Does the world really need another great war? April 15, 2014

image by axinia

Unfortunately the situation in Ukraine is getting worse, and it looks like a war is about to start…But I cannot get rid of a feeling that it is all being made of and conducted between USA and Russia, according to some prior agreement. At the surface it looks different, but while trying to get a bigger picture, this is what comes up for me.

Recently one high rank Austrian banker told me “After all…we had no war since 60 years! So much money has been printed, so many weapons produced…the world economy is stagnating…it needs a way out”. How brutal it may sound, but a war brings an economic boost.This is probably what the politicians think of.

But of course I have no idea what the real reason is (Who can actually have any? The true backgrounds are mystery anyways)…and of course my only heart desire and everyday prayer goes to Ukraine, that a war will NOT take place. And lots of people do the same, I know!

A philosophical question which bothers me about this situation is of another kind.

Since the 1970 there was a strong feeling in the world that people, more than ever in the human history are discovering their inner Self, getting to Spirituality. It looks like a global transformation is taking place…And a question comes up….Have the Earthlings not evolved since the last World War? Have they not become better, more satisfied, more knowledgeable, advanced compared to their ancestors? For instance, even on the material level, according to life standards the world population had the best life ever in 2013, .

All that gives an idea that probably we have evolved at least a bit, we are different now!  – The recent happenings show however that such mental techniques as propaganda, no matter on which side, are able to brainwash almost any deep and intellectual soul. The situation around Ukraine shows how badly people are falling into that trap despite all their seeking, evolvement, working on themselfes…That’s shoking!

Does it mean, the world will never change? It is that unless and untill everyone has even a single drop of hate in the heart, the danger of a war is always there?

I do hope it will, but so far I cannot see it. Probably it’s still a long way to go.

 

LOVE, and loads of it to everyone!

axinia

A holy German doctor was the kindest person in the Russian history October 16, 2013

Some time ago I  was taken aback by a film about one amazing Italian doctor  who was a remarkable 20th century saint – see my post here. I highly recommend watching this inspiring Italian film on Moscati’s life, “Giuseppe Moscati. Healing Love”.

Recently I discovered another – very similar! – saintly doctor, a German with  a Russian soul who’s life and deeds were not less impressive and inspiring. Unfortunately there is no film yet about him, but I am happy to post some words here.

Theodore Haas  (1780-1853) is called the “holy doctor.” They also say that he was the kindest man in the Russian history. And, as the Russian history is full of paradoxes, you probably should not be surprised that the kindest person in that predominantly Slavic and Orthodox country is considered to be a German Catholic Frederick Joseph Haas (Theodore Haas).

The holy doctor has done more for Russian commoners in the early nineteenth century than all the doctors in his era . His white robe was seen in prison hospitals and convict shipments . A German by birth, he had a great opportunity to become a successful ophthalmologist at home. However, having received an invitation to work temporarily in Russia , remained forever . Initially, Theodore Haas opened his private practice and made it very successful and generating much revenue. In his clinic , and some other medical institutions of Moscow , he was treating eye diseases free of ordinary people , for which he was given state awards. He was invited to treat members of the imperial family, as well as patients from all over the country. And, despite the fact that he spent much time on free medicine and charity, despite his wishes, he made ​​a fortune. He obtained two houses in Moscow and a cloth factory in the suburbs.

During the Napoleonic Wars , Theodore Haas leaves practice and joins the regular army . He comes to Paris with Russian troops. After the war, Theodore Haas goes home and , despite the entreaties of the family, returns to Russia . There he finds his destroyed hospital and a lot of the work waiting for him in the public service . Theodore Haas gets a new assignment. Now he is the chief physician of the Moscow prison . There he encountered a blatant system treatment of prisoners and persons under investigation . Iron shackles , the lack of effective treatment , both in prison and hard labor . And Theodore Haas gets to work , which has become his life’s work .

