Duality of human experiences

We can be victim in our story,

but perpetrators in someone's else,

where our actions, or lack of,

hurt ourselves, cause other pain,

no matter the choices made,

there's a duality in human experiences. 

We tend to look at our lives,

from a subjective lens,

our hardships, our wounds,

things we have gone through, 

which seems unjust & unfair,

stealing our joy & happiness. 

Yet, when we step outside,

and listen their point of view,

we will find contradictions, 

in the narratives we built,

for, they too were hurt by us,

by conscious & unconscious acts.

It's not the malicious intents,

when we act in good faith,

devoting self for our dreams,

makes us unavailable for others,

when they need our presence,

attend to concerns & vulnerabilities. 

Duality of human experiences . . .

We fiercely pursue our survival,

but trample on feelings of others,

no one is purely a hero or a villain,

in this grand tapestry of relations,

recognizing it, is a sign of maturity, 

for, it deepens capacity for empathy. 

So, let's look beyond ourselves, 

to understand, & extend our grace,

to ones tangled in the mess,

of wounding & being wounded.

Casual racism

'Are you going to Chinese restaurant with them?'

I said nonchalantly,

she paused for a moment, 

objected vehemently, 

'You know it's racist to say,

mentioning a specific place,

when they belong to same region'

I was taken aback,

never thought deeply enough, 

just because of her Chinese friends,

I made a casual remark,

and in return, received lesson,

of inherent racist bias.

Casual racism . . .

Masked as harmless observation,

they are part of cultural conditioning, 

where people absorb stereotypes, 

manifesting as default reflexes,

but didn't carry malicious intent,

having normalized in the community. 

It might be influenced by our brain,

categorizing world for easier understanding, 

forming lazy mental shortcuts, 

by making sweeping assumptions, 

where groups were more noticeable, 

than engaging with individuals. 

Casual racism . . .

Even if we make such mistakes,

being defensive is counterproductive, 

for, intent may be absent,

but impact is real, pervasive, 

so, we need to be discreet,

let our act not cause discrimination.

Iconography

I have always wondered,

which thoughts have played,

when they conceptualized, 

traditional symbols & images.

Iconography . . .

The more ancient a tradition,

we could see diverse symbols,

in sculptures & representations, 

as narratives in the paintings.

They could have made effigies, 

personified elements, energies,

but they never limit imagination, 

took inspiration from nature.

Mountain, rivers, and oceans,

trees, animals and universe,

they became sacred threads, 

to bind religious & spiritual realms.

Sometimes they take strange form,

which seems irrational to revere,

displaying ranges of emotions, 

being benevolent, fierce, neutral.

Iconography . . .

Our ancestors had reasons,

embedded messages & wisdoms,

which couldn't be contained, 

within natural human forms.

I am tired of this game

I am tired, of this game,

of the fights, of the blames,

putting thousand of hurdles,

before some sweet moments. 

When did it become a show,

put conditions before we disclose,

tender feelings that gently flow,

like rivers towards the ocean.

We don't need barriers, or deviations,

when heart made the decisions, 

our efforts should compliment, 

not find faults or make excuses.

Every concern needs to be addressed,

still our pride overshadows interests,

making us hesitate, lie, even avoid,

when we want to be sincere & honest.

When did it become Herculean task?

Of simple greetings, meets & chats,

testing patience, adding distance, 

creating divergence in our paths.

We have idealized a beautiful life,

where our wishes are prioritized,

but forgot that it demands price,

which we seldom pay . . .

And I am tired of this game,

of walking in an expanding maze,

expending energy in the process,

which should have been reserved,

and time, doesn't wait.

 

Be mindful of words spoken

Be mindful of words spoken,

For, they decide the course of life,

If one embraces goodness of life,

They will find true joy & happiness, 

If one seek, or demand freedom,

They will achieve independence,

Those who work to be busy,

Soon find themselves in own company,

And ones, offended from small things,

Will find it hard to sustain conversations,

So, rather than criticizing others,

Or questioning the fate,

One must look within,

To observe & reflect,

About how one behaves,

And to realize,

No one else is responsible, 

For one's own actions,

That's the true path,

Towards a mature self.

When slogans contradicts

We are proud to proclaim, 

personal ideals, regional phrases, 

to promote virtues we retain.

Yet, ground realities change,

every person is not the same,

putting dent on the image.

People taunts, and they blame,

words ring hollow, meaningless,

making us doubt, feeling ashamed. 

Acts of few, pollutes surroundings, 

breaking the illusion, of familiarity, 

and we pause, dwindling confidence. 

We had faith in the institutions,

trusting the grandeur of the vision,

still lacking in proper implementation.

