The following prayer (its key thoughts, to be precise) erupted during a meditation session this morning.
And the tune came along while walking (right after the meditation session) about 15 meters, towards my car. While singing the first line in that perfect tune, I was reminded of an old song, “All I need to do is dream, dream.” by Cliff Richard; a song I used to sing a lot in college days. Thanks, Cliff.
Once home, I poured it out on my laptop. Needless to say, I throughly enjoyed the process; the way it came through me, in one day. It feels like a blessing.
***
All I wish to do is pray, pray, pray, pray.
Pray-pray-pray, pray-pray-pray,
pray-pray-pray, from heart.
All I wish to do is pray, pray.
All I NEED to do is scrape, scrape, scrape, scrape.
Scrape-scrape-scrape, scrape-scrape-scrape,
scrape-scrape-scrape, all extra thoughts.
All I NEED to do is scrape, scrape.
***
To listen to this prayer, click on the green triangle.
Aum Tat Sat
Surrender, Listen and Give Contact at Contact@FollowThyHeart.Org
About Me
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Moment (poem)
The following poem is a recollection of a few memorable moments.
***
In that moment, we were one.
The moment the umbilical cord was cut, my baby and I became two.
The moment he expressed his heartfelt feelings, everything (including him) started looking different.
The moment he spoke his sub-conscious mind, he pulled the earth beneath me.
The moment I tune in, I tune out of confusion.
The moment I heard “No” (from him), my soaring heart shattered on the ground.
The moment I stepped out of the shower, my wide-awake-insecure-and-crying baby started giggling.
The moment I sensed my mother's departure, I felt denuded.
An hour seems like a moment, when I am writing from the heart.
In a moment, the truth got revealed; but, it took me very long to assimilate.
Good or bad, it is only the moment, I remember.
Now, I wish to be present in the moment.
***
Aum Tat Sat
***
In that moment, we were one.
The moment the umbilical cord was cut, my baby and I became two.
The moment he expressed his heartfelt feelings, everything (including him) started looking different.
The moment he spoke his sub-conscious mind, he pulled the earth beneath me.
The moment I tune in, I tune out of confusion.
The moment I heard “No” (from him), my soaring heart shattered on the ground.
The moment I stepped out of the shower, my wide-awake-insecure-and-crying baby started giggling.
The moment I sensed my mother's departure, I felt denuded.
An hour seems like a moment, when I am writing from the heart.
In a moment, the truth got revealed; but, it took me very long to assimilate.
Good or bad, it is only the moment, I remember.
Now, I wish to be present in the moment.
***
Aum Tat Sat
What Really Matters? (poem)
An updated poem which includes feedback from the readers.
***
In listening, concern matters.
In writing, emotion matters.
In speaking, caring matters.
In interacting, respect matters.
In hugging, warmth matters.
In appreciating, spontaneity matters.
In giving, heart matters.
In helping, sincerity matters.
In cooking, love matters.
In tears, genuineness matters.
In joy, gratitude matters.
In pain, observation matters.
In reflection, perspective matters.
In silence, connection matters.
In praying, devotion matters.
***
Aum Tat Sat
***
In listening, concern matters.
In writing, emotion matters.
In speaking, caring matters.
In interacting, respect matters.
In hugging, warmth matters.
In appreciating, spontaneity matters.
In giving, heart matters.
In helping, sincerity matters.
In cooking, love matters.
In tears, genuineness matters.
In joy, gratitude matters.
In pain, observation matters.
In reflection, perspective matters.
In silence, connection matters.
In praying, devotion matters.
***
Aum Tat Sat
Sensing Universal Being IN-side (poem)
In the following poem, I make a humble effort to describe the Being within.
***
The Being within,
pushes like the initial-forceful gush (out of a sprinkler),
sounds like the constant-soft periodic ticking (of a clock),
looks like the hiding-inseparable roots (of a tree), and
feels like the heartwarming-caring love (of a parent).
The Being within,
connects me to the Being existing inside all (trees, breeze and people)
greets me smilingly with the swaying of the leaves (when I step outside),
caresses my cheeks gently with the breeze (when I am standing still), and
blesses me with love in each affectionate hug (I give to other people).
