AID NCR (http://delhi.aidindia.org/) is a 'big' family now. So, big that handling it as one single unit is becoming a challenge.
We have been discussing separating as independent chapters and then managing work independently for quite some time now. As three chapters evolve out of one, the shared responsibilities have to be replicated in each unit.
I have been a dormant member, a 'extreme need basis' volunteer for some time now - about 3 yrs. Priorities change significantly after marraige, and definitely after children. To add to it, I am also pursuing PhD alongside my job. In such times of 'time-crunch', one has to keep one's immediate life circle at a higher priority than those on who one has secondary or tertiary impact.
So, when I was asked to take care of treasury at AID Delhi again, after about 4 years, I was overwhelmed... I want to help, but don't want to plunge into it too soon... I would prefer the PhD course work to reach a level of maturity before entering into such active level of volunteering again...
Same applies to "campaigns"... Its a challenge... I will take it up again in some time...
In the meanwhile, are you interested to volunteer? Write in...
Monday, July 05, 2010
Why are you giving me this?
Aarushi had just woken up. She was hungry. As she entered the living room, she saw dadu eating some namkeen. She jumped at the opportunity and starting eating some of those bhujia.
When I joined her in the room, I tasted the bhujia myself and found them to be very spicy. I asked Aarushi if she found them spicy and if she should stop. She insisted that she was enjoying it and asked me for helpings. I obliged hesistantly.
She then came to me and asked, 'Papu, aap mujhe mirch wali bhujia kyon khila rahe ho?' I said, 'because you asked for it'.
Does God give us our 'mirch wali bhujia', that is, 'not so pleasant experiences' because we ask for them? Isn't this "The Secret"?
He asks us if we really want it, if He thinks that it might not be as good as it looks... But we want to experiment OR at times want something simply because we don't have it OR want it because He asks us to not have it... At times, giving in to His word, is all that is needed to get something palatable on our plate...
When I joined her in the room, I tasted the bhujia myself and found them to be very spicy. I asked Aarushi if she found them spicy and if she should stop. She insisted that she was enjoying it and asked me for helpings. I obliged hesistantly.
She then came to me and asked, 'Papu, aap mujhe mirch wali bhujia kyon khila rahe ho?' I said, 'because you asked for it'.
Does God give us our 'mirch wali bhujia', that is, 'not so pleasant experiences' because we ask for them? Isn't this "The Secret"?
He asks us if we really want it, if He thinks that it might not be as good as it looks... But we want to experiment OR at times want something simply because we don't have it OR want it because He asks us to not have it... At times, giving in to His word, is all that is needed to get something palatable on our plate...
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Learn, Unlearn, Relearn
It is said that in today's knowledge world, it is those who know how to learn, un-learn, and then re-learn, will succeed most. I believe that this has been true always, but is more obvious now.
Those who accept change with open arms - and are ready to unlearn their old ways of living and re-learn new ways of living - can make the most of the opportunities that come with any wave of change. They can thus be the most successful lot of people.
Even physical objects resist change (Newton's law of intertia). It is only natural that human beings will also resist change.
Then, those who put in mental and physical energy to mitigate this resistance, may probably enter the changed situation with a higher probability of success.
Those who accept change with open arms - and are ready to unlearn their old ways of living and re-learn new ways of living - can make the most of the opportunities that come with any wave of change. They can thus be the most successful lot of people.
Even physical objects resist change (Newton's law of intertia). It is only natural that human beings will also resist change.
Then, those who put in mental and physical energy to mitigate this resistance, may probably enter the changed situation with a higher probability of success.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Dancing to the music of love
Aarushi insisted on meeting dadu when I took her to the park in the morning.
Papa was continuing with his yoga practice while his other colleagues had already left.
She and held papa like a long lost friend and started playing with him.
After some time, papa decided to fold the rug and pack the stuff to go back home. As he picked up the rug, a plain, white plastic sheet that he uses below the cloth rug came to sight.
Aarushi jumped on it and started dancing. Both of us (I and papa) were surprised, elated, filled with joy at her simple act. People around were watching this little baby dancing on the white sheet.
This was the dance she was dancing to the music of love... She was happy at having me by her side in the morning. She was happy at being with papa. She was happy about the presence of love around her. She was dancing to its music. She did not need anything else.
The same day we also went to a party and she was at her danceuse best on the dance floor too.
It did not matter to her what stage she was given. She utilied the opportunity to put her best foot forward and dance no matter what.
She was dancing to her own rythm and did not bother about how others would/ could possibly rate her performance. It was an expression of her passion, her joy.
