Bachi has established a name for himself in bird and tiger conservation in India, especially at the Jim Corbett National Park in the Himalayas. He has 30 years of experience and has conducted workshops in the forests of Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. He has also traveled to East Africa including Masai Mara to study the wildlife.



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Bachi Singh Bisht

<hr><h4>BACHI SINGH BISHT is a Nature Warrior from the north of India. Here, he shares his wisdom with RAJESH MENON about how we can live in tune with the natural world, and what is our role in caring for and conserving nature.</h4>&nbsp;<hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/NATURE_WARRIOR_1_54b82928c8.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-12T12:30:23.171Z">&nbsp;<hr>&nbsp;Q: Tell us about how your passion for nature and conservation arose. Did it start from childhood?RM: My mother told me that we used to live in a hut under a Gutel tree (Trewia Nudiflora). That’s where I was born. I was brought up in a village surrounded by thick jungle. Until the 10th Standard, I went to a school located at the edge of the jungle near an ancient canal. I feel these natural surroundings had a great impact on me during my childhood. This is how my love for nature arose.&nbsp;<hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/NATURE_WARRIOR_2_ba38483655.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-12T12:32:31.822Z">&nbsp;<hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/NATURE_WARRIOR_3_b4060a361f.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-12T12:35:10.308Z">&nbsp;<hr>&nbsp;Q: Tell us about the work you do now?RM: I became a nature guide, or “Nature Warrior” as my friends call me, in the early ’90s. I have managed wildlife lodges across Uttarakhand, Central India, Maharashtra and Rajasthan, sharing my knowledge of birds, wildlife, and the conservation of nature with others. Whenever opportunity presents itself, I am called by wildlife training institutes and environmental education institutes (both government and private) as a resource person, trainer, motivator, subject expert, and as a Yoga instructor based on nature therapy. Right now, I work as a freelance Nature Warrior and provide services wherever my inner self takes me in preserving nature.&nbsp;<hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/NATURE_WARRIOR_5_d1bd516e1c.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-12T12:35:40.715Z">&nbsp;<hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/NATURE_WARRIOR_7_d2242b1669.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-12T12:37:48.351Z">&nbsp;<hr>&nbsp;Q: How do you advise that we educate our children about caring for the planet and relating to all living species?RM: Using our five senses properly, sincerely and honestly. The most important is to use our moral and civic sense properly to avoid much of the nonsense going on around the world toward nature. Being honest to one’s own inner self will improve our inner connection with nature. Being disciplined and adhering to moral values in every single act of our daily lives will make us better human beings. Keeping ourselves sensitive to all beings will keep us responsible and humble towards nature.&nbsp;<hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/NATURE_WARRIOR_6_ad40a8e960.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-12T12:38:59.087Z">&nbsp;<hr>&nbsp;Q: What advice can you give to adults about social responsibility toward nature?RM: Keeping a mental, physical and moral balance, respecting women and the elderly, and love and care for young ones will go a long way. Every human being is made up of the five elements: earth, water, air, fire and sky. As adults, we have to have the right understanding of the true meaning of all these five elements and value them at the minutest level.&nbsp;<hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/NATURE_WARRIOR_8_c79c1d5aa3.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-12T12:40:07.388Z">&nbsp;<hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/NATURE_WARRIOR_9_6eb3c29382.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-12T12:42:13.568Z">&nbsp;<hr>&nbsp;Q: Tell us about Jim Corbett National Park. Are there enough places like this in India to act as a refuge for natural wildlife? What more can we do?RM: Jim Corbett National Park is one of the oldest in Asia, and the biodiversity here is unmatched. Here, the tiger has one of the highest density populations in the Indian subcontinent. India has more than fifty tiger reserves now, and tiger conservation projects contribute toward their increasing numbers.Our responsibility as individuals and the collective society is to conserve nature. Rather than talking and writing, we need to act. Here and now.&nbsp;<hr>&nbsp;<img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/NATURE_WARRIOR_10_305e23966c.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-12T12:43:29.051Z">&nbsp;<hr>&nbsp;&nbsp;<hr>&nbsp;<h4 style="text-align:center;">Interviewed &amp; photography by RAJESH MENON</h4>&nbsp;<hr>

Nature warrior

Balaji is a technology executive with Amazon. His professional experience spans three decades and he is passionate about improving employee experience and engagement at the workplace. He has facilitated several workshops on leadership and meditation across many different Fortune 500 companies.  


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Balaji Iyer

<h4>BALAJI IYER shares 4 ideas for building a high-performance team, and why these ideas make a difference. This is based on his professional experience over three decades of improving employee experience and engagement. He facilitates workshops on leadership and meditation for Fortune 500 companies.</h4><hr>One of the most significant issues faced by organizations is employee engagement. According to a 2022 McKinsey research report, 55% of employee engagement is driven by non-financial recognition, and the majority cite “not having caring leaders” as a key reason for leaving their team. Research at www.catalyst.org shows a 48% increase in innovation, a 44% increase in engagement, and increased retention when employees feel their leaders are empathic.So, here are 4 key ideas for building a high-performing team:<h4>Idea #1&nbsp; Self-awareness is the basis of empathy</h4>Heartfulness Relaxation and Meditation create space between our thoughts, enabling us to be reflective. In a recent leadership workshop I facilitated, participants appreciated the full-body awareness and tuning in to the heart. It provided a break from the constant stress that fills up every working day. Taking time during the day to pause and reflect, by meditating, improves our responses to events. Leaders become better listeners, resulting in an opportunity to provide a compassionate response to employees’ situations.<h4>Idea #2&nbsp; Deep work creates long-term happiness, starting with individuals and affecting the entire team</h4>Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s concept of “flow” recommends a balance between skills and challenges to be able to remain in the flow state. It is important to allow space for quiet time, one to four hours every day, for ourselves and our teams to dive deep. When employees can focus on their work without interruption for multiple hours in a day, it provides them an opportunity to master their skills. It results in an increase in their productivity along with their happiness.<h4>Idea #3&nbsp; Debate, discuss, and decide</h4>A strong culture of open constructive debate builds solid teams and products. The diversity of the team and their thought processes provide the best possible chance at success, especially if we allow them to share their ideas and debate the merits of each. In contrast, a command and control style produces an “Emperor has no clothes” situation.In any organization, we need every team member’s hearts and minds to be successful. We can then focus on the data behind every view point and decide the best way forward in alignment with the organization’s mission. Positional power need only be used as a last resort, to break a deadlock.<h4>Idea #4&nbsp; Inclusiveness is key to engagement</h4>Leaders will benefit by spending time understanding their employees and their aspirations. They will then be able to work toward their best interests, whether within the current organization or outside. Such an attitude will earn the trust of the employees. Leaders have a duty to focus on employee growth, and include them in the organization’s vision and goals. In a corporate setting, managers can also align the individual goals of employees with the organizational vision.When employees feel valued by their leaders, and they see their efforts are resulting in meaningful accomplishments for the organization, they feel included and engaged.<hr>

Leading with empathy

Barbara is a fellow at Schmidt Futures, supporting racial justice. She is co-founder and Board Chair of Global Health Corps which mobilizes young leaders to build health equity, and served as CEO for its first 9 years. She has also worked at the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, Red Cross Children’s Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa, and UNICEF in Botswana. She serves on a number of boards including Partners In Health and Friends of the Global Fight for AIDS, TB, and Malaria. Barbara co-authored the #1 New York Times best seller, Sisters First, with her sister, along with a children’s book of the same title.


