The  Time of the Lion : Day 5

Quote : Leo loves to smile at everyone and become the bright spot in someone's day.

Quality : Optimism

"Look at the stars, look how they shine for you and all the things you do, they were all yellow.

I wrote a song, I wrote a song for you, and all the things that you do, and it was called yellow."

Chris Martin was possibly musing about a Leo when he belted out this Coldplay hit number. The Lions glow like an orb of fire with enough vibrance to light up just about any place!

Feeling low? Dejected? The cold and dark world sending chills down your spine? Its time to let in a little of that Leo sunshine into your life. Just like the ruling planet of their sign the Lions have a sunny disposition. They are full of an invigorating optimism that uplifts not only themselves but every person within their sphere of influence. The best part is that once Leos recognise this trait in themselves they actively make it a habit to bring forth the warmth for the benefit of others; then on they are one bright spot of positive energy in motion!

Don't be surprised if you reach out to them over the phone crying and suddenly the doorbell rings and there they are on your doorstep having dropped everything just to make you feel better!

If a Leo truly loves you they know how much their brightness means to you and they will make every effort to put that to your benefit at every possible instance. Because nothing else makes them more happier than knowing that they were the highlight of someone else's day even if that someone happens to be a stranger they offered a seat on the metro!

They believe they can make a difference and they carry a smile on their face as they go about making it! 

The Time of the Lion : Day 4 

Quote : She slept with wolves without fear, for the wolves knew a lion was among them.

Quality : Self Worth

'A diamond may lie there sullen on forgotten dusty roads,
But with just a flash of light it'll glitter through like molten gold.'

What lies on the outside can be changed but what one carries within is what remains unchanged.

You can take a Lion out of the wild but you cannot take the wild out of the Lion!

Throw Leos into any bunch of people and they'll still hold onto their own true nature. It's almost impossible to find them trying to be a part of the herd. They make sure in their own little ways that the herd knows this too. You won't find a Leo too bothered by other peoples opinion of them or too caught up in the image they are portraying to others.

When the mighty Lion roams his territory he knows every animal is acutely conscious of his presence. He needs no acknowledgement from them to let him know that all eyes are on him. He knows at every step that he's been watched. He needs no validation from anyone for been true to himself. He is royal, regal and he knows it! He is in his own eyes a cut above the rest.

 Something terrifyingly beautiful sets him apart and he knows he needs to do nothing but just be and the world will always see what its meant to truly believe. 

The Time of the Lion : Day 3

Quote : Tell the truth or a Leo will tell it for you. 

Quality : Honesty 

"Say what you mean and mean what you say to me!" Sing this song to a Leo and they most definitely will give you what you're asking for. 

The only time a Leo will withhold their honest opinion from anyone is when the said person is a very dear one in a fragile state of mind. The Lion knows he cannot sugarcoat his words. Especially when it comes to saying the truth. It will be harsh and it will hurt. The only solace you will have is that they didn't leave the tough job of saying those cruel words upto you. 

Don't be fooled thinking that they're too self absorbed to know the pain they have caused by speaking the truth. That is the price they are prepared to pay for honesty. They don't mind been the bad guy as long as they think they're setting things right!  

If the man you're dating has cheated on you and you're looking for sympathy or a patch up? Steer clear of your Leo friend. She'll only tell you he's a jerk and she'll say it to his face on your behalf!  

Don't go asking that Leo husband of yours if you look fat in that dress! He'll only stop short of leaving you feeling like a cow but not before he's dished out at least two ways to loose those extra pounds. 

So go to Leos when you are an absolute mess and need someone to straighten you out. 

No one calls a spade a spade quite like a Leo does. So be ready to be disappointed if you expect them to call it anything else and brace yourself before you go asking a Leo, "Honestly, I need to know what you think about this." 

The Time of the Lion : Day 2

Quote : I breathe in my courage and exhale my fear.
Quality : Bravery

Have you ever sat down to eat and suddenly found yourself afraid of your food? Impossible right?

When one is the King of the Beasts there is no need to be afraid of any other animal. No matter how big or small as far as the Lion is concerned they are all on the menu!

So what is the mighty beast afraid of then? Why does he even need courage?

When there is absolutely nobody to be afraid of then why does a Leo even need to be brave?

When there is no one out there to match up to them Leos find their biggest enemy within themselves. They confront their own limitations in their shortcomings. They grapple with a crippling fear of losing while  facing their own failures.

