Aditi is from Pune in Maharashtra, India. She credits her mother and spiritual Master as her biggest influences in shaping her character. Aditi is a senior consultant for Infosys Technologies, and is also an athlete, representing her country as a Black belt, Dan 1, in Taekwondo and at the state level in other sports. She is a trained Hindustani classical singer and sitar player, and her band performs in and around Pune. She is also a Heartfulness trainer.

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Aditi Saxena

<h4>
 ADITI SAXENA
 is a Heartfulness practitioner and trainer. Here, she describes how a
 spontaneous backpacking trip during the pandemic both fulfilled her craving
 for community and taught her the beauty of generosity.
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 Backpacking becomes fun when outer exploration triggers inner exploration! It
 becomes meditative when the journey is embraced more than visiting touristic
 places, which is why I explore the roads less traveled, as they lead to many
 new discoveries, both inner and outer.



 One such experience changed my outlook toward life. Being a social person, I
 value and enjoy community living, as it brings variety and teaches us about
 people, unsaid acts of kindness, sharing and caring for one another, and the
 feeling of family, irrespective of what backgrounds we come from. During these
 times, we relate to one another with gentle hearts that wants to offer service
 or just be there to create a safe space for everyone who walks in.



 A friend from the ServiceSpace community shared something so profound and
 relatable when he posed a question: How can we unlock multiple forms of
 wealth? One type that touched my heart was community! We think of contributors
 as individuals, but actually one plus one is greater than two because the plus
 sign has value. How we relate and connect to each other can change the entire
 outcome. If you look at a piece of graphite and a piece of diamond, they’re
 both made of carbon atoms. The difference is in how they’re connected to each
 other.



 My spiritual guide often speaks about how our vision should be “one eye
 pointing within and the other eye pointing outside.” Physically it sounds
 funny, but it has a very beautiful meaning. Consciously, we can introspect on
 the learnings that we receive, by exploring the changes that occur within as a
 result of daily life.


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 We can introspect on the learnings that we receive, by
 exploring the
 changes that occur within as a result of daily life.
 
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 This is exactly how I felt when I was backpacking for four months at Kulga
 Village in Himachal Pradesh, between December 2020 and March 2021. I learned
 that help comes in various forms, especially when you least expect it!



 I was exploring a place beyond Manikaran, just after Kasol and before Tosh in
 Parvati Valley. I was lost midway, it was getting dark, and there were no
 means of transport, so I had no clue where I would end up. I usually traveled
 with hostel mates, but this was something I wanted to explore by myself. I
 paused to think what I could do next when suddenly, from far off, I saw a
 family waving at me. With a sigh of relief, I walked toward them and they
 asked me if I have eaten anything. According to them, I seem to be lost! I ate
 the food at their small shop and asked them how much I should pay, but they
 refused and said, “Maybe this meal belonged to you, daughter.”


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 I was touched, but insisted on paying, so they said it would be helpful if I
 could teach their son the 9 times table. I smiled and asked if they could help
 me find a guest house or hostel to spend the night, but they mentioned that
 there was nothing around. Instead, they invited me to stay in their house! I
 had no other choice but to accept, as I didn’t know where else to stay. So, we
 started walking, and on the way I taught their son (I am good at math so
 thankfully could be of some help here.)



 We climbed a mountain and reached their place after two hours!&nbsp;It was a
 very small room and they had just two mattresses with three people
 sharing.&nbsp;I had my sleeping bag but still they offered me one mattress
 saying that they would share the other one. I was touched. They said,
 “You are our guest tonight. Just this afternoon we were thinking of our
 daughter (who is no more) and wanted to feed a few more daughters who might
 cross our path. God heard our call, as you reach us. It fulfilled our
 wish.” I asked them how they could sleep as it was -1 degree outside. They
 mentioned that it was okay, “because you have come to us as a gift. It’s like
 letting our daughter sleep comfortably one last time on her mattress. That
 would give us more peace than anything else!” They refused to use my sleeping
 bag, saying, “It is Covid time, and you shouldn’t share the sleeping bag with
 anyone. Rest assured, we haven’t used this mattress and just keep it as is,
 but now after you, we will use it.” I was in tears that night. So much
 love and so much care. These were definitely angels in human form!



 The next morning, I prepared Marathi poha for them. We had a meal
 together and they bid me goodbye saying, “Beta, shine through your
 goodness and always help people who cross your way. You will never know what
 contentment and joy you will receive in return, as we are feeling this
 morning. We experienced having our daughter beside us, as this is how she may
 have been ten years from now.”



 That entire day I was in some different world. The incident shook me from
 within and reminded me of what my spiritual teacher says: “Even when a flower
 is hidden in crevices between stones, the honeybee will find where it is
 blooming.” How can we make our hearts like the beautiful flowers of this
 family?


