First comes passion
That emanates from loving
Whatever you do!
Then comes patience
To do what you need to do
No matter the time or effort!
And then comes perseverance
To keep going tirelessly
In focus & dedication…
The power of perseverance
Brings forth extraordinary results
Manifestating miracles in the making.
Savvy
*JUST DROP*
Once a Crow, holding on to a piece of meat was flying to a place to sit & eat peacefully…
However, a flock of Eagles who were flying nearby started chasing it. The crow became scared & anxious. It started flying higher and higher, yet the much stronger eagles were after the poor crow.
Just then “Garuda” saw the plight and pain in the eyes of the crow. Coming closer to the crow, he asked:
“What’s wrong, dear? You seem to be very “disturbed” and in terrible “stress”?”..
The crow cried “Look at these eagles!! They are after me – to kill me”.
Garuda being the bird of wisdom spoke “Oh my friend!! They are not after you to kill you!! In fact, they are after that piece of meat that you are holding tightly in your beak”. Just drop it and see what happens.
The crow followed the advice of Garuda and dropped the piece of meat, and lo & behold..
All the eagles in a mad rush flew towards the falling meat.
Garuda smiled and said “The Pain is only till you hold on to it” Just Drop” it & release the “Pain”..
The crow just bowed and said “Thank You for your wise advice.. I dropped this piece of meat & now, I can fly even higher without tension..”
*There is a message in this story for all of us :*
1. People carry the huge burden called “Ego,” which creates a false identity about oneself, like – ” I am so & so, I should be loved, I need to be respected, I need to be invited.. etc… ..
_Just Drop_ – this silly “Ego” & assumption about yourself & see what happens..
2. People get irritated instantly by “others actions or words” .. It could be anyone – friend, parents, children, colleagues, spouse etc….. and instantly the sparks of Anger get ignited & one starts fuming ..
_Just Drop…._ this senseless “negative feeling” & see what happens..
3. People compare themselves with others.. in beauty, wealth, life style, marks, talent and appraisals and get disturbed & insecure…
forgetting the fact that We must be grateful with what we have … ..”
_Just Drop_…- these silly comparisons, negative emotions & see what happens..
Some people are attached in a negative way to their jobs, their material possessions, their dear ones..which creates more harm than good..
_Just Drop_..detach yourself.. drop the burden of attachment & see what happens..
Probably, that’s the reason why in temples ash (vibuthi) is given to devotees – To constantly remind us.. we are nothing but dust.
*_We have risen from the Dust & unto Dust we shall return.._*
Stories from India
When you sense a saddened heart
Say I am going to share some care.
When you meet indifference & antipathy
Say I am going to spread goodwill in empathy.
When you encounter a dull day
Say I am going to make it joyous
When you are faced with despair
Say I am still hopeful of change.
When you are feeling lost in a maze
Say I am going to find out a way
For there is always a way out
Keep your cheer about you
Know you are enough for you
And you will begin to light the way
Just by the way you are.
And because you truly can!
If our awareness begins to seek
The truths of our being
We may find in its depths
Multiverses of thoughts
Rooted in faith and beliefs.
And then digging deeper
There may come a point
Of beliefs both true and false
Justifying there is a right for every left
A right for every wrong.
Every move has a counter move
Every point a counterpoint
In the balance is a counterbalance
For such is the duality in existence
And then delving deeper
As man, by far is curious by nature
Who cannot stall his curiosity to unearth,
The mystic of his being
Begins to see the many paths that lead on.
And envisioning the duality
As an enticing dance of nature
As parts to the same whole.
Oneness emanates as the source code
Of creation in manifestation.
In conscious awakening
Oneness is a connection
Of all to the whole
For all paths lead home.
In awareness of the source.
Savvy
Like a pen striking words on a paper
The first draft there is much to write
But in the second there is discipline
As words are omitted to drive the point.
In the ensuing edits
There is order and structure
Helping matter get the message
In the conveyance of the creativity.
