The Face Behind the Mask

 

"The fundamental delusion of humanity is to suppose that I am here and you are there". ~ Yasutani Roshi

Very few of us can take off the “mask” we wear. We have worn it for so long we do not recognize it as a “mask” anymore. 

 

The Book in Three Sentences

1.     An atomic habit is a regular practice or routine that is not only small and easy to do but is also the source of incredible power; a component of the system of compound growth.

2.     Bad habits repeat themselves again and again not because you don’t want to change, but because you have the wrong system for change.

3.     Changes that seem small and unimportant at first will compound into remarkable results if you’re willing to stick with them for years.

The Five Big Ideas

1.     Habits are the compound interest of self-improvement.

2.     If you want better results, then forget about setting goals. Focus on your system instead.

3.     The most effective way to change your habits is to focus not on what you want to achieve, but on who you wish to become.

4.     The Four Laws of Behavior Change are a simple set of rules we can use to build better habits. They are (1) make it obvious, (2) make it attractive, (3) make it easy, and (4) make it satisfying.

5.     Environment is the invisible hand that shapes human behavior.              

Atomic Habits Summary

 

Chapter 1: The Surprising Power of Tiny Habits

 

“Success is the product of daily habits—not once-in-a-lifetime transformations.”

“You should be far more concerned with your current trajectory than with your current results.”

“Your outcomes are a lagging measure of your habits. Your net worth is a lagging measure of your financial habits. Your weight is a lagging measure of your eating habits. Your knowledge is a lagging measure of your learning habits. Your clutter is a lagging measure of your cleaning habits. You get what you repeat.”

“Time magnifies the margin between success and failure. It will multiply whatever you feed it. Good habits make time your ally. Bad habits make time your enemy.”

“Goals are about the results you want to achieve. Systems are about the processes that lead to those results.”          

“If you want to predict where you’ll end up in life, all you have to do is follow the curve of tiny gains or tiny losses, and see how your daily choices will compound ten or twenty years down the line.”

“Breakthrough moments are often the result of many previous actions, which build up the potential required to unleash a major change.”               

If you find yourself struggling to build a good habit or break a bad one, it is not because you have lost your ability to improve. It is often because you have not yet crossed what James calls, “Plateau of Latent Potential.”

 

The Plateau of Latent Potential

“When you finally break through the Plateau of Latent Potential, people will call it an overnight success.”               

“The purpose of setting goals is to win the game. The purpose of building systems is to continue playing the game. True long-term thinking is goal-less thinking. It’s not about any single accomplishment. It is about the cycle of endless refinement and continuous improvement.”

 

“Ultimately, it is your commitment to the process that will determine your progress.”               

 

“Habits are the compound interest of self-improvement.”

“Getting 1 percent better every day counts for a lot in the long-run.”

 

 

 

 

1% Better Every Day

“Habits are a double-edged sword. They can work for you or against you, which is why understanding the details is essential.”

 

“Small changes often appear to make no difference until you cross a critical threshold. The most powerful outcomes of any compounding process are delayed. You need to be patient.”

 

“An atomic habit is a little habit that is part of a larger system. Just as atoms are the building blocks of molecules, atomic habits are the building blocks of remarkable results.”

 

“If you want better results, then forget about setting goals. Focus on your system instead.”

 

“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”               

 

Chep 2 I will upload at earliest.

Note: Please understand the fact that reading a book summary is not a replacement for reading the book. This is just my version of understanding the book. By making this summary, I want to encourage you to read this book.

You can grab a copy of it from here:

https://www.amazon.in/gp/product/1847941834/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=3638&creative=24630&creativeASIN=1847941834&linkCode=as2&tag=mywebsit074cb-21&linkId=7a23a0f295b02e53f7a9c0051621881b 

 

 

 

What is the true story behind Gudi Padwa?

Gudi Padwa: History, Significance, Rituals and More!

