This Women’s Day, I find myself looking back at the women who have shaped me—not just in flesh and blood, but also those who came alive through stories, words and lessons whispered through time. Some were real, others fictional, but each left an indelible mark on the person I have become. Strength, resilience, wisdom and sacrifice—these women embodied them all, weaving their influence into my life in ways I only truly understand now. What I Learned and Unlearned Through all these lessons, one woman stood at the foundation of my life—my mother. As a child, I watched her bow before God every morning, whispering prayers that never included herself. When I once asked what she prayed for, she smiled and said,  “The well-being of my family is all that I want.” Back then, I admired her selflessness. I saw her as the pillar of our home—the embodiment of sacrifice, patience and unwavering devotion. But as I grew older, I began to see the cost of that sacrifice. My mother lived for others, n...

Many Forms of Love Love is a force that shapes identities, destinies, and societies. Often spoken of alongside desire, the two are distinct- love is devotion, while desire is longing. Love takes many forms- romantic, platonic, spiritual, and self-directed. It manifests as devotion to family, passion for a craft, bonds between lovers, and, most important, as self-love. Oscar Wilde has written, "To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance." Same as, ancient Indian scriptures emphasize that love begins within.  The Upanishads teach " आत्मानं विद्धि" - know thyself- suggesting that true love arises when we understand and honor our own existence. Yet, for centuries, self-love has been misinterpreted as selfishness, particularly for women conditioned to love through sacrifice and to desire only what is permissible. But the tides are shifting. The modern world is witnessing a redefinition of love- one where self-worth takes precedence, where women dare to desire...

Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated as the victory of light over darkness. Every year, as we light diyas and watch fireworks illuminate the sky, we are reminded of an eternal truth: the journey of overcoming darkness is one that begins within each of us. This festival reminds us of the timeless message that no matter how much darkness surrounds us, it only takes a single spark of light to break through. But this year, as I prepare for Diwali, I find myself reflecting on the deeper meaning of this celebration and what it means to truly embrace the light within. In a world filled with so much uncertainty, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the darkness around us. But I’ve been contemplating lately: what if darkness is simply the absence of light? What if it’s not something to fear, but rather an opportunity—a challenge for us to find the light within ourselves ? Let's explore the philosophy of light as I see it,  this Diwali. For me, light represents the virtues we stri...

इस लेख को हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिए कृपया  यहां  क्लिक करें। You may have heard the famous tagline of the popular TV channel "Aastha"— Aastha: Jeevan ka Aadhaar i.e., 'Faith: The Foundation of Life.' But have you ever wondered about the deep thought behind this seemingly simple sentence? It is not just a slogan; it’s an attempt to connect with the roots of life itself. To grasp the depth hidden in this small phrase, we need to reflect within ourselves and truly feel the essence of faith in life. Faith touches that aspect of life which is invisible, yet every individual experiences it in their own way. I identify as agnostic atheist, meaning I do not believe strongly in the existence of God. I feel that God is a creation of human imagination and doesn’t intervene in solving my life’s problems. Yet, I still perform daily worship and recite mantras and verses. You might be wondering, what kind of atheism practices rituals? To understand this, one must think a bit deeper. T...

इस लेख को हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिए कृपया यहां क्लिक करें। I consider myself fortunate- first, to have come into contact with Shri Vivek Muni ji Maharaj , the Chief disciple of world-renowned H.H. Acharya Shri Sushil Kumar ji Maharaj, the Founder-President of Acharya Sushil Muni Mission, my revered Guruji and an all-weather Friend-Philosopher; and then, to have been introduced by Him to the technique that the Buddha himself taught—a practice that has profoundly shaped my journey. Twenty-five centuries ago, Siddhartha Gautama set out on a quest to understand the root of human suffering, eventually achieving enlightenment and dedicating his life to sharing this path of liberation with others. His teachings, especially the meditation technique known as Vipassana , have become an essential part of my life, guiding me to observe reality as it truly is and helping me cultivate a deeper sense of awareness and tranquility amid life's struggles. Unlike many spiritual leaders, the Buddha did n...

Why do I feel like I am all alone in my team? Why do I have none on my side?  Struggle and the consequent success are often painted with a broad brush of accolades and admiration, but the path to the pinnacle can be a lonely one. As Mark Twain astutely observed,  if you are on the side of majority, you need to pause and introspect .  Because  you can't be both- with the majority as well as at the top of it.  Also,  majority can never be at the top.  Because if that ever happens, that point no more remains the top. The new top is naturally created in the process.  Twain's insight reveals that while being part of the majority offers comfort , it also calls for self-examination, especially in the context of leadership and societal structures. The majority represents widely accepted views, but this uniformity often clashes with the idea of being at the top, which requires distinctiveness and excellence. For instance, the orthodox norm of daughte...

There comes a time when life feels like a train journey, halted at a station that isn't quite where you imagined it would be. The sounds of bustling passengers fade into a distant hum, and I find myself standing alone, unsure of the destination or the path. I have spent years chasing goals, building dreams, and proving myself. Yet, at this moment, the future is an empty track stretching into the unknown. I am here, with all my achievements, yet the weight of uncertainty is heavier than I expected. Teaching, writing, exploring—everything I have loved and longed to pursue suddenly feels wrapped in hesitation. Is this the direction I should take? Or is it just another stop before a bigger journey? The heart longs for clarity, for purpose, but sometimes, the answers don’t come easy. Perhaps it’s because I’ve always been a lone traveler. I’ve walked through the stations of life, often without the company of many friends or the warmth of a familiar hand to guide me. The solitude has made...

‘We don’t see things as they are; we see them as we are.’ This profound observation, often attributed to Anaïs Nin, encapsulates the divergent lenses through which individuals perceive the world. It reflects the essence of perception. Visionaries vs. Pragmatists: A Clash of Perspectives Visionaries, driven by a perspective shaped by imagination and far-reaching insight, often find themselves at odds with pragmatists who focus on the constraints of the present. Throughout history, this tension between visionary thought and pragmatic action has shaped the course of progress. The pragmatist, grounded in the realities of the current world, may reject ideas that seem impractical or out of reach. Yet, it is the visionary who can see beyond the limitations of the present, toward the potential of the future. The visionary, with their gaze fixed on the horizon, often sees beyond the constraints of the present. They are the dreamers, the innovators, and the catalysts of change. Their ideas may ...

इस लेख के हिंदी संस्करण को पढ़ने के लिए कृपया यहां क्लिक करें “Faith for one, folly for another: drawn not by reason but by perspective” Have you ever wondered why a simple act, sacred to some, may seem irrational to others? A believer might  look up at the stars  for divine guidance, while a skeptic may dismiss the same gesture as mere superstition. This paradox encapsulates the adage, "Religion to one is superstition to another," a saying that reveals a  fundamental truth about human belief systems.  Why do such stark differences exist? And where exactly is the line between religion and superstition drawn? Let’s delve into these questions by  exploring religion, superstition, and the sociological lenses that shape our views. Thin Line Between Religion and Superstition To some, religion offers moral structure and answers to life’s biggest questions: Who am I? Why am I here? What happens when we die? Superstition, on the other hand, is often viewed as irration...