Ashwin is the Assistant Cultural Secretary and the Vice President of the Debate Club in his school. His passion includes chess, quizzing, and writing. He wants to study Computer Science to find elegant solutions to everyday challenges. 



Ashwin-Vinod-Kumar.jpg

Ashwin Vinod Kumar

<hr><h4>ASHWIN VINOD KUMAR is wise for a 16-year-old. With a little kindness from a loving grandpa, he managed to overcome a negative pattern that threatened to derail his success at school. How many similar challenges could we all overcome with a little help from our friends and family?</h4><hr>When we think of kindness we imagine grandiose acts of charity, or experiences of random acts of kindness with strangers. However, the simplest and most profound acts of kindness are often those we take for granted in our everyday existence.“The world is full of obvious things if one only takes the time to observe them,” said Sherlock Holmes. The world is full of kindness if we take time to observe, I say.Ever since I was 6 years old and in the 1st grade at school, I have faced difficulty with the Tamil language. I lost the top rank at my school 10 years in a row because of my grades in Tamil. My parents never had any expectation, either academic or otherwise, other than that I pass Tamil so that I could go into the next grade. So coming to the end of grade 10, my freedom was at last in sight – the last year of studying Tamil. Ten long years of struggle, an entire saga of my life, would finally draw to a close. But this was also going to be the most difficult time of my life, because the exam would be graded by the Central Board of Examiners, and who knew what destiny awaited me.I shared this most agonising secret with my grandfather one day, and he graciously offered to help me, saying that he had studied Tamil for 15 years. It was as if an angel had descended to answer my prayers; his help was exactly what I needed. But he and I lived in different cities. Thankfully, one thing the pandemic has taught us is that distance doesn’t matter.And so it began. We studied (to my dismay) every single day. He would call me at 2 p.m., just as I finished lunch, and we would study for an hour on video call. He had downloaded the textbook onto his laptop, and he read out and explained every single word, not once, not twice, perhaps fifteen times or more, until I finally understood, finally remembered, and finally expressed some confidence.I did not want to study Tamil because early on I had performed badly. Then, I continued to do worse because I did not want to study. It was a vicious cycle. Now I studied, not because I enjoyed it – I absolutely did not – but because I got caught up in my own request. I couldn’t disappoint my grandpa who called me sincerely every day at 2 p.m.I started looking forward to his calls, and enjoyed the time immensely. Forget about Tamil, I just enjoyed talking with him. He is my grandpa. We bonded. And that bond made me resent Tamil less. How could I dislike something my loving grandfather was talking about? Looking back, those 7 hours a week, and all the tales with which he regaled me so that I would enjoy Tamil, were astonishing. He shared humorous and interesting anecdotes, and in between stories of his school and university days, he showed me glimpses of how to appreciate my mother tongue, and indeed how beautiful any language can be.Well, like all good stories, this has a happy ending – I got good grades in Tamil. But that is not the end of the story, is it?This story is about the kindness of a grandfather to his grandson – not only teaching him his mother tongue, but helping him fall in love with it. This ending is about grandpa roping in grandma in all the fun, so that the grandson learns higher lessons in togetherness and bonding. This ending is about how all of us have a coping ability, immense resilience, and the human spirit, which decides to shine if we kindle it with love and joy.And the ending of the story is not what matters. The journey does. The world is full of kindnesses if we take the time to observe them. A lot of them are invisible and present in our own backyard. When we learn to see them, and sow those seeds of kindness in the world, letting them shine, the world will be as inspired as I am.<hr><hr><h4>The world is full of kindnesses if we take the time to observe them.&nbsp; A lot of them are invisible and present in our own backyard.&nbsp; When we learn to see them, and sow those seeds of kindness in the world,&nbsp; letting them shine, the world will be as inspired as I am.</h4><hr>

Invisible kindness

Dr. Parvaiz was the Vice Chancellor of Maulana Azad National Urdu University in Hyderabad, India, from 2015 to 2020, and before that was the Principal of Zakir Husain College, Delhi University. He is a science communicator with six books and many articles and book chapters to his credit. Since 1994, he has also been the founding editor of Urdu Science, a popular science and environment monthly, and heads the Islamic Foundation for Science and Environment (India), a non-profit charitable organization.



Aslam-Parvaiz.jpg

Aslam Parvaiz

<h4
 id="h-dr-aslam-parvaiz-is-a-teacher-with-a-passion-coming-from-the-islamic-tradition-he-integrates-the-wisdom-of-the-quran-with-a-scientific-attitude-toward-nature-the-environment-and-our-responsibility-as-human-beings-in-november-2020-dr-parvaiz-was-interviewed-by-elizabeth-denley-and-kambiz-ravan-from-the-heartfulness-institute"
>
 DR. ASLAM PARVAIZ
 is a teacher with a passion. Coming from the Islamic tradition, he integrates
 the wisdom of the Quran with a scientific attitude toward Nature, the
 environment, and our responsibility as human beings. In November 2020, DR.
 PARVAIZ was interviewed by
 ELIZABETH DENLEY and KAMBIZ RAVAN
 from the Heartfulness Institute.
</h4>

<hr class="vertical-space1" />


 ED: Welcome, Dr. Parvaiz. Since we first met a few years back, I have been
 touched by your passion for integrating modern scientific approaches about
 Nature and our current climate crisis with the wisdom traditions of the
 Quran and Islam. Why is this so important for you?



 <a href="AP:"
 >AP:</a
 >
 It’s not science per se, but the need to have a scientific attitude. My
 passion is for Muslims all over the world to understand the logic behind the
 practices in the Quran. Whatever is happening around the globe today in the
 name of Islam is not what is offered in the Quran, which is a book for the
 entire humanity.



 What you find there will depend on your capacity, your willingness, and your
 desire to know and internalize the teachings. While I challenge the way people
 currently practice Islam, my approach is not at all controversial, as it is
 based on the Quran.



 ED: Can you please tell us about the importance of Nature, ecology, and the
 environment in Islam?



 AP: I would start
 with the first verse of the Quran, which says that God created the Earth for
 all living beings. Second, the Quran says that if you wish to count
 the bounties of God, you will not be able to do so. Nature has gifted us all
 with countless bounties in the form of resources. Third, the Quran says that
 whatever resources are there, they are to be distributed amongst us all. All
 creatures in the Universe reflect the creativity of God. Fourth, the Quran
 defines the position of humankind as the custodians, the khalifa,
 with the role of protecting the environment and protecting the Earth’s
 resources.


<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<hr />

<h5 class="has-text-align-center">
 All creatures in the Universe reflect the creativity of God.
</h5>

<hr />

<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<div>
 <figure>
 <img
 width="600"
 height="371"
 alt=""
 class="has-img-center lazyloaded"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/Ancient_Wisdom_nature_2_2e9fc1798e.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-19T14:50:36.600Z"
 />
 </figure>
</div>

<hr class="vertical-space1" />


 Whatever resources are there in Nature move from one place to another by the
 Law of Diffusion, which tells us that things move from a region of high
 concentration to a region of low concentration. For example, when you add
 water to a bowl of dry soil through a dropper, the water will spread
 throughout the bowl. Only once the soil becomes saturated with the water will
 it start accumulating on top of the soil. The movement of air, which controls
 the temperature and the climate, uses the same process of diffusion. When air
 pressure decreases, air rushes in. The same is true of the action of gases in
 our body, in our lungs. Hemoglobin in our blood has the capacity to bond with
 carbon dioxide and with oxygen, depending upon the concentration. If more
 oxygen is there, hemoglobin picks up oxygen, whereas if more carbon dioxide is
 there, it picks up carbon dioxide. So, our capacity to breathe in oxygen and
 breathe out carbon dioxide is because of diffusion. This Law of Diffusion is
 operating everywhere in Nature.



 Similarly, the Law of Diffusion tells us how to share resources: Where there
 is a need, the resources must go. There is no need for hoarding or reserving
 things for near and dear ones for generations to come, whether it is money,
 property, food, or anything else. The planet is for all. Distribution of
 resources should be as per the need of the moment.


<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<div>
 <figure>
 <img
 width="600"
 height="400"
 alt=""
 class="has-img-center lazyloaded"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/Ancient_Wisdom_nature_3_dea73f0a29.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-19T14:53:30.361Zlazyloaded"
 />
 </figure>
</div>

<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<hr />

<h5 class="has-text-align-center">
 The planet is for all. Distribution of resources should be as per the need of the moment.
</h5>

<hr />

<hr class="vertical-space1" />


 The Quran also says to establish balance. Don’t disturb the balance of Nature.
 Don’t spread impurity, like corruption and pollution. Air pollution is an
 imbalance of gases in the atmosphere. In Islamic countries we don’t have a
 strong awareness of environmental consciousness and protection, yet it is part
 of Islam.



 The Quran talks of Ibadat, which means submission to the divine laws
 or principles. Often the word is understood as “worship” or “prayer,” which
 has then been reduced to praying five times a day, fasting for thirty days a
 year, traveling once a year to Mecca for Hajj, and giving 2.5% of
 wealth to charity as Zakat. I call this cherry picking. We have
 picked those few practices from the Quran and made them mandatory, forgetting
 all the other practices that are there, including those about the environment
 and Nature, about service, and so many other things that are designed to make
 a person a wonderful human being.



 The human-centric approach is missing. While it is wonderful to do prayer five
 times a day, is your prayer helping the poor lady who is your neighbor, who
 has nothing to feed her kids? There are so many people who are hungry, and the
 Quran tells us that giving food to a person in need is our duty.



 KR: Why is the color green associated with Islam?



 AP: For us, green
 is the symbol of peace, productivity, and tranquility. When we talk about
 peace, there are two important words: one is “Islam” and the other is
 “Iman.” Iman is usually translated as “faith,” but it also
 has the same root as the word for peace, “Aman.” The root word
 “slm” has eight meanings, one of which is “peace,” and another is
 “productivity and growth.” So, if someone says they are a Muslim, the true
 meaning is that they are a harbinger of peace. They are at peace with
 themselves, and everyone should feel peaceful with them.


<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<div>
 <figure>
 <img
 width="600"
 height="400"
 alt=""
 class="has-img-center lazyloaded"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/Ancient_Wisdom_nature_4_jpg_336089c5cc.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-19T14:55:45.625Z"
 />
 </figure>
</div>

<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<hr />

<h5 class="has-text-align-center">
 For us, green is the symbol of peace, productivity, and tranquility.
</h5>

<hr />

<hr class="vertical-space1" />


 They do not give any offense to anyone or anything, either mental or physical.



 How does Nature work? After the Industrial Revolution, with the fallout of air
 and water pollution, it dawned on us that the green trees in our neighborhoods
 are themselves a huge industry. They produce so many resources and chemicals,
 giving so many products to humanity, such as dyes and medicines, yet the
 industry inside the tree is creating all these things without pollution,
 without heat, and without noise. That is why the shift is now toward
 bioproducts, because we know that Nature’s models are better than our
 human-made models. In Nature, things are always in balance.


<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<div>
 <figure>
 <img
 width="600"
 height="400"
 alt=""
 class="has-img-center lazyload"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/Ancient_Wisdom_nature_5_7ffa99e44d.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-19T14:57:43.496Z"
 />
 </figure>
</div>

<hr class="vertical-space1" />


 Balance is important everywhere. Now, balance and justice are the same thing.
 Where there is justice, there will be balance without chaos, because things
 are at peace. In Nature, peace is prevalent because the divine laws are in
 operation. When we are in sync with Nature, we feel peace. The entire Universe
 is tuned with us, and I call this, “Swimming with the current.” The moment we
 don’t follow the natural laws, for example, when we hoard wealth, disrespect
 our spouse, are cruel to our kids, a neighbor, or workers, we feel uneasy and
 not at peace, because these things are against Nature.



 We become disturbed, then angry, frustrated, depressed, and eventually we may
 even feel suicidal. This is the sequence which arises from the internal
 situation where we are not comfortable. So being in sync with Nature is
 important, and this is what the Quran tells us.


<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<hr />

<h5 class="has-text-align-center">
 Balance is important everywhere. Now, balance and justice are the same
 thing. Where there is justice, there will be balance without chaos,
 because things are at peace. In Nature, peace is prevalent because the
 divine laws are in operation. When we are in sync with Nature, we feel
 peace.
</h5>

<hr />

<hr class="vertical-space1" />


 ED: If you were to advise young people today how to find peace, what would
 you tell them?



 AP: I would tell
 them what I have practiced and implemented myself, which is to follow the
 natural laws. For example, in the Quran it says, “We have created the children
 of Adam [meaning all human beings] to be respected.” It is a divine principle
 to respect all people. Whatever their color, religion, race, language, and
 gender, they must be respected. This is binding on all of us.


<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<div>
 <figure>
 <img
 width="600"
 height="400"
 alt=""
 class="has-img-center lazyload"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/Ancient_Wisdom_nature_6_2dd97fedad.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-19T15:04:52.322Z"
 />
 </figure>
</div>

<hr class="vertical-space1" />


 When we respect people, it means we respect their likes and dislikes, we
 respect their faith, their dress, and everything else. We have ours, but we
 have no problem with theirs being different. When we are able to do this, it
 is Ibadat. If we are respectful 24/7, it is acceptance of the divine
 laws.



 Next, the Quran tells us to speak in the best way – no foul language, no
 abuse, no taunts, no sarcasm, etc. This is again a divine principle. So, if
 someone abuses us, no matter who it is, do nothing! Our duty is to be nice.
 This is a hot topic today, just as it has always been. The Quran tells us that
 when we are in the company of people who are speaking badly, simply move away
 and join them again after they have finished. Don’t react. The human
 connection is very important, as all human beings are brothers and sisters
 coming from one source. There is no specific Islamic brotherhood. The human
 brotherhood is supreme – we must respect everyone. If we don’t respect a
 household helper, or even our spouse or partner, it doesn’t help.


<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<hr />

<h5 class="has-text-align-center">
 When we respect people, it means we respect their likes and dislikes,
 we respect their faith, their dress, and everything else. We have
 ours, but we have no problem with theirs being different. When we
 are able to do this, it is Ibadat. If we are respectful
 24/7, it is acceptance of the divine laws.
</h5>

<hr />

<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<div>
 <figure>
 <img
 width="600"
 height="286"
 alt=""
 class="has-img-center lazyload"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/Ancient_Wisdom_nature_7_bc9bbb6ec5.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-19T15:07:08.680Z"
 />
 </figure>
</div>

<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<hr />

<h5 class="has-text-align-center">
 The human connection is very important, as all human beings are brothers and sisters coming from one source.
</h5>

<hr />

<hr class="vertical-space1" />


 The Quran also tells us to accept all the revered books from all traditions,
 right from the Vedas, to the Torah and the Bible, etc., and to accept all the
 Prophets that have been sent. A few we know, thousands we don’t know. I
 believe that the Vedas were the first divine books. The wisdom is the same.
 Many of the slokas of the Vedas are exactly the same as the verses of the
 Quran. These wonders are waiting to be discovered and practiced.


