Savvy Raj

Live Life Lovingly!


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Living Books



Every life is uniquely endowed with perspectives and experiences.
A living book is a human who shares his life’s stories and wisdom with willingness with another interested individual.

If the conversation is interesting the living book is read some more but if it does not meet the requirements of the individual reader, he is free to get up and find another living book to meet and connect.

Living books library concept is an interesting way to bring together learnings from life experiences directly on a one to one basis and a group setting. The conversation depends on what you want to understand and turn it towards.

Life teaches us much and every human can benefit from unedited direct soul to soulful connects where words flow at the moment.
In such connection is the transparency of truth that is glaringly stark from a book of prewritten words arranged in a format predesigned to sell in the market.

Life is so much than being a business.
In these discussions, the reader or the learner and the living book are both free to direct the course of the conversation without constraints.


Unlike a regular library of books, the human library is a gathering of humans and is event-based.

There are many functioning human book libraries all around the world today.

The concept began in  Copenhagen Denmark in 2000. The idea is to be nonjudgemental and engage in a dialogue that helps break barriers and social prejudices. The human book could be anyone who has a story to tell and is ready to share it. Or someone who has gone through any kind of discrimination and wants to share their experiences openly. 
So next time you want to explore the idea of reading a book, consider and lookout for opportunities to connect with a human book!

Savvy

 


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On Hiring

The Entrepreneurs,

Learn to sift through the chaff.
All your endeavours are nothing without a proactively engaged people
Invest in integrity. It goes a long way.

If you can’t find a hire you want, look around,
Give a chance to those at the office
Maybe there is someone there who has the required talent. And all they need is a bit of training.
Recognize genuine interest to do work.
Whoever it may be.
And value sincerity even if age or experiences are not on their side.
Allow people to grow, value & respect good intentions.

Treat them well without favour and
not only if they are useful for a reason and for a while.
Who knows who comes in handy.

Yes, you may be a startup but that is no excuse for not pulling up your socks.
Every bit of professionalism matters.
And make sure you practice what you preach.
Don’t lose your temper in stressful times. It leaves a mark of imbalance.

Every person on your side is a valuable addition to your enterprise.

A company is only as good as the company of people working in it.
One manship or one-man shop is never the answer
Hire positive people at all levels, not dictators and procrastinators.

And if you by chance happen to see someone, coming in daily without fail,
on their own without any excuses, and trying to do something for the better, notice them and give them training and the resources to flourish.
You will gain from not wasting their talent and time .
Respect another’s time as much as you respect yours.

Savvy


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On Giving

Have written and dedicated a couple of posts earlier on the topic of Giving.

But here is my dear mother’s philosophical perspectives where she focuses on the the spiritual mindset in giving.

Dhaanam

There is a saying in Tamil.” What ur right hand gives, the left hand should not know”. True. While giving, unknowingly a little superiority, seeps in. To counter our ego secrecy n humility is needed. Giving is called Dhaanam .

There are various types of giving. It can be of anything. Money used unwanted items like clothes or other durables, food items, even sharing your knowledge is a form of giving.

Rules of Dhaanam

Giving new unused things of good quality is the best Dhaanam. This is followed in ritualistic or religious dhaanam.
Always give with humility. Never show attitude.
Give to worthy persons. Donate to needy ones. Giving shoes to a legless person is useless . It will hurt the person reminding his disability. There is a saying ‘pathiram arindhu pichai idu. ‘

While donating unwanted used items see that it can be useful for at least six months or further. Never give throw away things.

Give happily, with a full heart. Anything given with a prayer in mind and lots of goodwill at heart will bring prosperity and happiness to both the giver and receiver.

Another important aspect of giving is never to boast or keep on reminding them. Once given it ceases to be yours… The recipient has all the freedom to use it the way they want. Do not expect a life long gratitude.

Taittriya Upanishad says

Give with faith
Give with sensitivity
Give with abundance
Give with understanding

In Bhagavat Gita, Shri Krishna talks about 3 types of Dhaanam
namely Satvic, Rajasic and Tamasic.

Satvic is the one which is given to worthy persons with full humility and without expecting returns in any form.

Rajasic is the one which is given to show supremacy or expecting some favour in return.

Tamasic is the one where one gives with attitude, without respect to place n time to undeserving persons.

Vedas describes dhaanam of 4 categories.
1. Nitya dhaanam which is given daily as part of our routine without expectation.
2 Nymithika dhaanam is giving with the intention to wash away our sins.
3 Kamya dhaanam is giving with a desire to achieve some special favours.
4. Vimala dhaanam is giving with humility, devotion and without expectation of any returns.

The best dhanams are
Anna dhaanam -. Feeding the poor( It satisfies)
Vidya dhaanam Sharing ur knowledge and skill. (It increases)
Kanya dhaanam – giving a daughter in marriage. (I think it’s about letting go of a child be it a son or daughter into their next phase of life)
Raktha dhaanam and organ dhanam-. Saving one’ s life.

Keep giving.
Give wholeheartedly.
Give with a smile.

Anjana

I would simply also like to add that

True giving is when you don’t feel the weight of parting in the giving.

