After months or years of research and experience in a particular field or practice, you are ready to share your knowledge and findings in a book. For many new writers, figuring out how to start writing the book is challenging. Some writers work best with the aid of a structured outline that lists all of the proposed content in each chapter of the book they are writing. From personal experience, one such tool that can be very helpful in developing a detailed and structured outline is the mind map.

To create a simple mind map, draw a small circle in the middle of a standard letter page. Make the circle big enough to write a few words representing the purpose or vision of your book. For example, include phrases like, “How to Build a Deck” or “Music and Cognitive Development”. This phrase needs to represent the primary purpose of the content of your book, and not necessarily the title of the book. Next, draw a series of circles representing the proposed chapters and write the chapter name in each. Spread these circles around the outside of the page, evenly spaced and surrounding the circle in the center, that is, the purpose. Now draw a line connecting each chapter circle to the purpose circle. You now have a simple mind map with the basic outline of a book.

Now let’s look at how you can use this technique to expand and develop the outline of the book to include two levels of detail about the content of each chapter. First, select a room in your home where you can dedicate the walls for a week or two to the mind map project. You will find that a room that is close to your kitchen and family room provides easy access and a constant reminder of your mind map project. Purchase a stack of large, poster-size sheets of paper. The self-sticking easel pad pages used in flip chart presentations work very well. Blue painter’s masking tape will also do the job. Paste pages at eye level on the wall around the room, one for each chapter and leave space for a few chapters that you have not yet imagined.

Using a fine pointed permanent marker, like a Sharpie®, draw a circle in the middle of each page. Be careful not to use a heavy marker, or you’ll bleed ink through the paper and onto the wall. Go around the room in sequence and write the purpose of that chapter in the circle in the middle of each page. Your How to book chapters may look something like Prologue, Introduction, Planning, Tools, Design, Build, Cleanup and Other Resources. As mentioned earlier, working through this process may reveal additional chapters. You can easily rearrange pages and place them in the correct sequence to accommodate any changes.

Once you have a basic idea of the first level of your book outline as defined by the chapter names, you are ready to begin expanding on the content of each chapter. Focus on one chapter at a time, and as you think about the key topics to be covered, draw circles around the outer edge of the page and write the name of the topic in them. Draw lines connecting the outer circles to the circle in the middle.

When thinking of topics, we often immediately think of sub-topics, subsets, or different aspects of the subject that should be included. That is where the connecting lines from the outer circles to the center come in. On the line below a topic circle, simply write the words or phrases that represent the next level of detail you want to include in the chapter that discusses that topic.

Proceed this way with each chapter and each topic, and soon you will have a detailed outline of your book mapped out in a visual form on the walls of your room. The beauty of this format, and of having it displayed on your walls, is that it doesn’t force you to generate ideas for content in a sequential process as a list might do. Leave the pages on the walls and make a habit of walking along the walls staring at the pages for each chapter at least twice per day. You’ll be surprised how many new ideas you write onto the pages over a two-week period.

Ideas often show up randomly, while watching television or eating breakfast. As this occurs, simply walk into the mind map room, write it on the appropriate page, and go back to your previous activity. The ideas will not be lost and you will always place them in the appropriate context. Curious family members and friends will peruse the mind map wall and offer suggestions for content to add to your outline. Welcome and encourage their support.

Finally, when you believe your outline is sufficiently complete, bring your laptop computer into the room and type the outline in the form of the book, each chapter starting on a new page, with all of the pertinent topics and sub-topics listed in each chapter. You are now ready to write your book and you already have a detailed outline to guide your work. Write on!

Are you a possible self-published author? Do you want to make a difference in your audience’s world, create long-term wealth, and brand business to get world-wide credibility? Do you wish you could short cut your journey to this great experience? It’s easier with a partner who has gone before you. Here are nine secrets:

1. Test your book’s significance. Does it help your audience? Does it share something new? If you have these, you should write your book NOW, and stop waiting.

2. Make sure you think of your book as a business. Be willing to promote it. Most authors are reluctant marketers, and that prevents full success.

3. Write a book that supports your business. You want your book to brand you and brand business, so you’ll be seen as the savvy expert. Then, you can finance your fiction book writing.

4. Engage in help if you need it. Just to get your chapter format correct, you’d be smart to contact a book coach who knows and shows her expertise in her own books and seminars. You save a lot of wasted time using a mentor.

5. Learn a fast-writing chapter writing technique. Wear your audience’s shoes. Ask the 5-7 questions they have on a particular chapter’s topic. Answer them naturally because you have wide experience. You don’t even need to research. And besides, you don’t want your chapter to lecture on what you know, but engage your readers. So, stop note taking from others’ books, and apply your own insights. Now you have the chapter middle part done. This one method can keep your edits down to one or two, not 10. The secret is in the chapter writing formula of engaging your audience, not telling them.

