"Opposite values are complementary, accept them both gracefully" - we are all aware of this wisdom. But still, accepting the opposites and smiling through them is such a big challenge in reality. I often hear people say - 'all this knowledge is good in theory, but not possible to implement in real life'. But yet, when you observe the Master, all this knowledge starts coming to life effortlessly. There is so much of noise around the Guru (people seeking blessings, sharing their problems, expressing their emotions), but the Guru epitomizes Silence like the infinite space. There is so much chaos around the Guru, but the Guru remains calm and centered like a still river. There are so many demands from the Guru, but the Guru himself remains dispassionate like a Sufi fakir. And there is no dearth of ignorance around the Guru, but every word of the Guru is dipped in the nectar of wisdom....A Guru, therefore, does not just accept opposites, rather opposites flourish around him, and then dissolve into him, just how a wave rises from the ocean and then goes back into the ocean. A Guru does not have to 'give' knowledge, Knowledge simply springs forth around Him. Whether he speaks, or remains silent, everything about him is soaked in wisdom. A quiet glance from him can carry infinite love. A simple act of his can give a profound message. And a silent moment in his presence, can heal years of pain. I am in fact reminded of what Gurudev once said - "Satya hai, to keval Guru ka maun" - The Master's silence is the only truth.....and how true is that!! 😊❤️
Jai Gurudev!

What it means to be in the presence of a Master

Have you ever observed your mind when you gaze at a vast ocean, or a huge mountain, or the infinite blue sky? The chattering mind, scattered and wrecked by thoughts, suddenly becomes quiet. A deep silence fills the being, and everything else in the world loses its relevance. It's the same way you feel when you meet a Master. You might go to Him with 100s of questions in your mind, but the moment you stumble into His presence, all questions drop, desires vanish, and the mind dissolves, as if it has merged into Infinity. And in case He happens to gaze into your eyes, even if for the minutest fraction of a second, something beyond the ordinary happens. You experience a bliss that is beyond measure, a joy that cannot be explained in words, and supreme love, that they say even angels long for. 

This couplet by Amjad Islam Amjad so aptly describes what it means to be in the presence of a Master:

"Meri umra se na simat sake, mere dil me itne sawaaal the,
Tere paas jitne jawaab the, teri ek nigaah me aa gaye!"

Which translated into English means:
In my lifetime I could not gather all the questions that I had. But all the answers that you had, in just your one glance got revealed. (you may read the whole poem here)

So if you ever get a chance to be in the presence of a Master, don't think about what you will ask Him, or what will He say to you. Just know that when that moment comes, your silence will speak louder than your words....and so will His. 

A beautiful composition which suits my Master

By Amjad Islam Amjad

Jo Utar ke zeena-e-shaam se
Tere chashm-e-khush me samaa gaye..
Wohi Jalte Bujhte Se Mehar-O-Maah
Mere Baam-O-Dar Ko Sajaa Gaye


After descending from the staircase of dusk, In your parched eyes they were parked in
Those blazing snuffed-out sun and moon, Embellished my roof and door

Ye Ajeeb Khel Hai Ishq Ka
Main Ne Aap Dekhaa Ye Mojza
Wo Jo Lafz Mere Gumaan Mein The
Wo Teri Zubaan Par Aa Gaye

This is a strange play of love, I myself have witnessed this miracle
Those words that were in my thoughts, They came out of your tongue

Wo Ajeeb Phool Se Lafz The
Tere Honth Jin Se Mehak Uthe
Mere Dasht-E-Khwab Mein Door Tak
Koi Baagh Jaise Lagaa Gaye

Those were strange flower like words, The ones that perfumed your lips
In the wilderness of my dreams far beyond, Some garden as if bloomed away,

Meri Umr Se Na Simat Sake
Mere Dil Mein Itne Sawal The
Tere Paas Jitne Jawaab The
Teri Ek Nigaah Mein Aa Gaye

By my lifetime I could not gather, In my heart there were so many questions
But all the answers that you had, In your one gaze were revealed

Death - thou art life

People usually think of death as something terrible, something dark. But just knowing all of us are going to die one day gives so much relief. Thinking all our enemies will die takes away the bitterness and animosity, and thinking all our friends will also die takes away attachment from relationships. And once we are free from these emotions, we can truly enjoy life like a game (which is the whole purpose of why we are here I guess). Knowledge of death, thus, makes us more even more alive 😊 #LiveLife100%

Glory of the Guru

Even the Gods have to follow the word of the Master. All the devas (gods) receive Knowledge only from a Master, after supreme patience and service to the Master. Even the Lords of the Universe - Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh, pray to the Guru Tattva and seek His Grace to carry out their functions of Creation, Maintenance and Destruction. Thus, the Guru, is indeed, the highest power in this creation, and beyond. He is all-Knowing , and the bestower of the Ultimate truth. Having a Guru in human form is a matter of utmost fortune for any being. Feel blessed if you have one.!!

