January 2022 – When Spirit Meets Science

This ia an image of Radha Krishna and depicts unconditional love in an article by Haripriya Suraj, Reiki Master, Bangalore on her blog 'When Spirit Meets Science'

Radha and Krishna – a divine couple that is symbolic of Higher Consciousness and Unconditional Love.

In February 2020, we were at a temple of Lord Krishna. I was drawn to a little idol of Radha & Krishna that was up for sale at the temple shop. I brought this home and placed it in my room.

Energy works in mysterious ways and I have no logical explanation to offer for how certain phenomena work. But simply having the energy of Radha-Krishna around me seems to have accelerated my growth in unconditional love.

I began walking the path of unconditional love in 2018. It deepened when I co-authored the book ‘When Spirit Meets Science’ with my husband Suraj in 2019. While Suraj had mastered unconditional love, I still had more work to do.

In hindsight, I feel bringing Radha-Krishna into my home also played a role in helping me make huge strides towards unconditional love.

It is hard to explain or theorize unconditional love. Though I knew what it meant on paper, I didn’t know how to embody it.

By the summer of 2020, life unfolded such that I was able to fully recognize and acknowledge the unconditional love that was present in my life and also give it back.

Dr. Newton Kondaveti, one of my very revered teachers of metaphysics, was presenting at a conference held some years back, when someone in the audience asked him a question-

“Does such a thing as ‘unconditional love’ actually exist in this world?”

His reply has stayed with me to this day. He said-

‘Love is always unconditional. Such is the nature of love. Conditional love is our erroneous creation.’

So, the question we must be asking is “Does conditional love actually exist?”

Deconditioning from the shackles of ‘conditional love’ and moving towards unconditional love was not easy for me. Challenges and tests were part of the journey. Unhealed wounds had to be dealt with and tears had to be shed. It often felt like my world was crashing down on me and all forms of love would disappear from my life. But it didn’t.

Now that I have reached destination ‘Unconditional Love’ successfully and continue to evolve, it feels like –

“Whoa! What a journey! What a feeling!”

All the turbulence I had to confront right from childhood feels worth it, considering where it brought me.

Unconditional love feels intoxicating in some ways and calming in other ways!

Words cannot do justice to it. Only experience can.

As I continue to explore the depths of unconditional love, I wish you a rich and rewarding journey into the realms of unconditional love within your heart!

This image depicts a cancer surgeon's experience of Reiki in an article by Suraj Manjunath on When Spirit Meets Science

energy medicine, reiki, when spirit meets science

Energy, Vibration & Reiki: A Cancer Surgeon’s Perspective

January 26, 2022 surajmanjunath

Energy, frequency, and vibration.

For me, these were words associated with physics and conventional science.

In 2007, I learned that these words also carry a completely different meaning for other people.

They seemed to be an integral part of Haripriya’s vocabulary and she used them frequently in the context of day-to-day life.

Initially, I found myself baffled by the context in which she used these words! It took me quite some time to get used to them and to know exactly what they mean in non-scientific terms.

Be it choosing a home to move into after our marriage or finding a new workplace for her, Haripriya had to first tune in to the place’s ‘vibe.’ If the ‘vibration’ of a place felt right, she would pick it. If not, she wouldn’t. She did this exercise not only for herself but also for me. Thankfully, she pronounced that the vibe of the hospital I was working at when we first met was excellent!

Now, whenever I need to take big decisions, she shares her inputs on how various options ‘feel.’ And I have come to realize that I value her inputs. I weigh her intuitive insights alongside my own logic and base my decisions on the best of both.

Haripriya also introduced me to Reiki. Way back in 2007, she explained to me that Reiki is a form of ‘energy healing’ that helps to bring body, mind, emotions, and spirit into a state of balance. She said this is done through the laying on of hands over different ‘chakras or energy centers’ associated with the body. These concepts flew over my head as I had a hard time relating to energy in this manner. I told her I would prefer to experience Reiki rather than attempt to understand it with my logical mind.

I have been receiving Reiki from her for years now. I have to say it is a very relaxing experience. I love the soft ambiance that is created with candles and soothing music. I cherish the gentle presence of Haripriya while she works on ‘balancing my chakras!’ I appreciate being encouraged to not think of anything else for a good forty minutes and to just allow myself to relax. I often drift into a peaceful slumber during these Reiki sessions and wake up feeling refreshed.

Peace and healing comfort – this is what Reiki is to me!

My objective and rational temperament is my strength. I cannot think of a scientific explanation for Reiki. But I do know how it makes me feel.

If someone were to ask me what love feels like, I would tell them to try some Reiki!

