Saturday, March 25, 2017

Ramblings of a Passing Phase

Image source: http://communio.stblogs.org

These days I find myself constantly thinking about where life is heading. I find myself thinking about all the small and big choices I have made in life. And while doing that I sometimes find myself fussing over compartmentalizing my choices into the two square boxes of right and wrong. Some other times I find myself fussing over the choices yet to be made. It’s like getting lost in a world of blues, stumbling at every step while trying to figure out the right way; when in reality there actually is no right and wrong way. There are just different ways, each with its own set of perks and setbacks.  

I don’t see life as black and white; I rather understand it to be just about all shades of grey. Then, why should I be worried about making the right choices all the time? I guess it’s just a phase. A phase where I am so occupied dwelling in all the possibilities of future that I find the present getting blurred in the background. Despite all the contemplation, the upcoming life just seems illusive. Each day ahead is one step closer to being thirty. And it’s freaking me out these days.   

My motivation level sky-rockets one moment and hits rock-bottom the next. Sometimes, I feel I can deal with being 30 and single; Other times I feel afraid of being left alone. Sometimes, I feel I have a decent life and crave for no more; Other times I feel I haven’t done anything substantial in life and I am just nowhere. Sometimes, I just want a peaceful life; Other times I find myself delving into some far-fetched dreams. Sometimes, I make a decision to not settle when it comes to finding a partner; Other times I feel like making it work with any man who so ever comes my way, even if halfheartedly.  Sometimes, I find myself lingering on to the slightest hope of finding love; Other times I find myself thrashing all my vain hopes and dictating myself to get on with reality. Sometimes, I find myself filled with a desire to travel and explore; Other times I feel like being grounded in my tiny little room for days together. Sometimes, I want my thoughts to be of a conformist’s; Other times I want to let them fly into rebellion. Sometimes, I feel I can handle anything and everything; Other times I lack the confidence to even stand up and face the mundane. Sometimes, I want to do something, anything, so vehemently; Other times I just care about having a good night’s sleep. Sometimes, I want to be the person I am not; Other times I want the other people to be the persons they are not.

But then, it’s just a phase. A phase where I am trying to deal with approaching thirty in a matter of two years. When I think about the past five or six years, time seems so fleeting. I was allowed to be naïve back then, but somehow time just slipped past and I am still naïve. Still clueless, trying to solve the jigsaw puzzle of my expectations from life.

Anyhow, It’s just a phase and like any other, it too shall pass!  

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Open Eyed Meditations- Book Review


About the Book:
Title: Open Eyed Meditations
·         Paperback: 280 pages
·         Publisher: Fingerprint! Publishing; First edition (1 July 2016)
·         Language: English
·         ISBN-10: 8175993901
·         ISBN-13: 978-8175993907

About the Author:
Shubha Vilas holds a degree in engineering and law with a specialization in patent law. But in essence, he is an author, a motivational speaker, lifestyle coach, and a storyteller par excellence.  His leadership seminars, wherein he addresses the crucial needs of top-level management through inspiring seminars, are popular in corporate houses. Shubha Vilas periodically interacts with the youth in premier institutes across the world, inspiring them to live a life based on deeper human values. Traveling across the globe and meeting people from all walks of life, he teaches the importance of being governed by dharmic principles, meting out spiritual lifestyle tips and contemporary wisdom to deal with modern-day life situations.

Other books by the Author: Ramayana-The Game of Life Series, The Chronicles of Hanuman

My Review:
When we think meditation, we think of an abstruse skill of a deep interiorized focused state achieved with closed eyes. But this book introduces us to a whole new concept of meditation with open eyes. Each thought, which has been presented in the book relating it to a story from the epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata, opens the window to meditation with open eyes while participating in the battlefield of life.

The book is a compilation of beautiful thoughts or rather Sutras of life. The best part of this compilation for me is that it brings out the balance between practical and spiritual. Each life lesson is carved out into words that fall perfectly into place. There are no embellishments and no going off the track. Each life lesson is stated in way that it just hits the bull’s eye.

If one can interiorize the sixty four meditations that the author has presented in the book, and make them a part of his/her everyday behavior, he is sure to rise in life, spiritually, personally and professionally.     

There are lessons for every wake of life from love to happiness to acceptance, from managing anger to handling embarrassments, the qualities of a successful leader told by giving the example of Lord Krishna.

I’ll quote a few of my favorite sentences from the book: -

“Just like harmony between a lion and human is unlikely, harmony between unlike minds is unlikely. For stable relationships, we need to embrace like minded people, rather than forcing the unlike-minded people to embrace change.”

“Love in any relationship is about action and not just a feeling. Active love is about prioritizing others’ needs, not just in words but also in actions.”

“When you hate someone, you actually hate something in him that is a part of yourself.”

The real essence of the book, however, lies in being able to follow the wise words written in there and not just reading it. This book is a guide to every human being. Written in simple words which have rather a deep impact, this book is a beautiful read.

This review is a part of the biggest Book Review Program for Indian Bloggers. Participate now to get free books!