***
Aum Tat Sat
***
The Being within,
pushes like the initial-forceful gush (out of a sprinkler),
sounds like the constant-soft periodic ticking (of a clock),
looks like the hiding-inseparable roots (of a tree), and
feels like the heartwarming-caring love (of a parent).
The Being within,
connects me to the Being existing inside all (trees, breeze and people)
greets me smilingly with the swaying of the leaves (when I step outside),
caresses my cheeks gently with the breeze (when I am standing still), and
blesses me with love in each affectionate hug (I give to other people).
***
Aum Tat Sat
Monday, August 4, 2008
Revisiting School Days
In October, 2007, I explored the concept of “speed” with my 9 year old daughter’s class. Surprisingly, that little activity, took me decades back to my own school.
***
When I was 9 years old, I saw the most interesting display, showing generation of electricity from water in my first science fair.
On that fateful day, when I was drifting (along with other students of my class), slowly in a long line, my eyes got hooked on to that captivating display.
On the left hand side, the display showed how people irrigated their fields using water from the well. On the right hand side, it exhibited how, when the same water when made to fall on a rotating turbine generated electricity. That simple layout of plastic 2 inches tall “toy-farmer”, hand colored “brown brick well”, “blue colored water” on the base, is still fresh in my memory. I clearly remember, that it also depicted an example of consuming electricity by showing 4 inches tall “street lights” standing on either side of the gray colored “streets” (marked on its base). The entire display which was contained on a 12” x 24” cardboard base spoke volumes to me that day.
The students who had set it up were 2 middle school girls, and one of them turned out to be my friend’s elder sister. Since I was very comfortable with her, therefore, while looking at the 3-D display, I kept on asking her questions, one after another; without any hesitation.
While I was bombarding questions, I noticed that all the students behind me had walked way ahead admiring the colors, working demonstrations and the projects of other exhibitors. I knew I was getting late, but I just could not stop myself from asking more and more questions; with my eyes continuously glued on that display. I think finally, she got tired of answering my endless questions and therefore reminded me to catch up with my classmates. But before I had my last glance, she plucked a little toy from the display and offered it to me with an affectionate bye.
That day I did not get to see any other project, but I did not really miss anything. Perhaps, because a seed of inquiry and love for Physics had been sown within me.
***
In the next five years, I realized that, whether the teacher who taught Physics was good, OK, or very bad, it did not alter my strong attraction towards Physics. In fact, it was of the same intensity as was my repulsion away from Biology.
***
It was a big struggle for me to remember those long classifications in Biology. And the struggle kept on increasing and until it finally became un-surmountable (with each passing day) in grade 9 and 10. That green-colored Biology text book turned out to be my sleeping pill, “anytime” of the day.
My best friend (in class), who was very comfortable with Biology understood my plight. Like a God sent blessing, she would make notes out of several books and share them with me generously; so that I could somehow pass the exam. During those two struggle-full years, I repeatedly told her that I owed her a lot. She would feel happy on hearing that most of the time. But she did express her anger on knowing that I had scored one point more than her in the annual (Biology) exam.
However, when we were all leaving for new school after grade 10; she took a promise from me that I would never ever choose Biology as one of the subjects in higher studies.
During that time, for grade 11 and 12, the students had to take three core subjects for science stream and one optional subject (just to pass). I knew I will choose Physics, Mathematics and Chemistry as core subjects. For the rest of world, I had a “choice” between Biology and Engineering Drawing, as the optional subject; but for me there wasn’t any.
***
On the day of my interview at the new school, my father was “the guardian” with me.
While driving to the new school, walking up to the Principals office and waiting outside, my father kept on saying, “Take Biology” and I kept on replying “No”. Since I had managed to get a decent score in Biology, he could not see any reason for me not to choose it. I tried my best, to explain it to him, but he just did not get it.
Once inside the interview room, the principal asked me about the optional subject. Without any second thoughts or having a clue what the subject was about I said, “Engineering Drawing”.
The principal stopped writing, and suggested with a command,
“Why don’t you take up Biology?”
Before, I could say anything he informed me, “I would like you to know that, there are always very few girls in this section. And the few girls who go there, eventually come back to the Biology section, after experiencing a few weeks of loneliness.”
I still remember clearly the sight of a big smile that appeared on my father’s face (on hearing those words), as if his lost boat had been located by the search party.
My father said, “SEE”, looking at me. Then he got up from his seat and started walking closer towards the principal.