6. Include a hook in the first few sentences of each chapter that engages your audience. Have compassion for where they are now. Then, let them have the benefits that will follow the hook. Now, you’ve given them a reason to read, and even finish the chapter. If they don’t finish it, they won’t tell friends and be your 24/7 sales team.

7. Write almost every day on your book. A page a day = two, three, or even four books in a year. Don’t think long book for your first one. Get a short one going that you will finish. You don’t need to write a big book for a general audience. You’ll get far more sales with a specific angle and a specific audience.

8. Focus on one book at a time. Even one chapter at a time. You don’t have to write the chapters in order. Write the easy ones first. Lack of focus is the top mistake writers make.

If you keep changing your direction, you’ll lose momentum and you won’t write readable copy.

9. Think series for your book’s topic. After publishing a how to write book, I then published a how to market a book online because I knew authors needed that. Then, because I knew the importance of an author’s Web site, for a book or their business, I researched and got mentored on this topic to write another book on power web writing that sells. I aimed all these books toward successful business people who are my best audience.

The truth about abs program is a popular and guaranteed solution for people who wish to have a well toned body with six packs abs. The e-book authored by Mike has got many advantages because of tits well researched techniques and tips aimed to provide the long term solution for building abs. The program is no scam product because it has been in the market since 2004 and has received many positive feedback and star ratings from experts around the world. The e-book presented in the format of 12 sequential chapters conveyed in the form of 120 pages.

The truth about abs program is a sure shot success because the core of the book is builds on the basic fact of abs building. It has been researched and noted that perfect six packs abs can be achieved by a right balance of diet, nutrition, exercise and building the right strength required for the body to maintain abs development. The truth about six pack abs has been definitely told in an easy to understand and crispy style by Mike. With all his experience, each book contains valuable tips and well researched information on important topics like metabolism, fat loss, work-out exercises, calorie control chart, diet and charts, nutrition cycle and many other suggestions and recommendations.

The program contains information on blood pressure, sugar levels and explains many facts. The chapter one of the book explains the ways to develop the right abs muscle. It shows images and illustrations to enjoy practicing the tips. The next chapter concentrates on how to get a lean figure and maintain it also. The third chapter explains the ways to increase the metabolism rate while the fourth chapter concentrates on picture and content related to exercises. The fifth chapter explains how to manage workouts to avail maximum benefits. The sixth chapter explains the ways to do right cardio exercises and seventh concentrates on ways to do weight training effectively.

The eighth chapter on Truth about abs program concentrates on healthy diet chart popular for abs development. The ninth chapter explains the diets user must avoid during the program. The tenth chapter concentrates on fat loss and tips to maintain it. The eleventh chapter explains the right nutrition’s and components. The final chapter concentrates on useful fat products which can overtake commercial fats beneficial during this program. The program is boosted with much more information on weight loss and case studies. Truly, the truth about abs scam is not true and program deserves to be tried and get awesome six pack abs.

The book is divided into seven chapters which deal with the definition of local theology, mapping a local theology, study of culture, theology and its context (church tradition as local theologies), tradition and Christian identity, popular religion and official religion, and syncretism and dual religious systems.

In the first chapter, the writer observes the important shift in perspective in theology in recent years. This shift was a concentration on the role that circumstances play in shaping one”s response to the Gospel since it was observed that the theologies being inherited from the older churches of the North Atlantic community did not fit well into these quite different cultural circumstances.

Three broad varieties of local theology analyzed (translation, adaptation and contextual approaches) not only suggest a relation between a cultural context and theology, but also about the relation between theology and the community in which it takes place. Local theology is defined as a dynamic dialectical interaction among gospel, church and culture.

The second chapter concentrates on how the interaction of gospel, church and culture takes place. The author uses a map to chart the relationships in local theologies. This serves two purposes, orientation and evaluation.

In the third chapter, the author echoes that no culture is ever so simple that a comprehensive explanation and description can be given, nor is it ever so static that all is entirely cohesive and consistent. Once the issue of theological reflection has been located within culture, one is ready to begin the Gospel dialogue with the larger church tradition. From the point of view of local theologies, there are two dimensions to this dialogue. The first is determining the proper mode of discourse. The kind of theological result that will make the most sense for dealing with the situation at hand is discussed in chapter four where different forms of theology and their relationship to local circumstances are explored. This chapter discusses the Christian tradition so as to make the encounter between local theology and the Christian tradition easier. The second dimension has to do with the quality of the theological result. The fifth chapter discusses eleven questions which highlight in different ways some of the problems both local theology and Christian tradition face in their mutual encounter and growth. The general purpose of the chapter is to build a framework wherein a local church can better come to terms with the tradition.

