Tagged!

Archana made a master plan to break the montony of my poetic blogs, so here I go...

Rules of this tag,

1. Name the person who tagged you.
2. 8 things about you.
3. Tag 6 people.

So as mentioned earlier it is Archana who tagged me.

8 Things about me

1. I am a foodie. I love to hog, though my weighing scale hates me for this. My latest craze is Mexican food. I am currently working on developing some healthy eating habits.

2. I hate to arrange dishes in the kitchen. These days my husband has generously agreed to do this chore for me for a second dose of coffee in the morning.

3. I love to comb my hair. In fact I love to comb anybody’s hair. This hobby of mine dates back to when I was a child. I use to make pig tails for my dad, uncle and sometimes even my younger bro. (LOL! I know this is funny)

4. I hate people who don’t pay attention when I talk. I know I will make a bad teacher.

5. I am a cry baby. I have cried for the silliest scenes on screen. I still remember crying buckets when Shilpa shifted to Bangalore.

6. I love the Himalayas. Have had only couple of chances to visit places there, but I am totally in love with the mountains. If someday I go missing you know where to look for me.

7. I love to shop. The word “shopping” can work wonders on me. These days I love to shop for my daughter’s clothes. (cho chweet mommy!)

8. I am very passionate about my Yoga practices. And not mention my new found obsession -poetry.

Hey I don't blog hop much so I really cannot find six people whom I can tag...sorry ;(

Life

To eat, sleep and make merry
Is that you’re being about?

Mouth full of grains
Without heart full of gratitude?

Love, peace and joy
No tears to wash your cheek?

No not to pursue grace divine
Then life is yet to touch you!

Shackles

Shackled by time
Looking to gain

Good is mean

Bad meaner

Salvation from action
Can come in a fraction

Explode the bag
If willingness happens

I only want thee
To set me free!

Search

In search of a new dawn
To numb the pain of by gone

In search of great riches
To fulfill dreams of coming times

In search of a friend in need
To lean on his shoulder and cry

In search of a loving mother
To find a lap of solace

In search of all those words
To find all pride in vain

In search of a fresh new dream
To ease off from aching reality

In search of intoxicating wine
To be ever soaked in delight

Always in search of the Limited
What a waste in pursuit of unlimited!

Fishes

Beautiful Fishes of the sea

Endless blue is all we see
I am red, he is green
Countless numbers all in glee

In he, she and that is me
A heart that thumps to be set free
I am red, he is green
Want to merge into blue serene

In becoming the salt of the sea
Unto you we merge free
I am red, he is green
Drop it to come unto thee

Bliss Land

I wander in the bliss land
Though minuscule like I stand
Limitless love you command
With thousands in your band

When you and I cease
Wholeness becomes the sea
All enveloping leading to thee
It is just we we and we

When answers and questions
Meet in a single instant
Knowledge and silence

Mingle not in a distance

Home Coming

Like a calf I stroll
Looking for green serene

Surrounding trees
Arise gusty breeze

Looking for that and this
Not knowing the bliss

Found you my mother
Came running hither

Unto your warmness
Dissolving all the sourness

A home coming I feel
Never would I like to leave

You

Glance that was light
Deep depths unknown felt
Wrapped the cloth of unboundness
Born to you again

Acceptance the tool to grow
Pushing me hard to brow
When one and one was one
None but you again

The hand of a friend
Guide to way unknown
Friend like you stood
Led unto you again

Are you the source of birth?
Or a friend I need in dearth?
Master to thee I bend
Everything end to end

Nothing

Nothingness existent everywhere
I shall go nowhere
Source of you and me
Will I seek thee?

When you break away
From which can fall
Oneness that remains
Will I seek thee?

Everything I have to know
Birth to death
Also that is beyond
Will I seek thee?

Let the grace descend
Igniting the fire within
I shall long enough
Will I seek thee?

Journey with Angels

Day that passes by
You to send an angel
For me to feel
Love, Light and Laughter!

Restating your presence
Peaceful and Omni
Little messengers they carry
Love, Light and Laughter!

