The Science of Near-Death Experiences

"Consciousness can be experienced in some alternative dimension without our body-linked concepts of time and space. The brain is not producing consciousness, but it enables us to experience our consciousness."

A near-death experience (NDE) is a profound psychological experience, typically occurring in about 10% of people during a physical or emotional trauma, a life-threatening health crisis, or actual clinical death.

Browse the link below to read more in this TIME magazine article.
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1657919-1,00.html

The Sound of Music and Plants

Article from Self-Realization Fellowship Magazine. Issue: Spring 1979

If plants could talk, one can not help but wonder what they would tell us about their likes and dislikes. In The Sound of Music and Plants, Mrs.Retallack gives the reader an insight into the emotional reaction of plants to music. Jazz, pop, country, rock, ragas, Berg, Bernstein, or Bach - which type do they most enjoy? To find out, the author, a professional musician and wife of a medical doctor, conducted scientific experiments while working on her B.A. degree at Tempel Buell College(now Colorado Women's College).

The results were so interesting that her work received worldwide recognition through the news media - articles appeared in over 500 news papers and magazines, including the New york Times, Harper's Science Digest, and Reader's Digest. In addition CBS television filmed the experiments on time-lapse camera for a special feature on Cronkite News.

What is so novel about these experiments? It is not that this type of research is new; experimentation with the effect of music on plants has been going on for years.

The experimentation of the author has unique twist. She writes: "Although others have done experiments for reasons of better production, bigger flowers, and so on, apparently I was the first in US to do scientifically controlled experiments purely to see how plants react to different types of music." By carefully setting up controlled music chambers with all factors constant except the music, placing a speaker at one end of each sound chamber and various types of vegetable, flowering, and leafy plants in the middle, she set the stage for observing the plants' reaction to the sound of music.

She watched in dismay as one group drooped, faded, and turned away from the sound source. What is more, after eighteen days, they died. Only six feet away, in another sound chamber, the drama was strikingly different: "At the 14th day, the plants nearest speaker were leaning at 60-degree angle so as to almost embrace the speaker. The growth was noticeably lush and abundant, as were the roots." The difference? The first group has been listening to "acid rock" ( the term used to define a highly percussive, heavily rhythmic kind of rock music), and the second to East Indian devotional music. The evidence gathered from this experiment led to an intriguing theory.

"Of all the various kinds of music used," the author explains, "there were three kinds, apparently different in every way, that the plants responded to most favourably: East Indian devotional, Bach's 'Orgelbuchlein(Preludes based on Hymn Tunes of the Church Year), and jazz.

The author appeals to mankind to listen to what plants are trying to say and to consciously develop music as means of inspiration and upliftment of all forms of life - as a "bridge to Infinite."

The highest mission of music is to serve as a bridge between man and God.

Click the link below for more information on the experiments:

http://www.dovesong.com/positive_music/plant_experiments.asp

Christmas Tree Deco @ Midvalley Megamall, KL

Physalis Flowers in a magical forest

Physalis is a genus of plants in the nightshade family (Solanaceae), native to warm temperate and subtropical regions throughout the world. The genus is characterised by the small orangey fruit similar in size, shape and structure to a small tomato, but partly or fully enclosed in a large papery husk derived from the calyx. Collectively, they are referred to as groundcherries but many species are well-known to humans and have more fanciful names.

They are herbaceous plants growing to 0.4-3 m tall, similar to the common tomato - a relative - but usually with a stiffer, more upright stem; they can be either annual or perennial. Most require full sun and fairly warm to hot temperatures. Some species are sensitive to frost, though others such as P. alkekengi (Chinese Lantern) tolerate severe cold when dormant in winter.

A Melodious & Delicious Deepavali Night @ Our Meditation Centre

It has been the tradition of our meditation centre (KL SRF) that we celebrate Deepavali with our spiritual family members at our centre. This year, we celebrated on the 24th November '07.

This year, we had special performance by "Sruti Academy" students led by their guru, Srimathi Vijaya Lakshmi Arumugam. we were all spell-bound by Srimathi Vijaya Lakshmi Arumugam's veena music.

And, of course, after their performance, we (devotees of SRF) sang our Cosmic Chants led by Magesan(vocal) and Mrs. Lakshmi (harmonium).

Finally, we all had a very delicious potluck dinner.

