Sipra's Diary :What Fault In Christianity?

 

In   Christmas holiday of 2009, we planned to go for a trip outside Mumbai But at that peak season of tourism, neither any ticket nor any decent hotel was available at that last moment My daughter searched franatically on the internet and at last found out some "odd-place" for Holiday. It was "Sivananda Ashram" at Neymar-dam, in Kerala. Not for tourists but for pilgrims; There also the only dormitory was available  We determined not to vegetate in Mumbai. So we were desperately ready to take the adventure of experiencing the odd and completely unknown place. I  was interested in the place as I  was impressed by reading the book of Swami  Sivananda quite long ago.

Neyyar dam is a small exotic village surrounded by hills and lush green, near Trivandrum. The Ashram was on the top of the hill, by the side of the deep large lake. On the other side of the lake a  lion -reserve where they were roaring now and then to entertain the guests.
The Ashram has a  beautiful temple decorated with art and painting, a chapel,two-storied hall for yoga-centre, a huge dining hall with a big kitchen and several buildings with rooms and dormitories for the guests. Swami Natarajan, an Australian man was the then president. All the sectors of the ashram were mostly run by volunteers who were Christians from all over the western world. Only Indians other than me, were   3/4 volunteers, several brahmin priests in the temple, cooks in the kitchen, and some native labours.
I was surprised to see so many foreign devotees, most of them young, in that remote village which was unknown to most of the Indians. They were singing and chanting in Sanskrit so accurately that I felt ashamed for my inefficiency. By asking I came to know from  European ladies that they were attached to the centre since long ago  There are many centres of  this Institution  too throughout the western world. They have taken 'Diksha' from Swamiji. As they had practised for a long time, they didn't feel Sanskrit as hard language 
I noticed how devotionally, after taking an early-morning- bath, these Christians were performing meditation, listening scriptures, doing yoga, prayer-songs dedicatedly from 5'0 clock morning.

I pondered why these Christians are so much inclined to Hinduism? However, I celebrated the best Christmas  of life and 31st December in Neyaardam with this global community;
On asking about their interest of coming,  most of them answered that they got profundity, and touch of spirituality in that place; the dry sermon of Sunday Bible reading failed to quench their thirst for soul-searching.

I wish sometimes I will write about Neyaardam and Paradise Island of Bahama in my travelogue.
In 2012   I went in Sivananda ashram of  paradise island, in Bahama, to celebrate 7-days'retreat during Christmas holidays Here also except 3/4 Indians,the rest were western, mostly young, came for taking 6 weeks' theoretical and practical spiritual training courses of yoga which ended with the exam before the Christmas retreat.

280 trainees came in that year. For excess accommodation, rented tent system was available.
 I was fortunate to be close to a global community. I have a curiosity about religion. I took Bible classes a few years back. In 2014 I took admission to Fordham University in Bible courses of Prof Shafer who was from Harvard.

 I  immersed myself in studying the Bible. As  I went deep and deeper, the realization dawned on me that in the nascent stage of humanity there was only one religion based on two instincts: Fear and  Hope which are still chasing human race but in different dimensions.

It was Land and Language which changed the colour and essence of religion influenced by the then powerful monarchs of the lands like Rome  Turkey, Babylon  Britain etc.

The Bible, especially the New Testament, is full of allegory and metaphors to keep safe and secured from the tyrant monarchs   who were a potential terror to acknowledge the supremacy of any power over them. The priests, in fear and for self-interest acted as the agents of the monarchs and not for the sake of religion at all.

.Christianity, the Gospels were too modern and scientific religion to be conceivable by commoners at that time. Then several hundred years were spent on the tug of war over monopolizing the Christianity between Constantinople and Byzantine, between the western and the Muslims.  History of blood-stained Crusade is an eternal disgraceful black chapter to not only to European history but to mankind as a whole.

The essence of  Religion remained unexplored, due to the long gap of the culture of the Religion during the crusade;  Only the dry shell of the Gospel was left for daily Sunday Bible reading as a monotonous ritual in the church. ..Perhaps,  very few enlightened priests or bishops were left to bear the rich legacy of spirituality to be embedded for the future generation. 

