dear friend, who is an avid birdwatcher, mentioned that there are now 70
 species of birds in Kanha. I have only seen and photographed around 30
 species, so naturally I can’t wait to see the rest!

<hr class="vertical-space1" />
<img
 alt="birds-of-kanha5a"
 class="w-100 lazyload"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/birds_of_kanha5a_ac57b52681.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-12T07:53:01.942Z"
/>
<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<hr />
<h4 style="text-align: center">Photographs and article by RAJESH MENON</h4>

<hr />

The birds of Kanha

Rama earned her Ph.D. in Bioorganic Chemistry from Texas A&M University. She teaches Biology at Southridge High School and Chemistry at Columbia Basin College in Washington State, USA. She is the mother of two adults, a Heartfulness Trainer, an artist, and a freelance writer. She has worked at the  Pacific Northwest National Laboratories as a Murdock Partners in Science Fellow and was selected to represent Washington State as a 2022 NEAF Global Learning Fellow.

Rama-Devagupta.jpg

Rama Devagupta

<hr class="vertical-space1">



<h4>
 DR. RAMA DEVAGUPTA
 explains how prayer can help us develop love and compassion for all humanity. She encourages us to take up
 universal prayer as an experiment and observe the effects.
</h4>



<hr class="vertical-space1">



<h3>The
 world I foresee</h3>



As a mother, the only thing I dream of for my children is that they always work on developing a good character
 and continually refine it to serve humanity to the best of their ability.



As an educator, the only thing I dream of is that my students go out into the world and become the torchbearers
 of beautiful human qualities – benevolence and compassion, empathy and humility, selfless love and kindness,
 gratitude, and grace. No matter what field of work they choose – agriculture or business, pottery or teaching,
 art or craft, law or politics, science or engineering – I dream that each and every one of them becomes a
 distinguished servant leader in their chosen profession and strives to make this world a better place.



Every once in a while, I wonder: How can we adults embody the qualities to become role models for our youth? How
 can I rise above my own individual fears and prejudices? How can I continue to become more and more loving every
 day?



Being human, I know that it is not easy. I need to rise above my own individual weaknesses and learn to see the
 love and kindness that is hidden in all. Even in the midst of pain and suffering, unpleasantness and chaos, I
 must continue to pray for all without excluding anyone. All this is inner work and, without a doubt, it takes
 time.



<hr class="vertical-space1">



<hr>



<h4 class="has-text-align-center">As an educator, the only thing I dream of is that my students go out
 into the world and
 become the torchbearers of beautiful human qualities – benevolence and
 compassion, empathy and humility, selfless love and kindness, gratitude, and grace. </h4>



<hr>



<hr class="vertical-space1">



<h3>Universal Prayer</h3>



Have you ever felt like me? If yes, I invite you to consider the Universal Peace Prayer from the Heartfulness
 practices, where all are invited to become silent agents of change by devoting ten to fifteen minutes every
 evening praying for the good of all humanity.



Although I am still striving to become regular with my own individual practice, which seems to wax and wane with
 time, I am grateful to share that this practice has helped me during all the phases of my life.



If many of us do it from our respective time zones and geographical locations, a necklace of care will
 continuously circle planet Earth.



Sit anywhere, at 9 p.m. your local time, and make these positive suggestions, taking time to open your heart.



All sisters and brothers throughout the world are developing intense love and
 devotion, and faith is growing stronger in them. All kinds of distractions faced by our
 country and our globe are going away. May this entire Earth be engulfed with peace and love.



Try it for one week and experience for yourself what inner changes, if any, take place. Whenever I take the time
 to pray in an authentic manner, it has always worked for me – in my tiny little universe – by clarifying my
 thoughts and softening my heart towards myself, my family, my students, and colleagues, and all fellow beings.

An experiment in prayer

Ramnath is Professor of Economics and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Management, Bengaluru. His areas of interest include business and society, economic reforms in transition economies, spirituality and selfdevelopment, leadership development, outsourcing, and creativity and innovation.

ramnath.jpg

Ramnath Narayanswamy

A spiritual revolution in management science

Ramya is a content and communication specialist, cartoonist, and travel writer who likes to find meaning in the little things that make life wonderful. She creates visual stories for clients and is featured in various magazines and newspapers.

