You gave meaning to the word “large hearted” and living life King-size,

We were fortunate to be in your company and walk a few steps together.

You will be missed in person but would always remain in our hearts as an inspiration to remind us that if life gives you lemons, you make lemonade (and have it with beer)

You lived life on your terms completely uncompromising, God knows we need more of such souls down here but I guess God also needs them up there..

So farewell my Lionheart brother. Keep the beer chilled and heart warm as always, to welcome us when we meet next

RIP Joe Menezes

Do we lift the lockdown or do we continue- both have serious consequences. Is like being caught between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea. Everybody seems to have an opinion on the subject but the burden of decision is on the powers that be…
The answer lies somewhere in between, how do we balance the trade off between risk to life by COVID and risk to life due to Economic Crises.

There are times in everyone’s lives wherein you are put in situations wherein deciding either ways is painful. What helps us in such situations is the concept of balance – It’s like the tension on the string of a bow or a sitar- neither should it be too much or too little, it should be just right. This comes with experience and maturity.

The balance of Hosh(Conscious considered action) and Josh(Impulsive, gut based action) is something that each one of us has to exercise since like it or not COVID is here to stay (at least till the vaccine is found)and we have no other choice but to live with it. So the best way of responding to it is with balance. Just because we’re bored of sitting at home, doesn’t mean that we throw caution to the wind and move out. Neither does it mean that we are over cautious and lock ourselves at home.
We have to figure out a new normal that would balance both ends. Yes it will expose us to some risks qua COVID but it would also allow us to mitigate the economic risks.

The problem isn’t that the Authorities don’t know this, I’m sure they do, but given the experience with people who act on Josh, the relaxation of the current lockdown may have an adverse effect. The actual challenge is how do you infuse discipline in people who are unwilling to be disciplined. The sad answer is you can’t. So it only increases the risks in either decision which we have no choice but to accept….

Prayer that everyone sees the same picture and help each other out by reducing the risks to the extent possible is all we can do….

One wonders why aren’t Spiritual Masters intervening in this crises which reminds me of an incident from the life of Sai Baba. He was asked to resurrect a dead woman devotee, he asked to get water from a house where no one has ever died, indicating that death is a natural process that has to be accepted. He did revive the woman for sometime but clearly did not want to intervene in a natural process. The point is not whether Masters can or cannot intervene in natural course of things, the point is should they?

Every Master says that each person has to work out his/her karma and that they can transcend the cycle of life/death by following the spiritual path. The potential of achieving enlightenment is in everyone but whether they choose to work on it is a question that each one has to answer for himself/herself. This is  possibly what Buddha meant by “Aapo Deepo Bhava” – be your own light.

On Buddha Poornima, let us remind ourselves that the potential of Buddhahood is in each one of us and that this life is an opportunity to reach that potential.
Buddham Sharanam GacchamiDhammam Sharanam GacchamiSangham Sharanam Gacchami
I surrender to the BuddhaI surrender to Dhamma(teachings of Buddha)I surrender to the Company (of people on the path)

“Babumoshay Zindagi Badi Honi Chahiye, Lambi Nahi” – immortal words uttered by Rajesh Khanna in the film ‘Anand’ guided the varied choices of my life.

Consequently I tried to make my life “Badi” and was fortunate to be helped in the process by so many lovely people who I was blessed to share my life with as family, friends, colleagues, mentors, all of whom I have to thank for such awesome experiences(and frankly thanks for tolerating me for such a long time ;-))

During these 50 years, besides a fun filled school & College life, a great career, I was blessed to travel across the globe, run marathons, climb mountains, scuba dive, meditate deeply, and much more… What else could I ask for?

Sometimes when I look back I really wonder whether all this was(is) indeed my life or just a dream…

As I bring in my 50th Birthday in such bewildering, confused and frustrating time, I realise now more than ever that you are just a spec of dust in this fantastic cosmic tapestry and it’s easier if you simply accept whatever comes your way and respond to it with utmost love.

In this ever-changing, uncertain world there are far too many things that you can’t be sure of but having said that, one thing I’m sure of is that there are no coincidences.

One Universe, Multiple Galaxies, Time Zones & Dimensions, 1 Milky way, 9 Planets…1 Earth, 5 Continents, 204 Countries, 809 Islands, 7 Sea’s…And I had the privilege to meet You…

Thanks so much for being a part my journey and enriching it.

Looking forward to connecting in person(hopefully) in the post lockdown era. Until then stay safe and may the force be with you…

The law of the Jungle or Prakriti is called the Matsya Nyaya(Big fish eat small fish), law of a civilised society is called Sanskriti (Culture) which is an attempt of the humans to express their capability of moving away from the law of the Jungle. You can bring the man out of the jungle but can you bring the jungle out of the man remains to be seen…

The problems of today’s world are largely due to the fact that majority of people still live by the Matsya Nyaya(whilst believing that they’re cultured), whilst a miniscule percentage has actually evolved to Sanskriti. The leaders elected are also unfortunately the ones that represent this delusion of being cultured whilst actually not being and their choices reflect the will of the people they lead.

The result is glaring in the varied approach various countries, communities are taking towards dealing with the COVID outbreak or issues such as poverty, human rights, etc. Which approach is right or wrong is a matter of perspective and which lens you use to view the world. The majority that views the world through the Matsya Nyaya lens may believe that such is life and that shit happens. The minority that believes that a better world is possible doesn’t stand a chance of changing the world since the humankind subscribes to the maxim of “majority wins” even if the majority is wrong. It is like the tail trying to wag the elephant.

In my view, it is a question of maturity of the majority to understand that a cultured and civilised society is a fast better and sustainable one, but unfortunately the majority don’t even have access to basics of food, clothing, shelter, so the question of culture is still far off. 
Only when we the people are willing to bring everyone to a basic level of survival and afford them equal opportunities, that our society will move to the next level of maturity.

