1. Bandar.

Ae khuda, teri is mayajaal ka raaz bata,
yaha koi bhikari to koi sikandar kyo hai,

khush rehne ki wajah hai sab, wo dukhi hai, gareebi se juz ne waala, mast kalandar kyo hai,

Peene laayak paani ki zarurat hai jaha,
to nadi chhoti aur bade samandar kyo hai,

khuda ne kaha tu bhi to ajeeb hai,
tujhe janam mila manushya ka, mukti paane ko, phir tu ban na chaah raha bandar kyo hai?!!

1. Devil's workshop.

Here is the famous saying – “An Empty mind is Devil’s workshop”.

Sounds true but then what is a Filled mind?

All it thinks is about its own benefits and for the same it is ready to do anything with anyone at any given time at any cost. All it sees is an opportunity and to exploit that very opportunity to the fullest.

Survival is vital and in many cases like mine, it is nearly a cakewalk (thanks to a wonderful destiny till date). Well, then why think beyond the same? Even if got to think, why think in Devil’s way?

What for and How far!!

As in, what for do all those things at the cost of everything that is really worth enjoying. While saying “everything”, the focus is on relations, love, friendship, peace, etc.

Besides, How far am I gonna go doing all this!

All said and done, the ultimate enquiry is – “Why am I doing all this?”

The theoretical reply could be – “I want to be happy and live a quality life”

Practically – I want to go ahead of others, I want to exploit maximum number of people I can, I want to win all the games, I want to do everything that everyone does, I want to explore all possible opportunities, I want to perform everything that is considered “evil” yet want to be in the “good” books of the entire world.

All this for happiness?

Devil doesn’t allow me to reply this as he instructs me that there’s a lot pending in the workshop

Bye Bye!

2. Satisfaction.

On a clichéd note –Where is the satisfaction? How to be satisfied? What can generate satisfaction?

Too many answers, yet none…

One sentence that takes a stroll on the mind though... Am I satisfied with the Satisfaction of Identity? Or Am I satisfied with the Satisfaction of happiness?

Some drill-down needed???

Satisfaction of Identity is something that overpowers the satisfaction of happiness.

Too ambiguous??? Umm, an example may work…

For instance, I want to purchase a motor-cycle and this is going to be the first motor-cycle of my life. However, all these days I was against motor-cycle and would curse the vehicle. Now at this point, I myself feel like buying one (due to change in opinion or whatever) and as a result of which I feel that I would be satisfied. I go for it. This is the satisfaction of happiness.

Well, it’s not that straight forward. After the above thought, another one may crop up questioning –What will people say? Your image was always of an anti-motor-cycle personality. What about that image / identity then? I end up now buying one. This is the satisfaction of identity.

Well additionally, I may also think that there can be a middle way where in I can satisfy both. In conjunction to the same example above, I may buy a motor-cycle while also defend my change of opinion by saying that it’s not-so-dangerous anymore, the roads are safe, speeds are less and what not. Umm, do I think that people around me are morons to feel proud about the above mentioned reasoning?

If I chose to be happy, I should be ok with the dissatisfaction of identity and be bold and straight enough to confess and accept that opinions do

1. Khabar.

Manzil ka thikaana nahi,
bas raha hun din raat guzar,
kaha jaana kuch pata nahi,
kaisa hai ye safar.

Apne aap ko naa pehchaane,
chhahee hai behoshi is kadar,
saans chal rahi hai, par jee raha
hun ya nahi ye nahi khabar.

Kab tak chalega aise,
is baat ki bhi nahi fikar,
maut ko dekhke bhi,
uspe se hat jaati hai nazar.

Marte hoge log saare,
par main to rahunga sada amar,
ye soch ke beet raha din mahina
saal, aur beetegi saari umar
:-(

1. Prelude to "The Fourth Purpose".

I believe, everything in life is attached to a purpose.

Life is divided by serving various purposes, at least one – Survival, the first and foremost for all and the only purpose for many.

