Let it be His way...

Sometimes presence of God around us is so strongly felt. We are given no choice. But to believe in Him, and accept His plan. May be its His way to make us aware of his presence.

Mumbai meri jaan

Yesterday I saw Mumbai meri jaan. My say on the movie is, Indian bollywood has been elevated to a new height in the recent past. Movies like summer 2007, Dor, Black n White, a Wednesday and to an extent “C” kompnay have not been made only for the box office, but to awaken the sleeping mankind.
Indian film industry is indeed doing a fantabulous job by making movies on subjects which no one likes to touch. Which no one likes to speak about. Not only is it making people aware of the facts n reality, but also lessening the gap that has come between humans.
Mumbai meri jaan for example might appear to some of the audiences as just a a story about the situation after the blasts in Mumbai. I feel that theres more to it, played by actor Paresh Rawal.
The concept of common man has been common in these films. How a common man feels is clearly portrayed by the script. And not only the helplessness of a common man, but also what a common man can do, is depicted. A common man has the strongest power in his hands. Whereas on the contrast, common man feels that he can do nothing. If a common man comes down to doing something, he alone would be sufficient to shake n break all the negativities in the society. What is needed is awareness. Awareness of how to use his powers, so that it goes in a positive direction only, n another Godhra is not created again.
When a common man revolts, a mob of revolutionaries (actively or passively) follow him. This mob should know which direction to take, otherwise it just creates another problem instead of a solution.
Father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi was one such figure who knew how to steer the mob in a positive direction. It doesn’t take any extra powers to become a leader like that. We just need to realize the main motto of our lives, of our revolution. Its not necessary to become a leader. Its not necessary to create disturbances. What is necessary is, to bring a positive change in the society.
Aggression or offensiveness isn’t needed. Calm minds with deeper insights are needed. A clear purpose is needed for a revolution. A revolution which is not aimed at harming, but creating more peace, is needed. For this revolution, one doesn’t have to go n sit on roads. One doesn’t need to protest. One just needs to understand. Understanding their own selves n everyone around them. One needs to be reminded of brotherhood. One needs to be reminded that everyone of us is made of the same tissue n bone. Everyone of us has blood flowing through our veins. Everyone of us is the same creation of God. The first n foremost thing about being alive is, we are similar creation of God. It hurts everyone the same way when some harm is caused. Religion, castes, status, all these are man made things. If everyone around the world is stripped off with the name, religion, money, status etc, we would be the same common man. When at that time we can understand n accept each other,y cant we right now. Why cant we accept that we are one. That its just are ways of living which is different. Why should we do anything which could harm anyone in the world. What would we feel if we were at their place. And we would be, one day or the other.
People who know me say im impractical. I want you all to help me become practical. I want you all to suggest me ways.
Would you help?

system..God knows..

Every day theres some or the other news in the newspaper stating a murder probe going on without any outcome, or some bribary case, or some minister who has been freed in spite of having done so many crimes.

Everyday there are so many people who are fighting with the system for some or the other cause.

In every political or govt body theres an inner fight going on at some stage against the system.

In our day to day lives we find so many examples everyday where there are struggles, fights against the system, agitation..helplessness, corruption, improper functioning of the system etc etc.

And in all these issues the sufferers are the same people, like us, no different than us, who have to go through all the pain alone.

But we, human being, we the intellectual ones, wont care. We are so busy in earning money and fame, that we don’t have time for all these stupid things. And even if we do, why should we indulge in this dirty system politics. Its better to stay away.

We don’t realize this small thing, that this would one day come onto us also. This would one day be our own problem. And then, just like we are saying it right now, people would say for us. Why would they want to indulge for a fight that is our own.

This way our world wont go anywhere. We will always remain a part of this dirty system. We would always keep on knowingly or unknowingly encouraging the dirty system, until a day would come. That day, our lives would suffer the consequences. That day our daughter would be killed like arushi and we would be convicted for murder. That day our own family members would be run down by a car by some rich kid. That day our own parents would be killed just for petty some of money by the robbers. That day we would get no doctors at any hospital to save our kins.

But we, blinded by our own selfishness, wont ever understand this, until we go through it. The worst factor of our mankind is this, we don’t learn from others experiences. We wait for it to happen with us.

