World cup fever - India vs Pak

Its just a match..!!

When it comes to India vs Pak, I have wanted to say this so many times, but unfortunately I have found that I am unable to even think that. Because you see, the moment the sentence starts forming in my head, my cricket fanatic part of brain takes over and starts screaming "bloody hell,bloody hell, bloody hell..!!! " Its not just any match. It is THE MATCH..!! The tension, hype, adrenaline and the constant prayer shape the mood of the match.

I have never been a superstitious person except when it comes to India - Pak match. I can remember the days when I have felt that if a particular ad comes before an over begins there will be a wicket fall. If a certain umpire comes, then India is bound to lose. And also the most famous superstition, of which my Grandfather was very vocal supporter, if Sachin hits a century, India will lose. Amidst all these paranoia, the constant chant of  "oh God!oh God!" goes on in my head. Frankly, I don't think I have prayed as much for my own exams or interviews as I have prayed for India's victory in these matches.

Even though I was sitting miles away from my home, today, watching the match, I again felt the same stirring of madness getting hold of me. I was feeling utterly dejected when the Indian innings got over but something was missing in the whole match or, was it me?!

Well, later I understood what it was... After the match got over, I wanted to review the scenes of the match, so I pulled out my laptop and did Google search for the pictures of the match. As I was going through them, I could see the passion, tension, strength and compose displayed by both the teams whole through the match. Finally when I reached the presentation ceremony pics, I realized what I was missing!

In all of India-Pak matches, there has always been a personal enmity display by both the team players. The matches were played as though they were not playing a game but are fighting for Independence. Today for the first time, I could see the match played for the sake of the sport rather than any other feeling. There was aggression, passion, fear/anxiety and all sorts of other emotions but for once there was no enmity or hatred in either of the team. For the first time, the two teams were playing for the joy of cricket, they were playing as two highly talented professional teams who admire and respect each others play, but are giving their heart and soul to the game they both love.

Thats when I could see that, this was indeed THE MATCH of Indian cricket.

PS: Of course, none of this stopped me from hoping/praying/wishing for a India victory..!! :)

Power of Mind and Prayer

It is a long discussed topic: Power of Mind, and prayer is an equally debated one too. Where phenomenons of unexplainable nature occur, either mind or God is quoted as the reason. There are the extreme cases of mind power like reincarnations wherein a 5year old kid remembers her husband and family from her previous birth. And others like dreams coming true years later. There have been lot of instances where our mind reaches out beyond the logical parameters, be it something simple as vague feelings (or gut instincts) or be it visions of future.

But what do these instances signify? Is our mind more than just a collection of neurons, blood vessels and glias? How does our mind manages to grasp glimpses of time not yet happening? Is brain a mass of flesh not bound by time and space and therefore can, if exercised, be made to look beyond these spacial boundaries? Even if all these questions are answered there comes the frustratingly new questions like what the heck is will power? Is it some sort of hidden strength that our brain/manages to build in us? True in times of duress we have our adrenaline kicking in but it is more than a bloody harmone or enzyme that makes me choose between what is right and what is easy!

I personally have had quiet a number of instances wherein I wished for something from the very bottom of my heart and have it happen. Be it something as simple as have someoen to help me carry my lugages over the staircase or something as big as wanting to go and stay in particular place for a certain period of time (and have no opportunity if that happening). Do I call it power of my mind or will power or is there something beyond understanding on work here? I would prefer to believe that the greater power is at work. That way I can always bring my troubles to someone's court and leave it lying there. I wouldnt have to carry it around. What say? :)

But in all sincerity, the power of mind and prayer cannot be understood. If we accept that mind does have such extraordinary kind of power then prayer is a means of disciplining the mind. It gives you certain codes to follow, gives an authority on whom ultimate trust can be placed and also (most importantly of all) it gives understanding on love and surrender. Prayer is tool with which the mind/brain is sharpened to achieve the power of mind, call it will power or Greater power, whatever it may be. And once harnessed this power has no boundary no limitation, neither in space nor in time. May be then Magic may not be so far away! :)

Home

There's a place called home, 
where a light's been left on
and a heart is waiting for my return.
There's a place called home
and it's where I belong.
I know someday a heart will come
to lead me home.