There was a neurotic person who was always tense, anxious, irritated, depressed and selfish. Every one of his friends and relatives insisted that he must change. The man himself made earnest attempts to change for the better, but nothing happened. He remained the same. The more they insisted, the more he felt powerless and trapped.

One day one of his closest friends said, “Don’t change. Don’t change. I love you as you are.”

Those words were music to his ears, “Don’t change. Don’t change. Don’t change… I love you as you are.”

He relaxed and felt comfortable. As there were no more compulsions to change, he suddenly changed!

He could not really change till he found someone to love him whether he changed or not.

——

What do we take from this short story? Isn’t this story a story of most of us? We always expect someone to understand and accept us as we are. But everyone in turn expects us to be the way in which they can accept us. It’s about fitting to their thinking pattern. It is like if we show love for them, they will show love for us, but if we don’t, they wouldn’t either. What sort of relationship of friendship this is? Or at all, is it? And this is not just for the love relationship of opposite sex, it can be in case of friendship & other relations too.

Each one of us wishes to have at least one person on the earth who does accept us the way we are, the way we behave, the way we think. But it’s quite a tragedy that amongst the populations of billions, we fail to find such a single person who does accept us in totality, without even a micro portion of rejection. And if we think in reverse manner, we need to ask a question to ourself too that have we become one such person for anyone? Mostly, answer would be NO. But if it is YES, the person you’re befriended with is indeed a lucky one!

Why people argue, even over a silly point? Why someone’s ego is hurt over a tiny issue? Reason is simple. They just need the acceptance. If you accept at once, and start things afresh, there won’t be any argument. But it takes hell of courage to say “Don’t change, don’t change… I love you as you are.” And more courage is needed in acting the way to prove such mentality that we do accept someone the way he/she is. Imagine the kind of relief we would feel if we come across a person who has no intention at all to change us! Allas! that is not the way it is but!

But it indeed works like magic, as no one wants to be rejected in anyway. Acceptance is the only thing that most of us, most of the time are looking for. If that is satisfied, many of the other things would be satisfied automatically. When you have nothing to prove of yourself to other, how beautiful the world would become for you! That would be heaven, that would be life!

I have read numerous such inspirational and motivational short stories, but this one remains on the top of all, as it has the very basic message that we all need to attend to and practise. Thinking to try it on someone?

Man lives by his mind. Man is nothing more than a mind. Do I need to be beautiful in order to believe myself beautiful? I just need thoughts that i am beautiful. And what is beauty. What will define beauty and who will define it? Mind na?!

There are sets of identifications of man regarding himself. Some of them are: identification of sex that is i am man and i am woman. These identifications cause the ego, the thinking patterns, complexities etc etc… Another Identification is that of age. I am young by my mind and old by my body…similarly there are identifications regarding skills and unskills. These identifications for skills and unskills cause jealousy, ego, superiority and vice a versa.

The artists lobby suffer from this disease of identification. When an artist appreciates other artist? And why? If the other artist falls in the category of his criterion of beauty or good then he can be a good artist! When one thinks he has this and that skill, he starts feeling himself special and if he thinks he has lack of some skill in comparison to others, he disregards himself.

Art is nothing but the expression and if it is so, why does the thoughts of others come to express oneself? And if the expression of art is to help others or to help the society then why to think of other artists then?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in his ‘Ashtavakra Gita’ writes, “The artist community suffers from jealousy. There is jealousy in business communities too, but artists suffer the most. They can’t tolerate the success of others. Even if they appreciate other’s talents, it will be a superficial appreciation. Generally there is something else inside. Identifying ourselves with our talents makes us happy or unhappy.” Certainly the art can be lifted and the artist can be lifted to something higher, if he himself decides so.

Osho in his discourses on Zen “The path of Paradox”, says, “The artist hankers to express. To an enlightened person expression is natural, like breathing; there is no hankering. The artist is continuously fighting to pave his way; the artist is motivated; hence he lives in great tension. It is not just accidental that artists suffer more than anybody else from mind disease- too much tension. They have to create, and they have to complete, and they have to prove, and they have to leave a signature in the world- all ego efforts.”

