I celebrate ...
Being homeward bound,
To the land beyond sound,
Where we would rest in peace,
For a moment at least,
And then i'd go off from there
To the land that's so fair
That it would be paradise
With fair weather skies,
I'd play on with friends
For times without end,
Until i stumble and fall,
And worship you, me and all,
And then i would seek and won't find,
Until you come from behind,
And give a hand to the lame,
And i'd be the moth to you the flame ... !
And i'd burst into rhyme
And you would chip in and chime
And i'd end up here
Writing for you my sweet dear ...
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Remembering the days ...
There was a time, when i was free to think
All the rubbish, before you could blink
I was happy and chirrupping, without a doubt
Didn't know for me, what fate had wrought
I lived on, and figured ... there was something amiss,
I sought for some meaning, yeah, it was definitely this,
I searched deep, and pondered, as i had often sought
But so far my searches had yielded just nought
There was a burden, a ton of trash,
Bad karma ... i was so brash,
I was flickering, nearly put out,
Almost no hope, almost burnt out!
Oh i am seeking, will i ever find?
The unfelt anguish, reached a very wise mind
He smiled as he saw, the child had been caught
And i learnt the secret,of the mysterious triple dot(...)
I touched the light, yes i touched the light!
I found me, i found him, and the world reel in sight!
Oho, the joys of the moth who died in the flame!
I was his, i'd ever be his and so his indeed i became!
Baba ... you have found me, i have found you. Thank you.
All the rubbish, before you could blink
I was happy and chirrupping, without a doubt
Didn't know for me, what fate had wrought
I lived on, and figured ... there was something amiss,
I sought for some meaning, yeah, it was definitely this,
I searched deep, and pondered, as i had often sought
But so far my searches had yielded just nought
There was a burden, a ton of trash,
Bad karma ... i was so brash,
I was flickering, nearly put out,
Almost no hope, almost burnt out!
Oh i am seeking, will i ever find?
The unfelt anguish, reached a very wise mind
He smiled as he saw, the child had been caught
And i learnt the secret,of the mysterious triple dot(...)
I touched the light, yes i touched the light!
I found me, i found him, and the world reel in sight!
Oho, the joys of the moth who died in the flame!
I was his, i'd ever be his and so his indeed i became!
Baba ... you have found me, i have found you. Thank you.
Attitude check
The following questions serve as a tool for checking one's stage. The answers are different for each individual. These are not meant for any comparative study (neither for checking others nor for comparing ones stage with others).
The questions should be answered in the spirit of knowing oneself better which would help one to regain the original elevated stage. The questions can be answered specific to one day or also for checking the general stage. It is not a comprehensive list and many additions can be made if found suitable. Many of the questions bring about different answers at different times. But the stage at any given point of time can be checked and a fair amount of knowledge about the general position is also obtained.
Which type of thoughts come ...
1. in the dreams?
2. during Amritvela (early morning meditation)?
3. while walking/driving to class?
4. during class?
5. while doing routine actions requiring little or no intellectual effort( washing ...)
6. when you are short of time?
7. when you are late for an important appointment?
8. when someone else does something "wrong(influenced by vices)" and
a) it has nothing to do with you?
b) it might slightly affect you ?
c) it affects you profoundly ?
9. when you make a mistake/do something negative and
a) it affects others
b) it affects you
10. when you are sitting idle?
11. when there are too many things lying pending?
12. while eating; when you are hungry; before eating, after eating; when food is tasty; when food is not so tasty ?
13. when someone acts against your wishes ?
14. when you come into a room where something was going on and no one tells you about it, but the atmosphere is maintained?
15. about your clothes, comforts and facilities and those of others ?
16. when time does not wait for you?
17. when you do something "good"?
18. when you get "defeated"?
19. when someone praises you? defames you? spreads rumours about you? detests you? ignores you? ridicules you? complains against you?
20. when some accident/misfortune/death etc. occurs and the concerned person is
a) someone you have heard about?
b) acquainted to you?
c) a close friend or "relative"?
d) you?
21. when you are physically tired? active? drowsy?
22. when you are about to go to sleep?
23. when some old memories come which are
a) bad ?
b) ordinary ?
c) very good ?
24. when you see the chariot instead of the rider(if at all )?
( How often do such things happen? Seeing the picture - corporeal, as a form or that of a symbol are all included in this.)
25. when you don't see any progress in any direction?
26. when your purusharth / progress in very rapid ?
27. when someone insults baba or the family or the organisation?
28. when someone comes rapidly on his vehicle and splashes a lot of muddy water on your new fresh white clothes?
29. when you feel unble to clear some doubts of a new aspirant?
30. when someone uses "your" things/items of use (chair/slippers/ ...)?
31. when you encounter some obstacles in your spiritual progress?
32. someone calls you a hypocrite?
33. when you are doing something good/important/entertaining and the power goes off?
34. when (if at all) life seems routine and humdrum and (???) boring?
35. when you fail again and again in the same test?
36. when you have to urgently attend the call of nature and the facilities seem perennially occupied?
General:
Do you ever think about others with respect to these questions?
SomeOne Known ...
Believe it or Not! There is someone who loves the whole world and everyone in it! What is more, everyone (well, almost everyone!) in this world loves him too! He has helped everyone innumerable times! Whenever anyone has a problem, no one else can solve, he is approached!
He is a subject of common discussion, but he is seldom around to hear the praise. He is one who does his job when the time has come and quietly retires... leaving others to sing the songs of his glory!
In spite of such a wonderful model behaviour, there are many, who prefer not to think of him! They have not seen him around for a long long time now. In fact no one seems to have seen him at all! They all have heard about him, they have heard wonderful stories (yes, stories!)about his arrival here and ending all problems... A few of them have had personal experiences of his affection and friendly help. But even they do not know where he lives or what he does! Each has conjured up an image of him and call him in their own special way, hoping that he feels impressed by the love they have for him and that he will come and help them in their hour of need.
Seeing all this confusion, many have decided , that he is merely, a figment of imagination! The world is going from bad to worse and he doesn't seem to be materializing at all! Such a wonderful guy, so powerful as he is reputed to be, should not allow any problems to surface at all! They feel, that he is invented, conjured up in the minds of the innumerable philosophers who don't seem to do much apart from sitting and thinking (day-dreaming!) all day long. He is a mere psychological panacea for those who are afraid to face life's challenges on their own - they exclaim!
Yet when things really do go bad for them, many of the skeptics try out their luck! "Who knows, maybe he exists after all! It won't hurt to try and get his help anyway!" - they reason out their inexplicable change of mind. For the believers, its a different ball game altogether. When they have problem situations and seem to get help from him, they say its all because of him. When a problem runs out of hand and messes up everything , in spite of urgent requests to our friend, they reason it out - its all because of past sins. Every action does have some reaction after all! Its sheer scientific reasoning when spirituality does seem to temporarily run out of steam.
Its a sad state of affairs. Problems are increasing. There are some breaks in between - when some religious giants appear from time to time and establish a new faith, a new way to remember, so that life became easier to live for some time. The ideas that are preached, are the same fundamental principles which are so universally appealing such as love, brotherhood of mankind, having one common father and friend - yes, our friend!- and so on.
Finally when the subject of our conversation does arrive, he changes the entire world! How so? Time has the duty to make new things old. Only our friend has the duty (and the power) to make old things new! The world, so full of sorrow... in spite of (some say because of !) scientific advancements and increase in material benefits, is transformed into a veritable paradise! A single kingdom, unity of language, of ideas, a land where men and women of flesh and blood live virtuous lives. Yes, the Kingdom of Heaven - right here on Earth!
Too idealistic - you exclaim! But actually, its just natural! The old shall end ( Whatever begins, must end, mustn't it?). No, its no modern day Cassandra crying out! It requires little imagination to see that the nuclear bombs and other destructive armaments are meant for bringing a rapid end to the world of torment! They certainly do not have many suggestions for peace, do they? A little of the world remains after the end. (Maybe Noah and Manu were not too wrong after all!) Just enough to start off the new world! When the population is so less, everyone has got enough to enjoy! The new world is really new. They don't know anything of the old. There is no sorrow. Our friend won't be there either. Having done his duty... he would have gone back home with all of us. The difference between him and us is that he does not come back here with us.
Yeah, he is someone special!
He is a subject of common discussion, but he is seldom around to hear the praise. He is one who does his job when the time has come and quietly retires... leaving others to sing the songs of his glory!
In spite of such a wonderful model behaviour, there are many, who prefer not to think of him! They have not seen him around for a long long time now. In fact no one seems to have seen him at all! They all have heard about him, they have heard wonderful stories (yes, stories!)about his arrival here and ending all problems... A few of them have had personal experiences of his affection and friendly help. But even they do not know where he lives or what he does! Each has conjured up an image of him and call him in their own special way, hoping that he feels impressed by the love they have for him and that he will come and help them in their hour of need.
Seeing all this confusion, many have decided , that he is merely, a figment of imagination! The world is going from bad to worse and he doesn't seem to be materializing at all! Such a wonderful guy, so powerful as he is reputed to be, should not allow any problems to surface at all! They feel, that he is invented, conjured up in the minds of the innumerable philosophers who don't seem to do much apart from sitting and thinking (day-dreaming!) all day long. He is a mere psychological panacea for those who are afraid to face life's challenges on their own - they exclaim!
Yet when things really do go bad for them, many of the skeptics try out their luck! "Who knows, maybe he exists after all! It won't hurt to try and get his help anyway!" - they reason out their inexplicable change of mind. For the believers, its a different ball game altogether. When they have problem situations and seem to get help from him, they say its all because of him. When a problem runs out of hand and messes up everything , in spite of urgent requests to our friend, they reason it out - its all because of past sins. Every action does have some reaction after all! Its sheer scientific reasoning when spirituality does seem to temporarily run out of steam.
Its a sad state of affairs. Problems are increasing. There are some breaks in between - when some religious giants appear from time to time and establish a new faith, a new way to remember, so that life became easier to live for some time. The ideas that are preached, are the same fundamental principles which are so universally appealing such as love, brotherhood of mankind, having one common father and friend - yes, our friend!- and so on.
Finally when the subject of our conversation does arrive, he changes the entire world! How so? Time has the duty to make new things old. Only our friend has the duty (and the power) to make old things new! The world, so full of sorrow... in spite of (some say because of !) scientific advancements and increase in material benefits, is transformed into a veritable paradise! A single kingdom, unity of language, of ideas, a land where men and women of flesh and blood live virtuous lives. Yes, the Kingdom of Heaven - right here on Earth!
Too idealistic - you exclaim! But actually, its just natural! The old shall end ( Whatever begins, must end, mustn't it?). No, its no modern day Cassandra crying out! It requires little imagination to see that the nuclear bombs and other destructive armaments are meant for bringing a rapid end to the world of torment! They certainly do not have many suggestions for peace, do they? A little of the world remains after the end. (Maybe Noah and Manu were not too wrong after all!) Just enough to start off the new world! When the population is so less, everyone has got enough to enjoy! The new world is really new. They don't know anything of the old. There is no sorrow. Our friend won't be there either. Having done his duty... he would have gone back home with all of us. The difference between him and us is that he does not come back here with us.
Yeah, he is someone special!
Now that’s Service!
Do you have thoughts about service? You are a very serviceable soul! Just consider how you serve your body.
You brush it’s teeth, you wash it’s face, you remove the wastes and then bathe the body with a pleasing temperature of water. Then you adorn it with a set of clean clothes by which you can prevent it from getting dirty or feeling cold and for general protection. How lovingly you care for it’s tastes! How much you want that it should remain healthy! How much you care for it’s looks!
You would never want it to go around with unkempt hair would you? When it is tired, you lay it down so gently onto the bed and lovingly lull it to sleep! When it is very tired, you gently separate yourself from it so that you don’t make it dream!
Think. What loyalty! What dedication! What humility! You forget yourself when you are serving it. This is true service.
Think. Do you serve God with so much love?
You brush it’s teeth, you wash it’s face, you remove the wastes and then bathe the body with a pleasing temperature of water. Then you adorn it with a set of clean clothes by which you can prevent it from getting dirty or feeling cold and for general protection. How lovingly you care for it’s tastes! How much you want that it should remain healthy! How much you care for it’s looks!
You would never want it to go around with unkempt hair would you? When it is tired, you lay it down so gently onto the bed and lovingly lull it to sleep! When it is very tired, you gently separate yourself from it so that you don’t make it dream!
Think. What loyalty! What dedication! What humility! You forget yourself when you are serving it. This is true service.
Think. Do you serve God with so much love?
Service and the self
#1 Whatever you do, do it with single mindedness. Lack of focus is fatal. That and nothing else. This will help in concentration, improve service through deeds and provide rich results. Think. Ponder about the topic. Go deep into it in the mind and then read. Highlight interesting portions.
#2 Take rest after reading, not before it.
#3 When you seem unable to do a task well, stop. Find the cause. Remove it if possible. If not, so something else.
