In between Sri Rama & Sri Krishna, you will find appearance of

In between Sri Rama & Sri Krishna, you will find appearance of ______________ 

When one sees the life of Lord Sri Rama and Lord Sri Krishna from surface level. What one finds is contrary, two extremes view points. Many time logical rational mind stops working after baffling with thoughts 'around who is the ideal to follow?'

As one starts observing one's own mind and look at the source, core principle on which life of our great heroes revolve around. One starts getting a sense that there is more than what mind can comprehend. Habitually mind looks at the part and forgets the context presented by place, time and circumstances. Why mind does like that? Maybe mind has been trained to work in that way - Observe - bisect - make small pieces - investigate - understand - plan - apply - analysis - repeat. This seems a process mind follows. Wait! there is actually few steps more in the process about which we are not yet trained fully, consciously. After apply, there is a reflection and synthesis as well at plan and apply level flexibility or say allowance for emergence is need to be taken care along with initial process from observe to understand one can not afford to forget the framework in which (context) all this is done. Once three important point of reflection & synthesis, allowance for emergence and keeping context in mind. we will find something emerging in our mind. Allows us to go higher than the mind. 

And when we see the life of our two heroes little more intimately, we will find that there are many common points. One among them is standing up for the values which was most appropriate and needed to safe guard in their time. One will soon find that such situation arises in everyone's life too. There is a gradual evolution, a progression of mind - to set life on higher & higher principles. Not to misuse the gift and live rightfully. Leading on the path... In between doubt-Belief-faith; restrain - freedom - Equanimity...  

... Somewhere we will meet, in between Sri Rama & Sri Krishna - Buddha. A Buddha who is in you. 

A guide to handle both the extreme of the life. 

Life full of actions & rest, serious & joyful. Ability to hold contradictions, dillema, paradox life presents. 

On the day of Buddha Purnima, May our soul sets on fire. In between Sri Rama and Sri Krishna, we also meet Lord Buddha. May we find our middle ground to hold the value, unique & special to us. Just like each one of them hold few values and principle. 

PS Note:

There are plenty of stuff, which I can not write and describe right now. Nor i thing I have such ability or language gives me such power. If its unclear, let it be. If it offends someone, I am sorry! forgive me. Writing is also somewhere influence by writings of Sri Aurobindo and what he has talked/written about them. 

शिक्षक से आचार्य : परिवर्तन

शिक्षक से आचार्य : परिवर्तन

आज से बारह (१२) साल पहले शिक्षक का पेशा मेरी परिघ् के बाहर था. हलकि उसे सन्मान की नज़र से देखते थे, पर कभी उसे पेशा नही बनाना चाहते थे. हद तो तब हुवी जब हमने शिक्षक प्रशिक्षण के ३ वर्षीय अभ्यासमे जुट गये, ९ साल पहले. वहा भी जब पूछा गया 'अभ्यास मे जुड़ने का कारण बताओ?' और मेरे उत्तर मे उन्होने पाया की मे शिक्षक नही बनना चाहता. तो भैया थोड़े हमसे नाराज़ भी हुवे थे. उस समय अगर कोई मुझे शिक्षक बोल दे तो मुझे चीड़ आती थी. वह शब्द मुझे बेहूदा, घटिया लगता था. मेरे ही समुदाय (मनुष्य) के कुछ लोगो ने उसे शायद ऐसा रूप दे दिया हे. शिक्षक - जो शिक्षा करता हे. वो जो पगार ले कर मस्त हे, घ्यान और ज्ञान  उपार्जन से त्रस्त हे. ऐसी कुछ छबि थी. और मुझे ऐसा चिला-चालू तो बनना नही. करना भी अलग हे, पढ़ना अओर पढ़ाना भी अलग से था. मिराम्बिका के शिक्षक प्रशिक्षण कार्यक्र्म मे जुड़ने का इरादा कुछ वही था, अपने को बदलना, थोड़ा अनुशासन जीवन् मे ले आना और योग के मार्ग पर चलना.
यह चीड़ २०१० से २०१८ तक रही. अभी कोई शिक्षक कह के बुलाता हे तो बस हलके से मुस्कुरा देता हू. क्यूंकी मिराम्बिका माई ने बहुत कुछ बदल दिया हे.
एक बदलाव का ऐसा किस्सा आज 'शिक्षक दिवस' पर टीचर प्लस मगेज़ीन मे छप्पा - यह लिंक से आप भी पढ़े.

