Poem · Poetry

My city at night

Have you ever
Heard your city at night?
She will talk to you
Of what she saw in the light.

Talk of the lovers who kissed
for the first time on the bridge and
the homeless man below it,
weakened more today,
closer to death a little bit.

Politicians talking of welfare
in front of a crowd,
and plotting warfare
as soon as the masks come down.

I see it all,
I hear it all
and I bear it all.

Still, if ever
you need a listening ear
and a friend near,
you will find me here.

Just come over
at night, when everyone sleeps.
Stand on a bridge
Feel the wind in your hair
Stare into the dark waters below.

Or go to a park
Feel the air in your lungs
Rest your hand on a tree
Dig your heels in the soil.

I am here, with you
Through it all
Tell me your story
And I will tell you mine.

You and I,
We shall be fine.

feel good · Healing · love · Poem · Poetry · Spiritual

Search

I look for you when I am alone

The only one who felt like home

.

Frantically, my panic has grown

Then I realize –

In everything,

In my very being, 

you are shown

.

You are me and I am you

I am not alone

Healing · life · music · Poem · Poetry · Spiritual

Every narcissist’s downfall…unending desire

Narcissists keep collecting a lot of bad karma/deeds in their life. Most of these deeds are done because of the desires that a narcissist has. Narcissist’s desires keep them unsatisfied and always in a state of unease. They cannot really surrender to life and the moment that is. They are always either playing a victim or hero about something in the past or they are projecting into the future, working towards a certain goal. Either way, the present moment is not satisfactory for them. They are never present.

The song below is a great warning to all narcissists. Informing them of their impending doom and grounding them to reality. It is a bit dark but a helpful warning to anyone who is too much into their ego.

Song and translation is given below. It is from a Pakistani drama OST. The drama is called ‘Wabaal’ which means – calamity, ruin, misfortune, crime, sin.

Meaning :

You are a crazy, wild and unwise person

About what small thing are you going to stir up drama now?

Stop taking this physical world so seriously

This wrestling (ego-fights in the world) are going to stop with as soon as you leave this world (when you die)

.

This desire is a whirlpool

There is no end to it

Desire is such a prayer

Which doesn’t satisfy ever

.

Getting your desires is not in your will

.

Human, o human

Don’t keep following your desires

Everything is God/Source/Consciousness

You are nothing

x2

.

If you listen to the heart’s desires,

it will tell you to get the Moon on the Earth.

And then you will want it’s glow

to be attached on your clothes.

.

If you want to swim

in the ocean of your desires,

Trade yourself for it

And forget your happiness

.

Don’t be in a relationship with only what your heart wants

Sometimes learn to surrender to what is happening

God/Source/Consciousness has given you so many blessings

Sometimes sit alone and count all of them

.

Desires are like conspiracies

They will ask you questions

They will make you sell yourself

And make you commit many sins/mistakes

.

Every minute, you will crave for peace (but you won’t get it)

It will make your life that absurd

.

This desire is a whirlpool

There is no end to it

Desire is such a prayer

Which doesn’t satisfy ever

.

Getting your desires is not in your will

.

Human, o human

Don’t keep following your desires

Everything is God/Source/Consciousness

You are nothing

x2

.

You are a crazy, wild and unwise person

About what small issue are you going to stir up drama now?

music · Poem · Poetry

I saw my beloved in all I saw

Once a human does enough work on their spirituality and integrates all aspects of their broken psyche – they will start seeing some part of themselves being reflected in everyone. This feeling of oneness is precious. There is no other, all are one. In such a state of oneness, a person starts knowing everyone as a manifestation of the supreme beloved who is the creator, sustainer and destroyer of this reality that we all play a part in. It is a bliss to be in this state of oneness.

Here is a beautiful Kalaam (spiritual discourse) by Hazrat Shah Niyaz (Sufi poet) sung by the amazing Sufi singer Abida Parveen. This Kalaam discusses how a person who has experienced this kind of oneness will then see God/Creator/Beloved in every person whom they meet. My translation & interpretation of it is below the video.

Meaning :

I am needy person, who needs you

I will feel very dearly the sorrow for a beloved like you

You are the Sun; my eye is alight with your beauty

If I give you up, to whom can I go?

.

I saw my beloved in all I saw

At times revealed, hidden at times

.

At times a possibility, at times imperative

At times ephemeral, at times eternal

.

At times Creator was an emperor with an addiction of power and the throne

At other times, was seen as a beggar with a begging bowl in hands

.

At times in the form of a beautiful lover

Creator was showing charms and grace

.

At times a lover like Shah Niyaz Ahmad (poet’s name)

He was seen beating his chest in grief with a heart full of pain

.

