YASODHRA aka GOPA# BUDDHA,s WIFE

Netflix#Buddha#Episode27

Yashodhra Siddharth Gautam#Buddha,s wife

Vajrasana , my favourite pose for studying and writing. In my endaevour to keep myself positive and happy, I shortlisted Buddha serial as my quarantine serial. Each episode is so well scripted and depicted that one feels like watching it again and again. Every time, I watch a particular episode again, I learn something new. The depth of this particular episode hit a chord deep in my heart. 

Yashodra, wife of Prince Siddharth was a strong minded, independent lady. A lady, way ahead of times in her thoughts and decisions. She married the man she loved. She was intelligent to know that someone in the palace was not happy with her marriage. There are many such more incidences which highlight this. 

What left an impact was, the love and understanding she had, rather they had. Even though it must have been dramatically projected to gain TRP, yet there must be some truth. Prince Siddharth was upset, post war and nightmares haunted him. She handles the sensitive situation with utmost maturity and sensibility. She remarks,” I can bear the pain of separation but cannot bear the pain of seeing you ( her husband) suffer every minute”. She requests him to leave on his journey to find the cause of pain and misery at night. It takes immense courage and wisdom to understand your spouse,s pyschology and motivate him/her to pursue on his/her path.

I am deeply touched by their unconditional love, infact she is a true ardhangini. She chooses to stay back and take care of their son and his family. Behind every successful man, there is a woman behind him. The discussion was entirely between them, they never consulted anyone. This is one core truth of marriage- discussions should be between husband and wife, there should be no space for any third person. One should have mutual faith and respect. This inspiring episode holds few such key commandments to a successful marriage.

During my school days, I was always under the impression (formed by reading Amar Chitra Katha,s, Tinkle, Target and Reader,s Digest etc) that Prince Siddharth leaves his wife and son in the middle of night (sounds so cruel and selfish). 

Yashodhra,s actions endorsed that a woman is complete on her own and she can single handedly raise her/their child and even look after her in laws. Her role though undermined in history had a pivotal role in Buddha,s journey.

I wind up with a feel that human mentality and nature has remained more or less the same, only change is in way of dressing, technology and connectivity. Infact, in earlier times, they were more organzied and had more common sense. Anyone can choose to differ, I will respect that. 

Take care,

Love, 

Juju

Meditation #Corona way of life

Meditation #Corona way of life

“Meditation is a way of life”. I endorse this phrase with full conviction and belief. This is an art which can be learnt by oneself.  No second person can help you. Like Buddha says, It’s a method which needs to be practiced by oneself to imbibe it. There is no guru or school which can serve it as a ready made thing on platter. I believe even few minutes of meditation – thoughtless mind in sync with one,s inner self can do wonders to our mind and immune system.

Today, I learnt yet another aspect of this spiritual process.  I sat for meditation with a mind full of thoughts, as if it was a war zone with invisible fight between the positive and negative thoughts. After initial few minutes of chaos, I settled and could catch on my thoughts one by one. I could vividly see them as useful and useless and sorted them in few minutes. There was tremendous calmness followed by a sense of clean breathing and thoughtless mind. I am happy to share that this space is absolutely phenomenal and one can attain this by regular practice. This is the actual cleansing process which needs to done at regular intervals.

Like BK Sister Shivani says, “Every morning you check whether you have charged your mobile? From now on ask yourself did you charge yourself first?”

I cannot enumerate on what I gained in this cleansing ceremony, but definitely I lost a lot. I lost my irritability, my false ego, my anger, my negative and sarcastic thoughts. This is one loss, from which you gain. There were so many issues on my mind and believe me I discarded more than ninety percent of them within few minutes of meditation. Imagine the amount of energy I saved from spending on them. 

I feel lighter, bouncier in my head and fully receptive.

Please adopt meditation as a way of life.There are numerous ways to do, follow the one which suits your style.

Stay safe # stay indoors.

