Sri Sri Ayurveda Sandal Soap vs Dove Soap

I have been using the Sri Sri Ayurveda Sandal soap for quite sometime. And I really like it. http://www.srisriayurveda.in/product/sandal-soap/

Both my daughters were using Dove soap for sometime.

I just did a comparison of the soap ingredients.

Sri Sri Ayurveda Sandal soap contains

Soap Noodles, Titanium Di Oxide, Glycerin, Sandal Perfume, EDTA, Permitted Color

Dove soap contains

Sodium Laurel Isethionate, Stearic Acid, Sodium Palmitale, Sodium Stearate, Aqua,
Sodium Isethionate, Lauric Acid, C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Sodium Palm Kemelate,
Perfum, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract,
Glycerin, Proplene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Zinc Oxide,
Tetrasodium EDTA, Tetrasodium Etidronate, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate,
Citric Acid, Benzoic Acid, Sorbic Acid, CI 19140, CI 42090, CI 77891

After going through the ingredients, I just told them, dove soap contains lot of chemicals. Could you try one of the Sri Sri Ayurveda soap. They agreed to it.

One of my daughter is using the Orange and Tulsi soap

Another one is using the Almond and Honey soap

Both of them really like the Orange and Tulsi soap, Almond and Honey soap. Sri Sri Ayurveda also has Glycerin Bar.

I think it's a good idea to try soaps which contains less chemicals. It's good for our skin as well as the planet.

Lakshmi Taru Plants are growing up

Sometime back I posted an article regarding Lakshmi Taru Tree
http://madnaray.blogspot.in/2014/08/lakshmi-taru-tree-boon-to-humankind.html

Recently I visited the Art of Living Bangalore Ashram and got one full packet of lakshmi thru seeds. Distributed some of the seeds to the course participants.

I just took 4 seeds and soaked the same in water for about 24 hrs. In 4 different pots, mixed mud and manure. Planted the seeds in each of the pots about 1 inch inside the mud. Watered everyday.

After about 1 month, my daughter spotted something coming up in one of the pots. Later realised it is the lakshmi thru which coming up. WoW! what an excitement!

After about 2 months.

About 1 KM from the Bangalore ashram there is a farm called Bolenath. Here, Lakshmi Taru plant saplings are available. I bought 2 of them and planted them in our apartment. Here are pictures of the plants growing up.

One more

More about Lakshmi Taru
http://www.artofliving.org/laxmi-taru

How I cured my Crohn's disease with Diet & Yoga

Back in 2007, I used to live in California. My health was doing good. And I used to have all the normal food that we eat.

During early 2008, after having dinner, during sleep, late in the night, I used to have burning sensation in my throat region. After having some water and walking for few minutes it used to go away.

This problem persisted for some weeks. I consulted a general physician and he gave me prevpac. I had it for sometime. But the problem continued and I had more stomach related issues.

During the later part of 2008, after having food, I used to have diarrhoea, pain in the anus, sometimes blood in the stool, bloating, anal fissure etc.

Since this problem is related to stomach, I consulted a Gastroenterologist. He did lots of tests and took his own time. Finally concluded I have symptoms of Crohn’s disease. And asked me to take mild doses of pentasa.

Took the tablet for couple of months, still the problem continued and no improvement in my health condition and I lost a lot of weight.

I thought of taking alternate routes and see how to improve my health. Started learning Yoga, pranayama, Sudarshan kriya from Art of living.

http://www.artofliving.org/in-en/happiness-program

Also, consulted with one of my friend, who had Crohn’s disease. He asked me to try specific carbohydrate diet

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Specific_Carbohydrate_Diet

and introduced me to the breaking the vicious cycle book

http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info

Myself and my wife read the book for several times and were really shocked to see rice is not allowed in the diet, which is our daily food from child hood. What to do, I have no choice but to drop rice from my food.

Based on the book, I started having SCD diet and simultaneously practised Art of living yoga, pranayama and sudharshan kria for several months.

My health started improving with diet and yoga. The symptoms I had mentioned above have started disappearing. I had a healing experience.

I started learning more of yoga from Art of Living and did my Advanced meditation program, during 2012.

http://www.artofliving.org/advanced-meditation-course

Slowly my confidence level has increased on having regular food. During Aug 2014, I was in Art of living Bangalore Ashram and started having rice for the first time after several years.