Let the imagination of an artist much to do with the truth, the joy and the purity. Let the beauty create more and more and more beauty and the joy create more and more joy.

Uttam Maru

Uttam Maru is a 10 year old child living in city of Rajkot, Gujarat, INDIA.

He was born with many disabilities such as no eyes, no nose, no mouth muscles as well few other physical disabilities that the doctors had even suggested the family of Uttam that as there are no chances of a good life for him, it is better to have him death by scientific means.

Watch below video interview of Uttam Maru

But his family was strong enough to deny this advise. Uttam’s grandfather Kunvarjibhai Maru remembers the time when he heard the news that his grandson is born with so many disabilities. He says “In a huge factory, if some pieces are produced with some defects, it can not be sold, so the owner of that factory gives it for free to someone close to him so that he can make use of what is available. Similar way, God might felt so about us and in his production of so many humans, he thought of giving Uttam to us. We are close to him in that way!”

But instead we talk about disabilities he is born with, it is better to know about some unique talents that he has acquired, which for the children of his age is indeed unbelievable or tough to do. As they say that if God takes away something from you, he makes sure to give you something else too. Thus is the story of Uttam. He has been blessed with talents like singing, memorizing things like no one else can. After the age of four, his family started giving shape to what was left of Uttam’s life. They provided him all the possible platforms a normal kid would get. They enrolled him to a music institute where despite such physical issue, he started getting lessons on singing. And today, he can sing some of the best songs of Kishor Kumar, Mohammed Rafi & Mukesh. He sings in ‘Raaga’ too which for a kid of his age is indeed appreciable. He has memorized more than 100 songs, and has give a unique live program of singing continuously for three hours.

From left to right: Uttam's younger brother, Uttam's mother, Uttam, Uttam's grandfather

Other than that, he is blessed with sharp memory. Once he learns something, he doesn’t forget. For instance, he has memorized more than 1000 shlokas. He has memorized many parts of Bhagwad Gita. Not only that, if you pick a random line from the books he has memorized, he would tell you what it belongs to! for instance, if you take a shloka from Gita, he would tell you what Adhyay it belongs to!! He has memorized so many such things that you will be shocked to speak him those things when you do test him.

Even today, he is totally blind but his inner senses are so strong that he has developed skills that would make you amazed. He plays keyboard too, and while he plays, you would just be lost with the speed of his fingers that strokes the keyboard.

It’s also interesting to know that when his grandfather took him to various schools for admission, he was rejected by most of schools saying that it would disturb other students of the schools. He then was admitted one fine school, where he studied like any other kid and topped! Unbelievable, isn’t it? And then, he started getting invitation to study in the schools which initially had denied him.

His story has been covered by numerous newspapers & magazines. He has won many awards & certificates.

What to do?
Caption the below photo. Write a suitable title for it which describes it the most.

Prize
The best caption (title) will steal away the sole prize. On the basis of “Winner Stands Alone”, there will be prize for the best of best title.

Rules

1. Don’t describe the photo in detail. Just write one line CAPTION (TITLE) for below photo which you think that describes it the most.
2. Language of caption should be English, Hindi or Gujarati.
3. Fill in your full name, email, website(optional) correctly in the below comment form, and write your caption (title) in the comment box below.
4. Winner will be declared on Sunday, May 27, 2012.
5. Winner will be contacted via email to provide his/her mailing address of INDIA to send books to.
6. Please note that, if you are residing outside of INDIA & you win the prize, you will have to provide your Indian mailing address where we can send books to.
7. You can write as many captions(titles) you feel like.
8. Post only the caption(title). Comment with any other discussion will be deleted.
9. Above rules can be changed without any personal contact. SpeakBindas reserves all rights to it.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS COMPETITION IS FOR CREATIVE PURPOSE ONLY. No other commercial intention.

