Wash basin in Men's loo.

The note on the wash basin reminded me of the vending machine incident that Rahul Ji once shared. Let me take his shoes for narration purposes, because my experience with wash basin was not too different from his' with the vending machine.

I went to use this vending machine at my work. I inserted 20p coin and waited for my drink to arrive. However, there was no response. Inserted another coin to check whether the outcome was any different. But no, it was same. It took 40p to understand that the vending machine wasn't functioning properly. Left this vending machine aside, and then selected normal drinking water from neighboring machine. While I was sipping my drink, I saw a colleague inserting coin in the faulty vending machine. Not to my surprise, there was again no response from the machine. However, this gentleman was surprised. And bit angry too, which was obvious from how he banged the vending machine with his foot. He left from the scene, but I continued to enjoy the water in the cup.
Within few minutes, there was another colleague who came down to the faulty vending machine and repeated what we both had already done to have our drinks. Again, there was no drink in return and this gentleman left without making fuss. Soon, he was back with a sticky note in his hands which he placed on the vending machine. The note said, "Not working".

Now back into my shoes, this washbasin in Men's loo is faulty from days. Everyday, you turn ON the tap and water clogs in the basin. I have been noticing it for past few days, and have started to avoid using. I suppose many would have done the same. But today, it was different. There was toilet paper kept near tap, with a hand written note, "Out of Order". I couldn't control my smile which took me back to the vending machine which I personally haven't used but have heard about. And more so to the lesson which Rahul Ji shared, that world is surrounded by so many people, some crib about the way things are, some mere observe, and some actually make an effort to contribute positively by doing whatever is in their hands. Situation was same, but all reacted differently. That's what differentiates us.

Ah...!!

2 ON 10 - Air travel

My reply is still pending. I'm talking of the discussions that Manik and I were having few months rather years ago. I asked Manik to give me a list of 10 things which he would want to do before he dies. It takes some time to answer that, and so took Manik. But finally he handed me 10 things on his to-do list. Quite obvious, he asked me to do same. However, I didnt reply and till date my reply is pending.
Today was the last day for Mumbai Samagam. Last year same time we children along with parents were present there to seek blessings. It wasnt only the samagam I was excited about but also the journey. Eversince I remember, I had thought about travelling in airplanes and as time passed, I had opportunities to make airtravels 2-3 times a day. During one of such journeys clicked a thought, 'why not arrange air travel for parents? all of us have had opportunities to travel in plane but what about parents?'. Once in a while I did share this thought with them. As expected, parents were not so keen about spending unnecessarily especially when an alternative was available. Somehow last year, convinced Dad and Mom that they accompany us for Mumbai Samagam and that too in airplane. The journey and stay was quite pleasant. Thanks Babaji.
Today while watching Mumbai Samagam, thoughts connected back to our visit last year, the airtravel where parents too flew with me. It was like a dream come true to make a journey with them on plane. Thanks Babaji.
Coming back to the point where I started, this air travel with parents was my 2 ON 10, one of the things I would have wanted to do before I die. Thanks Babaji for making it possible and timely, no one amongst us would have thought that it was the only opportunity to do that travel with Dad. Few months later, Dad went back to Nirankar. Today when I think of this 2 ON 10, I am satisfied that this was achieved as desired. Now 9 remain.
Unlike Manik, I dont have the list handy. As the time passes I am unfolding what could be on this list. 1 is already known, 1 is achieved, 8 still to unfold. Perhaps that was the reason why reply is still pending.

Handle with care!

Finished watching some documentary about how children were being trained at some religious organisational centre to grow up as a religious political figure or something like this - Its all confusing for me! Really felt sorry for the children. These young minds are so delicate, why couldn't people understand there's love which is more important than any religious ritualistic practice, if you want to train children, train them to be better humans - one who can love, tolerate, forgive, etc etc.
Its sad feeling to see how we as human race do so much harm to our future generations, its not only wrong understanding of religion, somewhere physical abuse, somewhere mental abuse, somewhere sexual abuse...we just leave children to struggle and live their future lives in situations which no one would understand, neither would they themselves understand.
People think of death as a pain, they dont understand how much pain they have caused by leaving such impressions on these young minds.

God bless! Bless us to be compassionate human race, be responsible human beings, bless these children who struggle in their minds somewhere, somewhere hidden in their rooms, who need your presence! Like our soul sees the unseen supersoul, wish our minds could also read the unwritten tags on these young minds, "Handle with care". God bless!

we never know how long

Couple of years, perhaps around 12 years, ago Babaji were touring Yamuna Nagar. Stay was at Amrit Auntie's Kothi. Jee and Mom were perhaps at Kothi for some sewa, so I was taking liberty to watch television late in the evening. Other family members were fast asleep. It wasn't silence around, but still I could hear the ringing of the phone very clear in middle of the night. I answered that call. After exchanging greetings, the caller asked if he could speak to Babaji. As the caller spoke more, I could identify that Vivek Shauq ji was on other side. I very politely tried to answer that this number was kept at home, and Babaji would be available at xyz alternative number. Vivek Shauq ji thanked and after exchanging the greetings cut the call.

