Vijit's Opinion

Wisdom of Vedanta - Book Review

noreply@blogger.com (Vijit) — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 17:13:00 +0000

The book The Wisdom of Vedanta is a philosophical exploration of Vedanta by Swami Abhayananda, with insights drawn from ancient texts and the teachings of Swami Dayananda Saraswati. Here's a chapter-by-chapter summary with key takeaways and relatable examples.

Chapter 1: The Search for the Infinite

Summary:
This chapter opens by exploring the basic human drive for fulfillment and happiness. Vedanta posits that this quest is not for external objects, but for understanding the true Self (Atman), which is already whole and complete.

Key Insight:
We chase external goals thinking they’ll make us happy, but real contentment comes from self-knowledge.

Relatable Example:
Think of someone who spends years climbing the corporate ladder only to feel empty at the top. Vedanta suggests they were searching in the wrong place—the treasure was always within.

Chapter 2: The Nature of the Self

Summary:
Here, the nature of the true Self is discussed—not the body, mind, or ego, but pure consciousness. The Self is unchanging, infinite, and unaffected by external events.

Key Insight:
You are not your thoughts or emotions. Realizing your true identity as the witness of all experiences leads to inner freedom.

Relatable Example:
Just as a movie screen isn’t affected by the film projected onto it—whether it’s a horror or comedy—your real Self remains untouched by the drama of life.

Chapter 3: Ignorance and Knowledge

Summary:
Vedanta teaches that the root of suffering is ignorance (avidya) of our true nature. Only self-knowledge can remove this ignorance—not rituals, actions, or possessions.

Key Insight:
The problem isn’t with who we are, but with not knowing who we are.

Relatable Example:
It’s like believing you're poor while sitting on buried treasure in your backyard. All you need is the knowledge to dig in the right spot.

Chapter 4: The Role of the Teacher and the Scriptures

Summary:
Self-knowledge is not intuitive; it needs to be taught through a valid means of knowledge (pramana). The scriptures (like the Upanishads) and a qualified teacher (guru) are essential for unfolding this wisdom.

Key Insight:
Spiritual truths aren’t self-evident; they must be revealed in the right way, much like how eyes are needed to see.

Relatable Example:
Trying to understand Vedanta without a teacher is like trying to understand a complex science textbook without a guide—you miss the depth and nuance.

Chapter 5: The Qualifications of the Student

Summary:
This chapter explains that not everyone is immediately ready to receive Vedantic knowledge. The student must possess certain qualities: discrimination (viveka), dispassion (vairagya), discipline, and a burning desire for liberation (mumukshutvam).

Key Insight:
Spiritual maturity is essential to benefit from self-inquiry. Without the right inner readiness, even profound teachings may not penetrate.

Relatable Example:
Like trying to teach calculus to someone who hasn’t learned basic math—the foundation must be prepared first.

Chapter 6: The Method of Vedanta

Summary:
Vedanta employs a unique teaching method called adhyāropa-apavāda—superimposing ideas and then negating them to reveal the truth. It uses logic, inquiry, and scriptural pointers to lead the seeker step-by-step toward self-realization.

Key Insight:
You can’t be told directly, “You are Brahman.” The truth unfolds progressively as false identifications are stripped away.

Relatable Example:
Imagine cleaning a dusty mirror. You don’t “add” clarity—you just remove the dirt. Similarly, Vedanta clears the obscurations hiding your true Self.

Chapter 7: The Nature of the World

Summary:
Vedanta teaches that the world is not ultimately real in the same way the Self is. It’s mithyā—dependent on consciousness for its existence. The world appears real but doesn’t have independent reality.

Key Insight:
The world is like a dream or mirage—real enough to be experienced, but not ultimately substantial.

Relatable Example:
Like watching a virtual reality game—you interact with it, but it’s not the “real” you or your true world.

Chapter 8: The Nature of Īśvara (God)

Summary:
Īśvara (God) in Vedanta is the total intelligence and order of the universe. Not a person in the sky, but the cause of all laws, both physical and moral. Īśvara is not separate from you—the Self is Brahman, and Brahman is everything.

Key Insight:
There’s no conflict between understanding God and realizing the Self. They are ultimately not two.

Relatable Example:
Like the ocean and the wave—seemingly separate, but both made of the same water. You (the individual) and Īśvara (the total) share the same essence.

Chapter 9: Vedanta—Christian Style

Summary:
This chapter explores how Vedantic truths are found within Christian mysticism. Saints like Meister Eckhart and St. John of the Cross echo the same realization: that God and the soul are one in essence.

Key Insight:
Truth is universal and transcends religious boundaries. Vedanta is not Hinduism—it’s the direct knowledge of Reality.

Relatable Example:
Just as light can pass through many stained glass windows of different colors, the light of truth shines through all faiths in different hues.

Chapter 10: Non-Dualism in Christianity

Summary:
Building on the previous chapter, this one shows that the essence of Christian teachings also points to non-duality. Jesus’s declaration “I and the Father are one” is aligned with Vedanta’s “I am Brahman.”

Key Insight:
Non-dualism (advaita) is not exclusive to Vedanta. It’s the experiential realization of mystics everywhere.

Relatable Example:
Two rivers may take different paths but merge into the same ocean. Religious forms differ, but their mystical core is unity.

Chapter 11: Practical Vedanta

Summary:
Vedanta is not abstract philosophy. It is deeply practical—it transforms how we see ourselves, others, and the world. It calls us to live in awareness of our true Self.

Key Insight:
Knowing you are the Self brings compassion, detachment, and joy in everyday life.

Relatable Example:
Like remembering a dream was unreal after waking up—once you know the Self, the stress of the world fades naturally.

Chapter 12: Beyond Learned Ignorance

Summary:
Book learning, without direct insight, can actually reinforce ignorance. Real wisdom goes beyond intellectual concepts into a lived experience of unity.

Key Insight:
Spiritual truth can’t be grasped by logic alone—it must be realized in silence and stillness.

