Living in Harmony with All the Beings & Phenomenon

Snow Art:  I leave crumbled bread  out -for the birds every morning.  Next morning I replace the old plate with a new one.  On the nights it snows, I often get to see beautiful fluffy snow resting on the plate from the day before!--somewhat like a snow art...

Finally, its all mine!!

Ok, you eat first, and I will take the rest!!, says she as she waits for her best friend to fill her stomach. 

PS-I have a stack of these plates btw, bought them years ago with an idea of having a children's party....but now I use some of them for these birds....

According to Indian tradition we must feed a few beings before we eat ourselves.  Usually it is our own pets, street dogs and street cats, ants, birds, cows and in rural areas, even snakes.  Yes. even snakes. (There is a snake feeding farm in Thailand). 

All of us grew up with our mothers making the first chapati of the morning for the birds.  She would scrunch it up when it was still warm, her hands alternating to dissipate the heat from the fresh bread, and tear it into pieces and then throw it over the low roof of our kitchen, which according to old style houses was in the backyard.  

Those were perfect kitchens, we did not need exhausts, or fans.  The smoke went up but not up the chimney and instead out the door.  And there was a kitchen window often connected to the dinning room for serving food directly.  But the kitchen door lead to the yard and not into another room.  Yes, there was a kitchen door. Something that modern kitchens have done away with, since they are designed the way western kitchens are designed today.  As a part of a large living area.  

Kitchens in India were family rooms, and often there was a sitting area on the floor.  Its quite warm --for the most part....remember? Furniture would take extra space and mess up with the massive cleaning of the floor which was done on a regular basis with soap and water.  But also, eating while sitting on the floor is healthier since allows a certain posture and prevents overeating.  Ofcourse, not really recommended in cold countries. Believe it or not, in Sweden we have heated floors.  We need them, but then those areas are generally small and not meant for large gatherings.  For example, the patch at the entrance where one must leave snow laden shoes, bathroom patch where one steps out of the shower and kitchen floors which allow us to not have a carpet or shoes inside the kitchen. 

When our great grand parents --became urbanites, they held on to this habit of feeding 'beings' before feedings ourselves, but only half of it.  Technically you are supposed to feed seven beings.  And in a warm country, there are many beings that cross your living space on a daily basis.  And what I love about Hinduism is that the kindness is not restricted to human beings but to 'BEINGS.'. So, for us the common thing was birds and cats and dogs and cows.  Yes, mother would make these chapatis and ask us to look for stray animals and cows to feed them.  We would open the back door and often find a cow, and she'd be happy to get a freshly greased chapati. 

People usually think its crazy that our gods can take shape of animals and trees and half-humans.  But these are all metaphorical and they evoke so many feelings of love, awe, wonder and mystery in us.  They keep us connected to the world, and also to see the beauty in what on the surface does not belong to 'our human world'.  Our stories link us to both plant and animal kingdoms around us.

Kolam or Rangoli or Alpana are floor decorations that were made outside of every Hindu home, and are even today in the rural areas.  Traditionally, the decorations were --1. made of rice paste or wheat flour so that they would become food for ants.  2. representations of our cosmos. The designs made are intricate, that sometimes resemble celtic knots.  but these designs are actually replicating formations of the universe, and are often mathematical in nature.  3. also protective measures. Other than being food for ants, the complex formations were supposed to confuse evil spirits who then got lost in the formations and never entered the dwellings. 

I tried to keep up the tradition in Botswana, where it was warm and I lived in a house. Then years of living in an apartment, I lost the habit, even though occasionally I would gt back to it.  Tried it in Fiji, but could not keep up.  

So, I started doing this again sometime ago.  As a way of gratitude and as a way of connecting to beings around me.  I started leaving some bread for the birds.  Now they know, so on the days I am late, they chirp louder to remind me.  I have tried different breads, they prefer white bread.  Also, sometimes I do make chapatis and leave it out. They like it better if the chapati is bit old and dry, so it is crunchy.  

However, we are surrounded by different kinds of birds.  Lucky us, ravens, magpies, a certain kind of nordic crow and small ones--sparrows and yellow breasted birds...we have a range. We also get to see hedgehogs and weasels in summer.  If you go walking in the woods, some days a young deer might stare at you through their doe eyes....

But nature functions on a rule.  We call it Matysa-Nyaya.  The rule of the fish.  You know, the big fish eats the little fish, lion eats the lamb....that's nature.  No judgement, no meanness, just is, following 'their own' nature. And yet getting respect from us, for who they are. Snakes are revered in Asia, by the way. Why?  They shed off their skin and therefore represent the wisdom of throwing off the past.  And a reminder that nothing ever stays.

