Savvy Raj

Live Life Lovingly!


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Space Between The Steps

chords sheet on piano tiles

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Just like the sounds of music in the spaces between the notes, there is dancing in the spaces between the steps. It is only when we become aware of the value of the spaces between the thoughts that we can truly reflect, revel and live with ease through our lives.
The pinnacle of access to our realization of the creative entities at work would actually be in the silence, in the intentions, in an emotional journey of profound fulfilment. The trick is to find that point of the immense creative surge and be able to nurture it.
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Rest and activity go together just as much as night and day… and like the yin and the yang, the pauses in between two breathes, inaction in between the action, brings forth the clarity, purity, and the intensity of that which is evolving.
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It’s disheartening that our world has become so hyperactive. Multitasking has become the order of the day, people spend time having dinner in front of televisions, reading is done with music, and very often we have mobile phone calls that cut through a real conversation. So much has there been an abuse of our bodies and mind that we truly have forgotten the importance of non-activity and quietude.
The stillness between your actions or movements are the bridges to our conscious experiences and the greater your awareness the greater the creative potency of the action itself.
Savvy
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Dancing socially de-stresses the body mind and spirit holistically. Taking a momentto value the steps you dance together, valuing the music you are dancing to, appreciating this moment & appreciating the partner you have at this moment will only cultivate the value for oneself and will help in centring oneself deeper in the action with a joyful heart and soul.

When you dance, if you still your thoughts to simply learn to flow with the partner, the atmosphere, the music you will undoubtedly enliven yourself in the process and what you have is a beautiful dance of togetherness bridging the spaces between the steps with a conscious awareness …… And that is when dancing feels like a miracle that’s happening!

photo of a man sitting under the tree

Photo by Samuel Silitonga on Pexels.com

Few more thoughts in the flow….
  • Start the day with a few minutes of silence and observing the breath
  • Take time to pause and watch nature and try to be one with it . .. Maybe a sunrise, a sunset, a beach view watching the waves, the stars in the sky, the moon, the sky, or a rose or any flower or potted plant, or maybe a tree in your garden.
  • Make sure to have moments where you are free of your cellphone, tv, computer, or any electronic appliance.
  • Make a point of actually listening and understanding as others speak and allow the other to speak as much as yourself.
  • Accept every moment in the life you have now and cherish it for what it is…cultivating an attitude of gratitude.
Savvy
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Form and the formless

Is the form you see
Exactly the form I see
Perhaps they differ
In the way we choose to interpret.

Is form the mark of reality
Does being formless makes it unreal
Is form the contention
To know the real and unreal.

Forms are shaped by intentions
In dedication & deliberation.
For forms become fleeting memories
Perishing in the sands of time.

While the formless evolve in the heart
Holding up to unfathomable faith
They may live on in the silent knowing
Of unspoken trust in the being.

Discernment of the forms
In the inner recesses of the heart and the mind
Waltzes the consciousness of the being
In States of knowing ,of the truth of light

A light of wisdom
That takes many forms
Million times over
To show the path of truth.

The path is lit
As the steps are taken
The forms manifest in the interactions
Of vibrations in resonance.

Between these Illuminating illusions
Of the form and formless
What is real and unreal
All are just reflections in the dimensions.

In the beam of even one moment of truth
Is the convergence of envisioning
Forms and formless become one
Conveying the message safely home.

Savvy


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Let Peace Prevail

Let peace prevail

Be in touch with peace all the way

Witness the miracles unfold

In every move from the heart of peace.

For peace is the way!

Open yourself to peacefulness and you will find others drawn to it like you were …

In Peace there is no exertion as the power of peace is in its sheer presence itself.

Savvy


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A piece of sky

Photography by Savvy

My piece of sky…

As the winds blows
Waves of patterns
Flowing like fluffs
Of cotton clouds
Waltzing in the sky!

Savvy


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Stillness within

Stillness within
The whirling wisdom
Centers within
The search for being
In a knowing balance
Of within and without.

The gaze is never a stare
The moves are never a dare
In fact the flow is sublime
One leads unto another
Nothing marked nothing missed
Nothing focused nothing lost.

In such a state of flow
Where wholeness of being
Is the strength of a circle
That creates unto itself
There is a knowing
Of a space within

An inward glance
Into the souls calling
Springing forth
The sounds of Silence.

Savvy


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The Magic Circle

In continuation to my earlier post

A hug is a magic circle

Here are some very interesting facts.

The average length of a hug between two people is 3 seconds. But the researchers have discovered something fantastic. When a hug lasts 20 seconds, there is a therapeutic effect on the body and mind. The reason is that a sincere embrace produces a hormone called “oxytocin”, also known as the love hormone. This substance has many benefits in our physical and mental health, helps us, among other things, to relax, to feel safe and calm our fears and anxiety. This wonderful tranquilizer is offered free of charge every time we have a person in our arms, who cradled a child, who cherish a dog or a cat, that we are dancing with our partner, the closer we get to someone or simply hold the Shoulders of a friend.