When you're lodging with the enemy you need all the courage you can muster to close your eyes let alone try to sleep. But sleep you must! So what do you do? You befriend the enemy. You set some ground rules. You seek opportunities to show your strength to instill fear in the enemy.

This is the subtle art of self mastery that Leos constantly indulge in. Relentlessly pursuing the state of no fear; their personal goal of absolute courage.

You see that little kid getting back onto that swing in spite of a fall that happened a few seconds ago as he tried to go a little more higher? That kid my friend is a Leo!

You see that girl all dolled up to go out on a date even though her last three relationships didn't work out? That girl my friend is a Leo!

Fear is for the faint hearted who retreat in the face of failure not the brave lion who has learnt that beyond his gravest fear awaits his greatest courage. 

The Time of the Lion : Day 1

Quote : A Leo follows no one. 
Quality : Leadership

Hindi : "Hum jahan khade hote hai line wahi se shuru hoti hai!" 
Translation: "Where I choose to stand is where the line begins!"

This famous dialogue by Big B sums up this trait of Leos in the best possible manner.

Leos have an innate sense of self confidence which makes them natural leaders.

Whether it is a Leo child leading a football team to victory or a Leo head of state taking political decisions; put a Leo in a group and they'll most likely end up leading the pack.

Picture a bunch of girls on a shopping spree, spot that girl dispensing fashion counsel to the rest of the girls? Nodding her head in an affirmative yes or a furious no at their various choices. That girl my friend is a Leo! Why do the other girls seek her opinion you ask? Well, take a good look at her. Whether she's wearing a shimmering dress or just a pair of skinny jeans she struts the outfit like she's walking the runway!

You see that guy presenting the business proposal to clients? He my friend is your Leo alpha male! Don't get fooled by the cool corporate demeanor. Look beyond the surface you might find him sporting an earring or two. As for the work he's presenting of course he's not the one who's done all the number crunching but he still knows them in and out out like the back of his hand. Not because he has to because he needs to! And why are people more than eager to let him present their work you ask? Well just look at that confidence even the numbers sound better coming out of his mouth!

Now picture this, an ambush in some remote terrorist infested jungles of a country. One lone captain going all out offensive on the enemies on the front line as his troop follows his orders and trails behind him. That captain my friend is a Leo!  For when a Lion leads his roar is enough to send chills down the opponents bones!

Leos lead the way not by force but by vote. A vote which is unanimous because a Lion has enough strength to turn a threatening roar into a killer bite!

Following is for those who are lost or wish to wander...
Leading is for Leos who choose to pave a path to a victory with no surrender...

Pursuing Happiness...

What if there is no exit to this endless cycle of birth and death ??
What if realisation is also an illusion??
Maya at her best ??

What if it is just something that is said to give some purpose and meaning to our lives that otherwise seem so pointless mostly ?
Like I perform action in the present with a certain intention and a certain accompanying expectation. No matter what I do this cycle I am unable to escape ...then who's to say that I can escape the biggest cycle of all... Birth and death ?? More importantly why would I want to escape it ? At least not when it's pleasant...maybe when times are rough then I'd be bothered to think about an exit...

Today where I stand in life that exit from suffering is through work...progress...constant evolution... That is where I stand today... But how do I escape this smaller cycle of desire,effort to fulfill it and then expected happiness when it is fulfilled...

I cant seem to control the birth of desires...because they are what give direction to my life in some way... Act as indicators of what I should or should not do...yes to a certain extent I have been able to curb them... But to make them null and reach a desireless state is not a reality for me right now.

Then comes the point of effort...if I have desires that arise in my mind... I will have to put in an effort in order to fulfill them otherwise my mind will be disturbed... And because I have multiple desires I will need multiple efforts to fulfill them...but the embodied energy I possess to undertake action stems from one singular source...so what's important is to realize how much effort to put where...and for how long a time...maybe time can be measured by the time it takes to fulfill the said desire or till the time that desire is replaced by another...

And faith in my efforts will give me the patience to wait for the happiness that will come my way in its own time in its own way...and then humility will help me accept the result...whatever the outcome of my effort be...but I'll still be unhappy if its not in line with my desire right? Then I'll again need to DO something to restore that happiness...move on to a next set of desires ?

Come to think of it...isn't it what we all are doing in life...fulfilling a set of desires...gaining happiness...then again...when we are unhappy we run after fulfilling the next set of desires...in fact rules of society even are programmed in that manner only...we are born...we desire for a childhood then marriage then kids then retirement then death...

