My Hykooz – I (મારાં હાઈકુ – ૧)

In my Introductory blog post – ‘About me’, I had mentioned that I possess some treasure of my unpublished Gujarati Haikus also. Occasionally, I am going to represent them in parts in original Gujarati text. These are the Haikus, I had written during last some decades and I hope you will like them.Most of them have been written and addressed to second person, feminine gender and singular; that is to say to the female character of the respective Haiku. All Haikus cover the whole of life full with sweet and sour experiences such as comic, tragic, romantic, humorous, funny, witty, philosophical and many many more.

Most of my Readers of literature may be aware of the term ‘Haiku’; but some, perhaps, may not be. Let me tell you in brief that Haiku is a Japanese form of poetry. Many other languages of the world have adopted the Haiku in their own literature. These short poems are being written in a free form, now a days; but originally it was used to be composed in short–long-short pattern divided into 5-7-5 syllables. In Gujarati, it is written in three lines with total letters in number of 17 in the same pattern. In English literature also, the Haikus have been written by so many poets but not rigidly bound in its physical structure. The basic concept of this type of poetry, in simple words, can be said as ‘much more in brief’. In Gujarati, the couplet poems (દોહરા) of Kathiyawar are very popular. They contained two lines and the last word in each line rhymed. These couplet poems were also capable to contain profound meaning like Haikus.

At the very first sight, anybody can say that the writing of Haikus is very easy like a left hand game, but it is not so. Merely tomaintain its outwardpattern is not all in all. The theme of the creation has much more importancealso. The poet has to represent some profound contents in limited words and that is why it is somewhat a difficult task. Even though, any fresher also can try with sincere attempts to succeed therein. One has to keep on trying and writing with imagination and observation around him.

My preamble of the subject is over here. Now, proceed further toenjoy some Haikus of mine.

હાઈકુપુષ્પ!
હે,હ્રુદયસ્વામિની,
તને અર્પણ! (1)

ટેરવાં મથે,
સંવારે લટ,લુચ્ચી
ખરે જ જિદ્દી ! (2)

આડી નજરે
ઊંડું મલકતાં ને
દિલ ઘવાતું ! (3)

હાડ ગાળતી
શીતનજરતવ,
હૂંફ નિસાસા ! (4)

પડછાયો યે
લઈને ચાલ્યાં,મૂકી
ટળવળતા ! (5)

થનગનતું
તવ યૌવન નાચે,
મુજ અંતરે ! (6)

પતંગિયું થૈ
અધરપાંખડિયે
જઈ બિરાજું ! (7)

ઉરવલ્લીની
નદી જઈ મળતી
નાભિદરિયે ! ( 8 )

દંતપંક્તિના
ઝાંયઝગારે મુજ
આંખો અંજાતી ! (9)

આંખો પલકે,
મીઠું મલકે, જીવ
જાતો હલકે ! (10)

તવ ભીડેલા
ઓષ્ઠ,ચહું બનવા
એક જ ઓષ્ઠ ! (11)

બુલેટપ્રૂફ
હ્રદયશિલા,તોય
બની ચાળણી ! (12)

તવ ઉંબરે
થૈ પગલૂછણિયું
સ્પર્શું તળિયાં ! (13)

હાથ હિલોળે,
ઉર હિલોળે,શિરે
ઘટ તો સ્થિર ! (14)

ગૌરીયૌવન
ફાટે,મથે ફાડવા
ઉરવસ્ત્રને ! (15)

ભવાંધનુષ્ય
બે,દૃષ્ટિશર એક
લક્ષ દિલડું ! (16)

Thanks

- Valibhai Musa
Dtd. : 21^st October, 2007

 

Winning hearts and bridging minds

Click here to read in Gujarati

Today, I am going to undertake a risk of writing this Article, with hope and despair, whether I would be able to justify its aim as I am far away from National or International  Politics. Mr. Jeff, my bother-like friend and who recently passed away, was the US citizen. We used to sit together frequently and he made me aware of the US and its National and International politics. My subject here is not on politics, but the great thing the US recently did is praiseworthy and I am inspired with it to express some thoughts of mine here regarding the most essential ideology of Global Brotherhood and Peace in the prevailing situation of the world.

Just before I step forward, I would like to represent A RESOLUTION, recognizing the holy month of Ramadan and expressing the deepest respect to Muslims in the US and throughout the world, was passed unanimously by 110^th Congress of the US on October, 2, 2007 (International Non-violence Day) by a vote of 376-0. The Resolution was the 1^st of its kind to acknowledge the importance of Muslims in America as a sign of respect and recognition. Its text is as follows:

RESOLUTION

Recognizing the commencement of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal, and commending Muslims in the United States and throughout the world for their faith.

