Satsang

Every satsang brings with itself a bouquet of flowers. So pleasing to eyes and so aromatic. Ears are listening and the mouth is singing but I’m talking about seeing and smelling. That’s how satsang works… it impacts us beyond what is involved. That’s why it doesn’t matter if you are meditative or not. Meditation just happens when you are repeating those lines of the song. Doesn’t matter if you are in the present moment or not. It just happens. Effortlessly.

When we sing about Durga it hits the heart chakra. When we sing about Narayana it touches the forehead. And guess what happens when we sing for the Guru- the shasarara tingles! Every moment is a relevation. Every song connects to yourself. You understand the knowledge experientially. You know what it is to be in that moment. You know what singing hymns does to you. You know where the happiness lies. You know what is the need at the moment. Only heart brimming with love. Contendedness unfathomable. Mind free from vices. All happening in one moment! Marvellous! Miraculous!

Thanks Manishji for yet another satsang!

Jai Gurudev!

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Water, water everywhere!

Everytime I go to a beach I’m spellbound. One is lost in the expanse of water. No words can describe the beauty of just plain water! So much abundance. When you compare yourself to the vast ocean, you literally feel like a drop in the ocean. An awakening dawns that how tiny you are in this creation. Beyond description. Insignificant. How will it matter even if you are not here! Yet we are all weaved into the web of life and get entangled in our own world of thoughts. Where does the hatred, anger, jealousy, insecurities vanish in front of the magnificent ocean. It is so huge yet so soothing. Waves after waves hit the shore faster than your thoughts. How does the mind calm down in front of that voracious waters. The breeze on the face only helping the process further. A smile on everyone’s face. Children squeaking. Photography enthusiasts lost in their own clicks. Each and every person lost in themselves. How often does this happen in our mundane routine. Water has something to it! The world stops. You forget all your worries. It feels as if the waves are coming and asking to give away all your botherations. As the sun rises, each ray gives yet another ray of hope to begin your day, begin your year. Sunrise in seashore is inexpressible. It is beyond words. Nature is beyond words. Probably because the ocean and sun have been here even before language came into existence. So were humans. The bond between man and nature cannot be captured in words. The feeling that arises when you are with nature cannot be put to words. There is something ancient, something primal about it.

Are we really Free?

Indian Independence day is round the corner. And we have been as a country been independent since 1947. But what does freedom or independence mean to a country. Does is it mean that we are not ruled but have a democratic government that operates this country? What is freedom in true sense for a nation, for a person?

We are bound by so many aspects of life that we are not able to taste the nectar of freedom even though we are not ruled by a king. To be honest I don’t think I’m free in a true sense. I’m bound by what my family thinks, what my friends think, what this society thinks. Isn’t everyone following this norm. Are we really going beyond the cliché. or is it just me who is in a web of others opinion?

I have seen some of my friends proving themselves so that others don’t think that they are dumb! If so much thinking just goes in pleasing how are we going to be free?

Freedom doesn’t mean you are in a free environment, a free country or you belong to a family with folks who are broad-minded. Freedom is a state of mind. You are free the moment you take the decision to be free – without changing anything around.

Guru Purnima – a blissful day

This Sunday started with long Sudarshan Kriya, which Hemaji took us through with so much reverence that one can’t stop dripping with gratitude. Wow what a day to start the year – Guruji long back in one of the satsang said for any seer or anyone on this path this day is as good as a start of another year. This seems more appropriate to me this time experientially.

For Guru Purnima, one of our neighbourhood AOL teacher Manishji organized a satsang and Guru Puja at his place in the evening. And I had this strong wish to be part of it. It is said you are going through a testing time when everything conspires against you for doing a good. My son woke up later than I expected from his siesta. Once he woke up I had to fill his tummy so he doesn’t get cranky during the event. As a result I was late for the satsang in the evening. I was worried that I might miss the Guru Puja. My previous experience was out of the world so didn’t want to miss at all. (Check out my blog here) Thankfully the group decided to do it later which I guessed after I saw all the thing ready there in front of Guruji’s photo.

As me and my son approached the house, I could hear the chants. I just wanted to run and land there directly. As I entered the house I could feel the environment already energized. Not sure if the house is always like this – it is after all an abode of a disciple who is immersed in love for Guru.

Then I took a place and started singing. In some of the bhajans I could feel myself floating and in a state where my “my” mind dissolved. I simply didn’t want anything in life. For a human to survive only the breath is needed. Even food, water, shelter – all the basic necessity which we think are bonus on this earth. For a human to survive breath alone is needed. Because breath alone is connected to the “life”.  Its only the body’s requirement to eat and do other mundane activities. The mind craves for things which we think are necessities. The soul is always complete. But for the body to contain soul, breath is needed. This relevation came during the kriya in the morning, only to be reinstated in the satsang. I felt all that I need is follow the technique and the master is holding me. But where from this realization struck me? Why was this revealed only on this auspicious day? I don’t have answers to this yet. I know for sure I can’t hold to the experience and can’t walk with it wherever I go. But my Guru was benevolent in showing me the bliss to a lowly mortal like me that moment. So if a Guru who is so pure and beyond all dualities able to forgive and bless you beyond what you deserve, who are we to condemn people for the so called wrongs they do?

