Vipassana—A Precious Gift to Humanity

September 20, 2021

“One is indeed one's own master. One is indeed one's own destiny.”

-Gautama the Buddha, Dhammapada, Verse 380

For well over 15 years now, I have been a practitioner of Vipassana Meditation as taught by S.N. Goenka ji and his teacher—Sayagyi U Ba Khin. I was introduced to this path by my father when I attended a teenagers' meditation course at the age of 17. I had just come back from the US after spending a year on a ‘youth cultural exchange’ program, and felt distraught due to a ‘reverse cultural shock’. It felt difficult to readjust to life back home in my village in India, where I had grown up. Glamorized by the West and alienated from my cultural roots, I was not able to relate well with my own family and friends for quite a while.

Around this turbulent teenage phase, the 7 days of silence in the blessed presence of S.N. Goenkaji and fellow meditators turned out to be the most profoundly transformative experience of my life. During that Teenagers' Course, I seemed to have stumbled into a state of a complete meltdown of my ego-self, opening up within me the floodgates of immense gratitude and love for all beings. Although flitting, it offered me a glimpse into a more expansive way of being, which my rational mind could not grasp before practicing Vipassana.

With Goenka ji before attending my first Vipassana course

Since then, my journey on the path of Dhamma (Pali word for Dharma) has been steadily gathering momentum. I recently completed my first 20 days of Vipassana silent retreat and felt called to share the essence of my ever-evolving understanding of this beautiful path. I hope it inspires fellow seekers to tread on it and support mutual growth.

The path is simple and arduous at the same time. Any attempt to put it into words may fall short of the actual experience, which is unique to each individual. Nevertheless, as a humble offering, I venture to share it in broad strokes here.

“Vipassana, which means to see things as they really are, is one of India's most ancient techniques of meditation. Vipassana is a way of self-transformation through self-observation. As one starts closely observing what goes on within the body without reacting to it, many truths start unfolding. The scientific laws that operate one's thoughts, feelings, judgments and sensations become clear. Through direct experience, the nature of how one grows or regresses, how one produces suffering or frees oneself from suffering is understood. Life becomes characterized by increased awareness, non-delusion, self-control and peace. This non-sectarian technique aims for the total eradication of mental impurities and the resultant highest happiness.”*(dhamma.org)

Interestingly, there is ‘nothing to be done’ as a mediator. The practice calls upon us to ‘just be aware’, moment-to-moment, of our breath and physical sensations, with complete equanimity. This ‘doing nothing’ may seem very simple and easy, but perhaps is the hardest thing ‘to do’ for the human mind. This is because of the strong conditioning and constant tendency of the mind to keep itself occupied or distracted, to judge and react, or to escape into some external activity etc. As one closes one’s eyes and attempts to sit still, the mind begins to rebel, to wander into the past or the future. One also begins to notice the ceaseless tendency of the mind to seek pleasure and to resent pain/discomfort. It is an important realization—the nature of our mind and its conditioning. This ‘doing nothing’, staying alert and not reacting, stirs up deep-rooted impressions (Sankharas) which are lying dormant in our sub-conscious mind. No preference is given to any particular thought, emotion or experience. One simply remains witness to whatever is unfolding each passing moment. Natural breath and the body sensations are chosen as our anchors for staying aware because of their intimate connection with the mind. With continued vigilance, through what feels like an intense, surgical operation, radical shift begins to take place in the nature of our mind at a fundamental level.

Just the way a mirror offers us the opportunity to see clearly our physical appearance, Vipassana offers a chance to see clearly our inner reality. With a greater sense of awareness, held with equanimity, deeper insights begin to reveal themselves and new perspectives open up. The difference is quite palpable–as if a foggy window-shield is getting wiped crystal clear, veil after veil (of ignorance & conditioning) is getting lifted off. Such a clearer ‘seeing of reality as it is’, helps in navigating the journey. Like an anti-virus software that scans the computer for any bugs to protect the system, this practice of inner-seeing, inner-knowing, is an ever-present tool for us to be able to constantly scan the subatomic, vibrational field of energy which makes up our mind-body complex. One begins to sense the moment-to-moment arising and passing of the physical sensations which manifest themselves in the form of bio-chemical reactions and electro-magnetic waves. We can now be more conscious of how every tiniest of our thought and inter-action with the world affects our inner reality. At any given moment, we are presented with a choice—to continue to react to the pleasant—unpleasant sensations (as has been the habit pattern of our mind) OR to observe them dispassionately. Moving away from a pre-conditioned, mechanical mode of operating, we may now respond and engage with the world more skillfully. Our capacity to remain calm even in the middle of a storm begins to grow naturally. Even as there is suffering, with each passing moment, there is impermanence is what one begins to realize at a very experiential level. This creates a greater sense of acceptance and detached engagement with life--leading to effortless action.