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Barbara Bush

Creating communities for health – part 1

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<h4>In Part 2 of this exclusive interview, BARBARA BUSH speaks with MAMATA VENKAT about how to nurture mental well-being during the current pandemic, gratitude practices, the styles of leadership needed in today’s world, authenticity, what she learned travelling the world as the daughter of a US President, the importance of racial justice, and what is next for her.></h4>
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Q: I’ve struggled with mental health issues for much of my life, and the pandemic has been a challenge. It feels like I have this giant mirror right in front of me, and I’ve had to face so many things that I maybe pushed aside, or didn’t want to face or work on. I’m curious if it’s been a similar experience for you. >
BB: Definitely. The pandemic has forced me to address areas of my life that I maybe would prefer not to. It’s been an emotional rollercoaster, and I’m saying this as someone who has been incredibly lucky throughout. I haven’t gotten ill. I have very few friends that have. Unfortunately, I have lost a few people, including a wonderful ex-boyfriend, so the notion of grieving has been important to explore. And yet, it can feel hard to grieve in this confusing time, behind your computer quite a bit, or with yourself so much. >
So while I’d love to say it’s been easy to put into practice all my self-care rituals, it’s been a struggle. But I have noticed small things that make a big difference. I’ve certainly become much more grateful, and a gratitude ritual has been very, very important. I do feel incredibly lucky given everything that’s going on in the world.>
I’ve noticed a lot of things from my previous life that I took for granted that are now so meaningful. For instance, when I lived in New York, I walked to work every day. It was about thirty blocks, and it was a wonderful way to start my day outside, moving. If it was good weather and sunshine, if it was snowing, it was still an experience. And then, when I went to grad school, I would walk to class every morning. It’s a small thing, but it really started my day off in a wonderful way, alone with myself, in my thoughts, and moving and interacting with people. >
In lockdown, I didn’t realize how important it had been, and now, of course, I realize it was a small thing that made a huge difference every day. Now, I make sure I go on walks, that I’m in nature, that I replicate the parts of my previous life that matter a lot to me. That I nurture my ability to be thoughtful about what I’m thinking and what I’m experiencing during the day. It’s a small difference, but it’s something I took for granted previously. >
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Q: Definitely. Meditation practice is the core and center of who I am, and I realized how much I take it for granted. So now, as important as it is for you to take walks, it’s important for me to wake up every single morning and make sure I meditate, to write in a journal right after that, to make sure I adhere to all the techniques that go along with this practice. So much time is going by, and I don’t want to waste another second of it. What’s going on in the world right now makes you realize that nothing is guaranteed. The things that we hold on to may not be there tomorrow. I don’t want to waste another second of being able to do the external things, like spending time with my family, and also going internally as well. >
What are some other things you’ve been doing? >
BB: I love what you just said in terms of not wanting to waste another day or any moment. I think that’s so important. I definitely needed to do a reframe, probably six weeks into lockdown, to realize that there was complete uncertainty around this, and to be comfortable with the uncertainty. It had a big impact. At the beginning, it felt like we were putting everything on pause, and we would un-pause and go back to life the way it was before. Acknowledging that we’re not going to do that, and that’s okay, has been really important, because I treat it very differently now. I’ve acknowledged that it’s not a big pause, that I need to be actively living in these moments, and actively doing what I can to maintain a life that I am proud of, and a life that is aligned with what is important to me. >
I love to meditate as well. I really believe in breathwork. That’s something that I let slide at the beginning of quarantine. As I reframe, it’s been something that’s really important to bring back. I also like a morning practice of journaling. I read The Artist’s Way when I was in high school, and it made me want to journal every morning. I let all of these things go for the first six weeks, so I brought them back. That’s been really important, because the emotions that I’m experiencing – I assume that we’re all experiencing – during this time vary quite a bit, given the uncertainty in the world. It’s been helpful to get thoughts out of my head and onto the page, and be able to process them and move through them. >
Finally, I have dinner with my family every single night, and that’s been a fun ritual of community. We know no one is going to miss dinner or schedule a work call during dinner, and it’s protected time to be together. >
Q: At some point I’m going to have to move out of my parents’ house and I’m kind of dreading that, because it has been so nice being together. I don’t want to take this time for granted at all. Thank you for sharing all of that. >
To segue just a bit: leaders come in different shapes and forms. Especially given everything going on in the world, and thinking about how you nurture leaders in Global Health Corps, what are some qualities that are really significant for any young adult who wants to be a leader in the social impact space?>
BB: There are so many archetypes of leaders. When you’re in school and learning about history, you learn about these different archetypes of leaders who are merrily leading with strength. I think it’s important to reconsider what we perceive, and who we perceive to be leaders, and why. >
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<h5 style="text-align: center; color: #ff0000;">I would say the biggest leadership quality&nbsp;that’s needed is empathy. 
I don’t even think other qualities rival it, because 
if you’re a leader your goal should be to serve. 
And in order to serve,&nbsp;you need to understand people well. 
You need to connect with people 
and you need to love people. 
And while normally love doesn’t come up as 
a leadership quality, I think it should.></h5>
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I would say the biggest leadership quality that’s needed is empathy. I don’t even think other qualities rival it, because if you’re a leader your goal should be to serve. And in order to serve, you need to understand people well. You need to connect with people and you need to love people. And while normally love doesn’t come up as a leadership quality, I think it should. If you think about the opposite of love, it’s fear, and it’s easy to lead with fear.>
 Fear looks like “othering” people. Fear looks like creating divisions amongst people. To me, that’s not good leadership. The opposite of that is leading with love, which is to lead with empathy, which is to build connections, which is to highlight the humanity in other people, and celebrate people, rather than finding the flaws in them. I think it’s important to talk about these qualities. While they are considered soft skills, I’d say they are more important than hard skills. >
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There’s a lot of strength in softness; there’s a lot of strength in kindness. I’ve reflected a lot on my own life. I lost three of my grandparents last year. One of my grandparents was given the title of a leader. His leadership style would seem foreign now, because it was a very gentle form of leadership, and a kind form of leadership. I watched his life and, of course, when you lose people you reflect on their life. He was very satisfied and fulfilled with his life, because he allowed himself to live and be a leader in a way that was authentic to him. Authenticity really matters in leadership. Many of the examples that we see aren’t in line with this. You need to be authentic to yourself and hopefully do so with humility and empathy. >
Q: It can feel really easy to be disillusioned right now. We were talking about how, from the first few weeks of the pandemic, it has been easy to feel the weight and stress of the uncertainty. You talked about this already, but what are some things that we can do to stay positive amidst all of the uncertainty? >
BB: It’s incredibly important to stay positive right now. That’s not to say that we should have a Pollyanna attitude and ignore what’s going on in the world. I think we can be honest but also optimistic in the belief that we have control over parts of our lives that we can make better. Thinking about how to stay positive with your own experience right now is important. I do think gratitude is incredibly important for that optimism and positivity. It’s always an incredible practice, but particularly right now, whether it’s gratitude journaling, or thinking about what you’re grateful for before you’re going to bed, or saying that aloud to yourself or your partner. Making that a practice is really important. >
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<h5 style="text-align: center; color: #ff0000;">Thinking about how to stay positive 
with your own experience right now is important. 
I do think gratitude is incredibly important 
for that optimism and positivity. 
It’s always an incredible practice, 
but particularly right now, 
whether it’s gratitude journaling, 
or thinking about what you’re grateful for 
before you’re going to bed, 
or saying that aloud to yourself or your partner. 
Making that a practice is really important. ></h5>
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There’s a number of different sites that talk about the good news that’s going on in the world. It’s important to go to those sites and read the positive stories that are happening. There’s a great quote from Fred Rogers: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”>
Right now we see a tremendous number of helpers – people taking care of their family members, healthcare professionals, protestors trying to change what racial justice looks like in the United States. Let’s consider what we believe notions of helpers are, and look at them, and focus on that. I hope this gives all of us the agency to realize that we can help in whatever way we can. Getting involved is very important – it helps overcome complacency; it helps overcome disillusionment. There are many different ways right now, given all the circumstances that we’re living. We may not be able to volunteer in person, or we may be able to: we may deliver groceries to people etc. Figure out a way to engage that’s interesting, because that’s the number one thing that helps get past cynicism and negativity – to be part of the solution. >
Q: You’ve been in the public eye your entire life, and I know that’s probably come with a lot of really wonderful moments and a lot of challenges, too. How has that impacted your decisions to do the work that you’re doing? >
BB: It’s really hard to tell how it’s impacted my life, because I don’t know my life without it. But I do know that I’m really lucky to have had a tremendous amount of exposure to our country and to the world when I was younger. And that was afforded to me because of my parents – my dad being President. I was in my freshman year of college when he became the President, and my parents made it clear that I could travel with them as long as it worked with school and with my jobs. So I had the opportunity to travel the country and to five different continents with them. That exposure both gave me a global perspective and taught me so much about how people live around the world. It introduced me to a number of incredible people who are service-oriented, who are stepping up in communities to make a difference. >
That’s incredibly contagious – to meet people who do not accept the status quo, who want to change it and do something about it. That led me into the field of global health, and I was exposed to a number of wonderful leaders in global health who were making a difference. And that inspired me and let me see that we can have an impact on global health issues. That’s why I pursued global health as a career. >
We can all have exposure to different ways of being and different ways of thinking among the people even in our own communities. It’s important to broaden who we interact with and how we interact with them. That is a huge part of addressing racial justice in the United States. While the United States is not formally segregated, in many ways it is. And it’s really important to make sure we understand how people live, and be empathetic so that we’re building a country that prizes all people. >
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Q: You’ve just finished your master’s degree and you’re starting a new job. What’s next? Where do you see yourself going?>
BB: Good question! I’m trying to figure that out myself, especially because it’s interesting to have transition points in life. We don’t often have many formal transitions. I graduated with a Masters in Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School at the end of May. I went back to school last year to study racial justice and policy. I was very interested in understanding systemic race in the U.S. for a number of different reasons. One was exposure to the Black Lives Matter movement over the last four to five years. Then, working in global health and working on health equity in the U.S., you really see how health outcomes are divided by race in our country. It’s not an accident. The history of the U.S., the different policies like segregation and redlining, and how neighborhoods have been composed and then disinvested, led us here. We were doing great work in global health, but I felt like if I wanted to do more and better work I needed to understand racial justice in the United States. >
That’s what drew me to go to grad school. I’m still very passionate about global health and I’m very passionate about racial justice, and the intersection between the two. I’m navigating what that looks like moving forward.>
Q: It sounds like you’re in a very contented place in your life, and motivated to keep pushing forward. >
BB: Yes, for sure. >
Q: Barbara, thank you for taking the time to chat with us, and for being so open, thoughtful, and authentic in all of your responses. I really appreciate it. >
BB: Thank you. >
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<h4 style="text-align: center;">Interviewed by MAMATA VENKAT></h4>
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Creating communities for health – part 2

Barbara is a long-time Heartfulness practitioner and trainer. She has been a course developer and instructor in art and cultural history at European universities. Barbara has additional training in integrative health and continuous health education. Her passion is to combine ancient wisdom, traditional knowledge, and cutting-edge integrative health science. Through hands-on workshops she inspires and encourages people toward self-empowerment and self-care. She is a Heartfulness trainer.