This image shows a cave in a post on Movies & TV shows that heal by Haripriya Suraj on When Spirit Meets Science

healing movies & tv shows

Movies & TV Shows That Heal: The Rescue

January 22, 2022January 23, 2022 Haripriya Suraj

The Rescue is a documentary based on the rescue of a team of boys and their football coach from a flooded cave in Thailand. The team was trapped in the cave for over two weeks. The story made global headlines in 2018. I remember heaving a sigh of relief when I heard the team had been rescued successfully, though my heart did pine for the couple of navy personnel who lost their lives during the process ( one during the mission and one a little later).

To be honest, I did feel some resistance when we sat down to watch this documentary. I felt it would leave me feeling low and fearful. However, it turned out to be the exact opposite of what I anticipated. Towards the end of the movie, my eyes were overflowing with tears. And much to the amusement of my husband and son (who I watched the film with), I did give myself permission to cry my heart out!

In my opinion, the film subtly yet effectively manages to showcase the herculean efforts that went into rescuing the team of boys and their coach under very dangerous circumstances. Professional cave divers from across the world joined hands with the Thai Navy to make this near-impossible feat possible.

Key Takeaways From ‘The Cave’

The human body is stunningly resilient. I couldn’t stop wondering how someone could survive for so many days without nutrition, fresh air and basic hygiene. But they did – all of them! If the body can stretch itself to excruciating limits to preserve life under trying circumstances, imagine how much it may be doing for us every day. We hardly notice the brilliance alive within our bodies. It does evoke a huge sense of gratitude!
Love makes the world go around. Support poured in from across the globe. Professional cave divers from different countries flew in and helped make the mission a success. During moments of crisis, nothing seems to matter apart from the fact that everyone is human. Boundaries of race, religion and ethnicity dissolve. Humanity prevails.
Being Who You Are Can Help The World. Until I watched this movie, I had no clue that cave diving was a skill! During the course of the movie, some of the divers talked about their passion for cave diving. They said team sports was not their forte and that cave diving suited them fine because it could be done independently. When viewed through a conventional lens, this attitude may not have earned them brownie points. But they chose to do what felt right to them. And their choice didn’t go in vain. Not only did it bring them joy and contentment, it also helped save so many lives! Being who we are can be a blessing not only to us but also to others around us.

P.S: I understand there is more than one documentary based on the Thai cave rescue and they go by slightly differing titles. The one I watched and am referring to in this post is titled ‘The Rescue.’

This image shows Haripriya Suraj & Suraj Manjunath, the authors of When Spirit Meets Science

personal, when spirit meets science

Happy Birthday, Dear Soulmate!

January 19, 2022January 20, 2022 Haripriya Suraj

When I looked into your eyes for the first time, I felt like you were so very familiar…

As I looked deeper, I sensed safety, warmth, gentleness, depth, strength, and stability.

You are a perfect embodiment of the Divine Masculine.

When we got talking, I realized I must have known you for eternity…

For never in my life have I spoken at such length to someone I barely knew.

And I know I haven’t stopped talking since that beautiful evening we met…

Thank you for being so patient with my rambling stories!

Thank you for loving and accepting me for who I am.

On this special day, I would like to take a moment to celebrate who you are –

Highly intelligent, in every sense of the world

Super-Skilled Surgeon

Wizard of Science & Finance

Devoted Son, Committed Husband, and Doting Father

Witty, Loving, Kind

Human Being with Elevated Consciousness

And my Soul Mentor in Unconditional Love…

Thank you for being a part of my journey.

Love you always! Happy birthday!

Haripriya

energy medicine, self love, when spirit meets science

Decoding Chocolate Cravings

January 14, 2022January 15, 2022 Haripriya Suraj

There is something very comforting about the sensation of chocolate melting in your mouth!

While there may be many physiological and/or psychological reasons for chocolate cravings, I personally find that I crave chocolate when I am under stress or am having to juggle multiple responsibilities at once.

Being a mom to an active ten-year-old plus a super active toddler keeps me on my feet each day!

The current spike in Covid cases has made schooling go virtual again, which means more work than usual for parents. Apart from constantly ensuring that my son is focused during class time, there’s more homework to oversee, more sibling squabbles to handle through the day, and bigger messes to clean up around the house.

On the one hand, it does feel amazing to have the beautiful energy of children light up your home. You get to enjoy kisses, hugs, joy, laughter, innocence, and playfulness throughout the day. On the other hand, it can also be exhausting in some ways and you end up feeling like you need a break from all the noisy activity and clutter. If you are a parent, you most certainly understand what I mean!

On most days, I do have my family oversee the kids for a while so I can take some time off. But there are days when I am the sole caregiver throughout the day.

Recently, I had one such day. I was on parenting duty from morning until night. When my husband finally arrived and I was able to enjoy some solitude, I began to crave chocolate!

I stood near the refrigerator pondering if I was reaching out to chocolate for the right reasons.

I asked myself if I should give in to my craving or manage it with grit and determination and allow it to pass naturally.

And you know what?

