Traffic jam

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Traffic jams are the best way to test your spiritual progress – if you remain calm, composed, cheerful during the traffic jam – whatever is your “spiritual” practice is working. I got to test mine on 11th August 2022 as I was rushing back to Mumbai from Nasik alone in my car for some urgent work and got stuck for 6 hours to get from Nasik to Thane (which normally takes less than 3 hours). Sharing a few valuable insights from the most recent traffic jam experience.

1.     Nothing is urgent, everything can wait and even if it can’t there’s not much you can do about it

2.     You can’t run away from your fate – what will happen, will happen

3.     The best time to practice zen is when you are in a traffic jam in midst of pouring rain, with no end in sight, with a slight opening in your car wind shield bringing the rain water inside to give you a taste of your own private waterfall

4.     Always pee before you get into a car for a long drive. No guys you can’t pee in a bottle whilst sitting, don’t know about women. You need an elephants bladder and a truck drivers patience, who simply get on with their lives oblivious to the traffic jam since waiting in long queues on roads is normal life for them…

5.     Can someone lend me their left knee? Mine is numb pressing the clutch for hours…Why is my car not Automatic transmission?

6.     Count your blessings that you are not in the next rickshaw with people packed like a can of sardines with an excuse of a rain curtain not offering any protection from rain

7.     Well you need some “me” time, here it is – you’re alone in the car with no-where to go, enjoy your “me” time

8.     Have a flask of tea, snacks in the car always. You never know when you may need it.

9.     Whatever your view about God is will change – if you are a believer, you will start doubting, if not then you will start believing – it is all directly proportional to the number of hours of the traffic jam…

10.  There comes a time when you just want to leave your car and run as Munnabhai says khali pili bheja sala yunhi phadphadaye but… Hence last but not the least, travel by train – avoid cars especially during rains. Na rahega baas, na bajegi basuri…

And then you thank God for small mercies….
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Published by Ajit Bam

Explorer, Philanthropist, Mentor: Exploring and researching on practices of Self Realisation Philanthropist: engaged in projects with social and environmental impact Mentor: guiding people crystallise and achieve their material and spiritual goals Background: Former CEO of Mahindra Integrated Business Solutions- an Advisory and Business Process Management Arm of the Diversified US$ 17 Billion Mahindra Group. Ajit was responsible for transforming a Shared Services Centre of the Mahindra Group into a full-fledged Advisory and Business Process Management Company with products/services spanning Strategy & Enterprise Risk Management Advisory to Digitization and Transactional Outsourcing. He has over 23 years of experience in the industry as an Entrepreneur. He has built businesses in Music Publishing, Media (Compact Discs/DVD’s) Manufacturing, Logistics and Financial Services and is currently nurturing his own initiative called FREE (Forests, Renewable Energy and Environment) & associated with NPO Trusts/ Organizations and mentoring select people and a few start-ups in his personal capacity. A Chartered Accountant by Qualification with extensive continuing education in Executive Management Programs @ Harvard Business School, Michigan- Ross Business School, IIM-A He has pursued spiritual interests since an early age exploring inner facets of self through Vipassana, Isha Yoga, Kriya Yoga, other yogic approaches / meditation techniques An Avid Marathoner, trekker/mountaineer, scuba diver, writer and motorbike traveller, is passionate about exploring the outer world as much as the inner.

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