Friday, April 17

The Mind That Matters...

WARNING: Please be respectful towards Ani Lhosang Dolma in your comments. Also, the latter part of this post ('An Epiphany' paragraph) may be distressing to some readers.


Do you believe that whatever is inscripted in your mind by birth will somehow take shape some day? I do. As a Buddhist, I believe in Karma, Aatma, Rebirth and Moksha. In our lifelong quest for knowledge, spirituality and eternal peace some of us believe that we are in control of ourselves and our lives. Partly we may be, but I believe we are given an etched path to walk on, and we somehow have to walk it whether we like it or not. Hence the vast diversity of different life experiences by us all humanbeings. Here's a story to prove that childhood visions/dreams may well be what you'll end up being some day...the path you have been given is what you'll end up walking somehow. This story is about a beautiful Nepali model (Kohinoor Singh, now Ani Lhosang Dolma) who turned into a monk . Some of you may have read this story before. The most interesting aspect of her story is that it was a childhood revelation planted in her mind (eversince she encountered a female-monk, demonstrating a calm and peaceful outlook) that revisited her later on in life, as her ultimate destination. And though this little girl grew up, forgot about that childhood vision and became a hot and popular model, that same vision came back to her not much later on and made a complete change in her life. Isn't that amazing! Doesn't that say that what you 'realised' as a kid can remain with you forever and some day materialise to be the reality of you? (the above 2 pics are of Kohinoor Singh, one when she was a model and the other after she became a monk).



Think about something that inspired you tremendously when you were a child...think about something that stuck with you for years and years, well after witnessing it (good/bad)...think about something that left a lasting impression on you and made you feel like that that's what you want to become or want from life some day. Even if you haven't 'implemented' it yet, maybe that vision is still in you somewhere, deep down your slumbering psyche, waiting to be awakened when the right cue is met? Here's something that shook me, pierced my developing belief-system and reigned my entire life after witnessing it so many years ago from now:



An Epiphany...
I was walking with my mum and dad down a hospital aisle. We were visiting a patient (a friend of my parents). I was barely 7. We had to walk past the Cancer ward to get to where our friend was. My parents were in front of me and I was tagging along behind them, looking at all the patients with my curious eyes (maybe that was my first conscious-visit to a hospital). As a child, I was very observant and didn't wanna miss a thing. Suddenly my eyes caught a female patient of about 50yrs of age lying on a bed...waist-down her body was left partly naked (for treatment I suppose). She had her legs spread open and she seemed to be in ALOT of pain...her facial expressions read Suffering & Death. I looked straight at her and I saw a huge cavity-like wound (as large as her entire abdominal area!). She basically didn't have any flesh between her legs...it was one big hole of blood and pus! I was in shock. I know no child should have been allowed to walk past that area, but it happened somehow. I saw it all. Apparently she was a Rectal cancer patient (I later found out cos I asked my dad why she was in so much pain and looked so different compared to other patients). My dad was a man who never obscured anything about life from us...he told us everything as it is. I remember going home and thinking about that woman for days, weeks and months...and then years. The trauma has worn off but the reality of our bodies hit me hard. Just then something surfaced to the top of my very young mind...something that had woken up after it met it's trigger.


Somehow I can't seem to erase that sight from my mind...and the thought that was born with it. And that thought is what a load of rubbish our bodies are...flesh decays and the body rots. Longing, suffering and death cannot be avoided by any humanbeing. The sight of that patient was a true testament to the temporary nature of our bodies and lives. We can conquer all of that by meditation. We can separate the body from the mind. But developing our minds to the highest point (still point) is not an easy task but I'm sure is the most peaceful state to be. The Bhikkus always intrigued me and being a part of the lay community, I always looked up to Bana (Dhamma preachings) from the monks during Buddhist events, both at home and outside. Even now whenever I go to a temple, I feel at home and at my best naturally. Since I grew up in a Buddhist environment, I always saw the temple and meditation as my ultimate peace in life. Is it a vision of my future just like it was for Kohinoor Singh? *can you visualise me with a shaved-head and in yellow robes some day? :):)* I know my mum won't be very happy if she read this post! Right now I'm VERY far from what it requires to achieve such a state of mind...but I know this inscription is within me. Share your stories, visions and thoughts please, thanks. And have a 'blissful' weekend too!


Buddham Saranam Gacchami
I take refuge in Buddha
Dhammam Saranam Gacchami
I take refuge in Dharma
Sangham Saranam Gacchami
I take refuge in Sangha... ...


Current Music: Buddham Saranam Gacchami
(A buddhist song sung by the late muslim SL singer Mohideen Baig)

130 Cranium Signets:

Suman Pant said...

Hi.

Well, i was in college... maybe during my 7th sem or something when kohinoor singh became "ani". That time i thought that either she was giving a public stunt or had a bad time... because there are many such people who leave their posh lives to "run away" or to make it more "highlighted".

Then i met kohinoor singh in hospital, my sis had an operation and there was this another old man in the same room, she had come to meet him. i spoke to her for a while and realized that she became a monk because she "wanted to". and i respect her tremendously for that. i think it takes a lot of guts to pack ones bags, leave everything behind and move ahead with what you want!

Keshi said...

ty KAP :)

u met her? WOW that's great!


**i respect her tremendously for that. i think it takes a lot of guts to pack ones bags, leave everything behind and move ahead with what you want!

Thats so very true. Not many ppl follow what their innervoice tells them to follow.


Keshi.

♥ÐÅyÐяєÅмє®♥ said...

