KUDOS TO LOTUS MAG

thanks anjana - please do visit - it definitely will be blessing to be in those serene surroundings

thanks vandana - yes he’s guiding us through our highs and loes.

thanks deepti - it was a calming experience it did

Thanks Geeta - we all are blessed !

Thanks Rachna for being a part of my journey

Thanks Bijal for the kind words

Thanks Bansari - pawan putra hanuman ki jai

Thanks Jigna - blessed indeed.

thanks Ashish

thanks Ashish

Thanks for reading- and responding Shruti - it’s very much true a higher force beckons us

Truly blessed Aparna.Babaji is known to be a great source of strength and healing to many souls,during His life and even after.May you continue this radiant relationship with Him and find the true purpose of your life.

This journey of spiritual discovery is beautifully written, highlighting how profound faith and divine guidance can transform lives. The experiences at Kainchi Dham and the connection to Neem Karoli Baba's teachings show how the universe leads us to where we need to be for growth. It’s a powerful reminder of the peace and clarity that come from trusting in a higher force.

Such a heartfelt and mature piece of writing! Aparna Tushar Dedhia sure is a talented writer. It seems as though her reverence for her guru is vast as the ocean.

Aparna your words beautifully capture the essence of your spiritual journey. It’s inspiring to see how deeply you’ve connected with Neem Karoli Baba, could feel the depth of your emotions and thoughts as I read this.

Very beautifully written Aparna! Thank you for sharing your divine encounter with us

So beautifully written Aparna! Serendipity at its finest. You are truly blessed.

Very Inspiring and calming experiences shared very beautifully..

I remember you mentioning the chance visit , its like he is orchestrating the visits.

Beautiful experiences shared. Having been called to visit the place by chance, could relate to them. Much to contemplate on.

So beautifully written, Aparna. Felt deeply moved by it. Could almost feel the divine energy of Maharaj-ji. Your article has motivated me to pay a visit to the ashram. Thank you for the same. 🙏 Pawanputra Hanuman ki Jai

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives a journey into spiritual path. You are blessed with divine gift.

So so beautifully written. Forever guiding, forever protecting through his divine presence! Siyavar Ramchandra ki Jay Pavansut Hanuman ki Jay Uma pati Mahadev ki Jay

Thank you Madam, for your elaborate feedback, sharing your take aways.

Thank you Madam. For your kind feedback and appreciation.

Thank you. Your words motivates me to write more. And I shall do.

So nice to read that this article resonates with you.

Thank you for sharing your feedback. I am Happy inspite of everything that comes my way.... these words would resonate with many.

Thank you for taking time to share your feedback.

So happy to read your comment. Thank you.

I am a fan of her 👩🏼‍🏫i really get motivated while reading this article. It is excellent. We are proud to be her student. Proud to be Natesanite.... Bhoomika .L 8 A

Thank you, Gayathri Madam, for a wonderful article. It is so significant that I have read it on the eve of Teacher's day. Everyday is a new lesson for me. Today I have learnt about a different perspective of being vulnerable. I struggle hard to forget and equally hard to forgive. I hold on to negative emotions very long. Can't let go. Because of this I react and not respond. But I do understand that letting go only will help us to grow. This article has shown me a path of different approach. To let go of ego, hurt, fear, anger and embrace vulnerability. By taking small steps let me transform myself. It will take sometime for people around me to accept my transformation, I will work on it.

I always admire your written work, Gayathri, on any topic. There is always a connect. The article "Embracing vulnerability as a source of strength" is really inspiring and thought provoking. I as a reader could connect myself to various instances of my life where I had lost all courage and strength to face the negative emotions and hurtful words. Thank you for giving me a profound message. To be peaceful, happy, and healthy in life let me start embracing vulnerability and be strong and show to the world... I AM HAPPY in spite of everything that comes my way.

Excellent article. 👏👏👏 Yes We need to have courage patience and immense mental strength to embrace Vulnerability. Thank you so much for showing us the right way to overcome negativity.

Wow!! Thought provoking article. The author Ms Gayathri Ramachandran penned this article fantastically to make us learn how VULNERABILITY can fuel personal growth, develop emotional awareness, encourages genuine self expression, unlock a deeper connection with oneself and encourage risk- taking.👏👏 An inspiring article!! It is understood that embracing the VULNERABILITY one can break the fear and unlock the potential. 👌🏻👌🏻

Facing our emotions as women is something not everyone is comfortable with. But upon reading this article, I realize the importance of facing them head on and writing them off our focus. Thank you, Dr. Gayathri Ramachandran, for this eye opener!

