Culturally India has seen many influences from the past to the present times. One of the fascinating things about Indian food is the variety of tastes distinctive in form and appeal from a melting pot of influences and different cultures.
A recent visit to one of the famous traditional Indian Thali eateries with my daughter in tow turned out to be quite a delightful experience…
The Plating: An experience in itself.
The Thali is a distinct offering of varied dishes served on a platter.
The thali or the round plate of food depicts the unique way food is consumed. A visual treat of an assortment of delicacies laid out a plate served in many small little cups, bowls or katoris as they are called.
The richness of the food prepared makes it food fit for a king. For the Indian kings were known to have a history of cooks or Maharaja as they were fondly called had a special place in their lives. The Maharajas thali is a reflection of the opulence of those times.
A plethora of foods prepared in copious amounts and served in unlimited ways back then formed the foundation of the thali experience in today’s times.
The taste: What can be said but the words… A privy to the pleasures of the palate. its all taken care’ of as truly every taste is blended in beautifully in the thali from sweet salty sour spicy, bitter pungent astringent and more …
Found this proudly displayed for those interested in selfies! Replete with a grand turban… A (Maharaja ) king’s chair for a king’s (Maharaja’s) meal.
Cushy and comfy seating in a neat and well-maintained arrangement.
The Service :
Very unique and almost in a meticulous and methodical precision. They have unique sign language to communicate nonverbally between themselves as to how and where what needs to be served. It is such a refined and discreet practice when you actually begin to take note of it.
The result is a smooth rollout of flavours in a flow and you are left flabbergasted at the number of items on the menu.
The typical meal ensures a heady sensory experience on your palate. The usual all-time favourites have been the Gujarati Kadi and Dal and Khichidi as well as the Bhakri and Dal Bhatti. The sweet tooth cravings get deeply satiated with the often repeated Moong Dal Halwa and Basundi which transports you a few steps to heaven and back makes eating a thali like this all a totally unforgettable experience.
To top it all up and wind up a perfectly fine traditional Indian meal, is the refreshing pan they offer as soon as you are done with the meal which works well as a digestive and as a mouth freshener.
A sumptuous feast indeed! Do visit if you want to experience the abundance and flavours of the’ Great Indian Vegetarian Thali.’
Presentation is about a sense of aesthetics that makes the difference between a job done and job well done.
Often the drive to succeed in an increasingly complex world leaves little time for the aesthetic endeavour, as it is often about rushing through to deliver than about commitment, care and connection to the work we do beyond the delivery.
Creativityis enhanced with a passion for artistry in any field of work.
In life, there are many ways to live…
To live fully and deeply, a richer life that is inspiring and empowering to follow.
Or to live drifting along to whatever comes your way.
To each their own!
But if one wishes to leave a footprint, make a mark that is felt, then the idea is to be present to every moment that presents itself.
Value life and consider living every moment artfully.
That will change our present and future to degrees we may not even have imagined.
All is in the consistency of presentation
Consider the self for a moment…
Look closely at how we are sitting at this moment.
What is our posture like… can we work on bettering it. And try to be more aligned?
How is the breathing? Rushed? Or have we held our breath in any way …
Breathe in and exhale deeply and lovingly.
Consider the clothes one wears
Our clothes tend to reflect our own state of mind .
Dressing well is a form of good manners.
Tom Ford
Caring to dress neatly and looking and feeling comfortable at all times shows in the way we carry our self.
It is also wise to check our sense of grooming and hygiene. It matters.
After all we are presenting ourself…. every day to the world.
It is would be good to make sure we feel like getting introduced to ourselves,
and be presentable as we would want someone else to be with us.
In paying attention to where we are in this moment to our surroundings and
seeing if we could make any positive difference always matters.
If we can get ourselves to make even tiny changes step by step, we evolve in time.
You think that you own your thoughts
Well, your thoughts are not your own
They come through you, not from you
For you know not what your next thought may be.
For all matter is energy that flows
In tunes of nature of life
You are the channel that plays an important part.
You are like a vessel, that contains a thought.
And in that time that you hold the thought
Before it passes you by
You have a choice of steering it
In your unique way as you are meant to do
To pause and reflect.
To notice and and witness.
To observe and take charge.
To sense and to know.
To appreciate and let go.
All is with in and around you.
You and your thoughts.
