Caged within walls we built

There was a very simple couplet written by Kabir which we all used to recite when we were young, the essence of it being that once a thread is broken and joint again, it shall always carry a knot. Ever wondered why that knot stays? That knot is nothing but a simple feeling called ego. That inflating pompous thing of righteousness and reluctance to bow down that swells within each individual when cornered. And thus what was nothing but a misunderstanding keeps growing into an ever widening gulf, with each of the participants across, reluctant to take the first step required to bridge the gap. And right now, all of our minds astray into thoughts of familiarity of such situations. But ask yourself, why did it ever have to come to this point?

As we progress deeper into the age of virtual connectivity, ignoring the need for reality, we are increasing the tools for communication, yet reducing whatever we used to communicate. What was once an anxious wait of months for a letter, is now replaced by impatience over the ineptness of instant reply. This often blurs the fine but distinct line of pride from ego. Pride is standing by what you believe in is right. But when ego takes over, the sense of right and wrong is replaced by the zeal to outlast the other’s stubbornness, and thus, we push ourselves further away from what should be done, build walls around ourselves, in hope that others might break through it. And so paradoxically, we slip further away from communication, which ironically lays a button away. The false sense of security eventually crashes down for we don’t realize the other people are trapped within their own walls, looking for escapes. Thus, what starts as a simple issue of miscommunication, is engulfed by ego and reluctance behind the façade of pride. 

Myriad opinions and advices float around each one of us, adding fuel to the fire, further reducing our ability to see through clearly and most importantly, independently of what we should do and what we are doing. We chose to ask the question, ‘Why should I be the one to take the first step?’ rather than ask ‘How much do I value this person or group of people?’ The word compromise is often bandied around at such junctures, but what exactly is compromise? It is our willingness to accept change in return for happiness. “Why should I always compromise” goes the popular jargon. Notice that all of the above mentioned questions lay an emphasis on the word I. Yes, at the very core of it lies the fact that we feel vulnerable, and thus get defensive, protecting our interests. Inconspicuously, we forget that the best interest of our lie with them, yet we fail to acknowledge it. And the walls keep coming, till it’s too much to break through the walls that in reality do not exist.

Often success is associated with the word ego. And this is as true as the colour of sky being blue (go figure that).  Blame it on poor quality of english education these days, but again two words are used interchangeably, respect and the very popular ‘ego’. Respect is something that everyone earns, but ego is something that everyone feeds. Wars have been fought, empires created and destroyed, all just to pacify the bruised ego of successful people. But a closer look at history suggests that the people who have been truly successful were the ones who stepped through those self-built walls and were easily approachable. We all forget, success is a relative term, respect is not.

A popular Japanese folktale is about how water overflows when poured into a cup that is already that full. That’s what ego is, consumes your very being, making you impervious to what is coming in. It is easier to let the cup stay full, but required character and the not so human art of forgiveness to be able to empty that cup. And we all know that empty cups are hard to find for we are caged within walls we built for ourselves.  Do we have what it takes to take the first step to break through them? If so, the world would be a better place to live in, for there are enough walls that exist outside our heads, separating us, waiting to be broken.



 ©Copyright Darshil A Shastri

The Portrait

The canvas was his creation, the palette his fantasy,
As he painted relentlessly towards ecstasy.
Oblivious to the world but devoted to his muse,
Unrelenting, beauty and perfection he pursues.

The toil rewards him, with a master piece so rare,
Senses fail; all he does is stand and stare.
His passion breathes life into the paper,
The damsel enchants him into a pleasant stupor.

Lost in the long twirls that flow unbound,
The doe eyed gaze leaves you spellbound.
The lips curl into a smile that reaches the eyes,
Yet beyond everyone’s grasp this damsel lies.


Captivated by his work, the creator becomes its slave,
The word spreads of its beauty due to his flattering rave.
From far and wide come people, to meet the same fate,
One look it takes to pass into the hapless state.

Obsessed by her beauty, his brushstrokes never the same, he loses sanity,
For the damsel cast had her spell, smitten for eternity.






Copyright Darshil Shastri

Stories Unheard

Perceptions. One word that is constantly running in our minds, influencing our every action and reaction equally. Rather than focusing on the consequences that may arise due to our actions, more often than not, we fret over the perception it might leave on others. And why not, humans are gregarious creatures, we live in societies that often make or break people based on their perceptions and thus the image we portray must be carefully cultivated. However, this is like judging a book by its cover, as often perceptions are subdued between layers of insinuation. So, instead of looking at what lies beneath, the story that made the person who he is, who debate and speculate about the person itself, therein losing out on what the story behind that image had to offer.

In a talk show by a renowned personality in the world of business, there was a point on which he lay great emphasis, i.e. how we lay great emphasis on successful people. We perceive them in a different manner, often with other worldly assumptions, and try and emulate them. And that is where we are flawed. If we look at a finished product, or a successful person, or anything we perceive as good, and try to induct or emulate it as such, we would often be setting lofty unachievable targets and unrealistic expectations. The finished product is devoid of flaws and thus it’s called the finish product. So, shouldn’t the emphasis be on the story behind that product, the story that success, or the efforts that often remain behind the façade we portray to the world. The struggles, the sacrifice, the pain, the hunger that lay behind what the world perceives as success or glory is what needs to be looked at most, but ironically, is lost out in the folds of our actions and time.

So, next time before perceive any action of anyone in a certain manner, let’s not forget that therein lies a story which hasn’t been heard, and that has led to what we see of the individual as today. What might seem hostile and averse to the eye, might actually be virtuous and humane, once we make the effort to look beyond our perceptions. But it’s not often we do that. After all, it’s easier to stand and look, rather than walking across and knowing. And that is where we often lose out, on the stories that remained unheard. 


Copyright Darshil A Shastri