SABN Speaketh: On not minding the matter

SABN has, as usual, been so profound that I have share his input with everyone:

There is a time and place to say things especially the truth. If the time and/or the place is not ripe, Silence is the most appropriate statement to make!

Bhagavad Gita 17:15- anudvega-karam vakyam satyam priya-hitam ca yat svadhyayabhyasanam caiva van-mayam tapa ucyate "Austerity of speech consists in speaking words that are truthful, pleasing, beneficial, and not agitating to others"

“Saying what you feel’ if it hurts or agitates the others, no matter how truthful the saying, is “himsa”

Further Swamy Says "Even if you cannot oblige, you can at least speak obligingly. This means that you have to cleanse your speech of cynicism and satire and be ever sincere and sweet. You may differ from co-workers on methods and programmes, but this should not leave a scar on your heart or their heart...”

“Both unpleasant truth and pleasant untruth have to be avoided.”
---

SABN Sir,

I see your well-reasoned points, and I know for sure that they are sincere. If I can have some more of your input to our discussion, and Swami presents the right course of action through them, you can be sure that there will be no further public statements in my private site! I guess the Socratic method suits best, as the many more years that you have will present richer experience, and thereby, wiser thoughts.

Bhagavad Gita 17:15- anudvega-karam vakyam satyam priya-hitam ca yat svadhyayabhyasanam caiva van-mayam tapa ucyate "Austerity of speech consists in speaking words that are truthful, pleasing, beneficial, and not agitating to others"

Now, Krishna talks of austerity by using 'truth' as the first adjective, not 'pleasing' not, 'not agitating'. What if the truth were not pleasant? And what if the silence continued to the extent that pleasantness of speech became an acceptable, and probably necessary substitute for truthfulness of speech? Secondly, in such a circumstance, is it more beneficial to let untruth flourish without hindrance (to the extent that a spiritual monument becomes a platform for spiritual performance rather than spiritual penance), at the expense of words which are disruptive, no doubt, but probatory for good reason?

“Saying what you feel’ if it hurts or agitates the others, no matter how truthful the saying, is “himsa”

What about saying what you don’t feel as it will please and ingratiate others, no matter how untruthful the saying. Which is the greater evil here, the himsa of the truthful word, or the ahimsa of the sweet lie,- if at all the latter is ahimsa?

Further Swamy Says "Even if you cannot oblige, you can at least speak obligingly. This means that you have to cleanse your speech of cynicism and satire and be ever sincere and sweet. You may differ from co-workers on methods and programmes, but this should not leave a scar on your heart or their heart...”

Kerala is a Communist state, and for obvious reasons, the states with one of the most outstanding records for un-industrialization in India. One entrepreneur from Kerala settled in Singapore (or somewhere else I don’t really recollect where) and engaged in the shipping business decided to order two vessels from Cochin Shipyard, whilst Korean shipbuilders offered slightly higher prices, but with accurate deliveries. But this guy was patriotic and tried to engage even the lower-level workforce from Cochin Shipyard so that they too would realize the importance of playing to international rules (for their own benefit). He was very sweet and cordial, and to the cut the story short, he learned a very expensive lesson. This happened around four years back.

Another story, and this is based on personal experience. We have factory-people who come from many different states of South and North India. Now, I always have problems with people of two specific states. I can be sweet and cordial and keep getting a hit to our productivity, and consequently, to the entire company, or I can let go of a few rotten apples to save the rest of them. What I have done in the past is the practical thing from my perspective, not the benevolent thing, but the practical thing.

I will totally obey what the Avatar says on leaving hearts unscarred, but let me also ask this question: When the Avatar asks us to be sincere and sweet, and when the entire focus is on sweetness at the expense of sincerity, what do you think Swami might find more wrong - poison parading as perfume, or the pungent fumes of truth?

Among the very few that I can personally look up to, and currently engaged in some form of official capacity, KN (famous for, among others, ‘we cannot plan for everything, but we can pray for everything’, ‘we should not only serve Swami, but also serve as Swami’) stands out for being genuinely sincere, and incredibly sweet at the same time. But then, how many KNs do we have? So, when the difficult gel of sincerity and sweetness has to be professed, where do you think it should start? I know what you will say (it should start with myself!), but when we have a world full of yes-men, shouldn’t someone say no so that people know there is some kind of divergence of opinion and thought? Hasn’t humanity progressed because a few people at all levels questioned the status quo, whether it be of the geocentric universe, or that of life after death? In my own company, some of the most powerful people are those who will actually question me or counter my point of view. If I am a lawyer, will I make impolite admissions to defend my client, or offer silence to allow his defeat?

“Both unpleasant truth and pleasant untruth have to be avoided.”

