I am deeply wounded today by watching the videos on the recent scandals that happened on the so called 'spiritual gurus' or swamis. The list is getting longer... Kalki in Chittore, Saraswathi Baba in Delhi, Nityananda in Bangalore, Dayanand Pandey in Delhi and many many more. The list goes on as you google, youtube or bing. Looking at all of the news most of the time today, my own sentiments and faith is questioned now? Doubt and suspicion is at its peak? Satya Sai Baba who I follow is still in ambiguity in my mind. Sai Baba told me once in response to my question "What should I do to have immense faith in you?". Satya Sai Baba answered to me "Love me as you love your mother and wife." For that matter if I love anyone like I love my mother and wife, I will have immense faith. In Indian culture it is a common saying "Athidhi devo bhave, Acharya devobhave etc etc etc." It is also very common to say thanks in gratitude for help someone did by saying "You have come like God, or God sent!". Before going to Puttaparthi for Satya Sai Baba, I used to tease Sai Baba's photo in our Commerce Tuition Center. "Hello Meshaaru! Good evening!". Later when I returned from Puttaparthi after seeing Satya Sai Baba for first time, my best friend Rajesh asked me a question. "Ram do you think Sai Baba is God?". I told him, Yes!. "Because, when a person does small help, we will show immense gratitude and say "You are like God, you helped me". Sai Baba is doing great service to humanity with his hospitals and water supply project etc. Definitely he has divinity", is what I said. This is very common specially in India, in reference to doctors in expressing gratitude, they say, "You have saved my life like God!" Upon continuity with the same person, "like God" will eventually change to "You are God!" Read on...!
Seeing God in everything is spirituality. But making everyone God is non-spiritual. It is time for introspection of my own faith, belief in the so called "God men!" of today and their contemporaries.
The Hindu scriptures do say that there is God in everyone and everything. But, that I guess is interpreted in a different manner thinking that everyone is God. God is in everyone. God is everything. God is Endless. God has no definition. God is (Sthanuvu) meaning, static and beyond expansion. NO! Everyone is not God! So, when a persona like Gauthama Buddha, who attained enlightenment becomes one with God then becomes God! When this state is achieved, one is beyond wealth or world. The so called God men of the present time, are NOT GODs as they are failing the basic test of renunciation and are so vulnerable to temptation. They are the ones who try to attain God, but are unsuccessful in their attempts to do so. In their endeavors to attain God, they are deriving great benefits of immense spiritual knowledge, which when comes to preaching few are able to carry out successfully to a certain time or extent. When the final test of practice, many of them or maybe all of them are failing to pass the practical test of TRUE renunciation. As there is a dearth of people who take nothing but only the 'so called' spiritual path. In comparison to the population of earth, the percentage is very low. With the rise in the problems and changing scenarios around the world, people are facing more problems or at-least feeling more it. These people turn to God for help. In the process of turning to God for help they are looking for miracles to happen. In doing so, they are choosing a path with immense faith that they will get help from these spiritually learned. So, they cling to one or multiple of such organizations or institution that they believe will help them in taking a spiritual path. As they are going with an expectation, the initial steps are extravagant and attractive. But, going deeper, these institutions are misleading the people, as they already know that the ones who have committed to the organization will strive in their own pursuit to spirituality. These people are vulnerable to situations of exploitation. And in majority of the cases, money, power and wealth plays a key role as these organizations are lobby for huge business contacts. Most of them who benefit because of the contacts they gained through these organizations, would not mind to part with the small portion of their profits in the name of donations. Or would not mind to "Invest" when they see a potential to grow their own contacts and business. The funds are freely flowing. To give of a very recent example, an acquaint of mine, who started a new business recently, was happy to get a temple poojari as his first client. It is because he is confident that the poojari will surely get him lot of contacts as there will be many number of people who will be coming to the temple. So, the poojari is actually paying only the cost for getting his work done, and this business is OK to forego the profit for the benefit of getting more clients reference from Poojari. This is a classic case, I guess now.
Regarding the foreigners, that are flocking in numbers. Yes, they too are coming to India only to seek spiritual awakening. Because, the world recognizes India as the land of spirituality and culture. When the foreigners come to India with a hope, some of them do get enlightened again by the spiritual discourses and talks given by these so called 'God men'. They would only get a portion of it, and change a portion of themselves. But there is the other portion within them which is their original themselves because of their origin or whatever. They can't and will not forsake completely what they originally are that too in a short span of time. But, because of the power of the 'Truth' in the scriptures they are amazed and see real benefits. At the same time they will not change themselves completely, but there will come a major transformation. In the process there is also an exchange and culmination of cultures. For which, I have no comments now, as it is another topic all together. The foreigners who are coming are coming for the spiritual awakening are mesmerized by the mantras of Hare Rama and Hare Krishna as they are truly powerful. At the same-time holding on to the mantra all through the life is equally challenging and a test in itself. Those who are able to derive benefits of Indian spirituality are able and willing to donate whatever it is. These true test for these so called "God men" comes to play. Some of them get invites to foreign lands and they make trips to foreign lands too in the name of spiritual healing or spreading the message and end up falling prey to the temptations.
And the so called 'God men' who are also vulnerable are not able to gain control on themselves when they are put to test. They want to acquire more and quick funds in dollars and get more followers and be more of everything. In this pursuit, the so called "God men" will fail themselves and remain as a 'man' or worse not emerge out as devil or evil. Scriptures have warned initially that anyone who takes up the path of spirituality should stick to it, else the punishments for failing will be severe to the extent of becoming devils. So, these so called 'God men' failed turn out to be devils and demons. So truly.
The fundamental flaw is in thinking that these spiritually learned people are Gods. The person who learned the Vedas, Puranas or the Great Epics like Bhagawat Gita or Ramayan or Bhagwatham are have only mastered a subject, preached through their good communication skills and are able to 'Sell' their spiritual knowledge. The flaw from the Guru's is when they are selling this knowledge rather than distributing it free of cost. If you see, the ones who have actually written these Epics and Hindu Scriptures left it free to the community for a better living. Still the real 'Truth' in Vedas, Puranas, Upanishads and the like holds good. The flaw is not in the scriptures, but in the people who learn and interpret them and preach their false interpretation to others.
Though the scriptures mentioned that a Guru is required to easily attain the spiritual path they have never mentioned that one cannot attained spiritual path individually. By having a Guru you may seek clarification of some complex spiritual thoughts or seek a reference or direction to take the spiritual path. If the Guru is TRULY a RIGHTEOUS person, then
Yes it is true even to this day and moment and forever the Guru Mantra,
"Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Gurudevo Maheswarah
Guru saakshaath prambrahma, Tasmai Sri Guravenamaha."
This is valid upon a condition that Guru is Truly Guru. One great sign of a True Guru is renunciation. Guru's need no wealth, no followers, no money and no bodily pleasure. A true Guru needs no sex. If the so called 'God men' self proclaimed Gods, need to be true Gurus, then they should be passing this test of renunciation and be able to take Truly Sanyasam. These people are failing on their path towards becoming Gurus. They haven't attained the True Guru stature. But with the population and the benefits of improved marketing skills, with advantages of communication and technology, they are gaining popularity falsely, very quickly and prematurely. So early in fact that they themselves are prone to be vulnerabilities of temptation towards wealth, pleasure, money and sex. These so called God men are themselves falling prey to the false admiration and false worship. The biggest reason could be because they are also getting paid in return which is beyond the comprehension to those so called 'God Men'. They just are getting carried away to the heights only to have a free fall flat form those immense heights.
Definitely, everyone has something good to say. But, I feel not to be obsessed about a person who master the holy scriptures and consider him as God. It is just like a degree in any specialization like math, science, computers or management. Spirituality is another degree and a person who masters this will be able to provide solutions to life in general. Because, the Hindu scriptures have answers to all questions. Because, very few individuals take this as specialization and as their life, say the number is like one in Million. And the population is so huge these days, that you can find a gathering at every single event even at a flop show. With the advancement of technology and communications, the message can spread across the whole wide world the very same moment, live so to say. These people who attained these spiritual degrees will be able to attract huge crowds with their spiritual knowledge. It is not in the person, but it is that spirit of India and Hindu scriptures that anyone who learns and masters these scriptures can attract any number of people. At the same time, the scripture also says that anyone who learns this scriptures should also put it into practice, which even more difficult. When putting it into practice there will be several challenges. The truly learned Gurus should resist to all kinds of temptations every moment, always, continuously and forever. The moment they succumb to these temptations, these Gurus are falling prey to them and failing to pass the tests to attain their true spiritual state of being and continue being Guru!
In these testing and tiring times, should I keep my faith un-shattering, have blind faith or should I be practical and open my eyes if at all I have been keeping them closed all these years. Should I accept the reality and move on to a better state.
Yes, I guess the right thing do is NOT to trust so called Spiritual Gurus / Swamiji to an extent of "Nava Vidha Bhakti". Get to the true meaning that God is in every one, so knowing God is knowing ones own self. Looking inwards and if you want to practice "Navavidha Bhakti" then do it to ones own self , even the final stage is "surrendering oneself to ones own self" and NOT falsely to the so called "God men". Stop encouraging the concept of "God men" and look at these people as "Servants to God". They only have to fulfill their duty and they are to serve humanity with their spiritual work. They are NOT Gods and some of them are not even as good as human.
At the end of this blog, all said and done, I am no longer hurt. I am happy for knowing these incidents. It helped me to think more and get the deeper meaning and value of Hindu Scriptures and Culture. There is no flaw in the scriptures. The flaw is only in those who are unable to strictly follow the scriptures. I have no faith in God Men now. I have renewed faith in God and Spirituality.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Coffee ~ My Private Affair!
I enjoy having coffee very much. Coffee is something without which, it is difficult to live life conveniently. Maybe because it is a habit or a feeling or whatever it is. Coffee definitely gives me wonderful feelings, it brings back great memories, great ideas and thoughts, genuine happiness, rejuvenates energy. Overall Coffee makes me feel like a Man! Yes! Just like how they say having cigarette makes people feel like a man, Coffee gives me that kind of a feeling, grown up, adult, independent. To say it in style, "I felt like a Man!" I felt like writing about coffee because it is a private affair to me. Coffee is very personal to me. I enjoy it for my own self. It is an experience that is worthy of blogging, though it would not reflect the completeness of my private affair with coffee.
I love the taste that lingers after having a nice coffee. I love to sing the songs of advertisements like the Colgate, Thumbsup, Limca, Hutch etc. In that list ads that I love, the coffee ads which I love are embedded all over this post.
I like the many coffee ads.
"Manchi ruchi gala udayam kotta sunrise..."
In Telugu song goes like this...
"మంచి రుచి గల ఉదయం కొత్త సన్ రైజ్.." meaning "A good morning taste... new Sunrise..."
In Hindi song goes like this...
"जीवन में अप्पकी नया सन राइज..." meaning "In your life.. new Sunrise..."
The quote that greatly appeal to me and I live by it.
"Men like Chocolate and Coffee should always be rich."
The coffee brands I love are
Chennai Filter Coffee at Saravana Bhavan
Bru Coffee
Nescafe
Starbucks Capachino
Starbucks Cold Coffee
Cafe Coffee Day
Barista Coffee
Tim Hortons double double
Tim Hortons Cafe Mocha
Coffee at Tirumal from the small vendors
Coffee tastes amazing in Puttaparthi Canteen
College Coffee
Srinivas Coffe Powder
Nescafe Classic
Favorite Coffee shops, that I can remember of the mind now
Dunkin's coffee shop in Middletown, Connecticut near Balaji Temple
Amethyst in Chennai
Coffee Day at Isphani Center in Chennai
Come alive to great moments... Nescafe....
So now those great moments with Coffee that come alive always...
Like the ad "जीवन में अप्पकी नया सन राइज..." I always have a coffee between 10 and 11 AM for second time on weekends, because, we finish the work to some extent and want to take a break or get rejuvenated for the rest of the day. It is remember so well that I always used to ask Swapna to give me coffee for second cup of the day on Sunday mornings around 10.30 AM, after I come from the fish and vegetables market. She would give it to me before she starts the heavy Sunday cooking.
Another fond memory, is when I am with my brothers, my Mom will definitely give coffee to Ajay, Vinod and myself when we are together be it morning or afternoon. Ajay rarely drinks coffee though. We do a lot of chit chatting while sipping coffee. Really wonderful moments.
Swapna and I went to Mc Donald's for breakfast near Niagara Falls, and had complimentary, introductory, promotional free coffee during breakfast on her birthday Sep 9!
Preparing at Amethyst, in Chennai along with my Polaris Colleagues for Best Young Managers Competition conducted by All India Management Association!
Pot Coffee at Dolphin hotel during our MBA College days along with my friends.
Coffee at the Vizag railway station along with my buddies during many times in teenage.
I used to spend time at Amethyst alone while Swapna went for delivery, reading books and working on my laptop at the coffee shop. I got into a wonderful coffee culture.
The precious moments I used to spend with my mentor Sriram, while I used to take coffee breaks at Polaris Spencers Plaza office.
Weekend Coffee with mini tiffin Saravanan Bhavan while I was a bachelor.
These days, when I chat with my online friend Vivek, I tell him that "It's Coffee with Vivek" and he says "Tea with Ram" because he drinks Tea.
Coffee I have at my desk when I don't have time to sit and eat breakfast at coffee shop because of an early morning meeting. I love such busy weekdays.
I remember, when Swapna and I were making our home after our US return to Hyderabad, we carefully decorated our home. And in between, I used to drink lot of coffees. Sweet Memories.
Enjoyed the coffee, I had with all my MBA gang sitting on the wall opposite to Dr. LB college or at Sai Ram parlor near my house at Eenadu in Vizag.
During our bachelor outing to Araku Vally in Vizag on a stormy day. We stopped while going uphill on bikes due to lack of visibility of even 2 meters distance. That time we were all wet wet wet and cold. We had a very nice hot coffee on the road side with cigarettes for those who smoke. It was good fun.
Now a days, my coffee conversations with my team members and clients is a norm. We go to Tim Hortons for discussions and conversations over coffee.
There are many such exotic moments I have while drinking coffee each and every day. I am running out of my memory and words to get them all here.
How I got used to Coffee...? It all started with taste for drops of coffee. Coffee is for adults at my home. During my childhood, I remember I was in 1st standard, when I always wanted to drink coffee because all the adults were drinking. Until, I am in first standard, I don't remember, but I guess even if I asked they never gave me. But, I do remember insisting and crying for coffee. Then, my mom used to dip her finger in coffee that she is drinking and put a drop on my tongue to taste. That way, she used to get rid of me and my persuasion to drink coffee. That is the beginning of my taste towards coffee. Sooner or later, I moved from milk, Bornvita, Horlicks to Coffee. I used to like coffee very much because the coffee my mom used to make is very strong and also sweet. So, I had a strong taste for coffee and also have a sweet tooth. Hence, my taste towards coffee developed. I liked coffee with such sweetness maybe, but now I reduced from extreme sweetness to low sweetness and should eventually move to no sugar, no sweetness coffee.
The maximum coffees I drank in a day of 24 hours was maybe 12 cups, if I remember correctly. The maximum days I lived without coffee for entire day, after I got used to drinking coffee every day, was I guess 2 days maximum.
Sip the coffee... lick the cream... mmmmmmmm........
I do feel a bit of inconvenience when I don't have coffee. The worst coffee I ever tasted was the one which I prepared. Forgetfully I added salt instead of sugar. I gulped it and realized it was Yack!! I don't like black coffee when compared to coffee with milk. But, i guess eventually I will like black coffee too. Like how I like coffee with less sugar now. But for sure, I will NOT like coffee with salt. LOL ;-)
Coffee tastes really good after having masala dosa, or dosa with a spicy chutney, poori curry etc during breakfst. It tastes wonderful immediately after having Upma as breakfast.
The time when I used to be in Java Training at Intelligroup, I guess I had 10 to 12 cups of coffees from machine because it was free. Within a week from then I stopped drinking readymade machine coffee at work place. Later, I used to have coffee from prepared from the stove or filtered. The other time I remember having loads of coffee was during the wedding of my friend Vamsi's sister. I remember we were involved in the wedding arrangements and so as bechelors we freaked and did nights out. That day I remember having around 10 to 12 of cups of coffee just for the sake of it. Coffee goes will with Pakodi or bajji on a rainy day or at the beach in India.
The favorite coffee cups / mugs among the many I have are, A coffee mug given by Polaris for 'Get up, Get Noticed!" competition at Polaris. A Red Nescafe cup which I still have in India. You can see the coffee cup in this ad below. Enjoy the ad song.
