Sunday September 20, 2009

Shoe-in for trouble

VASTHU SASTRA BY T.SELVA

In almost all cultures and beliefs, shoes or slippers are viewed as negative elements. There are many more dont’s than dos when dealing with them.

What is a shoe to you? Footwear is something we use to protect our feet and that’s all there is to it.

When it is used for any other purpose, it could be seen as disrespectful.

In Hinduism and almost all other cultures and beliefs, shoes or slippers are viewed as negative elements and there are many more dont’s than dos when dealing with them.

Shoes should be kept away from sight after use because they have inauspicious, negative qualities.

Why? Because subtle energy enters via our crown chakra (head), then channels through our body and this negative energy is discharged through our feet.

Wearing shoes and slippers into the house is bad because the negative energy from outside will enter into the living space. Footwear must not be kept in front of the main doorway.

In Vasthu Sastra, the shoe rack should be placed away from the north-east quadrant because the space is a divine corner and should be kept clean.

Footwear must not be hung at the doorway or fence because it will ward off visitors and create hostility. Placing footwear on one’s self above head level also brings bad luck.

It is inauspicious to buy or present footwear to anyone as a gift because the giver will suffer from a strained relationship with the receiver.

Used shoes must not be given away to anyone because the user is likely to be in the same shoes as the giver.

However, if you have lost your shoes or slippers or misplaced them, it is an auspicious sign because it indicates your troubles have left you.

Dreams about shoes, especially when it is about wearing expensive shoes, means one will see more respect and fame. On the contrary, a dream that involves shoes that are torn and worn out means a setback in life.

To see yourself buying new shoes and wearing them shall bring you financial gains in your job. If you simply dream about shoes then prepare for a journey.

If you dream about losing your shoes, it is a bad omen as it foretells that your loved ones shall betray you when you need them most. To see a shoemaker in your dream is unfavourable as it signifies poverty.

Because of all of the above, using shoes as a gesture to express any form of displeasure is regarded as a bad omen and disrespectful.

That is exactly what happened in the case of Paya Besar MIC division deputy chief M. Sukumaran. He said during the recent MIC general assembly that he wanted a garland of slippers to be placed on a photograph of former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed, and his statement caused him suspension from the party.

In a similar situation, Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zaidi, who hurled his shoe at former US President George W. Bush in Baghdad, served time in prison and was released on Sept 15.

In India, it is common for people who are unhappy with any particular personality to place a garland of slippers or shoes on the statue or image as a sign of protest.

It is written in Hindu scriptures that those who perform such ill-mannered acts will lose everything in life and bring shame to their family, community and country.

Even uttering the words, “I will hit you with a shoe’’ is viewed as impolite and the effects are the same.

In the Hindu living system, every individual is regarded as a divine soul and should be respected with dignity and treated with honour and any mistreatment will lead to misery.

People should understand that omens have been passed down from ancient times and brushing them aside as mere superstition can be wrong.

In my column in Nov 2007, I wrote about the public’s concerns when the former Selangor Mentri Besar, Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo, handed out broom awards to two underperforming local councils at the Selangor Excellence Awards.

In Indian culture, it is not a good idea to give anyone a broom, as it is equivalent to hitting the person with it. It is not the recipient who will suffer the consequent bad karma but the giver.

Although Khir had brushed aside the criticism and these old beliefs, it seems he is still drawn into controversies after he lost his mentri besar post following Barisan Nasional’s failure to retain Selangor in the last general election.

Article by T. Selva appeared on Sunday Star 20th September 2009

OH NAMAY SHIVAYA

Om Namah Shivaya - Krishna Das

TIPS TO LEAD A HAPPY LIFE

• Drink plenty of water.
• Try to make at least three people smile each day.
• Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
• Forget issue of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
• Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class, but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
• EAT breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
• Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
• Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
  

Make your SMILE CHEAPER and anger expensive

ANGER is becoming a growing problem in our lives and if left unchecked, it can ruin relationships and bring disastrous results to our society.

Most of us live in a stressful working and family environment and owing to this the slightest disturbance in our daily routines can cause annoyance.

The aggressive behavior can be triggered off following a telephone call, disappointments, aggravation, harassment, frustration, expectations, desires, irritation or inability to deal with a situation.

These events can occur at our place of work, home or during our travels.

Having the feeling of anger is normal and no one can escape from anger.

What is more important is how to deal with it so that it does not land us into serious trouble. It is common to hear an individual say “I can only take so much in life” before they explode with negative emotions.

Many people do not realize that anger actually causes harm to our body as it makes our heart beat faster, increases our blood pressure, tenses up muscles, makes us radiate an aura of unfriendliness, harms our mental, emotional and physical health, and our equilibrium.

Medically, anger can cause headaches, ulcers, depression, sleep disorders, fatigue, bowel and respiratory problems.

It is vital that we take control of ourselves when we encounter negative situations that can contribute to fury.

There are many ways to prevent ourselves from being dragged into an unpleasant state that can generate destructive emotions.

When you are confronted with a situation that can create anger, face it directly and speak calmly.

Article from MYSTAR Magazine, thank you allowing me to publish in this blog

Omens of the Lizard

Lizards are regarded as a nuisance in many homes now, but in the old days, lizards falling onto the occupants of the property were more likely to be regarded as signs of good news rather than bad.