And this made me think - this is what true sanyaas is all about. To be happy always - in His presence. To be able to put our best forward independent of the conditions offered to us by life. We may be dealt any set of cards, we have to do our best. We may not have the option to add color, but we still have to dance. And we have to dance well even when we have the colors. The colors should not prevent us from feeling the presence.
And that is what God might also love and feel good about - when His children are happy with whatever they are dealt with - and enjoy the gifts, even the most mundane ones. When His children dance to the music of love. More so, love for Him.
Papa was continuing with his yoga practice while his other colleagues had already left.
She and held papa like a long lost friend and started playing with him.
After some time, papa decided to fold the rug and pack the stuff to go back home. As he picked up the rug, a plain, white plastic sheet that he uses below the cloth rug came to sight.
Aarushi jumped on it and started dancing. Both of us (I and papa) were surprised, elated, filled with joy at her simple act. People around were watching this little baby dancing on the white sheet.
This was the dance she was dancing to the music of love... She was happy at having me by her side in the morning. She was happy at being with papa. She was happy about the presence of love around her. She was dancing to its music. She did not need anything else.
The same day we also went to a party and she was at her danceuse best on the dance floor too.
It did not matter to her what stage she was given. She utilied the opportunity to put her best foot forward and dance no matter what.
She was dancing to her own rythm and did not bother about how others would/ could possibly rate her performance. It was an expression of her passion, her joy.
And this made me think - this is what true sanyaas is all about. To be happy always - in His presence. To be able to put our best forward independent of the conditions offered to us by life. We may be dealt any set of cards, we have to do our best. We may not have the option to add color, but we still have to dance. And we have to dance well even when we have the colors. The colors should not prevent us from feeling the presence.
And that is what God might also love and feel good about - when His children are happy with whatever they are dealt with - and enjoy the gifts, even the most mundane ones. When His children dance to the music of love. More so, love for Him.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
The Law of Harvest
Whether we realize it or not, God has given us a huge piece of land. He allows us to use it whichever way we desire. He offers us the distinction between the crops and the weeds and He takes us through a prototype plot - the one of our parents to see for ourselves.
This prototype essentially teaches us the law of harvest - so shall you sow, so shall you reap. Now, we have the choice about which crops to sow. The crops are our karma. If we sow the right seeds, we will get the right crops.
What is interesting is that we have to reap our past karma too, for only then will it be possible for us to sow the new karma.
It is our choice - to sow the right karma - independent of what we are reaping presently. It is only then that we will be able to reduce the plot size under bad karma. This is essentially what a transition person also does.
Finally, if we sow more of the right karma, then depending on the fertility of the soil and how rich it was to let new experiences evolve fast, we will reap the right crop, get the right/ desired outcomes.
And it is so important to keep the soil healthy. So, we have to multi-crop. Have non-flowering plants for some time. This is an investment. The legumes will nurture the soil. We have to have crop rotation and put these legumes in various parts of this plot - the various dimensions of life.
We also have another choice. On how to handle the past karma. The bad crop can be thrown away, or their goodness - the goodness that is inherent in every crop - can be reused. We can decide to assimilate the learnings by chewing upon them like earthworms and use the enlightenment as manure so that the land becomes more fertile.
We will always have some random thoughts that we don't desire. These have to be removed right away. These weeds have a way to spread fast - very fast. They will not let sunlight reach the little seeds that we have sown and they will eat away the nutrition that our good karma would otherwise need. They will stunt the growth of our karma so that we have to wait longer to get our results and rewards.
A piece of land that has been kept fallow should also be de-weeded regularly. These are the dimensions of our lives where we haven't sown seeds yet. For example, the institution of marriage for the bachelors, or that of children for those who have none.
What is interesting is that enlightenment (manure) from any dimension of life can be used in any other part of the plot to get better results.
In this plot, we have to sow seeds of character and let them grow into big trees. The fruits will come in time and will be abundant to be shared with all who we love. The roots will go deep into the soil and will keep the soil together and offer stability. Alongside, we will have to sow other crops for short to medium term survival. We will also need to plant flowers so that we exhibit a happy personality with an ever-smiling countenance.
The flowers are good to have but since they are seasonal, their variety may either change automatically or will need to be changed when the season changes. In fact, these flowering plants may not even survive through a season. That is why it is important to have the trees in the first place. To have at least some gift to offer those who visit your farm (life).
Needless to say, multiple trees should be there to bear fruits in various seasons. One would get bored by eating the same fruit - day in and day out anyways :-)
Before planting the trees it is important to know about the local climate and the quality of the soil. These are the principles and values that will govern our plot. They define the "right" trees and plants for us. This is the mission statement that should help us achieve the success that we want to achieve in life.
