Isn't humanity the only religion ?

The recent disturbing Mumbai events have questioned me just as the previous hateful and terror driven events across the world with this simple one - isn't humanity the only religion ? I mean sure we can all be Hindu's or Muslims, Christians or Sikhs, Jews or Buddhists...but dont they all hold identical values and try to spread the same message in different ways ? Are some of us really that stupid as not to see this ? It is incredibly cowardly to use religion as a means to unite with an aim to cause such harm. All through history across the globe we have seen that if there existed real agenda based on grief and injustice, it has only been solved by peaceful means, like the Indian fight for freedom. It has never made any sense to a lot of people to use violence as a means to get peace. I am not saying that there should not be the presence of armies or weapons right now, for purely tactical reasons and just for the time being (of course a weapon free world is the ideal and the eternal optimist in me believes very strongly that this would be a reality someday) . Just like most of us, I feel that you cannot 'win' a war against anything... you stand a better chance of bringing about change if you understand it and try to resolve the core insecurities.
I know some of you are probably saying that for those who did not lose anyone dear to them, its easy to sit on a chair and blabber about a weapon free world. For those of you, please see any interview of Mrs.Kia Scherr, the brave woman who lost her husband and daughter in Mumbai 26/11. Her amazing faith in humanity and strength to forgive might change your opinion.
The current US President elect Mr.Obama faced a lot of flack during his campaign when he said that he was willing to talk to anyone to bring about change and peace. Critics said that it was naive and that it was dangerous for the US head of state to meet without preconditions. Agreed. But honestly, do you really think that its going to work? I mean, how can you resolve any conflict if you don't at least try to start a dialogue ? And what confidence do you project when you have ridiculous preconditions (or conditions that seem ridiculous to the other side at least) ?
I could be wrong, but I tend to believe that maybe the pent up frustration, irritation, failure in the view of the world and a lack of a sense of purpose in some people is taken advantage of by extremists and by using religion as a means to unite, they are misled and made to believe that the atrocities that they might commit are in fact not sins because its a religious cause. Isn't this the common thread across all communal rifts across all religions ? We think we can forgive ourselves if the cause is just in the view of the religion we are following. And then again, isn't humanity the only religion...or should it not be ? if only it were that simple to understand and practice...

When you do what is right...

'When you do what is right, everything falls in its place and everyone falls in line'. I am not sure where I read or heard this, but its a statement that has stuck with me ever since. Its a statement that my mind reminds me whenever I am caught in a dilemma to choose a path on those frequent forks of life (which is about at least 50 times in the day and 10 times in my dreams for sure).
Pretty much every time there is a mental , situational, emotional , physical or any other molehill of a problem, I have the ability to convert it to a mountain instantly. Just like that. I think about the situation for a few minutes and there, like a magician saying "abracadabraaaaaaaa" or a genie blinking her eyes or snapping her fingers, there's a mountain from a mole hill. Its a gift... honestly. I know you envy me now but that's OK. Not everyone is blessed. Some of us are just plain lucky and I seem to have a lot of it. Now that we know about my super ability, lets get back to talking about this statement.
So every time I find myself staring at this mountain of a molehill, I find myself wondering what to do. One has to decide based on what one wants, what the other people want (the mountain is almost like K2 when the 'other people' are loved ones like dear friends and family), what is normally done in a situation like that and so on. Every solution has its own consequences which affect the other situations in life and most certainly, other people. One thinks judiciously about the options and which one to choose. The brain confers with the heart and the soul and advises you of the best solution, the 'right' one. Now this 'right one' may create other molehills or potential mountains. If the 'right one' is not what one wants, one feels less inclined to take it up. If its going to disturb the 'other people', well, its equally bad. Some of us who have the openness of the heart and the generosity to be self-sacrificial, tend to go with the option that pleases the 'other people'. Some of us who are more in tune with ones own self, chose the option that pleases the self. The rest just flip a coin. A pretty neat idea I must say...very efficient.
Whatever one chooses, its not possible that its a universal solution to satisfy every aspect or person and I dread the consequences.
This is where the mind interferes and reminds me of the statement. When you do what is right - right meaning fair to all in the long run or in the overall picture or just plain common sense correct, everything falls in place and everyone falls in line - eventually. Don't mind the temporary upheaval (which depending on the mountain could last from hours to months), don't mind the people you have 'hurt' by doing the right thing, once they think about it and cool off, they will see the light. Things or situations might settle faster then people. People have their own gifts - to hold on to fear / ego / insecurities and more. These gifts make the settling process slower and more difficult then what it actually is. But eventually, they see the point.
So when you do what is right, the mountain disappears and there is a plane of land stretching to the horizon, soft green grass swaying in the cool breeze, beautiful gazelles and deer grazing without a care, sparrows chirping and the sun shining bright. Almost like a magician saying "abracadabraaaaaaaa" or a genie blinking her eyes or snapping her fingers.

