Word of The Day: Phit

???? (phi?)
Meaning: noun: cursed, useless, futile.

Quote:
???? ????? ????? � ???? ??? ????? ?????
phi? ivehaa jeeviaa�� jit khaa-i vadhaa-iaa pe?.
Futile is that life, in which one only eats to fill and bloat one�s belly.
– Guru Nanak Sahib, Guru Granth Sahib, Page 790

Message: What makes life meaningful? A question that has as many answers as the number of people it is addressed to. The wisdom of the Gurbani emphasizes a balance between the material and the spiritual in one�s life. Futile is a life that is directed by excessive greed – for food, material possessions, and desires of the senses. This imbalance will result in pain and suffering. Overeating and indulgence in rich and plentiful foods can lead to obesity, poor health and numerous complications. It is well known that obesity can cause hypertension, heart disease, joint problems and numerous other medical problems. Guru Nanak in this verse imparts to us that eating to bloat the belly is a storehouse for illnesses, suffering and pain.

Our Guru�s left us with good advice: Naam Japo – constantly nurture love for divinity. Kirat Karo � work hard and earn your livelihood by honest means. Wand Ke Chhako – share the fruits of your labour with the needy and less privileged as an expression of love and compassion for mankind.

Man is more miserable, more restless and unsatisfied than ever before because half his nature �the spiritual�is starving for true food, and the other half � the material � is fed with bad food.�
– Paul Brunton, a British theosophist and spiritualist, 1898 -1981

Keen to Explore Further?
Etymology:From Sanskrit sphi?yati/sphi??ayati (injures) ? Prakrit phi?? (broken) ? Sindhi phi?a?u (goes to ruin, turns to curd, quarrels) ? Lahndi phi??a? (to be spoilt, go bad) ? Punjabi phi???aa (to be gone, be off).

Summary of the Week:
It is logically and even scientifically correct to say that indulgence, excessiveness, a life devoid of mindful awareness can only lead to pain, disease and suffering. The Gurbani is a treasure house highlighting very practical solutions to many of the ills of today. Medical science is also now discovering and confirming the power of the mind to prevent, control and even endure disease and pain. The positive and calming effect of singing divine hymns on our wellbeing, so explicitly expressed by our Gurus through their writings, can also be explained scientifically by positive effect of �Endorphins� (a hormone) on the brain and body system. A life moderated and balanced with spiritual as well as physical and sensual restrain is a key ingredient to a healthy existence.

Health isn�t about being �perfect� with food or exercise or herbs. It is about balancing those things with your desires. It is about your spirit as well as your body. – Gold Poretsky, �Body Love Wellness� campaigner (HHC, New York)