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Barbara Sonvilla

<h4>BARBARA SONVILLA writes about the divine feminine and the global awakening of women. She celebrates women telling their stories and taking action to bring alive a collective awareness of the need to respect and protect Mother Earth, nurture life in all its aspects, and hold it sacred. In part 1, she presents Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179), one of the early eco-saints, and her love for Mother Earth.</h4><hr>Humanity, take a good look at yourself. Inside, you’ve got Heaven and Earth, and all of creation. You’re a world – everything is hidden in you.—Hildegard von Bingen<hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/hildegard_ecosaint1_6e03181bc6.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-07T08:05:01.429Z" alt="hildegard-ecosaint1">https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hildegard_von_Bingen._Line_engraving_ by_W._Marshall._Wellcome_V0002761.jpg<hr>When I was still a student of art and cultural history, I came across the wonderful illustrations accompanying the book Scivias (meaning “know the ways”), by Hildegard. I was mesmerized and wanted to know more about the author. I discovered a giant of a woman, an original thinker and mystic, who considered herself “the feather on the breath of God.”During her lifetime, Hildegard was already famous throughout medieval Europe as a seeress, a writer, a philosopher, a mystic, a healer, a herbalist, and a health counselor. Today, she is widely known for her sublime choral music. Her pioneering and practical works on biology, botany, and medicine, and her scholarly writings on theology, reveal a remarkable personality with compelling teaching abilities, equipped with fearlessness in dealing with church elders and leaders. In 2012, Hildegard was canonized and declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Benedict XVI, becoming the fourth woman to receive such an honor in the Catholic Church.What drew me to Hildegard the most was that she was one of the “creation-centered” mystics of the West. She considered everything to be interconnected with everything else. In her own words:“Holy persons draw to themselves all that is earthly … The Earth is at the same time mother, She is mother of all that is natural, mother of all that is human. She is the mother of all, for contained in her are the seeds of all.”<hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/hildegard_ecosaint2_a94217cbb9.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-07T08:07:08.283Z" alt="hildegard-ecosaint2">https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/ File:Meister_des_Hildegardis-Codex_001_cropped.jpg<hr>As was the custom of the time, as the tenth child of a noble family, Hildegard was dedicated to the church. Having had visions of what she called “reflections of the living Light” from early childhood, she was reluctant to share these visions, which came to her as inner experiences while her eyes were open and all her senses routinely engaged. Only at the age of 43, after seeking and receiving the blessing from Pope Eugene III, Hildegard started writing down her visions and thoughts in her first book, Scivias, including images of these visions.In her writings, as well as in nearly 400 letters, Hildegard was quite outspoken, determined, and bold, yet always ready to help, educate, and uplift the correspondent. She loved to mix genres, including music and poetry. People would come to seek help and advice from her, and from this her two works on the origins and treatment of diseases and naturopathy emerged.As an abbess, she asked the nuns in her charge to pay close attention to nature and its rhythms, as they hold the secrets to our physical well-being and aliveness of our inner world. Hildegard urged them to become partners with the natural world, saying:&nbsp;“Humankind, full of all creative possibilities, is God’s work. Humankind alone is called to assist God. Humankind is called to co-create. With nature’s help, humankind can set into creation all that is necessary and life-sustaining.”&nbsp;<hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/hildegard_ecosaint3_d45c95a85b.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-07T08:08:16.787Z" alt="hildegard-ecosaint3">https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/ File:07angels-hildegard_von_bingen.jpg<hr>Viriditas, the divine healing power of NatureOne of the most recognizable contributions of Hildegard, her leitmotif, and the thread running through all her writings, is the concept of viriditas.The origin of “viriditas” may be the union of two Latin words meaning&nbsp;“green” and “truth.” The definition is both literal, as in “green” and “growth,” and metaphorical, as in “freshness” and “vitality.”&nbsp; The term is difficult to translate, and it has rich and poetic connotations. I simply fell in love with the word. It represents the life force at work in all creation. For Hildegard, this green energy is love pulsing through the entire universe. It is the creative principle itself, sustaining her soul and her work.<hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/hildegard_ecosaint4_c28e3983b9.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-07T08:09:16.247Z" alt="hildegard-ecosaint4">https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/ File:Meister_des_Hildegardis- Codex_%E2%80%94_fertility- birth_in_Scivias_%E2%80%94_c._ 1185.jpg<hr>Hildegard saw viriditas as animating every living being, inherent in everything, including humans. Much like gardens, farmlands, and forests need cultivation, Hildegard saw viriditas as something also to be cultivated in our bodies and our souls. For her, a healthy human body is “green,” our blood possessing special greening power, and the life force, the soul, being&nbsp;“green.” It is the very same greenness that connects us all together as humanity. It shines forth, giving us the common purpose of creating a joyful, peaceful, and productive life. It is the&nbsp;strength within us manifesting as a strong and&nbsp;healthy life.“O most honored Viriditas, You who roots in the Sun; You who lights up, in shining serenity, within a wheel that earthly excellence fails to comprehend.You are enfolded in the weaving of divine mysteries.You redden like the dawn and you burn: flame of the Sun.”For Hildegard, green was not just a color – it was the universal life force. “Creation is the song of God,” she said, and viriditas its breath. If we could wish to describe a flavor that comes with this greenness, it would be the joy of being alive. Hildegard defines joy as an “awareness of God’s secrets.1”As the Voice of the Living Light revealed to her:“I am the breeze that nurtures all things green. I encourage blossoms to flourish with ripening fruits. I adorn all the Earth. I am the rain coming from the dew that causes the grass to laugh with the joy of life.”How is this vital greenness sustained?“The soul is the greening life force of the flesh, for the body grows and prospers through her, just as the Earth becomes fruitful when it is moistened. The soul humidifies the body so it does not dry out, just like the rain which soaks into the Earth.”This belief in viriditas&nbsp;led her to become an herbalist also. She wrote extensively on the importance of selecting foods with curative properties, and in accordance with the Hippocratic tradition, she prioritized preventive medicine and remedies based on plants. As an example, she considered fennel to be a plant with truly holistic health benefits.&nbsp;It was one of her primary healing foods after surgery, for convalescence and immune building. In her own words:“Fennel does not harm the body in any way. In whatever way it is eaten, it makes people happy and gives warmth, a good skin color, and promotes good digestion … it reduces the evil mucus and suppresses the foul odor of the breath.<hr><hr><h4>The soul is the greening life force of the flesh,&nbsp; for the body grows and prospers through her, just as the Earth becomes fruitful when it is moistened.&nbsp; The soul humidifies the body so it does not dry out,&nbsp; just like the rain which soaks into the Earth</h4><hr><hr>Hildegard thought that when the soul, body, and mind are equally strong, the four life juices (humors) and elements are balanced. This allows the organism to work optimally and operate harmoniously. Because of our connectivity with the universe, Hildegard believed the soul to be the source of everything and thus essential in achieving harmony. For her, what we now call the autonomic nervous system is the connecting language between the body and the soul. Hildegard described in detail how lifestyle affects that communication. The balance is easily disturbed through incorrect eating and drinking habits, but also through thoughts, emotions, and living against the principles of a virtuous and pious life.To be continued.<hr>1Butcher, C.A., 2007. St. Hildegard of Bingen. A Spiritual Reader. Paraclete Press.<hr>

Hildegard, an eco-saint

<h4>BARBARA SONVILLA writes about the divine feminine, the global awakening of women, and their growing role in leadership. She celebrates women telling their stories and taking action to bring alive a collective awareness of the need to respect and protect Mother Earth and nurture life in all its aspects and hold it sacred. In part 2, she shares more of the wisdom of the medieval eco-saint, Hildegard von Bingen.</h4><hr>“In a true vision I saw and heard the following words: &nbsp;“O daughter of God, out of your love for God you call a poor creature like myself, ‘Mother.’ Listen then to your mother and learn moderation! For moderation is the mother of all virtues for everything heavenly and earthly. For it is through moderation that the body is nourished with the proper discipline.” —Hildegard von Bingen<hr><h4>Moderation (discretio), the mother of all virtues</h4>“As there is order in the cosmos, there is balance in the body.”This is one of Hildegard’s guiding principles. The basis of this orderly structure depends on the interrelationship of the human and the Earth’s four primary elements, where everything has its place, meaning, and purpose. It is from this order, this balance, that we seek <a href="https://heartfulness.org/magazine/Remembering-wholeness" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">divinity</a>. Discretio (seeking the right measure and moderation in everything we do) is the practice of living the balance and bringing the union between divinity and humanity back to order.<hr><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Meister_des_Hildegardis-Codex_003_cuted.jpg"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/love_the_earth2_b91dd9fda9.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-07T11:15:37.898Z" alt="love_the_earth2"></a>Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Meister_des_Hildegardis-Codex_003_cuted.jpg<hr><h4>What does Hildegard mean by “back to order”?</h4>When viewed from Hildegard’s idea that human beings are the microcosmic representation of the macrocosm, the “fall from the Garden of Eden” disrupted our originally perfect relationship with Nature, and consequently led to physical and spiritual changes in us, physical fragility, suffering, and disease. But we can restore the relationship through diligent efforts from our side. Hildegard believed that we could strive to bring moderation into our behavior, thoughts, and actions. She taught that a life of measure and spirituality is the right path toward a healthier state of being.Thus, Hildegard’s practice of discretio is a strength of the soul, a virtue of the mind, and a mode of action. For her, discretio is the mother of all virtues.“And so the soul loves the discreet measure in all things. Whenever the body of the person eats or drinks without discretion, or does something else of this kind, the forces of the soul are injured, because everything is to be done with measure, since humans cannot always dwell in heaven.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<hr><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hildegard_von_Bingen.jpg"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/love_the_earth3_a5d1a576d0.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-07T11:16:48.275Z" alt="love_the_earth3"></a>Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hildegard_von_Bingen.jpg<hr><h4>Hildegard’s golden rules for living</h4>Hildegard’s principle of moderation is deeply rooted in medieval spirituality, and yet it is timeless in its value as an actionable practice for modern living. It is especially timely now as we face climate change and environmental destruction. Finding moderation is a unique challenge in today’s lifestyle. It is worth looking at Hildegard’s guidelines, which are simple:Benefit and draw energy from nature’s life force (viriditas).Learn moderation:<ul><li>by healthy and balanced nutrition,</li><li>by balancing periods of activity with periods of rest, and</li><li>by cultivating healthy sleep patterns.</li></ul>Detox and purify yourself regularly.Strengthen the soul:<ul><li>through prayer and meditation,</li><li>through encouraging your innate talents and virtues, and</li><li>while keeping a check on your shortcomings.</li></ul>Above all, love the Earth and “welcome all the creatures of the world with grace.”<hr>“We shall awaken from our dullness and rise vigorously toward justice. If we&nbsp;fall in love with creation deeper&nbsp;and deeper, we will respond to its endangerment with passion.” —Hildegard von Bingen<hr><hr><h4>Artwork by Hildegard von Bingen</h4><hr>

