Temple of my Soul

Depending on our experiences and our learning both formal and informal, religious, social or otherwise we come to generally believe in the East that 'I am a soul with a body' or in the West, 'I am a body with a soul'. Atheists believe different things or disbelieve almost everything.

Who am I? Almost all of us will never know the answer though many will seek to know so we can only believe.

I believe, 'I am nothing more than energy concentrated in the form of an eternal soul, housed within a constantly ageing body and driven and controlled by my mind.'

When the three interrelated aspects of our existence, body, mind and soul, are in harmony with one another we can claim to be at ease and healthy. When the natural rhythm, pulse, and synchronisation is disturbed we suffer from a case of 'dis-ease' and hence the origin of the term 'disease'.

All traditional practices of health such a 'Ayurveda' (the knowledge of life) have focussed in restoring the balance and harmony in 'dis eased' beings both within themselves and with the rest of existence.

All these thoughts and beliefs remain theory until we experience major dis-ease or imbalance, as I happened to experience by physical injury very recently. Medicines and treatments alleviated my pain but were not making me healthy. I suddenly realised that while I was nourishing my soul and mind I had all but neglected my body, the temple of my soul.

Now I understood why traditional Indian temples were not only places of worship but each a 'Gurukul'. A Gurukul being an integrated centre for transmission of theory and practice of a wide range of subjects, physical education and practice of yoga and meditation, music and arts, literature and culture, etc. with a learned, wise and experienced Guru at the very centre. This formed the backbone and basic core of Indian civilisation until it was significantly damaged by neglect, corruption, invasions and imported ideologies.

A neglected or unhealthy body adversely affects our ability to function both physically and mentally and impedes the realisation of our spiritually.

We are at our prime of our physical health between age 16 and 20 years. After that our bodies begin to decay. Our joints begin to stiffen and we lose about 8% of our muscle mass each decade, hence our strength, stamina and flexibility degrade. Our brain cells begin to die more rapidly than they are regenerated, and eventually we can suffer from conditions like dementia.

Both ancient and modern scientific thinking agree that a healthy body and mind can be achieved by following some universal truths.

• Exercise, either by imbedding physical activity such as walking and climbing in our daily routine or develop a workout regime. I have discovered the latter with the help of a good trainer to be fun and very effective.
• Proper diet and nutrition in moderation provides the right fuel and energy eliminating 90% of dis-ease.
• Avoid intoxicants and artificial stimulants, wherever and whenever possible.
• Get sufficient and fitful sleep (Physical exercise helps a lot in this regard).
• Constantly challenge and recharge the mind by continuous learning and contemplation.
• Nourish the soul by meditation.
• Harmonise the mind, body and soul by practice of pranayama and yoga.

Scientists have discovered by studies and many of us by experience that exercise, yoga and meditation increases the feel good factor (caused by hormones like endorphins) and sharpens the mind.

It is useful to remember, the body benefits from movement, and the mind benefits from stillness. Hence physical exercise, sport or various sports, coupled with hobbies or interests that challenges the mind, nourishes and strengthens it.

Sadly like most people, after leaving school at age 16, I had stopped exercising and working out, as a result over next 47 years my body has decayed and weakened much more rapidly than it should have.  

The good news is that because of our son Pavit's nagging and his part ownership in Hotfut sports and ILESEUM clubs I had easy access to numerous gyms and good trainers.

As a result our entire family have begun to work out regularly. I have discovered that while ageing cannot be reversed, a lot of health can be recovered and restored.

I wish you all good health.

Interesting Links:

• Not every teacher is a Guru ~ Guru Wonder
• The importance of the Gurukul system and why Indian education needs it ~ Times of India
• How New Brain Cells Regenerate ~ Very Well Mind
• The Adult Brain Does Grow New Neurons After All, Study Says ~ Scientific American
• Hotfut sports
• ILESEUM clubs ~ Inclusive Localism For Excellence in Sports Education and Urban Living Management Clubs

More from Guru Wonder:

Facebook - GDNLife -  Instagram  - linkedin - SikhNet - SoundCloud -

South Asia Analysis Group - Tumblr - Twitter

The Will to Succeed

One of the essential qualities of people who succeed spectacularly is their frame of mind. 

Failure is not an option for them. They simply refuse to give up. They possess passion and commitment which is both immense and intense.

Take the example of Native American Indian Bright Path -Jim Thorpe, often considered as one of the most versatile American athlete ever. 

Jim Thorpe succeeded as the first Native American to win gold medals for his country when he participated in the 1912 Summer Olympics. 