Suggest Caption (Title) for below Photograph & Enter a chance to Win Books.

* (Before May 27, 2012)

Caption this photograph & enter a chance to win Books. © Akshit Patel

What to do?
Caption the below photo. Write a suitable title for it which describes it the most.

Prize
The best caption (title) will steal away the sole prize. On the basis of “Winner Stands Alone”, there will be prize for the best of best title.

Rules

1. Don’t describe the photo in detail. Just write one line CAPTION (TITLE) for below photo which you think that describes it the most.
2. Language of caption should be English, Hindi or Gujarati.
3. Fill in your full name, email, website(optional) correctly in the below comment form, and write your caption (title) in the comment box below.
4. Winner will be declared on Sunday, May 13, 2012.
5. Winner will be contacted via email to provide his/her mailing address of INDIA to send books to.
6. Please note that, if you are residing outside of INDIA & you win the prize, you will have to provide your Indian mailing address where we can send books to.
7. You can write as many captions(titles) you feel like.
8. Post only the caption(title). Comment with any other discussion will be deleted.
9. Above rules can be changed without any personal contact. SpeakBindas reserves all rights to it.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS COMPETITION IS FOR CREATIVE PURPOSE ONLY. No other commercial intention.

Suggest Caption (Title) for below Photograph & Enter a chance to Win Books.

* (Before May 13, 2012)

Caption this photograph & enter a chance to win Books. © Jaydeep Maniar

And the winner is…

Winning caption: ગાય તો આ બધુ ખાતા શીખી ગઇ.. શું આપણો પણ આવો વારો આવશે?
Winner’s name: SARJU KALARIA

This is an eight minute short-film, written & directed by me. Its premier was held on Sunday, May 6, 2012 at Rajkot. It’s a non-commercial short-film made as an experiment with available resource without going for any professional instruments. All those who worked and with this film, devote their time, energy and talent, without any charge.

Watch – The Journey Within (2012) – a short-film by Devang Vibhakar

Direct Youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5EqRdhh99c

Information

Poster of short-film "The Journey Within"

Writer & Director: Devang Vibhakar
Cast: Vishal Rajgor, Paras Doshi
Music arrangement: Shailesh-Utpal
Editor: Gaurav Badyakiya
Narration: Raj Desai
Special thanks: Sunny Rathod, Alkaben Vora, Vikas Rajpopat

Storyline: The Journey Within is a story of a young man who has achieved & enjoyed all material pleasures. He is rich. He has nothing more to achieve in sense of material desires. But he is not happy in totality.

He finds questions from within such as who am I?, what is the purpose of my existence?…. and then he makes a decision. Watch this eight minute short film to find out what decision he makes.

It was premiered at Rajkot on May 6, 2012.

Photographs of premier show

Viewers @Premier show

me @premier show, enjoying a light moment

Qin Shi Huang was the first Emperor of China. The Terracotta Army a.k.a. Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses is nothing but a collection of sculptures which depicts the armies of emperor. It is said that in 210-209 BC, it as a funerary art was buried with the emperor with the purpose to protect the emperor even in his afterlife.

Army of Terra cotta Warriors is said to consist of total of 8,000 life-size terra cotta figures of soldiers and horses discovered in 1974 in Xi’an, Shaanxi province.

If you believe in history and its importance, you now have a chance to live with it! From above link you can surf various models of these warriors which you can put right beside you at home, garden or even office. There is no modification, but these terra cotta warriors are reproduced based on the real soldiers of emperor Qin Shi Huang. Quality is an assurance if you are buying from this website.

Believing in history and having its form right in front of eyes is not something to describe or discuss, but to experience. And such experience can only be felt if you have statutes of terra cotta warriors right beside you.

