Book Review: 'The Rise of Yogamaya' by Vidya Shankar - You are Mother of your thoughts and evolved self! Thank you

A poet is the one who emotes her every thought into words.  Poets bring in life to the thoughts and blossom as words with meaning.  Only poets can understand the real meaning and how it reflects to their own lives...its all ups and downs...learning and teachings..beautifully woven into the verses 

Vidya....Your 'The Rise of Yogamaya' is a true reflection of you.    Several of women who fight life in their own way and find solace in the poetic verses.  

Each poem in the book reflects various dimensions of life you have experienced.  It reflects how we become a Krishna, the infinite.     

Motherhood is no doubt a blessing..but it is not the end of womanhood.. or more specially of being what you are as a woman.  I could feel your pain and experiences that you have beautifully evolved from.    You are truly a great Mother...to your thoughts..to yourself own new self and to this amazing book of yours.   I bow to the amazing motherhood in you that reflects in the consciousness to spread awareness again mental illness issues.   As you become the mother to your new 'YOURSELF'.   Truly, I would like to dedicate my poem 'Finding Her' to you!

I echo the words '  Every Time I look at fear in the face,  Life happens to me.'  The story shared by your Yoga Guru Sri. Swami Shivarishi,  of how we forget to water the roots of the plant and keep dusting the leaves...is true need of the hour for each one of us.  There are plenty of pages, you made me pause, keep underlining the lines I loved keeping note of it.

'It was in her silence that she heard His Love;. That she saw HIS infinite Grace.

....many a time in our quest and hurry to find love forever, we speak million words that are meaningless where as we can find depth of loves in sheer stillness or silence...

'the ending running into the beginning'......how reflective this is to the truth of life...in every end there is a beginning and every beginning will one day come to an end!

'The Strength of her femaleness,  The beauty of Liberation, and the love for herself, she discovered she was poetry.'.    This is a perfect tribute to the amazing poet in you.   Respect

Amidst every page, the quotes on 'What Say you on Mental Health?'  makes this a perfect awareness guide to mental health awareness.  Kudos to you for speaking up for this cause.   Not many can do what we are doing and that is the strength of us I guess

Even showing Puthanai....and her liberation, you have showed that with Lord Krishna,  even a demonic woman can transform towards moksha....

Blue Baby's special Mother is a great tribute, showing ' Genuine in love, fierce n caring, Deep in compassion, ardent in patience, only such a mother of special strength'...

How Dare you?  If a great way of telling how we have to be conscious about her environment.  Kudos to you for bringing this up.

'Its because of you that I have come to believe,  I have magic inside of me, and like you, emanate

This magic to a longing world where, Age, Gender, ability, prosperity stands no discrimination. -  My book, my little love.  is deeply showing  the fact that 'You Love me with No pretense'

You touched me with the 'Jasmine Love' for the one flowers that I am dearly fond of ..and I keep telling my family, that be lay me in the bed of jasmines, in case I die...that is the fondness of mine towards the fragrant jasmines....  truly its not every memory of a lost love that re-lived in time and again

Your absence at my window,  a vaccum create -    means to the emotions that dearly mean..when we miss someone whom we truly love.   The pining threads of a languishing heart!

Truly,  ' I always am!    As life moves through me , I always am!   This is beautiful.   

The ending Uni-Verse  what speaks about 'What is the supreme infinite without the minuscule finite...

The undaunted truth that is love!'    Truly a tribute to the real love

Thank you for this amazing book of poems....You emerged as Draupadi.. a Krishna,  a Kodai..  a Mother.   

Keep your poetry flowing..may all your struggles for ever end as you keep evolving..may you find love in yourself and those around you who truly love you.   May our tribe of heartfelt poets increase...May you shine and spread the message of mental health...God bless you and Shankar

I am truly happy I found a friend in you.  Thank you Vidya.  God bless you .

