Stopping a Churning Mind.

The stream on uncontrolled thoughts is a cause of stress and continuously drains mental energy. Is it possible to stop the endless churning mind? Yes! It is possible and very easy to do.

Uncontrolled thoughts in our head means that one is not completely aware of ones present action. The physical body is doing something different from the brain. There is a disintegration of mind and body. One is not functioning as a singe unit. To stop the brain activity is to simply look at your hands and your surroundings and be completely involved with your physical actions of doing, smelling and sensing. This stops all mental activity. This is what is awareness!  So simple!

We start off with small intervals of awareness initially and once we understand the effortlessness of this, it comes to us naturally and stays with us throughout the day.

Living a Beautiful Life

The sun, moon, the rivers, seasons, a single blade of grass, all play a part in this cosmic celebration of life. A life of health, vitality, harmony and peace acknowledges the divine in each one of us and everything around us.

To live a beautiful life is a daily prayer.

Kuvempu's Poem: O Nanna Chetana

Great poets Tagore and Kuvempu have given us a glimpse of the eternal through their poems. Their poems are offerings of praise and deep devotion to the divine, infinite power ..that power which creates the seasons, that power which causes sap to rush up every tree in the spring.

Poet Kuvempu

Meaning: "O nanna chetana" is a call for absolute freedom from all shackles that binds a man down. Shackles of the body and the mind. The poet calls on his spirit to rise beyond forms, images, identities and philosophies that arise from our associations with country, religion, caste and creed that are passed down from generations. When these limiting thoughts and narrow walls and boundaries are broken down, we stand pure, uncontaminated and free as nature created us! Our spirit will be free to roam like the wind that blows all over the earth. O nanna chetana, aagu nee aniketana .. O my spirit, be free, be eternal!!


O nanna chetana, Aagu nee aniketana!
(O my spirit, Transcend all boundaries!)

Roopa roopagalanu daati, Naama kotigalanu meeti, Edeya biriye bhaavadeeti,
O nanna chetana, Aagu nee aniketana!
(Transcend all forms, Transcend all identities, Even as sentiment pierces the heart, O my spirit,  Transcend all boundaries!)

Nooru matada hotta thoori, Ella tatvadelle meeri, Nirdigantavaagi aeri,
O nanna chetana, Aagu nee aniketana!
(Blow away the chaff of a hundred castes, Transcend the limits of all philosophies, Rise beyond the horizons, O my spirit, Transcend all boundaries!)

Elliyoo nilladiru, Maneyanendu kattadiru,Koneyanendoo muttadiru,
O anantavaagiru!  O nanna chetana, Aagu nee aniketana!
(Do not stop anywhere, Do not be bound by narrow walls, Never be content in reaching the finite,O be eternal, O my spirit, Transcend all boundaries!)

Ananta taan anantavaagi, Aagutihane nityayogi,
Ananta neen anantavaagu: Aagu, aagu, aagu, aagu,
O nanna chetana, Aagu nee aniketana!
(The eternal always remains eternal, A yogi becomes eternal, You are eternal, be always eternal: Be, be, be, be eternal, O my spirit, Transcend all boundaries! )

Soul Searching: What do we search for?

Call it soul searching. I've been searching for a long time with a restless heart. We search because something is missing. We know not what it is that is missing. So we search hither and tither.

The search in the depth of our being is a longing to find our place in this universe. To find our life's destiny. The search is really a yearning to go back to where be belong. To our mother, to our home which is nothing other than nature and our mother earth. Living in cities for generations, removed from the touch and feel of our mother, we are hopelessly lost in unnatural environments and we search for our bearings.

When we truly understand how our life is entwined with everything in this earth, we see peace. The search is over and understanding begins. Here is a quote from a native american chief which I thought was apt. We are now living in a time when everything in nature is alien to us. We humans have set ourselves apart from everything else on earth. We do not belong like every other creature does and that is why our heart longs to return.

