THE ART OF HAPPINESS [A synopsis by Vimal Kodai]

THE ART OF HAPPINESS

10th Anniversary Edition by His Holiness The Dalai Lama & Howard C. Cutler, M.D.

(A Synopsis by Vimal Kodai)

THE ART OF HAPPINESS

(Written by The Dalai Lama & Dr. Howard Cutler)

His Holiness, Tenzin Gyatso, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama of Tibet, and Dr. Howard C. Cutler, an American psychiatrist--the co-writers of The Art of Happiness, provide herein marvellously set perspectives on true happiness. Genuine happiness, everlasting happiness, happiness and pleasure, the reasoning behind true happiness and true pleasure, the source of true dignity; warmth and affection, happiness on compassionate grounds, the developing of inner sense and growth, inner discipline, spiritual depth and wisdom; and the stage of liberation—all the ideals that pervade across this written masterpiece are hereby the main themes and the targeted subjects of The Dalai Lama and Dr. Cutler. Some of the questions asked and answered in this book are as follows:

1. What are the benefits of happiness?
2. How has Buddhist wisdom bridged the eastern and western world?
3. Why give a scientific or medical perspective to happiness in addition to that of the Buddhist’s?  
4. What is the true source of happiness?
5. Why are human beings tied to the knots of confusions and depression?
6. What distinguishes a happy man from an unhappy one?
7. How can a man live with himself while highly valuing the pros and cons to real happiness?
8. What is greater happiness and greater pleasure?
9. How does science perceive happiness?
10. How is happiness truly formulated?
11. What are the philosophical speculations behind happiness and what does it imply?
12. How can one train the mind to derive fresh joy and happiness?
13. How and why should one eliminate suffering from ones life?
14. What materialistic pleasures effectively compare to the finding of true happiness?

THE ART OF HAPPINESS

(Written by The Dalai Lama & Dr. Howard Cutler)

In this particular book by The Dalai Lama and Dr. Cutler, the reader will find himself/herself travelling from the pathways of attachment to materialistic pleasures to the acceptance of stable and everlasting happiness. These pathways formulate complete distinctions between these two realms of worldly satisfaction as it further explains how and why they completely differ. Thus, the writers tackle the issue of the acceptance of true happiness as something which requires a much broader understanding on the part of all humans. The two writers also believe that without this seeking for happiness (true happiness) in its entirety, human life and human existence dwell totally useless. While the reader pursues his/her reading of The Art of Happiness, he/she is surely following a trend of realistic approaches to deriving true joy and absolute satisfaction in his/her daily life. While comparing the spiritual point of view of happiness to that of the medical or scientific, both co-writers examine very effectively the main differences which derive from each of them.  Cutler states, “So the first step in seeking happiness is learning. We first have to learn how negative emotions and behaviours are harmful to us and how positive emotions are helpful. And we must realize how these negative emotions are not only very bad and harmful to one personally but harmful to society and the future of the whole world as well. That kind of realization enhances our determination to face and overcome them. And then, there is the realization of the beneficial aspects of the positive emotions and behaviours. Once we realize that, we become determined to cherish, develop, and increase those positive emotions no matter how difficult that is. There is a kind of willingness from within.” (p. 38)

The Dalai Lama and Howard Cutler both have worked collaboratively and in close partnership in the writing of The Art of Happiness—they have asked questions and they came up with answers that dictate and prove their efforts’ worth. However, it is clearly indicated that the answers from the Dalai Lama reflect the most ideal, the most simplistic and the most realistic approaches to the fulfilling of happiness in a man's life. According to the Dalai Lama, the mental state of lust, hatred, anger, jealousy, ego and envy are the most considered harmful conditions which lead to destructive, tumultuous, depressive, confused and unhealthy lifestyles. The Dalai  Lama believes that these sources develop hostile behaviours and negative feelings in humans. These eventually destroy their relationships with anyone or everyone. Dr. Cutler admits that the views taken by the Dalai Lama strike as being more open-minded and most appealing in the achieving of complete happiness in one’s life. The only genuine happiness which conforms to a human being’s ideal mental state truly abides by the two following quotes: “Greed is a sin” or “Hatred is evil”—thus by familiarizing oneself with these two different factors and directions, one would be able to shed compassion and loving kindness in one’s life. The Dalai  Lama suggests that it is an obvious factor to foresee happiness coming on one’s pathway while one gradually introduces sustained efforts in order to face reasonable expectations towards one’s realistic attitudes. As such, he states that “full Enlightenment is your ultimate goal” and he even adds that “So you need a realistic approach in order to achieve such an enlightened position." Both writers reflect on suffering and they tackle with this issue while taking the Buddhist paradigm which recognizes the possibility of purification of the mind; it is as such: “by eliminating afflictive states of mind such as craving and hatred, one can perceive a completely purified state of mind, free from suffering.” (p. 143) Finally, from what I have gathered as being some of the other main themes taken up in the book, I took note of the notions of pain and suffering, depression and mental isolation, anger and hatred, and, the blaming and criticizing of oneself which are all very easily eliminated by the practice of meditation and by fully engaging in dialogues that are self-centred towards the enhancement of altruistic thought.

