We now know that 'writing makes you smart' , but there is a dark side to writing called Hypergraphia too which writers sometimes knowingly exploit to get their job done.
Hypergraphia , the unstoppable and overpowering desire to write , is commonly known as 'The Midnight Disease' , as this itch to put pen to paper becomes unbearable when sleep hormone melatonin starts pumping , post midnight.(I've personally woken up at 2 AM and have started writing at times !)
Words nag hypergraphics till they reluctantly get out of bed and compulsively jot down the phrases or sentences that are waiting
to be written and if this urge is ignored , then the words taunt their victimised host and the person can forget about a sound sleep.
While on one hand , hypergraphia can be a tormenting condition , on the other , aspiring writers take drugs to induce hypergraphia , but this does not always succeed because the fact is , hypergraphia does not promise talent.Not all hypergraphic writers are skilled and some produce senseless volumes like one word or sentence written over and over again , indicating an abnormal repetition of thoughts.
There are many criteria that have to be considered before calling someone hypergrhaic , but if you feel the unstoppable urge to jot down a well-framed phrase as soon as you hear it , if you underline and make countless notes in novels you read , if you write in margins and if at any time , a bag check reveals bits of paper on which you have scribbled words that are more precious than the money in your wallet(Guilty :) ) , then you just might be a hypergraphic.Another fact is that hypergrahic writers never edit
(Phew ! what a relief ! I edit a lot !)
They write and are unable to part with even those lines and words that they , themselves
agree are unimportant or unnecessary.This yearning to preserve every literary piece of work that
one has ever produced is a symptom of 'Manic Writing'.
Writer's Block
The much talked about and often romanticised Writer's Block is the polar opposite of hypergraphia.The block is loosely correlated anxiety and its span varies along a continuum ranging from a few hours to several decades !This could account for author-typicality's like gaps between one book and the next or mysteriously giving up writing altogether.However the prevalence of the block is overestimated due to the desire of people to come across as 'talented but on a tentative creative low' .So , don't miss the difference between blocked and talentless writers.Also , if an individual hates his assignment topic and thus cannot produce anything worth reading , it not indicate a block , because there is a possibility of words flowing if he's given a topic he likes .
The Muse Theory
The muse theory purports that an artist is at his creative best only when allowed to select his own topic.Thus every dip in creativity is not necessarily an indication of the block and could in fact , signal lack of talent or a need to change in topic.
Some additional facts.
1)Some hypergraphics write because they do not trust their memory and feel like important facts are slipping away.
2)Both hypergraphia and Writer's Block , by virtue of being linked with creativity , are allied with brain wiring and hormonal regulation .Both conditions are known to arise from abnormalities in the basic biological drive to communicate and hypergraphia in particular is coupled with alterations in the frontal lobe , temporal lobe and the limbic system.
3)Artists who hover on the brink of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) tend to be blocked only during certain months of the year.
4) Famous hypergrahics include R.L.Stevenson , Isaac Asimov , Van Gogh , Leonardo Da Vin ci , Henry Miller and sometimes even me !
5)Remedial measures include cognitive behavioural therapy and contemporary treatment involving 'attention deficit ' areas of the brain.
But on the other hand , both these conditions are also looked upon cynically and there exist people who feel terms like 'Hypergraphia' and 'Writer's Block' just serve to intellectualise and categorise phenomena that might be harmless and transient non-issues faced by anyone liked with writing as a hobby or vocation.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Monday, August 27, 2007
Ghosts are Real
Excerpts from "Ask The Barber "
I like her. She doesn't like me.Please help me...
If this is the case, either one of you has made a mistake in assessing your
intuition, or she is a neurotic mess who doesn't understand her feelings.
If you have ever found yourself drawn to someone who felt nothing for you, it is
most likely because you were hung up on her universal appeal, or you had an
experiential bias, or she had personal appeal but there was no biological connection. A
woman has fewer distractions so she is more in touch with the lacking biological
connection than your average man, so this type of relationship is unfortunately common
between a man and a woman.
And you must learn how to avoid this.
Experiential Bias
The concept is simple: Human beings cannot experience things properly without
an appropriate frame of context. So in any given situation, we are drawing on our past
experiences in order to understand the current one.
As a result, it's no wonder we find ourselves drawn to people who remind us of our
biggest heart-break, or attracted to people on television who resemble a painful crush.
Though this type of attraction may feel very emotional, it is only our memory at
work, and sometimes our logical mind as well. It is the part of our mind which searches
for context in order to experience.
In general, it is probably best to avoid people who remind us of former loves and
even to avoid developing types. This is a chaotic world filled with billions of individuals.
Once you start oversimplifying and categorizing the people to whom you are attracted,
your logical mind will begin interfering with your instincts. Do not trust your attraction to
people who resemble your ghosts. That is most likely a ghost issue, not an attraction
issue.
Conversely, you may decide for many reasons that you refuse to date women who
are taller than you, or who are white or black—or whatever. It is just as important to let
go of these negative preconceptions as well.
The "woman of your dreams" may look nothing like you expect her to look, nor
anything like the homeroom crush whom you always thought you deserved to marry.
Read this guy's story...
Beware of Ghosts
A number of years ago, I dated a crazy woman with
amazing sex-appeal. To make a very long story short,
it didn't work out and we had to break up. But the great
sex and the intensity of the thing left its mark because
our affair ended before any of the passion died down.
Since then, I have to watch myself because if I see
anyone who looks like her, I am immediately drawn.
A few years after she and I split, I met a much younger
woman who resembled that crazy, sexy ex-lover. I had
to work with the younger woman on a project, and felt
myself incredibly drawn to her. I couldn't get over the
resemblance—when I was around her, I had a really
difficult time maintaining my cool.
After a few weeks of working closely with her (and
luckily maintaining my cool), I finally noticed that this
woman was actually pretty uninteresting, nothing like
my crazy ex-, devoutly religious (and even a virgin),
and I'm sad to say she was as dumb as sack of
hammers. Beyond some of the physical characterised
this younger woman shared with my ex-, there was
absolutely nothing about her that interested me.
My brain was playing tricks.
I like her. She doesn't like me.Please help me...
If this is the case, either one of you has made a mistake in assessing your
intuition, or she is a neurotic mess who doesn't understand her feelings.
If you have ever found yourself drawn to someone who felt nothing for you, it is
most likely because you were hung up on her universal appeal, or you had an
experiential bias, or she had personal appeal but there was no biological connection. A
woman has fewer distractions so she is more in touch with the lacking biological
connection than your average man, so this type of relationship is unfortunately common
between a man and a woman.
And you must learn how to avoid this.
Experiential Bias
The concept is simple: Human beings cannot experience things properly without
an appropriate frame of context. So in any given situation, we are drawing on our past
experiences in order to understand the current one.
As a result, it's no wonder we find ourselves drawn to people who remind us of our
biggest heart-break, or attracted to people on television who resemble a painful crush.
Though this type of attraction may feel very emotional, it is only our memory at
work, and sometimes our logical mind as well. It is the part of our mind which searches
for context in order to experience.
In general, it is probably best to avoid people who remind us of former loves and
even to avoid developing types. This is a chaotic world filled with billions of individuals.
Once you start oversimplifying and categorizing the people to whom you are attracted,
your logical mind will begin interfering with your instincts. Do not trust your attraction to
people who resemble your ghosts. That is most likely a ghost issue, not an attraction
issue.
Conversely, you may decide for many reasons that you refuse to date women who
are taller than you, or who are white or black—or whatever. It is just as important to let
go of these negative preconceptions as well.
The "woman of your dreams" may look nothing like you expect her to look, nor
anything like the homeroom crush whom you always thought you deserved to marry.
Read this guy's story...
Beware of Ghosts
A number of years ago, I dated a crazy woman with
amazing sex-appeal. To make a very long story short,
it didn't work out and we had to break up. But the great
sex and the intensity of the thing left its mark because
our affair ended before any of the passion died down.
Since then, I have to watch myself because if I see
anyone who looks like her, I am immediately drawn.
A few years after she and I split, I met a much younger
woman who resembled that crazy, sexy ex-lover. I had
to work with the younger woman on a project, and felt
myself incredibly drawn to her. I couldn't get over the
resemblance—when I was around her, I had a really
difficult time maintaining my cool.
