Death

It's been a surprise for me,
How thought to write a blog on death came to mind few moments back.
I had started writing on something in morning, but it wasn't working right. There was a desire to make 201st post, something special.
But ...

I no longer wonder - in recent past came across the word, thoughts and reflection around death.
As thought arrived very first thing i observed the word 'eat' within 'death'. How wonderful, isn't it!

DEATH - Divine Eats His creation. annihilation.

No one wants to experience this.
Everyone thinks it happens at the end or something which finishes everything.
How stupid such mind to believe that it happens at the end and finishes everything?
Death is present in very present.
Kaal is another name of death - Samay - Time.
And this constantly nagging thought of do - work - finish up else kaal will come... we keep on hearing but mind sleeps off in myriad of sensory enjoyment.

That's remind me of Kabir and his words.
Expressed in this song by Neeraj Arya's Kabir Cafe in modern version...



All our smartness is nothing in front of him.

So far, I had one equation given by my master, Pt. Sri Ram Sharma Acharya - Life = Time

We all love life, but life moves on, just like Time.
So logically, equation comes down to this
Death = Kaal (0)
kaal = time - (1)
life = time  - (2)
From equation, (0), (1) and (2),
life = death
Is there any difference... !!
A powerful equation to base your life upon.

Once one start working based on the above equation, i guess there will no loner any question.
little word play here too - only one letter differs question and equation. moment something goes 's' silence , 'a' answer arrives. so moment you are that silence, answer of everything... equation and question become same.

Death brings so many association, shivering in spine. So many right and wrong things we keep on doing, without realizing death is going on. It is always there, forever present.

Death - a point to contemplate about.
Every moment, as time passes I die and this false identity wants to stick with that past image. It want to create new, bigger and better pictures in continuation of that identity, without dying. How is that possible? one has to embrace death and than move ahead.
Die every moment and be born every moment. forever child.

Are you ready to die? Right now?
die for being better version of yourself
die for something larger than yourself.
but die, what is kept in living, sticking with already dead. die is new living.
Fearless, Love ... ufff... all of them ... moment I die... I live...
To live truly live in now. die now.

diving in death, emerging in life
Lord of death, wants to bind you in those dead images, wants you to see non-existent images, that which is not existence can not be alive, it needs to be dead too.
Stop this logic mind, and experience it.

look at it...
feel it
dive in
die
live



[read steve jobs quotes on death and dying... and

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.

  

Judgemental Hai Kya? : Mathematics and Life 3

You might be wondering from the title, is there any relation between a movie 'judgemental hai kya?' with mathematics and life.

No! There is no relation between them. I can't say that 100%, there may be something in that movie too. I haven't seen last week release but attended another most interesting story.

Last Saturday evening instead of a movie with old colleague. we had simple plan to meet, eat and chat. But within my heart, I wanted to attend another event happening at same time and at far distance from place of our meeting. Heart was longing to meet best friend. And when heart wishes truly, something really works and move. Due to God Rain, meeting with colleague got cancel and time got open to meet best friend. His name is 'The Little Prince'.

Those of you who haven't met and heard about him, let me tell you little bit. First of all, best friend I am talking about is nothing but books. 'The Little Prince' is one such book, more than a character as it lives within you, me and everyone. A fantastic work by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. A classic for children as well as adult. 

I came across new friend of mine at mirambika library in 2010. Since than little prince and i have been together. Me more as a learner and He as a Great Teacher. 

Back to Saturday evening exploration. The New Acropolis (khar branch) had a pubic event "The Little Prince: Great Teacher."  I missed starting exploration of universe with the little prince. I joined him late, he had already left from his plant B612. By the time i reached he was on third planet.

image source: https://wallpapercave.com/the-little-prince-wallpapers

By now you might be thinking, what is going on? May be judging me or recollecting your moments with The Little Prince.

That's exactly were I would like you to ask you for a Pause. Take a Pause! Look at all the internal voices coming and see whether mind 'Judgemental Hai Kya?' and Now be attentive to internal voices and whats going to come.

While listening story, exploring teaching on this adventure. Our presenter called four volunteers and I volunteer. We had simple role play to be done. School friends meeting after a long time, they have their conversation. While at same time there internal voices are speaking up. After exercises story continues, explanation goes on... and that's when Mathematics enters.

Face Value & Place Value

Ohh! In numbers we get confuse for the same. In our innocence we take everything on face value, never consider place values. number 248 as per mathematics is not, Two, Four and Eight but it's Two Hundred Forty Eight. Illusive zero brings all trouble into such simple life. All the matter of consequences, trust, not taking things as they are, and so on.

