The Zero Sum Game

Life is a Zero Sum Game. We think we have won, when in reality we have lost. The choice of our visit to Planet Earth is to experience Life in the Human form. The first loss is when we forget this is to experience and we spend a lifetime collecting, collections which we never truly own.

  

In the above graph: the x axis expresses lifespan, while the y axis expresses earnings.

Genesis 3:19  By the sweat of your brow you will eat. (Thou shall earn by the sweat of thy brow).

1. Here, it is important to understand that one can only eat by the sweat of one's own brow. Earnings through any other means will not last.
2. Earnings are predetermined. Rate of earning is a choice we make.
3. Lifespan is the number of heartbeats allotted to oneself. Time as we calculate, is of no consequence. We can stretch the time between two heart beats from 1 second to 10 seconds and have increased our lifespan 10 fold or vice-versa.

The ideal earning situation would be where earning is incremental with life time, and is generated until the end of one's life.(the Green line in the graph)

Those who have wealth thrust on them at an early stage in life, reach their predetermined earning early in life. Earnings if not used well, the descent can be steep, and the remaining part of his/her life can be in penury.(the red line in the graph)

Some will struggle or laze throughout their lifetime, and not achieve the predetermined earnings. They are then thrust in situations to ensure they achieve the target even if at the end of their life. To fulfill this, their earning can be received either as a Donation, a Gift or Lottery.(the blue line in the graph)

The slopes can vary, but these are the three basic lines.

Check which line you are following in this graph.

The Eight Beatitudes

The Sermon on the Mount is one of the teachings of the Lord(Eisa /Jesus) that contain the tenets of the Eisai(Christian) faith. The Eight beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12 during the Sermon on the Mount are stated as 

Blessed are:

1. The Poor in Spirit: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. (5:3)
2. They that Mourn: for they shall be Comforted. (5:4)
3. The Meek: for they shall inherit the Earth. (5:5)
4. They which do Hunger and Thirst after Righteousness: for they shall be filled. (5:6)
5. The Merciful: for they shall obtain Mercy. (5:7)
6. The Pure in Heart: for they shall see God. (5:8)
7. The Peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (5:9)
8. They which are persecuted for Righteousness' sake: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. ( 5:10)

The Seed within..............

Hearken: Behold there went out a sower to sow: And it came to pass as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the birds of the air came and devoured it up. And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. And some fell among thorns, the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And other fell on good ground, did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty some a hundred. He said unto them,
" He that has ears to hear, let him hear"                                                              ---Mark 4:3-9  

In this parable of the Lord, the situations referred to are of the mind.The seed is sown as soon as we are born, implanted within us and have the ability to manifest with time. If we are tied down by our earthly desires, it is as if the seed has fallen on rocky terrain only to take off on the wings of desire. At times we are shallow in faith, the plant of faith sown and nurtured by our parents gets uprooted with the little knowledge we have gathered, only to be burnt by the scorching heat of the world we live in. The thorns are the evil forces we encourage in our space and not let the seed grow. It is for us to discover the purpose of our being and grow. The choice lies within. Meditation helps. We need to focus within ourselves and discover a whole new world and the true meaning of our being. This results in untold happiness, as we realize our earthly achievements and  possessions have lost its meaning in our lives. 

Father ....forgive them......

"Father forgive them, for they know not what they do" 
These words of Jesus on the Cross is the ultimate word in Forgiveness. Forgiveness for those intent on crucifying him. 

Mathew 18:18 " I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven". 

The reference here on binding is to the wrongdoings (sins) and (loose)forgiveness. If you do not forgive others their wrong doings and hold these as sins, then their sins will be retained. This makes it imperative that though you have led a good life, you will have to return to clear the wrong done by others because you held it against them, therefore you have to return in order to forgive them and clear their sins. This causes one to be born again to clear all blemishes before return to the Father. This was known to Jesus, who did not want to get into the cycle of rebirth . That is why he said 
"Father forgive them, for they know not what they do" 

This emphasizes the importance of Forgiveness in our lives.

The Echo of Silence.........

