Savvy Raj

Live Life Lovingly!


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Ethereal

 

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This beautiful photograph of the Jacaranda Tree is a sight to behold . I have always liked to see  pictures of these  purple and  pink  and lavender blue trees .

But this particular picture … it was pure fascination!

Could I write verses on it…. perhaps! Cos it feels like serenedipity everytime I see it. There is so much pleasantness in that picture for me … I am guessing I am simply partial to all those hues and tones right there juxtaposed so delightfully. Quite like the essence of a prolific poem understated and unassuming.

Yet poetry is not on my mind today…

In fact what I am drawn to here is the delicate draw of balance of colour and composition. The brilliant blues of the sky entices the viewer as much  the hints of hues of greens  and pink just about show up  ever so delicately amidst the starkness of the stems from  betwixst and between the branches of this bewitching tree.

And thats not all … there is so much more to that tree and this photograph is just a hint of whats in the offing….

There is certain sense of ambiguity  yet an attribution of knowing there is much much more beyond the visible.

In fact when you actually see, it is the beauty of the skylight seen through the canopy of pink flowers amidst those branches all captured in that one enthralling moment.

And like  nothings is ever permanent  and perfect,  there always comes the scope of change even in so much balance in that stillness of the movement so precariously precise in the picture.

 

The trick is to be aware of balance

Appreciate the now for what it is

It offers much if you choose to see.

So perfect in its imperfections

A sense of the almost ethreal…

 

 

Here are a few facts on Jacaranda Tree.

The Jacaranda flowers are known to flutter down continously from the tree.The trees are native to South and Central America  and now are also seen in many tropical areas of the world.

Pretoria in South Africa is known to be The Jacaranda City for the huge number the these trees planted in parks steets and gardens.So much so that when seen from the nearby hills the city is known  to appears blue/purple in colour.

The word Jacaranda means fragrant in a South American dialect and depending on their species  they have blue to white to  lavender pink to purple shades of flowers. They are known to grow as tall as 20 to 30 metres in height in their lifetime which can span  from 50 toover 70 years or so.

And because of that one picture I choose to look up and discover these tidbits … .Do share if you find some more about this tree.

Savvy Raj

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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On Life Management.

Wisdom truly lies in the art of  management of two principles in life : one of never giving up and the other of letting go.

On one side is a dedication, discipline  and determination  and on  the other is the  dispassionate discernment and in learning to surrender to balance the ego within.  Every attempt at achieving such a state of balance can be a great tool for learning to evolve with the wisdom.
For life is to evolve and not simply dissolve

For life is to live and not simply exist.

Take the path of purpose in faith trust and belief

Flow along with the path of light in passion and dedication .

And allow life to manifest its infinite abundance.

 

There is an exemplary account of life lived in such a path of evolution and enlightenment

Sharing the great visionary  of India Swami Vivekananda’s  account of  life story in his  own words here  ….

 “When you travel on this path of shraddha, (faith) veerya, (courage ) smiriti, (that which is remembered) you have to go through three phases.  The first phase is Haasya (laughter/humour). People will make fun of you. Face them. Accept them. When you are taunted, reply in the same tone of haasya. Then slowly the inner consciousness starts evolving. Then comes the second stage ‘Virodha’.(opposition/ hostility) The same people will start opposing your stance – Accept all the opposition. Don’t fight with anybody. Don’t argue. The moment you get into the argument, then you are going to suffer. If you argue while you are going through lot of internal turmoil’s, conflicts and confusions, you will not be able to convince anybody. So, during the second part of sadhana, (dedicated practice)don’t argue with anybody. Convert the negativity into a positive fragrance and give this in return. Then comes the third stage of ‘Svekaara'(acceptance). The same people who laughed at you, the same people who threw stones, will do pranams ( respectful salutation)& accept you.

