In this episode inspired by ancient buddhist wisdom, we talk about the fruitless activity of dwelling on the past and dreaming of the future while ignoring the present. “Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment” is a reminder that the present moment is the only time that truly exists. By focusing on the present moment, we can reduce stress and anxiety, improve our mental health and overall well-being, and experience true happiness and fulfillment. The ancient wisdom of mindfulness, supported by modern scientific research and psychology, has shown that being present in the moment can have profound benefits for our lives. It must be remembered that past is gone, nothing ever changes the past and the future is not yet here and anything at all small or big can change it completely, so, its only logical to focus on this very moment.

In this episode inspired y ancient buddhist wisdom, we talk about gratitude. These words of the Buddha remind us to appreciate what we have and find reasons to be thankful even in challenging situations. Gratitude is a deeply rooted concept and has been emphasized by many successful people in modern times as well as ancient. By practicing gratitude, we can shift our focus from what we lack to what we have, and positively impact those around us, thus not only do we make the world a better place for ourselves but for others as well.

Welcome back to Life, Universe and Everything! I'm thrilled to be back after a break. In this episode we're diving deep into a topic that holds the potential to transform how you approach tasks and goals. We're exploring the art of doing anything, any task you take up, more efficiently and effectively. We won’t talk much about the problems as we are mostly aware about them, rather we shall be focusing on some solutions, Drawing insights from fields and subjects as varied as behavioral sciences, psychology and neuroscience. We'll uncover the secrets to maximising your productivity. So, let's get started on this journey of optimization!

In this episode on ancient buddhist wisdom, we talk about truth and how by embracing honesty and living truthfully, we can build trust and respect, live authentically, and make decisions that are in line with our values and beliefs. We can also take responsibility for our actions and build stronger relationships with those around us. This quote serves as a powerful reminder that the truth will always come to light, and that living truthfully is the only sustainable way to live our lives.

In this episode, we'll be diving into an important topic that affects many of us, we will discuss stress and anxiety, we’ll talk about the reasons we feel stressed or anxious, how it is helpful at times, what are the symptoms of chronic stress or anxiety disorder, how can we self-diagnose them and finally what do we need to do.

In this episode I discuss in detail, the issues that plague our education system, how we can leverage technology to solve them, what all we need to include and add in the current curriculum and why soft skills and extra-curriculars are very crucial for all round development of students.

In this episode I talk abut my fitness journey, which began in my college third year and it has been almost a decade and the journey has seen its ups and downs, and it has made me not just a fitter and healthier version of myself but a better person. Fitness is not just about going to the gym, it is a lifestyle and you need to embrace all aspects of it to truly enjoy your fitness journey. It is a lot of fun if done right and it contributes to all aspects of your life, enriching every single one. In this episode I talk about how my fitness journey and my college life and UPSC preparation all worked together and also how it was an essential component of my preparation and daily routine in my preparation day. I also talk about how I somehow stopped working out and how I decided to start again. Its a personal journey but one which will help a lot of people. Hope you like it.

“Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule,” is a powerful statement that reminds us of the importance of responding to hatred and anger with love and understanding. It is not just for world leaders and politicians but for everyone, for every single human it is important to let hate go. Keeping hate and anger inside kills us first.

This is the 3rd and final part in the series on Feminism and Its Enemies. In this part I talk about two major issues, first, Men's Rights Activism and Second, Glorification of Traditional Gender Roles. In both these issues, I discuss how they are trying to take away from Feminism any momentum n the fight towards an equal world. Men's rights activism is mostly about weakening laws and regulations meant to advance the cause of women and the glorification of traditional ender roles as motherhood is weaponised against feminism and feminist ideals to tell women what an ideal woman must be like. Listen to this episode and tell me what do you think.

Femininity is a social and cultural construct that encompasses the qualities, behaviors, and characteristics traditionally associated with women. It refers to the set of societal expectations, norms, and ideals surrounding womanhood and feminine expression. These traits which are associated with femininity are not bad or not something which a woman should not have or aspire to, the problem though starts when a woman is supposed to have them by the virtue of them being a woman and men are supposed to must not have them and they have a separate list of traits meant for just them. In this part, I would discuss how feminniity has been falsely fed as an alternative to feminism and how it is nothing but empowerment.

