"notes to self" Archive
Pay It Forward
To be touched by kindness is to pay-it-forward.
When people travel three hours to be spend some time with you,
when friends lug around your luggage for five hours so you can
have worry-free meetings, when random people buy you coffee and
lunch, when you get invited to amazing places you'd never imagine
going to, when doors keep opening without any conscious effort, it is
almost inhumane to not be touched. To pay it back is an insult to
the giver. The only thing left to do is pay it forward.
by Nipun Mehta on Oct 4 '02 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
There Are No Strangers
There are no strangers, only friends we haven't yet met.Jenny and I drove around looking for a particular destination and had our spontaneous meeting as we drove around. Time was up and we were still driving around; we smiled knowing that this would be a story we'd remember forever. :) While meeting lots of new people can easily get tiring for some, I get rejuvenated since I always feel like I am meeting a part of myself yet again.
by Nipun Mehta on Oct 5 '02 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Answers Will Find You
Answers will find you, just as you let go the question.Arriving at 5PM in NY, I had no idea how I was going to make my 6:30, 8, and 10PM meetings or even how I'd transport my suit-filled luggage (Geneva is a formal place, I was told!). Fortunately, my good friends picked me up at the Subway station, graciously lugged around my luggage with them and left me to my meetings, which ended up being within blocks of each other!
by Nipun Mehta on Oct 6 '02 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
To Change Patterns
To change patterns takes persistence.Even though we were within one block of each other and had cell phones to contact each other, bizarre occurrences -- duplicate starbucks-sushi combos, Washington Street vs. Blvd confusions, etc. -- prevented my meeting with two brothers in New Jersey. But neither of us were going to quit. Persistence paid off. Two hours later, we finally met.
by Nipun Mehta on Oct 7 '02 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Where You Are, There You Are
Where you are, there you are.I spent the first night with five friends in one small room (in humid NY), second night by the waterfront in Jersey, third in the airplane and fourth in a Geneva hotel. :) The spirit of service leaves you no choice but to go where the wind blows ... there's a lot of beauty in that.
by Nipun Mehta on Oct 8 '02 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Coincidence is a Dictionary Word
Coincidence is what the dictionary calls it. A miracle is how life reads it.Last trip, I got to spend some time with a Vedanta monk from the Himalayas; this time, it just so happened that there was a Brahma Kumari's center within a block, just so happened that a conference participant invited me for meditation, just so happened that I had met the leader of their movement -- Dadi Janki -- couple months back, just so happened that she was in Geneva the week before, just so happened that I spent much time in solitude with the good hearted people at the center. Life just so happens.
by Nipun Mehta on Oct 9 '02 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Meet Once, Friends Forever
Meet once, friends forever.Sounds like a Sun Mircosystems ad, but that's what anyone would say when they meet Helen. An old English lady, who has been all over the world and has brought the message of human values to the UN, has love written all over her eyes. We really got along well. She's the kind of person I'd love to invite for a Wednesday. She said, "If it's in my destiny, I'll come. If it's not, I'll come anyhow!" People like her write their own destiny. :)
by Nipun Mehta on Oct 10 '02 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
At a Dead End, Build a New Road
If you hit a dead end, build a new road.A German lady said she wanted to talk to me ever since the first day. "Uh, ok," I said. "Your energy draws people into a beautiful spiral. You could lead them anywhere and they want more and more. Everyone is really tuned in when you speak." "Thanks," I said. "No, you don't understand," she continued, explaining the wavy basis of her comments. :) She freely made predictions -- "Your work is going to continue to increase. You should start using telepathy to make your life easier." No comment. :)
by Nipun Mehta on Oct 11 '02 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
You Are Not Your Bags
