I have a dream to create a world full of honor (poem)

A world in which,
all beings are respected for just the way they are.

A world in which,
all kids go to sleep after eating a nourishing meal.

A  world in which,
all people are honoring & expressing their feelings.

A world in which,
all women are educated to tap their inherent power.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Finding joy with God

SEQUEL TO "SEEKING HAPPINESS FROM RELATIONSHIPS" [AUGUST, 2007]
(http://surrenderlistenandgive.blogspot.com/2007/08/seeking-happiness-from-relationships.html)


Yes, till the time I was not cleared off from all the impressions I had (without my awareness) towards each person in my thoughts/life, I could not be calm or present.

Whether it was my subconscious guilt that I could not meet my mother before she left the world, or the suppressed feelings I had for a boy I had met at teen age when I was not-supposed-to-have them, the pain and helplessness witnessing family tension as a young child or the continuing lack of self-expression as an adult with the husband or with boss at work. Unless, each pain was healed and the impression was removed, I was glued emotionally to that person/interaction  much like, iron-filings on a magnet. No matter how many books I read or to how many people I justified my  pain; nothing helped. The only thing that helped was the Grace.

Circumstances led me to seek God, overcoming my "pleasing-and-seeking-permission-from-people" impression. I was feeling hurt, physically, emotionally and financially and it was the emotional stabbing which made me cry for 3 days and 3 nights and call God to ask Him, "What did I do wrong?" [August, 2007].
I started meditating and started tuning into my heart. Thus began the healing, full of tears which cleansed my suppressed love, guilt, silence and frustrations... to name some feelings.

After almost 6 years, I am complete with my past and feel reborn. During this duration, I swayed, called God in miseries/bigger miseries and drifted my thoughts away from God in my moments of bliss. Now, I am choosing God as my guide, work (https://sites.google.com/a/followthyheart.org/followthyheart/) and goal.

I am with the same people - yet detached, seeking all from God and letting go of what is not coming through.
Its a wonderful place with an incessant love within; the love I was ignorantly searching outside from people.

Joy is right here, right now breathing inside me wherever I am and is being shared with whoever is in front.

My thoughts were my weakness, they would lead me astray towards my desires, next moment or the past. Thoughts still arise and try to lure me away. But, whenever I realize this, I call God to uplift my soul to Thee.

With pride and joy, I announce - I love GOD  :))

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

These are some of my favorite words (poem)

 I

OM

GOD

LOVE

SHARE

KRISHNA

ONENESS

HUMANITY

LISTENING

EXPRESSION

***

Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

"Listen all women, God is the best pain reliever"(poem)

Its amazing, how much pain is deposited deep inside me,
which surfaces during each menstrual cycle.

The pain of my dear mother's helpless tears, ill-health &
fainting of anemic women in my family.

The emotional pain of women who longed for lover
& the humiliation as a queen/maid.

The best pain reliever over centuries has been
surrendering to the God.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

I can express my soul only when I feel safe (poem)

What did I love in College?
I loved singing joyfully with friends,
I always laughed with my belly hurting
and, without my awareness, I was at ease.

When do I feel totally at ease?
whenever, I sense complete safety,
inside my body as well as in my mind
and, without my awareness, I begin to sing.

Where do I allow myself to sing?
wherever, I can express my heart freely,
in shower, while driving or where I feel not judged
for, without my awareness, I am honoring my feelings.

Who do I share my feelings with?
whoever, I feel simply comfortable with,
a stranger or an acquaintance whose heart is open
and, with my awareness, I feel God is taking care of me.
***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

...right here, right now, at ease with Thee (poem)

Nothing to do,
nowhere to go,
nobody to judge,
right here, right now, at ease with Thee.

Nothing to get,
nowhere to rush,
nobody to desire,
right here, right now, at ease with Thee.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth) 

I am in safe hands (poem)

My lord knows about my needs,
even if I don't.

My lord is taking care of my needs,
even if I won't.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

When I feel stuck, its a good pointer (poem)

Whenever, I am not expressing myself fully,
for a very dear person is being restless/stubborn,
is judging me, is imposing on me, is becoming aloof,
or is lovingly feeding me, what my body no longer can.

Then, I need to remember I'm whole-perfect-complete,
and immediately get reconnected to the Divine within me.
And remind myself that the dear person is expressing fully,
plus, is pointing towards traps, which I've got to emancipate.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)   

Now, I feel whole, perfect and complete (poem)

My Heart is a temple.
My Master is cleaning it.
My Krishna is residing in it.
My Creator is illuminating it.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Follow Thy Heart (Non-profit Organization)

Sharing with pride and gratitude, the website of Follow Thy Heart.

https://sites.google.com/a/followthyheart.org/followthyheart/

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Kindness propagates like a leaf on a wave (poem)

On Dec. 14, I was in the women's locker room,

a lady walked up and asked, "Was it you singing?"

"You don't know how healing it was, after I got pushed..."

She described her pain, when some lady shoved her in Zumba.

I acknowledged her for being honest with her feelings and sharing them.

Later, her "abuser" entered and this time she expressed it directly onto her.

She came out of her "victim" mode, left empowered and smilingly for her exam.

Next day, she mentioned how nice she felt on passing "that" support to her peer.

***

Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

When a heart touches another, without touching (poem)

On Dec., 10, I was offering washed-juicy-big-grapes-in-packs
to the nannies with infants in the park, to the lady delivering mails,
to the construction workers with a smile and a sentence of gratitude;
till, I walked across to the FedEx man sitting high inside his huge truck.

"Why are you doing this?", "Is this a part of your culture?",  he asked
"Nobody has ever done this to me,..you don't know what it means to me.."
then in mellow voice (looking at his dirty hands), "I wish to shake hands, but I won't".
I bowed down with folded hands, explained its meaning* and walked away wiping my eyes.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

*Namaste - this Hindi word (with a bow) means God inside me bows down to the God inside you

Thought is even more crucial than food (poem)

Definitely the salt, the sugar,
the ghee, the nuts and the purity in vegetables
refine the thoughts generated,
inside in my mind and do help overcome judgments.

Also it is very important to,
eat healthy and exercise the body to stay fit
but what is utmost important,
is to filter away all thoughts than love and forgiveness.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Surprisingly, joy quadrupled on sharing (poem)

I reached my sons school,
and a friend's daughter ran to me.

She had a smile in her eyes,
and her spine was way uplifted with pride.

When I lowered down on knees,
I saw a toothless smile in between her ponytails.

Her beaming joy was in her losing-
a second teeth, right in front and in the lower center.

Her joy was infectious and I caught it,
next day, when I offered her a gift; our eyes sparkled with....

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Follow Thy Heart and Create (poem)

Stop wishing for a nurturing meal,
get up, spend time and loving energy to create a meal of your choice.

Stop expecting love in relationships,
forgive, give love and compassion to create relationships that you desire.

***

Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Hey, I don't like my reflection in the mirror (poem)

I know we are all exactly one and same.
Yet, very often, I get lured away into believing,
that at this point I am definitely better/stronger than him...
Till, it hits hard on my body - "Hello, he is nothing but a mirror".

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Its all in my thoughts (poem)

Whatever is happening in my life,
I can choose to be thankful (in Light),
or to complain (operating under impressions),
my life, my perspective, my experience is in my thoughts.

Whatever I am doing at any moment,
I can either choose to be totally present,
or to be chatting incessantly with my inner self,
my life, my perspective, my experience is in my thoughts.
***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Peace Matters (poem)

The pain is in seeking.
The peace is in giving.

The pain is in desiring.
The peace is in loving.

The pain is in expecting.
The peace is in creating.

The pain is in frustrating.
The peace is in forgiving.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Praying for a Loving, Peaceful and Harmonious Thanksgiving

Dear God,

Forgive me for not being able to forgive
those souls who I think have knowingly/unknowingly 
hurt physically/emotionally either me or very dear people/souls.

Bless me with Love, Peace and Harmony; use me as Thy instrument
to deflect it towards all, now and whenever any pain/justification arises within me.

