On Being Human

Somehow human being is a 'wonder' and reflects the pinnacle of God's creative prowess. As a micro-cosmic representation of the universe, he inherits a pretty rich legacy. He wondered why the sky was blue and how the bird flew. He reasoned the blueness of the sky and designed a plane that made him fly! He wondered if he could touch the moon and lo! he walks on it pretty often now. Man aimed at victory and relished glory. His inquisitiveness, his ability to dream and his power to turn his dreams into reality, his love for his posterity mark him as the crown prince of the creation. I am proud to be a human. Beyond the pseudoness of being German, American, Indian or African dont we see a realness of being Human?

A 'Natural' Question?

Long since I started believing that the basis of the Universe is love, a fundamental question arose in my mind again and again: Why do people suffer? and this turns into a more pertinent question when I see that the suffering is a direct result of nature's fury.

Either we have a 'Mother' called 'Nature' who is both loving and furious or her love manifests at times as 'fury'. If love and love alone is the fundamental basis of the creation, none of the explanations satisfy my heart and make me understand why suffering exists in this world. 'Law of Karma' that defines the process of our life as a reflection, reaction and resound, the 'Law of Non Dualism(Adwaitam)' that emphasises the role of the 'One' who is responsible for everything seem to some how contradict each other.

After pondering for a long time, after asking this question so many times, I just wonder if we have enough insight into the way the universe works. If this world with all its glory and suffering is rooted in 'Love' then there is something that we missed all the way..!

My First Trans-Atlantic Trip

My first journey across the Atlantic ocean to the United States of America let me with beautiful memories. The main purpose of the trip was giving a presentation in Kansas City. Erik and I were together till we reached Kansas. On the morning of 27th we boarded the German high speed train that would take us to Frankfurt Airport. I reached the railway station just 3 minutes before the departure time and joined a tensed up Erik who was eagerly waiting for my arrival. The Conference was enjoyable with everyone eagerly giving their visiting cards to everyone! My presentation was also well received. My first impression of US is somewhat paradoxical. I never felt like nor was I ever treated like a foreigner in this land of foreigners. Thanks to the multitudes of people from across the world that constitute the vitals of America, I felt pretty much at home. Color is the spice of life of here! I also jumped in joy to browse through thirty channels on TV that were all in English. I was equally thrilled to see an english newspaper in the morning and I could ask for directions without bothering least about understanding them!

On Friday evening I left for my cousin Sanju's home in Richmond. He is one of my cousins who ventured into America for doing his Masters in 90s. I admire him much and conversing with him is lively and insightful. His parents(dodamma and peddanaaru) live with him and he lives with his wife(vadina) and nine months old son(sameer) who is more American than Indian. I had a great time at Richmond. Peddanaaru resembles my father very much. He retired from Indian Airforce and is enjoying a retired life now. Dodamma and Vadina made exquisite south indian cuisine throughout my stay. We drove to Washington DC on saturday. Shiva Vishnu temple in Baltimore, Capitol Hill, Smithsonian, NASA space museum, White House, Jefferson House, Lincon Memorial were some of the many sites we had been to( most of them were previews and we saw more of exteriors than interiors!..:). 'Pulihara', 'Daddojanam' and 'Prasadam' formed the main course of the menu that we relished in front of the Capitol under a huge tree. We returned to Richmond by around 12.30 midnight and retired after a long day. On sunday, we watched 'Paramanadaiyya Sishyulu Katha', an old telugu hilarious classic that leaves its audience with many giggles. I spoke to my cousins Rama, Raghu, Radhamma, Saila and Sugreev on phone and saw Akhil and Alekhya on webcam.

On monday morning, I left for Boston and I will write about my soulful experience in Boston later. I came back to my pavilion in the picturesque and disciplined Germany yesterday!