Back in elementary school we have learned and now teaching children too. Baby, don't take everything on face value! As children we get so surprise, just like the little prince. Over period of time, copying adult behavior, life circumstances & experiences, defense or coping mechanism of competitive race makes us show something on face (outside), while keeping the place (inside) all confused, unheard.
A small seed grows like 'Baobab' tree and it's dangerous menace. We stop listening to true place value voice, lot of internal noises and all show speech & action. We stop listening, can't take anything on face value. Sometime become so judgmental, everything we want to put at places of words, tones, behaviour, past experiences and evaluate the value.

Unlike in mathematics, where we are trained to see and read number correctly. We know it's silent or invisible zero there. 'Zero' makes whole lot of different. Sadly, in life we hardly fine Great Teacher like 'The Little Prince', who shows there is a zero, Shunya. Shunya of buddhist or, lila of Divine, or Maya of Brahman or you can explain in many ways & yet fall short of reaching to express shunya. 

Two, Four and Eight looks same as Two Hundred Forty Eight - 248.
In reality from their position or quantity they have huge difference. 
same way, whether it's a material life or moving towards spiritual life, one needs to be careful about putting things at right place and showing right face. We can only put things at its true place, when clutter, noise of mind silences. Stillness! Shunya!

The Mother of Sri Aurobindo Ashram, puducherry also told while working on psychic education.
"... Never take physical happenings at their face value. They are always a clumsy attempt to express something else, the true thing which escapes our superficial understanding. ..."

Knowing right places of its origin and placing it at right place. It's like taming animal, which we are so far. except we have brilliant brain and mind. which can turn into friend or foe. Just like fox in story ask the little prince to tame him. he can be his friend, instead of looking outside for people. 

I hope by now you must have understood connection between Face value and Place value of Mathematics and Life. 

Still have something in mind, like to discuss or want to work upon knowing and practicing I invite for a learning adventure: yoga and education ! Happy taming. 

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. 

Anchor

Last friday i asked a boy of 10 years old. 'Hows your boat going on?' 
He replied, 'what did you say?'
I repeated the questions with explanation, 'whether your boat of life is sailing smoothly, hows current, up-downs, joy, boring....' [I must have said more words, but I can't recall them now.]
He replied 'I have put an anchor, right now!'
'Ohh!' I exclaimed, asking question to continue conversation 'but boat is mean to sail.'
He responded, 'Yes, right now vacation is going on. It's bit boring but good'. 
Then he said something which blew me away.
He added, 'size of an anchor is big. If I have bigger than this i can't move or even can get topple down.' [He had said something very similar to this. again, can't recollect exact words, which he spoke.]

I was stunned. In Awe! I thanked him.
Anchor.

One of the Dictionary meaning, apart from naval use and T.V. or event Shows is,

 a person or thing that provides stability or confidence in an otherwise uncertain situation.

Now, assume your boat (life , with your loaded living philosophy, will power, psychological taste & attributes and all what consists your 'I') and size of anchor or anchors you keep (religion, perspectives, philosophy, masters/guru, dream).
There has to be a right proportion between size of boat and destination you want to reach with size of anchor you require in your life.
Many times, i see people who keeps high anchor are still at shore, they never able to lift that anchor and sail to other shore. They feel very secure, can tell you all in words what their anchor is all about and how strong it is. But in their own life nothing. In fact highest, noblest, ideal is been summed up as a small anchor.

Or some time they haven't got that strong faith or high anchor to safeguard in midst of storm. 

while in some cases, may be many we have very big physical ship but our anchor of life are so small. [ All thugs are there to rob them away, by selling lockets of anchor. 😉😜]

Thanks to him, i landed up onto another shore. Little one with great Insights. He talked about many other things. May be some other day and other time, I might share. Grateful to Divine, for sending sweet anchoring moments in life.

छीन लो

प्रभु से मांगा बस इतना।
के काम क्रोध लोभ मोह ,
छीन लो।

मेरी पुकार सुनकर,
वह दयालु आया बुराई छीन ने।
पर, क्यों मे छिनभिन हो रहा?

कुछ था जो मुझमे,
जिसने इन्हींसे खुदको बनाया।
 जब नाथ आये हरने ,
मे हार ना पाया।

- Vaibhav
17-03-2019

--------------------

I was at auditorium watching aarangyetram. First time, along with community member.
Last offering of the day was this beautiful composition of Pandit Ravishankar.
Hey Nath Hum Par Krupa Kijiye

Her dance was so powerful and connecting. At the word of chhin lijiye, it took me. I was broken. As something were taken away.

