Madhu is a long-time Heartfulness practitioner and trainer, who works at Kanha Shanti Vanam in PR and security, and as a personal secretary to Daaji. Earlier, he worked in the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh’s office and has won numerous award in public service

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Madhusudhan.jpg

Madhusudan Reddy

<hr class="vertical-space1">
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">MADHUSUDAN REDDY&nbsp;explores the role fear plays
 in holding us back from success. He also shares some tips on how to overcome fear and develop courage and
 confidence.</h4>
<hr class="vertical-space1">
Everybody wants to be successful, but we succumb to things that are hurdles on the path
 of success. Though our hearts aspire for success, there is always some fear consciousness deep inside that keeps
 pulling us back. So if the fear is removed at the outset, we will come closer to success.
<hr class="vertical-space1">
<hr>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">The whole world&nbsp;sometimes kills your enthusiasm. 
 In those times it is better&nbsp;to follow 
 your inner voice than listen to others.
</h4>
<hr>
<hr class="vertical-space1">
We have fear of failure, fear of enormous future. We fear people may ridicule us – that
 either we are too old for the job or too young and immature, that we don’t have the required qualifications or we
 are inexperienced, that we lack the intelligence. Thinking that we are inadequate in some way, most of us lose the
 opportunities we have in hand. When we hide behind such pretexts, opportunities are closed to us.
How to get rid of fear and fill yourself with courage? Take time and question yourself:
 What is the cause of my fear? Why am I taking shelter behind these pretexts? If you want to be successful, taking
 risks is unavoidable. So how to take those risks now?
The whole world sometimes kills your enthusiasm. In those times it is better to follow
 your inner voice than listen to others.
When you are in complex situations, even if others discourage you by saying it is
 useless, continue to try. Think on your own. Once you understand the facts thoroughly and take the risk, it can pave
 your way to success. But make sure that on your own you try to understand the situation. Once you understand the
 situation thoroughly, you will be able to take the right decision and never lose the opportunity that you have.
You may as well fear quick success, not failure, because if you want to multiply success
 it is unavoidable that you will face failure. Do not lose courage when you fear the loss of face you may have. You
 may fear that you will lose your reputation, or you may not have courage to speak in a meeting because you think
 everybody will laugh at you. Instead say to yourself that the future is full of best prospects, that you will
 certainly reach the goals you cherish, that you will face any kind of situation courageously, and then you may
 witness everything happening in your favor.
Gradually courage will become a part of you, and there will be no place for fear, anxiety and negativity inside you.
 Even when there is a challenge or a problem, you will not need to develop courage afresh. All fears and doubts will
 disappear. We are all inherently powerful but somehow we are discouraged by what others say.
If you observe carefully, all power is within you.
All the help that you require is also in you.
If you think you are successful, you will become successful.
If you think you are a failure, you will become a failure.
So chose what you want to be.
What is courage?&nbsp;Courage allows us to transcend all kinds of fears – fear of death, fear due to discomfort in
 the body, fear of hunger, fear of insults, fear that others may disagree, fear of evil powers, fearing other’s
 anger.
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<img decoding="async" alt="" width="640" height="800" class="has-img-center"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/When_fear_knocks2_a7b788df5a.jpg"
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<h4>From Fear to Courage</h4>
<ol>
 <li>When the mind is pure you will naturally feel courageous. When you lose this
 purity many things create fear.</li>
 <li>If you believe in yourself and respect yourself, you become courageous.
 Self-confidence removes fear. Instead of thinking about weaknesses, focus on your strengths.</li>
 <li>Subtle intelligence works like a medicine that cures diseases. Try to acquire the
 self-knowledge that removes fear. Constant practice helps to overcome all sorts of challenges.</li>
 <li>Develop right thinking and you will not even fear death. Lord Krishna in the
 Bhagavad Gita says, “Duty if done without any desire even in a small way will protect us from the greatest
 fears.”</li>
</ol>
<hr class="vertical-space1">
Cultivate a pure mind, a moral life, self-confidence and mental restraint in daily life,
 in order to live happily devoid of fear. Courage can take you to heaven in a moment. Do not run away from the
 difficulties in life; difficulties&nbsp;run away and vanish when you&nbsp;face them boldly.
Desire, anger, greed, pride, illusion and envy create a lot of fear, taking frightening
 forms and restricting consciousness. They do not allow you to reach your goal. In the ancient texts they are
 compared with poisonous animals such as sharks, cobras, crocodiles and scorpions. In order not to be influenced by
 them, do some spiritual practice that will enable you to digest all these poisons. Then you can get to that urn of
 immortality, the nectar. Face your enemies within.
<hr class="vertical-space1">
<hr>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">Use the tears of your eyes to cultivate your
 dream. 
 Convert that which is burning you into a lamp and 
 encourage the heart to share the light. 
 Wake up! Your destiny is calling you. Fear nothing.
</h4>
<hr>