Whereas since the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, threats and incidents of violence have been directed at law-abiding, patriotic Americans of African, Arab, and South Asian descent, particularly members of Islamic faith;

Whereas, on September 14, 2001, the House of Representatives passed a concurrent resolution condemning bigotry and violence against Arab-Americans, American Muslims, and Americans from South Asia in the wake of the terrorist attacks;

Whereas it is estimated that there are approximately 1,500,000,000 Muslims worldwide;

Whereas Ramadan is the holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal for Muslims worldwide, and is the 9^th month of the Muslim calendar year; and

Whereas the observance of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan commences at dusk on September 13, 2007, and continues for one lunar month: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That : –

(1) during this time of conflict, in order to demonstrate solidarity with and support for members of the community of Islam in the United States and throughout the world, the House of Representatives recognizes the Islamic faith as one of the great religions of the world; and

(2) in observance of and out of respect for the commencement of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting and spiritual renewal, the House of Representatives acknowledges the onset of Ramadan and expresses its deepest respect to Muslims in the United States and throughout the world on this significant occasion.

Mr. Keith Ellison, a converted Muslim from Christianity, presently the Member of the U.S. House of Representative, a lawyer and also active on a national level in advocacy for Muslims in the United States told USINFO showing the motive of US Congress behind the above Resolution as this : “The basic idea is demonstrate not only to the Muslim world but to the whole world that the US Congress is a place where all faiths are respected, all faiths are recognized, where we embrace our diversity and where we believe that promise of America is that you may seek the Divine as you see fit within your own judgment, and in your own tradition and your own way.” Further, he added, “We are a nation of religious tolerance and religious inclusion.”

Over and above, one more positive and noteworthy step of the US is that its Postal Service has announced on October 7, 2007 to re-issue Eid Stamps with an appeal to support it by purchasing and using it. Previously the Postal Stamps of both the Eids (Eid–ul- fitra and Eid–ul- Adha) were issued in 2001.

In my previous Article “International Non-violence Day”, I had suggested to media to observe its Dharma (duty) to highlight such positive events publicly for developing Inter–Religious Understanding. But, very regretfully, I want to say that such a historic event is little brought to the knowledge of the oriental world.

Above two positive approaches undertaken by the United States of America have a vital importance, in my view. Muslims are the second largest populations of the world. Many Arab and Muslim countries of the world as well as numerous individual Muslims had sympathized with the victims of September 11 and offered valuable moral support to the US. I referred some books and other sources to know what re-action the Muslim world had shown on and after the terrorist attack, the brutal violation of Human Rights, on WTC. My recently referred book “The War on Freedom” (How and Why America was Attacked  – September 11, 2001) written by Nafeez Mosaddeq Ahmed, a ‘think tank’ dedicated to the promotion of human rights, justice and peace; is riveting and thoroughly documented study of the grave sin committed by those enemies of humanity.

Sheldon Solomon of New York, a Professor of Psychology, on a debate platform of an Auditorium on the 9/11 attack said,” There is hostility in the world because people are incapable of accepting different views.” He further said, “I saw the worst and the best human behaviors there in few days when WTC was attacked on Sept. 11, 2001. The best that people set aside their pretty differences in pursuits to help others. The worst is that that event was the worst.” He further added, “Countries will never get along if they keep using military and economical approach to solving problems, and that a Psychological approach is also needed.” He said also, “Imagine if, every day, we acted like those New Yorkers did after Sept. 11, if we fulfilled our human potential everyday and how much better this world would be.”

The noble people of the world are always horrified by the massive killing, destruction and attack on innocent lives reported from any corner of the world in any form, even wars. Particularly, regarding the philosophy of war, they people are of such opinion that “A war never decides who is right but who is left!” Besides terrorism, some other forms of massacre are racist attacks derived from confessional hatred and so-called ethnic cleansing. All such forms of massacres are the worst in views of all the religions of the world and their true believers. Meanwhile, I would like to justify the title of my Article in a way that its profound substance is in line with above mentioned Sheldon Soloman’s views of applying psychology for the solution and prevention of various forms of massacres in the world. With such positive approaches, the hearts of those noble people can be won and their co-operation can be useful for bridging the minds of opposite groups of extremists.

Now, I come to my subject with a link of Muslim re-action after above one of the tragic episodes of the world history. Here below, you will find some specific reports of re-action related to the event. Corey Saylor of the Council on American – Islamic Relations had reported that American Muslim re-action was overwhelmingly positive at the time when the tragic event had happened.

