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Ashtami: Matriarchy and Patriarchy the Indian Conversations

Ashtami prayers bring forward memories of childhood days of prayers as part of Navaratri, the Navratri food was special, however as kids the end was with the special prayers was on Ashtami or Navami pooja where nine young girls would be prayed to and fed; we the young unruly brats prostrated in front of them for blessings. We saw our dads bow in prayer and we followed suit and the young girls blessed us as embodiment of the goddess. They were the same girls who would play around us in the neighbourhood but on this day they were special. It was a ritual but did it leave an impression on our minds and souls. Nowadays, it all has probably toned down as we are lesser prone to prostrating in front of even gods and hence bowing to little Durgas would need a major ego cleansing effort. Have we evolved or moved back in evolution? I am not too sure.  India’s richness is in its diversity and unity despite the diversity. The diversity has nurtured both patriarchy and matriarchy in various par...
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Mastery, Mind and Awareness

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Based on listening and experiencing Insight from Master Shi Heng Yi and Dandapani Not everyone wants mastery, some are content knowing people are trying but find the effort two daunting. The desire for mastery is internal. Once you have a desire for mastery you will encounter five hindrances on the way to self-mastery. All these are internal and your own. You need to recognize them. 1.        Sensual desires – the five senses seek experiences. Good food, good music, good smell, good variety of beverages, good attractive people etc all are pleasurable experiences, one can get a feel that indulging is satisfying and hence there is no need to work towards mastery – you don’t want to move on. They can be addictive - am I addicted? You will 2.        Ill will or aversion – am I feeling negative emotion. Against an object, situation or person. 3.        Sloth or heaviness or simpl...
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Inside Out

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I recalled the animated film ‘Inside Out’. Cartoon some may choose to call it, I prefer animated. It’s full of drama that our mind relishes. It has heroes and maybe villains. Only time will tell. What seems so limiting and maybe boring . Turn out to be the safety valve that we fail to remember . Knowing us inside out? Maybe that’s the larger game. Maybe we are creatures of smaller selves. Or maybe we are the smaller selves of a larger creature. Either way we are part of some cosmic chain. Hope one day I get to know myself ‘Inside Out’. Roopesh Mehta 01 Apr 2020
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When did you last feel Affection, Blessed, Captivated, Delighted and Excited

Affection, blessed, captivated, delighted, excited. That’s a heady cocktail which will want you to get back to it again and again. I won’t want it to be one event but a journey. I at times feel I lack the ability to really relish a victory and then I also don’t really get down and out easily. I think that’s what that line from Rudyard Kiplings ‘IF’ said, something to the effect ‘if you treat success and failure, both as imposters that they actually are’. Okay let me google and get the exact words “ If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster     And treat those two impostors just the same;” Getting them all in one go. Wow, that’s tough to think but I think that is the moment when I am on a walk and a motivating song gets me into a jog and slowly I get into a faster sprint ….It's not the legs carrying the body, it's as if the spirit has given wings to body - i't s floating on pure esctasy.   Yeah I feel alive and blessed ready to take on life as it...
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Remembering the Lockdown

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Yes, few years or decades down the line you will be talking of living through the lockdown - The Great CORONA pandemic days. Experts are equating this with the Spanish Flu which was more than a century ago. It definitely beats any situation that humanity has faced since I was born.  So, focus on doing things that you can share in your later years, maybe with a bit of pride and happiness. Complete lockdown and isolation that too for a longish period is nightmarish. To cater to the joke mills – kids’ lockdown with parents … groan. The spouse having to suffer you day in and out – groan. Thank god the net is still working, that can keep us connected to what all we don’t really have a direct role in – a distraction we have learnt to live with - groan. So, please don’t just live through a forced lockdown - distracted. Own it with the seriousness it deserves. We are not sure how long this is going to last. 14 days is the lowest reasonable figure! Plan how you want to li...
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The Guidance from Buddha

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Exploring the Message of Buddha A very interesting session on ‘Inspired Living’ by Dr Vikrant Tomar introduced me to the fresh nuances of messages of Gautam Buddha. His interesting participative session exploring is interpretation of the soulful Buddhist chant piqued my interest. Buddham [i] Sharanam Gachchami Dhammam Sharanam Gachchami Sangham Sharanam Gachchami …… and the final advise  Up Depo Bhavah A quick search on the net made it clear that most information is basic – the literal meaning of the chant. Just adequate for those like me who loved the soothing feel of the Buddhist chant that is becoming a popular group activity. The literal meaning failed to match what Mr Vikrant had made me feel. It sure seems that in true Indian tradition, the message is open to interpretation(s) and exploration for those who seek. The verses are supposedly in response to a query to Buddha. What should I do to get peace or words to that effect? Where is the sour...
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