Had just got back from work, when he announced he was away for 10 days. 
He wanted to experience the sound of silence. Got himself registered for "Vipasana"  at the Pagoda. Why the need now I shot back. He just picked his bag and wished us good bye. It's a week now since he has left. Another 3 days and he should return. Need to learn from his experience. He was the noise at home. Will he now be the silence, will we experience an echo in silence..........Que Sera Sera!!

Nobody belongs to Anybody........

Shravan Kumar belonged to the time of Dashratha. Born of poor parents, who had nurtured him remarkably well, he bore sincere love and respect for them. He worked hard to make his parents comfortable and happy.

One day his parents expressed a desire to set forth on a pilgrimage to the holy places.Transport being costly, Shravan decided to place his parents in two baskets, and carry them on his shoulder with a basket held at either end of a stick. Thus Shravan set forth on his pilgrimage.

That night as they rested, Shravan had his parents lie down beside him, with a soft cushion beneath their head. Not carrying an extra cushion, he asked his father not to worry as he would use his forearm to rest his head on. As the night slept through, his father awoke. He looked around to see if his family slept in comfort. He was aghast to see Shravan's head rest on the rock and his arm aside.Not wanting to disturb, his father let it be. The following morning as they arose for the onward journey, the father told Shravan what he had seen the previous night.

This incident bears out, even as it underlines the eternal truth -
" No one will support you through Life."
When one's arm refuses to support one's own head and be burdened, why will another be willing to support you or carry your burden".

Who Ate my Cheese

Bahadur Shah Zafar was exiled at an early age. The Kingdom of his father was divided equally amongst the children of the first wife, who were dominant Politically & Militarily.
Sons of the other two wives had to live with nothing. While in exile, he built a flourishing cottage industry that spawned cheese. Zeenat Mahal died at a young age, and Bahadur Shah bereaved of her loss decided to seek another companion in wedlock. Young Shehnaz Begum would have none of it, and undertook to care for Bahadur Shah Zafar till the very end.
One morning at the Table as all gathered for breakfast, Bahadur Shah Zafar declared his intent to divide his empire. The elder daughter Rabeya Begum had feasted while Zeenat Mahal was alive, and set off on her journey. Abdulla, Ali Shah and Shehnaz Begum the other three children   listened in silence at the division.
Abdulla decided to have a cellar made, to preserve the cheese he had to sell later.
Ali Shah was busy selling on a daily basis and did nothing to preserve the unsold stock, resulting in excess stock produced losing flavour with time and not fit for consumption.
Shehnaz Begum enjoyed her breakfast and daily chores with Mirza Ghalib her husband.
Seven years later Bahadur Shah Zafar called all at the table to check the status of the last division.Shehnaz Begum informed Bahadur Shah Zafar of the issues she faced after her marriage. To hold the pledge given to Zeenat Mahal of ensuring Shehnaz Begum lived well, Bahadur Shah Zafar decided to handover what was left of his empire to Shehnaz Begum and retire for the rest of his life at her new home. Bahadur Shah Zafar decided that since Ali Shah's Cheese had turned sour and thus incurred a loss, he had to be rewarded anew. Abdulla doing well with his share, was asked to compensate Ali Shah for the loss.
This resulted in Abdulla having none of the Cheese given to him at the first division. Miriam wife of Abdulla, suggested that Abdulla go into the unknown and search for a new supply of cheese. Abdulla wanted to know from his siblings ................................." Who Ate his Cheese".

Acceptance.............

Lorac's mother asked her "Why is it so hard to accept? Then she told her the parable of the Lord as an answer to a question about Acceptance : 

Then Peter came and said to him,"Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?" Jesus said to him, I don't tell you until Seven times, but, until Seventy times Seven. Therefore the kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who wanted to reconcile accounts with his servants. When he had begun to reconcile, one was brought to him who owed him Ten Thousand Talents. But because he couldn't pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, with his wife,his children,and all that he had and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down and knelt before him saying,"Lord, have patience with me, and I will repay you all". The lord of that servant, being moved with compassion,released him and forgave him the debt. But that servant went out, found one of his fellow servants who owed him One Hundred Dinar, and grabbed him. Took him by the throat saying,"Pay me what you Owe". So this fellow servant fell at his feet and begged him saying"Have Patience with me and I will repay you". He did not, but went and cast him into prison,until he should pay back his dues. So when the fellow servants saw what was done, they were sorry, and told their lord all that was done. Then his lord called him and said unto him," You wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Shouldn't you also not have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you. His lord was angry and delivered him to the tormentors, until he should pay all that was due to him. So my heavenly father will also do to you, if you don't forgive your brother for his misdeeds."  -- Matthew 18:21-35  

The interesting points to be noted here are:

An unaccepting nature is offensive to God. Just as the King accepted the situation of his servant, so also it is necessary for the accepted to accept all. Lorac's mother told her that acceptance helps the family bond better. If inspite of her flaws, she has been accepted by all, then why is she holding against another, who has lesser flaws. We should accept as God accepts.