J Krishnamurti Talks: The beginning of meditation - This Light in Oneself

The beginning of Meditation

~ A discourse by Jiddu Krishnamurti ~

(Synopsis written by Vimal Kodai)

Jiddu Krishnamurti talks about obvious and serious factors that are related to death, the Vedic complex and various subtle knowhow about meditation. This being said Krishnamurti believes that our world is becoming common and that meditation has become a business. In his view, there are different kinds of meditation: Tibetan, Zen, the encounter group meditation, and the mind and its might with meditation. Thus, he explains that learning about meditation is to go through a journey of having peace of mind, not a peaceful mind. Based on his discourse, we come across the mention of a transcendental form of meditation with its various practices, techniques and systems of approach. In a critical analysis done by the speaker, the latter claims that skepticism is important to the curious mind for both, the seeking for peace of mind and the having a peaceful mind. J.K denies the fact that there should be lots of questionable factors in the inquiry behind meditation practices. He says that we should also investigate or inquire thoroughly by asking the right questions to the importance of the enlightenment of meditation. Throughout his discourse, Jiddu Krishnamurti is inquiring for more about the readiness of the mind to meditate: he talks about meditation and he explains that meditation is not something which we do, but it is a way of living with ourselves by freeing us from miseries, sorrows, troubles and sadness. Krishnamurti also adds that meditation practice starts with putting an order in our houses; therefore, he confirms that after having put life in order, one is in the proper place to start meditation. The speaker inquires further and brings up a context whereby he evokes meditation as the saturation of our senses and gathered thoughts. Jiddu Krishnamurti understands that each of our senses is dominant always in every moment of our lives. He even states that the light in us is the restful, peaceful, serene, calm, quiet, spiritual, connected and sensitive but sensible mind. He proceeds to stating that our senses are not always fully awakened as we live, operate and think. Furthermore, he mentions that we need to be aware of our senses and their illusions, the images they create, the pictures they portray, and, the ideas they have. J.K states that clarity of the mind allows us to view when and how our meditation is undergoing its process with time. He brings upon an enlightened notion of control to meditation practice. He says that control is the most important part of the rejecting or the accepting of what a living being is entitled to and that the best ways to having sensitive and fruitful meditation practice lie in the following: the control and the acknowledgment of the desire to free the mind from all restraints, lusty desires, disturbances and sensations affecting the pattern of our thoughts. Krishnamurti promotes the effectiveness of control as he believes that it is a factor which is justified by the controller (the human being.) J.K says that the controller is the control as long as he/she has the capacity to master his/her activities (anger, joy, compassion, lust, happiness, jealousy, indulgence, strictness, passion, regrets, etc.,) Krishnamurti concludes by mentioning that to be able to meditate one must free oneself from the control and understand the essence of time. With this in mind Krishnamurti believes that one is prepared to meditate.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

YouTube Video, (Uploaded 2013), J Krishnamurti Talks: The beginning of meditation - This Light in Oneself; Uploaded June 1^st, 2013; Retrieved from Worldwide Web on September 28, 2014 from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ku6EWkHcyoE

~ Une soirée pas comme les autres ~

Par un après-midi ensoleillé, je me suis fait vérité à l’âme,

Je me suis fait honneur et respect à noter,

Je n’avais pas raison d’être à la hauteur des miens,

Je n’avais ni foi, ni honnêteté à offrir,

J’avais ma passion et mes doutes à partager,

Je n’avais qu’un seul bruit à faire passer par mes oreilles,

Je ne savais pas comment danser, ni saurais-je comment m’amuser.

Je ne savais pas comment m’ennuyer, ni saurais-je comment sourire.

Les jours étaient pour moi diurnes,

Et, les nuits nocturnes.

Le soleil, brillant,

Et, la neige neigeuse,

Le vent, foudroyant,

Et, le printemps ensoleillé.