At times revealed, hidden at times

I saw my beloved in all I saw

.

Top image is roof of Hafez’s tomb (Hāfezieh) located in Shiraz, Iran.

feel good · life · love · Poem · Poetry · Spiritual

Union with the beloved

I am not an expert in Sufism, just a student of it. I once heard an interview of a Sufi Sheikh who said something to the effect of – “All of life is a coping mechanism before we meet the beloved (the creator) again”

To me, this statement hit really deep.

That is why many Sufi songs will refer to God as a lover or beloved. Here is one such beautiful song by a wonderful singer called Romy. The song is called ‘Sanu ik pal chain na aave’ (I cannot be satisfied for even one second). The original was made famous by the legendary Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Please find the lyrics and translation to the one sung by Romy below :

Lyrics and meaning :

.

Sanu ik pal chain na aave

I can’t find satisfaction even for a second

Sajna tere bina

Without you my love

Dil kamla dub dub jaave

My crazy heart keeps on sinking

Sajna tere bina

Without you my love

Sajna tere bina

Without you my love

.

Raati mein jalava diva

At night I burn the lamp

Hanjua de tel da

With my tears as the oil

Hayyo rabba, sanjana nu

Oh my God, my love –

Chheti kyun ni mel da

Why don’t you meet me quickly

.

Sanu ik pal chain na aave

I can’t find satisfaction even for a second

Sajna tere bina

Without you my love

Dil kamla dub dub jaave

My crazy heart keeps on sinking

Sajna tere bina

Without you my love

Sajna tere bina

Without you my love

Death · life · Poem · Poetry · Spiritual

Peace

Come lie next to me

And let me speak

Speak to your heart

what my heart feels.

.

It feels no pain

And no joy

No worry, excitement or fear

All that remains is peace

.

I am happy here

Finally my restless soul is at peace

Poem · Poetry

God is the master artist

You create

I can only imitate.

You are the only one

Creating a masterpiece 

every moment.

How is it possible

That your glory be denied?

How can someone

Be so far from the truth?

One sunset, one sunrise

Can change a life.

Here’s hoping

You continue being the artist

And I keep getting inspired

To imitate you.

After sunset glow in the sky
Full moon at Del Mar
Beautiful day at Lake Poway Park
Poem · Poetry · Spiritual

When a monk dies

When a monk dies

What does he leave behind?

Only love

Only teachings

Only a way out

Of this world of illusions

.

When a monk dies

How does that make one feel?

Oprhaned

Abandoned

Alone

Reminding us that

It’s time to live the teachings

It’s time to grow up

.

Dedicated to Thich Nhat Hanh (1926-2022)

Healing · music

Root chakra healing when facing change

Root chakra healing is the base for all other healings. A healed root chakra helps a person feel stable, secure, safe and abundant. People who grew up in unsafe/narcissistic/dysfunctional environments need a lot of Mooladhar (Root) chakra healing. Whenever a person goes through change or a transformation, they require support. But unfortunately, for kids who grew up without a good support system, every change seemed like a threat. This triggers the person’s nervous system to go into ‘fight or flight’ mode. Even as an adult when this person faces any change in life, their body will remember and go into the same memory – mind, body state which they used to be as a child. But healing this is possible in many ways. One way is through music and musical instruments.

‘Shehnai’ is a musical instrument which is said to heal a person’s Mooladhar (Root) chakra. It is commonly played at weddings. Recently, I heard a song which has a great piece of shehnai instrument playing. The rest of the song is wonderful as well, sung by the amazing singer Atif Aslam (hits all the high notes beautifully). It is an OST for a new Pakistani drama. Below is the song and a translation of the lyrics in English.

P.S.: For all those who don’t know Shehnai’s sound, it plays in the middle of the song @ 1:53.

Translation of lyrics in English :

There is love, there is passion

Or is this the wonder of bliss

What do you know of this

Oh ignorant sad life (of mine)

You are wonderful

That one who hasn’t met himself

How will he meet you?

He is ignorant and he is lost

How will he meet you?

You are in the city of your wishes

You are on the journey of your love

You are not aware of your existence

Or even bothered about it

Here and there, everywhere

Where are you going again?

Are you again looking for that

stone that is like a moon? (Metaphor for something that cannot be acquired)

Life – you have many faces

And every face has many colors

How do you expect to get flowers

When what you hold in your hands are stones

That which was never heard or told

An unheard life story

He isn’t bothered if he has a large travel party with him

Because he is the travel party even by himself

That one who hasn’t met himself

How will he meet you?

He is ignorant and he is lost

How will he meet you?

