Sunday, August 04, 2013

Telegrahph, Travell to Thoughts…..

In India State owned BSNL discontinued on 15th July 2013, all Telegraph services; while On Monday, 12 July 1999, a final telegram was sent from the National Liberty Ship Memorial, in San Francisco Bay to President Bill Clinton. the sign-off message was a repeat of Samuel F. B. Morse's message 155 years earlier, "What hath God wrought?



The long-distance transmission of textual (as opposed to verbal or audio) messages without the physical exchange of an object bearing the message; started in 1792 by way of semaphore lines; and the electrical recording telegraph came into being in 1846. This then lead to telegram, cablegram and fax. In the mid 1960s Email came into existance; first only between different account of the same user.

Prior to the electrical telegraph, nearly all information was limited to traveling at the speed of a human or animal. The telegraph freed communication from the constraints of space and time and truly affected how people lived their lives.



Telegraphy facilitated the growth of organizations "in the railroads, consolidated financial and commodity markets, and reduced information costs within and between firms." This immense growth in the business sectors influenced society to embrace the use of telegrams.


More numerous than grass is the thought that raise in the minds of men.


The part of the world that we dwell in, America meant the US and that was somewhere on the other side of the world, Artic and Antartcia was the top and bottom of a globe in the geography class, Australia was a the biggest continent and country, Africa was dark and scary, but now travell across the globe is possible for comman men here, and we know and can be to all these place not in eighty days but in eighty hours.

And what more, whereever we go, we can communicate to who-ever we want, not knowing the receipent of the information, where we are communicating from...

Telephone, Trains, Airoplanes, Jets, Internet, Computer, Mobile, Washing machines,OMG...

Hats off too the time......for all the magic with the Technology....It is upto us on how we use it. Indeed the world is at our finger tips today, is it 'Kalikalam' or 'Kaliyugam'!

When time has made our life easy, it has also increased tension, terrorism and lack of time! What an irony!

If ethical principles deny our right from doing evil that good may come; are we justified in doing good that the forseeable consequence is evil?

OMG

Oh My God: for ‘God’s sake’ you can’t miss this film!



OMG is a moral science lesson that doesn't sound preachy. This is a film that not only entertains and inspires but also enlightens.

A film like OMG Oh My God, that fearlessly and unwaveringly raises fingers at the commonplace commercialization of religious customs, is certainly an audacious attempt. Oh My God shouldn't be mistaken to be a film that endorses atheism. Rather it questions blind faith.


OMG is a 2012 Bollywood courtroom film. It is directed by Umesh Shukla. It is a remake of the 2001 Australian Film "The Man Who Sued God" and adapted from a highly acclaimed Gujrati play named Kanji Virrudh Kanji, 'OMG Oh My God!' is An Entertaining, Well-Intentioned & Superbly Acted Film!

Kanji Lalji Mehta (Paresh Rawal), a middle-class atheist-Hindu owns a shop of Hindu idols and antiques in Chor Bazaar, Mumbai. He is cursed by Siddheshwar Maharaj, while his son was playing dahi handi. One day, a low-frequency earthquake hits the city, and Kanji's shop is the only shop that is destroyed.

Next day at the insurance office, Kanji and his neighbor Mahadev learn that the disaster claim does not cover any damage caused by natural calamities classified under "Act of God". Running out of options, Kanji decides to file a lawsuit against God but fails to find a lawyer for such a lawsuit. Finally, he meets Hanif Qureshi (Om Puri), a poor Muslim lawyer. Qureshi, a disabled man, helps filing the case as Kanji decides to fight on his own. Legal notices are sent to the insurance company, as well as to religious priests, Siddheshwar Maharaj (Govind Namdeo), Gopi Maiyya (Poonam Jhawer) and their group's founder, Leeladhar Swamy (Mithun Chakraborthy) summoning them to the court as representatives of God on earth.

The Judge agrees and the court accepts the case. However, Kanji soon finds himself trapped amongst armed fundamentalists, his mortgage bank occupying the house, and his wife leaving him. In all instances, Kanji is rescued by Krishna Vasudev Yadav (Akshay Kumar), a real estate agent who rides a hot-shot motorbike and is seen flicking a slick key chain around. Krishna buys Kanji's house from the bank; but allows Kanji to stay with him.

The lawsuit causes a public outcry. As Kanji and Krishna watch this on TV, Krishna advises him to go to the media and put his view in public. Kanji's interview receives wide coverage and public opinion swings in his favour. Meanwhile, hundreds of people, whose insurance claims were rejected due to "Act Of God" show up at Hanif Qureshi's house and join lawsuit. Kanji agrees to fight on behalf of them. In the next court session, Catholic priests and Muslim Mullahs are also summoned to the court as defendants. However, lawyer Sardesai (Mahesh Manjrekar) points that Kanji has no document that can prove the disaster was "Act of God". The judge orders Kanji to present a written proof that will stand by his claim.

Kanji loses hope, when Krishna rescues the day by telling Kanji to read the Bhagavad Gita, and all holy books, such as The Quran and The Bible to find answer of all his questions. Kanji studies the books intensively for a month. In the next session, Kanji points out a passage in the holy books which says that "This world is a creation of god, and it is his will to allow it to grow or destroy", which strengthens his case. Suddenly, he loses consciousness. He is rushed to the hospital, where doctors unsuccessfully try to revive him, leaving him comatose, and announcing to the media that Kanji has been paralyzed, and only God can now save him. The next day, Kanji suddenly opens his eyes to find Krishna in front of him. Krishna wipes his key chain over Kanji's body curing Kanji.

As confused Kanji is, Krishna reveals that he himself is Lord Krishna, and he has purposely saved Kanji to show him that God does exist. Kanji, then learns he has been in coma for a month and things happened during the period. The lawsuit's verdict was in his favor and religious organizations were ordered by court to pay the compensation to all the plaintiffs; people have started calling Kanji a "God". Meanwhile, Leeladhar, Gopi Maiyya, and Siddheshwar have opened temple dedicated to Kanji & accumulated millions in donations. And today, as per Kanji's "will", he is about to be removed from the ventilator, and thousands have gathered for his funeral procession. On Krishna's hot-shot motorbike, he takes Kanji to stop the procession. Kanji arrives at the right time, and addresses the crowd, destroys his own statue and tells them to tear down the temple.

After successfully completing the job, he goes back to Krishna to thank him, however Krishna & his motorcycle have disappeared. Kanji's family arrive and they are reunited. On their way home, Kanji sees Krishna's key chain on the floor. When he is about to secure it inside his jacket, he hears Krishna's voice, telling him to get rid of the key chain as idol worship was what he fought against all this time. Kanji smiles and throws it away.

OMG; don’t be blind, but know your signs….

Mahabharata Revisited.....Jaya & The palace of Illusion

Thanks to Greeshma for provoking me to revisit Mahabharata.



The Mahabharata is an ancient Hindu epic where:

A son renounces sex so that his old father can remarrry
A daughter is a prize in an archery contest
A teacher demands half a kingdom as his tuition fee
A student is turned away because of his caste
A mother asks her sons to share a wife
A father curses his son-in-law to be old and impotent
A husband lets another man make his wife pregnant
A wife blindfolds herself to share her husband’s blindness
A forest is destroyed for a new city
A family is divided over inheritance
A king gambles away his kingdon
A queen is forced to serve as a maid
A man is stripped of his manhood for a year
A woman is publicly disrobed
A war is fought where all rules are broken
A shift in sexuality secures victory
The vanquished go to paradise
The victors lose their children
The earth is bathed in blood
God is cursed
Until wisdom prevails.

Devdutt Pattanaik have beautifullly retoled Mahabharata in a simple and lucid style; for all to understand in his 'Jaya'.

It is said that Vyasa knew it, before it happened chanted it to Ganesha, who penned it down. The longest epic poems in the world; and lucky enough to watch BR Chopra's version on TV in between 1988-1990; was engrossed in reading both the versions of the book back to back.


At the same time, happen to read 'The Palace of Illusions'; Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni gives us Panchaali's Mahabharata.

Both Interesting; Divakaruni says, Vysa had foretold that there would be three dangerous moments and at that time you need to hold back;
1. Just before wedding hold back your question.
2. When husbands are at the height off their power, hold back your laughter.
3. When you are ashamed; hold back your curse.

