The Inner Bliss

A few days ago, I read a beautiful article on Yoga, which stayed with me for a quite some time now. I read it again and again, and understood, that the true purpose of yoga is to discover that aspect of your being that can never be lost. As per our ancient text - " The Bhagavad Gita'' - "YOGA is journey of the self, through the self, to the self". For a creative person like me - I feel Yoga is the artwork of awareness on the canvas of body, mind and soul. I hear many of my friends say I work out - I do Yoga. But, as I have understood - Yoga is not work-out, it is work-in. It is the only exercise on this planet from which you gain energy instead of burning energy. Yoga is not about self-improvement; it's about self-acceptance. As quoted by "Maharishi Patanajali" - "Yoga takes you into the present moment, the only place where life exists".

For all of us, when we first hear the word Yoga, what likely comes to mind is colorful yoga mat and a pose. Most of the people think of yoga as a physical practice. But in reality, yoga is so much more than that. Yoga does not start or end on your mat, but is present in every breath you take, every moment you choose not to react, every truth you speak. Yoga involves a process of deep self-discovery. Actually, true power unfolds when you take its wisdom off the mat and into your everyday life, thoughts and actions. Things that don't look like yoga, but actually are yoga. 

(1) Showing up when no one is watching. That's Tapas. It's called devotion without applause.

(2) Not chasing what isn't meant for you. That's Aparigraha. It means, what is yours will meet you. Don't grasp. Don't attach.

(3) Saying No, when your body says no. That's Ahimsa. This refers, choosing not to harm/abandon yourself.

(4) Not reacting immediately. Letting the wave pass. That's Pratyahara. Which means, pausing before responding. 

(5) Telling the truth even when it would be easier not to. That's Satya. Living in alignment with what is actually real.

(6) Trusting what is unfolding without gripping the outcome. That's Ishvara Pranidhana. It means - Surrender is strength.

(7) Letting yourself be enough without adding anything. That is what called as Santosha. Contentment is not complacency. It is peace.

(8) Watching yourself with curiosity instead of judgment. That's Svadhyaya. It is Self-enquiry because awareness transforms. 

Yoga is not just about the posture; the true purpose of yoga is to discover that aspect of your being that can never be lost. Yoga is a mirror to look at ourselves from within. Because Yoga was never the pose. It is actually how you breathe, when things don't go your way. How you speak when emotions rise. How you return to yourself again and again. This is the real practice. Yoga does not just change the way we see things; it transforms the person who sees. 

Yoga is just not a theory; it is a journey to find inner joy and reveals its magnificence. Yoga is essentially a practice for your soul, working through the medium of your body. One sees world around beautiful, only when the world within you is peaceful. As quoted by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar ji - "Yoga is far more than a physical exercise, it is a holistic science of well-being that unites body, breath and mind to reduce suffering and unlock human potential to find the Inner bliss which is the ultimate happiness"....

Stillness In Motion

Everything in the universe has a rhythm. Everything dances. From the whispering winds to the pulsating beat to our own heartbeat, every rhythm is part of the grand dance. Life is all about rhythm. We vibrate, our heart is pumping blood, we ourselves are a rhythm machine. It is said Art is the breath of the soul; and Indian classical dance is the heartbeat that follows. Indian classical music and dance are not just for entertainment - they are designed to elevate one's consciousness. 

People often think dance classes are about technique, choreography, and performance. Yes, it is about all this too. But some of the most important lessons happen beyond steps. What 4 years of learning Kathak has taught me, is nothing less than a life skill. 

First lesson - Learning how to stay calm while being uncomfortable. Because performing nervous, being corrected, or struggling publicly can feel terrifying. 

Second lesson - Taking feedback from your guru without taking it personally. Because - A correction is not a rejection. 

Third lesson - Being Consistent. I feel learning without break matters more than motivation. Some days you feel inspired. Some days you train anyway. When I joined Kathak dance class 4 years back, in my 1st year batch there were 4 students, later it extended to 10 students. After my second-year exam many quit, many opted for online classes, as per there convenient schedule. I was the only person left in the group who used to go to offline class. Then slowly, in my 3rd year, new people started joining. I met wonderful people learnt from them. But I never quit. Even though few told me to take online classes, there was something which kept me moving, even when left alone. I make a point not to miss my class, even when I am ill. Though I just sit and watch, better than missing it. I have seen in many instance I feel fresh and rejuvenated just by being around dance. It might sound funny, but it works like magic for me. It heals me.  

Fourth lesson - Your attitude matters. How your energy affects a room. One person's attitude can uplift or drain an entire team. So, focus on team spirit. Practice with the team. Help each other. 

Fifth lesson - Respect. How to work with people you may not naturally click with. Because teamwork is not about sameness, it's about respect. 

Sixth lesson - Adaptability. How to adapt quickly. New formations. New partners. New music. New changes. Sometimes within minutes. This year in my 4th year Kathak practical exam, at the last moment the examiner told us to perform out of the sequence which we had learnt for the exam. She asked me to perform a Taal from 3rd year, and to show the dance of 4th year. The only way out to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it. And finally, I stood up to her expectation. It didn't happen overnight. It took lot of time, practice and patience. 

Seventh lesson - Confidence. Learning how to be seen. How to take the space. 

Eight lesson - Learning Accountability. Because excuses do not magically help in clean choreography. Because accountability is the glue that bonds commitment to results.

Nineth lesson - Showing Up. How to keep showing up even when progress feels slow. At times some breakthroughs take months. Bit by bit, day by day. Every moment, every ounce matters. Don't rush the process. Don't stress the timing. Just keep showing up. 