#4 Do not shirk your responsibilities. Aim to do whatever you have been allotted before the time frame given.
#5 Balance. Don’t postpone less interesting work for doing more interesting work. Everything is important. Everything is service.
#6 You are judged not by how well you give discourses, but by your day to day activities and how you go about doing them.
#7 Service does not mean talking about God alone. Service means, being able to serve the others’ needs. If you don’t empathise, and instead, just talk about God, you are talking to yourself. It is not service.
#8 Service means knowing what the other person needs and providing just that in a palatable way. Sugar coated pills give the desired benefit and are also readily taken by the patients.
#9 Never judge another. There is too little time to waste on such trivial activities. Check yourself from moment to moment. Am I doing what I want to do or instead, what I am used to doing? Pay no attention to what others are doing. You know what is to be done and how to do it. The others know it too. It is not your responsibility to change others. Change yourself. Others shall emulate.
#12 Plan your sleep. Sleep well and deeply. Don’t waste time in dreaming! If at all you dream, dream about some worthwhile topics (on service, on creativity…)! It is not impossible! Plan it and it will obey.
#14 This is a game. You plan to be the best player and enjoy playing the game to its highest standards. No shortcuts, no foul play. The best coach is available. Learn and enjoy!
#15 Don’t kill creativity by repeating things hollowly. Everything has a meaning. Take it. Use it.
#16 Take NO ONE for GRANTED. Not Even GOD.
#17 Remember all this is your internal effort-making. Outwardly don’t let anyone feel change in attitudes from you ( in terms of aloofness etc.) Let them be at ease.
#18 Search yourself inside out. What defects do you see? Do you see any obstacles? Where do you fail or feel weak repeatedly? How can you improve the situation? List methods. See to it that you can follow them. Don’t give empty ones like be soul conscious 24 hrs/day! That is a solution but not for you right now. See what is your daily life and apply the solution to it. Be unashamed of any defects seen. Accept it. You had been perfectly(almost) negative. Why should one be scared of telling the truth? One should be scared of hiding the truth. Don’t speak if it will hurt others.
#19 While serving others try to give them your best effort. Don’t see the recipient of the service. If his intention is good, do the service wholeheartedly and with love.
#20 Never give anything which is useless to another. If the other person is not ready for something, why impose it on him? Its just not service.
The Prayer scene
How beautiful is the prayer ceremony! The idol is first washed, adorned and fed all the while praising God and his wonders. The deity is being made ready. At this juncture, there are a few curious watchers. Some others see and yet are busy in their own thoughts or are busy discussing worldly matters. The vast majority is nowhere near - they are immersed in their own world!
When the adornment is almost complete, the mantras are chanted and there is total withdrawal from the world. The world waits on for each signal of the final emergence.
Finally the moment arrives. The door opens and everyone sees the deity as equal to God, surrounded by light. Everyone rushes and there is a frantic scramble to see the vision and be blessed. The deity smiles on in a detached manner. The throng continues. Their prayers are answered. God has come and the perfectly adorned complete form of the deity is there for all to see. The praises of the deity fills the air.
The fragrance... the atmosphere is so great! The few remaining ones also rush forward now. People come rushing-last minute. They are late but maybe, just maybe, they will get the vision.
These devotees who came earlier feel fulfilled and some move back to give room to others. The drama is over. People talk of politics and problems. They are troubled. These are troubled times for them. The deities have it made for themselves. They are lucky.
It is the temple of Shri Shakti Vinayaka. The elevated, powerful, remover of all obstacles. Finally they queue up and collect their prasada and slowly go back home. Their role in this drama is over.
When the adornment is almost complete, the mantras are chanted and there is total withdrawal from the world. The world waits on for each signal of the final emergence.
Finally the moment arrives. The door opens and everyone sees the deity as equal to God, surrounded by light. Everyone rushes and there is a frantic scramble to see the vision and be blessed. The deity smiles on in a detached manner. The throng continues. Their prayers are answered. God has come and the perfectly adorned complete form of the deity is there for all to see. The praises of the deity fills the air.
The fragrance... the atmosphere is so great! The few remaining ones also rush forward now. People come rushing-last minute. They are late but maybe, just maybe, they will get the vision.
These devotees who came earlier feel fulfilled and some move back to give room to others. The drama is over. People talk of politics and problems. They are troubled. These are troubled times for them. The deities have it made for themselves. They are lucky.
It is the temple of Shri Shakti Vinayaka. The elevated, powerful, remover of all obstacles. Finally they queue up and collect their prasada and slowly go back home. Their role in this drama is over.
A Leaf in the diary of a perpetual traveller
3rd April, 98. Was it imagination or did the day just feel divine?
The train journey had just begun. Ideas came flooding in. Pictorially.
And a small exhibition was drawn on my notepad.
You like to wear clean clothes... don't you?
(Imagine a pure white cotton shirt left hanging to dry)
You like to eat good clean food ... don't you?
(A plate with fresh, clean, healthy food appears)
You like clean, healthy surroundings ... don't you?
(Picturise a nice well ventilated room, with a curtain blowing in at
the door, a window showing a bountiful tree, a comfortable chair ...)
You like a pure, clean, natural environment ... don't you?
(Majestic mountains, a little stream bubbling through a beautiful green
forest in the valley, a flock of birds flying in formation towards the
rising sun ... Divine!)
You like the pure and yet naughty innocence of children ... don't you?
(A fabled krishna totally absorbed in the task of stealing butter from
an earthen pot charms the mind's eye!)
BANG!!! A movie theater with lot of shooting and bloodshed and contorted
faces on the screen appears.
You don't really like violence, hatred, murder ... do you?
A royal durbar with stately kings sitting in silence appears. They are
mutely watching an attempted disrobing of a lady. A scene from the epic
of Mahabharata. Draupadi cries out for divine intervention ...
Dushasana laughs ...
You don't really like lust, greed for power and pelf ... do you ?
A beautiful young girl thinks of a plain looking studious girl ...
and her face loses its beauty ...
You don't really like jealousy, do you?
Someone is sitting in silence. He sits with his eyes open ... but he
does not see anything in front of him. His countenance is calm and his
thoughts sublime. He is experiencing a peace not commonly experienced...
Have Pure Thoughts.
Contemplate detachedly...
Love Everyone.
Its good.
(This emerges as the theme of the exhibition)
The train journey had just begun. Ideas came flooding in. Pictorially.
And a small exhibition was drawn on my notepad.
You like to wear clean clothes... don't you?
(Imagine a pure white cotton shirt left hanging to dry)
You like to eat good clean food ... don't you?
(A plate with fresh, clean, healthy food appears)
You like clean, healthy surroundings ... don't you?
(Picturise a nice well ventilated room, with a curtain blowing in at
the door, a window showing a bountiful tree, a comfortable chair ...)
You like a pure, clean, natural environment ... don't you?
(Majestic mountains, a little stream bubbling through a beautiful green
forest in the valley, a flock of birds flying in formation towards the
rising sun ... Divine!)
You like the pure and yet naughty innocence of children ... don't you?
(A fabled krishna totally absorbed in the task of stealing butter from
an earthen pot charms the mind's eye!)
BANG!!! A movie theater with lot of shooting and bloodshed and contorted
faces on the screen appears.
You don't really like violence, hatred, murder ... do you?
A royal durbar with stately kings sitting in silence appears. They are
mutely watching an attempted disrobing of a lady. A scene from the epic
of Mahabharata. Draupadi cries out for divine intervention ...
Dushasana laughs ...
You don't really like lust, greed for power and pelf ... do you ?
A beautiful young girl thinks of a plain looking studious girl ...
and her face loses its beauty ...
You don't really like jealousy, do you?
Someone is sitting in silence. He sits with his eyes open ... but he
does not see anything in front of him. His countenance is calm and his
thoughts sublime. He is experiencing a peace not commonly experienced...
Have Pure Thoughts.
Contemplate detachedly...
Love Everyone.
Its good.
(This emerges as the theme of the exhibition)
Knowledge &Wisdom
By God's teachings ( our immeasurable fortune! ), we have all become knowledgeable. One is knowledge-able when one is able to remember points of knowledge - facts and ideas, and also understand the implications . But wisdom is a different matter altogether. We are as wise, as we choose to be, by dint of our efforts. One is wise, when one realizes various points of knowledge.
When we realize any point of knowledge, the experience is beyond anything known to the senses. It is a silent blissful state where all else is forgotten It brings us close to God. We become like him.
Wisdom requires that we apply points of knowledge to daily life. We churn the points in our minds. We think of the benefits and try them out. We make that knowledge ours when we live it out. It gives us new experiences. We become wiser. Points of knowledge when enriched with experience, become points of wisdom. When someone says, "Experience teaches, that this is so....", we immediately feel the magic in the words. They are not the words of a scholar who knows all the scriptures by heart! They are words of wisdom.
Application of ideas in an attempt to solve the basic questions of life is called Philosophy - The Love of Wisdom. Yet, Philosophy is also not wisdom. There are many streams of Philosophy. Each of them contains deep thoughts churned out by intellectuals, sages and seers down the ages. They are attempts to describe truth as experienced and lived out by the authors. They are attempts at solving the Primary Quest. Of knowing, the cause and its effect on this world of ours. Many of these philosophical schools of thought, attempt to describe God, the soul and other metaphysical ideas. Some of them on the other hand, consider these ideas as mere fantasy. One school of thought considers God to be Omnipresent, while another considers him as a point of Light. Yet another stream says that there is no God and it makes good sense to eat, drink and be merry while we can!
Though, some of the principles propounded are universal, the disparities between these different philosophical sects in terms of theories regarding the "Creator and his Creation" show that Philosophy is an attempt at wisdom and does not necessarily imply any wisdom. It does not indicate knowledge, either. Knowledge of the "Creator and the Creation" can be imparted only by the knower. Not by one who is attempting to know. God gives us knowledge of ourselves, of himself and of this game that we play. He also shows us the way to become wise.
Sometimes, life makes us wiser. Different trying situations meet us on the Journey of Life. A half forgotten point of knowledge surfaces and we suddenly we realize what it means. Such realization is the hard way of learning things and becoming wise! It helps to be proactive and use the different gems of knowledge so that we can eliminate problem situations before they occur! Situations will of course be the same, but they cease to be a source of problems for us. Equanimity is the hallmark of a wise man, not of a merely knowledgeable one.
When we realize any point of knowledge, the experience is beyond anything known to the senses. It is a silent blissful state where all else is forgotten It brings us close to God. We become like him.
Wisdom requires that we apply points of knowledge to daily life. We churn the points in our minds. We think of the benefits and try them out. We make that knowledge ours when we live it out. It gives us new experiences. We become wiser. Points of knowledge when enriched with experience, become points of wisdom. When someone says, "Experience teaches, that this is so....", we immediately feel the magic in the words. They are not the words of a scholar who knows all the scriptures by heart! They are words of wisdom.
Application of ideas in an attempt to solve the basic questions of life is called Philosophy - The Love of Wisdom. Yet, Philosophy is also not wisdom. There are many streams of Philosophy. Each of them contains deep thoughts churned out by intellectuals, sages and seers down the ages. They are attempts to describe truth as experienced and lived out by the authors. They are attempts at solving the Primary Quest. Of knowing, the cause and its effect on this world of ours. Many of these philosophical schools of thought, attempt to describe God, the soul and other metaphysical ideas. Some of them on the other hand, consider these ideas as mere fantasy. One school of thought considers God to be Omnipresent, while another considers him as a point of Light. Yet another stream says that there is no God and it makes good sense to eat, drink and be merry while we can!
Though, some of the principles propounded are universal, the disparities between these different philosophical sects in terms of theories regarding the "Creator and his Creation" show that Philosophy is an attempt at wisdom and does not necessarily imply any wisdom. It does not indicate knowledge, either. Knowledge of the "Creator and the Creation" can be imparted only by the knower. Not by one who is attempting to know. God gives us knowledge of ourselves, of himself and of this game that we play. He also shows us the way to become wise.
Sometimes, life makes us wiser. Different trying situations meet us on the Journey of Life. A half forgotten point of knowledge surfaces and we suddenly we realize what it means. Such realization is the hard way of learning things and becoming wise! It helps to be proactive and use the different gems of knowledge so that we can eliminate problem situations before they occur! Situations will of course be the same, but they cease to be a source of problems for us. Equanimity is the hallmark of a wise man, not of a merely knowledgeable one.
Just a moment!
Perfection is when there is nothing more to be added and nothing more to be removed.
You are Perfect! You were and will be. Why think of negatives even for checking? Be Positive. Always.
Don’t try to be loved by all. Be the best person.
Don’t try to be the best person. Surrender to God.
Here there is no competition. Just enjoy what you are enacting.
Be simple. You are merely fulfilling your role in the drama. The hero actor is always applauded not because of his role, but because of his acting. If he were given the beggar’s role he would have acted like a beggar and still been a hero. Each one is a hero in his own life.
