ALCOHOLICS Vs YOGAHOLICS

Addiction can be good or bad – depends on what you are addicted to. That is something, which drives one to pursue their chosen interests  with all the intensity, continuity and consistency. Here no conscious effort on the part of those addicted are needed – it has just become second nature.

Alcoholics and Yogaholics have something more in common, besides addiction.

One of the major social evils, seen all over the world is addiction to alcohol.   The success rate of the de addiction Programs of  Modern Medi care is far from satisfactory, which only goes to show that it has to cover a huge distance in ascertaining as to why people get addicted and how to de addict them.

In fact, some of the reasons for addiction, highlighted by the Modern Medical Science may not only be true – it may be exactly the opposite, at least in the context of India. I will mention just one of those. It is being reasoned out that addiction is in Genes and that children whose parents were alcoholics are 4 times more likely to be addicted than those of non alcoholic parents.

Most of  those, I know, who are fully against alcohol and never tried it even once  are so, because their fathers were alcoholics and unleashed violence at home in inebriated state. The children of  non alcoholic parents are not so vehement in opposing liquor and even don’t mind  filling up the Glasses, once in a while.

Getting introduced to alcohol is no big deal, because of its easy accessibility. The question to be asked is, why people are getting addicted to the fatal Alcohol, tasting awful and terrible, neglecting  fruit juices and hot beverages. It is in the after effect – a sense of relaxation and peace of mind, commonly referred to as “high”.  Alcohol goes inside the body and triggers the brain in a particular way, leading to “highs” for a few hours besides many fatal physical as well as psychic disorders, which will accompany till the end of a hugely truncated life, if excessively and regularly consumed.

A sense of relaxation and peace of mind – who will not want it? Everyone wants it. When the mind is at peace, it is always accompanied by a relaxed body.

When the mind is occupied by too many anxious, fearful thoughts, it loses its focus and balance. I would like to quote Sri Sri Ravi Shankar – If there is no focus, there will be no peace. A focused mind can guarantee peace and relaxation.  

Alcohol does that for a few hours at the cost of  one’s health and lifespan.  What, if we can make the mind, remain quiet and focused, without drinking Alcohol? Yoga seems to do the same, albeit with a difference- physical and psychic health will IMPROVE. Of course, Yoga, can’t do that in real time as alcohol does, but considering the host of  long term benefits on offer, its daily practice is really worthy. No wonder, more and more De addiction Programs had included Yoga in their schedules, in the recent times.

  

Though I was never addicted to alcohol, I used to enjoy a drink or two, in a month in my twenties and thirties. There was this excitement and enjoyment during and after drinking. As I moved into forties, I could feel the spontaneous aversion of the mind towards alcohol – I don’t have to enforce it, wilfully.  All,  I  have been doing over the years are a few Asanas and Meditation besides practicing observing the thoughts or breath, when the mind is agitated.

If it is ensured that children at schools are taught Yoga and Meditation, they will get addicted to a better choice.

             

Endaro Mahanubavulu by MS Subbulakshmi

Yet another magic of MS.  Sooooooooo blissful.

Must listen - Brahmamokate by Sudha Ragunathan

One of the best of Sudha Ragunathan. You can feel yourself dissolving into nowhere.

SACHIN TENDULKAR AND INDIAN CRICKET

Today, Sachin Tendulkar announced his retirement from ODI cricket. He wants to focus on Test Cricket, we are told. So, we can see Sachin playing for India in the forthcoming tests.

By any standards, Sachin has established himself as one of the best cricketers, world has ever seen. I will always remember Sachin’s performance in Sharjah against Steve Waugh’s Australia. It was a privilege to watch  Sachin assaulting Michael Kasprowicsz, the pacer for maximums and lofting Shane Warne repeatedly over the fence at will. Singlehandedly,  Sachin took India to the finals and played a crucial role in winning the Cup. It will not be a surprise, if Shane Warne is still getting nightmares of  the final match.

Having said that, it is high time, we look at the flip side. It is Sachin’s prerogative to decide whether to retire,  when to retire – on a high or low, and what to retire from – Test, ODI, T 20. This should not be a cause of concern for others. But what the selectors are supposed to do? 14 or 16 best players – decided only on the basis of current form and fitness - among the available lot,  have to be picked up and 11 of those, most suited to the playing conditions must play. After all, none is greater than the Nation or the Game.

What is the reality about which very few people seem to talk about.

 The rookies or not so famous players, selected for the Indian team, never get into playing XI and get axed after being made to warm the benches. Even those, fortunate enough to be a part of the X1, must prove themselves in the first or second match. If not, they will be shown the door.

