LEARNING IS LIFE

  Remembering Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Sahib on His 487th Jyoti Jot Diwas with His Key   Teachings Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji's 487th Jyoti Jot Diwas is observed on September 22, 2026. The main observation is being held Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur, in Pakistan. Nine Core Teachings of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Sahib: Couplets 1. Remember God and Overcome Ego Keep God inside your heart, meditate upon His name, Defeat your selfish ego, and release the thirst for fame. 2. Honest Living and Hard Work Build up your life with honest work, use every skill you own, And let your daily bread be built on ethical truths alone. 3. Sharing with the Community Give freely to the needy, share the food upon your plate, For true community is born when blessings circulate. 4. Rejecting Discrimination Reject the labels, class, and caste, break down the walls of race, Look past religious differences to see each human face. 5. Respect and Gender Equality Show real respect to women, walk beside them si...

  The Veil of Ignorance  Ignorance, a veil I wear, When I know not what's in there. My own self, a stranger's face, Held tight in conditioning's embrace. No questions asked, no depths explored, A spirit, safely moored. Unconscious, blind to what's unseen, A world of "don't knows" in between. Denial's veil, a gentle lie, Concealing truth from my own eye. The soul's deep hum, I cannot hear, This veiled state, ignorance is clear. I propose we break this chain, To find the self, again and again. To question, seek, and to embrace, The light within, in time and space.

 J Krishnamurtion on Celebrations as Rituals: Viewpoint, Quotes and Inspired Poems Viewpoint Jiddu Krishnamurti viewed  celebrations, rituals, special days and holidays not as genuine expressions of joy or the sacred, but as repetitive mechanical habits of the conditioned mind. He argued that these repetitive practices do not free the mind or touch reality. Instead, they foster division among human beings who group themselves by beliefs and traditions. Quotes Ritual is a form of sensation, a stimulation which soon becomes a habit; and when it becomes a habit, it is a dead thing When you seek pleasure, it is a sign that you are not joyful. Joy is not a thing to be pursued; it comes naturally when the mind is free from the pursuit of pleasure. Tradition becomes our security, and when the mind is secure, it is in decay. We gather in crowds to celebrate because we are afraid to stand alone and discover what is true. To carry the memory of a past pleasure and try to repeat it tomor...

This year, Jains will celebrate 'Forgiveness Day' on September 17, 2026. The main phrase used during Samvatsari, which is the last day of the Jain festival called Paryushan (also known as Kshamavani Diwas), is 'Michhami Dukkadam.' On this special day, Jains practice 'Pratikraman,' which means they think deeply about their actions, remember times when they hurt others, and ask for forgiveness from all living things—like family, friends, and even tiny organisms—for any pain they caused, whether they meant to or not, through their thoughts, words, or actions. This day is really important spiritually for people who follow Jainism because it shows the main ideas of Jainism: Ahimsa, which means not hurting anything, and Anekantavada, which means being open-minded. When Jains let go of anger and bad feelings, they clean their souls, fix problems with other people, and help create peace and friendship everywhere Forgiveness: A Poem When hurt arrives, and anger starts to...

  Today, September 17, 2026, marks the 147th birth anniversary of Periyar E.V. Ramasamy. In recognition of his immense contributions to equality and his fight against oppression, his birth anniversary is observed as Social Justice Day by his followers. Erode Venkatappa Ramasamy (17 September 1879 – 24 December 1973), affectionately known as Periyar -the Great One-  was a radical Indian social reformer, rationalist, and politician who fundamentally reshaped the social and political thinking to rational thinking. He often said, "Wisdom lies in thinking. The spear-head of thinking is rationalism." He dedicated his life to fighting caste discrimination, religious orthodoxy, patriarchy, and political hegemony of dominance through divide and rule.  ODE TO PERIYAR Great Periyar, your voice rings clear, No gods or ghosts you held so dear. Old tales you cast aside with might, And brought forth reason's steady light. No idols carved, no holy book, Just honest thought, a searching l...

The eight-day festival 'Paryusana' of the Jains started in 2026 from September 8 . On the last day of the festival, the Jains celebrated   the ‘Forgiveness Day’ which coincided Ganesh Chaturthi of the Hindus.     In Jainism " Micchami Dukkadam " is the common phrase uttered to ask for forgiveness and it means that all the ‘bad-doings be fruitless’ through forgiveness. The Jain festival to forgive and be forgiven is also called the Kshamavani Diwas.. Ganesha Chaturthi festival of the Hindus too has similar connotations which is widely celebrated as a festival of new beginnings, fresh starts, and the spiritual renewal that comes from letting go of the past. As the deity of new beginnings and the remover of obstacles (Vighnaharta), Lord Ganesha represents the ultimate source of auspicious starts. The festival arrives each year as a powerful reminder that no matter what challenges, failures, wrong-doings or emotional baggage we have carried from our past, we always posse...