<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<hr />

<h4 class="has-text-align-center">
 Interview by
 ELIZABETH DENLEY and KAMBIZ RAVAN
</h4>

<hr />

<hr class="vertical-space1" />

Ancient wisdom on nature and the climate crisis

Atul Patel has been a Heartfulness Meditation trainer for over fourteen years and has worked at Dominion IT for more than twenty years. An electronics engineer, he focuses on AI and emerging technologies and has contributed to several renewable energy and power generation projects.

atul-patel.webp

Atul Patel

<h3 style="text-align:center;">The Art of Attention From Distraction to Presence</h3><h4>ATUL PATEL shows how governing attention, intention, and attitude helps us move from distraction to presence, allowing awareness to shape our experience and action in daily life.</h4><h4 style="text-align:justify;">The Fragility of Attention</h4>Each morning brings a flood of notifications, deadlines, messages, and demands. Amidst this constant noise, the ability to focus is both rare and essential—the foundation for living with presence in a world where distraction scatters our energy as the daily norm.Attention is not just a mental skill; it is the doorway to presence. Directing our awareness helps us connect deeply with ourselves, others, and life. Attention is about choosing where to place the light of consciousness.Modern neuroscience confirms what ancient wisdom has long taught: where our attention goes, our <a href="https://heartfulness.org/magazine/infinite-layers-of-consciousness" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">energy flows</a>. Each time we focus on an object, thought, or feeling, neurons fire and pathways strengthen. Repeated attention on negative emotions reinforces those patterns, shaping habits, and even personality.When sadness or frustration arises, our attention is automatically drawn to those emotions, feeding them with energy and embedding them more deeply in memory. We feel trapped by moods, situations, and people.In my experience, Heartfulness practice has repeatedly offered me a way to break this cycle. By withdrawing attention from negativity and gently turning it toward the Source of Light in the heart, I shifted from helplessness to presence within. Transmission, a unique feature of Heartfulness, played a paramount role in this transformation, helping me move effortlessly from distraction to inner stillness. There were times when I was not even able to work on my attention. At those moments of weakness, helplessly sitting with submissive intention invoked the transmission and nudged my attention.&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/art_of_attention_2_e16f2a3604.webp" alt="art-of-attention-2.webp"></figure><hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">In my experience, Heartfulness practice has repeatedly offered me a way to break this cycle. By withdrawing attention from negativity and gently turning it toward the Source of Light in the heart, I shifted from helplessness to presence within.&nbsp;</h4><hr>&nbsp;<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Becoming a Silent Observer</h4>When we think of attention, it is important to be clear that we are cultivating TOTAL attention, including becoming aware of our non-attention. heartful awareness, cultivated by paying attention to the heart, enables total attention, which is not the same thing as concentration. In concentration, there is an exclusion, and our attention narrows. Many people mistake this narrowing for the state of <a href="https://heartfulness.org/magazine/the-neuroscience-of-meditation" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">meditation</a>. Instead, by resting our attention in the heart during meditation, we begin to witness ourselves more fully, which can mean observing the chaos and non-orderly existence within ourselves. This act of observing attentively reveals flaws, patterns, prejudices, fears, resentments, and desires. We are face-to-face with our fears. Here, intention and attitude become our allies. With a non-judgmental attitude and the intention to align with the higher aspects of our being, our awareness grows increasingly heartful and expands without limitation. Daaji, the Heartfulness guide, describes it beautifully as “a 360-degree awareness.”<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Arriving at a Meditative State</h4>Distractions, desires, and bitter experiences often pull us back, away from presence. Heartfulness Cleaning, practiced at the end of the day, removes these impressions and obstacles. When the chakras become purified, feelings of discontent, unease, and fear fade away, restoring balance.Meditation increases our capacity for experience, and cleaning enhances our capacity for observation. Together, they settle us in a higher vibratory field, opening the way for deeper transformation. Regular meditation and attentive observation, supported by transmission, lead to meditative awareness. This is the most profound benefit of Heartfulness as it takes meditation out of rooms and into daily life. Now we are LIVING meditation in daily life with a meditative state. In this meditative state, we are heartfully aware. Our efficiency increases, not because we are concentrating, but because we are fully present and focused.&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/art_of_attention_3_dff15e9def.webp" alt="art-of-attention-3.webp"></figure>&nbsp;<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Governance of Attitude</h4>Attention is not something we merely possess; it is something we govern. Each moment offers us a choice: to scatter our awareness across distractions or to gather it into presence. If we choose presence, attention becomes a soft, luminous quality of being.In Heartfulness meditation, attention leads to the heart. Here, clarity arises, silence deepens, and connection grows. By nurturing daily attention—whether during meditation, conversation, or simple actions—we begin to see life as a whole rather than as fragments. The Grand Master of Heartfulness, Ram Chandra of Fatehgarh (called “Lalaji”), suggested, “Keep vigil on the heart.” This focus gives us heartful awareness. With vigilance, we can pause, choose our response, and make decisions.&nbsp;<hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">In Heartfulness meditation, attention leads to the heart. Here, clarity arises, silence deepens, and connection grows. By nurturing daily attention—whether during meditation, conversation, or simple actions—we begin to see life as a whole rather than as fragments. &nbsp;</h4><hr>&nbsp;What helps us govern our response? How do we guide intention in the moment? What guiding principles shape our governance framework? When I face this dilemma, reading Daaji’s Users Guide to Living helps me adjust my attitude. It brings attention to heartful, loving presence and guides my intention. This framework is my guide for self-governing attention, intention, and attitude:&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/art_of_attention_4_ca093ee58d.webp" alt="art-of-attention-4.webp"></figure>&nbsp;The art of attention is the art of living consciously. It moves us from distraction to presence, from noise to stillness, and from separation to unity. Attention acts as both compass and destination. It guides us back to the heart, where true presence resides.&nbsp;

The Art of Attention

Audrey calls herself a pilgrim of life. She has had an unconventional journey, starting with her non-violence studies at UC Berkeley, where she embarked on a walking pilgrimage in Silicon Valley. She’s also known for her work on the compassion quotient, and is the co-visionary behind the iconic 6-week laddership circles of ServiceSpace. Recently, with a team of volunteers, she’s launched karunavirus.org, which is an online platform for amplifying everyday stories of courageous kindness.


Audrey-Lin-img.jpg

Audrey Lin

Kindness is key to resilience - part 1

<hr><h4>In June 2020, AUDREY LIN from ServiceSpace spoke with PURNIMA RAMAKRISHNAN about the qualities needed to live a life of kindness, and the relationship between kindness and resilience. In part 2, Audrey continues by focusing on the Compassion Quotient, the concept of leading with inner transformation, and how easy it is to integrate simple acts of kindness into everyday life.</h4><hr>AL: You can’t draw an easy and clear line of cause and effect with compassion. It’s such a distributed, ethereal thing. It’s a quality that’s there. And we don’t really have metrics to measure it, so you might not notice because it’s not something we quantify. We don’t have a system in place to account for it, so I like the idea of the Compassion Quotient.We focus so much on IQ, but what about the next generation? Will they be good neighbors? Will they be good citizens? How will they have meaningful lives and meaningful relationships? What’s the value of these things?Will they get you a job? Maybe, maybe not. But, when you’re on your deathbed, will they lead you to smile, feeling like you lived in a meaningful way and you did what you could while you were here? It’s hard to say what matters more.The Compassion Quotient is our capacity to offer ourselves, to respond with kindness again and again.Q: Thank you Audrey. That reminds me of Mark Twain’s quote, “Kindness is the language the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” Qualities like kindness, friendship, compassion and courage are the qualities that define who we are, as humans, and propel us toward what we ought to be in this world.AL: Adding on to that, I’ve heard you use the phrase “lead with inner transformation.” What does it mean? And can you share a story from your own life?It’s an interesting idea, because oftentimes we lead with impact or profit, or we’re motivated by changing some sort of structure in the world. And so inner transformation is like compassion, right? You can’t really measure it. You can’t copy and paste it, you can’t replicate it. It’s something that happens when the time is right and you’re in a space where the conditions have ripened for you to transform in a beautiful way and as a person.<hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/Kindness_Key_Resilience_part2_img_6dc9dac6fb.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-10T07:06:41.874Z" alt="Kindness-Key-Resilience-part2-2"><hr>How do you lead with that and why do you lead with that? That seems like such a personal thing. We all have those moments in our lives where we might feel like something shifted in a very deep way and we almost never tie it to anything we do for a living, or anything we do to move and shake the world. Often times we just think of it as this very personal thing that was really meaningful in our lives. But why is that not the center of what we do, and how we engage, and how we operate in the world? Why is that just a thing on the side?So, in some of the projects we are exploring, that has become the central question. Like how do we lead within our transformation? How do we design in a way that engages these values of compassion, of generosity, of kindness, and what does that look like?I think it requires a certain degree of operating from a space of emergence. And actually, it’s very relevant now during the coronavirus pandemic, because we don’t really know. There is so much uncertainty in the world. How do we design for an uncertain future?In a way, our future has always been uncertain, right? We might have a five-year plan but it gets revised every month. Or we might develop a business plan with target goals, and of course the targets always move; they are uncertain. So, why don’t we just say we don’t know what will happen, and it is an uncertain future. And we are banking on that uncertainty actually.And how do we lead from a space where we are anchored in values, and that’s all that really matters? Are you leading from a space where all the projects you do are an excuse for these values to take form in some way? So, there have been a lot of ways this has surfaced.One of our platforms is called KindSpring. It’s a website where people can read and share stories of kindness that they have done or they have received. And everyone who writes there uses an anonymous alias. There is no “Look at what I did!” The cool thing is the way this website came about. One of the volunteers was having a conversation with his cousin about the phenomenon called hazing, which happens in fraternities or sororities at university. To get into one of those social clubs you go through this period of hazing, which is organized bullying. It’s like a rite of passage. You go through ridiculous situations where you need to endure silly things and make a fool of yourself. And at the end of that “rush week,” then you’re either accepted into the club or not.So, this volunteer was talking with his cousin, who was studying in college, and it was hazing season. People were trying to get into these fraternities and sororities, so they were talking about bullying and pranks, and how usually when you’re doing a prank on someone you’re trying to make their day less convenient.What would it look like if, instead, you did a prank that made someone’s day better? They thought of a little smile card that said, “Smile, you’ve been tagged. An experiment in anonymous and kindness is the name of the game. And now you’re hit.” So, the idea is to do a random act of kindness, anonymously, and leave the card behind to invite the recipient to pass it on. You could go through a toll booth, pay for the person behind you, and leave a card there to give to that person, just to make their day a little easier. Or you might pick flowers and leave them at your neighbor’s door with a smile card. When they open the door, they see a bouquet of flowers just for them. No reason attached to it. It’s just a nice act by someone anonymously.<hr><hr><h5 style="text-align:center;">Inner transformation is like compassion, right? It’s not something you can really measure. It’s something that happens when the time is right and you’re in a space where the conditions have ripened for you to transform in a beautiful way and as a person.</h5><hr><hr>So, they thought of this idea as a way to counteract hazing, to counteract bullying. It wasn’t planned, it was just about, “How do we decrease instances of bullying?” because bullying is a big issue in schools. There is that element of, “What can we do to prevent bullying, and what can we do to decrease the incidents of bullying?” What are the statistics on it? That’s also important and very valid, but when we are talking about leading with inner transformation, it stems first from the relationship – from a cousin to his younger cousin, having an honest conversation about the dilemma he is experiencing at university of bullying and hazing. So naturally this idea just came up.<hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/Kindness_Key_Resilience_part2_3_img_67b77c3b4a.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-10T07:06:41.694Z" alt="Kindness-Key-Resilience-part2-3">&nbsp;<hr>They printed up a bunch of smile cards and started doing random acts of kindness and leaving the smile cards behind. And then they thought, “Each card is going somewhere and it’s inviting some sort of experience for someone. And there is a story behind every card that goes out. So, what if we set up a website to capture some of those stories?” They put the name of the website on the card and said, “If you want to share the story of how you received this card, or what you did with it, you can post it here.” They set up this website to capture the harvest, all the stories.And that became a portal on kindness. Typically, you’d think about the issue and how to plan and execute something to that end. In this case, it started from the relationship. It started from, “How can I help my cousin out? How can I make his day? And what might surface from that?” From there, impact naturally happened. It was focused on the transformation first. I guess that’s an example.Q: Audrey, the mainstream media tends to broadcast sensational news that capitalizes on fear, anxiety, stress, scarcity and competition, rather than collaboration. In this context, how can we create cultural dialogues around kindness? How can we allow this culture of kindness to percolate into the civilization?AL: That’s so important. We are the stories we believe in, to some extent. So much of what I see, so much of how I interpret the world, is a reflection, a mirror of what my own inner compass is in the world. So much of what’s inside me is projected outward. There are so many times where I have interpreted a situation based on my state of mind, and later on realized that I totally missed something at that time.<hr><hr><h5 style="text-align:center;">We are the stories we believe in,&nbsp;to some extent. So much of what I see,&nbsp;so much of how I interpret the world, is a reflection,&nbsp;a mirror of what my own&nbsp;inner compass is in the world. So much of what’s inside me&nbsp;is projected outward.</h5><hr><hr>We are so very much impacted by the media, by the stories and narratives we are bombarded with. This is the age of information, and especially right now, during the coronavirus, it is a virtual sphere of stories. It’s so present. How do we create a culture of kindness around that? It’s really a call for all of us to start sharing stories of the goodness we see. And not just sharing them, but seeing them.We are so primed to operate in the world, looking for our end goal. Whatever we’re looking for we start to see around us. And how do we tap into a space where we start seeing the value everywhere? Where we see the value of even an argument we have, or something that’s a setback but ends up benefiting something else.It’s a great question: How do we engage a greater culture of kindness in our media? One thing we have been doing in the last couple of months is the website called Karunavirus. “Karuna” means compassion in Sanskrit. In late March, with all the things happening around the world, it just seemed like there was so much fear, there was so much anxiety, there was so much stress because of unknowns, and everyone was sitting with all that. At the same time there was so much compassion flowing out into the world. There were so many stories of young people buying groceries for elder people. There were so many stories of people checking up on neighbors they hadn’t spoken to in years; stories of teachers delivering lunches to their students; stories of police officers forming a heart shape outside a hospital with their police cars to thank the healthcare workers.It’s been an outpouring of such goodness of the humanity that’s rising up in the world. And so we thought: How can we share that? How can we bring more awareness that people are choosing love over fear? And what happens when we do that? We start to see a new possibility and engage in different ways. How does it affect our day? How does it affect the way that we think? How does it affect the actions that we are doing? It can be really powerful.I’m not sure if I’m answering your question, but I think it’s been beautiful to see that flow. It is in our nature to want to be kind. It is in our nature to want to be compassionate. It is in our nature to want to support each other. And when that comes into our consciousness in a strong way, we start to see it everywhere. Even with coronavirus.We started the website out of feeling the need for it, and a group of over twenty volunteers came together in less than two weeks to start working on it. We get the sweetest intentions. For example, someone wrote, “I am in my 60s and I can still learn. Give me your least-fulfilled volunteer opportunity and I’ll do it.” Wow! That is such a blessing to put out in the world.<hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/Kindness_Key_Resilience_part2_4_img_104f8e26e6.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-10T07:06:41.810Z" alt="Kindness-Key-Resilience-part2-4"><hr>In today’s age, where so much of the media is focused on sensational news, headlines and topics, how do we give rise to greater sincerity and humanity? I think that’s the beautiful thing in some of the stories we see. All the celebrities, and the congressman who gave out his phone number to everyone – he made his phone number public and said, “If you feel scared, feel free to call me and I’ll listen to you and talk with you.” And there is Miss England, who was working as a doctor before she became Miss England. She said, “I’m going to hang up my crown and re-enlist as a doctor, because that is the need right now.”I think we have a culture that’s so focused on the extraordinary, the sensational, the things that are at a distance in the limelight. What about the extraordinariness of simple humanity and the simple moments of connection? It is the simple things that connect us all. I feel that it’s so important to create a culture of kindness in the stories that we tell, and I think it starts with being able to see those stories that are right in front of us, and see the beauty in them, see the gold in them.Q: So poignant. One thing which has stood out in today’s conversation is the power of being the change we wish to see in the world. So, can these small acts make a difference?AL: I invite whoever is interested to do an act of kindness during the week. It doesn’t have to be a big thing, but just not something that is in your usual routine – an extra act of kindness. And tell us how it goes. We will have a follow-up conversation to share some reflections and experiences.Q: Thank you, Audrey. Let’s see how small acts make a difference in all our lives and in the lives of the people who are the beneficiaries of this kindness.<hr>To watch the full interview visit: <a href="https://youtu.be/UTYqYntJwFI">https://youtu.be/UTYqYntJwFI</a><hr><hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">Interviewed by PURNIMA RAMAKRISHNA Illustrations by ANANYA PATEL</h4><hr>

Kindness is key to resilience - part 2

B. Rathinasabapathy is an ecologist with 37 years of experience in forest restoration, biodiversity conservation, and environmental education. He has led ecological projects across India, including the Western Ghats and urban eco-parks. His work focuses on afforestation, biodiversity monitoring, and conserving endangered species, also a recipient of the Jagannatha Rao Endowment Award in 2024, for conservation education.

