Saturday, December 16, 2006

do you know what time it is?

click here to find out

a child prodigy

check out this 2.5 year old child playing tabla

illusions

Imagine
the universe beautiful
and just and
perfect,

Then be sure of one thing:
the
Is has imagined it
quite a bit better
than you
have.

-- Illusions - a novel by Richard Bach

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

you are a puzzle

This is lyrics from a Qawwali by Late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan in Urdu. lyrics are by Naaz. A friend found it on internet with the English translation. Enjoy.

Tum Ik Gorakh Dhanda Ho

Kabhi Yahaan Tumhein Dhonda, Kabhi Wahaan Pohncha
Tumhari Deed Ki Khaatir Kahan Kahan Pohcha
Ghareeb Mit Ga'ay, Pamaal Ho Gaye Laikin
Kisi Talak Na Tera Aaj Tak Nishaan Pohncha
Ho Bhi Nahi Aur Her Jaa Ho
Ho Bhi Nahi Aur Her Ja Ho
Tum Ek Gorakh Dhanda Ho
Her Zarray Mein Kiss Shaan Say Tu Jalwa Numa Hai
Hairaan Hai Magar Aqal K Kaisay Hai To Kia Hai
Tum Ek Gorakh Dhanda Ho
Tujhay Dair-O-Haram Mein Nai Dhonda Tu Nahi Milta
Magar Tashreef Farma Tujhay Apne Dil Mein Daikha Hai
Tum Ek Gorakh Dhanda Ho
Dhonday Nahi Milay Ho Na Dhonday Say Kaheen Tum
Aur Phir Yeah Tamasha Hai, Jahan Hum Hein Waheen Tum
Tum Ek Gorakh Dhanda Ho
Jab Bajuz Tairay Koi Dosra Maujood Nahi
Phir Samajh Mein Nahi Aata Tera Purdah Karna
Tum Ek Gorakh Dhanda Ho
Harm O Dair Mein Hai Jalwa E Purfan Tera
Do Gharoon Ka Hai Charaagh E Kurkhe Roshan Tera
Tum Ek Gorakh Dhanda Ho
Jo Ulfat Mein Tumhari Kho Gaya Hai, Usi Kho'ay Hoay Ko Kuch Mila Hai
Na But-Khanay, Na Kabay Mein Mila Hai, Magar Totay Hoay Dil Mein Mila Hai
Adam Bun Ker Kaheen To Chup Gaya Hai, Kaheen To Hast Bun Ker Aa Gaya Hai
Nahi Hai Tu To Phir Inkaar Kaisa, Nafi Bhi Tairay Honay Ka Pata Hai
Mein Jiss Ko Keh Raha Hoon Apni Hasti, Agar Wo Tu Nahi To Aur Kia Hai
Nahi Aaya Khayaloon Mein Agar Tu, To Phir Mein Kaisay Samjha Tu Khuda Hai
Tum Ek Gorakh Dhanda Ho
Hairan Hoon Is Baat Pay, Tum Kon Ho Kia Ho
Haath Aao To But, Haath Na Aao To Khuda Ho
Tum Ek Gorakh Dhanda Ho
Aqal Mein Jo Ghir Gaya La-Intiha Kiyoon Ker Hoa
Jo Samajh Mein Aa Gaya Phir Wo Khuda Kiyoon Ker Hoa
Tum Ek Gorakh Dhanda Ho
Falsafi Ko Behas K Ander Khuda Milta Nahi
Dour Ko Suljha Raha Hai Aur Sira Milta Nahi
Tum Ek Gorakh Dhanda Ho
Pata Yoon To Bata Daitay Ho Sub Ko La-Makaan Apna
Ta'ajub Hai Magar Rehtay Ho Tum Tootay Hoay Dil Mein
Tum Ek Gorakh Dhanda Ho
Jab K Tujh Bin Nahi Koi Maujood
Phir Yeah Hangama Ay Khuda Kia Hai
Tum Ek Gorakh Dhanda Ho
Chuptay Nahi Ho, Samnay Aatay Nahi Ho Tum, Jalwa Dikha K Jalwa Dikhatay Nahi Ho Tum
Dair O Haram K Jhagray Mita'tay Nahi Ho Tum, Jo Asal Baat Hai Wo Batatay Nahi To Tum
Hairaan Hoon Mairay Dil Mein Sama'ay Ho Kiss Tarah, Haan'la K Do Jahan Mein Samatay Nahi To Tum
Yeah Ma Bud O Haram, Yeah Qaleesa-o-Dair Kiyoon, Harjayii Ho Jabhi To Bata'tay Nahi To Tum
Tum Ek Gorakh Dhanda Ho
Dil Peh Hairat Nai Ajab Rung Jama Rakha Hai, Aik Uljhi Howi Tasveer Bana Rakha Hai
Kuch Samajh Mein Nahi Aata K Yeah Chakkar Kia Hai, Khail Kia Tum Nai Azal Say Yeah Racha Rakha Hai
Rooh Ko Jism K Pingray Ka Bana Ker Qaidee, Us Pay Phir Mout Ka Pehraa Bhi Bithaa Rakha Hai
Day K Tadbeer K Panchi Ko Uranay Tu Nai, Daam-E-Tadbeer Mein Her Sumt Bicha Rakha Hai
Kar K Araish E Qounain Ki Barsoon Tu Nai, Khatam Karne Ka Bhi Mansooba Bana Rakha Hai
La-Makaani Ka Bahr Haal Hai Dawa Bhi Tumhein, Nahl-O-Akrab Ka Bhi Paighaam Suna Rakha Hai
Yeah Burai, Wo Bhalai, Yeah Jahannum, Wo Bahisht, Is Ulat Phiar Mein Farmao To Kia Rakha Hai
Jurm Aadam Nai Kiya Aur Saza Baitoon Ko, Adl O Insaaf Ka Mi'aar Bhi Kia Rakha Hai
Dai K Insaan Ko Dunya Mein Khilafat Apni, Ik Tamasha Sa Zamanay Mein Bana Rakha Hai
Apni Pehchaan Ki Khaatir Hai Banaya Sub Ko, Sub Ki Nazaroon Say Magar Khud Ko Chup Rakha Hai
Tum Ek Gorakh Dhanda Ho
Nit Naye Naqsh Banatay Ho Mita Daitay Ho, Janay Kiss Jurm-E-Tamanna Ki Saza Daitay Ho
Kabhi Kunker Ko Bana Daitay Ho Heeray Ki Kani, Kabhi Heeron Ko Bhi Mitti Mein Mila Daitay Ho
Zindagi Kitnay He Murdoon Ko Ata Ki Jiss Nai, Wo Maseeha Bhi Saleebon Pay Saja Daitay Ho
Khuwahish-E-Deed Jo Kar Baithay Sir-E-Tuur Koi, Tuur Hee Bark e Tajaali Say Jala Daitay Ho
Nalay Namrood Mein Dalwatay Ho Qudrat Na Khaleeq, Khud Hee Phir Naar Ko Gulzaar Bana Daitay Ho