Relatable Example:
Reading about love is not the same as falling in love. Similarly, truth must be lived, not just studied.

Chapter 13: How to Meditate on the Self

Summary:
Meditation is the bridge from conceptual knowledge to direct experience. This chapter offers practical methods to focus the mind and realize the Self.

Key Insight:
The Self is already present—meditation simply removes distractions to reveal it.

Relatable Example:
It’s like tuning a radio—you’re not creating the music, just adjusting the dial to hear what was already there.

Chapter 14: The Meeting of Heart and Mind

Summary:
This chapter discusses the union of devotion and knowledge. Love of God and insight into the Self are not opposites—they complement each other.

Key Insight:
Head and heart must meet. Understanding without love is dry; love without understanding can be blind.

Relatable Example:
Like two wings of a bird—you need both devotion and wisdom to soar toward truth.

Chapter 15: The Katha Upanishad

Summary:
A summary of the Katha Upanishad, where a young boy named Nachiketa meets Yama (the god of death) and seeks the knowledge of the Self.

Key Insight:
The Self is beyond life and death. Knowing It is freedom from fear and sorrow.

Relatable Example:
Like unplugging from a movie—you realize you’re not the character suffering on screen, but the silent witness watching.

Chapter 16: The Katha Upanishad (II)

Summary:
This continuation explores deeper teachings: the body is a chariot, the senses are horses, the mind is the reins, and the Self is the rider.

Key Insight:
Mastery of the mind and senses is essential to realize the Self.

Relatable Example:
Trying to know the Self without discipline is like riding a chariot with wild, untrained horses—you go nowhere.

Chapter 17: The Spiritual Life

Summary:
What does it mean to live spiritually? Not escape, but living with awareness and harmony. Self-realization leads to freedom from anxiety, fear, and compulsion.

Key Insight:
The spiritual life is joyful, grounded, and serene—not detached from life, but deeply engaged.

Relatable Example:
It’s like a lotus in the pond—rooted in the mud, floating above water, untouched by it.

Chapter 18: The Teaching of Shankara

Summary:
Shankaracharya revived Vedanta and clarified its core truth: Brahman alone is real, the world is an appearance, and the Self is Brahman.

Key Insight:
Shankara emphasized that liberation comes from knowledge, not action.

Relatable Example:
Like realizing a snake was just a rope—you are already free, but you must correct your vision.

Chapter 19: Self-Knowledge

Summary:
This chapter begins a multi-part dive into the central teaching: Self-knowledge (Atma Vidya). All effort in spiritual life culminates in seeing the Self.

Key Insight:
Ignorance of the Self is the root of suffering. Knowledge is the only cure.

Relatable Example:
Trying to fill a bucket with holes—no matter what you pour in, it won’t hold until you fix the base (Self-ignorance).

Chapter 20: Self-Knowledge (II)

Summary:
Further elaboration on how knowledge alone liberates. The world appears real only due to ignorance of Brahman.

Key Insight:
There’s no action or ritual that can produce Self-knowledge—it is only revealed through inner clarity.

Relatable Example:
Turning on a light removes darkness instantly. Similarly, insight destroys ignorance—not gradually, but immediately.

Chapter 21: Self-Knowledge (III)

Summary:
In this final part, it is stressed that realization is not gaining something new, but discovering what has always been true.

Key Insight:
You are already Brahman. You don’t need to become it—you need to stop denying it.

Relatable Example:
Like a wave realizing it was never separate from the ocean—it was water all along.

Chapter 22: Vedanta and Buddhism

Summary:
The chapter compares Vedanta and Buddhism. Both recognize the illusory nature of ego and the world, but differ in emphasis. Vedanta affirms the Self; Buddhism denies a permanent self (anatta).

Key Insight:
Despite philosophical differences, the experiential truths converge in the realization of unity and freedom.

Relatable Example:
It’s like two climbers taking different routes up the same mountain. They describe it differently, but the view at the top is the same.

Chapter 23: The Meaning of Renunciation

Summary:
Renunciation (sannyasa) in Vedanta doesn’t mean abandoning the world, but giving up attachment and false identification with the body-mind. It is inner freedom, not outward austerity.

Key Insight:
True renunciation is letting go of ego—not escaping responsibility or relationships.

Relatable Example:
Like holding a glass loosely—you can still use it, but you’re not clinging. Similarly, engage in life without being bound by it.

Chapter 24: As a Man Thinks

Summary:
The power of thought is emphasized. Thoughts shape our perception and experience of the world. To realize the Self, one must cultivate noble, uplifting thoughts aligned with truth.

Key Insight:
You become what you think. Purify the mind and your life will reflect it.

Relatable Example:
Your mind is like a garden. Plant weeds (fear, anger) and they’ll grow. Plant roses (truth, love) and your world changes.

Chapter 25: The Nature of the Mind

Summary:
This chapter explores how the mind operates—its habits, restlessness, and constant movement. Understanding the mind is essential for self-inquiry.

Key Insight:
The mind is both the veil and the mirror of the Self. Mastery of mind brings inner clarity.

Relatable Example:
Imagine a still lake—when calm, it clearly reflects the sky. But when disturbed, it distorts everything.

Chapter 26: The Purification of the Mind

Summary:
Before Self-knowledge can dawn, the mind must be purified of selfishness, distraction, and negativity. This is achieved through right living, service, prayer, and contemplation.

Key Insight:
A pure mind is the fertile ground where the seed of realization can blossom.

Relatable Example:
You can’t see your reflection in muddy water. Clear the mud—purify the mind—and the Self is revealed.

Chapter 27: The Path of Divine Love (Bhakti Yoga)

Summary:
Bhakti Yoga is the path of love and surrender to God. It involves seeing the Divine in everything and offering one’s heart fully.

Key Insight:
Love purifies the ego and connects the heart directly to the Infinite.

Relatable Example:
Like a child resting in a mother’s lap, the devotee finds peace in the presence of the Beloved.

Chapter 28: The Path of Divine Love (II)

Summary:
This chapter deepens the exploration of devotion—not as blind emotion, but as a transforming force. Even non-dual realization can be approached through pure love.