After a few weeks of working closely with her (and
luckily maintaining my cool), I finally noticed that this
woman was actually pretty uninteresting, nothing like
my crazy ex-, devoutly religious (and even a virgin),
and I'm sad to say she was as dumb as sack of
hammers. Beyond some of the physical characterised
this younger woman shared with my ex-, there was
absolutely nothing about her that interested me.
My brain was playing tricks.
Counter fetishism: For every fetishist there is an equal and opposite !
Fetishism is a special kind of turn on , where the man gets the impact from a particular part of the female body or from some feminine personal possession: hair or scarves , hands or gloves , feet or shoes .These parts of the body or feminine objects are said by some to be "symbolic substitutes for the loved person".It is much more likely that they are imprintings from early childhood , due to events which happened just at the right time and under the right circumstances to make a permanent hookup.Fetishism is difficult to cure, partly or mainly because few fetishists want to be cured.Many of them get the same bang from the sight or touch or smell of their fetish as a drug addict does from his heroin or Methadone.The prospect of giving up these thrills for square passion has little appeal for them unless their fetish is so far out that it gets them into serious trouble.
A dedicated fetishist does not usually make a good husband unless he happens to find exactly the right wife.
Since to some extent all men have their preferences , and a great many have at least mild fetishes , one of the easiest ways for a woman to p;ease and hang on to a man is to find out covertly what his fetishes are and indulge or even cater to them secretly .This is certainly what makes (and has made throughout history ) successful Mistresses.Many a war has been fought and many a kingdom made or lost because of a bit of ribbon or lace worn in the proper fetching place.But the matter can be handled more honestly , and perhaps even more effectively , by asking him outright what his fetishes are, and then indulging him.(Much like Bree in Desperate Housewives)
Which brings us to a much neglected subject : the counter fetishist, what Dr.Berne would like to call the fetishera.Nearly all fetishists are men.But for every man who is hung up on shoes , there is a woman ready to cater to and groove with him , and for every man who gets his thrills from hair , there is a woman who gets hers from having her locks raped.
The groundwork laid for a fetish turn on , depends on the things his family empathized, particularly his mother .In fact the basic rule for fetishes is that the man's fetish is the same as the fetish of his mother's.For example , if the mother took a childlike fascination in collecting a closet full of shoes , he may have a childlike fascination with women's shoes.and her daughter may too.He becomes a shoe fetishist and his sister a fetishera, although it does not work out that neatly.But in general , when a fetishist meets his fetishera and says , "My mother had a closet full of shoes ", fetishera says " "So did mine "
He means :"Mother loved her shoes and so did I ; that's why I'm hung up on your shoes "
She means : "father loved mother's shoes , and thats why I'm hung up on shoes , so i'm glad you love mine "The same applies to large breasts or buttocks , long hair , tight slacks , ruffled skirts , petticoats , furs , or hiking books .the combination of imprinting and sexy secrets in the family becomes irresistible.
A dedicated fetishist does not usually make a good husband unless he happens to find exactly the right wife.
Since to some extent all men have their preferences , and a great many have at least mild fetishes , one of the easiest ways for a woman to p;ease and hang on to a man is to find out covertly what his fetishes are and indulge or even cater to them secretly .This is certainly what makes (and has made throughout history ) successful Mistresses.Many a war has been fought and many a kingdom made or lost because of a bit of ribbon or lace worn in the proper fetching place.But the matter can be handled more honestly , and perhaps even more effectively , by asking him outright what his fetishes are, and then indulging him.(Much like Bree in Desperate Housewives)
Which brings us to a much neglected subject : the counter fetishist, what Dr.Berne would like to call the fetishera.Nearly all fetishists are men.But for every man who is hung up on shoes , there is a woman ready to cater to and groove with him , and for every man who gets his thrills from hair , there is a woman who gets hers from having her locks raped.
The groundwork laid for a fetish turn on , depends on the things his family empathized, particularly his mother .In fact the basic rule for fetishes is that the man's fetish is the same as the fetish of his mother's.For example , if the mother took a childlike fascination in collecting a closet full of shoes , he may have a childlike fascination with women's shoes.and her daughter may too.He becomes a shoe fetishist and his sister a fetishera, although it does not work out that neatly.But in general , when a fetishist meets his fetishera and says , "My mother had a closet full of shoes ", fetishera says " "So did mine "
He means :"Mother loved her shoes and so did I ; that's why I'm hung up on your shoes "
She means : "father loved mother's shoes , and thats why I'm hung up on shoes , so i'm glad you love mine "The same applies to large breasts or buttocks , long hair , tight slacks , ruffled skirts , petticoats , furs , or hiking books .the combination of imprinting and sexy secrets in the family becomes irresistible.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Mama's Boys and Daddy's Girls
What do Douglas MacArthur , Franklin D Roosevelt , Harry Truman and Frank Lloyd Wright all have in common?
They were all 'mama's boys'(technically called "mammothrepts")
Throughout their lifetimes , these men maintained exceptionally close contact with their mothers .While they led their country's military , presided in the land's highest office , and created architectural masterpieces , they sustained an unusually tight allegiance to their mothers.
At the turn of the 20th century , Freudian psychoanalysts warned that overprotective mothers could cause seriuous developmental problems in their sons.In 1942 , novelist and social critic Philip Wylie published "Generation Of vipers" , the book that derided and ridiculed the role of mothers and coined the term 'momism'.Because of Wylie'swork , the expression "mama's boy" took on an even more derogatory connotation.To this day , many people believe that a mama's boy is overprotected , spoiled and unable to think for himself.Consequently , women tend to fear getting involved with a mama's boy.
We could also ask what Pinky MacArthur , Sara Roosevelt ,Martha Truman , and Anna Wright have in common .Yes , they were the mothers of the famous mama's boys listed earlier, but they were also daddy's girls , women who had extraordinarily close relationships with their fathers.In an age when women weren't allowed to excel in most fields , these strong women had to sublimate their ambitions ; they succeeded vicariously through their famous sons.
The study of "daddy's girls" is a relatively new area of research .Studies indicate that many females who use Dad as a mentor have learned the culturally masculine stereotypes associated with achievement and may have a "leg up " in fields traditionally reserved for men.Perhaps because of this , marrying a daddy's girl can be a threatening event for many men.
We all fear the prospect of getting into a relationship with mama's boys and daddy's girls.
But all in all , let us consider the positive points of your relationships with mama's boys or daddy's girls.
1) Mama's boys tend to revere their wives more than men who aren't close to their mothers.If he remembers her birthday and calls her regularly , then you too will be the recipient of similar benefits.
2) When men are accustomed to talking things over with their moms , their communication lines will probably be more open to other women in their lives , and that includes you.
3) Mama's Boys are lovers of tradition .His mother will go out of her way to keep those traditions alive .As a result , there will be less work for you over th eholidays because his mama will do the most of it.
4) Daddy's girls are used to a relationship of equals.In identifying with their fathers , they have learned many of stereotypical masculine traits and can more easily see things from a male point of view.
5) Many daddy's girls are flexible.They 're into convenience , ease and simplicity , just like a man.
6) Daddy's girls aren't likely to crumble under pressure .they generally know what they want and they're willing to compete for it.They'll manage you ina way that makes sense to you, so why not sit back and enjoy it ?
7) Finally , the fact that a daddy's girl chooses you suggests that you have many of the qualities she admires in her father.
So here's what you can do ,if you have fallen for a mama's boy or a daddy's girl , don't try to compete .Your best bet is to make friends with your mate's mom or dad.It is to your benefit to work with this bond rater than opposing it.Your relationship with your mate will be stronger if you learn to accommodate these people who are so special in your lover's eyes.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Doppelganger
We are strange creatures - both of us.Our destinies are joined but never entwined.
Our lives run in parallel.
Think about it-- Haven't we both had a major upheaval in life in the recent history ?
Isn't there a self realization of our unresolved potential?
And a strange restlessness, as pangs of hunger remind us of our unfulfilled destinies ?
It has been a wonderful journey so far...
We have sensed the exhilaration - the sheer joy that comes with the treading upon a new and uncharted path.
It seems we have a deeper connection-which supersedes all physical , mental and intellectual barriers - giving us the power to strip each other to bare essence - to gaze upon the purity of the soul and see in it nothing but the divine truth.
I now know; what you are to me...