Love the Earth

<h4 style="text-align:justify;">BARBARA SONVILLA shares her experience of using one of the Peacefulness intentions while swimming in the sea in the Persian Gulf. The outcome is astounding and shows just how effective these simple intentions are in changing the atmosphere both within and outside us.</h4>I would like to share an experience with you that happened recently, and which has been full of amazement, joy, insights, and learnings regarding what it means to “live from the heart.”But before doing so, I would like to introduce to you the particular practice that has led to the experience.Ever since I have come across those small yet powerful practices called “subtle suggestions” and “peaceful intentions,” I have felt particularly drawn to them. My favorite one is:Everything around you is absorbing peace, including the sky, the oceans, the trees, &nbsp;the people, the wildlife, the buildings—and everything is radiating peace.(Peaceful Intention 2 from <a href="http://www.peacefulness.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.peacefulness.org</a>)&nbsp;I love to “dive into” this intention when I’m in my garden, when I’m sitting with people but don’t feel like talking, or when I’m on the subway in the big city nearby.I also use another technique for life’s stressful moments when I feel like I need a drastic cleanse of my entire system—fairly regularly, I admit. It is often related to bouts of anger, hot or cold (feeling resentful) in its quality; and this feeling particularly upsets me. There is a useful Heartfulness technique to deal with that kind of state, which goes like this:Sit comfortably and close your eyes.Imagine that you are in a gentle ocean of peace.&nbsp; The waves are soothing and blissful.Have the firm thought that you are immersed in this ocean of peace, and the gentle waves are removing all your coverings.Do this for as long as you can, but no more than 30 minutes.(Ocean of Peace Cleaning from <a href="https://heartfulness.org/en/simple-heartfulness-practices/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://heartfulness.org/en/simple-heartfulness-practices/</a>)Now, here comes the incident:I am so fortunate to nowadays have the regular opportunity to enjoy swimming in the Persian Gulf. What a wonderful color display the water features—it is as if I am immersed in liquid crystals of turquoise aquamarine or emerald with shades of lilac and pink. As I didn’t grow up close to the ocean, I always feel happy like a child when this opportunity arises.A couple of months ago, as I bathed in the warm waters of the Persian Gulf, just feeling joyful and playful, I gradually realized that the feeling of joy and childlike playfulness naturally led my heart to a state of prayerfulness. First, I just observed and witnessed the <a href="https://heartfulness.org/magazine/do-spiritual-seekers-experience-more-stress" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">inner shift</a> for a while. Then, fascinated, I started the above-mentioned peacefulness practice naturally, without planning.I silently suggested and visualized, rather “felt it into being,” that the entire ocean with all its creatures is absorbed in peacefulness, and just like in the rhythm of breathing, it is absorbing and radiating peace. Absorbing and radiating. This happened many times, and I was also immersed in this kind of breathing.When one fine afternoon it finally was time to end the bathing season (I was about to leave the country) and I was about to step out of the water, I saw a crowd of people running toward me, with a look of surprise on their faces.I turned and saw a family of dolphins visiting the beach, happily displaying their playful jumps and showing their smiling faces. It was a family of ten or so, with their young ones. And they came to the very spot where I would swim and breathe peace so often. They remained there for quite a while, delighting every beachgoer. And there were hundreds of beachgoers on this crowded city beach.These wonderful creatures conjured up joy and happiness on people’s faces, which I have rarely seen. Locals would tell me later that they had never experienced before the dolphins coming so close.Finishing this little story, let me share my key insights from this experience:All living beings on this beautiful planet are connected with each other.All living beings respond to impulses because of the principle of resonance.It is the impulses of the heart that are uplifting, nourishing, and contribute to the elevation of consciousness.My subtle or prayerful suggestions matter and make a difference.<img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/resonating_with_being2_01eaed695f.webp" alt="resonating-with-being2.webp" srcset="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thumbnail_resonating_with_being2_01eaed695f.webp 145w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/large_resonating_with_being2_01eaed695f.webp 800w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/resonating_with_being2_01eaed695f.webp 800w," sizes="100vw">The most powerful insight was that when I am in a state of joy and gratefulness, it changes my condition so powerfully into a heart-consciousness-state of being. In that state it happens naturally that I “remember” the interconnectedness and oneness of all, and naturally and cheerfully add a “little something” to this oneness.Om Shanti Shanti Shanti&nbsp;

Resonating with the being(s)

Jain is an advocate for interfaith dialogue, founder and Secretary-General of the World Council of Religious Leaders. He was Secretary-General of the&nbsp;Millennium Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders, 2000; co-founded the Religious Initiative of the&nbsp;World Economic Forum; and created the Gandhi-King Award for Non-violence.

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Bawa Jain

<h4 style="text-align:justify;">BAWA JAIN, the Secretary-General for the World Council of Religious Leaders, shares his perspective on the greatest blessing, and his own grounding philosophy that guides him through life.</h4>&nbsp;If someone were to ask me, “What is the greatest blessing in life?” I would venture only one guess. It is my strong belief that the greatest blessing we can receive is to have a guru.Why is that important? Oftentimes in life, we find ourselves at a crossroads. The more crossroads we come to, the more we will build our characters by deciding which path to take. There should be no fear of failure in these moments, because it is through failures that our core character is built. But when we have a guru, they will point us in the direction that is for our betterment. Personally, having a guru gave me purpose, and a strong sense of direction on what I should be pursuing in life.Practitioners of Heartfulness are truly blessed to have a guru like Daaji in their lives. I arrived at Kanha Shanti Vanam without knowing Daaji, and was honored with an invitation to have lunch at his home, along with a few others. Daaji spent two or three hours with us, and all throughout, I didn’t feel as though this was our first meeting. He has that unique ability to make us feel calm and put us at ease, simply by being in his presence.I would like to share with you a grounding philosophy that was inspired by my own guru, and which became the one I choose to live by: the three Ss.&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/serve_share_sacrifice2_b9f116c63d.webp" alt="serve-share-sacrifice2.webp" srcset="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thumbnail_serve_share_sacrifice2_b9f116c63d.webp 145w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/large_serve_share_sacrifice2_b9f116c63d.webp 599w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/serve_share_sacrifice2_b9f116c63d.webp 599w," sizes="100vw"></figure>&nbsp;<hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">Wherever you can, share, share, share, because the greatest joy&nbsp;lies in sharing, not receiving.&nbsp; &nbsp;</h4><hr>I had the chance to explain the first S when I had the honor of meeting Chinna Jeeyar Swami during this Mahotsav. He posed the same question to me that I myself ask everyone I meet, “What is the purpose of your life?” My answer was service—I want to serve, and to always be of use; as my guru taught me. He also reminded me of one important distinction: be of use, but don’t let anyone abuse you. So Service is the first S.The second is Sharing. Wherever you can, share, share, share, because the greatest joy lies in sharing, not receiving.The third, which is intrinsic to the Hindu ethos and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, is Sacrifice. The reality we live in is that life is all about compromises. Why? For the betterment of our own self, to detach from one of our biggest enemies—the ego.Our greatest challenge in life is overcoming that ego, the inner demon which too often influences our decisions and puts us on the wrong path. To give you an example close to home, I feel Daaji is humility personified. On observation, he would much rather close his eyes and be in silence than speak at length. Even on the stage, when a program is going on, I have observed that he is in meditation. He doesn’t feel compelled to speak. The more the urge we have for projecting ourselves, the more obstacles we will encounter in our life. You’ll find it necessary to shed that ego. Especially for those who have come here, to Kanha, and learned here, and grown here; that means you have been blessed with the power and the energy that you are receiving from meditation. Serve, share, and sacrifice, but leave your ego behind; don’t take it with you wherever you go, lest it become a burden on your onward journey.In my own journey, I have had the good fortune of encountering many dignitaries and heads of state. Once, I was in South Africa to meet President Mandela and give him the Gandhi-King Award for Nonviolence. Now, at that time, he had become like the moral conscience of the world. So that day, as I was preparing to meet President Mandela, my mind was racing. What was I going to say to him? This was a singularly unique opportunity: Coming face-to-face with one of the greatest leaders in the world, who transformed their lives from being a militant and a commander to nonviolent, peaceful resistance for the freedom and liberation of South Africa from apartheid. Then suddenly he emerged. He was a larger man, physically and metaphorically speaking. But he just embraced me, and greeted me with “Hey, man, how are you?” That day I was dumbstruck. I couldn’t say a word for a moment or two. He had disarmed me completely.Why am I sharing this with you? One of the greatest qualities of a leader is their innate ability to put us at ease. Again, I must draw upon the aforementioned example of Daaji. Although I was meeting him for the first time, he made me feel as if I had known him my entire life. This is a unique ability. A great leader does not build followers; the truly great one builds leaders. Each one of you is a leader, because Daaji has sown the seeds of leadership in your hearts. You will be so enriched by this purpose in your life that you’ll find any sickness or obstacle will just vanish; they will fall away. And when you leave the world, you will be remembered for this.&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:75%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/serve_share_sacrifice3_555e2e03fd.webp" alt="serve-share-sacrifice3.webp" srcset="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thumbnail_serve_share_sacrifice3_555e2e03fd.webp 145w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/large_serve_share_sacrifice3_555e2e03fd.webp 1000w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/serve_share_sacrifice3_555e2e03fd.webp 1200w," sizes="100vw"></figure><hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">If today was the last day of your life,&nbsp; how would you want to be remembered? Change those things that need work, and focus on what you will be leaving behind, because everything&nbsp; that you have gathered materially will be left here.&nbsp; What will remain is the good you have done, what you have served, what you have shared, what you have sacrificed.</h4><hr>If today was the last day of your life, how would you want to be remembered? Change those things that need work, and focus on what you will be leaving behind, because everything that you have gathered materially will be left here. What will remain is the good you have done, what you have served, what you have shared, what you have sacrificed.So, be a true ambassador of Heartfulness as you go about doing your work in the world. Be that person about whom others can say, “Yes, they were here, and they did something that we will remember forever.”Excerpts from a talk given at the Global Spirituality Mahotsav, March 2024<hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">Images generated by AI</h4><hr>

Serve, share, sacrifice

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Bell Hooks

Make room for compassion

Creativity and possibility

Love in childhood

To be loving

Bente Elisabeth was born and raised in the fantastic nature of northern Norway, and lived for some time in Greenland. Now based in Denmark, she lives in Mols Bjerge National Park, where the heaven is high and the power of nature is evident. She paints what she sees, what she feels, what she senses. Impressions of nature. The five elements, earth. air, fire, water, and cosmos.



