Early Warning System

Flashback:
A 4 year old girl sobbing uncontrollably and throwing up as it is time to leave for school. This goes on for a few days and is on the verge of becoming a habit. The mom is quite concerned but cannot fathom out the reason for the change in her child’s behavior. Its like dark clouds have covered up her kiddo’s normally sunshine ways. Then one day, whilst in office, she gets a call from a teacher (not her child’s class teacher) that her girl is at the new teacher’s place. It looked as if the child boarded the wrong school bus on her way home. When the teacher with the kind eyes spotted the lost kid left in the bus after the last stop, she took the kid home with her and informed the authorities and the parents.

Back home, when the mother asked the child what had happened, the truth tumbled out. It turned out that the child’s class teacher was a loud mouthed, ruthless brash who would take kids down at the every possible oportunity of crushing their little spirits. While the other kids survived, this young one couldn’t take it anymore. Besides, she fell in love with soft spoken, compassionate and gentle class teacher of another section of the same class. So, one day while trying to get the new teacher’s attention, she boarded the teacher’s bus instead.

When her mother realized what had happened, she discussed with school authorities, and the kid’s section was changed and she was made part of The Adorable Teacher’s class. No incident of throwing up or crying was ever reported again.

*****

Today, that child is a grown up woman. Whenever she is working on something not in alignment with her true self, she still faces body rebellion in the form of severe headaches, migraines, sore throats, gut wrenching cramps and back pains. Sometimes it takes time for her to identify that it is not a physical problem but her true self sending warning signals her way. Other times, she immediately realises that it is her internal Early Warning System blaring its horns and cautioning her of the dangers ahead.

What about you? Have you identified your early warning indicators?

How does your true self speaks to you? Does it still or has it already gone silent? Or is it that only you cannot hear it in the cacophony of the everyday noises?

Honoring the Divine Within

As a young kid, I stayed in a joint family and spent a lot of my time with my grandma while my parents were away pounding keys at their respective offices. My grandma played a big role in shaping my personality and making me the person I am today.

A very pious and religious person, she was up at Brahma-mahurat (4.30 every morning), the most auspicious hour to wake up as per Hindu scriptures. After taking a quick bathe, she would head to the temple to say her morning prayers and listen to the religious discourse.

Deeply spiritual and full of compassion, I don’t remember her ever losing her temper or raising her voice (a trait I missed out on inheriting). She taught us that all living things have soul within and that we should take utmost care to not to hurt anyone. We were told not to pluck flowers or break branches as that will hurt the plants.  We were forbidden from shaking trees after sunset as that would apparently wake them up from their sleep. As kids, we believed in all her stories and in the divine within all.

I don’t remember ever being in fights or scrapes for the fear of hurting anyone unnecessarily. However, we were repeatedly told to not to be party to/ sufferer of any injustice/ cruelty being meted out. She taught us that being a victim or a silent witness in the face of unjust behavior is as big a wrong ( I resist from using the word sin here) as the one perpetrating the act.

And since I can remember, I have never been able to hold my voice in the face of cruelty or unjust treatment.    I have always been on the side of the underdog. I have been at the end of losing end of a few deals because I refused to be part of the unjust side. But when I sit back and reflect, I am content to be where I am – at peace with my conscience.

Have you ever been witness to an act of un-comnpassion, cruelty, or unjust behavior? How did you react?

Have you ever been a silent witness? And have you been able to make your peace with it? Tell me about it..

Wish for Buddha

He was born without a shred of clothing on his self, as we all are. His parents were middle class people who fed him well, sent him to good school and brought him up with love and discipline.

He grew up to be a respectable fellow, downright honest and true to his self. He acquired a respectable job and made an honest living. He strived to make sure that his family led a comfortable life, that they were well fed, and clothed, and had a roof upon their head to shelter them from the stormy weather which comes every now and then.

He never splurged on luxuries, only buying the essentials for himself. He was not a miser. He taught his kids to buy for comfort, and the difference between value and shine.

He led a simple life, never wanting more than his share, never cultivating expensive hobbies. His favorite pastime – going for a walk in the park. A man of few words, he cared, loved, and nurtured every relationship, never expecting anything in return, most uncomfortable when presented with materialistic gifts. He  became the wall of compassion, strength and support for others when the earth shaked and structures collapsed. He always stood by in times of trouble, pain, discomfort. – a shield of faith. A Living Buddha.

How do you show your gratitude when you meet him? What can you gift that he needs?

You can only hope that his strength outlasts the constant onslaught of pain and violence he witnesses in society everyday. That his flame keeps spreading light and doesn’t burn out. And your most precious gift can be to changeover to his way of life – a life of faith, calm and compassion. Peace. Love. Patience.

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This world will be a better place if we could channelize the energy spent in aggressively chasing the materialistic goals towards cultivating virtues of patience and compassion. What hour in your everyday life is the most aggressive one? What can you do to make it more productive and creative?

Deep Breathe.

Faith in Night

Faith in Night!

You darkness, that I come from, I love you more than all the fires that fence in the world – for the fire makes a circle of light for everyone, and then no one outside learns of you. But the darkness pulls in everything: shapes, and fires, animals, and myself, how easily it gathers them! –powers and people. And it is possible a great energy is moving near me. I have faith in nights. –Rainer Maria Rilke

Reflection

Embody Love

The world is a reflection of your thoughts, feelings and beliefs. Embody the love you wish to see in the world.

Just Be

Just Be.

Slow Down. Breathe. Meditate.

You are not a human doing, you are a human being.

Just Be.

Path to Serenity

Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt. Chase after money and security and your heart will never unclench. Care about people’s approval and you will be their prisoner. Do your work, then step back. The only path to serenity. –Lao-Tze