Heard/saw a few weeks ago on social media that a snake had died in a suburban area and a woman was seen feeding him water towards the last minutes of his life.  But also that they asked a priest to perform his last rites.  And he was buried with proper honour.  Does not mean that you do not fear him or are not careful around him. A snake is a snake is a snake.  But as snake is also being, important to ecology and a symbol of wisdom.  According to Hindu cosmology Vishnu the God who incarnates most often, associated with preservation of his world, also incarnates with his companion, the hooded cobra.  Both --often take a human form. 

So back to my bird-feeding.  According to the Matsya nyaya-the large birds come swooping down and the little ones get only the left-over crumbs.  Story of this world.  But the above picture of the small one was taken when I saw how she sat on the plate, almost owning it, 'Ok, now its my time to feed'.  Felt sorry for her, but was happy that something was left for her and the fact that her stomach was not too big.  

So nature takes care of things in its own way.  Ah so important to have nature as a part of our religion, so that we see everything as an extension of prakriti--nature.  

Ever think, that the word nature is not just for the nature, but actually also 'our natures'? What is natural, self-occurring, how can we ignore it.  And imagine if we had not ignore it, where would the environmental health of our planet be?

So ending with a good news. Iceland has officially started to worship 'Thor' and there are similar incidences in Norway and some African countries (they worship their own gods). Geography can only be local, and reverence for nature and the natural should be based on that wisdom. 

That's how you return to nature after all---by being rooted in the land, in the local...

And when you know that, you understand everything from the way water moves in your area, and the way the birds chirp, you have a relationship with, you think of stray animals and trespassing birds, and lurking snakes and tiny ants---for they all contribute to the health of this planet ---and ours of course....

Apologies

Dear Readers:

If you have been getting notices for old posts, please ignore them, unless you want to read them again.  I had to switch a few things on the website and had to make them unavailable for a while. When I update the posts, even though they are posted on their old dates, you still get notices.
Pardon and have a great Sunday...

JUGAAD: We Fix EVERYTHING!!

Here is Delhi. An aspect of Delhi, as is India.  There is a fix for everything.  Here is a young man fixing an umbrella. Rather than being thrown because it is cheaper to buy a new one and because we have lost skills to fix something. 

While there are tested ways of 'really fixing something' there is also something in India called JUGAAD, meaning temporary solution, usually honest but can also sometimes mean 'not all that honest' but an 'innovative solution'.  It ends up being temporary, but does the job and make things last long.  The dishonest part is what people made it, as in 'do you know someone who can get me that gig, do you have a Jugaad?'.  But India has had a long tradition of innovative solutions.  Infact, it is the modernisation with a throwaway culture that is messing it up.  Infact, someone even wrote a book on JUGAAD (click here)

PS: This is the street I grew up on.  It is much crowded today than it was 25 years ago.  But the fact is that we have 20 times more cars on the streets than there were 25 years ago...sad in many ways. 

I usually take pics of these young, skilful 'fixer of all things-men' .  For all the talk of environment, these are the people we need to invest in.  I will share more photographs of shoemakers and shoe-repairers, and those who repair your televisions and radios and mixers and blenders --those who repair dresses, and know how to 'darn' a special skill of using threads in the fabric to cover a hole or a tear--If our expensive dresses, silk and brocade got a tear, we would take it to the dry-cleaners, who also had a special darning service.  In a matter of days it would be fixed, given the fabric a new life. 

These are the skills that need to be developed and these are the people that need to be honoured.  They are the ones truly maintaining 'sustainable living'.  Rather than brands like Eddie Bauer and others charging an extra dollar to your purchase to save the forests (they used to do that). 

Jugaad and simple solutions were so common for us, that even as a teen I had learnt things like fixing a fuse, and old cables (sometimes a dangerous thing to do).  

Then there is India, where all of this and all of the future exists at the same time.  

Here is one on door to door service of food being sold.  A Very Asian process!! I have seen that all over South East Asia and in South Asia.  So, while you have malls and supermarkets these folks still come to your house to deliver your favourite fruits and veggies at a special cost. Imagine how much time it saves.  But then again, imagine how much social it allows for those living alone.  Then imagine the layered relationships that people have, with all sections of the society.  

All of this Jugaad thinking is also propelling the nation into innovation solutions.  After all it is all about the thinking.  Remember the famous joke--'Americans spent millions on researching creating a pen to be used in space, where as Russians simply used a pencil?'