अब यह मेरी मिराम्बिका माई ने बताया की बनना हो तो आचार्य बनो.
आचार्य शब्द का प्रचलित अर्थ तो सब जानते हे, जो अपने आचरण से द्रष्टांत दे. शिखना उसी से होज़ाये.
दूसरा अर्थ नियमो को तोड़ के आज मेरे सामने आया. जो सब कुछ श्रेष्ठता के, सत्य के चरण मे अर्पित कर दे वो आचार्य. क्यूंकी श्री माँ ने कहा 'उसे एक योगी और नायक बनना पड़ेगा, जो अच्छा शिक्षक हे|'  और योगी तो सब कुछ अर्पित कर देता हे श्री के चरणमे.

यह परिवर्तन सरल नही हे, बहुत कठिन हे. मज़े की बात यह हे की बच्चो के लिए प्यार. और  बच्चे ही हमको बदलाव के लिए याद दिलाते रहते हे. यह परिवर्तन कभी पूर्ण होगा की नही? यह बता पाना आसान नही हे. शायद जिंदगी भर यह क्र्म चलता रहे. मेरी माँ ने सब देख रखा हे. और इसीलिए एक सुंदर सी जगह पर, कुछ बच्चो के संग, यह परिवर्तन को जारी रख पा रहा हु.

  

why it comes to me?

In life we meet many coincidences, some we take for granted, few we feel lucky about, few we ignore and very few we cherish. When some coincidences keeps on happening with you again and again, we start wondering. Wednesday late night, it happen again.

I handed over rickshaw fare to driver. He took out change from his change bag near steering wheel. As soon as coin came out, my eyes were glowing. I knew this is the similar special coin, I am going to get another one. Heart was jumping on getting the coin in hand.

Above picture was taken on 3rd February when I had fifth coin from 'National Integration' series. 

Four different year of minting. After that, I have got two more coins. 

NATIONAL - INTEGRATION

National Integration, a phrase made of two words. Some strange but long association with the word I am having from past many years and may be from life. I knew the phrase in hindi, marathi and gujarati but in english came across the phrase 10 years ago. When I participated in All India Youth Came for National Integration. Participants and Facilitators from 13+ states of India. Learning, exploring and living together for 9 days in serene environment of Puducherry. A place where strong proponent of Nationalism, Sri Aurobindo spent half of his life in doing intense sadhana. 

During camp, we had one round of problems and solution for National Integration. Where different people got various chits and they had to share their views. Topic varied from ancient architecture, scripture, languages, current problems of pollution-population-terrorism-etc. I had got question on 'National Integration'. How to achieve National Integration? 

For many year the chit on which question was written were in my wallet. I don't know exactly why i had kept it and for how many years? I still might have it folded in partition of old wallet. There is something within which resonates and jumps up, when i hear about national integration. 

Since I lived little conscious life, I have memories of writing my first poem on Kargil War. While selecting stream in college after Xth examination or attempting for NCC after 12th. From selecting a career path, one thing was always there. Service to Nation. In my heart and mind, concept of service remains with much refine and better sense now. credit goes to The Master again.

Relation with nation might be from previous life or this one only or may be all this can be sheer coincidences of life. As they say what you think about you attract them more. I doubt they are mere coincidences. 

As a learner, one thing i am certain that there is still lots of work needs to be done. many misconceptions and ideas are prevalent among people, which requires fresh & true meaning. Even though one tries and work out a plan, execute with diligence to remove it, No big change will happen. Can't achieve National Integration with outward mechanical solutions. True and lasting change will only come when consciousness gets change. That's what Sri Aurobindo has told and I have a firm believe and trust on it. And change of consciousness always begins first from oneself, from within. Than it will spread outwards naturally when right time will come. 

Puducherry Diary - Part X

After a gap of three years I went to puducherry. There were short of excitement as well as anxiety. About how things will shape up. From travelling, staying, meeting and learning. Concern , apprehensions, planning and so much of control we look. Yet.

There is always something unknown. Which we can call X of our life. In equation of life, we want to make our life equal to something. Equal to someone. 