Chahay Kin Aan Mein Phainko Kabhi Maah Kinaan, Noor Yaqoob Ki Aankhon Ka Bujha Daitay Ho
Day Ke Yusuf Ko Kabhi Mirs K Bazaaron Mein, Aakhir Kaar Shah-E-Misr Bana Daitay Ho
Jazb O Masti Ki Jo Manzil Pe Pohonchta Hai Koi, Baith Ker Dil Mein Anal Haq Ki Sada Daitay Ho
Khud He Lagwatay Ho Phir Kufr K Fatway Us Per, Khud He Mansoor Ko Sooli Peh Charha Daitay Ho
Apni Hasti Bhi Wo Ik Rooz Gawa Baith'ta Hai, Apne Darshan Ki Lagan Jiss Ko Laga Daitay Ho
Koi Ranjha Jo Kabhi Khooj Mein Nikle Teri, Tum Usay Jhang K Bele Mein Rula Daitay Ho
Justujo Lay K Tumhari Joh Chalay Qais Koi, Us Ko Majno Kisi Laila Ka Bana Daitay Ho
Jot? Sassi K Agar Mun Mein Tumhari Jagay, Tum Usay Taptay Hoay Thal Mein Jala Daitay Ho
Sohni Gar Tum Ko Mahiwaal Tassawur Ker Le, Us Ko Bikhri Howi Lehroon Mein Baha Daitay Ho
Khudh Joh Chaho To Sar-E-Arsh Bula Ker Mehboob, Aik He Raat Mein Mairaaj Kara Daitay Ho
Tum Ek Gorakh Dhanda Ho
Aap Hi Apna Pardah Ho
Tum Ek Gorakh Dhanda Ho
Jo Kehta Hoon Mana Tumhein Lagta Hai Bura Sa, Phir Bhi Hai Mujhay Tum Say Baharhaal Gila Sa
Chup Chaap Rahay Daikhtay Tum Arsh-E-Bareen Per, Taptay Hoay Karbal Mein Mohammad Ka Nawasa
Kiss Tarah Pilata Tha Laahu Apna Wafa Ko, Khud Teen Dino Say Wo Agarchay Tha Piyasa
Dushmun To Bahar Haal Thay Dumshun Magar Afsoos, Tum Nai Bhi Faraham Na Kia Pani Zara Sa
Her Zulm Ki Taufeeq Hai Zaalim Ki Wirasat, Mazloom K Hissay Mein Tasalli Na Dilasa
Kal Taaj Saja Daikha Tha Jis Shaqs K Sir Per, Hai Aaj Usi Shaqs K Haathon Mein Hikasa
Yeh Kia Hai Agar Pochon To Kehtay Ho Jawaban, Is Raaz Say Ho Sakta Nahi Koi Shanasa
Tum Ek Gorakh Dhanda Ho
Hairat Ki Ik Dunya Ho
Tum Ek Gorakh Dhanda Ho
Har Aik Jaan Pey Ho, Laikin Pata Nahi Maloom
Tumahra Naam Suna Nai, Nishaan Nahi Maloom
Tum Ek Gorakh Dhanda Ho
Dil Say Armaan Jo Nikal Ja'ay To Jugnu Ho Ja'ay, Aur Aankhon Mein Simat Aa'ay To Aanso Ho Ja'ay
Ja Pe Ya Huu Ka Jo Be Hu Karay Hu Mein Kho Ker, Us Ko Sultaniyaan Mil Jaein Woh Baahu Ho Ja'ay
Baalgi Ka Na Kisi Ka Ho Churi Ke Neechay, Halk-E-Asghar Mein Kabhi Teer Tarazu Ho Ja'ay
Tum Ek Gorakh Dhanda Ho
Kiss Qadar Beniyaaz Ho Tum Bhi
Daastan E Niyaaz Ho Tum Bhi
Tum Ek Gorakh Dhanda Ho
...
Raah-E-Tehqeeq Mein Her Gaam Pay Uljhan Daikhoon, Wohi Halaat O Khayalaat Mein Anaban Daikhoon
Bana Ke Rah Jaata Hoon Tasaveer Pareshaani Ki, Ghaur Say Jab Bhi Kabhi Dunya Ke Darpan Daikhoon
Aik He Khaaq Pay Fitrat Ke Tajaadaat Itne, Itne Hisson Mein Banta Aik He Angan Daikhoon
Kahin Zahmat Ki Sulagti Howi Patjhar Ka Sama, Kahin Rahmat Ke Barastay Hoay Sawan Daikhon
Kahin Punkartay Darya, Kabhin Khamosh Pahar, Kabhi Jungle, Kahin Sahra, Kahin Gulshan Daikhoon
Khoon Rulata Hai Yeh Taqseem Ka Andaaz Mujhay, Koi Dhanwaan Yahaan Per Koi Nirdhan Daikhoon
Din Ke Haathon Mein Faqat Ek Sulagta Suraj, Raat Ki Maang Sitaroon Say Muzayyan Daikhon
Kahin Murjha'ay Howe Phool Hein Sach'chaii Ke, Aur Kahin Jhoot Ke Kaanton Pay Bhi Joban Daikhon
Shams Ki Khaal Kaheen Khinchti Nazar Aati Hai, Kaheen Sarmad Ki Utarti Howi Gardan Daikhoon
Raat Kia Shay Hai Sawayra Kia Hai, Yeah Ujala Yeah Andhera Kia Hai
Mein Bhi Naayib Hoon Tumhara Aakhir, Kiyoon Yeh Kehtay Ho K Tera Kya Hai
Tum Ek Gorakh Dhanda Ho
Daikhnay Wala Tujhay Kia Dekhta
Tu Nai Her Rung Say Pardah Kia
Tum Ek Gorakh Dhanda Ho
Masjid Mandir Yeh Mekhanay, Koi Yeh Manay Koi Woh Manay
Sub Tere Hein Jaana Kasahanay, Koi Yeh Manay Koi Woh Manay
Ik Honay Ka Tere Qaail Hai, Inkaar Pay Koi Maail Hai
Ik Khalq Mein Shaamil Karta Hai, Ik Sub Say Akela Rehta Hai
Hein Dono Tere Mastanay, Koi Yeh Manay Koi Woh Manay
Sub Hein Jab Aashiq Tumhare Naam Ke, Kiyoon Yeh Jhagray Hein Rahim-O-Raam Ke
Tum Ek Gorakh Dhanda Ho
Dair Mein Tu Haram Mein Tu, Arsh Pe Tu Zameen Pe Tu
Jiss Ki Pohonch Jahan Talak Us K Liyeah Waheen Pe Tu
Tum Ek Gorakh Dhanda Ho
Her Ik Rung Mein Yakta Ho
Her Ik Rung Mein Yakta Ho
Tum Ek Gorakh Dhanda Ho
Markaz E Justuju, Aalam E Rung O Boo, Dum Ba Dum Jalwagar Tu He Tu Chaar Su
Hu K Mahool Mein Kuch Nahi Illah Hu, Tum Bohot Dilruba Tum Bohot Khoobaru
Arsh Ki Azmatein Farsh Ki Aabro, Tum Ho Qonein Ka Haasil-E-Aarzo
Aankh Nay Ker Lia Aanso'on Say Wazu, Ub To Ker Do Ata Deed Ka Ik Sabu
Aao Parday Say Tum Aankh K Ru Baru, Chund Lamhay Milan Do Ghari Guftagu
Naaz Jabta Phiray Ja Baja Qo Ba Qu, Wahdahu Wahdahu La Shareeka Laho
Allah Hu Allah Hu Allah Hu Allah Hu
Allah Hu Allah Hu Allah Hu Allah Hu



