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January 21, 2010
January 12, 2010
silence
Today I woke up at my usual 4.10 (weekdays). The temperate cold these days is enjoyable. It is dark for an hour more and so combined with the darkness, I just sat and absorbed the silence. A few years ago,as a new resident in Doha, the silence here was frightening and even claustrophobic. But now I value this.
Sounds and Noise has become part of our lives that we forget what silence is. This is one 'sense' that we can't cut off voluntarily. Plugging our ears hardly shuts off the sounds. So, we are exposed to them all the time. I am not aware of the efficiency of today's soundproof windows etc.
Yesterday I listened to a Swamiji's New Year talk on the 'Faculty of Silence'. This sure has made me more aware of the silence. I have to question 'what when I am always in a noisy place ?' Maybe I will have to search for the silence or quietude in noise. And make it mine.
Sounds and Noise has become part of our lives that we forget what silence is. This is one 'sense' that we can't cut off voluntarily. Plugging our ears hardly shuts off the sounds. So, we are exposed to them all the time. I am not aware of the efficiency of today's soundproof windows etc.
Yesterday I listened to a Swamiji's New Year talk on the 'Faculty of Silence'. This sure has made me more aware of the silence. I have to question 'what when I am always in a noisy place ?' Maybe I will have to search for the silence or quietude in noise. And make it mine.
February 11, 2009
communication
There was this interesting point an educational consultant made at a workshop. How is it that a teacher stumbles a little during her first few lecture sessions and then slowly she perfects that topic?
It is because she is repeating the same thing over and over again. The student in turn is still raw because he/she is only listening.
I have seen a lot many talkative people. Most are just blabber-mouths, shooting off on any topic without any knowledge of it.
There are others who end sentences of others and thus pretend they know more than the speaker.
Then there are those who repeat what someone else mentioned with such passion that people believe it was his/her own idea.
Come to think of it, the world is full of these 3 categories and a mild person who is not strong enough to communicate his view will be overridden by these types.
So, the lesson to learn is 'effective communication rules your world' Ha... Ha... as if you did'nt know !!
It is because she is repeating the same thing over and over again. The student in turn is still raw because he/she is only listening.
I have seen a lot many talkative people. Most are just blabber-mouths, shooting off on any topic without any knowledge of it.
There are others who end sentences of others and thus pretend they know more than the speaker.
Then there are those who repeat what someone else mentioned with such passion that people believe it was his/her own idea.
Come to think of it, the world is full of these 3 categories and a mild person who is not strong enough to communicate his view will be overridden by these types.
So, the lesson to learn is 'effective communication rules your world' Ha... Ha... as if you did'nt know !!
January 28, 2009
A lot has happened in my placid life in these 6months
-visit to India for vacation in july and admission of my son into college
-Teaching that took up a lot of energy & my time at home
-Completion of typing & editing my fathers book
-taking care of my sick father for about 20 days
-the death of my beloved father
I remember the days when my parents used to visit me and stay on for a month or two. After they leave there used to be a pain, a void. The empty corner in the room marked by their suitcases would bring tears to my eyes. The absence of their daily disciplined routine would choke me. The children would be dull unable to explain their feelings but missing their love & warmth.
Now, the difference is that my Father has left us forever. As he would say when ill, it was his body that was going to depart and not his Atma. The pain and hollow feeling is obviously stronger. But he would be proud of us if we did'nt mourn him. He would not want us to think about death. He wanted us to think of the life and years for the children of India and the youth whose changing values troubled him in his last days.
It is tough to pick up these threads that he left behind. And now that we cannot catch his guiding hand, it is a daunting task. I truly pray that the project he left behind would be taken up and would do justice to his pure thought and intention.
-visit to India for vacation in july and admission of my son into college
-Teaching that took up a lot of energy & my time at home
-Completion of typing & editing my fathers book
-taking care of my sick father for about 20 days
-the death of my beloved father
I remember the days when my parents used to visit me and stay on for a month or two. After they leave there used to be a pain, a void. The empty corner in the room marked by their suitcases would bring tears to my eyes. The absence of their daily disciplined routine would choke me. The children would be dull unable to explain their feelings but missing their love & warmth.
