A Letter to My Companion

Dear,

My Beloved Better Half,

Ever since our eyes met each others’

And spoke volumes,

To the times our feet walked

The footstep of predestined lane...

Ever since our minds raced with

The unspoken words of love,

To the times when expressing love

Became a daily ritual...

Ever since our souls encountered

As independent entity,

To the times when we are knit

As co-existent soul-mates...

Nothing has been subjected to

The phenomenon of slightest alteration.

My unbound love hasn’t faded by a tinge.

My unconditional association with you hasn’t drifted by an inch.

My feelings of sea haven’t dried by a drop.

My mind hasn’t skipped a thought of you.

A Voyage One Must Ensue - Drolung Goenpa.

It was a walk through the woods; woods of various girths and canopies. A walk with my family; a family of 7 ladies was worth embarking on. The open spaces were clad with mosses all over except for the path leading to the monastery. Ivies were sprawling over the mosses and then twining around the lean branches.

With no other sounds than the clanging of the branches effected by the gentle gust; rattling of the leaves; chirping of the far-away birds swinging to & fro a lanky twig; & the gentle thud of our footsteps, we caroled against gravity with a gentle hymn pleasing to our ears.

 I moved intently forwardly, my gaze leaping from one wonder to the other. The Ganoderma fungi were statured firm against dead logs. This sent me reeling to the past where the fungus was stationed above my door with a welcome note.

Ferns dangled here & there amid porous leaf molds. I could clearly sense the cordial habitat the forest soil has provided. Rhododendron buds stood ever ready to unfold its compact latent energy reserves from within. The others which took advantage of time waved with precocious scarlet hue. Lichens encased the giant trees in dire parasitic association.

As we moved further up, a slightly different scenic beauty greeted our eyes. The lone violet Plumerias loomed forth through a whorl of powdery tinged lush leaves. Nonetheless, some congregated at a common point to exhibit its exquisiteness.

The open space carpeted with lush grasses just below the monastery provided ample liberty for us to get refreshed. We gasped in the unsullied mountain air.

Down descended the dogs sensing strangers encroaching their zone of dwelling. Their wavering tails and incessant woofing came to an abrupt halt when yummy biscuits from Thimphu watered their mouth. With an air of friendliness & submissiveness, they followed us; sniffing & wavering their tails in gratitude.

We finally made an entry into the primary abode of the 69^th Jekhenpo, Je Gedhuen Rinchen; the Visionary founder of the Drolung Sanga Choling Goenpa. It is popularly known as the Drolu Goenpa.

Ascending higher up took us to the retreat centres of many leading ascetic lives. Prostrating from 1 am until night left their palms with painful blisters. Restricting to a single meal per day has made them appear lean. However, they are blessed with the serenity of the mind.

That is the credit of embarking on a journey through the woods. Nature has in store wonders that will send us reeling over the path of exhilaration. It has the power to heal our mental bruises. It will speak so many things but only if we intend to be vigilant enough to hear what it says.

Glimpses of the Royal Bhutan Flower Exhibition

Floral topiaries of pigs showed its exquisiteness in its pinkish hues. The nylon yarn that many of us knit into sweaters and caps has found a reverse role as garments to clad sheep. Nasturtiums swung forth and back with its flimsy blooms in the gentle puff of air. The semicircular ponds were enlivened with constant leaping of fishes.

 The cages were embellished with birds chirping their blissful tunes. Floral stalks and roots embedded in mosses sprawled atop hills. A myriad of hues from white to creamy white, scarlet to reddish, yellow to pale yellow, pink to crimson, violet to azure blue, and tricolor pansies danced to the gentle tune of the breeze.

Powdery Purplish Plumerias were crested amid lush erect leaves while pink Azalias dangled liberally from its twigs. Crumpled ornamental cabbages assumed maroon and creamy white tinges. Chairs curved out of wooden logs assured with spongy mosses were juxtaposed with semi-circular tables of halved logs. The plump and succulent jell of Aloe vera were on the verge of slitting open its fleshy shoots.