Thank you Chitra, for taking time to read this article, and share your elaborate thoughts. Like you said, discovering us is not only good for us but also for people around us.

Excellent one Gayathri b ..an eye opener indeed..the way you have written I am to connect with it ..

Beautifully penned ❤ As I read the article, could relate so much. Would try to Let go all that negative emotions lingering in my mind. As rightly said going on ruminating so much on negative emotions would destroy our peace. I'm ready to clear all that clutter from my mind and embrace love, gratitude and many more positivity within. Thank Dr. Gayathri Ramachandran for penning down such a beautiful article to bring in clarity and understand the importance of self worth. Loved these lines from the article "others’ opinions do not define my worth." "Vulnerability is your greatest strength, and it’s time to embrace it." Best wishes to the author to pen more such valuable articles 🙏🏻

Thank you madam. Really admire your approach to let go the negativity on brooding over our imperfections. It's okay to embrace vulnerability and expressions , let out , reactions give us strength to know us better.

Wow!! Thought provoking article. The author Ms Gayathri Ramachandran penned this article fantastically to make us learn how VULNERABILITY can fuel personal growth, develop emotional awareness, encourage self expression, unlock a deeper connection with oneself and encourage risk taking. 👏 An inspiring article !! It is to make us understand that by embracing VULNERABILITY one can break the fear and unlock the potential.

Your article truly reflects my mind . I don't remember when I had taken time for myself to do what I really like.The personal responsibilities have never permitted me . Definitely all of us need to take a break ,need a space amidst our routine work. Only then we will be able to work giving our best. As we have a planner for a year in the workplace we must also have a planner for self. Taking time for ourselves visiting friends,cousins, shopping,music ,movies,books are mandatory. The little joy we discover from doing what we like will definitely help us to be cheerful always and keep all others around us happy. If we work without a break at one point or the other we would tend to harm verbally the people around us. So discovering ourselves and taking time for ourselves not only do good for us but also for people around us.

I want to express my deep admiration for your article on embracing vulnerability. It takes tremendous strength to allow ourselves to be open and honest, especially in a world that often values perfection and invincibility. Your article to be vulnerable advocates not only a testament to your character but also an inspiration to those around you.By sharing your true self, you create a space for genuine connection and understanding. You remind us all that it's okay to be imperfect, to have fears and doubts, and that in doing so, we find our true strength. Thank you for showing us that vulnerability is not a weakness, but a profound expression of our humanity.

Thank you mam. It's an eye opener to me in the current scenario to lead a peaceful life with education for myself instead of expecting others, even partner, to understand my emotion and pain. Sacrificing our life, soul, moral values and wellbeing being a slave to others, killing our emotions and self respect is inhuman. Building self love with moral values within us only can strengthen our core and also our society.

Paryushan Parva offers me an opportunity to enhance my understanding and experiencing Jain path of purification and staying happy by spending more time in the temple worshipping, listening to the lectures by sadhus and sadhvis, study the texts and avoid activities involving transgressions from the path. A truly self enlightening opportunity annually by seeking forgiveness and enhance self restraint (sangam) by limiting variety and quantity of food intakes and donating for spiritual and education purposes and offering my knowledge and experiences to others.

Beautiful article about connecting the dots backward! Like you said, "We will never be able to tell where the happenings in our lives are going to lead us." It's important that we go through everything as experience.

Dharm raksha is a primary responsibility. If dharm is destroyed no values are left.

Paryushan involves cleansing (fasting) the body and mentally recharging (chanting, reading the scriptures). This we reach a state of equilibrium which helps us to lead a life if awareness till the next year same time.

Thank you Uma for taking time, and sharing your feedback. I am happy this piece resonates with you

What a wonderful affirmation! You're absolutely right, prioritizing self-care and self-love is not arrogance, it's essential! Taking care of oneself and practicing self-love is a sign of self-respect, self-awareness, and self-worth. It's recognizing that your well-being matters and that you deserve to be happy, healthy, and fulfilled. Remember, loving yourself is not selfish, it's necessary. By embracing self-care and self-love, you'll become a better, more compassionate, and more resilient person, which will positively impact all areas of your life and relationships. Keep shining and prioritizing your own well-being! A great eye opener for many like me. Loved it mam.

