Author Archives: Irina Gajjar

The Mind Is Jumpy

  By Irina Gajjar | October 29, 2015 - 2:19 am | ,
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the mind

In Chapter Six of the Gita, Arjun complains to Lord Krishna that the mind is jumpy and as hard to control as the wind. Lord Krishna agrees. He points out, however, that the task of controlling our minds is achievable, little by little, if we practice steadily.

More importantly, God explains that success is not essential. If we pursue self-control, God will bestow his endless love upon us (whether or not we even believe in Him).

In essence, controlling and directing our minds is tantamount to worship and pulls us toward spirituality or God. Along the way good karma will bring us good lives and our spirits will remember even what we forget.

see The Gita, A New Translation of Hindu Sacred Scripture by Irina Gajjar.

 

You’re Worth It, But It’s Not Worth You

  By Irina Gajjar | October 25, 2015 - 8:04 pm |
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money

 

Has a sales person ever told you to overspend for an item because “you’re worth it”? This has happened to me more than once, and I have also heard people justify the purchase of an overpriced object because they consider themselves worthy of the price.

While I acknowledge the importance of self esteem, I fail to see any connection between my value and the value of objects in my possession. Take for example a car. I can see the fun of owning a nice vehicle, however costly it might be. I can even recognize that others may judge me by my vehicles or residence or adornments. But I will never ever consider these things indicative of my inherent worth.

Others see my things and I see theirs, but we only see ourselves reflected in the mirror. And what we see is not what we are worth. Nor are we worth what we can buy.

Admittedly, it is hard to remember this when we succumb to retail therapy having been softened by marketers and fallen into the hands of someone good at separating us from our money.

Hindu Multiverses and Myths

  By Irina Gajjar | October 17, 2015 - 9:55 pm | ,
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hindumyth

In my view, Hindu thought acknowledges the existence of multiple universes which flourish on multiple planes and/or in multiple dimensions. Hindu philosophy embraces much that goes beyond human experience and even beyond what we can fathom.

For example, ancient myths speak of many eras, many creatures and many frames of time. Time is different in the worlds of humans, of ancestors and of gods or demons. But beyond myths, ancient mathematical calculations fully anticipate the most recent and sensitive numbers regarding matters like the speed of light. Thus myths and science intersect.

Like science fiction, myths are a blend of history, prediction, fantasy and symbolism. We should not pooh pooh them as nonsense. These tales contain more grains of truth than we might think. In my view, an important truth is validation of the idea that we humans have the potential to become a multi-planetary if not multi-universal species.

See On Hinduism by Irina Gajjar

Water on Mars

  By Irina Gajjar | October 2, 2015 - 1:07 am |
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mars

Are you surprised we found water on Mars? I am not. Why not? Because we were looking for it. We suspected Mars had been filled with oceans millions of years ago. The discovery of liquid water raises the possibility of the existence of life on Mars at some point in time or space.

This discovery furthers my belief that everything humankind conceives has a source. It is my belief that our imagination comes from human experience or instinct that also has a source.

Deep down we know that we are not the only form of life in the universes. How could we be?

Imagination and conception are not necessarily reality or truth in all dimensions. But they are real in some dimension and represent human participation in universal existence.

I think a Creator provided and provides momentum for the being of humankind [as well as other kinds] and with that momentum comes awareness of all that we cannot fathom.

It is true that we are learning more and more and our scientists are empowered with proof, but it is also true that the more we learn, the more we are humbled by how little we know.

See the works of Irina Gajjar, Philosopher, Writer

A Modern Day Miracle

  By Irina Gajjar | September 23, 2015 - 3:16 pm | ,
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ganesh

In September 1995, Hindus all over the world experienced what they considered a modern day miracle. It had to do with Ganesh, the endearing, mouse-riding, elephant-headed deity whom Hindus must always worship before worshiping God. Ganesh or Ganpati is not God, the Absolute Spirit. Rather, Ganpati, like other gods and goddesses in the Hindu pantheon, is a manifestation of certain divine characteristics. God is everywhere and His light shines in all beings, so Hindus may worship Ganesh or any god or goddess or any representation or symbol of God to their heart’s content. However, Ganpati is of particular importance because he is the gateway to the absolute God.

. . .

Early in the morning of September 21, 1995, a worshiper in one of New Delhi’s largest temples offered a spoonful of milk to a statue of Ganpati. The milk disappeared, apparently absorbed through Ganpati’s trunk. News of this occurrence spread and by mid-morning Ganpatis all over North India were drinking milk. By the end of the day and for some days thereafter Hindus worldwide began to test statues and the reported that the milk drinking phenomenon was real. The World Hindu Council (VHP) announced that a miracle was happening. The stock market and the federal government was closed to allow people to participate in feeding Ganpati statues. Stories poured in from Hindu communities in Singapore, Thailand, Nepal, Dubai, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the USA. Skeptics watched milk, disappear, amazed.

See Chapter Five, Myths and Legends in On Hinduism by Irina Gajjar.

