One Soul - Sharing this from my group on Multiply

Link

Click on the link thing above - I am sharing this from my group on Multiply - and hope you all like it.

To comment there - so take a minute off and join the group - it is a very educated group of thinkers

Since you all are normal - I just had to post this link here

And the link is for you all to go to and read the article as well as the comments and 

REMEMBER I HAVE CALLED YOU NORMAL IN ENGLISH!

http://aspara121.multiply.com/journal/item/816?mark_read=aspara121:journal:816&replies_read=62#replyform 

Take care and be happy and store lots of chocolates for people like me ..

Who knows when we meet ...

Deepak

And I have tagged it also under "Normal" with its Estonian connotations!

I finally found an article written by Serena on her visit to LA this month to cover the release of "The Avengers".

• 14 Apr 2012
• Hindustan Times (Mumbai)
• Serena Menon serena.menon@hindustantimes.com

‘I’m just an Eastern philosophy kind of guy’ 1

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Captain America Chris Evans spent three weeks in Rishikesh in 2005-06, but is working so hard that he can’t return

The brain is a noisy place and all this is just to quiet it down. It’s certainly helpful
to me while I’m on sets
—Actor Chris Evans

Actor Chris Evans currently sports short dark hair, a promising beard and a Zen-like state of mind. Nothing like the buffed-up look he fashioned onscreen at the premiere of his upcoming biggie, The Avengers, which took place at the El Capitan theatre in LA on Wednesday. “I am a hat, beard, sunglasses kind of guy, but little kids are so good. They’ll just spot you in a crowd… that’s Captain America!” jokes Evans, who reprises his part as the superhero in Joss Whedon’s multi-cast film this April 27.

A still from The Avengers

Most Hollywood actors have little to say when asked about India. In Evans’s case, there was no ‘I like Bollywood for its song and dance’ or ‘I’m coming to the country to see the Taj Mahal soon’ kind of answer. He knows absolutely nothing about the Hindi film industry. But during the course of the conversation, it became evident that he seemed to have a more spiritual connection in place. “I spent three weeks in Rishikesh in 2005 or 2006 at a Buddhist retreat. I attend a Buddhism class here in LA and the woman who teaches had trained there. So we all went and stayed in this little village for about three weeks, hiked the Himalayas, camped on the banks of the Ganga… it was great,” says Evans, who has been missing this annual trip with his group due to his film commitments. “And that really sucks!” he says.

At the age of 16 or 17, Evans began reading up and speaking to people about the philosophy, only to realise his calling. “There was a whole religion that felt the way I was feeling. That’s when I thought, ‘Wow, I think I’m a Buddhist’. But even in India you realise that Buddhism, Daoism and Hinduism are very similar. It’s just the dogma that separates these religions. And I’m not going to get caught up in that. I’m just more of an Eastern philosophy kind of guy,” says the actor, adding that, “The brain is a noisy place and all this is just to quiet it down. It’s certainly helpful to me while I’m on the sets.” >> ‘I almost didn't do Captain America’ P 8

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1 Comment(s)

Deepak Menon
20 April 2012
15:36

The world is becoming a smaller place and now that the HT has started actually going to the site of action, it is able to go beyond a description of the glitter or events like the release of the "Avengers" and is able to actually peer into the psyche of the actors in such great blockbusters and be able to show that India is no longer thought of as a land of the naked fakirs, but instead is more a place where its multicultural heritage touches the hearts and "makes a difference" to the lives of people all over the world.

Am looking forward to seeing the movie as soon as it releases and will enjoy reading the coverage or its first show in India.

Thanks for a good article 

Deepak

Sharing this without permission from Carols Blog on Multiply

http://aspara121.multiply.com/video/item/554/Introducing_Bengal_cat_to_a_new_kitten_for_first_time_

I would be wonderful to see the comments of my friends on this video - it impressed me no end and it is about the unfolding petals of the flower of friendship

Deepak

LOOK AT YOURSELF AFTER WATCHING THIS.mp4

 http://youtu.be/Gc4HGQHgeFE

And I posted this comment on Youtube :-

He has been given an indomitable will and a shining soul which shines like an aura, lighting up the lives of every single person who he has contact with - and he is one with nature and God for ever and ever.
I'll find out where he is and meet him to learn something from him - he has already made an indelible impression on my mind and heart and I pray that I shall be able to even be a miniscule amount of what this great personality is!
Thank you for posting this incredible film!
Deepak-New Delhi

RAMAN AND PARUL - ROKNA CEREMONY FARIDABAD

Abha's younger sister Shobha and her great Physician Doctor Husband, Surender were the happiest people in the world as their son, our nephew, Raman was booked at a Rokna ceremony for a marriage to Parul from Faridabad. All details will be added by and by - but here are the first Photos of the ceremonies I am uploading for every one to see. I, Abha, Shobha, Surender and Raman and Parul will be recognised easily - shall try to name everyone by and by with help from Raman. Have a great tour of Indian culture.

