A few random thoughts

 

Recently I mentioned about the planetary parade and night sky watching. Those early morning hours when I woke up to see the planets and constellations it was technically still “night”. The dark sky was lit up by literally millions of stars, planets, moon and the occasional meteors or even aircraft flying overhead. And within a matter of minutes daylight began to creep in. The night lights began to fade away until they completely disappeared. 

Yesterday we lost Sheelatai to eternity. In the context of losing a gem my mind was reflecting over the relationships we make in our lifetime, the deep influences these hold over us and the involvement we have with others in the course of years from birth till our own death. In that moment it occurred to me that this life is like the night sky. Against the dark backdrop of ignorance we encounter a universe of millions of bright objects…..people, their kindness, their wrath, beautiful places, rivers, mountains, the fury of nature in the form of storms or earthquakes, hundreds of tempting objects, variety of delicious food and so much more. While admiring this fabulous show and enjoying its finer details if we have also lived in awareness of ourselves, one fine moment, with our last breath, the bright objects will just disappear like the stars and planets of the night sky and all there will be is the bright light of awareness against a bare sky. Just like one can’t be complaining that the stars are no longer visible, here too we would just acknowledge change of the scenery and a new existence in untainted, uninterrupted light. 

On a separate note, also while ruminating on memories of Sheelatai, it occurred to me how every small gesture, word, action, reaction from us leaves a footprint somewhere. The subtler our self awareness becomes the more careful we can be to refine the footprints we leave from moment to moment. Now until the scenery changes that’s what is in our hands. To keep refining ourselves. Leaving better footprints. Until we disappear into the light. 

Saree is a Handloom weave from Salem that my good friend Anu had picked for me upon my request when she went home nearly a decade back. Wore it last Friday for a casual dinner at her home. The picture was taken around 6 pm just before leaving our home. Facing west the sun was right in my eyes. Bright light can be tough to handle . Makes you squint ! 😉