There is a remarkable connection that the climate of the mind and the mountains possess. It takes moments for the weather to change from a bright sunny afternoon to heavy rains in the hills. The mind too tames a turbulent, unpredictable weather within. In moments of silence, it pulls you away from the material world, as if in search for something. The “something” remains elusive to most.
In the never-ending quest to discover this, I made a trivial effort to excavate the origins of the restless mind. This time I was treading the spiritual path and not the scientific one. I stumbled upon some of my favourite topics that deal with Mysticism. As wiki defines it – mysticism is the pursuit of communion with or conscious awareness of an ultimate reality, truth or even god. No wonder mysticism exists as an offshoot of almost all religions – Sufism being one of the most sought after approaches.
I wondered how mysticism which is such a well-documented and rigorous practice relates to common man. In a routine life, it’s fascinating how even the most accomplished souls feel the need to break all shackles and attain a different state of mind where there is a sense of unification with something or someone divine. As mysticism is practiced through various medium such as aphorisms, poetry, music, riddles and humour; people usually find one of these modes to attempt reaching the communion in daily life.
I was amazed to see how the very simple people of Bengal who practice the Baul sect connect to the divine. These are modest beings with just enough food to see them through the day. But the level of consciousness they have attained in their pursuit of seeking oneness could mesmerize you. Growing up, I was always intrigued by the simplicity of baul songs, the lyrics, the instruments used and the philosophy preached. Baul talks about connecting to “praner manush” or the man of the heart. The songs if heard carefully can lead to a state of trance. Once you enter the trance, a lot of the thirst that results from the restless mind is quenched.
I am convinced that no form of intoxication is needed to attain a higher state of consciousness. I can be high throughout the day, no matter what….
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Saturday, December 18, 2010
ZERO
The feeling of nothingness so intriguing
Transcending from deep dark thoughts
To the sound of melancholy
How the light within a clear mind
Gives way to darkness
Seeping in... engulfing the wits
Like the cold winds that blow off the flickering lantern
Closing your eyes you realize
Nothing that meets the eye is true
How delusional could you be?
Nothingness resides deep within
Disguising itself in half unmindful smiles
And lost expressive eyes
And the spirited greetings
A part of life it is…
It ain’t a shadow that follows me
Coz it won’t wane when the lights go off
Its hidden all around
Perhaps shy to reveal itself
But I trace the Zero in numbers
In objects, emotions and thoughts
Does it walk with me
Or I carry it along?
Or was it meant to be
...a part of them, you and me
Transcending from deep dark thoughts
To the sound of melancholy
How the light within a clear mind
Gives way to darkness
Seeping in... engulfing the wits
Like the cold winds that blow off the flickering lantern
Closing your eyes you realize
Nothing that meets the eye is true
How delusional could you be?
Nothingness resides deep within
Disguising itself in half unmindful smiles
And lost expressive eyes
And the spirited greetings
A part of life it is…
It ain’t a shadow that follows me
Coz it won’t wane when the lights go off
Its hidden all around
Perhaps shy to reveal itself
But I trace the Zero in numbers
In objects, emotions and thoughts
Does it walk with me
Or I carry it along?
Or was it meant to be
...a part of them, you and me
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Profound Realizations II: Life After Death...
Was counting my sins today, wondering if I’d be seated amidst clouds and playing the harp or getting boiled in sweltering hot oil. Although the difference between heaven and hell these days lies between delivering the project for a client on time and missing the deadline…One would wonder what happens once we are physiologically dead.
The silent observer believes in a certain theory as original as himself!!! Human soul is a mass of cosmic energy – the bond that unites the universe, its galaxies, the planets, human beings and every little molecule. The world and the million other fictitious or real worlds that exist within the universe act as non-stop production plants, producing Souls. All the stray energy (other than the ones acting on binding certain physical entities) is sucked into the wombs of mankind and animals continuously. Here is how the galactic shop floor works:
Energy from the tsunami, the volcanoes, other natural phenomenon and even the slightest traces of free energy get assembled in discrete packets. These packets structure themselves in the various layers of the atmosphere – let’s say between the Troposphere (being the closest to the earth surface) and the Thermosphere (which is over 90 km above the earth’s surface). The closer the packet to the earth’s surface, the more the probability of it being pulled into one of the embryos growing inside the wombs of expecting mothers. The soul then enters this embryo which was nothing more than a fertilized egg, giving it what we call Life.