Now, the difference is that my Father has left us forever. As he would say when ill, it was his body that was going to depart and not his Atma. The pain and hollow feeling is obviously stronger. But he would be proud of us if we did'nt mourn him. He would not want us to think about death. He wanted us to think of the life and years for the children of India and the youth whose changing values troubled him in his last days.
It is tough to pick up these threads that he left behind. And now that we cannot catch his guiding hand, it is a daunting task. I truly pray that the project he left behind would be taken up and would do justice to his pure thought and intention.
August 06, 2008
in coimbatore
It's been a while since I penned here. I am on vacation.As usual, the days spent here in India are so full and satisfactory. There are people everywhere. Just a smile in return for one, then maybe a greeting to another person, then again a few sentences to a closer friend all makes a day more enjoyable. Even small talk is possible at a visit to the nearby shop. Although I'm not an extrovert, I love the atmosphere here, the freedom.
June 22, 2008
haze
Today the haze has settled down, here in Doha and I could feel the full force of the summer sun once again. Till yesterday, the blue sky over Doha which I had adored and which enchanted me from the moment I landed here, had become invisible. A dusty screen, miles long was the culprit. This dusty atmosphere has become a frequent phenomenon of late.
Even last year the desert wind would blow creating a temperory haze which would settle as instantly. So, what has changed now ?
The met office says that scanty i.e practically nil rain is resposible for this. Maybe ! I strongly feel that this is due to the gigantic scale and pace in which this sleepy country is turning into one of the most happening places in this part of the world. This was mentioned in the papers too & they have used the term 'urbanisation'. So, you can imagine what is exactly taking place here.
Even last year the desert wind would blow creating a temperory haze which would settle as instantly. So, what has changed now ?
The met office says that scanty i.e practically nil rain is resposible for this. Maybe ! I strongly feel that this is due to the gigantic scale and pace in which this sleepy country is turning into one of the most happening places in this part of the world. This was mentioned in the papers too & they have used the term 'urbanisation'. So, you can imagine what is exactly taking place here.
May 30, 2008
45 - 50 degrees
Very little separates Spring & Summer in Doha. As the warmth increases after winter, it is pleasant for a few days. The lingering memory of the cold blends with the slightly warm sunshine. The petunias, marigolds and the other flowers that line the roads, thrive in this combination and the drive through the traffic becomes an enjoyable experience. The colour soothes.
Then suddenly we are taken by surprise at the strength of the desert sun. He bears down hard. Summer makes a hot entry. The flowers start to wilt and so do we. The sun is up at 4.30 and by 6.30 in the morn, it is like noon. The air conditioner softens the harsh effect. If you have to move about in the sun , then it is like being being in a sauna.
Teaching in these conditions is tough. The air conditioner is not strong enough for a motley class. Concentrating becomes tougher for the teacher as well as the students, in the afternoon. I too wait for the 1.30 bell.
Now, it is not the end. There is still the bus ride in the midst of high pitched crowd of about 50 children. They are now full of energy & talking non-stop. Sweat streams from their faces but it does not make them uncomfortable. I frown at the trickle running down my spine. The baked bus cannot be cooled enough for our comfort and so, the children put down the windows. A slight breeze now blows and it forms a refreshing cloak around me. But soon, it turns into hot air. I feel I am in a suffocating sauna. Luckily, I am one of the first to get off and I run to the comfort of home.
Then suddenly we are taken by surprise at the strength of the desert sun. He bears down hard. Summer makes a hot entry. The flowers start to wilt and so do we. The sun is up at 4.30 and by 6.30 in the morn, it is like noon. The air conditioner softens the harsh effect. If you have to move about in the sun , then it is like being being in a sauna.
Teaching in these conditions is tough. The air conditioner is not strong enough for a motley class. Concentrating becomes tougher for the teacher as well as the students, in the afternoon. I too wait for the 1.30 bell.
Now, it is not the end. There is still the bus ride in the midst of high pitched crowd of about 50 children. They are now full of energy & talking non-stop. Sweat streams from their faces but it does not make them uncomfortable. I frown at the trickle running down my spine. The baked bus cannot be cooled enough for our comfort and so, the children put down the windows. A slight breeze now blows and it forms a refreshing cloak around me. But soon, it turns into hot air. I feel I am in a suffocating sauna. Luckily, I am one of the first to get off and I run to the comfort of home.
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