Sissyy

seeing her...I want to be a monk too :P

of course I am talking about her devotion...

In Bhagvad Gita it is wriiten that Karma is the best way to achieve moksha...if u do all the karmas that u r needed to do..u are bound to get moksha..u don't need to be a monk....

but i defn do respect her decison...but only one thing to add...I am not going to take a similar one coz I don't know what is beyound this earth in heaven but I know that this earth is beautiful to leave for searching what is beyond it....

***hugz***

I'll try 2 be truthful said...

i didn't know of her before i read your post. and it is kind of an inspiration , that some day what you thought of being , might after all come true .

:)(i like both the yellow and the pink flower)

Vishesh said...

thank you thank you thank you for this post :) This itself is a epiphany Keshi :) You reminded me to be myself :) just when I was losing my cool....this is love...the way the world brings to your notice things when they need to be...

Through out whenever I thought of resorting to things which were wrong , including deciding to beat up someone , things have stopped me...for how much ever I can hate humans , I cannot hate myself or the world...as long as the sun rises and as long as within me I can feel , it nothing matters..... thanks again :)

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

Vaisakh P S said...

Keshi,
At some point in our "so-called short life", we will witness or be part of an incident or an experience, which will be etched in our mind forever. And they do play an important role in shaping us and our views.

I do understand how you feel about Monks and following a path of peace and enlightenment. I did my engineering in a college owned by an ashram. So for four years I have been part of lives of so many people. People who has dedicated their lives for a purpose, people who were confused about life, people came for enlightenment. Some of my teachers were also "ashramites".

And those four years made me realize lot of thing, good and bad. Choosing to lead a life of a Monk or a Brahmachari is a good thing to do. I have friends who have joined this cause. Once I was also given serious thought of joining them.

But I am not a person who can be part of a system and follow it, and I believe that I have another purpose in life. That I can do more good to others not being a Monk, but more than an ordinary human being. I can influence peoples life or might even make them better, or comfort them.

If you believe in destiny and you truly believe that being Monk is what you want and that will bring peace to your heart. Then you can start on that path. :).

But even without being a Monk, you did something really good, you gave hope for some one. You sponsered a child.

I believe I can bring some difference in other peoples lives too... :)

Arv said...

For those who still manage to live by their heart in this harsh world, this act of renouncing all our material pleasures for a simple clear way of life is the final frontier.

Am no exception to it.

Kunjal said...

again a very touching post by you Keshi:)

Preeti said...

loved it keshi. coming to blog after ages and wat a post to chance upon. and lovely template too. hugs :):)

Mohita Saxena said...

Splendid!

I am so glad that I read it patiently,,and din't hurry through it.
It was indeed, thought provoking and gave me some food for thought,for many more sleepless nights to come.

Utopia said...

Wow! I never knew you were a Buddhist. And it takes immense faith in one's true self to abstain from all the worldly vices. Sometimes I wish I had that in me.

Anonymous said...

We are god's story. Let God decide how to implement what is written.

Jeevan said...

I feel we need more patience and interest to become conscious. I agree it’s not an easy task by keeping away so many thoughts that kept flowing and maintaining silence to listen to our mind. I think my interests born from my practice and things I observe, and I can’t believe that what all am I working today is written before and anyhow whatever we have to face the challenge isn’t.

FH said...

I do believe in destiny and fate as a Hindu, am ready to face life as it comes any day.
About Ani, she looks happy and beaming as a Monk than a super model. As long as she is happy, who are we to question anything? I wanted to be Kindergarten teacher or a nun when I was a child!
I have always had nightmares that I am under water and I am looking at myself from above, so I guess I am drowning one day! :P
About what you "saw", don't know what it means but hope it doesn't happen in reality just like my nightmares!

Rashmi said...

I am a Hindu and am a prcticising Buddhist... I follow Nicherin Dishonin's buddhism. and what this philosophy teaches that u dont have to give up everything to achive happiness... every person is a buddha and can be happy and achive whatver he/she desires. Faith has to be there and the environment sees to it that u ultimately achive whatever you want...

and if you are happy doing whatever you want and are not causing pain to others, nobody has the right to be judgemental and tell you weather what you are doing is right or worng...

Lena said...

i guess whatever we have seen for ourselves as kids is still resting somewhere in the depths of our minds.. and any time it comes out we believe it might be impossible to implement. maybe because we just do not have enough courage to change our life.

But unfortunately i dont have my childhood memories.. not a single one.. mind is a weird thing... hides so much from us.

Adisha said...

Thanks Keshi for the blog. I was wondering when you'd get around to writing about that experience you told me about and I'm glad that you did.

I didn't know about Kohinoor aka Ani and it's really admirable what she did. More so for accepting the part of her that most of us aren't even aware of .

Regarding Your enlightening experience, well I must say it must be a horrific sight for a 7 year old and yet you derived such a profound thought from it at such a young age which is amazing. Also, Hats off to your father who didn't try to evade the topic but told you the truth, which is why you are the way you are in a way :) Honest and forth right ...

Totally agree with you, the mind needs to be sharpened but these days we all get so sidelined by worldly things like movies, music etc that we tend to over ride our innermost desires ... If only we could de clutter our minds and work with the flow ...

Hopefully... some day !!

Princess said...

even now I find it really hard to go to hospitals for the simple reason that I may end up seeing somethings which I cannot imagine myself seeing it :(

I'm truly motivated by the thought that our destiny finds ourselves and that we knew it when our hearts were like a transparent lake to reflect the self image. I strongly believe that my destiny is a very beautiful and that it would bring happiness to mine soul :D

thanks keshi,
-Aiz.

