Friday, January 16, 2009

Getting Started in Blogosphere


I am a homemaker and a mother of two who are on the verge of flying the nest.Just had my 50th birthday.

In the Vedic period, I guess, it was around this age ,that people opted for the 'vanprastha ashram'.This was the third ashram or phase of life,succeeding 'Brahmacharya ashram'(student phase), and 'Grihastha ashram'(householder phase).'Vanprastha' literally means 'going to the forest'.The householder gradually relinquishes his responsibilities and rights in the household and allows the younger generation to take over, while he and his spouse move into a more contemplative mode of life.This phase precedes the last one- the 'Sanyas ashram' or the 'phase of renunciation' and is the mental and physical preparation for it. The fruit ripens and gradually disconnects from the branch of worldly life.

I can't say ,the idea doesn't appeal to me right now. It made a lot of sense dividing the human life in these four distinct phases.Would have eliminated many conflicts and power struggles within the household,all those 'saas-bahu' scenarios.People would retire to the solitude and peace of the forests, assimilate their life experiences ,contemplate and meditate. They would have the opportunity to associate and learn from sages who lived in those verdant environs.They depended on Ayurveda for curing their ailments so even that aspect would be well taken care of in the forests.

All this does appear rather tempting to me at this point in my life!An escape,a sanctuary from the humdrum daily existence, the same old routine of life which goes on and on,the never-ending cycle of chores and duties.

So here I am ,taking my first steps into Blogosphere, the modern version of the unknown forest,a world beyond my own small one.For a few hours everyday,I am planning to escape into this world and there is no knowing what I might find.So here goes!

3 comments:

  1. Welcome to secondlife in the virtual world ! Vaanaprastham was ordained for people who'd finished with their duties and were free to pursue the mother of all journeys : the journey into the self. Blogging may yet prove to be a useful tool to help kickstart that journey. Here, one is free to say what one feels like, to articulate for oneself some thoughts that had been buried deep; to review past events,removed from immediacy and hence , in better perspective. Consequently one can get to know more about oneself i guess.Best Wishes

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  2. Thanks Yosee! You were the inspiration for me to start blogging.I am lucky to have found you.At least, I am gathering together my random thoughts and trying to put them in a coherent form.That is something I have'nt done in ages and that is a good beginning.

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  3. Rwitoja ! I am flattered ! No one has ever called me an "Inspiration" for anything !

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