From 1828, he devoted himself as a member of the Moscow prison protection committee for 25 years of caring for the prisoners who had been exiled to Siberia. He was firmly convinced that man is inherently good because God created him in his image. Therefore, was a man who had strayed from the right path, nothing more than an unfortunate, sick man who is to heal only through humanity.

A short story. Every week on Sparrow Hills  the next party of convicts sentenced to hard labor was departing for Siberia . Relatives were allowed to accompany them to a village near Moscow . And every week doctor Haas had also been walking with them till this village. Before parting he used to give candies and oranges to the criminals.

– Well, how would your candies help these hungry people? ! – Detractors said. – You’d better give them some bread.

– They will get bread sooner or later, but sweets and oranges they will never see – replied Fedor Petrovich (as he was called in Russia) .

“The Holy doctor” recasts his personal funds for the prison clinic at Sparrow Hills . By complex contracts with the General Gendarmerie , Theodore Haas replaces the iron shackles of other, more humane. Now, they are trimmed with cloth or leather. It initiates the request for pardon convicts and redemption serfs. In his active support of revised sentences and built hospitals and schools for the prisoners and their families. He managed to overturn a humiliating procedure shaving heads. However, all “acts of humanity ” have not gone unnoticed in the king’s officials, who did not understand why make life easier for criminals. Through the efforts of a handful of bureaucrats Theodore Haas was removed from his post. This event did not break the spirit of the “good doctor” and he continued to be an angel in a white coat to all who need his help.

He knew people very well. He immediately saw what kind of a man was in front of him. Despite that he had no fear even before hardened villains, murderers and would boldly enter a chamber. He tried to soften their souls, to comfort. He wrote: “The medical profession gives me access to not only the body but also the soul of the patient. And a try to heal the soul is as important as the healing of the body.”

In 1844 he opened a hospital for the homeless, funded by his entire personal wealth and private donations. The holy doctor Haass worked until the end of his life in that hospital.

After the doctor’s death  only a few old telescopes were found in his apartment– that was all that remained of his property. Getting tired of the day view of human suffering , Haas at night enjoyed looking at the stars.

His coffin was carried on the hands of doctors to Vvedenskogo cemetery in Lefortovo. It was accompanied by a huge crowd of 20.000 people. Moscow Governor-General Earl Zakrevskii sent Cossack squadron under the command of captain with orders to ” disperse the mob .” But as they reached  the funeral , Captain, stunned by the sincere grief of ordinary people, dismounted , ordered the Cossacks to go back to the barracks , and he went on foot behind the coffin.

“HURRY UP TO DO GOOD!” – this is what the holy doctor Haas used to say, and this saying is still famous in Russia.

Once a communist is forever a communist May 26, 2013

image by axinia

I was born and grew up in the Soviet Union. When I moved to Europe in my 20-ties, my first shock was to see a sign in the forest: “private ground”.  I just could not comprehend how a forest can be private! Later on I realized how deep the concept of private belongings was rooted in the West when I saw how they teach small children in kindergartens to play with toys: the most popular phrase of kindergarten teachers is ” this belongs to that boy/girl, you cannot take it, you should ask first”. I guess a person who grew up in the West will not find anything strange in it, but it was a total shock for me. I was astonished to see how much the owning of private things was being emphasized, and that from the tender age of 2! Even now I strongly disagree with that way of up-bringing.

Another thing which I will never understand is the copy-right. I was posting about it before. I believe that any product of creativity, especially when beautiful and useful cannot really “belong” to anyone but to everyone.  As many of my readers know I never claim any copyright for my texts or photos. Also I can easily give away or share my personal belongings, it seems so natural for me.

Recently I was thinking about all that and how deep this feeling of collective possession and sharing is rooted in my heart and mind. Although I am living since 15 years in Europe I still cannot get used to the Western mindset in respect of this matter.

Once a communist is always a communist?