Amen

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

It’s not a man’s world (an aspiration)

I grew up with an impression that it’s a man’s world. I heard these words repeated inside my family, among neighbors and society (in Delhi, India). I witnessed it inside my own home and my surroundings.

I lived my life helplessly for the first 38 years of my life, pleasing people in my life – especially, father and husband. It gradually took a toll on my health and finally, it laid me on bed with an injured back. For, I had literally become spineless.

I had been seeking happiness from relationships but they had been causing way more pain than the happiness. I found myself emotionally entrapped in severe unhappiness – worries, insecurities, helplessness and frustrations to name some. I was always busy fixing situations and stuck in my “supposed-to-be-this way”- absolutely logical and in my mind. I was being, what I was trained for in my PhD (in Physics from Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi) - researcher discovering solutions.

I aspire to share my journey from leading a life with a belief that, “It’s a man’ world”, to realizing that I am whole, perfect and complete.  The goal is to listen with compassion and to express deep buried feelings in a safe space (where there will be absolutely no room for judgments, gossip or advice). The intention is to gift every women a healing and to inspire them to share it with many more in their Universe.

Oh my God, Krishna and Gurus, use me as Thy instrument. 

Heal me and bless me to heal others.

***

Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

What is really worth it...(poem)

,,,only 1 thought - thanking God.
...only 1 focus - Breathing deeply.

...only 1 sharing - Divine blessings.
...only 1 greeting - smiling Lovingly.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Enough of, "this is the way it has always been.." (poem)

Why did I need
to wait to eat together,
when the food was ready
and I was extremely hungry?

Why did I not honor my hunger,
whether I was at my sister's or sister-in-laws,
whether I was the hostess or I was an invited guest,
why did I sometimes starve or hide in the kitchen to eat?

Why was I stuck with my supposed-to-be,
which does not allow the girl/women/host/guest,
to eat when they are hungry and they need to wait for men/children,
or even tolerate conversations about,"this is the way it has been happening"?

Why could not I express myself whether to parents or family?
Why was I stuck in looking pretty by obeying the rules set by my family?
Why is that most of the rules, expectations are from the women/lady/mother of home?
Why is that the men get to judge, complain out loudly and women can only cry silently in hiding?
 ***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Love and Hatred... (poem)

...are two sides of the same coin.
...are two opposite strong feelings.
...are two emotions that heal and hurt.
...are two sources of deep pain in our lives.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Ji hai, so hai (in Hindi it means What is, is)... (poem)

... so why struggle for it to be different?
and why waste energy for it to be better?

...so why not let everything be the way it is?
and why not let everyone be the way they are?

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

May all beings, everywhere have their body, mind, heart and soul in complete harmony (prayer)

I seek Thy blessings-that my body, mind, heart and soul are in complete harmony.

I seek Thy blessings-that each one of your Creations in my Universe have these in complete harmony.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Tvamev mata cha pita tvamev... (poem)

This morning, I woke up smilingly to these thoughts...

***
You are my coach and the goal.
You are my friend and the parent.

You are my light and torchbearer.
You are my path and its destination.
***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Thou are the sweetness, which I do seek....(poem)

At the end of this morning's meditation, I felt Thy sweetness in..

***
...no more
desperate desires,
only
peace in fulfillment.

...no more
burning anger,
only
calmness in serving.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Follow Thy Heart and Manifest Who You Are (poem)

Step out of mind and its fears.
Speak out heart and its aspirations.

Create all the fun and be adventurous.
Express all the feelings and be yourself.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Yes, I have changed, I am no longer "normal" (poem)

I used to relish the Pad Thai Noodles with peanut sauce,
I liked the taste, the aroma and the look of its presentation.

I found the fresh vegetarian rolls in rice crepes very nourishing,
I liked their cool effect, the ingredients and the way it was offered.

Like this, there were lentils, vegetables and nuts which my senses liked,
But, with Grace, I no longer enjoy or relish eating the same food in same place.

I do feel, I have become "abnormal", for I no longer enjoy what most in my family still do,
I'm not complaining, for I still have many choices; but yes, I have changed, I'm no longer "normal".

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

In cold, hot food matters (poem)

To serve hot meals in winter - I have three choices,
the first - to finish cooking just before serving (like mama did),
the second - to warm up cooked food right before serving (like in microwave),
and the last - to keep the cooked food heated up at perfect temperature (like in an oven).

To finish the cleaning of the kitchen before offering hot meals - I have three steps,
the first  - to finish cooking a few hours in complete peace before the actual meal time,
the second - to empty out the cooking dishes, clean them and the entire kitchen before offering,
and the last - to keep the cooked food, in the way I like to either through the conduction or radiation.

***

  Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Reminds me of Beatles song (poem)

During the morning meditation, I heard

***

Just let it be.

Just let people be.

Just let everything be.

Just be with your dear God.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God  is Truth)

"Hi sweetheart"... (poem)

...O the one who addresses me this way,
come, stay, and converse with me,
affectionately snuggle me and,
allow me to kiss Thy feet.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Only a woman can understand another woman's pain (poem)

For the women needs to be heard, I speak.
For the souls of all women, I pray.
For their healing, I resolve.
With  God, I stand.
***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Pain is a blessing in disguise (poem)

We are blessed with pain,
to empathize, to heal  another,
who is undergoing a similar pain;
and not to complain or be revengeful.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

In each moment, I can choose my feelings (poem)

When I feel I am being controlled,
When I feel I am being imposed,
When I feel I am being ignored,
Then, I feel I am a victim.

When I feel another's unease,
When I feel another's pain,
When I feel another's fear,
Then, I feel I am a healer.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

What is my goal? (poem)

The goal for my children is to be able to do my best for their well-being.

The goal for my own self is to be totally present and to honor whoever is in front.

The goal for my family/friends is to make our interactions peaceful in person and thoughts.

The goal for my God is to deflect Divine blessings towards needy and to merge with Thee in this life.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Whenever, I feel attacked...(poem)

I can change this experience,
either, by not allowing that person to attack,
or, by protecting myself in every possible way to feel safe.
And if neither is working, I can intelligently change my interactions.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

I am responsible for... (poem)

my responses,
my experiences,
my interactions,
and no body else.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Inner Peace = World Peace (poem)

Inner clarity ---> inherent wisdom ---> intelligent solutions--->outer peace.

Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Oh God, get me out of my mind PLEASE...(poem)

...for when I am in my mind,
I desire, fear, judge and doubt.

...for when I am in my heart,
I accept, love, heal and am clear.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Observe, Feel and Bless (poem)

When I feel, I am in body.
When I bless, I am in heart.


When I desire, I am in mind.
When I dislike, I am in senses.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

To be or not to be (poem)

When I feel attacked,
I am a victim.

When I share blessings,
I am a healer.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Oh my Krishna dwelling inside all hearts... (poem)

...bless me and all people in my Universe
an understanding by which, all can come to THEE
and destroy with THY shining lamp of KNOWLEDGE
all the darkness born out of our ignorance-ILLUMINATE us.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

What is the most important question? (poem)

O my dearest
God, Krishna and Gurus, tell me -
how can I be present in each moment,
and love whoever is standing in front of me?

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

The goal in my conversation...(poem)

is that I speak
precisely-with-honor,
and the person gets the
well intention-feeling-safe.
***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Its a fun game - recognizing my reactions (poem)

I am uneasy around him,
for he pokes me in my forbidden areas.
for he shows me that I am just like him.
for he triggers me to react in a bad way.

I am choosing to be at ease,
by realizing - here I'm reacting once again.
by recognizing - we are all, exactly SAME.
by choosing - to diffract GOD'S blessings.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Gratitude - a pain killer (poem)

Just as a thin layer of trash bag,
keeps the bin clean (from the dump).

A constant thought of gratitude,
keeps the interactions clean (from pain).

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

The pain is due to my experience and not the people (poem)

I had a picture of my marriage,

of my husband and my family,

but, when reality didn't match,

what was in my dreams, it hurt.

Now the problem is neither in

the dreams nor in the people

but it lies in my expectations, 

and the deep disappointment.

