Art of Living course complete

Today I completed the Art of Living course that Poornima and I were attending. It was a "really nice" course (as Abhishekh Shah, who was our instructor/teacher might say it). This is the second time I have attended the course. For some reason (not fully clear to me), I think this one had more impact on me. Probably because I was more in need of it this time than earlier.

I think I have drifted away from my principles of life further than ever before in my life. Many things taught in the course were a timely reminder of what I should be knowing and practicing, that I am not doing at present (but was unknowing or knowingly doing in the past).

Over last few years I have given up forcing myself to follow my ideals. Consequently, I have gone far away from my ideals. I am going where my heart is taking me. If it is taking me away from my ideals, I am willing to go there.

The heart and the intellect have to work together for a person to live normally. If the heart is not following the intellect, let the mind follow the heart, until the heart realizes its follies, learns from its experiences and realizes the right path. There will be lost time and lost opportunities in the meantime. But so be it. Until the heart experiences and learns what is right, I will have to bear it.

The heart will realize its follies and come back to the right path. Because although on the surface it seems that everything is cold and hard, the fire beneath is burning. It will keep burning and some day it will incinerate every that that is fallacious. The fire of ideals can never be extinguished.

My principles of good life

1. Concentration
Focus on the present moment and thinking only about task at hand.

2. Self-awareness and self-control
Monitoring of thoughts, curbing impulse, awareness of my emotions, appropriate handling of my emotions.

3. Altruism
Self-sacrifice, thinking about others, unselfishly helping others, never expecting anything in return.

4. Courage
Doing what I believe to be right without being afraid of consequences.

5. Detachment
Detachment to results. Detachment to all material things - success, achievement, respect, money, status, friendship, love, etc.

6. Self-belief & self-respect
Belief that I am pure and I will triumph over all obstacles and succeed in realising my ideals. A belief that I am valuable and worthy.

7. All is for good
A belief that all that has happened is for good and all that will happen in future will also be for good. The Divine Will always prevails.

8. Disregarding future
It is always the unexpected and the undreamt of that happens. So, I should not think too much, or worry at all about future, and just work in present in accordance to principles.

9. Love
Love as the highest ideal.

10. Following the heart
Always follow my heart. As Swami Vivekanand says, "In a conflict between your head and your heart, follow your heart!"

11. Good communication
- Thinking about other person's viewpoint.
- Being unbaised
- Clarity about my thoughts
- Not being intimidated. Not being aggressive.

12. Professionalism
- Hard work
- Know every aspect of the work I am involved in
- Work selflessly for the client

A good thought

No man should ever be looked down upon. In his own way each person is struggling towards the same end. Hence each person deserves respect.