But since the idea of the blog was to write about life after death, here it goes. As the embryo takes the shape of a little baby that gradually reaches adolescence and eventually old age, it makes several choices and executes numerous actions throughout its life. All the actions - physical, moral, psychological or emotional influence the energy within the soul. The impact of these actions on the energy is either positive or negative, thereby affecting the overall magnitude of the soul. As death approaches, the soul reaches its end-point magnitude of energy. Once physiologically dead, the energy is released back into the atmosphere. Based on its magnitude of positive energy, the soul moves up the atmosphere. The higher the energy level, the farther it travels away from the earth’s surface.
In short for all laymen like me, the more sins you commit, the lesser your soul travels away from the earth surface. This increases the chances of the soul being sucked back into the painful cycle of life again. The more the good deeds, the higher the soul travels allowing it to achieve Nirvana or Mokshya. So start doing something good today…Begin with nice encouraging comments for the blog!
The silent observer believes in a certain theory as original as himself!!! Human soul is a mass of cosmic energy – the bond that unites the universe, its galaxies, the planets, human beings and every little molecule. The world and the million other fictitious or real worlds that exist within the universe act as non-stop production plants, producing Souls. All the stray energy (other than the ones acting on binding certain physical entities) is sucked into the wombs of mankind and animals continuously. Here is how the galactic shop floor works:
Energy from the tsunami, the volcanoes, other natural phenomenon and even the slightest traces of free energy get assembled in discrete packets. These packets structure themselves in the various layers of the atmosphere – let’s say between the Troposphere (being the closest to the earth surface) and the Thermosphere (which is over 90 km above the earth’s surface). The closer the packet to the earth’s surface, the more the probability of it being pulled into one of the embryos growing inside the wombs of expecting mothers. The soul then enters this embryo which was nothing more than a fertilized egg, giving it what we call Life.
But since the idea of the blog was to write about life after death, here it goes. As the embryo takes the shape of a little baby that gradually reaches adolescence and eventually old age, it makes several choices and executes numerous actions throughout its life. All the actions - physical, moral, psychological or emotional influence the energy within the soul. The impact of these actions on the energy is either positive or negative, thereby affecting the overall magnitude of the soul. As death approaches, the soul reaches its end-point magnitude of energy. Once physiologically dead, the energy is released back into the atmosphere. Based on its magnitude of positive energy, the soul moves up the atmosphere. The higher the energy level, the farther it travels away from the earth’s surface.
In short for all laymen like me, the more sins you commit, the lesser your soul travels away from the earth surface. This increases the chances of the soul being sucked back into the painful cycle of life again. The more the good deeds, the higher the soul travels allowing it to achieve Nirvana or Mokshya. So start doing something good today…Begin with nice encouraging comments for the blog!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Profound Realizations I – The Romantic Remains a Loner
What Meets the Eye - He romances with a person, an idea, an artform, the nature or perhaps even the most ignorable petite creations around. He is a romantic…one full of passion. He finds beauty in the most unusual places…searches for love not only in people…but even in concepts, beliefs and philosophies. He is compassionate and can relate to the happiness, sorrow or anxiety of everyone around him. He is one full of zeal and is obsessed and dedicated. Day in and day out, he is driven by one word…and one word alone – Passion.
He is the one who made some of the greatest things happen to mankind. He is the scientist whom one thanks each time one flies; He is the musician one applauds each time a symphony stirs one’s soul; He is the architect whose work of art makes one to travel far and wide only to marvel at the structures hundreds of years old. He is the one different from the masses…the one whose mind never stops wondering and traveling several light years while the body may seem static. He is the one who made such a huge difference to the planet we live.
The Flip Side – Such is his passion; he’ll dive deep into whatever he chooses to romance with. If he finds romance in study, his inquisition will take him to the greatest depths of the subject ever known. The depth, to many would seem like a dungeon and the scholar a lunatic. If he loves a person, he’ll grow completely into the other only to attain perfect resonance. But once the passion dies down, he’ll grow out of the person too. We’ll then call him an escapist or perhaps one who isn’t trustworthy. His single minded endeavour and intent will also make him a stranger, an alien in front of the crowd. He’ll choose his own audience and selectively open up in bits and pieces. We’ll call him a snob.
