Let Life Touch You

Recently went to Chennai, for me apart from visiting the beaches there is no fond memory of any kind of this place.

This time went to a place called Chrompet to meet a cousin of  mine, my cousin had given me a wrong address by mistake, as a result i was searching the place, very soon people started inquiring and they tried to help them with whatever clues i gave, where does she work etc.
It felt nice, the small colony doing there searches for me :) Finally did meet my cousin and checked in to a hotel.
At the Visa Consulate, met a girl who was behind me in the line, it was interesting to see her concern when i got late in one of the procedures. Some concerns are so heart warming.

As i getting ready to travel, winding stuff at home, a friend of mine offered me help of any kind back home once i was gone. His saying that was enough for me. Had another friend come over to my place to weigh my luggage. My new neighbor suggested we have dinner together on my last day, since it was raining, we ordered pizza and had at home with disposable paper as table.

Had a friend all set to receive me in US. Really feel, what am i complaining about :)

Happy New Year

Life like  river knows only to flow,On facing obstacles, it knows how to make new routes or overcome the hurdles
In the same way, may we act based on conscious to make new ways
May with each coming year, we grow deeper in wisdom and broader in compassion

Here's to a very happy new year!

Why?

I like to explore places and experience art
Like to call myself a seeker 
marvelled at what nature reveals to me

Ma, you know my wishes are pure, uncontaminated
but then why u stop me?

i like to walk like a free bird
Why Ma, the world around me tells its not wise to do that?

Why cannot i feel free ma?
Why i am told about does and don't of society

Why is still a girl thought of needing someone to protect her
Be it father, brother, husband or son

I know i can take care of things
Why then this world makes me feel weak sometimes

I dont think we as women have still experienced what is freedom
The world has not considered woman as human yet

Gratitude

Listened to "Kholo Kholo" song from Taare Zameen Par movie. The scene where Ishaan realises that his teacher has drawn his painting, his expression says so much. I interpret his emotions as, of all the things, Sir, you thought of drawing me?, ME...Why sir, i am not worthy of it, do i mean so much to you. 

This scene and the scene where Ishaan comes running to hug his teacher, always makes me cry.  Someone who believed in you, when you yourself did not believe in yourself, is the priceless gift bestowed by Almightly.

When i look back and think of this, i think of my Maths tuition teacher who had amazing confidence on me, she used to dream real high for me, her love made me feel top of the world, at a time when i did not  think i was worthy of acheiving anything great. During graduation, my Analysis subject teacher also loved me a lot, her bestowing award which she started in memory of her guide, made me feel really blessed. Remember how i and another girl use to crave for her attention in class :) Who will she look at more while teaching :).

During my career, have found myself on the other side too, and that feeling of seeing someone succeed or just being a witness of the daily good done by the person, makes one really wish with pure heart, Good and nothing else for the person. This feeling is priceless too.

रंगमंच

एक ही परिस्थिति को देखने के है कितने नज़रिए
हर नज़र  में है लिपटी मेरी अनुभूतियों और भावो के रंग
कुछ भी न देखता पूर्ण सफ़ेद रंग पृष्ठ भूमि  पर
अपनी ही बुद्धि की  सृष्टि पर अब आती है हँसी
एक दर्शक के रूप में देखती हू  नित नए  नाटक
अपने ही बनाएं  रंगमंच पर

Trek

As you trek through the mountains
you are conscious of where you place your next foot and nothing else
no other thought comes to your mind as you walk the treacherous vine
A wrong footing can make you pay a heavy price
But oh wanderer! don't just focus on just the walk
Do take a break, sit back and cherish the surroundings

After all its the journey that matters not the destination

मझधार

कोन सा है पथ  सही, कोन सा ग़लत
नहीं बूझ पाता यह दिल कभी
अपनी ही सोच में नहीं मिलता  तुक कभी
इक अजब कश्मकश  में पाती हु खुद को में


ए सखी , सुनो शान्ति से अपने मन की
वो ही देखाएगा तुमे रास्ता

सचाई और सुकून का 


माना पथ है कठीन, और जाना है अकेले
पर यू ही चलते चलते ही मिलेँगी   नयी  आशाएँ
जो भरेंगी  तुम्हे और देखएँगी एक नया लक्ष्य ज़िन्दगी का

So is the World

On LOA for the first time, when i took it felt that 1 month of LOA will just feel like extended vacation, just that no pay :) ,was perfectly fine with that.