Here and there, everywhere

Where are you going again?

Are you again looking for that

stone that is like a moon? (Metaphor for something that cannot be acquired)

The wound is where the light entered me

Such mysteries have come to surface

These came and settled in my eyes

All the pains that my lips could not speak

guestWriters

Inspired Paintings

Here are some beautiful paintings from a client – let’s call her ‘Janoo’. I am always excited when a client decides to express themselves creatively – this indicates to me that their energy is now flowing freely towards the throat chakra. This is a great blessing indeed.

Healing

Healing with darkness

Scorpio is a season to heal with the darkness. It is a season to dive deep into the depths of your madness, darkness, shadows and subconscious. Hitting rock bottom and staying there, getting rock bottom so imprinted on your heart that you can reach there in few seconds whenever you want to. The advantage of this practice is that once you know how to access your emotional rockbottom at will, you will be able to control all negative emotions and they won’t control you anymore. It means being intimate with the parts of you, that scare you the most. Just like the scorpion is comfortable living in cold, dark places where not many other creatures can survive. You will have befriended your demons, your shadows, the ones you ran from all your life. And what follows is a life of wholeness – where you can welcome darkness and light with equal love 🖤

Here is a beautiful song, by artist Lana Del Rey, perfect for the Scorpio season – of the old dying and the new beginning.

Some pictures to go with the song :

love · Poem · Poetry

Only love remains

What remains after we are dead and gone

Only love

What is true in this world of illusions

Only love

Trauma heals and transmutes into forgiveness

In this lifetime or the next

But when love touches someone

It cannot be undone

It transforms and heals all that is unloved

And only love remains

.

.

.

Park benches which give testimony of such love :

Healing · life · music · Poem · Poetry · Spiritual

When the mask slips…

For how long 

Do you plan to pretend?

For sooner or later

The mask always slips

The thousand masks

That you wear

Do not help hide

The ugliness from the Creator

For He always sees you

Completely naked

Like the day He created you

A perfect song to go with this poem (please turn on captions to understand the lyrics) :

Image source : https://discover.hubpages.com/health/Tactics-of-a-Narcissistic-Mother

Poem · Poetry

Letting go and ultimate freedom

Humans, since the day they are born are wired for attachment. Undo-ing this wiring takes a long time and many instances of separation that trigger the human’s need for this attachment. Many say that the original wound of separation happens when a life manifests from the formless (realm of pure light or unconditional love) into the realm of form, i.e., our world where things are perceived through the mind. Only after letting go of this attachment can a human again experience wholeness, a sense of being perfect, a sense of unconditional love, joy and peace. Here is a beautiful Sufi song, written by the famous Indian poet – Gulzar and sung by the amazing Rekha Bharadwaj. The song depicts loss, craving for the other after the separation and finally Grace descends on the ones who suffer and Grace enlightens them and takes them towards feeling the sense of union with the creator, with the formless – filing them with love, peace and joy. Hoping on this beautiful full moon day (it is a full moon while I write this) you are able to release all the energies that keep you from living your best possible life. Hoping everything that you need to release in order to live a life for your highest good, gets released today.

Lyrics :

Tere ishq mein, haay tere ishq mein
Raakh se ruukhi, koyale se kaali
Raat kate na, hizraan waali
Tere ishq mein, haay tere ishq mein

Teri justaju, karate rahe
Marate rahe, tere ishq mein
Tere ruu-ba-ru, baithe hue
Marate rahe, tere ishq mein

Tere ruu-ba-ru, teri justaju
Tere ishq mein, haay tere ishq mein

Baadal dhune, mausam bune
Sadiyaan ginin, lamhe chune
Lamhe chune, mausam bune
Kuchh garm the, kuchh gungune
Tere ishq mein, baadal dhune
Mausam bune, tere ishq mein

Tere ishq mein, haay haay tere ishq men

Tere ishq mein tanhaaiyaan, tanhaaiyaan tere ishq mein
Hamane bahut, bahalaaiyaan
Tanhaaiyaan, tere ishq mein
Ruuse kabhi, manawaaiyaan
Tanhaaiyaan, tere ishq mein

Mujhe toh kar, koi din gaya
Mujhe chhed kar, koyi shab gayi
Mainne rakh li saari aahatein
Kab aayi thi shab kab gayi
Tere ishq mein, kab din gaya
Shab kab gayi, tere ishq mein

Tere ishq mein, haay haay tere ishq mein

Raakh se ruukhi, dil sufi tha
Hum chal diye, jahaan le chala
Tere ishq mein, ham chal diye
Tere ishq mein, haay tere ishq mein

Translation :