<hr class="vertical-space1">

Life is a struggle for everyone. Success lies only in that struggle. Set your first step
 on the mountain; take things head on; have a strong hold on your way to the goal. Those stones that stop you can be
 your foundation. Mold those who chase you to grow to move forward.
Use the tears of your eyes to cultivate your dream. Convert that which is burning you
 into a lamp and encourage the heart to share the light. Wake up! Your destiny is calling you. Fear nothing.
If it is day, the sun says, “I’m there,” if it is night, the moon says, “I’m there,”
 blessing us with the necessary courage. Therefore, when fear knocks open the door of courage.
<hr class="vertical-space1">

When fear knocks

<hr class="vertical-space1">
<h4>MADHUSUDAN REDDY explores how success comes through discipline, and provides
 simple effective ways of cultivating that discipline in daily life.</h4>
<hr class="vertical-space1">
Beautiful dreams, pure thoughts, a simple personality, and sustained self-confidence are
 important qualities of every successful person in this world. But beyond these qualities, that which guides every
 human life, from the most famous to the simplest, is discipline. In this era, when the world has become a global
 village, the stark reality is that we are witnessing a progressive deterioration of discipline, discrimination, and
 values.
Today’s children are tomorrow’s citizens, and youth is the backbone of any country. Are
 our student communities and youth losing their vitality?
Nature is the first school of any human being, and teaches so many lessons in life: for
 example, the skill of a spider in weaving its web; the patience of ants in constructing an anthill; and the way a
 mother bird teaches her babies to fly. Behind all this is discipline-filled action. There is no life that does not
 involve discipline. Rewards, awards, and accolades are not the things that make us recognized by this world. If Sachin
 Tendulkar and Lionel Messi have such huge fan followings today, it is because their personal discipline has made them
 who they are.
Some people argue that success can be achieved through talent without discipline, but
 that sort of success is temporary. So if discipline is critical to reach the shores of success, why do we lack it?
 Here are some thoughts:
Our lack of meaningful relationships in this age of the nuclear family, single-parent
 families, and internet-based living.
Our education system is mostly confined to book-reading and churning out students as
 rank-producing machines. We have not yet developed a value-based education policy, although the UN has done so and
 people are now waking up to the need for it.
Many youth have gone headlong into the addictive culture of social media, ragging, drugs,
 alcohol, and sex, forgetting their goals and aspirations.
Where respect for mothers, fathers, and teachers was earlier cherished, they are no
 longer automatically respected. They need to earn respect. Everything is being challenged.
Every day we read about so many crimes in our newspapers: students attacked by acid,
 others who are victims of ragging etc., and all these actions are symptomatic of a lack of discipline and respect for
 others. Students come to the cities to become IAS or IPS officers, but they forget their goals, having no thought for
 their parents’ hardships. They are attracted to the open urban culture, but even if society needs to change, is it the
 best way?
Think about it. If you try to demonstrate against corruption, as an ordinary person,
 nobody will listen to you. If you give instructions as a disciplined officer, however, things can happen in no time.
 It is discipline that made Gandhi a Mahatma in the eyes of the world. Edison was a successful person because of
 discipline.
A boy who had a newspaper run went on to become Abdul Kalam, the President of India.
Discipline was vital to their success. Discipline is not just for securing success in
 examinations, but it is the prime quality to achieve anything in life. Here are some ways to cultivate that
 discipline:
Let your everyday routine start with discipline. Say you plan to wake up every day at
 4:30 a.m. For two days, you wake up with the help of an alarm. On the third day, make a commitment to automatically
 wake up at 4.30 a.m. without the help of the alarm.
Time is of the essence. Recognize how much time you are wasting, and work to make the
 most out of every minute in a day.
Time cannot be saved like money and needs to be utilized properly.
Reduce your dependency on distractions Examples of these include the 5 Cs: Cinema,
 Cricket, Cable, Chatting, and Cell phone.
We are the product of the people with whom we surround ourselves. It is important to be
 with people who motivate us to be our best.
Forget about your weaknesses. Keep trying. If there are no results, don’t feel
 disappointed. Even if success is late, the happiness that comes out of it is everlasting. Even if the path is full of
 thorns, overcome them with your efforts; forget about problems when you are on the way to achieve. The world itself
 will be following you, glorifying you.
All the best.<img class="lazyload has-img-center"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/secret_success2_2453aab2c1.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-05T05:21:26.529Z" />

