Exploring My 'Siddhant': Principle

Have you ever been in a situation where you are well aware that something around you is not quite right and you actually get affected by it? I have and it happened today in a final exam. Definitely not the time and place to stop and ponder about where you stand. But being prepared for the worst possible exam and being faced with a simpler one in return gives you all kinds of time. And the thrill one gets from thinking about something they are passionate about is unparalleled and always finds a way to the surface.. no matter the place, or time. What had happened was simple, my neighbours in the exam hall had decided to start discussing their exam in low murmurs. I was enraged at first and I knew what the outcome of their act would be should they be caught. And the fear of those consequences haunted me more than either one of them and so I hesitated. And then the thought occured to me, I had studied more than 12 hours a day for 6 days a week to get to this exam hall! If I was going to remain dormant in the fear that my examination could also be questioned, I was also just as guilty as them. And that's how I convinced myself that the effort I put in should be my pride, grades come and go but the principles you build yourself on are essential. This whole process is designed to expose students to situations where their minds are challenged academically and emotionally (in more subtle ways ofcourse). And I felt great because I learned more about myself in that last hour of the exam than I had in the past 6 months! I've thought about this day many times. The only thing I've learned in my life is that everyone deserves a second chance but it has to come in the disguise of a curse before and a blessing after or else we can't help anyone. What would you do should it happen to you? Would you act identically? Or would you leave it be?

Discovering Rühaaniyat : Spirtuality

There has been a tumultuous whirlpool of thoughts in my mind for the past few days and today.. the storm has passed. Dealing with death in the family is not something one can endure by themselves and it becomes only easier with open communication with others loved ones.

So, how did these unending, and twisted thoughts suddenly leave me alone I wondered. A certain conversation with someone I know probably had a lasting impression and influence on me. I feel that I drew many powerful conclusions despite their simplicity in which they were presented.

I realize even more now.. that judging is a big part of the problem from the very beginnings of when you are introduced to a new environment, practice, person, or object. All that I really need to judge is whether the karma I am about to do is good or not. And thankfully, everyone is born with that inner voice that constantly guides you to make these decisions. But at the same time, we all know in our hearts how many times we follow that inner guide. Like a farmer, we sow our own futures with today's karma and tomorrow, they will materialize into something that will either help you or resist you from reaching higher spiritual grounds. So what if you haven't done good karma till today (whether it is an immoral thought.. or an action that had immoral means to an end.. or evil ends themselves)? You will definitely be paying for that but you have already been blessed with this human body. This birth is relevant because it means that the creator does see something in you that you can cultivate and reach that source/creator. There is a 'lakshya' (goal) and if the creator has made everyone in his own image, then you also have that 'lakshan' (lakshya-anu: a part and parcel of the ability to reach that 'lakshya'). On the topic of different births a soul takes, a question had arisen whether the creator was just a selfish person who had made millions of creatures just to hear his own praises in their prayers. And the same principle was used to rid the doubt.. If everyone has a part and parcel of the creator, you aren't worshipping anyone else but yourselves to start! The topic of balance also came up a few times.. Balance of keeping a good personal life, professional life, and spiritual life as well. And often times, people never have the time and/or energy for the spiritual work they need to do. Firstly, in this new birth and new awakening, you may not realize the paths you have had to cross to get till here and so you may not see the importance of this spiritual work you need to do. And like a mother has to sometimes force her child to stop playing and do their homework.. Or like a dirty vessel has to be scraped and scrubbed in order for it to be cleaned properly.. Action must be taken. And you cannot have excuses about your health or family environment or any physical adversity in this external world because this work entails interacting your soul with the Supreme soul (atma to Param-atma). You wouldn't stop eating just because you're a bit ill.. You wouldn't stop loving your family either.. So, why let it stop you from continuing to nurture a bond with the creator? This is where the importance of your faith comes in as well. Our minds are always comparing results we get from the amount of efforts we put in.. Something with greater results and fewer efforts seems easy, and the opposite also. And let it be known to yourself that the results you will receive will take long durations, and seem an exercise in futility. It's important to be gradual in this process. If one is being introduced to it, even more important.. like a baby coming into this world. It's fed with liquids at first, semi-solids, and finally solids as well when it can digest it. So, I've learned to give myself the time and environment for this knowledge as well.. to discover it, challenge it, finally believe it and then digest it. Another important thing I realized with more emphasis this time around is the fact that this knowledge should come to you at its natural pace as well. It keeps its sanctity and purity in this way. It's not like knowing this knowledge will change your daily interactions with people. You will still be living, and speaking to people with the same respectful and courteous way.. but you will finally be able to see yourself with a clearer lens and make yourself ready to reach out into the abundance of energy and harmony within. I am not speaking from experience but every great person who has ever walked the planet has only learned about themselves and changed themselves to attain their goals. So before we embark upon becoming great, realized individuals.. let's start by being great humans first and then hopefully, we will be able to commence a journey to higher spiritual learning as well.