Tenth lesson - Resilience. Dance teaches you how to keep going even after disappointment. Missed turns, missed placements, tough corrections. Learning how to get back, every time is a skill that will serve you for life.

Eleventh lesson - Discipline. Showing up when you're tired. Taking corrections. Practicing the same skill over and over. The ability to stay committed to a goal is something no score can measure. 

Twelve lesson - The friendships. The teammates. The teachers who believed in you. Some of the most meaningful relationships in your life may start in a dance studio. 

The art itself is so beautiful. The storytelling, music, it is a lifelong journey of learning. It's the reason many of us stay. But loving the art and loving the culture around it aren't always the same thing. And I think many dancers quietly understand what I mean. I have seen dancers hold back ideas because they're afraid of being judged. Not by outsiders, but by their own community. And sometimes, that fear slowly chips away at creativity. Respect is one of the most important values in classical dance. But respect should flow both ways. 

Lastly, the irony of classical dance teaches humility, openness and self-discovery, generosity, trust and mutual respect. Dance classes were never just about dance. They quietly shape people, mindsets, character, confidence and make them disciplined. You can't improve until you don't practice. Discipline is the foundation of real progress in dance. I may not be there yet. But I'm closer than I was yesterday. It didn't happen overnight. Our life is all about choices we make. As soon as we start to pursue a dream and chase them, our life wakes up. Entering into 5th year of Kathak, is a dream come true. Four years of dedication, commitment with self, managing family, kid, juggling with odds. Today I am living the life of my dream. Every great dancer starts as a beginner. As said, Kathak is a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step "DHA". "TATKAR" is meditative. "CHAKKARS" are spatial awareness. Where every Spin is a tale and every beat is the Pulse. Behind the beauty lies discipline - hours of practice to center the body.

It is a test of balance, focus, in the midst of movement and chaos, because Inner stillness is the key to outer strength. which brings "Stillness in Motion"....    

 

A Journey Worth Living

Life has been really busy in a good way. I feel gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. Because wisdom is looking back at your life and realizing that every single event, person, place and idea was part of the perfected experience one needed to build life they dream. It’s what you did with what you have and say, 'I can't believe I did that', than to look back and say, ' I wish I did that'. That makes a whole difference. It’s important to realize that whenever we feel being rejected from something good, it was actually being re-directed to something better. According to me gratitude is not pretending everything is good. Its noticing what still is. Because "You live life looking forward, and "Understand life looking backward". 

I love following my custom’s, traditions, rituals, celebrate festivals. No doubt, Rituals are beautiful, Prayers are powerful. Visiting temples, offering diyas, all hold deep meaning and faith in our lives. But somewhere between worshipping God and following our traditions, one must not forget the values those prayers are meant to teach us. I believe spirituality is not only about what we practice in front of God, but also about how we behave with people created by Him. Physical maturity is bound to time, whereas spiritual maturity is bound to obedience. No matter how educated, talented, rich or cool you believe you are. How you treat people ultimately tells all. After all Integrity is everything. Because people will forget, what you did, what you said, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

Spiritual maturity is not knowing what to do with your whole life but just knowing what to do next. Spiritual health is the path to inner peace regardless to turmoil around you. We visit temples, light diyas, we fold our hands. But is that enough to call it spirituality? Spirituality is not how loudly you pray. Your words create echoes in people's hearts for years. But True spirituality creates peace. How you speak, how you forgive, that is our real offering to God. Real devotion is not about showing faith. It is about living it every single day. 

Because life is a magnificent, ongoing adventure rather than a puzzle to be solved. Kindness, compassion, respect, patience, honesty, these are all forms of devotion. Actually, faith and humanity were never meant to be separate, because the most meaningful spirituality is when these both walk together. The journey will be tough, but the reward is worth it. The journey between what you once were and who you are now becoming, is where the dance of life really takes place. And perhaps, the ultimate goal in life is not to arrive somewhere, sometime. But to embrace the journey, to wander and simply to be. Not to own everything, but to belong somewhere. And to live so fully that forgetting becomes impossible. 

Recently I read about the strangest village in the world. Where a traveler entered this village, and happen to see a graveyard there, and he was shocked. The first tombstone said lived three years. Second one said five years. And third one lived nine years. After seeing this the traveler was disturbed. He thought, what's happening in this village. Why are people dying at such young age. Is there any disease. Later he went and checked with the Mukhiya (Head of the village). And he said that; those are not their biological ages. In our village, we only count the number of years somebody spent doing seva, laughing and caring in service. So, somebody might have lived up to 80, but they spent only six years of humanity, we put six on the tombstone. And we call it the ''Seva Age''. Later traveler looked back at the graveyard again, and for the first time he understood between existing and living. So, what's your seva age? 

In Bhagavad Gita - Chapter 4, verse 34, Lord Krishna says - The three psychological prerequisites for acquiring the true spiritual knowledge, to approach humility and seva, is through having a Guru in life. Because the Guru (spiritual master) is revered not just as a teacher, but as an illumined guide who is essential for dispelling spiritual ignorance and awakening divine wisdom. Seva/ Service as mentioned in Bhagavad Gita - Karma Yoga, Lord Krishna says, performing your duty without attachment to the results - dedicating all actions as an offering - frees you from ego and brings ultimate peace. 

I feel life becomes worth living, when you utilize the time that is given to you. All this knowledge comes only when; one has a Guru/Master in life. A Guru helps us to recognize that we are not on earth to see how important we can become, but to see how much difference we can make in the lives of others. So that, one can make their life's 'Journey worth living'. 

As quoted by my master Gurudev Sri Sri Ravishankar ji - ' Seva (selfless service) is a joyful duty that brings true contentment. It is the expression of a life dedicated to a higher purpose. 

Have you looked the world this way? Start Now!!