 As anyone can see just writing this only again I've created a cycle...I haven't escaped it I have only made the diameter of the circle little smaller...and that also is because my desires have become less in number and my expectations also have simultaneously reduced...so the answer has to be in reducing desire...how does one go about doing that ??

As long as I remain selfish... There is no escaping desire...because as long as I think of myself as one single separate entity from the world around me there will always be something that needs to be acquired from the world. But if I think I am of this world and for it then my desires will reduce because I would have suddenly made myself rich and automatically multiplied my possessions. But this is not a practical reality. Someone else's wealth is not mine...someone else's spouse is not mine...but can I belong to everyone ? Can I look upon another as a part of my self ? Now this seems more possible doesn't it ? Because the onus is on me...the choice to belong is mine...a free choice... The choice to give love and acceptance to everyone who comes in contact with me...

 Then if someone hurts me I can easily forgive them...
 If someone lies to me I can try to understand the intention behind that lie...
 If someone walks out on me I can try and understand their reasons for doing so...
 If someone insults me I can understand that they don't probably understand my standpoint...
 If someone punishes me for my wrong I can understand that maybe they need to do that to heal themselves of the hurt I caused...
 And if someone loves me then well I just graciously accept their love and love them back in as many ways as possible...

To give love is a choice... To limit it to only a few or a lot is also a choice...
To give it in parts or as a whole is also a choice... To give love completely at all times independent of what is received in return is also ultimately a choice...

Only it is the toughest choice of them all...Yet it is the one that will give me happiness in the easiest manner...

 Its my choice... To open myself to that happiness... To open up to such a kind of love...

On Love...

So they all said that I should write on 'Love' So I made an attempt... What do I begin with but to say that the moment I sit down to write about Love my words automatically string themselves into a rhyme. Every thought becomes a feeling lost in time. I try to write prose but poetry flows into my lines. I try to talk about the mundane but all my words turn divine. I try to make sense of it in my mind but I find that it's been seeking advice from that silly heart of mine! All in all it always ends in a mess. But I find a strange joy in all its funny business. To me Love is neither unjust nor is it fair. It's just a never ending affair....!

God in Stripes...!!

His flaming coat burns a hole into the night, He stands in my way like I owe him my life. All of a sudden I sense the trees heave a sigh, They whisper,"He owns everything in sight!" "But I do not see his name written anywhere!" This makes them laugh, while he holds his stare. As I look back I slowly begin to realize, He's been pulling me by my very own eyes. Theres no way I can take away my gaze, With his eyes hes been holding me in place. He seems to say,"Come close my dear." But it only makes me tremble with fear! As he takes a step towards my direction, The forest itself gives in to his deception. The shadows are converging to form his stripes, The lights are gathering to paint him bright. This glorious creature is a killing machine, But still I don't seem to find him unclean. His wide grins reveal saw edged teeth, But still his smiles seem genuinely sweet. He prowls the silent woods instilling fear, But I can't help my longing to see him here. As the leaves rustle making him twitch his ears, It's clear to me it is he who belongs here. I turn around my jeep as I try to take my leave. He looks at me like he expects me to plead, "Give me a square inch of your forest, O Mighty Beast!" "Sorry,"he says,"I have an alliance with the trees!"

Two Shores...

"Oh it'll be such a lovely rose, I can't wait for it to bloom!"
"Nip it in the bud" he says, "before it takes anymore room!"

"Oh I can't wait for its fragrance to scent the air!"
"Don't touch it," he says, "It's thorns spell hurt and despair!"

"Look beyond the mountains, the sun's about to rise!"
"Don't stare too long," he says, "For it will scorch your pretty eyes!"

"Look beyond the river, such beautiful fields of rice!"
"Don't hasten your stride," he says,"For you can't walk all those miles!"

"So why don't you come, carry me for a while?"
"No I can't stay around for more than a few strides!"

"But you've been walking along for a long time!"
"But you're on your side and I am still on mine!"

"But the sun is about to set and take away its light!"
"But the moon will rise to help keep you in my sight!"

"But I am a sunflower born of days glowing bright "
"And I am a creature forged from the coldest nights"

 "But why don't you cross over to sit by my side?"
 "I fear if I do you'll see things you won't like!"

"But I so want to hold you and have you come close!"
"But you'll soon regret what you willingly chose!"

"Is that why you won't let me hold your rose?
For the pain it'll bring me to have to let it go?"

"But why would I pluck it and let it wilt in a vase?
When I can watch it right here under the stars."

 "I will not cage it's beauty only to let it die in parts!
 I will release its glory till it fills up my entire heart!"