The church has less young and intellectual devotees and more seniors and blind orthodox devotional attendees. This is not desirable; The fault is not in Christianity, but in arousing interest in Christianity, failure to hold on the unquenchable faith of the restless youth.

In the course of time, the young Christian generation of 21 st century, started to search outside the church to quench their thirst for spirituality.

   How to get back the present young and the future generation back to the church?
Christianity needs to be revived by prominent spiritual thinkers and Christian leaders. It is high time to reflect on some of Jesus' most provocative questions find new life and meaning in the modern context of the restless world.

    I have started a small step in this project with vigorous effort.
I would like to explore it further.

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Sipra's Diary : (RE),,,,,,Entrapreneur of Planning Own Obituary as next career.

 

Entrepreneurs of planning own obituary as next career.

A few weeks ago I saw some mail recommended by Linked-in that stated “to the planning of your own obituary as next career move. 

The caption sounded unusual and satiric, rather than ‘macabre’to me.

Life is like a string stretched and hooked to two points named birth and death; multicoloured lights of dreams and desires clung to that string; some are as bright as neon while others blink like tuna-bulb; some of which focus and inspire life-force, and some are fused to create a patch of darkness.

Thinking about own obituary means how I wish my death should be celebrated; planning to prepare before it actually happens.  There are already plenty of thoughtful benefits in America and all over civilized western European countries such as Medicare, Medicaid, Life Insurance policy, social securities etc.; aren’t these facilities enough assurance for pre-obituary planning?  I think

Persons with a positive outlook always think how to lead life wisely and meaningfully Which is most important. My father-in-law often used to quote "To die is natural, and to live is a wonder." We all know that we will die; still, we aspire for living up to our last breathe.

‘ Cowards die many times before death’. Death or loss of life makes us totally free from pain or pleasure. 

Why one should torture and spoil the present moment on planning for ‘obituary’?  Who cares ‘life after death ’like the ancient Egyptians? The concept of ‘obituary’ perhaps came from that time on the belief that there was still a subtle ‘life’ after death.I am very much influenced by the idea of  Hindu philosophy that believes that death indicates the new beginning of life and not the end of life .we put on new clothes when the old one is torn; likewise when life ceases from the physical body, , soul changes a new one  from the old body.  In that sense, we are basically immortal.

So let death come peacefully; whether silent or slow or sudden.I heard stories that in olden days people who didn’t have children  (who bears the responsibility of obituary rituals), they used to perform all  the rituals and celebrate their own  obituary during their life-time. In Bengali it is called ”Jiyotkarma (Live-obituary) They  did so because they used to believe that without obituary soul could not be free from the bondage of body. 

There is a good joke: once a lusty and prodigal man was celebrating a party with friends on a boat-trip; Suddenly Spirit of Death appeared before him and announced, ”I have come to take you. “

“Why, at this odd time?”

“Because your time is up!”

   He asked in timorous voice, “What do you mean by ‘time is up’?  ‘I did not get any notice!” 

He Got so nervous that the glass of wine dropped from his hand on the floor. 

 With trembling voice he tried to convince,-

“See, my head,-- not bald ,still enough hair; all my teeth are intact; to convince his youth, he showed the teeth like Colgate Ad; Then coming nearer to  the spirit of Death like a toddler, whispered the man, “see, why all these beautiful women are waiting? Because they enjoy my company ,  Hmm!”

He appealed ' Let  not spoil this  pleasurable moment ;Come to join us. 
As he turned towards the women his body thudded lifeless on the carpet.
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Sipra's Diary: Prompt from Project Hamilton. about your idea of ...."TRUTH"

        Idea Of Truth.   words=162/. lines=24

  As a kid for hand-writing I practiced one page 

 "Always Be Truthful," otherwise,

You'll be thrown to be fried in boiling oil in Hell's inferno

Image of Hell was scary and vivid for liars,

Whereas truth is defined vague and dubious! 