Many years back, while in Boeing, I was forwarded a document on a software application named CATIA that was supposed to improve productivity, but did very well to affect the opposite. But after having spent half a billion dollars on the application, decision makers demonstrated perfect non-rational escalation of commitment by pumping more money for this project, in effect, to repaint a house standing on shallow foundation. But a few people felt this was wrong, and just about no one complained. People feared one or more of the following: losing their positions, going out of favour, or appearing to be plain stupid. What do we do under such circumstances? Remaining a mute spectator while claiming to be a foot-soldier of Krishna’s army is, in my opinion, the equivalent of retiring to the forest promptly after securing a PhD in social welfare. Furthermore, in a spiritual setting, do you think that communism of thought and pretense of vision, added to selfishness of interest, should be silently reviewed from the sidelines, or commented upon? Which is the greater evil?

If you still believe that the path of silence is the preferred choice, I will seriously go for it. The thing about Swami is that He gives us mixed signals with one clear message. I guess He wants us to use our viveka. This is where the satsang of the wise will help, and that is why I will agree with your experience.

On not minding the matter

I identify with this so much that I couldn't help sharing it with all and sundry:

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. - Dr. Seuss

Scientific Music

Just yesterday, a news item related to my Mother-in-law appeared in the three most widely-read newspapers of Kerala and also their respective news channels. I think the videos are still online in their web portals.

Now, my Mother-in-love is the HOD of Paediatrics in the Medical College of her city. She has also held very senior positions in Paediatrics in the state of Kerala as well. She is a very respected person in her field professionally. Personally, she is a very religious person, not spiritual, but religious. And she just proved something the day before that is kind of detrimental to her own position of that of a doctor, and ipso facto, of that of a soldier of the scientific method.

Two days back, she revived to full consciousness a 6 year-old girl who was comatose for two months. Her primary method for vivifying this girl was music therapy. Music therapy and the scientific world don't go hand in hand. First, there is nothing scientific about music, and music therapy might definitely not hold its ground against the rigours of the much vaunted scientific method, which doctors and engineers will hold on dear till death do their intellects apart. And the scientific method is based on observable, empirical and measurable evidence. Music therapy is neither empirical in terms of cause-effect, nor measurable in any means, (e.g. 80dB=100% consciousness), and observable evidence might surely not be replicable in identical settings. Which means, music therapy is a cartload of sophistry, which deserves scorn from the scientific community.

But then, the girl is back to normal from a perfectly vegetative state to a perfectly normal state. This only goes to show that absence of proof of efficacy is never proof of absence of efficacy. And furthermore, life does not always follow laws, especially scientific laws. Holisitc healing is an affront to the ego, but, if health has to be holistic, and it very well is in spite of what the doctors would like to think so, healing has to be as well. What then, is the fundamental problem to holistic healing? Holistic healing is, quite unfortunately, predicated on spirituality. If the Medical world has to be honest to their profession, and actually internalize their marketing phrase of 'cure is from above', they have to truly open their minds and accept with humility, the power of an unseen hand that directs the waves on the ocean, as much as the hand of the surgeon.

Unfounded articles like that of Prahlad knowing all that was needed to be known even before he was born, or that of chanting of Vishnu Sahasranamam during pregnancy being beneficial to the yet unborn, seem quite laughable to anyone from the scientific community. But the ego of the intelligent is a maya unto itself, and this veil can only be lifted by a courageous hand, a courageous hand of humility that is willing to accept that intelligence is not everything, and that God is the only goal worth striving for.

Another Miss Looks

GN 13-07-10: Sharjah student is Queen of the Nile

P's C: The most aspiring missionaries in the world seem to those aspiring Miss Universe/World types who will stop at nothing to fight for world peace and save Africa during their year of reign,- just before stepping into Hollywood. This Sharjah student seems to be cut out of a different philosophical cloth. She is only passionate about saving Egyptian children. At least the political garbage is pretty focused in this instance. To demonstrate my great respect for these illuminating contests, here is the classic blondish response of a totally empty Miss Teen South Carolina, which seems to have become the unforced keepsake for all competitions of this nature:

In answer to the question “Recent polls have shown that one out of five Americans can't locate the US on a map. Why do you think that is?" she replied “I personally believe that US Americans are unable to do so because some people out there in our nation don’t have maps and that I believe our education like such as South Africa and the Iraq, and everywhere, such as, and I believe that they should our education over here in the US, should help the US, or should help South Africa and help the Iraq and the Asian countries so that we will be able to build out our future for us."

At least she got some of the keywords right: Africa, education, Asia, build, future. And the joke is that 1 billion people watch this comedy every year.