You are not your bags.As I got on the train, a random guy followed me on. I put my luggage on the racks and he slyly proceeded to pick it up as if it wasn't in the right place. Confused, I followed him and then confronted him as he was about to jump off the train. He gave it back to me, somehow. He didn't speak English and I didn't speak French. Funny moment. After all, it was largely my dirty laundry in there. :)
by Nipun Mehta on Oct 12 '02 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Nothing to Gain, Nothing to Lose
When you have nothing to gain, you have nothing to lose.In my first workshop, I met Antonijia from Croatia. She managed to get to Geneva but her bags got lost along the way. For most of us, it's no biggie; we'll go out and get some more clothes, shoes and toothbrushes. But that wasn't an option for Antonijia. She borrowed stuff and got by. As she was describing this in her not-so-fluent English, she came to an epiphany of sorts that broke all barriers of language: "Jou know, I realize someting right now -- I'm much more dan my bags." Indeed. Her bags finally arrived on the day she was ready to leave. Just in time. :)
by Nipun Mehta on Oct 13 '02 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Any Time, Kindness Time
Anytime is random-act-of-kindness time.I said goodbye to a very simple, young girl who was involved with various good projects in her poverty stricken country. I took out a $20 bill from my wallet and asked her to make good use of the money. It just felt right. She was really excited and valiantly took a brochure printed on an 8 1/2 x 11" paper. She said, "The kids at home are going to be so happy." This kid in front of her was happy already. :)
by Nipun Mehta on Oct 14 '02 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
You Are Alive, Be Happy
You are alive -- be happy.In Uruguay, tribes gather in the evenings, at the beach. As the sun goes down, they clap and rejoice in the simple pleasures of life. That's one of the things I learned this week. Maybe you'd expect to pick up things like that in Geneva (Switzerland) at the World Youth Conference with several hundred youth from 80 countries. But I certainly didn't expect to hear a first hand experience of it.
by Nipun Mehta on Oct 15 '02 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Be What You Feel
Be what you feel, not what you know.Naseeb, a Geneva native of 12 years and a Stanford and Oxford graduate, was traveling to a third world country once to "help". His driver stopped the car in the middle of the journey. Naseeb asked why and the driver replied, "Sir, I'm listening to the trees breathe. It's beautiful. Can you hear it?" Nope, he couldn't. :) But he realized that he was the one getting the "help".
by Nipun Mehta on Oct 16 '02 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Tit For Tat Isn't The Only Way
Tit for Tat isn't the only way.One day, I had lunch with a retired UN executive, who is currently running his own foundation and investing in very creative projects; e.g. training the homeless under a particular bridge in Gautamela to be hairdressers, 'cause that's what they were interested in. :) He told me a startling fact -- they only invest in awesome individuals but don't check what happens to the money once it's given. Totally screws the concept of "venture philanthropy". :) I always knew that would work and to hear it from an ex-UN guy with a big budget, only reinforced my belief that the real value is in people, not projects.
by Nipun Mehta on Oct 17 '02 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Spider Man
"Of great power, comes great responsibility. This is my gift, this is my curse."The last line from the movie -- Spider Man (shown on the plane). Hmmm. Applies to all, I think. Some shy away from that power and stay powerless, some others abuse the power and lose it, and few others -- like Spider Man :) -- harness the true potential of it.
by Nipun Mehta on Oct 18 '02 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Infinite Way to Climb
A mountain can be climbed in infinite ways.Seeing so many people from so many places can be quite an opening experience, if you are willing. Some talk with words, others with silence. A Norwegian fellow goes to school on skis, a Palestinian stays at home because of violence. A professor from Ghana talks about the hospitality in their culture, a college student from Yugoslavia laments at the constant noise of bomb blasts from her neighbors. A Latvian girl shows off the cardboard chair of her country, a German singer says that she isn't capable of understanding big things but wants to do small acts of love. To me, it's clear -- everyone is climbing the mountain of happiness. Destination peace.
by Nipun Mehta on Oct 19 '02 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Until It Ends In Love
That which doesn't end in love, will continue to repeat itself until it ends love.