B. Rathinasabapathy.png

B. Rathinasabapathy

<h4 style="text-align:justify;">B. RATHINASABAPATHY is an ecologist who works at Forests by Heartfulness at Kanha Shanti Vanam. He shares some information on the various endemic Indian species of Syzygium that belong to the myrtle family, which has a distribution from Africa and Madagascar to southern Asia through to the Pacific. The most famous species is the clove, Syzygium aromaticum, native to Indonesia, but in this article he explores the widely celebrated Jamun tree and various other species that also have medicinal benefits.</h4>&nbsp;Jamun (Syzygium cumini), also known as black plum or Indian blackberry, is a revered fruit in India, celebrated for its nutritional, medicinal, and cultural significance. Native to the Indian subcontinent, it thrives in tropical and subtropical climates and is a favorite during the monsoon season. Its sweet-tart flavor, paired with its deep purple hue, makes it a prized fruit across the country.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Diverse Jamun varieties in India</h4>India boasts a range of Jamun varieties, cultivated to suit regional climates and preferences. All Jamun in India fall under the species Syzygium cumini, but there are specific cultivars according to region, characteristics, and agricultural development, including:<ol style="list-style-type:decimal;"><li style="text-align:justify;">Rajamun: Known for its large size, deep purple skin, and small seed; widely cultivated in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. Its juicy pulp and balanced sweetness make it highly sought after.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Narendra Jamun: Developed by the Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology in Faizabad; known for its high yield and resistance to diseases. It produces large fruits with a rich flavor.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Jumbo Jamun: Produces oversized fruits with a high pulp-to-seed ratio. Popular in southern India for commercial cultivation.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Seedless Jamun: A newer variety; seedless Jamun is gaining popularity among urban growers. It offers ease of consumption and is favored for its sweetness.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Konkan Bahadoli: Native to the Konkan region; a medium-sized variety known for its intense flavor and adaptability to coastal climates.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Chhattisgarh Jamun: Wild and semi-domesticated, smaller in size but rich in antioxidants, often used in traditional medicine.</li></ol><h4 style="text-align:justify;">Health benefits</h4>Jamun is a superfood packed with nutrients. It is rich in vitamin C, iron, potassium, and dietary fiber. The fruit is renowned for its ability to regulate blood sugar levels, making it a natural remedy for diabetes. Its seed powder is used in Ayurveda to improve digestion and manage sugar metabolism. Additionally, Jamun is beneficial for <a href="https://heartfulness.org/magazine/heart-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">heart health</a>, liver function, and skin rejuvenation.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Other Syzygium species</h4>In addition to Jamun, there are other species of Syzygium endemic in India, especially the Western Ghats and Andaman Islands. They are both edible and medicinal.<ol style="list-style-type:decimal;"><li style="text-align:justify;">Syzygium cumini: Fruits treat <a href="https://heartfulness.org/magazine/from-isolation-to-solitude" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">diabetes</a>, diarrhea, and digestive issues; seeds have hypoglycemic properties.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">S.palghatense: Edible fruits, antioxidant properties.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">S.singampattiana: Endemic, fruits are edible, medicinal value under study.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">S.jambos: Rose apple used for digestive issues and inflammation.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">S.malaccense: Malay apple aids digestion and boosts immunity.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">S.zeylanicum: Antimicrobial properties; bark and leaves used medicinally.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">S.travancoricum: Endangered; fruits edible, antimicrobial use.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">S.caryophyllatum: Edible fruits, antioxidant-rich, treats infections.</li></ol>&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/rich_legacy_taste_health2_6655e3c512.webp" alt="rich-legacy-taste-health2.webp" srcset="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thumbnail_rich_legacy_taste_health2_6655e3c512.webp 234w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/small_rich_legacy_taste_health2_6655e3c512.webp 500w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/medium_rich_legacy_taste_health2_6655e3c512.webp 750w," sizes="100vw"><figcaption>Syzygium cumini</figcaption></figure>&nbsp;All these species possess rich antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties and are widely used in traditional medicine. And all the species are present at Kanha Shanti Vanam. The last two, previously endangered, were propagated through the tissue culture laboratory at the Heartfulness Tree Conservation Center, which focuses on generating, planting, and conserving rare, endangered, and medicinal plant species in diverse locations, ensuring their preservation and ecological impact.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Cultural significance</h4>Jamun is deeply connected with Lord Krishna in Indian mythology. It is believed that the dark purple color of the fruit resembles Krishna’s skin tone. According to folklore, Krishna often rested under a Jamun tree while grazing cows in Vrindavan.&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/rich_legacy_taste_health4_af7f98aabd.webp" alt="rich-legacy-taste-health4.webp" srcset="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thumbnail_rich_legacy_taste_health4_af7f98aabd.webp 126w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/small_rich_legacy_taste_health4_af7f98aabd.webp 405w," sizes="100vw"><figcaption>Syzygium singampattiana&nbsp; (Jungle guava)</figcaption></figure>&nbsp;One popular story involves Krishna climbing a Jamun tree to steal butter stored in earthen pots hanging from the branches. The playful association of Krishna with Jamun trees highlights his bond with nature and simple village life. Additionally, it is said that the tree provides shade and shelter, symbolizing Krishna’s protective and nurturing qualities.The Jamun tree holds deep spiritual significance. In Shaivism, it is considered sacred and often associated with Shiva temples, symbolizing tranquility and enlightenment. For Jains, the Jamun is revered as the site where the 9th and 13th Tirthankaras, Suvidhinath and Vimalnath, attained spiritual awakening. And the tree is connected with meditation as its serene shade fosters introspection and inner peace. The Jamun serves as a living symbol of meditation, transcendence, and union with the Divine. It is also a common feature in home gardens and community spaces, symbolizing abundance and vitality.&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/rich_legacy_taste_health3_630e387aa3.webp" alt="rich-legacy-taste-health3.webp" srcset="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thumbnail_rich_legacy_taste_health3_630e387aa3.webp 208w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/small_rich_legacy_taste_health3_630e387aa3.webp 500w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/medium_rich_legacy_taste_health3_630e387aa3.webp 750w," sizes="100vw"><figcaption>Syzygium samaragense var alba</figcaption></figure><h4 style="text-align:justify;">Challenges and opportunities</h4>Jamun cultivation faces challenges like seasonal dependency, short shelf life, and lack of organized marketing. However, growing awareness of its health benefits has increased demand for products like Jamun juice, vinegar, and seed powder, offering immense potential for agribusiness.Jamun varieties in India reflect the nation’s agricultural richness and biodiversity. From traditional orchards to modern plantations, Jamun continues to be a beloved fruit, merging health, culture, and taste in every bite. By promoting sustainable cultivation practices and value-added products, Jamun’s legacy can reach <a href="https://heartfulness.org/magazine/inspiring-and-ethical-businesses" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">global markets</a>, enhancing its importance as a truly Indian superfruit.&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/rich_legacy_taste_health6_77f694aec1.webp" alt="rich-legacy-taste-health6.webp" srcset="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thumbnail_rich_legacy_taste_health6_77f694aec1.webp 215w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/small_rich_legacy_taste_health6_77f694aec1.webp 500w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/medium_rich_legacy_taste_health6_77f694aec1.webp 750w," sizes="100vw"><figcaption>Syzygium alternifolium</figcaption></figure><figure class="image image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/rich_legacy_taste_health5_70f69fae06.webp" alt="rich-legacy-taste-health5.webp" srcset="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/thumbnail_rich_legacy_taste_health5_70f69fae06.webp 180w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/small_rich_legacy_taste_health5_70f69fae06.webp 500w,https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/medium_rich_legacy_taste_health5_70f69fae06.webp 750w," sizes="100vw"><figcaption>Syzygium caryiphyllatum (South Indian plum)</figcaption></figure>

A rich legacy of taste and health

<h4 style="text-align:justify;">B. RATHINASABAPATHY, ecologist, Forests by Heartfulness (FBH), shares a heart-warming tale about a rare rainforest tree species that has been brought back from the brink. It gives us hope that with a little bit of care and concern, other extinctions can be prevented.&nbsp;&nbsp;</h4>&nbsp;“In the depths of Tamil Nadu's rainforests lies a tree so rare that it is represented by just three known specimens—the Palani Hill Rudraksha (Elaeocarpus blascoi).”The enigmatic Elaeocarpus blascoi, commonly referred to as the Palani Hill Rudraksha, is among the rarest known plant species on Earth. With its native habitat confined to the pristine rainforests of Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, at the southern tip of India, this critically endangered tree has intrigued botanists and conservationists alike. Today, only three known adult specimens exist: two on a private estate and one in the wild.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">A glimpse into the past</h4>Discovered in the 20th century, E. blascoi quickly gained attention for its rarity and ecological significance. Its survival has since been jeopardized by <a href="https://heartfulness.org/magazine/healing-our-planet-one-seed-at-a-time-world-environment-day-2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">deforestation</a>, habitat fragmentation, and natural germination challenges. The seeds of E. blascoi often fail to thrive due to harsh environmental conditions, including soil erosion and water runoff that wash them out of the Dindigul Plain.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">A turning point: conservation initiatives</h4>In 2006, two saplings of E. blascoi, affectionately named Bob and Tanya, were planted to bolster the species’ survival. These saplings flourished, thanks to the dedicated efforts of conservationists, and symbolized the possibility of restoring the species.&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:75%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/journey_conservation_hope2_28845064eb.webp" alt="journey-conservation-hope2.webp"></figure>&nbsp;The Heartfulness Institute took a decisive step in 2022 by launching a structured conservation program for E. blascoi. Recognizing the critical need to secure its future, the program adopted tissue culture techniques to propagate the species and ensure genetic diversity.At FBH, we understand that conserving E. blascoi goes beyond preserving a rare tree species. It’s a commitment to safeguarding biodiversity and maintaining <a href="https://heartfulness.org/magazine/the-elegant-minimalist-a-morning-with-the-backwinged-stilt" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ecological balance</a>. Our multidisciplinary team has been working tirelessly to:<ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Develop propagation techniques: Tissue culture technology has emerged as a beacon of hope, allowing us to propagate E. blascoi under controlled conditions.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Create suitable habitats: By mimicking the natural rainforest <a href="https://heartfulness.org/magazine/think-ecosystem" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ecosystem</a>, we aim to provide ideal growth conditions for young saplings.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Engage the community: Awareness programs and educational initiatives are crucial for fostering a collective sense of responsibility toward conservation efforts.</li></ul><h4 style="text-align:justify;">Challenges and triumphs</h4>The journey of conserving E. blascoi is not without its challenges. The species’ natural germination rate is low, and ensuring successful transplantation requires meticulous care. Yet, each thriving sapling represents a victory for nature and humanity.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/journey_conservation_hope3_59fdb4db8a.webp" alt="journey-conservation-hope3.webp"></figure>&nbsp;In collaboration with global and local partners, we are witnessing the fruits of these efforts. The sight of birds and insects returning to habitats with E. blascoi reinforces the interconnectedness of life and the vital role this species plays in its <a href="https://heartfulness.org/magazine/a-journey-of-conservation-and-hope" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ecosystem</a>.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/journey_conservation_hope4_c395cc90eb.webp" alt="journey-conservation-hope4.webp"></figure>&nbsp;<h4 style="text-align:justify;">A call to action</h4>The story of E. blascoi is a testament to the resilience of nature and the impact of human determination. As we strive to bring this species back from the brink, we invite individuals, institutions, and governments to join hands in conserving our natural heritage.Together, we can ensure that future generations marvel at the majestic Palani Hill Rudraksha, not as a relic of the past but as a thriving testament to our collective commitment to biodiversity conservation.“The survival of Elaeocarpus blascoi is more than a conservation effort; it is a symbol of humanity’s ability to restore what we have endangered. Let us act now for the future of this majestic tree, and the world it inhabits rests in our hands.”&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/journey_conservation_hope5_4652a2d116.webp" alt="journey-conservation-hope5.webp"></figure> &nbsp;