The Power of Words on YOU

This is one of those well-intentioned, but obviously fictitious stories that circulate in the grid. Why I have posted this is because I have realized that many drops will break a rock. Who knows when tenderness and empathy will strike a person!:

I was walking around in a Big Bazar store making shopping, when I saw a Cashier talking to a boy couldn't have been more than 5 or 6 years old.

The Cashier said, 'I'm sorry, but you don't have enough money to buy this doll. Then the little boy turned to me and asked: ''Uncle, are you sure I don't have enough money?''

I counted his cash and replied: ''You know that you don't have enough money to buy the doll, my dear.'' The little boy was still holding the doll in his hand.

Finally, I walked toward him and I asked him who he wished to give this doll to. 'It's the doll that my sister loved most and wanted so much . I wanted to Gift her for her BIRTHDAY.

I have to give the doll to my mommy so that she can give it to my sister when she goes there.' His eyes were so sad while saying this. 'My Sister has gone to be with God. Daddy says that Mommy is going to see God very soon too, so I thought that she could take the doll with

her to give it to my sister..''

My heart nearly stopped. The little boy looked up at me and said: 'I told daddy to tell mommy not to go yet. I need her to wait until I come back from the mall.' Then he showed me a very nice photo of him where he was laughing. He then told me 'I want mommy to take my picture with her so my sister won't forget me.' 'I love my mommy and I wish she doesn't have to leave me, but daddy says that she has to go to be with my little sister.' Then he looked again at the doll with sad eyes, very quietly..

I quickly reached for my wallet and said to the boy. 'Suppose we check Again, just in case you do have enough money for the doll?''

'OK' he said, 'I hope I do have enough.' I added some of my money to his with out him seeing and we started to count it. There was enough for the doll and even some spare money. The little boy said: 'Thank you God for giving me enough money!'

Then he looked at me and added, 'I asked last night before I went to sleep for God to make sure I had enough money to buy this doll, so that mommy could give It to my sister. He heard me!'' 'I also wanted to have enough money to buy a white rose for my mommy, but I didn't dare to ask God for too much. But He gave me enough to buy the doll and a white rose. My mommy loves white roses.'

I finished my shopping in a totally different state from when I started. I couldn't get the little boy out of my mind. Then I remembered a local news paper article two days ago, which mentioned a drunk man in a truck, who hit a car occupied by a young woman and a little girl. The little girl died right away, and the mother was left in a critical state. The family had to decide whether to pull the plug on the life-sustaining machine, because the young woman would not be able to recover from the coma. Was this the family of the little boy?

Two days after this encounter with the little boy, I read in the news paper that the young woman had passed away.. I couldn't stop myself as I bought a bunch of white roses and I went to the funeral home where the body of the young woman was exposed for people to see and make last wishes before her burial. She was there, in her coffin, holding a beautiful white rose in her hand with the photo of the little boy and the doll placed over her chest. I left the place, teary-eyed, feeling that my life had been changed for ever...

The love that the little boy had for his mother and his sister is still, to this day, hard to imagine. And in a fraction of a second, a drunk driver had taken all this away from him.

***

Going Bananas - Connectivity & Connection: My personal experience

Gulf News, 02-07-10: Going bananas: Reaping the fruits of life. Video Editor Jaye Lentin and his wife have been on a raw food vegan diet for more than a year. Do their lifestyle and large intake of sugary fruits have any adverse effects on their bodies?

By the article itself, GN relates 'effects on their bodies' to effect on health. According to WHO, Health is a state of complete, physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease. This forms the premise of, probably the most important blog I have written so far.

I lived in the US for three years, starting Fall 2000. I led an incredibly solitary life there, shuttling between Salt Lake City and Seattle. By solitary I do not mean abandoned or ostracised, but rather, insulated from what I wanted to be insulated from, and isolated from what I wanted to isolate myself from. This was also the period of my spiritual rebirth.

During this period, I have had the strongest connection with the Cosmic Spirit that subsumes and consumes us all. Here, time and space are as relative as anything else you find relative. Clairvoyance and clairsentience become part of your sensory armour without you knowing they even existed. I dreamt of the 9/11 attack the morning it happened. I dreamt of the New York plane crash two months later. These are major incidents. Many minor incidents would flash to the mind's eye before they happened. I dreamt of my grandmother's passing on a week before it took place. I would have the Avatar's Dream almost every week. I dreamt of Jesus twice. And as the greatest spiritual celebration of my life, I had a vision of Krishna one night in my bedroom, when I was far from asleep. Although it lasted for maybe 2 seconds, these seconds constitute the greatest temporal embellishment of my life.

