Is there any benefit to working on a time machine? Is it really necessary to beat the clock, or is just respecting the passing minutes and recognizing our limitations the key to happiness?

The Time Machine

 

Do you believe in time travel? Have you experienced it or known someone who claims to have it? Have you seen the time machine? 

 

You could think I'm insane to talk about such a topic. Time travel, which is still restricted to science fiction, is an unachievable goal. It's an illusion, a mirage that distracts us from the richness of the present moment. 

 

However, my experience and answer to time travel are different. What if I tell you I am an exception and regularly experience time travelling?

My Experience

For a long time, I have had the energy and capacity to indulge in time travel. Yes, really. Come on. You think it is a fluke, but no, it is the most honest confession I am making. 

I have indulged in time travelling for years and have recently stopped it. 

If you think I am lying, then read on.

 

 

You see, I have this tremendous power to travel in time :). I can go to any place or moment I like or dislike. There are times when, in 2024, I can visit my friends from my school days who studied with me in the late 1990s. Or even better, I can travel in time (I'm not sure about the time-zone) but sometime in the future and try to resolve issues that may emerge. 

Do you think I am joking? NO. Do you think it is funny? Seriously, not. 

The truth is, I have wasted lots of time hallucinating. I have wasted too much time thinking of adverse events or correcting the wrongs in my life by thinking about them. For instance, I would often find myself replaying a conversation from the past, trying to come up with the perfect response, only to realize that it was a complete waste of  energy. I could have used that time to focus on my present tasks or plan for my future goals

What I Have Understood About Time?

Truth is, we all have this dirty habit of worrying about things/events that may or may not happen in the future. Try to correct or rephrase your words of the past that may or may not impact you today or change the future.

Sit with any youth in your family; he is big on dreams. His fantasies will show. Sit with an elder, and he will tell you stories from the past. He may discuss the mistakes committed, which he will correct or change if given a chance. He may tell you the decisions that went wrong.

So what does it mean?

It means we are all blessed with our own time machine, our mind. It is the most powerful processor and unbelievably efficient. All you have to do is take the matter into your own hands and have free time to dwell on your subject. 

 

 

Lately, I have realized that our biggest boon, our mind, is also our biggest enemy. Most of our struggles and miseries somehow echo in our minds. The mind is a powerful machine, and overthinking kills our ambitions, happiness, and sometimes our lives. 

What One Should Do?

Travelling to the future and hallucinating won't help the cause. Similarly, the past is just a reflection. You can't be in the past; it's gone, not coming back unless, of course, you don't want to relive the moment in your mind. 

 

 

My theory is that you shouldn't waste your energy travelling to the past or worrying about the future. Live in the present and give it your best shot. Embrace the present moment, and you'll find the inspiration and motivation you need to achieve your goals. You have the power to control your thoughts and focus on the present.

By focusing on the present, you can make the most of your current opportunities and set a strong foundation for your future success.

Let me try to explain the concept.

Have you seen a baby? He knows nothing about the past and has no worries about the future. He is the most adorable creature on earth because he lives in the present. 

He cries occasionally, laughs full-time, and enchants the whole surrounding. Even when no one is around, he is content and full of life, with bright eyes that are extraordinarily beautiful. He will cry when the time comes or if the need arises, but he never wastes a minute thinking about it.

 

 

My Final Take 

Time travel is a waste of energy and must be avoided at all costs. Living in the present is the cure. Your aspirations, relationships, or anything else under the sun require your efforts today. Thinking or overthinking will keep the result the same. 

Life is too short to waste on overthinking. Time travel is an illusion, so it is best left to experts to make a machine that will one day help us get past the limits of time. But until then, your time and energy mustn't be wasted on frivolous thoughts. Be in the present and work for the future, not live in the future, my friends. Planning for the future is important, but living in the future, constantly worrying about what's to come, is not productive.

 

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The Blue Umbrella (Book Review)

The Blue Umbrella is a simple, pleasing children's story that conveys the beauty and innocence of childhood in a charming and compelling way.

 

The Blue Umbrella

 

Ruskin Bond's novel The Blue Umbrella is a fictional short story. This is the second book in a row that I have read by Ruskin. Why did I read it? After all, it is a children's book. Well, there are occasions when reading stories is as beneficial as meditating. I wish I could have read the book to my little Aaruni, but life is rough.

 

 

Anyway, let's get back to the book review.

 

 

Story - The Blue Umbrella

The plot revolves around Biniya, who lives in a tiny village in the Himalayan foothills with her brother Vijay and mother. Despite their financial constraints, Biniya's family had enough land to grow the food they needed to go through the year.

In addition to attending school, Biniya is also responsible for grazing cows in the local woodlands in the hills. On one such day, she stumbled across a bunch of visitors vacationing in the hills. Biniya, wearing her lucky charm (Leopard nail pendant), watched well-off visitors sing and have a good time from a distance. 

 

 

But why did Biniya get stuck there? A beautiful blue silk umbrella of a tourist charmed Biniya. Fascinated, Biniya soon traded her lucky charm for the umbrella. 

The most valued item of Biniya became a source of desire and jealousy for the whole town. Ram Bharosa, the owner of the local tea shop where Biniya and Vijay go for toffees or sweets when they have extra cash, is so fascinated by her valued gift that he will go to any length to obtain it.

 

 

The tale soon turned ugly when Ram Bharosa devised a wicked plan to get the umbrella. I wish to tell more but then you may lose interest in reading so leaving it here )).

