Moments so Far ...

एक था वक़्त जब मैं लिखा करती थी आसमां मैं उड़ते अरमान पकड़ा करती थी अनजाने मैं मुझे एक बंधन मैं पिरोया गया मुझे उम्मीदों की लहरों मैं छोड़ा गया जब उसने ऐसे जकड़ा मुझे पकड़ा, तोडा, मरोड़ा मुझे आसमां से पिंजरे मैं छोड़ा मुझे पंख कटे, अरमान मिटे दुनिया मेरी सिकुड गई अंगडाई भी  लेने से भी मैं कांप गयी बोलने से पहले मैं संकुंच गयी अब सिर्फ डरती हूँ मैं सब करती हूँ पर यहाँ रहतीं नहीं हूँ मैं माँ के आँचल को खोजती हूँ मैं गुमशुदा ही सही पर घूमती  हूँ मैं तलाश मैं हूँ मैं एक किनारे की आस मैं हूँ मैं उन हवा के झोकों की फ़िराक मैं हूँ मैं थपकियाँ जिनकी झपकियाँ देती मुझे थक गयी हूँ मैं थम गयी हूँ मैं 

We will have candle lights all get their own They will arrange for music system green carpets chairs and in-house DJ We will have light snacks all come empty stomach They have cancelled carnival, yesterday to honor the brutal killing Post light dinner We can shake a leg twist and turn to latest Bollywood numbers and do little dance A nation soon forgetting in disguise of concern creating a mockery of celebration making the shame an act of past to welcome the new year we sit on a time bomb waiting it to implode in our neighborhood until then we ignore the sick body and mind are the common man part of your support system a driver, a guard, a gym instructor a relative, anybody but we continue to make believe the tragedy was theirs we are safe the needle did not prick us so we ignore waiting until the blood spills here and now only then we scream foul blame the society and system cry innocence we are victim we are victim...

We have been brought up with this question. तुम क्या कर सकते हो? छोड़ो यार, फालतू मैं परेशान होते हो ? अपने काम से मतलब रखो न यार देश की तो ऐसी तेसी वैसे भी हो रही है तुम अकेले क्या कर सकते हो मीडिया कब तक इस को पकड़ के रखेगी , कल शाम के साड़ी चैनल्स पर क्रिकेट का विश्लेषण चालू हो गया था सारकार क्या करेगी, जो अब तक सोते रहे उन्हें हकीकत से क्या वाकिफ करोगे क्यूं हताश होते हो तुम्हारे आस पास भी सबको अपनी नौकरी और बीवी और बच्चों  की पड़ी है, जब तक उनके सर पर शैतान नहीं हमला नहीं  बोलेगा  तब तक वो तस से मस नहीं होंगे इस देश मैं ज़माने से होते आया है और होता रहेगा रावन भी सीता को ले गए थे So you see there are many reason to sit on the couch and wonder at the failure of system and society. What can the politicians do? call parliament session introspect and discuss with open mind  pass laws that restore confidence in citizens laws that are clear and easy to implement debar any MP/MLA with criminal record against women What can the ...

From the rustic village a hope was born with little wings she left her home to find life in the city a capitol for hundreds of years saw many dynasties rise and fall a young bud adjusting in the city's darkness hoping to blossom grow and expand earn some and give some back to the village little did she realize about vultures in darkness sick minds , weak bodies were gathering around her engulfed and suffocated her killed her body removed her spirit the will to live kept fighting for a while the end came , offshore the spirit was free the body was back rest of the nation wept promising action politicians and police slept avoiding action for in their fold there are many who commit similar crimes even they are headed by women but lack the spine for spirit of power is all consuming relieving them of the morality a change we hope and a change must come for fighting through winter there are some who walked the street and lit the candles ...