Suresh Kumar said...

I do strongly believe in Karma, Moksha and Reincarnation.... At present I am reading the Masters series by Dr Brian Weiss which has a strong influence on me....He says that in every life, a human being is required to learn a lesson or pay a debt or unlearn something and there are masters to guide us. Read 'Many Lives, Many Masters'.

Renouncing is such a tough thing. Felt many time to leave many worldly things... but not even succeeded even one time...

Personally may not luv to see keshi with shaved heads and yellow robes.... No re....

Unknown said...

Nice post Keshi.:-)
Although I had not heard about kohinoor prior to reading your post, But Now that I know, I respect her for what she did.Not everyone can leave their life behind to pursure what their heart really wants to do

Anonymous said...

i am a christian and i do believe in God's plan... i had a dream when i was a child and i am moving towards it.. will blog about it soon... not the kinda story you'd expect from a nutty guy like me

Shionge said...

Thank you for sharing your spiritual thoughts Keshi and go with your heart :)

One of my sister-in-law devoted her beliefs and some years, she would quit her job and travelled to Nepal and stay in a monastry and I respected her decision. Yes, she shaved her head and she became a nun throughout her time there.

Bless you always Keshi and have a wonderful weekend :D

Diana Sahu said...

I didnt know about Ani before I read ur post..neither did I knw that u were a Buddhist. Must say it takes a lot of courage to leave all pleasures behind and just follow ur heart.

*I believe we are given an etched path to walk on, and we somehow have to walk it whether we like it or not.*----I SO BELIEVE THIS KESH. Dnt know hw U would react to this but I hav had several childhood visions of events pretaining to my life, and there have been stages in life till now when I have seen these visions unfold infront of my eyes.....Its strange but it does happen to me.

Before my stint with journalism, I worked for AIDS patients in NACO for a year....I hav seen many suffer and some even die. These patients have inspired me the most. I thank God everybody for giving me all that he has. At least I have a happy, content life. At least I can go to sleep not worrying about the fact that I may die the next morning or I might not get food the next day.

Body, beauty, mind are all crap..its just the peaceful state of mind that matters.

Follow ur heart Kesh, even if it means becoming someone like Ani...Atleast U would have peace, satisfaction within U.

Hugs.

pisku said...

Hi Keshi,

This reminded me a bit of the book Alchemist where Paulo Coehlo says that as a child we all know what our destiny is.

In response to your post, I can almost write a book :)

The last portion somehow seemed negative in the way that it is written. Undeniably our bodies do not live forever, but while it does, it sure is an important dimension of who we are. Sometimes we tend to think about what without it or what later. Well what about now?

Also, Swami vivekananda's essay on human personalities comes to mind. He talks about four dimension of human personality that I find it uselful to identify myself with: Mind- our thoughts
Body- our physical being
Spirit- How we interpret what is
Soul- How we relate to everyone and everything around us.

p.s- Ur comment on my recent post makes me think I pulled some raw nerve. Im thinking its passed now.
Godbless you.

Talking To My Soul said...

There is a path chosen for all of us. And we all will go that way. I am so sure of that. We all have different roles chosen for us. Some see it early, some don't.

You are amazing, Kesh. Great post.

*smilez*

Phoenix said...

this is one helluva enlightening post and yes i do agree with you that what has been inscribed before happens... and i hope im proven right.. because right now its crucial to me :)

*hugs*

Whitesnake said...

In my time on this earth I have seen a hell of a lot of heart ache and pain.
We tend to dwell on it, we forget the love and the happiness we all bring to someone some where. Ya see hun, we all bring a smile ta the dial of someone else but in most cases we never see it.

I believe that when you see the joy and happiness you bring (even if it is only small) you have found part of your inner self.

Problem is trying to keep finding those hidden moments when nothing but sadness surrounds us.
A mile of positive thoughts can be destroyed by a tiny speck of negative ones.
How we deal with that makes us the people we are.

When you find in yourself the good that you do then you will have com e a long way to finding whatever you seek.

I know I come into peoples lives in their time of need and then they leave.
I look at what good I have brought into their lives NOT the fact that they left without a word of thanks or even acknowlegement of the help they were given.
Sometimes the smallest gesture will shake the world.

These are the words of the Whitesnake!

You did notice I didnt make any smart ass comments aye?
DOH!
Whoops I just did!

Coco said...

seek spiritual guidance...
pray, meditate, reflect, talk with someone that you trust.
remember, you don't have to be a "monk" in order to do good things.
hugs & blessings

Lucifer said...

i think rite now m jus too much into sins to comment on this post...

in maslows hirerachy of needs m still at d lowest level...m vy serious...when i look arnd...d kinda needs i have...wat i want...whr i wanna b...m jus way too far away from reachin d self actualization phase...i guess being a monk does mean that...correct me if m wrong...infact i think being a monk basically means being in peace wid oneself...n dat i dnt see happenin anywhr in d near future...

as for u takin dat path...well all i can say is that if u really wanna then y not...

Devika Jyothi said...

My Keshi, it was with heart in my mouth that I read this post,

Its all in the mind,
the world we see, the world me make,

I have had distressing experiences myself, and I have been through quite a lot...but I should say "I never knew of it" being out of my senses...i was literally dead for many days...and almost gone from this world...this happened when i was 22-23,

i wanted to be a writer, always...and after this incidence (it was almost a cent percent breakdown of the nervous system) for about one and half years I couldn't hold a pen...and then my father started off with making me practice ABCD from scratch...

but since my memory system wasn't affected as it was feared...it was somewhat easy...

hard experience in life are a lesson that brings us closer to what we are..but I can't bear to see suffering...I use to escape the scene,

But, with time things have changed; now, I would only be willing to extend any help that I could offer

sometimes those in suffering just need a company, a kind word...

