Gracious Secret!

It was a cloudy, drizzling morning…sitting in the open area of Mahavir, Dinesh Bhaiya leaned forward and said to me ‘Your mantra is…’ I very clearly remember this is how I got my Sahaj mantra almost a year and half back! It’s such an incredible, astounding, amazing course of the Art of living Foundation. You just sit with eyes closed and say the precious, personal mantra of yours and there you go in meditation so easily and so effortlessly. Meditation is diving deep within; bringing the mind, which is all over the place, back to its source.

As I practice it I feel as though I reach in this totally different world where I get ultimate calmness, repose in the cool, serene depth of my Being and more than anything makes me feel so complete! Ideally meditation is for nothing less than 20 minutes but there are a few times in which I myself am surprised to see that I meditated for a good 40-45 minutes without any pain or realization of how time just flew by getting that deep rest. I wanted to share what I experience but that beautiful feeling when you don't feel your breath is indescribable!! It’s Grace which makes this work! :)

Kal ho na ho....

College on Saturdays generally is very taxing as I have loads of submissions to do and 10 out of 10 times I have stayed up Friday night struggling to complete them…But I look forward to them for some another reason. So on one of them while I was coming back listening to radio, switching channels selecting which song I want to listen to, that the song kal ho na ho grabbed my attention…I think it was the first time I heard it properly :P

The para which was on was…

Chahe jo tumhe pure dil se, milta hai wo mushkil se…

Aisa jo koi kahin hai, bas wohi sabse haseen hai…

Us haat ko tum thaam lo, Wo meherbaan kal ho na ho…

Felt so touching…the signature lines of the song are also so so true and I feel should be implied…

Har ghadi badal rahi hai roop zindagi…

Dhoop hai kahin, kahin hai chav zindagi…

Har pal yahan jee bhar jiyo…jo hai sama kal ho na ho…

Also today morning had gone for a funeral…and the entire thing was such a reminder that life is too short and we can become dust anytime and SO whatever time we have we must enjoy and live them with a smile, sharing and spreading love, friendship, and knowledge.

Top of the World!!

Another song that is so apt for my Guruji!! :)

Such a feelin's comin' over me
There is wonder in most everything I see
Not a cloud in the sky
Got the sun in my eyes
And I won't be surprised if it's a dream

Everything I want the world to be
Is now coming true especially for me
And the reason is clear
It's because you are here
You're the nearest thing to heaven that I've seen

I'm on the top of the world lookin' down on creation
And the only explanation I can find
Is the love that I've found ever since you've been around
Your love's put me at the top of the world

Something in the wind has learned my name
And it's tellin' me that things are not the same
In the leaves on the trees and the touch of the breeze
There's a pleasin' sense of happiness for me

There is only one wish on my mind
When this day is through I hope that I will find
That tomorrow will be just the same for you and me
All I need will be mine if you are here
I'm on the top of the world lookin' down on creation
And the only explanation I can find
Is the love that I've found ever since you've been around

Your love's put me at the top of the world!!! :D

Politics

Was wondering why there is politics in all possible places...and that is when this Beautiful Knowledge on Politics came across....Read on....

Firstly, we need to know that where ever there are people, there is bound to be politics!
You can not avoid politics, but whether or not to harbor politics in your mind is your choice.

A few Advantages of Politics..

• Brings up diversity in people
• Lets you see different viewpoints, ways, and tendencies
• Enhances your skill to communicate and act
• Brings centeredness and dispassion
• Shakes you up and makes you apply Knowledge
  
• Enhances your capacity to accept and tolerate
• Makes you realize that this whole life is a game

Lastly, the strong will smile through politics and the weak will lament. :)

Bestest morning!

Sundays for most of us means a day for aaraam, starting by getting up late, then lazing around, sleeping some more, having tea in the bed, very slowly moving out and finally getting started…and by the time it is already noon :P My mum is totally in for these kind, specially after I started working and encourages me for them as if she is going to get some additional power with my additional sleep (Well that’s how mothers are! Always wanting to take care of the children, but their actions sometimes are so startling, only they know what goes on in their heads :P) For me, I used to get up only in the after noon until from the past few months that I started going for YES!+ Follow Ups or listening to Guruji’s Knowledge Tapes that I started getting up early.