<hr>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">Article by MADHUSUDAN REDDY</h4>
<hr>

The secret of success

<img class="has-img-center" src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/ritual_gold_1_992f055845.jpg" />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">In conversation with MADHUSUDHAN REDDY</h3>
<h4>At a young age, MADHU has already made a difference in his native Telangana, India. He is a modern-day karma yogi,
 dedicated to the service of others.</h4>
Q: Madhu, tell us why you have chosen a career in
 social service. 
MR: I have always been passionate
 about social service and involved in service activities since my student days. I am also a founding member of a couple
 of service organizations – the Hrudayaspandana Foundation and Pariniti Unite for Rural Development (PURE).
The aim of the Hrudayaspandana Foundation is to help poor people receive quality medical
 services to treat severe life threatening diseases, with special focus on heart problems. PURE provides holistic
 services to village dwellers, from improving their farming practices to quality education and hygienic lifestyle.
During my student days I convinced many people about the importance of organ donations,
 and out of those 15,000 went on to pledge eye donations. I also organized several blood donor camps and primary
 medical camps in urban and rural areas, in collaboration with the NTR trust and the Red Cross. In addition to this, I
 participated in social responsibility campaigns and found lifetime donors for over fifty orphaned children.
Q: How did you get into this work?

MR: From my childhood I have been
 fascinated with helping the needy. This brought me into service activities from a young age. During my school days, I
 would spend my savings to pay for the needs of very poor children. Later, I started participating in service
 activities in collaboration with NGOs.
Now I have started a couple of NGOs with the help of many friends and well-wishers.
 Through the Hrudayaspandana Foundation, we have organized successful heart surgeries and vascular intervention
 treatments, and through PURE, we have adopted three villages in Telangana and are putting all our efforts into
 improving the standards of education and lifestyle of the children and women. We plan to extend our participation into
 women’s health and agriculture extension activities.
<img class="has-img-center"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/service2_df1aa7734a.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-05T09:50:23.066Z" />
Q: Tell us more about the village you have
 adopted.
MR: PURE has adopted the village
 of Chegur, in Rangareddy District. Our first initiative is to upgrade the government schools so that they are on par
 with any corporate school.
The first school has been decorated and reorganized in line with the beautiful village
 of Shilparamam (a famous arts and crafts village created in Hyderabad), and the teachers, staff and students are very
 excited about their new environment. We distribute two school uniforms, geometry boxes, school bags, notebooks and
 shoes to all 650 students of the school.

<hr>
<h5 style="text-align: center;">God created us equal, but situations might have
 intervened to make us less fortune or more fortune.
 I feel that it is very important for us to demonstrate
 our true brotherhood and share what is with us.
</h5>

<hr>
PURE has also provided those facilities that are found in corporate schools, including
 clean drinking water, clean toilets, a good kitchen, smart boards for every classroom, modern computer labs and
 science labs, with the latest furniture for staff and students. The school grounds have been planted with many plants
 to make the environment greener and contribute to a healthier, happier learning environment. With a firm will to offer
 a high-quality education, digital classes have been organized. To expand the vision of the students, guest lectures
 are being organized by experts from various fields.
We plan to employ teachers to encourage and prepare the students for higher education in
 the near future. The second phase of development will begin once all the schools are upgraded.