In my first phase, I’ll illustrate some examples of re-action of American Muslims in this regard. Let us go through a Fatwa (Religious verdict) against Religious Extremism by the Fiqh Council of North America in its words as “In the light of Qur’an and Sunnah, we clearly and strongly state that, (1) All acts of terrorism targeting civilians are Haram (forbidden) in Islam. (2) It is Haram for a Muslim to co-operate or associate with any individual or group that is involved in any act of terrorism or violence. (3) It is the duty of Muslims to co-operate with the law enforcement authorities to protect the lives of all civilians.”

One more example, in brief, is the re-action of “15 American Muslim Organizations” – through their joint statement said, “We reiterate our unequivocal condemnation of the crime committed on September 11, 2001 and join our fellow Americans in mourning the loss of up to 6000 innocent civilians.”

In my second phase, I would like to give you some more re-actions reported from many Muslim countries and individual Muslims of the world. Some extracts of the same in general and specific are as follows:

“We condemn in strongest terms the incidents which are against human and Islamic norms. All forms of attack on innocents are criticized in Qur’nic verse as ‘No bearer of burdens can bear the burden of another’. Attacking innocent people is not courageous. Islamists who live according to the human values of Islam could not commit such crimes.”

“They must be brought to justice in an impartial court of law and punished appropriately. It is a duty of Muslims to participate in this effort with all possible means.”

One of the Muslim countries in Middle East re-acted in its open words as “Apprehend them and those supporters who aid and abet them through incitement, financing or other support.”

League of Arab States stated, “Any human being, regardless of his ethnic and religious origin, will never think of carrying out such a violent, evil attack. Whatever its purpose is, this action cannot be justified and tolerated.”

One more statement is as “Islam does not encourage any kind of terrorism; in fact, it denounces it. Those who use terrorism in the name of Islam, in fact, have no other faculty except ignorance and hatred.”

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Supreme Jurist-ruler of Islam through Islamic Republic News Agency reported in severe words in general reminding us far past and recent Historic massacres. The words themselves are self-explanatory persuading the political mistakes of those countries that could have saved millions of human lives by opting alternative solution of the issues rather than the wars.  He stated, “Killing of people, in any place and with any kind of weapons, including Atomic Bombs, long-range-missiles, biological or chemical weapons, passenger or war planes, carried out by any organization, country or individuals is condemned. It makes no difference whether such massacres happen in Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Qana, Sabra, Shatila, Deir Yassin, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq or in New York or Washington.”

Now, when I am near to sum up, I feel free to say that I am satisfied with the presentation of my text in this Article. I have put before my Readers both the two positive re-actions; one, from the side of the United States of America and the other from the Muslim world. Now, I leave the decision upon you whether you agree with what I have presented here to make the universe peaceful.

Lastly, I shall quote a Czechoslovakian proverb as “Misfortunes always come in by a door which has been left open for them.” This proverb is equally applicable to the Nations of the world also besides individual ones. Now, it is the right time to take the stock of the domestic and international strategies and policies by all the Nations of the world to maintain peace and order in the world. Any problems among nations to nations, religions to religions and individuals to individuals can be solved by winning hearts and bridging minds of each other or one another. No matter how magnanimous the evil forces may be, the honest measures for the welfare of the world from the rulers and the ruled through out the world are bound to grow and bear good fruits.

May God enable us to achieve what is the best for the entire mankind.

With best Regards,

- Valibhai Musa
Dtd: 15^th October, 2007

 

Depression

Click here to read in Gujarati
This is the negative state of mind. There is nothing new, in my opinion, as such may happen to me, to you or somebody else. The challenging problem of depression, now a days, is increasing in an alarming rate in the world. Today, life is not an easy thing. We cannot live through it without passing through such Psychological problems. I am not a Psychiatrist or a Psychologist; but with my experiences having come through some case studies of my family members (even myself), relatives and friends while counseling them particularly for their above  problem and especially at their Annual, Board or University Examinations; I have reached some findings of solution for the same. Depression may have to be faced  in other cases also such as business loss and alike financial crisis, family problems, mental torture or harassment , ailment, sensitive nature, social and political disturbances, natural and man-made disasters, beloved one’s passing away or migration elsewhere, home-sickness etc..

Minor depression lasts for several hours or days and without any efforts, the victim comes out of it; but the major one is dangerous and there are the possibilities of some unpleasant negative results. The victim feels insecurity and loses interest in living a life. Sometimes the extreme thinking excites the victim to make suicide or run away from home leaving the family behind. The victim gets angry and sometimes becomes aggressive and violent. In some cases, the victim keeps mum and does not share his problem with anybody. Sometimes, he or she weeps silently self pitying, tries to find a corner to hide own self and avoids to meet or associate with others. The victim passes sleepless nights, avoids having food and dislikes any type of entertainment. In brief to say, many abnormal and peculiar behaviors of the victim are observed.