We have to align our missions statement with the values and principles that govern our piece of land and we can be assured of an abundant harvest.
This prototype essentially teaches us the law of harvest - so shall you sow, so shall you reap. Now, we have the choice about which crops to sow. The crops are our karma. If we sow the right seeds, we will get the right crops.
What is interesting is that we have to reap our past karma too, for only then will it be possible for us to sow the new karma.
It is our choice - to sow the right karma - independent of what we are reaping presently. It is only then that we will be able to reduce the plot size under bad karma. This is essentially what a transition person also does.
Finally, if we sow more of the right karma, then depending on the fertility of the soil and how rich it was to let new experiences evolve fast, we will reap the right crop, get the right/ desired outcomes.
And it is so important to keep the soil healthy. So, we have to multi-crop. Have non-flowering plants for some time. This is an investment. The legumes will nurture the soil. We have to have crop rotation and put these legumes in various parts of this plot - the various dimensions of life.
We also have another choice. On how to handle the past karma. The bad crop can be thrown away, or their goodness - the goodness that is inherent in every crop - can be reused. We can decide to assimilate the learnings by chewing upon them like earthworms and use the enlightenment as manure so that the land becomes more fertile.
We will always have some random thoughts that we don't desire. These have to be removed right away. These weeds have a way to spread fast - very fast. They will not let sunlight reach the little seeds that we have sown and they will eat away the nutrition that our good karma would otherwise need. They will stunt the growth of our karma so that we have to wait longer to get our results and rewards.
A piece of land that has been kept fallow should also be de-weeded regularly. These are the dimensions of our lives where we haven't sown seeds yet. For example, the institution of marriage for the bachelors, or that of children for those who have none.
What is interesting is that enlightenment (manure) from any dimension of life can be used in any other part of the plot to get better results.
In this plot, we have to sow seeds of character and let them grow into big trees. The fruits will come in time and will be abundant to be shared with all who we love. The roots will go deep into the soil and will keep the soil together and offer stability. Alongside, we will have to sow other crops for short to medium term survival. We will also need to plant flowers so that we exhibit a happy personality with an ever-smiling countenance.
The flowers are good to have but since they are seasonal, their variety may either change automatically or will need to be changed when the season changes. In fact, these flowering plants may not even survive through a season. That is why it is important to have the trees in the first place. To have at least some gift to offer those who visit your farm (life).
Needless to say, multiple trees should be there to bear fruits in various seasons. One would get bored by eating the same fruit - day in and day out anyways :-)
Before planting the trees it is important to know about the local climate and the quality of the soil. These are the principles and values that will govern our plot. They define the "right" trees and plants for us. This is the mission statement that should help us achieve the success that we want to achieve in life.
We have to align our missions statement with the values and principles that govern our piece of land and we can be assured of an abundant harvest.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
An Attempt at Free-will
I always want my near and dear ones to choose their paths independently. But simultaneously earnestly desire that they be aligned to the "right" universal principles.
I try to make them aware of all the options available and am ready to offer my views on various options, when asked.
Offering these views when not asked is like biasing the other person.
And this is what God also avoids. He provides us with all the choices but lets us choose which way we want to go. To seek His advice, we have to listen to our inner voice. And we can always decide to ignore it. God is pained, but His love for us does not diminish.
The results that we get will be aligned to the universal principles - that of karma, that of the law of harvest --> that so shall you sow, so shall you reap. The law of harvest always applies. It may take time for the crop to grow up so that you reap it. But that is all that you will have to reap.
I try to make them aware of all the options available and am ready to offer my views on various options, when asked.
Offering these views when not asked is like biasing the other person.
And this is what God also avoids. He provides us with all the choices but lets us choose which way we want to go. To seek His advice, we have to listen to our inner voice. And we can always decide to ignore it. God is pained, but His love for us does not diminish.
The results that we get will be aligned to the universal principles - that of karma, that of the law of harvest --> that so shall you sow, so shall you reap. The law of harvest always applies. It may take time for the crop to grow up so that you reap it. But that is all that you will have to reap.
Father and the Free-will
The role of the Father is a tough one. The Father wants the children to make the right choices and walk the right path. The path He has made us for. He gives us opportunities to learn the needed skills. He shows us the path. However, He also gives us the free-will to choose our path.
He is elated when we follow what He desires - when we choose His path.
He is helpless when we take a different call. Nevertheless, He is there - always - to help us out to change course/ choose the best amongst those availalbe if we listen to His word.