It is indeed a deep dive into hidden layers of our consciousness. The deeper one penetrates, the deeper it cleans-up the past residues formed by the cravings, aversions or ignorance of one's mind. It feels quite empowering to appreciate that ‘liberation’ is not necessarily one final destination but a continuous process and a conscious choice that we can make every moment!

During one of my long silent practices, an image came to me—that of being a warrior on a horse, attacked from every direction, wounded and bleeding—the pain was incredible. Something however, offered me the strength to stay the course, vigilant and unperturbed. After over 90 minutes of being still, when I finally opened my eyes, tears started rolling down. It felt as if some deeply held hurt and burden had been lifted off my chest. My heart was filled with immense gratitude towards the Vipassana tradition and the long lineage of Masters who maintained the sanctity of the technique over so many centuries since the time of the Buddha. He re-discovered the technique over 2500 years ago and with great compassion, shared it widely for the benefit of the entire humanity.

Does this all mean that I am now enlightened—my friends ask me jokingly! Far from it! The humble realization, rather, is that the path is long and arduous but the choice to walk on it is present every moment.

Vipassana Global Pagoda, Mumbai, India

Some salient aspects of the Vipassana tradition:

Inclusive: All are welcome! Vipassana has universal application in alleviating human suffering. It can be of benefit to anyone who practices diligently, irrespective of their race, religion, culture, socio-economic status, caste, gender or age. It has been found to be extremely transformative in prison settings as well. The essential nature of Dharma is benevolence. It is akin to pristine pure water in the Himalayas. Whoever takes even a sip of it, is bound to feel uplifted.

“धर्म न हिन्दू बौद्ध है, सिख न मुस्लिम जैन, धर्म चित्त की शुद्धता धर्म शांति सुख चैन” ।

“Dharma is neither Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, nor Islam or Jainism. Dharma is the purity of mind, Dharma is peace, joy and harmony.”—S.N. Goenkaji

A Precious Gift: Dharma is invaluable indeed! There are no fees to attend the courses. They are gifted forward by the participants who have had a taste of its depth and beauty. Over 200 Vipassana centers have come up around the world and continue to grow organically thanks to the heartfelt contributions of countless, invisible beings.

Experiential: The entire path follows the truth as it presents itself every moment. It is the direct experience of truth that is given the highest importance all along the journey. Minimal instructions and theory is offered to build understanding in tandem with the practice.

Scientific: The technique is highly scientific—it follows the laws of nature at its core and hence it really works! Several research-projects have been undertaken and established the relevance and benefit of Vipassana in the modern context.

Root Level: Vipassana identifies the root-cause of human suffering as ignorance (Avidya) and addresses it by awakening direct insight (Pragya) into the nature of suffering in its entirety.

Timeless: The practice cuts across time and space. It has proven to be of immense benefit in the past, continues to be so in the present and promises to do so in the future as well.

Strong Foundation: The practice is built on a strong foundation of basic moral precepts (Sheel) and the concentration of the mind (Samadhi) leading to direct insight (Pragya). Without these firmly in place, there is a danger of deluding oneself or getting lost.

Metta (Loving Kindness): It may seem too individualistic, selfish or even un-necessary to focus so much on our inner-work and suffering. Vipassana, however, is always accompanied with the practice of 'Metta' (Loving Kindness). By generating feelings of goodwill, forgiveness and gratitude for all beings, the heart naturally softens up and expands into a sense of oneness and interconnection. This ripples out into the world through our wholesome thoughts, words and actions thus contributing towards the collective wellbeing.

Self-Mastery & Discipline: The path puts the entire onus upon the practitioner. It teaches one to be self-reliant. It is not centered around or dependent on any one person or a Guru. A strict, voluntary self-discipline is what it truly calls for.

“You yourself must strive. The Buddhas only point the way.”