English Translation

Sometimes I looked for you here, and some times there
To have your sight I’ve been ruined and I’ve everywhere
The dear ones vanished, but No one gut a lead to you
You are not, yet you are at every place you are a puzzle
With what splendour you can be seen in every speck
But the mind is puzzled what you look like and what you are
You are a puzzle
I looked for you in the houses of worship, but couldn’t find you
Yet I found you residing in my heart you are a puzzle
I couldn’t find you anywhere
But the spectacle is that You are there You are a puzzle
If there is none but you
Then I cannot understand why veil Yourself You are a puzzle
You manifest-in the houses of worship Your light is resplendent in these places You are a puzzle
He who is lost in your love He is rewarded
You could not be found either in a temple or Ka’bah
But you could be found in a broken heart Sometimes you are hidden as non-existence and somewhere you appear as existence
If you are not then why deny?
Even the negation confirms your existence the one I call my Existence who is that if not you?
If you didn’t come in my thoughts
Then how did I learn you are God?
You are a puzzle
What puzzles me is who and what are You You’re an idol when You come by and if not then You are God You are a puzzle How did the one who entered wisdom could become Everlasting? How did one who comes into mind’s grasp become God The philosopher doesn’t find God in an argument He is trying to untangle the cord but cannot find the top You tell all You are homeless But surprisingly You dwell in a broken heart You are a puzzle If there is none but You 0 God, then what is all this commotion about? You are a puzzle You don’t hide, You don’t show Yourself You show the manifestation but don’t show Yourself You don’t remove the conflicts of the manner of worship You don’t reveal the exact things I’m surprised how You accommodated in my heart? When the two worlds are not enough for You You are in the houses of worship You are faithless for not showing Your countenance You are a puzzle The puzzle taken strange possession of my heart A confused picture it’s drawn within it I do not understand what all this puzzle is What is this game You’ve been playing since the beginning of time You made the soul the prisoner of the body’s
Cage and then put the guard of death on it ‘ You make the bird of contrivance fly ‘ yet you’ve spread the net of fate everywhere
For years you adorned the world and hereafter yet you have also made the plan of destruction though you claim to be homeless
Yet you preached about home, kith and kin this is bad, this good, this is hell, this is heaven
Please tell me what is in this perplexity? For Adam’s crime you punish his children is that the standard of your justice?
By giving the earthly vicegerency to the man you have made it into a spectacle
For Your own recognition you created all But you hide yourself from all
You are a puzzle
You draw and erase yourself
I don’t know which crime of desire you punish us
Sometimes you’ll turn a pebble into a diamond
Other times you’ll turn a diamond into dust the one who revived many dead
You made him to adorn the crucifix the one that longed to have your sight on the Mount Sinai
You reduced the Mount to ashes with the Lightning of your Manifestation
You wished Abraham to be thrown into Nimrud’s
Fire then you turned that fire into flowers yourself Sometimes you throw a Canaanite into the well of Canaanites
And then deprive Jacob of his sight
You make Joseph to be put into the slave-mart of Egypt
And then you also make the king of Egypt when someone reaches to the destination of higher spirituality
You make him to voice: I’m the Truth
Then allow the verdicts of infidelity against
Him you send yourself Mansoor to the crucifix
One day he too loses his life Whom You make to see Your sight If a Ranjha goes in Your quest
You make him in the charity of Jhang If some Majnun goes in Your quest
You make him a beloved of some Laila If Your love awakens in Sassi’s heart You scorch her in a burning desert
If Sohni imagined you as her Mahinval
You drowned her into the ragging currents You do as You wish by summoning to the Heaven And in a single night You can make the Prophet’s Accession to Heaven
You are a puzzle you’re Your Veil you are a puzzle
I accept what I say You mind it a little But still I’ve a little complaint to make You sat quiet on your Throne and watched Muhammad’s grandson the scorching desert of Karbala
How he was giving his blood for Your Love though he was thirsty for three days
His enemies were after all enemies, but it’s sad even you didn’t provide him with a little
Water Every favour of oppression is the inheritance of the oppressor
But the oppressed is neither consoled nor comforted
Yesterday he who had a crown on his head Today I see him with a begging bowl what is this? If I ask your answer is
That no one can get acquainted with this secret you are a puzzle
You are a world of astonishment
You are Omnipresent but I do not know where
I have heard your name but I do not know your location
Once the heart’s wish is fulfilled it glows
And when eyes are gratified they are filled.
With tears