It is very difficult to give the freedom to choose and even when the child makes a different choice that what you wanted, to keep loving and not be upset or angry. That is real Godliness that we have to learn as good human beings. This is the real meaning of freedom to choose. To offer continued, unconditional support to the child whatever the child decides. And, results that the child gets are then essentially due to free-will.
So, what we get as results are also an outcome of our choices when we had the freedom to choose. If our choices are aligned with God's path, the result will always be a blessing.
He is elated when we follow what He desires - when we choose His path.
He is helpless when we take a different call. Nevertheless, He is there - always - to help us out to change course/ choose the best amongst those availalbe if we listen to His word.
It is very difficult to give the freedom to choose and even when the child makes a different choice that what you wanted, to keep loving and not be upset or angry. That is real Godliness that we have to learn as good human beings. This is the real meaning of freedom to choose. To offer continued, unconditional support to the child whatever the child decides. And, results that the child gets are then essentially due to free-will.
So, what we get as results are also an outcome of our choices when we had the freedom to choose. If our choices are aligned with God's path, the result will always be a blessing.
The Role Play
Most people have children. The Father gives most children the opportunity to play the role of the Father in this lifetime. It really is a tough role to play.
All of us anyways play the role of the Son (child). Are we making our Father proud?
Role-play is a very important and effective training technique. It helps the person playing the role experience the situation at hand from a different perspective and the role-player grows as an individual.
However, it is very important to be constantly aware that what God has asked us to do is just play a role. Let us not become egoists in believing that we are the role that we play (because, finally we are not the provider, but the provided). But, we should still keep playing the role because we have an opportunity to train ourselves in Godliness and Goodliness :-).
All of us anyways play the role of the Son (child). Are we making our Father proud?
Role-play is a very important and effective training technique. It helps the person playing the role experience the situation at hand from a different perspective and the role-player grows as an individual.
However, it is very important to be constantly aware that what God has asked us to do is just play a role. Let us not become egoists in believing that we are the role that we play (because, finally we are not the provider, but the provided). But, we should still keep playing the role because we have an opportunity to train ourselves in Godliness and Goodliness :-).
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
A Rainy Morning
लगातार तेज़ बारिश हो रही थी|
पत्तों का भार भी बढ़ गया था| सभी वृक्ष बिना किसी हरकत के इन्द्र देव के समक्ष नतमस्तक खड़े थे| पशु-पक्षी भी अपने घरों/ घोंसलों/ बिलों से बाहर नहीं निकल रहे थे|
साड़ी स्रिष्टी मानो गिरती हुई बूंदों के नृत्य का आनंद उठा रही थी और मौन रख कर इन्द्र देव के प्रति आदर व्यक्त कर रही थी|
हम लोग अपनी ऑफिस की बस में जा रहे थे और विलम्ब की वजह से चिंतित हो थे|
पत्तों का भार भी बढ़ गया था| सभी वृक्ष बिना किसी हरकत के इन्द्र देव के समक्ष नतमस्तक खड़े थे| पशु-पक्षी भी अपने घरों/ घोंसलों/ बिलों से बाहर नहीं निकल रहे थे|
साड़ी स्रिष्टी मानो गिरती हुई बूंदों के नृत्य का आनंद उठा रही थी और मौन रख कर इन्द्र देव के प्रति आदर व्यक्त कर रही थी|
हम लोग अपनी ऑफिस की बस में जा रहे थे और विलम्ब की वजह से चिंतित हो थे|
Saturday, October 31, 2009
The choice
We were all sitting in the living room when we heard a glass object smash broken in the kitchen.
I had an immediate urge to ask "क्या टूटा?" (What's the new thing that broke?) in a very slanderous tone - making fun of the situation and also in effect belittling the other person for an accident that no one wanted to happen. I stopped because Amit, whose house we were in, rushed to the kitchen and asked Alpana "कहीं लगी तो नहीं?". (I hope you did not get hurt!)
I felt ashamed of myself.
Throughout my growing years, this was possibly the first time I had encountered such an emotionally intelligent response to an accident like this. I realized that I now have a choice - between the regular response that I had been used to and the new response that I just experienced... Now I consistently choose the latter...
A realization also dawned. That at times people who we work with don't even know that they have choices available - because they are never exposed to the alternate responses. So, when we are not happy about the way someone is 'reacting' in a situation, we would do a lot of good by simply 'proacting' in the same situation and demonstrating a response that a 'transition person' would give. Others will automatically accept the new way to respond sooner or later and be thankful to you :-).
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