We are given some constant like physical body, time, space and mind. Few variables which seems under our control and few which are not. All variables as well as constant seems under some influence. 

From what we know, our attempt is always to make things suitable, equal to other side of equation. Other side of our equation we want to set as per our expectation. Our projection and predictions of future. Our wish and demands from the universe for a better future.

Yet our ways to solve those linear or quadratice equation of life. Hinges on that one unknown factor X. 

Many approach work for putting a limit, differentiating each and every thing.

While few work for integrating and bringing X in.

If we would have known X.

What is this X in terms of Life?

On first two days of puducherry and one day in transition. I was setting up various equation to get the desirable outcome. 

R.H.S. = Desirable outcome = meeting friends, visiting place, doing things etc.

L.H.S. = time, space, contact details, schedule and planning

Did it ever happened everything you have set up on left hand side meets exactly like that on right hand side.

I know, answer will be NO.

Despite knowing this fact, many time we plan, worry and mind & emotions creates web for us. We tend to get caught and missed up in that web of creation.

Something similar, was happening with me too. But She was there to take hold and bring in change. All planning and scheduling thoughts were running on when I enter samadhi. It went on till I settled down at one place. And soon with Her grace, all of them also got settled and clear.

From that moment on... Many things worked out so well. Unexpected, unplanned meeting, visiting and doing... Life became more joyful and wonderful flow.

Just because the X, which generally remains unknown were known. One set whole of life based on the DIVINE PRESENCE. Which guided, and sets every equation right. 

Many time not equal to also appeared as X has set few more wonderous responses.

One need to find and then trust the X, the unknown of our life equation. Which not only solve our problem but also creates write equation of life.

What is Yoga?

What is yoga?
A question so easy to answer. Just repeat from the scripture or what siddha said on it.


Before you read anything further, please note down or at least frame your own answer. What do you know? What do you believe? What you understand from the word Yoga and Yoga in your own world? Are both the meaning word yoga and yoga in your world in complete alignment?

At The Yoga Institute, we were encouraged to define our own meaning, deepen our own understanding. So we were not only taught tradition and other meanings of yoga. Rather to define and make it our own.

I got mine...

Yoga is alignment. At least that's the first milestone on the way and at the end. When there will be perfect individual, perfect society. Not as per our imagination and mental thinking, but when alignment of every parts been achieved. When oneness be felt, what seems scattered, dispersed are unified and brought at its right place. But for a time being, for sake of practice. It's always better to know and talk of near goal. Thus Yoga is Alignment.
Alignment of our thought, speech and act; Alignment of my whole body; Alignment of Head-Heart & Hand; Alignment of individual with society and universe. Alignment at all level...I can relate to it much easily?

Have you find out for yourself, What is Yoga? With what you can relate to easily? Something which you can practice?

Will be sharing more on Alignment soon. At the end sharing one of the very famous words of Sri Aurobindo, from his book 'Synthesis of Yoga'.

A first step

When child first takes steps & walks. When child first time speaks a word and call someone. When Child writes first time on paper. All that been done for first and done by everyone of us. Isn't that moment had brought a Joy, smiling faces all around! Lots of applause and Glee Shouts. A Confirmation of success, which makes us proud. Our efforts finally yield some reason.

Even after crossing childhood, much becoming adult and senior citizens. Our first attempt on something brings smile on our face and love one's around. Sometime its quite embracing too but mostly its overwhelming. Those sweet memory of our first attempt. Whether that first time be driving your car or  first time you proposed to your love or creating your Facebook account [specially for old ones] or Learning how to use smart phone! We feel that we have accomplished very valuable task. Sometime a task which seemed like reaching at pick of Mt. Everest.  Today I want to share one such incident of my life. An event that occurred exactly 10 years ago.

It was 20/10/2006, As per Indian Calendar an auspicious days of choti diwali [more known as kali choudas, narak chaturdashi,etc.]

A day I started writing.

What? You didn't wrote before that. No, Not like that I didn't wrote anything. But they were just writing one does in school and college. Writing one does either impress someone or to score marks [for may good marks!]. To tell you one fact, I started writing bit late compare to my classmates. My Mother told me that, that she used to ask almost every day to my Jr.K.G. teacher, whether I began writing or not? Reply was mostly in negative till end of first term. somewhere in sixth month of schooling, I had begun writing in school. I can't recall what all efforts my mother and teacher put behind me to do that.