In love ...
by Nipun Mehta on Jan 1 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Flowers Open Without Force
Whenever I spend some time in solitude, as I did last month, the difference between "doing" and "being" becomes obvious. If you are "being", "doing" naturally flows and gives a glimpse of beauty. And indeed, flowers do open without force. :)
In the spirit of "being" ...
by Nipun Mehta on Jan 1 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Flute of the Infinite
I attended two weddings last month; it seems obvious that the heart repeatedly and unfailingly responds to the advances of love. If we are open to it, perhaps every moment is an invitation. As an emcee at my cousin's wedding, I read a quote by Kabir: "The flute of the infinite is ceaselessly playing and it's sound is love."
Amidst zero and infinity ...
by Nipun Mehta on Jan 7 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
In service, we rock.
Somebody recently asked me about their "responsibilities" of being a CharityFocus volunteer. I said -- just look in your heart and you'll be set. The charter is to spread goodness through your own heart, the primary responsibility is to love everyone unconditionally and only obligation is the conviction to take what's given and give what's taken.
In service, we rock.
by Nipun Mehta on Jan 14 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Truth or Consequence
While I was in New Mexico, I also learned that they have a city officially named as -- "Truth or Consequence". Really!
Truth or consequence, :)
Nipun
by Nipun Mehta on Jan 19 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Row, Row, Row Your Boat
A friend recently reminded me of the wisdom of a simple nursery rhyme:
Row, row, row your boat,
Gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,
Life is but a dream.
As I attempt to row my boat effortlessly down the stream, and merrily see its illusions, I'm thankful for all those whose sacrifices make it possible for me to do what I love to do -- serve!
Row, row, row your boat.
by Nipun Mehta on Jan 28 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
String on a Guitar
Rather randomly, I emailed this to a friend last night ...
Feel the string on a guitar.
Pulled too tight, it breaks;
left too loose, no sound it makes.
In between is the middle road;
perfect tension, greatest load.
Conflict you will not escape;
but your life you will shape.
Feel the string on a guitar.
Make music ...
by Nipun Mehta on Feb 1 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Good Work Needs No Advertising
In early October, I'm invited to present at the World Youth Conference in Geneva. And a friend's comment (in the CharityFocus context) really hit home for me: "Good work needs no advertising. When you have nothing left to take ... so much just falls into your lap! Kinda ironic." Ironic, indeed.
In service ...
by Nipun Mehta on Feb 8 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Travel Light
Last couple months, I've had the occasion to travel a bit. One thing becomes clear after a while -- the heavier the load, the greater the burden. On this journey of life, I said to myself, be sure to travel light.
Tread lightly ...
by Nipun Mehta on Feb 15 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Rest Just Happens
A good friend sent me this New Year's greeting a couple of days back: "Hope you continue living your dream in harmony with your inner voice. The rest just happens!"
In harmony ...
by Nipun Mehta on Feb 23 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
What You Can't Give, Isn't Yours
I learned a wonderful thing this month -- that which you can't give isn't yours to start with. To live with love, you have give it all first.
Enjoy the moments.
by Nipun Mehta on Feb 24 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
In the Spirit of Laundry
Ever since my cell phone got accidentally laundered, last month, I've been thinking about it -- everything needs a good wash. :) Maybe service of others is actually a good wash of our own hearts.
In the spirit of laundry ;) ...
by Nipun Mehta on Feb 28 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
For the Sacred
Last week, I was at a funeral and got a new idea of what's "sacred". People, as we know them, will come and go. Organizations will come and go. Catastrophes will come and go. But the meeting of hearts is a glimpse of the sacred. It's always happening every moment and it's here to stay.
Thank you for the sacred.
by Nipun Mehta on Mar 1 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
'Extra' Ordinary
Couple days back, I went out for a walk in the middle of the day and sat on the sidewalk of a not-so-busy intersection. One thing became clear -- everyone is on a journey; it's just that we decide when to start and where we end up. Ordinary, almost 'extra' ordinary.
