LEARNING IS LIFE

 Practice and hone quietude for self-awakening: Haiku Remove disquietude Remove illusions and strife Realise life's essence Stillness finds the seif, False dreams fade in gentle light, Life's core starts to bloom Clear the troubled mind, Truth shines when shadows are gone, Life's core, simply be. Calm mind whispers peace, Truth blooms, illusions all fade, Life's core starts to sing.

  Self-knowledge leads to divine bliss: Haiku Path to divine bliss It's within us and through us It is self-knowledge Quiet breath within, Knowing self, the path unfolds, Bliss flows through us all. Within, light resides, Through self-knowing, bliss unfolds, Path to peace begins. Heart's quiet garden, Knowing self, the path unfolds, Joy blooms, light shines through.

  Oneness with soul: Haiku Find haven in soul Soul's not separate from you Nor can be parted Within you it sleeps, Find haven in your own soul, Peace will bloom for you. Deep inside you wait, Soul finds haven, bliss takes hold, One, cannot be torn. Soft light within, Soul and You, a single bloom, Never torn apart.

Self-realisation Haiku  Self-realisation That is verily the truth Aim of human life Inner self unfolds, Truth dawns, a life's purpose clear, Being finds its peace. Inner world awakens, Truth, a simple, shining goal, Life's purpose unfolds. Inner light awakes, Truth, a gentle, blooming flower, Life's sweet purpose found.

स्थितप्रज्ञ बनो, भव सागर तर जाओ: श्री भगवद गीता का सन्देश दोहो में   समबुद्धि योग साधो, मन को शांत बनाओ। राग द्वेष से दूर रहो, समता, हृदय बसाओ। द्वंद्व छोड़ो, ये मानो,  जग में तो छल  होय। प्रतिक्रिया मत करो, मनोभाव निर्मल होय न करो कोई प्रतिक्रिया, हर पल सहज रहो। समभाव है स्वयंभू, बस उसमें ही बहो। समभाव है आत्मा, स्वयंभू यह जानो। समता से भर जीवन, परम गति पहचानो। स्थितप्रज्ञ जो  हो  जाए, वो परम धाम पाए। सदा समभाव से ही, जीवन सफल बनाए। समभाव हृदय में, सदा जो रखता है। परम गति को पाये, भव से तरता है।

  GOVARDHAN PUJA: A POEM Govardhan, green and grand, a sacred mound, Where nature whispers tales of life's sweet grace, A humble hill, on holy, hallowed ground, Reflects pure joy, and smiles upon our face. We thank the earth, for bounty that it gives, The water pure, that quenches every thirst, For trees and flowers, where all beauty lives, A simple faith, that rises from the dust. Forget the power, of wealth and fleeting fame, Let devotion be our guiding, gentle light, In gratitude, we chant the holy name, For nature's gifts, and God's protecting might. So let us learn, from Govardhan's embrace, To love Nature, and find our sacred space.

  In praise of the Gita: Couplets   O Gita, song of light, From Krishna's words, so bright.   A path to set us free, To find eternity.   Its glory, vast and deep, Secrets it does keep.   A lifetime's quest to find, The wisdom for mankind.   Each turn of page, a deeper view, Eternally fresh, forever new.   A lifetime spent to understand, This sacred text, across the land.   Sing, hear, recite with grace, Study its sacred space.   Teach, dwell within its art, And make it your own heart.   Reflect, contemplate with care, Breathe Gita in the air.  

 Actor and director Asrani is no more: A tribute with inspired couplets on his views Indian actor and director Govardhan Asrani's (1 January 1941 – 20 October 2025) career in Bollywood was spread over five decades, during which he appeared in over 350 Hindi & Gujarati films. 'Asrani worked in lead, character, comedic, and supporting roles. He is particularly noted for his role as the jailer in Sholay. He breathed his 20 October 2025 at the age of 84 after a prolonged illness,, informs wikipedia. Asrani was born into a middle-class family in Jaipur that owned a carpet shop in the city. As a student, he was was uninterested in the family business and weak in mathematics while studying at St. Xaviers School. Somehow, he   did his graduation from Rajasthan College, Jaipur. He also worked as a voice artist at All India Radio, Jaipur, to pay for his college education. He was a thinking actor and had subtle views on life, art, films and politics. Here are a few couplets ins...