In the penultimate chapter, it is forcefully argued that local theologies are in many ways the expressions of popular religions. One must therefore listen to popular religion in order to find out what is moving in people”s lives. The writer opines that it is only then that local theologies can be developed and the liberating powers of the Gospel come to its full flower. It is also noted that the popular religion that develops in a culture (provided that it is not wholly imported) reflects a kind of local theology.

The ultimate section (chapter 7) discusses two other kinds of manifestations of religious belief and activity (syncretism and dual religious systems), their effect on the development of local theologies. The meaning of these issues for Christian practice is presented and some practical considerations for approaching them are suggested.

Reflection

Schreiter is correct in his assertion that “the Christian tradition is too precious a heritage to be squandered carelessly or treated lightly. But without its continued incarnation in local communities, it becomes like that treasure buried in the ground, producing no profit” (103). Indubitably, the book is an excellent and very practical tool that clearly teaches how one could understand culture so that the gospel message takes root. This is the most important reflection for the researcher during the period when he taught a course History of Christianity in West Africa at West Africa Theological Seminary, Lagos, Nigeria. An assessment of Christianity from the Portuguese explorations in the fifteenth century to the middle of the seventh century reveals that there was a relative failure on the part of the missionaries in the presentation of the gospel. Although issues like malaria, implications of imperialism and mass baptisms, rivalries, language difficulty and finance, to name a few, could be listed, the issue of an understanding of the culture of West Africa cannot be underestimated. The Roman Catholics demanded monogamy from their converts but they did not show how the unwanted wives could be resettled. If fact, they separated themselves from the people when they condemned such customs and practices like polygamy, human sacrifices, image and shrines, the latter which they ordered to be destroyed before the conversion rather than later. The writer”s impressive use of illustrations, bibliographical notes and index is worth mentioning since they meaningfully add to the quality of this invaluable text.

Recommendation

Such an invaluable publication must be read by all Christians since each will have an opportunity to present the gospel to someone from a different culture.

(c) Oliver Harding 2008

What is the “Means Test”?

The Means Test was a late addition to the Bankruptcy Code (also called BAPCPA) to apply to all bankruptcies filed after October 17, 2005.

Behind the “means test” or “income based test” was the understanding that some well to do Debtors were unfairly using bankruptcy to the detriment of unsecured creditors (mainly the credit card companies).

Before BAPCPA, Debtors who had high incomes and could afford to pay off at least some of their debt (credit cards) would incur huge balances on their credit cards, then file for bankruptcy and discharge all their credit cards.

The result of the test is that Debtors with above median income (this varies from state to state) cannot file a chapter-7 bankruptcy and can only avail themselves of a chapter 13-bankruptcy/payment plan.

Chapter 13 bankruptcy requires a court approved payment plan to pay back unsecured creditors over a five-year period. This is in contrast to a chapter 7 Bankruptcy where the Debtor’s unsecured creditors would usually be discharged with little or no payments going to these creditors.

Not surprisingly, most would be Debtors would rather do a chapter 7 with little or no payments to the unsecured creditors than make payments to those same creditors over the next five years.

In summary, any Debtor can file chapter 7 if they earn less that the median household income for their state. If a Debtor has above median income then a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy would be the only alternative available for debt relief. Unless… the Debtor can “beat” median requirement.

Exceptions to the Income Based Test

Under the assumption that a Chapter 7 bankruptcy is better than a Chapter 13. Beating the income dependent testing means finding a way for an above median Debtor to file a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy under the current provisions of the Bankruptcy Code.

To review, if a Debtor has above median income then they cannot file a chapter 7 bankruptcy and can, if they choose, file a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy.

If a debtor’s income is greater than the median income for her household size then the Means Test prohibits that Debtor from filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. However, the initial income calculation is only the first prong of the test.

Under the Bankruptcy Code the following are the exceptions to the means test:

Exception No. 1: The Bankruptcy Code allows the Debtor to subtract essential living expenses from their above median income.

When these expenses are subtracted, if the income that remains is below the Median Income threshold the Debtor to qualifies to file a Chapter 7.

Exception No. 2: For disabled Veterans (as defined by 38 U.S.C. §3741(1)) whose indebtedness occurred primarily during the time the Veteran was on active duty (as defined in 10 U.S.C. §101(d)(1)) or while performing a Homeland Defense activity (as defined in 32 U.S.C. §901(1)) the presumption of abuse does not arise. The means text does not apply to these Veterans or Homeland Defenders and they can always file Chapter 7.

Exception No. 3: For Reservists and National Guard Members; active duty or homeland defense activity. Members of a reserve Unit of the Armed Forces, and members of the National Guard who were called to active duty (as defined in 10 U.S.C. §101(d)(1)) after September 11, 2001, for a period of at least 90 days or who have performed homeland defense activity (as defined in 32 U.S.C. § 901(1)) for a period of at least 90 days are excluded from all forms of means testing during the time of active duty or homeland defense activity and for the 540 days afterwards (the “exclusion period”). The Means Test does not apply to these Reservists and National Guard and they can file Chapter 7 any time during the exclusion period.