Every learning is a two-way process. There is the imparter of knowledge, skill & wisdom of truth who could be called a guru, teacher or a facilitator. Then there is the one who receives, assimilates, processes synthesizes & is then convinced about his or her interpretation of assimilation of truth enough to be called the student, shishya or disciple.
Now as learning is a never-ending process of growth and realization all the seekers of knowledge should have the channels of thoughts, words & deeds open for correction, improvement to be able to retain & sustain the available information to the best of their abilities.
The interpretation of knowledge may happen with respect to the personal state of mind and matter of the receiver, no matter whether he is the student or a teacher. Both are only human and are bound to the vagaries of human nature.
Poise & Composure
The sheer physical or mental magnetism a teacher or student exudes or otherwise must not undermine the purpose. So certain restraint in conduct, both in the physical emotional & mental sense must be in place for a mutually symbiotic relationship to take place. It’s very important for this realization to be clear and apparent enough between both of them before they can begin a journey of refinement that knowledge brings forth. In a situation of misplaced judgement, it is important for the other to coach and coax the unwilling and astray mule in the mind of the erring person, back on to the road, whoever they are, student or teacher. As learning is a two-way street. The learning will at times make the student a teacher and the teacher a student in the journey of realization.
Channelling the learning
Many times the temptation of thoughts will bring even the most dedicated of students or teachers to testing the real purpose of their efforts and practice. At this juncture, the control of mind and body actions must be exercised. This, if left unchecked could leave room for unnecessary situations which could harm the beautiful synthesis and symbiotic nature of the student-teacher relationship. The boundaries of mind are easily even more difficult to fathom and clarify.
It is simple and wise to let the mind be grounded, focused and steadfast in its purpose enough to be clear about the distinction and discernment while the learning relationship is taking place. As a single stray thought, or action could cause confusion enough to completely toss the relationship boundaries to levels which may be difficult to tilt back to states of equilibrium that needs to be maintained.
Steering the learning
The teacher must make it clear to himself or herself and to the students that he is there for the purpose of teaching and sharing the knowledge that he has been privy to, probably because of his own levels of ability, understanding, karma, dedication or steadfastness and discipline in acquiring the related skill. This act itself clears the ground for proper acceptance of a teacher’s education.
The thought and senses need to be checked before every movement such that there is respect enough for the student towards the teachers’ knowledge and in doing so the teacher manages to gain the required acceptance from the student and learning resumes.
Respect
But this is only one side of the coin the student too, has certain modes of conduct which needs to be observed and never crossed.
It is very important to understand first of all that neither a teachers time must not be taken for granted nor his teachings. They will be there for you as you need it and thus trust enough to understand that you cannot learn more or less of anything than what is required for you at that time.
Secondly, it is important that both accept and follow the principles of conduct in which learning is taking place which is ideally laid down by the form or subject to ensure that both do not stray beyond the boundaries and go off track.
The purpose of learning is absolutely free flowing & spills over to life and its situations and circumstances so this association of thought must not be confused with favoritism and partiality of any kind between both of them.
In some learning, the personal space both physical and mental greatly narrows down between the teacher and student putting them in a quandary especially if both are seeing a reflection of thoughts and actions in each other. This is definitely a situation to exercise caution enough to circumvent the spillover of knowledge beyond the cup of the mind.
Finally, there is the need to assimilate and interpret an information and only then act upon it, not get taken by impulse so much that you don’t give the other side the benefit of doubt.
The realization that experiences necessary for your learning and growth come to you will be clear but at the same time, you must keep in mind that no student or teacher can exercise and influence you to the degree that you do not want to be.
You learn what you can imbibe.. Not more not less!
Savvy
I wrote this article years ago but I was reminded of it today as in India it is Guru Poornima a day dedicated to the Teacher or Guru in and around us.
It is a day of celebration in respect & reverence for the exchange of knowledge and wisdom.
I addressed here the interplay of that which needs a mutual definition in understanding between both the students and the teacher as learnings begin to happen. It is always a work in progress for I believe learning is never ending and a continuous path of life and living.
Yet it is beautiful to pause & be grateful for the understanding that comes our way. Thus through the trials & tribulations of being a student & a teacher, life abounds in deep gratitude.
The question is are we strengthened or divided in time spent in togetherness. Nations that are close in proximity hardly are together like people who may live together seemingly close knitted but hardly feel united in spirit.