Ramya-Sriram.jpg

Ramya Sriram

How to deal with stress

Things to be grateful for

On not knowing

Start something new

Say it out loud

Look up

Elsewhere

Fill in the blanks

Coconut

Mental health

Work in progress

Enjoy sitting at home

Fall in love

What if?

<h4>Under the Trees&nbsp; Saratoga Springs, New York, 2024 FIONA NEARY</h4><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/expressions_of_peace2_eef369b889.webp" alt="expressions-of-peace2.webp" srcset="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thumbnail_expressions_of_peace2_eef369b889.webp 145w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/large_expressions_of_peace2_eef369b889.webp 1000w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/expressions_of_peace2_eef369b889.webp 1000w," sizes="100vw"><h4>Finding Joy Saratoga Springs, New York, 2024 FIONA NEARY</h4><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/expressions_of_peace3_7881dcc714.webp" alt="expressions-of-peace3.webp" srcset="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thumbnail_expressions_of_peace3_7881dcc714.webp 145w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/large_expressions_of_peace3_7881dcc714.webp 800w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/expressions_of_peace3_7881dcc714.webp 800w," sizes="100vw">&nbsp;<hr><h4>May Their Innocence and Joy Continue to Flower South Africa, 2015 HETTY ZANTMAN</h4><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/expressions_of_peace4_9fb2448418.webp" alt="expressions-of-peace4.webp" srcset="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thumbnail_expressions_of_peace4_9fb2448418.webp 145w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/large_expressions_of_peace4_9fb2448418.webp 1000w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/expressions_of_peace4_9fb2448418.webp 1000w," sizes="100vw">&nbsp;<hr><h4>Tree RAMYA SRIRAM</h4><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/expressions_of_peace5_4e2b2479bb.webp" alt="expressions-of-peace5.webp" srcset="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thumbnail_expressions_of_peace5_4e2b2479bb.webp 145w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/large_expressions_of_peace5_4e2b2479bb.webp 800w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/expressions_of_peace5_4e2b2479bb.webp 800w," sizes="100vw">&nbsp;<hr><h4>In Tune with Nature 2007 BRIGITTE SMITH</h4><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/expressions_of_peace6_b40f508c95.webp" alt="expressions-of-peace6.webp" srcset="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thumbnail_expressions_of_peace6_b40f508c95.webp 145w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/large_expressions_of_peace6_b40f508c95.webp 1000w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/expressions_of_peace6_b40f508c95.webp 1000w," sizes="100vw"><hr><h4>Expressions of Love 2023 SANTANU CHATTERJEE</h4><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/expressions_of_peace7_dc37aae479.webp" alt="expressions-of-peace7.webp" srcset="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thumbnail_expressions_of_peace7_dc37aae479.webp 145w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/large_expressions_of_peace7_dc37aae479.webp 1000w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/expressions_of_peace7_dc37aae479.webp 1000w," sizes="100vw">&nbsp;

Expressions of peace from around the world

Ranga is a Business Analyst, Tester and IT Consultant at the Heartfulness Institute. He loves writing and he would like to explore the various dimensions of consciousness.

Ranga-Sai-Teja-D.jpg

Ranga Sai Teja D.

<h4>
 RANGA SAI TEJA D.
 challenges our perception of teamwork by looking at it as an evolutionary
 imperative, as well as a platform for differences, independence, and sharing
 a collective vision.
</h4>

<hr class="vertical-space1" />


 The moment the word “teamwork” is heard, it reminds us of colleagues working
 together in an office. However, this is a very limited perspective. I would
 like to share what I have learnt about teamwork from two different
 perspectives – from the book
 The Biology of Belief by Bruce H. Lipton and from the Japanese anime,
 One Piece.



