The BEAUTY of CHINA!

The beauty of China!

No, it's not the Bund with its majestic high rises that enchant everyone with their structure during day and with their lights at night nor is it the Great Wall that never fails to awe the world generation after generation. Neither is it the Forbidden City with its mythic history and tails....!

All these and much more like Terra-cotta Warriors, The Ming dynasty tombs, The Temple of God, The Silk Road, etc are great treasures and unique in their beauty but to me the most beautiful thing about this most populated country of the world is the simplicity of her people.

They laugh easily and readily like innocent children. There is a clarity in their characters that remind me of crystal vases which are clear, delicate, solid in their form and ready to be filled with bunches of flowers and water. No matter what you put in those vases, the structure of the vase remains the same but shows whatever goes inside. They can be heavy yet breakable simultaneously.

Chinese people are like those vases. They adapt very easily, always ready to learn. They are extremely reluctant to take the initiative but are excellent followers, (perhaps one of the reason China produces a copy of everything made anywhere else around the world). They keep a watchful eye on outsiders and strangers but give them room to maneuver.

There is a shyness about them as they are very self conscious around others but at the same time they never hesitate to ask questions that arise. They are vulnerable and anchored at the same time.

There is a contentedness in their nature that comes from lack of high ambitions. They dream but their dreams are real. They don't try to steal the dreams of others. They live in their world and work hard to live in it. I have often heard that they work like ants which is, in fact, given as a compliment. Yes, they do what they have to do, no questions asked. They don't complain about their circumstances, they improvise and strive to survive.

Centuries of oppression has left its mark. They are afraid to think outside the box. The fact that the Chinese government controls and regulates everything snubs the growth of individualization. They move in masses and stick to each other. At the same time, there is an instinct of survival at work to look after themselves within those masses. There is a certain kind of selfishness combined with shortsightedness that is often found in villagers. It exists due to lack of exposure and absence of greed. Their desires are contained and they are happy with who they are but they have to look after themselves. China's one child policy has given rise to an inbred loneliness which has introduced a buddy system. Chinese people enjoy the company of their peers and their friendships are enduring but at the end of the day, they only think and tend to their own personal needs and wishes.

One admiring characteristic is sincerity. They do not cheat on their friends. It was my personal experience that Chinese students always stayed together and helped each other out. They always exchanged notes with one another but never with non Chinese students. Within China, I have observed how they help each other within friendly circles but tend to cheat others. They do not hide their sources from friends. Women are not threatened if their friends wear or use the exact same product like them. They enjoy similarities, something very unique to them and quite rare anywhere else in the rest of the world.

They are good friends to non Chinese but best friends to only their own, i.e. Chinese. Patriotism and national pride runs deep in their veins. A long history of seclusion has made them wary of others and the  recent exposure to the outside world is welcomed with a cautious eye by the elders. They are probably right in their fears as the influx of foreign currency and influence is rapidly changing their ancient ways and Western values are quickly tainting the infamous Eastern traditions.

MY SOLITUDE AND I

OH HOW I WAIT FOR THEE!

A smile in her eyes...

Desire...there's no end to it!

Desire...there's no end to it. It's the enchanting mirage that allures each and all throughout life. Mystics call it a web and philosophers an illusion but we all run after it.

It's the multi faceted character that both makes it "desirable" and distasteful. Desire has motivated countless to work, exert and achieve. It has also ruined, hurt and destroyed in no less magnitudes.

Desire in itself is neither good nor bad. It's a feeling and like any other feeling, can be the spring board for action. The uniqueness of desire lies in its never ending and constantly altering form. People spend a lifetime pursuing a desire but the minute they achieve the goal, instead of dying, desire finds a new life and a new object to be pursued.

Perhaps the most common desire since beginning has been to know the future because future can tell the outcome of desires. People do strange things in order to fulfill this desire. They throw coins in water fountains, blow candles, find gypsies and/or fortune tellers. They blow on dandelions and put faith in the drifting petals. They  look for rainbows, count clover leaves and even break bones......! Do these things work? Who knows! Perhaps they do, perhaps not.

Religion often forbids such practices, calling it superstition. Religion preaches acceptance and acceptance is a difficult thing, especially when things don't make sense. Human mind understands the link between effort and result hence a certain outcome is expected when attempts are made and energies are spent. Questions arise when the outcome does not match the input which is very often. We do know that despite everything, things might go wrong or not work out accordingly due to extraneous factors. In the absence of religion, we try to define and control those extraneous factors. This desire to control leads to an endless pursuit. It's addicting like gambling. Ask anyone who has believed in superstition and they can tell you how hard it is to get rid of that belief or superstition.

Religion teaches acceptance. Acceptance, once truly achieved, brings peace and closure. It doesn't mean not to pursue lawful desires or exert efforts. It means to settle down with the undesired or unexpected outcome even when everything was done accordingly. It tells of letting go and have faith that not all scores are settled immediately or right here and certainly not by us. There is a higher Authority that's keeping record and will render the just verdict according to each and every intention and effort.

