Savvy Raj

Live Life Lovingly!

Monthly Archives: November 2017


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What do you see? 

When I shared this  beautiful picture of the Jacaranda Trees on  the social media yesterday this post got a lot of responses… and continues to pour in still. Perhaps it touches the chord of connectedness somewhere amidst the roots.

Am highlighting a few learnings along the way for me through this post.

 My friend  John Rylance mentioned about how much the beautiful work  ‘ Endymion’ the poem with the opening line ….

‘A thing of beauty is a joy for ever’   by John Keats applies to this picture .  In his words ..

So much of this poem reflects your Jacaranda tree picture, it could so easily be an illustration to accompany the work.@John Rylance

Sharing a  few curated verses  from the poem Endymion-

A thing-beauty-joy-ever…
Paths there were many, 

Winding through palmy fern, and rushes fenny,

 And ivy banks; all leading pleasantly To a wide lawn,

 whence one could only see Stems thronging all around between 

the swell Of turf and slanting branches: who could tell

 The freshness of the space of heaven above, 

Edg’d round with dark tree tops? through which a dove

 Would often beat its wings, and often too 

A little cloud would move across the blue. 

 

Endymion is a poem by John Keats first published in 1818. It begins with the line “A thing of beauty is a joy for ever”. Endymion is written in rhyming couplets in iambic pentameter. Wikipedia Originally published: 1818



I also came across the video clip about these trees there.. 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QW61D92WV1I

In response my friends Claire Cardwell and Gert Scholtz mentioned about Pretoria and Johanesburg in South Africa having huge number of these trees still.. inspite of the opposition to these  so called alien invasions …


  @Savvy Raj there was a very vocal minority a few years back that wanted to chop down all the Jacaranda trees as they are not indigenous to South Africa. Fortunately the majority over-ruled them! You can’t however now buy a Jacaranda sapling at the nursery to plant in your garden. I do love them, I think the best places to see them in Joburg are in Linden, Northcliff Hill and in an office block in Rosebank – looking down all you can see is purple. Thanks for the post!  Claire Cardwell 


  @Savvy Raj Jacaranda’s are truly beautiful. They bloom this time of year and our street plus many surrounding areas are covered with bright blue-purple flowers. Pretoria is known as the Jacaranda city, but Johannesburg where I live, actually has more of these trees lining the streets. Very nice post Savvy – thanks for the video too.



 A thing of beauty is a joy forever indeed! 

Thank you all for your amazing contributions.  

https://youtu.be/bKlDqgKtpRY

And then as  I happened to share this photograph  with my family and here is what my mother comes up with…

“The twisted branches signify the conflicts in our wavering minds and the clarity of the sky  of the blue in the background with the bewitching pink flowers assures us of the positive solutions at the end .” Anjana 

Indeed so much learnings in the sharings …

What did you see in the picture ?


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Ethereal

 

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This beautiful photograph of the Jacaranda Tree is a sight to behold . I have always liked to see  pictures of these  purple and  pink  and lavender blue trees .

But this particular picture … it was pure fascination!

Could I write verses on it…. perhaps! Cos it feels like serenedipity everytime I see it. There is so much pleasantness in that picture for me … I am guessing I am simply partial to all those hues and tones right there juxtaposed so delightfully. Quite like the essence of a prolific poem understated and unassuming.

Yet poetry is not on my mind today…

In fact what I am drawn to here is the delicate draw of balance of colour and composition. The brilliant blues of the sky entices the viewer as much  the hints of hues of greens  and pink just about show up  ever so delicately amidst the starkness of the stems from  betwixst and between the branches of this bewitching tree.

And thats not all … there is so much more to that tree and this photograph is just a hint of whats in the offing….

There is certain sense of ambiguity  yet an attribution of knowing there is much much more beyond the visible.

In fact when you actually see, it is the beauty of the skylight seen through the canopy of pink flowers amidst those branches all captured in that one enthralling moment.

