Traffic Jam(Neural)

I guess I can't make any excuses for my lapse in communication. All the same, I will
try and make amends.

I've slowly settled into the lethargic Southern Texan lifestyle. Work's pretty stable and not half as hectic as it used to be. Life as an independent bachelor is turning out to be quite enjoyable. Guess its a phase and I'm trying to make the most of the opportunity. Never thought the world was such a small place. I've actually run into quite a few old friends (from high school and university) here. Just that we are all grown up and now have different priorities, responsibilities and so on. Having said that, I'm having a good time doing things I never would have back home
(canoeing, golf, watching live basketball games). And with ample time available to myself, I've revived my reading habit (the lack of which had been repeatedly indicated during talks with my dad). Its never too late, as Dad would say.

His penchant for travelling (and driving) seems to have rubbed off on me. I've made a few trips to nearby cities (Houston, San Antonio). I've also planned a few trips to meet friends around the country and do some sight-seeing. Not to mention the trips I'll be making to visit relatives as well. This leaves a few weekends that I'll spend with my reading (technology, fiction, philosophy, and several other
genre of literature). Now mom's latest crib is that I should learn to play some musical instrument (my stint with the mirudangam seems to have flashed in her memory). No commitments have been made from my end though.

I'm currently preparing for a technical certification and hence philosophy and spiritualism have taken a back seat. I shall return...

Breathing

Its not that I pulled the plug on my mind for the past week. I've just been taking a breather from my study of the Upanishads. With my input being at a low volume, I decided to wait until I reached the potential to share some meaningful stuff. I believe that thoughts are like good whiskey. The older, the better. I do concede that I like my day's events to play out exactly as I plan (or foresee) them. I also rehearse most conversations in my head before I speak to people. Thinking about it, feels funny to me too. Not that I'm planning to change the process. Just one of those little oddities.

Sometime last week, my mother told me (over the phone) that my granny was very pleased with the fact that I pray regularly and am making a sincere attempt at making it a part of my daily routine. It is no secret that I was in the habit of making excuses to skip my duties (daily prayers as a Brahmin) and hence her statement made me smile. It also got me thinking about the various tasks that I would perform during these rituals. Trust me, its a lot more than just closing your eyes and meditating. One of these sub-tasks (for lack of a better word) is the Pranayama. For the benefit of those who don't understand Sanskrit, this refers to the process of breath control (yogic exercise). The essence of this exercise is the reason for this blog today. The steps to perform are fairly simple. Sitting in an erect posture, the ring and middle fingers (of the right hand) are brought together to close the left nostril, while the thumb touches the right nostril. The yogi must breathe in deeply through the right nostril, close it with the thumb, hold the breath for a few seconds, then breath out through the left nostril (releasing the ring and middle fingers). Next, the same procedure is repeated, inhaling through the left nostril and exhaling through the right nostril. This is repeated at least 10 times (though in yoga it is performed several times more). This exercise improves the breathing rhythm (and also relieves stress). In fact it doesn't end there. The long standing effects are really good. The intake of oxygen by the human body is typically not the same throughout the day. It varies based on altitude, lung capacity, level of stress and nature of physical activity (to name a few factors). Regulating the breath rate helps improve all systems affiliated to respiration and hence the overall health of the human body. And as I understand from the Vedas, a healthy mind can reside only in a healthy body. As a result, I now strongly believe that such exercises do significantly improve one's life. It is the knowledge of these subtleties that has made me reorganize myself and work towards a more purpose-driven and fulfilling life. So, Breathe in...Breathe out(analogous to Miyagi-san's "Wax on...Wax off")!

Walking the right path

Being a Hindu born in an orthodox Brahmin family, I was exposed to the sacred texts very early in my childhood. It didn't make much sense to me at the time and I would just comply with the elders' requests to carry out my prayers and customs in a ritualistic manner. Until a year back, I never had explored the true meaning of each of these customs or the essence of my religion. Now, the more I read the clearer the picture gets. The path to spiritual enlightenment is beautifully depicted in the Upanishads (or Vedanta). To put it in simple words, they describe the essence of life and the demarcation between the mortal body and the immortal soul. Every being is given the choice between the good and the pleasant. He who chooses good will enter the realm of eternity. He who chooses pleasure will get caught in the cycle of rebirth as he is yet to see beyond the illusions of the world around him. He who appreciates the existence of Atma (omnipresent spirit) is the one who can walk into the other world. Men who have learnt the sacred texts and have been imparted the knowledge of the wise are also susceptible to falling at the final frontier if they cannot overcome the illusion of everlasting pleasure that the world offers. It takes immense strength to attain moksha (freedom from the cycle of life and death) and this is what differentiates the enlightened being from the rest.

I will blog my thoughts as I proceed on this journey into interpreting the Vedanta. Join me on this voyage into the realm of the ultimate Truth.

Reading into your deeds

I am not a regular reader, but whenever I do pick up a book, I make sure that it'll give rise to some positive change in my life. It takes a lot of determination to bring about radical changes to your lifestyle or thought process. However, it is easier to do a scientific evaluation of your deeds (on a daily basis) with what you wish to accomplish in reality and then make a gradual shift. Now, this book I read suggested that I list all the tasks I do in a day and then see if I am really approaching my goal the right way or am I wasting time doing insignificant things and thinking negatively. Ok, so I tried something to this effect and found myself trying to interpret the meaning of each of my activities. Believe me it helps in tuning your mind (and body) to a rhythm that brings out the best in you. It worked for me. I've applied it to materialistic and spiritual needs with equal success and satisfaction. It is an essential step to a more disciplined and fulfilling life. Try it out for a week or two and tell me what you think.