In your love
Drier than ash, darker than coal
This night of separation doesn’t end
In your love
, in your love

I craved for you
I died, in your love
Sitting beside you
I died, in your love

Sitting beside you, I desired you
In your love, in your love

The clouds came singing, I knitted many seasons (waiting for you)
I counted centuries, I knitted many past moments from memory (waiting for you)
The clouds came singing, I knitted many seasons (waiting for you)
Some seasons were warm, some lukewarm
In your love, the clouds sang
I knit many seasons in your love

In your love, in your love

In your love there is loneliness, so much loneliness in your love
I have tried amusing myself so many times
So much loneliness in your love
Sometimes when I got angry, I consoled myself
So much loneliness in your love

Knocking me over (with sadness), some days passed me
Teasing me, an evening passed me
I have memorized all of your memories, even the sound of your footsteps
When did the day come (when you came) and when it went away (when you left)

In your love, in your love

More dry than ash, my heart was a Sufi (ascetic)
I started walking wherever it led me (towards you)
In your love, I started walking towards you
In your love, in your love

Poem · Poetry

Old man sitting by the street

Old man sits by the street

Watches the world go by

What once seemed very slow

Seems now hard to keep up by

.

This old man, he traveled far

Fought against all odds

Accomplished a lot and felt proud

Birthed a son, just to throw him out

.

Now a widower, he stays alone

Everyday past mistakes he moans

Never treated his family right

In his house, only his might

.

He did it for them, that’s what he said

Each night lonely in his fancy bed

But every now and then

A memory comes through

.

A flash of his son’s smile

A taste of his wife’s food

Never leaves him alone, for good

.

This old man, he sits by the road

Watches the world go by

And his mind goes

If I had a chance to do this again

This time – all of my love

I would spread

Poem · Poetry

God’s delusion

Like a friend when left alone

For days on end

Creates a world of their own

In their head

So did the lonely God

Create

This illusion –

of you, and me and the Universe

To keep Him entertained

music · Poem · Poetry · Rumi

From the land of Rumi

An Indian artist called ‘Satinder Sartaaj’ has a beautiful Punjabi song dedicated to the great poet Rumi. It has perfect vocals along with wonderful lyrics and dramatic Turkish music. The song is describing how being in this life means being in separation from the Beloved and how all of life leads us to union with the Beloved. Here is the video below along with English captions to translate the lyrics. Listen and be transported to the land of Rumi.

Video :

Punjabi lyrics :

ਬੇਕਰਾਰੀਆਂ ਹੁੰਦੀਆਂ ਕੀਮਤੀ ਜੀ
ਹਾਸਿਲ ਇਹਨਾਂ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਇਤਮਿਨਾਨ ਹੋਵੇ
ਫ਼ਿਦਾ ਸੱਭ ਹੋਂਦੇ, ਤੂੰ ਨਿਸਾਰ ਹੋ ਜਾ
ਉਹਨੂੰ ਪਤਾ ਲੱਗੇ ਤਾਂ ਗੁਮਾਨ ਹੋਵੇਦਿਲਾ, ਹਾਰ ਤੇ ਸਹੀ, ਆਪਾਂ ਵਾਰ ਤੇ ਸਹੀ
ਇੱਥੇ ਹਾਰਿਆਂ ਦੀ ਉਚੀ ਸ਼ਾਨ ਹੋਵੇ
ਐਸੀ ਆਸ਼ਿਕੀ ਕਰੀਂ, Sartaaj ਸ਼ਾਇਰਾ
ਕੋਈ ਹੈਰਾਨ ਹੋਵੇ ਤੇ ਕੁਰਬਾਨ ਹੋਵੇਐਸੀ ਇਸ਼ਕ ਬਜ਼ਾਰ ਦੀ ਰੀਤ ਵੇਖੀ
ਲੱਖਾਂ ਸਾਹ ਆਏ ਤੇ ਰਸੀਦ ਕੋਈ ਨਾ
ਜੀਹਨੇ ਇਸ ਜਹਾਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਪੈਰ ਪਾਇਆ
ਉਹਦੀ ਗ਼ਮੀ ਕੋਈ, ਉਹਦੀ ਈਦ ਕੋਈ ਨਾਇਸ਼ਕ ਜਿਹੀ ਅਸਾਨ ਕੋਈ ਸ਼ਹਿ ਵੀ ਨਹੀਂ
ਇਸ਼ਕ ਜਿਹਾ ਮੁਸ਼ਕਿਲ ਤੇ ਸ਼ਦੀਦ ਕੋਈ ਨਾ
ਓਏ, ਤੂੰ ਅੰਦਰੋਂ ਹੀ ਲੱਭ, Sartaaj ਸ਼ਾਇਰਾ
ਛੱਡ ਬਾਹਰੋਂ ਮਿਲਣ ਦੀ ਉਮੀਦ ਕੋਈ ਨਾਇਹੋ ਲੁਤਫ਼ ਮੋਹੱਬਤਾਂ ਦੇ ਵੱਖਰੇ ਨੇ
ਜਦੋਂ ਦਰਦ ਹੋਵੇ ਓਦੋਂ ਹੱਸੀਏ ਜੀ
ਇਹੋ ਲੁਤਫ਼ ਮੋਹੱਬਤਾਂ ਦੇ ਵੱਖਰੇ ਨੇ
ਜਦੋਂ ਦਰਦ ਹੋਵੇ ਓਦੋਂ ਹੱਸੀਏ ਜੀ
ਕਦੇ ਹੱਥਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਖੋਲ੍ਹਕੇ ਖੈਰ ਮੰਗੀਏ
ਕਦੇ ਚੀਸਾਂ ‘ਚ ਮੁੱਠੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਕੱਸੀਏ ਜੀਕਦੇ ਪੱਤਿਆਂ ਅੱਗੇ ਗਾਈਏ ਨਜ਼ਮ ਸਾਰੀ
ਕਦੇ ਆਪੇ ਨੂੰ ਵੀ ਨਾ ਦੁੱਖ ਦੱਸੀਏ ਜੀ
ਇਹੀ ਇਸ਼ਕ ਦਾ ਮੂਲ, Sartaaj ਸ਼ਾਇਰਾ
ਮਹਿਰਮ ਜਿਵੇਂ ਆਖੇ…