I felt many time, above prayer comes and still clinging to our past habits, to lower qualities somewhere comes in between in process of purification.

Let today our heart, mind and soul guide us to allow Lord for taking away whatever is harmful and bestow upon all the beauty, love, peace and light.

line and curve in stories of life

"There is a meaning in each line and curve."

- Sri Aurobindo, Savitri, P.460

Today, February First marks six month being out of Job. Last six month spent in Exploring world through various lenses and finding a life.

31^st July 2018 was a last day in The Polymath School. Farewell has been a touchy thing. Specially when you have deep rooted connections. To organize simple task of putting cake and begin celebration, no one was coming forward and passing games were on. At the end, one has to stand and order, get oneself doing few part.

There are and will remain many stories around sudden move of mine. Leaving a established job, work, students, friends and many more. Especially when you been to USA tour for school purpose just a month back. Let all versions of stories remain with their respective speakers and listener. What I want to share today are two things – first and foremost questions and few pointers which lead to Resignation and early exit. Secondly, answering another question. What I am up to, now?

Why?

 It's been six months and many people still ask this questions. My answers are various stories, different each time either with all facts or few facts & rest. Sharing this also give me sense of clarity and way to share curent and next move. 

Questions and Pointer

1.      Are you under influence?

2.      What do you want to do?

3.      You say, I will do it in 2020 or from 2022 onwards. Why not now? Go for that Now.

4.      Going back to the root [words are altered here and put in more positive tone.  J ]

5.      Watching Marathi Movie, ‘Bucket-List’ (Madhuri Dixit’s first Marathi movie) [final seal on resignation letter, came after watching it.]

We are always under the influence of various forces of Nature. It is a Nature - human, animal, earth and others which acts in and through us most of time. Very few have a control, rest of us are always under some influence.  

-         What is meant by ‘sincere’?

-         Sincerity means to accept the Divine Influence only and not that of lower forces. – Sri Aurobindo (CWSA-29)

In simple terms I found that we are either influenced by Fear, Love and in between them.

Last six month went behind experimenting and finding what one wants. What are the things which affects and influence this being.

And what I wanted to start or do and live from 2022, when I will reach age of 35. I will be consecrating at the feet of The Master on his 150^th Birth anniversary. I intend to start and try to live from now onwards.

So, what is that... second part of sharing thus begins. Still all is in its very primitive stage. What I am sharing is few basic where about and work.

1.     Pause to the work of ‘School of Universal Life’ (S.O.U.L.) may be for a whole year. It is a pause till emergence of better program and formation of few things.

2.     Being Part of community living. Lovingly called Anahad – beyond limits. Here its location details, for those who are inquisitive to know more about what we are doing and other things please mail on jiyomatiry@gmail.com or call.

3.     Few project work in Mumbai as well support to few individual & organization will go on for a year or two.

But most importantly a base for all above is living a life. Life as one should – connected with Self, with nature and living from within. Goal is a transition from Teacher-Facilitator to Aacharya.

At the end of six months, here I am.

Filled with stories of past, its various versions heard and unheard.  With full of possibility in present and future to draw lines and curve, by connecting dots, weaving yet another stories. Looking back each line and curve holds a deeper meaning, moving somewhere. Now what is require is to see next connecting dot and next connecting dot and others are in direction of progress or not?

Eti Shubham

[Ref: http://sasp.collaboration.org/individual.html ]

So you glow..

Scuttle on shuttle of doubt;
When you hear something loud,
Failure again comes to meet
Disappointment grows still.

You feel dejected,
Rejecting all thoughts
Voids are made.
More voices transpire
Filling the void
Leaving all alone.

Left with voices around
Succumb to the pressure around
Shift you need
You know and fail to recall.
Opt out and face the trial.

A step ahead and two back,
Dark void, heavy weighs pulls you down.
Straight you stand, Look at center.
Light going in and out. 
Whether its sucking up all
Or emitting all out.

You want to share, look out for solace
Care of self, How can that entail?
Looking out, many stoppage around
Looking in, blank out.

In random talk, 
Wounds are shown a little.
Healing comes, throw wide
grow wise, with essence which whispers
Go Slow.

Be Still
Repeat again 'Go Slow'
Accept the flaw
Don't be tough and resist
Penetrate and just Flow.
Understand as you go.

You go slow.
So you glow.

