Tuesday, June 29, 2010





I got this mail from Jagannath Poddar from Vrindavan
Sharing it with you.
Pls visit him and supervise the work he does
Some of my friends have visited him and returned happy...the rest is up to you and Krishna!



Dear Shakun Ji,

Radhe Radhe! We have made a Project Proposal on the Revival of the Kishore Van which is one of the actual Raas Lila place of Lord Krishna in Vrindavan alongwith Nidhi van and Seva Kunja. Infact it shares a common wall with Seva Kunja. Vrindavan is rapidly turning to be a concrete jungle and now we really need to work towards making it green where ever we can. We have conceptualised to restore all the places of enviro - spiritual interest in Braj and Vrindavan, begining with Kishore Van revival. Kishore Van is the easiest to implement as it doesn't have any dispute. Once the Kishore Van project succeeds the owner of the other places will be interested to restore their temple groves.

In last one decade I have witnessed the blind race of purchasing land in Vrindavan by the devotees which has destroyed our spiritual, environmental and cultural heritage of Vrindavan. People are more interested going in the temples to get the virtue than contributing to restore His place. Now we have formed a forum including many of the spiritual leaderships of Vrindavan to save the Holy abode of the Divine Couple. We have moved to the court in different issues to save Vrindavan and have taken various steps for our plea be heared in the government. At the same time, we wish to put our endeavor to bring small change in the present situation. Therefore Kishore Van restoration project is very important. Please find the project proposal and the photo attached with this mail.

This is something different project than our Clean Vrindavan programme where to show a difference is very challenging task. But you will find yourself fully involved with this project whenever you come to Vrindavan. You can enjoy the bliss of Krishna Consciousness in this sacred grove. I believe that you will like the proposal and support us in this important initiative with the best of your capacity. You may sponsor full or part of the project. Kindly feel free if you have any queries. I take this opportunity to thank you for your support to our mission in time to time. Please visit us whenever you are in the holy town.

In anticipation of getting an early encouraging response..

Pranams,

Yours in service of Vrindavan,

Jagannath Poddar
Director
Friends of Vrindavan
Chhota Munger Mandir Nursery,
Swami Vivekananda Marg, Mathura Road,
Post - Vrindavan, Dist - Mathura (U.P.)
Tel: (0565) 2442771; 09412279139; 09997033889
www.friendsofvrindavan.com
email: info@friendsofvrindavan.com

Friday, June 25, 2010




Ms Sonal Sheth gave a wonderful talk for the Group 21 over lunch at the Fariyas Hotel on the 17th of June 2010
Sonal spoke on techniques for treating various issues (stress, anxiety, insomnia, pains, fears, concentration, low confidence, Anger, relationship conflicts, addictions, depression etc) by her integrated approach to healing using a combination of of 4- clinical hypnotherapy, energy healing ,counselling psychotherapy & past life regression therapy.
Some points:
The conscious mind is 10% while the sub-conscious is 90%

There is a filter between the conscious and sub conscious mind
Everyone has a unique filter
We all have our beliefs
eg: I need to be married to be happy
My experience must match my rules, otherwise there is conflict...

We have to change our beliefs as we cannot change our experience.
During hypnosis there is no argument by the conscious mind.


According to Sonal, how does Hypnosis help?
Hypnosis is used to access the subconscious by relaxation techniques and hypnotherapy offers healthier positive suggestions based on your goals and desires to improve the quality of your life. It is a very natural effective process of by-passing the critical conscious mind to directly get in touch with the subconscious mind.

How is new information infiltrated in the subconsious mind?
There are various techniques for this and would be difficult to explain all. Three are explained below:
Guided imagery or visualization is one aspect of hypnotherapy where descriptions of images for you to visualize help you to work through various medical or emotional concerns either by direct suggestion or use of metaphor in the imagery. It is often said that imagery is the language of the subconcious mind. These images may not be “rational” to your conscious mind, but they are symbols that can be very powerful tools in helping to guide you to heal or improve yourself for many conditions.
Other times, the therapist will give you suggestions to help you on your healing journey.

The content of the suggestions, and the method by which they are delivered and administered is by variations in voice inflection, intonation (delivery), listening pattern and schedules can all influence the outcome. Each person interprets these suggestions, or views the imagery in their own way, according to what is needed by the person at the time – you will experience the very same session differently from another individual, because your own subconscious mind knows exactly how to interpret the images or suggestions in the way that is just right and tailor-made for you.

Reframing techniques are used to replace unwanted emotions like anger, sadness to positive feeling.
It is important to note that all the techniques used have been effectively researched and applied in the clinical setting with many patients often over many years
That is how it works...according to Sonal
I saw the movie 'Raavan' and I actually like it. I always go for a movie when I dont have too many things to do and too many things on my mind. Indian women have always been admirable. Indignant Draupadi proved that hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Draupadi questioned her husband Yudhishtra, if he had pledged her before or after he had lost himself in the gamble. She argued that if he had pledged himself first, he had no right over her as he was already a slave.She later challenged the game as illegal as she argued that Duryodhan, a Kaurava, had not placed his brothers and wife as a matching stake. Read more, click: http://www.dalsabzi.com/Message/draupadi.htm

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Do you know why pandits ask u to feed birds to reduce karma burden? because u practice karma without expecting fruits. 'You cant live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you' John Wooden

Monday, June 21, 2010

Ans to a good Q: If all predictions were true, all accidents, terrorist attacks wd be predicted.My Guru, said: predictions are a 'science of probabilities'Besides soothsayers claim predictions can be averted if humanity grows spiritually...We all hv to die. how, when? Let us not worry too much but concentrate in the present.As far as 'carrying the knowledge to your next life, Krishna in the Geeta promises that that will be the case...

