Anubavangal: Vithiyin Vilaiyattu - The Conspiring Destiny: "அது எப்படி? சில நேரங்களில், சில கேள்விகள் நம் மனதை பாதிக்கும் பொழுது, நம்பளையும் அறியாமல் நமக்கு பதில் கொடுப்பவர்கள் நம் எதிரே எதேச்சியாக தோ..."
Showing posts with label Life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Life. Show all posts
Monday, August 8, 2011
The Power to Hurt
Though it is the turn of my Tamil blog, the comment on my previous post on sealing the breach made me think. "Friendship means never having to say sorry." But that's for the person who feels hurt to say! I was thinking about it and I felt it means something else. Friendship means never doing something for which you have to say sorry.
A friend is one whom we trust with our secrets, our emotions, our thoughts, plans...etc. Therefore, the person has a tremendous responsibility towards us. If this sounds ego-centric, let me turn it around. A friend is one who trusts us with his or her emotions, secrets. It is our responsibility therefore to preserve and protect the trust and the person. The hurt happens when one breaks that trust. A stranger does not have the ability to hurt us. Only a loved one can. Therefore, I feel any break of trust causes even deeper hurt than otherwise.
Therefore, to say a friend does not have to say sorry doesn't fit in right. What it may mean is, when they genuinely regret it, probably we would be the first to realise and forget. But that prerogative lies with the person who has been hurt. If one realises that one has caused a hurt, to realise what it means to the person and apologise right away would be very important. I believe all those who have experienced being hurt by a friend would agree.
A friend is one whom we trust with our secrets, our emotions, our thoughts, plans...etc. Therefore, the person has a tremendous responsibility towards us. If this sounds ego-centric, let me turn it around. A friend is one who trusts us with his or her emotions, secrets. It is our responsibility therefore to preserve and protect the trust and the person. The hurt happens when one breaks that trust. A stranger does not have the ability to hurt us. Only a loved one can. Therefore, I feel any break of trust causes even deeper hurt than otherwise.
Therefore, to say a friend does not have to say sorry doesn't fit in right. What it may mean is, when they genuinely regret it, probably we would be the first to realise and forget. But that prerogative lies with the person who has been hurt. If one realises that one has caused a hurt, to realise what it means to the person and apologise right away would be very important. I believe all those who have experienced being hurt by a friend would agree.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Sealing the Breach
I loved Rock On for the most part. Farhan Akhtar was cool, and Arjun Rampal a darling. But somehow, the way their friendship breaks and the way they meet after years and just move on as if nothing had happened left me feeling dissatisfied. The hurt had gone deep, especially affecting Arjun's life. Would just a hug have been enough, I wondered.
Then came Luck by Chance, where Konkana Sen sends FA off. Though startling since in Hindi commercial movie that's a difficult call for the heroine to take, it was believable but again, dissatisfying. Shouldn't the hero get the girl in the end? (No satisfying us, is there?)
Then came Luck by Chance, where Konkana Sen sends FA off. Though startling since in Hindi commercial movie that's a difficult call for the heroine to take, it was believable but again, dissatisfying. Shouldn't the hero get the girl in the end? (No satisfying us, is there?)
And now comes Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, and though at the obvious level, this is not what the movie is actually about, I think this getting hurt and apologising were handled best here. Just saying sorry is not enough. Meeting after years does is not enough to overlook the past. There is a mindset that is needed in both the persons - the one who causes the hurt and the one who was hurt. Till both are ready, the seeking and bestowing forgiveness cannot happen.
Of course, all three movies, and FA's first venture with Dil Chahta Hai establish him as a great story teller. He seems to linger around this theme of making mistakes and forgiving, forgetting at least a part of the story. There are two-three story lines running parallely, and each handled well.
I will def watch out for more of his movies.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Change of Plans, sigh!
It's very tiresome, this need to constantly adjust one's thoughts and plans. I finally decided that I should give in to temptation, not resist the strong urge and become size zero. I worked out the plan, the exercise regime, the diet - albeit reluctantly, and, Bingo, I am told all this is not needed anymore!
