My car chants!

I discovered this astonishing fact today!

My car chants OM.

Each time I start the car and idle it for a minute or two, the sound of the idling engine shifts significantly. The interrupted sound of vibrating parts of an engine creates a musical composition which is... interrupted and vibrational... This is a sound that is familiar to many.

Then, every three seconds- I really checked!- the vibrational character transformed into a continuous hum. This continuous hum is unmistakable. However, to hear it, you must really LISTEN for it. It becomes discernible from audible only when you attend to it.

Oh I hear the sound everyday. However, today, I really listened.

It was distinct. It lasted for about five seconds- not very long for an OM. It was CLEAR. It was aaaooommm.

This set me thinking.

It is said in the scriptures that before everything there was the sound. I firmly believe that everything in the Universe has the memory of whatever has been and has the blue print of whatever can be. So... is it possible? Is it possible that the Om is actually ubiquitous and can be found anywhere we look for it- really listen for it?

I checked.

It is!

The fan, the AC, the tube lights, the idling laptops, even the suction machine in our out patient clinic- everything shifts to humming OM intermittently.

Sound is energy. Energy is The Divine. Each moment has the potential to awaken in us the awareness of the Divine

The Divine and The Miraculous is present in each moment, each day of life. Certain days help us to acknowledge these more easily!

Arise. Awaken the senses. Heighten the experience of living- each moment.

When did it all change?

This is a real sms I received from a friend... It set me thinking... When did it all change? And did it change for all? Are there more people out there who really are doing what they wanted to do all along? Is this just mid-life crisis? Have a look...

I am sitting 'n thinking
thinking hard about life. How it changed from a simple college life to the strict professional life.

How the pocket money changed to huge pay cheques. But the happiness became as little as the pay cheque became bigger.

How the local jeans changed to new branded wardrobe but there are less occasions to wear these clothes.

How a single plate of samosas changed to a full pizza but there is less hunger for food and more for something to do.

How the bike always in reserve changed to a car with a full tank- always on and ready to go. Only there are no more places that we want to go.

How the ta by the road side changed to Cafe Coffee Day/ Barrista... but the thirst is never satisfied and the shops are always so far away.

How the limited prepaid card in the mobile changed to post paid limitless package but we have less people that we really want to call up and talk to.

How a general bus ride changed to third class train tickets to First class AC to flights... but there are less vacations for enjoyment and more of those business trips that we do not want to make.

Further, this friend goes on to say...

I want to go back to the time when "getting high " meant "on a swing"
... when " drinking" meant Coke or even Fanta
... when dad was the only hero
... when "love" was a heart felt hug from mom
... when "dad's shoulder" was the highest place on earth
... when "worst enemy" was your sibling who fought with you
... when the things that "hurt" were skinned knees
... when the only things "broken" were your toys
... when "goodbyes" meant "See you tomorrow"

Anyone out there who feels like this?
Anyone out there who wants to change the way they are living but find their "life" pulling them deeper and deeper into the quagmire we have begun to call "life- style"?
Anyone who wants to make a difference?
Anyone who wants to reconnect? with life and love and sibling rivalry and the rest?

Please...
Come forward...
Let us start a movement...
We can... can we not?

What is spirituality?

Is spirituality an Ivory Tower discussion with no basis in real everyday life and living? Is spirituality something that teaches others how to live? Or is it something that makes each of us live our lives more truthfully, more sincerely and more attentively than we would otherwise. Is spirituality for others or for ourselves?

I heard this story from one of our friend's mother-in-law. It was very instructive! There were no names. No great people being quoted. I cannot be certain of the source of the story either.

See what you make of it. So... here goes.

Once upon a time, long, long ago there lived a very learned sage. He was well read and well versed. As his knowledge grew, so did his ego. Strange as it seemed, the sage grew increasingly proud of his knowledge and erudition.

One morning, he set out to beg for his meals. Upon reaching a household, he spake, resoundingly," Mai... bhiksham dehi! Oh Mother, give me alms, please!"

The lady was drying out the laundary. She left the clothes in the bucket and prayed," Please give me a minute, O Sage! I shall just be back." The sage waited. And waited. And waited. Then, he began to get irritated. "How can this woman leave me waiting? " He pumped up his own anger. "How dare she!?" His anger began to rise like the mercury in a thermometer on a hot summer day!

By the time the lady came out with the alms, he was livid. "O woman! Do you know who I am!? Let me show you." He looked at the bird sitting on a tree facing the house. The bird fell lifeless to the ground instantly.

The woman was saddened. And somewhat taken aback.

The sage thundered,"Woman, do you realise who I am? How powerful is my spiritual reach! How dare you make me wait! I can kill with one look!"

The lady replied very calmly, " Yes indeed! I can see who you are and what you can do. I went in to get you food. My toddler was crying. I do not know what is your spirituality, sir. But my love did not permit me to leave a toddler crying while you were waiting. I apologise." She quietly walked up to the fallen bird and tenderly picked it up. A tiny sound escaped the bird's frail frame. The sage was surprised.

And ashamed.

The little bird flapped its wings tentatively. The lady outstretched her hands and the tiny thing flew away!

Anger can kill. Spirituality does not.

Spirituality is much deeper and much more tolerant than the sage experienced despite his erudition!

Spirituality is in devotion, in sincerity, in love, in being in the moment- whatever you may be doing. This could be cooking for your family or studying for your theosophy degree. Or meditating for the Lord.