***

Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

WE PARTED BUT WORDS STAYED (poem)

I met this boy in his mid 20's (at Ashram).
He said, "I wish to create a world free of all problems"
I said, "I wish to create a world full of honor, where nobody judges another."
What an amazing conversation? What beautiful words? They are still reverberating.
***
AUM TAT SAT (God is Truth)

Pain... (poem)

...comes
whenever
I'm unable
to love.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Hey, there is so much more to life than DESIRING (poem)

I used to cross those construction workers,
everyday and simply sympathize with them,
while driving, inside my air conditioned car;
seeing them work amidst heat, dust and noise.

On this October 2nd, I (along with a friend),
walked with an offering of watermelon slices,
through the blowing dust, bothersome noise
on an extremely hot day from 1:30- 2:30 pm.

We walked and offered chilled watermelon,
specifically to those workers in their world,
where they work 8 hours a day, everyday
and man, it was very difficult and repulsive.

But, that 1 hour has shifted my perspective,
I am thanking God ever since for all I have,
and especially that I have been blessed not to
work under those conditions, to earn money.

I felt the strain in their bodies and pain in ears,
I saw on their face, the sweat and helplessness,
I got a glimpse inside their world and HEARD
"Hey, there is so much more to life than desiring".

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Pleasing can never earn love (poem)

Touch is a human need.
Love is a basic need.

When these are not met,
desires start piling up.

Mama was too busy with
chores and my siblings.

She told me, I used to cry
a hell lot as a new born.

Cry to be held,  cuddled up,
and no grand parents.

Papa has always been uneasy,
to hug  a baby or adult.

My needs of touch based love,
of a new born remained.

My need for papa's love made
me please him with grades.

My need for touch made me
please spouse by yielding.

I continued to yield  both, inside
and outside bedroom.

And without my own awareness,
I gradually turned spineless.

Now, I know those who love,
love for they can't stop.

And those who don't just can't,
for they didn't get it.

The pleasing can never earn love,
only love can induce love.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Axis of rotation matters (poem)

When a place a cylindrical container on the ramp,
I need to watch out the axis along which I place it.

If I don't want it to roll down, I need to place it carefully,
along an axis which is perpendicular to its axis of rotation.

When I am in my mind ans surrounded by people in their mind,
I find my mind and body in stress, with anger, fears and desires.

If I don't want my mind to roll away, I need to anchor it carefully,
onto my Krishna to be steady and then deflect Divine blessings to all.
 
***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Raising Funds for Nourishing the Needy

We are the world, lets make it a better place, just you and me...

To honor another, is honoring ourselves. This is the mission of my nonprofit organization - Follow Thy Heart. It is also an experiential evidence of Newton’s 3rd law, namely, action and reaction are equal and opposite. In real world it translates to, whatever we send out, returns to us.


As of Feb., 2012, with the support from friends and generosity of restaurants, honoring humanity by offering nourishing food BEGAN. The very first time it was to the students in an underprivileged school in East Palo Alto (read story below). Ever since then, sometimes, it is to the gardeners and other times, to the cleaners. At times, to the construction workers operating under extreme heat/traffic on San Antonio Road. Very often, it is to the garbage man, mailman, car mechanic or to the fence painters. Once, it has been to someone hungry-and-cold standing outside Walmart begging for food and to the cancer patients. And, twice to the day workers waiting for work outside the local retail stores. In India, it was to the young kids who earn by picking up trash and to the servants. The food may vary from young coconuts, watermelon slices, home-cooked-food or Thai food/frozen yogurt from restaurants. But, the goal has been the same - to respect humanity and to nourish the needy population with something, most of us have been blessed with.


Each time a sharing or serving inside McDonald/restaurants (in India) was made, there has been a conspicuous transformation. The shift was visible, in sudden uplift of their spine, teary softness in their eyes, warmth in their waving byes and a shy-smiling nod.
However, this honoring of humanity is not just restricted to the underprivileged. And surprisingly, each time it has been offered to an average socioeconomic status neighbor/stranger in their moments of need, the impact has been exactly the same.


We are the creators of our world. How about creating a world full of honor?


If it inspires you, kindly pray that the mission finds all that it needs for blossoming. You may also contribute by offering a heartfelt donation, volunteering in person or honoring someone in your own world.  If it touched you, I would love to hear. So, please do call me up or write an email.
Namaste,
(this Hindi word means: the divinity within me bows down to the divinity inside of you.)


Name:Dr. Gunjan Raizada Chakravarty  
Email:gunjanfeelsinspired@gmail.com
Organization:Follow Thy Heart Title:Incorporator
Address: 174 Oberg Court City:Mountain View Zip:94043
Telephone(Day):650-279-7124 Telephone(Night):650-967-4160

STORY- At an elementary school in East Palo Alto, Ca

(Feb. 2, 2012)

I reached school with Lana (a young mom from my kids school) to a public school, in East Palo Alto; a school for needy kids whose parents are working 2 or more shifts to make ends meet.

It took us almost 20 minutes to set up the tables with plates full of pad Thai noodles, forks, napkins and a cup of water inside the library. We invited those 22 4th/5th graders inside around tables of 4. They were surprised by the treat as well as the dish they had never seen or heard about. I was surprised with their reactions. Other than a girl in yellow jacket and one boy, everyone tried it gingerly, loved it and asked for second helpings.

***
After that, I sat with my plate on a table with 2 girls and a boy. Lana sat on another table with 3 girls. Everybody was giggling, talking and eating.
I closed my eyes to pray, before eating.
The boy on my table asked me, “Do you always pray before eating?”
“Yes”, I answered smilingly to the shocked boy.

I asked them what kind of food they liked and they took turns to answer shyly.

“Where do you live?”, the boy asked me very inquisitively.
I had my mouth full of noodles, so I signaled with my hands to wait for my answer till I finish chewing.
One of the girls understood my signal and explained what I meant to him and the girls continued to talk.
When I was done, I looked at him to answer.
“Why can't you talk with your mouth full?”, he asked me skipping his previous question.
I just looked at him, for all through those few minutes I was chewing he was looking at me. His looked confused and angry, as if I were from another planet; doing things he had never seen or heard about.

***
We got onto the floor in a big circle holding hands. I introduced my self and kicked off the Physics workshop about gravity and gravitational force. When I asked them if anyone has heard about it, only 1 girl and 2 boys shot up their hands.

When I asked them, if they would like to explore science with balls, weighing themselves and tissue roll; all but one boy (who did not try the food) screamed yes. So, he decided not to participate and left the room.

We talked about knowing air is in the room and how can we feel it. Some of them answered through the sound of the fan, by moving hands and feeling it in their hair. We blew the air out of our mouths and then blew out the air onto the tissue paper in front of our face. Everyone raised their hands to see the impact of air and nodding that they all experienced it.

Next, we dropped two books one small/light and another big/heavy from the same height in pairs. They got back excitedly to share their observations about the sound it made, whether they hit the floor together or not etc.

Passing the ball to their partner in all possible ways got them rocking. The screams, the laughter, the excitement filled up the room. They got back together in a circle to share whatever way they shot the ball, it came down following a path like a rainbow, even if it did not hit the ceiling. So, we were all convinced that something invisible is pulling the ball down.
“That invisible force is Gravitational force”, I whispered and they looked at each other amazingly.

In the last exercise, I told them to place one book on the weighing machine and note down its weight. Then keep on adding 1, 2, 3 and 4 books and to read its corresponding reading on the scale. I showed them how the machine showed the change in my weight with 1 palm, 2 palms, 1 knee etc.


I gave them this as an exploring assignment to find a weighing machine at home, school, hospital or in grocery stores and play around with it carefully noting down the numbers. The machine gives their weight, which will be different on moon. For, the weight of the same person using the same machine depends on gravitational force, which is way less on moon.
I kept on iterating during the workshop, that they are are all awesome, wonderful and born scientist. Just keep exploring and just keep asking questions. Their eyes would light up and spine lift up each time I said those words. I noticed that it was more pronounced in the girl students.

***
To wrap up, I asked them to draw or write on a sheet of paper what they liked most in our time together. They spread out all over the room, lying down with ease on the carpet. They started scribbling with colors and peeping into each others sheet. 


