The Quilt of Life

 

The Quilt of Life:

Today July 10th 2025 happens to be one of the most auspicious days of the year. Guru Poornima. A full moon day that honors the Guru. The Preceptor. The teacher. If faced with a choice between Guru and God, it is said that Guru stands taller than God. Without a Guru one wouldn’t meet God. 

Today is a day for reflection. On Guru. On God. On Life. On the journey. In the larger scheme of things, the mortal life thus far is merely a short segment. Insignificant in every possible sense. Yet perhaps it makes sense to acknowledge a certain point of reference and, in its  context, review the progress made, if any. The point of reference I am alluding to is the sixty years mark that is approaching soon. Sixty years since this physical body made its debut in the mortal world. 

The science of astrology places a special significance on this point in a lifetime. The planetary configuration as it was at the time of birth aligns back in the exact same way in sixty years. It is as if you have exhausted one chance in a human lifetime to elevate yourself from the point where you started. Your second chance begins from here moving forward. Therefore it seems pertinent to reflect and review the course thus far. And who would be able to review it better than you yourself and your Guru? Only these two know all the faults and strengths, the opportunities seized and wasted, the missteps and the triumphs, the calamities avoided and the losses suffered. And out of the two of you, the Guru must know so much more than you yourself! 

As I sat in quietude today looking back at the years, life appeared to me like a beautiful quilt. Colorful, with diverse patterns, all masterfully sewn together in a cohesive fashion to look like a piece of art. There were contrasting shades, dark and bright. And they all seemed essential to make the whole thing look beautiful. 

While it is out of the scope of this page to describe the fine details of the components in the quilt of life or determine where the first thread went in, it is quite clear that it all started with a much darker shade and coarser design and gradually began to take on brighter colors and finesse in the details. The designer remained behind the scenes and quietly got the job done from the illiterate laborer, yet graciously let the laborer be the face to accept any appreciation from time to time. 

Now that one assignment is nearly complete, mind naturally begins to wonder, what’s next? Is there a round two? If so, what is the assignment? 

Just two days back my vihin(samdhan) called to ask for a weekend date to plan a birthday party for me. Birthday parties make me uncomfortable. I voiced my reluctance but she wasn’t having it. The master party planner that she is, she has a way to talk anyone into it. At my end, I visualized the party with a room full of people who I would barely know. People celebrating my sixty years on the planet. And what did I do in those sixty years to deserve their pampering? Absolutely nothing!! How embarrassing!! 

Really the sixty years were spent simplifying family dynamics. First coming out of a complicated childhood, then shaping a marriage, raising children, caring for aging parents, undoing hard emotional knots, balancing a career and alongside all this, making spiritual space within. A lot of work was done but nothing for the world! Why should the world then celebrate my birthday? It really seems undeserving. The thought of celebrating makes me cringe. 

But the thought also brought the insight of what the second innings is calling for. It is calling for service. I have no clue how I can extend myself to the universe beyond my family and friends. It seems even weird to say this thought aloud. How can a private person like me break free from the shell and lend myself to the world? Only time will tell. But I know that the time for living for myself is up. First innings are closing soon. 

My Guru knows best. He/She has brought me this far. And I trust I will be led forth just as well. 

One quilt I’ve seen woven. The next one I may not turn back to see…..