Eyes to the left, eyes to the right,
For what we see is just oversight.
It’s a Saturday night, people are busy,
Not with work anymore, but it’s about girlfriends and getting dizzy.
How does the person feel? What have they endured?
Let that thought flow down the gutter, just like the alcohol down your throat.
Remember this, that it will end,
A meaning will come to life;
And if it doesn’t so, well, you still lived a fabulous night!
Office can sometimes be a hectic affair and a cup of tea can be a huge breather! Done and dusted with my work day, here I was quietly reading an article on my phone and sipping my cup of tea that I had brought from Ali bhai’s roadside stall. Much into the article, my eyes turned vaguely to find a cockroach crawling its way beside me. I am known to be a kind-hearted person and all, so as my good nature goes, I stamped it and liberated it from the misery of its life, at which point I noticed the girl beside me, who was talking to her friend, take a pause from her sentence, clearly out of disgust for what I had just done!
She continued her banter about her college and I got back to my article. While we were both in our own worlds, I did notice that she was speaking in Bengali. You can never ignore the sweet melody of your mother tongue even though it might be coming out of someone who just gathered some hatred for you; the enemy you just made!
She went on with whatever they were talking about as I finished reading my article when I overheard a few more words, coming out of her lips with utmost disgust… “…cockroach ta k mere dilo. Hotochhara ekta, baje chele!” (…killed the cockroach. Imbecile! Bad boy!)
I love these situations! These are honest opinions about you and are in the most raw form! She has no idea that I understand every bit of what she is saying, about how much she dislikes me at the moment!
I turn to her, she looks at me, a second of silence, followed by my smiling face and the words.. “ami bangla bujhi.” ( I understand Bengali.)
These situations are really amazing. Not only did I just put her in a situation, I also get to see her reaction to it. Truly, there are some things that money can’t buy. For everything else, I have my credit card (if the limit permits).
There was another short stretch of silence at the stunning change of events. Her friend then burst out laughing and both of them, embarrassed at what just happend, walked separate ways (one into the shop and the other on to the road), while sounds of laughter echoed my ears.
Happily sporting a smile, I took the last sip of tea and put the cup in the bin(Swatchh Bharat) and started walking towards my bike. I would had preferred if she could had taken her stance! It would had got the conversation going atleast! However!
As the smug in me was satisfied and happy about how things had turned out, I started my bike and left for my home sweet home!
I was born into a Buddhist family, and since birth I have been following and gulping down what my spiritual leaders have been teaching.
I was put into a factory line with a pre-decided flow on my religious beliefs. I have been taught my mantras, a way of life and everything nice.
“Nice”; that’s the keyword here. What is nice? What is good or bad? A beef steak might be a normal dish for someone while a hindu family might rebuke at it. So is it good or is it bad? My muslim friend will not have pork but its all good meat for me!
So, there’s nothing good or bad, its just how the society and people you care about perceive it which drives your judgement about things.
Its not upto you to be born into a family with the religion or social status of your liking. However, once born, the family’s ideologies become your ideologies. Throughout your childhood you have been fed with the beliefs of the religion and thought process that your family follows. You are never given a choice!
Choice! The freedom to choose with an open mind. That’s what you need now that you can think for yourself.
I am a Buddhist officially. But in reality, I identify myself as an agnostic person. Honestly, there are too many religions and too many teachings which are age old and designed according to those times. And I only find religion to be something that divides people much more than it unites. If every religion teaches the same idea of love and kindness, why do I need to follow one? I can practice it without identifying myself as part of one particular sect. Every religion has some good things about it. I find yoga to be alarmingly beautiful and soothing. I love the freedom of food which Christianity and Buddhism allow. Muslim brotherhood is something worth admiring! I’m identifying myself as part of all such sects and a seeker of truth. I identify myself as an agnostic.
Time that you ponder upon this idea too because, until now if you didn’t know me personally, you might have been of the impression that I was born a Buddhist. Whereas in reality, I am from a Hindu family which led to my Hindu upbringing.
Peace!
Here’s something from years back to start over new.. leave a comment about what you think about the younger me..
Looking up at the star studded sky,
I wonder how to live free and bright,
Lighting up the lives of many,
While singing songs of their glory;
Reaching the limits and beyond,
As far as light can breach and further on,
Remembering the goals to achieve at yonder
They always make me wonder..
Is the moon more prettier or its light?
Over it we can have a fight.
But the truth has mostly won,
So the light will take the throne!
iambanik 