Its SPRING...NOW

The sweet winds of change had started to blow across the lands, asking the winter damaged life to hold on just a little bit longer, for it was to be SPRING.
A time to forget the harsh winters that had preceded, a time to be in the moment whose memory would be a perennial source of inspiration and calm, a time to look forward to or abhor the sunshine and rains, depending on your disposition.
Its the season which embodies the essence of our being - forget the past for it is now but a memory, the present is heaven so open your eyes and be in the moment, the future will certainly be a different story so expect change.
So if there had to be a representative for spring, I believe it would have to be Tulips.
Just as the winters begin to disappear, the tulips begin to rise. The small and random specks of yellows, reds, pinks , etc... begin to line the sidewalks and fill in the greens in the parks. You cannot help but smile and for that moment, you are completely there... present. A week later the buds have blossomed and are divine...perfect size petals standing tall and spreading the cheer, simply by being. Every time you look at a tulip, you cannot help but be mesmerized, not only by the enchanting beauty but also by the thought that this beauty that is in front of you right now, was not there a week ago and will not be there a week from now. All you have is now. All you have is this moment and it is divine, peaceful... calm.
All you ever have is the now...for the past is the winter, nothing but a memory and the future a summer, sun or rain you will never be sure what.
But now it's spring...the NOW is always the SPRING and every moment a Tulip in bloom.
(The pictures are from a recent visit to the 'Tulip Time Festival' Holland, MI, USA.)

Its an amazing journey...starts with a look and ends with one too. A single look at the face that captures your imagination, makes your mind want more, leaves you with a feeling that there is a connection and that maybe, you should gather the courage and find a reason... any reason to go and talk to her.
Some days later, you cross roads and smile...say hello followed by a quick reference to where you saw each other or something to keep the chat going. You accidentally bump into each other a lot more often and always find new topics to talk about. The mutual interest in each others talks keeps growing. Before you know it, you are so into the person...your schedule starts revolving around the time you meet up. If she comes to the classroom at 12, you will be there before her. Occasionally a little late, to seem cool or throw her off, or to see if she has been waiting. The feeling when you find out that she has been waiting for you is priceless and makes you feel like you could walk on water !
So you think you have fallen in love...or you are not sure this is love. You are sure its love but what about her ? does she know its love ? of course she knows its love...why would she look at you like that with those magical eyes all dreamy and wonderful?
And then you look at him...all handsome, works out...has a great ride and a cool attitude to match...and of course, he has her in his arms. So there you are...it started with a look and has ended with one too.

