The Past of the Present is in the Future of the Now

                      Dwarkadhish Temple A Pilgrim’s Quiet Geometry of Life Travel, I have discovered, is not merely about distance. It is about direction. Oftentimes in the Army the destination was first set on the compass. Even in a desolate desert, if we maintained our direction by stars or compass, we would eventually reach our destination. This principle I remembered for life.  In the outer world we move across maps, highways, rivers, deserts  and mountains. But in the inner world we travel across questions, doubts, faith and surrender. Looking back at my life, I sometimes feel that my journey has always been shaped by two parallel identities -  the warrior and the seeker. One trained to march outward, disciplined and purposeful. The other compelled to walk inward, silent and reflective. A kind of “Buddha–Warrior” paradox that life quietly carved into my being. And perhaps that is why pilgrimage has ...

I am reading a classic Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us a Book by Ivy Ross and Susan Magsamen. The book talks deeply on Neuroplasticity,  brain, art and Nature and their relationship with wach other. Oftentimes, my friends and family have mentioned my leaning and attraction for arts and nature. Well, I have loved both since childhood but could not do a deep dive as I was caught in a rat race of life. Then, a decade back it all changed. Nature and creative instincts transformed me. Infact many have been surprised by my new avatar. Well, today I asked Chat GPT a few pointed and candid questions. I also asked it to answer like a neuroscientist. Here is what it has shared with me. The idea is not to talk about me. Its to highlight the science behind a beautiful process and how it can make a difference in our lives. So, here it is.. 🔹 Key Points on Neuroplasticity & Environment 1. The brain is not fixed . It changes structurally in response to e...

मनोबुद्ध्यहङ्कार चित्तानि नाहं न च श्रोत्रजिह्वे न च घ्राणनेत्रे । न च व्योम भूमिर्न तेजो न वायुः चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम् ॥१॥ manobuddhyahaṅkāra cittāni nāhaṃ na ca śrotrajihve na ca ghrāṇanetre . na ca vyoma bhūmirna tejo na vāyuḥ cidānandarūpaḥ śivo’ham śivo’ham ||1|| Neither am I the mind nor intelligence or ego, Neither am I the organs of hearing (ears), nor that of tasting (tongue), smelling (nose) or seeing (eyes), Neither am I the sky, nor the earth, neither the fire nor the air, I am Shiva, the supreme auspiciousness of the nature of consciousness-bliss. I am (Shiva) the auspiciousness. न च प्राणसंज्ञो न वै पञ्चवायुः न वा सप्तधातुः न वा पञ्चकोशः । न वाक्पाणिपादं न चोपस्थपायु चिदानन्दरूपः शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम् ॥२॥ na ca prāṇasaṃjño na vai pañcavāyuḥ na vā saptadhātuḥ na vā pañcakośaḥ . na vākpāṇipādaṃ na copasthapāyu cidānandarūpaḥ śivo’ham śivo’ham ||2|| Neither am I the vital breath, nor the five vital air, Neither am I the seven ingredients (of the body), nor t...

“ Some men chase glory. Some men become it. ” Firstly, why I chose to write the blog. Well, I love to write on inspiring stories and what better subject than Brig Pathak, to be inspired by.  In my unit, on commission, there were many officers who inspired me. But, honestly I was in awe of two. One of course is Gen Ajai and then there is Brig Pathak. Each officer has shaped me differently. While I can write 100 such blogs on the many who carved me out in my early career but today it’s about Brig Pathak.  I did some staff work. Hunted around and got in touch with NDA. The Col A, Sqn Cdrs etc. I even tried to coax him into sharing some anecdotes but he is too shy and left it to me. You all know my love for writing blogs. So here it is. My humble tribute to him.  Among the many who passed through the hallowed corridors of the National Defence Academy (NDA), Cadet Ashok Pathak stood apart. Not because he demanded attention but because excellence followed him naturally. If ...