What happened with Mr. Bachchan recently is the example of same system politics. He can do so much for the society. He can be a real life hero, by making people aware of the system. By gradually making a change in the society. He has a great fan following too. But we humans, we say that we will reach an esteemed position in the society and then think of this. And when we reach that position, we start considering ourselves above than all of this petty politics.

What a shame on us!!

We just think of our own selves. Never do we think about those who are suffering daily. Never do we think to change the system, to atleast help for a cause.

Life is a circle. Everything would come back to us one day. Every single event would be repeated. Just the difference would be, that time it would be us.

We are not intended to jump into some fight or start a revolution. Neither are we expected to sacrifice everything we have. We just have to show a little gesture to those who are sufferings. How can we say that we cant change the system. There are 1.13 billion people in india. All we have to do is to make those people who are running the state, to follow the system in its exact form. Are 1.13 billion people in any way incapable of doing it?

Even if we spare just an hour per week to think about it, we can make a change. It starts from within us, not outside us.

All we are intended to do id, to form a society of like minded people. This way atleast with the help of technology we can support and discuss with each other.

If we want, we can do a lot. But do we really want it? Are we willing to save our own selves from this system?

And if not, then please do remember, your turn to bear the blade would come soon. That time, you wont have any option, but to curse yourself for not bringing in the change.

do you agree?

i feel that todays world is blindly searching for something which actually doesnt at all exist in the world. it exists in ones own inner self.
i have a joint family, n i feel, sometimes we become so insensitive towards our own relatives, for the sole reason that we start thinking of our own individual happiness. we start believing that whatever money we have for example, or the resources we have, are created by ourselves.we forget that it is just a role given to us,to play , n this money is a part of that role, not of our own self.
we start thinking of our happiness by making people around us down. whereas we should think that until n unless we make everyone around us happy, until n unless we make our souls happy, we wont be able to become happy from inside.
we stop compromising on small small things, for our materialistic happiness. n its there that we seclude ourselves from everyone thinking that we can be happier alone. its then that we start dividing ourselves, or to say, disuniting ourselves.
we stop looking at those actual happiness that we get in a family. we stop sharing the emotions or feelings of people around us. we become dead to our own self.
also, the only thing, i feel which can bind a family together is love,i feel. n love is not taking,but giving. n actually when we experience it we will feel that we get more happiness in giving than in getting.
n hence this phenomenon totally discards any boundations or expectations from someone whom you love. because one would obviously want the person whom one loves to be happy, in whichever way.
if we understand this basic phenomenon of love n family, we can make the whole world a family. n all we will have to do is, share their feelings n emotions, share love, n experience the only truth which exists in all of us, which is God.
in practice it may seem difficult, n impractical, but if we start thinking beyond our own selves, beyond just our own needs n happiness, we would start our journey on the road to oneness.
n then, the principle of vasudhaiv kutumbkam would definitely come true.

Chain Reaction

What it started out was with a mere need to spend time with my brother. His excitement about watching a movie was infectious. So with the little time that we had in our hands...we went to see the movie. The movie was great and we soon came out of the hall replaying the good scenes that we had witnessed on the screen for the past two hours.

Now what I don’t understand about Indian cinemas is why the air-conditioning is so darn cold. So call of nature beckoned me towards the loo.I had the parking ticket in my hand which I handed over to my brother telling him to keep it carefully...else we won’t be able to take out our vehicle. Now here begins our movie...

As soon as I come out of the bathroom...I found him looking frantically for something...I ask what’s up??He looked at me and just said that I lost the ticket. Generally I don’t flare up but this thing got me really mad because this was the second time he was doing this and that too going by his habit he was bound to repeat...What angered me was not the fact that he lost the ticket but his nature and the foreseeable problems that would result due to his forgetful nature..

I did give him my share of anger and accusations. But he being a teenager was I guess on his own road trip. Instead of listening to me he told me that who are these people and what will they do...Let me talk to them I’ll put them straight...How dare hey ask me for the ticket and all...

This further put fuel on my anger which was now directed towards him for being so insensitive and all...As we were bickering about this whole issue we had come to the road. After much adieu our vehicle was given to us and we were on our way home.

Out of nowhere this rickshaw driver comes and pulls his rickshaw in front of us...Blocking the free left turn...I don’t know what happened but I found myself shouting at the rickshaw puller about how he should not have blocked the way and all..And I went on. On the way back...When my anger simmered down I realised what I had done.