- Vaibhav
19/11/2018

Goddess Laxmi, economics, me & practices - Part 1

Message, Meaning and ____

         A thirst, yearning to earn and fulfill the desire is embodied in human. This thirst makes human move, progress and makes a life. Yearning can be a desire for many things, not only of money or wealth. In general, what one doesn't have one craves for it. One becomes thirsty, hungry to get those things. Generating a passion in human, to work and move for achieving desired result/thing. 

Passion, which brings in fire within is very precious. Without which life seems meaningless. In this fire we offer our life, every movement, outward acts, our thoughts & feelings. Keeping this fire alive, is equally important as to keep it pure. To keep this fire out of greed, envy, jealousy and all such impure parts. At beginning, at the middle and may be till towards end, it generates more fire. It looks and keep passion too much. 

How than it generates more passion? increases the thirst and also gets more result. Ohh! what one is offering is actually a true fire, one eats up oneself. Without knowing. One engulf oneself. and Self remain hidden for a long. A true fire hidden under layers of thick ashes. Our tendency is not just quenching the thirst, a need. Time, comes into the picture. Which makes human think about past quench and thirst which wasn't quench. Future thirst and its imagery runs into the mind and heart. forgetting many times natural place and space of body. This time ask for more, to take little more always. If didn't got to take in whichever way and all friendly negatives enter in. thirst is left on side, another superficial thirst came up. This is not right space to ask what is time? whether its good or bad? We burning in this fire. On one side our need, our natural thirst and hunger and on another side artificial, synthetic needs. Needs turning into immediate demands, desires and wants. a pressure on supply, source.

All offered, prayed to Goddess Mahalaxmi. Many prayed to God Kubera. For a change, as little point human psyche recognizing little more. You get messages and prayers considering other aspects of fire, thirst. Something which was getting quench easily. Are now not quench because thirst of artificial, money has taken up more values. How can thirst of emotions, thoughts and many other forms can be fulfilled. A balance need to be brought.

Above all, I wrote just to explain and make a base for message I shared.

whoever, whatever amount of thirst you have,

whatever type of thirst you have,

let your thirst be quench by MahaLaxmi.

Happy Dhanteras.

{Dhan = capital, money, जीवन-निर्वाह हेतु साधन भूत द्रव्य - a valuable which helps as a tool for living, one can consider emotions, social life, cultural life, spiritual life, all are as equally important tool to live and they all have its own kind of dhan;

Teras = it means thirteenth day of month either in first or second half of the month. With little breakdown, it sounds like word Taras, meaning Thirst.}

Me, Money & Economics

Before my physical age turned into double digit. I was getting averted from my name. Reason, meaning of my name were associated more with money, one of the over valued proposition. And than there was this Vrat (fasting, resolve) of Vaibhav-Laxmi vrat. This over stretching and seeking of money, i use to hate. Even though one of the sister from Brahmakumari's had told me the deeper meaning of the word. Abundance. Still it never went in that well. 

For me various transactions were economics, at that age. I think in its simpler way, to explain its nothing but how things were exchanged and cycles were created to generate, sustain and destroy.  

Yet, 18 years ago when I got economics as separate minor subject under main subject of social science. I was elated to have such subject. It was one of my favorite subject and I had taken a keen interest. In fact, even while taking admission in science stream I was looking and aiming at college where I can study economics along with physics and mathematics. Stock Market, Business, Budget were few things. Even till graduation year, I used to read and try to understand them.  [Which never happened and never studied the subject as in academically]

But is this the real economics?

 In school we were taught about big systems, theories and institutes. How taxes are generated. How trade happens between one country and other? How does Bank functions? My knowledge is only limited to what I learn in school. 

Rather I feel first and for most when need to be taught economics of our living. Right values and its propositions. Positions of various Dhan in our life. How to deal with them? What kind of attitude one should keep? Now a days, under name of financial literacy and few using economics are talking and bringing in life, individual into picture of economics. But when I studied... (Sorry! no point going back to past and reflecting. Trying to bring some point and building something to fill those gap. That is also good. But that's not the purpose here. Nor i feel it helps more than creating and practicing more real connections.)

Why we need to be taught economics to all? 

economics which helps person to figure out what actually it takes to live a life in harmony, in unity along with a beauty. 

In Sri Aurobindo's words - 

Harmony and beauty of the mind and soul, harmony and beauty of the thoughts and feelings, harmony and beauty in every outward act and movement, harmony and beauty of the life and surroundings, this is the demand of Mahalakshmi.

(Selection from the book, The Mother)

Harmony with oneself, Harmony with people around me, Harmony with animals and Nature. Whole of the earth. I think and feel, this is more vital point to learn. Specially in current time. 

