Last week, we wound up watching a whole lot of movies. Here is a super quick review of the movies -

Ghosla ka khosla - decent
Corporate - pretty good
Monster house - fun
Devil wears prada - okay
My super ex-girlfriend - pathetic
E - horrible
Umrao Jaan - boring
Varalaaru - dont watch it

Other than these, we watch 'Nenjinile' on sun tv - hopelessly hopeless. And also 'Comfort and Joy' on Lifetime channel - it had a funny start to it, but we could not figure out the end at all.

"Enlightenment is a rare combination of innocence and intelligence, having words for expression and, at the same time, being very silent. In that state, the mind is fully in the present moment. Whatever is necessary is revealed to you in such a natural and spontaneous way, you just sit and the song of the nature flows through you".
                           -- Sri Sri Ravishankar

Happiness as a Practice

Being happy is a practice. Being unconditionally happy is a practice - "Come what may, today I'm going to smile. Anyway, everything is going to die! Everything is going to vanish and disappear - so what! Who cares! Let me at least be happy, smile this moment, enjoy my very breath."
                           -- Sri Sri Ravishankar

As a child, I grew up in an atmosphere of South Indian Carnatic music. I thought it was the best music form ever. The 'krithis' (songs) had deep spiritual connotations to them (Nadopasana). They were composed by perfected composers and they seemed to wash out all fears and doubts from the mind. It was definitely a 'pranayama' (breathing exercise) when those songs were sung in their correct 'Swara Sthaana' (notes), and it was particularly surreal when those Sanskrit syllables vibrated in the physical and subtle layers of our being. When the teacher would explain the meaning of a krithi, it would usher in more bhakthi and it did make music an positively emotional and religious experience. And as a child, I would feel cheerful and fresh after a 'paatu' (music) class. It does bring in a discipline in young children, who otherwise are so distracted.

I still have the same reverence towards the great composers, the same awe at the incredibly structured form of the music and the same calm and peace when I listen to those auspicious notes. But, I no longer seem to think it is the only best form of music. Last week, I was listening to Smooth Jazz on local radio. And suddenly I felt so light and lifted. The deep strains of the saxophone and the passion with which it was being played seems to strike a chord deep within me. I realised it is not in the music, it is in the musician. It is the passion and devotion that the musician lends to the music, breathing it out from his soul to the soul of the listener. And when the musician brings out the notes from the very core of his existence, they are 'perfect' notes, the most soulful notes and such a rendition reaches the listener at a different level. The music made by Carnatic composers is still so resonatingly divine because of the perfected state that they were in when they composed these eternal pieces.

It is the same 7 notes that are used in all forms of music. The way they are put together makes it the form of music that it becomes associated with. And the passion with which it is rendered makes it the perfection that it turns out to be. It took me so long to come to this. Well, isn't life a continuous learning process ?

Is relaying one's desires to God through prayers the right thing to do ? Or is taking in everything that comes by one's way in life the right thing to do ?

I think both these ways are right. When you take every simple thing to the Divine and seek God's help in obtaining it, it is called Surrender. And when you take in everything that comes your way without wanting to 'ask' God for anything in particular, it is called Acceptance.

Truly, Truth is spherical. There are just innumerable dimensions to just about everything in this creation. All I can do, as always, is 'wonder'!

Silent Music and Celebrative Dance

Pure, divine,
rhythmic notes,
toucheth the chord
of inner meaning

Cymbals, accordions,
even windy chimes,
bestir in it
a celebrative being

Oh God! I revel in
all that You make,
Yet, it is in the harmony
of music,
That my soul doth wake.

The intent of music is to lead us to silence. Melodious, contemplative music should take us to the depths of silence within us. The cause is sound, the effect: tranquil silence.

Many times, when we are at a temple - amidst the clatter of cymbals, percussions, bugles and the humdrum of a frenzy crowd, we feel the calm peace within. It is almost like the 'noise' outside forces us towards the quiet inside.

While listening to music that resonates pleasantly with the mind, the mind is progressively mellowed down and ultimately calmed to a state of 'no-mind'. We just let the musical energy take over us. It finally overrides the mind and touches a part of us that is beyond the mind. It is only then that the music actually ‘reaches’ us.

