Thirukkural on Emotional Intelligence - Part 2

Couplet 486

அதிகாரம் : காலமறிதல்
குறள் : 486
ஊக்க முடையான் ஒடுக்கம் பொருதகர்
தாக்கற்குப் பேருந் தகைத்து.

Translation: The self-restraint of the energetic (while waiting for a suitable opportunity), is like the drawing back of a fighting-ram in order to butt.

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Couplet 487

அதிகாரம் : காலமறிதல்
குறள் : 487
பொள்ளென ஆங்கே புறம்வேரார் காலம்பார்த்து
உள்வேர்ப்பர் ஒள்ளி யவர்.

Translation: The wise will not immediately and hastily shew out their anger; they will watch their time, and restrain it within.

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Couplet 490

அதிகாரம் : காலமறிதல்
குறள் : 490
கொக்கொக்க கூம்பும் பருவத்து மற்றதன்
குத்தொக்க சீர்த்த இடத்து.

Translation: At the time when one should use self-control, let him restrain himself like a heron; and, let him like it, strike, when there is a favorable opportunity.


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Couplet 621

அதிகாரம் : இடுக்கணழியாமை
குறள் : 621
இடுக்கண் வருங்கால் நகுக அதனை
அடுத்தூர்வது அஃதொப்ப தில்.

Translation: If troubles come, laugh; there is nothing like that, to press upon and drive away sorrow.

In my own words: Laughter the best medicine suits this well !! We should laugh away our problems and sorrow. I guess easier said than done but hey, being down or crying may not solve our sorrow anyway.

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Couplet 622

அதிகாரம் : இடுக்கணழியாமை
குறள் : 622
வெள்ளத் தனைய இடும்பை அறிவுடையான்
உள்ளத்தின் உள்ளக் கெடும்.

Translation: A flood of troubles will be overcome by the (courageous) thought which the minds of the wise will entertain, even in sorrow.

In my own words: We should be brave to face all of our troubles to resolve it.

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Couplet 623

அதிகாரம் : இடுக்கணழியாமை
குறள் : 623
இடும்பைக்கு இடும்பை படுப்பர் இடும்பைக்கு
இடும்பை படாஅ தவர்

In my own words: If we remain strong and face the problem we encounter (instead of complaining), we win over the problem and sorrow.

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Couplet 624

அதிகாரம் : இடுக்கணழியாமை
குறள் : 624
மடுத்தவா யெல்லாம் பகடன்னான் உற்ற
இடுக்கண் இடர்ப்பாடு உடைத்து

Translation: Troubles will vanish before the man who (struggles against difficulties) as a buffalo (drawing a cart) through deep mire.

In my own words: When the going gets tough, we (the tough :-)), should get going !!

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Harvard Study on Meditation

I am been practicing casual meditation for a while now after learning the techniques from a Sahaja Yoga instructor near my place. Meditation creates relaxation & self-awareness. On the days that I meditate, I can feel I am more relaxed, better energized and have a good feeling. And each day I learn more about myself. If I am doing some thing wrong like being angry over something, I can sense it faster and react accordingly. It is somehow helping me to be more emotionally intelligent and coping with every day stress.

This is a study from Harvard: http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2011/01/eight-weeks-to-a-better-brain/

What is Yoga?

A note on what is Yoga from my reading of an article on Linga Purana.

Yoga has eight components. These are known as yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and samadhi.

Yama is preparatory to meditation, it has to be backed up by the practice of non-voilence. Niyama means certain rules that have to be followed. These include truthfulness, celibacy and lack of jealousy. The rules also encompass cleanliness, the donation of alms and fasting at appointed times. Pranayama signifies the control of the breath of life. This must always be attempted in a proper asana (posture). Pratyahara implies the withdrawal of the mind from addiction to sensual and material pursuits. An image has to be decided on for purposes of meditation. When this image is fixed in one’s mind, that is known as dharana, and the actual process of meditation is called dhyana. Samadhi is the final stage of meditation, when the union between the paramatman and the atman is realized

Yoga must always be practiced in an appropriate place. One must not be close to a fire, nor must the place chosen be a cremation-ground or a location frequented by wild beasts. There must not be any noise or insects that are likely to distract one’s attention. For example, a cave is a very good place to practice yoga in.

Do not imagine for a moment that yoga is easy. There are numerous distractions and disturbances that make one deviate from the right path. One has to fight laziness and sloth. As one progresses, there are illusions that one hallucinates from. Demons are seen . There are powers that one attains and these also cause distractions. But if somehow one manages to conquer these, true bliss can be attained.

Thirukkural Discourse by Thangavelu

Here is a sample youtube video of Thirukkural explanation by Sree Thangavelu .. simply fantastic !! easy to understand with lots of examples ...

To get a list of other kurals by him, simple go to youtube.com and key in "Discourse by Thangavelu" in the search box and search for it !!

Scientific Religion

I stumbled upon this videos this morning .. very interesting

Part 1 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcuM7SD26J4&feature=related

Part 2 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kV-bIMse_fk&NR=1

Part 3 : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjpyyV7Gfm0&feature=related