Purpose of life

Everyday I give myself 30 minutes to do things i love doing. One amongst those is reading. These days I have been reading Shantaram(yet again- one chapter daily! yes that is the only luxury which WIMWI allows me!). Perhaps, I like the book because the rebel inside me can relate very well to all that is being said. Eventhough I loathe criminals in general, I cannot help but respect a few of them, especially those like Gregory Roberts for their ingenuity and brilliance. Also often we see that when such people get to exhibit their humane face its much more humane than any of us. I know this sounds paradoxical, but that's how things are!
Every time I have wanted an answer the book has provided it. These days I have been trying to figure out what is right and what is not.
The following excrept from the book quelled all my doubts!:
"The truth is that there are no good men or bad men. It is the deeds that have goodness or badness in them. There are good deeds and bad deeds. Men are just men- it is what they do or what they refuse to do that links them to good or evil. The truth is that an instant of real love, in the heart of anyone- the noblest man alive or the most wicked one- has the whole purpose and process and meaning of life within the lotus-folds of its passion. The truth is that we are all, everyone of us, every atom, every galaxy, and every particle of the matter in the universe, moving toward God."

Adios Azad

When I look back I'd say,
Not Every life,
Not Every Day,
Such moments come our way!
Thank you Azad for being a wonderful family.
Through ups and downs
Through smiles and frowns
I've loved all the moments I've spent here.

Introspection

A friend of mine recently wrote about the regrets she had from life. It forced me to think whether there was something that I really regretted in life. Couple of things did come to my mind.
I really regret being impulsive at times. I really can't relate to my impulsive bahviour myself. Where does that rush of blood come from?

I really apologize to all those people whom I've hurt knowingly or unknowingly because of my rash and impulsive behaviour.

I also regret the fact that I've not been able to spend enought time with my loved ones. I really hope I can make it upto them!

Life: An Enigma

Sometimes, I sit and wonder.
I sit and wonder why some of us are luckier than the others.
More precisely, why is life unfair?
If only we had answers!

Letting Go

The acknowledgements come first:-
This is copied from a Zen book that Vinod Samuel gave me to read( not word by word ,but the plot of the story ). It really makes lot of sense in the contiuation of my previous blog . Even if youdid not find the previous one relevant, this itself is a nice story.

Two traveling monks reached a river where they met a young woman. Wary of the current, she asked if they could carry her across. One of the monks hesitated, but the other quickly picked her up onto his shoulders, transported her across the water, and put her down on the other bank. She thanked him and departed.

In the evening the younger monk came to the elder monk and said, "Sir, as monks, we cannot touch a woman ?"
The elder monk answered "yes, brother".
Then the younger monk asks again, " but then Sir, how is that you lifted that woman on the roadside ?"
The elder monk smiled at him and told him " I left her on the other side of the road, but you are still carrying her "
------------------------------------------------------
I find this amazing.




Seek love and you dont have any,
Love and the whole world loves you.
BABA

Nirvana

One of the leading distractionsto embracing Nirvana is the unnecessary seriousness which many people bring to the 'Spiritutal Path'
" I am on the road of Enlightenment, there is no room for frivolity".

Why must spiritual people be sullen ?
Why Should spritual people not be able to laugh?

Let go of false impressions. Let go of the silent monks meditatively walking through corridorrs of some ashram, making their own way down to meet some form of enlightenment where there is no joy.

Nirvana I must stress is not serious.
the only people who place unnecessary seriousness upon it are those who have not basked in its pure glory.

Feel its essence and laugh.
Do to become
Undo to unbecome.
(The first step must be taken to understand the second one.
disclaimer: This is not to hurt anyone . Also I do not claim my enlightenment in anyway so please do not take it too seriously :)) )

Reflections...

Dudani and I just returned from our usual chai session at Eggies. I realize fully, how capable we guys are of, amongst other things, coming up with conversations as meaningless as the one we had today. Ironically, though, its generally in such conversations that something strikes me which keeps me thinking for a long time. {I must admit that thinking is not the precise word but then to most people who read this blog the words like ' reflection' are not bound to make much sense and hence I shall 'refrain' :) }
The issue wasn't a new one. Once, casually walking down the scholars' avenue with friends, I had remarked that one thing that no one actually gets is complete happiness. I always somehow keep telling me this thing, satisfying myself by taking examples, and taking people's opinion on this. However, it was today, that I thought over it seriously. And thankfully, I must say that I have not been totally correct all this while.
When I look at the past three months of my life, I must admit that life has taught me how to be happy. Life has been really testing at times. But the big things that life has taught me over this period is Compassion, Love Empathy and Joy.
These four define my life as nothing else does.
Compassion is a quality very tough to develop. But it is awesome. It helps you to derive happiness when you see others smile. Sadly though, by keeping this motive in mind compassion can never be developed.
Love. The cliche of the blog i must say. But then, very few people know what love is. Hence, I shall make an attempt to explain. I see it is an absolute quality and energy. It does not stop. It is the epitome of the spirits' quality- and the body's.
Our need for other people is paradoxical. At the same time that our culture is caught up in celebration of fierce independence, we also yearn for intimacy and connection with a special loved one. We focus all energy on finding the one person who we hope will heal our loneliness yet prop our illusion that we are still independent.
All I can say is that love is a beautiful thing. People find it hard to find the 'right one'. If you have it in you then every small thing in the universe is an object of love. It is infectious. I know I might not be making too much of a sense. The final word on love is that it keeps me going. Somewhere, deep within, I yearn for the 'special one' too. But not having someone in my life is not a deterrent. Doesn't stop me... To reaching out to so many people who look forward to my love. I am glad that I can give them happiness... However, shortlived it may be.
Empathy is a wonderful emotion. Again a very less understood one. Works wonderfully and in a very simple manner. When you can empathise with others a very important realization takes place. I for one realize that my problems our too small for me to be worried. There are bigger issues to think about. My aim in life is to open a company , which deals with equity investments. I very strongly wish that I may also support an NGO which deals with the issues of the girl child. It would be very satisfying if I could help in any way.
The final and the most important one is Joy. Joy is the key to my existence. Those who know me know that in any situation I might have to face in my life Joy never vanishes from my face. Inspite of all that I have learnt/done, I have tried to keep the childlike innocence in me alive. It allows me to be joyful, to smile and more importantly to value a smile.
I do not know whether this blog makes much sense to you people. Even if it does not, I would still be happy that you read it. Because, deep down I know, that someday, it will.