There are numerous best moments with coffee that I experienced over and over again. It is more of a good morning feeling, or a hot coffee in cold weather, or having roadside coffee when in journey early morning on a long drive, in the chillness of Tirumala hill, while I am alone thinking for myself during weekends and many many more.
After marriage, I really loved and experienced the situation in this advertisement. It touched my life because, this ad used to come when Swapna and I were in Chennai and we were expecting Srimaye. It was so much to the context that time and we enjoyed every moment and continue to do so.
My coffee consumption, stats on how much I consumed and I will consume over a life time.
Every day 1 cup of coffee for sure.
Monthly I consume 100 grams of Coffee.
Annually I consume 1200 grams of Coffee.
Since I started at the age of 5 years, I must have consumed 37, 200 grams or 82 lbs of Coffee.
In my lifetime, probably I will consume 84,000grams or 185 lbs of Coffee.
I must have spent around $50 per annum only on coffee powder and so far I must have spent $1550. In a lifetime, I maybe spending $3750, around Rs. 1,61,250 Indian Rupees. :-) These stats and costs are ball park figures and do not account for coffee that I buy etc. Though a very very rough estimate, rather a guesstimate this is very interesting. :-)
Enjoy the lyrics of the Nescafe ad song... Open Up... the singer is Shunza
So, Open up Open up...
I love the taste that lingers after having a nice coffee. I love to sing the songs of advertisements like the Colgate, Thumbsup, Limca, Hutch etc. In that list ads that I love, the coffee ads which I love are embedded all over this post.
I like the many coffee ads.
"Manchi ruchi gala udayam kotta sunrise..."
In Telugu song goes like this...
"మంచి రుచి గల ఉదయం కొత్త సన్ రైజ్.." meaning "A good morning taste... new Sunrise..."
In Hindi song goes like this...
"जीवन में अप्पकी नया सन राइज..." meaning "In your life.. new Sunrise..."
The quote that greatly appeal to me and I live by it.
"Men like Chocolate and Coffee should always be rich."
The coffee brands I love are
Chennai Filter Coffee at Saravana Bhavan
Bru Coffee
Nescafe
Starbucks Capachino
Starbucks Cold Coffee
Cafe Coffee Day
Barista Coffee
Tim Hortons double double
Tim Hortons Cafe Mocha
Coffee at Tirumal from the small vendors
Coffee tastes amazing in Puttaparthi Canteen
College Coffee
Srinivas Coffe Powder
Nescafe Classic
Favorite Coffee shops, that I can remember of the mind now
Dunkin's coffee shop in Middletown, Connecticut near Balaji Temple
Amethyst in Chennai
Coffee Day at Isphani Center in Chennai
Come alive to great moments... Nescafe....
So now those great moments with Coffee that come alive always...
Like the ad "जीवन में अप्पकी नया सन राइज..." I always have a coffee between 10 and 11 AM for second time on weekends, because, we finish the work to some extent and want to take a break or get rejuvenated for the rest of the day. It is remember so well that I always used to ask Swapna to give me coffee for second cup of the day on Sunday mornings around 10.30 AM, after I come from the fish and vegetables market. She would give it to me before she starts the heavy Sunday cooking.
Another fond memory, is when I am with my brothers, my Mom will definitely give coffee to Ajay, Vinod and myself when we are together be it morning or afternoon. Ajay rarely drinks coffee though. We do a lot of chit chatting while sipping coffee. Really wonderful moments.
Swapna and I went to Mc Donald's for breakfast near Niagara Falls, and had complimentary, introductory, promotional free coffee during breakfast on her birthday Sep 9!
Preparing at Amethyst, in Chennai along with my Polaris Colleagues for Best Young Managers Competition conducted by All India Management Association!
Pot Coffee at Dolphin hotel during our MBA College days along with my friends.
Coffee at the Vizag railway station along with my buddies during many times in teenage.
I used to spend time at Amethyst alone while Swapna went for delivery, reading books and working on my laptop at the coffee shop. I got into a wonderful coffee culture.
The precious moments I used to spend with my mentor Sriram, while I used to take coffee breaks at Polaris Spencers Plaza office.
Weekend Coffee with mini tiffin Saravanan Bhavan while I was a bachelor.
These days, when I chat with my online friend Vivek, I tell him that "It's Coffee with Vivek" and he says "Tea with Ram" because he drinks Tea.
Coffee I have at my desk when I don't have time to sit and eat breakfast at coffee shop because of an early morning meeting. I love such busy weekdays.
I remember, when Swapna and I were making our home after our US return to Hyderabad, we carefully decorated our home. And in between, I used to drink lot of coffees. Sweet Memories.
Enjoyed the coffee, I had with all my MBA gang sitting on the wall opposite to Dr. LB college or at Sai Ram parlor near my house at Eenadu in Vizag.
During our bachelor outing to Araku Vally in Vizag on a stormy day. We stopped while going uphill on bikes due to lack of visibility of even 2 meters distance. That time we were all wet wet wet and cold. We had a very nice hot coffee on the road side with cigarettes for those who smoke. It was good fun.
Now a days, my coffee conversations with my team members and clients is a norm. We go to Tim Hortons for discussions and conversations over coffee.
There are many such exotic moments I have while drinking coffee each and every day. I am running out of my memory and words to get them all here.
How I got used to Coffee...? It all started with taste for drops of coffee. Coffee is for adults at my home. During my childhood, I remember I was in 1st standard, when I always wanted to drink coffee because all the adults were drinking. Until, I am in first standard, I don't remember, but I guess even if I asked they never gave me. But, I do remember insisting and crying for coffee. Then, my mom used to dip her finger in coffee that she is drinking and put a drop on my tongue to taste. That way, she used to get rid of me and my persuasion to drink coffee. That is the beginning of my taste towards coffee. Sooner or later, I moved from milk, Bornvita, Horlicks to Coffee. I used to like coffee very much because the coffee my mom used to make is very strong and also sweet. So, I had a strong taste for coffee and also have a sweet tooth. Hence, my taste towards coffee developed. I liked coffee with such sweetness maybe, but now I reduced from extreme sweetness to low sweetness and should eventually move to no sugar, no sweetness coffee.
The maximum coffees I drank in a day of 24 hours was maybe 12 cups, if I remember correctly. The maximum days I lived without coffee for entire day, after I got used to drinking coffee every day, was I guess 2 days maximum.
Sip the coffee... lick the cream... mmmmmmmm........
I do feel a bit of inconvenience when I don't have coffee. The worst coffee I ever tasted was the one which I prepared. Forgetfully I added salt instead of sugar. I gulped it and realized it was Yack!! I don't like black coffee when compared to coffee with milk. But, i guess eventually I will like black coffee too. Like how I like coffee with less sugar now. But for sure, I will NOT like coffee with salt. LOL ;-)
Coffee tastes really good after having masala dosa, or dosa with a spicy chutney, poori curry etc during breakfst. It tastes wonderful immediately after having Upma as breakfast.
The time when I used to be in Java Training at Intelligroup, I guess I had 10 to 12 cups of coffees from machine because it was free. Within a week from then I stopped drinking readymade machine coffee at work place. Later, I used to have coffee from prepared from the stove or filtered. The other time I remember having loads of coffee was during the wedding of my friend Vamsi's sister. I remember we were involved in the wedding arrangements and so as bechelors we freaked and did nights out. That day I remember having around 10 to 12 of cups of coffee just for the sake of it. Coffee goes will with Pakodi or bajji on a rainy day or at the beach in India.
The favorite coffee cups / mugs among the many I have are, A coffee mug given by Polaris for 'Get up, Get Noticed!" competition at Polaris. A Red Nescafe cup which I still have in India. You can see the coffee cup in this ad below. Enjoy the ad song.
There are numerous best moments with coffee that I experienced over and over again. It is more of a good morning feeling, or a hot coffee in cold weather, or having roadside coffee when in journey early morning on a long drive, in the chillness of Tirumala hill, while I am alone thinking for myself during weekends and many many more.
After marriage, I really loved and experienced the situation in this advertisement. It touched my life because, this ad used to come when Swapna and I were in Chennai and we were expecting Srimaye. It was so much to the context that time and we enjoyed every moment and continue to do so.
My coffee consumption, stats on how much I consumed and I will consume over a life time.
Every day 1 cup of coffee for sure.
Monthly I consume 100 grams of Coffee.
Annually I consume 1200 grams of Coffee.
Since I started at the age of 5 years, I must have consumed 37, 200 grams or 82 lbs of Coffee.
In my lifetime, probably I will consume 84,000grams or 185 lbs of Coffee.
I must have spent around $50 per annum only on coffee powder and so far I must have spent $1550. In a lifetime, I maybe spending $3750, around Rs. 1,61,250 Indian Rupees. :-) These stats and costs are ball park figures and do not account for coffee that I buy etc. Though a very very rough estimate, rather a guesstimate this is very interesting. :-)
Enjoy the lyrics of the Nescafe ad song... Open Up... the singer is Shunza
You can be rich With no money to spend,
You can do everything When you understand…
You can be mother When you are a man,
Open up… You know that you can…
Open your eyes Open your mind
Open your thoughts Don't stay behind…
Open up, open up… Open up, open up…
Nescafe.
The key is inside you To open your mind,
You know what is out there Your heart can't be blind…
Open your eyes And open your mind
Open your thoughts Don't stay behind…
Open your eyes Open your mind
Open your thoughts Don't stay behind…
Open up, open up… Open up, open up…
Nescafe.
Erase all the borders And start in your head.
Open your mind To thoughts seldom said…
Open your eyes And open your mind
Open your thoughts Don't stay behind…
Open up, open up… Open up, open up…
Open up, open up… Nescafe.
So, Open up Open up...
Friday, February 5, 2010
A shower of positive energy...!
This day has been a wonderful day! Very unique in its own way, I am not sure if this is an effect of the planetary position for a Capricorn. Is it a result of consistent effort, a coincidence.
Whatever it is, it is worth blogging.
This morning, I woke up with a very positive vibe, dreaming about Tirumala and my favorite Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy, the Kaliyuga Avatar of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu.
I had a wonderful coffee, sent some very positive official notes to offshore teams.
I went to the train station, a colleague of mine said, "Ram looking like a hero, very stylish with all that muffler etc." I smiled. The fact is that I wear the same muffler atleast every alternate day, then why is it only today. I am at my best dressing every day, because fashion is one of my passions too. My Friday dressing to work is always well though and well noticed. And a compliment on Friday dressing happened to me many times. Today's compliment is different because of the series of events that happened though out the day.
Then I was at work, and there is an email from Dan Demers, the client manager, worldwide project team to solve puzzle that is partially work related. It read as, "Kudos to those who solve this simple puzzle!". I always will be the person to participate in such kind of things, for that matter any kind of competition, though I know, I have no clue of it. Just to give you an example, I participated in Quiz competitions, while I very well know, my General Knowledge is Zilch! What is the point in going! I learnt to face failure! I learnt my weaknesses! I gained confidence and strength! I am not ashamed to lose, but proud to participate!
I am not ashamed to lose, but I am proud to participate! ~ Ram
(A caption that evolved on the fly.)
Having said this, coming back to the mornings puzzle on email. Already couple of people responded with their answers in lightening speed. I was sure they were wrong. And, I am sure it is a simple puzzle yet tricky. Then I worked on the puzzle, was confident that I should be able to solve it. But due to the other official emails that caught my attention, I did not focus on this puzzle. I left it half way and an hour passed. By then, few guys have responded, and it was fun seeing the responses. I worked on it and sent the answers, and there comes the response, "Kudos goes to Ram!" Here is the actual extract of the email.
"Kudos goes to Ram! Others who replied before (and after) Ram, please look to Ram as a problem solving role model. Others who failed to reply, look to those who replied as email management role models and Ram as both an email management and problem solving role model." ~ Dan
Coming to this appreciation, it is more than what is required appreciation for solving this simple puzzle. Why is that? Maybe it is because of the consistent performance evaluated by the client, the positive re-enforcement that is observed over a period of time by the client, or the much awaited and long due ones that are combined into this day. I do not know for sure. But this happened and I am Happy.
Following the email trails, I have seen thank you notes which, I received from my team members. This is because, I manged to get nominations for Polaris Hall of Fame, from the client for my team members.
My Friday's are usually with less meetings as I would prefer to relax at office, after four week days of intensive meetings and hectic hours, loads of work at office. Suddenly, my desk phone rang, and I responded without watching the displayed number. I was pleasantly surprised by beloved wife, Swapna. She called me to my desk number to say 'I LOVE YOU!". I was all relaxed at work, so had a good chat with Swapna and Srimaye untill some other colleague called me. I swapped the call only to tell that I will join the meeting in 10 minutes, finished the call with Swapna "aaraam se..." and got back to work.
As I skipped breakfast today, I was hungry and went for an early lunch. Early to me is 12noon, as my lunch time is usually between 1.30 and 2.30. Sometimes it would be even as late as 3 or 4pm. (Yes, I get into workaholic tendency often). I walked down the subway, to TD Center Food Court. The choice was between Indian, Chinese, Italian, Japanese, Thai apart from the regular Subway, Mac Donald's, Pizza etc. I chose to eat Thai food which, pleasantly reminded me of my wonderful bachelorhood days at Singapore. I went to Thai eatery, to the counter and ordered Combo 2, which is Fried Rice, Golden Chicken and Bean Sprouts. Whenever I order in Canada, i have this feeling (maybe I am wrong) that their servings are really small for the price they charge. Today, I felt that the servings were extra large. I savored and relished the meal.
Work in the afternoon, went at really rapid pace and suddenly, I completed many things. I was delighted. Then in the evening, came home, I was hungry and so had Dosa for snacks. The Green Chutney which Swapna made was delicious. I completed writing Ramakoti for the day. I have the habit to watch porn, and today I didn't feel like watching it.
While checking my emails, I have seen a message that came from Facebook friend, Vipul. Vipul and I are online friends on Orkut for a couple of years now and also talked over the phone a couple of times. The basic connect happened on Orkut as both of us are born on January 11th. We both wish each other on our Birthday. It is kind of interesting, unique and funny to say "Thank You!, Wish You The Same!" for a Birthday wish. In school, I remember, there was my classmate called Rajitha who was born on Jan 11th. Then there is my uncle "Murthi Chinnanna Garu" from Bhimavaram, who is born on January 11th. More on birthdays later.
Now, coming back to the facebook, This was Vipul's message on facebook.
"Vipul Prakash Pandey problem with life : (1) when I am serious about it , its in a jolly mood and in a world of her own . & (2) when I am in a jolly mood , it expects me to be the most serious of all those in this world ....... fish me , darn me , ........ HELL was THE right place .... all INCOMING no OUTGOING ..... phew ..... introducing people.... a finally all broken VP."
I have responded to his message on the wall this morning.
In the evening, when I checked his response, I was amazed and wondered again to myself, whatz happening today. This is Vipul's response.
Again, Vipul's reaction amazed me, particularly, it is again happening today.
After this was done, I was chatting with another orkut friend, Vivek. Vivek and I are friends for past one year or so. Our connect is through ISKON and the vibes of the chants
"Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Krishna, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare"
We started to chat and Vivek, shared his personal concern regarding his career progression with me. We chatted on at length, by the end of it, he started off with a "Renewed Spirit"!
Another positive thing today is this blog itself. It has been quite sometime that I have written a blog and I am cherishing these moments and this day.
Life is Living Loving Learning and Laughing!!
Whatever it is, it is worth blogging.
This morning, I woke up with a very positive vibe, dreaming about Tirumala and my favorite Lord Sri Venkateswara Swamy, the Kaliyuga Avatar of Lord Sri Maha Vishnu.
I had a wonderful coffee, sent some very positive official notes to offshore teams.
I went to the train station, a colleague of mine said, "Ram looking like a hero, very stylish with all that muffler etc." I smiled. The fact is that I wear the same muffler atleast every alternate day, then why is it only today. I am at my best dressing every day, because fashion is one of my passions too. My Friday dressing to work is always well though and well noticed. And a compliment on Friday dressing happened to me many times. Today's compliment is different because of the series of events that happened though out the day.
Then I was at work, and there is an email from Dan Demers, the client manager, worldwide project team to solve puzzle that is partially work related. It read as, "Kudos to those who solve this simple puzzle!". I always will be the person to participate in such kind of things, for that matter any kind of competition, though I know, I have no clue of it. Just to give you an example, I participated in Quiz competitions, while I very well know, my General Knowledge is Zilch! What is the point in going! I learnt to face failure! I learnt my weaknesses! I gained confidence and strength! I am not ashamed to lose, but proud to participate!
