Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Shudders $$$ ..the importance of meditating

Its been a while since I sat down and analysed myself. The crazy things I do. Ways of justifying those things. And methods of inventing new ones.
From a long time, I knew I was feverishly active and fidgety. I never comprehended that this activity would lead to some sort of discomfort when inactive.
There was this story where a genie released out of a bottle, tells his master that he needed to be kept busy all the time. And if he failed to do so, the genie would kill him.
So, relating myself to this story, I was a little scared because I need to do something all the time and if I sit down without doing anything, I get impatient. Inactivity kills me! Just a few minutes back, I felt restlessness flow through my veins. It was so frustrating!!!
So, asked my friend who is a doctor as to why I have anxiety and bouts of racing zeal in me. He has asked me to meditate. Believe me, I have done transcendental meditation before, and it helps. It really does.
You feel a sense of peace and quiet and calm. For me, it has acted both (though paradoxically) as a mild sedator and a refresher. In true senses of both words.

The mind and brain are 2 different entities. The mind is abstract. A thing made or broken out of desire and emotions. Much like the heart.
The brain is physiologically the reason as to why I am sitting and typing this blog (God knows why!) This info isn't important, but essential enough to emphasize the need to keep both the brain and mind calm and alert. Remember, being calm doesn't mean you have to be passive and invigilant. Serenity and vigilance go hand in hand.

Too bad none of you bothered to read this far :D

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Time has changed everything...including us!

Once upon a time, when I was a little girl that is, life was very very different. Not at all like how I am living now. And certainly not the way that today's children are living or rather existing.

A typical routine consisted of getting up early in the morning(due to retiring at a reasonable hour at night!), bathe, pray, eat and go to school. Upon returning home, Mom would keep something ready to eat, then friends would be ready to run, climb trees, play all kinds of sports. Prayers would be recited after coming back home, homework would be finished, lessons studied, dinner eaten, spend time with the members of the family, prayers said before going to bed and that's it. On Sundays and other holidays, the family would get together and either go out, or Mom would teach us something new to learn. The Arts, as I call it.

Now, you don't find children and teenagers doing this sort of thing. Bed time ranges from 11 pm to even 5 am. Rising is, not with the Sun, but as the heart desires.
Breakfast and other meals
depend on what other fast/junk food are consumed throughout the day. Techno savvy kids are oblivious to health, hunger, a committment to studies and performing household chores.
Grandparents and other relatives are never thought about. Friendships develop, quite not liking to the parents' tastes.
Children roll their way to childhood obesity and are blissfully ignorant of the various health hazards and risks they put themselves into. Its a fast world. The pace has been accelerated and elders can do nothing but sit and watch helplessly as their children tread paths paved of non-traditional and un-conventional methods.
Individuality has been lost. No more do you find girls with flowers in their hair or boys playing lagori and kabaddi. Instead, winning at Tomb Raider or Claw are seemingly more essential. And with the invention of a variety of gadgets and gizmos, it is impossible not to be bored. Still, youngsters complain of mundane tasks and boredom.
Industries are catering to the needs of people with the only aim of making more money; not caring about the society's concerns. Why don't these people learn? Ever?

Bottom line is that the world has changed. And is unfortunately with all its advances, it is slipping into trouble, trouble and bigger trouble.
The only thing we can do is to pray to God, to restore our mental balance. Peace!