A very strange kind of feeling is setting up in my body. I feel like a stranger inside me.

When I sit motionless, something inside me feels like dancing vigorously.

When I move around, I feel like I am sitting still and everything else is dynamic—as if I am watching a movie.

I feel a very unusual type of peace that I have never known—it is not establishing but it is not evasive either.

Though analytically life seems rocked and chaotic, still something inside mumbles that everything is in the divine order.

Newton’s 3^rd Law of Motion seems to be inapplicable—there is no action and therefore no reaction either!

Though I am undergoing and undertaking all necessary routine activities, yet vast amount of static energy seems to be building up inside.

My mind is losing the capacity to analyze.

The only thing I feel is that I am losing my own self—A self that wanted to act, react, do, abstain, smile, laugh, cry, imagine, think, plan, execute, expect, accept, mourn, pray, want, wish, create, forget, repent, agree, beg, feel and what not.

The ‘verb’ of my being’s grammar is giving way to something pretty unknown, and to a somewhat confusing semantic.

There seems to be some dryness inside, yet a bleak wetness of something unknown is playing hide-and-seek.

A tantalizing sense of bliss is covering itself under the sheath of an assured doubt.

I feel a vacuum inside that has no sucking force. It is like everything is reversed but still orderly.

The only question that keeps ringing in my ear is: ‘Who am I’!

Existing with evanescing effectuality and being misfit in the changing script of this causal drama demand stern costs.

With every eloping jiffy of clock, you manage to receive lancinating incisions and self-depreciating vindication of ‘good-for-nothing’ conviction.

The insouciant noesis towards worldly existence and dégagé prospect for somatic changes mark no easy occupation to be in.

The innermost voice hidden in the unseen alleys of the inner world feels muffled, failing to penetrate the density of aquatic bindings of the Mâyâ-ridden ocean.

A cautious and supposedly well-managed theft of a worldly joyous moment stigmatizes a debit of Brobdingnagian value.

The loan quadruples with every bite.

Beyond the inconceivable reach of mental leap lies a clear vision. It is fundamental, most-authentic yet ducks even the sincerest and the hardest conviction.

Absence of desire or existence of hope does not help.

Traveling in a coal-engine Express Train without strap-hangers is the lot and story in question–being tossed in-and-out is the scene.

The trade of gaining and losing is limited: It can’t cross the threshold of corporeal existence, therefore, carries inconsiderable weight.

The demotic expression of feelings loses its immediate value when the curtain falls.

(Inspired by a song of Diane Arkenstone)

Ridden and laden with deep stillness, the river of creation hides the agitation within its bosom.

The influx and efflux of what is called material have the source that comprises a vibrant void.

The processes of evolution and dissolution occur within the precincts of a boundless arena.

To come to know how it happens, it is necessary to be within, though there is nothing that can exist without.

The river of creation assumes a ravaging mood, but then takes utmost care to preserve its content.

It flows yet encompasses everything.

It is all automatic, self-fulfilling and self-sustaining—no force, no power, and no energy is required to initiate the work that is continuous, timeless, and endless.

What is cognizable is limited; the infinite envelopes everything and cannot be served in the bowl of reason.

Deep beneath the turbulent current of process lies the establishing hush that wipes out every thought, stimulus, reaction, and curiosity to know—it brings the soothing wisdom that enables the self to recognize the Self.

All that was, and permeates the present and future aspects of action stands unmoved at this point, though keeps itself busy in the process.

At the center point of this formless entity, a unique, unalloyed and unperturbed peace rests on the gentle movement of the fluid…

It is unaltered, unaffected and untarnished by any characteristic. It is and it remains…

On those mountain peaks of Kailâsh sits my Master.

He is Bholânâth–having naive demeanor–and is pleased with little efforts of his children.

Being Natrâj–the king of dancers–He knows how a baby fumbles as it starts walking on its spiritual journey before it grows apt in those rhythmic movements.

He’s patient and calm and awaits the return of the natives to their residence of ageless boundaries.

