'The yogi'

One of my readers wanted to accompany me on this escapade.

Scene 1:
My office :


"Today's hero is Mr.Shanthanu. We will be going to his house to meet him ,"I said.


"What is his speciality?"asks Mr.Reader.

He is a very strong and healthy man.Most importantly, he rarely gets angry.
In today's world, it is surely an advantage.

"But, how did he develop this?"Mr.R again.

To know this , we will have to go his house.

So, one fine day Mr.R and me went to Mr.Shanthanu's house.

Scene 2:
Mr.Shanthanu's house

The door is open and Mr. Shantanu is doing his daily routine of yoga exercises.
He will even forget to eat or sleep but, he never forgets his yoga.

 "Why?"my reader asks.

"Wait ,we will find out"I said.

As I call out to him, he is standing in the tree pose.He seems to be preoccupied with something so, he did not hear me.

Suddenly a plate or something similar, comes flying from the right side in full speed.He immediately ducks and goes down on another pose.

Then ,there is a shower of words from the same direction.
Mr.Shanthanu should have thought that it is easier to manage flying words than flying objects.
So, he sat down and started his breathing exercises.

After about half-an-hour,all the sound dies down and things seem more normal.

Now, Mr.Shantanu sees us. (poor guy, he was busy evading the missiles.I don't blame him.)

"Hello, madam. How do you do?When did you come?"he asked.

We came some time back,but you were busy....er....doing yoga!(We could not hide a chuckle.)

"This is my reader.I told him about you.He is interested to know how to grow strong with yoga. His idea of yoga is very different.

He is getting into trouble very often because of his short-temper.So, it amazes him that a bad temper can be controlled by yoga."

Mr.Shanthanu said,"Don't worry.We usually have fights like this at home.It is normal."

This brought more fear than the ease that she intended to bring.This is normal?

He said,"I will tell you all that you want to know.Just give me a second.I will change my clothes and come."he asked us to be seated and went in to change his clothes.

Meanwhile, his wife came out of the kitchen with two cups of coffee.

We could not manage but,jump up from our seats in sheer ....er....respect.We felt like two small goats in a lion's den.We barely gave her a smile.
I think she would have made out how we felt.

Mr.Shantanu was back and this somehow gave us more courage.

"What do I tell you?My yoga give me all the good health.I always practice it .It helps me in more than one way."

Seeing the cups of coffee in our hands he continued,"Behind every successful man there is a woman.
My success is also mainly because of my wife.But, I cannot say where she stands.Today it was to the left of me.
Anyways, it helps."

"Sir,we would like you to teach us a few yoga poses for stress reduction."Mr.R said.

He starts to lie down in Savasana just when his eyes meet his wife's.

"I think now is not the right time.Why don't we do it on the weekend.It is time for my office now."he said.

We understand his predicament and move out.We don't forget to thank his wife for her co-operation.

As we leave the house,we hear familiar sounds.His wife says,"it is already so late to office,but you are ready to talk to them.

Whenever I ask you to go to the market,you always escape by saying you will be late to office.
I don't understand how you always have time for others and not for me."

Mr.Shantanu is used to this by now.He silently goes to his room and starts on his deep breathing exercises.He says it helps him to calm down his mind.

My boss in one of his rarely good moods.

Many of us face similar conditions ,or maybe little different situations at home or in office.

Scene 3:
Back in my office:

Once we were in the privacy of my office,Mr.R said,"I think I will try the breathing exercise.It looks to be very effective."

My report for the day was not ready.I am not sure whether I will have to face an angry boss or a very angry boss.

I better do the breathing ex. before I go into  his office.If it helped Shanthanu ,it should help me too.

I have a meeting with my boss in about half an hour.
"I have to do the breathing exercise.

Even if I can't change my boss or the soup that I am in now,I can at least prepare myself to take the inevitable."

Bye guys, have to catch you later.

