Mamma: "Did you do Pooja (Prayers) this morning?"
Me: "Umm... no I didn't get time. umm.. I had to rush to catch my train!"
OR
" Umm .. no, not today, but I lit a diya on Saturday!"
OR
" oh.. yes, I have been doing it. Just didn't find to do it this week because ....!"
This is one of the typical conversations between Mamma and me when she calls me. She always asks me to pray every morning. And I keep saying .. "OK.. tomorrow onwards ... maybe ..I'll start "
The truth is I haven't done pooja in months!! I just don't feel enough drive for it.
Why do I have to explicitly sing the words of praise to God when I am grateful to him in my heart?
I thank him time to time for being there for me. I trust in him and know that no matter how lonely I might get, he'll always be there with me. I truly believe everything happens for good!
Doesn't God know that already?
Why do few verses in Sanskrit (that I don't always understand) are considered more meaningful than what I really mean at my heart?
I may not join my hands, offer flowers, lit diyas everyday in front God Idol. But does that mean that the feelings of gratuity, faith and thankfulness in my heart weaker than someone who does?
Mamma said, "Things always need to be expressed. If you love a person, it's not enough to just know it. he'd never feel it unless you show it. This is something like that.
It's not enough to just say you are smart. You actually have to score to prove that you are smart. This is something like that. Physical actions do matter."
I listened... but wasn't quite satisfied with that answer. Even though I accept that fact that I have to act physically to convey my prayers to God, I don't feel that performing the pooja mechanically at a specific time in the morning would be the right way to express my love to God.
At least not the right way for me!
I want to say it only when I mean it! .. I dont want to do something like a daily chore. That's not me, if I start doing that!
I spent 3 days thinking over it.
When do I want to pray? ..
When I feel closest to God!
When do I feel closest to God? ... and How do I want to pray?
Prayers to me is to be thankful when I go to bed happy!
Prayers to me is to look at the skies above and feel one with them!
Prayers to me is to remember God in good times and not just in bad ones!
Prayers to me is making the best of what God gave me!
Prayers to me is living every moment!
Prayers to me is an honest unselfish advice!
Prayers to me is to help someone in need!
Prayers to me is a kind act!
and that's where I got my answer!
Answers actually lie within us! and It's so awesome to find them!
One kind act a day!
That will be my real prayer!
Yes, I have found my prayer!
Me: "Umm... no I didn't get time. umm.. I had to rush to catch my train!"
OR
" Umm .. no, not today, but I lit a diya on Saturday!"
OR
" oh.. yes, I have been doing it. Just didn't find to do it this week because ....!"
This is one of the typical conversations between Mamma and me when she calls me. She always asks me to pray every morning. And I keep saying .. "OK.. tomorrow onwards ... maybe ..I'll start "
The truth is I haven't done pooja in months!! I just don't feel enough drive for it.
Why do I have to explicitly sing the words of praise to God when I am grateful to him in my heart?
I thank him time to time for being there for me. I trust in him and know that no matter how lonely I might get, he'll always be there with me. I truly believe everything happens for good!
Doesn't God know that already?
Why do few verses in Sanskrit (that I don't always understand) are considered more meaningful than what I really mean at my heart?
I may not join my hands, offer flowers, lit diyas everyday in front God Idol. But does that mean that the feelings of gratuity, faith and thankfulness in my heart weaker than someone who does?
Mamma said, "Things always need to be expressed. If you love a person, it's not enough to just know it. he'd never feel it unless you show it. This is something like that.
It's not enough to just say you are smart. You actually have to score to prove that you are smart. This is something like that. Physical actions do matter."
I listened... but wasn't quite satisfied with that answer. Even though I accept that fact that I have to act physically to convey my prayers to God, I don't feel that performing the pooja mechanically at a specific time in the morning would be the right way to express my love to God.
At least not the right way for me!
I want to say it only when I mean it! .. I dont want to do something like a daily chore. That's not me, if I start doing that!
I spent 3 days thinking over it.
When do I want to pray? ..
When I feel closest to God!
When do I feel closest to God? ... and How do I want to pray?
Prayers to me is to be thankful when I go to bed happy!
Prayers to me is to look at the skies above and feel one with them!
Prayers to me is to remember God in good times and not just in bad ones!
Prayers to me is making the best of what God gave me!
Prayers to me is living every moment!
Prayers to me is an honest unselfish advice!
Prayers to me is to help someone in need!
Prayers to me is a kind act!
and that's where I got my answer!
Answers actually lie within us! and It's so awesome to find them!
One kind act a day!
That will be my real prayer!
Yes, I have found my prayer!
4 comments:
Your blog did help me get an answer :)
Hi Sailee, Bumped on ur blog thru common friends. A thoughtful pos :). Have thought about it a lot many times. And as you say people have their ways of thanking god. :) and yea.. You write well.
rgds, KK
why I started praying regularly?
After the son was born. I might not be truth fully praying to the god but the ritual as a family to come together and chant (without trying to make sense of it ) seemed a very bonding moment.
But as you suggested, I too am a believer in Karma as far as god goes. It's your deeds that speak.
But I will continue with my prayers...i think.
Hi Saylee...landed on your blog through a host of common friends on orkut....this particular post reminded me of the exact same conversations I have with my dad all the time. My underlying thought process matches what you outline here so well that I had to leave a comment :-)
Looks like you're recording your own albums too! Good luck on that venture.
~Nitin
Post a Comment