 A completely different yardstick is used for  evaluating the  STARS, more so Sachin. However bad, the current form is, these fortunate few, sitting on past laurels and History, enjoy the luxury of  playing as long as they wish – even if it means the national team is defeated continuously for a year or two, not to mention the frustration and agony of the deserving youngsters, eager to play for the country.

When a STAR is not performing well, all that the selectors can do is to silently offer prayers to hear the announcement of retirement. I do agree that the contributions of  those like Sachin, who had done so well for so long must be acknowledged and they should not be treated at par with rookies. But what we see is atrocious to say the least.

In this country we have the culture of worshiping the celebrities like demi Gods. Professionalism is an unspeakable word for us. Unless better sense prevails, Indian cricket may hit new lows.

Winning at home and losing abroad – barring very few in recent times – is something, the Indian Cricket team managed to do perennially. We may not see a big difference in the results at home and abroad in the future – we will lose both. This is what one can learn from the just concluded Tests of England series. Don’t be surprised, if Richard Hadlee amends his famed statement – kings at home and paupers abroad – suitably.

      

INDIAN CLASSICAL MUSIC

M.S.Subbulakshmi, the undisputed Queen of South Indian classical music, has sung this song in 3rd speed, somagnificiently. I began to enjoy the carnatic music(South Indian classic) only after listening to this.

MIND MANAGEMENT

Volatility has been synonymous with me from my teenage. At the drop of a hat, my mood will swing from one extreme to another. Being totally ignorant of  my nature and what it takes to succeed, I started my career. The initial days couldn’t have been any worse and I was blaming the superiors and surroundings. In a year, with the help of senior colleagues, I could improve my performance to some extent.

 I was unaware of my chaotic inside, till the middle of my twenties, when anxiety and insomnia also added up. That is when I turned to Meditation, which helped in restoring sleep. Towards the late twenties, I got an idea about my inside and badly wanted to change it, but couldn’t. I tried too hard to remain cool and composed, but nothing changed.

I learnt the basic course of Art of Living in 2002 and started to read its Founder, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s  books. ‘Wisdom for the New Millennium’ was one among them, which was an eye opener in many ways. Ten years later, I can safely say that I evolved into a better human being and got empowered to successfully deal with myself, failures in Business  and improve my relationship with those around. This Post is not going to be an advertisement for the aforesaid book. I will elaborate on a few points, which really mattered to me.

Deep inside, I,  like many others firmly believed that all the emotions are always decided by one’s freewill. Sri Sri. Ravi Shankar  says that the kind of  negative emotions and thoughts, one gets is decided by the amount of stress and tension in him. The emotions are 20-30 times more powerful than the thoughts and promises, borne out of our free will. So one can’t willfully suppress the emotions.  This wisdom healed me like anything, as I was angry with myself for getting angry too frequently and other emotional disturbances. 

The most important part of  dealing with negative emotions is to  become aware of it. If awareness is not there, then he or she will get lost in the emotions. Next step is to observe the negative emotions without any expectations, opinions and examinations. Or we can focus on our breath. Now the negaivities will drop off on their own.   

We can also do Asanas, Pranayams(Breathing Exercises) and Meditation to eliminate stress and tension. But the most important thing is to be aware of oneself. Continuous practice over a period of time will yield very good results. It has helped me for sure and will help others too.

If only children are taught about this at schools or home, they can be saved from Bipolar disorder and  Schizophrenia.  Modern medicine gives highly toxic pills with terrible side effects for treating Psychic disorders. Still one can’t be sure about the recovery or whether it will relapse.

Yoga Vashishtam, the wisdom taught to Rama by Sage Vashishta talks only about awareness. It is being taught in some American Universities, but will never be a part of the curriculum in India, thanks to the so called secularists’ stubborn resistance.        

Nowadays, we hear a lot about intra personal skills. Cool and composed head is one of the most important aspect of intra personal skills. “Being aware” is a practical tool to realize this objective.

We can learn a lot, but it will be of no use, if awareness is not there.  

  

          

Why Yoga?

One very rarely comes across a fair and unbiased review of Yoga, at least in India. By Yoga, I mean  Asanas, Pranayams, meditation and some basic knowledge. Don’t worry- I will not bother you with enlightenment and mystical stuff. I am not going to write about something, I haven’t experienced.  

We see modern Gurus and their followers proclaiming Yoga, if practiced, will offer  health, piece of mind etc. Certainly, Yoga has a lot to offer for the mind and the body, more so in the fast paced modern world, if an individual can choose the right kind of  practices, suitable for him and do it.   Everybody is unique and what is good for one may not be so good for another. One should be aware that Yoga will backfire, if not done correctly.