Finding Her - Arising from the Fire (Prose Poetry from Paru Tales )

Author- Umasree Raghunath

I thought I would never find her…

As I rumbled through the darkest times of my life,

Rock bottom of all rock bottoms…with nothing left to lose

Lost myself trying to please all around

Gaining love and connections from others all abound

Love and connections, I never really got,

No matter how hard I chased it in lot,

Because no external thing could ever fill

The endless void felt within

So, I went on the road trip to ‘reset’

In the quest to find myself at my best

The trip was to find the lost me

The intention to find the source of the deepest pain

Also remove the agonizing blockages preventing me

From finding my true love and happiness

I went behind every possible lessons of the Masters

Chakras, Auras, Timelines, all the way down to Spirits

And everything on its way and in between

I went deep inside my own self, as wide as I could

Stopped on the way to release all the guilt and share

That burdened my journey further down the lane

I sat on the fields and made the list of everyone

Who’s ever hurt me or everyone I’ve ever hurt

I looked upon the bright sun and gave it all to him

Asking him to release them all and let them burn

With LOVE and gratitude, I found someone

So special that I never thought would be ever found

ME

And deeper in the journey in the thickest woods

I found the calling, a true sojourn towards healing

I realized it was me, I needed love from the most

Because it was me who WITHHELD the most love from myself

So, the day, the decision was made

Loud and clear, to love MYSELF for sure!

And I did!

I started being kinder to myself.

Every time, I felt burdened, I thought of three things

Positive and things that made me proud

I made a list of every activity that made me fill up

With joy, laughter, love, peace and empowering emotions

And I made time to do them not once but daily.

Whenever, I’d feel heavy or stressed,

I stopped sitting on that feeling for long

Its ok to look up the sky, let your heart cry

But get up, fresh up and smile to enjoy

First time

I started to say NO to things I didn’t want to do

YES, to things that I felt pulled to do

I started doing things again that set my soul on fire

I kept writing down exactly what I wanted in all areas of life

Health, Finance, Purpose, Work, Love, Life

When I say I wrote everything down,

I mean, I wrote my detailed ‘Dream Scenarios’ down

And I even wrote a long and detailed list of things

That cluttered my mind and soul,

that I wanted to leave behind as I travel back

I dream of someone who would grow and evolve with me

Who would love me for ALL of me- even the parts

That I know are ‘unlovable’ at times

In my mind, I started living with that someone

Who ignites the flame of passion by mere existence

In my soul, I found a purpose with that someone

Who would dedicate our lives together to fulfilling that purpose

In my body, who would pull me back when I get out of alignment

Lovingly hold me accountable to all my potential

Yes, I found that someone who would change the world with me

And impacting lives around and globally

And the list went on and on ….and on

That someone who presented me the beautiful life

Because I sure as heck deserved it true

The days of me settling with what’s available was over

After writing all that down, I released it all to God and the Universe

And sent it off with love and gratitude

That’s when I found ME

Who came with everything on my dream list and more

Unraveling the amazing things about her

Falling deeper and deeper in love

Changing lives, thoughts and love coming true

The day I released every fear, doubt and dependence

It created the space for me to find myself

And love MYSELF!

And in that vibration, everything I could ever want and more,

found its way to me.

When you find yourself and love yourself,

you magnetically attract everything magical

that’s meant for you in this lifetime... and more ❤️

The Love that did not last (Short Story from Paru Tales) - When a man disappears after falling in love? How a woman copes up with it!

Finally. Paru had a phenomenal date. They were physically, emotionally, and mentally attracted. And it was mutual. She knew for sure, because he said it. 

Author-  Umasree Raghunath

Shiv felt his luck to have met her.  He was excited about her and imagined a future together.   He could talk about anything.  He wished he marries her and have kids. 

The next morning, lying in the bed covered over the white blankets being on an absolute high, Paru texted her best friend telling that this is IT.    She didn’t realise that she was doing a classic mistake that would be hard to swallow and could have been avoided.    Her feelings of the night necessarily not meant the same to him as it did to her. 

Paru did not imagine the ghost that is in store and the upcoming slow fading away after few weeks.   Paru’s fantasy date shadowed her thinking on what the man would be thinking on this as a long-term relationship.   