  जग बंधन और मुक्ति मार्ग : दोहे और हाइकू  दोहे  संसार, कुटुंब, जग ये हाट, बांधे मन की डोर, मोह, क्रोध, मद, काम विष, रखते जीवन खोर। कर्म ही जीवन गीत है, पर सकाम, बंधन लाएं , पर जग में ही रहते , मन से मोह मिटाएं । निष्काम कर्म की राह चल, मन के विकार तू छोड़ , मुक्ति का मार्ग है यही, बंधन से मुख मोड़। हाइकू  जग - माया जाल, निष्काम कर्म करो, मुक्ति पथ ये।   काम औ  क्रोध,  मद, लोभ औ मोह  बंधनकारी  निष्काम कर्म  विकार मुक्त मन  मोक्ष मार्ग हैं  

  SHORT NOTE   In South India, Deepavali is celebrated as Naraka Chaturdashi with unique customs and traditions which mark the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon king Narakasura.   South Indians start the festivities at dawn with special rituals of oil bath, decoration with kolam rangoli and wearing new attires followed by family gatherings and large public events.   A special health tonic called lehyam is  prepared and consumed to help with digestion amidst the day's feasting with family members, community members and friends. Very intricate kolam designs made from rice flour are drawn at the entrance of home to welcome prosperity and good fortunes.   COUPLETS ON DEMON TENDENCIES   Cruelty's seed, demon psyche deep inside, Fuelled by darkness, where true selves hide.   Material wants, a grasping, hollow plea, Sensual chains, that bind us, endlessly.   Power's lure, a siren's wicked call, Egotism's reign, where good men fall.   Ideal...

  Sikh Festival of Bandi Chhor Divas: A short note and couplets A SHORT NOTE Bandi Chhor Divas is a Sikh festival meaning the "Day of Liberation," which commemorates the release of the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind, and 52 Hindu princes from imprisonment at Gwalior Fort in 1619, states an AI search. A big celebration is held on this day at the Holy Golden Temple in Amritsar. This Sikh festival is celebrated on the same day as the Hindu festival Diwalin marked by lighting lamps, cleaning and decorating homes, exchanging greetings, and reflecting on values of humanism, compassion, justice, equity and inclusion. BANDI CHHOR DIVAS COUPLETS Chains are gone, the spirit's bright, To live in freedom's golden light. No more fear, no tyrant's hand, New hope blooms in every land. Oppression's darkness fades away, We greet the dawn of a brighter day. Our voices rise, a joyful sound, On being back to sacred ground. We lift our faces to the sun, A victory for everyone!

  SHORT NOTE The Gita encourages individuals to perform their duties, or Dharma, without attachment to the outcomes of their actions, a concept known as Nishkam Karma. Additionally, other valuable paths for a meaningful life include the cultivation of devotion, or Bhakti, and the pursuit of wisdom through Jnana yoga, each appreciated for their inherent worth. According to the Gita, true inner joy and bliss arise from spiritual development and the realization of one's connection to a higher power, rather than from material achievements or failures. The scripture recommends striving for equanimity and practicing detachment to lead a purposeful life, ultimately achieving liberation from the cycles of rebirth. ACROSTIC POEM ON BHAGAVAD GITA B: Be your best, whatever you do, H: Honour your duty,  the Dharma true. A: Act selflessly, bother not gain, G: Giving effort, again 'n again. V: Value the journey, never mind A: Aim for wisdom, knowledge to find, D: Devote yourself, with field...

 Treat money as slave that serves: A poem A golden coin, a shining, tempting gleam, A gentle servant, fueling life's soft dream, But let it rule, and then a cruel decree, Its cost is high, for dignity and glee But oh, beware when it begins to lead, And we become enslaved to its command. It sows a dark and avaricious seed, And steals the joy from life's abundant hand. So let us use it wisely, day by day, Lest gold enslave us, stealing hearts away.