A famous quote by psychotherapist Virginia Satir goes, “We need 4 hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.”

Whether those exact numbers have been scientifically proven remains to be seen, but there is a great deal of scientific evidence related to the importance of hugs and physical contact. Here are some reasons why we should hug::

1. STIMULATES OXYTOCIN

Oxytocin is a neurotransmitter that acts on the limbic system, the brain’s emotional centre, promoting feelings of contentment, reducing anxiety and stress, and even making mammals monogamous. It is the hormone responsible for us all being here today. You see this little gem is released during childbirth, making our mothers forget about all of the excruciating pain they endured expelling us from their bodies and making them want to still love and spend time with us. New research from the University of California suggests that it has a similarly civilising effect on human males, making them more affectionate and better at forming relationships and social bonding. When we hug someone, oxytocin is released into our bodies by our pituitary gland, lowering both our heart rates and our cortisol levels. Cortisol is the hormone responsible for stress, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

2. CULTIVATES PATIENCE

Connections are fostered when people take the time to appreciate and acknowledge one another. A hug is one of the easiest ways to show appreciation and acknowledgement of another person. The world is a busy, hustle-bustle place and we’re constantly rushing to the next task. By slowing down and taking a moment to offer sincere hugs throughout the day, we’re benefiting ourselves, others, and cultivating better patience within ourselves.

3. PREVENTS DISEASE

Affection also has a direct response on the reduction of stress which prevents many diseases. The Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine says it has carried out more than 100 studies into touch and found evidence of significant effects, including faster growth in premature babies, reduced pain, decreased autoimmune disease symptoms, lowered glucose levels in children with diabetes, and improved immune systems in people with cancer.

4. STIMULATES THYMUS GLAND

Hugs strengthen the immune system. The gentle pressure on the sternum and the emotional charge this creates activates the Solar Plexus Chakra. This stimulates the thymus gland, which regulates and balances the body’s production of white blood cells, which keep you healthy and disease free.

5. COMMUNICATION WITHOUT SAYING A WORD

Almost 70 percent of communication is nonverbal. The interpretation of body language can be based on a single gesture and hugging is an excellent method of expressing yourself nonverbally to another human being or animal. Not only can they feel the love and care in your embrace, but they can actually be receptive enough to pay it forward to others based on your initiative alone.

6. SELF-ESTEEM

Hugging boosts self-esteem, especially in children. The tactile sense is all-important in infants. A baby recognizes its parents initially by touch. From the time we’re born our family’s touch shows us that we’re loved and special. The associations of self-worth and tactile sensations from our early years are still imbedded in our nervous system as adults. The cuddles we received from our Mom and Dad while growing up remain imprinted at a cellular level, and hugs remind us at a somatic level of that. Hugs, therefore, connect us to our ability to self love.

7. STIMULATES DOPAMINE

Everything everyone does involves protecting and triggering dopamine flow. Low dopamine levels play a role in the neurodegenerative disease Parkinson’s as well as mood disorders such as depression. Dopamine is responsible for giving us that feel-good feeling, and it’s also responsible for motivation! Hugs stimulate brains to release dopamine, the pleasure hormone. Dopamine sensors are the areas that many stimulating drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine target. The presence of a certain kinds of dopamine receptors are also associated with sensation-seeking.

8. STIMULATES SEROTONIN

Reaching out and hugging releases endorphins and serotonin into the blood vessels and the released endorphins and serotonin cause pleasure and negate pain and sadness and decrease the chances of getting heart problems, helps fight excess weight and prolongs life. Even the cuddling of pets has a soothing effect that reduces the stress levels. Hugging for an extended time lifts one’s serotonin levels, elevating mood and creating happiness.

9. PARASYMPATHETIC BALANCE

Hugs balance out the nervous system. The skin contains a network of tiny, egg-shaped pressure centres called Pacinian corpuscles that can sense touch and which are in contact with the brain through the vagus nerve. The galvanic skin response of someone receiving and giving a hug shows a change in skin conductance. The effect in moisture and electricity in the skin suggests a more balanced state in the nervous system – parasympathetic.

Quite a bit of indepth information on the healing powers in a simple hug.

Such is the magic in a warm embrace

Embrace, embrace with your heart.

When you are hugging a child, always be the last one to let go. You never know how long they need it. ~Author Unknown


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Spirit of the Child

Secrets of a beautiful life

Lies in the spirit of living….

Sense every moment like it is new

Such is the power of enthusiasm

Enthuse yourself to recognise

The joy at this moment.

All becomes significantly brighter

Should you choose to see it so!

You have the power of enthusiasm within you

Make life come alive in every moment.

Recognize the spirit within, like a child

That sees the world with wonder.

Savvy


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Capturing  Movement…

Whenever
In art there is a flow
Of feeling
Of movement
Of emotions
Of energy
Displaying the skill of the artist

There is…

A sense of completeness
Inspite of rawness
A sense of wholeness
Inspite of the roughness

Opening up sensations
In the heart of the viewer
Delivering the meaning
Of the spirit of the soul.

