(Change In) A few Days and (change) For a Few Days!

First published on May 7, 2018, I needed to publish this again.  For many reasons. One, that I have witnessed this building as if it is something alive over the last many years.  The trees in front of these buildings ---are a marker of seasons and joy around us.  But things usually change very fast in this part of the world.  The trees that you see can turn into alive trees with leaves and all in two weeks.  And within a few weeks, they can start to shed them too.  Not as fast though, but the cherry blossom trees that are not too far from here (see the second picture)--come for less than a week. This year, I could not go this direction, which is only 5 minute walk away from where I live.  And before I knew the Cherry blossoms, came, bloomed and were gone --before I could capture my ritual pictures....of every season.  Just a reminder to the in the moment, and to capture joy in every moment. Please do click at the links below --to the videos I took --two years ago, of  the cherry blossoms. And please click here for another look of these buildings...

It truly changes fast, a cloudy day, a sunny day, a rainy day, give a completely new perspective ----the key word--Perspective!! 

So, the above picture was taken less than two weeks ago. Still cold, still snow.  And the bottom picture, well taken today.  And see these cherry blossoms, they last only for a few days!!  So, I went around taking much footage today with the idea of making a film.  For some reason, I am back to the love of images again.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlSwPtzf72c

And click here for another vision of this beautiful day in this beautiful town!!

A Fine Fisherman

So, this has been republished once already, but way back, 6.5 years ago.  And too quick after it was first published.  The boy must be a young adult now.  But this needed to be shared again and watched again.  Last this one was published on December 1, 2013.  In addition, now over 6 years later, this blog has at least 250 more articles, and now reposting some does not feel so bad, because of the time lapse between them.  Sometimes I have newer photographs and better insight into the events.  So, reposting feels like 'embellishing'.  I hope you think so too, and not that I am being lazy.

I do want to write a post about 'exponential work' how you develop your work slowly.  And, how over a period of time it accumulates, giving a sense of accomplishment and a way to learn and contribute. 

I still remember this boy.  I remember his smile and I remember his voice, like it was yesterday.  While all of that must have changed now--since he is an adult or close to it--(is 21 an adult?) this warms my heart.  I realise it is why I loved cameras and pictures and creating memories and writing journals.  

But i must say that it is important when it comes to journals, if the experiences we're not that great that to write them as they transform you, rather than note them as they hurt you.

This one however is just pure joy--even as I read it, I realised that i had forgotten the details I had put here. I just remembered the little boy, and that 'We do not fish prawns!

___________

Dear Readers:

I am going to start 'reposting' some old entries, to bring them back on the reading list.  Partly because I think they made an impact on me.  Partly, due to lack of time. But mostly because, we tend to not have the time to read and absorb --because we are constantly reading new material.  

However, whenever I do that, I will inform the readers at the outset.  In addition, this won't happen often. So, this practice should not be a cause for concern.  Thanks much.  

Any protests should be freely expressed.  Thanks again.

The following post was first published on March 17, 2013. 

I envy journalists who get to do talk to people on the streets.  They document life it is happening.  

I try to do it in my own way.  Capture the smiles that are overlooked by professional cameras.  

Here, I interviewed a young boy who looked excited to be fishing on an early sunday morning!!  It was the middle of winter.   Mornings were cold, and yet every morning there were a handful of people catching their lunch.  However, sunday morning there was a substantial number of people at the beach.  The ocean was not calm, breeze had a bite to it.  And there were some young people accompanied by adults practicing their fishing skills.  I met this beautiful young boy, whose name I cannot recall now.  I remember telling him that the name was unusual.  He said, 'Its a common name in South Africa.'

Bluff, Durban, South Africa, July 2012

In way, I am glad that I am not writing the boys name.  I did get permission from the older man who, had escorted this young boy, along with his two sons.   This boy was beautiful, so gentle, I could not resist striking a conversation with him.

Showing off skills

In the world outside of the US, the response to 'How many languages to you speak?' is usually more than one.  While there are many attempts to make spanish a second language in the US, being bilingual in a country where various languages are ingrained in everyday life is very different.  The US will take centuries to reach that level.  It does so only via english whose ability to incorporate words from different languages has lent to its versatility.  

