I was experiencing Monday morning blues yesterday, feeling bored at the thought of start of another week or routine, work, running around and same old.
So.. I was driving in to work and for some reason the song, 'For a Moment Like This, Some People Wait a Lifetime', kept playing over and over in my head. I hadn't really listened to it in a while and it was boom out of nowhere. A couple minutes after dropping my son off, I remembered to turn on my radio and it was the very same song playing in the radio!!! What are the odds of that?? So its a fairly popular song, and I wanted to dismiss the radio playing the song as a mere coincidence, but what startled me was that it happened at the exact instant I turned on the radio. It was as if someone hit you on the back of your head and asked you to take notice.
Take notice? Of what? I don't know.
But the thought that came to me was that, life has got to be more than mere everyday living and what we can merely perceive with our five senses. This seeming coincidence seemed to tell me to be open to greater connections out there waiting to be explored, grander happenings than the mundane activities that entail making a living, eager anticipation of the next moment while savoring the present, and.... to be prepared to be smacked in the head if the feeling of boredom ever sets in!!! Now, that smack in head, I can handle and welcome!! :-)
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Life Being a Series of Aha Moments
Sometimes I like to look at the nature around me, imagining myself to be from a different planet and looking at earth for the first time and I'm awe-struck at the colors, the landscape and the beauty of our planet - one we take for granted.
As huge as my planet is, astronomy tells me that its a mere speck in the explored universe...and I'm probably an amoebic creature (in the vastness of whats around me), leading my own little life, with unwarranted worrying about future, unneeded brooding of the past, while missing the beauty and love around me thats ready to encompass me in its grandeur, if only I'd let myself enjoy my present moment.
Most of us have forgotten the joys of (re-)discovering things. We forget to inquire, question, ponder, wonder...in the mundane tasks that entail making a living, we forget to lose ourselves in awe of something or someone. Oh, what joy when something you've been grappling with, suddenly gets clearer, when the fog lifts, when someone flicks the light switch on.
Oh, how I'd love for my life to be a series of aha moments!!!
As huge as my planet is, astronomy tells me that its a mere speck in the explored universe...and I'm probably an amoebic creature (in the vastness of whats around me), leading my own little life, with unwarranted worrying about future, unneeded brooding of the past, while missing the beauty and love around me thats ready to encompass me in its grandeur, if only I'd let myself enjoy my present moment.
Most of us have forgotten the joys of (re-)discovering things. We forget to inquire, question, ponder, wonder...in the mundane tasks that entail making a living, we forget to lose ourselves in awe of something or someone. Oh, what joy when something you've been grappling with, suddenly gets clearer, when the fog lifts, when someone flicks the light switch on.
Oh, how I'd love for my life to be a series of aha moments!!!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
We Are All Connected
It dawned me on me today, that we are all connected beings. Even though, its something we hear about all the time that we are connected, there is always a shift in consciousness when a seemingly mundane truth is, "realized." No longer can we hope for only ourselves to be successful. No longer can we hope for salvation only for us. We all either rise together or we fall together. The stock markets around the world rallying behind the United States' economic performance is one glaring everyday example. The United States is in turn dependent on the rest of the world for its business-as-usual. The world wide web connects us from any corner of the world. People of common thoughts, ideologies and views form unions not bound by physical distances anymore. We've weaved an intricate virtual web of sharing knowledge, wisdom and everything in between, merely by inhabiting in the world of electrons. How cool is that!!
I believe that even though all of human and non-human consciousnesses all come from a common 'Source' that some others choose to call 'God', today, we are more connected at several levels than at any time in the recent past. Lets celebrate the successes of our closest competitors, for that gives us hope and inspiration to do better. Lets foresee the future achievements of those that have yet to realize it themselves.
I see a world of abundance and prosperity, health and luxury, beauty and creativity, unlimited joy, not just for me, but for everyone, no matter whether our paths have crossed or not. That's a nice thought to go to bed with - isn't it? :-)
I believe that even though all of human and non-human consciousnesses all come from a common 'Source' that some others choose to call 'God', today, we are more connected at several levels than at any time in the recent past. Lets celebrate the successes of our closest competitors, for that gives us hope and inspiration to do better. Lets foresee the future achievements of those that have yet to realize it themselves.
I see a world of abundance and prosperity, health and luxury, beauty and creativity, unlimited joy, not just for me, but for everyone, no matter whether our paths have crossed or not. That's a nice thought to go to bed with - isn't it? :-)
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Head Vs Heart
A recent conversation with my cousin sparked my thought process about my personal views of what to follow when there is a conflict between the heart and the head. These are my personal opinions, not in anyway absolute truth, that came about because of my life experiences. Before I go further I need to define what I commonly refer to, as the Head and the Heart.
