Meghana Anand lives in the beach city of Chennai, India. She believes in tapping the hidden potential of the heart to bring out the best in her. Humanity inspires her, and through reflective writing she likes to explore the sacred depths of her being. She seeks joy and beauty in simple things.

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Meghana Anand

<h4>MEGHANA ANAND asks if we are preserving the purity, the innocence and the sense of wonder in our children as
 they grow.</h4>
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A few months ago, I shared an interesting conversation with my four-year-old. I was working at my computer, when
 he insisted on a bowl of his favourite fruit. I was more than happy to oblige – it is not every day that your
 kid demands for ‘health’ instead of the usually tabooed list of ‘junk’. As I fulfilled his ‘healthy’ demand, he
 started nibbling away, savouring every tiny bite with a look of such contentment and glee that I was forced to
 pull myself away from the screen and rested back to observe him with amusement.
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<h5 style="text-align: center;">Parenthood has opened up new vistas of learning in my life. 
 Rather than learning I feel it is a process of unlearning, 
 because if I wish to reach my child in the most positive and nourishing way, 
 I need to become as empty and as pure as he is. 
 I should be able to see the world through his eyes, 
 and then the best comes out of me as his mother.</h5>
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Suddenly he stopped eating and, with a matter-of-fact look on his face, said to me, “Mommy, I love God.” His
 spontaneity generated an equally spontaneous reply from me. I answered, “My dear, I love God too.” I thought the
 dialogue would end at this. But then I was caught unawares. He promptly said, “Come, then let’s go to God.” 
 I thought for a while and then said, “Okay, but you know the way better; so you will have to take me to Him.”
 Pat came the reply, “Okay, mommy, I shall take you to God tonight.”
Many books have been written on the subject of parenting – more so in the current times where the definition of
 ‘family’ has undergone a drastic shift from togetherness to isolation. Concepts like ‘nuclear family’, ‘double
 income family’, ‘single parent’ etc were unheard of even a decade ago, at least in India. They constitute the
 modern society of today. At thirty, I seem to face a generation gap with young adults only ten years younger! As
 the shadow of materialism looms large over our heads, as a parent I am concerned about my child losing himself
 in this mad rat-race towards a destiny where ambition overrides aspiration, where prosperity is measured in
 terms of monetary gains and success. My own upbringing has made me realise the need for a strong character built
 upon the foundation of inner values to face the challenges of life in a spirit of acceptance and with
 conviction.
Spirituality and mysticism have held a strong attraction for me since a very early age. In my quest of the
 mysterious and unknown, I stumbled upon a natural path of meditation based on the principles of restoring
 balance into our lives, in a world which is dangerously tipping towards a state of extreme imbalance. Walking
 this path I realise that parenting is an art of learning through experiences of the heart rather than mere
 bookish knowledge, catering to a holistic development of the child’s body, mind and soul.
<hr>
<h5 style="text-align: center;">Walking this path I realise that parenting is an art of learning through 
 experiences of the heart rather than mere bookish knowledge, 
 catering to a holistic development of the child’s body, mind and soul.</h5>
<hr>
Preserving what? I received one of the soundest pieces of advice from my mother when I was at the threshold of
 motherhood. She said, “Dear, remember to restore this child back to God in the same pristine condition that you
 have received from Him. Preserve with love his purity, his innocence, his sense of wonder.” With every passing
 day, these words ring louder and louder&nbsp;in my head. When I take time to pause from my ‘busy’ routine and
 decide to spend some quality time with my kid, I realise how empty he is. Empty of all prejudices and
 preconceived notions of how the world should be. He exists in the moment, and that’s it. For him there is no
 difference between good and bad, rich and poor, health and sickness. All he understands and responds to is the
 language of love – no matter who speaks it and from where it comes.
<img decoding="async" alt="" width="764" height="330" class="lazyload w-100 h-auto"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/parenting_the_art_of_preserving_8a6b37788e.jpg?updated_at=2023-03-30T12:45:44.320Z">