Exception 4: If your debts are primarily non-consumer debts the Means Test does not apply to you. The Bankruptcy Code defined “Consumer Debt” as “… debt incurred primarily for a personal, family or household purposes.” The Ninth Circuit interprets the term “primarily” in § 707(b)(1) to mean that the your non-consumer debt is at least fifty-one percent of your total debt. In re Canales, 377 B.R. 658 (Bkrtcy.C.D. Cal., 2007).

In plain English, if more than half of your debt was from a failed business, past due income taxes, or in “some instances” student loans, then the means test does not apply to you. If, for example you have invested in multiple real estate properties and are now filing bankruptcy and total of the loans on your rental properties exceeds your personal debt by at least one percent, the means test does not apply to you. Here you can file a Chapter 7 even if your income is over the Median Income.

If you are contemplating bankruptcy and you are an above median debtor, choose an attorney that will spend time to help you determine if you can beat the means test and file a chapter 7.

Akon, or Aliaune Damala Bouga Time Puru Nacka Lu Lu Lu Badara Akon Thiam, has over the last few years taken the step up among the really big stars. He has cooperated with some of the biggest stars in the music industry, including Eminem, Gwen Stefani and Chamillinaire. In 2004 Akon released his first album “Trouble.” The album got a lot of attention from its leading single, “Lonely”, which became a huge hit all over the world. “Lonely” actually reached the top spot in the charts in UK, Germany and Australia. The album itself also reached number one in the UK.

His next album, “Konvicted”, was released in 2006. “Konvicted” included cooperation with Snoop Dogg, Eminem and Styles P. The first single from the album was “Smack That.” The single, which included Eminem, was an instant success, and peaked at #2 in the Billboard top 100 singles chart. His second single from “Konvicted”, “I want to love you”, became Akon’s first #1 hit on the Billboard chart. With Snoop Dogg included on the track, they topped the U.S. charts for two weeks. “Konvicted” itself debuted at #2 on the Billboard top 200 album chart, with 285,000 sales in the first week. The single “Smack That” still holds the record for the biggest leap in the Billboard list, with its jump from 95th to 7th place.

With these two huge successes, Akon has gone from a virtually unknown to one of the brightest stars on the music heaven. His third album “Freedom” is right around the corner, being released on December 2. In several interviews, Akon has said that “Freedom” will include tracks that has a more “Euro-club scene” style than his previous releases. Judging from the success he has had with cooperating with other artists with other styles, this will surely be something you should not miss. Two singles has already been released from the album, “Right now” and “I’m so paid”. “Right Now” made an impact on the charts right from the get-go, and if we can expect some more of those easy-listened pop tracks in the same style, Akon’s Freedom will surely be a hit.

Don Aslett is called America’s #1 Cleaning Expert, and for good reason, he knows cleaning. He also knows a lot about time management, organization, and getting things done, but most of all, he knows cleaning. “Pet Clean-Up Made Easy” is his guide to cleaning up pet messes, including what tools and products to use and where to find them. It’s a practical book that not only helps you clean up messes, but shows you strategies to “petproof” your home and prevent messes from happening. Sounds sort of like something Sun Tzu would teach, “Win without fighting.”

The book is easy to read and has the illustrations that Aslett’s books are know for. I personally really like the illustrations in his books and feel they add to his message. They make the books more fun to read. This book has a brief introduction and six main chapters.

Chapter One: Pet Cleaning 101. This chapter covers important tools and cleaning techniques for all kinds of pet cleanup chores. I like that he lists different tools and what they are for, as well what deodorizers do, and some other little tips for various situations.

Chapter Two: Good Clean Living – With Pets. A chapter on preventative measures to avoid germs and keep your home mess-free. Aslett discusses ways to control pet diseases, disinfectants, and how to organize a pet control center, as well as other important tips.

Chapter Three: Housebreaking. A chapter on eliminating cleanup problems trough training dogs and cats. Cages, crates, and litter boxes are a few of the topics covered here.

Chapter Four: In Case of Accident. This chapter contains pointers for cleaning up pet messes. Not the most pleasant of topics, but important if you are a pet owner. Asless deals with cleaning up urine and cleaning up feces. Also included is cleaning up vomit. Again, not pleasant, but important when you need it.

Chapter Five: Hairy Animal Tales. With most pets come hair, so this chapter deals with shedding, bathing, and flea control. There are tips on grooming, hair pickup tools, and giving your pet a bath. There is also some very good information about fleas and how to prevent them, or how to get rid of them, depending on what you need.

Chapter Six: Pets Do the Darndest Things. The final chapter of the book focuses on pet problems and occasional misbehavior. Pets jumping on things or people, tracking in dirt or mud, scratching, and chewing on things are some of the problems dealt with in this chapter.

