Hopefully

The wind - ,

The wild flowers,

- the winged teeny weenies,

Our souls, free.

As I walk around the neighborhood and the park in this vicinity, a kind and gentle wind 

tenderly caresses my soul.  The winged teeny weenies sing and fly past.  There are some 

kinds which alight on the flowers.  I just pray that such environs are preserved and 

protected - all parks, gardens and flora and fauna - where kindred souls from all walks of life

can just take flight along with the resilient earth.  You know, so, that we can become free some day.

Mindfulness

Moving from the past, present to the future
Mindfully
In the realm of the free spirits
Can be a liberating ascent
And a hopeful descent

When witnessing the present moment
And moving about the day
With waves and waves of mindfulness
In our eyes, we can say
The present and future days move
Forth in discerning ways

Around a Rejuvenating Lake in Bangalore

It was really soothing to walk around a rejuvenating lake in Bangalore.  Hope all the lakes in Bangalore and around the world are saved.  These lakes indeed help us live a more wholesome life and bring us closer to nature and our souls.

As I walked around the lake and sat near the lake, I was reminded of the poem "On the Sea" by John Keats.

"On the Sea by John Keats" is a thoughtful and exquisite poem which celebrates the ocean and its restorative and soothing power.  Have you ever been to the seashore and observed the waves crashing against the shore or the gentle ebbs and flows of the sea?  Perhaps, it was a day when you felt very tired after the continuous assault on the senses - from the film industry in India to mafia-controlled estates.  A thoughtful walk along the seashore or resting near the shore, watching the waves carefully, can feel therapeutic - when people are within the hustle and bustle of a city, town or village. 

“On the Sea” is a poem by the brilliant Romantic poet John Keats which like many romantic poetic themes tries to celebrate nature.  This was during the turbulent times when England was experiencing the worst of the industrial age.

"“Oh ye!  Who have your eye-balls vexed and tired,
Feast them upon the wideness of the sea
Oh ye! Whose ears are dinned with uproar rude,
Or fed too much with cloying melody,
Sit ye near some-old cavern’s mouth and brood.
Until ye start, as if the sea nymphs quired!

Here, the sestet which is the last six lines of the poem discusses a resolution for the tired soul.  John Keats appeals to such individuals who have had enough of their senses being assaulted by corrupt forces to take refuge by resting near the ocean.  All their worries through the years will disappear on watching and thinking along with soulful waves.  They will feel that their whole being is comforted as if they are listening to the divine and soulful music of a choir and leave feeling rejuvenated again.

Here is a photo of the lake during one of my sojourns near the lake with my dear amma (mom) Rita.

I will also share some of my poetic content here:

Watching the water passing by

Relaxed my frayed nerves

The wind calmed my troubled soul

Bombarded on all sides by the hustle and bustle

Watching the water cresting up and down

Filled my frayed nerves with sweet ecstasy

My troubled soul was immersed in relaxing revelry

The thoughtless hustle and bustle 

Gave way to the feeling of awe-inspiring joy.

Watching the waves along
Serenading serenity to my nerves
Helping my soul to a jubilant song
Spreading wings of hope verves
The smothering hustle went into a void
So relaxing was the music to my ears
Helping my soul to fly to freedom veers

I had also discussed the poem 'On the Sea by John Keats' on another blog called cbsenext.com which is for children and grown-ups (For a more detailed discussion of the entire poem, you can go to: http://www.cbsenext.com/learners-portal/on-the-sea-poem-by-john-keats-summary-and-analysis)

Divine Blessing

Invisible presence which cares
Has moved many lives from despair
Mysterious creator who heals
Has made one experience joy that appeals
For the loving presence that is with us
Through all our ups and downs
For the wise guidance that is bestowed
Through all our moments of growth
Gratitude and awe is what one feels
Compassion and love is what one sees
Oh divinity,
Help us empower every human and
Each and every moment with bravery
Justice and kindness
There is a mysterious loving presence
Divine and sublime but whose source
Enables one to feel the truth of determination
If only we persevere, then we can find
This loving, mysterious divinity

The Moment

Time passes by so subtley
It is up to each one of us
To engage each moment fulfillingly
No matter what the situation is
If we pursue a dream passionately
The divine can help us and guide us
Towards the discovery through uncertainity
To a revelation of what truth is.

Patience

Patience is a virtue
Yes, it is true sometimes, but how
Difficult it can be at times be
To move gently or warily
Towards
That which can set us free
Many try, many fall, some
succeed momentarily
Can a new awakening
Lead us steadfastly
Towards a new spiritual blooming?
It is up to all of us
to shake ourselves up sometimes
Move through the comfort zone
To a more complete awareness
That comes with thoughtfulness
Of our mysterious creator
Deep in our minds and hearts
We can discern and empower the psyche
To realize truthfulness : )

Will-Power

Trust that wholesome dreams
Are realized
Will-power helps one glean
The eternal yearning
Patience and determination makes
one sustain
Moment by every moment for spirituality's sake
To train
The heart, mind, body, and soul
towards realization
Of the liberating movement
To heart-felt enthusing involvements.