Once I was careless enough to use the word ‘hate’ in front of him. He immediately jumped on it, “Mommy, what is
 hate?” I really couldn’t answer this one, for the very act of trying to explain the meaning of the word to him
 would be the first step towards making him aware of its verity. Why seek knowledge where ignorance is bliss?
 This and other such instances have made me very cautious about what is being uttered or displayed before him. In
 that state of emptiness with which they are born, children are like sponges, ready to soak themselves and absorb
 whatever they are exposed to.
Another aspect that I have observed is that they learn largely by imitating and emulating. I see some of my own
 traits in my little son. So this puts back the onus on me. I have to first become what I want my child to
 become. I keep introspecting constantly to check if I, myself, posses those values that I want to see inculcated
 in him. Each time I am prompted to react to any mischief or an act of apparent indiscipline, I try to put myself
 in his shoes and get a feel of how I would like to be treated in&nbsp; that situation.
<hr>
<h5 style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;“… remember to restore this child back to God 
 in the same pristine condition that you have received from Him. 
 Preserve with love his purity, his innocence, his sense of wonder.”</h5>
<hr>
When the heart is safe and sound, it acts as an inner beacon of light that guides us in our journey towards
 fulfilling our destinies. Inner courage and conviction develop that help us to stand against all odds. Imagine
 if each one of us, like the child, did not have the word ‘hate’ in our dictionaries! I mean, a world made up of
 such individuals would be no less than paradise. One of the most enlightening stories that I read during my
 school days is Leo Tolstoy’s Little Girls Wiser Than Men. Tolstoy beautifully conveys the message of following
 the example of the children, taking their spirit of forgiving and forgetting into our&nbsp; own hearts.
As a parent I only aspire to be an example to my child; I aspire to see the world through his eyes. As I march
 ahead in my endeavour to preserve his innocence and wonder, I discover my true self, my real identity. This
 little poem by William Wordsworth says it all:
<h3 style="text-align: center;">The rainbow</h3>
My heart leaps up 
 when I behold 
 A rainbow in the sky: 
 So was it when my life began; 
 So is it now I am a man; 
 So be it when I shall grow old, 
 Or let me die! 
 The Child is father of the Man; 
 And I could wish my days to be 
 Bound each to each by natural piety. 
 (The Rainbow is also known as the poem, My Heart Leaps Up)

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<h5 style="text-align: center;">Article by MEGHANA ANAND</h5>
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Parenting - the Art of Preserving

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<h4>
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</h4>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">Sunday morning, up with the lark 
 I think I’ll take a walk in the park 
 Hey, hey, hey, it’s a beautiful day!
</h4>


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My dad used to wake me up almost every morning with these lines from Daniel Boone’s
 Beautiful Sunday when I was a toddler. The sound of his humming in my ears is one of the best and last
 memories I have of being with him.

The end of the year is special in many ways. It’s time not only for festivities and
 celebrations across the world but also for deeper reflections and new beginnings. Two years ago Christmas was more
 special than usual: it opened my heart to the joy of sharing and togetherness. The sense of belonging I gained from
 reuniting with my paternal family has helped me tide over some of the deepest fears that have accompanied me since
 childhood. Ever since I’ve been rejoicing the gifts this season has brought to me.
<h4><img decoding="async" class="lazyload img-float-left has-img-center-in-mobile"
 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/gifts3_00f6002c9b.jpg" alt="gifts" ">UNIQUENESS</h4>
My mother once told me, “There are as many universes as there are individuals.” Each of
 us has a definite role in existence; none is out of place. It is like a jigsaw puzzle: even if a single piece is
 missing or out of place, the picture is not complete.
A growing realization of this fact has helped me to resolve inner conflicts that are
 often reflected in the form of jealousy, competition, a sense of being deprived or wronged and so on. The more I
 live this understanding, the more I become open to receiving from the world around me.
<h4>TOGETHERNESS</h4>
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 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/gifts4_46250baca8.jpg" alt="gifts"></h4>
I often like to listen to my mother-in-law’s story about how dreamy the world appeared
 to her as a little girl, from the window of her house on a rustic street in one of the suburbs of South India, until
 the day she was married.
Describing the transition she narrates, “The greatest challenge was not being able to
 attend to my individual needs and make individual decisions. I had to get along with many minds and, at the same
 time, maintain harmony among family members. The ups and downs I faced while playing the role of a mother, sister,
 aunt, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law and, as time passed, now a grandmother, has shaped me in all aspects. It has
 given me the courage of conviction and strength to experience life with full acceptance. I have begun to understand
 that every situation is just a passing cloud. We learn to handle situations without being too involved.”
Living together is an art, though it may not necessarily involve staying together under
 the same roof. The joy of togetherness is reflected in small things – in the way we reach out to each other, the way
 we accept each other, the way we recognize and regard our inner oneness despite outer differences.
<h4>SERVICE</h4>
Have you ever experienced the therapeutic nature of work? It is the only thing that
 keeps me going in the lowest or most challenging phases of life. The effect or impact is even better when, in my own
 times of struggle, I forget myself and make efforts to reach out to others. It is not easy but surely worth every
 bit of the effort! It works wonders especially when you are feeling down or depressed.
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<h4>THE WAY OF THE HEART</h4>
Often have I refrained from giving of myself because of fear. Fear that others may take
 advantage of me. Fear of being deprived of what rightfully belongs to me. Fear of losing my identity.
The most beautiful gift I have received this season is a reinforcement of the existence
 of the heart within. There is nothing to fear with the heart, for love is its essence. The physical throbbing heart
 is one thing, but we all have a spiritual heart capable of feeling, giving and loving infinitely. How do we discover
 it? How do we expand it? How do we live by it?
There is joy in giving. When you give infinitely, you experience happiness infinitely.
 And it’s my secret conviction that the more you give, the more you become fit and open to receiving.
As the world gears up to exchange gifts for Diwali, Thanksgiving, Milad Un Nabi,
 Hanukkah, Bodhi Day, Christmas and other traditions, I appreciate and offer thanks for the little things that make
 life so special. Please join me in celebrating this season!
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Artwork by Xuan Loc Xuan 
 <a style="color: #008080;"
 href="https://www.behance.net/xuanlocxuan">https://www.behance.net/xuanlocxuan</a>

