Good Morning Light!!

Light, my light, the world-filling light,
the eye-kissing light,
heart-sweetening light!

Ah, the light dances, my darling, at the centre of my life 
the light strikes, my darling, the chords of my love;
the sky opens, the wind runs wild, laughter passes over the earth.

The butterflies spread their sails on the sea of light.
Lilies and jasmines surge up on the crest of the waves of light.

The light is shattered into gold on every cloud, my darling,
and it scatters gems in profusion.

Mirth spreads from leaf to leaf, my darling,
and gladness without measure.
The heaven's river has drowned its banks
and the flood of joy is abroad. 

Rabindranath Tagore

See It Anew

Thailand, 2011

Dear Readers: As few as you all are in numbers (yup, very aware :)---I apologise for this long silence. Returning after sick leave has not been all that easy. But in the last year, my writing has taken off and I have worked quite intensely.  More on that later. Previously I used to write a special note on the 'new year'--and a few other days, both here and in my hand-written journal.  Due to time, have not been able to do it. And since we are already three weeks into the year, I thought 'let it go'.  Yet, there is something about beginnings, something about newness, that we must be alight in our hearts---or else we miss the sparkle of days and magic of the nights!! So, here is a poem by my favourite author, that I think so fits, And suggests that, as we 'somewhat' cynical people look at another year--that may be, we should think of this year as filled with possibilities beyond our imagination, with a hope that our hearts will overflow with joy, and that all those who come into our vicinity will be left enchanted with a desire to live a thousand years!! 

Do not say, 'It is morning,' and dismiss it 

with a name of Yesterday,

See it for the first time as newborn child

that has no name--

Rabindranath Tagore.

May the Light of Knowledge Remove the Darkness of Ignorance: Shubh Deepawli

source: http://webneel.com/webneel/blog/diwali-greetings-card-collection-2

Its been busy, too much going on, but I did not want to miss this day and wish all those who came to this site a beautiful --bright-happy Diwali!!

The above image is from a 'rangoli' floor decoration, I made last year. On purpose using the Swastika, which has been so maligned because some folks in Europe did not know what it meant.  Swastika, literally means, a symbol of health and prosperity.  Cross, which has been associated with Christianity, is a very recent form of it. There are over 300 forms of Swastikas that exist, including the cross used by the Orthodox church. IN many native american communities it was used to symbolise the sun. Often times these rangolis are made of purely spices and edible stuff, e.g. cake and wheat flour, so that they may become food for the ants.  Such is the beauty of hinduism, that it recognises all life forms and they are to be respected just as much as human beings, and loved as we love Gods. For there is only one!! Only one life.

At the risk of sounding strange, I am going to leave a link here for a celebration that I just learnt about.  It is a part of Diwali celebrations in parts of India and nepal.  Tihar: meaning festival, is known by the animals and birds it pays respects to.  Dogs and possibly cats, cows and crows (representing birds).  So, folks, here is a celebration that is not just for humans, but makes sure we honor all life, especially because without them, we won't exist either.  This is knowledge!!

May the Light of Knowledge Remove the Darkness of Ignorance: Shubh (auspicious) Deepawli!!