The evening before,  Shiv was holding her hands and looking deeply into her eyes and whispering that the best of lips he had ever seen were hers.  He said that they were an amazing mix of adorable and sexy couple.  Shiv was honest when he confessed that he never encountered this combination of brains, beauty and passion in his whole life.  He was literally blown away by her. 

The wind must have been blowing hard, because days later, he was no where to be found.   Paru became anxious, worried and equally curious on how he could disappear.    She started assuming things and getting more worried.   She did not realize the fact that this had happened hundreds of times to women all over the world. 

Paru was sure that her relationship with Shiv was not temporary. She felt it truly special and she wondered what the reason for this sharp turnaround of things could be.  She kept recalling her conversations with him to think if something she said turned him off.   Was he making the whole thing up?   How can anyone put up such a convincing act?

Paru failed to understand the truth that this can happen anytime.  It not a deliberate act but men are like that many times.   That’s why it doesn’t matter what a guy does on a date.  The biggest attention that Paru missed was to what he did after those lovely meetings. 

Paru believed that he was serious with her,  as he called her the next day, planned the subsequent meetings,  kept the evenings and weekends open for her and so on.  She believed that Shiv was her man, her future.  For this how exactly, men would act when they are really onto you, they just don’t talk, but act.

Suddenly for Shiv it didn’t matter if he had the best time in his life,  he left her hanging for a week afterwards without making plans to see her again, which she did not see it coming.    Paru went into a roller coaster of emotions,  all her hopes and dreams crashing down.  There was nothing that could lessen her pain.   She always felt that he was up there for the whole ride of her life. 

She kept looking at the mirror and shouting on ‘What the hell was he thinking?’  Was Shiv a con artist, an opportunist, who like to game a vulnerable woman like her.  

On the other hand,  Shiv was sitting in the beach, looking at the waves, and with his heart heavy and mind confused.   He did not just spend time with her to enjoy the thrill of the chase,  enjoy enough, get bored and moved on.  It is not simple for him as well.    He was strong on his emotions for Paru, but her overpouring love and possessiveness startled him.   He felt overwhelmed and decided to make a quick and surprising exit from the relationship he wanted to build it with care.  Shiv kept telling himself that he is not a liar, player or a jerk.     There’s a lot going on his head beneath the surface that Paru could never imagine. 

Shiv was the first one to take her attention and affection to a steady state.  He plunged into an exciting and passionate relationship without really knowing the person only to discover after few months that he made a mistake.    He hated hurting her, but he also hated the fact that he was so bad at assessing the compatibility.  He had to turn over a new leaf and move slower in order to make better decisions. 

Paru knew for sure that Shiv was a good guy.  But why did he baffle and do hurtful things and killed her relationship being in the moment when he intended to lead it on.     With the passing days, she was sure that the dreams of marriage or living forever with him are lost.    Even though he kept telling her that she is a beautiful woman in and out, holding her hands and looking into her eyes. 

Shiv asked himself, if he really liked her.   Yes, absolutely! came his own response to his mirror image.  But he did not think long term with her after knowing his own self.  He’s just thinking out loud and to himself.    This is very hard to wrap up around her mind, because women don’t operate this way.  

Paru is not a woman who will not compliment a guy if she doesn’t think he’s great.  She will never sleep with him if she doesn’t care about him.  Never will bring up a future until she feels he is her Mr. Right and not just now.   However, Shiv was like any other guy who will feel in that moment, which may or may  not predict their future feelings. 

Paru closed her eyes unable to fathom her pain.  Tears started flowing for she invested not only time and money, but emotions on the man expecting him to approach life like she does and thinking that he will reciprocate in the same way always.  And hence the trouble.    Paru felt continuously disappointed,  felt like a victim, and concluded that she has no control whatsoever happening in her love life.

She opened her eyes, wiped her tears,  wore her favourite blue jeans and red top and the bright red lipstick and looked at the mirror and gave herself a big smile.

She is not going to let her happiness be controlled by the emotions of a relationship that never existed in its true sense.   She is going to be the Master of her destiny. 