They are old couple moving around in indian railways post retirement having served the Indian Railways all their lives they travel second class got confirmed berths in two compartments from dadar to jhansi settled their bags and lying to sleep into the reserved compartment at eleven in night a crowd of bhaiyyas going to Gorakhpur alight they fight, scream, shout for their berth rights with utter disregard for the rest of confirmations inside the husband concerned exchanged seats with the wife took a bag along that was settled inside someone would have noticed the bag moving alongside the wife in the middle of night took the bag to toilet took out the shaving kit took the new saree and blouse it was a gift worn only once the thief packed all in little kholi left the bag in the morning a little boy wondered Aunty, is the bag in toilet yours They could only wonder the Railways they served had become a safe haven for taking away the li...

Christmas 2012 was on the horizon. The children's earnestness was glaring from their eyes, where will we go and what will we do? We were late but then  +Mayank Sharma  shared few ideas. The second one looked feasible and we decided to tag along to a homestay somewhere in Shimoga, Karnataka. A day before the departure the packing was in full swing. 2 of us were sick so the family discussion began with a concern from head of family. The head of family thought that the cold and cough will deteriorate as one was hardly able to talk and other's nose was running. The discussion was thought as an attempt to hijack and call off the travel plan. There were tears and accusations. In the end the family discussion fell apart and nobody knew if we were really going. We just hoped to get up in morning and go. Fortunately, we got up the next day and slowly it dawned on us that we were indeed going. We hit the NICE road from Kanakapura and for toll of INR 84 came out near Neela...

a speeding car darkness catching up light is losing space a glance at the horizon through rear view mirror a setting sun and reddish orange sky beautiful in-sight attention to the front a swift overtake in a straight line a relief a turning face to have full view back again as traffic snarls negotiate trucks overtake little ones humbled by big wights meandering in dusk like a snake finding ways to move along scared of being trampled some oversight mine or theirs lives at stake on the evening highway some give in some push hard some dont even leave a inch some cruise some rush some bruise some crush while the sun sets on the evening highway

A poet born in wilderness in remote rustic village in the only house that lies on foothills with open arms embracing the mountains and a little hillock beside, a poets seat He would sit there on top of hillock wonder and meditate compose and deliberate on human values and dying society from his study the sun would sink into the mountains leaving a red orange trail across the skies in the silence on the hillock many a melodies will find the words as he let them flow volumes of poems some plays and few novels some brief and some epics typical of malnad a literary giant on feeble feet graced the planet and left a trail of words

What is the right time for children to get exposed to TV? What type of TV content is appropriate and at what age? TV is a passive medium which dulls all minds. Any multimedia screen stops the mind from functioning and stops its growth. All senses are engaged as you sit and watch. The engagement is not productive. After few hours of TV you feel dull and irritated. With nuclear families its easier to dump the child on the bean bag in front of TV as you go back to your chores and computer. Some parents have attached the eating habits of the child with TV. Its common to hear deals like this "If you want to watch Tom and Jerry then you will have to finish the food." "If you don't eat food then I will switch off the TV" Some children have got into the habit and use it as a bait for their parents "TV song and milk" "Chotaa bheem and roti" In the night when children characters apparently go to sleep kid as young as 2.5 years have...

Every school summer vacation was rush to a small village (Sagauli) in Jhansi. The love of the people and the hill beckoned. And then college happened, work happened and visits were reduced. Now Art of living has given me another reason to connect back to Sagauli. As teacher a rural part 1 was scheduled during Navratri of 2012. With support from Mr. Ganga Prasad Shringirishi, who is based out of Gursarai, about 12 km from Sagauli most people of the village were informed about the upcoming event. He also arranged for the tape player for the course. Ms Kanchan Ahuja ji, based out of Jhansi and a long time teacher with art of living also helped in discussion over the phone for organizing the course. The general feedback was that this is the busiest time for the farmer and also for the womenfolk as they have to fast and do special pujas during each day of navratri. Still, Mr Ganga ji persisted and said we will have the course. Nevertheless, we reached the village on 12th ...