In them I see
Your being every drop
Pure when they fill
Love, Light and Laughter!

In the journey we take
Hands that hold to lead
Path we tread pervade
Love, Light and Laughter!

A stitch in time tore me nine

Yesterday was my first day at Hyperion – yes my break has come to a grinding halt and declare that I am no more “vetti” in life. Coming to the matter….

I was supposed to attend a 5:30 PM meeting with my boss T. The “mundrikottai” that I am, reached office at 5:20 PM, wanted to show off my hyper punctuality to my new boss and called him. He said he is stuck somewhere and was running 20 minutes late. That kinda pissed me off! Here I should say that unlike the other bosses that I have worked so far with he is a super friendly and down to earth person. I decided to continue my chat with good ol friend B with whom I was chatting just before I left for office….so I punched “The bugger is 20 minutes late” in my mobile and sent it off!!!

Can u even guess to whom I sent the SMS by mistake? My boss T….yes and I am not joking even slightly. When I found out about this blunder a few seconds later,
My blood just froze….My mind, body and every single gray cell in my brain was paralyzed with shock!!! I just did the wildest thing on earth – Calling my immediate boss “bugger” on the very first day of work. I was unable to jump start my brain and called my friend B immediately to ask for some idea so I can bail myself out of this situation. The guy laughed his head off and asked me to be honest with the T and to apologize. In the meanwhile T sent me a SMS saying “Thanks for calling me that” so I immediately called him to apologize, he cut my call. There I was doomed for life!

So I waited the next 30 minutes feeling pins and needles all over….huge elephants flying in my stomach….rehearsing my apology and how to fall at his feet. T finally reached office; he just smiled at me brushed the whole thing aside and was pulling my leg. Oh! Gosh! I was soooo relieved….Learning,

Memorize your boss’s number – Do not store it in your mobile!
Even if you store save it as Z….the last alphabet you will go looking for.
Never be hyper punctual.
Even if you are, do not show off!
Finally, the boss will anyway make it to the meeting so you don’t have to call him up.

Generations

I was going through my folders today and found these two interesting pics

25 years ago...

Generation next...

Finding Love

Thoughts reel in your realm
Eyes that search for you
Here there and everywhere
Will I ever find love?

Believers belong to heaven and hell
Among angles He dwells
The fear of hell
Will I ever find love?

Do not believe this and that
Reason the way to tread
I refuse to lay to rest
Will I ever find love?

Eyes spool breath whirls
Dwell deep within
And stillness pervades
To find love inside!

Sounds

Mellow sounds Flow
Flutes playing
Soul stirring hearts melting
Drums beating
Flutes playing

I move and shake
Gently gracefully
Eyes closed
As if with me world dances
Gently gracefully

Make me malleable
Lucid and pliable
Craftsman’s hand Clay
Weave me intricate
Lucid and pliable

One touch of yours
Shattering me infinite
Sedate by nothingness
Your grace descends
Shattering me infinite

Desperate Housewives

Yes I am talking about America’s run away hit serial. I managed to watch 2 complete seasons o,

I really liked the theme - Everyone has a little dirty laundry. One thing that comes out bang on is the non judgmental treatment of the characters. Each and every character has some grey shades which makes them seem so real. I am sure all of us can list out tons of complaints against our neighbors. So you will end up relating to these people just like u feel about ur own neighbors.
The element of suspense that flows throughout is wonderful.

My personal favorite is Susan Mayer played by Teri Hatcher and the way the daughter and mom bonded.

what do u feel?

Nice One!

Read the comments before watching the photos
Too good…..

Pic 1: it takes years of practice to do this asana.


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Pic2: it takes only 8 pegs of whiskey to do the asana.
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Courtesy: Barani

FourYears in Wedlock

Yes! It was our wedding anniversary yesterday. Here is an account of our celebrations,

6 am - 9 am: Received wishes from friends and relatives. My mom left for Bhuvaneshwar last morning so missed her on my anniversary. (made sure I got the gift a week ahead)

9 am - 11 am - Pooja, received blessings and then hogging :). Yesterdays spl was Chakaraipongal dripping with Ghee and soaked badam (yum!)