My tent is at the foot of the mountain.

Burdened with my worldly belongings and overawed by the terrain of my upward journey, I struggle to proceed.

I draw a deep breath and blow my bamboo flute.

The air carries the praying notes of my instrument.

I imagine my master throwing a subdued smile while my flute silently weeps.

My mind tries to picture the presence of my master; in vain. It needs to realize its limitations.

My soul pines for the flood of that joyous rendezvous where the consciousness leaves the clutches open to allow a tiny stream merge in the ocean, for, an entity is pleasure but entirety is bliss.

Chandrashekhar is a mesmerizing name of Lord Shiva formed by the union of two words – Chandra (moon) and Shekhar (crown) meaning the Lord with moon as his crown. Shiva is resplendent. He is the embodiment of supreme Godhead. His divine plays are mysterious and beyond human comprehension. Here is an interesting story how this name Chandrashekhar came to be associated with the Lord.

Mother Parvati incarnated several times on this earth and joined Shiva in marriage back again. During one of her births, she was growing with the name Hemavati in the house of King Himavan and Queen Menavati. Hemavati was deeply attached to Lord Shiva through her unparalleled devotion. All her time she spent meditating and worshipping Lord Shiva. Finally Lord Shiva gracefully conceded to marry her. The entire troop of Lord Shiva arrived at the palace of Himavan.

Menavati, the mother of Parvati imagined Lord Shiva would have a charming personality. When finally she happened to spot him in front of her, she was shocked to see him clad in tiger skin with matted hair and an ash smeared body. Unable to imagine her daughter being married to a fierce looking personality, she fainted down on the ground. In order to pacify her, it was decided that Lord Shiva would be groomed with a makeup that would befit him as the bride groom. Lord Vishnu took up this responsibility as he assumed the role of the bride’s brother.

Lord Vishnu employed all his powers and skills to groom Lord Shiva in the best of his appearance. Gorgeous clothing and splendid ornaments were brought to make the bridegroom. As a final touch the moon was brought on the earth and placed as the crown of Lord Shiva. Now the appearance was mesmerizing and enamoring. Shiva as Chandrashekhar appeared with inexplicable beauty. The marriage was a grand phenomenon and was conducted with an unprecedented grandeur. The form of Lord Shiva as Chandrashekhar came to be adored by the earth and heavens.

Art is contagious in all its forms–more often than not, one form of art inspires the other, and continue to effuse springs of diffirent colors and textures. The result is a beautiful rainbow of expressions embodying the feelings and emotions of the artists. This is how I believe our world came into existence–different elements of nature got inspired from one another and created themselves.

Well, you don’t have to tread the path of meta-physics or astronomy or bury yourself in the lenghty discoveries made by evolutionists. Inspiration happens every second–you just need to be ready for it.

We bring you an artist who began her journey as a musician interpreting paintings. A candle was lit and it kept on shining brightly while spreading light of joy and happiness. She just released her new album, Origin.

We did and e-interview with Elise Lebec.

Q1. Tell us how you picked Piano as your chosen instrument? 

Ans. Well Vivek, I grew up in house with a piano and a couple guitars and a step-mother who sang like Billie Holiday! Piano was just part of the living room where we made music. I did, however, gravitate towards piano rather than guitar. I didn’t like the way the strings felt under my finger tips even though I love the guitar sound. To me piano was more of an elegant instrument something refined and smooth in sound and design. I really just love the power of it and how it vibrates the notes in the room around it. The piano is also one of the easier instruments to learn, and at that age I was teaching myself the notes and their relationship to each other so it was probably the more satisfying route for that.

Q2. What or who was the biggest impact on your music right from the beginning? 

Ans. I would have to say that my first husband Nigel Portman-Lewis. He passed away over 15 years ago now but he was the very first person to hear my piano music and say “Wow, you just made that up, you should be performing, this is amazing!” Not only did he think it was amazing but he worked very hard to bring my music to the world until his death. I was very young at the time and didn’t really even understand what was going on. I didn’t know who I was yet. I was greatly inspired at that time by New Age musicians such as Andreas Vollenweider and Enya had just become popular. It was inspiring music that spoke to my soul. Before that I was greatly inspired and influenced by musicals and Disney films. I love soundtracks and play them more often than songs. I guess I’ve always been a lover of instrumentals, even though I am a singer.