Now, how does all this relate to Going Bananas? You are what you eat. What you eat is not just from the mouth alone. During these years, I ate bland, tasteless food. I was vegan. Vegetables were half-cooked. I abjured salt, spice, sugar, chilli and anything that would even marginally titillate the tongue. Not just that. I lived on a very spiritual diet. TV was minimal or non-existent. I meditated twice a day. I read spiritual books. I detached myself from everything else. And so, what all happened then, happened then.

When the food that you take in through the five senses is sathwic, your antennas get detoxed, and therefore, you can connect. But everything has to start from the 10% of the tongue where the taste-buds of delusion lie. Once everything reaches the stomach, it's one mass of mashed everything. But how many of us would like to think so? My personal experience is testament to the eternal truth that you are what you eat.

Disclaimer: To distress you no further, I am no longer an Aumnivore and back to my herbivorous ways now. I am not single any more, and we live as one big mingling family now. It is difficult for my to emphasise my vegan point of view to a vegetarian home. Besides, I am no longer insulated and isolated, and back to the sewer of the material morass. So, no more visions and other esoteric situations.

Then again, head in the forest and hands in sick society. One should do what one can, in spite of one's situation. And go bananas when no one is watching! P.

Reading Between the Lines - 22 - Texting times

GN, 01-07-2010: Text-crazy teens at risk of new disorders

Text-crazy teens at risk of cool new disorders, unlike older generations. Unlike their uncool Dads and Moms, today's teens enjoy the wonderful risk of kick-ass sounding disorders like Textraphrenia and Textiety, unlike the nineties, when teens suffered from Schizophrenia and Anxiety (Yuck! I mean, jeez.. that's so.... old-fashioned!). Generation Why has made enormous strides in raising the bar on teenage disorders, and the teens of today look forward to an adulthood of syndromes unparalleled in human history.

Teens,- the future of the world is in your responsible carpal tunneled hands!

USA trounces Brazil to win (hypothetical) World Cup

USA proved yet again that they are the number one nation in the world, and this time not for military prowess against mighty nations like Afghanistan. They have defeated Brazil in the hypothetical final of the World Cup 2010.

Although they didn’t exactly beat Brazil, they almost did it. In fact, they would have surely destroyed Brazil had they reached the final, which they didn't, since they were slightly defeated in the second round itself. In fact, their marginal loss in the final, by not qualifying for the inconsequential semi-final, was solely due to the official distraction of the World Cup, the vuvuzelas, and Americans suffered more misery from these horns rather than from Ghana, some third-world nation which does not even have soccer balls, much less stadiums, while America has got all the best balls in the world.

But since they are America, they are still No. 1. From soccer to war to obesity to obscenity, America rules the world.

Reading Between the Lines - 21 - Legitimate occupation

The Hindu, 30-06-2010: India has legitimate interest in Afghanistan: Petraeus

P's C: India has legitimate interest in Afghanistan, unlike us. But then, you know, with nearly $1 trillion in mineral deposits, it doesn't hurt to occupy this third-world country, as long as the greater good of the vast majority of impoverished Americans is taken into account. Like the other time, when we discovered that Iraq had 10% of the world's reserves, and so we decided to... you know, discover imaginable WMDs and... kinda secure that place for the future generations of America: Petraeus

Mario Mazzoleni - former Priest and subsequent Heathen

I had been searching for the last sentence of this paragraph for a very long time, and I found it today. But since this sentence concludes a very controversial paragraph of a final testament of a highly controversial Catholic Priest, I thought I might as well reproduce the para in its entirety.

"The Divine Presence of Sai Baba is, without a doubt, the most important occurrence in the cosmos for thousands of years, and I am happy to have sacrificed my entire career, my reputation, and my life itself, in this cause. This event induces me to express even more strongly the feeling of gratitude that I have towards my parents, whom now I am able to see once more, and whom the Divine Compassion was pleased to spare the great pain of seeing their son, the priest, rejected and condemned by that same institution which had welcomed him as its minister. What that human condemnation took away from me was infinitely less than what I gained - by knowing Sai Baba, and by consecrating all my energies to Him. I am saddened by the thought that some people may have suffered because of my faith, and I humbly beg forgiveness of all those who may have been scandalised by my words or by my actions."

I know how some people might read this, but once you find your Path, you find yourself astonishingly alone, and the clearer you (want to) see your Path, the more you are willing to travel alone. Nobody takes his label(s) with him to the after-life.

Along those very lines, Mario also wrote to the Vatican (reproduced in part):

Between the two alternatives I am offered, either being exiled from the institution of Church, or else being exiled from my conscience, I cannot and will not select the latter. Institutions do not accompany anyone beyond the grave.

Reading Between the Lines - 20 - Saina? You mean Sania?!

The Hindu, 30-06-2010: Saina accorded rousing reception

Saina Nehwal accorded surprising reception given that she is not Sania Malik, Bipasha Basu

or Sonia Gandhi,- oh no... wait a minute, she is not even a cricketer!