I chose to give in to the craving!

My reasons for doing so –

From the perspective of health, I would have been concerned if I had felt the need to eat an entire bar of chocolate. Since Reiki practice helps me stay very tuned in to my body, I am very conscious of what I put into my body, and also how much. As far as chocolate is concerned, all I ever eat is one piece or a maximum of two (if the pieces are tiny). And I have no medical conditions that make chocolate a no-no. As I understand, a small amount of chocolate is not harmful to my body in any way.

From the psychological and energetic perspectives, I had had a difficult day, laced with some bitter moments.

So was I craving some sweetness on the subconscious level? Possibly.

Would this amount to comfort eating? Most likely.

While I am certainly not for comfort eating as a routine, I am OK with it as an occasional indulgence. I am human. I believe it is OK to indulge ourselves in small ways at times. If a piece of chocolate can help me re-connect to the sweetness of life on difficult days, then so be it! It’s not like every day is difficult.

And guess what?

I did feel lighter and energised after allowing myself this small sugary indulgence.

After spending the evening being ‘Snappy Mom,’ to my children ‘I was back to being ‘Happy Mom!’

I hope this article inspires you to decode your chocolate cravings!

This image describes books that heal in a post by Haripriya Suraj on law of attraction in Whne Spirit Meets Science

law of attraction, personal

Empowering Books: Notes From The Universe

January 10, 2022 Haripriya Suraj

Year 2007 – I was in a dark place. Life had presented me with multiple challenges through the years and I was exhausted. I was struggling to find –

A sense of stability
True and fulfilling love
Peace of mind
Freedom from fear and fear based conditioning
Healing of old traumas

I explored several self-help tools and techniques to support myself – handwriting analysis, gemology, meditation, dance therapy, and law of attraction studies. I benefitted in different ways from each of them and am grateful for the role they played in helping me create a refreshing new life.

November 2007 – I trained in Reiki. Reiki practice helped me clean up residual clutter from my life. And I also found a book that turned my life around.

I was casually strolling through a bookstore with no intention of buying a book, when one particular book caught my attention – ‘Notes From The Universe’ by Mike Dooley!

I felt an instant connection to this book and sat down to read it. I found myself staring open-mouthed at the content within this book. Each word I read helped me feel alive. Every word rang true deep within my heart. I knew I hadn’t found this book by chance. I was super thrilled. I purchased a copy of this book and raced home to read the remainder of it over a soothing cup of tea!

The law of attraction exercises I had been practicing until this point had certainly put me on the path of ‘conscious manifestation.’ However, ‘Notes From The Universe’ helped me take the law of attraction to a whole new level. It helped me develop a personal connection with the Universe. Every time I read the book, I felt like I was actually conversing and laughing along with the Universe. I had loads of fun manifesting the life I dreamt of!

My days were filled with more joy than ever before. I practiced creative visualization for a few minutes each day. And I did take baby steps towards my dreams as constantly recommended by dear old Universe in the book.

And lo and behold! In less than a month’s time, my life’s circumstances shifted almost miraculously and brought in everything I needed, desired, and more.

Now, does this mean I have had no problems in life since then?

Not at all!

I am human too and have my fair share of troubles to deal with.

However, the difference now is that I try to view and address life’s ‘problems’ from the standpoint of the Universe and its metaphysical laws, while also taking necessary practical steps to resolve them. This approach brings more ease into my journey.

I believe the Universe is indeed a magical place, ever willing to reveal its magic to each one of us. All we need to do is open our eyes, minds, and hearts to this magic and allow it to carry us along.

this image shows a happy family in an article in tv shows that heal by Haripriya Suraj on When Spirit Meets Science

entertainment that heals, personal

Movies & TV Shows That Heal: Modern Family

January 6, 2022January 7, 2022 Haripriya Suraj

While a lot of content on television can throw sensitive people off balance, there is also some great high vibrational content that has the potential to bring joy, laughter, and healing to our lives!

Being a sensitive person, I have never been a big fan of television. Covid forced us to remain indoors for so long. During the extended lockdowns, my husband Suraj inspired me to drop my bias against television and introduced me to some great content. As a result, I have begun to enjoy some daily ‘productive’ TV time!

I have to acknowledge that each movie or show we have watched so far has brought healing in some form – to myself, my marriage, my relationship with my children, my role as a healer, and my existence as a human being.

In this post, I would like to reflect on a television series called ‘Modern Family.’ We have been watching it on Disney Hotstar. It has a total of eleven seasons and we just completed watching nine seasons.

This show tracks the journey of three families who are related.

One is what we would label a ‘conventional family’- with a father, mother, and three children. The parents get married and bear children at the ‘perfect age’ (by worldly standards).

The second one is a non-conventional family – with same-sex parents and one child.