Todays sermon......11th Sept 2011

Dancing with the Gods

The King was a Neuro Surgeon. At breakfast, the Princes declared their intent to go hunting in the forests nearby. The young prince too joined the melee’. It was customary to ride the Royal Elephant that stood guard at the gate. The caravan entered the jungle, when the lion roared. The troops took position as the grounds men began striking at the drums. The young prince rode the baby elephant, was all excited to be a part of this great adventure. Suddenly as if from nowhere, the lion pounced at the baby elephant, who in fright lost balance, endangering the young prince, who fell off his back. The Lion lost no time in mauling the child. The troops returned to the Palace,with the prince severely mauled, head dismembered, declared dead. Shocked the King declared “If the fault lay with the elephant, then the elephant would have to lose his head”. The baby elephant’s head was dismembered and attached to the young prince. The first recorded evidence of Head transplant . The Kingdom was in mourning at the loss of their beloved Prince. All had declared the young prince dead. As if in response, the young prince breathed life and began to recuperate. A week later, he struck a pose on one leg and began dancing around. News spread like wildfire. It was Resurrection. The entire kingdom gathered at the palace gates to watch their little prince who now wore a elephants head as he pranced around. The wise men declared that this was a Holy Spirit who took birth as the young prince, and is an incarnation of the Gods. The King declared a week of celebration, and thus was born another period of celebration. Every year around the same time celebrations are held throughout the kingdom to commemorate the event, and today the kingdom is dancing with the gods.

The Doll.........

He was all of seven, when the door bell rang. I went up and opened the door to greet him with a smile. But he stood in silence, hands folded behind, as though he wanted to not show me what his little hands held. I did not say a word, as a tear swelled his eye. He walked in silently tip toe all the way. When I later walked into the bedroom, he was busy cleaning her up with glee. He had picked a doll from across the street. The doll was bruised. He was busy in his own way trying to cheer her up. He bathed her in perfume, dressed her in all finery and proudly exhibited her as a prized possession. She slept by his side that night, every night. I reminded him of the toys I had got him. But it was this doll that got his heart. The pride of the place. Time is a great healer I knew, or so I thought. Twenty years later, one evening the doorbell rang. He was there standing in silence. His hands held behind. A tear swelled his eye. Not a word said. I walked in - inward. I knew he had brought home another ................               Doll.

Autumn Leaves

It was past twilight when she took the call. I asked for him, as we gathered to wish for this was his day. I remembered the moment. It was past dusk when we returned and hit bed. Somewhere a soul stirred as I said to her"              

A little of me, A little of you,

A little of us both together

That's what will make him be.

A little of Rain, A little of Shine

A little of it all together

That's what will make him Divine

Twenty Eight years later we sat exhausted.

Spring & Dance, Dance & Prance

My Love we have played our chance

We are the Autumn Leaves."

They have just hit the bed. Do I see another soul stir.

Pathar is a Stone

"And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter". It was the name given to Simon by Christ when he called him to be a disciple, John 1:42                   This was the Sermon read on Sunday last.

