Of Meditation and Meditations in India…

Was into meditation again… but as long as I write blog columns, it’ll be difficult for me to do the concentration part of meditation…coz thinking interferes with concentration…moreover, thinking for blogging is also interefering with my other pursuits here… moreover, finding a cyber is really difficult… so,  i’m ‘thinking’ of discontinuing blogging…so, don’t miss me guys, if you don’t see an update..

while meditating i see it vividly that i’m not a being but all the time i’m becoming… every moment the world is becoming and i’m also becoming…  and i also see how people invite misery for themselves out of ignorance…  personally, i’m happy, so i don’t need to meditate for personal reasons…but i admit that i still have to grow more spiritually…

A well-wisher colleague had once suggested that instead of blogging i should write books…i think i should also ponder over his idea… or may be i should write travelogues for magazines…that way i would also make some money for survival…

I’m amused to find that so many people in India are willing to help me… some have even given there adresses and have asked to contact them whenever i needed any help…

An interesting event: A man suggested that I should change my surname to a more polite one… coz it shows my ‘bramhinistic arrogance’…In fact, often I also find my surname a bit uncomfortable, although i’ve to use it that way officially…… so, in the Facebook, I’ve again changed my name to Divas Sapiens…

Even in India many people are wondering what course i’d take further… whether i’ll be social or i’ll take even more individualistic way…

A few people have suggested that a highly individualistic person like me should go to the Badri area and meditate there…they say that there’re many places and people like me there…but I’ve still to see many parts of India before that…

I’m Grateful to the Old Women who Offered me their Food

Guys, looks like India Govt is listening to me finally. They should. After all, I represent the voice of my age. After my complaint of excessive red tape in North East and on surfing the internet, they seem to have relaxed their grip a little. That’s good.

Have been bathing in the Ganges for the last 2 days with other small, big and old kids. An old man was so good at swimming that he could float on water without any movement. I wish I could also do that. And the kids call me Uncle jee.

You know what? After swimming, I was looking at how some old women pilgrims were making puri and sabjee for them. Seeing me interested in their culinary art, one old lady asked: Wanna taste the Prasad? I nodded. And she gave me haluwa and puri.

But, the I was attracted by the sabjee they were making – of alu and saag(potato and green leaves). It looked really tasty. ‘You want that too?’ she asked. I nodded again. And she gave me the sabjee as well.

I felt so grateful after eating what they gave me. By monetary value, what they gave me was not worth more than Rs. 5. But, they shared with me what they were making for themselves with such a good feeling that I was really touched by it.

I think that’s why  spiritually enlightened people ‘beg’, although they’re not beggars. Otherwise, people who have attained higher level of consciousnesses are so powerful that they don’t need to beg. But, when you take something from others for free, you’re filled with gratitude. And owing to that gratitude, you happily extend yourself to help others.

I’m never against People on Duty

As I was returning back from the North-East, I happened to hop on a compartment reserved for the army personnel.

Initially I was sitting in front of the door, and there were other ‘civil’ people as well in the compartment. In one statition, a man demanded to clear the space I was sitting on to keep his furniture items.

So I went inside the compartment and sat on a small vacant space on the upper birth. I was doing all these thing as any normal second class traveller does. But I was not aware that it was the ‘army’ compartment, and the security people sitting there were ‘suspicious’ of me.

An officer from Darjeeling asked me to get down and sit next to him. He asked me a lot of questions – in fact, I was being interrogated.

I sensed that the army personnel there were of mixed origins, and my presence there was creating a misunderstaing among the army personnels themsleves.

Some of them were of Nepali origin, others from Sikkim, Darjeeling and other India states.

The person who was interrogating me, Mr. K, was from Darjeeling. Seeing my interest in literature, he claimed that he can converse in poems. And he did answer me in a poem, when asked about himself. He was really an ‘ashu-kavi’.