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Bente Elisabeth Endresen

<h4>BENTE ELISABETH ENDRESEN is an artist and lover of nature. We feature her paintings and her love of the Arctic environment, for which she is a passionate advocate during this time of polar melting and climate change.</h4><hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">To wonder and be surprised by the wonders of nature. This is the core of my existence.</h4><hr>&nbsp;<img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/wonder4_img_e838c10289.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-12T05:22:56.698Z">I stood by the Norwegian coast high up north. The weather had been mild, sunny and pleasant, not too cold. The sky was clear blue. We were a little group building an old-style boat, inspired by a Viking ship. In a break, we looked out on the ocean view and the wonderful northern Norwegian landscape with high and impressive mountains surrounded by narrow strips of land. Here humans had survived under harsh living conditions in a cold climate.Suddenly there was a chilly breeze and clouds of different dark gray-blue tones got closer. Surprisingly quickly the sky grew visibly darker and, before we could withdraw there was a violent storm of thunder and lightning.I stood completely fascinated, feeling this marvelous power of the elements of nature. It was a demonstration of magnificent energy and variation of colors. The sky was all kinds of blue. Some parts were clear blue sky; others were dark gray-blue turning almost black.I was completely happy, thankful to be experiencing a spectacular show of nature.The main inspiration for most of my paintings is the Nordic and Arctic environment. My upbringing in northern Norway and many years in Greenland had such a strong impact on me. I paint the elements – earth, water, air and fire, and the fifth element, the Cosmos.Closeness to nature has resulted in an everlasting wonder about Creation – from the tiniest seed turning into a perfect tree, to a total fascination with the Cosmos. An ongoing theme of my paintings is Creation, and I am deeply fascinated by the questions that are studied in an attempt to understand more about the Cosmos.<hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/wonder2_img_1_69e85696fe.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-12T05:24:22.586Z"><hr>Living close to the Arctic has led me to raise awareness of the changes in climate we are now experiencing. They are so visible in the Arctic region, where nature is so vulnerable to the disturbances of pollution and temperature change. Glaciers are melting at an alarming rate. Flora and fauna are changing as their living conditions change. The ocean is filled with plastic pollution. Sea birds are found with up to 40% of plastic in their stomach. Whales die from eating plastic. In cooperation with artists and scientists, I have curated exhibitions, concerts, talks and workshops to help people observe and understand the effects of climate change.I am now in contact with dedicated people concerned with aspects of sustainability, all in many different occupations. We meet regularly to discuss the UN’s 17 Pathways to Peace and Justice, and how we can play a positive role in raising awareness and spreading knowledge of solutions. One way is through art.Along with the outer path of my life, there is an inner path, and when I paint I go into a room of my own, a space where I can be in contact with the paintings coming out of stillness. There are a lot of images waiting to be painted. My part is to be a channel, and not stand in the way for the impulses that come. To encourage these impulses, I meditate, listen to creation music, and read myths that cultivate the atmosphere I want to express in the paintings.<hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/wonder3_img_aa7ecc440f.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-12T05:25:46.428Z"><hr>Back in northern Norway in wintertime, I travel inland to a camp where the indigenous Lapp people of the north live.In the darkness of the 24-hour Arctic winter’s night, we set off sledging with reindeer across the snow and ice. The wind can be noisy, but on a clear night the stars shine very brightly, arching across the sky, in absolute silence. We are hoping to see another silent wonder of nature, the Northern Lights – the Aurora Borealis. And the wonder happens. The sky is filled with green light that flits and dances between the silhouetted mountaintops.<hr><hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">An art essay by BENTE ELISABETH ENDRESEN</h4><hr>

To wonder and be surprised

Beryl Amurugat Favour

<h4
 id="h-beryl-amurugat-favour-is-a-student-from-nairobi-kenya-her-heartbreaking-and-at-the-same-time-uplifting-story-is-an-inspiration-and-testament-to-the-power-of-kindness-this-story-won-beryl-second-prize-for-school-students-in-the-heartfulness-international-essay-competition-2021"
 >
 BERYL AMURUGAT FAVOUR
 is a student from Nairobi, Kenya. Her heartbreaking and at the same
 time uplifting story is an inspiration and testament to the power of
 kindness. This story won Beryl second prize for school students in the
 Heartfulness International Essay Competition 2021.
 </h4>

 <hr class="vertical-space1" />

 
 Looking down on a blank page is like staring at an empty plate after
 sleeping hungry for almost three days. I have always had an ambition of
 being a writer and sitting here right now gives me a feeling of a dream
 come true. But all of this would just be a dream if it was not for the
 kindness of one great woman who was brought to my life by my constant
 cries and prayers. When people hear of kindness, the first thing that
 comes to their mind is a life-changing experience. And I would not have
 believed all this if life had not shown me that the voice of an African
 child can be heard.
 

 
 I was born in a village in the outskirts of Kenya near the great Lake
 Victoria. My mom was a housewife while my dad worked in a tobacco
 factory. He was a drunk and very abusive. My three siblings and I never
 experienced real happiness, and from day one I was always reminded that
 as a girl I had no chances of succeeding. I had an interest in writing
 from the age of ten but I had no hope of my dreams ever coming true.
 

 
 My world finally crumbled when I was fifteen, a teenager who had just
 finished primary education. My siblings and I woke up to a broken
 family. My mom, tired of all the mistreatment, had killed our father. I
 don’t know why, but I remember not even crying. My mom was arrested. The
 law said it had everything under control, but what did they even mean by
 that? Where were they when my mom’s screams were being heard? Where were
 they when he kept on lashing her?
 

 
 Seeing my mom going was the start of a life not explainable by words. My
 siblings and I were taken to different orphanages. I landed up in an
 orphanage known as the “Home of the Motherless.” It was owned by the
 government and was full to the brim. We shared everything, and we even
 lacked space to sleep. I was not able to see my siblings and no one told
 me about my mother. I spent days crying myself to sleep, and apparently
 that is the only way you can sleep on an empty stomach. Days turned to
 weeks and months, and I finally lost all hope of seeing my mother or
 siblings. Even the hope of finishing school and becoming a writer was
 lost.
 

 
 One fateful day, a few people came to view the orphanage. They were
 donors who were sent by a group to help the children in the orphanage.
 There was one woman who told us here name, she looked kind, and I liked
 her from the word go. Looking into her eyes, I could see my restored
 happiness. She walked toward me and asked for my age and name. I
 politely answered her, she asked for my story, and I told her.
 

 
 She was touched, and there and then she told me how I looked like her
 daughter who had passed away. She asked about school and my dreams, and
 I told her everything. She offered to help me, and since then I have
 never experienced lack. I have realized the true meaning of having a
 guardian angel. Thanks to her I am able to go to school and achieve my
 dreams. She helped me start afresh from a situation that most people are
 not able to recover from, domestic violence. I am able to visit my mom
 in jail, see my siblings, and even have the heart to forgive my father.
 I want to be able to help an African child one day and be a successful
 writer, and I believe with every kind heart comes a dream that can be
 fulfilled. Right there is the voice of an African child.
 

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Voice of an African child

Bhamini is an artist based out of Hyderabad, originally from Bihar. She is passionate about speaking up for causes like women empowerment, equality and mental health through her artwork. With a decade of experience in Madhubani Painting and Abstract Expressionism, she believes that art is a form of therapy that helps not only express and teach the art of perseverance and discipline but also acts as meditation to enhance patience and concentration.


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Bhamini Shree

<hr><h3 style="text-align:center;">ART ESSAY</h3><hr><h4>In this delightful interview and art essay, BHAMINI SHREE shares her journey of expression through painting with MEGHANA ANAND. Through art, gradually she was able to manage her depression, expand her selfexpression, and also develop her art as a career. In part 2, Bhamini tells us more about Madhubani Folk Art.</h4>&nbsp;<hr>&nbsp;MA: Can you share with us something about the history and origin of Madhubani art?BS: Madhubani is a place in the north-eastern part of India, in Bihar, in the Mithilanchal area. It is the birth place of Sita, the wife of Lord Ram. This form of painting was started by the country women of Madhubani, and the entire culture is called Mithila culture. They started using natural pigments, like pollen, turmeric, cow dung, or indigo to make patterns on the walls of their homes, which were around the celebration of life and marriage.Since Mithilanchal is considered to be the birth place or mother’s home of Sita, they celebrate it in that way. And also the fact that Sita is a woman. In Madhubani, a lot many forms are related to the Tantric form of painting depicting the goddess Durga, Kali, or Ardhanarishwar [half man-half woman], reflecting the locals’ joy and pride that these female deities have taken birth in their place.<hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/expressions2_2_6b3be7441c.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-05T12:39:02.775Z"><hr>Madhubani is also about the celebration of marriage. There is something called kohbar, which is a small room that is painted and decorated – the entire walls are decorated at the time of a wedding – and this room is given to the newly-wedded couple for consummating their marriage. So, all the elements that are used in these paintings are about nature, fertility, the celebration of love, the navagrahas [the nine planets] out there – everything auspicious. The fish, the turtle, the peacock, the parrot, everything that is auspicious is celebrated.So it’s is about fertility, and the celebration of life and marriage. That’s how it started.MA: What are the media used in Madhubani art?BS: Traditionally, the colors used in Madhubani paintings were all natural pigments. For example, natural indigo for blue; turmeric for yellow; natural flowers for red; leaves for green; and a mixture of soot and cow dung for black. They would paint with these colors on the walls.Nowadays we usually paint on fabric or paper. On paper we mostly use acrylic colors. On cotton cloth, we use fabric color. And those who feel they can afford to give proper time to their art usually use bamboo sticks in place of brushes.Bamboo sticks are used because they are thin and lightweight, and they give a lot of precision in the art. That’s how it’s done traditionally, but if we’re short on time we use whatever we want. There is no hard-and-fast rule. Whatever suits, you use.MA: What is the significance of geometric symbols in Madhubani art?BS: The women who started Madhubani painting were mostly illiterate, and they did not have means to improve their painting skills. So the patterns they drew were mostly naïve at that time. They would stick to circular or rectangular patterns while making images. If they were painting the moon, they would paint a semicircle; and if they were painting the sun, they would paint a full circle. That is how they would distinguish.These geometric patterns are nothing but the elements of nature. So every element is drawn in a particular way. With little modifications you can play around with the pattern, but it’s more or less made in a certain way.<hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/expressions2_2_6b3be7441c.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-05T12:39:02.775Z "><hr>MA: Tell us about your workshops.BS: My workshops are open to everyone who wants to attend. I try to teach the essence of Madhubani painting, and show the participants how they can devise their own patterns. Once they know the basics, and the elements that distinguish this form of painting from others, the art is not difficult. Since this form of art is about nature, I explain to them how it is related. Once they understand the scope, they can make their own paintings. They don’t have to copy existing paintings on the Internet.MA: What is the current status of folk art in India, and what is its scope in the future?BS: To my understanding, even though we have some really good artists, they are not able to reach the market in the right way. Now that a lot of NGOs have come up, they are starting to bridge the artists with the market, but it is still a rare thing to see. Say there are 100 artists, perhaps 10 of them are able to get in touch with NGOs, the market people or mediators. The remaining 90 are left out, most of whom are women. Women are really good at folk painting, and they are not able to reach the market.The other aspect is that folk art is mostly handmade, and people need to understand that it is exclusive and so it is expensive. In India we also have this mindset of bargaining: We are happy to buy an online print at a lower price than the original.But the possibilities are great. The international market recognizes the folk art of India more than the locals do. That’s the irony. The kind of scope and demand there is for Madhubani painting in the international market is not here in our own country. To me that is quite disappointing. You cannot put a tag on art, for someone has put their heart, soul and mind into it.MA: Yes, that’s true. So what does art truly mean to you?BS: Well, I call my art “Pouli,” which means “bird” in Greek. I honestly believe that art is like a bird – it knows no limit. It doesn’t know how to settle down, it flies. You can’t stop a bird from flying, and you can’t stop an artist from expressing. And that’s what art is about – expression. Expression of our subconscious, expression of our aspirations, which cannot be put under a ceiling.In my opinion, art is about whatever comes to your mind; you say that, you express that. It could be anything – your fragility, your vulnerability, or even your sensuality for that matter. People may call it erotic or pornography, but it’s not. Art is not pornography, it’s different. Art is expression; art is not objectification.Everything that comes to your mind is expressed in a beautiful way. You don’t have to use a word and it’s already expressed. Be it rage, be it anger, be it frustration, you can express it. It’s like a bird that can fly wherever it wants to. Nobody can stop it, as it has wings. And this is why I call my art “Pouli.”<hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/expressions2_4_ad11fbe354.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-05T12:45:10.436Z"><hr>MA: Lovely! Finally, what tips would you like to share with the youth of today, or anyone for that matter, who are looking to follow their heart’s aspirations?BS: Before you think what is good, right or wrong for you, it’s important that you analyze yourself. If you have a false belief that, “I can do this, and I can do that also,” the first thing to do is to burst the bubble. You have to know what you can really do, and if you would like to do this for the rest of your life.So, ideally, the first thing is to talk to mentors, to understand the opportunities out there. And mentors need not necessarily be your teachers, or elder siblings, or somebody you already know. Look out for somebody who really inspires you in the truest manner. They are mentors. Talk to them, talk about your insecurities, talk about what you want to do in life, your aspirations, and take insights from them.The second thing is to introspect. Introspection plays a very important part. Sit and be true to yourself. For example, if you are preparing for your IIT exams and you think this is not what you want to do, you also need to think what you are good at. And if you don’t know that, you need to start exploring. And for you to explore, you need to do 10,000 other things to know what you are good at.The same thing applies to art also. If you think you want to be a portrait artist, maybe you can’t be a landscape artist at the same time. But it’s also not necessary that you have to choose only one stream. So the best thing is to try your hand at various media and experiment.It’s important to see where your heart truly lies. And at the same time, you need to consider if you are able to sustain yourself with whatever you choose to do in life. Be practical also.MA: Thank you, Bhamini, for this enlightening conversation. I wish you all the very best in your heart’s endeavors.BS: Thank you very much.<hr>Website – <a href="https://www.bhaminishree.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.bhaminishree.com</a> Instagram –<a href="https://www.instagram.com/bhamini_shree/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.instagram.com/bhamini_shree/</a><hr>&nbsp;<hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">Interviewed by MEGHANA ANAND Art by BHAMINI SHREE</h4>&nbsp;<hr>&nbsp;