It was, indeed a special Deepavali Night for me. :)

Astral Body : An Electro-Dynamic field : A Blueprint of Human Body

The Hindu scriptures say that God has created this Universe. God thought the design of the Universe, then created a blueprint of the design and then materialised the physical Universe.

Please read the following, amazing scientific explanation for the existence of blueprint of human body (God created human beings).

Excerpts are taken from Blueprint For Immortality, by Dr. Harold Saxton Burr

Dr. Harold Saxton Burr, Ph.D., who was E. K. Hunt Professor Emeritus, Anatomy at Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Burr was a member of the faculty of medicine for over forty-three years. From 1916 to the late 1950’s, he published, either alone or with others, more than ninety-three scientific papers.

Dr. Burr discovered that all living things - from men to mice, from trees to seeds - are molded and controlled by electro-dynamic fields, which could be measured and mapped with standard voltmeters. These “fields of life,” or L-fields, are the basic blueprints of all life on this planet. Their discovery is of immense significance to all of us. Dr. Burr believed that, since measurements of L-field voltages can reveal physical and mental conditions, doctors should be able to use them to diagnose illness before symptoms develop, and so would have a better chance of successful treatment.

“Electro-dynamic fields are invisible and intangible; and it is hard to visualize them. But a crude analogy may help to show what the fields of life - L-fields for short - do and why they are so important. Most people who have taken high school science will remember that if iron filings are scattered on a card held over a magnet, they will arrange themselves in the pattern of the ‘lines of force’ of the magnet’s field. And if the filings are thrown away and fresh ones scattered on the card, the new filings will assume the same pattern as the old. Something like this happens in the human body. Its molecules and cells are constantly being torn apart and rebuilt with fresh material from the food we eat. But, thanks to the controlling L-fields, the new molecules and cells are rebuilt as before and arrange themselves in the same pattern as the old ones.

“Until modern instruments revealed the existence of the controlling L-fields, biologists were at a loss to explain how our bodies ‘keep in shape’ through ceaseless metabolism and changes of material. Now the mystery has been solved: the electro-dynamic field of the body serves as a matrix or mould which preserves the ’shape’ or arrangement of any material poured into it, however often the material may be changed.

“When a cook looks at a jelly mould, she knows the shape of the jelly she will turn out of it. In much the same way, inspection with instruments of an L-field in its initial stage can reveal the future ’shape’ or arrangement of the materials it will mould. When the L-field in a frog’s egg, for instance, is examined electrically, it is possible to show the future location of the frog’s nervous system because the frog’s L-field is the matrix which will determine the form which will develop from the egg.

“To return to the cook, when she uses a battered mould, she expects to find some dents or bulges in the jelly. Similarly, a ‘battered’ L-field - that is, one with abnormal voltage patterns - can give a warning of something ‘out of shape’ in the body, sometimes in advance of actual symptoms. For example, malignancy in the ovary has been revealed by L-field measurements before any clinical sign could be observed. Such measurements, therefore, could help doctors to detect cancer early, when there is a better chance of treating it successfully.

To read the complete article, please click the link below:

http://www.wrf.org/men-women-medicine/dr-harold-s-burr.php

Enriching Your Life Through Solitude and Silence

An article from " Self-Realization Fellowship Magazine"
by Susan Smith Jones, Ph.D

Noise certainly seems to be part of our everyday lives - from the alarm clock in the morning , to the traffic outside, to the never-ending sound of voices, radio and television. Our bodies and minds appear to acclimate to these outside intrusions. Or do they?

Two decades ago, the Committee on Environmental Quality of the Federal Council of Science and Technology found that "growing number of researchers fear the dangerous and hazardous effects of intense noise on human health are seriously underestimated."

More recent studies, writes, Michael D. Seidman, M.D., in his terrific book, Save Your Hearing Now, suggest that we pay a price for adopting to noise: higher blood pressure, heart rate, adrenalin secretion; heightened aggression; impaired resistance to disease, a sense of helplessness. Studies indicate that when we control noise, its effects are much less damaging.

I have not been able to find any studies on the effects of quiet in repairing the stress of noise, but I know intuitively that most of us love quiet and need it desperately.We are so used to noise in our lives that silence can sometimes feel awkward and unsettling. On vacation, for instance, when quiet prevails, we may have trouble sleeping. But choosing times of silence can enrich the quality of our lives tremendously. If you find yourself overworked, stressed-out, irritated, or tense, rather than heading for a coffee or snack break, may be all you need is a silence break.