Deepak Menon's Photos | Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150618036761502&set=a.104489861501.106128.521301501&type=1&theater
I thought that I would post my facebook page here - a fabulous article by my daughter Serena, about the missing "Old Monk" which is on the Face book too and was her weekly article on her column of the HindustanTimes, got me introspecting and I came to the conclusion that --
1. There are only very few essentials needed, to make life heavenly on Earth and
2. The old sayings have to change with the times - so my conclusion about Like Father - like ... son - have undergone a sea change
Now go and have a tot of "Old Monk Rum" and get back to read the articles and the facebook posts.
Hic ... Cheers at 3.15 PM in the afternoon here ..

http://www.facebook.com/demoninlove

Schadenfreude and Maskenfreiheit

I chanced upon the website of a very creative person with great writing skills - and after reading a post there - I am sharing it here for you all to read - I am sure you will like the blog and be able to comment on the meanings of Schadenfreude and Maskenfreiheit with great insight!
The link to the blog is :-
http://www.mariakonnikova.com/2012/03/wearing-masks/#comment-78
Have a great time and throw off those Masks if you can dare to do so ..
Cheers
Deepak

The City - a Poem by me

The City

Mud splatters my bare feet
Stars shine in darkened skies
As I walk to where we used to meet
The night echoes some waif's cries.

I see the pavements lumpy with logs
Huddled against the cold night chill
Humanity interspersed with dogs
Carrion awaiting vultures' will

The stench of decay fills my soul
Like tangible shadows invading me
Questions whirl; I approach my goal
The now solitary Tamarind Tree

Dim memories of a long forgotten grove
Of verdant sunlit waving leaves
Fleet through my mind; my eyes rove
For the spot, which still its magic weaves

My feet softly caress the hallowed soil
As they have done these many years
Then must I return to again toil
To forget your memory through tears

And become one with the City for another night
And live with the City through another day
The City where my kin are common sight
The City that gives and then takes away.

Copyright © Deepak Menon ("The City" is part of a collection of poems from my third volume of poetry entitled "A Lingering Fragrance....". )

Change For A Dollar

Link
Click on the link and see the entire film - I shared it from my friend 'Hadenough's" multiply blog.
Perhaps despite all the things we already have, quite possibly we need something more to get what that Beggarman had
Deepak

2012 - IST QUARTER PHOTOS INCLUDING HOLI

The year flying past - here are photos of significance - Holi Photos at Delhi - Serena was here - all the people in our complex had a rolicking time and even got the hosepipe out ha ha.
I put some photos of Dehradun where I had been with Abha and got the house shipshape. Kavita's wonderful kitchen garden merits attention. Ranga's wife the Professor of American Studies came on national TV in a talk with a Minister and the TV chap and we watched her discussions live from her house - that felt so so good. Went and met Afzal and Veenu and that is a pic of Veenu with her really very friendly and wonderful dogs - a Lab and that little Pug! More snaps shall follow - Praveen is improving slowly and we spend several hours with him and Punita and their son at their house - he can stand up now and is able to take a few steps with help and the stick. That is good news!

The Lowliest Of The Low

I ran across this prayer said by Guru Nanakji - the first Guru of the Sikhs - and it was so simple and straightforward that I decided to post it here because many of my best friends have been Sikhs during my college days and later too .. and I think the prayer explains what a true Sikh is ... all of us have to learn a lot from the words of Saints .. and we must never think that we are above anyone, howsoever backward he or she may be, as long as they manifest graciousness and goodness in their deeds and actions ... perhaps many stand on a higher pedestal than many of us ...
QUOTE from:-  http://1stholistic.com/Spl_prayers/prayer_sikh-lowliest.htm

The Lowliest Of The Low
Guru Nanak (1469-1538, Founder of Sikh religion, India) 

There is no counting the number of fools, No counting the thieves and fraudsters,

No counting those who shed innocent blood, No counting the adulterers and the traitors,

No counting the liars who take pleasure in deceit, No counting those who spread malice and hatred.

I do not put myself above any of those people, I am the lowliest of the low.

I have nothing to offer you, O Lord.

My life is not even worth sacrificing to you. 

All I can do is try to obey your will.

All I want is to abide in your peace.