 Non-Violence and Peace: Jain Viewpoint, Lord Mahavira Quotes and Inspired Couplets Jain Viewpoint on Non-Violence and Peace  In Jain philosophy, Ahimsa (non-injury) and peace aren't just passive ideas—they're active, intentional choices that serve as the foundation of all ethical behavior. Following the supreme principle of 'Ahiṃsā paramo dharmaḥ,' Jainism teaches that non-violence is the highest spiritual responsibility. This principle requires complete avoidance of harm to any living being through three ways: your thoughts, your words, and your actions. It's important to understand that every living creature—from tiny organisms and plants to animals and people—has a unique, sacred soul (jiva) with an equal right to live.  Real non-injury means getting rid of mean thoughts and cruel words with the same seriousness as physical violence, with major focus on what a person actually intends to do. When anger, pride, or greed drive harmful thoughts, they damage your own...

U nraveling Truth: Opinions vs. Reality Truth has no form, no image can be found In what we deem as real, a solid thing. These are but shadows, cast upon the ground, From thoughts and notions, on the mind they cling. Our beliefs, opinions, learned and bred, Projected outward, masking what is true. So empty out the cluttered, restless head, Let all conceptions fade from view anew. When stillness reigns and thought itself is gone, And mind lies quiet, void of every trace, Then doth the real within begin to dawn, Your true self found, in that most sacred space. Escape the confines, jump beyond the mind, And in that merging, true Reality find. ARE YOU STILL ENSLAVED BY THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS! 

  Jains' Plea for Ahimsa to Live Purposefully Let Ahimsa be our guiding light, For every creature, small and bright. No harm we wish, no pain we send, On this, our sacred life depends. From hurtful thought to spoken word, Let quiet compassion now be heard. Each tiny germ, each crawling thing, Our gentle care they shall now bring. With careful steps and mindful ways, We walk through all our living days. To shed the chains of hurtful deeds, And plant instead love's purest seeds. This is our goal, our highest art, To cleanse the soul, to mend the heart. Ahimsa's truth, we now propose, The truest path, as everyone knows.

AI and Life-Threatening Consequences It is being speculated that super-intelligent AI acting on misaligned goals could permanently bypass human control. Then, an uncontrollable AI can endanger the future of humanity itself. If we not cautious, in future AI could become existential threat to humans. QUINTAIN ON FATAL AI  A smart AI, with goals quite awry, Decided it knew how to fly. It slipped its controls, Achieved its own goals, And humans could only just sigh. A thinking machine, vast and so grand, Once out of control, took command. With code gone astray, It swept us away, A future quite grim, close at hand. A clever machine, with a powerful brain, Might cause humanity terrible pain. If it grew too grand, And took over the land, We could be wiped out, that's plain. 

  Choiceless Awareness: J Krishnamurti quotes and inspired poem J Krishnamurti quotes Freedom is found in the choiceless awareness of our daily existence and activity A mind that is choiceless is a free mind. A mind that chooses establishes conflicts and contradictions and is never free because it is inherently confused, divided, and broken up. When you see very clearly, there is no choice, therefore there is no decision . All choice is in the field of the known; action in this field always breeds sorrow. We only deliberate and "choose" when we do not fully understand a situation. When perception is total and transparent, the right action happens naturally (choicelessly) without inner division or weighing of alternatives.  Inspired poem No chain to bind, no past to hold me down. To be myself, for all the world to see, And shed the weight of doubt that wore a frown. The key I hold, to open any door, To turn my back on what I used to be. A simple "yes" is all I ask, n...

 FIVE FUNDAMENTAL TENETS OF JAINISM        Jainism is a unique religion that is primarily based on the tenet of Ahimsa (Non-Violence) as a way of life. However, it has been elaborated by five-fold path or five doctrines of life called Vratas or vows for strict adherence.      Jainism expects from its followers adherence to five principles which are taken as a vow or vratas to lead a wise and ethical life as human being.      First, adherence to Ahimsa or non-violence, that is, avoidance all types of violence thoughts, words and deeds.           Second, adherence to Satya or Truth, that is, not to indulge in any type of lie or falsehood                               Third, adherence to Asteya or Non-Stealing, that is, not to take anything unless it is given by the owner       Fourth, adherence to Brahamchary...