I had created a chian reaction. I was angry at my brother for my reasons...and I directed that anger towards a rickshaw puller who in reality had nothing to do with the entire episode. This led me to think that that rickshaw puller is also a human. And due to my firing he would/might go home and maybe shout at his wife. Another example of displaced anger. The wife in turn would shout at maybe the mother-in-law or the kids in the house. Now for no fault of this family they had become the receiving end of my anger.

Had I controlled my reaction then itself and instead of shouting at the man…had I said things calmly, the chain would have stopped then itself. I had managed to get calm after coming home but then what about the rickshaw puller. It created a cycle that would eventually spread in the entire world.

And maybe someday come back to me…

I learnt a lesson today…the book of Life gave me knowledge that I needed and it wanted me to spread it…

A humble request to all who read this…a second of thought before anger can make this world a better place to be in…

-OM-

just you..

sometimes it feels so lonely..even when in a crowd..
sometimes you just cant control to shout out loud..
different people...different faces..
different thinking...different places..
sometimes you just dont want to adjust..
you just feel so restless..
every relatation seems vague..
life seems to be smitten by plague..
its suffocating..
every now and then your life is undulating..
every face is converted to a devil..
it hurts so much as if you are kept on an anvil..
nothing could be done to change..
every effort you make is chained..
complete darkness surrounds you...
the ghosts of these darkness scream around you..
you feel severe pain as if you are being burnt..
and that hate keeps on growing on the personal front..
God cant be so bad..
and what about all the good time that you've had...
all of it becomes a nightmare..
waking you up, in hell, no one to spare..
thats what you actually are..
alone...and too far..
helpless and orphaned..
shunned by every one..
loosing hope in all the closed ones near you..
still alive,still in the world,and nothing you can do..
its just you...
you in you, you around you..
just you...

The solitary conversation

Sanchita wrote :

Getting on the bus home with two other friends after a hard day at college was a relief. I chose to sit alone on the inside of the twin seats near the window. Looking out I saw a variety of people. From black to white, like colors. The sky was harsh yellow with the afternoon sun and possibility of rain was nil.

Just as the bus was about to pull out, a thin dingy figure came and sat next to me. She had the most remarkable features. Dark and crinkled hairs were falling out of her braided plait. And she wore black. Her eyes were hidden behind black sunshades and she clutched a navy blue bag. I had been strictly told not to start a conversation with a stranger so I kept my silence. I was startled when a deep voice said hello to me.

Regaining my composure (I had actually expected a squeak of a voice), I also responded. That initiated the conversation which was mostly from her side. Talking about what I was doing, to my hobbies and if I had ever been abroad, she asked every question that must have come to her mind. Now after a hard day of attending lectures I was in no mood for a conversation.

But her enthusiasm kept increasing. She kept talking and I listening. Now I am a sort of a person who has a wild imagination. She was clutching her bag tightly and the fact that she never took off her glasses scared me.

What if she was a terrorist and there is a bomb in her bag. I had almost half the mind to get of getting up and getting off the bus.

I still don't know what stopped me...

The conversation shifted to the cost of living abroad and its comparison to India . I showed interest at this and started telling her the positives and negatives of both living in India and abroad. And how I lived there and what I ate and all..

She sat there looking deeply interested and then she told me how it is her dream to go abroad, but she is assimilating money at the moment. Now my thoughts shifted to her character and my moral alarm went off. But thinking better I thought not to jump onto conclusions.

Most of the time she kept looking out of the window, but she never took her glasses off as if they were the most treasured piece of jewelry that she had ever owned. She also sat in an awkward position, something like a prenatal baby.

Thinking that she was scared of traveling alone, I offered her the inner seat which she gratefully accepted. The bus rolled by on the hot scorching streets of Delhi . The journey resumed its silence once more. I was thankful. My thoughts had already shifted to home and the lunch that awaited there. The assignments to be submitted...

You are beautiful she suddenly said. I was taken aback. I thanked her. No other words came to me.

I felt bad about ignoring her all this while. Going back on the entire conversation that I had with this stranger sitting next to me, I thought how one sided it had sounded. She never meant anything bad and maybe was just lonely.

