Mental Excursions

Drama in your sleep ‘Dream is not that which you see while sleeping, it is something that does not let you sleep,’ so said Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, a scientist and one of everyone’s favourite Presidents of India. By this, he meant dreams which motivate, spur you on, give you a purpose in life. That must apply to good, positive dreams. But have you ever had a bizarre or scary dream that drives you into an agonized search for information if what you saw had a meaning or was a premonition? Sant Tulsidas wrote jyon sapne sir kaate koyi, bin jaage na door dukh hoyi . (If somebody cuts off the head in a dream, the pain does not go away without waking up). That is sound logic, but Tulsidas was a saint who had reached great spiritual heights and probably had God on speed dial. Perhaps he did not give a bad dream much thought unlike us humans who ruin our next day and many days after that worrying over the reason we had that dream. Dreams can be like art films with one story, or Bollywo...

The Matter of  ‘Happy Holidays’ ! Only nine days left for 2024 to end, but the good thing, they bring Christmas with them. Whether Christian or just a Christmas enthusiast, we all flow with the spirit of Christmas - rewarding the good, giving and sharing, lots of bright lights and decorations, great food and drinks, not to forget presents? I remember how as a child I looked forward to my parents’ Christian friends including Bishop Rego, bringing square, round or loaf-sized rich fruity plum cakes with that distinct fading smell of alcohol. Even now most people I know, and non-Christians at that, get scraggly green plastic decorations, tie bits and baubles on them, call them Christmas trees, and place brightly packed packages under them as gifts. Clubs, offices and residential societies organize variety programmes and lunches. Office parties end with Secret Santa-a ritual that can either bring joy or dismay to the recipient when they open the gift. Like Diwali, Christmas has al...