Chiffonesque

 It was Eid and Ekadashi today. Thus far, I have managed to keep the fast for Ekadashi. But we still have 2 hours to go so...let's see. I had this urge to go to a temple. There is a small one near my house. Today it was filled with people singing keertans. So I went to the  Iskcon. I like the temple. It's so big and bustling. It's organised and musical.  But today was very crowded. Usually I go to temples and do a quick pranaam without offering flowers or fruits. But I felt like buying a thali. I got one with some fruits, tulsi leaves and a single marigold flower that lay there like a fully energized petaled sun. There was a long queue and I was already feeling stressed in the pit of my stomach. But the line kept moving and just like that, I had my darshan and I got done.  I came out and thought of getting a flower for the pooja room in my home. I bought a lotus. The florist fluffed out the petals and it looked like a sweet little bird.  I caught an auto back an...

 Today began with so much tumult. But I managed to finish one set of work, have a couple of strong work-related calls, and a lot of other things that induced panic. But I had a massage and spoke to my father. Some days, talking to Dad is the most special thing that happens. I have started reading another article and it seems interesting. It's on the nature of persuasion. Have not been able to find the book on Shiva Sutras now. That was quite mind-bending. But I am trying to explore this process of detaching yourself from your body first and mind second. I had a scary dream in the afternoon/ early evening. In the dream, I was talking to a friend. I was telling her that I wanted to go to the base of the Worli sea link but people discouraged me. My friend repliesd that she had wanted to go there too. But people, especially her father, said not to go because a lot of tigers were killed there. He held her back physically and said,"Kabhi nahin bhoolti ." (She never forgets.) I ...

 Had a really nice walk today. I woke up a little upset because the cleaning lady had taken an off today. It is getting very irritating now. But I must be patient.  Then I read an article in the Harvard Business Review compendium (the HBR'S Ten Best Must Read books). It was called 'Telling Tales' by Stephen Denning. The article had an interesting reference to an 'International Storytelling Center" in Tennessee. I just looked it up. It seems like a really nice place- an NGO dediicated to improving the world through stories. (Link: https://www.storytellingcenter.net/) Should research it some more. In this article, there was a segment called 'The Story Catalog'. It was so cogently written. This is the thing with good writing - the work shows and also does not show. It's like looking into a goodlooking face - it may be without make-up except for that slight dewy tint that looks loke your face emerged like a pearl from an oyster. But it has good features and...

 There's a lot to finish but I started my day early. Really early. I am getting a little tired of the cleaning lady who comes to my house. There's something about her that's innately unpleasant. But jobs are important. I should suck it up until things reach a point of no return. Really sleepy now. 

 Today was a little scary. Some guy pretending to be from the gas agency entered the house and poked around the house, etc. I should not have allowed him in but the day began on a high stress note anyway. So I was distracted. I really ought to be more careful. It's getting really hot and I wish it rains now. Like right now.  I have to finish a few more things. But I am so tired now. Maybe tomorrow.  

 I just finished some work and informed the client that I may need more time. Before I retire for the day, I decided to restart the blog. A lot of things have been on my mind lately. Most of them are about religion. Rather my religion. Actually not so much my religion but the narrative around it. I have recently come across this author, J Sai Deepak, a copyright lawyer tackling IPR. He practices in the Supreme Court. He has written a trilogy about the Indic civilization's decline through invasion, proselytization, and subsequent usurping of collective pain by an alien paradigm of secularism. I got the last book of the trilogy, "India, Bharat, and Pakistan - the constitutional journey of a sandwiched civilization." The book traces the constitutional founding of the two nations and how that has marginalized Hindus. I have not started reading the book, but I got it because I think it's time for me to read and tackle complex text. Managing an onslaught of work and some ho...