 In The Biology of Belief, Dr. Lipton describes the evolution of
 single-celled organisms into multicellular organisms that arose because of the
 limitation of the cell membrane at storing information in single-celled
 beings. This limitation led to the need for collaboration and teamwork between
 cells, which helped them multiply their capacities to learn and store
 information. And so they overcame their limitation.



 This chain of integration has continued for millennia, leading to the current
 state of evolution of various organisms and species. In fact, the beauty of
 evolution has been based on collaboration among cells. Slowly, in the process,
 certain cells developed specialist expertise, leading to the creation of
 organs that would help the organism to thrive.



 Now, imagine how spectacular it is when three trillion cells work together.
 Isn’t that wonderful? Such is a human being! When seen from the perspective of
 a microbiologist, a human is a conglomeration of many millions of cells
 working together as a single being. This being uses mechanisms similar to an
 organization or a nation, with various tasks under different departments for
 the development of the organization or the nation.



 For example, just as a nation has a border-security force for protection
 against external attack, and a police force to maintain law and order within
 society, our body has white blood cells to protect us from antigens, and the
 skin works as a border security force to protect us from external influences,
 like heat, rain, and dust. Similarly, there are many cells that are experts in
 their own fields, which together form various organs that work for the body as
 a whole. To further the beauty of evolution, most of these species have also
 learned to live and move together in groups and communities, forming various
 ecosystems. And these ecosystems have come together as one world on planet
 Earth.


<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<div class="block-image">
 <figure>
 <img decoding="async" width="700" height="590" alt="Beauty_of_teamwork2" class="lazyload has-img-center"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/Beauty_of_teamwork2_700x590_9ad193c181.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-10T06:30:08.322Z" />
 </figure>
</div>

<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<hr />

<h4 class="has-text-align-center">
 The most important thing is to give our best as
 individuals, for
 our evolution, while striving together for the combined higher
 cause.
</h4>

<hr />

<hr class="vertical-space1" />


 The most important thing is to give our best as individuals, for our
 evolution, while striving together for the combined higher cause. Here, I
 would like to share the conversation between two characters from the Japanese
 anime, One Piece. Dr. Chopper, who has joined the group recently, is
 wondering whether he has boarded the wrong pirate ship, joining the wrong
 team. He asks Zoro, the first mate, the first person to join the agonists of
 the team.



 They start talking about why each one joined the crew. Chopper remarks that
 the crew seems so wild compared to him. Zoro then starts talking about how
 everyone has different goals, but their goal to be the best in what they do
 unites them.



 The following conversation ensues:


Chopper: You’re the oldest member of the crew, right?


 Zoro: It’s not like there’s much difference between the older members and the
 newer ones.



 Chopper: Why did you join him [the captain]? I’ve only just joined the crew.
 And everyone looks kinda wild and independent, to me. Especially you, Zoro.



 Zoro: That’s true. In my case, things just happened to turn out like this or
 something like that anyway. The rest of the crew are like me, too. Our true
 objectives are different from his.



 Luffy [agonist]: We’re all trying to accomplish our own goals. Jeez … someone
 once said that from the outside we don’t appear to have any teamwork, since
 everyone is independent from the captain. That’s a problem.


<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<div class="block-image">
 <figure>
 <img decoding="async" width="700" height="590" alt="" class="lazyload has-img-center"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/Beauty_of_teamwork3_700x590_37d9187b2c.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-10T06:31:32.639Z" />
 </figure>
</div>

<hr class="vertical-space1" />

Chopper: I think so, too.


 Zoro: But what does teamwork really mean anyway? Is it just about rescuing and
 protecting each other? There are people who believe that. But to me, that just
 sounds like kids playing around. Everyone should do what they can with their
 lives on the line, and then say to the next guy, “I did what I could. Now it’s
 your turn. If you don’t finish it … I’ll come and kick you!” Isn’t that how
 teamwork first comes about? When I look at it that way, I think it’s okay to
 have
 nakama [friends] that are wild and independent. That’s just how I
 think.



 This is the beauty of teamwork and the spectacular magnificence of
 collaboration and evolution.