The thought of 'mine' and 'theirs' is the cause of trouble, if the King could see all as his, and love all alike, the war would never have occurred.

“Your childhood hunger is the one that never leaves you. No matter how famous or powerful they became, my husbands would always long to be cherished. They would always yearn to feel worthy. If a person could make them feel that way, they’d bind themselves to him—or her—forever.” 


The art of kingship is: A ruler should know how to conceal his own weaknesses. He should choose his servants carefully. He must cause dissensions among the noblemen in his enemy's kingdom. He should be forgiving, but not excessively so, for the men of evil heart would take advantage of him. His innermost thoughts must be concealed even from his nearest ones.

But what had to happen; had to and Panchali could not hold back.

The power of a man is like a bulls charge, while the power of a women moves aslant, like a serpant seeking its prey. Know the particular properties of your power and use it wisely.

Aren't we all Pawns in the hands of time, the greatest player of all? But even a Pawn has a choice.

Father is equal to heaven, but mother is even greater and so Pandavas decide to share their wife.

Expectations are like hidden rocks in your path - all they do is trip you up. For one person to gain desire, others have to give up theirs. Distance is a great promoter of harmony. God gives you what you want with one hand and takes away something more valuable with the other.

A situation in itself is neither happy nor unhappy. It's only your response to it that causes your sorrow. Be Calm. The life we live today is only a bubble in the cosmic stream, sharpened by the karma of other lifetimes (of the same life or another); one whom you hate may have been your beloved and vice versa. Why weep for any of them then?

Then there are two great teachings:

1. Yudhisthirs answer to Yaksha's questions:

-More numerous than grass is: Thoughts that rise in the mind of man.
-Truely wealthy is: That man to whom the agreeable and disagreeable, wealth and woe, past and future are the same.
-Most wonderous thing on earth is: Each day countless humans enter the Temple of Death, yet the ones left behind continue to live as though they were immortal.

2. The Song or the Geeta: Krishna's word motivating Arjuna:

The pleasure that arise from sense objects are bound to end, and thus they are only sources of pain. Don't get attached to them. When a man reaches a state where honour and dishonor are alike to him, then he is considered supreme. Strive to gain such a state. Weapons cannot harm it, fire cannot burn it; it is eternal, still and blissful. Man drives to wrongdoing in spite of good intention because of anger and desire, our two direst enemies and their offspring revenge...

Important to have victory against the six inner enemies that plague us all: lust, anger, greed, ignorance, arrogance and envy.

After the war, who was the real winner and who the loser?

Karna......The ..(failing to get words): Thought of giving him a special mention as it is friendship day today, and was there and will there ever be such a great friend?

A friend, stays a friend untill the end
Though Forgiveness eluded; forgives,
And gives away what could have saved his life,
A life paralyzed because of a promise kept?

Moreover (t)his is the main difference in both the books.

At the moment when Karna died, the sun plunged behind a cloud so dark that people feared it would not return. Despite the brutality of his death, his face held an enigmatic smile. A divine glow left his body and circled the battlefield as though searching for something before discarding this world.

Forgiveness: It is a virtue that eludes even the great! Is the desire for vengence stronger than the longing to be loved?

The purpose of life is to love, how well you live comes down to how much you love. The heart is wiser than the head. Honor it. Turst it. Follow it.

We cannot force ourselves to love - or to withhold it. At best we can curb our actions. The heart itself is beyond control. That is its power and its weakness.

Krishna's love was a balm, moonlight over a parched landscape. We came out of fire, and return to it; we are all instruments in his hands and he is the doer...

“Your childhood hunger is the one that never leaves you. No matter how famous or powerful they became, my husbands would always long to be cherished. They would always yearn to feel worthy. If a person could make them feel that way, they’d bind themselves to him—or her—forever.”


Wednesday, July 17, 2013

More of Paulo Coelho

Three books concerned with a week in the life of ordinary people, all of who find themselves suddenly confronted by love, death and power. Profoundest change in life can happen within a very reduced time frame. When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change. We need to decide and accept our destiny.

By the River Piedra I sat down and wept (1994)

Pilar encounters her childhood sweetheart after 11 years now a mesmerizing and handsome spiritual teacher-and a rumoured miralce worker- who leads her on a journey through the French Pyrenees, a magical landscape that has been home to holy visions and miracles through the ages.

Dreams mean work.

Veronika Decides to Die (1998)

Veronika seems to have everything she wished for; yet is unhappy. So On 11th Nov. 1997; she takes an overdose of sleeping pills, only to wake up sometimes later in Villete, the local mental) hospital. There she is told that although she is alive her heart is damaged and she has only a few days to live...Zedka, Maria, Dr. Igor, and Eduard.

The Devil and Miss Prym (2000)

A stranger arrives in the small mountain village of Viscos. He carries with him a backpack containing a notebook and eleven gold bars. He comes searching for the answer to a question that torments him: are human beings, in essence, good or evil? In welcoming the mysterious foreigner, the whole village becomes an accomplice to his sophisticated plot, which will forever mark their lives. This book illuminates the reality of good and evil within us all, and our uniquely human capacity to choose between them.

"One man with courage makes a majority." - Andrew Jackson


All the three books  (Trilogy) also makes one ponder on what is good (Ormuzd) and what is evil (Ahriman) as in the Persian legend or in the story of the garden of Eden.

When there is God, why is there so much of suffering in this world?

--------
Aleph:

The book not much liked; but few things were indeed wonderful:

Our life is a constant journey, from birth to death. The landscape changes, the people change, our needs change, but the train keeps moving.....and we change from one compartment to the other......????

Each end gives us the opportunity for a rebirth.


Love is like a river.   The Aleph is an encounter with our fears and our shortcommings - a search for love and forgiveness, and the courage to confront the inevitable challenges of life. Each end gives us the opportunity for a rebirth. On his journey through Trans-Siberia covering 9,288 kms, he meet Hilal- the women he loved 500 years before - and there is a mystical voyage within this journey on train, through time and space, through past and present.....  

 -----------

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Captivating Talks

Isabel Allende: Tales of Passion


Sheryl Sandberg: Why we have too few women leaders

Oliver Sacks: What hallucination reveals about our minds

Aimee Mullins: It’s not fair having 12 pairs of legs

Chimamanda Adichie: The danger of a single story

Thandie Newton: Embracing otherness, embracing myself

Ken Robinson says schools kill creativity

Steve Jobs: How to live before you die

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Experience your Good Now! : Learning to Use Affirmation


Experience your Good Now! : Learning to Use Affirmation is an incredible Audio book, narrated by Louise L. Hay of Hay House Publishing.
Affirmation is a solution that will solve every problem, say All is well and I am safe.
It is our Thoughts and beliefs that shape our life. Be aware and do something to change. Do not share your affirmation with others, but keep it to yourself. et others say, wow what a change, how did you bring this?
Every word and every thought are your affirmations.
Think happy thoughts; no matter what others are doing.
Feel good right now.
Don’t waste time on blame, sad, grumpy, greed, jealous, anger; Don’t waste your thoughts on negative thinking that sucks.  Blame is just another negative affirmation.
Your cells are aware of all your thoughts, can feel.
Say I have or I am; think in positive, present affirmations.
Love fills my life; I am discovering talents that I was not aware of.
I can do it, I can make positive change,
Good health comes from Love. The more you learn, the easier it becomes to create good health. Body is the mirror of inner thoughts and belief. Let Water be your favorite beverage.
Forgiveness: Thoughts of bitterness can never create joy. Forgive self and others, and release from the prison of the past. Consciously choose rather than react.
Forgiveness is not same as acceptance. It has nothing to do with other person. It is simply an act of releasing oneself from negative energy, by letting go. It is the most loving thing you can do.
The door to my heart open inwards, the past is over, the thought of this movement creates my future, there is no use of being a victim. I give myself freedom from past, and move into the joy of present. I forgive them with Love.
Prosperity, do not dwell on poverty or negative thoughts on money.
Be Honest, whatever you give you will get back, you steal when you take things from office, robs others time and respect. Affirming, allowing,  I prosper whatever I do, I have been constantly increasing my income. I am a magnet of money. I live in an abundand universe. I trust life, and it provides all that I need.
Say: I am open and receptive to all the abundance in life.
Creativity: We all create our life every day. You need not be an artist to be creative. From choosing your attitude of your self, being a cook, being kind, are all creativity. Continue doing new everytime, there are a million and one projects that you can do.
 Be a Happy Person, they are attractive, no criticisim, no choosing to be feeling lonely, no complain. Feel Love. Love what you see, rejoice in love that is encountered daily.
Job Success: Love your job, co-worker, location, boss, and everything else. Acknowledge, Encourage, Appreciate. Don’t have or give faith or fear. Whatever I give out comes back. There aren’t problems without solutions, be willing to release anything that is in your part, that has contributed to the problem. Express gratitude to what you have.
  • Before you go to work, give time to breath.
  • Write: My Job is a peaceful heaven, I put love in every corner, I am at peace.
  • I only give out what I am to receive.
No person, place or thing will have power over you. Feel good, Be Joyful and bring more joy.
I am centered and focused. Stress is only fear, I release all fear, and make positive change in all area.
Self Esteem, is merely feeling good of your self, which develops confidence.
Release your affirmations to the Universe; Believe, have so much of positive believe, that you deserve to prosper/achieve your affirmations.
Positive Affirmations are the beginning point of Change

Tuesday, April 09, 2013

Moors of York here I come......