Everyone at some time has experienced the feeling of being overwhelmed by life. Everyone too, has felt the need to escape, to find a quiet, secluded place to experience the peace of Spirit, to be alone with quiet thoughts. Creating time of silence in your life takes commitment and discipline. Most of the time, periods of silence must be scheduled into your day's activities or you will never have any.

May be you can carve out times of silence while at home where you can be without radio, television, telephones, or voices. If you live in a family, may be the best quiet time for you is early in the morning before others arise. In that silence, you can become more aware, more sensitive to your surroundings, feel more in touch with the wholeness of life.

From quiet time or silence, you recognize the importance of solitude. Silence and solitude go hand in hand. In silence and solitude, you reconnect with your self. Solitude helps to clear your channels, fosters peace, and brings spiritual lucidity. When you retreat from outside world to go within, you can be at the very centre of you being and reacquaint yourself with you r spiritual nature - the essence of your being and all life.

Outside noise tends to drown the inner life - the music of soul. Only in silence and solitude can we go within and nurture our spiritual lives. Within each of us there is a silence waiting to be embraced.

How do you feel about being alone? Aloneness is quite different from loneliness. (Loneliness is the pain of being alone. Solitude is the glory of being alone) Loneliness is something you do to yourself. Have you ever expressed being lonely even when you are with other people?

Choose to Make Solitude Your Friend

It is my contention that all the other good things we endeavour to provide for ourselves, including sound nutrition, daily exercise and material wealth, will be of reduced value unless we learn to live in harmony with ourselves, which means knowing ourselves and finding peace in our own company. This peace is natural occurrence of spending time alone in silence. In spending time alone we realize that we are never really alone and that we can live more fully by focusing our inner guidance rather than externalities.

Embrace solitude. Walk in silence among the trees, in the mountains, by the ocean, with the sun and moon as your friends. Be by yourself, and experience a whole new way of celebrating yourself and life. Feel the heartbeat of silence. Bathe in its light and love. Know within yourself that you are a child of God, and in your silence in Heaven.

"When from our better selves we
have too long
been parted by the hurrying
world, and droop,
Sick of its business, of its pleasures tired,
How gracious, how benign, is solitude." --- William Wordsworth

The Divine Art of Erasing Age and Creating Vitality (continued ...)

Healthy Blood Is Necessary For Optimum Vitality

The canals in our bodies carry blood plasma that brings nutrition to all the cells, as well as take away the waste products that are dumped by the cells into the bloodstream. Healthy red blood is of utmost important in order to keep well - and plenty of exercise and fresh air.

Many persons do not exercise at all. Working is not really exercise. Of course any physical activity does some good and is better than sedentary life; but if it does not use all the muscles, you are not truly exercising. Scientific exercise means working the entire muscular system. That charges fresh blood into blood vessels in all parts of the body, and as a result it washes away poisons and gives life-force-laden oxygen and food to cells through out the system.

The red blood corpuscles not only carry oxygen, but also life-force, prana, to the cells. Every corpuscle is a tiny battery of life energy. That is what most people don't know. This is why when you loose blood, energy goes. Unless your body is strong, you should never give your blood; it is a mistake to do so. If you are weak, the loss of even one point of blood may injure you in unsuspected ways by lowering your body's overall life energy. If your body is strong, then it is all right to give blood.

The blood is an amazing thing. It knows how to throw off anything it does not like - anything foreign to the health of the body. Being a vehicle of life-force or prana, it carries the subtle intelligence innate in that creative energy. Some of the chemicals in the medicines are not good for you, with t he result that potent tonics are filtered out rather than absorbed by the blood. The blood takes oxygen readily than anything else.That is why proper breathing is so important to keep your blood charged with vitality. You receive more tonic from oxygen than from anything else - especially if you have good habits of proper breathing.

Learn and practice this method: First, throw out the breath with a strong double exhalation (one short and one long breath). Then, inhale in a double inhalation (one short and one long breath), filling the lungs as full as is comfortable. Hold the air in the lungs for a few seconds, allowing the oxygen to be fully absorbed and converted into prana. Then repeat the double exhalation, followed by the double inhalation. Practice this method in fresh air 30 times in the morning and 30 times at night. It is very simple. You will be healthier than ever if you follow this. This exercise brings in a great deal of extra life-force; and also decarbonizes your blood, promoting calmness. Remember that. I (Paramahansa Yogananda) want all of you to be healthy and well.