And like  nothings is ever permanent  and perfect,  there always comes the scope of change even in so much balance in that stillness of the movement so precariously precise in the picture.

 

The trick is to be aware of balance

Appreciate the now for what it is

It offers much if you choose to see.

So perfect in its imperfections

A sense of the almost ethreal…

 

 

Here are a few facts on Jacaranda Tree.

The Jacaranda flowers are known to flutter down continously from the tree.The trees are native to South and Central America  and now are also seen in many tropical areas of the world.

Pretoria in South Africa is known to be The Jacaranda City for the huge number the these trees planted in parks steets and gardens.So much so that when seen from the nearby hills the city is known  to appears blue/purple in colour.

The word Jacaranda means fragrant in a South American dialect and depending on their species  they have blue to white to  lavender pink to purple shades of flowers. They are known to grow as tall as 20 to 30 metres in height in their lifetime which can span  from 50 toover 70 years or so.

And because of that one picture I choose to look up and discover these tidbits … .Do share if you find some more about this tree.

Savvy Raj

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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Circle of thoughts.12

 

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Thoughts may come and go

It is the thoughts we care to uphold

That makes us who we are

Thoughts may seem powered by their own momentumn

Unique and unparalleled

Thoughts are the signatures of our souls.

Savvy Raj

 This above  digital artwork  Titled ‘Circles of thoughts,12 is a creative interpretation of encircling thoughts, The verses that follow is the 12thpart of my series of micro poems on interconnecting thoughts. 

Savvy 



To be contd … 

Related links to read more…

/https://savvyraj.com/circles-of-thoughts/1

/https://savvyraj.com/circle-of-thoughts-2/

https://savvyraj.com/2017/06/03/circle-of-thoughts-3

https://savvyraj.com/2017/06/06/circle-of-thoughts-4/

https://savvyraj.com/2017/06/08/circle-of-thoughts-5/

https://savvyraj.com/2017/06/08/circle-of-thoughts-6/

https://savvyraj.com/2017/06/08/circle-of-thoughts-7/

http://wp.me/p6a0yZ-1hZ

https://savvyraj.com/2017/06/17/circle-of-thoughts-8

https://savvyraj.com/2017/06/18/circle-of-thoughts-9

https://savvyraj.com/2017/07/01/circle-of-thoughts-10

 


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On Perseverance

 

Here is a beautiful story share… 

 

One day i decided to quit

I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality… I wanted to quit my life.

I went to the woods to have one last talk with god

“God”, I asked,

“Can you give me one good reason not to quit?”.

His answer surprised me…

“Look around”, He said. “Do you see the fern and the bamboo ?

“Yes”, I replied.

“When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them.

I gave them light.I gave them water.The fern quickly grew from the earth.

Its brilliant green covered the floor.Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.

And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. He said.

“In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.But I would not quit.

In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would not quit.” He said.

“Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant…But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.

It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive.I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle.”

He asked me. “Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots”.

“I would not quit on the bamboo.I will never quit on you.”

“Don’t compare yourself to others.” He said.”The bamboo had a different Purpose than the fern.

Yet they both make the forest beautiful.””Your time will come”, God said to me.

“You will rise high”.
Is
“How high should I rise?” I asked.

“How high will the bamboo rise?” He asked in return.

“As high as it can?” I questioned.”Yes.” He said, “Give Me glory by rising as high as you can.”

I left the forest and brought back this story.I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you.Never, Never, Never, Give up.

 


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Intend well,live well!

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Spend time on that which you love

It is beautiful to reflect and revel in joyfulness

Cos it does your body  mind and spirit

A whole deal of good.

Contrary to opinion of what mindfulness is … being in the now is also about being able to witness the joys of your life in the sensing but  without dependence.

Your own lifes better moments are deeply healing experience for your state of being.

The neurons that fire in the rememberance of positive experiences can bring association of memory banks long long forgotten in time.  And suddenly you find yourself recharged, reinvigourated and regenerated in the wake of such moments.