Expressions - part 2

Bharath Krishna is an ongoing contributor to the Heartfulness Magazine. His photographic work is featured on the cover of Issue 2. Krishna started his academic career as an Engineering student, but life led him to a Master’s degree in Photography, and a deep love for capturing the whispered moments. See more of his work at: www.bharathkrishna.com


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Bharath Krishna

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 In the South of India is a place steeped in the mythology of one of
 the greatest epic tales known to humanity, the Ramayana. In this tale,
 Lord Ram rescues his chaste and pure wife Sita from the clutches of
 the dark lord Ravana of Lanka, and to do so he and his band of heroes
 build the famous bridge from the Indian mainland through the island of
 Rameswaram to Lanka.


 Legend has it that, after killing Ravana and returning to Rameswaram
 with Sita, he worshipped Lord Shiva, and a temple was built around
 this spot. It is a site of pilgrimage for devotees from around the
 world. The site is also considered sacred because of the confluence of
 the waters of the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean.


 In July 2015, BHARATH KRISHNA visited this unique place. He shares
 with us his impressions of the beauty, the devastation and the history
 of the region. Seeing his photos, there is a definite feeling that
 this place has never really recovered from that epic battle.


 <img class="lazyload w-100"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/the_bridge_img1_a2017024a9.jpg?updated_at=2023-03-30T05:25:12.416Z" />


 For many years I have wanted to come here, as it is near my parents’
 place. I had seen pictures of the immense bridges from the mainland to
 the island, but coming here is a different experience. I am impressed by
 the power of Nature. It is so windy. The wind on the Indira Gandhi
 Bridge can knock you off if you don’t hold tightly to the handrail.


 <img class="lazyload w-100"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/the_bridge_img2_4a5162b81d.jpg?updated_at=2023-03-30T05:29:24.621Z" /> 
 It is also a surreal experience with the calm waters of the Bay of
 Bengal on one side and the turbulent waves of the Indian Ocean on the
 other.


 <img class="lazyload w-100"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/the_bridge_img3_a390a85119.jpg?updated_at=2023-03-30T05:30:27.703Z" />Dhanushkodi
 was a thriving trading centre at the southern tip of the
 island until a cyclone in 1964 destroyed the town. At one time the train
 went right to the end of the island, but now Dhanushkodi can only be
 reached by 4-wheel drive, minivan, or by foot.


 I walked all the way to Dhanushkodi, and it was like a dark journey with
 eagles flying around the ruins of old boats and thorny shrubs that are
 dotted across the hard, dry, desolate, sandy ground.


 <img class="lazyload w-100"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/the_bridge_img4_31c7574a43.jpg?updated_at=2023-03-30T05:31:37.879Z" />


 <img class="lazyload img-float-left has-img-center-in-mobile"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/the_bridge5_888c3cbeaf.jpg?updated_at=2023-03-30T05:32:30.257Z" />The
 locals tell stories with tears in their eyes of the devastation of
 the 1964 cyclone. Today there is still no electricity in Dhanushkodi. In
 the evening, the children of the hundred or so families who still live
 there walk the three kilometres back across the island to their village
 at the narrow tip.


 The town itself is also full of ruins – the old police station, the
 houses and the shops that now are only full of old memories. There is
 also the ruin of a church that was built only from shells for this
 predominantly Christian community.


 Still, Nature is beautiful here, and the pristine clear waters of the
 Bay of Bengal are also home to large rock-like sponges that are strewn
 all over the sand. The locals tell that during Lord Ram’s time, these
 ‘stones’ floated after they wrote his name on each one and were thus
 used to create the famous bridge to Lanka.

<hr />
<h4 style="text-align: center">Photo essay of BHARATH KRISHNA</h4>
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THE BRIDGE

<h4>BHARATH KRISHNA is a photographer who loves to capture places and people. Here he celebrates the simple lifestyle of the people of the Rajasthani desert in India.</h4>This is the village of Khuri, near Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. It is surrounded by desert and barren land. Peacocks and antelopes run wild. As a photographer, what attracts me are the stunning sunsets in the desert. In Khuri there are no streetlights, so people rise as soon as the sunlight appears in the sky. From dawn, women and children walk about six hundred meters to the nearest well to fetch water for the day.&nbsp;<img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/the_art_of_simple_living_img_1_886ed12184.jpg?updated_at=2023-03-30T13:56:18.020Z">The village is known for its safety. People live in a very simple way, with few resources, and they are openhearted, welcoming, and smiling. I ask some children if I can photograph them, so they take me inside their house and introduce me to their grandmother, who offers me a drink and something to eat. Whatever little they have, they are so happy to share. Every family has domestic animals – camels, cows, dogs, and goats. They respect and care for their animals as if they are part of the family, with no sense of exploiting them. There is only one vegetable that grows in this region, so meals comprise mainly this vegetable and chappatis. I am surprised that nobody is looking for money, trying to sell something or take me somewhere in order to make money. They just go about their simple lifestyle, happy to help with no expectations.The men work in the camel safaris and rent their camels for heavy transport. The village has a couple of small shops offering very basic groceries and stationery.&nbsp;<img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/the_art_of_simple_living_img_2_8e32f39307.jpg?updated_at=2023-03-30T13:55:44.948Z">Children go to a nearby government school, so their basic educational needs are met. When they return in the evening, they play games on the streets with wooden sticks and stones and also help take the animals for grazing and drinking water. Though people from all over the world visit the vicinity, the customs and lifestyle of the Khuri villagers seem untouched. For me, this trip to the desert was much more than photography; it was an amazing life experience.&nbsp;<hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">Article and photography by BHARATH KRISHNA</h4><hr>

The art of simple living

<hr>The Ganges runs calmly, a lifeline for so many people in so many ways. Though it is early morning, the atmosphere is chaotic, activity on every stretch of the riverbank.<img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/varanasi_photo2_b7ba41cb39.jpg">This is the iconic place where Lord Shiva is said to have put his wife Parvathi to rest. Since that time of lore, devoted Indians have made the journey to send their loved ones to liberation, to the freedom from the countless cycle of birth and rebirth.<img class="image_resized" style="width:214px !important;" src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/varanasi_photo3_1e2b146de6.jpg">They say the flame from that first fire has been preserved. The funeral flames are still lit from that same source, maintained in a small cave from generation to generation. The intense longing for the safe passage to the life beyond, and the fulfilment of duty, both hang in the air.As I walk down the stretch of dozens of ghats – among small groupings of hotels, temples and cottages – every few metres something new is happening. Individuals are taking dips in the river for purification. Further down, boats float out into the midst of the river. Beyond, children splash in their swimming classes, people send out floating diyas for their loved ones, buffaloes bathe and the slopping sounds of clothes being washed compete with saffron-robed sadhus murmuring blessings.<hr><h4>Read the complete article in <a href="//www.heartfulnessmagazine.com/category/volume2/volume2issue3/">Volume 2, Issue 3</a></h4><h4><a href="//www.heartfulnessmagazine.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">SUBSCRIBE &amp; DOWNLOAD</a></h4>&nbsp;<hr>&nbsp;&nbsp;<hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">Photo Essay by BHARATH KRISHNA</h4>&nbsp;<hr>SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