Blooms lynching from the hanging baskets exhibited its pendulum swing. Roses in full slip stage rested in basket bouquets. Peculiar florets of orchids loomed forth from its lanky elongated leaves. Its modification into butterfly and moth-like structures sent many into awe-inspiring state. The sallow Daffodils congregated themselves nearby a lucid pond.

The Pennisetum grasses waved its bushy tails rigorously with an aura of superiority; while Ivies rumbled hard over the ground to fight the inferiority complex. The yellow Calcifloria petals arranged themselves into the shape of a Lady’s purse. Petunias in its varied shades drooped its showy blooms in an attempt to be more proactive against the blazing radiance.

The Mammalaria species of cacti stood in dire seclusion. One among the group hoisted yellowish blooms on the top, earning its name the Bishop’s cap. Another group, well known as Old man’s tooth appeared rather unappealing with grayish white hairy growth all over its oblong surface, while others manifested their spiny protrusions as a protective as well as an adaptive mechanism.

Miniature roses grouped into a hamlet of their own. An admixture of Gerberas and Dandelions found their dwelling high up the man-made wall, peeping intently through the bottle gourd apertures. The pine corn-adorned walls made a perfect place for the passers-by to experience an air of resting nest. Between, the various models depicting Bhutanese architecture didn't fail to steal a glance of every passer-by.

A Book that will Ignite a Spark to Your Life

I would like to unfurl the Ten Rituals of Radiant Living embedded in the pages of the book, ‘The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari’ by Robin S Sharma. This is a breathtaking book that will keep us balanced in our daily life; a holistic approach to well-balanced professional, personal and spiritual life. The wisdom reflected in the book was profound and I bet anyone who spares a few moments going through these pages will definitely find a positive shift in their life-style. That is for guaranteed- but only if you carry the words of wisdom and manifest it in your daily actions.

Discover the Soul-enriching words as you flip through the pages...

1^st Ritual: The Ritual of Solitude

Commune with nature daily. A quick walk through the woods or even a few minutes spent cultivating your tomato garden in the backyard will reconnect you to the wellspring of calm that may be dormant within you. For this reason, I make it a point that I walk through or work for a while with plants in the garden every day. Back at home, my communing with nature is marked by balcony gardening & growing indoor foliage plants.

Being with nature also allows you to tune into the infinite wisdom of your highest self. This self-knowledge will move you into the uncharted dimensions of your personal power.

2^nd Ritual: The Ritual of Physicality

Care for your body so you care for the mind. Invest at least 5 hours of total 168 hours a week in some form of physical activity. To breathe properly is to live properly. While most of us know how to breathe to survive, we have never learnt how to thrive. So for 2 or 3 times a day, take a minute or two to think about breathing more deeply and effectively. The theory of effective breathing involves breathing from the abdomen in which our belly should move out slightly as we inhale.

3^rd Ritual: The Ritual of Life Nourishment

As you nourish your body, so you nourish your mind. Eat live foods, which are created through the natural interaction of the sun, air, soil &water. These are vegetarian diet of fresh fruits, vegetables and grains.

If you are eating meat, just remember that you are ingesting dead food, the red meat which’s hard to digest. Therefore, our digestive is one of the most energy consuming processes of our entire body, whereby valuable energy reserves are needlessly depleted by this foodstuff.

4^th Ritual: The Ritual of Abundant Knowledge

Read regularly. Read for 30 minutes a day but be selective about what you put in the lush garden of your mind. It talks about becoming a student of life.

5^th Ritual: The Ritual of Personal Reflection

Believe in the power of inner contemplation which is nothing but the habit of thinking. The only way to improve tomorrow is to know what you did wrong today and come up with a clear plan so that it doesn't happen again.

6^th Ritual: The Ritual of Early Awakening

Rise with the sun & start the day off well. Most of us sleep for more than we need to. The average person can get enough sleep by 6 hours and remain perfectly healthy and alert. To get in pace with this ritual or new habit of waking early, remember the Ancient Rule of 21. If you do anything for 21 days in a row, it will be installed as a habit.

