For this year end special edition we ran a survey within the VIVA team. We asked simple questions on spirituality and many graciously responded, expressing themselves with vulnerability and beauty. Let's read what they have to say and learn from each other. Let's begin with a thoughtful poem that speaks of an ideal of approaching life like an ever flowing river.
जीवन एक नदी
by Dharmendra Pandey
Being calm and peaceful within and going out of the way to serve people
Nandini Seshadri
A journey of self discovery, deepening inner awareness and making meaningful interactions for mutual transformation
Chhandita Sensharma
मेरे लिए आध्यात्मिकता का अर्थ है—अपने आप को जानना, अपनी चल रही जीवन-यात्रा को याद रखना, और हर पल खुद को बेहतर बनाना। यानी बीते हुए क्षणों को अपनी आँखों के सामने रखकर उनसे सीखते हुए आगे बढ़ना
Saurav Bisht
Being easy with life by accepting everyone, doing good to others as well as to myself
Sumana
Personal transformation
Arpita Sud
Discipline to come back to doing the same thing
Jasbir Kaur
एक शब्द में कहना हो तो 'खोज', जीवन के वास्तविक उद्देश्य की खोज मेरे लिए आध्यात्मिकता है , संसार की क्षण-भंगुरता को स्वीकार करते हुए इसके अस्थाई अस्तित्व को सार्थकता प्रदान कर
Shilpi Sharma
Finding a connection
Anuradha Balaram
Finding that God within
Sudha Nagendra
Becoming tangibly aware (and not only intellectually) of the higher Self and manifesting the realisation in serving others in a spirit of reverence
Parthasarathi Chakravorty
Freedom
Neha Phull
My heart
Walking in a park helps me look inside my heart
My home as my conduct makes or breaks the atmosphere.
The home is where I spend most of my time and do my spiritual practices so I feel connected.
Varanasi
I had done my B.Tech engineering course from IT BHU in 1991 and have kept going back to Varanasi once in a while. Kashi Vishwanath. Ma Annapurna temple. Ramakrishna Math Advaita Ashrama Home of Service. Manikarnika Ghat. You cannot explain Varanasi. You have to experience it. Eternal City. For thousands of years crores of pilgrims have visited Varanasi, lived, prayed and many passed their last days here. Read what Sri Ramakrishna says about Varanasi. He went there during a pilgrimage with Mathur babu.
Home
This is where I find myself most peaceful, I am able to feel myself meditating deeper here. A true meaning to my life is found here.
A place where I am surrounded by nature
Provides a feeling of gratitude, oneness and interconnectedness. Being close to nature helps me to reflect and discover.
मेरे लिए सबसे बड़ा आध्यात्मिक स्थान मेरी मातृभूमि चमोली उत्तराखंड है, जहाँ मैं पैदा हुआ और अपने जीवन के कई साल बिताए।
आध्यात्मिक स्थान मेरे लिए इसलिए महत्वपूर्ण है, क्योंकि मैंने अपने जीवन के कई अहम पल वहीं बिताए हैं। मेरी जीवन-यात्रा में उसका बड़ा योगदान रहा है। जब भी मैं वहाँ जाता हूँ, तो मेरा पूरा बचपन से लेकर आज तक का समय मेरी आँखों के सामने उतर आता है—क्या बदला है, क्या अभी भी वैसा ही है। मेरी वही यादें मेरे लिए सबसे कीमती हैं, और वही मुझे हर बार वहाँ वापस खींच ले जाती हैं।
My yoga space
Yoga gives a feeling of satisfaction & happiness for the moment and through the day. It inspires me to do it better each day. A peaceful connection is built within; where the mind is less chatty and more calm.
Ramakrishna Mission Delhi Ashram
"एकांतवास" , और यदि किसी दर्शनीय स्थल के बारे में कहना हो तो तारकेश्वर महादेव मंदिर, जिला पौड़ी गढ़वाल, उत्तराखंड।
असीम अव्यक्त शांति का अनुभव हुआ , इस स्थान की ऊर्जा इतनी अधिक थी कि यहां प्रवेश करने के बाद पुनः वापस लौटना बहुत कठिन रहा। ऐसा अनुभव हुआ कि साक्षात शिव वहां पर वास कर रहे हैं , मैं वहां से कुछ नहीं लाई हूं बल्कि मैं खुद को वहां आंशिक रूप से छोड़ आई हूं पुनः जाने के लिए ।
One of the beautiful spiritual places - Pyramid shaped Natraj temple in Pondicherry
I brought back rudraksh that was on the Natraj image inside the pyramid temple. I spent hours here alone right beside the beach. Silence, stillness and an easy joy pervaded the enitre place.
Thakur Sri Ramakrishna's room at Dakshineshwar Kali Temple
When I visited Dakshineshwar, I felt, despite myself, extremely moved standing at the door of Thakur's room and peering inside. The place in itself is important for spiritual seekers. An incredible and most beautiful 'leela' was played out here and in a past that is still relatable to most of us. It was blessed pilgrimage and I am happy that I got an opportunity to make it.