In the spirit of 'extra' ordinary moments ...
by Nipun Mehta on Mar 7 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Paths Are Made by Walking
A Native American Shaman once told me, "A hut is built one straw at a time." Whenever I feel that what I do is insignificant, I remember that. Conversely, Mother Teresa reminded us, "We can do no big things; only small things with great love." Whenever I feel like I'm the hot stuff, I remember that. A powerful balance between that reverance for life and humility of being an instrument of compassion ... that's what it's all about, I'm learning.
Paths are made by walking. Thanks for paving the service way ...
by Nipun Mehta on Mar 14 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
True to the Compass
Last year, at a gas station in LA, I heard a loud thumping noise coming from a car; a huge African American guy starts singing out loud to sell an album he had produced. Unexplainably moved by his sincerity, I asked to buy his CD and paid him ten bucks; he was so happy he signed the cover: "Dear Nipun, Live your dreams. --CSW" The other day I stumbled into the CD and was reminded of my dream ... let compassion be your compass.
In the spirit of staying true to the compass ...
by Nipun Mehta on Mar 20 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Weeds and Flowers
On a walk with her Uncle Fred, one of my friends noticed a beautiful flower. After learning that it's "Queen Anne's Lace", she quips: "But isn't that a weed?" With a smile, Uncle Fred replies: "Aren't weeds flowers too?" If there's love in the heart, a weed can be a flower ... and maybe suffering can be just another shade of joy.
With a bow to gardens of weeds and flowers ...
by Nipun Mehta on Mar 27 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
I Don't Know
Last month, I ended a talk with three words that threw the audience off: "I don't know." Simple words with a profound impact. In our constant struggle to "know", we forget that it is the beginner's mind that is open to infinite possibilities.
To another new year of infinite potential ...
by Nipun Mehta on Apr 1 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Picking Lemons
Last month, I went to pick some lemons from our backyard. The first couple took a bit of work to pull off the tree, but then the last one almost immediately slipped into my hand, without much effort. Then it hit me -- everything has its time. When the fruits are ripe, the harvest is effortless.
In effortless service ...
by Nipun Mehta on Apr 2 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Help Wanted, Inquire Within.
Some friends were driving through Oregon when they noticed a sign at a gas station: "Help wanted. Inquire within." Reminds me of another quote that we have wanted to put on CharityFocus T-shirts: "If you don't go within, you simply go without."
Going within ...
by Nipun Mehta on Apr 3 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Out of Battery, In the Now
Last month, my watch ran out of battery. As a little experiment, I kept my watch on my wrist and every time I looked at it, I would say to myself -- "The time is now." Life looks a great deal different when you remember to stay in the present.
In the now.
by Nipun Mehta on Apr 4 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Maps and Intersections
Ocean Robbins spoke last Wednesday and triggered this thought:
Maps aren't enough, you must also which intersection you are at. And intersections are interesting things. Lights flash up helpfully saying STOP or WALK.
In stopping and walking :) ...
by Nipun Mehta on Apr 6 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Every Man Lives But Not Every Man Dies
When asked what would it take for the whole world to be enlightened, Gurdjieff -- a Russian saint -- is known to have joked:
"We must must plant a new organ in everybody's body. Everyday, twice a day, this organ will remind you: you will also die."
"Every man dies, but not every man really lives." Thus spake the tagline from Braveheart. Mystics, though, have always told us that everyone lives but very few really die.
by Nipun Mehta on Apr 11 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Compassion Army
Compassion army. That could be another name for CharityFocus, I think.
One of my friends was going through a time of transition in her life. April 18th was her birthday but she was alone, so I decided to try a little experiment-- an inverse surprise party! At a surprise party, the birthday person doesn't know that guests are coming; with an inverse party, the guests don't know whose party they are going to!