A journey of conservation and hope

<h4 style="text-align:justify;">B. RATHINASABAPATHY, Ecologist at Forests by Heartfulness, describes the building of the Asana Mandala Garden, which blends Vedic wisdom, sacred geometry, and ecological harmony. This living Mandala offers seekers a serene space for meditation, transformation, and alignment with nature’s rhythm.</h4>The Asana Mandala Garden is a Tree Temple that embodies the profound spiritual synergy of sacred geometry and nature, integrating the square and the circle—symbols deeply rooted in the traditions of all cultures, ancient and modern. In Sanskrit philosophy, the square (chaturbhuja) represents stability, structure, and the earthly realm, while the circle (mandala) signifies wholeness, cosmic unity, and the infinite cycle of life. Their harmonious integration channels spiritual energy, aligning the five elements or pancha bhutas (earth, fire, water, air, and ether) within the temple, creating an environment conducive to meditation and <a href="https://heartfulness.org/magazine/love-in-action" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">inner transformation</a>.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">A sanctuary within Nature</h4>At Kanha Shanti Vanam, the serene headquarters of Heartfulness near Hyderabad, nature thrives in abundance. Residents and visitors alike delight in exploring its verdant landscapes. While the formal Yatra Garden and the tropical rainforests are well-loved, there are hidden gems that offer quiet reflection. One such sacred space is the Tree Temple, a unique mandala-inspired grove just beyond the nursery.At the heart of the Tree Temple lies a lotus pond, embraced by a geometric arrangement of Indian Bullet Wood trees. Four entrances, marked by pairs of standing stones, invite seekers into this tranquil sanctuary. A circumambulatory path allows you to walk in quiet contemplation, immersed in the rhythm of nature’s symmetries.<img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/sacred_confluence_nature2_023fa10e42.webp" alt="sacred-confluence-nature2.webp"><h4 style="text-align:justify;">The role of geometry in temple design</h4>Great temples arise from profound simplicity. Much like a mighty tree grows from a tiny seed, the architectural marvels of the ancient country of Bharat (India) can be traced back to a single, potent point, a bindu. (The Sanskrit “bindu” means a point, dot, or seed.) The Tree Temple was envisioned in this spirit. Unlike traditional temples that take years to be carved in stone, this living temple was brought to life as a 10-month project at the dawn of 2024.The timeless principles of Euclidean geometry guide the transition from simple forms to intricate structures. To create our Tree Temple, we followed a classical approach: beginning with an asana mandala grid of 10 x 10 squares, we carefully selected key elements that echo the sacred proportions of ancient temples. The transformation unfolded step by step, a progression that mirrors the methods of the sthapatis, the master temple builders of old.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">A living tribute to tradition</h4>While the sthapatis took their creations to extraordinary complexity, we chose a simpler more organic path. Our Tree Temple stands as a humble yet profound homage to <a href="https://heartfulness.org/magazine/patterns-of-the-infinite" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">sacred geometry</a>, inviting nature to breathe life into its form. Here, the unseen energies of the devatas or nature spirits find space to reside, blessing this sacred grove with their sublime intelligence and boundless grace. This temple in trees is not just a structure, it is an experience—a space where earth and sky meet in harmony, where silence speaks, and where the spirit finds solace in the eternal embrace of nature.&nbsp;<img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/sacred_confluence_nature3_59d481ee72.webp" alt="sacred-confluence-nature3.webp"><h4 style="text-align:justify;">The inception of the garden</h4>In December 2023, a particular area that was once a barren wasteland at Kanha Shanti Vanam evolved into a thriving wetland. First, we dug a pond at the end of the nursery area, then Dr. V. Ramakantha introduced Paul Glassop from the USA, renowned for his Tree Temple designs, who visited the pond area. Captivated by its beauty, Paul shared his insights with Dr. Ramakantha.“The Language of Geometry, a language that is loved by Hindu, Christian, Buddhist and Muslim. This geometry is a fundamental language that can help unify everyone and everything. It can reunite individuals to their own hearts, so it surely has to do with Heartfulness… What does a tree want? Water, air, soil, sunshine, and the love of humans. And if we want to give the tree a little more, we let it be part of a temple, which we call a Forest Heart. The heart has four chambers, so in our Forest Heart we also have four chambers one each in the East, North, West, and South. For a spiritual devotee to gain liberation, they must have a heart. For a forest to achieve its full purpose it must have a Forest Heart.”<hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">Designed with profound intention,&nbsp; the Asana Mandala Garden is a sanctuary of spiritual&nbsp; and ecological harmony, inviting seekers&nbsp; to immerse themselves in the sacred geometry of life,&nbsp; fostering an inner journey toward balance,&nbsp; tranquility, and connection with the universe.&nbsp;</h4><hr>And so the concept of the Asana Mandala Garden emerged. Architect Deepika Pothuraju was entrusted with demarcating the site, and her survey team was deployed for site assessment. Upon receiving clearance from the administration, the groundwork commenced, laying the foundation for a spiritually enriched landscape.<img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/sacred_confluence_nature6_b437aaed9c.webp" alt="sacred-confluence-nature6.webp"><h4 style="text-align:justify;">The design and spiritual alignment</h4>Mandala gardens are sacred spaces designed to facilitate meditation and spiritual alignment. The Asana Mandala Garden embodies this essence, structured around a central pond that draws inspiration from natural water bodies. Encircling this serene core, sacred plants such as Bullet Wood (Mimusops elengi), Sandalwood (Santalum album), and Malabar Jasmine (Jasminum malabaricum) enhance the ambiance. These species symbolize purity, devotion, and divine fragrance, fostering a deeper connection with nature and the cosmos.The sacred arrangement aligns with yogic principles, where the square represents the stability of an Asana (posture) and the circle symbolizes the continuous flow of Prana (life force energy). This unique garden serves as a space for deep contemplation, bridging the physical, spiritual, and cosmic dimensions.<img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/sacred_confluence_nature4_ca5d56e030.webp" alt="sacred-confluence-nature4.webp"><h4 style="text-align:justify;">A living mandala of spiritual awakening</h4>Guided by Dr. Ramakantha, with conceptual inputs from Paul and architect Deepika, and support from the Forests by Heartfulness team, the Asana Mandala Garden integrates ancient wisdom with modern ecological consciousness. It stands as a testament to the coexistence of spirituality and sustainability, offering seekers a living, breathing mandala.Designed with profound intention, the Asana Mandala Garden is a sanctuary of spiritual and ecological harmony, inviting seekers to immerse themselves in the sacred geometry of life, fostering an inner journey toward balance, tranquility, and connection with the universe. As this garden flourishes, it stands as a beacon of the timeless synergy between nature and the Divine, inspiring all who walk its sacred path.<img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/sacred_confluence_nature5_ad679def9d.webp" alt="sacred-confluence-nature5.webp">

A sacred confluence of nature and spirituality: Asana Mandala Garden

<h4 style="text-align:justify;">B. RATHINASABAPATHY and DR. ANANTHANENI SREENATH, Heartfulness Institute, Forests by Heartfulness.</h4><h4 style="text-align:justify;">Planting a tree is not just about placing a sapling in the soil—it’s about ensuring it thrives for generations to come. At Forests by Heartfulness (FBH), we don’t just plant trees, we cultivate soil sustainability, and long-term ecological balance. Through mindful planning and sustainable techniques, we are transforming barren landscapes into lush, thriving forests.</h4>The Science Behind Mindful PlantationOn the eve of <a href="https://heartfulness.org/magazine/healing-our-planet-one-seed-at-a-time-world-environment-day-2024" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">World Environment Day</a>, June 5, 2025, we take a moment to celebrate the remarkable transformation of Kanha Shanti Vanam in Telangana state into a thriving green oasis. Through dedicated conservation efforts, strategic plantation initiatives, and a deep commitment to ecological restoration, Kanha has blossomed into a haven of <a href="https://heartfulness.org/magazine/where-flowers-hide-the-mystery-of-the-fig" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">biodiversity</a>, setting an inspiring example of sustainable greening.Forests by Heartfulness (FBH) follows a unique plantation strategy inspired by our global guide, Daaji. Every plantation initiative is planned with deep ecological insight, ensuring not just survival but thriving growth. Our approach, called Blue, Black, and Green (BBG), is a scientifically-backed technique that optimizes plant health and soil sustainability.Before any plantation, we study the natural water flow across the landscape, especially during rainfall, to determine the most effective locations for rainwater harvesting ponds (Blue). These ponds enhance groundwater recharge and support plant hydration.A week before planting, we dig one-meter-deep pits (Black), allowing the soil to cool and become aerated.The pits are then layered with essential soil amendments, fostering a nutrient-rich environment for plant roots (Green). This method has been successfully implemented across various FBH plantations, yielding an impressive 90 to 95% plant survival rate.Just as a balanced breakfast fuels our bodies, our BBG method provides all essential ingredients for a plant’s strong and healthy growth. By sharing these best practices, we invite others to adopt this holistic approach in their own plantation efforts.The BBG Approach: A Sustainable Formula for Growth1. Blue—Rainwater Harvesting and Water ManagementStrategic rainwater harvesting ponds capture and store water during monsoons, ensuring year-round availability and reducing dependence on external water sources.<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:75%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/greening_the_future2_f32a1ddbfb.webp" alt="greening-the-future2.webp"></figure>2. Black—Soil Enrichment for Maximum Water Retention and Nutrient EnhancementWe incorporate a scientifically-balanced mix of soil conditioners to enhance fertility and moisture retention:Black Cotton Soil— Retains water effectively, preventing moisture loss and supporting deeper root absorption.Biochar— A porous, carbon-rich substance soaked in Jeevamrutham, boosting microbial activity and nutrient retention.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/greening_the_future3_f5c727b8ac.webp" alt="greening-the-future3.webp"></figure>&nbsp;Vermicompost— Organic compost derived from leaf litter and food waste, enriching soil with beneficial microbes.Gel Polymer— Helps retain moisture, reducing water stress and ensuring steady hydration for plant roots.Neem Powder— A natural remedy against harmful nematodes, ensuring strong and healthy roots.Support Stick— For the tall trees planted, we provide staking to help them withstand strong winds and prevent them from bending.3. Green—The Right Plants for a Thriving EcosystemOur plantations prioritize well-grown saplings, typically over six feet tall (depending on species), to ensure a strong start. We use a mix of mother soil and red soil for top layering, maintaining natural fertility while providing structural stability.&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/greening_the_future4_7cb66e7f81.webp" alt="greening-the-future4.webp"><figcaption>Nurturing plants with care to meet our goal of 50 million plantations, fostering a greener future.</figcaption></figure>&nbsp;Transforming LandscapesThis science-backed method has not only transformed degraded lands but has also become a replicable model for sustainable <a href="https://heartfulness.org/magazine/think-ecosystem" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">afforestation</a>. The growth and survival rates of trees planted with this approach have inspired many to embrace sustainable plantation practices.Visitors to Kanha Shanti Vanam often marvel at the thriving greenery. At the main gate, after seeing the coconut tree in the median, their curiosity is piqued—why plant a fruit-bearing tree in such a location? This leads them to realize the success of tree translocation at Kanha. As they explore the Rainforest, Yatra Garden, Mandala Garden, Agroforestry, and Pond Ecosystem, they come to understand that plantation is not just about planting and watering; it requires deep dedication and scientific care.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/greening_the_future5_ffc3b70123.webp" alt="greening-the-future5.webp"></figure>&nbsp;Most visitors experience a rejuvenating breath of fresh oxygen, the calming green landscapes, and the fragrance of diverse flowers. Their ultimate question remains: How old are these plants, and how do you maintain such an atmosphere?Our answer to all who ask is simple: First, we ensure a reliable water source and rainwater harvesting provision. Second, we use black cotton soil to retain water, reducing the need for frequent irrigation. Third, biochar enhances soil nutrients. Finally, we plant taller, well-grown saplings to ensure robust growth. This is the secret of BBG at Kanha.In alignment with the 2025 World Environment Day theme of “Ending Plastic Pollution,” Forests by Heartfulness (FBH) emphasizes sustainable practices that reduce environmental harm. Our Blue, Black, and Green (BBG) approach not only fosters thriving ecosystems but also minimizes reliance on plastic-based agricultural products. By utilizing natural soil conditioners like biochar, vermicompost, and neem powder, we eliminate the need for synthetic fertilizers often packaged in plastic. This commitment to eco-friendly methods aligns with global efforts to reduce plastic waste and promote a healthier planet.A tree planted today is a promise for tomorrow. With BBG, we ensure that every tree is nurtured with the right care, the right soil, and the right environment to flourish. The transformation we see at Kanha Shanti Vanam is a testament to this commitment. Join us in this journey of mindful afforestation—because together, we are not just growing trees; we are growing a greener future!B. Rathinasabapathy is an ecologist with 37 years of experience in forest restoration, biodiversity conservation, and environmental education. He has led ecological projects across India, including the Western Ghats and urban eco-parks. His work focuses on afforestation, biodiversity monitoring, and conserving endangered species, also a recipient of the Jagannatha Rao Endowment Award in 2024, for conservation education.&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:75%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/greening_the_future6_9e7eb18127.webp" alt="greening-the-future6.webp"></figure>&nbsp;Dr. Ananthaneni Sreenath, Conservation Scientist at FBH, specializes in rare plant conservation, afforestation, and advanced propagation techniques like tissue culture. He plays a key role in enhancing biodiversity at Kanha Shanti Vanam and other afforestation sites, advancing conservation research despite resource challenges.&nbsp;<hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">A tree planted today is a promise for tomorrow. With BBG, we ensure that every tree is nurtured with the right care, the right soil, and the right environment to flourish.</h4><hr>

Greening the future: science, care, and sustainability

<h4 style="text-align:justify;">They crawl, fly, wiggle, and buzz—but we barely notice them. Yet, without invertebrates, life on Earth would come to a standstill. As ecologist B. RATHINASABAPATHY explains, invertebrates are the unseen workforce that pollinates our crops, cleans our soil, and feeds our ecosystems. In a world where ninety-eight percent of animal species are invertebrates, can we afford to ignore their silent disappearance?</h4>When we think of wildlife conservation, majestic elephants, soaring eagles, or the elusive tiger often come to mind. Yet these iconic creatures are just a few examples of vertebrates, which make up only two percent of the animal kingdom. The remaining ninety-eight percent are invertebrates—organisms without a backbone—ranging from bees and butterflies to earthworms, ants, spiders, snails, and numerous other species. These creatures may be small and often overlooked, but they form the very foundation of life on Earth.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Why Invertebrates Matter</h4>Invertebrates play a crucial ecological role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems.<ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Pollination: Bees, butterflies, and beetles are key pollinators for a majority of our food crops and wild plants. Without them, both natural and agricultural landscapes would collapse.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Decomposition: Earthworms, termites, and flies break down organic matter, recycling nutrients and enriching the soil.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Food Web Support: Invertebrates play a crucial role in the food chain. Birds, reptiles, amphibians, and even mammals (including humans through seafood) rely on them as food.</li></ul>&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:75%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/invertebrates2_33ff418147.webp" alt="invertebrates2.webp"></figure>&nbsp;Despite their importance, invertebrate populations are facing alarming declines due to several human-induced factors:<ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Urbanization has led to the fragmentation and destruction of natural habitats, severely limiting the spaces where these species can thrive.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">The widespread use of pesticides in agriculture poses another significant threat, as these chemicals not only eliminate pests but also harm essential pollinators and other beneficial insects.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Climate change is disrupting ecosystems by altering weather patterns, which in turn affects the breeding cycles and availability of food sources for invertebrates.</li></ul><h4 style="text-align:justify;">A Call to Action</h4>It’s time we shift our focus to include these unsung heroes in our conservation efforts. Protecting invertebrates does not require massive interventions—it starts with small, meaningful actions:<ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Establish Pollinator and Butterfly Gardens: Native flowering plants attract local pollinators and provide them with the resources they need to survive.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Restore Native Habitats: Planting native trees and shrubs recreates microhabitats essential for invertebrate survival.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Conduct Biodiversity Assessments: Parks, gardens, and urban green spaces should be surveyed to understand the existing invertebrate diversity and identify threats.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Reduce Chemical Use: Encourage organic and sustainable farming and landscaping practices.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Raise Awareness: As the Heartfulness spiritual guide, Daaji, says, “Each One, Teach One and Plant One Tree.” This philosophy embodies the spirit of grassroots conservation.</li></ul>&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:75%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/invertebrates3_4305e030d8.webp" alt="invertebrates3.webp"></figure>&nbsp;<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Hope for the Future</h4>Year after year, if we continue to plant, nurture, and educate, we will begin to see the return of vibrant butterflies, buzzing bees, colorful beetles, and other invertebrates to our gardens and parks. With time, we can rebuild the invisible network that sustains life, one pollinator at a time.Invertebrate conservation is not just about saving insects—it’s about preserving the intricate web of life that sustains us all. Let us not wait until silence fills the skies where bees once buzzed. The time to act is now.Protecting invertebrates is protecting life itself. Let’s act now—plant one, teach one, save many.<hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">Invertebrate conservation is not just about saving insects— it’s about preserving the intricate web of life that sustains us all.&nbsp; Let us not wait until silence fills the skies&nbsp; where bees once buzzed. The time to act is now.&nbsp;</h4><hr>&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:75%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/invertebrates4_c46ad47b72.webp" alt="invertebrates4.webp"></figure>&nbsp;