There are times when a mellifluous classical concert brings out involuntary tears to our eyes. Those are moments when the music actually touches us, moments when the soul understands the universal language of music emanating from the depths of another soul. Every note of the composition seems to reach us distinctly. Those are moments when we merge with the vast expanse of space within and feel an inexplicable connection with the outer cosmic space, moments when we feel light and heavy at the same time, cheerful and sober at the same time, open and judgmental, all at once. It almost feels like we have conquered the mirage of duality that governs the entire creation. Most importantly, those are moments when we feel that we have glimpsed ‘something’ within us, and that ‘something’ was nothing close to what we thought we were made of.

Music inspires, music invigorates, and music heals. But the deepest spiritual experience is the blissful silence that the self feels amidst those harmonious waves. And in that silence, the soul rejoices, dances and celebrates.

Peace.

Na Guror Adhikam Thathwam Na Guror Adhikam Thapaha |
Thathwa gnyanaath Param Naasthi Thasmai Sri Gurave namaha ||
There is no penance greater than the Guru. There is no essence beyond him.

Who is a Guru? Do we need a Guru? How does one identify his or her Guru? What is this relationship all about? What is the final destination?

Do I need a Guru? Once this question arises in a person’s mind, it signals the need for a Guru. Because, when we have questions for which we desire earnest answers, the person whom we seek and derive the answers from, becomes our Guru. The Sanskrit word “GuRu” has two syllables – “Gu” and “Ru”. “Gu” means Darkness and “Ru” means Remover.

When we meet our Guru (Master), we need no introduction. Words become superfluous. There is a connection made at a subtler level. After meeting him, seeking stops, blossoming begins; hankering for mundane pleasures stop, contentment fills in; restlessness ends, joy brims; expectations disappear, a service attitude develops; fear disappears, a permanent smile transfixes itself on our face. Every moment of living becomes pristine Bliss in his presence. The key is to feel the Presence of the Master. The Master is the Presence, not a relationship. Relationships can be broken, mended and broken again. There is craving and aversion in every relationship. All relationships go topsy-turvy, whereas the Presence is vast, infinite, stable and centered.

The Guru is there to remove all our imperfections, take in all our silly grievances, calm the restless mind and make us actually experience that - we are JOY, we are TRUTH and we are the pure consciousness that pervades the entire creation (Sat-Chit-Anandha).

The heart always yearns for the Guru’s presence and the knowledge that emanates from him. The abode of the Guru becomes the most enchanting place on earth. Sant Kabir said –

Guru Govind Dhovu Kade, Kaake Lagoo Paai
Balihaari Guru Aapne, Govind Dhiyo Bhathaai
If I had to choose between God and Guru, I would choose my Guru, for without him, I would have never known God.

One of Buddha’s disciples, after attaining enlightenment said that he would rather have remained ‘un-enlightened’, because in that state, he had his Guru and was able to drown in his grace and love, which was no longer the experience after self realization.

The Guru’s timeless wisdom helps us look beyond “small things” and view the world with a broader vision. His Love radiates impartially like the sun, requiring no expression in words and actions. His mere presence touches our inner being, fills us with so much of immeasurable love that tears of gratitude and joy flow continuously, with a smile forever transfixed on our face. There on, life appears so beautiful, charming and wonderful. We start looking at everything in awe, as though everything is a miracle. The quality of living is enhanced. Life becomes a celebration.

A disciple is simply there in the presence of the master, joyful, blissful and full of love. His heart breaks and love flows. And he feels the deep connection with the Guru. And gradually, he feels this connection with every animate and inanimate creation in this universe. He attains love. It is then the final destination is reached.

Mannathah Sri Jagannathah Madhguruhu Sri Jagadhguruhu |
Madh Athma Sarva Bhoothathma Thasmai Sri Gurave Namaha ||
My Lord is the Lord of the entire world. My Guru is the Guru to the entire creation. The SELF in me is the same as the SELF in every aspect of this creation. I salute the Guru who gives me this insight.

Peace.