Lock

A lock put at the door often feels that it’s because of the lock on the door that the robber doesn’t dare to do a robbery. However, like me it forgets it’s not the lock but the eye of the neighbor that prevents the robbery. Had there been no eye fixed on the lock, even a child would have dared to pray with the lock. A very small yet so true example to express the state where Sunil stands.
As I sit to self-analyze all these years that I have breathed in this body, I cannot put myself in a better state than this lock, which often comes in the trap of doer ship ignoring the presence of this Almighty Nirankar. Also reminded am of the lines from a hymn,
“Sahiba tere darr te ardaas hai meri, tere charan, tera kadey vi,
pyaar na bhuley, Sewa, Simran, Satsang, Satkaar na bhuley.”
My prayers are in your feet, that may I always remember the love that you have showered on me, may I always remember this Almighty Nirankar, may I always offer respect to the company of saints, may I always remember to render services selflessly and may I also remember where you picked me from.

Chewing Camel

I feel more or less like camel which does not chew its food well before swallowing it but later returns it to the mouth in a ball-like glob, and then chews it. Camel does it for the body; perhaps I have done it for the soul. Of many such instances which I swallowed in Bangalore, here starts the chewing –
One fine evening we all youngsters were standing around one saint who had come down from Chennai to Bangalore for some workshop. He was sharing one instance about his duty in Babaji’s presence. It so happened that open namaskar was going on somewhere, and this saint was standing near Babaji collecting namaskar offerings. One other mahapursh came from nowhere, and after some pushes approached Babaji, did namaskar and went out of the arena. Now this sewadar saint felt little sad about the behaviour of the mahapursh but kept quiet. After namaskar got over, he got a chance to express his discomfort about the incident with Babaji. Babaji replied to him – Are you still thinking about him? The mahapursh as soon as he reached out of the arena, he seeked forgiveness and I forgave him there and then. But why are you thinking?
Often it happens with me too when I think about mistakes done by others, leave others by me also. I cannot imagine about the index Babaji use for forgiveness, but I can think of myself. Listening above instance, it surely comes as a learning that when He comes to forgiving, He can break His own index – no one stops Him. Let me keep my prayers for forgiveness and leave things on Him. Doesn’t mean I do something wrong and still be proud of it. But if I feel I did something wrong – Sincerely put apologies with a prayer seeking blessings for future. When does he forgive me I don’t know but have I forgiven others or myself is the question that remains open. From the shop keeper who overcharged me to the taxi wala who didn’t stop taxi on my nod, from the school teacher who scolded me in class I to the colleague who took an appreciation for my work – I have a huge list of people whom I need to forgive. Often I include myself too in the list and that keeps things tough. While I keep seeking forgiveness from the Satguru, also side by side somewhere I keep punishing myself. Satguru might have forgiven but I take time to forgive. Perhaps rightly said by someone, if I have never forgiven someone who did wrong to me, I cannot learn how to forgive myself.
Predicting when He forgives is something beyond my reach, but His teaching for me is to learn how to forgive. By the time second part is done, first might have happened automatically. Task on me is to pick up the list and strike every name asap.
PS: Camel when chews might have mixed qualities of grasses. What was the original composition of each quality of grass doesn’t matter as long as the grasses in mouth provide it food to survive.