On day 1 of LOA, get a call from my company saying you need to return your laptop as you are taking 31 days off, 1 day more than a month. Post few minutes, when i tried logging into my mail box(cannot mend this habit of mine of  checking mails at least once in a day). Saw that i could not log in, felt maybe i am typing something wrong, tried again. Called up the PSO lady, confirming is it because of LOA, got the answer 'Yes'.

I said how about at least help desk, if say i want to extend my LOA, got to know no access at all.

It felt very weird to be frank, 11 yrs of connect, disconnected with no concern/care. Thought of the numerous instances i had made so many personal sacrifices, always keeping work as the prime, so much that Workaholic became my adjective, which i hated so much.

Took me a while to feel okay again, in someways feeling free, no connection, completely free, i am just me and nothing else.  Connects which were really with me will remain, the rest will tamper down. A reminder how impermanent everything is and also felt how "I" centric i am, getting hurt by such small things. Recollected the following lines Kabir sang:

उड़ जाएगा पंछी अकेला 

जग दर्शन का मेला 

जैसे पात गिरे तरुवर से 

मिलना बहुत दुहेला 

न जाने किधर गिरेगा 

लगया पवन का रेला 

धर्मशाला

 बिन मांगे मिला घर
नासमझी में मान लिये  इसे अपना
भूल गए हम कि,  यह है  कुछ दिन का बसेरा
जब तक है लिखा, उतने दिन ही है रहना

संगृहीत  करते रहे, हम न जाने क्या क्या
फिर भी पाया,  कितनी और है  लालसा

ए मुर्ख! चलना है तुझे अकेले
क्यों न समझा कैसे धोयेगा   इतना सामान
न जाने कितना और है चलना
कितने और बसेरे है बदलने

जिस दिन दिल अनासकत होगा
और चलेगा खाली हाथ
तभी होगी यह यात्रा समाप्त

Stereotypical Mindsets

Stereotypical Mindsets

Its sad to see how the stereotypical way of looking at things in past are still haunting us. That's why still, we don't tell her daughter's to be ambitious, aim high but rather try but if you don't reach it, don't be disappointed.

How ever educated a girl is, irrespective of where she is in her professional ladder. The expectations at home, from husband or in-laws remain the same. She is always be assessed against the typical measure of taking care of responsibility. Being docile, adjusting, self-sacrificing as the needed traits. Its sad, our education system and social system, does not broaden people's views. Each act of yours, should show that family is your priority and you don't make any calls without consultations. It feels lot of times, people want the girl to erase her identity and become just Mrs so and so.

All adjustments forced on to the girl. Its sad to see, even post having a kid, lot of guys don't change and the upbringing of the kid is more of the wife's responsibility.

Lot of times during courtship, the guys' project a very different side of them, which is to just make the girl say yes. What traits do most guys like, how she looks, does she care for me. Its always the question, what there for me in this.

Do they ever connect at her thought level, what her thinking is and what is her innate nature, what are her dreams? The expectation is always that, she should understand me and change for me.

We as a society has lot of learning to do, to restore faith in lot of these relationships.

Like raindrops soothen the barren earth
True connections help fill holes in one soul

a flower knows how much to open at each stage
it knows it cannot be rushed just acts based on what comes naturally
oh mad gardener why this rush to see it bloom
in an effort to make it bloom sooner, you will make the flower wither away

क्यों है हर सफ़र का मंजिल होना जरूरी
क्यों है हर एक को  कुछ पाने की आस
क्यों नहीं जीते चन्द लम्हे भर पूर
कल की सौच के क्यों करते हो आज खराब
क्या  पाना ही जीवन है ?
क्यों नहीं बहते झरने  की तरह
जो जानती है खेल मिलने बिचड़ने का
अगर  मिलना है संजोग तो कब कोई मिल गया पता ही नहीं चलेगा

शुक्रिया


पेड़ की छाव
सूरज की गर्मी
फूलों की मुस्कान
है हर मौसम में एक समान

बांटे  तू ख़ुशी,  बढाए उमंग
मेरे हर  मौसम में

आज समझी क्या है तेरा मूल धर्म
प्यार, प्यार, बस निर्मल प्यार 

ए खुदा, शुक्रिया




 
   


 

Realisation

It was getting dark, hence everyone started leaving after the evening Satsang. Murali stayed back as he wanted to talk to Sharma Ji bit more and understand the spiritual journey he has gone through.