In my own life, I have experienced this but I had to pay heavily. Those who taught me became my students but only after I did tapas for 10 years continuously and silently. Understand one thing. Inner sadhana is not a revolution but an evolution. Revolution requires force, vengeance. Evolution requires love, humility and a great feeling of universal love. The consciousness has to evolve. This is an evolutionary process where the bud flowers. We have to allow time for the bud to flower. It will not flower in one day. It takes time. It has to receive proteins, vitamins and the necessary energy for all petals to open out. You have to have a great patience. You have to create an environment for the petals to bloom silently. This is Sadhana. “Swami Vivekananda

 

Any path of passionate dedication and discipline evolves you along in the strength of persevarance

To honor your path and vision is a task of a lifetime.

To steer clear of slack and sloth, lethargy and languidity  takes a  consistent mastering of the senses. 

To stay true to your chosen way and vision is a commitment  driven by your belief  and faith in your life’s purpose of being.

To know is to reach beyond the sensing of the  eternal truth of ones being . 

And  all the challenges happening along in the journey, will resolve in time on its own  as the intent and  focus remains unwavered.

 For life itself  is a spark of the divine consciousness.

Savvy Raj 


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Travel Trails

 

Musings on the Middle East:  Part 2


The Meet and Greets: 

While this trip to the Middle east, was a great getaway of sorts, between the work and pleasure,  it undoubtedly became a fodder for thought and much reflections in those moments of  chanced and planned connects  with some amazing people living there. And some of them  I met for the first time and bonded so instantly as if I knew them forever  and a few  who I knew for decades but didnt get to meet and connect earlier.

There were many more on my list of people who I wanted to meet but have left that for my next trip sooner than later.

Connects of empathy:

Meeting another human being for the first time is an enigmatic phenomenon. In todays age of technology although you may try to connect in so many ways online. Real time meet and greets hold their own a bag of surprises and treats in tow.
One such meet was planned … by me and  my dear warm hearted friend from online. Fatima.An eloquent writer with a heart of gold and a keenly developed insight of people and their resources who draws much strength in  positive reflections and most importantly a kind and brave heart following her dreams.

The  heartfelt connects established in moments of our first meeting was clearly visible. She treated me to an amazing  authentic Arabic  dinner that evening  and while catching up on our lives,  in between us was a complete ease of being which we both mutually sensed in the lovely ease of conversation and strength of connection in the little time we had that day. Her warm hospitality and generosity touched me and I truly  look forward to meeting her again sooner than later and wish her the best always from my heart.

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Then there was this local Arab woman dressed in the traditional Abhaya worn with the hijab and those alluring kohl rimmed eyes with whom I shared a lengthy conversation of their culture and learned much but who moved me in the  simplicity of her  words and in sharing her heart’s deepest desires for freedom of movement and  her eagerness in learning to dance…
Another  wonderful woman with whom my daughter and I shared a great rapport albeit in just a few minutes of conversation was a travel guide who invited us to her home in Abu Dhabi. We got talking about so many things in such a short span of time. We bonded without reservations.
There are many more truly endearing people I met and connected some who I managed to catch up with on phone …but simply put perhaps it is just my way of seeing but I found many friendly people from across the world living there making a living thriving in the tolerance and interconnects  that makes up  much of Dubai’s culture in recent times.

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And yes of course my visit to the traditional city  of Sharjah had its own share of charm . As the people I met there were my  very dear  friends  connecting after so long … yet the heartconnects were entrenched so deep that it felt home to me .

 

A short driving across the city  will lead you through the Corniche  where you can  stay on  to watch the beautiful Arabian Sunset  and may be drive further on to Al Ain as well.

 

Will not forget the trips to the Gold and Spice Souks and most of all the Creek and the dhow cruise on the creek one pleasant evening….

 


Foodwise :

Being a vegetarian I thought my choices would be limited to pizzas and pastas  and of course my saviour’ Subway’ besides the Indian food . But I was pleasantly surprised to find my flavour in Arabic food. Suffice to say the sumptous starters of the Arab cusine  and their  spiced tea was perfectly suited to my vegetarian and satvic senibilities. And I must thank my  dear friends, relatives and hosts who took so much care and put so much consideration while ordering  that I  will hold very fond memories of dining out in this delightful trip.

