The bent figure in a white saree

A dusty path meanders towards an ancient house. The door is half opened and leads to a dark hall room with mantels in every corner. On a chair to the right, sits a bent figure in a white saree, quietly contemplating.

She is absolutely still, as if a part of the decor. Nothing is exceptional about her wrinkled features and sagging form. There is more death in her than life.

What’s the value of such an existence…?

She turns her head gently and looks at me straight, as if reading my mind. A little smile alights on her lips, which widens into a gentle laugh.

Startled, for the first time I see her for what she is: a link to the past, and the future… an eternal memory.

She is the keeper of the ancestral line and carries so many ancestors inside her. Those wrinkles, movements, expressions, habits, patterns, are not just hers. They also belong to the ancient ones before her.

Behind her stretches a long chain of traditions, events, stories and beliefs, which she subconsciously wraps as gifts for those who will come later – those who will carry it forward. May be those are for someone like the mighty Bhagirath, who will appear down the line and liberate them all by bringing in Ganga like virtues.

Till then the treasures have to be safeguarded! She has learned to tap into the wisdom of the past, and into that collective consciousness of ancestors that watches over posterity like a guardian angel.

She knows the importance of waiting, stillness, life & death.

Her existence has value not just during her lifetime but beyond. She knows it. Her laughter says it all!

Image courtesy Google

A curious meeting in the Land of No Thoughts

It was a curious meeting where I was summoned – A gathering in the “Land of no thoughts”. I was sitting idly when someone whispered – “Come to the Land of No Thoughts where Ramana Maharshi, Nisargadatta Maharaj, Jiddu Krishnamurti and Osho are present.”

This meeting was crucial because I had always wanted to know if there was a way out of unhappiness. And these great men could show me the perfect way. But first, how was I to reach the “Land of No Thoughts”?

My mind was clouded with thoughts. The moment I closed my eyes, even more thoughts poured in – some extremely urgent, some less relevant, and others irrelevant. But since I had to reach the no-thought stage, I began to suppress them. Unh-unh, wrong move!

The more I suppressed my thoughts, the stronger they became and blocked my path. But then an unknown, someone whispered, “Allow the thoughts” and “Just be”. I allowed and offered no resistance to whatever was coming to my mind and slowly but surely, the thoughts moved and gave way. And I reached the peaceful no-thought land.

There, I saw the luminous bodies of the revered men who had summoned me. They were all seated on rock-like structures. They motioned me to sit on a vacant structure and I sat down.

“What is your question”, seeker? They asked in unison.

“I want to know how to escape from the unhappiness, chaos, grief, evil and diseases of the world”.

They said in unison – “Just know who you are”.

“Who am I?”, I asked. But their answers were not in unison this time.

“What is this thing inside you that is aware of your thoughts? What is this thing inside you that claims it’s perceiving objects outside of yourself? Let come, what comes, and let go of what goes and see what remains”, sage Ramana Maharshi encouraged me to inquire myself.

Nisargadatta Maharaja, added, “As you watch your mind, you discover your self as the watcher. When you stand motionless, only watching, you discover your self as the light behind the watcher. The source of light is dark, unknown is the source of knowledge. That source alone is. Go back to that source and abide there. You are already that.”

Then, Jiddu Krishnamurti, the philosopher, hinted, “In oneself lies the whole world and if you know how to look and learn, the door is there and the key is in your hand. Nobody on earth can give you either the key or the door to open, except yourself.”

Osho, the mystic spoke next. “Who am I?” has no answer to it; it is unanswerable. Your mind will supply many answers. Your mind will say, “You are the essence of life. You are the eternal soul. You are divine,” and so on and so forth. All those answers have to be rejected: NETI NETI – one has to go on saying, “Neither this nor that.”

He continued, “When you have denied all the possible answers that the mind can supply and devise when the question remains absolutely unanswerable, a miracle happens: suddenly the question also disappears. When all the answers have been rejected, the question has no props, no supports inside to stand on anymore. It simply flops, it collapses, it disappears. When the question also has disappeared, then you know. But that knowledge is not an answer: it is an existential experience.”

They were all talking in riddles. I knew they were pointing at the same thing, as so many great men have done since time immemorial. Artists have hinted at it through art, poets through poetry, and philosophers through theories – and every human has interpreted in their own limited ways, and mostly the understanding has been peripheral. I also felt miserable because I was only partially comprehending them. Before I could ask deeper questions, I was dismissed from the meeting. It was the next seeker’s turn.

I came back into the physical world, feeling worst than ever, and thoughts clouded my mind once again. I had lost the chance to know more.

