Sleeping Intensive

During the Sadhana Intensive course, I noticed very unusual behaviour of one of the student of the course. I saw Ms. 'D' sleeping all the time on her yoga mat in Satsang Hall and that too close to altar. Whenever I climbed up or down the stairs from Asana Hall where I used to practice my yoga asana and pranayama, I noticed from the glass panes of Satsang Hall that she was sleeping all the time while the rest of the students in that hall were either practicing pranayama, reading or clicking their photos in different as well as difficult asanas. For a few days, I thought she was not feeling well. The point to ponder is that if she was not feeling well then she should have taken rest or at least she should have shifted away from the altar. But even after a week I saw her sleeping on the mat at the same place. I never saw her doing any asana, pranayama or reading book.

It was really very annoying to see her sleeping so close to the altar. The positive vibes near altar help in better meditation, in better focus and in better breath control. For the first time I was noticing someone who was utilising the positive vibes for sleeping more soundly, a tamasic activity.

It was the course for self improvement and development, we all were improving our Sadhana practice where as she was improving her sleeping practice. On the day of convocation, I was really curious to know whether on her certificate it was mentioned that she had done Sadhana Intensive Course or Sleeping Intensive Course.

Grilled bread rolls with cheese fillings

I love to eat bread rolls with potato fillings. The deep fried bread rolls are too oily and heavy. The potato is also not so healthy. So I try a healthy version of bread rolls with very less oil and with cheese and vegetable fillings. I name it as 'Grilled bread rolls with cheese fillings'. The recipe is ....
Ingredients
Bread - 10 slices
Oil - For rubbing on the tray
Milk - For soaking bread

For Filling
Grated cheese - 150g
Boiled peas - 100g
Boiled chopped carrot - 1 small
Grated ginger - 25g
Grated cauliflower - 1-2 floret
Boiled beans - 25g
Oil - 1 teaspoon
Cumin seeds - 15- 20 seeds
Turmeric powder - 1/4 teaspoon
Coriander powder - 1/2 teaspoon
Black pepper - 1/4 teaspoon
Chopped green chilli - 1
Chopped coriander leaves - 15g
Salt to taste

Method
1. Heat the oil in pan. Add cumin seeds and grated ginger in it.
2. Add turmeric powder and coriander powder to it. Stir it and quickly add boiled peas, carrot, beans, chilli and grated cauliflower to it.
3. Cook it for 2-3 minutes and then add grated cheese to it.
4. Add salt and black pepper to it.

5. Remove from fire and garnish it with coriander leaves.
6. Boiled corn and other boiled vegetables can be added according to one's liking.
7. Soak the bread in milk. Do not leave it longer in the milk.
8. Quickly remove it from milk, press it between the palms.
9. Put the mixture on it.
10. Roll it into the balls.
11. Apply oil on the tray. Put the bread rolls on it keeping a lit space in between them.

12. Grilled in for 15 minutes. If you want to make it more crispy then take out the tray and turn the rolls and again grilled it for 15 minutes.
13. Serve them hot with ketchup.

You can even try this recipe in air fryer.

I need to talk about this with Mataji

Day 1
"They are giving us boiled whole green gram, khichadi of split green gram dal and sprouts of green gram in salad. Too much of green gram is creating flatulence and giving rise to gastric problems." Ms. 'B' said.
I said, "hmmm...."
"They should not give us sprouted green gram. I need to talk about this with Mataji (Director of the institution)."

Day 2
Ms. 'B', "The toilets are not clean. They are dirty and dustbins are filled. Who will clean the toilets?"
I said, "hmmm....."
"There must be a rule by which each one of should clean it. Who will clean it when? I need to talk about this with Mataji."

I never heard her saying that I need to talk about how to control my negative emotions like jealousy, hatred, anger etc with Mataji. She never said that I need to talk about how to improve my concentration in meditation with Mataji. She want to talk with Mataji about everything except sadhana (meditation).

Set of hand painted terracotta pots

While dusting, I broke a decorative glass pot that I used to place on the side table in my drawing room. Without any decorative piece on the table, it looked too monotonous. An attractive art work could make that place interesting!