My English translation for the lyrics :

Restlessness is very precious
It is from this, that one achieves contentment
Everyone gets impressed, but you become devoted
When the beloved sees this, he/she will feel proud of you

Give up your heart
Give up your whole self
Let the losers be deemed winners here (who surrenders is the winner)
Love in such a way, poet Sartaaj
That some gets surprised and others sacrifice themselves (over the love)

Such is the ritual of this love market that
Even after giving the beloved a lakh breaths, there is no acknowledgement
Whoever steps in this land of love, has no permanent happiness or sadness

There is no other refuge like love
There is nothing which is as extremely difficult as love
Keep looking inside yourself Sartaaj
Don’t hope to find this love outside of yourself

The gentleness of love is something fascinating
When it hurts in love, we feel like laughing

Sometimes lovers lift their hands and pray to God
While sometimes they will clench their fist in anger
Sometimes they will sing love poetry to the leaves (of a plant/tree)
While sometimes they will not even admit their own sorrows to themselves

Ask these lovers what did you get in return for this
They will say they can see God in their beloved’s face
It’s because of this devotion
That we see the light in love
Think about where you stand, poet Sartaaj
The town of love seems pretty far for you

Why do you keep your feet in two boats
Either come together or go your separate ways

Be brave and take a side
Either become a spec of dust or become a miracle

Do something in love that makes others jealous
Do something in love that makes others remember you

Healing · Mantra · music · Spiritual

Divine anger, Narasimha and Narayan mantra

Narasimha, according to Hinduism, was the fourth avatar of Vishnu. In this form, Vishnu had the body of a man, but he had a head of a lion. This avatar of Vishnu is also a symbol of great strength. He is a form of divine anger. When evil increases beyond a limit, it is divine anger which restores balance on this Earth. Praying to God Narasimha is great for a person’s Manipur chakra, i.e., the energy centre of their identity. It strengthens a person’s confidence, belief in themselves and balances their ego. It helps them assert and keep their boundaries.

A beautiful Kundalini mantra by Nirinjan Kaur can help us balance our solar plexus and bring it to the strength similar to that of Lord Narasimha. Here is the mantra (translation below), listen to it for 40 days and see the difference in your self confidence :

Meaning of the mantra (taken from https://spiritvoyage.com) :

The Name of the Immaculate Narayan(Lord) is the Ambrosial Water.
Chanting it with the tongue, sins are washed away.

The Lord abides in everyone.
The Lord illumines each and every heart.
Chanting the Lord’s Name, one does not fall into hell.
Serving the Lord, all fruitful rewards are obtained.

Within my mind is the Support of the Lord.
The Lord is the boat to help you sail the waters of this world.
Chant the Lord’s Name, and the Messenger of Death will run away.
The Lord helps you see through the illusion of Maya.

The Lord is forever and ever the Forgiver.
The Lord blesses us with peace and bliss.
The Lord has revealed His glory.
The Lord is the mother and father of His Saint.

