October 2016
By Suma Varughese
Compliments of the season. This is the month the country will be celebrating both Dassehra and Diwali, two of the biggest festivals on the Hindu calendar, and which constitute the high point of the festive season.
Celebration is in the air as families get into high gear to prepare for the events ahead. With all the stresses and challenges life throws us, we still get these precious moments to savour the joy and delight of life, to worship and express gratitude, and bond deeply with family and friends. Enjoy these moments for without them life would be drab indeed.
The challenge, of course, is to celebrate every moment, no matter what it contains. For this, you need a spiritual practice. Our cover story for this month, deals with the classic technique of Self-enquiry. The great Jnana guru, Ramana Maharshi, first introduced Self-enquiry to the seeker’s curriculum, and its core is the oft repetition of the question, Who am I? Often this approach risks being seen as too cerebral or vague. Our cover story tells us how to practice it and the impact it can have on our lives.
For most of us, the world of dreams is a closed book. Fascinating as we may find them, they soon dissolve in the light of day. Yet they hold powerful lessons for us. The subconscious communicates through the images and symbols of our dream world, and often tells us what we need to hear. What is the next step for us, what should we do to heal our inner selves, what are the issues that will not let us rest? Our article on dream analysis will give you a headstart in interpreting the language of the subconscious.
Apple cider vinegar is the new go-to therapy of the day, with apparently great potential for healing across the board. We investigate its benefits, with a rider that you consult your doctor before partaking of it.
Enjoy the month and the issue.