Thats-so-Raja !

Buddha was supposed to give a sermon one day. He came, sat on the stage, picked up a flower and started examining it. Immediately, he allowed himself to be drawn by its vibrant color, intoxicating scent and softness. He did not speak a single word for the entire sermon. One of the monks present there, called Mahakasyapa, finally smiled. He was the only one who is said to have got it. His realization became what we now call the “Zen” after passing through many generations. What was Buddha trying to teach us with his silent yet very powerful demonstration? Well, we all know its to do with achieving oneness of the mind, living in the present moment etc. But I think, more than that outcome , Buddha was trying to teach the mechanics of achieving it. In my own words, I would say the mechanics is “ TO MAXIMIZE THE PLEASURE ”. Just hold this thought here. Around the same time in Greece, a man called Epicurus discovered the same operating principles. Life is all about maxi...

This is the script of my second speech in Toast Masters. It was voted as the best prepared speech. A second consecutive win. Now, I am feeling a strange itch to continue this streak :) ---------------------------- One of the biggest problems I face these days is that I am getting older. There are blindingly obvious signs of it everywhere. I am balding on the top, greying on the sides. My metabolism is dropping that even water makes me put on weight. I get tired of carrying my own weight. And annoyingly, I have a lot of things to say, these days. I talk in great lengths and  half way through, I forget the original point itself. [Pause] Sorry, why I am I saying all these to you? Oh, the old age. Yea! Now, when I complain to people that I am getting older, they always have one thing to say. “Well,  you can't do anything about it but just grow old gracefully ”. I get so annoyed at that statement. Just what in the world is growing old gracefully? ...

Folks, welcome the new Toast Master on the block. I gave my maiden speech last month. With a bang :) It was chosen the best prepared speech of the evening. I am going to post all the scripts here. The main objective is to get your suggestions on the improvements. Also, the beginners who google their way in here would get some tips, hopefully :) This speech was titled the 'The Modern Man'. Project 1 (P1) was intended for the speaker to introduce himself, therefore, its an ice breaker session. Following the tradition, I pulled out a couple of real incidents from my life - the ingredients that cooked me into what I am today. I would probably write a separate blog on those incidents. But, I think what really gave the wind to the sail was the closing  segment (the script below). It was supposed to be delivered in an express speed and I took 2 weeks to memorize it. Phew! I’m a modern man, a man for the millennium. Multicultured, multi-faceted – a post-modern de...