Power of Habits, How to overcome from your bad habits

1. The Power of Habits
We make our habits…
And Habits make us...
Being a slave to a bad habit or
a servant of a good habit
– the choice is yours.
- Fred Van Amburg
Seminar Presenter : Radheshyam das, M.Tech., IIT, Powai
Director, Vedic Oasis for Inspiration, Culture and Education (VOICE)
For Tolani Maritime Institute
Knowledge Skill Attitude

2. Vedic Oasis for Inspiration, Culture
and Education)
• a cultural and educational group
• trains college youth, corporates and children in principle-centered
living and leadership through Drama, Music, seminars etc.
• has a faculty of 120 engineers and doctors
• offers several systematic seminars on topics such as Time
Management, Positive Thinking etc and courses on Personality
development, Character build up, Team playing, Public speaking,
Group discussions etc
• sends Mentors all over India and overseas to many top ranking
institutes like IIT Kharagpur, IT BHU Varanasi, NIT Jamshedpur,
NIT Warangal, NIT Suratkal etc
• has over 20 branches connected to many of the leading
educational institutes and companies.

3. • President of the Pune branch of ISKCON (International Society for Krishna
CONsciousness) that has over 600 centres worldwide
• Director of Vedic Oasis for Inspiration, Culture & Education (VOICE)
• Holds an M.Tech from IIT-Bombay
• has been a top ranker during his DME, BE.Mech Engg and M.Tech.
• worked with CECRI, THERMAX and MATHER AND PLATT
• has been a Junior Research Fellow and Senior Design Executive.
• youth counselor and Corporate Advisor
• has compiled many pocket books on topics relevant to corporate circle like
‘Art of Mind control’ ‘Practical tips to Mind control’ ‘Stress Management’
• has authored a series of 5 books ‘Spirituality for the Modern Youth’
• offers seminars on Stress Management, Proactive Leadership, Time
Management etc in companies and colleges like ISQUAREIT
• ISKCON conferred upon him the ‘Global Excellency Award’ for the year 2004
for his valuable contribution to youth preaching.
Seminar Presenter : Radheshyam das

4. 1. What are Habits? How are Habits Addictive?
What are the effects of Bad habits?
2. Why bad habits are bad, although they feel good?
3. Understanding the Conscious & Subconscious Mind
4. How to say ‘NO’ to Bad Habits
5. Power of Good Habits
6. A simple Meditation technique to conquer bad habits

5. 1. What are Habits?
Definition (Oxford dictionary)
1. Practice that is hard to give up
2. Mental Attitude
Examples :
Bag stealing thief in the Pilgrimage
Cliptomenia of a King of England
Dog’s tail

6. ACTIVITY
SIMPLE SERIOUS GRAVE
BRAINSTORM TYPES OF BAD HABITS

7. Habits are Addictive

8. Habits are first cobwebs…
….then cables
– Spanish Proverb

9. Effects of Habit
Habits affect one’s destiny:-
Sow a thought ... Reap an action
Sow an action ...Reap a habit
Sow a habit ...Reap a character
Sow a character …Reap a destiny

10. Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said
we shouldn't spank our children
when they misbehave
because
their little personalities
would be warped and
we might damage
their self-esteem
(Dr. Spock's son committed suicide).
And we said OK.

11. Then someone said,
let's let our daughters
have abortions if they want,
and they won't even have to
tell their parents.
And we said OK.

12. Then some wise school
board member said,
since boys will be boys and
they're going to do it anyway,
let's give our sons
all the condoms they want
so they can have
all the fun they desire, and
we won't have to tell their parents
they got them at school.
And we said OK.

13. Then some of our top elected officials
said it doesn't matter
what we do in private
as long as we do our jobs.
Agreeing with them,
we said
it doesn't matter to me
what anyone,
including the President,
does in private
as long as
I have a job and
the economy is good.

14. Then someone said
let's print magazines with
pictures of nude women and
call it wholesome,
down-to-earth appreciation for
the beauty of the female body.
And we said OK.

15. Then the entertainment industry said,
let's make TV shows and movies that
promote profanity,
violence, and
illicit sex.
Let's record music that
encourages rape, drugs, murder,
suicide, and satanic themes.
And we said it's just entertainment,
it has no adverse effect,
nobody takes it seriously anyway,
so go right ahead.