The picture above intrigues me…
Entwined hands in a show of unity
Three different shades of skin
Starkly different in tones and hues
Blood beneath it all is the colour red
Alive in this now and together
They seem bonded by life
Yet this show of togetherness is a far cry
And belies the truth and reeks of racial struggles of times bygone.
Light medium and dark
These three sheaths of skin
Speak volumes of the unspoken rift
They tell tales of discrimination
Of slavery and class differentiation
Of power struggles and domination
Of the oppressed and the oppressors
Of distances in between
Of privileged and underprivileged
Is this show of strength in unity … Is it
An illusion of togetherness
A kiss and tell in feigned innocence
Or a facade put forth
In the very bliss of ignorance
One doesn’t know
Like we know not how souls choose the body to live to enjoy or endure it through a lifetime.
In the blissful togetherness!
Our world today may have woken up in bits and pieces.
In awareness of equality of the sexes
With respect for beings alike
With value for human dignity by far
Yet there is ongoing war and terror everywhere
Women are not safe anywhere
As predators lurk,
Children have to be watched over carefully
None feel safe any place anywhere
And peace is the need of this planet …in this now
If there is anything that may help bridge the gap
It is the awareness of the humanity in each other
And the strength of the interconnects in the interbeing
True togetherness is a trustful knowing in interdependence
In acceptance of one another in spite of their unique differences.
Savvy
These reflections in verse format are my hearts cry that poured through the verses addressing many ills and evils of society.
Namely lack of tolerance, inequality, indignity, racial discrimination, body shaming, gender bias, atrocities on women ,child safety issues as much the forest fires and global warming and not to forget the threats of terror,war and more.
We are simply making it more difficult to live in this planet with each other by our egoplays, taking one another and our world for granted and need for domination without a consideration of the consequences of our actions.
Why can’t we coexist in peace and in strength of unity in this beautiful ball of blue?
Celestial Creation & Destruction Dances hand in hand in Energetic, enigmatic endless flow. Formless blending into The Form. Gift to Cosmos. Unfathomed Happiness undermines the In-depth, concealed caring of Justice to prevail, in the Knowing of the Unknown all. Lasya ( dance of creation) and thandava (dance of destruction) both Merging in and emerging from Nataraja,The Cosmic Dancer. Oneness personified in essence. Purity and Power as its source. Quietude emerging in the motion. Rare culmination of creative Subtlety of concealed infinity.
‘Thathwamasi,’ , that’s the Truth. Unknown, Unsaid n Unseen Visions of Ultimate Reality. Worlds far and beyond knowledge Xceeds the human excellence. Yearning _’To be with IT ‘ is all one can wish with the Zeal of unwavering Faith .
This is a poem penned by my dear mother Anjana. I share it with a lot of joy as found it spiritually and creatively appealing.
I simply loved its amalgamation and the interplay of life and living just as much as the interplay of verses in alphabetical order.
Naṭarājameaning“the lord of dance”) is a depiction of the Hindu god Shiva as the cosmic ecstatic dancer. … TheNataraja reliefs have been represented in metal or stone in many temples, particularly in South India as well as identified in historic artwork from many parts of South Asia, in southeast Asia such as in Bali, Cambodia, and in central Asia.(Source Wiki)
Artwork by Savvy
The ultimate truth is we are one and interconnected with every thing in this dance in sublimity.
The illusion of pressure a takes a toll on most of the originality before it even begins to take shape. At such times it is important to distinguish between what truly matters. Trust the source to come up with ingenious perspectives, which are simply an extension of you-ness in you!
We truly are unique and magnificent beings. Our modes of expressions of ourselves can be carriers of the magnificent and unique creativity that abides in us all.
2 Ability to appreciate the differences as much as the similarities.
3Ability to connect with the most mundane as much as the most volatile thought exercising equanimity.
4 Ability to move beyond the complexity to embrace the simplicity of thoughts.
5 Ability to value the necessity of the moment for itself without pitting in for a stake.
Creativity is a dance of the choices you make of the resources within that gets out the authentic artistic in you ….a challenge by itself, in itself and for itself. Its potential extends far beyond a rehearsal show for a public adulation.