The Head or the mind is a great tool, that lets us analyze and decode a problem, find solutions and is an information processor, whether you're interested in watching the grass grow or listening to a Nobel laureate's dissertation, depending on your level of training. The mind operates in the finite realm, which is why, trying to comprehend the enormity of the Universe or the beginning of time or the concept of God, mostly eludes us, if we used the mind alone.
Contrary to its most common association, emotions are not your heart. Emotions are felt there, but thats just one of the uses of the metaphorical heart. Heart is the part of you, that feels. Its like a magnetic compass, that tells you if you are going north or south.
Making a decision when angry or agitated is not acting from the heart. Infact its far from it. Finding oneself in a state of extreme anger or sadness is often the case when one is not connected with one's heart. (The cause may be justified, but the fact remains - you are not connected with your heart).
Feelings are great, because they cannot be controlled. Their expressions can be controlled, but not the feeling itself. For example, a success in something feels good inside, loss of a personal item/person feels not so good, however much you attempt to mask your feelings about the ups and downs of life. Feeling emotions is natural and what we are born with.
Some spiritual teachers abhor the use of the mind and many extremely logical thinkers deny the use of the heart, but I believe these are two tools that help us lead a better life and neither one in isolation would help make our lives more meaningful.
So what do you do when your mind tells you to do something and that doesn't feel right...or metaphorically, your heart says the opposite? In my personal experience, the heart has been right. Because the heart is intuitive and tends to know a little more than the mind - it can sense the unknown. This is not mystical or psychic - just a tool that all of us humans have. Not all of us have been taught to pay attention to how we feel. But that might just be the key to unlocking our future, or what we refer to as 'luck'.
When I feel anxious without reason, I know that I should be careful where I tread, and try to check inside and feel if taking a different course makes me feel better. When I feel good without any particular reason, I know that I'm on the right track.
Like I said in the beginning of the blog, this is personal, but I can see how the exact argument can be made in favor of the mind and all I would say is, "Do what you've learned from YOUR experience", because words don't teach, only life experience does. :)
The Head or the mind is a great tool, that lets us analyze and decode a problem, find solutions and is an information processor, whether you're interested in watching the grass grow or listening to a Nobel laureate's dissertation, depending on your level of training. The mind operates in the finite realm, which is why, trying to comprehend the enormity of the Universe or the beginning of time or the concept of God, mostly eludes us, if we used the mind alone.
Contrary to its most common association, emotions are not your heart. Emotions are felt there, but thats just one of the uses of the metaphorical heart. Heart is the part of you, that feels. Its like a magnetic compass, that tells you if you are going north or south.
Making a decision when angry or agitated is not acting from the heart. Infact its far from it. Finding oneself in a state of extreme anger or sadness is often the case when one is not connected with one's heart. (The cause may be justified, but the fact remains - you are not connected with your heart).
Feelings are great, because they cannot be controlled. Their expressions can be controlled, but not the feeling itself. For example, a success in something feels good inside, loss of a personal item/person feels not so good, however much you attempt to mask your feelings about the ups and downs of life. Feeling emotions is natural and what we are born with.
Some spiritual teachers abhor the use of the mind and many extremely logical thinkers deny the use of the heart, but I believe these are two tools that help us lead a better life and neither one in isolation would help make our lives more meaningful.
So what do you do when your mind tells you to do something and that doesn't feel right...or metaphorically, your heart says the opposite? In my personal experience, the heart has been right. Because the heart is intuitive and tends to know a little more than the mind - it can sense the unknown. This is not mystical or psychic - just a tool that all of us humans have. Not all of us have been taught to pay attention to how we feel. But that might just be the key to unlocking our future, or what we refer to as 'luck'.
When I feel anxious without reason, I know that I should be careful where I tread, and try to check inside and feel if taking a different course makes me feel better. When I feel good without any particular reason, I know that I'm on the right track.
Like I said in the beginning of the blog, this is personal, but I can see how the exact argument can be made in favor of the mind and all I would say is, "Do what you've learned from YOUR experience", because words don't teach, only life experience does. :)
Thursday, April 30, 2009
First Harvest
As we get older, the number of times you say, "thats the first time I've done that!", drastically reduces, so I'm going to cherish the ones I get to experience for the first time. I've found a new love - gardening. I sprinked a few coriander seeds into a pot with some soil and watered it for a few days..Lo and behold, nature blesses me with some cilantro (coriander) or "kothamoyi" as my toddler son likes to refer to it. A few days later, the plant started bearing flowers and then decides to give me hundreds of coriander seeds.