Starting your day off well involves having positive thoughts as the thoughts you think & the actions you take in the first 10 minutes after you wake up have a very marked effect on the rest of your day.

Another thing, laughing is medicine for the soul. So even if you don’t feel like it, look in the mirror and laugh for a couple of minutes.

7^th Ritual: The Ritual of Music

Spend a little time with music every day. Playing music when you feel down or weary is one of the finest motivations.

8^th Ritual: The Ritual of Spoken Words

Reciting mantras is immensely effective in keeping oneself focused, strong and happy. In Sanskrit, man means mind & tra means freeing. You might repeat, ‘I am inspired, disciplined & energized but loud to keep yourself motivated. This is because words affect the mind in a pronounced way.

The words you say to yourself affect your self-image & your-self image determines what actions you take. Your-self image is governor of sorts.

9^th Ritual: The Ritual of Congruent Character

This is best stated in the formula, ‘You sow a thought, and you reap an action. Reap an action, you sow a habit. Sow a habit, you reap a character. Sow a character, you reap your destiny’. It strongly recommends living a virtuous life- a meaningful life aligned with the principles of industry, compassion, humility, patience, honesty & courage. This will yield a deep sense of inner peace & harmony.

10^th Ritual: Ritual of Simplicity

This ritual requires you to live a simple life. Focus only on your priorities, those activities which are truly meaningful.

The words inscribed herein aren't any of my judgement. It is simply a replication of words of wisdom portrayed in the pages of the book by Robin S Sharma. He is a Canadian writer, motivational speaker, leadership expert and a former litigation lawyer. I simply meant to spread his words which I believe will have a profound impact on the lives of many who cares to saunter through the pages of this book.

Denial of Gold Medal Award- A Painful Lesson.

I dwelled in a kind of exhilarated and high-spirited mood when I started receiving mails and messages summoning me for the convocation as I was declared to be the overall Academic Topper of the four Horticultural colleges under Dr.Y.S.R.Horticultural University, Venkataramannagudem, West Godavari, and Andhra Pradesh. I was told that I will be awarded a Gold Medal in recognition by some of the Professors, though not officially during convocation scheduled on 27/03/15.

However, I was informed a couple of days ago that I am not eligible for the award according to the University norms and that the award will be given to the next highest scorer from another college. The reason for my ineligibility as they states is the presence of an Asterisk mark on my academic transcript. The origin of the mark has a tale to tell and a genuine justification from my side.

I along with my Bhutanese counterparts missed one exam entirely due to inconveniences and disruption in the college campus. Our exams got delayed owing to consistent strikes in the campus. We came to our home country for semester break on usual timing after the Professors and university officials having decided that they will conduct the exams at a later date. Accordingly, we booked our tickets for return journey as this has to be done months ahead in advance. But in between, we got a notice saying that our exam has been preponed.

A notice just 3 days before the rescheduled exam time wasn't enough to make the necessary arrangements to reach the college. We tried every possible way but to no avail. Indeed, it takes 2 days of journey for me and 3 days for my friends from Eastern Bhutan to reach the border town and an additional 2 days to reach the college. There is no way in which we can traverse a total journey of 5 days in a single day without a prior plan. That is how we missed an exam (Temperate Fruits), which we attended to in the following semester.

I know it hurts my conscience. I could sense tears brimming to my eyes. I slipped the grim chance of being awarded the Gold Medal. It disappointed me because I expected it. I expected because there were people from the university ushering me the hope. There were messages and mails that I will be getting a Gold Medal. But a single message a couple of days stung me hard. I slipped a moment where I can make my parents, relatives and country proud.