The third family is also somewhat non-conventional. There is a huge age gap between husband and wife, and they are from different cultures. The wife has a young son from a previous marriage. The husband has two adult children from his previous marriage (they are part of the first two families). This couple has another baby together and the husband becomes a father again at 60 plus years of age!

The show traces the journey of these three families, as separate entities as well as a combined unit. Each family has its own set of strengths as well as challenges. Each character has managed to touch upon the depths of what it means to be human.

Joy, laughter, togetherness, playfulness

Sadness, fear, envy, anger, competition

Frustration, helplessness

Love, romance, sexuality

Almost all emotions and aspects of life have been captured with a dash of humour and lightness. Like everyone else, the families experience the routine ups and downs of life. But no matter what unfolds between them or around them, one element always remains intact – love.

Core Learnings From This Series

Life is easier when we don’t take it too seriously
All of us are broken in some ways and that’s OK!
It is safe to feel and express (appropriately) different emotions
Everyone is operating on different timelines and comparison between people is futile. Depending on our life’s circumstances, we may reach certain milestones early in life and others late.
Love is the essence of life. As long as there is love, there is hope. Without love, the world would be ‘dead.’

Considering that this show has its roots in western culture, some aspects of it may not appeal to the sensibilities of an eastern audience.

Initially, I could not relate to certain parts of the show either. However, I put culture aside and decided to take only the value the show offered on a human level. And it does offer huge value!

Kudos to the team that created this series and to all the actors who have put up a brilliant performance. Thanks to each of you, my evenings are filled with lightness and laughter!

healing pregnancy loss in a blog post by Haripriya Suraj in When Spirit Meets Science

energy medicine, modern medicine, personal, pregnancy loss, when spirit meets science

Reaching Out To Babies In Heaven

January 3, 2022 Haripriya Suraj

The loss of a pregnancy, no matter how early or late it occurs, can be a devastating blow to the mother and father. This post is dedicated to all women and men who have lost their children to complications in pregnancy or birth, or even later in life.

You are not alone. Your pain is valid. Pregnancy loss may be a relatively common occurrence but that doesn’t make it any less painful. Acknowledging your pain is the first step to healing it.

When you get a positive pregnancy test, you assume a little human being will land in your arms at the end of nine months. Rarely do you imagine that something could go horribly wrong midway and that the baby won’t make it.

Our first child, baby angel Siri, left this planet even before she could take birth. I developed life-threatening pre-eclampsia during the latter part of pregnancy. This condition halted the growth of the baby and put my own life at risk too.

Thanks to advances in medicine and timely intervention, doctors managed to save my life. However, we had to let the baby go.

I grieved the loss of Siri for years. I experienced episodes of anger, blame, inadequacy, frustration, and helplessness.

On the physical level, I couldn’t understand (and still don’t) why a young and perfectly healthy woman like myself had to develop a random life-threatening condition. On the soul level though, I believe there was a higher reason for this incident.

To some extent, I am able to intuitively decipher the reason behind this seemingly unfortunate incident but I have not found all the pieces of the puzzle yet. It feels like there are way too many pieces and I am waiting for all of them to fit together and reveal the complete picture to me.

I trust I will find my answer one day when I am fully ready to know, understand and accept it.

It took me several years to come to some acceptance of Siri’s loss. By the Grace of the Divine, we are now blessed with two beautiful children and I love them with all my heart.

Along with my two incarnated angels, I will always love and honour Siri as one of our offspring. I didn’t get to hold her in my arms. But that doesn’t change the fact that she was our first baby.

When I give Siri her rightful place within the family, I find that my love for my other two children multiplies.

Siri may not be here in physical form but I often sense her presence on the energetic level. I cannot offer a logical explanation for this because energy doesn’t always work in logical ways. Many experiences in life have to be taken on trust. I prefer to enjoy such moments for what they offer, minus the analysis.

On this anniversary of her transitioning to the higher planes, I felt inspired to pen down a heartfelt note-

Dearest Baby Angel Siri,

The time we spent together was brief. I wish things had been different. I wish I could have held you and nurtured you.

Our separation seems to have been part of a higher plan. My mind doesn’t understand it but my soul knows there is more to this separation than just pain and misery. I trust that when the time is right, the ‘human me’ will manage to retrieve the answers to my burning questions from the ‘soul me.’

I choose to clear all subconscious and unconscious energy distortions behind this occurrence with the beautiful words of Ho’oponopono-

I am sorry

Please forgive me

I love you

Thank you

I trust these words will transform all pain – hidden and otherwise – and bring healing to you, me, and all involved.

I will always love you from the bottom of my heart. I pray that you are free and happy, wherever you are.

And we will meet again, somewhere across time and space…

This time in the best of circumstances, in accordance with divine will and in perfect divine timing.

This is my promise to you, little one…

Love

Mama

Month: January 2022

Radha-Krishna: Divine Mentors In Unconditional Love