<img class="has-img-center"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/service2_df1aa7734a.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-05T09:50:23.066Z" />

Q:What has helped you personally to develop a
 caring, sharing attitude towards others who are less fortunate than you?
MR: Some incidents from my
 childhood provoked me to be more caring for those who are less fortunate than me. God created us equal, but situations
 might have intervened to make us less fortune or more fortune. I feel that it is very important for us to demonstrate
 our true brotherhood and share what is with us. This is the only thing that gave me true joy during my childhood.
Q:If you were to give three tips to people on how
 to develop love and compassion for others humans, what would they be?
MR: I believe that compassion is
 in the character of every human being. We just need to get rid off greediness. When we realize that we are from one
 creator, we understand that there is a divine relationship among us. Then we experience true joy in serving other
 human beings. In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of
 others.”
<hr>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">Interviewed by ELIZABETH DENLEY</h4>
<hr>

A life of service

<h4
 id="h-madhusudan-reddy-shares-some-ideas-on-how-to-approach-our-goals-so-that-they-become-more-achievable-he-also-explains-a-way-to-respond-to-success-and-failure">
 MADHUSUDAN
 REDDY
 shares some ideas on how to approach our goals so that they become
 more achievable. He also explains a way to respond to success and
 failure.
</h4>

<hr class="vertical-space1" />


 Victory and success are melodious events in everyone’s life. Success can
 be understood as a smile emanated from the innocent strings of our
 heart. The perennial freedom we experience in life is a clear symbol of
 success.



 Sheer hard work and determination are glittering reflections we can
 observe from the history of successful people. Despite many challenges,
 they overcame all their problems and remained as a mountain amidst the
 sea. They could withstand the pressure of turbulent waves and reach the
 destination of success.&nbsp;



 The American industrialist, Andrew Carnegie, joined the steel sector as
 a laborer at 11 years of age and rose to the top level. He also helped
 100 other people to become billionaires. His determination helped others
 grow. A famous musician once received a standing ovation from the
 audience, who surrounded him afterward to share its appreciation. One
 lady approached him and said that it would have been marvelous to have
 had such skill bestowed upon her by God. The musician replied, “It is
 not an impossible task, nor did I bring it along with me at birth.
 Practice with focus for ten years and you will become a perfect musician
 like me. The only thing required for this is practice.”&nbsp;



 So, invest hard work to give shape to your dreams. We can excel if we
 put in hard work. If we fail to reach the expected results, we can try
 to refine our efforts, introspect upon our mistakes, and see to it that
 they do not recur in future. We move forward in the direction of
 attaining our goal.&nbsp;



 If there is no chance to improve the results, we can tutor our mind that
 we are benefited only up to this extent.&nbsp; If that is done, we
 prevent the experience of depression. We remain energetic despite
 half-baked attainments.&nbsp;



 Phased efforts will yield good results. Put in all-out efforts and leave
 the result to God. Fill your heart with this feeling, as thinking about
 the results will consume valuable time.


<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<hr />

<h4 class="has-text-align-center">
 Working hard is good,
 but the
 source of that hard work is thought. Fill your mind with good
 thoughts, and you are bound to receive good results.
</h4>

<hr />

<hr class="vertical-space1" />


 Work hard, and believe in hard work to achieve your goal. When the
 results come, don’t club your analysis with the elements affecting the
 work. Defeat is also a lesson. There is no need for overwhelming joy
 upon success and depression upon failure, nor a need to attribute them
 to other factors. &nbsp;Real victory lies in receiving success and
 defeat with equal breath.



 Don’t waste minutes, because many minutes make an hour, hours make days,
 days make months, and months make years. Wasting time has its own
 adverse impact on performance. Utilize time properly and become
 victorious.



 Working hard is good, but the source of that hard work is thought. Fill
 your mind with good thoughts, and you are bound to receive good results.