Eating bananas will help to increase the health of your red blood. They are one of the most beneficial of God's foods. Taking half an avocado daily with your meal will also greatly help in giving you the right nutrition. Your body will feel just as strong as if you had meat - and without creating meat's harmful acid conditions.

The foundation of divine healing is to live naturally. This is just not a physical method of healing; it is a divine method. To maintain health you must use nature's laws. Sun, fresh air, pure water, fruits, and vegetables - all these were given to you by God to keep well.

The Divine Art of Erasing Age and Creating Vitality (continued ...)

Cleansing The Body From Within

Health is easy to maintain if you know and practice the laws of keeping the body well, rather than starting the effort to heal yourself only after you become sick.

The first step is to get rid of the poisons that have accumulated in the system.Fasting is an ideal method of accomplishing this - for example, three days on Orange juice and ground almonds, with natural laxative. Repeat this after one month. If you spend time and effort necessary to cleanse the body from within, you will quickly find the truth of what I (Paramahansa Yogananda) am telling you about preserving youth.

Most of you are dying of disease because of overeating day after day, and eating the wrong foods. The less meat you eat the better - especially after you turn forty, because it takes much energy to clean your own blood as well as what you ingest from the animal's, which may carry many toxins or harmful chemicals. Meat has some good qualities, but it is better to eat meat substitutes. Meat takes too long to digest and pass through the body; that undigested protein creates an acid condition in the body that is destructive to kidneys. Many persons have kidney trouble and do not know it; yet the impaired function of these purifying filters inevitably hasten old age. Fruits and vegetables,including raw salads of lettuce and other greens, help to counter act harmful acid-forming foods - as well as aiding elimination.

Make it a habit to eat more fruit. It is made for you by God. It is packed with energy and healing power. You will not have constipation, which is one of the worst enemies of health; and your body will not look haggard. Fruits have definite effect on the mind. Vibrationally, fresh fruits in the diet help to produce spirituality, even more than vegetables. An abundance of fruit will make your mind much more clear and calm. Watermelon, for example, is helpful for those who are cranky. More fruits and vegetables will get rid of whatever headaches and pains and cranky dispositions come because of eating too much meat. Of course, these conditions may also be caused by other factors; but the point is, to remain youthfulness and calmness in body and mind, you should eat those foods that lessen and remove the accumulation of toxins in the body.

Another point is to change the type of meal you take at night. It is best to take the heavier meal at noon, not late in the day. In particular, drop the habit of eating much protein at night. Instead, have more fruits or light vegetable dishes for the evening meal.

(to be continued in next post)

The Divine Art of Erasing Age and Creating Vitality

From " Self-Realization Fellowship Magazine"
A magazine devoted to healing of body, mind and soul

Article by Sri Paramahansa Yogananda

" Cultivating pure love and true wisdom greatly enlivens the heart and brain - physically as well as spiritually. And the harmonization of the Love Principle in the heart and the Wisdom Principle in the brain creates a magnetic force that draws healing energy into the whole body."

To remain in abundant good health is an art that is not known by most people. There are two aspects to this art: the physical methods and the divine methods. The physical ways of looking after the body-machine are numerous; countless books have been written on the subject. Still, that knowledge alone is of limited effectiveness in keeping this machine in perfect condition. We must also know how to apply the divine ways in order to keep ourselves well.

The joy and vitality of youth are not related to one's physical age. God is ever youthful, and He is eternal. But, in the general sense we can say youth is with us until about the age of thirty. After forty, the body-machine begins to change; its natural endowment of vitality and ability to restore itself starts to wane. You can choose to be either the body's doctor or its enemy. To the degree that you can avoid inflicting damage on your body-machine, you can hope to preserve it much longer in a healthy condition. By the right physical, mental and spiritual methods, much of the unwelcome effect of the body's aging can be erased.

(to be continued -
please read the next post to know the methods to erase age and create vitality) :)

Just Checking In

(Inspiraional poem - from unknown source)

A minister passing through his church, in the middle of the day,Decided to pause by the altar, and see who had come to pray.Just then the back door opened, an old man came down the aisle,The minister frowned as he saw, the man hadn't shaved in a while.

