Tale of a Sugarcane Vendor - Ram Narayana

PROLOGUE 

Sugarcane juice is a popular drink here in India. This is available primarily in tropical countries where sugarcane is a primary source for producing sugar. Sugarcane juice is not available in countries like United States except for the state of Hawaii which is tropical.

Some benefits of drinking sugarcane juice are :

• healing source for sore throat, cold and flu
• low glycemic index which keeps body healthy
• diabetics can drink this without any fear as it has no simple sugars
• due to its alkaline nature, it helps fight cancer.
• hydrates the body quickly when exposed to prolonged head and physical activity
• strengthens the stomach, kidneys, heart, eyes, brain and sex organs
• it keeps urinary flow clear and helps the kidneys to perform efficiently

RAM NARAYANA - The Sugarcane Vendor

Ram Narayana leaves home each day morning at 7 AM with his cart loaded with sugarcane sticks. His cart is a simple contraption that has four bicycle wheels with a wooden platform. He travels 4 kilometers each way. It takes him one hour to reach his destination. He leaves home at the end of the day pushing his cart 4 kilometers. 

I enjoy a good glass of sugarcane juice and Ram Narayana is the only vendor that is within walking distance where I work. He is a street vendor, unlike other establishment that sell with various flavors. Such establishments can be found all around the city. 

The machine operates on fuel perhaps diesel or petroleum. In order to get the machine going, Ram Narayana   cranks the wheel clockwise and the machine swings into life. Use of lemon and ginger is common in adding flavor and spices to the juice. Some prefer the juice cold and ice is utilized. 

Ram Narayana leads a simple life. He works hard and enjoys crushing sugarcane and quenching the thirst of weary travelers and thirsty clients for a reasonable price of Rs.10 per glass. He radiates positive energies full of love and compassion. I go to him for that very reason and feel energized and invigorated. 

Some would question the surroundings and flies that sit on the sugarcane and wonder about their well being. As long as we are thankful for what we drink or eat, we shall be healthy.
When the mind is NOT at EASE, then DIS-EASE happens. 

AN AMERICAN VISITS INDIA

One of my friend living in Los Angeles visited Northern India for the 1st time to continue her Kundalini Yoga studies. The place was near Dharmasala home of Dalai Lama. She is accompanied by her daughter. 

She had some doubts regarding the hygiene and safety of the food being served. She made up her mind firmly to be Thankful and eat anywhere she felt like. She had a strong belief one's health is in one's own mind and happily ate at any street vendor and restaurant she could possibly find. 

On other hand, her daughter was doubtful and she kept thinking that she might fall sick or ill if she ate the food at the restaurant or vendor. Bear in mind, it is exactly the same street vendor and restaurant she and her mother visited. 

The daughter fell ill violently and had to be hospitalized for a week, whereas her mother was in perfect health. As I said, one's health is all in the mind. That what I said is my personal belief. Those who read what I said may agree or disagree with me. It is the reader's prerogative. 

END NOTE

At the end of each day, we can draw inspiration from simple lives of people like Ram Narayana. We have all the luxuries we can afford and yet we want more and more. Ram Narayana may not have or cannot afford any such luxuries most have, nor does he exhibit cravings for material wealth. He seems content with his life coming every day to his spot. Crushing and serving Sugarcane juice with Love and Happiness. 

AMEN

Life of Pet Dogs in the City

PROLOGUE 
I was reading a book by Steve Rother called Welcome Home: The New Planet Earth a few years ago. In that the significance of pets namely dogs and cats were mentioned.

Dogs are the teachers of unconditional Love. Their purpose here on this planet is teach us human beings what unconditional love is. Cats on the other hand thrive on negative energy and emotions. Cats come to you, only when you are feeling down, frustrated and dejected. When you are happy and at peace, and attempt to hold your cat, they would simply run away. Just as Tree takes in Carbon Dioxide and supply Animal life with Oxygen, cats take in negative emotions/energies and give out positive energies.

FEAR AND TELEPATHY
Animals can be communicated through means of telepathy. We as humans are arrogant and think we are the greatest and smartest in this universe and fail to understand that animals are more in tune and connected to nature and the Source where they come from.

One of the basic things I have been teaching children is to be Fearless and be brave. Children are quick to understand and naturally are fearless. It is unfortunate that parents who are fearful , instill fear into children and thus this vicious cycle of fear and uncertainty continues from generation to generation.

Swami Vivekananda traveled across India through the forests absolutely Fearless. During his travels he encountered face to face with a tiger. At that moment Swami Vivekananda was resting on a fallen tree in a sitting position. Being fearless, Vivekananda calmly stared at the surprised tiger for a while. The tiger simply stood there, acknowledged his presence and walked away.

