cold winds
let him in

paradise lost
just the memory

meatless diet
simply made

quick steps
where

Plaques and Tangles


On the average the Alzheimer's Foundation of America declares that one victim of the disease has 1-4 family members to attend to him/her. The more the better. Obviously there is much sympathy for this slow progressive illness which overtakes  so many after 65 years today.

Alzheimer is a disorder of the brain which sees a separation, decline and destruction of nuerons (nerve cells) such as in the hippocampus which causes short term memory failure or in the celebral cortex which results in loss of language skill and good judgement. This separation of nerve cells seem to be due to two clogs in the system ie. plaques and tangles that have be found to be characteristic of the sickness. Plaques are clinging protein that form outside and around the cell walls, while tangles are twisted protein fibers that builds up inside the cell themselves.

handle with care
block on block


The mental decline begins, first goes recent memories then the older ones, command of language diminishes, loss of motor skill even to chewing and walking goes, weakening of the sensory perception so that one cannot even recognise a familiar face or object. With all this comes emotional changes due to the confusion of thoughts and faulty perceptive ability, depression, even hallucination or delusion.

The  poor victim is  thus effectively cut off from the society in which he /she lives, requiring more attention from those of us around . Families understand and respond with love.

that slip again
memories forgot

handle with care
block on block

that slip again
memories forgot

11,674 steps to the top of the Swiss mountain Niesen. Running alongside the cliff railway, this world's longest stairway is yet another reminder of the tireless human efforts to conquer space and rise above all earthly things, and to do so safely .


Niesen(Sneeze)  mountain which to the tourist joy looks onto the Black forest and Bernese Alps is also famous for is near perfect pyramid shape is often refered to as the Swiss Pyramid. In order for tourists to ascend  2,336 metres to the summit a cable car system has been put into place since 1910 and to service this system a stairway was created parallel to it all the way up the mountain. For this reason too the stairway is never open to the public except for one day only each year to facilitate the annual climbing marathon on its steps which began in 1990. Humanity races once again to conquer all available spaces on earth yet in the vastness of things all this remains a feeble exercise though admirable and exciting in it self



rising earth
under the step

shaking earth
under her step

party of parties
forbidden step

Election Day

posters on post still
proud battles end

Vote for continuity, vote for change. This elector knows that they are both admirable thoughts and postions. He knows that destiny is created by the power of choice. He know that the time has come for the ballot to be cast.  He thinks about the nation. He thinks about his son and daughter. "What example do I set". How does he decide his preferences? Policies or Person. Our actions has its consequences. Same for the President his character and service are the prerequisites of office. Election day comes. He must vote for the President of his choice as one vote can win.

posters on posts
proud battle begins

body connection

A heuristic model would place Walking on an horizontal axis. Meditation on the vertical. The two seem to run in contrary directions. One requires movement .The other stillness. Yet both are so essential our connection with people and places .

hand in hand
what do they care

Walking is a dawn to dusk routine with less activity after twilight.Its purpose is to the reach a physical destination .Our homes, workplaces, clubs, churches, mandirs , mosques, shopping malls and parties. To view the scenes and meet people along the way. We go on nature tours, work tours, pilgrimages, vacations on foot. Stolling on the seawalls, gardens is a great way to meet and enjoy the company of friends and new people.

On the other hand meditation is restful . At the best a nightly routine. Also done at well chosen hours of the day. Avoiding noise and conflict with duty; with work schedules.Its destination is unity with the Universal Spirit. The inner journey leads through different states of higher light and sound for us to perceive. These principles are common to each of us. We can understand eventually the oneness of life around us.

We can undertake this meditation tour walk only with a Guide. It is personal journey. The destination is within. However group meditation can be a source of inspiration. Company is quiet an assurance . It boosts the atmosphere. It always good to know that you are one of many.

Yes walking is a most essential link between people . Meditation is like building a bridge over trouble waters . As one sees the light of God within himself and others his/her connection is assured.

that command once more
push the body

that command

 Three young  women pass by in a hurry. Going where I do not know. They are young . It seems that they have much time before them. Maybe they think differently.Off to buy new clothes or something to eat or other gifts, perfumes at the Christmas time. Maybe someone is waiting or there is work undone. Whatever.

that command once more
push the body

sos- Autumn-the soul's forgetulness

sos  Autumn- the soul's forgetfulness

day done

from the West on the wind floats an old melody

day done
not yet its haunting music

involuntary
thoughts of love
bewildered

bright sunshine, simple ordinary folks hovering around, going nowhere all the time

As we come now to the end of the day, time to reflect, introspect and meditate.the beautiful night before us.