Times Life tells me that I don't really have to. Unable to keep me out of the ramp any longer for want of the requisite size, they have now changed the criterion and want "real women" - basically, plus sizes, on stage.
What took them so long to realise this? Couldn't they have done this earlier?
What do I do with the plans, now? Maybe too late by the time the size zero comes back in fashion!
Times Life tells me that I don't really have to. Unable to keep me out of the ramp any longer for want of the requisite size, they have now changed the criterion and want "real women" - basically, plus sizes, on stage.
What took them so long to realise this? Couldn't they have done this earlier?
What do I do with the plans, now? Maybe too late by the time the size zero comes back in fashion!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Carbon Copies
Genetic imprint? Call it what one may, it is strange how certain patterns of behaviours and games repeat themselves.
"Amma, Sadhvi says she has vampire teeth. If she bites, she can suck blood and she enjoys the taste," my daughter told me, transporting me back immediately to my early school days.
"Nisha says you love eating human flesh," I remember a friend telling me about another friend. I had sat down and cried - quite a melodramatic scene it was. All the boys and girls surrounded me and asked me to have lunch. I said, "No, I will only have flesh!" Wonder why no one thought of calling the bluff and saying there was plenty around me to bite into!
"There is ghost" is another all time favourite.
How do these tales find their way into the mouths of every school-going child sometime or the other?
"Amma, Sadhvi says she has vampire teeth. If she bites, she can suck blood and she enjoys the taste," my daughter told me, transporting me back immediately to my early school days.
"Nisha says you love eating human flesh," I remember a friend telling me about another friend. I had sat down and cried - quite a melodramatic scene it was. All the boys and girls surrounded me and asked me to have lunch. I said, "No, I will only have flesh!" Wonder why no one thought of calling the bluff and saying there was plenty around me to bite into!
"There is ghost" is another all time favourite.
How do these tales find their way into the mouths of every school-going child sometime or the other?
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Parenting Debate
Will this ever end? Especially when there are three generations under the same roof!
You need to be strict, the grandparents agree, and then undo the strictness by indulging.
Our system of mugging tables was best, says grandfather, unable to relate to the Montessori system. What system is this that doesn't help child keep numbers at finger tips? How can they complain about the child that she doesn't know? - he asks incensed. Try telling him that they are not complaining about her lack of knowledge but lack of application.
Are they eating well, they ask with concern about the children. And then promptly buy all the junk food they love.
Go go, get ready/go to bed, they send the children, and then sit back listening to their tall tales.
They may be at variance on some points, but who cannot help smiling when the child runs to the grandparent to share the tales, enjoy the stories they tell and bite into the goodies they bring? There is much more noise at any point of the day, there is much more life.
Benign Parenting
You need to be strict, the grandparents agree, and then undo the strictness by indulging.
Our system of mugging tables was best, says grandfather, unable to relate to the Montessori system. What system is this that doesn't help child keep numbers at finger tips? How can they complain about the child that she doesn't know? - he asks incensed. Try telling him that they are not complaining about her lack of knowledge but lack of application.
Are they eating well, they ask with concern about the children. And then promptly buy all the junk food they love.
Go go, get ready/go to bed, they send the children, and then sit back listening to their tall tales.
They may be at variance on some points, but who cannot help smiling when the child runs to the grandparent to share the tales, enjoy the stories they tell and bite into the goodies they bring? There is much more noise at any point of the day, there is much more life.
Benign Parenting
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Back to School
Summer vacations over - and at the end of it, it does seem to have flown by quickly.
Saw my son growing up - from being dependent on my daughter, his elder sister, for playing with friends, he has learnt to make his own friends and deal with his situations.
Cricket bat and ball - that is all he can think of all the time.
Even the fights between my daughter and son were about cricket - it was a no ball, it is an LBW, you are clean bold, it is a wide ball... Amazed how much they pick up quickly!
For daughter too, not having her younger brother around her has been unsettling though a relief in some ways. She is defining herself - I get irritated quickly, I don't like doing certain things, I love certain other things...