Sipson Lane

As I do often, I took a taxi from Station for Bhawan. It was raining and I was already late, so didnt prefer to do the bus journey followed by 15 mins walk. The lady at the taxi stop checked with the taxi driver if he knew where Sipson Lane was. Driver without a second thought nodded - Yeah. We started our journey, and half way through he took a right turn. Generally the route for bhawan is to travel more straight and then take right. Well, its possible that driver wants to approach from other side of bhawan, I kept quiet. Not until we reached Heathrow CBT, where I checked with driver that we are far away from Sipson Lane, If you dont know the way lets check with some one. And driver was talking in his own english accent, I didnt understand what his non-asian and non-european tongue spoke. Round and round we went and I started getting furious in thoughts - Already late for sangat and now the driver's gimmicks to overcharge. I just have 29 pounds in my wallet and the journey normally is paid as 5 pounds. Seems like namaskar money would also go to driver but what if he asks more than 29. Who would be mahapursh at the gate? Before that how do people fool each other these days. Its grace of satguru that I'm silent else who can keep silent these days. But I am going to remind the driver that its always better to admit one's shortcomings and better check the route before making a travel else one person like me would end up paying 29 pounds for a journey costing 5 pounds. When I was caught up in these thoughts, the driver was busy making rounds and rounds. Finally he halted in a place, and I said - Can we go back to our starting point? Driver showed me the map and asked where I wanted to go Shipsone Lane or Sipson Lane. And I was lets go back. Driver some how convinced me to see the map and locate my destination. And the began our journey on the starting street and then he took the cab from my normal route. He commented that once I have also dropped my friend on Sipson Lane days ago. Listening his comment, I wanted to add so what happened today? Forgot the route? Why acting smart to charge more? Anyhow we reached bhawan almost 20 mins late, and he started speaking that Sorry I didnt understand the accent perhaps. Well It was none of business to listen to his excuses, so I asked ' how much do I pay ?' and he said '4.50 pounds'.

Steve Sunil - Bhai Bhai

I met Steve in one of the Interfaith Meetings that are held every month here in Swindon. Steve, almost of my grandfather’s age, carries a modest pose and is such a beautiful soul that I have fallen in love with his personality. Generally I long to meet souls who can feed me spiritually. It’s not that I don’t believe in ‘world in me’ concept; it’s just that I enjoy ‘our world’ philosophy too. Khair, I also enjoy having a sip of Starbucks Caramel Macchiato in company of such great souls. One fine Saturday, Steve and I met for a coffee and we started discussing our work places, home towns, families etc etc. Don’t know when and why Steve asked me “Sunil, Do you believe in rebirths? “ Knowing that perhaps he had a different view point on this, I kept my view after taking few precautions of not hurting any of his sentiments. However, my smartness I would say that towards the end of our conversation, I closed with a thought “Steve, I haven’t read what you have read on this, but I know that something would be behind your philosophy which will take you to my philosophy” Steve didn’t disagree but neither did he appreciate my reply.
However, while I was making my return journey I was disturbed by my inner self. “Sunil, not done. It’s true that you believe in rebirths and Steve holds a different opinion. But were you trying to prove your point to him? Wasn’t this approach of differentiating between his philosophy and your own philosophy? This is not what real religion is all about. It’s about uniting. No matter you would hear different philosophies, different concepts but yet try to find similarities. If your approach is of similarity, even diversity becomes a beauty. Was there a need to quarrel, if you believe in rebirth and Steve doesn’t… perhaps you should have looked at the point that both of you believe in this birth. Of course no one could have ever mentioned the experiences of life after death but at least you have heard of life before death. So concentrate on it and beautify this life, even if you are not worried for the next life! Make sure that more important than rebirths or no rebirth is this birth where you have a responsibility to beautify your own world. “
Though am doing my course on how to pick up all goodness from different philosophies, I yet humbly, at the same time strongly put forward “All is well that ends well but if it isn’t well now, believe me it’s not the end now. “
- A Learner.

Of the Sun and the sons.

