As we celebrate our Independence day in India, may we care to value the underlying philosophy behind the word Independence … the ability to voice our uniqueness and express our individuality amidst a global platform.
Truly, Independence is a birthright that allows us to freely express ourselves, but along with it, is a sense of responsibility, a duty to empower the within as much as the world .
Channelizing the creative flow of freedom of expression to positive outcomes for the larger good is a responsibility for every individual. It is actually the simple way to create a life of well being with in and around each of us and for the world at large .
As we are after all an interdependent world even in our states of independence…. that to me is valuing and practicing Conscious Independence.
Happy Independence Day!!!
May we always Dance the dance of independence and freedom.
May we tune ourselves to connect with joys in tandem.
May we always remember and value great souls lost in martyrdom.
May we acknowledge that the strength in the interdependence is never random.
May we always respect our roots and learn to follow our inner wisdom.
Intuition is defined as the ability to understand something instinctively, without the need for conscious reasoning.
Your cells are intuitive and have a memory bank of information that is stored experientially.
How they synthesize and process that information may depend on many factors especially on how healthy they are and what kind of nutrition they continue to have.
However, they are continuously in communication with you. Your sense of intuition is a part of their communicative process. So is your gut feeling and perhaps maybe even a hunch or a sense of dejavu…
That familiar feeling of knowing someone or something before even meeting them.
The rush of emotions amidst certain memories may be your intuitive sense of your cellular being getting a higher intensity of messages.
The tense feeling before a certain situation or place person or thing maybe you are getting a message across from your own survival mechanism.
Your clenched fist or the butterflies in your stomach, the knotted feeling deep within… are all perhaps a forewarning to be more present in this now than you actually are …
There is always much listening to do if you wish to decode these flashes of thoughts and feelings. In fact, they are your inbuilt guide and gifts of life. Acknowledge them for what they are.
Here are a 5 ways towards strengthening your sense of intuition.
1: Sense what you feel ... often we may never care to sense the fleeting feeling that may come along about something or someone at the first connect … That is often your intuitive self trying to send you a message.
2: Spend some time reconnecting with your self in meditation or even walk silently for a while every day being one with nature.
3: Be expressive of what you are, never stifle your thoughts and bottle up. Allow yourself to manifest freely. Remember your life is precious in itself. Live life lovingly.
4: Be trusting and trustworthy. If you can accept the world around as it is and work on evolving yourself for the better perhaps then the way you see the world will change. Positivity will emanate in your ways and that will ease up any rigidity from within to a flexible state of being.
5 : Remember to differentiate between your overthinking which is simply creating patterns of thoughts in anxiousness and your sense of intuition Intuition comes from the place ofa calm knowing.
Most importantly acknowledge your intuitive feelings. For without that intuition remains underdeveloped.
How much do you value your intuition?
How much do you allow it to manifest itself?
Do you care to nurture it?Do you care to listen when your intuitive sense talks to you?
Or do you choose to ignore it and move on?
Do you recall any instance of how you listened to your intuitive self?
Do share your thoughts.
In the inclusive and expansive attitude towards love for the self and fellow beings we emit a vulnerability that is actually the power within us all to heal and mend and shape us for the better.
With every hurt that scars the soul perhaps we may end up in restraints of our own doing. We fear to think beyond the boundaries, like the frog in the well … trying to seclude and exclude and end up confining ourselves within the walls we sadly create.
We are so afraid to express ourselves that,with our measured movements, of what might happen, or what others may think, we live in cocoons choosing to exist in doubt and insecurities. Perhaps, we may be stepping in our own way, instead of unfurling with all our innate potential the magnitude of our being.
Our life’s journey cannot not be about fear and doubt… for they will not allow us to take a step. And life is about movement, about understanding in discovery, why should life be suppressed in any way?
Think well
Walk with intent respect the space within and around you.
Speak with clarity and with conviction.
Express the self in faith and confidence.
Choose to see life unfolding positively
Allow space for spontaneity in trust, acknowledge it as the expression of your unique self.
Sense your potential and envision the future in hope. To be all that you truly are.
‘To dance is to converse with your soul in oneness’
Savvy
Well I have just sat down to write supercharged after dancing an improvised version of Rumba to one of my favourite songs ‘Every day I love you by Boyzone. Yes I love to dance and I willing and wholeheartedly share my love and passion for it with the world.
Well who ever told you about dancing by numbers has perhaps never learned to dance from the heart!😉 Beyond the number game … yes we may begin with counting steps though I find a lot of people like me who prefered to learn with rhythms of quicks and slows. I prefer to associate dancing with the heart beats and the breath of life itself . I also find that when taught this way the dance gets closely connected with the authenticity of you and your movements as you are.
