What is…
Inside of your mind
Is there peace?
Inside of your heart
Is there love?
Does it feel like a ocean wave
Is flowing through you…
Or a flame of hope rising like a phoenix
Can you hear the distant drums
And dream of hope in the yonder
Or the bells of divine chime within?
Where and how are you
Inside?
©Savvy Raj
Unconference, the word piqued my curiosity for a while until I checked it up on the internet, only to find that the idea has gained tremendous momentum across the globe.
The idea of un-structuring the ingrained structure seemed interesting to say the least, in creating spaces and possibilities to honour the learning.
Suffice to say recently, when I came across an Unconference event in the local newspaper I decided I must make a visit.
The venue of this Unconference was the well known Symbiosis School of Liberal Arts in Pune. I reached just in time for the proceedings to untold.
A customary registration ensued and I was greeted by a few volunteers with a relaxed warm and welcoming attitude. Clearly, the Unconference had started right there.
The word Conference kind of stiffens people up. There is a formal attitude, a thick air of competition to perform at their very best. There are fees and strict rules to adhere to. There are super busy organisers scurrying through and tension is writ large on their faces and their bodies as well are stressed out with expectations of the outcome of the event. Suited men and women whizz through looking super important. And yes there would be a Chief Guest of honour and a coterie of important people who need VIP handling… Adherence to their whims and fancies and most importantly their speeches which may or may not be of interest to any. But all must endure as to get up and leave is an offence to the speaker.
On the contrary here, there was a prevalent free-spirited feeling in the first place that all were in it together. The sense of community always takes time to build so I stood in that room with a small group of people waiting for the (informal introductory practice,) the opening circle.
The Opening Circle :
Someone from the group had taken an initiative to design a pretty pattern made of flowers in the centre of the space and light a lamp there.
A few introductory rounds later which turned out to be icebreakers with a few games to let loose and get into the flow.
There was a board set up with a mention of few rooms and a time slot to boot. The participants were encouraged to choose to attend or conduct workshops or just wander around and network.
A few people got up to mention their workshops and claim their slot. On a moment’s impulse although I was not exactly in the right attire for a dance workshop I simply decided to go with the flow and offered a Dance connection workshop by me.
Encouraged by a decent number of participants I let the moment take the lead. As I began teaching I witnessed the flow of the energy in the exchange.
I spoke about the dance, hold, frame and positioning and started introducing them to partner dancing and some basic steps. Bit by bit people shed inhibitions as they were getting tuned into the moves.
The moment strangers began to hold hands and face one another… for many, there was harmony to be found in the mirror imaging. For after all the lead and follow were simply an extension of each other dancing as one unit.
The energy in the room turned up a notch with the Achy Breaky Heart country cha sounds of Billy Ray Cyrus for company.
All started sensing the tuning in to the rhthymic expression of music & movement with their partners at that moment.
After the dance workshop I asked what they felt in that moment and here is what they shared immediately…
Deeply grateful!https://video.wordpress.com/embed/oSaZbzqt?hd=0&autoPlay=0&permalink=1&loop=0&preloadContent=metadata&muted=0&playsinline=0&controls=1&cover=1
The Give and Take
Truly to immerse yourself in that which you love all you have to do is to take a step … for your own good as much as for the others.
Essentially the whole experience was to me simply about honouring life energy in all its uniqueness of expression.
Great experience being a part of this interesting initiative!
Hope to see more of such initiatives across the country and our world.🙏
Savvy
#unconference #innovative #unconventional #life #positivity #appreciation #inspirations
Dance Educator, Writer, Artist, Designer, Wellness Mentor & Consultant
12 signs that show up an Empathic person.
1. Acknowledging another as they are
2. Being mindful of boundaries
2. Caring to confirm
3. Listening with Attention
4. Having patience
5. Sharing in authenticity
6. Allowing space for curiosity & growth
7. Behaving respectively
8. Being present & available
9. Respecting personal space
10.Valuing emotions in resonance
11.Holding space for perspectives
12. Showing care and offering comfort to another.
You may find a few empathic faces coming up in front of you after reading this… People who have been showing some or almost all of these signs.
Hold on to them. Learn from them Respect their ways… They have understood much about life and living and valuing the strength of the interconnects.
©Savvy Raj
Picasso
Watch this video of modern art as it happens!
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/gggdif1S11HPfDy3/?mibextid=TrneLp
Pablo Picasso was born in Spain. And lived in France for most of his adult life. He is a prolific artist with varied interests, his early naturalistic painting gave way to his famous modern art in his adult years. He is known for his ‘Artistic Versatility’ and also for painting from imagination. He is renowned for his unconventional & radical life & art and is influential for his development of Cubist style.
A few musings…
On Art & Acceptance
If Picasso was born in the east
Perhaps he would have had it tougher to touch the height of success.
For he was best born in the west
And live in the heart of liberalism
Where his technique was acknowledged and given wings.
He passionately painted his spirits strokes in freedom.
The eastern world has always been more traditional
Conservative & restrained
in art and life
Somewhere it took a long time
Catching up with the possibilities of creativity
Where chaos becomes art.
In chaos there is disorder
But in disorder is the arising of new creative possibilities
Envisioning in the unconventional a restructuring in the flow
Every stroke of the brush or ink on paper
Is indicative of thoughts and emotions in the brain behind the brush.
Of the development of hand eye brain integration
That creates art out of simply anything and everything.
And then, there is the viewer critic and the art dealer who see hope & possibilities in both the artist & his art.
