Divine Soul Qualities

Lord Krishna has given mankind 26 soul qualities in the chapter XVI of Holy Geeta. I thought International Yoga Day is the right day to share the following with you! These have been taken from Gurudeva Paramahansa Yogananda’s commentary on Holy Geeta, called – God Talks With Arjuna! That is such a soul uplifting and divine work. Sri Paramahansa Yogananda has also written a commentary on Holy Bible – Second Coming of Christ. He had concluded that in their essence both these holy books give the same message!! Both these books are available online at the book store of : Yogananda.org outside India and yssofindia.org in India. You may also like to pick up a copy of Autobiography of a Yogi, which has been hailed as one of the most influential spiritual books of the last century.

Yoga means union – Union of soul with Spirit, with God! Yoga is not merely about body fitness, it is more about creating harmony and peace in body, mind and soul. I sincerely believe that absorbing these soul qualities in our hearts and minds would give us the peace, harmony, and God realisation we are seeking!!

SQ1: Fearlessness: The foundation of spiritual life: having faith in God’s protection, justice, wisdom, mercy, love and omnipresence.

SQ2: Purity of Heart: Transparency to truth. Freedom from attachment and repulsion to sense objects. “Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God”

SQ3: Steadfastness: in seeking wisdom and practicing raj yoga. Applying scriptural wisdom and immersing oneself in the growing peace born of regular meditation.

SQ4: ALMSGIVING: Unselfishness and generosity to those in need and worthy

SQ5: SELF RESTRAINT: Repetition of unwise sense experiences creates strong and destructive bad habits.

SQ6: Religious Rites: One’s whole life should be a sacred rite, with every thought and act purified by reverence and offered to the divine.

SQ7: Right Study of Scriptures: Redemption comes not from intellectual knowledge but from what one becomes by integrating that knowledge.

SQ8: Self Discipline – Restraint of appetite, including celibacy; training the body to withstand bodily discomfort. Transmuting material desires into spiritual aspirations.

SQ9: Straightforwardness – A quality of honorable men. Striving to be sincere, free from deceit and guile, and open and candid.

SQ10: Non Injury – The avoidance of harm to any living creature in thought or deed, except when obstructing evil or upholding righteousness.

SQ11: Truth – Honesty: is the foundation stone of the universe. Honoring truth in thought, speech and action. Words should always be sweet, healing and beneficial to others.

SQ12: Absence of Wrath – The quickest way to peace of mind: being free from rage, animosity and resentment.

SQ13: Renunciation – Willingly give up passing sense pleasures for the sake of eternal joys. Living for truth without being emotionally attached in the drama of creation.

SQ14: Peace – is a divine quality. Tranquility is the nature of God and each soul.

SQ15: Non-Condemnation (Absence of Fault Finding) Not concentrating on the weakness of others and focusing on bettering oneself.

SQ16: Compassion Towards all Beings – The Divine Mother aspect of God is overflowing with this quality – Feeling the suffering of others and trying to alleviate it.

SQ17: Absence of Greed and Envy– Non-covetousness. Mastery of one’s senses, without desire for gross pleasures. Turning the mind to inner joys.

SQ18: Gentleness – Kind, forbearing, patient. Without ill will towards anyone. The Universal Spirit is ever gentle with Her erring children.

SQ19: Modesty – Feeling shame at wrong doing and correcting oneself. The purity of modesty attracts its own virtuous kinds.

SQ20: Absence of Restlessness– enables one to avoid physical and mental roamings and useless activities.

SQ21: Radiance of Character– comes from the cosmic fire of God’s supreme consciousness, the flame of awareness, within man and other sentient creatures.

SQ 22: FORGIVENESS (kshama) – in the man of God is not inflicting, or wishing to inflict, punishment on those who harm or wrong him.

SQ 23: PATIENCE, or fortitude (dhriti) – enables the devotee to bear misfortunes and insults with equilibrium.

SQ 24: CLEANNESS OF BODY AND PURITY OF MIND – is respect for the indwelling Taintless Spirit. It has been said that cleanliness is next to godliness.

SQ25: NONHATRED – should be practiced by everyone. A devotee who feels malice towards others loses the power to see God in all.

SQ26: LACK OF CONCEIT – signifies absence of excessive pride. The Lord doesn’t harbour pride, though His cosmic possession and powers are infinite.

Three years back I had worked on these 26 soul qualities for one whole year – two weeks on each quality. I had realised that even if we pick up one of these qualities and become that quality, the rest would fall in place easily and on their own!!

But Maya, Delusion, Satan too is very strong and tempts us away from our holy aspirations! I think it is time for me to revisit these and the Notes to Myself, I had written about a week or so ago! It is time to go within!!