Q3. How do you feel inspired or drawn by something or somebody that makes you create new music? 

Ans. I get inspired by people and circumstances that either need to be rearranged or infused with new light. I am a lightworker and my purpose here is to find the darkness and illuminate it. I was greatly inspired by the Muslim people of Egypt when I visited in 2016. They are a kind and loving culture with much passion for their faith, but also for other humans. They have a code of conduct that they follow and I enjoyed getting to know what that was. I was strickenby how the media portrays certain groups of people and religions in order to justify their own agenda. The reality of it is quite opposite. Being able to see the truth and show others what it is happens to be the most satisfying to me.

Q4. You have travelled a lot—how do you feel it opens up your perspective as a musician. 

Ans. Traveling is the portal to understanding and knowledge. The only way to truly see other realities and dimensions is to travel. I have been traveling the world since I was 18. I’ve seen and lived with many different cultures. Traveling takes me out of my own head and into realms of different perspectives and has influenced all of my music to date. It is nourishing and difficult. It has ups and downs but the elations are heavenly.

Q5. Talk about your latest album ‘Origin’—how you got inspired for it. 

Ans. I touched on this already, but to shed more light on the experience I would say that I was very intrigued with Egypt as a place of “Origin.” Egypt is third on the list of oldest and richest civilizations in the world. Almost everything we have and know come from this beginning. Finding this out and diving into this knowledge opened a whole new world for me. There have been quirky things that I never understood about myself before spending time in Egypt. There are many spiritual mysteries surrounding the culture there, and what used to exist. When I was visiting the first time I came across an energy that I had never felt before in my pursuit of enlightenment. It felt like ancient wisdom. I wanted to tap into it and absorb as much as I could, so I returned. What I heard was what became the music for the album. Each melody was a meditation. I listened and waited and the melodies came. Some of them even sound very old and classical, somewhat like folk music. That is what inspired me most…this process of letting the music come to me while being in Egypt.

Q6. Collaboration with other musicians from different genres, how do you feel it enriches your music? 

Ans. Well, I’ve been a solo artist and I’ve been in bands. I like both, they each have wonderful creative advantages. Collaboration, however, helps you grow in a social way…with all the technology today, it’s easy to just sit in your home studio and make music for years. But it’s when you bring in another person – who has their own journey, musically -that things start to get interesting. I loved collaborating on this album with all 35 artists. Both in Arabic and English, we had a marvellous time decoding these melodies that came to me and enhancing them. I think the collaboration made the album a very special work of art.

Q7. Will ‘Origin’ have more volumes in the future? 

Ans. Yes this is just the beginning! They’ll be united as the One World Turning Project. There are other musical genres, even in Egypt, that are becoming extinct as we move more into the technological age. I would like to record more traditional sounding compositions next time with less of a western interpretation, so as to archive the music. Then we will see what’s next after that. Maybe Cuba!

Q8. What goal do you seek through your music—personal or/and all encompassing? 

Ans. Through my music I have the goal to fully interpret the information being given to me through sound. I hope to leave this earth having left something beautiful and inspiring behind that will continue to enrich lives and remind humans of this wonderful gift of life.

Q9. What else do you like to do apart from music? 

Ans. Apart from music, I love exercising and eating good food with good people. Life is for enjoying as well as working. I like to work hard to celebrate. I have two children who like to workout with me in the gym and go for runs and bike rides. I’m a pretty active person, so any kind of exploration is always on the list if I’m not in the studio.

Q10. A message for our readers and aspiring musicians.

Ans. No matter how strange or silly your dreams may seem, pursue them! They are your path and destiny and if you don’t follow them you will waste a lot of time. Following your destiny does not mean it will be easy. It does mean you will feel fulfilled by doing it. The reward is being able to sleep at night knowing you are where you should be.