Invertebrates: The Silent Majority in Need of Conservation

<h4 style="text-align:justify;">ECOLOGIST B. RATHINASABAPATHY connects the Indian chameleon’s way of being at Kanha Shanti Vanam to spiritual practice—cultivating harmony with place, patience, and focused awareness.</h4><h4 style="text-align:justify;">Masters of Disguise</h4>Chameleons are among nature’s most fascinating reptiles, best known for their ability to change color and blend seamlessly into their surroundings. While most chameleon species are found in Africa, particularly Madagascar, they also inhabit parts of Europe and Asia, including India and Sri Lanka. Unlike their forest-dwelling relatives, some species have evolved to thrive in extreme environments, such as the arid Namib Desert, where they have adapted to a ground-dwelling lifestyle.India is home to just one species—the Indian chameleon (Chamaeleo zeylanicus). This diurnal lizard moves slowly and relies on its exceptional camouflage to evade predators and ambush prey with precision. Beyond its biological marvels, the chameleon symbolizes patience, adaptability, and inner awareness—qualities that resonate deeply with spiritual seekers.&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:75%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/chameleon2_b64ecdddb9.webp" alt="chameleon2.webp"></figure>&nbsp;<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Chameleons at Kanha—A Symbol of Harmony</h4>At Kanha Shanti Vanam, a spiritual and ecological sanctuary dedicated to inner transformation and environmental conservation, chameleons emerge as hidden gems of the dry, thorny scrub forests. After the rainy season, young chameleons can be seen exploring their surroundings, while adults remain more elusive. When sensing danger, they crawl away cautiously before vanishing into the environment, blending perfectly with leaves and branches. Their ability to disappear in plain sight makes them one of the most intriguing reptiles found in mainland India.Just as the chameleon seamlessly adapts to its surroundings, spiritual seekers at Kanha learn to harmonize with nature, cultivating <a href="https://heartfulness.org/magazine/insight-of-the-heart-part-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">mindfulness</a> and a deep connection with the environment. Observing these elusive creatures can be a reminder of how stillness, patience, and awareness can transform one’s experience of life.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">The Perfect Arboreal Hunter</h4>Chameleons are built for life in the trees. Their long limbs and specialized zygodactylous feet—two toes facing forward and two backward—allow for a firm grip on branches. Their prehensile tails further aid in balance and stability. When moving, chameleons perform a distinctive swaying motion, rocking back and forth to mimic the movement of leaves in the wind. This slow, deliberate gait helps them avoid detection by both predators and prey, mirroring the grace and discipline of a <a href="https://heartfulness.org/magazine/emotional-wisdom" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">meditative practice</a>.&nbsp;<hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">Observing these elusive creatures can be a reminder of how stillness, patience, and awareness can transform&nbsp; one’s experience of life.</h4><hr>&nbsp;<h4 style="text-align:justify;">A Deadly Precision Strike</h4>Despite their sluggish movement, chameleons are highly efficient hunters, thanks to their astonishingly fast, projectile-like tongues. The chameleon’s tongue can extend up to 1.5 times its body length, launching at an acceleration comparable to a car going from zero to sixty km/h in a split second. This remarkable feat is powered by an accelerator muscle, which catapults the tongue forward, and a retractor muscle, which swiftly pulls it back with captured prey.Adding to this efficiency is the chameleon’s incredibly sticky saliva, nearly a thousand times more viscous than human saliva, ensuring that even the fastest of insects—such as grasshoppers, butterflies, and dragonflies—have little chance of escape.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">360-Degree Vision for the Ultimate Predator</h4>Chameleons have another extraordinary advantage—their independently rotating eyes. They can scan their surroundings in two different directions at once, covering nearly 360 degrees. However, when locking onto prey, both eyes align to provide precise depth perception, allowing for an accurate tongue strike. Rarely does a chameleon miss its mark, making it one of the most formidable insect hunters in the reptile kingdom.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Nature’s Living Marvel—A Spiritual Perspective</h4>Chameleons are a testament to nature’s ingenuity, blending remarkable adaptations of camouflage, vision, and hunting precision into a single species. Whether swaying gently in the trees or unleashing their lightning-fast tongues, these reptiles continue to captivate and inspire those fortunate enough to encounter them in the wild.At Kanha Shanti Vanam, where conservation and spirituality merge, the presence of chameleons is a reminder of nature’s delicate balance and resilience. They teach us the art of adaptability, patience, and focused attention—qualities essential not only in the animal kingdom but also on the path of self-discovery. As seekers learn to attune themselves to nature’s rhythm, the chameleon serves as an emblem of mindful living, seamlessly blending into its surroundings while maintaining an unwavering inner purpose.&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:75%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/chameleon3_3b7f18368c.webp" alt="chameleon3.webp"></figure>&nbsp;

A Lightning-fast Tongue and the Art of Camouflage

<h4>BHUVARAGASAMY RATHINASABAPATHY and ANANTHANENI SREENATH explore the hidden world of Ficus—keystone trees whose secret blooms, faithful wasps, and unwavering generosity sustain Kanha’s forests through every season.</h4>&nbsp;<hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">Ficus—silent architects of forest life,&nbsp; feeding the forest when times are scarce.</h4><hr>&nbsp;<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Ficus—The Keystone of Forest Life</h4>At Kanha Shanti Vanam, 24 species of fig trees (Ficus spp.) thrive, forming the backbone of the forest ecosystem. Often called keystone species, figs provide food and shelter to a wide range of fauna—from birds, bats, and butterflies to monkeys and insects. Their unique year-round fruiting ensures a continuous food supply, sustaining wildlife even during scarce seasons. By nurturing this diversity, the Ficus trees play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance and enriching Kanha’s <a href="https://heartfulness.org/magazine/greening-the-future-science-care-and-sustainability" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">biodiversity</a>.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Why Do Fig Trees Fruit in Pre-Summer?</h4>When the land begins to dry, the figs start to feed. They fruit precisely when scarcity peaks, ensuring no life is left unfed. The summer heat accelerates fruit ripening and dispersal, while the sacred fig wasps emerge exactly on cue. Soon after, the monsoon arrives—and the forest is reborn.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">A Bloom the World Cannot See</h4>Figs never show their flowers. They bloom inward, hidden within the syconium—a secret universe of hundreds of microscopic flowers. Only one being may enter: a fig wasp, born for this one sacred act.This is one of evolution’s most intimate relationships: one fig and one wasp, forever bound.&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:75%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/mystery_of_fig2_58246ae75e.webp" alt="mystery-of-fig2.webp"><figcaption>Photo: Within the fig lies a silent universe—flowers blossoming inwards, tiny fruits forming in darkness, visited by a wasp through one sacred opening.</figcaption></figure>&nbsp;<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Fig-Wasp Mutualism: A Perfect Partnership</h4>Each species of fig tree at Kanha has its own unique pollinator wasp, ensuring precise and effective pollination. Here’s how the cycle unfolds:<ul><li>Entry Through the Ostiole: A female fig wasp enters the syconium through a small opening called the ostiole, carrying pollen from another fig tree.</li><li>Pollination and Egg-Laying: While depositing eggs inside certain flowers, the wasp inadvertently pollinates others.</li><li>New Generation Emerges: The next generation of wasps matures within the fig, males emerging first to mate with the females before they exit, carrying pollen to another fig tree to repeat the cycle.</li><li>Seed Development: Flowers that wasps do not use develop into seeds, ensuring the propagation of fig trees.</li></ul>&nbsp;<hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">Fig trees prepare the feast before&nbsp; the forest knows it needs one.</h4><hr>&nbsp;<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Fig Highlights from Kanha</h4><ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Banyan (Ficus benghalensis): a cathedral-like canopy, feeding parakeets, orioles, squirrels, and bats.&nbsp;</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Peepal (F. religiosa): ever-fruiting, oxygen-giving, revered across faiths.&nbsp;</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Cluster Fig (F. racemosa): trunk-fruiting miracle of streamside forests.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Indian Bat Fig (F. amplissima): beloved by fruit bats, perfect rewilding pioneer.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Elephant Ear Fig (F. auriculata): among the tastiest figs—with leaves large enough to shelter dreams.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Krishna Fig (F. krishnae): sacred, mythic, with butter-cupped leaves of legend.</li></ul>Most fig fruits are edible, nourishing wildlife and humankind alike. People also value figs for their taste and health benefits. They can be sweet or tangy and are eaten fresh or dried in many dishes. Species like the Common Fig (Ficus carica), Peepal (Ficus religiosa), and Banyan (Ficus benghalensis) all produce useful fruits. Because of their wide variety, fig trees feed both people and wildlife, making them a vital part of tropical and subtropical forests.&nbsp;<hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">Sit beneath a fig tree. Do nothing.&nbsp; Say nothing. Feel the forest breathing through you— in light, in stillness, in love.</h4><hr>&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/mystery_of_fig3_2067e4c550.webp" alt="mystery-of-fig3.webp"></figure>&nbsp;<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Seeds That Travel Beyond Imagination</h4>Birds. Bats. Monkeys. They carry figs, and with them, they support forests. That is why fig saplings are found on temple walls, ruined forts, and forgotten shrines. Where humans abandon, figs begin again.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Sacred, healing, timeless</h4><ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Bodhi Tree: Awakening of the Buddha.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Peepal: <a href="https://heartfulness.org/magazine/how-to-meditate" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Meditation</a> sanctum of the Rishis.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Banyan: Symbol of eternal life.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Krishna Buttercup: Essence of Krishna’s Grace.</li></ul>The Ficus is honored in Ayurveda and folklore, and revered as a symbol of stillness. Many meditators report feeling a living peace while sitting beneath its branches.&nbsp;

Where Flowers Hide: The Mystery Of The Fig

<h4>Ecologist B. RATHINASABAPATHY reflects on how a humble grass carries stories of suffering, sustenance, beauty, and devotion.</h4><h4 style="text-align:justify;">The Bead That Remembers</h4>Among grasses that carpet our planet, Job’s Tears (Coix lacryma-jobi) stands out for producing perfectly formed, pearl-like beads that resemble tears. Named after the biblical figure Job, known for deep suffering and unwavering faith, the plant’s scientific name refers to the lacrimal glands of the eye—the producers of tears.Across cultures and continents, these tear-shaped beads—known as David’s Tears, Mary’s Tears, Christ’s Tears, and simply Tear Drops—symbolize the same universal truth: that sorrow can be transformed into strength, beauty, and devotion.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">A Grain That Nourishes the Body</h4>Native to tropical Asia, Job’s Tears has been part of <a href="https://heartfulness.org/magazine/salt-a-culinary-staple-with-a-rich-history-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">traditional diets</a> for centuries. Known also as Adlay or Adlai, its grains sustained communities long before the rise of commercial cereals.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">History Rooted in Simplicity</h4>Agnes Arber, in her classic work The Gramineae, records that a Chinese general introduced the grain to China in the 1st century A.D. He brought back cartloads after discovering its popularity in Tongking. Farmers in Java, Celebes, and the Far East cultivated it on the margins of rice fields.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">A Versatile and Nutritious Food</h4>Several soft-shelled cultivars exist. These are prized for their sweet, <a href="https://heartfulness.org/magazine/4-ideas-for-healthy-eating-in-the-new-year" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">high-protein</a> kernels. Across Asia, Job’s Tears is:<ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Boiled like rice</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Parched or roasted</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Ground into flour and baked into bread</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Cooked into soups and porridges</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Brewed into traditional beverages—zhu in India and Ma-Yuen in Japan</li></ul>This humble grass demonstrates its value by feeding the poor, sustaining culture, and showing that nature often conceals abundance in simple forms.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Nature’s Perfect Bead</h4>If Job’s Tears nourishes the body, it also nourishes art. People around the world, in places such as Central America, Africa, and Southeast Asia, use these dried beads to create necklaces, rosaries, bracelets, and other traditional ornaments.What truly defines the beauty of Job’s Tears is its natural design for craftsmanship. Unlike almost any other seed, they possess a natural hole through their center. This biological hollow makes them incredibly easy to string into ornamental pieces without drilling or complex tools.They are naturally polished and perfectly perforated by nature. Their coolness and gentle sheen seem to say, “Beauty need not be manufactured.” While the natural white beads can be dyed into bright colors, the original pearl-grey remains most beloved. Often, the best art grows by the wayside, prepared by nature for the artisan’s hand.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Job’s Tears in Music: The Rhythm of the Earth</h4>One of the most striking uses of the beads is found in African shaker gourds.Hundreds of beads are woven into a loose net over a hollow gourd. When played, the beads hit the gourd in a cascade of earthy, ancient, and living sound. It is music born of seeds, an expression of the world’s natural heartbeat.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Tears as Symbols of Devotion</h4>The tear-shaped bead naturally draws spiritual associations. In many cultures, Job’s Tears becomes an object of prayer, reflection, and meditation.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/tears_become_prayer_3_31116db520.webp" alt="tears-become-prayer-3.webp"></figure>&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:75%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/tears_become_prayer_2_dde6e10a5f.webp" alt="tears-become-prayer-2.webp"></figure>&nbsp;<hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">The tear-shaped bead naturally draws spiritual associations.&nbsp; In many cultures, Job’s Tears becomes an object&nbsp; of prayer, reflection, and meditation.</h4><hr><h4 style="text-align:justify;">A Bridge to Contemplation</h4>The shape of a tear invites introspection. It reflects:<ul><li style="text-align:justify;">The suffering we encounter</li><li style="text-align:justify;">The compassion we cultivate</li><li style="text-align:justify;">The grace that guides us beyond sorrow</li></ul>Each bead on a rosary marks a sacred moment of remembrance. The beads of Job’s Tears show the rhythm of human experience—joy, pain, surrender, and transcendence.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/tears_become_prayer_4_75e0fc0350.webp" alt="tears-become-prayer-4.webp"></figure>&nbsp;<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Mother Teresa: A Living Rosary</h4>The contemplative style of a rosary finds its spiritual parallel in Mother Teresa’s life.In the Roman Catholic tradition, the rosary is prayed in reflection of three divine mysteries: the Joyful, the Sorrowful, and the Glorious. Mother Teresa’s life beautifully embodied all three. Her serene smile held the joy that grows from service.Her deeply lined face and contemplative eyes bore the sorrow of having witnessed immense human suffering. Her folded hands, entwined with the rosary, surrendered the glorious to a realm beyond human grasp.Like the beads she held, Mother Teresa turned every tear into compassion and every sorrow into light.&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/tears_become_prayer_5_4f8362c1a5.webp" alt="tears-become-prayer-5.webp"></figure>&nbsp;<h4 style="text-align:justify;">A Spiritual Reflection for Heartfulness</h4>In Heartfulness, we speak often of purity, simplicity, and inner surrender.Job’s Tears symbolizes exactly that.<ul><li style="text-align:justify;">Purity—in its naturally polished, unaltered bead.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Simplicity—in its humble presence as a grass that nourishes both body and spirit.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Surrender—in its tear-like shape that carries pain into the realm of prayer.</li></ul>Just as Mother Teresa used her rosary to align the heart with the Divine, Job’s Tears reminds us that nature provides tangible tools for contemplation. Every bead—whether as a necklace, rosary, or seed ornament—becomes a small universe of remembrance, grace, and gratitude.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Tears That Become Light</h4>Job’s Tears teaches a profound lesson:What starts as a tear can become nourishment, beauty, rhythm, and prayer.From Asia’s rice fields to prayerful hands’ rosaries, from the music of African gourds to Mother Teresa’s silent strength, these humble beads teach that transformation is key in both nature and spiritual life.A tear is not an end. Rather, it is often a beginning—a symbol of hope and transformation, and a renewal in nature, devotion, and the human heart.&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/tears_become_prayer_7_4f0017be62.webp" alt="tears-become-prayer-7.webp"></figure>&nbsp;<hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">&nbsp;Every bead—whether as a necklace, rosary, or seed ornament— becomes a small universe of remembrance, grace, and gratitude.</h4><hr>

