From Delhi to Bangalore

When I was in Delhi, doing my schooling or college I wanted to move out of the town because I wanted to avoid the traffic and commuting that used to have a toll on me everyday plus I also was curious to know what it is to enjoy an independent life, a life of your own where everything has to be managed by you. No mother or elderly will be around you, from toothbrush to falling sick, its all on you. So I arrived at IIT Kharagpur. It was as I had expected, independent, full of life and very active. I don't regret doing 2 masters, I will never, in fact, because what I experienced being there at Kharagpur, I could have never if I was not there.Yes, I can say proudly, those were the best days of my life.

Now I am in Bangalore enrolled into something 'big' which is doctoral studies in a reputed institution, in a very beautiful location where climate is such, which every Delhite would envy at. Its been one year here and I invited my parents to visit me for a week long period. I booked the tickets on my own but I was never sure until the date finally arrived that they would come. My Sister and Brother-in-law arrived 2 days earlier than my mother and father. I managed to host well and made sure they have everything. At the same time I had fun going out with them and of course gossiping in the same bed with my sister about the'Aunties-in-the-colony'. Off lately, I have become a big bunch of gossip-er (If its even a word), I loveeee gossiping. It acts as a stress buster and makes you closer to your girl friends. Anyways, After 2 days  rest of my family came and I was so happy to see my mom, because she rarely goes out for such trips. She is generally, always have one work or other as a target to finish after which she promises to go out....and that time never comes because some other work pops in between. So this time I was happy also for this reason that at least my mom came and she will have a break from her homely chores and all the tension of the life. Everything was going smooth, we managed to go to Banerghetta National Park, Isckon Temple, Malleshwaram and Kundanhalli   to see my best friend from kgp and remaining time I spent being cosy and kiddish in my mother's lap. I also made them meet my freinds in Hostel and they were so happy to meet them. My friends also invited them for a Hostel-made dinner and performed Dandiya which created a cheerful atmosphere. At the end of the trip, they complimented me about how I managed to make it a memorable one and that they had a very nice time. And then I felt, I think I have grown up enough :P

But the point was........After all my experimentation of staying away or staying alone, like a bird which always returns to its nest every evening, I too want to go to my nest which is miles away from me....

Realisation...

Okay, so looking from the other perspective of life, it appears to me as if we all are just living. Whatever we are doing, are doing to just live. I wonder why is so? What’s the need to live on the first place? May be I m sounding depressive but I m not depressed. It’s just that I am thinking about it. Even the great Buddha was perplexed about the meaning behind this earthly life so why not one Buddha may be Buddhu here can ask such question?

What is to live? Why do you live? Who you are? Why are you here? Did you leave any unfinished business before and therefore you are here? If yes, what is it? If no, why don’t you know? Why do you daily get up? Why do you go to bed? Why do you laugh and why do you cry? Do you know yourself?

I know most of you would answer; that would involve meanings like, love, relations, aim, career, ambitions, attachment etc. But it’s all made up. They aren’t natural. Natural are you. Truth is you. Good is you and Bad is you. I am not being selfish here but isn’t it true? Its all about you. We all are trying to live as long as we can, while avoiding as much pain as possible, and experiencing as much pleasure as possible.

To experience life is to be alive. I am sure we all agree that there is certainly no life when or where, it is not experienced. To be, but, in the state of experiencing life is to be conscious. What is consciousness? According to a definition, Consciousness occurs when a spiritual being that is capable of awareness, is aware of something. When something exists, but the spiritual being in not aware of it, then it is not a part of the spiritual beings consciousness. It also says that consciousness grows with awareness, and therefore the greater consciousness is, the greater the experience of life, but for awareness to grow it must be focused to achieve clarity. Only when a spiritual being is fully conscious is it capable of experiencing life to the full.

So, are we experienced? Are we conscious? How many of us really care? We have more “important” things to do than this…

In his first sermon after attaining enlightenment, the Buddha taught the "Four Noble Truths," which form the foundation of belief for all branches of Buddhism:

1. All of life is marked by suffering.
2. Suffering is caused by desire and attachment.
3. Suffering can be stopped.
4. The way to end suffering is to follow the Noble Eightfold Path.

Buddha says,

““You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.””