Can't Flee!

As we know every point of time is both an end of a year and beginning of another. We divide the years at a particular moment to memorize and observe some individual and /or collective events. But this is not all. While evolving towards ever greater possibilities humankind has developed myriad ways to achieve them. Imbued with such a perception I believe in New Year to be a symbol of growth and rejuvenation.  

When you become conscious about the receding years and the coming ones, two things may happen – you may either despair or aspire. For, we begin our journey of life with desire, and desire modified becomes despair or aspire. But in the world as we live chances of desire becoming despair are more. One has to monitor one’s desire to give it a positive turn despite unfavorable conditions. Being provided with a conscious will to be, we the humans must hew our ways in virgin lands to shape desires into ardent aspiration with humility.

The year 2011 was same way the same as preceding ones; but still differently different. This marked     the century’s 2^nd decade which saw great changes in national and international politics, economics, social relationships and so many other spheres. After fights for freedom, social revolutions and cold war shrills, the world seemed to be under unipolar sway. Then globalization saw the rise in consumerism, terrorism, threat to environment and economic recession. They and the hypocrisy of rulers caused common people to protest which gave birth to Arab Springs, Occupy Wall Street, India Against Corruption and other mass movements. Disasters natural and human sent warning messages to every nation to be alert and comprehend. These were not merely some significant world incidents but also, if we can sense, symbols signifying a step forward in the evolution of human consciousness. 

Now 2011 recedes leaving behind a lot of projections for 2012! To a great extent this is up to us how and what 2012 should deliver. Years are repeated when we lead our desire to gross enjoyment leading to despair. They appear and become new if we modify our desires to aspiration with grace and gratitude. 2011 or 2012 we the humankind can seldom escape their challenges! They are there for us to enrich.   

Sri Aurobindo

You come out brighter

Day by day every day

As the embodiment

Of human aspiration

For freedom, unity and god,

Though not in a popular way

You emerge and appear

Reappear time and again

Beyond brainy imaginations

At all turning points

Of life and the world

To involve and evolve them

Victory to you -

The divine forerunner!

* * * 

DO I WISH TO GIVE A START?

Do you get up early in the morning afresh, before sunrise? What do you think first? It’s interesting to watch one’s thoughts at the outset of the day. Let us see whether we recall the dream/s we saw last night, some happenings of yesterday or imagine new activities and ideas. May be you are not able to think or recall anything at all or your mind remains blank.  

Unless trained, mind is never blank! However, this can be a starting point to read your own thoughts. For we hardly observe our thoughts. What would be the results of going through one’s own thoughts? You can regulate them, make choices to speak and work, take decisions and save your time, energy. This is a very basic practical psychology, a kind of dialogue with oneself to lead a life different from what we were and are. The practice not only help us study our thoughts but also know and explore other activities going on within and around us creating scope of leading a voluntary life, a more conscious life. Our life becomes meaningful. Indeed as we think so we live. You know the process we are discussing here is a very powerful tool of doing Yoga!

Do you watch sunrise every day? How do you feel like? Have you ever asked some other people about how they feel it? Are they all same and similar? Actually, it is not the same to all, even to you always! I find in it an unbound beauty and bliss of Nature. So the same sun rising every day in the east is no more the same; but all new and different just as an ancient river flows ever new. If we were open, it would pour limitless zeal and zest within us.

People say, some realise and even show in practice that getting up early gives rise to creative ideas and activities. Those who walk out in the morning meet more wonders. Of course, it much depends on the person and their choice of life-style. Do I really wish to give a start?     

* * *

Sri Aurobindo: A Relevant Challenge

Of all the national heroes who fought for the freedom of India Sri Aurobindo an all-new spiritual trail-blazer was distinctly different & divinely creative. He clearly defined what it meant by freedom of a country like India and gave to the fight for it a definite new turn. He was the first among all who openly and boldly declared total freedom of the country from the ugly clutches of British rule when others dared not to even dream about it.  

Today when India observes its 64 independent years on the 139^th birth anniversary of Sri Aurobindo reeling amid a plethora of socio-economic, political, ethical, cultural and religious problems he, though almost forgotten in socio-political arena due to inappropriate presentation of historical facts and events, should be the most felt, most remembered and most sought after genius to come to our rescue. Indeed he has the solution to each of our crises with most modern, nay futuristic and prophetic interpretation of the very ancient spiritual scriptures of great Indian civilization. All he said and did based on the solid realization of his completely new spiritual adventure and exploration.