11 am - 2 PM - Lazing around. My daughter took a luxurious bubble bath - All 365 days she seems to celebrate ;)

2:PM - 6 PM - My brother gifted us two tickets for Fanaa. We went to Sathyam Cinemas to watch the movie. Sema time pass movie, Kajol looks gorgeous. If any of you plan to watch the movie, switch off the logical part of ur brain before entering the theatre.

6PM - 7:30PM - Temple.

7:30 PM - 10:00PM - Dinner at Palmgrove restaurant. It was my dad's choice to go to this place, he seems to be ever attracted to these sweet ol "andhakala style" eat outs. Grub was good, sambar tasted weird.

11:00 PM - zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Friday Features

When Mahima decides to dress traditional

It is her 2nd Birthday tommorow...She is extremely excited when I ask her age!

Silver Post

All pervading you said
I know not
Experience you said
I feel not
Rigid and set

I questioned
You answered
I doubted
You dispelled
Filled Light and laughter

From gross to subtle
From substance to air
From dense to disappearance
Moving me all the way
Thick to thinner

In gratitude I stand
Nothing to offer
Presenting gift of void
A flower at your feet
Feeling one with all

What You Are

A Whirlwind sometimes you are
Uprooting long and deep beliefs
Otherwise breeze tender
Caressing to melt away

Gory fire sometimes you are
Burning and trampling that comes way
Otherwise a lamp serene
Lighting up thousand lives

Endless space sometimes you are
Leaving the learned mystical
Otherwise a dot
Humble even to humblest

A lashing flood sometimes you are
Destroying the gathered over time
Otherwise a river placid
Life giving divine

Crack open to swallow furious you are
When just gravel that remains
Otherwise mother earth
Including unlimited nurturing love

You are life
Aware and endless
You are death
Graceful and true

A question you are
Pushing to burst fore
The ultimate answer
For mysteries unresolved

Happiness!

Let this not take me too long
Happiness!
Pledged to outer
Let it pass…
Hold my hand and say it will pass

Want ever serene
Constantly flowing
Joy trickling
On a thirsty tongue
A honey drop unforeseen

Caring not for occasional pops
My want is a place
Oh! Master

Bless me your grace
Under your blissful sight

Record Day

Today has been a record day in my blogging history...have posted 4 blogs in one single day.

Today also happens to be the very first day I wrote poetry in my entire life....I don't even know whether I can call this poetry. A beautiful experience which we could allow to be enigmatic promted me to write down or rather capture the reflections of my state of mind....have posted three poems - one in the morning, one in the afternoon and one in the evening...

The Snake Charmer

It lay for time stretched now
Don’t ask me how
Coiled three and a half
Unaware in horrible sleep

Dawned the snake charmer
A charmer indeed!
Swaying and Playing His Oboe
Spreading ceaseless bliss

Inch by inch, bit by bit
Lifted its hood
Finding possibility at each and every step
Fully aroused aware

Looked at the charmer
A charmer indeed!
Filled with love and tears of bliss
He moved on to find another one
Unaware in horrible sleep

Thandava

The mad dance, breaking rules
not for the timid nor conformist,
just let go, empty the vessel
while ecstasy envelopes, He embraces
passionate drums roaring, He stages thandava ...

My Master's Voice

Is your voice the music that stretches me into deepness unexplored
or
do I hear every music as your voice
that which makes me sway and sway in eternal joy unknown till date
oh! let the eternal sweet sounds flow....

Zen Stories

Nothing captures our attention quite like a good story - I hit upon some nice zen stories, they are witty, entertaining, humorous, and at times puzzling, even mind-bending.

Working Very Hard

A martial arts student went to his teacher and said earnestly, "I am devoted to studying your martial system. How long will it take me to master it." The teacher's reply was casual, "Ten years." Impatiently, the student answered, "But I want to master it faster than that. I will work very hard. I will practice everyday, ten or more hours a day if I have to. How long will it take then?" The teacher thought for a moment, "20 years."