But what we were taught was mere theory of capitalism or socialism or Nehru's model & adoption in India or someone else & some country. They corrupt the mind, it puts one against the other. Our teacher never took that interest, even if some child wants to become economist or chanakya(kautilya - Indian Economist from ancient period). Life was missing. Life is still missing. Life is divided. Can we have a look at micro level of economics along with macro?

A big question. In fact there are few important question one can asked, few were asked.

Our search continues and so does story of life. me, economics and practices.... To Be continued in next part...

Part 2

Diwali 2018 : Alignment

“It’s very common that people who have had deep and significant spiritual awakenings will at some point have to meet their inner shadow at a very deep and fundamental level. Through dealing with this shadow material, we become more and more aligned—but not with ideas of right and wrong, good and bad. There is a different kind of alignment here, an alignment with that inner sense of spiritual reality, love and divine being.”

~ Adyashanti

from, Resurrecting Jesus; https://bit.ly/2ckn6iD

What came to me, inner learning.... a lesson in alignment

The moment, awakening begins. Sun rises into the sky. thus shadow is bound to come. Shadow is bound to grow. Darkness will be spared out but shadow grows and haunts. Only when you have deeply aligned with the sun. Sun the light of supreme wisdom. Alignment with reality. shadow disappears. movement, alignment goes with the light. shadow is back in action. and time will come when a deep dive in light and you are light. one wishes! even if it's an imagination. one aspire for it. a one deep dive for alignment.

A simple observation of shadow and light, teaches so many things. Withstanding the noon sun. always keeping that high powerful all above everything. One need to grow that capabilities.

Still in the darkness all this sounds magical and rightful, doable. Night a preparation ground, to deal with shadow caste by inner lamps. when real lamp arrives?

There is no point of return, you are in light.

Even if you return into darkness, ignorance.

Light will be with you.

I don't know from where this words come.

whether they are right or wrong.

I don't see on left and right.

sometime in search of alignment, one scatters out.

One scatters out to rearrange and place things at right places.

To take out and observe,

Accept and put it at right place. again don't judge by thy mind.

as they have past the scrutiny of trinity of intellect. high above the mind.

They too have rejected, low standard ignorant just to pass back again and transform into the light.

On the first day of Diwali, starting from today I wish for alignment.

Let this Diwali be Diwali of alignment with inner light. let Ram dwelling inside comes out and adorn the thorn.

Let this Diwali, be another step of alignment of various forces. Let all come back into its rightful circles of infinity. Close channels of love and harmony be opened to get align.

Align thy mind-heart-body around the Ram.

Ram not the one, who had taken birth in palace.

Ram who is still awaiting his birth in and through you.

Krishna whose flute music once enchanted the vrindavan,

same is waiting to come out in and through you.

Buddha's compassionate eyes which looked at the world.

Waiting for your third eye to open and look out, from within.

Alignment, Mahavira's courage be with you.

may we all align towards harmonious life, around universal life.

Alignment is a way towards Enlightenment.

Practice of the week: Meditative Origami

The week which passed by, I started a new practice.I committed to make one origami model in a day. So far I was able to make six origami model. Beginning was simple and swift. I missed one day, so next day i make it up. Today, it went little deeper and longer. Purpose behind starting this practice got fulfilled to some extent.

I started the practice of making origami model with three intentions. 

• First one is Learning & Sharing, to learn something every day.
• Second intention is to share this learning later on to others. 
• Last and most important to meditate in this new form.

Whole week, I tried to practice it and was somewhere going good. so many different things comes in.

Today, thought came why not search on youtube to make something related to yoga pose. I came across meditating buddha. Just like any other work, finding right video came up as a challenge. Many had not shown steps, few were too fast and few details, camera angle were missing. 

Finally, I came across something which was slow and provided good starting point.

(video link here.)

Challenges didn't stop here. Rest of the week, I practiced with just simple 5 to 7 minutes max video. Origami model were made within 10-15 minutes. You feel elated, once you do it. Yesterday's chair was simple. It didn't turn up well towards end. so after finishing satisfaction was very less. Almost in between I used to take it up and make some crease again, do some fold again and try to make it look perfect. After some attempt I succeeded in it. How wonderful! such small observation of movement teaches. Reflection upon this movement gave newer insight. Some of our habitual natural urge.

Today's challenge was double. 

Before landing up to the video from where I learnt and made. I had two unsuccessful attempt. 

When I began with Claudio, after 5 minute or so, I found its same model as in first attempt. The way they arrived to base structure was different and slow pace of video really helped. 