You never know how many lives you are unknowingly touching.

Savvy


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What’s your kind of place?

Every person has a place
On this earth that you call home
Beyond houses made of bricks
The space that is ones own
Are those that nourish and nurture you
Where you find yourself at home

A place that helps you evolve
A place that speaks to you
A place of learning and goodwill
A place that let’s you be you.
A place that is welcoming and inclusive

For me it is the vast open spaces in nature that speaks to me.

Be it the mountains the sea the sand the sky or the fields.

But I am also the happiest when I see a beautiful smooth open dancefloor

For it gives me the joy of endless possibilities of freedom to move…

What place comes to your mind if you are reading this?

Savvy


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Pearls of wisdom

For any person who is much too stressed or confused at the moment…do read this.

A rare conversation between Krishna & Today’s Arjun. Read it loud to family,
it’s one of the best message I have come across…

1. Arjun :- I can’t find free time. Life has become hectic.
Krishna:- *Activity gets you busy. But productivity gets you free.*

2. Arjun :- Why has life become complicated now?
Krishna :- *Stop analyzing life… It makes it complicated. Just live it.*

3. Arjun :- Why are we then constantly unhappy?
Krishna :- *Worrying has become your habit. That’s why you are not happy.*

4. Arjun :- Why do good people always suffer?
Krishna :- *Diamond cannot be polished without friction. Gold cannot be purified without fire. Good people go through trials, but don’t suffer.With that experience their life becomes better, not bitter.*

5. Arjun :- You mean to say such experience is useful?
Krishna :- *Yes. In every term, Experience is a hard teacher. It gives the test first and the lessons later.*

6. Arjun :- Because of so many problems, we don’t know where we are heading…
Krishna:- *If you look outside you will not know where you are heading. Look inside. Eyes provide sight. Heart provides the way.*

7. Arjun :- Does failure hurt more than moving in the right direction?
Krishna:- *Success is a measure as decided by others. Satisfaction is a measure as decided by you.*

8. Arjun :- In tough times, how do you stay motivated?
Krishna :- *Always look at how far you have come rather than how far you have to go. Always count your blessing, not what you are missing.*

9. Arjun :- What surprises you about people?
Krishna :- *When they suffer they ask, “why me?” When they prosper, they never ask “Why me?”*

10. Arjun :- How can I get the best out of life?
Krishna:- *Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear.*

11. Arjun :- One last question. Sometimes I feel my prayers are not answered.
Krishna:- *There are no unanswered prayers. Keep the faith and drop the fear. Life is a mystery to solve, not a problem to resolve. Trust me. Life is wonderful if you know how to live.*

Stay blessed and
Stay Happy Always…..!!!


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Reach beyond knowing.

Artwork  by  Russian  Surrealist Painter Vladimir Kush




How are you going to reach the tree of knowing?
The climb is not a cake walk
It is tough to balance  on the way up or down.
You are at the base.
And yet you are not grounded.
In the knowing that sets you free.
At times you climb almost all the way.
But think twice about entering  its core
For it is demanding.

Life never comes with a planbook
All happens in the living.
All is meant to flow along the way.
Things refine or distort
To change or transform 
Into new paths of purpose.
All, a leap of faith
To reach beyond knowing.

Savvy


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Jive Dance Workshops



Hi all,
To all my dear readers  followers and friends.

I will be conducting the Weekend Dance workshops series begining this October 2019 @Pune India . Will be kicking off with the  Jive Basics & Beyond Workshop starting  this Sat and Sun  19th and 20 th Oct.
 
No  prior dance experience  is required  for this workshop.


Dancing the Jive is one of my personal  favorites. And yes this music makes you feel happy and alive. 
You can’t help feeling great!

What it entails.

The course is spread over two days .
Focus will be of course be building on basics of the Dance and partnering skills .
Beyond the basics we will also be focusing on tips and tricks to make your dancing not only easy  but enjoyable for you as well as your partner .

Every dance style  has a special  effect   on us as dancers and  this dance  worshop will certainly keep you  happily dancing.

If you are a beginner and want to learn to dance the basics and get dancing confidently on the floor this is just right you.
If you are a solo dancer but would like to learn  to  dance  with a partner  this is just perfect  for you.

If you are the kind who sits out at parties  for the fear of not knowing  how to dance,  may be this simplifies it all!
If  you are looking to put on your dancing  shoes and dance your heart out… Make sure you are there.

If you are looking to brush up your concepts and  skills, this  would be just right for you too.
Age is no bar to learn to dance.

Dancing  is not just about the steps or how you dance but how you feel and how you make another feel  as you dance.

So put on your dancing shoes and let’s  meet on the dance floor!💃🙂💃

Savvy
Ps. If you are looking to have a session  at your city in a new  venue
Kindly connect and we can also create and conduct special group dance workshops.


