Food Food Food

Of lately I ve been experimenting with food and new recipes that i have cooked in the past and some that i haven’t cooked but tried them here in my hubby’s home and in my own personal kitchen.

The recipes i cook boost my confidence and cooking skills so much that i even post the pics of the meals i make on Facebook which is appreciated by my friends and relatives and on the advice of My dearest Friend Pooja and My beautiful dee Rachna, I have added the Food category to my word press blog that describes the recipes of the Food i cook along with the pictures of the cooked dish.

Since there’s no dearth of good recipes i may just limit to posting pictures and share recipes of some of the dishes that may taste unique or somewhat different. Of course that would be me or my hubby to taste but food is not all about tasting its about the look and feel of it , the colors it has and the aroma it gives.

So much to be explored, hope this food journey may lead to unique experiences and some more observations about spirituality and senses. 

Shred Bread Poha.

Advertisement

Sweet Nothingness

Now I am a complete homemaker, doing all the household chores and actually loving it, we have relocated to this new place and am liking it alot , it seems,  if just two people live under a roof there are so many things to explore and care for rather living with many people and just caring for self.

I like this life and completely in love with the amount of free time and space, its like a dream come true , for what i had always been waiting for , this is what i wanted all the time when i was busy all day doing my job , studies and home tasks. But now its a whole lot of freedom , with no studies no job and no framework for work .

Life is moving really nice and i can feel and sense the time that never flies rather its slow and steady and seems to me that its just what one requires in life that he she doesn’t need to run with time rather wait for the time to chime.

Time that flows slow is simply sweet and wonderful because it has nothing to do with materialism, moreover it has the qualities of disintegrating you into different forms where one can explore and discover a lot about life in its true forms , the real essence of it and true meaning that revolves around things that we forget to peep into.

Simple encouraging acts of small work or no work and just enjoying the environment in the present mood itself is quite enchanting experience because you are so much free , you have all the time to do something and to do nothing , this explorations of nothingness is beyond comparison where you can be just with you, there’s no running for being someone else like in your office shoes or  have makeup or to read some news.

Its just you and the time you have all the time even that you forget about time.

De Glam Life

 

Life is great for some people who are born with disarming looks along a life of riches which makes things easier for them to achieve. And for those born into average looks and lead an average life things dont come easy to them , if it does its attributed to either destiny or luck, but if they dont appear even after hard work and struggles it all comes down to even below average where another sorts of problems collect around them.

I suppose that there are a plenty of people on this planet who lead a very plain life and often at some point of time would have desired if things could be reversed like the way they were born, or if they had paid attention to their looks earlier or if their parents were keen enough to care for them even more like the parents of the other kids do for them. we all must have felt this way certainly because we are born unhappy since the day we are born we begin life by crying and end it up crying for things we could never have or be born with. 

The major portions of life for women alt east runs around their looks , how attractive they are or how others think about them, the way they should dress but cannot, the makeup they can put on but cannot afford to have, and even to wear and be like those divas on the ramp but they cannot because they have got other better things to do that are safe and acceptable rather than walking the ramp. 

These thoughts that beauty gets all are not mine they are coming from generations that a person gets everything in life if they are attractive and have an eye catching personality .And since generations these thoughts  have hardened so much that they cannot be broken down maybe stereotypical of me to think but i cannot refrain ignoring it when i have vicarious experiences to share that yes beauty outnumbers brain.

Talking of my school days, i recollect how the most beautiful girls of  my class quoted ” After school i will marry the man of my dreams and live life like a queen ” at that time too i never had this mindset, i was steady that yes i have to study do my college and do a job and i shall be married off to a humble man and have to do the chores and work along to make ends meet, and no other thoughts seduced me or contradicted to those i had ever since school. 

But now as iv seen so much in life i wonder that is it necessary to carry out similar thoughts its no where written that god and society favors the beauty history is full of characters and heroes who aren’t beautiful yet remembered for their works and not for their looks. And In times today with all bot ox and jabs beauty is just a few lacks away deal to get. But am not inclined to do so nor i think many of the people who an afford or who cannot are bold enough to live life as they are born not what they should have with. 

Which is why we have so much of beauty promoting ads, lighter skin tone, tanned skin, fairer skin, wrinkled,  age less, spotless, needless to say that its eating out the natural way we used to live and for the ones who wish to live the natural way it makes life hard for them, a simple challenge here,  can one go without even using a moisturizer to work or lip gloss or kohl, no i guess not, and what about not getting your eyebrows or upper lips done, i guess you cannot live like this or i should say look like this. But if i had the chance,i would never take so much of  pain to groom myself for the way society wants me to be , when i can live with those. 

But again we are all part of the society and not following its norms as a girl would mean so much of chaos for myself and those concerned with me. Kind of names they would give you, or even term you as psychologically imbalanced person, wow so much for simplicity , but then who dares because i want to live in this society only i dont want to deviate or break free, the only thing i want and desire and many like me that they can at least have freedom, when dealing with their outer appearance and their own body for that matter. 