By and large, the Indian masses are fairly ignorant and misinformed about Yoga. Things get worse, when yet another Godman’s  ventures are exposed. When the very same people,  seeming to represent and propagate Yoga don’t live up to what they preach, common man develops distrust towards not only them, but Yoga too.

Then, we have these self styled intellectuals who have to fight anything and everything Indian to confirm to their prejudiced definition of  rational thinking. It won’t be out of place to mention about the notion amongst many of us that Yoga is only for those who want to renounce everything. So, Yoga doesn’t get the acceptability, it very much deserves in the very land of its origin. Despite of all these odds, one must agree that Yoga is finding more and more followers with every passing day, thanks to the acknowledgement of the Western world of its efficacy and usefulness.

My date with Yoga was facilitated by Insomnia and anxiety in 1993.

I was in the middle of  twenties with big dreams of that age about life and career. My dear and near ones were going through difficult times, about which I wanted to do something, but couldn’t. Quality of sleep steadily suffered and soon I couldn’t sleep at all.

 There were many nights, when I wouldn’t have slept at all. My job demanded me to walk continuously around the workplace for 10 hours, which means I had been walking  at least 25 kms a day. That was not good enough to let my body sleep.

Head was exploding with too many disturbing thoughts about the worst consequences, we will have to endure, if  things don’t get better.

I had to wake up at 5.00 AM in order to catch the Bus an hour later to go to the Company, I worked for. Getting up from the bed was almost impossible. Only the fear of losing the job made me wake up. Stressed up and fatigued mind residing in a body, crying for rest  ensured that waking up and getting started for the day were always excruciatingly painful.

I met a leading Doctor and explained. He diagnosed that I am suffering from Anxit Neurosis and prescribed Anxit(pill). One of my friends was a Medical Representative. He cautioned me against consuming that pill at such a young age. I took the medication for just one day.

On the next evening, walking by the roadside, I saw a hoarding, about meditation being the medication for insomnia. I met the organizers of the meditation program  and got enrolled for the very next course, scheduled a week later.

We were taught some simple Asanas and  Pranayams (breathing exercises) on the first 3 days of the Program. On the third day, Mr.Guruva Reddy, a senior teacher initiated us into Transcendental Meditation. During meditation, I didn’t get any superhuman experiences. After a month or two of extreme sleep disorders,  I really slept well for the first time, that night and woke up with renewed energy, the next morning. That is when it dawned on me that in my case the reasons for the problem originated in the mind. So the solution must also be in the mind.

I regularly did my Asanas and Meditation. My problems vanished in thin air. Twenty years down the line, I believe that it was one of those few right decisions, I made in life.

P.S.  A situation may arise, wherein you will like Meditation, but not the Institution and the people over there. In that case, keep your distance with the Institutions and the guys over there. Keep meditating, if you find it useful.   

An ENT Hospital

I am not against modern medicare. To be honest, I am not at all eligible to express an opinion on that. No doubt, thanks to modern medicine, diagnosis and treatment of many diseases have drastically improved ensuring less discomfort and faster recovery for patients.

The real problem lies in how it is being interpreted, practiced and may I say manipulated. A few personal experiences have forced me to think in these lines. This is the first of a few posts, I intend to upload on this issue. These posts will be detailed briefings about my personal experiences. I look forward to know the feedback of the netizens.

One of my friends had just returned from Mumbai, and since then complained of an unsual sensation in his ears, besides sneezing. Hence, we went to meet our regular ENT specialist  in Coimbatore. Just a few minutes before we could make it, he had left. He will be back only in the afternoon after 4.30 PM. The time was just 12.00 Noon. So, we went to a popular ENT hospital, nearby.

The lady at the Reception, looked through our eyes without batting an eyelid and asked seriously,

“You have  an appointment?”

“No”  

“We don’t see without appointment. Where are you coming from?”

“Chinniampalayam.  Please help us”

“You should have fixed up an appointment and come”

“Mam, we are not aware of the system here. You have to help us”

“As you have come from  a distant place, I will try to do something. Be seated”

We sat awaiting the call. The Receptionist summoned us, 10 minutes later, got the name and address filled up in the Registration form and said, this time with a magnanimous smile,

“We strictly don’t see patients without appointment. You folks are really lucky. As a special case, you are let in”

“All because of your efforts, Mam”

A hefty sum changed hands, after which we were escorted to a nearby room by a Nurse. Already 5 persons were waiting and we joined the queue. Having waited for 1 hour and those 5 persons to go, we went inside the chambers of the Doctor, who checked up the ears and nostrils with a torch light, with keen interest again and again and wrote something on our file. Thereafter he asked us to meet another Doctor.   After another hour of waiting, we could see the second Doctor. He too promptly repeated all the checks and informed that the nostrils of my friend are smaller, blocking the free outflow of phlegm, thereby forcing it to go to ears.