Not long ago on Infosys Spirituality group, floated a question ‘Why does Earth revolve around Sun?’ Generally I find myself as not the right authority to comment on any such questions. No one other than the creator has a perfect answer for it. But still after reading this question, my inner self tried to look for a possibly good reason from creator’s point of view for setting up such an arrangement. Without the involvement of Intellect, heart had to say probably Creator wanted to teach me that even if Earth has Moon revolving around it, the Earth doesn’t stop revolving around the Sun. Quite strange as it could sound but fitted perfectly for a person like me who at many times gets into a trap of all-knowing highly qualified individual. It always has been easy for me to get into ego now and then, and in those moments I rarely have cared to put an ear to wiser people. Leave aside wiser people, I haven’t left the room for God also. I remember once hearing, Aksar kehte hain ki daane daane pe likha hai khaane waale ka naam, kaash kabhi yeh bhi soch aa jaaye ki daane daane pe likha hai dene waale ka naam. Whenever I come across a thought that mind is the most powerful instrument in the human system, don’t know why the mind in me puts a question but what about the One who gave us these minds? And then what about those, who have different abilities with their minds?
Also I have met great souls who talked of the oneness of the viewer and the viewed. I salute those souls for their oneness with this Almighty, but at the same time when I think for myself I always feel that state is yet to arrive... Am I actually one with the guy whom I see in office, if yes why does my family hold more importance to me then? Why isn’t my love same for all then? I am reminded of Lord Rama who left His own property for His brother. While worshipping His existence why doesn’t it ever come to my mind that proving my colleague wrong in the workplace just to have a better appraisal doesn’t show that I am One with this Supreme? If I am actually One, I would reflect the qualities of the supreme, tolerance, mercy, compassion, broad mindedness, love, humility, kindness and many others. A drop of ink if merged in ocean also is called ocean but it takes its time to become a part of ocean in real sense. Until drop loses its own identity, it hasn’t become one with the Ocean. And the issue with me is that this Earth is happy seeing Moon revolve around itself, forgetting that there could also be a Sun around which it needs to revolve too.

Tula marathi yete ka?

“Acha twaanu Marathi nahin aundi” and both of us laughed. The other day, after exchanging greetings in Marathi with Hema ji I finally said “ Mala Marathi yete naahi” signaling that I don’t know much of Marathi. I have learnt few basic dialogues from Marathi, Kannada, Telegu and other Indian languages from my Infosys batchmates who came from different parts of India. And the few lines that I have picked up I tend to use these wherever possible. Perhaps this was another occasion when I was trying to prove my Marathi skills to one of the sister saints who was born and brought up in Mumbai and is Marathi by mother tongue. After listening to my dialogue, she smiled and checked in Punjabi ‘So you don’t know Marathi?’ and both of us laughed.
Both of us at that moment appreciated the hands of the potter who is molding our clays in order to bring humans out of us. It is saddening to see at times people around fighting over the languages, however at the same time comes a feeling of gratitude for the spiritual guide who taught a Punjabi guy to admire Marathi and a Marathi gal to accept Punjabi. One of the traits of spiritual living is Acceptance. Accept – The other being as such. I guess there also exists another generous acceptance where you accept the things what other does. Probably that’s what Hema ji too has picked up - She wasn’t just okay with me being a Punjabi and she being a Marathi. She picked up the finest form of acceptance – she picked up what I spoke. This acceptance in her isn’t just confined to her speech, but every aspect of her living. And it’s again something she has learnt while growing up.
Had it not been your grace my Allah, I too would have confined myself in the barriers of languages, dressing styles, eating habits, colors of the skin etc and yet call myself a spiritual being. Also, thanks to the potter who picked me up and is shaping a true human out of this clay. I know I need to be shaped a lot to be able to love other beings as my own self, to respect others, to help others, to be kind to others, to be generous, to be a listener, to be a peacemaker, to be … Task is too much but I do have faith in you O Murshid, and of course with God's grace whenever I die I should be able to reply “yes” to this question from a famous book -

“Have you ever had a teacher ..........Someone who during your formative years has made you look at life differently? ....... Someone who would look at you and see a raw but precious gem? Someone who would love you not only for what you are but for what you could become?”