Mini adults is how I see them - sigh, except when they have to do their chores...
Saw my son growing up - from being dependent on my daughter, his elder sister, for playing with friends, he has learnt to make his own friends and deal with his situations.
Cricket bat and ball - that is all he can think of all the time.
Even the fights between my daughter and son were about cricket - it was a no ball, it is an LBW, you are clean bold, it is a wide ball... Amazed how much they pick up quickly!
For daughter too, not having her younger brother around her has been unsettling though a relief in some ways. She is defining herself - I get irritated quickly, I don't like doing certain things, I love certain other things...
Mini adults is how I see them - sigh, except when they have to do their chores...
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Lock for the Mouth
There was a choice. When the I heard another I enthusiastically, innocently assume its presence made a world of difference, to break that moment with truth.
The I raised its head, protesting that another I could presume so much. Compassion asked it to be quiet - the joy in the other's eyes was more important than breaking the I.
But the I bristled. It is falsehood, it said self-righteously.
So? asked Compassion. It's a harmless delusion.
Then I sulked. It upsets the balance, the I said. It was like a personal challenge that the I had to take up.
When the moment of decision came, the I blurted out, unmindful of all counter arguments, unmindful of the fading light in the other's eyes. But the dimming lights made it pause. It was a pyrhhic victory, at best, it realised too late.
Compassion stepped in, but it was too late. If only there had been a lock ready for the mouth.
The I raised its head, protesting that another I could presume so much. Compassion asked it to be quiet - the joy in the other's eyes was more important than breaking the I.
But the I bristled. It is falsehood, it said self-righteously.
So? asked Compassion. It's a harmless delusion.
Then I sulked. It upsets the balance, the I said. It was like a personal challenge that the I had to take up.
When the moment of decision came, the I blurted out, unmindful of all counter arguments, unmindful of the fading light in the other's eyes. But the dimming lights made it pause. It was a pyrhhic victory, at best, it realised too late.
Compassion stepped in, but it was too late. If only there had been a lock ready for the mouth.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
A Habit?
If you behave, you will get a chocolate.
You can play video games if you complete your homework.
You will get a cycle if you do well in exams.
Offer this money in the temple and pray that you succeed in this competition.
I have promised god that you will tonsure your head if you get through in engineering.
I paid the traffic policeman a 100 to avoid going to the station for jumping the signal.
Pay that tout, we will get the passport faster.
Buy in black, I have to watch this movie today.
Pay the shopkeeper extra so that he will deliver the gas cylinder early for you...
From childhood to adulthood, this is all we see and do.
Have we done anything purely on merit? Can we blame only a class of people for corruption.
When a hospital/doctor knows you can claim medical bills, they hike up their charges. A doctor says that this is the most corrupt field - with liasioning between doctors and medical shops, diagnostic centres, etc.
A man I met yesterday says corruption is highest in temples. For every stage of temple construction and maintenance there is money filling up pockets.
Judges...we have scams as headlines.
Teachers - tuitions, the best way to win their favour.
Journalists - the gift at the press conference had better be good!
Where do we begin to clean?
You can play video games if you complete your homework.
You will get a cycle if you do well in exams.
Offer this money in the temple and pray that you succeed in this competition.
I have promised god that you will tonsure your head if you get through in engineering.
I paid the traffic policeman a 100 to avoid going to the station for jumping the signal.
Pay that tout, we will get the passport faster.
Buy in black, I have to watch this movie today.
Pay the shopkeeper extra so that he will deliver the gas cylinder early for you...
From childhood to adulthood, this is all we see and do.
Have we done anything purely on merit? Can we blame only a class of people for corruption.
When a hospital/doctor knows you can claim medical bills, they hike up their charges. A doctor says that this is the most corrupt field - with liasioning between doctors and medical shops, diagnostic centres, etc.
A man I met yesterday says corruption is highest in temples. For every stage of temple construction and maintenance there is money filling up pockets.
Judges...we have scams as headlines.
Teachers - tuitions, the best way to win their favour.
Journalists - the gift at the press conference had better be good!