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<h4 style="text-align: center;">Article by MEGHANA ANAND</h4>


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Gifts

<h4>In this delightful interview, BHAMINI SHREE shares her journey of expression
 through painting – both Madhubani folk art and abstract painting – with MEGHANA
 ANAND. Through art, gradually she was able to manage her depression, expand her selfexpression, and also
 develop her art as a career.</h4>

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Q: Hi Bhamini. Tell us about yourself. How did your journey with art begin?

BS:&nbsp;When I was in grade 8 or 9, I was
 diagnosed with depression. After that I started doodling. Then, one fine day when nothing was working out and I had a
 lot in my head and could not express it at all, my mom gave me a canvas and colors and said, “Whatever comes to your
 mind, start painting.” And that is how I started. I learnt Bihari Madhubani painting from my aunt. She taught me the
 basics and I became interested in that. That is one part.
The other part is that I have always been very vocal about what I think is right and
 wrong. All of us have our own understanding of what is right and wrong, and there are no fixed parameters, which is
 why it’s a mess. I was very vocal about women’s rights, freedom, being liberated, the equality of all genders – and I
 was spiritual more than religious. Right now I don’t follow any religion; I am a spiritual person. So that is what I
 started expressing through my art.
Later I did an MBA. I thought I would never be able to pursue art as a career; that I
 wouldn’t be able to meet ends. How was I going to live on my own, unless I had some other form of support? The truth,
 according to me, is that you can’t. That’s how the condition of art is in our country right now – it’s not recognized.