Thank you so much, Gita Bhalla, for your thoughtful and insightful comment. I truly appreciate your understanding of the delicate balance between personal freedom and life's responsibilities. Your words beautifully capture the essence of nurturing both the "world" and the "self" in harmony. I'm glad my journey resonated with you and brought back memories of your own path to self-discovery. It's encouraging to know that sharing our experiences can inspire others to seek that balance. Thank you for engaging so deeply with my article.

Your journey of coming to true freedom of your spirit, is perhaps that which is such an essential, natural progression of growing up to complete adulthood… much like crossing the rubicon for children at the age of 9-11. It’s an important milestone and you have been so honest about your experiences leading upto this point. If more and more people are able to balance this personal quest with the have to’s in life, there will be much less room for frustration and resentment which slowly creeps in to hearts which have not tasted this freedom! Of course I have to comment on one more thing which I love about traditional Indian homes. The order of events has to be as you have outlined . One learns to give the world quite as a habit before we look at ourselves as part of the receiving. When children are taught in the reverse , and are awakened too early with I want, I need, I must, for me, my choice, then the world becomes self serving . The gentle transition and balance in the “world and I “is a must. And even after we truly enjoy our own experience of personal freedom frequent de tours will happen and they must!!!so happy that you shared this article Gayatri. I relived my own journey through this…

Brilliant 👏 👏 thanks

"A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person." - Mignon Mclaughlin

Well said Suma We are all one and if we inflict wounds on others, we cannot escape

A much needed topic in these times. The point about anxiety being the surface emotion which might hide other deeper emotions is very pertinent.

Thanks a lot for publishing this introductory chapter of my new book. The illustrations are outstanding and undoubtedly add value.

In today's world, even youngsters are finding it difficult to find a partner.. would be more for seniors. The irony is that we marry young so we have a companion for our elder years. My SIL who practices being a life coach in the US was telling me about separations when the nests get empty.. well written Raji.

Aged love is like aged wine; it becomes more satisfying, more refreshing, more valuable, more appreciated and more intoxicating! Love is a choice - whether young or old!

Very well-written. Its good to know that people have an option to choose their own happiness in this day and age due to open mindsets and financial freedom as well as due to the ability to confront the truth about their feelings as regards their relationships.

Lovely post with practical advice....we do need to keep reinventing ourselves, as the author says.

Thank you Poornima, for taking time to share your feedback. I am glad that it resonated with you.

This article really strikes a chord with me as I navigate the process of reclaiming my own personal freedom from the pressures of society. It emphasizes the importance of self-care and reconnecting with our authentic selves, something that can easily be overlooked when we are constantly focused on taking care of others. The reflections shared by the author on the importance of living truthfully and prioritizing our own happiness are not just inspiring but also empowering. I was particularly moved by the author's personal anecdotes, which serve as a powerful reminder that true fulfillment comes from accepting ourselves fully, without being weighed down by guilt or societal norms. A thought provoking article...

A thought provoking article, Dr. Gayatri... I felt as if I am reading my own thoughts...I can perfectly relate to your narrative..yes.. we are sooooo much carried away by taking care of our family that somewhere we get totally lost...at some point of life we struggle to choose even a dish or a dress of our choice.. because over a long time we have forgotten our likes and choices...Very nice write up on discovering own self... Highly motivating positive article... keep rocking dear..

Thank you for taking time to share your thoughts about this article.

Thank you

Thank you for finding this piece profound.

Thank you Ganesh for your kind feedback. I loved the way you mentioned about spending time without Guilt.

Thank you so much for your kind words and feedback. Learning about Nichiren Buddhism through your comments.

Thank you very much for your kind words.

I am so happy to note that this article has resonated with you. Thank you for taking time to post your comments.

Loved your article, ma'am. It reflects the experiences of many Indian women and had a personal touch for me. I, too, have struggled to identify and prioritize my essential needs. Even now, I feel frustrated when making choices for myself. I was devastated after my mom's death when I was 18, and I still haven't fully healed from certain things. After reading your article, I also want to prioritize my happiness and not worry so much about others' opinions.

Thank you Anandhi, for your comment and sharing some profound thoughts , citing example of sage Dathichi. Truly appreciate.

Beautifully penned article by Dr. Gayathri Ramachandran. I'm her follower reading her articles right from the frozen thought to infini thought, each article is a masterpiece. She connects with the readers easily through her simple yet profound message. So happy to read this "Passage from conformity to personal freedom" yet another masterpiece. This article gives insight about prioritizing, yes! Can personalize it so much to myself too. It's an Eye-opener. If not me who else would care for me ? Let's embrace love, happiness & live our life to the fullest by self love. As Dr. Gayathri Ramachandran has mentioned what's wrong in prioritizing our happiness❤ wish Dr. Gayathri Ramachandran pen many such insightful and readers friendly articles.