Love,

Juju

My little monk - Part 3

My little monk - Part 3

Hello everyone,

Hope all of you are doing great and adjusting well in this new “Corona way of life”. My Popsie,s pet tag line, I am a learner till my last breath. One ceases to grow the moment one stops learning. With this pearl embedded in my heart and soul, I try to learn from each and every person in my surroundings, be it my family or friends or patients or society. Being a parent of two teenagers, I can vouch every moment of our lives is awesome, adventurous and challenging with new thought processes and interpretations emerging from the ends of teenage spectrum - 13 year to 19 year.

Recently, one of my subconscious habit, was surfaced out into my conscious plane. My little monks remarked, “Mom, please refrain from answering on our behalf in front of elders. We know you try to answer in an amicable and diplomatic way to avoid displeasure many a times. We appreciate this but, please, let us answer and handle the situation in our own way.”

After a long time, this remark brought out my thinking cap from the closet and soon, I was in my favorite meditation pose, thinking !!!

Unknowingly, I have intervened innumerable times since they learnt how to walk and talk and am, still holding on to their hands (please read as speech). They are an intelligent, focused generation which is very clear in their mind and soul. I should not try to modify or alter their creative responses by copy/pasting my responses from my past experiences?  This is great injustice to the child. Internally, I seek forgiveness from almighty. I make a pledge with myself that I will let them handle their responses and will focus on my own. In case, they seek help, I will just suggest them. It,s for them to either take it or leave it.

Soon, my elder monk comes to my place of solace and blurts out, I knew mummy, that you must be thinking on a remark which happened earlier, rather in past .

Why do you think so much about a simple remark? Leave it and focus on present and enjoy as your Momsie# my nani always says, “Live in the moment”! 

I come back in the present, firmly secure the knots of my thinking cap and get up to make wonderful cuppa of ginger tea for my family. At times, I fail to understand, do our children know us more than we know them??? 

Lot many thoughts are churning in my mind. Will come back soon after tea break. 

Till then be a learner. Your children are your teachers in this path of parenthood. 

Listen to them and enjoy the journey.

Love,

Juju

NETFLIX#BUDDHA #EPISODE 34

BUDDHA#ENLIGHTED ATMA

Currently, mankind is going through one of the best phases of their lives: even though it is endangered by a micro-organism aka Corona virus whose size is infinitely small as compared to highly evolved multi cellular organism, namely human being. We may not be fully aware of this fact that this lock down will shape us for the present and future with a transformation – long-long awaited.

Each one is trying to utilize their time in the best possible way. Besides, the multiple hidden talents, I harbor, I have also started to enjoy my sofa (neglected since a long time) in my lobby which has a huge TV to compliment. I came across one series –Buddha on Netflix, based on life story of Prince Siddharth of Kapilvastu who attained enlightment and became Buddh. He was a man ahead of times whose teachings and principles have stood the test of times. There are some 55 episodes and “Episode 34 “is a must watch for all. In this episode, he attains enlightment. His principles which he made from self experience are priceless. Meditation, truthfulness, faithfulness, middle path, nirvana ,etc are all in sync with nature. 

During the last few centuries, man has gradually lost contact with nature and the result is in front of us.After all, we call it as Mother nature and like a mother, she has given us umpteen chances to mend our ways – natural calamities etc, Human being like a stubborn child has time and again failed to listen to his mother. The current situation is the end result of a tight slap in our face which has shaken us to the core. Time to re-think, time to re-assess, time to rewind our actions and ponder .It all seems like a big dream which will vanish once we open our eyes. 

The new era demands life style modifications, with full honesty and integrity. We all exist in our minds, as we feel though shall we see. A happy mind finds warmth in the scorchiest sun and an unhappy mind seeks resentment in the most pleasant weather.

During my residency days in Tata memorial hospital, Mumbai, I learnt that everything is in one,s own mind – Life is like one big mind game where start and end is already written, in between one has to manage. One must ensure to be a great script writer as one candle is enough to light the darkness. Each moment I live to realize that life is happening now- live in the moment (my momsie,s tag line).

Let,s all pledge to write a beautiful story which will inspire many and live in the moment- not past nor future. With this, I wind up my magic pen.  

Meditation# mind cleansing# aligned happy positive thoughts.

