Echoes of Eco. Mind, Body, Soul and Nature. All are Connected. October, 2013 Vivekananda Kendra- nardep Newsletter Vol:5 No:8

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1 Echoes of Eco October, 2013 Vivekananda Kendra- nardep Newsletter Vol:5 No:8 Mind, Body, Soul and Nature In this issue: Mind, Body, Soul and Nature Rameshwaram Project The Happenings-I The Happenings-II From our Publications Visions of Wisdom: Trees Speak to you; Service Expands the Self; Everything Educates All are Connected To the vast majority of men nature appears to be only a changing, whirling, combining, mingling mass of change. Few of us ever have a glimpse of the calm sea behind. For us it is always lashed into waves; this universe appears to us only as a tossing mass of waves. But the reality is that there is both change and changelessness in this universe. It is not that the soul and the mind and the body are three separate existences, for this organism made of these three is really one. It is the same thing which appears as the body, as the mind, and as the thing beyond mind and body, but it is not at the same time all these. He who sees the body does not see the mind even, he who sees the mind does not see that which he calls the soul, and he who sees the soul for him the body and mind have vanished. He who sees only motion never sees absolute calm, and he who sees absolute calm for him motion has vanished. A rope is taken for a snake. He who sees the rope as the snake, for him the rope has vanished, and when the delusion ceases and he looks at the rope, the snake has vanished. There is then but one allcomprehending Existence and that one appears as manifold. This Self or Soul or Substance is all that exists in the universe. That Self or Substance or Soul is, in the language of non-dualism, the Brahman appearing to be manifold by the interposition of name and form. Look at the waves in the sea. Not one wave is really different from the sea, but what makes the wave apparently different? name and form; the form of the wave and the name which we give to it, "wave". This is what makes it different from the sea. When name and form go, it is the same sea. Who can make any real difference between the wave and the sea? So this whole universe is that one Unit Existence; name and form have created all these various differences. As when the sun shines upon millions of globules of water, upon each particle is seen a most perfect representation of the sun, so the one Soul, the one Self, the one Existence of the universe, being reflected on all these numerous globules of varying names and forms, appears to be various. But it is in reality only one. There is no "I" nor "you"; it is all one. It is either all "I" or all "you". The udana being satisfied, the skin is satisfied. The skin being satisfied, the air is satisfied. The air being satisfied, the akasa is satisfied. The akasa being satisfied, what is under the air and under the akasa is satisfied. They being satisfied, the eater is satisfied with offspring, cattle, food, brightness of the body and the light of Brahman. -Chandogya Upanishad V, XXIII - The Udana, 2 Service to humanity is the highest form of worship Swami Vivekananda

2 The sustainable technologies have to help to improve the quality living conditions of the people using the existing natural resources sustainably for the generations to come without any depletion of its resources using clean and green technologies. Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam As part of the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Swami Vivekananda, VK-nardep has taken up the renovation of the 16 sacred teerthams of Rameshwaram. This is the continuation of the report series of the progress of the project. As the Teerthams are getting revived they are now getting used by the community for both day today use and also for ritual purposes. Many of the Teerthams are also situated near the local village shrines particularly sacred trees. The Teertham renovation project is revealing a greater pattern of embedded eco-veneration in the bio-cultural knowledge system of the island. [Left] A sacred tree venerated near the Nakula Teertham, [Right] one of the Teertham that has been renovated. Almost perennial presence of water in most of the Teerthams may be the cumulative result of such many eco-cultural practices enshrined in the local traditions. An important aspect that has been noticed as the project goes on is the almost perennial steady presence of good water in most of the Teerthams which are under renovation. A good example is the Hanuman Kunda Teertham where the renovation work is entering the crucial next stage. Here too despite the delayed monsoons the clear good water can be seen constantly oozing out. With the polluting garbage gathered for decades removed, the sparkling clean water is sustaining a small community of fishes, keeping the pond pollution free. Sahadeva Teertham, is another teertham that has been cleaned where there is apparently no water. The pond looks dry. But a closer look shows even here the fresh water is very much oozing out. In an island surrounded by sea water and geographically situated in a drought prone area presence of such fresh water in so many water bodies shows the kind of knowledge that has gone into making these Teerthams - water harvesting structures for ages. [Left] Fresh water oozing out of Hanuman Kunda Teertham [Right] Nakula Teertham and the presence of water inside the dry Teertham. This may be the cumulative result of many such eco-cultural practices enshrined in the local traditions. Echoes of Eco - Newsletter, Vivekananda Kendra nardep, October 2013 Vol. 5 No: 8

