Santhosh's ramblings

These days, I am reminded almost daily of a disease we learnt about. It has five components— “ Stones, Bones, Groans, Moans, and Psychic Overtones". Of the five, three seem to be my daily companions these days: “groans, moans, and psychic overtones”, especially after travel.   (For those who are interested in knowing more about the disease, you can consult Dr Google—Hyperparathyroidism.) I am sure I do not have it. But I can imagine some friends already googling it, almost certain that they have it.    But the question is - why is the triad of “groans, moans, and psychic overtones” increasing these days? I try to ignore it, and I succeed most days, but on some days, it keeps at it until I pay attention. It has an “ASD” - attention-seeking disorder - it wants my full attention. It took some time to realise that it was the cry of my body, screaming loudly and telling me to take things a bit slow. (There is a bit of hyperbole here, but what is a blog without that )   Bu...

We had a short trip to the high ranges but had to return early because of a family member’s demise. Though it lasted just around 24 hours, something in that brief time refreshed our souls. Yes, there were friends who opened their home to us, and that certainly added to the experience.  But the mountains, the forests, the cardamom plantations, the myriad birds, and the smell of wet soil had a calming effect on the soul. Even in high‑rises, and polluted cities, people create small terrace and balcony gardens, seeking that indescribable comfort only living plants seem to offer. I wonder why nature refreshes us so deeply.  While we were there, we received the message of a family member’s passing — young in age too. The thought that came to my mind was this: all it takes is one moment to return to the earth from which we originally come. Is it this original connection to nature and creation that refreshes our souls? One of the mystic writers calls trees and mountains our brothers a...