You are my anchor ,
My witness ,my muse,
You are my doppelganger,
a welcome imbiber,
of my heart and soul.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
The Sparrow and the Cuckoo:Guilt and Redemption
Weboids :
"When immersed in a liquid , a dead sparrow will make a sound like a crying baby. "
I felt sick as soon as I read it.This all seemed like a cruel joke of some large magnitude.God's own joke on me !
There lay a dead sparrow on the window sill.I desperately wanted it to be undead--for it to miraculously fly away , unhurt .I also knew the chances of this sparrow coming back to life were pretty slim.
I killed it.
Yes , I am a sparrow killer...and I feel terribly bad about it...
In my defense , It was an accident.
Honest.
Somehow two sparrows had flown into my apartment.I wanted to open the windows and release them.Fate had something else on mind.
The sliding window panel was stuck.I had to apply a great amount of force to open it.When I opened it , it flew.
At the very instant the window pane slid to the other side , the female sparrow flew towards the wrong end.
I heard a muffled crunch.I was afraid to see what I thought had happened.
The male sparrow flew out , towards freedom whereas the female lay dead , its body crushed between the window pane and the sill.The window had opened on the other side.It was just a matter of bad choice for the female sparrow.
Not willing to believe what just had happened , I walked away, hoping against all hopes that the sparrow would just fly away from the window which I had kept open.
Then I read my morning newspaper.
Weboids :
"When immersed in a liquid , a dead sparrow will make a sound like a crying baby. "
Are you tempting me, God ? Is this your version of a prank ?A sick joke ?
Ha Ha , Gotcha !
Now lets see if our self-professed animal lover satisfies his scientific hunger by verifying the data claimed in the weboids?
Will the dead sparrow cry like a baby ?
(Wont you try ?)
(You'll know once and for all )
(C'mon , you can do it ...there's a bucket filled with water ready in the bathroom.All you have to do is pick the sparrow up and dunk it .)
(C'mon , be a sport !)
I was in denial.I was still not ready to believe that I had killed the sparrow.I read the entire newspaper twice before coming back to the room .
It was still there.Quite dead.No doubts about it .
Such a tiny little being .So full of energy.The two sparrows were probably mates , in search of a good nesting site.She could have even been pregnant.
This was worse.I was a pregnant-sparrow killer.
I was reluctant to go near the body.I was reluctant to touch it .But I had to dispose it before it got too late .
I searched for some kind of gloves.No luck.All I could manage was an old dish cloth.I was actually shaking when my hand went near the body
(BOO!)
No , it didn't jump up and grab my throat for revenge.It was dead.To quote a cliche "It was dead as a Dodo"
The body was so light!
Its whole body was feather light and compact enough to fit in my palm.Its eyes were thankfully closed.I wouldn't be able to bear the accusing eyes staring at me in my nightmares.I'd be doomed, never able to sleep again.
There was nothing left to do.I wasn't going to dunk the sparrow in water.All animals deserve our respect.Even in its untimely death , the sparrow deserved respect.
"From dust to dust , from ashes to ashes , from earth to earth " This was the way of the nature.The dead would nurture the living.I took the sparrow down and dug a grave , a small hole in the soft wet soil and buried it .That was the end of the sparrow, but it would be an endless night of guilt and shame for me .
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x-0-x
Love requires infinite patience.
There are times when one has to wait for an eternity for his love to be accepted.Especially when the recipient knows not that you are giving love or when you don't know how to love in a way that can be understood by the other.
Our family gets a lot of injured and abandoned animals at home.We are known around the neighbourhood for our efforts in animal protection , treatment and rehabilitation.
In the past , we have dealt with innumerable kittens , pups and sometimes even cows ,monkeys and eagles.
However this was the first time we got a cuckoo.A friend of ours found a baby cuckoo on the ground , with no apparent injuries.He waited for a while , but saw that if he left it in its state , the crows would probably attack it.He promptly brought it over to our house.
Cuckoos are from the order Cucliformes .Many of theses species are notorious for their habit of brood parasitism i.e laying their eggs in the nests of other birds and foisting on them the responsibility of hatching and rearing the young.
Our baby cuckoo or the common Koel (Eudynamys scolopacea) was a male with glistening metallic black all over , with a striking yellowish green bill and crimson or blood red eyes.The female cuckoo is brown , spotted and barred with white.
I watched in awe as mom patiently tried to feed it.She had a lot of patience.(I think she got that from taking care of me all these years :) )The cuckoo's diet mainly consists of banyan and peepal figs , various berries and hairy caterpillars.(source : Common Birds , Salim Ali &Laaeq Futehally ).We couldn't find any of these.Also this was a baby .It was probably used to eating what its parents had regurgitated out.How the heck were we supposed to regurgitatehairy caterpillars?Instead we tried to feed it other fruits viz. ripe banana pieces , guavas , and papayas.
Mom handed over the responsibility of feeding the cuckoo over to me.It had to be fed every 2-3 hours or so.This was my first time handling a bird.I prayed for patience and strength.Maybe this was my chance to redeem myself for the sparrow I'd killed.
A right to lessen the burden of a wrong.
Yeah , we were coming to a full circle now , God and Me .
The cuckoo had never seen a human before .Naturally it was afraid.I too had to patiently follow the cuckoo , while it kept hopping away from me .Soon I had made enough progress to touch the cuckoo.I was allowed to stroke it while feeding it mashed bananas.It also sipped water from a syringe .
Soon , I had to acclimatize the cuckoo to my presence and touch.I held it lightly...as lightly as possible.It showed its dislike by opening its mouth gaping wide soundlessly and showing its blood red mouth...
Patience is the key.
Gentleness is the key.
Focus .
Do not lose concentration.
Do not squeeze.It is only a little bird.
Then came the papayas.
I'm glad to say , our baby cuckoo likes little bits of mashed papayas and it ate plenty of it and made my family smile .I think it will survive.
It's still kept in our unused bathroom.There is no other place , because we have four cats, who like to catch a mouse or two every now and then..But I think it will survive !
This is not over.
Its not so easy to end an incomplete story.
Well , this is not a story.
This is real.And I don't know where this ends .
Only time will tell where this will lead.
Maybe there is still hope for me.
Maybe I can get rid of my guilt .
Five Insights
Let love be .Don't give it a name.When you give love a name , it becomes a relationship , and a relationship restricts love .
There is love between you and me .Just let it be.If you name love as brother , sister , mother , father ,Guru , you are making it into a relationship.Relationship restricts love.
What is your relationship to yourself ? Are you your wife , husband , brother , Guru ?
Let love be.Don't give it a name.
Love is in your nature .
When love finds an expression , you often get caught up in the object .Your sight is caught outside .To return back to your nature , you need insight.
Pain is the first insight.It takes you away from the object and turns you towards your body and mind.
Energy is the second insight .A bolt of energy brings you back to your self.
Divine love is the third insight.A glimpse makes you so complete and overrules all relative pleasures.
Ecstasy is the fourth insight.An elevation of consciousness with partial awareness of physical reality is ecstasy.
NON DUAL AWARENESS is the fifth insight , the realization that all is made up of One and only One.
When love glows , it is bliss
When love flows , it is compassion
When love blows , it is anger
When love ferments , it is jealousy
When love is all "No's" , it is hatred
When love acts , it is perfection
When love knows , It is ME
(Excerpt : Sri Sri Ravishanker's Knowledge Form )
There is love between you and me .Just let it be.If you name love as brother , sister , mother , father ,Guru , you are making it into a relationship.Relationship restricts love.
What is your relationship to yourself ? Are you your wife , husband , brother , Guru ?
Let love be.Don't give it a name.
Love is in your nature .
When love finds an expression , you often get caught up in the object .Your sight is caught outside .To return back to your nature , you need insight.
Pain is the first insight.It takes you away from the object and turns you towards your body and mind.
Energy is the second insight .A bolt of energy brings you back to your self.
Divine love is the third insight.A glimpse makes you so complete and overrules all relative pleasures.
Ecstasy is the fourth insight.An elevation of consciousness with partial awareness of physical reality is ecstasy.
NON DUAL AWARENESS is the fifth insight , the realization that all is made up of One and only One.
When love glows , it is bliss
When love flows , it is compassion
When love blows , it is anger
When love ferments , it is jealousy
When love is all "No's" , it is hatred
When love acts , it is perfection
When love knows , It is ME
(Excerpt : Sri Sri Ravishanker's Knowledge Form )
Inside-Out
Often people say , "Be the same outside as what you are inside".I ask , how is this possible ?