Each one deserves to be applauded. Would it be possible for everyone to become Kings? No! The drama requires that different roles be played. Each actor is wonderful! No one ever forgets his role! It is not because you are a better actor that you are a king. Its your role and you can do that best.
Never consider yourself to be better than someone else because your role happens to be “better”.
Love Everyone.
You are Perfect! You were and will be. Why think of negatives even for checking? Be Positive. Always.
Don’t try to be loved by all. Be the best person.
Don’t try to be the best person. Surrender to God.
Here there is no competition. Just enjoy what you are enacting.
Be simple. You are merely fulfilling your role in the drama. The hero actor is always applauded not because of his role, but because of his acting. If he were given the beggar’s role he would have acted like a beggar and still been a hero. Each one is a hero in his own life.
Each one deserves to be applauded. Would it be possible for everyone to become Kings? No! The drama requires that different roles be played. Each actor is wonderful! No one ever forgets his role! It is not because you are a better actor that you are a king. Its your role and you can do that best.
Never consider yourself to be better than someone else because your role happens to be “better”.
Love Everyone.
Joyous Meditation!
Meditation is very easy! It is like swinging on the swing of Love! Does that sound strenuous? Needing concentration and tremendous will power and what not? Of course not! Meditation is sheer joy - pure and simple! Never mind what others talk about it - one can enjoy and delight in it easily!
“How is this so?”, a question seems to linger in the mind, isn’t it? The answer is simple. The idea is to focus one’s mind unto something in a way that the focus stays there. If the object of one’s attention is very interesting and one loves to focus upon it, meditation becomes simple!
What is commonly done in meditation? People try to gaze at a flame or at one point and try to empty the mind of all thoughts. It doesn’t sound very interesting does it? No wonder then that people have a tough time meditating!
What if, on the other hand, one thinks of one’s beloved - like a mother thinks of her toddler, a young girl of her beloved, a miser about his wealth and the ways and means to increase it? Time flies and the focus of attention is never lost! That then, is the essence of doing easy meditation - focussing your mind unto your beloved.
Now who can be worthy of being our beloved? Can just anyone suit the bill? Suppose the best of us all were to be our beloved? Wouldn’t it be nice? Of all the souls, the supreme one has a beautiful role! He is the ocean of Love! Do you know what kind of an ocean that is? The more you immerse yourself in this special ocean, the more indescribably greater becomes your joy! Unlimited Love. Pure Love. Simple Love. Love that knows no barriers, no encumbrances. Love for even one who hurls abuses…Divine Love! Love that causes the incorporeal to borrow an old worn out body to come into a troubled world of sorrow just so that we can meet here! Perfect Love!
Who is he? What does he do? What are his qualities? These are basic thoughts… Think about them. Think about yourself. Who are you? What are your essential qualities? Do you see any similarities ? How are you similar to him and how are you different? How can you narrow down the differences? Think. Think about your relationships with him. Who is he to you? He is the father of all! He acts like a father, a mother, a daughter, a brother, a husband, a beloved… at different occasions! We can choose our relationship with him to be different from time to time!
Keep your mind egoless. He is your best friend! Let go of all inhibitions. Talk to him. Tell him everything. Give away all the garbage you have accumulated in the mind, and also all that you believe to be your good qualities - he will give you the throne of his heart in return! He loves everyone. But the ones who are simple hearted, experience his love fully! As one becomes simpler and more and more loving…life becomes divine!
Never ask. You are His child - you have all the rights. You don’t have to beg for strength, peace of mind, joy, love or any paltry worldly accomplishment! Become his! This new birth will bring with it a wonderful present! The birthright of Godly virtues, powers… true freedom - freedom from vices. Just use this birthright. You’ll see all as friends. You’ll like everyone whether they praise you or hurl abuses! “They are all ours!”
“The world prays to him… he is my daughter”! How so? Think and enjoy! Similarly … enjoy all relationships!
You’ll face some starting trouble. “Pray, what is that”, you ask? Initially, you might find it to be a one way conversation with the Divine companion! You talk, and no one replies! You wonder… am I being foolish? (!!) Yes, its funny but true. He has come and invited you to be his. That’s why you want to become his! Now the ball is in your court! It’s your initiative which counts! He is there awaiting. And lovingly smiling. But you have been separated from him for so long that its tough to believe that it is verily he who is there, beckoning! Just smile at this wonderful part of the Drama and become his - be free of these wondering thoughts! He does not take anything of yours. You give him any vices you have, he will take that gladly and end them then and there. Give him your love, trust… he gives you back multimillion fold in return! He is here to give. Be with him and soon you will be like him!
Think! Talk! But always in silence. There might be tumult outside, but let there be peace and love within. Talk to your lover! You will see, he does reply. And from the moment he does, its a different world altogether! A world of Delight! You would have experienced … Joyous Meditation!
“How is this so?”, a question seems to linger in the mind, isn’t it? The answer is simple. The idea is to focus one’s mind unto something in a way that the focus stays there. If the object of one’s attention is very interesting and one loves to focus upon it, meditation becomes simple!
What is commonly done in meditation? People try to gaze at a flame or at one point and try to empty the mind of all thoughts. It doesn’t sound very interesting does it? No wonder then that people have a tough time meditating!
What if, on the other hand, one thinks of one’s beloved - like a mother thinks of her toddler, a young girl of her beloved, a miser about his wealth and the ways and means to increase it? Time flies and the focus of attention is never lost! That then, is the essence of doing easy meditation - focussing your mind unto your beloved.
Now who can be worthy of being our beloved? Can just anyone suit the bill? Suppose the best of us all were to be our beloved? Wouldn’t it be nice? Of all the souls, the supreme one has a beautiful role! He is the ocean of Love! Do you know what kind of an ocean that is? The more you immerse yourself in this special ocean, the more indescribably greater becomes your joy! Unlimited Love. Pure Love. Simple Love. Love that knows no barriers, no encumbrances. Love for even one who hurls abuses…Divine Love! Love that causes the incorporeal to borrow an old worn out body to come into a troubled world of sorrow just so that we can meet here! Perfect Love!
Who is he? What does he do? What are his qualities? These are basic thoughts… Think about them. Think about yourself. Who are you? What are your essential qualities? Do you see any similarities ? How are you similar to him and how are you different? How can you narrow down the differences? Think. Think about your relationships with him. Who is he to you? He is the father of all! He acts like a father, a mother, a daughter, a brother, a husband, a beloved… at different occasions! We can choose our relationship with him to be different from time to time!
Keep your mind egoless. He is your best friend! Let go of all inhibitions. Talk to him. Tell him everything. Give away all the garbage you have accumulated in the mind, and also all that you believe to be your good qualities - he will give you the throne of his heart in return! He loves everyone. But the ones who are simple hearted, experience his love fully! As one becomes simpler and more and more loving…life becomes divine!
Never ask. You are His child - you have all the rights. You don’t have to beg for strength, peace of mind, joy, love or any paltry worldly accomplishment! Become his! This new birth will bring with it a wonderful present! The birthright of Godly virtues, powers… true freedom - freedom from vices. Just use this birthright. You’ll see all as friends. You’ll like everyone whether they praise you or hurl abuses! “They are all ours!”
“The world prays to him… he is my daughter”! How so? Think and enjoy! Similarly … enjoy all relationships!
You’ll face some starting trouble. “Pray, what is that”, you ask? Initially, you might find it to be a one way conversation with the Divine companion! You talk, and no one replies! You wonder… am I being foolish? (!!) Yes, its funny but true. He has come and invited you to be his. That’s why you want to become his! Now the ball is in your court! It’s your initiative which counts! He is there awaiting. And lovingly smiling. But you have been separated from him for so long that its tough to believe that it is verily he who is there, beckoning! Just smile at this wonderful part of the Drama and become his - be free of these wondering thoughts! He does not take anything of yours. You give him any vices you have, he will take that gladly and end them then and there. Give him your love, trust… he gives you back multimillion fold in return! He is here to give. Be with him and soon you will be like him!
Think! Talk! But always in silence. There might be tumult outside, but let there be peace and love within. Talk to your lover! You will see, he does reply. And from the moment he does, its a different world altogether! A world of Delight! You would have experienced … Joyous Meditation!
The Glory of the King!
Once upon a time, there was a Great King who used to rule over the whole Earth! So great was his rule, that he used to rule the hearts of each of his subjects! Every house had him as a supervisor of all activities! Everything happened according to his wishes! All was under total control!
There were many kingdoms, and titular heads under his rule. All the rulers used to serve him most obediently. There were many religions … yet all of them were governed by his ideas. The original ideas were modified to suit his character! A king so great, that many of the priests felt his ways were effective even in their activities. He used to make everything so interesting! Even the dirtiest of deeds would be done by all readily for him!
In such a scene of utmost stability, one would expect everyone to be happy, isn’t it? But no, that was not to be! Even though he used to rule the hearts of everyone, everyone disliked him! Some in fact, hated him! Why so, you ask? Because they had no independence! The rule was authoritarian. He repeatedly made them unhappy, made them slaves of his wishes, it was just terrible! People used to pray that someone should come and rescue them from this king! Yet they were slaves and used to keep following him blindly! The king was just and used to reward each successful act of following with small joy giving gifts.
Now, it was very motivating to receive gifts for following the wishes of the king, so soon everyone enjoyed following the ruler. Yet by habit they still unthinkingly used to show signs of hate to the ruler! They continued to pray, now blindly, for rescue.
Oh the king was so great! How equanimous amidst praise and slander! How valiant he was till the very end! Even when God himself became his adversary, he did not lose hope but played on his role cheerfully in this drama! He knew himself to be the luckiest one! Many of his subjects would rule the world for 21 births. When the time came, he would regain his lost kingdom. The majority would not leave him even to go to God for one life!
O hear of his Glory! The only immortal outside of heaven! The only one to be residing in more hearts than God himself! The only one who is served for 2500 years non-stop!
The only one who gains 10 crowns ( not just one or two!). The only one who never remembers God(leave alone praying!). The only one whom God remembers and talks about everyday!
The only one who had an uninterrupted reign for half a kalpa! He is only a fictitious character of this drama, yet the King has the most triumphant role!
Iti Ravana maahaatmyam!
( So is the Glory of Ravana )
Love … with no strings attached
Attachment they say, is a virtue. Are ‘they ‘… right? We feel attached in many ways. Friends, relatives, property, things we have got used to, old ideas, long-held views … everything that gives a feeling of “mine”. These are symbols of attachment. We have love for our object of attachment. This is good. We feel that we should forever possess it. This is not so good.
When we feel attached to something, our perspective becomes one-track. We want our object of attachment to be exactly the way we want!
“My daughter should become a Doctor!”
“My sweetheart should forever agree with me!”
“My friend should not talk to that guy whom I don’t like!”
“My son should never leave my side!"
“My Grandpa should never die!”
“No, what I have thought correct for 50 long years can’t be wrong!”
We derive a sense of satisfaction from the relationship of attachment. Change scares us. We feel that if we grant independence to the attached, it would break free from us! Then what would we do? No longer will we derive pleasure from that old relationship! Attachment imposes conditions on behaviour. It is this feeling of attachment which is a bondage.
Love on the other hand, is pure. It is unconditional. It helps us look at things from the other’s perspective. We want the loved one to be happy, we derive our happiness from the others’. Love does not demand. Love is never selfish. It always gives. It is always encouraging. It spreads joy.
We hear of so many love affairs that go awry. If someone does not return the other’s love, the lover feels heartbroken! We hear of suicides, murders, hatred … all in the name of Love. A Love today turned to hatred tomorrow because of a small misunderstanding… Is this Love? No.
Pure Love exists only when there are no strings attached. It gives genuine and lasting happiness. When we give with no desire for a return, when we love another from the heart, wishing him or her the best in everything, when we stop not to see how we can gain… it is this free form of Love, of togetherness which is wonderful! It knows no boundaries. It knows no distances. It never gives way to misunderstandings, misgivings, and other misfortunes. The loved one lives in the heart. That’s all that matters.
Brainwashing ... and other things
One washes something to make it pure. In that sense, brainwashing is the process of washing off all impurities present in the brain. At best, what this would imply is that all past memories, all symbols of attachment to this old world, will be erased and a sense of detachment, a new life would take birth. For this, the washing detergent should be powerful and the brain should be scrubbed well to generate good lather. That is to say, the points of Divine knowledge used for cleansing should be used plentifully and churned well. Then with the water of clear thought at the high pressure of determined action, cleanse each part of the brain. Let a clear stream of powerful thoughts run through, so that any remaining traces of dirty thoughts get washed off. Open the bottom tap of the brain before God, so that all these thoughts - good and bad, of old, are removed fully. Wipe the brain with the dry absorbent cloth of God's love. Now close the leakage points fill the brain with showers of God's knowledge, love and every imaginable treasure - joy, delight, peace ...
Here! A fresh, fully washed brain, ready for efficient service!