Maybe

There is a Taoist story of an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years. One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit. "Such bad luck," they said sympathetically. "May be," the farmer replied. The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it three other wild horses. "How wonderful," the neighbors exclaimed. "May be," replied the old man. The following day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown, and broke his leg. The neighbors again came to offer their sympathy on his misfortune. "May be," answered the farmer. The day after, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army. Seeing that the son's leg was broken, they passed him by. The neighbors congratulated the farmer on how well things had turned out. "May be," said the farmer.

Concentration

After winning several archery contests, the young and rather boastful champion challenged a Zen master who was renowned for his skill as an archer. The young man demonstrated remarkable technical proficiency when he hit a distant bull's eye on his first try, and then split that arrow with his second shot. "There," he said to the old man, "see if you can match that!" Undisturbed, the master did not draw his bow, but rather motioned for the young archer to follow him up the mountain. Curious about the old fellow's intentions, the champion followed him high into the mountain until they reached a deep chasm spanned by a rather flimsy and shaky log. Calmly stepping out onto the middle of the unsteady and certainly perilous bridge, the old master picked a far away tree as a target, drew his bow, and fired a clean, direct hit. "Now it is your turn," he said as he gracefully stepped back onto the safe ground. Staring with terror into the seemingly bottomless and beckoning abyss, the young man could not force himself to step out onto the log, no less shoot at a target. "You have much skill with your bow," the master said, sensing his challenger's predicament, "but you have little skill with the mind that lets loose the shot."

Empty Your Cup

A university professor went to visit a famous Zen master. While the master quietly served tea, the professor talked about Zen. The master poured the visitor's cup to the brim, and then kept pouring. The professor watched the overflowing cup until he could no longer restrain himself. "It's overfull! No more will go in!" the professor blurted. "You are like this cup," the master replied, "How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup."

It Will Pass

A student went to his meditation teacher and said, "My meditation is horrible! I feel so distracted, or my legs ache, or I'm constantly falling asleep. It's just horrible!"
"It will pass," the teacher said matter-of-factly.
A week later, the student came back to his teacher. "My meditation is wonderful! I feel so aware, so peaceful, so alive! It's just wonderful!'
"It will pass," the teacher replied matter-of-factly.

Happy Chinaman

Anyone walking about Chinatowns in America will observe statues of a stout fellow carrying a linen sack. Chinese merchants call him Happy Chinaman or Laughing Buddha.
This Hotei lived in the T'ang dynasty. He had no desire to call himself a Zen master or to gather many disciples about him. Instead he walked the streets with a big sack into which he put gifts of fruit, candy or doughnuts. These he would give to children who gathered around him in play. He established a kindergarten of the streets.
Whenever he met a Zen devotee he would extend his hand and say: "Give me one penny." And if anyone asked him to return to a temple to teach others, again he would reply: "Give me one penny."
Once as he was about his play-work another Zen master happened along and inquired: "What is the significance of Zen?"
Hotei immediately plopped his sack down on the ground in silent answer.
"Then," asked the other, "what is the actualization of Zen?"
At once Hotei swung the sack over his shoulder and continued on his way.

Here are some links to zen stories

http://www.rider.edu/suler/zenstory/zenstory.html

www.101zenstories.com

While I write this blog, my idiot box is relaying the live telecast of Mr. M Karunanidhi's swearing in ceremony. This grand old man of TN politics is coming to power for the 5th time. For the first time in the history of Tamilnadu politics a party has come to power without majority verdict in its pocket (hung assembly). DMK has come to power with the support of Congress and PMK (Dr. Ramadoss known for his notorious attacks on tamil cinema).

The Politics in Tamil Nadu has been under the control of the Regional parties since 1967.The state has been under the power of either DMK or AIADMK .

Does this signify the last days of Dravidar Kazhgams in the state? Tamilnadu ppl do want a breather...Alternatives like Vijaykanth and Lok Paritran (started by IIT alumni) have gained significant % of votes this time. Is the sun really setting in the DK land?