The moors of the York, had always been calling me, but in the wildest of my dreams, I had never imagined, I would be there.

I have often thought of going around Austria and the home of 'The Sound of Music', but never thought that I would visit the Bronte Museum. Do not know why?

Ah finally I could be into York and have a real view of were the Bronties lived as well! Thanks a Ton to Sharyn, without whom this would not have been possible.

If it was Dunja waiting for us in Germany, it was Sharyn waiting for us in York, with her Lilly, ready to carry all our luggages at night, far away from her home, around the castle and through two rivers, we followed the beautiful full moon, into a world of art, music, books a museum by itself that was her home!

The castle of the York would have attracted many to her, but it was Vanessa living there and the moors that attracted me to her. It was indeed another dream come true, to see how Vanessa and her little Nicholson just 3 months old, were waiting to welcome us in the traditional Indian dress, and the gift was shocking to me.....It was nice to see her house and know how Nicholson had his own room, and slept all by himself, from such a small age.

And from there, off we went to the moors.

For those who do not know; it was 'Wuthering Height's; which introduced me to the moors of York. It is a novel by Emily Brontë, written between October 1845 and June 1846, and published in 1847 under the pseudonym "Ellis Bell." It was her first and only published novel: she died aged 30 the following year. The novel is about Cathy and Heathcliff - a tale of love and revenge on the Yorkshire moors.

It is interesting to know how the three Brontes sisters and one brother, Children of a Pastor neither born great, nor having greatness thrust upon them, could nitch a name for themselves, and attact so many foreigners to them, even after they are no more.

It was also great to meet Sharyn's family; her mother and daughter, three generations and Ginnie; wish we could have a picture of all three together, but the meeting was at different time and place.

Thanks to those who made this possible!!

Monday, April 08, 2013

Hypothermia Vs hyperthermia

All in a day's time, from Hypothermia to hyperthermia from the state of being Frozen to the state of evoprating

Though it is spring in the west, still it is snowing and freezing cold, while in the East especially in India, it is exceptionally hot in the south, as it would be in the deserts!!! It was burning hot as I got out of the airport, Goshh.....

As we were walking from Hotel to office at Bonn, Veba said it was warmer in Germany when compared to Moscow, while for us it was very Cold (Though the temparature was higher than in London, we did not feel it to be severe as there was no Wind, like in London).

Also was wondering and had even asked Farida, why the water in Thames would not Freeze?

Indeed it is because of the deeds of human being!

Normal human body temperature in adults is 34.4–37.8 °C (94–100 °F).[8] Sometimes a narrower range is stated, such as 36.5–37.5 °C (98–100 °F).[9] Hypothermia is defined as any body temperature below 35.0 °C (95.0 °F).

 It is subdivided into four different degrees,
mild 32–35 °C (90–95 °F);
moderate, 28–32 °C (82–90 °F);
severe, 20–28 °C (68–82 °F); and
 profound at less than 20 °C (68 °F).[10]
This is in contrast to hyperthermia and fever which are defined as a temperature of greater than 37.5 °C (99.5 °F)-38.3 °C (100.9 °F).
The difference between fever and hyperthermia is the mechanism
Why so much of extremity in the climatic condition?

Ocean Temperature & Sun


•Virtually all the ocean heat comes from the sun. A minute amount comes from the earth's interior through gas vents at the ocean bottom.

•Because the equatorial areas are more faced toward the sun, the amount of heat absorbed per unit area is larger than at the poles. This causes the temperature to be higher at the equator than at the poles.

•The area of higher temperature shifts southward and northward with the season.

•The change from warmer equatorial areas to colder polar areas occurs largely in the form of fronts (=large transitions).

•The maximum mean monthly temperature is approximately 30 degrees, while the lowest temperature is less than 0 degrees.

•Antarctic ice is in white through out but the change in ice cover from summer to winter.

•Note how the warm water off the east coast of southern Africa in summer penetrates southward, while off the west coast colder water bulges northward. This causes significant temperature differences between the east and west coasts (at the same latitude). The same is seen off South America.

•Similar east-west temperature differences are seen off North America in the northern summer.

How does temperature change vertically?

•Because of the heat input (from the sun) at the surface, the surface layers of the sea are warmest (> 20 degrees), and the temperature decreases with depth (to < 5 degrees). This is especially the case in the equatorial and temperate latitudes. In the polar regions the heat input at the surface is low, so that there is not a large change in temperature with depth.

•The minimum temperature (at the sea bottom) is between -1 and -2 degrees. Shouldn’t sea water be frozen at such temperatures?

•Typical profiles of temperature show that the decrease in temperature with depth is not linear, but that the temperature undergoes a significant “jump” at a depth of a few hundred meters. This sharp decline is known as the thermocline.

•Between the surface and the start of the thermocline the water is very isothermal. This is referred to as the mixed layer, where the surface waves continuously churn the water. The higher the wind speed, the larger the waves, the deeper the mixed layer.

•Maximum temperature at the surface can be as high as 36° C (e.g. Persian Gulf).

•Normal sea-water freezes at -1.9° C because of the presence of salinity.

•The average temperature of the sea (over all depths) is (only) 3.8°C. This means that a thin layer (a few 100m thick) of warm water (say, > 15° C) overlays a deep, cold layer several kilometres thick.

Sunday, April 07, 2013

Divine Magic: The Seven Sacred Secrets of Manifestation

A New Interpretation of the Classic Hermetic Manual The Kybalion by Doreen Virtue. (www.AngelThearapy.com)


The original teacher of this Divine magic was an Egyptian sage named Hermes Trismegistus. His teachings, called “Hermetics”, were only taught verbally or in very cryptic writings. In 1908, three Hermetic students wrothe this down in a book called The Kybalion. Yet, this work, was still difficult to understand because of its archaic and confusing language.

Here is an overview of the Seven Sacred Principles that the Hermes gave us.

1. Mentalism: “The All is Mind; The Universe is Mental”

Mind means infinite and unerring intelligence, wisdom and creativity. Since The All is everywhere, Mind is everywhere. You live inside this omnipresent Mind of The All. Your true Mind (Your higher self) is an extension and a creation of the Divine Mind.



2. Correspondence: “As above, so below; as below, so above.”

The Hermetists divide the world into three planes: physical, mental and spiritual. Each plane operates by the same spiritual laws. So if you understand the laws governing one plane, you’ll understand how the other planes operate. By applying this understanding, you can elevate your consciousness and life to higher planes of existence.



3. Vibration: “Nothing rests; everything moves; everything vibrates”

Even inanimate objects vibrate. The difference between the varying planes of existence is merely in their vibrational rate of movement. Hermetists apply this principle by accelerating or decelerating the vibrational rate of objects or situations that they wish to attract, change or banish.



4. Polarity: “Everything is dual; everything has poles; everything has its pair of opposites, like and unlike are the same; opposite are identical in nature, but different in degree; extremes meet; all truths are but half-truths; all paradoxes may be reconciled.”

This principle says that every experience and choice is the same in truth. What appears to be opposite is actually the same, but with different degrees of the same ingredients. Prosperity and poverty are not opposites. They are merely ends of the same pole, vibrating at different rates. Each situation in your life has such a pole, with extremes at either end and vibrational increments in between.