If you own a pet, this is a great book to assist you with keeping your home clean. It also contains some very practical advice to raising pets that will make the experience more rewarding for you and your animals. I highly recommend Aslett’s books as enjoyable, practical, and spot-on (Or should I say spot-off) with his advice and strategies.

“First Seek To Understand, Then To be Understood ”

This chapter holds a special place in my heart because without a doubt it has been the one habit that challenges me the most.

I cannot remember how many times I have been planning a comeback during a conversation forgetting what effective communication really means.

Stephen Covey explains that this principle is the single most important thing that he learned in the field of interpersonal relations. A big call for someone who has learned as much as him!

There is an enormous tendency to rush in and fix things up with all good intentions and good advice but do we really understand the problem before jumping in?

I just knew there was a reason we were born with 2 ears and only the one mouth!

Effective listening will not come through purely echoing what the other person has said.

The translation has been taken through your eyes allowing for your interpretation. This is about putting yourself in the shoes of the other person.

Unfortunately as Covey points out, most people do not listen with the intent to understand.

The skill required is called Empathic Listening. They in fact listen in readiness for a reply. Their minds are awash with things to say in preparation for the reply.

Is it understanding a point of view or a race to get heard?

You will gain some terrific insight into the types of listening and no doubt most people would have heard of selective listening. (I know my kids have).

To avoid confusion, empathic listening has nothing to do with sympathy. It has everything to do with listening to another person with intent to understand.

Am I the only person that thought I was a good listener while the gentle reminders from the wife were brushed off as a figment of imagination?

There are some powerful examples expressed in this chapter and there are more than just a couple of similarities that are a little close to home.

Just imagine going to the doctors and finding out he only ever listens to half of the issue.

Would you trust the diagnosis?

As Covey so wonderfully suggests, Diagnose Before You Prescribe. Think about it for a second. Good salesmen provide solutions to problems whilst the not so good sell product regardless of the problem.

Having just forced myself to think about it, I can’t help but mention the role of the jury in court cases.

They sit there for days, weeks and months practicing the art of listening and at the end of the day, we, the society accept their prescription as justice. Need I say anymore?

One of the greatest things about this habit is that you don’t have to run away and study anything. If your principle centered values allow you, you can start straight away.

Try it. Have some fun with it. Have dinner with your significant other by candlelight with no disruptions.

Spend time with the kids with nothing on your mind other than hearing what they have to say. The experience may shock you?

Nip the problems in the bud with open, honest communication and do it often enough so that potential issues cannot fester for any length of time.

This is an incredibly powerful habit to get into.

Seek first to understand before you’re tempted to jump in with your own remedies and ideas, the difference will amaze you.

It was a sunny and peaceful spring day in the southern elf town of An-kavva. The town was situated in a valley, surrounded by grassy foothills and small patches of forest, with the Great Sea off in the distance and visible on days when it was not foggy. Not a single cloud was in the sky today. The streets of An-kavva were busy with young elves running around, playing games and laughing, not having a care in the world. A new tavern had just opened up in the small town, which gave the townsfolk much to talk about. It was quickly earning the reputation for being ‘a nice place for a pint’. Minstrels and other stage entertainment from around the town as well as from the ones close by and as far away as Tratchet in the North were already signing their names and chatting up the owners for the nightly evening entertainment. Being the small town that An-kavva was, this new venture caused quite a stir. Everyone knew everyone in this town, which made it a great place to live and raise a family. Also with the town being close to the sea there were many other towns of similar size in the area, one of them being Askari.

The young ones from An-kavva were well raised and looked after by the others in the town. The community was close and they did their best to keep it that way. It was a very well-developed town with nice houses, little poverty, a discipline station, a town hall, shops with a market every Thursday and a bigger one on Saturday where people from the surrounding towns and villages were asked to come and sell their breads, meats, produce and of course snacks and little wooden toys which the children loved and looked forward to.

The elders passed their time carving wood from the pieces cut from the forest. It was also common to find them fishing off the docks into the sea. There was a local post office in town, and also a theatre, where elves could perform and entertain the townsfolk and the villages nearby. Most of the older elves kept themselves busy by training younger elves in the barracks, or running blacksmith shops. Despite the quietness of the village, there was a need to prepare for war. Farming was also very big outside of the town towards the North West, as well as ranching. The horses were helpful as beasts of burden as well as for the rangers. Of course there were the young maidens who would train the horses, and groom them not only for the rangers, but every year they’d hold an annual horse race between the town of Askari and An-kavva.