Then he said: I feel like trusting you. But my profession does not allow me to trust you. Moreover, there’re my colleagues who don’t trust you. What’s in your that bag? Why’re you travelling like this? Why did you hop on an ‘army’ compartment? etc, etc

These days, I carry a saffron colored hand bag with an emblem of Shiva on it. I bought it in Haridwar during my last visit. I’ve sensed that security people  are very suspicious of saffron colored bags.

I opened my bag and showed to him: See, there isn’t anything suspicious in my bag, just a watter bottle and a few paraphrenalia. And that I was not carrying the saffron colored bag for any ‘cultrual’ reason.

When he asked me what profession I was in, I replied: I’ve been to many professions, the last one was in the media. But,  at present, I’m only a blogger.

Mr. K was not that well versed in internet. But his younger colleague, Mr. P, checked my blog on his mobile, and declaired: OK, he’s our friend.

The army personnel of Nepali origin felt obliged to support me coz I was from their country. And now the Sikkim man was also supporting me in the name of what he said ‘humanity’. Then the Darjeeling officer declaired: On my right side lies Sikkim, and on my left side lies Nepal. They both support you. Hence, I’m also obliged to support you.

Actually, he was saying all these things not to me, but to his other fellow personnel who were against my sitting in the compartment.

Then we shook our hands, and hugged each other. Then they asked me to take rest on the upper berth and Mr. P was assigned to ‘guard’ me.

When I was resting with my eyes closed, Mr. K asked: Is he sleeping? Others said: Yes. Mr. K: I hope I didn’t say anything wrong to him. I hope he doesn’t get a negative impression of us.

Others assured him: No, he’s positive. Didn’t he called you an ‘ashu-kavi’? That’s a great compliment.

They were right. I’m never against people on duty. I’m only against bloody politicians who make people fight with each other!

Btw, today I arrived Benares from Bodh Gaya.

From Mizoram with Love

I’d like to make some correction in my previous observation.

I think the warmth and openness that I sensed among the Mizo people in my abt 15 hrs stay at Izwal lies not in their religion, but in their tribal roots. Otherwise, until the 19th century, Christianity used to to be as oppressive and hypocritical as any other major religions of the world. And in some instances, it still is.

But why are  the Christian missionaries so successful in converting the tribal people around the world, including the Mizo tribes who are so close to Hinduism and Buddhism – both historically and geographically?  The success lies not only in their monetary power, but also in their acceptance of the basic tribal nature. In spite of the Christian influence, the Mizo people seem to have preserved their tribal instincts. And that was really a refreshing experience.

But the Mizos do not seem to have their own culinary variety. See, my taste buds are very sensitive. Most of the eateries in Mizoram sell either the bakery or the sweets. I guess, the art of making bakery came with Christian influence, and the art of making sweets from the Hindu influence later on. The only local variety I found was the broken rice pudding with pork curry. But, lemme confess, I was touched by the hospitality I received in Mizoram. And the girls at the restaurant charged me double for staring at their face.

While I was roaming around the town at night, a few ‘drug addict’ looking people approached me and later tried to ‘harass’ me. However, upon reflection, I’m almost sure that they were working for the state’s secret service. I think they were not harassing me, but they wanted ascertain if I was involved in narcotic or other ‘suspicious’ activities. Guys, I called myself a hippie not in that sense.  In fact, back in Benares, I’d even declined smoking hashish and angered the Naga Baba.

After getting tired of walking along the Izwol streets, I lied down on an open space in front of a big govt building – my ingenious method of saving money and experiencing the night life! And without even talking to anyone, I was able to ‘sense’ the rivalry between the ‘center’ and the ‘periphery’.

Izwal is cleaner, less polluted and more fashionable than other cities in India. However, I’ve one complaint to make. I’d to pay Rs. 10 for doing aachee (loo) and Rs. 5 extra for washing my face. And that’s too much for me guys! :

Btw, I’m going to Benares again…to swim in the Ganges!