—Gautama the Buddha, Dhammapada, Verse 276

A Note of Caution

Practicing Vipassana without first completing a 10-day course is NOT advisable, "The technique (of Vipassana) should be learned only in a course where there is a proper environment to support the meditator and a properly trained guide. Meditation is a serious matter, especially the Vipassana technique, which deals with the depths of the mind. It should never be approached lightly or casually." (William Hart in the book 'Art of Living')

For more information on Vipassana Meditation and/or to register for a 10-day courses, please visit:

www.dhamma.org

www.vridhamma.org

Written by:

@mindful_being_india https://www.mindful-being.in/

The Culture of Schooling (English & Marathi)

Source: http://www.shikshantar.in/

Translation by: Vipul Shaha,

Educator-Facilitator, Mindfulness Based Counselor, Gap Year Coach

vipul.shaha@post.harvard.edu

Kashmir: The Paradise and the Paradox

April 2017

Vipul Shaha, Pune, INDIA

Educator-Facilitator, Counseling Psychologist, Gap-Year Coach, Yoga and Mindfulness Trainer

vipul.shaha@post.harvard.edu

First published at: https://reformourdemocracy.blogspot.com/2017/04/kashmir-paradise-andthe-paradox-vipul.html

My family had made plans to visit Kashmir on a vacation this summer. Since I prefer charting out my own exploratory solo journeys rather than going on organized tours, I wasn’t sure whether I would be joining them. Thanks to a chance encounter with the father of one of my Kashmiri students at a Krishnamurti School, who very enthusiastically invited me to visit his place that I decided to go. The pride with which he spoke about Kashmir got me convinced to take up his invitation. Once in Kashmir, I realized that it isn’t just he who holds such immense pride about this region, but it was true for every person I met here. Everyone was equally welcoming in extending their warm hospitality. One of the first things I was impressed to observe about the culture in Kashmir was the ease and comfort with which men expressed their affection and brotherhood towards each other through hugs and touch.

Sunset, Dal Lake, Srinagar

What was meant to be purely a fun vacation trip packed with visits to common places of tourist attraction in Kashmir, ended up being so much more than that! Over the course of 2 weeks that I spent in the Kashmir Valley, I got the opportunity to not only unwind and enjoy myself with my family as a tourist, but also to meet hundreds of local people in different towns and villages, stay with local families in different households, visit schools and dialogue with the young, visit and pray at various mosques, Muslim shrines, read up about Islam, the history and current affairs about the region and many such off-beat engagements which I had not earlier anticipated on this trip.

Visit to a mustard farm

My time in Kashmir left me filled with many mixed emotions, thoughts and questions. I had discovered a stunningly beautiful landscape and a rich culture which I was completely ignorant towards until I actually came here. Coming to Kashmir, one cannot escape being drawn into burning issues of this region. I have to admit that my only little understanding about Kashmir had come through news as reported in mainstream media—usually around militancy, terror and political unrest. Growing up, it was easy to look at the map of India and regard it ‘one whole nation’ and assume it to be so with great pride. The moment we set foot in Kashmir however, my assumptions began to be challenged and perspectives started to shift. It was the unsettling self-realization that reality is far more complex and dynamic than what one sees, reads or hears from a distance.

Visit to Mazar-e-Shuhada (Martyr's Graveyard) in old part of Srinagar. Martyrs' Day is observed in Kashmir in remembrance of the people killed on 13 July 1931 by the state forces.

I spent time with people living together in a tight-knit community with a spirit of kinship very proud of their unique cultural heritage. At a Kashmiri wedding procession I saw young women dancing on street with utmost joy even as there were fresh incidents of riots and violence all over the Kashmir Valley that day. A young man told me how Kashmir region has been invaded time and again over centuries and yet their hardiness, resiliency and humbleness have kept them going through tough times such as the ones they find themselves currently caught up in. Across the Valley, a deep sense of fear, distrust, sadness, frustration, helplessness and even anger towards the way in which successive governments and political leadership have let down the people of Kashmir was very much palpable. Many individuals I met had poignant stories of loss of loved ones to militancy / army related conflicts. The youth here were particularly restless and yearning for better opportunities and a different socio-economic-political narrative in their lives—many openly demanding separate nationhood --‘Azadi’ or ‘Free Kashmir’ while many asking for greater political autonomy. One could see wall-graffiti with many such slogans painted in various towns across Kashmir Valley (more provocative and offensive graffiti expressions were also noticeable in some places). Somehow, despite the best of intentions perhaps, it seemed that India has not succeeded in making the people of Kashmir feel truly integrated and belong to the larger idea of Indian nation. Heavy and often intrusive military presence and divisive politics here is being resented by most people of Kashmir who are finding themselves rather oppressed than being heard. Public protests have been violently crushed with the enforcement of long periods of curfew in recent past—severely affecting day-to-day lives of ordinary people. Schools and Colleges were shut for several months during 2016 when the curfew was administered. It was a new discovery to me that Jammu & Kashmir State has its own state flag along with the flag of India, the state has its own constitution and had a prime minister of its own until the year 1965. I read up about the Article 370 of the Indian constitution which grants special status and a degree of autonomy to this region and how over decades it has played out leaving the people in the Valley feeling betrayed.