The time will soon be here when my grandchild will long for the cry of a loon, the flash of a salmon, the whisper of spruce needles, or the screech of an eagle. But he will not make friends with any of these creatures and when his heart aches with longing he will curse me. Have I done all to keep the air fresh? Have I cared enough about the water? Have I left the eagle to soar in freedom? Have I done everything I could to earn my grandchild's fondness? -Chief Dan George-(1899 - 1981)

On Work and Art

An action that is a result of effort is work
An action that is a result of love is art. Love is effortless.
The end result of effort is always a mediocre version of that done with love.

All that a mother does for her children is effortless for her because it is a labour of love.

Nature is my only temple

In the midst of nature, I am nourished, soothed and made alive again.The autumn rain, the crisp air, the wet leaves in all colors and hues, the gulls and the geese .The hushed trees, the overflowing streams, the carpet of leaves, the stillness of the forest. In silence, I walk and that is my only prayer.  

Poem. My dear

Many a times I have told you
You were born a rare gem
A dew drop in this cosmic chaos
Still, content and complete

Many a times, you have shown me
The way through the maze that life is
The right way to live
The right things to say and do. 

Many a times, you have shown me
The beauty in ordinary things
Perfection in the mundane
The joy in the smallest of things

Many a times you have taught me
The value of patience, an unhurried pace
Of kindness and tenderness
Of boundless love and affection

You are music without a discordant note
Thank you, thank you for this journey ..

Mantra Pushpam - the primeval Vedic mantra

Hinduism is deeply rooted in nature. Mantra Pushpam is a beautiful Veda mantra that ponders on the wonders of nature and the inter relationship between all elements in nature. Click here for the deeper meaning of this mantra. Click here for the meaning of Gayatri Mantra.

Hinduism worships nature in its myriad forms

Yopam puspam veda
Puspavan prajavan pasuvan bhavati
Chandramava Apam puspam
Puspavan, Prajavan pasuman bhavati
Ya Evam Veda
Yopa mayatanam Veda
Ayatanam bhavati.

(He who understands the flowers of water,
He is blessed with flowers, children and cattle.
Moon is the flower of the water,
He who knows it to be so,
He is blessed with flowers, children and cattle.
He who knows the source of water,
Becomes established in his Self.)

Agnirva Apamayatanam
Ayatanavan Bhavati
Yo agnerayatanam Veda
Ayatanavan bhavati
Apovagner ayatanam
Ayatanavan bhavati
Ya Evam Veda
Yopa mayatanam Veda
Ayatanavan bhavati.

(Fire is the source of water,
He who knows the source of Fire,
Becomes established in his Self,
Water is the source of fire,
He who knows it to be so,
Becomes established in his Self.
He who knows the source of water,
Becomes established in his Self.)

Vayurva Apamaya tanam
Ayatanavan bhavati.
Yova Yorayatanam Veda
Ayatanavan bhavati|
Apovai va yorayatanam
Ayatanavan bhavati.
Ya Evam veda
Yopamayatanam Veda
Ayatanavan Bhavati.

(Air is the source of water,
He who knows the source of Air,
Becomes established in his Self,
Water is the source of air,
He who knows this,
Becomes established in his Self.
He who knows the source of water,
Becomes established in his Self.)

Asowvai tapanna pamayatanam
Ayatanavan bhavati
Yo musya tapata Ayatanan Veda
Ayatanavan bhavati
Apova Amusyatapata Ayatanam
Ayatanavan bhavati
Ya Evam Veda
Yopa mayatanam Veda
Ayatanavan bhavati

(Scorching sun is the source of water,
He who knows the source of the Scorching Sun,
Becomes established in his Self,
Water is the source of scorching sun,
He who knows this,
Becomes established in his Self.
He who knows the source of water,
Becomes established in his Self.)

Chandrama Vama pamayatnam
Ayatanavan bhavati.
Yascandra masa Ayatanam Veda
Ayatanavan bhavati
Apovai Candra masa Ayatanam
Ayatanavan bhavati
Ya Evam Veda
Yo pamayatanam veda
Ayatanavan bhavati.