The Lord, the Lord, is in the company of simple people, i.e., the Company of the Holy.
Time and time again, I sing the Lord’s Praises.
Meeting with the Guru, I have attained the
incomprehensible object Nanak has grasped.

Healing · Marathi · music · Spiritual

How to heal the solar plexus chakra with music

The solar plexus chakra, or Manipur chakra in Sanskrit, translates to, “city of jewels.” This chakra governs personality, ego, and identity, as well as personal freedom, choice, and authenticity. The solar plexus chakra also has to do with motivation, willpower, and purpose. Self-confidence is connected to the solar plexus chakra, as well. It also governs the digestive system and its respective organs; as a result, it has jurisdiction over both the gut’s emotional brain and stored emotions.

Some imbalances in the Manipur chakra can cause the following diseases :

Gastric or digestion issues like stomach pain, heartburn, acid reflux, nausea, ulcers, or a loss of appetite. More serious conditions like diabetes, gallstones, hypoglycemia, eating disorders, high or low blood pressure. Emotion wise - it can result in irresponsibility, an excessive need for control, victim mentality, and feelings of helplessness, insecurity or inauthenticity can be connected to this chakra.

There is a raag called ‘Ahir Bhairav’ in Hindustani classical music, which helps balance a person’s solar plexus chakra. A raag is like a template of a musical composition over which various lyrics can be set. Every raag is supposed to invoke certain energies, emotions and feelings in the listener. Ahir Bhairav raag creates a feeling of relaxation, compassion, sympathy, motivation, devotion and surrender. It helps balance a person’s blood pressure, cures digestion issues, skin problems, ego issues. You can hear it as much as you feel like or can even keep it playing in a low volume while not actively listening to it. The vibrations themselves can cause healing. The lyrics do not matter so much, but are definitely a cherry atop the icing in most of the good raags, but for purposes of healing – they do not matter as vibrations are much subtler than lyrical meaning which is of a logical construct. Hope you experience the healing of your Manipur chakra through these beautiful songs.

Here are some beautiful songs based on the raag ‘Ahir Bhairav‘ :

Apsara aali :

Albela Sajan :

Medley of both these songs :

Cover art taken from : https://meditativemind.org/how-to-heal-solar-plexus-chakra-aka-manipura/

Healing · Mantra · Sanskrit · Spiritual

Moksha mantra

In Hinduism there is a mantra called the “Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra”, this mantra is very useful for people who are suffering with physical ailments, for people who are about to leave their body, or those who have already left their body, or those who died in a sudden way, as well as, for the loved ones of the person who has passed away. It is usually chanted either 21 times or 108 times.

English : Om Trayambakam Yajamahe, Sugandhim Pushti Vardhanam,

Urvarukmiv Bandhanat, Mrityurmokshaya Mamratat.

Sanskrit : ॐ त्रयम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम् ।

उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान् म्रुत्योर्मुक्षिय मामृतात्

Meaning:

  • Om : Naad brahm – the sacred sound
  • Triyambakam : Three eyed Lord Shiva
  • Yajamahe: Worshiped in Yagya or sacred fire rituals
  • Sugandhim: Fragrant
  • Pushti vardhanam: Nourisher of health, wealth and life
  • Uravaruk : Cucumber-like – physical and mundane
  • Bandhanan: Bondage or fetters like
  • Mrityu : Death like
  • Mukshiya: Liberate or give Moksha
  • Ma : Me
  • Amritat: Divine nectar of life, serenity and prosperity

Om, Tryambaka (the three-eyed Shiva), fragrant nourisher of life. May we be bestowed with liberation from this cycle of life and death, just as a cucumber is severed from its bondage to the creeper.

This mantra was incorporated very beautifully in a Hindi movie called ‘Neerja’. The plot is based on a real-life event: Libyan-backed Abu Nidal Organization’s hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73 in Karachi, Pakistan, on 5 September 1986. The film is shown from the point of view of the flight’s head purser, Neerja Bhanot, who thwarted the hijack attempt by alerting the pilots, thus grounding the plane; Neerja died trying to help save 359 of the 379 passengers and crew on board. Posthumously, she became the youngest recipient of India’s highest peacetime gallantry, the Ashok Chakra Award, as well as several other accolades from the government of Pakistan and the United States.

feel good · love · Poem · Poetry · Spiritual

Bittersweet Autumn

Autumn is a season with bittersweet energy – the days get shorter, the air gets chilly, humans get slower, animals migrate or start preparing for hibernation, leaves turn colors and they start emptying the trees. It really is a season of letting go. This makes me think of a beautiful song which reminds me of the energy of Autumn.