God Bless, Keshi
devika

Maddy said...

*can you visualise me with a shaved-head and in yellow robes some day? :):)*

Of course a BIG Yes, You must be asking me, hey Maddy, are you kidding me,but you know the answer. I am not answering this just for this post,but for quite a lot of posts. Sometime I wonder if you are being pulled between this monk state and John abrham. Even then I strongly beleive you know what exactly you want.

Buddham saranam gacchami
Dhammam saranam gachhami
Sangham saram gachhami

Rià said...

The story just proved what u so want to say thru this post. There's another such casen which i m aware of, a TV anchor called Ruby Bhatia who went thru a similar awakening.

I know a lot of ppl wud rather say that it's crazy and absurd to leave a life full of comfort and glamor!! But what we dont realise is tht we r nobody to give direction to a human being who has achieved self realisation. I think thats the highest point in life and anybody who's made it to that point is at peace with himself/herself and thats what u call "Nirvana" in the true sense.

I see things in life and always try to get some meaning out of it....i hav often wondered abt the purpose of life...and i m still waiting to realise what am i here for.

However, i also have something similar to share here, i had once seen this guy who was really injured and sick with maggots on his body lying on the platform of a railway station. Everybody passing him was either turning their face away from him or jus covering their mouth and nose with a hanky. But i dint do any of that, i kept looking at him....and something struck me....i was left wondering what are we humans made of!! Wud these hav done the same thing if this man lying there was related to them in someway. Why do we lack tht compassion to realise and understand somebody's pain!! Have we become so selfish self centered that we simply choose to overlook the suffering of others until and unless it doesnt happen to anybody close to us.

Note: I have been getting strange visions from the past few days coz of the deaths of 3 ppl in the recent past due to brain haemorrhage. Its like i hav seen these ppl jus yesterday and today they r no more. Which makes me wonder, were they ready for this?Were they done with what they had to do in life?
And am i prepared to face such a situation!? What of this happens to me?? Strangely i dont see anybody around me thinking like this!! Am i weird or what!?

Anonymous said...

Well, somehow Keshi I don't think on the same lines as you do. I actually, don't think too much about attaining peace, body or soul.

I believe more in your previous post - spreading love and happiness, and ultimately being happy yourself.

If such a thing is to happen to me later in life, I'd deal with it at that time.

I believe in taking each day as it comes. I belive that the only purpose in my life should be to try and make as much as a good difference in other's lives as I can.

Arnav said...

True ..
"we somehow have to walk it whether we like it or not"

I believe in both Karma and destiny ..
Destiny has carved a path for us .. THe path where we can excel , the path which is made for us or perhaps we are made for the path - whichever be the case , it is all decided . however, how we walk in that carved road is karma . We may eiher run in that road , surpassing everyone else walking .. or we may drag ourselves painfully , it completely depends on us ...

It really is difficult to leave everything and become what one wants to, but perhaps it was her destiny and hecne she made it to where many of us can't .
People like these ,for example Swami Vivekanada did so many things which look impossible for us , but he did it , coz he was born to do it ...
We are all born with a purpose and we have to identify that...

Toon Indian said...

wow keshi that's awesome I never knew you had a spiritual side..yes, the body is ephemeral/transient bound to change, and the mind,heart are part of this nature, ..but that absolute force that drives our bodies is the real truth/unchanged forever. Meditation really helps to get in touch with our true self.

SimplyMe said...

Hi Keshi
As usual its a great thought n a great post..
I was more attached to hindu philosophy when I was in my teen years and joined a college owned my an ashram. All through my life all I was , is a keen observer...beauty, money etc etc never used to make sense to me..So I used to think that I will grow beyond all these unwanted stuff n move as a great individual..Now I am working n having an entirely different life...
Now when I look back, I just feel like I have lost the courage to stand up for what I wanted truely.
I think about it often, but I see ties n tears rather than my brave side.
I just wish wad is written becomes true for me...Coz within me there is always a voice tellin me this is not where I have to be...

Aneesh said...

well, I agree with everything, except "childhood visions/dreams may well be what you'll end up being some day"I thought hard for sometime, about my childhood dreams/visions but I cannot point out anything and I don't think I will become anything like that. And what you mentioned is one of your experience, not your vision/dream, right?

Normally, what we witness is, as a child we'll have a different dream, but we will become someone else that we have never even dreamt right?

I too had to believe in the pre-written path. 'N only thing that I have to say to those people who says everything can be controlled by us is that they might have been too fortunate to experience things that make them think otherwise.

Nice post by the way. it's been a while since I read such a post.
Have a great Sunday. 'N don't worry about becoming a bald headed hot woman LOL(I wonder about the condition of monks if that happen). 'coz if something is to happen, it will happen, whether you worry or not. So, why worry?

freudian slip said...

really nice post.. its so wonderful to be at peace. so simple yet so difficult.

Jack said...

Keshi,

Read these 2 posts now. For earlier one : I always believe that learning process never ends and it is not age which makes one wise but experience & outlook. One does need to have compassion. And I fully agree if you migrate to other country it is moral responsibility to be one amongst them, though you may remember your origin.

For this one : I again agree. What is in your mind in childhood is basically what is destined. And it will happen at some point of time or the other.