It will take a long time for people to accept a de glam life because a life full of glam and shimmer is what attracts to a lot and we often envy those people in hold of it, well its quite natural to have those feelings if you are born human and not a fish, and we slowly separate ourselves with such people be it in sh cool , college or work as if those people are beyond our reach , but then only if you talk to them , you may find some turn out to be just like their looks and some completely opposite are shallow.

But then we cannot judge everyone based on their looks and its even not fair to say that all average looking people are kind enough , everyone has an innate individuality and personality that reflects be it behind the makeup or after a face wash. Its needed that we get in touch with the real glam heart of people and its also needed that the society weighs conscious over glee and glam. 

A de glamorous life is not that easy to live, but  its full of good things to look into and get inspired with. 

 

Jap Tap Vrat : Bhakti

तप में है बल                

कुछ महीनो पूर्व मैं हरिद्वार गयी थी, जहाँ मुझे बहुत सुकून और राहत महसूस की, पवित्र गंगा जल में डूबकी लगाकर सूर्य देव को नमन कर मन में महसूस हुआ की शायद बरसो पुराने वक़्त के कर्मो की बुनी चादर जैसे बह गयी हो और उस जल धरा में  मेरे नए जीवन का संचार हुआ है ऐसा प्रतीत हुआ।

 गंगा घाट पर बैठे दूर – दूर तक पानी ही पानी और इतना ठंडा जल शारीर के स्पर्श में आते ही सब गर्मी मानो चुरा ले गया हो और सब निराशा उड़ा ले रहा हो। सर से पैर तक तन में निर्मलता, स्वछता एवं शीतलता उत्पन्न हो गयी। 

गंगा जल का वेग बहुत ही तेज़ होता था मुझे लगा जैसे मेरे पैरो को घाट की सीडियों पर टिकाना बहुत मुश्किल होता जा रहा है ,पर मैंने तो निश्चय किया था की डुबकी लेनी है पैर से सर तक, पानी के भीतर होकर ही। और इसी दौरान शायद गंगा मैय्या को मेरी भक्ति इतनी पसंद आई की मेरे पाओ उठाकर वो चलने लगी, पर भला हो उन ज़ंजीरो का जिसकी वजह से आज मैं यहाँ बैठ कर लिख पा रही हूँ। 

 हरिद्वार में आरती देखने के  संग- संग भजन और जय कारे लगाने का अलग ही अनुभव होता है। शाम होते ही पानी में सब तरफ फूलो में सजे दीप बहुत सुन्दर लगते है , मैंने भी   दीप जलाये और हाथो से श्रद्धा के फूलो को उस पावन जल में प्रवाह किया। सच मे घाट पर बैठकर पैरो को पानी में डूबाये और उस शांत जल धारा के वेग को देखते रहना बहुत अच्छा लगता है।जगह जगह छोटी बड़ी पहाड़ियां और शिव भगवान की मूर्ति को देखते रहना और मनन करना अत्यनत सुखदाई अनुभव होता है। 

यह एहसास कुछ ही पलो का होता है, हालाँकि आपके और मेरे जीवन में ऐसे बहुत से सांसारिक एहसास होते होंगे या हो रहे होंगे, पर मैं जिस एहसास और अनुभव की बात कर  रही हूँ वो ज़िन्दगी में कुछ ही लोग पूर्ण कर पाते है। 

वो इसलिए की ज़रूरी नहीं की आप भगवन के दर्शन करना चाहेंगे तो कभी भी जा सकेंगे, क्यूंकि यह तभी मुमकिन है जब भगवन आपको दर्शन देने का बुलावा भेजे, नहीं तो इतने सालों से मेरी तीव्र इच्छा है की मैं माँ  वैष्णो देवी के दरबार जाऊं और माँ के दर्शन करू पर रूकावटे, अर्चने और कुछ निजी जीवन की समस्याए ऐसी है की मैं अब प्रतिज्ञा बद्ध हो गयीं हूँ हठ समझ लीजिये या जो कहिये, की जब मेरा विवाह संपन्न होगा मैं तभी दर्शन के लिए जाउंगी अपने जीवन साथी के साथ माँ के दरबार माँ के चरणों में। 

    यह सोचते -सोचते यह भी विचार आता है की “तप” की महिमा अंतहीन है,  क्यूंकि जिस गंग  के  जल में मुझे इतनी शान्ति और सुकून मिला, वो गंगा मैया के जल को धरती पर   लाने के लिए ऋषि  भागीरथ ने कितने वर्षो की तपस्या की जिसके पश्चात वह धरती पर आई और भगवन शिव ने उनके तेज़ वेग को सँभालने के लिए, उन्हें अपनी जटाओ में    धारण किया तब जाकर कहीं इस प्यासी धरती की प्यास भुजी, पापो का नाश हुआ और मृत जीवो और मनुष्यों को मुक्ति मिली। 

