This or that: duality or breaking into freedom?

On a cloudy and rainy day.

Calmness after the storm.

Late afternoon.

On a sunny day, nearly.

Look at the above photos taken on different days, in different weather conditions. Photography students and those interested in photography will go to town in analysing the photos and select the best one. This will be justified if it was part of their assignment and they were learning photography skills.

In our day-to-day life, we are hard wired to judge, mostly through our mind. The hard wiring has happened in the past. So, many of our judgements, assessments, and preferences are based in the past. And, through the judgements, we go into the future. No wonder we often feel powerless. The 'outer' world does not serve us much. We often remain unsatisfied, disappointed, and lacking in freedom. Welcome to the world of duality!

So, what is non-dualistic thinking or awareness?  See the explanation below:

Source: http://www.zenthinking.net

How do we get there? Well, I don't have many answers, except that we need to be in the present, in the now. I'm still scratching the surface. Being mindful, experiencing our presence, is a good start. This is the reflection of our 'inner' world. Regular practice of mindfulness and meditation is a good start to release ourselves of the past and our judgemental character. 

In the now, we experience our presence powerfully. There are infinite possibilities which we are able to see. The past is dissolved. We feel free. In this state, positive thoughts will unwire our brain of past negative thinking, even trauma. We begin to live. We begin to create happiness for ourselves and all around us. 

My deep namaste!

(c) Harish Davda 2020

Insta: @harish.davda

harish.davda@gmail.com

Every thing and no thing

I live on Isle of Skye, Highlands, Scotland.

In winter, it can be stormy here.

In between storms and high winds, when it is calm, I often go in my garden to experience nature. I did the same few days ago and took these photos:

A view over a mountain.

A view over Loch Snizort.

I love this Buddha. His positive energy makes me feel energised.

A view over Loch Snizort.

After I had taken the above shots, I wrote this...

Have you ever felt and experienced...
Nothing and everything,
Nothing matters...and everything matters,
Bliss is upon you as well as a burden,
The past shows up in your mind,
And then you are in the present, here and now.

Have you ever felt and experienced...
Momentary joy, peace and freedom,
When your body feels energised,
And you are beyond your mind,
Your body becomes the flow,
And takes you where you need to be.
Then the mind takes over,
And the thinking process begins.

Have you ever felt and experienced...
That the mind and body coexist,
They need each other.
Sometimes the body becomes the mind,
And does things both good and bad,
Generating feelings to act upon.
Perhaps the answer is to learn
To manage the mind, body and feelings,
With the help of consciousness.

(C) Harish Davda 2020

harish.davda@gmail.com
Insta: @harish.davda

My impressions of Glasgow...a vibrant city of culture.

A young musician strumming her guitar with a wonderful tune

It was my second visit to Glasgow. This time I had gone to collect my son who was arriving from Cape Town, South Africa. Before going to the airport, I had some time and spent 3 hours shooting in the city centre in and around Buchanan Street.

Glasgow's Victorian and art nouveau architecture gave away its rich legacy of the city's 18th–20th-century prosperity from trade and shipbuilding along river Clyde. 

Glasgow is a national cultural hub and home to Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet and National Theatre of Scotland, as well as numerous museums and a thriving music scene.

Shoppers were out and about

 Diversity was visible in the streets adding vibrancy to the city. Many shoppers were out on a Thursday afternoon. City centre's cafes were full.
From my personal experience, some of the best Indian restaurants are found in Glasgow. Some people call Glasgow 'the curry centre of Scotland'

 I met a very special group 'Pensioners for independence'. I had an interesting conversation with Mary McCabe, the co-ordinator and her colleagues. our politics coincided. I have been a supporter of SNP since I moved to Isle of Skye, Highlands, three years ago. I support their aim for gaining independence and be part of EU. I know that Scottish people were taken for granted by the labour Party for a long time. More on this perhaps in a future blog.

A homeless man...with his companion

Like any city, Glasgow, I suppose, has its issues. Homelessness is one of them. I'm not an expert on this. I suppose there are organisations in Glasgow who help homeless people and do their best. It is sad though to see homeless people anywhere in the UK. We are not poor! Some of our polices are poor! 

Many International names like this one seen in the city centre

Tartan design...so appropriate!

I met these two musicians who were playing in Buchanan street. I enjoyed their music. Nice guys.

A flutist..displaying his skill. He was excellent!

A group of students. They were doing a school Geography project.

A band from India...playing Bollywood music!

The above were just the highlights.

I had an enjoyable time in Glasgow!

Finally, my favourite quotes about Glasgow...

Glasgow is less polite than Edinburgh but that's a good thing - they keep it real.

- Nik Kershaw

My Dad taught me that the English upper class are sent to school to be taught to be confident, whereas in Glasgow you're born confident. I've always thought that pretty much summed me up. Born confident.

- Rankin

Instagram: @harish.davda
harish.davda@gmail.com
twitter: @hdatraining