Hermetists use this principle to transmute unwanted situations and emotions into something more desirable, merely by changing their vibration to the highest end of each pole.

5. Rhythm: “Everything flows, out and in; everything has its tides, all things rise and fall; the pendulum-swing manifests in everything; the measure of the swing to the right is the measure of the swing to the left; rhythm compensates.”

Universe operates in precise and predictable rhythms. If you allow these rhythms to master you, then your moods and life will fluctuate up and down. However, by mastering the rhythms, you become immune to downward turns in emotions or life experiences.

6. Cause and Effect: “Every cause has its effect; every effect has its cause; everything happens according to Law; Chance is but a name for Law not recognized; there are many planes of causation, but nothing escapes the Law”

This is a perfectly ordered universe, and nothing happens by chance or accident. There’s always cause behind every Effect. Life mastery occurs when you become a conscious cause of the effects you desire, instead of being carried along by the wills or desires of others. You can use this principle to effect healings and manifestations.

7. Gender: “ Gender is in everything; everything has its Masculine and Feminine Principles; Gender manifests on all planes.”

Not just human body, but energy in each person. Everyone has both these energies within them. These energies are equally powerful and interdependent upon each other to form creation. Female energy is magnetic and attracting. Male energy is electric and creating. Banishing (releasing) and attracting are the basis of Divine magic. To manifest, you much either attract your desire or create it. To enjoy a steady flow of abundance, understand and work with the steady flow of giving and receiving, as this principle teaches.

As long as we live on the material Earth plane, matter is real to us. Matter isn’t less real to us just because we understand the scientific truth about atoms, or the Hermetic teachings about the mental nature of the Universe.


We can control matter by applying higher forces. This is better than pretending that matter doesn’t exist. The laws of nature are constant, and we can’t escape them. We can, however , overcome the laws by applying higher ones.

The universe and its laws and phenomena are real, so far as humans are concerned. The Universe is also ever-changing and transitory, so it’s unreal in the Absolute sense. However, we must live and act as if the fleeting Universe and matter were real. In the material world, Mentalism, the power of your thought, is the greatest natural force.

Saturday, April 06, 2013

The London Bridge is not falling down....

Thanks to Jude, Cynthia’s cousin for dropping us at Elstree & Borehamwood station; we did not have to trouble ourselves in finding our way to Farida’s house, from where on Ali guided us through London. Was so tired, did not know when and how I went off to sleep the night we reached London. From Heathrow, the roads looks as though on fire...Fire moving around.


www.tfl.gov.uk helped us find places.

There was a mix of snow and rain, the next day morning, but we three managed to get out of the house, and sorry that Ferzana had too...Thanks to the underground, that we could see places and move around.

Day Two:

And it was all in this order

1. Bukingham Palace – Green Park: where queen Elizabeth 11 lives. Official home of British Kings and Queens since 1837. There was the statue like foot guard, wearing old fashioned red jacket and tall furry hats called bearskins.

Could see around The Plane trees without leaves and The Daffodils.

2. Big Ben – Is the huge bell inside the clock tower of the Place of Westminister.

Parliament-The Palace of Westminister, where laws are made and kings and queens are crowned in the Abbey is the home of the British Government.

London Eye-The largest ferris wheel in Europe. It turns slowly to give passengers time to take in a spectacular view of London spread out below them. Because of the mist and rain, did not get onto it.

3. Borough Market- is a wholesale and retail food market in Southwark, Central London, England. It is one of the largest and oldest food markets in London, and sells a large variety of foods from all over the world; did buy and have something form there....Enroute saw the The Shard-Tallest Building in London or is it the Dockland tower of Canary Wharf?

4. HMS Belfast – A cruiser used in the second world war is a huge Warship near Tower Bridge.

Globe Theatre – This is a replica of the building where Shakespeare’s plays were first performed. The plays are still put on each summer, and there’s a tour of the theatre all year round.

Tower Bridge- Bridge that opens in the middle to let ships through. The road across is often shut several times a day so the bridge can be raised. It took 8 years to build and was completed in 1894. Ferzana’s friend got married on top of the bridge.

We walked through the tower Bridge through a beautiful garden and castle.

Could see Swiss Re Building or also called ‘The Gherkin’ because of its shape.

5. Covent Garden – Ah! So many things to shop. Ferzana brought for us Fudge from there. We were. We did hear a lady singing sweet song there; but was wearing different colour socks in each leg. Also we could see the Big Egg Hunt. The colourful and imaginatively decorated eggs around covent Garden which was on show from 22nd March to 1st April. Ferzana took us to McDonalds for a cup of coffee; introduced us to M&M, Harrods etc.

Lenchster Square: Red Carpet

Picadelly circus: View was amazing, the roads of London.



We could find around:

• The Union Jack: The British Flag

• The Royal Mail Red letter Box.

• Pubs

• Double decker buses

• Metropolitan policeman

• Red Phone Box

• Traditional black taxi cab, with sign on top lighting up, when driver is looking for a passenger.

• Ofcourse, the ‘Underground’ station signs; there are around 270 stations, of which look out for another section.

Day Three:

6. We have walked from under the Thames in Island Garden

The Thames is more than a highway between Greenwich and London. It has shaped Greenwich more than any human hand. Greenwich or Grenevic means ‘greenfield next to the river’. Greenwich is on the south banks of river. In 1884 an international agreement put Greenwich on the map as the world standard for 0 degree longitude. In 1997; Greenwich became a world heritage site. Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today and what we pass on to the future generations.

7. Saw the Cutty Sark built in 1869 and one of the three surviving clippers (fast sailing ship); used to carry tea from China.

8. Greenwich Garden: The 24 hour clock, the Meridian line zero degree longitude.

9. From Greenwich we could see the loss making Millennium Dome exhibition venue in South East London which is now converted into the profitable music venue The O2

10. Canary Warf: The place where modern buildings and offices are located. Did some Shopping from Tesco supermarket here.

We did give up the below places:

Missed Trafalgar Square station : Pigeons and the often seen place in movies lke Nelson’s column, surrounded by 4 Lions, National Gallery, 2 Fountains, Church called Saint Martin-in-the field.

Museums: British Museum

South Kengsington: National History, Science museum, Victorian museum

Regents Park and Canal: Which is amazing and beautiful in summer.

Madam Tussauds London @ Marylebone Road, near Baker Street; which is also the place often mention in Sherlock Holmes. It has 14 exciting interactive zones featuring over 300 wax figures, of stars, Warhol, premiere night, sports, royal persons, cultural personalities who have changed the way we think, music megastars, world leaders, the murdering madmen in sceam, Behind the scene on our history and how the figures are made, spirit of London taxi ride through London’s amazing past, marvel super heroes, the interactive movie experience; shop and cafe .

Mohamed Alfaid’s: Harrods.

On a day before return, when we were going from York to Colchester, we did get down at St. Pauls Cathedral. Its dome is a national landmark. Inside is a huge gallery where the faintest whisper can be heard all around its curved walls.

A statue of the Duke of Wellington stands in the nave (main hall). He’s riding on Copenhagen, his horse.

Parts of the ceilings are decorated with mosaics, which are pictures made from tiny pieces of glass.

The ball and cross on top of the dome weigh the same as seven cars. A huge brick cone hidden inside the dome stops them plummeting through the hollow roof.

Two bell towers stand proud at the front of the cathedral. The right tower houses the biggest bell in England, called Great Paul.

We brought some gifts from the shop below the Cathedral, and then went to the Oxford street to do some shopping before meeting Radhi again at Liverpool street station, who took us to Colchester, enroute the Olympic stadium @ Stratford.

Thanks to Radhi & Rakesh, for driving us back to the airport, with a wonderful B'day surprise, how funny, to be introduced to Rakesh in UK, when he had been to Potta & Kakkanad as well...and it was lovely to see Ishaan always in action....

There were so many London Bridges, and London would not mind, if a bridge would fall down, but I had been falling down, with the weight of the luggages that I had been carrying through out, oopsss Travel light.....

Tuesday, April 02, 2013

Team Away Day....

Finally all flights were booked and we could be @ www.schliersbergalm.de for the Team Away day from 18th March 2013 to 20th March 2013. Hurray!!!


Having landed at Bavaria on 17th March 2013, Dunja was waiting with her arms open, and her shoulders to lean on. How caring and concerned. She had with her, her son Juri; and off we went to her home and her new eco-house under construction. She had so much to do, with kids school day, cousins visiting home, new house under construction; yet wanted to take me around too.