I emailed bunch of my friends and asked 'em if they'd like to make someone's day. No one knew whose birthday it was. Neerav wondered if guests could bring goody-bags and get gifts in return. ;)
Some brought food, George brought his guitar, and everyone brought their "aha moments" as an offering. All to make some stranger's day. And when I put it all in perspective, it's obvious that we have a trained army just waiting to "attack."
by Nipun Mehta on Apr 18 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Beauty and the Bones
In the abbot's office, I noticed a laminated photograph. One half of the picture was the body of a beautiful woman and the other half was the bones underneath the skin. We must see all the way through reality, Heng Lui Shr told me.
On that new moon night, Edwin mentioned that the dragons were blessing the occasion with some light rain as I chatted with Jose, a novice monk, and Heng Lui Shr, the abbott of City of Ten Thousand Buddhas. Till midnight, we shared a nice space together outside the monastary doors. After all, it isn't everday you get an opportunity to be with a monk who meditates 23 hours/day (yes, it's true!) during retreats.
by Nipun Mehta on Apr 21 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Different Kind of "Happy Hour"
Wednesdays see many people, from all walks of life, from all over the world. Last week, a mechanic from a motorcycle shop came in and right before meditation, inadvertently slammed the bathroom door. Smilingly, I told him that we try to be as quiet as possible and he acknowledged it with another smile.
By the end of the evening, Andy came up and said: "You know, this is just a happy house. I just feel happy." When people come together to cultivate, it's "happy hour". :)
by Nipun Mehta on Apr 22 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Wallets Out of the Way
I got a call from a Buddhist nun, the other day. She needed to arrange for a ride from some ESL teachers in my neighborhood ... and I was happy to oblige. An opportunity to be of service is always a blessing.
When I picked up Lori, Judy and Bing, they put their bags in the trunk of my car and I took them to a restaurant for some quick dinner. Lori asked me to open the trunk to get their wallets and I just never quite did. :)
When you can safely get the "wallets" out of the way, all kinds of things happen.
by Nipun Mehta on Apr 24 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Hollywood, Gossip, and Materialism
At a library, Ashish was leafing through some magazine. Then he bumped into a sign that read: "Due to the popularity of this magazine, please check it out from the front counter." Curious to see what magazine were "popular", he asked the clerk at the front desk. The magazines were -- Entertainment Weekly, People and Consumers Reports.
So, in the end, we are living in the times of Hollywood, gossip and materialism.
by Nipun Mehta on Apr 25 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Zen TV
James O'dea has been there, done that. Whether it's wanting to ordain at a Church in Ireland (as a teenager), roaming the Middle East in hunt for Sufi wisdom, meeting presidents of countries as a Director of Amnesty International, whether it's running Seva Foundation with clowns (quite literally) like Wavy Gravy, or doing cutting edge science and spirituality work as the president of IONS.
So when we went a walk on the beautiful IONS campus, it was no surprise that I ended up with great stories and insights.
One, in particular, is an article SHIFT published recently, titled "Zen TV". As a practice, the author suggests that we should watch TV for half an hour, without turning it on. Wow. What an idea.
by Nipun Mehta on Apr 26 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Outcome is the Journey
After graduating from IIM b-school (one of the world's best) in Ahmedabad, Venkat started a school for holistic education. A few years later, the chairman of ICICI Bank gave him an unthinkable amount to "do something good for India." So his idea was an online portal, that would screen out corrupt and ineffecient NGOs! Enter Give India.
Charged with such encompassing goals, Venkat is understandbly very outcome-driven (and delivering amazingly). But we always take jabs at each other about outcome versus the journey. :) One time, I remember, I told him: "My outcome is the journey."
In other words, now is where I hope to arrive.
by Nipun Mehta on Apr 27 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Dis-traction
Viral always has deep insights (and generally a pun to go along with it). His most recent was one was on distraction. "If you break it down," he says, "it's really dis-traction, not in control."
Things that make you go hmmmm.
by Nipun Mehta on May 1 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Get Nothing and Like It?