The roads of An-kavva were further lined with small shops, fruit markets and a couple taverns and a few inns. The barracks was located at the far north side of the town. This is where the young elves were trained to become Elvin rangers, just in case the town was ever under attack, or if An-kavva’s allies, the dwarves of Fijndhorn, the wizard’s of the lands, and the men of the lands should ever need to go to war, the Elvin rangers could join them in their fight for freedom. The neighboring town of Askari was located about ten miles west of An-kavva. It was also inhabited by friendly, laid back elves. These two towns got along great with each other allowing for a lot of trading to occur between them. Towns to the North and the East of An-kavva were also traded with, but Askari and An-kavva had a unique history that made them very much sister towns.

This relationship of course permitted many young men to travel to each other’s town to find a beautiful elf lassie to spend his life with, and vice versa. The marriage customs of the elves were deep in tradition and in touch with nature. There was a level of respect for Mother Earth and for each other that needed to be demonstrated before the marriage could be allowed. The two betrothed needed to spend one month together in the nearby forest with nothing outside to help them, and they were asked to take nothing with them, not even clothes. When the time was up if they were able to rejoin society and were of good health, having supported each other while in the forest and still wanted to marry, than the high priest of the Elvin temple of either town would perform the marriage ceremony. Their love was proven to be true. Each town within the Great Sea ring, as it was called, had the same marriage laws, with slight differences, but they all followed a very similar custom in respects to ensuring a long marriage, and that it was true love that was being shown.

Q: What does Arjuna-vishada yoga mean?

Ans: “Yoga” has different meaning in different context. Here it means ‘title’. All 18 chapters are named as yoga. Vishada means grief. The attachment to any object causes fear, anger and/or sorrow. Arjuna was full of sorrow as he saw his loved ones against whom he had to fight. Sorrow is different than pain, sorrow is mental and pain is physical. Sorrow often immobilize the person.

Arjuna-vishada yoga is the second chapter of Bhagavad Gita. Arjuna saw his family members and teachers in Duryodhana’s army, but not as the enemy to wage a war against. Due to that vision, he hesitates and decides not to fight. He is taken over by his emotion, sorrow. Due to his nervousness and anxiety at that moment of action, he was completely deluded, confused and justifies his behavior and surrenders to Lord.

Q: How did Arjuna respond when he saw the army with which he was going to fight?

Ans: Ch.1 verse 28-29, reflects Arjuna’s breakdown in the battlefield. As he sees teachers and families on the side of Duryodhana, he was emotionally down and expresses verbally, ‘ I am completely exhausted. My limbs have lost their strength, my mouth is dry, my whole body is shaking, I have goosebumps and I can’t hold my bow & arrow’. In such a situation anything that he sees appears as failure and loss.

In his state of anxiety and low confidence, with negative thoughts in mind due to sorrow, his intellect was deluded, he finds himself unable to act. At his point, he seeks Sri krishna’s guidance, without fully surrendering.

This happens to people all across the world whether taking an exam, attending an interview, having a date, meeting a doctor, buying a car, people often feel stuck. They wonder if the decision is right, whether to continue with their plan of action, often get tensed and sweat. Gita helps to get out of such situations in life.

Q: What arguments did Arjuna present to justify his un-willingness to fight?

Ans: Arjuna, on seeing his teachers and family members on the enemy’s side, against him in the war front, became emotional. He was nervous, anxious, completely confused and decides not to fight the war.

He was trying to justify his decision as an experienced jnani with several points to support his decision.

At first he emphasizes that his disinterest in fame, glory or kingdom, by killing his family members. Secondly he points the war would cause destruction in all families, which would lead to destruction of traditions, cultures, discipline and values. Thirdly, he argues “Is it wise to fight against my teachers and elders of the family?”.

Earlier he had decided to fight against Duryodhana for all the atrocities he had committed but because of his affection and reverence to his teachers and grandfather, was confused and wanted Krishna to call off the war.

Why am I tempted to agree with Arjuna and justify his response?

Ans: Many people feel empathy towards Arjuna for they have experienced similar situations. They have taken tests, or have waited for the doctor’s response when their loved one is sick. Often times, when we face difficult situations, the thought of the negative consequences hits us hard. At that time, we don’t want to take the test, feel shaky and sweaty, we drop out of the test or decide to take the patient to a swamiji to know the future than a professional doctor or vice versa. That’s a clear state of confusion, not able to decide what to do and how to handle the situation. Listening to Sri Krishna helped Arjuna to be objective, which is for all who experience the inner conflict between the good and evil.

Q: Some people think Gita as an originator of war. Is it true?

Ans: There are some people who think so. This is because of non understanding of Gita in a deeper sense. When Krishna says fight, he did not mean literal fight. It means ‘do your duty’. That’s exactly what he told Arjuna, because Arjuna was in the battlefield at that time.

Gita is applicable to anyone and everyone who are in an internal conflict whether to do this or that. It is not about doing good or bad, but doing a right thing. Doing the right thing at all times is more important than doing good things.