Mindfulness comes to play in the simple witnessing and letting the memory move on in time naturally as it would rather than wallowing in the wake of  and in the aftermath of  happy memories.

So next time you find yourself in the beautiful times of the then, dont worry, a lot of healing is  taking place sub consciously. Just take care to cross the bridge of the then to the now, steering away consciously and gradually from any self remorse and self pity.

This is where  cultivation of gratitude comes in to help simply feeling grateful to have had some very blessed moments, and that creates space for abundance to move into your present moment.

Have a blessed day and blessed life!

You are your deepest intention.

Intend well. Live well.

Savvy Raj

 

Although I am no medical expert this  reflection has come simply from many of my personal observations in life and living.  As a dance educator and trainer,  and having facilitated workshops for many seniors  I have been blessed with many beautiful memories . But more specifically have been a witness to how fond recollections can be for them of a take back in time when I play music of 40s and 60s with dances from that era. Suddenly their faces light up with smiles and there is a spring in their steps.

There are so many incidents of positive reflections  that come to mind and touch my heart….I  particularly remember one of my senior most student at a glorious 89, mentioning to me excitedly how even a single class on a Monday evening  would have them charged up with positivity for the whole week ahead . I know it is not just about the dance form but about the triggered  recollections of the joyous times of the then and  its associations that made their day !  The goodwill and cheer was almost palpable. Life is truly to live than just exist!
Savvy Raj


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Dancing to what moves you.

Love Dancing?

Are you drawn to the art of movement? Do you wish to dance but are confused where to begin and how to take the first step into the world of dance? Read on…

 

First of all it is essential to find that dance form  which moves you. But before that  it would be a good idea to ask yourself if you are the kind of person who is a team player or someone who enjoys solo dancing.

  If you  are kind who enjoys social dancing with a partner there are a plethora of  dance forms you can learn, but yes the ideal situation is that you have a willing partner who enjoys dancing as much as you do!

Learning even the basics of some partner dance forms that appeal to you and your taste of music and tempo is a wonderful way to step into the world of dancing. 

Its important to remember that just like our choices are not static but actually evolve with time, in an ever evolving world of movement,  dances too evolve with changing trends and generations … thus it is the study  and practice of the concepts and techniques that play an important role in developing your skills and enhance your dancing.

If you are interested in learning to dance ..it would be good to be aware of the depth of your interest, whether its just as a passing fancy, a fad to learn something new,or to learn because of a deeper connect that you feel every time you dance, or even as you watch other people dancing. An honest self appraisal would be helpful in deciding what the next course of action should be. If you feel the connect I am talking about, get going and start of with some dancing lessons for yourself now!  

 If you wish to discuss more on your dance related queries feel free to reach out here savvy@danceconcepts.in.

Savvy Raj 

Member International Dance Council 

UNESCO


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A sensing in the tasting .

 I sip the tea in front of me . I sense the taste engulfing my mouth  proactively therefore the tea is to me a certainity  but the tea is simply a matter , an ingredient dissolved in a concotion passing on the many stages of creation to purpose to  dissolution and therefore so are we  like the tea ourselves to a more evolved species or beings, that we may yet in time encounter .. are we all not connected matter to matter energy to energy  as frequencies  in the finite and the infinite of the interbeing in form and purpose. 

And yet we think of  ourselves so absolutely,  so certain of our ingrained ways …and assume much significance through the mask of self importance.  Just perhaps we also must try to sense a bit more and consider in seeing ourselves and others just like beings at different stages like the tea , each special and relevant in its own way to the whole,  whatever the shape or form.  For like unbrewed to the brewed tea  from tender leaves that are easily blendable, and adaptable  to the mature leave strengthened of flavour of experience of life and living , each evolving in the spaces between the certainity and  uncertainity of life and living …. all in that one sip itself ! 

Just transitions of thoughts 

Of the tree of life 

Of leaves in the being 

From human to tea 

Leaving much to imagination 

In the sensing .

