Bliss

 

Bliss:

Yesterday I went over to explore an annual fair that is hosted in Pune. Several friends were raving about it. I had some time before going to the clinic. The place was buzzing with activity, though much less crowded than the reports from earlier two days. There were several well known vendors selling Handloom and handmade items. Unexpectedly I met Zakiya and her husband Adilbhai Khatri from Bhuj. They are both extraordinarily talented Bandhani artists. I have purchased a few bandhani sarees from Zakiya, including one special order saree for my dear daughter in law. It was a wonderful surprise to meet them in person yesterday. Caught a glimpse of their little one playing by herself in the far corner of their booth. 

As I proceeded from their stall I came across the stall of yet another vendor from whom I have previously purchased via WhatsApp communication. He sells irkal sarees and khun fabrics. Ramesh Ayodi, whose brand is named Khana Weaves. No sooner had I stopped there, an entourage of VIPs arrived accompanied by security personnel. I had no difficulty recognizing the lady. She was Sunetra Pawar, wife of Ajit Pawar, the deputy chief minister of the State of Maharashtra. Lots of photos and attention was showered as they shopped. She and her family/friends checked out a few items at this vendor before moving elsewhere. The pomp followed everywhere they went.

I picked a few things at the fair, had a quick lunch of bajri bhakri and vangi bhaaji with kharda ( green chillies coarsely ground) and took a rickshaw to the hospital. I was already running a bit behind time for my clinic. 

This morning as I was making tea for myself my thoughts ran over yesterday’s close encounter with a known public figure. The normal reaction for a part of the mind would be to excitedly share the incident with a friend or family member. Hey, I was standing right next to so and so…..!! 

So what !!!!

I was chuckling at my mind this morning. You have learned to see God in everything and everywhere. Not the chief minister, not the prime minister, not Amitabh Bachchan, not Tom Hanks, not Aishwarya Rai or Julia Roberts, not the Pope, not the President of the United States, not a Nobel Prize winner!! What’s any celebrity or VIP in comparison to that? 

That brought some perspective to the mind! Its antics seemed to slow down. 

Then the thoughts moved on to some recent issues confronting my maternal family. There are arguments going on regarding inheritance between my mom’s siblings. One of the six is particularly fighting the others. The issue is whether the other five should simply give  in to the demands of the bully or put up a resistance? 

Suddenly two quotes came to mind.

“ Be careful what you wish for lest it come true !”

 (Aesop’s fables)

“Follow your bliss”( Joseph Campbell)

The more one gets involved in the dispute more energy is spent thinking about it. And what are you fighting for ultimately? Real estate? Money?

 Is that where your bliss lies?

What’s at stake if you let the greedy one take everything they want?

Let them take it! It is unfortunate for them that their focus is on wealth, even at the cost of family relationships. 

Do you want to be in their shoes? 

“ Be careful what you wish for lest it come true !” 

(Aesop’s fables)

There is always a choice in life. Stupid ones make different choices from wise ones. Few know which category they belong to.

“ Follow your bliss”( Joseph Campbell)

When Campbell says follow your bliss that’s a very powerful statement. First one must understand what bliss is? Then you must recognize where your own bliss lies!

What really is bliss?

Bliss is bliss. It is not merely happiness or joy. It is much deeper than that. It embodies joy, peace, contentment, fulfillment and more. 

Where is my bliss?

I was making butter and buttermilk out of homemade yogurt as I was musing over these things this morning. The task was almost done, the butter was put in a container, the buttermilk in another. I was wiping the residue off the blender and spoon. The thoughts of Krishna were simultaneously filled in the mind. When you have extracted the butter after churning the gross material (yogurt) why should you care about the by-product ( buttermilk)? Enjoy the butter, let someone who cares for other things take them! 

Whether you are a scientist, poet or a follower of spirituality, eventually you will churn the raw material presented to you and extract the real thing from it. You will find your bliss.

I have found mine.

My mind needs a little more sense put into it. But it’s a good kid. I can talk to it.

Saree is a Maheshwari from Rehwa, designed for them by Meera Mehta. Very light and comfortable and a delight to drape.