Poem  To read and grasp, the core to find, Unlocks the world for every mind. No teacher near, no guiding hand, You learn yourself, across the land. Hone read-to-learn skill, to grow 'n see, Comprehension holds the key. For knowledge gained, a sturdy base, From thoughtful reading, finds its place. Meaningful reading, gift so bright, To learn and grow, with all your might.

  International Day for the Eradication of Poverty: A decastich on poverty   This year, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (17 October) is being observed with the theme 'Ending social and institutional maltreatment by ensuring respect and effective support for families."   According to the UN, the theme is meant to underscore that ending poverty is about dignity, justice, and belonging, not just income. "Poverty is not a personal failure; it is a systemic failure – a denial of dignity and human rights." stated the UN Secretary-General António Guterres in his message. The UN urges the world community to rebalance investments away from monitoring and removal toward family-strengthening services such as income support, quality childcare, adequate housing, mental health care, parenting support, and access to justice.   Decastich on poverty The fruit of earth, a bounty to be shared, Is piled up high, a feast for greedy eyes, But empty hands reach...

  A Tamaga Poem on Gimmicky Politician   A Filipino four-line poem, called tanaga, which has seven syllables per line and usual rhyme schemes is a common micro-poem these days because of brevity in its wit A tanaga on ‘gimmicky politician’   A politician astute Used swears, glossy ‘n brute With freebies he had entice, Then slyly raised taxes twice  

  Tanaga is a traditional Filipino form of poetry. In this language art form, each poem is composed of four lines only with seven syllables in each one of them and four end-rhyme patterns. Often, tanaga  are based on  folk wisdom of proverbs or aphorisms. A CULTURAL TANAGA POEM Here is a Tanaga on proverb ‘United we stand, divided we all’ United we stand strong 'n tall weak when divided, we'll fall.  Hand in hand,  we all  must stand, A strong force, across the land.   A SPIRITUAL TANAGA A spark sleeps deep, light unseen, A great spirit, pure and clean With calm care, and love so bright, Ignite spark to shining light. The recitation of a tanaga poem is often simple and direct. However, currently performers use a variety of styles, from formal readings to spoken word art, Tanaga poems are significant for their role in preserving cultural heritage, as they traditionally transmit moral lessons,  codes of ethics and spiritual messages     ...

  Discovering true self: A Poem To find who you are deep inside, Let your desires gently subside. Meditate with grace, Embrace your own space, And watch your true self now preside. No easy path, no gentle climb, But grapple with the hands of time. Each stumble, fall, a lesson learned, A corner of the self returned. Each day, a chance to grow, Let your compassion flow. Un-condition, be free, Become the you you're meant to be.

DIVISIVE POLITICS  It is being exceedingly felt that politics in India is creating caste-based, religiously fragmented, gender-divided, language based, and creed-ridden society. Even on rape of girls, there are gender biased statements by the politicians instead of owning up bad governance. There is need to celebrate diversity and move towards inclusive and equitable society, governance and development. LIMERICK A world free from "girl" or from "boy," Brings happiness, peace, and much joy. Let equity bloom, To end biases’ gloom, Employ not patriarchal ploy  

Seek the meaning and be the meaning: Couplets Eternal, a boundless sea, Life's a gift, for you and me.   Know yourself, your inner grace, Let your true self find its place.   Find your truth, a shining light, Then 'be-seeking' feels just right.   Cleanse your senses, feel within, Radiance bright, where you begin.   Effortless ease, a natural flow, Let your Self-hood brightly glow.  

  A note inspired from Rama Kant's work Humans are amphibious-type beings – both this worldly and the other-worldly. In reality, humans exist unawaringly with a physical body in a  realm of spirit.  Bu,t they bring their past conditioning and archetypal notions of their self with them at the time of birth.  Uumans bring their past karma from the integral realm in which they had lived before their body was re-born. Thus, for human there is a forgotten pre-natal and pre-ego awareness or it is deep buried  in their memory of earlier body and senses gratification experiences.  In other words, humans are born with past karma but with a innocent mind at the time of their birth which is shaped by material world and often they gets deluded by the material world causing sorrows, However, they may a chance for realisation of the reality by transcending the body, mind and senses confine since they have that potential too through dormant and forgotten    ...