For nothing is insignificant 

When each evolves in time 

To fulfill  its purpose of being .

Savvy 

 
Haha! I know this is crazy… coming from a non tea drinker but just had to share as  …all came from just a sip of this fresh hot tea on a cold winters day!😊

 


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On Interconnects 

For we cannot survive alone  in islands of our own making… 

Life truly  thrives in the interconnects 

Give and partake,  share and receive 

The gifts of abundance are strewn aplenty across

If we choose to truly see with open hearts. 

Savvy Raj 


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On Life Management.

Wisdom truly lies in the art of  management of two principles in life : one of never giving up and the other of letting go.

On one side is a dedication, discipline  and determination  and on  the other is the  dispassionate discernment and in learning to surrender to balance the ego within.  Every attempt at achieving such a state of balance can be a great tool for learning to evolve with the wisdom.
For life is to evolve and not simply dissolve

For life is to live and not simply exist.

Take the path of purpose in faith trust and belief

Flow along with the path of light in passion and dedication .

And allow life to manifest its infinite abundance.

 

There is an exemplary account of life lived in such a path of evolution and enlightenment

Sharing the great visionary  of India Swami Vivekananda’s  account of  life story in his  own words here  ….

 “When you travel on this path of shraddha, (faith) veerya, (courage ) smiriti, (that which is remembered) you have to go through three phases.  The first phase is Haasya (laughter/humour). People will make fun of you. Face them. Accept them. When you are taunted, reply in the same tone of haasya. Then slowly the inner consciousness starts evolving. Then comes the second stage ‘Virodha’.(opposition/ hostility) The same people will start opposing your stance – Accept all the opposition. Don’t fight with anybody. Don’t argue. The moment you get into the argument, then you are going to suffer. If you argue while you are going through lot of internal turmoil’s, conflicts and confusions, you will not be able to convince anybody. So, during the second part of sadhana, (dedicated practice)don’t argue with anybody. Convert the negativity into a positive fragrance and give this in return. Then comes the third stage of ‘Svekaara'(acceptance). The same people who laughed at you, the same people who threw stones, will do pranams ( respectful salutation)& accept you.

In my own life, I have experienced this but I had to pay heavily. Those who taught me became my students but only after I did tapas for 10 years continuously and silently. Understand one thing. Inner sadhana is not a revolution but an evolution. Revolution requires force, vengeance. Evolution requires love, humility and a great feeling of universal love. The consciousness has to evolve. This is an evolutionary process where the bud flowers. We have to allow time for the bud to flower. It will not flower in one day. It takes time. It has to receive proteins, vitamins and the necessary energy for all petals to open out. You have to have a great patience. You have to create an environment for the petals to bloom silently. This is Sadhana. “Swami Vivekananda

 

Any path of passionate dedication and discipline evolves you along in the strength of persevarance

To honor your path and vision is a task of a lifetime.

To steer clear of slack and sloth, lethargy and languidity  takes a  consistent mastering of the senses. 

To stay true to your chosen way and vision is a commitment  driven by your belief  and faith in your life’s purpose of being.

To know is to reach beyond the sensing of the  eternal truth of ones being . 

And  all the challenges happening along in the journey, will resolve in time on its own  as the intent and  focus remains unwavered.

 For life itself  is a spark of the divine consciousness.

Savvy Raj 


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On Being Grateful.

A beautiful and well meant message share came my way this morning … and I thought it was relevant enough to share ..

The qualification that gave you a job is the same qualification someone has who still does not have a job.
Be grateful.

The prayer that God answered for you is the same prayer others have been praying but without success.
Be grateful.

The road you use safely on a daily basis is the same road where many others lost their precious lives.
Be grateful.

The temple in which God blessed you is the same temple other people too worship in, yet their lives are still in discord.
Be grateful.

The rain that made your field produce good crops is the same rain that devastated someone else’s field.
Be grateful.

Be grateful because whatever you have is not by your power, your might , your talent or your qualifications, but it’s just the “Grace of God.” the giver of everything you have.

