Agrawal Samachar Patrika

Volume 5 - Issue 2- Spring 2002

Agrawal Association Picnic at Lost Creek Park

On April 13, 2002 approximately 200 Agrawals had a reunion in the Lost Creek Park of Sugar Land. The weather was great, the temperature was perfect, flowers were blooming and the park was full of people, all in cheerful mood. Agrawals in their usual way played Cricket led by Shekhar Agrawal, lemon on spoon race, three legged race, and other sports. This annual get-together, also called Sammelan/Picnic started with Snacks and Drinks, followed by chatting (networking) and sports for both young and adults. The highlight of the picnic was a Cholle Cook-off Competition. There were quite a few enthusiastic Agrawal participants for Cholle Cook-off Competition. The competition was judged in the picnic for Presentation, Taste and Novelty. 

This important event was followed by an elaborate lunch with fresh Naan being cooked on the spot. The lunch was followed by kite flying, in which girls, boys and men competed against each other. It was enjoyed by the participants with full excitement. Finally at 4PM, all headed back home as if returned from an Indian Mela. For further information on Agrawal Association, visit website www.agrawal.org.

Youth Column : A New Perspective by Rishi S. Aggarwal

In the spring of 2001, I attended a stimulating discourse given by Swami Mukundananda . The Swami discussed the Hindu concept of Karma Yoga, or working without attachment. The experience greatly enhanced my perception of the Hindu religion and broadly extended my cultural views.

The basis of the talk was the problem of working with attachment. When man is attached to the goals of his work, progress becomes hindered. For example, a man is in love with a woman and can only marry her if he becomes a doctor. To become a doctor he must go to medical school. While studying for his exam, the student can only think of his beloved. Instead of doing his duty studying, the man is hammered by attachment. When he takes the exam, he fails miserably.

The Swami also explained how the mind swings with attachment while working. A cashier should not have any temptations, happiness, or distress while collecting money. The mind tends to sway to sadness when no money arrives or elevate to happiness when money flows in. If man's mind if off the money and on his duty, he will be much more competent
The Swami advised not to be too attached to anyone, including one's own family. He gives an example where a diabetic child appeals to his mom for ice cream. The mom, attached heavily to her child, knows that giving it goes against the doctor's advice. However, her deep affection grants him his wish. In effect, the child dies. The Swami illustrates how destructive this attachment can be. If the mom's intelligence weren't tainted by her feelings, she would have saved the child's life.

The Saint gave a solution to the disease of attachment. He explained that the remedy lay in the transferring the attachment to devotion of God. Instead of preoccupying oneself with a certain college, a student should think of God while doing his work. In this way, he would leave his attachment of world and be attached to God. Instead of worrying all the time about what a result will be, the student should simply do his best.

The guru or teacher, revealed how this attitude leads to peace of mind and greater lucidity. When a person simply does his best as a service to God agitations and worries about the future do not exist. A poor man can even smile while doing his work. When I traveled to India, I witnessed myself even the most indigent smiling. Now, by means of this talk, I understand why Indian life is so peaceful despite destitute conditions.

To practically implement the idea of " Karma Yoga" one should practice thinking of God at regular intervals. When one can think of God every hour, the time can be reduced to thirty-minute and fifteen minuets and so on. When a person thinks of God, he will automatically do the right thing.

In my life, the concept of "Karma Yoga" can help me tremendously. I am constantly worried about my grades and college. Perhaps if I am not attached to the results so much, I can perform my tasks with greater concentration and willingness. The concept makes perfect sense to me in a spiritual sense because work takes up most of my time, not prayer. If work becomes prayer, then I would be praying almost the whole day.

The Swami portrayed his message with amazing clairvoyance and lucidity. After listening to his examples and logic, I feel more confident in the Hindu religion. I have expanded my spectrum of beliefs and broadened my cultural vision.

The aura of the lecture was unlike anything I had ever experienced. The Swami, dressed in orange to symbolize the burning of desires -and negative tendencies, commanded pin drop silence during the session. Everyone sat on the floor with his or her legs crossed, painstakingly hearing every piece of wisdom he had to say. He enunciated in perfect, eloquent English, enhanced by graceful hand gestures and a warm smile. He had certain magnetism and charisma that really made me want to listen to him.

The examples he provided were human and thought provoking. After the talk, he sang an Indian devotional song in beautiful verses of Sanskrit. Everyone stood up in respect. Overall, the experience struck a deep chord in my soul.

Health Column : Good posture keeps you in good health

Musculoskeletal disorders or repetitive strain injuries are a real pain. But much of it can be avoided or alleviated simply by maintaining good posture. As a rule, you should concentrate on keeping your weight off your arms when you work at the computer. For example, don't lean on your arms or wrists and don't reach with your hands. Instead, position your arms by using your shoulder and scapular muscles (back and shoulder blade muscles). Also, try to keep your back always in contact with your chair to prevent slouching. Here are exercises and stretches that help keep you sitting up straight:

1. Place your right hand over your left collarbone. You can use your left hand to support your right as you gently tug downward on the skin and underlying tissue, while slowly stretching your head back and away from your hands. You should feel a stretch in the front of your neck. Hold for one to two deep breaths and gently release. Repeat on the opposite side.

2. When you're not sitting straight, you can put an enormous strain on your neck muscles. Stretch those muscles by pulling your head upward, then bringing your chin back to create a double chin. Hold for one to two deep breaths and repeat three to five times.

3. The scapulae (or shoulder blades) tend to fall out to the side and forward due to weakness in the midback and too much tension in the upper back. Fight the tendency to let them to rise up toward your ears; this engages the generally stronger upper back muscles and will only reinforce bad habits. To strengthen the midback muscles, place your hands on your stomach and gently tuck your scapulae in and down. Hold for one to two deep breaths and repeat three to five times.

4. Stand in a doorway with hands comfortably on either side of the door jamb. Stand with your feet hip-distance apart. Keeping knees slightly bent, maintain a slight chin and shoulder blade tuck. Take a small step and go chest first through the doorway. You should feel a stretch across your chest muscles. Do not let your shoulders creep up toward your ears or let your elbows point back behind you. Hold for one or two deep breaths and repeat.

****** Post birthdays, scholarship/ award recipients, weddings, anniversaries, new births. Contact Devi Rungta at rungtadsm@aol.com or 713-436-3234 OR Naresh Mittal at nareshmittal@yahoo.com or 713-565-9484.