6 Ability to move beyond the need to prove is thus an important aspect of the creative flow.
7 Ability to be in this moment in the spirit of joy and celebrate the little developments in assurance and confidence that it is a precursor of the brilliance taking shape!
8 Ability to let go without laying unnecessary conditions that would only close the emerging creativity.
9 Ability to think beyond the self and work for greater good knowing the depths of abundance.
And so much more. But most of all…
10 Ability to be grateful and gracious in acknowledging all the inspirations that come your way to help you be you! They are your angels and guides in the path of releasing the authenticity of you, thankfulness and gratitude unlock the uniqueness in you!
Everything we do , everything we think we own, all returns back to the source some day. In knowing this truth we need to sense gratitude for what is … and that is one of the secrets to living life lovingly!
Do you even know how blessed you are? Your being there is enough!
Feeling so grateful for all I have! I believe all is well…
Just with these few words above
You have forayed rightaway
Into the vibration of resonance
A shift towards positive mindsets
Into the dimensions of healing awareness
Through the sound of these spoken words.
So take stock of your potential within
You have so much going for you
Remember to believe
In the power of your own words
There is much you can do for this world
to transform for the better.
And it can start with you… Good thoughts good words Can be a start… Think well, Choose well Speak well!
Someone asked me why I dance… and I said I dance to create myself.
I like to dance in my thoughts, words and deeds. By that I mean I enjoy the harmony of movements whether in thoughts or action.
Personally, I respect and value all forms of creativity and believe in the immense value of it in our daily lives.
We are all creative beings but some have to find their path themselves while perhaps for others the path is laid out for them.
We need to honour our creativity we need to find avenues to let go express and share what comes naturally to us. In that is a healing and restoring beyond compare. Have seen a single dance light up a dancers eyes or a single song or a painting stroke change the mood not only for the viewer but for the artist themselves.
Creativity is who we are and lets never forget it. The challenge though is to understand techniques of channelising creativity in a form that is valued and shared by many and that comes from practice. It is a path of immense possibilities each having the potential for soulful connects with self as much as others.
Dancers: An Artwork by Savvy Raj
What we create is meant to be and hence we learn to channelize the flow in more meaningful ways. Just the other day standing before a painting of just two vertical lines symbolised many possibilities… a bridge, to a tube, to a scale, to a road and more… infinite mind, infinite imagination, a fodder for thought in the letting go.
Yet to channelize the thoughts is a task for many demanding ardours and disciplined approach in thinking and streamlining strategically to enhance the end product be it any art form in life and living
Creativity must never be suppressed or repressed as then it manifests in disease of the body and mind. Immense is the power of creative movements to balance the body mind and spirit.
What makes a job well done?
What makes excellence a standard?
What makes one stand out a cut above the rest?
What is aesthetics after all?
What differentiates the good better and the best?
All is a matter of approach in every field of life. A shift in the perspectives brings home, amazing solutions. An approach that is creatively expansive than confounding, opens a box of possibilities. We are all equipped to reach out into our own creative potential by just empowering ourselves with techniques of approaching a situation at hand.
Every one of us is endowed with the potential to develop our artistic abilities and approach with a creative eye. It’s a matter of putting the principles into practice and taking that giant leap of faith.
Artist and Creativity:
Creativity blooms in every acknowledgement of interconnectedness. To profess any creative reflection as just mine alone is too limiting in the larger picture. As any exercise to envision beyond, needs to step beyond time frames, to flow along in the subtlety of the eternal wisdom. In fact, our creative enrichments are a reminder of the beauty within that is as unique as every one of us in its similarities as much as the differences and yet deeply aligned to learnings in the consciousness of the interdependence.
Although as an artist we may give a shape to thoughts, its destiny is the result of the bubbles of thoughts in the connected flow. As soon as the clarity of the interdependence reigns in the hearts, all thoughts transform creatively as per the seeing beyond looking, in the gratefulness of both the subtlety and starkness of the interdependence.
Creativity is a tool and treasure for the taking in your hands. Do something with it that only u can.
As no one possess your uniqueness.
And do that which calls out from your being.
Trust creativity for its latent powers that can be unleashed in the acknowledgement.
Explorations in creativity at play or work by chance or in a structure boosts the chances of emerging into patterns of successful design.
