Sometimes, the fear is greater because one is actually nearer to God, or rather, in greater awareness of God’s nearness to oneself. God has got one, in God’s mighty, gentle and caring hands and our small mind can e in ear, for being lifted up and not in control!
But the reality is, that we may actually be very much closer to God and carried by God in a powerful, strong, stable, loving and great embrace….
So, when things seem out of control, do not fear, God is near. God’s got it!
Growing up in the South Eastern Inidan sub-continent, I am used to the concept of a ‘bucket’ bath’. Simply put, a ‘bucket bath’ is a way to bathe oneself using a bucketfull of water and a mug. Simple!
Having lived in the west and also tried showers, I recently found a way back to having bucket baths. Simply, buy a bucket that can hold about 10-20 litres of water and a mug.
How to bathe with a bucket bath?
Simple. Fill the bucket with water from the tap at the right temperature for your bath. Then use a mug to pour water over the body. Pause to use soap and then rinse with the mug and bucket water again. That’s it.
Advantages:
If you want to start saving water, a bucket bath is a simple, quick and refreshing way to do so-one bucket at a time!
Lesson 5:
Khana bahut mazedaar hain: this food is very tsasty
Khana bahut swadisht hain: food is very tasty
Kya ek cup coffee milega? : Can I have a cup of coffee?
Khane main bahut mirchi hain: the food is too spicy
Mirchi kam daalke khana banao: Cook the food with less spice
Mirchi kam please : less spice please
Khaane main mirchi kam: Less spice in the food
Khane main mirchi kam daaliye: please add less spice to the food.
Click here to access the audio lesson:
Hindi Lesson 4:
Mujhe pyaas lagi hain: I am feeling thirsty
Kya mujhe paani de sakte ho? :Can you give me some water:
Kya mujhe paani milega? : Can I get some water?:
Bas pet bhar gaya : Enough my stomach is full
Main thak gaya hoon: I am tired (male)
Main thak gayi hoon : I am tired (female)
Mujhe neend aa rahi hain: I am feeling sleepy
Click here to access the audio lesson:
Hindi Lesson 3:
Mere Hotel ka address hain: The address of my hotel is
Mujhe Bhook lagi hain: I am feeling hungry
Yahaan hotel kidhar hain: Is there a restaurant nearby?
Yahaan bathroom kidhar hain: Where is the bathroom here?
Click here to access the audio lesson:
Hindi Lesson2:
Namasthe Main America se aaya hoon : Greetings, I am from America (male)
Namasthe Main America se aayi hoon : Greetings, I am from America (female)
Mujhe India Dekhna Hain : I would like to see India
Yahaan taxi kahaan milega: Where can I get a taxi
Click here to access the audio lesson:
coming soon
Lesson 1:
My name is
Namasthe : Greeting
Mera naam John Hain: My Name is John
Aapka naam kya hain: What is your name?
Click here to access the audio lesson:
Dosa is a delightful dish, loved by the young and old. It is a common South Indian breakfast dish. It looks like a pancake at times, but is not sweet. It is more like a crepe.
Let us see how one can make a tasty Dosa!
1. Place a flat Tawa (pan) on the stove top and turn up the heat.
2. Add a few drops of vegetable oil on it.
3. Using a fork inserted into a celery stick, spread the oil evenly across the pan.
4. Stir the dosa batter well. Dosa batter can be purchased from an Indian grocery store or prepared at home. 
5. Add about 1 ladle of the dosa batter onto the hot tawa and spread it to make a circle on the tawa.6. Add a few drops of oil to the corners of the dosa that is cooking.
7. Once the edges of the dosa seem to have cooked, gently life the dosa using a spatula and flip it on the pan. This will allow the other side to cook.
8. Once the other side has also cooked, take the dosa out with the spatula and place on a tray.
Hot and yummy dosa is now ready. Serve it with some mild salsa, ketchup, Indian pickle, peanut butter or any side-dish of your choice!
Happy cooking!!
Taking a pause to reflect on how one feels one the Inside, one may realize different layers of hatefulness towards oneself. Upon deeper reflection on this, it may be apparent that one has not received a positive reflection from the outside world. This may especially be true, if there were negative experiences growing up. As one navigates the world with a negative self-view, the outside events tend to match the inside, causing stressful situations.
If the external world does not reflect our inner worth, it may be easier to decide that this is all one is worth, to be able to cope with the pain.
It might be much more painful to tolerate a hurtful situation when one knows clearly and consciously that one deserves but cannot physically change the external situation.
This may be especially true for when we were children.
As an adult however, as we live in the world carrying the negative self-images and critical voices, the positive events, the miracles and generous gifts from life could affect us less than if we could notice them and be grateful for them.
Ironically, as our internal world changes to include more self-love, gentleness, compassion, acceptance and forgiveness, one may find the external world changing to suit the internal environment.
This is by no means an easy task, especially if one grew up with a lot of hurt. However, it can be done. The simple intent to love oneself can help bring more love within oneself.
Self-love begets more self-love, as we practice it in more and more areas of our lives.
It starts with a single step.
Take a moment to pause now. Think about how you feel on the inside. Do you feel hesitant saying ‘I love you’ to yourself?
If it feels hard, it is no reason to judge oneself about it!
Remember, change can start a with simple step.
Take a deep breath, try to relax your body and tell yourself that you love yourself. Try to feel compassion for yourself. If it feels strange, just accept it and do it again at another time.
Bringing the awareness of self-love when making choices as we go about our day. Ask yourself, when faced with choices –‘’would my future self be happy that I made this choice? Is this a loving choice to myself?’’
If it is still hard to do, consider how you would counsel a friend in a similar situation. Try to see yourself as a friend-share with yourself about your troubles, struggles and things that get you excited and happy.
Try to practice at least one or more of the above suggestions on a regular basis. The goal is not be perfect. The goal is to bring more awareness of oneself amidst one’s everyday hustle and bustle.
With time, one may find the warm fuzzy feeling towards oneself grow with time.
It can start today. It can start now.
Love yourself enough to take the first step- towards greater self-acceptance, joy and Self Love!
How are you incorporating self-love as a conscious practice into your life? Please feel free to share your comments .