The other purposes however don’t sideline the “Survival”. It is rooted any which ways.

Net-net, lemme consider survival as the first purpose of life. I am guessing that most of us are here to survive, if not anything else. I may be wrong but that’s an open ended discussion. Period.

Well, this purpose is simple-to-serve, when I think of things in my control. The debate is again open to the previous statement where some may feel that there is nothing in anyone’s control whereas the other group may feel that all the things can be planned as desired and most can be controlled as per the plan.

Ok. Let me sound random and consider that I have made all the arrangements to “Survive”. I am happy to learn that I am gonna “Survive”. Is that all? What to do further? Purposeless life ahead then? Oops, that doesn’t quite work for me. Hence, I hunt for the next purpose that can be described by many words but the first one that comes to my mind is – “Identity”. The other synonymous words in this context are Status, Esteem, Ego, Respect, Fame, Name, Money, Character, Specialization, Off-beat, Unique, Persona, etc.

The second purpose doesn’t look simple as the first one. It’s more of divided into a numerous ones. Let’s take an example. Once I have built up my identity in the society with regards to something special that I possess, I may either wanna expand the identity further in terms of geographical reach or wanna add more to the specialization / be known by another one or both of the above.

For instance, If I compose a book and circulate amongst my near dear ones, the purpose is served but since I have scope and time, I may wanna circulate it further. Besides, I may wanna write another book (or develop some other skill) and exhibit the same to my near dear ones. Moreover, I may strive towards both i.e. writing another book and spreading it further.

Most of my life passes by serving the second purpose which takes me on a ride. I want to be constantly known amongst all as someone by virtue of something that I possess (or pretend to possess).

Well, it might be possible that one fine day (or may be at the very beginning) narrow down everything related to my identity to one particular thing, let’s say – A Philanthropist.

Guess, the second purpose is served and life is set.

Not so soon buddy. The third purpose is already in making and I shall casually term it as – “Maintaining the second purpose for the rest of life”. I wanted to write maintaining and enhancing but had I used the word “enhancing”, I would still be on the second purpose. I am growth oriented thinker hence I chose to transcend.

Have I ever thought of transcending a bit more and hunt for the fourth purpose?

What is the fourth purpose? Do I need a fourth purpose? If yes, why?

Well, I don’t have answers to the questions above but If I am happy, peaceful and contented with serving the three purposes, It’s my choice to live with it.

What if I am happy and peaceful but not really contended? Umm, that doesn’t really work I believe cos as soon as I have a feeling of discontentment, happiness and peace vanishes.

Anyhow, the discussion is around “The Fourth Purpose”; a need which is a result of exasperation in serving the One or two or all the three purposes described above.

