Gratitude

"I am grateful for this new day and all its possibilities."

Gratitude is something that flows out of you when you are overwhelmed by the recognition of what you have received. 

Gratitude is the practice of recognizing and appreciating the blessings, support, and experiences life offers. It shifts focus from what we lack to what we have, fostering contentment and positivity. 

By acknowledging the contributions of others—whether family, friends, nature, or unseen forces—we cultivate humility. Gratitude enriches the present moment, deepens relationships, and brings inner peace. 

 

What do I mean by "doer"? We often believe we are solely responsible for our accomplishments, rarely acknowledging the contributions of others. 

However, when we reflect deeply, we realize that our body and intellect are gifts from our parents, our knowledge is shaped by teachers, authors, and researchers, and our growth is influenced by mentors, colleagues, and even competitors who challenge us to improve. 

In reality, our role in any achievement is just a small part. More profoundly, every moment is the result of an intricate web of countless actions and forces that have been shaping the world since its very creation.

1. Before getting out of bed, think of one thing you’re grateful for (your health, home, loved ones, etc.).
2. While having breakfast or getting ready, appreciate simple comforts—the warmth of your morning food, the fresh air, or a moment of quiet.
3. Set an intention to find small joys throughout the day.

 

4. If something went wrong, find a positive takeaway. Ask: “What’s one thing I can be grateful for in this situation?”

What your consciousness is intensely focused on is what will manifest in your life and in the world around you. 

Be a Flower

To be a flower is to embody pure existence, selfless giving, and quiet beauty.

 “The fragrance of flowers spreads only in the direction of the wind. But the goodness of a person spreads in all directions.” – Chanakya (True virtue and kindness reach far beyond what we see.)

It blooms without attachment, spreads fragrance without discrimination, and withers without regret. 

 “A single flower blooms, and the whole world becomes fragrant.” – Zen Saying
(Inner peace and enlightenment radiate outward to all.)

 "When the soul sees itself as a flower, the whole world becomes a garden." – Rumi (Spirituality is about perceiving beauty and divinity everywhere.) 

 

It offers itself in devotion, expecting nothing in return, teaching us humility, impermanence, and the joy of being present. Like a flower, true spirituality lies in blooming where we are, spreading love, and surrendering gracefully to the flow of life.

 “Each flower in the garden has its own time to bloom. Do not rush yours.” – Zen Wisdom (Patience and trust in life’s timing bring true growth.) 

 

Few beautiful quotes that connect flowers and spirituality:

"The flower does not dream of the bee. It blossoms, and the bee comes." – Mark Nepo. (A lesson in letting go and trusting the flow of life.)

"A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it. It just blooms." – Zen Proverb. (A reminder to embrace our unique journey without comparison.)

"The rose’s beauty is in its being, not in its striving." – Eckhart Tolle. (True grace comes from simply being, not chasing perfection.)

"Happiness radiates like the fragrance from a flower and draws all good things towards you." – Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. (Inner peace and positivity naturally attract abundance.)

"Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature." – Gérard de Nerval. (A reflection on how each being is a divine expression.)

“A flower’s petals may fall, but its fragrance lingers.” – Japanese Proverb (Our actions and kindness live on beyond our presence.)

 “The lotus blooms most beautifully from the deepest mud.” – Buddhist Proverb (Challenges and struggles lead to the greatest growth.)

 “To see a world in a grain of sand, and a heaven in a wildflower.” – William Blake (True wonder and divinity exist in the smallest things.)

 “Flowers don’t tell, they show.” – Stephanie Skeem (Genuine beauty and truth are expressed through actions, not words.)

 “Like wildflowers, you must allow yourself to grow in all the places people thought you never would.” – E.V. (Growth happens even in the most unexpected circumstances.)

Happiness

Paradoxically, happiness is easier if you don’t want too much. Ask the happiest people in the world, what their secret is and they’ll tell you this: lower your expectations and be content with what you have. 

Research shows that lowering your sights and focusing on the little things can offer a more achievable sense of meaning.

A psychologically rich life is one filled with diverse, unusual, and interesting experiences that change your perspective; a life with twists and turns; a dramatic, eventful life instead of a simple and straightforward one; a life with multiplicity and complexity; a life with stops, detours and turning points; a life that feels like a long, winding hike rather than many laps of the same racing circuit. 

