http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SDifpQhGQY
main Khayaal huuN kisii aur kaa, mujhe sochataa koii aur hai[Am someone’s thought : am thought by someone else!!]
Ability of poets, artists and sages to decipher and present fine elements of Life has fascinated me for decades. This is to share a few waves, beautifully captured, tenderly preserved and tastefully decorated through this Gazaal… illustrating me!! much better than I can aim for
main kisii ke dast-e-talab men huuN, to kisii ke harf-e-duaa men huuN
Having walked several steps and miles with different people at varying platforms, am delighted to be part of many lives, the roles that one has played, the warmth that has been shared, the obstacles that have been overcome! The poet adds “Am part of someone’s prayers, some want my company for fun!!” It’s a complete expression!!
main nasiib huuN kisii aur kaa, mujhe maaNgataa koii aur hai [ I become someone’s destiny! Someone else asks for me!] Given that Life is understandable to a certain degree only: we are often trying to cope with a state of flux!
meraa jurm to koii aur thaa, par merii sazaa koii aur hai[My fault was something else: am given some other punishment] It’s certainly difficult for me to correlate: what I have been “awarded” or “punished” for. Infact what appears as “punishment” at one stage, at times turns out to be a blessing in another context!!
Tujhee dushmanoo kee khabaar naa the : mujhe dostoon kaa pata na tha !! [You had no news about your enemies; I was missing the news about my friends] We all have different craving at different cross sections. I have very eagerly waited to hear about welfare of my friends and relations!! There have been occasions when moves of some people have caused unease within!
tuu qariib aa tujhe dekh luuN, tuu vahii hai yaa koii aur hai
[Do come close to me: so that that I can see that you are the One, not someone else!!]
With a sincere wish that we can be with the One!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
... slowly slowly
Patience is often stated and experienced as a vital ingredient for day to day living, inner growth and development!! It’s well known that one has to undergo pretty arduous tasks, with elevated souls, to excel in any field!!
Kabir sahib said the same thru his doha :Dheere Dheere Re Mana, Dheere Sub Kutch Hoye : Mali Seenche So Ghara, Ritu Aaye Phal Hoye [Translation] Slowly slowly O mind, everything in own pace happens ;Gardner may water a hundred buckets, fruit arrives only in its season
We are generally advised to be slow & steady for Bhajan (devotional prayer) and Bhojan (eating) : am getting the same impression regarding most activities of life : there is not much point in rushing through a cup of coffee, or past your friends' birthday or your neighbour's narration of the flat tyre: as far as possible!! Patience is generally of good value while dealing with fellow humans at all levels!
In exceptional circumstances, we are told that a day can be counted as a year. After all Time is a relative concept: there are flies that live just for a day. On the other hand a day in the life of higher deities spans several million years!
Am reminded of a narration from Zen - it seems a student asked the Master - how long will it take to achieve enlightenment - if he followed the prescribed Path. About 5 years was the reply. The student was very keen - he asked if he devoted twice as much time every day - how long will it take - am given to understand the Master replied - 10 years!! The idea is that Nature takes its own course - while we do put in our bit!!
My personal understanding is that most of our sincere efforts bear fruit within 6 years (Ardh –Kumbh- half of 12 years is said to be full cycle ): while a very few deeper ones can take up to 36 years!!
It’s appropriate to quote the famous Gazaal Aah Ko Chahiye Ek Umar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh0-ZTl0BeY&feature=related
Aah ko chaahiye ek umr asar hone tak ,[The sighs of love a life-time need, their object to attain], Kaun jeetaa hai teree zulf ke sar hone tak [Who lives long enough for your dark mysteries to attain?]. . . Khaak ho jaayenge ham tum ko Kabar hone tak [Dead and in the dust I’ll be when news of me you obtain]
Kabir sahib said the same thru his doha :Dheere Dheere Re Mana, Dheere Sub Kutch Hoye : Mali Seenche So Ghara, Ritu Aaye Phal Hoye [Translation] Slowly slowly O mind, everything in own pace happens ;Gardner may water a hundred buckets, fruit arrives only in its season
We are generally advised to be slow & steady for Bhajan (devotional prayer) and Bhojan (eating) : am getting the same impression regarding most activities of life : there is not much point in rushing through a cup of coffee, or past your friends' birthday or your neighbour's narration of the flat tyre: as far as possible!! Patience is generally of good value while dealing with fellow humans at all levels!
In exceptional circumstances, we are told that a day can be counted as a year. After all Time is a relative concept: there are flies that live just for a day. On the other hand a day in the life of higher deities spans several million years!
Am reminded of a narration from Zen - it seems a student asked the Master - how long will it take to achieve enlightenment - if he followed the prescribed Path. About 5 years was the reply. The student was very keen - he asked if he devoted twice as much time every day - how long will it take - am given to understand the Master replied - 10 years!! The idea is that Nature takes its own course - while we do put in our bit!!