Art is born in the mind of the artist
Art channels itself in the flow
Art is honed in the perspectives of critique
But art is realised and enjoyed in the acceptance of a patron
For then the art finds itself.
And the artist evolves.
©Savvy Raj
Blending in the intersections of Art & Science…
There is inspiration
Evoking enchantment
Of magic & mystique
In Spirituality & Fractality
Mermerizing movements
Exploring possibilities
Both inclusive & expansive Experiencing virtual world
Illusions become realistic
Innovations becomes reality…
©Savvy Raj
Each of us have experiences that associate with any word.
What thoughts come to you in associations with the word Water.
Water brings forth many associations immediately but most of all of grace and strength.
In thoughts of fluidity in the flow…
In the ease of adaptability & lightness of being
As well as the strength of its perseverance in its path…
I associate with the rhthymic expression of waves.
Gratitude for Grace of this blessing of water to drink
And of the freedom of movement,while revelling in the water.
What thoughts and associations come immediately to you for the word ‘Water’?
©Savvy Raj
The busier a person seems
The less the person works
The more they delegate
For they value of time
And getting things done on time.
They believe in themselves
And take themselves lightly.
How often have you wondered
How some people manage it all
People rushing between deadlines
People having meetings with them
Continously consistently
And yet they appear unruffled
With a great sense of humor
A smile playing on their faces
And steel in their nerves
It is all about their organisation
Of things that matter on priority
And the ability to delegate
That makes things happen.
One person cannot accomplish
As much as a team of people
Dedicated to a purpose
Built by a determined leader.
Who believes, ‘I can’
For then the quantity of work
Gets improved by the quality…
What are your thoughts? Do share.
Life is strange
Strange is life
Just like that
Life turns around
Difficult becomes easy
Miseries come to an end
Problems find a solution
Trust in a deliverance
Hope against hope
Keep the faith
Life finds a way
©savvyraj
There are always special moments in every one’s life
Making life meaningful and memorable
Often it’s pure serendipity…
When your memory jogs you to remember such a moment.
What makes the memory strong?
What you are associating it with,
That is what makes the memory stronger.
Next time pay attention to whatever you want to remember.
What emotions and feelings can you associate with it?
As your visualisation gets stronger
Your memory gets better and will fade lesser in time.
Now remember to visualise with vibrance.
Choose as you please,
Scents & fragrances of places
Nature & friendships
Colours of Emotions
In all its vividity &feelings.
Soon you will build on all the happy times.
Keep adding your treasure chest of memorable moments.
Someday you will be thankful for it.
©Savvy Raj
Creating anything
Requires trustfulness
Needs effort and focus
And ability to adapt
A willingness to attempt
Acceptance of errors
And perseverance to go on
To the shifting perspectives
In creative associations
Adding curiousity of a child
Of awe, wonder & joy.
©Savvy Raj
Moving beyond….bloom again
Did something happen?
Did you get hurt?
Are you in pain?
Do you keep hurting
Time and time again
Still thinking of it
Is it the circumstances
That repeat itself?
Or is it you who has to change?
Are you ready?
To work on your own self?
Cultivate your inner strength
Release let go pain
Let go slights & insults
Step by step
Bit by bit
Acknowledge the hurt
But overcome it
In practice learn to flow over it
And once you do
You move over it
Care to ask yourself
What is the hurt all about?
Where is it hurting the most?
Whatever your answer
Release it consciously
Let it go…
For the now is meant to change
Such is the truth of nature.
Its your life
You are responsible
To create a garden of your life
Make sure you strengthen
The walls with gratitude for life
Value the life in every now
Bloom some more
Be the best you can be!
©Savvy Raj
Someone asked me what spiritual growth means to me …
Here is what I spoke about in a nutshell
Harmony in mind body & spirit Integration in Self awareness
Developing greater understanding & Empathy
Humility & Kindness
Humanity & Compassion.
Living in the lightness of being
Acknowledging Grace in Gratitude
Sensing true freedom to be…for the self and others.
To flow with life in serenity. Sensing the joy in the ordinary.
It’s about acknowledging & sensing the space in around me
It’s about giving in the receiving and receiving in the giving
Witnessing the evolving patterns and freeing the self from limitations of the mind.
Evolving in the learnings, valuing the connection built in time.
A mindful & heartful practice in conscious awareness.
Letting go of unnecessary things
Understanding the value
Of the gift of life
Making life meaningful.
Living life lovingly!
And in knowing it’s so much more….
Please feel free to add what spiritual growth means to you?
©Savvy Raj
Sharing one of my favorites
THE DANCER
An Excerpt From The Wanderer by Khalil Gibran,
Once there came to the court of the Prince of Birkasha a dancer and her musicians. And she was admitted to the court. And she danced to the music of the flute, the lute, and the zither.
She danced the dance of flames and fire, and the dance of swords and spears; she danced the dance of stars and the dance of space, and then she danced the dance of flowers in the wind.
When she had finished, she approached the prince and bowed her body before him. The price bade her to come nearer, and said unto her, “Beautiful woman, daughter of grace and delight, whence comes your art? And how is it that you command all the elements in your rhythms and your rhymes?”
And the dancer came near and bowed her body again and said, “Gracious majesty, I know not the answer to your questionings. Only this I know: The philosopher soul dwells within his head, the poets soul dwells within his heart, the singers soul dwells about his throat, but the soul of the dancer abides in all her body.
You can’t talk Spirituality
You got to live it.
Often when life takes you far
Far away from it…
You got to know
The divine that you seek
Is with you in every moment
Your actions thoughts and words
Decides the distance between
You and your spiritual self.
©Savvy Raj
Savvy Raj 
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