Inside you are a vast ocean , an infinite sky .outside you are finite -just a small limited form , a normal stupid (or not so stupid) person !
All that you are , the compassion , the divinity -doesn't show up fully outside .What shows is only a crust of behaviours.
Ask yourself, "Am I really my behavioural patterns ? "Am I really this limited body/mind complex ?" No...you are not the same inside as outside.
Don't mistake the outer crust for who you are inside.
And don't show your infinite lordship outside for divinity is not fully understood .
Let there be some mystery.
(Excerpt : sri Sri Ravishanker's Knowledge form )
Inside you are a vast ocean , an infinite sky .outside you are finite -just a small limited form , a normal stupid (or not so stupid) person !
All that you are , the compassion , the divinity -doesn't show up fully outside .What shows is only a crust of behaviours.
Ask yourself, "Am I really my behavioural patterns ? "Am I really this limited body/mind complex ?" No...you are not the same inside as outside.
Don't mistake the outer crust for who you are inside.
And don't show your infinite lordship outside for divinity is not fully understood .
Let there be some mystery.
(Excerpt : sri Sri Ravishanker's Knowledge form )
Friday, August 10, 2007
Ten secrets of love
* The first secret - the power of thought.Love begins with our thoughts. We become what we think about.Lovingthoughts create loving experiences and loving relationships.Affirmations can change our beliefs and thoughts about ourselves andothers. If we want to love someone, we need to consider their needs anddesires. Thinking about your ideal partnerwill help you recognize her when you meet her.
* The second secret - the power of respect.You cannot love anyone or anything unless you first respect them. Thefirst person you need to respect is yourself. To begin to gainself-respect ask yourself, "What do I respect about myself?" To gainrespect for others, even those you may dislike, ask yourself"What do I respect about them?"
* The third secret - the power of giving.If you want to receive love, all you have to do is give it! The more loveyou give, the more you will receive. To love is to give of yourself,freely and unconditionally. Practice random acts ofkindness. Before committing to a relationship ask not what the otherperson will be able to give to you, but rather what will you be able togive them. The secret formula of a happy, lifelong, loving relationship isto always focus on what you can give instead of what you can take.
* The fourth secret - the power of friendship.To find a true love, you must first find a true friend. Love does notconsist of gazing into each other's eyes, but rather looking outwardtogether in the same direction. To love someone completelely you must lovethem for who they are, not what they look like.Friendship is the soil through which love's seeds grow. If you want tobring love into a relationship, you must first bring friendship.
* The fifth secret - the power of touch.Touch is one of the most powerful expressions of love, breaking downbarriers and bonding relationships. Touch changes our physical andemotional states and makes us more receptiveto love.
* The sixth secret - the power of letting go.If you love something, let it free. If it comes back to you it's yours, ifit doesn't it never was. Even in a loving relationship, people need theirown space. If we want to learn to love, we must first learn to forgive andlet go of past hurts and grievances. Love means letting go of our fears,prejudices, egos and conditions." Today I let go of all my fears, the pasthas no power over me - today is the beginning of a new life."
* The seventh secret - the power of communication.When we learn to communicate openly and honestly, life changes. To lovesomeone is to communicate with them. Let the people you love know that youlove them and appreciate them. Never be afraid to say those three magicwords: "I Love You." Never let an opportunity pass to praise someone.Always leave someone you love with a loving word - it could be the lasttime you see them. If you were about to die but could make telephone callsto the people you loved, who would you call, what would you sayand......... ....... ...why are you waiting?
* The eighth secret - the power of commitment.If you want to have love in abundance, you must be committed to it, andthat commmitment will be reflected in your thoughts and actions.Commitment is the true test of love. If you want to have lovingrelationships, you must be committed to loving relationships. When you arecommitted to someone or something, quitting is never an option. Commitmentdistinguishes a fragile relationship from a strong one.
* The ninth secret - the power of passion.Passion ignites love and keeps it alive. Lasting passion does not comethrough physical attraction alone, it comes from deep commitment,enthusiasm, interest and excitement. Passion can be recreated byrecreating past experiences when you felt passionate. Spontaneity andsurprises produce passion. The essence of love and happiness are the same;all we need to do is to live each day with passion.
* The tenth secret - the power of trust.Trust is essential in all loving relationships. Without it one personbecomes suspicious, anxious and fearful and the other person feels trappedand emotionally suffocated.You cannot love someone completely unless you trust them completely. Actas if your relationship with the person you love will never end.One of the way in which always you can tell whether a person is right foryou is to ask yourself, "Do I trust them completely and unreservedly? " Ifthe answer is "no", think carefully before making a commitment.
* The second secret - the power of respect.You cannot love anyone or anything unless you first respect them. Thefirst person you need to respect is yourself. To begin to gainself-respect ask yourself, "What do I respect about myself?" To gainrespect for others, even those you may dislike, ask yourself"What do I respect about them?"
* The third secret - the power of giving.If you want to receive love, all you have to do is give it! The more loveyou give, the more you will receive. To love is to give of yourself,freely and unconditionally. Practice random acts ofkindness. Before committing to a relationship ask not what the otherperson will be able to give to you, but rather what will you be able togive them. The secret formula of a happy, lifelong, loving relationship isto always focus on what you can give instead of what you can take.
* The fourth secret - the power of friendship.To find a true love, you must first find a true friend. Love does notconsist of gazing into each other's eyes, but rather looking outwardtogether in the same direction. To love someone completelely you must lovethem for who they are, not what they look like.Friendship is the soil through which love's seeds grow. If you want tobring love into a relationship, you must first bring friendship.
* The fifth secret - the power of touch.Touch is one of the most powerful expressions of love, breaking downbarriers and bonding relationships. Touch changes our physical andemotional states and makes us more receptiveto love.
* The sixth secret - the power of letting go.If you love something, let it free. If it comes back to you it's yours, ifit doesn't it never was. Even in a loving relationship, people need theirown space. If we want to learn to love, we must first learn to forgive andlet go of past hurts and grievances. Love means letting go of our fears,prejudices, egos and conditions." Today I let go of all my fears, the pasthas no power over me - today is the beginning of a new life."
* The seventh secret - the power of communication.When we learn to communicate openly and honestly, life changes. To lovesomeone is to communicate with them. Let the people you love know that youlove them and appreciate them. Never be afraid to say those three magicwords: "I Love You." Never let an opportunity pass to praise someone.Always leave someone you love with a loving word - it could be the lasttime you see them. If you were about to die but could make telephone callsto the people you loved, who would you call, what would you sayand......... ....... ...why are you waiting?
* The eighth secret - the power of commitment.If you want to have love in abundance, you must be committed to it, andthat commmitment will be reflected in your thoughts and actions.Commitment is the true test of love. If you want to have lovingrelationships, you must be committed to loving relationships. When you arecommitted to someone or something, quitting is never an option. Commitmentdistinguishes a fragile relationship from a strong one.
* The ninth secret - the power of passion.Passion ignites love and keeps it alive. Lasting passion does not comethrough physical attraction alone, it comes from deep commitment,enthusiasm, interest and excitement. Passion can be recreated byrecreating past experiences when you felt passionate. Spontaneity andsurprises produce passion. The essence of love and happiness are the same;all we need to do is to live each day with passion.
* The tenth secret - the power of trust.Trust is essential in all loving relationships. Without it one personbecomes suspicious, anxious and fearful and the other person feels trappedand emotionally suffocated.You cannot love someone completely unless you trust them completely. Actas if your relationship with the person you love will never end.One of the way in which always you can tell whether a person is right foryou is to ask yourself, "Do I trust them completely and unreservedly? " Ifthe answer is "no", think carefully before making a commitment.
With whom are you at ease ?
With whom do you feel really comfortable and at ease ?
With someone who does not question your love , someone who takes for granted that you love them .Isn't it ?
When someone doubts your love and you constantly have to prove it , this becomes a heavy load on your head.They start questioning you and demanding explanations for all your actions .To explain everything you do is a burden .Your nature is to shed the burden because you don't feel comfortable.
When you question the reason behind someone's action , you are asking for justice for yourself .You create a distance when you ask for justice.Your whole intention is to come close, but instead you create a distance .