As then the message conveys
The very purpose of the art.
When art speaks to the heart
Art moves the soul.

Savvy


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Spare a thought

Would you spare a thought
For the way your appear
Yes indeed
People spend millions
For the way they look
Beauty is big business
Image consultancy is huge now.

But would you spare a thought
On the way you make another feel
Your words
Be it in written or spoken
Have immense power
To hurt or heal
For words leave lasting impressions.

Tune in to the way you sound
Check your pitch and tone
As you speak to another
Reread the words you write
Remember words live on in eternity
Think twice and check
If what you write can make a difference
To someone somewhere

Spare a thought
As you take a step
Every step leaves a trail
That another may follow
Choose to step well.

Thoughts to action
Words to deeds
Each play a role
For all are significant
In life and living.

Savvy


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A dance of infinite wonder

A bird, a tree & a mountain

Far above at the top of the tree
The birds perch themselves on the branches
Ready to fly on moments notice
They are light and free

Deep in the ground the roots of a tree
Growing in the thick of things
Amidst the densely packed earth
Digging deeper in stability.

On higher ground the mountain rests Gradually building upon itself.
Or chipping away itself to erosion
Witnessing it all as the world whizzes through…

As the birds fly away
In search of food or when predators strike
And the trees bears fruits
As roots grow strong.

Life and living have a reason to be.
Witness the wisdom playing through
Every whiff of the wind, every bit of stillness
Every sway every bend every move
Every thing that is was and will be
For all is a dance of infinite wonder.

Who are you like

The bird

The roots of a tree

Or a mountain

What do you resonate with?

Savvy


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Once upon a time

Once upon a time

Long long ago

In a far away land

Was a sweet little child

Who used to have a fairy tale book

Read to her by her dear mother

Every night as she was tucked into bed

She would hear a story from her mom

But there were clauses to this plan.

It was a given thing between the two

The story had to have a happy ending

The story includes people and animals

Or even a garden of fruits and flowers

Enchanting stories of courage and dare

Of compassion and care

Of humanity at large

In goodwill and love

Or even seemingly silly stories

Of life and living in general

Of fun and frolic.

But there was a pact between the two

Which her mother followed to the tee.

Simply there was one area

The story must not go to or be

Of things above in the sky.

Although her mother was too drawn

To explore the mystery of space…

But the little girl felt a little too lost

To fathom space and beyond

May be it was just her nature

Or perhaps there was more to it

Of why she was uncomfortable with unknown space!

Leaving a few musings in contemplation…

Are fears rational or just an illusion in the making?

What are irrational fears?

Are they there for a reason?

Do fears manifests from past lives?

Do fears eventually help us someway?

How does one overcome these fears?

Can we grow out of our little fears?

Do you have any experience of fears as a kid?

Have you chosen to outgrow them?

Have you managed to face your fears?

For life awaits on the other side of fear!

Savvy


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Crosswinds

A painting by Savvy Raj

For every you, there is another you caught in the crosswinds

In fact, there could be many more reflections of you…life will throw you the hints

Fanning the flames only arouses the spirit

To arise and evolve more than we give merit

To deeper levels of conscious awareness

Breathe in the wisdom of knowing in all fairness

Of the freeflow of movements as it unfolds

The crosswinds breathe fire of life into souls

To breathe in the the energy of consciousness sublime

Trust the trysts of destiny in the eternality of time

To have a reason all their own

Cause it is preordained like seeds of life already sown.

Savvy Raj


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Behind the scenes

Behind the Beautiful

Are often inexplicable truths

Behind the dare

Are often unbearable circumstances

Behind the victory

Are often countless defeats

Behind the smiles

Are often gutwrenching griefs

Behind the wisdom of silence

Are often heartbreaking stories.

Behind the scenes of glory

Are often those unspeakable truths

Of lives lived and living

In hope beyond the despair

Of wins beyond the losses.

Of success beyond the failures

Like each facet is necessary

For the diamond to truly sparkle!

Each phase is full of purpose

For everything matters to the whole.

Savvy


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Wisdom has no age

Have been growing vegetables in my terrace garden
Every potted plant has a story to tell
A lesson to share in the growing…

Take this tomato plant for instance
So much growth but not many fruits
Perhaps they were densely planted
And hence contained in their pot

A few tomatoes have showed up
Others have yet to see the light of the day
Amongst these few, the tiniest tomato
Is very visible to the eye, having ripened the earliest.

The rest are as yet awaiting
Patiently for their evolution
Like they say
Wisdom hath no age!

Perhaps this tiny one at best
Received the rays of sunshine
Nourished in the nurture.
Matured well before it’s time.

Savvy

Photography by Savvy Raj


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God is…

In the pulse of life
In the heartbeat of love
In the bareness of our soul
In the strength of our being

In the silence of prayer
In the vividity of the now
Betwixt and between
Everything and nothingness

Above and Around
Spaces here and beyond
Enveloping Time and timelessness
In the sound of soundlessness

In the question and the answer
In the truth of life and living
In the hope of the being
In you and in me!
God is!

Savvy