Lord Shiva is one of the trinity of gods in Hinduism. Considered the manifestation of the Apara Brahman (Formless Supreme Source of the Universe) in a form to be enjoyed and worshipped by the devotees, Shiva is considered the destroyer or annihilator or the final destination of the entire gamut of creation. The other two among the trinity namely Brahma and Vishnu are said to be the creator and the protector respectively.

The role of destruction attributed to Lord Shiva has several shades of meaning to be understood and assimilated. The first and the obvious meaning is the role of dissolving or destroying the entire creation during the Pralaya (Great Floods) to be merged back to the source from which all this emanated. In this sense, Shiva is the massive destructive force that absorbs everything into itself at the end of dissolution.

This would mean that the destination (Shiva) exists after the universe dissolves into its source of origin. Therefore Shiva is the Supreme Principle or the Eternal Truth described as Sat, Chit and Ananda meaning Truth, Consciousness and Bliss. Hence the order of creation is as follows. From Shiva emerged Vishnu, from Vishnu’s naval emerged Brahma and the creation started. Upon dissolution, Brahma along with the cosmos merges back into Vishnu and Vishnu merges back into Shiva thus completing one cycle of creation.

The term destroyer is also used in another sense namely the destroyer of ignorance or Maya. Shiva is the embodiment of Supreme Knowledge. He is the fountain head from where all the gods, sages and saints imbibe their wisdom to be passed on to the last member in the created universe. Here the destroyer means the one who destroys ignorance lights up knowledge. While Maya is the cause of creation, removal of Maya means destruction.

Shiva is shown in a meditative form enjoying absolute silence, stillness and unadulterated bliss. He is in the constant state of changelessness. Therefore He stands as the visible symbol eternity that cannot be changed, mutated or destroyed. In this sense, Shiva is the final state of everything that is created. In this sense, He is the destroyer who can never be destroyed.

We are providing the Sanskrit translation of the sentence ‘Know what leads you forward’. It is a beautiful sentence and can be used as a tattoo on your body or a T-shirt or even as a writing on your car.

We have also provided the pronunciation according to the IAST format, which will help users who can’t read Devanagari script.

If you have any question, feedback or suggestion, you can reach to us through the comment section. Feel free to share your thoughts.

We are presenting the Sanskrit translation of the sentence ‘I am the creator of my own reality’. It’s a beautiful English phrase and can be used as a tattoo for body art or even printing on a T-shirt etc.

For users who can’t understand the Devanagari, we are providing the pronunciation in the IAST format.

Feel free to connect through the comment section if you would like to suggest, give feedback or ask a question.

I had been a dragon-slayer in my previous births. God decided to give me another shot, and I took birth facing the challenges of the dragon called ‘life’.

This dragon is huge and unpredictable. I even don’t know what powers or limitations it possesses. But sometimes, I marvel at the beauty of this uncertainty—it reminds me of God’s ways.

Unfathomable sounds like a correct appellation if I give free reins to my imagination about its complexity. Like God or love, it is indescribable.

With its treacherous fangs and fire-spitting breath, it tries to condition every thought, every movement of mine. With its stubborn claws and prickly tail, it cuts me every now and then.

I, sort of, have to live it somehow.

And then, a fresh wave of Yoga disturbs me from my continuous fight. I realize the Kundlini aspects of these flying reptiles, that if I concentrate, I will be able to uncoil the energy that lies within. Thus, I succeed in loosening the grip a bit and am able to breathe with observed regulation.

The dragon grows old with me and its abilities diminish. Time seems to be the Overlord of our existence.

I don’t have to kill this dragon. I have to become a dragon-rider this time. And when the dragon and the rider are in sync, the vision becomes clear, and so does the goal.

So, I have chosen to live with this dragon.

That unchecked greed of eating soiled fruits fallen on the ground, and believing that somebody once jumped from the moon on earth, unhurt.