While this is the universal law of procreation, regeneration and an example of the divine design keeping life on planet earth, being a first hand witness to one seed producing more like it, without huge monumental effort, absolutely overwhelmed me. My first harvest of any kind and a moment to cherish. I decided to get brave after this new found success and tried to plant tomato seeds, okra and egg plant. I also have a mint plant. The plants are thriving so far. While I dont claim to have a green thumb, I hope I'm able to provide the plants a little more than water and food - lots of love!!
While this is the universal law of procreation, regeneration and an example of the divine design keeping life on planet earth, being a first hand witness to one seed producing more like it, without huge monumental effort, absolutely overwhelmed me. My first harvest of any kind and a moment to cherish. I decided to get brave after this new found success and tried to plant tomato seeds, okra and egg plant. I also have a mint plant. The plants are thriving so far. While I dont claim to have a green thumb, I hope I'm able to provide the plants a little more than water and food - lots of love!!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Triumph of spirit
What is it about the human spirit that never gives up? I've been so fascinated by stories of utter impending doom where the resilient find a thin strand of hope to hang on to, refuse to give up and emerge unscathed to share their hope with the rest of us.
Yesterday, I finished reading the book 'Escape', by Carolyn Jessop, a woman who fled her polygamous abusive husband with 8 children (one of them with cancer, another a toddler) to start life afresh. Her insatiable appetite to learn, never say-die attitude and willingness to hope for something better, deeply moved me.
I watched an interview by Donna Eden, practitioner of energy medicine, who in her early years was so weak and depleted that western medicine practicing doctors told her there was nothing they could do, and she stumbled upon the healing energies of the body and is now not just living, but thriving, teaching and writing. (Her laughter and uplifting energy is highly infectious).
When I read 'Anne Frank's diary, a few years ago, a little jewish girl hiding from the nazis and exposed to human tortures that we can only shudder to hear about, believing, "Basically, people are good at heart", I thought that it was a testament to what good lies within each of us.
Then, there are everyday unsung heroes that we never hear about, who continue to defy odds to do what we as humans do best - Bear evidence to the triumph of our spirit.
Interestingly, inspite of injustices, poverty, bodily conditions, ever increasing diseases, depletion of our resources, (or atleast thats what we hear from our news media) we only keep growing in numbers as a human race. I believe its the indomitable human spirit, that can keep you alive and well and filled with love and hope - inspite of un-co-operating external circumstances. If there's one catch, its simple enough to get around. All you need to do is, want to want something and badly enough...And, its impossible not to find a way.
Yesterday, I finished reading the book 'Escape', by Carolyn Jessop, a woman who fled her polygamous abusive husband with 8 children (one of them with cancer, another a toddler) to start life afresh. Her insatiable appetite to learn, never say-die attitude and willingness to hope for something better, deeply moved me.
I watched an interview by Donna Eden, practitioner of energy medicine, who in her early years was so weak and depleted that western medicine practicing doctors told her there was nothing they could do, and she stumbled upon the healing energies of the body and is now not just living, but thriving, teaching and writing. (Her laughter and uplifting energy is highly infectious).
When I read 'Anne Frank's diary, a few years ago, a little jewish girl hiding from the nazis and exposed to human tortures that we can only shudder to hear about, believing, "Basically, people are good at heart", I thought that it was a testament to what good lies within each of us.
Then, there are everyday unsung heroes that we never hear about, who continue to defy odds to do what we as humans do best - Bear evidence to the triumph of our spirit.
Interestingly, inspite of injustices, poverty, bodily conditions, ever increasing diseases, depletion of our resources, (or atleast thats what we hear from our news media) we only keep growing in numbers as a human race. I believe its the indomitable human spirit, that can keep you alive and well and filled with love and hope - inspite of un-co-operating external circumstances. If there's one catch, its simple enough to get around. All you need to do is, want to want something and badly enough...And, its impossible not to find a way.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Feeling Spiritually Alive
Its fascinating for me trace my spirituality from my beginnings in Hinduism to what I currently believe in. As a child I remember following the ritualistic Hinduism. But that didnt last very long. During my early teens, I started being interested in vedanta when I read teachings by Swami Vivekananda. (I still love what Vivekananda has done to Vedanta). The proximity of Ramakrishna Mutt from my house, and the incredible energy of that place endeared me and I spent many evenings at the Mutt in peace and quiet (Thats something I miss a lot here). I understood what it was to smile from the inside when I saw Ramakrishna in meditation.
In my early 20s, I was introduced to reiki and I pondered on the energy aspect of healing and the relationship of the universal energy to one's personal energy. Yoga and reiki seemed complement each other and seemed to have a wonderfully calming effect on me.