What's the importance of keeping company of the enlightened!

"One who enjoys the company of enlightened men does not suffer in this world, even as one who holds a candle in his hand does not see darkness anywhere."
~ Yoga Vasistha (one of the best spiritual scriptures you can read to remove all doubts about the reality of existence)

My experiences in Dubai...the city of gold.....and concrete :)

I was leading a happy, rather very happy life in Bangalore. Bangalore - as most of you who know the place will agree, is a geographically blessed city. The weather there is nothing like anywhere in the country, and specially for a guy who had hitherto spent all his life in Kolkata and Orissa, Bangalore was "straight out of a dream" stuff. It is overnight from Kerala, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Coorgh, Kodaikanal, Ooty, Goa. Name a place where you would wish to spend a weekend, and it will all be within the reach of a road trip from B'lore.

What added to the charm of the city was the cosmopolitan population, most of which is probably in the 25-35 age bracket. Mumbai is the city of dreams, but somehow in reality, people in Bangalore looked happier. The usual din and bustle of city life is inevitable anywhere, but what matters more is how you feel within and without that "noise" around. How many of us truly love the city we live in - probably very few. But Bangalore was an exception. And I fell in love with the city too.

But human nature is fickle. Like the moon, our mind wanes and waxes. Despite a busy, decent-paying job, in a blue-chip Software MNC, I had a desire that I want to work abroad -  not very far from India, but somewhere where I get the feel of an exotic location without being worried about the time it would take to travel back to India if I have to. I shortlisted Dubai and Singapore. The 'Powers to be' did a lucky draw, and poof-----up came the name ----- Dubai :)

To say that the offer letter from a renowned company from Dubai really got me excited, would probably not be entirely incorrect. I was excited about going abroad no doubt, but doubts about the company, the pay package, the city, and long heard rumours about 'D' company did unsettle my mind a bit.

But after a lot of rumination, and convincing by my friends, I decided to give Dubai a shot. My mother's confidence in my decision made things easier. Also, the excitement others expressed on hearing about my new job and place made me feel that I am now obligated to move out of India. I could not dampen their expectations and excitement.

So I finally landed in this city - DUBAI on a hot afternoon of July 2012.

The airport itself gave me a sound indication of what lay ahead. Flashing pillars, spic and span floors, high ceilings, numerous elevators and travelators, and people pouring in from all sides - Dubai had announced itself grandly. It was too perfect for an Indian to digest. For someone who was used to unruly crowds, people breaking queues from everywhere, rude officials and airports that look like war zones, Dubai looked like a Utopian land. And it's not that this perfect order was only there at the airport. It extended into the city as well. From the highways to the malls to the most busy markets - Dubai was an example in orderliness.

Its been about 6 years for me in this City now, and it never ceases to amaze me. A new bridge, a new tower, a new tourist attraction pops out of nowhere every 3rd day here. Life moves like clockwork from weekend to weekend. And amid all the hullabaloo of a typical city life, Dubai still manages to maintain its orderliness.  I often wonder - more than 40% of Dubai's population is Indian, then how come we maintain such perfect discipline here? The funnier part is that the moment we reach India, our behaviour changes totally. It's very evident from the scene you witness on the flight the moment it touches the India soil. Everyone is in a rush to leave the aircraft first. Jostling and elbowing starts from the time the plane lands at the Indian airport and even before the pilot can make the customary announcements about the local time and weather. Its a funny scene to witness. These same people had entered the aircraft in Dubai in a perfect column. But a different person emerges out of them in India. As if there is a reset button in us which restores the Indian DNA in us the moment we are in our country.  I am not judging whether it is good or bad. I am no one to comment. But it's interesting to observe nonetheless. And I am not aloof from the crowd. I share the same DNA. Its probably a reflex action - 'survival of the fittest' instinct  😃

Dubai needs Indians and Indians need Dubai. Being in Dubai is a matter of pride, and I have experienced this pride in the way my parents feel and in the way a lot of my relatives and friends treat me now. Despite so many Indians being here, it's a good thing that we have retained the good part of India here, and kept out the not so good part. We have not turned Dubai into another India. But the bigger question is, when will we turn our India into Dubai - or even better? I hope soon 😊