 

As young adult I learn truth is not a mere  word;

But the base of knowledge :Truth,Beauty Goodness,

'Sat-Chidananda' as viewed in Hindu Vedas.

By nature it  is non-changing eternal, not judgemental.

 

With maturity as I become judgmental

Truth comes  to be a  great 'lie '--

That  has not been yet  discovered !

By time new ideas swap  the old, to remember

Truth of bygone days becomes myth in future. 

 

Copernicus, Socrates, Galileo, and many others 

Had to die for pioneering new truth, rejecting the past.

Why truth is  so slippery and tricky, not vivid as hell! 

Whether science or philosophy, art or religion,

Ideas of truth changes with time, nothing is eternal.   

***end.

 

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Sipra's diary: Austin Chap Aug5/2024Bela ....Jolke Chol...

 

....#1............" Bela Je Boye Gelo Jolke Chol"..........

It is time to store water, water for future ; have I?.........

Time flows ;sometimes calmly; sometimes swiftly ; sometimes torrentially ;  but it is really violent if  it seems  stands still !  not moving; when it  loses   any demarcation between  yesterday , today and tomorrow. 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> #2.

         Most of us live  with  having  two selves; one half of the   self that is socially clothed, who is  busy and bruised to adjust and  adapt with environment , always in mask, pleasing to every one .

The other part is inner  self, the true self .There is little time to pay attention  for  it ; it happens that this part is sometimes moves far away from own self ; even forgets its wishes; may be wishes are also either fossilized or transformed into  metamorphosis!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>#3.This is why artists or creative  and geneous. persons who are sensitive are  socially judged  little odd.  as they don't bother much to adapt or adjust to society , to others. They care for the "Other self", they prefer bohemian type of living.

They are  mostly geneous; they don't try to  follow discipline or rule to restrict their  wishes. 

Da vinchi , Van Gogh, William , Camus or Kafka and lots are there !

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TitleRepresent of ModernAmericanFamily : Women Power!

 

Title:::::: Represent of  modern American family : Women Power!

         On my daughter’s mobile screen the image of goddess Durga with her children and pets are saved. One day her colleague who sits beside her, asked curiously, "Who is this lady with ten hands, holding a long spear targeted at a muscle-man with  huge moustache?" asked her colleague.

“This is the goddess of our biggest festival in West Bengal. The goddess comes yearly, once, for only five days in the Autumn, in her Mother’s house, with all her children and pets.

“Why does she have ten hands, with weapons in each hand like a terrorist?"

My daughter jokingly replied,  'Perhaps to protect and control the two beautiful   young daughters and two young boys. She comes alone from Kailas from the Himalayas, struggling and killing demons and overcoming all obstacles  with courage and bravery. 

Actually, she is the symbol of “woman-power’. She has to manage the land and family both!

“Is she single or widow?" asked her friend.           

  "No,No! Neither”--my daughter laughed.

"Then, who is her husband?"

"Lord Shiva" .             

"What does he do?"

“Nothing! He has no responsibility for the family"

‘He takes Ganja (marijuana) with his pals, dances, and roams the whole day half-naked with a snake around his neck."

  "Aww!" her friend thoughtfully murmured, 

 "That sounds very similar to modern- day  marital relationships !”

   

Sipra's Diary: Great job of the bookshop "KINOKUNIYA" on 40th /6 in Manhattan.10/7/2024

 

As you come out with empty mind 

By shedding your ego,

You will feel the heart-beat 

Of the greater universe!

My DEBUT "EYES ARE NOTORIOUS "   at last delivered by 'Forcep surgery'.  It is available to amazon. com. 

I sent the LINK to my relatives ; they say that neither they can open nor it is available in amazon.com

 I don't know what to  say them & what to do next .I asked some other debut author in LINKEDIN,  she mailed me it is not supposed to be so.It should not be out of market within one  year of Print.

Today I went to a bookshop 'Kinokuniya' near Bryant Park. I asked at least 8/9 persons on my way about the location of the shop . At last a security police outside the Central library gave proper direction by researching Google Map in his Phone. It was for me a great  expedition!

