…part of me!

As a young student at the Uni, I have had the privilege of coming in contact with several brilliant and dedicated lecturers and students. Their passion, devotion and enthusiasm have certainly left a mark somewhere…it has become a…part of me!

There are several fellow travellers, friends, relations…that have added to the inner frequency by virtue of their sympathy or indifference, humility or arrogance, sense of composure or sheer desperation, honesty or deceit. Through years of association, reflection, assimilation and distillation…some fraction thereof has helped shape …part of me!

Long back I came across the book “How to make friends and influence people” by Dale Carnegie. The suggestions presented still make good sense and are acceptable. Few days back, I was slightly concerned to read some unfavourable comments about the book that has been around for some 70 years. In line with the prevailing social, economic and political environs, we do our bit to survive and thrive. We continue to fine tune our strategy and resolve. At a fundamental level only that ideology or habit works for me that is …part of me!

Release of Book !!

Pleased to share the release of book:          

In Search Of...: What's always there...Subtly                                        [Kindle Edition]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SW7L1QK

Seeking your good wishes 

Book Description

It's a delight to see a seasoned artist perform. You can enjoy every move, absorb the rhythm and relate to the character. While I deeply value such artists, their genius, dedication and commitment, I know that this line is not ...my Call!

In the gentle footsteps of a child, in innocent gesture of a close one, in fine notes of a song, in tender move of a twig, in sweet stretch of a pet, in few challenging situations and sometimes in silence, I have heard ...my Call!

In words of Rabindranath Tagore “The blossom has not opened; only the wind is sighing by. I have not seen his face, nor have I listened to his voice; only I have heard his gentle footsteps from the road before my house. ”

Long back, I had the privilege of attending the music program of a Ghazal Master. During the performance, he briefly drifted into a sentimental patch, probably trying to share some of his inner pain. The audience was not impressed and made their point clear. What may appear as an ordinary observation at one stage, can serve as a pretty significant insight in another context, may be years later. At times, the imprints left within by several friends, relations and co-travellers, often just in the passing, help you decipher the passage for yourself, put the pieces together and assemble your own...scaffolding!

After fifteen years of a fine travel with our precious pet dog, we had to put him down recently due to rapidly deteriorating health. Picasso once said, of his favourite dog, "Lump, he’s not a dog, he’s not a little man, he’s somebody else". Often they add to your being... well beyond the...scaffolding!

This book is a humble attempt to…assemble and dismantle a scaffolding… listen to and share...my Call... probably ... “I have heard his gentle footsteps!”

... the Song Unsung !

In his famous poem Tagore Sahib says "The song that I came to sing remains unsung to this day.. I have spent my days in stringing and in unstringing my instrument.. The time has not come true, the words have not been rightly set; only there is the agony of wishing in my heart... I have not seen his face, nor have I listened to his voice; only I have heard his gentle footsteps from the road before my house....The livelong day has passed in spreading his seat on the floor; but the lamp has not been lit and I cannot ask him into my house. ...I live in the hope of meeting with him; but this meeting is not yet."

It's inspiring to see how an artist can so beautifully capture, preserve, nurture and then share such a tender thought. In all humbleness, to a degree, I feel that I have been able to sing.."The song that I came to sing.." 

Given our ability to seek, reflect upon and partly comprehend the Absolute, how simple to accept that " ...only I have heard his gentle footsteps from the road before my house"

Among the most fundamental of human faculties is ... "the hope of meeting with him". To that effect, we are all, in our ways, trying to absorb ... the Song Unsung !

...the vacuum!

One of the fundamental necessities of life... our breath...relies on our diaphragm moving systematically to ensure...the vacuum!

It’s fascinating to see how much of our energy goes to maintain a sense of balance and belonging.  Decades back, when I returned home after spending 3 months away at the uni, I was elated to see the buses of Delhi. The phenomenon has repeated itself on few occasions. The intense longing for something can lead to a feeling of ...the vacuum!

We all have seen the upheaval in political, social, organisational and community circles for the top position. The second-in-line can cause quite an upheaval, driven by ...the vacuum!

I have enjoyed the fine Gazaals from a famous singer for some 25 years. I had the opportunity to join his concert recently. Some friends have shared their experience of personally dealing with the singer. While I deeply value his genius and commitment, there is no longing to explore further or any issue of ...the vacuum!

               

... the point of acceptance!

We humans are gifted with many faculties that help us survive, explore, create new structures and perhaps concepts. On the flip side, our desires, drives, doubts...hold us back from...the point of acceptance!

 

Having dealt with several people and issues in varied contexts, it’s clear that beyond a thresh-hold, most of material, intellectual, social and cultural tags have little relevance to the...the point of acceptance!

 

Many years back, during an initial job interview, I was asked if I was a lazy person. It bothered me for quite some time. Gradually I was able to dust it aside and get to ...the point of acceptance!

 

There are several acquaintances, where we are at different platforms in terms of age, stage even orientation at times. Once there is some patch of common interest, similarity of views, an ounce of mutual affinity, and one is pretty close to...the point of acceptance!

 

Many years back, I realised that I can feel claustrophobic sitting in a corner next to the window in a plane. During a recent flight, just as we were about to take off, a lady asked me, if I could move from my aisle seat to the window seat, as she was claustrophobic! I did explain the situation to her and moved to the window seat just to challenge myself. It worked out just fine, helping me figure out... the point of acceptance!

... ray of light !

Given that human life goes through cycles of growth and decay, high & lows, attraction & repulsion... it’s fascinating to see how we look for and try to hold on to... ray of light !

It’s natural to look for a glass of cool drink, when one is hot and thirsty. A good nap does wonders for one who is tired and exhausted. It’s probably necessary to experience some dark patches, to help us look for... ray of light !

While there is no dearth of inspiring speakers, flawless presenters, remarkable performers, dedicated professional, selfless workers... one still has to search for ... ray of light !

Given that one can have shadows only when we have light, it takes a lot of practice, patience and reflection to internalize that a shadow also points to... ray of light !   

...the Mantra!

Based on our nature, nurture, circumstances... we gradually figure out our formula to keep afloat... the Mantra!

How much importance we attach to an issue ... to our drive... to our values... point to... the Mantra!

For many years I have been having a glass of warm water with honey and lemon in the morning, as suggested by many for good health. Generally I am more comfortable in outdoors than indoors. Going for a walk stimulates me at many levels. For me it’s all part of... the Mantra!

A piece of music that stirs you, ... a story that inspires you...a dream that drives you... the resilience that sustains you... point to... the Mantra!

Gradually you come to realise that you are not far from ...the Mantra!