Sujatas Birthday

Start:	Feb 6, '12 4:00p
End:	Feb 7, '12

HE WHO WOOS YOU LIKE NO MAN - a poem by Deepak Menon

Smoke swirled around your figure

Swaying like a misty wraith

Amongst the nameless crowd of souls

Dancing their Dance of Faith

Faith in the future they believed in

The future born in the dim past

When fought they battles, couldn't win

And were into destiny's cauldron cast

To flutter like trembling leaves in the wind

Frantically dancing the Dance they made

A Dance they made to make them forget

The games of love they once had played

When into their midst your timeless shape

Had burst in like a flash of light

Banishing the shadows, the smoke and dark

Scattering all fear into headlong flight

And you danced the Dance of Hope

While stars sparkled in your lovely eyes

And your body sang a Song of Hope

Stilling the multitudes hopeless cries

And they watched with riveted gaze

Your swirling limbs, your haunting face

Your radiant smile, your tossing hair

Your twinkling feet in frantic race

And they knew you danced for me

They watched and wondered frozen in time

While your eyes saw only me

Radiating your love - true, sublime

And they knew that they had seen

Eternity in your sparkling dance

A love so true, so pure - so strong

It left them speechless and askance

And from the mist there appeared

He who wooed you like no man

Took form and swept you far away

Into the Forever Sunshine land

   ----------------------By Deepak Menon

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR SEASON with Sammy and Seren here - DECEMBER 2011

Link http://deepakdemoninlove.multiply.com/photos/album/61/CHRISTMAS_AND_NEW_YEAR_SEASON_-_DECEMBER_2011
I just posted some photos of the Christmas and New Year Season on my blog - lots of old memories came alive and there was a wonderful re-connect with all our family and our friends - its Party Time!!!
Click on the little link above and share our moments
Sent with the very best wishes for a great New Year and blessings from the Gods for every one and hope that love surrounds you all
Deepak

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR SEASON - DECEMBER 2011

I thought that I should save some pictures of December 2011 for posterity - several parties, a lot of togetherness and it was a season to reconnect with friends and family - so these are random pictures of me and my family and some of our friends ... my heritage family party at home in Delhi, the visit to Hardwar for Abha's fathers birthday at Abha's brother Aloks house there, the wonderful Christmas celebration and dance and bonfire and the Christmas tree with all the presents at home in Dehradun like the good old days once more, the visit to Faridabad to Abha's sisters house and the fine very very tasty dinner at Kota House with Arvind as well as the slurp slurp dinner at Karim's in Delhi - every moment was special ... posted with love and affection to every one and wishes for a very very wonderful new year 2012

17TH DEC 2011 DEEPAKS FAMILY GET TOGETHER

I have posted all the picture of the party here and also posted a descriptive blog for everyone at http://deepakdemoninlove.multiply.com/journal/item/131/DEEPAKS_FAMILY_GET_TOGETHER_IN_DELHI_17TH_DEC_2011

DEEPAKS FAMILY GET TOGETHER IN DELHI 17TH DEC 2011

One day I thought that time and tide have resulted in a widening abyss between every one in our family - the children have no idea of our heritage - they have no knowledge of the sacrifices and bravery of our forebears who had to leave everything behind in Pakistan during the terrible days of India's partation and the creation of the new country 'Pakistan' in the Northwest of our country, of the massacres that took place - I had posted a blog on Jan 8, '08, especially for my Aunt Mrs. Promilla Ghose which will give an idea of what they all went through to give a secure new home and a new life after the partition of India - you can read it at End of an Era - An Eulogy dedicated to Mrs Promilla Ghose my Great aunt on my blog - http://deepakdemoninlove.multiply.com/journal/item/73/End_of_an_Era__An_Eulogy_dedicated_to_Mrs_Promilla_Ghose_my_Great_aunt .
So I planned a party and invited 35 people of my maternal side of the family - but again events often do not happen as they should -
1. Derek (Uncle Ozzie's son) and his family - wife and two children could not come because he was down with a heart problem
2. Dinky (Aruna Paul) my cousin along with Anil and their newly married son and bride could not attend because Anil had fixed a national level meet or something where they all had to go
3. Aunty Maureen - the last surviving of our older generation who were born in Quetta (Now in Pakistan) is over 80 years old and had to be brought by Derek and consequently could not come
4. Ronnie's son Kabir was not well and so his wife Sudha had to stay behind to care for him.
6. Tina (Vikrams wife Edna's sister with her husband and kids could not come because Eric was not well and Tina had her school function on that date itself - 4 Less sigh!
5. In addition, Abha's sisters from Jhansi and Muzaffarnagar had said that they would be with us - but only Gaurav arrived - so that made 6 less
So to finish the tally - finally there were only 15 of us left!
But we had a great party - and celebrated the day with lots of fun and laughter and reminiscences of the great times we had in the yesteryear filled with a little nostalgia and lots of laughter! There were Aunty Mano, Roma, Ronnie, Me, Abha, Gaurav, Percy and his wife Seema and kids Shalini and Mister Jerry, Jatin with his wife Meenu and kids
I am posting photos of the evening for every one to see in a separate album and the link is http://deepakdemoninlove.multiply.com/photos/album/60/17TH_DEC_2011_DEEPAKS_FAMILY_GET_TOGETHER_ -
Hope you all enjoy the pictures
Deepak

Yaadon ki Baraat Full Video Song

I remember when I saw this wonderful song a long long time ago,
and though the years have passed - its meanings are as clear and
nostalgia provoking as ever - the song is about the procession
of old memories as they pass through our minds and awaken that
deep nostalgia which never ever leaves us ..

"Candid Camera"