I found an interesting quote regarding this point, a quote by one of the greatest spiritual masters:

“The only nation which I have found very good, is Russia. Because of Communism they are collective and desireless, because all their desires were fulfilled by Communistic ideas, they didn’t have any choices left, and also they were collective. In a way Communism has suited the public not the government. While the other way round – democracy has suited the government to make money but the public has suffered”(1981) Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi

May be this quote will not be clear from the materialistic point of view, but from the spiritual one it makes perfect sense!

LOVE

axinia

My (atypical?) motivation of becoming a mother January 1, 2013

It’s not a secret that today many young women in the West are not keen on getting children. There may be various reasons for this trend and probably we will never find out the true one. The governments of the “dying out “countries are making efforts in order to motivate their women to have children. For instance, in the UK they allow to have a Cesarian upon a wish if the reason for avoiding birth is the fear of labour pains. In Austria they motivate well-off working women by the 75% maternity leave payment in the first year. In order to increase the birthrate in Russia the government grants a “reward” of about 9.200 Dollars for the second child. Obviously these methods motivate some women, but the general trend of a childless life is ongoing and shows no end.

I thought of sharing my experience of motherhood motivation hoping to inspire some women for the fantastic primordial female role.

To be honest, I never wanted to have a child. In particular, a child “of my own”. A desire of giving birth to someone who would resemble me and be the “flesh and blood” of mine seemed totally strange to me. I was ready even to adopt some children if necessary because I believed that “own” or not “own” child makes no difference –  every one can and should be loved the same way… After my husband and I have been happily married for 5 years we decided to think of a child, but not because “it was time” or surely not because “everyone gets children at some point” . We had somewhat different reasons.

I decided to go for a child for several boldly rational reasons, such as

1. Good genes

My husband and me have good health and good psychological nature. We both come from happy families with strong pedagogical background. No alcohol, drugs or crime records 🙂 .

     2.  Life comfort

Having good jobs and living in the city of the highest quality of life in the world  we can offer a comfortable birth and life for a child.

     3. Strong value system

Having a solid value system of idealistic and humanitarian values we can offer a strong base for a happy and stable personality. A healthy mix of material and spiritual life secures a succesful and enjoyable substance of a future Earth citizen.

Having all that – why not share, why not pass on the bliss of a happy life?

However on top of my decision for a baby was something else: I wanted to raise a child as a global personality who would make this world to a better place. I wanted to welcome and lovingly host a soul of a high caliber who would actively participate in the current collective transformation of mankind.

Our daughter is 1 year and 9 months now and is a true delight. Interestingly, even now many people point out to me the unusual social skills of the baby. Already now it looks like she will grow into the personality I was desiring to give birth to. 🙂

LOVE
axinia

Working with my fellow countrymen? – no, thank you! November 15, 2012

 

I wonder how many people will confess it? I bet many.

One of the greatest advantages in living outside your country is the chance to introspect yourself on your conditionings or ideas imposed on you by your culture. It can range from fascinating to devastating! When I lived in Russia people used to tell  me I would rather move to the West because I looked and behaved not as a “typical” Russian. When I finally immigrated to Europe I was shocked to learn how VERY RUSSIAN I was :).

Another awareness-win is realisation of your attitude to your fellow countrymen. Of course you should not that normally a certain – more adventurous and probably stronger – people venture to leave their motherland. Thus the fellow countrymen you meet abroad are not exactly the same as the most left at home. But the main national patterns stay, of course.

In the subject of Intercultural Communication we learn that any immigration goes through 4 phases (honeymoon, ghetto, new motherland and bi-culturalism), and at some point many may even dislike their fellow countrymen and try to avoid (3rd phase). This is a highly useful piece of information and I would recommend every immigrant to learn a bit more about it.

But this is not our topic here.

What I noticed in my 15 years of living outside of my motherland is that people of some nations are not willing to collaborate/work  on project/hire/get hired/etc. with people of their origin mostly FOR THE REASON OF THEIR WORKING STYLE!

