Desires and dreams are parts of a human life, so we all know. While these two big Ds seem to possess the power of shattering all boundaries of sanity, it is ironic to realise that dreams vapour up into nothingness without the touch of desires. Now, the curious question arises - where do these dreams reside and how many desires constitute one dream?
Last Friday we had organized a movie viewing at our residence for the chyks. The movie chosen was – “The 36th Chamber of Shaolin”. With my fractured foot, I was all appreciation for San Te who learns the martial art, Kung Fu from the monks of Shaolin Temple, to start with his fractured leg. One needs great determination, willpower and single pointed goal to cross those 35 chambers one by one in such a short span of time. The goal here was his dream to learn Kung Fu and the desire behind it was to throw away the cruel Manchu rulers. San Te was a success because he had one desire and hence one dream.
But a human life has a big reservoir of desires and hence dreams keep changing as the grouping of desires continues with different combinations. Out of these, many are directed towards sanity or insanity; higher or lower; grand or trivial; attitude of service or selfishness.
Suppose I opt to build my goal on one dream i.e. a life of divinity, I’ve only got only two choices to exhaust the reservoir of desires -
1) to live through
2) to burn all
Given my familial and cultural conditions as gifts of God, my dream is to desire for the burning of Manchus residing inside.
With a lofty dream to behold, I have no time for distrust, untruth, petty politics, anger, jealousy, hatred, manipulation, mean mindedness or cunningness. Frankly, I have no time at all for those who bring along a whiff of the above with them.
However, I need time
• to realise how insignificant I am in this BIG Cosmos
• to thank my Master for accepting and silently guiding me
• to pray for all those known and unknown faces who help me live
• to sustain harmonious relationships with my dear family and selfless friends
• to enjoy the intake of food and breath
• to appreciate the different functions of my body and creative works of others’ minds
• to write my thoughts as they get chiseled out
• to give back to the world in my trivial way
• to learn to feel oneness in all acts
Now I wonder, how much time do I have to realise my lone dream? :)
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Multiplication table
I am glad not to be a part of yesterday’s fiasco. Ask me why? Yesterday was Akshaya Tritiya. Let me assure you that this blog is not to offend people but is a resultant action of some loud thinking. Let me also assure you that I do believe in festivals.
For many years, I’ve seen people madly rushing towards gold shops. They insist that at least a gram of gold is purchased on that day. During my ignorant days/years, I had always thought why God should be so biased to earmark just one day for prosperity. When I understood the significance, I could not stop but pity those who could not. It is sad that people limit their thoughts only to gold.
Why do we also not think in terms of improving and sharing our knowledge or multiplying our acts of charity at least on this day? Why not we pray to God to increase our good and noble thoughts in manifold?
Strangely, Akshaya Tritiya has already become synonymous with gold. I am glad to realise that I had not limited myself in terms of gold so far even once, especially on this day.
I wouldn’t want to identify myself as one in future too. It is only my view though.
For many years, I’ve seen people madly rushing towards gold shops. They insist that at least a gram of gold is purchased on that day. During my ignorant days/years, I had always thought why God should be so biased to earmark just one day for prosperity. When I understood the significance, I could not stop but pity those who could not. It is sad that people limit their thoughts only to gold.
Why do we also not think in terms of improving and sharing our knowledge or multiplying our acts of charity at least on this day? Why not we pray to God to increase our good and noble thoughts in manifold?
Strangely, Akshaya Tritiya has already become synonymous with gold. I am glad to realise that I had not limited myself in terms of gold so far even once, especially on this day.
I wouldn’t want to identify myself as one in future too. It is only my view though.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
In touch with magic? I can't be...
What am I doing these days?
Do not laugh at me when I say this…. I am strictly into the books of Harry Potter series gyrating mentally to the gimmicks of the magic world. One more book to go still. The author, J K Rowling, has wonderfully woven a parallel world that is beautiful and ugly equally.
JKR has sailed the readers through a bumpy road of Harry Potter’s life. Some of the characters portrayed are remarkably superb, say, Albus Dumbledore, Sirius Black, Lupin, Snape etc. I was amazed by the growing and glowing friendship between Harry, Ron and Hermione.
The important points blended subtly in her work are
• ‘Love’ is a powerful shield of protection. Its positive energy destroys negative forces in an instant.
• Mental strength of high order is very important, whether to pursue positive or negative goals of high altitude.
• We have a free will to choose our future.
• Risks fetch faster rewards.
• Fearlessness is one of the very important aspects of success.
• Magic can take life but never give back the life taken (the road of magic ends here pathetically).