At the time of Emperor Ashoka, it was common knowledge to have decrees etched on stone pillars for all who passed by to read, understand and accept as the Law of the Land.
For the plebian the way of expressing was to write on sand, with the use of his fore finger. With time it was understood that you could also use a stone to inscribe on sand, leaves, or the bark of a tree.
This was also the way of transferring information during the time of the Lord. When the Lord in one of his moments realized the disciples he had chosen were ready, he wanted to prepare them to continue with his teachings after his departure. When they began to accept his spirituality and oneness with God, he said "Thou, in saying that I am the Son of God, has called me by a name expressive of my true character".
He decided to use Simon for writing his words-like Ashoka's Pillar- for others to read. Use Simon as the stone that one used to write on sand.
And this inspired to call him Pathar – the stone, a name expressive of Simon’s character. “I call you Pathar - a Stone, and your confession has shown that the Heavenly spirit is in you. I see that you are worthy of the name, and will be a distinguished support and carrier of my teachings. And with this pathar, I will build my church”.
The Church the Lord meant was not the Brick & Mortar, we see today.
It was the spread of his teachings, his philosophies, his thoughts. Somewhere down the line came the disconnect, Pathar became Peter, the Teachings became the edifice, those who were to live by the word lost the heavenly spirit and began  to live in the world, leading earthly lives forgetting that now Pathar is just a Stone.

Ramayana Retold

After Rama and Sita had been married for twelve years, Dasharatha who had grown old, expresses his desire to crown Rama, to which the Kosala assembly and his subjects express their support. On the eve of the great event, Kaikeyi—her jealousy aroused by Manthara, a wicked maidservant—claims two boons that Dasharatha had long ago granted her. Kaikeyi demands Rama to be exiled into wilderness for fourteen years, while the succession passes to her son Bharata. The heartbroken king, constrained by his rigid devotion to his given word, accedes to Kaikeyi's demands. Rama accepts his father's reluctant decree with absolute submission and calm self-control which characterizes him throughout. He is joined by Sita and Lakshmana. After Rama's departure, king Dasharatha, unable to bear the grief, passes away.

5000 years later, Dasharatha lay quiet on bed, wondering where Kaikeyi was in this era and what would be her plan. Rama and Sita have been married for ten years when Rama had to leave Sita, Lava and Kusha to comply with the demand of the day.This time without being asked to, Rama separates from his family and heads for the desert. Seven years had elapsed. Was it a half cycle separation this time, because Rama had to return on the completion of seven years, to care for Dasharatha who now without his queen Aparajita had lost the will to live. Four years later Dasharatha breathed his last in the arms of Rama, to compensate Rama’s absence at his earlier demise. Lava and Kusha stood in silence with Sita and Shatrughna. Seven more years had elapsed. Now as Rama lay alone on Dasharatha's bed wondering where Kaikeyi was and would Kaikeyi plan to further exile him or would she arrive this time to separate Lava and Kusha.

Blood in my Path

20 BC. The Emperor was to abdicate, and the heir to the Throne would be the winner of the race to be held at the Amphitheatre. The Emperor fiddled, the City was on fire, the race was declared open. While many chose to ride the steed, “Inavda” the favourite chose to ride the chariot. Unaware that the race was to be only on the tracks within the stadium, he exited the stadia and roared into the streets. Seeing the crowds, the horses went berserk and ran into them. The death toll rose, he lost the race........................... 

2000 years later he was in his chariot as he rode the last lap. He thought Victory was now in his grasp. No one could deny him the throne any longer, as he drove southeast to the tip and then Northeast, the hidden path of V for Victory was there for the world to see. Being denied the throne all these years, he thought the better way was to spew hatred as he trudged along. This would ensure he had the backing of his people and have the Empress step down and hand him the throne. He arrived at an old defunct institution. As a sign of his arrival his followers brought it down to make place for him. The damage had been done. The Death toll rose...............again he lost the race. The country since then swept in a whirlpool of terror is under siege as major divisions were created between sections of the population. Now there is ................. Blood in my Path 

Soul Curry......

People come into your life for a reason. It can be for a Season or a Lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. 

When someone is in your life for a Season, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then at an appropriate time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. What we must realize is that our need has been met, their work is done.

When someone walks into your life for a Lifetime, usually your soulmate or your offspring - the souls who have volunteered to enter the planet through you, You must cherish the relationship and ensure it endures. 
Any ill treatment now will reflect in the future and catch up.

While many of us believe in saying "Here is our son, or I am his Father", I would rather thank my son for having decided to come into this world through us, and given us the opportunity to be honoured as a parent. It is not everyone who gets this opportunity of having another soul give them this honour. Copulation does not beget. Couples who do not beget in this lifetime may be good souls; they have no ailments or shortcomings. It is only that their connected souls are either not available to visit the planet  or are in existence in another form somewhere and for those that are available, there is no soul to soul acceptance or maybe ...............................their past has caught up.