I remember the DSN teacher Vinod ji’s word today -“What if people are not fair to you, you have been unfair to many”. Though this is not a key takeaway of the course, this one perspective has helped me forgive if not forget the shortcomings in people. I know I’m yet to reach the zenith but I have faith in my master that he will take me through.

May God and Guru give us the wisdom to transcend all worries and the small mind and aim for a meaningful life.

The Stage Performance

Its a season of not just fog and chilly winds but also a season of children’s annual days and sports days. You get to see a lot of pics and videos posted by parents on social media, of children gleefully decked up for their performances. I never imagined the amount of excitement a parent goes through until I myself sat as an audience for my son’s annual day. (The phrase “My son’s annual day” makes me feel as if he has grown way to early for me to say this.)

Since the father was away for work, I chose to share my state of mind on Facebook. And was pleasantly surprised by a lot of people, whom I haven’t even spoken to or haven’t contacted for years together, posting comments and liking the post. Just to reveal that we belong to the fraternity called “Parents” and we like sharing the thoughts and emotions with the mums and dads of the world. We have this ability to connect with a common thread whenever there is a chance.

Of course my son’s performance was the closest to my heart, but there was this one other item, the Karadi rhymes, which etched a mark on my mind. The kids were standing in a semi circle formation and each one stepped forward to do his/her part when their lyrics was played. Even if a child forgets to come forward , the other kids would give a gentle push to indicate that its that child’s turn. They were very young , as young as four year old and had the wish to help their friends. 

This incident goes to prove that we from time to time forget this innate ability to help and hold hands with each other which in younger days comes as a second nature. Why as adults in this stage of life we keep nudging with our elbow to exhibit only “the survival of the fittest” as against reaching out our hands to give support to the folks who are left behind. In our mad race to excel we have stamped on many, despised many, belittled many, intimated many at times just to prove our point.

Let’s search for the reasons to connect instead of compete with our acquaintances. May this holiday season be the time to resolve to be better human beings if not Godly!

Made for each other

It’s been a decade since we tied the nuptial knot. So I’m seasoned enough to understand as to how much my parents understand each other.

There is something about this couple which I haven’t seen in any other pair. May be because they are the only married people I have watched so closely or they are just the best in the world!

Recently I read a thought which said, ” Yes, I do depend on a man. My husband and I are a team. He depends on me and I depend on him. We support each other. That’s how marriage is supposed to work.” So aptly put to words about the way my parents have shared their lives with each other.

Even in 70’s my father didn’t think of my mom to be even an iota less than himself. He gave the kind of respect which at times I don’t see in couples married in the 21st century. He didn’t allow my mom to touch his feet even though both of them belonged to an orthodox Brahmin family. He objected to this ritual when all his folks had gathered for a festival which happened just a few days after their wedding. He made it clear that she stands equal to him -nothing less, nothing more. I was awestruck when I heard this. I won’t say the ritual is to be abolished. I’m sure there would be some meaning attached to it. But is everyone understanding what they are doing? In the name of following traditions sometimes we are blindfolded and lose our conscience. I will reserve a separate blog for what highly educated modern men think about their wives. Thankfully neither my mom nor myself have husbands who express their male chauvinism even subtly.

My mom has equally supported my dad in every decision. She has made her share of sacrifices to make my father’s life easy. She can read his mind like back of her hand.

There are times when my parents have their own share of conflicts but in their 37 years of married life there hasn’t been a day when they haven’t spoken to each other when they are under the same roof. This holds good for my marriage too. I just can’t be quite and indifferent when my better half is around. And that’s how my husband has been. When I hear of couples not talking to each other because of a tiff, I find it very amusing.

With every year passing by you know your partner better. No one, even if you share the house with others, can guess what’s between the couple. I thought of sharing some tips to make a successful marriage but I fail to write about it because for every person and every pair the need and wishes are different. It would be inappropriate to compare your situation with anyone else. So there is no room for advice when it comes to this sacred bonding.

I would like to conclude this blog with just one thought though. Enjoy your togetherness whenever there’s an opportunity. In our busy lives we should make some time for someone who has vowed to be together ’till death do us apart’. And it will be worth every second!

And she turns 5!!!

I still remember vividly when my husband held his niece, the just born baby, in his hands 5 years ago. What a moment it was to see a life which has come to this world only a few seconds back! Ever since It has been a joy to see her grow from a baby to a girl.

Last weekend we celebrated her birthday with all the pomp and show. How happy she was to be surrounded by friends. One particular act of hers during the party really was thought provoking. One child complained of not getting chocolates and the next moment she spits out the chocolate in her mouth and gives it to her friend. How unconditionally she shared! A lesson we need to learn from this little being. Day in and day out in her small acts we have seen divinity. Of course not to forget the element of naughtiness too. 🙂

With every year passing by we are struck with awe at the little things she expresses. The affection and love she pours on us is unimaginable. How she would enact Krishna stories and make us role play. There are numerous such memories – the little games she plays everyday, the chattering, the work of art she does with her tiny hands, the way she recites hymns, her dancing, her singing, her laughter and the list goes on. The way she runs to us with her arms spread out for a hug makes my heart melt even today!

God Bless this adorable angel! And we are delighted and proud to have her in our lives.