Next day morning she took me out for a café and cake (Mohn Kuchen – Poppy seed cake; Apfelkuchln-Apple Cake); and then off we went by cable car on top of the mountain in casuals being a mountain area / outdoor / weather being cloudy, approx. temperature night -1 / day 5 C).
>


Ah! Was it a dream? Were those three days, just a long dream?



With so many different people of different colors; Yellow, Red, Blue and Green. We had

• The helping, young and energetic by heart Horse MH

• Tadpole and cat loving, strong but with a heart BF

• Bubbly, energetic, MIL of all, owl

• The Traveller dog, looking for red

• Petrified Panther, the fashion lover

• The twins; Blue Dog & Fox

• Lead by the Eagle


We indeed missed so many of them, but especially the lion-ess.



Day 1 (18th March 2013); We had the Mashmallow Challenge and a typical traditional German – Mountaineers Dinner Fondue (Kase/Fleisch) Mit Salat Mud Brot- Meat pieces in broad or cheese to dip.


Day 2 (19th March 2013) was the Insight Day : Take away being;

• Our personality depends on which colour we are

• Difficult to change others,

• How we look at thing is based on our perception

• We can deal with people knowing how they are

• Here is what Dunja had to say about the snowman

“ The snowman will not be able to get a girlfriend or wife, because by the time he has made his decision he is probably part of the ocean”


He is for all human being in the world a symbol of winter, and he is very peaceful. Also he is very international, as everybody would create him similar. Basically a snowman consist of three balls of snow, a carrot and some piece of coal.

The snowman is also to me a sign of change. When I was about eight years old you saw them everwhere, while in these times you don’t see them often.

The snowman is a species, which might not exist in 50 years from now, anymore.”




Day 3 (20th March 2013) we had further discussion on Generations and how they differ

• Traditionalist: 67+ (1928-1945)

• Boomers: 47-66 (1946-1964)

• GenXer (Generation X): 31-46 (1965 -1980)

• Millemnials: 18-31 (1980-2000)



And then finally the video on the TED Talk: Choose to be happy.



From there we went into Munich office after the event but why was the meeting with Eva again too short? We had to fly to Bonn; stayed at Maritime hotel and walked to office the next day.



21st March 2013: Visited DPDHL office; the 40 storied building, with a view to the whole of Bonn/Koln; on the banks of river Rhein. This was the erstwhile capital of West Germany. Indeed Beautiful!



On 22nd March 2013; flew to London; bidding good bye to Germany.

Had typical German lunch on both the days; not sure what they are called. One was potato and onion mixed cooked/fried; with apple. Next day fish and French fries.

Do not know, why there was not a bit of excitement, to be flying to London, instead, was sad. Was it ‘Night’ by Elie Wiesel - Dunja that made me sad, or was it just a state of mind?

Trees without leaves, snow, I would see in London too, and I should have been excited to be going to London, but not a bit?


Veba Garetson gave me a Russian coin, which would help one to decide when required.

I had to remind myself to be happy.

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Banglore..Bengaluru...

Finally got a chance to set my foots on the Bengaluru soil......though a very short visit, and every walk, took me around the town hall....now what is it between me and town hall??


Had negative vibes with Kottayam Female, and the cabs reminded me of 'The White Tiger', so I had been moving around with suspicious eyes...but delighted to see Hoysala going around and to Lavanya, Unni, Santhu and Anu's Ammai for the care and guidence.

Good to see the roads, but guess people there have more electronics and hardware than food....but yes enjoyed some North India yummy which I had been missing....Aloo parata, Dhokla, Pav Baji, Vada pav...wish my stomach do not get upset....Could not control my tears at the time of return, waiting for the train with Samosa in hand....My last three train journey was with Achan, and for all travel, I had him to receive/see me off.....and I do believe you are still with me....




Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Papa, Can I go to the Moon?


And Papa said, belive in yourself, and work for it, for nothing is impossible for a willing heart!


I Can

As a child, we had this poem by Eliza Lee Cabot Follen; and now we recite this for Neil:

O, look at the moon!
She is shining up there;
O mother, she looks
Like a lamp in the air.


Last week she was smaller,
And shaped like a bow;
But now she's grown bigger,
And round as an O.


The moon used to fascinate us, and because of the questions, father took us to the planetarium @ Nehru Centre, Mumbai, started the year I was born!

Whenever we used to walk from the station home, my sister and myself would run with the moon, and the moon would be always ahead of us! Whereever we went, we could see it (it, he or she?), weather it be in our native place durign vactions, around our cousins house, or during outings, within and outside the country; and everywhere it kept changing day by day; and there was a cycle to its change.

Just as our life! we begin small, reach our blossom, and then into our old age, Child indeed is the father of man! There was so much to learn from the moon, and it was so much of fun, especially because it appeared to change everyday, when in fact it did not! Amazing.....

We were also advised: " Be not afraid of GROWING slowly,be afraid only of standing still"; There is nothing more painful, and boring than just standing still.

But the moon can repeat its cycle, why can't human being?


Naluthaikal@4tKochi

Finally we made it, in a chauffeur driven limousine on the 23rd of February 2013 listening to hindi bollywood oldies in the background; almost a year after actually planned. Zindagi Khe safar main gujar gaye kuch makam phir athee bee hey! Though the plan was dusted and rusted enough; phir bee Kuch tho huva… Butter for being late, we were given Bournville Dark Chocolate ; 4 in all, something that would help find us, in case we got lost.....



Back to childhood days, playing in the garden, on the swing, see-saw and Gusergundi. Window shopping, taking pics of Kids, lamps (Tabu), dogs and cats. Thinking on how fortunate we were! Adding a bit of Kochi Muziris Biennale flavor in our agenda.

At Beach - Out in the sun, picking sea shells at the seashore, gals running with the waves, heading towards the fishing boat, but trespassers being prohibited; collecting some sea shells (Kakka), and thus naming us Gika, Prka, Poka and Mika. Lying under the sun, on the stones across the sea. Wondering at the words, climbing trees naming flowers & trees, discovering Mazha Maram...Ah!!!

Chanting I scream, you scream, all scream, for icecream; but having no icecreams! Hangingout; in our own style, and mood, having lunch at the rain garden with three different birayani's; @ Kashi Café playing word game, and finally bidding farewell into our own real life.


Would it be the start and not the end of another dream or reality! Routes taken were blessings in disguise, Sorry some got late, but it was indeed a good day!!!

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

The Kite Runner

This weekend, I finished reading 'The Kite Runner'; it is indeed a great story, that opens our eye, into the reality of east and west....

At times, it did bring tears to our eyes. It had something in relation to 'The Power of One' too,

Something to Ponder was: 'There is only one sin, only one. And that is theft; every other sin is a variation of theft.'; what would you say on it?

We all know it, but in one way or the other, we fall prey to it, Indeed there is Amir and Hassan in each one of us.

Do not know why, the professor would keep comming to my mind, the one who taught along with Amir's mother, and then met him as a beggger on the roads after years.......

We move from certainty of turmoil and drop in a turmoil of uncertainty.

Saturday, February 09, 2013

What Young India Wants......

To know more about Chetan Bhagat visit www.chetanbhagat.com

Great, to see how a qualified from the top two schools in India, having lead a luxrious life abroad, is back to India ......and inspiring Indian youth....

Here is his latest book 'What Young India Wants'

  • Why is there so much of corruption in India?
  • Can't our political parties every work together?
  • Does our vote make any difference at all?
  • We love our India, but shouldn't somethings be different?
  • Why do our students regularly commit suicide?
All of us have asked these questions at sometime or the other, and so does the author, in his first boof of non-fiction.

There are many questions, answers and suggestions, but at the end of it, he asks this important question: unless we are all in agreement on what it is going to take to make our country better, how will things ever change?


Imagine the spark to be lamp’s flame. The first aspect is nurturing- to give your spark the fuel, continuously. The second is to guard against storms.

People with connections, rich dads, beautiful faces, pedigree, find it easier to make it.
Never compromise, to give away your spark. Love yourself.

You cannot avoid the thunderstorm, as like the monsoon, they will come into your life at regular intervals. You just need to keep the raincoat handy to not let the spark die.

We are like prepaid cards, with limited validity. If we are lucky, we may last another fifty years.