So to really take care of the problem, brain washing is clearly not enough. The soul needs to cleanse itself by remembering God constantly (The one and only soul cleansing solution!). When it is thus busy enjoying the delights of divine life, the cheaper intoxicants ( naturally, harmful in the long run!) called lust. anger, greed, attachment, pride and so on, are forgotten. This is a long term solution. It takes time to cleanse the soul fully. Now and then, a really nasty piece of dirt is torn off , leaving the soul shocked at its own stage. It is at such a juncture that care is required. One should not get exhausted and disheartened seeing the tons of dirt flowing off. If the cleansing process is stopped midway, its a dreadful mess not fit to be seen by any! So clean on Lionheartedly! A totally clean soul is like a well tuned instrument, being played by that maestro - God. It will be half the world's life cycle before it begins to run out of tune again. That is to say, starts to get dirty once again!
Training the Mind
Several are the tracks of thought
that run on scattered in the mind
If the taken one is the one that was sought
can success be far behind?
Early on one fixes the goal
and takes the train going there
but the changer of tracks is the soul
and he takes the train where he cares
O train thy mind O soul
for if you travel down the wrong path
the farther away will be the goal
and costly the aftermath
To go to your goal very fast
take the rails going there
Then be on thy track steadfast
though events may try to ensnare
If you had changed your road by your whims
you may yet succeed for sure
Though success at times seems a dream
Here you’ll find a cure
that run on scattered in the mind
If the taken one is the one that was sought
can success be far behind?
Early on one fixes the goal
and takes the train going there
but the changer of tracks is the soul
and he takes the train where he cares
O train thy mind O soul
for if you travel down the wrong path
the farther away will be the goal
and costly the aftermath
To go to your goal very fast
take the rails going there
Then be on thy track steadfast
though events may try to ensnare
If you had changed your road by your whims
you may yet succeed for sure
Though success at times seems a dream
Here you’ll find a cure
Thought Travels
One Second is bad enough
think not more of it!
Slam the brakes down hard enough
if that fails, just turn it.
You’ll rush headlong down an alley
but then “Oh that is fine!”
God welcomes you to Happy Valley
“Welcome to this kingdom of mine!”
Your instruments were all a working
and suddenly one of them failed
Spend no tears on dangers lurking
but move on the safety rails.
For each of the crisis conditions
there are a set of actions to do
Calmly deal with the situation
and you’ll be as good as new
When you have reached the safety track
and all is fit and fine
Search for the cause, look back
Search for the reason behind
Now from this perch of safety
can you easily check and change
and go on with joy and gaiety
for that problem won’t repeat again
think not more of it!
Slam the brakes down hard enough
if that fails, just turn it.
You’ll rush headlong down an alley
but then “Oh that is fine!”
God welcomes you to Happy Valley
“Welcome to this kingdom of mine!”
Your instruments were all a working
and suddenly one of them failed
Spend no tears on dangers lurking
but move on the safety rails.
For each of the crisis conditions
there are a set of actions to do
Calmly deal with the situation
and you’ll be as good as new
When you have reached the safety track
and all is fit and fine
Search for the cause, look back
Search for the reason behind
Now from this perch of safety
can you easily check and change
and go on with joy and gaiety
for that problem won’t repeat again
The Unfinished Symphony
It’s a divine Orchestra
with God as conductor!
Yet players, pieces etc.
have not yet come together!
Each player is honing his part
of this majestic piece
So when the show comes on at last
he can show his skill with ease!
Some have become adept
and are effortless as they play
they help with the trail they have left
others see and follow their ways
Each note has class
yet is inextricably bound
to the master work of art
of the maestro renowned
The audience is ready
the date of the show is fixed
The as yet unfinished symphony
is being completed without a hitch
Yet today there is much more to do
than to enjoy the scene and relax
The master is urging us to
practice and rehearse the act
While each is great in his way
together should strike the right tone
Harmony comes underway
when there’s never a discordant note
with God as conductor!
Yet players, pieces etc.
have not yet come together!
Each player is honing his part
of this majestic piece
So when the show comes on at last
he can show his skill with ease!
Some have become adept
and are effortless as they play
they help with the trail they have left
others see and follow their ways
Each note has class
yet is inextricably bound
to the master work of art
of the maestro renowned
The audience is ready
the date of the show is fixed
The as yet unfinished symphony
is being completed without a hitch
Yet today there is much more to do
than to enjoy the scene and relax
The master is urging us to
practice and rehearse the act
While each is great in his way
together should strike the right tone
Harmony comes underway
when there’s never a discordant note
The Little Caged Bird!
I am a little bird, I have my wings!
I can fly anywhere, before you can blink!
I fly by the power of, knowledge and thought
its an art so special, that very few have sought
When I said I'd like to, fly all around
and see all the beauty, that in nature abounds
They love me so strongly, that they flew into rage
They caged me so promptly, in a Golden little cage
They want me to stay close, always with them
They show cages of Gold, that are studded with gems
and say, "Fly out not yonder, you reckless bee
grow old and ponder, and then seek to see"
"Its dangerous and bad, oh what makes you yearn?
It makes us very sad, and very much concerned
Fly not sweet love, just stay by our side
Live by our laws, and by them abide"
Their love has me caged, but they know not I am free
They hold my little body, but can't ever hold me
So I fly unto my father, who sweetly beckons
and wish well all others, who later will come!
I can fly anywhere, before you can blink!
I fly by the power of, knowledge and thought
its an art so special, that very few have sought
When I said I'd like to, fly all around
and see all the beauty, that in nature abounds
They love me so strongly, that they flew into rage
They caged me so promptly, in a Golden little cage
They want me to stay close, always with them
They show cages of Gold, that are studded with gems
and say, "Fly out not yonder, you reckless bee
grow old and ponder, and then seek to see"
"Its dangerous and bad, oh what makes you yearn?
It makes us very sad, and very much concerned
Fly not sweet love, just stay by our side
Live by our laws, and by them abide"
Their love has me caged, but they know not I am free
They hold my little body, but can't ever hold me
So I fly unto my father, who sweetly beckons
and wish well all others, who later will come!
Sheer Madness!
I see things that none else do
I hear much that none else can
I talk often while I am alone too
and now and then I do a little dance!
Sometimes I love the huge crowd
I feel they are all my own
Sometimes I am silent - beyond sound
in a mob I can become alone
Ah-ha you should just see me
when I move royally like a King
and also when I like a baby
just freak out with everything!
I jump up and do a merry jig
“Oh God is in Love with me!!!”
I give all a look very fast and quick
which lovingly says, “Come here and see!”
I smile and grin for no apparent reason
get up at unearthly hours
and keeping a third eye open
I talk to my friend beyond stars
Let not a scientist ever hear me
nor a doctor nor layman nor friend
For no one will ever believe me
they’ll think I’m going o’er the bend!
But yes dear friend, it is true
I’m madly in love you see
and I think it’ll be wonderful too
if you too love HIM like me!
I hear much that none else can
I talk often while I am alone too
and now and then I do a little dance!
Sometimes I love the huge crowd
I feel they are all my own
Sometimes I am silent - beyond sound
in a mob I can become alone
Ah-ha you should just see me
when I move royally like a King
and also when I like a baby
just freak out with everything!
I jump up and do a merry jig
“Oh God is in Love with me!!!”
I give all a look very fast and quick
which lovingly says, “Come here and see!”
I smile and grin for no apparent reason
get up at unearthly hours
and keeping a third eye open
I talk to my friend beyond stars
Let not a scientist ever hear me
nor a doctor nor layman nor friend
For no one will ever believe me
they’ll think I’m going o’er the bend!
But yes dear friend, it is true
I’m madly in love you see
and I think it’ll be wonderful too
if you too love HIM like me!
Shadow and Light
See how, O Maya, like a shadow you are!
How beautiful, how varied, how enchanting from far!
Sometimes so scary, sometimes so strange
How without substance, and yet what a range!
When the Knowledge Sun rises, your length is so great!
Of course you do, behind the purusharthi prostrate
As the Sun climbs, you become, shorter than before
And when the Sun is on Top, you Are no more!
O Woe when the purusharthi, turns his back to God’s will!
You loom ahead and coyly, beckon him further still!
O wonder that the purusharthi, is sometimes tempted to follow!
For all your temptations, you are actually hollow!
Terrible is the scene, when the Sun sets on him!
The Glory of the sunlight, is lost for a whim!
Darkness grows up and without much resent!
You swallow him up and are omni-present!
Frightening is the darkness, pitch black the night
The poor ex-purusharthi, has lost his third sight
Terrified he is, of all things that move,
Is that a serpent, or a ghost spelling his doom?
Help me! He yells out, and prays for respite
He remembers his old days, and spots an old friend in white
“O Please, my friend, look what has happened to me
I followed my shadow and it has swallowed me”!
In his darkness, a candle, is lit up aglow
The poor old purusharthi, now rushes to the fore!
His friend who is in daylight guides him ahead
But the poor one sees shadows, coming to behead!
“Put the shadows behind, look not to the past!
Look, the Sun God smilingly, calls you at last!”
Thus speaks the strong one, gives words of succour
The old purusharthi tries, and stops to suffer!
“ Maya, you cheat! Now I know you very well!
In my time of Daylight, you did cast that fine spell!
But now that I know you, I am in control
I see you from far off and rush to His shore!”
So speaks the purusharthi, now back in to form!
“Maya, you are weakness, and I am so strong!”
These are the ways of, the game of Shadow and light
Know these and get freed from sorrow and plight!
Be Happy, O Sweet Ones, have the Sun forever on top
When that is the case, troubles from Maya will stop
Learn from the tale, of the poor purusharthi,
Enjoy this new life and experience Jeevanmukti!
How beautiful, how varied, how enchanting from far!
Sometimes so scary, sometimes so strange
How without substance, and yet what a range!
When the Knowledge Sun rises, your length is so great!
Of course you do, behind the purusharthi prostrate
As the Sun climbs, you become, shorter than before
And when the Sun is on Top, you Are no more!
O Woe when the purusharthi, turns his back to God’s will!
You loom ahead and coyly, beckon him further still!
O wonder that the purusharthi, is sometimes tempted to follow!
For all your temptations, you are actually hollow!
Terrible is the scene, when the Sun sets on him!
The Glory of the sunlight, is lost for a whim!
Darkness grows up and without much resent!
You swallow him up and are omni-present!
Frightening is the darkness, pitch black the night
The poor ex-purusharthi, has lost his third sight
Terrified he is, of all things that move,
Is that a serpent, or a ghost spelling his doom?
Help me! He yells out, and prays for respite
He remembers his old days, and spots an old friend in white
“O Please, my friend, look what has happened to me
I followed my shadow and it has swallowed me”!
In his darkness, a candle, is lit up aglow
The poor old purusharthi, now rushes to the fore!
His friend who is in daylight guides him ahead
But the poor one sees shadows, coming to behead!
“Put the shadows behind, look not to the past!
Look, the Sun God smilingly, calls you at last!”
Thus speaks the strong one, gives words of succour
The old purusharthi tries, and stops to suffer!
“ Maya, you cheat! Now I know you very well!
In my time of Daylight, you did cast that fine spell!
But now that I know you, I am in control
I see you from far off and rush to His shore!”
So speaks the purusharthi, now back in to form!
“Maya, you are weakness, and I am so strong!”
These are the ways of, the game of Shadow and light
Know these and get freed from sorrow and plight!
Be Happy, O Sweet Ones, have the Sun forever on top
When that is the case, troubles from Maya will stop
Learn from the tale, of the poor purusharthi,
Enjoy this new life and experience Jeevanmukti!
When I was Old
Yesterday, I was Old
had seen pleasure and pain
and knew them impostors
time and again
I had become mature
and experienced and wise
and knew the differences
‘twixt virtue and vice
I was detached
as I saw, my old friends depart
I thought of a good future
and played on my part
Oh Today I am so lucky
in my youth to be Old!
I had forgotten my experience
which I have just now retold
I met Him and He told me
have great zest, yet clear sight
He showed me the wisdom
to grow old overnight
“I told then my story
they were too young to listen
Now I tell them this story
still they can’t see the vision”
“Why so, Dear Father
just why must they sigh?
Why can’t they simply,
see this?” asked I
“Wisdom, my Sweet Child
is not ability to repeat
To tell them of sweetness
first taste what is sweet”
“Experience my Dear Child
Great Joy and full Peace
when you meet the sorrowing
their sorrow should cease”
“For that, you need to
know All benefits firsthand
When your life is so joyful
they will understand”
“So go forth and know all
You are Arjun, the bold
Let ‘I will do it’ be the slogan
And DO it”, He told
A youth with experience
I have to become Old
Be complete like Father
and gain treasures untold.
had seen pleasure and pain
and knew them impostors
time and again
I had become mature
and experienced and wise
and knew the differences
‘twixt virtue and vice
I was detached
as I saw, my old friends depart
I thought of a good future
and played on my part
Oh Today I am so lucky
in my youth to be Old!
I had forgotten my experience
which I have just now retold
I met Him and He told me
have great zest, yet clear sight
He showed me the wisdom
to grow old overnight
“I told then my story
they were too young to listen
Now I tell them this story
still they can’t see the vision”
“Why so, Dear Father
just why must they sigh?