Take care

WarmSunshine said...

Hello Keshi

Whatever we see or thin as a kid, I guess it makes us who we are as a person. The thoughts we have, maybe they are at their original best when we are young, cz there's no manifestation, nothing artificial.

A great post Keshi. And I wish you all the luck and success in attaining whatever that's meant for you. May the journey be easy for you.

Take care.

talldarkman said...

*can you visualise me with a shaved-head and in yellow robes some day? :):)*


*lol*....hot keshi...devoid of all desire.......what a waste. :P

But perhaps i need to come out of my worldly cage (read body), and get to know the keshi within. ;)

talldarkman

Hemanth Potluri said...

love.. affection...touch ..care..everything is felt in the words of ur post sweets...

urs..hemu..

Saim said...

Its all about having a dream...believing in it...nurturing it...and then having the courage of following ur heart and standing by ur convictions!!!

Kartz said...

Loved this post, Keshi. Brought about a sense of peace - moreso, upon listening to the chant in the background.

There is another Buddhist chant I recite everyday whilst meditating - Nam Myoho Regne Kyo...

Well, I am not a Buddhist; but there isn't a world of difference among Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism and Sikhism...

I have heard about Ani Lhosang Dolma, but not all that much either. Thanks for shedding more light. I have also been of the opinion faiths like Buddhism, Jainism, Sufism are the best ways to counter the more radical terrorists. (Of course, I am also of the opinion to shoot down a terrorist when you see one...)

Bottomline - thank you for coming up with this composition.

Peace. Be well.

---
Open to talks on religion/philosophy. :)

Hiren said...

nice post keshi.

i am a strong believer of karma and am sure that our fate shall be controlled by our karma.

Salute to souls like Kohinoor Singh who can so easily leave behind the materialistic pleasures and comforts and live a life of calmness and tranquility as a monk. It must be her good karma in life that has made this possible and easy for her.

Suman Pant said...

Hello again.

i belong to a country where such people who leave their social-lives for inner-peace are significant. I am a hindu (by birth, i dont believe in religions though. because i think no god ever asks ppl to follow a certain religion. Buddha never asked anyone to start up "buddhism", he only asked to follow the five precepts: DONT lie, steal, kill, take intoxicants, sexual misconduct)

These five precepts when followed vigourously shift to a higher eight-fold path, am sure you would know those more than i do. being a monk by itself does not mean you have to shave your head or get a robe. being a monk means following the five precepts and when you are able to do that, disoolve yourself in eight fold path.

Buddha himself said that the life of a social man is more difficult than a life of a monk. A monk does not have any responsibility towards to society, but a social man has. He has to work to sustain himself, sustain his family and his society.

This idea of "daana" came about for all those people who live a "meaningful life in society". They are not monks with shaved heads, but monks with their attitudes. One should give a part of their income as "daana" aka donation because it is one of the best way to attain humility. Donation should not be given to get the name or bloat ones ego, it should be given as a respect to the society with a feeling that "since society has helped me sustain myself and those who depend on me, let me respect society".

So, you see, living in a society and being a monk by itself is difficult but it is more of an "unselfish" gesture because you are living with inner peace and helping a society live with the light that glows inside you....

OMG, i think i forgot what i was about to say. Anyways, i got deviated. next time maybe... cheers!

P.S. BTW, there was a time when i wanted to become a monk too...

Tarun said...

See in what weird way life calls us to spirituality. I think everyone should experiment with spirituality. I am sure it helps.

AmitL said...

Hi, Keshi-the answer to the first question-yes-whatever is inscripted in your mind by birth,whatever is destined to happen for you, will happen.I believe,I believe. I also believe that we can have a hand in shaping this destiny-by recognizing the signs and moving in the right direction.
The last para was also pretty inspiring...I needn't visualize you with a shaved head and yellow robes- coz I can imagine you 'thinking peace'..:)Hope you had a wonderful weekend!

Keshi said...

ty bro!

**wriiten that Karma is the best way to achieve moksha...if u do all the karmas that u r needed to do..u are bound to get moksha..

do we KNOW what those karmas are?


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Truthful!

I dunno what I'd become in future...but I know that the only true Peace of mind is 'dhamma'.

Keshi.

Keshi said...

Vish hey ty!

Im glad I stopped u from beating someone up...lol r ya serious?

Whenever u get mad at someone, think abt this post :)


Keshi.

Keshi said...

hey ty Vaisakh that was truly enlightening!


**That I can do more good to others not being a Monk, but more than an ordinary human being.

I believe in that too.

I didnt say I wanna be a monk but its that I feel that path brings alot of 'control' to the mind and real peace.

Lets see what my path has in store for me :)

Abt Baby Dee, I hv news to tell. Will share soon.

Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Arv!


**final frontier

I believe this MIND of our's hv a whole new set of territories that many men die w.o. knowing ever.


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Kunjal!

Keshi.

Keshi said...

hey Preetz WB n ty!

How r u? :)

Keshi.

Keshi said...

WC to my world Mohita n ty!


**It was indeed, thought provoking and gave me some food for thought,for many more sleepless nights to come

I didnt wish to make anyone sleepless tho :)


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Utopia!

My dad is a Sinhala Buddhist :)

Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Hobo and I agree...


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Jeevan!

I wanna explore the depths and the possibilities of the MIND.

Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Asha!


**I have always had nightmares that I am under water and I am looking at myself from above, so I guess I am drowning one day!


It cud also mean something from a past life...but u said u dun believe in it :)


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Rashmi!