Murali asked Sharma ji, how did you get interested in the spiritual path? I had heard from people that once upon a time, you were like a free bird, for whom enjoyment meant something else. I am really curious to know what made you change so much.
Hearing the question, Sharma Ji smiled and said, everything is in His hands.

Murali Ji left after hearing this, as he felt that he cannot force Sharma Ji to reveal. If he wills he will tell on his own in one of the Satsangs.

Sharma Ji did his routine meditation and then helped his son do his homework, when his wife announced dinner is ready, he quickly took bath and then had his dinner with family. As he went to bed, his thoughts went to the question  Murali had asked, and he went on a flashback.

Since college, he had a huge circle of friends, loitering with friends, catching a movie or just chatting on random topics was his favorite pass-time. Luckily, the person he got married too was also fond of food and going outdoors. Friday evening meant going out with his gang. Weekends were for family, which always had movie plus dinner in agenda on one of the weekends.  His fun-filled food rich life was reflected in his body, his face became round from oval and his waist acquired some inches of additional circumference.

One day his wife's mother came, she used to follow some baba and would religiously watch his discourse in evening. As a result, even Sharma Ji and his wife was forced to see the same program. Sharma Ji was listening to the discourse half-heartedly and his thoughts went to the cricket match he was missing out. The baba talked about satvic food and the benefits of it and then went on to talk about the 4 principles, do not kill anyone, don’t say lie, be truthful, be loyal to your wife.

After his mother-in-law had gone, he was happy to go back to old routine and was looking forward to go out with friends on Friday. Friday evening, they went to their usual place and ordered chicken curry and beer. Sharma Ji could easily take 3 glasses without any issue, for some reason, he could not take even a single glass that day. He puked as he tried to do bottom's up. Sharma Ji felt may be it’s because of season change. The following sat, the family went out for dinner and they order KFC chicken burger. As soon as Sharma Ji took the first bite, his body made him vomit. 

Sharma Ji and his family was clueless as to why this happened. The same thing happened following week too, Sharma Ji decided to go to the doctor, as he felt his immune system seems to have gone down and must have acquired some new dreaded disease. The doctor examined Sharma Ji and found no issue of any kind, on persistence of Sharma Ji asked him to get some test done. Sadly they all came normal. Sharma Ji slowly stopped going out for food and because of him, even his family stopped going out. Sharma Ji now began spending time reading books, hearing discourses. 

Slowly everyone could see a change in Sharma Ji, he seemed to be always peaceful and smiling. People started asking him the reason for change. Sharma Ji said that he is finding lot of solace in reading good books and hearing good discourses. Everyone asked him to share what he read with them once in a while, and that how the evening satang’s started.

As Sharma Ji, thought of all this...he realized that his path to spirituality began after hearing the first discourse and it was his body which walked on the path first :) and it made his mind follow the body.

प्यारी मेरी दुलारी

हे प्यारी, मेरी दुलारी, तुम क्यों हो सोचती
कि वक़्त बीत गया और अब तुम  न उड़ पावोगी

याद करो तुम अपने वो भोले  निर्मल सपने

जो लहरों  की तरह सीमा विहीन थे

जो तुम्हे कुछ भी है मुमकिन की सीख देते

माना की चाल है अब थोड़ी धीमी
पर मन अब  भी है बच्चे सा निर्मल 

जो  है जानता  सपनो की पतंगे  उडाना 

कटने पे नयी शुरुवात करना   

मत बांधो अपने पैरो में खुद ही बेडिया

तुम चलो  उन्मुक्त हो के

दो अपने सपनो को नए पंख
पूरी कायनात है तुम्हारे संग

Follow your heart, walk the invisible path
Set paths may give interim benefits
But its the path less travelled that takes you to a new world

Why Not This Way

Why is that for some the finishing line is more important than the thrill of the run

Why is that people look for a label for a relation instead of just enjoying the nameless bond

You talk about the materialistic things how about treasure hunting the priceless pearls of wisdom within and around

Why measure oneself on the weights recommended by society, how about becoming weightless in the world

How about for once living at the whims of heart instead of head

Kabir in Navadarshanam

Had gone to three day workshop on kabir songs, was sure it was going to be good..as i knew hearing Prahalad ji sing in person gonna be a great experience. What i did not knew then was how simple and frank he was as a person too...he is extremely warm and very down to earth. When i first saw him in the kitchen, i was not sure whether i would feel comfortable talking to him or not...but as the days progressed felt completely at ease to share my views and thoughts. Its amazing to meet people who walk their talk, he is a true follower of kabir.