These days, there is a flat discount of 33% if you’re buying it from terracotta-warriors.com. You can have statues of Armored Warrior II, Armored Warrior, Bearded General, Kneeling Archer, Sworded General and Emperor Qin Shi Huang Di himself. There is a facility of having your own customized terracotta warrior too. So grab this opportunity and live with history.

What to do?
Caption the below photo. Write a suitable title for it which describes it the most.

Prize
The best caption (title) will steal away the sole prize. On the basis of “Winner Stands Alone”, there will be prize for the best of best title.

Rules

1. Don’t describe the photo in detail. Just write one line CAPTION (TITLE) for below photo which you think that describes it the most.
2. Language of caption should be English, Hindi or Gujarati.
3. Fill in your full name, email, website(optional) correctly in the below comment form, and write your caption (title) in the comment box below.
4. Winner will be declared on Sunday, April 29, 2012.
5. Winner will be contacted via email to provide his/her mailing address of INDIA to send books to.
6. Please note that, if you are residing outside of INDIA & you win the prize, you will have to provide your Indian mailing address where we can send books to.
7. You can write as many captions(titles) you feel like.
8. Post only the caption(title). Comment with any other discussion will be deleted.
9. Above rules can be changed without any personal contact. SpeakBindas reserves all rights to it.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS COMPETITION IS FOR CREATIVE PURPOSE ONLY. No other commercial intention.

Suggest Caption (Title) for below Photograph & Enter a chance to Win Books.

* (Before April 29, 2012)

Caption this photograph & enter a chance to win Books. © Devang Vibhakar

And the winner is

Winner: Latika

Winning Title: કુદરતને માણવા કેરો પંથ.

Congratulations to winner.

Another close to winning entry: “Our Future road, save it” by Ashvin Patel.

This competition is now over. Do participate in competition number: 3.

What to do?
Caption the below photo. Write a suitable title for it which describes it the most.

Prize
The best caption (title) will steal away the sole prize. On the basis of “Winner Stands Alone”, there will be prize for the best of best title.

Rules

1. Don’t describe the photo in detail. Just write one line CAPTION (TITLE) for below photo which you think that describes it the most.
2. Language of caption should be English, Hindi or Gujarati.
3. Fill in your full name, email, website(optional) correctly in the below comment form, and write your caption (title) in the comment box below.
4. Winner will be declared on Sunday, April 22, 2012.
5. Winner will be contacted via email to provide his/her mailing address of INDIA to send books to.
6. Please note that, if you are residing outside of INDIA & you win the prize, you will have to provide your Indian mailing address where we can send books to.
7. You can write as many captions(titles) you feel like.
8. Post only the caption(title). Comment with any other discussion will be deleted.
9. Above rules can be changed without any personal contact. SpeakBindas reserves all rights to it.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS COMPETITION IS FOR CREATIVE PURPOSE ONLY. No other commercial intention.

Suggest Caption (Title) for below Photograph & Enter a chance to Win Books.

* (Before April 22, 2012)

Caption this photograph & enter a chance to win Books. © Devang Vibhakar

RESULTS:

Other captions that were close to winning:

Khodabapa is a satsangi personality. He has spent years of his life in finding answers for some of the core questions related with inner journey of soul. He speaks in total kathiywadi Gujarati language, and even uses some local spiritual words which indeed has depth of its meaning.

I went with one question to interview him that “What is MIND and how can we control it?“. I had elaborated the question that our mind is reluctant that it keeps on wishing for unlimited desires. In acquiring the desires, it keeps on wandering for days, months, years and sometimes entire life. So what actually our mind is? And how can it be controlled?

Khodabapa

Those who speak & understand Gujarati would find this interview a worthwhile for the reason that he has given indeed in-depth explanation about my above question. It’s not that he has ‘answered’ my question, but rather has meditated upon it and gave the explanation of our existence & its purpose.

Watch the video of Khodabapa’s interview cum Satsang

Direct Youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26V9VNINAsM

Contact Khodabapa

address: Khodabapa, 3 – Laxminagar, Rajkot.
Cell: +91 83473 61860