journal

The past couple of weeks have been a whirlwind of events that finally led me to close on a house that we liked. Some statistics on the buying process: We started looking for a new house last August, so it took us six months to locate and buy an available house. We toured an average of 1-2 open houses every week We switched our search area 3 times Not liking the neighborhood Not liking the houses in our budget in a desirable neighborhood Optimizing for being near existing friends We made 3 offers, and the last one got accepted We increased the budget twice We got the house at asking price What next?...

Maybe it is a placebo effect, but meditation makes me feel clear headed. I used to have dreamless sleep, but now I often have vivid dreams. In my interactions with people, I feel that I am able to get to the main concerns faster. I am patient in performing routine work. I have less fear, and know when my anxiety levels are rising. The twenty minutes meditation practice still isn’t easy....

A conversation with Vanya sparked this post. The Earth goes around the Sun in 365 days; and around 100 rounds is what we get to experience and exist. In comparison, the Earth has completed 4,543,000,000 rounds so far, and it is estimated that it will continue to support us for around 1,500,000,000 more rounds. My initial 20-25 rounds were spent in ignorant bliss, with only worries of homework and tests. All people and love around me was normal and forever....

Actor and observer. Waking Up from Sam Harris is asking us to realize that there is no observer “I” separate from our bodies, and what we call as “I” is an invention that we created while growing up. An interesting parable from Sam can help explain what we learn about “I” when we meditate. A north European tour bus is at a rest stop, and an Asian woman tourist, unaware of the customs and language, comes back to the empty bus and changes her clothes....

Ladybird picture books were my childhood pals even before I learned to read a single word. I warmly recall cozy winter afternoon siestas spent right next to my mom, wondrously poring over lives of Snow White, Thumbelina, Rapunzel, Hansel & Gretel, Red Riding Hood, Sleeping Beauty… My friendship circle widened over time, and I had many historical adventures with gods and kings in Amar Chitra Katha’s, accompanied with laughs in the company of Chacha Chaudhary, Sabu and Suppandi....

I have further questions than reasons given in my previous post on meditation. Questions like: Why is having a meditative state of mind better than a non-meditative one? Why does meditation or spirituality interest people my age? Information and good reasons from the book I found good arguments (that resonated well) while reading Sam Harris’s 2014 book: Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion. Sam is a Stanford graduate, and has a PhD in Nueroscience from UCLA....

I feel blessed and deeply grateful for family and friends celebrating and showering us with love. It was an entertaining energetic evening, and a fabulous kick start for a rocking 2023! 6:30p was the time, and driving along the rain soaked highways made us concerned of being late ourselves. Settling into Amber’s lower party hall was a breeze, and the place resembled more of a cozy, elegant and comfortable living room....

Rain storms in a drought ridden state are a rarity, and worth savoring. Growing up, I have fond memories of wearing rubber raincoats and making my way to school in Delhi’s heavy rains. I love the earthy smell, the pitter patter of raindrops, the breeze that typically accompanies a rainfall. Figure 1: Morning rain, Delhi, India I love freedom and lightness when submerged in water. Taking the mundane daily shower is one of the most fun daily activities....

Its been a rocky start for my journey to be a consistent meditation practitioner. As resources, I referred to both the Calm app and Pema Chodron’s book on How to meditate. I am finding the book more useful and relevant for my current milestone to quiten my mind. I practice meditation in the morning, at the beginning of the day. I start a new Meditation workout on my Apple watch (in the hope that maybe health data such as BPM will be a useful review later on)....

I find joy, happiness, and pleasure in anticipating, experiencing, and reminiscing life events. Our 2016 sojourn in Iceland has me excited for our upcoming summer vacation plan to tour Scandinavia. Scandinavia is one of the least populated, most scenic, and well connected parts of Europe. Politically, Scandinavia is the collection of five countries: Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Estonia. English is the second language of all peoples, making it convenient for US travelers....