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<h4 class="has-text-align-center">Illustrations by ANANYA PATEL</h4>

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An act of generosity

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<h4>ADITI SAXENA holds a black belt in Taekwondo. She explains the beauty of this art form, and how it has given her the discipline, refinement of consciousness and moral fiber to live a life of purpose, with the balance of the spiritual and worldly aspects of existence.</h4>
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Raised on Bruce Lee films, I became interested in martial arts as a kid. I grew up practicing Taekwondo, becoming a black belt 2 (there are seven levels of black belt, which we call “dan”), winning and losing many matches at the national level. 
The biggest achievement I have attained with all this is understanding my spiritual side. My Taekwondo Master has played a very big role in shaping this bud into a flower, and I feel I am still blossoming as I continue to practice. I’ve tried to combine this with my spiritual life, and I realize that I was already seeded with a spiritual interest from the very first day I started practicing Taekwondo. It has not only boosted my self-confidence and made me an honest person, but has also helped in character formation by developing kindness, self-control and compassion.
The literal translation of Taekwondo is “The art (do) of kicking (tae) and punching (kwon).” It means “foot hand way.” Now, you must be wondering about the contradiction in terms; after all, the word “martial” in martial arts means “warlike” or “military.” So, how could it co-exist with the peaceful practice of spirituality? I was 7 when I insisted my parents put me in a Kungfu class in the garden opposite my society, and after two years I enrolled in Taekwondo. Since then, there has been no looking back! Even today, with work and family, I take time each day after morning meditation to practice Tai-kek and kicks, which keep me fit and fast with my reflexes.
<h4>Why learn a martial art?</h4>
There are many reasons why people turn to martial arts: Some want to defend themselves, and some join for spirituality. Everybody’s searching for meaning, as without an aim we are lost. When we fix a goal, the path appears, and to find the meaning of life we must walk the path and let life blossom from there.
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<h5 style="text-align: center;">When we fix a goal, the path appears, 
and to find the meaning of life 
we must walk the path 
and let life blossom from there.</h5>
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People often associate martial arts with combat, self-defense, and violence, but the combative craft is not just about flying kicks and flashy punches. The philosophy stresses peace and harmony. The real value of martial arts is helping individuals harness their natural strength.
<h4>Why is it called self-defense?</h4>
When we see someone being attacked, we don’t just think about our own safety and run away; we try to defend that person. But another aspect of martial arts is the inner dimension. You will notice that many martial arts end with the suffix “do”: Judo, Taekwondo, Aikido, Hapkido, Karate-do. Do is derived from the Chinese word Tao, which is the inner way. When someone studies martial arts, they are doing two things – learning a fighting technique and also learning mastery over the self. In the Korean art form of Taekwondo, do implies the philosophical approach to a way of life, a pathway to achieve enlightenment.
<h4>The spiritual angle</h4>
Have you ever wondered why martial arts masters always look calm and collected? The primary reason is that as they move from one level to the next, they don’t simply learn new skills to improve their movements and strength. They also begin to understand the energy flow of the body and the surroundings. They become one with the forces of life. They still face challenges, but they know how to overcome them. They know when to give due attention, patiently wait, and watch the situation, and to take action accordingly.
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<h5 style="text-align: center;">“Empty your mind; be formless, shapeless – like water. 
Now you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup, 
you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle, 
you put it into a teapot, it becomes the teapot. 
Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.” 
—Bruce Lee</h5>
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It is not an aggressive game; it’s a spiritual art form. Humans have brought a bad name to these arts through their behavior and wrong usage. Martial arts are connected to inner peace, movement, awareness, observation and calmness. Only when the mind is settled can we foresee what will be the opponent’s next move, and that is why we have matches and practice fight. 
Over centuries, a variety of systems have been developed, practiced and spread by monks and nuns. Martial arts that are inspired by the philosophies of Hinduism and Buddhism incorporate meditation as part of the training. I grew up starting and ending each class bowing before our coach, then bowing before my seniors. It shows respect for the art, the coach, and fellow beings. It’s a sign of growing collectively together. 
The key aspects taught in the first month of Taekwondo are stands, posture, how to move correctly, and learning to hold a position for more than 100 counts, including many rounds of exercises. These practices develop patience and inner core strength before getting into the real field. We were called “lions that roar” and taught to defend only when attacked. But before that, we were taught to try every possibility of handling a situation patiently. I was constantly reminded by my coach to channel energy in the right direction, and once the vision is clear the wisdom to perform will automatically come at the right time. That is exactly what happened in competitions and matches. Remember Kungfu Panda and The Karate Kid? You know what I mean.
Inner peace is a regular theme and we know very well that inner peace is achieved through training and meditation. Another reference I would give here is the movie, Doctor Strange. When you watch it from this angle, you will realize the hidden gems this art form carries.
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<h4>The physical aspects that lead to enlightenment:</h4>
The true value in learning a martial art is in exploring and nurturing the inner qualities that develop, such as:
Footwork: It teaches the student about qualities and flow of energy, developing both creative and destructive potential. Hard work patterns and exercises teaches the student about balance, patience, dynamics and how to follow the intuition of the natural spirit. 
Observing the opponent (looking into the eyes): This practice increases our ability to read the intention of the opponent, and helps understand body language and the next move. It increases willpower, and develops self-discipline and perseverance in the face of adversity.
The act of blocking, striking, and deflecting: It works on our energy flow, helps refine our senses and makes us alert. We develop 360-degree awareness as we start listening and communicating with everything around us, yet remain unaffected within. Energy manifests within each individual as spirit; spirit manifests in each individual as mind; and that’s how we attain stillness within.
When you see Bruce Lee’s fights, especially the blindfolded ones, so much stillness is infused in him, even when it’s a question of survival! He remains so focused without panic. His presence of mind clearly reflects in his behavior, expressions, actions, and being. It not only gives him a clear sight of who is attacking and from where, but also how to tackle the situation. Imagine if we all learned this art from an early age! Later on, when we start meditative practices, we would be prepared to continue our inner journey, as our consciousness has been refined over the years.
Taekwondo is not only an excellent method of self-defense but also a way of life to attain mastery of “Self.” Through experience, I would say it refines the ego so that we live in harmony with the living beings of this universe. Respect, humility and high morals are some of the beautiful concepts I have learned naturally as I gain more insights from this art form. Most importantly, it maintains a strong and healthy master-student relationship.
I remember receiving pearls of wisdom from my Master when he handed me the black belt certificate. It is a covenant that all serious students of Taekwondo are encouraged to live by:
Be willing to go where the going may be tough and do the things that are worth doing, even though they are difficult.
Be gentle to the weak and tough to the strong.
Be content with what you have in money and position, but never in skills.
Always finish what you begin, be it large or small.
Be a willing teacher to anyone, regardless of religion, race or ideology. Always be a giver.
Never yield to repression or threat in the pursuit of a noble cause.
Teach attitude and skill with action rather than words.
Always be yourself, even though your circumstances may change.
Radiate love and positivity through your words and actions. Know that body language and eyes speak more about the inner strength we carry. 
Be the eternal teacher who teaches with the body when young, with words when old, and by moral precept even after death.
My heart is filled with gratitude towards my Masters, and I feel amongst the most fortunate ones to have lived up till now, in strengthening my mind and realizing the beauty of the spirit. 
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<h4 style="text-align: center;">Article by ADITI SAXENA</h4>
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The beauty of martial arts