For those interested, you can learn more about JUGAAD thinking can lead to some innovative solutions even in technology and help many---in these ted talks.  Enjoy and share your thoughts if you wish....and remember JUGAAD can fix anything --but broken hearts!! :) :( :) 

1. Creative problem solving--

2. Jugaad Innovatoin: Jagdeep Prabhu

For Valentine's Day!!

From Feb 16, 2018--this comes a day late...but wish you all love --not romance as it is told, but love. Will write about this later.  For now, just wish you the warmth of love, amorous and agape... 
 A collection of pics that will make you all smile....None of these pictures are mine....

Please notice the expression of of both the mothers.  And the little one whose expressions are visible...

Simple --Dainty--Ladylike--and Au Natural!!

And this one has a special meaning.  When I was sharing this with my sister, her little one looked at it and said, 'How much off if you bring your mother along? 0%?' Don't think he realises how funny that was on so ooo many levels.  He just turned eight only a couple of weeks ago!!

Back to HatLand!

So this was first published on October 25, 2010. More than 9 years ago and my first year in Sweden. I remember thinking, ok now I can get back to my hats and sweaters. I used to collect hats. Not any more. Time, age and interest all change. And it is really cold, you ought to be practical. Mossa, the soft knitted or wool hats are the most used. Then there are the fur hats, that I wear sometime. Like the ones you see in Dr. Zhivago. You know the Russian Kind. Then there is a that special strip that covers your ears. Finally, I got to use ear muffs at some point. But the last two years its been so warm in Christmas. And Goteborg where i spent the last semester, is fairly warm. I did not even need gloves. As much as I love snow, i won't deny I enjoy it.


So here is this for you to read. I remember sharing it with a friend's son, who was 11 at the time. He read the whole thing and then wrote me an email 'Didn't know someone could write so much about hats!!'. Kids, as they are...

Hope you enjoy this.

Yes the images are altered!!

Simple tools allow us to alter images drastically. Here, the features used are saturation, tint, and altering the contrast of the original.

Although it was a sunny day here on September 15, 2010, I could feel the chill. 

Yesterday (September 28), we experienced minus 2 degrees centigrade.

My coldest September ever. 

Inside the house, without any heat, we can feel the drop in temperature late August and have to turn on the heat. I am still not at a complaining stage. Not Yet.
Funnily enough, I enjoy it. 

But when I compare to my September in Pennsylvania which was always pleasantly warm, this is really cold. In Pennsylvania, one starts wearing jackets middle or late October. But here it seems that we never really pack our sweat shirts and fleece jackets. Even in June, the rainiest of month. 

On this blog, I have tried to keep away from personal stuff. I write generic thoughts with wide applicability. Then the personal stuff goes in ‘several’ of my journals, which is getting difficult to maintain. Reading and writing are a part of my day job. There’s not a single day when I do not have to read or write. 

I think meditation should be a required subject at all levels of education. A little talk on meditation will come later. In another blog entry. 

Today I wanted to write about my love of hats. And a need for them as well.

Even as a child, I loved hats. May be because I did not like my face much, hats were a perfect accessory. But in winters, in North India, you need them. 

Then my decade and a half (nearly) in the US (east coast) made them a necessity. I used some cotton ones in Fiji, but what I really needed there were straw hats and baseball hats. I wore both. But not often. I just got used to sweltering heat, and sweat beads trickling down my face. 

Over the years, I have piled up a good collection of hats and scarves. All colors and sizes.
Around mid September I pulled my hats out, from the suitcase that has barely been opened in the last five years. It has my woolens. I took out crumpled sweaters, wrinkled scarfs and bent out-of-shape hats. 

This one, plain cotton, slightly stretchable, solid black, looks almost like an Amish hat. The first thought that came to my mind as I walked out the door, and realized everything just fit-- was…

“Ah, Back to Hatland!!”

Although slightly formal, it did not feel out of place, and fit well. I remember D, a friend from Penn State saying, you wear these with a “panache”. Someone else had called me a ‘topiwali’--the wo(man) with hats.

However, I always thought of hats, as both a necessity in winters and a symbol of cultural pride. 

Hats, like outfits, are indicators of their geography and occasions. Or they used to be. The ones with feathers, the ones with embroidery, velvet caps from Russia, Woolen caps from Afghanistan, the Gandhi cap, simple and modern enough to unite India, the baseball hat that has much wider and functional use now than just on the field or just in the US. Then there were several type of turbans in India. Sometimes to cover the head in cold climates, and sometimes as a protection from heat. I especially love the ones from Rajasthan, bright, colorful that don the heads of dark skinned men that lead the caravans, sing deep from the heart, and dance with the same abandon as does a peacock in rain. One look at them and I think of all the colors of rainbow!! And the simplicity with which they carry themselves.

