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Thursday, 29 January 2015

[www.keralites.net] Om in Daily Life

OM symbol on wall - Natasha Piris/Photographer's Choice/Getty Images

"The goal which all the Vedas declare, which all austerities aim at, and which men desire when they lead the life of continence … is Om. This syllable Om is indeed Brahman. Whosoever knows this syllable obtains all that he desires. This is the best support; this is the highest support. Whosoever knows this support is adored in the world of Brahma."
~ Katha Upanishad I

Om or Aum is of paramount importance in Hinduism. This symbol (as seen in the image on the right) is a sacred syllable representing Brahman, the impersonal Absolute of Hinduism — omnipotent, omnipresent, and the source of all manifest existence. Brahman, in itself, is incomprehensible; so a symbol becomes mandatory to help us realize the Unknowable. Om, therefore, represents both the unmanifest (nirguna) and manifest (saguna) aspects of God. That is why it is called pranava, to mean that it pervades life and runs through our prana or breath.

Om in Daily Life

Although Om symbolizes the most profound concepts of Hindu belief, it is in use daily. The Hindus begin their day or any work or a journey by uttering Om. The sacred symbol is often found at the head of letters, at the beginning of examination papers and so on. Many Hindus, as an expression of spiritual perfection, wear the sign of Om as a pendant. This symbol is enshrined in every Hindutemple premise or in some form or another on family shrines.

It is interesting to note that a newly born child is ushered into the world with this holy sign. After birth, the child is ritually cleansed and the sacred syllable Om is written on its tongue with honey. Thus right at the time of birth the syllable Om is initiated into the life of a Hindu and ever remains with him as the symbol of piety. Om is also a popular symbol used in contemporary body art and tattoos.

The Eternal Syllable

According to the Mandukya Upanishad , "Om is the one eternal syllable of which all that exists is but the development. The past, the present, and the future are all included in this one sound, and all that exists beyond the three forms of time is also implied in it".

The Music of Om

Om is not a word but rather an intonation, which, like music, transcends the barriers of age, race, culture and even species. It is made up of three Sanskrit letters, aa, au and ma which, when combined together, make the sound Aum or Om. It is believed to be the basic sound of the world and to contain all other sounds. It is a mantra or prayer in itself. If repeated with the correct intonation, it can resonate throughout the body so that the sound penetrates to the centre of one's being, theatman or soul.

There is harmony, peace and bliss in this simple but deeply philosophical sound. By vibrating the sacred syllable Om, the supreme combination of letters, if one thinks of the Ultimate Personality of Godhead and quits his body, he will certainly reach the highest state of "stateless" eternity, states the Bhagavad Gita.

The Vision of Om

Om provides a dualistic viewpoint. On one hand, it projects the mind beyond the immediate to what is abstract and inexpressible. On the other hand, it makes the absolute more tangible and comprehensive. It encompasses all potentialities and possibilities; it is everything that was, is, or can yet be. It is omnipotent and likewise remains undefined.

The Power of Om

During meditation , when we chant Om, we create within ourselves a vibration that attunes sympathy with the cosmic vibration and we start thinking universally. The momentary silence between each chant becomes palpable. Mind moves between the opposites of sound and silence until, at last, it ceases the sound. In the silence, the single thought—Om—is quenched; there is no thought. This is the state of trance, where the mind and the intellect are transcended as the individual self merges with the Infinite Self in the pious moment of realization. It is a moment when the petty worldly affairs are lost in the desire for the universal. Such is the immeasurable power of Om.

How to Type it on your Computer

Try this! To get the Om symbol on your computer screen, open MS Word and key in backslash ( \ ) in Wingdings font. You will type in Om!

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[www.keralites.net] How your Brain Works......

How the Brain Works - It's Not What You Think

We know that our brain is what makes us tick. It stores our memories, controls our bodily functions, creates ideas that change the world and lets us fly on the wings on imagination whenever we want. This is why it's imperative that we keep our brain in good health! These 15 tips and trivia bits will help you understand your brain better and keep it in good condition.

1. Living in a violent home affects a child in the same way combat affects a soldier.

2. Forgetting things (to an extent) is a sign of a healthy brain. Deleting unneeded information allows the brain to retain elasticity!

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3. If you're stuck in a constant state of stress, your brain ages and becomes weaker prematurely...

4. According to current research, dieting can cause the brain to eat itself...

5. If your brain doesn't get oxygen for 5-10 minutes, it will suffer permanent damage.

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6. Scientific research proved that when a person gets even a modicum of power, it will affect their brain's works and will reduce their ability to have empathy.

7. Brain freeze is a real thing, its scientific name is: "Sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia"

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8. Both sides of the brain work in tandem. The concept of "left/right brain" is a myth.

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9. Want to relax? When you smell chocolate, your brain releases theta waves which relaxes you.

10. During an orgasm, your brain releases the same amount of dopamine that it does when an individual uses heroin...

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11. Did you know that your tongue is not the only part of your body with taste buds? Your brain has them as-well (and so does your stomach, intestines, pancreas, anus, testicles and lungs).

etsy

12. Drinking alcohol doesn't erase your memories - instead, it prevents your brain from creating new ones.

13. When you're rejected, your brain interprets it in the same way it does physical pain...

14. Your brain doesn't stop developing until you are in your late 40's, so it's important to keep it active.

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15. The effects of sleep deprivation on the brain slows your reactions and causes you to suffer from impaired judgment.

So keep that brain of yours working, get enough sleep and sniff some chocolate, and you'll be happier and healthier...

"To fight the darkness do not draw your sword, light a candle"

"You can't climb the ladder of success with your hands in your pockets"

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