(Moon is the source of water,
He who knows the source of Moon,
Becomes established in his Self,
Water is the source of moon,
He who knows this,
Becomes established in his Self.
He who knows the source of water,
Becomes established in his Self.)

Nakshtrani va Apamayatanam
Ayatanavan bhavati
Yo Nakshtrana mayatanam Veda
Ayatanavan bhavati
Apovai Nakshtrana mayatanam
Ayatanavan bhavati
Ye evam Veda
Yopamaya tanam Veda
Ayatanavan bhavati.

(Stars are the source of water,
He who knows the source of the Stars,
Becomes established in his Self,
Water is the source of stars,
He who knows this,
Becomes established in his Self.
He who knows the source of water,
Becomes established in himself.)

Parjanyova apamayatanam
Ayatanavan bhavati
Yah parjanyasya syayatinam Veda
Ayatanavan bhavati
Apovai parjanya Syayatanam
Ayatanavan bhavati
Ye Evam veda
Yopa maya tanam Veda
Ayatanavan bhavati.

(Clouds are the source of water,
He who knows the source of the Clouds,
Becomes established in his Self,
Water is the source of clouds,
He who knows this,
Becomes established in his Self.
He who knows the source of water,
Becomes established in his Self.)

Samvastaro Va Apamayatanam
Ayatavan bhavati
Yassavatsa rasyaya tanam Veda
Ayatavan bhavati.
Apovai samvasara ayatanam
Ayatanavan bhavati
Ya Evam veda
Yopsu Navam pratistitam veda
Pratyeva tistati.

(Rainy season is the source of water,
He who knows the source of Rainy Season,
Becomes established in his Self,
Water is the source of rainy season,
He who knows this,
Becomes established in his Self.
He who knows that there is a raft available,
Becomes established in that raft.)

Quotes on "Purpose of Life"

The purpose of life is to “live in agreement with nature"   - Zeno, Greek Philosopher, 4th Century B.C

 The highest education is that which does not merely give us information but makes our life in harmony with all existence  - Rabindranath Tagore 

What is the meaning of life? To be happy and useful.  - Dalai Lama

In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you - Buddha 

 
                                                                            

A busy life, a joyless life

When we wake up every morning with a list of things to do, the wonder, novelty and beauty of the day is lost. All we have waiting for us is a deadened routine. We become blind to everything else other than the to-do list.

Joy is possible only when we are open to all the small possibilities in a day. When we slow down and let every sensation sink deep in. When we can savor all that the moment has to offer.

Socrates said "Beware the barrenness of a busy life."

A busy life is indeed a joyless life! 

Poem: To you, my child

Oh! the exquisite joy, in hearing your gurgling laughter
the peace in me, when I snuggling in with you
the unalloyed joy when you hug me tight
the look on your face overcome with love
the feel of your skin pressed against mine

In you, everyday is beautiful, everyday, I rejoice

Pace of Yoga

A lot of folks complain about the slow pace of Yoga, Tai-Chi and other traditional forms of exercise. They feel that it does not give them the workout they need to burn all the excess calories.

Yoga and Tai-Chi teaches one to slow down from the frenetic pace that we live in. It calms the mind and the body and aligns us to the pace of nature. It is only at this pace that complete relaxation and exercise is possible. The firm, controlled movements of yoga like the taut branches of a tree,  the flowing movements of Tai-Chi like the wind blowing and water flowing in the streams. They all have their source in nature.

If all one wants is to burn calories quickly, it is best to jump on to the treadmill. High speed yoga is not Yoga.

Disconnected religions

How can one be religious, but waste so much food and consume so much materially?
How can one go to church every sunday and still evade paying taxes?
How can one pray five times a day and still forbid your children from playing?
How can you call yourself pious and yet be so greedy, grabbing for your children, grandchildren?
How can you perform daily pooja's and still verbally abuse and emotionally wound?

Today's religions are completely disconnected with the wellness of the earth and the harmony. It allows us to go on in our insensitive, deceitful, destructive ways without an ounce of remorse. Unless religions reconnect with the earth, there is little hope for us as humans. Pantheism I believe is the true religion of all religions.