The sky is the limit, if human imagination and endeavour is directed towards such well being of the larger whole than just a select privileged few. Only then would we be able to claim that we, as a human society, are a Sanskriti or we will continue to live as Prakriti disguised as Sanskriti…

Guidance exists, if only we seek it.Am sharing with you the timeless wisdom and guidance by Sai Baba for you to reflect upon in these troubled times

1. Sabka Mailk Ek: he was referring to the One Source that exists in everyone/everything. You don’t need to (and cannot in the current situation)go to a temple/mosque/church to pray. You could simply close your eyes and ask the Source(God) within to guide your actions towards the right direction. 

2. Wakt se pehele aur takdeer se zyada kabhi kisi ko Kuch nahi mila: in our effort of moving in the right direction we must remember that we will not get anything till it is the right time and right deservability.

3. Shraddha aur Saburi: in this journey we must inculcate the qualities of faith and forbearance/patience to help us deal with the madness called life.

The same wisdom comes across from the Vedas, the essence of which is stated in the Gayatri Mantra “Om Bhurbhuvah Svah tat saviturvaryenyam bhargo devasya dhimahi, dhiyo yo nah prachodayat” means ” We pray to the All pervading God(represented by the Sun) who has created and is in everything, to please direct our intellect. We pray for knowledge so that we do not go astray/in the wrong direction.

The current situation has brought forth, amongst other things, the insecurities that we harbour. They could be pertaining to health, wealth, assets, relationships or anything that you value. If you make a list of things that you have and categorise them into these categories, it would give you an indication of what you hold of value. This provides you security and anything that threatens it is a source of insecurity which you try to avoid or manage. It’s ironic that whatever gives you most security is also a source of your insecurity.That’s the story of almost everyone’s life.

The spiritual path is one of understanding that nothing is ours and the belief that we “have” something is in itself a self created illusion. We have come with nothing and will go back with nothing. Everyone agrees to this and yet finds it difficult to live out of this paradigm. This is because we are constantly oriented to the world outside trying to engage ourselves in “getting” something and we think that is the purpose of life. 

If you simply let things be and observe the dance of the mind, it will settle down after sometime. You would realise your true nature and the futility of “having” anything. Gradually you will detach.

The deeper you go on this path you reach a point where you experience the Oneness in things and that’s when you realise the import of the words”Aham Bramhasmi” meaning “I am the Creation”. At that stage there would no longer be any securities/insecurities. This is possible if this concept resonates with you and you are willing to navigate your life in this direction or you could continue to enjoy securities and suffer insecurities, the choice is yours…

Everyday is Sunday

This was what we dreamt in school that let everyday be a Sunday. But was this what we wanted?

Some more questions added to the eternal ones who am I? And where is all this headed? Which still remain unanswered

Was this how the world was supposed to be?

Did we make a mess along the way?

How did we land ourselves in this situation?

When are we going to go back to normal life?

Was the life we left back ‘normal’ in the first place? If not, what is?

It’s like we are pieces of chess playing the game with an unknown force that’s already made its move and is saying now it’s your turn.

Well we didn’t ask to be a part of this game in the first place but that’s not an option anymore.

We’re back to where it all started and are fighting for our survival.

Our next move decides whether we stay in the game or are checkmated…

Lots of time to think since everyday is Sunday….

A crises inevitably brings forth the people with Generous disposition to help others tide over the crises. The actions of generous souls across the world are testimony to this fact. So it is clear that some people want, can and do help in crises. But what is unclear is why does this not extend to everyone and why does this stop after the crises is over? 

There is a word in our scriptures called Vasudaivah Kutumbakam – which means that this whole world with all its sentient beings is one family. A similar concept in Africa – Ubuntu – I am because we are. The wisdom and guidance exists but we choose not to act upon it and suffer due to it.

We stand at an interesting crossroads of humanity where the world is fighting the Third World War against a virus and, knowing the endurance of the human spirit, we would win this war sooner than later. But the real underlying problems problems of haves & have nots, population explosion, environmental degradation in the name of progress, etc. will continue and we’ll find ourselves in the same spot after some years unless we decide to and live by a more inclusive code. Inclusive means that you accept other sentient beings as they are and try to share your love with them. How?

In my view, a simple step to be more inclusive is to extend your love to at least one human being to treat them as your own family and bring them to your level of culture, education, opportunity… This could start(but not limited to) with the people who work for you as house helps, drivers, cleaners… Take responsibility of their well-being as if they are your family and bring them up culturally, financially, educationally, to the opportunity level that you have been blessed with.

If we can do this then we’ll emerge as a stronger and more loving race. Generosity of spirit is the need of not only this time but for all times to come. Let’s make the concepts of Vasudaivah Kutumbakam/Ubuntu come true.
You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one… 

It is in times of crises that we see our true character as an individual, family, nation, etc. The virus is indiscriminate in its attack on mankind- it doesn’t respect National boundaries, social status, financial position, skills or anything for that matter. Should we?

We have created various ways of dividing ourselves and formed our ways of life but are reminded by an invisible virus that at the end of the day we are all humans and that when the game is over the king and the pawn return to the same box.

Today is Ram Navami – we celebrate the best values that mankind can ever live by and have given it the form of Lord Ram. All Gods essentially indicate the values that we must incorporate in our daily lives, they’re not just idols in temples to be worshipped. The idol is just the form for the inherent values we seek in ourselves. The process of Prayer means that we commit to abide by those set of values…

Since now we have all the time in the world to reflect, we could observe what is our own value framework as against the Gods we pray to and have the courage to make the change in this time of crises when it’s absolutely needed.

If not you, who? If not now, when?