It still feels like yesterday

Its going to be a year now since Harsh and I have been together in the US...and it still feels like it was yesterday. I remember so very clearly the afternoon the plane landed at McNamara from Mumbai via London(my fave city in the world for a lot of reasons...). All excited to meet Harsh, who was, as expected late - people who know him surely know you can expect Harsh to keep you cooling off your heels ! So there I was, a girl full of excitement and anticipation, eager to meet her boyfriend and start a new chapter in her life. After being in a long distance relationship with him for about three years,I was a mixed bag of emotions...excited(to be with him), scared (had left my job, my family and friends), emotional (I had missed him so so very much), nervous(did I look OK...what would he say ? It had been a very long flight and I looked like a mess) and every other emotion one can feel.
I had looked all around the place for him and tried to use the telephone to call him up without luck. The feeling of being in a foreign land, about 20 hours of flight distance between my family and me and all those emotions were not helping me keep my cool...and then in about fifteen minutes I see him walking oh so casually through the door. And now there I was, a girl full of excitement to have conquered every distance to be with the one she loved. When we met, all my mixed feelings were replaced by the calmness and peace he provided...those who know him will know his calm and silent demeanor can be oh so comforting. ..and its going to be a year now since Harsh and I have been together in the US...and it still feels like it was yesterday.

Is the destination or the journey worth it ?

Why is it so difficult to let go of the things we know are not good for us ? Why are bad habits so hard to die ? Why do we embark on these trails when we know that there is no safe way out and that we will be hurt, no matter what path we choose there on...
Be it the habit of smoking where you started it to look cool or fit in with your peers..knowing very well that it has a very sad flip side to it. Once you begin, you might realize that the price you are paying is probably not worth it or that the aim you have now achieved has suddenly lost its charm...but now you are so hooked onto it that it seems OK...
You have quit a million times, only to start again, bringing you back to the place you so badly wanted to get out of.
Or be it the desire to want something you cannot have-the forbidden fruit.
Is it that we are addicted to the pain or to the process of giving it all up leading to the feeling the momentary rush of success followed by the immediate relapse? Do we choose the path of self destruction consciously ?
Is the destination of the forbidden land so appealing that we lose all sense of righteousness ? Who is to say what is right and wrong apart from our conscience? Can we trust our conscience to be our guide ? Do we always listen to this 'guide'? Or do we buckle under the pressure to please our heart over the mind...It is just so convenient to do as the heart pleases when we are the only people that we shall be hurting . We are just so much more careful when there is a loved one involved and avoid doing anything to harm them. But when it comes to ourselves, it is so easy to forget the reason and go with the flow...where ever it leads us, as long as the journey is fascinating...and as long as we think we are the only people that we are risking...
But we never are alone, are we ? There is always a loved one...a family, a friend or more who we eventually let down by letting ourselves down.
Is the destination or the journey worth it ?

The best part of my day...

It’s about 7ish in the evening and I hear a key opening the first latch of our door…in 2 seconds I hear the second latch opening and the door bursts open…he walks in casually and reaches for the coat closet. He hangs his jacket and lifts his face to look at me…pretending that he just noticed when actually, he has been expecting me and waiting for me to come to him. We say our hellos, the hugs and kisses follow and so do the ‘how was your day? ‘,’ how’s it going? ‘,’how was office?’,’ what did the professor say today ?’ and all…We go into the drawing room and sit on the couch…filling each other on the happenings of the day…the usual topics like ‘ you would not believe what Dr.Roberts said today…’,’ really ?thats interesting’…and the moments blend into the night.

It’s the momentary anticipation in the few seconds when he is opening the door…I know its him but I can hardly wait to see him. I have been busy with all the studying, assignments, researching and worrying all day while he was away but I have still missed his presence. It’s about ten hours since I see him leave for work in the mornings when I am half asleep and peeping from below the covers…saying my ‘byeeeeee…have a nice day ‘ s but wishing he would not have to go and yet, it feels like I must have waited for years…

There is a certain peace in the knowledge that there is a constant in the uncertainty of the way the day unfolds. Or maybe it’s just the warmth of those twinkling eyes…It’s the feeling of calm when I see him at the end of it all that makes the mayhem of the day worth enduring. Or maybe its just that smile…whatever it is…these moments are the best part of my day…

I could live a lifetime’s worth of madness, sadness and mayhem in a single day just to experience those few moments at the end and never complain…even if I lived for just a single day.