(KP-3) Two Takeaways From the Sacred Hindu Text Bhagvad Gita
How a Doctor is feeding 1000 needy people everyday | A book on achieving your dreams | Thich Nhat Hanh on mindfulness
Learnings From Text
This week, I am going to share with you some of the lessons I have learned from the most revered holy text of Hinduism, The Bhagavadgita. The text that I referred to is a commentary by Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, former Indian President.
The most often quoted verse from The Bhagavadgita, as you all know, is
You ought to perform your duties but you are not entitled to the fruits of your action.
My perspective around work, whether creative or mundane, personal or professional, changed when I first read the following verse:
If you think of your work as an offering of gratitude to the universe, then your work will bring you joy; it will no longer seem a chore. Treat your work as your sacred duty and keep calm with whatever you get in return.
This quote relieved me of a self-imposed narrow-minded view of work I had in mind. After reading it, I didn’t perceive work as a burden but more of a sacred duty offered to this existence.
Productivity Tip/App
This week I came across a novel concept of the second brain, a digital brain if you would like to call it.
I am sure most of you had already heard of Evernote, a note-taking app, which is quite popular among readers and content creators but it has certain limitations.
So, upon researching further, I came across this widely-recommended note-taking app called Remnote. Though I am yet to get the hang of it, its key features are:
Powerful Hierarchical Editor.
Linked Writing & Zettelkasten.
Integrated Spaced Repetition Flashcards.
Knowledge Management.
References, Backlinks, and Tags.
Positive Feel-Good Story
This week’s story that I have chosen to share with you is of an orthodontist who starts her day by delivering meal packets across Chennai. Through her non-profit social organization The Public Foundation, set up in 2017, she manages to feed 1000 needy people in a day.
In her own words:
The Public Foundation was born out of a strong drive to help those in need. This includes a community fridge initiative called AyyamittuUnn, which translates into sharing the food with the needy, which came into being when I realized the amount of food wasted every day. This is a one-stop platform where people can come and donate leftover food, books, clothes, toys or their once-loved items that can help others in need of them.
We usually think about how much of a difference can we, as an individual person, make? Or what does me donating one single meal every day to a needy person can make?
On this very issue she says:
I happened to meet an old woman collecting food from the community fridge. Upon meeting me, she first thanked me and then went on to share how the fridge helped her daughter to go to a school. I couldn’t join the dots at first but then she explained how before this fridge she would spend most of her wages to manage a day’s meal. With the fridge taking care of their meals, she could finally dedicate most of the money to provide her daughter a good education. It is these moments that make you realize how the smallest gesture of donating a meal can truly change a person’s life.
Book/Podcast/Video Suggestion
I just finished this amazing book called Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach. It’s so soul-stirring, heart-warming, and poignant book, especially for those who want to achieve something in life, who think that their dreams mean more to them than money, fame, or societal acceptance.
After reading this, I came to find that it was also recommended by Rahul Dravid, my idol, so my respect and admiration for both of them grew even more.
Bits and pieces from the book:
While all the seagulls were busy fighting for bits of food from a fishing boat (read earning a living), Jonathon was far away from all the seagulls, practicing different maneuvers of flight (read pursuing his passion) because he loved flying. This kind of approach made him unpopular with other birds, more so with his parents who were also disappointed in him.
Quote/Poem
Thich Nhat Hanh, the Vietnamese Buddhist monk and peace activist, wrote in his book ‘The Miracle of Mindfulness’.
While practicing mindfulness, don't be dominated by the distinction between good and evil, thus creating a battle within oneself. Whenever a wholesome thought arises, acknowledge it: "A wholesome thought has just arisen." And if an unwholesome thought arises, acknowledge it as well: "An unwholesome thought has just arisen." Don't dwell on it or try to get rid of it, however much you don't like it. To acknowledge it is enough.