Why can’t they simply,
see this?” asked I
“Wisdom, my Sweet Child
is not ability to repeat
To tell them of sweetness
first taste what is sweet”
“Experience my Dear Child
Great Joy and full Peace
when you meet the sorrowing
their sorrow should cease”
“For that, you need to
know All benefits firsthand
When your life is so joyful
they will understand”
“So go forth and know all
You are Arjun, the bold
Let ‘I will do it’ be the slogan
And DO it”, He told
A youth with experience
I have to become Old
Be complete like Father
and gain treasures untold.
My Wonderful Teacher!
Did’nt I tell you about my wonderful teacher?
He taught me in a jiffy, the unique alphabet!
With alpha he taught me of Allah remember ?
With beta he placed heaven’s crown on the head!
Two letters were all that he taught me that day
“That’s all that you’ll study, come now let’s play!”
That’s what he said, my teacher divine!
Wondering I followed, merrily behind!
“What do I look like, did you ever think ?”
He asked me and replied before I could blink!
“I am very subtle, a small point of light!
What’s more little one, so are you in sight!”
“The body that you see, is not you my dear!
It is just a vehicle, to take you around here!
You are a spirit, a spirit of delight!
Of peace and of joy, of love and of might!”
“I am your father, do you remember me now ?”
I looked on in askance and he told me just how!
“We both are quite similar, but only you take rebirth
I am the one who, transforms the Earth”
“You are like the river and I am like the sea
Virtues, or knowledge, you learn them from me!
My job is to change, the old to the new
Of that O little one, you have not yet a clue!”
“Behold little one! Do you see that Banyan tree ?”
Holding my little hand, he gently asked me
I looked where he pointed, very curiously and saw
An old tree, many branches and one major flaw!
So many branches! They spread out for miles!
The funny looking tree, had put me in smiles!
Roots of these branches, to the ground they had sunk
But what was amazing , there wasn’t a trunk!
I looked at him and then burst in peals of laughter!
“That’s the tree of life” he said, and that was the next chapter
“The time has come, for you to pack up and go
Before that in this birth there is one thing to know”
“Sow all the seeds of, success that you can
At this moment of history, I reveal a wonderful plan!
For this one birth, if you are ready to become only mine
Then for 21 births, will all my treasures be thine!”
And so on went my teacher, his teachings were fun!
I say it in past tense for it's of then when life had begun!
O he is wonderful, my teacher, but I'm certain of this
That surely I've told you this glory of his!
Surely you forget, I told this to you !
A kalpa ago, this very day that too!
This too was taught by, the same sweet Old one
The wisest of all, who always was fun!
He taught me in a jiffy, the unique alphabet!
With alpha he taught me of Allah remember ?
With beta he placed heaven’s crown on the head!
Two letters were all that he taught me that day
“That’s all that you’ll study, come now let’s play!”
That’s what he said, my teacher divine!
Wondering I followed, merrily behind!
“What do I look like, did you ever think ?”
He asked me and replied before I could blink!
“I am very subtle, a small point of light!
What’s more little one, so are you in sight!”
“The body that you see, is not you my dear!
It is just a vehicle, to take you around here!
You are a spirit, a spirit of delight!
Of peace and of joy, of love and of might!”
“I am your father, do you remember me now ?”
I looked on in askance and he told me just how!
“We both are quite similar, but only you take rebirth
I am the one who, transforms the Earth”
“You are like the river and I am like the sea
Virtues, or knowledge, you learn them from me!
My job is to change, the old to the new
Of that O little one, you have not yet a clue!”
“Behold little one! Do you see that Banyan tree ?”
Holding my little hand, he gently asked me
I looked where he pointed, very curiously and saw
An old tree, many branches and one major flaw!
So many branches! They spread out for miles!
The funny looking tree, had put me in smiles!
Roots of these branches, to the ground they had sunk
But what was amazing , there wasn’t a trunk!
I looked at him and then burst in peals of laughter!
“That’s the tree of life” he said, and that was the next chapter
“The time has come, for you to pack up and go
Before that in this birth there is one thing to know”
“Sow all the seeds of, success that you can
At this moment of history, I reveal a wonderful plan!
For this one birth, if you are ready to become only mine
Then for 21 births, will all my treasures be thine!”
And so on went my teacher, his teachings were fun!
I say it in past tense for it's of then when life had begun!
O he is wonderful, my teacher, but I'm certain of this
That surely I've told you this glory of his!
Surely you forget, I told this to you !
A kalpa ago, this very day that too!
This too was taught by, the same sweet Old one
The wisest of all, who always was fun!
My Dance Master
It was a dance that I saw
a few years ago
it promised to draw
rapturous encores!
Skilled was the dancer
and seated was the audience
Yet every step got an answer
an echoing obedience!
None had seen this dance before
Yet all danced in unison
We danced and danced and wanted more
For in this dance we saw a vision
The vision of the master
whose name was often chanted
whose dance spells disaster
yet leaves everyone enchanted!
Nataraja!
O King of Dance!
In this beautiful raaga
will you teach me how to dance?
The music became soundless
the bodiless master smiled
I too became speechless
when he soundlessly replied
“Dance this dance of thrill
and of supersensual joy!
Be like me if you will
and ceaselessly enjoy!”
“The steps are easy to follow
just be seated in your noble stage
They are the same as a kalpa ago
what I taught you in this confluence age”
He enthroned me in his heart
and said, “Dance away O Soul!”
Since that day he’s my sweetheart
and to dance on is my goal!
a few years ago
it promised to draw
rapturous encores!
Skilled was the dancer
and seated was the audience
Yet every step got an answer
an echoing obedience!
None had seen this dance before
Yet all danced in unison
We danced and danced and wanted more
For in this dance we saw a vision
The vision of the master
whose name was often chanted
whose dance spells disaster
yet leaves everyone enchanted!
Nataraja!
O King of Dance!
In this beautiful raaga
will you teach me how to dance?
The music became soundless
the bodiless master smiled
I too became speechless
when he soundlessly replied
“Dance this dance of thrill
and of supersensual joy!
Be like me if you will
and ceaselessly enjoy!”
“The steps are easy to follow
just be seated in your noble stage
They are the same as a kalpa ago
what I taught you in this confluence age”
He enthroned me in his heart
and said, “Dance away O Soul!”
Since that day he’s my sweetheart
and to dance on is my goal!
Drug Addiction
“Beware of Drugs!”
cautioned the banner
“Be away from Thugs!”
it said in this manner
“They give intoxication
and a vague sense of Joy!
But there are repercussions
which none can avoid.
You become addicted to it
and without it can’t live!
AIDS can spread as its injected
sharing as you take and give.
Beware for it demands death!
Terrible are the withdrawal symptoms.
A constant pang it will bequeath,
merciless will the condition become.
Say NO to Drugs!
Don’t be caught by the fancy!
Say No to the thugs,
who talk of buoyancy!”
My Doctor, as he heard this,
very gently did smile
“Be Patient and don’t miss
this new drug of mine”
I heard on, breath abated
for my Doctor is God
I did feel elated
seeing the break of the dawn
“It’s a powerful intoxicant
which gives infinite bliss!
It’s users it will enchant
they’ll take nothing else but this!
Oh it’s addictive like breath
Free, yet of tremendous value.
It AIDS all those who use it
and inject others in lieu.
Its a new birth that you get
from the old you will die!
Those who get up from this death-bed
will find their conscience does bite!
This is the drug of all knowledge
the essence of all good.
Inject with a meditative syringe
and you’ll have Universal Brotherhood!”
cautioned the banner
“Be away from Thugs!”
it said in this manner
“They give intoxication
and a vague sense of Joy!
But there are repercussions
which none can avoid.
You become addicted to it
and without it can’t live!
AIDS can spread as its injected
sharing as you take and give.
Beware for it demands death!
Terrible are the withdrawal symptoms.
A constant pang it will bequeath,
merciless will the condition become.
Say NO to Drugs!
Don’t be caught by the fancy!
Say No to the thugs,
who talk of buoyancy!”
My Doctor, as he heard this,
very gently did smile
“Be Patient and don’t miss
this new drug of mine”
I heard on, breath abated
for my Doctor is God
I did feel elated
seeing the break of the dawn
“It’s a powerful intoxicant
which gives infinite bliss!
It’s users it will enchant
they’ll take nothing else but this!
Oh it’s addictive like breath
Free, yet of tremendous value.
It AIDS all those who use it
and inject others in lieu.
Its a new birth that you get
from the old you will die!
Those who get up from this death-bed
will find their conscience does bite!
This is the drug of all knowledge
the essence of all good.
Inject with a meditative syringe
and you’ll have Universal Brotherhood!”
O Changeless World!
They say it keeps changing
no two seconds are ever the same
Change too stays not changeless
Now rapid, now gentle
Change too changes away!
Yet isn’t it, that morn follows every night?
And a Spring follows every winter, every winter a fall?
Order turns chaotic, yet there remains order in sight?
A birth now, a death then, a death now, a birth then???
Isn’t everything changeless for all?
Each moment the world did die
and was reborn again!
So many deaths and births later
did the world, the first stage regain!
Thus spake the changeless one
when he came to change the world!
It is a drama that you see child
it’s a drama that forever repeats!
no two seconds are ever the same
Change too stays not changeless
Now rapid, now gentle
Change too changes away!
Yet isn’t it, that morn follows every night?
And a Spring follows every winter, every winter a fall?
Order turns chaotic, yet there remains order in sight?
A birth now, a death then, a death now, a birth then???
Isn’t everything changeless for all?
Each moment the world did die
and was reborn again!
So many deaths and births later
did the world, the first stage regain!
Thus spake the changeless one
when he came to change the world!
It is a drama that you see child
it’s a drama that forever repeats!
Spirituality & Health
We are involved on a daily basis with health issues and means to resolve them. In particular, we have heard and considered various ways to deal with chest pain when it occurs. It is a serious issue that confronts humanity today and we heard some eloquent discussion on what is within our control. One thing stands out… and it is that the onset of heart disease means medication for life. We typically use the curative approach to health issues. When a health issue arrives, the doctor is approached. This is not a very suitable route to take.
Stress and problem situations are very common place. We know the kind of havoc they wreak on the body. Some students have diarrhoea before their exams. Some break into sweat, just before a public speech. Some people have heart attacks when they watch TV and feel that their favourite team is losing the cricket match! Some people can not tolerate other’s driving. Road rage is a common phenomenon.
The way we think and respond to situations, affects our mental and physical health significantly. Nowadays, the lifestyle adopted is such that people are easily and perpetually affected by situations. If someone owns a Maruti Zen and a neighbour buys a Mercedes Benz, this contrast too could become a major stressor for some people.
Instead of taking an Aspirin everyday and then responding to every external event as a potential problem, a better approach would be to address the way we think by understanding more about the nature of our consciousness.
Several experiments have been done in this field to investigate the effect of meditation and spiritual practice on health. At the Brahma Kumaris facility of J Watumull Memorial Global Hospital and Research Centre, Mt. Abu, a programme “Reversing CAD through lifestyle intervention” has been going on for several years. This programme is being conducted with the help of Defence Institute of Psychology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS).
In this programme, people with various levels of arterial blockages undergo training in groups of 25. They continue their medication, but also learn various aspects of diet, exercise and most importantly, meditation. There are follow-up camps after 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. The results have been very positive and there has been significant reduction in the blockage levels noted by the patients.
In Bangalore too, the Kidwai Medical Institute of Oncology (KMIO) has two rooms dedicated for the learning and practice of Rajayoga meditation. Cancer patients and their caretakers come there to learn these meditative practices. The feedback has been excellent. Patients note benefits such as change in attitude, peace of mind and better ability to cope with the disease.
So what is consciousness really? The typical understanding most people have is that consciousness is an epiphenomenona of the brain. This is because the source of consciousness is not visible and there had been little evidence of any non-material entity in the past. However, as someone wisely said, absence of evidence is not evidence of absence! Of late, there is a lot of research going on that indicate that the brain itself cannot generate consciousness. There is a tremendous body of evidence pointing towards past lives. Many scientific studies have been done in this field now. Check http://www.childpastlives.org for an informal discussion forum about past life experiences.
From a more direct perspective, in High school, we study Newton’s laws of motion. One of the laws states that any object continues to be in a state of rest or in uniform motion unless acted upon by an external force. So we are walking, talking proof that we cannot be simply material entities that obey laws of matter. Our bodies are made of living matter, but for Newton’s law to hold true, for us to move, each body must be driven to action by a self-aware, conscient, independent entity. In this entity, we can trace the source of consciousness. As Rene Descartes expressed it… I think, therefore I am.
From a Spiritual perspective, this source of consciousness has been well understood and discussed for a long time. It is termed as the soul, spirit or atma. It has the three faculties of the thinking mind, the discerning intellect and the unique repository of experiences - sanskaras. Each soul is unique having different set of experiences acquired over its eternal past. Each of us may observe the same event and yet register completely different thoughts based on our past experiences that have shaped our personality. For example, a particular topic such as this may fascinate some of the audience while others may experience disinterest.