Through proper mental training and being calm and composed, we can communicate with dogs or any animals  using our mind, in other words telepathically, including insects, birds assuring them not to be afraid, and you mean no harm.

DOGS IN USA AND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA


I lived in Southern California for the last 10 years since year 2000. My daughter was born that year, and my son was born in 2003. Both of them are AVID dog and animal lovers, totally fearless and bold. We lived in Orange County and took my children to a local park to play each evening.

Almost every other house had a dog of every possible breed and they bring their dogs for a walk to these large football sized parks. The dogs are off-leash and run freely. We taught our children to first ask permission before petting any dog.

First rule of thumb before petting any dog is to let the dog smell your hand. You calmly kneel down as a sign of respect and extend your hand forward. The dog would sense you are fearless and come forward to sniff your hand. Once that formality is complete, it would remember you for the rest of its dog years. And then you can pet the dog, hug and let the dog lick your face and rub its head, ears and its belly.

Most dogs are well behaved and mild mannered. It all depends upon the master or the owner's energies, emotions and temperament. I have seen dogs bark and growl at gardeners, don't know why.

There are dedicated Dog parks in Southern California and one exclusive Cafe that prepares and serves Dog food. That place is called ParkBench Cafe. I have been there to take pictures of birds like egrets. Sunday is a day where many bring their dogs for a walk and gourmet breakfast and lunch.

Open beaches is another great place who bring their dogs for a good run and exercise.

We did baby sit our friend's dog named Oreo. He is a Shih Tsu/Maltese mix. He was a little fellow with a lot of energy and runs like the wind. Most of the time, he sleeps during the day and get excited when we take him for a walk.

Dogs in USA and elsewhere are emotionally happy, as they get their exercise, they in turn shower a lot of love to their owners, and specially children. That is the way life of a dog is supposed to be.

DOGS IN BANGALORE CITY

Unfortunately, dogs are prisoners in the City of Bangalore and like many other cities in India as they are prejudiced and are viewed and compared to many stray dogs that live on the streets. These pet dogs are unhappy as they have to be constantly on the leash, and within the confines of the apartment. 

Greed and fear are the basic factors in unscrupulous development of the city. Every possible open space is up  for grabs, that includes land that is set aside for garbage and city dump. There is absolutely no consideration for open space preserve, parks that would give the city dwellers and pets a place to refresh and rejuvenate. This is a classic example of concrete jungle with many trees that are still around. 

People live in constant fear, they spend way too much time feeding their mind on mindless TV news and entertainment. This results in intolerance to fellow human beings and canine beings. 

Most apartments do not allow pets. If they do, there are those who love to complain and make life difficult for the pet owners and the pets. The pets can roam freely only inside the apartment.There are open spaces in some apartment for example the parking garage and open areas. These are the best grounds for a dog to get some exercise say early in the morning. 

As people are intolerant and apartment association do the bidding and set rules arbitrarily making the pet owners live on the edge unable to provide total love and freedom to their canine family members. And there are some who feel that they need to keep their dog on a leash, afraid it might get contaminated if it were to have any contact with a Stray dog. Stray dogs here are considered as untouchables and undesirables, which is true to some extent. 

However dogs do not judge each other as we humans do. Dogs sees the universe as a whole and see every other dog on this planet as equal. We as a human beings have to learn a lot from our pets and inculcate their unconditional love, non-judgement into our lives. Dogs would help us humans to become better and wiser. Hopefully these unconditional loving creatures would teach those who live in fear and uncertainty to trust these noble animals and give them more freedom. Freedom to play, freedom to run around, freedom to  give their love to little children. 

EPILOGUE 

This is probably one of the most difficult and challenging blog. I have been facing writers block and took me a while to complete it. 

There are open spaces outside the city limits where our canine friends can wander freely. I do hope a large 5 to 10 acre land is set aside for dogs in the city to converge and play. I am certain there are some wealthy entrepreneurs who love pets and can come up with such a plan and maybe charge a reasonable amount of money for the canines to seek company and play with each other. 

Dogs are like little children. They need to be loved. No matter how old the dog gets, the dog will be the 1st one ready to greet you at the door and give all his love. Your children would grow older from being a baby to adulthood. In time they would become busy to give you the same attention what you got  when they were younger. The dog on the other hand is always there to show his/her love to you. 

As I said, dogs have incarnated on this planet and are teachers of unconditional love. 

Thank you

Subha Pindiproli