PARINAAMA

(I have added additional information which reached me courtesy the readers of this post when it was first published, for which I am deeply grateful as these inputs have expanded the scope of this post) For the uninitiated, Mirabhai and Andal, though having manifested during different time periods in the same land of India, stand tall as one of the few women saints who had completely surrendered their lives to the Supreme God. Mirabhai stands as one of the greatest saints and songwriters of Rajasthan. Although there is a myriad of controversial debates questioning her factual existence and actual poems written, one cannot deny the brilliance in her simple poetical verses and songs describing her yearnings to unite with her Lord and adoration of the 'leelas' or divine dramas played by her bosom Lord Krishna (these are used to verbally garland the Divine Lord Shri Krishna in most parts of northern India to this day) Shri Andal incarnated a few centuries before the advent of Mira...

where there is light there cannot be darkness for darkness is the lack of light and not a real entity where there is love there cannot be fear for fear is the lack of love and trust It is essentially imaginary where there is knowledge there cannot be ignorance for ignorance is the lack of knowing it isn't a disease that needs curing but a layer that needs removing Light is hidden within the darkness Love is hidden within the fears Knowing is hidden within the ignorance They are ever present but I chose to run from them when I love my fears, I understand them they cease to be frightening and cannot pose any threat For fear is a lack of understanding that wherever we are, our need for love will be met So my fears are forever demolished my ignorance burns away when I realise these are but my assumptions of my own lack in love Love is within me, Love is  me I can give it any other name, perhaps God my fears, ignorance, hate and shame manifest When I chose to avoid seeing my own truth, ...

After a lot of soul searching, shadow working and self renewal, I decided it was high time I headed back to the material world and renew my resume, which was sitting in the dark recesses of my laptop.  Me coming out of my cave and exploring my surroundings Finding online webinars and workshops to be too monotonous and one sided, I decided to try my hands at an online internship. After consulting my trusted friends, family and college officials, I applied for a summer internship provided at the IIChE website (Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers), for which I got selected. The orientation session was a breeze and I had no idea of what was coming up in the first day of the internship, which happened to be the day after the orientation. Gathering some basic info about the software I would be learning, I got ready for the first day ( or so I thought ). The first day of the internship started and to say that I was left with gaping wide open eyes and mouth is an understatement; I was ...

When you've done your best and stood your ground and nobody supportive seems to be around don't you dare give up on your stance repeat to yourself "this too shall pass" When you've cried yourself hoarse about your true feelings To a friend or partner, with whom closure you are seeking Even though it seems they don't validate your cry Don't you run behind them asking "Why?" When you've given all you've got to your dream and all you seem to get are struggles that make you want to scream Recall that roadblocks are blessings in disguise Some come to redirect you, some to make you wise When the storms in your life never seem to stop Leaving you with no time to clean up or mop Know that the storm itself is doing the clearing Of all the negativity from your garden of life When you've quit your toxic traits and started being your true self Don't be afraid of comments, critics, labels or shelves Those who matter to you, won't mind the ...

Several unpredictable days later I realized the importance of waking up in the morning with a grateful smile Several nauseating headaches later I realized the joy of giving thanks for my health to the Universe Several smelly breaths and pimple scars later I realized the value of regularly washing my face, brushing my teeth and cleaning my tongue Several dull, drowsy, depressed experiences later I realized the value of staying hydrated, meditating and exercising Several uncomfortably itchy sensations later I realized the value of cleanly grooming my body Several split ends, knots and angry tangles later I realized the importance of caring for my hair with love Several uncontrollable and erratic stomach upsets later I realized the importance of eating meals mindfully and not gluttonously Several low lows and rock bottoms later I realized the importance of praying with faith Several sticky situations later I realized the huge worth of h...

Although I don't follow a particular schedule for updating my blog with new posts, I do generally have ideas churning in the back of my mind which magically shape themselves into the beautiful creations I get as result. This post was no stranger to that format, but yet this post is different ( as all my posts are ). The difference in this post is that I had to battle with my brain, ego and mind ( which were blocking all those beautiful ideas from becoming solid posts ) before I could write it. Avengers assemble! At first I was extremely frustrated with myself, since the usual flow of creative energy, which would tell me the story I would later type as a post, was very intermittent and scarce, but the idea was still there. I am pretty sure there is nothing more frustrating than having something at the tip of your tongue, knowing that you have the correct idea, yet being unable to express it at all ( is this what writer's block feels like? 😐) Vowing to avenge my kidna...

When I’ve been praying for something to occur for so long....t hat its no more a prayer but an obsession And my mind is constantly thinking and overthinking...n ever ending doubts When will it happen? Where will it happen? How will it happen? Till I become so dejected, frustrated and exasperated That I ask  Will it happen? And finally say  I don’t care if it happens. Magic occurs when I state this. Because when I state “I don’t care anymore” I’m no longer chasing the boon But allowing it to find me When I say I don’t care if it happens, I no longer need something external to fill a void in me. When I say I don’t care, I find what I need within me And hence attracting the boon. ...if only you search inwards... Fear not dear readers, when you feel hopeless, lost and frustrated Respect this feeling and allow it to flow through you Understand the root of this feeling to be You seeking without what exists within When you go to...