I am not ashamed to lose, but I am proud to participate! ~ Ram
(A caption that evolved on the fly.)
Having said this, coming back to the mornings puzzle on email. Already couple of people responded with their answers in lightening speed. I was sure they were wrong. And, I am sure it is a simple puzzle yet tricky. Then I worked on the puzzle, was confident that I should be able to solve it. But due to the other official emails that caught my attention, I did not focus on this puzzle. I left it half way and an hour passed. By then, few guys have responded, and it was fun seeing the responses. I worked on it and sent the answers, and there comes the response, "Kudos goes to Ram!" Here is the actual extract of the email.
"Kudos goes to Ram! Others who replied before (and after) Ram, please look to Ram as a problem solving role model. Others who failed to reply, look to those who replied as email management role models and Ram as both an email management and problem solving role model." ~ Dan
Coming to this appreciation, it is more than what is required appreciation for solving this simple puzzle. Why is that? Maybe it is because of the consistent performance evaluated by the client, the positive re-enforcement that is observed over a period of time by the client, or the much awaited and long due ones that are combined into this day. I do not know for sure. But this happened and I am Happy.
Following the email trails, I have seen thank you notes which, I received from my team members. This is because, I manged to get nominations for Polaris Hall of Fame, from the client for my team members.
My Friday's are usually with less meetings as I would prefer to relax at office, after four week days of intensive meetings and hectic hours, loads of work at office. Suddenly, my desk phone rang, and I responded without watching the displayed number. I was pleasantly surprised by beloved wife, Swapna. She called me to my desk number to say 'I LOVE YOU!". I was all relaxed at work, so had a good chat with Swapna and Srimaye untill some other colleague called me. I swapped the call only to tell that I will join the meeting in 10 minutes, finished the call with Swapna "aaraam se..." and got back to work.
As I skipped breakfast today, I was hungry and went for an early lunch. Early to me is 12noon, as my lunch time is usually between 1.30 and 2.30. Sometimes it would be even as late as 3 or 4pm. (Yes, I get into workaholic tendency often). I walked down the subway, to TD Center Food Court. The choice was between Indian, Chinese, Italian, Japanese, Thai apart from the regular Subway, Mac Donald's, Pizza etc. I chose to eat Thai food which, pleasantly reminded me of my wonderful bachelorhood days at Singapore. I went to Thai eatery, to the counter and ordered Combo 2, which is Fried Rice, Golden Chicken and Bean Sprouts. Whenever I order in Canada, i have this feeling (maybe I am wrong) that their servings are really small for the price they charge. Today, I felt that the servings were extra large. I savored and relished the meal.
Work in the afternoon, went at really rapid pace and suddenly, I completed many things. I was delighted. Then in the evening, came home, I was hungry and so had Dosa for snacks. The Green Chutney which Swapna made was delicious. I completed writing Ramakoti for the day. I have the habit to watch porn, and today I didn't feel like watching it.
While checking my emails, I have seen a message that came from Facebook friend, Vipul. Vipul and I are online friends on Orkut for a couple of years now and also talked over the phone a couple of times. The basic connect happened on Orkut as both of us are born on January 11th. We both wish each other on our Birthday. It is kind of interesting, unique and funny to say "Thank You!, Wish You The Same!" for a Birthday wish. In school, I remember, there was my classmate called Rajitha who was born on Jan 11th. Then there is my uncle "Murthi Chinnanna Garu" from Bhimavaram, who is born on January 11th. More on birthdays later.
Now, coming back to the facebook, This was Vipul's message on facebook.
"Vipul Prakash Pandey problem with life : (1) when I am serious about it , its in a jolly mood and in a world of her own . & (2) when I am in a jolly mood , it expects me to be the most serious of all those in this world ....... fish me , darn me , ........ HELL was THE right place .... all INCOMING no OUTGOING ..... phew ..... introducing people.... a finally all broken VP."
I have responded to his message on the wall this morning.
In the evening, when I checked his response, I was amazed and wondered again to myself, whatz happening today. This is Vipul's response.
Vipul Prakash Pandey: ram ..... i am astounded ..... bro ... was searching for such an audacious reply with THAT positive vibe .... people say its friendship .....i say its LOVE ..... hats off bro ..... HAIL U MAN !
Again, Vipul's reaction amazed me, particularly, it is again happening today.
After this was done, I was chatting with another orkut friend, Vivek. Vivek and I are friends for past one year or so. Our connect is through ISKON and the vibes of the chants
"Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Krishna, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare"
We started to chat and Vivek, shared his personal concern regarding his career progression with me. We chatted on at length, by the end of it, he started off with a "Renewed Spirit"!
Another positive thing today is this blog itself. It has been quite sometime that I have written a blog and I am cherishing these moments and this day.
Life is Living Loving Learning and Laughing!!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
8 Things That Billionaires Do ~ Robin Sharma
A gist from Robin's 22 minute segment on 8 Things that Billionaires Do.
PPPs => Peak Performance Protocals
1. Dream
2. Learning
3. Cause
Celebrate Your Parents!
Celebrate The People You Love!!
Don't get stuck in the past, spend time in the future!
Always be dreaming!
Solitary fantasy can transform into a million realities!
Learning is anti-dote to self-stagnation
Push your envelop.
Move into your discomfort zone and keep learning and growing!
Best of the Best take time to read!
Best entrepreneurs build coaches!
Find a cause that is bigger than your life and dedicate your life to it!
Having a Mission and Work towards it!
Spend time in quite, writing a journal and climbing towards success.
Don't get Addicted to Business!
Staggering amount of focus!
Genius know a little of few things extremely well!
Focus!
Vocation!
Work in the realm of the talents!
Work makes them really happy!!
Doing work they are making a living!!!
Secrets of success is to live life in your own terms!
To thyself be true!! ~ Shakespeare
There will never be a better you than you ~ Warren Buffet
Don't lose yourself on the way to the top!! ~ Jack Welsh
Pause for a few moments in your life and rethink your life!
3 Spheres:
Working in the realm of talents.
Work makes them happy.
Doing work they can make a living out of it.
Read the most noble lives of people who walked the planet!
Change starts of small!!
8 Things That Billionaires Do!!
1. Clarity of Vision: Clarity of focus; Obsessed about their vision;
Staggeringly clear of their vision;
Stop being busy and start being productive.
Shift from being busy to achieving results ~ Peter Drucker
2. Number one asset you can bring to your business energy: They have the game days and then they pull back to recharge, renew and refuel.
High performance cycle and pull back to recharge / refuel.
Energy is Key.
3. Relationship Best Communicators: Build relationships; Focus on relationships and money will follow;
4. Innovators: Make today better than yesterday.
Continuous / consistent improvement
5. Operations:
Institutionalized processes; Consistency;
6. Real economy is your inner feeling.
Strong mindset of Champion Rich is a state of mind:
Prosperity is a birthright!
7. Huge executionists:
90 second rule is to seize the opportunity.
Keep promises and honor commitments.
8. Legacy:
Doing deeds which are much longer than you live.
Leadership and Success is one word Transformation.
Potential unexpressed turns to pain!
Think Of Your Legacy and Play at Your Best!!
PPPs => Peak Performance Protocals
1. Dream
2. Learning
3. Cause
Celebrate Your Parents!
Celebrate The People You Love!!
Don't get stuck in the past, spend time in the future!
Always be dreaming!
Solitary fantasy can transform into a million realities!
Learning is anti-dote to self-stagnation
Push your envelop.
Move into your discomfort zone and keep learning and growing!
Best of the Best take time to read!
Best entrepreneurs build coaches!
Find a cause that is bigger than your life and dedicate your life to it!
Having a Mission and Work towards it!
Spend time in quite, writing a journal and climbing towards success.
Don't get Addicted to Business!
Staggering amount of focus!
Genius know a little of few things extremely well!
Focus!
Vocation!
Work in the realm of the talents!
Work makes them really happy!!
Doing work they are making a living!!!
Secrets of success is to live life in your own terms!
To thyself be true!! ~ Shakespeare
There will never be a better you than you ~ Warren Buffet
Don't lose yourself on the way to the top!! ~ Jack Welsh
Pause for a few moments in your life and rethink your life!
3 Spheres:
Working in the realm of talents.
Work makes them happy.
Doing work they can make a living out of it.
Read the most noble lives of people who walked the planet!
Change starts of small!!
8 Things That Billionaires Do!!
1. Clarity of Vision: Clarity of focus; Obsessed about their vision;
Staggeringly clear of their vision;
Stop being busy and start being productive.
Shift from being busy to achieving results ~ Peter Drucker
2. Number one asset you can bring to your business energy: They have the game days and then they pull back to recharge, renew and refuel.
High performance cycle and pull back to recharge / refuel.
Energy is Key.
3. Relationship Best Communicators: Build relationships; Focus on relationships and money will follow;
4. Innovators: Make today better than yesterday.
Continuous / consistent improvement
5. Operations:
Institutionalized processes; Consistency;
6. Real economy is your inner feeling.
Strong mindset of Champion Rich is a state of mind:
Prosperity is a birthright!
7. Huge executionists:
90 second rule is to seize the opportunity.
Keep promises and honor commitments.
8. Legacy:
Doing deeds which are much longer than you live.
Leadership and Success is one word Transformation.
Potential unexpressed turns to pain!
Think Of Your Legacy and Play at Your Best!!
Monday, November 9, 2009
ये वोह बंधन है जो कभी टूट नहीं सकता
A time when extreme joy is overshadowed by loneliness. A time I have see profound change within me and around the world which already existed. Only on this day, I have realized the change that already existed.
Today, is a very important day in my life as we are celebrating House Warming Ceremony at 50-44-1, P&T Colony, Seetammadhara, Visakhapatnam - 530013, Andhra Pradesh, India. The idea of renovating our house was parked for more than 10 years, If I remember correctly. Or probably it was my Dad's dream to renovate the home. Definitely, the force behind this idea coming into action is my beloved mother. She is the biggest influence on any major decision that has a significantly positive effect in the lives of me and my brothers. The idea started getting into action around September 2007 I guess. After taking a lot of resistance, twists and turns the idea got into action. When I returned from US, I had taken a good look of it while it was under construction and have participated in the Ganapathi Homam and placing of the Main Entrance Doors "Mukha Dwaram". It was sheer joy to be a part of that festivity. From the time, I came to Canada, during my conversations to India, most of the talk has been around the construction status of the house. Mom used to give me a detailed progress on how things are happening, how Vinod and Ajay are putting their best foot forward inspite of lot of difficulties etc.
On this day, 9th Nov 2009, the House warming ceremony is celebrated. I really was excited to hear all the auspicious music, the way the whole home is decorated with flowers, green mango tree leaves and banana stems and leaves. It all is so sacred and lively as much as I can imagine and much more than that. The house is named as Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Nilayam.
Hearing all this over the phone, I felt really delighted. As I am in Canada, I really missed all the good joy and fun. Suddenly, a kind of gloom overtook my joy. I started feeling lonely and was very disappointed for missing all this fun. Lot of questions raised in my mind.
What is important in life?
Why did I miss such a wonderful event in life?
Why is Srimaye, Swapna and myself who are an integral part of this so far away from the joy of house warming?
Why did I not decide to attend this House warming ceremony?
When Swapna and Srimaye stay abroad, taking all the pains, why is it that they missed this festivity in the family which they are very much an integral part of?
Why is it that my brothers or mom did not feel that they should wait until I participate in the house warming ceremony, come what may?
If my Daddy was alive, will he agree to do the house warming ceremony without me attending to it?
Is it that I did not go and I am putting the blame on someone else for missing the ceremony?
So many questions, leading questions raised in my mind... that I was almost absent minded at work today. I managed to complete my work and reached home. I realized it is all in my own hands, my own decisions, my own thoughts, my own actions and my own deeds. So, at the end of the day, I have found answers within myself. I am neither sad nor over excited. I am just the way I am, Happy!!
I was constantly remember this song "Yeh jo desh hai tera, swadesh hai tera..." from SRK's film Swadesh. From the time I have seen this film, it has been my favorite song and will continue to be. I love the lyrics of this song and it is an apt time for a dedication of this song my own self. I love myself more than anyone for it always helps me in loving others. Sing.....
ये जो देस है तेरा , स्वदेस है तेरा , तुझे है पुकारा
ये वोह बंधन है जो कभी टूट नहीं सकता !!
मिटटी की जो खुशबू , तू कैसे भूलाएगा
तू चाहे कहीं जाए , तू लौट के आएगा
नई नई राहों में, दबी दबी आहों में
खोये खोये दिलसे तेरे, कोई ये कहेगा
ये जो देस है तेरा , स्वदेस है तेरा , तुझे है पुकारा
ये वोह बंधन है जो कभी टूट नहीं सकता !!
हम्म हम्म हम्म हम्म हम्म हम्म ....
तुझसे ज़िन्दगी , है ये कह रही
सब तोह पालिया , अब है क्या कमी
यूँ तोह सारे सुख है बरसे
पर दूर तू है अपने घरसे
आ लौट चल तू अब दीवाने
जहाँ कोई तोह तुझे अपना माने
आवाज़ दे तुझे बुलाएं , वही देस
ये जो देस है तेरा , स्वदेस है तेरा , तुझे है पुकारा
ये वोह बंधन है जो कभी टूट नहीं सकता !!
हम्म हम्म हम्म हम्म हम्म हम्म ....
ये पल है वही , जिस में है छुपी
कोई एक सदी , साड़ी ज़िन्दगी
तू न पूछ रास्ते में काहे
आए हैं इस तरह दो राहें
तू ही तोह है राह जो सुझाए
तू ही तोह है अब जो ये बताये
चाहे तोह कीस दिशा में जाए वही
ये जो देस है तेरा , स्वदेस है तेरा , तुझे है पुकारा
ये वोह बंधन है जो कभी टूट नहीं सकता !!
हम्म हम्म हम्म हम्म हम्म हम्म ....
For those who would love to watch the video of this song... here you go...
Lyrics of the song Yeh jo des hai tera in English transliteration...
Today, is a very important day in my life as we are celebrating House Warming Ceremony at 50-44-1, P&T Colony, Seetammadhara, Visakhapatnam - 530013, Andhra Pradesh, India. The idea of renovating our house was parked for more than 10 years, If I remember correctly. Or probably it was my Dad's dream to renovate the home. Definitely, the force behind this idea coming into action is my beloved mother. She is the biggest influence on any major decision that has a significantly positive effect in the lives of me and my brothers. The idea started getting into action around September 2007 I guess. After taking a lot of resistance, twists and turns the idea got into action. When I returned from US, I had taken a good look of it while it was under construction and have participated in the Ganapathi Homam and placing of the Main Entrance Doors "Mukha Dwaram". It was sheer joy to be a part of that festivity. From the time, I came to Canada, during my conversations to India, most of the talk has been around the construction status of the house. Mom used to give me a detailed progress on how things are happening, how Vinod and Ajay are putting their best foot forward inspite of lot of difficulties etc.
On this day, 9th Nov 2009, the House warming ceremony is celebrated. I really was excited to hear all the auspicious music, the way the whole home is decorated with flowers, green mango tree leaves and banana stems and leaves. It all is so sacred and lively as much as I can imagine and much more than that. The house is named as Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Nilayam.
Hearing all this over the phone, I felt really delighted. As I am in Canada, I really missed all the good joy and fun. Suddenly, a kind of gloom overtook my joy. I started feeling lonely and was very disappointed for missing all this fun. Lot of questions raised in my mind.
What is important in life?
Why did I miss such a wonderful event in life?
Why is Srimaye, Swapna and myself who are an integral part of this so far away from the joy of house warming?
Why did I not decide to attend this House warming ceremony?
When Swapna and Srimaye stay abroad, taking all the pains, why is it that they missed this festivity in the family which they are very much an integral part of?
Why is it that my brothers or mom did not feel that they should wait until I participate in the house warming ceremony, come what may?
If my Daddy was alive, will he agree to do the house warming ceremony without me attending to it?
Is it that I did not go and I am putting the blame on someone else for missing the ceremony?
So many questions, leading questions raised in my mind... that I was almost absent minded at work today. I managed to complete my work and reached home. I realized it is all in my own hands, my own decisions, my own thoughts, my own actions and my own deeds. So, at the end of the day, I have found answers within myself. I am neither sad nor over excited. I am just the way I am, Happy!!