Visiting India in the months of March-April can be a very exciting and interesting experience. In these months, you will see a varied range of festivities and will get to witness rituals and traditions which will be different from each other. India is not only an amalgamation of 29 states and 7 union territories but also of cultures and traditions which are distinct and sometimes contrasting. One such festival in the Hindu Vedic Calendar is the first day of the Chaitra month. The day marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year. This new year day has a list of names all over India. In Maharashtra, it’s called Gudi Padwa.

image source:  Lokmat.com

Marathi New Year Day is also known as Gudi Padwa

It is a synthesis of two Marathi words, ‘Gudi’ means flag’ and ‘Padwa’ that means ‘the first day’.

In fact, it falls on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada. Pratipada means the first day. It refers to the first day of the Shukla Paksha, or bright fortnight, also known as the waxing moon phase. On this day, three-fourth of the moon remains in the shadow.

Rangoli and Lamps On Gudi Padwa festival

Legends

The festival’s history leads to a number of legends attached to this festival. There is one legend which states that Lord Ram defeated King Bali on this day. With the end of Bali, the people of Bali were freed from his curse.

Following which, in the honour of the victorious Rama, people of Ayodhaya hoisted victory flags from their homes. Therefore, it is a celebration of victory.

Another legend talks about lord Brahma and the creation of the universe. Hence, Maharashtrians worship Lord Brahma, the creator, for good crops and prosperity in wealth and health.

History

Gudi Padwa history says that Sivaji Maharaja, the most powerful king of Marathas, defeated his enemy in a battle on this day. On his return, his people were waving the Maratha flag from their doors and windows. Therefore, it’s now a ritual to place a flag outside their house on this day.

Gudi Padwa Festival

A Gudi during the Gudi Padwa festival

To make a Gudi you take a long stick, equal to the size of the entrance door, cover it with a golden bordered silk cloth. Put a garland of marigold flowers on it and cover it with a copper pot.

Make a Swastika on the pot using turmeric and vermillion powder. The swastika is an important symbol in Hindu festivals. Gudi is placed on the right side of the main door or on the window.

It is a belief that drinking water from a copper jug helps in digestion and keeps your body cool. Hence, Maharashtrians drink water from thecopper pot the next day.

Toran

Hanging a Toran on the day of Gudi Padwa

You will see decorations of marigold and mango leaves on all doors and windows of the house. This is called the toran.

Rangoli

Gudi Padwa Decoration: Rangoli

The lady of the house wakes up early in the morning to make beautiful rangolis with different coloured powders. You can make a Rangoli either on the porch or in the courtyard of the house. As a matter of fact, Rangoli is a beautiful motif full of dry colour powder.

In fact, Toran, Rangoli and placing the Gudi are symbols used to invite God in the house. Lezim dance is performed by women during the procession. The order of rituals are sacred to Maharashtrians, hence there should be a complete dedication to rules. These rules are:

1) Oil bathing in the morning.

2) Placing the Gudi

3) Worshipping Gudi within 8 to 10          minutes of sunrise

4) Making Rangoli

5) Decorating entrance door and windows with Toran

Dress & Food

Shrikhand Gudi Padwa

Additionally, you will see men and women wearing their traditional dresses. Men wear white Kurta and Pyjama while women wear dark or bright coloured 9 feet long sarees. Moreover, you will find them tying this saree in a unique fashion. Konkani women do not wear their saree in the normal skirt style. They pull their saree up between their knees in the form of pants.

Konkani and Maharashtrian women lay a delicious meal on the day of the festival. They make Puran Poli or sweet bread. In addition, Neem, Jaggery, and Imli are three important ingredients of their meal on Padwa. These three helps in purifying the blood. The traditional delicacies are Shrikhand( dessert), together with Puran Poli, Kheer, and Sabudana vada.

Puran Poli Gudi Padwa

Significance

The significance of this festival are:

1) It marks the end of winter and the start of spring.

2) Ending of the winter crop season.

3) Its is New Year of Maharashtrians.

4) Flag hoisting is a sign of good luck and victory.