Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Heartfulness Magazine - December 2021 (Volume 6, Issue 12)
Heartfulness Magazine - December 2021 (Volume 6, Issue 12)
A Daily Routine
DAAJI
Space
Transformers
JEREMY GILLEY
The Eco-saint
BARBARA
SONVILLA
Humor &
Creativity
www.heartfulnessmagazine.com
LIVE
Embark on a journey
ONLINE
PROGRAM
of personal and
organizational discovery.
Heartful
Adizes Leadership
Learn to apply timeless leadership
principles in your personal and work life.
WINTER 2022 - Voyage begins February 11
Registrations open January 10, 2022
Heartful Adizes Leaders continually refine vital skills and equip themselves
and others with practical tools to successfully deal with complex challenges.
ISSN 2455-7684
CONTRIBUTIONS
contributions@heartfulnessmagazine.com
ADVERTISING
advertising@heartfulnessmagazine.com
SUBSCRIPTIONS
subscriptions@heartfulnessmagazine.com
www.heartfulnessmagazine.com/subscriptions
www.heartfulnessmagazine.com/
subscribe
Dear readers,
During the last two years, many of us have leaned on creativity and humor for support through
periods of uncertainty and tragedy. Some of us have deepened our involvement in existing hobbies,
like writing, music, dance, carpentry, and gardening; and we have also learned new ones to keep our
minds and hearts engaged. Humor has served as an anchor, as we have come to appreciate those
precious joyful moments with family and friends.
In our final edition for 2021, our contributors share the moments of creativity and humor that
keep the light alive in their hearts. Jeremy Gilley introduces Space Transformers as a platform for
creativity for youth, Thomas Mogensen shares some hilarious moments with Babuji in the early
’70s, Mamata Venkat reminds us to find humor in the day-to-day interactions with loved ones,
and Dr. Ichak Adizes proposes humor as one of the most attractive qualities in a partner. Rashmi
Bansal shares her life’s work as an author, overcoming expectations to take the road less traveled, Dr.
Prakash Tyagi documents the creative evolution of his NGO GRAVIS, Barbara Sonvilla celebrates
the life and creativity of the early eco-saint, Hildegard von Bingen, and Bruno Memeint shares
some of his exquisite landscape photographs. Daaji’s last article of the series, “The Art of Removing
and Creating Habits,” offers practical guidance for a daily routine – a perfect way to prepare for
New Year’s resolutions.
We look forward to having you with us again next year. Thank you for your continued support. In
the meantime, enjoy the festive season and Happy New Year!
4 H eart f u l n es s
contributors
DAAJI
December 2 02 1 5
inside
thought
in action
I Take Laughter for
Granted
Mamata Venkat
22
focus: What Makes a Person
innerview
Attractive?
Creativity and
Dr. Ichak Adizes The Road Less Traveled
Humor
26 Interview with Rashmi Bansal
Space Transformers 32
Interview with Jeremy Gilley
10
H eart f u l n es s
be inspired
Creating a Daily Routine
Daaji
58
it changes taste
everything of life
Love, Non-violence, and Lights of Iceland
Truth A Photo Essay
Interview with Dr. Prakash Bruno Memeint
Tyagi
70
46
Hildegard, the Eco-saint
Wisdom from My Father Barbara Sonvilla
Ganesh Pai
75
52
December 2 02 1
Focus:
Creativity
and Humor
SNOOPY
JEREMY GILLEY is a British director and actor, who founded the non-profit organization Peace
One Day in 1999. Peace One Day successfully led the campaign that resulted in the unanimous
adoption by the United Nations member states of the first-ever annual day of global
ceasefire and non-violence, with a fixed calendar date – September 21, the UN International
Day of Peace. Since then, Peace One Day has been working to raise awareness and instigate
action, resulting in a large-scale decrease of violence annually on Peace Day.
Jeremy’s creativity was sparked early in life, and he has spent over twenty years serving
humanity. He is passionately committed to peace, sustainability, equality, justice, diversity,
inclusion, climate action, and the mobilization of youth. He is the producer and director of
four annual global digital experiences – Anti-Racism Live, Climate Action Live, Peace Day Live,
and right now he is preparing for Peace One Day’s newest event, Space Transformers Live
on December 21 an experience for young changemakers. With his signature enthusiasm and
humor, he shares his vision for this event with JUDITH NELSON of the Heartfulness Institute.
Q: Hello Jeremy. How did The marketing and the awareness unanimously adopted by every
Space Transformers come manifest action, and action member state of the UN. So,
about? decreases violence. It’s seriously we approached the Office
profound the impact that a day of the United Nations High
Space Transformers came about of peace has, especially if you are Commissioner for Human
because Peace One Day evolved one of those women or children Rights (OHCHR) and we
from doing just one experience who had been bullied or abused. now have the good fortune
a year. That one experience is The positive impact of that day in and privilege (which I’m very
Peace Day, on September 21, our homes, communities, schools, humbled by) to be the producers
unanimously adopted by every and places of work is phenomenal, of the content in association with
member state of the United incredible. And it’s why I work them for this International Day
Nations exactly 20 years ago, and immensely hard every day, because for the Elimination of Racial
led by Sir Jeremy Greenstock, if you tell 10 people, or you Discrimination. It is a day where
Chairman of Gatehouse Advisory tell 10,000 people a day, then a raising awareness of diversity,
Partners, Former Chairman of the percentage of those people are inclusion, equality, and justice,
UNA UK, and Special Advisor to going to behave very differently on which are so immensely important
the NGO Forward Thinking. We the day of peace. Wow, amazing! to humanity’s survival, will bring
have been raising awareness to behavioral change.
institutionalize it, because when a Then we realized that March
lot of people know about a day of 21 is the International Day Now, September 21 and March
peace their behavior changes and for the Elimination of Racial 21 are on the equinoxes, six
they are more peaceful. Discrimination, another day months apart, so that left two very
December 2 02 1 11
FOC U S
important dates in the calendar That leaves only one area in terms generating content now for other
– June 21 and December 21, the of humanity’s survival as far as people to be space transformers. I
solstices, marking the change I’m concerned, and that is the really want this next chapter of my
and the end and the beginning mobilization of youth, to inspire life to be about raising the profile
of new seasons. Four incredible and hear their voices. And that’s of others whose message is so key
dates, and on many different where Space Transformers comes to humanity’s survival that I want
levels very interesting moments of in. So, on December 21, at the end to create amazing content about
transformation into a new energy. of the year, all the themes that we them.
So, I thought that we should do have discussed during the year in
things on those two days as well. the other three events – diversity, Q: What can young people
inclusion, equality, justice, climate expect on the day?