<hr class="vertical-space1" />



<img alt="success2-700x905" class="lazyload has-img-center"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/success2_700x905_45cb4b1efe.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-11T07:16:09.153Z" />



<hr class="vertical-space1" />


 There was once a person who was very frustrated in life. He reached
 Delhi Railway Station filled with depressive thoughts that death was the
 only solution to his problems. Because his train was late, he turned his
 attention to a book stall, and in his loneliness he noticed one book. He
 thought, “Let me finish reading this book before I leave this world.” He
 selected a page randomly from that book, and as he read he found a
 change – his feelings and face were bright. A magical power surrounded
 him. His joy knew no boundaries.&nbsp;



 That journey to his village began shaping him into a great personality.
 This person, who went from ground zero to become a great social
 activist, was none other than Anna Hazare. He received laurels by
 developing his village as an example to other villages in the world.



 Do not focus too seriously on failures. They are quite natural. They add
 beauty to life. How can we imagine life without failures? Struggles give
 us strength. Where is the melody of life without these struggles? Do not
 feel belittled by failure. Try a thousand times. Even then, if you come
 across failure, try again, so that success is eventually yours.


<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<hr />

<h4 class="has-text-align-center">
 Feel your goal as your
 life, and think deeply on it. Invite
 dreams on it, work on it, and try to fill every muscle and nerve
 of your body thinking about your goal. That creates a path to
 success.
</h4>

<hr />

<hr class="vertical-space1" />


 All the power of the universe is within you. We close our eyes with our
 own hands, then cry that darkness exists. Be aware that darkness does
 not surround us. Simply remove your hands so that, right from the
 beginning, you can experience the illuminated world. There is no
 darkness.&nbsp;



 We label ourselves as worthless, weak persons. Do you know how many
 capacities, innumerable strengths, and potential magics are embedded
 within you? Where is the scientist who knows our full human potential?
 Only a microscopic part of it is hitherto seen. So don’t try to degrade
 your personality. How will you come to know how much more is yet to
 surface? Behind you, there is a sea of power. Those who realize this
 become victorious. Visualize the process of evolution from an ameba to a
 human being. Who created this? Is it not your own self-determination?
 Still, do you say that your self-reliance is without any power? The
 strength that brought you up to this level can further improve your
 personality. The character that strengthens your self-determination is a
 quintessential element.&nbsp;



 We all aspire for one thing in life, victory. We do not invite defeat in
 either our intellectual or our spiritual paths. But only a few taste the
 flavor of success, though everyone invites victory. Some of us
 experience middle-level success, while many experience defeat. First,
 decide what you want to become. Then, put in your all-out efforts. It is
 important to note that mistakes are committed by everyone, not only the
 people who experience defeat. The defeated ones leave the work at a
 point where they observe it to be critical.



 We may commit mistakes now and then with the sheer ambition of reaching
 the goal successfully. Such mistakes have no impactful effect on us,
 because we never think they won’t come in our way. We have witnessed and
 studied many wars in history. They armies experienced defeat on both
 sides. Successful persons are always above the feeling of victory or
 defeat.&nbsp;



 To achieve success, you need focused direction, effort, and
 self-determination.&nbsp; Success is yours if you fix the trajectory of
 your focus and your journey. Try to understand and realize what you want
 to achieve. Find ways and means to reach that goal. You can reach it no
 matter how big it is. Divide the goal into sub-goals and allocate
 definite timeframes, whether one week or one month, and complete the
 tasks. Then you will come out victorious.


<hr class="vertical-space1" />

<img alt="let-success-be-yours" class="lazyload has-img-center"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/success3_ver2_700x917_a0dca73a0d.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-11T07:18:20.306Z" />

Let success be yours

<hr class="vertical-space1">



<h4>
 MADHUSUDAN REDDY
 share some insights on the
 value of concentration in bringing about success in any field, and also how to cultivate it.
</h4>



<hr class="vertical-space1">



“All strength is within you.&nbsp; Believe in this.&nbsp; Do not think you
 are weak.&nbsp; Stand up and express the power within you.&nbsp; The only weapon to express this is
 ‘concentration’.&nbsp; Please note it.”