day done
now to change

one plus one is one
no division this time

night insight
dilemma fades

dilemma fades
goal insight

wait tonight
ultimate goal
before me

no shows tonight
ultimate hours to sit

it is midnight
if only that Spark...

many poems fill the mind
u-turn

new schedule in place
watch first then sleep

food and TV
kill the night

old face in the mirror
what still left to do

The lesson of the Autumn Season

The Lesson of the Autumn Season

Message from Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj

Featured in Highlights Newsletter, September 28, 2011 

This is the first week of autumn. Autumn marks the end of summer, and for many it means an end to vacation, and a time in which we go back to school or work. Some associate this time of year as an ending, as leaves fall off the trees and there is a chill in the air. Yet, those who have a spiritual angle of vision look at autumn in a different way. There is a beautiful verse by the great poet-saint of the last century, Sant Darshan Singh Ji Maharaj, which says:

The season may be that of autumn,But with his coming, O Darshan, life has been infused with spring.

In this verse, Sant Darshan Singh Ji is pointing out a paradox. He says that even though it is autumn, spring has arrived. Autumn represents a time in which the leaves on the trees wither and die. The blooming spring has long passed and now the greenery is fading to the fall colors—the red, orange, and yellow colors that come before the bare winter. With the falling leaves, hopes also fall. The world is preparing for the bleak, dark, and cold winter ahead. Yet, there is a switch here. Even though it is autumn, spring has suddenly burst into bloom. How has this happened?

When we invert our attention within through meditation, we find that we have within us eternal springtime. We feel as joyous as if spring has arrived. Through meditation, our spirits are renewed and rejuvenated. All the bleakness, sorrow, and disappointments of life are washed away and vibrant life has returned.

We may be burdened by the sorrows of life. We may be suffering physical pain; financial difficulties with the economic crisis, falling stock prices, and a slowing economy; or problems at work or the loss of our jobs. Yet, when we meditate and tap into the spiritual realms within, suddenly for that time our attention is focused within, all the problems seem to disappear. We are so filled with the blissful radiation and effervescent joy from within that we forget our problems for a while.

Sant Darshan Singh Ji used to relate an incident from his own life. At one time, he had fallen ill and could hardly get up from the bed. Family members and friends were fearful of his condition. When Sant Kirpal Singh Ji came to his house to pay him a visit, Sant Darshan Singh Ji suddenly got up from the bed to greet him. Everyone was amazed at how someone who could hardly move a few moments before was infused with such energy and vibrancy. In the meantime, the doctor had been called. When the doctor arrived, he looked around the room and said, “Which one is the patient?” Sant Darshan Singh Ji had been so infused with life that he no longer appeared to be ill. This is typical of what happens to many people in the presence of a spiritual Master or saint who puts us in touch with the divine treasures within by giving a contact with the divine Light and Sound within us.

When we meditate on the inner Light and Sound, we become so uplifted and intoxicated that we do not notice the pains of the body or our problems. It may be cold, rainy, or bleak, but we find ourselves as joyous as if it were a sunny, spring day.

There are people who may be so ill that they can scarcely do much, but when they go to a satsang, where there is a group meditation in a spiritually-charged atmosphere and discourses on spirituality, they describe how they forget their pains and sorrows for awhile. This is the power of the spiritual radiation we get from meditation and being in a spiritually-charged arena. It has the power to pull our attention into the place of divinity and peace within us so that we forget our body and our problems. We are fed and nourished by the spiritual radiation from within that renews us.

We are all looking for panaceas or cures for all the ills of the world. If we truly want to escape the autumn of life, let us sit in meditation and turn our lives into perpetual spring. We can learn to meditate on the Light and Sound of God. Then, each time we meditate on the Light and Sound, we will be connecting with the renewing force that can turn the autumn of life into a springtime garden of blossoms.