A few nice words later, we were taken to see the third Doctor. Fortunately he didn’t repeat what his predecessors had done. Instead he brought a flexible rod like thing with a camera, attached at the end and gently inserted into the ear of my friend. Images of the organs inside the ear were displayed on the computer screen. This Doctor started explaining about the ears and nose, using the images on the screen, though we didn’t request for that. He kept going on and on. We were about to remind him that we are not students, but patients. He ended his discourse on time, just a little earlier than our breaking point saying that a nasal surgery has to be performed for increasing the size of nostrils. We couldn’t grasp what he said. The time is already 3.00 PM.

Next, it was the turn of the chiefest Doctor. We could meet him at 3.45 PM. He was incredibly caring and left no stones unturned to ensure that the patients completely felt at home. After browsing through the file, he also confirmed that nasal surgery, costing around Rs.40000 then (8 years ago) has to be done, wherein the hollow bones of the nostrils – I don’t remember the exact medical name of it- will be operated upon, so that the holes of the nostrils get bigger, facilitating the free outflow of  phlegm. Without wasting time and waiting for our consent, he checked up with his assistant on the possible date of surgery. Pat came the reply that there are no dates for the next 6 months.

The chiefest Doctor curtly reminded his subordinate that his patient can’t be made to suffer for 6 months and kind of ordered that somehow or other, the surgery must be done immediately. We couldn’t understand the reason for his extreme interest in us. But one thing was clear – either he must be an extremely good and honest Doctor or the exactly opposite. He couldn’t fit anywhere in between.

The assistant kept contracting his facial muscles a number of times and then hesitatingly said there is a vacant slot 2 days later, for which there are already many vying with each other. In a jiffy, the chief gave his judgement, “that date is for this gentleman”

 We broke our silence.

“Can you please give us some quantified data on how smaller the nostrils are and the  barest minimum required size?”

“What?”

“There must be a bench mark for the correct size of the nostrils, which must be expressed in terms of some sort of statistical figures. Lest it can’t be Science. Please tell us how much the minimum required size is, what is the actual size of the nostrils as of now and how much is the deficit”

Now the chief doctor entrusted the task of explaining to his junior Doctor. Despite of repeated quizzings, we couldn’t get any direct reply to our queries from him.  Before it became an argument, we left without giving any commitment, regarding the surgery.

As we were moving out, my friend was obviously quite disturbed. I wondered, how these nostrils, which had done a wonderful job for 40 years can become undersize all of a sudden.

The time was 4.30 PM. Our regular ENT Doctor, we couldn’t meet in the morning,  must be back in his clinic. We had some refreshments and went there. We informed the Doctor that we had gone to that famous hospital, and we were not allowed to talk further. He started off asking,

“Did the receptionist tell you that only patients with appointments will be seen?”

“Yes Sir”

“Did she relent a while later? 

“Yes Sir”

……….

……….

……….

……….

“ Did they tell you that there are no dates for the next 6 months?

“Yes Sir”

He prescribed some pills and in a week’s time, my friend was alright.  Vulnerable people pay a fat price and get their health harmed at such hospitals.

SEEING IS NOT BELIEVEING

It all happened in Trichy in the year 1992 or 1993. I was a bachelor with decent earnings, living away from home with enough money and time  to indulge.

On that Sunday, I woke up, realizing that there is nothing  to do for the whole day. All my house mates had gone to their homes and I was alone. Pondered over going to films, the one and only recreation of those days. All the seeable films were already seen. So, what next? I can roam around Rockfort, but that will be enjoyable only  in the company of  a friend or two. Could not kill more than half hour on thinking about how to kill the day, as one of my friends living in our Woraiyur neighbourhood, Panneer parked his cycle at the entrance and stepped in.

The moment I saw him, I could figure out that he too is facing the same problem and it was indeed  a reason to feel happy about. He asked me about going to Cauvery river for a swim. He further reminded me that I learnt swimming a fortnight ago, even as I was considering his idea. Having nothing else to do, I hesitatingly agreed. Normally a minimum of 4 friends used to accompany me to the river. On this occasion, I had to go with just one.