Key Insight:
Devotion leads to unity—eventually the lover and the Beloved dissolve into one.

Relatable Example:
Like a drop of water falling into the ocean—it doesn’t disappear; it becomes the ocean itself.

Chapter 29: Japa – The Remembrance of God

Summary:
Japa (mantra repetition) is a powerful tool to focus the mind on God. Repeating a sacred name aligns thoughts with divinity and leads to inner stillness.

Key Insight:
Consistent remembrance of God tunes the mind to the frequency of truth and love.

Relatable Example:
Like tuning a radio to your favorite station—repeating God’s name blocks out static and connects you to divine clarity.

Chapter 30: In Praise of God

Summary:
This final chapter is a devotional hymn—an offering of love and gratitude to the Divine. It celebrates the joy of spiritual realization and union with God.

Key Insight:
The culmination of knowledge is not just understanding—but celebration. Praise is the spontaneous overflow of a heart immersed in truth.

Relatable Example:
Like a musician who, after years of study, plays not for perfection but for joy. The realized soul praises not from duty, but from bliss.

✅ Final Reflection:

What This Book Offers

The Wisdom of Vedanta isn’t just philosophy—it’s a journey from ignorance to Self-realization.
It harmonizes devotion and knowledge, East and West, ancient and modern thought.
It leads the seeker to the truth that:
You are the one Self—eternal, limitless, free.

✅ Bonus 1: Specific Practices & Meditation Steps from The Wisdom of Vedanta

While Vedanta emphasizes Self-knowledge as the ultimate liberator, The Wisdom of Vedanta outlines several practices to prepare the mind and reveal the Self. These include:

1. Daily Self-Inquiry (Jnana Yoga)

Practice: Ask yourself, “Who am I?”
Goal: Shift identification from body/mind to pure awareness.
How:

Sit quietly and observe thoughts.
Ask: “Am I this thought? Am I the one watching?”
Rest in the awareness that witnesses thoughts.

2. Neti-Neti (“Not this, not this”)

Practice: Mentally negate what you are not: body, mind, emotions.
Goal: Arrive at the unchanging Self by eliminating what is transient.
How:

In meditation or daily life, notice sensations or emotions.
Remind yourself: “This is not me. I am the witness.”

3. Meditation on the Self (Atma Dhyana)

Practice: Sit in silence and contemplate: “I am pure consciousness.”
Goal: Stabilize awareness in the Self (Atman).
How:

Sit in a calm place.
Let go of thoughts.
Rest in the sense of “I Am” without linking it to body or role.

4. Japa (Repetition of the Divine Name)

Practice: Repeat a sacred name (like “Om,” “Ram,” or “Jesus”) mentally or aloud.
Goal: Quiet the mind and focus on the Divine.
How:

Choose a name that resonates with your faith.
Repeat slowly, with feeling, for a set time daily.

5. Bhakti (Devotion)

Practice: Love and surrender to God in all forms.
Goal: Melt the ego and realize unity through love.
How:

Sing hymns, chant, offer food, or serve others with love.
See God in everyone and everything.

6. Karma Yoga (Selfless Action)

Practice: Perform duties without attachment to results.
Goal: Purify the mind and reduce egoic patterns.
How:

Do your work with full attention, offer results to God.
Think: “I am not the doer, God is.”

7. Satsang (Company of the Wise)

Practice: Read scripture, attend talks, or reflect on Vedantic texts.
Goal: Strengthen understanding and inner clarity.
How:

Set time weekly to read or reflect.
Join spiritual discussions or listen to teachings.

✅ Bonus 2: The Wisdom of Vedanta – 1-Page Summary of All Chapters

Ch.#	Chapter Title	Core Insight
1	The Search for the Infinite	We seek happiness, but it’s our own Self we truly yearn for.
2	The Nature of the Self	You are not the body or mind—you are pure consciousness.
3	Ignorance and Knowledge	Only Self-knowledge—not action—removes suffering.
4	The Role of the Teacher & Scriptures	A qualified teacher and the Upanishads guide you to truth.
5	Qualifications of the Student	Discrimination, detachment, discipline, and desire for liberation are essential.
6	The Method of Vedanta	Reality is revealed by negating illusions—not adding beliefs.
7	The Nature of the World	The world is real for experience, but not ultimately real—mithyā.
8	The Nature of God (Īśvara)	God is the total order—not separate from the Self.
9	Vedanta—Christian Style	Mystics in all traditions speak of the same unity.
10	Non-Dualism in Christianity	“I and the Father are one” = Advaita in Christian terms.
11	Practical Vedanta	Knowledge transforms how we live—joyfully, wisely.
12	Beyond Learned Ignorance	True wisdom is lived, not memorized.
13	How to Meditate on the Self	Meditation reveals the Self by quieting the mind.
14	The Meeting of Heart and Mind	Devotion and knowledge work together.
15	The Katha Upanishad	Death teaches that the Self alone is eternal.
16	The Katha Upanishad (II)	Self-control is key: mind = reins, intellect = charioteer.
17	The Spiritual Life	Spiritual living is joyful, compassionate, and inwardly free.
18	The Teaching of Shankara	You are Brahman. The world is a projection.
19–21	Self-Knowledge (I–III)	Realization is not becoming—it’s remembering what is already true.
22	Vedanta and Buddhism	Both traditions lead to ego-transcendence and inner freedom.
23	The Meaning of Renunciation	Renunciation is inward—it’s dropping ego, not responsibilities.
24	As a Man Thinks	Your thoughts shape your world—choose wisely.
25	The Nature of the Mind	Know the mind to go beyond it.
26	The Purification of the Mind	A clean mind reflects the Self like a still lake.
27–28	The Path of Divine Love (I–II)	Devotion melts the ego and unites the soul with God.
29	Japa: The Remembrance of God	Repeating God’s name clears and centers the mind.
30	In Praise of God	Celebration and praise are the natural result of realization.