The bhajans (songs in glory of self) took me away from me. I was serenading into depth of meditations. Today there were tonnes of questions flaoting in the space of mind like clouds vigorously drifting aloud. And then the clearing of throat was heard. And then the eyes were made to open. There was resistance but it did open to catch a glimpse of the master as he had settled in his seat. There was a talk on some stick which was carried to Guru when their disciple met them for the first time in ancient times. The property of the stick was, once its put to fire then it totally burns, not even leaving any residue behind. Its a symbol of exchange, the Guru gives knowledge and disciple offers the stick. readiness, now i am ready to be burned in pursuit of knowledge no turning back, i have left all to come to know, now till i am saturated in knowledge i will not return There was a talk on beliefs like if your chappal/shoes are stolen then your karmas ge...

Yesterday wend to art of living ashram to attend satsang in presence of His Holiness Sri Sri Ravishankar. The satsang was rocking, the meditation was deep and the QnA session was mind boggling. This post is about what happened after the satsang. The kind hearted Bala was slowly crawling out of Ashram campus looking if somebody needed a drop. A more than normal presence hovered near the bonnet. Bala said "we will turn right at konankunte cross. where do you want to go?" The abnormal presence said "Its okay. I am going till Banasankari." By now he was at the backdoor, trying to open it. Did not understand the eagerness. And the weight came into the car with Om Namah Shivaye sound. Introduced myself and others in car and he did seem to be interested to meet us. He asked " What was this all about ?" (underlines are his) someone amongst us " It was art of living satsang ". (italics is one of us) What is art of living? You dont kno...

I will narrate this morning routine. I don't know about your mind. My mind has tendency to latch on to negative. This limits my world of possibilities. This kills the curiosity in me. With this dies adventure in me. When I was awake a song was playing in the mind "प्यार बांटते चलो". It was 6:15. I got up twice before and moved around the house and came back and slept. I did not feeeeeeeeeel like getting up. While using the loo a thought came in the mind. I should jog today. Then resistance built around it.  Why today? You are already hungry. You're digestive system is working smart. It is daylight. People would see you. It would have been better if it was little darker.  I kept firm. Looked for the socks. The white sports socks were not found. There was only one.  How will i look in grey thin socks and sports shoes? Finally went to the shoes. Are the shoes okay? Haven't worn them for a while? Aha! the sports socks are in the shoes? They dont s...

Aamir provides a balanced perspective on issue of female foeticide in India. It is an evil born in 1970's through government initiative to curb population menace and picked up in 1990's with introduction of ultrasound. And now we have crores of girl infants perish through inhuman behavior across society sections. Nawanshahr's  former Deputy Commissioner  Krishna Kumar could clean a district and reverse the male-female ratio. Why did we and government stop and could not support to help him build a framework through which we could curtail and eradicate evils like female foeticide and others.  Women are still considered objects of desire, only there to fulfill certain needs of male dominated society. Some have had to undergo abortion multiple times. Why cant we create a law that would equal this to murder and hang the perpetrators? It is amazing that noble professionals from medical field including lady doctors have made killing a foetus a business, a mean...

Meeting People   The distance people travel. The family people leave behind and the way they engross in the course wholeheartedly was truly remarkable. The gratitude at the end of course. The dry venue on day one suddenly turns into flowery,colorful,beautiful, lively place on day three. Even after we left some one had planned cake cutting in Just Bake and we sang song to thank ourselves. Intensity to break habits   You can hide/ignore certain habits of yours for a little time. Then a time comes when nature exposes your weakness in full public stadium view and you are left clueless. It is a divine justice that you get opportunity to overcome these habits through courses like this. Before the habit breaks it you learn to break it. Building relationship   You will have to work to build relationship. Just stepping into a house do not expect royal treatment. Work on getting the respect to strengthen relationship. Your pain and stress will only increa...

Here are words of my mama who is based out of orcha near Jhansi. He has been postponing doing sudharshan kriya for a long time time. Even this time around he was not sure of transport so I talked to Mickey ( young lad ) and he said he would help. How come I missed it for so many days? I should have come to bangalore and done it? I have been doing yoga asanas before ram dev baba was born. Today it was so effective. I have been doing meditation for so long. Today I came to know what it is. My body was so heavy during yog nidra. I felt so light afterwards. I am not tired. I feel so happy. The young lad who took him to venue in Jhansi from Orcha was sleeping after the vibrations shook him during the sudarshan kriya :) How was your first sudarshan kriya experience? Or you too are on borderline. a line of thank you note thank you kanchan ji, sharda ji and Sri Sri Ravishankar ji.