last vestige of bondage
wait until tomorrow

last vestige of bondage
wait until the morning

angry thoughts multiply
this final hour

more evil thoughts of friends
this final hour

color balloons
rise to the sky
final scream

at the eye focus
no past

angry worlds disappear
the last thought tonight

crazy forbidden thoughts
last partners with me

night work

one column again tonight
the final work

re organising

old priorities check
above as below

God unites

that evil thought again
separation now

change of heart

the new goal devotion
writing on the heart

tropical fall

early september
the evening sun falls south

diet change

fourth meal this day
Oh no thanks

loving thoughts

involuntary thoughts of love
on the street

just one mistake

forgive me this time
seventy times seven

a good start

morning prayer
two biscuits

the distraction

sweet itch
detractor of joy

breaking the fast

moon and star
must break the fast

no rest for the mind

mid- night
how great the struggle

new start

one hundred and one haiku
another start

Eid Mubarak

moon and star themselves
end the fast

young singers

the faces of innocence
on stage

retirement

time to retire
that distant place in mind

dilemna

thoughts of leaving
is it just another turn

dilemna

thoughts of leaving
is it just a new corner

end game

at my friend's wake house
the dominoes and cards

the benediction

quick touches of open palm
faces delight

night light

early morning awakening
the night light

demolition

the cathedral gone
even the heritage

color of light

saluting the Guest
with the color of light

what's inside

blue and yellow bottles
complete with water

kingdom of God

vision of the kingdom
at construction site

thoughts of providence

dream thoughts of Providence
wishes do come true

the decision

problems of three decades
all resolved today

emancipation day

the movie cry freedom
on my wedding day

wedding anniversary

twenty years today
nuptial hiss and bliss

Emancipation

the national park
freedom dancers

the assembly

the assembly
militant human spirit

silent assembly

silent assembly
seeking the ultimate

transformed web

the transformed web
embracing humanity



(see www.sos.org)

Master day

Master Day satsang
above the ice cream shop

gift certificate

the gift certificate
all our silent hours

birthday celebration

birthday celebration
after the silence

differing devotees

around the table
differing devotees

Gods's Name

chanting along the highway
God's Name

Names of God

chanting along High Street
Names of God

police out in force

drum beats and horns
police out in force

one in a million

one in a million
Master touch

faith banners

carrying aloft the faith banners
Caricom day

all hands outstretch

all hands outstretched
yearning for the touch

finger all together

fingers all together
in humble salute

Pegasus hotel

Pegasus hotel
the phoenix party of parties

party slogans

the party slogans
non-violence and truth

WINTER

cat at the window
viewing lost territory

reformer dreams

national coalition party
the reformer dreams

world viewing

world viewing
through the windscreen

destruction of a fast

in the upper flat
thick smoke then flames

meeting the world

meeting the world
in this mobile home

Mata ji's pyre

at Mata ji's pyre
so many nations meet

only silence

only silence now
at satsang

Master clapse hands

satsang reciprocating
Master clapse hands

chandelier no brighter

chandelier no brighter
than the devotee's smile

Master's Word

thousands silenced
by Master's Word

father and son

father and son
ripples at their feet

amazon forest

the summer tour
amazing forest

slutwalkers march

slutwalkers march
signs of rage

Hare Krishna march

Hare Krishna march
east bank highway

empty canoe

an empty canoe
drifting on the current

full stadium

enjoying cricket
full stadium

Lamp Island flood

the falling flood
canoe on silver ripples

Water Front Flood

the rising flood
only sun on the waters

WINTER

curious butterfly
around the bare leaf

falling flood

on high ground
above the receding waters

meditation

determined ant wakes me
for meditation

making waves

old pond
the frog making waves

or

old pond
frog jumps in
new wave

my commentary on Basho famous haiku "frogpond". I guess Basho saw in self as a humble frog attempting to make changes in the "old"haiku tradition.

awake

in the eastern sky
waking glory

sunlight even

sunlight even
where the crow feeds

summer cruise

reposition schedule
summer cruise

fence

free cat sitting
by the broken fence

wedding bliss

on the garden bridge
elated groom

lamp

rain storm tonight
his lamps are restless

holy union

besides the altar
groom waits

safari caravan
the pakaraimas in sight

(Pakaraimas is a mountain range in Guyana)

tour

interior tour
his dreams

beach play

seawall sands
many swimmers

summer camp

forest clearing
camp fire

camp clearing

forest boundary
the camp clearing

term party

school out
term party

garden bridge

garden bridge
groom smiles

camp anticipation

the meandering creek
camp ahead

fun photos

hinterland tour
fun photos

tour

on tour
the world still with me

window

broken store window
on independence day

recipe

writing the new recipe
no meat

record

taking note
that glimmer inside

moon clearing

through the middle cloud
clear moon

road

on high road again
bail receipt

record

timeless instructions
in that glimmer inside

accepance letter

acceptance letter
laughter

letter

four- page pamphlet
eureka

tour

take a trip up
these words onthe mind

awake

the night light
upon awakening

letter

written word
other world touch

mat

mat beating
before the door

the best place

puppy finds it
in the mother's lap

WINTER

fluttering with broken wing
cage bird

window

another world
at the window

window

on the gray pane
that early glimmer

awake

under the shower
body awakening

song

song at dawn
stay free

road

dark road
changes on the way

tour

passport and visa
while buying tickets

at his feet
first steps