Things I learnt from Bhagavad Gita

I wanted to read the Bhagavad Gita from a long time. It was in the back of my mind. And I heard the Hare krishna maha mantra when I visited ISCKON temple. It was etched in my mind. Somehow I kept hearing the Hare Krishna maha mantra frequently in my mind and it gave me sense of calmness and focus. I used to get the same feeling whenever I saw a person with Hare Krishna's forehead tilak it gave me a sense of calm and purity. 

The Bhagavad Gita, a sacred Hindu text, is considered to be one of the most important texts in Indian philosophy and is considered as one of the most important spiritual texts in Hinduism. It contains a wide range of teachings and advice on a variety of topics, from the nature of the self and the world, to the nature of action and the path to enlightenment.

When I started reading the Bhagavad Gita, it lifted a big heavy stone off my shoulder. I felt quite light and so many unwanted worries, negative thoughts, stress was taken off from my mind. I felt like a kid again. I stopped unwanted addictions like games, screen time, mindless scrolling and browsing. I got to know so many aspects of this world like:

why are we born,

what should be the goal of life

why we are born in a particular place and family, 

the cycle of births and deaths,

So many gods and demigods

Friends and family

How our spiritual advancements will not be affected.

Some of the most important advice from the Gita can be structurally summarized as:

The importance of duty and action: The Gita teaches that every person has a unique role to play in the world and it is important to fulfill one's duties and responsibilities in the world while remaining detached from the fruits of one's actions.

The importance of equanimity: The Gita teaches that it is important to maintain a state of equanimity, or inner peace, in the face of both success and failure. This equanimity is achieved by performing one's duties and remaining detached from the results.

The importance of devotion: The Gita teaches that devotion to a personal God or a divine principle is the key to reaching spiritual enlightenment. It is the act of devotion, not the object of devotion that is important.

The importance of self-control: The Gita teaches the importance of self-control and discipline. To achieve spiritual enlightenment, it is necessary to control the mind and the senses and not to be overwhelmed by the desires and attachments.

The importance of knowledge: The Gita emphasizes the importance of knowledge and wisdom to achieve enlightenment. It teaches that knowledge of the true nature of the self and the world is necessary to achieve liberation from the cycle of rebirth.

These are just a few examples of the many teachings contained in the Bhagavad Gita and the importance of each one may vary for each person. The text is considered as a spiritual guide and its teachings are meant to be studied, contemplated, and internalized over time.

And ultimately, how to get liberated from the cycle of births and deaths. Since this is Kali yuga and we live only for 100 years which is very less time to read, comprehend and understand everything in the scriptures and the Gita, it is mentioned the Gita itself that liberation is easier if we chant the Hare Krishna Maha mantra with genuine devotion and Bhakti.

Limiting the screen time

Its a great time to be alive with all the advances in technology. With great benefits comes some disadvantages. It is better to know and understand cons of screens and  exercise certain precautions before we get carried away. Self regulation and discipline is very important as it will have impact on everyone within the family including kids.

Screens can be bad for everyone for several reasons:

Blue Light: The blue light emitted by screens can cause eye strain, fatigue, and disrupt the natural sleep cycle.

Glare: Screens can be glossy and reflective, which can cause glare that makes it difficult to see the screen clearly.

Flicker: Some screens flicker at a high frequency, which can cause eye strain and headaches.

Dry eyes: Staring at a screen for long periods of time can cause the eyes to dry out, leading to discomfort and redness.

Close-up viewing: The close proximity at which people typically view screens can cause the eyes to focus for prolonged periods, leading to fatigue and strain.

Reduced blink rate: People tend to blink less often when staring at screens which can cause dryness, irritation, and fatigue.

To reduce these negative effects, it's important to take regular breaks, adjust the screen settings, use proper lighting, and consider using anti-glare screens or computer glasses with blue light blocking lenses.

There are several ways to keep kids and adults 😀away from screens and devices: 

Set limits on screen time. Establish clear rules for how much time your child can spend on screens each day and stick to them.

Create designated screen-free zones in your home, such as the dining room or bedrooms.

Encourage alternative activities. Help your child find other hobbies and interests, such as sports, music, or art, that can take the place of screen time.

Make it a family activity. Instead of allowing your child to watch TV or play video games alone, make it a family activity and watch or play together.

Set a good example. Children often model their behavior after their parents, so if you want your child to limit their screen time, you should do the same.

Plan outdoor activities. Encourage your child to spend time outside and engage in physical activities.

Schedule a technology-free time before bedtime. It helps in better sleep and reduces the blue light exposure.

Use parental control tools, such as screen time management apps that allow you to set limits on device usage and monitor your child's online activity.

Remember, there's a life outside from the screens. Make the best use of your time while on earth.

Prepare the best masala chai and feel proud !

If you are longing to have the perfect masala chai with regular tea powder available in the supermarket, then follow the below recipe. The following recipe will give consistent results if you follow it carefully.  

