Laurie Santos: A monkey economy as irrational as ours

OLDER = WISER?

I would like to believe that with age

Man turns not only grey

But learns to hold himself

With more poise and grace.

But on the contrary, a man who allows himself

To be covered by a veil.

Blocked himself from truth and fair play.

Will never till the end be able to see the light of day!

For he will decay

Not knowing where/when he lost his way

Committing the same mistakes

Till the very last day.

Rama Shyam

To know and not to know

To claim to know.

Is actually not to know.

That there is much more one doesn’t know.

That one needs to know.

To claim not to know.

Is actually to know.

That there is more one needs to know.

That one doesn’t know.

Rama Shyam

RELIGION

I grew up strongly believing

That there is only one religion.

A religion that did not

bind or crush me with its iron chains.

But whose vision was only to set me free.

Soaring high like a bird, as a truly free spirited being.

This religion for salutations, asked to look at all with love and compassion.

This religion upheld “truthfulness” as sacred.

This religion prayed never to hurt others, ever.

This religion asked for offerings, to do my duties without any expectations.

This religion of mine,

Has no name.

It has no caste.

It doesn’t belong to any sect.

It doesn’t even have a temple, mosque or church to its self!

I was but answerable

To the only “One”

The One was inside me

My Divine conscience.

Rama Shyam

I'd rather be.............

I would rather be a wild flower in the woods

Than adorn a showy Vase in a rich man’s living room.

I’d rather lay on the wayside

Bringing surprised Joy to the passerby.

Than vie for compliments

From people who are forced to comply.

I do not feel the need to be recognized

For I already feel wholesome and good.

I will take each day as it comes

Not succumbing to expectations that will do me no good.

I’d rather be out in the Sun

Instead of being bound by walls

For I want to feel the freedom

This wild flower seemingly enjoys.

Rama Shyam

The constant Gardener

Have you entered a garden and sensed the instant calming effect it has on you? The beautiful palms dancing to the tunes of the evening breeze, “the queen of the night” plant intoxicating you with the scent of her fragrant flowers and not to forget the lawn enveloping you in her cozy luscious green blanket. The garden is not only a place where you can enjoy the beauty of nature, but also where one can sit in quiet contemplation elevating ones thoughts to higher levels. This is a place where you can leave behind the petty ramblings of everyday life and feel one with this Divine Cosmos.

All this magic will not be possible without the constant toiling of one person, the gardener. His work involves taking care of the garden. He does the same activity diligently, day after day keeping a close vigil over the garden, knowing every nook and corner of it as well as the back of his palm. Many a time it seems as if he were talking to the plants or patting them with loving care, prodding them to grow.

The gardener in us can learn a lot from the actual gardener to grow in our spiritual quest.

Primarily he ensures that the plants have enough water and adds manure from time to time thereby keeping the soil fertile. We have to make sure that we are involved in activities that enrich us mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. This is possible by listening and reading texts written by spiritual teachers and putting them into practice step by step. Learning and practice go hand in hand and should be done simultaneously for better understanding. To keep our progress from stagnating we should expand our knowledge and reach for higher grounds. If we are destined we can be further inspired by the guidance of a Guru. The more fertile our mind is, the more we can absorb the subtleties of the Teachings.

From time to time the “Mali” trims and prunes the branches and bushes that have grown in an unruly way. This ensures that the plants become stronger and homogenous. Many a time in the course of our journey, we may find ourselves extending ourselves or projecting more outward than inwards. By being involved in activities pleasing the five senses i.e. of sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste, the mind is always in the danger of becoming a slave to the external Maya. Plants need their external appendages like their leaves to respire and transpire; similarly our outer journey is necessary for our existence in the physical world. But the root of the plant is the one that provides it the support to stand throughout its lifetime. Our inner journey is the one that will keep us rooted, grounded and centered under all circumstances.

And when it comes to weeds he does not spare them. The weeds of hatred, jealousy, anger, fear and worry casting an ugly veil over our true self needs to be eradicated without delay. By uprooting these vicious weeds one makes room for the finer qualities of love, compassion, selfless work to grow by leaps and bounds. We can also plant newer and other divine qualities that were earlier not there in our garden.

The dry leaves and twigs are to be removed regularly and can also be used as manure. Similarly discarded activities, old habits and past mistakes can be cleared and be used as stepping stones to reach the higher plains of discovering our true divine selves.

Last but not the least; do not forget to keep your garden fenced from the beginning, keeping at bay unwanted visitors and stray animals. We should keep the company of enlightened souls and teachers and avoid bad thoughts and company. Having done this one is sure to reap a garden in all its glory, tranquility and bliss.

Rama Shyam