My personal understanding is that most of our sincere efforts bear fruit within 6 years (Ardh –Kumbh- half of 12 years is said to be full cycle ): while a very few deeper ones can take up to 36 years!!
It’s appropriate to quote the famous Gazaal Aah Ko Chahiye Ek Umar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh0-ZTl0BeY&feature=related
Aah ko chaahiye ek umr asar hone tak ,[The sighs of love a life-time need, their object to attain], Kaun jeetaa hai teree zulf ke sar hone tak [Who lives long enough for your dark mysteries to attain?]. . . Khaak ho jaayenge ham tum ko Kabar hone tak [Dead and in the dust I’ll be when news of me you obtain]
Sunday, March 14, 2010
…floating in bliss!
The entire human journey seems to be an effort to figure out & make friends with the ONE, who resides within. Few notes in line with a popular Qwalee describing this!
The poet says "Near and far, somebody lives: somebody do lives in my heart." in Urdu paas rahtaa hai duur rahtaa hai ko’ii dil meN zaruur rahtaa hai
Our inspiration can be from any source. Once the inspiration settles within, the drive is automatic! "From the time I have seen their sight, I remain mildly intoxicated. “jab se dekhaa hai unkii aaNkhoN ko halkaa halkaa suruur rahtaa hai
Its a blessing to be in an ecstatic frame, without any fear or greed, most of the time. My understanding remains that this state is achievable with due dedication, practice and Grace from above ! "“Adam” is of such a disposition that at every step he remains intoxicated and ecstatic." ab “Adam” kaa vo haal hai har qadam mast rahtaa hai chuur rahtaa hai
Several scholars, poets, sages have highlighted the impact of graceful look of a Realised Soul. The poet adds This mild intoxication is because of your Sight / Eyes, that taught me drinking.[ The words "intoxication" & "wine" need careful interpretation!] ye jo halkaa halkaa suruur hai, ye terii nazar kaa qusuur hai, ke sharaab piina sikha diyaa
The poetic description of elated state where the whole landscape is filled with Grace, Peace and Joy is experienced by us all, at least momentarily! “saaraa jahaaN mast, jahaaN kaa nizaam mast, din mast, raat mast, saher mast, shaam mast, mast”
The poet has beautifully described his devotion to & faith in the Chosen One. We are advised that there are no formalities between us & our Chosen One: just pure Friendship, Oneness and Unity. As the poet says neither I know prayers nor ablutions, I prostate whenever you come in front of me. na namaaz aatii hai mujhko na vuzuu aataa hai, sajdaa kar letaa huuN jab saamne tuu aataa hai
The poet has beautifully captured the essence of Union with the Higher Self: The distinction between You & Me vanishes. Your remembrance is my prayer [and] your wish is my wish. This is the miracle of my frenzy that where ever I prostrated a place of worship was made there. jo terii Khushii, vo merii Khushii
ye mere junuuN kaa hai mo’jizaa, jahaaN apne sar ko jhukaa diyaa
vahaaN maine Kaaba banaa diyaa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cj510jk-BH4
The poet says "Near and far, somebody lives: somebody do lives in my heart." in Urdu paas rahtaa hai duur rahtaa hai ko’ii dil meN zaruur rahtaa hai
Our inspiration can be from any source. Once the inspiration settles within, the drive is automatic! "From the time I have seen their sight, I remain mildly intoxicated. “jab se dekhaa hai unkii aaNkhoN ko halkaa halkaa suruur rahtaa hai
Its a blessing to be in an ecstatic frame, without any fear or greed, most of the time. My understanding remains that this state is achievable with due dedication, practice and Grace from above ! "“Adam” is of such a disposition that at every step he remains intoxicated and ecstatic." ab “Adam” kaa vo haal hai har qadam mast rahtaa hai chuur rahtaa hai
Several scholars, poets, sages have highlighted the impact of graceful look of a Realised Soul. The poet adds This mild intoxication is because of your Sight / Eyes, that taught me drinking.[ The words "intoxication" & "wine" need careful interpretation!] ye jo halkaa halkaa suruur hai, ye terii nazar kaa qusuur hai, ke sharaab piina sikha diyaa
The poetic description of elated state where the whole landscape is filled with Grace, Peace and Joy is experienced by us all, at least momentarily! “saaraa jahaaN mast, jahaaN kaa nizaam mast, din mast, raat mast, saher mast, shaam mast, mast”
The poet has beautifully described his devotion to & faith in the Chosen One. We are advised that there are no formalities between us & our Chosen One: just pure Friendship, Oneness and Unity. As the poet says neither I know prayers nor ablutions, I prostate whenever you come in front of me. na namaaz aatii hai mujhko na vuzuu aataa hai, sajdaa kar letaa huuN jab saamne tuu aataa hai
The poet has beautifully captured the essence of Union with the Higher Self: The distinction between You & Me vanishes. Your remembrance is my prayer [and] your wish is my wish. This is the miracle of my frenzy that where ever I prostrated a place of worship was made there. jo terii Khushii, vo merii Khushii
ye mere junuuN kaa hai mo’jizaa, jahaaN apne sar ko jhukaa diyaa
vahaaN maine Kaaba banaa diyaa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cj510jk-BH4
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Rhythm of Life…
It’s been a pleasure reading, listening, watching and discussing a range of inspiring tales, episodes, poems and biographies over the years. Some interesting ones include:
‘There was this hermit .living peacefully in a hut next to a river. Devoted... simple guy … had a cat. The cat daily saw a little plate hanging from the ceiling. Thought it was butter. One day this fellow went for a long wash. Cat was determined to get the plate. Went all out for it. Jumped endlessly to get the plate! The efforts paid off! Cat managed to hit the plate. The plate fell down. Alas there was no butter. It was cotton, for the lamp. In sheer frustration, the cat …died! Some where along the line … I see achievement motivation!