Reading Between the Lines - 19 - Clarity of confession

Telegraph, 29-06-2010: Julia Gillard, the new Australian prime minister, has said that she does not believe in God, but has "great respect for religion".

P's C: I know you might be confused, but it's very simple. It's like: I don't believe in murder,

but I have great respect for murderers. I don't believe in terrorism, but I have great respect for terrorists.

Also-ran Cup

Did you know that with all the soccer hoopla ringing out loud, we forgot to note that Indian performers actually defeated Sri Lankan cricketers to lift a meaningless trophy in an insignificant competition. Yes, we have done it. And since this is over, ex-stage entertainers like Yuvraj Singh return to the squad to play ('play' as in 'drama') it out in a test series.

With 500 million men, India has taken sports entertainment to the next low level.

Terrorism of Truth

The way the five Americans in Pakistan were sentenced to ten years on terrorism charges, and the diametrically opposite manner in which Pakistan is going about the Mumbai terrorism case, one can assume this much:

Hypocrisy in individuals is condemnable, but in nations, it even seems advisable.

However, no political system or nation outlives the usefulness of its ideology, if there is no innate goodness in the driving principle. Liberty is selfish, religion is divisive. Sanathana Dharma is neither.

Changing your mother

Of late, I have been out of touch with virtual reality. But Nikki Haley's victory has helped me break free of my shackles. Why her? She has won as the Rep. nominee for governor in S. Carolina. But what's the problem here?

She exemplifies a trend, which is also dotted by Bobby Jindal. The Republican party likes Christian Republicans, if not just Caucasian Christian Republicans. So, what do would-be politicians do? They become Christian not for Christ's sake.

Moot point: Changing religion to suit your political aspirations is like changing your mother to the suit your wife's inclinations.

Absolute Reality

I just came across this brilliant one-liner from the most brilliant piece of humanity, Einstein:

People like us, who believe in physics, know that the distinction between past, present and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion.

In the reality of relativity, there is no East and West, and Western physics and Eastern philosophy are one and the same.

Call to Alms: Nothing is garbage

Dear anybody who reads this blog:

If you are from the UAE, kindly let me know if you have any unwanted household/electronic items, childrens' toys, accessories, novels, show-case items, etc. A group of people will sell these items in garage sales, and the proceeds will go to fund dialysis sessions for kidney patients in six hospitals in Kerala.

If you have childrens' books and used clothes (for both adults and children, and which are in washed/pressed condition), these are also acceptable. These will be delivered straight to an orphanage in Kerala which also shelters mentally challenged children.

Please note that I can come to pick it from your premises. If you have anything to donate, kindly email me at praveen dot prabhakaran at gmail dot com

“One Man’s trash can always be another man’s treasure.”

Charitable institutions run on your gratitude. Only a constant connection with the less fortunate will offer you a constant sense of gratitude.

BP: Beyond Profits

The Hindu, 09-06-2010: BP: will donate oil spill revenue to Gulf wildlife fund

P's C: I shed a tear of joy when I read this. These are the corporations that have set the benchmark for philanthropy. While small businesses are making money out there in the most unethical manner possible, here is one behemoth who is setting the standards for responsible exploitation, I mean business.

Just look at the numbers, and you'll agree with me. We have around 10-20000 barrels per day spewing out, and BP collecting around 1000 barrels per day as of yesterday. With oil averaging at USD 80 a barrel last quarter, BP will be donating a massive USD 80,000 per day. How many companies do we know that are this generous? Very few. The only other companies that come to mind are Shell and Philip Morris.

An irrelevant footnote to the above would be that BP's turnover in 2009 was only USD 246,000,000,000, or and insignificant USD 673,900,000 per day, of which a mind-blowing 0.01% for the relatives of oil-drowned wildlife.

I don't know why I am saying this, but if you need to be part of legalized crime, be an oil company.

SABN Classic - 04 - Heartless Heads

SABN Speaketh:

The Head will never find any reason for doing good to others. The Heart will do good to others without finding any reason!

Blowing your fuse at the slightest...

I have not-accidentally stumbled upon yet another profoundly offensive truth:

The citizens of Trichur citizenry have to have the shortest fuse in all of Kerala.

It's like this. Our scriptures state that food is of three types: sathwic, tamasic and rajasic. As you would know, the best is sathwic, and the absolute worst is rajasic. Chilli and anything with chilli are for sure rajasic. Rajasic food makes you, of course, angry and aggressive.

