Announcements and Celebrations, In Collaboration With
Published on 28/03/2024
Comments 45

How Can You Strive to be a Little More Happier ? And An Important Announcement

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We are into the sunset of March, and as I wait for the Sun to melt my resolves again this summer, I try to pull many a me’s within me. To take a cue from the happier poets and write about happiness;

But how will it come

without a company?

Without anyone to share it with.

May be by adapting,

One more time.

Going placidly amid the noise and haste,
and understanding what peace
there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender
by being on good terms with all persons,

from your side.

Speaking your truth quietly
and clearly;
and listening to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
knowing they too have their story.

by Avoiding loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself
with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater
and lesser persons than yourself.

By enjoying your achievements as well
as your plans.

By keeping an interest in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercising caution in your business affairs;
for the world is filling with impatience and trickery
But let this not blind you to what
virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity
and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.

Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

You have a right to be you.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is  unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life
keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery,
and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful.
Because happiness is not to be found,

It is above all, to be shared.

This image is from an Old mud house I had knocked in, in the middle of the night in a remote village of Spiti, Himachal Pradesh. Freezing, I had been riding my bike to nowhere it seemed when I saw one lone bulb hanging outside. This person opened the door like God, allowed me in, cooked at 2 A.M and let me sleep till late noon.

I don’t remember his name today but I acknowledge and appreciate his kindness, and dedicate this image to our parting memory, as I was getting ready to leave his temple of a home. I will be taking a break from writing on ROAD TO NARA for sometime, as I will be travelling on assignment in the higher Himalayas documenting and collecting stories of Climate Change and Human Animal conflict for the next two months in collaboration with Radio Mandakini and the Vivekananda International Foundation.

Its the first time in close to four years that I will be taking a conscious break from sharing stories, views, to helping people know India that is Bharat; as a country and a civilisation better, to help them to travel and explore this magic region, better.

Apart from the Work Assignment, there are some other areas that are demanding my attention, my school which needs a lot of work, not just with children, the staff but with the maintenance of our age old building too. Secondly, writing weekly on the blog, as each writer here knows, requires a lot of work which lately has started hampering me in finishing other projects that I undertake to earn my ‘whole wheat bread.’

In addition, I have considered a change in my blogging constancy. From here onwards my posts may appear irregularly and/or less frequently.

And Even so I fear a drop in my readership, but I need to work my energy to be relocated

  1. To some newer adventures that are waiting, not to be shared or written about first but to experience them, wholly.
  2. To empty myself a bit.
  3. To Read more, as work and School leaves me with no time to spend with books. I also feel blogging has lead me to read less books and more blog posts.
  4. To seriously work on Longer form of Writing.
  5. To see and observe from a distance for a bit, to how Road To Nara can serve the Human and the Soul world better in the years to come from here on.
  6. And to plan the arrival of my Podcast ROAD TO NARA Youtube Channel that i have been wanting to for sometime, which I believe WILL compensate with the lost viewership in the times to come.

There is also this one more thing that I would really want to do, is to thank you personally. So, even though I might not be available commenting, but in time, I will try to write to every reader of ROAD TO NARA who made my journey here possible, who shared my love and my conflicts, who remained one with me, and who all helped me to float and gradually to grow, i will be writing to you.

See you on the other side of the River.

If anyone would like to share their email-id, for me to write, may write them in comments or just inbox me a sweet little ‘hello’ at lotusofnara@gmail.com

: ँ :

Thank you.

If today is the first time you have arrived on The Road To Nara, you are heartily welcome ~ Namaste

: ँ :

I will take this opportunity to introduce you to About me and importantly,

And Importantly, See and Support My School Project

I would love to hear from you, please feel free to write at lotusofnara@gmail.com

And Follow for Rural Stories from South Asia

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: ँ :

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Hi, I am Narayan Kaudinya. And i welcome you on this journey, the Road to Nara ! I am an Ethnographer and a practicing Indologist. I did my masters in History and further learnt Sanskrit, Yoga and Nerve-therapy. At 24, pushing most academic sounding, office sitting works away, i felt compelled to know and understand the world and my country, Bharat/India. I travelled, and as it happened i took up teaching in Kashmir and further up in the remote villages of Baltistan in the foothills of Karakoram Ranges. For around three years and many states later there came a time when i felt that it was only while teaching i learnt how to laugh, to see, feel, breathe, love and cry -with children, and mostly resource-less parents in the harshest-freezing border conditions. I write, and work as a documentary photographer and Filmmaker, with numerous published, exhibited and some awarded stories. In my travels and life i have let nature lead me, the divine mother, and as a Yogin, my resolve here is to share my experiences and thoughts as honestly, and through them to blossom in everyone the power and possibility in pursuing your breath, that you seek your true nature with courage and curiosity. Here, on this road i will share my spirit, my love for nature, the elements of life that are us. And in doing so, i'll be happy to see you along.