Embracing the Dark

Why can we not light a candle and dispel the dark, rather than stay put and curse. 

Why is it we have a great resistance to change.

Why do we have to live with old dogmas and not expand our universal

thinking.

Why do we always have to be right and the other wrong.

Why do we need all to adhere to our point of view.

Why is it either you are with me on "My Way" or against me on the "I Way".

Why can we not all be together as fellow travelers.

Can we not get out of the old mindset and stop Embracing the dark.

Cobwebs in the Attic

The door bell rang at the twelfth hour. As the door opened she exclaimed “Happy Easter” Mary the mother walked in from the kitchen to see who had entered.  I said “Magdala is here”. A bottle of Red Wine and a greeting as she walked in,

it was the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”  So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb.  Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb, first, also went inside. He saw and believed. - John 20
and sat in our midst. She wanted to know more about the risen lord. I could see her excitement as we spoke. If I could let her love freely, she would be happier than most. As we ran down to the tomb, Mary the mother thought of her beliefs.I said why have "Cobwebs in the Attic". They were all not Christians until Christ taught us to Love one another. Later she understood that God made us to be us and them to be them with all their beliefs, and if accepted, then perhaps the world could find a better me than anyone else ever could be.

"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" - John 13:35

Snakes & ladders

It’s sweltering outside, the summer of 1964. Final exams done, we were all over the beach from dawn to dusk. The colony we lived in was a nation like India -- with its vast space, varied people and a little history. Evenings were spent in a group prayer followed by grams and games in clusters. Each group had its own set of games that went into the night. Different games with different names. The moment I was old enough to play board games, I fell in love with Snake and Ladders. A perfect balance of rewards and penalties! Of seemingly random choices made by tumbling dice!  Clambering up ladders, slithering down snakes, It was here that I learnt to play the game. A game most of us have played. Yet, as I navigated my path across the snake-and-ladder strewn board, rejoicing with every boost the ladder gave me, and groaning each time I landed on the snake to slither down many hard earned points. In my hope to arrive home, I would get to the 90’s in all splendour and the next throw of the dice would have me back to 8. The game has an unwritten message — that life is full of ups (ladders) and downs (snakes). And that every human being has to go through success and failure. Have you ever played the game ‘Snakes & Ladders’? It’s a bit like life. Snakes take you down or backwards, and ladders take you up or forwards. In life, after you have experienced the exhilaration of a ladder, it is quite possible that you could bump into a snake. But on the flip-side, after experiencing the humbling encounter with a snake, your next move could land you at the foot of a ladder. However, at the end of the day, it’s not the number of ladders or snakes that you face in your life that will determine your fate. Your future in the game of life is determined by one thing, and one thing only – movement. Just keep moving. Don’t stop at the foot of a snake and throw away the dice. Just keep moving. Get up again, and keep moving. Oh sure, you might like to pause for a moment to recharge the batteries, or even have a little cry, but then persist, and on the way learn, learn from your mistakes or misfortunes – until you reach the finishing line. What makes Snakes and Ladders an attractive game is that there are no written directions, in that the pieces either move along a path or go up the ladders and down the snakes. The outcome is based on pure luck. In this way anyone, who can follow the rules, can beat anyone else. Each player can roll the dice and the player will move the number of steps according to the dice number. When the neighborhood girls challenged me to a game of Chess, I infuriated them by preferring to invite them to the ladders and snakes. This simple child’s game helped me explore multiple questions concerning life tied to fate. Is it the product of chance or of predestination. In other words, affects on my own life, or the life of others through rational will?  Or was my influence merely incidental to my choices?  And regardless of the fact, powerless to consciously control the tides, does this undeniable influence bear the mark of chance, or is there sufficient evidence to make us suspect the existence of inescapable fate?  Does the resulting history of these choices or non-choices, random or pre-destined acts and events reveal a pattern of cyclic repetition on a cosmic scale, or is this neat form merely an illusion. This is apparent where Snakes and Ladders seen as a game of seemingly random choices, where each move is a product of a choice, made by “tumbling dice” rather than the player, and secondly in a manner that is only seemingly random. This introduces underlying childhood belief in fate and predestination as something both real and non-random, and also as an element outside of human control. The idea of fate being both non-random and only bearing the appearance of chance is echoed in the promise of childhood lullabies. By offering a multitude of different conclusions to well-worn but half-forgotten bedtime stories, if I began again, maybe I would end in a different place?”  All games have morals; and the game of Snakes and Ladders captures, as no other activity can hope to do, the eternal truth that for every ladder you climb, a snake is waiting just around the corner; and for every snake, a ladder will compensate.  But it’s more than that because implicit in the game is the unchanging twoness of things, the duality of up and down, good and evil; the solid rationality of ladders balances the occult sinuosity of the serpent; I found very early in life, it is also possible to slither down a ladder and climb to triumph on the venom of a snake…I am all geared to roll the dice the 21^st time. Will it now be the triumphant homecoming ……….or ??