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Thanks to my amazing hosts I tried many dishes some  which were known  like the falafel and some  new to me…tabbouleh and  the zatar  and lentil soup 

were just divine. Midly aromatic and 

full of flavour  and bursting  with greens 

and a dash of lime . Awesome indeed!.

A city may be made of concrete

But homes are built with hearts

And life thrives in these homes.

Savvy

Precious time spent there…

About me: 

 

Wellness Mentor, Dance Educator & Writer, Motivational Speaker, Freelance Designer

‘Creativity stems from the acceptance of your authentic self. It is a never-ending journey of endless possibilities that is much beyond the pursuit of a hobby or craft and can be a habit of a lifetime. So besides being a Dance educator being a writer and a designer, creating art and writing poetry gives me immense satisfaction with the infinite ways of expressing myself as I believe in enjoying the journey as much as the destination.’

Travel Trails : From At the Top






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On Seeing beyond the looking!

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“Never look down to test the ground before taking your next step; only he who keeps his eye fixed on the far horizon will find the right road.”  Dag Hammarskjold

Swedish Political Leader, Secretary General Of The United Nations

   These  above words may spell success or  be a recipe for disaster depending on the ability to keep the focus on that which you see!

  The acceptance of the manifold possibilities  of seeing beyond looking  could be the very reason for expansive outreach of potential in world affairs and resolutions whether it is a matter of peace or war. Having said so, solutions are in the emergence of a stream of consciousness in awareness of a meeting point in the melting pot from convergence to transcendence. An approach that is inclusive in temperament and expansive in the envisioning.

  Truth be told , we have travelled on far in time  and space and as we stand today, the realisation of the infinity  of consciousness beyond the horizons is well set already.  It is just a matter of  probability on where our sights are, as we envision our path beyond  and how it resonates in our awareness as it takes flight. 

   Speaking of flight unto beyond there is much going on before from take off  between the spreading of wings  and the flapping in flight. Would a bird be able to fly if its sight is fixated on the ground. Would the ship be able to sail  of to distant lands  and explore if it keeps itself safe harboured along the shores…. Its no wonder indeed that to fly  and explore the unknown you must first be ready to let go of the ground beneath your feet.

   In the same breath the awareness of when to take the flight  and where and how to land back  and find the balance on the high ground  is a task of a lifetime to master.

  So between the focussed planner of details and the far sighted idealist visionary…there are many paths  to envision, where do you see yourself ?

  Who are you? Are you  more of the visionary kind?

  Or are you the more cautious realist who weighs your options before every step?

  What are your views on this? Do care to share…

   Savvy Raj 


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On Thriving

 

 

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When you care to strive for….

An open mind

A loving heart

A calm breath

A caring heart

A joyful spirit

A helping nature

A sense of self

A healthy body

A freedom to move

A trustful way

A thoughtful speech

A passion to live

A peaceful life….
Trust the universe to help you thrive all through…
Savvy Raj


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Quietude

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Practising quietude to listen is about stilling the restless spirit.

Quietude is about respecting the strength of subtlety.

Quietude is valuing the grace of dignity of consciousness.

Quietude is an opportunity to hone awareness of subtle consciousness…

For in listening beyond all the noise

The core of our consciousness awakens

and finds its own voice.

To express and acknowledge the learnings

in the essence of  silence.

Savvy Raj

 

 

To Dance is to Celebrate Life!

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A vision A verse.On Dancing the Art of Movement.

Combining my other two passions Painting and Poetry.

Savvy

For the love of dancing1

Dance with joy and not with friction

 Dance with awareness not with caution

Dance with grace not with distraction

Dance with gratitude not with a contradiction

Dance to feel your soul move and not just as an action

Dance in response to an action, rather than just as a reaction!

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Dance with the heart and mind in rapt attention

Dance with expansiveness accepting correction

Dance often, in prayer and dedication

Dance with a conscious acceptance of  the divine connection

Dance with elegance and the harmony of completion !

 Savvy Raj

India

 Image Credits  Savvy Raj

 Titled :  ‘Dancing Connects ‘   My paintings and artwork  Inspired by Dances from across the world.