Where do we begin to clean?
Monday, June 6, 2011
The Lotus
A water drop fell on its petals. The petal sagged a bit, enjoying the feel of the cool drop on its skin. It let the drop roll down the length of its petal before falling into the water below and merging with it.
It looked up again to see if another drop would make its way. A slight disappointment that the water had run off bothered it awhile till the sun came up and burned the earth below. The lotus looked up and smiled, basking in its warmth, blooming happily, swaying in the gentle breeze.
The sun came down, and the petals closed, drooping sadly at the end to a good day.
The dew drops will fall again, the sun will rise again, the lotus thought before the last of its petals closed.
It looked up again to see if another drop would make its way. A slight disappointment that the water had run off bothered it awhile till the sun came up and burned the earth below. The lotus looked up and smiled, basking in its warmth, blooming happily, swaying in the gentle breeze.
The sun came down, and the petals closed, drooping sadly at the end to a good day.
The dew drops will fall again, the sun will rise again, the lotus thought before the last of its petals closed.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Benign Parenting
Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself. They come through you but not from you, And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you. - Kahlil Gibran.
A quote I fervently hold on to, and so am probably almost a negligent parent. I believe children have to find their way around in life as best as they can, and we can only provide them with a secure home to come back to.
So when my children have problems with their friends, I have a hands off policy - deal with it yourself, see what is it that you can do to make it better.
But when recently my daughter was denied entry into the house of the friend she is closest to, I was upset. Maybe because adults had intervened. The girl's grandparents passed an edict against my daughter, and this time, I knew she was not at fault as the incident had happened when I was around. I saw my daughter depressed that evening, and I felt a rock in my stomach. I tried not to get involved. But for three days she went to their house hoping to be let in and wasn't. I wanted to rage against the grandparents, call the mother and amicably resolve this, then decided against all of it.
Three days later, she wanted to bring this friend swimming with us, I frowned.
Before I could comment, the girl was here, and they made plans and she left to get ready.
My daughter came to me, visibly excited, her eyes shining, "Amma, do you think this girl and I are related? Like is she your father's brother's brother's brother's cousin's cousin's cousin or something like that?"
"Why?" I asked, already feeling stupid for getting emotionally attached to this issue.
"We fight, but... We spend the entire time togeter - except mornings. I feel we maybe related, we are very close."
I silently took the two swimming and watched the girl teach my daughter breast stroke. I realised for the nth time that though my daughter still preferred the shallow side in the pool, because of this girl, she dares go underwater and is less frightened of water.
The only thing I can say in my defense is, I kept my trap shut even when I was raring to blast out.
A quote I fervently hold on to, and so am probably almost a negligent parent. I believe children have to find their way around in life as best as they can, and we can only provide them with a secure home to come back to.
So when my children have problems with their friends, I have a hands off policy - deal with it yourself, see what is it that you can do to make it better.
But when recently my daughter was denied entry into the house of the friend she is closest to, I was upset. Maybe because adults had intervened. The girl's grandparents passed an edict against my daughter, and this time, I knew she was not at fault as the incident had happened when I was around. I saw my daughter depressed that evening, and I felt a rock in my stomach. I tried not to get involved. But for three days she went to their house hoping to be let in and wasn't. I wanted to rage against the grandparents, call the mother and amicably resolve this, then decided against all of it.
Three days later, she wanted to bring this friend swimming with us, I frowned.
Before I could comment, the girl was here, and they made plans and she left to get ready.
My daughter came to me, visibly excited, her eyes shining, "Amma, do you think this girl and I are related? Like is she your father's brother's brother's brother's cousin's cousin's cousin or something like that?"
"Why?" I asked, already feeling stupid for getting emotionally attached to this issue.
"We fight, but... We spend the entire time togeter - except mornings. I feel we maybe related, we are very close."
I silently took the two swimming and watched the girl teach my daughter breast stroke. I realised for the nth time that though my daughter still preferred the shallow side in the pool, because of this girl, she dares go underwater and is less frightened of water.
