Karma yoga - science of attaining perfection

 

          key words: karma yoga, mental peace, misgivings, mental capabilities

Karama Yoga can be interpreted as the path of  ‘union through action.’

It is the science of attaining perfection through action. Lord Krishna advises Arjuna to give up his misgivings and sorrows and do his righteous duty of fighting against the injustice without consideration of personal desires, likes or dislikes.

In Bhagavat Gita Krishna says ‘O Arjuna! Surrender all your works into me, with full knowledge of me, without desires for profit, with no claims to proprietorship and free from lethargy fight’.

It is believed that practice of Karma Yoga in daily life makes an individual fit, sharpen his reasoning power and develop his mental capabilities through action and meditation.

Practice of Karma Yoga

A karma yogi should have non-attachment to the fruits of his action. Non-attachment brings freedom from fear and sorrow. One can serve the humankind in different ways. He need not be a rich person. If one finds a poor, old and sick person lying on the road, give him some thing to eat and then take him to a nearby hospital for treatment. A family person can be a karma yogi by dedicating all his services to the good of his family, his neighbors and other members of the society at large.

While Hatha yoga concentrates on the physical well being of a human being, Bhakhthi yoga on spiritual realization of God, Karma Yoga caters for both physical and mental aspects.

Links:https://realhappiness.org/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/meditation/in-depth/meditation/art-20045858

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Environment - Biodiversity

                                                

                                               Tags: biodiversity, ecosystem, climate, DNA

Biodiversity  describes the variety of life  on Earth and all of the natural processes. This includes ecosystem, genetic and cultural diversity. It has taken billions of years to arrive at the present form of biodiversity. It forms the web life of which

humans are an integral part This diversity can be seen in terms of plants, animals and microorganisms. Till now scientists could identify only about 13 million species out of estimated 100 million. Chromosomes, genes, and DNA-the building blocks of life-determine the uniqueness of each individual and each species. . Biodiversity provides a  number of goods and services .

These goods and services are:

·         Purification of air and water

·         Decomposition of wastes

·         Control  Earth's climate

·         Control  floods, droughts, temperature

·         Renewal of soil fertility

·         Control of pests and diseases

·         Maintenance of genetic resources

·         Cultural and aesthetic benefits

·         Supply of food, fuel

India  is a mega diverse nation, having around 10% of world's species. Indian biodiversity is  related to the socio-cultural set up of India. Several species are facing extinction due to   population explosion, climate change and  implementation of wrong environmental policies, This affect the  livelihood and the culture of many  Indians who depend on local biodiversity.

A biodiversity hotspot is a bio geographic region that is under threat from humans. There are about 35 biodiversity hotspots in the world. These sites support nearly 60% of the world's plant, bird, mammal, reptile, and amphibian species. Four such regions  exist in India . The Western Ghats ,the Himalayas, the Indo Burma region and the Sundaland.

 The Western Ghats are a chain of hills that run along the western edge of peninsular India. These regions have moist deciduous forest and rain forest. The region has high species diversity. How the biodiversity of Western Ghats originated is a still a puzzle.  . Much of the world's spices such as black pepper and cardamom have their origins in the Western Ghats. The highest concentration of species in the Western Ghats is believed to be the Agasthyamalai Hills in the extreme south.

 The Eastern Himalayas

This region comprises part of Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and extends upto Burma. This  region is exceptionally rich in diversity and endemism.

The Indo Burma region

This region covers Myanmar,Thailand, Combodia, Vietnam ,Laos and the Indo Gangetic plains. Although it is one of the rich biologically rich it is the most threatened .

Sundaland

It covers Nicobar islands. It extends to the tectonic plates under the Indian Ocean.

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Rain has come

 

South west monsoon has trickled down

A solace to summer heat

Strong winds and thunder lightning

Dark clouds heavy downpour

Frogs in water pools singing song

Stagnant water slippery ground

Overflowing streams with fishermen swimming

And  diving deep into the water

Children playing with ecstasy

Splashing water each other

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Energy saving ideas and the steps to be taken

 

        It is very essential to take effective steps to save energy in the interest of the individual concerned and also in the interest of the nation. Electricity is being generated using coal, water, solar, wind, diesel etc. The major percentage of power generation is by using coal. Burning of coal leads to atmospheric  pollution. In order to inculcate a sense of importance in the minds of general public, December 14 is being celebrated as energy saving day. For a consumer, energy saving will lead to lower his utility bill.

Steps to taken by an individual

-Use CFL/LED lights

-Switch off light and fans when not in use

-Purchase electrical equipment  which have 5 star rating

-Have fans with electronic regulator

-Switch  off TV at the switch board itself and not by remote control

-Instead of using the iron box daily; limit its use on a weekly schedule

-Use washing machine when  clothes are enough to fill it

-Buy split ACs with 5 star rating

-Do not set the AC  for temperature less than 24-25 degree centigrade

-Get the filter of AC cleaned regularly

-Close the door and windows in the room properly

-Plant trees in the house compound

-Install solar panels on the roof top

- Use warm clothes inside the house also to  reduce use of heaters

-Fix automatic level controller with water pump

-Do not keep hot food items in the fridge

-Do not leave the door of the fridge open

-Unplug all electrical appliances when not in use except that of the fridge

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