So I intend taking a break from WordPress for sometime. If you start to miss me 😊 do get in touch with an email at ashokwahi2@gmail.com

Love, hugs and blessings 🤗🤗

Ashok

Why do I Write/Blog?

Last week Joyce nominated me for the vincent-ehindero-blogger-award. Thank you so much Joyce👏 One of the questions she had asked was: What gives you an inspiration to write or take pictures? What’s your muse?

It was this question which made me think and retrace my blogging journey of last two years.

When I had returned from my trip around the world in end January 2019, I wanted to write a book about my experiences, especially in Guatemala. My son told me that my book hadn’t happened for 15 years 😛 He suggested I start to blog first and then look at the book. Luckily I took his advice 😊 In the past 2+ years I have published 200+ posts and have also published my first book – 4 Pillars of Abundant Life!

I started with posts on my travel around the world. When I was not traveling I wrote about life, that is my understanding of life and it’s processes. The first year of blogging was amazing! I traveled and wrote nonstop. I visited 5 continents (All except Africa) and 4 new countries! I traveled a lot within the country too! And when I was in the midst of planning my next trip to the only continent I haven’t visited, Covid announced its arrival😅 Ashok proposes, God disposes😊🙏

Many of my friends and family thought lockdown would be tough for me as I was so fond of travel. Yes, I love people and new places! But I love myself equally or more 😊💖 So 2020 or my second year of blogging was all about travel within, thinking and writing about life, and my books! And it is continuing in 2021 too!

During this period I thought so often of quitting blogging. Musings of a Wanderer was growing pretty well but I wasn’t sure why I was continuing! I knew without me the world and WP would go on! My thoughts at those times were to focus on God/Meditation and my books! My first priority has been God for years and to experience God first hand takes effort! Blogging does take time and time is our most precious possession!

But then I would get one comment which would touch my heart. I would make one relationship which makes all the effort worth it. And I have been truly blessed: I have got one daughter and three grand daughters (Muslim, Hindu and Christian!!) and a bunch of nieces from the blog! And I have picked up some amazing friends from all over the world – black, white, brown, yellow, male, female, young and old!! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you 👏 All of you have a special place in my heart.

Last week I was pleasantly surprised when I got the notification from WP that I had crossed 100,000 views! My blog is all about love and joy and peace and nature. I was happy that our community and my blogging family does appreciate it! And my thought now is that even if I can touch one or two lives and bring more peace, love and joy in their lives, my effort would have been worth it. And I enjoy this effort of love ❤️ Though my initial intent and motive was to help others lead abundant lives, I have ended up learning so much from so many versatile and loving and kind bloggers. Am grateful and blessed👏

This dilemma of mine: To write or not to write, to share or not was not only limited to the blog; it was equally true for my WhatsApp messages! I am more regular on Whatsapp than WP!

I know I am a drop of the ocean. But together we make this amazing ocean – of love, joy, and peace; and universal brotherhood! I am grateful from the core of my heart for your love and friendship 💖🤗

Thank you Thank you Thank you 🙏🙏🙏

Two amazing years of blogging gone by – as if in a jiffy 😇

2700+ Followers; 80,000 views; 40,000 visitors 👏👏👏

Thank you so much my dear followers, family and friends. You know in the beginning every small stat was so meaningful and important! And then I completely stopped looking at stats. I got so busy writing and interacting with the amazing blogging community.

A few of my recent posts got more than 600 likes and 300 comments. This is so heart warming. What I like most about blogging is the personal touch and interaction. Content is important but for me it is more important to have that feeling of kinship! 40-50 bloggers interact and encourage regularly and I love that.

And a handful of bloggers have become more than friends – they are family now. And that is the biggest gift of WP to me and am so grateful 🙏🙏

Thank you so much once again my dear friends for all your love and support and understanding. It is this love and support which has helped me publish my first book – 4 Pillars of Abundant Life. And so many of you have already bought and acknowledged it. Deep gratitude 🙏

Am I a Robot or what 😅

Looks like I am in a Auto Repeat Mode 😀🔁

MONDAY

Wake up early ➡️ Spiritual Reading ➡️ Beautiful Dawn ➡️ Fruits ➡️ Walk ➡️ Bathe ➡️ Meditate ➡️ Breakfast ➡️ Calls ➡️ Social Media ➡️ Writing ➡️ Lunch ➡️ Chat with princess ➡️ Siesta ➡️ Walk ➡️ Tea ➡️ Meditate ➡️ Social Media ➡️ Dinner ➡️ Chat with princess ➡️ Meditate ➡️ Sleep

