FREEDOM II

FREEDOM IS NOT A REACTION;

FREEDOM IS NOT A CHOICE,

FREEDOM IS FOUND IN THE CHOICELESS AWARENESS

OF YOUR DAILY EXISTENCE 

AND ACTIVITY

Imagined Control

As expounded by Jiddu Krisnamurti, the state of unpremeditated, complete awareness of the present without preference, effort or compulsion.

Is this even possible today when we are hogged by a consumerist culture. A new world of quick fixes, even spirituality is seen as a commodity. 

The state of stillness would be impossible for distraction comes in all shapes and forms, and the most destructive one comes virtually. The virtual realm exposes one to an infinite probability of choice, which in it self becomes stifling, that strangulates our very own existence . 

Perhaps freedom of choice only expresses the ability for one to choose freely within a given choice in a particular boundary.

In one of my social networking group, someone proposed a view that man's ability to describe GOD seem very reflective of himself. My reply was, isn't it logical, where man's ability to imagine is determined as far as his faculties permits. So as much as he tries, his imagination is still boundered by what he is exposed, hence the concept of limitless is a misnomer within this perspective.

Imagination

Freedom should give the beholder the capacity for self knowledge and the ability to make free as well as rationale choices. Some say that with the advent of technological advancement with greater access to information people may embrace greater freedom. But this in fact is an oxymoron because what goes in the virtual world has its own conspiring theories. The internet has the capacity to magnify propaganda and politicize issues both at individual and societal level. Case in point is Cambridge Analytica and its alleged role in the US presidential election.

The paradox of boundered freedom can be clearly seen none other than in the US where Americans are spending more money trying to defend their right to free speech than benefiting from it.

So is there real freedom as aspired by Jiddu or have we been conned to believe in an assumed utopia that we are living with free will, just because we believe that we are an independent and rational thinking consumers.

But then again what about the bombardment of advertising that constantly hounds us ...........

Bounded Mind

Confined Mind

Abraham Lincoln and Mohandas Gandhi had their tryst with freedom and we all know the consequences, neither the proponents lived to see their efforts nor the benefactors fully realized its outcome.


ravi varmman
Subang Jaya
18.36
29 January 2019

My Tryst With KumbhMela

It was my inner calling that brought me to the Triveni Sangham (Meeting of Three River's) the merging of river Yamuna, Ganga and the mystical Saraswati, to be here exactly on the auspicious period of Kumbh Mela at Prayargh, Allahabad.

Wanted to be at the exact point of the Sangham, boatman Kaka made sure of that. I was accompanied by Mr & Mrs Sushil from Varanasi, strangers who were destined to share my experience.

I took a dive from the platform, almost breast level, the freezing water had a numbing effect for a few seconds, but slowly I felt a calming sense.

After taking the third dip head in the water there was this feeling of nothingness which I have never felt. I guess the fusion of being overwhelmed by being at the Kumbh, the Triveni Sangham, and the freezing water gave this adrenaline rush that I have never felt before.

At that fleeting moment everything stopped, but I know I was there, I was conscious, but there was nothing.

I liked that feeling.

After that, experience, I had the most colourful sight visiting the Baba's tents, they are the most eccentric people that I have ever seen.

India has always been an enigma. For many these Baba's could be a "Tamasha", for others it could be a photography feast, and to the faithful, a blessing is hoped, but very few, really attempted to understand this way of life. From the interaction I had with a few of them, their purpose seems as diverse as they are.  But to me they are not only intriguing but very inspiring too. 

And of course what is a festival without traders. They come in all shapes and sizes. Amazing entrepreneurial talent. This in it self is feast to the eyes.

I am still recovering from the overwhelming effect of this experience, truly humbling. 

These Siberian seagulls are migratory birds, who travel thousands of miles from the harsh winters of the Siberian hinterland. They will be a common sight till March.

The entire event has shown me how small the 'i' is. 

The more I seem to know, the more I realise how much I don't know. 

My dear friend Harish, from Varanasi shared a quote yesterday, he said "We are so obsessed of using a telescope to see things afar but failed to see within oneself using a microscope." A simple analogy but with profound wisdom. 

The search continues..............

ravi varmman

26 January 2019

21.51

Varanasi

India.

