Coffee with an ALIEN!

‘Will you believe me if I say I had a chit- chat with an alien?

 Will you not consider me strange if I say I had an alien over for tea?

Will you accept me if I say I enjoy the company of the ‘other?’…

An evening on the lawn beside a faint, shimmering pool, the setting is calm and serene, gentle, soft breeze brings in the balmy, lulling effect. The rustle of the leaves and the hustle of cars are the only two noticeable movements. The Sun kisses the land on the horizon; birds head to their nest and men return to their family, the day’s chores are done, now it’s time to retire. In a distance you hear the ‘adan’, an evening call for prayer. Yes, it’s a perfectly set evening, a time for reflection, submission.

The scene is set, flickering flames of the perfumed candle fights a silent battle with the gentle wind that in spite of its gentleness is in an effort to devour the ‘light’. Mats are spread and the group finally comes to its actual number of 14. We sit in calm and awe, anticipating. There’s a kind of urgency and  unrest as to what the outcome will be, for the fourteen here are together for a different reason. No it’s not a kitty party or a social night of dance and merry making. It’s an evening of establishing harmony. We wish to acknowledge the presence of all living beings with whom we share this plane. In particular we’d like to acknowledge the presence of the invisible, see them in some form and establish a connection. We though uninvited have resolved to  enter their realm in peace of course!

Therefore, this evening is an extra ordinary one. The session begins with an introduction of each other, general queries on the existence of spirits, forces unknown, on life and the future of the world. Finally, with an invocation of the higher force, the delve begins. At first it is the conscious at play, we submit our selves to our mind, the highest realm of thought, then as it takes control we are gradually oblivious of our physical surrounding. Senses are numb and we as light as air balloons. We brave it to the world of unknown and it is indeed exhilarating. 

In the vastness of space, we imagine opening a door, walking down steps, twenty to be precise, and feeling the presence of ‘the other’. We are now in the world of the extra terrestrial. I  invite one of them, any one of  them to show me his/her presence . I ask for a conversation, the mind hovers back and forth, back and forth. Music that was set to play at the beginning of the meditation is loud and soft, soft and loud.  In the excitement of the whole event, I confess being distracted, therefore I do not recall seeing any form. However, the voice rung clearly in my ears, a voice of assurance and my hands were profuse with energy. At the end of it, there was a feeling of contentment and inner peace. 

To what extent I rely on my experience, I cannot say, but I do know that the feeling was memorable, a thing to ponder on and explore. With time, maturity will definitely be attained on the galactic, the aliens and the extra terrestrial.

When the CLASS breaks LOSE...

It’s happens once in a while and I’d like to term it ‘restricted freedom!’ Restricted because the freedom is confined to the four walls of the classroom and there’s still a list of don’ts to follow. No fizzy drinks, no junk food, no music, no dancing, no littering, no breaking any other classroom decorum. It’s just a class of relaxed atmosphere where we share healthy food and  environment.

Nonetheless it is  a good experience to break routine and be at ease with a bunch of young, energetic adults who are about to step into the next phase of their life. For that hour there’s no imposition and no order, The otherwise discipline-obsessed teacher is a silent observer giving the teens space and freedom.  There’s supervising though for supervision it seems runs in the veins of teachers and the students are tolerant  for they know their teacher well enough!

When the class breaks loose is a worthwhile moment for both the instructor and the instructed, it's an  an opportunity to know each other from close quarters. You share the table and lighter moments, which in turn bring about bonding that’ll last a lifetime.  On such an occasion your students don’t dread your sight, instead they do the opposite; they hover around and make an effort to know the ‘human you’, the person you are in your world and you in turn you do the same.
 ‘Ms, eat, why aren’t you joining us?’

             ‘Ms, taste this dish, it’s ‘Paper Rice’, (Vine leaf, actually) Azooz’s mom prepared it, purely    vegetarian and healthy.’

            ‘Ms, why are you sitting so far? Come, join us.’

             ‘Ms, take a picture with us.’