Tears That Become Prayer

<h4>B. RATHINASABAPATHY draws us into a living landscape where birds, butterflies, and moths become gentle guides to attentiveness, balance, and a more intimate relationship with nature.</h4>In nature, even a pair of fragile wings carries a message—color to inspire us, and camouflage to protect life’s quiet miracles.As the New Year 2026 dawns, Kanha awakens in a symphony of color, song, and silent wings. Nearly 200 species of our winged friends—including ninety birds, seventy butterflies, and forty moths—call this campus home, each with its own rhythm and grace. From the bright melodies of day to the quiet guardians of night, Kanha’s winged world reflects nature’s perfect balance. They invite us to pause, observe, and welcome a year filled with awareness, harmony, and wonder.At dawn, when the first shaft of sunlight touches the earth, the day begins not just with light, but with song—the sweet, liquid notes of the koel drifting through the still air.A moment later, the bold call of the peacock rises like a trumpet of awakening, echoing across trees and open spaces. Together, they open the curtain of morning, inviting the world to breathe, listen, and come alive. And then, from a flower touched by the sun’s first gold, a spark of color lifts—a butterfly beginning its graceful day’s journey.As dusk settles and soft lamps glow, their nighttime companion emerges: the moth, stepping gently from the shadows, wrapped in the magic of perfect camouflage. Between them, day and night share a silent dialogue of color, sound, and stillness—reminding us that nature speaks in subtle shades, not in noise.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/nature_winged_messengers_2_2737f53e60.webp" alt="nature-winged-messengers-2.webp"><figcaption>The Baya Weaver at Kanha—crafting its hanging home with threads of different leaves, patience, and pure artistry.</figcaption></figure>&nbsp;<h4 style="text-align:justify;">The Poetry of Transformation</h4>Every butterfly, moth, and bird carries a story of wonder. For butterflies and moths, it is the miracle of metamorphosis—an egg becoming a caterpillar, a caterpillar surrendering into a cocoon, and from that stillness, emerging as a winged being of effortless beauty. For birds, transformation takes the form of learning to fly—from the trembling first flutter of a fledgling to the confident arcs of adults tracing patterns across the sky. Their journeys mirror our own inner evolution toward lightness, clarity, and higher consciousness.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">More Than Beauty: An Ecological Gift</h4>Butterflies, with their vibrant colors, silently pollinate our gardens and forests. Moths—understated yet essential—continue pollinating long after sunset, becoming a vital food source for birds, bats, and countless small creatures. Birds, in turn, maintain the balance of <a href="https://heartfulness.org/magazine/regenerationregenerative-business" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ecosystems</a>: bee-eaters controlling insect swarms, bulbuls and barbets dispersing seeds, kingfishers shaping pond life, and owls guarding the night. Together, these beings weave the invisible threads that keep nature alive.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Moths: The Quiet Masters of Camouflage</h4>If butterflies celebrate color, moths celebrate stillness. Their earthy browns and greys let them vanish into bark, leaves, and shadows—a lesson in humility and adaptation. Yet under gentle light, their patterns open like secrets: intricate lines, silken textures, and wings broader than a human hand in some tropical giants. Beauty, they remind us, need not be loud.&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:75%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/nature_winged_messengers_5_17748a8a71.webp" alt="nature-winged-messengers-5.webp"><figcaption>Oleander hawk–moth</figcaption></figure>&nbsp;<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Birds: The Voices and Soul of the Landscape</h4>Birds bring movement to the canopy and music to the air. The koel’s melody, the peacock’s call, the soft chatter of tailorbirds, the rhythmic drumming of woodpeckers, and the comforting coos of doves give the landscape a heartbeat. Some, like sunbirds, share the butterflies’ work—sipping nectar and carrying pollen. Others, like flycatchers and drongos, help maintain the insect balance, keeping forests healthy.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Welcoming Them into Our Gardens</h4>A butterfly-and bird-friendly space is a sanctuary of life. Plant nectar blooms like Eranthemum, Ixora, Clerodendrum, and other wildflowers. Grow host plants such as curry leaves for Common Mormons. Add fruiting species for birds: Fig, Guava, Mulberry, Carissa, and Indian cherry.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/nature_winged_messengers_3_b1ff8cc4f7.webp" alt="nature-winged-messengers-3.webp"><figcaption>Small green bee–eater</figcaption></figure>&nbsp;<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Symbols of Lightness and Inner Freedom</h4>Across cultures, butterflies symbolize the soul’s freedom. Birds symbolize aspiration, vision, and spiritual ascent. Moths symbolize trust in the unseen—the ability to move through darkness with quiet confidence. Together, they teach us to live lightly, surrender gently, and embrace change with grace.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">The Final Whisper</h4>Brilliant like butterflies or subtly toned like moths, these winged messengers teach us: Nature’s use of color to express and camouflage to protect is essential for survival, balance, and beauty.As we nurture these delicate lives, we cultivate a deeper connection to <a href="https://heartfulness.org/magazine/herbal-tooth-powders" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">nature’s wisdom</a>—a reminder that transformation, like a moth’s silent flight, happens softly but surely.Thanks to planned water-body restoration and the steady growth of vegetation cover, Kanha has become a welcoming refuge for countless winged friends. Their indispensable roles in seed dispersal and pollination—tasks no other beings can truly replace—continue to enrich the landscape. In the coming years, this sanctuary will flourish even further, evolving into a paradise for birds, butterflies, and moths, as seen in the finest forests and sanctuaries. Kanha stands as a living example of how thoughtful care can restore nature’s balance and beauty.Butterflies survive through visibility; moths through concealment. Together, they remind us that nature thrives in balance—knowing when to shine and when to withdraw.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/nature_winged_messengers_4_9e579f3eaf.webp" alt="nature-winged-messengers-4.webp"><figcaption>Striped tiger butterfly</figcaption></figure>&nbsp;

Nature’s Winged Messengers

<h4>B. RATHINASABAPATHY and ANANTHENNI SREENATH explore the banana plant's remarkable range—from its sacred role in Indian tradition to its diverse varieties and sustainable uses—revealing how every part of this humble plant embodies ecological harmony and natural abundance.</h4>Packed with energy, rich in nutrients, and naturally delicious, bananas are a widely valued and versatile food. From bustling local markets to supermarket shelves, this humble yellow fruit is loved across the world. Whether eaten fresh, blended into smoothies, or used in desserts, bananas are a rich source of potassium, fiber, and essential vitamins. In India, bananas are more than just a fruit; they are deeply tied to the nation’s culture, spirituality, and traditions. India is one of the largest banana producers globally, growing hundreds of varieties, each unique in flavor and use. From temple offerings to ayurvedic healing, the banana plant stands as a symbol of prosperity and divinity.Sacred in Hindu tradition, the banana plant represents auspiciousness, fertility, and abundance. Its leaves and fruits are used in weddings, festivals, and rituals to invite blessings. Bananas are also offered to deities like Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi as symbols of devotion and purity.In Ayurveda, bananas are valued for their nourishing and balancing properties. Eaten during fasting, they provide energy and aid digestion. They are also associated with practices that support digestion and balance within the body.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Diverse Banana Varieties and Their Cultural Significance in India</h4>The banana plant is an exceptional example of sustainability, as every part of it is useful. Eating food served on <a href="https://heartfulness.org/magazine/seven-of-us" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">banana leaves</a>, a practice common across India and Southeast Asia, embodies ecological and spiritual harmony. The leaves are naturally waterproof and non-porous, easy to clean, and resistant to bacteria and other harmful microorganisms, making them among the cleanest natural plates available. Unlike plastic or metal, banana leaves do not leach harmful chemicals when in contact with hot food. After use, they decompose quickly, enriching the soil with organic nutrients and offering a biodegradable, eco-friendly alternative to disposable tableware.The stem, another valuable part of the plant, is consumed as a fiber-rich vegetable known for its detoxifying properties; its extract is traditionally used to help reduce the risk of kidney stones. The flower, used in curries and stir-fries, is packed with medicinal benefits, while the peel is often fed to cattle or composted, contributing to soil health.&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:75%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/peel_eat_repeat_bananna2_5baf36b9d0.webp" alt="peel-eat-repeat-bananna2.webp"></figure>&nbsp;<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Heartfulness and Sustainable Banana Cultivation</h4>At the Heartfulness Institute, sustainable <a href="https://heartfulness.org/magazine/sustaining-the-soul-nurturing-the-earth" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">agriculture and biodiversity</a> conservation are core values. Integrating banana plantations into agroforestry systems enhances soil fertility, supports carbon sequestration, and provides nutrient-rich food for surrounding communities. Within spiritual gardens and meditation spaces, banana plants add natural beauty and serenity while offering cooling shade.Beyond their agricultural value, bananas symbolize purity, prosperity, and spiritual abundance. In Hindu and Buddhist traditions, banana leaves represent auspiciousness and are used in rituals, weddings, and festive feasts as offerings to the Divine. Serving food on banana leaves during ceremonies signifies respect and sanctity.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Grand Nine (G9) Variety</h4>The Grand Nine, or G9, is the most widely cultivated banana variety in India and a major export crop. Known for its large size, sweet flavor, and long shelf life, it is grown extensively across Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat. This variety has transformed the banana industry through its high yield and commercial value.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Poovan Variety</h4>Poovan is cherished across South India, especially in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, where it features in traditional sweets and religious offerings. It has a slightly sour-sweet flavor and a firm texture, making it both distinctive and versatile in culinary use.&nbsp;<hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">Eating food served on banana leaves, a practice common across India and Southeast Asia,&nbsp; embodies ecological and spiritual harmony.</h4><hr>&nbsp;<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Nendran Variety</h4>Often hailed as the “King of Kerala,” the Nendran variety is known for its versatility, particularly in banana chips and steamed preparations. Rich in beta-carotene and fiber, it can be consumed both raw and ripe.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Rasthali Variety (Silk Banana)</h4>Renowned for its silky texture and distinctive aroma, the Rasthali variety is widely used in sweets, milk-based dishes, and baby food. Its soft consistency and rich flavor make it especially prized in southern regions.&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:75%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/peel_eat_repeat_bananna3_af4dc3d38f.webp" alt="peel-eat-repeat-bananna3.webp"></figure>&nbsp;<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Monthan Variety</h4>Monthan is a starchy banana variety commonly used as a vegetable in South Indian cuisine. It is valued for its fiber content and its role in traditional dietary practices.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Lal Kela Variety (Red Banana)</h4>The Lal Kela variety, grown mainly in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka, is known for its reddish-purple skin and creamy sweetness. It is rich in <a href="https://heartfulness.org/magazine/wheatgrass-juice" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">antioxidants</a>, vitamin C, and iron.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Mysore Banana Variety</h4>Small but widely consumed, the Mysore Banana variety is found across Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. It contains high natural sugars and is often eaten as a convenient source of energy.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Karpooravalli Variety</h4>A well-known South Indian variety, Karpooravalli is valued for its aroma and traditional medicinal use, particularly for addressing colds and digestive issues.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">More Than a Fruit</h4>As we move toward a sustainable future, the banana plant serves as a reminder of nature’s generosity and wisdom. From nourishing the body to its role in cultural and spiritual traditions, this humble plant reflects a way of living that values balance, continuity, and thoughtful use of natural resources.&nbsp;<hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">From nourishing the body to enriching the soul,&nbsp; from sacred traditions to modern eco-conscious practices,&nbsp; this humble plant embodies the ideals of harmony,&nbsp; resilience, and abundance, values that beautifully align with&nbsp; the Heartfulness way&nbsp;of life. &nbsp;</h4><hr>&nbsp;&nbsp;

Peel, Eat, Repeat!

<h4>B. RATHINASABAPATHY shows how owls embody conscious living at Kanha Shanti Vanam, serving as silent nocturnal guardians whose precise hunting, cultural symbolism, and ecological balance invite a deeper reverence for coexistence with the natural world.</h4>We may walk the forest by day, but its safety is secured by those who rule the night—the silent hunters whose presence keeps Kanha in harmony.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Silent Keepers of the Forest and Grain</h4>In the quiet hours, when the world retreats into sleep, another realm awakens. At Kanha Shanti Vanam, the presence of owls is both subtle and sacred. They do not announce themselves; they remain largely unseen, yet unmistakable. Barn owls, spotted owlets, and forest-dwelling scops owls have made Kanha their sanctuary, helping maintain the balance between cultivation and wilderness.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">The Night Belongs to the Listener</h4>At Kanha Shanti Vanam, the night is not a place of absence; it is a realm of heightened awareness. While the human world withdraws, the forest inhales. Beneath the moonlight, the barn owl sails low over the fields, wings moving without sound. The spotted owlet perches on ancient ficus branches, alert and curious, watching the slightest flicker of movement on the ground. In the deeper wooded patches, the mottled wood owl—a master of camouflage—becomes almost indistinguishable from the bark it rests upon, embodying stillness itself.To encounter an owl is to enter a world where vision extends beyond sight—guided by precision and instinct. Unlike daytime hunters who chase, owls simply wait. They do not waste energy; they do not pursue unless accuracy is guaranteed. This ecological discipline makes them among nature’s most efficient hunters—and one of humanity’s quietest allies.Silence itself can be a form of protection. The owl does not need to announce its presence to serve.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Ecological Guardians: A Silent Service to Humanity</h4>Long before the term “pest management” entered human language, owls had already mastered it. A single barn owl family can consume more than 1,500 rats in a year, protecting grain fields and food stores without human intervention. At Kanha, where large swathes of agricultural lands surround the forest, owls play a decisive role in keeping rodent populations naturally under control, reducing the need for harmful chemical poisons.&nbsp;<hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">Unlike daytime hunters who chase, owls simply wait. They do not waste energy; they do not engage in pursuit unless accuracy is guaranteed. This ecological discipline makes them among nature’s most efficient hunters—and one of humanity’s quietest allies.</h4><hr>&nbsp;Modern pesticide use disrupts ecological balance, killing snakes, frogs, lizards, and even birds of prey, while owls offer a completely natural, regenerative solution.&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/eco_guardians2_51b2d9b890.webp" alt="eco-guardians2.webp"><figcaption>Barn owl Photo: Aditya Varma&nbsp;</figcaption></figure>&nbsp;They are living proof that nature’s intelligence precedes human invention. Their impact is not merely biological. It is economic, ecological, and profoundly ethical.Yet despite this silent service, owls are often misunderstood. Villages across India still associate them with ill omen, while in truth, they are protectors of food, homes, and harvest.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Myths, Mysticism, and the Cultural Memory of Owls</h4>Across civilizations, the owl has carried meaning beyond its physical form. In Greek tradition, the owl is the symbol of Athena, the goddess of wisdom and strategy. In Japanese culture, it is considered a harbinger of good fortune. In many Native American traditions, it is seen as the keeper of ancestral memory, a bridge between seen and unseen worlds.India, however, carries both reverence and fear toward this night guardian. In the Tantra and Shakta traditions, the barn owl is the vahana [vehicle] of the goddess Lakshmi, representing the one who sees value in darkness—prosperity born of deep insight. Yet folk superstition has sadly recast this sacred symbol as a symbol of perceived misfortune, a profound misunderstanding born of the separation between fear and wisdom.&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:75%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/eco_guardians3_e507fcfd74.webp" alt="eco-guardians3.webp"><figcaption>Mottled wood owl Photo: J. Saravanan</figcaption></figure>&nbsp;The Jain tradition honors the dawn listener, the one who awakens before the world and knows what others cannot perceive. The owl, in that sense, becomes not a creature of night, but a herald of inner awakening.A Call to Reverence and CoexistenceTo protect owls is to protect the intelligence of the night. At Kanha Shanti Vanam, where ecology and spirituality meet, their presence is essential. They remind us that not every form of service is visible. If we learn from the owl, we begin to understand that true guardianship is silent, subtle, and unwavering. It does not seek recognition, but only balance.As the world races toward noise, the owl remains a symbol of deep listening—the wisdom to act without aggression, to protect without proclamation. May we offer them safe skies, unpolluted nights, and the dignity of being recognized not as omens, but as partners in the restoration of Earth.&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/eco_guardians4_9b7a98923a.webp" alt="eco-guardians4.webp"><figcaption>Spotted owlet Photo: J. Saravanan</figcaption></figure>&nbsp;When darkness settles over Kanha, a different world awakens—one shaped by precision and instinct, carried upon silent wings.