After all dancing is being you!
The art of dance can introduce you to yourself and beckons you to know your limitless potential.
A new journey you are ready to start You have danced a countless steps to the tunes of life, You have chosen to see beyond the strife.
Dare a new morning dear one … Move on, as the past is over and done. Watch the sky as a sign from above How relentlessly and hopefully it brings forth the now.
How it regales us with a myriad hues, What a divine brush painting those magical views. Take cues from it as it carries on … Constantly changing in every moment. Across the horizon rests a whole new world. Awaiting your arrival with joy to behold.
It seeks nothing from you, neither your past glories Nor bothers about your many untold stories. It asks you to simply move on from any past torment As you step into this new moment.
Sail on dear one, with a heart filled with wonder. A new shore awaits, just across the yonder !
Savvy
‘This is one more of my photo inspired poems, the picture above denotes the let go as you move on, for to cling to the past scenarios simply delays the visibility of the the new views in the offing …
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.
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.
Writing is an expressive experience. The one that has many benefits in itself. From the psychological point of view where it makes you think and communicate better to the emotional aspects of bettering your ability to deal with your own emotions. It helps you work with your pain and process the thoughts in a rethink. It helps you stay motivated as you can record your progression as well. It helps sort out your own thoughts.
A significant aspect worth considering is when you focus on the positive and write with an attitude of gratitude for life itself there are much more health benefits than writing with grudges.
Most importantly as you write you are able to let go of worries and stresses that you may accumulate in the course of time through the physical act of writing.
Personally speaking, having studied a bit of Graphology, I have always felt that the very act of writing your thoughts on paper is healing through the movement itself An act fast disappearing in today’s changing times. Children today write much lesser physically with a pen on paper.
The truth is writing is a greater healer in itself.
And to share your writing is to learn some more.
Every writer has many or no reasons about what, when and why they write …what is yours? Care to share?
You get up and you do things mechanically without a trace of being alive to it.
Do you feel life is boring and just another day to rise and do your duties as a chore?
Do you sometimes wish for the day to end before it even begins?
Do you feel life is too complicated and desperately want a change of scene…
Perhaps then you are passing through the path of nowhere.
Life often hands you wisdom at the time you are in the path of least resistance because it wants you to listen keenly.
It wants you to understand you are your own path maker and path breaker, you are your own teacher and tutor.
You are your best friend and guide.
It wants you to sense the futility of living so that you can finally bridge over and honour the living you. And perhaps then strive to nourish the moments of life left with you willingly.
Going berserk in helplessness, sensing pain or loss and loneliness are part of phases we may all move through…. at some point in our life. The choice is with us how to find ourselves than lose ourselves. Some find solace and comfort in others along the path when the going gets too tough. Some are givers and some takers in the interbeing of life and living And travellers we all already are.
Here are 5 steps you can take to shake free from the rut of routine.
1: Work on Self-observation:
Observe more of your environment. Develop healthy interests in the world you are living. Care to understand more. Be open to learning.
2 Value & acknowledge one another:
Many times life feels like a standstill and as if its caught in a rut of routine and mundane because it is truly how one is living. When moments are given value over things, when people around start to matter, life starts to change and evolve for the better. Make an effort to greet people extend polite courtesies without expectation and acknowledge another as they are. Life starts to transform vividly as you start showing interest.
3 Love your self & cultivate gratitude:
Balance the relationship with yourself and others. Show self-respect and care to love the person you truly are. Cultivate the habit of being grateful for the blessings of life …. it holds you in good stead.
4 Trust yourself more:
Develop your sense of self-worth and self-esteem as you value your thoughts you will learn to trust yourself more in your deeds.
5 Share more. Reflect the positive:
As you learn and engage with the world you will come across much that inspires and intrigues you. Share the positive messages from the universe and send the world your goodwill in care.
Someday when you truly need, the world returns it back to you manifold…such is the way of this circle of life and living as we are strengthened simply is raising of our positive interconnects as travellers in the interbeing.
Green and saffron
colors of prosperity and detatchment.
One leads to attach,
One to detatch.
Both gives fulfillment
One externally while
the other internally.
Both in abundance.
No force , in free will.
Selecting the path is in our choices.
Anjana
Above is a photo I took at my home in my terrace garden which invoked an interpretation from my mother Anjana this morning.
Green for prosperity (green earth full of hidden treasures), saffron is for detatchment (color code for sanyasam or renunciation).
Sharing this as it speaks so simply of the juxtaposition of balance in nature that abounds. In colour, form, shape etc in all perspectives of life and living.
Savvy Raj 
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