Hygiene During Menstruation:

Hygiene During Menstruation:

The onset of menstruation is a mile stone in the life of every female. During this period personal hygiene is highly important. In olden times parents gave due importance for this phenomenon. Women, in general, are kept in a room. They are not allowed to take bath or cook food for the family. They should not go out. But times have changed. Still our female friends suffer when it is not well taken care off.
At the beginning, 'periods' are not regular. Later it may become regular. This is known as menstruation cycle. This cycle repeats when stimulated by female hormones. These hormones bring in several changes in the genital organs and breast of the females. Various bacteria and complications pose a grave threat. Hence it is highly necessary to take health precautions. For example, growth of the womb has to be protected, blood circulation has to be regulated and cleanliness of the vagina has to be maintained.
The products used during periods have to be clean enough. We have to take care that unwanted chemicals are not added in moisture absorbent materials. Hygiene during menstrual period is an important criterion to protect human health. It must be viewed in this perspective by every female and even male.

Inter-religious marriages:

Inter-religious marriages:


In many countries inter religious marriages just don't take place. Generally there will be one major religion and very few minority religious groups. But in some countries there will be a number of religions. For example, India is a land of many religions. In Hinduism itself, there are innumerable castes. Hence in India, inter caste marriages are just like inter religious marriages. A religious group or a particular caste specifies the behavioral pattern, mode of dress, eating habits and even profession and language of an individual. Hence an inter religious marriage or inter caste marriage invites a lot of social, familial and personal problems. Mahatma Gandhi stood for such marriages. Even the so-called progressive minded people like communists do not generally promote such marriages. They are under the pretext that religion or caste is irrelevant. For them, the only relevant reality is that of class.
It is reported that there took place more inter religious/ inter caste marriages during the period of Indian Independence Struggle than at present. This indicates that such marriages have close links with society's thrust for change.
A lot of problems are involved in such marriages. A family which is brought up on some particular belief system will find it very difficult to cope with a bride/ bride groom with a different belief system. This non-attachment breeds non-involvement which naturally leads to a situation of no-love. This, in turn, creates tension in the new couple's c. In many cases, the due share of family property is not passed on to that family. In fact, the newly wedded couple has to suffer the onslaught of some kind of social boycott. There will also have problems for the offspring especially at the time of their marriage.
The society should come forward to protect such families. Some kind of legislation are also to be brought in. These things should be included in the educational system of the country. Mankind should move towards a cosmopolitan culture. A nation should consider a citizen's status irrespective of his caste or religion.
There are stories of couples who crossed the boundaries of religion and caste to be with each other. Even geographic limits are not an issue when they thought of being together.
Actually such couples and there progeny imbibe the best of both worlds. Their religion, whatever it may be, is to make the world a happier place to live in.

Suicide:

Suicide:



I don't know how many people commit suicide in a day or in an hour. But it is happening in a disheartening speed. No one can say that enough effort is applied to check this malaise. It is true that there are so many organizations engaged in attending to the people who are very prone to committing suicide. So many counseling centers are working round the clock to avert the incidence of suicide. Still it is not under control.
Why do people decide to end life like this? Some have psychological and genetic reasons. It is observed by sociologists that great social upheavals serve as fertile ground for this to happen. In our life on earth relationship is what matters most. Whenever love is negated, the threat of suicide is increased. When hope is lost, this threat is increased. It is this kind of damage that leads to this catastrophe than any economic or sociological reasons.
It is curious to note that certain circumstances create the desire to end life at a stroke. We know there are places called as suicide points in many countries. Man's spirit of adventure and the craze for thrills also play a major role in this phenomenon. It looks strange that the tendency to commit suicide spreads like an infectious disease. If there is a well into which a person jumped and died, people in the neighborhood who are likely to commit suicide are attracted to the same well. A tree on which a person hanged himself will, it seems, continue to attract like mind persons to the very same tree. Why does it occur like this? It is also to be noted that there are some particular areas where the incidence of suicide is greater. Is it just because of the fact that the human-beings tend to imitate others? Or is it any hint to the very existence
of evil spirits? Who knows what is what!!!