 सोचना सरल है पर निभाना बहुत कठिन, यह जप, तप एव भक्ति मामूली बातें नहीं, हर हफ्ते सोमवार, ब्रहस्पत्वार के व्रत हो या माता के नवरात्रे या एकादशी, शिवरात्रि या दुसरे विशेष व्रत, इनमे एक समय को तो ऐसा लगता है की पेट में लगी आग का क्या किया जाए, पर अन्दर से कुछ शक्ति मिलती रहती है जो व्रत को संपूर्ण करने में तन मन को नियंत्रित करती है जिससे मुझे तप की शक्ति पर विश्वास द्रढ़ हो जाता  है और यह समझने लगी हूँ की इस माया रुपी संसार में ऐसा कुछ भी नहीं जो हम तप से प्राप्त ना कर सके।

Resist that Urge to Gratify : Practice Self Control

Power of Self Control where nothing Distracts, Influences or calls Attention of the Enlightened Gautam Buddha.

Just look at this wonderful Picture of the Great Gautam Buddha sitting under the Bodhi tree deeply meditating, where nothing almost nothing in the world has the power enough to distract him, be it the beauty or the beast. There’s nothing that can disturb his peace with his innermost self , break his meditation and destroy his Conscious state of  Enlightenment.

No doubt its almost unbelievable to achieve that state of Consciousness as its very tough and even harder in times today where there is complete struggle to earn your bread and butter after which there is a mad rush to fulfill those endless pursuits of success, praise, fame and most importantly good money. In a nutshell its the materialistic world that attracts us, as its said “Evil is attractive” that shifts us away from going after more simpler and spiritual life experiences.

Its unbelievable to attain such enlightenment and peace, but its not Impossible too , it would be a great achievement if we are able to attain even a fragment of this inner consciousness through Meditation that leads to Self control and an Enlightened soul within us.

The road to Self Control is through Regular practice of Meditation, that one can do every day for around 15 to 20 minutes, where you sit in a quiet place anywhere in your room, porch, garden, park or any place you feel you can be with your self alone for a brief time period. I can also understand that you may be running in the morning for office, work or house chores but you must find time for your own self , to heal your mind, body and spirit in a true sense .

And if you are able to make enough space for yourself in a day then the next ordeal is to filter your thoughts, where daily errands may be jumping, running, disturbing and buzzing in your mind where you think after this, i have to check mail, cook meal, dress the kids, go to the gym, complete office work and much much more, it doesn’t stop even if you close your eyes from the outside world and think now it is disconnected , its actually not, the thoughts are still there in you and this is where you have to work upon to get rid of those thoughts.

Just believe that this time is for you, your peace your connection with your self , you have this appointment specially with you and nothing or no one is as important today other than you.

When you Close these Eyes, it means you close yourself from this world outside and do not let thoughts related to world outside bother you, am not saying be thoughtless as the mind can never be without thoughts rather concentrate on your breathing , where you inhale and exhale, and observe your thoughts if any and one by one let go of them as they eat up your energy and willingness to concentrate . but in case if they still persist then chant a mantra like “Om Namah Shivaya” as the mantra saves you from other thoughts that deplete your energy.

OM NAMAH SHIVAYA

As you practice you may gradually see that the distracting thoughts will subside and only the breathing that you do or the mantra that you chant exists and all other things cease to happen, then is the state where you experience a complete feeling of bliss and contentment. Stay in that state for a while and experience the peace and relaxation of that mental state.

Though this is the first time for many, but it surely is powerful enough to bring you back again as you cherish peace and inner happiness of all day long. And it can be hard to sit first time,but dont force yourself , as you are doing this for yourself and not for others, so it doesn’t have to be a stressful activity. With daily practice and time you may give you will gain more power and will be able to sit for longer periods of time and even reflect more deeply in levels that you attain with time.

Meditation benefits you a  lot :

Meditation helps in overall relaxation of mind where your thoughts are pure , wise and free from negativity.  It also improves your will power where you refine your inner strengths and beliefs that helps you surround with positivism and goodness .

Meditation brings Self Control in a person’s life which enhances the skills to supervise and regulate the behavior where you may get a sense of power to curb immediate urge for gratification of needs, which may harm your well being or of the others around you, it helps in exercising restraint as an when needed in a well balanced way that does not affect you even when those needs are not fulfilled.

Self Control is a very important facet of life skills, one should practice, in order to maintain a healthy and peaceful life. we often get influenced by beauty, tastes, luxuries, riches, fame, money etc. and even provoked by situation or people who may insult, anger, discourage, or disturb us in some way or the other. In such events we may not be able to exercise Control over our emotions and express them which may be taken by others in a negative way.

And this is why its best to exercise self control that will only come through Meditation, it has a wide variety of positive effects in your life where you will improve your relationships, make better decisions, increase your concentration and attention span, think rationally and logically.

It will even help you to choose to be at peace, instead of being part of negative gossips, office politics, back bitching etc. It helps you to rise above all odds where you would not be disturbed by negative people or situations around you and always be Conscious of your self that will take you one level higher than others which is the ultimate goal of your existence and leads to enlightenment of the inner self.