"You'll get nothing. And like it."
Driving in San Francisco, the other day, I just noticed that ad for 'Mail Frogs' ... an anti-spam company. Who would've thought that service and spam would have the same tag lines.
by Nipun Mehta on May 3 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Sooner the Lesser
Seth Godin mentions a very interesting "new economy" principle for corporations-- the sooner you ask for money, the lesser you get. The idea is that the longer you can go without asking, while keeping the giver's attention, the more you will profit.
CharityFocus has always stretched that rule to the limits-- if you never ask for anything, you are given infinity.
At its core, that is a spiritual insight. When Rev. Heng Sure, a Buddhist monk, does a 3-steps-1-bow pilgrimage for several years, he won't ask for anything; instead, he continues to bow with one heart. Their Master would say: "To use blessings, is to exhaust it. To endure suffering is to end it."
by Nipun Mehta on May 8 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Brilliant Insight
Every time I meet Larry Brilliant, I am reminded of how a simple man from the Himalayas inspired him to lead a team of 100,000 doctors to eradicate small pox in the world.
"I had never seen a case of smallpox," says Brilliant. "I don't know how my guru knew that I could do this work. I had hair down the middle of my back, and I was wearing a white robe. Everybody in the United Nations was over 50 and wearing a business suit. I showed up at the United Nations office dressed as you would expect someone to be dressed in a monastery. I walked in and said, 'My mystic sent me to cure smallpox.' I was told to go home. I took the 17-hour bus ride back to the ashram and told Baba that I had failed. He said, 'Go back.' I did this two dozen times, making this trip back and forth. Slowly, the robe gave way to pants, then to a shirt, then to a tie, then to a haircut, and then to a resume. I learned to look like a diplomat."
What was the lesson that his guru was teaching him? "The great thing about gurus is not that they make you feel everybody's love," says Brilliant. "It's that they make you feel that you can love everybody."
Larry turned sixty last week, so he threw a fundraiser party for Seva. I gave away my tickets to Larry's birthday bash and sure enough, within the next minute, somebody anonymously tagged me with another ticket. Gotta love everybody. :)
by Nipun Mehta on May 9 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Don't Forget The Umbrella
There's a story of a saint who asked everyone to pray for rain, in a drought-ridden area. Next day people complained that it didn't work. The saint asked, "How many of you really believed that praying was going to work?" Most looked down. Of the few hand raised, he asked, "How many you brought umbrellas with you thinking that it was going to rain?"
When Satish Kumar dropped in on a Wednesday in July, he spoked about his pilgrimage -- a walk for peace from Gandhi's grave in India to Kennedy's grave in Washington. Asked how he did it without carrying any money, he said one word: trust. The mighty oak tree was once a seed that decided to dive, head first, into the dark depths of the soil.
by Nipun Mehta on May 12 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Love Actually
Time and time again, I realize that I am happiest when I see others happy. Today, one of my good friends decided to get engaged and pop the big question. At midnight, sitting in a cafe, we thunk up ways for him to propose to his soon-to-be-wife. I couldn't help but be happy.
Reminds me of quote from the movie Love Actually:
General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the twin towers, as far as I know none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge - they were all messages of love. And if you look for it, I've got a sneaking suspicion that love actually is all around.
by Nipun Mehta on May 18 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Relax, you have plenty of time
A bakery in Santa Cruz that has a big sign on its main window reads: "Relax, you have plenty of time." Whenever I'm racing against the clock, I remember just that -- that there's actually plenty of everything. With abundance, I smile as the clock continues ticking. :)
In abundance ...
by Nipun Mehta on May 21 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Be the Changeless
A three word version of Gandhi's quote appears on CharityFocus t-shirts -- be the change.
Sukumar Srinivas, a Reuters fellow at Stanford, sent me a beautiful extension from chapter VIII of Gita, by Swami Chinmayananda: You must be changeless to see the change you want to make in the world.
by Nipun Mehta on May 24 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Not Present Is Present
Guri mentioned an Eckhart Tolle quote the other day: when you realize you are not in the present moment, you are present.