Counting Blessings

My mother and I were talking over phone sometime in January when I asked her – Mummy what should I carry for you. In Jan’ 08, I was travelling to India for the first time after my arrival here in UK. I was quite excited to carry gifts for my relatives and hence was checking with them if they specifically wanted something from here. I was expecting that my mother would not keep any desire for sure. She would be happier to see me in person and spend some time with me. But she, as great she is, politely said – Ashirwaad, Aap mahapursho ka to ashirwad hi kaafi hai. I was seriously taken aback when she said to me – Blessings, blessings from souls like you are sufficient. She wasn’t doing this for the first time. Ever since I was born, I have been in her company and company of many great souls who have been respecting me irrespective of my intellect or age. It’s always great to receive love from family members but I can’t express the feelings in words when this love comes packed with respect.
I seriously feel that I never deserved this family but perhaps the creator was too graceful when he gave me the company of these great souls who are labeled as my parents, my siblings, my fiancée, my friends, my youngsters, and other saints. In the same context, let me introduce you to Abhedita, another champion who is showing her real self; Abhedita is my 6 year old niece. Day before yesterday I called her up and was asking, ‘Abhedita what do you want from here?’ Great as her parents and grandparents, she too took me aside by saying ‘Ashirwad.’ I could later understand my mother’s thoughts but I’m still wondering how come this 6 year old speak such a word and exactly with the same modesty. Hats off to her parents, my brother and bhabhi, and Abhedita’s grandparents in whose company she is taking her spiritual feed. This flower of spirituality blossoms in many ways when it comes to practical living. Some of these ways are reflected in the above examples, respect for your neighboring souls, humility, sweet words, knowing what to desire etc etc.
I remember reading this in scriptures; ”Pratham Bhakti Santan Kar Sanga” meaning that to imbibe the company of saints is loftiest. Saints have always been a medium so that man finds true direction. And it’s awesome when such saints are your relatives. I offer my thanks to the creator for blessing me with the company of saints.

"Which shaving thought do you use?"

Sanjay, my previous manager would always come to me and suggest 'Sunil, you are at a client location, you should look clean, do shave regularly'. This was the obvious reaction from Sanjay if I ever forgot to shave my beard. But ever since Sanjay moved out of the project and was replaced by Manoj, my current manager, things are better. Though I have never tried to go to office unshaven after remarks from Sanjay, but I do feel assured that Manoj cannot comment on my beard as he too comes to office unshaven every second day. A day before yesterday, I woke up late and as a result was behind my regular schedule. All of a sudden I remembered that I can save time by not shaving as now its era of Manoj, who himself doesn't shave often. Before I cold pat myself for the time saving technique I had discovered, there came the master blaster thought – "Do you shave for Manoj or for keeping yourself clean? "

Well, that day I finally shaved before going to office as I had realized that shaving was for my own cleanliness more than a gesture to please others. I wish if I picked this thought for all my spiritual endeavors, I won't pause at any time and will have a continued motivational level. I recall there was ad on television, some years ago which said "Which shaving cream do you use?" Seems like it would better fit here as "Which shaving thought do you use?"

Kar-Wah-Chauth

Chautha Pran :) Wah Wah ...
People around celebrating Karwachauth today. Around as in India. And probably I was the only one in office who was celebrating this in a way which is customary. Khair... Aaj Manik se bhi baat ho rahi thi and he mentioned ki Vrat se kya hota hai...and I was haan kya hota hai. And his question was why did you keep then?
And Sunil Mahaashya," Manik, Mujhe bhi pata hai ki Nirankar karne waala hai sab kuch..maine to isliye rakha hai ki jab bhi din mein bhukh ya pyaas lagegi tab tab yaad aayega ki nahi khaana kyunki aaj Vrat hai. Vrat kiske liye hai? Woh kaun hai? Is bahaane hi sahi yaad fir ban aayegi" And obviously he had to nodd"Woh to theek hai" :-)
Funniest but true, dont know if things calculate any where but this psychology behind Vrat is awesome.. isnt it :) And believe me it worked. But I do miss the chocolates, cookies, garlic bread, juice that I couldnt have today.. Anyways, but it was nice feeling through out the day and most amazing was when Kaamna di asked " Aaj Vrat rakha hai bhaiya ?" And I was "Di, Rakha hai but is baar Babaji ke liye nahin" And both of us laughed...before she concluded " Sunil Bhaiya, yeh bhi hota hai".
Well, Ardas yahi banti hai ki Dataar jahan milaaya hai laekh wahi apni panaah bakshi rakhna aur ek dusre ko satkaar aur pyaar dete huye pariwar ki todh nibh jaaye.
Cannot close this before putting another wish, Maalik sabko hi jald aise Karwachauth ke mauke de.. ke woh bhi kare Wah Wah Chauth :-)