With tears rolling down my cheek, I let the words of my friends saying, ‘Please Tashi, aim for the Gold Medal’ fade in the distance. It was what I did actually had it not been for the dark patch that robbed me of the very right. I don’t know whether I deserved this but I don’t recall a day where I haven’t strive for a good performance and accordingly this medal. Though working hard and excelling in studies is for my own good, there isn't a time where I haven’t committed myself to maintaining a good social relation during my entire study period. I studied and worked to keep everything perfectly-knit.

In utter dismay, I wrote a letter to the University officials inscribed with all the justifications but without any response. I contacted the concerned official through call but the language and tone with which they denied only added salt to my wounded intellect.

Days passed and I let go off the idea of ever making it to the award. However, there were suggestions from my friends, relatives, seniors and even my own Professors that I should not skip this opportunity and fight for justice. Some said this is an injustice done to an international student. Others said that the reason for their denial is silly and unjust, & I shall appeal for intervention from higher authorities. Yet my only mom said, “That will be fine. You did well in your exam in Bhutan and got a job. Let the other take that medal. There are many who didn't get a job and are leading miserable lives. Be happy with all that you have now”. A remark from my beloved partner, “Don’t worry dear, we will get gold medal for loving each other” did provide a kind of solace.

I was really confused though, I took the next step in requesting for an intervention by the Department of Adult &Higher Education. I was immensely grateful for the kind of support and assistance they have rendered though the stand by the university was unmoved in which they stated;

 “According to the guideline, even though you got the highest overall grade point aggregate among the four Horticultural Colleges, you are not eligible for the said Gold Medal as you absented in the course FRSC-2.1.1. and passed subsequently in the next semester according to our records”.

I would reiterate that it wasn't a case in which I failed an exam or left any paper undone. There is something imprecise in the University record that states that I passed in the subsequent exam. This would imply if and only if I have failed in the previous exam. But after having provided all the justifications and genuine cause, there isn't a slight impact on their firmly-rooted decision. I know that no one can change a rule but there should be some provisions to it if it has to serve the purpose of equity and justice.

If I am to be deprived of such prestigious award simply on grounds of having missed an exam and then doing it the following semester, I wonder whether the award is a matter of time; not a matter of scores, which is the deciding factor in every institution elsewhere. If those in authority postpones and fixes dates for anything, be it exams or any important occasions haphazardly, is it not likely that someone will miss that?

If lapses on the side of the college or University should have such serious implication on the student, I guess the government of Bhutan or D.A.H.E. should give prior thought before sending meritorious students to such universities as it is likely that similar cases may ensue in the times to come.

If justice can’t be done in motivating the most deserving & meritorious student through such awards, there is no point in having perspired to reach the apex point of achievement. In fact, this would only demoralize dedicated students.

The reason for my ineligibility and the path leading me there have I inscribed here so that my fellow Bhutanese students do not tread the same path of deprivation that I have trod. It shall be a lesson that all learn from my painful tale.

Still, I feel that I am dwelling in the cocoon of that dampened spirit. I shall now shred open every strand of fiber and buoy up. I shall not be shattered. Neither shall I be deterred. Because from within, I haven’t lost the zest and vigor to soar higher.

The Scene at the Memorial Chhorten

The white magnificent stupa lay in the heart of the town, accessible by all. People clad in varying hue and designs of attire reach there to offer their prayers and wishes. People from all walks of life swarm in and congregate around it. Many queue into an array of lines along the slightly raised wooden planks for a sweaty yet hearty prostration.

The Memorial Stupa adorned in a myriad of hues...

Yet some come with a seemingly different purpose. Some youngsters gallop at the fastest pace with perspiration almost dripping from their faces. For them, the purpose is not what the wrinkle-clad and grey haired group of adults comes for. They simply want the extra-waistline to shed, their bellies to assume a desiring shape and showcase the opulence reflected in the way they dressed for this is one place where you will get a huge magnitude of spectators.

The Mani Dungkor remains crammed with grey-haired and watery eyed elderly ones. The rosary bound to their fingers would suffer an innumerable pull, the shiny and worn-out beads indicative of the number of times they were being pulled. Each of their faces would assume a transcending smile as they receive a fruit each or any edible item offerings from the people passing by. For an instant, all of them would put their prayer beads aside and gobble down the offerings in sheer joy. Amid laughter, giggles, chatter and chanting, they would ensure that they don’t miss dragging the beads on the other side. 