She could smile again as soon as she realized that there is absolutely no correlation between what a man says when he is in love or what he feels in his heart after the fire is gone.      How much ever men may resist this statement, rebel against it, the truth is the truth.    Paru’s acceptance that men operate differently from women and using this understanding to her advantage only could make her smile again and accept to move on.   Not necessary she will have to stay alone forever.  She will find her Prince Charming as the days come by.   

In every relationship, taking along few pauses to reflect and cherish, beyond the first few interactions are key to have the relationship sustaining and everlasting.  If you want to get carried away with every single or first association that makes you happy, will only end up in disaster and disappointments for ever.       Relationships that had conversations flowing, friendship blossoming,  clicked at so many levels  may end up in a physical relationship and social commitment as well.  

Paru learnt the lesson in a very hard way on what to say – and what not to say- to a man in those fragile first few days of a relationship and as well as the need to understand quickly and firmly the real intentions of the man about you.  As a woman, you  need to believe in your instincts and intuition which would give you signals if you are in a casual hook up or with a person wanting something serious and sustaining with you. 

Paru also learnt the biggest lesson on the need to make someone step up as a lifelong companion or exit your life quickly and nicely and allow you to move on.  There is a dire need to stop replaying in mind all the romantic words exchanged and stop feeling guilty or pinpoint the exact moments where he could have turned off.  This is the biggest favour a woman can do to herself to remain at peace.  A woman has the capability to identify the confusing signals of the man.  It doesn’t mean he is bad;  it just means he doesn’t know what he wants. 

Paru for sure DO know what she wanted-   a guy who wants to have a future with her.  And to ensure that she’s not settling for anything less, she decided to move on!

Most Memorable Day of Life - KSLU Convocation - Getting my LLB Degree Certificate in hand :-)

With the most priced possession of life - L.LB Degree 

A penace came to an end

A tribute to Dad's dream

Real push from a first friend

Finally the feeling of complete

This bit of paper is not just a degree

It is an unforgotten vision

Missing the man who seeded the dream

and the woman who let me chase it too

Amma, wish you were there at least

Daddy,  I know you are smiling at me today

Amidst the unbearable high of happiness

I am longing earnestly for love

from Appa to Shivaya, the journey

was rapid, with no time to pause or reflect

It made me now to reflect, stop, pause

I need him now more than any time

Dont feel there, dont feel fine

What next, I have no clue

Purpose is strongly felt and its new

God, give me strength to pass this too

If my love, dedication, devotion is true

who am I missing dearly now?

It is the very me in this now?

Peace be with me!

As I chase the next unfinished dream!

Met Madolin U Rajesh  who traveled with us to Hubli both ways for a concert

Visit to Chandramoulishwar Temple Hubli- 14 Mar 2020

Benefits of enjoying travel is that you start exploring every place you get to visit. Today was no different and we ended up at 900 year old Lord Chandramoulishwar temple in Hubli...a real beautiful heritage site tucked amidst a normal village inside a narrow lane, but the minute you get there, you get to surrender to the beauty of this wonderful temple....Lord Shiva drags you to his enthralling power and supremacy...Om Namashivaya

SRM Valliammal College - Talk on POSH, Anti- Ragging and Career Guidance

SRM VEC Red Ribbon Club, Youth Red Cross & Student Affairs Cell conducted a Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace, Anti Ragging and Career Guidance Program for the benefit of all students and all faculty on 11.03.2020 during the Academic Year 2019-20

The Chief Guests delivered the speech on the above mentioned topics

1. Ms.Umasree Raghunath, IBM global account portfolio manager - on Prevention Of Sexual Harassment At Workplace (Which Includes Colleges) [Posh Awareness]

2. Mr.Kumaran M Sundaram, Managers Supporting Global Clients At IBM India Private Limited, Motivational Speaker, on 'Skill required as students' transition from Campus to Corporate' - Career Guidance the Session was focusing on the opportunities and challenges in the Industry

Received 'Sheroes"- "Women ICON Award 2020" from Rotary District 3232 on 8 Mar 2020

ISACA and IAA Chennai Chapters- Womens Day Talk- 5 Mar 2020- on Emerging Technologies enabling in Fraud Detection