Missing Something That’s Right Under Your Nose?

Lighting a lamp and an incense stick at dusk is a ritual practised in many Indian households.  Pune is no exception.  As I walked along the garden track in yesterday's dimming light, a strong fragrance of Nag Champa wafted my way.  More used to paying attention to the earthy smell of the ground and leaves, …

What If It’s Not All As Difficult As You Think?

I laughingly told a friend today that I stopped making plans a long while back. I found life had other plans. And it was much easier to go along with life's plans. But it has taken me a while to be able to say this so lightly.The truth is that there are moments when the …

Poems: Declarations of Love and Hate

Superwoman – Would You Be Willing To Hang Up Your Cape?

While we may be infinite beings having a human experience, this does not bestow upon us the legendary superpowers we seem to expect of ourselves. Superwoman Syndrome is a term I have coined to describe the unending attempt of women determined to be the 'perfect woman-homemaker-career woman- (personal preference)' all rolled into one.  This is …

11 Ways to Be Present to Another’s Vulnerability

If you are the kind that needs research to validate what common sense and your heart will tell you easily enough, then you may want to listen to Brene Brown's brilliant TED talk, 'The Power of Vulnerability'.  Her research from hundreds of interviews led her to a breakdown and  she went to her therapist and …

Beyond All Excuses

Sometimes the obvious is the last to be seen. Take the case of our favorite scapegoats.  No, you would not see them for what they really are.They are so well disguised and rationalized, that it is hard to recognize that they are only our favorite stories of blame. It may be the job that you detest, …

S(he) who must not be named

"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet" said Shakespeare. And he was right.  The rose would continue to be what it is, regardless of what it was called. The question is would we appreciate it's beauty and fragrance as much? It is not a trivial question.  The extent to which we embrace, reject or …

Why I am wary of seeking ‘instant manifestation’.

"A time there is to plant, And sow; another time to pluck and reap." ~ Ecclesiastes 3:2 In a world that desperately seeks instant gratification, patience is a difficult word to digest.  From so many directions, we are bombarded with ideas of 'intention' and 'manifestation', that few of us pause to consider the appropriateness of our …

Lifelines – and why we cut them off.

Three questions: First Question: Are you aware of what nourishes you? It may be soaking in warm silence with a loved one. Or laughing for no reason with a child. Perhaps honoring a calling like painting, or singing, writing or creating in some manner. Maybe its simply walking on the beach or watching a sunset. Or seeing a …

Key Lies in Seeing The Root of Things

Based upon case experience, I am suggesting below a model of inquiry that may help you realize and release core limiting beliefs about yourself. Consider this: As a child you were promised an outing by your cousin. But at the last minute you were told it is cancelled.  You feel let down and disappointed, sorry …