A stupid poem on swan and life

A beautiful swan I saw:
in the lake around the corner

Its feathers white as snow:
shown in the bright sun

Its beak was red
like the blazing fire,

Its beauty,  sparkling
like the cup of life.

But, suddenly it disappeared
as the morning mist,

And bated my breath
till it shown again-
like a mirage great!

I thanked god to see it again,
for it resembled my life:
the beauty of a dream
and truth of a bubble,

Like the white of death
and purity of God,

It made me feel like
 flying in the sky.

I enjoyed it now
and took a deep breath,
for I may not
see it tomorrow.

Snippet 5

My friend Raashi lives next door.A sweet girl!

The other day,she was carrying a lot of weight in her hands.I think from the market.

She was finding it tough to carry all that load.I thought I can help her.
(Good girls do it all the time!)

I asked her jokingly,"What happened Raashi? You are letting out big sighs like a steam engine?"

"I went to the market like an express train.On my way back,I became a steam engine.Bad knee pain."she said.

"Why?What did you do?Tell me.Tell me."I teased her

"Nothing like what you think,naughty girl.I did a lot of cleaning at home.

My husband says I am complaining of pain like an old lady.That did not worry me.

He said his secretary is also my age and she still looks so much younger.
That is what scares me most."she said.

 "Hey, but it is true that you have put on a lot of weight lately."

"So what?I am not going to beauty pageants "she winked.

"It is not a matter of beauty Raashi,it is a matter of good health".

"What?"she asked me quizzingly.

"Now, you were carrying about 3 kilos of weight in each of your hands.So, you found it very difficult.But, if you had only 1 kilo to carry,you would have managed it ."I said.

"Yes, You are right."

"In the same way,extra weight is difficult for your bones and muscles to carry.Joints are the hinges that connect and strengthen those bones. So, they start to pain."

"But, I can't go on a crash diet.I will feel weak"she said.

"You don't have to.You can eat sensibly".

"How?"

"You have to eat more of fruits and vegetables than rice or wheat- based foods."

"I see. That is not very difficult"she cheered up.

"You can do a bit of exercising too.
Why don't you try Yoga?"I asked.

"Yoga?Never thought of it."

"Think about it.See you later.Bye!"

Common point-Short story

Katrina and Karan were at the same college,but, different subjects.
But, this did not stop them from falling in love with each other.

The subjects they studied were not the only things that seperated them.They were of different religions.

Over the years at college, their love for each other grew to great depths.
They decided they could not live without each other.

But, to make a life together,their parents objection was the first of the many hurdles they had to cross.

                                                                              Katrina came from a lower middle -class family and her father had divorced her mother years before.

Karan was from an upper middle-class family.But, his father had left them when he was a kid.

Since both their mothers were single-parents, it was easier to convince their mothers in that point.
It gave a soft corner between the mothers.

They did all the necessary things to make the mothers agree to meet.

Finally,the 'D' -day came.

The lovers' mothers were to meet at a restaurant.The lovers waited with bated breath.

Both Katrina's and Karan's mothers exchanged pleasantries .They were very comfortable with each other that after a while they began to talk freely. The lovers were at ease now.They thought they could have a bit of personal time.They went out for a stroll.

Then,all of a sudden,Karan's mother started to cry.


She lamented,"What do I say?After my husband divorced me,it was a big struggle to bring up my son.I have never been able to forgive him.He left me when Karan was just 1 year old.That too for another woman."

Katrina's mother felt sad for her.

She said,"I resonate your thoughts.My husband too gave me 'talaq' for the sake of another woman.

I can never forget Kalif.
I don't know why.

Katrina loved him so much.But, now after seeing all my ordeals day-in and day-out,she has lost all love for her father.
He has lost a loving daughter for ever.
He has never once come back to see us."


Karan's mother understood her pain now.
She said,"I don't know how my husband did not feel any guilt or love when he decided to divorce me.He could have stayed back for his son at least. Karan has lost a father's support throughout his life.


I don't talk about his father with him at all now-a-days.It makes him sad."