Varanasi - purity in chaos

Professor Rao is Dean, Schools of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapitham University, and the UNESCO Chair in Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality, Amritapuri. Her work focuses on technology-based training, leading to inclusive development of under-served communities, especially women in rural India.&nbsp;

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Bhavani Rao

<h4 style="text-align:justify;">At the 2024 Global Spirituality Mahotsav at Kanha Shanti Vanam, Professor BHAVANI RAO, Dean at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University, draws from the life of her mentor, Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, known to many as Amma, to highlight how we can integrate spirituality into daily life.</h4>&nbsp;When thinking about how spirituality and life coincide, I believe what I have learned from my mentor, Amma, that <a href="https://heartfulness.org/magazine/from-ego-to-soul" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">spirituality</a> and life are inseparable. They are two sides of the same coin.It is her belief that spirituality begins and ends with compassion. According to the principles of Sanatana Dharma, we know that creation and the creator are not two but one. The creation is verily the manifest form of the creator. We can love and serve all by seeing the creator in all of creation. Not to serve others, and to serve only oneself, is not life but death. Therefore, to have love and compassion is the quintessential way forward to integrating <a href="https://heartfulness.org/magazine/spirituality" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">spirituality</a> into life.And how do we do that? I can share with you the philosophy we have at Amrita University, our twofold approach to education: education for a living and education for life. Now, you guess the difference between the two. Education for a living is the kind of education that helps you earn your bread and butter, puts a roof over your head, clothes on your body, maybe a vehicle to drive. Education for life is compassion, love, kindness, and all the other qualities that guide your way of being.Amma also believes that there are two kinds of poverty. One is the lack of food, clothing, and shelter. The second is the lack of love and compassion. She says if you address the second kind of poverty first, you automatically eliminate the first kind of poverty. If you have love and compassion, you will serve those who do not have food, clothing, and shelter.We can understand this in the context of a sutra from our tradition. Sloka 659 from the Lalitha Sahasranamam talks about Devi, the divine goddess, and extols her as “Om Iccha Shakti Jnana Shakti Kriya Shakti, Swaroopiniye Namaha.” What does that mean? Simply, it can be understood in three parts-Iccha Shakti, Jnana Shakti and Kriya Shakti.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">The power of intention</h4>The first is Iccha Shakti, the power behind motivation. What makes us act? What is at the depth of our intention? It has to be motivated by compassion. There is a story from Amma’s life when she was a young girl. She was born into a fishing community. In that community, it was taboo and completely against the culture for girls to be involved with or even touch the boats that go to the sea. One day, Amma found an old lady sitting and weeping. She couldn’t get across the backwaters to prepare food for her family as the boatman was nowhere to be seen.Seeing this elderly woman in despair, alone at the water’s edge, Amma was moved to action by compassion. She picked up the long pole used to move the boat across the water, and though she had never commandeered a boat in her life, persuaded the old woman to let her take her across. They managed to reach with a lot of effort and bravery from the little girl, who had never done such a thing before. Of course she was applauded by some onlookers, but she also received a nice beating from her mother for her daring. In the end, however, it did not matter for she was not motivated by rebellion, activism, or a wish to rewrite the social norms. She was motivated by compassion.&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:75%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/spirituality_inaction2_27e1ab20fb.webp" alt="spirituality-inaction2.webp" srcset="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thumbnail_spirituality_inaction2_27e1ab20fb.webp 145w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/large_spirituality_inaction2_27e1ab20fb.webp 500w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/spirituality_inaction2_27e1ab20fb.webp 500w," sizes="100vw"></figure><h4 style="text-align:justify;">The power of knowledge</h4>The second is Jnana Shakti, the power of knowledge. What kind of knowledge am I talking about? There are two kinds of knowledge: one is scientific, factual, data-driven, while the second kind comes from compassion. It’s that empathetic knowledge of understanding the needs of people, to understand a situation below the surface, through compassion and empathy.An example happened when the 2004 tsunamis struck our ashram, and over a 100,000 people on that strip of land were dislocated. Their homes were washed away, their livelihoods destroyed. After evacuating nearly 25,000 people, the first thing Amma did was make sure there was hot chai available for everyone. Why chai? Fundamentally, it is an unspoken source of comfort, something that gives a sense of grounding. The second thing she did was to make sure that food was prepared to their taste. These were people of a fishing community, who were used to eating fish. We don’t cook fish ourselves, but the food had to match the taste of the local people. That empathizes with people’s needs. Small acts, micro-acts of kindness fueled by the knowledge that comes from an empathetic understanding of others.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">The power of action</h4>The third is Kriya Shakti, the power of action. It should be altruistic, possessing nishkam karma, as explained in the Bhagavad Gita. It is the condition in which you do not expect results from your actions. This is super critical! Have the energy to continue and carry through with your action, all the while making sure that it is not tainted by the wrong kind of motivation; compassion has no other motivation than its own.<hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">The respect and the reverence to see Divinity&nbsp; in everything will instill the self-control&nbsp; that we need to make sure all our actions are respectful,&nbsp; that they do not pollute, and that we never perpetuate&nbsp; any kind of inequality or oppression.</h4><hr><h4 style="text-align:justify;">The power of awareness</h4>One last power I want to highlight is Shraddha (awareness). Essentially, it means to be mindful of resource efficiency, and always respectful. The respect and the reverence to see Divinity in everything will instill the self-control that we need to make sure all our actions are respectful, that they do not pollute, and that we never perpetuate any kind of inequality or oppression.In a sense, it is the most fundamental value we can define within Sanatana Dharma, the value of respect and reverence.&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:75%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/spirituality_inaction3_7a16dce15e.webp" alt="spirituality-inaction3.webp" srcset="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thumbnail_spirituality_inaction3_7a16dce15e.webp 145w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/large_spirituality_inaction3_7a16dce15e.webp 500w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/spirituality_inaction3_7a16dce15e.webp 500w," sizes="100vw"></figure><hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">AI generated illustrations</h4><hr>

Spirituality in action

Bhavna is a professor at Bangkok School of Management, a writer and editor, ECA coach with Beyond Books for International Schools,&nbsp;co-leader of the Bangkok Women Writers Group, a coach with TaskHuman, Reiki Master,&nbsp;and consultant to the Advisory Board of WhatAbook Publishing House Kolkata, India.