• One needs extraordinary willpower and self control not to display their powers.
• Friendship endures and stands by in all hardships.
and many more…
Well, I remember those days wherein I used to forcibly read stories to my tiny tot every night, the practice which I managed to continue till he turned 4 or 5. Later on, to develop a taste for reading, I would sit with him alongside every day with a book encouraging him to read. Now, it is his turn. These days he forces me to read his collections though I have no inclination. To give respect to his feelings and avoid further emotional blackmail (:D), I'd picked up the first book of HP but hooked on to it with a feeling that I’ve re-entered into childhood but in a different dimension. But ask Atul, how poor a reader I am as I could not recollect the characters as accurately and instantly as he does.
People wrongly interpret my adherence to self-listed principles as rigidity and get confused when I say that I read this book or watched that movie. Some even chuckled when I said that I am reading Harry Potter.
It is no magic to write such thick volumes on pseudo magical world and be successful. I realise this closely as my mind does not magically form an array of neatly framed sentences; neither relieves me of writing this blog magically.
That shows to prove that I can never be in touch with magic, for I can never spin magic on anyone or anything. That includes myself. :)
And I need not.
Do not laugh at me when I say this…. I am strictly into the books of Harry Potter series gyrating mentally to the gimmicks of the magic world. One more book to go still. The author, J K Rowling, has wonderfully woven a parallel world that is beautiful and ugly equally.
JKR has sailed the readers through a bumpy road of Harry Potter’s life. Some of the characters portrayed are remarkably superb, say, Albus Dumbledore, Sirius Black, Lupin, Snape etc. I was amazed by the growing and glowing friendship between Harry, Ron and Hermione.
The important points blended subtly in her work are
• ‘Love’ is a powerful shield of protection. Its positive energy destroys negative forces in an instant.
• Mental strength of high order is very important, whether to pursue positive or negative goals of high altitude.
• We have a free will to choose our future.
• Risks fetch faster rewards.
• Fearlessness is one of the very important aspects of success.
• Magic can take life but never give back the life taken (the road of magic ends here pathetically).
• One needs extraordinary willpower and self control not to display their powers.
• Friendship endures and stands by in all hardships.
and many more…
Well, I remember those days wherein I used to forcibly read stories to my tiny tot every night, the practice which I managed to continue till he turned 4 or 5. Later on, to develop a taste for reading, I would sit with him alongside every day with a book encouraging him to read. Now, it is his turn. These days he forces me to read his collections though I have no inclination. To give respect to his feelings and avoid further emotional blackmail (:D), I'd picked up the first book of HP but hooked on to it with a feeling that I’ve re-entered into childhood but in a different dimension. But ask Atul, how poor a reader I am as I could not recollect the characters as accurately and instantly as he does.
People wrongly interpret my adherence to self-listed principles as rigidity and get confused when I say that I read this book or watched that movie. Some even chuckled when I said that I am reading Harry Potter.
It is no magic to write such thick volumes on pseudo magical world and be successful. I realise this closely as my mind does not magically form an array of neatly framed sentences; neither relieves me of writing this blog magically.
That shows to prove that I can never be in touch with magic, for I can never spin magic on anyone or anything. That includes myself. :)
And I need not.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Brace embrace :)
I am back to the bedroom window for another month - the result of abusing my body during the India trip. :) The only hitch this time is that the climate is getting hotter day by day and there is not much charm to view the outside world except for the ever beautiful sky.
This sojourn from the routine (one more time) is going to be a boon, for I have already lined up activities that would keep me busy mentally. Owing to my immobility, I have also requested co-volunteers for the shift in the venue of chyk class to our house so that I can continue to contribute in a minuscule way. A word given (whether casual or serious) is a commitment and I don’t wish to go back on my words any day. Already I have slipped from my commitment for a month because of plaster cast.
Wondering aloud how I managed our India trip with my tattered legs. I look refreshingly nice in all the photos and there seem to be no trace of pain. :) Nobody would believe unless and until they read my detailed travelogue. Of course, there were a lot of motivating factors that numbed my pain superficially to a certain extent. Needless to mention, satsang with Swami Mitrananda and stay in Sidhbari ashram were great morale boosters.
The new ankle brace that has tightly embraced my tender foot has a mission to accomplish - to remind me again that pain is inevitable whereas suffering is optional.
I should be alright in the coming months. All I need is patience, patience and patience. So too my family. :)))
This sojourn from the routine (one more time) is going to be a boon, for I have already lined up activities that would keep me busy mentally. Owing to my immobility, I have also requested co-volunteers for the shift in the venue of chyk class to our house so that I can continue to contribute in a minuscule way. A word given (whether casual or serious) is a commitment and I don’t wish to go back on my words any day. Already I have slipped from my commitment for a month because of plaster cast.