**u dont have to give up everything to achive happiness

Monk-hood is not abt achieving 'HAPPINESS'. Its abt bringing the mind to a 'neutral' state (still point). Where u dun feel any happiness or sadness.


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Lena and u may be right!

Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Adisha!


**the mind needs to be sharpened but these days we all get so sidelined by worldly things like movies, music etc that we tend to over ride our innermost desires

It's not only TODAY that ppl r like that. Humans hv always had DESIRE inbuilt. Just that it took different forms at different times.


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Aiz!

I hv been to many hosptitals and even a hospice where Cancer patients were just waiting to die...yes, a hospice is where patients go when it's time to die.



** destiny finds ourselves and that we knew it when our hearts were like a transparent lake to reflect the self image.

beautifully put!



Keshi.

Keshi said...

heyy Suresh!

Many ppl recommended that book to me. I guess I should get hold of it soon tnxx!


**Renouncing is such a tough thing. Felt many time to leave many worldly things... but not even succeeded even one time...

u too? WOW!


aww u dun wanna see me like that...hehe it's not that Im dying to be a monk...it was just a thought. dunno what the future holds for us, lets wait n see.


Keshi.

Keshi said...

true Akanksha!

Keshi.

Keshi said...

hey Chriz tnxx!


**i had a dream when i was a child and i am moving towards it..

wow I cant wait to read it!



Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Shionge!

**One of my sister-in-law devoted her beliefs and some years, she would quit her job and travelled to Nepal and stay in a monastry and I respected her decision

wow thats a very BIG step! to rise above all petty issues and to make such a move, it takes a very BIG personality.


Keshi.

Keshi said...

hey ty Diana!

I hv more respect for u now that I heard u hv worked for NACO. ur such a great humanbeing!


**Body, beauty, mind are all crap..its just the peaceful state of mind that matters


well-said! And most ppl cling to their looks, bodies, bonds and temporary things, and suffer endlessly.


Keshi.

Globescoper said...

Hi Keshi

Very good post!

I believe we have control of our fate to some degree. I think life deals the cards and it's up to us to play them.

We're very busy all of a sudden.

I have a post up.

Bev

Keshi said...

ty Pisku!


**Undeniably our bodies do not live forever, but while it does, it sure is an important dimension of who we are. Sometimes we tend to think about what without it or what later. Well what about now?


I agree...NOW is all that matters. but we do know what happens to our bodies LATER ON dun we :)

Abt ur last post, yes, it brought back memories of the day my dad left me forever...how his empty body was on the bed...how his soul had gone to a place where I cud never reach...

but dun worry, u didnt make me sad...no one can anymore, cos his memories r in me forever...that Sadness is now a part of me.

Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Soul!

**We all have different roles chosen for us. Some see it early, some don't.

Very well-said!


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Phoenix!

*HUGZ*


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Steve that was a beautiful comment!


**I look at what good I have brought into their lives NOT the fact that they left without a word of thanks or even acknowlegement of the help they were given.
Sometimes the smallest gesture will shake the world.


Very well-said and I agree with ya whole-heartedly!


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Coco!

**remember, you don't have to be a "monk" in order to do good things.

no its not just about 'doing good things' Coco. Monkhood is abt achieving Liberation...seeking ultimate peace n bliss of the soul, and working towards it.


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Mayz!


**in maslows hirerachy of needs m still at d lowest level

lol that really cracked me up!

jokes apart, its good that u realise where u stand in this journey of life. Im glad ur being so honest and open abt it.


btw I didnt mean Im anywhere close to that state of mind either! :) It was just a thought.


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Devika!

**in maslows hirerachy of needs m still at d lowest level

OMG Im so sorry to hear abt that. But Im so glad u recovered and that that experience found u new depths of ur soul!

I agree...Suffering often makes us REALISE. But some never realise.


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Maddy!


**Sometime I wonder if you are being pulled between this monk state and John abrham.

LOL good one! see, I swing between 2 extreme ends :) That cud mean Im very close to the other side!


Keshi.

Keshi said...

Ria I think u and I hv yet another very similar trait in us. I see premonitions and also, whether ppl believe me or not, MOST of em come true! And i do get visions too sometimes...like the ones u mentioned.


**Have we become so selfish self centered that we simply choose to overlook the suffering of others until and unless it doesnt happen to anybody close to us.

Not that we hv BECOME selfish. Humans ARE selfish. Only very few FEEL another's pain. And Im really proud of ya Ria. HUGS!


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Rakesh!

**I believe more in your previous post - spreading love and happiness, and ultimately being happy yourself.

I agree. But meditating and trying to achieve the still-point of the mind, isnt abt being UNHAPPY :)


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Arnav!

**but he did it , coz he was born to do it ...

very well-said! we all hv a path carved for us and thats why not everyone can do what some others do!


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Rahul!

**wow keshi that's awesome I never knew you had a spiritual side

thats cos 'what u SEE is not what u always GET' ;-)

I mean, thru blogs, its very hard to capture all sides of a person hehe...


Keshi.

Keshi said...

WC Remya n ty!

**Coz within me there is always a voice tellin me this is not where I have to be...

follow what ur Innervoice suggests...


sometimes my Instincts tell me that Im stuck in a place that I dun belong...but I guess I'd hv to wait for the right TIME for my Instincts to tell me where to go next..


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Aneesh!


**And what you mentioned is one of your experience, not your vision/dream, right?

what I meant by that is an experience that stuck in ur mind for a long time. I didnt mean DREAMS as in DREAMING of becoming a doc or buying a big house etc.


btw I dun think Im anywhere close to Monkhood yet :)


Keshi.

