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 :-)