So I began writing late, so this writing late is not surprising for me. I started writing around age of 20. As told, its not about schooling or educational writing nor about writing letters for work purpose to concern authority figure. In my case its also not about writing poem in Gujarati.

This writing is about writing an article in English for upcoming e-magazine of our online community. Also where I had to first time, in real-life [not in exams hall or classroom] to translate few material from Gujarati into English.

Story behind the article.

A year 2006 was very special year for me, for many reason. Most important and Highest stand is that year 2006 marks as a year I came to know about Sri Aurobindo.

Thanks to Gujarati monthly magazine 'Yug Shakti Gayatri' by AWGP. Issue of August 2006 was a special issue for Youth. It contained articles to guide and motivate youth. There were three articles where either Sri Aurobindo were mentioned, I still remember and have kept the copy very safely. Those article gave some glimpse of his life, work as yogi & freedom fighter, his influence on Indian Patriot, specially likes of Subhash Chandra Bose. Instantly I started admiring him and made him one of my idol in life. I thought to gather some more information about Sri Aurobindo. I don't know why? but surprisingly I searched on orkut and not google at that time. I found few groups/community on it and joined two of them. One of them 'In Search of The Mother' had amazing activities and discussion going on around. Soon conversations between me and admin of the group, Unknown M began. It was during one of those conversation, I shared about those article I read in magazine. That is when Unknown M, asked me to send them. As conversation went on, proposal came to write an article for upcoming e-magazine of community.

That time, I was more of 'Yes, I will do it. I want to do. That's way I will serve and give something for e-magazine.' Next day, yes 20/10/2006, writing began. Lots of thinking went on. Helping at house chores on festival day is like must, thus less time to complete work. It somehow happened, took three days in total to complete. In fact some of the translation part, basic idea and framework were done while travelling in a BEST's bus. That bus ride was interesting as due to Eid on 20/10 and Diwali 21/10, traffic jam was huge. That's reason, I was able to write something, as bus wasn't moving much.
Article had many errors, few unsuccessful attempt for correction were done. I sent with note of request to check and edit mistakes.

Yet, group published the article almost as it is in e-magazine. [link] or blog post

That's how it began. Thanks a lot Unknown M [ and still I don't know who is Unknown M?]

All Gratitude at lotus feet of Divine. Who made all this happen.

I will continue more about this writing journey in next blog. [hopefully tomorrow. About important figure on this journey of writing.]

AGOY

Namaste,

First of all Happy International Day of Yoga to all. Unlike last year this year, i didn't did Aasanas and Pranayam. Not because like one bunch of people who are saying, 'Yoga is not posture & pose'. To be precise few of them are saying yoga is not only about posture & pose. that's more correct statement. There are many posts, twits, discussion going on what yoga is about and what yoga is not. I am also trying to find out what yoga is about? 

 

There are many concepts around and so does misconception too. I even don't know how many concepts were there in past, which exists today and will there be more in future. As attempt to whole study is like attempting to measure a universe. Also, what little bit one knows are few concepts and popular ways of yoga and many times not more than names. About misconception, I know that some has been formed due to learning by living in a culture. By looking it from certain point of view, whether its Sacred, Social, Secular or Commercial. 

 

 With guide of my The Masters and The Mother, i would love to go beyond this concepts and misconception. To let life flow and grow. Here are few words pen down before writing three paragraphs.

Peace Peace Peace. Eti Shubham

 

vaibhav 

One element of yoga is Pose,

and other is Pause,

To get into Repose.

It's foolish to argue,

what yoga is and what it's not.

Everything can be part of yoga

yet it can not be yoga.

As yoga is about bridges

and not the wall.

Its about Union, Integration

and not Differentiation, Partition.

It's obvious mind wants to put

yoga

as concepts of science or any other.

Than surely, we are building walls.

This walls then creates lots and lots of

misconception around

till the point that whole point is removed out of the wall.

Yoga is not only about getting

Peace, Happiness and Health

But its also about sharing and giving

Love, Forgiveness and Joy.

Yoga is not only about sharing and giving

Love, Forgiveness and Joy

But its also about getting

Peace, Happiness and Health

As much yoga is about the Day

Yoga is must about the Night.