In my travels, I am always fascinated by the ease of activities that people's environment allows them, a testimony to the adaptability of us humans.  In South Africa, as in Fiji, I saw young people frolic in water as did children in Botswana on land.  

Here the young boy explained to me, that prawns were not 'fished' but pumped out of the sand bed.  What would I know?  I grew up in a land locked city, where the only river was considered the 'other side' of town. 

But my favorite moment came when I said, 'So you know a lot about Fishing' and he responded. I have been fishing literally 'all my life'"

All your life little boy?  I wanted ask...

He must not be older than 13 years of age.  The sincerity of his answers and approach to his passion, 'fishing' touched me so much. I have watched these videos a few times since I took them. I hope you this will warm your heart, just as it does mine.

And remember, 'We don't fish prawns!!"

Books and Their Lovers, Stories and Their Holders

I have not talked about the state of the world, the virus that has held many of us hostage (no lockdown in Sweden and Norway though)--the changing systems, everything going digital and everything slowing down making us think and question where we have landed ourselves.

Much of it is connected to the whole idea of consumerism that the west started.  If anyone is interested, please listen to this talk on Western Democracy vs. Indian Dharmic State, that also focusses on Duties vs. Rights debate.  The audio is not very good, but it will give you an idea of how different it all is.  In addition, the place of Christianity in creating today's world, where God is both authoritative and a man. Christianity (and possibly Islam but I need to read more on that) is based on this "God Given Right' concept, a debate which has now gone on to abortion, gay-rights, minority rights etc.  What we have forgotten is, what is Humanity truly about. We have divided people into identities.  While Christianity might not have thought that far, it did divide the world into believers and non-believers.  The Church, lacking wisdom, did not realise where it was leading the world and the countries it converted our of force and manipulation.  Especially since so many nations were forced to abandon their nature friendly ways.

The above tweet is from a Greek pagan.  He told me that they had been hiding for centuries, holding their festivals during the Christian festivals so that no one would see that they were celebrating Pagan Gods.  Now slowly they are gathering momentum.  I have heard similar stories in Norway and some from African countries and a few in Latin America.  Christianity has the money, but it does not have people's support any longer.  

Here is another tweet from the same person who retweeted the picture of the street book shop.  We have a goddess of knowledge!!  I think pre-christian and pre-Islamic religions did too.  And Mother Mary held a high position in Europe for sometime, and still does in some Latin American countries.  But nothing can be compared to Hinduism where we had books, after books, commentaries and prayers and rituals and celebrations and that is why it was difficult to mess with this way of life and ultra hard to convert. We follow Dharma. A natural order of things, rather than a force to removing our connection with nature. A creator created this world, is a silly idea when rather than being created, it is an 'emanation' of energy. 

And since Hinduism is knowledge based, it emerges in the form of yoga and meditation and mindfulness and eco-friendly behaviours --because it is a system grounded in understanding man/woman in his/her context that is mother nature.  Nature is not for our enjoyment, though it can certainly provide us that.  We are it's extensions.  We hurt it, we hurt ourselves.

The word for 'rural'  in hindi is देहात-- 'Dehaat' --meaning our own extensions (or our body).  Here listen to one short lecture on what the rural means from a beautiful Indian filmmaker.  You may also subscribe to her channel, she is a great story teller, thought some of it is in hindi. 

Here she is again --her name just as beautiful as she--'Akanksha (aspiration)--she talks about the value of our own stories.  How important it is to own our own stories.  I started with that strength and lost it in the middle, just beginning to pick up the threads and hope to weave it in a tapestry that I was always meant to weave! 

Will write about the virus at some point. Have some interesting links to share. 

It been a few hectic months. Just had another publication.  

And now more on my future steps.  In the process, in this process of survival the person i forgot was myself. I never stopped writing, calling sending gifts to friends, family, relatives or colleagues ---everyone was celebrated but me.

The one thing I did do for the last decade was make travel my religion, and I wrote about different countries and gathered data there, I learnt about Sweden and Swedish --still learning.

But learning --when focussed on the outside, can be a way of running from the inside.

I need to return to myself. 

The above picture is from twitter.  Cut out the name of the person who posted it. That script, I cannot read, in transition it says, 'something great', its another Indian language.  You all can read the english part.

