Malti Johari's Podcast

In this Episode the book of the author, Malti Johari, that contains thought provoking one liners.

This Episode contains two books of the author Malti Johari. Kavya Veethiyan are poems relating to nature, mind, God, politics, karma, and dharma.Antardhwaniyan also has some poems that reflect the inner voice of the author. Some poems relate to different emotions and also on death. 

This Episode contains some thoughts of the Author, Malti Johari, in prose.These are thoughts relating to nature, behaviour of people, thoughts on characters in mythology and Indian epics like the Mahabharata and some small and big events in life.

In this Episode the Zen Haikus of Soko, Soriyu, Takuchi, Sunaw, Sukoku, Tanko, Tambo, Wakiyu, and Yaohiko have been narrated.The Zen saints say that once our work in this life is completed we move on to another life. The Master says that each person has to learn on their own, so at the time of death the Master is in peace. When death comes as a guest to my house, I am ready to welcome it with open arms. Life is a mirror and we should learn from the reflection. There are many Haikus, but in the podcast a few selected one's  were narrated. Hope you liked them.

In this Episode the Zen Haikus of Rayshi, Retsu Zan, Ryokan, Saikaku, Senryu, Setsudo, Sharyu, Shei, Shokai, Shizan, Shogetsu, And Shogo have been narrated. The Zen saints at the time of death have expressed their deep understanding  of life and death. They say that just as a frog hibernates and comes back, or as we change our old clothes for new, similarly in death we leave our this body and come back in another. Life is a constant change, and death is also a change. They say that just as in life wevsay that this moment too will pass by, similarly this moment of death will also pass by. They say that if we lead our lives by living in the present moment consciously, then at the time of death we realise who we really. 

In this Episode the Zen Haikus of Toko, Ta Hui, Kasho, Koho Kenichi, Ikieu Sojun, Hoshin, Dokyo Etan, Ani Benon, Basui Tokuso, Derin Soto, Kenju, Kibai, Koha, Kyokusai, Kozan, Kyoshu, Masahyde, and Mokuku have been narrated.They state that there are no rules or compulsions in Zen philosophy, and even the writing of the Haikus at the time of death is not necessary. They state we have led our lives, and the student can learn from our lives while we are alive and learn by her/his own experience too. It all depends on the individual. The main understanding is to live in the present moment, do whatever work that comes in front of us with full consciousness. 

In this Episode the Zen Haikus of Hanari, Hakun, Hakurin, Fusen, Fuwa, Gimaye, Daibi, Ensai, Enshee, Chaien, Choree, Barseiki, Basho, Baika, Shunoku Soan, Bainen, and Tosui Ankai have been narrated. The Zen saints at the time of death through their Haikus have provided the wisdom of the circle of life and death. They believe in the concept of re-birth and state that in every birth we receive the fruits of our karma of the previous births. The Haikus  also provide an insight into life. They say that life is like the Hydrangea flower that changes colours seven times and goes back to it's original colour. Most of the Zen saints have stated at the time of death that they are conscious that this life was the fruit of their previous lives and they are at the end of this life going happily.

In this Episode Haikus written by Zen saints at the time of death has been narrated. It is a tradition in Zen philosophy to write a Haiku at the time of death. The Haikus of Hakuro, Hakusai, Hakuto, Hamai, Hemon, Hankai, Hokusai, Mumon Gensen, Songai Gibbon, Seagun Sai, Shumpo Soaki, Goshu, and Gozan have been translated in Hindi. The Zen saints emphasize that there is no need to follow any words said by the saints, one needs to find one's own path. They state that life goes even after death and it makes no difference to anyone if one is alive or dead, one needs to move on. Life and death does not need to be explained or discussed, one just must live in the moment. One of the saints in the Haiku has said that the whole of nature is rejoicing on the death of a person, as the soul has been freed from the body. 

In this Episode the Haikus of Soseki, Gido, Isho, and Ryushu have been narrated. One needs to be an Observer to reach in a Zen state of being. True wisdom comes from being a mere observer or witness, without the chatter of the mind.To walk on spiritual path, we need to know ourselves - who am I? To understand who we are, we need to first forget ourselves, that is, forget our ego, our separate entity, and know that we are all one. We should not discriminate against anyone. We realise that others are like us and we are like others, and there is no real distinction in all of us. This is the spiritual path. 

In this Episode the Haikus of Tetsuan, Ryushu, Isho, Su Tung Po, and Sekiso, have been narrated.The Haikus explain that each person is unique and the way of living is also unique. The Zen Masters guide their students in their own unique ways as per their own experience. They do not teach from any scriptures or books, but teach through their experiences and their living styles. The student has to find his own path. 

In this Episode Zen Haikus by Ryokan, Shiki, Hokushi, Issa, Choshu, Ryota, and Hoitsu have been narrated. Some words used in Zen Haikus have become a depiction of a certain meaning. For example, "ice" is a depiction of transparency and cleanliness, "water" is a depiction of peace and tranquility, the "moon" is a depiction of coolness and acceptance, "white flowers" are used for peace and "red flowers" for happiness, the "firefly" and the "morning glory" depicts the shortness of life, etc. The Zen Masters have used these words in their Haikus to reflect and depict such meanings in their poems. 

