On Language and Literature

Literature is the writer’s state of mind and feelings, put down in words for others to comprehend, and achieve (almost) the same state. And in few cases impressive literature can act as catalyst to take the imagination forward to a higher state. In so many languages of the world, we have had so many famous writers, igniting the fires of imagination in so many minds.

I was born in a part of India where the focus of education was on Mathematics and Sciences. The reasons were Economic as Engineers and Doctors were in the well-paid jobs of then and near future. My father being an Engineer made me focus more on these, but during the long summer vacation he changed the focus to languages like English, Hindi and Sanskrit. So with practice I started doing well on languages during early 5^th-6^th grades. And by 8^th 9^th and 10^th grades when we were exposed to famous Literature in English and Hindi I was able to grasp the nuances of poetry and prose. And more important I started appreciating Literature.

When I was 18, with an interesting twist of fate, I started my Engineering education in former USSR, and started learning Russian, which was my new medium of education. We (me and other foreign students) picked Russian fast and for next 6 years it was all Russian, spoken and written and heard.

In those years I noticed something interesting. All those foreign students who were good in verbal and written communication in their native languages, proved to be excellent in the new language as well. This boosted their social confidence, and gave them the necessary tools to interact with people and explain their point of view easily. This eventually gave them an edge in education, getting better grades and recognition in the university. It’s not surprising that most of the students with top grades in Languages, were the ones with the most top grades in Computer Science.

And much later in profession I started noticing the importance of Communication skills. And as you grow in profession the need of superior Communication skills increase. Well it’s the other way if you see carefully. If you do not have superior Communication skills you have difficulty in growing and sustaining.

The need eventually is in connecting with the various minds around, learning from them, influencing them and leaving an impression. Language is like the special wire, which connects ignited minds, which can get the energy from outside, create own, and charge many other minds.

So for our kids, it’s wiser to focus early on the Languages and rich global Literature we have access to. Give them the wires to connect to the world, and they will know what’s best for them and the minds around.

Mahtab Syed

Bangalore, 07 Dec 2013

The Spiritual High

When I say “The Spiritual High” I mean a state of bliss when you are able to touch a cord of your soul, which sustains for few minutes.

You would have experienced it or seen someone else experience it. Few examples

-       In a temple say ISCON Hare Rama Hare Krishna where it’s customary to let yourself loose and dance and worship, or a Sufi Dargaah like Hazrat Moinuddin Chisti in Ajmer where you participate in a Sufi song. Imagine you go there when you are the needy or when your wish is fulfilled. The state of mind is full of devotion and reverence. You let yourself loose in dance and music. You forget about your present worries. And for few minutes, when you see and feel the Supreme power, the barriers between you and your soul just melt away. This Spiritual High lasts for some time till your mind takes control of the present worries.

-       In a Rock concert when your God of music say Bryan Adams performs live those songs with which you have grown up. The performance of the song “Please forgive me…” reminds you when as a teenager you had broken the heart of your beloved. You feel as if Bryan Adams is singing for you. The beats of the drum and the strings of guitars seem to come from your heart and soul. That’s it… That’s the power of music and love. This is the Spiritual High I am talking about. You don’t want to get back to the normal world, as this is Heaven, the Bliss…

We can experience this Spiritual High in daily life as well. Try this

1. If you are worried about something you may not get there
2. So relax, take a break and forget it. If the worry is bigger you need a longer break.
3. You should be physically tired, very tired, try jogging for some time till you are exhausted
4. Take a shower, and have a cup of coffee
5. Sit as in meditation in a silent place. No phones, people, or noise disturbing you.
6. Play your favorite music
7. Close your eyes and just listen to the music. If it’s your favorite music, it will remind of happy moments.
8. The pain in the muscles releases pain relieving hormones, the caffeine in coffee relaxes you, the music and the underlying love opens the lock.
9. You get The Spiritual High where you forget the present, loose control of time, and you touch a cord of your soul.

Music, love, devotion, passion are the keys. The ever-active mind is one of the barriers to the Soul. Practice to open it often… And then it will be easier next time and the vision of the bliss will be more and more beautiful…

Mahtab Syed

12-Oct-2013

Bangalore