In spite of our many different personality traits, we find that there are a set of common factors that bind us together. We are motivated by the same basic things… unlike what Freud and others have expressed, the root motivators for us are the same positive aspects of peace, love and joy etc. These qualities are the very nature of the soul. When we consider ourselves to be bodies, we compare and experience various problems due to distinctions of caste, creed, gender, nationality, religion, social status etc. However, when our awareness is based on soul-consciousness, we experience our nature of peace, love and joy and are also able to share the same with others.
Spiritual awareness leads to changes in our outlook and attitudes thereby leading to a change in lifestyle. There is equanimity, cheer, positivity and enthusiasm when we practice a spiritual lifestyle. Good spiritual health lays the foundation for physical, mental and social health.
Stress and problem situations are very common place. We know the kind of havoc they wreak on the body. Some students have diarrhoea before their exams. Some break into sweat, just before a public speech. Some people have heart attacks when they watch TV and feel that their favourite team is losing the cricket match! Some people can not tolerate other’s driving. Road rage is a common phenomenon.
The way we think and respond to situations, affects our mental and physical health significantly. Nowadays, the lifestyle adopted is such that people are easily and perpetually affected by situations. If someone owns a Maruti Zen and a neighbour buys a Mercedes Benz, this contrast too could become a major stressor for some people.
Instead of taking an Aspirin everyday and then responding to every external event as a potential problem, a better approach would be to address the way we think by understanding more about the nature of our consciousness.
Several experiments have been done in this field to investigate the effect of meditation and spiritual practice on health. At the Brahma Kumaris facility of J Watumull Memorial Global Hospital and Research Centre, Mt. Abu, a programme “Reversing CAD through lifestyle intervention” has been going on for several years. This programme is being conducted with the help of Defence Institute of Psychology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS).
In this programme, people with various levels of arterial blockages undergo training in groups of 25. They continue their medication, but also learn various aspects of diet, exercise and most importantly, meditation. There are follow-up camps after 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. The results have been very positive and there has been significant reduction in the blockage levels noted by the patients.
In Bangalore too, the Kidwai Medical Institute of Oncology (KMIO) has two rooms dedicated for the learning and practice of Rajayoga meditation. Cancer patients and their caretakers come there to learn these meditative practices. The feedback has been excellent. Patients note benefits such as change in attitude, peace of mind and better ability to cope with the disease.
So what is consciousness really? The typical understanding most people have is that consciousness is an epiphenomenona of the brain. This is because the source of consciousness is not visible and there had been little evidence of any non-material entity in the past. However, as someone wisely said, absence of evidence is not evidence of absence! Of late, there is a lot of research going on that indicate that the brain itself cannot generate consciousness. There is a tremendous body of evidence pointing towards past lives. Many scientific studies have been done in this field now. Check http://www.childpastlives.org for an informal discussion forum about past life experiences.
From a more direct perspective, in High school, we study Newton’s laws of motion. One of the laws states that any object continues to be in a state of rest or in uniform motion unless acted upon by an external force. So we are walking, talking proof that we cannot be simply material entities that obey laws of matter. Our bodies are made of living matter, but for Newton’s law to hold true, for us to move, each body must be driven to action by a self-aware, conscient, independent entity. In this entity, we can trace the source of consciousness. As Rene Descartes expressed it… I think, therefore I am.
From a Spiritual perspective, this source of consciousness has been well understood and discussed for a long time. It is termed as the soul, spirit or atma. It has the three faculties of the thinking mind, the discerning intellect and the unique repository of experiences - sanskaras. Each soul is unique having different set of experiences acquired over its eternal past. Each of us may observe the same event and yet register completely different thoughts based on our past experiences that have shaped our personality. For example, a particular topic such as this may fascinate some of the audience while others may experience disinterest.
In spite of our many different personality traits, we find that there are a set of common factors that bind us together. We are motivated by the same basic things… unlike what Freud and others have expressed, the root motivators for us are the same positive aspects of peace, love and joy etc. These qualities are the very nature of the soul. When we consider ourselves to be bodies, we compare and experience various problems due to distinctions of caste, creed, gender, nationality, religion, social status etc. However, when our awareness is based on soul-consciousness, we experience our nature of peace, love and joy and are also able to share the same with others.
Spiritual awareness leads to changes in our outlook and attitudes thereby leading to a change in lifestyle. There is equanimity, cheer, positivity and enthusiasm when we practice a spiritual lifestyle. Good spiritual health lays the foundation for physical, mental and social health.
Objective Oriented Purusharth
Objective Oriented Purusharth - The Software Paradigm
Introduction
This paper looks at the typical software development methodology and attempts to gain insights from its practical approach to solving any problem. Purusharth or effort making on the part of the spiritual aspirant can gain much from this approach. This method is tried and tested and works very well in the software domain. It is earnestly hoped that the approach would also be of tremendous help in Liberation Management of the Spiritual Kind – Objective Oriented Purusharth.
Cautioning note: This paper uses the Masculine gender to describe the spiritual aspirant. This is merely for convenience. Gender is of no relevance in the quest for perfection.
Stages in Product Development
The stages in the development of any product is as follows:
1) Idea about the Product - Conception
2) Market Survey for finding out the demand for the product – Concept Evaluation
3) Doing a cost benefit analysis - Analysis
4) Developing the product in a quality conscious way - Development
5) Customizing the product to meet customer requirements – Sales & Marketing
6) Keeping the customer happy while making a good profit – Customer Satisfaction
Product Development on the spiritual front
On the spiritual domain, these points can be thought of as follows:
1) The product (or objective in mind) is attaining perfection.
2) Indeed in the current day world, there is a tremendous requirement for souls who
reach perfection in terms of self-development and of character. The customer here is the common man who is usually in a stage of constant struggle for peace, love and happiness and seeks it in different means such as money, power, adventures and so on.
3) The Quest for perfection has the cost that it takes away the mundane day to day life of the aspirant. This is because, the end product is the successfully transformed aspirant himself. The greatest benefit is of course derived by the aspirant because he lives the greatest, the happiest and the indeed the ultimate form of lifestyle ever conceivable.
4) Product Development – or how to achieve this transformation - is the focus of this paper.
5) It is not enough that the aspirant enjoys an elevated state of spiritual lifestyle. The benefits must reach the customer who requires it. The customer in today’s world is confused by the plethora of options he has in front and is often unable to take the right choice. Also, each customer has his own peculiar choices. The successful aspirant should be able to perceive these widely varying and often confused demands of the customer and offer his services in an appealing and beneficial way. Often, the customer needs to be educated for this purpose through proper counselling.
6) The ultimate proof of product quality is customer satisfaction. Unless the aspirant is able to help solve the fundamental requirements of the common man, he has not reached the required quality and would not be worthy of being show-cased as the ideal product.
The Nuts and Bolts of Product Implementation
Now we analyse the core issue of getting the actual product ready.
The basic stages of the software development cycle can be termed as follows:
New Feature Requirements - Analysis – Design – Implementation – Integration Testing – System Testing-Trouble Shooting or Maintenance.
These can be further subdivided into a number of questions or points that enable us to understand the meaning behind these terms.
1) Breakdown the list of features into a set of work-packages. What should be the final product like?
Additionally is he able to grasp others problem situations and give simple and direct solutions? Is he able to impart self confidence in others? Can he transmit his joys to others and help others experience the sublime feelings that he experiences?
Enumerate a comprehensive list of features(or functional behaviour) that are required in the final product and group a small set of related features together. These form work-packages on which individual attention needs to be given.
2) Make a rough estimate of the amount of time required to implement each work-package. For this base it on a evaluation study of the current capabilities of the product
Each aspirant has his own unique stage. This needs to be evaluated with respect to the requirements in the final perfect stage. Estimate how much time each work-package would take if given individual focus and full-time effort.
3) Schedule the features in the order of priority
4) Is parallel activity possible for some features?
5) Write down a functional specification for each work-package. Note down assumptions, open issues, use cases for each piece of functionality ( What are the pre-conditions for use, a step by step description of usage, post conditions which are guaranteed)
The idea of this phase is to get an in-depth understanding of each feature or functional behaviour. What exactly should happen – this needs to be understood. Give a detailed description of each feature. How must the man of perfection behave in any given situation. Are there any pre-conditions (For example, an aspirant may require a quiet environment for being able to transmit peace to others, while the perfect one would radiate peace in any environment)? How can the common man gain benefits from the perfect ones? Some gain by hearing a discourse, others by merely looking on, some others by visualising from afar, yet others through visions…
6) Design the method of fulfilling the requirements. Model the real world interactions that would be required between the product and the user. Draw the scenario. Look at various design patterns, implementations of other products. See if anything is re-usable. Define the external and internal interfaces. Define the various classes of roles that are required. These form the blueprint for action. Inherit from the abstract base class which demonstrates ideal behaviour.
Override the functions to adapt to local requirements. Define the architecture (Client/Server – how can any requirement within be fulfilled? Who as the server, can help in the fulfillment of any requirement?) to be followed. Check out if there are any differences from requirements or from the functional specifications. Write down in plain language how each piece of functionality will be implemented.
This phase is extremely important. Study the real world situations and see various approaches which are being used to achieve product quality. See seniors, others who have been effective in implementing a particular feature and see if the same approach is possible. What should be the minimal external interfaces? (“Come what may, I shall remain cheerful and friendly to others”).
Similarly, the internal interfaces (“ I shall not think negative about anybody”) – how to implement these? See the classes of roles that are required (a friend to all, a father to a few, a student of God, an enemy of none …) but in all respects, the focus is on how to fulfill all the roles without disturbing any feature of another role. This requires various powers – to have a sense of discrimination, to adjust, to withdraw, to listen, to judge, to co-operate and so on. In all matters define a role model – how would this model behave in such a circumstance? If there are no local requirements of the customer, the default behaviour is to do what the role model would do. The role model is an abstract base class (something which does not actually exist at present but determines the basic functionality).
Cross check the design with others. Does it look OK? Let them give review comments. Incorporate these immediately in the design.
7) Implement the feature. Borrow extensively from the idioms of implementation already in use. Use the existing library of functions as much as possible. Do not re-invent the wheel. Follow the given implementation guidelines as closely as possible. Make alterations or deviations from the guideline only if absolutely necessary and with due documentation. Review extensively. Incorporate review comments methodically. Document this. This step requires total compliance to the set design. If the design is strong, then this stage is almost mechanical and fast to complete. If problems are encountered in implementation, go over the design and implementation procedure again and again till you spot the fault. Use the remedy specified in the design and overcome the problem. If problem persists, either the implementation has been improper or the design needs to re-evaluated.
8) Do white box testing of internals. Given a particular set of inputs (inside or outside the expected range.) Check what happens within. Check for abnormal behaviour. Catch exceptions if any. In white box testing, every particular action is analysed to see if correct behaviour is seen. Its like testing going on in a box in which the contents can be observed from outside. Spiritually, this means that examination of every thought which comes across during a problem situation should be checked it is as per the design.
9) Do black box testing. Given a set of inputs – normal, abnormal, repeated normal, repeated and abnormal, wildly abnormal conditions – check out the outputs. Do they match specifications? Check Fault Tolerance. The common man is usually unconcerned about how the aspirant thinks. The aspirant is a black box, only the end result matters. Given a situation ( good or bad), how good is the aspirant?
10) Integration Testing – when all attributes or functionality is simultaneously required does one suffer when another is used. Does all the functionality integrate well together in a cohesive and balanced manner? This is to check if the variety of roles and demands that are set upon the aspirant can all be fulfilled by him in a balanced and integrated manner. For example, it is to be ensured that the aspirant is a great student put not at the cost of being poor as a friend of others.
11) System Testing – How does the product when handled by a lay user? Expert user? Malicious user? Is the product stable in all conditions, providing either correct responses or appropriate helpful error messages? Does the product work well in extreme environments? This test puts the aspirant into real world environment. All sorts of problem situations are posed in front. Is the aspirant really qualified to be call ed a perfect product? Does he pass the stringent quality standards that will certify him? Is the product free of Bugs (problems) and ready to serve the customers fully? Any problems that are found need to be repeatedly corrected until the desired stage is reached.
12) Is the product liked well by the developer, the company (the boss), the customers? Does it attract new customers?
Conclusion
The software approach to problem solving is very effective. This is because, its done iteratively till the zero-defect standard for the product is reached. The same is the goal for the spiritual aspirant. Large goals or objectives are broken down into more easily understandable and tangible features and they are evaluated, understood, and solved in a systematic manner. Testing if the desired objective is met, peer reviews and incorporation of corrective feedback needs to be done in every phase. This approach is very robust and practical. It is hoped that these ideas will be incorporated into the daily lives of the purusharthis so that they gain the benefits of Objective Oriented Purusharth.