I was constantly remember this song "Yeh jo desh hai tera, swadesh hai tera..." from SRK's film Swadesh. From the time I have seen this film, it has been my favorite song and will continue to be. I love the lyrics of this song and it is an apt time for a dedication of this song my own self. I love myself more than anyone for it always helps me in loving others. Sing.....
ये जो देस है तेरा , स्वदेस है तेरा , तुझे है पुकारा
ये वोह बंधन है जो कभी टूट नहीं सकता !!
मिटटी की जो खुशबू , तू कैसे भूलाएगा
तू चाहे कहीं जाए , तू लौट के आएगा
नई नई राहों में, दबी दबी आहों में
खोये खोये दिलसे तेरे, कोई ये कहेगा
ये जो देस है तेरा , स्वदेस है तेरा , तुझे है पुकारा
ये वोह बंधन है जो कभी टूट नहीं सकता !!
हम्म हम्म हम्म हम्म हम्म हम्म ....
तुझसे ज़िन्दगी , है ये कह रही
सब तोह पालिया , अब है क्या कमी
यूँ तोह सारे सुख है बरसे
पर दूर तू है अपने घरसे
आ लौट चल तू अब दीवाने
जहाँ कोई तोह तुझे अपना माने
आवाज़ दे तुझे बुलाएं , वही देस
ये जो देस है तेरा , स्वदेस है तेरा , तुझे है पुकारा
ये वोह बंधन है जो कभी टूट नहीं सकता !!
हम्म हम्म हम्म हम्म हम्म हम्म ....
ये पल है वही , जिस में है छुपी
कोई एक सदी , साड़ी ज़िन्दगी
तू न पूछ रास्ते में काहे
आए हैं इस तरह दो राहें
तू ही तोह है राह जो सुझाए
तू ही तोह है अब जो ये बताये
चाहे तोह कीस दिशा में जाए वही
ये जो देस है तेरा , स्वदेस है तेरा , तुझे है पुकारा
ये वोह बंधन है जो कभी टूट नहीं सकता !!
हम्म हम्म हम्म हम्म हम्म हम्म ....
For those who would love to watch the video of this song... here you go...
Lyrics of the song Yeh jo des hai tera in English transliteration...
Ye jo des hai tera, swades hai tera, tujhe hai pukaara…
Ye woh bandhan hai jo kabhi toot nahin sakta) -2
Mitti ki jo khushboo, tu kaise bhoolaayega
Tu chaahe kahin jaaye, tu laut ke aayega
Nayi nayi raahon mein, dabi dabi aahon mein
Khoye khoye dilse tere, koyi ye kahega
Ye jo des hai tera, swades hai tera, tujhe hai pukaara
Ye woh bandhan hai jo kabhi toot nahin sakta
(Hmm…hmm…hmm…hmm…hmm…)
Tujhse zindagi, hai ye keh rahi
Sab toh paa liya, ab hai kya kami
Yun toh saare sukh hai barse
Par door tu hai apne gharse
Aa laut chal tu ab diwaane
Jahaan koyi toh tujhe apna maane
Awaaz de tujhe bulaane, wahi des
Ye jo des hai tera, swades hai tera, tujhe hai pukaara
Ye woh bandhan hai jo kabhi toot nahin sakta
(Hmm…hmm…hmm…hmm…hmm…)
Ye pal hai wahi, jis mein hai chhupi
Koyi ek sadi, saari zindagi
Tu na poochh raaste mein kaahe
Aaye hain is tarha do raahein
Tu hi toh hai raah jo sujhaaye
Tu hi toh hai ab jo ye bataaye
Chaahe toh kis disha mein jaaye wahi des
Ye jo des hai tera, swades hai tera, tujhe hai pukaara
Ye woh bandhan hai jo kabhi toot nahin sakta
Hmm…hmm…hmm…
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Absence of God's Presence
On the sunday July 3rd 2004, in Hindu newspaper there was a very interesting Sashi Tharror column on Albert Einstein. I was just imagining, how one would be looking when you hold a pipe in your mouth on The photo of Einsteine was amazing with a pipe. I don't smoke but I definitely would love to smoke it from a pipe. Just imagining, on a European holiday. Undoubtedly, very graceful and revered in style with the pipe in mouth, those sparkling eyes, deep thoughts and warm smiles. Wish I could draw this picture of myself. Coming back, to the article, at the end of this column on Einstein, there was a statement made by Einstein upon learning the death of Mahatma Gandhiji which states "generations to come may scarce believe that such a one as this, in flesh and blood, walked upon this earth". I was wondering, how far they think. Here is another interesting piece which talks of philosophy and Einstein.
Begin Article:
Title: Feeling is Believing
The professor of a university challenged his students with this question. "Did God create everything that exists?" A student answered bravely, "Yes, he did".
The professor then asked, "If God created everything, then he created evil. Since evil exists (as noticed by our own actions), so God is evil. The student couldn't respond to that statement causing the professor to
conclude that he had "proved" that "belief in God" was a fairy tale, and therefore worthless.
Another student raised his hand and asked the professor, "May I pose a question? " "Of course" answered the professor.
The young student stood up and asked : "Professor does Cold exists?"
The professor answered, "What kind of question is that?...Of course the cold exists... haven't you ever been cold?"
The young student answered, "In fact sir, Cold does not exist. According to the laws of Physics, what we consider cold, in fact is the absence of heat. Anything is able to be studied as long as it transmits energy (heat). Absolute Zero is the total absence of heat, but cold does not exist. What we have done is create a term to describe how we feel if we don't have body heat or we are not hot."
"And, does Dark exist?", he continued. The professor answered "Of course". This time the student responded, "Again you're wrong,Sir. Darkness does not exist either. Darkness is in fact simply the absence of light. Light can be studied, darkness can not. Darkness cannot be broken down. A simple ray of light tears the darkness and illuminates the surface where the! light beam finishes. Dark is a term that we humans have created to describe what happens when there's lack of light."
Finally, the student asked the professor, "Sir, does evil exist?" The professor replied, "Of course it exists, as I mentioned at the beginning, we see violations, crimes and violence anywhere in the world, and those things are evil."
The student responded, "Sir, Evil does not exist. Just as in the previous cases, Evil is a term which man has created to describe the result of the absence of God's presence in the hearts of man.
After this, the professor bowed down his head, and didn't answer back.
The young man's name was ALBERT EINSTEIN
End Article:
Begin Article:
Title: Feeling is Believing
The professor of a university challenged his students with this question. "Did God create everything that exists?" A student answered bravely, "Yes, he did".
The professor then asked, "If God created everything, then he created evil. Since evil exists (as noticed by our own actions), so God is evil. The student couldn't respond to that statement causing the professor to
conclude that he had "proved" that "belief in God" was a fairy tale, and therefore worthless.
Another student raised his hand and asked the professor, "May I pose a question? " "Of course" answered the professor.
The young student stood up and asked : "Professor does Cold exists?"
The professor answered, "What kind of question is that?...Of course the cold exists... haven't you ever been cold?"
The young student answered, "In fact sir, Cold does not exist. According to the laws of Physics, what we consider cold, in fact is the absence of heat. Anything is able to be studied as long as it transmits energy (heat). Absolute Zero is the total absence of heat, but cold does not exist. What we have done is create a term to describe how we feel if we don't have body heat or we are not hot."
"And, does Dark exist?", he continued. The professor answered "Of course". This time the student responded, "Again you're wrong,Sir. Darkness does not exist either. Darkness is in fact simply the absence of light. Light can be studied, darkness can not. Darkness cannot be broken down. A simple ray of light tears the darkness and illuminates the surface where the! light beam finishes. Dark is a term that we humans have created to describe what happens when there's lack of light."
Finally, the student asked the professor, "Sir, does evil exist?" The professor replied, "Of course it exists, as I mentioned at the beginning, we see violations, crimes and violence anywhere in the world, and those things are evil."
The student responded, "Sir, Evil does not exist. Just as in the previous cases, Evil is a term which man has created to describe the result of the absence of God's presence in the hearts of man.
After this, the professor bowed down his head, and didn't answer back.
The young man's name was ALBERT EINSTEIN
End Article:
A Prayer in Silence
A Condolence Letter to A Guru!!
I have never seen you so gloomy। You are experiencing
deep distress and I really cannot imagine how you would be feeling. I
am sure; It is the greatest loss to anyone to lose a mother. (I am
only guessing it after seeing you.) I could see only one thing in
your eyes. Deep sorrow. I have never seen so much sorrow in your
eyes looks like they have dried out of tears. Swamy, do not hold your
sorrow or keep it to yourself. Cry your heart out and let the sorrow
in you get exhausted. There can be no greater loss than this.
I could see absolute calmness in you. The calmness as serene as a
lake early in the morning. Get yourself a renewed energy. There is
divinity in you, which you have transmitted to many souls. Your mom
may not be present in the same form. You can always use your
highest connecting power;
you can connect to your mom anytime you want.
She will appear to you in forms that you wish to see her. Show your
smiling face to her and lift her soul to peace. You have all that
divine power. Give it to your family. You are an embodiment
of pristine divinity. Go to a Carnatic classical concert. Get
connected to her and be always happy. And I am sure that your
happiness will give her soul all the ultimate peace, which
pen-ultimately will give you the bliss.
There are many forms in which, I see you, My Lord.
A quote:
And He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am His
own, and the joy we share in our time of prayer.
I pray to the Lord that I should be readily connected and available to
you at times whenever you need me.
सदा आपके सेवा में!!
I have never seen you so gloomy। You are experiencing
deep distress and I really cannot imagine how you would be feeling. I
am sure; It is the greatest loss to anyone to lose a mother. (I am
only guessing it after seeing you.) I could see only one thing in
your eyes. Deep sorrow. I have never seen so much sorrow in your
eyes looks like they have dried out of tears. Swamy, do not hold your
sorrow or keep it to yourself. Cry your heart out and let the sorrow
in you get exhausted. There can be no greater loss than this.
I could see absolute calmness in you. The calmness as serene as a
lake early in the morning. Get yourself a renewed energy. There is
divinity in you, which you have transmitted to many souls. Your mom
may not be present in the same form. You can always use your
highest connecting power;
you can connect to your mom anytime you want.
She will appear to you in forms that you wish to see her. Show your
smiling face to her and lift her soul to peace. You have all that
divine power. Give it to your family. You are an embodiment
of pristine divinity. Go to a Carnatic classical concert. Get
connected to her and be always happy. And I am sure that your
happiness will give her soul all the ultimate peace, which
pen-ultimately will give you the bliss.
There are many forms in which, I see you, My Lord.
A quote:
And He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am His
own, and the joy we share in our time of prayer.
I pray to the Lord that I should be readily connected and available to
you at times whenever you need me.
सदा आपके सेवा में!!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Srimaye's First Day At PlaySchool
On this day, 1st of October 2009, Srimaye enrolled into the playschool for the first time ever. Another series of great moments, wonderful days in the lives of Swapna and myself, which only Srimaye could bring and no one else for the uniqueness of her being our first child.
Swapna and I have been planning for this for more than months, but I actually haven't really done anything untill today. Prior to this big day, Swapna did inquire on when the admissions would happen, which school in the neighborhood is better etc.
In deciding upon the school, our choice was to put her in a school which would give her a holistic education rather than just ABCs or 123s. I wanted Srimaye to pick her communication skills and other soft skills which be with her for ever. Swapna went on finding about schools in the neighborhood that are good in whatever parameters she herself is convinced of. Public schools were ruled out as Srimaye will have to be four years to get into kindergarten and for preschool in public schools one of the parents have to accompany. Obviously, it was not our choice simply because it would steal the little rather very little personal time which Swapna gets. There was another school around 20 minutes away from home, The Royal Montessori which, in Swapna's inquiry turned out to be best school in the neighborhood. Knowing the weather conditions and also considering the duration of 20 minutes walk specially during winter times, we felt it was not feasible. The next option we had was the school which is adjacent to our apartment block right across the street. This is the "Kougar Kitten Playschool". This playschool is in the premises of "TL Kennedy Secondary School" run by Peel District School Board. The school is pretty good in large campus, which also has a huge football ground. Its single story building spread wide in vicinity with long corridors.
Srimaye's School Address:
Kougar Kitten Playschool
3100, Hurontario Street
Mississauga, Ontario - L5B 1N7
CANADA.
The school name wtih Kitten is so apt for the little Srimaye, who resembles cub from the family of tigres, with her very playful attitude, charming eyes, cute smile and adorable face. She radiates divine beauty and God's magnificence. DDD (Dad describing Daughter) would always be exaggerating to the world while it is always understating to Dads' themselves. I guess no dad is an exception to this.
Early morning Srimaye is the first to get up. As I have taken off from office for the morning session, I decided to wake-up late. Swapna did not get out of the bed though she was awake. So Srimaye was the one who got ready first in the home, this morning. She was all dressed in her pink full pants, sleeves pullover white in color with multi color thin pencil strips on it. She has worn her hood jacket and white shoes. We three had breakfast and as usual Srimaye was slow in eating. We searched for Srimaye's school bag and found her travel bag. So we decided to take it for the day. I payed to Godess Saraswathi on behalf of Srimaye. Ofcourse, Srimaye got her Aksharabhyasam performed Saraswathi temple in Basara. Before starting to school, Srimaye wanted to take her large dressed mamma teddy bear soft toy to preschool along with her. Swapna persuaded to leave the bear at home while Srimaye insisted. Srimaye, was given a choice of either going to school or playing with teaddy bear. She wisely has chosen to go to school. She put her back pack on and we all walked down to the school. Weather outside is cool and is just about to get chill in a couple of weeks. Though it was definitely cool, we could manage with one jacket or sweater. While crossing the road, we have see lots of parents dropping kids at the bus station, where the public school bus will pick up and drop off the kids. The school bus passed away and we crossed the road. I guess Srimaye felt it very cold, so she complained her legs were aching. So, I carried her untill we were near to Srimaye's pre-school. Then all three of us walked into the school. It was all emply and silent corridors as the secondary school kids are already in their classes. So, we walked and entered into to the play school section. It was a huge square room with yellow walls and very bright room indeed. Very vibrant with light and joy of kids playing and walking around. There is an inflow of parents coming and dropping kids off at the play school. There is a lady, busy greeting the kids and parents, taking registrations and doing many things same time with ease. She is Mrs. Gail Wrobel, Preschool teacher, Early Childhood Educator. Mrs. Wrobel, has given us a registration form to fill and submit. She showed Srimaye's cupboard and place to keep her things. She placed a name card "Asritha" back of Srimaye's shirt, this way she would recognize all kids. Seems to be very well experienced with all kinds of kids. We submitted the forms and got Srimaye enrolled. Mrs. Wrobel explained how they would teach the kids about different things in school. The whole of this week, they would teach the letter M and the sounds related to it "mmmmmmmm....". She mentioned that we should be showing the kind where ever and ask her to say the letters and sounds for instance in a grocery store, Mmmmm.... Milk, Mmmmm.... Meat etc. She also mentioned that they would teach personal hygiene, toilet procedures etiquette etc. Mrs. Wroble explained that parents have to get some homework done by the kid, so that the kid get accustomed to doing things. For example holding a pencil, and when doing the homework, parents should correct the kid. I thought to myself, that Mrs. Wrobel is underestimating Asritha, as she thinks that Srimaye doesn't know how to hold a pencil. I did not care to tell her, as I would want the teacher Mrs. Wrobel should be able to figure that out from the students. All said, Mrs. Wroble is a wonderful teacher. Srimaye was busy with her teacher and cared less to say by to us. We were happy for it, because few kids were crying as the parents let them at school. Today was also the birthday of one of the kids in Srimaye's class. I also got worried a little because some of the kids were already showing symptoms of flue. I chose not to pay too much attention to it. While we watched Srimaye from the pane on the door, Srimaye is already busy with her teacher, she went into toys room and got herself a toy shopping cart and a Dora soft toy. Swapna and I smiled wondering why she picked the shopping cart. Did we acquaint her so much with shopping? Lots of laughter!!