To be continued…

3. My Duties.

While I initiate this topic, I get a feeling from within that how I can distinguish between these duties. The reason is pretty straight. When it comes to analysing the duties towards my family, I always consider myself as a part of some organization or the other. Organization here can be anything like Social, Spiritual, National, Envionmental, etc. To elaborate, the duties towards my family are always connected to the duties towards Society, Religion, Enviornment and Nation.
Anyhow, despite such feelings, I would still like to go ahead and kind of distinguish the duties, with an exception of blending them when required. Money, today, is a vital necesity of life and the elder ones are totally engrossed in minting the same as seen nowadays. Ofcourse, its a part of duty towards the family but besides earning money, one can give more time for the family and strengthen the bonding and love.
At this age, I cannot earn for my family but yes I can certainly assist my parents in household work, co-operation and covering all the stuff that I can do with my potential. I can be good, do good and spread the good word. However, it may sound like I am doing nothing for the society and nation. I am more of dedicating maximum time of my life with my individual and family related duties.
If I spare some more time (which I can as there is always a scope) and put little but significant efforts, I can do so many things for different Organizations I do or do not belong to. I can help the Government build up the infrastructure of my country. Also, I can contribute for environment by spreading the green revolution viz. saying NO to plastics, planting trees and so on and so forth. If I inspire my parents to pay proper taxes, I can go ahead and indirectly support the Government in raising funds which will eventually improvethe infrastructure of the country. I can promote education to eradicate corruption as a result of which the money can be utilized at the right place at the right time. This will take care of my duty towards "Nation".
If I shed some of my pocket-money, I can use it for any social cause(s), I can help the needy to reduce their worries. Besides, I can assist the kids of my maid servent in their education, can help them with study material and stationery. Also, I can help the needy people in the society by dedicating time and channelizing the resources and potential. This will take care of my "Social" duties.
Above all, I can request my parents to use some money for Spiritual growth of Self and others. I can assist people to go ahead in Spiritual path by traveling and sharing some of the spiritual knowledge I have. I term that as the knowledge of Life. As a part of "Human" duty, I have a feeling that Spiritual growth is essential and its all about Living Life happily and peacefully.
Concluding, I feel that the duties are all connected and interwoven. I just need to organize the time and channelize the potential and it can all be done smoothly. As mentioned above some duties are done indirectly but they still have an impact. For instance, if I start throwing the trash in a dust bin instead of putting on the road, few people might get inspired to do so and the chain reaction is inevitable. Similarly, if I lead an ideal and disciplined life, it's an excellent start of fulfilling my duties and it's said that well-beginning is half done. Hence, I urge each one of us to join me in creating a world that is peaceful, hygenic, beautiful and full of love. Thank you all for being so patient and listening to this small piece. Thank you!!

2. Naam-e-Zindagi.

Apne astitva ko saabit karne me,
    bitaata hai saara jeevan insaan,

Par astitva chhod, karib har cheez ki,
    ho jaaati hai usey pehchaan,

Is tarah, ek din tab aa jaata hai,
    zindagi ka wo aakhri makaam,

Mit jaati hai hasti,
    reh jaata hai to sirf ek hi nishaan,

Jise leke wo chalta hai saari zindagi,
    dubne deta nahi, bhale hi chhin jaaye praan,

Lag jaata hai jeevan ka saara samay banane me jisey,
    reh jaata uske jaane pe, bas wo "naam"

1. Today.

I was sipping a coffee while the office boy just happened to pass by. Looking at me, he smiled. We had never interacted but looking at his smile, I was amazed and before I could get another thought, I smiled back and said – Good Morning Dost! (Dost is Friend in Hindi).

Good Morning sir – was the response he gave as he had already started walking.

Next morning, the same incident repeated and resulted in a Dejavu like feeling.

The third morning – I said, Good Morning Dost! And added – How are you doing today?

I am fine as always sir but I have something to say. I started getting weird thoughts but before they would last longer he continued – Sir, I really don’t understand the kind of work you guys do but I have observed one thing that everyone here seems to be dissatisfied. I really fail to understand that despite having such a nice work environment, laptops, phone, music, coffee and lunches, what makes one feel discontented with life?

This was getting interesting. While he took a pause, I counter-questioned him – What makes you feel that we all are unhappy? Or is it the case that you are feeling happier and content than what we are?

Sir, beg your pardon but I really feel I am happier than all of you

How?

I won’t be able to express fully but what I experience is most of the times I possess a beautiful feeling in my heart and I live that feeling persistently. I have limited and I am enjoying that fully whereas you guys have unlimited and are hardly enjoying anything even partially.

Well, who said we are not enjoying completely? Tell me – Do you enjoy what you do for your earning?

He was silent for a while and then replied after a deep breath – Sir, I like what I am supposed to do because this is what I have chosen to do given the limited options that I had.

Now that’s what happens with the frog in a well, I said. The well is the whole world for him. He doesn’t want to explore the horizons. He is reluctant to scale heights. On top of all, he feels he is the king of the well and thinking the same, he spends his entire life in the well and one day passes away unnoticed!!

Sir, Is it really worth getting noticed after one passes away from this planet?