Organic kitchen garden at my host's place

On the other hand however, there was much appreciation, warmth and admiration for the common people of India—Bollywood, cricket, trade and business, tourism and higher studies related travel to different parts of India has played a big role in keeping the ties intact I believe. Despite the conflict related wounds and disappointments about their unfulfilled potential, I experienced that most the people I met in the Kashmir Valley have largely retained their innate goodness and have not yet developed bitterness towards the ordinary people of India or among each other. Some attributed this to the lingering influence of Sufi/spiritual tradition in the Valley and call it the ‘land of rishis’. We visited some of the very old Hindu temples and a Gurudwara, which were still highly well regarded. Many spoke of how different religious communities have harmoniously co-existed in the region until recent decades when the winds of communalism started to blow over this land.

Shepherds near a Kashmiri village

Blessed with awe-inspiring Himalayan mountains and incredible natural beauty, forests, water resources, fruit trees and fertile lands, the people here have traditionally been largely content and self-reliant. Most households still continue to have their own organic kitchen gardens and fruit trees (a big savior during the times of curfew they said!) Horticulture and tourism have been considered the backbones of the economy, although tourism has greatly suffered over past couple of decades due to continuing unrest in the Valley. Traveling through Kashmir one gets the sense that the region has not been able to fully reap the benefits of economic liberalization and globalization to the extent the rest of the country has been able to do so. Many places give one the feeling as if they have been‘frozen in time’. From a mountaintop the lake city of Srinagar offers a beautiful panoramic view of horizontally spread-out human habitation—buildings with traditional architecture not going above 2 or 3 stories—as if it were one large village. I was told that movie theaters in all major towns had to be shut down due to the rise of insurgency and security threats. I did not come across any big shopping malls either. By coming to Kashmir, I was happy to have escaped the modern urban sprawl, the noise, traffic and pollution and yet I wondered if the young Kashmiris watching the story of growth and modernization taking place in the rest of India may be feeling left out? Due to the paucity of private sector jobs and corporate opportunities, young college graduates seek security in opting for government sector even as many of them may personally find themselves in conflict with the government establishment in Kashmir. Some expressed the desire to move someplace else in an attempt to escape the political uncertainty and turmoil that threatens their growth and potential here.

Newly released videos about military atrocities as well as civilian rebellion against military had started to spread like wildfire while I was traveling in Kashmir—forcing the government to block internet for longer periods of time. Walking through old parts of Srinagar one of the afternoons, we happened to witness heavy stone-pelting and a tense clash between army and the local youth. We quickly rushed into a local shop trying to seek shelter. The kind gentleman in the shop tried to soothe the shock and anxiety which we were experiencing—“Please don’t worry. They won’t harm a tourist. These are common happenings here. We are sick and tired of it. Let’s talk about something else. How I can serve you?”

It became evident from spending time in Kashmir that mere systemic/administrative/legal/political changes, fear inducing strategies, forceful occupation or suppression (as many have come to feel about it) and not even any allure of ‘development and progress’ can truly win the hearts of the people who seem to have lost their faith in the government here. Only 7% voter turnout in a recently held Lok Sabha seat by-poll election which later dropped to mere 2% re-polling was telling of this fact. If I had the opportunity, it would have been interesting to hear the perspectives of military and state officials on these issues. Few of the army jawans that we got to talk to definitely seemed to live under a lot of fear and stress themselves. What must it be like for them I wondered—being at the receiving end of mounting public resentment and having to stay vigilent in tough uncertainty so far away from their own homes, with no real sense of connection or belonging to the local culture or community where they are stationed.

Introspection and reflection on India’s own struggle for freedom from the British Raj may offer many lessons and confidence in India’s ability to remain a light of peace and non-violence in the world. Ultimately, whose interest does violence and conflict serve and how long can power and force mute the voices and aspirations of the masses? As a human civilization, isn’t it high time that we grow up and out of our narrow ideas of separateness and conflicts based on religious or regional divisions? What have we learnt from the history of wars and colonial imperialism? Connecting up with some of the journalists, activists, former politicians, community leaders and peace-workers in the Valley offered me hope and glimpse of a different possibility despite the cynicism that is easy to fall prey to under such circumstances.