My closest contact with them was at Apna Ustav (Our festival), a country wide festival of folk culture in India organized by the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Folk artists came to schools and colleges and exposed us to their ways of life, singing, dancing, pottery, painting and much more. 

So, here in Sweden, a world far, far away from all that color and heat, I just felt a kinship with all the ‘hat people’ as I thought of all those lovely people and the various reasons for which they dress their heads.

In the middle of the day, while going out for lunch, I ran into a man who I had never seen before. 

He pointed at my head, moved his hand back and forward in emphasis, and said, “that is a perfect hat!!”. I loved his accent.

I, wanting to respond in Swedish, fumbling for words, could say nothing but gave me a smile too wide and broad for a cold, mildly sunny day and simple bowed from my waist. Almost like bowing to a king. I was thanking him for noticing!!

As, I walked away, I wished I had said something but I think my gesture was expressive enough. And not always are my jokes and gestures understood, because of the language. Learning Swedish is taking time. Men, svenska inte latt (But, Swedish isn’t easy).

Two days later, I ran into him again. This time I was without a hat, but my smile was just as bright, and he said, “you are just a happy, happy person, both inside out.”

“Thank you”. Although at mid day I had already had a long day.

He pointed at a ‘cross’ on my backpack’s strap. You from Switzerland?

“No, from India, but ….”

“The US?”

“I lived there a long time...and you?”

“I am from Alabama maself.” This time I definitely heard a twang. Ah, so that was the accent.

“Really?” I wondered if he is just putting the accent on.

Look, he pointed at a sticker of the US Flag, pasted on his cart. “I came here many years ago, married a Swedish woman, started a family,” he leaned against the cart, “and now can’t get out.” and smiled regardless of his words. 

I still thought he was joking. 

“You must like it here though”

“Something like that.”

For a short while, I was home, and I connected as I would with someone I consider from ‘home’. I never lived in the South, but those division diminish with distance. And the US is the US and a little southern ‘twang’ can even sound close to home and heart. Much that I am deeply grateful that I left the US, every once in a while I get separation pangs. It is as if you got to know something and then were not allowed to claim it. The love of lands and those things that come with it, be it hats, or accents, is much like the deep romantic love, that is never lost, even when it may never see fruition. No matter how many ‘new’ or ‘practical’ loves come between you and your beloved. And one memory can bridge the distance, and melt the heart. 

\
Surreal? no!! super surreal!!

I have seen him one more time since. He told me that with the years his trips to the US have reduced. He reiterated the same thing that a gentleman I met in England way back in the 90s had said to me, “If you decide to go back, do it when you are young, first I missed my siblings and parents, now I can’t live without my children.”

Always a prisoner, I thought, of love. May be fear is a better word. Fear of being alone, which we remain no matter what, no matter where, no matter with who.
What he said made me think of both the enormity and precariousness of my own continent hopping lifestyle, and yet acknowledge my miniscule, inconsequential existence. I remain everywhere, and yet complain when I am inside my skin. I am ‘every woman’ and ‘man’ who struggles to find meaning, yet limited to the ways in which I want to seek it.

For a few moments I was silent inside. Just like we all are, for a fraction of a second, right before we realize any level of intensity in our mind...pain, pleasure, joy, euphoria. If you notice, right between the stimulus and response there is a split moment, when we are simply too immersed in it to think or react. That, interestingly, is also the moment when we do not relate to anything and exist in the absolute present, Shortly after that silence and acknowledging that all the issues I struggle with still remain unresolved, I walked on my way, albeit with a smile. 

My family knows that I have an old habit of breaking into songs when there is nothing left to say…..and this time, here is what came to mind…..an old favorite, featuring one of my favorite faces in the world…(you will know who…)
Jeevan ke din chote sahi,Hum bhi bade dil waleKal ki hamein phursat kahanSochen jo hum matwale

Short are the days of life
[But] we have large hearts
Who shall worry about tomorrow [I say]?
[when] we are carefree & [too] busy enjoying today!
Welcome to HatLand!!
Where under the warmth and shades of hats,
with reduced hours of light,
Lengthened hours indoors
the head and the heart unite!!
(PS: This meaningless rhyming of words is mine!).
PS: Here is someone who can sing pretty good himself.

Holding On, Letting Go: Kan Orka/Orkar Inte

PS: 371st Post!!  Yeah!!

