Bring It On..!!

My mind is blank, clueless and still
With little idea about the future
Plans can be made and conclusions drawn
But then, why the frown in my head?

Success isn't a necessity, then why compete
Amidst the existing chaos, what is it that I need?
I too had dreams, where have I buried them
Desires lie dormant in my heart, what is it that I seek?

I was brazen and crazy once, conscious I have now become
A sense of security and defense has now shielded me. 
Am I not the same person who was brave enough to try the unconventional?
Yes, I have changed; but am I still me?

No. I haven't given up on my dreams just yet. 
Neither have I changed for the worse. 
There comes a time when you have to see beyond 'ME'
When there's more to a picture than you can just see. 

I have been taught well
Awakened, realized, felt
Learned, inspired, acted
By and From the ABC's of LIFE.

Life teaches us to live it 
To the fullest, to the core
Forget the regrets, wear a smile
And have an attitude of "Bring it on!!". 

That is what I'll try to do,
With faith in myself, hope for the future
And strength in my beliefs
In the ABC's of Life.

Meditation Prevents Suicides

Lokesh chahar

It’s time meditation be made a vital element of our social support system. It can drastically bring down suicide rates. Every year, millions around the world try to kill themselves, and nearly half a million to one succeed! That is a devastating statistic for a time that is hailed as one of opportunities and growth. Worryingly, suicide in India is slightly above world rate. Of the half a million suicidal death worldwide every year, 20% are Indians. In the last two decades alone, the suicide rate has increased from 7.9 to 10.3 per 100,000 with substantially high rates in four southern states.
Surveys have found a 64% correlation between domestic violence of women and suicidal tendencies. While domestic violence against women has been found to be a major factor for suicides in Bangaloe, financial and family issues too seem to be driving men to take this shocking step.

So, what is it about meditation that is so effective in the treatment of suicidal ideation? Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has said that, “meditation fulfills the natural tendency of human life to look for a joy that does not diminish or turn into negative emotions.”

Meditation brings about a major shift in mindset and approach to life. Much of emotional and consequently physical distress stems from either striving too hard to gain something we think we really want or clinging to things we don’t have. This brings on enormous stress and pain. In the practice of meditation, there is a huge reduction in stress levels that occur by diving deep into the deepest states of relaxation, a rest that is deeper than the deepest rest. In this state, there is a glorious mix of profound rest and high awareness. One lets go without any conscious effort… As we reach this state, there is a shift in the focus from the regrets, anger, and all things negative associated with the past and the anxieties and planning of the future. There is then a movement to the present moment. Meditation makes the present look so celebrated that it makes possible dreaming and planning for the future.

Meditation helps the mind to settle. Once it is settled, it brings back hope. It takes away the confusion and the feeling of being lost which is so classically indicative of suicidal ideation. Meditation will help release the judgment of pain and help you just observe it.

Meditation helps us to learn to experience non-judgmentally. If we observe our experience closely, what is revealed is several aspects of our lives that we see and understand clearly and other areas where we are essentially blindly. Meditation clears the focus and thus diminishes self-harming cognitions. This helps to develop self-confidence, self-worth and become non-judgmental This in turn will help one with suicidal ideation to have better control over their be Academic institutions must introduce essential skills like meditation into their curriculum. This would help to be a huge deterrent to those who have suicidal ideas and prepare the next generation of people to develop their inner strength and discover the purpose and meaning on their lives.

(The writer is a member of Art of Living and a social worker)

Taste of Freedom

Are we really free? What does freedom taste like? This is one question that remains unanswered for every single person even after 67 years of our country’s independence.

Which freedom should we talk about? Leave alone the fundamental rights stated in the constitution, lately in our country there is not even the freedom to dress or walk anywhere one wants. Are you confused about what I am saying? I am speaking about the freedom which women are still deprived of. Nelson Mandela said – "Freedom would be meaningless without security at home and in the streets." So is India’s freedom meaningless? Did we fight for nothing?

Women have proved themselves in every field – Sarojini Naidu, Bachendri Pal, Mother Teresa, Kalpana Chawla, Indra Nooyi , Kiran Bedi, Meira Kumar, Sania Nehwal, Lata Mangeshkar – the list is really long. And this is only about India. If I start mentioning global names, you will be astonished to have never even heard their names. Amazed? Not only the above names, there are several other women in numerous other career fields who have carved a niche for themselves. Still, women are considered to be weak, vulnerable and fragile. I admit that women aren’t physically comparable to men, but does that make her weak? Does any man have the capacity to bring a new life into this world?

I am not blaming our country or its laws. Neither am I trying to revolt against the society or its norms. I am just sad, heartbroken and utterly disappointed. Want to know why? A notice board in Ranchi stated – “If girls are seen wearing jeans or walking without dupattas, acid will be thrown on their faces” which was in accordance with the rules made by Jharkhand Mukti Morcha. Who has given them the right to even post such a notice? Why is nothing being done against them? Who is answerable here? There are many such questions that will always remain unanswered.

It is ironic that even Wikipedia search about ‘Women in India’ highlights dowry, female foeticide, women trafficking, molestation and other issues that show the weak and oppressed side of women. To consider a woman weak is the biggest mistake that can be made by a man. It is the patience, power of resilience, forgiving nature and a tender heart of a woman that makes a home. If she were to start asking her rights and freedom at every single instance of deprivation, family would only be a notion.

Admire, appreciate and love every woman in your life – daughter, mother, grandmother, sister, wife and friends. Let us try creating an independent India with independent minds.