There is only line of trucks till eyesight go. On the highway, in the riverbed. There is only sand left in the cauvery river delta. Sand which spins money and fulfill desires of few She is born in western ghats Cities and civilizations have been built on her banks Poets, kings and farmers have been inspired by her What remains of her is a small canal in which people bath,wash,clean children jump in 2 feet deep adults wade around there must have been a time when the riverbed was half a mile wide now its only property of few who own the sand quarries centuries old sand particles are now part of some shaky concrete construction tell me is nature beautiful in nakedness or is it in abundance the more you take away the less you will have once a majestic worshiped river is now a mere canal for trichy has huge temples and less river

Till yesterday it was impossible. Now fresh confidence is beaming. We really do not let ourselves hit the boundaries and break them. Heard of yogathon a few months back and did not believe that people could take the challenge. Today morning on world health, disbelief and joy was brimming across when I with my own eyes say 7 to 70 years old taking up the challenge and many achieving it. Mr. Rengarajan brought 3 gold certificate and many spirit of participation. In the end there were greater demand of gold around him than the mere spirit of participation. The venue was called wading pool. When I went to elita club to enquire they said "Wadding pool" and I wondered how yogathon was linked to wedding party. But pool indeed it was. No water though. Only blue tiles. There was no one around at about 6 AM today and I was marveling at the buildings around. Suddenly streams of people, young old, ladies gentleman started to come in towards the wading pool at elita promena...

You go to a parenting workshop and learn that we need to give space to our children when they are angry. Lets take Ram, a 8 year old. He is developing his ego, his likes and dislikes. He has a fight in school with some bullies. He is quite in his van while coming home. He throws the bag after reaching home. His mother starts Is that the way to keep your bag? Dont you have any respect for your books? Your books are saraswati. If you dont respect them you will become dumb. etc., you can add more in comments Now he learns that if something is screwed around you then you have to shout and give back. He goes to his room, bangs the door and shuts himself off. His mother has learnt to give him space, that is how his anger will simmer off. Once he has spent enough time with himself, he will become normal again. He comes out of the room after 2 hours. He is desperately hungry and needs something to eat. The father has come back from office. He has the latest update from mo...

Nadi Pariksha or Pulse diagnostic in association with Art of Living Nadi Pariksha (Pulse Diagnoses) is time-tested ayurveda technique of diagnosis. It can accurately diagnose mental and physical aliments.  Sri Sri Ayurveda doctors are specialists in the vidya of Nadi Pariksha which is unique to us. With this expertise, our doctors detected your prakriti (body type), forewarn you of potential health risks and effectively treat exixting aliments. Accurate and Detailed Diagnosis  Reaches the Root Cause  Avoid Painful Surgeries Diet and Lifestyle Consultation  Holistic Health Through Natural Medicines Forewarns You of Potential Health Risks Venue: BMS Hall, Brigade Gardenia, JP Nagar 7th phase, Bangalore Dates: 20th Jan, Timing: 9 am - 6:00 pm Venue: BMS Hall, Brigade Gardenia, JP Nagar 7th phase Dates: 21st and 22nd April 2012, Timing: 9 am - 6:00 pm Venue:   Outside Magnolia Lobby,  Brigade Millenium,...

You go to school and college. You get a job. You listen to Upanishads. What do you get? You know, your every act, your every thought is towards getting happiness. You earn so that you get a comfortable lifestyle. You take up a project on your own because it appeals to you and promises to give you happiness in end. You have progeny to get happiness. You become a householder to get happiness. Happiness is single most vital motivator behind every thing that you do on this planet. The master too says that at end of upanishad discourse the only thing you get is happiness of heaven. Your mind settles down in knowledge. The striving continues but feverishness stops. You self is getting wedded to infinite soul every moment. Your body is a miniature of entire universe. The finite body is becoming one with infinite universe. In India there is a tradition of doing the marriage of Radha and Krishna. You dont get caught up in that, you move on to higher planes. For one, there was n...