See this?  the blue light on the eye of the city? Goteborg?  This is an Nojesfall, an amusement park. It name? Liseberg Park.  It has one of the oldest roller coasters in the country. Might even be in the world. In summers it is an amusement park.  In autumn, a haunted house and in winter, a dream land!

It is decorated every Christmas like a magic kingdom.  Every evening after I was done with the class and some work, I would walk up to the park just to view this.  However, did not realise until later that its 'other entrance' was only 200 metres from the hostel that I was staying it. 

Hmm---when we are not awake and paying attention.  But also when we have goals we run after them...sometimes not realising that using short cuts is not cheating but 'smarts'!!

Wish I had been awake!! Many years ago.  But its taken me time, some--time.

That is the value of mentors.  They shine light on things you need to do. Remind you of things that you are passionate about.  Highlight your skills and passions. 

Finally, I went to Lisberg park again this year--.  But only for a few hours. Had nothing to eat because all the food is greasy, starchy, sugary and absolutely delicious!!  But I was there only a short time--with an idea of making a short film.  I got some footage --might share it with you all. But I am starting a separate youtube channel. The thing is that at some point I might start using my name, but I love this blog and the freedom it provides me. 

So, I stay without a name. Or just an accidentally seasoned hobo!!

So, just a bit about me as a person or as I perceive myself.  Nothing personal.  But an observation.  I used to be this deeply calm person.  Meaning there was little that would make me angry.  I always wondered, why I never got angry.  Yes, sometimes at family.  But I had had no argument with anyone, until I was in my mid-twenties and already lived on my own for nearly half a decade. Which is huge at that age.

At some point, I snapped. I wrote letters and remembered sending gifts, and remembered birthdays and made cooked huge meals for people---but then---in return there were arguments, put downs, silent treatments and unfair accusations. 

Or so it seemed to me. What ever it was, I lost my calm.  From then on, I would oscillate between being absolutely saintly and irritated all the time.

Let me be very clear, while our present day world tells us that marriage etc. are not important, it is a stage in life that is necessary. It allows you to become a part of a larger context.  It is required for feeling whole.  Because whether or not people get married, they 'couple'.  They find live in partners.  They co-habit. Not calling it marriage does not take away from the fact, that the aim is still to get all the benefits that marriage was supposed to provide, without the sacredness of marriage. 

Recently, there is something else I have added to my list of thoughts---marriage keeps a lot of 'crazy out'.  Most people are nuts. Yes. Women have an added advantage of being emotional and get away with unreasonableness for nearly a week every month (hence using them in combat is not without its dangers).

So marriage is required. You can call it cohabitation.

In my case there was marriage or nothing. So, well, one thing it was.

When you are open to the world in that way, you need to learn to ride on or hide from the tides.  But what if you are walking towards them?  Financial insecurity, lack of mentorship, burglaries, confusion of national and cultural identity, dry period of friendships?? You must weather it all. 

With grace? Sure--how possible it is? Det beror på!! (it depends).

For my own sanity, I need to learn about how to get back to sanity.  And have been doing so for the last decade.  But more importantly for the last 4 years.  I fail many times, but then again, I rise up. Dust myself and start walking again. 

A friend of mine mocked me, 'You think you are spiritual huh?' said the person.

'But spirituality is a process' I retorted/or replied.  And it is.

Been reading about neuroticism.  Because of some irrational arguments with people. 

Neuroticism is not diagnosed, it is not a mental illness but a personality trait. More women than men.

Spirituality can bring a way of 'putting a break, a pause' to that neuroticism. 

So much can be said here. But I have had a dialogue with myself for the last several years. I am going to sit down and ask myself, where is the 'love'? Friendship. and Is this a friend I can lean on when I miss? mismanage? fail? behave badly? Or must I always be on my best behaviour (which mostly I am, and I go out of my way to be there for others). 

In that I have realised that I truly do not have much energy to keep giving. I have to get back to my career and a few relationships that matter to me. Those who have stood by me.

Orkar inte as they say in Swedish. I have no energy!

Working on the old adage---

Let go of people and see if they return.  If they return the friendship was strong to begin with. If not, then length of the friendship had nothing to do with strength.  

And in that case, there is nothing you can do about it.  Neurotic folks, yes me included, will continue to think about it for years.  But it is a dog chasing its tail.  No end to it.

Every once in a while, get that dull, monotonous tasting Chamomile tea out, sit down twiddling your thumbs and recognise the energy that these thoughts are taking. 

Take a deep breath in and breath out!!

Stand up and walk into the magic, that is our life!!