You are the eternal Witness .You are as much a witness to your own actions as you are to someone else's .When someone asks you for an explanation for your actions they are speaking from do-ership and imposing that do-ership on you .This brings discomfort.
Neither demand an explanation , nor give an explanation.
If somebody is just there with you , like a part of you, they don't question you.They are like your arm .There is a closeness and unity that goes beyond all demands and questions.
(Excerpt from Sri Sri Ravishanker's Montreal Ashram knowledge form )
With someone who does not question your love , someone who takes for granted that you love them .Isn't it ?
When someone doubts your love and you constantly have to prove it , this becomes a heavy load on your head.They start questioning you and demanding explanations for all your actions .To explain everything you do is a burden .Your nature is to shed the burden because you don't feel comfortable.
When you question the reason behind someone's action , you are asking for justice for yourself .You create a distance when you ask for justice.Your whole intention is to come close, but instead you create a distance .
You are the eternal Witness .You are as much a witness to your own actions as you are to someone else's .When someone asks you for an explanation for your actions they are speaking from do-ership and imposing that do-ership on you .This brings discomfort.
Neither demand an explanation , nor give an explanation.
If somebody is just there with you , like a part of you, they don't question you.They are like your arm .There is a closeness and unity that goes beyond all demands and questions.
(Excerpt from Sri Sri Ravishanker's Montreal Ashram knowledge form )
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Hazed , Dazed but Unfazed.
"OK .NOW WITH YOUR RIGHT HAND , YOU WILL CUP YOUR BALLS.FIRMLY ! LIKE THIS !"He showed us grabbing his own scrotum pulling it impossibly high and waving it around, "AND , EXTEND THE MIDDLE FINGER OF YOUR LEFT HAND AND STICK IT IN , LIKE THIS !"
Whaaaat ! Stick it in where ?.... Oh No ! Not there !
This was going to be a very looong night.
YOU ! " He shouted , brow knotted and nose flaring."ALL YOU JUNIORS , LISTEN UP ! THIS IS YOUR FIRST DAY IN THIS ACADEMY AND WE , AS YOUR SUPER-SENIORS WILL TEACH YOU WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE AN OFFICER"
His last name was Wagh , which meant Tiger.I heard a collective gulp of fear from my batchmatess.We felt like lambs up for slaughter!
"WE HERE IN THIS GRAND OLD INSTITUTION HAVE TO FOLLOW TRADITIONS! " Wagh kept hollering "Traditions are important for a sailor , and doubly important for an officer."
"LETS BEGIN THE INITIATION "Wagh shouted once again.
Out of nowhere two burly guys came and took two of us on to the podium.
We were in a dazed state of mind.
It was the middle of the night.
We had come to our training institute that very morning after a very long and tiring journey.Once in the isolated campus , we underwent registration and collecting our study material and going to our hostels.
Man , we were bushed .We were supposed to wake up at five AM , but some guys came up and woke all of us up in the middle of the night.Damn , I was pissed.
Wagh , our tiger with flaring nostrils continued..."Now we begin our initiation with our traditional song...repeat after me , while cupping your balls and your finger stuck firmly inside...AATOO MAATOO JHAATOO"
We sang in chorus... "Aato maatoo jhaatoo "
"I CAN'T HEAR YOU ! "
"AATOO MAATOO JHAATOO "
"That's much better !" said Wagh .
"AATOO. MAATOO. JHAATOO."
"L*ND. KA. MAKKHAN. "
"CH@#T. KA. DHAKKAN. "
"MEIN. APNE. SADE. HUE. L*ND. KE
KASAM. KA. KE. KEHTA. HOON .KI....."
It was a dirty limerick (please don't ask me to translate) , which we later found out that had been in existence for merely the last four years instead of the wildly exaggerated one hundred fifty years which our seniors had led us to believe.
I still remember standing there , cupping and fingering.Thank god I didn't know what the limerick meant back then , because back in those days I was one of the goody-goody boys who never swore and said any bad words.
The night was far from over...
"Look at my balls " a senior had just asked a timid looking fresher.When the timid boy would not look , he would be goaded and threatened .No sooner than the boy would look south , the senior would accuse him of being gay and say that he actually wanted the fresher to look into his eyeballs.
Some of us were asked to dance.We were asked to do dirty dancing , to make it as lusty and vulgar as possible , while the rest of us were made to sit and watch.The ones who were sitting were expressly forbidden to laugh at the ones who were dancing.The unfortunate ones that could not contain their laughter would be forced to join and participate in the dance.
I can't help it when there's something funny going on.Imagine watching a bunch of sleepy boys in their pajamas, dirty dancing , shaking their booty , swaying their hips , pouting and heaving non-existant boobs all over .
I laughed.
No .
Not only did I laugh , I guffawed , chortled and snorted like the little piggy that went to the market.I couldn't help it.I simply couldn't help it.
I was caught .In the next few minutes , two burly seniors would be hauling a very reluctant man on to the stage, and I would be , for the first time in my life , dirty dancing on a stage.
Brace yourself as this could turn ugly.
Anyone who knows a little about me , knows that I cannot dance.If there is anything in life at which I've miserably failed in , then that is Dancing.Dancing is greek to me , no it's more like esperanto ! I know how complicated dancing is...Your legs and hands move in unison and in different direction at the same time.The logistics of dancing are simply too mind boggling to a simpleton like me.Bad dancers usually have two left feet , but in my case , I had two left feet and two left hands and two cold un cooperating feet.
I know how complicated dancing is.wHICH IS WHY I RESPECT DANCERS or people who can move their body to the music and do it in a non-disgusting manner.
So there I was , on the stage , petrified and ordered by my seniors to look sexy while dancing.
Whatever that meant !
"DANCE " came a catcall "Shake your Boobs...shake it , shake it baby "
At this point , still frozen on the stage , I considered telling my seniors that as a guy I had no boobs to speak of and therefore would be unable to shake them , but this was not the time to act smart .
And thus I began dancing to a bunch of poker faced classmates.
To be continued...
Whaaaat ! Stick it in where ?.... Oh No ! Not there !
This was going to be a very looong night.
YOU ! " He shouted , brow knotted and nose flaring."ALL YOU JUNIORS , LISTEN UP ! THIS IS YOUR FIRST DAY IN THIS ACADEMY AND WE , AS YOUR SUPER-SENIORS WILL TEACH YOU WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE AN OFFICER"
His last name was Wagh , which meant Tiger.I heard a collective gulp of fear from my batchmatess.We felt like lambs up for slaughter!
"WE HERE IN THIS GRAND OLD INSTITUTION HAVE TO FOLLOW TRADITIONS! " Wagh kept hollering "Traditions are important for a sailor , and doubly important for an officer."
"LETS BEGIN THE INITIATION "Wagh shouted once again.
Out of nowhere two burly guys came and took two of us on to the podium.
We were in a dazed state of mind.
It was the middle of the night.
We had come to our training institute that very morning after a very long and tiring journey.Once in the isolated campus , we underwent registration and collecting our study material and going to our hostels.
Man , we were bushed .We were supposed to wake up at five AM , but some guys came up and woke all of us up in the middle of the night.Damn , I was pissed.
Wagh , our tiger with flaring nostrils continued..."Now we begin our initiation with our traditional song...repeat after me , while cupping your balls and your finger stuck firmly inside...AATOO MAATOO JHAATOO"
We sang in chorus... "Aato maatoo jhaatoo "
"I CAN'T HEAR YOU ! "
"AATOO MAATOO JHAATOO "
"That's much better !" said Wagh .
"AATOO. MAATOO. JHAATOO."
"L*ND. KA. MAKKHAN. "
"CH@#T. KA. DHAKKAN. "
"MEIN. APNE. SADE. HUE. L*ND. KE
KASAM. KA. KE. KEHTA. HOON .KI....."
It was a dirty limerick (please don't ask me to translate) , which we later found out that had been in existence for merely the last four years instead of the wildly exaggerated one hundred fifty years which our seniors had led us to believe.
I still remember standing there , cupping and fingering.Thank god I didn't know what the limerick meant back then , because back in those days I was one of the goody-goody boys who never swore and said any bad words.
The night was far from over...
"Look at my balls " a senior had just asked a timid looking fresher.When the timid boy would not look , he would be goaded and threatened .No sooner than the boy would look south , the senior would accuse him of being gay and say that he actually wanted the fresher to look into his eyeballs.