The Eco-Guardians Nobody Sees

<h4>At Kanha Shanti Vanam, the Black-winged Stilt becomes a graceful symbol of biodiversity, <a href="https://heartfulness.org/magazine/a-journey-of-conservation-and-hope" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ecological balance</a>, conscious living, and a deeper reverence for nature.</h4><h4>By B. RATHINASABAPATHY</h4>&nbsp;In the bustling ecosystem of Kanha Shanti Vanam, where thousands of hearts seek stillness, nature has provided us with a silent preceptor. Clad in a monochrome tuxedo and standing on impossibly slender pink legs, the Black-winged Stilt is the marshland’s resident yogi—a creature that teaches us how to find perfect equilibrium even when the ground beneath us is nothing but shifting silt and water.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">The Vision of a Sanctuary</h4>It began with a simple yet profound thought from Daaji: to create seven rainwater-harvesting ponds within Kanha Shanti Vanam. What started as a mission to recharge groundwater has blossomed into a vibrant, living laboratory of biodiversity. These ponds have become a magnet for life, attracting species from all around. Today, these waters are not just recharging the earth; they are nourishing a sanctuary for both terrestrial and aquatic birds. Who knows? If we continue to tend to this balance, Kanha may soon become a permanent migratory home for travelers from across the globe. Among the most graceful of these new residents is the Black-winged Stilt.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">The Supermodel of our Wetlands</h4>If nature had a runway, the Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) would be its undisputed star. Cloaked in a crisp “tuxedo” of jet-black wings and a snowy white body, it sports legs that seem far too long for its delicate frame.These bubblegum-pink legs are a masterpiece of biological engineering. They allow the Stilt to wade into deeper waters than other shorebirds, reaching hidden delicacies that others simply cannot access. There is a lesson here in finding our own depth—using our unique traits to navigate spaces where others might falter.&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:75%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/black_winged_stilt2_165b286d47.webp" alt="black-winged-stilt2.webp"><figcaption>Photo: ADITHYA DIVAKAR</figcaption></figure><h4 style="text-align:justify;">&nbsp;</h4><h4 style="text-align:justify;">A Familiar Face at Kanha and Beyond</h4>For those walking the paths of Kanha, these elegant waders are now our neighbors. Whether you are observing the quiet ripples of the Kanha North Pond, Nursery Pond, or the expansive serenity of the Sarovar, you are likely to spot them. Their presence extends into the wider landscape of our community, from the lush Chegur wetland to the tranquil waters of Damirapalli. These local water bodies serve as vital meditation halls for the Stilts, where they live out their lives in perfect harmony with the environment that we have collectively strived to protect.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Why They Love Kanha</h4>The Perfect Depth—Our harvesting ponds offer the ideal shallow edges they need for nesting.A Safe Haven—The peace and protection within the Shanti Vanam perimeter allow them to forage without the stress of urban noise.Community Spirit—They are social birds, often seen in groups, mirroring the communal harmony of the seekers at Kanha.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Zen and the Art of Foraging</h4>Watching a Stilt hunt is a lesson in mindfulness. It doesn’t rush. It doesn’t splash. It moves with a calculated, rhythmic grace, tilting its needle-like beak toward the water with surgical precision. As it picks out tiny aquatic insects, it reminds us of the power of focused intent. In our world of constant noise, the Stilt thrives by being entirely present in the ripple of the water.&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:75%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/black_winged_stilt3_ddbc55905a.webp" alt="black-winged-stilt3.webp"><figcaption>Photo: ADITHYA DIVAKAR</figcaption></figure><h4 style="text-align:justify;">A Parent’s Love</h4>While they appear fragile, these birds possess a fierce, protective heart. If a predator wanders too close to their nest, the Stilt performs the broken-wing display. It drops to the ground, fluttering as if injured, to draw the threat away from its chicks. Once the danger is lured far enough away, the bird miraculously takes flight. It is a breathtaking display of <a href="https://heartfulness.org/magazine/outcomes-of-qualities" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">selfless courage</a>, showing that strength is often about wit and devotion rather than muscle.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">A Final Reflection</h4>Next time you pass the Nursery Pond, look for those long, pink legs and the steady, rhythmic stride. The Black-winged Stilt invites us to slow down and walk through the world with a bit more elegance. As Daaji’s vision of the seven ponds continues to mature, let us remember that when we provide the space for nature to heal, it rewards us with beauty, grace, and a reminder of our own interconnectedness.As we watch the Stilt navigate the deep waters of the Nursery Pond or the wetlands of Chegur, we are reminded of our own journey. Life may often feel like a vast, unpredictable marsh, but, like our feathered neighbor, we too can learn to walk with grace. We don’t need a solid floor to stand tall; we only need the balance of a steady heart and the courage to keep moving through the water.&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:75%;"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/black_winged_stilt4_4b6f5ea5e8.webp" alt="black-winged-stilt4.webp"><figcaption>Photo: RAJESH MENON</figcaption></figure>

The Elegant Minimalist: A Morning with the Black-Winged Stilt

B.J. lives with her husband in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. She met Babuji in France in 1976 and became a Heartfulness trainer at that time. She also contributes to the Heartful Communication program. In her personal life, she tries to live up to the admonition of Socrates, which is to be what one wishes to seem.


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B.J. Levin O’Riordan

<h4>B.J. LEVIN O’RIORDAN explores the nature of problems and why we struggle so much with change. She offers some simple guidance on how to approach transformation, in everyday life as well as in the field of spirituality, and how to take help from others, including a spiritual guide.</h4><hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/guidance_from_the_future2_395d3fbbd1.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-13T07:06:46.880Z" alt="guidance-from-the-future2"><hr>“When you have a problem, don’t think about it. Think of God instead. This is the Golden Key.”<hr>I am grateful to my friend E.W. for bringing the Golden Key into my life. &nbsp;I believe that problems result from the benign conspiracy between two agents – who we are now and who we are becoming. Our current limitations give us the motivation to take the next step, but those very limitations don’t allow us to take that step. The purpose of the problem is to enable us to become a new person operating from a frame of reference beyond the previous set of limitations.For example, a five-year-old child is ready to go to school. The family’s love, in which she has basked since birth, has given her the confidence to explore, discover, and relate to others. She needs these abilities, but now that she is at school, she can no longer behave like the family’s darling. She won’t get away with it! The very purpose of the problem – school – is to enable her to emerge from the old version of herself into a new version. She can no longer use baby ways, like crying, to get what she wants. To solve the problem, she has to behave like and become a school-aged child. &nbsp;This pattern of development persists throughout our lives. A child cannot use childish ways to solve the problems imposed by puberty, so the child becomes an adolescent and solves the problems from that perspective. An adolescent cannot use adolescent ways to solve the problems imposed by adulthood, so they become an adult. &nbsp;We can never solve a new problem by being who we are. We solve it from the perspective of who we are going to become. &nbsp;Throughout our lives, others help us negotiate these rites of passage. At each stage, we have guides from the past and guides from the future. The guides from the past ideally help us to retain the best of the old values, and the guides from the future usher us into the new perspectives necessary for our future selves.For example, kindergarten children have their parents (past) and their teachers (future). Middle school children have their parents and teachers (past) and their peer group and new friends whom they want to be like (future). Young adults have parents, teachers, friends (past) and mentors and role models (future). Older people reminisce about people from the past and also learn from their own parents who are declining or dying(future). &nbsp;Likewise, spiritually-oriented people have saints and sages from the past and, if they are very lucky, a living spiritual guide or master to usher them into a future of a different kind.At a certain stage, the game radically changes. It is not a chronological stage, but a stage of character development. Something odd occurs. The problems that come to us seem crucial and hard. Friends who gave us good advice in the past don’t know what to tell us. We have reached a moral precipice where no one knows what to do. &nbsp;To make things even harder, the spiritual guide does not seem the least bit interested in providing overt assistance. Either he says nothing when we ask for <a href="https://heartfulness.org/magazine/devotion-is-action" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">guidance</a>; or he says something that can be taken in ten different ways; or he says something like “Acha,” or “Yes, I will pray”; or he refuses to speak at all.&nbsp;<hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/guidance_from_the_future3_f5b86136a8.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-13T07:07:42.647Z" alt="guidance-from-the-future3"><hr>We are left with a problem that our past self cannot solve and which our spiritual guide does not seem interested in solving.&nbsp; The more we think about it, the bigger and more complicated the problem seems to become! We cannot solve it because we are relying on the past to help us, and the solution can only come from the person we are becoming.The spiritual guide seems uninterested in helping us because we are not relating to him properly. We are treating him like a wise man, thus making him something from the past. He is not just another wise man, like all those who have helped us before. He is something radically different, coming from a future we cannot comprehend.We think we are using a problem as a means of growing, but our future selves may be using the problem as a way of growing us. Perhaps we ourselves are the problem! Our old self from the past and the new self we are becoming are bound together in fetal embrace, struggling to grow out of and into itself. &nbsp;If we look at the situation from this point of view, the problem is no longer about income, family, or health. The problem is no longer about whether we will eat or starve, be included or cast out, alive or dead. The problem, quite simply, is how to relate to the new inner self within. That and only that.<hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/guidance_from_the_future4_09b7af2827.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-13T07:08:27.480Z" alt="guidance-from-the-future4"><hr>The spiritual guide is very interested in this. He is watching us very attentively and carefully, even though his role in the matter is to say and do nothing. &nbsp;Our work is to emulate him, that is, to also remain silent and do nothing. First of all, we don’t know what to do. Second, anything we would do can only come from the past. Third, we are no longer the person from the past, and we don’t quite know who the person we are becoming is. The most efficacious choice is to be quiet and have the faith to allow the nascent inner self to find a way to solve everything, by becoming itself.It takes self-discipline to stop trying to do something about what we are trying to become. The person who is trying to do something and the person who is trying to become may not be the same, and we may confuse the one for the other.We may pray, but I wonder if there really is any need for prayers at this time. Perhaps the problem has already been solved from the perspective of the future. Perhaps all we need to do is to try to live in confidence, savoring the problem as the blessing it truly is. Our prayer becomes one of gratitude.I think that this may be how things work here on Earth, this training ground for Love, this vehicle for human transformation. It is also why a spiritual guide says nothing when we bring him a terribly hard personal problem. He understands that the problem is working itself out.&nbsp; Our inner self from the future will somehow solve it in a way that is unique and utterly unpredictable.<hr><hr><h4>Illustrations by ANANYA PATEL</h4><hr>

Guidance from the future

Shri Ram Chandra of Shahjahanpur (1899-1983), affectionately known as BABUJI, was a revolutionary spiritual scientist and philosopher. He was the founder of the present-day system of Raja Yoga meditation, known as Heartfulness.



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Babuji

<hr><h2>BABUJI’S NATURAL REMEDIES</h2><hr><h4>During his lifetime, BABUJI shared a wealth of knowledge to his associates about the simple natural remedies that he learned and also discovered during his life in northern India. In this series we will be sharing some of these, starting with his remedies for tonsillitis.1</h4><hr><h4>Ingredients:</h4>½ tsp ground ginger ½ tsp ground turmeric ½ tsp ground pepper 1 tbsp cow ghee2 tsp chuna paste (also known as slaked lime and calcium hydroxide) 2 tsp honey<h4>Method:&nbsp;</h4>Mix the ground ginger, ground turmeric, ground pepper, and cow ghee together and take orally before going to sleep. After taking this mixture, no water should be taken.External application: Apply chuna paste around the neck once a day for up to 40 days. Chuna is readily available in India as a thick paste in small containers. Open the container and immediately add the chuna and honey together in a small bowl and mix to remove the lumps. Then straight away apply the mixture all over the throat. It will dry quickly and can then be washed off.N.B. Care must be taken not to get it in the eyes, as it can cause harm to the cornea.<hr><hr>1 Please note that these remedies are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please seek the advice of your physician or qualified health provider. These remedies may be used to complement medical treatment and support recovery.<hr>

Tonsillitis

<hr><h3>BABUJI’S NATURAL REMEDIES</h3><hr><h4>During his lifetime, BABUJI shared a wealth of knowledge to his associates about the simple natural remedies that he learned and also discovered during his life in northern India. This month we share one of his remedies for <a href="https://heartfulness.org/magazine/a-rich-legacy-of-taste-and-health" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">heart health</a>, including high cholesterol, angina, and hypertension.1</h4><hr><h3>Ingredients:</h3>Arjuna tree bark from the species Terminalia arjuna. Water to fill a saucepan.<h3>Method:</h3>Place the tree bark in a saucepan of water, bring it to the boil, and let it simmer for at least 10 minutes. This will produce a decoction.Strain the mixture, let it cool, and drink a glass of the liquid twice a day.The mixture will support the removal of blockages from the heart and blood vessels, prevent the build-up of cholesterol, reduce hypertension, and treat other heart ailments.It can also be taken in powder form, and in capsules.<hr><hr>1 Please note that these remedies are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please seek the advice of your physician or qualified health provider. The remedies may be used to complement medical treatment and support recovery.

Heart health

<h3 style="text-align:center;">BABUJI’S NATURAL REMEDIES</h3><h4>During his lifetime, BABUJI shared a wealth of knowledge to his associates about the simple natural remedies that he learned and also discovered during his life in northern India. This month we share one of his remedies for the common cold.1</h4>Clove and honey together have been used for centuries as a natural cough and cold syrup, due to their antiviral, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. The syrup also helps to reduce the pain and swelling of a sore throat. In addition, the mixture is used to heal mouth ulcers, and generally boost metabolism and immunity.Tulsi is also a time-honored remedy for respiratory ailments. There are certain plants that can be kept in every home to keep the atmosphere clean. Two plants in particular are very beneficial – tulsi or holy basil (Ocimum sanctum) and marwa or marjoram (Origanum marjorana). Growing these two plants around children provides them with immunity against quite a few diseases.Tulsi is also commonly taken as a tea.<h3>Clove and honey syrup</h3><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/cold_and_flu3_1_700x355_388a693dde.jpg" alt="Clove and Honey Syrup">&nbsp;<h4>Ingredients:</h4>5 to 6 cloves (lavang). 1 tablespoon honey.<h4>Method:</h4>Gently roast 5 to 6 cloves in a pan for 2 minutes. Powder the roasted cloves in a mortar and pestle. Add a tablespoon of honey and mix into a paste. Take 2 to 3 times a day.<h3>Tulsi tea</h3><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/cold_and_flu2_1_700x417_fa600455f3.jpg" alt="Tulsi Tea">&nbsp;<h4>Ingredients:</h4>A few leaves of tulsi. A knob of ginger. 5 to 6 peppercorns. 1½ cups water.<h4>Method:</h4>Add washed fresh tulsi leaves, ginger (grated), and peppercorns to the water. Bring to the boil on a medium flame and turn the flame down to let simmer for 10 minutes. Strain the tea. As it cools, add lemon juice and a pinch of salt. Drink warm.<hr>1 Please note that these remedies are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please seek the advice of your physician or qualified health provider. The remedies may be used to complement medical treatment and support recovery.&nbsp;

Cold and flu

Be light

<hr><h2>BABUJI’S NATURAL REMEDIES</h2><hr><h4>During his lifetime, BABUJI shared a wealth of knowledge to his associates about the simple natural remedies that he learned and also discovered during his life in northern India. This month we share one of his remedies for fever.1&nbsp;</h4><hr>In Ayurveda, it is thought that there are two factors that cause fever – toxicity due to improper digestion, and foreign particles like bacteria, viruses, and toxins. Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) is a herbaceous vine that is used to combat fever, and for its high nutritional content, alkaloids, terpenoids, lignans, and steroids. The stems are mostly used, but the leaves and roots can also be used.Giloy relieves any type of fever, including chronic and recurrent fever, dengue fever, swine flu, hay fever, and Covid. For best results, drink the decoction or juice in the morning on an empty stomach, and avoid taking it at night.<h4>Ingredients:</h4>A handful of clean chopped Giloy stems.Water to fill a small saucepan.<h4>Method:</h4>Place the stems in the saucepan of water, bring it to the boil, and let it simmer for at least 10 minutes. This will produce a decoction.Strain the mixture, let it cool, and take a teaspoon of the liquid twice a day.It can also be taken in powder form, capsule form, or as a juice.<hr><hr>1 Please note that these remedies are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please seek the advice of your physician or qualified health provider. The remedies may be used to complement medical treatment and support recovery.<hr>