At a seminar on peace held at Initiatives of Change (Panchgani), the speaker, who had closely worked with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during civil rights movement in the USA, had said something very insightful which has remained with me over these years and finds particular relevance as I ponder over Kashmir: “Association without understanding breeds conflict”. Another quote by the commencement speaker at Naropa University--Parker Palmer had made a particular impression on me when he observed that “Violence is what happens when we do not know what to do with our suffering”. Reflecting on these thoughts, I feel that the healing of wounds in Kashmir requires more than just knee-jerk reactions, quick-fix solutions and tightening of a forceful grip over a region. It calls for going to the root of the issues and being able to listen to each other and rise beyond apparent divides. A couple of weeks of my attempts of connecting with ordinary people here opened my heart and mind towards their daily struggles, hopes, dreams, uniquely rich offerings and differences and most importantly our shared humanity. It created in me a desire to learn more and contribute towards our collective peaceful future. More such travels and dialogue between people in different parts of India to Kashmir can go a long way in building bridges, mutual cultural respect and empathy, cultivate trust and goodwill between our fellow brothers and sisters—this would be my appeal to fellow Indians who wish to truly bring to life our nation’s motto of “Unity in Diversity”. Else, more of the same and business as usual is likely to get this boiling pot to explode sooner than later. During an interaction I had with Class 8 students in a village school in Kashmir, a young girl said something very moving: “Agar hum sub aakhir khuda ke pass hee jaane wale hai toh aaj mera tumhara karake zagadaa kyon kar rahe hai?” (If we all are ultimately going to God, why do we fight today saying this is mine or that is yours?)

Interactive dialogue with youth at a village school

While I may be naïve in my understanding of the complexity of issues playing their role in Kashmir and my commentaries from the brief time that I spent here, I do wish to draw from my experiences and belief in the transformative power of genuine human-to-human connections. I also wish to continue to approach these issues with humility, curiosity, openness, courage and respect—in this interconnected world, I cannot choose to remain isolated from what is happening within another part of my own country—if I truly regard it to be so. Moreover, being in Kashmir was a reminder for me to not take for granted the idea of freedom and to be alert to the fact that what may be happening in a particular region may be a reflection of a larger tide/trend that we as a global community are a part of and may even be unintentionally contributing towards. It also called me to investigate the seeds of violence and conflict which may be buried deep within my own self. I had known philosophically that the microcosm and macrocosm are deeply intertwined. The significance of this thought and my own role in this ‘wholeness’ have become more pronounced than ever—thanks all the churning that was set in motion during my brief visit to Kashmir.

1. For additional historical and political analysis of the situation in Kashmir, please refer to this recently published article by former cabinet minister P. Chidambaram:

http://www.kashmirmonitor.in/Details/121790/across-the-aisle-kashmir-is-sliding-into-disaster

2. Parker Palmer on Five Habits to Heal the Heart of Democracy and his Commencement Speech at Naropa University:

http://www.dailygood.org/story/1409/five-habits-to-heal-the-heart-of-democracy-parker-palmer/

http://www.couragerenewal.org/living-from-the-inside-out-parker-palmers-naropa-university-commencement-address/

'Quiet Time' during Lockdown

Thursday, April 30, 2020

Published at: https://in.iofc.org/stories/2020/April/QTinlockdown

- By Vipul Shaha

"If you want to change the world go home and love your family."

Mother Theresa

It has been more than 4 weeks since the lockdown began here in India. We as a family have been fortunate to be sheltered all together at our village home. While it has disrupted many of our personal travel plans, we feel blessed to have this opportunity to be spending so much time together at home. It has turned out to be a great opportunity for bonding and better integration within the family. It feels more special especially since we have a new member, Neha, my sister-in-law who joined the family with my brother Anuj's recent wedding in mid-February.

As the lockdown began, we created a family schedule on how we would like to spend our time together in a more meaningful way. It includes morning visit to our farm, swimming/walking, Yoga & Meditation, gardening and sharing-in the household work. We also play games, watch movies together and are learning about Ayurvedic diet and lifestyle through an online workshop series. We have also held chanting and prayer evenings for the wellbeing of all.