His shirt was kinda shabby, and his coat was worn and frayed,As the man knelt down, he bowed his head, then rose and walked away.

In the days that followed, each noon time came this chap,He knelt just for a moment, a lunch pail in his lap.

The minister's suspicions grew, with robbery a main fear,He decided to stop the man and ask him, "What are you doing here?"

The man said he worked down the road, lunch was half an hour.Lunchtime was his prayer time, for finding strength and power."

I stay only moments, see, because the factory is so far away;As I kneel here talking to the Lord, this is kinda what I say:

"I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD, HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN,SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP, AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.SO JESUS, THIS IS KEVIN, CHECKING IN TODAY."

The minister feeling foolish, told Kevin that was fine.He said he was welcome to come, and pray just anytime.

to go, Kevin smiled, said "Thanks" and hurried out the door.The minister knelt at the altar, he'd never done it before.

His cold heart melted, warmed with love and met with Jesus there.As the tears flowed in his heart, he repeated old Kevin's prayer:
"I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD, HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN,SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.SO JESUS, THIS IS ME, CHECKING IN TODAY."

Past noon one day, the minister noticed that old Kevin hadn't come.As more days passed without Kevin, he began to worry some.

At the factory he asked about him, learning he was ill.The hospital staff was worried too, but he'd given them a thrill.

The week that Kevin was with them, brought changes on the ward.His smiles and joy contagious, changed people were his reward.

The head nurse couldn't understand, why Kevin was so glad,No flowers, calls or cards came, not a visitor he had.

The minister stayed by Kevin's bed, he voiced the nurse's concern:No friends came to show they cared, he had nowhere to turn.

Looking surprised, old Kevin spoke up and with a winsome smile;"The nurse is wrong, she couldn't know, that in here all the while,

Everyday at noon he's here, a dear friend of mine, see, He sits right down, takes my hand, leans over and says to me:

"I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, KEVIN, HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN,SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP, I TOOK AWAY YOUR SIN.I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY, ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY,SO KEVIN, THIS IS JESUS, CHECKING IN TODAY."

-- Without Him, I will be nothing. Without Him, I am nothing but with Him"I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me." Phil 4:13

Wish You All A Very Happy Deepavali

To all my friends, a very happy Deepavali. To my family, Deepavali Subhakankshalu. :)

Look To This Day

(a poem by the great Indian poet, Kalidas)

Look to this day:
For it is life, the very life of life.
In its brief course
Lie all the verities and realities of your existence.
The bliss of growth,
The glory of action,
The splendour of achievement
Are but experiences of time.

For yesterday is but a dream
And tomorrow is only a vision;
And today well-lived, makes
Yesterday a dream of happiness
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well therefore to this day;
Such is the salutation to the ever-new dawn!

The Living God

(a poem by Swami Vivekananda)

He who is in you and outside you,
Who works through all hands,
Who walks on all feet, Whose body are all ye,
Him worship, and break all other idols!

He who is at once the high and low,
The sinner and the saint,
Both God and worm,
Him worship — visible, knowable, real, omnipresent,
Break all other idols!

In whom is neither past life
Nor future, birth nor death,
In whom we always have been
And always shall be one,
Him worship. Break all other idols!

Ye fools! who neglect the living God,
And His infinite reflections with which the world is full.

While ye run after imaginary shadows,
That lead alone to fights and quarrels,
Him worship, the only visible!
Break all other idols!

The Power to Change Your Life

From " Where There Is Light " by Sri Paramahansa Yogananda

We are what we think we are. The habitual inclination of our thoughts determines our talents and abilities, and our personality. Thus, some think they are writers or artists, industrious or lazy, and so on. What if you want to be other than what you presently think you are? You may argue that others have been born with the special talent you lack but desire to have. This is true. But they had to cultivate the habit of that ability some time -- if not in this life, then in a previous one. So whatever you want to be, start to develop that pattern now. You can instill any trend in your consciousness right now, provided you inject a strong thought in your mind; then your actions and whole being will obey that thought.

One must never give up hope of becoming better. A person is old only when he refuses to make the effort to change. That stagnant state is the only "old age" I recognize. When a person says again and again, "I can't change; this is the way I am," then I have to say, "All right, stay that way, since you have made up your mind to be like that."