A sage was visiting a poor household. The lady was trying to clean the table with a cloth – that happened to be dirty. Every time she would wipe the table – the dirt remained. Ultimately the sage remarked “Clean the Cleaner!”
Ghalib says “Ghalib Khasta key begair – konsay kaam band hain – rooiyah bar bar kyon – keejiya hai hai kyon?”[Without perfection also, nothing has stopped in this world – what’s the point of you crying or feeling sad?]
Scriptures constantly remind us that it’s the Almighty that’s carrying the entire burden – we just need to cultivate the Faith!
During his rigorous training, one day a young Swami spread his Guru’s cloth for drying. Later that evening the cloth is found to have a little scratch – while the young swami pleads innocence – he is labelled as a Liar by the Guru – that too in presence of others! Much later the young Swami figured out that the Guru was right – TRUTH can not be described & hence he was a Liar!
It’s customary for great Masters of Sufi music tradition to make keen students wait for years, before they are initiated into music!
Am told that students of Ayurveda can take up to 20 years to master the art of reading human pulse!
Traditional wisdom holds that Guru will appear when the student is ready. In my experience – Guru(s) did appear at the appropriate time – on different occasions, in different forms – certainly with a reassuring message.
"People want to find a "meaning" in everything and everyone. That's the disease of our age, an age that is anything but practical but believes itself to be more practical than any other age." Pablo Picasso
The famous saying from movie Samsara: How can you prevent a drop of water from drying – by putting it back in the ocean!
In the process of developing Faith, trying to comprehend the rhythm of Life, on the way to the Ocean, am often reminded of couplets like “Shaam Udeekan, Fasar Udeekan, Akhain tay sari umar udeekan” [Will eagerly long for You day in & day out - may be for the rest of this life]
“Kee Janna main koon Bullaya” [Do I know who am I. . . ?] says the sage Bullay Shah!!
‘There was this hermit .living peacefully in a hut next to a river. Devoted... simple guy … had a cat. The cat daily saw a little plate hanging from the ceiling. Thought it was butter. One day this fellow went for a long wash. Cat was determined to get the plate. Went all out for it. Jumped endlessly to get the plate! The efforts paid off! Cat managed to hit the plate. The plate fell down. Alas there was no butter. It was cotton, for the lamp. In sheer frustration, the cat …died! Some where along the line … I see achievement motivation!
A sage was visiting a poor household. The lady was trying to clean the table with a cloth – that happened to be dirty. Every time she would wipe the table – the dirt remained. Ultimately the sage remarked “Clean the Cleaner!”
Ghalib says “Ghalib Khasta key begair – konsay kaam band hain – rooiyah bar bar kyon – keejiya hai hai kyon?”[Without perfection also, nothing has stopped in this world – what’s the point of you crying or feeling sad?]
Scriptures constantly remind us that it’s the Almighty that’s carrying the entire burden – we just need to cultivate the Faith!
During his rigorous training, one day a young Swami spread his Guru’s cloth for drying. Later that evening the cloth is found to have a little scratch – while the young swami pleads innocence – he is labelled as a Liar by the Guru – that too in presence of others! Much later the young Swami figured out that the Guru was right – TRUTH can not be described & hence he was a Liar!
It’s customary for great Masters of Sufi music tradition to make keen students wait for years, before they are initiated into music!
Am told that students of Ayurveda can take up to 20 years to master the art of reading human pulse!
Traditional wisdom holds that Guru will appear when the student is ready. In my experience – Guru(s) did appear at the appropriate time – on different occasions, in different forms – certainly with a reassuring message.
"People want to find a "meaning" in everything and everyone. That's the disease of our age, an age that is anything but practical but believes itself to be more practical than any other age." Pablo Picasso
The famous saying from movie Samsara: How can you prevent a drop of water from drying – by putting it back in the ocean!
In the process of developing Faith, trying to comprehend the rhythm of Life, on the way to the Ocean, am often reminded of couplets like “Shaam Udeekan, Fasar Udeekan, Akhain tay sari umar udeekan” [Will eagerly long for You day in & day out - may be for the rest of this life]
“Kee Janna main koon Bullaya” [Do I know who am I. . . ?] says the sage Bullay Shah!!
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