Out of many that I have overheard, a conversation between two elderly women was something that caught my attention;

 ‘Oye… Aum Dema mae mena? When have you been here?’ remarked one of the women with a pat on the other’s back.

The other women tilted her head in the direction of the caller, halted for a moment in speculation and muttered, ‘Een wae Aum Sangay. I have been staying with my son and his family here for almost 3 years now. So when and what brings you here?’

‘I came to the capital a couple of months ago to do nothing but babysit my grandchild’, pronounced the rather painful response.

‘I am no better than you. It is my third year of doing the same thing. Besides, this is the only time I get to come out and circumbulate the chorten. I am grounded at the house babysitting until they return from office’.

‘I would rather prefer to live my life at the village. Here, I hardly get time to chant prayers. As you say, this lean hour is my only opportunity. Don’t you think it is quite tiring for us to work hard for the upbringing of our own children, and then follow the same trend for our grandchildren? The time that we should have allotted to spiritual practice do we land up being a babysitter!’

‘I know the fact is harsh but we have to accept the reality. It would be better for us to resort to chant a few prayers than to grunt over this thing. Dusk will sweep in soon’, said Aum Dema with her eyes tinged with a patch of gloominess.

The other nodded and both of their lips assumed the fastest swing in muttering prayers. Looking at the rapidity with which they moved their lips, I could sense their mounting desire to compensate for the lost count on the prayer beads. This is because nothing would define their contentment than a hefty count on their rosary beads at the end of the day.

After a satisfactory count of striding round and round the chorten, many make a clean exit. This would be marked by a momentary halt near the central path leading to the stupa or the gate. Many would clasp their hands into a lotus bud-like form and shut their eyelids in uttering their silent prayers. Others would not dare to do so in front of a crowd or are driven by time.

I often join the crowd and immerse myself in the euphony of religious chanting; the different modes of prayers assuming varying degrees of intonation. I get diffused in the crowd; overwhelmed by the serenity and tranquility prevailing within. 

I cling to the belief that the sole purpose of religion is to gain control over our mind; a path towards self-mastery and liberation.  I can vividly rewind the words of the Principal of Tango monastery at religious discourses during my school days. He reiterated time and again that the sole purpose of religion or the word ‘Choe’ is to gain control over oneself.

 And so have I read in the teachings of the Lord Buddha inscribed in books stating, ‘You cannot find freedom or attain liberation by praying to some gods or making offerings. Practicing awareness in daily life and looking deeply into your own mind lead to cessation of suffering and realization of peace and joy’. I believe that such practice has an inter-linking relationship with spiritual awakening. The serenity and calmness experienced is quite indicative of that. Yet it depends on individual perception which might vary greatly.

A Note to my Love on Valentine Day

 The very first time I heard

Your voice,

There was an aura of gentleness webbed in

Your intonation.

My heart irresistibly melted into continuum

Of tide,

Before I even had the slightest glimpse

Of you,

A part of my daily activities became fastened with your

Gentle tone,

And I caroled with the thrilling rhythm of

Your tones.

The very first time I set eyes on

Your image,

I was inevitably and instinctively glued

To it,

Your picture kept on flickering its

Glamorous glow,

Into the precinct of my conscious core.

The very first day we convened under the

Azure sky,

My inner strength nudged me towards

Our destination.

Days melted into months,

Months clicked into graceful years,

Yet the fragrance of my devotion,

Hasn't drifted an inch from you.

Dear, dip yourself in the pool of

My love,

Gasp the fragrance emanated by the blemish-free bloom of

My lotus,

Knit yourself in the orderly strings of my

Unbound commitment,

Soar yourself into the heavenly firmament of my

Undying love,

And unlock the shower of eternal bliss that

We embrace.