Here! mind got a chance to wonder. And in this wonder it started wandering at places. To be precise it went out thrice by the time, video reached to 11 minute. At this point, pace of hand and camera angle changed. I couldn't make out what exactly were done. What I have to do? Frustration was building up and control mechanism had started. I tried and left it. I saw video few times back, but couldn't make out. Then i left it on side. Next moment, took it again and just followed something out of head. Wow! it was happening as it should happen. Got some encouragement. One side done. Other side, again had trouble. Challenge is good, it helps to improvise. improvisation took place. Sole focus was on the hand, actually fingers were moving much faster.

Again, I tried to see video and see what next? I found some clue but couldn't find what those hands did exactly? By now mind was little calmer. So, instead of frustration it went to focus and did something.

Finally, not so perfect as shown in video. I was able to make,my first Origami Buddha. Zen Meditation.

I could not have made that perfect, as claudio is making it from last 25years and meditating with it.

It made the day amazing.

origami buddha

front view - origami buddha, zen meditation, learning practice with youtube video.

Now looking forward to next week.

Looking into past- I thank my maa, for asking me to remove unnecessary things last Sunday. What I came across was multiple photocopies and true copies of HSC marksheets and Leaving Certificate. Initially, I gave it for recycling. Soon idea strikes and I kept those paper with me. Practice began.

Responding to a Call: A journey begins

It's exactly 905 days ago, I went for a call.
Today I am travelling again, in the same train. Last time call was for the service and offering. This time it's for sourcing our oneness.
Call is always felt inside and outer responds to it.
Destinations are different yet aims are same. Person has changed.
Last time I had a travel partner and unreserved ticket. This time (atleast in train), I don't have any travel partner but a reserved ticket. Last time I didn't had plan to return back home. While this time I have not only plan but reserved ticket for return journey.
What's similar is few things planned and few unplanned. Oneness to embrace the unknown. This time more prepared.

Drawing parallel between this two journey itself bringing so much insight, that looking forward with open receptivity for more.

A call from Himalaya
Many time I had planned to be but it's always a call which makes it happen.
It's been always a journey more within then it happens outside.
One needs to prepare for listening and following the call.
Physically, psychologically and mentally there is always more to prepare. As journey happens more frequent and you become a traveller. No, you are on pilgrimage.. preparation becomes shorter and shorter. This happens on physical plane more and goes inward too.
At psychological plane to it takes some time to bring that shift and work.

As I observe, mind has become more ready and in Present moment to receive.
Very less imagery to achieve. Rather welcoming all that comes. Unlike last time, there is more calm to reach and meet himalaya. Not much of thinking of what and how of things to be done and going to happen. When you will reach and all anxiety of journey..Nothing of that sorts comes into view... Memory seen now, past in Present.. future is present as journey unfolds.

Golden Temple Mail

Name of train in which I am moving towards the destination.
Never been at Golden Temple though but feels like going to it.
I don't know when I will visit such holy place nor I want to make another desire for such visit. Let CALL come.
Himalay calling is nothing less then making a golden temple within. So lord can come and stay over there.
Journey makes you little more strong, little more sensitive... As one goes into this TAPAS... One becomes more refine, pure..
जो जले सो कुंदन होवे
To be a gold, a pure gold... One need to go into this fire.
In contrast himalaya fire is more hidden from outside it looks and really feels so cold..
Isn't it testing you, how much fire you are holding within. Not only to survive the extreme weather and climate condition at high altitude but also how you keep this fire for progress burning in the world.
With each journey, I have found that himalaya actually rekindle the fire within. It never exhaust fire within, rather it ignites the new and fresh.

Himalaya.. shall I tell you father or mother. You have been all.
यह राधा, यह धारा, तुमसे ही निकली है।
आज फिर तुम और चली है।
यह जानने के, में कौन हूं?
तुम तो जानते हो सब, देखते हो सब।
तुम्हारी गोद मे फिरसे में वह सब देखना सुनना
चाहता हु।
तुम अटल हो, अचल हो।
में चंचल और तेज।
तुम उच्च शिखरों से गगन से बाते करते।
में निम्न, बस ज़ोर ज़ोर से उसे पुकारता।
बस में इतना ही हु जानता तुम्हे,
तुम और भी बहुत कुछ हो।
कुछ मेरी समझ मे, और कही कुछ मेरी समझ के बाहर।
आज फिर तुम और चली हु,
खुदी को ढूढंने,
खुद को तुझमे खो देने।
यह धारा, यह राधा
उल्टी नही बह रही।
आभास तो यही होता हे,
पर यह सिर्फ आभास हे, हकीक़त नहीं।
मुझे बस इतना पता हे,
में तेरी औऱ चली हूँ।

Need and Time

After writing yesterday's portion on learning style, today some sharing and reflections took place at friends place. One word which drew more attention was need. Finding learners need of learning, what learner must have or must do to become knower, doer in its most perfect way.{ Grateful to the teacher who asked few questions on my previous article. Without which could not have went little deeper into this word and it's aspect. Also grateful to srila di and the yoga institute for exercise on need, want and desire.}

One of the question which came to my mind was, does need has a tense?
Here are few random, unorganised chains of thoughts on answer of above question.