What's a Creative Project I'd Like to Pursue? (Hint: It Starts with Inner Stillness)

noreply@blogger.com (Vijit) — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 16:10:00 +0000

Every now and then, a quiet voice inside nudges us toward something deeper. Not just a hobby. Not just another goal on a list. But something that feels like a calling.

For me, that calling is Vedantic wisdom and the creative project I’m pursuing is a book that brings its timeless insights into today’s world, in a way that’s accessible, practical, and deeply personal.

Why Vedanta? And Why Now?

We live in a world of constant noise, deadlines, distractions, digital everything. But amid all that motion, I found myself drawn to something quieter, more ancient. Something that speaks not just to the mind, but to the Self.

Vedanta, the spiritual philosophy rooted in the Vedas and Upanishads isn’t just about abstract ideas or mystic verses. It’s about the inner journey: Who am I? What is reality? What brings true peace?

And while these are ancient questions, they’ve never felt more relevant.

From Notes to Manuscript: The Spark of a Book

Over the past few years, I’ve been scribbling down reflections—some drawn from study, some from life experience, and many from moments of stillness. These notes weren’t originally meant for anyone but me. But over time, I realized: if these thoughts helped me center myself, maybe they could do the same for others.

That’s where the idea for an eBook was born. A modern take on timeless truths. Not a scholarly translation, but a companion for anyone who's ever paused to ask, "Is there more than this surface-level life?"

What the Book Will (and Won’t) Be

🧘‍♂️ It won’t be preachy.
📿 It won’t require prior knowledge of Sanskrit or scripture.
💡 It will be a gentle guide, part reflection, part storytelling, part practical wisdom.

My hope is to create something approachable. A book you can return to on a quiet morning or during a moment of overwhelm. Something that reminds you: you're already whole and the journey is about remembering that.

Creating with Intention, Not Just Content

In a world where content is churned out by the hour, this project feels different. I’m not rushing it. I’m letting it unfold, the way nature does, season by season.

And honestly? That’s part of the creative joy.

This blog post marks the beginning of that journey. I’ll be sharing thoughts, sneak peeks, maybe even draft passages as I go. If you're curious about Vedanta or just looking to connect with something deeper, I'd love for you to walk this path with me.

So, What’s Next?

Right now, I’m outlining themes, refining language, and listening, both to the texts and to my own intuition.

The first draft is forming.

The intention is clear.

And the creative fire is lit.

If you’ve ever thought about your own inner journey, or if you're simply someone who values peace, perspective, and purpose, I hope you’ll stay tuned.

This is just the beginning.

I leave you with below image as a teaser for my upcoming endeavor:

The Smallest Yet Most Impactful Self-Care Practice: Meditation

noreply@blogger.com (Vijit) — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 12:35:00 +0000

In our fast-paced world, self-care is more vital than ever, yet it often gets overlooked. One simple but impactful self-care activity I highly recommend is daily meditation.

Just as a computer needs to restart or shut down to perform optimally, our minds require quiet moments to refresh. Nowadays, we’re always “on” with our thoughts racing, phones buzzing, and to-do lists expanding. Even during sleep, our minds stay active, influenced by screens right until we turn in for the night. Over time, this constant barrage of information starts to heavily affect both our mental and physical well-being.

That’s where meditation comes into play.

🧠 Why Meditation is Important

Meditation serves as a mental refresh button. It allows for stillness, silence, and self-awareness. Just a few minutes of focused breathing and attention can alleviate anxiety, lower stress levels, and restore mental clarity. Being perpetually busy can lead to fatigue, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well.

In my own life, I’ve found that meditation is like a system reboot. It helps the chaos in my mind settle down, enabling me to navigate life with greater ease and understanding.

🙌 A Personal Journey: Healing Through Meditation

Earlier this month, I faced ongoing back pain. I attempted everything, stretching, resting, even medication but nothing provided relief. Then, I joined the Art of Living’s Happiness Program, which offers guided breathing exercises and meditation.

Much to my surprise, the pain started to diminish on the very first day. By the end of the program, the pain was gone completely.

It was an eye-opening realization: my back pain wasn’t only physical, it was stress and anxiety manifesting in my body. Once I tackled the emotional tension through meditation, the physical discomfort faded away.

💻 How to Start

If you’re just beginning with meditation, take it slow. YouTube has a fantastic selection of guided meditations to fit various needs, calm, focus, sleep, healing, and more. Once you feel comfortable, I highly suggest checking out the Art of Living Happiness Program. Based on my own experience, it can be a true game changer.

✍️ Bonus Tip: Write After You Meditate

Here’s something else I’ve started: journaling right after my meditation sessions. I’ve noticed that when I write right after meditating, I often discover intuitive insights regarding problems I’ve been facing. It feels as if meditation clears away distractions, allowing my inner thoughts to come forward more effectively. Even a few minutes of writing can provide surprising clarity and peace.

🌱 Closing Thoughts

Taking care of your mind is not a luxury, it’s essential. Meditation may appear to be a small act, but its effects are significant. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or simply stretched too thin, offer yourself the gift of stillness.

Go meditate. 😊

Reflect on a positive interaction you had with someone.

noreply@blogger.com (Vijit) — Sun, 22 Jun 2025 18:07:00 +0000

I am a member of Thane Toastmasters Club and as a precursor to one of the meetings where the theme was Content writing, a fellow toastmaster had reached out to members asking them to come prepared with their niche when it comes to content writing. For those, who were not sure of it, it was suggested that we DM on whatsapp. Since, I wasn't sure about my niche, I did reach out on whatsapp in order to figure out my niche. What followed were some questions which I had to reply back. There were following four questions that were asked:

1. What is your profession?

2. Any roadblocks you went through in your journey?

3. Particularly any passion?

4. What would your dream day look like?

Based on my response to the above questions, the fellow toastmaster suggested that I should write on linkedin around my career trajectory from customer support to project management followed by few other topics around promotion, hustle culture, differentiating your work ethic with GenZ, Remote working and few other topics.