In search of the unknown...

Velliangiri Mountains the Southern Kailash of India

I set out on my journey to the Isha Foundation which is located almost 40 Kms from Coimbatore city, in the foothills of Velliangiri hills. Velliangiri – Known as the Southern Kailash is part of the Nilgiri biosphere, green and lush.

I and just my own wandering soul started from Chennai on Friday, my flight Indian Airlines was as usual an hour late. I was left with no other option other than to just sit and pursue my all time hobby of gapeing at people – not many actually because it was late afternoon and there were no International flights that were taking off. Bought some nice munchies from Krishna Sweets as my good ol’ intuition told me that I may not be able to get to eat this kind of stuff in the Ashram (I was proved right). The journey was horrible, the captain decided to give us a nice roller coaster ride… the landing was soooo rough….the sandwich I ate almost reached my mouth (yuck! I can’t even think abt it…)


Tastefully done Ashram

I had a pick up at the Airport; we started towards the Isha Ashram. It was indeed a long journey by road; Coimbatore’s weather was a welcome relief from scorching Chennai heat. After half an hour I caught the first glimpse of the Nilgiri Mountains, just the outline as if some artist had drawn a pencil sketch for me. I was quite excited even at this very first and faint sign of the mountains. All along the way I kept track of these mountains, getting close to them by every mile. Slowly and steadily every whiff of air that passed through me started carrying the sweet smell of mountain herbs replacing the Carbon monoxide feel that I was use to. All along the way I found hoardings carrying the pictures of Dhyanalinga and Sadguru indicating the distance to the Ashram, bringing a gleam to my eyes. Reached the Ashram after an hour and half, a beautiful peacock crossed our way, carelessly sweeping its colorful feathers on the rocks…what a WELCOME!

Spanda Hall a picturesque view

I reached the Spanda hall running and walking, as I was late for the registration. Thankfully I registered myself on time and attended the introductory session. The crowd was more than what I had expected, there were about 150 people. The group could easily fit a normal distribution curve (bell curve) in terms of its age group (majority of them in their 30’s and 40’s).

Interiors of Spanda Halls done with Mural Paintings

During the introductory session I could not help but to gape at the beautiful paintings on the walls….I have read that the yogic saga of Lord Shiva has been translated into what is claimed to be the largest mural painting in the world. The theme of the painting was describing the life of a Yogi, but the details were enigmatic. At the center there was a huge dias with three steps leading to a seat covered with sparkling white sheets. A huge laminated photo of Sadguru was adorning the seat (Sadguru's throne). The backdrop was quite interesting; huge mountainous rocks were piled on top of the other to give an earthy feel. It was very tastefully done. One more thing that I noticed about the place was that there were snake forms everywhere. Don’t get alarmed! Not live ones, but in the form of designs…it was everywhere….right from door knobs, fences, wall hangings even as finger rings of the Ashram inmates. Snakes in our culture represent the mystic life energy (kundalini). So in the Ashram I could see this life energy sitting, standing and walking all over the place.

Will continue to explore...

Bye! Bye!

I am really excited to share with you guys that I am off to Coimbatore for the weekend. I am going to the Isha Yoga Ashram an artistic and tranquil place at the foothills of the Velliangiri Mountains. The Velliangiri Mountains are part of the Nilgiri Biosphere. I am attending a two day Hatha Yoga workshop with them. I have heard and read tons & tons about the beautiful Ashram.... Also, adding to my excitement is what I am looking forward to - my very first experience of the Dhyanalinga - the one of its kind in the world. Dhyanalinga is a powerful and unique energy form created from the distilled essence of yogic sciences and is the first of its kind to be completed in over 2,000 years. Dhyanalinga is a meditative space that does not ascribe to any particular faith or belief system nor does it require any ritual, prayer, or worship. It is different from all the other lingas of Hindu tradition. The Dhyanalinga is not used for worship; rather it is created as an external manifestation of the peak form of all inner energies. Just sitting silently for a few minutes within the sphere of Dhyanalinga is enough to make even those unaware of meditation experience a state of deep meditativeness." - Sadhguru It has been Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev's lifetime mission to construct this Linga. This linga and the beautiful temple that houses it is an architectural wonder. Conventional building materials like cement, steel and concrete were ruled out as the life span of structures that employ these materials is a mere 100 years or so. Traditional materials like burnt brick and mud mortar stabilized with lime, sand, alum and herbal additives were used along with huge blocks of granite. Here is an article from Society Interiors about the Ashram and its architecture,