<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<hr />

<h4 class="has-text-align-center">
 Original photographs by C. ANANTHA PADMANABAN
</h4>

<hr />

The beauty of teamwork

Ranjani is an educator, researcher, writer, and curriculum developer. She has a doctorate in education, is a mother of three teens, and currently teaches high school math and is the Director of Heartfulness Programs for Schools, USA, that promote social-emotional learning and holistic development of future generations.

RanjaniIyer.jpg

Ranjani Iyer

<h3 style="text-align:center;">DEVELOPING PEACE INSIDE OUT</h3><h4>DR. RANJANI IYER, SYLVIE BERTI-ROSSI, and SHARAT HEGDE from the Peacefulness Movement explore the need for peace with globalization and increasingly rich diversity across the world.&nbsp;</h4>&nbsp;According to the Oxford English Dictionary, “diversity” is defined as “the practice or quality of including or involving people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders, sexual orientations, etc.” We see diversity as a huge strength in developing creative and critical thinking to promote excellence, efficiency, and overall well-being. This applies to corporates, educational institutions, and other organizations that work collaboratively to utilize diverse perspectives to increase engagement and robust interactions.&nbsp;With diversity comes the need for conflict management due to differences in perspectives, knowledge, and points of view. One of the ways to embrace diversity is to “TAP into Peacefulness” and learn to maintain an attitude of mutual respect, open-mindedness, willingness to listen, and collaborative working in peace.&nbsp;TAP into Peacefulness can build skills to connect within and with each other. By becoming peaceful, by being peace, we radiate peace and become peaceful ambassadors. Here is how to do it:<h4 style="text-align:justify;">1. Take a moment to pause:&nbsp;</h4>Research suggests that the practice of pause helps in creating the space to relate emotions and activates the parasympathetic nervous system to induce the feeling of calmness.&nbsp;<a href="https://hbr.org/2015/02/5-ways-to-become-more-self-aware">Self-awareness</a> lies at the root of strong character, giving us the ability to lead with a sense of purpose, authenticity, openness, and trust.&nbsp;You can use a daily check-in to create self-awareness and develop an inner connection to understand your&nbsp;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DNjq_k9BPlW6bh9v2Dg6w5RabuHkbJ0S/view?usp=sharing">feelings and emotions</a>, use the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mindful.org/the-power-of-pause/">power of pause practice</a> to schedule a one to two minute break in between your busy schedule, or even take an unscheduled short break to avoid mental fatigue. A calm and reflective mind leads to correct thinking and right understanding, that will help you be more efficient, avoid stress and be at peace.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/TAP_into_Peacefulness2_dfe40483c4.jpg"></figure><h4 style="text-align:justify;">2. Adopt the attitude, be one with yourself:&nbsp;</h4>A positive mindset promotes creativity, empathy, connection, and resilience to overcome difficulties more quickly. Working toward a positive attitude and an attitude to excel, you will connect with self and others by expressing&nbsp;<a href="https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_gratitude_changes_you_and_your_brain">gratitude</a>, heartful&nbsp;<a href="https://6fb734da-c7da-4a3e-97f2-70aba86275fd.filesusr.com/ugd/d7a5fa_63ec707c66824868971e763876c18021.pdf">affirmations</a>, setting short-term and long-term goals, working towards them, and creating a community that offers a sense of belonging. Finding time to reflect, relax, and rejuvenate opens up space for reflective thinking as well as prioritizes self-care.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lybrate.com/topic/heartfulness-meditation-how-it-is-beneficial/2d8cb243d75765dce2379d82fddaf777">Heartfulness practices</a> take us on an inner journey, and that journey starts in the heart as we develop the 5 Cs of Contentment, Calm, Compassion, Courage, and Clarity, which are the foundation of our mental, emotional, and social intelligence.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">3. Practice peace, your way:&nbsp;</h4>A variety of resources and intentional ways to practice peace can be utilized to connect with the heart and think peaceful thoughts that can promote peace from the inside out.&nbsp;Peace is our true nature and, when we connect with peace within ourselves, we radiate it to others and to our environment.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.peacefulness.org/">Peaceful Intentions</a> will give you time to center and ground yourself, connect to your heart, and finally choose an intention. Silently repeat the words of the intention, and go slowly enough that you can both imagine and feel its true meaning. Let it spread to everything and everyone around you.<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/Hand_ebebb9124c.webp"></figure>Everyone can benefit by learning ways to tap into peace, as it promotes interconnectedness and inclusion that help us to handle conflicts and collaborate in a more empathetic and effective way. In this complex world, as new perspectives are developed, they can provide better opportunities for innovation, creativity, and problem-solving.