It was really nice that a person who hardly knows me in person was kind enough to help me zero down my niche and even suggest some topics around it. This is one positive interaction that I will cherish. Also, I will definitely reflect on the suggested topics and soon start posting on Linkedin about it.

What's something you appreciate about your body?

noreply@blogger.com (Vijit) — Sun, 22 Jun 2025 17:49:00 +0000

With lot of talk and focus on mental peace and calm, the body tends to get neglected. I am happy to have been able to manage so far without the need to have any daily medication for bodily ailments. I have also been doing zumba 3 days a week and it is doing wonders to my body. I will soon target to have a daily exercise routine that includes Surya namaskar and concludes with a pranayam and meditation practice. My body has been generally fit and doesn't give me much trouble except for those occasional sprain.

Work from home means the body doesn't move much and hence extra effort is needed to ensure fitness. With night shift health was seeing some negative impact, however, so far I have managed to not let it impact my body to the extent that I have to be on daily medication. Also, some natural and ayurvedic remedies are helping.

Soon life will be taking a positive turn with me getting into a day shift job that does not cause me to stretch into the night. I am sure I should be able to achieve peak fitness once that happens.

Describe a moment of peace you experienced today.

noreply@blogger.com (Vijit) — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 04:46:00 +0000

With renovation work going on at home, there has been lot of noise and dust at home for many days now. After non stop work going on for few days, got a one day relief due to some material not being available for the work to continue. It was really a great relief as working from home meant that I could not escape even for that duration that I am working. I would suggest anyone getting renovation work done to avoid it while staying at home. It really becomes messy and noisy. The only benefit being that you are there to supervise things live and get course correction done immediately.

Apart from that taking day off from work also helped as it helped me to cut off totally from work and not worry too much about the other kind of noise that typically happens at the workplace. The peace and calm replacing noise and chaos was welcome as I could introspect and connect with myself. The next thing I need to do is plan for a getaway after all the renovation work is completed and spend time in nature. The monsoon has brought temperatures down and there is lot of greenery around. It is an ideal time to hit the road and travel to the countryside and relax.

Another thing I need to start doing after a long break is to meditate and connect with the peace and calm within. The peace I externally experienced recently actually made me realize that I have to get back to the daily practice of meditation to connect with the inner peace. It had helped me a lot in the past and this is the best time to restart.

What's a skill you'd like to learn or improve?

noreply@blogger.com (Vijit) — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 20:42:00 +0000

I always wanted to explore music. Especially playing the flute or the violin. Someday I will fit this in my schedule. Currently, I am focused on learning some tech skills which will help me stay competitive on the job front.

Music has always been a stress buster and something that would make me nostalgic. Listening to old Kishore Kumar and Mohammed Rafi songs have always helped me to escape all the noise and bustling around. SP Balasubramanium, KK and Lucky Ali songs are also something that elevates your mood. I am hoping someday I will be able to play these beautiful melodies on a flute and/or violin.

One day, I will achieve the goal of playing a musical instrument and it will most likely be a flute or violin. Once I reach that stage, I will surely be coming and posting about it on my blog. Possibly my blog will become a musical blog where I post about my adventure in music. I know it is wishful thinking to say this even before I start holding a musical instrument in my hand. However, no harm in having dreams that challenge you.

Until that wonderful day arrives, wherein I would be playing a musical instrument, I will continue listening to old melodies and keep that desire to play a musical instrument burning within me.

What's one limiting belief you'd like to let go of?

noreply@blogger.com (Vijit) — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 19:29:00 +0000

The limiting belief that I do not have it in me to be a good public speaker is something that I would like to let go of. I have already started to work on it by joining Toastmasters Club. I always had decent written communication skills. I can even speak in meetings, both online and offline. However, delivering a speech on stage did make me anxious.

In order to overcome the limiting belief around my abilities to speak in public, I started participating in Toastmasters Club meetings on Sundays. I am now able to learn from fellow speakers and have started to understand that great speakers are not born. They become great speakers after relentless practice and spending time on preparation. The mistake I used to make is to think that because I have good communication skills, I can just go there on stage and start talking. However, I soon realized that it is not that way. Yes, eventually when you have mastered public speaking skill, you will be able to do that. In the initial days, you need to prepare the speeches well in order to deliver an impactful speech that resonates with the audience.

I also learnt that to deliver a speech well, one needs to get the audience actively involved. You just cannot go on blabbering. The opening and the closing of the speech needs to be absolutely solid and something that helps you to create a USP (Unique Selling Proposition). The speech given by Swami Vivekananda at Chicago in 1893 is a great example of this. He started off by addressing the audience as "Sisters and Brothers of America". This helped him to connect with the audience instantly.

I am now focusing on practicing my public speaking skills at Toastmasters and I am sure I will be able to deliver public speeches with greater confidence and also leave an impact on the audience with my speeches. Crushing limiting beliefs like this slowly but surely is the goal that I am working on.

Reflect on a challenge you faced today and how you overcame it (or plan to).

noreply@blogger.com (Vijit) — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 18:53:00 +0000

The challenge I faced today was to find time to read a book. With so many distractions, all thanks to smartphones, it is easy to lose track of time. This is exactly what happened as I did not stick to the plan of reading a book that I have started reading recently.

I am glad that I chose to read a book after so many days. However, it is definitely not an easy task to carve out time for it. It is not that time is not available. It is about how to manage the time at hand effectively to fit reading time in the schedule. I have started a practice now to start my day with a list of actions for the day. At the end of the day, I just check whether I have ticked all the tasks or not. I have set a target for myself to read 11 pages per day of a book. The number was arrived at by figuring out how many pages need to be read daily in order to finish reading the book this month. Now that I have a fixed number and specific goal to achieve, it becomes easy to stay focused. I did miss reading one day. However, I decided to compensate it by reading double the number of pages the next day. When you look at a book, it does feel overwhelming when you look at the total number of pages that the book holds. However, breaking it down to number of pages to be read per day, it does not seem that intimidating. The problem remains the same, but it was easier to get it addressed when it got broken down into smaller chunks.