TUESDAY 🔁

WEDNESDAY 🔁

THURSDAY 🔁 with Silence and without Chat

FRIDAY 🔁

SATURDAY 🔁

SUNDAY Morning Long Meditation and 🔁

MONDAY 🔁

AM I A ROBOT or what 😅😇

WHAT AM I WAITING FOR 🤔

It has been going on for months now 😅 and 6 months have passed in the blink of an eye 👁 😇

Grateful for a loving and caring family, friends (including virtual), my princess – virtually real 💖🤗💖

LIEBSTER AWARD 🎉 💐 💖

It has been a pleasure knowing Cherryl and am thankful to her for this award. A visit to her Travel and Lifestyle blog is always refreshing, to say the least 🎉💐

Well here are my answers to Cherryl’s 11 thought provoking questions:

1. If you were forced to leave the country you live in, but you could choose any other country to be relocated to for the rest of your life, which country would you choose?

Oh that would be sad. But ..

If I have to move it would be to USA, because my Guru, Paramahansa Yogananda, spent more than half of his life there. I would live in LA. Weather in California is great and we have our SRF Mother Center there 👇

2. Which animal do you admire the most?

Cats…..Because my princess loves them.

3. If you could dis-invent one thing, what would it be and why?

Money

Money is the root cause of most of the greed, misery and heartburn in the world.

4. If you had the entire world’s attention for five minutes, what would you want to say?

Be aware of the politicians. All of them. There are no exceptions. They manipulate. They distort reality and they play with your mind.

Keep away from media – TV/Newspaper; They thrive on negativity and are completely controlled.

God is Love and Love is all there is. Be kind. Be humane. Serve. Share. Appreciate. Respect. Understand. Don’t run after money and power and sex …. they never ever give lasting happiness. In the end they bring suffering only. Be kind and humane and serve others. This brings far deeper and enduring happiness.

5. Do you think the blogging world is changing in any way?

Everything changes. Blogging is no exception.

6. Is there anything you’d like to do that scares you at the moment?

Parachuting 🪂

7. What’s your favourite dessert?

Caramel Custard : because my father used to love it.

8. Which social media platform do you use the most?

WP and Whatsapp equally 😊

9. Are you more of a morning person, or a night owl?

Very very morning person 😊

Peace

Stillness

Meditation

10. Share one song that always puts you in a good mood.

It is a Hindi song my wife used to love – Kisi ki muskarahton pe ho nissar (to lose yourself in someone’s smile 😊)

11. Share one random fact about yourself.

Coffee is not my cup of tea ☕️😅

I love Lipton Darjeeling tea. Brewed 4-5 minutes. With one teaspoon of sugar and one spoon of milk. Next best is Earl Grey Darjeeling.

Nominations:

I was keen to nominate Lia and Radhika for the Small Joys Tag but that award had limitation of 5 nominees. I would like to nominate them both now and would request them to tell us 11 things: 5 things/thoughts/facts about themselves and 6 Small and Big Joys — Total of 11 😇

Cherryl I do hope you will forgive an old man for not following the Tag process completely.

And all my dear friends — I would so love to hear your answers too, to the questions Cherryl had asked me.

Stay safe. Stay happy. Have more Faith.

Small Joys Tag

I would like to thank James for nominating me for this Tag. I am honoured and humbled to have been nominated by an immensely talented writer. James is an extraordinary writer and has self published 2 books. Anyone who likes good stories and good English must read his posts. James is not only an immensely talented writer he is also a very kind person:

Thank you James for Nominating me for a blog where I can describe some things that make me happy. This subject of finding joy in our small day to day happenings is so close to my heart 💖

Rules and Regulations of this Tag :

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you.

2. List fifteen of your small joys.

3. Nominate Five other Blogger Friends who bring you joy.

Here I go:

1. Dawn: I love to watch dawn. It is such a joy to sit in my terrace and watch the changing colours of the sky and beginning of life. Early mornings are so divine – I love the peace and the quietude and the serenity of the mornings. Pure bliss. Chirping of the birds; listening to their chirping and witnessing their joyous dancing and flying around to entertain me – brings me heavenly joy.

