Tuesday, October 31, 2006


On the 5th of November we celebrate the birthday of Guru Nanak



During the year 2004 we celebrated the 400th Anniversary of the installation of the Guru Granth Sahib in the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

The disciples of Guru Gobind Singh were full of grief when the Guru was about to leave the body. They asked the Guru, Who would guide them to find God, when Guru Gobind Singh was gone?

Guru Gobind Singh replied that the Great Book of the Sikhs: The Guru Granth Sahib, would become a Living Guru for the disciples. The Guru said that whenever they (the disciples) were troubled, or they missed him, they could open and read the Guru Granth Sahib, and the answer would be revealed to them.

The Guru Granth Sahib (The Guru in the book form) has since been regarded as the Living Guru, for the Sikhs.



WHO IS A GURU?
According to Ma Indira Devi, a guru is one who you can love trust and say 'yes' to. He is on the path that you are most comfortable in, just ahead of you, lighting the way, with your hand firmly in his/hers.

Many believe that ones real Guru resides within oneself.



WHY SHOULD WE HAVE A GURU?
Just like one requires a teacher for anything in life that one wishes to learn. It makes it easier rather than experiment by trial and error, especially in the Spiritual path. But most importantly he/she is one who is able to point out where you are straying from your god-given mission.



WHAT SHOULD BE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE GURU & HIS DISCIPLE?
Faith, Love



Let us celebrate and bring joy to our hearts. Why? Because we have been fortunate to find our guru, without much effort.

Let us sing (Click or copy/paste to browser):


http://dalsabzi.com/Mantras/anand_bhayaa_meri_mayee.htm

Do scroll down...Lots to read!
http://dalsabzi.com/Message/gurunanak1.htm

Guru's Aarti
http://dalsabzi.com/Mantras/guru_aarti.htm

Shacune
www.dalsabzi.com

Monday, October 23, 2006


Dreams Can Come True


This article of mine appeared in the 'Femina' dated Feb 23-1990

No! Life is not a fairytale.

We could believe that it is. Then we will have to wait for some fairy godmother to materialize, wave her wand and produce custom tailored gowns and princes for us.

The truth however, is that we have to base our lives on something more solid than day-dreaming. If we want something from life we must pay for it in terms of faith, hard work and perseverance.

Robert Schuller in 'Discover your possibilities' says: "When faced with a mountain I will not quit, I will keep on striving until I climb over, find a pass through, tunnel underneath or simply stay and turn the mountain into a goldmine."

I read somewhere that there are two tragedies in life. One is not to get our heart's desire and the other one is to get it. No! it is not a misprint. the tragic part about achieving what we had so much set our hearts upon is that we are sometimes unaware of the price tag that comes along with the prize. More often than not it is dearer than we had anticipated.

The above does not mean that we put our dreams to rust in the attic. It only means that we should first test our dreams, only then must we push relentlessly towards our goal. We have to rejoice at our best efforts and make sure not to miss the sunshine, butterflies and breeze on the way. One has to learn to encounter life with an adventurous spirit that finds magic in everyday things. Happiness is not a constant emotional fireworks show. It is contentment and faith that helps to discover God's plan even when our dreams do not come true.

Life is a beautiful journey for those who know to traverse the ups and downs of it.

The journey is inevitable so it would be a tragedy if we did not learn how to enjoy the trip.

Read:

http://dalsabzi.com/Song_of_life/joe_workshop.htm


Excerpts from a msg from the internet

Dear God,
I want to thank You for what you have already done.
I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards;
I am thanking You right now.
I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better;
I am thanking You right now.
I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier or the challenges are removed;
I am going to thank You right now.
I am thanking you because I made it through the day's difficulties.
I am thanking you because I have walked around the obstacles.
I am thanking you because I have the ability and the opportunity to do more and do better.
I am thanking you God..because you haven't given up on me.
Shacune
www.dalsabzi.com

Saturday, October 21, 2006


Today, the 21st of October 2006 is Diwali...Happy Diwali
Rozas are on and Id is next week
A few days ago I went to an Iftaar party (Iftar is the meal taken at the time of breaking the fast for the day)...only women...It was wonderful to interact with Beautiful Intelligent Muslim women who generally are burqa clad.
As we spoke I reconfirmed to myself what I always knew...that under the outside coverings we are essentially 'mothers, sisters, friends...'
The highlight of the evening is that I tasted the zam zam water...and I felt as honored as when the good Lord gave me the opportunity during this lifetime to not only drink but take a complete 'dubkee' in the Gangotri, up in the mountains...where Ganga descends...
I feel blessed!
Shacune
Read more:

http://dalsabzi.com/Articles/ganga.htm

Thursday, October 19, 2006

TOO OFTEN ...Too often we underestimate the powerof a touch. a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.
~ Leo Buscaglia~

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

THE ONLY PRAYER
If the only prayer you ever said was "Thank You"that would be enough.
~Meister Eckhart~
Sharing the following that came to me from the Internet.
Look at these words as gifts and as 'diyas' that spread light around...this Deepawali!

The Most Powerful ' Three - Words
'The following three-word phrases can enrich every relationship.
These are just three little BUT VERY POWERFUL words !!!
I'll Be There
I Miss You
I Respect You
I Trust You
Maybe You're Right
Please Forgive Me
I Thank You
Count On Me
Let Me Help
I Understand You
Go For It
We are all unique individuals.
Don't try to get your friends to conform to your ideals.
Support them in pursuing their interests, no matter how weird they seem to you.
Everyone has dreams, dreams that are unique to that person only.
Support and encourage your friends to follow their dreams.
Tell them to "go for it."