Birth of a native indian child

By Ohiyesa (Charles Alexander Eastman)

 
The Indians were religious from the first moments of life. From the moment of the mother's recognition that she had conceived to the end of the child's second year of life, which was the ordinary duration of lactation, it was supposed by us that the mother's spiritual influence was supremely important.

Her attitude and secret meditations must be such as to install into receptive soul of the unborn child the love of the Great Mystery and a sense of connectedness will all creation. Silence and isolation are the rule of life for the expectant mother.

She wanders prayerful in the stillness of great woods, or on the bosom of the untrodden prairie, and to her poetic mind the imminent birth of her child prefigures the advent of a hero - a thought conceived in the virgin breast of primeval nature, and dreamed out in a hush that is broken only by the sighing of the pine tree or the thrilling orchestra of a distant waterfall.

And when the day of days in her life dawns - the day in which there is to be a new life, the miracle of whose making has been entrusted to her - she seeks no human aid. She has been trained and prepared in body and mind for this, her holiest duty, ever since she can remember.

Childbirth is best met alone, where no curious embarrass her, where all nature says to her spirit: "It's love ! It's love! The fulfilling of life!" When a sacred voice comes over to her out of the silence, and a pair of eyes open upon her wilderness, she knows with joy that she is borne well her part in the great song of creation.

Presently she returns to the camp, carrying the mysterious, the holy, the dearest bundle ! She feels the endearing warmth of it and hears its soft breathing. It is still a part of herself, since both are nourished by the same mouthful, and no look of a lover could be sweeter than its deep, trusting daze. She continues her spiritual teaching, at first silently - a mere pointing of the index finger to nature - then in whispered songs, bird-like, at the morning and evening. To her and to the child the birds are real people, who live very close to the Great Mystery; the murmuring trees breathe its presence; the falling waters chants its praise.

If the child should chance to be fretful, the mother raises her hand. "Hush! Hush!" she cautions it tenderly, "The spirits may be disturbed!" She bids it be still and listen - listen to the silver voice of the aspen, or the clashing cymbals of the birch; and at night she points to the heavenly blazed trail through nature's galaxy of splendor to nature's God. Silence, love, reverence - this is the trinity of first lessons, and to these she later adds generosity, courage, and chastity.
                                                                                   

Discomfort dissipates energy

Wearing ill fitting, synthetic clothes,
Tight undergarments, stockings,
Uncomfortable shoes, high heels,
Heavy makeup, mascara,
Chunky jewellery, all accessories,
Unnatural hairdos 

All these progressively drains energy, tires and makes one irritable and snappy. The effort of trying to function with the burden of these appendages drains you exponentially until you are left feeling completely deflated. 

Try for once, the freedom and lightness of wearing comfortable, airy, light clothes. You will feel at home anywhere and remain fresh, alert, sensitive and happy for as long as the day last.

Shades of violence

A grimace, glower, rolling of the eye,
A harsh word, a negative thought,
Sarcasm, critisicm, disapproval,
Agitation, stress, discontent,
Harsh discipline, punishment, excessive force

All are shades of violence. This spews out unseen negative vibrations into the world like toxic fumes from a violent volcano. Lets us not pollute the earth with violence and remain instead a tranquil oasis.

Poem: Barefoot Babies

 Barefoot barefoot, kiss mommy's lips
Barefoot barefoot, scratch daddy's chin

Barefoot barefoot, tickle the grass
Barefoot barefoot, climb the rocks

Barefoot barefoot, splash in the puddle
Barefoot barefoot, sink in the sand

Barefoot barefoot, wiggle your toes
Barefoot barefoot, walk tippie toes

Barefoot barefoot, has gone to sleep
Barefoot barefoot, loves to breath



Note: I was inspired to write this poem to encourage all parents to let their little children play barefeet. In the west, there are lots of reservations in letting children play barefoot. This is not the case in India and most traditional cultures where children are barefoot for most of the time. Being barefoot is good for the sensory and muscular development of the child's feet. Every toe plays a unique role in balancing, walking, running, climbing and all of them should be used actively.