Like in art so in life
The dance goes on
Sometimes making a point
At times lost in translations.
The mood and setting may change
The course of improvisations
Sometimes blatantly
At times in all subtlety.
In depths of consciousness awareness
Arrive valuable insights
On spacing or styling
On perfecting the portraying
On emotions conveyed
On composition and construction
On overall content
Until the points are perfected
To express openly
Relentless as is our thoughts
Such is way of the words
Our imagination is infinite
All pervasive and expansive
And in all that’s said and done
There is much left unsaid
And yet while the words flow on
The dance goes on…
Savvy
Where is your sense of being?
Your space to make sense of life!
Are you acquainted well and in tune with your habitat?
How well do you know of who you are?
Can you fathom the potential possibilities
Of your ubiquitous and unique life?
Between the known and unknown
Of the simple to the complex
Emerge new patterns in the making
From the reigning confusion in the chaos.
Creating in the exploring
Illusory dimensions in reflections
What is logical and yet elusive
The ambiguity of certainty!
And yet …
Our sense of being, while creating new patterns of thoughts is deeply rooted in nature, and in nurture, which gives it a sense of direction in spite of the chaos and confusion.
It will find its own way!
Savvy
Powers beyond comprehension,
Core strength beyond speculation,
Understanding an ever-evolving expansion
Of an intelligence without limitation,
Spheres and circles of energies
Dancing in suspended vibrations
In the infinity of time and space,
All a wonder of divine manifestation.
Profound projections,
Flashes of brilliance,
Resounding resonances,
Defining and redefining
Swirling life in a concoction
Of myriad manifestations,
Each seemingly independent
Yet deeply interwoven.
Circles of life,
Creative enigma at best.
Ordained in the flow
Are these Spheres of Infinity.
Savvy
We are made of matter.
Matter is filled with energy
Our life is full of changes
Manifesting itself in so many ways.
Sometimes these very changes
In our lives bring out
Redistribution of our energy
Creating a lack or overflow of energy.
Our life patterns can cause a rift
Between thoughts and action
Between emotions and behavior
Emerging in imbalances
Yet we are each at our best
When we have our unique mix of energy
A concoction suitable to our nature
In proportions of sublime precision
As we give we receive
In receiving there is giving
To balance and counterbalance
The emerging inadequacies
All a matter of movements
That heal in the doing
That restore our spirit
And align with our soul.
This dance of chaos and order
Balance and imbalance
Are part of the same source
Maintaining our energy equilibrium
Savvy
Allow the self to heal
Life challenges, teaches and evolves in the strangest of ways.
When you resolve to heal, all of nature conspires to begin your healing
It is all in the allowance, in the permissions that you give yourself to let go of your inhibitions and hesitations that stalled your healing in the first place.
As you permit your self to move beyond your limitations that you set on yourself, you begin to see the changes manifesting in and around your body, mind ,spirit and in your life!
All things move freely and you flow through…people appear who are meant to help you heal , So give in and allow your self to be all that you truly are .
You are a divine manifestation of consciousness. Remember that and all is well!
Savvy Raj
The Silent Retreat
Four monks decided to meditate silently without speaking for two weeks.
They began with enthusiasm and no one said a word the whole day.
By nightfall of the first day, the candle began to flicker and then went out.
The first monk blurted out, “Oh, no! The candle is out.”
The second monk said, “Hey! We are not supposed to speak!”
The third monk said in an irritated voice, “What is this? Why did you two break the silence?”
The fourth monk smiled and said, “Wow! I’m the only one who hasn’t spoken.”
Reflections:
Each monk broke the silence for a different reason, each of which is a common stumbling block in our inner journey: distraction, judgement, anger and pride.
The first monk got distracted by one aspect of his experience (the candle) and forgot what was more important – the practice of witnessing without reacting.
The second monk was more worried about others following the rules than in actually practising himself. He was quick to judge without noticing that he himself was guilty of what he was criticizing.
The third monk let his anger towards the first two monks affect him.
The singular burst of anger ruined the effort of the day.