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Circle of thoughts: 9

Circle of thoughts 9

A vision a verse by Savvy Raj

http://wp.me/p6a0yZ-1hZ 

Contd…
A task that calls for dedicated discipline

Art of thought  is in the making

To connect itself to its highest potential

To trust the thoughts in the sensing.

Savvy Raj

 This above  digital artwork  Titled ‘Circles of thoughts:9 is a creative interpretation of encircling thoughts, The verses that follow is the ninth  part of my series of micro poems on interconnecting thoughts.  Savvy 



To be contd … 

Related links to read more…

/https://savvyraj.com/circles-of-thoughts/1

/https://savvyraj.com/circle-of-thoughts-2/

https://savvyraj.com/2017/06/03/circle-of-thoughts-3

https://savvyraj.com/2017/06/06/circle-of-thoughts-4/

https://savvyraj.com/2017/06/08/circle-of-thoughts-5/

https://savvyraj.com/2017/06/08/circle-of-thoughts-6/

https://savvyraj.com/2017/06/08/circle-of-thoughts-7/

http://wp.me/p6a0yZ-1hZ

Also published on

https://medium.com/@savvyraj/circle-of-thoughts-91169f939c0b

#Micropoetry 1#tetrastich #visual verses

Circleoflife #wisdom of change#A sense of it all#subtlety of consciousness #inside outside

Artwork by Savvy Raj

About the Author:

www.savvyraj.com


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The Healing Touch

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Have you really touched someone today?

Have you been embraced with expansive love?

Have you felt like reaching out with all your heart?

Have you held another’s hand in your hand?

 

 

 

Great is the healing in a caring touch.

One handhold can lift a broken spirit.

One hug can heal another soul.

One step to reach out can tug at another’s heartstrings.

One touch of kindness can make all the difference.

 

Great is the healing in a caring touch.              

Both life and living can at times turn cold

When the children grow and empty their nests,

When life becomes too busy to be,

When relationships start to lose their meaning,

When tired body leaves one forlorn,

When thoughts seem to turn anxious,

 

When moments seem to drag,

When a sense of utter loneliness prevails,

Whenever there are feelings of helplessness.

Remember to reach out and hold a needy hand

As the power of healing is in a caring touch.

Savvy Raj

 

About the Author:

Ms Savvy Raj is a Member of the International Dance Council UNESCO the official worldwide organisation for all forms of dance. As a Dance Educator and Corporate Wellness Trainer, she conducts workshops in Social Dances, Holistic Well-Being as well as Personal Effectiveness. She is a certified adult trainer who uses the creative medium of dance towards bringing empathetic consciousness in her students. Using International Social dance forms and a variety of improvisational techniques as well as creative movement exercises she brings forth the human connect in it all. Working towards the development of an individual through dance applications and nurturing in the learners an enthusiasm to see and live life positively.

Savvy is also Certified Graphologist who pursues this as a hobby in her spare time along with a passion for writing, painting, poetry, drawing, sketching and designing.

A few related posts

https://savvyraj.com/2015/09/23/circles-of-compassion/

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20141120124350-232760496-dancing-magic-of-movements

To Dance…

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A dance can introduce you to yourself,

as it beckons you to know your limitless potential.

Savvy Raj

Conversations in Oneness 

To dance is to converse with your soul in oneness.

To dance is to acknowledge  the living  you in this moment

To dance is to move with your soul’s longings in this present now.

To dance is to feel the rhythm of your own beating heart.

To dance is dare to reach beyond the spaces visible.

To dance is to sense the magic as you touch the intangible  …

To dance is to sense the preciousness of time.

As it glides  with your movements sublime

In every move, the heart and mind is looped in joyousness

In every flight is the beauty of lightness …

To dance is to be connected  to your  being

In the contentment of life and living!

Savvy

I love to dance

In every moment of my life….I relate to the fluidity of movements we make,  to the rhythm of the words we write, to the harmony in the words we speak, to the synchrony of the  breaths we take,  to the connectedness in the  flow of thoughts we have , to the strength in the similarity of one being to the other,  to the heightened  awareness  of feelings and emotions to the consciousness of every deed and actions, to the mind and body  connection  we touch  upon with a simple dance.