TAP into Peacefulness  

Ranjani is an educator, researcher, writer, and curriculum developer. She has a doctorate in education, is a mother of three teens, and currently teaches high school math and is the Director of Heartfulness Programs for Schools, USA, that promote social-emotional learning and holistic development of future generations.

Jay is an academic hospitalist in internal medicine at Wellspan York hospital, who has published several research articles on the effect of Heartfulness Meditation on lowering stress and burnout, and improving sleep. He has received numerous awards and regularly conducts stress management workshops. He is a TEDx speaker.

Ranjani-Jay.jpg

Ranjani Iyer and Jayaram Thimmapuram

<h4 class="block-heading"
 id="h-dr-ranjani-iyer-and-dr-jay-thimmapuram-encourage-contemplative-practices-to-combat-loneliness-they-also-share-other-easy-ways-we-can-adopt-to-ensure-we-don-t-give-in-to-loneliness">
 DR. RANJANI
 IYER
 and
 DR. JAY THIMMAPURAM
 encourage contemplative practices to combat loneliness. They also share
 other easy ways we can adopt to ensure we don’t give in to
 loneliness.
</h4>

<hr class="vertical-space1" />


 There is an innate need in all of us to be connected. But when there is a gap
 between the innate longing to be connected and the actualization, loneliness
 can result. While many of us associate loneliness with being alone, it is not
 the only cause of feeling lonely. While being alone may predispose us to
 feeling lonely, many studies show that the perception of loneliness is much
 higher in the younger generations.



 Young people are the most digitally connected. Digital connection outweighs
 personal connection. In a recent survey conducted by CIGNA, Generation Z was
 found to be one of the loneliest generations. What does this tell us? That it
 is not just about the number of people we are connected to on social media; it
 is about the meaningfulness and depth of these connections. Data point to the
 fact that even if we relate to one person and that connection is deep and
 meaningful, it can be an antidote to loneliness. Even a connection with pets
 can be helpful.&nbsp;&nbsp;



 Interestingly, even children and young adults are subjected to this perception
 of loneliness.&nbsp;Many high schoolers, while surrounded by people, still
 feel lonely. Studies suggest that chronic loneliness in generation Z has links
 to health issues such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse, self-harm, and
 even heart conditions.


<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<hr />

<h4 class="has-text-align-center block-heading">
 In the meditation process,
 when we gently close our eyes and connect
 to an inner sublime state within our hearts, a gradual change occurs
 in the inner landscape, and our relationship with ourselves becomes
 harmonious.
</h4>

<hr />

<hr class="vertical-space1" />


 In 2020, a team of high schoolers created a 4-week program to engage with
 their peers and build a community focused on self-care. With quarantine and
 social isolation leading to increased perceptions of loneliness in this age
 group, a study was conducted to focus on the impact of the self-care program
 on levels of loneliness in the students. The participants received an
 E-portfolio that included daily activities for self-care and guided
 Heartfulness practices. They also participated in four webinars, focusing on
 stress-management, positivity, improving sleep quality by aligning with
 circadian rhythms, and setting goals using self-observation.&nbsp;



 This short program of self-care tools led to decreasing loneliness scores in
 the participants, and opened a new valley of possibilities to help our young
 children combat loneliness. A follow-up study, extended to three schools
 globally, has shown that this self-care program could help decrease loneliness
 and anxiety and improve life satisfaction in teens and adults, thus improving
 the health and well-being of the whole school community.


