An old story is told about the beginning of time. The universe was in the process of being created and not everything was yet in order or fully functioning. Before the universe could be totally engaged, the Creator had one final task to complete. To help him complete this task the Lord summoned an angel.
The angel came. The Creator told the angel that he, the Lord, had one last job to do in the making of the universe.
“I saved the best for last,” the Creator told the angel. “I have here the real meaning of human life, the treasure of life, the purpose and goal of all this that I have created.
“Because this treasure is valuable beyond description,” the Creator continued, “I want you to hide it. Hide this treasure so well that human beings will know its value to be immeasurable.”
“I will do so, Lord,” said the angel. “I will hide the treasure of life on the highest mountain top.”
“The treasure will be too easy to find there,” said the Creator.
“Then,” said the angel, “I will hide the treasure in the great desert wilderness. Surely, the treasure will not be easily found there.”
“No, too easy.”
“In the vast reaches of the universe?” asked the angel. “That would make a difficult search.”
“No,” the Creator said pondering. Then his face showed a flash of inspiration. “I know. I have the place. Hide the treasure of life within the human being. He will look there last and know how precious this treasure is. Yes, hide the treasure there.”
~ Swami Ram
A clump of Petunia flowers in summer, Nishat Gardens, Kashmir, India.
A Sufi festival is being organized for the first time at the dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer from February 24 to March 4, 2009. The festival will have more that 400 participants showcasing their painting and calligraphy skills based on Islam. The theme would highlight moderate Islam that does not discriminate one person from another.
The festival’s venue is the mehfil khana at the dargah of Khwaja Moinunddin Chishti.
This is the first time in the country when a festival on Sufi art has been organized. "Since Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti was one of the greatest Sufi followers in the country, we are trying to give the message of love to all the people from here," says Dr Janmadulla Hussein Chishti, convenor of the festival.
In Hatha Yoga Pradipika they say that the mind is the king of the senses and the breath is the king of the mind. And if the nerves, nervous system which is about 6,000 miles in our system has a rhythmic vibration then that rhythmic vibration of the nerves becomes the king of the breath. I will show you the inhalation and exhalation to experience the rhythm of the sound of breath...
That is inhalation. Did you experience the beauty of that sound?
So also exhalation...
~ BKS Iyengar
Saxifrage flower in Valley of Flowers, Nanda Devi National Park, Himalaya, India.
Valley of Flowers: In the Himalayan region of Garhwal, in Uttranchal state, the captivating Valley of Flowers is a paradise on Earth. With a touch of mystique and divine solitude, it inspires equanimity. A World Heritage Site since the year 1988, the Valley of Flowers has enraptured mountaineers and botanists alike much longer. Keep Reading
Saffron petunia flowers blooming wild at Tapovan near Joshimath, Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand, North India. The forests of Tapovan in their green shade hide the temple of Bhavishya Badri.