Wondering how days have gone by so fast and our daughter is already attending school, while both of us still feel that we are kind of newly wed. Swapna and I went for medical tests and we were somewhat early. So there was not much wait time. So, Swapna managed to finish the tests early and we walked out of the medical lab. Then we went to a hair stylist and got my hair done. Swapna liked the new look and I liked it very much. After coming to Canada, this is the first time, I felt it was a very decent and classy look that the stylist did. Earlier, I went to different saloons and I really did not like the way they cut my hair. Today, the style was impressive and so I tipped the stylist 30% and told him that I liked the hair cut. The stylist was delighted! Swapna said, you made his day, he looked very happy. And you are looking cool with this new hair style. Swapna felt like having coffee and everything suddenly became romantic. Romance is in the air, we felt like we were honeymoon couple, having nothing to do, but to just romance around in the cool weather. We walked holding each other talking. At one instance, a passer by stared at my office tag which was hanging over my pocket from my belt. I felt we were like a college students who bunked college to freak around. I tried not to hide my office card several times though I was on leave in the morning session. It was really pleasant spending time with Swapna. We continued our walk to Tim Horton's and ordered for some breakfast and coffee which we deliberately shared to make it more romantic than the combination cool weather and hot coffee. We walked slowly back to home and by then it was 11AM. We had spent time at home till 11.30AM.
Srimaye's school timings are from 8.45 AM to 11.45 AM.
So, at 11.30, Swapna went to pick Srimaye from school while i have take a bus to get back to my office. At work, I participated in the "United Way" campaign, to be a volunteer in collecting donations within Citi, for the various upbringing of the under developed and various other hundreds of welfare organization that are under the umbrella of United Way. Had a tuna sandwich and grilled turkey sandwich with orange juice for lunch. Then work went at a good pace, maybe because of the magic of spending the whole morning with Swapna. Returned late from office to home at around 10PM.
Swapna told me over the phone, that Srimaye's first day is wonderful. The teacher gave a feedback on Srimaye that Srimaye is very social and talkative. They would ask people to talk, but they never do while, Asritha is very good that way. Teacher also gave her some homework to complete. :-)
While blogging this, I also remember that Swapna wants Srimaye to be called as Asritha. So, with this enrollment into school, Srimaye is also being called as Asritha. And one of dream's (Swapna's) dream come true. :-) As of me, I am very happy for spending the day with Swapna, being there for Srimaye's first day at school, it was all just perfect because of God's Grace that is showered upon us.
While reading the book, You Can Win by Shiv Khera, I read this Lincoln’s Letter to his Son’s Teacher as part of that book. It is one of those many many writings, poems, phrases etc list of things that have touched my heart. I waited since then, to share it again to the world in my own terms on the day when my kid goes to school. I am delighted to write this blog on this day. I will sign-off this journal with Lincoln’s Letter to his Son’s Teacher. Enjoy!!
Lincoln’s Letter to his Son’s Teacher
He will have to learn, I know,
that all men are not just,
all men are not true.
But teach him also that
for every scoundrel there is a hero;
that for every selfish Politician,
there is a dedicated leader…
Teach him for every enemy there is a friend,
Steer him away from envy,
if you can,
teach him the secret of
quiet laughter.
Let him learn early that
the bullies are the easiest to lick…
Teach him, if you can,
the wonder of books…
But also give him quiet time
to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky,
bees in the sun,
and the flowers on a green hillside.
In the school teach him
it is far honourable to fail
than to cheat…
Teach him to have faith
in his own ideas,
even if everyone tells him
they are wrong…
Teach him to be gentle
with gentle people,
and tough with the tough.
Try to give my son
the strength not to follow the crowd
when everyone is getting on the band wagon…
Teach him to listen to all men…
but teach him also to filter
all he hears on a screen of truth,
and take only the good
that comes through.
Teach him if you can,
how to laugh when he is sad…
Teach him there is no shame in tears,
Teach him to scoff at cynics
and to beware of too much sweetness…
Teach him to sell his brawn
and brain to the highest bidders
but never to put a price-tag
on his heart and soul.
Teach him to close his ears
to a howling mob
and to stand and fight
if he thinks he’s right.
Treat him gently,
but do not cuddle him,
because only the test
of fire makes fine steel.
Let him have the courage
to be impatient…
let him have the patience to be brave.
Teach him always
to have sublime faith in himself,
because then he will have
sublime faith in mankind.
This is a big order,
but see what you can do…
He is such a fine little fellow,
my son!
~ Abraham Lincoln ~
(The 16th President of the United States of America 1861 – 1965)
Swapna and I have been planning for this for more than months, but I actually haven't really done anything untill today. Prior to this big day, Swapna did inquire on when the admissions would happen, which school in the neighborhood is better etc.
In deciding upon the school, our choice was to put her in a school which would give her a holistic education rather than just ABCs or 123s. I wanted Srimaye to pick her communication skills and other soft skills which be with her for ever. Swapna went on finding about schools in the neighborhood that are good in whatever parameters she herself is convinced of. Public schools were ruled out as Srimaye will have to be four years to get into kindergarten and for preschool in public schools one of the parents have to accompany. Obviously, it was not our choice simply because it would steal the little rather very little personal time which Swapna gets. There was another school around 20 minutes away from home, The Royal Montessori which, in Swapna's inquiry turned out to be best school in the neighborhood. Knowing the weather conditions and also considering the duration of 20 minutes walk specially during winter times, we felt it was not feasible. The next option we had was the school which is adjacent to our apartment block right across the street. This is the "Kougar Kitten Playschool". This playschool is in the premises of "TL Kennedy Secondary School" run by Peel District School Board. The school is pretty good in large campus, which also has a huge football ground. Its single story building spread wide in vicinity with long corridors.
Srimaye's School Address:
Kougar Kitten Playschool
3100, Hurontario Street
Mississauga, Ontario - L5B 1N7
CANADA.
The school name wtih Kitten is so apt for the little Srimaye, who resembles cub from the family of tigres, with her very playful attitude, charming eyes, cute smile and adorable face. She radiates divine beauty and God's magnificence. DDD (Dad describing Daughter) would always be exaggerating to the world while it is always understating to Dads' themselves. I guess no dad is an exception to this.
Early morning Srimaye is the first to get up. As I have taken off from office for the morning session, I decided to wake-up late. Swapna did not get out of the bed though she was awake. So Srimaye was the one who got ready first in the home, this morning. She was all dressed in her pink full pants, sleeves pullover white in color with multi color thin pencil strips on it. She has worn her hood jacket and white shoes. We three had breakfast and as usual Srimaye was slow in eating. We searched for Srimaye's school bag and found her travel bag. So we decided to take it for the day. I payed to Godess Saraswathi on behalf of Srimaye. Ofcourse, Srimaye got her Aksharabhyasam performed Saraswathi temple in Basara. Before starting to school, Srimaye wanted to take her large dressed mamma teddy bear soft toy to preschool along with her. Swapna persuaded to leave the bear at home while Srimaye insisted. Srimaye, was given a choice of either going to school or playing with teaddy bear. She wisely has chosen to go to school. She put her back pack on and we all walked down to the school. Weather outside is cool and is just about to get chill in a couple of weeks. Though it was definitely cool, we could manage with one jacket or sweater. While crossing the road, we have see lots of parents dropping kids at the bus station, where the public school bus will pick up and drop off the kids. The school bus passed away and we crossed the road. I guess Srimaye felt it very cold, so she complained her legs were aching. So, I carried her untill we were near to Srimaye's pre-school. Then all three of us walked into the school. It was all emply and silent corridors as the secondary school kids are already in their classes. So, we walked and entered into to the play school section. It was a huge square room with yellow walls and very bright room indeed. Very vibrant with light and joy of kids playing and walking around. There is an inflow of parents coming and dropping kids off at the play school. There is a lady, busy greeting the kids and parents, taking registrations and doing many things same time with ease. She is Mrs. Gail Wrobel, Preschool teacher, Early Childhood Educator. Mrs. Wrobel, has given us a registration form to fill and submit. She showed Srimaye's cupboard and place to keep her things. She placed a name card "Asritha" back of Srimaye's shirt, this way she would recognize all kids. Seems to be very well experienced with all kinds of kids. We submitted the forms and got Srimaye enrolled. Mrs. Wrobel explained how they would teach the kids about different things in school. The whole of this week, they would teach the letter M and the sounds related to it "mmmmmmmm....". She mentioned that we should be showing the kind where ever and ask her to say the letters and sounds for instance in a grocery store, Mmmmm.... Milk, Mmmmm.... Meat etc. She also mentioned that they would teach personal hygiene, toilet procedures etiquette etc. Mrs. Wroble explained that parents have to get some homework done by the kid, so that the kid get accustomed to doing things. For example holding a pencil, and when doing the homework, parents should correct the kid. I thought to myself, that Mrs. Wrobel is underestimating Asritha, as she thinks that Srimaye doesn't know how to hold a pencil. I did not care to tell her, as I would want the teacher Mrs. Wrobel should be able to figure that out from the students. All said, Mrs. Wroble is a wonderful teacher. Srimaye was busy with her teacher and cared less to say by to us. We were happy for it, because few kids were crying as the parents let them at school. Today was also the birthday of one of the kids in Srimaye's class. I also got worried a little because some of the kids were already showing symptoms of flue. I chose not to pay too much attention to it. While we watched Srimaye from the pane on the door, Srimaye is already busy with her teacher, she went into toys room and got herself a toy shopping cart and a Dora soft toy. Swapna and I smiled wondering why she picked the shopping cart. Did we acquaint her so much with shopping? Lots of laughter!!
Wondering how days have gone by so fast and our daughter is already attending school, while both of us still feel that we are kind of newly wed. Swapna and I went for medical tests and we were somewhat early. So there was not much wait time. So, Swapna managed to finish the tests early and we walked out of the medical lab. Then we went to a hair stylist and got my hair done. Swapna liked the new look and I liked it very much. After coming to Canada, this is the first time, I felt it was a very decent and classy look that the stylist did. Earlier, I went to different saloons and I really did not like the way they cut my hair. Today, the style was impressive and so I tipped the stylist 30% and told him that I liked the hair cut. The stylist was delighted! Swapna said, you made his day, he looked very happy. And you are looking cool with this new hair style. Swapna felt like having coffee and everything suddenly became romantic. Romance is in the air, we felt like we were honeymoon couple, having nothing to do, but to just romance around in the cool weather. We walked holding each other talking. At one instance, a passer by stared at my office tag which was hanging over my pocket from my belt. I felt we were like a college students who bunked college to freak around. I tried not to hide my office card several times though I was on leave in the morning session. It was really pleasant spending time with Swapna. We continued our walk to Tim Horton's and ordered for some breakfast and coffee which we deliberately shared to make it more romantic than the combination cool weather and hot coffee. We walked slowly back to home and by then it was 11AM. We had spent time at home till 11.30AM.
Srimaye's school timings are from 8.45 AM to 11.45 AM.
So, at 11.30, Swapna went to pick Srimaye from school while i have take a bus to get back to my office. At work, I participated in the "United Way" campaign, to be a volunteer in collecting donations within Citi, for the various upbringing of the under developed and various other hundreds of welfare organization that are under the umbrella of United Way. Had a tuna sandwich and grilled turkey sandwich with orange juice for lunch. Then work went at a good pace, maybe because of the magic of spending the whole morning with Swapna. Returned late from office to home at around 10PM.
Swapna told me over the phone, that Srimaye's first day is wonderful. The teacher gave a feedback on Srimaye that Srimaye is very social and talkative. They would ask people to talk, but they never do while, Asritha is very good that way. Teacher also gave her some homework to complete. :-)
While blogging this, I also remember that Swapna wants Srimaye to be called as Asritha. So, with this enrollment into school, Srimaye is also being called as Asritha. And one of dream's (Swapna's) dream come true. :-) As of me, I am very happy for spending the day with Swapna, being there for Srimaye's first day at school, it was all just perfect because of God's Grace that is showered upon us.
While reading the book, You Can Win by Shiv Khera, I read this Lincoln’s Letter to his Son’s Teacher as part of that book. It is one of those many many writings, poems, phrases etc list of things that have touched my heart. I waited since then, to share it again to the world in my own terms on the day when my kid goes to school. I am delighted to write this blog on this day. I will sign-off this journal with Lincoln’s Letter to his Son’s Teacher. Enjoy!!
Lincoln’s Letter to his Son’s Teacher
He will have to learn, I know,
that all men are not just,
all men are not true.
But teach him also that
for every scoundrel there is a hero;
that for every selfish Politician,
there is a dedicated leader…
Teach him for every enemy there is a friend,
Steer him away from envy,
if you can,
teach him the secret of
quiet laughter.
Let him learn early that
the bullies are the easiest to lick…
Teach him, if you can,
the wonder of books…
But also give him quiet time
to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky,
bees in the sun,
and the flowers on a green hillside.
In the school teach him
it is far honourable to fail
than to cheat…
Teach him to have faith
in his own ideas,
even if everyone tells him
they are wrong…
Teach him to be gentle
with gentle people,
and tough with the tough.
Try to give my son
the strength not to follow the crowd
when everyone is getting on the band wagon…
Teach him to listen to all men…
but teach him also to filter
all he hears on a screen of truth,
and take only the good
that comes through.
Teach him if you can,
how to laugh when he is sad…
Teach him there is no shame in tears,
Teach him to scoff at cynics
and to beware of too much sweetness…
Teach him to sell his brawn
and brain to the highest bidders
but never to put a price-tag
on his heart and soul.
Teach him to close his ears
to a howling mob
and to stand and fight
if he thinks he’s right.
Treat him gently,
but do not cuddle him,
because only the test
of fire makes fine steel.
Let him have the courage
to be impatient…
let him have the patience to be brave.
Teach him always
to have sublime faith in himself,
because then he will have
sublime faith in mankind.
This is a big order,
but see what you can do…
He is such a fine little fellow,
my son!
~ Abraham Lincoln ~
(The 16th President of the United States of America 1861 – 1965)
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Soup For The Soul
The excerpts from #1 New York Times Best Seller "Chicken Soup For The Soul" written and compiled by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen. Not sure why it has to be Chicken soup for the soul, ignoring the so called vegetarians. I would prefer it as "Soup for the Soul" if it has to be named like that to include the so called "vegetarian souls". And in the first instance the title sounds catchy but doesn't actually makes any sense. Soul is beyond taste and soul is beyond hunger and nourishment or whatever it is. Soul exists even if humans don't exist. Soul has no impact on your deeds or actions. Soul is never good or bad. Soul is a Soul and no equivalent to it. The book is definitely very interesting. Enjoy the gist of it for my perspective.
We know everything we need to know to end the needless emotional suffering that many people currently experience. High self-esteem and personal effectiveness is available to anyone willing to take the time to pursue it.
The day will come when, after harnessing space, the winds the tides and gravitation, we shall harness for God the energies of LOVE. And on that day, for the second time in the history of the world, we shall have discovered fire. ~ Tielbard de Chardin
Love: The One Creative Force
Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting. ~ Mother Teresa.
The simple truth every teacher or professor should teach or profess is Love.
All one remembers is LOVE
Tell the ones you love, 'I LOVE YOU!'
Heart Song: Ability to express Love is biggest strength.
Don't bug me! Hug me!!
A heart for a Hug!
Unconditional Love!
Simple way to make a difference in live of others is Give a Hug!!
We need 4 hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.
Make every day a Hugs Day!
Hugging is healthy. It helps the body's immune system, it keeps you healthier, it cures depression, it reduces stress, it induces sleep, it's invigorating, it's rejuvenating, it has no unpleasant side effects, and hugging is nothing less than a miracle drug. Hugging is natural, low energy consumption, high energy yield and, of course fully returnable.
Hugging is practically perfect.
Who you are makes a difference
The most incredible thing is to give recognition.
Don't stop contributing because there are simply too many. Make a difference to each one individually one at a time.
It is more blessed to give...
Be Courageous
Tell the people who work for you, what good job they are doing
Influence Happy Attitude directly or indirectly
Everybody can be great... because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love. ~ Martin Luther Kind. Jr.
A small act of kindness can save life!
Smile at each other - it doesn't matter who it is - and that will help you to grow up in greater love for each other. ~ Mother Teresa.
Smile - the unaffected, unplanned, natural connection between people
Smile is a spark that jumps across the gap between two hearts, two human souls
Love is an example of the magic moment that two souls recognize each other
Underneath all the layers we construct to protect ourselves, our dignity, our titles, our degrees, our status and our need to be seen in certain ways - underneath all that , remains that authentic, essential self. I'm not afraid to call it the soul
Healing Power: Rub hands together vigorously, separate them by two inches and feel the healing energy. The pair them off with a partner to feel the healing energy emanating from one to another. Everyone has healing energy and healing potential.
Appreciate with gratitude, the seemingly simple day to day activities your family does for you unconditionally.
Don't lose sight of your dreams and ambitions
All of us are walking around with some kind of birthday card we would like to give - some personal expression of joy, creativity or aliveness that we are hiding under our shirt.
Carpe Diem! Seize the day!!
