Wednesday 7 March 2018

On being a woman

Feminism has indeed done a lot to give women a chance to carve a niche for themselves. But in the contemporary context, is the feminist narrative of gender equality truly enough? Should we really fight for 'equality' with men? What will we truly gain by proving that we are equal to men. 

Isn't it more worthwhile to feel the richness of being a women instead? To indulge in serious introspection and find out who we really are, what we truly desire for our happiness and peace?

The glory of being a woman, cannot be felt by trying to become like a man. Modern society has created a sense of insecurity in women, they feel they need to copy men, discarding their feminine qualities if they need to earn respect.

But more than ever, women need to feel sufficient within themselves. We are the life force of this universe, we contain the power of knowledge and spirituality, it is we who are the axis wheel of the nurturing home and culture. 

Women fighting for equality from men is petty, since women are as distinct as the North Star in the night sky. Both women and men have their own strengths and claiming to be same is not worth any gain. It is increasingly relevant for us to nurture the feminine power and channelize it for the greater good.

In the Vedic texts, the woman is called Aditi - the one who is not dependent; she is Devi - the one who is divine; she is Jyoti - ever illuminating; she is Saraswati - the  scholarly one! The women Rishika in the Rig Ved like Gargi, Maitreyi, Lopamudra, Indrani, Aditi, Atreyi among others were epitomes of spiritual and intellectual knowledge, because they truly believed in their inner strength. They were not competing against any men, they were competing against themselves to be a finer version of their own self.

This Women's Day, let us pledge to find that inner confidence and celebrate the uniqueness of being a woman. Instead of trying to imitate men, let us nurture the Goddess within!

Monday 19 February 2018

I AM WHAT I AM

“…Don't write what you know. Find out what you know by writing...”

Read this quote somewhere and it led me to think….What do I know? How do you counter a perfectionist strain sewn deep in the fabric of your personality?

‘I am what I am’ – I see it on a famous branded T-shirt. Youngsters wear it proudly – but it makes me wonder, whether people even know their real selves.



Society doesn't allow our true nature to blossom.

Modern education kills it so thoroughly that we aren't even aware of that brutal murder.
You want to be better (read perfect) in your relationships. When you fail in it, you hold yourself guilty. You keep badgering yourself – that is where I went wrong. That is where I continually keep going wrong. Why can’t I get it right? Why can’t I be like the imaginary perfectionist I have in my mind?

That ideal girl! The prefect daughter, who worked hard and became a doctor, married a rich man, sits in her lush house – with her perfect social life. Is that what I really wanted? That perfect girlfriend/wife/mother/daughter-in-law – who can forgive anything under the sun – who is only giving, and wants nothing in return – is that I what I really want?

Who is ME? The real me – who has been hidden below the depths of fake persona which I am trying to be? She never got a chance to breathe. I need to explore my core and start discovering myself.

But now, as I have joined this course, life is taking a new turn; seems to me like I am on an exciting
uncharted territory. I am learning to set my feet on the ground. Beginning to feel that, in time I might be able to feel safe in my own skin, in my environment. This world, which partly I chose, was willing to accept me just the way I was, but perhaps I wasn’t ready for it.

May be the shy bud is about to open and bloom...



[Written in Oct, 2013]