http://www.ishafoundation.org/news/content/Interiormag_web.pdf

Golden Day

Today is celebrated as Akshaya Tritiya in this part of the world. Ok, you may ask me what is the big deal abt it,

Mythology - The word Akshaya means that which never diminishes - hence beginnings made or valuables bought on this day are considered certain to bring luck and success. Akshaya Tritiya falls on the third day (Tritiya) of the new moon of Vaishakh month. The sun and moon are believed, astrologically, to be at their most exalted brightness that day. This is one of the most auspicious days according to the Hindu calendar. According to the Puranas, this day marks the beginning of the Treta Yug. The birthday of Parashurama, the sixth incarnation of Vishnu falls on this day. It is believed that by doing a good deed on Akshaya Tritiya one can earn Punya (merit) for life. This day is considered auspicious for starting new ventures and making new purchases. Our ancestors passed on the belief that with such good vibrations in the universe, any project or relationship begun that day would be long lasting

Fact - Women in the city raid the jewelry shop. Akshaya Tritiya has been given a commercial spin in recent times. A barrage of advertisements has hit the media and there is more sizzle to summer with jewelers announcing fresh ranges for the day.

Ok what did I do? Nothing...eeeee...OK here goes my conscience - Got a sleek gold ring, a gift from my husband (no I did not force him!).

Three Cheers!

Yipeee!!!!

This is to officially announce that my best buddy Baranidharan has been promoted as the Asst. Vice President. I know how hard he was working for this. He was literally eating, walking, sleeping loads & loads of work.

Way to go buddy! PAT !!! PAT!!!

40.7 degrees C, hottest day in city

Severe heat wave conditions prevailed in the city and neighbourhood today with the mercury registering a record high of 40.7 degrees Celsius. The weather office here has predicted hotter days ahead. The maximum temperature tomorrow could be in the range of 41 to 42 degrees, Met officials told PTI.
It was in May 23, 1980 that the weather office recorded 43.6 degrees in Nungambakkam. On May 21, 1910, suburban Meenambakkam recorded a temperature of 45 degrees Celsius, it said.

Courtesy: The Hindu

People in the city are going bonkers over the heat and humidity...never have I experienced sooo much humidity...A/Cs are overworking. Its crazy!

Moto Me

Yoooo hoooo!!! I finally succumbed to my temptation and bought a brand new Moto Razr V3i yesterday. Thanx to my good ol Samsung that was refusing to work and started having a mind of its own....

Shilpa buddy - I did enquire about the software problems, after a lot of research I found that the problems are with Motorazr, the one I wanted to get was v3i and this is suppose to be good. Thanz for telling me abt the problems otherwise I would have never found out abt the price slash. Yes ! Motorola has slashed its mobile phone prices - almost 3000 bucks. Yipeee I am soooo happy.

Features in my mobile (ahemmmm),

- 1.3 Mega pixel camera
- Video capture
- Blue tooth (why do they call it that way?)
- itunes

I can already see people lifting hockey sticks ....I think I will stop with this.



Some snaps that I clicked....

Honey! Its all about money

I was just checking my last blog and it is almost a month since I wrote anything. A job search can make you lose interest in everything around you eh!

This morning I was having a long chat with my friend B - culmination point for a blog topic...thanx B!

MONEY - I guess it is the most powerful word on the planet. The entire world runs behind it...isn't it?