Further thoughts on the topic can be had: A proper feedback mechanism for realising potential bugs (problems) and incorporating changes to counter these. An evaluation and appraisal scheme for checking. An accounting set up to see the number of man-hours spent on any given task. Training camps to learn help and improve in any given area of functionality and so on.
Introduction
This paper looks at the typical software development methodology and attempts to gain insights from its practical approach to solving any problem. Purusharth or effort making on the part of the spiritual aspirant can gain much from this approach. This method is tried and tested and works very well in the software domain. It is earnestly hoped that the approach would also be of tremendous help in Liberation Management of the Spiritual Kind – Objective Oriented Purusharth.
Cautioning note: This paper uses the Masculine gender to describe the spiritual aspirant. This is merely for convenience. Gender is of no relevance in the quest for perfection.
Stages in Product Development
The stages in the development of any product is as follows:
1) Idea about the Product - Conception
2) Market Survey for finding out the demand for the product – Concept Evaluation
3) Doing a cost benefit analysis - Analysis
4) Developing the product in a quality conscious way - Development
5) Customizing the product to meet customer requirements – Sales & Marketing
6) Keeping the customer happy while making a good profit – Customer Satisfaction
Product Development on the spiritual front
On the spiritual domain, these points can be thought of as follows:
1) The product (or objective in mind) is attaining perfection.
2) Indeed in the current day world, there is a tremendous requirement for souls who
reach perfection in terms of self-development and of character. The customer here is the common man who is usually in a stage of constant struggle for peace, love and happiness and seeks it in different means such as money, power, adventures and so on.
3) The Quest for perfection has the cost that it takes away the mundane day to day life of the aspirant. This is because, the end product is the successfully transformed aspirant himself. The greatest benefit is of course derived by the aspirant because he lives the greatest, the happiest and the indeed the ultimate form of lifestyle ever conceivable.
4) Product Development – or how to achieve this transformation - is the focus of this paper.
5) It is not enough that the aspirant enjoys an elevated state of spiritual lifestyle. The benefits must reach the customer who requires it. The customer in today’s world is confused by the plethora of options he has in front and is often unable to take the right choice. Also, each customer has his own peculiar choices. The successful aspirant should be able to perceive these widely varying and often confused demands of the customer and offer his services in an appealing and beneficial way. Often, the customer needs to be educated for this purpose through proper counselling.
6) The ultimate proof of product quality is customer satisfaction. Unless the aspirant is able to help solve the fundamental requirements of the common man, he has not reached the required quality and would not be worthy of being show-cased as the ideal product.
The Nuts and Bolts of Product Implementation
Now we analyse the core issue of getting the actual product ready.
The basic stages of the software development cycle can be termed as follows:
New Feature Requirements - Analysis – Design – Implementation – Integration Testing – System Testing-Trouble Shooting or Maintenance.
These can be further subdivided into a number of questions or points that enable us to understand the meaning behind these terms.
1) Breakdown the list of features into a set of work-packages. What should be the final product like?
a) Bare minimal features – the essentialsWhat qualities does the man of perfection have? Minimally what virtues and powers does he possess? Does he maintain his state of equanimity and happiness? Is he self- reliant?
b) Extensions – useful features
c) Extras – which make the product a great joy to use
Additionally is he able to grasp others problem situations and give simple and direct solutions? Is he able to impart self confidence in others? Can he transmit his joys to others and help others experience the sublime feelings that he experiences?
Enumerate a comprehensive list of features(or functional behaviour) that are required in the final product and group a small set of related features together. These form work-packages on which individual attention needs to be given.
2) Make a rough estimate of the amount of time required to implement each work-package. For this base it on a evaluation study of the current capabilities of the product
Each aspirant has his own unique stage. This needs to be evaluated with respect to the requirements in the final perfect stage. Estimate how much time each work-package would take if given individual focus and full-time effort.
3) Schedule the features in the order of priority
4) Is parallel activity possible for some features?
5) Write down a functional specification for each work-package. Note down assumptions, open issues, use cases for each piece of functionality ( What are the pre-conditions for use, a step by step description of usage, post conditions which are guaranteed)
The idea of this phase is to get an in-depth understanding of each feature or functional behaviour. What exactly should happen – this needs to be understood. Give a detailed description of each feature. How must the man of perfection behave in any given situation. Are there any pre-conditions (For example, an aspirant may require a quiet environment for being able to transmit peace to others, while the perfect one would radiate peace in any environment)? How can the common man gain benefits from the perfect ones? Some gain by hearing a discourse, others by merely looking on, some others by visualising from afar, yet others through visions…
6) Design the method of fulfilling the requirements. Model the real world interactions that would be required between the product and the user. Draw the scenario. Look at various design patterns, implementations of other products. See if anything is re-usable. Define the external and internal interfaces. Define the various classes of roles that are required. These form the blueprint for action. Inherit from the abstract base class which demonstrates ideal behaviour.
Override the functions to adapt to local requirements. Define the architecture (Client/Server – how can any requirement within be fulfilled? Who as the server, can help in the fulfillment of any requirement?) to be followed. Check out if there are any differences from requirements or from the functional specifications. Write down in plain language how each piece of functionality will be implemented.
This phase is extremely important. Study the real world situations and see various approaches which are being used to achieve product quality. See seniors, others who have been effective in implementing a particular feature and see if the same approach is possible. What should be the minimal external interfaces? (“Come what may, I shall remain cheerful and friendly to others”).
Similarly, the internal interfaces (“ I shall not think negative about anybody”) – how to implement these? See the classes of roles that are required (a friend to all, a father to a few, a student of God, an enemy of none …) but in all respects, the focus is on how to fulfill all the roles without disturbing any feature of another role. This requires various powers – to have a sense of discrimination, to adjust, to withdraw, to listen, to judge, to co-operate and so on. In all matters define a role model – how would this model behave in such a circumstance? If there are no local requirements of the customer, the default behaviour is to do what the role model would do. The role model is an abstract base class (something which does not actually exist at present but determines the basic functionality).
Cross check the design with others. Does it look OK? Let them give review comments. Incorporate these immediately in the design.
7) Implement the feature. Borrow extensively from the idioms of implementation already in use. Use the existing library of functions as much as possible. Do not re-invent the wheel. Follow the given implementation guidelines as closely as possible. Make alterations or deviations from the guideline only if absolutely necessary and with due documentation. Review extensively. Incorporate review comments methodically. Document this. This step requires total compliance to the set design. If the design is strong, then this stage is almost mechanical and fast to complete. If problems are encountered in implementation, go over the design and implementation procedure again and again till you spot the fault. Use the remedy specified in the design and overcome the problem. If problem persists, either the implementation has been improper or the design needs to re-evaluated.
8) Do white box testing of internals. Given a particular set of inputs (inside or outside the expected range.) Check what happens within. Check for abnormal behaviour. Catch exceptions if any. In white box testing, every particular action is analysed to see if correct behaviour is seen. Its like testing going on in a box in which the contents can be observed from outside. Spiritually, this means that examination of every thought which comes across during a problem situation should be checked it is as per the design.
9) Do black box testing. Given a set of inputs – normal, abnormal, repeated normal, repeated and abnormal, wildly abnormal conditions – check out the outputs. Do they match specifications? Check Fault Tolerance. The common man is usually unconcerned about how the aspirant thinks. The aspirant is a black box, only the end result matters. Given a situation ( good or bad), how good is the aspirant?
10) Integration Testing – when all attributes or functionality is simultaneously required does one suffer when another is used. Does all the functionality integrate well together in a cohesive and balanced manner? This is to check if the variety of roles and demands that are set upon the aspirant can all be fulfilled by him in a balanced and integrated manner. For example, it is to be ensured that the aspirant is a great student put not at the cost of being poor as a friend of others.
11) System Testing – How does the product when handled by a lay user? Expert user? Malicious user? Is the product stable in all conditions, providing either correct responses or appropriate helpful error messages? Does the product work well in extreme environments? This test puts the aspirant into real world environment. All sorts of problem situations are posed in front. Is the aspirant really qualified to be call ed a perfect product? Does he pass the stringent quality standards that will certify him? Is the product free of Bugs (problems) and ready to serve the customers fully? Any problems that are found need to be repeatedly corrected until the desired stage is reached.
12) Is the product liked well by the developer, the company (the boss), the customers? Does it attract new customers?
Conclusion
The software approach to problem solving is very effective. This is because, its done iteratively till the zero-defect standard for the product is reached. The same is the goal for the spiritual aspirant. Large goals or objectives are broken down into more easily understandable and tangible features and they are evaluated, understood, and solved in a systematic manner. Testing if the desired objective is met, peer reviews and incorporation of corrective feedback needs to be done in every phase. This approach is very robust and practical. It is hoped that these ideas will be incorporated into the daily lives of the purusharthis so that they gain the benefits of Objective Oriented Purusharth.
Further thoughts on the topic can be had: A proper feedback mechanism for realising potential bugs (problems) and incorporating changes to counter these. An evaluation and appraisal scheme for checking. An accounting set up to see the number of man-hours spent on any given task. Training camps to learn help and improve in any given area of functionality and so on.
Follow Shrimat
Follow Shrimat
When the world looks good
And the times are light
When the thoughts are great
And there is hope inside
Follow Shrimat.
When life is cool
And there is time on hand
When you win always
And are in demand
Follow Shrimat.
When the going is rough
And the times are tight
When the future looks bleak
Only troubles in sight
Follow Shrimat.
When you are in the dumps
Have made some mistakes
When you’ve blown it all
And your life is at stake
Follow Shrimat.
No matter who you are
No matter what you do
No matter what you have
No matter what you should
Follow Shrimat.
Shrimat is a blessing
Shrimat is breath of life
Shrimat should be followed
Till the end of Time
Yes, Follow Shrimat.
It’s the one thing that’s true
It’s your guide and friend
It’s a practice, it’s a lifestyle
It will help you till the end
Follow Shrimat.
When you are happy
And you don’t follow Shrimat…
When you’re down with vices
You can’t follow Shrimat!
Do whatever you please
Through health or disease
No matter what the cost
No matter if you’re lost…
Understand one thing clear
It’s not optional my dear
Follow Shrimat.
When the world looks good
And the times are light
When the thoughts are great
And there is hope inside
Follow Shrimat.
When life is cool
And there is time on hand
When you win always
And are in demand
Follow Shrimat.
When the going is rough
And the times are tight
When the future looks bleak
Only troubles in sight
Follow Shrimat.
When you are in the dumps
Have made some mistakes
When you’ve blown it all
And your life is at stake
Follow Shrimat.
No matter who you are
No matter what you do
No matter what you have
No matter what you should
Follow Shrimat.
Shrimat is a blessing
Shrimat is breath of life
Shrimat should be followed
Till the end of Time
Yes, Follow Shrimat.
It’s the one thing that’s true
It’s your guide and friend
It’s a practice, it’s a lifestyle
It will help you till the end
Follow Shrimat.
When you are happy
And you don’t follow Shrimat…
When you’re down with vices
You can’t follow Shrimat!
Do whatever you please
Through health or disease
No matter what the cost
No matter if you’re lost…
Understand one thing clear
It’s not optional my dear
Follow Shrimat.
The Song of God
Sweetest, beloved children, I have come to educate you.
You, My children are more loved than life.
I am now giving you the third eye of knowledge
so that you become those with sight.
Only I am called the Ocean of Knowledge.
My form is a point of light.
Just as you are a soul, the Father is a point.
By remembering Me, you receive might.
I do not take birth and death;
I am incorporeal and unique.
I remove all sorrows; bestow peace and happiness
I teach to make you pure and sweet
This world was heaven; it is now hell.
I will make it heaven again
If you follow My directions, I will make you elevated.
These are the secrets of the game.
Constantly remember Me alone!
Renounce all body consciousness
Play your part, be soul conscious while doing so
And at every step you will get success
I am the Almighty Authority.
I empower you to rule your mind
I will make you all pure and take you back home.
I will not leave even one behind.
I am your Everything.
You, My children are more loved than life.
I am now giving you the third eye of knowledge
so that you become those with sight.
Only I am called the Ocean of Knowledge.
My form is a point of light.
Just as you are a soul, the Father is a point.
By remembering Me, you receive might.
I do not take birth and death;
I am incorporeal and unique.
I remove all sorrows; bestow peace and happiness
I teach to make you pure and sweet
This world was heaven; it is now hell.
I will make it heaven again
If you follow My directions, I will make you elevated.
These are the secrets of the game.
Constantly remember Me alone!
Renounce all body consciousness
Play your part, be soul conscious while doing so
And at every step you will get success
I am the Almighty Authority.
I empower you to rule your mind
I will make you all pure and take you back home.
I will not leave even one behind.
I am your Everything.
The Message
The world is a stage and you are an actor.
You are a soul. You play many roles. Your nature is love, peace and happiness... You do everything in order to express and experience your nature.
Your home is the soul world which is also the home of God. He is the Supreme among all souls for He remains constantly loveful, peaceful and blissful.
God says - consider yourself to be a soul and remember me, and you will become peaceful again.