For everything you have, be grateful. 😍

Gratitude Rocks!

Savvy 


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Travel Trails

 

Musings on the Middle East:  Part 2


The Meet and Greets: 

While this trip to the Middle east, was a great getaway of sorts, between the work and pleasure,  it undoubtedly became a fodder for thought and much reflections in those moments of  chanced and planned connects  with some amazing people living there. And some of them  I met for the first time and bonded so instantly as if I knew them forever  and a few  who I knew for decades but didnt get to meet and connect earlier.

There were many more on my list of people who I wanted to meet but have left that for my next trip sooner than later.

Connects of empathy:

Meeting another human being for the first time is an enigmatic phenomenon. In todays age of technology although you may try to connect in so many ways online. Real time meet and greets hold their own a bag of surprises and treats in tow.
One such meet was planned … by me and  my dear warm hearted friend from online. Fatima.An eloquent writer with a heart of gold and a keenly developed insight of people and their resources who draws much strength in  positive reflections and most importantly a kind and brave heart following her dreams.

The  heartfelt connects established in moments of our first meeting was clearly visible. She treated me to an amazing  authentic Arabic  dinner that evening  and while catching up on our lives,  in between us was a complete ease of being which we both mutually sensed in the lovely ease of conversation and strength of connection in the little time we had that day. Her warm hospitality and generosity touched me and I truly  look forward to meeting her again sooner than later and wish her the best always from my heart.

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Then there was this local Arab woman dressed in the traditional Abhaya worn with the hijab and those alluring kohl rimmed eyes with whom I shared a lengthy conversation of their culture and learned much but who moved me in the  simplicity of her  words and in sharing her heart’s deepest desires for freedom of movement and  her eagerness in learning to dance…
Another  wonderful woman with whom my daughter and I shared a great rapport albeit in just a few minutes of conversation was a travel guide who invited us to her home in Abu Dhabi. We got talking about so many things in such a short span of time. We bonded without reservations.
There are many more truly endearing people I met and connected some who I managed to catch up with on phone …but simply put perhaps it is just my way of seeing but I found many friendly people from across the world living there making a living thriving in the tolerance and interconnects  that makes up  much of Dubai’s culture in recent times.

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And yes of course my visit to the traditional city  of Sharjah had its own share of charm . As the people I met there were my  very dear  friends  connecting after so long … yet the heartconnects were entrenched so deep that it felt home to me .

 

A short driving across the city  will lead you through the Corniche  where you can  stay on  to watch the beautiful Arabian Sunset  and may be drive further on to Al Ain as well.

 

Will not forget the trips to the Gold and Spice Souks and most of all the Creek and the dhow cruise on the creek one pleasant evening….

 


Foodwise :

Being a vegetarian I thought my choices would be limited to pizzas and pastas  and of course my saviour’ Subway’ besides the Indian food . But I was pleasantly surprised to find my flavour in Arabic food. Suffice to say the sumptous starters of the Arab cusine  and their  spiced tea was perfectly suited to my vegetarian and satvic senibilities. And I must thank my  dear friends, relatives and hosts who took so much care and put so much consideration while ordering  that I  will hold very fond memories of dining out in this delightful trip.

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Thanks to my amazing hosts I tried many dishes some  which were known  like the falafel and some  new to me…tabbouleh and  the zatar  and lentil soup 

were just divine. Midly aromatic and 

full of flavour  and bursting  with greens 

and a dash of lime . Awesome indeed!.

A city may be made of concrete

But homes are built with hearts

And life thrives in these homes.

Savvy

Precious time spent there…

About me: 

 

Wellness Mentor, Dance Educator & Writer, Motivational Speaker, Freelance Designer

‘Creativity stems from the acceptance of your authentic self. It is a never-ending journey of endless possibilities that is much beyond the pursuit of a hobby or craft and can be a habit of a lifetime. So besides being a Dance educator being a writer and a designer, creating art and writing poetry gives me immense satisfaction with the infinite ways of expressing myself as I believe in enjoying the journey as much as the destination.’