When a person is lost in spiritual love
He is elevated and becomes like Bahu the poet No one comes to harm under a dagger
But the arrow in an infant’s throat becomes the scale of justice
You are a puzzle
How carefree you are. A long story you are you are a puzzle
Inquiring about you cause confusion at
Every step
I see discord between the circumstances and
Ideas I become a picture of distress
Whenever I see in the mirror of the world
I see so many contradictions in a single eye I see one place divided into so many parts somewhere I see the autumnal smoke of hardship and somewhere I see the monsoon showers of blessing

Here I see hissing rivers and there silent
Mountains Here I see a forest, there I see a desert and somewhere else I see a garden
This style of division writhes me I see some rich and some poor here. Here I see only one sun shinning
While the night is bedecked with millions of stars
Here I see the withered flowers of truth There I see the thorns of lies abloom Somewhere I see Shamas skinned alive Somewhere I see Sarmad’s head severed What is night? What is morning?
What is light? What is darkness? After all I’m also your deputy but you see what is yours?

You are a puzzle
What would a person see of you? You are veiled in every way you are a puzzle
These mosques, temples and taverns some believe in this and some believe in that
All are you abodes, Dear Some believe in this and some believe in that we are convinced of your
Oneness someone leans towards negation But You know the truth Someone believes in this and someone
believes in that
One includes me with the creation The other stays aloof from all
Both are Your devotees Some believe in this and some believe in that
If all are the devotees of your name Then why the conflict of your names? You are a puzzle
You are in every house of worship you are in both the worlds wherever one is
You are there for him
In everywhere You are Unique You are a puzzle
You are the centre of our quest, the world of colour and scent
You manifest all the time, You are Omnipresent In Bahu’s surrounds there is only You
You are the beloved, very Handsome
You are the Glory and Honour of the Heavens you are the gain of longings of the two worlds you gave eyes and makes us perform ablution with the tears
Now give us a flask of your manifestation Come out of the veil before me
For a short meeting and a conversation
Naaz will tell his beads place to place, street
To street
Allah is one, He has no partner
Allahu, Allahu, Allahu......................

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Salaamalek!

Salaamalek Kabul

Salaamalek Berlin
Salaamalek Moscow
Salaamalek New York
Salaamalek Santiago, Mogadishu

Salaamalek Paris
Salaamalek Shanghai
Salaamalek London
Salaamalek Delhi
Salaamalek Hiroshima, Nagasaki

Give Us a Piece of Peace
Give Us a Piece of Love!

Salaamalek Cape Town
Salaamalek Baghdad
Salaam Tehran
Salaamalek Saigon
Salaamalek Abu Dhabi, Guatemala

Salaamalek Dushanbe
Salaamalek Al Beirut
Salaamalek Istanbul
Salaamalek Al Mecca
Salaamalek Jerusalem, Islamabad

Give Us a Piece of Peace
Give Us a Piece of Love!

Oh mate! Let the entire society be apprised
Neither come I from East or North, nor from West or South!
My home is the East of emotions of Rumi's verses
My nest is the west of grief, brimful with twilight
Mark my address as "Friend's Home"
Neither stony or wooden, nor adobe it is
My home is as colorless as love's colorlessness
Neither come I from East or North, nor from West or South!

Lyrics of a song by Farhad Darya

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

baggage

Once a while we get these flashes of memory from past events that bother us. These are situations which we did not accept fully when they occurred. They become part of this baggage that we carry with us. Eckhart Tolle calls this pain body.

We need to take care of this baggage from two fronts. On one side we need to decrease its growth and on the other side we need to start getting rid of what's in the baggage from past.

As new events occur in our life everyday, we need to accept them as they are. This will make sure these don't get added to the baggage.

As we get memory flashes from past, we need to accept those past events unconditionally so they are removed from the baggage.

Acceptance his Will (Hukam) as it unfolds in everyday life will trigger His Grace. The Grace will align us to the flow of life. The alignment is the purpose of our life. Being in alignment does not require effort. It's about being not doing.

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

The message of Diwali

During the night of Diwali the myriad little clay lamps (diyas) seem to silently send forth message of Diwali: "Come, let us remove darkness from the face of the earth".
The dharma of the fire is the same wherever it is: in a poor man's house, or in a rich man's house, in America, in Antarctica, or in the Himalayas. It gives light and heat.

The flame of the light is always turned up. Even if we keep the lamp upside down, the flame will burn upwards. The message is that our mind should be focused on Atman, the Self wherever we are. The lamps remind us of our dharma of realizing our divine nature. "

The Self is self-luminous being pure Consciousness. The cognition of all objects arises from the light of pure Consciousness." -says Bhrihadaranyaka Upanishad.

One lamp can light several others. Even after lighting 1000 other lamps, still the flame and the light of the first lamp will remain as it is. It loses nothing. By becoming manifold, the light loses nothing.

The rows of lamps teach yet another important lesson and that is of unity. The light that shines forth from the Sun, the moon, the stars, and the fire is all the same. To see and recognize that one light, the light of consciousness, which is manifesting and pulsating in and through all of creation, is the goal of life.

The lights of Diwali are displayed at the entrance doors, by the walls of houses, in the streets and lanes. This means that the inner spiritual light of the individual must be reflected outside. It should benefit the Society. Feeding empty stomachs, lighting blown-out diyas and bringing light to those whose lives are in darkness is the true spirit of Diwali.