She took a deep breath and continued,"But, I can never forget the wonderful days I had with Kalif.
Those were the golden days."


Katrina's mother was surprised and cynical at the same time."What?Did you say Kalif?Look at the co-incidence.

My husband's name was also Kalif."


Karan's mother continued,"I see.
My husband was very proud of his name.'Fakruddin Kalif'.He was a handsome and smart man.He was well read and had a handsome salary working at American Bank."

Katrina's mother almost fainted."Did you say Fakruddin Kalif from American Bank?"

"Yes.Why?"

Katrina's mother could barely hear herself."He is the same person whom I was married to."

"My god!I think Kalif will never stop giving us pain."


She could not talk for a few seconds.Then she said,


"Then it was us.Now it is our children."

"Why do you say that?"asked Katrina's mother innocently.

"If both you and me were wedded to the same man then,Katrina is a half-sister to Karan.How can they get married?"

To this Katrina's mother retorted,"Don't say that madam.They love each other too much to get separated.
I think we should put a fullstop to Kalif's interference in our lives."

"I would love to .But, how?"

Katrina's mother said,"We have managed to live our lives and bring up our children after much of struggles.Our only life ambition now ,is to see them get happily settled.We should not allow anything or anyone spoil that.

"Very true.but, how can we do this?"

Katrina's mother thought for a while.Then ,"Only you and me know the common secret about Kalif.We will allow it to be a secret for the rest of our lives.What do you say?"

"I am scared but, no one has the right to spoil our peace,especially in the name of Kalif.
May god be with us."

Both the mothers agreed for the marriage and Katrina and Karan got their marriage registered the following week.

They lived happily ever after .

As for the secret,
it slept at the depths of the mothers' hearts for ever and for ever.

Splash!

Dashing against the bolders strong,

the river sings a mighty song.

Flowing down the mountains huge,

the river tumbles into a deluge.

Stumbling on the stones ahead,

It splashes and bubbles ,on the river bed.

Spilling along the swifts on the way,

It falls to depths with an enormous spray.

Gushing to its majestic God,

It joins the sea ,like a yearning soul

Wish we were like you oh!river,

Following tirelessly our life's goal.

'Madiba'-The Invictus

What will you do if someone hurts you?

I will give it back to him in the same coin.

What if you are not able to do anything to the person right away.

Then ,I will wait for the right opportunity to give it back to him.

His home for 18 years
Room no.46664

Wont you forgive him?

What?

 There is a person who did just that.

Who is that?

Nelson Mandela.Have you heard of him.They call him 'Madiba', with love.

Yes. He was the President of south africa.

Before that he was in prison for 27 years.

I see.Was he a rowdy, cause that is a basic qualification many times, for being a politician.

He did use a bit of force but, that is way back.
He is now a symbol of peace and forgiveness all over the world.

He was an activist against apartheid almost 30 years back.
Apartheid is that racialism which separates South africans into the 'whites' and the 'blacks'.

Just like the caste system in our country.
Hasn,t our own Gandhiji done a lot to put an end to this apartheid.
Maybe it will take many more great leaders to finish with this,in India and elsewhere.


                                                           Now, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was released after 27 long years.
There was this first election in their country in 1994 ,when blacks and whites were allowed to vote alike.

An inspiring light

Nelson Mandela was elected President.

Once he took over position as President, the whites were worried.
But,he chose the path of love and forgiveness.

It has made him a living example for love,peace and forgiveness.He is acclaimed not only in South Arica but, the world over.

Kudos!To all the leaders of the world.

Kudos!To all their love.

Soap opera time!

'made with each other'

I have a friend who is a news reporter.He always has something sizzling.
This time it was an interview taken a couple of days back.

It was an interview with two young girls named Leela and Sheela .

"Hey Leela,how are you today?"asked Sheela.

"I am fine.but, I am a bit worried about what our teacher thinks of us."said Leela.

"Just dont worry Leela.She would have freaked out when she was young. She is old now.So, she has comfortably forgot her past",said Sheela.