<hr class="vertical-space1">



<h3>What is
 concentration?</h3>



To create love and interest for the goal you select is concentration. It is also enthusiastic eagerness and
 curiosity. If you do not evince keen interest in the work you select, will you concentrate?&nbsp; It equally
 applies to education. The happiness and enthusiasm reflected in your personality will amplify your capacity. You
 can achieve success in any field with the help of improved levels of concentration.



To enhance concentration, develop absolute love for your goal, followed by education, industry, and maintaining
 control. There are no magical or mystic tactics available. Searching for an easy track to boost concentration
 can be compared to lighting a lamp to see the darkness. It is illogical and ridiculous to assume that
 concentration will be created without enthusiasm.



Recently, a few people have said to me, “I am not able to recall anything I studied.” Concentration and memory
 are interdependent. Variability in levels of remembering can be directly attributable to dithering and
 differential concentration levels.



Slapdash interest is the prime reason for loss of concentration. We watch a movie or a cricket match on
 television without any disruption or pause when we love to watch it. We don’t show the same interest when
 watching programs we don’t like. “Liking” and “disliking” play a crucial role in determining the level of
 concentration.&nbsp;



<h3>How to
 concentrate&nbsp;</h3>



To achieve healthier concentration levels, cultivate the seeds of good thoughts and deeds in the garden of your
 heart strings, by tidying and weeding out unwanted thoughts.&nbsp;



To evolve good thoughts in your mind, follow the thrilling stories of great people.&nbsp; It will push you
 gradually in a forward direction.



<hr class="vertical-space1">


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 <figure><img decoding="async" width="700" height="509" alt="" class="lazyload has-img-center"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/concentration2b_700x509_f1d9f02c61.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-27T10:20:51.956Z">
 </figure>
</div>


<hr class="vertical-space1">



It is not possible to invalidate all the thoughts in your mind at once.&nbsp; Even if you stop thinking for one
 moment, it is an achievement. So, catch hold of some good thoughts from the beginning. Then endeavor hard to
 accomplish success in your chosen areas.&nbsp; You will experience tremendous happiness when you notice that
 unwanted thoughts are tossed out of your mind. This experience of happiness is unparalleled.



To achieve all this, try to learn yogic meditation.



Concentration happens when you thwart your mind from numerous distractions. Immense power is generated in your
 mind once you can concentrate. The power is spawned from within you.&nbsp;



Concentration is possible when you focus on one thing. Then you will not feel overtaxed with work. Start by
 attempting it. Automatically, the practice will become a habit. Through continuous industry, you will raise your
 level of concentration.



Your mind has great strength and power. Just as the rays of the sun passing through a lens can ignite a fire,
 your mind also can surpass your expectations when it is concentrated on the field of your choice.&nbsp; &nbsp;




Initially I believed that aggression must exist to achieve my goals. But with age, that idea has gone out of my
 mind. Aggression takes away strength; only with a quiet and undisturbed mind will you achieve the preferred
 results.



Our shastras remind us that extravagance in anything is hazardous and unproductive, whether it is eating in
 excess, sleeping in excess, or talking in excess. Great people have achieved success only by devoting time in
 silence.



<hr class="vertical-space1">



<hr>



<h4 class="has-text-align-center">
 To achieve
 healthier concentration levels, cultivate the seeds of good thoughts and deeds
 in
 the garden of your heart strings, by tidying and weeding out unwanted
 thoughts.&nbsp;
</h4>



<hr>



<hr class="vertical-space1">



You may observe that control of your tongue is very crucial in achieving anything. You will control your mind if
 you control your tongue. It will greatly help you to achieve your goals with increased levels of concentration.




Simply, concentration is the power you provide your mind to make sure it thinks along the lines you desire. Try
 to increase your levels of concentration while listening in class or at work, the same way you concentrate on a
 movie or a book you really like.



<h3>Education and
 learning</h3>



While learning, increase your focus toward the content you read and listen to. The mind needs to be aware, and
 for this it is important to keep your mind clean, just as you keep your surroundings hygienic.



Then, apportion a certain amount of time to reading your book – an hour, for example – and completely devote your
 time toward that content only.&nbsp; It is not effective reading if you are hasty and simply refer to the
 contents.