I walked around the room and saw meticulous drawings of ball exercise, dropping of books and precise layout of food in the plate, with fork and water cup neatly placed on each napkin.

When I announced, its time for me to go. Surprisingly, the girl in yellow jacket (who had given a cold shoulder, when they had walked in) spoke. She uttered lovingly, softly with her focus on the drawing “No, I don't want you to go. I won't let you go. Why do you have to go?”
My heart was touched by the transformation visible in her words.
“May be I will come back soon again to do more science and get some more food, how about that is , if you like it.”, I asked.
They all screamed happily, “Yes.”

Then, I asked them to take their colorful sheets home to share it with their parents. I was shocked to see a sudden drop in their faces, the sadness surfaced all over. The energy in the room dropped from laughter to pain. A pain, I heard it in their silent turning (away from me bodies) and walking towards the back wall.
“My parents don't care for me....”
“They will put it in a trash bin....”
“They will be mad, if I show them something...”
I heard them mumbling.

Sensing their dejection, I immediately said, “Hey, give me all your colorful drawings, I would love to have them, see them, keep them.”. All but 3 boys, ran forward with joy and gave me their masterpieces.

At the end, I stood at the door to say bye to them and give them a button, “I love Physics” with my contact information. Almost all girls hugged me very affectionately, most boys waved bye, shook hands or gave me a hi-five. While hugging them, I felt a familiar love and an extreme closeness. Our hearts felt connected.

As they formed the line outside, I blew out kisses to them and most of them blew it back. All, but one (the boy who sat next to me on my table while eating) were smiling with eyes lit up. He was the last one in the line, he left gazing at me as if I were still a strange creature.

***
I drove to pick up my kids, feeling all calm. There was no exhaustion, even though my body was physically tired. Physically, I was not dancing to my favorite music while driving, but I was joyful. I was sitting amidst noisy traffic stuck at the red light, getting late to pick up my kids (which usually freaks me out), but here I was feeling a strange calmness in each and every cell of my body; similar to what I experience only in deep meditation.

I heard myself say, “This is fulfillment. To honor, is the purpose of my life. This is bliss.”

***


Then, I returned back to their school just before Valentines day. I took with me some valentine cards with kisses taped on top, which I felt motivated to make for them.
I was there, just to hand them over in 5 minutes and leave. But, first in the rush of running students was the boy who kept on staring at me when I was eating on his table. He run and simply hugged. And so did everyone, together in groups of 3 or 4.
We walked inside a room, to hand over the cards. But their eyes were searching something around me.
“What are you looking for?” I asked.
“The Thai food.” I heard.
***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Everyone needs to do what they need to...(poem)

Just as I feel devotion is the best thing to do,
so does everyone think its best to do what they are.

Its not point in me judging and making wrong,
everyone about what they are doing or what I am.

Its no point in me expecting and wishing everyone,
to do what I am doing, b'cos it may not be best for them.

Its no point in me trying to please or fear everyone,
and do what they wish me to do, b'cos they think its right.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

What makes it pleasant or detestable is mind's judgement (poem)

Its all a sound,
whether its melodious birds chirping or the noisy huge truck backing.

Its all a smell,
whether its fragrance of rose or the stink of  a burning food in kitchen.

Its all a sight,
whether its the beautiful Taj in moonlight or emptying of garbage bins.

Its all a touch,
whether its a desirous tickle or a painful breast exam under machines.

Its all a taste,
whether its a sweet-thick-Greek-yogurt or overcooked-bitter-gourd.  

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Keep off hot water, till the boil is healed (poem)

Until my specific emotional wound is totally healed,
I cannot be at ease with the person who inflicted it on me.
And, I will continue to be uneasy around similar people/situations.
The only way out is to seek Healing directly from God and then heal all.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Follow Thy Heart and Honor Thy Differences (poem)

Its so easy to get along with people who are like me.
Its so difficult to get along with people who are different from me.

Its so easy to honor the people who think even little like I do.
Its so difficult to honor the people who think strongly different than I do.

Its the mind, which based on my patterns, creates - my likes or dislikes.
Its the heart, which is ever longing to love and is in pain when its not permitted by the mind.

Its the mind, which creates my judgement of rights/wrongs or this is mine/not yours.
Its the heart, which guides me to allow default Divine oneness with God and all its creations, manifest.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Follow Thy Heart and Listen to Thy Body

Senses may like the aroma,
but,
when the temple of the body can no longer digest it
-its no point eating that.

Mind may desire a dream relationship,
but,
when the temple in the heart is no longer cherishing it
-its no point chasing that.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Bhunna hua bhutta, what a bliss (poem)

On this cloudy-cold morning,
when my belly rang the bells of hunger,
I stripped off the leaves and gently revealed its soft-white skin behind the silky hair.
The moment the flames touched its bare skin, the aroma made me close eyes in heavenly bliss.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Do I really wish to be, what I was in Hindu College? (poem)

This morning, these words on a 2 page printout of a handout (from Course in miracles) spoke to me-

Only our mind can produce fear.
It does so whenever it is conflicted in what it wants,
producing inevitable strain because wanting and doing is discordant.

Determine not to be as you were.
Use no relationship to hold you to the past, but with each one each day be born again.

***

My best time was in Hindu College,
coming home to mama, family and so many friends.
I laughed, sang, danced just anywhere and everywhere.
But, when I look back, do I want to be the same person I was?

The answer is a clear no, for, back then I wasn't aware of the God within.
I was protected by family, I was fine with my fears and the fact God is outside me.
Now, that I feel I have been reborn, with Grace, I am finding the courage to walk through fears.
And I know that there are only two emotions, love (which is real) and fear (which is only an illusion).

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Perception matters (poem)

When an 8 oz. glass has 4 oz. of water,
I can see it in two ways,
either as half empty,
or as half full.

With the same water in the same glass,
my choice of perception matters,
it could be with pessimism,
or with optimism.
***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

What am I here to love? (poem)

I had saved 3 boxes full of baby clothes of my daughter,
for my next baby and for my own attachments with the memories.

The apartment was small and the storage space was lesser,
but, I held onto those clothes till my son was born, for almost 5 years.

It was then I was forced to give them away to the neighbor & friends,
(who had a baby daughter), to the preschool and some even to the goodwill.

All through, I knew, that she will never wear these clothes again, but I was attached to clothes.
All through, I didn't know, that I am here to love child (not the clothes) and soul (not their bodies).

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

God, tell me what to do? (poem)

"Do not dwell in the past."

"Do not waste energy into explaining."

"Do not dig out the reason why this is happening."

"Just be with God and radiate Divine blessings in your Universe."

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Body is speaking, stop everything and listen (poem)

When clothes do not feel comfortable, I need to stop wearing them.

When a touch does not feel loving, I need to stop it from happening.

When interactions do not feel respectful, I need to stop communicating.

When circumstances do not feel peaceful, I need to stop the war going on.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth) 

Loving heart vs Judging mind (poem)

When my heart is loving,
I feel ease and am breathing deeply.
Then, I can (surprisingly) overlook all my dislikes,
and genuinely feel like sharing blessings towards all beings.

When my mind is judging,
I feel cold and am hardly breathing.
Then, I am (helplessly) trapped in all my desires,
and desperately feel like fleeing away from all that I dislike.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth) 

Child reborn (poem)

When a baby is born,
its joyful for the mother to simply follow infants cues.

When the child within is reborn,
its joyful for the adult to simply follow that baby's signals.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Why do we appreciate people only after they are gone? (poem)

God has made us.
God is perfect and He has sown Divine essence in all creations.
God has made each one of us unique, whole, perfect, complete yet different.
God honors and loves us just the way we are, without judging any part of us as bad.

I judged myself and presumed I was bothered by others judgement.
I wanted myself and others around me to be perfect, SOMETHING BETTER.
I was so wrong, for God has made me this way, just the way I am for a specific purpose.
Now, I honor myself and am choosing to honor each person in my Universe, before they are gone :))

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

...And it went down the drain (poem)

I plan and wish,
so much for an interaction to happen.