  Healing experience of star gazing: A poem Up high, little lights, Dotting the dark night. Tiny, twinkly sparks, Healing in the dark. Silver specks so far away, Shining bright at end of day. Gaze them, breathe deep, feel the peace Worries fade, and gently cease. Healing peace in starry skies, A simple wonder for your eyes.

 A wonder poem on star for pre-adolescent child Far, far away, a tiny spark, A star sleeps in the endless dark. I wonder what its light has seen, Across the space, so vast, serene. Far away, a world unknown, Is star happy, all alone? I close my eyes, and softly dream, Of star-lit shores, a silver gleam.

  Teacher's role in foster spirituality among kids: A poem Little child with heart so bright, Seeking meaning, day and night. Teachers help child understand, Life's big questions, hand in hand. Not just prayers and stories told, But wonders seen, both new and old. A flower blooming, star so far, Helps them ponder who they are. Kindness grows with gentle care, Sharing joy and burdens bear. Strong child stands, when winds may blow, Compassion's seeds begin to grow. From lessons learned, to acts so kind, A thoughtful heart, a peaceful mind. Their own views blooming, fresh and free, A better world, for you and me. 

QUATRAINS In open minds, soulfulness blooms, Dispelling shadows, lifting glooms. So let the spirit freely soar, Within the academy's door. A quiet light, in halls of stone, A spirit blooms, no longer alone. The mind would learn, the heart would yearn, For wisdom's fire, brightly to burn.

  Revere children and nurture  their spirit for brighter future: Couplets Small hands, bright eyes, a future that lies, Waiting to bloom, chasing away gloom. Value children’s spirit, pure and free, The hope of what they're meant to be. With gentle care, and love to share, Must  guide their way, each and every day. Nurture them well, be just and fair, A future blooming, beyond compare. Teach them kindness, truth, and light, Help them blossom, strong and bright. Visit link https://www.speakingtree.in/allslides/understanding-significance-of-ahoi-ashtami-through-ahoi-acrostic-the-festival-celebrated-eight-days-after-sharad-purnima/a-h-of-ahoi-acrostic .

 स्वाध्याय का महत्व; आलाप दोहे  अंदर झाँको, मनन करो, खुद को जानो, निर्मल करो। आत्म-चिंतन, मनन का नाम, खुद को जाने, पाएँ ज्ञान। औरन की वाणी सुनो, समझो, सीखो, गुनो चुनो। पढ़ना, समझना, गुनना सार, विद्वानों की रचना का प्यार। विद्या-अविद्या का भेद खुले, सत्य का दर्शन मन में जुडे। ज्ञान और जग का रखें मेल, विनयशील बनें, मिटे द्वेष खेल। विवेक जागे, विनय मिले, जीवन सुंदर फूल खिले।

 ज्ञान, ज्ञाता और ज्ञेय के एकत्व भाव से  सार्थक जीवन जिओ: आलाप दोहे  ज्ञान, ज्ञाता, ज्ञेय न भिन्न, एक ही ज्योति, एक ही किरण। ज्ञान, ज्ञाता, ज्ञेय -  एक ही मानो, ज्ञाता ही है केंद्र, ये सत्य जानो। ज्ञेय से पहले ज्ञाता को पहचानो, खुद को समझो, खुद को जानो। ज्ञाता के ज्ञान से जग को जानो, विज्ञान भी तब ही पहचानो। ये तीनों एक हैं, यह जान लो सार, जीवन का यही है सच्चा आधार। इन तीनों के मेल से कर्म करो, जीवन सार्थक, आनंद भरो।

  विवेक और भाव जागरण ही पुण्य कर्म है : अलाप दोहे संसार है ये , एक माया जाल , इच्छा मन में , करे धमाल। मन में उठे ये चाह की लहर , मन तो बंधा , संसार की डगर। प्रकृति , माया , खींचें डोर , मन चंचल , भागे हर ओर। चंचल मन से कर्म हैं होते , कभी ये पाप , कभी दुख बोते। । मन को बांधो , बुद्धि जगाओ , विवेक जगाओ , भाव में लाओ। सद्भाव से फिर करो काम , यही पुण्य है , पावन नाम।