Visiting Mizoram, Darjeeling and Calcutta

Was internet starved for the last few days. Could not find cyber cafe anyhwere. Even in a metropolis like Calcutta, I’d to make especial effort to find a cyber cafe.

Looks like there’re wheels on my feet. Don’t feel like staying at any place for more than a day. Just feel like travelling all the time.

No matter how low profile I keep myself, some people discover me. I’d post my encounter with a Tamil proffessor of economics at the Mizoram University – Dr. Easwaran, a young bengali lover boy in his early twenties – Mr. Mazumdar, and also meeting with India army personnel like Mr. K and Mr. P and others from Darjeeling, Sikkim and Nepal. I’m not disclosing their identity coz they’re security personnel  But I’d a very unique experience with them about which I’ll write later.

This time, I’m going to write about my Mizoram experience.

Guys, looks like Indian Intelligence is keeping track of my movements. If I were like my fellow blogger Dr. Ruff, I might have written another article criticizing the India Govt. But, I’m happy if the India Intelligence is keeping track of my movements. After all, that’s why I leave my traces everywhere. That’s a training from me to the security people. Catch me if you can, dudes!

When the Tata Sumo arrived at the Mizoram check post, a security officer came running and asked: A Nepali national is coming to Mizoram. Is he in this vehicle? All the passengers including Dr. Easwaran pointed their fingers to me: Yes, there he’s.

The security officer asked me: Are you from Nepal? I said: Yes. Then he asked my name. I replied: Divas. Then he looked at me for a few seconds and said to other passengers: OK. all of you show your pass to enter Mizoram.

Wow! It was really a stately honor for me that while even Prof. Easwaran had to show his ID proof, and I entered Mizoram without any pass. Later I came to know that there’s a huge presence of Nepali speaking people in Mizoram.

However, I didn’t find anything exceptional about Mizoram capital Izwal, as my Mizo friend back in Kathmandu had claimed. “Visit my Izwol at least once, it’s so beautiful that you might even think of settling down there,” my Mizo friend of Kathmandu  had proudly claimed about his homeland.

Instead, I found that for a person from Kathmandu, Izwol has very little to offer. Both Izwal and Kathmandu are mountain cities, therefore both cities are similar in many respects. There’s one difference, Kathmandu is a valley and Izwol is settled on mountain ridges. And yes, Izwol is more developed thatn Kathmandu.

There’s another differnce – cultural one. While Kathmandu has Hindu-Buddhist influence, Izwol is a Chritian capital. And yes, in a way my friend was right. The girls in Izwol are pretty, fashionable and less inhibited. Sometimes you do feel  like  settling down there.

And since the girls and women of Mizoram are less inhibited, they are mostly happy and enterprising. To be honest, I didn’t find any woman beggar in Mizoram – a common sight in Hindu and Muslim influence area.  Like it or not, the girls and women from Christian and Buddhist background are much happier than their sisters from Hindu or Muslim background. And since the woman in Mizoram are happy and enterprising, men are also happier comparatively.

Hindu and Muslim social systems and values put so much bondage upon the girls and women that they find it very difficult to get out of the social trap without a man’s active support. I insist that instead of wallowing in arrogance or self-pity, cultures must interact and learn from each other.

My Mizo friend back in Kathmandu had also cautioned me: “But, don’t do anything bad there.”  So, why stay in a place where you’re tempted and yet you’re not allowed to do anything ‘bad’? :

Divas Visits Assam, Meghalaya & Arunachal Pradesh in India

Meghalaya: the Land above the Clouds (pic from the net)

Guys, visited India’s all three North-East states – Asam, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh.

I liked the name Meghalaya: the Land of the clouds. And it reminds me of a popular Hindi song: Megha re, Megha re…

When I was going deep into Assam through Nagaland, I missed the girls I met in Chilika. Especially, the American one. The landscape there was really rural and less touristy – just like she was looking for.

You know what, although it’s against my blogging ethics to provide details about anyone without their consent, I must say that I liked the American girl for her openness and friendliness. I’m a strong critic of American foreign policy. Yet, I find it easier to make friends with the American people than the people of other nationalities.

