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.

Hope

 When I was financially tight, I didn't know a way out of it. I was very careful in spending.

Then I saw a path which would take to comfort. Just the mere sensing of a freedom relaxed me a bit. The way hope created expansion within, is amazing.

Remembered Rabindranath Tagore's poem related to this thought.

Unfinished Conversations

 There is a beautiful Tamil movie called KD (A) Karuppudurai, which tells the story of an old man who embarks on a journey with a young boy. At one point, the boy asks if the old man has any unfulfilled desires. The old man reveals that he wishes to meet his childhood crush. Together, they track her down, only to find that she is now an elderly woman with grandchildren. Fortunately, she remembers him, and they share a heartfelt conversation, bringing a sense of closure to a long-lost connection.

Similarly, many of us carry unfinished emotional business—conversations we wish we had, feelings left unexpressed, or unresolved moments from our past. These thoughts don’t always weigh on us daily, but they resurface unexpectedly, stirring emotions and reminding us of something left incomplete.

However, dwelling on these lingering memories can drain our energy. They often carry an undertone of regret or missed opportunity, making us feel as if we failed to close a chapter properly. There are two ways to handle this:

1. Address things in the moment. When an important interaction happens, don’t hold back. Express your thoughts, share your emotions, and ensure that the other person knows your perspective. Unspoken words often turn into lifelong burdens.

2. Let go of what cannot be changed. If a past event keeps replaying in your mind, remind yourself that life moves forward. You can’t step into the same river twice. People change, their priorities shift, and revisiting old conversations may not bring the closure you expect. Instead of chasing the past, focus on making your present interactions more meaningful, ensuring that future regrets never take root.

Closure isn’t about rewriting history—it’s about accepting it and moving forward with peace.

media preference

 A couple of months ago, I walked into a salon for a haircut. The barber was deeply engrossed in his phone, barely acknowledging my presence. Meanwhile, the TV blared a loud song-and-dance sequence, but no one seemed to care. It felt as if he was watching the same song on his phone, completely detached from the screen in front of him.

Today, I visited the same salon again. This time, the TV was off, but the barber was still glued to his phone. It struck me—television is slowly losing its grip, its once-dominant presence fading before the irresistible pull of mobile screens. The shift is subtle but undeniable. The mobile phone has become the undisputed king of attention.