Wondering aloud how I managed our India trip with my tattered legs. I look refreshingly nice in all the photos and there seem to be no trace of pain. :) Nobody would believe unless and until they read my detailed travelogue. Of course, there were a lot of motivating factors that numbed my pain superficially to a certain extent. Needless to mention, satsang with Swami Mitrananda and stay in Sidhbari ashram were great morale boosters.
The new ankle brace that has tightly embraced my tender foot has a mission to accomplish - to remind me again that pain is inevitable whereas suffering is optional.
I should be alright in the coming months. All I need is patience, patience and patience. So too my family. :)))
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
It's not easy to be selfless
During our trip to India (22-31 March, 2009), I anticipated at least one instance of stamping my right foot in our over crowded country but the most dreaded scene didn’t happen thankfully, because of which I have returned home in ‘as is where is’ condition. Don’t ask me what that means. At present, I am clouded with pleasant memories and pampered hospitality which enabled me to leave the pains in the backburner during our long and short walks in India.
Some might have doubted whether I could take up this trip or not, but I just had one thought in my mind and that is ‘I have to go’. I am not writing this with pride but with extreme gratitude to Guru and God whose grace had given me so much of will power, physical stamina and mental strength to withstand pain.
Many a time I had wondered if there could be any plausible connectivity with the people who shower even nano moments of courtesies and kindness on me. This intangible connectivity glitters for a moment to get inspired and vanishes from the sight only to remember the greatness of such souls. Some of them we get to see again and some simply get lost never to be seen or recognized. There were no acts of pretence or lies in their words or actions. They are simple souls leading very ordinary lives. Probably that’s why I carry so much respect for them. It is highly pleasing to realise closely in this trip that this world, especially India, possesses noble hearts even during these periods of selfishness, manipulative intelligence and cunningness.
Well, the effervescence of memories should dance in sequence in my brain in the next couple of days so that I can record them all for my future reference and inspiration. This travelogue (through my eyes) shall be shared through personal mails with co-campers, close friends and relatives.
I understood once again that it’s not easy to be selfless. However, there are many in the world who live a life of selflessness effortlessly. Yes, this journey was worth trodden.
And I know it’s only the beginning for me.
Some might have doubted whether I could take up this trip or not, but I just had one thought in my mind and that is ‘I have to go’. I am not writing this with pride but with extreme gratitude to Guru and God whose grace had given me so much of will power, physical stamina and mental strength to withstand pain.
Many a time I had wondered if there could be any plausible connectivity with the people who shower even nano moments of courtesies and kindness on me. This intangible connectivity glitters for a moment to get inspired and vanishes from the sight only to remember the greatness of such souls. Some of them we get to see again and some simply get lost never to be seen or recognized. There were no acts of pretence or lies in their words or actions. They are simple souls leading very ordinary lives. Probably that’s why I carry so much respect for them. It is highly pleasing to realise closely in this trip that this world, especially India, possesses noble hearts even during these periods of selfishness, manipulative intelligence and cunningness.
Well, the effervescence of memories should dance in sequence in my brain in the next couple of days so that I can record them all for my future reference and inspiration. This travelogue (through my eyes) shall be shared through personal mails with co-campers, close friends and relatives.
I understood once again that it’s not easy to be selfless. However, there are many in the world who live a life of selflessness effortlessly. Yes, this journey was worth trodden.
And I know it’s only the beginning for me.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Assortment of thoughts on the 12 year old
After writing the article ‘Baby smile’ late last night, I went to sleep very late as the left over thoughts were rummaging my being for sometime. Today morning, I was woken up at 4:45 a.m. by Atul with a sweet kiss on my cheek and a baby smile, as he wanted me to help him with his Hindi portions for today’s exams.
Thus a long day awaits me today being a weekend. Reclining my plastered right leg on the tower of pillows most of the times, my movements are restricted. Obviously, the bed is strewn with pillows, blanket, books, mobile, phone, laptop and of course me on the edge.
Atul has been very kind to me during this time of trial - ‘Do you want this?’, ‘Don’t walk too much…’, ‘I shall bring water for you.’ ‘Please be careful..’ etc etc. He sets the table, clears it after eating, washes utensils too if need be and helps himself from the kitchen when hungry. But he also proves to be a child.