 The present sordid scenario of India is such that all are clueless and groping in the dark to find a right path. We all will agree that comprehensive development must always remain a distant dream unless transparency in all sections of the society is well established. But unfortunately, in sharp contrast to this, corruption now seems to be all pervasive and deep rooted in the very mind-set of almost all, top to bottom.

Today the hooded head of corruption probably tries in full swing to fight its last battle taking control of those who are in the peaks of power, money and politics. Political leaders, bureaucrats and business honchos have turned to be its octopus like instruments. They endorse and promote corruption, pile up black money and love to flourish sucking the blood of all else. They are in a hurry to run away from life and hide quickly enjoying what-ever comes on their way. They try to sustain their selfish motives at any cost mercilessly supressing every attempt to eliminate the evil.

But there are always rays of hope to overcome problems when they are most acute. Civil societies and even leaders from the schools of yoga have taken formidable stands to protest injustice and fight against corruption. Time has come; they can give it a shape of revolution with the massive support of common people of the country. Here come the many choices of strategies Sri Aurobindo devised to follow in fighting against the British rule in India. Interestingly, later when Gandhiji entered into politics he had precisely implemented them of his own during the freedom struggle. But now there is no foreign rule to fight against so they cannot be aped to apply to the present crises. Only their core ideas have to be contextually interpreted and implemented.    

To realise the relevance of Sri Aurobindo today is simultaneously a great chance and a challenge for every one of us. Ironically when we are very much in terms with to always maintain our status quo and still find an easy go, he was not the kind of a seer to be content without total spiritual transformation of all the deformities we have created out of ignorance. So our will to change, to be and to study Sri Aurobindo can only open the gate to a glorious future.        

who is not creative?

A creative person is one who is always able to draw inspiration and experience from every bit of life and the world at large. They are the inexhaustible warehouse of innovative imaginations and activities. They revive at every instant and inspire others by their hypnotic creative talent and works. They are channels of change and indicators of growth.

Their creative works are able to elevate people’s level of consciousness, widen their awareness of life and the universe as well as ignite their will to change towards greater perspectives according to their upward reconciliation of instinct and intuition. In short, a creative person inspires others to be creative for the love of self-fulfilment and self-giving. A creative person when comes across the creative works of others, experiences a spontaneous delight of union and uniqueness with true adoration of it. One who is creative naturally turns to be an all time disciple, a learner of the All-in-all.

There might obviously be setbacks in the life of a creative person breaking their present equilibrium; but that only for achieving a higher equilibrium indeed! The flame of creative urge though totters then, never goes out from within. For the desire to create incessantly is always infinite and insatiable in them. They always carry a self-delight and world-delight in them, radiate it around and hardly complain of boredom and disdain. The life of a creative person is indeed an ever inspired and inspiring life.

A creative person is an alchemist, a good communicator and a hypnotist. As aesthetic people, they are worshiper and adorer of life, love, beauty, change and freedom. They have the magic and magnet of imposing imagination on reality and vice versa. They are able to draw stimulation from smallest and so-called trivial or ordinary things, which elude other’s attention. They reshape and give new meaning to such things and present before all to contemplate and have reflection.

Those who are creative always nurture and express good intentions and an ever-widening worldview, which are spontaneously reflected in their life and works. That may go against the system or society and invite unwanted reactions from general public; but its sincere valid truth is justified on its own merit one day or other. The fear-free creative person knows it and acts accordingly. They create for the joy of creating with their eyes wide open towards life and the world. For the creative individual though not separate from own creative works is certainly bigger than they are. How can the creation ever cast a spell over the creator?

One is all inclusive and at the same time tuned to ones inner being. They evolve and wish to revolve their surrounding. As they cannot stop to responding their creative urge to manifest they must reveal the truth face to face. They question to the system, try to break the long-standing inertia and for that matter become ready to voluntarily accept a life of hardship if the situation so demands. They, therefore, look unusual, different and treading on the opposite direction of the current. A creative person develops the discerning eye to face all criticisms with an open mind and take full care and responsibility of their works. But when they feel their creation is clear but in danger they stand firm to protect their point despite the whole world goes against it.

The works of creative people wish to involve those who come in contact with them and prepare a field in individuals to sow and reap the harvest of their highest personal and collective growth. A creative person shall have the vision of life’s mission here and their creation must bear the testimony of it for others. They and their creation shall have the power of motivation to lead a higher life.