Then, an unknown someone whispered again, “Who is a better person than you, yourself to answer the question about who you are? What is that center, which is thinking the thought? Who is noticing your life story? What is the source of your I? It is very simple – experiencing the source of “I”, and just being in that home, is the first step in the process of removal of misery. You are already residing in that home, but you don’t notice that since you believe that you live in a different home. This is the root cause of your struggle. Once you know your real home, every effort, and struggle dissolves while peace and guidance for living blessedly start coming to you, on their own.”

I noticed the Whisperer this time, his whispering had a peace-like quality, something that descends on you while holding a baby or watching a beautiful sunset.

I was still confused and had so many more questions to ask. But I was happy as well. Because I no longer felt lonely on my path. I had many guides and masters, including my very own Whisperer, showing me the way to meet my self.

#spiritual #story #Ramana #Nisargadutta #Oshoquotes #Jkrishnamurti

(Images courtesy Google)

How the Mind avoids the ‘Just Be’ state!

The answers to all the troubling questions come when the mind is quiet. But when is the mind still? The mind does everything to take this moment ‘right here’ away from us. Past, present, future entwine! Thoughts, ideas, dreams intermix! Tendencies, work, stress compel us!

They all force us to act with an urgency – an immediate need to go somewhere else, reach something, do anything away from ‘Now’!

The paradox is the time to be still and ‘just be’ is always right ‘Now’. But we don’t have the time to be in the present! Strange.

It is all because the mind would not let us be so vibrantly, blissfully and ‘mindlessly’ alive in the present. You see, the moment we relax into the present, mind (read ego) and its stories lose hold over us. And we experience the unexplored dimension.

The workings of the mind

Undoubtedly, the mind is an important tool for existence. It is needed for survival and helps us with the practical aspects of life. But the problem begins when we start identifying and believing whatever mind says. And we think the mind is what we are. We make the mind our master not the other way round.

We believe that we cannot exist without the mind. But ancient masters point out – We can blissfully exist without the mind!

Consider mind to be just an over eager, over protective, sometimes cunning, constantly advising, over agonizing, talkative friend that can change side and become an enemy anytime.

Mind induces our negative tendencies to act superior, be superficial, jealous, hateful, depressed, agonized, angry as well as the positive tendencies to create, appreciate, explore, be affectionate, enjoy…etc

Dissection, analysis, criticism, perspective, judgement – these are the ways of the mind to help us survive in this world. It is a great tool but just that..a tool!

Now, let’s observe how the mind forces us to run away from the present…

Supposedly, I am observing a beautiful sunset. The moment I start enjoying the ethereal show, and my being aligns with what is there in the present, the mind starts its chatter.

“This sunset looks similar to what I saw last week (past). I must take a photo of it for Instagram (future). Had the clouds been darker, the scene would have been captivating (comparison). I wish my kids were here to watch this (wishful thinking). It is sad I can’t keep watching because I have chores to do (self-pity).”

Hmmm… and the NOW, and the ‘Just Be’ state vanishes. The mind takes over, and I become a puppet of the mind – happy, sad, analyzing, swaying between past and future. The moment passes, a great opportunity is lost – the opportunity to just be!

Take for example observing the same scenery without mind’s chatter – still, calm, open, present, as it is! So divinely blissful, so new, so perfect. There is no I, just what is being experienced… such moments of calmness hold immense potential…

Ancient Indian scriptures point out at ‘I’, the ego. The ego is nothing but the mind – the bad and even the good. Mind is important but we are not the mind.

Why is the ‘just be’ state important?

All the answers to our questions are there in the stillness. Because we become at one with the existence and its mystery. The ‘just be’ state allows us to be aware of our own divinity and the mysteries of existence.

And the great question arises – Who am I, if not the mind and the body?

The great Nisargadatta Maharaj gives a hint – We are not that we perceive. And we perceive our body and mind. Then who are we?

The thing is none of the masters ever give a straight answer to ‘Who am I’. We need to find out!

And the answer to this question – ‘Who am I’ is constantly hidden in the ‘now’ and in the ‘just be’ state. But will the mind let us be…? Never.

Sadly, we all have experienced this ‘just be’ state as children. It used to happen to us naturally. Every child is in that state – accepting and flowing. That’s why children are compared to god.

It happens to us even now. Occasionally, we are in touch with our divine self. We are just not aware.

A moment without the mind’s chatter is a divine experience. And we can still experience that childhood state…Meditation techniques can make it possible!