The Way to Rid India of Corruption...........

A letter written to Madam G in January 2011.
Respected Madam,

Wish you and your team A Happy New Year 2011.
Regret the issue of corruption has  taken centre stage,
and Governance come to a halt.

While we know it was always there, it is now finding its spot under the light.No amount of legislation will curb this.
The only way to resolve this is to have a central website
where money is allocated to various ministries
the ministries in turn display the heads under which they allocate
this tree keeps growing down until it hits the root,
which is the last point of disbursement.
It is here that any member of society can verify if what is mentioned at the root is spent or not.
This is the best way to root out corruption from its roots.   

This one act will change the face of the country and within 3 years of implementation we shall be within the Global Top 10 of honest societies.

We also need a law to be passed that if any Public servant / Businessman/ Professional is caught with money beyond his declared source of Income/wealth, then this money is credited to an account of the Central Government and the onus of proving the truth of the money lies with the individual if he has right over it.
This one Act of Parliament will take care of the rest.

Trust you find this in your line of thinking
warm regards

R P Roy

My Dad ..........My Hero

26^th November ‘1998. What a wonderful day it was. Dad was all geared to celebrate Life and Living of 75 years. He didn’t tell me how to live. He lived and let me watch him do so.
Celebrations were at Citizen Hotel. Well wishers were all there, as all genuinely loved him. This was the day he always waited for.  I had flown in early from Dubai, to be there with him at this moment of pride. John who was at the mike,  called me to raise the toast. I Wanted to speak my heart out, for a man I secretly admired.  I raised the glass and words began to flow ..........
“Dad this one is for you.

Ladies  & Gentlemen, the year was 1963. We were asked to write an essay on My Hero.
While many of my classmates wrote on Shivaji or Aurangzeb, I started  writing on my Dad as my Hero. Here was a man who would steal out before daybreak, and would quietly return when we kids were fast asleep. I would always wonder who this person was, who shared space with my mother. It was only by the time I reached High School, I realized this was Dad. He would work from pre dawn to late night, to care for his family- the education of his kids and more. My admiration began to grow for him, when I saw him chase his dreams. Born in an Overcrowded home, 13^th in the row, surrounded by coconut palms, fondly called  'Little one' or 'kunju' by all. Dad you have achieved more in your lifetime. The Benchmark you set for a Dad  is difficult to cross. We kids learnt to live in the midst of adversity. My mother’s passing had shattered him. But he never ever let it be seen. Life had to move on. He believed The show must never stop. It did not. Today we have gathered to honour you Dad for all the years you shared with us. Ladies & Gentlemen………the toast of the evening………..my Dad, my Hero."
 Sybil & Pearl had ensured the evening was a moment we would cherish. Mary & Liz were behind the arclights. His Grandchildren were geared to continue the tradition of  song & dance. The show had just begun, the show would go on   …………..