No matter what his present state, man can change for the better through self-control, discipline, and following proper diet and health laws. Why do you think you cannot change? Mental laziness is the secret cause of all weakness.

Everyone has self-limiting idiosyncrasies. These were not put into your nature by God, but were created by you. These are what you must change -- by remembering that these habits, peculiar to your nature, are nothing but manifestations of your own thoughts.

Note: You can purchase this book at: http://www.srfbooks.com/Item.asp?id=1336

Achieving Your Goals

From " Where There Is Light " by Sri Paramahansa Yogananda

Using Dynamic Will Power

Will is the instrument of the image of God within you. In will lies His limitless power, the power that controls all the forces of nature. As you are made in His image, that power is yours to bring about whatever you desire.

Nothing is impossible, unless you think it is.

When you make up your mind to do good things, you will accomplish them if you use dynamic will power to follow through. No matter what the circumstances are, if you go on trying, God will create the means by which your will shall find its proper reward.... If you continuously use your will power, no matter what reverses come, it will produce success and health and power to help people, and above all, it will produce communion with God.

As a mortal being you are limited, but as a child of God you are unlimited.... Focus your attention on God, and you shall have all the power you want, to use in any direction.

Note: You can purchase this book at: http://www.srfbooks.com/Item.asp?id=1336

Making Time for God in Your Life

From " Where There Is Light " by Sri Paramahansa Yogananda

Mankind is engaged in an eternal quest for that "something else" he hopes will bring him happiness, complete and unending. For those individual souls who have sought and found God, the search is over: He is that Something Else.

Many people may doubt that finding God is the purpose of life; but everyone can accept the idea that the purpose of life is to find happiness. I say that God is Happiness. He is Bliss. He is Love. He is Joy that will never go away from your soul. So why shouldn't you try to acquire that Happiness? No one else can give it to you. You must continuously cultivate it yourself.

Everything has its place, but when you waste time at the cost of your true happiness it is not good. I dropped every unnecessary activity so that I could meditate and try to know God, so that I could day and night be in His divine consciousness.

Very few of us know how much we can put into life if we use it properly, wisely, and economically. Let us economize our time -- lifetimes ebb away before we wake up, and that is why we do not realize the value of the immortal time God has given us.

Do not while away your time in idleness. A great many people occupy themselves with inconsequential activities. Ask them what they have been doing and they will usually say, "Oh, I have been busy every minute!" But they can scarcely remember what they were so busy about!

Yoga is the art of doing everything with the consciousness of God. Not only when you are meditating, but also when you are working, your thoughts should be constantly anchored in Him. If you work with the consciousness that you are doing it to please God, that activity unites you with Him. Therefore do not imagine that you can find God only in meditation. Both meditation and right activity are essential, as the Bhagavad Gita teaches. If you think of God while you perform your duties in this world, you will be mentally united with Him.

Note: You can buy this book at : http://www.srfbooks.com/Item.asp?id=1336

"Divine Eye Foundation" in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, India

Inspiration
Paramhansa Yogananda's life and teachings, particularly his inspiring words to "serve mankind as one's larger self" have propelled an eye doctor in his life and work. During the centenary celebrations (1992 - 1993) of Paramahansa Yogananda, the ophthalmologist was in the team of doctors who took part in the "Eye-care for tribal people" service project organized by Rajahmundry Yogoda Satsanga Dhyana Kendra, in the forest areas of Rampachodavaram. This in turn led the doctor to get involved in more and more service activities through his Divine Eye Foundation. The culmination of these activities is the starting of Paramahansa Yogananda Netralaya.

Divine Eye Foundation is a registered charitable Trust, engaged in providing super-specialty eye-care services to the rural people in Andhra Pradesh, India.

Becoming operational from July 2007, Paramahansa Yogananda Netralaya, is a Rs. 5.2 crore ($1.27 million) project of the Foundation. The Netralaya is a multi-specialty eye hospital, with a wing for Community out-reach services.

Objectives
Provide comprehensive eye care services in 500 villages surrounding the hospital.
Provide facilities for treating 2,00,000 out-patients per year.
Perform 20,000 surgeries per year.
Undertake preventive eye care programs in the command area.
Accommodate an Eye Donation Center / Eye Bank.
Impart continuous education and training to ophthalmic personnel.
Provide Community - based rehabilitation services.
80% of the services totally free of cost for the poor and needy. Remaining 20% services extended to those who are able to pay.