Dancing regularly has the power of release … from inhibitors like fear, seclusion, loneliness depressive states, mood swings,  lack of confidence, social reservations and lack of communication. An hour of dancing regularly can bring a spring in the step and smile on one’s lips.

That said there are some parameters to take note of for enhanced benefits from dancing which need to be mentioned.

The dance and you:

Every individual is unique and it would be good to start learning gradually with an appropriate dance form suited to their innate nature and choice.
For example, there is no reason to push a beginner beyond their boundaries at they are introduced to certain dance movement without consent and choice. As the benefits of dancing can be seen when they love what they learn and dance what they love.

Take it easy and enjoy the journey! 

Dance is not a war with oneself or another it is about being in harmony and at peace with the self so as to enjoy the dance.

The trainer the teacher you learn from always plays a much bigger role in making you love or hate what you learn.It is a huge responsibility as a teacher than to send out positive reflection appreciation and encouraging signals to communicate the power of dance and movement.

Although there are many wonderful teachers out there, try to work with someone chosen according to the goal plans you set for yourself as you begin to learn. That said …dedication discipline, attendance punctuality, appearance personal hygiene and faith and trust in your efforts are going to play a major role in the efforts from both sides.

Today as we celebrate the International Dance Day … I dedicate this post to the celebration of ‘Dance in and around us to the Dance and the Dancer in us all.’

Savvy Raj 

About me:

https://about.me/savvyraj

Image credits Google Search


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Writing as I know it…



On Writing

Writing is a liberating experience if you care to steer your thoughts and string them in words. Every writer has many or no reason about what and why they write …

It is the most natural thing to do or it is a task to brings even two words together. It is an integrative experience or a chore to get done with depending on our attitudes, to begin with.

Writing is an art of construction of an abstraction,  it can help evolve mass consciousness and propel new consciousness.

Writing is a trustful companion at your behest whenever wherever or a taxing exercise.But every writing is unique just as the writer behind it.

Reader and a writer  a dance of symbiosis 

 There is an invisible bond that forms between a writer and reader a relationship that thrives if it is of mutual respect and understanding. As both are giving away their precious time of their lives in the writing and the reading. Ideally, it is a symbiotic relationship as there can never be one without the other. Both are valuable and contribute deeply in their mere presence.

A reader is as necessary to the writer as ink and paper as without a reader the writer will have no reason to put down thoughts in written format .. And if there is no one yet at least for the self to read on.

A writer matters a great deal too. To an avid reader of a certain writer, every word gives a unique connect. Sometimes writings can be shocking and jarring while some caress in the fluidity of the flow. It is but a matter of choice and with the freedom of will comes a great responsibility….

Writing can set free deep-seated emotions and in such freedom is the underlying responsibility…

Writing is a responsibility as once writ,  the words have great power to stir  emotions and  touch hearts ,  to enthuse or infuse hope or hatred . So it is imperative to exercise  awareness through every word written and published.  Savvy 

Why I write 

I write when I am charged with an idea an inspiration. Or perhaps when there is nothing else to do.

I write to balance my emotions whenever it needs equilibrium.

I write to flow with the moment with a thought that aligns as it calls on me and as I write at times emerges into a pattern in prose or verse.

I write to understand better when thoughts overpower…overstimulate the mind.

I write to let go of all that comes to my mind which I feel and hope can make a positive difference somewhere to someone reading me.

I write at times in deliberation too to process and synthesise new understandings.

I write to unshackle from the many convictions I may unknowingly hold. As I write they break loose from restrictive spaces and help to align my thoughts in the sifting.

I write to express the bounties of life that I’m blessed to enjoy in gratitude.

I write to sense the bliss of being with all of me in the moment.

I write to express myself my way.

Savvy

About me:

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Read more ….https://savvyraj.com/2017/04/14/on-writing-part2-being-a-guest-blogger-for-the-first-time