Letting Go

We live in a materialistic world.I once wrote to ISKCON asking about the reason why one feels a great deal of disillusionment at times with oneself and the world. The wise man’s answer was the “material contamination of our lives".

I am a materialistic person. Rhetorically speaking, who isn't? I was once told that people with my earth sign stand to gain comfort from their (materialistic) belongings. However, my nomadic lifestyle results in me, most of the time, staying away from the things that give me a sense of belonging in this God forsaken world.

I know it may sound crazy but I'd like to have the red and blue lamps (birthday gift from mum and late friend resp),a picture of my favourite Guruji along with my little collection of icons including three of Swami Vivekanada's and not to forget my books and my clothes at close quarters. With my stuff spread all over the country (no kidding), needless to say that this remains just a wish!

I remember being very possessive about my clothes as a child. Never could give them away. Even now I find it hard but for how long can one carry excess baggage? Got to let go sometime.

I'd like to think that this goes beyond material possessions. We all have to sometime or another, let go of things, aspirations and even people in our lives. As hard as it may be but I guess this is what we mean by growth (read development). We outgrow or outlive our clothes, our dreams and become independent. I was psychologically sick for three days when I first stayed in a hostel. Thought I'd die without my mum around. But look at me now! I never thought I would be able to recover from the shock of losing my best friend so early on, but look at me now!

Time is a great healer they say. But is that all? Can't we make a conscious decision of not subjugating ourselves to our materialistic desires and rise above it all to reach nirvana? I guess this is what the religions of the world have been teaching us since time immemorial.

I just parted with my favourite bag. My dad got it from France and in junior high, it was my 'exam bag'. Black with green interiors, it still looks damn sexy. It's overuse was precisely the reason behind its demise but yet I continued to store it for over five years after it was officially pronounced dead. Just one look at it brings back so many fond memories. I remember in a flash throwing it and collapsing in my best friend's arms when I was caught on the wrong side of the law for the first time in senior high and Oh! how can I forget, the guy who put forth the very first official proposal to me used to carry a similar one, much to the delight of my groupies. As I threw it away just, I wondered just what was I thinking when I'd put it away in safe keeping for all these years. Maybe that one day I'd wake up and the blue fairy would have brought it back to its original pristine beauty!

Everything has a life span; even non-living things (like my bag) and relationships. It is only when we choose to drag them along space and time co-ordinates beyond their natural state that they lose their purpose and charm.

So trust me, let go of one thing that has outlived its utility in your wardrobe or closet and you will feel so empowered. Let go and see the magic!