The only thing I can say in my defense is, I kept my trap shut even when I was raring to blast out.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Killing with Kindness
For some space, peace and silence. No solicitous enquiries, no being taken care of, no benign watching over.
And then walks in a friend, a relative, a neighbour, with good intentions, wanting to give you care, help you tide over the period.. They genuinely care. This is their moment to show they care. They think you need the care.
But do you? Are you ready for it? Even if you beg to be spared their kindness and they insist? Are you being ungrateful or the caregiver being a pest?
It seems like an ego trip for the care-giver, an opportunity to show off, or a way not to feel guilty that they did any less. And it seems as if your independence, your privacy is gone.
Can we thrust care down someone's throat just because they are down, out or we think they need it?
If we keep a distance, will they think us uncaring?
If we ignore their offer for care, are we a snob?
Is it just a perspective, yet another puzzle in human relationships that never fits?
Also on: Perspective
And then walks in a friend, a relative, a neighbour, with good intentions, wanting to give you care, help you tide over the period.. They genuinely care. This is their moment to show they care. They think you need the care.
But do you? Are you ready for it? Even if you beg to be spared their kindness and they insist? Are you being ungrateful or the caregiver being a pest?
It seems like an ego trip for the care-giver, an opportunity to show off, or a way not to feel guilty that they did any less. And it seems as if your independence, your privacy is gone.
Can we thrust care down someone's throat just because they are down, out or we think they need it?
If we keep a distance, will they think us uncaring?
If we ignore their offer for care, are we a snob?
Is it just a perspective, yet another puzzle in human relationships that never fits?
Also on: Perspective
Friday, May 13, 2011
Growing Up: Part II
My son was my daughter's shadow. Even if he was surrounded by other friends, he needed her to take him down, be around, include him in her games and bring him back home safely.
She was a little mother, even if complaining sometimes, willing still.
Then he turned 5. And he announced, "You go down, I will follow. Tell me where you will be."
I had been panicking that he will end up playing girly games, that he will only have girls for friends.
Today, he doesn't care if she is there or not. He goes down and comes up on his own. Plays with older boys, and complains he gets out quickly in cricket. But he is thrilled to be with boys.
But he is suddenly a little man. A rowdy, more like.
When my daughter grew up: Growing Up
She was a little mother, even if complaining sometimes, willing still.
Then he turned 5. And he announced, "You go down, I will follow. Tell me where you will be."
I had been panicking that he will end up playing girly games, that he will only have girls for friends.
Today, he doesn't care if she is there or not. He goes down and comes up on his own. Plays with older boys, and complains he gets out quickly in cricket. But he is thrilled to be with boys.
But he is suddenly a little man. A rowdy, more like.
When my daughter grew up: Growing Up
Friday, May 6, 2011
From the Babe's Mouth: Part III
Is it the vacation that is giving my daughter time to think up all this?
"Appa," she asks as he is dropping off to sleep. "Can gods die?"
Silence before he answers, "He is not born so He cannot die."
"But if he is not born, how is he there?"
"He is energy, which is not born and does not die."
"What is energy?" Before he can answer. "But gods are Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva...they are like us, no?"
"We give the energy names so that we can understand It better."
"So what is energy?"
"I will explain this properly to you sometime. Now go to sleep."
More of her questions at: Rebirth; Life and Death
"Appa," she asks as he is dropping off to sleep. "Can gods die?"
Silence before he answers, "He is not born so He cannot die."
"But if he is not born, how is he there?"
"He is energy, which is not born and does not die."
"What is energy?" Before he can answer. "But gods are Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva...they are like us, no?"
"We give the energy names so that we can understand It better."
"So what is energy?"
"I will explain this properly to you sometime. Now go to sleep."
More of her questions at: Rebirth; Life and Death
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Rebirth: From Babe's Mouths
"Amma, I have to ask you one thing. Actually, two things" my daughter started in her characteristic style. "First, I want to know when life ends."
"You asked me that earlier," I reminded her.