That was the premise. Now, the district which consumes the maximum amount of chilli in Kerala is undoubtedly, Trichur. We add chilli to just about anything we take in. And in doubles. So, it must mean that people in Trichur are the most rajasic in all of Kerala (remember, Trivandrum is not a part of Kerala). And which means, they will get angry even before I end this sentence. And, I have read that anger is the worst manifestation of ego. Which means that people in Trichur are the most, ah well, never mind.

Why worry when I am comfy?

From what I hear, my ex-Wing has decided to stop the Employment Seva for the sake of reorganization. I guess it was not worth it. But what if I were a jobless man right now, and on my last legs? Would any job-lead not drive me?

The path to success should be rode on with gratitude. Gratitude in speech is a politician's promise.

Rewiring to recycle

Coinciding with the World Environmental Day, June 5th 2010, was a statistic I read today that 96% of household waste in Sweden is recycled as material or as energy. Place a dot between the 9 and the 6 and we are in the UAE.

Being way bottom is actually good, as you don't have to fall any further. But seriously, how does one start in a country that knows not the concept of reuse, as this is a third-world term, and not one associated with oil-affluence?

One starts with one person. Just like all revolutions start with one person's evolution. EEG seems to be doing a great job in this respect and I think our organization should be proud of supporting them. However, external support is secondary. How can we help in a less recognized, but actually more effective manner?

Turn vegetarian, and if you live alone, turn vegan.

Spelling our blood

Out of the past 11 years, 7 Indian Americans have won the spelling bee contest. Many of them went to the IV league universities after that, which means if you spell right, you are IV smart.

But, I really don't know. What I figured out from the GMAT was that the GMAT tests just one thing: how good you are at taking the GMAT. Some of the smartest people I have known have been at sea when it comes to English. Our inane passion for the English language, has been at the tragic expense of our mothertongue. I, for one, live a life so culturally impoverished that I will take my embarrassment to my grave. Having failed to learn Malayalam (the only palindrome) during my formative years, I am always forced to switch to English to convey anything meaningful. But the Generation (Why) will do anything and everything to flaunt their English range at no given opportunity, while simultaneously tucking in our Indian heritage under the carpet of self-inflicted shame. Every time I go to Bangalore, I sense this sentiment. The yearning for the American passport, the retching in tavern fashion, the mini-skirting of Indian dressing, et al. This overwhelming identity crisis has hit even Kerala, where people were, hitherto, only foolish enough to be Communist. You go to Cochin, and they respond in English, although they still sneeze in Malayalam.

Why the urge of every Indian to renounce the Indian in him/her? The British were good at two things,- enslaving us physically, and disrobing us psychologically. A body dies with death, but a cultural leftover leaves a very long hangover.

We are still not free to be Indian again.

The Kremlin of misconceptions

Outside the real Kremlin.

Despite all the aura and history associated with the seat of the Soviet government, the Kremlin is much smaller than you would assume. Just like the Mona Lisa is much smaller than it seems to be in pictures.

And it seems that, there are many kremlins in Russia. In fact, the Kremlin that the world knows is the one referred to in Russia, and is more of a figure of speech. It actually refers to any fortress or castle in Russia.

Finally, like ironies, which seem to so banal now that they can't be called ironies anymore, what we see currently of the fortress and structures was built, ironically, by Italians, not Russians.

Beautiful still, and not crazy.

The Red Square

The Red Square, in the nature of squares like the famous Times and our local Nasser, is anything but square. And like the Times one, and unlike your local Nasser, this is huge.

The whole Red Square complex, along with the Kremlin

on one side, and one humongous building on the other long side, is a massive cobblestoned ground. It actually served as a market place, and as an area for official ceremonies. Outside where I am standing is exactly where the Russian President might be residing if he had been in Russia.

Now, as the final irony from my Russian trip, the name Red Square does not refer to the colour of the bricks of the fortress. Nor does it connote the Communist link of this country. Rather, the word comes from a meaning of red in Russia to denote something 'beautiful'.

Beautiful it truly is. And like all things Russian, truly big as well.

St. Peterscool

Outside the Church of Our Saviour on the Spilled Blood in St. Petersburg.

St. Petersburg is an interesting city. The Venice of the North, or Petrograd or Leningrad or Piter depending on who was/is referring to it, is the second largest city of Russia, the largest by cool factor, the poshest by style factor, and the northernmost in the world for cities having over 1 million people. It is also the erstwhile capital of the Russian Empire.

This beautiful structure, outside which I am standing just for being photographed standing outside, was built on the very spot where Emperor Alexander II was assassinated in 1881. Alexander II was actually a noble king, who ultimately paid a price for being good.

He was the one who abolished the serf (enslavement of Russian farmers, just like you still see in modern-day Bihar) system, among other reforms that he initiated. He was finally assassinated by revolutionaries, who actually got an opportunity to even think only because he had allowed them to. And Just like Jesus, who paid with his life for the good of man, this king too paid similarly. But then, the Emperor at least got a cool church made in his honour.