Life is meant to flow in the present, fully and gloriously. When we are ‘live’ we live.

Even the big, traumatic problems can also be resolved if we allow our true self to take over…

A few moments of calmness, in the ‘just be’ state gives more answers, clarity, wisdom and solutions than hours of mind chatter. It rejuvenates and heals…

But the catch is – we can never be in the ‘just be’ state if we are looking for anything – even solutions, bliss or peace. So, how do we do it?

How to ‘just be’?

We are already in the state but we don’t experience it because we never stop listening to the mind. Just be is just be, as it is. Natural like breath.

But we are scared to surrender and let go. We are always thinking or running. Sometimes scared to stop and experience what those moments of revelations might reveal! We are afraid we might see our wounds which are hiding deep inside us…

Also, many of us are overworked and have many chores to do. There is no time to pause, sit and just be with ourselves.

The masters say that we need to take out time for meditation only in the beginning. After that, the state comes naturally, even in chaos… integrated in everything.

How to ‘just be’? We don’t need to do anything. It is just allowing, accepting and surrendering (to the divine universal power).

The just be’ state is not about dealing with what the mind says or shows. It is just about being comfortable with everything about ourselves and around us. Allowing everything to happen, accepting everything that is happening and surrendering in the now. And knowing that all is being taken care of….

It is just about letting it be, observing everything like a movie, without engaging with it, staying aware and knowing that past or future is nothing. Present is. Even for just a moment…

It is the way to accept things as they are, and not trying to do anything, go, or reach anywhere… There is no ulterior motive. Just complete surrender to what is – is the ‘just be’ state.

Notice, how mind chatter grows louder as soon as we consciously try to be comfortable. The mind tries every trick to make us uncomfortable.

So how do we deal with the mind? The answer is – by not dealing with it at all. Nothing needs to be resolved, done or pondered upon. Just watching and staying aware..

And the strange thing about the mind is – it goes still the moment we start becoming aware of it. Just like a naughty child when caught doing some mischief, stops.

We do not need to silence the mind or do anything about it. We just need to observe it nonchalantly. It has no power without our support.

And then automatically it happens – we breathe deeply, the body goes still and we flow into the ‘just be’ state. Ah, just one moment of that… is enough! The surrender, breathing, stillness and the present…

And we realize we are already perfectly aligned to everything.

“Having never left the house, you are looking for the way home.” – Nisargadatta Maharaj

The irony is the real answers to all troubling questions come, when one is at one with ‘Now’. But we keep running from pillar to post, avoiding that which holds all the answers. Haribol!

(Images courtesy Google)

Small Things #25 – What is the last name of Krishna?

While my older one is excited about the wider acceptance and appreciation of our eBook ‘The Boy Named Joy’ (running in Amazon’s bestseller list of top 100 free books), the little one is exploring spirituality. Yesterday, he asked a question I had never thought of! “Krishna has so many names but what is the last name?” Baffling, isn’t it? Did you know?

Well, I threw the question back at him. “What do you think?”.

“Hmm…well Jesus has Christ as his last name. I don’t know why Krishna did not have a last name.”

So, I had to take help from Mr. Google and this is what I found. It seems that during Krishna’s age, the people had titles rather than surnames.

Krishna has been called by different names throughout Mahabharata – Yashodanandan (son of Yashoda), Giridhar (one who lifted a hill), Gopala (one who takes care of cows), Dwarikadheesh (King of Dwarika) and so on. But no surnames.

I guess, last names did not exist at that time. And since every name was based on the personal attribute of the individual, it was different. For example, Krishna was called Krishna (dark one) because he was dark in color.

In fact, all the people in the holy books ‘Ramayana’ and ‘Mahabharata’ are referred to by their first names, which indicates their personalities. Yudhisthira (one who is steady in war), Bhima (one who is formidable), Arjun (One who is pure and white), Nakula (most handsome), Sehdeva (with gods) and so on… Usually, no two people had the same name.

Last names began to be taken when the British came to India.

So, by today’s context, Krishna’s last name would be Vrishni. According the Google – “Krishna is referred to in the Mahabharata as a Vrishni during Arjuna’s war with Karna; the Vrishnis are a clan under the umbrella of Yadavas; Satyaki is also a Vrishni. So, by today’s human standards, Krishna’s last name would be Vrishni.”

It was a great question and looking for the answer was equally interesting. Kids really see things differently and that is why they ask the best questions.

(P.S.- Last day to buy ‘The Boy Named Joy’ for free. So, do download here. Thank You.)

