Time spent at a river

 In order to be with nature, I decided to go to my favorite route. Towards Anaikatti.

Just 10km in that direction leaves behind the buzzling city traffic. Once we start ascend the mountains, we get a beautiful view of green valley. The huge trees along the road mesmerizes. While enjoying the ride, occasionally my mind went to the two favorite topics, that usually churns in my mind. May be it is the problem solving part that secrete dopamine. May be that is why I keep thinking those problems in a cycle and keep on bringing to my mind.

I crossed Anaikatti and went into Kerala. There is a small temple of Ganesha. He sits in a river side. This place is calm and soothing. There were few people in the river, some bathing, others enjoying being in the knee height water.

There is a small pedestrian path along the upstream of the river. I took that narrow path. Walking in this mud and stone path reminded the happy treks I had taken in youth. 

I was enjoying the flow of the river. There was a rock in the middle of the river.

That is a beautiful place to hang out. I thought of sitting idle here. I made a promise, let me be on that rock basking sunlight, until those two thoughts come into me. I sat on the rock, put my feet inside the water. It was a nice feeling. The river was giving out melodious voice in a rhythm. It was not too hot, but a pleasant winter afternoon. Looking at the water flow is divine experience. Just keep going without any hesitation.

Couple of dragon flies were flying near the water. One of them sat on my feet. It had black body and red patch near the stomach. It looked cute.

Not that my mind was like a saint. The chattering were going on and I had to pull it back. The two topics didnot come to my mind as I had restrained to them. Petty thoughts like these came by:

• This is a lovely place, I will bring Venkatesh (a friend) here some day 
• How should I write this in a blog? What words to use?
• What will Prasad reply to this experience?

Basically, I was drifting from current experience towards analyzing the experience. I had to pull back to the present and be here. I am happy to do this exercise as I was on the rock for more than 10 minutes, without major distractions.

The Push

No matter how good, important, or beneficial an idea is, getting people to act on it is never easy. This realization hit me while trying to mobilize people into a WhatsApp group for a shared purpose. Logic alone doesn’t move people; clarity of intention doesn’t automatically translate into action. There seems to be an invisible spark required—a certain energy that nudges people from understanding to actually doing. I sensed that this was missing in my approach, perhaps in how I prepared people emotionally and framed the message beyond mere explanation.

Trust plays an equally decisive role. People unconsciously assess the messenger as much as the message: how credible is this person, how consistent is their intent, and how reliable is the initiative itself? When that trust is strong, people step in willingly. When it’s weak or unclear, doubt creeps in, and hesitation quietly pushes them away.

My takeaway is simple but demanding: cultivate the habit of preparing the ground—building trust, timing the message well, and delivering it with the right energy. When these align, action becomes natural rather than forced.

Bayama?

 I delivered a talk on Fear, blending psychological insight with philosophical reflection. The audience received it warmly and appreciated the depth and clarity of the discussion.

The session explored the nature of fear, its underlying causes, the challenges it creates in daily life, and practical ways to move beyond it.

Here is the video link.

The art of giving

 Giving, to me, always comes before receiving. When I offer a little more than what I get back, I notice how it lifts the other person’s mood and makes them feel comfortable to return to me again. That small extra effort becomes a bridge that deepens the connection.

What I give doesn’t have to be material. It can be a bit of service, a few comforting words, some guidance, or a piece of knowledge. If the person on the other end finds it genuinely useful, then the exchange feels right and meaningful for both of us.

Leader Will Come

There is an old Indian saying: “The teacher appears when the student is ready.” Throughout history, great leaders have emerged seemingly from nowhere, guiding humanity whenever darkness clouded the path. People wait for such saviors with deep yearning, willing to surrender everything at the feet of the master. Yet the true master seeks nothing in return. He has no personal desires, no need for wealth or fame — his only purpose is to bring joy and light into the lives of others. It is this selfless intention that draws hearts toward him, making his presence a source of peace and transformation.

At times, impostors appear, masquerading as masters to exploit the trust and devotion of others. They promise miracles, demand material offerings, and offer little in return. Their success is fleeting, for truth cannot be imitated for long. True masters remain untouched by greed or ego; they care not for crowds or applause. Their mission is simple yet profound — to spread the wisdom of inner happiness and inspire their followers to do the same, keeping the flame of peace alive for generations to come. 

Churning the Ocean

The devas and asuras were in desperate pursuit of the elixir of immortality. They discovered that the amrita could be obtained only by churning the cosmic milky ocean. To accomplish this, they chose Mount Mandara as the churning rod and the great serpent Vasuki as the rope. The asuras held Vasuki’s head, while the devas took his tail. To support the mountain and prevent it from sinking, Lord Vishnu assumed the Kurma (tortoise) avatar, holding the mountain on his mighty back.

As the churning grew intense, Vasuki could not bear the strain and released a deadly poison known as Halahala. The venom threatened to destroy the entire universe. In his compassion, Lord Shiva consumed the poison to protect all beings, while Goddess Parvati gently held it in his throat, turning it blue. Eventually, amrita—the nectar of immortality—emerged. When the devas and asuras fought over it, Lord Vishnu appeared again in the form of the enchanting Mohini and skillfully distributed the nectar only to the devas.

This timeless story holds a powerful message for our modern lives. Lord Vishnu, though capable of performing miracles, chose to involve both devas and asuras in the process. He could have achieved the result through his own avatars, but instead, he allowed the opposing forces to work together toward a shared goal. It reminds us that even in conflict, cooperation can exist. Real progress often requires the participation of contrasting energies.

In our daily lives, we too face challenges and people who seem to obstruct our plans. We label them as hurdles or even enemies, focusing our energy on resisting them. But if we view them as part of the process—forces that help refine our purpose—we can work with greater calm and clarity. Just as churning requires both push and pull, our efforts toward any meaningful goal involve a natural back-and-forth. Through this dynamic tension, the amrita of wisdom and success eventually surfaces.

The Projections

 

Our perception of the world is shaped by the internal structures within us. Rather than seeing reality as it truly is, our view is often distorted by these subconscious frameworks. This misalignment can lead us astray, affecting our interactions and decisions in ways we may not even realize. When we engage with others based on these skewed perceptions, it can create misunderstandings, friction, and even isolation.

To minimize these distortions, it is essential to cultivate self-awareness and clarity. The Johari Window serves as a powerful tool for uncovering hidden biases and refining our self-perception. By embracing feedback and remaining open to new perspectives, we can align our internal understanding with reality, fostering healthier relationships and a more balanced outlook on life.