The characters were simple, and the story was perfectly created, displaying an excellent level of wordsmithing skill. The story was crafted meticulously, speaking highly of Ruskin Bond's ability to charm us. 

Verdict

 

What and how the tale unfolds makes it a must-read for your kids. The storyline is easy, and the characters are innocent. Ruskin does his best to play with the characters and describe the beauty of Dehra. Moreover, the book subtly teaches children about the consequences of jealousy and the value of simplicity. So, what's holding you back?

 

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The Room on the Roof (Book Review)

A great tale of salvation centered on a young orphan named Rusty. How he experienced self-reliance for the first time and lived life to the fullest while skillfully handling its complexities with a smile.

The Room on the Roof

I'm not a lover of fiction books, but Ruskin Bond is my first love. Hardy Boys and Ruskin were the first novels that inspired me to move away from comic books. As a teenager, I couldn't grasp some of Ruskin's novels (ideas or stories). 

Perhaps it was my lack of experience or inability to comprehend life's circumstances (as an 18-19-year youngster) that Ruskin so brilliantly depicts. However, the honesty or purity of the Master Wordsmith's tales, woven so simply yet artfully, has always struck a chord with me. Despite not completely comprehending his narrative, I was captivated by his works and, years later, discovered one of his books, "The Room on the Roof."

We know the writer's narration style works well for readers. Some start with a boom, while others open softly and discreetly to enchant their audience. Ruskin Bond is no exception. He can keep the momentum going, as you can see by reading him. Ruskin, in my opinion, is a master artisan of two things: narration and fighting boredom (since he can retain and describe every minute detail while bored).

Thus begins the trip (a pictorial representation of the stages of life)

Here I am writing my review for" The Room on the Roof".

Summary:)

Meet rusty, a 17-year-old orphaned boy (Anglo-Indian), who is on the cusp of adulthood. His journey is a relatable one, a quest to break free from the beautiful yet artificial environment provided by his English guardian, Mr. Harrison, in Dehra Dun, and escape the clamour and bustle of Indians. His rebellious spirit, the will to fight and strive for himself, is a mirror to the teenager in all of us. From being drawn to the vibrant world where he met people and made friends, to experiencing the pangs of first love, especially with a married woman, and then the heartbreak of losing her, Rusty's emotions are ones we've all felt.

This is a wonderful novel, especially considering that Ruskin wrote it when he was 17. Despite my admiration for Ruskin, Sir, this story needs improvement in several areas.

My View 

While the plot of 'The Room on the Roof' may seem a bit shallow and some aspects of the narrative may not align with reality, it's important to remember that this is a work of fiction. The characters, though intriguing, could have been more developed, leaving the reader wanting more. However, these flaws do not overshadow the book's unique charm.

However, what stands out in this novel is Ruskin's remarkable ability to capture life's nuances and translate them onto paper. His words are not just a story, but a window into a thinker's mind. Despite his young age, Ruskin's mental process was remarkably advanced, and this story, flawed as it may be, will still manage to captivate you. 

You may write back at garv560@gmail.com

Miracle of Love - Ram Dass (Book Review)

Have you ever lived with God? Do you ever desire a sense of one with Krishna or Ram ji while seeing the leilas that unfold in front of you?

Miracle Of Love - Ram Dass

The book is the work of Ram Dass, an American spiritual teacher and writer. He was one of many Western learners who sought the grace of an Indian monk with infinite abilities (or so we believe). This book takes you on a memorable journey with an outstanding man known affectionately as " Mahaguru or Maharaj Ji". The author has taken the pain/pleasure of collating accounts (real experiences) that many followers of Neem Karoli Baba recounted after his "Mahasamadhi" with his "Gurubhai"

While reading the stories based on actual experiences witnessed by followers, you may sense an enormous spirit that wandered throughout time and lived among us. 

The Book

Technically, this book is a collection of leilas performed by Maharaj Ji and their implications for his followers. The encounters were not always pleasant; some devotees had to deal with realistic results since nothing can alter Karma (according to MaharajJi). However, one thing is sure: Maharaj Ji loved everyone, regardless of their earthly imperfections, and saw God in everyone. He urges his followers to rise and grasp cosmic happenings, disseminate love and harmony, and, most importantly, feed the impoverished.

He never interfered with nature, even though he changed the course of events on several occasions, but this is the inconsistency I experienced about him. He was pure, compassionate, kind, happy, and clever, with supernatural abilities, yet he never wanted his followers to consider him as a God, only as a mere human being.

My Experience

As you can read the author's true accounts, I am writing this review based on my personal experience.

I will discuss something from my life book about Neem Karoli Baba. To begin with, I knew nothing about Baba Ji until a few years ago. It wasn't until I moved to my current city, Faridabad, that I saw strange flashes of an older man looking at me.

Initially, I was unconcerned, but as these flashes continued over the day and night (and in my dreams), I became alarmed. All I could see was a tall, old bald man with a light beard and a white (occasionally coloured) blanket staring at me. I was in the hospital once and sensed his presence among the crowd, which astonished and worried me. That day, I attempted unsuccessfully to find him among the hospital's patients, but no one matched the portrayal I had in mind.

For a few days, I felt odd but felt better when I saw an exact picture on television while my mother was watching a devotional channel. The picture was of Neemkaroli Baba. That day, the flashes ceased, and I felt a connection to him. I'm unsure if old Karma or something else pulled me to him, but I now regard him as a fantastic mentor who helps me when I need him.

I hope Maharaj Ji's blessings remain with all his followers and the tribe receives his protection whenever necessary. May Maharaji continue to lead us on the correct road. Jai Bajrang Bali.

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