In 2010, I went for a ten-day vipassana course near Delhi. Group meditation was conducted in a large hall for almost 10 hours every day. After a few days, along with this group meditation, our schedule included sitting in silence in tiny cells, where we could meditate in privacy for an hour or two every … More Shaking in devotion
Just yesterday night, the husband and I talked about crying. I have only seen him cry once or twice in all these years, and that too from anger or frustration, not really sadness or grief. I have never seen tears in his eyes. Not even when our beloved dogs died. I, on the other hand, … More Sadness and tears
Husband and I went for a walk today, as we always do. And I told him about how I’d shared our ‘love story’ with a fellow Buddhism practitioner in my neighbourhood, a single woman in her late 30s who is seeking love and is yet fiercely possessive of her freedom. My candour and openness in … More Naked in the street
The last few months have been nothing short of a series of miracles for me. I started my own company, then launched my own women’s magazine with a full-time employee strength of one (me). Then became media partner for one of the world’s most prestigious all-women conferences. Now I’m all set to tie up with … More Cover girl magic
This morning, I was walking in our neighbourhood biodiversity park with my mother-in-law. It’s a partially man-made forest close to my house, and we go there daily. We have fallen into an interesting rhythm, she and I. So we have long moments of banter and then long silences when we dwell on our surroundings and … More Light and shade
A poem by Hafiz At some point Your relationship with God Will become like this: Next time you meet Him in the forest Or on a crowded city street There won’t be any more “Leaving.” That is, God will climb into Your pocket. You will simply just take Yourself Along! … More No more leaving
(I missed writing a post this Monday. My excuse is that I was following my bliss.) I came across this definition of ‘a calling’ by Max Weber: a task set by God. It is something that is beyond you, above you and within you, something you cannot change even if you wanted to (and you … More Finding truth in bliss
I’ve quit my job, and what I am going to miss most is the opportunity to be a mentor (not just a boss). I have cherished my ‘Monday tips’ sessions with the boys and girls at my office, and they’ve made me promise to write them down if not speak them out every week. So … More Monday tips: Starting off with imperfection
The monsoon was in full form in Delhi a month ago, and the roads were covered in filthy water and slush. In my experience, and by Murphy’s law, your car is most likely to get punctured in situations when you least want it to happen – such as during heavy rainfall while stuck on flooded streets. And … More Tire puncture
It was a pleasant day in Antalya, Turkey. I was on holiday with my husband and children. The clouds gave us respite from the pinching Mediterranean summer sun. I’d had a sleepless night so all I wanted to do was lie down and doze off on the beach chair. My husband sat next to me, reading … More Loving what’s within
I drive an average of 90 minutes every day, give or take 20 minutes. I’ve realised that driving in New Delhi is a lot like life: A stitch in time saves nine: If I get out of the door at 8.45 am, I will be in office by 9.15 including parking and the journey up the lift. … More Driving through life
“What so great happiness as to be beloved, and to know that we deserve to be beloved? What so great misery as to be hated, and to know that we deserve to be hated?” -Adam Smith Isn’t it a wonder that we have been, or are, both?
I learnt crochet in high school, and by the time I was in college, it was an addiction. Every winter, I would churn out a couple of caps for the men in my family (the women in my family didn’t wear caps, and I don’t know why. Maybe they used dupattas or scarves to cover their … More Crochet contemplations
My blog dashboard informs me it’s been two months since I last wrote. And so I am showing up. But I am also here because a moment of magic happened today and I must — must, must — share it. It was around half an hour ago. I am home with my family, putting away … More Momentary magic
One of my colleagues J asked me why I don’t write posts the way I used to on my blog — with anecdotes from my personal life, with all its trials and joys. I told her I don’t have the urge to do that anymore but for old times’ sake, I decided to write one … More Birthday wish
100 Paths 