Born Free, Living in Chains

The moment you are born, society starts transforming your thoughts. It is not interested in you being a free thinker. What these people have done has to be understood, because this is your story, the story of how you have become one more prisoner. The question is how to get out of this prison that you call your mind, that you call your culture, that you call your religion. It is a conditioning forced on you from the outside. The mind that you call yours is not yours, it belongs to these exploiters. They have implanted this mind in you, and through this mind they go on controlling you. Slavery has only moved from the gross to the subtle. Maybe you don't have chains on your hands and your feet because the chains have become more subtle -- they have gone into your mind, they have become more inner. On the outside you are enjoying freedom, democracy, equality, brotherhood -- just empty words. 
How is there any possibility of brotherhood if there is religion? How can there be any possibility of brotherhood if there are nations. That is why you have migrated. You have been misled to think that being there is your destiny. You have been taught to live for your children.  And how can there be equality when you have been taught to be ambitious? Ambition means that you have to be higher than the other, that you have to succeed. We forget our real aim of coming in this world, we forget Him who has sent us in this world, giving us the human incarnation.  No matter what you do in this world, how much wealth, name and fame you have, someday you have to leave as you came...... empty handed. The only way to break these chains is to understand the meaning of your being here. Unless you wish to choose your own poison.

A Bagful of Dreams

Autumn of 2009. My work in Dubai had come to an end. It’s been long since I met my first love. Why not change course and get back to her – Painting, Photography & Music have been passion. Before I turned home I bought a DJ system. Customs would not let me through with all the stuff, so I kept a few items for my son to get along. My paintings would be a reflection of my innermost feelings and dreams. Manifestations of the encounters in my journey called life.

Thanks to my desire for this impossibly exorbitant piece of arm candy has once again been stoked. Oh when will the 7D be mine? I figured this will always be a bag for me in the truest literal sense, as in can see but not own. Well Santa if you happen to be granting the wishes of good folks who celebrate Christmas this year then maybe you’ll consider my little request.

'A Bagful of Dreams’ is my story, the story of a migrant as he packs his bags late in life and leaves for foreign shores and now that his sons have settled, heads home to start living again. I  respect the element of risk embedded in this journey, as taking on the risk in setting free my soul is far worth anything else!

Hello everyone! I don’t plan to bore you with my philosophy. But, Let me begin with a quote I read somewhere:
“Dreams are like stars...you may never touch them, but if you follow them they will lead you to your destiny.”
For me personally, this one line is the truth of life, because I firmly believe, only if you dream, can you turn them into reality. So welcome to my bag full of dreams. Meanwhile I am still waiting to get started, waiting for my santa to get me the rest. May my dreams come true, and may I live a truly free man!

An Audience of One

For anyone still reading I am not only alive, but doing well! 
I am in the final lap of my run down hill. While I have been a prolific writer I have been blogging only the past few months. What a ride this has been! I meet friends and relatives who claim to have read what I have written. But I have just one follower.   

I am not sure what happens to a follower. How he became one, and why the others did not. I may be philosophical, but I am also human. I love what I do, and would like others to love it too.
When I'm not writing, I'm thinking! The horizon is almost in view. It has been a long haul and I still have some distance to go! I have learned to adapt and live with the discomforts of an advancing age and hope it eases in the coming year.
To describe my corner of the world as chilly these days almost isn't fair to winter. Maybe climatic changes are happening without our reckoning. Christmas has just gone by. I know that I truly love Christmas. I enjoy the spirit of giving and the hope the season brings. 
My two wonderful kids are now men, 27 and 24, with all the joy and challenges their age brings. I adore both of them and will continue to hope for the unique potential each of them has.

Christmas is Coming!

It was winter when the angels announced the coming of the Lord. Satellite signals flashed across the globe as family and friends started to come together to celebrate the season with food, laughter and music. To go to Church together, and to enjoy each others company. 

Breakfast was always at Mary’s manger. Many of their childhood memories that revolve around Christmas began to swirl as the season commenced and the magical colours, lights, smells and excitement associated with it grew. Hearts grew tender with childhood memories and love of kindred,for having in spirit become a child again at Christmas-time. Mary was busy tending to her born, to want them enjoy Christmas, to make it special. She did so much to welcome the Saviour. Joseph was there by her side to do her biding. He had spent what he had in greeting the king, who never came with any Gold, Myrrh or Frankincense.They gathered together in the hope of better family bonding and to get back to where they came from and tell friends about the wonderful times they had. 

If the new tradition was to spend Christmas with just your spouse, so be it. Mary and Joseph had their chance to create their memories, maybe now it's their turn.Joseph was tired, time to get real.He had burnt all his logs to keep the home fires burning. They all returned to their nest.The season was winter. The season was about family.The chill winds blew on his face, as he thought, it's important to get what you want during the season, but be willing to compromise a little to satisfy the needs of others in the family.