Tolle's Power of Now is the first book that I have asked both my parents to read (although, I still haven't read it! :)). From our open-source bookshelf, dozens of copies of this book have gone out to the world.
by Nipun Mehta on Jun 6 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
How Are You?
Every so often, the universe gives you a reality check.
When I heard some noise in the backyard, I went down to look. My cousin and my mom were with two guys from the Salvation Army, who were picking up in-kind donations. I open the sliding door and peep out.
One of the guys, I think his name was Ed, looks up at me. I spontaneously ask him, "How are you doing?" "Oh, I've been praying a lot," he says. Praying a lot? What kind of a response is that? Confusingly I counter: "Yeah?" Ed continues, "Yeah, it's a point of no return. Once you get into it, you can't go back. I'm doing good." Still in shock, I don't know what to say: "That's great. Keep it up."
by Nipun Mehta on Jun 30 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Who is Your Teacher?
Today, I spoke at the Young Jains Convention. After the talk, many kids surrounded me with very personal questions that I myself had gone through many years ago.
One of them asked me a question and said, "Who is your teacher?" I told him about various inspiration I had in my life, like my tennis coach Jeff Nelson. And then, amidst this huddle of inspired kids, I say: "But really, everything in front of me is my teacher. You are my teachers too." And I bow down and touch the feet of the guy who asked me the question. Stunned, they listen on.
Couple minutes later, that kid bows down and touches my feet.
by Nipun Mehta on Jul 5 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Real Security
Last week, Guri and I spontaneously got married! Yes, it's true. :) As we emailed invitations for our simple wedding, we wrote this:
"Real security is not in owning or possessing, nor in being owned
or possessed, not in demanding or expecting, and not even in hoping,
that what you think you need in life will be supplied by the other.
But rather, it is in knowing that everything you need in life,
all the love, all the wisdom, all the insight, all the power,
all the knowledge, all the understanding, all the nurturing, all
the compassion, and all the strength resides within you. We are
marrying each other, not in the hopes of getting these things,
but in the hopes of giving these gifts, that the other might have
them in even greater abundance, and that in turn, it may flow out
to the farthest corners of the world."
by Nipun Mehta on Jul 6 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Portion for the Birds
Today, I was talking with a vegan friend of mine -- supa-mark from Iowa, as I call him -- and I was reminded of an exercise that I did (or rather, we were forced to do :)) for years at my elementary school.
Before every meal, we took out a portion of our meal for the birds and animals. Surely, that didn't solve the hunger problem for wildlife but it was a daily reminder to share and have reverance for all life.
by Nipun Mehta on Jul 9 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Two Circles of Infinity
At an event, sponsored by Shariq and Kozmetsky Global Collaboratory, I participated in a roundtable.
A young woman named Brinda shares this: the symbol for number 8 has two circles. By themselves, they are two zeros. One on top of another makes 8. But the two side by side make infinity.
When our inner-work circle and outer-work circle are next to each other, they constantly loop back and forth to give us an experience of the infinite.
by Nipun Mehta on Jul 12 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
A Trip to Ikea
I was at Ikea the other day. After checkout, the usual receipt and spare change crowded my right hand, as I pushed the cart with my left hand. The change went in my wallet and I was about to fold the receipt into two, uneven parts.
Instead, I crumpled it and stuffed it in my pocket.
Just a slight shift in conditioning can cause discomfort. But that out-of-the-box view, at the edge of chaos and order, is also what gives rise to innovation ... external and internal.
by Nipun Mehta on Jul 23 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Wild Geese Cast No Reflections
My brother has a penchant for quotes. The other day, when we were riding through the streets of Berkeley, he noticed this banner on top of a "for rent" sign:
The wild geese
Do not intend to make their reflections.