Well, that’s not where I want to lead this conversation to – I jumped in.

Sorry to interrupt you sir – Could you please tell me, what exactly are you looking forward to in life?

Dude, I have so many aspirations that I am fulfilling day-in-day-out. I have progressed over a period of time and have reached a point today where very few people have managed to reach. Isn’t it worth an achievement?

From the bottom of heart, how many people do really appreciate and recognize this, Sir?

Well, the organization recognizes.

Sir, Are you really happy with the kind of recognition you always get?

Well, not always

Most of the times, then?

Umm, many times I am left unrecognized as well but yes, whenever I get recognized I am happy about it.

So, the equation goes this way – You work relentlessly for your organization. You are happy only when you are recognized. Unfortunately, the recognition happens only at a few instances.

Hey dude, recognition is on the top of my salary. I get my salary every month, nevertheless.

And that makes you happy and complete, sir?

Well, yes, of course!

Then, what is this recognition needed for?

To be honest, Salary is something which all my colleagues earn. To earn more respect and fame than others, I need to be recognized

Does that mean Sir that you aren’t complete with the salary you earn?

As I told you, that’s mundane now. I have scope so why not strive for more?

And more for?

What do you mean, more for?

Sorry sir, I mean to ask – What is this more for?

More to earn name, fame, money, respect, esteem, reputation, etc etc?

And as a result of all this?

Moron! As a result of all this, just be HAPPY and live a peaceful life.

When?

What When?

When will you be happy and live a peaceful life?

May be, well.. ummm…

TODAY?

No ways, not TODAY dude. Have loads to finish. Appraisals are coming up.

Ok sir, have a constructive day. Apologies for taking your valuable time of life.

No worries buddy, it was a thought provoking conversation. I shall think about it in my free time someday in future. You too have a good day. Sorry, I wish I could use the word ‘constructive’ for you.

I am glad sir. Well, I would like to have a happy and peaceful day TODAY like any other day I usually spend. Cheers!

4. Bikhre paththar.

Is jahaan me fankaar khud hai, apni koi visaat nahi,
Kala ke kadardaano ki meherbaani hai, warna apni koi aukaat nahi :)

Aaj ki subah ek paigaam leke aayi hai,
sharaab puraani hai, naya jaam leke aayi hai, nasha to wahi hai to kal tha, kal hoga,
jiyo to aise maano aakhri salaam leke aayi hai :-)

Difficult to define a tear,
can be out of happiness, grief or fear,
sometimes it comes out for the ones we don't like, while sometimes its for those who are very dear :)

3. Excel.

It is said tht. . to excel in something, it needs 10000hrs of rigorous practice nd polishin. considerin n hour a day, it sums up to a lil less dan 30 yrs. Godd!! seriosly gotta think have i been polishin myself jus an hour a day for past 3 decades to turn out to be an excellent human being???

2. Tamanna.

Tamannaao ka samundar khada kar diya jab zaroorat thi ek boond ki,
tairte tairte kho gaye hum, naa mili boond, naa rahi zindagi :-)

1. Khuda.

Khuda ne aakar kaha - maang bande,
Aaj khuda khud tere saamne haazir hai.
banda bola - ae khuda! tu luta sakta hoga sab kuch,
par hum bhi apne aap me mast fakir hai!!

2. Fan or A/c

Mumbai heat is really catching up. Since few days, even nights aren't pleasant anymore. I am kinda ok with the heat but while sleeping, do love if there is a cosy environment. Due to this, I feel like switching on the fan. However, I don't much like to be under the fan for the whole night, hence after a while, I switch off assuming that some air is already circulated and it will make me feel comfortable for a while. Unfortunately, as soon as I switch of the fan, I feel the same I did before I switched it on.

The next option is to switch on the air-conditioner. This works well since after a 15 minute of air-conditioning the bedroom, the atmosphere stays for quite some time.

What do I really do when I want to listen and implement some vital things in life -be it spiritual, behavorial, goal-oriented, etc?