What more shall i say,

what i know is that Silence is good,

and more 'I Don't know.'

Repose = Tranquility

 

 

Gratitude @ The Lotus feet of Parampriya

ધન્ય ધન્ય ઓ પ્યારા પ્રભુ

વંદનીય સ્મરણીય  ઓ પ્યારા પ્રભુ
ધન્ય ધન્ય....

આકાશે-પાતાળે, શૂન્યથી મનુષ્ય સુધી,
સર્વ - સર્વત્ર, ઓ પ્યારા પ્રભુ
ધન્ય ધન્ય....

વેદ તું વાણી તું, પવન ને પાણી તું,
જીવ સજીવ ને શીવ તું, ઓ પ્યારા પ્રભુ  

ધન્ય ધન્ય....

  

Offering at the Lotus feet of the Parampriya,

Grateful to live in there presence. I pray that presence of love and peace remain forever in times of smooth sailing as well as in time of sailing through catastrophe.

Above verse has impression of arvachin [ancient] gujarati sahitya [literature]. In fact one line is almost copy [from narsinh mehta's bhajan]. Not in defence, yet I want to say that 'whatever came during those intense moment of gratitude, I wrote it down. It contains those feelings which comes up spontaneously from heart and mind gives them form whatever available. Mind doesn't go in search and have to work on finding words and correct structure. In a way this is very rough, uncut draft of what is within as well as its uncut manifestation.'

Written somewhere between 4 - 10 January 2009. During my first visit to Home, pondicherry. Written in morning time, at samarpan lounge, where we were staying during national youth camp.

feeling blessed now and again & again of coming into their presence and living in it. Thank you maa, for enabling to share it today.


Google translation:

Blessed Blessed be the Lord , O Beloved

Accredited red-letter O Beloved Lord
Blessed blessed ....

Sky - abyss , from zero up to human beings ,
All - everywhere , O Beloved Lord

Blessed blessed ....

Veda speech thou art , thou wind and water ,
Animate the life of Shiva and thou, O Beloved Lord

Blessed blessed ....

What I listen is, what I want to listen.

Yesterday night, mind started dwelling on possible topic for writing short paragraph. As mind dwell on option, few others came to join party. Soon, clashes began and continuity broken. No topic went further than link up of more than three thoughts. Why? Other thoughts of topic didn’t allowed chain to continue and grow. Before links were made between thoughts on single topic, either a thought of new topic popped up or argument against that topic. Before situation get out of my hand, I tried to paused and relaxed. After few minutes they again started moving around mind freely, with more intensity. I postponed the task itself on tomorrow. Slowly they died and only thing left is question somewhere hidden in mind, I have to write on something?

After an hour, while surfing television channel I came across DD Girnar [local Gujarati channel]. Swamiji from Swaminarayan Sect was speaking on some topic. In his address, something touched me. Essence of His saying or rather explanation of some text was simple. Here is a brief version, as I remembered, “… Problem of human life is not of current but from the past centuries and millenniums it is there. So many saints and Scripture came and went away. Some are still there, but we don’t listen to them.  Forget about listening to other and changing. Human don’t listen to their own voices. How can one expect one to listen sage and scripture. Can Change happen by listening to sages and scripture when one doesn’t listen to one’s own voices. It is mistake if I think that by listening to me I am going to change you or going to make difference in your life. In fact you listen according to what is there within you. ...”

That last sentence rang the bell in me. Thoughts started pouring and soon, I sat with pad and pen to jot them down. [! This time instead of typing, I went for writing.] I began…

Many times I wonder about working of our senses! Its way of working is complex and different from other parts and system of human machine. Whole process sounds too complex to me now. All other system is circulatory in nature, in and out, in some movement. Most of those activities happen unconsciously. While working of the senses is neither cyclic nor happens fully consciously with 100% purity, compare to common perception. Also our emotions, natural habits, previous images and experience along with other factors play a vital role in process. [! I have edited from second line onwards for final write up.]

At this point, I remembered by Master Sri Aurobindo and one of his article ‘The Training of Senses’ as part of his writing on ‘A System of National Education’. I decided to read it next day.[link of article]

Then mind was again clattered with thoughts on different senses and which one to select for illustration. Even though I had begun with listening, here came up an option and selection was to stick to old plan.

I further wrote this quote:

“What I listen is, what I want to listen.”