16. Now we're asking ourselves
why our children have no conscience,
why they don't know right from wrong, and
why it doesn't bother them to kill
strangers, their classmates and themselves.

17. 2. Why bad habits are bad, though
they feel good?
No illicit sex
By indulging in illicit sex,
one loses…….
• Purity,
• Wisdom,
• Peace of mind,
• Self confidence,
• Cleanliness,
• Concentration,
• Determination
• Vichara shakti (power of enquiry),
• Dharana shakti (power to grasp),
• Viveka (discrimination power),
and many other similar subtle qualities.

18. Danger of Illicit Sex
• Dangers of Blue film watching
• A pleasurable romantic affair
turns into a painful
fearsome nightmare
We are very sorry to inform
that one of our students has
poured kerosine over his body
and burned himself alive, due
to……..

19. No Meat-Eating
When the animals are slaughtered, their minds
are filled with Negative emotions of Fear and
Violence leading to Adrenaline secretion. When
we eat their meat, our minds become filled with
similar Negative emotions.
Why bad habits are bad?

20. No Intoxication
Drugs initially give a feeling
of elation, but soon make
one glide down to
depression.
By consuming intoxicants,
your mind is not your own
anymore.
Why bad habits are bad?

21. Why bad habits are bad?
No Intoxication
It gives immediate
flickering gratification
without caring for the
most dangerous
consequences.
(sometimes even death)

22. No Gambling
Gambling leads to……..
1. Daydreaming stripping us of
the mental energy to utilize
present opportunities.
Why bad habits are bad?
2. Becoming Greedy to accumulate money.
One may beg, borrow, steal or
even go to the extent of murder.

23. Refrain from
Agents harmful to
your body, mind and wellbeing
Non - Veg. Intoxication Gambling Illicit Sex
Meat
Eggs
Sea Food
Fish
Extramarital Sex
Vulgar talks
Obscene Films
Alcohol
Paan/Masala
Tobacco
Drugs
Tea/Coffee
Horse Race
Lotteries
Casino
Stock Market
Speculation
Quick Buck
Business

24. MIND
MIND
YOU !
Calm or
Agitated?
Active or
Lazy?
Friend or
Enemy?
Happy or
Miserable?
Positive or
Negative?
4. Understanding the
Conscious and Subconscious Mind

25. ACTIVITY
• Guess the emotions?
•Where are the emotions situated?

33. Fear

34. Disgust

35. Surprise

36. Happiness

39. Bhagavad-gita is appreciated by :
Scientists like Einstein and
Openheimer who quoted from
BG 11th chap when first atom
bomb was dropped
Philosophers like Henry David
Thoreau
Politicians like Dr.Radhakrishnan,
Gandhi, Abdul Kalam
Religionists like
Shankara, Ramanuja, Madva
Professors like
Dr.J.Stillson Judah
Theologians like
Thomas Merton

40. Extraordinary personalities
reflect on the Gita
When doubts haunt me,
when disappointments
stare me in the face, when
I see not one ray of hope
on the horizon, I turn to the
Gita and I find myself
smiling amidst
overwhelming sorrow.
Those who meditate on the
Gita will derive fresh
meanings and joy from it
everyday.
Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948)

41. Extraordinary personalities
reflect on the Gita
Albert Einstein
(1879 – 1955)
When I read the
Bhagavad-Gita and
reflect about how God
created this universe,
everything else seems
so superfluous.

42. Lord Krishna
taught Arjuna :
“You are not the
body; you are a
spirit soul.”
What is the difference between a living body and a dead body?

43. Is Matter
Conscious?
Does it have DESIRES?
Does it possess FEELINGS?
Does it express WILLINGNESS?

44. Material View
Point
We are bodies made up of matter
We are no more than a chemical bundle.
Everything is finished at the time of death.

45. We are not the material body of flesh and bones.
We are spirit soul, encaged in the material body.
Spiritual View
Point
We do not die when material body stops to function.

46. The Car cannot budge one inch without the driver;
The body is termed dead without the presence of driver, the soul.
MOUTH TO SPEAK
EYES TO SEE
HEART TO PUMP BLOOD
HANDS & LEGS TO MOVE
HORN TO SOUND
HEADLIGHTS TO SEE
RADIATOR TO SUPPLY WATER
FOUR WHEELS TO MOVE
THE UNSEENDRIVER OF THE BODILY CAR
What is the difference between a living body and a dead body?