The stop came and I and my friends got down the bus. Giving one last look, as the bus rolled by, I bade farewell to a stranger who called me beautiful.

Sanchita Sahay

Identity and Personality

Ganoba wrote :

At birth we receive the gift of an identity (asmita). Identity is about whom we are and the purpose for which we have been born. The circumstances of our birth; the time and place of birth, the family and community in which we are born, the kind of body we have received
etc can be useful pointers of our identity. They are not determinants of identity but only its indicators. Thus if we are born into a Brahmin family we are not Brahmins. We may at best have the potential to be one. It is true about any other creed, profession, ethnicity or nationality. Children born anywhere do grow with ease in any other setting. They, however, retain an urge to find out about their roots. This seems to indicate that the circumstances of our birth have some basic relationship with our identity.

In the process of growing up we have to interact with our environment. In doing so, we have to make choices at every step of the journey. The nature of choices we make determines what we become, the personality (vyaktimatva) we develop. When we are very young, others make choices on our behalf. Later they help us to make these choices. Some families and communities continue to make life choices on behalf of the individual stunting natural development. In the process, many people turn rebels and make reactive choices. Many of the choices, which are determined by out dated societal standards are such that the personality develops in a way not congruent with the identity, a situation ripe for inner conflict.
Personality is like a shell and identity is like the core. When the shell does not match the core there is a lot of noise and confusion. In the rare instances when they are congruent we see genius at work. Such a person acts with natural ease and grace. Such people are clear about who they are and what their mission in life is. We have quite a few instances of people who at a very young age know who they are and what their mission in life is. They are able to withstand the pressure of the immediate family to pursue their life goal.
What about the vast majorities who are swallowed by family tradition and end up living life in conflict and confusion? What about those who are lost and keep drifting from pillar to post? Is their no redemption for them? Of course there is. I was one such lost soul and have managed to find my natural bearings. I know many others who have done so. It has been my privilege to help many others to make the turn around towards their true being. I can, therefore say with
certainty that all is not lost.

Initially the turn around is like standing on the head and appears impractical and impossible. But I can assure you that it is possible, progressively enjoyable and graceful. We need to find a guide who is clear in mind, firm in practice and compassionate. He/she would continually urge us to look inwards and be guided by what appears on the mind screen. He/she would urge us to try out suggestions and look for results of our actions, both outside and inside. He/she would
invite us to share our findings with other co-travelers. This process sets up a learning spiral, which will eventually and surely lead us to our real self, our true identity. This will also ensure that our worldly persona would be congruent with the core ending all conflict and confusion.
If I can be of any help in this journey I would be honoured to do so.

Ganoba
A co-traveler

The Way

Whenever someone performs a noble deed, an act that softens the heart, opens the mind, brings a lump in the throat and moistens the eyes, we say he/she went out of the way to do it. I have often wondered, if doing a noble act is going out of the way then what is the way? Is living a blinkered existence the way? Living like a pre-programmed robot, unable to take into account
emerging reality, is that the way? Single mindedly (or is it mindlessly) working to make a living, to make money, chasing after notional success and the approval of faceless others, is that the
way? It was prescribed as the way but in reality it was a maze in which I was left chasing my tail. It is all a play of Maya.

I have lived this way for many years and experienced the ennui of it, the vacuous ness, the edginess, and the meaninglessness. It provides a cosmetic glory for a while but the after taste of guilt, of missing the bus, of being lost, saps the soul of its vitality, of a sense of purpose. It has taken me hours of toil to get out of the maze and find the way. In retrospect the struggle too, was an illusion. What was happening was a process of finding the cheese, away from the one that was placed there in the maze by someone else who was having a ball at my expense.

Slowly but surely I stopped paying attention to the signals coming from out there, the market place. For a while I felt clueless. Worse was the sense of being valueless. It felt as if all my senses had gone numb. I had no clue of what was out there. I had to literally grope for my way. Gradually a light appeared at the end of the tunnel. I soon realized that this was also an illusion. There was no tunnel and no light at the end of it. Gradually it dawned that I was the tunnel and I was the light, that there was no beginning and no end. There was no going anywhere and no coming from somewhere. There was no journey. There was no way. This is it.

When the sages say Aham Bramh Asmi, are they referring to this state of being?