Embracing the pursuit of psychological richness can make us less prone to regret: it matters less if the thing you did went wrong. You did it regardless and chalked up another experience. “The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear”.

“Where your fear is, there is your task.” The smarter we think we are, the more cunningly our fears work in the background. 

Fear often hides behind intellectualized emotions, a false sense of urgency, hyper-controlling, or constant posturing and perfectionism. Or, on the other side of the behavioral spectrum, being overly accommodating, excessively humble, or too nice for our own good or anyone else’s. 

If you haven’t spent time identifying what makes you feel vulnerable, your decisions will be governed by avoiding it. Be led by your values, not your emotions. When your values are clear, courage becomes easier.

What if I realized that I exist within everything around me? I would rejoice when my friend secures the top rank, for her success would be my own. I would celebrate my neighbor’s lottery win, knowing that a part of me is thriving. 

I would embrace every situation with joy—even in loss—understanding that while one part of me departs, another is born elsewhere.

With this perspective, as an Atmajñāni—one who recognizes himself as the Ātman—Shankaracharya attains Sama-dṛiṣṭi, the vision of oneness. 

He perceives all as equal, recognizing that the same Brahman radiates through every soul. By identifying with the Ātman, he transcends hatred, passion, greed, attachment, pride, and jealousy.

 

Sabarimala - 18 Sacred Steps - Pathinettam Padi

The 18 sacred steps (Pathinettam Padi) at Sabarimala leading to the sanctum of Lord Ayyappa hold deep spiritual and symbolic significance. 

Irumudi Kettu is a sacred travel pack that devotees carry on their heads while undertaking the Sabarimala pilgrimage. It is a mandatory offering for those climbing the 18 holy steps to Lord Ayyappa’s shrine. 

 

Devotees use an irumudi coconut that is drained out of its water, filled to brim with ghee, carried on their heads/shoulders, climb the 18 sacred steps, have darshan of swami ayyappan, break the coconut, submit the carried ghee as abhishekam to swami ayyappan and a portion of  it is given back to the devotee as prasadam. 

This process symbolizes the removal of your self identity (coconut water), fill yourself with godliness (ghee), submit yourself to the god (ghee abhishekam) and receive his blessings for eternity. The coconut shell that carried the ghee (our body) is thrown into the fire symbolizing the end of this birth.

Devotees believe that ascending these steps with devotion leads to self-purification and liberation.

Spiritual Meaning of the 18 Steps

1. Five Senses (Pancha Indriyas) – The first 5 steps represent the five sensory perceptions (sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch) that bind humans to the material world.

2. Eight Emotions (Ashta Ragas) – The next 8 steps symbolize the eight negative emotions (Kama - desire, Krodha - anger, Lobha - greed, Moha - attachment, Mada - pride, Matsarya - jealousy, Dvesha - hatred, Ahamkara - ego). Conquering these leads to inner peace.

3. Three Gunas (Trigunas) – The next 3 steps represent the three fundamental qualities of nature (Sattva - purity, Rajas - passion, Tamas - ignorance). A devotee must transcend these to attain spiritual wisdom.

4. Vidya and Avidya (Knowledge & Ignorance) – The final 2 steps signify Vidya (spiritual knowledge) and Avidya (ignorance). 

   Only through divine knowledge can one attain liberation (Moksha)(Liberation). After crossing all 18 steps, the devotee reaches the sanctum of Lord Ayyappa, symbolizing freedom from material bondage and union with the divine.

Thus, climbing these sacred steps is not just a physical act but a spiritual journey of self-purification, control over senses, and realization of truth.

Kandhar Alangaram by Arunagirinathar - Vizhikku thunai

Kandhar Alangaram - Arunagirinathar - Vizhikku Thunai

திரு அருணகிரிநாதர் அருளிய கந்தர் அலங்காரம் _- விழிக்குத் துணை

In Kandhar Alangaram, the phrase "Vizhikku Thunai" (விழிக்குத் துணை) can be translated as "Support for the eyes" or "Guidance for vision".

This phrase is often interpreted as a reference to Lord Murugan being a divine light that guides devotees, granting them spiritual vision and wisdom. It signifies that His sacred feet (Thirumenmalarp Paadhangal) serve as a guiding force, helping devotees perceive truth and righteousness clearly.

