This is my second story on the series called "Life". The first one is here.

Prologue:

The little body floating in the small pool of water suddenly came to life...The body felt crammed for space and it was total darkness every where. The tiny heart started pumping as if by magic. Millions of neurons started transmitting electrical signals to each other. The limbs of the body started moving. .Priya who was busy working, suddenly felt a pain. She could feel the baby inside her kicking. Her joy knew no bounds and she immediately rushed home to share the news with everyone. She had experienced the first signs of life inside her.

Chapter 1:

Everything happened so fast. The soul that just entered the body kept thinking about the events that occured during the last few days. It remembered the day when the judge in the divine court ruled the verdict and the punishment was "LIFE". Rules were very strict and anyone straying out of the moral path had to undergo the punishment. The Master that ruled over the whole galaxy showed no favoritism.

The next day the chief of the souls addressed everyone that were about to start their earthly journey.

“I am here to give you all a few tips and clear any doubts that you might have regarding your journey. You are all about to take a human birth, the highest form of life. I say highest because only humans can recognize the Master.”

"You will all be caged inside a human body, which is nothing but flesh and blood. Remember without you the body is of no worth. However once you are born, the whole human world will make you to identify yourself with your body. Also you will understand human language as soon as you descend to the human world."

"First, based on parts of your body humans will classify you either as a boy or a girl. As you grow up, you will start to believe that you are the body. But do not worry. The Master will help you and guide you to get back here. Only you must identify the signs and follow Him."

"Any questions?"

Chapter 1:

The sun was settling down in the western hemisphere when Sriram woke up. The clock above his bed showed 15 minutes past 7. It took a couple of seconds for him to remember that he was still in Chennai. He had a long day ahead.

Sriram was surprised to see his father still trying to accommodate the left over sambhar powder packets in his suitcases which were already overweight and oversized. He kept telling his mother that there was a prescribed weight limit for the bags that he could carry on his flight but she shouted back "Throw away those heavy jeans, books and those woolen clothes. You can buy them there but you will not get the sambhar powder and spices that I have specially prepared for you". As she was saying tears automatically started flowing from her eyes.

This is a story that I read in this e-journal long time back. Most of you must have heard of this story but still here it is.

The Bamboo and the Fern:

One day I decided to quit...Quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality...

I wanted to quit my life.

I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.

"God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"

His answer surprised me...

"Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"

"Yes", I replied.

"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water.

The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed.

But I did not quit on the bamboo. In the second year the fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.

And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo." He said.

"In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed."

"I would not quit." He continued.

"Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth.

Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant...But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.

It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of My creations a challenge it could not handle."

I left the forest and brought back this story. I hope these words can help you to see that God will never give up on you. Never give up.

I don't know if this is a boon or bane..I dream a lot... I know people who hardly dream but for me there is hardly a night where I don't dream.. Some dreams are like Tamil movies, easy to interpret..But there are some like watching a foreign language movie...Doesn't make any sense initially...But as days go by slowly they make sense.. I don't know if dreams try to tell us something.. But I have enjoyed interpreting those dreams of mine..

This is what happened in last night's dream.. I was driving to work when I saw a plane flying at a very low attitude.. It was about to crash.. As the plane just passed overhead me, I looked at the tail of the plane..It was an air-france flight...I am not sure if air-france operates in chennai.. I pulled over the car and stepped out..The plane was totally out-of-control and when it was out of my sight, I saw huge smoke..Obviously the plane must have crashed..

Now what does this dream mean...This is what some experts say..

"For you to dream about a plane crash means that something OUT of your control, that you should be able to rely on and trust in, has gone haywire. This isn't about you and something you should have been able to do properly. This is about someone or something else that you *Trusted* that let you down completely, in a way that had a huge impact on your life."

Another expert says.

"To dream that a plane crashes, suggests that you have set overly high and unrealistic goals for yourself.  Your goals may be too high and are impossible to realize. You are in danger of having it come crashing down. Alternatively, your lack of confidence, self-defeating attitude and self-doubt toward the goals you have set for yourself is represented by the crashing airplane; you do not believe in your ability to attain those goals. Loss of power and uncertainty in achieving your goals are also signified."