So I told myself, “Okay, let’s see what happens!” I did my MBA, and took a job in
 Hyderabad. I was still emotionally and mentally not well, and I just couldn’t express myself. In the corporate space,
 every day was a challenge, and I would wait to go home and paint whatever was in my head. There was so much I wanted
 to express.
I am not good at expressing myself in words, and that was creating a lot of hindrance,
 because in the corporate sphere you have to behave in a certain way. It was a pressure, so I didn’t want to do it
 anymore. I was also passionate about fashion design, so I planned my own online boutique. That’s how I started a life
 as an entrepreneur.
I never thought I would take up art as my sole profession; but my boutique business did
 not do very well, so that broke me down and I had to introspect upon what I really wanted to do with my life. After a
 few trials, I understood that the best thing to do is what I loved the most. And I just loved colors. I wanted to
 express what is right. I wanted to stand for expression in any form, in whatever way I chose. I had to express myself,
 otherwise it was chaotic inside my head.
And as a woman I want to do something whereby, even if I am not directly leading people
 or changing their lives, I still create some change through my art. So right now I bring out the perspectives of
 women, the viewpoints of women, through abstract painting. Basically I use two forms of painting: one is abstract
 painting, and the second is Madhubani painting.
Madhubani is because I am from Bihar, and I really like the colors in Madhubani
 paintings. Without a word they speak so much. It’s just beautiful. If your entire room is white and you have just one
 Madhubani painting on the wall, it brings color to the entire room and says so much. And the deities in the paintings
 are not to be worshipped, they are to be adored, which is why I really like this form of art.
In the abstract expressions, the major themes are about the mind, the soul, and how
 women see the world. I am not objectifying womanhood, but painting strong women, and who they are. So even if I paint
 nudity, it’s not about showing a sex object. It’s about the confidence and the freedom she feels in being a woman. We
 are true beings when we don’t cover ourselves. Clothes are a symbol of covering, so when there are no clothes that’s
 who she is. She’s fat, she’s slim, she’s fair, she’s dark, she’s a woman and she’s beautiful.
I also paint the mind because I’ve experienced the way the mind works very closely. It
 can be chaotic; it can be beautiful.
Q: This makes a lot of sense in today’s times, especially
 when young people are struggling to express their minds and hearts. How did your art help you come out of the state
 of depression that you were in during your teens? How did you find your way in life?
BS:&nbsp;When we go through a mental ailment of any
 sort, we usually talk to psychiatrists or psychologists because we just don’t know what’s happening inside. It’s so
 suffocating that we can’t think, we can’t talk, we can’t be ourselves, we can’t do our daily conduct.
There are a lot of things that art opens us to. The first is the choice of colors. When
 we paint, the colors that we choose show our current state of mind. When I am extremely angry, I would rather paint
 something related to fire, something blank, or something which may not necessarily be very vibrant but shows my state
 of mind. When I paint only because I am in the mood for painting, when I paint because I am happy and have nothing
 else to do, I paint something bluish. When I am creative and I think I have a lot of ideas, I paint something
 orange-ish, golden and purple also – a lot more colors. So the choice of colors in painting shows my state of mind.

Art is infinite. Expression in the form of lines, in the form of squares, in the form of
 just eyes or just lips, or books, or the empty road, or a tree, or the sun, or fire, or the flow of the river, or just
 a woman, or the relationship between two women – expression can be anything. So when you are able to express yourself
 to the other, and hear the other being, it becomes your canvas. That’s your shoulder.
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 src="https://cdn-prod-static.heartfulness.org/expressions2_67a1fcf6ee.jpg?updated_at=2023-04-05T06:47:20.121Z" />

When you’re able to express it, the pressure inside your brain subsides to some extent.
 Bit by bit it comes down, because it’s all about the fact that you can’t say what you want to say. You don’t know
 what’s there inside and you need somebody to help you out. And when you know what’s happening inside you, you are
 capable and strong enough to take care of yourself.
In the olden days, too, there might have been people undergoing depression. But when
 there were no psychologists or doctors to help them come out of that state, how were they able to do it? So it’s all
 in the mind – the strength, the weakness, the fragility, the vulnerability – it’s all about the mind. It’s all about
 training your mind.
So art is one way to deal with depression or any kind of mental ailment, even
 loneliness. In fact, for elderly people, if their eyesight is good, I would recommend them to be involved in art,
 because it gives them company in their lonely times. The elderly are the loneliest people on earth today. So they have
 something to look forward to, they can talk to the painting. Paintings can really talk to you. They show you a mirror
 and talk to you.
When you paint folk art, like Madhubani, it requires a lot of perseverance, a lot of
 patience, so you have to be calm and patient and let go. If there are slight flaws, you need to remain calm and say to
 yourself, “There is still hope. I can improvise this painting later.” So gradually, with due practice, it proves to be
 a very good form of meditation.
In fact I have noticed that when my mind is blocked and there is nothing coming up, when
 I sit down to paint, it calms me down. It gives me a lot of space and time to think, and I don’t act weirdly or
 abnormally at that time. I am quiet, I am calm, and I train my brain that way. I may not consciously do this, but
 subconsciously this is how it happens.
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<h4 style="text-align: center;">Interviewed by MEGHANA ANAND</h4>
<hr>

Meghana Anand

Meghana Anand lives in the beach city of Chennai, India. She believes in tapping the hidden potential of the heart to bring out the best in her. Humanity inspires her, and through reflective writing she likes to explore the sacred depths of her being. She seeks joy and beauty in simple things.

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