A creative person is always optimistic. They have great faith in the future of humanity and the whole world. They genuinely begin their life, work and relationship with faith. They do not preach but speak or do something which is potentially rich in vibrating the psyche of change in life. They present facts as they are and all sides of truth with overt or covert linkages to progress and upliftment. They do not see and approach life from either or and neither nor point of view. They are able to reconcile and bring pole opposites together at one platform. They can deal with all in one and one in all as also vice versa.

So the question is who is creative in particular? Clearly, every one of us is creative whether we know it or not. But man being a conscious being by nature cannot claim of total ignorance about the creative force in oneself. One can be born creative as well as made creative which is not impossible in this world of infinite possibilities. But in both cases they have to explore, identify, cultivate and develop yet further. Once the bud of creativity starts to bloom it must be provided with the scope of spreading its scent out for the creative fulfilment of oneself and all.

Actually all are born as well as made creative at the same time but potentially according as the level of one’s ascending and expanding consciousness. The heat of creative fire is present with everyone in the world. There is, therefore, nobody as uncreative, as the Creator-of-all is indeed self-involved and self-evolved in the entire creation itself! 

CHITTA BHAI: SIMULACRUM HIMSELF

Ever heard of him? No? Of course he never gained popularity of so-called celebrities. Neither he was that powerful as to command people at his finger-tips! Nevertheless, he honed the tactics of how to harness true power and deserved the caliber to have international repute. 

Meeting and talking to him you would hear him say – 'I am basically a teacher. Wherever I am, my simple job is to teach.' Sometimes, even when you tried to reply his queries he would be saying at once – 'Don't explain to me; I am not your boss. I am not your master asking for an explanation. Just keep to yourself.' This was how such apparently opposite poles of approach wonderfully blended in one personality! 

Here it is - mark his might. He was a freedom fighter, a thinker, a clear-cut major writer – Prof. Chittaranjan Das, popularly known as Chitta Bhai, a young man of 88. He always had the guts to speak face to face and say no even to someone who seemed most powerful to us. People, even the state cared to listen to what he had to say and write. 

As diverse and complex as he was, creating a compact profile of him was no easy task either. Only if you have gone through his books, met and talked to him you could have a glimpse of it. However, he served as a professor in Agra University, as the founder teacher in Jeevan Vidyalaya, as a great promoter of Integral Education in Odisha and as a visiting professor in many foreign countries. He was an all-time multi-level, multi-subject and resourceful expert of wisdom and knowledge. Still he was always down to earth. A multilingual, an exemplary translator he still preferred to write in his typical style of the mother tongue. 

He was never in frantic search of young people – they came to him all the time and were caught in his net. Rather he created young people and also made people young irrespective of their age and gender. Thus under his able leadership grew the group of Suhrud a very firm and flexible state-wide community of aspiring people to study, to work and experiment life together in the light of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother's vision. 


Once you met him his prime concern would be to explore what you really were constantly provoking to evolve and become that. If in spite of the scope you didn't turn up he would mercilessly approach and attack you until you caught his point. But when he introduced you to someone he would be describing you like a VIP before the person. Such was his love for and unfaltering faith on your being and becoming! 

He always led an uncompromising style of life with a divine discontent. His worldwide visits, relationships and extensive studies had only strengthened his ever-evolving world-view. Bhima Bhoi, Gopabandhu Das, Kabir, Sri Ramkrishna, Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore, Sri Aurobindo, Khalil Gibran, Spinoza, Martin Buber, Eric Fromm, Karl Marx... all of them found their place in him! But he needed no reference to introduce him. A friend, philosopher and guide, he was his own simulacrum! 


Passing away on January 16, 2011 he only broke his physical limits to reach right into our hearts and grow.

2011

How can I greet you?

What way this time?

Tens of thousands of poems will greet

With words of philosophy,

Of events and anecdotes:

Personal, local and global.

With new ideas, new resolutions

And new promises to keep

With wishes greeting to

Near and far,

Kith and kin.

You will be explored

By all means of wisdom and knowledge

Of old and new.

Why should I repeat the words

Told a thousand times?

Is it because

They don’t sink to the skin?

However, how can I keep quiet?

I’ll still welcome you,

Let only every moment of life

Fill me with you. 

Thanks, wishes and regards to you

2011; – A year all anew!