Win with the power of sincere intention to make life extraordinary.
Confront with an aspiration to fully express your heart and your resistance to face the insecurity of emotional nakedness.
I felt more satisfied and at peace with myself than I had in a long time....
I needed to learn to open my heart and give love without requiring anything return.
Fear is excitement without breath ~ Fritz Perls
Do it trembling if you must, but do it ~ Emmet Fox
The dynamics that are required to make any relationship work: Just keep putting your love out there.
Just keep putting your love out there. We believe that we are hurt when we don't receive love. But that is not what hurts us. Our pain comes when we do not give love. We are born to love. You might say that we are divinely created love machines. We function most powerfully when we are giving love. Truth is, our well being is dependent on our giving love.
Aikido is the art of reconciliation. Whoever has the mind to fight has broken his connection with the universe.
Slow down and smell the roses.
This moment is all that you have to make a difference in life
The goals we set for ourselves can be attained through faith in ourselves and trust in others, despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Trust your intuition and accept the guidance of others who may have greater insight
Live with awareness of life and compassion for others
Slow down and take the time to really see. Take a moment to see what is going on around you right now, right where you are. You may be missing something wonderful.
Interview with elderly and the terminally ill do not report that people have regret for the things they have done but rather people talk about the things they regret not having done.
I'd dare to make more mistakes next time.
I'd relax. I would limber up.
I would be sillier than i have been this trip.
I would take fewer things seriously.
I would take more chances.
I would take more trips.
I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers.
I would eat more ice creams and less beans.
I would perhaps have more actual troubles but I'd have fewer imaginary ones.
You see, I'm one of those people who live sensibly and sanely hour after hour, day after day.
One after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day, I'd live in my moments. Just moments!! ~ Nadine Stair (Age:85)
The touch of the Master's Hand changes the worth of everything.
The Master comes and the foolish crowd
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul and the change that's wrought
By the touch of the Master's hand.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Money and fame don't automatically make people happy. It has to come from within.
We know everything we need to know to end the needless emotional suffering that many people currently experience. High self-esteem and personal effectiveness is available to anyone willing to take the time to pursue it.
LOVE
The day will come when, after harnessing space, the winds the tides and gravitation, we shall harness for God the energies of LOVE. And on that day, for the second time in the history of the world, we shall have discovered fire. ~ Tielbard de Chardin
Love: The One Creative Force
Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting. ~ Mother Teresa.
The simple truth every teacher or professor should teach or profess is Love.
All one remembers is LOVE
Tell the ones you love, 'I LOVE YOU!'
Heart Song: Ability to express Love is biggest strength.
Don't bug me! Hug me!!
A heart for a Hug!
Unconditional Love!
Simple way to make a difference in live of others is Give a Hug!!
We need 4 hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.
Make every day a Hugs Day!
Hugging is healthy. It helps the body's immune system, it keeps you healthier, it cures depression, it reduces stress, it induces sleep, it's invigorating, it's rejuvenating, it has no unpleasant side effects, and hugging is nothing less than a miracle drug. Hugging is natural, low energy consumption, high energy yield and, of course fully returnable.
Hugging is practically perfect.
Who you are makes a difference
The most incredible thing is to give recognition.
Don't stop contributing because there are simply too many. Make a difference to each one individually one at a time.
It is more blessed to give...
Be Courageous
Tell the people who work for you, what good job they are doing
Influence Happy Attitude directly or indirectly
Everybody can be great... because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love. ~ Martin Luther Kind. Jr.
A small act of kindness can save life!
Smile at each other - it doesn't matter who it is - and that will help you to grow up in greater love for each other. ~ Mother Teresa.
Smile - the unaffected, unplanned, natural connection between people
Smile is a spark that jumps across the gap between two hearts, two human souls
Love is an example of the magic moment that two souls recognize each other
Underneath all the layers we construct to protect ourselves, our dignity, our titles, our degrees, our status and our need to be seen in certain ways - underneath all that , remains that authentic, essential self. I'm not afraid to call it the soul
Healing Power: Rub hands together vigorously, separate them by two inches and feel the healing energy. The pair them off with a partner to feel the healing energy emanating from one to another. Everyone has healing energy and healing potential.
Appreciate with gratitude, the seemingly simple day to day activities your family does for you unconditionally.
Don't lose sight of your dreams and ambitions
All of us are walking around with some kind of birthday card we would like to give - some personal expression of joy, creativity or aliveness that we are hiding under our shirt.
Carpe Diem! Seize the day!!
Win with the power of sincere intention to make life extraordinary.
Confront with an aspiration to fully express your heart and your resistance to face the insecurity of emotional nakedness.
I felt more satisfied and at peace with myself than I had in a long time....
I needed to learn to open my heart and give love without requiring anything return.
Fear is excitement without breath ~ Fritz Perls
Do it trembling if you must, but do it ~ Emmet Fox
The dynamics that are required to make any relationship work: Just keep putting your love out there.
Just keep putting your love out there. We believe that we are hurt when we don't receive love. But that is not what hurts us. Our pain comes when we do not give love. We are born to love. You might say that we are divinely created love machines. We function most powerfully when we are giving love. Truth is, our well being is dependent on our giving love.
Aikido is the art of reconciliation. Whoever has the mind to fight has broken his connection with the universe.
ELICIT WISDOM
Slow down and smell the roses.
This moment is all that you have to make a difference in life
The goals we set for ourselves can be attained through faith in ourselves and trust in others, despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Trust your intuition and accept the guidance of others who may have greater insight
Live with awareness of life and compassion for others
Slow down and take the time to really see. Take a moment to see what is going on around you right now, right where you are. You may be missing something wonderful.
Interview with elderly and the terminally ill do not report that people have regret for the things they have done but rather people talk about the things they regret not having done.
I'd dare to make more mistakes next time.
I'd relax. I would limber up.
I would be sillier than i have been this trip.
I would take fewer things seriously.
I would take more chances.
I would take more trips.
I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers.
I would eat more ice creams and less beans.
I would perhaps have more actual troubles but I'd have fewer imaginary ones.
You see, I'm one of those people who live sensibly and sanely hour after hour, day after day.
One after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day, I'd live in my moments. Just moments!! ~ Nadine Stair (Age:85)
The touch of the Master's Hand changes the worth of everything.
The Master comes and the foolish crowd
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul and the change that's wrought
By the touch of the Master's hand.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Money and fame don't automatically make people happy. It has to come from within.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Alchemist Book Review
Here is a review of the book "the
alchemist" which I have written for a book review contest in Polaris.
And it is adjudged the best and I got the first prize. Thought I
should share the review with you guys.
Bard's B'day Book Review Contest Entry Form
Name of the Book : THE ALCHEMIST
Topic : Fiction, Inspirational & Transformational
Book’s Theme : A magical fable about following your dream
“ When a person really desires something all the universe conspires to help that person to realize his dream”. To find our "Personal Myth" and our mission on Earth is the way to find "God", meaning happiness, fulfillment, and the ultimate purpose of creation.
Dreams, symbols, signs and adventure follow the reader like the echoes of the ancient wise masters’ voices in “The Alchemist”, a masterpiece that combines an atmosphere of medieval mysticism with the song of the desert. With this symbolic art piece Coelho state that we should not avoid our destinies, and urges people to follow their dreams, because to find our "Personal Myth" and our mission on Earth is the way to find "God", meaning happiness, fulfillment, and the ultimate purpose of creation.
The novel tells the tale of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who has a dream and the courage to follow it. After listening to "the signs" the boy ventures in his personal journey of exploration and self-discovery, symbolically searching for a hidden treasure located near the pyramids in Egypt. In his journey, Santiago sees the greatness of the world, and meets all kinds of exciting people like kings, a merchant, the camel driver who were "teachers without realizing it" and alchemists. Through the journey, he discovers that "treasure lies where your heart belongs", and that the treasure was the journey itself, the discoveries he made, and the wisdom he acquired.
It tells you that everything is possible as long as you really want it to happen. That may sound like an oversimplified version of new-age philosophy and mysticism, but as Coelho states "simple things are the most valuable and only wise people appreciate them". It suggests that those who do not have the courage to follow their " Personal Myth" are doomed to a life of emptiness, misery, and un-fulfillment. Fear of failure seems to be the greatest obstacle to happiness. This is where Coelho really captures the drama of man, who sacrifices fulfillment to conformity, who knows he can achieve greatness but denies to do so, and ends up living a life of void. It is interesting to see that Coelho presents the person who denies to follow his dream as the person who denies to see God, and that "every happy person carries God within him". However, only few people choose to follow the road that has been made for them, and find God while searching for their destiny, and their mission on earth. What is certain is that the symbolism of the text is a parallel to the symbolism and the symbolic language of alchemism, and similarly the symbolism of dreams is presented as " God's language". It is also symbolic that Santiago finds his soul mate, and the secrets of wisdom in the wilderness of the desert. In the desert, Santiago meets his "twin-soul" and discovers that love is the core of existence and creation. As Coelho explains, when we love, we always try to improve ourselves, and that's when everything is possible". The novel skillfully combines words of wisdom, philosophy, and simplicity of meaning and language, which makes it particularly readable and accounts for relating to one's own self.
“The Alchemist", is an exciting novel that bursts with optimism. The Alchemist is interesting, memorable, entertaining, instructive, inspirational and majorly transformational.
It is interesting because it tells people what they want to hear, or rather it tells them that what they wish for but never thought possible could even be probable.
It is memorable as we can reflect, connect and discover ourselves while reading the book. It can be applied to our own lives.
It is entertaining as it takes you through a journey in the desert. It touches the heart of those earnestly seeking its own destiny on the journey of life.
It is instructive and inspirational because it teaches you the wisdom of listening to our hearts, learning to read the omens, signs and symbols along life’s path while following your dreams. It gives the wisdom that “when something evolves, everything around that thing evolves as well”. The subject of love inspires a beautiful lyricism in Coelho's writing: "I love you because the whole universe conspired for me to come close to you."
It is most of all transformational because “it is about penetrating to the Soul of the World, and discovering the treasure that has been reserved for you.”
After reading The Alchemist, no person will be the same once they understand God's language. In the book Coelho says that Alchemist makes Alchemist. It helps you realize your mentors, "the Kings", who appear in one form or another, in the form of a solutions or a good idea. Everyone who understands this book will definitely pass the legacy and it continues. It is endless. The book continues to transform lives. It makes those who exist to live. Live your dreams.
Like Santiago, we are all in search of treasure, to find the meaning and purpose of our lives. We constantly make our lives better. The Alchemist makes you understand that there is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve! “The fear of failure.“ It says, “ When a person really desires something all the universe conspires to help that person to realize his dream”. This book reveals the distance between you and yourself. To find the treasure that lies within you, obstacles and problems are those clues that helps you to discover and realize your destiny. So let’s begin the journey.
Alchemist resolves the conflict between love and ambition strikingly. It say’s “When we love, we always strive to become better persons”. “True love never stops you from realizing your life’s goal”. This tale is inspiring, creative and captivating. It gives you a deep insight into the universal soul / force that provides you help to realize your dream when you ask for it earnestly and work for it passionately. It states that there is one great truth on this planet: whoever you are, or whatever it is that you do, when you really want something, it’s because that desire originated in the soul of the universe. It’s your mission on earth.” We only limit ourselves. Only we place limitations on us. Dare to explore your life’s mission, to run after your dreams. For, today’s dreams are tomorrow’s realities. Paul Coelho’s writing is easy and simple yet posses the power to inspire and change your life forever reminding us “Don’t forget to follow your destiny through to its conclusion”. It is an ordinary fable revealing extra ordinary truths. If life is like a journey then the book “The Alchemist” is a real signpost to reach your destiny. After all, “To realize one’s destiny is a person’s real obligation”. The book is like an elixir and helps in reading signs and teaches the language that doesn’t depend on words. “If I can learn to understand this language without words, I can learn to understand the world”. The language of God. “To understand this one needs to find a man who understands this language. An Alchemist”. A Mentor who helps to understand that “intuition is really a sudden immersion of the soul into the universal current of life, where the histories of all people are connected, and we are able to know everything, because it’s all written there. I can now read the signs and learnt God's language. In the process “We make a lot of detours, but we’re always heading for the same destination.” Experience the magic of The Alchemist that helps you find a mentor and transforms the student into a seeker, a manager into a leader and a pessimist into an optimist. To some of the questions like “Why do they make things so complicated?” It provides answers “so that those who have the responsibility for understanding can understand. It’s only those who are persistent, and willing to study things deeply, who achieve the Master Work.” The Alchemist taught “the most important part of the language that all the world spoke – the language that everyone on earth was capable of understanding in their heart. It was love. Something older than humanity. Something that exerted the same force whenever two pairs of eyes met”. A smile, “and that was certainly an omen – the omen he had been awaiting, without even knowing he was, for all his life”. It propels one to test the limits that one sets for oneself. “The world is only the visible aspect of God. And that what alchemy does is to bring spiritual perfection into contact with the material plane.” “Your eyes show the strength of your soul.” Dare! For the universe is there to conspire with you to realize your destiny. “The secret is here in the present. If you pay attention to the present, you can improve upon it.” It reminds “no project is complete until its objective has been achieved.” The Alchemist is magical and it puts a lasting smile on the face by the end of it. “Life attracts life, life really is generous to those who pursue their destiny.” The book has life in it.
To all the questions like
Has a book ever changed your life?
Has a book raised your consciousness?
Has a book changed the way you feel?
Has a book encouraged you to do something?
There is only one answer and the answers is, Yes!
For those who understand the language of the world, The Alchemist is magical and puts a lasting smile on the face. :-)
alchemist" which I have written for a book review contest in Polaris.
And it is adjudged the best and I got the first prize. Thought I
should share the review with you guys.
Bard's B'day Book Review Contest Entry Form
Name of the Book : THE ALCHEMIST
Topic : Fiction, Inspirational & Transformational
Book’s Theme : A magical fable about following your dream
“ When a person really desires something all the universe conspires to help that person to realize his dream”. To find our "Personal Myth" and our mission on Earth is the way to find "God", meaning happiness, fulfillment, and the ultimate purpose of creation.
Dreams, symbols, signs and adventure follow the reader like the echoes of the ancient wise masters’ voices in “The Alchemist”, a masterpiece that combines an atmosphere of medieval mysticism with the song of the desert. With this symbolic art piece Coelho state that we should not avoid our destinies, and urges people to follow their dreams, because to find our "Personal Myth" and our mission on Earth is the way to find "God", meaning happiness, fulfillment, and the ultimate purpose of creation.
The novel tells the tale of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who has a dream and the courage to follow it. After listening to "the signs" the boy ventures in his personal journey of exploration and self-discovery, symbolically searching for a hidden treasure located near the pyramids in Egypt. In his journey, Santiago sees the greatness of the world, and meets all kinds of exciting people like kings, a merchant, the camel driver who were "teachers without realizing it" and alchemists. Through the journey, he discovers that "treasure lies where your heart belongs", and that the treasure was the journey itself, the discoveries he made, and the wisdom he acquired.
It tells you that everything is possible as long as you really want it to happen. That may sound like an oversimplified version of new-age philosophy and mysticism, but as Coelho states "simple things are the most valuable and only wise people appreciate them". It suggests that those who do not have the courage to follow their " Personal Myth" are doomed to a life of emptiness, misery, and un-fulfillment. Fear of failure seems to be the greatest obstacle to happiness. This is where Coelho really captures the drama of man, who sacrifices fulfillment to conformity, who knows he can achieve greatness but denies to do so, and ends up living a life of void. It is interesting to see that Coelho presents the person who denies to follow his dream as the person who denies to see God, and that "every happy person carries God within him". However, only few people choose to follow the road that has been made for them, and find God while searching for their destiny, and their mission on earth. What is certain is that the symbolism of the text is a parallel to the symbolism and the symbolic language of alchemism, and similarly the symbolism of dreams is presented as " God's language". It is also symbolic that Santiago finds his soul mate, and the secrets of wisdom in the wilderness of the desert. In the desert, Santiago meets his "twin-soul" and discovers that love is the core of existence and creation. As Coelho explains, when we love, we always try to improve ourselves, and that's when everything is possible". The novel skillfully combines words of wisdom, philosophy, and simplicity of meaning and language, which makes it particularly readable and accounts for relating to one's own self.
“The Alchemist", is an exciting novel that bursts with optimism. The Alchemist is interesting, memorable, entertaining, instructive, inspirational and majorly transformational.
It is interesting because it tells people what they want to hear, or rather it tells them that what they wish for but never thought possible could even be probable.
