Do I hear, respond or listen?

” Pay attention, you are not listening but hearing”, remember how our teacher used to scold us when we gave a weird answer in the class. Well, it dint make any sense at that carefree time. But now, this very difference between hearing and listening can cost me a job or even a relationship. But have I ever sat back and contemplated, do I hear, respond or listen to others?

Image source: http://tx.english-ch.com

Hearing is defined as the “faculty of perceiving sounds”. A child watching TV might be hearing you, but doesn’t care to nod his head in acceptance or denial, more so if you are telling him to switch off the TV. But do we adults also do that? I guess giving a deaf ear to child’s complain, wife’s nagging or boss’s bragging is a good excuse to stay calm. But many a times, we are so lost in our thoughts that we are physically present but mentally absent during a discussion. No wonders our mind can travel faster than light! Here comes the significance of living in the present. All those who have read Bhagvad Gita can relate ‘hearing” to Mode of ignorance or tamsik guna.

Responding is one step forward because here you are hearing and responding too, but what? Your point of view of that discussion. But what is wrong in that? It’s the same difference between sympathy and empathy. When we see the world with tinted glasses of our preconceived notions, more precisely “what we think is right” rather than “what is right”, then we respond and not listen. No doubt responding is defined as “saying something in reply”.  This is the characteristic of mode of Passion or rajasik guna according to the Bhagvad Gita.

On the other hand, listening is defined as “taking notice of and act on what someone says; respond to advice or a request.” If we look at literal meaning, responding and listening is similar, but we see it from spiritual point of view listening signifies “empathy” and hearing means ”sympathy”. Listening comes from keeping our pre-conceived notions aside and giving the advice based on righteousness, dharma and for the greater good. Listening is characteristic of mode of goodness or satvik guna.

As we trod this path of spiritualism that culminates in Dharma or righteousness; lamentation becomes but a thing of past and anxiety of future has no entry and the present moment takes the forefront. There is complete synchronization of mind, intellect and action that too in direction of Dharma. Then where lies the home of hearing or responding in such state? Isn’t this journey from hearing to listening, a journey to spiritual abode?

Acknowledgement: I express my heartfelt gratitude to the group of enlightened souls called Golok Express and group of Mahatmas called Jivanmuktas,  for bestowing me with the knowledge that I could write this article. Many thanks to the LORD for choosing me as an instrument to spread this knowledge.

Disclaimer- This blog does not promote any religion, faith or sectarian thought. This blog is platform for sharing my journey to spiritualism. I apologize if any of the thought expressed in this blog is against any religious faith or belief.

My husband does not care, but do you?

Once upon a time there was a man who thought that life is but hopeless; all the relations are but mean and no one understand his feelings. He really wished that his family could think the way he thought -his wife could understand how tired he was until he reached back home, his children should just stay clear of him and he should get the best possible dinner right infront of his favorite TV show with literally zero disturbance.

photograph from Google images

Once upon a time, there was a woman who thought that life was but hopeless; all the family members had demands but none of them ever cared for her. She really wished her family could think the way she thought- her husband should listen to the story of day when he returns home and empathize with her plight, she wished she could stay atleast an hour clear from the kids or house work, she wished some day family could have dinner together without the disturbance of TV.

But the sad part of the story is that this man and woman lived under same roof shared the most intimate relation called marriage, but unfortunately did not share their expectations from each other in the right way.

One day the wife happens to be part of a spiritual talk at friends home and gets stuck with the phrase “Fake it till you make it!”

She spent hours contemplating “what to fake?” and “what to make? “Her imagination had no bounds, her heart filled with joy when she thought of “making” a family that she always wished for! But next moment sadness overcame her when she realized “My husband really tolls hard full day, for what and for whom? What he gets when he comes back; constant complain and nagging? Why will he listen to my story? Better to watch TV right?”

But her ego was not ready to take that she was at fault too. She thought let me fake it that I am at fault, and do you know what she did next day?

She served the best possible dinner to her husband right infront of TV but with love and care. Husband as if missing the complains of the day asks her “how was your day?” Wife “It was very good, I did bla bla bla… . I know you must be tired after all that work, you definitely need rest“ Husband even more surprised switches off the TV and a healthy conversation starts.