In this Episode Haikus by different Zen Masters has been narrated. The Zen Masters whose Haikus have been narrated are: Nangaku, Chi Hsien, Kanzan, Takuan, Ikkyu, Soseki, Ryokan, and Daio. They all have said that the Zen Master is there just to help the student remain conscious and in a state of no mind. For that the Zen Master uses different methods to help the student back on track. The student has to suddenly stop, to remove his mind, and remain in that state of being. 

In this Episode Haikus by Basho have been narrated. Basho was from Japan. Though he never became a Zen Master, his lifestyle was that of the Zen Masters. His poems, that is Haikus, are a reflection of his deep understanding of Zen philosophy.It is interesting to note that Zen philosophy is similar to Shiv Sutra or Vigyan Bhairav Tantra, in which Lord Shiva explains to Parvati, 112 methods of remaining alert and conscious all the time in our daily lives.

Zen philosophy is a part Buddhism. Buddha's follower, Mahakshyap's disciple, Bodhidharma, went to China to spread Buddhism. However, the Tao philosophy was already prevalent in China. So, the Zen philosophy is a mix of Taoism and Buddhism. Zen philosophy believes that the world is perfect the way it is, and we don't need to change it. We should be grateful and compassionate, and lead life playfully. Zen philosophy is about living in the present moment, to be an observer, and not to bring any thoughts or judgments in the mind about what is being observed. Its say only observe and hear, without bringing in any emotion or thoughts. It does not follow any rituals, doctrines, or principles. The Master has only one aim - to bring the student in state of thoughtlessness, and to live in the present moment only. For this the Master uses various techniques, including making the student do arduous work, shouting at him, ignoring him, etc. The student needs to find the answers to his questions within himself only. The Master does not provide the answers, he only explains that in a state of thoughtlessness or meditation the student will get the answers. Zen Haikus are the shortest poetries in the world, that may seem very abstract, but are the most beautiful poems, that paint the picture of the present moment that is observed by the Zen Master. 

This is the concluding Episode of the Kathopnishad, the dialogue between Nachiket and Yamraj.Yamraj explains to Nachiket that we need use our senses and mind to look within to know our soul. Once we understand the soul, we know that God and the soul are one and the same thing, like light and shadow, that cannot be separated. Yamraj then explains that in this life, whatever work we have done and the knowldege we have gained, through our body and mind, according to that karma, the soul needs to take re-birth after death. He explains that till we don't look within to understand the soul, our soul keeps taking re-birth. But, once we understand the soul, we attain nirvana/ moksh/ mukti, and then the soul does not take re-birth as it merges with the God/ Divine. 

In this second part of the Kathopnishad, the story of Nachiket and Yamraj continues.Yama tells Nachiket that even the deities (devtas) cannot understand what happens after death. He begs Nachiket to ask for something else. However, Nachiket does not agree. So, Yama offers other things to him, including all the wealth, comforts, etc. of the world, and even offers to allow him to live in Heaven for ever. But, Nachiket is not interested in any of those. He tells Yama, that he being the God of Death is the only one who can answer the question. No one else can. So, he insists on the answer to his question on what happens after death. Yama then explains to Nachiket what Yama understands of what is the soul and how to know the soul.

The Kathopnishad has been been narrated over three Episodes. It is the most beautiful story of the dialogue  between a young boy, Nachiket and the God of Death, Yamraj (Yama).In this Episode Nachiket goes to meet Yamraj. However, Yama was away and came back after three days. Nachiket did not eat for three days, as he could not meet Yamraj. Yama felt bad about the boy sitting outside his house without food and water. So, he grants the boy three wishes, as a penance for himself (Yama).Nachiket explains that his father will be unhappy and sad, as Nachiket came to Yamraj because of his father. He asks Yama, as his first wish, to make his father happy and to accept him again. He then asks, as his second wish, the path to Heaven. Yama explains the path to him.Nachiket, as his last wish, asks Yamraj, what happens after death?

In this Episode the Mandookya Upanishad has been narrated. In this Upanishad the importance of the syllable "om" has been explained.  It is the cosmic sound and an affirmation of the divine force. In all the Upanishads meditation by reciting "om" has been given the primary method of knowing the divine. All philosophers have used different words, such as the world and Creator of the world, birth and death, living and nonliving, etc. to explain the mysteries of the world and it's Creator. However, when a wise person recognizes that even though the philosophers use different words to explain the divine force, they all speak about the same Creator who is omnipresent in everything, then there remains no dispute or debate on the words, and one can lead a peaceful life.

In this Episode the Taittiriya Upanishad has been narrated. In this the student  asks the Master to give him all types of knowledge and education. The Master teaches him all kinds of skills to earn money and to be able to live comfortably in the world. The student then asks him about the philosophical knowledge of getting to know God and obtaining peace and satisfaction. The Master explains to him that he needs look within, and explains the different paths to know the self. He gives him the knowldege of what kind of a lifestyle he should follow. He gives him practical knowledge along with philosophical wisdom.

In this Episode, the Kain Upanishad has been narrated. The student asks the Master from where do the senses get their power or energy (like sight (from fire), touch (from wind), mind (from Indra)? The Master narrates a beautiful story in which Brahm (God) takes the form of a Yaksh (benevolent spirit) to humble the pride of the Devas (forces of natural energies). He defeats them and shows that it is Brahm who gives them their power and energies. However, the student did not understand the story that was in itself the teaching. The Master explains to him that the story will remain in his unconscious being which can be tapped into.