Fever

<h2 style="text-align:center;">Babuji’s Natural Remedies</h2><h4 style="text-align:justify;">During his lifetime, BABUJI shared a wealth of knowledge to his associates about the simple natural remedies that he learned and also discovered during his life in northern India. This month we share one of his remedies for fever.1</h4>Anemia is a common condition around the world, signifying a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood, resulting in pallor and tiredness. It is called Pandu in Ayurveda and can be brought on by poor diet, poor iron uptake during digestion, blood loss, and certain diseases. It is treated by increasing the hemoglobin content of the blood. There are different causes of anemia, e.g. iron deficiency, vitamin deficiency, sickle-celled anemia, aplastic anemia, thalassemia, congenital anemia, excessive physical effort, and eating too many sour and salty foods.<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Ingredients</h4><ul><li style="text-align:justify;">A small quantity of Chuna paste or slaked lime (Calcium hydroxide), the size of a grain of wheat.</li><li style="text-align:justify;">Juice from a pomegranate.</li></ul><h4 style="text-align:justify;">Method</h4>Mix the Chuna in a glass with water and pomegranate juice. Take this mixture every day for nine months.<hr>1Please note that these remedies are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please seek the advice of your physician or qualified health provider. The remedies may be used to complement medical treatment and support recovery.&nbsp;

Anemia

<h2 style="text-align:center;">BABUJI’S NATURAL REMEDIES</h2><h4>During his lifetime, BABUJI shared a wealth of knowledge to his associates about the simple natural remedies that he learned and also discovered during his life in northern India. This month we share a couple of his remedies for insomnia.1</h4>We all know the importance of a good night’s sleep, and these days scientists have done so much research in this field that there is no doubt that sleep hygiene is a vital ingredient of a healthy lifestyle. But not everyone finds it easy to go off to sleep, and we often look for pills and potions to give us a helping hand.In India, Tulsi or holy basil has long been known to support sleep. This is because Tulsi relaxes the nerves, tones the central nervous system, and calms the mind. It is also an adaptogen, which means it helps us adapt to stress, and promotes balance and resilience. This in turn supports healthy digestion.&nbsp;Babuji also taught his associates other subtler methods to help them sleep, and one of those is also shared here.Ingredients:<ul><li>Tulsi leaves or a Tulsi tea mix.&nbsp;</li><li>Boiling water.</li></ul>Methods:<ol style="list-style-type:decimal;"><li>Make an infusion of Tulsi leaves in water. Leave it to steep for a few minutes before sipping prior to going to bed at night.</li><li>While lying in bed, first relax your body, starting with your toes (you can try&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmwqL34FCjA">Heartfulness Relaxation</a>). Then, make a gentle thought that you are drawing sleep downwards from your eyebrows to your eyelids.</li></ol><hr>1 Please note that these remedies are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please seek the advice of your physician or qualified health provider. The remedies may be used to complement medical treatment and support recovery.&nbsp;

Insomnia

<h3 style="text-align:center;">BABUJI’S NATURAL REMEDIES</h3>&nbsp;<h4>During his lifetime, BABUJI shared a wealth of knowledge to his associates about the simple natural remedies that he learned and also discovered during his life in northern India. This month we share his thoughts on garlic and sandalwood.1</h4>Babuji highly recommended his associates to eat two to three pieces of garlic every day. In the last few years of his life, Babuji used to say “Garlic is not copper, not gold, not silver; it is diamond.”Babuji felt that the sandalwood tree (Chandan) was useful for many things besides its aromatherapy. He said that the older the tree, the greater the benefits. Its benefits increase from generation to generation, that is, they are passed to the next generation.<hr>1 Please note that these remedies are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please seek the advice of your physician or qualified health provider. The remedies may be used to complement medical treatment and support recovery.

Garlic and sandalwood

<h4>Enjoy these profound truths about simplicity from SWAMI VIVEKANANDA, DAAJI, OSHO and BABUJI.&nbsp;</h4>The greatest truths are the simplest things in the world, simple as your own existence.The greatness of a teacher consists in the simplicity of his language.Oh, to live even for a day in the full light of freedom, to breathe the free air of simplicity! Is not that the highest purity?—Swami Vivekananda<hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/simplicity2_b06e3a3ccc.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-05T14:55:22.361Z">Sitting for that first meditation session was the most amazing experience I had ever had in my life – it was so profound and proved to me that this system was right for me. I thought, “If a trainer of the system can transmit like this, imagine what the Guide can do!”His name was Ram Chandra and he came from Shahjahanpur – and now I was longing to meet him. But I had to wait. I could only visit him during my college vacation almost a year later in 1977. When I reached Shahjahanpur, I found him to be a loving, simple, genuine, down-to-earth person. His utter simplicity amazed me. Just looking at him made me wonder how there could be such purity in a person, such simplicity. His whole being radiated love. And I could feel the Transmission flowing through him all the time. There was never a dull moment, even when he was silent, which he was most of the time. There was always inner communion, and I was busy inside feeling his presence. That was the beginning of my journey with my Guide.—Daaji<hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/simplicity3_8fa70ee14a.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-05T14:55:56.408Z">If you are simple you will be able to observe yourself. A complex man cannot observe himself because he is so divided. He has so many things around him: so many desires, so many thoughts, and so many problems arising out of these desires and thoughts. He is continuously in a crowd. It is difficult to attain to self study. Only an austere man eats, sleeps, loves, and that is all. He has ample time and ample energy left to observe, just to be, just to sit and look. And he is so happy. … Things are so simple that he can do them easily. And simple things have a quality that even while doing them you can study yourself. Complex things are too much for the mind. It gets too involved and fragmentary, and self study becomes impossible. … You never have enough energy. And without energy there is no possibility of being aware. At the point of low energy, low level energy, you cannot be aware; overflowing energy is needed. An austere man has so much energy left – what to do with this energy? … You are sitting silently; the energy moves to the subtlest layers – it goes higher and higher, it goes on accumulating, it becomes a pinnacle, a pillar of energy. You can study yourself now. Even the subtlest nuances of your thoughts, emotions, feelings, you can watch.—Osho<hr><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/simplicity4_d717ea4018.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-05T14:56:26.650Z">Simplicity is the very essence of Nature. It is the reflection of that which existed in the Absolute in a latent state. It promotes growth. It can be aptly described as the quintessence of the Ultimate. This is in fact the life-substance of Nature.—Ram Chandra of Shahjahanpur

The free air of simplicity

Art of listening

Principle of purity

<h4 style="text-align:justify;">Do the <a href="https://heartfulness.org/global/when-should-i-do-the-cleaning" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Cleaning practice</a> at the end of your day’s work, ideally around sunset and preferably not too close to bedtime. This process will rejuvenate you and purify your system of any accumulated heaviness. There are a few steps to the process, so in the beginning it is best to practice them in the following sequence:</h4>Sit in a comfortable position with the intention to remove all the impressions accumulated during the day.Close your eyes and relax.Imagine all the impurities and complexities are leaving your entire system.Let them flow out from your back in the form of smoke, from the area between your tailbone (at the base of your spine) and the top of your head.Remain alert during the entire process without brooding over the thoughts and feelings that arise. Try to remain a witness to your thoughts.Gently accelerate this process with confidence and determination.If your attention drifts and other thoughts come to mind, gently bring your focus back to the cleaning.As the impressions are leaving from your back you will start to feel lighter.Continue this process for up to twenty to twenty-five minutes.When you feel light within, you can start the second part of the process:Feel a current of purity coming from the Source entering your system from the front. This current is flowing into your heart and throughout your system, saturating every particle.You have now returned to a more balanced state. Every particle of your body is emanating lightness, purity, and simplicity.Finish with the conviction that the cleaning has been completed effectively.

Heartfulness Cleaning

Reflect Goodness

Freedom

<h4>In this 1961 letter, SHRI RAM CHANDRA of Shahjahanpur (BABUJI) reflects on the nature of desireless service, what truly qualifies a teacher, and what it means to encounter genuine simplicity—and why each of these matters for the seeker’s path.</h4>I have gone through your letter. There is no harm if the remembrance of this swamiji comes to your mind. Thoughts of good persons must certainly come. Only I am left. Please consider me to be your servant, who sweeps the house and removes all the dirt. Please consider Swamiji as <a href="https://heartfulness.org/magazine/the-conscious-master" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">the Master</a> and me as the servant. I have no hesitancy in rendering service to you, and I desire that the recompense for my service may always be paid to him. By doing so, I will be happy, and my service will be noted down in Nature’s ledger as done without any expectation of recompense as desireless service. But I must write this point: in any and every circumstance, keep your spiritual advancement in mind.I have written in a straightforward manner. Why, you may say that it is a true rendering of my own condition. The servant’s thoughts are on service, while the Master’s are on the property over which he is the Master. Where there is service, property is non-existent.Here is another point. Where there is service together with the thought of service, Reality will not be available. &nbsp;Then where is Reality? It is only found where service is rendered without any impressions of service being formed.Brother, have you ever seen such a person? I think so, but in what guise? Have you seen him in the showy guise of a sadhu [holy man, ascetic] or in the guise of a householder? You may decide this for yourself. But if you ask me, I will put forward the lack of experience of my youth, and it is this: As long as there was colorfulness in my nature (not in any bad sense), I was searching for colorfulness in clothes and was always unsuccessful. Finally, I left it to God, and always my prayer was that one should come to me who would be his own example or symbol, without my making any search. Finally, God answered it. It is possible that by then the guise of colorfulness had vanished from my heart.We have sometimes seen simplicity and peace in persons, but most of them were such that there was no hint of saintliness in them. Even if such persons came to view, this battered individual that is my self was so roasted, turned and roasted, that I could hardly praise the greatness of such ancients. For such purpose, I have no tongue.So I think no one came into your view who satisfied your ideas, because if you had found such a person, you would not have searched for another.Men certainly become available who are likely to help us be successful in our work. It is also possible that even then, we do not take their help. The reason is that we do not make ourselves deserving of such help, though we do go in search. Now, how do we make ourselves deserving? It is needless for me to write about this. You know it yourself. But each person knows it only in accordance with his own wisdom.First, one must know the state of the teacher on whose form one can meditate, that is, the condition, position, or level. He alone is fit for this purpose who has achieved laya in Brahm [merger in God], and the difference between Master and servant remains only for speaking. Any person who is of a lesser state is not worthy of having his form meditated upon.If we desire to begin meditation on a person merely because of their simplicity, in my opinion, Nur-Jahan is fit for this purpose. Once, Jahangir gave two pigeons into Nur-Jahan’s hands. Accidentally, one of them escaped from her hold and flew away. Jahangir asked her how the pigeon flew away. She released the other one and said that it flew away like this. Such an example of utter simplicity and innocence can scarcely be found.Meditation on the form of a person who is in laya with Brahm should be considered to be amruth, meaning nectar. If such a person cannot be found, and meditation is done on the form of another person, you can only reach the level that this person has achieved. If a person like Nur-Jahan is found, and you offer your devotion to her simplicity, then such things will develop in you too.&nbsp;This is not the age of Jahangir. If, by accident, our vision falls on a person of peace, but who is not free from dirt, fear, vikshep [fickleness], and showiness, and we begin meditation on his form, these things will form in us too, and the poison will spread inside us.So it is best to try to achieve direct love for the Divine, and if anyone is found who can give you illumination, take his help, dive into your own waves, and enjoy the fun.I write this so that you can read it and think deeply about its contents. I do not wish you to meditate on dry bones. For that, only such a person is fit who has allowed his character to be molded like mine.<hr>FROM HEARTFULNESS INSTITUTEThe Heartfulness Institute is a global not-for-profit offering heart-based meditations for inner well-being and collective harmony.<a href="https://heartfulness.org/global/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://heartfulness.org/global/</a> &nbsp;

True Simplicity

<h4>In this August 2, 1976 letter, SHRI RAM CHANDRA of Shahjahanpur [BABUJI] reflects on silence as an inner spiritual condition, the lightness that comes from removing tension, and the way thoughts in meditation lose their force when attention no longer feeds them.</h4>August 2, 1976My Dear Poray,Received your affectionate letter, we are bound by “yes” or “no.” But we do not know where to apply “yes” or where to apply “no.” This thing comes from the experience and experience comes from the experiment. When you think of anything in the affirmative way, it is explained. Further on, if we speak “no” for certain things then “no” is explained. When the tension is caused, detention goes. When the tension goes, detention is there, which is not so heavy but still it is something. When both are gone, that can be called the stage of Silence or the partial vacuum. There is no total vacuum, but we want to have as much as is possible. Total vacuum is God alone. When we merge in Divinity, the state of vacuum begins to dissolve itself, till it comes to the nearest. I think the subject is something other than that of your letter, but it gives some knowledge of the Absolute.Silence is a part of a few grains of <a href="https://heartfulness.org/magazine/a-journey-beyond-the-concrete" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">spirituality</a> and not the reality itself. If we want to explain it we can say that “silence in silence,” as I have written to you before, is nearer to God. That means silence is itself the seat on which Silence stands. It can be shown practically and that you can do well. Just have an idea and thing will start. Sahaj Marg is a practical method for Realization and by practice alone we can interpret silence. There are so many worms outside, which our naked eye cannot see but they are there. So, silence is there in abstract form, though we may not be able to see it. It can be seen by constant practice. This is other way of explaining the same thing.“So, by the prayer, we go from outside noise to outside silence. By the cleaning we go from outside silence to inside silence. Internal darkness is an inside noise coming from the tension of the body and of the mind. Removing tension makes a vacuum.” It does not sound well. By prayer we come nearer to our goal because we come in contact with the Being. There are two things, a goal of life and you yourself. Now, that yourself wants to merge in its Real Essence hence we derive benefits. If we remove all these things coming in, you will develop only hypnotic power. The same things give you Nectar if methodically done and the same proves harmful if it is not methodical. The method you know already.Removing the tension means growing lighter, not creating the vacuum. That is a sort of change toward good. State of transparence is not a state of totally devoid of limitations, because there is something which allows you to peep into it.Thoughts during <a href="https://heartfulness.org/magazine/meditation-medicine" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">meditation</a> are just like the children playing on the road. When your attention is not toward thought, they are ineffective and are of no value. Thoughts do not disturb you, but you feel disturbed. The best way to get rid of them, you have yourself said. They rise for the sake of fall. They are leaving their field. Waiting for the Divinity to come in, it is our system that we want to be away from all things not necessary. Point “B” given in my book Efficacy of Raja Yoga is the homeland of impressions. When the force of meditation tears off veil of the heart, these thoughts are attracted because of a little bit of vacuum, which is there. When thoughts arise you feel disturbance. So the thoughts do not meddle with you. You meddle with them.With blessing to all of you,Yours affectionately, Ram Chandra<hr>FROM HEARTFULNESS INSTITUTEThe Heartfulness Institute is a global not-for-profit offering heart-based meditation, a yogic practice for inner well-being and collective harmony. <a href="https://heartfulness.org/global/">https://heartfulness.org/global/</a> &nbsp;

Silence in Silence

The Characteristic of the Mind

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

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Barack Obama

Peace Through Understanding

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;

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