Sex is not of the mind

Sex is a widely discussed topic with lots of techniques, orgasm, g-spot and the like. Sex is a loving union of two beings. It is not a technique to be studied or analyzed. All that is needed is to immerse yourself in the feeling and the rhythm of the body. The mind only interferes with this natural rhythm.

The Purpose of Life

In my journey to find "the purpose of life", I searched a lot until I found this. Now I search no more.

The purpose of life is to “live in agreement with nature" 
                                                                            Zeno, Greek Philosopher, 4th Century B.C

What is man without the beasts? If all the beasts were gone, men would die from great loneliness of spirit, for whatever happens to the beasts also happens to man. All things are connected. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the children of the earth.
                                           Chief Seattle - Suqwamish & Duwamish, Native American Chief

The American Indian is of the soil, whether it be the region of forests, plains, pueblos, or mesas. He fits into the landscape, for the hand that fashioned the continent also fashioned the man for his surroundings. He once grew as naturally as the wild sunflowers, he belongs just as the buffalo belonged....
                                          Chief Luther Standing Bear - Oglala Sioux

The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes within the souls of people when they realize their relationship, their oneness, with the universe and all its powers, and when they realize that at the center of the universe dwells the Great Spirit, and that this center is really everywhere, it is within each of us. This is the real peace, and the others are but reflections of this.
                                          Black Elk - Oglala Sioux

The Great Spirit is in all things, he is in the air we breathe. The Great Spirit is our Father, but the Earth is our Mother. She nourishes us, that which we put into the ground she returns to us....
Big Thunder (Bedagi) - Wabanaki Alonquin

Falun Gong
According to Li when one cultivates his/her xinxing (mind nature or character), he/she can assimilate to the supreme nature of the universe.
Li Hongzhi

A mind running amok?

Man has evolved from a mere animal into this complicated creature. Why have we evolved so? A life of strife from the moment of birth.

The smallest things, the most natural things now require a goal, a plan, books, courses, experts. When did the mind takeover man's life and soul without regard to instinct, without guidance from the heart?

When did we let our minds run amock? Let us remind ourselves again that the mind is a mere tool. Lets not let the tools and the machines rule us.

Poem: The heart knows only love

The mind knows greed
The mind knows ambition
The mind compares
The mind schemes
The mind yearns security

When the mind is quiet,
All that is left is love, pure love.

What is Meditation?

Meditation is the end of doing and just simply being. The mind is still and the body and senses are fully awake. Meditation is effortless watching and listening with the entire body, all the senses with not a thought in mind. A determined effort to meditate is completely futile. Where there is effort, meditation is not possible.

Peom: For a new mother

You are a mother now .. my dear
So long I wished for you this joy

Watch him in the quiet .. my dear
A feeling so deep will swell your heart

Silence all the noise .. my dear
For then you will see the peace within

Hold him to your breast .. my dear
The greatest joy is right here

Cry with all your heart .. my dear
And all the past will disappear

Core of Hindu Philosophy

This philosophy lies at the core of a Hindu way of life.

You are born perfect

Hinduism says that you are born perfect. To find who you really are, all you need to do is to undo the effects of the years, civilization, society, education, degrees, ambitions and everything else. At the core you will find the pure and perfect self. Other religions tell us that one is born a sinner and have to strive hard to become good.

Self reliance

Rely on yourself. One is born perfect with all the knowledge and instinct one needs. When you want answers, look within! From there you will find the truth, the wisdom. Nothing external, experts, books, encyclopedias can tell you the truth.

Effortlessness 

We are perfect and we should find the perfection in ourselves. There is nothing to strive for. There is no effort to become something or be anything other than what we already are. All effort is futile. Effortlessness lies at the crux of Hinduism.

Pantheistic

Every bit of nature is God. Be it a cow, tree, rain, sun .. anything and everything in nature. Just as nature accepts everything, so does Hinduism.

Complete freedom 

Hinduism allows complete freedom. Everybody is free to choose their own path. There are no rules and restrictions. Nobody is compelled to read any scriptures, to visit temples. Everything is voluntary.