-- from an invitation to a Diwali celebration gathering

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Blind City Tech Student from Afghanistan to Compete in New York City Marathon

It won't be hard to spot 45-year-old Nooria Nodrat among the 37,000 or so runners participating in the New York City Marathon on November 5. She'll be the one in an Achilles Track Club t-shirt accompanied by a coterie of six runners, one of whom will be tethered to her with a dish towel.

One of 20 totally blind participants seeking to complete the grueling 26.2-mile course, Nodrat, a student at New York City College of Technology/CUNY (City Tech) majoring in human services, has been there before; this marks the sixth year in a row she has competed. Her support team of volunteers from the Achilles Track Club will help her avoid collisions, stay upright throughout the course and find toilets and water.

Her achievement is all the more remarkable given a daunting array of difficulties and tragedies that lay in her path. Born in Kabul in 1961, long before the Taliban took over Afghanistan, Nodrat remembers the country as an old world poised for change -- a world where women had to accept a subservient role. At 16, she entered an arranged marriage with a man 21 years her senior. They had two children, a son and a daughter.

Both her oldest brother, Zia, whom she idolized, and her husband were blind. To be of assistance to them, she learned Braille, unaware of how necessary that skill would become later in her life. She worked as an editor in the Publishing Services Department at the Institute for the Blind in Afghanistan, proofreading large print books and checking Braille texts.

In 1988, her brother was kidnapped by fanatics and never heard from again. A few years later, her husband of ten years was killed by a terrorist bomb. Soon after, Nodrat came with her parents to the United States, leaving her children with her husband's brother, who then refused to send them after her. Finally, in 1995, after four agonizing years, she was reunited with her children in New York. "Women in my country have to be patient. Very, very patient," she says.

In 1997, tragedy struck again. Nodrat was attacked in the subway by a mentally disturbed teenager who threw her to the floor and repeatedly punched her in the head, destroying her retinas, which were already weak from glaucoma. Following the attack, she lost her sight completely. Despite five surgeries, the doctors could not restore her sight and in 2003, after she developed an infection, she chose to have both eyes removed because of the pain.

Through it all, Nodrat persevered. She will receive her associate degree at the end of this semester and will go on for a bachelor's degree in human services at City Tech. She then plans to earn master's and doctoral degrees from Hunter College to prepare for a career as a clinical psychologist. Her children, now 25 and 22 years old, have done well academically and have made Nodrat proud.

"I'll be walking the marathon course this time," she says, "because my schedule is too busy to make time for running training." Not only is Nodrat a full-time college student, she has mentored other students and has worked as a volunteer at the Catholic Guild for the Blind and the Jewish Guild for the Blind, offering English as a Second Language training to blind students.

As president of the National Federation of the Blind's New York Student Division, she helps blind high school and college students navigate the higher education system. The group's mission is to help blind students understand their rights, help them achieve their goals, and realize and maximize their potential. Her strong knowledge of computers and technologies for the visually impaired has proven to be very useful.

"I've contacted 15 colleges and am working with the heads of their disability offices to develop strategies so that we can pursue programs to help disabled students," she explains. "One person alone can't achieve very much. But many voices together can make a difference."

In addition, she is trying to create a foundation to help blind women and children in Afghanistan. "My job is to raise my voice," she says. "I hope to encourage sighted people to join the struggle -- to support organizations that help women and the disabled."

She is also an active member of the Women's Association of New York. A resident of Long Island City, she was a volunteer in the Department of Music Therapy at the Queens Center for Progress. In her "spare time," she does karate (as an advanced yellow belt), yoga and ceramics.

Nodrat has received awards and scholarships in recognition of her activism and academic achievements from the National Federation of the Blind, the American Council of the Blind and the New York City Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind, among others. In 2006, she received a Benjamin H. Namm Scholarship from City Tech. Despite a jam-packed schedule, she has maintained a 3.7 (out of 4.0) grade point average in her studies.

"I think I've chosen the right field," she says about her decision to become a clinical psychologist. "A person who has known hardship, as I have, is in a good position to help others who are struggling to make sense of their lives."

Nodrat's guide dog, Yahoo, a black Labrador named after the Internet company that sponsored his training, changed Nodrat's life, she says. "For the past four years, Yahoo has allowed me to move through the world with more confidence. He was trained by Guiding Eyes for the Blind, a wonderful training school."

She expresses deep gratitude to other organizations that have helped along the way, including, The Lighthouse, the Catholic and Jewish Guilds for the Blind, the Achilles Track Club (which helps athletes with disabilities compete in sports activities), the Commission for the Blind, Vision Self Manner, Recording for the Blind, Hadley School for the Blind and City Tech, which supports more than 30 students with varying degrees of visual disabilities.

As the marathon approaches, Nodrat is looking forward to the challenge. "Last year, I finished in seven hours and 15 minutes. This year, if I can make it in six and a half hours, I'll consider it a great victory. I want to say to the world, if Afghan women have the chance, they can do great things. If I can be an example for them, it would be an honor for me."

The largest public college of technology in New York State, New York City College of Technology of The City University of New York enrolls more than 13,000 students in 57 baccalaureate, associate and specialized certificate programs. Located at 300 Jay Street in Downtown Brooklyn, City Tech is at the MetroTech Center academic and commercial complex, convenient to public transportation.

Source: New York City College of Technology

Thursday, September 28, 2006

suffering

We are all part of same consciousness or better yet, there's one consciousness and we can connect to it by awareness and being in presence. It's difficult to see the oneness of consciousness in everybody. Our conceptual image of others takes over our mind and we see others through our mind made conceptual filters.

Most of us are also in grip of Ego. To see the oneness, we will need to see through the Ego and feel the consienceness in everyone.

Due to ego, there's suffering. Everyone is suffering, here's another common attribute. Why not recognize the existence of suffering and bring out compassion when we see the egoistic actions of others.

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

from light to peace


If there is light in the soul,
There will be beauty in the person.
If there is beauty in the person,
There will be harmony in the house.
If there is harmony in the house,
There will be order in the nation.
If there is order in the nation,
There will be peace in the world.

-- Chinese Proverb

Thursday, September 07, 2006

shift from war to peace

from monthly newsletter of Institute of Noetic Sciences.