But, when it doesn't go that way,
it leaves me feeling extremely disappointed.

So, what's the lesson learned from this?
Be present - stop living in the future or in the past.

Its like, on seeing a beach ball rolling ahead,
deciding to drop the one in hand and chasing it down the steep ramp.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

I feel like screaming out loud... (poem)

With 

God, 

I 

can 

do 

any/

every

thing. 

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

How to come out of victim self? (poem)

What makes you feel like a victim?
My thoughts.

What makes you feel like a God?
My thoughts.

Who is choosing your thoughts?
Me.

How would you choose them?
By TURNING.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Where lies the root of uneasiness? (poem)

I feel uneasy,
due to my own fears.

I feel fearful,
when I am not loving.

I feel unloving,
due to my own victim self.

I feel victimized,
when I am not manifesting Self.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

What makes me uneasy? (poem)

I feel drained in energy, and I feel like running away from him.

I feel startled in body, and I feel like protecting myself from him.


***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

These keep me from loving...(poem)

my wounds,
my justifications,
my expectations,
and my uneasiness.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Awareness is not enough (poem)

Mind fools.
Body guides.
Heart blesses.
Soul connects.
***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

My mind is overruling the wisdom in my body. (poem)

My mind kept me from loving, the one my mind desired.
My mind kept me from listening, to what my body spoke.

My mind continues to keep me from blessing, the one my mind hates.
My mind continues to keep me from tuning, into what my body needs.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

What lives? (poem)

Sometimes
hearts unite,
but
bodies may not.

Always,
love lives,
and
bodies do not.
***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

What is really real? (poem)

A real relationship is between souls (not family),
who support each other in their struggles.

A real connection is between hearts (not blood),
who feel each other's joy as well as pain.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Outside is nothing but a reflection of what is inside (poem)

As long as I have my own desires, I will be uneasy around people who are lustful.

As long as I have my own fears, I will be uneasy, even thinking about people who are scary.

As long as I have my own should(s), I will continue to be uncomfortable around people who are imposing.

The only way towards my ease is, to become aware and then think/speak/do something new in old situation.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Seeking Happiness (poem)

All those years,
I seeked happiness from relationships.

But, I was human,
and so were the dear people in my life.

Therefore, my love,
as well as theirs, was finite and conditional.

Now, I am experiencing,
the bliss of Universal love, in unconditional giving.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Relationships...(poem)

are neither about pleasing,
nor about controlling another.

but, are about honoring Divinity,
within our own selves, and the other.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)(

Just a friendly reminder... (poem)

Body will die,
but, the love will not.

Mind will fear,
but, the heart will not.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

When I gave my fears of ... (poem)

of enormous scary eyes,
of others judgement,
of getting startled,
of molestation,
and
asked for,
unconditional love,
I was blessed with Thy Love.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Remember the monk story, "Who knows what is good or bad?"

While driving back home, I could see two street lights.
My eyes were focused on the second one, which was green.
But, suddenly I had to brake, when I noticed the first one was red.
And when I drove to the second light, that had turned red too, no longer green!!

Why did I do such a foolish thing to focus on the second light instead of the first?
Why do I keep doing such a foolish thing to focus on the next moment instead of the present?
Why do I keep judging this moment as "I don't like it"  and keep on wishing that the next moment be better?
Why do I keep on thinking that, "this isn't good", when I absolutely trust that "who knows what is good or bad?"

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

We are the world, lets make it a better place, just you and me...

To honor another (from a place of oneness) is honoring ourselves; for we are all one. This is the mission of the nonprofit organization - Follow Thy Heart. And as a Physicist, I observe it happening all around me as an experiential evidence of Newton’s 3rd law, namely, action and reaction are equal and opposite. In real world it translates to, whatever I send out, comes back to me. By honoring the same divinity residing in everyone’s heart, I am honoring mine and by doing so we are all beginning to connect, via our hearts. Its a humble step towards creating a world full of love, using the thread of Divine love.

Since Feb., 2012, I have been blessed to follow my heart in honoring all beings. One of the ways I accomplish this is by serving food (which is of the same quality that I serve my own children) - with honor to all beings in my Universe. By my Universe I mean, wherever I am; be it with kids in an underprivileged school in East Palo Alto, or on San Antonio Road to the construction workers operating under extreme heat/traffic. Sometimes, the offering is to the gardeners mowing the lawns and other times, it is to the cleaners, cleaning my bathroom. At times, it has been to someone hungry-and-cold standing outside Walmart begging for food or the day workers waiting for work outside Fresh Choice/Home Depots. In India, it was the young kids who pick up trash and the servants. Each time I have offered young coconuts, cut watermelon, baked cakes, offered Thai food/frozen yogurt (from our families favorite restaurants), shared healing food or (in India) served them inside McDonald/restaurants; I could experience world transforming in their uplifted spine, soft eyes and affectionate byes.

I love God and in serving (which is my privilege) I have discovered the joy of fulfillment.

I am aspiring to continue buying fruits, groceries, disposable cups/plates and offer home cooked healing food to more and more people in our communities. If it inspires you, write to me, pray that this purpose finds all that it needs or offer heartfelt checks/gift cards from Safeway and Whole Foods. Thanks for reading.

God Bless you,

No future, No past, only present. (poem)

No plans, no memories, only doing.

No worries, no wounds, only being.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Attachment is an attachment, whether it is for a...(poem)

thing,
place,
person,
moment.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Goal for Follow Thy Heart

The goal is to work for God, i.e., worship via service.

Some of  the functions to start with are:

To empower helpless by inspiring them to fearlessly express their feelings.

To honor underprivileged by offering food from a place of oneness.

To teach Physics to kids by tapping into their inherent wisdom.

To deflect Divine blessings towards general public.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Its a God's world (poem)

I grew up hearing and slowly believing,
that its a man's world.

Then later, I grew up reading and gradually experiencing,
that its nothing but a God's world.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Surprisingly, God is just a thought away (poem)

I was driving early morning towards East, suddenly the Sun Light started penetrating through the darkness in the sky. It was a moment of bliss and the following poured out.

***

Sun is always there,
its only Earth's rotation on its own axis that causes Day and Night.

God is always there,
its only my hopping thoughts that lead me towards Light or Darkness.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Just imagine... (poem)

If you have ever loved, a finite human being,
then you have experienced the bliss in moments of joy.

So, how about loving God, the Infinite, creator of all beings,
just imagine, the incessant bliss in the amount of joy it could give?

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Now, my house feels like a home (poem)

This is our home.
Home is a temple.

My Master is blessing it.
My Krishna is living in it.
***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Mission of Follow Thy Heart (poem)

I wish,
to sow the seed of joy in all beings,
simply by,
beginning to honor each one of our feelings,
and to seek,
whatever is needed to honor those precious feelings,
directly from,
Universe, for we are all connected to It through our hearts.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

I am not...(poem)

...the doer, He is.
...the thinker, He is.
...the planner, He is.
and, so is no one else.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

That night, I slept smilingly (poem)

I finished reading in my bed and switched off the lamp.
I was about to close my eyes for bedtime prayer, when I noticed silver light.
I thought it was the street light filling up, the 1/3rd open window in the dark bedroom.
On second look, the glow made me smile; for the moon had come all the way to bid me good night.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Oh, it was so funny...(poem)

...I inverted the baked cake,
and shockingly, it fell apart like trash in a dump truck.

...I got inside sack for the sack race,
and confusingly, could not figure out a way to start jumping.

...I called up customer service for jammed printer,
and stupidly, found 2 pins which had dropped from poster above.

...I added shredded cheese to cook macaroni & cheese,
and surprisingly, the cheese did not melt, it just stayed intact in shape.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Food Matters (poem)

Cooking food in silence, brings forth creativity.

Serving food with honor, opens up heart.

Eating food with gratitude, heals body.