"Yes, but what I want to know is, we are born as baby, then become an akka, then mother, then grandmother; then again we are born, then dadadada, then dadada; then again... So I want to know when this will end." She sounded like she was already tired of being born again and again.
So I escaped with the tale of dinosaurs, how they became extinct, but others came in their place.
"Ok, I want to know what I was in the previous birth. Does anyone know? Like if I was Chinese or something else." And I always wondered why the reiki I did on myself when she was in my womb and the Ojas for pregnant women that I listened to had not had a positive impact!
If other parents get such queries, I replied, "That's because if you remembered that you were Chinese, you will want to go back to your Chinese mother and not love me."
That satisfied her for the time being - relief.
Is she just 7?
The first time she asked me the first question: Life and Death
"You asked me that earlier," I reminded her.
"Yes, but what I want to know is, we are born as baby, then become an akka, then mother, then grandmother; then again we are born, then dadadada, then dadada; then again... So I want to know when this will end." She sounded like she was already tired of being born again and again.
So I escaped with the tale of dinosaurs, how they became extinct, but others came in their place.
"Ok, I want to know what I was in the previous birth. Does anyone know? Like if I was Chinese or something else." And I always wondered why the reiki I did on myself when she was in my womb and the Ojas for pregnant women that I listened to had not had a positive impact!
If other parents get such queries, I replied, "That's because if you remembered that you were Chinese, you will want to go back to your Chinese mother and not love me."
That satisfied her for the time being - relief.
Is she just 7?
The first time she asked me the first question: Life and Death
Saturday, April 30, 2011
The Enticing Evil
There is something about villains that make them more interesting than the straight faced, honest to god heroes.
While watching Ten Commandments recently - and for the first time, I shamefully confess - Rameses, thanks to the actor no doubt, comes out in flying colours. He is confident, fearless and ready to stand by what he believes. His play of emotions keeps you riveted to the plot. And I felt sorry when he is finally defeated - is he to be blamed if from childhood he is denied what he thinks is rightfully his? (Now, don't tell me that his attitude to the Jews was shameful. It was, is and will be - enslaving anyone... More on that later.)
Even in the serials that I do not watch but occasionally catch glimpses of, it is the villains who seem to have all the fun. They dress up richly - not to my taste, but at least to theirs hopefully. The only hero or the heroine who gets my sympathy are those who decide to match wit for wit, believe in eye for an eye. Those who show the other cheek somehow seem to deserve just that - a tight slap.
In real life? Is anyone so bad or good? Can you hate anyone completely? Sadly, even the ones you hate seem to have sympathisers who are not like them at all. And you grudgingly have to agree that there must be something likeable about them.
Well, one man's cake is another man's poison.
While watching Ten Commandments recently - and for the first time, I shamefully confess - Rameses, thanks to the actor no doubt, comes out in flying colours. He is confident, fearless and ready to stand by what he believes. His play of emotions keeps you riveted to the plot. And I felt sorry when he is finally defeated - is he to be blamed if from childhood he is denied what he thinks is rightfully his? (Now, don't tell me that his attitude to the Jews was shameful. It was, is and will be - enslaving anyone... More on that later.)
Even in the serials that I do not watch but occasionally catch glimpses of, it is the villains who seem to have all the fun. They dress up richly - not to my taste, but at least to theirs hopefully. The only hero or the heroine who gets my sympathy are those who decide to match wit for wit, believe in eye for an eye. Those who show the other cheek somehow seem to deserve just that - a tight slap.
In real life? Is anyone so bad or good? Can you hate anyone completely? Sadly, even the ones you hate seem to have sympathisers who are not like them at all. And you grudgingly have to agree that there must be something likeable about them.
Well, one man's cake is another man's poison.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Spotlight On
She turned son against father so she may queen over others.
She turned brother against brother so he may not share the wealth.
She turned daughter against son so she may cow the daughter-in-law down.
She turned son against daughter-in-law so she could tie him to her apron strings.
She turned daughter against son-in-law so he may not speak sense to her.
She turned friend against friend for no one could be friends but with her.
She wondered why, when she cultivated them for her own good.