The fourth monk lost his way because of pride. He was convinced he was superior to the others, proving his ignorance.
Why did the fourth monk speak at all? He could have simply maintained his silence and he would have been successful in his endeavour.
But if he had, chances are, the other three might have continued to argue and not even noticed his silence. Some people are like this.
Their motto is “If I am doing something good, but no one notices, I might as well not be doing it at all.” They believe that the reward is not in the effort, but in the recognition.
There is a beautiful quote, “It is the province of knowledge to speak; it is the privilege of wisdom to listen.”
As we learn to truly listen, witness and observe without impulsively reacting with distraction, judgement, anger and pride, then we understand the true meaning of silence.
The Wisdom of Silence
Silence has the strength of spaces in sublime consciousness…
As love conquers you it blesses you in the knowing.
Make not a mockery of love
Serenade love and allow it to speak truth
Love surfaces from the depth of emotions
To mend you and this world to a better place.
As true love is eternal
Free as bird in flights of oblivion
Travelling in the abandon
Of the wilderness of the spirit
Yet bonded in the boundless infinity
Endless love a gift of grace
Acknowledge this treasure
Blending two souls in one
As a life loved is well lived… such a rare sight!
What a blessing it truly is….A love like that!
In realising the many miracles of life is knowing a love that can move the soul of our being. We can consider ourselves lucky to even have been touched by a love like that!
Savvy
Happy Valentine’s Day to all my friends and readers!!!
Self Esteem is deeply entwined with our inner confidence and the way we choose to behave in this world.
Unfortunately it is also influenced by many external factors which could be peers , family , relationships , and even state of health at the moment.
People who have a strong foundation of self esteem will tend to see the value of a life well lived.
If your feeling undermined by someone who brings you down at every opportunity, who sabotages your growth by clever manipulation you can rest assured they are not on your side. In fact they are the ones saddled with insecurities and self esteem issues and the sooner you distance yourself from such people , the better you are going to be.
No person is your friend who demands your silence, or denies your right to grow. Alice Walker
A few surefire ways to develop your sense of Self Esteem.
1 : Unlearn the negative patterns of thought.
2 : Create a habit of speaking mindfully
3: Choose to believe in your self worth.
4: Choose to forgive and let go baggage.
5: Keep learning & updating your skills.
Most importantly, celebrating the little things in your life makes you realise your self worth… so be a friend to yourself. It truly matters a great deal!
You owe it to yourself …cos you are worth it.
Savvy
Here is share of my mothers reflections after reading my yesterday’s poem
Every example stood out for me and I just had to share .. with some pictures for the same and a title.
“A seed has to undergo so much to come out of the earth with new shoots of tender leaves
Gold nuggets have to undergo much before they become beautiful ornaments
Raw diamonds and precious stones have to undergo much to get their brilliance .
A mother has to undergo so much before the birth of a wonderful life.
A rock and tree have to so much undergo before they become priceless sculptures
All things of Nature have to go through a lot of transformations before a finer end product emerges.
Never fear the blow of the hammer, the cutting of the axe, the heat of the burning fire or the hurts, pains and insults one has to bear as each blow makes them stronger, shapes them to what they are going to become. Gives them more power, value and a beautiful form.
Keep smiling. The smile and silence can unsettle the opponent.
Make each experience as a stepping stone to rise high,
A lesson to learn, to mould you to become a better, stronger, mature, independent and fearless as a person than before.
Remember there is dawn after every dusk.
Yes, your transformation will be hard. Yes, you will feel frightened, messed up and knocked down. Yes, you’ll want to stop. Yes, it’s the best work you’ll ever do.
Robin Sharma
The Creative touchIs in the hands of the artistA simple stroke here a drag thereCreates a whole new meaning.Bringing life to the art.While embellishments adorn the art in the artistryThe message conveyed well, even in the simplest formAdds the depth of authenticity to the story telling.The genius is in the ingenuityIn the portrayal of the abstractsWith an intuitive intellect of insightsAll in the astute acumen of innovation.Art can be both joyful and painstaking in the process…To cast and carve, chiselling awayTowards the finesse of the elusive perfection.All is but a masterstroke of the creative touch.