Even on the crowded bed, Atul fights for his share of pillows and blanket. In fact, he wants to use only those I am using. He wants to sleep with me at night and doesn’t want to understand that his one hard kick would jeopardize my leg. He gets thousands of doubts which need to be cleared with his friends urgently only when I am on phone. He is bored and wants to play games on the laptop only when I am seriously reading or writing something. He trails me wherever I go and sits in front of me.
Every time every day there is a big war of words between us but they are all momentary and meaningless. I know that he cannot take my silence, for he cries like a baby if I declare so. He is full of life unlike me. With cricket on TV on one side, ‘Jai Ho’ (at present) on laptop on the other side, hand swishing the cricket bat or tennis racket, speaking phone every now and then, he claims that he is studying studiously for annual exams. Sometimes, he uses ‘Sing Star’ for relaxation and sings those evergreen songs merrily.
He is bored of seeing the spiritual books around me and pressurizes me to read Harry Potter. He is successful though in thrusting me in this aspect. He wants to go to a school like Hogwarts during summer holidays, swish his magic wand and learn those simple tricks. His eyes glitter with excitement when he talks about the world of magic.
Well, he is a part of ‘awesome threesome’ who have conceived and written a book called FINDERS’ FOUR. A blog on this is long pending from me which I’ll do once they publish the book. In fact, even in this period of exams, he and his friend, Adi find time to think of writing and tuning a song all on their own in Adi’s guitar.
There are more to write, of course. He is making my life’s moments bright, beautiful and wonderful. In a subtler way, he makes me realise that God has been very kind to me. I do not wish to own him or possess him. I do not wish to thrust my opinions or dreams on him.
I always remember Kahlil Gibran’s words…
Your children are not your children
They are sons and daughters of life’s longing for itself
They come through you but not from you
I want him to dream on his own and enjoy his life as he wants to be. But I would be glad if he makes a positive difference in at least one life in his lifetime and be a contributor in a small way to the society that he is indebted to and the world he is kindly absorbed into.
Thus a long day awaits me today being a weekend. Reclining my plastered right leg on the tower of pillows most of the times, my movements are restricted. Obviously, the bed is strewn with pillows, blanket, books, mobile, phone, laptop and of course me on the edge.
Atul has been very kind to me during this time of trial - ‘Do you want this?’, ‘Don’t walk too much…’, ‘I shall bring water for you.’ ‘Please be careful..’ etc etc. He sets the table, clears it after eating, washes utensils too if need be and helps himself from the kitchen when hungry. But he also proves to be a child.
Even on the crowded bed, Atul fights for his share of pillows and blanket. In fact, he wants to use only those I am using. He wants to sleep with me at night and doesn’t want to understand that his one hard kick would jeopardize my leg. He gets thousands of doubts which need to be cleared with his friends urgently only when I am on phone. He is bored and wants to play games on the laptop only when I am seriously reading or writing something. He trails me wherever I go and sits in front of me.
Every time every day there is a big war of words between us but they are all momentary and meaningless. I know that he cannot take my silence, for he cries like a baby if I declare so. He is full of life unlike me. With cricket on TV on one side, ‘Jai Ho’ (at present) on laptop on the other side, hand swishing the cricket bat or tennis racket, speaking phone every now and then, he claims that he is studying studiously for annual exams. Sometimes, he uses ‘Sing Star’ for relaxation and sings those evergreen songs merrily.
He is bored of seeing the spiritual books around me and pressurizes me to read Harry Potter. He is successful though in thrusting me in this aspect. He wants to go to a school like Hogwarts during summer holidays, swish his magic wand and learn those simple tricks. His eyes glitter with excitement when he talks about the world of magic.
Well, he is a part of ‘awesome threesome’ who have conceived and written a book called FINDERS’ FOUR. A blog on this is long pending from me which I’ll do once they publish the book. In fact, even in this period of exams, he and his friend, Adi find time to think of writing and tuning a song all on their own in Adi’s guitar.
There are more to write, of course. He is making my life’s moments bright, beautiful and wonderful. In a subtler way, he makes me realise that God has been very kind to me. I do not wish to own him or possess him. I do not wish to thrust my opinions or dreams on him.
I always remember Kahlil Gibran’s words…
Your children are not your children
They are sons and daughters of life’s longing for itself
They come through you but not from you
I want him to dream on his own and enjoy his life as he wants to be. But I would be glad if he makes a positive difference in at least one life in his lifetime and be a contributor in a small way to the society that he is indebted to and the world he is kindly absorbed into.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Baby smile
Every mother would surely agree upon one thing without fail that the period of pregnancy gives maximum joy and tension in their lives. It is a wonderful feeling to carry a baby in the stomach, for the mother feels doubly responsible for the two lives. The subtle bondage that she develops with the baby cannot be explained in words. However, it is also a period of unrest and tension, for there will be a thought at the backdrop that the baby should be devoid of deformities, both physical and mental.