Nonviolence

Hinduism does not endorse violence of any kind. This includes the subtle forms of violence such as discipline, disapproval, conformance to rigid rules, coercions. One is free to follow any path. Hindus are not involved in converting anybody to Hinduism. 

Being and Doing

Hinduism emphasizes on Being and less on the Doing. Excessive doing is the result of a restless mind. The action that results when the mind is still and the heart is open and receptive is what is called Being. 

 

Poem: Oh! To find myself..

Born into cities
Amidst concrete and things
Smoke and smog
Noise, chaos, a fast pace

Tied to the desks
In so called schools 
Fed with ambition 
Dreams, hopes and fears

Trapped in costumes
Fashion and trends 
Lost amidst activities 
Rituals and festivities..

No trees at sight..
Not a bird in the sky..
Away from the streams,
And blowing winds..

Oh! What it takes, to find myself ...

Poem: My friend my sister..

On this spring day, I think of you
My friend my sister ..

Our walks in the park, coffee and chats
Time has gone by .. nine years almost .. 

You, so beautiful and true..
Open to all ..good and the bad 

Curled you are,  in a tight cocoon
Closed to all that life has to give 

I wait for you to fly like a butterfly..
Sucking the nectar, savoring the dew ..

Until then, I stay with you . .
My friend, my sister .. 

Love is all encompassing

Love is all encompassing.

You love your mother and hate your mother-in-law ..
You adore your child and ignore your mother ..
You love your wife and neglect your parents ..

These just cannot go together! One either loves or doesn't at all. No two ways about it.

Pearls from Thoreau's Walden

If you haven't read Henry David Thoreau masterpiece Walden... savor this!!


"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away."

The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation.... A stereotyped but unconscious despair is concealed even under what are called the games and amusements of mankind. There is no play in them, for this comes after work.


The very simplicity and nakedness of man's life in the primitive ages imply this advantage, at least, that they left him still but a sojourner in nature. When he was refreshed with food and sleep, he contemplated his journey again. ...We have built for this world a family mansion, and for the next a family tomb.


I am wont to think that men are not so much the keepers of herds as herds are the keepers of men, the former are so much the freer.

Our houses are such unwieldy property that we are often imprisoned rather than housed in them.

How much more admirable the Bhagvat-Geeta than all the ruins of the East! Towers and temples are the luxury of princes. A simple and independent mind does not toil at the bidding of any prince....One piece of good sense would be more memorable than a monument as high as the moon.

There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root, and it may be that he who bestows the largest amount of time and money on the needy is doing the most by his mode of life to produce that misery which he strives in vain to relieve
Chapter: Economy

Every morning was a cheerful invitation to make my life of equal simplicity, and I may say innocence, with Nature herself.... "Renew thyself completely each day; do it again, and again, and forever again." 


Little is to be expected of that day, if it can be called a day, to which we are not awakened by our Genius, but by the mechanical nudgings of some servitor, are not awakened by our own newly acquired force and aspirations from within, accompanied by the undulations of celestial music, instead of factory bells, and a fragrance filling the air — to a higher life than we fell asleep from; 
 ...  To be awake is to be alive. I have never yet met a man who was quite awake. How could I have looked him in the face?

We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn, which does not forsake us in our soundest sleep. I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by a conscious endeavor. It is something to be able to paint a particular picture, or to carve a statue, and so to make a few objects beautiful; but it is far more glorious to carve and paint the very atmosphere and medium through which we look, which morally we can do. To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts.

I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practice resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life,

Our life is frittered away by detail.... Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! I say, let your affairs be as two or three, and not a hundred or a thousand; instead of a million count half a dozen, and keep your accounts on your thumb-nail. I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.


One attraction in coming to the woods to live was that I should have leisure and opportunity to see the spring come in.


Thus it seemed that this one hillside illustrated the principles of all the operations of Nature. The Maker of this earth but patented a leaf ...spring: It convinces me that Earth is still in her swaddling clothes ... The earth is not a mere fragment of dead history, stratum upon stratum .. ..but living poetry like the leaves of a tree ..

