All posts by Manu

Where’s the fruit?

Don’t be afraid to go out on a limb. That’s where the fruit is.H. Jackson Browne


If we don’t stretch ourselves, who will? How will we grow?

We can go out on a limb when we challenge our personal concepts.

How do we view us? Confident, liked, loved, capable and nice or the quite the opposite? Where and when do we short-sell us?

If we’re willing to look deeper into our self, gaining self-knowledge, understanding why we act or react the way we do, then that awareness, not a self-judgment, leads to direct contact with our inner, confident and capable self.

Then we become naturally capable of going out on a limb and taking a risk, growing and grabbing a handful of that desirable fruit!


Recommendation: Life’s Little Instruction Book by H. Jackson Browne

What are you looking for?

What we see depends mainly on what we look for.Sir John Lubbock


Do we ever pause to think, where our thoughts come from; I mean how did a particular thought arise or what caused it?

Once a thought arises what events (past or present), tendencies, biases and inclinations color this thought?

Our entire life experience is run by the thoughts we manufacture about what’s going on, these thoughts in turn are colored by our personality and life events.

Be aware of what you think and hence what you see.


Recommendation: Awareness by Anthony De Mello

Happiness is a present attitude

Happiness is a present attitude–not a future condition. – Hugh Prather

It’s all here, it’s all now.

3 words, Happiness, Present and Attitude. These 3 words sum it all up!

Happiness is what we all want, what we all seek. Happiness is being content and joyful with what you are and what you have.

Present is the only time we’ve got, Now. We can only experience happiness in the present moment.

Attitude, the right kind is what we need to handle any situation in life and to stay happy!

Combine the 3 together and you have the making of a fulfilling life!


Recommendation: The Mindful Way through DepressionJon Kabat-Zinn

How much of your life are you spending in fear?

Few persons live up to the faith which they really have. Unreasoned fear is a master intellectual fraud practiced upon the evolving mortal soul.The Urantia Papers


Why do we let our fears dominate us?

It’s because we don’t see them creeping up on us. Any time you feel depression setting or a feel uneasy, start paying attention to your thoughts. You’ll soon be able to trace that unease to an unreasonable fear you have of something or someone.


If you can become aware of such fearful thoughts you’re well on your way to recognizing the ‘fraud’ they’re playing in your life. Take control, you own your thoughts, you own your being, don’t let just any thought control you.


You have inside you a true faith that just needs some sustenance, some attention. So instead of running along with fearful thoughts, choose loving and more confidence building thoughts. You are your own master.


Recommendation: Gateways to NowEckhart Tolle

We must want to change

God changes not what is in people, until they change what is in themselves. – The Koran

Why is it that we always have such rich suggestions for others :)? 

Like Gandhi once said, ‘You must be the change, you want to see in the world’. We are only responsible for our own-selves. We can only change us.

As we start to do that, our world sets itself right. We’re less likely to have relationship problems. We’re happier and more fulfilled.


Recommendation: Choose Them Wisely: Thoughts Become Things!Mike Dooley

Stretch your wings out

Even when the air currents are ascending, no bird can soar except by outstretched wings.The Urantia Papers


This quote is informing on two fronts!

  1. That there is a Universal (or life) current which we can attach ourselves to, which will take us to wherever we need to go.
  2. And that we must make the minimum effort required to participate in that Universal program!

To connect with this Life source meditation helps tremendously.

Meditation Tip #2: Sit down (at least thrice a day or when you need to feel the calm), close your eyes and take 3 deep breaths.

The breaths should be long drawn, held for a few seconds and then exhaled slowly. This relaxes your body and starts to relax your mind.

Breathe naturally now. Put your full attention on your breath. Watch and experience the breath as it goes in/out. Notice how you might lose track and get lost in a thought. Notice this too. And then put your attention back on the breath.

Practice for 5 minutes!


Reference: Meditation Tip #1

Recommendation: The Center Within