Most of the times I act like a fan. While listening, I am all set to implement but as soon as the listening gets over (Fan switched off), I am back to square one.

I think I should attempt to listen in the a/c mode :)

1. Kinaara.

Kinaare pe baithke Toofano ki baatein mat kar,
Hosla badha, kashti ko le, Samadar me utar,
Hoga so hoga, kyon karta hai tu fikar,
Sochte hi raha to, Kinaare me kat jaayega safar!!

8. Darmiyaan.

Nahi hai kuch bhi tere mere darmiyaan,
phir kyu mehsoos ho rahi hai nazdikiyaan,
milte nahi hum, phir bhi darr hai faaslon ka,
banti mit ti rehti hai teri parchaaiyan

Shor aur Goonj me bhi hai khamoshiyaan,
Bheed ke saath badh rahi hai tanhaaiyaan,
Dil chahta hai kuch kehna, cheekhna, chillana,
Apne aap se bhi ho nahi rahi hai sargoshiyan

7. Lyrics.

I love to remember lyrics of selected Bollywood songs. Many do. No deal.

However, just recollected while talking to a friend that there was a time when the list of selected was pretty long. As and when the time passed, the list started getting shorter.

Way back in 1994-95, I did remember almost all or atleast quite a few songs from Akele hum akele tum, Rangeela, 1942: A love story, Hum aapke hai kaun so on and so forth.

Nearly two decades have passed and while I sway on ‘maine ye kab socha tha…’ today, I still get a similar feeling.

Heyyyy…hoooo…heeyyiii…yaaa…yee….ooo….maine ye kab socha tha, hoga yun kabhi, raah me yu mil jaayege do ajnabee…

TGIF else I would have taken a leave ;)

6. Zaroorat.

do waqt ka khaana, chain ki neend, itni hi zaroorat ho to kya baat hai,
par hum bhaagte, sote aur jaagte, khade kiye khudne hi aise haalaat hai,
kehte hum sabhiko, chahiye sukh aur sukun, dhan ityaadi to uljhan hai,
karte viprit, jo nahi uchit, jeevan ke ant tak dhan-maan hi apni kaaynaat hai !!!

5. Priority.

Way back in earlier part of the twentieth century, during the struggle for independence, achieving freedom was the utmost priority. Rather, it was the necessity. Freedom was as important as breathing.

A person (‘freedom fighter’ was more of a tag, it was true with probably each and every citizen of the nation) about to sit for his dinner (or in midst of anything significant / insignificant activity) would leave everything and rush for the freedom campaign on realizing that the call has arrived. There were no mobiles, no televisions, no facebooks, just a call from a next door was more than enough. The call would be as straight and simple as – “We need to gather for a meet against the British Raaj”. That was all!!

Today, the situation is quite different. I need to be at my comfort and mark my calendar for the campaign in the nearby area and that too if some so called exigency occurs, I may chose to opt out thinking that there are so many who can attend instead of me. Me not attending won’t make a big difference and moreover, is the campaign really gonna make some sense? I mean, I am quite ok with the lifestyle I live and the comfort zone I enjoy.

How can I afford to take a day or a half off just for attending the campaign? What is my boss gonna say? I have to think regarding the dependence on this job over the independence from corruption. If it’s a weekend, family and outings is a priority simply cos I don’t feel the need for getting rid off the corruption as I am quite used to the same or maybe, I am ok with it as anyways my work is getting done without much hassles.

Besides, If I fight for corruption, it’s such a deep and wide racket that probably my life would come to an end but not the corruption; rather I am so pessimist that forget about ending the corruption even the beginning to the end of the corruption would not initiate by then.

The need, thirst, hunger is lacking. While I crib about the politicians being corrupt. I am a bigger one supporting them in any which ways.

For me survival is everything. For them, independence from British Raaj was everything. This is the difference.

4. Parents.

One of my friends had penned this down. I did some modifcations.