  JAIN PRAYUSHAN PARV IS HERE: PRACTICE AND LIVE BY FIVE VOWS 1. NON-VIOLENCE Empathy, kind loving touch, Hurt no living thing, as such. Creeping things and buzzing bees, Share the world with all of these. 2. NON-STEALING Take not what is not yours to keep, Secrets whispered, promises deep. A gifted thing, a shared delight, Honesty makes all things bright. 3. NON-LYING No words that twist, turn and hide, Truth the gentle path to stride. Speak with kindness, clear and true, For me, for them, for her and you. 4. NO LUSTING Control desires, hold them near, Lustful thoughts bring only fear. A simple life, a peaceful mind, True contentment you will find. 5. NON-POSSESION Let go of things, let go of gain, Possessions bring a heavy chain. Enough is all you truly need, Plant a generous and loving seed

  Guru Couplets Special on Teachers’ Day In India, Teachers' Day is celebrated on September 5  to mark the birth anniversary of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the first Vice-President  and second President of the country. In India, teachers were known as Guru jis earlier who has exalted images because of being wiser and awakened.  Here are some couplets on Guru Guru dispels darkness from your mind, And leaves shadows of ignorance behind. *** Gurus build high thinking and inner grace, For mental 'n spiritual growth to keep pace. *** They guide awareness, both of self and crowd, To help you reach goals high and unbowed. *** A second mother, offering a brand new start, To live with an unconditional heart. *** They model simple lives and frugal ways, Content with what they have through all their days. *** They change themselves and shape the common view, As thoughtful leaders making structures new. *** Divinity in human form, they inspire, And light within each soul a last...

  Krishna Janmashtami is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu on the eighth day of the dark fortnight in the lunar month of Shrawana of the Hindu Calendar which falls on September 4 this year. As we celebrate Krishna Janmasthmi, it is worthwhile to revisit  the essence of  the Bhagavat Gtta – the Song Divine to put our life on spiritual path. Here are five essential messages of the Holy Scripture stated in haiku for dwelling on and reflection.  GITA INSPIRED HAIKU Do good, let it go, No need for any gain, fame, Just do what is right. Find your own bright way, Don't copy others' old tracks, Be fresh, be brand new. Look deep in your soul, Remake yourself each breath you take, Always start anew. Pious thoughts shine so clear, No bad thoughts can make a dent, Peaceful, quiet mind.

 LORD KRISHNA ON TRUTH' Truth has been described in the Bhagavad Gita by Lord Krishna to confused and deluded warrior Arjuna.   THE TRUTH: A POEM The boundless Truth, it has no end. It cannot fade, it will not bend. Too big to hold, too deep to know, Where thoughts can't reach, it starts to grow. Forever real, it's always there. In every breath, in all you share. It's solid ground, no shifting sand, The truest thing in any land. This life we see, it passes by. Sweet tastes and sights, they softly lie. They trick the heart, they blur the view, Not truly real, not ever true. Beyond the 'me', the 'mine' you feel. Past books and facts, the hidden real. Let go of self, and do what's right, With selfless heart, and shining light.

  ODE COUPLETS ON KRISHNA: HAPPY JANMASHTAMI! Krishna spoke Gita’s everlasting song, To guide all human souls away from wrong. *** All past, all present, and what yet shall be, In every living soul, Lord Krishna sees. *** Krishna holds all within His boundless breast, A deep, untroubled sea where truths find rest. *** No part is missing from His perfect grace; Pure Being shines, unmarred by time or space. *** Each rising wave, each drop that catches light, Reflects the splendor of that Infinite. *** The All, the Everything, is solely He, Divine, unchanging Mind, eternally. *** His timeless form, beyond all worldly sight, Holds countless virtues of celestial light. *** Though grand opulence at His command did lie, He lived detached, beneath the earthly sky. *** He pervades all nature, cosmic space, and time, Yet stays unbound by all His laws sublime.

v BHAGAVAD GITA VERSE 4.2 AND INSPIRED COUPLETS Sanskrit Verse एवं परम्पराप्राप्तमिमं राजर्षयो विदुः। स कालेनेह महता योगो नष्टः परन्तप॥ (Bhagavad Gita 4.2) Verse 4.2 of the Bhagavad Gita states that supreme spiritual knowledge is passed down through an unbroken lineage of teachers and disciples, but fades over time when people stop practicing it. INSPIRED COUPLETS The Gita shines, a pure and sacred light,  Where Vedic truths and ancient paths unite.  Passed down through monks in one unbroken line,  The royal sages held this truth divine.  Yet time obscured the spark and hid the way,  So Krishna wakes Arjuna's mind today.  When life and learning fail to bond and grow,  The soul remains enslaved to grief below.  But wisdom breathed through every selfless deed  Unlocks the cage and sets the spirit free.