The song is called ‘Haminastu’ which means ‘If there is Heaven anywhere, it is here, it is here’. I love the texture of this song, with it’s deep and clear musical beginning which has a soulful rubab playing. It’s hauntingly beautiful happy-sad lyrics are sung beautifully by Zeb Bangash, a talented artist. This is one of music director – Amit Trivedi’s masterpieces. Below is the song and its lyrics and translation.

gar firdaus, barooye zameen ast
haminasto, haminasto
meri jaan rooh dil se baabast
haminasto, haminasto.. (Persian)

If there is paradise on this earth somewhere,
here it is, here it is.
Inhabited by my life, my soul and my heart,
this is the place, here it is.

khaamosh darakhton ke saaye
ye khauf hai soya saa
kuch khoya khoya humne bhi
ye chehra hai roya saa (Urdu)

In the shadows if these silent trees
there is a fear that is hidden

Seems like I have lost something
the face is as if it has cried

murjhate gulon ne jhuk ke kaha
hume aadat hai hamin asto…
chalte lamhon ne ruk ke kaha
inaayat hai hamin asto… (Urdu)

Even the dying flowers bowed and said,
we are used to this.. in this place.
Moving moments stopped and said,
it’s kindness/mercy on us.. in this place.

ye veerane, ye sannaate
ye kya bol rahe hain
aate jaate, aate jaate
ho… (Urdu)

these desolate places, these silences,
what are they saying
as they pass?

panchhi saare ud gaye kahin
bas ghonsley hain haminasto
gar jannat hai zameen pe kaheen
yaheen pe hai haminasto, haminasto.. (Urdu)

all the birds have flown away somewhere,
only the nests remain in this place.
if there is heaven on earth somewhere,
here it is.. here it is..

Picture credit : https://qz.com/india/837702/in-photos-kashmirs-stunning-fiery-and-forlorn-autumn-is-missing-its-tourists-this-year/

Healing · Spiritual

A celestial mantra to experience a mother’s unconditional love

Recently I heard a story from a client that had me experiencing deep feelings of grief. Having trained myself to hold feelings and hold space for my clients, it’s usually easy; but I have to admit, this one hit really hard.

Growing up with a neglectful, absent or abusive mother is one of the hardest things in the world. A mother’s love is the closest to unconditional love most of us experience. Unfortunately, many of us do not get this opportunity. But it does not mean that you can never experience it. Here is a beautiful celestial mantra that will fill the gap of a mother’s unconditional love in your heart. I know a lot of people do not believe in the power of mantras; but trust me – just give it a go. Listen to this beautiful mantra by Nirinjan Kaur once a day for 40 days, and feel the love of the celestial mother descend upon you. This mantra will heal the mother wound that most of us carry within our hearts. Translation is below :

Oh my child, this is thy mother’s prayer. This is thy mother’s prayer.
Remembering the Lord, all sins are erased and past and future generations are saved.
May you always say His name, He who has no end.
Oh my child, this is your mother’s prayer that you don’t forget the Lord even for an instant.
Worshipping forever the Lord of the Universe. May the true Guru be kind to you, may you keep company with the Saints.
May your clothing be the protection of God, may your food be the singing of God’s praise.
May you drink the divine nectar. May you live long, may the meditative remembrance of the Lord give you infinite delight.
May joy and pleasure be yours. May your hopes be fulfilled, and may you never be troubled by worries.
Let your mind be a bumble bee, and let the Lord’s feet be the lotus flower.
Says Servant Nanak, attach your mind to them, and blossom forth like the songbird, upon finding the raindrop.

Post picture credits : EvitaWorks – https://www.pinterest.com/evitaworks/_created/

love · Poem · Poetry · Spiritual

I see love

I see love in the twirling leaves

I see love in the dancing breeze

I see love when you make the sky

your paint palette everyday

Some say that you rule by fear

But when I look, I only find love here

Perhaps they misunderstand

the fear is only an ego illusion

When they look closer they will find

in love, their ego dissolution

Hafez · Poem · Poetry · Spiritual

Hafiz poem interpretation – My eyes so soft

Here is my interpretation of Hafiz’s ‘My eyes so soft’ poem:

Don’t

Surrender

Your loneliness so quickly.

Let it cut more

Deep.

Let it ferment and season you

As few human

Or even divine ingredients can.

Something missing in my heart tonight

Has made my eyes so soft,

My voice so

Tender,

My need of God

Absolutely

Clear.