Given that we were covering action, peace, and sustainability –
diversity, inclusion, equality, and will be put into an arena for the I’m really excited that we’ll see
justice on March 21, and peace new generation, the very people young people from every continent
and sustainability on September who are going to save us (should of the world. We’ve identified a
21, it was obvious that we needed we be saved). They are the people young man and a young woman
to cover the climate issue, so we who are transforming the space who are transforming space within
created a show on June 21 called around them, for sure. each continent, and we’re giving
Climate Action Live. Basically, if them a voice to tell their stories.
we don’t protect resources, one sure The phrase itself was something I’m going to make those films in
thing is going to happen before we that I read in a letter from Valerie the most beautiful way I can. As
heat up or can’t eat – we’re going Keller, who works with Paul we hear the stories of those twelve
to fight over what’s left. So, no Polman at Imagine: Business as a or more Space Transformers, we
climate action, no peace. To think force for good. I saw this phrase will also hear from young actors
that we’re going to be evolved and “Space Transformers” in the letter who recreate the words of young
do it differently is a lovely thought, and thought it was such a beautiful people throughout history, and
which I’ll get up every day and phrase. I was really into the idea singers who perform and share
believe in, but history tells us that of “Let’s have a show called Space their beautiful art.
the way human DNA functions is Transformers just for young
manifested in what we see today. people.” There will also be a series of panel
discussions, and we will give
I’d like to think that we will Q: How old do you have to be Space Transformers Awards to a
evolve, that there will be a shift to be part of the event? young woman and a young man
in the level of consciousness somewhere in the world.
around the fundamental issues You have to be under the age of
that humanity faces, and I want 30, so I can’t be involved [laughs]. It’s the first time we’ve ever
it to happen, but I’m not going to Actually, that is a lovely thing, attempted anything like this.
hang on to the idea that it’s going because as I’ve gotten older, and We’ve never done a show that
to happen. So, as a person who as Peace One Day has been on focuses purely on young people,
wants to generate content that is the road for the last 22 years, and I’m genuinely massively
constructive and transformative, I’m trying more and more to excited about it. If people have
we are doing Climate Action Live. pull myself out of what’s going got it right, then perhaps we have
on. I’m much more interested in 250 years left here. Some would
12 H eart f u l n es s
say, “Hey, what a crazy thought,” it or not. And that’s the sad reality. Q: What can the younger
and I don’t really know, as I’m not It’s just what is. I’ve traveled for generations teach the older
a scientist but an ordinary geezer 22 years in 133 countries, and I’ve generations?
with no qualifications who’s just seen the results of human behavior.
had an idea and gone on that I wish I hadn’t seen it. It’s a very, I think Greta Thunberg summed
journey forever. Do you know what very serious time, so I’m really into it up quite nicely with the words,
I mean? I don’t want to get off that what Space Transformers can do. “Blah, blah, blah,” didn’t she.
train, as Cat Stevens-Yusuf Islam What a legend, what a woman!
said, the peace train. Q: Many young people My goodness. That’s what the
feel like they aren’t being young people are teaching the
So, that’s the zone I’m in. If we heard, so your initiatives are older generation. And let’s hope
have a limited time left, if we’re certainly providing them with the older generation makes some
not extremely careful it will be an opportunity to be heard. very crucial decisions at this point.
because of some major decisions That’s very, very important.
that will happen in the next I think that’s why I’d like Space
decade. Why would we think Transformers to be a success. I’d We do see some great changes.
that we are more evolved to like there to be good numbers and There are extremely constructive,
make big decisions in these ten I’d like the experience to work. positive things going on, and
years than the leaders who were If there is an annual experience things are transforming. The
talking about the same crucial at the end of every year, an question is whether they can
problems thirty years ago? I’ll experience that culminates from transform fast enough. The
hang on to the hope that they can thinking through the seasons academics tell us that the window
do it, but if they can't, we'll hear and reflecting on the year as we of opportunity is now. That’s the
Greta say, “All I’m hearing from prepare for the next season, it is a conundrum, that’s the issue. Can
leaders is blah, blah, blah." What very exciting thought. I’d like all they do it fast enough? Have they
an amazing thing she did! That those experiences to grow, because got the courage? Can they look
speech, that young person! It’s her narrative is everything; storytelling beyond their own borders?
perception of what is happening. is everything; informing, inspiring,
I saw her say, “You talk about all and engaging is everything; it’s the
these things, blah, blah, blah, but best thing we can do.
you’ve completely let us down.”
She also said, “Are you going to
change? It’s just words, blah, blah,
blah.” There was something about
the way she delivered that speech
that made me go “wow!” And the
truth is that we really are at an
absolutely critical, crucial moment.
If in the next few years, we don’t
do something fundamentally
different, the suffering that’s going
to come our way will be terrible,
irrespective of whether we survive
Q: How can people sign I really love the idea of being To be continued....
up, and will there be any a broadcaster of great people’s
activities leading up to the thoughts and stories. How
event? beautiful, what an honor.
It seems to me that this year has been much about Having safely thwarted the bull, we reached the
waiting … waiting for an upturn in the pandemic, village only to realize no one was up and nothing
hoping for more harmony amongst communities was open.
and nations, praying for less suffering of all
sentient beings, longing for our Mother Earth to We were too tired to traipse back across the
get some respite. It has been frustrating and sad, fields, and the first bus wasn’t until an hour later,
mainly because looking to change things we cannot so we laughed our way to the nearest park where
control has rarely been rewarding for anyone. This we discovered the swings and roundabouts of a
is when I became aware of the unexpected joy of children’s playground. We killed an hour there,
those beautiful little moments that simply happen enjoying these childhood thrills with no one
when we choose to live in the here and now. around to tell us we were too old to use the
playground. When it was time to catch the bus, we
Recently, I had a small reunion with my university happened to pass by a small bakery and had just
friends. We hadn’t met in many years, and so much enough money to buy a hot sticky bun each while
had happened since the last time we were together ensuring we had enough money for the bus fare
that there were several milestones and hurdles to to get us home. It was only when we started the
talk about. While sharing our news, one of my journey back that the cold and tiredness started
friends brought up an old memory that completely to seep in, but the experience of holding and
transformed the energy of the conversation. eating that hot sticky bun really hit the spot. So
much was distilled into those few hours – carefree
It was the story of a night in May, after our first- adventure, spontaneity, and no worries about what
year May Ball. The three of us were not quite ready came next.
to call it a night, so at 3 a.m. we decided to take a
long walk through the fields to the nearest village. Reminiscing about this experience, the same
What seemed like an easy walk to start with laughter we had shared back then bubbled to
quickly became a little more complicated when we the surface. Here was a realization that there are
realized there was a bull living in one of the fields. many amazing people who have been a part of my
But instead of feeling scared, we kept going and journey. I felt joy in the simplicity of this shared
found the situation so hilarious that I really prayed experience, and it reminded me that moments
our giggles would not prove to be the proverbial like these have the power to balance the many
red rag. complexities of life.
Lunch, Dinner,
and a Loving Baker
Dressed in White
By the end of the 1960s, Westerners were traveling to visit the spiritual
teacher, Babuji, in India. Among the first were the Danes, who all fell in love
with Babuji and were instrumental in bringing the spiritual practices of
Heartfulness to the West. One of these pioneers was THOMAS MOGENSEN,
who first visited Shahjahanpur in 1971 with his wife and some friends. They
filmed their conversations with Babuji, took many photos, and Thomas later
wrote two books about these precious experiences. Here is a small vignette
from one of his books, written with his signature humor, joy, and tenderness.
A
large wooden table and in the humblest way you can the amount of food is not much,
some upright chairs occupy imagine. As we dine, the situation he often shares most of it with
our dining room, situated gets more and more unsettling for the cat, the only one sure to join
and set aside solely for us in one our Danish sister, Vibe. She looks him. Once in a while, someone,
of the buildings enclosing an distressed from one to the other, usually his granddaughter, Nini,
inner kitchen courtyard in Babuji’s then turns to Babuji gently saying, drops by to see if he is all right.
Shahjahanpur home. The very first “It’s all right, Babuji, you don’t She instructs him to eat more, as
time we eat our lunch there, he need to sit here with us.” Without she knows better than anyone else
himself suddenly shows up. further notice he says, “Thank how a loss of appetite, if allowed
you,” as polite as ever, gets up and to continue, can end up in the
As expected from a good and leaves. danger zone of his ulcer breaking
polite host, he takes his seat at the out causing some real bad trouble.
end of the table. With a few words Babuji takes his food squatting in All such things are normally kept
that food should be nourishing solitude in a corner of the kitchen away from us, but after one of
and simple he sinks into silence, courtyard. His meals are served on our lunches, Nini approaches us.
looking down in front of himself a large stainless steel plate. Though Explaining how Babuji has not
16 H eart f u l n es s
FOC US
17
FO C U S
eaten anything for days, she asks gone and curled up in his easy Surprised, he looks from one to
us to please return to the veranda chair. We launch straight into the other as if wondering why he
and speak among ourselves about some nice Danish talk about is suddenly taking part in such
food – any food, our favorite food, practically serving him a an odd conversation. Then he
dishes. “You need not speak dish of the summer’s first new gets up and disappears into the
English,” she says, “and don’t and absolutely delicious cooked kitchen courtyard. Probably the
speak to him. Just speak in your potatoes with some nice cool cat is already waiting there for
own language.” Danish butter, a bit of salt, and him and his appetite to return.
a good lot of freshly chopped
Returning to the veranda, we parsley, when his withdrawn We ask him once varuv about
find Babuji as we left him, far painful condition lifts off. this ulcer of his, “Why don’t you
18 H eart f u l n es s
FOC US
same simple food here. The same Eagerly watching us, the Baker’s
identical dishes day in and day out family glue to the walls around us,
and, yes, it becomes a bit boring. five foreigners alone at the table.
Babuji senses it. They are so keen and polite that
“The food I serve you,” he says they hardly dare speak a word to
from his easy chair, making sure us. And now, eager hands place the
that no one from the kitchen food on the table in front of us.
happens to turn up, “I call Down to the smallest detail they
‘slaughtered vegetables.’” are the exact same dishes we have
been eating for months now! Yes,
Now, if no one in the kitchen sir! This is so absurdly funny that
hears this masterly coined joke, only one person can be behind
an angel surely does, for one fine this pleasant surprise – Babuji
morning a local abhyasi appears himself. This is why he took so
on the scene. Round in shape and much time and care to instruct
dressed all in white, we nickname our loving Baker. He wanted to
him “the Baker.” He always be dead sure that nothing unusual
observes the politest conduct would happen to us, maybe even
and humbly presents his errand down to the dining table itself.
in quietly spoken Urdu, making Boy, he could serve God on a
Babuji lean forward, fully attentive. stainless steel plate, but this is
After a while of listening, he takes what makes you love him. As
a good deep puff of the hookah, soon as we complete our meal,
seems contented with what he is the Baker is ready to take us back
hearing, and turns to us saying, home for him to present Babuji
“He has invited you to take food with a detailed verbal report of the
in his house.” evening’s events.
The very next day, the Baker By the way, Babuji’s favorite dish
returns for further instructions. was mushroom soup. On their
Every detail of such a daring travels to the West, his successor,
excursion must be in place, and Chariji, lured him with that when
just cure it yourself ? You can easily with Babuji’s blessing the chosen he lost his appetite. “Come on, I
do that.” evening finally arrives. In the think they have mushroom soup
He smiles and answers, “I don’t dark streets of Shahjahanpur, for us today.”
like to part with it. We have our good Baker’s glowing white
become good friends, me and my moon illuminated shape leads the
ulcer.” way. Meanwhile the thought of
What’s hidden in this rather something local, a bit of home
intriguing ulcer-thing, you, dear cooked curry with some pickle on
readers, are welcome to ponder the side, grows on us. And soon we
over as much as he leaves us to are seated at a dining table much
do. Anyway, everyone eats the like the one we are used to.
December 2 02 1 19
thought in
action
What did the mystic say
to the sandwich vendor?
Make me one with
everything!
ANON
I take
for granted
MAMATA VENKAT looks back over the last year, which has been
full of tragedy, and finds the moments of light and laughter that
bring joy and celebration to life.
22 H eart f u l n es s
T HOUG HT IN ACTION
H
ere are a few statistics resurface to find that simple things In the staring contests I have
I recently heard on an like jokes, humor, and laughter over entire weekends with my
episode of the Hidden Brain still exist. They are still allowed young cousins, who will giggle
podcast: to exist. And every moment that at just about anything.
you get to soak in that joy from
On average, children laugh laughter feels almost medicinal, a In a story my dad shared
300 times a day. soothing reprieve from the pain shortly after my grandfather’s
that reminds you that, yes, even in funeral, about the time my
It takes adults two and a half the midst of deep, overwhelming grandfather waved merrily to
months to laugh as much. sadness, you are still allowed to be a driver who was giving him
happy. the finger because he thought
Adults stop laughing around it was a friendly American
the age of 23, once they reach Laughter has been the light we gesture.
working age. have let in during a year that has
often been quite dark. It has come In the heated board and
I’m an adult (theoretically). I laugh in many forms: video games that my nephews
a lot, don’t I? I think I do. I think I
laugh many times a day.
Actually, I don’t.
December 2 02 1 23
THO U GH T I N ACT IO N
24 H eart f u l n es s
JUST THINKING AND FEELING
What Makes
a Person
Attractive?
DR ICHAK ADIZES shares his experience on what
we find attractive in other people, and the
importance of humor in relationships.
26 H eart f u l n es s
T HOUG HT IN ACTION
I
f you ask a man what makes a person attractive, respect and trust. I frequently sought her opinion
you will get a different answer than if you ask and respected it: I found her opinions very
a woman. Men, as I understand, usually focus valuable. I learned a lot. And I trusted her word. If
on physical attributes – the legs, the breasts, etc. she said something would be done, it was done.
Women tend to focus on the brain and on a man’s
ability to support and defend, etc. I have another Over time, I stopped noticing her crooked nose
idea, which I hope both sexes can agree to. And or protruding chin. I now thought she was
if you predict that it has something to do with beautiful, and I was hopelessly attracted to her.
integration, you’re right. Unfortunately for me, she was in a committed
relationship. On the other hand, I remember
When a person has it “all together,” that is, they dating a woman who was knockout gorgeous. She
are integrated, none of their energy is wasted. This had a perfect figure, a face that was hypnotically
person exudes energy, while a person who is “falling lovely. She was also well educated and came from
apart” takes energy from the people around them. a respected family. But I lost interest in her within
Who is attractive? Those that give you energy, weeks. My endless enthusiasm ended up in endless
not those who take from you. People who “have disappointment. What happened? She had no
it together” are attractive. Those that are “falling self-trust or self-respect. She was not “together.”
apart” are not. And because of that, I believe, she had no trust and
respect for others – in this case, for me.
Years ago, I hired a young woman as my assistant,
who I felt was rather plain and unattractive. On She could not make a decision on her own and
purpose. I assumed that attractive women would acted totally dependent on me. But when I decided
distract me from work. We started working anything, she did not trust that decision. We had
together, and over time I found her to be smart, endless debates about what to do and who was
intelligent, and easily receiving and granting right. This kind of person, often called a “high-
December 2 02 1 27
THO U GH T I N ACT IO N
maintenance person,” is not integrated. As a result, Now, a personal hypothesis: It appears that humor
a lot of their energy is wasted. They usually look needs energy; to be funny requires creativity
tired – emotionally tired, not necessarily physically that consumes energy. Thus, it appears to me
tired. They will tell you in a debate, “Never mind,” that people with a healthy sense of humor are
or “Fine,” but, as I came to learn, this only means more attractive than those who have none. My
the debate is being postponed, not actually experience is that if you can make a woman
resolved. genuinely laugh, she will find you attractive. The
same goes for men. What do you think?
Although such people can be physically stunning,
they often become unattractive to the people they Just thinking and feeling,
are with, despite being intelligent, highly educated, Dr. Ichak Kalderon Adizes
powerful, and successful. Being attractive depends
on the flow of personal energy, which is a function https://www.ichakadizes.com/post/what-makes-a-
of physical, emotional, and spiritual integration – person-attractive
in other words, being healthy in body, mind, and
spirit.
28 H eart f u l n es s
Two roads diverged in a
wood, and I –
I took the one less
traveled by,
And that has made all the
difference.
ROBERT FROST
Q: Welcome Rashmi! How are Management Ahmedabad and He basically said, “Do you want
you doing? did an MBA, like so many other to spend the rest of your life
people, but then I decided to selling sugared water or do you
Wonderful! Happy to see you go back to my first love, which want the chance to change the
and to do this interview with was writing. I chose to be a world?”
you. writer at the time when writing
was not seen as a profession This line stuck with me. I
Q: I’m also happy. I have copies in India. In those days, books decided I didn’t want to spend
of two of your books right next were synonymous with Jeffery my life selling detergent powder
to me! Could you share your Archer and Sidney Sheldon. and credit cards. I would rather
personal journey and how you There was no demand for Indian do something meaningful. I
reached this stage? authors. But I knew that this never thought I would change
was the place where I would be the world, but I thought that
Okay, so you want me to happy and be able to contribute if I did something that comes
summarize my entire life something. I remember reading naturally to me, that I enjoy,
in three minutes? I would a line in a book called Odyssey, I would definitely contribute
put it like this – there was a the story of John Scully (the something to the world. I had
conventional path for me to CEO of Pepsi) and Steve Jobs. clarity on what I didn’t want
follow, which was pretty easy Jobs went to Scully in 1985 and in my life, and then I put that
and clear, but somehow I knew persuaded him to leave Pepsi aside. It was a journey. It didn’t
it was not the road for me. I and join Apple, which was an happen in a day, but once I took
went to the Indian Institute of unknown company back then. the decision, it was easy and the
right thing to do.
December 2 02 1 33
Q: You mentioned that you had In another course, called if I did that I would wither
clarity on what you didn’t want “Exploring Roles and Identity,” away. All my creative juices
in life. Where does the clarity we went to a beach resort near would be sucked out. That was
come from? Valsad and spent five days my assessment. Finally I took a
sitting under the trees. We were stand. Not everyone was happy
I went to IIM with an open asked to reflect and contemplate and could understand why I
mind, and I also wanted to live on our life and choices, and did it, but many years later they
away from my parents for two what hurdles were blocking us came around and said, “You
years. It was a fantastic place, or holding us back. At the end decided what was best for you
where I met amazing people, but of it, I realized I couldn’t go on and it was the right choice.”
I didn’t connect with what they doing things to please other
were teaching. I didn’t enjoy the people. I was a bright student Q: I’m sure it must have been
subjects and I was unhappy with in school, and my father was tough.
the prospects. In second year, a scientist. Everybody in my
we had certain courses that were colony chose a career in science. Actually, when I took the
quite unusual for a management It was very clear what path I was decision, I felt very light and
institute. One was called supposed to take, but I realized free. That meant it was the right
“Laboratory in Entrepreneurial I didn’t enjoy science and math. decision. Prior to that I had a
Motivation,” which was offered Though I was uncomfortable, I dilemma, but once I decided
by an entrepreneur, Sunil Handa. still wanted to please my father. I knew it was the right thing
Finally, I realized that I had to for me. People asked if it was
He told us, “Look, there are live life on my terms and for difficult and I replied, “No,
other options in life. You can myself; I couldn’t keep putting actually it would’ve been difficult
start your own company; you can put one foot in one boat and one to do the other thing.”
create your own path.” That was in another. People advised me
a message I needed to hear. to write as a hobby, but I knew
34 H eart f u l n es s
Q: I had a similar experience Actually, you identified a Q: How did your writing journey
after class 12 when I was spiritual journey much earlier begin? When did you realize,
figuring out what courses I than I did. I was not aware of “This is for me”?
wanted to pursue in college. all these terms but I was very
I asked my spiritual guide, clear about one thing: Money I started writing when I was a
“How to know if I am choosing is not so important to me. I’m student at Sophia College in
the right career?” not saying money is bad, but I Mumbai. In my second year,
He gave a classic one-line don’t need a lot of money to be just for fun, I wanted to see
answer: “Well, you’ll know if happy. My first job was with the my name in the Times of India
you’re in the wrong one.” Times of India before I started newspaper. So, I tried to get
What you shared about feeling my own company publishing a my articles published and they
light and carefree really youth magazine called JAM – came back with rejection slips,
resonates with me. Just Another Magazine. At every not once, twice, or thrice, but
point I have looked for richness a fourth and a fifth time. Then
In the moments when you were of experience rather than I said, “Am I really no good as
struggling, or when you felt so richness of bank balance. I found a writer? Should I continue?”
clear in the moment, how did that if I pursued money then Something in me said, “Keep
you practice self-acceptance I had to compromise on the trying,” and my forty-first article
and compassion toward experience part. That’s been a was published. That was the
yourself? How did it connect guiding principle for me. Money start of my professional writing
with your inner needs at each does come – I’m not saying it’s journey. I freelanced for many
moment? a bad thing, or that I have issues newspapers and magazines while
with it – but the pursuit of I was a student, and after that I
money is not my main goal. worked with the Times of India,
where I had a unique job both as
a writer and a manager.
December 2 02 1 35
INN ERV I EW
Then I started my own started a magazine because I was have to be open to being guided
magazine, to give a platform a writer, but I was not writing by something bigger than
to young people so that they much anymore. themselves.
could express themselves, and
not have to try forty times to So, I started freelancing for It’s as if you’re receiving some
get published! It became very other newspapers, magazines, kind of transmission. You have
popular, and then, at some point, and online platforms, and I to tune in; it’s not just going to
I became more of a manager of wrote for Business World for come automatically. The work
other people’s writing, because some years where I was a has to be done, your hand has
as an editor and publisher I had consulting editor. I could express to type on the keyboard, but
to keep finding new writers and myself. Writing is an important if it goes in a direction that is
mentoring them, editing their tool for me to connect with my different from what you thought,
work. Also, I felt that I was inner being, even though I’m not let it flow that way, because
growing older, so I shouldn’t be always writing about personal that’s the magic of any art form.
writing for a student magazine. things. The act of writing puts We connect with the higher
me in a state of flow, which is a power that I don’t want to put
I also went through a period of higher state, where I am bigger a name to. There is something
depression after my daughter than my “self.” I am accessing bigger than me, which can even
was born. I didn’t know something that is not just me. be called the Universal Mind.
there was something called
postpartum depression – today, Sometimes I start with one Coming back to writing, it was
we have much more information idea, but then feel I’m being important for me to regain my
– and I started feeling, “I’m guided by a higher power. balance and my zest for life, and
not good, I can’t do anything.” When I teach people to write I remember meeting somebody
To come out of that, I had to in workshops, I tell them that who told me, “You should write
discover myself as a writer, they have to put in the effort, a book.” I said, “No, I have
because I was not writing. I had they need discipline, and they nothing to write,” but just four
INNERVIE W
years later, I published the book When you want to write a book, own ambitions and scaled back
Stay Hungry Stay Foolish, which you may have a lot of different their dreams. Initially I found it
did very well. ideas, but you can’t write five at difficult to locate women who
a time. You have to choose one had really grown businesses, but
Q: That’s wonderful! and totally immerse yourself in once I got into it, wherever I
it. The moment you do that, a lot turned I started seeing women’s
We all have a lot of hidden of new doors open for you. stories and I would approach
potential that sometimes we are them. I became a magnet for
unaware of. When I decided to write Follow those stories, and I could do
Every Rainbow, I wanted to that because I was focused on
Q: Thank you for sharing that. I write a book about women that one book. If I had not been
really resonate with what you entrepreneurs, and I had some focused, then maybe I would not
say about keeping going and criteria. My main criterion was have noticed the same things. I
being guided. When I relate that they should be women who think once you realize that, then
this to my meditation practice, had children and had brought you know the power of focus.
I failed terribly at first. I read up a family, because otherwise, Everyone wants things quickly,
an article where you said to in terms of availability and but over time you realize
stick to an idea till the very competence, I don’t think there that life is not a race. I think
end. How do you stick to is any difference between men everyone today is going to have
things till the very end? Youth and women. Women have this at least two or three careers in
want to have everything in the additional responsibility, and it their lifetime, because most of
moment: Instant gratification, doesn’t stop when children are us are living till ninety years
instant happiness, instant six months or six years. My mom of age and are we going to do
money. But these things take still worries about me, right? It’s the same thing our whole lives?
time, so I wish to know how a lifelong commitment. I felt Even if there are three or four
you handled this. it was the primary reason why different things we want to
many women cut back on their pursue, we don’t have to do all of
them at the same time. We can Q: There was a line in Follow How does it matter whether we
keep a few things on hold for a Every Rainbow where you exist or not?
little later in life. We constantly wrote, “Tomorrow will hold the
need to rejuvenate and reinvent fragrance of feminine values of It only matters because of
ourselves. courage and transparency and the stories we tell ourselves.
grace,” and that really touched We create and write our own
I think reinvention is very me. As a woman, in addition to stories. Now, we can choose to
important. Maybe in the past it the responsibility of having a look at life as just life, with no
wasn’t, as people did the same family and children, it’s such a meaning to it, or we can attach
job and retired with an HMT gift to be able to nurture, have some meaning to it. We can
watch, but now that doesn’t your own principles and values, find something that makes it
happen. So, we need to have and go out to seize the world! worth a little more than routine
different interests to keep us Why do you think it is things. It’s our choice as human
going, and I don’t think it’s ever important to keep dreams beings. Maybe animals are
too late to learn something new. alive? much simpler, they just have
In the Rainbow book, a few of their routine life. Sometimes I
the entrepreneurs started later in Because if you have no dreams, envy the dog with very simple
life. One was forty-nine. there is nothing to wake up to in needs and no complications,
the morning and aspire to. If you that doesn’t get upset and stay
It’s all in the mind. If you think look at it in the larger context upset for three days! But human
you can do it, you can. Maybe of the entire universe, there are beings have a choice of the kind
she spent the first half of her life millions of stars and galaxies, of life they want to lead, by
devoted to her family, and when and if you zoom in on Kashish the stories they tell themselves
her children grew up, she said, or Rashmi, we’re specks in a vast about who they are, what they
“Okay, now it’s my time.” ocean and we’re meaningless. are here for, and the way they
want to live life.
38 H eart f u l n es s
Q: You’ve authored many
books. Do you have a favorite
or one you recommend
everyone to read first? Sometimes I envy the dog
Yes, I like Connect the Dots.
with very simple needs and
That’s the one closest to my no complications, that
heart.
doesn’t get upset and stay
Q: What are you currently
reading? upset for three days! But
I just got a book from someone human beings have a choice
who used to work with me. It is
called Susegad. Have you heard
of the kind of life they want
of the book Ikigai? to lead, by the stories they
Q: Yes. tell themselves about who
It’s something like that about they are, what they are here
the Goan way of life. It’s written
by Clyde D’Souza, who used to for, and the way they want to
work with me at JAM. He sent
live life.
the book to me yesterday.
December 2 02 1 39
INN ERV I EW
Q: Nice! Who has been your Q: How do you celebrate am who I am today because of it.
biggest teacher and how did success and how do you I wrote Stay Hungry Stay Foolish
they impact your life? handle failure? because I was an entrepreneur
and I had been in touch with
From a distance, I would say Actually, I don’t know if I’ve young people for so long as an
Steve Jobs. I never met him, really celebrated success that editor of the magazine. I was
but just by reading his book, well – I should celebrate it able to write a book that was not
watching a couple of videos, and more. I don’t feel an attachment preachy; basically focused on
following the path of his life, I because today it’s there and storytelling. So, it was integral
felt quite inspired. Of course, tomorrow it’s not. I have reached to my life journey. Although it
it doesn’t mean I would like to a stage where I can accept did not give me the financial
always be like him, but I was compliments, thank people, and returns I wanted, and it could
definitely impacted by certain feel that I deserve it, because not sustain me, if you ask me,
things, certain ways of thinking. at one point I was not in that “Would you go back and do
In fact, the titles of the first two frame of mind. something else?” the answer is
books I wrote were taken from a no.
speech given by Steve Jobs. Failure, yes, I’ve had failure. I
had to shut down my company I think all the difficult moments,
Q: Wonderful! What is in 2010 after fifteen years, also when I was depressed, made
something you do for because I felt that nobody would me much more empathetic.
happiness? read a printed magazine in I could write the book, Stay
future. It became a loss-making Hungry Stay Foolish, because
I like to travel. I like to go to a enterprise, so it folded. That was I had seen difficult times. I
new place where I don’t know really hard, because there were could connect with people,
anyone or anything and walk so many other people who had understand them, become a
around the city and observe put their lives into it. It was better listener, see a little below
people. Right now, it is not almost like my first baby, and I the surface. Before that, I think
possible!