That playing with unvaccinated street puppies, and oblivious of any thing called Rabies.

That crouching in front of the home-made earthen stove waiting for the bathing water to boil, and eating grapes bought from a nearby plantation while swimming in the village ponds.

That sting of the bee, of the wasp, and of many unknown worms, and playing hockey with indigenous sticks made of mulberry tree, and balls made of polythene with a core of concrete.

That adventurous climbing on eucalyptus trees without any life-rope, and the bleeding knee staining the white pyjamas after falling from the bicycle.

That fear of cats howling and fighting atop the kitchen roof, and pleading with mommy to accompany to the bathroom at midnight.

That seasonal dental check-up accomplished by peeling the bark of the sugarcane, and racing towards dear grandpa to get money for a kite.

I had it all as a child living in a country-side village.

Now that I am grown up; have studied Physics and engineering, all I want to do is devise a way to time-travel and go back.

I am a fighter. Yes, I am, and this conclusion is not a hurried one. I have found this dominating trait of my persona after spending thirty-one extremities of the humid subtropical climate.

I fight with everybody, everything, all the time.

In office, I fight with the expectations and responsibilities that are levied upon me by my company, my seniors and my colleagues. In my house, I fight with my duties and obligations.

On road, I fight with the probability of an accident; while sitting quietly, I fight with hindrances that keep me away from visiting far-off places.

Working, I fight to find ways to be free; while idling, I fight to find newer ways of enjoyment.

In success, I fight with my ego that is prone to inflation; during failure, I fight to find an encouraging ground.

Awake, I fight with my body that is looking for rest; while asleep, I fight with my dreams.

Who said I have a life?

I have a fight!

Watching that leopard in the cage, a sense of commiseration grips my heart.

I am in a zoo.

Why I visit a zoo, I don’t know! Perhaps, I love animals. Or is it the sight of a living being, struggling to be free, quenches the beastly desires that are latent in me?

The leopard, as I know, is a symbol of agility and acceleration. How come he is made to sit and brood in this cubic dimension of rusted iron rods? Did they try to simulate the conditions with a metallic forest?

What was the need of this arrangement? How did they figure out that encaging a big cat would make a good sight?

How can children learn about the beauty of a sylvan creature if they are tempted to offer peanuts to it, but are told to keep off because it might bite them?

Isn’t all this shallow and unnatural?

How do you plan to save the fauna by limiting the way they exist?

But surprisingly, the leopard is not sad. His eyes are calm and unremorseful. It seems he has not yet given up.

A new spiritual calm seems to have dawned on him. He seems to be at peace with his surroundings by transcending his very nature. It’s like overcoming the adversity without fighting it.

Ah, I think this leopard will initiate me into this unexplored spiritual realm.

I bow to you, O master! You used your speed to quickly conquer new heights of victory.

This line looks so perfect that I can repeat it almost daily.

So, let me begin: yes, I was dumb, yesterday.

I always had high hopes and felt that I had a star in me. Yet, I always get proven wrong at some point of time on a daily basis.

Today I feel clever because I taught myself some lessons the other day. I am not sure if I will improve my behavior from whatever I was. But today, I know where I was wrong.

This has been going on a daily basis since I started observing myself. Instead of a continuous struggle, life is a continuous learning process. But what will be achieved after I finish this course? Surely, death can’t be my graduation certificate.

I certainly can’t assert that I was always dumb. The day I die, I must be free and fully realized.

If not, then as it happens with any failed student, I will have to reappear.

The only thing I am sure of is this: I am eligible for every type of failure; capable of every type of sin; prone to every type of defeat; and amateurish enough to commit every type of fault.

Bear with me!

I have gone to school and have listened to the hallowed talk too. I have trained myself in various skills and have consciously checked myself when I work.

Still, there are all kinds of possibilities that error may creep in. I can’t deny it.

Yet, I know I have unlimited potential inside me like anybody else. I know I came from the same source as everybody else.