A beautiful article penned by Dr. Gayathri Ramachandran, that reflects the likeness of grooming that happens in a typical conservative culturally linked Indian family. I recall that story of Sage Dhathichi which used to be narrated during story time with grandma to tell about the supreme sacrifice that has to be made for the cause of good. This had but moulded the raw mind to keep " Others first and self next ".This in a way had helped to tune the mind to contribute in a healthy social set up . With changing times and changing situations, there are times when we need to prioritise self before others . The demarcation may vary from individual to individual. Loved the way the Author had narrated instances in life that had been an difficult to handle for the pre conditioned mind set is something I could closely connect with.

A thought-provoking article by the author. It's true that while we live in a collective, a community, it is essential that we find our individual, authentic self and give it the opportunity and nourishment to blossom. I believe that there is a stage later in life when one is ready to leave the security net of the collective and societal to embark on an inward, often spiritual journey to the centre of one's being. A spiritual practice, I may add, is often the biggest support in finding one's authentic self, as I have witnessed in my own life as a practitioner of Nichiren Buddhism.

For a happy, healthy and Peaceful life, our own happiness matters. Every reader like me could easily connect to this article and the way the author has shared her own life experience is really amazing. A profound take away indeed!!

Thank you for this wonderful article, which is something that the readers could easily connect to. An experience for many. Your article is definitely an eye opener for many. Our happiness matters, and it's Okay to prioritise.

Excellent Articles

Gayathri, your article beautifully captures the essence of breaking free from societal norms to embrace personal freedom. It encourages to prioritize our own happiness and well-being, highlighting the transformative power of self-discovery and self-care. Your journey is a powerful reminder that living authentically, without guilt, can lead to a more fulfilling and liberated life. I like it when it comes to my fulfillment.

Profound piece!

Aptly put👏👏 It mirrors the inner fears and hesitation that most Indian women have, and underlines the importance of dedicating Me Time.

True, mam. It's an eye opener to many. Self care & personal freedom are not arrogance but an essential aspect for solace & peace. Thanks 👍

Very informative!

Good Article 😍

Good one dear...nicely presented. Well researched

Good one Navni...very informative.

ये अच्छा लगता है, सुखद भी है की कोई इस जमीन पर अपना युद्ध खुद के बल पर लड़ता है जीता है और जगह बनाता है। (It feels good to know that somebody (like Mona Wasu) is fighting the battle on her own account, win and able to carve a place for herself.)

May many be inspired by these messengers of peace ! May many more visit this planet earth to spread harmony and love amongst people ! Thank you, Lotus, for an article which soothes the mind rather than agitating it with more and more information !

Very well written to clear any myths one may hold in mind about the intention of Shravaan fasting. The illustration by Navni Chawla is splendid.

Thank you Ajay ji. Glad you liked it

It's a wonderful movie though I realised just how amazing it is after reading this article. Extremely well written this article explores many aspects of the movie that escaped my notice on viewing. Now that I think of it the movie is as groundbreaking as was 'The Matrix' almost 25 years ago.

Lucid and well structured

You are a power house ! You play so many roles and you excel at all of them! Super women exist ! And one of them is you! Deepa, so well written. A true inspiration. The focus on "ME" is priceless.

Kudos. We need more festivals like this all over the world, including India.

Life will be very easy if I realise everything is on me and only me! Very beautifully written!! Thank you so much Deepa Gulabani!

Not every human gets a chance to understand human life and his own birth. it is Well defined in Hindu dharma. You are born again and again, this is not first and last birth. If you are today happy or miserable, it is not due to others but due to your past and present karma. These teachings are not given at home nor in any school today and that is cause of many wars and unhappiness.

Every human born are never made to set his life goals. by any parents and teacher . Set these three goals . 1-live a ling life 2- live a healthy life 3- live a happy life . If these goals are in each house wall, life of human race will change . You will see peace and prosperity .

Thanks for encapsulating the entire philosophy of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism ; and ,what the Soka Gakkai stands for as also what it does at a micro and macro level to promote happiness and peace -so ,simply , so very beautifully!

Wow. So beautifully explained. Kudos to you. This is phenomenal. This article indeed has helped me strengthen my faith in Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism more than ever before. NMRK