In simple terms..
Needs are always in a present.
Leaving apart need of breathing, eating, sleeping, and others such general ones. Needs can not be in past or of future.

I looked into dictionary. It says need is a verb with two different ways of knowing.
Something one must have or something one must do.

Needs are of two types, one which is constant and every moment/day one has to fulfilled it. Another which changes as per the development and cyclic nature of growth/person. Means in summer you feel a need to make yourself cool. But in winter same need is completely opposite in nature.
Need is nothing much but a bare minimum necessity. We as human crossed the bridge and made it two crowded , where we mixed need and wants..

Need is taken as a verb, except as common noun. As per business dictionary, need is a motivational force that compels action for its satisfaction. Needs are finite and wants are boundless.
Needs can be of necessities ,basic survival (should be called living) and those created by human per say social, intellectual and cultural, can be called necessaries. Still without few necessaries need one can live healthy, safe life.

Talking in learner need, it is a necessary point of development which learner wants to move ahead.

Needs are define primarily in present moment.. moment needs starts defining in future, as must have or must do... It becomes very easy to turn and sleep into demands, wants, desire..

There is something call developmental need. Like chile as it develop, at different stages it will require different sets of things. If one makes a progression graph of such need, it will mostly linear in nature. In terms of wants progression graphs keeps on growing even after satisfaction of it,some time quite exponentially.

What I really require? My basic needs to live a life on this beautiful earth.

Why style matters in education? Or does it really matter?

{ps: prerequisite before reading it, this topic consider person has fair bit of idea about different learning style (auditory, visual, kinesthetic and others) and teaching style (model, facilitator, lecture,etc.). If not use any of the below reference resource and read them. Thanks. You are free to read otherwise too.}

There are two main definition of the english word - style. (In hindi : शैली)

1. The way that something is done, built, etc.
2. The shape, fashion or design of something.

Now when we put this word along with Learning and Teaching. We can derive few meaning out of it. Each tells whether it is static or dynamic, fixed constant or changeable variable. I am not going right now in details to take each combination and analyse them

In general, few believes are prevalent in education domain, specially in today's time. They are,
1. When we use word learning style we generally, mostly use second definition of style, with fixed notion.
And
2. While using teaching style we generally, mostly use first definition of style and in changeable notion.

Above statement comes from general observation, few reading and research finding. (See the video given in link. Again not going into details)

But why I am suddenly talking about this? That to in short description.

I found this Learning quite amusing. Seeds of it is quite old. While current root lies in one month yoga course.

On first day of our course, during  orientation we were told there's going to be many teachers. Some time two to three teacher for same areas. Each with their unique style.
That's hard fact for any institute, school, university. Every individual going to be unique. Teachers, professors are not a machine robots which can produce same thing.

As a student, I tried to adopt and adjust all learning style appropriate for that particular teacher to best (and some time low too) of my capabilities.
It was interesting mix of things.

But in those few days what I show as a student and conversation with fellow student. As well past observation of teacher and student. I develop little more understanding about life and education. It posed few questions too.

I found we have somewhere got caught in our own believes about our style and capability. Our mindset has restricted us. Also as a system, on one hand we are telling teachers to change style of teaching, differentiated learning and so on.. but same thing we don't tell to student who can actually get more benefit by doing so. (In terms of development). We label student (it's happening at many places) or start comparing student with student, teacher with another teacher. To a certain extent that parent and even other teacher don't hesitate to tell to their children, your teacher doesnt know 'how to teach?' ' your teacher is third class teacher .' and many such phrases and sentences.

At same time, providing a child with learning style most dominant or preference base, really helps that child. In life, at work scenario at many other learning and development level can we keep on creating, catering to those style. And if you don't find such occasion and teacher which suits your learning style, then what will you do?

What are we doing?

Again a big question, here I would like to take a pause..
I would like to take a pause for two reason.
1.
Bring down a level down and present questions, understanding in smaller chunk... While maintaining that interconnectedness.
2. I have already presented something which many have tried, challenged and proved by research, a kind of myth we have generated on learning style.