• If a lizard falls off a wall, ceiling, beam, etc and lands on the property owner's body on a Monday or Tuesday, there will be good news within nine months; if it happens on Wednesday or Thursday. it will take a month; on Friday, two weeks; and on Saturday or Sunday, a year,
• A lizard falling onto the head, right arm, thighs or waist means gaining wealth somehow,
• A lizard falling onto the forehead indicates the likelihood of meeting an important person,
• A lizard falling anywhere onto the left side of a woman and right side of a man is auspicious,
• A lizard falling onto the left ear, wrist and neck are all favourable signs because they signify financial gain and mental stability,
• A lizard falling onto either shoulder signifies that the individual will overcome opponents,
• A lizards falling onto the chest indicates that the property owner will gain wealth and more property,
• A lizard falling onto food while it is being eaten indicates prosperity,
• A lizard making a sound when the occupant of the house is about to switch on the lights indicates new developments and wealth;
• A lizard cries or sneezes inside a house is inauspicious;
• A lizard falling onto an individual's back indicates ill luck;
• A lizard falling on the right leg indicates journey, while on the left leg means loss;
• A lizard fallong onto eyes means gain of wealth and onto stomach or belly means possession of ornaments;
• If a lizard emanates sound from east side at night is good but if it sounds just before sunrise is inauspicious;

This article first appreared on StarMag of The Sunday Star Newspaper on Sunday 8 May 2005, also featured in MYSTAR magazines on September 2008 issue. I would like to thank Master Yuwaraj Sowma and Mr. T. Selva for giving permission to use articles for MY STAR magazine is our blog.

10 Taboos on the Main Door

10 taboos on the main door

The important feature of fengshui is – to get the main door right, and make it auspicious. The main door is considered as the mouth of the house, and should enjoy a good fengshui for a prosperous and happy life. It should be protected by the poison arrows of any killing breath present in the nearby environment.

The main door should not have a toilet placed directly above it on the upper level.
No mirror directly facing and reflecting the main door.
The main door should not be hit by the poison arrows of any sharp edges or pillars.
The kitchen should not be near to the main door.
The main door should not face the corner of an opposite building.
The main door should not face a toilet.
The main door should not face an electric pole, whcih is too nearby.
The main door should not face a staircase directly.
The main door should not face a single tree directly infront of the door.
The main door and the back door should not be in direct straight line. The case is worse when 3 or more doors are in direct straight line.

Vaastu tips for exam stress

Vaastu tips for exam stress

By Niranjan Babu

How do your kids prepare for exams? Do you find them getting all stressed up? Do you find that their concentration is taking a backseat? Are they fretting and fuming at you? Do they say 'I can't remember whatever I study'? Do they get a mind block when they try to study? Does all this stress you too? As the exams get nearer, you (and the teachers too) tend to constantly advise the youngsters to study better and harder so that they excel in their class. You tell your child that he or she has to study more and more, or else he or she may not even pass the exam. This only over-stresses the child and makes him or her dread the exams. It is necessary that the child is relaxed and does not feel the strain of studying. At the same time he/she should be able to assimilate comfortably whatever he/she studies without getting all stressed up. Too much motivation can stress the young mind and can cause more harm than benefit. Some simple Vaastu (and other) guidelines, as follow, can contribute to better concentration of your children and make them write their exams with confidence. Vaastu rules to help your child: 1. Never sleep with the head to the west and north. 2. Never sleep in the northwest sector of the home or northwest part of the room (if the child is a boy). 3. Never sleep in the southeast sector of the home or southeast sector of the room (if the child is a girl). 4. Avoid mirrors in the bedroom. 5. Avoid mirrors on the south and west walls in the study area. 6. Study facing east or north. 7. Keep the study table and area extremely clean without dumping books and papers around. 8. Have the study area in the northeast sector of the home or the northeast part of the room. 9. Have a lukewarm shower before going to bed if stressed up. 10. Have a fish aquarium, water fountain or half a dozen bamboo plants in the northeast area of the living room (where the family gets together) but never in the corner. 11. Make liberal use of green and yellow colour (dark and light hues) in the bedroom and study areas. These colours can be used on bed linen, study's tablecloth, indoor plants (herbal), floor mats, curtains, pillow covers, clothes, etc. 12. While dining, face east if the child is a girl and north if the child is a boy. 13. Occupy the same place and orient to the same direction each day to build up the child's good aura in the area. 14. Never allow others to make use of the child's study and bed area. 15. Eat a few leaves of the Basil plant each morning on an empty stomach. 16. Never play loud music that can contribute to distraction and stress. 17. Have soft lilting music at minimum volume in the bedroom during night. This can be the Gayatri Mantra too. 18. Avoid sleeping or studying in a room that has the door at an angle to the attached walls. Tell your child that you are there to support him or her and always make encouraging comments of the child's plus points. Never ever make the mistake of advising or commenting on the child's shortcomings while the child is at the dining table. Make them feel that you love them. Allow them to have some relaxation like playing sports and music or take them out to a restaurant without compelling them. Don't promise rewards to your children for the outcome of the exams. On the other hand during the period of preparation give them small gifts appreciating their efforts. Tell them they are indeed hardworking and intelligent. Give them encouraging suggestions and make them feel that your support is there for them always. Encourage (but never force) them to exercise, meditate and be relaxed. Avoid anything that is likely to distract your child in the study area — be it the visual or audio media. The above Vaastu tips will definitely help in making your child a stress-free leader! http://sify.com/astrology/fullstory.php?id=14692750&vsv=S9