These imperatives are but expressions of genuine concern. One of the taller otherwise shy student wittily remarks, ‘Ms you eat so little, no wonder you are so stingy with marks.’  
That’s what keen observation is all about I guess.

The 'teacher you’ may have been a nightmare burdening young lads with wagon load of assignments, projects, quizzes, deadlines and consequences yet the ‘person you’ is the one they long for, whose attention and advice  they seek. They wish to hear and be heard, therefore it is but necessary for the class to break loose once in a while. You win the confidence, loyalty and respect of those who you care for most and this indeed brings about a deep sense of satisfaction 

HAPPINESS

Happiness

...is  the sight of …

      … scattered toys,

          …muddy football boots,

                                      …blaring TV,

                                        … strewn books,

                                       …thumping of piano keys,

                                                                   …ringing voice,

                                                                        …fussing over food,

                                                                                          … ruffled hair,

                                                                                                 …oversize clothes,

                                                                                                               …unkempt room,

-happiness is Nirlok, my  soul !

Dream

Soar the skies of eternal blue,

where fluffy cumulous offer buoyancy

and the dark grays a hindrance.

You dare the forward trail,

endure  the challenges

and  transform rugged traverses

to  silken-smooth route

that head straight

to the cherished dream.

With dream accomplished

life is a ‘VIBGYOR’

 and you, a STAR, 

a hope to others in turn.

Esther of the Hills...

Scene 1

“Here in  this land, there is no democracy and you woman, remember you are a woman, WOMAN!Your degrees don’t qualify you to express your opinion, you are voiceless, remember and I say that loud and clear.”

…………………………………………….

Scene 2

“Repeat after me, ‘I am sick’, repeat, REPEAT I say!

 Now go home and take good rest.”

……………………………………….

Esther of the hills was forced by marriage to venture out in the rough sands of the desert. In every way the two places, that is, the land of her birth and the land of ‘his choice’ were stark opposites; one was a roaring space of howling winds and blinding sand while the other a haven of blue mountains and majestic pines.  The freshness of the morning breeze, the mist, the snow and the serenity bred people of innocence and contentment.  Her land was a refuge and his, a luring materialistic field, the root of all-evils.

Yet she took it in her stride to carve a niche on loose grains now that she had taken the vow to be by his side through thick and thin. First challenge was the over generous heat of the Sun which actually would have been a blessing in her homeland. Too much heat and too little natural flora and fauna suffocated the free bird spirit in her.  She had to confine herself to the four walls and rely on ‘machines’ to be her solace and slowly began the transition from the natural to the artificial, a dangerous move. Without realization she had now begun to live on artificial air. Hopefully the inner spirits retained purity.

Life like in all cities was a race, a battle for time. Everyone was a victim without the slightest inkling on the sole purpose of it all. Money flowed in plenty and life was easy by modern standards yet there was something lacking- inner peace. The cutthroat policy that governs all metropolises reigned supreme in her present world. Trust was a word that had long become obsolete. However the hill born Esther defied such a transformation. Life style had changed but not her values, in her heart and principle she was the hill-bred girl simplistic, devoted, passionate and real. Alas, little did she know the lurking danger such values would bring. Her smile, emotion and  words were true to its nature for hypocrisy or diplomacy was an art she hadn’t mastered.

Esther found contentment in what she was endowed with and even filled with gratitude.  The grind and routine was interpreted in positive light and she strove to give her best in all. The sacrifice therefore brought forth rewards both in her personal and professional life. Today she had knowledge, exposure and experience of living life in a fast lane. She knew how to keep herself alive like the city that never slept. But her innocence got the better of her. The intrigues, politics, swindle and back stabs that she tried her best to keep away from finally gripped her.

On a pleasant spring morn when nature was at its best and Esther’s spirits high, she was called by the higher authorities and told plainly, ‘Ms. Esther, we consider you to be one among the best and value your dedication. However, we must inform you that we no longer want your services. No reasons as such but we just feel we don’t need you.”

And that was it, no explanation and no reason; no one felt any obligation to quench her inquisitive mind. Rationality, practicality, logicality are strange words!

Sunita Lama

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