I think her travel partner, the Italian one, was scared that I might steal her friend. I found the Italian girl a bit what we say in Nepali, chhuchchee, or ‘jealous’. hahaha… Sorry, no offence meant girls!

And this happens with me everywhere, in the family, in the society and in the workplace. Everyone is scared of my genius, and people try to keep me in size or get rid of me. Often I wish to find a place where no one would be jealous of me. But what they don’t know is that a genius is always a genius. He’ll always find a way out.

But I agree with the girls in their observation that in India everyone tries to take advantage of you. The Japanese men I met a few days ago in Kathmandu had also similar opinion. Perhaps, that’s why the fishermen at Chilika were so nice with me. An example, I’ve bought two mobiles in the second hand market, but none of them works properly.

Can you guess from where I’m posting this entry? From Shilong of Meghalaya. I think Shilong is the most beautiful state capital of India. I also stayed one night at Jairampur of Arunachal Pradesh. But, didn’t feel like going further becoz of the excessive red-tapism there. Like the investors in India, I’m also put off by excessive beareaucracy.

Will go to Cherapunji today, the wettest place on earth. Also thinking of visiting Sikkim. Who knows I might meet my American friend again. But looks like like all pretty girls she too doesn’t want to meet me again.  :)

Anyway, those who know Divas know it well that nothing really matters much to happy-go-lucky bindas Divas.

Travelling over Chilika Lake in India and making Psycho-Social Insights

Chilika Lake: Pic from the net

In Puri, took bath on the sea beach. Nowadays, I take bath whenever I get an opportunity. Coz it’s hot here. The Puri beach is not as exotic as they claim in the guide books. The current there is very strong. Still, you’d see thousands of people bathing together.

From Puri, headed to Chilika Lake at Satpada. Chilika lake is one of world’s largest brackish water site. It’s being conserved as a Ramsar site. Arrived there in the evening. The next day took a 4 hours boat ride to Balugaon. But, didn’t see many birds, otherwise the lake invites millions of birds from the world over.

Met two foreigner girls in Chilika. Initially, was hesitant to approach them. The reason why I find it difficult to open up with girls lies in the my childhood. I wasn’t as good looking, handsome or smart in my childhood as I’m now.

In fact, I was so ugly that according to my grandma, my mom refused to nurse me after giving me birth. People say that my mom’s sister took care of me in my early childhood. And I think, I was very much attached to my mom’s sister in my childhood.

Thus I grew up as an ugly duckling, everyone used to tease me. The sense that I’m not good looking was deep rooted in my psyche until my mid-thirties.  But, I’m not that image conscious about my looks nowadays. And I love to stare at beautiful faces. Once, a few day ago back in Kathmandu, when I was staring at two young girls, one of them exclaimed: Aachee, Kasto ghurer po herdo ra 6 tyo budho le” (My goodness, look at that old-man,and how he’s staring at us). So, do I look like an old-man now? But, I never felt like that.

Still, I feel awkward to approach girls. But I must break this awkwardness. Coz many females feel uncomfortable with me becoz of my this awkwardness.

So, I approached the two foreigner girls and asked for some relevant info. Both were traveling solo, but met at some hotel. So, they were traveling together coz they found it easier to do so in India.

One of them, the American one, looked a bit tired and frustrated. When I asked what was her impression about India, she sighed and said: “I think you need a lot of patience in India.”

Then they explained how everyone in India wants to take advantage of you. When I told them that I take the train journeys at night to save money, she said: “You’re a man, so you’ve more options.”

So, even an American girl of 21st century feels constrained by her gender while traveling in India. Thus, I started making sociological interpretations. After all, my one teacher had once proudly declared: “Our products are the best in the social sciences.” And i’ve proved that he was not wrong.

OK, this much of narcissism for today.

Divas Freaks Out in Benares in India

But the pic is not mine, coz my cellphone is dead!