<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<div class="block-image">
 <figure>
 <img decoding="async" width="600" height="747" alt="loneliness2" class="has-img-center lazyload"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/loneliness2_323cd2a5aa.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-12T10:14:55.833Z" />
 </figure>
</div>

<hr class="vertical-space1" />


 While many people experience loneliness, healthcare professionals are some of
 the most prone to loneliness. In a study conducted at Well Span York hospital,
 half the healthcare professionals, including the physicians and advanced
 practice providers, felt lonely. While there are many strategies, including
 improving social connections and engaging in activities that provide
 meaningful, pleasant enjoyment, other strategies may also help. One of these
 is Heartfulness Meditation, as loneliness is not only about our connection
 with others, but also about the relationship we have with ourselves. If that
 inner connection is harmonious, it can facilitate a feeling of connection even
 in the absence of significant outer changes. In the meditation process, when
 we gently close our eyes and connect to an inner sublime state within our
 hearts, a gradual change occurs in the inner landscape, and our relationship
 with ourselves becomes harmonious. The resulting inner connection can
 facilitate a connection with the outer world.



 In this study, sleep data were also measured. Previous studies have shown that
 the practice of Heartfulness Meditation improves sleep patterns. A well-rested
 mind is better able to socialize, where as a poorly-rested mind may not be so
 willing to interact with others. If we facilitate rest for the mind, we can
 reduce the perception of loneliness. In this study, for&nbsp;the weekly
 offering of Heartfulness, an introduction was given to the participants. The
 UCLA Loneliness Scale and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were used to measure
 loneliness and sleep.



 Four weeks of Heartfulness Meditation practice resulted in a reduction in the
 perception of loneliness and an improvement in the perception of sleep. While
 this is encouraging, loneliness may also need to be addressed in all possible
 ways.&nbsp;


<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<div class="block-image">
 <figure>
 <img decoding="async" width="700" height="601" alt="infographic-loneliness" class="has-img-center lazyload"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/infographic_loneliness_afe795cb68.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-12T10:16:25.321Z" />
 </figure>
</div>

<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<h4 class="block-heading">
 References:&nbsp;
</h4>


 Iyer, R.B., S. Vadlapudi, L. Iyer, V. Kumar, L. Iyer, P. Sriram, R. Tandon, Y.
 Morel, H. Kunamneni, S. Narayanan, A. Ganti, S. Sriram, R. Tandon, S.
 Sreenivasan, S. Vijayan, and P. Iyer, 2022. Impact of the Heartfulness program
 on loneliness in high schoolers: Randomized survey study.
 Applied Psychology: Health and Well-being, 10.1111/aphw.12360.



 Thimmapuram, J., R. Pargament, T. Bell, H. Schurk, and D.K. Madhusudhan, 2021.
 Heartfulness meditation improves loneliness and sleep in physicians and
 advance practice providers during COVID-19 pandemic.
 Hospital Practice (1995), 49(3), 194–202.


<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<hr />

<h4 class="has-text-align-center block-heading">
 Illustrations by ARATI SHEDDE
</h4>

<hr />

Loneliness: a silent epidemic

Rashi Agarwal

<h4 id="h-"></h4>

<h2 class="has-text-align-center">
 How Communication Changes Lives
</h2>

<hr class="vertical-space1" />


 I sat in the cab on my way to the airport as the driver zoomed over Delhi’s
 wide roads. The sun was rising over the horizon as a new day dawned – quite
 literally, as election day approached the city of Delhi.



 The political environment was charged, and so was the sense of religious
 divisiveness that came along with it. Quite naturally, everyday communications
 became political conversations, and so it happened during my cab ride.



 After exchanging a few pleasantries, quite unexpectedly our conversation took
 a heated turn, and the driver began to jab hate towards a certain religious
 community. Angered, but not wanting to destroy the state of serenity in my
 heart, I paused and imagined how my spiritual guide would take this
 conversation forward.