விழிக்குத் துணை திருமென்மலர்ப் பாதங்கள் 

மெய்ம்மைகுன்றாமொழிக்குத் துணை முருகாவெனு நாமங்கள் 

முன்புசெய்த பழிக்குத் துணையவன் பன்னிரு தோளும் 

பயந்ததனி வழிக்குத் துணை 

வடிவேலுஞ் செங்கோடன் மயூரமுமே.

Vizhikkuth thuṇai Thirumenmalarp pāthangaḷ

Meimmaikundrāmozhikkuth thuṇai Murugāvenu nāmangaḷ

Munbu seitha pazhikkuth thuṇai avan panniru thōḷum

Bayandha thani vazhikkuth thuṇai

Vadivēlun chengōdan Mayūramumē.

Meaning:

Our eyes/vision is supported by the lotus feet of the Lord Murugan. 

Our true words/speech are supported by The names of Muruga. 

The twelve shoulders of Lord Murugan are the support of our previous wrongdoings. 

The support of the lonely path of fear is our Lord Murugan with his velayudham and his peacock.

 

 

"I Am That" (Tat Tvam Asi)

Realization: "I Am That" (Tat Tvam Asi)

 

When you fully realize that you are not the body, not the mind, but pure consciousness, Jivan Mukti happens effortlessly. 

There is no fear, no suffering, only infinite peace and bliss. Even while living in the world, you are free—nothing binds you anymore.

Abide in Inner Silence (Mouna and Meditation) - Silence the mental chatter and rest in the peace of pure awareness. The more you rest in silence, the closer you come to Jivan Mukti.

Dissolve the Ego (Ahamkara-Nasha) - Recognize that the ego is an illusion—it is not your true self. Avoid pride, possessiveness, and the idea that "I am separate from others." Experience oneness with everything.

Live with Compassion and Selfless Service (Karma Yoga) - Realize that "I am not the doer", the Divine is acting through you.

Practice Equanimity (Samabhava) - Accept joy and sorrow with the same attitude. See all beings as equal and divine. Stay centered, whether praised or criticized, whether in comfort or hardship.

Master the Mind (Manonasha – Dissolution of the Mind) - Train the mind to stay in the present moment.

Detachment (Vairagya) - Understand that all things are impermanent and true joy comes from within. Live in the world but remain unaffected by its ups and downs (like a lotus in water).

Surrender to the Higher Reality (Ishwara Pranidhana) - Cultivate total acceptance of life’s happenings as divine will. 

Develop humility and devotion, knowing that the individual ego is an illusion.

Self-Inquiry (Atma Vichara) - Follow Ramana Maharshi’s method of self-inquiry: 

Ask yourself, "Who am I?" Realize that you are not the body, mind, or emotions, but the eternal consciousness (Atman). Drop attachment to false identities (name, role, ego).

Quotes from Buddhism on Liberation

Buddhism is a path of wisdom, compassion, and mindfulness, guiding one towards liberation from suffering. It teaches that true peace comes from within, through self-awareness and letting go of attachments.

Buddha quotes on liberation (moksha, nirvana, and freedom from suffering):

1. Liberation from Suffering (Dukkha)

📖 "The root of suffering is attachment."
— Gautama Buddha

2. Freedom Through Letting Go

📖 "Let go of the past, let go of the future, let go of the present, and cross over to the other shore. With a mind that is free, you will never return to the cycle of birth and death."
— Dhammapada 348

3. Nirvana: The Ultimate Liberation

📖 "There is no fire like passion, no crime like hatred, no sorrow like separation, no sickness like hunger, and no joy like the joy of liberation."
— Dhammapada 202

4. Liberation Comes from Within

📖 "No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path."
— Dhammapada 165

 5. Wisdom Leads to Freedom

📖 "The one who has conquered himself is a far greater hero than he who has defeated a thousand times a thousand men."
— Dhammapada 103

6. Letting Go of Desires Leads to Peace

📖 "He who has no attachments can truly be called free."
— Dhammapada 367

7. True Liberation is the End of Ego

📖 "The awakened one is free from all clinging, free from attachment, free from fear, free from craving. This is the highest freedom."
— Majjhima Nikaya

Buddha’s teachings emphasize that true liberation (Nirvana) is freedom from desires, ego, and suffering, which comes from mindfulness, wisdom, and self-realization.