Guys, these days i’m freaking out in Benares or Varanasi, India.

Swam in the Ganges with other small and big kids. Enjoyed massage. Tasted various mouth watering food items.

And it’s so fun.

And surfing the net is also easier in Benares comparatively.

But the thing is that owing to my get-up everyone here takes me to be a foreigner and they charge me a hefty sum.

And in every noon and corner someone whispers to me: Hashish?

But, I’m happy that while enjoying myself I’m also able to provide employment to others.

Will move on to some other place soon!

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If you wish to describe Benares in one word, it’d be ‘diversity’.

This cosmopolitan town is so diverse that in every nook and corner around the Ghats you’d stumble upon tourists, Sadhus, beggars, and cows and bulls.

Also been to Sarnath. But, like everything else in the world, Sarnath and it’s Deer Park are not as exotic as it sounds in the guide books – unless you’re an archaeologist.

To be honest, Nepal’s Lumbini is much more fascinating than Sarnath.

Btw guys, since i’m thinking of awakening my Kundalini at some proper place, I’m might disappear for several days without any trace. And if got opportunity, I’d also see if I could add laurels to my formal studies as well.

And don’t send a hunting squad in search of me. I appear and disappear at my own will.

Right now, I’m honing my swimming skills in the Ganges. Last time I enjoyed swimming in the river for several days was in the Narayani River at Chitwan some years back.

And I’m also studying Naga Babas’ that four lettered organ very carefully!

Shivoaham: I’m the Shiva

When I said that even Buddha speaks from a limited perspective, a nice lady on Facebook persuaded me to think over Jesus as the only Way. That’s how people misunderstand me. What she didn’t understand that when I say even Buddha speaks from a limited perspective, I also mean that Jesus and other ‘enlightened’ beings also speak from their own limited perspective.  Similarly, from Plato to Marx and to Gandhi, no matter how respected their position may be in the history,  all of them speak from their limited perspective.

And I know that they knowingly speak from a limited perspective, coz they want to create a system. But, I’m not creating a system. Therefore, I do not follow any fixed pattern. Often I experiment. And often I make myself the object of experiment to experience things.

Whenever i find it suitable i take inspiration from all my predecessors, and whenever i think it necessary i also refute them. I experience the world. I try to see things as they’re. And I try to see things from different perspectives.  And I also seek justice for all.

And by nature, I’m highly individualistic. In that sense I resemble more to Shiva, if you’d compare me to mythological figures.  I try to see things with my third eye. You’d also find people like me among the romantic, beat and hippie poets. And also among the ‘mad’ people, although it might be debatable who’s really ‘mad’.

I’m trying to discover the root cause of human suffering of my times. Besides the lack of interpersonal skills and ignorance, the root causes of all unnecessary human suffering lie in the social systems based on false premises. Almost all the works in the history of mankind are based on false premises. And often social structures are intentionally based false premises – as an expression of power.

 Not only that, most of the  so-called intellectual works and theories prescribed by the modern knowledge industry are also based on false premises. And if you’ll base your systems and values on wrong foundations, you’ll never arrive at the right conclusions. And thus mankind goes through perpetual suffering.

Diagnosing the root cause of social and political maladies and finding the right cure is never an easy process. But, it’s an unavoidable & legitimate suffering that the society must go through. The society must go through the intense pain of self-reflection to accommodate the changes demanded by today’s increasingly technological and globalized world.

Females of all Countries, Corporates & Professions, Unite!

Reblogged from abc - an opinionated & politically incorect[sic] blog:

Guys, remember that post in which I said that most of the menfolks are pigs? hahaha... :lol:

Well, I've sensed that some of my relatives, colleagues and friends have been offended by my that remark. They're unhappy that I've exposed the brutalities of menocracy.

But I say everything from my own experience. And my experience says that not only in family life, but also in social and professional spheres, the civilization project led by men has utterly failed.

Read more… 194 more words