Another thing that added to this magic was Navadarshanam, in specific Ananthu Ji. A place that follows the vision of the place to the core, teaching us all how to co-exist with surroundings and what we really need.

Being in the place itself, was an experience in itself. Eco friendly architecture, food, simplicity and warmth of people around just touched me so much. Coming to the place was like recharging oneself to full :)

Hearing Ananthu Ji talk is an experience in itself, he explained things so clearly...making us appreciate the poetry even more. Will always remember his child like laughter and the warmth he gave each one of us.

As a bonus, we got to hear some renditions of poetry from southern India by poets like purandara dasa. It was amazing to realize that all learned people, told the same thing. 

Overall it was a great experience, it was also nice meeting people from different backgrounds. Would like to thank Nikita and Anju for organizing it and giving me this great opportunity to experience this.

Double Trouble

The king and queen of Sumerkuda were staunch devotees of Shiva. Shiva was really pleased with their devotion, which was selfless and with no expectations.

One day, the king announced to his wife that, he is planning to construct a Shiva temple only for himself, wherein he only will be the priest and will serve his lord the way he wanted. Hearing this, the Rani said...what about me, even i would like to serve my lord the way i want too.  On hearing this, the king said, okay i will get two temples made side my side near our place. One will be your temple and another would be mine.

The next day, the king announced this decision to his ministers and asked the most skilled craftsmen in the kingdom to present their designs.  

Post 6 months, two grand temples which were replicas of each other were created. King and Queen were thrilled to see their wish fulfilled. Post that, both king and queen got busy with how they would like to praise their lords etc....Narada..seeing all this, came rushing to Shiva's abode and said, have you seen what your favorite devotees are doing, the king and queen have become the priests of their own temple. Shiva said, its just pure love and they are not neglecting any of their duties so let them do what they please.

Slowly, lot of ceremonies that were being held in the temples started happening at the same time and Shiva had to juggle his time between the two places...he always felt the guilt that maybe i am not doing justice to my devotees. Shiva shared his worries with his wife Parvati. Parvati said, why dont u just listen to the recordings using the time travel device. Shiva said, no no...i would like to give my fav devotees blessing at that moment itself.

Parvati knew how innocent her husband was and he will just worry about he not being able to do justice to their love. Parvati felt, she only would have to do something. She immediately called Narada and told him to keep her posted with latest developments in Sumerkuda and try to make the king and queen understand Shiva's plight.

Narada thought of an idea, he got two neighboring kings to invite the king on the same day and time.  Narada went to see the king to see what he will decide.The king was discussing with his ministers what he can do, he did not want to say no to anyone. Narada said, your deity is able to multitask between your and your wife's puja's i am sure you can also do something like this. Hearing this, the king said he is Shiva the lord, what he can do, i cannot do. Narada felt, he would have to do something else to drive the point.

After few months, Narada came rushing to Parvati and told her about the non-stop 24 hr celebrations being planned by king and queen on the occasion of Shiva Ratri...Imagining 24 hrs of non-stop celebration, Parvati felt she had to do something to put this to stop...she told Narada something in his ear, hearing which Narada smiled.

Next day, Narada went to the court, the king was thrilled to see Narada, while having lunch with Narada, King and Queen told him about their grand plan. On hearing this, Narada said, don't u know if husband and wife dont do pooja together on Shiva Ratri, Shiva is not pleased, he is after all a family man and represents an ideal household. On hearing that King and Queen got tensed and thought what they can do, as it did not feel good to neglect one temple completely after establishing the god there. Narada said, why don't you make one temple open for public and you both can do your puja together in one temple? Post marriage, you both resolved to live a single life, don't you think if you pray your favorite deity together, u will find greater joy.

On hearing this, the king and queen felt, it makes sense...instead of they thinking individually its better if they thought as one. They decided to do as suggested by Narada.

On the Shiva Ratri day, Shiva was pleased to see both of them praying together, he told Parvati, see how wise my devotees are. Parvati nodded and smiled.