Singh is King

Just finished watching the movie 'Singh is King'. Out of many scenes that sent a message, this was something I couldnt miss pondering on. Little girl talking about God -
"Unke paas itna time hoga mere liye? To mummy ne kaha ki kyun nahin lekin agar woh bahut busy honge to apne kisi dost ko bhejenge mere paas. Bas yahi confusion hai? Aap bhagwaan ho ya unke dost ?"
Often when I see my life, I have the answer. Koi confusion nahin. Aap bhagwaan hi ho sakte ho, jo bilkul fit hota is King ke saath. This king seems to make humans out of people like me. Making people ponder what are you doing, why doing this, and for whom are you doing this? And amidst all this, He takes various forms and mediums to pass His love to me. Sometimes in the same body, some times through those numerous friends whom He sends to me.
Thanks Singh ! Happy Singh !!

P.S. I Love You

Swindon ke liye bus this 3:45 PM ki. Bus stand pe time kaise pass karu? Socha chalo Terminal 3 ka ek round maara jaaye. Wahan par bhi but bore ho gaya. – Abhi bhi 1 ghanta rehta tha bus ke aane mein. Terminal 4 ka round maar aau? But late hone ke chances hain. Chalo chhodo !!
Upar jaake Mint shake leta hu, its been months since I had last. Was walking back and this lady – Do you know which train goes to Central London? A lady from Iran perhaps.
Chal diye Sunil bhai.. Baato mein pata chala ki she was new to London and had to go off far away. Chal Sunil, time pass ho jayega ab 1 ghanta. Ofcourse uski help karte karte.
Ticket leke de di. Trains ka route map Samjha diya abhi bhi 30 mins. Socha chalo aadhe raste tak aur drop kar deta hu, She’ll be more comfortable. Underground mein betha ki chalo kuch raste se U-turn le aunga. Khair train chalti rahi, socha itne misaal suni hai to chalo bus miss karke pura hi drop kar aata hu. But ticket to cancel nahin hogi… Hmm… Excuse me… Are you okay if I take my return journey from next stop?
Then she gave me permission and her wishes – I’ll pray for you to Allah. Thanks sis.
Lol..sirf 15 min bus ke liye baaki. But koi ni.. dekhte hain Nirankar kuch to kar hi dega. Khair, train chali aur idhar dhadkan bhi….15..10…5…2 Min baaki. Shayd pahunch jaunga aur yeh kya Terminal 4 ? Terminal 4 pe kyun aa gayi.. Jaldi Jaldi mein dhyan nahin gaya wrong train.Khair 10 min ke wait ke baad chali yeh train… Bus station pahuncha to bus ja chuki thi. Cancel karayi ticket. Agli bus 2 ghante mein thi.. Shit Sunil….
Itni der rukna hi tha to us behan ko pura hi drop kar aate. Chalo koi ni Nirankar ka bhi koi raaz hoga…Let me go and have a Mint shake meanwhile…
Sip pe Sip le raha tha aur soch raha tha ki behan ne bhi ardaas ki hogi Allah se ki Sunil ki manokaamna puri karna..par main to pray kar raha tha ki Bus na Miss ho meri….
But fir laga jaise kisi ne kaha.. P.S. I Love you – Terminal 4 pe jaane ki manokaamna kaun kar raha tha ? Shake kis ko peena tha ?
Dhanya ho Maalik aap…. Aapka processing order hi aaj tak samjh nahin aaya … Aur shayd aaye bhi nahi kabhi.. but yeh zarur aa jaaye ki ‘Puttar Sunil…I Love You’

Jack is no judge of Jill's beauty

Jack is no judge of Jill's beauty :)

For a status message at gtalk, I found this line to be very interesting. I asked the friend what it meant in real. And smart fellow mentioned, " When ever I praise my girl friend for her beauty, she always mentions this line that Jack is so deeply in love with Jill that he cannot say anything else. So, Jack in no judge of Jill's beauty. " Well the explanation was more interesting than I had assumed it to be.

