Some people make trends, some people follow trends

Those who believe in themselves, have conviction, know that they are right and are not afraid of how society reacts to them, they create trends. They have a big vision and they take action. I am fortunate that my key teachers & mentors in life, from whom I have really learnt to have the right attitude in life are the trend setters, and not trend followers.

The trend setter may have to face much resistance in the beginning, but then many people start following what they do. My Master, His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, is an ultimate trend setter to bring spirituality into lives of millions across the world, irrespective of their language, culture & religion. He is a visionary who says ‘the whole world is my family’- a truth that I live today.  When I visited ashram (art of living international center), for the first time, I saw hundreds of people from Europe, America, Australia, and so many countries, learning vedic chants, understanding Geeta, doing disciplined yoga practice, meditating regularly. I was moved by their sincerity, & the fact that they are honoring this education. I had always learnt from our society, that this education is third grade, and not to be given much importance.  What was more important was to study science, physics, maths, engineering, cracking entrance exams, and after I crack exams and get good results, finally getting out of my own country to earn thousands of dollars, become an NRI- which many of my dear friends are already doing- this was a clear message, the society gave to me where I grew up.

A small instance that I still remember, I was so much willing to learn Sanskrit in my school. I was a consistent Sanskrit topper, and I was not allowed to take Sanskrit from grade 9^th onwards coz it was not an option in the school – in my country India where Sanskrit came from! I loved to study Hindi, but my so-called ‘modern batch mates’ in school collectively urged the school to keep Hindi, my mother tongue, as just a second language “Hindi B” – a formality to pass for all students. I and a handful of people , 14 of us fought to keep Hindi A till my grade 10. And we were the last batch to study our own mother tongue as first language till grade 10, in my school!. Growing up in the national capital of India, “Delhi”, I learnt from the society to not honor my own language, culture, religious heritage, in the name of “modernity”! – all this was very fashionably considered “old fashioned”.

I remember when I was growing up, when sometimes I truly listened to my inner voice, I loved to study our culture, would want to read and understand Bhagwad Geeta & ancient scriptures, learn Indian classical dance, classical Hindustani Singing, learn Sanskrit & hindi . But hardly we were given these opportunities. I am a fortunate one to still kept fighting to do what I really wanted to do & did many of these. I was a true patriot as a child.  And I wanted to grow spiritually. But there were hardly opportunities amongst our ‘society’. To all that I wanted to do, I am getting the opportunities now- after years later, when I decided to not follow the trends set by so called ‘modern people’ who consider themselves and by the society, as “intelligent intellectuals” but have missed their own basics.

When I took a strong decision to not continue as a software engineer – which I was not truly meant to be, not do the same monotonous IT job, not marry the guy who was so much interested in following American culture, not to be with my so called ‘friends’ who were more interested in making fun of my own country,-  when I followed what I really wanted always, for which I am born- initially I faced a lot of resistance from all corners, but now I am content to the core, blessed and happy, busy and stress free , ever smiling individual who loves herself and loves others. I am so fortunate, and eternally grateful to my Guru, and Art of Living teachers & mentors to have shown me the right path to follow my own inner voice.
May every one on this planet live a life full of this contentment – is the only prayer I can make.