Sri Krishna helped Arjuna understand the difference between good and right action. The Kurukshetra was in fact called Dharma kshetra, because the emphasis was on what was right at that time, with the given situation.

Q: What is the role of a citizen in a society?

Ans: Whenever you see anything inappropriate being done, adharmic actions, it is vital that wise people step up and stop it. We see the need for this in every generation. Gita’s message is active resistance to all evil in the world.

Q: What is atma?

Ans: Sri Krishna explain atma in chapter 2, verses 11-30 The limited presence is called jivatma. Brahman when acts in collaboration with the body and mind is jivatma, like the space in the pot whereas Brahman is unlimited space in the universe.

The ‘aham’, “I”, pervades all “Idham”‘ “this”. You cannot experience the world without experiencing the Self!! There cannot be an experience without the subject, the experiencer. Nothing can be known without the “I”. I hear, I see, I taste, I smell I touch, none of these are possible without the “I”. Every experience of this world is due to the presence of “I” in all. I pervade this entire world.

Because you associate with this body, you might find it difficult to comprehend that you pervade this entire universe, just like the space inside a pot which is confined within the walls of the pot is not aware that it is universal. That space inside the pot is the same as the space outside, in the world, in the entire galaxy!!

Q: How do I know atma exists?

Ans: When you look in a mirror, you know you’re different from the reflection in the mirror. A dog when it sees his image in the river, barks at it, thinking it is an another dog. A bird when sees its reflection in a mirror will keep on poking at it, thinking it is a different bird.

You and I know we exist but we don’t know ‘who am I?’

Human go through three states of existence. In Sanskrit, they’re called Jagrat, Swapna, Sushupti, Waking, Dream and Deep sleep states.

During the waking state the physical body and the mind are active. During the dream state, the body is at rest but the mind is working, in the deep sleep state both body and mind are at rest. When we wake up, we say, ‘ I had a good sleep!’ When you’re in deep sleep state you don’t even who is sleeping next to you or where you’re sleeping. Who slept and who knows you were asleep?

Atma is that which is present in all three states. That atma is the witness of everything both in an individual and universally. Nothing happens without IT’s knowledge. It is that One which in present in every being and in every thing. It is also called sat-chit-ananda. Sat is the existence itself, a rock. Anything that exists is IT.

Everything that we say, ‘this’, exists and whenever we say ‘this’, obviously it is not you because you’re able know it through your senses.

The scripture defines it as ‘Idham’ and ‘Aham’. “this” and “That”. “this” is all experiences, “That” is the experiencer, the “I”.

We often say, ‘my body hurts, ‘I can see the stars, I can smell the flower or I taste the sweetness’. Who is that “I”? Those sensory organs are the instruments that interacts with the world outside.

You observe your flow of thoughts. That means you’re not the mind. Therefore you’re neither the body nor the mind. Then who are you? You’re not what you think you are, the name, form, qualification, relationship, body, mind and anything that you claim to be.

Such a knowledge is the misunderstanding of who you are. Non understanding is better than misunderstanding. Misunderstood information when passed on would create a total chaos like a blind leading another blind. That’s why it is very important to study these scriptures by listening to a well educated teacher, who had a guru so that they’re are not the opinion of a single individual that is subject to change but transferred from a teacher.

You’re the witness of everything that’s happening in the body, with the body, in the mind and everything outside the body.

Q: Are there two presence in the body then?

Ans: No. They’re not two separate entities. Firstly, the presence is not in the body. The body is in the presence, like the pot is in the space. Atma and Brahman are one and the same. Atma is limited like the space in a room while Brahman is like the space in the universe. The real witness, let us call it Self, with a capital “S”. The thought “I”, the identification we have with this body and mind is the ego. This ego always likes to be always challenged, feels proud, subject to all actions, changes, emotions and thoughts. We call this ego, as self, with the small “s”. Self is the witness, which is the same in all beings.

Q: How are scriptures of Sanatana Dharma helpful? How can we know atma?

Ans: Everything around you is known by the tools you have, the senses also called ‘praman’. Eyes see the colors, ears recognize the different sounds, tongue the variety of taste, the skin the texture, the nose the smell. All these senses are programmed to project outside. They care programmed to identify the differences. If they don’t do it, then they’re not functional.

I’m the knower, pramata. The instrument is pramana, that which is known is prameya.

If there is ice cream on the table, you’re the pramata, your eyes are the pramana and the ice cream is the prameya. Atma is also called ‘aprameya’, cannot be known by any means.

Scriptures are tools that help you recognize atma as pointers. There are six modes of gaining knowledge even in the world.