47. What is the difference between a living body and a dead body?
Just as the bird is
trapped in the cage,
the soul is trapped in
the body made up of
five elements –
earth, water, fire,
Air, ether.
Not knowing their
real identity as the soul,
the people spend all
their life in polishing
the cage – pampering
the body, without
feeding the soul.
Can you say how?

48. Every living body -- be it human, animal, bird, tree,
reptile or any other living body –
undergoes six changes –
1. birth 2.growth 3.maintenance 4.production of
by-products 5.dwindling 6.death.
What is the difference between a living body and a dead body?

49. The soul is covered by
gross and subtle coverings
Soul :
Gross body :
Earth,
Water,
Fire,
Air
Ether
Subtle body :
Mind
Intelligence
False Ego
Eternity
Knowledge
Bliss

50. Lord
Sri Krishna
instructs …

51. “As the embodiedsoul
continuouslypasses, in this
body,from boyhoodto
youthto old age, the soul
similarly passes into
another body at death.”
Bhagavad- gétä 2.13
Even in the current life ‘you’, the soul is reincarnating
from childhood body to boyhood to youth to old age.

52. “As a person puts on new dresses, giving up old ones, the
soul similarly accepts new material bodies, giving up the old
and useless ones.” [BG 2.22]
What happens to us at Death?
The soul leaves the gross body behind and is taken to another
womb based on the quality of desires stored in his subtle body
at the time of death.

53. Mechanism OfThe Mind
Intelligence
The Decision
Maker
EYES
SKIN
TONGUE
EARS
NOSE
THE SENSES
Mind
Storehouse Of Habits,
Unfulfilled Desires,
Previous Experiences

54. CHARIOT OF THE BODY
5 SENSES
MIND
INTELLIGENCE SOUL

55.  MIND “FEELS”
- I’m an Engineer;
I should know how to
hold a cigar at least.
 INTELLIGENCE “THINKS”
But that’s a bad habit, not good
for you. Your parents won’t like
to see you doing this. You
may become addicted to it.
Don’t get into wrong track.
MENTAL DIALOGUES
Eg. SMOKING HABIT
I think its fun; everyone
is doing it anyway.
I should experience
what’s life at least once.
But you fool, why do you hurt
yourself by this bad habit, that
- wastes your money,
- ruins your good health and
- may cause you cancer in the future.
Stop it! Don’t even dream about it!

56. MENTAL DIALOGUES
IF MIND STRONGER – MIND WINS – You succumb to Bad Habit
IF INTELLIGENCE STRONGER – You can Resist the Temptation

57. ACTIVITY
• Can you see how difference how
the “MIND FEELS” and
the “INTELLIGENCE THINKS”?
•Whose side will you take?

58. Your choice will
mould your Future
Life is made of choices
Choices decide our future
Habits activate choices

59. Habits in relation with
Conscious & Subconsciousmind
MIND
CONSCIOUS SUBCONSCIOUS
ABILITY TO
THINK, ACCEPT AND REJECT
SIMPLY ACCEPTS
DRIVER AUTOMOBILE

62. Where do we get our scripts from?
• The kind of BOOKS we read
• The kind of MOVIES we see
• The kind of MUSIC we listen
• The kind of FRIENDS we keep

63. GIGO principle
• Garbage IN – Garbage OUT
• Positivity IN – Positivity OUT
• Negativity IN – Negativity OUT
• Good IN – Good OUT!

64. 4. HOW TO SAY ‘NO’ TO BAD HABITS?

65. Handbook of Religion and Health
Oxford University Press,
Harold G. Koenig (MD),
Michael E. McCullough (PhD) and
David B. Larson (MD)
reviewed more than 2000
published experiments that
tested the relationship between
religion and
everything from blood pressure,
heart disease, cancer and stroke to
depression, suicide, psychotic
disorders and marital problems.

66. Handbook of Religion and Health
Oxford University Press,
People who attended a spiritual
program at least once a week lived
average seven years longer than
those who don't attend at all.

