Gratitude

The light is dim
as dark clouds gather
across the sky
I steer into the gathering darkess,
the rhythmic oars,
my constant companions.

I have so much to be thankful for!
This boat and the river,
and the strength in these arms,
that have seen me through
many a storm.

The night brings with it
the promise of a glorious dawn!

Be absolutely useless!

Why do we spend our whole lives becoming instead of just being? It's sheer madness, this race to nowhere. I keep thinking that I'll step out from this race today, but I go whirling on. Stop, just stop and watch, that's all I wish to do. I share with you one of my favourite Zen stories. Savour it, Enjoy!

Lao Tzu was traveling with his disciples and they came to a forest where hundreds of carpenters were cutting trees, because a great palace was being built. Almost the whole forest had been cut, but one tree was standing there, a big tree with thousands of branches--so big that ten thousand persons could sit under its shade. Lao Tzu asked his disciples to go and inquire why this tree had not been cut yet, when the whole forest had been cut and was deserted. The disciples went and they asked the carpenters, "Why have you not cut this tree?"

The carpenters said, "This tree is absolutely useless. You cannot make anything out of it because every branch has so many knots in it. Nothing is straight. You cannot make pillars out of it, you cannot make furniture out of it. You cannot use it as fuel because the smoke is so dangerous to the eyes--you almost go blind. This tree is absolutely useless. That's why." They came back.

Lao Tzu laughed and he said, "Be like this tree. If you want to survive in this world be like this tree--absolutely useless. Then nobody will harm you. If you are straight you will be cut, you will become furniture in somebody's house. If you are beautiful you will be sold in the market, you will become a commodity. Be like this tree, absolutely useless. Then nobody can harm you. And you will grow big and vast, and thousands of people can find shade under you."

Sunflowers

Does the sun wait to greet the sunflowers or do the sunflowers wait for the sun?
As the sun rises high in the sky the petals unfurls and the flowers flash itheir brilliant smile at the sun. Bright and happy they dance their way through life.
Like the sunflowers, I'm going to greet each day with a smile. I'm not going to let any cloud douse my spirits. Clouds come and go but my sun will always be there for me.

Do not disturb me!

Drowning in paperwork,
I know not how time speeds by.
It is dark when I step out
and as I feel the splatter
of rain on my face,
I wish I had the time
to savor the rain.

Time is merciless,
it races away from me,
leaving behind his imprints,
in the shadows beneath my eyes.

I have a few tricks up my sleeve as well.
When the going gets rough,
I step back, put my feet up
and close my eyes.

It's time to smell the rain
and watch the roses bloom
amidst the warfare
raging around me.
This is my time now,
do not disturb me.

Drifting

I am the leaf,
drifting around,
in lazy circles,
creating patterns in the wind.

I am carried,
I know know not where.
All I know is,
Is that I like this dance.

Eternity is,
the here and now,
and I float blissfully,
into my creator's arms.

My Guardian Angel

I'll never forget
her laughter
or the warmth
in her voice
Her infinite patience
and lovely humour
they don't
make people
like her anymore.
I've never known
her turn away
from offering
a helping hand
A comfort to be with
she always knew
how to ease,
an aching heart

Inner strength

Leaves dance with joy,,
in the cool breeze
welcoming the rain.
They quiver with fear,
when lashed by thunderstorms.

It doesn't really matter,
how old or what color
they are.
all that matters,
is how they weather the storm.


Why can't we,
emulate the leaf
and move on
from outer beauty
to inner strength?

Shakti Revisited

It's been one of those dream come true sundays, where everything goes the way one wants it to. The highlight of the day being the Remember Shakti concert we attended today at Shaniwarwada,Pune, the ancient fort a magnificient back drop to soul stirring music . John McLaughlin's guitar, zakir Husain's tabla,U.Srinivas's mandolin, Selvaganesh on the kanjira and Shankar Mahadevan's vocals created magic!
Lovely evening, beautiful day! It is indeed such moments that make me believe in the eternal beauty of life!!!

Joy

I like spinning around in chairs;
For that brief moment,
I'm a child,
all cares forgotten.

No pretentions,
just me,
enjoying the moment,
completely.

Companion

I sit alone and watch,
the desperate moves,
my mind makes
to fill the silence.