I am affected as if in a peculiar sense I stood in the laboratory of the Artist who make the world and me..


We should be blessed if we lived in the present always and took advantage of every accident that befell us, like a grass which confesses the influence  of the slightest dew that falls on it and did not spend our time atoning for the neglect of past opportunities, which we call doing our duty. We loiter in winter while is it is already spring.

Poem : Motherhood Season

Being a mother has filled me
So completely like no other

I know not why .. 

A feeling so pure
A link to the primordial.
A part of the continuum.

Is that why? 








May 3 , 2012

Dag Hammarskjöld sums it up

I recently read Dag Hammarskjöld's Markings. A collection of his diary reflections and was deeply touched.

"To preserve the silence within--amid all the noise. To remain open and quiet, a moist humus in the fertile darkness where the rain falls and the grain ripens--no matter how many tramp across the parade ground in whirling dust under an arid sky.”

“When the sense of the earth unites with the sense of one's body, one becomes earth of the earth, a plant among plants, an animal born from the soil and fertilizing it. In this union, the body is confirmed in its pantheism.”

Please .. allow yourself some leisure..

Why do we long for leisure? Why?

The reason is that it is in leisure that we really tune in to ourselves. We get close to our true nature. It allows an opportunity to express what we truly are. The best work of art, the best music, the best poems ..everything that is true and beautiful is created at leisure.

Don't mistake leisure for free time! Leisure is free time minus all the distractions, all the noise. We pack too much into out free time that we are truly leisure deprived. We have a dream, a vision of what leisure is, but we never allow ourselves the luxury of a bit of leisure. We pack it in with TV, music, news, activities, internet .. anything and everything.

People are more tired after a vacation. The minute the vacation is over, the longing starts all over again for a slower pace, a quieter life. You don't really need an expensive holiday, fancy location to relax and enjoy.

Just allow yourself some leisure right where you are!!

Essence of Hinduism

I write this for my children when they reach an age to understand and ask questions about the religion of their birth.

When I was at a school going age and studying in a Catholic convent, I was frankly ashamed of my religion. So many gods..elephant god, monkey god, sun god, snake god. The list was endless. The Christians were taught that there is only one God and the son of god is Jesus Christ. There seemed to be a good structure in Christianity. You have to read the bible, go to the church every Sunday. Hinduism had none of it. We were not forced to go to the temples. We were not forced to study any scriptures. We were really free. We occasionally went to the Hindu temples and did the rounds. I asked God for the things that I want. But it never felt true for me. I forced myself to do it because I thought that's how things should be.

I have come a long way. Over the last several years, I have come to believe that "the invisible power in all of nature is what we call god" . We are part of it and hence a part of god. Every bit of creation is god. Animals, plants, sky, birds, trees, snakes, ants - everything!!. That's why Hinduism allows anything to be a god. There is no restriction and that is the beauty of Hinduism. The truth about Hinduism gets masked in all the rituals, mantras, festivals, but the truth is still there, albeit hidden.

Living in harmony with all things in nature, cherishing it, protecting it is the real Hindu way of life!

My 2 cents on the photography obsession

Both my husband and I are not much into photography, For one, we both don't like to carry things. We don't wear much jewellery and don't wear a watch. Basically, we like to roam free without being chained down by things like a bag, jewellery, expensive sunglasses, camera etc.

We also rarely go over our old photos. I attribute this to our intensely involvement in what we are doing in the present complete with all our senses .. mind, body and soul. We experience the moment and are not concerned about capturing the moment for later. In the obsession about capturing the moment, you have really lost the moment for yourself.

The Sufi Way of Thinking

I am reading a book about the Sufi's "The Sufis by Idries Shah and Robert Graves". In many ways it tells us how different the Eastern way of thinking is from the Western way. In the west, it is all intellectual, but in the east, there is a lot of instinct and perception involved.  In the west, we rely on experts to tell us everything about the world. The eastern way is for every man to find out for himself the truth. The Sufi way is the same as the true Hindu and Buddist way.