As an irony, despite the church’s very Russian style, its principle architect, was not even Russian.

Mother Russia

Made a trip to Russia last week. However, given the geographical, cultural and historical size of the country, my trip was the knowledge equivalent of dipping one's hands in the water to gauge the depth of the ocean.

Having said that, the short stays were stays, no doubt. This is a vastly different country than what one from Dubai is led to believe. This might be Communist, but then, the only flavour of Communism comes from the buildings. The public buildings of both St. Petersburg and Moscow are largely plain, and without any balconies. They look like huge, long, windowed walls, rather than facades,- too plain and foreboding to be capitalist. But then, the feeling of Communism ends there. And, to note, the older structures carry a prestige, heritage and legacy unto their own, and seem too W. European to be Russian. To put things in perspective, the only way you would guess you were in Moscow and not in Milano would be from the road signs. Otherwise, everything seems perfectly W. European. And just like in Milano, no one will speak English for sure.

Both cities seem to be thriving capitalist hotbeds. All the visible signs of flourishing capitalism are there for view,- the Bentleys, the poverty, the high-rises, the high-end clothing stores, et al. By the way, Russia and India shared a lot of camaraderie during the 60s till the late 90s. I guess it peaked during the 'Mera Naam Joker' period. In fact, I got a pleasant surprise when one of the hotel channels showed the Raj Kapoor-Madhubala 'Chori Chori' movie dubbed in Russian. Also, made me realize that some foreigners actually like Hindi movies, in spite of the fact that most Hindi movies are like Telugu and Kannada movies, also, less ridiculous.

Another possible product of the India-Russia bha-bhai culture of the 70s is evident on the roads. Take the power of European cards, the speed unlimits of American freeways and the road manners of Indian drivers, and behold, you are driving in Russia. Also, for the former Communist HQ of the world, Russians are delightfully superstitious. My hotel did not have a 13th floor, and this seems very common here.

Finally, Russia is also noteworthy for me for a different reason. This is the first trip where I have had the tragedy to be body scanned at the airport. However, my first experience in St. Petersburg happened so fast, that I forgot to be embarrassed. And only then did it strike me why most staff at the airport were female.

Great going, Mother Russia!

Painless suffering

Sri Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (courtesy of SABN, and at only timely) :

Pleasure is only an interval between two pains. Pain is inevitable in life- It is Suffering that is optional.

Out of touch (with reality)

I have been out of touch of late, as there have been incidents that cannot be reproduced here for the time-being, considering the condition that some of the readers of this blog are in right now. But let's just say that God's plan is always for the good.

I am reproducing here a touching poem by Annie Johnson Flint, and it seems just apposite.

He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,

He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;

To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,

To multiplied trials he multiplies peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,

When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,

When we reach the end of our hoarded resources

Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,

His power no boundary known unto men;

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus

He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

Foreclosure of many dreams - Reprise

SABN and Anonymous have made some pretty serious points that drive me to recollect and reproduce something very, very poignant while in Russia. What comes to mind is Arthur Ashe's (the first black man to win the Wimbledon) response when he was diagnosed with AIDS (due to a botched blood transfusion):

The world over, 50 million children start playing tennis, 5 million learn to play tennis, 500,000 learn professional tennis, 50,000 come to the circuit, 5000 reach the grand slam, 50 reach Wimbledon, 4 to semi final, 2 to the finals, when I was holding a cup I never asked GOD ‘Why me?’. And today in pain I should not be asking GOD ‘Why me?'

His courage is definitely worth more than his Wimbledon cup.

Throwing light on enlightenment

SABN Speaketh: In enlightenment, the memory of who we are in this physical world is forgotten and the desire of who we want to be in this material world is forsaken.

Foreclosure of many dreams

Many years back, I was disappointed that I did not get into Goldman Sachs when some of my MBA classmates who I was sure were not as qualified got through. And for those who don't know, Investment Bankers are (were) the most pampered lot of all. They live in private jets when not Manhattan penthouses, and drop by to Monaco for weekend breaks.

It all went well for many of us lesser MBAs, though far better for those in Wall Street. Till one fine sunny morning, a plane ran into the World Trade Centre and many didn't live to tell the tale. This is what I happened to recollect when I read about the Air India Express tragedy. Such is the lullaby of life, you go to sleep when you least expect it. And when it happens, no power or prestige can preclude it. In one unassuming moment, achievements, ranks, fame, name, recognition, all cease to exist.

In spite of all the personal discomfort and universal disdain, this is where spiritual grounding helps you. To connect, even if it be in sporadic spurts, to the truth that all this will not last. But to gain that timeless concord with the symphony of Real-ity, you have to keep peeling off the many layers of make-up that prevent you from coming face to face with your true face.