It is memorable as we can reflect, connect and discover ourselves while reading the book. It can be applied to our own lives.
It is entertaining as it takes you through a journey in the desert. It touches the heart of those earnestly seeking its own destiny on the journey of life.
It is instructive and inspirational because it teaches you the wisdom of listening to our hearts, learning to read the omens, signs and symbols along life’s path while following your dreams. It gives the wisdom that “when something evolves, everything around that thing evolves as well”. The subject of love inspires a beautiful lyricism in Coelho's writing: "I love you because the whole universe conspired for me to come close to you."
It is most of all transformational because “it is about penetrating to the Soul of the World, and discovering the treasure that has been reserved for you.”
After reading The Alchemist, no person will be the same once they understand God's language. In the book Coelho says that Alchemist makes Alchemist. It helps you realize your mentors, "the Kings", who appear in one form or another, in the form of a solutions or a good idea. Everyone who understands this book will definitely pass the legacy and it continues. It is endless. The book continues to transform lives. It makes those who exist to live. Live your dreams.
Like Santiago, we are all in search of treasure, to find the meaning and purpose of our lives. We constantly make our lives better. The Alchemist makes you understand that there is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve! “The fear of failure.“ It says, “ When a person really desires something all the universe conspires to help that person to realize his dream”. This book reveals the distance between you and yourself. To find the treasure that lies within you, obstacles and problems are those clues that helps you to discover and realize your destiny. So let’s begin the journey.
Alchemist resolves the conflict between love and ambition strikingly. It say’s “When we love, we always strive to become better persons”. “True love never stops you from realizing your life’s goal”. This tale is inspiring, creative and captivating. It gives you a deep insight into the universal soul / force that provides you help to realize your dream when you ask for it earnestly and work for it passionately. It states that there is one great truth on this planet: whoever you are, or whatever it is that you do, when you really want something, it’s because that desire originated in the soul of the universe. It’s your mission on earth.” We only limit ourselves. Only we place limitations on us. Dare to explore your life’s mission, to run after your dreams. For, today’s dreams are tomorrow’s realities. Paul Coelho’s writing is easy and simple yet posses the power to inspire and change your life forever reminding us “Don’t forget to follow your destiny through to its conclusion”. It is an ordinary fable revealing extra ordinary truths. If life is like a journey then the book “The Alchemist” is a real signpost to reach your destiny. After all, “To realize one’s destiny is a person’s real obligation”. The book is like an elixir and helps in reading signs and teaches the language that doesn’t depend on words. “If I can learn to understand this language without words, I can learn to understand the world”. The language of God. “To understand this one needs to find a man who understands this language. An Alchemist”. A Mentor who helps to understand that “intuition is really a sudden immersion of the soul into the universal current of life, where the histories of all people are connected, and we are able to know everything, because it’s all written there. I can now read the signs and learnt God's language. In the process “We make a lot of detours, but we’re always heading for the same destination.” Experience the magic of The Alchemist that helps you find a mentor and transforms the student into a seeker, a manager into a leader and a pessimist into an optimist. To some of the questions like “Why do they make things so complicated?” It provides answers “so that those who have the responsibility for understanding can understand. It’s only those who are persistent, and willing to study things deeply, who achieve the Master Work.” The Alchemist taught “the most important part of the language that all the world spoke – the language that everyone on earth was capable of understanding in their heart. It was love. Something older than humanity. Something that exerted the same force whenever two pairs of eyes met”. A smile, “and that was certainly an omen – the omen he had been awaiting, without even knowing he was, for all his life”. It propels one to test the limits that one sets for oneself. “The world is only the visible aspect of God. And that what alchemy does is to bring spiritual perfection into contact with the material plane.” “Your eyes show the strength of your soul.” Dare! For the universe is there to conspire with you to realize your destiny. “The secret is here in the present. If you pay attention to the present, you can improve upon it.” It reminds “no project is complete until its objective has been achieved.” The Alchemist is magical and it puts a lasting smile on the face by the end of it. “Life attracts life, life really is generous to those who pursue their destiny.” The book has life in it.
To all the questions like
Has a book ever changed your life?
Has a book raised your consciousness?
Has a book changed the way you feel?
Has a book encouraged you to do something?
There is only one answer and the answers is, Yes!
For those who understand the language of the world, The Alchemist is magical and puts a lasting smile on the face. :-)
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Straight from the heart...!
I watched the movie 'Straight' Vinay Patakh. So to say, I am very fond of Vinay Pathak's movies for the reason that they are off-beat, real-life stories and mostly and only for multiplex movie goers. I like all of his movies that I watched. Dasvidhaniyan, Bheja Fry, Oh My God, Mixed Doubles This particular movie 'Straight' is regarding a man who is desperate to get married and is utterly confused on his sexuality. Along the story line there is a built in comedy track which runs in parallel just like any other Vinay Patakh's movie.
Apart from the story line there is a character Kamlesh who plays the role of a cook with a great talent for making people laugh in his acts. With this he makes Pinu (Vinay Pathak) come out of his complexities and take life easy. And laugh at the happenings in retrospect, which were once the most difficult times for Pinu. This is what is most appealing about the movie to me.
Many of the times this has been the case with me and there are so many of such small things which I always recollect and laugh to myself or share the lighter moments with people around. It has always given me a feeling of life being wonderful not just to myself but to those who I share this with. I thought these are good to get on to my blog now and soon. This is the kind of 'just for laughs' or 'college commedy' there are several instance which I would always love to share and have shared with many of my friends....
So here comes the lines Straight from the heart....
The Only slap Mom gave me...
At my age of 12 , I was playing with my elder brother. We had a running race in which, we need to touch start from one point, touch a Post Box at the end of the road and then come back to the starting point. My elder brother was leading and I was running behind him. While he touched the postbox and just started to return, I just couldn't control my speed and crashed into him straight head on. Two of my teeth went into my brothers head. The funny part is, If my brother was not there for me, I would have rammed into the post box. Thanks to my brother he saved me.
When we went to the doctor, the doctor asked me what is the matter?
I said my teeth are broken.
What happened?
I crashed into my brother and the teeth hit his head and broke.
The doctor said, OK you go wait in the waiting room and call your brother in. It sounded like GET OUT! LOL :-)
The electric shock during the preparation of a science exhibition model. As most of us know, in school all of us must have participated in science exhibition at-least in school level competition. In preparation for this, I did a very simple experiment, the water heater. I removed the leads from a couple of Eveready battries and connected them to a + and - wires. Now it is all ready for testing. I dipped the leads in a bowl of water. As the switch board was not reachable for me, I asked my brother to help me to plug the wires. Then he plugged them in and the switch has to be turned on. Just then it struck my mind that I am holding a steel bowl. So I said... WAIT!! This is a steel bowl, I may get a shock. Let me bring a plate. I ran as fast as I can, brought a plate, placed the bowl in the plate. Then I told my brother, OK, One, Two, Three, Now! ~!@#$%^&*()_+ mmmmmmmmm..........yyyyyyyyy.......ooooooooooo........eeeeeeeeeeeee...
I think my brother switched the connection off again. Thank God! He saved my life.
I realized I brought a steel plate. :-) LOL. My mom screamed from the other room... "you will kill yourself, stop the non-sense of your experiments!". That's the end of my interest in science as a subject. I really can not forget how much my brother and I rolled and laughed at my foolishness in bringing a steel plate to insulate a steel bowl.
Sorry for the interruption... Julie...
The first pet every I know in my home is the bitch named Julie at my home in Vizag. This is a very very Faithful and a cool country breed and is very powerful and intelligent. It is a pit everyone in the home is fond of. For those you know, there was a time when the street dogs were plenty and the municipality guys use to come at periodic intervals captive the street dogs and I guess they were mercy killed. I remember a time when the street dogs used to have gang wars and each gang used to have no less than 20 to 30 dogs. It used to be quite a dreadful fight and sight. Literally, 'Dog eat Dog' days for dogs. That time any pets having a home are really the blessed animals and so used to be Lords of Dogs. If I were to interpret the language of dogs, then may be Julie was one of the kind princess and had a really tough dogs trying to impress it and fight for getting into a relationship with Julie. One afternoon it so happened that I was going to the backyard of my house and I saw a nice white hound taking Julie for a jolly ride (you know what I mean). Both of them were quite in the middle of it. I didn't know what to do. All I know (at that time as a kid) is that I should protect Julie. So, I took a wicket went towards them slowly and banged right in the middle. Before hitting them do remember the faces and eyes of that dog and Julie even to this day. Both of the dogs ran apart and did not revolt against me. Had the dog revolted against me, I would have been a "kukka chaavu" as I was really a kid studying 2nd or 3rd standard. Least did I realized I am interrupting their love. I regret even to this day. Julie, Sorry for the interruption.
There are many such stories I would love to narrate all through my life. Will do them as and when I find time. This is for my own self.
Most people think that I am a very serious guy. That's because they don't know me at all. Those who know me well know that I am one of the most jovial and hilarious person to be with.
Apart from the story line there is a character Kamlesh who plays the role of a cook with a great talent for making people laugh in his acts. With this he makes Pinu (Vinay Pathak) come out of his complexities and take life easy. And laugh at the happenings in retrospect, which were once the most difficult times for Pinu. This is what is most appealing about the movie to me.
Many of the times this has been the case with me and there are so many of such small things which I always recollect and laugh to myself or share the lighter moments with people around. It has always given me a feeling of life being wonderful not just to myself but to those who I share this with. I thought these are good to get on to my blog now and soon. This is the kind of 'just for laughs' or 'college commedy' there are several instance which I would always love to share and have shared with many of my friends....
So here comes the lines Straight from the heart....
The Only slap Mom gave me...
At my age of 12 , I was playing with my elder brother. We had a running race in which, we need to touch start from one point, touch a Post Box at the end of the road and then come back to the starting point. My elder brother was leading and I was running behind him. While he touched the postbox and just started to return, I just couldn't control my speed and crashed into him straight head on. Two of my teeth went into my brothers head. The funny part is, If my brother was not there for me, I would have rammed into the post box. Thanks to my brother he saved me.
When we went to the doctor, the doctor asked me what is the matter?
I said my teeth are broken.
What happened?
I crashed into my brother and the teeth hit his head and broke.
The doctor said, OK you go wait in the waiting room and call your brother in. It sounded like GET OUT! LOL :-)
The electric shock during the preparation of a science exhibition model. As most of us know, in school all of us must have participated in science exhibition at-least in school level competition. In preparation for this, I did a very simple experiment, the water heater. I removed the leads from a couple of Eveready battries and connected them to a + and - wires. Now it is all ready for testing. I dipped the leads in a bowl of water. As the switch board was not reachable for me, I asked my brother to help me to plug the wires. Then he plugged them in and the switch has to be turned on. Just then it struck my mind that I am holding a steel bowl. So I said... WAIT!! This is a steel bowl, I may get a shock. Let me bring a plate. I ran as fast as I can, brought a plate, placed the bowl in the plate. Then I told my brother, OK, One, Two, Three, Now! ~!@#$%^&*()_+ mmmmmmmmm..........yyyyyyyyy.......ooooooooooo........eeeeeeeeeeeee...
I think my brother switched the connection off again. Thank God! He saved my life.
I realized I brought a steel plate. :-) LOL. My mom screamed from the other room... "you will kill yourself, stop the non-sense of your experiments!". That's the end of my interest in science as a subject. I really can not forget how much my brother and I rolled and laughed at my foolishness in bringing a steel plate to insulate a steel bowl.
Sorry for the interruption... Julie...
The first pet every I know in my home is the bitch named Julie at my home in Vizag. This is a very very Faithful and a cool country breed and is very powerful and intelligent. It is a pit everyone in the home is fond of. For those you know, there was a time when the street dogs were plenty and the municipality guys use to come at periodic intervals captive the street dogs and I guess they were mercy killed. I remember a time when the street dogs used to have gang wars and each gang used to have no less than 20 to 30 dogs. It used to be quite a dreadful fight and sight. Literally, 'Dog eat Dog' days for dogs. That time any pets having a home are really the blessed animals and so used to be Lords of Dogs. If I were to interpret the language of dogs, then may be Julie was one of the kind princess and had a really tough dogs trying to impress it and fight for getting into a relationship with Julie. One afternoon it so happened that I was going to the backyard of my house and I saw a nice white hound taking Julie for a jolly ride (you know what I mean). Both of them were quite in the middle of it. I didn't know what to do. All I know (at that time as a kid) is that I should protect Julie. So, I took a wicket went towards them slowly and banged right in the middle. Before hitting them do remember the faces and eyes of that dog and Julie even to this day. Both of the dogs ran apart and did not revolt against me. Had the dog revolted against me, I would have been a "kukka chaavu" as I was really a kid studying 2nd or 3rd standard. Least did I realized I am interrupting their love. I regret even to this day. Julie, Sorry for the interruption.
There are many such stories I would love to narrate all through my life. Will do them as and when I find time. This is for my own self.
Most people think that I am a very serious guy. That's because they don't know me at all. Those who know me well know that I am one of the most jovial and hilarious person to be with.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Celebrate Festival of Smiles!!
When there is a festival of lights, festival of colors which bring so much of delight, I felt why not a Festival of Smiles! for a Global Delight!!
Dedicating this day to THE MAN OF MULTI-MILLION SMILES!!
Your smile is Auspecious, Adorable, Attractive & Altruistic
Your smile is Bright, Beautiful, Boylike, Blissful & Blessing
Your smile is charming, childlike, Capitivating & Celebration
Your smile is Demonstrative, Delightful & Divine
Your smile is Enriching, Enthralling, Energizing, Enthusiastic & Enterprising
Your smile is Fun, Flashy, Friendly, Fascinating & Festivity
Your smile is Genuine, Glorious, Gorgeous, Great, Gratifying & Gifting
Your smile is Healthy, Healing, Happiness, Homely, Heartful & Heavenly
Your smile is Inspiring, Incessant & Inveigle
Your smile is Joyful, Jazzy & Jubilant
Your smile is Kind, Kempt & Kingly
Your smile is Lavish, Lively, Lovely & Lasting
Your smile is Miraculous, Mischevious, Marvelous & Multi-million$
Your smile is Nice, Naughty & Natural
Your smile is Outsmarting, Outstanding & Outshining
Your smile is Pleasing, Peaceful, Passionate, Princely & Priceless
Your smile is Quick, Quietening & Quenching
Your smile is Rhapsodic, Relieving, Revelling & Ravishing
Your smile is Sexy, stylish, Soothing, Sprited, Sacred & Surprizing
Your smile is Terrific, Touching, Transforming & Triumphing
Your smile is Unforgetable, Unfathomable, Undaunted & Upmarked
Your smile is Vibrant, Vitalizing & Vivifying
Your smile is Warm, wonderful, Winning & Wallowing
Your smile is eXamplary, eXotism & eXperiential
Your smile is Youthful, Yankee & Yummy
Your smile is Zealous, Zenithal & Zooming
I celebrate the Festival of Smiles on this day, 19th April every year, for the past 5 years!!
Come join me in celebrating The Festival of Smiles, on this day every year, by keeping a
Smile at all times!
I didn't realize, I had one of the best smile in the world, untill I read:
Confucius says "The Best smile in the world is of that of a person who has all his front teeth broken and is smiling"!
Best Wishes at All Times!
Ramji
Dedicating this day to THE MAN OF MULTI-MILLION SMILES!!
Your smile is Auspecious, Adorable, Attractive & Altruistic
Your smile is Bright, Beautiful, Boylike, Blissful & Blessing
Your smile is charming, childlike, Capitivating & Celebration
Your smile is Demonstrative, Delightful & Divine
Your smile is Enriching, Enthralling, Energizing, Enthusiastic & Enterprising
Your smile is Fun, Flashy, Friendly, Fascinating & Festivity
Your smile is Genuine, Glorious, Gorgeous, Great, Gratifying & Gifting
Your smile is Healthy, Healing, Happiness, Homely, Heartful & Heavenly
Your smile is Inspiring, Incessant & Inveigle
Your smile is Joyful, Jazzy & Jubilant
Your smile is Kind, Kempt & Kingly
Your smile is Lavish, Lively, Lovely & Lasting
Your smile is Miraculous, Mischevious, Marvelous & Multi-million$
Your smile is Nice, Naughty & Natural
Your smile is Outsmarting, Outstanding & Outshining
Your smile is Pleasing, Peaceful, Passionate, Princely & Priceless
Your smile is Quick, Quietening & Quenching
Your smile is Rhapsodic, Relieving, Revelling & Ravishing
Your smile is Sexy, stylish, Soothing, Sprited, Sacred & Surprizing
Your smile is Terrific, Touching, Transforming & Triumphing
Your smile is Unforgetable, Unfathomable, Undaunted & Upmarked
Your smile is Vibrant, Vitalizing & Vivifying
Your smile is Warm, wonderful, Winning & Wallowing
Your smile is eXamplary, eXotism & eXperiential
Your smile is Youthful, Yankee & Yummy
Your smile is Zealous, Zenithal & Zooming
I celebrate the Festival of Smiles on this day, 19th April every year, for the past 5 years!!