La pluie, où les eaux coulant,

Et, l’automne, les feuilles sur les flancs.

Je me promenais au dehors de mes limites,

Par cette soirée de printemps, je m’inspirais sans être confus.

Par cette soirée pas comme les autres, je pleurais sans avoir raisons.

Une soirée pas comme les autres, une soirée comme mes larmes.

Une soirée pas comme les autres, une soirée brutale et cruelle.

Une soirée pas comme les autres, une soirée printanière et venteuse.

Une soirée estivale, soirée désespérément redoutable et époustouflante.

Une soirée automnale, une soirée aussi gentille que ma déesse.

Une soirée pas comme les autres, soirée hivernale et neigeuse.

Une soirée pas comme les autres, une soirée aussi triste que les saisons de mon univers.

«Poésie douloureuse et triste… Poésie sans espoir, sans passion! »

                                                                       

   Par :   Vimal Kodai
  Date : Le 18 avril, 2014
Heure : 15 :57 :28

Rabindranath Tagore and Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi: Sitting side by side

The Nobel Prize winner of Literature and the Mastermind behind India's Independence, in a very rare glimpse (Tagore and The Mahatma)

Rabindranath Tagore and Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi: Sitting side by side

Rabindranath Tagore's very own, Gitanjali, and Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi's effortless but truly ingenious planning in the leading towards the independence of India made both of them marked philanthropists of the great Peninsula. 

Geetanjali (or, Gitanjali) was first published in Bengali, on the 14th of August, 1910

Gitanjali
(By Rabindranath Tagore)

‘Gitanjali’ means 'the offering of melody or poetry.' It is usually melody which is introduced through series of symbolic verses: these vary from verse to verse and may reside fully on themes that are attached to nature, human behaviour, and the various phases undergone by man in his lifetime.

Gitanjali's poetic epic with its splendid lyrics at the summit of the themes taken up by Rabindranath Tagore expanded Hindustani literature to its very utmost limits with many insightful briefings that were notably about: the beauty and the fragility of nature, human beings' sensitivity to causes and actions, and the beauty and marvels of life. Literary written crafts by Rabindranath Tagore were namely: The Home and The World (published in 1916), Shesher Kabita (or, Farewell Song—published in 1929), Gitanjali (or, Song Offerings—published in 1910), Chokher Bali (published on the 5^th of April, 1903), The Religion of Man (1931), My Reminiscences (1912), The Cycle of Spring (1917), Fruit Gathering (1916), The Hungry Stones and other stories (1916), The Crescent Moon (1903), and Sadhana: The Realization of life (1915).

AHIMSA: The introductory page of The Mahatma's "The Quintessence of Gandhi in his own words"

The foundation of the Mahatma's beliefs and his philosophy on one of his life's most fundamental teachings: In one of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi's writings, The Quintessence of Gandhi in his own words provides non-violence and truth as the introductory remarks that are denoted under a theme of high esteem: AHIMSA...

~ Page 1 ~

*** AHIMSA ***

Ahimsa is the highest ideal. It is meant for the brave, never for the cowardly.
Ahimsa is the eradication of the desire to injure or to kill. Ahimsa is not........

Yoga Practice: The benefits of Yoga, the art of meditation, and basic, intermediate and advanced Asana Yoga postures

Yoga practice is a gift from the providence. It has several benefits to human beings; these are namely:

1.     Connecting the mind with the body to sense a divine presence in the inner-self;

2.     Keeping the mind in the best peaceful state;

3.      Healing  humans from common diseases and illnesses;

4.      Keeping humans healthy for their spiritual and physical well-being;

5.      Motivating human beings to seeking the purpose of their existences;

6.     Helping man find solutions to many confused situations of his daily life;

7.      Keeping him united by promoting non-violence.

 
  Meditation is one form of yoga known as Dhyana Yoga (or, the Yoga of meditation)

Basic Asana: Asana Yoga with some of its poses and postures that create inner peace and self-motivation

The circle of the cycle of basic Asana Yoga practice (Basic Asana)

Some intermediate to advanced Asana Yoga: More yogic postures and poses

At the advanced stages of Asana Yoga practice, postures and poses dwell more relevant and more meaningful

Some advanced Asana Yoga poses and postures

More advanced, yet still spiritually gratifying yogic postures of Asana Yoga (The Yoga of postures)

Yogic postures known as Ashtanga Yoga

Several types/kinds of other yogic postures and their specific descriptive worths

Some more Ashtanga Yoga postures - yogic postures known as 'Ashtanga'