Well, to me it sounded more as a spiritual note; Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Jack has no rights to judge any one else, even if it is Jill.

Kudos to the learner !! Learner is no judge of the sentence's real meaning :)

2.57 GBP

My daily routine here in UK includes having breakfast in the restaurant at client location. I prefer not to experiment with the taste buds, hence have a single menu for my daily breakfast. It comprises some bread portions, butter, honey & juice. It amounts to £2.57 as per the rate list. However, call it what so ever I am usually undercharged. Atleast thrice a week I end up paying £2.42 or even lesser. It probably happens because the lady at counter misses charging for one or the other item. I do remind her once that she has missed some item because it should be £2.57 as per my calculation. After that she checks the billed items and the food items I am carrying in the tray. Once she realizes that she had missed one item, she smiles and says “ It’s your lucky day ” or “ Let that be a present from my side “. I also smile and move ahead.
Few days ago, I was again standing at the counter. This time lady at the counter said “£2.90”. “ £2.90 ? It should be £2.57, could you please check again?” was my reply. She said,” Dear its £2.90 “. I again requested her to please check once again. This time she checked and found she had charged for an item that previous customer had bought. She realized her mistake and before preparing a new bill she apologized. This time she said, “£2.42 my love”. I reminded it should be £2.57 but she insisted on that it’s okay even if I paid less. As I was now moving away from the counter, I was thinking “what an idiot I am, every day I am undercharged and I move away happily but one day I was being overcharged and I did not hesitate to complain about it. If I actually add those £0.15 saved daily, it would be itself more than many £2.57.” My concern could have been valid, but I was amazed to see that such feelings still are so alive in me that I am more comfortable if things work in my favor. A little goes other way round, I start talking of my rights etc.
Thoughts also went to Lord Rama’s time, when he was exiled. How whole heartedly he accepted the wish of his mother, no matter how baseless it could have been. Kingdom was his right but some where the responsible son had a bigger role to play.
The other day one friend asked me if there was a difference between an ethical being and a spiritual being. Perhaps at that point I couldn’t put an answer, but now from my own experience can say, being ethical may not always mean spiritual. However underlined text is that a spiritual being will have an ethical element.

What is your Religion?

I must have been a small child when I first heard this word, Religion. The only line that I had heard & picked up about religion was, Religion unites and never divides. However as I went to educational institutes, I again saw this word Religion in the line “What’s your religion?” Every second form that I have filled since then asks about my religion. To be honest, I always felt perplexed. Not because I never owned a religion, but the fact that I could not differentiate one from the other. I always questioned myself, what makes me more of one religious background and not of any other background?
Well about my actual background - My spiritual had guide introduced me to a formless friend to play with, to study with, to fight with, to laugh with, to cry with and to do everything with. Knowing this formless friend has been the only reason that unites me with other beings on the planet. So the religion that had united me with rest beings was the actual religion I tried to follow. And as far as I am aware all religions speak of unity. So in nut shell I tried to follow all the religions or call it one single religion of Universal Brotherhood. Hence were the confusions while filling those paper forms.
These days I am in UK. I again hear the same question when I sit with client representatives. Amidst other talks this topic often comes and I generally face this question, “So what is your religion? “ Same happened last time when I was sitting with Steve, an expert on one system. I was again confused to answer. The reply he expected was something like Hindu. However I could speak, “I am trying to follow religion of Universal brotherhood.” He wasn’t sure what I meant. Going further, something slipped out of my mouth “I am trying to follow your religion “. He heard and smiled.
I too smiled after his smile. I had found the long awaited simple answer which everyone would understand. I have had people around who were keen on their religion being the only religion. Then there were some other friends who were okay with others even if others had some different religious faith. And here comes the final lot who understands the real meaning of religion and treats other’s religion as its own.