The Realization – The romantic has to be a loner. His love and passion for everything around will force him into associations, relationships and bonds. But he has far too many questions he needs answered, far too many miles he needs to trek, far too much of love, compassion and beauty he needs to discover. He perhaps cannot undertake his voyage with strings attached. Misunderstood, sometimes admired, loved, sometimes loathed…he’ll walk on….
He is the one who made some of the greatest things happen to mankind. He is the scientist whom one thanks each time one flies; He is the musician one applauds each time a symphony stirs one’s soul; He is the architect whose work of art makes one to travel far and wide only to marvel at the structures hundreds of years old. He is the one different from the masses…the one whose mind never stops wondering and traveling several light years while the body may seem static. He is the one who made such a huge difference to the planet we live.
The Flip Side – Such is his passion; he’ll dive deep into whatever he chooses to romance with. If he finds romance in study, his inquisition will take him to the greatest depths of the subject ever known. The depth, to many would seem like a dungeon and the scholar a lunatic. If he loves a person, he’ll grow completely into the other only to attain perfect resonance. But once the passion dies down, he’ll grow out of the person too. We’ll then call him an escapist or perhaps one who isn’t trustworthy. His single minded endeavour and intent will also make him a stranger, an alien in front of the crowd. He’ll choose his own audience and selectively open up in bits and pieces. We’ll call him a snob.
The Realization – The romantic has to be a loner. His love and passion for everything around will force him into associations, relationships and bonds. But he has far too many questions he needs answered, far too many miles he needs to trek, far too much of love, compassion and beauty he needs to discover. He perhaps cannot undertake his voyage with strings attached. Misunderstood, sometimes admired, loved, sometimes loathed…he’ll walk on….
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Waking up to a Musical Note...
Its enthralling how music follows little or no laws of science. The theories of physical barriers, distance and space do not impede the way music travels and reaches the deepest corners of our soul. Its riveting how music is omnipresent absolutely everywhere.
I wake up each morning with a certain musical note in my head. I just know what it is the moment my subconscious gives in to the chirping of the birds or the hum of the world that’s getting ready to settle into its daily chores. Though fascinating, it’s a routine business and looks very normal when I wake up to a certain chord each day.
This morning I woke up to a D-minor. Wasn’t absolutely sure what it meant but it wasn’t long before I realize how it would shape my mood and behavior for the entire day. I actually woke up pretty blank, the way it happens quite often. There’s an emptiness within that seems innate and eternal. Little things that look meaningful and deep otherwise look bland on such days. The air looked still outside, not a leaf moved; the cows grazed quietly, and people exchanged empty glances while Dm kept playing on my mind.
I also wake up to an E-major chord on certain days which later transmutes into a feeling of celebration and sheer joy. The feeling you have on most Christmas eves or Diwali nights with bright light all around. I wake up to an F-major which makes me find things charming and beautiful throughout the day. I tend to appreciate the beauty attached to every living mortal or synthetic entity throughout the day.
There are days when I wake up to an A-minor which turns my mood from sad to being depressed. E-minor on other days wakes me up with a feeling of guilt and a heavy heart. There’s this C-major that makes it a rather lazy and relaxing day where I tell my clients and bosses – bring it on!!! I have literally woken up to almost all the basic chords that we create mesmerizing music with. I am waiting for the day when it gets absolute crazy and I wake up to Augmented, Suspended and 7-chords.
As predictable as it may seem that these musical notes reflect what I am going through in my life, it isn’t always true. There’s no trend or pattern that these notes follow, not that I have been able to trace yet. There are phases when the notes are extremely contrasting each morning and they have no resemblance to my previous day. There are days when I wake up to the same chord for consecutive days while in reality there may have been a striking difference in the quality of each day.
Its alluring how music shapes our day and eventually an entire lifetime…. I wonder and get ready for another day as Dm keeps playing constantly at the back of my mind
I wake up each morning with a certain musical note in my head. I just know what it is the moment my subconscious gives in to the chirping of the birds or the hum of the world that’s getting ready to settle into its daily chores. Though fascinating, it’s a routine business and looks very normal when I wake up to a certain chord each day.