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Bhavna Khemlani

<h4 style="text-align:justify;">BHAVNA KHEMLANI is a lecturer at the Bangkok School of Management, a wellness coach, and the co-leader of the Bangkok Women’s Writers Group. Here, Bhavna writes about her inspiring experience of cleaning up the garbage in the city that is her home.</h4>&nbsp;We are here for that glamping trip so we can pick up the pieces other people leave behind. Many people call us garbage collectors. We call ourselves “<a href="https://heartfulness.org/magazine/three-priorities-for-environmental-healing" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Environmental Poets</a>.”In a world where concrete towers overshadow nature’s whispers, we gather in a hidden grove, our words a shield against the encroaching tide of consumerism. Our verses are seeds, planted in the hearts of those who listen, hoping to spark a revolution of conscious choices.As we embark on this new government-assigned project, footsteps crunching over scattered debris, crackling plastics protest our intrusion. The clinks and clanks of metal cans and glass bottles mingle with the rustling of paper and the squelching of <a href="https://heartfulness.org/magazine/being-eco-friendly" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">organic waste</a>, creating a chorus of chaos that echoes through the beach.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/seven_of_us2_904ad9938d.webp" alt="seven-of-us2.webp" srcset="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thumbnail_seven_of_us2_904ad9938d.webp 245w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/small_seven_of_us2_904ad9938d.webp 500w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/medium_seven_of_us2_904ad9938d.webp 750w," sizes="100vw"></figure>Clink clank Clink clank Crunch crunch Crunch crunchCrow cawing, ‘AWW! AWW! AWW! AWW!’We are seven. There sure is a lot of noise. Noise of crackling plastics, breezy wind, hooting for us, and varied fabrics left behind weeping the hard works from sweatshops. We decide to take a break from collecting.The clatter of tent poles being assembled, the rustle of recycled tarps being spread out, and the boisterous banter among our group fills the air blending with the distant hum of motorboats. Volunteering to collect fallen branches for a grove bonfire, armed with trash bags, we split into teams.Later, gathered around the crackling bonfire, our faces light by its warm glow.Amidst the ancient trees, we take our pens dancing like leaves in the wind, crafting lines that flow like rivers of thought. Emotions swirl like storms within them, a tempest of concern for the Earth’s fragile balance. We write of oceans choking on plastic, of forests felled by greed, and of a planet yearning for healing.As we write, our words become a lyrical parody with similes, each comparison a thread connecting human actions to the rhythms of nature. Plastic waste is a suffocating serpent, coiling around the Earth’s throat. Deforestation is a symphony silenced; a heart-rending melody lost to the wind. While we collectors accept a new project to go to the beach and grove.We sing We cook We writeOur green boots Crunch crunch Thump thump<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/seven_of_us4_ca15d2061e.webp" alt="seven-of-us4.webp" srcset="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thumbnail_seven_of_us4_ca15d2061e.webp 122w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/small_seven_of_us4_ca15d2061e.webp 392w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/medium_seven_of_us4_ca15d2061e.webp 587w," sizes="100vw"></figure>But amidst the somber notes, a glimmer of hope emerges. Our poetry celebrates the sustaining resources that might yet be nurtured. There is the noise of emerging hope. The noise of our collective thoughts. The noise of people like us who gather to pick up what others leave behind. The noise speaks of solar panels like sunflowers, turning their faces to the light. Wind turbines, like modern-day wind chimes, and sing songs.And then, as the sun begins to dip beneath the horizon, an aroma wafts through the grove. Thai basil and lemongrass mingle in the air; a fragrant reminder of sustenance found in mindful consumption. A feast, crafted from locally sourced ingredients, awaits us.We gather around a wooden table adorned with dishes as vibrant as our verses. Pad Thai, a tangle of colors and flavors, speaks of diversity and unity. Tom Kha Gai, a harmonious blend of coconut and herbs, whispers of balance. Each bite is a pledge, a declaration of allegiance to the Earth’s well-being.We seven environmental poets travel around the country to embrace the difference between clutter, declutter, and waste. Hoarding is a new age disease, and recycling, reprogramming, and restoring is the cure for every age. Its insidious whispers slither like an anaconda in the shadows, hiss its demands for more, the gulp of possessions swallowed whole, followed by another insatiable hiss, craving yet another acquisition to satisfy its voracious appetite.Hiss hiss hiss Gulp gulp gulp Hiss hiss hiss Gulp gulp gulpBellies full and hearts alight, we return to our pens the next day, ready to take on the world with our arsenal of poetry and purpose. The grove echoes with our verses, a chorus of hope and determination. And as we write, we know that our words, like seeds, will take root in the minds of those who listen, inspiring a movement that could change the course of the little ants.The red ants and rats are very much aligned in their teamwork. They’ve had enough rations that will last a long time, so they make a lot of noise.They scurry with a synchronized frenzy, their tiny feet tapping a staccato rhythm against the wood. Each movement is accompanied by the soft rustle of leaves disturbed and the faint clicking of mandibles as they work in unison through a series of subtle chirps and continuous clicks that reverberate through the grove.Click click click Click click clickThe rats, equally industrious in their endeavors, add their own contribution to the cacophony, their gnawing and scratching creating a background melody of determination.Chomp chomp chomp— grind grind grind Chomp chomp chomp— grind grind grindThe urban jungle’s concrete embrace, a tiny oasis of green unfurls its rustling leaves. A garden, a sanctuary, where nature’s heartbeat pulses in vibrant hues. Jasmine tendrils reach for the sky like ballet dancers frozen, mid-pirouette, their fragrant breath mingling with the city’s symphony. Did we actually take a pause to understand how the cities became a suction pipe to consumerism and technology?Behind the jasmine tendrils we set to work with shovels in hand. The rhythmic clatter of metal meeting earth fills the air. Each scoop sends a shower of debris cascading down, accompanied by the dull thud of soil hitting the ground. The metal blades bite into the dirt with resolute determination, their sharp edges slicing through layers of neglect and decay. The shovels lift and deposit their loads into a waiting wheelbarrow. The sound of gloves adds a contrasting note with the soft swish of rubber. Hands clad in protective gloves work tirelessly to sift through the dirt and waste.Clatter clatter clatter Thud thud thud Swish swish swishStorytelling is different these days. We tell stories to sell more. Beneath the emerald canopy, a solitary poet sits, her heart a canvas splashed with emotions as vivid as the flowers around her. With each stroke of her pen, verses bloom like wildflowers after a summer rain, capturing the essence of a world in flux. She is an empath. One of the wonders of the world.In the midst of her poetic reverie, a tantalizing aroma diffuses through the air. Thai basil, like a secret whispered by the wind, tickles her senses again. Her stomach responds with a symphony of anticipation, the flavors of Pad Thai and Tom Kha Gai dance in her mind like characters in a play and she looks at him. The second wonder of the world, the famous chef and farmer.<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/seven_of_us5_7e8c965595.webp" alt="seven-of-us5.webp" srcset="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thumbnail_seven_of_us5_7e8c965595.webp 125w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/small_seven_of_us5_7e8c965595.webp 402w," sizes="100vw"></figure>A medium-sized food cart emerges like a mirage with screeching wheels, a burst of color against the green backdrop. The chef, a culinary artist, wields his wok like a magician’s wand, conjuring a feast that transcends mere sustenance. Flames leap, the wok sizzles, and aromas intermingle, creating a crescendo of flavors that harmonize with the poet’s verses. As the remaining five of us are watching, the empath poet wonders with compassion around the wok.As the first bite touches her lips, the very essence of the garden is captured in that morsel. The Pad Thai’s tangled noodles mirror the intertwining vines, each ingredient a note in a sensory symphony. The Tom Kha Gai, a delicate ballet of coconut and lemongrass, pirouettes on her tongue, evoking the garden’s whispers. She calls out to the teacher of gratitude. The other wonder of the world.Each of us pour forth our own essence and as we near sunset it is time to light the bonfire. So, the wonder of passion decides to take that responsibility with the wonder of care. We believe if we ignite our passion with care we can achieve so much, and it allows us to take each step at a time.As we clear the remaining garbage, we don’t let the soggy waste disturb our taste buds. We are very much in sync with the rustling banana leaves.We start to place banana leaves around the bonfire. There was some hay found so we place that as well. Then we gently place our towels around it. It is enough and quite comfortable for each of us to sit.I realize we are all here as a reminder of nature’s resilience. The wonder of love has natural flavors that paints a world alive with interconnected beauty. There is more noise to make!By now we have so many bags. Each movement elicits a sharp crinkle as the plastic materials shift and settle against one another. The rustle of paper and cardboard adds a softer undertone to the chorus, punctuated by the occasional clatter of glass. Together, these sounds create a different melody. The melody of garbage.&nbsp;<hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">Seven of us—empath, chef, compassion, gratitude, passion, care, and love plant seeds and pick up the pieces other people leave behind.</h4><hr>Crinkles, rustles, thuds Crinkles, rustles, thuds&nbsp; Clatter—clatter—clatterSeven of us—empath, chef, compassion, gratitude, passion, care, and love plant seeds and pick up the pieces other people leave behind.We garbage collectors know how to sing and write.Our glamping trip has not ended, yet.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Seven of us

<h4 style="text-align:justify;">BHAVNA KHEMLANI writes about digital detox and the constant need for stimulation. We need to unplug to destress and reconnect.</h4>The soft hum of conversation filled Bean &amp; Brew, a quaint café tucked away from the city’s relentless pace. The scent of freshly ground coffee mingled with the faint aroma of cinnamon pastries, but neither Alex nor Myna noticed. They sat at their usual corner table, bathed in the warm glow of hanging Edison bulbs where both were staring at their screens, their fingers moving with mechanical precision.Myna sighed loudly, barely looking up as she scrolled through her notifications. “I swear, if I get one more Slack message, I might actually throw my phone into that plant pot.” She gestured to a tiny monstera in the corner, its leaves stretching toward the sunlight.Alex smirked but didn’t lift his eyes from his laptop. “I feel you. I woke up to fifty-two emails this morning. On a Sunday. Who does that?”Myna scoffed. “Apparently, your company. And mine. And every overworked soul on this planet. They don’t get what weekend means. With the rise of AI, they expect us to be faster.” She leaned back, rubbing her temples. “It’s like the world just collectively decided that weekends don’t exist anymore.”Alex finally closed his laptop with a soft click, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “Honestly? I don’t even remember what an actual break feels like. Even when I take time off, I end up checking emails… you know, just in case.”Myna let out a dry laugh. “Same. My brain never stops buzzing. First thing I do in the morning? Check my phone. Last thing before bed? Check my phone. I can’t even watch a movie without scrolling through Twitter. It’s like my hands are addicted.”Alex sighed, rubbing his thumb over the edge of his coffee cup. “I read somewhere that we’re literally rewiring our brains to crave distractions. Every time we switch tasks, check notifications, scroll mindlessly; it’s all feeding this constant need for stimulation. This is getting terrible.”&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:75%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/unplugging_to_reconnect2_678f0b0a5c.webp" alt="unplugging-to-reconnect2.webp"></figure>&nbsp;Myna frowned. “That explains a lot. I can’t focus on one thing for more than a few minutes. One second I’m working on a campaign, the next I’m watching a cat video, then answering a random text, then checking an email I don’t even need to answer.”Alex let out a bitter chuckle, “And it’s messing with our <a href="https://heartfulness.org/magazine/free-yourself-from-stress" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">stress</a> levels. I wake up tired, no matter how many hours I sleep. My mind never actually rests. I tend to get stressed and not having any time for myself.”Myna studied him for a moment, a thought forming in her mind. “You ever hear of digital detoxing?”Alex raised an eyebrow. “You mean, like, deleting Instagram for a week?”“Not just that. Some people take full breaks from screens; no emails, <a href="https://heartfulness.org/magazine/when-social-media-becomes-an-obligation" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">no social media</a>, no mindless scrolling. They replace screen time with real rest. Reading, walking, writing, yoga, mindfulness…”Alex squinted. “Mindfulness? Like, meditation?”“Yeah.” Myna nodded. “Or just being present. Not thinking about a hundred things at once. Just… being. Reconnecting with nature or spending time with Nature.”Alex exhaled slowly, staring at his phone as if seeing it for the first time. “That sounds… hard.”“But also, nice, right?” Myna grinned. “Imagine actually enjoying your coffee without checking your phone. Reading a book or do some writing or even going to the park or go for a swim. Meet some friends to play sports or do Zumba or play boardgames. Just no phone or laptop or even YouTube or Netflix for some time. Perhaps have a good sleep and eat the right diet.”Alex tilted his head, considering it. “I mean… I’d probably go through withdrawals, but sure.”Myna laughed. “Come on. Let’s try it. A mini digital detox; right now. Let’s just pause longer. Like for one hour. We can take a power nap for 15 mins then get something to eat by walking to another café. It will be like having a short walk. We won’t check our phones. Just for one hour. Let’s try that.”Alex raised an eyebrow. “Like, put our phones away? No emails, no notifications?”“Yep. Just us, coffee, good food and actual conversation on travels, books or even mindfulness.”Alex hesitated. His fingers hovered over his phone, like an addict debating whether to quit cold turkey. Finally, with a deep breath, he flipped it face down on the table. “Okay. But if I start twitching, you’re responsible.”Myna smirked and did the same. “Deal.”For a moment, the silence between them felt strange, like an empty space they weren’t used to. But then something shifted.They talked. Really talked.They laughed about old college memories, debated whether pineapple belonged on pizza, shared travel stories that had nothing to do with work. They savored their coffee, ordered pizza, noticing the warmth of the cup in their hands, the rich bitterness of the espresso, the faint sweetness of cinnamon lingering in the air. Trying pizza with pineapple was joy for them. Then they closed their eyes for five minutes trying to be more in present.&nbsp;For the first time in years, they were fully present.And that one hour turned into a habit.Slowly, they started incorporating more mindful moments into their lives with morning walks without their phones, dinners without distractions, entire weekends dedicated to real-life experiences.And as they unplugged from their screens, they found themselves reconnecting with each other, with the world, and most importantly, with themselves.This way they were able to focus on their well-being and have better time management with the work life, too. &nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/unplugging_to_reconnect3_401c0f1326.webp" alt="unplugging-to-reconnect3.webp"></figure>&nbsp;

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