67. Handbook of Religion and Health
Oxford University Press,
Religious youth showed significantly
lower levels of drug and alcohol
abuse, premature sexual
involvement, criminal delinquency
and suicidal tendencies than their
nonreligious counterparts

68. Handbook of Religion and Health
Oxford University Press,
Elderly people with deep,
personal religious faith have a
stronger sense of well-being
and life satisfaction than their
less religious peers.

69. Handbook of Religion and Health
Oxford University Press,
Koening’s Conclusion: "A high SQ faithfulness to
God appears to benefit people of all means,
educational levels and ages."

70. Robert Arkin (Psychologist)
Ohio State University explains:
“The cycle of materialistic
pursuits is disappointing and
exhausting in the long run and
can make people perpetually
unhappy.”

71. Patrick Glynn, George Washington
University in his book God: The
Evidence
“Religious believers
are found to be less
prone to suicide,
alcohol abuse, drug
abuse, divorce, stress
and depression. ”

72. Patrick Glynn, George Washington
University in his book God: The
Evidence
“Religious believers
are found to have
greater marital and
sexual satisfaction and
overall happiness and
psychological well-
being. ”

73. Patrick Glynn, George Washington
University in his book God: The
Evidence
“Thus statistics show that
it is difficult to find a more
consistent correlative of
mental health, or a better
insurance against self-
destructive behaviors, than
a strong religious faith.”

74. Harvard Medical School associate
professor of medicine Herbert Benson
“Contemporary medical
research is showing that the
human mind and body are
‘wired for God’”. A Time cover
story puts it even more explicit
terms. When it comes to health,
"the faithful actually have God
on their side."

75. Time magazine cover story
When it comes to health,
"the faithful actually have
God on their side."

76. “For religion, God is at the
beginning; for science,
God is at the end.”
-Max Planck

77. SUSTAIN AND ABSTAIN METHOD (SSS)
- SUPPLEMENT GOOD HABITS
sustain with GOOD association and GOOD objects
sustain through introspection and self correction
- STARVE BAD HABITS
abstain from BAD people and BAD objects.
- STAY AWAY
from tempting environment and association.

78. Break Bad Habits Form Good Habits
Desire Mind Control
Discrimination Sharpen Intelligence
Determination Eagerness, Association
Dependence Prayer and practice
De-addiction Replace

79. Bulletproof Armor
Comes from
SELF CHANGE
How to say ‘NO’ to Bad Habits?

80. Putting on the
Armor

81. I amresponsible. . .
. . for the habits I’ve picked up
…for the carelessindulgence
…for picking up wrongcompany
By. . . AcceptingResponsibility
ATTITUDE
Howto Change Your Attitude

82. How to Change Your Thinking
THINKING
Changes come
from observing
logically in
every situation

83. Observe Your Thinking
THINKING
How did I get
into this habit?
Now I will give up
bad company…

84. I will not smoke or
drink anymore…
Oh! I will be sucked
into the party of my
friends and will be
forced to smoke and
drink!
Manage Your Self-Talk
If you think you Can, or you think you
Can’t… YOU’RE RIGHT! Henry Ford
THINKING

85. How to Change Your Behavior?
BEHAVIOR
BEHAVIOR
Changes take….
1.True assessment,
2.Determination &
3.Discipline

86. Choose Your Behavior
REACTIVE
Response
RESPONSIBLE
My
Response
My
Choice
BEHAVIOR
Stimulus
Stimulus

87. Steps Toward Changing
Behavior
1. Unconscious Incompetence
2. Conscience Incompetence
3. Conscience Competence
4. Unconscious Competence
BEHAVIOR
The New YOU!

88. 5. Power of Good Habits
Mind Control through Mantra Meditation
Sharpen Intelligence through Wisdom literature
like Bhagavad gita
Eagerness & Association
Prayer and practice
Replace bad habits by good ones

89. Through Mantra Meditation
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare
MAN + TRA
MIND
DELIVER

90. Doctor’s Advice for
Stress Reduction and Positive Thinking
According to Dr.Herbert Benson,
the Relaxation Response by a
technique based on
Western relaxation methods,
Eastern meditative practices and
certain type of Prayers consisting of
Four basic elements :
1) a quiet environment
2) a comfortable position
3) the repetition of a prayer, Chanting
4) a passive attitude free from thoughts