You are Lucky !

I remember once this sister from US sent me this comment. Probably she had commented this after reading one of the emails on Divine Souls. "Sunil ji, You are Lucky because you are in India".
Well the same moment, I felt that she had written this coz she had been out of India for quite many years, and was missing her family back in India. However, I didnt ask her what made her say this. Today, when I met this small girl's mother in Cambridge. She was mentioning how the society had laid restrictions on her so that she doesnt harm her children in any form. Post this she also praised Sheetal for the upbringing that Disha has. And Sheetal spoke the same thing many a times, Its because we are Indians.
We are Indians, You are lucky you are in India. India, the nation I was born in. With pride for the nation, I always felt its some thing else also which has made Sunil a Sunil. I cannot skip mentioning teachings what mission had laid in me. Thanks Babaji, for giving me birth in India where my childhood didnt have any 999 to dial for a rescue operation incase my parents gave me a slap to teach me how to differentiate between right and wrong.

Listening

I am very often reminded of the conversation that my roommate and I had some months ago; It went something like this – ‘Sunil ji, its 10M pixel’ ‘Sound Quality should be okay’ ‘Optical zoom 6x, hmm..Not bad’ ‘Will Apple be a good deal?’ ‘It’s quite cheap, Canon is nice company’ ‘How about getting speakers along with this?’ I had asked my roommate to find some deals for buying a good camera. While he was telling me various options available online, I was asking him to search for some iPod deals as well. To be honest, I remember this incident every time I see pictures clicked by friends with their cameras. I wish I had listened to my roommate and finalized some deal that day ! Active Listening !!

Onions

Just 4 days ago my roommate returned to India. These days it’s just me who has to cook for dinner and eat. With him I had to eat onions daily which I disliked. But he was fond of onions; in all dishes he would put onions. I don’t hate onions it’s just that for these 27-28 years I haven’t been able to appreciate onions. Today when I went downstairs for cooking, I was happy. After 4-5 months I would eat dinner cooked without onions. I had to prepare dinner just for self & now no one who would ask me to cut onions and use those chopped onions for dal/sabzi/rajma etc. I was happy. I couldn’t believe that the first thing I put in Paneer Sabzi was onions. All the taste developed in onion-less years changed in just 4 months. I felt that the dish won’t be as delicious if cooked without onion. My thought is not of onion but of my roommate. Rightly was & is said, company matters a lot. For these 4 months I kept company of someone who liked onion and I started liking onion despite the fact that I disliked them since birth.
I believe that’s what spiritual texts say when those mention, if you want to know about God, ask from the one who knows god. He would help you realize this Almighty which is hidden since these many years or even janams. It doesn’t matter how long one has lived without realization of God, but one touch from such God Realised soul makes you fall in love with God, with 24*7 hours contact. This Almighty has always been here and infront, whom to search then ? Search for the one who can help you realize this one.
Rightly said by the prophet, ‘Kismat’ means “Kis ki mat lete ho”. Company shapes your destiny. A perfume cannot give a smell of poison, so does the opposite. I now am able to appreciate my parents for their teachings, “choose your friends wisely”. All my friends have shaped my life till date, be it good habits or bad ones, I have picked all from the ones who were around me. For all those people who believed that earth was flat, earth was flat, but that didn’t change the shape of earth. Only once they made a company of person who said earth is round, did the reality come into existence.
I never knew what depth does word “love you” carried until I actually came in contact with someone who taught me what love means though I had heard about Love and often denied its existence. From this small life till date I have just understood all technological fundamentals I have learnt have come from the texts,teachers of that subject. However I should also add the practical experiments stood far ahead of what all I read in textual books. Only once I did experiments in practical , I understood what those texts were saying.
Well I remember solving questions in Mathematics. After struggling for hours, someone would share with me a simplified method of doing it. And thank God, I would then shift to the easier method. I think advisable is to do things in simplified manner. The longer method may be able to lead to same answer but chances of getting struck in middle are too many. Like the Nirma ad we saw in childhood days, “jab wahi mehnge daamo waali safaai kamm daamo mein mile, to koi woh kyun le, yeh na le ?”.