Many remain ensconced comfortably with the make-up. Some want to see beyond. Alas, even Courage comes with Grace. Notwithstanding, God is still an Accountant, and every small entry matters.

The question remains: Do we want comfort, or do we want credit?

SABN Classic - 03 - Priorities of Life

SABN Speaketh: How ironical it is that, the human mind considers the defeat of the ego more excruciating than the suffering or even death of the body!

We sow all the chemicals our children reap

Brothers and sisters,

I just came across this wonderful site that is the web address for a movie that documents a very sick-to-the-stomach bit of information: Since the end of WWII, modern humans have been exposed to 100,000 chemicals a day in a society that has created roughly 500,000 million tons of chemicals.

Are they affecting your to-be-born children? This documentary has to be unsettling, if not just informative. http://www.underkastelsen.se/

Karma has to be the greatest invention of God.

The Seven Drops of Supporting your Mother

Today, I started another dropintheocean activity to support our planet.

As of today, I have quit shampoo and face wash with the purchase of a environment and animal-friendly substitutes from Body Shop. At five times the price of the generic (sprayed-into-rabbits'-eyes tested) versions, they are a hole-in-your-pocket, even if they be a goal for your soul. Still, He watches and weighs, and eventually, everything matters.

On Earth Day, I also started my tooth-brushing ritual with mugs of water, rather than with a running faucet. I don't know how many litres I have not drained Mother Earth by with this endeavour till date, but I really am not about numbers. I know what you are thinking, but insanity is just on the far side of inspiration.

Seven drops will surely make an ocean.

Tube vision

Took the Metro finally. It's quite what you expect it to be, smooth, silent and uneventful. And surprisingly crowded,- probably the Friday effect.

A return from Deira City Centre to Mall of the Emirates costs AED 11/- per person, and another AED 2000/- if you want to stop wherever you want. Also, for another AED 200/-, you can also eat and drink on board.

That apart, it's actually a very fresh perspective on Dubai, and the city really looks greener on the high side. Like Dhanya noted, Sheikh Mohammed truly had something that the rest of the Peninsula didn't,- vision. In spite of having oil sprouting out of the ground, none of our neighbours could conceive of anything remotely close, and many still don't seem to have figured it out.

If it weren't for the recession that even our friendly-neighbourhood conmen from Wall Street couldn't predict, Dubai would have steamed ahead even more. Talking about prediction, they sure didn't predict it, as they actually invented it for all of us to suffer.

Anyway, great going Dubai.

Reading Between the Lines - 18 - Ms. Point UK

The National, 19-05-2010: Baroness Warsi is UK's first female Muslim minister

P's C: As a faithful friend of the States, the Kingdom replicates even in marketing. The latest, well-intentioned, but evidently diplomatic overkill was to rope in a nobody, but specifically Pakistani-Muslim-Woman, to become a Minister of Cameron's cabinet.

Cameron’s appointment of Baroness Warsi has been welcomed as a “great honour” for those who realize how important it is for the Kingdom to appease the minority as a form of remaining the majority. Her Highestness the Baroness has been entrusted with the challenging portfolio of 'being the UK's first female Muslim minister'.

Caption: Baroness Warsi described her rise from a working-class lass to an absolutely-no-portfolio minister as 'humbling'.

Reading Between the Lines - 17 - Miss (the Point) USA

Kansas City, 18-05-2010: Arab-American from Michigan crowned 2010 Miss USA

P's C: America makes diplomatic headway into the Arab world by crowning Arab-America as Miss USA. This is significant, since this well-clad parade is exactly what the Arab world wants strong representation for from America. Talking about the contest itself, it is very noteworthy to remember that before the winner bursts into tears, she always confesses that she wants to 'be an ambassador for world peace'.

That's before she steps into movies or magazines.

Akshaya Trituya

Alukkas brings me spiritual Joy.

They are so kind enough to remind me of that mythical, yet auspicious festival, Akshaya Trituya (hope I have even got the spelling right), which, although unknown like till yesterday, is so very important that it has to be celebrated with purchase of gold. Alukkas also confirms that 'Only gold is auspicious', dispelling my doubt that cement was also a very auspicious commodity.

Such spiritual guidance can only come from your friendly neighbourhood jeweller Guru. In fact, Alukkas reminds us that purchase of gold on this very important Hindu (or was it Buddhist or maybe it was Zionist) festival day will ensure prosperity for the rest of the year. Now, wasn't there this guy who bought gold on this very important day last year and drowned in the Pacific Ocean a few weeks later?

Either way, with the current rate of gold, the rich can be assured that only they will be able to afford prosperity for the year ahead.