Close your eyes for few moments and dwell inside, all that we need is already within us. 

Why are we searching it outside ?????

I take your leave with a promise to be back soon,

Love,

Juju

Lockdown 2.0#Reel to real life story.

Lockdown 2.0 # Reel to real life story.

With lockdown 2.0 till May 3, once again life has given another chance to indulge in path of self discovery. This write up is dedicated to my dear friend, an Ex army person Major.

Last 100 days or so has brought out innumerable changes in ways of human life with all belief system being shaken, questioned, all worship places being closed, so on . One thing which has time and again established itself is Science and the entire team behind. Hats off, to all my dear fellow front line doctors and para-medics. May God bless them with all the courage, health , adequate PPE,s and peace.

Let me take you on an inner journey of a young girl. She was her papa,s princess and had same rights as her brother in this male dominated society. Her zest for studies, love for exploring life landed her in medical school. A born multi-talented, expressive outspoken personality , army was her foray. Never in her dreams she had wondered that soon her bed of roses would start bearing thorns. A wrong mismatch with subsequent divorce left her bruised and shattered. Could life be so brutal on this little pious young girl ? As time drifted, she gathered herself and lived a fulfilling life , ticking things off her bucket list.

Man is a social animal. You need a companion in this journey of life , more as to witness your moments of joy and share moments of sadness. Her parents were happy with her as she was a so called Yes man to her parents particularly her father. As a parent, her father was in control (Really ! control) of his child ( a lady in her thirties actually).  I always wonder what supreme thrill, parents gets by controlling their children ( emotions too!)

Yearn for life partner led to exploring shaadi.com kinda sites. For each one of us, God has created someone # Jisse tum dhoond rahe ho: who tumhe dhoond raha hai.

Inspite of going in the best amicable way, her father got infuriated at her proposed match. Reason ? out of caste ? out of religion etc , in reality a father,s ego was bruised as to how his child was able to find a suitable match while he had failed 5 years ago which had led to a divorce. A man rather father with wounded ego is much more dangerous than a man eater tiger or a rogue elephant. I will leave the entire home scene to individual reader,s imagination and discretion. After all we have seen enough bollywood movies/ TV soap operas to be a script writer in above scene where a daughter brings home her proposed match to meet with her parents.

To cut the long story short, this young lady fails in convincing her parents, moves into accommodation where she works. With help of some common friends, a court marriage happens and they live happily ever after. 

But……….  Picture abhi baaki hai dost! Jo ending happy nahin , iska matlab who end nahin hai.

Melodrama happens typical like an Ekta Kapoor serial, log kya kaheinge? Apne baap ki izzazat mitti me mila di , kahin ka nahin chhoda, etc…….. Parents stopped talking to her rather cut off the cord and discourage their family members even to interact /congratulate her .

Pause ! breathe ! chill!

This is the point, where I feel the society needs to awaken and shake their conscience, as to where are we heading ? why do we want to control our children,s life- throughout  ? why can,t we treat our children as individuals and respect their decisions ( in this case, I am talking about a woman in her thirties), why don,t we cherish our children and take pride in their actions?

If your child wants to lead his/her own life in their own way , instead of supporting them, why the parent wants to discourage them/ emotionally drain them into thinking that they will regret ( later! So what!).

My favorite quote to my daughter is
“ We ( parents) have given you wings to fly, and not to chop them off or tie them when your time comes to fly !”

Be a support system for your children. Learn to treat them as individuals and empower them.

As Sadhguru says, “ Children come through you, you don’t own them.”

Children are children of future. Let them be free. As a parent, our duty is to nurture them, love them, and see how they will make themselves into human beings with purpose.

Try and understand that the only difference is that we as parents have arrived some 25-30 years earlier than them.

Promise to be back soon with another story.    

Take Care,

Juju.   

    

Lockdown#Life reclamation Project

Lockdown#Life reclamation Project

Hello,

This sudden lock down seemed as if, rollercoster of the life was brought to an abrupt halt with many of us found ourselves hanging in mid air, clueless , as to what was happening.