Just as there is 'The Great American Dream': James Truslow Adams: "Life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement."

Author has one for Indian: Work hard, prosper, and succeed through innovation and hardwork, and once successful, every citizen should give back to the society that made her or him, what he or she is.





Sunday, February 03, 2013

The 40 Rules of Love-Only Rules

Am sure; Love has no rules! This is from the book;'The 40 Rules of Love' by Elif Shafak.


1. How we see God is a direct reflection of how we see ourselves. If God brings to mind mostly fear and blame, it means there is mostly fear and blame welled inside us. If we see God as full of love and compassion, so are we.

2. The Path to the Truth is a labour of the heart, not of the head. Make your heart your primary guide. Not your mind. Meet, challenge, and ultimately prevail over your nafs (false ego) with your heart. Knowing your ego (higher self/soul) will lead you to the knowledge of God.

3. Each and every reader comprehends the Qur’an/ Bible on a different level in tandem with the depth of his understanding. There are 4 levels of insight.
  • The first level is the outer meaning and it is the one that the majority of people are content with.
  •  Next is the Batum- the inner level.
  • Third there is the inner of the inner.
  • And the fourth level is so deep it cannot be put into words and is therefore bound to be indescribable.    
  •          Scholars who focus on the Sharia/ Bible know the outer meaning.
  •          Sufis/ Lightworkers know the inner meaning.
  •          Saints know the inner of the inner.
  •          The fourth level is known by prophets and those closest to God.
 So don’t judge the way other people connect to God. To each his own way and his own prayer. God does not take us at our word but looks deep into our hearts. It is not the ceremonies or rituals that make a difference, but whether our hearts are sufficiently pure or not.

 4. You can study God through everything and everyone in the universe, because God is not confined in a mosque, synagogue or church. But if you are still in need of knowing exactly where his abode is, there is only one place to look for him: in the heart of a true lover.

 5. Intellect and love are made of two different materials. Intellect ties people in knots and risks nothing, but love dissolves all tangles and risks everything. Intellect is always cautious and advises, “Beware too much ecstasy,” whereas Love says, “Oh never mind. Take the plunge!” Intellect does not easily break down, whereas love can effortlessly reduce itself to rubble. But treasures are hidden amongst ruins. A broken heart hides treasure.

6. Most of the problems of the world stem from linguistic mistakes and simple misunderstandings. Don’t ever take words at face value. When you step into the zone of love, language as we know it becomes obsolete. That which cannot be put into words can only be grasped through silence.

7. Loneliness and solitude are two different things. When you are lonely, it is easy to delude yourself into believing you are on the right path. Solitude is better for us, as it means being alone without being lonely. But eventually it is best to find a person, that person will be your mirror. Remember, only in another person’s heart can you truly see yourself and the presence of God within you.


8. Whatever happens in your life, no matter how troubling things may seem, do not enter the neighbourhood of despair. Even when all doors remain closed, God will open up a new path only for you. Be thankful ! It is easy to be thankful when all is well. A Sufi/Lightworker is thankful not only for what she/he has been given, but also for what she/he has been denied .
  
9. Patience does not mean to passively endure. It means to be farsighted enough to trust the end result of a process. What does patience mean? It means to look at the thorn and see the rose, to look at the night and see the dawn. Impatience means to be so short-sighted as to not be able to see the outcome. The lover’s of God never run out of patience, for they know that time is needed for the crescent moon to become full.
  
10. East, West, South or North makes little difference. No matter what your destination, just be sure to make every journey, a journey within. If you travel within, you’ll travel the whole wide world and beyond.
  
11. The midwife knows that when there is no pain, the way for the baby cannot be opened and the mother cannot give birth. Likewise for a new self to be born, hardship is necessary. Just as day needs to go through intense heat to become strong, Love can only be perfected in pain.

12. The quest for Love changes us. There is no seeker amongst those who search for Love who has not matured along the way. The moment you start looking for Love, you start to change within and without.
  
13. There are more fake gurus and false teachers in this world than the numbers of stars in the visible universe. Don’t confuse power-driven self centred people with true mentors. A genuine spiritual master will not direct your attention to himself or herself and will not expect absolute obedience or utter admiration from you, but instead will help you to appreciate and admire your inner self. True mentors are as transparent as glass. They let the Light of God pass through them.
  
14. Try not to resist the changes that come your way. Instead let life live through you. And do not worry that your life is turning upside down. How do you know that the side you are used to is better than the one to come?

15. God is busy with the completion of your work, both outwardly and inwardly. He is fully occupied with you. Every human being is a work in progress that is slowly and inexorably moving towards perfection. We are each an unfinished work of art, both waiting and striving to be completed. God deals with each of us separately because humanity is a fine art of skilled penmanship where every single dot is equally important for the entire picture.
  
16. It’s easy to love a perfect God, unblemished and infallible that He is. What is far more difficult is to love fellow human beings with all their imperfections and defects. Remember one can only know what one is capable of loving. There is no wisdom without love. Unless we learn to love God’s creation, we can neither truly love nor truly know God.

17. Real Filth is the one inside. The rest simply washes off. There is only one type of dirt that cannot be cleansed with pure waters, and that is the stain of hatred and bigotry contaminating the soul. You can purify your body through abstinence and fasting, but only love will purify your heart.
  
18. The whole universe is contained within a single human being – You. Everything that you see around, including the things you might not be fond of and even the people you despise or abhor, is present within you in varying degrees. Therefore do not look for Satan outside of yourself either. The devil is not an extraordinary force that attacks from without. It is an ordinary voice within. If you get to know yourself fully, facing with honesty and hardness both your dark and light sides, you will arrive at a supreme form of consciousness. When a person knows himself or herself, he or she knows God.
  
19. If you want to change the way others treat you, you should first change the way you treat yourself. Unless you learn to fully love yourself, fully and sincerely, there is no way you can be loved. Once you achieve that stage, however be thankful for every thorn that others might throw at you. It is a sign that you will soon be showered in roses.

20. Fret not where the road will take you. Instead concentrate on the first step. That’s the hardest part and that’s what you are responsible for. Once you take that step let everything do what it naturally does and the rest will follow. Do not go with the flow. Be the flow.
  
21. We were all created in God’s image and yet we were each created different and unique. No two people are alike. No two hearts beat to the same rhythm. If God had wanted everyone to be the same, He would have made it so. Therefore disrespecting differences and imposing your thoughts on others is tantamount to disrespecting God’s holy scheme.

22. When a true lover of God goes into a tavern, the tavern becomes his chamber of prayer, but when a wine bibber goes into the same chamber, it becomes his tavern. In everything we do, it is our hearts that make the difference not our outer appearances. Sufis do not judge other people on how they look or who they are. When a Sufi stares at someone, he keeps both his eyes closed and instead opens a third eye – the eye that sees the inner realm.

23. Life is a temporary loan, and this world is nothing but a sketchy imitation of Reality. Only children would mistake a toy for the real thing. And yet human beings either become infatuated with the toy or disrespectfully break it and throw it aside. In this life stay away from all kinds of extremities, for they will destroy your inner balance. Sufis do not go to extremes. A Sufi always remains mild and moderate.
  
24. The human being has a unique place amongst God’s creation. “I breathed into him of My Spirit,” God says. Each and every one of us without exception is designed to be God’s delegate on earth. Ask yourself, just how often do you behave like a delegate, if you ever do so? Remember, it falls upon each of us to discover the divine spirit inside and live by it.
  
25. Hell is the here and now. So is heaven. Quit worrying about hell or dreaming about heaven, as they are both present in this very moment. Every time we fall in Love, we ascend to heaven. Every time we hate, envy or fight someone, we tumble straight into the fires of hell. Is there a worse hell than the torment a man suffers when he knows deep down in his conscience that he has done something awfully wrong? Ask that man. He will tell you what hell is. Is there a better paradise than the bliss that descends upon a man at those rare moments in life, when the bolts of the universe fly open and he feels in possession of all the secrets of eternity and united with God? Ask that man. He will tell you what heaven is?
  
26. The universe is one being. Everything and everyone is interconnected through an invisible web of stories. Whether we are aware of it or not, we are all in a silent conversation. Do no harm. Practise compassion. And do not gossip behind anyone’s back – not even a seemingly innocent remark! The words that come out of our mouths do not vanish, but are perpetually stored in infinite space, and they will come back to us in due time. One man’s pain will hurt us all. One man’s joy will make everyone smile.