I have no theoretical explanation of the phenomenon, but my humble observation (from the perspective of living in Austria) shows that:

 –ex-Jugoslavians never want to work with each other, although they mostly have to

-Rumanians avoid working with each other abroad

–Jew tend to hire other nationalities but not their own

–Germans love to work with Germans

–Indians would prefer not to work for Indians

-Russians always prefer to work with Russians

Please mind that these are generalizations and of course there are exceptions.

My personal working experience in the Human Resources field proves that when living abroad Russians prefer Russians to work with mostly because of their amazing dedication and high sense of responsibility (I bet you did not expect that from Russians :)). This does not work for Ukrainians though – Russians abroad avoid hiring Ukrainians for the opposite reason -less dedication.

Another highly puzzling case are Jew: When in Russia they always stick together and try to get as many as possible to one work place. When abroad they try to avoid working at same places, and especially those Jew who have their own businesses always hire some other foreigners but not their countrymen.

I am sure many of my readers have their own observations of this topic, therefore observations and  – moreover! explanations are heartily welcome!

P.S. please note that the title of the post “Working with my fellow countrymen? – no, thank you!” by no means reflects my personal case 😉 I love working with Russians!

Cheers,

axinia

How to free oneself from jelousy or bad-eye impact? October 11, 2012

I wonder if such problem as envy/jealousy is common everywhere or only in some places? I know from living in Russia and Austria that both these folks admit having lots of jealousy within. In Russia understatements are very common because people are afraid to give some good news – what if some bad-eye will damage the luck? It is common not to tell even friends about plans. In Austria people are not that superstitious about airing plans but they seem to be quite envy towards success of their fellow men.

My approach has always been quite different from both these tendencies.

First of all, I don’t really know what envy/jealousy means, or how to feel it. If I see someone having something better than me, I start enjoying it and feel happy for that person.

Secondly – and that is the crucial point – I don’t need to “hide” information about my plans or success. I can openly tell anything to anyone and this will not bring any bad luck or problem. To make matter even more interesting – I sometimes proclaim something to have become already a success before it actually takes place and  it definitely happens!

I was wondering for  some time what is behind this mechanism, why so many people seem to be affected by bad eye or jealousy and me not… And recently I received an answer. I friend of mine gave an interesting idea that it has to do with me “not feeling guilty”.  Apparently Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi mentioned once that people who do not feel guilty are not affected by black magic or bad eye. Whatever it is but feeling quilty is indeed a common Western problem and I definitely stand out in this context. 🙂  In fact, the real attraction of this blog lays in this freshness of free-from-guilt feeling, as some people wrote to me.

Is it true that Russians have the strongest will power? August 2, 2012

image by axinia

Again I am  here with the will power topic. Recently I talked to one American friend about handling difficult situations of “mental discussions” – when you keep arguing with someone in your thoughts, and the person has no idea about it. Apparently it is a widely spread phenomenon. When people cannot speak out they prefer to discuss it “within”. This thing can definitely make one mad!

I remember having such an experience only once in my life, some years back – for two moths I could not stop thinking about some conflict situation. Even though I have a long-term mediation experience, this work-related relationship issue was such a torn! I applied all possible yogic techniques, nothing helped. Every free minute when I was not directly busy with something else, I kept giving my arguments to the person I had an issue with. Isn’t it idiotic? At some point I was so fed up with it and really did not know what to do. And then…I decided to apply my WILL POWER : I started stopping this thinking immediately when I noticed it rising up. The next second I would say “stop it now” and indeed, I managed to completely diminish the issue by using my will power only!

When I gave this example to my American friend and ask him why don’t other people use their will power for solving hard problems, he said: “Well you know this is a very Russian thing, Russians have strong intellect and can use it powerfully. The Western people are weaker in that, they would moan and groan about and go to a psychologist/psychotherapists and wait until someone else will bring the relief. I know several Russians who solved their problems like you did but I don’t know any Westerner who would do that”.