Om Shanti. I am a peaceful soul.
You are a soul. You play many roles. Your nature is love, peace and happiness... You do everything in order to express and experience your nature.
Your home is the soul world which is also the home of God. He is the Supreme among all souls for He remains constantly loveful, peaceful and blissful.
God says - consider yourself to be a soul and remember me, and you will become peaceful again.
Om Shanti. I am a peaceful soul.
Why I am a BK
Why I am a BK[1]
Background
I was born a Hindu and by the time I reached college, I had the inclination to explore different religions and philosophies [2] to enquire into the meaning of life and death. I found most religions to be well meaning but they did not appeal to me in entirety[3].
Discussions on God seemed to be quite intellectually inadequate, often based on mythology and hyperbole. Omnipotence in particular seemed to be a logical fallacy[4]. I also could not fathom how God could be a creator or that there could be a first cause for the origin of the universe. The same problem was there with science and the big bang theory. I had turned to be an atheist but I continued to explore different philosophies as I did not have any conclusive answers on life. Science seemed inadequate in providing answers. One of the Buddhist books inspired me to learn meditation but it was not very useful when I experimented with it through books. With this background I took up the Rajayoga course[5] at the Brahma Kumaris.
I had a great deal of challenge in getting past the course as most of the content was not acceptable to me. I was unable to accept the teachings on Soul, God and his roles, the cycle of time and its duration and basically each of the teachings as they all depended on believing the first few lessons to be true. I had come to learn meditation so after the first few debates I decided to just keep silent until I was taught meditation. But when I reached there, I found that meditation also depended on belief in these lessons. It was quite discouraging.
At the end of the course, I was introduced to the murli[6] – an insightful one on concentration. It was so fascinating and profound that I decided that if this kind of material is the basis of the course, it was worth continuing on and re-exploring the course until I had more clarity. I was willing to re-examine my existing beliefs but I was not willing to accept anything that was being taught until it really made sense.
By the end of two months of murli study, I reached a point of reasonable clarity so much so that I felt comfortable calling myself a BK and putting on a badge.
Who is a BK?
As it happens amongst followers of all religions and belief systems, BKs come in a variety of flavours.
At the minimum, I would say, a BK is one who believes that God, the father of all, directly teaches spiritual knowledge to souls through the medium of Brahma.
An ideal BK would be one who leads an exemplary life of impeccable character through daily in-depth spiritual study, constant practice of Godly remembrance, following all spiritual disciplines and service to humanity through thoughts, words and deeds.
How I became a BK
I became a BK when I discovered that the concepts of soul, God, nature etc though quite different from existing world views (and my own existing beliefs), were remarkably coherent and fit well together. I found that the model offered a big picture view that discussed space, time and events in a reasonable way.
Souls and God also were described as natural entities that did not have any magical or supernatural powers but had properties that could explain life and existence in a meaningful manner. I felt this to be reasonable model to start accepting and experimenting. Soon the yoga experiments started bringing powerful results in terms of personal peace, power and joy and I gained more and more clarity in the knowledge that I was studying.
Why I am a BK today
The initial years were a bumpy ride as I moved from passionate conviction[7] wanting to serve all of humanity at once, to a time when I mellowed down and learnt that change starts from within and that every aspect of spiritual study, yoga and service finally boils down to self development.
Over the years, my understanding of the BK knowledge deepened. I found a universal vantage point through which I could look at the world. I had a greater purpose towards which I worked and developed an integrated lifestyle. The teachings in the murli were my primary support that provided a wealth of wisdom. I found that everything was common sense once I saw the perspective. I could think independently on issues without being biased by societal pressures. There was fresh perspective on everything in life. My lifestyle changed and I began to dedicate more of my time and resources for service.
The murlis provided depth of understanding on life and provided meaning in a rapidly changing world. The greatest satisfaction was that the learning was completely ‘inside out’. Through personal change I could impact change in the environment. Introspection became second nature and I started taking personal responsibility for my responses in any situation. I was freed from blaming situations and people and the positivity that ensued was extraordinary. This boosted my self respect tremendously and I also developed compassion for others.
Creativity and self expression developed with time and virtues like equanimity, tolerance, maturity, balance etc started appearing in my life. An abundance mindset followed and with that came the ability to face ambiguity with calm. I was able to prioritize my life goals with clarity and regained an active student life. I could see through challenges that many of my peers were facing and offer support when asked for. I became unafraid of criticism (I faced much of it from family and friends initially due to my unconventional approach) and could easily accept diverse viewpoints without having to agree with all of them. I was able to be flexible where I felt it was necessary and yet stay firm on principles that I espoused. Empathy became a big asset.
The high standards of personal excellence were great motivators to initial transformational change. They also became challenges when I failed to sustain the standards consistently. There was guilt of failure and a struggle to maintain personal integrity. Later, I learnt to smile at my own failures on the spiritual journey and use them as lessons in humility.
Today as I look back at the thirteen years[8] of my BK life, I feel very satisfied with the quality of life I have had.
It is a fantastic journey of personal transformation and I still have a long way to go but I am on my way.
Footnotes[1] Brahma Kumar (son of Brahma) or Brahma Kumari(daughter of Brahma).
[2] I had explored the Gita, some Upanishads, Christianity, Buddhism, Atheism and a variety of philosophical books and essays. These were not scholarly studies but I had an interest in learning different views.
[3] In general I found the values and morals in the stories to be good but disliked the hero worship especially since the hero (
[4] My reasoning was: If God is omnipotent, he should be able to create something that is indestructible. By virtue of omnipotence, God should himself be able to destroy his creation. These two sentences cannot hold true at the same time and therefore God cannot be omnipotent.
[5] In
[6] A 4 page text discourse that is said to be directly spoken by God and Brahma
[7] In one of my initial letters, I referred to my grandfather as my spiritual brother. I tried giving the context but it was more enthusiasm and less clarity.
[8] I took up the course in 1994
To Sir with love
Dear Sir,
i was reflecting on my life as your student.
What have i learnt so far? What have your key teachings to me been? How much have i understood and imbibed? i wonder at it...for i am unable to reach the end of it.
It all looks so simple. And yet it seems infinite. The essence makes sense. And yet without the expansion, there seems to be no real realization of the essence. The expansion is fascinating and yet the more i explore, the more i get intrigued. Conclusions have so far been elusive.
When i reach a conclusion that i understand your take on a topic, you add a different perspective. When i reach the conclusion that i do not understand your point, you offer a simple essenceful answer that strikes the heart. But when i reach the conclusion that now i understand what you mean, you add yet another perspective... and so on.
O Ocean! O Seed! What a wonder you are!
Even more puzzling... you are so incognito.
Do i really know you at all?
You are Truth. And you are completely fine with utter confusion and ambiguity. You do not hasten to clarify and correct. You are Justice. And yet you are perfectly peaceful in the face of what seems to be clear injustice. You see the big picture and the big picture is fine. You are oceanic in your love and compassion and yet you do only what needs to be done by you... you are clinical in your dispassion too. You are tireless in your duty of teaching and yet you are completely aware of the final results. You are completely in the moment and are also completely beyond, stable in the eternal timeless stage.
You have chosen me as your student inspite of all my failings. You know me better than i know myself... i discover that all the time. You tell me what i should do in my own best interests and inclination... i take variety approaches and then discover that i really wanted to do what you were telling me in the first place... but it takes me time. You know that... and you are so patient. Who are you really?
Gone is my complete conviction of utter clarity on every point of knowledge. i see the same understanding now... and i see there is much more that you are offering. Ah, my innocent days...when i thought its all so simple... (and it is simple, i see that...)
What do you really teach, and what do you let others discover?
Oh... everyone could tell me that... everyone has an opinion and a right to it too. But no... tell me, what do you do really? i long for the day when i know you fully. It has been your promise. i know you will get me there.
i know i trust you. i trust what you say. But i don't fully trust my understanding of who you are or my understanding of what you say. Truth, the whole Truth and nothing but the Truth. That is my quest. Or so i do believe from the bottom of my heart at the moment.
You have gifted me a divine intellect. Yet i seek to purify the old muddy intellect. You are a wonder. i am a wonder too!
Please accept my heartfelt gratitude for your unconditional love and compassion.
with love,
ajay... (ah what is in a name... i have had so many... oh it is all such a wonder...)
Stop Please
Where are you going O traveler, dear friend
And where on Earth have you been?
Pray stop for a while at this humble space
And relax a bit if you please
And where on Earth have you been?
Pray stop for a while at this humble space
And relax a bit if you please
And how do you do it may I ask?
Pause and tell me your story please
Before you get on with your task
What beckons and moves you as your goal?
Share your learnings and learn some here
And maybe that will change your world!
And to whom do you really belong?
Sing me the song of your heart please
Tell me the tune and I’ll hum along
And when do you think it will end?
Many are my questions as you can attest
And your answers would be heaven sent
And ponder on my questions deep
You know your answers; they are within
And when you find them… enjoy the treat
And passed by another who had stopped
I was asked these questions, and they struck home
And I found my answers when I stopped.
Innocence
This Magnificient Drama
A magnificient drama unfolds itself every moment. A world teeming with life - with the activity of millions of species, billions of actors - playing out their roles lost in the fervour of the moment, in the grip of what seems important and urgent in a ceaselessly changing reality.
Action! Focus the camera of attention on any actor, and discover the world of activity going on there. At every moment, an infinite range of options is available at the will of the actor. At every moment, a choice is made and history is created as the drama is scripted live.
Lucky is the one who would explore life and the rich experiences it offers.
A Universe of Experiences
A bevy of colours from the dull grey of soot laden city skies in winter to the riot of colours of a monsoon sunset, sounds gentle with the rustle of leaves or the ripple of waves on a normally placid lake...to the cacophony of calls by enthusiastic vendors in a tropical vegetable market, smells ranging from the fragrant jasmine to the pungence of industrial effluents, tastes sweet, bitter, salty, tangy... sensations soft, smooth, rough, blistery... the cool welcome breeze on an early summer morning and the warm sunshine on a chill wintery afternoon...each sense opens up a universe of experiences.
What can an actor do with these experiences? What can an inspired painter do when presented with a blank canvas and an array of colours? What can an inspired poet do to capture his fancies in ink? What can an inspired musician do? What can an inspired engineer do? Or for that matter, what would anyone who is inspired do? Create a masterpiece. The possibilities are infinite.
The Infinite and the infinitesimal
‘Who am I in this grand scheme of things?’ – the actor starts to look within. And an infinite universe of thoughts and feelings manifests in the infinitesimal soul...
The world within
A world of meanings and perceptions. Each of us is privy to a world that no one else can see. For we create the world based on our perceptions, on our view of the world, on our emotions and feelings. We colour the world as we are. As the vision, so the world...
When we are happy, the birds chirrup merrily, the neighbourhood dog woofs and wags his tail vigorously and even the grumpy old bus conductor returns our smile. When we are sad, the sky looks grey, the wind is still, the birds are noisy and the dog is such an irritant. That rude conductor – don’t even ask!
We think and act and the universe responds to our intentions... we move and the world moves in response. It must for we are the co-creators. We conquer the world when we act with zeal and enthusiasm and we condemn the world when we are dejected. It cannot but happen in that manner. We encounter that which we have offered to the world. What we have not sent out, cannot come back to us... events happen in many a world, but we remain unaware of that which we have not created... There is nothing that happens in our world, that we have not invited... as a response to our own intentions.
An expression of joy comes back as an experience of joy. An expression of pain inflicted on another, comes back as an experience of pain unsought and unlonged for. The world is our mirror. It reflects everything back the way we express ourselves. And as we play with the infinite range of thoughts, feelings, emotions, perceptions, intentions, desires and choices...we mould our world of experiences and dictate our future experiences.
Unity and Diversity
A butterfly feasts on the nectar of a wild flower earnestly flapping its wings and seizing the opportunity of the moment. So different from another one that is content to sit quietly and gently savour each sip. So near and yet so far. So similar and yet so different. Like us - so similar and yet so different.
We live in our own worlds. We have our own unique view of things. When we meet, it is as though many worlds meet to become one. We see the same things and understand differently. We mean something and it gets perceived as something else.
A teacher teaches and each student understands the lesson differently. Is there just one world or are there many worlds? Both views are right in their own way…
Innocence - Beyond Perceptions
Ah the moments of bliss when we step out of the world of meanings and interpretations and just enjoy. To witness the game as it is and taste the bliss of it all… to be innocent of the detail and to stay in the unlimited...to be oceanic like that Ocean of knowledge who sees beauty in everything... for He is so beautiful. The innocent Lord... the wise One.
God is called the one who stays beyond. The one who knows it all and is equal to all. The wisest one is also called the most innocent one. He is also called the creator of heaven.
Heaven... a time when we just live and spontaneously express and experience that which is natural... from a vantage point of innocence.
To see a world in a grain of sand
And a heaven in a wild flower
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand
And eternity in an hour...
-William Blake, Auguries of Innocence.
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