"What you say might be right.But, what she says matters to us,cause she may inform our parents about all the mischief we do in school.I think we should behave ourselves",cautioned Leela.

"I dont care. I want to do what I want.We will face it when it comes",said Sheela carelessly.

"Please Sheela,dont say that.I am scared of Mrs.Rosy",shivered Leela.

Leela pleading with Sheela went on for sometime before both came to a consensus.

I asked my friend,"What is so great about this dialogue.This happens in all households where one kid is sweet as candy and the other is a monkey.Oh,come on, Give me better news."

Wait don't be in a hurry.Now look at this picture before you say anything further.

"Wow, what is this?Have you started tutorials for  computer graphics?Good job man."

"No.No.Don't be in a hurry again.This is no computer graphics.It is a photo of Leela and Sheela.
they are called conjoined twins.
They were born together as twins but, a part of their scull and brain are fused.All conjoined twins who are born like them ,share a few or many of the body organs."

Out of curiosity I asked,"Can't they be surgically seperated?"

"Most of the times ,it is a highly risky prospect and one or both of the kids could die.So, doctors don't recommend surgery for such kids.

Now you know the reason Leela was pleading with Riny to behave himself.They can never do anything in their lives without the other twin's agreement."


Can we even imagine this?

Daisy and Violet Hilton

Living with a controlling spouse is enough frustration.Then think...

Abigail and Brittany joined at the neck.
They have three hands and three legs.

There were one such twins named Daisy and Violet Hilton who were born in England in 1908.They were joined at the hip.They lived till they were 69 years old.

"Living in the situation is enough trouble but, what happens when one of the twin dies?Sorry,but I just got curious",I said

"In the case of the Hiltons ,Daisy passed away almost 3 days earlier to Violet.It is said they died of hong kong flu.
                                                     But, what went through her mind those three days?Any guesses?

'External affairs'-short story

Helen loved Rajeev very much.So did Rajeev.

They worked in the same office.
But, they did not want anyone to know about their love.
So, they decided that they will meet outside office-in a resort.

They planned for it well.
Helen told her boss that she was not feeling well so, she needed a couple of days leave.
Rajeev said he had to attend to his mother who was sick.

So, they set out to a resort to have a great time together.

They told their families that they have office meetings and so, they had to leave town.

                                            Most unexpectedly,Rajeev's mother met with an accident.
His sister admitted her mother in hospital and came to office to get his contact address and phone number. Rajeev had switched off his cellphone.

The boss was confused and informed the girl that there was no meeting taking place anywhere else.
But,he decided he had to find out the truth behind all this.

He told the girl that Rajeev had applied for leave to attend to his ailing mother.

Rajeev's sister was confused too.She said that her mother fell down in the bathroom just an hour back.
She had been quite fine till then.

Listening to this,the boss became very angry.

But, he could not do anything in the situation.He had to wait.

                                            The next day,the boss went to the 'ATM' counter near his house and on his way back ,he saw something that took his breath away.He saw Rajeev and Helen at the taxi stand,lost in their own world.

The boss caught them red-handed.

He said to Rajeev,"You must be ashamed of yourself.You said your mother was very sick when actually she was not.Your bad intentions have really affected you now.Your mother slipped in the bathroom and she is in the hospital."

He was angry with Helen too.So, she too got to hear her part of the music.

The boss said that the right punishment for them would be to let their family know what they really are. So, he took Rajeev and Helen to the hospital where Kishen's mother was admitted.

The boss went into the room to see Rajeev's mother.

Both Rajeev and Helen waited for the worst but, nothing happened.
After a while,they went into the room and were astonished to see their boss begging forgiveness from Rajeev's mother.

Rajeev had a galore of questions in his mind.
Who is he?How does he know my mother?Why is he pleading guilty?

After much of prodding,his mother said that 'the boss'was actually his father who had deserted them even before Rajeev was born.

Rajeev was dumb-struck but, it was now Helen's turn to talk.