Well from last 3 Sundays it has been more interesting as I had a hat rick of treks! :D All of them were great but specially the last one…Trekking is always good but is all the more fun depending on the company! Last trek was one such when the company was great.

On Kishu’s request we left at 5.45 am when all was dark (I was not in for it as we would not be able to see anything anyway). We began, climbed a little bit and then of course had to wait as we couldn’t see anything, as I had predicted :P We sat at a point overlooking the pond and observing the sky (which was filled with stars which were much more brighter than I had ever seen…it looked beautiful) and there they began pulling my leg (which went on throughout and the intensity of it increasing as we progressed). As light broke through the dark, we got our butts up and resumed climbing up…all the way chatting, sharing knowledge, telling stories and not to forget pulling my leg :P

On reaching up we saw the sun rise. A tinge of orange and pink in the clouds, clear sky otherwise, and the sun rose really fast. The orangish sun in the sky, the fog covering up most of the concrete buildings looked so serene (seeing stuff from a height is fun). It was picturesque! We chatted some more, did some enjoyable yoga, Kishu did some suryanamaskars and then the best part – attempted to fly the kite we had carried. We tried many permutations in terms of place, who would hold the kite, etc.But our kite would take off, fly a bit and then after a bit come crashing down getting stuck on some tree. Finally after all of it our kite did not fly but the entire experience was so cool.

Flying the kite, running down the hill, felt like a child having no worries of anything else in the world, being completely in the present moment. It was such an amazing feeling…inexplicable!
Was the bestest morning reminding of how we should be like a child, child like and not childish of course! :D

I Sang in Satsang!!

So far having sung either in the inter house school group singing competitions or in the satsangs repeating after the lead or while playing some games like antakshri or just humming when alone, yesterday was the first time I sang in public, and to even my surprise I was leading. I sang at the Tuesday satsang that happens each Tuesday (having at least 20 poor souls who had to listen to me sing) at Piyush bhaiya’s (YES!+ Art of Living teacher) house and it happened just because of the push from 2 people- 1st my younger sis Karishma who herself has a superb voice and 2nd my friend Yogesh who is an amazing guitarist and a good singer as well. They both went on forcing and convincing me to sing from last Sunday and I initially went on denying but then I thought what the hell if these singer people are saying so much… Let’s give it a shot! :)

Yogesh picked the song and even made me practice it a few times. After that I kept troubling my sister and family to forcibly listen to me sing many many times as if it was a huge performance… well for me it was! And also I was worried as I always forgot the tune of the 2nd paragraph. Luckily my parents liked it and I was so happy to see them humming it later on when for once I had stopped singing. :P

Then came Tuesday, I gave the original song by Vikram Hazra a focused listen almost 5- 6 times during the entire day and reached for the much awaited satsang.
While Rathiji and Yogesh sang, I was assuring myself that there is no need to be so tensed as it is no big deal and I should not get as worried as I will be able to make it! When finally my turn came, my hands were cold, so were my feet and it felt as if all the heat was gushing up to my face. And with my eyes shut tight I began singing with a shivering voice. As the song progressed the shivering reduced and I was happy that I remembered the tune I was so worried about and also that I sang in the satsang!! Realized it only after coming home that I just sang in that tune I thought I would not remember and was missing out on the first one instead! :P

The Reflection

The good you find in others is in you too.
The faults you find in others, are your faults as well.
After all, to recognize something you must know it.
The possibilities you see others are possible for you as well.
The beauty you see around you, is your beauty.
The world around you is a reflection,
A mirror showing you the person you are.
What you see in others shows you to yourself.
See the best in others, and you will be your best.
Give to others, and you give to yourself.
Show your best face to the mirror,
And you’ll be happy with the face looking back at you.

Tum Mile....