3 When we burn fossil fuel for energy we are, in qualitative terms, doing nothing more wrong than burning wood. Our wrongdoing, if that is an appropriate term, is taking energy from Gaia hundreds of times faster than it is naturally made available. We are sinning in a quantitative not a qualitative way. James Lovelock The local people are now getting interested in the maintaining of these Teerthams which are being renovated. For example a retired military person Shri.Bhoopati, stated how the Hanuman Kunda Teertham after getting the new look, has become important in his life. He expressed his desire to be part of the team to maintain it in the future. A housewife Tmt.Vanitha expressed gratitude and explained how the Angatha Teertham, now a sacred well, was once a source of polluted water harboring disease causing insects. But now it has been transformed by the renovation work into a source of good water for daily usage of the local community. A daily labourer and shop keeper stated emotionally how Jambhava Teertham, now renovated with seepage tank by Kendra is helping the local community with daily water during these water-deficient months. Water Democracy through Sacred Geography: The renovation work is making the local people realise the worth of these resources which till now has been ignored and left in ruin by decades of neglect. Jambhava Teertham: Thiru.Karupaih almost lost hope before renovation (top left) As the renovation work of VK-nardep progresses the new look of Jambhava Teertham (top right): Seepage tank built by VK-nardep.(down center) To know more about Rameshwaram Teertham Project: Contact Secretary, VK-nardep at vknardep@gmail.com Echoes of Eco - Newsletter, Vivekananda Kendra nardep, October 2013 Vol. 5 No: 8

4 Be it an elephant or an ant, whatever the body of a life form, its innermost self is abode of the Almighty, which resides in all beings, which is all pervasive, which controls all activities and is equal in all beings. The one who realizes this truth has eternal wisdom and is compassionate in all deeds. Ramalinga Vallalar Angatha Teertham: State of Neglect before renovation (top left) ; As the renovation work of VKnardep progresses the new look of Angatha Teertham (top right): Good water resource for the local people (down left); Seepage tank built by VK-nardep.(down right) The project is unfolding in all its dimensions with people getting awareness about the hitherto neglected heritage water resources. They are both natural resources as well as attractions for pilgrims making their pilgrim to the holy island a complete experience. VK-nardep is also exploring further forgotten bonds which tie the Teerthams with the geography of the island. This will be a holistic effort combining culture historians, local knowledge, renovation work with the application of modern principles of science etc. Green Pilgrimage Model for Rameshwaram VK-nardep has uploaded a 11 minutes documentary that details a blueprint and action plan for creating an effective green pilgrimage in the holy island of Rameshwaram.Deriving from the rich experience of the ongoing Teertham renovation, this is the logical next step. It is not an easy task but it is a very immediate need of the hour. You can watch the documentary at: To know more about Rameshwaram Teertham Project contact: Secretary, VK-nardep, Vivekananda Kendra, Vivekanandapuram, Kanyakumari ; Phone: , vknardep@gmail.com Echoes of Eco - Newsletter, Vivekananda Kendra nardep, October 2013 Vol. 5 No: 8

