Ajay0

An insightful article by Joan Tollifson on the nature of addiction, on how capitalism focusses on creating desires and addressing them rather than genuine needs, creating an artificial psychological sense of lack in the process and thereby pleasure addictions... https://www.joantollifson.com/writing9.html Joan Tollifson is a spiritual teacher whose background includes Buddhism, Advaita, nontraditional meditative inquiry, radical nonduality, martial arts, somatic work, addiction recovery, political activism, visual arts . She is a student of Toni Packer, a teacher of zen buddhism , and have authored books and articles on meditation, nondual philosophy and openly shares her own experiences with addiction, depression, cancer, aging, disability, and other life adventures. Born handicapped losing a hand ( her right hand was severed in utero by a strand of amniotic tissue) she is also a disability rights activist.

Bhutan is the world's first and only carbon negative country, meaning the greenhouse pollution it generates is offset-ted by by its extensive forests, but also in the negative due to the generation and export of renewable energy. https://www.scienceabc.com/ https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/bhutan-is-the-world-s-only-carbon-negative-country-so-how-did-they-do-it/

It's not God , but the quality of human leadership in terms of character and competence, administration and policy making that should be taken into account ! The difference between holistically developed nations and undeveloped nations or failed states lies primarily in this.

Today appears to be a full moon day, which is considered a good time to practice spiritual exercises and meditation in various religious traditions. I used to wonder over this correlation, and the reasons underlying it. I had found this article by spiritual master Choa Kok Sui ( founder of Modern Pranic Healing and Arhatic Yoga), which cites the benefits of meditation and spiritual practice during the full moon. https://www.thepranichealers.com/the-significance-of-full-moon

Considering decreasing attention spans these days, as well as low literacy levels around the world, quotes can be a major resource for educators and educational purposes, imho.

My personal observations are that the vessel design had not been properly tested or researched in the initial stages. This could be due to financial and time constraints. They probably did not do their due diligence with respect to maintenance as well. A consultant in the U.S. navy had stated that the vessel will become weaker with multiple deep dives considering the heavy pressure on it. I think the engineers and technicians involved should have foreseen this and done the proper maintenance and studies to ensure the vessel was sea-worthy and capable of its intended tasks.

Having the right, positive attitude towards your duties or chores and enjoying them is also part of meditation and such work helps to build a higher states of consciousness. Similarly is work towards attaining your goals. If you are feeling tired it means you don't enjoy what you are doing or have not crafted the right attitude within yourself. You never wear down in anything as long as you enjoy doing it. Enjoying your duties or work by calibrating your attitude and mindset is also a part of meditation, and part of Karma yoga ( yoga of action). (Janaka is considered to be an ancient king who had attained enlightenment through karma yoga and he is mentioned in the religious scriptures of Vedas, Bhagavad Gita and Ashtavakra Gita. ) Yes, it is important to hack away the inessential stuff, but it is also important to perform the chores or duties that satisfy your professional and personal needs. And the performance of such duties can also be made meditative by doing them in awareness and cultivated enjoyment of work.

It is actually called Dhyanalinga. I am not very knowledgeable about its mechanics, but it seems to be part of tantra and the occult in a positive form, and is found in most temples, and I have felt its energy. I have noticed that meditation comes easier to me when I am in the present of positive vibes or energies, and the dhyanalingam or other instruments are helpful to me in this regard. It is not easy to find positive energies in common surroundings as in a city or town where the chi or prana is quite restless, so being in such places helps me a lot. Being in the midst of nature is also helpful for meditation. I have never been to the huge Dhyanalingam in the Isha centre in Coimbatore, India but I have heard of many people, including curious tourists, having deep blissful experiences in meditation after meditating in the vicinity of the Dhyanalingam. Sadhguru has talked about the Dhyanalingam... https://isha.sadhguru.org/in/en/sadhguru/mystic/what-is-dhyanalinga

The full moon for this month is today on July 3. It is called as a Buck moon because the antlers of male deer (bucks) are in full-growth mode at this time. The days of the new moon and full moon are also considered to be important in Wicca. I found these Wiccan articles informative and useful. https://pluralism.org/new-and-full-moons https://wemoon.ws/blogs/magical-arts/full-and-new-moon-rituals New moon rituals seems to be focused on setting intentions one wishes to manifest, while full moon rituals are focused on appreciation for personal accomplishments as well as gratitude to the Divine or nature for blessings and providence since the last full moon. Good mental hygiene practices for anyone to adopt, imho.

Spiritual practices like early morning and evening meditation sessions can bring clarity of mind, creativity and high energy levels necessary for high productivity in professional and personal lives. Some use hatha yoga or tai chi for similar results. Personally, I have noticed that good early morning meditations bring an auspicious hue to the whole day, and I don't have much issues and problems during work, compared to days when I have not performed such meditation. Going to the beach and nature hikes also help increase prana or energy levels within myself, helping to replace dullness and apathy with joy and enthusiasm. I have learnt from spiritual masters on doing a self-audit each day or night to keep away from vice and adhere to virtuous conduct or good values in social dealings, which gives me a clean conscience and peace of mind. Whenever I commit a wrong, I punish myself with a fast or abstain from a daily treat to impress the issue in my memory so as not to perform the flaw the next time around. This kind of self-audit and penance has helped in my professional and personal life.