Every animal on this planet manifests a form of divine consciousness on this planet. Every extinction of animal loses that manifestations. That is what the  string theory  is also all about. They are the carriers of those energy. We, as humans, are carrier of knowledge. A few ShivRatries (a hindu festival worshipping Lord Shiva) ago, on solar eclipse day, an incident occurred in a village temple in Tamilnadu. A cobra was climbing a particular tree ( bael ) and plucking its leaves and moving towards the Shiva Linga in the temple premise. All got scared looking at the serpent there. But he repeated the process 4-5 times and some had sense to take photos and videos. He is associated with Lord Shiva and was washing his sins on Solar eclipse according to local priest there. Every part of our body is associated with a particular grain, a planet, a color, a flower, a god or goddess. Like Saturn with mouth , jaws. Jupiter with nose. Chick peas. M...

As humans you get 8 units of life. A stone has 1 unit of life. There are male and female in stones too. Ancient traditions and sculptors know it. Water has 2 unit of life. Air has 3 unit of life. Space has 4 unit of life. Trees have 6 unit of life. Animals have 7 units of life. Humans have 8 units of life. We are here and we need to move forward. Geniuses have 9 units of life. In both sense either for great political system or social change or people like Hitler. Your spirit has 9-10 units of life. In a while when you leave your body you become more powerful. You have more access and flexibility. The constraint of body is lost. Your ancestors have 11 units of life. In many traditions we pray to ancestors. They can give you boons according to their capability. They cannot give all the boons. Your pitr पितृ  have 12 units of life. Kinnars have 13 units of life. They bless or curse with wealth. You will have great wealth but you will not be happy with your prog...

You know yet you dont know. Know that and assimilate. If you cannot manage that knowledge in this lifetime even after hearing it then its a great loss to you, the greatest of losses. You will yet again gather bundles of miseries and carry on to next lifetimes. Like the man behind the projector sees only the light. The people in the cinema see only the movie. There is only one bulb that throws light on the film reel and all characters are projected into the big screen. The single consciousness flows through one and all, through the hero and the villain, through the heroin as well as the side-kicks. It does not discriminate. Its you who has the visceral experiences and get lost in the characters. The characters around you are the reflections of you. And if you extend that vision and project your identity on environment around and still wonder why there is so much negativity around you, why people shout at you, why do they spit and why do they turn away from you? Is it them or is ...

Self-effort, a holy person's grace and knowledge can take you to immortalilty Consciousness has four faculties. They are one but still for the sake of understanding we can divide. Experience - happenings in and around you, there is a complete movie that can be played even with   eyes closed Intellect - some aspects of brain Memory - you create some but nature has it all around you - mind Identity - your self - ego We have five sense objects Eyes Nose Tongue Ears Skin We have five senses See Smell Taste Hear Touch Everything in Nature is permutation - combination of  Fire Earth Water Air Space We experience the following 5 from nature Through Seeing/Light/Fire we experience/see day/night, color of flowers, trees, heavenly objects Through Smell/Earth/fragrant particles we experience fragrance of flowers, food  Through Saliva/Water we get the taste of food/fruits Through hearing/air we experience music/voice/noise Through t...

When you reject you miss When you accept you blossom Only when you water the field the seeds will blossom into beautiful flowers and huge trees If there are no seeds there will be no tree, no matter how much you water You have all the seeds of virtues within you know that The infinite has already put the seeds in every cell of you Do not reject a child as stupid, dull Parents, Schools and colleges do They lose the challenge to kindle a flower They only get whats already blossomed A teacher may not reject a student Just because he appears to carry a heavy weight of karma he cannot postpone his enlightenment to few more cycles of janma and cleaning A student may not reject the teacher he may not doubt is he really loving and caring as talks or is he just a walking encyclopedia Your capabilities may differ Some may be fair, some brown and some dark in complexion Some may be fluent, some barely talk and some can be dumb Some may listen clearly, some barely and some...