45 Comments

  1. gabychops says

    Thank you, Narayan, for your words of wisdom on how to live a good and happy life. Your rules on morality are timeless, and known from the ancient times in many cultures of the world. For many of your readers, your absence will be sadly felt but of course you have to do what you need to achieve your aims. We will all wish you the very best in all your projects, and we hope that you will let us know of your progress some time in the future. Thank you, Narayan, for your wonderful writing, and we will miss you.

    Joanna  

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      • gabychops says

        Thank you, my dearest Narayan! You will always have my whole support because I love your work and the wonderful writing as it reflects the highest moral code, and your devotion to your beloved country, India, that is my favourite country, Bharat. My admiration, dearest Narayan, is also for your efforts to make Indian unique culture known worthwhile! And you can count, my dearest Narayan, not only on my support but on my help too!

        Joanna

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  2. Pingback: How Can You Strive to be a Little More Happier ? And An Important Announcement | ROAD TO NARA | Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News

  4. Yetismith says

    Your words are so wise and tell me that you are a gentle spirit. The photograph too speaks of kindness to other creatures. I wish you well Narayan, in all your good endeavours. God bless.

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    • Narayan Kaudinya says

      Dearest Caro, you will be missed too. I have not just enjoyed but deeply cared for all our interactions. I will be writing to you. And hopefully come back with deeper nature to share it with. Heart.

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  7. Ashley says

    I was about to write here, that you will be greatly missed, but of course I will carry you in my memory, in my heart too!
    Your Road to Nara if I abbreviate it is: RtN. In modern parlance RtN is a short way to write the word Return, which you will do when the time is right for you. As long as you are true to yourself I will be of good cheer. Here is an old Gaelic blessing to keep you:

    May the road rise to meet you.
    May the wind be always at your back.
    May the sun shine warm upon your face.
    May the rains fall softly upon your fields.
    Until we meet again,
    May God hold you in the hollow of his hand.

    I have copied your new email address. Ashley 🍀🤗🙏

    Liked by 3 people

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  8. Stella, oh, Stella says

    I wish you all the best for, and a lot of joy with your new projects, work assignment. The latter sounds very interesting indeed and it is important too.

    It will be good to read from you whenever you have time.

    Aum shanti

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  15. Zephyr says

    Wish you all the very best in this upcoming phase of your life. May you gather more experiences, insights and perspectives to help you navigate your life ahead. And may Lord Margabandhu Himself be the guide in your quest.

    Liked by 2 people

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  16. The Oceanside Animals says

    Lulu: “Our Dada says sometimes you have to make these kinds of adjustments, so we understand! Plus this way you can spend more time playing with dogs!”
    Charlee: “You misspelled ‘cats’ …”

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  18. dawnfanshawe says

    Your road ahead sounds exciting, Narayan. The poem I recall from one I had on a poster in my teens and twenties called ‘Desiderata’ . It was lovely to be reminded of the gentle wisdom.

    Be blessed as you go forth. Don’t be a stranger. Your readers will all be here whenever you return.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Narayan Kaudinya says

      Thank you, dear Dawn. I wasn’t aware of the name of the poem, and better this way as I could add my bits.

      And I won’t be a stranger dearest, Will compensate with all the things i can fill in my bag, hopefully sharing them with much more glee and excitement.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  19. jerrymennenga says

    Safe travels. And share some more stories when you return. The new gig sounds interesting and who knows what “doors” may be opened for you as you start this journey.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Narayan Kaudinya says

      Thank you, dear Jenny. From the Himalayas I will be sharing videos and some talks on my Social Media Accounts and will forward to writing as soon as I will be back.

      Your words bring joy, thank you.

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  20. KK says

    I love your words. Your future projects are thrilling, Narayan ji. Wish you all the best in all your endeavours! Have a nice time!

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  21. Alison and Don says

    I will miss your posts, but understand your need to let go for a while. Enjoy the Himalayas, and every other endeavour.
    Alison 🤗🙏

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  22. usfman says

    I am feeling the same way as you about blogging. Finding more time to read and to be more oblivious to writing only what’s popular or marketable makes greater sense now. Only one blog a week should do the task.

    Liked by 1 person

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