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Vibrancy

Be aware that your hands are like antennae, able to pick up currents of energy from space as well as send them out. But for your hands to be able some day to attract and send out only beneficial currents, you must first pay great attention to the gestures you make in everyday life, for every gesture, however insignificant, produces a vibration. Whatever task you are performing, try to make measured, harmonious gestures, in the knowledge that you are activating forces and elements that will allow you to transpose what you are doing onto the spiritual level and therefore attain the higher levels of life. True spirituality consists in using any kind of work as a means to bring your thoughts, feelings and movements into tune with cosmic harmony. Each movement you imbue with a divine idea is recorded in the archives of your higher consciousness, from where all beneficial energies, such as love, hope and joy, will spring. – Omraam Mikhaël Aïvanhov

You are a dance of energy

Every move you make

Every step you take

Every thought you think

Every word you speak

Creates vibrations in space

Make sure to tune in.

Align your mind and body

Make way for harmony

Flow in synchrony

Sense the peace love and joy

Emanate with joy

In and all around you.

Dance on in awareness

Savvy


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Surreal Expressions


Expressions of a beautiful mind  indeed!


This very impressive piece  of work  by Polish artist  Jacek Yerka called the Bible Dam caught my attention…


A few musings on similar lines.
If all the knowledge  of the world
Could be collected and channeled
To flow into a ocean of knowing
Ready to pour out the learning
Crystallized  into books for the reading
Ever ready in the giving
To ease the receiving.
What a wise world it would be!
But is knowing  simply enough?

Knowledge is willing to be shared
But is the learning  enough?
To make the world wise
Without the experiences to practice
No knowledge can be worthy
And no knowing  really useful.

Life is in the knowing, sharing  learning  processing, experiencing & most of all in the living.

Savvy


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What happened to coexistence?

The picture above was shared by a dear friend on social media. It speaks the truth of life today.

Helplessly surviving the carelessness of mankind,

These birds are seen flying after their own once lived homes.

Totally shattered and in deep despair.

Isnt this world theirs too?

As logs of wood are transported
It’s hard to see them fly this way
Searching for their lost homes.
Desperate to find their babies in the woods.

Wooded forests are fast disappearing
Birds are losing their safe havens
They are clueless where to nest
They have no place to roost and rest

Why is the human being so monstrous
It is nothing short of disastrous
It is wrong of us to tamper the ecosystem
And be without any guilt or remorse.

Cutting and felling the trees
Burning the world’s forest cover
Where would we go without the oxygen
How can we survive without clean air?

Why are we playing with fire?

Can we each undo the damage?

In adopting sustainable ways of living.

Every bit will make a difference…

If we only understand
Every element has a purpose
Every matter exists for a reason
Every life is strengthened in the interconnects.

Let’s care and nurture trees
Let’s plant and grow more trees
Let’s help the birds live on trees
Let us learn to coexist, so every life will breathe easy.

Savvy


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A Reciprocal Arrangement

A Reciprocal Arrangement

Sometimes when we question

The very nature of being

On acts of all kinds

In awareness and without

Of stumbles and fumbles

In tethering through

And managing life and living

We awaken to the truth of the matter

Of a reciprocal arrangement.

In the cycle of life

Of nature in its infinite abundance

Of intentions in its infinite expressions

Of unfolding of paths yet known

Of unveiling of myriad patterns

All in the continuum of consciousness.

All is as it is meant to flow.

Trust life to lead your way.

All is well as it is meant to be.

For such is the circle of life.

All goes hand in hand.

Each, of value for the other

In some unknown way.

Know there is an answer to every question.

A solution for every problem.

A clarity for every confusion.

A resolution for every conflict.

And freedom of choice in spite of restraint.

©Savvy Raj


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To Dance…

To dance is to move with the strength of earth below you, sensing and knowing the grounding beneath you of your convictions.

To dance is to freely be able to improvise your physical and emotional self with the quality of fluidity like the flowing water.

To dance is to ignite the power of passion and fire up your creative movements.

To dance is to be able to glide as if you are as light as the air and soar in grace, as you feel the wind enveloping yet beckoning you to scale new heights of harmonious effusion while dancing with a conscious awareness of your edges and spaces that you occupy in this beautiful amazing world”

Savvy


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Life is how you live it.

Live fully

No half measures.

Live in the moment

& make it so beautiful

It will be worth remembering.

Savvy


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Chiseling Along The Way…

Evolution is a matter of chiseling

Of discarding the unnecessary.

Chiselling towards perfection

Weeding out the unwanted.

Until there is clarity of purpose.

Chiselling goes on cutting through

The edges of existence

To arrive at the core of the being.

That stays true to its form

The rest fall off unbound

Leaving the essence to come alive

Breathing life into the being.

Such is the act of chiselling

To reach the purpose of the being.

Each of us helps the other

Uncover the truth of our soul.

For life shapes up

As matter takes form

Igniting the spark of energy

To mould the spirit of the being.

And spirit willing we can keep on

Sculpting… the process of evolving

For the better of the world, we belong.

Revealing the meaning of life and living.

Came across this interesting picture on social media and these were my immediate thoughts.

Do care to share your thoughts.

Savvy


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Circle of Love

As you go through daily life just care to remind yourself that you are being watched over and cared for …this will bring you immense peace and transmit universal love 🙂

Savvy