Fake-feminism is a term which is reportedly used to describe the distortion or misinterpretation of feminist ideals by women activists and their misuse of feminism to suppress men’s rights, subject men to undue harassment and at the same time, use the feminist ideology to coat anything and everything in order to get undue advantages. But, this is how it is defined as if it is something real, the story is in fact something else. In this series of 3 episodes, I dissect this narrative of fake feminism as a tool to discredit feminism as a movement and an ideology. Join me as I take on the enemies of feminism.

Loving what you do is essential for achieving success and fulfillment in life. It allows for creativity, motivation, and a sense of purpose. Whether in work, hobbies, or relationships, finding something that you love and are passionate about can lead to a more meaningful and satisfying life. Remember, "The only way to do great work is to love what you do."

"Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace" is a powerful reminder of the importance of speaking with intention and mindfulness. This quote has been attributed to the Buddha, and it reflects a central teaching of many spiritual traditions.  Ancient works such as the Tao Te Ching contain similar teachings about the importance of mindful and purposeful speech. In the Tao Te Ching, for example, Lao Tzu writes, "The wise speak because they have something to say; fools speak because they have to say something." This is a reminder of the importance of speaking with intention and mindfulness. It is though not just limited to spoken words but actions as well.  Words have a powerful impact on our well-being and on the world around us. Studies have shown that positive words and expressions of gratitude can improve our mood and well-being, while negative words can have the opposite effect. At the same time negative words or negative expressions affect our mindset, affects people around us and can get us into a lot of unnecessary trouble. Human psychology has also explored the concept of the impact of our spoken words on our well-being. Many findings emphasize on the importance of using positive language to enhance our well-being and improve our relationships with others. Positive language and reinforcement can have a long lasting impact on our mental health. Many studies also suggest that we speak out loud with ourselves, affirming positive statements.  Philosophers such as Aristotle have also emphasized the importance of speaking with intention and purpose. He wrote in his Nicomachean Ethics, "It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." This emphasizes the importance of considering our words before speaking and using them to convey ideas with meaning and purpose. In the times that we live in, where there is too much of everything, more so too much of content, it is even more important for us to understand the value of less when it comes to our words. "Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace" is a reminder of the power of words to impact our well-being and the world around us. By speaking with intention and mindfulness, we can use our words to inspire and uplift others and promote peace and unity. It is also a reminder that if we don’t have anything of use to say, it is much better to listen than speak unnecessarily and without purpose.

In this episode I talk about the very fascinating and exciting topic of time travel. I discuss how it has come to become a very important part of our popular culture, I trace its evolution in our books, movies and tv and I also discuss in brief the hard science behind it, the objections raised against it and much more. Time Travel has grown from a supernatural and magical idea to an idea based on hard science and physics, it has grown as a topic which was only entertained by sci-fi and fiction writers to becoming a part of genuine scientific study. Humans have and shall always remain fixated and excited by this idea of traveling through time and in this episode I wish to present to you a basic timeline of its evolution and also pique your interest so that you try to explore the topic on your own. Happy Listening!

"Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without" has been attributed to the Buddha, and it reflects a central teaching of many spiritual traditions and has been embraced by all great teachers who followed after him in all traditions all over the world.  "Peace comes from within," means that true peace and contentment cannot be found in external circumstances or material possessions. Instead, they must come from within us. This is a common theme in many spiritual traditions, which emphasize the importance of inner cultivation and spiritual practices such as meditation and mindfulness. While, “Do not seek it without," means that we should not look for peace outside of ourselves. This is a powerful reminder that we are the source of our own happiness and well-being. While external factors can certainly affect our state of mind, ultimately, our happiness is under our own control. Ancient works such as the Bhagavad Gita and the Tao Te Ching contain similar teachings about the importance of inner cultivation and the pursuit of inner peace. In the Bhagavad Gita, for example, Lord Krishna teaches Arjuna that true wisdom and happiness come from within, and that the self is the ultimate source of peace and contentment. This idea now has backing of a number of research findings and studies done at various Universities. Studies have shown that meditation and mindfulness practices can reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance overall health and well-being. Modern Psychology has also explored the concept of inner peace and its relationship to mental health. The field of positive psychology, for example, emphasizes the importance of cultivating positive emotions, such as gratitude and compassion, in order to enhance overall well-being. It is important to cultivate positive emotions as they are the guides in our search of inner peace, they make us look inwards, inside our souls. Stoic philosophers have also emphasized the importance of inner peace and the ability to control one's own thoughts and emotions. Marcus Aurelius, the famous Stoic philosopher and Roman Emperor, wrote in his Meditations, "You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength." Mahatma Gandhi, advocated for nonviolent resistance and was opposed any kind of violence in India’s freedom struggle, this principle was also based on the importance he gave to inner peace as a means of achieving social and political change. He famously said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world." His commitment to inner peace and nonviolence helped to inspire a movement that led to the independence of India. High achieving athletes who are able to stay calm and focused under pressure often perform at their best. Tennis player Novak Djokovic, winner of the most singles grand slams in Men’s Tennis history, for example, has spoken about the importance of mental training and meditation in his success on the court. He speaks about how it is important to find peace within before you conquer the world outside. "Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without" reflects a universal truth. By cultivating inner peace through spiritual practices, positive emotions, and the ability to control our thoughts and emotions, we can enhance our well-being and make a positive impact in the world.