Friday, June 18, 2010



My daughter Madhavi and myself at New Oberoi Towers where, when the terrorists struck im Mumbai. My children lost some of their close friends

Thursday, June 17, 2010



A photo of Myself in the 60s, Me? On the right.



You must understand whole of life, not just one little part of it. That is why you must read, look at the skies, sing and dance, and write poems, and suffer, and understand all that is life. Jiddu Krishnamurty. Click:

http://www.dalsabzi.com/song_of_life/song_of_life.htm

Monday, June 14, 2010

All that is expected from us in the Spiritual Path is our sincere effort not success...I have read: God asked a man to move a rock which worked as a door to a cave. The man tried tried but to no avail, so he cried to the Lord: Lord I tried so hard but I could not open the entrance to the cave. The Lord replied: "I only asked you to move the rock, not to open it. Look at your muscles!That is all that is required by you~

Friday, June 11, 2010




Dr. Homi Dhalla
Founder and President, Cultural Foundation of the Zarathustra World

Dr. Dhalla is a leader and featured speaker in numerous international conferences focusing on the Zoroastrian view of peace, ecology, and interreligious dialogue. He has been very active in the interfaith movement both at the local as well as the international level. He promotes interreligious dialogue and cooperation as a pathway to peace.




Yesterday I attended a programme at the Ballroom Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Mumbai. My children got married at the Taj and I myself had a reception at the Grand Ballroom hall when we got married...but sadly today it has sad memories of people dying at the hands of the terrorists there...but then good thigs are happening again there...and the place is majestic.
To increase the good vibrations we celebrated the art of Jehangir Sabavala. Ms Pheroza Godrej introduced the art historian/cultural theorist Mr Ranjit Hoskote.
We saw the World Premier of the film "The Inheritance of Light" produced by Dr Homi Dhalla and directed by Dr Sam Kerawalla.
The Parsis, a grand race who stuck to the promise of mingling with the nation, like milk does with sugar...and yet they stand apart as cultured, beautiful people. I felt honored to have been invited by Dr Homi Dhalla who I know as a co-partner in our initiatives of Interfaith Dialogue that we take part in!

Wednesday, June 09, 2010




There are some very interesting stories in our scriptures which have deep wisdom embedded in it...I have tried to shorten and simplify them as much as I could. Do read about Nachiketa. Click: http://www.dalsabzi.com/Message/Nachiketa.htm

Sunday, June 06, 2010







Most people believe that to be a success one has to be a speaker, writer, singer,painter etc etc etc...I think one of the greatest achievements is to bring up children so that they turn out into great adults...and in the latter my husband and myself are surely a resounding success.

Saturday, June 05, 2010

I was reading: '...Life no longer follows simple laws. It can be chaotic. But once chaos reaches a critical point, the system re-organizes itself and order is restored. The Gita says that whenever there is a rise in unrighteousness (chaos) and it reaches a critical value, the system becomes ready for the creation of a supreme process that restores order. But whether this is periodic, we don't know!'
Today's Speaking Tree, GS Tripathi

I wonder if that is a comforting thought?
Then today's Times of India Crest Edition, mainly talks about 'Faith under Fire'
Swami Tadvidananda believes that education and learning, not religion makes a man...If one can take just 10 minutes to introspect, no order or religion is required...'
But I Shakun believe that Spirituality is required.
What is Spirituality?

According to Alan Shelton, '...a person may experience spirituality without being a member of any specific religious affiliation and even the most religious person may feel spiritually bereft. The true purpose of religion is to enhance spirituality through ritual and practice. This is accomplished when a person approaches his or her religion as a way to enter the great mystery, to become aware of the sacredness of all life. Religion can become a barrier to spirituality when it insists on narrow , judgmental dogma, and estranges its followers from a sense of connection with the Divine'...

Tuesday, June 01, 2010



It has been quite a month, husband was unwell and hospital...My son was here right away...My dear husband recuperated and is home...My daughter Madhavi decided to come to meet her papa. So my youngest daughter Anuja organized a grand lunch at home ...We celebrated 3 birthdays My husband and 2 daughters (All 3 fall in May)...So as you see life is made up of bitter sweet moments: 'Kabhi khushi kabhi gum'
...But God has been kind...I keep communicating to God through prayer... Fear knocked at the door Faith opened it.No one was there.Trust that the Universe works in perfect ways to provide you with what is best for your growth. You are ok and the universe is ok...To read more: Click: http://www.dalsabzi.com/Song_of_life/believe.htm