This simplistic approach at looking at the problem, helped me overcome the inertia that prevented me from reading books. Earlier, I would get started but struggle to maintain the momentum. Now, I know that reading books is like a marathon and not a 100 metre sprint. You need to pace things well in order to complete the race. Going all out, will only result in abandoning the race mid way.

What's a small act of kindness I witnessed or performed today?

noreply@blogger.com (Vijit) — Sun, 08 Jun 2025 18:29:00 +0000

I am not sure whether this qualifies exactly as a small act of kindness that I performed or not. However, this definitely the closest it can get. I had been to city market for shopping along with my daughter today. We happened to be at a shop which had 2-3 stairs to climb from the street. We had been there to buy some stuff but looking at the crowd, we decided to skip the idea and revisit later as we were not having any urgency.

While we were moving away from the shop by climbing down the stairs, an old lady coming from the opposite direction just spontaneously held my hand to take support to climb the stairs. I realized it and just stood there firmly so that she does not lose balance and was able to reach the shop with ease. No words were exchanged between us. It was all non verbal communication.

Additionally, in the morning we had an unannounced guest at our window. A crow who often visits us in the afternoon typically, chose to visit us in the morning for breakfast. I just placed two pieces of chapati near the window, which it happily ate and flew away. Again no words spoken as I do not understand crow language :-)

If it would not have been for this blog topic given to me, I might not have even made a note of these two events from today.

A moment today that made me smile

noreply@blogger.com (Vijit) — Sat, 07 Jun 2025 18:29:00 +0000

Today, I visited a Ganesh temple near my home with my wife. When we got there, the evening aarti (prayers) had just started, so we joined the crowd. After the service was over, we sat down on a bench on the temple premises, as we often do, because the atmosphere there is quiet and peaceful. Then we saw two or three little girls, who seemed to be about two or three years old, running around the temple and having a good time. I couldn't help but smile as I watched those innocent faces laugh as they ran. The little girls bumped into each other from time to time, too. I wasn't the only one who was smiling, though. I noticed that the other people in the temple were also smiling and enjoying the giggling and running.

This made me realize that having fun doesn't have to cost a lot of money. All you need is a few like-minded people who are willing to get together and interact without any expectations. We can only savor special moments like this when we put down our phones, which have enslaved us.

I also happened to revisit my childhood days and was left wondering what really have we achieved growing up. We have left simple pleasures somewhere in the past and using our present grumpily to attain a future state that will make us happy. It is nothing but a mirage that we are chasing. The sooner we realize it, the better we will deal with our present life. Right now it is a mad rat race where we are simply running around in a random fashion. The kids were running around randomly too but they were atleast happy doing that.

We adults have simply forgotten to have a hearty laugh while being uncertain about what is going on. We need certainty in everything. Suspense excites us in movies but it makes us anxious in real life. It is high time that we realize that life was, is and will be uncertain. It is this uncertainty that we should be celebrating as that is the very character of life. The ups and downs in life need to be enjoyed like kids climbing up the steps of a slide and sliding down from the other end. They keep doing that and just do not get tired repeating the actions.

What's one thing you're grateful for today, and why?

noreply@blogger.com (Vijit) — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 22:21:00 +0000

Today I am grateful to have started reading a book after a long time. It all started with the daily habit of creating a to do list for the day which is evaluated at the end of the day for execution.

As part of this exercise, I asked myself a question, Why can't I finish reading one book per month? That way, I will end up reading 12 books in a year. I then checked out the total number of pages in the book and figured out that there are 263 pages. Oh God! That is too much said the devil in me. However, the angel in me, chose to challenge the devil. 263 pages does seem overwhelming but why not divide the number of pages with the number of days remaining in the month. I ended up doing that and figure out that it will take just 11 pages per day to achieve the goal of reading the book in hand. This is why asking challenging questions is important. It is only when you ask the right question that you get answers that sets you free. Otherwise, you will end up preventing yourself from taking action.

Moreover, once the ball gets rolling, the momentum will take it forward. The trick is simply to get started on a daily basis to work towards a longer duration goal. More often than not, it is inaction on our part that results in limiting ourselves from explore our full capability and potential. Stepping out of the comfort zone is the need of the hour. Distractions of all sorts exist in today's world but it hardly takes few minutes per day to stay focused and achieve your goals. Consistent and disciplined effort is what decides how successful you will be in life.

So, the one mantra to remember in life is ABCD - Always Be Consistent and Disciplined in life.

India wins T20 International World Cup

noreply@blogger.com (Vijit) — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 10:15:00 +0000

I had a sudden travel plan for some personal reason and happened to be travelling to Kerala on the final match day of T20 International world cup between India and South Africa. Around 8 pm India time the match started. Rohit Sharma had won the toss and elected to bat. Since I was travelling by Konkan railway, the network was on and off as it passed through ghats and tunnels. Most folks in the train were watching the match like me on Disney hotstar.

The match did not start well for India as Rohit and Rishabh were out pretty early. However, Virat who wasn't performing well throughout the world cup came up with a great performance to hold one end. Axar Patel took risks and scored well at the other end. With little cameos here and there the team managed to score a total of 174. It did feel short considering the South African batting lineup. However, it was still something that could be defended.

It was South Africa's turn to bat and the Indian bowlers managed to take couple of quick wickets. The South African team still maintained a descent run rate in the power play overs. After the powerplay overs as well the South African team were cruising along easily. Kuldeep and Axar were getting hit despite their great performances in previous matches. Klassen's wicket by Hardik was the first turning point. With the required rate around 6, the game was still tilted in South Africa's favor. Rohit brought back Bumrah earlier and he got Jansen's wicket. David Miller though was still looking dangerous. It was in Hardik's over that Surya Kumar Yadav took a great mindful catch of David Miller's by juggling the ball at the boundary line that totally tilted the game back in India's favor. He was going to cross the boundary line after catching the ball due to the momentum but threw the ball up in the air inside the boundary line, crossed the boundary line and came back in to catch the ball again. This I feel was the moment which changed the course of the game in India's favor.

