How important is space?...
In every context today we pay money and a price for space....when we buy a home we pay money for the space enclosed within the flat....which might be 30 feet above the ground...covered in all directions by brick...and we pay lakhs and crores for that space...some people spend their lifetimes for a 10*10 sq.ft of space.When we buy a car its for the space in the car...in clothes we spend for the space enclosed within the cloth that fits our body...a tea cup or vessels are important for the space they provide for food placed in it...a box is valuable for the space it has...a relationship is healthy for the space it has between two people...
Do we actually pay for nothingness?...Arent we actually paying for space in most of the objects in day to day lives?....We pay for space enclosed within any object...because thats whats valuable in the end...
I am still amazed with this word...it carries so much importance...and this space is actually 'NOTHING...and yet look at the importance it has!...It also strengthens my belief that what we cant see is actually real and unchanging and constant...and everything we see is an illusion..ever changing...space is one of the elements we cant see..and the importance it has in our lives is invaluable..more valuable than what i could put in my two paragraphs...my perspective is limited of what i can perceive...but am sure there is loads more which i dont even know about...its all there...somewhere in this space...waiting to be heard and told and seen..
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
Connections....
I have been wondering about this for long...and finally i think i need to write about it..Its unexplainable...and unlikely...given the boundaries all of us have learnt to believe we live in!
Some people places and events seem so familiar...like you have gone through it before in life...I guess its called Dejavu...then you meet certain people in life whom you have just met and yet within some time you feel like you know them since years...maybe lifetimes...that you have known them so closely before...that even the smallest positive of the person gives a feeling similar to a proud parent and the biggest flaws of the person seem normal and accepted...and you simply accept the person as is!...Its strange--the feeling...and beyond a point in time you dont even need to meet or talk the person...a simple remider of the existence of all these people make you feel content..initially i guess the fact that u have just met these people after years makes you want to talk a lot...like you have to catch up for the years or lifetimes you have missed out on...and then beyond a time...u dont want to speak a single word....just be...
Its like being reminded in this lifetime about a part of you which existed and you had totally forgotten about it!...and now even knowing that these people exist somewhere and that i am reminded in this lifetime of the so many people who exist is amazing....its like we all are a whole and have been split up in different people....so all these ppl are parts of me...which i have been reminded about...
The most amazing part is that it not only exists for my family...but for people i have just known for a year or maybe 4 years...and also for people i have known for 20 years..even for my teachers..and even for people i meet during a journey-just for a few hours..and the conection is so strong that it cannot be a co incidence that i feel the bond with people out of nowhere...these are people i would have known previously...i am just meeting them again...this is equally true for people who have been the worst possible to me in talk and behavior...and i still feel no hatred, no anger...maybe sadness that someone who is mine can be so bad...but my feelings remain unchanged...and this is what makes me wonder all the more...what is this that God has created?....Why is it that we feel that people we meet are connections from some past...and very strong connections...all these people touch my life in a beautiful way and remind me of emotions which have been carried from eternity...They are just Gods way of reminding me of His Connections..
Some people places and events seem so familiar...like you have gone through it before in life...I guess its called Dejavu...then you meet certain people in life whom you have just met and yet within some time you feel like you know them since years...maybe lifetimes...that you have known them so closely before...that even the smallest positive of the person gives a feeling similar to a proud parent and the biggest flaws of the person seem normal and accepted...and you simply accept the person as is!...Its strange--the feeling...and beyond a point in time you dont even need to meet or talk the person...a simple remider of the existence of all these people make you feel content..initially i guess the fact that u have just met these people after years makes you want to talk a lot...like you have to catch up for the years or lifetimes you have missed out on...and then beyond a time...u dont want to speak a single word....just be...
Its like being reminded in this lifetime about a part of you which existed and you had totally forgotten about it!...and now even knowing that these people exist somewhere and that i am reminded in this lifetime of the so many people who exist is amazing....its like we all are a whole and have been split up in different people....so all these ppl are parts of me...which i have been reminded about...
