Where is God?

Recently we visited a well known temple. It was a special occasion that day and the temple was fully crowded. The temple was decorated with the flower garlands and people coming out of the temple were discussing  about  the gold jewels on the God's idol. There were queues. One was too big and the other was moderately big and other was small. Big queue is for all. The second one was for those who paid some money and the small queue was for those who pay more money.

I could even see some people quarrelling among themselves losing patience. The sole purpose of going to temple is to attain peace of mind. Not to make the mind and body suffer. Temple is a place where the mind should calm down not the place where it lose the left over peace. I could see people carrying flowers as offering to God. I felt like God is being offered to the god.

Standing in the big queue, looking at the petty fights, I started thinking about how commercial these temples has become! What is the purpose of temples and where actually is god? How can someone put boundaries to the boundless? Is it the only place where God exist? Why can't the people go towards the truth and find out where the god exist?

These questions reminded me of the story that I was narrated by my grandmother. It was the time when humans were being created. Among the creators, a discussion was going on about where the part of the source of creation (god) should be kept such that humans can hardly find it. A creator said "inside the core of earth".  Another creator said "man would dig it out and find it one day".  Another creator suggested "up above the sky"  This was also opposed by saying "man has intellect.  There is no doubt that he will find ways to fly and find it out". A smart creator then said "let us keep it inside him so that only the one who is able to find his own self find the god" Everyone agreed to this and kept it inside human. Another creator said "every creation should have God inside it. Let's keep it in every living and non living thing that we create" This was agreed by all the creators and since then whatever was created, living or non living thing is having God nowhere but inside. This was just a story told by my grandmother still there is a truth in it. The truth is god is in every living and non living thing around us.

When a person takes a step towards the self discovery, he finds out that the whole universe is full of God. He who is the part of universe is also having God in him and the stone which is the God's idol Is also having God in it and the stone which has taken the form of steps pillars and walls also have God in it. Like an empty vessel is filled with air outside as well as inside, God is inside as well as outside. He has no boundaries. Let us walk towards the truth and find out who we are. Let us live a life that is full of abundance.  Let us see God in each and every person each and every thing around us. May the light of the knowledge of self erode the darkness in us and help us walk towards the truth and help us find the god in and around us.

"asathoma sadgamaya"

The shining stars

It was a full moon day. I was all alone for an entire day. That day was so difficult to spend that I started feeling like I have been alone for an year. With the heavy thoughts of loneliness, I turned towards the window and saw the light. On moving the curtains aside, I saw the stars which were shining bright in the night sky. I locked the door and walked straightaway to the terrace. I was amazed by the beauty of night sky.

The beauty of night sky beautified my thoughts. Each and every star was miles together far awsy from each other. Though it is far from each other, it never turned dim feeling that it is a lonely dim star. It was shining with all its glory due to its internal energy. All it has is that inner strength to fight the darkness, thereby beautifying the entire night sky.

If the star ever thought that what difference can it bring about by shining alone somewhere in the corner of the night sky, when there are other stars shining brighter than itself the star would never shine. It would never have given hope to someone who has lost all the hopes of reaching the destiny in the dark night. There wouldn't be that fragrant flower blooming when the sun goes far.

When a person explores his own inner strength and move ahead in the path towards the destiny, no one can stop him from shining. Everyone is blessed with that internal energy. There is no-one in the entire world who is not capable of doing something special. Who knows? There may be a flower budded in him to such an extent that it is waiting for a ray of light to bloom.

Lonliness or I should call it as 'being with oneself' gives an opportunity to explore the unexplored, understand the strengths and unconditionally fall in love with that one thing which can take away every grief and establish connection between the what a person is and what he want to be. The one who becomes the person he want to be, shines like a star. Belief is all that is required. The stars brightened my gloomy day. It gave me a message "Believe yourself and shine on". I took out my pen and paper and took a step towards what I want to be.