Though it was a struggle to watch the match with the on and off network, in the end the result made it worth all the trouble.

Kudos Team India for bringing the T20 International world cup back home and also for the consistent and unbeaten run throughout the world cup tournament.

Thane to Thalaserry road trip Jun 2024 - Day2

noreply@blogger.com (Vijit) — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 16:30:00 +0000

Today was day2 of our road trip from Thane to Thalaserrry. We started the journey from Kolhapur at around 3.45 am in the morning. Due to 6 laning work in progress on the highway there was diversion at many places. We were getting off the highway onto the service road and vice versa at multiple places. We crossed Maharashtra border early morning. In Karnataka for most part the roads were better. Before Hubli we exited the highway and got onto state highway 1. The roads there were not in good shape. We took our first halt at New Malabar hotel on state highway for having breakfast. This is the only place in our entire journey where we encountered rains. The route passes through forest area and the greenery all around was soothing to the eyes.

After driving for couple of hours on state highway, we got onto to NH66 and thereafter the roads were superb. Our next halt was at a petrol pump where we bought Hangyo icecream. It is a good brand with good quality icecream available mostly in Karnataka. Marvanthe beach in Udupi is where we stopped next for a beautiful view of the beach. The blue sky and the sea waves were mesmerizing.

The next stop we took was at Mangalore for lunch. Post lunch we started again. We soon entered Kerala but the ongoing highway work caused lot of delay. However, once all the work gets completed it would save lot of time and ensure a great travel experience. I am sure once all the highway work gets done it will save 2-3 hours of travel time.

We reached Palooor in Mahe at around 7.30 pm. From there we reached Panoor by 8.15-8.30 pm. After getting fresh we went to our relatives house for attending the pre-wedding DJ party.

Thane to Thalaserry road trip June-2024 - Day1

noreply@blogger.com (Vijit) — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 18:17:00 +0000

Today afternoon around 2.05 pm, me, Jaisha, Shaarika and Ayush started our road trip from Thane to Thalaserry (Kerala). The journey till Pune was smooth and without any hiccups. From Pune, we did get stuck in traffic. However, the frustration was soon overcome by this beautiful landscape that we saw before reaching Satara:

In Satara we took a break for snacks at Vittal Kamat and bought kandi pedas. The tea at Kamat's was good. The view while having it, made it an even better experience:

Post tea we started our journey towards Kolhapur where we had booked a homestay. Due to road widening work happening on the highway, we got stuck in traffic at multiple places but it was satisfying to see the infrastructure development happening as it will improve the travel experience in the naar future. As we were nearing our homestay we took food parcel from a hotel. Around 10.45 pm we reached the homestay. We had food and signed off for the day.

Mahe pics

noreply@blogger.com (Vijit) — Sat, 04 May 2024 05:53:00 +0000

Rainbow

noreply@blogger.com (Vijit) — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 14:33:00 +0000

A nice rainbow witnessed on 25th August, 2023 on my way back home from office. Nature never ceases to surprise us. Beautiful surprises like this are always welcome 🌈

Proud to be an Indian

noreply@blogger.com (Vijit) — Sun, 14 Aug 2022 18:34:00 +0000

India or Bharat has been a land of sages

Known for its knowledge and culture since ages

We speak different languages and follow different religion

Yet we all live here in unison

Long before the world was debating about the earth being round or flat

We knew exactly where the different stars and planets sat

Located in between the Himalayas and the Indian Ocean

Finding us was Christopher Columbus’ failed mission

Ignorance makes the world think that we are an easy prey in a battle,

Knowledge makes them realize, we are made up of different mettle.

Do not ever think, we need to bow down and hide

When as an Indian, we should beam with pride.

A monsoon trip worth remembering

noreply@blogger.com (Vijit) — Sun, 18 Jul 2021 17:11:00 +0000

Today morning around 8 am my wife and her cousins picked me up from my home in Panoor for a trip that we planned. Though it was a planned trip, this was one trip that didn't go exactly as planned. Yet, it turned out to be one of the most memorable and fulfilling trips embarked upon.

Whenever I would talk about my place in Kerala with my friends and colleagues in Mumbai, I would state that I come from northern Kerala and not from southern Kerala where all the tourist spots are. However, today's trip was a real eye opener for me. There are so many unexplored places close to my home, which can be explored in under 2 hours drive. I hardly ever heard any of my relatives talk about these places. I wonder why these places are still not top tourist destinations.

The selfish me thinks that it was good that these places are not on the tourist map as it meant that there is no crowding at these places and we could enjoy peacefully and cover long distances in less time. The first place we visited was Edayar. This place is close to Kuthuparamba and about 30 minutes drive from my home. Then from there we took the Nedumpoil Manathavady road. All along the road there were beautiful places. On this route we got to see a nice water fall.

Below are few other pics on this route.

We had lunch at Kutiyadi and were actually thinking of going back home and skipping Vazhamala. We were initially thinking of targeting it for some other day. However, after some quick discussion we decided to visit Vazhamala today itself. A wise decision in the end as this place turned out to be the icing on the cake.

Vazhamala which is just 40 minutes drive from my home in Panoor was the biggest surprise for me. An awesome place, so close to my home and still never heard of by me until a day back. We actually took the wrong road on way to Vazhamala but then this place in the photo below is where we reached despite being on the wrong path. A testimony to the fact that at times, it is good that things do not go as planned.

Check out the below video of Vazhamala which we reached after doing course correction. The views from this place are mind blowing. We actually missed out exploring a point at Vazhamala but it could be covered only by walking and it would have taken 30 minutes one way. So, we chose to come back again for it.

A beautiful flower I clicked today morning

noreply@blogger.com (Vijit) — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 17:54:00 +0000

Today morning, I was lucky enough to witness this rain kissed flower at my home in Kerala. It was such a beautiful sight. Watching such beautiful sights in nature only reinforces my faith in a Supreme Intelligence that is the creative force behind everything. I do understand that there can be differences in how such a force is perceived in different cultures and religions of this world. However, to deny existence of a Supreme Intelligence seems to me as being ignorant of your own existence.