When the boss came out of the room she thought it was the right opportunity.
She said,"Sir, you have no right to scold or embarrass Rajeev and me, in front of our family.It is our own wish to do what we want.
We have only spent a couple of days together at a resort.It is much better than the behaviour you have shown.

                                       Helen was very happy for having given it back on the same coin to her boss.
With a contented feeling she turned to leave, when she felt someone looking at her from the pharmacy next door.

Who was it?

My God!It was her husband.

Would he have heard all that she told her boss now?

Love

See it in my eyes,

Feel it in my touch,

Hear it in my words,

And live it with me.

Cross mountains high,

Scale pinnacles close to sky,

Swim the oceans deep,

Reach the heights you dreamt in sleep.

Soar up in the skies,

Fly distances like a bird,

Fathom down onto abyss,

Go down till you loose yourself.

Come,hold hands my love

Walk centuries with me,

Come,bathe in my love,

Feel yourself in me.

Ticklers

Growing years

Image via Wikipedia

"Who is this old man?Is he your grandpa?He looks smart.But, he looks intelligent.
Where did you loose the last factor down the line?"


"Enough man.This is not my grandpa."


"Then?"


"It is Sigmund Freud."


"You mean ,your friend's grandpa?"


"No.He is the Father of Psychoanalysis."


"What a wierd name to have.Psychoanalysis.Where does this person live?"


"Hey,it's not a person.It's a medical term."


"I see.
They are big words that go over my head.Be more simple."


"Okay.Okay.He is the person who gave us the theory of five stages of development in every person's life."


"What five stages?I want to know.
But, please make it short and simple.I am not a medical freak."


"All right.Here are the five stages:

1.The oral stage:

This is in the first two years of life. Mouth is the main pleasure  zone. Now,greatest source of pleasure is sucking or putting objects into mouth.














2.The anal stage:

This is from two to three years. The anus becomes the 
main source of pleasure. Toilet-training is the major issue now.

3.The phallic stage:

This is from ages three to six. Self-manipulation of the genitals gives max. pleasure.

4.The latency stage:
This stage is from ages six to twelve. Now, sexual motivation is lost and a child gets busy developing personal skills

5.The genital stage:
It occurs after puberty and extends into adulthood.Now, the deepest feelings of pleasure come from sexual relationships with other adults.

Essence:

Development places conflicts for a person at every stage, that must be resolved then and there.

If these conflicts are left unresolved, there will be dramatic effects influencing an individual’s behavior throughout his/her life."


"Hey, that was short and hot.I have to leave now.Catch you later.Bye"

Snippet 4

What do you think of these pictures?

What do you see in them?

Beauty

What is beauty?
Beauty is a very relative term.What is beauty to you maybe ugly to me.
It all depends on the personality and mood of the person.

Something that seems beautiful to you today may not seem as beautiful tomorrow.
(I am not speaking about your spouse. Believe me.)

Okay.Then you will say,something that seems beautiful to many people may seem beautiful to us.for example: Taj Mahal,

Aishwarya Rai (hey,hey,i can see you smile!)

But, how intensely a man may feel about her beauty may not be felt by a woman(play of hormones ,you see!)

Then what survives the test.Feelings!

Right feeling at the right time to do the right thing.

                                             Many of us saw pictures and videos of the plight of people in Haiti ,after the earthquakes changed their lives forever.

A few of us were there physically, to help.

Many of us helped by funding the rescue organizations which helped those people.

Few of us could not help monetarily,so, the best we could do, was to pray and wish for their goodwill and speedy recovery.

But, in all these groups of people there is no-one who has not felt the need and beauty of a timely help.
The thought of a timely help by someone or the lack of it, in some juncture in our lives,brings tears to our eyes.

What can be more beautiful ?Can anything else by just the thought of it,bring tears to your eyes?

Yes, there are a few of such beautiful abstract feelings which do.

These delicate feelings are what connect all of us as human beings,in whichever part of the globe we are.

So,please do your part in keeping the world as beautiful as it can be.

Octopus fun!