Ganoba

a blog to an eminent media figure

Dear Sir,
I am a student of engineering in Delhi.I really admire your work,your stamina,your energy,your style.Its not been long since I have started going through your blogs,and i am already so much inspired by you.But sir,my expectations from you range a little more further.In the sense to say,sir,its people like you who can change the mindset of the coming generations.Don’t you think so that you have powers to inspire people to walk in a different and positive direction in their lives.Talking about crime and ways of crime on TV would just enhance crime.It would just make people aware of the methodologies.Instead,if we talk about things which are spreading peace,for example “seva cafe” in ahmedabad or for instance say “CRY”,wont it be a better way to inspire people.
Daily in newspapers we read about the crime around us.Don’t you feel that every person who reads the newspaper or articles relating to that,is getting affected.For example if there is an article on road rage,our brain is so accustomed that we start imagining the whole episodes in our minds.And hence we start thinking that ways.Suppose there is some article on racial discrimination,people start visualizing themselves.Don’t you feel,sir,that being such a prominent figure in media,you should come out on TV publically to speak on these kind of issues.Nowadays,in the international section,everyday we read about how every country is buying new weapons,on the name of safety.I feel,these nations are just preparing for war.They are just getting ready.And the day that even one country provokes it,the whole world would be destroyed.
I know sir,that you do try to bring a change.I know the system,and i know that we are all just a part of it.Just wanted to share it with you.May be that there is something that you can do.Thank you for your time…

khuda kay liye..

khuda kay liye kuchh aisa karo,
ke har khuda ka banda jee uthe,
ki har chehre pe muskan ho,
ki har banda khul ke jee sake,
na koi darr,na ranjish,
na koi mann motav,na bandish,
kuchh aisa ki sab ek ho jae,
har dharm,har jaati,har mazhab,
ek hi rab me samaaye,
khuda ke liye kuchh aisa karo,
ki dard ho samne wale ko,
to mehsus hame ho,
ki hamara pyar rang roop na dekhe,
na hi pyar ki koi bhi seema ho,
insan paiso ki jagah pyar ke peechhe daude,
aur pyar hi sabse keemti daulat ho.
kuchh aisa karo khuda ke liye..

culture and choices

can we allow our son/daughter to choose whatever he/she wants to wear.if yes then why.we are parents.we are responsible for what he/she wears.we are responsible for making our wards look pretty/handsome.for making them wearing things which could reflect us in them.which could reflect our culture in them.what is culture....culture is a well established phenomenon followed by the then society.
so what is culture according to me.culture is tehzeeb according to me.for childrens,it is to follow the ethics that could reflect that culture.like for example wearing a suit.which is made for girls.which is designed since so many ages.
but nowadays we wear western outfits.should we allow??....atleast we can groom up our daughters/sons to be how we want to see them....we can put values n sanskar in them since beginning so that they like wearing such clothes....so that they give more preference to such clothes....n y shouldnt they...they reflect our culture....when we are teaching them basic ethics.....for eg-to uphold their respect,to behave decently,why dont we give them our cultures ethics too....of wearing clothes that reflect our culture....n if we dont say then who will....they are not going to have a dream about it......n if we say that ok...we leave them upto their choice....wont our culture be pulled back.....even if one starts wearing jeans...just out of attraction many would start....n then culture would convert into craze.....fashion.....but cant fashion come in suits...it does....like sleeveless....n all kinds of different tops n lowers.....so what is culture...n where is it.....in hands of whom.....
if i belong to lucknow,is that a crime.....if i try to put culture in my son/daughter by telling her to wear salwar suits,rather than jeans...or kurta paijama in case of boys.am i doing a crime...
or would u say that culture in itself is not right....culture needs to change....if it is so....then what about the ethics...how is there a way to control....for eg...there was a time when love marriage was considered a bane...but now its common....you can see girls openly going out with guys n doing all sorts of things....hasnt the culture corrupted then?shouldnt we maintain it to prevent further advancements....or should we leave everything..should we leave it upto their choice....
the same question.....should we influence their choice...or should we just let them make their choice...
if we let them make their choices.....wont the culture go in wrong hands.....its said one wrotten fish spoils the whole tank....wont it come true...
upto u to decide now....
comfort or culture??
culture or fashion??
culture or independence??
independence or experience of our elders??
our own choices...or choices of those more experienced by us??