INNERVIE W
I was quite full of myself, and I now, it’s about looking inward during Covid because I wanted
had views that I don’t subscribe and focusing on self-love and a challenge. I started writing
to anymore. I became aware of acceptance, which I still need short stories, and teaching
the potential of the mind, and I to work on. Outer success is other people how to write short
was drawn to different things. I one thing, but to have that calm stories, and I publish them
learned Reiki, and I did things I center, which is glowing with weekly on my website
would never have done if I had love, I don’t think I have reached www.rashmibansal.in. In fiction,
not been in a low phase of life. that place yet. Outer success you enter the inner world of the
is meaningless until I have characters a lot more. In non-
When a low phase comes, I harmony within, and an endless fiction, characters are defined
explore new things, and that is encounter of self-love. Self- mostly through the actions they
how I came to a spiritual path. love can be depleted, so I still take, but in fiction you get into
need to work on that. That’s the the minds of the characters, and
Q: What is the essence of life realization most people have as you know the contradictions
for you, or is it something you’re they grow older – while outward that exist. To do that, I need to
figuring out? achievements are good, you also explore my own contradictions
have to turn inward. first.
I think it keeps changing with
time. Earlier, it was about I want to do different kinds of Q: Finally, is there any life
creating my own path. Right writing. I started writing fiction mantra you’d like to share with
42 H eart f u l n es s
our readers, aspiring writers, don’t know how you are going uncomfortable, because that’s
entrepreneurs, and those on a to do it, you don’t have the when you rise up and find in
journey of self ? answer, the path is not clear. You yourself some hidden shakti
only know that you are foolish or power that you didn’t know
“Stay hungry, stay foolish.” enough to believe it’s possible. existed. In short, “stay hungry,
It encapsulates everything, Then, one step at a time, you stay foolish.” Don’t ever think,
because you have a deep desire move toward the goal. Don’t “I’m at the top of the mountain
to keep growing, learning, and underestimate yourself and and it’s the end of my journey.”
enhancing yourself. It applies be open to learn and try new
to an entrepreneur, it applies things. Thank you so much, Rashmi.
to a company, and it applies I absolutely loved this. It was
to personal growth. Don’t be I have written eleven books, and wonderful to connect with you.
satisfied with everything you’ve even if I write ten more, I want
learnt, seen, and done; that’s a new challenge. I want to go
what keeps you going. where people are. The audience Illustrations by
on Netflix is 1000 times more JASMEE MUDGAL
Foolish because today you may than the audience for books, so I
have a foolish dream – you may have to reinvent myself and my
want to write a screenplay, or a way of doing things.
web series for Netflix, but you
Keep going on the path that
challenges you and makes you
December 2 02 1 43
it changes everything
The truth is
inconvenient.
PEMA CHÖDRÖN
Q: Thank you sir, for having this The Thar Desert is the driest part find solutions, taking their advice,
conversation with us. You have of India, with severe water scarcity, and developing future projects and
been on a long and inspiring food shortages, and poverty. Since programs. We ensure that they
journey with GRAVIS. Could you the beginning, GRAVIS has been are fully involved in many ways.
tell us more about it? involved in drought mitigation, GRAVIS has led to the formation
finding common feasible solutions of more than 3000 community-
GRAVIS is a pioneering in consultation with the local based organizations (CBOs), and
organization that was founded people. We took up various many of them are sustainable,
in 1983 in the Thar Desert. The projects and formed multiple self-reliant, confident, working on
vision was for constructive rural partnerships to mitigate the their own, leveraging government
development on the Gandhian effects of drought. Later, GRAVIS resources, and developing their
lines of philosophy, and at the expanded into other areas of own agenda and priorities. That
time there were no organizations human development, including helps in sustaining the initiatives
working on integrated rural healthcare, education, and rural we have taken up.
development in a holistic way in livelihood.
that area. Since then, GRAVIS has We have been extending our work
grown extensively. It’s currently The core of GRAVIS’ work regularly every year, and currently
one of the leading organizations has been active community we reach about 1.5 million people.
in the region and nationally, with involvement, and that includes
some global recognition. consulting with the community to
46 H eart f u l n es s
IT CHAN G E S E V E RY THI NG
December 2 02 1 47
I T C H AN GE S E V E RY TH ING
48 H eart f u l n es s
IT CHAN G E S E V E RY THI NG
December 2 02 1 49
I T C H AN GE S E V E RY TH ING
50 H eart f u l n es s
IT CHAN G E S E V E RY THI NG
For nearly ten years I traveled Narayan, I remember meeting anything you’d like to share with
from a village to Jodhpur every day Kripalani, I remember meeting our readers?
in a bus to attend school. It was a Vinoba. It was quite a thing to do
12-hour-a-day process from 7 a.m. because they are big names. Mahatma Gandhi said, “My life
to 7 p.m. All of this is important, is my message.” Every life is a
because that’s how organizations Last and not least – the love of the message, and every life is capable
become strong in their values people has always been visible. In of leaving a message. It doesn’t
and beliefs, and how they make the rural areas, we receive so much have to be like Mahatma Gandhi’s
connections to communities. affection, so much love, and that’s life; it could be Kashish’s life or
what makes the difference. anyone else’s life. It’s up to you
GRAVIS faced very severe to make that message whatever
resistance in 1989-1990, when Q: Yes, indeed. What are some you want it to look like. And your
the whole country was burning. practical tools that we can entire life works for that message,
At that time, our centers were incorporate into our lifestyle to so it can’t be created overnight.
attacked and destroyed, because be more conscious of the way
we worked with the lower castes, we are living and more involved Q: What is your life’s message?
the so-called Dalits, and we in community initiatives?
were given a message that it I am still in the process of finding
was time to go home and not to I wouldn’t know. I’m a very that out! I haven’t gone through
spoil the community equations unorganized man, I must admit. much of my life – I still have a
and dynamics. But we sustained Everyone has their own way of few years left. It doesn’t have to
and we fought back, literally doing things. If you ask me, at a be gigantic, it doesn’t have to be
from a point where nothing was very personal level, being on time global, and it doesn’t have to be
left. Everything was destroyed, is extremely important and it helps noble. It can be anything, as long
everyone was beaten, and then the me measure if what I’m doing is as you have a message. “My life
organization reemerged. That’s a fruitful or not. At the end of every is my message” is my advice to
strong memory. 24-hour cycle, I make a calculation the younger generation, or any
of what I did today and how I generation.
A more recent memory is my own spent my time. It’s important to be
personal decision to stay with accountable to myself about how Q: Thank you for taking the time
GRAVIS. I didn’t plan it that way, my time was spent. I don’t know if to share your story and message
but with my father’s demise there it’s practical or more philosophical, with us.
was a vacuum of leadership, so but to me it’s important.
I traveled back from the U.S. to Thank you.