Swami Beyondananda Answers Your Questions - and You Will Question His Answers

Dear Swami:

How do we shift our world from war to peace?

Aretha Flowers, Covington KY


Dear Aretha:

I have been asked many, many times if there will there ever be peace on earth, and I have great news. There will indeed be peace on earth. Now the trick is making sure we humans are around to enjoy it. Will we achieve critical mass before we reach critical massacre? That is the critical question.

The first step is owning our own part, which I call the peace-meal approach to peace. Each of us is responsible for a small piece of the peace and we build peace, peace by peace, through our own choices. You are probably familiar with the story of the Native American grandfather who tells his grandson that there are two wolves fighting inside all of us: the wolf of fear and anger, and the wolf of love and peace.

"Which one will win?" asks the young boy.

"Whichever one we feed," replies the grandfather.

And it's hard to feed the wolf of peace when you have "one nation, under guard."

Secondly, we must enroll all of the world's religious and spiritual leaders who see that indeed we are all in this together to stand together as a force for peace and sanity. Call me a hopeless optimystic, but I believe you CAN teach an old dogma new tricks. As a matter of fact, I recently received a transmission from the ascended guru of rock n' roll, Baba Oom Mow Mow, whose mission is help the world change its tune by rewriting the oldies. I present his latest offering, to the tune of "Abraham, Martin and John:"

Anybody here seen my old friend Moses
Can you tell me where he's gone
They're breaking his tablets
Forgettin' we're all one
He's needed in old Lebanon

Anybody here seen my old friend Jesus
Can you tell me where he's gone
Saved lots of people
But the savin' ain't quite done
It's needed in old Lebanon

Didn't you love the things that they stood for?
Why do we stand for less from you and me?
We hold the key
To someday soon, well now is that one day

Anybody here seen my old friend Muhammad?
Can you tell me where he's gone
He's saying "peace to all people"
Alaikam salaam
It's needed in old Lebanon

© Copyright 2006 by Steve Bhaerman. All rights reserved. Give the gift of laughter with Swami's Fool Enchilada Special. To find out more about that and Swami's schedule, call (800) SWAMI-BE or visit the Swami online at http://www.wakeuplaughing.com

Tuesday, September 05, 2006

9/21 is peace day


celebrate peace day, click here to find an event near you.

aimless love - a poem


Wednesday, August 23, 2006

acknowledgment

I dreamt that I went to Heaven and an angel was showing me around. We walked side-by-side inside a large workroom filled with angels.

My angel guide stopped in front of the first section and said, "This is the Receiving Section. Here, all petitions to God said in prayer are received." I looked around in this area, and it was terribly busy with so many angels sorting out petitions written on voluminous paper sheets and scraps from people all over the world. Then we moved on down a long corridor until we reached the second section. The angel then said to me, "This is the Packaging and Delivery Section. Here, the graces and blessings the people asked for are processed and delivered to the living persons who asked for them." I noticed again how busy it was there. There were many angels working hard at that station, since so many blessings had been requested and were
being packaged for delivery to Earth.

Finally at the farthest end of the long corridor we stopped at the door of a very small station. To my great surprise, only one angel was seated there, idly doing nothing. "This is the Aknowledgment Section," my angel friend quietly admitted to me. He seemed embarrassed "How is it that? There's no work going on here?" I asked. "So sad," the angel sighed. "After people receive the blessings that they asked for, very few send back acknowledgments.
"How does one acknowledge God's blessings?" I asked. "Simple," the angel answered. "Just say, "Thank you, Lord." "What blessings should they acknowledge?" I asked.

"If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep you are richer than 75% of this world. "If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy. "And if you get this on your own computer, you are part of the 1% in the world who has that opportunity."
Also ..... "If you woke up this morning with more health than illness .... you are more blessed than the many who will not even survive this day.

"If you have never experienced the fear in battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation .. you are ahead of 700 million people in the world. "If you can attend a church meeting without the fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death you are envied by, and more blessed than, three billion people in the world. "If your parents are still alive and still married .. you are very rare. If you can hold your head up and smile, you are not the norm, you're unique to all those in doubt and despair."

Ok, what now? How can I start? If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in that someone was thinking of you as very special and you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all.

-- from a forwarded email message

Wednesday, August 02, 2006

Dr. Emoto's research on Messages from Water

Take part in this experiment by clicking on this link: Crystal Image Assessment

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

hope

Why fill the heart with hopes? Leave it empty for God.

Robert Mertens

Hope assumes future. Future takes us away from Present. Hope requires mind stuff such as concepts, expectations, and results. Hope implies some type of resistance to what is Now. There's an opportunity to accept something. Let's accept whatever that is and it will give us a lasting peace, unlike hope.

Friday, July 21, 2006

what is kirten?

Kirten is realizing the greatness of God and being grateful for it. Greatness of God can be seen everywhere, in each particle of dust, in each insect, in sun, in each flower, in each person, in each breath. It needs alertness, focus and a still mind.

- paraphrased from a discourse by Bhai Jaspal Singh on a Shabad by Guru Nanak

Friday, July 07, 2006

daily conversation

we need to have a daily conversation with God.
we need to thank him for what we perceive to be "good" and ask for His help and guidance for "problems" and "challenges" we face.

- a devoted Sikh

Thursday, July 06, 2006

thoughts

"You are today where your thoughts have brought you;
you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you."

Trying to create a better life without monitoring the way we think is like driving a car in a circle. We can drive for miles and miles and still get nowhere..

- Beliefnet

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

quickest way to shift

Swami Beyondananda Answers Your Questions -- and You Will Question His Answers

Dear Swami:
What is the quickest way to
shift my consciousness?
S.D., San Rafael CA

Dear S.D.:

Well, that all depends on whether you want to downshift or upshift. Downshifting is quick and easy. Just turn on your TV, and voila! Just by a flick of the remote, you’ve shifted from consciousness to semi-consciousness. But if you want to shift your karma into surpassing gear up there into higher consciousness, you’ll need a powerful transmission. So the first thing is, go meditate to find out what Spirit wants to transmit through you. Then, whatever that is, do it. As soon as you are doing something that brings Spirit to the world, your consciousness will automatically upshift. True, shift happens. But if we want good shift to happen, we must make the shift ourselves. When we find our own expressway for expressing our spirit, that is where the karma meets the road.