Sharing food with love, brings smile.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

I seek Thee, from Thee (poem)

Let each thought be Thine.
Let each word express Deep gratitude.
Let each action be full of  Blissful creativity.
Let each interaction be an exchange of Divine energies.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Now, I am at ease, for in each moment...(poem)

when I have a choice to choose my thought,
from a pulling desire, an extremely justified anger,
a very logical judgement or to share my God's blessings.
Now, I am choosing the last, for it cleanses and fills me with ease.
***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Universe surprises me (Where I am looking, matters (poem)

I wanted to bake a cake for a friend with a lot love/attention.
Both my kids were home and I hadn't baked one for some time.
But, for exactly 1 hour, both kids were quietly busy on their own.
No fighting, no noise as if the Universe had exclusively arranged it.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Where I am looking, matters (poem)

Last week, I had watched few excited kids climb a low tree, from distance.
Each time I crossed that tree during my walk, it drew my attention for few seconds.
Today, I stepped closer, sat uncomfortably on a low branch and saw ants, algae, rough branches.
It was only when I looked up that I saw the beauty; suddenly the dull sky was painted alive by dancing leaves.
***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Love has its own ways (poem)

Love can be radiated as a thought, not just in line of sight.

Love can be seen in the clumsiness, not only caring actions.

Love can be sensed in the energy, not necessarily physical touch.

Love can be expressed by being present in listening, not by advising.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth) 

Its wisdom to follow the wise (poem)

Mind can be befooled by others' words, but not the heart.
Infants don't understand langauge(s), they gaze/smile only on sensing love.

Body can be trapped by ones' own mind, but not the heart.
Children don't know stress, they can do what they like all day without getting tired.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Operating System Matters (poem)

I was operating under,
"I wish to live in loving arms."

Now, I am operating under,
"I wish to live kissing my Krishna's feet."

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

When two hearts merge, mind does not mind (poem)

My friends' 1 year old daughter
was smilingly sitting with her
fingers in her drooling mouth;
she looked happy and beautiful.

Then I took her on my lap and
began talking to her lovingly
with her eyes gazing into mine;
she put those fingers in my mouth.

Her tender touch was full of love
and my mind didn't feel repulsion
towards her wet fingers reaching
my mouth or back into her own.

My kids were fussing for tissues,
to wipe the couch off the wetness;
and I was left there captivated by
that moments' oneness between us.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

To be heard, I've got to speak up (poem)

At our neighborhood summer party,
I was the only Indian and vegetarian.

They had decided on beef hot dogs,
I insisted on turkey and watermelon.

I could see reluctance in their bodies,
to what they have never  done before.

But, I stuck to my point and stood up,
despite all mind was speaking within.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

No reason to judge, for... (poem)

Underneath all desires,
lies the longing to express love.

Underneath all fury,
hides a kind-shy-doe-eyed child.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

In a moment, I dropped my worries (poem)

I was driving to drop my son and his friend to the soccer camp.
The traffic was unsually clogged and I began worrying looking at the clock.

The boys beind me were oblivious and too busy talking about kicking /juggling the ball.
I crossed the accident spot, where 3 cars smashed in a series and I thanked God for our safety.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Clear the lantern and the Light shine (poem)

All thoughts arising

due to interaction,

circumtances or,

observation;

are nothing

but tons of dust

covering the Light

within our own hearts.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Light Englightens (poem)

 Just as in projector light,
I can see invisible dancing dust particles.

Only in Divine Light I can see,
all that is invisible but triggers or uplifts me.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Ease Matters (poem)

I felt cold this morning,
while having my cup of milk,
and so could not say hello to Sun,
or express gratitude to singing birds.

When I was not able to love Nature,
which is always giving unconditionally,
for I was not comfortable in that moment,
then how can I love humans, if I am uneasy.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Follow Thy Heart (poem)

Heart loves, mind can not.

Heart connects, mind says not.

Heart whispers, mind listens not.

Heart knows, mind understands not.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Like an eclipse, nothing is forever

I love shining Sun, but yesterday, I cherished watching solar eclipse.

I noticed that I didn't complain about Nature's ways and infact found it pretty.

For, I was an observer, who knew this is a must in Nature's cycle and this too shall pass.

Then why don't I observe eclispse(s) in my life, which are a part of the same cycle and shall pass?

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

When heart speaks, some hearts listen (poem)

I tried the lychee frozen yogurt at Yoogl,
and I called up the manager for donation.

I shared my goal - educating, nourishing kids
in underpriviliged schools of our communities.

"Is it for kids in our city?", he inquired sternly,
I replied " No", knowing it was not he would like.

"But how will you ever carry frozen yogurt in this heat?"
I answered, "When something needs to happen, it gets arranged".

He told me he would ask his partner within next 24 hours.
Within 5 hours he called me up to decide the flavor for those kids.

The next day, I visited the store with my 8 year old son to choose,
and he spoke out for those unknown 20 kids, "Chocolate is the best".

When I reached there on the day of my workshop, they looked so pretty,
the containers-manager and his 2 helpers were placing in that huge ice chest.

On seeing the ice chest, those kids eyes were full of smiles in every spoon,
the amount was so much, that some of them were full before they could finish.

When the generous lady who was helping me asked, "OMG, was all this for free?"
"Yes, he heard me when I was asking for stranger kids, who I may never meet again!" 
 
***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

On my morning walk this morning...

while listening to chirping birds, I saw a dead bird.

I searched for leaves/twigs to move it out of the sidewalk.

When I couldn't find anything, I picked it with both my hands.

But, my hands continued to stink much after I had touched the body.

And I was full of uneasiness on sensing a soldiers pain of walking over dead.

I repeatedly washed my hands and smelt it, to make sure that stink had gone away.

I realized just like this bird's body, my body is perishable too, and is going to rot one day.

All my craziness for dressing it up in good clothes and focusing on its desires seemed futile.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Left or Right, the choice is mine

When I turn my head to the left, I see my fears and desires.

When I turn my head to the right, I am full of faith and bliss.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

God...

...make me work only for my Self.
....bless me to merge my Self in Thy Self.
***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

I am not this body...

...which experiences excruciating pain when injured.

...which hurts when mind interprets a meaning.

...which radiates when desires are fulfilled.

...which rots and smells when it dies.

***

Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

What makes a house a home?

Its the love flowing out through the eyes,
while they are silently looking at each other,
and it begins with a thought of a  deep longing,
to express affection while one is away from another.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Follow Thy Heart

Its the organization for needy kids with goals,
to make kids experience Physics inside bodies,
to serve them gourmet-nourishing food with love,
to honor their whole-complete-and-perfect divine Self.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

The goal is to...(poem)

Give and receive love,
not to get stuck into "I am right".

Keep on giving God's love,
not judging receiver's openness.


Honor whoever is in front,
not to save it for someone "else".

Keep on honoring all beings,
not judging receiver's reactions. 

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Krishna, bless me...(poem)

to anchor my thoughts on Thee,
to augment my seeking from Thee,
to share my talents through Thee,
to dissolve my sepration from Thee.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Krishna, make me...(poem)

the Sun to share Thy light,
the wind to caress Thy warmth,
the bird to chant Thy name,
the earth to nurture Thy kids.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Watching this blossoming buds video, it seemed to me...(poem)

Each flower is filmed for two days and photos are collated within 7 minutes to get this effect.
(Click : La vida de las flores to wtach the video on vimeo)
***

an infant is waking up from a restful snap,

a ballerina girl is swirling on her toes,

a child is playing hide & seek with dad,

a mother is opening arms for her son.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Heart, Body, Soul and Mind speak their own language (poem)

When my heart is open,
I share love via food.

When my mind is peace,
I cook amazing food.

When my soul is awake,
I sing and dance.

When my body is ease,
I enjoy chores.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Peace Matters (poem)

When my mind is full of Fears,
then my soul Trembles,
my body Pains, and,
heart Seeks Love.

When mind is full of Peace,
then my soul Awakens,
my body Dances, and,
heart Feels Love.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

This is my bliss (poem)

After all the thoughts have settled down,
like the dust particles from a shaken rug,
I experience a bliss during the meditation,
like an infant dozing off in mother's arms.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

We are all one and same (poem)

WE ARE ALL ONE AND SAME (poem)

Ref:
Remembering a proverb in Hindi...