Note:
My friend Harish and wife run a Homestay at Varanasi. Great people, wonderful hospitality.
Contact: homestayvaranasi.in 

BEYOND FAITH

Like in many previous years I had fulfilled my pilgrimage this year at Velayuthar Temple Batu Caves. It felt good, reinvigorating, inspiring, and highly motivating. This has been an annual event for my family, where the youngest to the oldest, participate in carrying Paal Kudam (Milk Pot) up the 272 steps to energize mind and body.

Many reasons have been given to this ritual, but the most common would be to thank the Lord Muruga for his divine intervention in our lives.

For the sick, beyond the hands of a skillful doctor, faith gives them courage and strength to go through a particular treatment.

For a student, beyond his or her effort in preparing for an examination, faith gives clarity of focus to achieve the desired outcome.

To a job seeker beyond equipping oneself with the necessary skills and knowledge faith gives hope for a better job.

Thus there could be many reasons why the "faithful" perform such or any other act to thank the divine for the believed intervention.

But the philosophy behind the "VEL", Lord Murugan's lance embodies great value as a guide to one's journey called life.

The shape of the lance "Vel" which has a broad 'head' representing the need for broadness of the mind, followed by the sharp pointed edge representing sharpness of knowledge and the long length of the shaft depicting the depth of thought. In totality the VEL represents WISDOM, something that many lack. 

The entire act of fasting and preparing both mentally and physically for the pilgrimage definitely requires greater discipline, which in itself is an act of detoxification.

Ultimate human progression leads to the development of higher consciousness, as such a disciplined articulation of body and mind would pave the way for clarity of pursuits. 

Many look for happiness and peace via religion and religious practices, hoping for a divine intervention either for the present or even for an eventful afterlife. Unfortunately many are so focused on embracing religion and religious rituals that they fail to see within on how to be a good human being.  

An act of "Kavadi" bearing (carrying the milk pots balanced on a wood or sugarcane) gives a sense of humbling to the bearer making one realize that the cosmos is definitely bigger than one's ego. 

I have found solace in many places of worship, be it a Mosque, Church, Synagogue, Gurdwara, Temple or even the Mausoleum of Spiritual Masters.  In all of them, I have  experienced positive vibrations or energy that gives a good feeling. I have come to the realisation that Religion is merely a means to higher consciousness but religion itself is not the end. Hence there are many spiritually enlightened masters who do not belong to any specific boundered philosophies. 

If only more people understand the logic of their actions, the world will be a better place.

Vetri Vel, Veera Vel

Lance of Victory, Lance of Bravery

Bravery to face all challenges, and Victory To all Pursuits

Ravi Varmman
21 January 2019
Subang Jaya. 

The Cosmic Dance

Today is 2nd January, a new day like any other day just began. 1st January will be a memory and eventually will be forgotten. All the celebration and merry making from Christmas till New Years Eve would have ended, some with hangovers, others with bloated food binge, and many others would have just slept through the New Year.

Some may have promised new year resolutions, and for many, it's just another year, like many others that they have crossed.

Reflecting on Shiva's Cosmic Dance, 'Anandatandava,' meaning the Dance of Bliss, symbolizes the cosmic cycles of creation and destruction, as well as the daily rhythm of birth and death, should remind us of our responsibility as a human being.

photo@chennaidomesticairport

Another year, another period of borrowed time, let us strive to be a better human being.

May we be guided in the righteous path.

Have a Great Year Ahead.

Ravi Varmman
2nd January 2019
Subang Jaya.

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

BY ROBERT FROST

Whose woods these are I think I know.   

His house is in the village though;   

He will not see me stopping here   

To watch his woods fill up with snow.   

My little horse must think it queer   

To stop without a farmhouse near   

Between the woods and frozen lake   

The darkest evening of the year.   

He gives his harness bells a shake   

To ask if there is some mistake.   

The only other sounds the sweep   

Of easy wind and downy flake.   

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,   

But I have promises to keep,   

And miles to go before I sleep,   

And miles to go before I sleep.

In remembering Robert Frost whose treasures have now been officially deemed public.

A very inspiring poem that has changed many lives, including that of yours truly.

The seeker's thirst is never quenched, with every mile seemingly just a precursor to the next. Some miles may seem longer than others, without a realization that a mile is just a mile, although to the feeble mind it stretches according to one's imagination.

To rise above the duality of mind would give a better comprehension of existence, hence a better grasp of the mile, which in turn inspires persistence and conviction in facilitating one's passion and pursuits.

Thank you Robert Frost for keeping the flame in me constantly burning.

Ravi Varmman
2nd January 2019
Subang Jaya.