Visit the Swami online at www.wakeuplaughing.com

Monday, July 03, 2006

ignorance

"citizenship?"
"US"
"Where were you born?"
"Afghanistan"
"ID's ..."
"Have you been back to Afghanistan?"
"No."
"Do you have another passport?"
"No."
"Have you been to Middle East?"
"No."
"What were you doing in Canada?"
"Attended a wedding."
"Where?"
"Toronto"
"Did you visit any mosques?"
"I'm not a Muslim."
"That was not my question."
"No, I have not visited any Mosques."

This was the question and answer during the crossing of the Windsor-Detroit border into US yesterday.

I could not believe a day would come where visiting a place of worship would be used to filter people out in United States.

After we got home, I had to explain my 7 years old daughter, why the custom officer asked about visitng a mosque. She was very curious.

My explanation included the topic of Al-Qaida, Bin-Laden, Taliban, 9/11, current conflict in Afghanistan, war in Iraq and recent terrorist activities. I gave my little story the title of "ignorance".

These were some of her questions after my explanation:
- Why would someone kill others just because they think or believe differently?
- How can someone kill himself and others and believe that they are going to Heaven?
- How can fighting bring peace?
- How can hatred remove hatred? Didn't Martin Luther King say Love removes hatred?

Saturday, June 03, 2006

seven focus phrases

seven focus phrases by John Selby:

1. i give myself permission to feel good.
2. i let go of my worries and feel peaceful in my mind. (fear not)
3. i accept everyone as they are.
4. i accept and love myself as i am.
5. my heart is open to receive.
6. i feel connected with my Source.
7. i'm here to serve, prosper and enjoy.

take a minute to say these phrases few times a day.

Thursday, May 25, 2006

I'm thankful ...

I'm thankful for ...

For my shadow that watches me work
because it means
I am out in the sunshine

For a lawn that needs mowing,
windows that need cleaning,
and gutters that need fixing
because it means I have a home.

For all the complaining
I hear about the government
because it means
we have freedom of speech..

For the parking spot
I find at the far end of the parking lot
because it means I am capable of walking
and I have been blessed with transportation.

For my huge heating bill
because it means
I am warm.

For the lady behind me in church
who sings off key because it means
I can hear.

For the pile of laundry and ironing
because it means
I have clothes to wear.

For weariness and aching muscles
at the end of the day
because it means I have been
capable of working hard.

For the alarm that goes off
in the early morning hours
because it means I am alive.

-- from a forwarded email

Thursday, May 18, 2006

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

there are no two

In matters spiritual, truth has to be re-discovered by and for a human being for direct realisation. If it is repeated, it becomes an intellectual idea, a matter of ''I'', ''I'', ''I'' and 'You', 'You', 'You'. Thus truth becomes a lie when it is repeated; it just becomes a safeguard, security, solace and satisfaction for the ego ! Repetition of scientific truth is useful. It develops technology. Repetition of lie in politics is very harmful as the lie then begins to appear as truth due to propaganda. Politicians then come to power to control everything. For matters deeply psychological and spiritual, one has to be a light to one's own self.
The truth here is not at the top of the ladder of concepts, conclusions, ideas or interpretations. It is there where you are, in your daily life, in your tension and temptation. It is not in Brahma Sutra ! To think that you are a Brahma-Jnani by reading explanations of Brahma Sutras is but another self-projected aggrandizement. It is immature thinking, unworthy of people who are alive and affectionate.

The essence of all 555 Brahma Sutras has been made available by Adi Shankaracharya in one line :

«Brahma Satyam Jaganmithya, Jivo Brahmaiva Naapara»
«'No-mind' (Universal Intelligence) is real, mind is myth. Life, manifest as well as unmanifest, is the whole. There are no Two».

-- Shibendu Lahiri


Sunday, May 07, 2006

human pain

Why does Consciousness let humanity suffer?

The definition of being unconscious is suffering and pain. Our mind is the creator of our pain and suffering. If Consciousness is Light then suffering is darkness. Darkness is not the opposite of Light but its lack. When we are in dark, darkness seems real but when there's Light, darkness cannot exist. The sun of Consciousness is always shining, for it; darkness is not even a possibility. It doesn't need to do anything to remove darkness because it's light itself. If we are in darkness because our eyes are closed, the only thing we need to do is open our eyes and see the light. Is it valid to ask the Sun to remove our darkness if our eyes are closed to it?

Why did He even give the possibility of closing our eyes?
If we never experience darkness would we even appreciate or understand Light?
There would be no fun in playing the game if game doesn't have an objective.

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

for our world

We need to stop.
Just stop.
Stop for a moment.
Before anybody
Says or does anything
That may hurt anyone else.
We need to be silent.
Just silent.
Silent for a moment.
Before we forever lose
The blessing of songs
That grow in our hearts.
We need to notice.
Just notice.
Notice for a moment.
Before the future slips away
Into ashes and dust of humility.
Stop, be silent, and notice.
In so many ways, we are the same.
Our differences are unique treasures.
We have, we are, a mosaic of gifts
To nurture, to offer, to accept.
We need to be.
Just be.
Be for a moment.
Kind and gentle, innocent and trusting,
Like children and lambs,
Never judging or vengeful
Like the judging and vengeful.
And now, let us pray,
Differently, yet together,
Before there is no earth, no life,
No chance for peace.

-- Mattie Stepanek

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

the difference between the desire to be enlightened or desire to get a new BMW

“For some people striving towards enlightenment is the last thing they need to let go of. You see, even if you faithfully meditate every day to achieve enlightenment, you’re still in the same mind frame as someone who really wants a new BMW. It’s the same conditioning: ‘In the future…’. But there is no future. Surrender means the realisation that there is no state to be achieved. You give up your pursuit of a particular state and absorb yourself in what there already is. And that’s more than enough. You are already completely yourself. There is nothing in the future that can make you more yourself.”