It took me a minute to grasp that I had just spoken to one of the actors. Before I could fully come out of thoughts of the short interaction, the phone rang again. I answered that new call but to my surprise it was same caller again. Another exchange of greetings, and Vivek ji apologized. I couldn't get what he was trying to convey, but soon he continued his apology, "apologies for waking you up in middle of your sleep". I smiled and explained him that I was anyways awake. We exchanged greetings and since then we both never spoke one to one.

Just wanted to share with you Vivek Ji, that your simple act of kindness has been with me in mind for years now and hopefully will keep reminding me that it takes just a simple act to be kind and we never know for how long that act of kindness will remain!

Days before day!

While scrolling across pages of nirankari magzine, came across these lines in Huzur's discources.."Some people ask why we repeatedly talk of death; we should talk of life. We talk of death because we are really concerned about life."

Perhaps have become more close to this word in past few days. I recall one of the discources which I heard in days of Bangalore where again stress was being laid on the importance of saintliness and knowing God Almighty. Huzur said, "as soon as you ask anyone to take out time for such things, man will resist with a reason that I am so busy that I dont have time even for dying. As if when death is due, it will ask that are you free now? should I visit? When one has to die, he will have to leave all chores in between."

Today when I was meeting saints, many a times dad's death was being discussed. Indeed it is sad to loose someone who has been a part of life so far but somewhere down the line I think we all know it, no one will remain forever. And being born in family where I was exposed to Huzur's teachings in early years, I think I like many others were being prepared for this day from day one. And knowing this has helped us shape our days before this day!

Puriji once said, - One thing I know I was born good, lived better and with Satguru's blessings will die best! Indeed those who have lived and died with you have seen the best of the worlds! Desire is that I too die with you holding me in your hands. Keep me with you, and let every moment be spent with you throughout the life, at last moment and thereafter!

Thanks Babaji! Thank you for shaping our lives.

He introduced Dad!

One of the saints who had come to offer his condolences on Dad's passing away started talking of his experiences with Dad. He mentioned, that one day he requested Dad to accompany him for a satsang program in some distant village. To his surprise Dad refused. Saint tried hard to convince Dad to accompany, also tried to know the reason for Dad's reluctance in accompanying but Dad :), Dad gave some strange reasons. After too much pressure from this saint, Dad agreed to accompany however asked the saint to pray that in Sangat one particular mahapursh doesn't come.
This was second surprise to saint, why would anyone pray that some particular mahapursh should not come to sangat. Anyhow, both of them went to sangat. Surprisingly, the mahapursh that Dad did not want to meet didn't come for Sangat. On way back, the saint who accompanied Dad, again asked why Dad was initially reluctant? why praying for mahapursh's absence? Finally Dad opened his mouth that the mahapursh he didnt want to meet was his old acquaintance who had once borrowed some amount of money from Dad. Due to poor financial state, this mahapursh never had managed to repay the sum even in 20ish years. So Dad was intentionally trying to avoid crossing this mahapursh, because he didnt want mahapursh to carry an impression, that in cover of sangat Dad was there to ask for his money. Dad's reluctance and prayers were to ensure that the mahapursh doesnt spoil the bliss in sangat due to some weird and false assumption.

Listening the incident obviously there was a sense of pride; to be born out of such person. However, eyes had tears when the saint continued to speak "Paise jinhone wapis dene hote hai unko lendaaro se chhipte bada dekha hai, aise pehli baar dekhe jinhone paise lene the aur woh paise dene walo se chhip rahe the".

Thankyou Babaji for 'this' Dad!

'Leg Uttey' syndrome

Lately I have been trying to recover from the 'Leg Uttey' syndrome. Have often noticed myself, and I believe even before noticing myself, I have been having this 'Leg Uttey' syndrome. As I was talking to one friend two years ago, "Have you noticed?, We have this Leg Uttey condition."
Surprised to this combination of words, he asked what does this mean? " Just notice when we sit together to talk something, say for example when we sit to talk about some topic, as soon as one finishes giving some example or quotation, the other person is eager to tell his example justifying the same theme of discussions." "Rarely does one notice that he hasn't listened fully to what other is saying. One example ends, and other starts, and followed by other, but there rare comes a point where one speaks and others just listen. Even when some one has spoken, often I am eager to add toppings to earlier speaker's point. There is no full stop to many such conversations. Doesnt this look like, we all struglling to say as if my leg should come "uttey"? ".

He smiled listening all this. Years have passed, and I dont know if this friend remembers these lines but definately I do, because I still need to improvise on this. Again, listening.. Art of Listening!!