 To prepare the best masala chai, you will need the following ingredients:

2 cups of water

2 cups of milk

1-2 inches of ginger, grated or thinly sliced

3-4 green cardamom pods, crushed

2-3 cloves

1 cinnamon stick

1 teaspoon of black tea leaves (or 2 tea bags)

1-2 tablespoons of sugar (or to taste)

Here are the steps to prepare the tea:

1. Bring the water to a boil in a medium-sized pot.
2. Add the ginger, cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon stick to the water and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
3. Add the milk to the pot and bring it back to a simmer.
4. Add the tea leaves (or tea bags) and let it steep for 2-3 minutes.
5. Turn off the heat, add sugar and let it for 1 min.
6. Strain the tea into cups and enjoy!
7. You can adjust the amount of spices and sugar to your taste. You can also add or substitute other spices such as black pepper or nutmeg to create your own unique masala chai recipe.

Note that point number 3 is very important as you have to add milk to the water  and then go to the step 4 as mentioned in the above sequence otherwise the taste will be different and may not be to your liking. Enjoy your masala chai !

Ways to block unwanted calls in a smartphone.

 There are a few ways to block unwanted calls on a smartphone:

1. Use the built-in call blocking feature: Most smartphones have a built-in call blocking feature that allows you to block specific numbers or contacts.

2. Use a third-party call blocking app: There are many third-party call blocking apps available for both iOS and Android devices that can help you block unwanted calls.

3. Add numbers to the phone's block list: You can add numbers to your phone's block list so that calls from those numbers will be automatically blocked.

4. Use Do Not Disturb mode: You can enable Do Not Disturb mode on your phone to block all calls and notifications during specific hours or when you don't want to be disturbed.

5. Contact your carrier: Some carriers offer call blocking services or features, so you may want to contact your carrier to see what options are available to you. Ultimately, the best way will depend on your personal preferences, but using a third-party call blocking app or built-in call blocking feature can be a good place to start.

Tthe best way will depend on your personal preferences, but using a third-party call blocking app or built-in call blocking feature can be a good place to start.

There are AI-based call blocking apps available for smartphones. These apps use artificial intelligence to analyze incoming calls and identify and block unwanted calls, such as telemarketing calls or spam calls.

For example, some apps use machine learning algorithms to learn the behavior of unwanted callers over time, and then automatically block those calls. Others use crowd-sourced data from users to identify and block unwanted calls.

It's worth noting that not all AI-based call blocking apps are created equal, so it's a good idea to read reviews and compare features before choosing one to use.

Here are a few AI-based call blocking apps for smartphones that you can consider:

1. Truecaller: This app uses a crowd-sourced database to identify and block unwanted calls. It also has a feature that automatically blocks spam calls.

2. Call Control: This app uses machine learning algorithms to learn the behavior of unwanted callers and automatically block them.

3. Call Blocker: This app uses AI to identify and block unwanted calls. It also has a feature that allows you to block calls from specific countries.

4. Mr. Number: This app uses a combination of crowd-sourced data and AI to identify and block unwanted calls. It also has a feature that allows you to block calls from specific area codes.

5. RoboKiller: This app uses AI to identify and block unwanted calls, including robocalls and telemarketing calls. It also has a feature that allows you to block calls from specific numbers or area codes.

These are just a few examples of AI-based call blocking apps that you can consider, there are many more available on the app stores. It's worth noting that not all apps are available on both iOS and Android, so check the app store where you are more likely to find the app you are looking for.

Note 8 and Alternatives !

Choosing the best smartphone at the end of 2017 is a daunting task. Or is it?
No regrets for choosing Note 8 whatsoever!! There are no alternatives. Read along to know why.
BTW I live in India

I was on the mobile hunt to replace my aging Samsung galaxy S5. I watched most of the reviews on youtube(a big Hi to Erica griffin )and read many more reviews to know which was the best smartphone as of December 2017. Then I visited several showrooms to experience many leading brands personally.
So here is the decision making process as to  how and why I zeroed in on Note 8. Note that below mentioned points are before the purchase of Note 8.

On my watch list were Pixel 2 , Pixel 2 XL, iPhone 8+, Note 8, Galaxy S8+ and one plus 5T. Between October and December 2017 all these models were launched along with iPhone 8+ and iPhone X.

So here's how I decided on Note 8. This is purely my perspective, obviously !!Duh...

1. Pixel 2 XL:
Why I Got excited:

1. Pure Android experience.
2. Camera.
3. All day battery.
4. Size.

Why I Dropped it:

1. Screen issues.
2. Too expensive for a sub standard product(Note 8=67K INR and P2XL=82K INR).
3. Too many bugs form reviews.
4. Afraid of google service in India because of just 2nd generation product line.
5. Made by LG.
6. No headphone jack.
7. No wireless charging.
8. Was reading only bad news every week about the Pixel 2XL.