Bura jo dekhen main chala, bura na milya koi,
Jo dil khoja aapna, mujhse bura na koi

which means

I searched for the worst, I could not find any,
till I searched within, to realize I was the worst.

***



I judged people as liars and desirous,
till I discovered that I am same.

Today, I accept my fears and theirs,
I respect my wishes and theirs.

I love myself just the way I am,
for I love God and His work.

Now, I can see we are all same,
nobody is better or worse.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

The most significant ( x, t ) (poem)

x-
just
right
here.

t-
only
this
moment.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

I seek Thy blessings (poem)

God, Krishna, Gurus,
bless me so that I can love myself,
the way you love me for just the way I am,
surrendering all my self judgements of good & bad.
***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

I am doing unto others, what I am doing to myself and so are they (poem)

I am ok with and actually admire,
all leaves, trees, flowers just the way they are.

With Nature, I don't wish it to be different,
I accept rose as well as sunflower, the way they are.

Then, why do I wish human beings, kids & adults,
in my life to be any different, the way I'd like them to be?

Why can't I let, accept & love all beings as they are?
Perhaps, because I don't let, accept and love myself, the way I am.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Am I a prisoner or the jailer? (poem)

When I keep blaming a person,
then I keep on being a victim.

When I keep on justifying my anger,
then I keep on being the prisoner.

When I keep wishing he would seek forgiveness,
then I keep on giving him the anchor of my joy.

When I choose to pray for him each time pain resurfaces,
then I feel emancipated by healing him with blessings.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

When we feel helpless...(poem)

with our minds full of fear,
outside the Intensive Care Unit,
waiting for our dear one to recover,
then we have a choice, to talk or to pray.

with our life full of soul murdering moments,
which somewhere makes us feel trapped without escape,
after having expectations unmet or feeling disrespected,
then we have a choice, to commit suicide or to desperately call God.

with our body full of physical & emotional stress,
conforming to the society and pleasing family members,
and our desires secretly pushing us to rebel for we wish to live,
then we have a choice, to drown our guilts in a drink or to let God uplift.

with our hearts full of faith and complete surrender,
amidst our painful attachments, constant blaming or acting nice,
murmurs a guidance to let-everything-be, take-responsiblity and just-be,
then we have a choice, to ignore it or to follow it towards our fulfilling purpose.


***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Only one answer to all questions (poem)

Who can love me more than myself?

Who can respect me more than myself?

Who can caress me better than myself?

Who can understand me better than myself?

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

All I need to do is, "Thank you God"

I get upset when my 8 year old son,
refuses to get me the oven from storage,
so that I can warm up yesterday's leftovers,
of the vegan pizza to create space in the fridge.

Something tells me, I need to stop,
for it may not be the best thing to eat,
as the first thing in the morning till lunch,
then, I relax on sensing that its my God's signal.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

On March 4th, 2012, I saw, what I can only see in India (poem)

I was in Delhi and after a refreshing nap,
I got up, made prashad, Gurudware-wala-halwa.

I had invited all the helpers (with families),
to a local sweet-snack shop in the neigborhood.

I reached the Aggarwaal's shop with that halwa,
along with my nephew(13) & son(9) of our press-wali.

The youngest one, explored the shop thoroughly,
and then stated "chuski with blue, green, yellow & red".

There was a joy in his eyes, as he saw those colors,
pouring onto the ice ball; he licked it, watched it, licked..

Once he was done, he saw my nephew eating Lays chips,
when asked, if he wanted that, he said, "...but I had 1 thing."

On hearing, that he could eat more than 1 thing today,
he simply followed my nephew in eating, Maaza, rasmalai, golgappa...

The young cooking lady showed up, dressed up with makeup,
and relished 4 rasmalais, maaza, golgappas and held onto 1 Maaza togo.

The cleaning lady came in, and was lost in deciding the order,
for she had no idea what tasted what, & the cooking lady guided her through.

Then, arrived, driver with his newly married dressed-up bride,
he was in his party clothes with a lot of pride and she shy, in her saree & jewels.

Both of them ate very modestly with the wife letting husband decide,
but, it was joyful for me to serve, the people who had served me & are serving my family.

Once they left, I stayed in the market with my nephew to buy Holi colors,
and when I shared the prashad with the shopkeeper, some strangers stepped forward to ask for it.

Now, thats something possible only in India, where people trust stranger's prashad,
ask for it with complete faith and eat it after touching it onto their forehead, saying their God's name.

Who says my India is no longer the land of spirituality?

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

We are in this body for a reason...(poem)

to express love with touch,
towards ourselves and others.

to manifest how interactions,
impact hearts, minds and souls.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

With God...(poem)

each desire transmutes into Creativity,
every fear leads towards Empowerment,

all judgements purify into Compassion,
entire separation dissolves within Oneness.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

My friends say, I am glowing whenever...(poem)

I have accepted my "wrong desires",

I have walked through my "biggest fears",

I have said a prayer replacing my "judgement",

holding tight onto or just thanking my dear God.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Distinguishing matters (poem)

Listen to the commitment,
and not the noise.

Think from compassion,
and not from desire.

Act in Light,
and not in darkness.

Speak with faith,
and not with fears.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Sooner or later...(poem)

Love,
always wins.

Commitment,
always manifests.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

To love or not to love? (poem)

There may be a million justified reasons,
not to love a specific person.

But, there is only one simple reason to love,
that is, we are here to love.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

I felt like Hindu-College-Gunjan at 10 pm (poem)

This Sunday on a very cold-rainy day,
I was out first for 7:30 am meditation,
then, I left out at 10:30 am for a ceremony,
once again out at 4 pm for the week's grocery.

At 8:30 pm, I was done with cooking/eating dinner,
I was dead tired, called up my neighbor on seeing her call,
only to find out, she had been running bad cold since wednesday,
"What about food?", she said, "I bought Dal & Roti from store."

At 9 pm, my world peace prayer time, I was thinking,
she has a bad cold, she needs to sip on fluids, hot fluids,
she needs home cooked food, some vegetable stew & ginger water,
I called her up to stay up for another 10 minutes, "Don't sleep, ok".

I went into the kitchen, freshly seasoned the stew in refrigerator,
squeezed out fresh lemon juice on top, boiled grated ginger in water,
warmed up some rice in a bowl, a little halwa and dropped it off to her,
at 10, I was cleaning kitchen feeling light, joyous, like a worry-free teenager.

***

Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Mane Chakar Rakho ji... (poem)

God, be my last thought, when I sleep.

God, be my first thought, when I wake up.

God, be my subconscious thought, while I sleep.

God, be my background thought, while I am awake.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

In Light, I can see... (poem)

Discrimination is discrimination,
even if,
it is experienced,
through father.

Helplessness is helplessness,
even if,
it is experienced,
through mother.

Molestation is molestation,
even if,
it is experienced,
through husband.

Judgement is judgement,
even if,
it is experienced,
through friends.

Fear is fear,
even if,
it is experienced,
through family.

May God bless,
all beings,
with Compassion,
Courage & Wisdom.

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

Are we using 5 senses for our pleasure? (poem)

I went to meet a friends father after 16 years,
for he had always been very dear to me.

I was asking him questions and he was replying,
from whatever he understood I had asked.

Then, he said his hearing aid's battery is low,
but did not allow me to get it changed.

I realized, its no point trying to communicate,
so we sat in silence for few minutes.

In silence, I could hear his screaming loneliness,
and in his smile, "I am OK", pretense.

I immediately got up to walk away in helplessness,
for it was too heavy to see him in pain.

This morning, in meditation the heaviness resurfaced,
and along with it surfaced my own stuff.

He was not able to communicate for he could not hear,
but what pained me was my own frustration.

When dear people in my life with perfect five senses,
couldn't understand my words, "I NEED YOU".

Why can't someone with sight, see the impact of rebuke,
on the shutting down in people's bodies?

Why can't someone with hands, feel the impact of a slap,
the fear it has sown in their child's life?

God, has blessed us with 5 senses for a bigger purpose.
Are we using them for pleasure or kindness?

***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

In this lifetime...

To love, is my purpose,
I experienced oneness, in loving those seeking children.