Many a times we can realize that we are wrong, BUT the EGO does not let us apologize and make a new start. There come the power of “fake it till you make it”

Acknowledgement: I express my heartfelt gratitude to the group of enlightened souls called Golok Express and group of Mahatmas called Jivanmuktas,  for bestowing me with the knowledge that I could write this article. Many thanks to the LORD for choosing me as an instrument to spread this knowledge.

Disclaimer- This blog does not promote any religion, faith or sectarian thought. This blog is platform for sharing my journey to spiritualism. I apologize if any of the thought expressed in this blog is against any religious faith or belief.

Did I ever love myself?

As the life is unfolding and the dawn of spiritualism is lighting up the darkness of past; this thought is hitting me again and again; “Did I ever love myself?”

Had I really loved “disciplined me”, I would not struggle every day getting up early in the morning. Is that extra fifteen minutes of sleep of wakeful dreaming a worth?

Had I really loved “the fit me”; I could have sustained atleast one effort may it be swimming, yoga or cycling.

Had I really loved “the healthy me”; I would not eat that extra calories just to satisfy the ever unsatisfied tongue of mine.

Had I loved myself ”the beautiful me”; I would not need expensive creams, make-up or cosmetic procedure.

Had I loved myself ”the smart me”; I would not depend on the ever changing fashion statement. I mean the smarter me would not need the testimony of latest styles.

Had I loved myself “the talented me”; I would not have taken thirty years to discover that I was bestowed with the talent to write.

Had I loved the “soul” within me; the realization of temporary nature of everything around me would have enlightened my senses, mind and intelligence. I would not have experienced the so-called tough times, or sad days, nor would I have hankered for what I do not have or I could not achieve.

Isn’t the journey of loving oneself is in a true sense a real journey to spiritual abode?

Acknowledgement: I express my heartfelt gratitude to the group of enlightened souls called Golok Express,  for bestowing me with the knowledge that I could write this article. Many thanks to the LORD for choosing me as an instrument to spread this knowledge.

Disclaimer- This blog does not promote any religion, faith or sectarian thought. This blog is platform for sharing my journey to spiritualism. I apologize if any of the thought expressed in this blog is against any religious faith or belief.

Hungry Kya ????

Did you know hunger could make you dumb, I mean you can speak but without power to think? Did you know hunger could make you somewhat deaf; you could hear voices but not interpret them well? Did you know hunger could leave you even handicapped,  you could move but with difficulty?

Guess what! I experienced the same just after a single day of fast! The time limit to reach such state could vary from individual to individual, but that’s not the question. The point of discussion is: “Aren’t we blessed enough that we don’t have to sweat hard for getting meals three times a day?”

The United Nations estimated that nearly 870 million people of the 7.1 billion people in the world, or one in eight, were suffering from chronic undernourishment in 2010-2012. Stats are alarming; approximately 1 in 8 people in this world might sleep with the feeling that left me half-dead, and that too almost everyday.

“Aren’t we blessed enough that we don’t have to sweat hard for getting meals three times a day?” But on the contrary, most of us might have felt dejected on inability to afford party in five star on new year eve or might have had long discussion on which cuisine to try today, or starved for pizza if it got late for delivery.

Experts agree that junk food is a huge contributor to skyrocketing rates of diabetes, high blood pressure, and even strokes. These stats are from developed nations and soon the rich people in developing countries would match them.

Isn’t this ironical, on one hand people who cannot afford food are dying of malnutrition and people have surplus of resources are dying of heart diseases?

Isn’t this reason good enough to cherish the meal you get daily at your home? Doesn’t that meal not only nourishes your body but feeds also your soul too?

Acknowledgement: I express my heartfelt gratitude to the group of enlightened souls called Golok Express,  for bestowing me with the knowledge that I could write this article. Many thanks to the LORD for choosing me as an instrument to spread this knowledge.

Disclaimer- This blog does not promote any religion, faith or sectarian thought. This blog is platform for sharing my journey to spiritualism. I apologize if any of the thought expressed in this blog is against any religious faith or belief.

Indians & Pakistanis- Bhai-Bhai !

