Life in line with harmony

Dr Dinesh Sharma, one of India's most renowned Vaastu experts, astrologer and Ayurvedic specialist

When I am alone, I often dwell on the mystery of the unknown. I am reminded that my reason for being in this world has a purpose.

And wherever I may be, I try to fulfil that purpose by trying to make my surroundings healthy and pleasing. Whenever I pass by some monument - for instance, the Red Fort (in Delhi) - it takes me back to bygone eras.

My thoughts wander back to the times when it was inhabited by kings and queens. People at that time were probably unaware that much after they had left the world the monument would still be standing, holding in itself many stories to be told to future generations.

Monuments are a lesson to all of us that nothing in the world is permanent and that the world will still be there when we will not be.

After I was born ?
? to my mother, Devhuti, and father, Ved Prakash Sharma, on June 26, 1955, in Rishikesh, Haridwar, in Uttaranchal, it was but natural that I would inherit the traditions and cultural ethos of my family. (My father and grandfather, Vaidya Murari Lal Sharma, practised astrology, Vaastu and Ayurveda.)

My early education was in Mukherjee Memorial Higher Secondary School in Delhi and I graduated from Hindu College in 1974.

After this, I studied Ayurveda (a 5,000-year-old healing science that emphasises on preventative approach to mind-body health) at Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana, from 1974 to 1979. For the past 24 years, I have been living in Delhi with my wife Purnima, who is an author, poet and social activist.

The turning point in my life ?
? came in 1991 when I was giving a lecture on Vaastu Shastra and its tenets in Rishikesh. (Vaastu is an Indian system of living in harmony with nature. It emphasises certain principles by which a house should be constructed that leads to health, wealth and happiness).

That day, an American friend who was listening to my talk was highly motivated by it and invited me to the United States, saying I could be of immense help to people outside India as well.

Subsequently, over the years, I have been invited to several countries and have travelled the world over. One thing I find common among people of all countries, irrespective of their culture, is that they are well informed and have immense love for humanity. They are all very passionate and curious to know about cultures of different peoples.

Travelling and meeting people has increased my faith in humanity.

My belief is to connect with the good in all human beings and not to judge a person by his negative qualities. Though I earn my income by advising people on Vaastu, my true reward is the positivity I am able to bring to someone's life.

Life has taught me to be honest and straight. I was in Los Angeles in 1998 when a friend bought a beautiful property at a whopping price. His eyes shone with enthusiasm as he showed off his home. It was indeed a very stunningly beautiful house. Unfortunately, I could see that it had many serious Vaastu flaws.

But instead of warning him, I kept my thoughts to myself. At that time, I felt that by speaking about the flaws I would end up hurting his feelings and dampening his joy, because he was so clearly overjoyed at his newly-acquired property.

Instead, I very mildly told him that the house was okay for him. In retrospect, I feel I should have stated the plain truth and not toned down my words.

As I feared, he went on to face immense difficulties in life and went through a very bad phase. That experience taught me an important lesson in life - that I must be honest and upfront about what I observe.

We need to understand our priorities ?
? in life and work. Since we are all here to evolve through different means, we will not be at peace with ourselves until we find our calling. (Not understanding our priorities) puts us in a confrontational position with our inner selves.

I have never been ambitious in way that I want to surround myself with materialistic comforts. I remember as a young man I had to cycle to my college, an activity which I detested. (I wanted a moped so I would not have to hard peddle my way to college).

But my father was against my wish and I had to forego the moped, which then was worth Rs2,200 (about Dh184). When I look back on that loss, I can only smile.

Today, what makes me happy is to look after the interest of others. I try to make the best use of my potential and my present life rather than think of what has happened in the past.

Seeing the problems in the lives of others ?
? has made me more humble. Since we evolve continuously and our perceptions change - of knowledge, observation, creativity or health - nothing in life, I believe, should be taken for granted.

Dr Sharma is in Dubai until May 11 and can be contacted at dineshsharma@gmail.com