5 By being reverentially aware of all the life forms and minerals that are here, you can deal with the more topical environmental problems. This cosmic awareness precludes your destroying anything. We protect as well as we can. And the forces will protect us. That s how it is. The whole cosmos is an environment that protects us. We are beholden to protect it. And that environment also includes fellow human beings. -Swami Dayananada Saraswathi Happenings in this month: SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE Happenings this month: WATER MANAGEMENT and conservation technologies Tested water from 14 wells in Kanyakumari Dist. as a part of the programme of Central Ground Water Board, Chennai. Happenings this month: HOLISTIC and INDIGENOUS HEALTH Workshop on Azolla Costeffective Bio-Feed was conducted at Vivekananda Kendra nardep, TRC, Kalluvilai on 26th of this month. 7 persons attended the workshop. Dr.P.Kamalasanan Pillai was the resource person. IARI - VO's partnership extension programme was held at IARI, New Delhi on the 4 th of this month. Dr.P.Kamalasanan Pillai participated and gave inputs. Azolla technology was given under National Agricultural Innovation Programme of IARI. IARI has adopted village near Gurgaon. Dr.P.Kamalasanan Pillai demonstrated Azolla technology in the village under the scheme. VK-nardep activities done with DST core support NET-WORKING & MEDIA Pasumai Vikatan a leading popular Tamil magazine for farmers, came up with an article on Shakti Surabhi Biomethanation plant and also biogas plants based on cattle dung. It was published on 28 th of this month. See the Tamil report on the next page Green Health Home of VK-nardep functioned for 6 days and treated 164 patients. Workshop on Ethnic-medicine was organized by VK-nardep at TRC Kalluvillai on 8 th and 9 th of this month. Dr.V.Ganapathy was the resource person. 48 persons attended the workshop. Dr.V.Ganapathy was the resource person for the seminar on 'Varma medicine for Primary Health Care' at the Tamilnadu Parampariya Vaidyar Sangam, (Association for traditional physicians), Madurai on 22 nd of this month. 75 persons attended the programme. Learning Green-Agriculture Ethnic-medicine workshop: Knowledge transmitted, shared and conserved across generations. Vivekananda Kendra nardep, Kanyakumari Phone:

6 Just as a flower gives out its fragrance to whomsoever approaches our uses it, so love from within us radiates towards everybody and manifests as spontaneous service. We have to take the whole universe as the expression of the one Self. Then only our love flows to all beings and creatures in the world equally.- Swami Ramdas From a Doctor s Perspective Notes from the diary of the Green Health Home One of the commonest Varma-related ailment is Padha Mudichu Varmam (Varma point of foot knot). Treating this is a wonderful experience. The healing involves professional massage-rubbing of the affected Varma point, circular movements of the joints and clothbandage in the area of the Varma point. If not treated properly there will be lifelong pain. So if anyone tells you of a telling pain in the foot remember this Varma point. : from the notes of Dr.V.Ganapathi Gandhiji s View on Health He is a healthy man whose body is free from all disease; he carries on his normal activities without fatigue. Such a man should be able with ease to walk ten to twelve miles a day, and perform ordinary physical labour without getting tired He can digest ordinary simple food. His mind and his senses are in a state of harmony and poise. This definition does not include prize fighters and such like. A man with extraordinary physical strength is not necessarily healthy. He has merely developed his musculature, possibly at the expense of something else. Happenings this month: BIO-METHANATION PLANT & RENWABLE ENERGY Training programme on Biomethanation plant was held at TRC, Kalluvilai on 26 th of this month under DST core support programme with Shri.V.Ramakrishnan as resource person. 15 persons benefitted from training. Technology Awareness and Introduction session for Bio- Methanation plants were taken by Sri.V.Ramakrishnan at: Government Higher Secondary school, Ramapuram for 58 students on 18-Oct KNSK College of engineering, Nagercoil,for 64 students on 19-Oct-2013 Government Industrial training institute, Nagercoil for the students of Mechanic division in 23-Oct-2013; 40 students participated. Government Higher Secondary School, Eechanvilai for 40 students on 24-Oct-2013; Bio-Methanation Plant Technology Awareness Session for Engineering College students. Happenings this month: BIO-METHANATION PLANT & RENWABLE ENERGY Bio-Methanation Plants Installation this month: 2 cum [1 No] 1 cum [2 No] 0.5 cum [1 No] Fixed 3 cum [1 No] Echoes of Eco - Newsletter, Vivekananda Kendra nardep, October 2013, Vol. 5 No: 8