After that another two paragraph about process involved in listening. I am not sharing that, as it is incoherent. Also, after reading article of master, I found more depth and figured out why I have inclination to it. You can guess that. Here is a hint from Sri Aurobindo’s text.

“…This is a preliminary process of Yoga and was effected in our ancient system by various means, but would be considered out of place in a modern system of education.

It is clear, therefore, that unless we revert to our old Indian system in some of its principles, we must be content to allow this source of disturbance to remain. A really national system of education would not allow itself to be controlled by European ideas in this all-important matter. And there is a process so simple and momentous that it can easily be made a part of our system…”

 Eti Shubham

Free Progress Way in Integral Education

Free Progress Way in Integral Education

 something for trickling, raising question first.. 

In an Integral Education,

Free progress is one of the ways.

Where free stand for being free,

Free of own desires and impulses,

Free of outer view and concepts,

Free doesn’t stands here for

Doing what one like to do,

Or wants to do,

Nor about free to do anything.

It is about being free to do,

What is relevant for progress?

How we come to Know,
What is relevant for progress.

Thus it requires discipline and guidance,

To know and discover ones aim of life.

One is free for this discovery

To take up this adventure

Only and only for a progress,

Without which life is dead.

[Now in form of analogy, has to try out in poetic way later. Also keep in mind no analogy is 100% complete as after all it is an analogy not real thing itself.]

It is a way of water cycle; of a river. River knows her goal, her aim in life. She wants to achieve it. Traditionally we had been kept goal of river as meeting to ocean. But for me, at this moment it is not final and true aim of hers. Her true aim is to become nectar. She wants to help others in her course and wants to forget about herself. With this aim in mind, she begins her journey from her home in mountains. First thing she has to do is to come out of comforts and conditioned imposed by older on her. First step towards free. Yet she has to keep in mind that I have to progress, for which she accepts being in discipline and takes helps of banks. Without which she can’t move further and work for progress. Despite of all odd with this free progress she meets her goal. This is not complete she has to go for another level of freedom. Not to lose her originality, purity within. Again she aspires, with divine grace of Sun sets herself free, forms a union and comes back again for progress. She will keep on till whole of water comes to its natural state. Not of sweet and sour, not of color or shape. Completely free.

 [so much its symbolic, without pretext i doubt if anyone can understand it. hope soon i will come with proper introduction.. right now only this much.]

chalo nayi daastaan likhe..

chalo nayi daastaan likhe...

dastak ki he naye saal ne ek darkasht le kar,
dakhila de hum ish jaha me nek khayal ko;
sifarish bhi woh saath laaya mere malik ke,
jo muje he pukar raha,
chalo nayi daastaan likhe.. 

chal mere bande, ab to nikal chal,
din dhal gaya he, 
dum he to nikal chal.
ek nayi daastaan likhne..



As first day of a year 2013 is about to end, a strong prayer is emerging out from the heart. To be, SATYAVAN. His way of sadhana is one where my heart, body and mind rests.

" But thou hast come and all will surely change:
I shall feel the World-Mother in thy golden limbs
And hear her wisdom in thy sacred voice
The child of the Void shall be reborn in God,
My Matter shall evade the Inconscient’s trance.
My body like my spirit shall be free.
It shall escape from Death and Ignorance. "

Satyavan's call to Savitri, on their destined meeting. Today, most of the time i felt an urge to answer few questions, to sought answers of them all in a days to come. symbols and legends of Savitri has revealed something significant for me and pertaining to my life. mind and heart is constantly drawing revelance with each part of the symbols.

Satyavan, who bares truth within. ignorant of his real self, he walks in joy in a palace of pleasures. Born in a human form, whose father has long forgotten and now lost the kingdom of glory and glame. In a process of creating identity he has cut the link from I and created a false, trapped i. The son of that father, contented in a way, not aware of real presence within. Now, he has awakened on a touch of savitri. He aspires to be with her, and through her to see the world and transcend the world. reclaim the glory.

O Parampriya, let this year be of total surrender, complete in its nature, with full sincerity and gratitude. A surrender as done by Satyavan. Satyavan within me us, asks to thee ' To come and make an abode in this part of your being.  transfigure and transform the mind and matter, canalised the energy to reveal thy self, to manifest thy way.'

eti shubham