2. Fruits: Eating fruits in the morning is another source of joy for me. How can one peel an orange and not get filled with love and joy of God. I am a happy Fruitarian 💖😊💖

3. Meditation: The days my meditation is deep and sweet brings such joy. I look forward to this joy every morning and evening. From Joy I have come; in Joy I live and in that sacred Joy I shall melt again. 🧘‍♀️

4. Tea: A cup of Darjeeling leaf tea is heavenly after the morning fruits and meditation. I look forward to this joy with my breakfast everyday ☕️😊☕️

5. Watching my granddaughter laughing and giggling when she is streaming 😊😍

6. Arms around my neck from behind by my princess 🤗

7. Family meals and light hearted chatter 😊

8. Smell of Freshly baked 🎂

9. A hot cup of tea with pakoras (popular Indian snack) during rains🌧☕️

10. Reading a good book or a blog and writing

11. A clear starry night 🌌

12. Watching a rainbow 🌈

13. Walking with cool breeze brushing against my face.

14. Watching clouds. The way clouds play with each other is mesmerising. They tell so many tales.

15. Watching flower laden trees – Gulmohar and Magnolia

My nominees: There are so many bloggers from all over the world who bring me joy. As per rules I am nominating these 5, with whom I have interacted more recently with so much joy 😊🤗

1. Sweeti’s Saba is the sweetest, my princess and my soul mate. We started our blogging journey about the same time last year. I love it when she calls me her beloved uncle 💖

2. Noorien: Have met this young and fun loving blogger recently. It makes me so happy when she calls me her young friend😊🤗

3. Barbara: She is the twin sister of my soul mate and is bound to bring me joy. She is immensely talented and full of energy 😇

4. Sushmita: When I thank her for her kindness and love she always tells me not to thank her all the time. She tells me: Uncle it is natural to care for people one loves. What a joy.😊🤗

5. Karlien: Have met her recently and have had many joyous interactions.

As per rules I could nominate only 5 bloggers but you too bring me joy 😊 Would love to hear which small day to day happenings bring you joy.

Wishing you all the joy you can hold 😊🤗

I need your Blessings

My dear friends – I need your understanding, forgiveness and blessings.

For the next 5-6 weeks I shall be tied up with some organisational work and writing my first ever book. Though I will remain active I may not have the bandwidth to read all the posts and acknowledge all the comments etc. But am sure you know that I love you and that I honour and respect your friendship.

I shall make up for all/any non communication from end of August 😊🤗

But if there is any good or happy news to share; or you need my prayers for any challenges- do let me know. I will appreciate this.

All the very best. Happy blogging.

Love and Light 💕

Ashok

More Liebster and Sunshine awards 💕

Awards season continues 😊💕

Thank you so much James for your nomination. It was such a pleasant surprise, James (Myplace3187) to get this nomination from you. James is an author and a great story teller. He also writes beautifully on music. Do visit his blog for some great and imaginative writing.

What goes around comes back. Am so glad to receive two nominations from Saba, my dearest niece. She is so God loving; it reflects in all her posts. And she loves her country and family equally. And I love her for that. But what I love most about her is the way she engages with all bloggers. She always has kind and appropriate words to say about everyone.

I would encourage all to visit James and Saba’s blogs and engage with them. You won’t be disappointed.

I am reminded of a saying of my Guru, Paramahansa Yogananda: When perfect friendship exists between two hearts or within a group of hearts in a spiritual relationship, such friendship perfects each individual.

I hope and pray that the effort we put into blogging brings us all closer together in God, in Love, in Peace and towards His perfection 💕🙏

Rules are:

1. Thank the Blogger(s) who nominated you.

2. Share 11 facts about yourself.

3. Answer the 11 Questions the blogger asked you.

4. Nominate 11 Bloggers and make them happy.

5. Make up 11 questions and ask them of your nominees.

6. Notify your 11 nominees in one of their blogs.

As I had recently done all this I am only answering questions of Saba and James just now. I would really love it if anyone of you would accept this as an award and tell us 11 things about yourself and answer either Saba’s or James 11 questions.

Saba’s questions:

1: Does fear thrive within us or we adopt from our surroundings?

Both. Some fear is inherent in our nature. All of us have it to some degree. Our surroundings, our environment adds to it or reduces it.

2: Why do we worry when we believe in God?

No true believer can ever worry. Fear and Faith can’t co-exist.

3: Is Altruism self-learned or just a condition of helping others in particular situations?

It is self learned like any other soul and heart quality. When we help others in a particular situation, our selflessness grows.

4: Can words reveal your personality?

To some extent, Yes. But Actions speak louder than words.

5: Where do you see me by the mirror of the words I use?

Love, Laughter and Compassion ( no anger 😂)

6: Last time you watched a cartoon?

Many months back 😌

7: Pain killers or natural therapies?

Natural. I am a Happy Fruitarian 😊

8: Do you know what is the object I’ve used as an award logo?

Looks like an ornate ashtray, as I can see cigarette holder grooves.

9: Do you smoke? (if yes, then why)

No, I don’t smoke. My wife used to tell me that she loves cigarette smell and if I was a smoker she would have surely started to smoke too 😊

10: How many springs of life you have seen?

