I have lived on the lip of insanity knocking on the door. It opens. I've been knocking from inside - Rumi

We appear to be searching all the time, searching for one thing after another. The mind is constantly busy cranking out thoughts at high speed. Quiet time is rare and the emerging culture makes finding time for reflection even more difficult.

Why are we so restless and what are we searching for? Is it the next promotion, the new car, a bigger house, a new relationship, a long awaited trip? Or is the search triggered by a deeper desire that takes some reflection to uncover?

Looking around ourselves, all those worldly things that appear to bring happiness are transitory as are the short surge of emotions which accompany them. Underneath, there is a higher desire, a more noble purpose that can be uncovered through quieting the mind. The true search is for nothing external, it points inward. It may take us a lifetime, or many, to uncover the roots of that desire. When we do not find true and permanent happiness in worldly possessions we are led, at times inspired, to look deeper and ultimately will make time for self reflection and introspection.

By quieting the mind we become aware of the gap between our thoughts. That gap is the gateway to a different level of consciousness. In that gap we discover a sense of peace and tranquility that is missing in the rush of everyday life. Though the experience of such peace may be brief, it provides a window to a new world. In that world, there are no enemies, no evildoers, no saints and no villains; God is all there is. When we discover that world, we desire to go back to it again. The experience may provide a perspective to help us deal with the world of chaos we live in yet it does not make us immune to the surge of emotions associated with everyday life. We may begin incorporating our new perspective into our daily life. In the beginning we may just become aware of our anger or our feelings of jealousy or envy. In the long run, we begin to look for the roots of anger, hatred and war. Our new perspective yields the understanding that redefines birth, death and suffering. Though we remain susceptible to fear, we begin to understand the roots of our fears and will eventually overcome them.

Ultimately we discover that what we are searching for is within. We are here to find ourselves. That is the purpose of our journey.  This journey is long and adventurous. Temptations are around every corner. We may give in to them and submit, once again, to the worldly desires. But once the journey of self discovery begins, we are on the path. Failure cannot prevent and we will reach our destination.

It has been said that prayer is when we talk to God and meditation is when we listen. We need to do more listening these days.

She gazed at her reflection in the pond. How imprecise her life has turn out to be. She lost everything in life, her love, her family, her home and everything that gave meaning to her. Why am I alive? She asked repeatedly. She sat there for few moments as my life reflected back to me. Tear faded her vision and she cried my heart out. As the sobbing eased, she was ready to bid valediction to my life when she saw an ant in the pond struggling to exist. She watched it and some where in my heart she desired it to happen soon, she wanted to ant to drown. It gave her the courage she needed to take the plunge. She decided to follow suit; she wanted to tag along with it by immersing in the watery grave. A gentle breeze caused slight ripples and the ant was fighting a loosing battle. She saw a dead leaf drop from a nearby tree and another sign that it is time to seal off her destiny. But, what happened next changed everything. The ant climbed on to the dead leaf and slowly drifted to the bank and made its way to land as if nothing happened. What purpose was the dead leaf? It her gave reason to live. She learned that if one doesn’t have any support, then they can be support to others. She lives now and she doesn’t let any opportunity to lend a helping hand to anyone. You’ll never know how and when one can be an inspiration!

I am still not conversant towards blogging and beg to be excused for any errors. I hope I’ll have refined presentation as time goes by. World is full of beautiful people, we just have to open our eyes. Life is so wonderful!