To respect, is my pride,
I experienced upliftment, in honoring those underprivileged kids.

To educate, is my aspiration,
I experienced contentment, in exploring with those scared Newtons.

To nourish, is my fulfillment,
I experienced bliss, in nurturing the tounges and bellies of those poor citizens.

I experienced it on Feb. 2, 2012 (http://surrenderlistenandgive.blogspot.com/2012/02/this-is-fulfillment.html).

Yesterday (Feb. 8,2012), I went to share the hand made Valentine's day cards with those children; to realize that they need more of all this. They are waiting and looking forward for me to come back with food and do some science.

This first event happened, with the financial support from just 2 acquaintances. When I asked them, why did you write the check to me and not to any established organization, this is what I heard:

The first one, a college classmate (who hasn't met me in 22 years) said,
"For I believe in you, your word and commitment just by reading your sharings on FB."
She feels that she is very privileged and knows that the world can be changed through education.

Another, my roommate from IIT-Delhi (who I meet regularly),
"I see you as a messenger."
She wishes to create some good karma for herself.

A complete stranger mother at my kids school on reading about this, joined me. She served those children gourmet Thai food in the eco-friendly, very pretty plates she had bought. She joined me, for she always wanted to do that, but could never find an opportunity to do it. "I simply grabbed the chance and felt the bliss in serving.", she said.

My heartfelt gratitude to 3 of them and now, I am heading for Delhi to create a similar event on Feb. 17th. With an intention to serve underprivileged kids with love and honor, in addition to giving them an exposure to access their inherent exploring boxes.

I saw the twinkle in the eyes of the kids here (in US on Feb. 2nd), that makes me beleieve, that just because they are poor or have uneducated parents doesn't mean they cannot be a Newton. I need not stop at just serving food, love and honor.

Therefore, I seek your prayers that once again, I be provided with all that is needed to make it happen.

Thank you for reading.

Gunjan Raizada Chakravarty
***
Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)

This is fulfillment

I reached school with Lana (a young mom from my kids school) to a public school, in East
Palo Alto; a school for needy kids whose parents are working 2 or more shifts to make ends
meet.

It took us almost 20 minutes to set up the tables with plates full of pad Thai noodles, forks,
napkins and a cup of water inside the library. We invited those 22 4th/5th graders inside
around tables of 4. They were surprised by the treat as well as the dish they had never seen
or heard about. I was surprised with their reactions. Other than a girl in yellow jacket and one
boy, everyone tried it gingerly, loved it and asked for second helpings.

***
After that, I sat with my plate on a table with 2 girls and a boy. Lana sat on another table with
3 girls. Everybody was giggling, talking and eating.

I closed my eyes to pray, before eating.
The boy on my table asked me, “Do you always pray before eating?”
“Yes”, I answered smilingly to the shocked boy.

I asked them what kind of food they liked and they took turns to answer shyly.

“Where do you live?”, the boy asked me very inquisitively.
I had my mouth full of noodles, so I signaled with my hands to wait for my answer till I finish
chewing.
One of the girls understood my signal and explained what I meant to him and the girls
continued to talk.
When I was done, I looked at him to answer.
“Why can't you talk with your mouth full?”, he asked me skipping his previous question.
I just looked at him, for all through those few minutes I was chewing he was looking at me.
His looked confused and angry, as if I were from another planet; doing things he had never
seen or heard about.

***
We got onto the floor in a big circle holding hands. I introduced my self and kicked off the
Physics workshop about gravity and gravitational force. When I asked them if anyone has
heard about it, only 1 girl and 2 boys shot up their hands.

When I asked them, if they would like to explore science with balls, weighing themselves and
tissue roll; all but one boy (who did not try the food) screamed yes. So, he decided not to
participate and left the room.

We talked about knowing air is in the room and how can we feel it. Some of them answered
through the sound of the fan, by moving hands and feeling it in their hair. We blew the air out
of our mouths and then blew out the air onto the tissue paper in front of our face. Everyone
raised their hands to see the impact of air and nodding that they all experienced it.

Next, we dropped two books one small/light and another big/heavy from the same height in
pairs. They got back excitedly to share their observations about the sound it made, whether
they hit the floor together or not etc.

Passing the ball to their partner in all possible ways got them rocking. The screams, the
laughter, the excitement filled up the room. They got back together in a circle to share
whatever way they shot the ball, it came down following a path like a rainbow, even if it did
not hit the ceiling. So, we were all convinced that something invisible is pulling the ball down.
“That invisible force is Gravitational force”, I whispered and they looked at each other
amazingly.

In the last exercise, I told them to place one book on the weighing machine and note down
its weight. Then keep on adding 1, 2, 3 and 4 books and to read its corresponding reading on
the scale. I showed them how the machine showed the change in my weight with 1 palm, 2
palms, 1 knee etc.

I gave them this as an exploring assignment to find a weighing machine at home, school,
hospital or in grocery stores and play around with it carefully noting down the numbers. The
machine gives their weight, which will be different on moon. For, the weight of the same
person using the same machine depends on gravitational force, which is way less on moon.

I kept on iterating during the workshop, that they are are all awesome, wonderful and born
scientist. Just keep exploring and just keep asking questions. Their eyes would light up and
spine lift up each time I said those words. I noticed that it was more pronounced in the girl
students.

***
To wrap up, I asked them to draw or write on a sheet of paper what they liked most in our
time together. They spread out all over the room, lying down with ease on the carpet. They
started scribbling with colors and peeping into each others sheet.

I walked around the room and saw meticulous drawings of ball exercise, dropping of books
and precise layout of food in the plate, with fork and water cup neatly placed on each napkin.

When I announced, its time for me to go. Surprisingly, the girl in yellow jacket (who had given
a cold shoulder, when they had walked in) spoke. She uttered lovingly, softly with her focus
on the drawing “No, I don't want you to go. I won't let you go. Why do you have to go?”

My heart was touched by the transformation visible in her words.

“May be I will come back soon again to do more science and get some more food, how about
that is , if you like it.”, I asked.
They all screamed happily, “Yes.”

Then, I asked them to take their colorful sheets home to share it with their parents. I was
shocked to see a sudden drop in their faces, the sadness surfaced all over. The energy in the
room dropped from laughter to pain. A pain, I heard it in their silent turning (away from me
bodies) and walking towards the back wall.

“My parents don't care for me....”

“They will put it in a trash bin....”

“They will be mad, if I show them something...”
I heard them mumbling.

Sensing their dejection, I immediately said, “Hey, give me all your colorful drawings, I would
love to have them, see them, keep them.”. All but 3 boys, ran forward with joy and gave me
their masterpieces.

At the end, I stood at the door to say bye to them and give them a button, “I love Physics” with
my contact information. Almost all girls hugged me very affectionately, most boys waved bye,
shook hands or gave me a hi-five. While hugging them, I felt a familiar love and an extreme
closeness. Our hearts felt connected.

As they formed the line outside, I blew out kisses to them and most of them blew it back. All,
but one (the boy who sat next to me on my table while eating) were smiling with eyes lit up.
He was the last one in the line, he left gazing at me as if I were still a strange creature.

***

I drove to pick up my kids, feeling all calm. There was no exhaustion, even though my body
was physically tired. Physically, I was not dancing to my favorite music while driving, but I was
joyful. I was sitting amidst noisy traffic stuck at the red light, getting late to pick up my kids
(which usually freaks me out), but here I was feeling a strange calmness in each and every
cell of my body; similar to what I experience only in deep meditation.

I heard myself say, “This is fulfillment. To honor, is the purpose of my life. This is bliss.”

***

Then, I returned back to their school just before Valentines day. I took with me some valentine
cards with kisses taped on top, which I felt motivated to make for them.

I was there, just to hand them over in 5 minutes and leave. But, first in the rush of running
students was the boy who kept on staring at me when I was eating on his table. He run and
simply hugged. And so did everyone, together in groups of 3 or 4.

We walked inside a room, to hand over the cards. But their eyes were searching something
around me.

“What are you looking for?” I asked.

“The Thai food.” I heard.

***

Aum Tat Sat (God is Truth)