India ten years ago. The second thing is to do
something new every day. And To be continued
The most significant memories that “new” could be anything. It
are meeting the social activists, could be writing about something Photos by RAJESH MENON
the people who really believed new or singing a new song.
in an India and a world free of
discrimination, free of injustice. Q: Doing something new is such
I remember meeting Jayaprakash a creative tool! Finally, is there
December 2 02 1 51
GANESH PAI shares memories of his father and the
lessons learned from his father’s behavior, presence,
and attitude of forgiveness.
52 H eart f u l n es s
IT CHAN G E S E V E RY THI NG
T
he tempo1 was ready to from my childhood about my with the mess I had created. My
depart. It was a short father, watching him up close and fate hung in as much imbalance
30-minute journey from being inspired by his outstanding as the chandelier on the ceiling.
Bhatkal to Uppunda, a sleepy qualities. Let me share a few When my father came home for
village in coastal Karnataka, memories from my childhood that lunch, my mother did the honor
India. My father, sister, and I were have left an indelible mark on my of breaking the bad news. In my
traveling together. Since we were memory. mind, I was pretty sure that I was
first in, we quickly found seats. about to get a tight slap. My father
Pretty soon, the tempo was jam- Growing up, I was a big fan of heard my mother, gave me a deep
packed; even an ant could not have cricket. Not a difficult choice to look with his penetrating eyes,
entered. As the journey started, make in a cricket-frenzied nation. and left without uttering a word.
the conductor started collecting One of my uncles had gifted me a He was upset. However, in that
fares, and as he neared our seats, cricket bat and I looked for every instant, he had forgiven me. His
he asked me to stand up and let opportunity to wield my new love for me outweighed his liking
an adult sit in my place. I was willow. My brother and I would for a materialistic possession. I can
about to get up when my father play cricket in the living room on never forget his act of kindness.
tapped me on the shoulder to the first floor of our home, and
indicate that I should stay seated our mother’s warning not to play My father had a rock solid routine.
right there. The conductor told my there would fall on deaf ears. My He would have been a perfect
father, “Sir, you will have to pay father had also advised us to stop brand ambassador for a Swiss
full fare for your two kids.” So he playing inside. It was a Sunday watch. His clockwork started
handed over two notes without afternoon when my brother and I at 8 a.m. when he left for the
batting an eyelid, and my sister decided to have our bilateral series. restaurant, where he worked as the
and I traveled comfortably that Things were looking good until the Manager. At 8:30 a.m. he was in
day. ball smashed against a beautiful the market, purchasing vegetables
chandelier hanging on the ceiling. and groceries. At 9:30 a.m., he
We may not have been rich, but was at the bank. Since he was
he made us feel rich that day. To say I was nervous will not do always one of the first customers,
That’s my father for you. I have justice to how scared I felt that he wrapped up his work fast. From
many such beautiful memories day. I had no idea how to deal there, he completed any other
1
A small van
December 2 02 1 53
I T C H AN GE S E V E RY TH ING
54 H eart f u l n es s
IT CHAN G E S E V E RY THI NG
He was forgiving, work. Finally, he dropped the bag wasn’t something serious. Then
of vegetables and groceries he he coolly said, “I see. It should
but never gullible. purchased for our home and then not have happened. I will send an
returned to the restaurant. electrician. Don’t worry, I will see
He was prudent you and Mom at home later.”
With this well-planned schedule,
with his time and he never needed to step out again. I was shell-shocked to see his
He believed in the economy of calm demeanor in the face of
money, but not a efforts. He would advise us to plan what looked like a disaster to me.
miser. He was our activities to accomplish the His calmness gave me a sense
most with the minimum amount of assurance, and I instantly felt
centered even of time. He would urge us not to relieved. Personally, it was like
go out four times to complete four watching James Bond effortlessly
when surrounded different tasks. Instead, step out conquering a high-stake crisis.
once and complete four tasks in
by a cyclone. one shot. He believed in return on When I look at how my father led
time as much as return on capital. his life, I notice that he did not
Intuitively, he operate out of 101 philosophies.
He may not have read productivity
seemed to know classics like Getting Things Done or He had just a few, and he followed
Eat That Frog, but he could have them irrespective of the situation
that he was given any productivity guru a run around him. He was forgiving, but
for their money. never gullible. He was prudent
much greater with his time and money, but not
I admire my father’s emotional a miser. He was centered even
than any stability. I remember an incident when surrounded by a cyclone.
situation he on a late summer evening when I Intuitively, he seemed to know
was around ten years old, and we that he was much greater than any
would ever face. had a short circuit at home. There situation he would ever face.
were sparks coming out of the
power meter and my mother and I
were shocked. I ll u st rat io n s by A R ATI S H EDDE
December 2 02 1 55
be inspired
Habit is stronger
than reason.
GEORGE
SANTAYANA
P h o t o by I VA N S A M KO V
Creating a Daily Routine
THE ART OF REMOVING AND CREATING HABITS
Part 12
Throughout 2021, DAAJI has been exploring habits, and how to change them from the
perspective and wisdom of Yoga. Through this journey, he has offered tips to help us reset
our compass to a lifestyle of integrity and happiness, and in this final article he takes it
to the very practical level of the habits we cultivate in our daily routine to lead a life of
inspired purpose, offering us a positive way forward.
BE IN SPI RED
—John C. Maxwell
T
housands of years ago, the great sage the principles in daily life that intelligence can
Patanjali presented the Yamas and Niyamas manifest. Stephen Covey once said, “Habit is the
as the first two of the eight elements of Yoga. intersection of knowledge (what to do), skill (how
The principles behind these two elements are very to do), and desire (want to do).”
simple:
Changing habits may start with conscious
“Yama is the giving up of unwanted things from awareness, but it also requires the “how to” and
the heart, whereas Niyama is the filling up of the the “want to” that Covey speaks about. I would
required qualities in the heart. ” say that it also requires something even more
fundamental than these three things, because we
In other words, Yama is the removal of habits that can still run into obstacles even when we have the
lead us away from our ideal, and Niyama is the “what, how, and want.” These obstacles are the pre-
cultivation of habits that take us toward our ideal. programmed subconscious patterns buried deep
Intuitively, we all know what ideal we are striving within our psyche, which influence our feelings
for, but we struggle to live up to it. and our belief systems. They undermine our self-
confidence and our desire to transform ourselves.
That is why it is so vital to work at the inner level
Why do we struggle to create through daily meditative practices, with a great
evolutionary habits? deal of self-acceptance.
We struggle because knowing is not enough, and The next stage is to externalize those inner
intelligence is not enough – not even emotional changes, in order to “live” the values and ethics in
intelligence or ethical intelligence. Intelligence is daily life. It is here that the work is done on all
only one aspect of forming habits. It is by “living” aspects of behavior, both seen and unseen.
