There is so much to do. There is so much to learn. There is so much to eat. There is so much to see. At times I don’t want to do any of it. At times I want to do it all. There is an overwhelming need to be busy. And then there is the need to lie still. Float over the chaos. Watch the world turn while you sip on that sweet and tangy aam panna. The summer of ‘24 seems to be a dull one, except for the aam panna that takes the pain away.
The aam panna is a fascinating drink. It can be prepared with so many different seasonings. But my favourite is just rock salt. It is one of the most seasonal things that we consume. Though I wonder how many folks ensure that they eat seasonally? I wonder if there is a start-up idea there. Eating as per the seasons is what kept our ancestors fit. And also exercise, and of course no screen time and a lot more distraction free living.
I wonder if a retreat that promotes a screen free life and provides good food can find any takers? Is the world really that bad right now? I don’t know. Occasionally I feel I should go and spend many days in silence, in meditation at Vipasanna but it just feels very difficult. What then is easy? Sitting by the beach?
I think my reflection is that nothing is easy. It is either worth the trouble or isn’t. For certain things you put yourself through a lot of crap because you believe in it and you anticipate a reward greater than the trouble for this. Other times you don’t envision it and therefore don’t try. Other times when you end up getting something without trying much hard for it, it is pure luck. That is what sets everything apart – the risk, reward and luck.