Bad Habits:

Bad Habits:

How to get rid of bad habits like smoking, alcoholism etc has been a pertinent question for ages. There may be varied reasons for a person for submitting to a bad habit. Sometimes it may be of genetics or because of some kind of tension or of lifestyle. In some cases it may have some professional roots. Bad habits may also originate from sheer imitation. Some habits sprout out from the false notion of social status. Even tradition and socio-religious practices give birth to bad habits.
The curious thing about doing away with bad habits is that it has got nothing to do with the reasons of its origin. Analysis of the reason will do no good. The Determination of the person concerned has also got very little significance in this aspect. Some scientists are of the view that some habits like alcoholism create not only psychological problems but also structural changes in the physiology of the brain cell 0f the person concerned. Then, how can we get rid of such bad habits? Religious strictures and Taboos can, in a way, control such habits from person to person. But as regards to an already addicted person this method is not very effective. Some kind of social regulations and legislations may also have some effect in checking this menace. In some cases a medical approach may be helpful. Prayer, Meditation etc can also be of some help.
The most effective method of getting rid of a bad habit is by way of observation. A person can very well observe himself when he wants to have alcohol or something like that. He can watch the movement of his mind's play. He has to do that without criticizing his mind, without making any judgment. He should not, at that time, think of the reasons of the origin of this habit. He should in no way justify his temptation. He should just watch the working of his mind. This understanding of one's self, this awareness, will naturally keep him away from taking in alcoholic or whatever it may be. Thus one can be free from such bad habits without any stress or strain. This understanding will reflect in all of one's activities.

Politics

Politics

Politics rules the world. But, now-a-days politics pollutes the world. Misery, strife and war are all the byproducts of wrong political action. Great men formulated ideologies for facilitating the smooth functioning of state machinery. The state has always been a tool for suppressing the masses. The great philosophers and statesmen tried to transform the structure and functions of the state machinery for the welfare of the people. But they were not given due respect by us and hence the very ideologies which were meant for the good of the masses serve the opposite function. The politicians are considered to be the custodians of the various ideologies. But , in general, they are serving themselves at the expense of the vast majority of the people.They are selfish, cunning and very prone to bribery. It is the thirst for power that guides them. It is true that some fall prey to it just because of competition that exists among individuals and among ideologies. In almost all countries political action for the welfare of the people has become so demoralized that it is meant for the welfare of the political parties concerned. All revolts against this trend are either neutralized by the ruling class or are absorbed by the very same class against which the revolts originated. Such is the sorry state of political action for the time being. The mankind hopes that a better political vision will take birth after imbibing all the virtues of the past. In this political vision there should come the spiritual content and the whole movement should be guided by spiritual masters. Then only we will have the far sightedness to see the pit falls in advance. If there is such a vision poverty will be alleviated; hatred and war will be vanished and people will able to enjoy freedom and man could overcome his own limitations to a great extent.

Sitting still and doing nothing

Sitting still and doing nothing

The great Tao masters have told us a lot a bout this great phenomenon. It means

a state of inner serenity combined with an intense aesthetic awareness. Sit erect and at the same time be comfortable. Watch your breath and take one or two deep breath. Within seconds you will come to know that the speed of thoughts coming and going will be reduced and slowly you will be in a state of thoughtlessness. If at that time you hear the tolling of a bell or fluttering of a Bird's wings or something like that you can just enjoy that experience. There will be no judgement or any kind of negation or criticism. This state of awareness is really a great thing. So sit still and do nothing. Be aware of the working of your inner self and also of the outer world.
Some may raise a doubt as to whether this is promoting laziness . No, here the person is not at all lazy. He is innately active. He can do anything in such a state of mind. Here the individual consciousness and the cosmic consciousness are one and the same. Or there is a bridge between the two. If he acts now, it will be an action ; not a reaction at all. The pertinent question at this juncture is whether one can always be in such a statte of mind. The question is unquestionably valid.

