Purify Oneself

    

There is much talk of leading pure lives, but how shall we purify ourselves?
Time tested ancient wisdom of India lists 10 easy to practice ways to achieve purity in our existence

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1. Body gets purified by Bathing and Exercising
2. Breath gets purified by practicing Yogic Breathing (Praanayam)
3. Mind gets purified by Meditating
4. Intellect gets purified by Acquiring Knowledge
5. Memory gets purified by Reflection and Thinking
6. Food gets purified by having positive thoughts while Cooking and Eating
7. Self gets purified by Maintaining Silence
8. Ego gets purified by Serving
9. Wealth gets purified by being Charitable
10. Emotions / Feelings gets purified by giving Selfless Love

Heaven and Hell

Many people search all their lives to determine if there is hell and heaven and if so where they exist.  The following story might help us to find out.







Long ago in Japan,  a big burly Samurai (warrior) came to a Roshi (wise man) and said, “Tell me the nature of heaven and hell.”

The Roshi looked at him in the face and said: “Why should I tell a scruffy, disgusting, miserable slob like you?”  The Samurai's face turned purple and his hair stood up, but the Roshi appeared not to notice and continued, “A miserable worm like you, do you think I should tell you anything?”

Consumed by rage, the Samurai drew his sword, and was just about to cut off the head of the Roshi when the Roshi said, “That’s hell.”



We all are inherently good, we just seem to have lost touch with our pure selves.  The Samurai suddenly realised, that he had just created his own hell. He had permitted himself to be filled with so much arrogance, and anger,  that he was about to kill someone.

Suddenly aware, the Samurai's eyes filled with tears he put his palms together and bowed to the Roshi.

The Roshi said, “That’s heaven.”

Thanks to my friend Sangeeta Karkhanis for this piece