While handling such cases, my general knowledge acquired by insight and reading of some books on Psychology and other social sciences have come forward to help me. I recall my memory to suggest my Readers if anybody is interested in to go through a book for further knowledge in this regard. I don’t remember the title (name) of the book as it was referred by me in long past year of 1969 or 1970. The book was on Psychology and was jointly written by some ‘Crow’ last named authors.

Introspective approach is one of its kinds to come out from depression. This method is just like the self-counseling. The victim himself or herself may try this approach.  I draw my Readers’ kind attention towards a picture of ‘Self made man’ in my previous Article “Soul – Its nourishment” just to think over to understand this”Self served method”.

Before I go further to make clear this introspective approach, let me show you some limitations of it.  Firstly, this practice can be tackled by intellectual persons very well, effectively and efficiently; even though any common person also may get result with some efforts. Secondly, this method is somewhat difficult due to its only reason that the victim has to play two rolls at a time; one, we may call it as patient or victim and other the expert or curer. At the first stage the victim itself becomes familiar with own behavioral changes and mental state. Following to it, he or she intends to be normal.  My good Readers, now you can understand what two rolls are to be performed at a time. This task is tough as it is not like those actors playing double or multiple rolls on a stage or in a movie. It is rather difficult to make water tight compartments of the mind. One part of the mind has to observe the problem and other part has to show remedies for the cure. Both the rolls are difficult to be played in the sense that there are the chances of amalgamation and/or contrasts and/or absence of either side of ideas. For example, if we try to watch darkness with light, the darkness will disappear. Same way, when one thinks of the remedies of the problem, the effect of the problem will disappear.

My Readers, you will excuse me for I have kept you engaged for a long time in my above text. But, the background of my aim of this article was necessary to be brought before you. Now onward, I’ll straightway lead you to the guideline for how one can come out of depression with one’s own efforts and self-support and also without any professional help.

Firstly, the victim should create strong desire within itself to recover from this mental state. This is rather difficult as I said previously because on one hand the victim is suffering from the problem and how this desire can be created in himself or herself with broken heart. Just for this very first stage, an external but practical technique may be useful and it is that one should look into the mirror with an own photograph of smiling face in hand and try to compare both the faces. If photograph is not available, one may simply see into the mirror and observe the face accurately. The mirror can’t tell a lie and as a result one will be ashamed of seeing own pale and orphan-like face. This technique will motivate the victim to enter the process. Now, the victim may start to think positively and command or instruct one’s inner soul with some arguments and hints. This practice may be verbal or merely by bringing thoughts into own mind.

Such questions, hints or commands as samples are as follows:

(1)You have to come out of darkness of despair any how. (2) You have not to give in, you have not to drown yourself into depression; but have to create strength to face the problem. (3) This situation is not to last any longer and it will pass away like in a dream. (4) The clouds of despair will pass away and your life will be as clear as the sky becomes. (5) This is simply your mental illness and you will be cured by yourself. (6) You have to throw away all your anxieties and come out of nervous breakdown.  (7) Your present situation is just like the darkness before dawn. (8) Don’t turn your back to light as seeing towards darkness only is the job of the foolish. (9) Come on, no any wise one has ever died in such circumstances. (10) You are not the only fellow in the universe who would have to pass through such situation. (11) Many others like you would have solved their such problems and why you can’t. (12) Your many factors are favorable to you rather than those like you and thank God for that. (13) You only are not the sole proprietor of your life as many others in your family and outsiders also possess the right on your life. (14) You have no right to leave them on their fate as they are not responsible for what it has happened to you. (15) Be brave and fight like a soldier in the battlefield.

Over and above the struggle with self as stated above, some more tips are suggested to divert mind and de-link the chain of thoughts as follows and they are like : – (1) To go for a walk into the nature or visit a garden. (2) To associate with children (3) To pass time with tame animals (4) To make gardening (5) To visit a hospital. (6) To meditate or visit own religious place. (7) To share the problem with spouse or friends (8) To re-arrange own cupboard, working table or household furniture (9) To weep or laugh loudly alone (not publicly !) (10) To entertain mind through any favorite mean (11) To read newspapers, magazines or visit a library (12) To take deep breath or do exercise

Before summing up my Article, I would like to make it clear that in excessive serious cases, the victim or care-takers should not hesitate to take any professional help and that also in time in order to avoid any unpleasant outcomes. We should remember that tomorrow is yet another day. Depression should be taken as the part of the mood and the mood is simply a state of mind. Supportive approach with self is surely a result oriented process provided that it is practiced efficiently.

I conclude my Article here with a quotation of Socrates in this regard. He quotes, “Remember that there is nothing stable in human affairs; therefore avoid undue elation in prosperity or undue depression in adversity”.

That’s all, my friends

With regards,
- Valibhai Musa
Dtd: 10^th October, 2007