The same good quality Eye Care services to be provided without discriminating paying and non-paying patients.

Website address: http://www.divineeye.org/

Donations
We extend our cordial invitation to magnanimous souls all around the globe to become partners in this mammoth adventure of driving out darkness from the eyes and lives of millions of unfortunate brothers and sisters. We solicit your prayers, suggestions and contributions.
Donations to Divine Eye Foundation are exempt from Income Tax under Section 80G of Indian Income Tax Act. Cheques or drafts may be drawn in favor of "Divine Eye Foundation, Rajahmundry.”

Address:
DIVINE EYE FOUNDATION, Akira Eye Hospital Premises, Aryapuram, Rajahmundry, E.G.Dist., Andhra Pradesh, India. PIN: 533 104. Phone: +91-883-247 1147 / 243 2559.

Note: Donations are exempted U/S.80/G. vide Order of Commissioner of Income Tax, Rajahmundry Hqrs. No. 111 / 04 - 05 / 75 pg. 28 from 01.04.2005 to 31.08.2008.

Remoulding Your Life

From " Journey To Self- Realization " by Paramahansa Yogananda

Life Is a Matrix of Consciousness

We are made of the matrix of consciousness. All life was spumed out of the one Source of the river of consciousness. Your individualised consciousness is thus the very foundation of your existence. All of your thoughts and actions are bubbles and droplets of the river of consciousness.

The seemingly solid body is actually a mass of electro-magnetic currents. Its electrons and protons of the relative positive and negative creative thoughts projected by God, which I (Paramahansa yogananda) call thoughtrons. All creation is derived from these thoughtrons, the consciousness of God.

What is the difference between black and white? They are two contrasting thoughts, each frozen into its particular concept, that is all. For example, black horses and white horses in a dream are nothing but different crystallization's, relativities of the dreamer's one stream of thought.

In the ultimate sense, then, all things are made of pure consciousness; their finite appearance is the result of relativity of consciousness. Therefore, if you want to change anything in yourself, you must change the process of thought that occasions the materialization of consciousness into different forms of matter and action. That is the way, the only way, to remould yourself.

Note: To buy this wonderful book of wisdom, please place your order at : https://www.srfbooks.com/Item.asp?id=1330
or email me at: kalagara.suresh.kumar@gmail.com

Unconditional Love : Perfecting Human Relationships

From " Where There Is Light " by Paramahansa Yogananda

Marriage
Two persons who unite their lives to help each other toward divine realization are founding their marriage on the right basis : unconditional friendship.

To develop pure and unconditional love between husband and wife, parent and child, friend and friend, self and all, is the lesson we have come on earth to learn.

True marriage is a laboratory in which poisons of selfishness, bad temper, and bad behaviour may be poured into the test tube of patience and neutralized and changed by the catalytic power of love and constant effort to behave nobly.

If there is a habit or quality in your mate that rouses unlovely traits in your disposition, you should realize the purpose of this circumstance: to bring to surface those poisons hidden within you so that you may eliminate them and thus purify your nature.

The greatest thing a husband or wife can wish for spouse is spirituality; for soul unfoldment brings out divine qualities of understanding, patience, thoughtfulness and love. Live love yourself and your goodness will inspire all your loved ones.

The first and most essential requirement for a happy marriage is soul unity....Couple who possess soul unity will be able to make a success of marriage.

The second requirement for happy marriage is similarity of interest - intellectual, social, environmental, etc..

The third and last in importance (though usually given first place by unenlightened people) is physical attraction. That bond soon loses its attractive power. Sex has its place in the marital relationship between man and woman. But if it becomes the supreme factor in that relationship, love flies out and disappears completely.

When two people feel unconditional attraction for each other, and ready to sacrifice for one another, they are truly in love.

Note: If you like this article and wish to buy this book of great wisdom, please place your order at : https://www.srfbooks.com/Item.asp?id=1337
or email me at : kalagara.suresh.kumar@gmail.com

Wow ! Wat An Evening With Delicious Punjabi Khana !!!