What does the concept of money mean to me - Right from my childhood the idea of becoming RICH has never fascinated me....I see so many of my friends cherishing ideas of becoming millionaires, great take pride in their bank balance, investments, real estate, they even devote a lot of time thinking and discussing money. I am definitely not saying that they are greedy or something moreover I have absolutely no business to comment on their interests here I am just talking about myself....

I see money as an inevitable means to get what I want from life - It may be to build a beautiful house, deck it up to my taste, tour around the world, meet lots of interesting people, learn art, the list goes on... I do want to earn enough money to fulfill my wishes, but not to the extent that I lose count of it, very frankly I don't even think I am good at managing it.

I also strongly believe that only a person who is capable of earning and has earned to fulfill his responisibilities can only relenquish money. I say this because a beggar on the street cannot say " I dont have interest in earning money" - He is simply talking out of his laziness or incapability.

I do not want to leave behind any will or property for my children, I know this startles a lot of people...I feel that there is nothing more that needs to be left behind with the children other than good education, some initial support to make them understand their goals and of course invaluable learning from your experience of life. My strong feeling is that ancestral property will never make an individual realize and attain their fullest possibility.

What is your take on money? Let me know....

Scientist or a Poet

Today in Isha Yoga Class we were discussing about “Miracles”. This thought was fascinating to me and thought would make a good topic to blog.

Life can be viewed and experienced broadly in two ways - a person seeks logical explanation for every atom that moves, gets convinced with a scientific answer and thus for him nothing is a miracle. Everything sits, stands, moves and withers away based on a law/theory. The way the world functions is by itself a science. There is nothing that happens that he perceives of which does not have a scientific reasoning or explanation. Nothing is a MIRACLE.

The other one is the poet - according to him EVERYTHING is a miracle. A beautiful fresh flower blooming in the garden, the early morning sun, a baby’s heart throbbing in the mother’s womb, a tiny seed transforming itself into a tree, anything and everything that god created is a miracle and romanticizes it.

When I was reflecting on these thoughts today I realized every human being is a mixture of both. Sometime the scientist in us is dominating putting forth questions, asking for logical reasoning otherwise we would have never had so many inventions, discoveries, life saving drugs, etc., When the poet in us dominates we experience the world instead of just questioning and seeking answers…we enjoy the beach view, fall in love with a baby’s smile and do things that bring us joy. What will be the world without poetry and romance, just a warehouse of robots…isn’t it?
Let the thought flow…let me know your musings…

ZORRO

In the loving memory of my dog Zorro...

My dog Zorro died at the age of 7 this morning..He was sick for the past one week and was diagnosed of Renal Failure (sudden kidney failure), unfortunately there was no Kidney transplant or Dialysis possible. He passed away quietly during the wee hours.

He has been my first pet and I think the last too because the mental trauma the family has undergone due to his illness was tremendous...Never want to go through something like this again...

I pray for his soul...

Himalayan Jaunt - Part 3

The downhill proved a little difficult by goda, as one had to really hold on to the horse’s saddle. Anyway we took lesser time to climb downhill and reached Gowrikund safely and in one piece.

Our next Yatra was towards Badrinath. Badrinath was about 200 kms from Kedar. We decided to cover it in one stretch without any breaks. The travel towards Badri was also very memorable. Lots of people travel to Badri by walk. On the way I saw a man along with his family walking towards Badri. You may ask what is so amusing about this. This guy was completely nude and was walking towards Badri. The kind of Bakthi this man had exhibited was awe-inspiring.

The weather was a little rough and it was beginning to drizzle. Landslides were very common in that part of the mountains, which we were travelling. This fact kept all of us awake inspite of our tired bodies.

We traveled besides the frozen Alaknanda River towards Bardri.

We reached Badri around 3:00 PM. We met the head priest who was known to the guide. He was given the title “Rawal Ji’ and was greatly respected by the locals. The conversation with Rawal Ji proved to be a great learning experience. This man from Kerala was speaking of the National Integration that existed in our country that may not be apparent in the surface but when we observe the nitty grit’s of the practices followed one could appreciate it. He was speaking of Adishankara who traveled by foot the length and breadth of this country establishing practices in temples to restore the National integration, which was slowly detirioting. He says the priests of the Badri temple are always from down south – Kerala and pandits from North India conduct the Pooja in Rameshwaram. There are a number of practices, which were established by him (Adishankara), which keeps India intact if not for any other thing. When we left the place, each one of us I am sure could not take of the round chubby “Tejaswi” face from our minds.