4 mins

I was sitting with saints after sangat got over for today. I did realize in between that time for my bus' departure was getting closer. However thinking that saints are going to drop me in their car to the bus stop I took a loose stand, and kept enjoying the chit chat that was going. Just some time before the departure I got up and got into saint's car. Saint mentioned that he cannot drop me to the bus station for some reasons however he would happy to drop me at a convenient point from where on I can continue traveling to Bus Station.

I had already got late, and had no option other than following what saint had to say. I reached Bus Station but a little late. I had got late by 4 mins. I checked the next bus' timings. The one where I could fit in was 4 hours from then. I really regretted getting late by just 4 mins which made me wait for 4 hours. A sheer wastage of time.

At the same time, I remembered my friends, my dear ones who have heard about the message but for some reasons, may be not fully convinced are ready to risk their futures for some chit chats that keep them busy at present. 4 mins delays caused 4 hours wait time. This is not with the life though. I knew next bus would be there after 4 hours and will have seat vacant for me. But in life, who knows when the breaths stop, and when is the next bus that would take them along...

Babaji, bless that your message gets heard and understood. May people understand that each 4 minutes slot, rather each millisecond counts. Let all understand that these chit chats wont have end, at one moment they all would have to rise and walk for the destination.

When blessings are being seeked for others, I cannot stand apart. May I also understand your message in real spirit. Let me also not forget that my life too comprises of these small small moments which I keep on wasting for some reason or the other.

14th February

Her eyes I still remember. Two glowing eyes, greenish in color, held inside a body that would be around 6 years of age. She had made a move to hug me but something kept me aloof. I kept my hand on her head as if giving my wishes to her; she accepted the blessings from her elder. And I moved from there after that. Later realizing what I had done.
I had gone to a Family Contact Centre here in Swindon on Saturday. It was advertised that volunteers are needed in Child Centre and those interested may visit the local branch office. During my visit to the centre, I came to know that a Child Contact Centre is a meeting place where children of separated families can enjoy contact with one (or both) parents, and sometimes other family members, in a comfortable and safe environment where there is no viable alternative. Well, I wasn’t much happy to see the kind of job I was being offered. But somehow, I gathered the basic details and then made a plan to make a move. Before I could I move, I recalled I had carried some chocolates in my pocket for children whom I expected to see there. There were no children but only volunteers who were aged 60-65, I offered them few chocolates. Before they could eat those chocolates, this girl appeared from nowhere. She was then followed by her younger brother perhaps and father. I was told that this divorced person was there to meet his children who were living with their mother. I offered one piece of chocolate to Elizabeth, the girl I mentioned earlier. She in thanks made a move to hug me but something kept me aloof. I kept my hand on her head as if giving my wishes to her; she accepted the blessings from her elder. And I moved from there after that. Later realizing I had missed an opportunity to reciprocate a sincere feeling of nothing other than love.
As I was moving away from the Centre, I was being reminded of my act again and again. How could I un-see an act of sincere love, which a small child was eagerly waiting to share?
However the story doesn’t start here. It probably began when I was born. Since then I have been continuing to do similar acts. For reasons known or unknown, I have missed many opportunities. Opportunities to offer my love for the people whom I have come across. Opportunities to reciprocate the love that others have given me. As people around waited for 14th February to express the love for their beloveds, I too was waiting to see if I can think of at least 14 people whom I have loved sincerely from the core of my heart since I was born. I fail to do so. Where every one’s expectations are for love thy neighbor, I am still trying to love the ones who have entered same roof. Seeking your blessings, to be able to sincerely love those around.