Look at this person, who obviously looks like he has very little (by the way, ten rupees is about 14-15 US cents). So absorbed is he--his mind in another world, may be learning, may be spinning tales....books are a way out.

But remember the biggest book we need to read, learn from, and master is our own body!1

Get out of your minds for a while---sit in gratitude of the vehicle that carries you!!

Where We Are!!

• I cannot believe that I have not reposted this already, since I first posted it nearly seven years ago (June 13, 2013).  I run this poem in my head even today sometimes.  Where am I with regards to home?  I am in transition again, only I have no clue where I will end up this time. I had thought returning to the US when I left it years ago.  Today, little desire remains except some emotional link that i spent a good portion of my youth there, and that was where I learnt to 'jostle' with the world.
• Pictures on this post were taken between 2009-2013 in Thailand, England, Singapore Swede and Spain. 

Where we are (for edward field)

Flamenco Dancer, Cadiz, Spain, 2013.  I was in Cadiz, Spain on an Erasmus exchange for a week and my colleagues took me to this Flamenco club.  i remember one of the men almost crying at some of the lyrics. I can easily understand, I feel the same way about some songs from India.

Karlstad, Sweden, 2010.  My very first semester in Sweden, at Gustav Frdoing's house, which is well maintained and used as art gallery and a party place for organisations.  Its called Alters Herrgård. Alter's (a lake) farm.  That's inside a tree that was carved out from inside, as an art work....

McCafe, Copenhagen, Denmark, 2013.  McCafe's are a European thing.  For all my dislike of fast food, and what they come with many of these places are fancily created and give a sense --that at least some time was put into the design, compared to regular McDees!

Resting, Prayer Room in  Mosque at an airport, Bangkok, Thailand, 2009.  I remember this one like it was yesterday.  I had arrived at the airport in the middle of the night and my friend was supposed to pick me up in the morning. His employee had taken me to this place to rest.  People in transit were sleeping around and there were a few who were sitting with joined hands.  

Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand, 2009.  All those who go to Thailand have to visit this place....much history and great beauty.

A bag of te tarik (Indian tea, in a disposable plastic bag) with a backdrop of Singapore’s Skyscraper, November 2012.  Every few years I try to give up tea.  But tea with milk is my comfort food.  And I had been to Singapore in 2010 for work, but in 2012, it was a combination of research and then a few days off.  So, I tried to experience the same old things I had enjoyed. Here is tea with milk, called Te-tarik (fresh tea with milk) against the backdrop of high-rise.  It is served in plastic bags, really hot, but a straw is attached to it as a rubber band is wrapped around the bag.  You can hand the tea to the side of your bag, on your key chain or simply dangle on your finger.  I understand we should reduce the use of plastic but paper cups are just as bad.  I would prefer Kullar, but this one seemed a good innovation for a busy city like Singapore and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). I just love Asia!

Nottingham Eye, January, 2011.  I had gone there for some work and at night went out for  a walk.  And how can you miss these big markers. 

Nottingham, January, 2011

Nottingham, January, 2011 (Another view).

Nottingham, January, 2011 --England smells more of India than certain parts in India....

Nottingham, January, 2011 --England’s love with curry and Indian food is written all over...9500 Indian restaurants in London alone....

where we are (for edward field)

I have loved this poem since I heard it over a decade ago at 9 am, in State College, on NPR.  Garrison Keillor's voice still rings in my ears--

Deep, slightly gruff--' I am talking about hope'.

At the time I had just moved back to State College from Clarion to continue working on my grad school.  I loved State College so it was like coming home.  I was just as lost as I am now.  But for a short time I felt at home.  And there was a sense of hope, a goal.

Years later, I cannot say that i have two homes, I have none, and yet a piece of my heart has been left behind in so many places.  I present this poem here to share it with the readers, but also for me to be able to locate it --on demand!!
And I dedicate this to a friend who, along with his wife is returning to the US at the end of the summer.  I hope he is always returning home, whether he is in Sweden or in the US!!

by Gerald Locklin

Friday, 22 June 2001
Listen (RealAudio) | How to listen

Poem: "where we are (for edward field)," by Gerald Locklin.

where we are

i envy those
who live in two places:
new york, say, and london;
wales and spain;
l.a. and paris;
hawaii and switzerland.

there is always the anticipation
of the change, the chance that what is wrong
is the result of where you are. i have
always loved both the freshness of
arriving and the relief of leaving. with
two homes every move would be a homecoming.
i am not even considering the weather, hot
or cold, dry or wet: i am talking about hope.