Well now that the parents have left for our hometown, I am sitting alone ay my apartment and reckoning the past 2 beautiful weeks that I spent with them. I actually deep-dived thinking did I really spent time with them? With the new job on the platter plus the long working hours, didn’t get really some relaxed and quantifiable time with the parents to talk to them; to feel and experience them comprehensively.
Yesterday, I took them to a local mall. While they were holding my hands, we entered slowly and as they were inquisitively looking everywhere, I could see the proud feeling in their eyes. They look around at the new things, well dressed people, and the environment and meanwhile, I could take a wild guess that their hearts are full of love and pride thinking that not only their kid is doing well, but also the nation is developing. Looking at the wonderful attires and showroom, I had tears in my eyes as I have always seen them in a couple of pairs all their life. I immediately rushed and did some shopping for them. I was super happy and so were they.

Sometimes I feel that the parents at our stage of life become what we were during our childhood. It’s something like a role reversal. Parents gradually tend to become kids asking for answers and we may or may not care to give them one. At this point, I am experience the reminiscence of a wonderful book called “Tuesdays with Morrie”.

Further, I held their fingers and looked at the world with an amazing confidence. It was a breathtaking moment. They actually wanted to hold my hand and move around. I realized this when I peeped into their eyeballs after holding the hand.

I very well remember that, I was scared of taking new steps to an unknown direction and would look at my parents as if I am most in this huge world. My mom felt the same when she had to take an escalator and at that point in time she was looking forward to tighten the grip of my hand. It was indeed a great feeling for me as if I was driving her to the path of glory. I was not able to figure out whether I am growing old or my parents are becoming too old.

Today an evergreen looking youth is growing old and gradually will start having grey hairs. One thing that strikes my mind is that I need to spend more and more time with my parents while I feel I am still not-too-old now and I need to do a good time management especially when I am spending relatively less time with parents, who are above God as they directed me towards the almighty. Had they not been around, I would have not existed.

3. Marriage, Sex and beyond.

In here like, Marriage is a knot. It’s more about controlling each other. Obviously, there is a lot of love but eventually a lot of boredom too.

If I ask a married couple – Are you guys bored of each other? What would be the actual reply? I am not talking about the said reply. There might be some hesitation to accept the truth but just by the virtue of not accepting, truth doesn’t change. And it’s not that boredom is eternal. There are phases. Like with everything, there are.

Just as an example – After few months of marriage, physical relations are no more fantasizing to that extent. I am specially focusing on the physical relation thing cos that’s something which is the most-craved-for delicacy in a married life. Ok, coming back to the thought. Interest gradually decreases but craving certainly stays.

That very part of Life becomes like a chewing gum. No juice, but still sticking on to each other. Trying different ways works until sometime but there is always an end to it.

The way one wants to change clothes, restaurants, hobbies, interiors, exteriors, CHANGE becomes evident in this sport too.

This change is longed but not opted. There are these walls that don’t let one opt – Walls viz. Society norms, Self-ego, Fear, Notions, Religious labels, Look-Good funda, etc…

Some or all of these walls don’t let one cross the limits but the desire, the yearning still persists. The patience is treated at the superficial level but the disease prevails.

In this kashmakash (dilemma), Life moves on and the frustration, agitation piles up and eventually the gap increases. Enters, taken-for-granted feeling.

Life, although complete at the exterior, creates a black hole in the interior. Apparently, Life turns out to be hostile despite possessing everything that is needed to LIVE.

The hunt for the solution starts becoming aggressive.

Some find love outside… Some give up… Some rejuvenate by some or other means… Some resume with frustration… Some take their life for granted… Some take their partner’s life for granted… Some take so called practical approaches of separation et al… Some just overlook personal life and poke into the world… and what not!

Chances are bright that everything gets screwed up but since almost everyone is a sane human being (or pretends to be one), doesn’t quite express on the face and almost everyone feels about each other that all the families rather couples are better off and they are the saddest of the lot. Their life is at turmoil and will remain to be. One breathes but forgets to LIVE.