Travel Trails : From At the Top






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 Musings On Peace 

 Today I am glad to share my reflections on Peace  coupled with my mothers musings on Peace and expectations…

Already a lot has been said and written about this. So that many experts in different fields have shown so many ways to attain peace.

Peace- the ultimate human need even after reaching peaks of success in their fields.  It eludes even the so called achieved souls.

Men have various desires and find various ways to fulfill them. Need for wealth, health, love,  knowledge, family , status, fame, power, comforts… the list goes on.   To achieve them they go through various states  of hardships and  emotional turbulence . Perseverance, hardwork, focus and luck help them to achieve their goals.  But after attaining all these are they peaceful ?  

 Unfortunately the more one gains, the greater is the loss of inner peace. Loads of pressure weighs  us down . 

 The need for more never get satiated. Contentment is always on the other side of the river. Because our expectation  keeps on  increasing. From childhood  one has to live to the expectations of people surrounding them and in the process start expecting the same from all around them.

Whichever field  or whatever state, there is always expectations. Family, friend, society, teachers, work place,  children, lifestyle, appearance , behaviour fit to their age and status… Again it is endless. Peace still eludes . 

Like  the most difficult puzzles have very simple solutions, life problems also can be simplified. Just stop expecting from others or living to other’s expectations. 

One word mantra to peace 

Live , let live. Stop expecting.


Be yourself , let others be themselves. Never shy away or ignore social  responsibilities or inner values. Do without expectations.If every one adhers to this,’Peace’ will befriend the surrounding.

  

Do one’s duty, Be grateful , 

Be understanding. 

Be selfless – all without expectaions. 

With whomever  or wherever one be,  adopt and adjust without expectation , happiness and peace will follow.

Anjana

Living in this now is a sustaining yet exacting task and as every moment presents itself uniquely there is no game plan other than living in it, being at peace,sensing peace and spreading peace in every now as life plays on …So own up to your share of peace.

Savvy 


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Strength of Subtlety

All matter is energy 

And we are unique speckles of vibrations.

All resonating in the universality of life and living.
Trust you matter, more than you know 

Believe you can and are making a difference 

As you connect deeply in the universal flow 

Tune in to reflect the truth of your being.

 

Every word every deed 

Every step every move 

Impacts the larger whole 

Just as much as the world  around affects you.

So start with who and what is around you 

Sense your intuitive self talking to you 

Telling much in all its subtlety.
Trust it for it is abound

With the strength of the subtle energies.

Resonate joy, abundance, balance

Resonate love ,harmony and peace

 For you have the power to transform your world
Savvy 

 

 


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On Truth 

States of truth…

    “Asatho ma sathgamaya”

(Lead me from falsehood to Truth)

Truth

Is harsh, doesn’t mask with loveliness

Is strong, doesn’t weaken with time.

Is pure, doesn’t add false pretentions. 

Is courage, doesn’t waver in fear. 

Is patient, doesn’t hurry to get proven.

Is dignity, doesn’t require deceptions

Is power, doesn’t need strategies.

Is brave, doesn’t bend to threats

Is dare, doesn’t fear challenges

Is honest, doesn’t fall for greed.

Is genuine, doesn’t  have two faces

Is eternal, doesn’t get erased  in time.

Is  final, as it alone triumphs at the end.

Is Divine, The ultimate Reality.

Recently my post  …’On Truth’     www.savvyraj.com/on truth resonated with many  and I received many messages as well  on what it meant to some of my readers personally . 

But this morning I was thrilled to read my mothers reflections on the same …which I am  only too happy to share here …. and while she says ‘it is an echo of your reflections on truth”.  I think the above words are simply great reflections of being.

 

And now here is new share of my reflections on truth again ….

   “Ekam Sat vipraha, bahuda vadanthi” – Rigveda

Truth is One, wise call it by various names.