2. Pixel 2:

Why I Got excited:

1. Dropped P2XL.
2. Pure Android experience.
3. Camera.
4. Good battery.
5. Size-Convinced myself that I may not require a big phone.

Why I Dropped it:

1. Too expensive for a small phone.
2. Thick bezels.
3. No head phone jack.
4. Felt like a compromise.

3. iPhone X: 

Why I Got excited:

1. It was the latest and newest design from Apple.
2. it was the iPhone X.
3. Heard there is no lag in iPhones.
4. Camera.
5. Build Quality.
6. 4K Slow motion video.
7. it was THE iPhone X.

Why I Dropped it:

1. Super expensive.
2. Notch -How can anyone ignore it??.
3. Weird gesture UI. There was apparently no reason to change the UI.
4. Lack of touch ID.
5. No headphone jack.
6. Small size.
7. Animoji.
8.  Face ID- its slow and weird compared to touch ID.

4. iPhone 8+:

Why I Got excited:

1. It has touch id.
2. The screen was rectangular without notch.
3. Heard there is no lag in iPhones.
4. Bezels were tolerable.
5. Great processor, same old dependable and intuitive UI.
6. Apple mobile devices ages gracefully.
7. Great user experience.
8. Great Camera.
9. Ideal Screen size.
10. Good Battery back up.

Why I Dropped it:

1. 256 GB model was expensive and 64 GB was insufficient. Face palm, apple...:(
2. Started hating bezels after seeing what i'm getting with Note 8.
3. Screen was pale when compared to Note- 8.
4. After seeing note -8 , I felt iPhone 8 Plus design is too old.
5. No headphone jack.
6. Had no My Files option like in the Android.
7. Was not invested in Apple ecosystem. Just have an iPad 4 and am happy with it.

5. Galaxy S8+: 

Chose Note 8 over S8+ because S8+ was released earlier in the beginning of 2017 and Note 8 had the Dual camera setup and a bigger battery.

6. One Plus 5T: 

I hated One plus 5T because it was a Chinese brand and I read in the news that they were collecting personal information through their phones. So I didn't even consider 5T.

7.  NOTE 8 : 
So finally it was Note 8 which ticked all the boxes:

Why I Decided on Note 8:

1. Less expensive than all the above options but with better features and options
2. Long list of features
3. Build quality
4. Great Camera
5. Ultimate screen-Almost no bezels.
6. No lag, Improved TouchWiz
7. S-Pen
8. SD Card
9. Familiar Android UI for a person coming from S5
10. Headphone Jack-AKG head phones included
11. Serviceability 
12. Bixby and Google assistant- Best of both worlds.

But was against:

1. Fingerprint reader placement
2. Thought the screen might be too big even for my big hands
3. May not use S-pen after honeymoon phase.
4. I thought it is too delicate.

All of my above conclusions were from online reviews and my limited experience by visiting showrooms before the purchase. So below is the post purchase feelings and conclusions. 

All the positives as on Day 1:

1. The Screen: Just for a moment ignore everything and this screen of Note 8....drool......this screen..drool..... is drop dead gorgeous !! How do you even make this Samsung ??!! This is some alien tech for a person coming from S5. This is totally worth every Rupee/paisa(penny). Its like "I just bought Note 8 just to appreciate and admire and stare at this piece of art. It is super high resolution. Ignore the numbers(can check GSM Arena for specs). Very smooth. Just don't read any further. Just go and buy Note 8 if you are on the fence like me  and you will not regret your decision.
2. UI/Lag/ stutters: Don't believe the reviews about lag and stutters in Note 8. There is no such thing. It is absolutely smooth as butter.Don't worry about any speed test or benchmark tests. Just go for Note 8 and experience the silky smooth screen for your fingers to ice-skate.
3. Cost : Less expensive than all the above mentioned options.
4. Camera is superb !! and responsive when launched and switched between gallery!!
5. Got a fast wireless charger too ! 
6. for 68K INR(Approx 1000USD) with EMI and 4K cash back. !!
7.  and a trade in for my S5 !! 
8. and AKG head phones !! 
9. and an SD card slot !! 
10. and a clear Case !! 
11. and a head phone jack
12. It is pocket friendly
13. This Note 8 has far exceeded my expectation beyond imagination !! This blows away the competition and above mentioned models. Just buy it and you won't regret it. 
14. Pretty excited about Bixby too ....you know, to control the phone.
15. "ok google" works fast !
16. S-Pen experience is as real as it gets and very real to the real thing-pen and paper.
17. Samsung pay- it works and quite popular.

Negatives:

1. Fingerprint reader placement is really bad. Not natural at all. Even Samsung makes mistakes but this is really stupid.
2. I thought the length of the phone can be reduced by say 15 mm.
3. Slippery- I always have the feeling that I may drop my phone. I have clear hard case now.
4. Will update if I find any cons in future. 

As you can see its a no-brainer. If you are on the bench, go for Note 8 and you'll enjoy it.