One day at a Barnes and Noble store, Eckhart Tolle came into my life. Eckhart is a wonderful teacher, one I cannot write enough about. I also started being drawn to A.Parthasarathy's literature on vedanta and Bhagvad Gita. I read a few interpretations of the Gita and I believe that its one timeless epic. I was surprised to find that the Bhagvad Gita didnt really tell you what to do, just offered a lot of suggestions and said you could choose whatever fitted you best. I love that aspect of that book.
I found myself looking for that one truth of which everything I'd studied before were derivatives. I read a lot of new agey and eastern philosophical works by J.Krishnamoorthy, Deepak Chopra, Louise Hay, Wayne Dyer. Watched the Secret. They were all nice. But there were too many paths to follow, too many details to remember. My mind needed something uncluttered and organized. I stumbled upon Abraham. I think after I met Abraham, I stopped looking. The teachings of Abraham sort of put things in perspective for me. I dont feel guilty about not following the religion of my ancestors because in the multi-facted, multi-threaded, constantly evolving religion of hinduism, the abrahamic teachings are already present.
Here are the reasons I like Abraham
1.To me, spirituality is not as much about finding as it is about remembering. I think the Abraham's teachings help me remember and validate what I already know. So its not like someone is pushing their ideas on me.
2.Its simple. My belief system had to simple. Because, as humans, we have a basic right of conduit to the divine. Lack of mental interpretive skills should not stand in the way of perceiving God. I dont think God would have designed a path to reach Him, that only a select few have access to.
3.I have many opportunities to validate the teachings in practice as part of everyday life. I'm also able to validate it against some timeless epics like Vedanta and the Gita, which proves that the truth always stands the test of time.
4.Practical. I do not wish to renounce this life to be a saint (atleast not right now). I wanted something comfortable that can be practiced anywhere and something that integrates right into my life.
I think its exciting for me to not just ponder spirituality, but look back and see how every single teacher I've crossed paths with, has molded my belief system today. I do not think my beliefs will be right for everyone, but hey, there is no right or wrong in this. Just what works for you.
I dont feel the need for organized religion. But I still like to go to a temple because I like how it makes me feel. Maybe a few years from now, I will have evolved from Abraham and on to someone/something that helps me remember more about myself....maybe just a tad more. Isnt that (Personal Evolution) what spirituality is about?
In my early 20s, I was introduced to reiki and I pondered on the energy aspect of healing and the relationship of the universal energy to one's personal energy. Yoga and reiki seemed complement each other and seemed to have a wonderfully calming effect on me.
One day at a Barnes and Noble store, Eckhart Tolle came into my life. Eckhart is a wonderful teacher, one I cannot write enough about. I also started being drawn to A.Parthasarathy's literature on vedanta and Bhagvad Gita. I read a few interpretations of the Gita and I believe that its one timeless epic. I was surprised to find that the Bhagvad Gita didnt really tell you what to do, just offered a lot of suggestions and said you could choose whatever fitted you best. I love that aspect of that book.
I found myself looking for that one truth of which everything I'd studied before were derivatives. I read a lot of new agey and eastern philosophical works by J.Krishnamoorthy, Deepak Chopra, Louise Hay, Wayne Dyer. Watched the Secret. They were all nice. But there were too many paths to follow, too many details to remember. My mind needed something uncluttered and organized. I stumbled upon Abraham. I think after I met Abraham, I stopped looking. The teachings of Abraham sort of put things in perspective for me. I dont feel guilty about not following the religion of my ancestors because in the multi-facted, multi-threaded, constantly evolving religion of hinduism, the abrahamic teachings are already present.
Here are the reasons I like Abraham
1.To me, spirituality is not as much about finding as it is about remembering. I think the Abraham's teachings help me remember and validate what I already know. So its not like someone is pushing their ideas on me.
2.Its simple. My belief system had to simple. Because, as humans, we have a basic right of conduit to the divine. Lack of mental interpretive skills should not stand in the way of perceiving God. I dont think God would have designed a path to reach Him, that only a select few have access to.
3.I have many opportunities to validate the teachings in practice as part of everyday life. I'm also able to validate it against some timeless epics like Vedanta and the Gita, which proves that the truth always stands the test of time.
4.Practical. I do not wish to renounce this life to be a saint (atleast not right now). I wanted something comfortable that can be practiced anywhere and something that integrates right into my life.
I think its exciting for me to not just ponder spirituality, but look back and see how every single teacher I've crossed paths with, has molded my belief system today. I do not think my beliefs will be right for everyone, but hey, there is no right or wrong in this. Just what works for you.
I dont feel the need for organized religion. But I still like to go to a temple because I like how it makes me feel. Maybe a few years from now, I will have evolved from Abraham and on to someone/something that helps me remember more about myself....maybe just a tad more. Isnt that (Personal Evolution) what spirituality is about?
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