To Men...

To Men, As you look good pumping iron with your arms, Don't forget the true strength they are capable of. As you walk down the street flashing that smile, Don't hesitate to stop and set things right. As you turn and look away avoiding a fight, Don't forget you could have helped save a life. As you try to win us over with all of your charm, Don't forget you can also keep us away from harm. As we hold your hand and give you our trust, Don't think we can't take it back if we find you unjust. Love, Women.

Love, Love, Love !!!

A few thoughts on reading 'Jaya' a retelling of Mahabharata.

Real Victory is Inner victory. That is the only real liberation. It happens only when the ego completely perishes. So it is not enough to just commit good actions and expect to be liberated on the basis of good karma. As long as we can't overcome our baser animal tendencies of greed, rage, gluttony, lust, fear etc no matter how much goodness we achieve true liberation cannot be attained.
 
Suppose we conduct a yagna just to appease some temple authorities then what is the merit gained out of that act? We might give away all our wealth in charity but if it is with the underlying desire for fame then where is the merit? The most important goal is to overcome our attachment to the world, out of which spring all ego-centric desires.

When people renounce the world and go into the mountains, it is not to seek a God who is waiting to be discovered there; but to rid themselves of bondage and attachment. Attachment is the root of all sorrow. But detachment is not an easy virtue to inculcate, so what can be the solution? How can we strive to practice detachment while still living in society? Where can we start?

What if we were to replace Attachment with Love? Then the next question that arises is how do we go about differentiating between the two?

The answer lies in simple comparisons.

Attachment will ask and need constant validation.
Love will happen on its own accord.
Attachment will make us needy, love will make us generous.
Attachment will make us insecure, love will provide security.
In Attachment there will always be 'U & I' whereas in love it will always be 'We' & 'Us'.
In one there will be bondage in the other there will be freedom.

So when we learn to 'Love' we only take ourselves closer to our inner victory - the goal of all our 'Seeking'.

He wants Heartbreak...!!!

He tells me bring me down onto my knees,
Let the burning tears roll down my cheeks,
I feel way too strong come make me weak,
I've had enough of all this loving please,
For now its only pure heartache that I need.

I am dying this moment to find out how it feels,
When bitter pain becomes unbearably sweet,
I've had enough of bruises that run  only skin deep,
It's time you gave me wounds that refuse to heal.

Come lock my heart and take away the keys,
Don't try to stay for its time for you to leave,
Enough of these spring blossoms have I seen,
Now it's time I replace them with autumn leaves.

I've been running too long evading my fate,
Trying too hard to keep you from entering my space,
Up until now it's only been the thrill of the chase,
But am tired of winning my very own race.

I've been bitten by the bug in my glory days,
But I salvaged myself before it got too late,
In the end I always made a run for the open gates,
Every pursuit was like an open and shut case.

I wish to burn in a fever that refuses to cease,
I've had enough of these little remedies,
I desire now to catch the dreaded disease,
It's only incurable heartbreak that I seek.

On 'Pi'

Just read 'Life of Pi' after been amazed by the visual treat of the Movie in 3D. It felt like a testimony to the will to survive. Also a triumph of faith over reason. As the author says reason is good. It is a necessity in so much that it is what will get you food. It will provide you the means to live. But in no way can it get you a life. Life is born out of faith. Out of Hope. The faith that each time you inhale there will be air and the hope that you won't run out of it the next time you breathe in. We don't die when we cease to breathe. Death truly kills us the moment we let Hope perish in the face of Fear. It is when we give up on hope while we encounter mortal peril that we choose our own death. The death of the body is just another event otherwise. The real survivors are those who have faced and defeated this fear. Fear that chilled them down to their bones. Fear that very nearly killed them. The people really alive are the ones who have almost died. Ones who've fought not that instant death of the body but the slow death of the spirit. Killed fear to keep hope alive. For to live in fear is to die every moment and to fight fear is to live every moment...!!

A Faraway Place...

This is me.
There are parts that are good,
There are portions that are bad.
There are bits that are awfully sad.

Then there are pieces that are so glad.
 Hard to believe moments that I've really had.
 Most of them with you I've shared.
When joy prevailed and sorrow was spared.

When I let go and you cared.
Times I could almost sniff magic in the air,
 When I could bathe in your sunlit stare.
 When Lord held me in his warm embrace,
Softly into my ears whispered words of grace.

When his vision met my every gaze,
When he walked every step at my pace,
When His open palms held my happy face,
When I was in Love in a faraway place.