Once one believes in that High Power and have faith that Almighty knows all and will justify all, then there is no room left for psychics or horoscope readings. Coins and more is given to the needy rather than thrown in the fountains. Peace prevails instead of heartburn and humility replaces frustrations.

Why Pray?

"I always pray to God but I do not get what I want"
The child looked at me with those big huge innocent eyes and stated.
I was at a loss for proper words for a few seconds. For me, it is very important to always satisfy children's curiosity with sincerity and truth. Sincerity, because children are very apt at smelling deception, and truth, because whatever you tell them is going to stay in their minds and shape their logical thinking.

As I explained to the child, it dawned on me as to how often we, adults, get trapped in the same pattern. It's our insolent self that takes everything for grated and questions whatever is denied.

We pray not because God needs it, but because WE need it. It's a reminder for us not to forget Who is The Lord. Praying keeps us anchored. It's our bliss. It's a gift from God to us through which we can communicate with Him. Without prayers, our souls are at a loss. It's our compass that tells us Who to turn to.

Prayer is not a call button that is expected to be answered immediately. It's also not to get God attentive. He is always attentive. He knows what is in our hearts, what is our need and what is in our lives. A prayer is an effort on our own part to bring peace in our lives. It reminds us that God is Omnipresent and Omnipotent.

Praying is our duty. Fulfillment of that duty brings satisfaction. It does not mean that we will immediately get what we asked for. In fact, we might never get it at all, but praying and supplications to the Almighty ensures our hearts that we told Him our need, which He already knew but we showed Him through our praying that we worship Him and Him alone and accept whatever He chooses for us, for He knows best.

We keep forgetting the purpose of our lives on earth. This life is a temporary abode and the sole reason for our existence is to serve our Creator by worshiping Him. Satan allures us through temptations to forget our duty towards our Lord. Prayer and constant prayer keep reminding us about our duty and hence saves us from neglect. It's our savior. It's our safeguard against temptations.

The Climb!

A few men had gathered their youngsters and taken them for rock climbing. They took a little break in a small clearing and that's when I looked back in the valley. My mother's bright smile immediately drew my attention to the red and white checkered floor mats on which she was sitting among other ladies with unpacked picnic baskets. Small children and infants were playing near their mothers who were enjoying a relaxed chatter. I watched my mother. She always had a heart warming smile on her face. My aunt used to call her smile the light of a bright star that shines on a moonless clear night. Someone must have said something witty as her smile turned into a pearly laughter and I felt its magic reach over as the corners of my own lips started stretching upwards in response to that laughter.

With a grin, I turned my head slightly to the left to look at the youngsters playing outdoor games under the watchful eyes of grand parents relaxing nearby. Their excited voices and bubbly laughter sounded like echoes of a dancing spring that runs it's course over coarse rocks and stones free of all worries and cares. Youth has a similar energy and attitude towards life and that's why elders of senior generations are always there to watch and offer the aid and advice of their experiences.

I turned back to follow my own father who had resumed the climb. He stretched his hand to pull and help me climb a rather big step. As a child, I complained to him about the difficulty of going up. I thought coming down was always easier than going up. He contradicted me saying that although more energy is needed going up, it is still easier because the focus is on the steps as it's difficult to look up and climb. This focus keeps one determined and safe. He pointed out that one cannot go up while constantly looking backwards.

We kept on climbing. By now, I was getting restless. I wasn't sure how far we had to go. Other fathers with kids older than me, had gone farther and I could not see them. My father calmly explained that very often the destination is not visible until one reaches the end.
He asked me if we should return. I said no because I wanted to catch up with the rest of the party. Plus I did not want the older kids to think any less of me. So we continued. Shortly afterwards we met the rest who were taking a break at another spot. The fathers agreed that it was enough exercise for the kids and decided to return from that spot. This is when my father explained to me that sometimes, we, ourselves have to decide where to end the climb when there is no end in sight.

I had to keep on getting my father's help and assistance when climbing down. At every other step, I felt like slipping and falling forward. Again, my father explained that the climb down is always much faster than the climb up but more dangerous as focus keep shifting to the distance below and there are more chances of a slip and fall. The speed and momentum makes it look easier but add danger.

I thought to myself that difficult things seem to demand more but are comparatively safe while ease comes with many hidden dangers and cautions. I was listening and all the while noticing how faster we were covering the distance coming down. It had taken us almost double or more time going up

My father continued that the key factor is to maintain the speed. Often climbers pick up speed at the start of the journey when the excitement is at the peak and adrenaline is rushing but soon tire themselves out. Starting moderately and maintaining the speed can take one much farther. I listened closely and kept on climbing after him.

The scene has changed, in fact, life has changed ever since. Years have gone by! My father is no more, the elders are gone and the kids of that time have kids of their own .... but I'm still climbing after my dad, listening to his voice!