When values not shared in communities, 

every failure highlights the hypocrisy, 

overshadowing countless believers.

When slogans contradicts . . .

We comment on the futility, 

trivialize the very essence, 

and put it under scrutiny. 

But, deep down we know,

such principles are needed,

to be pursued without noise.

Where emptiness lies

I didn't know,

when it arrived,

I tried to evade, 

but it crept inside.

From school days,

to college times,

springtime of life, 

only hastened the divide.

I got engrossed, 

I was absorbed,

enduring disappointments,

preying on the mind.

A dreamer in real world,

still being stubborn to admit,

holding to the fears & pride,

of the flaws, things lacking.

Averting the gaze,

I couldn't stagnate,

with passage of time,

got rudely awakened. 

Now it whispers, 

once in a while,

when there's rain,

or rays of sunshine.

I let out a sigh,

putting a polite smile,

changing directions,

closing my eyes.

To not let them reach,

Where emptiness lies . . .

Silence & connections

Silence is a dangerous thing,

It could be armor of the strong-willed,

But becomes refuge of liar & weaks,

So, I would respect the ones,

Who are clear on their goals, 

If our paths converge, 

Bringing certainty & consistency, 

I would pursue such connections, 

Or else maintain distance, 

From the ones, 

Playing with silence. 

Accommodation trap

It begins in a place of virtue,

having empathy & open-mindedness, 

welcoming others into our fold,

regardless of cultures & creeds.

But when we over-extended, 

to hostile individuals & ideologies, 

it ceases to be a bridge that connect,

becoming a crack that breaks,

steps taken in good faith.

Accommodation trap . . .

They were not obvious betrayals,

but happens through micro-concessions,

entering like a Trojan horse,

create havoc in surroundings.

For, our tolerance is tested,

when encountering inflexibility, 

as they seize the opportunity, 

by encroaching our boundaries. 

Accommodation trap . . .

They exploit our psychological wiring,

when we desperately cling to values,

of being kind, compassionate & caring,

to the ones being discriminated.

Yet, the true sign of maturity, 

is being graceful & discerning,

being true to inner convictions,

while facing social frictions.

So, draw the line at foundation, 

as we accommodate preferences, 

that might cause minor discomfort,

or create major disagreements. 

When core value remain intact,

acting as foundations & pillars,

we can withstand inconveniences,

while retaining our integrity. 

Professional autonomy

Don't get too dependent,

spending your whole life,

working under an organization, 

dedicating space and time,

for, when things go hard,

they make you scapegoat, 

for protecting their place,

with better connections. 

You might feel secure,

to be under the radar,

being content with less,

as others rise & progress,

but remember the game,

it's not the king or queen,

always pawn is sacrificed,

in keep the play going.

So, build career leverage,

accumulating skills & networks, 

giving you bargaining power,

for not getting forced into corners,

so, create multiple paths,

continuously upgrade your value,

strengthen your positions, 

to never fall into desperations. 

Political & ideological activism

Political and ideological activism,

Have damaged so many good souls,

Their strong belief on something,

Pushed them into negative spirals,

Their perspectives becomes gloomy,

Getting binded to beauty of this world,

Those gentler, softer, inspiring sides,

Which fills heart with joy & bliss,

Subsequently impacting relations, 

Alienating their wellwishers, 

Because everything became an issue,

To send message, be fought upon, 

Making others tiptoe,

For, there's no discussions,

In this class of egos,

There's only frustrations, 

And disappointments. 

Those who stands

When crisis hits,

how people react,

by getting overwhelmed 

or have courage to act,

so, what differentiates, 

between those who bail,

and ones taking a stand.

When facing a threat,

survival mechanism engages,

instinct of self-preservation,

influences our impulses,

we were given a choice,

to be controlled by emotions, 

or do cognitive reappraisal.

There are many factors, 

their personality also matters,

to believe in their strength,

more inclined to intervene,

while one feeling powerless, 

leave it to luck or fate,

avoiding responsibility altogether. 

Those who stands . . .

It's not limited to specific few,

but depends on contexts & identities,

varying with obligations & proximity, 

having the clarity of their roles,

anyone can take the lead,

for, we can train, cultivating skills,

by deliberate exposures & mental conditioning. 

Showing sincerity in devotion

This festive times,

we have seen kinds,

marketing themselves 

while pushing narratives 

under the guise of devotion.

Activism is not devotion, 

exhibitionism is not devotion, 

coming with placards or slogans,

or showing off is not devotion, 

where deities are in backgrounds, 

but people's acts are pronounced, 

using platform for personal cause

instead of sharing prayers.

For, we naturally bow,

to ones who truly show,

sincerity of their hearts,

through vyavhar & samarparn.