Also, you might to read again or watch the video.
As above write up is kind of summary and next steps..

Reference resources:
https://www.theatlantic.com/amp/article/557687/

https://blog.cognifit.com/teaching-styles/amp/

Multiple intelligence by Howard Gardner

https://education.cu-portland.edu/blog/classroom-resources/5-types-of-classroom-teaching-styles/
https://www.skillsyouneed.com/rhubarb/fingerprints-learning-styles.html

https://youtu.be/855Now8h5Rs
(Must watch...)

Images front tes.com and internet sources.

Learning as a student

{Source: Google search}

As a learner life teaches us many things. Our education continues from birth to death. Every moment there is something to learn and progress to be made. Evolve into the future, into our better self. Consciously or Unconsciously we are learning. Our brain, mind, heart and body keeps on adapting and adjusting according to newer learning taking place. Sometime with our knowledge and acknowledgment, while many times without that. Life moves on. That's where a question needs to be asked "Are you learning as a student?"

What does this mean, ' learning as a student' in above context?

There are certain typical character or actions which belongs to a person who is a student. Like, student is seeking something beyond him/her. Student has a questions and seeks the answer. Student has some goal to achieve. Students wants to develop certain skills by learning from the teacher and putting them into practice. Ideal Student is sincere, attentive, aware, and so on...

When we just live our life, some of this characteristic of student are not present or present but in its lower state (can be called unconsciously present). Many unsolved problems and questions are there but in daily rut they are put aside. We can't put our 100% attention and occupy oneself only for finding answer, a difficult task.

Yet, there are few who are not just aware but consciously puts an effort to live and not just exist. When we do not just live our life (merely alive) but really live (full of awareness, joy and enthusiasm). They are student of Universe, or the life itself.

Thus asking again a question

Are you learning as a student, from the life/universe?

 

or

Does life just teaches you important lessons and you move on without learning?

PS: I started writing this blog post with intent to share my experience as a student in past 30 days (month of August 2018). I wanted to share few of the learning, feelings and much more. What I learn and found as a student at The Yoga Institute, Santacruz, Mumbai. It would have been simple if I just typed what I wrote yesterday night in diary. But this question "Are you learning as a student?" is very powerful right now for me. I hope this questions brings something to you too. If it does, do share your views/learning/experience on it. 

I hope to write down another post about the experience as a student in a day or two. Eti Shubham 

 

Hold

At different mode and mould
There are different hold.

When I was a baby someone's hold me, take care of me. I too wanted to hold each and everything.

 

When I am young, I want to hold. Only what I love the most. In rare case those which I want to give a blow or throw them away afar

When I will be old, I want some one again to hold. A support to walk and talk, to reach a final destination. 

When I came I wanted to hold everything...

From my mother's arm to her love and compassion.
From my father's palm to his patience and power.
From my teachers writing to wisdom and warmth.

But
When I will go away from this world, I can't hold anything along with me. Eventhough you will hold some memory, some belonging... How long?

In between there were so many things I have to hold and so many thing to give from what I held.

What I am holding?
Is I am holding body?
Is I am holding thoughts?
Is I am holding my anger?
Is I am holding my emotions?
Is I am holding views?
Is I am holding image of you and world?
Is I am holding I in itself?

No analogy is perfect...

Whether I say

Just flow on
Or
Hold the truth.

Wise one knows

When to hold and when to let it go?
What to hold and what to let it go?
Why to hold and why to let it go?
How to hold and how to let it go?
Where to hold and where to let it go?
How much to hold and how much to let it go?

And finally asks

Who is holding?
Who is letting go?
Who am I?

May the wise in you who holds the secrets. Answers all your questions which you are holding in and entering into this new year. It happens only when  you yourself will not held it back to go and ask.
In order to hold the supreme, don't hold back anything. 

As I am writing this, a word comes 'holder' leading to another word 'householder'.

True,
Householder knows what to hold and what not? Why? How? When? Where?

Nature knows, body knows, everyone knows.

(I have jumped and moved thrice on this topic and here come another one)

Can you hold river?
Can you hold air?
Can you hold space?

Just halt for a moment.

Just have a breath and than let it go.

It's a fine art my friend.
It's science, it's art my friend.

What?When?Why?Where?Who?How and how much? To hold and let it go.

I hold a deep respect and gratitude to many souls and I give it out... some who has held name and are living, some who haven't hold any name or not holding a body.

May in the year 2018 we learn this science and art of holding and giving.

Eti shubham. 

[ Hold is a noun, which i came to know now.]