71 🌹

11: You may ask me one question?

Have you ever loved? Crush ? And I don’t mean God and your Ammi etc 😊💕

James questions:

1.Your favorite novel ? Why ?

Of Human Bondage by Somerset Maugham. I could see myself in Philip.

2.Your favorite movie of all times ?

Tough one. I can name a dozen each from Hollywood and Bollywood!!

Sahib Biwi aur Gulam

3.Why do you enjoy writing your blog ?

I always liked reading and talking to people about my life experiences. But now I have started to like to write my blog as it connects me with different people and I learn from them. and I am able to collect my thoughts in one place for my intended book.

4.If you could give one piece of advice to the world to hear. What would it be ?

Love. Love unconditionally

5.What would your dream occupation be ? Am living it. Love. Travel. Meditate

6.Do you have any goals for your blog for the rest of 2019 ? I have been blogging now for close to five months. I want now to focus on converting these into a book and come back to active blogging after a month or so. Two books this year. God willing 🙏

7.What is your favorite catch phrase/thing to say ? The key is .. 😊

8.What is your favorite meal ?

Indian as well as Continental breakfast. With a hot cup of Darjeeling leaf tea seeped for 4 minutes ☕️

9.Who inspires you and why ?

Paramahansa Yogananda. His life and perfect teaching. His love for the whole of humanity and his teaching of oneness in spirit.

10.What’s the last book you read and how was it ?

God Talks with Arjuna. Paramahansa Yogananda’s commentary on Geeta. Simply divine ❤️🙏

11.Bollywood or Hollywood ?

Hollywood movies and Bollywood songs 😂

Happy Blogging: Love you all 🤗

Blogger Recognition Award

Thank you so much Jyoti for remembering me and am sure you will forgive me for the delayed response 👏😊

It has been such a pleasure knowing you Jyoti. You are so young (almost my grand daughters age😊) and yet filled with love and joy. And you engage so beautifully with all.

I always look forward to seeing your posts and would encourage all to do so at :

http://jyoticorner.home.blog

About the Blogger Recognition Award

The Blogger Recognition Award is an award given in recognition of all the hard work that goes into creating a blog. It is a way for bloggers to support, motivate and promote other bloggers who have clearly put in huge amounts of time and effort, and produced valuable content.

Bloggers are very talented people – they work hard, they promote, market, advertise, run a busy site.

They organise all kinds of activities, they encourage, motivate, interact, engage and are community orientated. It matters not if they are shy and reticent or loud and personable – each actively progressive blogger is the same – they all work hard and passionately with their blogs, they put the hours in to deliver to their audience each day a welcoming location to read, absorb, learn and have fun.

To escape the hustle bustles of city life, or the begrudgeries of boredom – they entice readers to peruse their pages to look for entertainment.

That is what the BRA celebrates.

Award Rules

• Write a post displaying your award.

• Thank the blogger(s) who nominated you, and provide a link to their blog.

• Tell the story of how your blog started.

• Give two pieces of advice for new bloggers.

• Nominate other bloggers for the award.

• Let the nominees know that you have nominated them.

How my blog started

When I returned from my trip around the world earlier this year, I wanted to write a book on my experiences. But my son told me : Pa your book hasn’t get done for the past 15 years 😜 Better start blogging and then we can look at the book😇

And there is a close friend, Seema, she had been telling me for a long time to share the pics I take with a larger audience, by blogging, Instagram etc.

Am thankful to both of them for starting me on this journey. Am not only writing but have made such awesome friends and have found wonderful reading material and learning more about life 👏👏

TWO PIECE OF ADVICE TO NEW BLOGGERS

•DON’T QUIT: I know when we start the blog it is very difficult to find any likes or comments or follows. But persist and be consistent and regular.

•Engage with other Bloggers: Read their posts. Comment. Like. Follow. Reply to comments on your blog. Be genuine and honest. Start follow some good bloggers read their posts and comment . Keep blogging!!

And my nominees are:

Saba : http://sabaniazsiddique.home.blog

Priya : http://whenanintrovertspeaks.home.blog

Jyot: http://livelovelaughbyjj.home.blog

Dawn : http://drawingclosertochrist.com

Beth : http://pilgrimage.studio

Lee : https://brazycitch1981.wordpress.com

KJ : https://afterthoughtkj.wordpress.com

Dianna : https://momvanconfessions.wordpress.com

Mercy : https://sumiswu8.wordpress.com

Do check them all out. They are all good but different 😇

Thank you Jyoti, once again. Hope the monsoon has reached UK 😊🤗