Sincerely,
Shacune
www.dalsabzi.com

The photographs are all about having fun!
Life is so short for keeping grudges!
I bet the photograph will make you laugh...and that is the idea in this world full of so much woe...so ho ho ho:)
Happy Diwali!

Sunday, October 15, 2006



For the upcoming Festive season,
Click on/copy and paste to browser...
www.dalsabzi.com
to take you to the following articles.


Laxmi-Goddess of wealth
Sindhis Diwali Puja Vidhee
Gems from Sri Morari Bapu discourses
Diwali (Dadi Nani ki Kahaani
Karva Chauth




Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Dear Friends,
The 7th of October was Sharad Poornima...and I was invited to Chowpatty for a Rasleela program. I particularly enjoyed the 'peacock dance' ...Rasleela is the day when Sri Krishna had/played/enjoyed the mystic Rasleela...Most of you may not be aware of the conversation that ensued between Sri Krishna and the Gopis before the great dance...Click:
http://dalsabzi.com/bhaagvad/rasleela.htm
Please read it. I think that every Hindu (at least) should know about it.

Tuesday, the 10th of October was Karva Chauth...

Karwa Chauth
I personally like what the ‘Greeting Cards’ people in India are calling ‘Karva Chauth Day’. They are calling it the ‘Husband’s Day’
What about the wife’s day, you might ask?
It is heartening to know that Hindus have always believed in worshipping the Male and Female aspect of God together. And that Sri Ram was a staunch Pati-Vrat (devoted) husband...
Read more, Click:
http://dalsabzi.com/Language_Festivals/karva_chauth.htm

Shacune

Thursday, October 05, 2006

Sadhana

Just because we all know how to breathe it does not mean that we know how to live. Just because most of us get married it does not mean that we know how to be a good spouse. Just because, we have children it does not mean that we know how to be good parents. Living, marrying and Parenting require 'Sadhana'.
There are no universal answers to the meaning of life. I like to believe that it is a journey to the Source...its ups and downs are a lesson...Yet all journeys start with the first step...the first step towards the philosophic quest is the enquiry: "Athato Brahmn Jignasa"...
Read more:
Click
http://www.dalsabzi.com/Wisdom_Scrip/sadhana.htm

Monday, October 02, 2006

When an old lady died in the geriatric ward of a small hospital near
Dundee, Scotland, it was believed that she had nothing left of any
value. Later, when the nurses were going through her meager possessions,
they found this poem.
Read it, and see your 'old' relatives in a new light.
I have always said, it is not possible for any of us to be 'Mother Teresa' but we can at least look after our aging relatives and offer them a dignified old age and death...that much we owe them!

Click:
http://dalsabzi.com/Books/kids_kahaani/great_gurus/mother_teresa.htm

http://dalsabzi.com/Articles/an_interview_by_vimla_patil.htm

Sincerely,
Shakun
www.dalsabzi.com

Crabby Old Woman
What do you see, nurses ......... What do you see?
What are you thinking ............. When you're looking at me?
A crabby old woman ................ Not very wise,
Uncertain of habit, ................. With faraway eyes?
Who dribbles her food .............. And makes no reply.
When you say in a loud voice, .. "I do wish you'd try!"
Who seems not to notice ......... The things that you do,
And forever is losing ................ A stocking or shoe?
Who, resisting or not, .............. Lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding, ........ The long day to fill?
Is that what you're thinking? ..... Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse, .......You're not looking at me.
I'll tell you who I am ............... As I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, ........... As I eat at your will.
I'm a small child of ten ...........With a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters ................ Who love one another.
A young girl of sixteen ..............With wings on her feet
Dreaming that soon now ......... A lover she'll meet.
A bride soon at twenty, ............. My heart gives a leap,
Remembering the vows .......... That I promised to keep.
At twenty-five now, ................ I have young of my own,
Who need me to guide .............. And a secure happy home.
A woman of thirty, ................... My young now grown fast,
Bound to each other ................. With ties that should last.
At forty, my young sons ............ Have grown and are gone,
But my man's beside me ........... To see I don't mourn
At fifty once more, ................... Babies play round my knee,
Again we know children, ........... My loved one and me.
Dark days are upon me, ........... My husband is dead,
I look at the future, ................. I shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing .......Young of their own,
And I think of the years ............. And the love that I've known.
I'm now an old woman................ And nature is cruel;
Tis jest to make old age .......... Look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles, ............... Grace and vigor depart,
There is now a stone ................. Where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcass ......... A young girl still dwells,
And now and again, .................. My battered heart swells.
I remember the joys, ................. I remember the pain,
And I'm loving and living ............ Life over again.
I think of the years ................. All too few, gone too fast,
And accept the stark fact ........... That nothing can last.
So open your eyes, people, ...... Open and see,
Not a crabby old woman; ............ Look closer....see, ME!!
Remember this poem when you next meet an older person who you might
brush aside without looking at the young soul within.....we will all, one day,
be there, too!

...And a 'friend' who has known me since childhood wrote this:

My dear Vimlu (my maiden name),
I see YOU.
Images and mannerisms may change but
the eternal heart never grows.
Love


......... A young girl still dwells,
And now and again, .................. My battered
heart swells.
I remember the joys, ................. I remember the
pain,
I think of the years ................. All too few,
gone too fast,

So open your eyes, people, ...... Open and see,
Not a crabby old woman; ............ Look
closer....see, ME!!