<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<hr />

<h5 class="has-text-align-center">
 I learned that instead of getting charged up, by trusting the
 intrinsic goodness that lies within the heart of the other,
 magic can happen for both.
</h5>

<hr />

<hr class="vertical-space1" />


 The pause allowed me to step into the shoes of the driver, imagining what his
 life looked like. What was his context? How could I connect to his life, and
 appeal to the best that he represented? Holding the intrinsic goodness that
 bound us both in our hearts, we walked our conversation as if on a tightrope,
 and very beautifully it transformed.



 A conversation of hatred turned into a conversation of love. Very soon, he
 began to acknowledge the close relationships and ties he shared with the
 community members. By the end of our cab ride we thanked each other. I learned
 that instead of getting charged up, by trusting the intrinsic goodness that
 lies within the heart of the other, magic can happen for both. I was taking a
 flight home to Bangalore, and we both reconnected to the home within us – our
 Heart.


<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<hr />

<h4 class="has-text-align-center">Illustration by UMA MAHESWARI G</h4>

<hr />

The cab ride

<h4>RASHI AGRAWAL explores the world of feeling through art, words, meditation, and natural imagery.&nbsp;</h4><hr>This whole journey of meditation is like Magic. The word in itself transports us to a land of the impossible, of fairy tales.This is a land where clouds become cotton candy and the petals of a rose are a gateway to heaven. This is the land of change.The Heart is a very similar kind of land, except that it is not a fairy tale. It is a reality.It is here, where thoughts are the simple words that knock on the door of the heart, and take us to someplace higher than ourselves.We soon find ourselves engulfed in a space, sweeter than candy, lighter than the cloud.Welcome to the land of feelings.It seemed nonsensical to me at first, but to tell you the truth it is one of the most profound dreams that I have had, simply because it taught me how to perceive what I was feeling.And upon sharing this dream with my mother, she asked, “Why don’t you paint it?” There. I set off on recreating those same feelings and images. These images aren’t a delight to the eye, but hopefully they may take you on a journey very similar to the one I had.This dream conjured up a journal for me. It was full of articles that did not seem of much interest until I came across a particular article with images that were literally devoid on any imagery. They were empty! They had no trace of life in them. All they had were a soft yellow glow and a few shades of colour here and there. The author had very interestingy titled his article ‘The True State of the Forest’. This intrigued me.<img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thinking_feeling_secret_nature_forest_2_img_e9017f0b10.jpg?updated_at=2023-03-30T07:10:50.842Z">And there lies that secret doorIn these images, there was nothing even remotely like a forest. There was no mud, forget trees or animals. It was just empty space, like a vacuum.What was the author really experiencing, and why in the world would she choose to call this empty lifeless picture a forest, and that too, in its true state? The surreality of this compelled me to read the article. As I was reading it, my imagination took a u-turn, and there I was, right in the midst of the forest as described in the image.<img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thinking_feeling_secret_nature_forest_img_67f7cd370c.jpg?updated_at=2023-03-30T07:11:48.919Z">Allow yourself to be taken inAccording to the author, the reason why the forest looked like this (this was a secret) was because the forest, as it really is, is not the plants, trees and animals there. They are the physical manifestations of something more profound. The forest in reality is a field of energy. And only he who has entered a state of communion with it will truly be able to experience the forest in its true state, in the entirety of its energy.And there I stood in the midst of that forest, in the middle of an epiphany, thinking in wonder and amazement how little I knew of what I thought I knew.<img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thinking_feeling_secret_nature_forest_3_img_fd2ed6c508.jpg?updated_at=2023-03-30T07:11:09.479Z">So you may be one with itI was alone there, but I was not lonely. The forest’s energy was gently saying to me that there was only love. It seemed to caress me and surround me. I was humbled because the forest had let me in, and allowed me to feel her. She was all around me. I could not see her, but her harmony had taken me in, mothered me, and I knew that this was my refuge. This was the place where I truly belonged.I wasn’t thinking all this, because I was potentially seeing nothing. The forest had allowed me to feel what it was to truly feel.<img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thinking_feeling_secret_nature_forest_4_img_e52ef59ea4.jpg?updated_at=2023-03-30T07:11:26.459Z&quot;">To feel our heart’s embraceThis was the end of my dream.Hellen Keller once said that the most beautiful things are felt in the Heart. What could be more honest a statement than this?The forest was the heart’s embrace. It wasn’t my heart, or your heart. It was the Heart of the World. It was our Heart, something in which everything and everybody have comfortably manifested themselves. We are only to realize that we are all tiny, humble, yet significant parts of it, and all of us are connected by virtue of the very same embrace<hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">Paintings by RASHI AGRAWAL</h4><hr>