An ode to artistry I must thank this unknown artist in the clip who created this beautiful depiction of the festival of Pongal celebration in South India.Watching this video clip made me write a few dedicated verses on the art and flair of the creative touch.Savvy
Do you love to dance?
Do you enjoy leading a dance?
What makes a dance enjoyable?
Dance is a lot like life . Here I bring forth a few simple pointers on Partner Dancing.
Important lessons in leadership are easily learned, on the dance floor…as you lead and as you follow.
They are very simple lessons and yet very powerful and contribute in making one a better dancer immediately. But more importantly it helps to know how to be a better leader in life too.
About two decades or more, Social dancing workshops and lessons in India were rarely common. We decided to do something about it and the Dance Concepts Latin &ballroom dance workshops began . We started with the basics :a Foxtrot , a Waltz , Jive , Rock n Roll and of course a Cha Cha Cha.
The idea was to teach as naturally and as simply as possible, so that the students made quick progress in learning the concepts of dancing rather than just a routine. Having had the privilege of sharing our social dancing skills with so many eager learners over the years we made a few observations … when the learners were learning the footwork side by side they would find it a breeze. But when we instructed them to join hands and dance together in an open hold some of them felt as if they were wrestling more than dancing with the lady pulling one way, while the man was pushing her another way Each had their ideas about how they should move and how it would look.
Social Dancing is a partnership, a partnership where there is a leader and a follower. Even if you don’t like to follow, to dance well together it is wise to respect the partnership rules. Learning to follow is a skill that one needs to develop and is not necessarily easy. It’s difficult as you have to do the same thing your partner is doing, except backward.
Just as important, you have to follow his lead even if it seems as if he’s going the wrong way. And thus if one learns to lead well, the partner may actually enjoy the feeling of being led than feeling yanked and shoved around.
Traditionally the man takes the lead on the dance floor. Yes, in ballroom dancing – even in these days -mostly the man leads. But roles can be and are reversed as well. After all it takes two to tango… if one leads the other follows.
Being a leader is more about sensitivity and definitely not about pushing your partner around, but to lead well, it is necessary to develop spatial awareness so you know exactly where your partner is at every moment, which foot their weight is balanced on without looking. You have to be aware of their pacing, and be mindful of the strengths, and weaknesses. And you have to take all that into consideration every time you move with a partner in your arms.
A good leader connects than controls.
Savvy
Sense what you are going to do before you do it. Just be aware of what your next step is going to be, and give your partner the signal at the right time so they can follow you gracefully. Like so in life: Having some foresight of what your life should become is like knowing what type of dance you want to do. But being a good leader requires more of you than that. It demands that you also have good ideas about the medium- and short-term tasks that are required to achieve that vision. And it means you have to communicate those ideas to your partners – those who are working closely with you to achieve your vision.
When dancing together it is very important to …
Signal your intentions with clarity. To lead well, and the way to avoid using force is to give strong, clear signals. The clearer your signals are, the easier it is to follow you. And the easier it is for your partner to follow you, the better you will look and feel together and the better they will like dancing with you.
In life: knowing what you want from your partners, colleagues etc is not enough. You have to let them know what you want them to do by communicating it to them with clarity. And most of all you have to develop the art of patience.
Lead to demonstrate your partner’s strengths.In dancing, the purpose of the leader is to lead – but the purpose of the dance itself is to enjoy the moment with your partner, each focusing on the bringing the best of each others strengths than the weaknesses…
Wise leaders hardly blame the follower when things go haphazard , which it might at times! After all exhilaration and excitement are a stones throw away from comfort zones that one might trespass at times , yet when ever the leader and the follower work in harmony … it is magnetic and mesmerizing indeed! It is then a dance beyond all expectations!
Savvy Raj
Member of International Dance Council
UNESCO
Savvy Raj 