Other types/kinds of other yogic postures with their specific descriptive titles

Yogic Postures with their descriptive titles - From Sanskrit to English

Yogic Postures with their descriptive titles - From Sanskrit to English (with some detailed understandings)

Vimal Kodai's Critic of V.M Gopaul's TAINTED JUSTICE

V. M. Gopaul’s

“TAINTED JUSTICE”

By Vimal Kodai

(Dated the 13^th of October, 2013)

             V.M. Gopaul’s Tainted Justice is a novel which has truly fascinated me, whereby I have enjoyed slaving through it: “I was entertained and my curiosity was quenched with a sigh of soothing comfort – as I put the book on my office desk, I felt that I had really read something out of ordinary.” The novel is of high calibre. There is an original story in play. A reader, who goes through the author’s first fiction novel, will definitely depict realistic challenges faced by those working for private companies. Mr. Gopaul acknowledges the many facets caricatured by today’s job market through the eyes of his protagonist, Jason McDeere. How politics may have ties to privately run firms, and how their invaluable support to the private sector, erodes the rights of those belonging to the working-class. There is an amalgam of events which are taken upon in the story, as we come to terms with issues related to lay-offs at the workplace, friendship, love, romance, family-ties, hard-work, a struggle for a rightful cause; and finally, a remarkable attempt to settle for a better lifestyle within the society. In his quest for setting things straight and rightfully, the protagonist goes the distance to prove that his being a truthful, honest and a dedicated Senior Software Engineer (a software analyst) at a certain computer firm (Softek) is worth fighting for. The pathway chosen by Jason McDeere, takes him on a road that leads to dignity and self-respect. He challenges his superiors, and he is determined that he will be victorious at the end.

           

A brief outline of the book

Chapter 2, p. 16

Shallen Xu: “Are you blaming the management?”

Jason McDeere: “Absolutely. And politicians too.”

                     Chapter 9, p. 118

V. M. Gopaul: “Jason suddenly realizes he was in the middle of a political storm.”

                     Chapter 14, p. 190

          The clean-shaven driver: “This Company is secretive. You need an insider. Rocky is a good start. Someone who handles money. Rocky and I are techies, not in the money circle. The CEO, CFO, and top management—those are the ones you need to talk to. I hope you can nail the Senator. The politicians use our money and then they look after themselves first.”

          Chapter 15, p. 205

          Terrance’s text message: “Something has to end. Maybe my life.”

                     Chapter 16, p. 215

   Shallen: “This conspiracy theory isn’t new. But Rocky’s lack of cooperation is disappointing. Did you tell him we were in danger?”

                     Chapter 17, p. 243

V. M. Gopaul: “After hours of driving, a sense of relief flooded him, vibrating down his hands as he let go of the steering wheel…. He stared at the falling flakes and reminded himself that it wasn’t a dream. He remembered the pushy reporter from the Post… How my world has changed.”

                     Chapter 18, p. 259

          Jason McDeere: “I don’t believe it. My worst nightmare is ending. Thank God.”

           

          Chapter 18, p. 261

Jason McDeere:  “After I left Corvallis last month, my life completely changed. I entered a war zone. I was engaged in many fights at the same time. I was also fighting a politically corrupt system. Finally it boiled down to discovering a corruption scheme hatched by Senator Quest. Whether you support him or not, it’s none of my business.”

           

          Chapter 19, p. 267

          Kara McDeere:  “Life is a journey, a path of self-discovery. Sometimes we find out more about our strengths, other times about our weaknesses. See, you just became better aware of yourself.”

          Chapter 19, p. 272

          V. M. Gopaul: “Jason admired her room from top to bottom. The sunlight danced in her eyes. Her skin vibrated with fresh color and wisps of dark black hair gently blew as the wind passed through it. His heart was filled with pride for sharing this moment with her. She is beautiful.”

               The approach which Jason McDeere adopts (although, he is no lawyer, no private investigator) upon handling the case of several hundreds of lay-offs from work, is thoroughly based on solid proofs - these lead him to come to the rescue of his estranged family members. Tainted Justice sets the tone as being a novel which portrays an act of great valour, a case which is solved in the midst of conspiracy, and a love-story which entails passion and courage. V.M. Gopaul is a writer who has thoroughly done minute research prior to taking the stand of a fiction writer. He has combed through bits and pieces of various aspects of life within the political arena. A novel of such calibre deserves much esteemed recognition. Also, the author deserves keen merits for having so diligently mastered his writing skills. “It is a novel which shares a blend of each: Courage, Struggle, Love, Respect and Dignity.”