We had a great Darshan of Badri Vishal, Matha Lakshmi and Kuber. There was a Tapth Kund in Badri too.
We then proceeded towards “Mana” the last Indian village in the Indo – China border. We reached there in about 10 minutes from Badri. The last teashop in the Indo – China Border was attracting a lot of attention from the tourists. We also visited the Vyasa Gufa (The cave of Ved Vyasa) where he composed all his great works from Ramayana to the compiling of the four Vedas. The cave was charged with energy I should say. The vibrations were too good for even a lay man to miss. Then we had the rarest of darshans of river Saraswathi that originates in one of the glaciers near Badri. She is supposed to be an underground phenomenon and even in the triveni sangam at Allahabad one cannot see Saraswathi.

We did a bit of shopping in Badri. I bought a lot Malas, which were made of Sunstones, Spatika etc.,

It was about 7 PM when we left Badri and started our downhill Yatra towards Pipalkoti. We stayed overnight in the same Cottage and started our next leg of the yatra.

We visited a number of small but significant temples on the way back to Srinagar. We visited the TrijugNarayan temple, Dhari Devi temple etc., We finally landed in Srinagar the next day for lunch.
From there we proceeded to Rishikesh – Rishikesh is a very spiritually vibrant place with a number of Ashrams. We stayed at Swami Dayananda Saraswati’s Ashram in the Banks of river Ganga. We also visited places like Swami Sivananda Ashram, Ram, Lakshman Jula etc.,

I had a bad ligament tear near the Lakshman jula, which I carried home as a gift from Lakshman temple.

We traveled back to Haridwar and visited Manasa Devi temple and the Chandi Devi temples. These temples are situated in small Hillocks on the either sides of Haridwar. We had to travel by rope cars to these temples and were great fun.

One the way back to Delhi we visited Matura (Krishna janma bhumi) and Vrindavan gardens where the Raas – Leela took place. The Raas – leela grounds is filled with Tulsi Trees. The people of this place say that each of these leaves is a gopi and even today at midnight the Raas – leela of Krishna and thousands of Gopi’s take place. The windows of the houses that face the Raas – Leela grounds are always shut.

We returned to Delhi and flew back to Chennai with a great treasure in the form of Memories of this trip, which has left behind indelible experiences and marks on our lives.

Whew! I can’t believe it is already the first week of March and today is my last day at OfficeTiger where I have spent most of my time in the last 3 years. Never took a break except for Lunch or coffee! A part of me is feeling very sad knowing the emotional fool I am, keep repeating to myself not to get "senti"...after all "you may fall in love with work, but never with the company".

Had a long counseling session with my friend B, he convinced me not feel guilty and insecure about taking a brief hiatus. Objectively speaking - This insecure feeling seeps in because I know for sure that I am not going to have a five figure amount credited into my bank account at the end of this month...that means no splurging…no shopping…no credit cards... Two other questions constantly pops up whenever I sit and think about this What do I tell recruiters that I have been doing all those break days? The truth might be a bit difficult to understand or they may think I am a lazy sob who may be prone to these urges. The impact of this break on my career.
Looking at the brighter side, I can do things which I have been wanting do for a very LONG time now. Here is my priority list,
Go on a vacation
Take driving lessons - Never had a chance to learn car driving. All my friends now know to drive; ironically I was the first one among my friends to drive a bike to school and was proud about it.
Spend time with my daughter
Get my body into shape - Healthy lifestyle is all over the place. Rediscover the joy of fitting into my old jeans.
Being a staunch believer of miracles (Shilpa, remember those exam days when we used tell each other - "don't believe in miracles, rely on them") will turn a new leaf from Monday :)