Have you read: Bringing Up
Friday, April 22, 2011
Looking for Happiness
Indian lore
God gave man everything and yet he was not satisfied. God rushed up the mountains to avoid man, but he tracked Him there. God hid in the oceans, but he followed diligently.
Frustrated and unable to satiate this demon called man, God turned to a wise sage and said, "Man is chasing me all around looking for happiness. However much I give him, he wants more. He tires me...how can I escape him?"
The wise sage said, "Hide in his heart and he shall never find you there."
Man is still looking for God and happiness.
*****
Gibran
Man went looking for peace. Peace came knocking on his door and he said, "Go away, I am looking for peace."
*********
When peace and happiness lie within us, why do we think external factors can affect it?
(I hadn't heard of the movie, The Great Indian Butterfly. Some of you may enjoy it. I did.)
Have you also read: The Super Eye; Life and Death
God gave man everything and yet he was not satisfied. God rushed up the mountains to avoid man, but he tracked Him there. God hid in the oceans, but he followed diligently.
Frustrated and unable to satiate this demon called man, God turned to a wise sage and said, "Man is chasing me all around looking for happiness. However much I give him, he wants more. He tires me...how can I escape him?"
The wise sage said, "Hide in his heart and he shall never find you there."
Man is still looking for God and happiness.
*****
Gibran
Man went looking for peace. Peace came knocking on his door and he said, "Go away, I am looking for peace."
*********
When peace and happiness lie within us, why do we think external factors can affect it?
(I hadn't heard of the movie, The Great Indian Butterfly. Some of you may enjoy it. I did.)
Have you also read: The Super Eye; Life and Death
Friday, April 15, 2011
Life and Death
My seven year old daughter wanted to know: If life begins, it has to end too, no? So how and when will it end?
She had me zapped on two counts. One, that she could think such a thought. But secondly, because, I have had three different conversations with three sets of people of my age on parallel lives and death.
I hate to go deep in there because it makes me nervous and taut...it is like thin air - you understand it when you talk about it, but lose the meaning the moment you end your statement. Is this right, is this what you meant? Are what we think "other animals" parallel lives that we don't understand and so consider humans as the supreme creation, because of sixth sense etc? Or are their other planets where our lives are mirrored...or we are mirroring other worlds? Are we part of a reality show, or are we the audience? Are we in the dream, or are we dreaming?
Apparently the book Vasishta's Yoga deals with it...for those who are interested. I myself - I prefer the dream world of fiction. A parallel world clearly dreamt up for popular consumption.
She had me zapped on two counts. One, that she could think such a thought. But secondly, because, I have had three different conversations with three sets of people of my age on parallel lives and death.
I hate to go deep in there because it makes me nervous and taut...it is like thin air - you understand it when you talk about it, but lose the meaning the moment you end your statement. Is this right, is this what you meant? Are what we think "other animals" parallel lives that we don't understand and so consider humans as the supreme creation, because of sixth sense etc? Or are their other planets where our lives are mirrored...or we are mirroring other worlds? Are we part of a reality show, or are we the audience? Are we in the dream, or are we dreaming?
Apparently the book Vasishta's Yoga deals with it...for those who are interested. I myself - I prefer the dream world of fiction. A parallel world clearly dreamt up for popular consumption.
Friday, April 8, 2011
God give me patience...
...but please hurry. Summer vacations start today.
When I love my children the most:
1) They are asleep and it is not time yet for them to wake up.
2) They are in school and there is still time for them to return.
2) They are out playing and it is still too early for them to be home.
3) They are engrossed watching TV and not trying to kill each other...and it is not time for them to switch it off yet.
4) They are petting each other oblivious to mommy dear screaming her head off for their having fought just a second before.
When I love my children the most:
1) They are asleep and it is not time yet for them to wake up.
2) They are in school and there is still time for them to return.
2) They are out playing and it is still too early for them to be home.
3) They are engrossed watching TV and not trying to kill each other...and it is not time for them to switch it off yet.
4) They are petting each other oblivious to mommy dear screaming her head off for their having fought just a second before.
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