Khwaabon bina, nigahen meri jee rahin thi
Koi nahi tha yeh akeli meri thi zindagi..

Khamosh tha honthon pe baatein nahin thi
Koi nahin tha yeh akeli meri thi zindagi...

Tum mile toh mil gaya yeh jahaan
Tum mile toh har pal hai naya...

Tum mile toh jaadu chaa gaya
Tum mile toh jeena aa gaya
Tum mile toh maine paaya… hai Khuda!!

Palken moondein chaahat meri so rahi thi
Khushboo hawaaon mein thi
Maine nahi mehsoos ki...

Jaane kahaan bahaaren meri khil rahi thi
Khushboo hawaaon mein thi
Maine nahin mehsoos ki...

Tum mile toh mehki baarishen
Tum mile toh jaagi khwaahishen
Tum mile toh rangon ka hai silsila...

Tum mile toh jaadu chaa gaya
Tum mile toh jeena aa gaya
Tum mile toh maine paaya hai Khuda!!

Tune duaaein suni,
Dil ki sadaiyen suni,
Tujhse main maangu aur kya...

Tujh bin adhura hun main
Tere sang poora hun main
Karta hun tera shukriya!

Kaise kahoon lamhe mujhe choo rahe hain
Aisa laga hain inmein tera hi toh ehsaas hai...

Kaise kahoon dil mein nayi aahaten hain
Aisa laga hain inmein tera hi toh ehsaas hai...

Tum mile toh mera dil gaya
Tum mile toh sab kuch mil gaya
Tum mile toh logon se kya vaasta...

Tum mile toh jaadu chaa gaya
Tum mile toh jeena aa gaya
Tum mile toh maine paaya hai Khuda!!!

List of things I want to do.....

OK here is a list of things I really really want to do:
1. Bungee Jumping
2. River rafting
3. Sky Diving
4. Snorkeling
5. Star Gazing
6. Sleeping under the stars
7. Spending a night at a beach
8. Night trek
9. Watch sunrise and sunset
10. Sit on a Roller coaster ride
11. Watch a movie alone
12. Go to a concert
13. Treat myself to a Spa
14. Have a candle lit bath
15. Gardening
16. Save money
17. Donate blood
18.Read Bhagvad Gita
19. Trip to Kerela

This is the list of things i want to do so far ;) Additions will be there as and when they come up! :)

There is no looking back!

As i pause from my daily life schedules and just take a look on what has been happening, I realise that the past few months have been quite interesting! So many things have changed with me- career wise, relationship wise, friends wise, choices wise, ME wise!! Its like my life has taken a completely new turn. A turn for good, for betterment. Feels as if i am a new person altogether and it feels SO Amazing!!

I did my first Art Of Living course named as the YES!+ workshop or the Youth Empowerment and Skills workshop in June 2009. Its a course specially designed for the youth between age group 18 to 30. Will not get into the details of it as it is something one needs to experience and also as there is always a lack of words to describe this course and this organization. Just want to say that each and everyone must experience it and from then on there won't be a wait for any festivals or events to celebrate, rather each day will be a Celebration!

This turn to this new path is I guess the best decision of my life (though taken under pressure then :P) and i know for sure that there is no looking back! :)

Eventful vs. boring days!

Some days are eventful,
Some are so dull.
Eventful ones are full of joy,
On the dull ones the activity is null!

I am up at six for the hectic days,
Whole day there is so much hurly-burly.
Where as the long ones just don’t end,
Even if I don’t get up early!

The activity ones seem so short,
Although so many things took place.
The boring ones are so very long…
That by the end of it, I feel like a waste!

Though I get tired on the busy days,
End of it I am content.
The unengaged days on the other hand
Make me bored and I wait for them to end!

The empty long days with nothing to do…
I agree are very boring,
But they also give us time to think
And we can sit with out worrying!

So I’m confused…
As to which ones are better?!?
I guess both are required from time to time,
So that there is a balance maintained forever!

Looking at the sky on a full moon night….