Keshi said...

TY Experience!


**its so wonderful to be at peace. so simple yet so difficult.


I so agree...and the reason is that we humans r prone to DISTRACTION all the time.


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Jack!

**One does need to have compassion. And I fully agree if you migrate to other country it is moral responsibility to be one amongst them, though you may remember your origin.


I agree!


Keshi.

Keshi said...

hey ty Sunshine girl!


**The thoughts we have, maybe they are at their original best when we are young, cz there's no manifestation, nothing artificial.


Well-said!


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty TDM! :)


**devoid of all desire.......what a waste

one's idea of 'waste' is another's glimmer of 'enlightenment'.


Keshi.

Keshi said...

Hemz did u read the post? LOL!

Keshi.

Keshi said...

Spot on CN!


but some 'etched' dreams dun even need hard-work. They take shape naturally when the time is right.


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Kartz!


**I have also been of the opinion faiths like Buddhism, Jainism, Sufism are the best ways to counter the more radical terrorists. (Of course, I am also of the opinion to shoot down a terrorist when you see one...)


can a person hv 2 clashing opinions abt the same thing? :)


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Hiren!

**It must be her good karma in life that has made this possible and easy for her.

yes I agree. Its a lifetime of good karma earned by her that had taken her closer to liberation.


Keshi.

Keshi said...

hey ty KAP!

Very good comment there.


**This idea of "daana" came about for all those people who live a "meaningful life in society

yes...I hv read tonns of books on it :)


I agree..u can do good to the society and live the life u want, enlightening everyone else.

Being a monk may seem 'easier' than the 'gihi' (lay community) life...but the measurement of 'difficulty' cannot even be compared, cos a monk and a normal guy hv very different purposes in life. Isnt it?


Keshi.

Keshi said...

Tarun thats right. But Spirituality cannot be 'experimented' with. It has to 'cultivate' in ur mind, 'naturally.


Keshi.

Keshi said...

aww ty Amit! :)


**I also believe that we can have a hand in shaping this destiny-by recognizing the signs and moving in the right direction.

I agree. Thats why we hv been given a Brain and a Mind each. One has the ability to THINK...and the other gives u all the MATERIAL to think abt :)


Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Bev!

** I think life deals the cards and it's up to us to play them.

well-said!


Keshi.

Hemanth Potluri said...

i read the post sweets...i commented wat i felt not related to the post that does not mean i dint read..it was peace on the whole thing :)..anyways one day i to will become a monk and people will rite abt me lol :P..gud mornin to u....hoz u been and hoz the weekend passed :)..

urs..hemu..

Southpaw unplugged said...

This is the 7th time i read this post since u put it....siiiighhhhh***
I dont consider myself qualified enough to talk on this subject, so saying something just like that wud be such a hopeless thing to do. As far as visions r concerned, life so far has really not let me sit down for a while to even think abt it and being such an inefficient person i m, i must hv missed it even if someday it crossed my way....

Priya Joyce said...

well...ultimately what we do in life (study make a good career..marry)is all chaos..and many people don't even know that what they've been doing is not the ultimate. There is something more.

And some know still...they keep doing what is conventional.

But what I think is everyone goes through the same path..and yeh we get a lot of guidance in life...but it is sad that we don't use it and we depend on self experiences.
that is why people make mistakes..I don't say that we have to do as our older generations did..but we can at least learn..we needn't always start from the scratch ...
but we do ..

I personally loved this post..can call it ur best..my ideas r scattered but well.. i guess they r understandable :P

i donno wen wud people realize it..

ps:) am so late coz reading u post needs a lot of mental resources and i've been feeling mentally tired the previous dys..:P

Hemanth Potluri said...

**Suffering


this is what we all are passing through when back stabbed,left alone,when away from our dear ones...


i think i really dont have the full capacity to explain how i really felt abt the post..its just feel of life in every step we go through...its just beautiful...i read and felt it in my heart

urs..hemu..

♥ÐÅyÐяєÅмє®♥ said...

Yeah...!

karma is everything which u feel righteous and responsible about..

Taking god's name every second and not doing ur work doesn't take u anywhere..u need to fulfill ur responsibility as daughter as wife and as a human being...this all counts in Karma..

Vishesh said...

lol I wasn't planning on beating anyone...but ya was about to blow up...sure will remember ;) Did you read the poem I wrote on Saturday?

Keshi said...

Hemz its ok! :)

I got ya later on..u gave a whole new dimension to this post. Lovely!


LOL @ u being a monk! Im sure u will drag all ur mates with u too haha!

Keshi.

Keshi said...

Hey Southy I feel u dun hv much confidence in urself...why is that? Dun put urself down so much. u might not be who u think u r. Im sure u r way better than who u think u r.

:)

Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Joyce!

aww HUGS! u dun hv to read n comment in my EVERY post. I know I write quite longs posts and sometimes pretty fast :) u just take ur time sweetie.


**And some know still...they keep doing what is conventional.

So very well-said!


Like u said, we all FOLLOW the norm, but some day we hv to LEAD our own destiny.


Keshi.

Keshi said...

aww Hemz In glad.

Suffering happens cos we expect so much from self and others.

Keshi.

Keshi said...

hey bro!

**Taking god's name every second and not doing ur work doesn't take u anywhere

I so agree. Alot of ppl just believe in a God/go to Church etc, but never ACT upon that belief.

Keshi.

Hemanth Potluri said...