I am also sure of this: I am eligible for every type of blessing; worthy of every type of privilege; capable to succeed anywhere; and innocent enough to be forgiven and given another chance.

Bear with me!

On the spot where the earth ends and the aquatic kingdom marks its boundaries, a child is trying his luck.

He is fascinated by the majesty of the sea, and wants to ride high on those whitecaps.

The thrill of the surf is irresistible.

Yet, he is cautious.

Submitting to the unnamed fear that wells within his tiny heart, and admitting the lack of his swimming skills, he lies on his nimble chest in an improvised Yoga pose.

I am inclined to name it sweet-surrender-asana.

My Lord, totally aware of my inability to swim, and overwhelmed by your majesty, I wait for your arrival on the shore.

O Ocean of Compassion, come and make me sodden with your love.

My activity is my meditation. Every movement of my limbs is like a prayer that I offer to you. Sitting in my dance suite with my head tucked in my legs, I contemplate on you, my Lord.

What’s it that can make me worthy of you!

When I was a baby, I was excited to know about everything. My fumbling but refreshing steps found joy in every object that you have created.

Now that I am able to move forward with conviction, I am not sure which way leads to you. Confusion and doubt have replaced the excitement of the childlike curiosity. My dance is refined but it is not fulfilling.

The music does not give me a cue which foot to move first.

But there is this inner call that vibrates with an unknown rhythm. It seems to set my whole body in a strange mood. It feels as if I am floating in air.

The flow of my body is slow yet assured, and it feels as if my being has known the steps since ages. This unknown dance-form is filled with so much joy that I am forgetting all thoughts. It is like I am merging in it.

I feel you are here, my Lord!

How thankful I am to this recurring pain that visits me every other second; I don’t have to spare a special time to contemplate on you.

It’s like having an alarm clock that wakes me up. Every other moment, I get a chance to connect to you; though I often waste it by focusing more on my problems.

It feels like it is only you who I need in my life, for, nobody else can understand or have an iota of what I am going through.

However, after learning that all this trouble was not new, and just the outcome of my own Karma, I feel ashamed.

Was I such a fool and a cunning person that I got such a severe retribution? Or is it the interest that has piled on the principal amount of my sin?

This Karmic shame has stalled my whole being. How can I approach you if I had been that sinful!

But then I consider it as the mud that I accumulated while treading difficult paths. It grew heavier and heavier as I kept collecting lumps of it.

Now, that I have received the spanking of your cleansing rod, I should feel refreshed and relieved. I should not be worried of what was but of what is.

I can now at least start my journey towards you!

In pain, I can never say ‘I love you’.

Yet, this is a feeling that I have whenever things go easy, my Lord. For everything that you do or choose in my life, I try to be happy and thankful about it.

The challenge is to do the same when I feel like a loser, and missing something in my life so desperately that my whole being seems to be out of sync.

True love or true feeling, for that matter, is tested on the anvil of sincerity. Happy times do not give the correct reflection of how well I have fared.

While in pain, I want to love you with the same intensity as I do when you make me happy with bounty of your gifts.

Till now, I have failed miserably. But you please don’t stop. Keep planting troubles in my path so that I have ample opportunities to test my love. Once I pass the test, only then you reveal yourself in all your glory without any reservation.

Peeping through the viewfinder that offers multiple focus points, I want to capture a picture of yours.

I have many of them, but all the actualizations have some type of blemish. Sometimes, my focus is not sharp; sometimes, the alignment is not correct; sometimes, the image is dark due to incorrect shutter speed.

Should I use flash to throw light on the one who is more radiant than thousands of suns?

Or do you feel I should open the aperture a bit more to let the light fall on the lens of my heart appropriately?

I always felt comfortable shooting but I am struggling now. I don’t know how, but I feel confused and dazzled by so many options with which I can capture you.

I am inclined to stop manually adjusting my gear to get a good photo, and use the automatic mode.

It’s like I should surrender my camera to your will and let you operate it.

You are the manufacturer, O Lord!

You know what settings suit what conditions!

Tune the camera and take a selfie!