overacupofcoffee
Peel the Layers
Peel the Layers
Peel the layers
The inspiration from this topic came from Rumi’s quote “show me anger and I will show you hurt. Show me hurt and I will show you love. Peel the layers if you care”.
Such a wonderful thought - “peel the layers”. Lot of psychology is based on this too and lot of inner work gurus do is to get away from the layers and identify the core.
I had a spiritual experience yesterday in something as simple as fireworks. Though they were the biggest firework happening this year (2021) in Nashville. First few minutes were ‘normal’. We all were in awe and appreciated it and thought they ended. But fireworks continued. So the next few minutes for me were to burst away all negativities - criticism, judgement, too much advising, body shaming etc. and I thought the fireworks were over.
But it continued! So next time was to bring in all the positivity. Blessings, showers of grace, gratitude, happiness, achievement, family …the list goes on on all. All bursting with energy! And the fireworks were over.
Not yet. So next phase we are done with both positive and negative. So only Krushna (God) remains. And the next set was all forms of Him. Everywhere. Omnipresent. Omnipotent. Omniscient.
The fireworks still continued. Now we are down to nothing. Just energy. Bubbling and vibrant. Untainted. Pure.
The fireworks show helped me peel the layers. Next time I feel an emotion, I am going to go deep into what led it and what is the layer behind it.
How have you been peeling the layers?
Layer after layer
Needs to be peeled
To get to the essence
A new discovery
With each layer
The journey is long
And tedious
But worth it
Blog
Blog
The Gift of Silence
|
|
comments ()
|
The credit of this poem goes to the Art of Silence retreat at Boone, North Carolina by Art of Living Foundation. It was amazing! The picture and poem capture the connection I felt with the universe.
In Silence
I am
with myself
Attentive
and
Aware
Watching my thoughts
and letting them go
In Silence
I am
with my Self
Redefine success as Inner Peace
|
|
comments ()
|
The thought of this came from an article in Conscious Community magazine by Allan Cohen. The author inspired the thought - redefine success as inner peace.
That led me to thinking, “How do I define success?” Is it by money earned? Is it by Job Title or by driving impact at work? Is it by progress on the spiritual path? Is it by inspiring others or spreading joy?
The author asks us to redefine success as inner peace. The question then is, when do I feel peaceful? The author recommends using the compass of joy to identify those activities. Let’s do the activities that help cultivate inner peace and get away from those that take away peace.
For me, music is an activity that gives me peace and leaves me energized. Just yesterday I drove 20 minutes to meet my group and we all sang for 2 hours. Post the session I felt energized and I enjoyed every minute of it. I felt tired in the evening but it was well worth it. The question I ask myself is do I feel joyful or drained post an activity? Quite a few times after watching TV I feel drained. That tells me to not go on that path – the path that leaves me yearning for inner peace.
Redefining success as inner peace is hard. Imagine the conscious questioning, am I feeling peaceful? If not, how will I get there?
I define success as abundance and inner peace. Abundance of love, life and certain material comforts - a nice home, good books and ability to afford luxuries. Abundance also implies inner prosperity and joy.
What is your definition of success? And what compass do you use to measure it?
The green fields
With loads of yellow dandelions
Swaying in the wind
Joyful Abundance
The blue sky
Protecting and Nurturing
A new avatar everyday
Limitless Abundance
My heart
Grateful and blissful
Soaked in His love
Eternal Abundance
The Gratitude Journal
|
|
comments ()
|
This topic was inspired from the topic Happiness Project and further inspired by my husband Pranav. The thought is that each day you note 3 things you are grateful for and it has to be 3 different things everyday. As you continue to do this, it becomes a habit. Eventually it leads to realization and acknowledgement of our blessings. Pranav is following this advice and has his own Gratitude Journal.
I have tried this mentally (and I need to make it a practice to have my own journal too). Funnily I have to really think before I note the 3 things. The expectations even from a Gratitude Journal are high!
As I snoop and read Pranav’s journal, I am amazed to see how thankful he is for very simple things – a good meal, playful times with Ashna or ever a simple hug or good beer.
The learning for me is the mindfulness of being thankful for the daily, taken for granted things. We don’t have to win a lottery everyday to be thankful! What should I not be grateful for?
I am grateful for
This moment
A quiet morning
This journal
And a hot cup of coffee
I am grateful for
This longing
A deep urge
This curiosity
And chirping birds
I am grateful for
Those tiny hands
Holding me tight
A naughty smile
And a stubborn mind
I am grateful for
Even those unpleasant moments
That remind me
To continue this journey
I am grateful for
You and
Him
and
Us
I am deeply grateful