When I think of it these interpretations make sense.. But why air-france? Maybe

• I am interested in the D-Day invasion in Normandy, France during World War II.
• I have been reading about Knight's Templar lately, where most of the incidents happen in France.
• I am waiting to watch the Louvre museum in the movie Da Vinci Code.
• I am also reading about the Tour De France race.

Whatever they are I can live with these interpretations but I pray that this is not some kind of a premonition!!

Subha had tagged me. Wondered what this tagging was. I always "tag" my post to some categories. Looks like I have to answer the questions that keeps going around like a chain email. Anyway here they are...

Finally managed to get the audio of one of my favourite bhajan "Sukh ke sab sathi" from the 1970 Hindi movie Gopi.. I just love the lyrics and to top it up it has the enchanting voice of the legendary Mohd. Rafi.

Whenever you feel tired/down, close your eyes and just listen to this song.. It has a soothing effect and you will definetely feel the vibration.

Click here to listen.

And finally the lyrics.

Sukh ke sab sãthi dukh men na koi
Many friends and companions when times are good, but none when times are bad
Mere Rãm, mere Rãm
My Lord Rama, My Lord Rama
Terã nãm ek sãnchã dujã na koi
Your Divine Name is the only Truth, and there is none other

Jeevan ãni jãni chhãyã
Life is but a mere shadow that comes and goes
Jhoothi mãyã jhoothi kãyã
A false illusion, a false material body
Phir kãhe ko sãri umariyã pãp ki gathari ðhoi
Then why, for the whole of our lifetimes, have we been carrying this burden of sins?

Na kuchh terã na kuchh merã
Nothing is yours, nothing is mine
Ye jag jogivãlã pherã
This Universe is cyclical in nature
Rãjã ho yã rank sabhikã ant ek sã hoe
One may be a king or a pauper, but the end is still the same

Bãhar ki tu mãti phãnke
You savour the external dirt
Man ke bheetar kyun na jhãnke
Why don’t you take a peep into your mind and heart?
Ujale tan par mãn kiyã aur man ki mail na dhoi
Showing great concern for the glittering body but never cleansing the mind of its filth

(Lyrics Courtesy)

24 years ago, Mark Inglish and his climbing partner were scaling Mount cook, New Zealand's tallest mountain when a blizzard trapped both of them. They spent two weeks in an ice cave and  were barely alive when rescued. Mark Inglish lost both his legs to frost bite. He was 23 years old then.

A quarter century later Mark set out on the most challenging task for any climber. Mark ,an inspirational speaker, scaled Mount Everest on Monday and showed the world the meaning of courage, inspiration and hard work.

I salute you Mark!!

Why should we switch off our mobile phones and other electronic devices during a flight takeoff/landing? Do they really interfere with the air traffic signals? Or is it just a myth?

Do you get wetter running or walking in the rain?

If an elevator suddenly falls and goes on a free fall, can you save yourself by jumping up in the nick of time before it hits the bottom?

The popular mythbusters progam is now aired in Discovery Channel, India. The two experts in the program de-mystify 2 myths in each episode. This was one of my favourite programs when I visited US and believe me you will enjoy the show.

The program airs every Tuesday 9:00 PM, IST. Don't miss it.

Just finished reading "The Prophet" by the Kahlil Gibran. What Can I say? It's mind blowing. The book is divided into 26 chapters/essays. Here is a book which was written more than 80 years ago but the essays are timeless. Here is a sample on some of the topics.

On Talking

You talk when you cease to be at peace with your thoughts; And when you can no longer dwell in the solitude of your heart you live in your lips, and sound is a diversion and a pastime; And in much of your talking, thinking is half murdered; And there are those who talk, and without knowledge or forethought reveal a truth which they themselves do not understand; And there are those who have the truth within them, but they tell it not in words.

On Pain

Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding; Much of your pain is self-chosen; It is the bitter potion by which the physician within you heals your sick self; Therefore trust the physician, and drink his remedy in silence and tranquillity; And the cup he brings, though it burn your lips, has been fashioned of the clay which the Potter has moistened with His own sacred tears;

On Joy & Sorrow

Your joy is your sorrow unmasked; The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain; When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy; Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy. Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced.

On Children

Your children are not your children; They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself; They come through you but not from you; You may give them your love but not your thoughts; You may house their bodies but not their souls; You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth; The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far;

On Marriage

But let there be spaces in your togetherness; And let the winds of the heavens dance between you; Love one another but make not a bond of love;