... (extra) ordinary !

Several years back, I was having a bad toothache for a few days. On the way through a shopping arcade, I walked into a dental practice to seek advice. The dentist was nice enough to manage a few minutes to discuss and was able to offer helpful tips. Surprisingly, we later discovered that we have many interest and acquittance in common. The way this link came about was ... (extra) ordinary !

I have been going to this dentist for many years for regular check up. Just regular dealing .... ordinary !

Few years back, was thinking of a close classmate from decades back. Had no contact details. Out of the blue, I received an email from him, asking me if I still recognised him! Seems ... (extra) ordinary !

Gradually am trying to move past this distinction between ... ordinary and ... (extra) ordinary !

... muddy Lotus

We are often advised to stay and operate efficiently wherever we are, in whatever we are doing. Typical example is that of the lotus - "floating" gracefully even in muddy waters. It's said that a drop of water "wants" to return to muddy conditions, after floating in the clouds for a while. We are told Buddhas return as everyday beings!

To enjoy the beauty of a live lotus, we need to "accept" the mud it stands in. To admire the bravery of the soldier, we have to "see" the war being fought. As they say - a ship is safe in the harbour, but it is not designed for that.

Having read about a few creative artists & poets, it's becoming clear that they are mostly "talking" about their own experiences.

Few months back, I had gone for a haircut. Without much wait, the hairdresser K came over, introduced himself & directed me to the chair. During next few minutes of haircut, he shared several significant events of his life, leaving a fine print within.

At any cross section, am trying to understand & appreciate the ... muddy Lotus!

.... my C.G.

Objects around us have a centre of gravity, the C.G. For the circle, it's the centre itself, as it is for the square.

Each one of us has our own C.G. where our attention goes, almost involuntarily many a time. This C.G. is influenced by our desires, aspirations, concerns, longings...

It has been my practice to donate blood for many years. Many a time, as the needle is put through my vein, am reminded of the pain, our little son would have faced when he had to be placed on a drip some 23 years back. It is part of .... my C.G.

Having felt the need for it, I have invested a lot of time & energy to nurture & sustain a range of associations. Am grateful for the friendly feel. It's pretty close to .... my C.G.

Given that we often get to appreciate bright stars on a dark night, it's my effort to weigh and balance my own strengths & weaknesses, assets & liabilities, essentially to stay focussed and remain connected to .... my C.G.

... art of enjoyment!

For some 3 decades, I do enjoy a cup of coffee. It's an acquired taste from uni days. Over the years, you figure out, what's a good coffee for you. I do try to reflect, where is enjoyment - is it in anticipation, or in the slow sip, or in the after-taste ! Hopefully it will help me decipher the ... art of enjoyment!

Music has found a seat within for decades. So many songs help you relate to your own roots, understand human relations, reflect on finer points and appreciate the creative artists
Had the fortune of attending the performance of a Gazaal master recently, having enjoyed his music for over 25 years.
It's pretty simple to understand that we all have our own liking for a particular type of music. It varies from person to person and with time
As Gulzar Sahib says - music fills our life. It helps me understand the ... art of enjoyment!

It seems Aristotle was asked how long should the legs be! As we understand, his reply was "long enough to reach the ground!" A certain degree of "grounded" feeling or self acceptance is part of the ... art of enjoyment!

... as it is !

Some 35 years back, I had just joined the hostel at uni. Ragging till late night by seniors was common. One night, I happened to be back to my room at a reasonable time & simply fell asleep. Some time later, when the room-mate returned and knocked at the door, there was no response from me. After repeated knocks and no response, quite a few hostlers gathered & decided to push open the door! Just as the door was being forced open, I woke up totally surprised ! Over the years, I have figured out, one may or may not get such a sound sleep every time. Am almost able to accept it... as it is!

Having walked with friends & relations over many miles, one can see that we all have our own journey. Even with the best of intent, I need not labour my point of view. I can accept it... as it is!

There is a tree in our street that has its bark peeling off, given its age. It still has a fine presence for me. I accept it... as it is!

Nearly 25 years back, 'had gone out for a weekend get-together with few friends from the industrial unit, where I was a trainee. It was a lively, relaxed, fun session. There was a soothing classical song, pretty popular at that time - that was played 30 times during the evening ! Over the years, I have figured out, each meeting need not be the same. Am able to accept it... as it is!

It's an earnest effort to gradually be in a frame, whereby, am comfortably accepting most of the events, interactions, developments.... as it is!

One of the most fundamental concepts am trying to internalise is that of "surrender". The best I can describe, it is our effortless internal acceptance of Life force, ultimately our own Self... as it is !

With warm good wishes & season's greetings

....surface tension !

As per Physics, water has surface tension. This explains how a tiny pin can float on surface of water, how water rises in a small capillary, how bubbles are formed. Am getting the impression that surface tension is a common phenomenon all around us!


Long back, as a small kid, while watching a movie, I was pretty upset & tense to see the hero being bashed up on the screen. In fact I walked up to my Dad, to seek comfort from this tense situation. In hindsight, I can label the whole episode as superficial, just a tense scene on surface ....surface tension !


Wherever we are in touch with others, in social and business setting, for a collective goal, there will be scope for cooperation, competition, comfort, even conflict.... surface tension !


With practice, hopefully we get to the stage, where we can exist peacefully, like a river, in-spite of.... surface tension !

...form of meditation!

In line with our nature and nurture, we all have our own preferred way to seek "happiness", find and enjoy ourselves. This is an attempt to describe few ways that work for me.
Having enjoyed, reflected on, thrilled by and floated with hundreds of songs over many years, one form of meditation for me is ...music

Having attended several discourses, workshops, retreats about personal & spiritual development, one can add that company of learned ones, as also discussion with fellow travellers help immensely.

There are several moments, that are so complete that time seems to stop at least for a moment This could be a leisurely talk with an acquaintance,, a gentle walk with a pet, explaining a concept to a class, finding a way out of a problematic situation or just being "aware" of an issue of concern!

Am gradually finding that comedy is serious business! It's always fulfilling to share a joke, a cup of coffee, watch a movie with family & friends.

To me, writing & sharing these notes is also a ...form of meditation!