Some of us were asked to dance.We were asked to do dirty dancing , to make it as lusty and vulgar as possible , while the rest of us were made to sit and watch.The ones who were sitting were expressly forbidden to laugh at the ones who were dancing.The unfortunate ones that could not contain their laughter would be forced to join and participate in the dance.
I can't help it when there's something funny going on.Imagine watching a bunch of sleepy boys in their pajamas, dirty dancing , shaking their booty , swaying their hips , pouting and heaving non-existant boobs all over .
I laughed.
No .
Not only did I laugh , I guffawed , chortled and snorted like the little piggy that went to the market.I couldn't help it.I simply couldn't help it.
I was caught .In the next few minutes , two burly seniors would be hauling a very reluctant man on to the stage, and I would be , for the first time in my life , dirty dancing on a stage.
Brace yourself as this could turn ugly.
Anyone who knows a little about me , knows that I cannot dance.If there is anything in life at which I've miserably failed in , then that is Dancing.Dancing is greek to me , no it's more like esperanto ! I know how complicated dancing is...Your legs and hands move in unison and in different direction at the same time.The logistics of dancing are simply too mind boggling to a simpleton like me.Bad dancers usually have two left feet , but in my case , I had two left feet and two left hands and two cold un cooperating feet.
I know how complicated dancing is.wHICH IS WHY I RESPECT DANCERS or people who can move their body to the music and do it in a non-disgusting manner.
So there I was , on the stage , petrified and ordered by my seniors to look sexy while dancing.
Whatever that meant !
"DANCE " came a catcall "Shake your Boobs...shake it , shake it baby "
At this point , still frozen on the stage , I considered telling my seniors that as a guy I had no boobs to speak of and therefore would be unable to shake them , but this was not the time to act smart .
And thus I began dancing to a bunch of poker faced classmates.
To be continued...
Hazed , Dazed but Unfazed :Part 2
Hazing is an universal phenomenon.The rites of passage to manhood are a part of every culture , be it the Thonga tribe of Africa or a greek letter society in a university in America.
Though the rites seem extraordinary and bizarre , they are remarkably similar in principle and even in detail.As a frat pledge , one has to undergo a variety of activities designed by the other members to test the limits of physical exertion , psychological strain and social embarrassment.
But one wonders...WHY ? WHY OH WHY ?
The answer seems to have appeared in 1959 in the results of a study of social psychology .A pair of young researchers , Elliot Aronson and Judson Mills decided to test their observation that "Persons who go through a great deal of trouble or pain to attain something tend to value it more highly than persons who attain the same thing with a minimum effort"The real stroke of inspiration came in their choice of the initiation ceremony as the best place to examine this possibility .They found that college women who had to endure a severely embarrassing initiation ceremony in order to gain access to a sex discussion group convinced themselves that their new group and its discussions were extremely valuable , even though Aronson and Mills had previously rehearsed the other group members to be as "worthless and uninteresting " as possible.
Different coeds , who went through a much milder initiation ceremony or went through no initiation at all , were decidedly less positive about the "worthless " new group they had joined.Strangely , research showed the same results when coeds were required to endure pain instead of embarrassment to get to the group.
Now the hazing rituals make sense.They are not acts of sadism , according to psychologists , but are acts of group survival.They function , oddly enough , to spur future sorcery members to find the group more attractive and worthwhile.The harder the struggle , the more you tend to value it.The loyalty and dedication of those who emerge will increase to a great degree the chances of group cohesiveness and survival.The severity of an initiation ceremony significantly heightens the newcomer's commitment to the group. This is the reason hazing is frequently used in the military.
Hazing has its own significance.I have to say it weeds out the weaker ones and the ones that break under pressure and it separates the boys from the men.There is no cadet of my acquaintance , regardless of what direction he may have taken spiritually or politically after those harsh days of training , who does not view the training as a crucible out of which he emerged in some way more resilient , simply braver and better for the wear.
Coming back to my story...As I said before I am a terrible dancer.I stunk up the place , setting new standards for dancing badly.It was neither dirty nor sexy.It wasn't even a tragi-comedy .It couln't even rise up to levels at which it could be judged as pathetic !
After only three minutes on the stage , I was yanked unceremoniously of the stage and asked to sing.Ahh..now this was something I could do...and so I began.
Though the rites seem extraordinary and bizarre , they are remarkably similar in principle and even in detail.As a frat pledge , one has to undergo a variety of activities designed by the other members to test the limits of physical exertion , psychological strain and social embarrassment.
But one wonders...WHY ? WHY OH WHY ?
The answer seems to have appeared in 1959 in the results of a study of social psychology .A pair of young researchers , Elliot Aronson and Judson Mills decided to test their observation that "Persons who go through a great deal of trouble or pain to attain something tend to value it more highly than persons who attain the same thing with a minimum effort"The real stroke of inspiration came in their choice of the initiation ceremony as the best place to examine this possibility .They found that college women who had to endure a severely embarrassing initiation ceremony in order to gain access to a sex discussion group convinced themselves that their new group and its discussions were extremely valuable , even though Aronson and Mills had previously rehearsed the other group members to be as "worthless and uninteresting " as possible.
Different coeds , who went through a much milder initiation ceremony or went through no initiation at all , were decidedly less positive about the "worthless " new group they had joined.Strangely , research showed the same results when coeds were required to endure pain instead of embarrassment to get to the group.
Now the hazing rituals make sense.They are not acts of sadism , according to psychologists , but are acts of group survival.They function , oddly enough , to spur future sorcery members to find the group more attractive and worthwhile.The harder the struggle , the more you tend to value it.The loyalty and dedication of those who emerge will increase to a great degree the chances of group cohesiveness and survival.The severity of an initiation ceremony significantly heightens the newcomer's commitment to the group. This is the reason hazing is frequently used in the military.
Hazing has its own significance.I have to say it weeds out the weaker ones and the ones that break under pressure and it separates the boys from the men.There is no cadet of my acquaintance , regardless of what direction he may have taken spiritually or politically after those harsh days of training , who does not view the training as a crucible out of which he emerged in some way more resilient , simply braver and better for the wear.
Coming back to my story...As I said before I am a terrible dancer.I stunk up the place , setting new standards for dancing badly.It was neither dirty nor sexy.It wasn't even a tragi-comedy .It couln't even rise up to levels at which it could be judged as pathetic !
After only three minutes on the stage , I was yanked unceremoniously of the stage and asked to sing.Ahh..now this was something I could do...and so I began.
Get Real :LOVE IS NOT BLIND
Get Real people : Viewing your partner through rose-coloured glasses can actually hurt your marriage or relationship.A study conducted at the university of Florida found that couples who glossed over their partner's weakenesses were more likely to get divorced than
those who made a more pragmatic assessment.Facing up to his bad manners or disorganzation
, for example . is better than pretending these flaws don't exist."People whi Idealize their
partners are only setting themselves up for disappointment " says Lisa A.Neff , Ph.D ,
the lead researcher in the study.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Hey WWE , WTF ?
WWE is a redneck soap opera.Well let me extend that comparison to all those pseudo-sport cum entertainment shows with names like WCW , ECW etc.
Professional wrestling in its current form evolved from the circus and carnival performers at the turn of the nineteenth century, who would speak in code and stage wrestling matches between ringers and "marks" .At heart , today's highly paid muscle men, who think of themselves as TV stars and matinee idols , are little more than updated circus performers , speaking in gibbersih to keep the fans uneducated.
I don't follow wrestling anymore.I'm even ashamed to say I used to watch it as a kid.There is nothing manly about watching muscle bound men in teeny -tiny thongs grapple and grope each other.
Anyway I noticed that the quality was declining and storylines were getting desperate when Kane was accused of raping Lita or when HHH married Stephanie McMahon after getting her drugged.Please , the kids watching WWE might get bad ideas .
Now here we have a video of the Great Khali , who is the behemoth from India .I guess he has won the championship or something .
Look at the travesty orchestrated here.
Ok , so he is from India, big deal, but the real reason for him being in the WWE is his size and not his nationality.