27. This world is like a snowy mountain that echoes your voice. Whenever you speak, good or evil, it will somehow come back to you. Therefore if there is someone who harbours ill thoughts about you, saying similarly bad things about him will only make matters worse. You will be locked in a vicious circle of malevolent energy. Instead for forty days and nights say and think nice things about that person. Everything will be different at the end of forty days, because you will be different inside.

28. The past is an interpretation. The future is an illusion. The world does not move through time as if it were a straight line, proceeding from the past to the future. Instead time moves through us and within us, in endless spirals. Eternity does not mean infinite time, but simply timelessness. If you want to experience eternal illumination, put the past and the future out of your mind and remain within the present moment. The present moment is all there is and all that there will ever be.
  
29. Destiny doesn’t mean that your life has been strictly predetermined. Therefore to leave everything to fate and to not actively contribute to the music of the universe is a sign of sheer ignorance. “The music of the universe is all pervading and it is composed on forty different levels. Your destiny is the level where you will play your tune. You might not change your instrument but how well to play is entirely in your hands. ”

30. The true Sufi/Lightworker is such that even when he is unjustly accused, attacked and condemned from all sides, he patiently endures, uttering not a single bad word about any of his critics. She/he never apportions blame. How can there be opponents or rivals or even “others” when there is no “self” in the first place? How can there be anyone to blame when there is only One?

31. If you want to strengthen your faith, you will need to soften inside. For your faith to be rock solid, your heart needs to be as soft as a feather. Through an illness, accident, loss or fright, one way or another, we are all faced with incidents that teach us how to become less selfish and judgemental and more compassionate and generous. Yet some of us learn the lessons and manage to become milder, while some others end up becoming even harsher than before. The only way to get closer to the Truth is to expand your heart so that it will encompass all humanity and still have room for more Love.

32. Nothing should stand between yourself and God. Not imams, priests, rabbis or any other custodians of moral or religious leadership. Not spiritual masters, not even your faith. Believe in your values and your rules but never lord them over others. If you keep breaking other people’s hearts, whatever religious duty you perform is no good. Stay away from all sorts of idolatry, for they will blur your vision. Let God and only God be your guide. Learn the Truth but be careful not to make a fetish out of your truths.

33. While everyone in this world strives to get somewhere and become someone, only to leave it all behind after death, you aim for the supreme stage of nothingness. Live this life as light and empty as the number zero. We are no different from a pot. It is not the decorations outside but the emptiness inside that holds us straight. Just like that, it is not what we aspire to achieve but the consciousness of nothingness that keeps us going.

34. Submission does not mean being weak or passive. It leads to neither fatalism nor capitulation. Just the opposite. True power resides in submission – a power that comes from within. Those who submit to the divine essence of life will live in unperturbed tranquillity and peace even when the whole wide world goes through turbulence after turbulence.
  
35. In this world, it is not similarities or regularities that take us a step forward, but blunt opposites. And all the opposites in the universe are present within each and every one of us. Therefore the believer needs to meet the unbeliever residing within. And the unbeliever should get to know the silent faithful in him. Until the day one reaches the stage of being the perfect human being, faith is a gradual process and one that necessitates its seeming opposite: disbelief.

36. This world is erected upon the principle of reciprocity. Neither a drop of kindness nor a speck of evil will remain unreciprocated. Fear not the plots, deceptions or tricks of other people. If someone is setting a trap remember so is God. He is the biggest plotter. Not even a leaf sits outside of God’s knowledge. Simply and fully believe in that. Whatever God does He does beautifully.

37. God is a meticulous clockmaker. So precise is His order that everything on earth happens in its own time. Neither a minute late nor a minute early. And for everyone without exception the clock works accurately. For each there is a time to love and a time to die.

38. It is never too late to ask yourself, “Am I ready to change the life I am living? Am I ready to change within?” Even if a single day in your life is the same as the day before, it surely is a pity. At every moment and with each new breath, one should be renewed and renewed again. There is only one way to be born into a new life: to die before death.

39. While the parts change, the whole always remains the same. For every thief who departs the world, a new one is born. And every decent person who passes away is replaced by a new one. In this way not only does nothing remain the same but also nothing ever really changes.

40. “A life without love is of no account. Don’t ask yourself what kind of love you should seek, spiritual or material, divine or mundane, Eastern or Western…. divisions only lead to more divisions. Love has no labels, no definitions. It is what it is pure and simple. Love is the water of life. And a lover is a soul of fire. The universe turns differently when fire loves water

Saturday, February 02, 2013

The Card Reading....

A month of the void......

Thanks to the Angels already knew of the other question as the reading addresses both points







The two of water signifies your emotions. The picture shows a merman and a mermaid swimming in the water with a blue whale. The card reads: a relationship that continues to grow closer, Forgiveness, The positive resolution of a conflict. I think this relates to your father and yourself. You had a lovely opportunity to spend time with him before he left this planet and you grew much closer. You need to forgive yourself for not being there when he passed and you need to forgive him for leaving. Only then can you start to move on.


The five of air show's a gathering of unicorns standing in a circle all together 'chatting' and supporting each other through life. The air sign signifies the intellect and I think you are trying to reconcile what has
happened, to justify it in your mind. To learn what you can from it.



The four of air, also a card about the mind, shows a unicorn asleep at the foot of a tree whilst a white unicorn and a brown unicord look on with love. Almost as if they are taking care of her whilst she sleeps. The card reads: Time to rest or take a vacation, Allow more time before making a decision, Meditation may provide answers :)



I think if you look at the reading as a whole, meditation may be the vehicle that helps to heal the void. I definitely think you should pursue it. Talking and communing with others can only take you so far, the answer is within yourself and meditation wil help you to hear that still small voice within.



With love and bright blessing!

Sunday, January 27, 2013

The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Şhafak

The protagonist, Ellen Rubinstein; turning 40, is married with three children and blessed with a pleasant home but was not a fulfilled person. She had emptiness in her heart- an emptiness which could be filled only with love! She takes a job as a reader for a literary agent.


Her first assignment is to read and report on Sweet Blasphemy, a novel yet to be published written by a man named A. Z Zahara. A novel within a novel, The Forty Rules of Love tells two parallel stories that mirror each other across two very different cultures and seven intervening centuries. The spiritual love of the 13th century poet, Rumi, for the wandering dervish, Shams of Tabriz and the present day love between Ella, and, Aziz Zahara. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about, Rumi, Shams (a fascinating character)and the world they lived in. Sub stories of Alladin, Hasan the beggar, Desert Rose, Baybars, Kimya, Kerra and Suleiman the drunk where apt and inspiritn. But I found the affair between Ella and Aziz rather contrived and irritating.

In an age of deeply-embedded bigotries and clashes, Shams of Tabriz and the great Rumi had stood for a universal spirituality, opening their doors to people of all backgrounds equally. They spoke of love as the essence of life, love that connected us all across centuries, cultures and cities.

I'm glad I read the book. It's made me want to read Rumi's poetry and to learn more about Rumi, Shams (if he existed), and about Sufism. The book has set me off on a new path of enquiry, and for that I'm extremely grateful! Indeed Elif Shafak was able to take the words and poems of Sufi Islam wisdom, and make them tangible, clear, and accessible to the present generation!

------   Each of the 40 Rules are especial, though the essence is Love:


 Mystic thought forty symbolizes the ascent from one level to a higher one and spiritual awakening? When we moun we moun for forty days. When a baby is born it takes forty days for him to get ready to start life on earth. And when we are in love we need to wait for forty days to be sure of our feelings.



The flood of Noah lasted forty days, and while the waters destroyed life, they also washed all impurity away and enabled human beings to make a new, fresh start. In Islamic mysticism htere are forty degrees between man and God. Likewise, there are four basic stages of consciousness and ten degrees in each, making forty levels in total. Jesus went into the wilderness for forty days and nights. Muhammed was forty years old when he received the call to become a prophet. Buddha meditated under a linder tree for forty days...Not to mention the forty rules of Shams...

-----

Submission is a form of peaceful acceptance of the terms of universe, including the things we are currently unable to change or comprehend.

There are four stages in reading any book:
1. Understand the outer meaning
2. Take deep plunge and understand the inner meaning
3.Read with the inner eye.
4. Language fails, you step into love and you understand.