The most amazing part is that it not only exists for my family...but for people i have just known for a year or maybe 4 years...and also for people i have known for 20 years..even for my teachers..and even for people i meet during a journey-just for a few hours..and the conection is so strong that it cannot be a co incidence that i feel the bond with people out of nowhere...these are people i would have known previously...i am just meeting them again...this is equally true for people who have been the worst possible to me in talk and behavior...and i still feel no hatred, no anger...maybe sadness that someone who is mine can be so bad...but my feelings remain unchanged...and this is what makes me wonder all the more...what is this that God has created?....Why is it that we feel that people we meet are connections from some past...and very strong connections...all these people touch my life in a beautiful way and remind me of emotions which have been carried from eternity...They are just Gods way of reminding me of His Connections..
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Mirror Mirror on the Wall...
I am reading a book called 'The Fountainhead'....and i guess its one of the best books i would have read till date...it so relates to this part in ou which you cant identify, the same part which just remains neutral or if at all joyful to the entire existence...I guess it connects to your soul...Its not the story...but the character-'Howard Roark'in it...who just IS..thats it!...
One sentence which struck me the most till now was "Most of the ppl want nothing but mirrors around them...to reflect them while they are reflecting too..like a senseless infinity you get from two mirrors facing each other in a narrow passage...Reflections of reflections and echoes of echoes...No beginning and no end..no center and no purpose"..
So true...this is what everyone wants...and u just dont fit into any persons criteria of a friend, acquantance etc if u are not that...and the moment u try to be different...u just arent normal for them...I would love to be anything but a mirror to ppl...Its like cheating the person by being just like how the person front of you wants you to be..Thankfully all my ppl are the ones who let me be...the way i am...which is mostly a 180 degree contrast to what they are...but..both of us have simply accepted each other just the way we are...while there are expectations...none of them are towards changing the other person and being someone you are not..
One sentence which struck me the most till now was "Most of the ppl want nothing but mirrors around them...to reflect them while they are reflecting too..like a senseless infinity you get from two mirrors facing each other in a narrow passage...Reflections of reflections and echoes of echoes...No beginning and no end..no center and no purpose"..
So true...this is what everyone wants...and u just dont fit into any persons criteria of a friend, acquantance etc if u are not that...and the moment u try to be different...u just arent normal for them...I would love to be anything but a mirror to ppl...Its like cheating the person by being just like how the person front of you wants you to be..Thankfully all my ppl are the ones who let me be...the way i am...which is mostly a 180 degree contrast to what they are...but..both of us have simply accepted each other just the way we are...while there are expectations...none of them are towards changing the other person and being someone you are not..
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Height of Confidence..or stupidity?
Q: What is height of confidence...or should i say plain stupidity?...
A: Thinking you will get a job during recession and quitting the current job without a new one in hand is the height of confidence or stupidity..Whatever...
Only time will tell...
A: Thinking you will get a job during recession and quitting the current job without a new one in hand is the height of confidence or stupidity..Whatever...
Only time will tell...
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
This too shall pass....
I guess when i wrote 'Its just a question of time'...what i wanted to say at the back of my mind was what is written below....Someone from Office sent it as a inspiration for being dedicated at work despite the current recession in the country...However, i found it more relevant to be applicable at every stage in life, rather than just at work...Its applicable to every soul at every point of time in life...I understood this very late...I had read something similar yrs back...but i understood it only about 6 months back....Its funny that some things so simple which have been told to us maybe by our grandparents and parents...strike us so late...either through our own experience..or through your close ppl going through the same....
------"Once a king called upon all of his wise men and asked them, ' Is there a mantra or suggestion which works in every situation, in every circumstance, in every place and every time. In every joy, every sorrow, every defeat and every victory? One answer for all questions? Something which can help me when none of you is available to advise me? Tell me is there any mantra?'
All the wise men were puzzled by the King's question. They thought and thought. After a lengthy discussion, an old man suggested something which appealed to all of them. They went to the king and gave him something written on paper, with a condition that the king was not to see it out of curiosity. Only in extreme danger, when the King finds himself alone and there seems to be no way, only then he can see it. The King put the papers under his Diamond ring.
Some time later, the neighbours attacked the Kingdom. King and his army fought bravely but lost the battle. The King had to flee on his horse. The enemies were following him, getting closer and closer. Suddenly the King found himself standing at the end of the road - that road was not going anywhere. Underneath there was a rocky valley thousand feet deep. If he jumped into it, he would be finished...and he could not return because it was a small road...the sound of enemy's horses was approaching fast. The King became restless. There seemed to be no way.
Then suddenly he saw the Diamond in his ring shining in the sun, and he remembered the message hidden in the ring. He opened the diamond and read the message. The message was - ' THIS TOO SHALL PASS'
The King read it. Again read it. Suddenly something struck him- Yes! This too will pass. Only a few days ago, I was enjoying my kingdom. I was the mightiest of all the Kings. Yet today, the Kingdom and all his pleasure have gone. I am here trying to escape from enemies. Like those days of luxuries have gone, this day of danger too will pass. A calm came on his face. He kept standing there. The place where he was standing was full of natural beauty. He had never known
that such a beautiful place was also a part of his Kingdom. The revelation of the message had a great effect on him. He relaxed and forgot about those following him. After a few minutes he realized that the noise of the horses and the enemy coming was receding. They moved into some other part of the mountains.
The King was very brave. He reorganized his army and fought again. He defeated the enemy and regained his empire. When he returned to his empire after victory, he was received with much fanfare. The whole capital was rejoicing in the victory. Everyone was in a festive mood. Flowers were being showered on King from every house, from every corner. People were dancing and singing. For a moment King said to himself,' I am one of the bravest and greatest King. It is not easy to defeat me. With all the reception and celebration he felt an ego emerging in him.
Suddenly the Diamond of his ring flashed in the sunlight and reminded him of the message. He opened it and read it again: 'THIS TOO SHALL PASS'. He became silent. His face went through a total change -from the egoist he moved to a state of utter humbleness. If this too is going to pass, it is not yours. The defeat was not yours, the victory is not yours. You are just a watcher. Everything passes by. We are witnesses of all this. We are the perceivers. Life comes and goes. Happiness comes and goes. Sorrow comes and goes."------
Now as you have read this story, just sit silently and evaluate your own life. This too will pass. Think of the moments of joy and victory in your life. Think of the moment of Sorrow and defeat. Are they permanent? They all come and pass away. Life just passes away. There is nothing permanent in this world. Every thing changes except the law of change. Think over it from your own perspective. You have seen all the changes. You have survived all setbacks, all defeats and all sorrows. All have passed away. The problems in the present, they too will pass away. Because nothing remains forever.
Joy and sorrow are the two faces of the same coin. They both will pass away. You are just a witness of change. Experience it, understand it, and enjoy the present moment - this too shall pass!
------"Once a king called upon all of his wise men and asked them, ' Is there a mantra or suggestion which works in every situation, in every circumstance, in every place and every time. In every joy, every sorrow, every defeat and every victory? One answer for all questions? Something which can help me when none of you is available to advise me? Tell me is there any mantra?'
All the wise men were puzzled by the King's question. They thought and thought. After a lengthy discussion, an old man suggested something which appealed to all of them. They went to the king and gave him something written on paper, with a condition that the king was not to see it out of curiosity. Only in extreme danger, when the King finds himself alone and there seems to be no way, only then he can see it. The King put the papers under his Diamond ring.
Some time later, the neighbours attacked the Kingdom. King and his army fought bravely but lost the battle. The King had to flee on his horse. The enemies were following him, getting closer and closer. Suddenly the King found himself standing at the end of the road - that road was not going anywhere. Underneath there was a rocky valley thousand feet deep. If he jumped into it, he would be finished...and he could not return because it was a small road...the sound of enemy's horses was approaching fast. The King became restless. There seemed to be no way.
Then suddenly he saw the Diamond in his ring shining in the sun, and he remembered the message hidden in the ring. He opened the diamond and read the message. The message was - ' THIS TOO SHALL PASS'
The King read it. Again read it. Suddenly something struck him- Yes! This too will pass. Only a few days ago, I was enjoying my kingdom. I was the mightiest of all the Kings. Yet today, the Kingdom and all his pleasure have gone. I am here trying to escape from enemies. Like those days of luxuries have gone, this day of danger too will pass. A calm came on his face. He kept standing there. The place where he was standing was full of natural beauty. He had never known
that such a beautiful place was also a part of his Kingdom. The revelation of the message had a great effect on him. He relaxed and forgot about those following him. After a few minutes he realized that the noise of the horses and the enemy coming was receding. They moved into some other part of the mountains.
The King was very brave. He reorganized his army and fought again. He defeated the enemy and regained his empire. When he returned to his empire after victory, he was received with much fanfare. The whole capital was rejoicing in the victory. Everyone was in a festive mood. Flowers were being showered on King from every house, from every corner. People were dancing and singing. For a moment King said to himself,' I am one of the bravest and greatest King. It is not easy to defeat me. With all the reception and celebration he felt an ego emerging in him.
Suddenly the Diamond of his ring flashed in the sunlight and reminded him of the message. He opened it and read it again: 'THIS TOO SHALL PASS'. He became silent. His face went through a total change -from the egoist he moved to a state of utter humbleness. If this too is going to pass, it is not yours. The defeat was not yours, the victory is not yours. You are just a watcher. Everything passes by. We are witnesses of all this. We are the perceivers. Life comes and goes. Happiness comes and goes. Sorrow comes and goes."------
Now as you have read this story, just sit silently and evaluate your own life. This too will pass. Think of the moments of joy and victory in your life. Think of the moment of Sorrow and defeat. Are they permanent? They all come and pass away. Life just passes away. There is nothing permanent in this world. Every thing changes except the law of change. Think over it from your own perspective. You have seen all the changes. You have survived all setbacks, all defeats and all sorrows. All have passed away. The problems in the present, they too will pass away. Because nothing remains forever.
Joy and sorrow are the two faces of the same coin. They both will pass away. You are just a witness of change. Experience it, understand it, and enjoy the present moment - this too shall pass!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Life is beautiful...
"Krishna is Attraction"...I read this 4 yrs back in one of Gurujis books..It basically was a small paragraph--the gist saying that you will never find Lord Krishna in the temple or in any idol form…you will find him wherever there is love…wherever there is attraction….wherever there is Leela….I could not understand that…and read it and just left it as it is….…..guruji says if you don’t understand some things just let it be…at some point of time in life you will understand the meaning…..
I used to travel to the city during my first job for the first 3 months by bus…it was the most convenient in the rains as my parents would not let me take the two wheeler and moreover the bus dropped me right from my home to front of the office….The public transport has 2 seats reserved for Physically disabled…everyday both the seats used to be occupied by 3-4 blind ppl and their 2-3 kids….and I started noticing their daily ritual…they got down from the bus one stop before mine…however…3 stops in advance they used to start preparing themselves to get down from the bus….the mother used to start taking all the bags together and then the kids who sat on the lap(Who had sight…Only the parents were sightless)….so the kids used to start getting up and looking out of the window….and then the most surprising thing used to happen…the mother used to start making the kids ready….as in.. used to check the girls plaited hair…used to check if her frock is proper…if the frock belt is tied…used to then take her hand to her face….lovingly touch her face all over….I could not believe what I was seeing…a sightless mother made her daughter ready like any ordinary person…with the same love and care…her being sightless did not stop her from doing anything what an ordinary mother would have done…and the child also complained to the mother saying that the frock belt was not tied properly…and the mother tied it again….It was the most beautiful sight I saw…the love that I saw in the entire 5 minute scene was unfathomable…..and the happiness I felt was what anyone could term as bliss….I was filled with an emotion I could not explain…and that’s when I realized…..This is Krishna…This is love…and this is what Guruji meant when he said what he had…..I realized this some 6 months after reading it……
Its been three and half yrs since the above incident...and what made me write this was something i see everyday--as I go for my daily morning walk I see a grandfather with his 1.5 yrs granddaughter in ‘godi' walking slowly….its like a morning walk for the 2 of them….occasionally the toddler will be walking on the ground with the grandfather holding her hand…the grandfather is very old…maybe about 80 odd….in fact he can barley walk at a normal pace….but in my one hour of walking they walk about a kilometer….and the baby in the grandfathers arms will keep yapping…then occasionally the grandfather will keep showing her something in the sky..or some flower...or some puppies who have come for a walk with their owners..….then both of them will stare at something and smile at each other….it’s the most beautiful sight I see everyday morning…in fact if I get a little late…I actually land up searching for them everyday….and love the sight every time I cross them….its like they have their own world….and for both of them they are the world for each other for that time….This sight actually makes my day…..and reminds me of the fact that Krishna is attraction…..
Everyday it reminds me that anywhere and everywhere there is beauty in small events, incidents and with unknown ppl…and the least expected ppl will touch your life…..and when I sit down with my daily complaint list to God…I remem these things and reduce my complaints;-)
On a serious note….it keeps me going in life…small events like these which are not even remotely related to me make me happy and strengthen my belief...that there is so much in life that is beautiful which we fail to notice....Life is beautiful...
I used to travel to the city during my first job for the first 3 months by bus…it was the most convenient in the rains as my parents would not let me take the two wheeler and moreover the bus dropped me right from my home to front of the office….The public transport has 2 seats reserved for Physically disabled…everyday both the seats used to be occupied by 3-4 blind ppl and their 2-3 kids….and I started noticing their daily ritual…they got down from the bus one stop before mine…however…3 stops in advance they used to start preparing themselves to get down from the bus….the mother used to start taking all the bags together and then the kids who sat on the lap(Who had sight…Only the parents were sightless)….so the kids used to start getting up and looking out of the window….and then the most surprising thing used to happen…the mother used to start making the kids ready….as in.. used to check the girls plaited hair…used to check if her frock is proper…if the frock belt is tied…used to then take her hand to her face….lovingly touch her face all over….I could not believe what I was seeing…a sightless mother made her daughter ready like any ordinary person…with the same love and care…her being sightless did not stop her from doing anything what an ordinary mother would have done…and the child also complained to the mother saying that the frock belt was not tied properly…and the mother tied it again….It was the most beautiful sight I saw…the love that I saw in the entire 5 minute scene was unfathomable…..and the happiness I felt was what anyone could term as bliss….I was filled with an emotion I could not explain…and that’s when I realized…..This is Krishna…This is love…and this is what Guruji meant when he said what he had…..I realized this some 6 months after reading it……
Its been three and half yrs since the above incident...and what made me write this was something i see everyday--as I go for my daily morning walk I see a grandfather with his 1.5 yrs granddaughter in ‘godi' walking slowly….its like a morning walk for the 2 of them….occasionally the toddler will be walking on the ground with the grandfather holding her hand…the grandfather is very old…maybe about 80 odd….in fact he can barley walk at a normal pace….but in my one hour of walking they walk about a kilometer….and the baby in the grandfathers arms will keep yapping…then occasionally the grandfather will keep showing her something in the sky..or some flower...or some puppies who have come for a walk with their owners..….then both of them will stare at something and smile at each other….it’s the most beautiful sight I see everyday morning…in fact if I get a little late…I actually land up searching for them everyday….and love the sight every time I cross them….its like they have their own world….and for both of them they are the world for each other for that time….This sight actually makes my day…..and reminds me of the fact that Krishna is attraction…..
Everyday it reminds me that anywhere and everywhere there is beauty in small events, incidents and with unknown ppl…and the least expected ppl will touch your life…..and when I sit down with my daily complaint list to God…I remem these things and reduce my complaints;-)
On a serious note….it keeps me going in life…small events like these which are not even remotely related to me make me happy and strengthen my belief...that there is so much in life that is beautiful which we fail to notice....Life is beautiful...
Friday, October 24, 2008
Just a Question of Time!
Is there a time when you just have resistance to do anything at all in Life?...Even move from one place to another?...Even to fill your bottle of water?...I generally have this feeling on Sundays....But dont know why i feel this on my working day this time..This resistance coupled with not wanting to talk to anyone is a dangerous combination...Coz it then leads me to a super thinking mode which can actually be thinking about anything under the sun...or simply frustrates me that i am unable to do anything i want to do...and what i want to do would vary from...maybe...running...to painting..to start playing badminton again...to travel by train to a destination which will atleast take me one day to reach...to maybe be on the very flight which has taken off from the airport and has just flown above me...or maybe just be back home in Pune in my room near the window... maybe just sit with my parents in their room and talk...or maybe walk along window-shopping on the most crowded road in Pune...or just racing on the signal on our Yamaha YBX...or maybe just go to a village and stay there helping out people...teaching the children there...walking on wet sand on the beach which leaves my footprint just for seconds on the sand before taking another shape....
All these thoughts keep soaring in my head and then i think...What am i doing here?...Do i really want to be here?...Is this what i want to do in my life?...More often than not...I dont find answers to what i ask myself...and i feel ignoring the question might dilute my want for an answer...but it just keeps coming back...all the time-every time!..and then neither can i hide what i feel...nor do i want to answer anyone who sees my face and questions me "Whats wrong"?....The problem is i cant hide what i think or feel...not so much as in words...but in my expression and my voice..and honestly...I really dont want to answer anyone in life on anything at all...coz one answer leads to another question and so on...But i do know of so many ppl who are able to hide their emotions and thought process...and i am in awe of such ppl...coz to have the ability to not show what one feels is amazing...frankly- i have never managed it...whenever I am happy...it reflects and i say so...and when I am upset-it reflects and i say so....My 10th Std teacher had told me once..."Uttara, you are a open book, your face and voice reflects everything"...and looks like i am stuck with this for life....
But theres one thing that gives me solace...If i feel resistance now...i will feel something else in some time...nothing remains constant...and neither will this feeling...Its just a question of remembering this fact everytime...that in some time things will change again...for Sure!...A colleague of mine got transferred to hyd from today and i I felt a little down for some time in the morning coz i was so used to the person being around...but then i have felt this before--When i left my first job...when i got transferred to Bombay from Pune and on my last day in Pune office i was upset on leaving behind memories of 2 years.. when a colleague of mine left the organization same time last year...when 2 more colleagues left in May...when another friend went to a new department in June...everytime i had felt bad..and every time the feeling went off in some time...and i know even this one will go...
The only thing i need to remember that nothing is constant...things will change...Its just a question of Time!!
All these thoughts keep soaring in my head and then i think...What am i doing here?...Do i really want to be here?...Is this what i want to do in my life?...More often than not...I dont find answers to what i ask myself...and i feel ignoring the question might dilute my want for an answer...but it just keeps coming back...all the time-every time!..and then neither can i hide what i feel...nor do i want to answer anyone who sees my face and questions me "Whats wrong"?....The problem is i cant hide what i think or feel...not so much as in words...but in my expression and my voice..and honestly...I really dont want to answer anyone in life on anything at all...coz one answer leads to another question and so on...But i do know of so many ppl who are able to hide their emotions and thought process...and i am in awe of such ppl...coz to have the ability to not show what one feels is amazing...frankly- i have never managed it...whenever I am happy...it reflects and i say so...and when I am upset-it reflects and i say so....My 10th Std teacher had told me once..."Uttara, you are a open book, your face and voice reflects everything"...and looks like i am stuck with this for life....
But theres one thing that gives me solace...If i feel resistance now...i will feel something else in some time...nothing remains constant...and neither will this feeling...Its just a question of remembering this fact everytime...that in some time things will change again...for Sure!...A colleague of mine got transferred to hyd from today and i I felt a little down for some time in the morning coz i was so used to the person being around...but then i have felt this before--When i left my first job...when i got transferred to Bombay from Pune and on my last day in Pune office i was upset on leaving behind memories of 2 years.. when a colleague of mine left the organization same time last year...when 2 more colleagues left in May...when another friend went to a new department in June...everytime i had felt bad..and every time the feeling went off in some time...and i know even this one will go...
The only thing i need to remember that nothing is constant...things will change...Its just a question of Time!!
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