-- Eckhart Tolle

Monday, April 10, 2006

right action

Right action can only flow out of that state of transcendence of the world. Any other activity is ego-induced, and even doing good, if it's ego-induced, will have karmic consequences. "Ego-induced" means there is an ulterior motive. For example, it enhances your self-image if you become a more spiritual person in your own eyes and that feels good; or another example would be looking to a future reward in another lifetime or in heaven. So if there are ulterior motives, it's not pure. There cannot be true love flowing into your actions if the world has not been transcended because you're not connected with the realm out of which love arises.

-- Eckhart Tolle

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

the path of devotional meditation

highly recommended for anyone on spiritual path:

book on Guru Nanak's Japji

Monday, April 03, 2006

monthly intention - April

April Inspiration: This month spring is in full bloom--it's a month for dynamism, idealism and fresh beginnings as well as connecting to the earth. We have found that a stance of gratitude helps open new possibilities and provide the fertilizer for innovative ideas to take root and bloom in beautiful ways. We encourage you to take a stance of gratitude this month towards whatever comes your way, experimenting with the possibility that it is all part of a plan to ultimately bring you greater joy, growth, and success.

April Question for Reflection: How could you begin to feel gratitude towards some event, person, or thing for which you are currently in a more negative relationship? How can you spend more time in grateful connection with the Earth this month?

IONS monthly intentions for a global shift in consciousness

  • Picture the world as it is today, knowing that I am a part of this planet's evolutionary design. I choose to live to my fullest capacity in a spirit of openness, intellectual integrity, and freedom.
  • I am conscious that I have a role in the unfolding story of humanity. I am connected to the whole. My intentions find a deep resonance in the hearts and minds of others.
  • Together, we stir the depths of human ingenuity, creativity, and collective healing. Together, we are part of an evolutionary pulse bringing into focus our collective responsibility for planet Earth and its diverse peoples.
  • My intention is to be in a place of wisdom, compassion, and abiding exuberance for serving our common work and the greater good.
-- http://www.noetic.org

Saturday, March 18, 2006

prevention and treatment

www.mercola.com/townofallopath/index.htm

reason for meditation

".. The usual idea we have is that meditation is to enlighten us, make us better, give us peace, or whatever. But for these people (Parmedides and Empedocles), meditation is not for oneself. It is an act of service for the sake of the cosmos. The purpose wasn't to get something out of it. It was to attune oneself to the cosmos for the sake of the cosmos. "

an excerpt from an interview with Peter Kingsley titled "Common Sense" in Spring 2006 volume of "Parabola".

Check out Peter Kingsley's writings

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

forgive and forget

"Allah Gives and Forgives while Mankind Gets and Forgets."

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

silence

Silence.
Deep silence.
Deeper silence.
Gathering the waters into one place.
Stillness.
Quiet.
Calm.
Connection.
Melting of imaginary separation.
Awareness opens.
Self Awareness expands.
Ideas of self are examined and if seen as merely insubstantial
thoughts, they are released-
and what is already always present as true self,
behing the maks of ego, is revealed.

Your true nature is neither inferior or superior to anyone.
Your true self needs neither story or history or accomplishments in order to be worthy and lovable.

- Stephen
from a local meditation group following Eckhart Tolle's teachings.

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

His Will

Are we suppose to follow His Will or recognize His Will?

Is there anything in the world that is not following His Will? Is there anything that is not part of the totality?

We already are following His Will, there's nothing that is outside of His Will.

"Everyone is subject to His Command; no one is beyond His Command. O Nanak, one who understands His Command, does not speak in ego. " - second stanza of Jap by Guru Nanak Dev

We are following His Will but unconsciously. We don't recognize that everything is running under His Will. This ignorance is the cause of our suffering. The removal of this ignorance is enlightment.

- after reading a Q&A on Eckhart Tolle

Monday, January 23, 2006

change

"We are not isolated islands. We are all links of the same chain. All of our actions—whether done intentionally or unintentionally—have an effect on others. If we hold back from changing until others change first, no change will ever take place. But if we are ready to change first, it will effect a change in others as well."

- Amma

Friday, January 13, 2006

manners

Life is not always forgiving. Some day it may be too late. If you have anger towards someone, it's better to resolve it with forgiveness and understanding. If you have lived your life self-centered, it may be time to increase your circle of compassion and care.

- thoughts after watching the movie "Tehzeeb"

Saturday, January 07, 2006

what makes us 100%?

A small truth to make our Lifes 100%...

If A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Is equal to

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26

Then H+A+R+D+W+O+R+K
= 8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11
= 98% only

K+N+O+W+L+E+D+G+E
= 11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5
= 96% only

L+O+V+E
=12+15+22+5
=54% only

L+U+C+K
= 12+21+3+11
= 47%

(don't most of us think these are most important???
Then what makes 100% ...
Is it Money?

..... No!!!!!
Leadership? ...
NO!!!!
Every problem has a solution,
A+T+T+I+T+U+D+E
= 1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5
= 100%
It is OUR ATTITUDE towards Life and Work that makes
OUR Life 100%
only if we perhaps change our attitude.
To go to the top, to that 100% what we really need to go
further...
a bit more. ...

-- from a forwarded email

Thursday, January 05, 2006

five books for kids

President Abdul Kalam of India in his speech to children in Indian Science Congress asked children to read following five books during 2006:

Empires of the Minds by Denis Waitly
Journey into Light by G Venkataraman
A Brief History of Time
by S Hawking
Parallel Worlds
by Michao Kaku and
The Best of Indian Physics
by Dr Siddharth

- from a news item

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

January Inspiration

January Inspiration: The start of a new year is a moment pregnant with possibility, a time for resetting our compass, expanding our vision, and recommitting to the task of manifestation. We invite you to dream audaciously this year, both for yourself and for our planet. As Willis Harman said, "Perhaps the only limits to the human mind are those we believe in." Let your mind stretch beyond its limits and challenge yourself to align your daily actions with your heart’s deepest desire. We have within our network enough love, wisdom, and awareness to reshape our world. Let’s use it.

-- IONS

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

an actor

Our individuality, our ego is just a role we are playing. We are actors. Our true nature is divine. That's what we were before the play started and that's what we will be after the play. Let's not get attached to the role...

Paraphrased from a lecture by Swami Chinmayananda.

Labels