Hindu Marriage Vows: Women and Stars!!

First published nearly 4 years ago on April 17, 2016---I thought this would be a good thing to read.

What 'vows' do Hindu couple take at the time of marriage? 

Source Internet: Facebook

Arundhati and Vashistha performing Yagna
Source: Revival of True India

I am very used to listening to people talk about oppression for women in India, and how marriage is an institution that oppresses women.  So here is a couplet from thousands of years ago, which is still used in Marriage vows.  By the way, Hindus, traditionally do not have a 'document to sign' to prove marriage.  Community took care of it.  The witnesses were the people who attended, the relatives, the neighbours, the teachers, the doctors, all those who had seen you grow up, and all those who interacted with you.  Since it was such an interactive community, and people lived in joint families and in the same community for generations, there was no need for a document to prove.  And young slowly attained their place in society by listening to the older ones.  As older ones at some point gave the 'baghdor' (the reigns) of the household into the hands of the younger ones.  There are scores of scenes in Bollywood, where a mother in law hands the keys to the important closets and boxes to her daughter in law, and a father hands his business and work to his son.  It was set in a cycle.  But today when everyone wants to establish their own 'will', there is an absolute chaos, nothing is sacred, and no one understands the need to wait and earn respect.

And when I found this poetic couplet --accidentally--(I had read it years ago)--I knew I had to share, and may be with this come back to my blog. I am not ready to let it go.  Thanks for your patience.

I am the sky and you are the earth
I am the giver of energy and you are the receiver 
I and the mind and you are the word
I am the music and you are the song 
You and I follow each other  

Favorable colours for bride and groom to wear at the wedding ceremony are normally red and gold. 

The couplet also reminds me of an ancient post wedding ritual, of which I learnt only recently. In south of India, Arundhati, the wife of sage Vashistha, one of the seven sages (Ursa major) is identified with the morning star. Arundhati, though a woman, and a wife of one of the sages, is given the same status and respect as the other seven seers.  In Vedic literature, Arundhati, is regarded as the epitome of chastity, marital bliss and wifely devotion (I know these traits are laughed at today, or for several decades now, in the name of freedom and women empowerment).  But my argument is that chastity, marital bliss and wifely devotion--never hurt women, especially when they are matched by their spouses.  

In addition, marriage in Hinduism is a sacrament, to join two individuals for life (and hopefully many lives), so that they can pursue dharma (duty/eternal law), artha (possessions/ economics etc.), karma (physical desires), and moksha (ultimate spiritual release), together --as they grow in dharma.  This union also happens in the context of union of two families.   

As a part of the duty is to take care of each other's parents and relatives as well.  I always wondered why there was no focus on volunteering in Indian society. That is because people were always engaged in taking care of each other.  When a woman had her child, she went back to stay with her mother for months, where she was treated as a young child again, her new born baby taken care of by relatives and she being brought her back to health by using age of wisdom---which included bathing and massaging rituals, and a special diet, often rich in nuts, ghee and proteins.  As the parents got older the young took care of them, and the cycle continued.  NO one had free time when dharma was being pursued.  Those who wanted to opt out chose the life of being monks and nuns, for they combined their calling for the divine and service to devote their entire lifetime to it.  This was even confirmed when I had a long conversation with a Buddhist monk I have known around five years. 

 Arrange marriages are not random, much research is done with regards to that.  Other than personal research of matching the potential bride and groom based on social standing, and similar culture, since India is truly a country of multiple cultures, Jatakam or Kundali is matched.  The closest word for Kundali or Jatakam or Patri or Teva (just imagine all the languages  in India and they all have the same concept only different word in their language) in english is horoscope, but it does not really come close to its mean.  A Kundali is drawn based on the placement of the stars and planets at the time of birth. The maximum points for any match can be 36 and the minimum points for matching is 18. Any match with points under 18 is not considered as an auspicious match for a harmonious relationship. Can people marry if they like, absolutely  there is not pressure.  There are many marriages where people continue, but from my understanding, often they do not last, and if they do they run with much strife.  I have known many families in India, who even before bringing the potential candidates forward have to match the astrological charts. Only if the astrological chart of the two individuals (male and female) achieve the required threshold in points are the talks for prospective marriage even considered. 