December 2 02 1 59
B E I N SP I RE D
60 H eart f u l n es s
BE IN SPI RED
Habit 3: Be loving
December 2 02 1 61
B E I N SP I RE D
The heart is the balancing midpoint in your system When you are feeling wronged by someone, try
and the seat of the soul, so when you meditate not to feel resentful or want to get even with them.
on the heart, you center yourself and transcend Injustice will be there, sometimes even from those
the reactiveness that happens at lower levels of you love the most, and when it happens it can be
consciousness. Here are a few behavioral maxims devastating. But does it help to retaliate? This was
that help with this habit: the great lesson of Jesus Christ, who lived a life of
compassion, lovingly accepting betrayal from both
Treat all beings as your brothers and sisters, no his enemies and his closest associates.
matter how different they are from you. Unity in
diversity is a law of Nature. The daily practice of Cleaning helps to remove any
of these complexities from your system, so that
Learn to accept miseries and remove any gradually over time you will come to love all beings.
expectation that things will be the way you want And if you do something to hurt anyone else, even
them to be. unintentionally, at bedtime go into your heart and
feel regret, with the intention not to repeat it.
that you radiate will Remove the falseness, hypocrisy, and multiple
personas you carry around as masks for different
contribute goodness occasions. Their removal leads to truthfulness and
authenticity so that your true colors shine through
to the world, whereas in whatever you think, feel, say, and do.
resentment will only You have your own perception of reality because
of the complexities that have accumulated in
pollute the atmosphere your consciousness. In contrast, authenticity has
around you. a childlike innocence and integrity, leading to a
state of flow, health, well-being, harmony, and
integration. Many of your masks are unconscious,
hence the need for inner practices that reintegrate
62 H eart f u l n es s
BE IN SPI RED
you from the Center of your being to the outermost their hearts. Taking more than is rightfully ours is
aspects of your personality and behavior. also stealing, including hoarding resources for the
future. We steal other people’s identities when we
To my heart, purity is the essence of inner aspire to be like them to the extent that we are no
transformation. What are the qualities that result longer authentic. FOMO relies on stolen identities.
from mental purity? Patanjali defines four of them:
the first is happiness, the second is concentration, But not stealing is just the beginning. A higher
the third is mastery of the senses, and the fourth level of this habit is generosity and a giving nature.
is the preparation for Self-Realization, which is When you are empathetic, compassionate, and
not possible without this preparation. It requires loving, your presence is of greater value. When you
discipline and intense interest, as well as the give more than you receive, you start to resonate
support of a capable Guide. with Nature.
Habit 6: Be moderate
64 H eart f u l n es s
BE IN S P I RED
Habit 8: Become self-aware The most direct ways to learn about yourself are
through meditation, the practice of Cleaning,
Self-study requires you to turn your attention introspection, and journal writing.
inward to learn about yourself. It has been the
cornerstone of psychology from ancient times to In meditation you notice the thoughts, feelings, and
the present day, in both the East and the West. vibrations within your mind. As you witness them,
Self-study goes hand in hand with meditative gradually you learn how they arise, what motivates
65
B E I N SP I RED
them, where they lead, and many other things. After meditation, when you
When you do this without attachment or desire,
you discover that the vibrations no longer generate take the time to absorb the
turbulence or entanglement. They simply pass.
condition you have received,
Through meditation, you dive into deeper
dimensions of yourself. Self-study does not stay
self-study is enhanced at all
at the surface level of thoughts and emotions. You levels, not just the mental
journey into layers of your being that you cannot
access through conversation or a more analytic level. The condition enlivens
approach to self-discovery. After meditation, when
you take the time to absorb the condition you have every atom of your being so
received, self-study is enhanced at all levels, not
just the mental level. The condition enlivens every that you embody the effects
atom of your being so that you embody the effects
of meditation, and so that it is absorbed at subtler
of meditation, and so that it
and subtler levels. is absorbed at subtler and
subtler levels.
66 H eart f u l n es s
unloading of unwanted ego and desires happens you are free of the entanglements caused by all the
naturally. mental and emotional complexities and impurities
that otherwise distort existence. You are free.
Habit 9: Be open to the great This is the habit that is described by all the great
unknown mystical poets like Rumi, Kabir, Mirabai, and the
Western romantics. It is here that you step into
The last is the most mysterious of habits – to the great unknown, to explore the real purpose
accept and surrender to the universal divine of human existence. When you remind yourself
principle known as God. This ultimate state of of this goal every day, you will surely reach there
acceptance allows you to feel held, protected, and eventually.
supported. With it comes a carefree willingness
to hand over the reins of life to the infinite Being
that is bigger than you. You are a small part of the
whole, and you can choose to be in osmosis with
the whole rather than seeing yourself as separate.
HILDEGARD
VON BINGEN
ICELAND
A PHOTO ESSAY
In these landscapes,
which are so surreal they
are almost like paintings,
BRUNO MEMEINT
captures the stark
beauty of Iceland, a
land known for its harsh
climate and astounding
ephemeral light.
70 H eart f u l n es s
TAST E OF LI FE
December 2 02 1 71
TA ST E O F L I FE
74 H eart f u l n es s
Hildegard
AN ECO-SAINT
BARBARA SONVILLA writes about the divine feminine and the global
awakening of women. She celebrates women telling their stories and taking
action to bring alive a collective awareness of the need to respect and
protect Mother Earth, nurture life in all its aspects, and hold it sacred. Here
she presents Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179), one of the early Christian
eco-saints, and her love for Mother Earth.
December 2 02 1 75
TA ST E O F L I FE
a health counselor. Today, she is widely known “Holy persons draw to themselves all that is
for her sublime choral music. Her pioneering and earthly …
practical works on biology, botany, and medicine, The Earth is at the same time mother,
and her scholarly writings on theology, reveal a She is mother of all that is natural,
remarkable personality with compelling teaching mother of all that is human.
abilities, equipped with fearlessness in dealing with She is the mother of all,
church elders and leaders. In 2012, Hildegard was for contained in her
canonized and declared a Doctor of the Church by are the seeds of all.”
Pope Benedict XVI, becoming the fourth woman
to receive such an honor in the Catholic Church. As was the custom of the time, as the tenth
child of a noble family, Hildegard was dedicated
What drew me to Hildegard the most was that to the church. Having had visions of what she
she was one of the “creation-centered” mystics called “reflections of the living Light” from early
of the West. She considered everything to be childhood, she was reluctant to share these visions,
interconnected with everything else. In her own which came to her as inner experiences while
words: her eyes were open and all her senses routinely
engaged. Only at the age of 43, after seeking
and receiving the blessing from Pope Eugene
III, Hildegard started writing down her visions
and thoughts in her first book, Scivias, including
images of these visions.
76 H eart f u l n es s
TAST E OF LI FE
78 H eart f u l n es s
TAST E OF LI FE
1
Butcher, C.A., 2007. St. Hildegard of Bingen. A Spiritual Reader. Paraclete Press.
December 2 02 1 79
w hat' s u p
info@heartsapp.org
80 H eart f u l n es s
F IND YOU R
COMMU NIT Y for
Find a trainer or
meditation center
near you!
https://heartfulness.
life
org/en/connect-with- C O N S CIO U S L I V I N G
# 1 B EST SELL E R us/ IN S TOCK
#1 BE S T S E L L ER
HFNLife strives to
DESIGNING THE HEARTFULNESS bring products to
DESTINY WAY make your life simple
by DAAJI by DAAJI and convenient.
December 2 02 1 81