Quotes by AVIS Viswanathan

“There is a reason why things are the way they are in your Life. And that reason is to teach you faith and patience.”

“Ultimately, only what is to happen, happens. No amount of kicking around, resisting, fighting, fretting and fuming can change the design. So, simply, learn to understand, appreciate and accept this design. Learn to be unprovoked, undisturbed and unmoved. This is how you can be happy despite your circumstances.”

“Monetizing your art, your spiritual talent, is not a sin. It requires a nuanced approach. You must have humility of expression – recognize that you are just an instrument through which your art flows. And you must have a sharp understanding of commerce and your market/audience. Overthinking either of these aspects or confusion between these two aspects will leave you in a mess – and very, very unhappy!”

“Remember: this is the only Life you have. And this one Life is yours. So, be yourself. Live being who you are, doing what you believe in – as long as it does not harm the very idea of being human (so being destructive or violent is a no-no!). This is the only way to be happy – and to be at peace with yourself and with your world!”

“Dealing with the death of loved one is always difficult. No matter how much we know of death, of the process of Life, no amount of preparation to accept death is sufficient. When death comes calling in our circle, we are always caught struggling to cope. Immersing yourself in celebrating the Life of the one you lose is one better way of coping. In celebration, there is an uplifting energy. It helps you to look back at each moment you can recall with the person you lost and relive them. Or support causes they supported. Through these acts you heal yourself, you train your mind to let go and move on. It is a slow process, but it works. Important, dont try to fight your sadness. It is futile. Sadness is a natural response. Feeling sad is integral to the process of dealing with a loss. Instead understand your sadness, go its root, understand its futility...and then pluck it and discard it...”

“No matter what, Life has to be lived through. Every facet of Life has to be experienced. And pain is non-negotiable. The art of living is truly the art of co-living with pain. Doing this daily, continuously, living in a non-complaining way, you learn the art of being happy despite your circumstances.”

“Often times, when in the throes of extraordinary pain, we want to give up on Life. We believe we cannot go on. Be wary of this downward mood spiral. In Life, as in cricket, it’s never over until it is over, until the last ball is bowled! And when it is over, when your time is up, you wouldn’t obviously be around to know what happened! So, why worry, why grieve and why be anxious? Live free. Live without worry or fear. Live in prayer and surrender. Remember: you are in Life’s safe hands! So, no matter what, you will be looked after, cared for and provided for.”

“When you focus on earning a living, you are not living. To live fully, you need to do what makes you come alive. Pause and reflect on this. It makes a lot of sense.”

“Your only prayer must be seeking to realize the Purpose of your creation. When the why of your creation becomes clear, two other aspects become crystal clear too: 1. how to live your Life and 2. what to do in/with this lifetime!”

“The best gift that a child can receive from their parents is a happy home and a thriving companionship between them. Of course, in some instances, the parents may choose to go their separate ways. Even so, harmonious co-parenting is still possible when both parents prioritize their child’s wellbeing over their own interests!”

“The miracle of each day. It never ceases to surprise and amaze.”

“Learn to pray for your detractors. Forgive them for what they have done to you and wish them good health and peace. It is very easy to love someone you like. But it is very difficult to love someone you dont agree with or relate to, or even, at times, hate. Praying for such people teaches you to dissolve hatred and embrace love. Important, you heal through this process. Try doing that. And see how happy and peaceful you begin to feel.”

“When you are expectationless, when you focus only on your actions, on what you can do best in a given context, and leave the results to a higher energy, to Life, then, you are non-frustrated. When frustration sets in, you become unhappy. And when you are not happy, you are dysfunctional. Which is why, being non-frustrated is key to constructive action, on any front, in any walk of Life.”

“To be aware of what irritates you and to function without frustration is a highly evolved, spiritual, state. This holds the key to Happiness!”

“Don’t postpone what you love doing. Period.”

“Everyone has to go through what they have to go through. So, prayer, surrender, being in the moment, doing your best in every moment… that is the only way to live intelligently...there is no other way!”

“Observing daily silence periods requires the diligent following of a process. It is not about attaining a state of thoughtlessness. That’s not possible. And that’s not required either. What is possible, and important, is that you can still the mind and train it to attend only to the present. And like with everything else in Life, mastering this process requires disciplined application and rigorous practice. It is only through stilling the mind, through being in the now, that you learn the art of being happy despite the circumstances.”

“Our lives have always been guided, shaped and led by a higher energy. Our education (mostly academic) and economic power (money, material wealth) make us believe that we are in control. We were never, are not and will never be in control. Life has been in control, is in control and will always be in control. The essence of intelligent living is the ability to embrace uncertainty and flow with Life, doing what you can do best in any given circumstance.”

“Everything eventually works out – in its own time, at its own pace, in its own way.”

“Play your Life back from your imaginary deathbed. Think of a situation in the future when you know you are dying…and ask yourself what will you have still wanted to do if you had more time. Go do that thing right now. Do not postpone your Happiness! There is no tomorrow. You don’t get a second shot at living Life. This is it!”