Showing posts with label Observer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Observer. Show all posts

Sunday, 5 April 2020

The Freedom Movement

Our generation, which was born around the freedom movement, much idealism , patriotism, the spirit of sacrifice, of honour and integrity, has more than its share of emotions. Emotions were our ammunition to deal with injustice and for a strike for independence from colonialism.
We were also taught to give more than take. We respected morality, ethics and principles. We were loyal to family, to social ethics, to senior citizens and prided ourselves in being the way we were.
Today, we are gradually beginning to realise that these are the values to imbibe. Standing tall is in fashion, thanks to our PM, who is as humane as he is a no nonsense Indian, proud and self respecting not only on his behalf but on behalf of the nation. He exudes an exemplary and inspiring persona. You want to emulate him.
It strikes a chord within my generation and sparks a hope that we can salvage the traditional and cultural heritage that keep our heads held high. Proud to be an Indian , especially from the earlier generation.
Surekha Kothari

surekhakothari.wordpress.com

Speakingtree Blog: www.speakingtree.in/public/surekhakothari

Thursday, 19 July 2018

Choices of feeling


There are so many built in systems within us which, when we discover, we also marvel at. Putting them into words is difficult. Like the inner voice which tells you what to do if it is loud and clear. Of course, if we have muffled it along the way, it is a different story altogether.
Then the choices of feeling, should I mind this? Or should I feel bad? Should I feel happy or sad? Shall I give in or resist eating heavy calorie foods?
Then, there is the system of the body relating the story of the mind. All the psychosomatic problems that manifest in the body, telling us all is not well.
And if you know how to read the systems, you could nip any arising issues in the bud. There aren't any external systems that can be originators of issues. Look within. All the treasure and all the "poison” is all there.
Surekha Kothari

surekhakothari.wordpress.com


Tuesday, 20 March 2018

Desire


What often becomes a wound, regret and a cause for depression is the memory of what we aspired for but didn't get. I would really like to meet one person who got everything, haven't yet met one.
But neither have I met many who are able to count what they HAVE got. If only we could use a magnifying glass to view our blessings, we could find it in our hearts to feel very foolish at our myopia.
From the smallest toy when we are kids to huge empires when we are adults are on our wish list. Avarice rules us in wanting the world, beyond ambition. And the whole conflict is about being deprived of the few desires in life as compared to the ones achieved and these being the reason to feel happy and blessed.
Surekha Kothari

surekhakothari.wordpress.com


Sunday, 19 November 2017

Conversation

I think I understand why people don't share heart to heart conversations anymore. Or rarely... it is not easy to understand the pain of others for the simple reason that each one's intensity of feeling the pain and the reasons for the pain are distinctive to each person. What won't touch me will probably scar someone else for life. And while I could be clinical , the other person could feel suffocated with an unimaginable tide of grief.
Ultimately, life is about how much you can reconcile yourself to. How much numbness you develop before you start to get into the kind of drug induced slumber that knocks off your brain for a few hours.
Count your blessings...one, two, three......calm down! You are alone with your pain. And you have to get your own power and control back. For one, stop giving importance to that feeling which is likely to drown you. Cleanse your energy before it breaks you and brings you to a point of no return. Create space around to build up the capacity for movement. The last thing you need is to stand still within the muddied swamp of pain which no one can pull you out of but yourself.
So, share your feelings with yourself, then expel them from your system and relax with a smile and a charminar!
Surekha Kothari

surekhakothari.wordpress.com

Speakingtree Blog: www.speakingtree.in/public/surekhakothari

Thursday, 6 July 2017

Progressive

Common sense says one must do what is progressive. What hinders progress is obviously our inability to THINK progressive. India being such an ancient country, it is steeped in various traditions. Each state has its own culture and traditions, almost as if it were a different country.
As a nation, we evolved. We tried to learn from other countries as did others from us. But somewhere, we started thinking that the definition of progress is more money, more power. The race is to become a power center. In every field.
This power center is like the honey that bees get attracted to and swarm around. And then, we develop a mob mentality ruled by these power centers. Basically, a mob mentality is mindless and can often become a dangerous trend.
Any belief that begins to border on fanaticism loses its core of origin. Every belief starts with an experience and gets strengthened as a stereotype which is then very hard to let go or change.
We must remember that stereotypes are valid for a period of time. And there valid reasons for their development and existence, too. But they are not all timeless.
We have heard ad nauseum that change is a constant. So, some truths also change with time. To move on and adapt ourselves would certainly be progress if the consequences all around would be win all around.
But if we try and hang onto some stereotypes which lost their value in an evolving world or within a changing context, we could end up in a regressive situation instead of a progressive one. And every phase is chronicled in history as the wisdom or the madness of men. We look back in judgment but what we need is to be vigilant and aware in every phase so that wisdom prevails and we need not look back with regret, small or big.
Surekha Kothari

surekhakothari.wordpress.com


Wednesday, 24 May 2017

Energy exchange

I was listening to an interview on criticism and being a critic. It is amazing that we never think of it as energy exchange. But it is.
When you criticize someone, you cause pain. But in doing so, you also go through pain. In fact, if you criticize with negative energy, it causes you more harm because the energy is deliberately emitted. The receiver can deal with this kind of energy in three ways.
1. Either take it in, absorb and feel the pain.
2. See that energy coming at you and return it. Someone criticizes you. You criticize them back. But the negative vibrations stay.
3. Transform that energy. Understand that the person has negative vibrations and that you need not harm yourself by taking it in. This way, with understanding, you have transformed the negative energy.
I don't think there can be any contest in which one a clear intellect would choose. But is it that simple? It can be, though.
Surekha Kothari

surekhakothari.wordpress.com


Tuesday, 24 January 2017

Compulsions

How many compulsions we have to deal with in life on a regular basis! A lot of energy is lost if we look at them as necessary evils. To HAVE to do something against our wishes needs an instant infusion of extra energy in the form of mustering up a little more enthusiasm than we actually want at that point.
There is heaviness and reluctance and a need to just become invisible so that there is no compulsion foisted on us.
But actually, that compulsion could be pushing us towards new experiences which we would be deprived of otherwise. It is like not wanting new experiences and getting caught in a limited space because we are comfortable there.
I have realized this fact. And each time I have surrendered to compulsions, I have gained in one way or another. Rather than avoid them and miss out on a piece of life. It could be that the universe wants us to have that experience and that may be the right time for it. And maybe, we would emerge wiser, better and happier in the bargain.

Surekha Kothari

surekhakothari.wordpress.com


Thursday, 28 April 2016

Entrenchment

Even we don't know how deeply entrenched we are in this world. Every minute we are creating more and more attachments, more and more prejudices, inflated egos and little signs of starting the process of detachment. We are amassing products of misery and stress each minute and then, in desperation, looking for people to bail us out or improve our lot.

It is very possible to live as householders and still maintain a detached attachment and equilibrium. It is not necessary to become a recluse and go into the Himalayas to practice detachment. On the contrary!

Living amongst people and yet being balanced is the acid test for us all.

Surekha Kothari


surekhakothari.wordpress.com