The full moon for this month is tomorrow on June 3. A highly insightful article by female enlightened master Anandmurti Gurumaa on the significance of the full moon in spiritual practice... https://gurumaa.com/anandmurti-gurumaa/teachings/mind/keep-your-mind-cool-as-the-moon

The full moon for this month May is on fifth, today. The lunar calendar is used in Islam, and importance is attached to the new moon as well as the full moon for spiritual practices. https://islamonline.net/en/the-blessings-of-the-lunar-calendar/

If you can get a job you love and correspond to your likes and interests, you are indeed lucky. If you are not that lucky, you need to discipline your mind to enjoy the work you are doing. You should take some time to think on the benefits with respect to money and skills you will be gaining from this job, and which can come useful in the pursuits that you truly enjoy. By cultivating an interest in your job and consciously enjoying it, you will become more proficient in the work and will also have more energy levels and creativity. It is also easier to memorize the details of work that you enjoy, and obviously details count a lot in terms of ensuring quality . If you hate your job, you will have to spend much more time and energy mastering it as reluctance will bring about lower energy levels and casualness.

Insightful article by Sister B.K.Shivani of the Brahmakumaris on practicing traffic control of the mind with respect to unhealthy thoughts and emotions... https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/20230116-sister-bk-shivani-practise-traffic-control-of-the-mind-2318376-2023-01-06

You might find this article useful... https://www.yogaindailylife.org/system/en/hatha-yoga-kriyas/trataka Trataka has helped me to improve my focus, orient myself, and bring order to my random mind. I actually wish I had taken my practice more seriously and devoted more time to it. I made a coin size black point in my room and view it from time to time consciously. A handy tip is that you can practice trataka using your thumb. If you look carefully at your thumb, you can see that the lines on your thumb converge at a point. This point can be taken as a point of focus, and you can use it anywhere or anytime you want as well without depending on a point on a wall or candle flame to focus upon.

Sensei Sandeep Desai on the 70 % threshold in Taoism... https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/blogs/the-speaking-tree/the-70-threshold/ I found this interesting because medical science have also stated of a link between moderate exercise and longevity. I know of a couple of athletes who died of a heart attack while going through rigorous physical regimens. Similarly working at 70 percent capacity can also bring conditions of creativity, enjoyment of work and performing work mindfully.

Insightful article by spiritual teacher Eknath Easwaran on the still mind as perceived from the Hindu and Christian religious philosophies... https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/opinion/speaking-tree/a-still-mind-is-divine/articleshow/89230633.cms

Environment is stronger than will power — Parmahansa Yogananda I would say it is important to modify your environment to keep your resolutions. If this is not possible, you can be creative and tactful. For example , you can enroll in the gym or sports or martial arts classes or activities that peers find cool, and state that you are a fitness fanatic, and hence don't take alcohol. Alcohol actually causes a lot of harm to the body and brain. You can research these medical topics on alcohol and use it as reasons to stay away from alcohol. Stating that medical research shows that alcohol creates brain damage is bound to discourage even the most pro-alcohol peers and supporters. This can also help create awareness on the dangers of alcohol and help people keep off from it. https://www.who.int/health-topics/alcohol https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/alcohol-and-the-brain https://www.alcoholrehabguide.org/resources/medical-conditions/alcohol-related-brain-damage/

German chancellor Olaf Scholz warned that an immediate ban on Russian energy imports would trigger an economic recession in Germany and across Europe, which is recovering from the economic strain of the covid pandemic for the last two years. https://www.politico.eu/article/olaf-scholz-warns-against-russia-energy-embargo/

The present war waged with conventional weapons have in itself delivered a blow to the world economy due to rising fuel prices, inflation and its indirect effects. Peace in Ukraine and Russia are of prime importance for overall economic development of the world. Escalation into a nuclear war will aggravate the economic damage many times over. In the heat of battle, reason can be undermined by emotion, and this has happened many times in the past. You might not like these points as they are understandably nasty and painful and one would rather read something else. But these hard facts can also help set our bearings and navigate more prudently. I do a swot analysis myself for my projects. I am a well-wisher of all parties and want the war to end through diplomacy or other means rather than hear talk of casualties on both sides each day, which will aggravate the fissures . We have been suffering from covid for the last two years, along with the resultant economic damage, and now this new calamity based on man-made boundaries has cropped up.

We should also account for all worse case scenarios in long-term strategic thinking. It will be stupid to repent over spilt milk and cry futilely later on.

Even if just ten percent of Russia's vast arsenal touches the U.S. and Europe, it is enough to end their national existence. It has developed hypersonic missiles designed to overcome all known western missile defense systems at present. Yes, U.S-Nato retaliation will also wipe out Russia. The whole west from U.S. to Russia will be a radioactive wasteland , and it will take many centuries for it to become inhabitable again. This nuclear devastation will also create a huge financial and economic burden on other nations who are not involved due to onset of nuclear winter. All thanks to politicians backed by the military-industrial complex motivated by greed and not able to see the bigger picture.

Russian nuclear arsenal is superior to the U.S and Nato put together and has the capacity to wipe them out many times over. Obviously a nuclear holocaust which wipes out the U.S, Europe and Russia is not an option and is a worse case scenario. The global economy will also get a major hit and will not be able to recover for centuries. The best case scenario is for Western and russian diplomats to sit together and negotiate, under the supervision of impartial international diplomats and experienced negotiators. A win-win scenario can be definitely formulated for the west and russia, and this can enable the end of the ukraine war and bring about world peace.

The U.S. itself is hit with 40 year high of inflation . https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-03-10/u-s-inflation-hits-fresh-40-year-high-of-7-9-before-oil-spike It's time for Nato-U.S. and Russia to set up diplomatic channels and create a win-win scenario for themselves with other international diplomats, and end the Ukraine war. The global economy is taking major hits which will exacerbate the economic strain stemming from the covid pandemic of last two years.

Noam Chomsky offers some penetrating insights on the nature of NATO... https://www.azquotes.com/author/2834-Noam_Chomsky/tag/nato