<h4>ADITI SAXENA considers the importance of teachers and role models in how we create our destiny and personality.</h4><hr>Have you ever wondered how we grow as personalities? How does our value system build, ultimately reflecting the same through our actions, behaviour and character?While I was thinking about this, I went back to my childhood days and saw myself standing there as a third person, observing how this journey of life has been so far. Immediately my heart was filled with gratitude towards my mentors and teachers, without whom I wouldn’t be the personality that I am today.Teachers play a very crucial role. They help in shaping character and also act as role models to achieve those personal goals that they have already walked through.I had a disciplined and goal-oriented lifestyle as a kid. My Taekwondo trainer and my spiritual guide have both been my mentors. They gave me the best childhood and fruitful college days by helping me to develop both physical and mental strength to face and accept every one of life’s challenges with faith and confidence.When I look back, I can’t imagine a single day without them. It is as if every brick is important in building the wall. Similarly, every effort of theirs has made me saner and wiser. The love they have given is shown in many ways: in the challenges they have made me face, and in the hours of practice for tournaments maintaining a calm and composed stature, even when the opponent wins.<hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">Teachers play a very crucial role. They help in shaping character and also act as role models to achieve those personal goals that they have already walked through.</h4><hr>Having a balanced state of mind is of utmost importance to me, and this was being honed through Taekwondo. Moving forward, that is also how I developed a profound interest in meditation with a spiritual teacher; the grounding was being prepared throughout all those years of childhood.In a physical discipline like Taekwondo, anger, ego, grudges and prejudice can only bring downfall, with which no player can succeed; for when that happens sportsmanship is missing and it is directly linked with mental fitness. I remember that winning tournaments was not difficult when I was mentally fit and free from anger. My Taekwondo teachers helped me develop an attitude of respect towards the opponent and moreover a respect for the opponent’s Master.In all this, I developed the capacity to think out of the box. I learnt to be creative in self-defence techniques, and discovered smart ways to finish off the match without creating any barrier with the other competitors.Developing the qualities of brotherhood, care and empathy, respecting each individual – their views, attitude towards situations and people – and still maintaining humility is a never-ending learning process.All this has helped me to grow in all ways. It has kept me fit, healthy and hearty. I encourage everyone to go out and explore life. Let your teachers guide you and shape you. It is only after going through a lot of moulding and churning that they make us that which we could never imagine.