What does Jesus Christ mean to you? April 25, 2011

 

I grew up as an atheist and considered any church building to be merely an object of architecture. I must admit that seeing Christ’s images on icons never arose any feeling in me (and actually who said that he really looked like that?). Neither was I impressed by the story of him. I tried to read the Bible at 18 and could not make more than 10 pages, found it too boring and wired.

Obviously I felt no connection and saw no importance of the amazing figure of Christ… untill I took to Sahaja Meditation. When my Kundalini was awakened, I learned on my central nervous system how the whole  Spirituality is reflected within and what the impact of every spiritual leader/founder of a religion has on my own subtle body.

When I take the name of Christ or say his prayer “Our Father” the tension removes from my head and I can feel how the Kundalini pierces through the Agnia chakra (on my forehead). One of the most powerful Christ’s messages was Forgiveness and same effect I feel when I just say “I forgive”.

This is how I know what Jesus really means to me. I know it not from books or preachings, but simply from my own spiritual experience. His message and subtle work seems to have installed some precious qualities in our collective body and it works in each and everyone either we are aware of that or not.

The decoding of mysterious Russian soul December 30, 2010

I came across an interesting study revealing the part of the Russian soul’s mystery: although looking ever-suffering, in fact Russians are tend to be less depressed than the Westerners. The study gives an explanation why.

———————————————–

Study co-author Igor Grossmann, a doctoral candidate in psychology at the University of Michigan, said in a university news release, “our study suggests that Russians are actually less likely than Americans to be depressed.”

“Among Westerners, focusing on one’s negative feelings tends to impair well-being, but among Russians, that is not the case,” Grossman stated.

Grossman explained that Americans tend to dwell more on past experiences and negative feelings than Russians do. The Russian people are able to distant themselves much better from these emotions than Americans.

Grossmann and co-author Ethan Kross, a University of Michigan assistant professor of psychology, published their findings in the August issue of Psychological Science.

Grossmann and Kross reported on two studies, funded by the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health:

The true human rights July 8, 2010

The absolute value of individuals lies in the fact that they share with God an innate capacity for creative work and love.

The relative value of individuals depends on the level they have reached in their spiritual ascent, on the sum of efforts—both their own and Providence’s—spent on the attainment of that level, and on the degree to which they manifest in their lives those gifts for divine creative work and love…

The older religions judged the relative value of individuals by the degree to which they obeyed the prescriptions of a given religious-moral code. Religions with ascetic leanings believed the highest stage to be sainthood, defining it as either pure monastic service or as martyrdom for one’s faith. In so doing they relegated love to the background. A monk’s or martyr’s self-denial were performed not out of love for humanity or for all living beings but out of a yearning to merge with God and to avoid the torments of hell. I am, of course, referring here to the predominant tendency, the prevalent attitude, and not to such astonishing individual apostles of love as St. Francis of Assisi, Ramajuna, or Milarepa.
Monstrous though it may seem to us, even the eternal suffering of sinners in hell did not arouse in the majority of adepts of those religions the desire to enlighten the world’s laws, including the law of retribution, or karma. Eternal punishment for temporal sins appeared to them a just act of God or in any case (as in Brahmanism) an unalterable and absolutely immutable law. Buddha burned like a torch with the flame of compassion, but he, too, taught only how to free oneself from the wheel of iron laws and not how to enlighten and transform those laws. As for creative work, its intrinsic nature was not recognized at all—such a concept did not even exist—while little importance was attached to concrete forms of creative work accessible to ordinary people, with the exception of religious works in the narrow sense of the word: acts of charity, theology, missionary service, church architecture, and religious service.
Other religions that are not given to asceticism, such as Islam and Protestantism, modified the ideal of sanctity, broadening it and, at the same time, lowering it, making it more accessible, more popular, even going so far as to require the observance of commandments vis-a-vis God, the state, one’s neighbor, one’s family, and, lastly, oneself. It should be emphasized that neither one nor the other group of religions set themselves the task of transforming society, let alone nature.

It was only natural that such tasks were finally advocated by secular teachings, though in an extremely simplistic form.