I surfed the Kraftly site as I loved the amazing and vast collection of art and handicrafts available on this site. I found the set of three pots very attractive and elegant for that corner. They are available in three different sizes, colours and designs. I am confused which one to buy. Can you help me in selecting?

The three designs are as follows :-

1.      Craftbell miniature Warli table pots blue in terracotta – Set of three gift items home décor

2.      Craftbell miniature Warli table pots yellow in terracotta – Set of three gift items home décor

3.      Craftbell miniature Warli table pots white in terracotta – Set of three gift items home décor

Effect of demonetisation

"Oh! Lift is not working! I have to take stairs to the fourth floor to reach the house of a bank manager, Mr. 'H'." I thought. "What a bad beginning of a day!"
On reaching there, I rang the bell of the house. His wife opened the door.
"Is sir at home?" I asked after greeting her.
"Yes, He is bathing." She replied.
"I just need the document which I gave him for signing."
While standing at the main door she shouted, "Ma'am had come and is asking for paper."
He replied, "I forgot my bag in the office and the document is in the bag."
While she was explaining this to me in detail, she looked inside her house and said, "Come, come! Its fine."
He peeped from on side of the door, wearing towel around his waist and trying to hide his nakedness with his right hand by covering his chest. He said, "It's really messy!"
I thought, "Ya. It is messy because you even forget to dress up properly before coming to the main door of your house."
His wife was smiling trying to control her laugh on the funny situation created suddenly.
I said, "I tried to call you yesterday but your mobile was switched off."
He said, "Sorry, ma'am. Actually I was sleeping as it was holiday. If I have not slept yesterday then today I will not be able to go to office. Sorry! I forget to bring the document amidst the hustle and bustle of demonetisation. From the past five days I was going to office at 8 a.m. and coming back at 9 p.m. It was so hectic. I will bring it today positively. You can collect it tomorrow."
"Fine." I said.
I turned to return, thinking, "What a humorous beginning of the day!"

Bizarre ideas for the study room

I want to renovate my study but in an unusual way, not like the uninteresting study room with books, study table, chair, stationary and pen stand. I wish to make it attractive, interesting and motivating. I search Kraftly site for such bizarre ideas and I find some. I like them so much that I am sharing with you.

1.      Terracotta three idiots pen stand – It’s uniqueness fascinated me. I love the idea. Whenever I will take out or place back a pen or pencil from it, a sweet smile will always appear on my face.

2.      Book Safe – What an innovative idea to fool thieves!

3.      Convenient wooden shelf with side wood log and handcrafted deer – It can be placed on table and is good for holding books. Different bookshelf isn’t it?

The smallest gesture that mean a lot to me!

In the month of August, it was raining and raining in Uttarkashi. It rained all the time. Most of the time, it's drizzling, sometime it's raining lightly and rarely it's raining cats and dogs. There were five - six green colour three sitter cemented benches by the Bhagirati river side in the ashram garden on which most of the students sit in their free time to read, to meditate or to watch the swift flow of river. I also loved to sit on them but my reason was to get some fresh air as I found my room congested. My room was a very small room and four people accommodated in it. Moreover, my room-mates wanted to keep the windows closed and curtains drawn all the time which make the room dark and suffocated. I felt uncomfortable to sit or read in the room.

One day, I took my book and went near the benches to sit, to read and to enjoy. All the benches were full except one on which Mr. 'G' was sitting on one side. I sat on the other side of the bench. As soon as I sat than I got up with a jerk. Even Mr. 'G' was surprised with my sudden reaction.
He asked, "What happened?"
I made my face as I couldn't find the right words to express the situation. He spread his long arm where I was sitting a few moments before to find out the reason. He stretched his fingers further on the bench and touched the water which have gathered there because of drizzling in the early morning.
He said, "Oh it is water!" And shifted towards the water side making space for me on the bench where it was dry.
I sat on the bench and said, "Thanks!"
This simple gesture of his goodwill touched my heart.