TRUST

A belief so hard to place, takes just moments to break

Every so often misplaced, leaves behind a tragedy filled with disgrace

Once a comrade, now a cliffhanger grappling due to treason

Blinded by mistrust and grief stricken, is now beyond reason

A flicker of hope so dim, insufficient to light the spirits within

Lamenting for strength, the flicker weeps for the love deep in

Feelings of the mind so shallow, in pain he shall wallow

When a love so deep, he rejects with a conviction so steep

Let not tragedies be a barrier

For experiences are life’s greatest lessons

So let faith in your heart be your carrier

As love and trust are the only wise emotions

That lead you to a light so bright & a destiny so profound

It will enrich your soul & leave you astound.

MY NOTE TO A GUIDE

Multitudes of experiences makes for multitudes of stories

Many of them are life traumas, mistake them not for just their worries

To admonish them is a mistake, for they seek not your acceptance

A daunting task, if it is to undertake, walk away without reluctance

To self realize is a process & with every step comes a life lesson

So hurry them not as their pain you will only aggravate & not lessen

Your intention to lead & inspire is not a role, its your attachment

Share your knowledge and let it be, for that is true detachment

One size fits all is a misguided approach

Which in turn only leads to reproach

Shower some empathy as it is all about perspectives

Show not apathy for stems from it unrealistic directives

Evolution & dissolution often happens in conjunction

To progress & regress is a part of life & not a dysfunction

So please aim to guide & not play the devil’s attorney

For life is not a destination, it is a journey

These are musings by which I intend to abide

So this is a note to myself and MY NOTE TO A GUIDE !!!!

SOUTH AFRICA – A MEMORY INDELIBLE

A small step for a Human, a leap for Humanity

And so begins the history of Africa – a story of a journey within for the pursuit of

INNER LIBERTY

Joburg, Soweto, Proteria, Kwazulu-Natal – are not just landmarks in the African Legacy

Entrenched here are the footprints of Gandhi and Mandela, their lives were truly a conscientious effort to practice and not just preach a philosophy

Constitutional Hill – which held witness to human savagery and fear, was once a blackhole

Now its walls of justice hold a beacon of hope for the human soul

Lesedi and Shakaland – home to the culture of the native tribes

Their passion & proclivity for nature and community – one must imbibe

Dawns a realization, In the cradle of humankind

‘OUT OF AFRICA’ is no longer just a theory, its a knowing / a belonging deep within the heart and mind

Amongst the people of Africa, I find a hospitality so REAL

The connections I make here are simply SURREAL

No contact an accident, our fates we must befriend

For my tour guides are now my friends

In their story-telling, lies the simple truth, known only to a few

Grief and pain truly reveals YOU !!!

The ride up to and the hike up Drakensburg, a tribute not just to Nature’s beauty

But to the purpose of friendships on the journey to human sanity

In the heart of Durban, lives with pride the largest Indian community

From slavery to riches, their success – a symbol of human integrity

A treasured memory here is the home hosted dinner by a 5th generation Indian family

To witness them embracing their roots is a matter of honor for me – TRULY !!!

As I return to Joburg, to visit with my Portuguese family

Carrying a heart filled with pride and gratitude, little did I know of the love that awaited me silently

The bantering, the touring and the heart to heart exchange puts to rest every bother

A big thank you to my brother from another mother

From the girl talks to  shopping to dinners and talks of clairvoyant spirits

In my friend & her generosity, I find not just a sister but a kindred spirit

A seed of understanding and trust is now sown

And South Africa is no longer just a destination but another HOME !!!

In Joburg, once home to Gandhi was the ‘Satyagraha House’

As the endorsement to the making of a ‘MAHATMA’, it is now a museum and a guest house

Spending the night here, we witness our transformation

And seal our friendship as we sit in deep meditation

I learn in depth the life & thoughts of a great soul

In his quest for political and Inner freedom, he took steps worthy of the mighty and bold

Gandhi’s ten commandments ( Ahimsa, Brahmacharya, Aparigraha, Abhaya, Sarva dharma, Satya, Asteya, Sharira-shrama, Aswada, Swadeshi ) – a manifestation of his deep contemplation

His life – a validation to the depths of his convictions

As I await take off, comes to memory a picture

The Zulu woman at Lesedi whispering to me ‘HAMBA KAHLE’ – Go well, my sister !!

As I journey back from the land of the bondage to the land of the free

My experience, a reiteration to my beliefs – The path to the pursuit of happiness lies not just in democracy, it is in the courage to live your truth, to set yourself FREE !!!!!

LOVE – A PARADOX

To be loved or to be in love

A paradox in the present continuum

A feeling so empty, yet so wholesome

The beauty of its pain like the sun in its morning glory

A joy so intense like the fire in all its raging fury

A smile from the universe -

Beckoning the rise of my inner spirit

Awakening me from a deep slumber to live life in its true merit

I smile back with understanding

Embracing this emotion in its entirety

As it is the natural progression of my spirituality

Kneeling down with humility

I laugh at life and its duality

I look ahead with grace

For my heart and soul are at peace

Marching forward with fearlessness

 I leave behind the hopelessness.

LOVE – A GIFT

A spectrum of emotions, none too certain

A symphony of tears, are words unspoken

The yearning, the waiting, the hoping – all undeniable

The rejection, the solitude, the melancholy – all too plausible

And Yet, LOVE – a force that is UNSTOPPABLE….

You shy away – I Smile

You elude me – I Cry

You scoff at me – I Weep

And Yet, LOVE – a feeling that is UNSHAKEABLE, INEXPLICABLE….

To rejoice or to mourn

To despair or to dance

To express or to experience

To possess or to Let go

So many questions – No simple answers

And Yet, LOVE – A GIFT THAT IS HONORABLE !!