I think the big brains behind the show , who actually hire writers to script the show (Yup , people , the show is actually scripted , the catchphrases and slogans and all !! )don't intend to keep him a champion for long , because after all he is just a foreigner who is out to steal American Glory and humilitae the greatest country in this world
.So out he comes , starts blabbering in hindi , comparing himself to the great
Bhagat Singh , Mother Theresa and others .What the redneck crowd does not realize ist that the whole point of this rant is to incite them against another country , because Khali's "English translator " does exactly that
and then
restore their sense of jingoism and pride for their country , the great USA by interrupting the victory celebrations .Which is what I predicted even before this farceful show of Indianness began with the Bhangra and the saris and the flower garlands and the bollywood styled dancing began.Sure enough , Batista came there ,
interrupted the celebrations
and challenged Khali and attacked him and made him eat crow and restored the pride of the country, USA.
India and USA are trying to build peaceful diplomatic relations .The 123 nuclear bill has been recently agreed upon.We Indians are not enemies , but the WWE seems to have a different agenda in its mind.
Hey , why bring India into this.Rednecks are too dumb.They'll start identifying Khali with India , and all Indians with the hatred for Khali .And by Indians I mean any brown skinned non-caucasian -vaguely asian-curry smelling man or woman or child who happens to live in USA or happens to visit it .Now let me tell you again...Once a person has citizenship of any country , he is a citizen of that country , in spite of his country of origin.So a person of Indian origin who has acquired citizenship of USA is no longer an indian.He is the citizen of USA.
So , WWE , WTF ? Why are you promoting hate ?
Its time you cleaned up your act, because you too have a social responsibility which exceeds your primary duty of entertaining people.
Professional wrestling in its current form evolved from the circus and carnival performers at the turn of the nineteenth century, who would speak in code and stage wrestling matches between ringers and "marks" .At heart , today's highly paid muscle men, who think of themselves as TV stars and matinee idols , are little more than updated circus performers , speaking in gibbersih to keep the fans uneducated.
I don't follow wrestling anymore.I'm even ashamed to say I used to watch it as a kid.There is nothing manly about watching muscle bound men in teeny -tiny thongs grapple and grope each other.
Anyway I noticed that the quality was declining and storylines were getting desperate when Kane was accused of raping Lita or when HHH married Stephanie McMahon after getting her drugged.Please , the kids watching WWE might get bad ideas .
Now here we have a video of the Great Khali , who is the behemoth from India .I guess he has won the championship or something .
Look at the travesty orchestrated here.
Ok , so he is from India, big deal, but the real reason for him being in the WWE is his size and not his nationality.
I think the big brains behind the show , who actually hire writers to script the show (Yup , people , the show is actually scripted , the catchphrases and slogans and all !! )don't intend to keep him a champion for long , because after all he is just a foreigner who is out to steal American Glory and humilitae the greatest country in this world
.So out he comes , starts blabbering in hindi , comparing himself to the great
Bhagat Singh , Mother Theresa and others .What the redneck crowd does not realize ist that the whole point of this rant is to incite them against another country , because Khali's "English translator " does exactly that
and then
restore their sense of jingoism and pride for their country , the great USA by interrupting the victory celebrations .Which is what I predicted even before this farceful show of Indianness began with the Bhangra and the saris and the flower garlands and the bollywood styled dancing began.Sure enough , Batista came there ,
interrupted the celebrations
and challenged Khali and attacked him and made him eat crow and restored the pride of the country, USA.
India and USA are trying to build peaceful diplomatic relations .The 123 nuclear bill has been recently agreed upon.We Indians are not enemies , but the WWE seems to have a different agenda in its mind.
Hey , why bring India into this.Rednecks are too dumb.They'll start identifying Khali with India , and all Indians with the hatred for Khali .And by Indians I mean any brown skinned non-caucasian -vaguely asian-curry smelling man or woman or child who happens to live in USA or happens to visit it .Now let me tell you again...Once a person has citizenship of any country , he is a citizen of that country , in spite of his country of origin.So a person of Indian origin who has acquired citizenship of USA is no longer an indian.He is the citizen of USA.
So , WWE , WTF ? Why are you promoting hate ?
Its time you cleaned up your act, because you too have a social responsibility which exceeds your primary duty of entertaining people.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Homewardbound
Homewardbound...a journey undertaken umpteenth of times , yet each journey , in its own way is unique and beautiful.You'll find the visual aspect of this journey here.
Though I'm not trained , and though I do not have a fancy camera , I love taking pictures.
Shhh! can You keep a secret ?
Don't tell mom that I had to hang out of a moving train to click some of these pictures.Of course it was dangerous ! But I knew what I was doing.I had asssessed the risk before undertaking this activity.But Mom might not understand, so shhhh!
I love travelling.Especially the ones where I'm gonna get bored.Only when one is bored , only then , does one think of more mundane affairs of his life like Love , meaning of life and death.This is where I cook up many of my stories.Some will end up being real, I'm afraid. Some will end up on paper, and with luck and endless revisions , they might just make it to my blog.
As usual , I'm travelling alone.I'm used to the loneliness , so sometimes I laugh at people who are so afraid of a bit of loneliness.Get used to it friends. If it doesn't kill you , it will probably drive you crazy .
Lonelines cannot be fought , it can only be embraced.At times I feel alone when I'm with a bunch of people , and at times I feel like I'm in good company when I'm alone.
I've forged a strong friendship with loneliness.I'm actually beginning to like it .Sometimes I don't like it though ...sometimes when I feel like talking to someone and find no one ...and then going almost crazy to the point of exploding...that I have to simply shout out ....It happens , but so far I've never exploded.
What's keeping me feeling lonely ? I don't know .
Its not the lack of relationships , or the lack of social intercourse.I think it goes deeper than that.It is a profound sense of unbelongingness ...
A feeling that I don't belong anywhere, that makes me feel lonely.I guess I got disgusted when all my recent stories started echoing the same sentiment.I promptly stopped writing them.
We all have our coping mechanisms.From time to time we want to vent out.Bottling in for too long isn't probably healthy. I sing (I must have told you earlier).Apparently I'm somewhat good at singing ! Surprise surprise ! I guess all this singing, all these years ,must have made my voice bearable to others.(But people hate my James blunt imitation unanimously )
So , while hanging from a moving train with a camera in my hand and the other hand holding on to a railing , I have that mad look on my face...My mouth is wide open (the bugs are going in ) , my eyes are watered up (The wind makes my eyes well up ) and I'm grinning.Occasionally to an observer outside the train , if he or she had the patience to watch the shenanigans of this foolish youngster hanging off a moving train and clicking at random , would see my jaws moving too.He wouldn't know that I'm singing .I'm matching my voice with that of the diesel train's chug-a-lug engine .I'm one with the train , and I'm one with the universe :) and I can smile about that !
Homewardbound is a journey I must take to find myself .It is an unending quest , filled with infinite pitfalls, sadness and dissappointment .But it is a journey I must take, and all difficult journeys begin with the first step.And these are my baby steps towards home.
It is wishful thinking when I hum this song...
I'm going home ,
To the place where I belong .
Where love has always been enough for me
I'm not running from
No I think You got me all wrong
I don't regret this life I chose for me
But these places and these faces are getting old
So I'm going home
Why Guys like Girls
1. They will always smell good even if its just shampoo
2. The way their heads always find the right spot on our shoulder
3. How cute they look when they sleep
4. The ease in which they fit into our arms
5. The way they kiss you and all of a sudden everything is right in the world
6. How cute they are when they eat
7. The way they take hours to get dressed but in the end it makes it all worth while
8. Because they are always warm even when its minus 30 outside
9. The way they look good no matter what they wear
10. The way they fish for compliments even though you both know that you think she's the most beautiful thing on this earth
11. How cute they are when they argue
12. The way her hand always finds yours
13. The way they smile
14. The way you feel when you see their name on the call ID after you just had a big fight
15. The way she says "lets not fight anymore" even though you know that an hour later....
16. The way they kiss when you do something nice for them
17. The way they kiss you when you say "I love you"
18. Actually ... just the way they kiss you...
19. The way they fall into your arms when they cry
20. Then the way they apologize for crying over something that silly
21. The way they hit you and expect it to hurt
22. Then the way they apologize when it does hurt.
(even though we don't admit it)!
23. The way they say "I miss you"
24. The way you miss them
25. The way their tears make you want to change the world so that it doesn't hurt her anymore..... Yet regardless if you love them, hate them, wish they would die or know that you would die without them ... it matters not.