I see this as a Project by God for welfare of mother earth and humanity. So, I coined the term   “ Life reclamation Project”. For once, the time seems to have ceased just like in motion pictures and we have this golden/ diamond opportunity to ponder upon from where we started our journey on this planet Earth and where are we heading! Is our steering wheel in the right direction? Are our efforts in coherence with well being of all beings on this blue planet?

With these thoughts, my mind drifts to another side of this lockdown# flip side. This time period will never come back in our lives (hopefully never) but the seeds it will sow now, will bear fruits in future. Out of many positive things which this will bring, I will mention few. 

With everyone in lockdown mode, life has slowed its pace, as if earth is rotating leisurely with ample of time left inspite of finishing our chores. The indoor board games – monopoly, cards, carom boards, Chinese checkers etc, badminton rackets, skipping ropes, balls are now in everyone,s life space especially children. After initial steep hike in screen viewing, the screen time has automatically declined. With eating out places being shut down including Zomato /Swiggy, the long lost chef gene in mothers (children too, in some cases fathers too) is raising its baby head and making presence felt. Meal times are more fun. Kitchen seems like an adventure theme park with different dishes coming out of pans instead of being stacked cookery books. Every nook and corner of your house is feeling wanted and cherished. This is one great time to dwell upon and bring out at least one hidden talent which was in hibernation. 

The XX genotype is working round the clock to make this lockdown a success. No prize for guessing who,s the boss of this blue planet ? This time, also defies the common saying –“Man is a social animal.” Everyone is content within one,s own family, living in harmony with thy neighbour. 

Peace is prevailing all over, or is it Silence before the storm?

With this thought, I will sign off to catch you soon.

Till then, stay safe, stay indoors

Love,

Juju

Self discovery#Black hole theory

The Black hole Theory!

This is dedicated to my dear friend Twinkle who helped me in this discovery

Hello everyone,

It,s been a nearly two months time since I met my blog. Numerous activities/errands were on my mind and there was a pause -‘Statue”! lockdown as announced by our worthy PM –followed by Janta curfew which has been extended till mid April.

Being home is a bliss#24 hr meditation#ample of time#fun. Numerous thoughts/ideas pop up, linger for some time and then die a natural death. This particular theory caught my fancy.

There,s one Black Hole in cosmos as we all know. I discovered another Black hole during self quarantine period. Keep guessing !!!!!!!!!

Let me take you along on this discovery. “Mummy ! I am hungry!” says your elder child, echoed by your younger one, your spouse joins in chorus. Fine! You tend to make something interesting, appetizing, different, low calorie, etc to suit three entirely different taste buds form different galaxies. Correct! you read it all right. You make some dish to the best of your ability and culinary skills and proceed to take some rest.

Bingo! comes another voice (this time your spouse,s) “Suno, kuch badiya banaa do!”

Abhi to banaya aur khilaya – my self-defense answer ( always)

There is an unusual sense of disbelief in air which is snapped by “ Achha!”

Once again you enter your karmshetra, rather kurukshetra armoured with your you tube videos and your skills. Mission successful.  Everything seems just perfect. With a sense of pride akin to victorious warrior, you treat yourself to a cuppa of hot ginger tea. As you are about to settle on your favorite bean bag, almost when you are in mid air, your spell is broken by anguished voice of your younger one, Mummy ! where are you ? my tummy is rumbling with hunger !.

Without enjoying the comfort of my beanbag, I stand up and head towards the kitchen.

My younger one is beaming from ear to ear. Mom! Let,s make something interesting! (fingers drumming on kitchen shelf and eyebrows doing sapera dance). Mother in me doesn’t want to spoil a kid,s hope. So, once again, I am into making something exiting, different, tasty,…..etc.

This keeps on repeating from dawn till dusk!.........

Twilight is my moment of great discovery ! my spouse and both children have a black hole in their stomach/body. Where the food goes , no one knows. What I know is they keep on asking for more and more to feed this black hole with complete (read as convenient) amnesia to previous food history.

Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!

Dedicated to all mothers like me who are dealing with this during self quarantine period.

Hope my discovery makes your days easy.        

Stay tuned, will be back more often.

Love,

Take Care,

Juju.