It’s a sight to see the baby immediately after his/her birth - so beautiful, angelic, pure, and softer than a flower. The big responsibility of raising the baby is well hidden under the bewitching smile, small hands, cute little eyes, soft skin etc.
As far as I am concerned, the best part in a human life is the period of babyhood. Whatever be the baby’s caste, creed, colour, religion, nationality, status etc (can't help saying so as some of these things are recorded in the birth card), one can see the beauty, innocence, trust, faith, grace and love in full measure in each of their looks, moves, smiles and touches. I could never resist the temptation of carrying the tender baby in my arms wherever I am. Even in travelling trains, I would have almost always hugged a baby at least for a second. So too most of the people, I believe.
I remember one small incident that happened in Chennai. It was one of those July vacation days and the place was my in-laws’ house. The maid servant had lots of vessels to clean but she had brought her baby to work. While cleaning, she kept her baby on her lap and started doing her work. I chanced to see her and was moved to see the plight of the young lady. In spite of her shyness and refusal (because of respect for me) and my MIL’s shocking face, I took the baby in hand, came to the front side of the house and started walking up and down. Initially the baby made a fuss about the change of warmth that he felt but slowly settled down in my arms. My MIL came running behind me and requested me to give the baby to her too. Well, we were chatting and entertaining the baby as a team effort. When I gave the baby back to the mother saying, ‘You are really fortunate. Your son is very beautiful and adjusting,’ I saw a mixture of gratitude and pride on her face with a broad innocent smile. Ha.. I felt that the mother too had become a baby at that moment.
The outside knowledge that we accrue so vehemently gives intelligence in abundance but erases innocence in the bargain. There is attraction and appreciation for accumulated intelligence everywhere whereas the inborn innocence is left in the bin deep inside to shine among garbage. There is a judgment passed by every speck of displayed intelligence whereas innocence could understand and express only love, affection and care.
Why do we fail to realise that the manipulating intelligence destroys our peace most of the times?
Why not we give a genuine, warm smile straight from the heart just like the baby does?
Is it not that the Higher Intelligence and Innocence one and the same?
Why do we allow dirt and dust to accumulate in our baby smiles as we grow along with intelligence?
It’s a sight to see the baby immediately after his/her birth - so beautiful, angelic, pure, and softer than a flower. The big responsibility of raising the baby is well hidden under the bewitching smile, small hands, cute little eyes, soft skin etc.
As far as I am concerned, the best part in a human life is the period of babyhood. Whatever be the baby’s caste, creed, colour, religion, nationality, status etc (can't help saying so as some of these things are recorded in the birth card), one can see the beauty, innocence, trust, faith, grace and love in full measure in each of their looks, moves, smiles and touches. I could never resist the temptation of carrying the tender baby in my arms wherever I am. Even in travelling trains, I would have almost always hugged a baby at least for a second. So too most of the people, I believe.
I remember one small incident that happened in Chennai. It was one of those July vacation days and the place was my in-laws’ house. The maid servant had lots of vessels to clean but she had brought her baby to work. While cleaning, she kept her baby on her lap and started doing her work. I chanced to see her and was moved to see the plight of the young lady. In spite of her shyness and refusal (because of respect for me) and my MIL’s shocking face, I took the baby in hand, came to the front side of the house and started walking up and down. Initially the baby made a fuss about the change of warmth that he felt but slowly settled down in my arms. My MIL came running behind me and requested me to give the baby to her too. Well, we were chatting and entertaining the baby as a team effort. When I gave the baby back to the mother saying, ‘You are really fortunate. Your son is very beautiful and adjusting,’ I saw a mixture of gratitude and pride on her face with a broad innocent smile. Ha.. I felt that the mother too had become a baby at that moment.
The outside knowledge that we accrue so vehemently gives intelligence in abundance but erases innocence in the bargain. There is attraction and appreciation for accumulated intelligence everywhere whereas the inborn innocence is left in the bin deep inside to shine among garbage. There is a judgment passed by every speck of displayed intelligence whereas innocence could understand and express only love, affection and care.
Why do we fail to realise that the manipulating intelligence destroys our peace most of the times?
Why not we give a genuine, warm smile straight from the heart just like the baby does?
Is it not that the Higher Intelligence and Innocence one and the same?
Why do we allow dirt and dust to accumulate in our baby smiles as we grow along with intelligence?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)