Winning itself was an achievement, but how he won is the story of legends.

On the morning of his competitions, Thorpe discovered that his shoes had been stolen.  

Not a person to give up, he discovered a pair of shoes and some socks in a garbage dumpster. Not only were the shoes different in colour and model they were also also of different sizes.

Jim Thorpe a.ka. Bright Path. Different shoes, sizes and socks

One shoe fit him properly, but the other was a size too big, so he had to wear an extra sock on one foot.   

This is clearly visible in the photo taken that day after the events. One can see the strange footwear he wore that day, to win gold medals for the  pentathlon and decathlon events.

A powerful and motivating personality. Jim Thorpe did not let a setback overpower him and become a misfortune. He searched relentlessly for anything that would take him swiftly out of his predicament. Eventually he found something.  He used and worked with what he had, where he had, to bounce back and win, coming way ahead of others.  

As my son Pavit of Hotfut who owns and operates a sports academy, reminds me, winners possess a 'must win'  psychology.  Meaning the key to winning and succeeding is not money, equipment, facilities, technology, tools, etc. as much as it is the strength and motivation of the human spirit possessed by a passion to succeed and excel.

Its always the quality of people who determine the quality of results. 

The good news is that these winning qualities traits across all disciplines, can be identified, developed and enhanced both for ourselves and for others we are responsible for.

With the right focus, guidance and motivation, even ordinary individuals and teams can achieve extraordinary results.

To honour this extraordinary and great man, the American people have named a town after him Jim Thorpe in Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania.

Power of play

You can learn more about a person in one hour of play than one year of conversation

- Plato

We were pleasantly surprised to learn last week that  Hotfut Sports a company promoted by our son Pavit and his partner NIkhil were awarded The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) prestigious award for the best sports startup in India for the year 2015.

Is it not strange that we only start appreciating our spouse or child after the world bestows honour on them? Probably being in such close proximity to our loved ones, we see the blemishes more clearly than the glow, the thorn more than the flower.

As the applause grows so does my curiousity. 
I analysed the courageous, and daring journey of these two remarkable young men who are just a tad over the age of 30. Looking at the passion, the professional, courteous and dignified approach to life, reinforces my hope that the future of the world is an optimistic one. 
Given an opportunity it is amazing what youth can achieve.

Four years ago, these two football lovers and their friends, could not find any suitable place to play. 

One evening a frustrated Pavit said, "Dad, its so sad that NIkhil and I, who come from well off families, can not find places to play, what then must be the fate of the average Indian child?" 

"So what do you want do about it?" I asked.
"I don't know what, but we will do something about it", replied Pavit.

Four months later he came back to me and said, "Nikki and I are going to set up and operating world class Futsal, venues to provide affordable play spaces and sports education for children and young adults."
"What exactly is it you are trying to do?" I asked
"Dad, in a nutshell, we want to do good."

Soon thereafter they set up Hotfut with their first venue on a piece of uncultivated farmland almost right in the middle of the city. Since then has never stopped having fun and setting up multiple venues across several cities.

I always looked at sport as something to be with friends and to remain healthy. Never looked at it as a means of education. But when prestigious soccer schools from across the world started approaching Hotfut for setting up soccer academies, it was an eye opener.

Soccer and other sports education is not merely about play and health but also a very powerful way of building character and confidence in people.

Sports education consists of four elements

• Technical
• Physical
• Social 
• Psychological

In India we have focussed only on the technical aspects of sport, but rarely on the other three aspects. As a result India rarely produces accomplished sportspersons.

Sport is much about building intellectual, spiritual and physical strength as it is for technique and style. 

This is why Hotfut's tie-up with the prestigious UK based Arsenal School of soccer is a key to in-school programs to catch and develop young people.

With sport, children often evolve into productive, responsible, happy adults. I look back at my school mates and realised that all those who were active in sport, seem to be healthier, happier and generally more successful in their professional and personal lives. 

It is a proven fact that no matter what career a person pursues, sports people generally perform better. But where are we going with sport in India? Hardly anywhere, because, there is a dearth of facilities, access to available facilities, and manner of managing the field of sport.

An awesome aspect is the work that Hotfut Foundation, the non profit NGO of Hotfut does in bringing play spaces and high quality sports education to the underprivileged child.

With several venues launched, each with a footfall of approximately 10,000 footfalls, Hotfut has spawned a vibrant and loyal community. Hotfut is where friends and competitors gather, play football and cricket, to blow off steam and generally have fun. 

As Neeraj succinctly put it, Hotfut is a place people come to discover themselves.