91. 3
8
13
18
Mantra Meditator in Alpha zone
Relaxed Alert zone
Active zone
Drowziness zone
Sleepy zone
Hyperactive zone
BrainWaveFrequency
(cycles/sec)
Mantra Meditation leads to a Relaxed state of Mind with Alertness

92. Doctor’s Advice for
StressReduction and Positive Thinking
In his doctorate thesis on
‘Effects of the Hare Krishna mahamantra on Stress, Depression
and the three gunas’ Dr.David Brian Wolf mentions that
by chanting Hare Krishna mantra regularly,
persons who habitually think depressing thoughts
such as, “I am worthless”
train themselves to replace these thoughts with thoughts
that are rewarding and supportive of self-esteem.

93. Mantra Meditation
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare
Chant

94. Hippies became Happies through Mantra meditation

95. What do the major
religions say about
chanting the holy
names of Lord?

96. Christianity
Christ glorified the
Lord’s holy name by
saying “Our Father
who art in Heaven,
hallowed be Thy
Name”

97. Sikhism
Guru Nanak
prayed “In the
ambrosial hours
of
the morning I
meditate on the
grace of the true
name”

98. Islam
Muslims
repeatedly chant
the sacred name
of
God - “Allah”

99. Buddhism
Buddhists also
practice repetition
of the name of
Lord Buddha
(namu amida
butsu)

100. Sanätanadharma
It also
recommends
repetition of the
holy names of the
Lord, in form of
Mantras
RAM RAM RAM
OM NAMO BHAGAVATE VASUDEVAYA
HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA
KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE
HARE RAMA HARE RAMA
RAMA RAMA HARE HARE

102. “I've been chanting
Hare Krishna for
many years, and
I've never found
anything more
pleasurable.
N.D. Desai
Leading Indian
Industrialist
(Apar Limited, GE Apar
Lighting, CEMA Tubes,
Apar Infotech)

103. “By starting to
chant Hare Krishna,
I feel tremendous
happiness.”
Vicki Overton
leading European Model

104. “Chanting Hare
Krishna has helped
me face all the ups
and downs in my
life with a great
confidence and
peace of mind.”
Hrishikesh
Mafatlal
CEO - Mafatlal
Fabrics

105. “Chanting Hare
Krishna has
made a
tremendous
impact in my
life.”
Albert Brush
Ford
Owner - Ford Motors

106. PLEASANT
MOOD
“If I start my day
on a spiritual
note by chanting
Hare Krishna, I
can make it
through the day
in a pleasant
mood.”
Stephen Farmer
Health food store
owner

107. OPENS THE
EYES OF
WISDOM
“Chanting has
opened my eyes to
things I never
noticed. Its like
beautiful music – a
very peaceful
feeling, very
satisfying.”
Mrs. Grace
Acquistapace
Housewife

108. STRESS RELIEF
“When I am
stressed out, I
chant. It’s one
thing which
charges my
batteries. It
clears my mind
and brings me
back in focus.”
Paul Bleier
Printing Executive

109. MENTAL
STABILITY
“When I’m
nervous I find
chanting very
calming. I don’t
get shaken up at
little things.”
Mrs. Sally
Raleigh
Merchandiser

110. POSITIVE THINKING
“Myoutlooktowards life
is lot more brighter,after
starting to associate with
Hare Krishna devotees
and chanting the mahä-
mantra.”
Bruce Klienberg
Army Officer

111. “I’ve noticed
that as chanters
progress from
one level to
deeper level,
they become
more realistic,
more tolerant
and more
energetic.”
Dr. Donald R.
Tuck
Associate Professor,
Western Kentucky
University
DEVELOPMENT OF
MATURITY

112. Sharpen Intelligence through Wisdom literature

113. PRAYERS
go up
“ O Lord, give me the courage
to change the things
which can and ought to be changed,
the serenity to accept the things which cannot be changed,
and the wisdom to know the difference ”
Blessings
Come
down
Power of
Prayers

114. Make truth and love as the
foundation of life
The world we live in is simply a drama stage.
We originally belong to the spiritual world.
Remember this fact and be aware
that we’ve to reap the fruits for every action.
Give up bad habits and prepare yourself to
return back to your original home – the spiritual world.

115. Thank You Very Much...
May God bless you
to become free from all
vices and imbibe all
virtues and bringforth
unending Bliss !