PS: Net-net, there is no one solution to any issue. There are multiple options to be happy, stay happy. Just need to explore…

2. Happy, Right?

In relations, what is Important? To be happy or to be right? I believe, predominantly to be happy. Some may say -Why not both? Well, I feel in striving for both (as Both may seldom be achievable), I more of fool myself and look for being right and as a result of being right, happy. At times, I may be happy with the relation but not always happy with the person and the probable logic is -The person feel that he / she is right and as a result of that, I possess this intrinsic feeling that when my counterpart is right, I am bound to be wrong. Can I sometime feel like agreeing with what is right in his / her perspective? I believe that in doing so, the first feeling I may have is a Ego hurt. Taking a step further, if I just look at the happiness of my counterpart, who is actually happy in being right, what can I do? I can choose complement his / her happiness and be happy about it, isn't it? Difficult to digest but worth a try. I tried, I enjoyed. Not sure, if I shall try again :) Any which ways, at this point in time, I am happy and I think its right to be happy and it's my right to be happy. :)

1. Sapna.

hum sapno me kho gaye,
khuli aankhon se so gaye...

socha tha, karna hai bahot kaam,
mann kiya, karle pehle thoda aaram,
manzil hai dur, safar hai lamba,
aaram karne se raah hogi aasaan...

hum sapno me kho gaye,
khuli aankhon se so gaye...

ek baar nikle to keval aage hai badhna,
rukna nahi mudna, oonchiyon pe chadhna,
ye sochke behal gaya mann, aa gaya josh,
manzil thi saamnne, na hua tha shuru chalna...

hum sapno me kho gaye,
khuli aankhon se so gaye...

sapne haseen, par beet raha samay,
aaj hi kal me bas le lena hai nirnay,
aisa sochte sochte aa gaya wo din,
mit gaya sab kuch, jab aaya pralay...

hum sapno me kho gaye,
band hui aankhen, hum so gaye...

2. Survival.

I want to believe and implement -At the end of the day, everyone survives; be it a king be it a pawn, be it a priest be it a don. How does one wanna survive is an individual though process. The people who choose to be happy and peaceful, remain happy and peaceful no matter what.

1. Saans.

Zindagi ke dariya me behte, koi hosh nahi hota, ho mashgool jaata hai
Kaanton se lagi chot ki usko parva nahi hoti, kyonki wo phool chahta hai
Chubhte rehte hai zindagi bhar usko, phir bhi phool se nazar nahi hataata hai
Ye sab chakkar me insaan saans to lete rehta hai, par jeena bhool jaata hai!

3. Aspect.

Why do people who already seem to be happy still don’t feel the happiness in it’s entirety? I believe it’s because happiness is never assumed to be in it’s entirety. It’s always been considered as the aspect.

A multi-millionaire might feel proud and happy about the wealth and prosperity in his possession but on the other hand, he may be sad about his looks or physical appearance.

Lets say some one is extra-ordinarily rich, good looking, dynamic, multi-talented and a loving person. Still, he might be craving for more in the said areas as well as beyond.

Net-net it’s all in the aspect and aspects are unlimited if not infinite. Hence, till the time happiness is believed to be in aspects or means, it cannot be experienced as a whole. Well, to an extent it can be experienced in intervals and that too depending on the state of conscious and subconscious minds.

2. Pace.

While I travel in a slow train and a fast train passes by on another parallel track I do feel bad that it has moved ahead of me and shall reach faster. Subsequently, each passing fast train makes me feel worse and beyond.

Well, at times when I travel by fast train and as it overtakes each slow train on the parallel track, I feel happy thinking that I shall reach ahead of the competition

The direction is same and the destination too but a feeling of reaching faster makes me feel happy and that of reaching slower makes me feel sad.

What if the destination is the death? Would I like to be slower or faster? Also, am I running, walking or crawling towards the ultimate destination of this life?