(image- Google)

 

 

The Observer

On some days, I see a little girl in the house opposite to mine, looking up at the Sky. Soft pink hands rest lightly on dark railing of the old deck, while a half dreamy smile sits on her lips.

Motionless she observes the sky, as if at one with its vastness. Her breaths are slow…deep… meditative.

Nothing disturbs her. Not cars…nor the people. Not even flapping of Siberian birds returning to the lake.

Around that time, The Sun comes knocking at homes and enters through cracks, holes and half drawn blinds. It waits in empty houses like an unwelcome guest as people rush out in the morning hour.

Nobody greets or smiles at Him. They are all on the run to the next moment. Except, of course, that little observer!

She tilts up her bonnie face a little more on seeing Him, her smile widens and brown eyes twinkle. Happily, the dear sweet Sun covers her in a soft, golden embrace.

Around them, the world moves on at a hectic pace, cars zoom, planes fly… but the ‘still’ little observer has eyes only for the sky!

She deeply calms me, that little girl, she is so much at one with the infinity. So still, so calm, so mindful, so precious… I smile too as I observe the observer, observing nothing and… everything!

Image:Google

Just a Thought – Blessed

I ask the creator – What have I done to deserve your blessings?

He says – I bless you as well as everyone everyday, every second. It is sometimes joyful and sometimes harsh. Everyone acknowledges only the happy blessings but remember harsher ones are bigger and better!

Celebrating Shakti!

“Ya devi sarvabhuteshu matri – rupena samsthita, namas tasyai …”

(To that goddess who abides in all beings as mother : salutations to Thee..)

May the mother goddess bless us all this Navratri festival! Hope you like my effort to sketch the beloved, divine face. Jai Ma🙏🏻

My Father’s Song to Krishna

Although credit goes to my grandma for introducing Lord Krishna to us, it is my 68 year old father who reaffirms our faith time and again through his soulful bhajans (devotional songs). As we celebrate the birthday (Janmashtami) of the mischievous God, do listen to this wonderful song invoking Krishna in my father’s voice.

Here, the singer is asking the Lord to take birth again once again and keep His promise. Everyone is waiting for Him to take Kalki avatar.

When we were small, Krishna ruled over our household and often caused mayhem. His room needed to be cleaned first. The best garlands were made for him. He needed to be bathed and adorned and then an elaborate puja ceremony would follow sometimes infuriating us kids. We would get jealous of the attention Krishna got.

While morning passed in tending to the enchanting one, Evening ceremony would bring joy. It was the most beautiful part of the day because my father would then sing soulful songs in his divine voice. Hearing him everyday, strengthened us from within.

He would transfer us to a world of spirituality, faith and belief. The belief that someone up there always takes care of us. Faith that there is always a positive aspect to every misfortune. And lastly, in order to be free and joyful, just surrender to Krishna.

Even now, my gentle and loving father teaches us the most profound things in a very simple way. I will relate an incident. My family believes in astrology to some extent and my father wore a couple of rings with special stones. I asked him to get a ring for me too according to my horoscope. He laughed and said – You don’t need any ring, or anything to protect you. You have Krishna!

The best lines of faith I have ever heard in my life. I am truly grateful to the almighty that I belong to a family that is steeped in faith. I hope you like my father’s voice. And although many of you don’t know the language, I am sure your hearts will comprehend. Jai Shri Krishna!

Everyday Sights of India!

Dear Confidant,

Hope you’ve been well and healthy. My recent visit to home country India was  memorable one. The familiar sights, sounds and feel of my motherland was warm and welcoming.

I miss the beloved land now that I am away from it.

I have captured a few of the everyday moments for you to get a feel of my country. I also wish that these pictures enable me to feel connected to my country whenever I am homesick. I mostly stayed in North India and here are some of my clicks.

A little garland seller at a traffic signal in Delhi.

Sight of historical monument in the midst of the bustling capital city.

The yellow green autorickshaw – most convenient mode of public transport across urban places in India.

A fruit seller and a prospective buyer.

A flower seller waiting for customers in Delhi.

Double rainbow in Ranchi. The capital of Jharkhand has lovely climate.

A picturesque hill in Ranchi. 

Famous temple of God Hanuman in Patna filled with devotees.

Common people on their way to work.

Freshly plucked mangoes of our home! Since, it is the season of mangoes, our innumerable variety of mango trees are laden with mouth watering mangoes.

Saw an elephant in Patna. It is the holy month of Saawan and Lord Shiva would be worshipped the entire month. Ascetics roam about on Elephants asking for offerings.

Goddess Kali at a famous temple in Patna.

