Beauty Parlor For the Soul – Travel Light

It is so ironical that we just won't let go of extra baggage, no matter how irrelevant it is to our journey in life. We keep carrying memories and images from the past and allow them to dictate behavior in the present. Hardly any effort is ever made to wipe the slate clean and start afresh. We drag along pain and anguish, envy and pride, joy and ecstasy from the past, as if the emotions are going to manifest again, without any stimulation in the present. We don't even let go of experiences and refuse to stop a while and introspect. What a major change would come about if only the memory of a wrong doing was quickly erased and everyone of us gave the other a chance in life! In fact, it is so funny how a past experience weighs you down in an otherwise enlightening situation.

As part of the daily routine, the two disciples set out to beg for alms. They decided to try their luck with the people who lived on the other side of the river. With due permission from the master, they set off. When they reached the river bank, the ferry was yet in deep waters. It would take a while and so the two of them sat down. There was a wind that tossed the water by the bank and blew leaves in a whirl. Looked like a storm was brewing. A young girl came along and sat not very far from them. She too kept glancing at the ferry, in anticipation. She was beautiful and the disciples just couldn't help but notice the youthful glow and slender limbs. However, as was the rule at the hermitage, none said anything to the other.

In minutes the ferry came closer and the boatman lowered a plank for the trio to get aboard. They seated themselves and listened as the boatman sang a merry tune. The stormy wind tossed the boat as if warning boat and master of consequences, if they dared oppose. The disciples clutched onto their belongings, as if preparing to plunge. The girl looked pale and was obviously terrified at the animated effort being made by the boatman to fight the invisible force. And then suddenly, before any one could brace themselves for the big splash, in they were – boatman, girl and the two disciples!

The girl struggled as she gulped water, not knowing how to swim. She held on to one of the disciples. The lad used all his energy to get to the shore, with the maiden on his back. When the four of them reached the shore, the girl thanked the disciple and walked on. The two of them headed towards the huts they sighted near the shore. The older disciple chided his friend for touching the girl and swimming with her on his back. What would the master say? He had to report. He was responsible for the younger boy. How could he have touched the maiden? Didn't he know the rules of the hermitage? So what if she had clutched on? He should never have done what he did......and this went on and on.

They managed to get enough food for the inmates at the hermitage and made their way back. They took the longer route through the jungle this time and even as the younger of the two prayed for protection from bandits and wild animals, the older one reminded him of what he had done. How could he have broken the rule of the hermitage? They were not supposed to interact with women. He had flouted the rule. The master was going to be upset. He was a no good and was definitely in for a punishment that evening.

The young lad could take no more. He turned around and said,"The maiden thanked me and left. But, you are still clutching onto her!"

How true. Is this not something that happens to us all the time. We are stuck with images and associated experiences all the time. See some thing remotely associated with a previous experience and there we are... more than ready to judge the outcome. We are cheated once and expect to be cheated every time we are in a similar situation. The slate is never clean. All it takes is extracting the essence of experience and moving on. However, we choose to drag along extra baggage. This only weighs us down and adds to those crow-feet signs of aging. Life is what we make of it. We have a choice every step of the way. And, in the end, life is a series of lessons from experiences. Why not take the lesson and move on?

"The maiden thanked me and left. But, you are still clutching onto her!"

It is not uncommon to become judgmental from past experiences. Try this out. It works for me. Write down a particular incident that you find hard to forget. Something that nags you every time you look at a person or situation. Write it down in detail on good old paper. Don't miss out any detail. Describe every minute detail. Once done, read through. Add anything you may have skipped. And now comes the fun part. Sit in a well lit room. Alone, if you must, and read out whatever you have jotted down. Read it slowly and try to envision the incident or person 'as is'. Then stand up, do a little jig if fun is your cup of tea, and shred the paper into confetti sized pieces. Throw it up and about you. Dance to your ridiculousness and sing a song.

This may result in a little vacuuming job, and stares once you step out, but just indulge. Even if the memory still faintly lingers, let it. Let the fun and craziness of the effort made seep in and overpower the previous experience. You will be empowered by the choice you just made. Shed the baggage. Its not there and is getting unnecessary importance. Throw it away. You will feel lighter. For a glowing and healthier you, travel light.