Thoughts come and go
with a rapidity
that leaves one
gasping for breath


for that two minutes of fame
we race against time
pushing our way
through the crowds

Slow down
and listen to
the quietness
beyond the chatter

It is your companion
the only constant
that has always
been with you.

I hope you dance...

"I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance...

I hope you dance..."

From the song "I Hope You Dance"
As performed by Lee Ann Womack

My favorite lines as they reflect my thoughts on life and living.
I believe... Life is about tuning in to your inner music even when you choose to sit out a dance. Dancing is a form of meditation where the world drops out when you tune in.
So let's make the most of every minute and swing to our inner beat. When life gets you down, just pick up your feet and dance.

Heartbeat

Like a lazy sun warmed cat,
the day stretches out,
langourous and sweet.
The blue skies,
an endless canopy.
The ocean,
in her all colors,
enchants me,
her timeless rhythm,
my heartbeat.

Happiness

We sit together,
on the pebbly bank,
watching the play
of sunlight on water.

It's fun,
skimming stones,
that he races to fetch,
his body quivering wih delight.


Wet and tired,
we flop down,
and doze,
on the grassy bank.

Happiness to me,
is best decribed,
by such moments,
stolen from time.

Beyond Grief

The crescent moon peeps,
Through the branches,
To glance at the bowed figure,
beneath the tree.

Enveloped in darkness,
His shoulders rack,
With soundless sobs,
that no one hears.

The wind sighs,
As she blows softly,
Drying his tears,
but to no avail.

Waves of sorrow
wash over him
as he stares at
his infant's grave.

Time stands still...

The quaint little shrine,
by the gurgling river,
echoes with childish laughter,
as children swing.
from the stooped banyan,
in the coutyard.

Time stands still,
as I watch the joyful faces,
swing up into the air.
The banyan and I,
are past our prime,
but we carry ourselves,gracefully.

Magick

The cauldron simmers
the candles burn bright
in she walks
like a shimmering light

The color of the sky
her swirling robes
her eyes alight
with love and hope

Rosemary and sage
scent the air
the cauldron bubbles
as she chants her prayer

Calling to the elements
she waves her magic wand
to draw us into a circle
of life and love.

Believe

I wanted to touch the stars, but never propelled myself to reach for it because I was afraid I'd come crashing down.
I'm learning that being earth bound shouldn't stop me from reaching out for what I want.What is holding me back, is me.
The stars seem distant because I did not have the faith to fly!
Nothing is impossible, all I have to do is believe.
'Ask..... and it shall be yours, reach..... and you'll find that nothing is as far away as it seems.
Go on and reach for those stars!

Moving On

When storms uproot trees,
and scatter them,
like leaves in the wind;
When boats are tossed,
by the furious waves,
and broken up into fragments;
When hearts are broken,
time and again,
by thoughtless words and actions,
It seems like the end of the world.

The scars are visible,
but faith and hope work together
to heal the wounds within.
The journey continues,
as the indefatigable spirit
Moves on, ready to take on life.

Order vs. Chaos

It took the creator seven days,
To put everything together,
and when it was time to leave
he handed over the reins to man.

His parting words,
as he bid goodbye,
were, "This universe is
now your space,
This world and everything in it,
is my gift to the human race."

Thus the first families began,
The task of organizing
their brand new home,
Ideas were bandied about
on all the do's and don'ts.

Some preferred the strewn about,untidy look
Others wanted it spick and span,
And though history books have no record,
That’s when the first battle began.

The spick and span clan,
Liked to keep things in order,
And scrub until surfaces gleamed
Align everything symmetrically,
Keep every nook, spotlessly clean.

The chaotic brigade,
Liked the strewn about look,
They felt it saved them time.
Comfy chairs,overflowing with clothes and cats,
Their idea of a comfortable nook.

The spick and span clan, relax when they clean
Untidiness clogs their brain.
The chaotic lot, firmly believe
That order is creativity’s bane!

The differences are many,
But opposites attract,
So since the beginning of time,
Order and chaos always come together,
To create complete bedlam.

My Boatman

As I walk towards the boat
I spot the familiar,
weather beaten, face,
of my boatman.
He smiles and extends
his gnarled hands,
to help me in.

The skies are dark,
and I can hear the rumble
Of the impending storm.
Winds toss the boat,
but I’m unperturbed,
I know those capable hands,
will steer me through the troubled waters.