Your destiny is in your hands (handwriting)

noreply@blogger.com (Vijit) — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 04:53:00 +0000

I will consider year 2021 as a year of transformation for me. I learnt a new skill in the form of Handwriting analysis. The statement "Your destiny is in your hands" is true. Maybe, a bit generic. A much more specific statement will be "Your destiny is in your handwriting". While learning graphology, I realized how our handwriting is a mirror of our personality. There are so many traits that can be identified using the handwriting of a person. Just like fingerprint, each handwriting is unique. A handwriting can tell so many things about a person's state of mind and overall personality. Even health issues can be identified through a person's handwriting. I am glad that I choose to dive deep into handwriting analysis.

As part of the certification, I analyzed handwriting samples of friends, family members and even complete strangers about whom I knew little. On an average the accuracy of my analysis was above 95%. The reactions I got from people when I unraveled their personality traits were unbelievable. I had approached learning this skill with skepticism. I thought it would be more of a hit and a miss. However, I was surprised to find out how accurately a person's personality traits can be identified using handwriting analysis.

I have decided to dive deep and keep polishing my handwriting analysis skill. The satisfaction of helping people know themselves better and help them take wise decisions in their life is unparalleled. I hope that I am able to enhance my skills to such a level that I am able to guide people to take informed decisions about their own life.

Shameful act on Republic day

noreply@blogger.com (Vijit) — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 16:16:00 +0000

Today what happened in Delhi would have upset any Indian who loves his country. In the name of protest so called farmers chose to disrespect our national monuments and national flag. The day dedicated for our nation and constitution was chosen to demean both. Whether the protest against farm laws is genuine or not is secondary. Primary thing is that a nation because of which our individual identity exists was attacked in the name of farmers protest. It is utter shameful of the so called farmers to have done such atrocious things on a Republic day.

I choose to condemn the act of the pseudo farmers on Republic day. I know our honorable Prime Minister will not succumb to the pressure that they are trying to put on the government to repeal the farm laws.

Country first and everything else is secondary. We are because 🇮🇳 is.

Tadka_01 - Vodafone Idea Merger

noreply@blogger.com (Vijit) — Wed, 09 Sep 2020 04:57:00 +0000

Mission BBM Accomplished

noreply@blogger.com (Vijit) — Sat, 18 Jul 2020 19:07:00 +0000

In August, 2016 I decided to pursue the Bachelor's of Business Management Course from University of Mysore. My previous qualification was a Diploma in Production Engineering that was completed in the year 2001. I chose not to pursue a degree in engineering then. However, the lack of a formal degree was a short coming as few good career opportunities failed to materialize. I had made two previous attempts. One through IGNOU and another through Anamalai University. I did not attempt even a single exam. The enthusiasm and motivation at the time of enrollment fizzled out. I just could not get myself to focus on studying and gave up.

The Bachelor's of Business Management course from University of Mysore was my third attempt at completing my graduation. I enrolled in the year 2016 and there was a good chance of history repeating itself. I did not get started immediately after enrollment. The best part of University of Mysore was that there was a follow-up done wherein a representative would contact over email and/or phone to check on the progress. In the initial days, it helped me to overcome the inertia and the work place related challenges that prevented me from focusing on studies. I attempted few exams and again there was a break for few months. Then I set a target for myself to complete my exam by August-2019. Due to work load in office I missed this target. It was demotivating and I felt bad that I was not able to focus and get the course completed.

In December, 2019, I decided that come what may, I will complete the course by May, 2020. I took it as a mission to be accomplished. I figured out how many subjects were remaining to be attempted and created a tracker in Google drive for the remaining subjects. I attempted my last exam in June, 2020. The results got declared in July and I managed to clear all the remaining subjects. The whole experience taught me an important life lesson. Clearly defining a goal, putting specific timelines for the milestones in between and trust in the divine is how goals are accomplished. I believed that things not in my control will be taken care of by Him. I truly feel that Lord Shiva's blessings played an important role in having a strong faith that this time I will complete my graduation.

I am sure that successful completion of my graduation would serve as a catalyst in achieving few other goals I have set for myself. Ultimately, the process remains the same no matter what the goals are.

Swami Vivekananda - An Eternal Soul

noreply@blogger.com (Vijit) — Sat, 04 Jul 2020 18:10:00 +0000

Today is the death anniversary of a great soul named Swami Vivekananda. He left for heavenly abode on July 4, 1902. However, he is one of those rare personalities whose thoughts and words still continue to inspire and he remains amidst us as a guiding force. He was a perfect blend of scientific temper and spirituality. From being someone who did not believe in God, he transformed into a person who through self-realization became a strong advocate of existence of a divine force. He was against superstition and also believed that a divine force exists in every living being. How can racism or discrimination exist in the mind of someone who believes that God resides in every living being?

Whenever one feels low, reading few of Swami Vivekananda's quotes should be enough to fill you up with energy. He had said, "Thoughts live; they travel far". It is definitely true and his quotes are a testimony of this fact. They continue to inspire millions even today. Check out any of his pictures and there is something distinctive about his eyes. They still seem to communicate and his body language was that of a super confident person. He believed that all religions in this world are just different ways to reach the same God. Can anyone forget his speech at the World's Parliament of Religions, Chicago on 11th September, 1893?

Simple one liners of his are enough to inspire people to overcome inertia and start taking action towards their life goals. He believed that all knowledge is within us. He left this world at an early age of 39 but in that short span of life, he was able to motivate and inspire people from all walks of life not just in India but abroad as well.

He wanted every one to believe in oneself. A strong belief in self is the first step in the realization of God. Without having faith in self, faith is God is not possible. Isn't this true of any task you undertake in life and not just seeking the divine? Without self belief, nothing can be achieved in life.

I wish I could have met this great soul in person.

Image Courtesy: https://www.india.com/