Struggle – whats that ??

Recently, (or maybe it was hidden within till now) I've developed an inclination towards knowing more about the lives of people who have an alternate sexual orientation. Or in the scheme of the "so-called society", people who differ from the binary identification of either being male or female!

So i attended a play-reading organised by The Humsafar Trust called "Ek Madhav Baug". It was a heart-wrenching experience and one filled with tremendous realizations to me personally. Ah, before sharing...

Just the previous day- as part of the organization i work for, an event with focus on Gender as theme was hosted by my team. And very deliberately i introduced the screening of a documentary "Astitva" (by The Humsafar Trust) focusing briefly yet powerfully on how the stigma against trans-gendered people comes into existence. Sunil and I had a tough time getting our message across to a bunch of youth we knew since some time. It was very disheartening to see that- the very Existence which does not discriminate its own creations, we Humans are just so skilled at it !!

With these thoughts still fresh in my mind, i went for this play and was overwhelmed at the simplicity with which the audience here spoke about “self-acceptance” irrespective of what the "society" creates- with deep gratitude to the ever-eminent Existence and without really blaming anybody/ situation. I was beaming with pride at witnessing such power of the same Humans and thankful for being there.

And that day i saw- each one of us is sailing in the same boat...

THE STRUGGLE OF SELF-ACCEPTANCE

Some embrace the struggle while the others are hypocrites!

Coz...deep down we all know that we 

DO STRUGGLE.

The Journey Within

Been a long time that I’ve written. Was skeptical as to whether others would like reading what I write. Some did encourage while most never said anything. Anyways, after all this while I’ve realized that I’d love to write – SIMPLY for the sheer joy of writing…irrespective of others liking it or not, reading or not ! And this realization in itself is amazing…

Life comes full circle. For me with respect to this blog, the first words were that quoted by The Buddha and last year around this time, I had been participating in a course of Vipassana. And with this second post, this year too I shall soon be going to attend the same.

This makes me think- there’s just the beginning and no end in the real sense that when I think I’ve reached the end, the journey begins again with more depth and maturity and exploration.

For those who don’t know about Vipassana, do visit this website- http://www.dhamma.org/

And I truly wish for each and everyone for the beginning for your personal journey…

Thought Revolution

"All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think, we become." - Buddha (563 BCE - 483 BCE)

These words from ‘The enlightened one’ have fallen upon our ears or have been read very often. Once again I bring them to your notice with the purpose that we imbibe Gautam Buddha’s teaching in our life and propagate the same further. Not just let it pass us one more time as one of the great quotations!

You and me are so much caught up in our daily chores and have attached so much of importance to our “work-life” that we do not even dwell for a second on our thoughts. Pause, Understand, Reflect and React on your own thoughts as often you can. What you want to be or what you want to achieve lies in your own thoughts. So let your thoughts penetrate to your sub-conscious and then on you’ll realize the beauty of this great quote.

Your boss wants you to work extra hours; you don’t want to think but finish the task.

You are being under-paid; you don’t want to think as you at least landed up with a job.

You work on tasks which don’t interest you; you don’t want to think as you are keeping yourself busy.

Someone is taking an undue advantage of your situation; you don’t want to think because you don’t have an upper hand.

Many situations being faced everyday which are not to your liking but still…”life goes on” is the common reaction to it!

But again, all these are your thoughts…though not what really you want to be thinking. And why? Because you fear the consequences? You’ll have to face some grave situations if you voice your true thoughts? In fact, even the consequences lie in your own thoughts. And that’s THE TRUTH!

So why not try to stand up to your own thoughts and feel the immense satisfaction you get out of it. You have one life. THINK and LIVE the way you want it to be. One thought is enough to bring the revolution within you.

So come along and THINK WITH ME…

Poonam