1. Incomplete.

Whenever I think of anything that can make me happy, I do feel that the complete happiness is in the achievement of the same; achievement in the sense the climax or in other words, the peak point.

While I am traveling towards being completely happy, I do feel nice on my way, however the craving of being complete (completely happy) at the sub-conscious level overshadows the on-the-way nice feeling.

Besides the moment of climax makes me feel complete and completes the happiness there and then itself.

The next ‘craving’ of being happy has already begun and so has my voyage of being complete once again.

2. The Experience.

Why do I want to travel several miles to cater to needy people with food, clothes and vessels? In a country of 117 million people with per capita income of mere 1000 USD /year, where a majority live below poverty line, what difference am I gonna make by spending a day or 2 in entire year and understanding their situation?

Probably, I will wish that such situation never arises in this life and others to come; perhaps, I might avert grumbling for a couple of days about the things that I don’t have or possibly I will pray for their betterment for a few days, while also seeking strength and courage for myself incase I fall in such a situation.

The biggest and the most hidden of all maybe I can boast the activity to whomsoever I come across by making others feel that I have executed one of the most complex and challenging tasks without any selfish motive. The other way of bragging could be to talk about a selfish motive of seeking their love and blessings by just being with them for an entire day and making a purposeful day for self in a one-track life where I crave to do something different to look unique in the eyes of my near-dear ones.

Having said all the above, I still would go ahead and pat on my back by quoting that despite having other options to entertain myself, I did chose this one with a reason of gaining peace, bliss and self-satisfaction.

Undeniably, it was a soothing event that was pioneered with an extensive willingness to execute the entire activity and involved an immense amount of preparations, sincere and dedicated team-work, strong thrust towards the purpose of serving the mankind, crafting an efficient project plan and implementing it to the best possible level by investing the raw material of time, efforts, money and resources through the medium of body, mind, heart and soul.

Most definitely, I would like to continue with these activities with multiple purposes viz. being a small reason of generating smiles and pacifying hearts; experiencing the peace within and above all, to get connected to the self.

To achieve many things in the materialistic, I forget to ‘LIVE’ those moments while I am in the process of achieving whereas this can be one reason where I can ‘LIVE’ and experience the best of ‘LIFE’ without any materialistic achievement.

1. Basic.

After a breath-taking experience over a period of last 4 days, while I take a shower cleaning my external dirt, I realize that I have already started accumulating the dirt on my interior, the area which I had attempted to cleanse and thought of continuing the cleansing process.

However, as nothing goes in vain, this internal pilgrimage also does leave me with a fruitful (to an extent) self-experience.

These are opportunities where people like me get cut-off from the external world to a greater extent and have a chance to peep into the undiscovered peace and bliss. During most of the earlier such opportunities, I had been putting efforts to stabilize myself and getting into the inner self. This time I attempted something new. I was just observing things as they come and be almost non-judgmental on most of the things happening. Rather, I would feel the things “happening” and allow them to happen.

The conversations around the way of life, survival, infinite potential, state of non-comparison with others, being and living as per own definitions, setting a goal which I want to set rather than what the world feels it, coming out of the stereotypical mentality of accumulating all possible money by all possible means, so on and so forth were pretty stimulating and thought provoking.

Everything is a mind game and to initiate with the implementation on the above, I got to train the mind to act according to way I want it to behave. For this, knowing the breathing pattern and concentrating on it throughout certainly would help in all the situations especially those hyper ones pertaining to agony, excitement, stress, etc.

These are some basic level things which are of utmost importance for success. To transcend from the existing way of life, the first and foremost need is to start implementing the desired way of life from the scratch rather than just going ga-ga over theories. As an analogy, I want to construct a new building while getting rid off the old one. Will I extend the floors above the roof top or do I need to demolish the existing structure, clean up the debris, dig deeper and build the base and from thereon start constructing the new structure?

Doesn’t matter if I have spent years in the futile attempt of extending the floors, I can still attempt to start demolishing the existing structure.