Because once in your life, whatever they were to the world they become everything to you. When you look them in the eyes, traveling to the depths of their souls and you say a million things without trace of a sound,
you know that your own life is inevitable consumed within the rhythmic beatings of her very heart.
We love them for a million reasons, No paper would do it justice. It is a thing not of the mind
but of the heart. A feeling. Only felt.
2. The way their heads always find the right spot on our shoulder
3. How cute they look when they sleep
4. The ease in which they fit into our arms
5. The way they kiss you and all of a sudden everything is right in the world
6. How cute they are when they eat
7. The way they take hours to get dressed but in the end it makes it all worth while
8. Because they are always warm even when its minus 30 outside
9. The way they look good no matter what they wear
10. The way they fish for compliments even though you both know that you think she's the most beautiful thing on this earth
11. How cute they are when they argue
12. The way her hand always finds yours
13. The way they smile
14. The way you feel when you see their name on the call ID after you just had a big fight
15. The way she says "lets not fight anymore" even though you know that an hour later....
16. The way they kiss when you do something nice for them
17. The way they kiss you when you say "I love you"
18. Actually ... just the way they kiss you...
19. The way they fall into your arms when they cry
20. Then the way they apologize for crying over something that silly
21. The way they hit you and expect it to hurt
22. Then the way they apologize when it does hurt.
(even though we don't admit it)!
23. The way they say "I miss you"
24. The way you miss them
25. The way their tears make you want to change the world so that it doesn't hurt her anymore..... Yet regardless if you love them, hate them, wish they would die or know that you would die without them ... it matters not.
Because once in your life, whatever they were to the world they become everything to you. When you look them in the eyes, traveling to the depths of their souls and you say a million things without trace of a sound,
you know that your own life is inevitable consumed within the rhythmic beatings of her very heart.
We love them for a million reasons, No paper would do it justice. It is a thing not of the mind
but of the heart. A feeling. Only felt.
Atheist Nation | Forums | Jokes for Atheists
http://forums.atheistnation.net/index.php/topic,372.120.html
Lets stir up a hornet's nest !
Lets stir up a hornet's nest !
I wish I had a bigger butt : The incredible shrinking 'Me'
"Son , you look thin ! So thin ! Haven't you been eating anything ? Are you sick ?"
"Mom " I say " You always say that .I've not lost weight .And No , I''m hale and hearty thank You"
"But son , you look so gaunt , so skeletal , like one of those unfortunate kids from somalia "
"No mom , I may have lost a bit of weight , but not so much !"
The same story replays when my best friend comes over.
"Hell ! WTF man , are you sick or something ?" he asks.There is genuine concern in his eyes.
I'm embarrassed.I say "No man , its bombay thats killing me slowly , I think "
Later that night , out of habit I go and weigh myself.
I weigh...
(Holy Shit !)
I've lost 4 kilos !
I'm a pathetic 58 kg for my 5 foot 9 inch body !No wonder Mom thought I was sick.
You see , if I were the female of my species , I'd probably be jumping around , shouting , screaming and telling the world that I had just lost 4 kilos.But no , this was bad news , because it meant that I had lost a lot of muscle mass .
Yeah , as I have written before , according to some site , my body fat percentage is 7 % .
Thats less... way too less !
Sometimes I wish , I was bigger ...you know , sometimes I wish I had a bigger butt, something like J'lo's .
Hey , it sure beats having a scrawny ass to which all my trousers and jeans stick on to like oil on teflon !
The problem with being thin is I can't wear clothes of my size.I actually have to alter my size 30 jeans to size 28 , because size 28 jeans are too short for me.Having a thin and scrawny ass has other disadvantages...You can never be comfortable sitting ...your bones get no cushioning ...there's hardly any fat.
Also , my body is top heavy ...a size 40 shirt and a size 28 waist , makes me look disproportionately huge , oh yeah , makes my legs look longer too !People think I'm a soldier , and sometimes an anorexic body builder !
And add to my woes the fact that I have to exercise and keep exercising in order to increase my weight .If I stop exercising , I slide all the way back to 60 kilos or my new low , which is 58.
Yeah , I wish I had a bigger butt...the J'Lo 's "la guitarra" model would be fine.Atleast for once , my pants will stay on without belts and buckles , and I'll be able to keep my dignity without worrying too much about my pants falling off !
Right now , I'm on a weight gain diet.Imagine that !
A diet to gain weight !
But there's a problem.
I'm a vegetarian , I hate eating oily stuff or sweets or junk food...in fact I hate eating !
Eating is something I do only to live and I take no pleasure in it.
But I must eat ... to get back some mass in my body.What's the point anyway ? I'm going to lose all of my weight as soon as I go to bombay or as soon as I go onboard my next ship.
Nope .I'll try .And I'll succeed !
Target : J'Lo's Butt .
Actions taken : change of diet, Eating 7-8 meals a day , exercising(free weights), protein shakes, dry fruits and sweets , lots of chocolates (Oh Yeah ! )
Consequences : For once , myabe I dont have to pull my pants up when they slip down, maybe I'll be free from belts and buckles, maybe it will be more comfortable to sit down on a hard surface now that my derrierre has more meat than bones , and maybe ...just maybe people will stop thinking that I'm not sick or anorexic.
P.s. I've gained a kilo in a week after an intensive weight gain program :)
"Mom " I say " You always say that .I've not lost weight .And No , I''m hale and hearty thank You"
"But son , you look so gaunt , so skeletal , like one of those unfortunate kids from somalia "
"No mom , I may have lost a bit of weight , but not so much !"
The same story replays when my best friend comes over.
"Hell ! WTF man , are you sick or something ?" he asks.There is genuine concern in his eyes.
I'm embarrassed.I say "No man , its bombay thats killing me slowly , I think "
Later that night , out of habit I go and weigh myself.
I weigh...
(Holy Shit !)
I've lost 4 kilos !
I'm a pathetic 58 kg for my 5 foot 9 inch body !No wonder Mom thought I was sick.
You see , if I were the female of my species , I'd probably be jumping around , shouting , screaming and telling the world that I had just lost 4 kilos.But no , this was bad news , because it meant that I had lost a lot of muscle mass .
Yeah , as I have written before , according to some site , my body fat percentage is 7 % .
Thats less... way too less !
Sometimes I wish , I was bigger ...you know , sometimes I wish I had a bigger butt, something like J'lo's .
Hey , it sure beats having a scrawny ass to which all my trousers and jeans stick on to like oil on teflon !
The problem with being thin is I can't wear clothes of my size.I actually have to alter my size 30 jeans to size 28 , because size 28 jeans are too short for me.Having a thin and scrawny ass has other disadvantages...You can never be comfortable sitting ...your bones get no cushioning ...there's hardly any fat.
Also , my body is top heavy ...a size 40 shirt and a size 28 waist , makes me look disproportionately huge , oh yeah , makes my legs look longer too !People think I'm a soldier , and sometimes an anorexic body builder !
And add to my woes the fact that I have to exercise and keep exercising in order to increase my weight .If I stop exercising , I slide all the way back to 60 kilos or my new low , which is 58.
Yeah , I wish I had a bigger butt...the J'Lo 's "la guitarra" model would be fine.Atleast for once , my pants will stay on without belts and buckles , and I'll be able to keep my dignity without worrying too much about my pants falling off !
Right now , I'm on a weight gain diet.Imagine that !
A diet to gain weight !
But there's a problem.
I'm a vegetarian , I hate eating oily stuff or sweets or junk food...in fact I hate eating !
Eating is something I do only to live and I take no pleasure in it.
But I must eat ... to get back some mass in my body.What's the point anyway ? I'm going to lose all of my weight as soon as I go to bombay or as soon as I go onboard my next ship.
Nope .I'll try .And I'll succeed !
Target : J'Lo's Butt .
Actions taken : change of diet, Eating 7-8 meals a day , exercising(free weights), protein shakes, dry fruits and sweets , lots of chocolates (Oh Yeah ! )
Consequences : For once , myabe I dont have to pull my pants up when they slip down, maybe I'll be free from belts and buckles, maybe it will be more comfortable to sit down on a hard surface now that my derrierre has more meat than bones , and maybe ...just maybe people will stop thinking that I'm not sick or anorexic.
P.s. I've gained a kilo in a week after an intensive weight gain program :)
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