In this poem, Hafiz is trying to tell humans the importance of loneliness. Loneliness is a feeling a human experiences when he/she is away from their soul, their spirituality. They try to fill this void by other people or things or activities or food/drinks, but ultimately everything is temporary and this loneliness returns. Hafiz says, remain lonely for a while, remain in the pain of being lonely. What gives you pain – teaches you, it ferments you – transforms you and shows you a better way to live life. Hafiz says, this loneliness is actually extremely useful for a person as it makes the person ultimately realize that he/she will feel a sense of belonging only and only when they get in touch with their spiritual nature. This will remove every part of their loneliness.

love · Poem · Poetry · Spiritual

Divine ecstasy

In your devotion, I sing

In your devotion, I dance

Your devotion is all devouring

Taking all parts of me

And making me new

Making me more like you

Let me be in your ecstasy

Always!

love · Poem · Poetry

Cloud and the rose

White cloud drifted

Beyond a care in the world

Looked down and noticed

A perfect rose

Prettier than a pearl

What can I do for her

He thought

And idea came to him

Let me melt into water

So I can be useful

Saying that he turned grey

And without an ounce of fear

He melted himself away

To be close to his rose dear

Soon he became one with

His beloved

Because he chose

Love over fear

feel good · Poem · Poetry

Joy

I can see it bubbling inside

Inside your steel caged heart.

The one you put a lid on

To keep your poker face on.

I want to reach that joy

No, not to steal it away.

But to color you with it

So that with you

It will always stay.

feel good · Poem · Poetry · Spiritual

Gratitude

In the velvety black-blue sky

two mountains stand as soldiers

with their snow-clad peaks glistening

in the white gentle moonlight.

I lie on my back on my sleeping bag,

my outstretched hand playing with

the dew-laden soft grass.

The smell of the moist Earth fills my lungs

grounding my very being.

The sound of the crickets fills my ears

with a chaotic symphony.

The sneaky stars play hide and seek with me.

And in my heart only these words echo

‘Thank you!’

Image credits : http://geraintsmith.com/southern-rocky-mountains-super-moon-rise/

Ebook

Affirmations for pregnant women

20-page Reiki infused ebook PDF – for pregnant women who find themselves with a narcissistic family or a narcissistic spouse, on sale for 7$ USD. You can view it on your laptop, phone, tablet.

It is very difficult to have a healthy, stress-free pregnancy when around narcissists. Pregnancy is a difficult time as it is, where the mother is taking care not just of herself but the baby growing inside her. However, around narcissists it is very difficult to get the support needed to go through this period. Having been through this situation I have written this book of affirmations to help other pregnant women thrive. and feel supported. Wishing for you or your loved one a safe, sound, happy and healthy pregnancy.

If you would like to purchase one, please email me : recoveryfromnarc@gmail.com. Here is a sneak peak of some pages. 🙏🏼💚

Ebook

The night and I talk about you

31-page love-Reiki infused ebook PDF – features 18 short poems and beautiful pictures for sale for 7$ USD.

Poetry is often a way an aching heart expresses itself. When a person has been through NPD, BPD, HPD trauma – their perception of love becomes extremely skewed. Popular culture does not help it either – it shows an extremely toxic view of love. In such a world situation, poetry from lesser-known but life-experienced poets, is where I found some understanding of what genuine, true, pure, innocent love should feel like. Wish to share it with you. 💙🙏🏼 

If you would like to purchase one, please email me : recoveryfromnarc@gmail.com. Here is a sneak peak of some pages. 🙏🏼💚

Ebook

Bucketful of pride after narcissistic abuse

22-page PDF ebook, each page infused with Reiki to make the reader feel proud of themselves again, to imbibe in the reader a sense of self-worth, self-acceptance and self-love. Narcissistic experiences negatively influence a person’s self-image and self-confidence, this book hopes to combat the adverse effects of narcissistic abuse on a person’s Manipur chakra (Solar plexus chakra) – hence, the bright yellow color. Each page of this book is infused with Reiki energy to help the reader heal and balance out their center of being. It costs 7$ USD

If you would like to purchase one, please email me : recoveryfromnarc@gmail.com. Here is a sneak peak of some pages. 🙏🏼💚

Ebook

Poems & interpretations

This 18 page long ebook contains 4 poems that guided me through some very dark times in my life along with their interpretations. It costs 5$ USD. You can view it on your laptop, phone, tablet.

If you would like to purchase one, please email me : recoveryfromnarc@gmail.com. Here is a sneak peak of some pages. 🙏🏼

Ebook

14 days of self-care

This PDF ebook is a 33 page long guide for some tips on spending 14 days taking care of yourself. It costs 10$ USD. You can view it on your laptop, phone, tablet.

If you would like to purchase one, please email me : recoveryfromnarc@gmail.com. Here is a sneak peak of some pages. 🙏🏼