I was able to digest it. Since then, I started having the regular food, that I used to have back in 2007. It’s like welcome home for me.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brihadeeswarar_Temple

Credits
———
On this occasion, I would like to thank Dr. Peter Simpson, M.D. who has done a lot of
diagnosis and concluded I have symptoms of crohn’s disease.

http://www.pamf.org/dr-peter-simpson.html

Christmas Treat - Oats Biscuit / Laddu

For Christmas, we were thinking of making something special at home.

While reading the Art of Living Rishimukh magazine, I came across Oats biscuit. Spoke to my daughter about this. She immediately agreed to it.

We bought Oats plus 300 grams, Nilgris butter 100 grams.  150 grams of jaggery.

To start with we mixed 100 grams of butter with 150 grams of jaggery, little bit of milk cream (top portion of milk).

Grind 50 grams of oats and added the same to the above mixture and remaining 200 grams added as it is. The other 50 grams my daughters ate them.

Added some of dry grapes, little bit of clove powder, little bit of dry ginger powder.

Initially we thought of making biscuits, since we had muffin tray, we have decided to make muffin/biscuit kind of. Later to our surprise it came out to be a laddu.

We kept the laddu in oven for about 10 mins in 200 degree and then turned it upside down and kept for another 10 mins.

All of them at home liked it very much. If you prefer more sweet you can increase the quantity of jaggery little bit.

Awesome Art of Living Advanced Meditation Program with Gurudev in Bangalore Ashram

Recently I attended the Advanced Meditation Program (Part 2) in Art of Living Bangalore Ashram. Just thought of sharing my experience here.

This is the 4th time I am attending this program. Every time I attend the program the experience is mind blowing.

Reached the Ashram one day before and made myself comfortable. Gurudev makes it special every time I attend the program. This time, since he was away, came in Skype and gave us knowledge live.

On Thursday morning the program started of with Yoga, Pranayama and Kriya session with Chicago.

Later that day we had deep meditation sessions with Dr. Nisha Manikantan. Had a nice food and stay in the ashram.

On the same day, during satsang Kashi Ji performed the Guru Pooja and gave us knowledge on the 9 obstacles in the path of yoga. Encouraged us to read the book "Commentaries by Sri Sri on Patanjali Yoga Sutras".

http://www.artofliving.org/yoga/patanjali-yogasutra/knowledge-sheet-25

On Friday, we had a nice darshan of Gurudev with Devi Pooja. Followed by deep meditation sessions with Dr Nisha Manikantan.

During satsang, people from Chhattisgarh performed various traditional dance performances. It's good to watch the cultural diversity of India from Bangalore.

On Saturday, there were some business delegates to the Ashram. Before lunch, Gurudev himself took a meditation session for all of us.

On Sunday, after the program got over. Gurudev gave darshan to all the course partipants.

To top it all, Rudra Pooja with Gurudev on Monday was an excellent experience.

Two of my room mates were attending the Part 2 program for the first time in the ashram. Throughout the course, I was guiding them to various places in the ashram. It was a nice experience helping someone new to the ashram.

Travel to the Ashram, Stay, Food, Morning yoga sessions, deep meditation sessions, silence, seva at various places in the ashram, Knowledge session with Kashi Ji, Traditional performance from Chhattisgarh, Gurudev's presence on all the days, Devi pooja and Rudra pooja with Gurudev. What an experience. Don't ever miss it.

http://www.artofliving.org/in-en/art-silence-art-living-part-2-course

Awesome Bala Chetna Shivir in Sengunthar Middle School Sholinghur

Recently I have conducted Bala Chetna Shivir program for kids in 7th and 8th STD at Sengunthar Middle School in Sholinghur. Just thought of sharing the experience here.

Actually, went to Sholinghur to conduct the happiness program. Since, there was not much response, thought of doing some other program.

Hence, approached Sengunthar Middle School HM to conduct the Bala Chetna Shivir program. She immediately agreed to it. What a grace!!!



















Since the hall could accommodate only about 150 children, both 7th and 8th STD children have joined the program for about 1 hr every day for 5 days.

On day 1 we had a nice introductory session about Art of Living, Gurudev. Then games, yoga, pranayama and satsang. The children enjoyed it throughly.