Classic learning by trial and error, doing and undoing in a repetitive way also offers a lot of scope for creative breakthroughs
Whether it is the movement of our bodies and our thoughts that get stirred creating new correlations and understandings on a simple nod, a tug, a tap, a touch has immense potential to create waves of energy.
And thus in thinking with our movements, we can bring out nuances of many complex relationship patterns to notice.
Ingrained points of reference can be a hard thing to let go once you have them in you as trained dancers musicians or artists. To allow things to settle in without internal or external interference can be quite a disconcerting task for most of us. As we are often used to creating a connected flow of thought …thought tend to arrange themselves in the pattern by habit.
To find your own sense of flow and then create needs more than a receptive mind which is open to possibilities. Creativity flourishes in moving beyond the box stepping out of the emerging visages in the interpretation, time and time again.
Every creative endeavour is rooted in a dance of the energy within and around us … the dynamics of integration embodies the creative output. A movement that is influenced in the tidal wave of both gravitational and centrifugal force of thoughts.
A dear reader has sent me a link I want to share … It is his translation of my recent article Flow with Life.
Happy to share this here for my Spanish speaking readers.Thank you Ignacio-orna-nacho
for your kind effort and share.
For all language aficionados in any new language, there is a draw of nuances of the culture and its interpretations in the flow in both the way it is spoken and written.And that is often beautiful to note.
El que cambiemos es inevitable, es Ley de Vida pero tú eres quien está a cargo de cómo el cambio te impacta.
Aliento y movimiento:
Somos la suma de nuestras partes individuales. No hay corazón sin nuestra mente y ninguna acción sin nuestra percepción.
No hay dos momentos de nuestra vida que sean iguales. Nuestro cuerpo está hecho de células que se renuevan a tiempo. Las emociones y el comportamiento que manifestamos son profundamente integrales a cómo nos sentimos acerca de nosotros mismos y la situación en cuestión … por lo que nuestros movimientos son tan únicos como lo somos nosotros.
Cultivar la conciencia de nuestra propia respiración puede brindarnos el apoyo necesario y la sanación interna a través de los caprichos de la vida y nuestro modo de vivir.
Solo asegúrate de sentir tu calma interior y ser uno con tu aliento, sin importar la situación en la que te encuentres. Esa es la forma en que te puedes conectar gradualmente contigo mismo en un nivel más profundo.
Mientras más conectado estés con tu aliento, gradualmente comenzarás a relajarte en el momento.
Ajustando tu aliento y movimiento
Deja que tu aliento guíe y lidere tu movimiento. Valore las energías sutiles de su propio ser que abarque su propia respiración.
Siente la integración de tu aliento y tus movimientos. La respiración le da a tu movimiento una forma y dirección. Por lo tanto, no solo puede vincular su respiración y su movimiento, sino también practicar la iniciación de tus movimientos con la respiración.
Tu conciencia aumentará gradualmente de cómo tu propia inspiración y espiración se utilizan en tus movimientos. Lo que potencia y da energía a tus acciones y lo que calma y ayuda a la relajación. ¡Y cómo puede fluir envolvente y abarcante, conectándose y complementándose como un baile elegante!
Tan pronto como empieces a practicar, aprenderás a bailar con ello.
Change is inevitable, but you are the one in charge of how the change impacts you.
Breath and Movement:
We are the sum of our individual parts There is no heart without our mind and no action without our sensing.
No two moments of our lives are alike. Our body is made of cells that are renewed in time. Emotions and behaviour that we manifest are deeply integral to how we feel about ourselves and the situation at hand … so our movements are as unique as we are.
Cultivating an awareness of our own breath can give us much needed support and inner healing through the vagaries of life and living
Just make sure to sense your inner calm and be one with your breath no matter the situation you are in. That is the way you can gradually connect with yourself on a deeper level.
The more connected you are with your breath you gradually begin to relax in the moment.
Attuning your Breath and Movement
Let your breath guide and lead your movement. Value the subtle energies of your own self that encompasses your own breath.
Sense the integration of your breath and your movements. Breath gives your movement a shape and direction. So not only can you link your breath and your movement but also practise initiating your movements with your breath.
Your awareness will gradually increase of how your own breath (inhale)and out breath (exhale) are being used in your movements. What powers and energizes your actions and what calms and assists relaxation. And how it can flow enveloping and encompassing, connecting and complementing each other like an elegant dance!
Savvy Raj 
You must be logged in to post a comment.