I have met Australian, American and European, but the experience never deserved to be pen down, until I dined yesterday with a Pakistani girl.


Of all the nationalities I ever came across, I was most comfortable with her. Then, why a feeling of hatred sets in when we think of Pakistan? Is it media? Or are these reflections of preconceived notion of our elders who faced vows of partition?

Her looks were more Indian than mine, even her attire was more Indian then mine, and her IQ of Indian cinema and small screen exceeded mine. She loved gol gappas and chat papri, relished the same dal makhani and saag. 

Indians and Pakistani relish the same spicy street food, Indians and Pakistanis watch the same “saas-bahu” dramas, Indians and Pakistanis speak the same language and, Indians and Pakistanis are die-hard fans of same Shahrukh Khan. And yes! Only Indians and Pakistanis can shed their blood over a cricket match.

Further, to my surprise there are still few Indian families in Pakistan, and they live as normal life as possible. In fact, Indians in her batch scored higher and got placed in the best companies, and guess what? The most conservative Muslim teachers and company managers out rated their performances.

If Hindus in Pakistan are living comfortably and Muslims in India are also living comfortably, then why we do not allow people of Kashmir to breathe some air. Are they victim of fight between Hindus and Muslims? Or are they victim of fight over a piece of land?  In India, now it is quite common to see two brother quarrel over a property of parents and develop hatred in the most cherished relationship, similarly India and Pakistan are like two brother fighting over a piece of land.

Didn’t these two brothers spent their childhood together, faced the same atrocities of Britishers, and fought for the independence together?  All for parting away when Independence finally came?

Are we really independent? Aren’t our thoughts bounded by the boundaries of religion? Aren’t our actions slave to what our society labels as good or bad? Aren’t kids much better, for them each human being is a either uncle or aunty may it be white or black, Hindu or Muslim, driver or boss?

The Journey to this independence is Journey to Spiritual Abode!

Acknowledgement: I express my heartfelt gratitude to the group of enlightened souls called Golok Express,  for bestowing me with the knowledge that I could write this article. Many thanks to the LORD for choosing me as an instrument to spread this knowledge.

Disclaimer- This blog does not promote any religion, faith or sectarian thought. This blog is platform for sharing my journey to spiritualism. I apologize if any of the thought expressed in this blog is against any religious faith or belief.

Breathe life not air !

This write up is dedicated to Dr Andrew Wells; after reading his book “Art of Breathing”, I realized the most inexpensive, easiest and least time consuming way to get the glow on face and vigor in body is breathing in the right way. Dr Andrew explains the science, advantages and experiences with his patients in this book. And guess what? None of the diseases, whether mental or physical, is beyond the benefits of breathing technique. He admits that “Yoga” from ancient India is the roots of this “Pranayam”; and the scientists are yet to study it.

I am not going to details how it works, but yes this little change in your habit might give you immense peace and health beside radiant skin. So, lets get started:

1.  Sit upright: Choose a silent place, sit on comfortable couch or floor, take the posture you are comfortable with but keep your spine straight and close your eyes.
2. Get Conscious of your breath: Begin with paying attention to how you breathe i.e. feel the air moving through your nostrils. It is important to first understand the pattern of breathing before changing it.
3.  Exhale first: Unlike we do normally; try to exhale first through your nostril until your stomach is sucked inside.
4. Inhale into abdomen: Then inhale back to fill up your chest and stomach, so that your belly moves out with each inhalation.
5. Breathe deeply, quietly and slowly: Have you ever noticed that your breath becomes fast and shallower when you are tensed or afraid? Repeat the above process slowly, take deep breaths but without making noise as if you are breathing peace into your body.

When can I do this?

Ideally you should practice this breathing technique; first thing after getting up in morning and just before sleeping; even 5 minute each would suffice. Once you get use to such kind of breathing, it can be practiced at any moment especially when you are under stress. Most important is regularity, keep atleast 5 minutes for it twice a day on fixed times.

Does other breathing exercise help too?

Yes!  They do. You can begin with this technique and add another breathing exercises in the morning. YouTube is treasure chest of such videos and demonstrations on “pranayama”; so let us begin now and breathe life into each cell of our body.