Rest of the 4 days, the program went of fine with high level of participation from the kids and support from the staff members.

On the last day, I had given a team work project to the kids to draw their favorite picture on a chart. They came up with some wonderful ideas. And it is displayed in their respective class rooms.

During the program, the staff members also participated and they were asking about other programs in Art of Living. I had explained about the happiness program and the enormous benefits it had had in peoples lives in Sholighur. Many of them agreed to do the program.

As part of the Shivir, I had distributed Lakshmi Taru seeds to the children and they meticulously planted them in their home.

It was a enriching program for the kids, staff and myself.

http://www.artofliving.org/np-en/balchetna
http://www.artofliving.org/in-en/bal-chethan-shibir-ahmedabad

How to make Enzyme from Kitchen Waste

Recently I attended the Art of Living TRM (Teacher's Refresher Meet) in Bangalore Ashram. During that time, Swami Brahmatej explained how to make Enzyme at home with Kitchen waste. I tried the same and explaining the details below:

It is better to understand the uses of enzyme, how to prepare it, before you start working on it. This website has more details: http://www.justlifeshop.com/turn-garbage-into-enzyme/

To prepare the enzyme we need 1 part Jaggery, 3 parts Kitchen waste (Vegetable and Fruit peels) and 10 parts water.

I am using 500gms Jaggery, 1.5 Kg of Kitchen waste, 5 liters of water filtered from Aquaguard.

Bought Jaggery from Nilgris, the same is shown below:

Smash the Jaggery into small pieces as shown below:

Put the Jaggery into 5 liters of water and mix it well. You can see the level increasing from 5 liters to 5.5 liters in the bucket.

I have only 500gms of kitchen waste (Vegetable and Fruit peels, measured the weight in a near by shop), put the same in the bucket (the level has increased to 6 liters)

I just kept the bucket aside with a closed lid (no silver or glass only plastic container). Will have to put 1kg of kitchen waste more to it later.

After about 2 days, I got 1Kg of kitchen waste (from our kitchen) and put the same in the bucket (the level has increased to 7 liters).

Now, the ratio is 1 part Jaggery (500gms), 3 parts Kitchen waste (1.5 Kg) and 10 parts water (5 liters). Hopefully, I will have the enzyme ready for the new year.

Art of Living TRM, Don't miss it!

Recently I attended the Art of Living TRM (Teachers Refresher Meet) at Bangalore Ashram.
Just thought of sharing my experience here:

Initially, I thought of not attending it, since I was not feeling well. Somehow managed to catch a train to Bangalore and landed in the ashram on time.

TRM started on Saturday morning with Yoga and long kriya. We had various processes, like discussing the challenges faced by the teachers, Gurudev came several times during the TRM and gave us solutions to all the problems.

A new process by Kashiji on Sunday morning was great to start the day. We have been given
an hands on experience, instead of simply talking about it. Learnt something new on the detoxification.

On one of these days, during Satsang Gurudev talked about Superbrain yoga and showed us a video from youtube. It's actually the Thoppukaranam that we have been doing for 1000's of years in India. Marketed as Superbrain yoga now.

During the TRM, I was fortunate to meet teachers from all over tamilnadu. Even teachers from outside tamilnadu.

On the last day of TRM, Swami Brahmatej's explanation on making Enzyme from Fruit/Vegetable waste was a wonderful session. Going to try that in couple of days. Found this website related to enzyme making on the net:
http://veganlogy.com/2012/06/09/make-your-own-garbage-enzyme-a-safety-multipurpose-uses/

Talking about the stay in the ashram during the TRM, it was excellent. The room, atmosphere, facilities everything was great.

Gurudev had arranged for excellent food during the 3 days TRM. It had some healing effect, I will explain that later.

Manikandanji's songs/music while Gurudev was coming in and going out was ultimate.

One miracle that has happened is, before coming to the TRM, I had a severed cold, cough, fever. Slowly the fever was settling down, still I had headache and sinus problem. After coming to the ashram also I had the problem. I just bought anu taila had couple of drops in my nose for 2 to 3 days, the environment, the food provided had some healing effect. when I came back to Chennai, the headache and sinus disappeared just like that. I have seen this happening many times even before. Some healing happens whenever I visit the ashram, I just don't know how it happens.