Concentration is required for both referring to and reading a book. Referring to a book may result in a certain
 level of understanding, whereas a complete reading may result in a much deeper understanding. This deeper
 understanding will enhance your interest in reading further. If you have questions, or require clarification,
 discuss with others.&nbsp;



None of us like all things. All colors do not attract us. Similarly, school students may not demonstrate equal
 interest in all subjects. Nevertheless, it is important to try to give attention to them all, keeping the future
 in view. If you start reading with interest about a subject you have neglected, you may develop a fondness for
 it.



A well-known person who demonstrated these qualities of concentration was Vikram Sarabhai, the physicist and
 astronomer who is regarded as the Father of the Indian Space Program.&nbsp; He conducted research on cosmic
 rays, gravitational force, and various planetary motions. In reply to a question posed by a journalist regarding
 the secret behind his success, he replied that it was possible only with sheer determination and concentration.




<hr class="vertical-space1">


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 <figure><img decoding="async" width="500" height="559" alt="" class="lazyload has-img-center"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/concentration3_2260c7c78c.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-27T10:20:39.561Z">
 </figure>
</div>


<hr class="vertical-space1">



So, even a great scientist says that his work is possible only with the concentration! Some students become
 scared of studies, foreseeing difficulty, and the fear ringing in their minds will take away half their zeal to
 study and work. It is the prime reason for a decline in concentration. If we allow depression, complaint, and
 frustration into our minds, progress will decline. Meditation, physical exercise, and yoga are very important
 ways to maintain a sense of well-being and enthusiasm.



The major foes to concentration are living in the past and anticipating the future. We often do this. So try to
 remain in the present and concentrate on your agenda – success will be yours.



By concentrating all these powers, we can unearth all the knowledge in the world. We just need to be aware
 how to know. There is no limit to the talent of human beings. Simply learn how to focus it on a single
 point. That is the secret behind all this.