UPSC CSE Prelims is around the corner and lakhs of students are now ready to face the day they have prepared so hard for. But, many of them, even after giving their best for such a long period start to feel a little too stressed and anxious as the exam day approaches. They get all kinds of negative thoughts and second thoughts about their preparation when in fact they have done all that was needed. In this episode of my podcast, I try and talk about 7 simple thins which you can do to release some of that stress and manage your anxiety better. Managing stress and anxiety on the days leading upto the UPSC CSE Prelims exam is crucial for ensuring good performance in the exam. By practicing the techniques mentioned in the podcast, you can manage stress and anxiety effectively and improve your chances of success. Remember, it is important to take care of yourself before and during the exam, and to prioritise your well-being over exam performance, everything is secondary. It is all about managing self on the day before the exam. Wishing everyone appearing all the best. Happy Listening!

You are raped as a kid, you are humiliated, you live in the most extreme poverty, for the rest of the world, you are not even allowed to dream or have any hope. This is exactly what happened to Oprah Winfrey. Oprah is a media mogul who has achieved great success in her career, so much so that every US Presidential elections, there are rumours of her running and every time there are predictions of her winning the race if she decides to run. She has often spoken about the power of positive thinking and visualization in her life. She has said, "The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams." Oprah's success is a testament to the power of our mindset has on our lives. "The mind is everything. What you think you become" is a powerful reminder of the importance of our thoughts in shaping our lives. This ancient wisdom from Buddhism plays a very important role in not just the destination we reach but also in our having a satisfying and happy journey.  The Buddhist concept of mindfulness emphasizes the importance of cultivating a clear and focused mind in order to live in the present moment. Ancient works, such as the Bhagavad Gita and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, teach that the mind is the most powerful force in the universe. It is this weapon that we wield to conquor all our fears, it is thus very important to keep this weapon rust free. The Bhagvad Gita describes the mind as a "friend" or a "foe" depending on how it is trained, it is a friend if it is treated and trained as such and shall come to our aid in time of need, it is a foe if we neglect it, if we think negative most of the times and it will become our worst enemy. The Yoga Sutras don’t just recognise the power of our mids but also offers practices for purifying and controlling the mind. These teachings emphasize the importance of self-awareness, mindfulness, and meditation in cultivating a healthy and powerful mind. In more recent times, scientific research has shown that the mind and body are interconnected and that our thoughts and emotions can have a powerful impact on our physical health. Studies have found that stress, negative thinking, and emotional suppression can lead to a range of health problems, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. On the other hand, positive thinking, gratitude, and emotional expression have been shown to improve health outcomes and overall well-being. Modern Psychology has also explored the power of the mind in shaping our experiences. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), for example, is a widely used therapy that helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns that contribute to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. CBT and other therapies emphasize the importance of our thoughts in shaping our emotions and behaviors, and offer tools for cultivating a more positive and constructive mindset. Philosophers new and old have also explored the power of the mind in shaping our lives. The Stoics, for example, emphasized the importance of cultivating a mindset of resilience and self-control in order to overcome challenges and live a fulfilling life. “What you think you become" speaks to the fundamental importance of our thoughts in shaping our lives. By becoming more aware of our thoughts and working to cultivate a positive and resilient mindset, we can create the life we want to live and make a positive impact in the world.

Time is not one of the things, it is the only thing. Time is not money, it is more valuable than all tangible and intangible resources or things put together. Time is the only one true equalizer, in that we all have the same amount of time, it is upto us on how we use it. In this episode, I discuss why time is important, how we are fooled by various biases and fallacies in misunderstanding and misusing time and how we can avoid them. I also discuss the best way to manage one's time. Happy Listening!