Excellent experience with Padma Vruksha Tax Consultancy in Kodambakkam, Chennai for filing income tax returns for AY 2015-2016

Recently I had filed my income tax returns for AY 2015-2016 with Padma Vruksha tax
consultancy in Kodambakkam, Chennai. Just thought of sharing my experience here.

For AY 2014-2015, I had filed it on my own. Due to some defect the processing is taking
a long time. Hence, I thought of making use of a income tax consultant this time.

Searched through google and came up with couple of tax consultants. Called up some of them,
found Padma Vruksha Tax Consultancy in Kodambakkam seems to be good.

Went to Padma Vruksha office and showed the income details for FY 2014-2015 to the CA.
He said it will take couple of days to prepare the draft.

I was busy for about 2 weeks and went back to them. By that time the XML was ready and
they sent it through email.

I loaded the same in the Java Utility.

Cross checked the details. There were couple of changes required. Conveyed the same to them
through email.

Meanwhile, I had linked my PAN with ADHAAR

They sent me the updated version of the XML file and I uploaded the same.

Verified it using adhaar OTP

Hopefully, my return will be processed this time.

WOW!!! Art of Living Part 2 + Holi + Devi Pooja + Rudra Pooja + Satsang + Knowledge + Blessing

Recently I attended the PART 2 / Advanced Meditation Program in Art of Living Bangalore Ashram. Just thought of sharing the experience here.

First time, attended PART 2 program in Boone, North Carolina, USA with Philip Fraser. Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was present. There were about 500 people. The morning yoga, advanced meditation programs during the day time, nature walk, evening satsangs everything was a great experience. It was a blast!!!

Second time, attended the PART 2 program in Egmore, Chennai with Kishore Da. There were about 30 people. Kishore da in his own style added color to the program and made it an awesome experience.

This time with Swami Bramatej. The morning yoga, meditation sessions were simply awesome. Evening satsangs were just icing on the cake. Swami Bramatej with his years of experience made the program simply great.

Adding color to the program is the holi celebration with Gurudev. Here are some photos of the holi celebration.

Apart from the part 2 program we also had the opportunity to listen to Gurudev during satsang.

On Friday we had a great opportunity to witness Gurudev performing the Devi Pooja and on Monday witnessed Gurudev performing Rudra Pooja. Wow! what an experience.

After the part 2 program Gurudev met each of the course participants individually and blessed us.

Overall the travel, stay at the ashram, sattvic food, morning yoga sessions, hollow and empty meditations with Swami bramatej, wonderful course participants, Devi pooja with Gurudev, Holi celebration with Gurudev, Evening satsang and knowledge with Gurudev, Rudra pooja with Gurudev on Monday. Wow! what a great program.

Who wants to miss such a great opportunity!!!

Here are some photos I have taken during the stay in Bangalore ashram.

More about part 2 program is available in this link:
http://www.artofliving.org/in-en/art-living-part-2-program

Awesome Experience Attending Teacher Training Program at Art of Living Bangalore Ashram

With the blessings of Gurudev, recently I attended the Teacher Training Program
at Art of Living International Centre, Bangalore. Just thought of sharing the
experience here:

Travelled by train to Bangalore. The journey was comfortable. From Majestic
travelled to the Ashram by sharing a taxi with other folks.

The registration, room allocation processes went very smoothly. Had a nice

satsang and dinner.

We had morning sadhana everyday, ending with nice sattvic breakfast. I also
liked the sattvic lunch and dinner provided everyday.

Gurudev himself took couple of teacher training sessions this time for us.

Got the rare opportunity of witnessing Gurudev performing Rudra Pooja for
two consecutive Mondays. Here is a photo:

Icing on the cake is, we had the opportunity to witness the inauguration of
new meditation hall by Gurudev.

Had the opportunity to witness Gurudev performing Devi Pooja for 2 consecutive
Fridays in the new meditation hall.

With the help of our teacher Manikandan Ji, had a special darshan with Gurudev
for people from Tamil Nadu. Asked us to focus more on the rural areas to bring
the benefit of this knowledge to them.

I had the opportunity to do seva at Sri Sri Institute of Agricultural Sciences and
technology. Came to know about Lakshmi Taru Tree. Shared the details in another
article here.

We had an opportunity to tour the ashram and here are some photos.

Thanks to our teacher Manikandan Ji, who has taken care of us throughout the
course period very nicely.