There are seven stages on the path to Truth:
1.  Depraved Nafs: The soul is entrapped in worldly pursuit. It blames others for their unhappiness.
2. Accusing Naf: Start of the journey towards innerpurification. Blaming Self.
3. Inspired Nafs: Where one can surrender
4. Serene Nafs
5. Pleased Nafs
6. Pleasing Nafs: Lantern to humanity, radiating energy to everyone who ask for it.
7. Purified Nafs: High level

Thursday, January 24, 2013

No body knows when the time to say good bye is...

Ode on Solitude:


Happy the man, whose wish and care
A few paternal acres bound,
Content to breathe his native air,
In his own ground.

Whose herds with milk, whose fields with bread,
Whose flocks supply him with attire,
Whose trees in summer yield him shade,
In winter fire.

Blest! who can unconcern'dly find
Hours, days, and years slide soft away,
In health of body, peace of mind,
Quiet by day,

Sound sleep by night; study and ease
Together mix'd; sweet recreation,
And innocence, which most does please,
With meditation.

Thus let me live, unseen, unknown;

Thus unlamented let me die;
Steal from the world, and not a stone
Tell where I lie.


------

He reached at all places, spoke to every one, loved having people around, talking with people.....but above all, he loved to be on his own ground, tilling the soil, setting home and around.

He did challenge in Dec 2012 that within 6 months time he would drive to Ekm from Ckdy....???

And he proved to us, his favourate two quotes; which he would often say: 'Time & tide waits for no man" and "All for himself and God for all".

He would often say that he would not live till he is 74; would not be as old as his father was, would die of heart-attack; but did not want to have a sudden death. Wanted people around, not keep his body for long after death, but drink water and die.....And indeed he had a peaceful death as desired....Leaving behind memories....

Had read that those having Prostate Cancer don't die of it, but die with it....and Indeed Dr. Confirmed on 22nd, that it was cardiac arrest; and there was no need for regrets, as otherwise things would be difficult to bear. He could have lived for 6 more months, but the condition would have detioriarated. People with this disease die either of cardiar arrest or of fix, more often, and having fix is difficult to see or bear.

Having discharged from hospital, he wanted to reduce medicine intake and get better so skipped his afternoon medicine, had a hearty dinner; his favourate Nai  chooru (Gee rice). Next day morning he had two idlis and that was the last solid food....Set off at night around 8.45-9.00.; silently and peacefully; having water from Amma.

It was a remarkable journey of 9-10 months as in womb, having had the opportunity to be all my himself in front of the Guruvayoor Nada; inside the main area; for more than half an hour as an elephant was going hither-titther outside where he prayed that all he wanted is a death without pain, and requested God to take him away before he had to bear a lot of pain. Don't know if the medicines were relally effective, and he did not sufffer much, or was it that he did not complain. Again I am reminded....

Never admit the pain,
Burey it deep,
Only the weak complain,
Complain is cheap....

No body knows when the time to say good bye is...and take nothing when they leave, but yes they do leave behind memories......Create the memory you want to leave behind.....

Thursday, January 17, 2013

When someone you love dies......


The void will always remain!

Having prayed for miracle, the miracle received was on 3rd Jan, after being discharged from hospital, and waiting for the next appointment on the 11th, Achan left for his heavenly abode....That was God's plan, may be because temporary cure could not be found, we needed to be seperated for sometime, untill we meet again.

Waiting for time to heal, but am sure the scar would remain, the initial feeling is that it can't be true! The bombshell opens a wound in our hearts that would keep healing, but will never be healed. Losing any loved one is hard.

It is normal to grieve and weep when a loved one dies. Various people had various symptoms of grief:

1. Initial shock, disbelief, denial, emotional numbness, guilt feeling (sometimes one may feel that some neglect on your part contributed to your loved one's death-real or imagined), anger.

2. Memory loss and insomnia; extreme fatigue; abrupt changes of mood; flawed judgement and thinking; bouts of crying; appetite changes, with resultant weight loss or gain; a variety of symptoms of disturbed health; lethargy; reduced work capacity; hallucinations-feeling, hearing, seeing the deceased, in the loss of a child, irrational resentment of your spouse. (Since my Uncles death, my grandmother had memory loss, some kept making fun of her when what was needed is caring her)

3. Leveling-off period: Sadness with nostalgia; more pleasant memories of the deceased, even tinged with humor.

Don't let others dictate... How you should act or feel.

Forgive them and forget about it. By trying to force yourself into a mold created by others or by society as a whole, you stunt your growth toward restored emotional health. However danger arised when stagnation sets in, when the grief-stricken person is unable to reconcile to the reality of the situation. It is then help  might be needed.

Releaseing Grief-How?

  • Talking
  • Writing
  • Crying
  • Prayer

Some practical suggestions:

  • Rely on friends.
  • Take care of your health.
  • Postpone major decisions
  • Be patient with yourself.
  • Make allowances for others.
  • Beware of using medication or alcohol to cope with grief, it should be only under doctors supervision.
  • Get back into a regular routine.
  • Developn your hobby.
  • Do not be afraid to let go of acute grief.
  • Do not be unduly anxious.
  • Not sure about others, for me, it helped thinking of Orphans, visiting orphanage having food with them, and thinking about cousins who had lost their parents when they were young.

    When a grieving person talks, listen, and don't offer advice. In every culture, grieving people appreciate receiving comfort.

How Can others Help

What to do...

  • Listen
  • Provide reassurance (They did all that was possible, etc..anything that is ture and positive)
  • Offer your sholder to cry.
  • Put  in arms, wrap them around to comfort
  • Be available; not just during the initial days, more required afterwords.
  • Take appropriate initiative
  • Be hospitable
  • Be Patient and understanding
  • Write a letter
  • Pray with them
What not to do...

  • Do not keep away because you do not know what to say or do.
  • Do not pressure them to stop grieving
  • Do not be quick to advice them to dicard clothing or other personal effects of the deceased before they are ready.
  • Do not say, 'You can have another..."
  • Do not necessarily avoid mentioning the departed one.
  • Do not be too quick to say, it was for the best.
  • It may be better not to say, 'I know how you feel'
  • Phone calls at that time,may seem to be nuisance, and some may not like attending it. SMS would be ok
Helping a bereaved person calls for compassion, discernment, and much love on your part. Do not wait for the bereaved one to come to you. Do not simply say, " If there's anything I can do...." Find that "anything" yourself, and then take the appropriate initiative.

Question: Do we say Hearty Condolences or is it Heartfelt?


God forbid; people are needed to be around.....Ability lies in buiding relationship, comforting in the hour of need and being together and not in breaking; or creating problems at the time of crises. 

No matter how much we love another person, we cannot control his or her life, nor can we prevent "time and unforseen occurrence" from befalling those we love.  Nobody knows when the time to say Good Bye is!

It is important to be open and honest about your feelings. But there is no need to blame others for your anger and frustration. So be mindful of talking out your feelings, but not in a hostile way. Do not hesitate to use the real words such as dead and death. Terms like Sleep, out for a long journey, etc. would confuse and create fear in the minds of children.

 Healing happens as you release the hurt. Be honest about your feelings, acknowledge them and then release them to the universe. You are supported in many ways.

One will need a lot of strength, patience and most important time  to moan and to accept the grief.

There have always been few trusted people around in the hour of need, irrespective of the distance, they reach us on time....Thanks to all relatives, friends, and colleagues for the support; thoughts, regrets and regards.  Incredible to find so many connect to the thoughts and feelings, at this juncture and be there around, irrespective of the distance and diseases.

The first one year is going to be unbearable, especially on the ocassion of events...

When your loved one; your companion die, and if you are unable to cope with it; by and large over time, pain turns into grief, grief turns into silence, and silence turns into lonesomeness, as vast and bottomless as the dark oceans..

If I am destined to live, little by little, I/one turns forty, fifty and sixty.....The universe is turning, constantly and relentlessly, and so are the earth and the moon,Even I/we Need to keep walking,


People always say that the worst thing which can happen is when a child dies before the parent does.

When a parent dies, no matter if too early or peaceful while at sleep, it is dramatic for the child, who carries so many memories and life experience through their parents with them. And basically, we are always children as long as our parents are alive.


 We cannot share any moment with the person we have lost – only memories; and I belive this is apt for my father: