Espoused - A Spiritual Journey

The word "growing" implies process. Growing implies mistakes.....we all make mistakes! Do not make a big fuss when you make a mistake. Just keep going. Do not be too hard on yourself.                  
- GMCKS


How important is a life partner? Is there any other relationship in this planet that is more important and total?  There might be exceptions depending on ones outlook and perception. Here i am talking not about the exceptions, but about the majority to which i belong. 

When i look back now, i could see that myself and my husband had more differences than similarities. The relationship was built on similarities and little things like the love of home-made food, a cozy home and listening intently when the other person talked, whether you liked /understood the subject or not. Meanwhile we tried sincerely to work out our differences, and over the course of time we reached amicable solutions. Rome was not built in a day!

This is one relationship where you get to do multiple roles: such as a lover and a loved one, ego and alter ego, parent and child, a teacher and student etc etc. Here is a relationship that brings forth many qualities, you thought you never had. This is a space where two souls grow up into more perfect souls in the company of each other. This relationship is the greatest investment of a life time, not only world-wise, but also spiritually. This relationship is nothing less than a sadhana - an ego transcending spiritual practice.

Many a time a life partner, whether husband or wife, is taken for granted or idolized, which is like being a spectator,rather. Please don't do that. You were not brought together for a passive existence. Delve deep into the life given to you. Experience it with an open mind, work on it with patience and love, improve your perception-live and let live. Look at your partner as your friend and equal. Overcome the hurdles together. Enjoy the togetherness and thank each other for everything. 

Bye for Now, Sweet Friend

Yesterday night one of my friends passed away leaving behind her two girls, her parents, siblings, her husband, her friends and all her students, who hoped against hope for her recovery. She suffered from lung cancer. 

We met in Hyderabad a decade ago. Unlike me, she was a very articulate person and made friends very quickly.  She worked as lecturer in a reputed college until she left Hyderabad a few years back. Next thing i heard was that she suffered from lung cancer - fourth stage. That was unbelievable. She had left Hyderabad as a healthy and robust person. 

Lung Cancer is a silent killer. Only three-fourth of the affected people show some symptoms like cough, coughing up blood or rust colored sputum, weight loss, hoarseness, wheezing, shortness of breath etc. These symptoms too appear in the advance stages. For my friend, she coughed up blood along with sputum. The diagnosis was fourth stage lung cancer. 

When i met her later, she didn't look like she had that fatal disease. As usual she was talking continuously - her dreams about her girls, her writing during her remission, her work as a counsellor in the hospital and about friends and students, her well wishers. She inspired her fellow patients to lead a quality life. Like a true teacher, she lifted them up from depths of depression. She lead by example.  She was an epitome of Hope.  A life well spent. Bye for now, sweet friend. 

The Soul or the Self cannot be killed..
It cannot be slain...
It cannot be drowned..
And it cannot be burned..
Just as a person changes his garments from day to day -
A person changes his body from incarnation to incarnation.
The Soul...that I AM is immortal.

- The Bhagvad Gita, Chapter 1