Also the man and woman are given a chance to talk and understand each other for a few months. Once there is an agreement then an auspicious time is chosen for the wedding to take place.  But grandness of this system is that --it is done with an understanding that the relationship will lead to lifelong-marriage, and not what I saw in the west, 'we'll see' and in that process many people are hurt, and many lives destroyed.  All that comes out of it is 'fun' which is short lived and does not necessarily add to the strength of our character.  I never believed in these things, but having travelled, I realize that India had much wisdom. Even today arranged marriages are popular in India, and the country has one of the lowest divorce rates in the world.  

According to ancient Indian literature, there were eight kinds of marriages were identified and not all had religious sanction.  Gandharva Vivah, was the equivalent of 'living together' situation today, but it was not considered to have the blessing of the parents and the community. Mainly because it used sexual attraction as its  basis and not 'dharma' supporting a society, a community and taking care of others in the family.  It was very much an activity in serving the self and sexual desire. However, love was considered a high level of emotion. These relationships were not meant to be broken even if they were outside of the esteemed ways of marital union.  Growing up, Bollywood showed many examples of main characters saying, 'Using Lord as our witness, we exchanged garlands and declared ourselves man and wife in HIs presence.'  While people questioned it, they accepted it.  For in the end, it was the decision of the groom and the bride.  Important point is, that no priest was required in such marriages.  A person's will was honoured.  


Paishacha vivah is what is quite popular in movies and I heard my students talk about it a lot---usually involved seduction, alcohol and sometimes manipulation.  Since in India no marriage is complete without consummation, each form of that consummation was considered a kind of marriage.  The highest one was where family became a unit of larger society, and so was supporting 'dharma' upholding the society so that its foundations would remain strong. Paishacha vivah in Indian treatise of Manusmriti is considered the lowest form and a sinful act. Funny, how we have shows titled, 'Friends with Benefits' and laugh at their jokes.  They mock both friendships and love-relationships. 

Coming back to Arundhati and the wedding rituals.  In south of India, post wedding, the groom is supposed to point at Vaishista (from seven sages, Ursla Major) and Arundhati--as a symbol of ideal couple that embodies eternal loyalty and marital fulfilment.  

While much of above writing is paraphrased from wiki, the following is a direct quote from wiki: 

The couples are asked to look up the constellation symbolizing conjugal love and affection.[2] [5] On the second bright day of the lunar month of Chaitra, a fast in her honour is observed in certain regions of India by ladies whose husbands are alive. This fast is observed with the belief that the ladies observing it would lengthen the lives of their husbands.[6]

Since Arundhathi is a faint star, it has to be shown in steps, starting with brighter star, it has to be shown in steps, starting with brighter stars then pointing at the relatively faint star.  This process of finding the faint (the unknown) via the bright (the known) has even lead to a very wise and useful maxim Arundhutidarsanayayah (IAST: अरुन्धतीदर्शनन्यायः) ---

---we know move from known to unknown.  Meaning when starting your research or any project, always move from known to unknown that eases the process. Many corporation and research organisations use that. I have also heard many writers and filmmakers talk about it.  'Always start with what you know.'

But here is what I want to end with, which shows the genius that is Indian mind. Both Arundhati and Vashishtha are twin stars.  While in most twin stars, one is stationary and other revolves around it, Arundhati and Vishishtha rotate in tandem, in synchrony--symbolizing the ideal couple.  Neither one is more powerful than the other.  This is an important part of the wedding ritual. 

The amazing part is that this ritual is thousands of years old, before the inventions of telescopes and before the modern science told us anything about twin stars, let alone know that these particular twin stars did not behave like any others.  

Another important point to be noted women in India had a higher stature in society. Its Arundhati-Vashistha and not Vashistha-Arundhati. Radha-Krishna, not Krishna-Radha, Sita-Rama, not Rama-Sita.




Women had higher respect than men.  Much of the changes occurred after India was invaded numerous times by outsiders.  So, I often question the 'feminism' that comes from the west, because dharma traditions were feminists by their very nature, always worshipping 'Shakti' the feminine principle of the universe.