Santhosh's ramblings

I went to church last Sunday. Nothing unusual, but something was different. Returning to the church I grew up in—after a couple of decades—I learnt a few things about myself. The melodious music (a couple of English hymns too), the challenging message (delivered by a young woman—it was a special Sunday), the meaningful liturgy (if listened to well), and 2 hours and 45 minutes of mostly standing. A large number of worshippers seemed deeply engaged in everything (at least that’s what I sensed)… except me. My soul was wandering, my mind distracted and scattered, my back aching, and my hand itching to pull out the mobile to check WhatsApp now and then. (No one else had their mobiles out! Everyone had liturgy books with them.) A couple of decades ago, when I used to attend the same church, I remember being more fully “present there.” Aging and being away seem to have contributed to a few changes: inattentive and unfocused soul, distracted mind, and weak back muscles. Yes—body, mind, and sou...