Imagine you are thrown in jail in the prime of your youth, you are restless, you have huge plans, you wish to bring a huge change and inspire your fellow countrymen to overthrow a regime which has been characterised by death, destruction and discrimination of your people. But, now that you are in jail and there is no way for you to come out anytime soon, it seems like all your plans will die with you in the jail itself. This is exactly what happened with Nelson Mandela. He spent 27 years in prison as a political prisoner in South Africa. During this time, he faced immense physical and emotional pain, but he chose not to allow that pain to turn into suffering. Instead, he used his time in prison to educate himself, develop his leadership skills, and become a symbol of hope for his people, inspiring them to achieve the unprecedented and went on to become the President of his nation and a symbol of courage and determination the world over.  This is a phrase that encapsulates a fundamental truth about the human experience. It is a message that can be found throughout history, philosophy, religion, and modern psychology. This phrase has been attributed to many different sources, but the concept behind it remains the same: that we cannot always control the pain that we experience in life, but we can choose whether or not to allow that pain to turn into suffering. Stephen Hawking was a renowned physicist who lived with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) for most of his life. Despite being confined to a wheelchair and losing the ability to speak, he continued to make groundbreaking contributions to the field of physics and to inspire others with his determination and resilience. He never gave up, when almost everyone around him lost hope, he did not, he didn’t let his pain turn into suffering, he never let himself become a victim of his condition, instead he decided to fight till his last breath and he did. This concept of pain and suffering finds its first mention in the teachings of Buddhism, in the 4 Noble truths in Buddhism. The first noble truth of Buddhism is that life is characterised by suffering. This does not mean that life is entirely negative or full of pain, but rather that we all experience some form of loss, pain, and disappointment. The second noble truth of Buddhism is that suffering is caused by our attachment to things that are impermanent, to the material world’s, to the desires. This attachment leads to craving, which in turn leads to suffering. The third noble truth in Buddhism is that suffering can be overcome by letting go of attachment. This concept of suffering is also dealt with in ancient Hindu Religion, it is linked to the idea of karma. Karma is the law of cause and effect, and it teaches that our actions have consequences. If we act in ways that harm others, we will experience negative consequences in this life or in future lives. If we act in ways that benefit others, we will experience positive consequences. The law of Karma, to an extent, gives us the control of our pain and suffering. The ultimate goal in Hinduism is to achieve moksha, or liberation from the cycle of birth and death, which can only be achieved by overcoming attachment and achieving self-realization. Overcoming attachment would mean to let go of any unwanted and unreasonable desire. This is not an entirely religious or spiritual concept, scientifically, pain is a necessary aspect of the human experience. Pain is a signal that something is wrong, and it motivates us to take action to address the problem. However, suffering is not a necessary outcome of pain. Suffering occurs when we resist the pain, when we feel sorry for ourselves, or when we obsess over our pain. Research in positive psychology has shown that our attitude towards pain has a significant impact on our experience of it. When we accept pain as a natural part of life and focus on the positive aspects of our situation, we are less likely to suffer.

In this episode I talk about my journey as a young IAS officer posted in the field. I talk about the journey, the challenges, the opportunities and the life. I try to talk about all aspects and give a balanced and fair view of how it is for us. Now, one thing that I’d like everyone to appreciate is, even though all those who are selected through this exam come through a very rigorous selection process, with over a million applicants, lakhs appearing and just a few hundred finally making the list, almost all of them are still very young, many have this as their first job. They are trained for the job but they have in many ways, similar insecurities like any fresher does going for their first job, the are equally scare, nervous, excited and feel all those emotions. They are aware of the responsibilities and they are also aware of that suddenly, overnight, they are at the centre of affairs for a lot of people. It was the same for me and it still is. Once we get selected, we realise that suddenly thins change, people around us change, maybe not the immediate family but everyone else does, they start acting and stop existing naturally. Another thing which happens is that we realise that we are, in a very minute sense, in a very irrelevant way, have become a little famous. This makes a lot of people do a lot of crazy things, many feel they as individuals have become famous, forgetting it’s just the chair or the service they belong to, many start acting as celebrities, many start feeling they are special. All of this happens very fast, like I said, most of the officers are young and they react to it just like most youngsters would to a drastic change in their lives would. While some are able to manage it well, some learn along the way, some just drift in a totally different direction. The journey from an aspirant to a probationer and then to a young officer in field is really something.  Hope you enjoy it!