Now I had two adults against me, next to each other, like a stronger team.
After that both of them took turns and sometimes spoke together, to somehow influence me to change my mind.
The principal argued, “Why should you take up hammer in your hands”.
I refuted, “Dropping Biology is not equal to taking up hammers.”
My father complained, “I have been trying to explain the same to her, so that she can become a doctor; but look at her...”
“You should listen to your father and take up Biology”, said the Principal, supporting my father.
“I can’t study biology”, I reiterated.
“No problem, you need not, you just need to pass”, this time principal was smiling.
I stamped my feet and raised my voice, “Yes, that is what I am trying to say, I CANNOT EVEN PASS BIOLOGY.”
After a brief silence, the principal first looked at his watch, then towards me. With much reluctance, he yielded.
That day, I came out of that long-exhausting-and-confrontational interview feeling victorious.
***
Now, I pray, that I can be as courageous and determined (as I was at age 15) to pursue my heartfelt wishes.
***
When I was 9 years old, I saw the most interesting display, showing generation of electricity from water in my first science fair.
On that fateful day, when I was drifting (along with other students of my class), slowly in a long line, my eyes got hooked on to that captivating display.
On the left hand side, the display showed how people irrigated their fields using water from the well. On the right hand side, it exhibited how, when the same water when made to fall on a rotating turbine generated electricity. That simple layout of plastic 2 inches tall “toy-farmer”, hand colored “brown brick well”, “blue colored water” on the base, is still fresh in my memory. I clearly remember, that it also depicted an example of consuming electricity by showing 4 inches tall “street lights” standing on either side of the gray colored “streets” (marked on its base). The entire display which was contained on a 12” x 24” cardboard base spoke volumes to me that day.
The students who had set it up were 2 middle school girls, and one of them turned out to be my friend’s elder sister. Since I was very comfortable with her, therefore, while looking at the 3-D display, I kept on asking her questions, one after another; without any hesitation.
While I was bombarding questions, I noticed that all the students behind me had walked way ahead admiring the colors, working demonstrations and the projects of other exhibitors. I knew I was getting late, but I just could not stop myself from asking more and more questions; with my eyes continuously glued on that display. I think finally, she got tired of answering my endless questions and therefore reminded me to catch up with my classmates. But before I had my last glance, she plucked a little toy from the display and offered it to me with an affectionate bye.
That day I did not get to see any other project, but I did not really miss anything. Perhaps, because a seed of inquiry and love for Physics had been sown within me.
***
In the next five years, I realized that, whether the teacher who taught Physics was good, OK, or very bad, it did not alter my strong attraction towards Physics. In fact, it was of the same intensity as was my repulsion away from Biology.
***
It was a big struggle for me to remember those long classifications in Biology. And the struggle kept on increasing and until it finally became un-surmountable (with each passing day) in grade 9 and 10. That green-colored Biology text book turned out to be my sleeping pill, “anytime” of the day.
My best friend (in class), who was very comfortable with Biology understood my plight. Like a God sent blessing, she would make notes out of several books and share them with me generously; so that I could somehow pass the exam. During those two struggle-full years, I repeatedly told her that I owed her a lot. She would feel happy on hearing that most of the time. But she did express her anger on knowing that I had scored one point more than her in the annual (Biology) exam.
However, when we were all leaving for new school after grade 10; she took a promise from me that I would never ever choose Biology as one of the subjects in higher studies.
During that time, for grade 11 and 12, the students had to take three core subjects for science stream and one optional subject (just to pass). I knew I will choose Physics, Mathematics and Chemistry as core subjects. For the rest of world, I had a “choice” between Biology and Engineering Drawing, as the optional subject; but for me there wasn’t any.
***
On the day of my interview at the new school, my father was “the guardian” with me.
While driving to the new school, walking up to the Principals office and waiting outside, my father kept on saying, “Take Biology” and I kept on replying “No”. Since I had managed to get a decent score in Biology, he could not see any reason for me not to choose it. I tried my best, to explain it to him, but he just did not get it.
Once inside the interview room, the principal asked me about the optional subject. Without any second thoughts or having a clue what the subject was about I said, “Engineering Drawing”.
The principal stopped writing, and suggested with a command,
“Why don’t you take up Biology?”