Come join me in celebrating The Festival of Smiles, on this day every year, by keeping a
Smile at all times!
I didn't realize, I had one of the best smile in the world, untill I read:
Confucius says "The Best smile in the world is of that of a person who has all his front teeth broken and is smiling"!
Best Wishes at All Times!
Ramji
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Places I visited
Places I visited:
Hyderabad
Mumabi
Chennai
Bangalore
New Delhi
Agra
Jaipur
Mysore
Visakhapatnam
Vijayawada
Bhimavaram
Rajahmundry
Palakol
Srisailam
Shiridi
Tirumala
Bhadrachalam
Kothagudem
Madurai
Palani
Kanchipuram
Pune
Pandaripuram
Triayambakeshwar
Sripuram
Mantralayam
USA:
Los Angeles, Irvine, San Jose, San Francisco, Hollywood, Malibu etc in California
Boston, Northboro etc in Masachussats
Milford, Stamford etc., in Connecticut
New York City
King of Prussia in Pennselveniya
Niagara
Jersey City, Edison, Woodbridge etc., New Jersey
Niagara Falls, Toronto, Mississauga in Canada
Singapore:
Indonesia: Jakarta
Landed:
Taipai
Tokyo
Hong Kong
Wisconsin
Washington DC
Kuwait
Frankfurt
London
Hyderabad
Mumabi
Chennai
Bangalore
New Delhi
Agra
Jaipur
Mysore
Visakhapatnam
Vijayawada
Bhimavaram
Rajahmundry
Palakol
Srisailam
Shiridi
Tirumala
Bhadrachalam
Kothagudem
Madurai
Palani
Kanchipuram
Pune
Pandaripuram
Triayambakeshwar
Sripuram
Mantralayam
USA:
Los Angeles, Irvine, San Jose, San Francisco, Hollywood, Malibu etc in California
Boston, Northboro etc in Masachussats
Milford, Stamford etc., in Connecticut
New York City
King of Prussia in Pennselveniya
Niagara
Jersey City, Edison, Woodbridge etc., New Jersey
Niagara Falls, Toronto, Mississauga in Canada
Singapore:
Indonesia: Jakarta
Landed:
Taipai
Tokyo
Hong Kong
Wisconsin
Washington DC
Kuwait
Frankfurt
London
Celebraties I have seen or met
God Men:
Sai Baba in Puttaparthy
Pandit Ravi Shankar: Music and healing concert in Music Acadamy Chennai.
Sports:
Tennis:
Federer vs Djakovich, watched 1st Semifinal US Open 2008 in New York. Had a spare ticket and no one to go along with me.
Nadal vs Murray watched 2nd Semifinal US Open 2008 in New York
Venus Williams vs Serena Williams. Opening match of US Open 2007 in New York
Cricket:
Indian Cricket Team 2006: I have seen Sachin Tendulkar, Dohni, Harbajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh, Rahul Dravid etc. at Hyderabad Airport
Sunil Gavaskar, Sadanad Vishwanath, Krish Shrikanth in various occassions
Vivian Richards, Curtly Ambrose, Coutney Walsh, Richie Richirdson etc from West Indian Cricket team at Vizag stadium in 1992
Film Personalities
Chirunjeevi at Puttaparthi
Pavan Kalyan (Traveled and interacted with him).
Nagababu at a restaurant
Venkatesh at the airport
Raghuvaran at a hotel
Kota Srinivasa Rao at a function
Brahmanandam: Interacted with him in a restaurant
Rajsekhar: Interacted with him in a restaurant
Tamil Comedian at a disco in Chennai
Sarath Kumar and Radhika at Hyderabad airpot
Naresh during a shooting in Vizag near my school.
Madhavan in Chennai airport
Vinod Kumar during a shooting
Boys Film Heros: Other than Siddharth in Bikes and Barrells in Chennai
Mohanlal: Joel and I were having drinks at Copper Chimney in Chennai. Mohanlal was having drinks in the same restaurant.
Paruchuri Goplakrishna: Often visits a producer in the same apartment block where we lived in Hyderabad
Allu Ramalingayya: At Peddamma Talli temple in Hyderabad
MS Raju: Mega Film Producer lived in the same building.
Captain Prabakar: In Chennai during elections in 2006
Nepolian: Tamil actor and politician is my neighbor in Chennai
K Vishwanath: Film director at a coffee shop in Hyderabad
Hollywood star Steven Segal at Puttaparthi
Political Personalities
Chandra Babu Naidu in Hyderabad Public Gardens during a IT Exhibition inaugaration
TN Seshan: I saw him at Malibu temple in US.
PN Sangma: Interacted with him while he was lobbying in Delhi University
Kapil Sibal: At Shivam in Chennai
Shivraj Patil: At Shivam in Chennai
Music:
A R Rehman: Have interacted with him in Delhi Airport
Janet Jackson: At US Open 2007
M Balamurali Krishna:
Bombay Sisters
Unni Krishnan
Shankar Mahadevan: He was the entertainer on Polaris Day 2006
Yesudas
OS Arun
S P Balasubramanyam: Met him several times.
I missed these world famous peronalities:
Mother Teressa: Mother Teressa visited visakhapatnam and most of my classmates went to see her. I did not go, as I wanted to play. After seeing the pictures of my friends and cousin with her, I regretted for not going to visit Mother Teressa.
MS Subba Lakshmi: I wanted to see her a lot as I am a staunch fan and a devotee of her Divine Voice. She lived in Kotturpuram and I lived in the same colony. But I did not know that she lived in Kotturpuram, untill I saw it in the news paper, after her death.
People I would definitely want to meet:
Vijay Mallya
Lallu Prasad Yadav
Sai Baba in Puttaparthy
Pandit Ravi Shankar: Music and healing concert in Music Acadamy Chennai.
Sports:
Tennis:
Federer vs Djakovich, watched 1st Semifinal US Open 2008 in New York. Had a spare ticket and no one to go along with me.
Nadal vs Murray watched 2nd Semifinal US Open 2008 in New York
Venus Williams vs Serena Williams. Opening match of US Open 2007 in New York
Cricket:
Indian Cricket Team 2006: I have seen Sachin Tendulkar, Dohni, Harbajan Singh, Yuvraj Singh, Rahul Dravid etc. at Hyderabad Airport
Sunil Gavaskar, Sadanad Vishwanath, Krish Shrikanth in various occassions
Vivian Richards, Curtly Ambrose, Coutney Walsh, Richie Richirdson etc from West Indian Cricket team at Vizag stadium in 1992
Film Personalities
Chirunjeevi at Puttaparthi
Pavan Kalyan (Traveled and interacted with him).
Nagababu at a restaurant
Venkatesh at the airport
Raghuvaran at a hotel
Kota Srinivasa Rao at a function
Brahmanandam: Interacted with him in a restaurant
Rajsekhar: Interacted with him in a restaurant
Tamil Comedian at a disco in Chennai
Sarath Kumar and Radhika at Hyderabad airpot
Naresh during a shooting in Vizag near my school.
Madhavan in Chennai airport
Vinod Kumar during a shooting
Boys Film Heros: Other than Siddharth in Bikes and Barrells in Chennai
Mohanlal: Joel and I were having drinks at Copper Chimney in Chennai. Mohanlal was having drinks in the same restaurant.
Paruchuri Goplakrishna: Often visits a producer in the same apartment block where we lived in Hyderabad
Allu Ramalingayya: At Peddamma Talli temple in Hyderabad
MS Raju: Mega Film Producer lived in the same building.
Captain Prabakar: In Chennai during elections in 2006
Nepolian: Tamil actor and politician is my neighbor in Chennai
K Vishwanath: Film director at a coffee shop in Hyderabad
Hollywood star Steven Segal at Puttaparthi
Political Personalities
Chandra Babu Naidu in Hyderabad Public Gardens during a IT Exhibition inaugaration
TN Seshan: I saw him at Malibu temple in US.
PN Sangma: Interacted with him while he was lobbying in Delhi University
Kapil Sibal: At Shivam in Chennai
Shivraj Patil: At Shivam in Chennai
Music:
A R Rehman: Have interacted with him in Delhi Airport
Janet Jackson: At US Open 2007
M Balamurali Krishna:
Bombay Sisters
Unni Krishnan
Shankar Mahadevan: He was the entertainer on Polaris Day 2006
Yesudas
OS Arun
S P Balasubramanyam: Met him several times.
I missed these world famous peronalities:
Mother Teressa: Mother Teressa visited visakhapatnam and most of my classmates went to see her. I did not go, as I wanted to play. After seeing the pictures of my friends and cousin with her, I regretted for not going to visit Mother Teressa.
MS Subba Lakshmi: I wanted to see her a lot as I am a staunch fan and a devotee of her Divine Voice. She lived in Kotturpuram and I lived in the same colony. But I did not know that she lived in Kotturpuram, untill I saw it in the news paper, after her death.
People I would definitely want to meet:
Vijay Mallya
Lallu Prasad Yadav
Monday, September 29, 2008
Dream Darshan of Swamy
I am blessed to have Swamy's Darshan early this morning. I often get dreams and I am fortunate and blessed to have God's come into my dreams. These dreams are really great Darshans of Gods, and an experience of God Himself.
I was sitting in Prashanthi Nilayam in the center beside the door of bhjana room and opposite to the interview room. For those who have been to Prashanthi Nilayam, can easily understand the place which I am mentioning. Swamy walked and came out from the Bhajan room and I was just beside the entrance door. He looked at me and noticed the Shiridi Sai Baba Paarayanam Book I was holding with me. Then Swamy asked me to read a chapter from Shiridi Sai Satcharitra. I opened the book and asked him which chapter should I read while I prepared to read the first chapter. Modati chapter nunchi chadava mantaaraa? I was squatting / sitting on the ground and Swamy was standing beside me in Orange dress in Divine Radiance. Then Swamy bent and sat beside me on like in a position which is not sitting and not kneeling.
He flipped the pages in Sai Sat Charitra and pointed out to a chapter in the book, "ఇందిలో శ్రీరాముని గురించి వుంటుంది... అది చదువు... అని పేజీలు తిప్పుతూ, ఇదిగో... ఇది... అని చెప్పారు". ఆ మాట చెప్తూ, ఇంకా పేజీలు తిప్పారు. తిప్పి అ పుస్తకం లో నేను దాసుకున్న, ఫోటో చూసారు. ఆ ఫోటో శ్రీకృష్ణుడి ది., The picture is very unique picture of Lord Srikrishna. The entire picture is of Lord Krishna in very light blue and whitish figure with all ornaments in gold and a murali. When it comes down to the feet, the feet are of Swamy resting on a Lotus. Swamy admired Lord Krishna and said that, "ఎంత బాగున్నాడు శ్రీ కృష్ణుడు... చాల బాగున్నది కదా...!" అన్నారు. The illusion effect is very beautiful. Then I answered, "ఈ ఫోటో మా అమ్మగారు నాకు ఇచ్చారు" అని. స్వామి, చాలా బాగున్నది అని, he stood up and he was waving and circling his hand to create veebhoothi. I was just putting my hands together, preparing myself for Swamy's Grace to receive Veebhuthi. Then I woke up from dream. I did not see if Swamy has put Veebhuthi in my hands or not. I have seen him creating it for me. His Divine Darshan and Grace is still in awe for me. The Darshan of Swamy which I got is really amazing and so very real. I can't believe myself of the reality in a state of Super Consiousness and such a close Darshan of Swamy. I could experience joy in my heart during Swamy's darshan.
I am blessed to have such a Darshan of Sri Satya Sai Baba when I am physically so far away from Puttaparthi. There are several experiences of Swamy in my life. I would want to narrate all my experiences with Swamy here in my blog.
I also would want to naarate my experiences with Bhakti, Divinity and Darshans of Gods.
I was sitting in Prashanthi Nilayam in the center beside the door of bhjana room and opposite to the interview room. For those who have been to Prashanthi Nilayam, can easily understand the place which I am mentioning. Swamy walked and came out from the Bhajan room and I was just beside the entrance door. He looked at me and noticed the Shiridi Sai Baba Paarayanam Book I was holding with me. Then Swamy asked me to read a chapter from Shiridi Sai Satcharitra. I opened the book and asked him which chapter should I read while I prepared to read the first chapter. Modati chapter nunchi chadava mantaaraa? I was squatting / sitting on the ground and Swamy was standing beside me in Orange dress in Divine Radiance. Then Swamy bent and sat beside me on like in a position which is not sitting and not kneeling.
He flipped the pages in Sai Sat Charitra and pointed out to a chapter in the book, "ఇందిలో శ్రీరాముని గురించి వుంటుంది... అది చదువు... అని పేజీలు తిప్పుతూ, ఇదిగో... ఇది... అని చెప్పారు". ఆ మాట చెప్తూ, ఇంకా పేజీలు తిప్పారు. తిప్పి అ పుస్తకం లో నేను దాసుకున్న, ఫోటో చూసారు. ఆ ఫోటో శ్రీకృష్ణుడి ది., The picture is very unique picture of Lord Srikrishna. The entire picture is of Lord Krishna in very light blue and whitish figure with all ornaments in gold and a murali. When it comes down to the feet, the feet are of Swamy resting on a Lotus. Swamy admired Lord Krishna and said that, "ఎంత బాగున్నాడు శ్రీ కృష్ణుడు... చాల బాగున్నది కదా...!" అన్నారు. The illusion effect is very beautiful. Then I answered, "ఈ ఫోటో మా అమ్మగారు నాకు ఇచ్చారు" అని. స్వామి, చాలా బాగున్నది అని, he stood up and he was waving and circling his hand to create veebhoothi. I was just putting my hands together, preparing myself for Swamy's Grace to receive Veebhuthi. Then I woke up from dream. I did not see if Swamy has put Veebhuthi in my hands or not. I have seen him creating it for me. His Divine Darshan and Grace is still in awe for me. The Darshan of Swamy which I got is really amazing and so very real. I can't believe myself of the reality in a state of Super Consiousness and such a close Darshan of Swamy. I could experience joy in my heart during Swamy's darshan.
I am blessed to have such a Darshan of Sri Satya Sai Baba when I am physically so far away from Puttaparthi. There are several experiences of Swamy in my life. I would want to narrate all my experiences with Swamy here in my blog.
I also would want to naarate my experiences with Bhakti, Divinity and Darshans of Gods.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Ah! I see a happy man there...
For some internal competition at Polaris, I presented this true story. I am surprised to see it on the Polaris HUM website.
http://www.connectathum.com/relationship_stories/happy_man_there.html
Read on...
http://www.connectathum.com/relationship_stories/happy_man_there.html
Read on...
| Ah! I see a happy man there... |
One day, a bunch of guys walked out of the conference room after a business meeting. These guys are from a prospective client and are accompanied by some from within the organization. Besides the conference room, along the pathway there are several work locations. One of the associates who returned from an onsite assignment, was standing and discussing with his colleague at one of the locations on the pathway. This associate though not connected to the client visit, just smiled at the clients team while they were passing by. One of the visitors from the clients team paused and said, "Ah! I see a happy man there! That's when everyone realized what was missing and everyone around smiled. The visitor asked "What's your name...?" A very short conversation happened and the guys moved on. We are one family, and when someone is visiting the organization, it is like they are visiting our place. This being the case, if we do not smile at our guests who visit our place, it is not a pleasant scene. A smile to the visitors from client teams be it at the lift or pathways or at the bays can make a difference. It creates positive influence of happy people which reflects a happy organization. Happiness is a state of mind not state of affairs and a smile can build a lasting affair between the company and the customer. A warm smile be it to the security, the receptionist, to the team members, to other associates and to the clients, this man always has a smile for everyone. Probably, he is the man of multi-million smiles. A genuine smile can take you many miles... |
Ram K Samantula, Chennai |
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For those who know Telugu, these are the lines of the song "nenu puttanu, ee lokam edchindhi, neenu edchaanu, ee lokam navvidhi..." from ANR's movie Devadasu (I guess).