-Dévarsh-

Destinations

Woke up to something a couple of days ago that no one really wants to hear or realize.. The news of someone in my family passing away. All of a sudden, there is a wave of nostalgia that crashes over your reality and lifts you in its rift. But before you know it, the reality rocks you back to the ground and shakes you to your core about how special that person WAS (in their physical presence) and all that you could have done to let them know what you felt for them and appreciate their efforts they made for you. And I wonder why people behave like the lyrics to a great ghazal say.. 'Tum jab chalé jaogé to sochéngé.. Humné kya khoya.. Humné kya paaya'.. If there is something you lose, it's greater memories and if there's something you gain, it's nothing but another reason to regret and repent not doing something you had that inner hunch for. People always seem to wait for the best time to come out and express .. at the 'right' or 'better' time. And moments like these remind us of how special the present tense really is. But so many people think that showing emotion is a sign of weakness but the same people seem to forget that very perspective when they can't contain their anger! It's not rocket science.. We all inherently know in our hearts that there is a genuine need to express gratitude and appreciation more than other things because that love is the only thing that fuels people to do more good work. Most people already know the amount of time and energy it takes to lift a person's spirits can take a long time but it may shatter into bits by a single event. It's a pity when I see family and friends get so close to each other that they can't see anything but each other's flaws. And so it's moments like these that make me step beyond and genuinely think about how special the people around me are because they're molding me into a better person than I ever would have been able to become myself by any capacity.

And then we look out in this 'real' and 'practical' world of ours where people are studying sophisticated subjects and later working to earn a living.. And we see them lose parts of themselves behind producing a career instead of taking their lives by it's reigns! What was it that you wanted to earn that money for? How do you even know that you'll even hit the old age when you hope to retire and be able to spend all this that you have gathered? So, why not start to aim for happiness in all we do.. and have faith that all the rest we need or want will find itself around us in due time.

In the past couple of days, I've realized that death can turn from being a lifeless word to something beyond feeling shock, fear, and emotionally stranded! And it's important to know that it is inevitable as well.. not just the fact that we'll endure it ourselves but that we may have to endure the ones of our loved ones first! So, why not let it be a reason to live life with youthful vigor, with zest, and dreams to conquer yourself and celebrate memories. Because life can be as beautiful and simple as you desire but it can also be just as arduous and painful too. The choice is yours. Time may not always be by your side.. So, even in the doldrums of life.. Keep your faith strong because if not today, you WILL certainly reach your destination tomorrow but make sure you live your life to the fullest till then!

-Dév-

A System Made By Casteists?!

Still recovering from the shock and sadness of all that Uttarakhand, India has been through during this month. Thinking about how all those people may have come with a desire to find a pious environment of the shrines, and the sights of the natural hot springs and the raging waves of Madakini. But everyone's karma gets back to them in one way or another; and as a modern science student, it only makes sense that the infrastructure had been old, weak and deteriorated and led the demolition of an entire city. But is there something higher than just the science, the numbers, and the politics? As a Hindu, it only makes sense to say that everyone's karma comes back to them in one way or another. Further, the shrines and temples in Uttarakhand are of Lord Shiva. He is known as the the 'Destroyer (of evil)' in the universe and is one of the three fundamental gods in Hindu religion and mythology.

Along with those thoughts, I had another interesting conversation with my father today upon Hinduism. We started talking about things makes people connect with each other (as acquaintances/friends) and what is it that really makes individuals come closer to some others and/or virtually repel from others. Obviously, he said it begins with what we say. With our bodies and our tongues because as soon as you say or do something that the other person recognizes as their own reaction also, they will react as well (hopefully in a positive way). Also, there's one more thing that connects us - thoughts. People are attracted to others who have similar or at least complementary thinking patterns.

Then we started talking about people in India and how the history shows segregation of people since the very beginnings. We talked about the caste systems and what they mean. In many of the interpretations of this system, it looks to be one made by the powerful thinkers that have tried to keep their power among themselves. However, another insight into this system had been offered to me today via this conversation. The differentiation of people had been done for people to associate with others of similar thoughts and interests.. NOT social stature, nor for sharing their economic class on the hierarchy we see everywhere today!

And then the realization comes that some generations must have poisoned the system by their selfish motives to keep their clans up on these hierarchies that seemed to define success. THAT's when the Brahmins went higher and above all, and guess who hit the rock bottom? The Kshudra caste, the one that maintained, and nurtured the society when it was at an all-time low! The care-takers of the societies got pummeled down to becoming the 'untouchables' of the same society!

So, where were we before all this? The caste system was meant to bring people of similar thoughts and interests together as I mentioned earlier. No one was above or below any other. Brahmins were lovers of learning! While Vaniyas were virtually born to do business. The Kshatriyas were born with fire in their hearts and strength in their bodies and so they became the defenders of this society. The Kshudras were sensitive beings who empathized with others in the society and cared for every person to the best of their abilities. For a second there, the scientist in me wondered how these people were so sure that two Brahnmin parents were going to have a child that was also a Brahnmin by their virtues and thoughts? And the answer was a simple yet powerful one. The virtues of a Brahmin were ones that had been the defining nature of any Brahmin even many generations back! In essence, these virtues and thoughts were inherent in any person who wanted to learn more and more! Inherent values like an animal's but these were meant to bring similar minds together to better one-another in what you truly loved.

Of course I'm not a historian, nor a successor of one. So, I do not know how accurate this is but I believe it has a great degree of truth in it and the lessons it holds are more relevant than the facts themselves. So, let's think ourselves to becoming the genuine person we've set out to become!

-Dévarsh Pandya-