Nights are so beautiful, Nights are so quiet….
Immersed in your thoughts, I miss your sight!
Staring at the full moon I am reminded of you….
That’s when I realize how much I love you!
Though there happens an all day long interaction,
Gazing at the moon gives me some distinct satisfaction!
Not seeing you for long makes me frustrated,
And just looking at the moon I feel so connected!
The beautiful moon so connects me and you….
You see it there, and here I see it too!

Nights are so beautiful; I can see the stars twinkling….
And as I see the moon, I am again lost thinking….
I think of the day when we’ll be together,
And gaze at the night sky next to each other!
I wish that time comes really soon
When we’ll spend the night talking, looking at the moon!!!!

The changing hues of age…

19days more for my Birthday, and my close friends and other dear ones have already began to ask me about my plans for THE day! I tell them that like always I am not excited about it and haven’t planned anything. Also that my birthday goes just so well without me sitting and planning out anything, all thanks to my sister, mum, dad and my dear friends!

Over few years now, similar traditions has been on and now guess what because of these guys I actually was looking forward for my birthday to come and it to be the 26^th of July until this moment, when it struck to me that I am going to be 20! And all of a sudden I was in deep thinking… I was going to be out of teens now and become TWENTY years old!! I am timorous about the years coming ahead… when I will be out of college and I will have to be more responsible and more thoughtful about the things I am doing or have to do!

It makes me go down the memory lane…and I am reminded of the school times… when everything was so cozy and stress-free. Just study for the exams and automatically we were put to the next standard. We didn’t have to think about which stream to take or which subjects to pick so that we will be able to score well! I had my school as well as classes in the same near by complex Lok Puram. It used to be an untroubled schedule of going to school on cycle… coming back home… and then back to Lok Puram for classes. Mum was so protective to send me alone beyond the known locality as we were just small kids then. My life was just confined to the extent of Vasant Vihar where I used to go for my drawing classes… that was all about it!!

Then things moved further and I was at a stage where I had to decide which stream to pick from Science, Commerce and Arts! I chose Commerce and Life’s extent extended to Matunga where my college is and then after a few days when I got a hang of how the trains work and which alphabet belongs to which station things became much easier and then traveling was a cake walk!

Now I am panicky as I will be out of college in just a year. Though I have decided on taking up MBA but there is so much of uncertainty!! I have no clue if I am going to get in a good college or will be working. The thought of working and getting married in the years ahead somehow makes me so anxious! I feel that I am not yet ready to do all these things or may be I am not prepared for it at all. At this point I just don’t want my birthday to come so that I won’t become 20... It’s not about becoming 20 but it’s about becoming older and coming closer to all the above mentioned terrors! I don’t want to get older than this and stick to this age alwaysssss!

Back to you!!

I get up in the morning and the first thing i do is to call you..
we speak sometimes and sometimes we don't.
But after both the deals i am left thinking of you.
If i speak to you,i am over the moon..
and if i don't i am left engulfed by thought --where are you??

I do my daily chores and along with them try to call you too.
I try to divert my mind and concentrate on the thing i must do..
But my mind is powerless and it goes back to you!

Why don't you understand honey i got to talk to you..
..or else i will be vile to the stuff i got to do.
I know you got some genuine reasons and i must understand.
I think,i got to control my mind so that i can complete things in time..
because after all the weakness is mine!!

I compose my mind and hold my thoughts together,
trying to achieve what i want.
I pledge not to call you until i am done..
but after few minutes,i am again sitting with the phone!
As my mind is powerless and it went back to you!!

It kills me from within!

You are my joy, you are my strength,
i know you are going to be by my side always
and never leave my hand!

You are my soul and a part of me,
i know we are going to be till the end of time,
we are destined to be!

You are the sun and i revolve around you,
but the worst part is..you don't find it true.

I feel i know you in and out,
but each time i talk to you..i am in doubt..
because each time i speak to you, its a different you!!

Why this distance between us,
it causes a pang in my heart..
But i know it never going to break us apart!!

I love you from the entire me,
Oh my fate!why can't i portray it to you!
I feel terrible and it kills me from within!!