7 Spirituality is in its essence an awakening to the inner reality of our being...an inner aspiration to feel, to be that, to enter into contact with the greater Reality beyond and pervading the universe which inhabits also our own being, to be in communion with It and union with It and a turning, a conversation, a transformation of our whole being as a result of the aspiration, the contact, the union, a growth or waking into a new becoming or a new being, a new self, a new nature. Sri Aurobindo From our Publications In this excerpt from Akshaya Vikas we see how India even at the start of colonial rule, had a vibrant indigenous water management system that was both resource oriented and also people-oriented. One such documented legacy of Indic water conservation is shown here along with the conclusions and recommendations of a study which aims to revive the traditional indigenous water management structures in order to deal with the water scarcity problems we face today. READ OUR BOOKS Echoes of Eco - Newsletter, Vivekananda Kendra nardep, October 2013, Vol. 5 No: 8

8 No one could understand the secret of this weaver who, coming into existence, spread the warp as the world; He took millions of stars and perfected the cloth; but even today he weaves, and the end is difficult to fathom. Sant Kabir Trees Speak to you Trees are sanctuaries. Whoever knows how to speak to them, whoever knows how to listen to them, can learn the truth. They do not preach learning and precepts, they preach, undeterred by particulars, the ancient law of life. A tree says: A kernel is hidden in me, a spark, a thought, I am life from eternal life. The attempt and the risk that the eternal mother took with me is unique, unique the form and veins of my skin, unique the smallest play of leaves in my branches and the smallest scar on my bark. I was made to form and reveal the eternal in my smallest special detail. A tree says: My strength is trust. I know nothing about my fathers. I know nothing about the thousand children that every year spring out of me. I live out the secret of my seed to the very end, and I care for nothing else. I trust that God is in me. I trust that my labor is holy. Out of this trust I live. When we are stricken and cannot bear our lives any longer, then a tree has something to say to us: Be still! Be still! Look at me! Life is not easy, life is not difficult. Those are childish thoughts. Let God speak within you, and your thoughts will grow silent. Service Expands the Self What is the object of Seva or service? Why do you serve the poor and the needy and the suffering humanity at large? Why do you serve society and the country? Yes, by doing service you purify your heart. Egoism, hatred, jealousy, the idea of superiority and all the kindred negative qualities will vanish. Humility, pure love, sympathy, tolerance and mercy will be developed. The sense of separateness will be annihilated. Selfishness will be eradicated. You will get a broad and liberal outlook on life. You will begin to feel oneness and unity. Eventually you will obtain knowledge of the Self. You will realise One in all and all in One. You will feel unbounded joy. What is society after all? It is nothing but a collection of units or individuals. The world is nothing but a manifestation of God. The sense of separateness is a colossal fetter. Kill this sense of separateness through Brahma Bhavana, by developing Advaitic unity of consciousness and by means of selfless service. Just as a mother who has lost nine children loves the only surviving son so dearly, so also you will have to develop boundless love for all beings. This is the first and foremost qualification for an aspirant. Everything Educates Everything can become an interesting subject for study if it is approached in the right way. The life of every day, of every moment, is the best school of all, varied, complex, full of unexpected experiences, problems to be solved, clear and striking examples and obvious consequences. It is so easy to arouse healthy curiosity in children, if you answer with intelligence and clarity the numerous questions they ask.. Do not be afraid of anything that awakens and pleases his imagination; imagination develops the creative mental faculty and through it study becomes living and the mind develops in joy. In order to increase the suppleness and comprehensiveness of his mind, one should see not only that he studies many varied topics, but above all that a single subject is approached in various ways, so that the child understands in a practical manner that there are many ways of facing the same intellectual problem, of considering it and solving it. This will remove all rigidity from his brain and at the same time it will make his thinking richer and more supple and prepare it for a more complex and comprehensive synthesis. - Hermann Hesse Novelist Swami Sivananda saint Mother Woman-Mystic Echoes of Eco - Newsletter, Vivekananda Kendra nardep, October 2013 Vol. 5 No: 8