One of the most heartening highlights of this lockdown month has been the daily practice of 'Quiet Time' as a family. For almost 2 decades, our family has been associated with Initatives of Change (IofC), Panchgani and have grappled with the 4 pillar ideals of Purity, Honesty, Unselfishness and Love which we have had the exposure to through IofC. While we always strived towards observing daily Quiet Time as a family, it never seemed to gain roots--each one of us usually had our own individual travel plans, independent work schedules, personal interests or agendas and differing priorities.

The lockdown, however, offered this precious time and space for the five of us to commit to sitting together in a small circle of silence and sharing for about an hour every morning. Everyday, one of us takes the turn to anchor 'Quiet Time' practice and leads the family by offering a question/theme to reflect upon.

Beginning with a brief practice of silence together, we take about 10 to 15 minutes of time reflecting upon the question/theme of the day and write our journals. The next 45 minutes are for a circle of sharing. We have decided that it remains a circle of sharing and not turn into a discussion forum. Towards that effect, we consciously refrain from commenting on what someone has shared or trying to problem-solve, advising, judging or cross-questioning each other during this time.

We have had 27 Quiet Time sessions so far covering range of topics. Some of them include--

--Our deepest fears,

--Moments of pride & achievement in our journey so far,

--Hopes and aspirations in life,

--Our relationship with and application of 'Truth' and 'Non-violence in our daily lives,

--Personal and family heatlh,

--Hurts and Healing

--Moments of kindness we've been touched by

--Regrets in our life journey and what we learned from them,

--Our strengths as well as areas of improvement,

--Limiting beliefs, biases, perceptions, assumptions about ourselves and the world

--Any limiting habit patterns and behaviors

--A gratitude and appreciation circle

--An Art-based inquiry into our inner-world

There have been several 'aha' moments and micro-shifts through the past 4 weeks of Quiet Time practice--we have found the courage to seek forgiveness from each other, confess our untruthful or violent actions, acknowledge our shortcomings etc. During one of the Quiet Times, I sought forgiveness for getting angry towards my brother for a very petty issue. In another sharing, I made a confession about having recently cheated in a game of cards with them all! My father spoke about how patriachy and his traditional upbringing had instilled a view of women as being inferior to men and how that had influenced his behavior towards our mother. He sought forgiveness for acting out of anger at times and expressed an intention to continue being respectful of his wife--Sunita, in every way possible. My mother felt sorry about being very harsh with her children, often times when we were growing up and how the pressures and demands of being in a joint-family setting used to find her vent her anger on us innocent kids at the time! She also remembered instances when she had been very rough and angry with household maids. Anuj, my brother, spoke about his need to be more pro-active in taking positive initiatives and letting go of the laziness which often holds him back. During these Quiet Time sharings, with permission from the group, we have also been able to offer each other direct, honest feedback, bring up uncomfortable conversations and respectfully make requests of each other. For example, we looked at length how we can be more mindful about our use of computers and mobile phones and not let technology come in the way of our communication within the family.

There have been several tender moments and rekindling of fond memories as well. Listening to parents speak about their stories from childhood and how it shaped who they are and their journey, helped us develop more empathy towards each other. It has also inspired us to commit to more wholesome actions for the wellbeing of ourselves, the family and society at large. In one of the first Quiet Times, when the lockdown had just begun, my mother shared how concerned she is feeling towards the poor, marginalized people who would likely be most affected by the situation and how we can all be supportive and contribute our own bit to ease their pain. As a family we made certain decisons around supporting all our household help and other employees during this lockdown. We also felt inspired to make contributions towards relief efforts taking place through various grassroots organizations across the country. Three of us male members of the family made conscious commitments towards taking active part in daily cleaning and other household chores which we had earlier not bothered as much about.

'Quiet Time' has been the best gift we offered ourselves during this rather unusual, uncertain time. It is allowing us to overcome the 'closeness-communication bias' to an extent. Despite living together for years, it was pleasantly surprising to learn things about our own family members in such an intimate, intentional manner. We are truly discovering the immense value of listening to our 'inner-voice' in silence and creating a safe space for listening to each other as well. Even as challenges do keep arising, as a part and parcel of any relationship, we now know more than ever before that we can always come back to ourselves and to each other with honest clarity through the practice of Quiet Time. It has certainly deepened our understanding of each other and offered us renewed hope and energy to grow together as a family. May this be our 'new normal' even after the lockdown period is over.

So much gratitude and many kind wishes to all our brothers and sisters in IofC family around the world. You continue to be our biggest support and inspiration in observing these daily Quiet Times. We truly are in this together!