**LOL @ u being a monk! Im sure u will drag all ur mates with u too haha!


well lets think abt it...or gals may become monk if i leave them :P..heheh just kiddin :P..

urs..hemu..

Tarun said...

Well what I meant was everyone should give it a try (read experiment) coz it is something we surely cannot fail if we try it at least once.

Experiment doesnt only mean burners, test tubes, beakers, jars and petir-dishes lol.

rayshma said...

u know.. it takes tremendous faith to "know" what u're destined for. sometimes, it's right in front of us and we keep denying it.
i believe if we all look within ourselves, we'd know. we would ALL know what we were destined for. we need to "want to know" more than anything else.
and we need to be prepared to do whatever it takes to take that path. i think it's rather easy to say than to do.

Shachi said...

Keshi, I am very spiritual....I believe in meditation and even though I dont practice it as often as I would like to, I know how important it is to have control over your mind and be able to talk to your own soul. My parents do it daily - ****sigh****

It is very good to know that you are a Buddhist....I admire & learn from it as well.

Childhood visions and even dreams to an extent DO stay with me....but I dont remember anything that's stuck with me very strong....yet :)

According to my faith, it is best to stay in the society, lead a normal life, and while doing so, rise yourself above others by medidation and prayer. Our gurus did that. They were all family men. However, I respect people like Ani Lhosang Dolma who have the courage to follow their vision and make it a reality.

This is one of your best posts I have read, because it touches my core...and makes me relate to someone like you on a whole different level.

Commander Zaius said...

...think about something that stuck with you for years and years, well after witnessing it (good/bad)...This happened not too long ago but it left me with a very strong impression.
I was waiting at the elevators at my current job. It was a pretty normal day with nothing really standing out good or bad. There was a small group of people around me each waiting to get on the elevator so when the doors of two opened I let everyone go first.
The doors closed leaving me and an old black lady waiting for the next elevator.

When it did open a very distraught mom and dad stepped out pulling a small child's toy wagon with a small bald child riding in it. They are used by the children's hospital staff and parents to transport children around generally because wheelchairs scare kids.

It was fairly obvious that the child was/is suffering from some form of cancer and was was/is having to endure chemo.
The thing about that child was that I saw some sort of golden glow or aura surrounding the child. I liked away twice to clear my eyes figuring I was seeing things. The golden aura was there each time I looked at the child again.

The old black lady standing close by saw it as well and something to the effect:
"That childs' got the grow. She'll be in heaven soon."

I was so flabbergasted that someone else actually saw the aura around the child the old black lady slipped away as I continued to watch the family walk down the hall.

I only wrote about this because of the venue you opened up on this post. I have sort of mentioned this incident to a few other people and got looks that stopped me from saying much more. So I won't ever write about this at my blog.

Arnav said...

@beach bum
We all have experiences whcih amuses us , experiences which we hesitate to share it . I too had a few , which I have shared with just few friends . But you know what we should start discussing and sharing these , coz they tell us a lot of things....

venuss66 said...

Fantastic write.

Dalicia said...

hi keshi...i got to say...i admire people that dares to do such thing. how have you been??

Keshi said...

Hemz now that wud be catastrophic! :)

Keshi.

Keshi said...

I get ya Tarun :)

**Experiment doesnt only mean burners, test tubes, beakers, jars and petir-dishes

HAHAHA!

Keshi.

Keshi said...

Vish I did and commented too :)

Keshi.

Keshi said...

I agree Raysh...its easier said than done!

Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Shachi!

wow u meditate? I just cant do it at the moment...my mind wanders :):) I must learn to do it in peace...



**According to my faith, it is best to stay in the society, lead a normal life, and while doing so, rise yourself above others by medidation and prayer.

I so agree. Cos sometimes we all want that inner peace and think that maybe being a monk is the answer...but its not an easy thing to achieve!


Keshi.

Keshi said...

WOW BB ur account of it gave me goosebumps!


**I was so flabbergasted that someone else actually saw the aura around the child the old black lady slipped away as I continued to watch the family walk down the hall.

AMAZING!

I told ur story to my mum last nite...she reckons some ppl can 'sense' such things..so maybe ur gifted and wut u saw is something most ppl dun see!

Just brilliant.

Keshi.

Keshi said...

Arnav I agree...some unimp things that we witness may well be what we ought to REALISE.

Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Venus!

Keshi.

Keshi said...

ty Dal!

I've been well n u? :)

Keshi.

Kartz said...

You just met one such person. ;) *I was expecting that question, milady*.

Peace.

Virag Sharma said...

Very Nice post, Keshi.
In order to practice Buddhist technique to control mind etc, it is not must to become monk.

If you get chance read following book /Audio book. It is nice story of person who become monk.

"After The Ecstacy, The Laundry"
( Insight Meditation, Philosophy, Buddhism) - By Jack Kornfield

Keshi said...

wow really Kartz? :)

But I do know what u mean...sometimes I wanna SLAP some ppl...but at the same time, I feel like patting them on the back and telling them to be better ppl. lol!

Keshi.

Keshi said...

WC Virag n ty!


**In order to practice Buddhist technique to control mind etc, it is not must to become monk

I know. In this post, I was only thinking abt being a monk...how liberating it must be :)


tnxx for the book recommendation too!


Keshi.

Pradeep Puranik said...

Keshi, many thanks for this beautiful post. So different from most of your other posts, so peaceful.

And I see you've changed your template. This one's really cool, girl!

Cheers. :)

Keshi said...

hey ty Praddy! :)

hows u? long time ha.

Keshi.