This morning I woke up to a D-minor. Wasn’t absolutely sure what it meant but it wasn’t long before I realize how it would shape my mood and behavior for the entire day. I actually woke up pretty blank, the way it happens quite often. There’s an emptiness within that seems innate and eternal. Little things that look meaningful and deep otherwise look bland on such days. The air looked still outside, not a leaf moved; the cows grazed quietly, and people exchanged empty glances while Dm kept playing on my mind.
I also wake up to an E-major chord on certain days which later transmutes into a feeling of celebration and sheer joy. The feeling you have on most Christmas eves or Diwali nights with bright light all around. I wake up to an F-major which makes me find things charming and beautiful throughout the day. I tend to appreciate the beauty attached to every living mortal or synthetic entity throughout the day.
There are days when I wake up to an A-minor which turns my mood from sad to being depressed. E-minor on other days wakes me up with a feeling of guilt and a heavy heart. There’s this C-major that makes it a rather lazy and relaxing day where I tell my clients and bosses – bring it on!!! I have literally woken up to almost all the basic chords that we create mesmerizing music with. I am waiting for the day when it gets absolute crazy and I wake up to Augmented, Suspended and 7-chords.
As predictable as it may seem that these musical notes reflect what I am going through in my life, it isn’t always true. There’s no trend or pattern that these notes follow, not that I have been able to trace yet. There are phases when the notes are extremely contrasting each morning and they have no resemblance to my previous day. There are days when I wake up to the same chord for consecutive days while in reality there may have been a striking difference in the quality of each day.
Its alluring how music shapes our day and eventually an entire lifetime…. I wonder and get ready for another day as Dm keeps playing constantly at the back of my mind
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Reverse Engineering Their Way to Glory
It was the offshoring industry that gave us the sweet taste of Reverse Imperialism to begin with. Sitting in one of the Indian metropolitans, we would snatch away jobs of hundreds of Americans or British. All the wealth that was once drained out of the subcontinent would now gradually come back to where it belonged. This taste is indeed very sweet and no wonder most Indians just loved it. As one of my friends had put it- “Its payback time!!”
Just when we thought that the west would now guard themselves of any complacency and take strict steps discouraging offshoring, we see a striking new development. The human race, just like any other species on this planet is evolving continuously. But it’s the Indian people who seem to have invented a way of being the champions in the race of evolution. Since our reverse imperialists must ensure that the show goes on, we have now come up with a new breed of warriors for the cause – The Indian Entrepreneurs!!!
Whatever happened to the Tatas, Birlas and Ambanis? Were they not the first few entrepreneurs from India who really made it big? Well yes, of course they did. But this new class of entrepreneurs that is being referred to here is completely different. They are similar to the few great entrepreneurs mentioned above only in that they are innovative & have lots of guts and self-belief. How they differ from those great names is in their approach. Their tools to fight against all odds and reach the top do not consist of morality, ethics, original ideas or perseverance. Most of these are mere adjectives to them best suited to books. Their tools instead are being smart and assessing what is needed and how to create that either by replicating the best practices from west or by Reverse engineering.
More than relying on their conviction and instincts, these entrepreneurs focus all their efforts upon gathering competitive intelligence of other new innovations. Motivated to win under all conditions, our entrepreneurs are busy searching for all legal loopholes to ensure that their ideas click. Whether it is replicating a new concept of an automobile, cell phone or a brand new software or use of proprietary information, these men are bang on. It’s just a matter of time before Indian proprietorships start dominating all the global markets including application software, car engines, market research or any other sector that one could think of.
The answer to whether our entrepreneurs are right or wrong; morally or legally correct is elusive and shall always remain debatable. However this trend of entrepreneurs copy-pasting stuff and making it big has been influenced greatly by the conditions that the youth of this country live in. Most of them have incredible ideas but do not have enough power to convince VC firms to invest upon them. They spend their entire lives pleading for an opportunity to implement their ideas but fail. Most of them give in to their fate and lead a rather “common” life. The ones who do not know how to give up, resort to such innovative means.
What is interesting and more importantly refreshing though is to see a whole new wave of entrepreneurs coming out of the huge herd of the Indian population to take up new challenges. A country whose entrepreneurial capabilities had been deeply wounded psychologically during the long drawn imperial rule as well as the era that followed is now determined to succeed. Hopefully India will soon be more than just a center of low cost products and services.
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