Is there a single reality?

There is always a disconnect between perceived reality and 'reality'. But then does something called reality exist? Every fact, every event can be and more often than not is interpreted in numerous (may be infinite) ways by different people. These interpretations may be similar or contradicting but no two individuals process it in the same way. There is nothing right or wrong about any of the interpretations, they are merely different ways to look at the same situation. Thus my reality is different from your reality.. may be. My perceived reality stems from my experiences, identity and my state of mind.

When do these perceived realities start causing trouble? It is when we become intolerant to each others realities. Holding on to our ego and feeding it with suspicion, fear and hatred. Forgetting the humanity in others.

This leads to loss of peace - within and without.

What would be the best way to move forward when contradicting versions of realities come face to face?
How do we move towards a more shared version of the reality? Is it possible - I would like to think so that there is at least a possibility of finding common ground - to prevent conflicts and hatred. It is easier to do this in nascent and developing conflicts for sure.

I think the beginning would be the oft used and misused term - Empathy.

But is it possible to be truly empathetic - Can you be aware of the feeling and perspective of another individual from their perspective without having actually experienced it? Can you 'learn' to be empathetic? What would help you in  moving towards empathy from sympathy/ hatred/ or pity?

I think consciously seeking out opportunities for an open dialogue, shared (or similar) experiences,  access to knowledge and information which contradict your beliefs and understanding could be a beginning.

Who said it was easy???

Whom could she tell?

These days she could not sleep. She saw her husband and children sleep peacefully beside her and envied them. After the back breaking work of a whole day, the household chores, the daily farm work, she was exhausted but could not sleep!

As soon as she lay down, the same stifling feeling arose within her along with a restlessness that she could not describe. It had been a month now. She had not told anyone. Who could she share this with?

Her husband had long stopped conversations with her. The communications between them were now related to information sharing,about children and the routine requirements. There was no love anyway. In the beginning there was lust, now there is nothing other than duties, obligations and norms, which defines their marriage. But that is how it is, she already knew it. That is how it has always been.

Life is about doing what you are supposed to do not what you want to do. She had tried to make her daughter also understand the same. But she was too naive and foolhardy to understand this basic thing. Dreams and desires took over reason.

Her duty is towards her family, foremost towards her husband. She understood this. She had always been the faithful wife and the doting mother. Fasting and prayers were a part of her life. Gentle and sensitive, she never replied back or spoke in a loud voice. She could not hurt any living being, not even the cat which regularly stole milk from the kitchen.

She loved her daughter more than her sons. She was proud to be her mother. Her husband too loved the girl and treated her almost like his sons. They were not like other families who would not even educate their daughter. Her dream was to ensure that her daughter would pursue her dreams and live a better life than she did.

But that was not to be...

Her daughter, she betrayed them; her husband, her family. She brought shame. Love! How she hated this Love. Her daughter told her about love. That love was all that mattered to her. She could only stare at her girl, stare and stare. She was going to go. For Love!!!

It haunts her. The last moments of her daughter’s life, the last gasp of life!. She held her child close to her heart, comforted her with her embrace. The child whom she killed... she strangled and killed. She had to... for her husband... for her family... oh the honour! It haunts her... all night, all day

But whom could she tell?

The Journey is the Purpose...

I thought I knew everything that is to life... the past few months have changed that perception of mine. It is true that I have gone through experiences that many in my age would  not have till now. The fact that what I have gone through has contributed to my growth as a person and increased my understanding about life and myself  is also true. But now I think I am still largely ignorant about life...and seeking to understand the purpose of my life..

Logic cannot define what happens in life. It is experiential and different for everyone. The difference is in the experience and the way each of us look at these experiences. I used to be of the view that our character defines how we face certain situations, overcome difficulties, handle people and basically live life. But where does this 'character' come from? What factors govern this 'character'? What does it comprise of?  Is it totally dependent on me or you as an individual separate from family, religion, or society??  From the time we are born we are molded, corrected according to what is 'acceptable', 'appropriate', 'expected'. We are made to create this box of our own beyond which we cannot venture... all our thoughts are they ours? Or are we just repeating what we have been conditioned to think is right.

But that does not mean living a life without values or principles, but what are the values that are eternal and do not change - I seek those values! Values that connect humanity - or may be that drive creation.

I have also been wondering about this concept of the collective human un/conscious how does each individual action get reflected into this collective and what does that mean when I think regarding the consequences of my action beyond my lifetime.

This journey is a journey of solitude and silence, reflection and rigour... It is also endless - eternal - The journey of the human being...seeking purpose.

Untitled..Incomplete

What I seek has not changed,

Neither has how I feel,

This is not about you and I,

Not just us but even more

Friendship, you say

I say love is the core

Love isn't complicated, we are

The manifestation of our needs, thoughts and deeds

We can choose, but

To love or not, is not a choice

It is the beginning

The source.

Together...

I wish to run

To you

Not to comfort you

To be held and comforted

Selfishness drives me to you
No doubt!

The questions unanswered

The questions unasked
Linger between us

The hope;

The bridge will soon be made

And we will cross over

To this place of serenity and solace

Together....

Togetherness won't ask for sacrifice

Nor for compromise

All it would need is to

Understand and accept

To be and let us be

From Pain to Possibilities

To get hurt

To feel the pain

Wrenching the heart

Is to realise your

Humanity

To remind you that

Your vanity was in

Vain

How to

Embrace the hurt,

the pain?

What matters?

The awareness of each experience,

The experience of each emotion

The realisation

There are always path of possibilities

Ahead,

Tread on, run ahead...

Smile...

A journey to the soul..

I yearn for a journey

To the souls

Explore the depths of

Our thoughts and desires

The core of our being

The light beckons

You see only darkness

I see the path to my salvation

I can see you laugh

Silently at my ramblings of passion

But rest I will not

Until the pursued joins the pursuit

For I know you will

Hidden in your contempt is the need to be

More than now,

And what better than the love of love

Unbridled by rights and wrongs of the present

But guided by creation

Vibrant and alive

To show you the path you desire and fear...

Is but the truth of your being..