Prathyaksha pramana, direct experience (through the senses)

Anumana pramana (through inference, fire is inferred by smoke)

Upamana pramana (by comparison like the minerals in Mars to minerals on earth)

Shabdha pramana (through the words of a realized master like learning music from an artist)

Arthaa patthi (effects reflect the cause, heavy floods means possible downpour, very common in healthcare)

Upalapthi, By negation ( by knowing nothing is there you confirm nothing is there. Negation of certain blood test reveals absence of certain conditions)

All the scriptures are sabhdha praman, through the words of a realized teacher. We cannot see it, we cannot infer it, we cannot compare it. Those words if the teacher are not to gain the knowledge of the Self but to remove the misunderstanding of the Self. By reading, listening, reflecting, intellectually understanding, being firm in the knowledge, one can realize Self. It can take years and even many births.

Q: What happens when a person dies?

Ans: Atma, (consciousness) that is together with sariram is called sariri, meaning that which is identified with the body. Body is also called dheham, meaning one that undergoes dhahanam, capable of being burnt.

All beings go through six stages ~ Birth, growth, modification, disease, decay and death. These are only for the body but atma is beyond these.

When one dies, the inert body which is a combination of five elements space, air, fire, water and earth, merges with the cosmic elements. The thoughts, goals and ambitions are gathered together. These are called vasanas or impressions. These create a body and an environment to purge those impressions. This explains the child prodigy. Without schooling or training we hear children playing musical instruments, doing college math, drawing or many other things as early as five years. The impressions from the previous births take effect to shine forth in the next birth. All our actions create our parents, environment in the next life. We create the blue print for the next birth.

No one can destroy the atma. It is imperishable. Atma is anadhi-no beginning, an-antham-no end, avyayam-not depriciable, imperishable.

Q: What is surrender?

Ans: Surrender is not an action but an attitude. There are four critical steps to surrender. This is applicable even in worldly knowledge. First, you identify that you don’t know something. If you think you know and you don’t know then the attitude to learn is different, if you think you don’t know and you don’t care to know that’s different. All our attitudes are different. Why? The answers come in future chapters called gunas.

Secondly, if you acknowledge that you don’t know then you need to have an internal motivation to learn. Thirdly, you should also recognize that the present knowledge, and resources that you have, are not enough to learn the new thing. Lastly, you choose to approach someone who is knowledgeable to impart that knowledge to you.

For ex: If you have a health condition, first you should know you have it. You then want to get better by doing something. You may try all home remedies but if they didn’t make you better, you recognize it and proceed to a medical professional. That person should be qualified enough to be able to treat your condition. Now you trust that doctor unconditionally and follow the direction.

Such an unconditional faith in scriptures and Lord is surrender. This is surrendering your ego and believing that you’re not the doer.

Q: What is a ‘conditional surrender’ and ‘complete surrender’.

Ans: We often see ‘conditional surrender’ in all temples from all types of people. People pray to Lord,’ If you do this for me, I will contribute ‘X’ amount, or I will do this or that’, or I will donate or volunteer. These are all conditional surrender, practically a deal.

On the contrary, if one says, ‘I am doing this to the best of my ability. whatever maybe the result, I accept it and take it as a gift from you. That is a ‘total, complete surrender’. A little child surrenders to a parent unconditionally. When the parent says, ‘go and play, or go to school’, the child simply knows that s/he will be taken care of without any doubt!!

Q: What is “Sreyas or Absolute Good” that Sri Krishna talks about to Arjuna?

Ans: There are good and not good things/situations. When something is good for one, the same could be bad for another. ‘One man’s trash is another man’s treasure’ they say. This is natural balance. But there something beyond these two called ‘Sreyas’ meaning ‘absolute good’. With this everyone gains and everyone has a treasure. Absolute good is dharma or dharmic thoughts, decisions and actions. This is applicable to everyone at all times like ‘do not steal other’s property’ or ‘do not hurt others in any way’, ‘always speak the truth’, called as Samanya dharma in Sanskrit.

Absolute good should synchronize with one’s physical, emotional, intellectual and the common good.

Relationships are important, but are not permanent. Only the relationship with Lord is permanent and ‘absolute’, all others are ‘relatives’. It is important to learn to discriminate between what is permanent and what is passing. We have the freedom to choose every day to do things that improve our health, promote lasting security and deepen relationships-things that in the long run contribute to the well being of our society and the world.

Q: What is the purpose of life?

Ans: Good question. If you look around, there are births, growth, children go to school, get old, get a job, get married, buy homes, cars, all needs and wants, have children, get old and die. During this event called life we experience lots of emotional roller coasters, happiness, excitements, sadness, sorrow, pain and pleasure. We call all these in one packet as ‘samsara’. This is big giant wheel and we keep coming back again and again due to the attraction and attachment to the worldly objects which are all temporary in existence. We aspire to get more and more and then worry about not losing what we got when we know nothing is permanent, including you. We have the choice to be in cycle or get off. Getting off from this cycle of samsara is the purpose of life attained by knowing your true Self