There I talked with some seller who gave me  contact of helpful person

and asked  for one copy of my book for keeping in the showbox .I am grateful to this man.

The earth is still a nice place to live for all these wonderful people who  act like Medas Touch 'I am not alone'!

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Sipra's Diary: The Immersion Day. of DurgaPuja [Fragment of memoir]

 The  immersion.  Day of   Devi Durga 

 The greatest festival of Durgapuja has come again. My daughter informed me excitedly,

" Ma, this year Durgapuja  will be  in the Time Square; So we will go on Saturday."

  So long,  in  all  other years we used to go long way  like Jersey City, Edison , Princeton, Bharat Sebasrom,  Queens etc. 

The festival Campus  appeared  as if I was in  Bengal, not in New York! A vast Bengali crowd with new sari &  jewelry,  more gorgeous   than  the native land made me surprised.

In my childhood there were many poor kids thronged around  specially for getting "prosad" i.e.fruits with sweet ;they didn't have new or even old clothes ; Still they looked happy ; they were always in group. Here this prosperity remind me those lean & thin lost faces with  a deeper feeling of sadness. That fade ,vague childhood feeling about inequality comes back now to strike conscience .

Why banging with only "feeling"  but never actively done anything ?

...........However old we become, but  perhaps  our childhood  never leave us .

         I saw this following blog written  on 2018.

The biggest festival of Bengal, 'Durga Puja' ended, leaving a feeling of nostalgia like every time. So many years passed by, still, the mind goes back to the childhood of Giridih, small but very much commercially rich mining town. Though I was not aware of it at that time. what I remember  was: five new clothes for five days,new shoes,new ribbon;...to pluck flowers at early morning  with friends for the neighbourhood puja;...[as if,  a competition of  who could be first to empty the plants of flowers!] taking bath at early morning ,doing small works in the pandal like making garland, distributing flowers to the devotees,giving 'Anjali';beat of dhak accompanied with 'kasar-ghanta',.. taking 'prasad 'repeatedly in the queue until being caught  and chased mockingly, by someone  was a great  fun ; the freedom to stay outside in the pandal for long hours! 

The puja pandal was just opposite to our house. Then three-four hours break at lunchtime, waiting impatiently for the evening to go again in the pandel, wearing a new dress for more fun. In the evening during Aarati time, all ladies used to throng in the pandal; the whole atmosphere seemed to be celestial with the smell of dhup-dhuna, beat of dhak [= drum]. and kasarghanta at least 30 to 40 minutes continuously. At the end of 'arati', we pushed each other to keep our palms over the 'panchpradip'(=divine lamp) for the blessing of the goddess and then touched on own head; and there was also a competition to keep palms over the lamps repeatedly;...as if, who can gather more blessings than the other. 

During Aarati I used to look my mother's face turning my neck; she looked so beautiful with bright vermillion red 'Bindi'on the forehead between two eyebrows and new sari. It was my great pleasure to see my mom enjoying any festival, away from the kitchen and home.
I passed different phases in the long passage of life as a wife, as a mother, a daughter-in-law; But all festivals drag me to the memory of childhood, parents, friends.
I feel my parent always stay with me like a shadow! Perhaps, I think, this is because my ID as 'daughter' is most strong in me.

There are no puja festivals in mid-Manhattan. But who bothers! 

I am fine with the trove of my memory treasure ....Every morning after taking shower I switched on dhak beat, chanting mantras in 'youtube' from the day of 'Bodhan'(starting-day) to the last day of 'Bisarjan'(Immersion) in full volume to create festival environment in the lonely apartment; Looking at the immersion of the image on screen, I felt the similar  childhood nostalgia,-- in Manhattan!

After the immersion, we used to come back in the empty pandal with missing hearts to get 'shantijal' which the priest sprinkled over our head' for peace and blessing of the goddess. The vacant alter without the image in deserted pandal stood only to spread over gloomy air of hollowness.......
The image of clay melted in water after the immersion long ago; but not my memory; it still lingers.........

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