Healing power

Healing power

Healing power rests within us.
This mysterious power which is otherwise called as Life Power or vital Energy

cures the diseases in a radical way. The body is engaged in cleansing the system

to maintain the internal sanitation. This natural process should never be

blocked. If it is blocked the body will respond to it in the form of fever, cold,

cough, loose motion etc.which are called by the natural hygienists as acute

diseases. These diseases are therefore called healing crisis. The life power

always tries to eliminate the accumulated foreign matter from our body. Hence

what is needed is an intelligent co-operation with the indwelling power This is

the basic principle of healing. At the same time it is true that medicines

promote healing process. Faith in God acts as a tremendous healing power. When

we pray we are in a particular mood. This psychological factor creates a lot of

bodily changes which will act as healing power. Modern Science has proved beyond

doubt that Yoga asanas, music etc etc have also healing power. Visualize

that you are perfectly healthy. This psychological mechanism is the most

potent healing power.

Reading

Reading

Reading is a pleasure. It is a major source of knowledge. At the same time it is a highly dangerous activity. It may misguide us. It may thus ruin our life. There is no effective mechanism for selecting the desired reading materials. If there comes a mechanism, it will most probably damage the prospects of reading. For example, parents control children in reading certain matters. Same is the case with spiritual centers. They damage the very essence of reading. Too much reading will make a man a machine that amasses knowledge for no practical use at all. Again, a large volume of reading material is just trash. Reading this rubbish will eat away our energy, both physical and mental. Many a books, articles etc. are written with cunning aims. Readers become prey to these ideas and ideologies very easily and it will be very difficult to come out of these pitfalls. But if a reader keeps a mind that is searching always, he will naturally come across with those books which are liable to liberate one's mind. In fact, one becomes what one reads.

Fasting

Fasting

Almost in all religions fasting is practiced. It enables us to utilize the vital energy, the indwelling power within us. Fasting purifies our body and it has a soothing effect on our minds. It gives rest for our digestive system and other systems. Fasting enhances the process of elimination of waste from our body. Some people drink only water during fasting. Some others take fruit juice. The duration of fasting varies from one time meal to even 41 days. Mahatma Gandhi used fasting also as a powerful political weapon. For him it was a moral weapon also. In some religions the practice of fasting goes to the extreme level. If not properly monitored, fasting may lead to serious consequences, even death. During fasting we should take complete rest. Even reading is not advised. When to stop fasting and how are equally important. Usually fasting is broken with lime juice etc.What happens during fasting? Actually vital energy that is stored in our body is used during this time; deposited fat is used. There is a false notion that a large quantity of food is required for our body daily. In fact, food is only one of the panchabhoo0das[five elements] of which body is made up of and which are needed for the proper maintenance of body.

Nature cure

Nature cure
The technological explosion in the field of modern medicine is really exciting. Still modern medicine has some side-effects on human beings.Modern medicine gives more importance to symptomatic treatment which is suppressive in nature and this will naturally lead to more dangerous diseases. It is in this context that alternative medicine has got significance. The nature cure methods are based on the principle of non-violence. It aims to achieve total health through hygienic living. Our body originated from panchabhoodas and hence we require the blessings of sky, bright sunshine, fresh air,pure water and healthy food for total health. Fasting , pranayama,sunbath,vegetarianism etc. have thus become part and parcel of this system of medicine. Nature cure proclaims that all drug stimulants are poisons. The use of drugs and stimulants results in the wastage of vital energy which is the indwelling power to cure all diseases. We should know that "food is medicine and medicine is food". The lack of exercise, tension and improper eating habits create health problems and hence modern man requires a radical change in his life style. Disease is man -made. It is the punishment for his hygienic sins.