From thinking to feeling: the secret nature of the forest

Rashmi is a writer, entrepreneur, and motivational speaker. An author of ten bestselling books on entrepreneurship, Rashmi is the #1 business books author in India. Her books include Stay Hungry Stay Foolish, Connect the Dots, I Have a Dream, God’s Own Kitchen, Touch the Sky, and We Are Champions.

Rashmi-Bansal.jpg

Rashmi Bansal

The road less traveled

Rathna Yaldaparast

<h4
 id="h-rathna-yaldaparast-is-a-senior-consultant-at-deloitte-and-a-longtime-heartfulness-practitioner-here-she-describes-how-a-spiritual-practice-has-helped-her-connect-with-herself-and-others">
 RATHNA YALDAPARAST is a Senior
 Consultant at Deloitte and a longtime Heartfulness practitioner. Here, she describes how a spiritual practice
 has helped her connect with herself and others.</h4>



<hr class="vertical-space1">



In a world increasingly intertwined, it is overwhelming to look out and be faced with all the issues we are yet to
 resolve. It is easy to lose ourselves when constantly chasing after something more, never content with what is right
 in front of us. It is easy to pass off issues that don’t impact us directly as “someone else’s problem,” or to
 convince ourselves that there are other more talented and well-qualified people to tackle the injustices in our
 world. Often we recede into ourselves, trying to disconnect from the rest of the world and its endless problems.



How can I, with all my imperfections and doubts, possibly make a difference?



Spirituality is a welcome escape from the pressures and the stresses of everyday life. It allows us to focus on inner
 growth, to develop at our own pace without the pressures of competition or deadlines. It offers a momentary escape
 with singular clarity and provides comfort in solitude. It is easy to lose ourselves in the “high” of the peace, the
 serenity of being alone without feeling lonely, and the escape from the stress and pressure of everyday life. What
 is not easy is coming back, finding a way to be part of this world after experiencing such profound relief.



But the point of spirituality is not to escape. It is to live a balanced life. Instead of using spirituality to
 seclude ourselves, we can use it to connect with the people around us. As we dive deeper, and discover that there is
 more to life than what is outside us, we can then balance our attention between the inner and outer. By gaining
 deeper clarity about ourselves, we are more capable of the compassion and acceptance required to understand those
 around us, even those with whom we have nothing in common.



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<h4 class="has-text-align-center">By gaining deeper
 clarity about ourselves, we are more
 capable of the compassion and acceptance required to understand those around us, even those with whom we have nothing in common. 
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In response to the world’s misfortune, Walt Whitman wrote, “that you are here – that life exists and identity, that
 the powerful play goes on and you may contribute a verse.” To live a meaningful life is to actively
 participate in the place and time we in habit. We achieve balance in ourselves and in our lives, and recognize that
 doing so cannot be accomplished by isolating our lives from the world. Peace within sustains peace on the outside.
 Spirituality teaches us how to live with ourselves; relationships teach us how to live with each other. Learning to
 live with ourselves and accept our imperfections shows us how to live with and accept each other as we are.
 Approaching ourselves with patience and compassion gives us the capacity to treat each other in the same manner.



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<h4 class="has-text-align-center">Peace within sustains
 peace on the outside. </h4>



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A spiritual practice dissolves the walls we build around ourselves, and removes the barriers we use to
 compartmentalize problems as “someone else’s.” We learn to accept that each one of us has a responsibility to
 contribute to the world in a meaningful way. By choosing to be a part of this world, by living our lives in a
 purposeful manner, and by improving ourselves from the inside out, we create a more compassionate and accepting
 society.



The first step, the hardest step, is to begin. Make that choice and your life may contribute a verse.



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