My friend and brother disciple (of Sri Paramahansa Yogananda), Vaibhav, invited me and all the spiritual family members for dinner last night. Vaibhav is from India and has been working (as IT professional) in KL since 2+ years. His mother and sister visited KL recently. Mrs.Malik (vaibhav's mom) is really a good cook and she prepared a lot dishes like, Sag (made of mustard leaves), Alu-Gobi, chapatis and many more. She prepared a nice fruit punch and a biscuit pudding for desert. We all arrived at Vaibhav's cozy apartment at around 8pm. Mrs.Malik gave us a warm welcome. We were served with a nice drink (fruit punch) and some Indian delicacies like Indian Chiwda. Then, Vaibhav and his sister (Deepali) prepared the dining table. After everything was set, we all attacked the dining table and really enjoyed a nice punjabi meal.

After the meal, hot punjabi tea was served. The pictures (above) tell u how much we all enjoyed. Thanks a ton, vaibhav for the delicous dinner. :)

An Exciting Morning @ Toyota Service Centre in Cheras, KL

This morning (24 Oct '07), since it is still my off day, momma wanted me to drive her Toyota VIOS to send it for its major service (40K kms) to the Toyota service centre in Cheras. Her appointment was at 9.30am. We started at momma's place at about 9am and reached the service centre at sharp 9.30am (thanks to the SMART tunnel, it helps to kill all the traffic).

Then, we surrendered the car for service while waiting for it at the cozy waiting area in Toyota service centre (see the pics). The waiting area is really good with facilities like free beverages (coffee, tea, etc.), nice cookies and with broadband hotspot. Just nice to spend time on the Net while sipping your favourite drink (mine is white coffee). :)

Momma wasn't much interested to browse the Net, so, she called up her sister who stay in Cheras. She wanted to take her sis and bro-in-law for lunch. When they arrived at the service centre, we all wanted to have look at the new VIOS and CAMRY in the show room (which is at the service centre itself).

Then, I enjoyed learning about the new VIOS and also about CAMRY, YARIS, FRONTIER.

VISO design is changed front, rear as well as interior (the dashboard). It costs about RM88K on the road. Then, I test drove VIOS and CAMRY. Both are lovely cars. I just enjoyed the drive.

To talk about CAMRY... it is just awesome. It is about RM 170K (2.4 ltr.). It has shiftronix gear system. A mix of manual and automatic transmission (gear) system. It has two air-conditions, meaning that you can control the air condition for individual person in the car. Great, isn't it?

Myself and Mr. Kan Chee Choy (momma's bro-in-law) enjoyed the test drive of VIOS and CAMRY.

Then, we all went to momma's Sis' house. They have a beautiful house. Mr. Kan Chee Choy is a collector of Chinese art and antiques. He decorated the house so beautifully that all the ladies must learn from him how to make a house. You can see some pics (front view, lobby, living room etc.) of his house in this post.

Then, momma wanted to take us for a nice vegetarian lunch at our favourite Chinese vegetarian restaurant (in Cheras), but, unfortunately it was closed. Then, she decided to take us to the near by Pizza Hut (because all of us were very hungry). We had a good time with pasta and hot pizzas.

Indeed, a great day with lovely friends and lovely VIOS and CAMRY. :)

An Evening @ IKEA in Damansara (Malaysia)

Since it is my off day today, I woke up late this morning. Afternoon, I had a gud dinner at Saravana Bhavan, Bangsar with my friend. A combination of Phulka with delicious Palak Paneer. Yammy! huh! :)

Then, in the evening, we went to IKEA to do some shopping. By the time we reached IKEA, we were informed that they are closing in 15 minutes because tonight is their annual dinner. Then,we quickly managed to buy some tea candles, some delicious cheese and cookies made in Sweden. IKEA tea candles are of good quality compared to the ones available at other shops. I light up these candles at my altar. The cheese sold at IKEA shop is the best cheese I ever had. It costs only RM5 and there are about 10 over slices in each pack.The cookies are very delicious too. We bought strawberry flavoured and hazelnut sprinled cookies.One pack costs RM3.90. Worth buying !! I strongly recommend all the cheese and cookies lovers to buy these delicious products from Sweden at IKEA.

IKEA's Business Idea
"We shall offer a wide range of well designed, functional Home Furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible will be able to afford them."Here in IKEA Malaysia, we have systematically reduced our prices every year so that we will always be on the side of the customer. This has been made possible mainly because we use the full strength of the IKEA concept and the IKEA organization to purchase in large numbers, using the best supply chain methods to keep prices low. In the store, we request that you, the customer, do your part to shop on your own, and together, we save. "