The water has no mind
To receive their images.
by Nipun Mehta on Jul 25 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Sprinklers Went On
On the phone last month, my friend suddenly screamed and then laughed. "Are you ok?," I asked her. "Well, I was sitting on this lawn, and all of a sudden the sprinklers went on!" Kinda like life -- insights turn on without notice, give you a jolt, and leave you laughing.
Insights in sight ...
by Nipun Mehta on Aug 7 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
What's Your Dream?
Somebody asked me, today: "What's your dream?"
Hmmm. Without thinking, I wrote: The dream is to merge spirituality and science, to build tools like the Internet without losing connection with our inner-net, to smile within the paradox of a simple heart and a complex mind, to enjoy the world fully but still renounce it, to be a human being and not a human doing.
Dreams are generally for the future or the past, but this one is different. It's about the here and the now. :)
by Nipun Mehta on Aug 14 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
World Without Locks
Until we get the window fixed, we have a car that anyone can open. So, we just keep stuff in there that we don't mind losing. Smile cards, for instance.
Makes you go hmmm. In a world without locks, we would only have that which we are willing to give away.
by Nipun Mehta on Aug 25 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Give Up Giving Up
At an IONS conference last year, I met Baba Hariji. Today I found this picture in his newsletter ...
by Nipun Mehta on Sep 22 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Burn Through, not Burn Out
As I was soaking in the sun, slowly strolling through the Berkeley Rose Garden, being hugged by the light, rose-scented wind, I realized I was content. I was happy. And then the one and only reason for that -- because I have so many opportunities to serve!
At first, service is slave labor. Then, it becomes cool, fun and exciting. And then, it drags and you want to cash out on your blessings. If you're lucky, you'll push yourself to the "burn out" stage. Then the real Mahabharat begins. If you don't burn out, you eventually burn through. And then you serve for no reason, and keep smiling that you have a chance to serve!
by Nipun Mehta on Oct 11 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Digging A Grave
It was routine exercise to throw away the trash. I opened the door, slipped on some sandals and raced out. Just then, I saw a small sparrow dead on our porch.
In the middle of everything, a head-on collision with impermanence.
Sparrow don't die on cement porches generally. Guri and I gave it a little burial in my parents backyard, held a moment of silence. I couldn't figure out how this odd incident must've happened. Since it was a Wednesday, perhaps the sparrow was looking for dharma. May it find true happiness.
by Nipun Mehta on Oct 21 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
What We Are Looking For
What we are looking for is what is looking. --St. Francis of Assisi
by Nipun Mehta on Nov 12 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Sell Your Cleverness
"Sell your cleverness and purchase bewilderment." --Rumi
Despite all rational appeals to myself, I'm headed to a 8 days of complete solitude.
by Nipun Mehta on Dec 3 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Don't Think of An Elephant
"When I teach the study of framing at Berkeley, in Cognitive Science 101, the first thing I do is I give my students an exercise. The exercise is: Don’t think of an elephant! Whatever you do, do not think of an elephant. I’ve never found a student who is able to do this. Every word, like elephant, evokes a frame, which can be an image or other kinds of knowledge: Elephants are large, have floppy ears and a trunk, are associated with circuses, and so on. The word is defined relative to that frame. When we negate a frame, we evoke the frame."
--George Lakoff, from Don’t Think of an Elephant!
by Nipun Mehta on Dec 16 '04 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Sometimes You Get Lost
My sister-in-love (traditionally read: sister-in-law) threw in some heavy duty wisdom the other day:
Sometimes you get lost to find something.
by Nipun Mehta on Jan 15 '05 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'
Pictures Miss a Thousand Moments
A picture speaks a thousand words. And I love photos.
Still, sometimes I wonder. At an awe-inspiring vista point in Kauai, I saw dozens of tourists come and go -- click, click, click and then zoom, off to the next stop.
by Nipun Mehta on Jan 19 '05 | add comment | permalink | more 'notes to self'