I had a quick breakfast at a nearby  Mess, rode off on a rented bicycle with Panneer through the congested lanes of  Woraiyur and in no time, we were at our usual place on the bank of  the river. It was located on the outskirts of the city, where none used to come and hence it remained calm and clean. Rarely, one could see  a local villager filling his bullock cart  with the sand of the bank.

On that day too, the villager was taking sand from the banks, this time with great difficulty, as the banks were fully submerged in water. His pair of  bulls were floating at about 6 feet inside the river. The  cart was parked with due care, partly in the river and the front portion extending outside the bank. The villager had tied himself to one of  the bovines, dived to the river bed, collected sand in a wooden basket and kept filling the cart. Otherwise there were  no signs of any human activities, whatsoever.

Cauvery was in her pristine beauty, overflowing both  the banks. Everything, as far as one could see was green, full of life. Shoals of  fish folk were darting along  with gay abundant. It had all it takes to bring the mind to a complete pause and you literally get dissolved  and feel yourself as a part of the surroundings and not as a separate entity. Space and time cease to exist and blessed are those who could feel IT.

Panneer didn’t let me  remain in that bliss for long enough. He stripped off himself to just a brief , dived into the river with outstretched hands and started flaunting his wide range of swimming skills and ordered me to follow suit. I  wondered why this guy was showing off so much and was convinced without an iota of  doubt that he would have had a quite bath, if I was not there.    

As I was getting myself  sufficiently undressed,  fear started gripping me. I had been here with my friends a number of times before, to learn Swimming.  My last visit to Cauvery was a fortnight ago and only then I started floating and even made a few successful strokes to the surprise of  friends, swimming around me, training and protecting me. My friends acknowledged that I had learnt Swimming and my joy knew no bounds. For a moment, I thought of myself as Lord Krishna and those surrounding me in the river as privileged Gopikas.

It took a while before I could use all my will power to surmount the inhibitions and  start walking slowly inside the river. I consoled myself saying that even if I couldn’t swim, the villager and Panneer would save me.

My friend  didn’t lose the golden opportunity to advise me and  scold me. My feet could feel the fury of Cauvery, as they moved inch by inch inside the river. I slowly, but steadily walked further  into the river. Now water was flowing at my chest level and I had no option but to swim. I could feel myself floating and started just stroking. Panneer shouted at me to go a little bit  away from the banks, lest I may bang against the bulls and their lethal horns. I just had a look at the bulls and they too looked at me or at least  it seemed so. That’s it. I started panicking and couldn’t swim any longer. I tried my best to the last bit of  energy and it was of no use. I started drowning and no longer I could do anything consciously to save me. All that followed on my part was completely instinctive. I felt my  hands spontaneously going above the water level, as I started drowning.

Panneer swam to my help. Even as he held my hair, I reciprocated with a bear hug. He remained inside the water and tried his best to push me away from him and towards the banks, but couldn’t, as he was under my vice grip. My friend, with great difficulty pushed  me above the water level, but that was of no use, as I didn’t loosen my grip on his shoulders and was drowned. Again, I was  pushed  to the surface by him , only to be drowned in the next moment and this cycle went on repeatedly.   I lost all my hope and believed that both of us are on our way to  watery grave. I could see the river and sky spinning around with a buzzing sound and  have no words to express what it felt like. There were no signs of the villager, coming to our rescue.  I resigned to my fate and gave up, but my hands were not relaxing the grip. But my friend didn’t relent. He kept pushing me towards the bank.

 Suddenly something rocky hit my back, waking me up from a near death state and I realized that I was pretty close to the bank. Panneer got liberation from my steel grip and somehow, I could hold onto the rocks on the bank with my hands and crawled  out of the river. I lay down on my back on the bank, totally shocked and stunned.  My saviour  slowly emerged from the river and sat by the side of me, quietly.

Now the villager lazily walked towards us, reminding me of the perennial Policeman appearing without fail at the end of the Tamil movies, after the hero single handedly  had beaten a battalion of goons and guns. I could feel a sense of kindness towards me and anger towards my companion, as he enquired whether we were alright.

Then he uttered towards Panneer, “if  this Sir was not there, you can not be sitting here now.”

A few minutes later we rode our way back to our houses, feeling  an uncomfortable and heavy web of silence around us.

On reaching our neighbourhood, we parted ways without saying ‘bye’.  I wasted no time to fall on  bed, on reaching my house. Tried my best to sleep, but couldn’t, thanks to the uninterrupted flashbacks of my adventure in the mind screen.

A few hours later, the door was knocked. It was Panneer. He immediately left, but only after saying this.

“It would have been really better, had we died. That villager couldn’t have said that to me ”.