Before, I could say anything he informed me, “I would like you to know that, there are always very few girls in this section. And the few girls who go there, eventually come back to the Biology section, after experiencing a few weeks of loneliness.”
I still remember clearly the sight of a big smile that appeared on my father’s face (on hearing those words), as if his lost boat had been located by the search party.
My father said, “SEE”, looking at me. Then he got up from his seat and started walking closer towards the principal.
Now I had two adults against me, next to each other, like a stronger team.
After that both of them took turns and sometimes spoke together, to somehow influence me to change my mind.
The principal argued, “Why should you take up hammer in your hands”.
I refuted, “Dropping Biology is not equal to taking up hammers.”
My father complained, “I have been trying to explain the same to her, so that she can become a doctor; but look at her...”
“You should listen to your father and take up Biology”, said the Principal, supporting my father.
“I can’t study biology”, I reiterated.
“No problem, you need not, you just need to pass”, this time principal was smiling.
I stamped my feet and raised my voice, “Yes, that is what I am trying to say, I CANNOT EVEN PASS BIOLOGY.”
After a brief silence, the principal first looked at his watch, then towards me. With much reluctance, he yielded.
That day, I came out of that long-exhausting-and-confrontational interview feeling victorious.
***
Now, I pray, that I can be as courageous and determined (as I was at age 15) to pursue my heartfelt wishes.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
I am Love, I am Joy (chant + audio)
The last two lines came up (before the first two) as a realization during meditation and the first two (along with the tune) struck me when I was folding laundry with my kids on a Sunday afternoon.
Singing this chant anywhere, anytime, helps me in bringing my scattered thoughts back to my focus, i.e., divine thoughts.
***
I am Love, I am Joy,
I am Peace, I am Light,
I am Yours, I am You,
I am I Am.
***
Click on the green triangle below to hear the chant:
***
Aum Tat Sat
Singing this chant anywhere, anytime, helps me in bringing my scattered thoughts back to my focus, i.e., divine thoughts.
***
I am Love, I am Joy,
I am Peace, I am Light,
I am Yours, I am You,
I am I Am.
***
Click on the green triangle below to hear the chant:
***
Aum Tat Sat
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
What is absolute surrender?
I had heard and read about "surrender" but did not know what it was till I remembered the following scene while driving, on observing another baby in his mother's arms.
My one year old son was in my arms with his chin tucked in my shoulder blade and arms wrapped around my neck. When the nurse started poking his thighs (with immunization shots), he started screaming in pain with big tears.
When it was all over, he pulled his head up, straightened up his chest and looked at me with him eyes full of tears and a crying face with an expression which conveyed, “How could you let anyone hurt me?”
In that moment, I heard his unspoken words, kissed him on the cheek, and heard myself say, “I know it hurts, but trust me, it is for your good.”
Next, I saw his face moving back closer towards my shoulder. But this time he rested his left cheek on my left shoulder. He was sobbing and when my shirt got wet, I knew he had closed his eyelids to sleep.
Looking back, I realize, that that was a moment of absolute surrender. It was a moment of my son's complete surrender (to me); before, during and after the shots. For, even after the shots he did not ask me to put him down in disgust, so that he could walk away; instead he leaned closer and closed his eyes in complete trust.
Now, I pray that I can surrender to the divinity within under all circumstances; in complete trust; just like my son did to me.
My one year old son was in my arms with his chin tucked in my shoulder blade and arms wrapped around my neck. When the nurse started poking his thighs (with immunization shots), he started screaming in pain with big tears.
When it was all over, he pulled his head up, straightened up his chest and looked at me with him eyes full of tears and a crying face with an expression which conveyed, “How could you let anyone hurt me?”
In that moment, I heard his unspoken words, kissed him on the cheek, and heard myself say, “I know it hurts, but trust me, it is for your good.”
Next, I saw his face moving back closer towards my shoulder. But this time he rested his left cheek on my left shoulder. He was sobbing and when my shirt got wet, I knew he had closed his eyelids to sleep.
Looking back, I realize, that that was a moment of absolute surrender. It was a moment of my son's complete surrender (to me); before, during and after the shots. For, even after the shots he did not ask me to put him down in disgust, so that he could walk away; instead he leaned closer and closed his eyes in complete trust.
Now, I pray that I can surrender to the divinity within under all circumstances; in complete trust; just like my son did to me.
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