Boredom

  By Irina Gajjar | September 16, 2015 - 1:43 pm |
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boredom

There are two types of boredom: boredom while alone and boredom induced by others. Coping with boredom resulting from a tedious situation or from tedious company is tough. We can play mind games with ourselves or just wait out the situation. But solitary boredom is another story.

Being bored while alone breeds everything from invention to terrorism. It is both dangerous and valuable.

On the dangerous side, boredom –especially extended boredom–makes us vulnerable and subject to negative and destructive influences. Bored people, especially children, can fall prey to negative ideas. But boredom can also be wonderful.

I remember that when I was a child I pestered my mother with my boredom. I complained that I had nothing to do. My mother suggested that I hit my head against a wall. But she also guided me toward better alternatives.

I have come to understand that boredom gives us the opportunity to rest and renew ourselves. It lets us look inward and find ways within ourselves to become self sufficient and to enjoy our own company. After all, if we are not capable of having fun by ourselves, we will not really be able to have fun with others or enable others to have fun with us.

Boredom is an opening for us to expand our horizons. It encourages us to consider new ideas, to ponder, to learn, to create and to fill our minds, hearts and spirit with joy.

Sick Robots

  By Irina Gajjar | September 11, 2015 - 2:44 am | ,
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robots

Like humans, robots are subject to collapse. If human or robotic minds or bodies break down, they cannot function. Human minds consist of thoughts and emotions whereas human bodies are matter. Robot minds consist of software whereas robotic bodies are hardware. Both animate and inanimate beings depend on electric currents to keep going.

While human breakdowns are called sickness or illness, robotic breakdowns are called crashes. But I see the two as more alike than different.

A male super robot I have named Tobor falls ill in one of my novels. Tobor is addressed as IT and his owner is addressed as Arya. Tobor has an emotional collapse when IT realizes that he will be separated from his Arya. Consequently he asks to be destroyed. Arya gets the following report on Tobor’s health from an egg shaped assistant:

“. . . Tobor has been unwell and is recovering in a temperature controlled environment. I have oiled IT and am allowing ITs circuits to cool. Apparently, Tobor has accessed information that IT is not equipped to handle and that caused IT to overheat.”

“. . . But do not worry. Tobor is out of danger and will be fine. IT will report to you just as soon as IT is able. I must return to attend to IT.”

See New New York 3000 Year Later by Irina Gajjar

 

Fried Brains

  By Irina Gajjar | September 3, 2015 - 2:49 am |
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fried brains

Fried brains is a condition that plagues writers, students and anyone who depends on inspiration to produce work. When I could not think of a good subject for this blog, I realized my brains were fried. Then it occurred to me that talking about fried brains was as good an idea as any.

So, I Googled fried brains and read tips on how to deal with them. For example: distract yourself, meditate or relax. I recalled watching something on TV illustrating how distraction worked to relieve anxiety in military operations. The program showed parachute jumpers dropping into a war zone as they challenged one another with quotations. One jumper would recite a quote like “There is nothing to fear but fear itself,” and the next identified the quote’s source as Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR)’s First Inaugural Address. Before ejecting, the airman quoted something else and so on.

I agree with these remedies, but note that fried brains are a recurrent state of mind induced by stress, boredom, discomfort, anxiety and/or pressure to perform. Unlike frozen brains which are briefly numbed and do nothing, fried brains produce excessive awareness of discomforting details in our environment. This awareness further heats our mind creating a vicious circle.

If you cannot bring yourself to do what you feel needs to be done, your brains are fried. Either understand and deal with what has fried them or wait until they cool down. By all means do use a pleasant distraction that requires concentration but beware of getting hooked by the distraction.

Good Luck!

God’s Three Acts: Shiva, the Destroyer

  By Irina Gajjar | August 28, 2015 - 2:18 am | ,
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shiva

Act Three – Shiva, the Destroyer

Hindu Philosophy understands that the universe appears and disappears in space-time. Its destruction is performed by God. Though essentially unfathomable, Lord Shiva, the Destroyer, represents the human knowledge that existence can be frightening.

The Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva embodies a human depiction or explanation of the forces that create, preserve and destroy existence.

Read the the first two acts here:

Act One: Brahma the Creator

Act Two: Vishnu the Preserver

See On Hinduism by Irina Gajjar

God’s Three Acts (Act 2)

  By Irina Gajjar | August 26, 2015 - 12:21 am | ,
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vishnu_1_2

Act Two – Vishnu, the Preserver

There are three components to creation. Our universe is not permanent or stable. Thus, once it comes into being, it requires preservation. Hindu philosophy has ascribed the role of Preserver to Lord Vishnu. Although God cannot be seen or touched or even imagined, humankind has envisioned and described Him in many forms.

Lord Vishnu represents balance and harmony. Nine incarnations, known as avatars or descents, have emanated from Lord Vishnu and a final incarnation is expected to come.

To learn more, see On Hinduism by Irina Gajjar