Hope you liked the pictures!
This visit to my country had been fruitful one as I managed to meet most of my relatives and friends. It was so heart warming to see them all.

As I unpack my boxes, I am already hoping that our next visit happens sometime soon.

Do let me know what do you think of Everyday Sights of India! Take care!

In search of a story idea!

Not far from where we live, there is a patch in the sky that holds ‘Thought’ clouds. You can call it the Thoughtland!

Whatever thoughts you’ve had today or in the past, travels to this place and sticks there. To be frank, it is quite a confusing world comprising of jet black, white, grey, orange and blue clouds.

Dark clouds comprise of sad or wicked thoughts while white clouds are inspirational. Grey clouds are filled with tragi-comic thoughts pertaining to ups and downs in our mundane lives. Orange clouds hold thoughts by people from the past while blue clouds, which happen to be my favourite, hold brightest ideas.

That day, like most thinkers, I unwittingly entered the ‘Thoughtland’ while looking for a story idea. I got carried away, flew and flew, and reached the cloud patch. It was totally chaotic there…as thought clouds flew past me whispering of bitter sweet things.

I found myself amongst the grey clouds first and read a few thoughts of a teenager – “Why do my parents keep finding faults with me? I will grow up and take up a job and live far away from them!” Then, there was a housewife’s thoughts – “Thankless job I have been doing! Since morning till night, I am working. Cooking meals, washing, taking care of kids. But no respect, no joy! I will have to do something about it!”

I steered myself towards white clouds and read a few happy ones. A girl was going on a date with the guy of her dreams and she was thinking – “May the fairytale I am living today never ends.” And then there were thoughts of a little boy who was going to Disneyland and he was dreaming – “Tomorrow is going to be the best day of my life”.

I read a few black thoughts too and felt revolted. Stopping myself from reading further, I attempted to catch one of the blue clouds because I intuitively knew they held the story idea I was looking for.

But the blue clouds were the naughtiest ones! The moment I tried to get near them, they vanished, and my own dark and grey clouds, blocked way. Some of the dark clouds screamed, “It is useless to look for ideas and inspiration. Get used to your mundane existence. It is stupid, tiring and hard to try. You are born unlucky. Just give up!”

It was difficult to breathe when the dark clouds started bombarding me with negative thoughts. The naughty blue cloud had floated away. I felt like being trapped in an ocean of depressive thoughts.

Somehow, a lone Orange cloud appeared out of nowhere and whispered – “All the powers in the universe are already ours. It is we who have put our hands before our eyes and cry that it is dark. Never think there is anything impossible for the soul. It is the greatest heresy to think so. If there is sin, this is the only sin; to say that you are weak, or others are weak.”

I remembered reading this quote somewhere. I guess it was by the great spiritual leader Swami Vivekananda! His lofty thought had stayed in the universe to inspire people like me. I chanted the thought like a drowning person holds on to a branch.

After a short while , I felt something wriggling in my hand. The tiny blue thought cloud was resting calmly on my palm. It had come to me on its own! I understood! The idea got pulled to me when I was chanting a positive thought. A bright frame of mind attracts great ideas!

I came out of the ‘Thoughtland’ holding the precious tiny blue cloud. An interesting story idea was already taking shape in my mind. I resolved to work upon it as soon as possible…because guess you know, great ideas often vanish quickly without a trace.

The bird that sang of Dharma

”
She lived in a mango tree”. Her voice was the sweetest of all! Every spring, all birds and animals in the mangrove forest would assemble near the abandoned tree house to listen to her song of Dharma.

She sang, “Exert yourselves in the bright acts of merit, and shun the dark acts of evil!”

A traveller, who knew the language of birds, heard her. He was surprised to hear the Cuckoo’s didactic song. He planned to capture her.

He managed to capture her and put her in a cage. But she lost her voice after being confined and died soon.

Years later, while passing through that same mangrove forest, the traveller heard a Parrot singing the dead Cuckoo bird’s didactic song.

The singer had died but the song of Dharma lived on…

This story is a part of the wonderful ‘Mondays Finish The Story Challenge’ by Barbara Beacham. She provides us with a photo prompt, the first sentence, and approximately 150 words with which we are to use to write our story. To take up the challenge click here – MFtS

Just A Thought

When conflicts cloud my mind,

When too many voices speak,

When it is difficult to keep my head,

When things seem to go wrong,

When the heart feels clogged,

When tears blind my eyes,

When the burden seems too heavy,

When I can walk no more,

I try to stand still and look out for You!

 

Image courtesy Google