The first step to success

<h4>MADHUSUDAN REDDY is passionate about the future of the children of India, and urges parents to take the time to love and shape them so that the whole country may benefit.</h4>India has such an ancient tradition of respecting elders, parents, and teachers.&nbsp;But unfortunately, we are now witnessing a situation contrary to that culture.&nbsp;The reason is our own neglect. A famous quote says, “It’s easier to bend a plant than a tree,” which means something that cannot be bent in the budding stage can never be bent. Parents and carers have the role of teaching their children values, like respecting elders, cooperation, aptitude toward learning, maintaining discipline and peace from early childhood, but it requires time and patience.&nbsp;<hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">Parents and carers have the role of&nbsp; teaching their children values, but it requires time and patience.&nbsp;</h4><hr>Today, parents find it hard to spend 4 to 5 hours a day with their children, so the children feel alone. As a result, they are drawn to many enticements and unwanted cravings. Then, parents also suffer. In contrast, what happens when parents give their children what is good for them? What happens when they support them in all matters and provide guidance and advice?&nbsp;Let me tell you a story. A couple went to Taj Hotel with their daughter for lunch. They ordered vegetable soup for her, but when the soup arrived the girl said to her mother, “Mom, I can’t drink this soup.” Her mother called the waiter and requested him to bring mushroom soup instead. The waiter brought the mushroom soup but the girl said that she couldn’t drink that either.&nbsp;The girl’s parents chided her harshly. The girl was sobbing and said, “The soup is very hot, how can I drink it without a spoon?” The parents had scolded her without understanding her difficulty, and the reason was lack of communication. No matter how small the problem, if children learn to open their hearts and talk, they can successfully solve many problems in life.&nbsp;An English child says, “I can achieve anything.” An American child and a European child say the same. Can our Indian children say the same? Even the parents of our children can’t say that. In other parts of the world, parents instill confidence in children from the beginning. It can be said we do not have that here.&nbsp;Parents have a great psychological influence on their children. What happens when they rebuke them, pointing out that they are not good at studies, they are they are not coming first? From childhood, parents, carers, and teachers confine their minds to a limited sphere by saying “you can’t do this, you can’t do that,” so enthusiasm melts away. Not every student can secure first place. Does it make the others worthless or insignificant? Children may prosper in many areas.&nbsp;So look to your children’s talents and skills. They may not all do extremely well in studies, but they may become good artists, singers, poets, sportsmen, or politicians. Guide your children in the direction where their interest lies. Explain to them gently. If you think their direction is not correct, also speak gently so they understand you better. Then let them decide. The world’s greatest intellectuals like Einstein and Thomas Alva Edison were expelled from school. Everyone can do something creative – that is the secret of our creation.&nbsp;Many parents spend large amounts of money for their children’s education, anticipating a bright future. Do they also attempt to know what habits their children are adopting while studying? Ninety percent of parents fail in this.At first, habits are delicate like a spider’s web. As time passes, these habits bind us like iron fencing and steel ropes. So, it helps to inculcate good habits from childhood. To nurture them, parents must also follow them. Personal and social cleanliness, discipline, punctuality, working with a sense of cooperation, respect for elders, kindness and humility in behavior are some of the fine qualities to be adopted from childhood. Mostly, it is parents’ responsibility to inculcate these in their children. In Japan, some institutes are also taking the responsibility, giving proper training from childhood to produce good citizens. Schools there are also traveling on the same path.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/Our_childrens_Future2_d8b0dc47c1.jpg"></figure>Today, many people think that intelligence and virtues are inherited, and that without them it is impossible to achieve success in any field. Knowingly or unknowingly, parents and teachers plant such ideas in the minds of children. Truth be told, children brought up under the guidance of the best teachers can reach a high level in any field. And the best teachers aren’t those who possess doctorate degrees or awards. It is enough that they love as a mother loves and understand the subject. If a teacher gets angry and blames the students for every little thing, what will be the future of those children? Today, 70 percent of teachers take good care of students who flourish well in their studies and ignore those who are lagging behind. The foundation of a child’s future is not stable when it is built with such insecure bricks. It is better to develop the talent of each child in their specific field.&nbsp;Many parents feel their responsibility is over when their children start school. Sometimes they shower love and give money when it is asked for, without asking why that money is required. Sometimes they get angry and do not help their children. Some parents compare their children with others and belittle them for falling behind, damaging their self-confidence. The behavior of parents is perplexing for children and has a strange effect on their minds. Gandhiji said, “There is no school equal to a good home and no teacher equal to a virtuous parent.”Appreciating and rewarding good work are good traditions, but showing love to children does not mean letting them behave as they like. Restraint is essential in the process of shaping children. When they are disciplined for their mistakes, they will realize those cautions are for their good, and will not be dissatisfied with the way they are treated. Parents need not be too strict nor too lenient, avoiding extremes. &nbsp;We see envious behavior in children now and then. If a mother appreciates one child, the other feels jealous. So, when parents give everything on an impartial basis, be it food, love, or care, their children will feel happy.When parents show a loving and empathetic attitude, and become worthy of admiration, children imitate them. Children are full of potential to channel their inner capacity in the right direction according to the love and moral guidance given to them by their elders.&nbsp;<hr><h4 style="text-align:center;">Children are full of potential&nbsp; to channel their inner capacity &nbsp;in the right direction according to&nbsp; the love and moral guidance&nbsp; given to them by their elders.&nbsp;</h4><hr>A mother’s love is extremely important for the healthy emotional development of her children. Among those who observed this was René Spitz. He brought to light the death of 34 children in an orphanage, explaining that “The children have all the facilities they need, except a mother’s love.”&nbsp;Today, children develop a lot of mindsets and values from movies and TV serials. If the parents are viewing the TV, the children will follow suit. It is not that everything on the screen is bad, but experience shows that it fails to bring about a desired change in people.&nbsp;The tender hearts of children are like fragile seeds. It is the responsibility of parents and teachers to see such tender hearts blossom like jasmine. And the development of any country depends on the strength of its youth. So think about your children and spend time with them.&nbsp;

Madhusudan Reddy

Madhu is a long-time Heartfulness practitioner and trainer, who works at Kanha Shanti Vanam in PR and security, and as a personal secretary to Daaji. Earlier, he worked in the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh’s office and has won numerous award in public service

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